Aspect hummed as he lay in his bed. Well, fun with Dash was out for the night, but he could still practice formshifting. He even had a new form to try out!

With a muted flash of light, an adolescent dragon, no bigger than the bed, lay curled up on top of it, still reading from his book on runes. His scales were red in color with a golden underbelly, and he hummed happily to himself. Just a touch of his age to fuel the transformation, and he skipped right over the hurdles of ‘too young’ and ‘WAY too old.’

The door opened and Bon Bon walked in, closing the door behind her as she turned around and…

“Yeeeek!?” she yelped, backpedaling and trying to reach for the door handle in a panicked hurry.

“Heya Bonnie~” Aspect replied. Yes, his tone was rougher, far deeper, but there was that familiarity that only he could bring to her name. “Like my dragon form? Just picked it up today.”

Ban Bon paused and turned slowly. “A-Aspect? Is-Is that you?”

“Yup!” the dragon preened as he carefully put the book on the nightstand. “Now I can become a dragon whenever I want! We can thank Spike for helping me with this. It’s been long in the coming.”

Bon Bon took a deep breath and exhaled. “You damn near gave me a heart attack you jerk.” She moved over to the bed. “Honestly…”

“Well I mean, I needed to try out the form before I forgot how to use it,” Aspect replied as he coiled around her. “Otherwise I’d lose access to it, and that would be sad.”

“So your transformations require regular use, or you’ll lose them?” Bon Bon blinked, blushing from the sudden contact of his warm scales.

“I have to stretch out the ‘muscles’ with them at least once a century, otherwise I might forget how the transformation is supposed to go,” Aspect replied, moving so that she could see into the book he had picked back up and opened in front of her. “And seeing as how I already stretched out my Diamond Dog in the back yard— Thank Artemis for that one, by the way,— I decided to try out my new form. Preferably somewhere where the public wouldn’t see it. I was also making a note of the new forms in my book, and seeing which ones I haven’t used in a while.”

“And what ones might those be?” she asked, peering down at the pages. She wasn’t used to Aspect being quite this… large. That said, he was quite pleasing to the touch, and so so delightfully warm.

“Well I have all three forms of pony, as well as Alicorn,” Aspect pointed out with a claw, his scales gliding over her fur. “Griffon, because I made them. Minotaur, because I met them. Same with the Zebras, they really helped me get into touch with this transformation magic in the first place. I technically have a Phoenix form, since I made them too. I just rarely get it right. Human of course. Seapony, because it makes visiting Neptune easier. Thestral, thanks to them being Lulu’s favorite. And then there’s the two new ones, Diamond Dog and Dragon.”

Bonnie gave a pleasurable shudder at his touch. “What about other things? Say… Breezies or a monster like a Timberwolf or Manticore?”

“I could try, but I would need to get close enough to one to sample their magic first,” Aspect mused as he slithered back. “I don’t think I’ve met a Breezie before…”

“Really?” Bon Bon blinked. “They pass through Ponyville every year around the same time. Fluttershy and a group of ponies help them migrate, as even the tiniest breeze makes them float off course.”

“Hmmm, well, maybe I’ll look into it later,” Aspect mused as his coils around Bon Bon shifted and…

Oh, now that was unfair.

“Um… Aspect? Honey?” Bon Bon tried to shift around. “I um… I can’t move.”

“Hmm?” Aspect turned and blinked a few times. “Oh...sorry.” A few coils came undone and most of his body was on the bed now.

There was still that damn unfair one that brushed between Bon Bon’s legs, though. She blushed hard and eep’d as he did that. She turned to look at him with a mixture of confusion and… slight interest.

“So really, I think I’ve exercised all but...my Zebra form as of late,” Aspect mused as he shut the book and slithered back to the nightstand, draaaaaaging that coil across Bon’s body. She let out a gasp and a slight whimpering moan as he did that, his scales getting slightly damp as she screwed her eyes shut and blushed harder.

Aspect paused as he put the book back on the nightstand, before turning his head to look at Bon Bon with a slightly quirked gaze and wicked smile. “Does my sweet mare like my new form?” he purred.

“Y-You’re cheating!” she gasped, trying to fight down the rising heat in her core. “A rotten, dirty… sexy cheater.”

“Mmm…” Suddenly, Aspect was coiling around her again, from bottom to top. And every time those coils around her shifted, the bottommost one brushed up against her most sensitive part.

“A-Ah~” Bon Bon gasped again. “N-No fair.” She couldn’t move again and yet, neither he nor she seemed to mind this particular arrangement in the slightest. His bottommost coil started to get wetter as her heated sex started leaking onto him.

“I’m not even really touching you,” Aspect purred as his head observed the mare from above. “And you’re already leaking onto me. Do you really find this form that arousing that you can’t contain it?”

“S-Shutup,” she murmured as her eartips burned red, she bit her lip, trying to contain her moans.

“Is it the form?” Aspect mused as he shifted his coils again. “Or is it something...more?”

She eeped when he squeezed again, doubting she could blush any further than she could now. “T-the form…” she uttered quietly. He must never know…

“Mmm...I doubt it,” Aspect reached up and trailed a claw through her mane. “You said I nearly gave you a heart attack when you saw me earlier…so something about the situation must be arousing to you. Care to tell me, or shall I just keep pleasuring you until you do?”

“I… won’t say,” she murmured. “Not telling.”

“Reallllly?” Aspect asked, his coils shifting again. She squeaked loudly and looked away.

“N-Not… telling,” she gasped, trying to break free.

And then suddenly she was free, Aspect letting her go and just hovering midair. “Fine,” he replied good-naturedly. “It’s obvious you won’t tell me of your own free will, so until I know what I’m doing right, I just won’t do it in case I do something wrong that makes you not like it.”

“I…” Bon Bon blinked, she’d expected him to keep going. This… was somehow worse. She screwed her eyes closed and then just blurted it out.

“I like being tied up okay?” she said a little too loudly.

Aspect lowered his head and looked her in the eye, before kissing her on the lips. “We all have things we like,” he said to her softly. “I don’t think any less of you.”

“You’re a tease and I hate you,” she pouted cutely and folded her arms.

“Oh?” Aspect grinned at her, even as he began to lower his body back down. “Not even if I do...this, will you change your tune?”

His long body began to slowly wrap itself around Bon Bon, giving her plenty of time to ask him to stop, to get out of the way…

Not that she actually did…

Eventually that serpentine body was entirely wrapped around the small mare, every coil pushing into her as his body kept moving around her. If she liked being tied up before...what was it like being wrapped up entirely in another living thing?

His answer came she she closed her eyes again, her body trembling as he felt something wet soak his lower coils… did… did she just cum? Just from that?

An embarrassed look and a blush gave him his answer.

“Somepony likes my new dragon form~” Aspect teased as he lay still around her for a moment.

“O-Oh be quiet,” she panted. “You owe me Mister… I wanna know something you like.”

“Hmm,” Aspect mused as the coils began to shift around her, taking up a new pattern.

Now something was prodding Bon’s lips. Something hard and pointed. She gasped again and squirmed, not that she could in his tight embrace.

“I wanna know~” she moaned out.

“That...is my secret,” Aspect chuckled. “No, but truth be told, I don’t actually know. I only became sexually active what...a few months ago? I don’t think I have one yet.”

“Mmm, everypony has something,” she sighed, rubbing against him. “Go ahead, I won’t laugh.”

“Honestly, I’m pretty sure I’m vanilla as ice cream,” Aspect insisted as his coils shifted and the tip started to catch on her lips…

“Mm, well you like being dominant,” she said as she rubbing herself against the tip. “And you seem to like uniforms, if the maid and schoolfilly outfits are anything to go by.” She smiled up at him and hummed. “Maybe Nurse Bon Bon should play doctor with you sometime~?”

