Nightmare Ponyville

by Super Ponyman

Rating: teen
Tags: Adventure, Shining Armor, Nightmare Rarity, Alternate Universe, Main 6, Drama, Original Character, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Dark, Tantabus
Length: 31734

Sequel to Dark Star of Shadows, Thr nightmare tribe escapes, this time targeting every member of the main six, with only the Fire Alicorn Burning Star, the White Knight Shining Armor, and his Dark clone Shadow Armor to save them!

Hello everyone! I'm back with story riding off from my first one "Dark Star of Shadows" (Read that one first to understand this one) or part two of the "Burning Star Saga"

Dark Star of Shadows

And Nightmare Ponyville's Sequel, Fires of Friendship and Ice of Hatred

Anyways, a certain moon princess stopped paying attention to the Nightmare Tribe, and they escape, corrupting the Main Six

The so called "Nightmare Main Six", begins to grow bored of commanding the Nightmare Forces alone, so she decided that they need kings. Celestia help the poor souls they pick...

Determined to free the Main Six from the Nightmare tribes grip,

Burning Star teams up with Princess Celestia, the Princess of the Sun, Shining Armor, the white knight that seems a little naive but is still brave, and his dark copy Shadow Armor, who is rebellious and very strong.

But, They are all on vacation when the crap hits the fan... did they not get the memo?

Who will win? Will the Nightmare Main Six spread the darkness of external night across the land (which may or may not be a bad thing in the end) or will the Quad of Heroes prevail against the Nightmare Forces?

Published 2017-09-02 00:00:06 UTC
Last updated 2017-09-24 00:20:00 UTC

Chapter 1: Fell Asleep on the Job

(Canterlot Castle, Luna's Bedroom)

Luna rose the moon up for the night, and stood admiring its beauty. However, today was the anniversary of the day she became Nightmare Moon, and she was very uneasy.

"Wow, seems like only yesterday i transformed into that evil being and tried to bring eternal night to Equestria. All because of my jealousy and that accursed nightmare tribe."

Luna started to yawn, "Well. I should be getting to bed and scanning the dream world for Nightmares..." Luna walked over to her bed, lay down, and fell asleep.

However, when Luna was busy flitting around the dream realm, a certain phenomenon started happening to the moon. It was shrouded in thick gray smoke and giving off a dark blue glow.

(Surface of the Moon)

"Is she gone Shadow Fright?" One shadow cloud asked another.

"Yes, I believe so. Now is the time we make our move. soon my nightmare tribe, EQUESTRIA WILL BE OURS!" Shadow Fright shouted as many of the shadow clouds cheered. They all began to lift up and start to fly off the moon, Shadow Fright was leading them.

He said to the army of shadows he had in tow "Now, our plan is to NOT capture Luna this time."

Many of the shadow clouds stopped and started to bicker amongst themselves.

One of them asked, "What Do you mean?"

Shadow Fright flew over to the one that spoke up and smacked his smoky face. "Because, then those little ponies would use the Elements of Harmony on us... and we would be back at square one!"

Many of the nightmare tribe began to bicker again, one of them shouted out. "Then why not corrupt one of them? Or better yet, ALL of them! What do you all think?"

Shadow Fright grabbed the cloud that spoke and said to him in a amazed voice, "brilliant idea! Tell me, what is your name?"

The purple shadow cloud spoke, "Shadow Fright, its a shame you don't recognize your master, Tantabus."

Shadow Fright Screamed as Tantabus pulled him close and said, "Shadow Fright, thanks for leading my tribe while I was... indisposed. From this point onwards you will serve as my second in command officer."

Tantabus pointed one of its ethereal hooves, Now, let us be off!"

With that, the ENTIRE Nightmare Tribe let the moon, but in their haste, they forgot to cover their tracks.

Upon their escape, there were gray clouds circling the moon.

Tantabus said, "Soon, Dear elements of Harmony... you will be ours... and the best part. You will enjoy every moment of our powers. We will grant you everything you truly desire... as long as you serve as our rulers."

(The Dream Realm, Burning Star's Dream)

Burning Star and Luna were sitting at a table, they were playing the board game "Sorry!", and Burning Star was winning.

Luna gritted her teeth as she tried to draw a card, she got a ten. Luna got another one of her pawns into the end spot.

She said, "Game is getting pretty close Burning Star, you sure are good at this..."

Burning Star pulled a Two, and won the game.

He smirked and said, "I win."

Luna snorted and then slammed her hoof on the table, smashing it flatter than a pancake. "Why are you so skilled at this Game?!"

Burning Star winked, "It is Luck-based, Luna. Not skill."

He cleared his throat. "Anyways. I'm guessing you're not here for the board games..."

Luna nodded, "I need some advice Burning Star."

The Fire Alicorn's jaw dropped, he then said, "You want my advice? This is odd, I thought ponies come to you and Celestia for advice, why me of all ponies?"

Luna answered, "Because you're the only pony who knows what that much negativity feels like. Remember when you told me about King Sombra's "punishments", you wouldn't stop crying until I had to put a spell on you so you didn't pass out."

Burning Star nodded, extending his black wings to loosen them up. "Yeah, I remember that, I see why you came to me for help. What's bothering you Luna? Has another villain returned to Equestria? Cause if that's the case then I will waste no time in incinerating them with the fires of..."

Luna spoke, a little concern and frustration in her voice. "Focus Burning Star! The anniversary of the day I became Nightmare Moon is coming up, and I still think that there are a few ponies that hate me for it..." she began to cry softly.

Burning Star extended one of his massive wings, wiped Luna's face clear of tears, and said, "Luna, everypony experiences bouts of jealousy. Trust me, if it were Celestia instead of you it would have happened the same way. Hell, If It are me and Twilight and I was going nuts she would have done the same thing, and vise versa."

Luna stood back, shocked. "Really?! You are willing to banish Twilight to the stars if something like that happens?! Why would you even consider..."

Burning Star put a hoof over Luna's mouth. "Due to recent events, I felt it necessary to inform her of the responsibility of being a hero, I've been training Twilight in combat magic, Lethal Combat Magic. I'm teaching Twilight that not everypony can be stunned over and over. Sometimes, you got to kill them if they refuse mercy..."

Luna looked appalled, "That's rather dark, Burning Star."

She stopped to think, then said. "Then again, you were trained under King Sombra, so I could see why he prioritized lethality over incapacitation."

Burning Star scowled, "Don't remind me of him, please. He may have saved my life but he still nearly killed us."

Luna continued, "So back on topic, Advice on if some ponies still hate me?"

Burning Star winked and said, "if ponies hate you, ignore them. let them hate you. They will just waste their lives trying to piss you off. Other ponies tend to not like to be around somepony who is bitter and hateful. A lot of ponies dislike me because my fire powers are destructive."

Burning Star said next, "But onto a much more merry subject, I am planning on taking Shining Armor, Shadow Armor, on vacation. We decided that we need a little break to relax and rest from the "excitement" of the last few months."

Luna smiled, "Then you enjoy yourself, Burning Star. I have to go now..."

Burning Star said, "Good Luck Tomorrow, Princess of the Moon!"

Luna smiled, "Thanks. I'll see how your advice works tomorrow, goodbye Burning Star!"

Burning Star said, "I wish you peace Luna..."

(Canterlot Castle, Luna's bedroom balcony)

Luna awoke with a Jump it, feeling more refreshed than ever. She wasn't going to let somepony drag her down! She looked out the window, it was still dark out.

She stepped out into the crisp night air and said, "No one can hurt me today! I'm not afraid of anything!"

Luna looked towards the moon and immediately took those words back. Across the moon was a dark purple cloud, descending to Equestria and speeding across.

The cloud apparently noticed her and shot a ball of darkness her way. It was aimed towards her balcony!

Luna shouted, "Holy Shite!" And jumped inside as the ball of darkness pulverized the balcony she was just standing on.

The purple cloud floated in the air a few hundred feet in front of Luna. She immediately recognized the being.

"Its You!" She hissed

The purple cloud took shape, assuming the form of a featureless, almost gelatinous Nightmare Moon. It opened its eyes, they were white with black backgrounds.

The being spoke in a ethereal voice, "Well... If... It...Isn't..."

Luna cut it off, "Can you not do that! You're already scary enough Tantabus, you don't have to do the whole "Pausing between words for drama" thing!"

Tantabus said, clearly annoyed "Wow. Who shoved a stick up your butt Luna? You used to love dramatic entrances and things like this..."

Luna rolled her eyes and scowled, "How did you escape from the moon? and, why are you here you monster?"

Tantabus floated inside, "I'm here to offer a deal for you, Lunaaaaa..." Tantabus let her words drag on to annoy its former host.

Luna flared her wings and said, "Whatever it is... my answer is a loud NO."

Tantabus floated over to Luna's bed. "You won't even hear me out? Wow, whoever shoved that stick up your butt shoved it really far up..."

Luna sighed, before asking "What is it?"

Tantabus sat on the edge of Luna's bed and said in its ethereal tone, "My Nightmares have escaped the moon alongside me Luna, and they are very annoyed that they have been locked up there on that rock for so long."

Luna snorted, "So why come down here? Just so you can belittle/beg me into returning to the moon so I can stay there for another thousand years fending you off?"

Tantabus laughed, "Not even close, Luna. No... the deal is, either we conquer Equestria by force under my rule... or I distribute my power into a few ponies to help even out the power so not one pony ends up hurt, or killed, or both."

Tantabus let that word hang there, then continued "Maybe, the lucky ponies who end up with the power of the nightmare tribe will actually put us to good use "improving" other ponies."

Luna raised an eyebrow, "What do you mean "Improving" what does that entail?"

Tantabus generated a mouth and smirked, "You will see soon enough my former host... until then, we will remain hidden in Equestria. We will not bother or attack any pony unless we are attacked first..."

Tantabus put its ethereal hoof down, making a soft thud. "I can assure you that..."

Luna bared her teeth and said, "How can I know that I can trust that all of your tribe will cooperate with this?"

Tantabus nodded, "I assure you, Luna... if one of my little nightmares touches a single hair on any pony without my consent..."

Tantabus turned its body red, "There will be dire consequences for it."

Luna looked confused, "Why such a change of heart Tantabus? You were so intent on brining Nightmare Moon back out of me a few years ago..."

Tantabus lowered its head, "I met with a pony on the moon that showed my tribe that nightmares aren't just for spreading fear and terror, they can be used to help ponies overcome thier fears..."

Luna sighed and said with great worry in her voice, "Ok... so what is your next move?"

Tantabus said as it turned invisible, "You will see, Luna..."

Luna felt a gust of wind as she felt Tantabus's invisible form zip out the door. She didn't like the answer Tantabus gave her.

"You will see, Luna..."

(Everfree Forest, Dark Cave)

The Nightmare Tribe waited anxiously for Tantabus to return to them. They all jumped a bit when Tantabus landed in front of them, a large grin on its face.

Shadow Fright stepped, more like floated forward to ask, "So how did it go Master?"

Tantabus smiled, "Luna is completely dumbfounded, she won't know what we plan to do until it's too late..."

"And when it is too late... everypony will be one of us... and they will adore our new rulers."

Tantabus waved its Nightmare Tribe members closer and began to materialize images of six ponies and one dragon.

Tantabus then called out to its minions, who all cried out in joy.

"These ponies will be our new rulers! I will go to them and transform them into Nightmare Mares, then they will rule us and Equestria will be ours!"

Shadow Fright asked his master, "How exactly are you going to win them over? They are probably going to freak out and refuse..."

Tantabus said, "Then we will persuade them..."

Shadow Fright asked again, "With what?"

Tantabus looked out onto the village known as Ponyville, "Anything they desire... anything they want... and all they have to do is say..."

"Submit..."

Author's Note

Hello everyone! It's Super Ponyman, and I'm here to provide a sorta sequel/side story to "Dark Star of Shadows."

The Nightmare Tribe is back, and with Tantabus as the leader!

(The reason I wanted to make Tantabus appear is that it will play a major role in the plot.)

Chapter 2: Vacation Time!

Author's Note

Well last chapter was... Ominous... ;)

If you read my last story "Dark Star of Shadows," you would know who Burning Star and the Character, Shadow Armor is.

So go read the story! It's pretty good according to a few friends that have read it.

Chapter 2: Vacation Time!

(Twilight Sparkle's Castle, Main Throne Room)

It was spring in Equestria, the season of fun and games outside for ponies of all ages.

The only problem, Twilight didn't have that luxury, she was stuck in her castle while Burning Star, her BBBFF, and her brothers dark clone were off on vacation.

Shining Armor sat tapping his hoof, leaning against the pair of suitcases he brought with him, their train left in a few hours, what was taking Shadow Armor so long?

Burning Star came down with five suitcases in his magical grasp, Shining Armor exhaled a sigh of relief.

He said in a releaved tone, "What was taking you so long, Burning Star? Our train leaves in a hour and a half. Or are you just preening your feathers again?"

Burning Star snorted and shot a weak burst of fire at Shining's butt, setting it ablaze and making Twilight use a water spell to put out her brothers burning rump and tail.

Twilight Sparkle glared at Burning Star before saying, "That was uncalled for, Burning Star."

Burning Star scowled, "No. It was totally called for, Shining has no idea how important preening your wings are to Alicorns. Then again, he isn't an Alicorn, is he?"

Shining Armor shot a bolt of magic at Burning Star, hitting him square in face, leaving a visible red mark on his jet black furred face.

"Shut Up! My wife is an Alicorn! You're just a flying candlestick!" Shining Armor retorted, an annoyed look on his face.

Burning Star's left eye began to twitch as he ignited his mane and tail and began sprinting towards Shining, "I'll turn you into a candlestick! Let's see how well RED FIRE works with your blue mane, Shining Moron!"

Shining Armor rushed Burning Star with his horn extended, eyes full of rage, "You're a moron if you insulted me!"

Twilight Sparkle pushed the two apart, saying "You both overreacted to a simple insult. Calm down!"

