The Nightmare Reign

by Cartoonlover13

Rating: teen
Tags: Sunset Shimmer, Main 6, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Dark, Alternate Universe, Nightmare Moon, Drama, Original Character, Adventure, Princess Celestia
Length: 3480

Nightmare Moon defeated Celestia and imprisoned her in the moon. Nightmare Moon took the role of Empress and all must serve her...or else. Now the fallen princess, Celestia has returned.

Defeated and imprisoned in the moon for 1,000 years. Celestia finally escapes her prison. When she comes back Equestria is much different. It's renamed to The Lunar Empire under the rule of her corrupted sister.

All must serve her sister or else. The ponies of Equestria do not remember her or anything before her sister's rebellion. They have been brainwashed and mind controlled by Nightmare Moon.

But Celestia has a glimmer of hope as a group of ponies have figured out who the true ruler is, her and Luna. The group The Equestrian Fighters are led by Sunset Shimmer, the former student of Nightmare Moon. She figured out the real past of Equestria and spread it to other ponies.

With Celestia only representing half of the elements. Which is not powerful enough to bring back her sister. The elements, being held by Nightmare Moon need to have new element barriers. Destiny was chosen new element barriers which all serve the very pony she is trying to defeat.

Magic being the student of Nightmare Moon.

Laughter being the head cook of her sister's castle.

Loyalty being the captain of an elite military team called the Shadowbolts.

Generosity being the royal decorater for Nightmare Moon.

Honesty being a guard of Nightmare Moon.

And Kindness being the castle gardener.

All of the six mares are what destiny is calling them the new heroes of Equestria.

Cover art is from CosmicUnicorn on Devaintart.

EDIT: Other characters are Bon Bon, Lyra, Derpy, Doctor Hooves, Octavia, Vinyl, Amethyst Star, Vinyl, Twinkleshine, Lemon Hearts, Minutte, and Moondancer.

Story no longer Anthro

Takes place around the time which would of been the season one premiere.

Remake of the The Nightmare Reign. I don't recommend you read it since this one is better in my opnion.

Edited and Pre-readed by
ARTL and edited by Fillyphil

Published 2016-04-24 22:40:01 UTC
Last updated 2016-04-24 22:40:01 UTC

The Student

A mulberry unicorn with a sapphire blue mane, violet and rose streaks through her mane, and violet eyes, was galloping down a path to her private study, but was stopped by a voice "There you are, Twilight!"

When Twilight looked to where the voice came from she saw three mares. All were unicorn mares with presents on their backs. The one who called her out has a white coat was Twinkleshine: curly pink mane and tail, bright blue eyes, cutie mark of three blue stars. Another—medium blue coat, two-tone blue mane and tail, deep blue eyes—was Minuette, and the yellow one—curly medium blue mane and tail, red-violet eyes—Lemon Hearts. Her tail had a stripe of lighter blue that was not present in her mane.

"Moondancer is having a little get-together in the west academy courtyard. You want to come?" said Twinkleshine happily.

Twilight bit the inside of her cheek "Oh, sorry girls–" Twilight eyed her bag "–I got a lot of studying to catch up on." Twilight gave the trio a quick big grin then galloped off.

Twinkleshine sighed, disgruntled. "Does that pony do anything except study? I think she’s more interested in books than friends." The three mares then went on their way.

"Friends later. The Lunar Empire's fate now!" Twilight said to herself.

She raced past two other ponies, up a few flights of steps, and into a tall tower. On a balcony outside its top level, a small, light violet dragon—a shade darker than Twilight’s coat—walks upright toward the doors carrying a present. The spiny plates running from head to tail are green, his underbelly is a pale yellow-green, and he has darker yellow-green ears shaped as tiny bat wings. This is Spike, Twilight Sparkle’s assistant. Before he reached the doors, they burst open and throw him backward; Twilight emerges from inside."Spike! SPIIIIKE! Spike?"

Spike was flat on his back; he sits up with his green eyes spinning.

Twilight sighed "There you are."

Twilight gallops past as he clears his head. Inside, is a library, with various scientific instruments inside. The woozy little dragon comes up the stairs, with the present now impaled on his tail.