“She’d be the first Nurse to get a look at an adolescent dragon,” Aspect promised as he began to shift again, the tip pushing deeeeper…

Bon Bon let out a groan as she felt him start to fill her. “Mmm, what did you do with Midnight?” she asked him. “Did you like it?”

“I don’t really recall it,” Aspect replied. “I was...rather drunk.”

“Oh dear,” Bon Bon giggled. “You don’t remember anything?”

“Nope, my mind blacks out somewhere after the thirtieth tankard of ale,” Aspect admitted as he kept pushing his length into his mare.

Bon Bon moaned as he bottomed out in her, his pointed tip pressed against her barrier as he felt teats press against his scales. She hugged his member tightly, her soaked walls gripping him.

“Mmm…” Aspect murred as he held himself there, before he began shifting his coils back and forth, rapidly drawing his length out of Bon Bon before shoving it back in. Everything but the head came out, and just as the tip was about to reach the air, the coils reversed and slammed it all back into her.

“A-Aaahhh~” Bon Bon gasped as a fresh coat of juices splashed his cock and coils. “Nooo, you beast,” she moaned out. “Not inside mee~”

“Oh you adorable little mare,” Aspect mused to her, drawing a claw down her face. “You stepped into the lair of a dragon. That means...I get to do whatever I want to you~” All this time, the screwing didn’t stop. It didn’t even pause.

“Y-You monster,” she gasped, trying to get out of his coils. “Nnoo, I don’t want too~”

“Oh, it’s far too late,” Aspect chuckled. “I’m going to hoard you here forever, and screw you constantly until your belly bulges with a Kirin~”

“A...aahh~?” she groaned, keeping up her futile resistance. “Noo, not inside. I don’t want a foal. Let me go you… you… aaahhnn~”

“And not just one,” Aspect whispered to her. “I’ll keep you here as my little breeding mare...again, and again, and again. I’ll repopulate the Kirins thanks to you.” Bon Bon moaned louder as he kept fucking her, her blush ever-present as her mouth opened, her tongue coming out as she panted needily.

“I…” she gasped. “Y-You’re going to breed me?”

“No,” Aspect replied, poking the end of her snout with a claw. “You’re going to beg for it first. Then I’m going to fill you, night after night, until it takes. However long it takes.”

“Ahhh~” Bon Bon cried out as another orgasm ripped through her. “Please nooo~”

“I am patient,” Aspect replied, his coils never stopping. “You’ll beg for it soon enough. And when you do, I’ll give you everything you ask for.”

The small mare gasped, moaning louder as she rocked against his dick. “M…” she opened her mouth. “More… please… fuck me more.”

“Not good enough,” Aspect replied. “You need to beg better than that, pretty mare. You have to want it.”

“I…” Bon Bon bit her lip as she felt an intense feeling of pleasure. “Please, fill me up. Make me your broodmare and breed mee~”

“Louder,” Aspect urged her as he started screwing her harder anyways, his coils positively thrashing about like a snake now. Bonnie let out a loud moan as she came again, her eyes rolling up.

“Ahh, this beast is going to breed me,” she moaned. “I’ll… I’ll be a breeding pet forever… Ahhhnn~” Her walls constantly squeezing and milking him for his seed now.

Aspect let out a growl as he slammed home one last time. Bon Bon felt his length twitch inside her a few times...before the drake’s essence began to utterly fill her. Bon Bon groaned as she felt his cum start to flood her, fill her waiting womb with hot seed as she came once more, drooling slightly as her mind went white.

Eventually Aspect uncoiled from Bon Bon and just lay down in a loose coil around her, panting as well. That had been...fun and exhausting at the same time.

Bon Bon moaned as she fell back against his coil, her belly expanded from the torrent he’d pumped into her, her lips drooling cum onto the bedsheets.

“Mmm...I like being a dragon,” the serpent mused as he trailed a claw over her belly.

“I… I’ll bet you do…” she panted as she lay there. “Don’t… you dare… tell Rainbow.”

“Mmm, but then how can I tease Rainbow in front of you later?” Aspect replied. “After all, she has a thing she likes too.”

“She does?” Bon Bon blinked, turning her head over to look at him. “Like what?”

“She has a thing for gryphons,” Aspect explained. Bon Bon opened her mouth, but closed it and merely hummed. She stared down at her swollen belly and let out a small sigh.

“I’m not actually gonna get pregnant from that am I?” she asked him.

“Oh no,” Aspect waved a claw. “It’s fine. I know better than to take that as consent.”

“Good dragon,” Bon Bon giggled as she pet his head. “Sorry… if I sounded weird. It sounded a lot better in my head, guess I’m no good at playing the captured princess huh?”

“Mmm, well you’ll have plenty of time to get better at it,” the dragon murred to her. Bon Bon gasped and poked him with a hoof.

“Oh no, are you going to capture more innocent mares you naughty drake?”

“More like play with the one I have captured, over and over again,” Aspect replied as his coils shifted behind her ever so slightly. Bon Bon blushed as she felt him stir.

“You… you beast,” she gasped. “Will your desires never be sated?”

“Mmm, maybe one day,” the drake mused as he trailed a claw over her belly. “For now, why don’t I make up for the month I was away?”

“What… did you have in mind?” Bon Bon said, trembling in anticipation as to what he had planned.

“Oh...just a few more hours of keeping my captive mare tied up,” the dragon explained before his coils closed around her again, keeping her still.

“But… but I’m already so full,” she gasped, getting wet at the feeling of being helplessly bound.

“Did I say I would be screwing you?” Aspect asked as he resumed reading his book, for all world unconcerned about the squirming mare in his coils. “No, I’m just going to read while you’re stuck like this.”

“W-What?’ she gasped. “That’s… That’s not fair!”

Aspect looked over and traced a claw between her eyes. “Toys don’t get to complain,” he hissed.

“A… toy?” Bon Bon blinked, not quite getting his meaning. Was he treating her like a teddy bear?

Then the coils shifted around her again, reminding her who was in charge of her predicament. She gasped again and pouted.

“I’m… not some plushie for you to hug while you read,” she huffed.

“Mmm?” Aspect mused as he resumed reading. “No, you’re my little pony toy alright. And when I’m in the mood to breed you again…” she felt his shaft trace along her flank, “I will make use of my little toy. But until then, get comfortable. You’re not going anywhere.”

Oh?

Ooooh, he meant that kind of toy…

Well damned if that didn’t get a soft, yet rather lewd moan from her as she blushed and looked away to hide her sudden arousal.

“This is going to be a long night for you, pet,” Aspect chuckled as his coils shifted again.

“Buh… but dinner,” she moaned. “I… I have to—”

Aspect’s coils shifted again, and suddenly she was staring at his long, draconic dick. “Dinner is served,” he idly noted.

Bon Bon just let out a small ‘eep’ in surprise and shock. Aspect said nothing more, simply reading his book as the length twitched in front of her. The mare stared at him for a moment longer, before opening her mouth and extending her tongue, letting her panting breath wash over him as she started to lap at his member, pausing slightly as a spicy flavour hit her tongue. The drake said nothing in response, even as his length twitched a little more.

Until he moved a bit closer, her bound form only let her keep up the sexy tongue bath his dick was getting, the mare moaning slightly as she reached the tip, her tongue prodding at the slit there and licking up any precum that escaped.

The coils shifted a little...and the dick was suddenly pressing deeper into her mouth. Bon Bon let out a muffled moan as he felt her throat tighten around his dick, her tongue coiling around the base as his whole member was buried into her waiting maw.