A deeper version of Shining Armor's voice pierced through the struggle.

"I for once agree with Twilight, grow some thicker skin you two, but I would have loved to see who would win that battle..."

It was Shadow Armor! He was wearing a Haywaiian Shirt with black, white, and red flowers on it. He was carrying nothing with him.

Twilight asked the shadowy knight, "Where is your luggage?"

Shadow Armor pointed outside, "I put it out early this morning."

Twilight Sparkle opened the door and saw Shadow Armor's "Luggage." It was a giant crate with Shadow Armor's Cutie Mark of a Sword plastered on it. There were labels such as "Fragile" and "No Fire" taped on it.

Twilight rubbed her eyes to make sure she was still seeing clearly. She then turned to Shadow Armor and said, "How much Stuff do you need?! This is shipping freight, not clothes and bathroom accessories!"

Shadow Armor closed his eyes and playfully smirked, "My clothes and bathroom accessories are in there Twilight Sparkle, along with a few of my personal belongings."

Burning Star walked outside and saw Shadow Armor's crate, "Ah Shadow Armor! Thank Celestia you're ready! By the way, I owe you a favor for packing up my inventions."

Twilight Sparkle's eye twitched, "You're bringing your inventions!"

Burning Star winked at Twilight, "Yep! I figured that it would be a good idea. I wanted to demonstrate the wonders my inventions can create, is that a problem Twilight?"

Shining Armor stepped outside, "Don't worry Twily, I'll make sure he doesn't do anything stupid."

Twilight grabbed her brothers face, "And who is going to make sure you won't do anything stupid?"

Shadow Armor whistled, "I will be keeping your brother from destroying his life, Twilight Sparkle. After all, I am indebted to you for removing the black magic seal on my mind. I've never thought any clearer..."

Shining Armor chimed in, "Or any more snarky..."

Shadow Armor dropped a suitcase on Twilight's brother's head, earning a glare from the purple alicorn.

Twilight sighed, "Ok. Go have fun boys... I have a meeting to get to."

The three stallions waited for Twilight to close the door before taking a sigh of relief.

Burning Star said first, feeling relieved. "Finally... I thought that nagging would never end. Let's go catch our train everypony!"

The trio of stallions started to walk to the train station, talking about various things.

(The Equestria Train Line, Destination: Maneami Beach)

Burning Star was lucky enough to get a private car for four ponies, so he let everypony inside. Burning Star brought the pair of knights a couple of soda bottles, before sitting down and cracking open his.

Shining Armor said to Shadow Armor, "So, anything you want to know about us right now Shady?"

Shadow Armor said to his companions, "Yes, have the two of you gotten laid recently?"

Shining Armor was red in the face, Burning Star just leaned back in shock.

Burning Star finally coughed out a response, "Uh... Why do you ask?"

Shining Armor responded to Shadow Armor's question, "That is none of your business Shadow Armor! Why would you even bring up such a subject?!"

Shadow Armor looked at Shining Armor with the "Are you kidding me?" look, "Shining, I am a manifestation of your dark side and darkest desires. Trust me, if you loosened up you would ask the same question."

He looked directly at Shining Armor, "And I've seen some of your darkest desires... that is some kinky stuff you like."

Shadow Armor turned towards Burning Star, "The question is mainly aimed at you, hot stuff. I've noticed Twilight's belly growing recently, sure you haven't gotten lucky?"

Shining Armor's shocked expression twisted into a angry glare. He slammed his hoof on the table and said, "YOU GOT MY SISTER PREGNANT!"

Burning Star nervously replied, "Yes... Sorry 'bout that. It just... happened one night."

They heard another shouting voice as Burning Star was knocked to the floor by a white blur. It was Princess Celestia!

"YOU GOT MY FORMER STUDENT PREGNANT!" She screamed in his face.

Burning Star pushed the sun princess off him, "Yes. But do not worry, I intend to be a caring father to the child."

Celestia smashed her hoof into his chest, knocking the wind out of him. "What is Wrong with you?! Did I give you permission to have intercourse with Twilight!"

Burning Star spat back at her, "She isn't your student anymore Celestia! Why do you care? She is old enough now that she can rule without you constantly checking up on her." He stepped forward, wings flared. "Don't think I didn't notice the random golden wisps of energy you have been using to spy on us."

He smirked before saying, "I thought I needed lessons on trust, you need them more than me, Celestia."

Shadow Armor got up and pushed the two Alicorns apart, "Let's not ruin the train ride... you will both have plenty of time to tear each other apart when we reach Maneami Beach."

Burning Star dusted himself off, then chuckled. "So, why are you here Celestia?"

Celestia looked away for a minute, then said "I was... observing your movements. But, you're heading on Vacation, so I guess I could come along too!"

The three stallions said in a synchronized voice,

"WHAT?!"

Celestia giggled, "Well. I haven't had a vacation in a long LONG time. There's not much going on at the castle, so I decided to leave for a little while."

Shadow Armor asked the princess, "What did Princess Luna think of this decision to just "leave"?"

Celestia rolled her eyes, "Luna has been so busy with the Summer Solstice Festival setup. I doubt she even noticed I'm gone, so I'm home free!"

Burning Star gave Celestia an eye roll, "Yes, that's great. Just try to not get in the way of us having fun?"

Celestia nodded "ok, That's fair" She sat down and said, "I just can't believe it, Twilight is pregnant... wow."

Burning Star put one of his wings around Celestia, "Don't worry Celestia, I'm going to be a great father to the child."

Shining Armor chimed in, "Yeah. I'll be a good uncle too!"

Shadow Armor cut in, "Excuse Me Shining? Wouldn't that make me an uncle as well?"

Shining just sat back as that relevation sunk in, "Oh... yeah it would."

Shadow Armor continued, "and since I'm technically you, wouldn't that make me Flurry Heart's step-father as well?"

Shining fainted on the spot, Shadow Armor just laughed. "Oh man I love doing that to him, it gets better every time."

Burning Star and Celestia looked at Shadow Armor with a disappointed gaze.

Shadow Armor said, "What? If we are going by actual biological evidence, I would be Shining Armor's exact genetic makeup, meaning that I am also the father of Flurry Heart, right?"

Burning Star went to his sleeping room and turned off the light, "Goodnight Shadow Armor."

Shadow Armor looked at Celestia, before smirking and saying, "Did I say something wrong?"

Celestia smacked him in the head, knocking him out cold.

"What am I going to do with you three...?"

Chapter 4: Maneami Beach Day

(Maneami Beach, Goldenmane Hotel)

Burning Star sat in the hotel's lobby, reading a book on monsters that Twilight gave to him. He was reading through the "Nightmare Tribe Section"

He read quietly, "Nightmare Tribe."

"A species of ponies that abused the power of the dream realm and caused nightmares. They were punished by the old gods by sending them to the moon, where they still remain to this day."

Celestia glared at the hotel desk mare, she wasn't happy at all.

"What do you mean that our rooms are not ready yet? Don't you know who I am?" Celestia said to the obviously bored pony.

The desk mare said to Celestia in probably the most emotionless tone possible, "I am sorry Princess Celestia. But we are trying to find you a room the best we can..."

Burning Star rolled his eyes and continued to read

"Tantabus"

"Tantabus is thought to be the embodiment of the fear and doubt Princess Luna had of becoming Nightmare Moon again. In reality, it is actually something different entirely."

Burning Star kept reading,

"Tantabus is thought to be related to the Nightmare Tribe that was stranded on the moon thousands of years ago. It is composed of a purplish-blue material that feels like gelatin. It's powers include Flight, Invisibility, Teleportation, immense magic strength, the inducing of dreams and nightmares, mind control, and possession."

Celestia was angry, she then said in the Royal Canterlot Voice. "I am Celestia, princess of Equestria! I demand to get a room right NOW! So get up off your underpaid pony ass and find me and my companions a ROOM RIGHT NOW!"

Burning Star sighed and kept reading

"A pony possessed by Tantabus is called a Nightmare Pony, and is much stronger, faster, and smarter than regular ponies. They are often colored shining black and have cutie marks made up of stars. A powerful enough pony can subdue and mind control Tantabus, allowing the controller to transform other ponies into nightmare ponies. Thier state of sanity is dependent on wether or not the controller of Tantabus desires."

Burning Star heard a smash as Celestia smashed the hotel desk with her hooves, he closed his book and rushed over to the white Alicorn and restrained her.

He said though the struggles, "Please get us a room. I do not think that I can hold her any longer."

The desk mare dashed into the back room.

The Fire Alicorn growled and used his magic to reassemble the desk.

Burning Star dragged Celestia out the door and sat her down on the bench outside.

Celestia shouted at Burning Star, "Why did you do that?! I was just about to bash the info out of him!"

Burning Star glared at Celestia, fire in his eyes. "Because I wanted to go on the trip in order to relax and have fun."

He effortlessly picked Celestia up with his magic grasp, "I do not want to spend this vacation fighting everypony in sight because you're not being treated like royalty! So sit down and shut up!" Burning Star said to Celestia in his speech voice, before tossing her into the bathroom.

"Now! Go clean up! You still are royalty, Celestia. You have to look it as well."

Burning Star walked back inside and asked the desk mare, "Excuse me, forgive my companion's rash behavior. We have been on a train for two days, do you have any rooms available at all?"

The desk mare nervously looked at Burning Star and said, "we don't have any rooms available sir, please try again later."

Burning Star looked at the key box, he saw three deluxe room keys sitting in the slot. He pointed at the keys and said, "What about those?" He grabbed them with his magic and put them in his bags.

The desk mare shook her head. "I'm sorry sir, but those keys are for the VIP guests...I...can't... justtttttugh..."

Her words slurred as Burning Star touched his horn to the Pegasus's head, it began to glow a soft red and his eyes turned the same color.

He said to her. "You remember nothing of this encounter... you do not recall the name Burning Star, you will do this for me... now wake up from this trance."

The desk mare's eyes turned red as well, before Burning Star shot a bolt of red lightning into them. The desk mare got up and smiled blissfully

"Have a nice day sir!"

(Maneami Beach, Beachfront)

Celestia walked out of the bathroom refreshed and relieved. She saw Shining Armor and Shadow Armor talking to some police officers.

Shining Armor was speaking to the head officer, "So what's going on here, chief?"

The police officer said to Shining Armor, "My Prince, there have been a string of kidnappings happening around town."

Shining Armor asked another question, "Has anypony been apprehended yet? Is there any evidence of the victims?"

The police chief pointed to the sand at thier feet, there was a strange goo on the sand. Shadow Armor walked up to it and looked down, before bending over and licking it, before spitting it out!

Both the Police Officer and Shining Armor made a disgusted face, Shadow Armor looked at them with confusion.

Shadow Armor said to the pair, "Have their been any sightings of changelings around here recently?"

The officer shook her head, "there were three sightings a few weeks ago."

Shining Armor raised an eyebrow, "Really? Where?"

The police chief walked over and put her hoof on Shining's chest and said. "You see the problem with Changelings is that they can shapeshift... they can be anypony they want..."

the police officer was getting uncomfortably close to Shining's face.

"And I believe you may have been in contact with a few recently..."

Shadow Armor pulled Shining out of the police chiefs grasp and said, "I believe that we may want to start our search at the nightclubs Shining Armor. Changelings need love, be it drunk, high, or tripping. Any love will do."

Burning Star was calling the pair of knights over. Shadow Armor said to Shining, "Tread carefully, Shining Armor... things are not what they seem."

Shining Armor said to his dark copy, "What do you mean "things are not what they seem?"

Shadow Armor pulled a small knife out of his bag and put it in front of Shining, he then put it in Shining's sheath. Shining Armor walked away, a worried look on his face.

Shadow Armor said under his breath,

"Take great care Shining Armor, for you're life is tied to mine..."

(Maneami Beach, Goldenmane Hotel Deluxe Suites)

The Ponies stopped in front of three rooms. Burning Star handed the three ponies their keys.

He then said, "Goodnight Everypony. Tomorrow we start our official first day of vacation!"

Burning Star unlocked the first door and let Celestia in, he then stepped in and closed the door.

Shining Armor approached the second room alongside Shadow Armor, unlocked the room, and said, "well I guess I'm bunking with you Shady-"

Shadow Armor took the key and slammed the door in his face, he heard through the doorframe

"I sleep alone."

Shining Armor took his key to the last room, he felt a chill go up his spine, he shook it off and said, "calm down Shining... calm down."

(Burning Star and Celestia's Room)

Burning Star was stretching his wings and drinking a glass of soda out when Celestia said to him,

"I want to talk about Twilight's Foal"

Burning Star choked for a minute, then said "Excuse me what?"

Celestia put a wing around Burning Star and said, "For once drop the facade of bravery and power, I can see right through you. You're terrified, aren't you?"

Burning Star hung his head in shame, "yeah. I haven't felt this scared since I was training under King Sombra... am I going to be a good dad?"

Celestia nuzzled him and said, "From what Twilight has told me about you and from what I've seen, you will be a great dad."

Burning Star started to cry, and cry hard. Celestia let him cry into her wings.

She cradled him with her wings and whispered to him. "Ssshh, it's ok."

(Shining Armor's Room)

Shining Armor approached the door, he was scared, even though he shouldn't be scared of a room. Shining Armor unlocked the door and began to open it slowly.

But, the thought of Changelings being in town made him uneasy. in his experience, a few changelings meant a hive, and a hive meant a queen, and the only Queen he knew of was...

"ME!" Said Queen Chrysalis as Shining opened the door and saw the "lovely" Queen sitting in a chair with a cocoon open next to her.

She was reading the book, "Pony to Changeling Anatomy"

Shining Armor was about to scream when two drones pushed him towards Queen Chrysalis and shut the door behind him.

Queen Chrysalis said to Shining Armor as he struggled in her grasp. "Oh Shining... funny how we seem to bump into each other everywhere. But, today I've got a better surprise for you."

Shining Armor was wrapped in gooey strands of green silk that the Changelings usually wove into cocoons.