"Quick! Find me that old copy of Predictions and Prophecies.," said Twilight who had a puzzled look on her face. "What’s that for?" Twilight said as Spike, her assistant pulls the box loose.

Spike had a displeased look on his face "Well, it was a gift for Moondancer, but…" The bottom then felled out, dumping a damaged teddy bear that squeaked when it hit the floor.

Twilight let out a deep displeased breath "Oh, Spike…" Twilight knocked books off a stack with her head "…you know we don’t have time for that sort of thing."

Spike bit his lip "But we’re on a break!"

As Twilight eyes a book lying on the floor; her horn flares brightly and one on the top shelf floats free and down to her. Using her telekinetic abilities, she uses to summon several more in time on the next line.

"No…no…no…no, no, no!" Twilight let out a frustrated groan. "SPIKE!!" Twilight screamed to the dragon on a ladder at another high shelf, holding a book.

"It’s over here!" said Spike. Twilight's telekinetic powers drag both the book and him.

Twilight grinned "Ah!"

All the others hit the floor and she trots off, levitating this one alongside. As Spike reluctantly starts to pick up the books, Twilight lets her magic do the walking through the one he found.

"Mare in the moon, Mare in the Moon, M, M, M...aha!"

"Mare in the Moon?" But that’s just an old ponies tale," said Spike on a latter now re-shelving books while slowly losing his balance on the ladder.

Twilight began reading again “Legend has it that on the longest day of the thousandth year, the stars will aid in her escape." Twilight gasped "Spike, do you know what this means?"

Spike tilt his head in confusion. "No." causing Twilight’s ears to flop. Gravity takes him and the tomes down with a yell; he lands on Twilight’s back and collects the scroll and quill pen she now has in her mouth.

"Take a note, please," said Twilight snapping tail out straight. "To the Empress.”

Spike bounced off the floor "Okey-dokey."

Twilight instructed him to write what she says “My dearest teacher, Empress Nightmare Moon: My continuing studies of pony magic have led me to discover that we are on the precipice of disaster.”

"Hold on," said Spike "Preci…preci…" Spike gave Twilight a lost look—clearly he is not familiar with the word—and she thinks for a second.

Twilight rolled her eyes "threshold."

"Thre…" Spike again had a lost look on her face.

Twilight sighed "Uh…brink?" Spike still had a lost look on his face, she groans. "That something really bad is about to happen!"

Spike writes this bit down quickly and she resumes her pacing.

Twilight cleared her throat “For you see, the mythical Mare in the Moon, is the dark, evil tyrannical pony, Hellion Flare is about to return to The Lunar Republic. Something must be done to make sure this terrible prophecy does not come true. I await your quick response. Your faithful student, Twilight Sparkle.”

Spike wrote slowly “Twi-light…Spar-kle.” He finishes writing "got it!"

Twilight beamed "Great! Send it."

Spike raised an eyebrow "Now, Twilight?"

Twilight looked confused "Of course!"

Spike looked uneasy "Uhhh…I don’t know, Twilight. Empress Nightmare Moon may be little busy getting ready for the Summer Moon Celebration in the capitol New Pony City, and it’s, like, the day after tomorrow. And she has a temper and hates when ponies interrupt her."

Twilight got into Spike's face "That’s just it, Spike. That’s just it!" Twilight looked at the glimmering moon with the image of a mare with a horn. "The day after tomorrow is the thousandth year of the Summer Moon Celebration. It’s imperative that the Princess is told right away!"

Spike then began writing again "Impera…impera…"

Twilight groaned in annoyance "Important!"

This word spoken by Twilight comes with enough oomph to throw him off his feet; The dragon quickly gets up.

Spike rolled his eyes at Twilight's need for perfection "Okay, okay! He takes a deep breath, holds the rolled parchment in front of his mouth, and blows a burst of green fire over it. The message burns away, leaving only a tendril of sparkling pink smoke that snakes out a high window.

"There! It’s on its way," said Spike to Twilight as she paces. "But I wouldn’t hold your breath.

Twilight had a smug face "Oh, I’m not worried, Spike. The Empress trusts me completely. In all the years she’s been my mentor, she’s never once doubted me.

Spike’s cheeks bulge as if he is about to vomit; instead, he belches up a burst of green fire that forms into a sealed scroll. This drops to the floor.