“MMh… mmph!” she gagged a little, but let him use her however he wished. She was his toy after all, a furry, squishy pony to warm his cock with~

“Do a good job, and you’ll be fed,” Aspect told her as his coils shifted back and forth, drawing his length out of her maw a short ways before hammering back in.

“Mm, mmmph. Aahh,” she moaned louder as he fucked her mouth, her tongue twisting and lapping at his dick as her throat kept squeezing him. A glance back saw that she had a rather fetching bulge in her throat when he bottomed out in her, drool and precum running down the sides of her mouth.

So Aspect decided that his lowest coil would rub right between her hind legs, even as he kept using her mouth for his own pleasure. He wouldn’t just take from his little pet, he’d give something back as well. She was so wet down there, he could feel a mix of her cum and the cum that still filled and sloshed around in her womb coat his scales as she continued to moan almost whorishly around his cock, struggling weakly against his tight embrace.

Aspect’s coils shifted again, and he drew his whole length out of her as he looked her in the eyes. “Beg for it,” he ordered her. “And you might get some relief.”

“Nnrgh…” She looked down at him. “N-No…”

“Toys don’t get to say no,” Aspect replied, his coils shifting and slamming his length back into her maw. “They get used. The only words they can say are ‘Yes,’ ‘Harder,’ and ‘Master,’” the dragon trailed a claw between her eyes before he wrapped her up entirely in his coils. The only part still visible from the outside was her muzzle, and only when he drew his hips back longer enough… before thrusting inside again, the mare moaning and gagging around his dick.

Aspect kept this up for a little while, just using Bon Bon while he read his book, before he set it down again and drew his hips back once more. “Beg,” he ordered his toy again.

But Bon Bon was curious to see how far he’d go. She knew he wouldn’t hurt her so…

“N-No…” she coughed out, more drool and pre dripping from her lolling tongue.

Aspect wrapped her back up and moved her around this time, laying her on her back as he kept using her mouth. His coils shifted around her hind legs, to reveal her folds to him.

And then Bon Bon became intimately familiar with how long a dragon’s tongue was. He heard and felt her moan loudly around his cock. It was any wonder half of Ponyville hadn’t heard her by now… Her juices were as sweet and delectable as ever. The dragon kept his tongue writhing about inside her, even as he used his teeth to graze her lips...and a nub at the top of them. He felt her tremble and shake, her mouth open to moan and pant, only to be filled with hot dragon dick…

Then a rush of sugary liquid coated his tongue as she gave a muffled shriek and came. Aspect licked all the fluid up, before he moved his coils around again, once more letting her talk.

“Bad toy,” he admonished her. “I didn’t tell you you could cum. Beg for forgiveness from your master.”

“I…” Bon Bon took a few deep breaths. “I’m sorry… please… forgive me,” she moaned out.

“Maybe I should breed you for that,” he mused, trailing a claw down her belly. “Make you remember to ask before cumming in the future.”

“But… nnn~ I-I’m already… so full…” she moaned out, panting hard at his touches, her breath washing over his cock, now growing cool in the open air.

“And imagine how you’ll swell with child,” Aspect cooed to her. “Unless you have some other way I should punish you for your disobedience, toy?”

“I…” she gasped. “I’’m just… just a toy. For my Master. He should… do as he likes~”

“Very good, toy,” Aspect praised her. “For now, I think I’ll do as promised and feed you. But later I might breed you for your insolence, give you a permanent reminder.” And before Bon Bon could say anything, that dick was shoved back into her maw. She moaned around him again, her tongue lazily lapping at him as her energy was spent, she really was just a toy for him now. One to please himself with over and over.

Eventually she felt that length start throbbing again, before it jammed its way into her throat and began filling her stomach with his release, causing her to swell a second time. She really did look pregnant now, as he unloaded his cum into her belly, the mare groaning around him, unable to stop him as it started to run down her jaw.

Time passed, and the length stopped twitching as he drew it back, letting her breathe again as his coils shifted around her. Only her muzzle was poking out this time, and Aspect hovered over her head. “Mmm...my little stuffed pony,” he murred. “Going to fill you up again later. Give you a reason to be so stuffed. Breed you...time and time again. My little toy for pumping out kirins.”

Bonnie just panted and moaned a little, her womb and belly full of his essence.

“Mmm.” Aspect trailed a claw along a bit of belly that was exposed. “Think about it. Nothing more than being filled with your master’s cock, day in, day out. Feeling his progeny growing within you. Knowing you’re nothing more than his toy as he uses you, time and again…” He whispered the next part. “You like it, don’t you?”

“M-maybe…” she said, her mind finally clearing some of that lusty haze.

“Say it,” he ordered her. “Beg for it. Beg to be filled forever with my children.”

Bon Bon gasped, opening her mouth to reply when…

“HEY!” Nightmare Moon banged on the door. “What the hell is taking so long! I’m hungry and it’s dinner time!!”

Aspect sighed as he uncoiled from Bon Bon. “You take the bathroom, I’ll distract her,” he offered. “Then later we can pick this up again.”

Bon Bon just groaned, her swelled form unable to move…

The dragon rolled his eyes and picked the mare up, carrying her to the tub in the adjoining bathroom. She kissed his cheek and giggled.

“I’ll be done in a moment… or ten,” she said, looking at her belly. “You really went all out huh?”

“And only the first half was teasing,” Aspect replied, running a claw down her belly before floating over to the bedroom door to distract an upstart foal.

“What am I going to do with you?” she sighed and shook her head as she started the lengthy job of cleaning up…

“So…” Nightmare said as she sat in the living room while Realm painted away on a large canvas. “What’s your deal? Never seen such a small alicorn before.”

“What’s your deal?” Realm fired back. “I’ve never seen a living embodiment of annoyance before.”

“Ooh, what a witty and simply scathing retort,” she mocked. “What’s next? You’ll go a tattle on me to daddy dearest?”

“If I wanted to deal with you, I’m a master of the Gale King,” Realm replied. “You don’t rank my attention yet. Like a moth wondering why the fire’s hot.”

“Ooh, scary,” she chuckled. “Come back when you’ve taken an entire kingdom and can move the moon. I might actually think you’re a worthy opponent.”

“The stories tell of an alicorn that was Cel’s equal,” Realm fired back. “You look like a filly that just got her Ursa plush taken away.”

“And you look like one of your tacky paintings,” she said with a wicked smile. “Did you fall in a bucket of paint, or were you born that way?”

“And you look like an ink blot that someone forgot to clean up,” Realm retorted. “Honestly, black went out of fashion last season.”

“Ohh, did your boyfriend tell you that?” she shot back. “Goddess knows you’re aiming waaay above your height range with Sparkle… shorty~”

“What, like you stand a chance?” Realm replied. “Last time I checked, heroes didn’t date ex-villains, even if they were cloyingly adorable. Hell, father’s quite fond of killing them.”

“Mhm, he did a great job of that with Discord… what, twice now?” she smirked. “And twice with me too. And believe me, If I had my full form back, Twilight would be panting my name in a day~”

“Willingly?” Realm fired back in a moment.

“Does it really matter~?” she murred back. The seductive look on a little filly was… contrasting to say the least.

“Then I guess you fail,” Realm replied, turning back to his painting. “If you don’t take others into consideration, their wants, needs, desires, and seek to meet them, fill them with more than just an obsession over you, then what you get is a pale imitation of love. You have to draw them to you slowly. Otherwise...it’s hollow. Like your heart.”

Nightmare sat back and crossed her forelegs. “I doubt it’d be hollow, I don’t have a heart to begin with remember.”