He spat at her, "Why this again here?! Why can't you just ask me out on a date or send me chocolates?!"

Queen Chrysalis walked over to Shining and booped him on the nose, saying "Because, just like a spider, I prefer to have my prey fall into my trap. But, I'm not here to brainwash you again Shiny, I'm here to give you something special!"

Queen Chrysalis pointed towards the cocoon at her side, "You see Shining, the reason why I didn't transform like that idiot King Thorax is because i was still hung up on you... but, I love myself now! And I want become a new changeling with you!"

Shining Armor looked confused, "What are you playing at Chrysalis? Are you saying that you want to be a good pon-err- changeling now?"

Chrysalis said, love in her eyes. "I just want to be like you, so that ponies look at me with kindness and love, instead of Hate and Fear."

Shining Armor looked at the cocoon, "so what's that for?"

Chrysalis stepped in and lay down, "my transformation pod!"

All of a sudden, the room filled with bright green light, and Chrysalis burst out of the cocoon.

Chrysalis' body was now Snow White and hole-less. Her wings were multicolored and became like butterfly wings, her mane and tail were a deep purple and were solid and flowed as if they were water, her horn was curved and smooth, and her normally twisted up black crown was gleaming bright gold. Chrysalis's eyes shifted from the sickly green to a soft purple.

Shining Armor was breathless, "you... you look..."

Chrysalis kissed him and said, "more beautiful than anypony you have ever seen?"

Shining Armor nodded and grabbed Chrysalis's chest and began to engage in intercourse with her.

Chrysalis had won! She knew this would make her rival King Thorax get jealous and sleep with Cadence, but she did truly love Shining Armor.

And Shining Armor would be hers forever...

Chapter 5: Shy No More

(Everfree Forest, Dark Cave)

The Nightmare Tribe waited anxiously for Tantabus to return with thier new ruler. Many of them were fininding ways to pass the time.

Some of the shades were playing cards.

Others were telling stories and jokes.

A few were even reading books on "The common fears of ponies" in order to educate themselves in how to take over via mental attack if they had to.

Shadow Fright sat at the edge of the cave, it was broad daylight out. if he stepped outside, he would disintegrate into dust. He was tapping his Hoof and said, "How long is this going to take? My mistress Tantabus hasn't gotten back yet... she said that she would bring back a queen by daybreak, yet its broad daylight out and no sign of my..."

Shadow Fright's words were cut off by a giant black mare with a shining purple mane put a hoof over his mouth. She had a small black filly beside her, with a pink and white gold mane.

Nightmare Rarity said to the night Pegasus, "Tell your tribe the one of their queens is here..."

Shadow Fright shook in his new hooves before saying, "Yes..."

Nightmare Rarity told the nightmare Pegasus her name, "Nightmare Rarity."

Shadow Fright finished his sentence, "Y-Yes Nightmare Rarity!"

The nightmare Pegasus bent down and said, "and what is your name little one?"

Nightmare Sweetie Belle put on a brace face and walked up to the red eyed Pegasus, "I'm Sweetie Belle."

He ran inside saying to his fellow shades, "Our queen is here! Queen Nightmare Rarity!"

He pointed towards the entire tribe, "KNEEL BEFORE HER BEAUTY!"

Some of looked at Nightmare Rarity and started to argue amongst themselves. Nightmare Rarity looked at Shadow Fright, who cowered in fear from her gaze.

She said to the dark Pegasus, "You said that they would accept me as thier queen immediately..."

She picked up Shadow Fright with her magic, "You said that they would listen to me?!"

Shadow Fright squeaked out a scared response. "I-I-I- said that they would most likely accept you as queen immediately!" He felt his throat being crushed, "perhaps try to give an example of your power..."

Nightmare Rarity smiled, "Actually..." she released Shadow Fright from her grip. "That's a perfect idea."

Nightmare Rarity stepped forward and said, "You want to see my power?! Fine! Bring me forth the person skeptical of my power."

A dark gray shade stepped, it was a unicorn stallion roughly the size of Big Macintosh.

Nightmare Rarity said "you are the one who thinks I'm unable to command?"

He said, "Yes."

Nightmare Rarity scowled, "and what is your reason for this?"

The dark gray unicorn said, "you are a Mare! You only know how to use other ponies to do your dirty work! You lack any real stre-"

His words were cut short by Nightmare Rarity grabbing the unicorn's neck with her magic, rendering him unable to breathe as his face turned blue. She turned to the tribe.

Nightmare Rarity spoke, "You want strength?"

She looked at the stallion in the eyes, seeing the fear in them.

"Then allow me to demonstrate!"

The nightmare tribe heard a sickening crack as the unicorn stallion's head snapped backwards, then his body went limp.

Nightmare Rarity tossed the lifeless pony to the floor. Many of the tribe stood back in shock before she said, "Anypony else wish to speak out?"

The rest of the nightmare tribe knelt before Nightmare Rarity, they all said in unison, "Hail Nightmare Rarity!"

Nightmare Rarity smirked, "I think I did good."

(Fluttershy's Cottage, Fluttershy's Bedroom)

Fluttershy was grooming her mane and wiping her eyes. Discord had been to one of her tea parties and he was always quite... eccentric.

She was about to start on her tail when her brush started to talk to her, it was Discord!

"You know Fluttershy, you look lovely with or without sugar in your mane..."

Fluttershy dropped the brush with a startled squeal and said. "Discord! I-I thought that you left for the night."

Discord poofed back to his normal, chaotic self and tipped a hat to Fluttershy. He said to her, "I just wanted to say that today was just great. I hope that I have many more parties with you..."

Fluttershy said to her Draconequess companion, "O-oh thank you Discord. I think I must be off to bed, goodnight."

Discord blushed as he heard his stomach rumble, "Oh Dear, it seems your tea has made its way to my bladder, I will be but a moment."

Discord popped into the bathroom, and said through the door, "I'll lock the door on my way out."

Fluttershy let out a small giggle and said quietly, "I know, you're always there for me, Discord."

Fluttershy put the covers over her back legs. She snuggled up next to her Butterfly shaped pillow and fell asleep.

Before she could get into a deep sleep, Fluttershy smelled Lavender, and then saw her shadow start to extend. Somepony was in her room!

She pulled her covers up over her head and shivered with fear. She thought to herself, "Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear! Please don't be a monster! Please, Please don't be a monster..."

Fluttershy peeked out from the covers and saw the worst thing she could have imagined, Tantabus, the greatest monster of all next to that dreadful King Sombra and Daybreaker.

She screamed, but no sound came out. Fluttershy said to the dark creature, "Go away! L-leave me alone!"

Fluttershy heard a voice like a whisper, it was Tantabus. "Do not be afraid of me element of kindness, I come with no harm..."

Fluttershy felt Tantabus peel the covers off her, she took to the air, trying to use her stare against the creature. Unfortunately, Tantabus's mirror-like eyes just showed Fluttershy's terrified expression.

Tantabus reached out a wispy hoof to Fluttershy, "I come bearing a great gift. The gift of nightmare power, and dominance over the Nightmare Tribe."

Fluttershy shook her head, "no. I'm sorry I don't want that, Tantabus."

Tantabus turned red, obviously annoyed. "How can you deny the promise of this power?"

Fluttershy lost her patience, she screamed in soundless anger as her body began to change. Her feathery wings became bat wings, she grew two fangs, and her eye colors shifted from teal to bright red. Her coat turned from its normal bright cream to a mustard yellow, and her mane and tail became shredded. Fluttershy became Flutterbat!

Tantabus stepped back in slight fear as the unnerving form of Fluttershy's nightmarish counterpart, Flutterbat, hovered in from if it hissing like a lizard. "Stay back monster!"

Flutterbat growled, "You're not so tough now are you? Even the sweetest animals have a dark side of push them too far..." while Fluttershy's personality was the kindness, Flutterbat's personality was authoritative and strong willed.

Tantabus only clapped its hooves, "Well done Fluttershy, this is what my queen wanted, she wanted to see your willpower against my glorious, terrifying form. I must say, even I am shaking in my ethereal hooves from your glaring gaze."

Flutterbat reverted back into Fluttershy, "you're scared of me? I'm-im so sorry..."

Tantabus shrugged, "it's alright." It leaned in closer, "you know... I can help you be more assertive... while still retaining your kind nature to everypony. All you have to do is accept my queens gift..."

Fluttershy looked confused as she put a bit of distance between her and Tantabus. "What type of gift? Who is your queen?"

Tantabus looked into Fluttershy's real eyes, analyzing every detail about them. Thier gaze was soft like chalk, but could become hard as a diamond when enough pressure was applied.

Tantabus finally turned into purple smoke, "I can see why my queen wants you to rule alongside her as equals."

Fluttershy asked again, "Who is your queen?"

Tantabus engulfed Fluttershy, "I will show you..."

Fluttershy saw her animals happily playing in an animal sanctuary, she saw herself in a white lab coat and a black pony was was standing beside her.

Fluttershy saw who it was, it was Rarity, but she looked like Nightmare Moon! She looked happy and not mind controlled at all.

Fluttershy gasped, "you mean that R-Rarity is queen of your nightmare tribe..."

Tantabus whispered, "yes... and she wants you to join with her... and you just have to say two words Fluttershy...

Fluttershy shut her eyes and said, "I submit... don't hurt me..."

Tantabus whispered, "it doesn't hurt..." as it surrounded Fluttershy in a dark purple cloud of smoke.

When she emerged, her physique had changed drastically. She was the size of Celestia, Her normally small wings had grown and had light cream colored feathers on them. Her fur had turned to a shining black and her cutie Mark had become a constellation of a butterfly. Her teal eyes had little tints of red in them, making them look as if they had small rubies in them. Her mane had grown, turning pink gold covering her right eye. Fluttershy opened her mouth and felt two fangs poking out of her mouth.

She felt confident!

She felt pretty!

She felt... sexy!

Tantabus looked upon Fluttershy with pride, before saying. "I hereby name you, NIGHTMARE FLUTTERSHY!"

Nightmare Fluttershy said in a alluring voice, "I like it... it conveys power, yet gentleness at the same time..."

Tantabus bowed before her, "who would you like me to transform next my queen?"

Nightmare Fluttershy turned to the plushie she had on her bed, it was made by Pinkie Pie.

Nightmare Fluttershy pulled Tantabus close, "go to Ponyville and look for a building called the Sugarcube Corner... my friend Pinkie Pie lives there... she will likely be eager to help us out." She said in an authoritative tone.

Discord opened the bathroom and his jaw dropped off, he then picked it up and sticked it back on. He then stammered out, "F-Fluttershy?"

Nightmare Fluttershy turned to the direction of the voice, but she saw nothing.

Discord was running as fast as he could towards Maneami Beach, he knew Burning Star was on vacation.

"Even I, the lord of chaos incarnate, didn't see this coming! I gotta do something before this gets too bad. My Magic doesn't work on these, Nightmare Ponies!"

With that, Discord transformed into an eagle and flew off.

Chapter 6: Hot Tubs and Cold Legends

(Maneami Beach, Celestia and Burning Star's Room)

Celestia sleeping peacefully, dreaming of Twilight's foal, and what it would be named. The night before was emotional, Burning Star showed genuine compassion and love for her former student was apparent. In fact, it rivaled the love between Shining Armor and Cadence, and that love was pretty powerful.

Celestia woke up to the sound of humming, she looked around and saw Burning Star sitting out on the balcony. She crept closer and heard the tone, somber and sad.

She crept out and said to him, "You're up early Burning Star, any reason why?"

Burning Star looked up at the night sky, before sighing and saying, "When I was under the tutelage of King Sombra, I woke up before him to train my normal magic abilities before he wanted to train my dark magic abilities."

Celestia leaned in, "You know Dark Magic? How well are you proficient in it?"

"I will show you, Princess of the Sun."

Burning Star's horn lit up with green and purple sparks of energy and his eyes turned sickly green. He looked out upon a group of trees in the distance.

Celestia stepped back and covered herself with a shield, she wanted to keep covered if the spell backfired.

Burning Star yelled, "Black Crystal Torrent!" As a beam of dark magic hit the ground below them, Before a ridge of black Crystal spikes erupted from the ground and uprooted the group of trees and tore them to splinters.

Celestia dropped her shield and saw what remained of the trees, there was a small crater and broken branches littered about everywhere!

She looked to Burning Star and said, "In the name of myself, that is King Sombra's favorite spell. How did you learn it?"

Burning Star looked at Celestia and said, "when he was asleep, I went to read his spell books. Also, did you really think that King Sombra would not keep these spells out of my learning program?"

Burning Star put a hoof on the balcony railing and said, "you know I once had a friend that liked looking at the stars..."

Celestia saw a tear in Burning Star's eye, she asked "is he still around?"

Burning Star shook his head, his jet black fur on his face stained by tears. "No. He tried to preform a spell that would make him an Alicorn like me and Twilight... substituting Dark Magic instead Instead of normal magic." he said, still gazing up at the stars,

"It worked, but he was too powerful, and he disintegrated himself from the sheer release of magic."

Celestia knew Burning Star was getting overwhelmed, and she put her wing around him, saying "You don't have to talk anymore, I understand."

She gulped, then said "You want me to show you how I raise the sun?"

Burning Star nodded, wiping the tears out of his eyes, "Sure."

He then said something that shocked Celestia, "Can you teach me how you raise it?"

Celestia shook her head, trying to process what she just heard. "What?"

Burning Star repeated himself, "Yeah. Teach me how to raise the sun."

Celestia said nervously, "You sure you want to do that?" I mean it's a pretty complicated process, you have to take into account the sun's mass and..."

Burning Star thought to himself, "Ok this is going to take a while..." and ignited his horn, he slowly raised his head as the sun rose over Maneami Beach smoothly.

Celestia's jaw was on the floor, she stammered out "b-b-but I thought you didn't know how to..."

