After their escape from Nightmare, were Twilight and Sweetheart finally safe in a cave along with their friends. Well... Some of them. Inside, they were already arguing almost at nothing, but they got quiet when they saw Sweetheart. "Hey... Long time no see..." Sweetheart said quietly, but it quickly awkward between them. Except for Twilight who was actually happy to see her, despite the last interaction before they got separated from the castle.
"What is she doing here?" Rainbow asked pretty rude, and Fluttershy shushed at her for her rudeness. Sweetheart seemed a bit sad, when she said these words. Then Rainbow Dash asked her why she haven´t told them that she could make a potal. it would have been easier, if they could just teleport to the castle, if she didn´t have to keep it a secret from them. Sweetheart hesitated and Rainbow kept pushing her, Twilight told her to stop it, but she didn´t care and kept pushing poor Sweetheart until she almost cried. Luckily, Applejack defended her and told Rainbow off, which made Sweetheart smile a bit by relief.

"Maybe she has a good reason why she did it," Applejack said in defense.

But they kept argueing about in an endless loop. Rarity managed t stop the arguement and somehow they started to relax, but staring intensely at eachother.

"Well, I agree with Applejack. Sweetheart only did what she thought was right," Rarity said with a bit moral, which Applejack puffed proudly. "... But... on the other hoove... She should have told us the truth and make this journey easier." She concluded with a sarcastic tone.
Applejack sighed annoyed, yet Rainbow smiled in triumph. Then Applejack started to argue with Rarity, "Oh that is so typical of you! Always making things worse and more dramatic than before!" she said and stared angrily at her. Rarity stared offended at her and excuses her for being reasonable. Then they continued to argue again and soon all her friends bacame a part of it. (Except for Fluttershy and Pinkie of course. Well, she tried to cheer them up by singing, but the three ponies shouted with a not now. She was so sad that she too began to argue with them, mostly about her cheering song.)
It felt like an eternity with their loud shouting mouths. So loud that it echoed through the walls and they could literally get caught by now. While they shouted at eachother, Twilight tried to clear her head and find a quiet place to talk with Sweetheart. Although she was happy to see her, she even has many questions which Sweetheart understood without asking her. First, she asked her how she can transfer a portal and why she didn´t tell her. Sweetheart hesitated, yet she answered her first question; "I´ve been doing it as long as I remember. I only uses it for necessary reasons... and I didn´t tell you that, because..." she stopped and seem a bit frighting. Twilight said it´s okay, if she don´t want to tell more. Sweetheart smiled and implied that Twilight was gonna ask her why Midnight acted strangely at the castle.
Again, Sweetheart remained silent, but Twilight kept asking her in a soft way why Midnight rejected their rescue and why he said these mean things to her. Sweetheart kept quiet, but a tear sheded from her left eye and she started to cry. Twilight tried to comfort her and told her it´s gonna be okay. Sweetheart was calmed, but her eyes were still wet and luckily no slime in her snout. They gave eachother a smile and Sweetheart told her everything. Long story short, Midnight only was rude and mean to Twilight, was because Nightmare watched every move they made. Even keeping an eye for them, when they are in quest. Twilight was in shock. She has no idea that Nightmare was capable of that. Sure, she might be powerful and all, but stalking them? That was pretty low for her status.
Twilight asked her, if there´s any ways they can defeat her twisted game, but Sweetheart shucked her head, saying that they can´t stop her. Twilight felt a bit of hope is lost, but asked her friend if there is no way they can save Midnight. Sweetheart shuck again her head and apologizes for not being helpful. But Twilight comforted her again, telling her that she´s not useless and she did tried her best. Sweetheart smiled with a better feeling and they hugged eachother. She told her that they need to gather her friends around to make a new plan. She helped Sweetheart up and they walked toward the shouting crowd that seems like an never-ending cicle. But as they walked she heard Sweetheart mumbling something. Her voice was quiet, but could clearly her whisper;

"She´s not what she seems to be..."

"What?"

"Nothing!"