Twilight smiled "I knew she would want to take immediate action. Spike opens it and clears his throat.

"My dearest, most faithful student Twilight…You know that I value your diligence, and that I trust you completely.”

Twilight grinned "Mmm-hmm."

“But you simply must stop reading those dusty old books! Don't interrupt me! When I put that MARE in the moon my magic will keep her there forever. You heard me, forever don't listen to those myths and rumours!"

Twilight gasped "b-but I-"

"Be real, Twilight," interjected Spike. "The Empress isn't the nicest pony. She's strict, but keeps The Lunar Republic safe. She single handedly defeated Sombra and Chrysalis and her changelings. Even if this 'Mare in the Moon' came back I'm sure she'll be able to defeat her before it gets out of hand."

Nightmare Moon threw the ink and quill pen across the room startling her assistant. "Do ponies not know DON'T INTERRUPT ME!"

Her assistant quietly whimpered and backed away from the enraged Empress, hoping she wouldn't take her anger on her.

"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU STILL DOING HERE! GET! OUT!" screamed Nightmare Moon. The assistant quickly ran out of the throne room.

Nightmare Moon was very angry that her student would think she would be stupid enough to think the spell she did on her sister would not last forever. That so called prediction was just a rumour made up by somepony years ago. That damn rumour was blown way out of proportion. How many times must I say that The Mare in the Moon, Celestia will stay there. Why would I use a spell which would not last forever?

Nightmare Moon train of thought was cut off by a cyan pegasus with buzzcut rainbow colored mane with her tail having the same color. Her eyes where a magenta color and her cutie mark was of a cloud with a rainbow streak. The cutie mark was sewn on to her Shadowbolts uniform. This was Captain Rainbow Dash of The Shadowbolts who abruptly came into the throne room.

"You better have damn good news, Captain Dash," said Nightmare Moon in a cold tone.

"Your Highness, Lyra Heartstrings and Bon Bon were in tracked down and were taken into custody for breaking into the castle and stealing documents."

"What do you mean by were!?"

Rainbow Dash gulped "A unicorn, which we didn't see her face, but we do know she's a mare and a powerful spell caster. She defeated the squad who had the two fillyfoolers in custody. Before backup came the unicorn mare and Heartstrings and Bon Bon were gone."

Nightmare Moon bit her lip so hard it drew blood making her even scarier. "So your squad was defeated by a mere unicorn! And you didn't even STOP THEM!" Nightmare Moon in a fit of rage took Rainbow Dash's neck with her telekinesis she slowly choked her while holding her in the air.

Rainbow Dash struggled and squirmed in the Empress's grip. Before Rainbow Dash fell unconscious she was thrown to the door of the throne room.

"DO NOT EVER DISOBEY MY ORDERS! YOUR ORDERS WERE TO BRING BACK LYRA HEARTSTRINGS AND BON BON TO ME!!

"Y-y-yes...Your H-Highness," Rainbow croaked out.

“Go now, if you ever disobey me…well, you'll regret it, like many treacherous ponies before you.”

Rainbow Dash nodded and holded in the tears forming in the corners of her eyes.

Author's Note

Well I hope this is a good start and I'll get into this as the story progresses.

P.S
If you don't get it (which I'm sure you will) New Pony City is a pun on New York City. :trollestia: I feel so unclean :pinkiesick:

The Summer Moon Celebration (Updated)

A dark blue chariot soared across the nightsky. In the chariot was Twilight Sparkle and Spike. The chariot was pulled by two bat ponies. Twilight‘s loud yawn caught the dragon's attention and she saw Spike looking at her. "Coffee hasn't taken effect yet."

"You should've taken a nap like everypony else did. Everypony is ordered to stay up to twelve to six on this day," responded Spike.

Twilight had a very cross look on her face. "I stayed up because I am on a verge of a MAJOR breakthrough which could save ALL of us. Yet it's dismisses as a rumour or a myth!?"

"Twilight, you may be wro-" Spike regretted speaking as Twilight shot a glare at him.

The chariot then passed over Area Pony-One, a top secret military base covered by an invisibility spell which makes the base look like a normal empty land. Twilight was the only civilian in Equestria who knew of the existence since all of Nightmare Moon's personal students knew of it. The chariot then went over the Everfree forest. It was once just a normal forest but constant dangerous magic from the New Pony City Castle and Area Pony-One made it the most dangerous and mysteries places in Equestria. The Everfree was now contained, though, by the magic of Nightmare Moon, making it safe for ponies.