Burning Star put a hoof on her mouth to silence her, "hehehe... gotcha. I wanted to ask you to teach me how to raise the sun so I wouldn't be impolite when I did it on my own, I already knew how to raise the sun, its a big ball of flaming gas and plasma, and I can manipulate fire and plasma, it was easy to pick up how... you ok Princess?"

Celestia shook her head to snap out of her awestruck state and walked inside, she said to him. "I-I'm fine! Just get ready for the day, and comb your mane!"

Burning Star gave her a smirk, "Sure thing Princess."

He said under his breath, "You sound so much like my mom you know..."

(Maneami Beach, Silver Sand Spa)

Celestia and Burning Star were across from each other in the hot tub, it was just a normal tub a first, then Burning Star ignited his tail and things got really relaxing.

Celestia stretched her front hooves out and said, "Ah... I haven't had a spa day in hundreds of years, you sure this isn't an inconvenience for anypony here? I mean I am a princess after all..."

Burning Star shook his head, "Nah, the majority of Maneami Beach's population is in a perpetual state of stoned, they wouldn't recognize you. I once took King Sombra here and he really enjoyed the local gentleponies clubs, if you know what I mean..." He pulled out his wings and began to preen them with his horn, which leaked a light red jelly.

Celestia looked at Burning Star's horn and said, "What is that jelly coming out of there and why are you sticking it to your feathers?"

Burning Star stopped for a minute and put some of the jelly on his hoof to show Celestia, "This is Romane Fire. I often apply it to my wings to create the basis for one of my most powerful attacks, the "Romane Fire Storm."

Celestia asked another question, "I thought I made that substance illegal! And now you're producing it-"

Burning Star put a hoof over Celestia's mouth, "Its all magic, Celestia. But, here is how the move works.

Burning Star got out of the tub and dried off, so did Celestia.

Burning Star spoke, spreading his wings out, and started his explanation, "My feathers can ignite because they are covered in a special oil. Now I can shed these feathers while they are coated in the Romane Fire," he shed a few to demonstrate. "and when they make contact with the ground, I can detonate them like bombs and spread boiling oil on the ground and plaster Romane Fire on anypony unlucky enough to be standing nearby. If you get Romane Fire stuck to you, you are as good as dead..."

Celestia put up a shield as Burning Star's horn lit up and the feathers on the ground exploded into a fireball that dripped burning oil and tar everywhere. She saw that the gaps where the feathers had dropped out of grew new ones instantly.

Celestia replied in a combination of horror and amazement, "why so many ways to kill, Burning Star?"

Burning Star leaned in and said, "I was a student of King Sombra... you had to prove that you were the best of the best by any means necessary."

Celestia nodded, shuddering at the idea of being it the situation of constantly having to fight for your life.

Celestia pulled out a book from her bag, "I know you have been taking notes on the events that have happened in this world, but there is one even that the history books never tell you... that Luna and I had a brother."

Burning Star pulled out his notepad and raven feather pen, "Yes go on..."

Celestia opened the book and began to read "My sister and I had a brother named Prince Eclipsio, he was the youngest Alicorn until Candence, You, and Twilight."

Burning Star asked Celestia "What happened to him exactly?"

Celestia continued, "My brother controlled the process of eclipses and distortion of space. Unfortunately for us, he grew jealous and angry that he never got to use his powers as much as we did."

She kept reading, "Eventually, as he tried to cause an eclipse and shroud the world in unnatural darkness... Luna and I stopped him and he was furious beyond belief!"

Burning Star was writing down everything Celestia was saying, "Yes. So what did he do? Why is he not revered as you two are?"

Celestia sighed and continued to read, "Eclipsio was so angry that he used his powers to distort the fabric of space-time and tried to cause a black hole in order to swallow up the planet and eventually the entire solar system. Eventually with the help of King Da'irko and at the time, Prince Sombra, Queen Madamas of the Changelings, and the King of The Nightmare Tribe Noctus, He was subdued and banished to the far reaches of the galaxy for 1,500 years. His excess energy created a black hole 2 light years away."

Celestia shed a single tear, "I hope that one day he will finally forgive us for doing that to him, but he wanted to annihilate all of ponykind."

Burning Star wiped a tear out of Celestia's eye, "do you think he will ever come back?"

Celestia nodded, "Yes. And he will succeed, if we do not unite the races again to stop a foe that wants to destroy EVERYTHING."

Burning Star closed his book and put it away, "yeah. When he does return, I'll be ready for him."

Both Celestia and Burning Star heard cries of distress from a pony rushing up to them. It disappeared in a puff of smoke and Discord appeared in front of them.

Burning Star reared up and said, "What are you doing here Discord?!"

Discord said in a worried tone, "Something evil is happening in Stalliongrad! Somepony called "Tantabus" is transforming ponies into Nightmare Ponies."

Discord pulled out a hanky from nowhere, "it even transformed the police and I overheard that they got The mayor as well..."

Burning Star said to the mishmash of creatures, "What are they doing with them?"

Discord responded, "Tantabus said something about giving everypony a "gift" I'm guessing that gift isn't chocolates..."

Celestia poked Burning Star and said, "Come on! We have to go rescue them!"

Burning Star motioned Celestia off, "I've got to stay here and find these Changelings with Shining Armor and Shadow Armor, you can handle this on your own right?"

Celestia nodded, "Yes. As long as they don't get too many members, I should be able to expel the nightmare tribe back to the moon." Celestia took flight and said, "I will send you a message if I need help!"

Burning Star waved, "Ok! Bye!"

When Celestia was out of sight, Discord and Burning Star laughed hysterically.

Discord bowed, "I have to say that was one of my favorite pranks yet! The nightmare tribe is in Ponyville, not Stalliongrad!"

Burning Star asked Discord, "Really? Huh, are they doing anything wrong?"

Discord shook his head, causing his eyes to wiggle about as well, "Nope."

Burning Star sighed a sigh of relief, "Good. If I know the Nightmare Tribe from the stories and from personal encounters, they will not engage in conflict unless provoked... we should be good for now."

Burning Star turned to Discord, "Hey, Discord. You want to go get a massage with me?"

Discord snapped his bird claw and a robe appeared around him, "Actually, that sounds wonderful!"

(The Moon)

Meanwhile on the barren space of the moon, A lone Alicorn was looking on at the world of Equestria.

He said, "Its been so long since I've seen the beauty of my home. I see it hasn't changed much..."

He opened his red eyes and clenched his teeth, his face was hidden behind a mask.

"Pity I'm going to destroy it. But I'm a pony of my word..."

The Alicorn said into the airless vacuum of space.

"Good News sisters.

"Your brother is finally home..."

Chapter 7: Love Overdose

(Maneami Beach, Goldenmane Hotel, Shining Armor's room)

Shining Armor woke slowly, he felt as if he had ran a marathon then did some sparring with Shadow Armor.

He muttered to himself, "In the name of Luna, what happened last night?"

Shining heard a very familiar voice from the other side of the bed, "You made a queen very, very happy Shiny!"

Shining Armor looked over to his left, and saw Queen Chrysalis, her black chitin face smiling wide. He looked around the room, there was green cocoons everywhere, each holding an infant changeling.

Shining Armor bolted out of bed and backed up against the wall, and into a puddle of greenish goo. He turned around and saw him, suspended in it!

(Maneami Beach, Goldenmane Hotel, Shining Armor's Room (Reality))

Shining Armor screamed and jumped out of bed, beads of sweat down his face and his mane was a mess and his eyes were bloodshot.

He shook his head and said, "Just a bad dream Shining..."

Shining Armor had barely any time to react as his door was blasted open, and in came Shadow Armor with two energy swords in his magic grasp, he said in a loud voice, "What happened?! Who is there?!"

Shining Armor got out of bed and combed his mane down before saying, "It's alright Shadow Armor. I just screamed because I had a nightmare..."

Shadow Armor dematerialized the energy swords and rushed over to Shining Armor and said, "You mean you screamed... because you had a nightmare... and you were not being attacked? Why?"

Shining Armor clarified what he meant, "You know how there were indications of Changeling Activity around Maneami?"

Shadow Armor nodded, "So, Let me guess, you had a nightmare about sleeping with Queen Chrysalis, and she laid a bunch of eggs, and then you saw yourself as a changeling in a cocoon?"

Shining Armor looked shocked, "How did you know?! You deduced that all from just a sentence?"

Shadow Armor replied with a smirk, "I had the same dream too, hay for brains. You should remember that I'm linked to you, Shining Armor. I know you're darkest thoughts and actions, including the incidents involving Chrysalis and the Changelings..."

Shining Armor frowned, "For the love of Celestia, can you NOT mention that?! I would rather not relive that anytime soon."

The black knight shouted back, "You brought it up, Shiny. Not Me."

Shadow Armor went out of the room and brought back a brown food bag.

Shadow Armor tossed Shining Armor a breakfast wrap. Shining opened it up and chomped into it. It tasted delicious! "Wow, what is in this thing?"

Shadow Armor said, "lettuce, tomato, and bacon. Why?"

Shining spit out the food immediately, "I'm a pony, I don't eat meat!"

The dark pony looked confused, "I thought you liked it?"

Shining Armor shook his head, "No! I do not eat meat!"

Shadow Armor shrugged, them lifted his lips to reveal a set of fangs and canines, "however I do eat meat. I guess the waitress thought i ordered two BLT wraps, oh well."

Shining Armor rolled his eyes and went to Burning Star's room, knocked on the door and said, "Hey Burning Star! Aren't we going to investigate the changeling sightings tonight?"

Shining Armor heard a distant "coming" as Shadow Armor walked up alongside Shining Armor, a smirk on his face.

He then said to Shining, "Personally, I would have slept with Chrysalis if I had the chance, She is a Queen after all... and since I'm you're darkest desires I think you feel the same-"

Shining Armor snorted and used his magic to loosen the ceiling tile above Shadow Armor's head, causing it to fall on him and knock him out.

Burning Star opened the door to see Shining Armor scowling at Shadow Armor's unconscious body.

He asked, "Did I miss something?"

Shining Armor snorted out, "NO!"

(Maneami Beach, Exotic Avenue)

Burning Star, Shadow Armor, and Shining Armor walked down the busy streets of Maneami Beach, it was dark now. The clubs would be open, and that was the first place they would start.

Burning Star and his entourage approached the nightclub "Pink Rides" it had a giant neon sign above it of a dancing pegasus pony. It looked well managed, with clean walls and dark oak doors.

This was obviously one of the clubs that young stallions with no love life went to go blow their hard earned bits.

Burning Star heard loud music from inside, he turned to his fellow stallions and said, "Ok Stallions, here's the plan. We go in there and have a good time. Just keep an eye out for anypony with weird eye color or something out of place similar to that."

Shining Armor asked Burning Star, "How, Burning Star. How do you know so much about the changeling species?"

Burning Star blushed a bit, before saying nervously, "I had... intimate relations with one in my past. It was a brief thing, she only needed to feed. Don't judge me, ok?"

Shining Armor looked at him in disgust, "Really? That's not healthy, you know."

Burning Star hit Shining with his left wing, clearly annoyed.

Shadow Armor gave a hmph of satisfaction, "So that's why you know so much about Changelings... you slept with one."

He patted Burning Star on the back, saying with a amused voice. "Good going on your part."

Shining Armor rolled his eyes and walked towards the door, Burning Star and Shadow Armor followed. They were immediately stopped by the clubs bouncer, a giant earth pony.

He said in a grumbling voice, "Are you on the list?"

Burning Star shook his head, "Did we need to be on a list to get in?"

The bouncer pushed the three stallions away from the door, shouting at them. "Yes. Now get going!"

Shadow Armor snorted out a response, "For Celestia's sake, We do not have time for this act!"

With a wave of his horn, Shadow Armor picked up the bouncer with his magic, before tossing him into the trees in the distance.

Shining Armor looked at Shadow Armor with a concerned expression, "Don't you think he will come back?"

Burning Star opened the door and went inside, Shadow Armor followed suit and said to his light hearted counterpart, "Yeah, and if he does I'll toss him farther away next time."

(Pink Rides Gentleponies Club)

The three stallions entered the club and immediately were hit by flashing lights and loud dubstep music.

Burning Star activated a telepathy spell on Shining and Shadow, he said via that spell "I'm going to go look around. The changelings should be disguised at hot mares of any race. We need to trick them into revealing thier forms."

Shadow Armor nodded and walked up to a Unicorn mare and whispered in her ear, she then screamed out "Girls! There are Stallions here!"

The music cut off and every mare in the building suddenly turned thier eyes towards the three stallions, who all suddenly looked scared.

Burning Star said nervously, "Hi Mares, heh. Do you want to party?"

Shining Armor said to Burning Star, "Maybe we should get going..."

Suddenly, the entire mare population in the club was engulfed in green fire, revealing a whole horde of changelings!

Shining Armor heard a familiar voice coming from the balcony, "Well, Well... looks like we see each other again Shining Armor!"

Shining Armor looked up to see the monstrous form of Queen Chrysalis standing proud, her horn ignited and eyes narrowed with determination.

She would not let her precious Shining Armor escape this time!

Both Shining and Burning Star heard a grunt of pain as Shadow Armor had a changeling biting into his shoulder. He threw it off with his magic slammed its head into the wall, knocking it out.

Shadow Armor said to the group, "Yeah they are changelings alright!"

The changeling swarm started to approach the three stallions, who all ignited their horns.

Burning Star said to the pair of knights, "You all ready for this?"

The both said at the same time, "Ready!"

Burning Star ignited his mane and tail, then said, "CHARGE!"

The entirety of the changeling swarm, including Chrysalis, charged the three stallions who rushed at them as well.

Shining Armor launched a five pointed star of energy at the swarm, it exploded and sent a few flying into the walls. He was tackled to the ground by a larger changeling and narrowly avoided a crushing blow from its hooves.

Shadow Armor generated a pair of energy swords and began to clash sword to horn with a giant changeling. He managed to slice it in the legs, before he jumped on its back and plunged the swords into its spine, killing it.

