Midnight

The usually bright, colourful houses of Ponyville were decorated with fake cobwebs, spiders and other Nightmare Night decorations. Fillies and colts wore costumes of all kinds, some complex and stylish, others simple and homemade. Among those also in costume were grown mares, although they chose to wear more… unique designs.

Fluttershy blushed as a mare dressed in a rather provocative maid outfit passed her by. She was already uncomfortable enough. Why did I let Rainbow convince me to join everypony tonight? She knows I hate Nightmare Night.

“Hey Fluttershy! Over here!”

The yellow pegasus yelped at the sudden noise, quickly facing the source of the noise with wide eyes. The terror quickly faded when she caught sight of Rainbow Dash hovering a short distance away, her signature multi-colored mane and tail blowing like flags in the soft breeze.

Quickly walking over to her small group of friends, Fluttershy offered a weak smile. “H-Hello. Sorry I’m a little late,” she nervously kicked a small rock with her hoof, “I-I was... kind of debating with myself if I should even come or not.”

Rarity blinked, “Oh, so that’s why you aren’t wearing a costume,” she commented, the disapproval clear in her voice.

Fluttershy squeaked, flinching at her friend’s tone. “I-I’m sorry,” she stammered, “I j-just didn’t have time to put anything together.” She hung her head with a tiny whimper, fearing she’d angered or upset her friend.

Rarity reached forward, gently raising the timid mare’s chin with a hoof. “Oh, it’s alright darling.” She swallowed, and the pegasus could hear the strain in Rarity’s voice as she continued, “I... suppose you don’t... really need a costume on Nightmare Night.”

Hearing how the fashionista was practically choking on her words, Fluttershy gave a grateful smile. “Th-Thank you.”

A high-pitched whistle suddenly assaulted her ears. This was followed by Mayor Mare’s chipper voice, “Happy Nightmare Night everypony! Now, gather round...our lovely friend Zecora has a new story to tell!”

Fluttershy squealed as she was grabbed and practically dragged over to the stage by Twilight. “Come on girls!” cried the bookworm excitedly, “I want to hear Zecora’s story!”

There was a collective gasp as thick green smoke exploded on the large wooden stage, the familiar female zebra slowly approaching once the smoke had cleared. “There are many costumes of vampires, I see. But allow me to tell you how these monsters came to be.” She paused, seemingly to make sure she had everypony’s attention, before continuing. “When under Nightmare Moon’s control, Princess Luna wanted the Queen role. She realised an army she would need, to take down what she perceived as Celestia’s evil greed.”

She paused again, and Fluttershy could have sworn the zebra was looking directly at Twilight as she spoke. “She created many terrifying creatures, ones with many frightening features. Growling with fangs and blood red eyes, to make you think it was your demise.” She took another step closer to the crowd. “However, unlike in your storybooks, if a vampire got you on its hooks, but you got away to breathe again, you would, in fact, stay quite sane. For the only one to make a vampire was Nightmare Moon, something she considered quite a boon. So as long as she is kept away, vampires will be kept at bay.”

Once her story had completed, ponies began talking amongst themselves. Fluttershy turned to the violet alicorn beside her. “So... um…”

But Twilight was barely listening. She simply stared at the spot where Zecora had been, her eyes as wide as saucers and her mouth hanging open. She didn’t move or make a sound for several moments, until she suddenly spoke. “I... I... I need to go talk to Princess Celestia.”

Before Fluttershy could question her further, she vanished in a flash of purple light.

===== * * * =====

Celestia watched in confusion as her former student paced the floor, after having explained the situation. “So... you’re afraid about vampires coming back?”

Twilight sighed, shaking her head. “No, it’s not that... well, not really. Zecora talking about vampires coming back made me think about Nightmare Moon being imprisoned, and then... what if she escaped... what if she sided with Queen Chrysalis... what if…” she trailed off, gasping for breath as she began to hyperventilate.

Celestia placed a hoof on her shoulder, “Twilight,” she said gently, “Control yourself. Remember what Cadence said.”

“Can’t… it’s... not... working!” Celestia watched as Twilight flailed her hoof back and forth from her chest hyperventilating.