The chariot landed in front of doors to the castle. Waiting for Twilight was Princess Selene, the oldest of Nightmare Moon's children and the successor of Empress Nightmare Moon and second in command of Equestria. Emperor Moonshadow, her father and late first husband to Nightmare Moon, was the most favorited Captain of the Royal Guard in history.

Her coat was of a cream color, and her mane and tail a short, very light azure with moderately cyan eyes. Her cutiemark was of two katanas crossed together, showing her special talent of swords which is sewn on her long white dress. She is the Princess of War and Wisdom.

"Hello, Twilight Sparkle," said Princess Selene. At her sides were two royal guards. The ponies and their celebration around her stopped to bow.

Twilight put on a small grin. "Hello, Your Majesty." Twilight and Spike exited the chariot and bowed, the pegasi pulling the chariot following suit.

"Please, follow me to the castle," asked Princess Selene. The partygoers returned to their fun activities in the Summer Moon Celebration fair as the three and the guards went inside the empty castle.

"Where is your mother?" questioned Twilight.

"She's in a meeting with her cousin King Leo of Aquastria. But that isn't important right now. She tasked me with explaining your foolishness."

Twilight had a fake smile on her face. "Yes?"

"Don't get me wrong, Twilight. You are an intelligent mare, but everypony makes a mistake sometimes. You are lucky I have patience like my late father, unlike my mother. Hellion Flare is not coming back. I don't know how that rumour got spread around. Now please, enjoy this celebration of the thousandth anniversary of their battle. Also, you'll accompany me with mother in addressing her subjects and foreign visitors."

Twilight nodded. Even she thinks I'm being foolish, she thought.

"Now I must get back to taking care of my brother, Prince Leon. Wish me luck, Sparkle" Princess Selene then left Twilight and her assistant, followed by her guards.

"Who's Leon again?" asked Spike.

When Leon was born four years ago. Only pictures of him were shown months after his birth and they were only shown to the public once a year during the Summer Moon celebration. So it was understandable that Spike forgot who he was since he was rarely seen. Nightmare Moon liked it that her children were kept from the public during their young years while being trained and raised by her and the Royal Guards, being only shown when they were older.

"Prince Leon is the second child of Empress Nightmare Moon and the half brother of Princess Selene. He is four and the father is–or was a pegasus. He is the former Captain of The Royal Guard and the Emperor of Equestria, Orion. He was turned into a constellation by the magic of Chrysalis, Queen of Changelings, who would then be struck down by Nightmare Moon. He still remains a constellation, sadly after four years," Twilight said.

Twilight glared at Spike "Do you even read the history books I give you on your birthday!?"

Spike had a nervous smile on his face "I saw an ice cream stand at the fair. May I go? Okay! Byeeee!" Spike then quickly exited the castle.

"Spike!" Twilight ran after him.

"Uhhh, Sunset, couldn't you use a more comfortable disguise spell!?" complained Lyra.

Bon Bon, or Secret Agent Sweetie Drops, rolled her eyes.

"Lyra, do you want everypony to know what we're doing?!" whispered Sunset sternly.

"Sorry."

All of these three ponies had their coats, eyes, mane and tail different colors with their cutie mark slightly different. They were all in the middle of the Summer Moon Celebration fair. The rest of their group had split up.

"How can you mares stand this. Everything is so itchy!" whined Lyra.

"Sorry about that! This isn't my first time using this spell since technically I'm dead. Bon Bon is former secret agent sooo..." said Sunset.

"Get used to this, Lyra. We're wanted criminals now," said Bon Bon. Lyra in response groaned.

"Those documents weren't even that useful. What's worse is that we were the only ones caught before the others could get the Elements."

"I'll admit, all of our attempts at getting the elements have failed. But we will get the elements with Princess Celestia's help when she returns in..." Sunset looked down her watch, "...about ten minutes, okay?"

"We already know you are the Element Of Magic. And we know the Elements of Kindness and Laughter, but what about the other three?" asked Lyra.