“Well, if the Elements separated you and gave you a body, then yes, you do have a heart,” Realm replied. “You’re not just some magical construct, alternate personality, or whisp that we’re imagining. You’re a pony in every sense of the term. Now you have to decide what that means to you. Because according to what dad did...until you grow up mentally and are safe to be around, you won’t grow up physically.”

“Well, by magically neutering me, I’m perfectly safe unless you want your ankles gnawed on,” she huffed. “And a bit hard to ‘grow up‘ when everyone treats you worse than a venereal disease!”

“Then maybe you should change your approach and the way you act so that others see their fears and hate are misguided,” Realm replied as he kept painting. “Otherwise you’re just perpetuating the cycle.”

Then her eyes widened as she almost sparkled. “Oh, but I am ever so sorry about being such a bad filly,” she said in a much higher tone, something akin to Sweetie Belle’s voice. “I promise I won’t ever, ever do it again.”

“Better, but you need to leave out the sarcasm,” Realm shuddered just from the voice of it. “You need to actually be sorry about it.”

“Urgh,” her deadpan snark returned full force. “I’d rather rut myself with the stick in your plot than act like that for real.”

“Okay, logical question time,” Realm retorted. “Say you succeeded. Say you brought night eternal. What then?”

“Then what?” she said as she sat back in her plush armchair. “Then I rule this land properly. All this ‘Love’ and ‘Friendship’ garbage that Celestia perpetuates? What an absolute crock. Ponies used to be a race you didn’t fuck around with. Griffons, Yaks and Minotaurs… they all think we’re weak now. We ostracize our own kind for bucks sake. Tell me kid, what do you think would happen if a Thestral landed in the middle of Ponyville. Or maybe a Zebra or Kirin?”

Realm stared at her for a moment, before smirking. “You’ve failed to answer the bigger question. You bring night eternal. How are the crops growing? How are ponies eating? In less than a month...what subjects do you have?”

“Such simplemindedness,” she scoffed. “You think I hadn’t thought of that? There are plenty of plants that grow in the dark. Take the Everfree as an example. It it almost perpetually dark in there, yet life not only grows, but thrives. True, not all plants are suited to it. But that’s what greenhouses are for. Or even artificial sunlight spells. Besides…” she sighed and looked out the window. “I would return the sun eventually. Nighttime eternal… Even I know the longterm plans aren’t stable. But I would need to solidify my rule first. One must hammer weak meatl, in order to make it unyielding. These soft, lovey-dovey ponies must be broken down, before they can be forged into something tougher.”

“And how many would break down completely?” Realm offered. “A world filled with an Everfree forest, or using facilities that would take months to set up...neither of which are good options. Only the most desperate would scrape through while you set up little places for them to hide in. Your rule would go down as the worst in history after the first month. Say what you will about Celestia...she kept the ponies alive for a thousand years.”

“And to what effect?” Nightmare said. “The Elements of Harmony were a last resort. Something to use when ALL other options were exhausted. Now cut to today. They seem to be the first call to port. As Celestia has left NOTHING for ponies to defend themselves with. Mark my words child. There will come a day when not even Aspect can tackle a threat… and then what? Will you rely on your infallible Princess then? A mare that sits on her fat flank eating cake all day. Let’s face it, not even she could take me on in a fight. She too, had to rely on something as powerful as the Elements.”

“That as may be, but Aspect knows he can’t stand up to everything on his own,” Realm replied. “He’s teaching the foals he can trust the ancient arts, as they’re known these days. He’s building up the pony’s strength again. Maybe, if you could be trusted, you could do the same.”

“What? Teach foals the way of destroying your enemies?” she mused. That idea was rather amusing actually. “Aspect should focus on increasing the power of the strong, like the Element Bearers. Foals are all well and good. But that fruit will take generations to ripen.”

“True,” Realm shrugged his wings. “Or, if you actually got your maturity back, you could strike at the heart of the matter...and teach the military.”

“Oh please, you call those fancy tin cans military?” Nightmare actually laughed. “I could march up with a literal army of foals and still take the capital within a day.”

“So some long-term goals,” Realm pointed out. “Let’s lay out a plan. Work on your image here, admit that your plan was shortsighted and try to get the goodwill of the town. Maybe see how things are these days before you can determine what, if anything, actually needs fixing.”

Nightmare paused… then looked at him and said the last thing he expected. “Alright then.”

“Wait are you actually agreeing with me?” Realm was nonplussed.

“I’m nothing if not flexible with my plans,” Nightmare nodded. “And you’re going to show me. You seem ever so intent on seeing me change. So, let’s see you try. Take me out on the town and show me this world is actually redeemable.”

Realm shook his head, trying to clear it of the thoughts that maybe Nightmare wasn’t so bad. She’d been nothing but a terror. “Well...fine. Tomorrow then. But I’m going to give you one last thing to think over, a line that father kept telling Celly and Lulu. ‘It is far harder to depose of a leader that is loved than one that is hated.’ Who knows...maybe you’ll enjoy being loved enough that you won’t try to overthrow everything out of jealousy again.”

“Not jealousy, for that is behind me,” she said as she got off her chair and walked towards him as he painted away. “But it’s still rather fun to be bad sometimes~” She leanedf closer and then kissed his cheek. “Until tomorrow, Big Brother~”

And with that, she trotted from the room with a light yet somewhat menacing giggle.

“...I have so many questions,” Realm muttered to himself.

Dinner was an interesting affair. Bon Bon had left to take some to Rainbow Dash, refusing to let the mare suffer through that dreadful hospital food. Meanwhile, Aspect sat at the table with Realm, Nightmare and Artemis.

And why was Nightmare waving and smiling at Realm?

Aspect tried not to think about it.

“So, did everyone have a good day?” he asked.

“Yeh, school’s been okay,” Artemis said. “Math is really hard though. I don’t get all those numbers n’junk. But Sweetie Belle’s been helping me out heaps.”

“I still get crap from that Diamon brat for being a ‘Fakicorn’,” Realm huffed.

“And I’m going out with my big brother tomorrow to see the town~” Nightmare beamed in her squeaky high tone. “Isn’t that something, Daddy~?”

“...” Aspect stared at her for a moment. And another moment. Before sighing and shaking his head. “What happened?” he asked Realm. Artemis also stared at him.

“...I have no idea,” the little alicorn sighed. “I’m pretty sure she’s just messing with us.”

“Aww, big bwutha’s sooo mean to widdle Marey,” the Nightmare pouted. She looked at Aspect with those way-too-big glittery eyes. “Daddy, Marey just wants to be a good widdle girl now.”

“...If that were true, you’d have gained a few years back at least,” the stallion pointed out. “It’s not an all-at-once thing, it comes undone the more effort you put into it.”

Nightmare shifted from cute and sparkly to death and snark.

“Are you fucking kidding?” she said and folded her tiny legs. “What kind of messed up spell is this anyway? Do you have some foal fetish or something?”

“And there it is,” Aspect deadpanned back. “For your information, it’s a spell I made to try and reform Discord. Tossed it out because I couldn’t get the mental regression part right when I was making it. Be glad you have your memories.”

“Mental!?” Nightmare glared at him. “That… has got to be some kind of illegal. I…” She shoved her empty plate back and stared at him. “I hate you!”

“Artemis,” Aspect spoke up. “Do you hate me for basically taking you from the only world you ever knew?”

“Well, my old life kinda sucked,” Artemis replied with a wave of his paw. “And I—”

“How is his point any comparison?” Nightmare said. “You gave him power. You probably picked him out of a ditch and made him a demigod! Me? You stripped me of my power, my dignity and my own body! Something I have never had! And don’t give me that ‘You have your life’ crap. Because I’d rather be dead than suffer this humiliation any longer!”