Celestia frowned, concerned that the young princess might pass out if she continued. Draping one of her gigantic wings over Twilight’s shaking form, she pulled her closer in a warm embrace. “Please... there’s no need for you to be concerned.”

Luna nodded, “Yes, we…” she trailed off, looking to her older sister. “Well… if vampires ever do become a problem again and Debonair is unable to handle them on his own... we do have another solution.”

Celestia sighed heavily, slowly nodding her head. “You see Twilight... Luna and I have been working on an ancient spell. With it, we may get Nightmare Moon onto our side. She has immense power, and if we can use it for good…”

Twilight’s enraged yell interrupted her. “ARE YOU INSANE? Nightmare Moon nearly killed my friends and I, and nearly plunged Equestria into eternal night!”

Celestia flinched back on instinct, before her shocked eyes turned steely and her mouth formed a disapproving frown. “Twilight Sparkle,” she said sternly, “That’s enough.”

Hearing the use of her full name, she stilled, staring at the Princess of the Day like a guilty dog. “I-I’m sorry for yelling.”

Celestia closed her eyes for a moment, “It’s alright. I understand why you must be... hesitant about this.”

Luna continued, “But Nightmare Moon is still restrained in the dungeon, so nothing is changing quickly.”

“Can I see her?”

Luna blinked, unsure if what she had just heard was correct. “Um... excuse me?”

Twilight straightened her posture confidently, “You said Nightmare Moon is locked up safely, I just want to make sure. I don’t want any risk of her getting out.”

The royal sisters shared a look, before reluctantly giving in, seeing the logic in her request. Celestia nodded, pressing her lips into a tight line. “Alright.”

===== * * * =====

The closest thing to a dungeon Twilight had ever been in was the Canterlot Caves, but they were nothing like the sight before her. Nightmare Moon’s dungeon was a single, large room. It was surprisingly well-lit, with enchanted torches lining the stone walls. The air was stale and cold, and a thin white mist rolled across the floor.

Nightmare Moon was at the back of the dungeon, bound to the floor and wall by thick silver chains. They were clamped around all four of her hooves, as well as her neck and waist, and there was a large, magic-restricting ring around her horn. For several moments she didn’t move, staying as still and silent as a corpse. A plate of food laid nearby, untouched. On closer inspection, her skin was sunken and her ribcage bulged from her torso.

Twilight watched closely, whispering to Luna. “Is she even... alive?”

The blue alicorn nodded, keeping her eyes on the prisoner. “Yes.”

Hearing Luna’s voice, a low breathy laugh started filling the chamber. Nightmare Moon’s body began to shake before stopping. A smooth and almost seductive voice came from the chained mare. “Why have you come to see me, Better Half? Come to taunt me? Or…” she lifted her head and opened her eyes to reveal slitted pupils that seemed to glow in the low light. “Perhaps you’ve come to release me.”

Twilight took a single step closer. “You seem to be imprisoned correctly.”

Celestia watched her former student warily, “Don’t get too close to her.”

Ignoring her protests, Twilight moved closer. “I just need to make sure that none of your chains are loose in any way.” With that, she teleported to the back of the room. Celestia did not have a chance to counter it and reached for her student. Twilight appeared directly in front of the captured monster. She stuck out her hoof, determined to check the stability of the chains.

Nightmare’s pointed teeth sunk into her skin.

Twilight cried out in agony, struggling desperately to free her hoof from Nightmare’s jaws. All the while the monster kept its cold gaze locked on her eyes, seemingly entertained by the pain she was causing the young alicorn.

Twilight’s pain mercifully stopped when she was yanked away, her hoof removed from Nightmare’s teeth. She dropped to the ground, cradling her bitten hoof. It burned like a thousand ant bites, and blood still dripped from the wound.

Gently levitating the youngest princess with her magic, Celestia turned to her sister. “This was a horrible idea.”

“Forgive me, sister,” replied Luna quietly. “I should have kept a better eye on her.”

Celestia shook her head, “No, don’t blame yourself. Neither of us could have known that monster would do something like this.”

As she watched the royal sisters leave, carrying the injured Twilight, Nightmare Moon’s mouth twisted into a sadistic grin. She let out an almost psychotic giggle, which quickly grew louder and louder, becoming crazed laughter that echoed throughout the empty dungeon.