But Twilight clearly heard her say some word, despite her mumbling. There is something, she didn´t understand. Why is everytime, she´s with her or sometimes asking her questions, she always kept saying that. She even remembered that Midnight was saying the same, when he `insulted´ her. (At least that´s what she remembered)
She stopped walking and kept thining what Sweetheart meant. She even stopped too and asked her why she stopped, but Twilight didn´t listen and was in her own mind. She started to realize something. Something she never thought about it. Sweetheart and Midnight was saying the same thing, but never when Nightmare showed up. Then she remembered a shadow, she never noticed before. A strange shadow who was stalking her and her friends. And when they´re taking a break to make a new plan, she noticed her strange look at Sweetheart, even from their last conversation. She´ve never questioning it, which was strange. But strangely enough, she never remembered anything of it. Even from her dreams of Midnight´s past until now.
"What could it mean?" she thought to herself and mumbled these words again. She kept mumbled with Sweetheart with a confusing look and the loud crowd of her friends.
Until... something got her attention. She did remember something from her foalhood, such as when she goes to bed, she noticed a dark shadow creeping under her bed. But mostly, when she´s reading her favorite fairytale and the shadow kept watching her. She remembered how scared its creepy red eyes was and it almost showed teeth as if it growled. And she almost got nightmares of it. Twilight always felt that Nightmare´s shadow guards seemed familiar, but less scarier than she remembered. But the one from the forest looked slightly different. Sweetheart did say that Nightmare kept an eye on them, but it´s funny that this one has a different form...
Something sparks in her mind. Whern she puts all pieces together, it all started to make sense now. Like she solved a piece of an unsolved puzzle, esspecially the sentences that bothers her mostly.

"She´s not what she seems to be..."

But her thought faded away because of the crowd noises, and she lost her concentration. But sknew that they don´t have much time to argue, so she tried her best to reason them, but they just kept argueing (except Fluttershy who was just sitting there, holding her ears from the noise). But they didn´t wanna listen to her. Twilight started to get annoyed and suddenly, her horn glowed unexpected but Twilight seemed to not notice it. As she was about to make them stop arguing, Sweetheart suddenly came in and told them to shut up with all her might. Which surprisingly caught their attention.
There was an awkward moment between them, even Twilight stared confusing at Sweetheart´s confidence. Luckily, Rainbow Dash broke the awkwardness and asked Twilight why Sweetheart shouted like that. Twilight was clearing her throat and responded that she has something to say. Her friends finally paid attention to her, while Twilight was explaining that everything they do. The quest and the witch´s test. They were nothing but games to Nightmare and she has been watching them the whole time. Her friends was surprised at first, until Pinkie confirmed that it wouldn´t be surprising that all villains does that. To make sure, we are not cheating on their way for example. That´s true, so that wasn´t an evidence enough. But still... she couldn´t help but feeling unconvinced by that. But the question is, why is she watching them, if she wasn´t keeping them an eye from cheating, if it´s just a game for her. Cheating...

"What if... what if she wanted us to cheat." Twilight implied.

Her friends seemed dumbfounded by her conclusion. One of them even asked her what makes her think of that. But Twilight implied to them, that Nightmare told her and her friends from the first night, that Sweetheart was allowed to show them the way, until they reached the path that leads to the castle. Before, Sweetheart helped them to solve the puzzles, but she never said that she´ll help them, if there are troubles. Like the manticore-like beast who attacked them.
Her friends was starting to understand the situation, but Applejack asked her why Sweetheart didn´t try to save them with her portal-technique and looked at the quiet Sweetheart. But all she did, was just staring hesitated at them. But Twilight already knew the answer. "This is what Nightmare wanted." she implied, which leaves her friends confusing.

"If she told us about it, it would have been a easy win for her.” Twilight explained to them. “Remember, all of this is just a silly game for her.”
Her friends seems to understand the while situation now. They felt at bit guilty of accusing Sweetheart for something, she thought she could protect them from. They apologizes her for their rude behaviour. Well, all but one. Rainbow Dash just need some space to think about everything, they´re been through together, and perhaps... she would apologize later. Sweetheart just smiled with an accepting smile and nodded understanding. Now everything is forgiving, Twilight asked her, if she knew a way they can save Midnight and perhaps passed those creepy shadows without getting caught.
Sweetheart said, she knew some secret doors, they can sneak in without being caught. But she also suggested, they need a plan to get Nightmare out of the way. Twilight asked her why they need to make a plan for that. Sweetheart stared at her with a serious look.