Aspect slowly got out of his chair and walked over to Nightmare, before putting a hoof to her form.

There was a flash of runic light…

And the curse was broken.

“I have done no more to you than you would have done to those that stood in your way,” the stallion replied. “I have shown you what you would have become, by being it myself. Can you honestly look at what I have done to you and say that it was not a fitting punishment for your misdeeds, both previous and yet to come?”

“And what of yours?” Nightmare said to him, staring down at her adult form. At this point, she’d been a filly longer than this one, so this felt… odd to her. “I could name numerous ones and yet you don’t punish yourself in such a way.” She took a deep breath, feeling her lungs rise and fall with each one. A small thrum of power showed her horn light up, then fade out. Her wings twitched on her back, her feathers tickling her sides. All of this was a new sensation.

“Put it back,” she replied. “Under a few conditions.”

“Listening,” Aspect replied.

“One. As long as I am in this house, I retain my adult state,” she said. “And in times of emergency. I cannot fight as a foal after all. Two. I want you and yours to forget what I was. It is hard to try and get over past sins when you keep dragging them through the mud over and over.”

“I can modify the curse,” Aspect mused as he held up a rune-covered hoof. “I can make it into a reflex of your magic, make it so that it has to be triggered for you to activate either state. But you will have to earn your forgiveness. I won’t promise that I’ll forget what you’ve done. But I will stop mentioning it. It’ll be your job to make good memories to outweigh the bad.”

“I will… attempt as such,” Nightmare said with a small sigh. “Your insufferable nature does not make that easy. But I suppose I shall be the bigger mare here.” So said the tall alicorn that looked down at the pegasus.

Aspect nodded and touched her with his hoof again. The runes settled into Nightmare’s form and disappeared. With a flash, she resumed her filly form and rubbed her head.

“That may get old fast,” she sighed. But she looked slightly older now. Around the same age as the Crusaders. “Fine. As my first act of this… being nice garbage. I shall apologise for what I have done thus far. Using Luna like that… t’was just my nature, as would be any beasts. But the time sealed away let me think. As did the conversation we shared before, during Discord’s little tantrum.” She closed her eyes and folded her wings. “Please accept my most humble apologies, Christopher Gale. Hero of Equestria.”

“None of that now,” Aspect rubbed her head with a hoof. “Family doesn’t need to be so formal with each other.”

“Family now is it?” she asked with a mix of bemusement and disbelief. “A moment ago, I was something foul you scraped off your hoof.”

“A moment ago, you hadn’t grown up enough to admit you once did wrong,” Aspect pointed out. “Forgiveness begets forgiveness.”

“Huh, so that’s how it works huh?” Nightmare mused. “Well in any case…” She turned and put her glittery look back on. “I hope Big Bwutha is looking forward to our date tomorrow~”

“Artemis, she scares me,” the alicorn whimpered to the Diamond Dog.

“Don’t look at me man, you’re the ladies colt here,” Artemis said as he gnawed on a bone. “Back home we had a saying, you sleep in the hole you dig…” He looked at Realm. “And you’ve dug pretty deep there bro.”

“Great, help me fill it in,” the colt hissed as he tried to edge away from the filly.

“Dude… I’m not into younger fillies,” Artemis chuckled at his own joke.

“Sooh, so naughty~” Nightmare giggled. “Would you like to become a stallion Big Brother?” a flash and he had the adult Nightmare looking over him, smiling seductively. “I don’t mind at all~”

“...I need an adult,” Realm whimpered.

“Oh sweetie,” Nightmare smiled a fang-filled grin. “That’s the best part. I am an adult~”

“Nightmare, heel,” Aspect called to her. “If you’re making somepony uncomfortable, odds are, it’s something that wouldn’t earn you any maturity back under your old curse.”

“I’m just teasing,” she giggled airily as she stood up and walked towards the exit of the kitchen, her round, bare flank swaying hypnotically. “Sweet dreams little prince,” she chuckled as she vanished.

“...I need help,” the colt whimpered as he hunched forward in his chair.

“You okay there bro?” Artemis asked, leaning towards him.

“Not really, no,” the colt whimpered. “It’s...she confuses me.”

“How?” the canine asked, tilting his head. “Isn’t she just messing with you?”

“Tell that to my libido,” the colt muttered.

“Libido? What’s that?” Artemis asked. “Is it food? Cause I’m still hungry. I could go for some dessert.”

“Well, there should be a few treats in the pantry,” Aspect mused, trying to get the dog to leave so that Realm could leave as well with his more...personal problem.

“Woo!” the dog cheered and wandered off in search of treats. As soon as he was gone, Realm got up and went, quite stiffly, towards his own room. He would need a lot of time to deal with this.

“You can pick your friends, but you can’t pick your family,” Aspect sighed.

Nightmare lay in her bed, granted it was a tad small for her full-sized form, but she’d deal with it for now. Tucking her legs under her, she closed her eyes and her horn started to shine an azure blue.

“Okay… let’s see if I can do this,” she muttered to herself as she prepared to enter the Dreamscape.

When she next opened her eyes, she found herself standing in a void, a long winding path made of stars as countless doors of all kinds and make stretched out before her. Looking up revealed nothing but the night sky and a deep sense of familiarity.

“Hmm, easier than I thought,” she mused as she looked around. Her ear suddenly flicked as she turned, staring into the teal eyes of Princess Luna.

“Hm? I’m surprised to see you here,” Nightmare mused and licked her lips. “Long time no see little sister~”

“I am older than you,” Luna commented. “And just because you possess the Aspect of Dreams, doesn’t mean I forgot the spells to Dreamwalk. It simply comes easier to you than it does me now.”

“Hmm, well I suppose,” Nightmare commented. “So…”

The pair remained quiet for some time, just… staring at one another. Their gaze occasionally drifting to look someplace else.

At least until Luna nodded. “Awkward is it not?”

“Urgh, you’re telling me,” Nightmare said with an exasperated sigh. “Honestly, I had no idea my life would take such a turn. I thought the Elements would simply destroy me for good. Not give me a form of my own…”

“The Elements cannot destroy or kill, else they’d have done so the first time,” Luna commented. “They simply offer order. Balance. Honestly though? I was not expecting it either. I was still surprised you offered to help back then…”

*~*

“N-Nightmare Moon!” Luna gasped, her wings flaring as her horn shone. “Not again! I shall not let you take control. I will sooner destroy myself!”

“Oh calm down,” Nightmare sighed, her from barely visible, parts of her flickering in and out. “That idiot Discord sought to allow me out again. But I barely have the power left to assume an incorporeal form, let alone possess you once more.” She sighed and looked the Moon Princess over. “I… have a request actually.”

“And why should I listen!?” Luna yelled. “The last time I heeded your voice, I nearly killed my father and sister! I was sealed away, lost to them for a thousand years! That is time I can never get back!”

“So then don’t,” Nightmare said. “I’ll fade away soon. I can no longer draw power from you. The Elements separated us almost utterly. I’m barely more than a memory at this point.” The mare looked at her fading from. “But… I do not wish to die like this.”

Luna glared at her, but remained silent for now. Nightmare took that as her cue to continue.

“Christopher. Balanced Aspect… your father. Whichever title you prefer…” Nightmare looked out into the distance. She could sense what was happening. “He will utterly destroy Discord. That is certain… but.”

“But what?” Luna snapped at her. “Father will not lose to that monster again.”

“No, he won’t,” Nightmare replied. “But to destroy a monster, one sometimes becomes an even bigger one.” The Nightmare looked at him. “Runic magic. Those not destined to wield its might pay a tremendous cost. Be it magic, life… or sanity. Your father holds a personal grudge against Discord, so that make it even easier for the magic to prey on him…”

“And what would you know?” Luna said harshly, her tone losing no bite.

