Nightmare: Volume 1

Equestria

2017,

*****

The pair of guard stallions walked through the halls in silence, their silver armour shining in the moonlight. The tallest of the two, an earth pony, glanced briefly at the fatigue and fear on his companion’s face and felt his own blood boil. It was unfair that the newest recruit, a teenage pegasus, had to be put through this.

The colt shut his eyes tightly, clenching his jaw. “Strongheart...remind me again, what exactly is going on?” he sighed. Upon arriving for his shift he had been ordered directly to this wing of the castle, with no explanation.

Strongheart gritted his teeth, keeping his gaze focused on the path ahead of them. “You know about that...creature...don’t you Spear?”

He nodded. Of course he did, everypony in the Royal Guard knew. Due to a side-effect from The Elements of Harmony, when Luna had been returned to normal, the powerful spell had split her from the dark forces that had controlled her, giving Nightmare Moon a physical form separate from the princess. Luna had first attempted to kill the creature, only to have Celestia stop her, and instead convince her to simply lock it away in the dungeons beneath the castle.

Every new guard was told the story...then made to promise they would never venture anywhere near the dungeons.

“Well…” continued Strongheart, “A few days ago...that thing escaped. Apparently, over time it got strong enough to break out.”

Spear swallowed to conceal his rising dread. “She’s loose?”

“Yes, but she disappeared shortly after her escape. But not before…” he trailed off, gritting his teeth. Taking a deep breath, he slammed his eyes closed. “Not before she attacked and bit Princess Twilight Sparkle.”

The two guards halted, coming to a large oak door. Spear glanced up at the large ‘Do Not Enter’ sign swinging from the roof above him, written in bright gold cursive. Inside, he could hear the slow, rhythmic clopping of hooves, like a pony was pacing back and forth. Moments later this was accompanied by a low growling like rumbling thunder.

Spear quickly backed away. “What is that?”

“Princess Twilight,” Strongheart answered grimly, standing on the right of the door like a statue.

Spear stammered, trying to speak, yet not a sound came out. How did this happen? What’s wrong with her? The two guards fell into an uncomfortable silence.

The door broke open, the chains locking it snapping like sticks and the wood breaking like cardboard.

Instantly, Strongheart held his spear to the mare’s throat, his voice muffled from having to hold the handle between his teeth. “Princess Twilight! Calm down!”

Spear could only stare in horror. The young princess stood there, her once violet eyes a glowing red. Her once majestic wings had become leathery and bat-like. Her coat had darkened significantly, and now was a deep royal purple.

Twilight’s lip curled back at Strongheart, revealing two sets of sharp fangs. “Get that away from me.” When no response came, a twisted grin spread across her face. “Very well.”

Without another word she lunged, latching her mouth onto the earth pony’s neck. In seconds he was on the ground on his back. Spear was frozen in place by his own terror, watching as the bat-pony tore out his companion’s throat.

He forced himself to look away, his eyes landing on the now open room.

He barely choked back the urge to vomit.

Princess Celestia lay on the floor, her white body coated in her own blood and her throat torn out.

Twilight’s disturbingly calm voice made him turn to her. “She asked me to kill her, you know. Something about maybe if she died Nightmare would change me back. Selfless as usual.”

Spear’s eyes widened as the bat-pony neared him, a sadistic grin showing her bloodstained teeth. He backed away, heart hammering in his chest.

The last thing he saw, were Twilight Sparkle’s red eyes.

**** **** **** ****

She lay slumped like a doll, her own blood staining the grass beneath her. Her coat - once black as onyx - was splattered with the same crimson liquid, the fresher wounds leaving blood dripping down her body. She cast her gaze upwards, turquoise eyes half-lidded from the pain coursing through her.

Her voice was soft and hoarse, barely above a whisper. “Am I...bested, Luna?”

The princess scowled down at her, breathing heavily. Luna had sustained her fair share of injuries as well. Gashes cut across her legs and chest, dried blood coated her muzzle, and there was a still-bleeding scar below her right eye.

Looking into the defeated monster’s eyes, Luna replied quietly. “Yes, Nightmare, you have been bested.”

“What is to become of me now?”