Burning Star only managed to fire off a single stream of red lightning before he locked horns with Chrysalis, she hissed in his face and knocked him him into a table with her front hooves.

Burning Star shouted at the Changeling Queen, "When did you get so strong Chrysalis?! Last time we fought you were a pushover..."

Chrysalis unleashed a beam of green plasma at Burning Star, he shielded it and it bounced off his shield, carving a large hole in the wall.

Chrysalis spat back at the Black Fire Alicorn, "Ever since Discord walked in and I knocked him out with one of my spells, I've been feeding off his love of chaos for hours now!"

She pointed to Shining Armor and said in an aroused voice "This time you're mine dear Shiny! I won't let anypony ruin our chance at love!"

Burning Star had an idea, he said to the pair of knights with his telepathy, "I've got an idea Shining and Shadow, we overload Chrysalis's capacity for love by pressuring her with all of our attacks at once."

The two knights nodded and turned towards Chrysalis, thier horns lowered and locked on the queen's ugly form.

Burning Star smirked, "Get ready for our ultimate attack Chrysalis!"

He turned towards the two knights, "Now!"

Shining Armor fired a laser beam of blue magic and Shadow Armor and fired his laser beam of dark green magic. They both merged into a twisting beam of energy.

Chrysalis put up a shield and laughed, she began to draw more magic from Discord's body, which was surrounded in a cocoon.

Chrysalis said to the three stallions, "You can't break my shield, I have Discord's magic flowing through me!"

Burning Star smirked, "Well let's see how you stand against the full might of love between FRIENDS!"

Burning Star fired a beam of fire into Shining and Shadow's beam and they all shouted together.

"FRIENDSHIP INFERNO OVERDRIVE!"

The bright white beam of energy utterly smashed Chrysalis's shield and she screamed in pain, before collapsing on the floor.

The three Stallions cheered, they had won!

The cocoon holding Discord broke, and he flopped to the floor, he got up and said "What happened? I just had the weirdest dream... a giant bug encased me in a cocoon of green liquid."

Discord looked down upon the unconscious form of Queen Chrysalis, "Oh... its you."

Chrysalis got up and took flight, blowing a hole in the ceiling and saying, "Mark my words Shining Armor, I will have you be my source of love one day, even if-"

Burning Star cut her off and said, "Discord, stop her!"

Discord snapped his bird talons and Chrysalis shrunk to the size of a parasprite, he then put her in a jar and gave it to Burning Star.

"I believe that this pest is officially caught, If I may ask what are you going to do with her Burning Star?" Discord said with a curious look on his face.

Burning Star smiled, "The most fitting thing I can, give it to Shining Armor."

Shining Armor looked shocked, "What?!" he said, backing away.

Burning Star explained, "So that you never lose track of her, and she never escapes."

Shining Armor sighed, "Ok fine... but I don't think my wife will be happy that our mortal enemy is sitting in a bug jar in our room."

Shadow Armor chimed in, "Since we stopped the Changelings, if I remember correctly, we have to get back to Ponyville to stop the Nightmare Tribe."

Discord clapped his hands, "Yes that's right! We need to get going!"

All four of the males rushed out the door, ran back to the hotel to grab thier stuff, and ran to the train.

Shining Armor said while running,

"Celestia help us if the Nightmare Tribe gets ahold of Twily..."

Chapter 8: Laughing into the Abyss

(Everfree Forest, Dark Cave)

The Nightmare Tribe was busy as honeybees, they had recieved word of their new Queen, Nightmare Fluttershy, and were immediately at work preparing something special for her.

Shadow Fright shouted at the busy Nightmare Tribe, "Come on! Move your butts! We have to be ready for the arrival of our new queen!"

The Nightmare Pegasus bent down, "What is taking you so long?!"

The Nightmare Pony he spoke to responded in an annoyed tone, "We are moving as fast as we possibly can pal. I don't see you lending a hoof, so why are you complaining that we are going slow when YOUR'E NOT EVEN DOING ANYTHING TO HELP!"

Shadow Fright slapped the Nightmare Pony with his hoof, "You will not speak to me like that! I'm giving orders, that is more than enough work."

Shadow Fright heard a scary voice from the entrance of the cave, "Actually... I agree with the pony you just scolded, Shadow Fright... you should be doing work as well

Shadow Fright turned to discover source of that retort, it was Nightmare Fluttershy!

She stood at the opening to the cave, her teal eyes fixated on Shadow Fright with a stare harder than diamonds.

The voice and gaze of Nightmare Fluttershy sent chills down Shadow Fright's spine as he rushed up to her and knelt before her, saying "I'm sorry my Queen! Please forgive me, please!"

Nightmare Rarity walked in to see Nightmare Fluttershy standing at the entrance to the main cavern, she put a hoof on her friends shoulder and said, "Only 15 minutes as ruler and you're already making the subject grovel before you... I'm impressed Fluttershy."

Nightmare Fluttershy's face softened, "O-oh, I didn't mean to scare them. I just wanted to establish some authority over them..."

One of the Nightmare Ponies, a large dark gray Pegasus flew forwards and landed in front of Nightmare Fluttershy. It gave her a stare that made her quiver slightly with fear.

It then hissed at her, "This is one of our new Queens? She is a coward! She can't scare anypony."

Nightmare Fluttershy stammered, "w-w-what? We would have to scare other ponies? Why?"

The Pegasus smiled and laughed, "Because we feed off fear little mare! And that will let us conquer this kingdom!"

He waved his hoof as to shoo Nightmare Fluttershy away, "Now go! Leave this place, it is no place for cowards."

Nightmare Fluttershy's tone changed from scared to dark, "Oh... you think just cause I'm not all big and scary that I can't lead?"

The nightmare Pegasus nodded, "you act so passive-aggressively its funny!"

Suddenly, Nightmare Fluttershy's gaze hardened to the density of a neutron Star, and she pinned the Nightmare Pegasus underneath her hooves.

She opened her mouth and said in a tone that would probably have scared even the toughest of ponies, "Let me make myself clear, you Pegasus Wuss..."

She showed him her fangs, "Just because I'm soft spoken doesn't mean I'm a coward or that I cannot instill fear, because believe me... I know what fear is."

Nightmare Fluttershy pushed down harder on the Nightmare Pegasus's chest, "Fear is the feeling that your life is in somepony's hooves and he or she can snuff it out as if it were a lit candle."

She turned to the rest of the tribe, "So, Since your life and everypony else's lives are in our hooves I suggest you all stop complaining and get back to work, NOW."

Nightmare Fluttershy smiled as all of the Nightmare Tribe started to work harder, but the pony below her feet was quivering with terror.

Nightmare Fluttershy let him go and said, "Don't try to intimidate anypony ever again or I'll be back... you got that?"

The Nightmare Pegasus nodded, bowed, and then rushed to work.

Nightmare Rarity looked at Nightmare Fluttershy with amazement, she then said, "Darling, Where did you learn to do that?"

Nightmare Fluttershy smiled and said, "By watching Burning Star do it..."

Nightmare Rarity chuckled, "Well you certainly learned fast..."

(Sugarcube Corner, Pinkie Pie's Room)

Tantabus arrived inside the Sugarcube Corner, and licked its figurative lips.

It said with a chuckle, "I have seen some weird things before, but a building made out of sweets? That just takes the cake... literally."

He heard a high pitched voice followed by a pink blur, "Hey! Nice One!"

Tantabus turned around to see the Element of Laughter, Pinkie Pie, sitting on her bed. The majority of her room was also made of sweets, and Tantabus felt hunger, even though it could not eat.

Pinkie Pie bounced over to Tantabus and said, "Soooo... I guess you're here to transform me into a Nightmare Pony, Huh?" Pinkie bounced up and down, waiting for the ethereal being to answer.

Tantabus backed up and turned yellow, shocked that Pinkie Pie knew about its plan, it stammered out "H-How did y-you know?"

Pinkie put one of her hooves around Tantabus's body, "I saw you do it to Rarity and Sweetie Belle a few nights ago, silly! If im going to turn out like them I'm fine with the transformation."

She stood on top of the bed, suddenly wearing a cape and crown out of nowhere, "I also heard that you would make me a queen of an entire tribe of ponies! That sounds absolutely amazing!"

Tantabus was slightly concerned about Pinkie Pie's attitude, she seemed WAY to eager to become a Queen and Nightmare Pony.

It said to her in a confused state, "Why are you so eager to do this exactly?"

Pinkie Pie smiled, "Because I want to be with my friends. No matter what form I'm in or they are in, they will always be my friends, and no amount of magic can change that! So, how bad can it be?"

Tantabus asked openly, "What do you desire?"

Pinkie Pie said in a cheery tone, "A hay burger with cheese!"

Tantabus just stared at her for a minute, then said "Really? You're serious?"

Pinkie nodded her head, "Yep! I want a hay burger with cheese. You can get that right?"

Tantabus said, absolutely bewildered. "You know I can just make you a hay burger with cheese, right?"

Pinkie Pie said to the nightmare entity, "I know. I wanted my promise to be simple so you couldn't mess it up!"

Tantabus said to itself, shaking its head, "I'm going to need some lessons on psychology, cause I can't pin down what this pony wants!"

With that it transformed into a cloud of purple smoke and engulfed Pinkie Pie, when she emerged, she was much more powerful.

Tantabus looked upon its work with pride. Like the other Nightmare Queens, Pinkie Pie now stood as tall as Celestia, her normally pink fur was a shining black and her poofy mane and tail grew to an immense size, it had a single black stripe running down it. Her eyes had become a pinkish gold color and her cutie mark was a constellation of stars in the shape of a balloon.

Pinkie smiled, revealing sharp pointy teeth and said, "Oooh! I look different!" She turned around and said to Tantabus, "Thanks!"

Tantabus said to its new master, "you are welcome...? But, You are now Nightmare Pinkie Pie!"

Nightmare Pinkie Pie bounced up and down, shaking the room. "This is great! Oh my gosh, I have to go show Rarity and Fluttershy!"

Tantabus motioned for Pinkie Pie to settle down, "Ok, ok. Let me just see who is left..."

Pinkie Pie grabbed Tantabus's face, "Oooh! Go do Applejack next! If you're honest with her, she will definitely join up with us!"

Tantabus nodded, "Ok then, your majesty."

Suddenly, the roof of the Sugarcube Corner caved in and a Black Alicorn with Dragon Wings landed, he roared before wrecking everything in the building with blasts of dark blue lightning.

Tantabus turned invisible as Pinkie Pie said to her intruder, "Hey! I just fixed that roof since Rainbow Dash crashed through it last week!" She pointed at her intruder, "Just who do you think you are you big meanie?"

The Evil Alicorn responded, "Do you not know who I am?!"

Nightmare Pinkie Pie shook her head, "Nope! Not a Clue!"

The Alicorn smashed Pinkie's bed, before roaring out "I am the emperor of Darkness and Destruction, I am the brother of the Princesses Celestia and Luna!"

The Alicorn stepped back, "I AM BLACK ABYSS!"

Tantabus reappeared next to Nightmare Pinkie Pie and said, "Ow the edge..."

Nightmare Pinkie Pie smiled wide and broke into laughter at Black Abyss's ridiculous name. "Wow! You really fit the part pal, you got the black... and your mood is ABYSSmal!"

Black Abyss turned towards the Pink-maned Nightmare Pony, "Do you dare mock me?! You know that I can easily kill you right?"

Nightmare Pinkie Pie giggled, "Yeah I know you can, but you won't because you need somepony to spread the word to fear you right?"

Black Abyss's eyes filled with hate towards the peppy pony, "T-That's none of your business you peasant!"

Nightmare Pinkie Pie grinned and said, "Yep that is right! I'm a peasant, but I'm a smart one, and I've seen ponies like you."

Black Abyss snorted, "There are no ponies like me..."

Nightmare Pinkie Pie shook her head, "Nope! There are always ponies like you. Sorry to let you down pal. But, I've have dealt with ponies like you before..."

Nightmare Pinkie Pie pulled out a clipboard with a pencil, "let's go over a few things you want, shall we?"

"Edgy Name and Black Color Scheme (Check)"

"Revenge against somepony as a motive (Check)"

"Throwing a tantrum when you aren't being feared by one pony (check)"

Black Abyss stood there getting more and more angry, he then shouted at Pinkie Pie, "Arggh! Not only are you a peasant, but you're also an obnoxious one as well!"

Nightmare Pinkie Pie decided to pour more salt on her insulting comedy, "Besides, you don't even look original, you like somepony made Nightmare Moon a stallion, attached a pair of dragon wings to his back, and tossed her into a cheese grater!"

Black Abyss lost it! He would not tolerate this any longer, he fired a ball of dark magic strong enough to pulverize the house he was standing in.

Nightmare Pinkie Pie turned around and bucked it back into him, sending him flying into the air. He took flight and said, "You know what? I don't have to take this now! I'm leaving, clearly you are too dumb to be intimidated by me."

Pinkie Pie said one last retort to him, "And clearly you're trying too hard, because you're not that scary!"

Black Abyss turned around and screamed in her face "SCREW YOU TOO!"

Tantabus waited before Black Abyss was out of sight, then said. "Well I'm impressed Pinkie Pie, you just drove off somepony who can obliterate worlds by picking his mental flaws apart like a vulture picks meat off a carcass. Where did you learn that?"

Nightmare Pinkie Pie gave Tantabus a playful bump on its shoulder, "You don't learn it, Silly! You just find what makes each pony tick and exploit it until they cave. I saw Burning Star do it to prisoners, its more effective when he does it."

Tantabus chuckled and flew out the window towards Sweet Apple Acres,

And towards its next target,

The farmer known as Applejack...

Chapter 9: Stars Collide!

Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.

Chapter 10: Honesty, My Worst Nightmare!

Author's Note

On to Applejack, Tantabus goes!

Will she accept it's gift, nopony knows!

All that we know is, thanks to Pinkie Pie, The Nightmare Tribe is about to have no more woes!