Sunset sighed. "Maybe Princess Celestia will know."

"Maybe," replied Bon Bon. The royal trumpets blared and Empress Nightmare Moon stepped out to the castle balcony with her daughter, Princess Selene, holding the hand of her brother, Prince Leon followed her. Then Nightmare Moon's student, Twilight Sparkle, came onto the the balcony.

Then all the royal leaders of the foreign countries followed suit and came out. Saddle Arabia, Griffonstone, Aquasteria, Collambia, Asinus, Fawnland, Zebrica, the Equestrian vassal states, Germane, Neighpon, and Prance. Empress Nightmare Moon's distant nephew Prince Blueblood, and her niece and nephew in law rulers of the Crystal Empire. The couple was Princess Mi Amora Cadance and her husband Prince Shining Armor also Captain of the Royal Guard.

"CITIZENS OF EQUESTRIA AND BEYOND,” Nightmare Moon exclaimed using the royal voice, causing some ponies to recoil from the volume. "TODAY, SUBJECTS, WE CELEBRATE THOU'S ACHIEVEMENT OF DEFEATING THE WICKED HELLION FLARE! WE HOPE YOU ALL HAVE HAD A GREAT TIME CELEBRATING! THE CELEBRATION WILL BE OVER SHORTLY AS THE EVENT CLIMAXES. THANK YOU ALL, MY SUBJECTS! THANK YOU! When Nightmare Moon finished her speech and walked off the balcony with all the other ponies, the crowd erupted in applause and cheers.

All except a couple of ponies that didn't clap and instead stared at the moon. Sunset Shimmer, Bon Bon or Sweetie Drops, Lyra Heartstrings, Amethyst Star, Vinyl Scratch, and Moondancer. The rest of the group were in the base in Canterlot. All of them glared at Nightmare Moon, knowing what really happened. The unicorns of the group horns glowed as some ponies began to leave the big party.

As the clock turned six, for less than a split second, the figure of a mare on the moon vanished but returned. The horns of the unicorns stopped glowing.

Sunset panted and sweated like crazy, as did did Lyra.

"Are you okay you two?" questioned Bon Bon to her friend and marefriend.

"W-well you're right, Sunset. This spell is hard." Lyra wiped the sweat off her forehead.

Sunset smiled. "Yeah...but this is worth it."

The three mares and their fellow conspirators ran off in different directions, disappearing within the crowd..

While Sunset, Bon Bon, and Lyra started to run to catch their train, Bon Bon was a little worried. "S-Sunset," said Bon Bon, running to Sunset. "Are you sure she's gonna be there?" As a part of their illusion spell, Princess Celestia, if she actually did come back, was teleported to their base.

Sunset stared into Bon Bon's eyes "I-I hope."

Nightmare Moon looked up to the constellation which was once her husband, Orion. That foal had it coming for trying to bring down my reign. Ponies are so gullible. I just killed Chrysalis and her changelings because they might have been a threat. Nightmare Moon's armor was off and instead was a robe. Nightmare Moon stood on her bedroom chamber’s balcony. She shifted her gaze to her prized possession and prison of her sister, Celestia. But tonight was different. Something was off and she couldn't quite put her finger on it. She began formulating to establish heightened security all over Equestria just in case.

Then a voice appeared in Nightmare Moon's head. Do you honestly think this rule will last any longer, you monster?

Nightmare Moon grinned. Yes, yes I do, Luna. Give up.

I will never give up, Nightmare Moon. You will be defeated someday, I just know it.

Author's Note

Area Pony-One :trollestia: I'm sorry I can't stop with all the pony puns :facehoof:. Ponyville does not exist in this universe. Why? Becuase it was Celestia who suggested Granny Smith to go to the land which is now Ponyville. Now if you are curious of who the hell King Leo is he is the king of Aquastria citizens are sea lions (like him) and mermares. He's introduced in the mlp books look him up. Then Leon appeared in a French MLP magazine as Celestia's cousin. I don't know if it's canon so I turned him into one of Nightmare's two children. Selene is going to be a villian and same with Rainbow Dash. Orion is also mentioned in the comics, he is the king of Timbucktu. I thought my puns were bad :facehoof: I just turned his character into something else. Fun fact Selene or Selena was going to Princess Luna's original name.