“Because it’s not to dissimilar to myself,” Nightmare replied, her body fading more. “I… do not wish to see this happen. I had great rage against the world that shunned our kind. Your own anger and unhappiness is what drew me to you. But… you lost so much because of me. I… wish to try and make even some amends.”

“Lies…” Luna sneered.

“Not this time,” Nightmare said, little more than a shadow and a voice. “As I said, I do not wish to die. Even if you help, I’ll fade regardless. Tis inevitable… But, please allow me to do so on my terms. I will fight Discord with you. Together, we had great power. More than even Celestia herself. I shall give you my magic and me, your form. Together, let us make Discord wish he’d stayed in stone.”

“Why…?” Luna said, more quietly now. “Why would you help?”

“Who knows…” Nightmare’s voice a scant whisper. “Perhaps I truly have gone mad. Perhaps I wish to relive those old days. Perhaps I want to see the look on Discord’s face when his plan backfires most spectacularly…” She faded more… her form gone. “I truly am sorry Luna. Sorry I destroyed your family like I did. Sorry that you suffered such isolation… Sorry… for everything really…”

Luna closed her eyes. She recalled a lesson long ago. Back when she was a filly. One that her mother and father taught her.

‘Revenge is satisfying, but ephemeral. Forgiveness is difficult, but eternal.’

“Art thou truly the feared Nightmare?” Luna snorted as her horn shone. “I remember a ferocious creature that would never give up so easily.” She glowed brighter, searching for the Nightmare’s consciousness. “Now let us wipe that smug smirk off of Discord’s face.”

*~*

“So here we are,” Luna said as she sat down. “How… are you doing?”

“As well as can be,” Nightmare replied, wondering how they slipped into such… common smalltalk. “Your father is an insufferable ass. Not to mention a shameless pervert.”

“That he is,” Luna giggled. “I’m surprised you haven’t killed each other to be honest.”

“I provoked him,” Nightmare said and then smiled. “He’s rather susceptible to a sob story and a puppy dog face.”

“How do you think We… I got away with so much as a filly?” Luna giggled. “So, are you prepared to take over watching the Dreamscape?”

“The Nightmare watching over Dreams… there has to be some kind of irony there,” Nightmare Moon mused. “Not just yet. I… am trying to work through a few things. Getting used to my own body… It’s not easy.”

“I cannot imagine,” She stood up as her form started to fade. “Seems I have reached my limit here. But we shall talk again soon. Nightmare Night is coming up. And We… I shall be celebrating in Ponyville this year. Do not tell father, I wish to keep it a surprise.”

“Nightmare… Night?” Well, now wasn’t that the most interesting thing she’d heard today. “Very well. See you then Luna.”

“You as well,” the Princess nodded before fading from the Dreamscape. Nightmare remained a moment longer. Simply collecting her thoughts before entering true sleep.

...Not before she found Realm’s door and left an… intense dream for him. One involving a certain purple unicorn~

The mare could help but let out an evil cackle as she left the Dreamscape for the night.

“So… you’re gonna show me what’s so good about Ponyville hm?” Nightmare mused as the filly walked alongside Realm. “Better be good.”

“Well, for a start, if the scenery isn’t to your liking,” Realm led with.

“It’s too bright, the ponies are staring at me and this town is woefully small,” she deadpanned.

“Well then, plan B it is,” Realm chuckled as he began leading the filly towards the center of town and…

Was that a gingerbread house?

“You have got to be kidding,” Nightmare said flatly. “Did you ponies seriously bake a house?” She stared hard at it. “What about when it rains? Do they just bake another one? How do they even bake something that size?”

“...Yeah, I’m gonna need the help of someone who can out-random you,” Realm muttered before he raised his voice. “Pinkie! New pony!”

POW!

Nightmare was knocked head over hooves as a Pink mare stood over her, beaming brightly. “OOohh! A new pony. What’s your name? How long have you been in Ponyville? Do you have any friends? Oh of course you do, cause I’m your friend. When’s your birthday? Do you like parties? I love parties! I should throw you one—”

Nightmare jammed a hoof in her mouth, but the muffled noises showed Pinkie neither cared, nor stopped talking.

“What… what is this thing?” she gasped. “It’s… a monster!”

“That, is Pinkie Pie, Ponyville’s resident party planner and welcome wagon,” Realm replied. “You might as well let her talk, get it all over with at once.”

Nightmare blinked. This was one of the Element ponies right? She hesitantly removed her hoof and…

“And then I said ‘Banana’s? Are you nuts’?” Pinkie giggled and looked down. “Soo, who’s this Realmy? I got a real keeny sense of Major Fu…”

“I’ll let her introduce herself, assuming she can even remember her name,” Realm replied.

“One, I believe you mean ‘Deja vu’,” Nightmare groaned and facehooved. “And two, my name is Night-” No wait, that might cause a scene she was in no mood to deal with. So, what should she go with? Night Sky? Meh. Nyx? Urgh, Gods no.

“Black Snooty?” Pinkie offered.

“No!” Nightmare snapped and paused. “Wait… what?”

“Silly Nightmare. Still, I’m sure you’ll pick something cute. Until then…” She bounced away, singing some nonsensical song.

“I… think I need to lay down,” Nightmare groaned.

“Let’s go inside and get you something to eat,” Realm suggested.

“No way! That insane mare is in there!” Nightmare yelped. “Take me home so I can run myself through on Aspect’s sword.”

“Okay, no,” Realm replied, using a wing to pull her close even as he walked up to the door. “You need to have something from Sugarcube Corner. It will literally make your day.”

“Urgh, it better do,” Nightmare groused as she begrudgingly followed him. The door chimed as they walked in, and the scent of all the baked deliciousness wafted over to Nightmare for the first time.

“W-What is that?” Nightmare asked as she sniffed the air. “It’s… like nothing I’ve ever…”

“Not even Canterlot has stuff like this,” Realm bragged. “Trust me, I looked while I was there. It really does pale in comparison to Pinkie’s treats.”

“So… what does she make?” Nightmare asked as she sat at a table and looked at the menu. “None of this makes sense. What the stars above is a ‘cupcake’?”

“Something that must be tasted,” Realm replied with sagelike wisdom.

“Urgh, cut the dramatics,” she sighed and looked up. “Fine, let’s taste this thing then.”

“Pinkie!” Realm called out to the mare. “A cupcake for a sourpuss.”

“Cooooming~” she sang out before bringing out a plate that had a variety of cupcakes on it. One appeared to be shaped like a love-heart and could be split down the middle.

“Itchy rump, twitchy ear and eye flutter,” she said to the colt and bounced away. Realm had no clue what that meant, or why she included that cupcake. He pushed one towards Nightmare, before taking another and removing the paper lining, demonstrating how you were supposed to eat it.

He’d been in Ponyville for a few months now...and these things still tasted too damn good.

“Your face is weird,” Nightmare said about his blissful expression as she lazily unwrapped one and bit into it…

Sweet Stars Above… how? HOW!? How could something this good actually exist?

Realm chuckled and reached a hoof over, helping her keep her mouth closed with an audible click.

“That… that cannot be real?’ she said, staring at the treat. “Something this good. It must be some kind of spell or magical elixir.”

But then… Bon Bon’s food was also amazing. Was this what she’d been missing out on. She tossed the wrapped and thumped the table. “I demand another!”

“We’ve got plenty here,” Realm pointed out as he polished off his own cupcake and began taking another. As he did, somepony sat down beside him.