"We need to be out of Nightmare´s sight."

Meanwhile...

"Did you find them?!" Nightmare asked ragely to her shadow guard. The guard growled nervously with rolling thumbs, but on a split second, the witch slams it with her large wing and sudenly, it poofed out of the blue. The other shadows seemd scared by this scene, while Nightmare in a rage, gave them order to find Twilight and her friends. They nodded in response and quickly scattered through the walls. Nightmare sat exhausted on Celestia´s throne, "Why am I surrounded by fools? How could this simple unicorn be hard to capture?" she sighed in annoyence. But she heard a tiny giggle behind her. She stared intensely at Discord who just couldn´t stop giggling.

"What´s so funny, freak?!" Nightmare asked with a angry voice.

But Discord just couldn´t hold it in and just laughed. Celestia begged him to not make things worse, while Luna was quiet (despite a small smirk). Discord thought that everything was so hilarious, that it almost seemed like a bad joke. He kept laughing, before he could react to Nightmare´s evil glance, but instead she just chuckles. "Oh Discord. I almost forgot how fun you were before you decided to conquer Equstria. It was so cute...".Discord thanked her for the compliment and asked her kindly to let them out, which was a surprise to the sisters. But her chuckle went back to a frown and told him to shut up. "Geez, so dramatic." Discord mumbled dissapointed.
"You´ll never get away with this!" Celestia said in with hope, but Nightmare smirks and shakes slowly her head. "Really? Just like you never could have saved little Nighty from becoming a mindless shell?" Nightmare asked her with a mocking tone, while staring at the emotionless Midnight. Celestia kept quiet after that, feeling guilty and defeated. "That´s what I thought." Nightmare said.
She finally reaches to the throne and was trying to find a new plan. Suddenly, she heard a loud noise coming from the door. She ordered her shadow to check who was knocking. But as the shadow got closer to the door, it suddenly disappeared outside with a strong bright light. "I know this light..." Nightmare mumbled with a familiar feeling. She ordered a few shadows to guard the prisoners, while she´s checking the situation. But as she walked out from the door, the two shadows seemed relax, but suddenly got poofed from the strange light. The two princesses looked surprised, until Twilight and Sweetheart came out from their hide-out. Celestia was relieved that they were okay, yet Discord complained that there is no fun anymore. But Sweetheart just glanced at him, which surprisely (in Twilight´s pov) made Discord awkwardly silent. They set them free and asked them to go inside the secret door, where they would be safe.
Now they are alone with Midnight, who just sits besides the throne without movement. "Are you sure this is gonna work?" Twilgiht asked to her friend, which she replied that it will. Sweetheart did explain to her, while planning on distracting Nightmare from Midnight, that she knows a spell that could reach inside his mind and get him out from the darkness. Twilight thought it sounds dangerous at first, but was convinced that it is the only way to save him. She instructed to her, that first she need to light her horn as some kind of a communication to reach him. If his horn glows too, it´s the sign of responding the light and they were allowed to enter his light. Twilight does so and her horn lights up. It didn´t take too long, until Mignight´s horns glows light-blueish.
"He responded to us!" Sweetheart said in relief. "Let´s hurry, before she comes back!". She jumped towards him in hurry, which startled Twilight before she could reacts to her movements. But when she got closer, she could feel his energy like some part of him were still there. She thought to herself that she finally reached her goal and was ready to bring Midnight back.
But before they could reach their hooves towards him, an invisible force pushed them away from Midnight. They stared confused to each other until they noticed a dark shadow, which didn´t take them too long realize who this shadow is.

"This trick you pulled before... That was really impressive. But so predictable if you asks me."

Twilight and Sweetheart turns around and saw Nightmare standing behind them with a sly glare. They jumped with startled looks, yet Sweetheart´s face seems more horrified than startle. "But how? It was supposed to work?!" Sweetheart said wih a shaking voice. Nightmare laughed with amusement and even complimented to her that she looks more sweet when she´s afraid. She commanded her guard to bring something out. And to their surprise, all her friends in disguise of Twilight was gathered. "You almost got me there. But you forget that I see everything." Nightmare said with wickeness in her eyes.
But Sweetheart stoop up against Nightmare and she wasn´t afraid anymore. She gathered all the confident enough to tell her, that she´ll never get away with it and that Midnight will be free from the blasted curse. But Nightmare just laughed and squeezes her face which Sweetheart was irritated, yet Twilight seemed confused by their interaction.

