A Shadow in the Night

The purple pony smiled as her friends, a gray pegasus named Shattered Heart and a yellow pegasus named Fluttershy, laughed over a joke Night Gem had told. Fluttershy rubbed her bulging tummy and smiled.

“So how far along are you?”

“Hearts Aflutter will be here in only two months,” Fluttershy cooed happily, kissing Shattered Heart’s muzzle.

“That’s a lovely name,” Night Gem replied.

“Isn’t it?” Shattered smiled, “We picked it out. Colt, filly, or she-colt, I know our foal will be a beautiful baby.”

Fluttershy yawned softly and patted her large, yellow belly. She cooed, “We should really get going. I’m getting tired.”

The two winged mares left, leaving the pale purple earth mare alone. Night Gem suddenly felt a severe pain in her head. It felt like her skull was being crushed in a vise lined with razor blades, glass shards, spikes, and shivs.

“NOT AGAIN!!!” Night Gem screamed in anguish.

The pain intensified and metastasized throughout her body as she staggered toward her bathroom mirror. Clutching her head, she looked through teary eyes at her reflection. Her coat turned a deep, dark purple, almost like an eggplant. Opening her mouth, she saw her teeth sharpen to a point. The tears almost instantly dried up as her eyes turned from a vibrant sapphire to a bright green. Her mane darkened to a navy blue. The mare staring back at her… was not Night Gem. It was Shadow Crystal.

Shadow Crystal let out a bloodcurdling screech and cackled maniacally. The dark purple mare cantered downstairs and grabbed a butcher knife. She was ready to start her nightly rampage.