“Hello Realm,” Twilight smiled as she wiggled to get comfy. “I’m surprised to see you up and about so early.”

“Yes, well, somepony is an early bird, despite what we might think,” the colt grumbled.

“Hmm?” Twilight turned her gaze and looked at NIghtmare. “Now who’s this? A new friend of Aspect’s?”

“Oh? You know very well who I am Twilight Sparkle,” Nightmare chuckled, using her adult voice.

“Nightmare Moon!” Twilight hissed under her breath, lighting up her horn.

Leaving Realm free to stuff a cupcake in Twilight’s mouth. The mare blinked before swallowing the treat.

“Do you normally leave creamy goodness in mare’s mouths in public~?” Nightmare teased as Twilight tilted her head in confusion.

“Just...stop,” the colt groaned. “I’m trying to defuse the situation here.”

Twilight swallowed the treat he’d put there and sighed. “So… might I ask why innocent little Realm is wandering around with a diminutive conqueror?”

“Can’t talk, eating perfection,” Nightmare waved, cramming another cupcake into her mouth.

“Trying to show her why reforming is a better option,” Realm replied as he picked up another cupcake.

As he did, Twilight reached for one and they nabbed the two heart halves. Twilight cooed and picked hers up. “Ooh, Pinkie only makes these on Hearts and Hooves day,” the unicorn said. “A rumor in Ponyville says that if you eat one with your special somepony, you’ll be together in happiness forever.”

And that was Nightmare gagging on a chocolate chip muffin.

“Of course, that kind of thing has no scientific basis whatsoever,” Twilight shrugged. “And it’s not like Pinkie doses her goods with love potions or that kind of thing.”

“Aheheheh...yeah, that would be silly,” Realm chuckled.

Twilight nodded as she ate her half of the treat and sighed. “Mmmm, but it is good though. I could certainly be happy eating one of these with a special someone.”

Realm gulped, his hoof still holding his half of the cupcake...really not sure about this.

Nightmare for once, was too busy eating her own treats to tease him, while Twilight simply hummed with happiness over her own as she sat next to him, her tail swaying and brushing up against his.

A damn confusing technical sibling to one side of him, and a mare he was crushing on so hard on the other.

The colt didn’t know if he should eat it or not. If he did, he’d be playing into the rumor and confirming he wanted that. If he didn’t, Nightmare might take it and eat it.

“You gonna eat that?” she asked with a mouthful of crumbs, pointing at his lovey dovey treat. Her horn lighting up to take it.

Realm growled, and more out of a desire to stop Nightmare from having it than out of a desire to be with Twilight, he jammed the treat in his mouth and bit down. It was utterly divine. The perfect blend of sugars and spices. He glanced at Twilight as the mare offered him a sweet smile and a light and airy giggle.

Realm had never been more conflicted about a pony than right then.

“Everything okay?” Twilight’s question snapped him out of his introspection. “Was it not to your liking?”

“No, it was great,” Realm replied. “Just...trying to process how good it was. You know, being stuck in a painting for a thousand years and all that.”

“I can’t even imagine,” Twilight nodded and pulled him into a hug. “Still, you have heaps of friends here now. So no sealing up in a painting again okay mister!”

“Okay, okay,” Realm groused good-naturedly. “I’ll tell you the next time I need to step into a painting for a thousand years.”

“Good, because I’ll come after you,” Twilight nodded as she stood up. “Now, you take care. I need to run some breakfast back to Spike.” She looked over at Nightmare and frowned. “And don’t you cause trouble for him. Or else you’ll answer to me.”

“Oooh, scary,” Nightmare mused as Twilight walked off. Realm watched her leave and when he looked back…

Nightmare had the biggest shit-eating grin on her face.

“What?” the colt asked.

“Oh wow… you really have it bad for her hm?” she mused. “You know, I could help you… or compete with you~”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” the colt muttered as he stared at the destroyed plate of cupcakes.

“So you don’t mind if I woo her then?” she smirked. “I’ll invite her over so I can use my true form too~”

“Do that and I’ll seal you in a painting,” Realm sniped back.

“Ooh, so scary,” Nightmare cackled. “Now hurry it up. I wish to see the rest of this little hovel before lunch.”

“And talking like that is just going to endear you so much to the locals,” Realm pointed out.

“Then what should I call it to appease the peasantry?” Nightmare asked seriously.

“A quaint little town,” the colt replied as he stood up from their table.

“That’s being a tad generous is it not?” Nightmare deadpanned as the duo left the bakery and back out onto the street.

“Like your...what, third chance is with you?” the colt pointed out.

“...Touche,” Nightmare replied as she looked around. As she did, she bumped into a mare and fell backwards, shaking her head to try and clear the daze of literally being kicked in the face. “Who dares strike me!”

“Hmm?” the mare looked down, her pink coat and purple mane filling the filly’s vision. “What’s this, somepony’s brat?”

Realm saw Nightmare’s eyes narrow.

“Watch where you’re walking,” Spoiled Rich huffed and waved the hoof Night had run into. “Honestly, I could have gotten hurt with that stubby little horn of yours.”

“Stubby…” Nightmare twitched.

“Now move along you little blank flank, I have important adult matters to see to,” the mare turned up her nose at the Nightmare. “And watch where you’re going in the future. Some ponies are actually of worth in this town you know. We don’t need some brat getting underhoof.”

The Nightmare that was now visibly shaking with rage.

“No,” Realm pulled her back and wrapped a wing around her. “No you don’t. Don’t you dare do that. Father would not be happy if you did, even to her.”

“I will unleash the fire of Tartarus on her!” Nightmare screeched as Spoiled walked away. “I will make her cry, and beg and scream for mercy while she licks my hooves! And then, once she is finally broken, nothing more than a pony-shaped shell! Will I grant her the sweet reprieve of death!”

“Yes, that about sums her up, but no,” Realm replied. “Not even that would make her regret what she’s done. She’s just about the most stuck up pony you could ever meet. Don’t even try.”

Nightmare was fuming. But to Realm’s great surprise. She took a deeeep breath and exhaled. “Fine. Let us go. I find my day has been soured by filth and require some cleansing of the fun kind.”

“Well, let’s see what we can find to do,” the colt mused as he began leading the filly through the streets, looking for something to distract her with. Meanwhile, Nightmare wondered if she should freeze that mare’s still beating heart… more than it already was. Or maybe feed her limb by limb to a Tartarus demon.

So distracted she was, that she didn’t notice that she’d been lead to a rather fancy-looking house until they were on top of it. “Let’s see if she’s in,” Realm muttered as he walked up to the door and knocked on it.

“The hell?” Nightmare looked at the building. It was awfully gaudy looking. It didn’t really mesh with the rest of the town. Like the Gingerbread bakery… or the joke shop with the jingly hat roof. Or… Actually scrap that. It fit perfectly.

“Cooo~ming,” came a singsong tone before the door opened, revealing the beautiful white unicorn. “Welcome to… oh? Why hello there little Realm. What brings you here?”

“I have a little filly here who doesn’t own a stitch of clothing, not even a set of saddlebags,” Realm replied as he stepped to the side and revealed Nightmare from behind him.

“Wait? Wha—” Nightmare started, only for Rarity’s loud gasp to cut her off.

“Ooh, this shall not DO!” she said as she dragged the pair inside with her magic. “We shall fix this-this travesty post haste!”

“...Urge to kill all male alicorns rising…” Nightmare uttered.

“Say that once Rarity’s done with you, I dare ya,” Realm replied as he was along for the ride.

“Urgh…” Nightmare groaned as she looked around. “Why is this such a big deal? Clothing is utterly pointless. My armor is more than satisfactory for instilling fear into my enemies.”