Chapter 10: Honesty, My Worst Nightmare!

(Everfree Forest, Nightmare Cave)

The Nightmare tribe was turning the cave into a palace for their race, Shadow Fright was busy cleaning the 6 thrones that sat in a circle surrounding a carpet in the shape of a crescent moon.

Upon the walls were draped the banners of the nightmare tribe, a black moon with purple clouds around it.

Shadow Fright heard the voices of his queens and he immediately bowed before them as they walked into the throne room.

Nightmare Rarity clapped her hooves and said, "Well done my servants! This place looks absolutely amazing, a perfect place for a queen..."

She looked back and saw Nightmare Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie, "Or, queens. Yes, multiple queens."

Nightmare Fluttershy walked over to her throne, it was made of dark gray granite and had her new cutie mark on it. She sat down and said, "I agree with Nightmare Rarity... you have done rather well."

Shadow Fright nodded and began to leave the room, before seeing his new ruler Nightmare Pinkie Pie, standing on a stage, telling JOKES!

Nightmare Pinkie Pie was telling really corny jokes, and the majority of the Nightmare Tribe was laughing their butts off.

Nightmare Pinkie Pie said, "So, what is the deal with the idea of teacup animals? I mean, yeah they are cute, but really can they be so small."

She pointed to the crowed, "I mean, you could step on them, they are that tiny!"

Many of the Nightmare Tribe laughed, even Shadow Fright laughed a bit. Nightmare Pinkie Pie then said, "Also, let me tell you what I did yesterday..."

Shadow Fright asked, "What?"

Nightmare Pinkie Pie spoke, trying to keep herself together. "I was able to successfully defeat Black Abyss, Prince Eclipsio's evil side, without even lifting a hoof!"

Many of the Nightmare Tribe asked, "How did you do that?! He is one of the most dangerous ponies to ever exist!"

Nightmare Pinkie Pie smiled and said, "I picked apart his flaws until he got so frustrated he stormed off, I thought he was this brave pony that wanted to destroy everything, but he's all talk and no real strength of character! He may be magically powerful, but he has some really thin skin..."

Nightmare Rarity asked Nightmare Pinkie Pie, "Who is this Black Abyss you speak of?"

Nightmare Fluttershy said in a more serious voice, "Some of my animal friends told me about the legend of Prince Eclipsio and Black Abyss..."

Shadow Fright snickered, "How would a bunch of animals know about Black Abyss?"

Nightmare Fluttershy glared at Shadow Fright, "because their parents told them, and their grandparents told their parents, and so on. I've already told Nightmare Rarity of Black Abyss... let her explain."

Nightmare Rarity nodded, "Thank you Nightmare Fluttershy."

Nightmare Rarity ignited her horn and projected a hologram on the floor. Shadow Fright and the Nightmare Queens looked on with wonder

She narrated, "About 1,500 years ago, Princess Celestia and Princess Luna had a brother named Prince Eclipsio. He was in charge of creating solar and lunar eclipses and stabilizing the flow of dark and light magic. He was extremely important and unbelievably powerful. But, he was not a worthy prince..."

Nightmare Fluttershy asked, "So what happened to him?"

Nightmare Rarity continued, "He let his arrogance and greed for power consume him. He felt as if he was inadequate to Celestia and Luna because they controlled the sun and moon, all he did was cover the sun and moon, so he went mad from jealousy." The image changed, and everypony cringed from fear.

Rarity finished her speech, "and that is how the monster known as Black Abyss came to be!"

Nightmare Fluttershy chimed in, "My animal friends told me that he was banished to the cosmos thousands of years ago. How come he is back?"

Nightmare Pinkie Pie bounced in and said, "Because he is attracted to big meanies like King Sombra and Daybreaker! He is attracted to bad feelings such as anger and hate."

Shadow Fright shivered, "Then maybe coming here was a bad idea. We feed off fear, and Prince Eclipsio will surely take over if we do not act."

Nightmare Fluttershy nodded to Shadow Fright, "Yes... I know everypony is at risk. But, who would help us?"

Nightmare Pinkie Pie bounced in, "Ooh! Maybe Burning Star can help!"

Shadow Fright leaned back in shock, "Really?! Are you nuts?! Burning Star was King Sombra's pupil, he would incinerate us."

Nightmare Rarity shook her head, "He is our friend. He would never harm us..."

(Sweet Apple Acres, Applejack's home)

Tantabus flew through the apple trees of Sweet Apple Acres, it could smell their crisp scent and could practically taste them. It approached the farmhouse of the Apples, but accidentally bumped into a young earth pony filly, which it found out was named Apple Bloom from her friend Sweetie Belle.

The nightmare entity looked upon the small filly, it felt a twinge of guilt of what it was going to do to her sister, but if it was to succeed in securing a slice of land for the nightmare tribe, it needed Applejack to lend a hoof.

Tantabus turned intangible and slowly and quietly phased through the wall. The interior of the house was rather nice, although it was overdoing the whole "Apple" thing.

(Applejack's Room)

Tantabus turned invisible and peered in the door to Applejack's room, what it saw was its worst nightmare.

Applejack... was AWAKE!"

The orange earth pony heard the floor creak, then said. "Alright, ah know there is somepony else in 'ere, so come on out."

Applejack heard a whisper in her ear, "We meet again Applejack..." Tantabus said as it became visible again.

Applejack hollered, "What in Tarnation? I thought I saw you earlier this week, you sneaky specter!"

Tantabus grinned, "Ah... so you remember me, good... I need not introduce myself then..."

Applejack rushed Tantabus and delivered a kick with her front legs that sent Tantabus flying out the window and into the yard below. "I will send ya back to the dream realm myself Tantabus! What have ya done with muh friends?!"

Tantabus felt legitimate fear from this Earth Pony, it sensed a powerful will and a talent to detect lies... that talent would be its undoing if it didn't tell her the whole truth.

Tantabus began to speak, "Before you pound me to dust, Applejack... hear me out... I have a proposal for you..."

Applejack stomped the ground, "I saw mahself what your "Proposal" is you demon! you won't corrupt me inta a slave."

Tantabus hissed, genuinely annoyed. "Rarity does not obey me, mare! I ironically obey her... she flipped the hypnosis on me..."

Applejack smirked, "Clever girl... but if you're completely honest with your answer to this question Tantabus, I'm going to accept this "gift.""

Tantabus leaned in, curious. "What is it you wish to know, Earth Pony?"

Applejack asked, "Do you know what happened to my parents?"

Tantabus sighed, "I... cannot answer that question, Applejack... for I have no idea who you're parents are."

Applejack shuddered, "Well... you're telling the truth. Do the... thing you did to Rarity..."

Tantabus transformed into a purple cloud and engulfed Applejack, she said as she was being transformed "Don't make any promises you can keep Tantabus..."

When Applejack emerged, she stood taller than Celestia. Her fur was pitch black and her brown eyes sparkled like gems, her hair had grown, and had a purple hair band around the end. Her cutie mark was a constellation of stars in the shape of an apple. her hat had remained the same, but it was dyed orange instead of light brown.

Tantabus bowed before its new queen, "Behold, NIGHTMARE APPLEJACK!"

Nightmare Applejack walked over to an apple tree and bucked it, a mighty snap was heard as the tree and a few more were ripped from the ground.

"Well I'll be... I'm certainly much stronger!" Nightmare Applejack said, smiling. She turned her head towards the farm house, she knew what must be done...

A few minutes later, Nightmare Applejack stood at the edge of Sweet Apple Acres, standing beside her was her family, each enjoying the beauty and power of their Nightmare Pony bodies.

Nightmare Applejack motioned for her family to head for the Everfree, wishing them luck.

"Be seen y'all later..."

Tantabus turned to Applejack, "I believe next is Rainbow Dash?"

Nightmare Applejack sighed, "Yep, she is more stubborn than me, spooky cube..."

Tantabus growled, "I know, which is why I apologize in advance for breaking her will..."

(Meanwhile... in the chaos dimension)

Black Abyss was furious! He had been fighting the spirit of chaos for a good 5 hours now. He screamed at Discord, "This is stupid! Why won't you just lay down and die!!"

Discord dodged out of the way of another one of Black Abyss's antimatter shots and said, "You weren't supposed to come back this soon. I can't cause chaos if there is no world to cause it on."

Black Abyss unleashed a torrent of thunderbolts on Discord, who changed his body to rubber.

Black Abyss roared, "You're annoying me Discord! Go to Hell!"

Discord put up a shield as Black Abyss concentrated all of his negative energy into his horn, then fired off a small black ball, Which exploded into a Black Hole!

Black Abyss laughed, "Nothing can survive a Black Hole! Nothing!"

Discord snapped his fingers and he disappeared, leaving a sign in his place.

It read, "Goodbye, Edgelord Megee!"

Black Abyss blasted the sign with his magic before roaring,

"DISCORD! I WILL MURDER EVERYONE YOU LOVE!"

Black Abyss stopped for a moment, he knew Tantabus's abilities to transform ponies into Nightmare Ponies, so he needed his own trump card.

Black Abyss generated a portal to reality again, landing on the side of a cliff, and said in a calmer tone. "I need somepony to be my Weapon against Celestia and Luna."

He paced back and forth, "But who?"

Black Abyss scanned the minds of everypony on the planet, before he found somepony who has used Dark Magic... and was also royalty.

Black Abyss smiled, eyes full of evil. "Soon, I will have you be by Weapon, little mare..."

"Soon, I will destroy EVERYTHING AND EVERYPONY!"

Chapter 11: I HATE YOU SO MUCH!"

(Everfree Forest, Palace of Nightmares Gate)

Burning Star had to leave Shining Armor and Shadow Armor back in Ponyville to evacuate to someplace safe, and Burning Star knew just where to shelter them.

Burning Star was stopped by two smoke clouds, they reformed into Nightmare Ponies, they covered their hooves in spikes and approached Burning Star with murder in their eyes.

Burning Star narrowed his eyes, "I'm here to negotiate with my friends Nightmare Tribe."

The pair of the Night Ponies raised their hooves and went bipedal, "You will address them as our Nightmare Queens, Alicorn slime!"

Burning Star ignited his mane, clearly annoyed at the ignorant ghostly ponies. "What are you names Nightmare Ponies?"

The two wispy bodies responded, "Gnish Gnash and Scare Scars, why?"

Burning Star smirked and said, "You two ever killed anypony before, Nightmare Ponies?"

He got closer to the two guards, "You ever see the light leave a Ponies eyes as you carve thier flesh from their bones? You ever hear the sickening crunch as you step on their spine and watch them writhe in agony as they twitch, unable to move?"

He got closer, eyes full of fire. The Nightmare Guards started to sweat from the heat and the stress. "You ever watch ponies get disintegrated by plasma beams?"

Burning Star grabbed the two Nightmare Guards, "I am able to do all these things and more to anypony I choose, do you know why? Because I have nothing left to lose..."

Burning Star began to light the guards fur on fire, "you feel and smell that? That is the feeling of your flesh being scarred by fire, that stench is your blood boiling from my heat."

He dropped the two of them and unfurled his wings, igniting them as well. "I am Burning Star, the Alicorn of Fire, ex student of the Shadow King King Sombra, and your murderer if you do not MOVE!"

The Nightmare Ponies stood their ground, "We will die if we must, to protect our Queens!"

Burning Star's eyes began to glow green as purple smoke radiated from his eyes, he said in a deep voice, "You Nightmare Tribe members claim to know fear?"

He grabbed the both of them and stared them straight in the eyes "Then FEAR ME!"

With that, the two Nightmare Guards stumbled out of the way, before collapsing and screaming in terror, wetting themselves in fear.

Burning Star huffed at them and said, "Well that was easy... didn't even have to bring up the head chopping off stuff..."

(Palace of Nightmares, Throne Room)

The Nightmare Queens sat on thier thrones, only four were filled. Each throne was colored differently for each Nightmare Pony.

Pinkie had a bright pink throne with streamers on it. She felt it still represented her party loving self.

Rarity's throne was stark white with blue gems on the side, it was like a mirror to reflect her beauty.

Applejack's throne was bright orange with tree branches wrapping around the hoof rests and the peak of the throne.

Fluttershy's Throne was cream colored, and had the crest of a bat and butterfly on it.

Burning Star approached the four Nightmare Queens and bowed and said, "Greetings my friends... I see you are adjusting well to the idea of Nightmare Pony life..."

Nightmare Pinkie Pie bounced up and gave Burning Star a hug, "Hi there Burning Star! You like the new looks?"

Nightmare Rarity spoke next, "Hello darling, you look well. I see you've combed your mane finally..."

Nightmare Applejack said her line, "Hey there Hot Stuff, how are you doing today?"

Nightmare Fluttershy spoke next, "H-Hello Burning Star. Are you scared by our appearance?"

Burning Star shook his head, "Nah, I've seen worse. You all look positively beautiful though. Your flowing manes highlight your mysterious beauty..."

Nightmare Fluttershy said, blushing. "Thank you B-B-Burning Star..."

Burning Star cut right to the chase, "I've come to ask you for sanctuary for the ponies of Ponyville... we must stop Prince Eclipsio before he destroys everything. Will you answer my request?"

Nightmare Rarity raised an eyebrow, "What do you offer in return, Burning Star?"

Burning Star smiled, "I offer your choice of the most handsome ponies in all of Equestria to be your kings... is that worthy enough?"

Nightmare Fluttershy nodded, "Whatever you need, you will have it... I know who I will pick, though."

Burning Star shook hooves with everypony, "Good. I'm glad we reached an agreement soon. I must be going, see ya everypony..."

Burning Star teleported back to Ponyville, not hearing what Nightmare Rarity said.

"When he brings Ponyville to us, we will improve them as well..."

(Ponyville, Main Street)

Burning Star teleported back to Ponyville, only to shield himself from a thunderbolt attack.

He heard a familiar, shrill voice. "Well Well! If it isn't my Brother, the Village Killer!"

Shadow Armor was unconscious, so was Shining, Burning Star said to the Pegasus. "Who are you?"