"Oh, my poor little Sweetheart. You always looked so cute, when you´re angry."

But then Sweetheart ran towards her and pushed her?! "What are you doing, you disgraceful worm!". Twilight had never seen her like that. Her expression was a bit of rage and scared a little bit. She got a bit distracted until she heard Sweetheart yelling at her, that she need to go. Twilight hurries towards Midnight, but Nightmare pushed Sweetheart away and flew in a fast speed. She pushed Twilight away from Midnight with her spreading wings.

"You think you can defeat me?! I am invincible! No one can stop me. Not even a whiny filly who lives in her own fairytale world!"

Twilight frozed. She was shocked by what Nightmare said. Luckily, Sweetheart came to the rescue and pushed her again. "Twilight! Snap out of it, we need to go. Now!" Sweetheart shouted at her. Twilight finally snapped out from the shock and started to focus on the target again. She ran towards Midnight again and jumped to reached the light. Sweetheart got up and followed her. Nightmare tried to catch them to prevent them to reach Midnight, but it was too late for her.

"NO!!"

Twilight and Sweetheart has finally made it and disappeared from the world...

Everything went in slowmotion. Twilight was a bit nervous over what will happen to them next, but Sweetheart seemed calm and determint, when she took a quick glance on her. She felt a bit of courage to face the unknown, and also relieved to finally find Midnight inside of his mind.
They finally reached the destination. They landed with a gentle elegance, but the floor and the entire room seemed endless. Then, they heard some voices from the distance. Twilight was a bit scared by the creepy egos, but Sweetheart doesn´t seem scared. "I remembered it all like it was yesterday..." Sweetheart mumbled to herself. Twilight was a bit curious to know what she meant by it. But she seemed too distracted to explain and told her that they gotta move and walk into the unknown. Twilight just followed her.
As they walked, she could hear some happy egos, especially a genlte voice from a mare. But as farther they go, the egos began to stretch into a big filters, almost like a cinema at home. She was startled by the transformation, but already forgot it, when Sweetheart explained that these filters was memories from Midnight. Twilight felt relaxed and facinated by this new discorvery, until something caught her attention. She sees some ponies mocking the filter and she could Midnight´s voice as if he was crying. She just couldn´t get her eyes out from the memory.

"... What a joke! You think you can impress my sister with your precious books?! You´re nothing but an odd mule..."

Twilight felt a sharp pain in her chest. Although it wasn´t one of hers, she could help, but feeling angry and wanted to kick that stallion who bullied poor Midnight,but despite that she knew how he felt. She heard Sweetheart calling after her, so Twilight has no choice but to leave the memory behind. Luckily, she could see Sweetheart from the distant and followed her direction. When she got closer, Sweetheart were just stranding there, stift like a statue. Her eyes was big and wet, almost like she was crying. Twilight asked her what’s the matter but didn’t get her response. She followed her eyes. And to her surprise, she saw a pony sitting. It was a young unicorn and Twilight already recognizes him with just a glimpse.
"Midnight!" she called to him and he looked up and was surprised. "Twilight... W-what are you doing here?" he asked her confusing. He also notices Sweetheart who was more happy to see him.

"We´re here to free you!" she said with joy, but Midnight seemed more sad than happy by the news. She asked him why he looks sad and that he can finally be free from the control. But instead, Midnight just shook his head and sat down. "Don´t you see I´ve done terrible things, Sweetheart." he said.

"What are you talking about?! Nightmare was the one, who made our lifes into misery! She´s the one to blame, not you!" Sweetheart said with a convincing look.

It was a bit of a shock in Twilight´s ears. She thought with a disbelieved look, how he has done horrible things, if he didn´t do anything wrong. Well, despite lying and hiding his identity, but he didn´t have any choice, if Nightmare wanted to hide him from the world.
Sweetheart tried to convince him to come back, but Midnight just kept guilting his wrong doings. Twilight stepped in and finally confronted him. Well, she did confront him at the castle, but this one feels different. Now she´s determint to make him snap out from his guilt.

"What exactly did you do wrong?" she asked.