“Contrary to your belief, dear,” the nightmare heard from a painting of all things, “But there are things that clothing can do better than armor. I did some of my best political subterfuge in my lovely gown, for instance.” Checking the picture and some of the memories she shared...okay, borrowed from Luna revealed that it was Princess Platinum’s portrait talking to her.

“Oh, if it isn’t the embodiment of vanity and pompousness itself,” Nightmare retorted with a smirk. “I didn’t think you were still around.”

“Oh, I’ll last as long as darling Realm remembers to refresh my paint,” the mare cooed to the male alicorn. “In any case, think of the fine clothing as a sweet scent a predatory flower emits. It’ll draw your prey in to the point where you can strike.”

Okay… a little filly’s smile should not have that many sharp teeth.

“Hmm, well if you put it that way,” she chuckled as her draconic eyes flashed dangerously.

“Of course, you will have to sharpen your weapons, that is, your wit, to the point where you can utterly verbally eviscerate someone with one sentence,” the painted mare continued. “After all, with just one line from me, I was able to turn your opinion completely around. Given a little more time I could convince you it was entirely your idea to come here.”

Nightmare paused and just looked at the mare… before drifting her gaze over to Realm.

“Are you sure I was the only Nightmare?” she asked. “That mare scares even me!”

“Princess Platinum was no pushover,” Realm chuckled. “She turned the Still Way into an art. She didn’t have to talk to destroy her foes in the pre-Unification era. And any fancy ball she attended? Dad put it like ‘putting chum before a shark.’”

“Your father always did have such a way with words,” Platinum cooed.

“I think I just made my first friend,” Nightmare said with an awed tone. Any further contemplations were cut off by Rarity returning to the room.

“Oh darlings,” she cooed. “Come come. I have some wonderful outfits ready for you.”

“Perfect~” Nightmare cooed as she was led away into another room, leaving Platinum with Realm.

“And to think, my likely descendant...well, my doppleganger at least, can match me for words when she puts her mind to it,” Platinum chuckled. “Give her about a year with me, she’ll be better at it than I ever could be.”

“Okay, now you both scare me,” Realm uttered.

Then a cold chill filled the room, an aura of death that chilled the male alicorn to the core.

“I’m going to slaughter you all…” Nightmare growled out as the pair turned… to see her in the pinkest dress they’d ever seen. A tall, steepled hat with a veil. A frilly pink dress that trailed behind her, a massive bow on the back. Everything about it screamed ‘Little Filly Princess.’

“Gah!” Realm covered his eyes with a hoof. “It’s like Pinkie Pie exploded all over her! Pink and black do not mix!”

“Consider this my own personal revenge,” Rarity smirked as she pet Nightmare’s head. “I just couldn’t help myself.”

“I would approve if I wasn’t trying to desperately unsee it,” Platinum muttered.

Nightmare tore off the dress and hat, tossing them aside.

“Yes yes,” Rarity chuckled and picked her up. “Come along, I have something that will look perfect on you. Something real this time.”

“One chance…” the filly growled. “Then everything burns!”

…

…

A few moments later, the pair came back out. This time, instead of the gaudiest outfit known to ponykind. Filly Moon was dressed in a silvery-grey sleeveless turtleneck. A pair of azure boots trimmed with faux fur adorned her boots and a pair of black and gold trimmed saddlebags on her rump. Her mane was tied back into a ponytail with a ‘Silent Princess’ flower near her right ear.

“I look utterly ridiculous,” she muttered.

“That looks like it’d be good for winter,” Realm muttered as he looked at the outfit. “Hmm...why gold and not silver?”

“Something to allow the bags to stand out a little,” Rarity nodded. “Gold is such a regal colour. So naturally it should suit. Plus I have a second pair should she regain her… mature state.”

“Hmm…” Realm looked Nightmare over again. “I think it looks nice,” he finally said. “Then again, my tastes are horribly out of date. But I wouldn’t imagine to tell a fashionista how to do her job, and I’d expect her to extend the same courtesy to me should I choose to paint her.”

“Oh?” Rarity paused. Well, she’d come back to that. “I have a few more that might work. But I think it best that I design something from scratch. I simply don’t have anything else to suit her colors.”

Still, at least Realm had succeeded in diffusing the Nightmare. The tiny alicorn sighed and shook her head.

“Fine, I don’t care,” she sighed. “And I have my adult form back. So… I suppose you could do something for that.”

“Ooohh~” Rarity hummed. “I shall need measurements—”

“Then you’ll have to come back to Aspects house,” Nightmare said. “I can only take that form there. Such are the stipulations for my… parole as it were.”

“Besides, it’s probably better that we get her a nice outfit for her first day of school,” Realm pointed out.

Nightmare paused as her head slowly ticked around to face him. “.....What?”

“It’d probably stand out more if you didn’t go to school,” Realm pointed out. “Besides, as long as you’re a filly under Aspect’s roof...well, the local government thinks it’s best for all his ‘children’ to go to school.”

“Like Tartarus,” Nightmare snorted. “And technically, I’m a grown mare while under his roof. So there.” She poked her tongue out to prove her point.

“And when you go out and they start asking questions?” Realm pointedly asked.

“Lock them in their own minds for an eternity of nightmares and torment?” the filly replied a little too seriously.

“It’d be easier to go to school,” Realm pointed out. “Besides...you remember that mare? Her filly goes to the school as well.”

“Her… filly?” Nightmare blinked slowly. “You… you mean a stallion willingly put his dick in that thing!?”

“And what was it you were just saying about wanting to get back at her?” the colt mused.

“Well, I’m not about to torment a filly for her mother’s actions,” Nightmare scoffed. “I’m evil. But not that evil.”

“Her filly is no better than her,” Realm deadpanned. “Within the first day, you’ll have all sorts of reasons.”

Thaaaaat was not the laugh of a nice pony… or a sane one. Realm had to admit that the mare knew how to do an evil cackle. He sighed and turned to Rarity, hoping she at least knew how to defuse the situation.

“Try not to leave a body,” Rarity said and the Nightmare nodded eagerly. Rarity looked at Realm and shrugged. “That little filly makes dear Sweetie Belle’s life a living nightmare… er—” she looked at the black-coated filly. “—No offense.”

“So I have a rival eh?” Nightmare smirked. “Oh, I think school might be very fun don’t you dear big brother~?”

“Here lies Miss Cheerilee’s professional career,” the colt intoned, holding a hoof over his chest. “It died with her hope of having a normal class.”

“She’ll have three Aspects in her class,” Nightmare pointed out. “Such is life.”

Across town, a mulberry-coated Earth Pony mare suddenly shuddered. Why did she feel like she’d made a very poor choice somewhere in life?

“Well...let’s get you a few nice outfits and then we can see about other distractions from your dastardly plans,” Realm urged her.

“Oh, we going to go and visit your marefriend?” She cooed at him and bat her eyes.

“Oh? Does my little Realm have a sweetheart?” Rarity piped up, ever the lover of gossip.

“Oooh, yes,” Nightmare chuckled. “Why. You know her quite well. She’s—”

“—Not important right now!” Realm stuffed his hoof in her mouth and chuckled. Well...so much for this day being normal. Or easy.

Why him...

Author's Note

If I don't say it, it doesn't count, right?

While Patreon has reversed their proposed fee changes, the fact that they proposed them at all leaves me wary of using them as an online tip jar for much longer. Still, as long as we do, half of all funds will go towards paying Aus' internet bill so that we can keep writing together.

And hey, who knows? If we get desperate for characters to move things along, we might look at our list of donors and go, 'hmm. Well, we can use that name.'

The other half will most certainly not be spent on last minute Christmas gifts. Nope. Not at all.