The Pegasus flew into view, and Burning Star's jaw dropped.

A few feet above him a yellow maned and white furred Pegasus hovered over him. He had the look of a madpony on his face and his mouth was snarling and bearing his teeth.

Burning Star said in a calm tone, "Hello Thunder Fury, my brother..."

Thunder Fury screamed and picked up a cart, throwing it at Burning Star with a mean look on his face. Burning Star blasted it out of the air, then said to him "So, what are you angry about now?"

Thunder Fury zipped forward and punched Burning Star with his hoof, staggering him back. Thunder Fury spat back, venom in his voice. "Nothing! I JUST HATE YOU."

Burning Star sat and growled, "You're out of your league, Thunder Dumb. I've defeated my mentor, a The Sun Empress Alicorn known as Daybreaker as well... you are horribly outmatched."

Thunder Fury pulled a cloud over and rained lightning upon Burning Star, who shielded himself from the onslaught of electricity. Thunder Fury was mad, and mad as HELL!

Thunder screamed at Burning Star, "Doesn't matter, I want you gone!"

Burning Star took off and tackled his brother, delivering a double strike with his front hooves. Thunder Fury snarled, "What the hell was that for?!"

Burning Star roared back, "For toasting my friends. You have to grow up brother! Move on from your grief before it turns you into a monster."

Thunder Fury punched his brother again, this time drawing blood. "I'll fry you like an egg you Burning Bastard!"

Burning Star snorted, "Lets get this over with..."

Burning Star blasted fire, Thunder Fury shot electricity, the attacks collided, causing a large could of smoke.

Thunder Fury tackled Burning Star to the ground and began to violently bash him with his hooves, bit him with his teeth, and biting down on his neck. All the while saying, "Go burn and die in a hole! Die already! Die, Die, Die!!!"

Burning Star kicked him off and unleashed a storm of fire upon him. Thunder Fury screamed in pain, his skin burning.

Thunder Fury then broke a window and picked up a large shard of glass, and charged Burning Star, heading to stab him in the heart. "Die and Burn in Hell!"

Burning Star melted the glass and said, "What is your problem with me?!"

Thunder Fury roared, "I HATE YOU SO MUCH! YOU DESTROYED OUR HOME AND YOU KILLED EVERYPONY!"

Burning Star took flight and flew into the clouds, Thunder Fury followed, hoping to finally end his brothers life. Burning Star blasted a few streams of lightning, which Thunder Fury dived out of the way of.

Burning Star hovered in midair, saying. "Please, brother. This has to stop now. You are letting anger cloud your judgement."

Thunder Fury hovered midair as well, "Why didn't you save our parents? Mom was everything to me! You had no love for anypony ever." He hissed, baring his teeth.

Burning Star snarled out, "Oh I'm sorry if I was not there to console you, brother... I was busy destroying the Changelings that murdered them." Burning Star grabbed Thunder Fury, continuing his speech. "You expect me to feel sorry for you now? You expect me to go lay down and die because you want me to?"

Burning Star ignited his eyes with Dark magic and stared into his brother's eyes. "How about YOU go find sompony else to harass and attempt to kill, Thunder Fury."

Thunder Fury flew away in fear, as Burning Star used the fear spell King Sombra used to intimidate others. Burning Star whispered under his breath.

"I'm sorry brother, but you must learn discipline..."

Burning Star flew down to ponyville, and helped Shining Armor and Shadow Armor up, he said to them. "You had quite the rough ride, you two."

Shadow Armor said to Burning Star, "That Pegasus is a danger, you must kidding that he is your brother."

Burning Star said nervously, "Yeah... he is mad that we lost our parents, that was 12 years ago. He still is blaming me for it..."

Shadow Armor looked around, seeing the destruction, the marketplace was destroyed, he said "Jeez, we have to fix this..."

Burning Star nodded and began to use his magic to repair the stalls and stations. He sighed and looked skyward, as tears ran down his cheeks

"Please let it go, brother. I cannot bear to see you angry anymore..."

Chapter 12: Loyalty to the Queen

(Canterlot Castle, Celestia's Bedroom)

Celestia was sleeping peacefully, she was exhausted from flying to Stalliongrad, only to discover Discord and Burning Star pulled a prank on her, then she flew all the way back to Maneami Beach to punish them, but they weren't there. SO, she had to fly ALL the way to Canterlot, where she promptly collapsed on her bed and fell asleep.

Celestia was dreaming of the gala she held six months ago, it was the six months anniversary since the defeat of Daybreaker and King Sombra, everypony there was dressed so nicely, she saw her former student Twilight Sparkle dancing with Burning Star.

She rose from her seat and spoke, "I would like to make a toast! To long lasting peace across Equestria and all other nations, and to Queen Twilight Sparkle and King Dawn Star! Here Here!"

Many of the ponies raised their glasses and toasted alongside her. Clapping their hooves and cheering in joy.

Celestia took a breath, She was finally able to relax and enjoy life as Dawn Star and Twilight Sparkle dealt with the politics of Royalty.

Then, Celestia felt chills down her spine as a deep, snarling voice spoke up.

"I would also like to make a toast, Sister... To Equestria!"

"May its DESTRUCTION BE REMEMBERED!"

Celestia screamed as the dreamscape faded away into a black void, in front of her stood a Black Alicorn with tattered dragon wings and a gnarled horn.

In front of her stood her brother, Prince Eclipsio! But he looked... mangled, as if somepony had thrown him into a wood chipper.

Then the thought hit her, This was not her younger brother, this was the Alicorn that nearly destroyed Equestria, THIS WAS BLACK ABYSS!"

Black Abyss smiled and said, "Hello Celestia, you miss your brother? Then again, you Banished me to deep space and removed the memory of my existence from ever history book you could find..."

Celestia went wide eyed with fear; she studdered out, "N-No! Your not real! We made sure to send you far into space so you would never harm anypony ever again!"

Black Abyss approached Celestia and touched her chest, Celestia felt though the armor a beating heart, and she screamed in terror.

Black Abyss laughed, "Isn't this a treat?" My eldest sister, quivering in fear in front of me... how pathetic of you!"

Celestia narrowed her eyes, "Why did you return?! What good will you get out of wrecking this world? I thought you wanted to rule it..."

Black Abyss shrugged, "While ruling a nation would be fun, sis... destroying them is amazingly relaxing! You should try it... you might like it. Actually, don't I recall hearing that you almost did? You transformed into Daybreaker, did it feel good? All that power in your hooves?"

Celestia growled, "That wasn't me! That was somepony else imitating me!"

Black Abyss shrugged again, "So? You still could have done it, right? I know you, Celestia. You DREAM to be that powerful."

Black Abyss took flight, hovering above Celestia's head, "But I'm afraid my time is up here. Goodbye, Sun butt!"

Celestia screamed and woke up from her nightmare. Beads of sweat pouring down her face and mane matted to her head. She looked at her wall and screamed.

Luna burst through the door, horn ignited. "Sister! What's wrong? I'm here now... calm down..."

Celestia shakily pointed to the wall, and Luna gasped in fear.

Carved in the wall, was a cutie mark of a black hole, with the words scrawled "I am Back, Sisters!" Underneath it.

(Cloudsdale, Rainbow Dash's Home)

Tantabus flew through the streets of Cloudsdale, searching for the home of the "Fastest Flier in Equestria", Rainbow Dash.

It was thinking while flying, the news of Black Abyss hung heavily on its mind.

"Hm... Black Abyss's return puts everypony, nightmare or not, at risk. I've never encountered him face to face, so if it comes to that... a Kingdom for my tribe can wait."

Tantabus saw the house of its target, it turned intangible and phased through the front door.

The inside of Rainbow Dash's home was made entirely of clouds, which to Tantabus defied the laws of physics.

Then again, some forms of magic made physics irrelevant, and itself was a conglomeration of doubt and fear...

So, physics went out the window whem you try to explain magic.

Tantabus saw the petite form of Rainbow Dash, she was sleeping on the couch, her face in a bowl of cheese doodles.

She was probably the smallest of the ponies Tantabus saught out to become a Nightmare Queen.

Tantabus became tangible again and stepped on the cloud floor, it sank slightly from Tantabus's sheer size. It saw Rainbow Dash stir in her sleep, causing the snack bowl to drop to the floor.

Tantabus knew of Rainbow Dash's loyalty to her friends, this would be her undoing as Tantabus slowly approached the sleeping Pegasus.

It stepped on a cheese doodle and the cyan Pegasus snapped awake to see Tantabus looming over her.

Rainbow Dash frowned and said to the nightmare entity, "You better be just a hallucination from my hangover, Tantabus, or I'm not going to be happy..."

Tantabus said in annoyance, "Unfortunately for me, I was not gifted with the power of creating hallucinations. I must transform my own body to take the shape of what my target is thinking about..."

Tantabus looked down and saw that it was a giant cider mug. If it had a mouth it would scream, but it didn't in that form.

"Any reason you're thinking of this, Rainbow Dash? I don't usually transform into giant cider mugs, or are these just normal thoughts for you?"

Rainbow Dash took the bowl on the floor and vomited into it.

"Yeah, I realized that my biggest fan Scootaloo is faster than me now... I wanted to test that so I challenged her to a race." She said, about to hurl again.

Tantabus did get a favor and held her mane up so she didn't get vomit in her mane, it then tossed the bowl in the trash.

It then said to her, "I'm guessing you lost?"

Rainbow Dash nodded, "Yeah, I lost by a landslide... so I did the only thing I liked other than competition, drink cider till I pass out..."

Tantabus sighed and said to her, "You know why I'm here yes?"

Rainbow Dash shook her head, clearly too wasted to care.

"Did Luna nearly transform back into Nightmare Moon and you were released from her dream world thingy?"

Tantabus whispered in her ear, "No... I'm here for you. You see your friends have already accepted my gift, and Applejack sent me to give it to you..."

Rainbow Dash laughed, then hiccuped a bit.

"You? Giving Gifts? Tantabus I many not know much about you, *hic, but I do know that giving ponies nightmares is your specialty... so no thanks."

Tantabus let loose an audible growl of aggravation, "now I see WHY Applejack warned me about you. You're stubborn and refuse to accept that there are other ways of life to live. I am offering you powers beyond your wildest dreams as you are treating my like horse crap!"

Rainbow Dash huffed, "Fine. Do your thing then... I've got no choice either way..."

Tantabus engulfed Rainbow Dash and began to transform her, when she emerged, she was burning with determination.

She now stood as tall as Princess Luna, her cyan fur had turned Pitch Black, yet her rainbow mane remained and flowed like water. Her eyes turned a bright crimson and shone like rubies, her cutie marek became a constellation of multicolored stars in the shape of a lightning bolt. Her wings grew in size and had feathers in all the colors of the rainbow.

Tantabus backed up and said, "So, what do you think, Nightmare Rainbow Dash?"

Nightmare Rainbow Dash said, "I feel good... is this what the others feel as well?"

Tantabus nodded, "Yes."

Nightmare Rainbow Dash said to the nightmare entity, "I will go join with my friends... go to Twilight Sparkle. The egg-head should feel overjoyed to see the power you bestow... I'm going to go transform Scootaloo myself. She may have awesome artificial wings, but I can make them 20% cooler with my new powers."

Tantabus nodded and zipped out the window, not knowing that somepony else was after Twilight Sparkle...

(Twilight Sparkle's Castle, Twilight's Library)

Twilight Sparkle was up late into the night, reading books on parenting and how to care for a child in a royal environment.

She talked to herself,

"Jeez, I'm going to have to feed my foal soft foods until it's teeth grow in." She flipped the page and sighed, "Teething is going to be a pain in my rear end."

A whispering voice pierced the stillness of the library,

"Twilight Sparkleeeeee..."

Twilight closed her book and ignited her horn bright to see in the darkness.

There was nopony there, just old books.

"Alright Twilight, you've been up for the entire day researching how to be a effective parent. You're just hearing things." She said to herself.

The voice spoke again, this time it was louder.

"Oh, Princess Twilight Sparkle..."

Twilight was starting to get scared, this had never happened in her life, now she is starting to hear voices.

She shakily replied, "H-Hello? is somepony there? Hello..."

Twilight Sparkle heard a loud roar as many of the books were thrown off the shelves and her candles were extinguished.

The voice now said in a loud screech, making Twilight cover her ears.

"PRINCESS! I've been waiting to meet you!"

Twilight Sparkle stared in with horror as a black Alicorn with Dragon wings appeared in front of her, he had the look of a murderer on his face.

Twilight stammered, "W-W-Who are you?!"

The Demon Alicorn responded, in a voice that chilled Twilight to the core.

"I am Black Abyss..."

Chapter 13: The Pony In the Abyss Mask

(Twilight's Castle, Throne Room)

Tantabus floated above the pair of Alicorns, it knew that bad stuff was about to go down.

Even Tantabus had limits, even if it could take on Twilight Sparkle and transform her, both of them would die to Black Abyss. So, it sat motionless, waiting to step in and transform Twilight.

But, something in it said that maybe stopping Black Abyss took priority, it may even have to shield Twilight if it had to... sacrificing itself for Twilight to survive.

Twilight Sparkle stared in horror at the Demonic Alicorn, he looked like he wanted to kill her. She thought that he actually would kill her, but she pushed that thought deep into the back of her mind.

What little she did learn about him at first glance is that he looked a combination of furious and miserable at the same time... she felt both pity and fear for him. He had a mask on that concealed his face, only showing his eyes.

Black Abyss stared at the Lavender Alicorn, he had a look of hunger in his eyes. He was much taller than Twilight, easily three heads above her. He must have frightened her so badly, she was in a state of petrifying fear.

Black Abyss smiled under the mask and said, "So, you're the famous Princess Twilight Sparkle, huh? You look just as weak and pathetic as I suspected from a mare so young..."

Twilight Sparkle corrected the Demonic Alicorn, "I am a Queen, not a princess! Why are you back anyways, Eclipsio?"