Luna suddenly gasped in agony, stumbling back. She fell to her knees, eyes wide and stinging tears falling down her cheeks. Her entire body began to shake. All she could hear was a high-pitched whistle in her ears.

Then, faintly, she recognized Nightmare’s voice, still weak and fatigued, yet with an obvious smugness. “You...You can feel it, can’t you? Your sister has passed on.”

Luna’s speech came out in sobs. “Tia...Wh-What...what did you do?”

“I did nothing. She is dead, Luna, but not by my hoof.”

Somehow, in her grief-stricken mind, something clicked. “Twilight…”

Nightmare laughed, ignoring the pain it caused her. “Yes. It seems her transformation completed.”

Luna stood and rushed forward with a blind fury, striking the creature’s face with her hoof. “YOU MADE TWILIGHT SUFFER FROM YOUR BITE, TURNING HER INTO A MONSTER JUST LIKE YOU!”

Blood now dripping from Nightmare’s nose, she smirked. “My bite corrupts minds and bodies, that is true, and yes, my bite turned Twilight into a bloodthirsty bat-pony...but Tia obviously got in her way.”

Rage burned in the princess’s eyes as her horn glowed with a surge of power. Die...she will die for what she’s done!

“You are a hypocrite,” growled Nightmare. “You claim to be virtuous, yet not only do you hit me when I am already down, but you are ready to murder me here without a second thought.”

Luna paused. A part of her could not ignore the fact that the creature was correct. Celestia had frowned upon killing, and the last thing she would have wanted was to have Luna be a murderer. Even if it is justified, I cannot bring myself to kill. Sister would not want me to have somepony’s blood on my hooves.

“I ask again Luna, what shall become of me now?”

She clenched her teeth in rage. She couldn’t bring herself to kill this monster...but what else could be done? How else could she make sure Nightmare was never a threat again? Her thoughts turned to her shining horn, strong with magic. Perhaps there was something she could do, some spell she could perform.

Nightmare watched as the princess standing above her slowly smirked, the colour of the aura around her horn changing to a vibrant red. She frowned in confusion, but was unable to ask any questions. The moment she opened her mouth, she released a bone-chilling scream of agony.

She began to tremble, sweat trickling down her body and mixing with blood. She fought to keep her eyes open, glaring with hate at the princess. Although her chest burned like fire, she attempted to speak. “What...are you...doing?”

“Fixing my problem,” Luna answered calmly. “This spell is an ancient and powerful one, used to bind a dangerous creature into tame servitude.”

Nightmare’s eyes widened as a gasp escaped her. “No…”

Luna’s horn glowed brighter, and she watched as her enemy grunted in pain. She felt no sympathy. There was no forgiving this creature for what she had done. This was, quite frankly, the kindest thing she had been able to think of.

Slowly, the princess took a step closer. Her eyes were cold and steely, devoid of any compassion. “You wish to know your fate, Nightmare? From this day forth, you shall be bound to serve not only me, but anypony in my bloodline.” She paused for a moment, then stamped her hoof. “What say you, monster?” she snarled. “You creature of hate and destruction, you who have brought suffering onto all for too long now, you who was conceived in the deepest pits of Tartarus...what say you now?”

“No.”

“What?”

Nightmare growled, managing to stand - although unsteadily - on her still-weak legs. “I will...not...be bound...to you...or to your family,” she panted.

Again, Luna’s horn began to glow with the same red light. “You do not have a choice in the matter.” She narrowed her eyes, “Now kneel.”

“Go buck yourself,” sneered Nightmare.

The glow of the princess’s horn changed to a darker red, almost like the blood still staining her coat. She pointed to the ground, “OBEY!”

The creature screamed in pain, slamming her eyes shut. It felt as though lightning had struck her and was making its way across every muscle in her body. She trembled once more, her forelegs giving out from underneath her.

She bowed her head, her nose and horn only just touching the dirt. “Yes...Mistress,” she choked, voice tight and bitter.

The glow of Luna’s horn vanished, as did the pain Nightmare had experienced. “Good,” she growled, not feeling even the slightest hint of remorse. “Now, return me to my castle. We have things to do....servant.”