Sweetheart and Midnight seemed surprised by her question. But Twilight didn´t hesitated to ask him more question, like if he committed a sin, he mostly regretted. Or did he hurt someone, a friend or a relative he dearly loved. Midnight was sppechless by the last one. He started to cry, "I... I didn´t mean to do it! I didn´t mean to hurt anyone!".
He collapsed and cried out loud. His eyes was watering like a waterfall and kept cried over how much he missed his friends, his family and how much he regretted to have made the deal with Nightmare.
Sweetheart felt really sorry for him, but tried to take her tears in. "Twilight... don´t you think it was a bit... harsh...". Twilight admitted she was a bit hard on him, but he need to face the fact, that he can´t keep hiding and guilt tripping forever. She told Sweetheart, that Nightmare can´t control him anymore and he needs to stand up for his freedom. She could see on Sweetheart, that she seemed amazed by her speech. She saw her smile happily and felt her proudful eyes. Twilight smiled too and said that she don´t need to worry, "... I know what I´m doing."
Sweetheart nodded and stepped back. Twilight turned back to the crying Midnight. She then opened her arms and hugged him tightly. Midnight stopped to cry and looked surprised by this. But Twilight kepts hugging him.

"I understand how much pain you went through. But you can´t keep blaming yourself for your actions. Your sacrifice to protect those you loved was the mostselfless and devoted thing, I ever imagine."

Midnight seemes confused by her words, but she kept hugging him. She told him, depite not knowing his story, she always admired his bravery, even if he was scared on the inside. And how much he tried to keep his good side to survive all these years. She even told him, the story about kept her going and she always believed he was real, despite being a filly´s imagination.
Midnight didn´t seem to recall some story, but it didn´t matter. When they let go from hugging and stared at each other, he was surprised to see her tears flowing down like a waterfall. But she wasn´t sad, but happy. She even wiped her tears and said how embarrassing she must look, but Midnight didn´t mind. They smiled for a bit, until Twilight confessed that she always wanted to meet her prince ever since they met. "I know... you told me that before." he laughed, but Twilight shoke her head. "... Even if it´s only a dream... I´ve always believed that you were real...".
It caught as a surprise for him. He took an glimpse on Sweetheart as if she knew about it, but she just kept smiling. Then he turn back to Twilight who was heavily crying. He asked her what´s wrong, but Twilight reassured him that she only crys with tears of joy and relief.

"You always gave me hope, whethever I´m feeling down. I know it may sound weird, but... somehow, I´ve felt that you were always with me. To make sure that everything´s gonna be okay. Dreaming about you is like an encouragement to keep going on my studies and goals... "

Twilight still couldn´t help but cry with joy and started to hug Midnight again. He stared at her shockingly and can feel her warm tears on his shoulders, he heard Twilight whispering in his ear, "You are the reason to give me faith on friendship...".
Midnight felt an surprising shivering and could feel Twilight smiling. She told him, that despite not wanting friends to distract her studies, she has this strange feeling that friendship can be a good thing and that she shouldn´t be afraid to have friends. Just like the day she came to town and the moment she met her friends to defeat Nightmare Moon.

"... You gave me faith to be strong and never give up. I didn´t care if ponies saw me as weird... but one thing I know is... I will always have faith in you no matter what..."

...

... I forgive you...

Midnight was touched by her words and embraces her gently. "Twilight..." he whimpered calmly as his tears slowly flowing down on his cheek. But as they were embracing this beautiful moments, a strange light shines around them. Sweetheart was amazed by that, but then, it started to lighten up the room like a sunshine...

Author's Note

Okay, I finally finished this chapter. Never realizes it takes too long to write on chapter down. Xb
But I´m really happy that I´m finally reaching this chapter, I was mostly exciting of. Well, not quite what I have in mind, but it still works. Esspecially Twilight and Sweetheart who teleported into Midnight´s mind and we get some small infos about his past. I might write it all down in my deviantart some day to explain his history with Sweetheart and Nightmare. (And also their stories and connection to each other)

But next chapter will be a sort of a epilouge, cause I was too tired to write more chapters. XD. But it will be long and might takes some months or a year to finish it.

So please be patient and please put some comments, if you like my stories or what things I should do better next time I´m writing a story.

See you next time. ;)