Black Abyss said in a sarcastic tone, "Oh I'm sorry, Queen Twilight, I wasn't aware that Celestia would allow you to rise any higher than being her personal lapdog..."

Twilight Sparkle took a defensive stance, saying "I've already heard this before, Eclipsio."

He then growled out, "Do not speak that Name! I am Black Abyss, Alicorn of Destruction. Prince Eclipsio is long dead now..."

Twilight, suddenly feeling brave, put a hoof on one of Black Abyss's dragon wings, the skin was rough, like shark skin.

She asked him, "Why do you have dragon wings instead of normal feathery wings like mine?" She pointed to her wings, and flared them out.

Black Abyss said, in a now angry tone. "I was born with these wings, Twilight Sparkle. My sisters hated me for these, they hated everything about me!"

Twilight Sparkle started putting two and two together, "Your sisters? You mean Celestia and Luna?"

Black Abyss suddenly roared, "Do not speak their names as well! I hate my sisters, I hate them for what they did to me..." he backed away from her, almost hesitant to speak to her again.

Twilight Sparkle looked at Black Abyss and said, "Why did you try to destroy Equestria so long ago? What set you off?"

Black Abyss stared into Twilight's eyes, then said "I grew jealous of my two sisters powers over the sun and moon, so I wanted to take it for my own. All I ever did was cause eclipses and nothing more. I wanted more... I wanted to control EVERYTHING!"

He was flying in midair, speaking with pride, then dropped to the floor, and said in a somber tone. "But all I got for my efforts was resentment from Celestia and Luna. They said that "Some things couldn't be controlled..." and I hated them for it! I hated their world. They ruled it, even though I had just as much power as them. Why wasn't I worshiped like them?"

He approached Twilight and said in a now frustrated tone, "So if I couldn't have the world, nopony would!"

Twilight Sparkle began to feel the ground shake, as Black Abyss began to ignite his horn, which burned with Dark Magic. She said to him, "What did you do that got you banished?!"

Black Abyss created a circle of runes on the floor, before saying. "I prepared a spell that would ignite a singularity in the worlds core, I wanted to destroy the world that Celestia and Luna worked so hard to build... but they stopped me before I could finish, and banished me to the icy reaches of space."

Twilight Sparkle looked surprised as she saw tear tracks down Black Abyss's mask... something within him was fighting back all the rage and hate he had for Celestia and Luna.

Twilight Sparkle knew that she had to help the tiny good part of him out, so she walked up to him and put a hoof on his chest, saying "Do you really want to destroy this world, Black Abyss? Because something tells me somepony inside you is saying that you can't do that..." she smiled a warm smile, "and I think that part of you is the reason why you can't kill me, huh?"

Black Abyss slowly nodded, he felt really worried about killing Twilight, somehow, somepony else inside him was saying to him

"You can't do it to her."

"She is so innocent..."

"you can be good, you know..."

Black Abyss suddenly thrashed about in agony and gripped his head with his hooves, trying to tear off the mask around his face. He screamed, "No! No I can't do it! No more killing! Please!"

Twilight Sparkle used her magic to try and rip the mask from his face, she pulled as hard as she could, it didn't budge.

Black Abyss suddenly stopped, his eyes glowing bright red, as he charged Twilight down. He roared, "You must Die in order for me to be Free!" And he fired a blast of plasma, Twilight closed her eyes, unable to react fast enough from the bright flash.

Twilight Sparkle was about to be disintegrated when somepony blocked it, Twilight opened her eyes and saw Tantabus, the nightmare entity, standing in front of her. It was blocking Black Abyss's blast with its own body!

Tantabus screamed out to Twilight, "Twilight! Use my power to remove the mask! Quickly! I can't hold him anymore!"

Twilight Sparkle fired a beam of magic that knocked Black Abyss skyward, sending his mask flying off his face and shattering on the floor. He lay in a heap, breathing slowly.

Twilight Sparkle ran over to the nightmare entity and said, "Tantabus! Why did you save me..."

Tantabus collapsed and said, "Twilight... please... take my power... The Nightmare Tribe... will die without me..."

Twilight Sparkle went wide eyed, "What do you mean? Is that why my friends have disappeared? You were transforming them into your slaves!"

Tantabus shook its head, "No, not slaves... Queens." Tantabus used its last bit of magic to transform Twilight into her Nightmare Pony Form.

Twilight was now larger than Celestia, her mane shone like the night sky and flowed like water. Her fur was pitch black and her eyes were glowing purple, her wings were larger, yet felt weightless. Her cutie mark had turned into a shining purple Star with a small blue star in the middle.

Nightmare Twilight Sparkle said, "I will not let your race die. I see now with more enlightened eyes that every race has a purpose in the grand scheme of things... even the nightmare tribe."

Nightmare Twilight Sparkle walked over to Black Abyss and picked up his body with her magic, he came to and said "No... No I won't listen... no mother... no."

Black Abyss opened his eyes, they were sunset gold instead of red. He looked at Twilight and said, "You became a Nightmare Pony... you look beautiful..."

Nightmare Twilight Sparkle blushed and saw his body began to change, his mane and tail went from blood red to bright silver, his fur lightened up to a basalt color, and his horn became normal again. However it was long, red and curved, like somepony familiar... His cutie mark turned from a black hole to a black sun.

Nightmare Twilight Sparkle said, "Who are you Black Abyss? Because you do not look like Prince Eclipsio..."

The Demonic Alicorn Stallion stood up and said, "I... remember now... my real name..."

Nightmare Twilight looked on with curiosity, "Well, what is it?"

He said, with determination in his voice, "My Name is Black Sun, the Alicorn from Tartarus..."

Twilight Sparkle's jaw hit the floor as he said the next sentence... mainly because of the sheer impossibility of it...

"And offspring of Sunset Shimmer and King Sombra..."

Chapter 14: Black Sun, Alicorn of Tartarus.

(Twilight Sparkle's Castle, Throne Room)

Nightmare Twilight Sparkle fainted on the spot, Black Sun looked around, the place was wrecked...

He cursed to himself, "Buck... this doesn't look good. I've got to go get this Pony somewhere safe, away from sunlight."

Sunlight meant that Celestia could see Black Sun... and see what horror Sunset Shimmer loosed from Tartarus.

Black Sun looked around, seeing the stairs up to what he assumed to be Twilight's bedroom, so he ascended the stairs.

He thought to himself, "The bedroom of the royals was always on the right, right? It had admittedly been a rather rushed procedure for Sunset to give him life. Or more accurately, for her to give IT life.

Unfortunately for Black Sun, his intellect, while impressive, did not include the layout of Twilight Sparkle's castle.

Perhaps, Sunset should have just NOT created Black Sun... it would be a much better existence than being treated like everypony's worst nightmare... after all,

Black Sun was literally and figuratively a walking corpse!

(Twilight's castle, Twilight's Bedroom)

Black Sun opened the door, only to find the Fire Alicorn standing at the door with his two stallion bros, Shining Armor and Shadow Armor.

Burning Star saw the Demon Alicorn holding Twilight Sparkle, and said. "So! You're Black Abyss!" Burning Star whistled and Shadow Armor and Shining Armor slammed the demon pony against the wall.

Burning Star approached the pony and put his horn to his neck, "Ok. Start talking, Now!"

Black Sun spoke out, "I'm terribly sorry for this, two knights..." Black Sun slammed his hooves against the ground, sending the two knights skidding across the floor, then he locked horns with Burning Star, speaking directly to him.

Black Sun said to the now flaming Alicorn, "Before you decide to kill me, hear my side of the story at least..."

Burning Star let go and said, "What's wrong with Twilight?"

Black Sun said, "She has become a nightmare pony, Alicorn of Fire. She is also pregnant..."

Burning Star nodded, "I see both of those statements are apparent... anything else before I end you?"

Black Sun added a fact in that made everypony's jaws drop. "...with twins."

Burning Star stepped back in shock, both Shadow Armor and Shining Armor just stood there, mouths hanging open.

Black Sun then said, "Stop being so melodramatic, you three. Now that the small talk is over and done with... I'd like to introduce myself."

Black Sun bowed, "My name is Black Sun, Demon Alicorn of Tartarus and offspring of King Sombra and Sunset Shimmer..."

Burning Star just stood there, slack jawed, before he said "What? How is that possible exactly? We only locked up Sunset Shimmer 8 months ago... can you explain yourself a little more please?"

Black Sun went to Twilight's bed and lay her down, then he said to everypony. "Well, I was not exactly "born" rather, Sunset Shimmer created me using magic."

Black Sun began his explanation, "Before you defeated her as Daybreaker, Sunset was working on a project called "Black Sun" it was a back up plan just in case she lost to Celestia, which she thought was an impossibility. But despite her best efforts, she lost to you, Burning Star and Twilight Sparkle. Which I must say, was very impressive on your part."

Burning Star asked Black Sun, "Anyways, what ARE you exactly? You said you were created by Sunset, not born."

Black Sun pointed to his horn, "As everypony has probably noticed by now, I've got the horn of the Shadow King Sombra, the silver mane and tail of Tirek, and dragon wings... there is good reason for that." Black Sun projected an image of King Sombra and Daybreaker speaking. Everypony looked on as Black Sun began to narrate.

"During her time as Daybreaker, she mind controlled King Sombra, as you probably already know. But during that time, Sombra gave her one of the most valuable secrets to any aspiring wizard or witch. The ability to create..." he paused for a second, to build the drama, "Life."

Shining Armor cut in, "wait, so you are saying that you were created by Sunset Shimmer, like literally built by her?"

Black Sun nodded, "Exactly, but Sunset needed a large amount of dark magic to do this, so she began to harness the sorrow and regrets of the dead bodies of ponies in Tartarus and... she also harvested innards from them to build my body. Eventually, she discovered the essence of King Sombra magic and essence of Tirek's magic and began to build me."

The image changed to the body of Black Sun on a table, with stitches lining his body where the joints of his legs and neck would be.

Shadow Armor asked, "So you were built from corpses... that is disgusting, and that explains why you are grey-black and have white hair."

Black Sun continued, "She worked for weeks, but eventually she built my body with the parts of other ponies, giving me something from each species and severely increasing the strength of them so that I could outdo anypony I encountered. She increased them so that I am 20 times stronger than any pony living or dead..."

Burning Star asked him, "Ok that is freaky, even for me. So what parts of other ponies do you have?"

Black Sun sighed and motioned to the various parts of his body.

"I have the legs and torso of an Earth Pony, the wings of a bat pony, the wing muscles of a Pegasus, the intellect and horn of a Unicorn, the dark magic proficiency of an Umbrum, hence why I have King Sombra's horn, The Magic stealing powers of Tirek, and the magical mastery and ability to manipulate others from an Alicorn. She then gave me life using the spell King Sombra told her while she was masquerading as Daybreaker, and loosed me on Equestria, hoping to obliterate it."

Burning Star stood back, saying "Well that is both amazing and horrifying at the same time. How come you attacked us then?"

Black Sun finished his explanation up, "I am pretty much the Frankenstein of ponies... yet I have one weakness, I have no soul..."

Black Sun lowered his head in shame, "Which is why Sunset created me... you can easily control something without a soul. So she outfitted me with a black mask that made me her puppet, and called me Black Abyss. She also spread the rumors that I was Prince Eclipsio because I looked like him."

Black Sun collapsed to the floor, tears running down his cheeks, "I just want a soul, so I can feel like a normal pony"

Black Sun peeled back his skin, showing the various stitches running up and down his body. "I am a walking corpse... I never feel pain, and never get tired."

Nightmare Twilight woke up to see Black Sun and Burning Star talking, she also saw Shadow Armor and Shining Armor.

She asked the pair of knights, "What's going on?"

Shadow Armor replied, "Black Sun is apparently made up of all different body parts of ponies stitched together like some sort of Frankenpony's monster, has no soul inside him, and wants to find a soul. That's just a quick summary of what I heard."

Nightmare Twilight walked over to Burning Star and said, "Hey... you don't mind if I look like this for a while right? I am apparently a queen of the nightmare tribe, along with my friends..."

Burning Star shrugged, "Hey, we all got to make sacrifices in life..."

What he said next made Twilight pass out, "Oh yeah you're pregnant with twins, by the way."

Nightmare Twilight Sparkle passed out and Shining Armor rushed over to her, catching her mid fall. He tried to wake her up, but to no avail.

Black Sun walked over to her and waved his horn above her, instantly waking her up.

He then said to her, "Nightmare Twilight Sparkle, Sunset is doing everything in her power to destroy you, and I feel as if I should share with you a few of my spells..."

Nightmare Twilight said in her new deeper voice, "But don't those spells require immense amounts of magical energy, both light and dark?"

Black Sun said to her, "That should not be a problem for you, Twilight. As the Element of Magic, you literally have limitless magical energy at your hooves."

Nightmare Twilight raised an eyebrow, "Then how come I get tired while using a lot of these powerful spells?"

Black Sun smiled, "That is because your physical body cannot maintain that much magical energy at once, and thus you experience a state of exhaustion."

He put one of his hooves on Nightmare Twilight's horn, "If you let go of all your restraints, you would be able to do preform incredible spells. Heck, with enough practice, you can learn spells that can bend the laws of physics to your will!"

Burning Star said in amazement, "Really!? That's incredible. What do these spells do to physics exactly?"

Black Sun began to explain again, "I am able to harness these spells easily because I am technically not a living pony, so I never get tired. But here is a few spells that you could learn..."

He took a deep breath and said in a voice very similar to Burning Star's speech voice, "You could control the flow of time around you, speeding it up to where hundreds of years pass every second, or slow it down to where one second lasts one year. You could influence the time around ponies to increase or decrease their age, slow down or speed up their movements, or freeze time completely, rendering everypony around you frozen in time, you can even freeze somepony from aging, making them technically immortal."

He continued, "My favorite is altering the very fabric of space and the cosmos. You could create wormholes to travel millions of light years in the span of a few days. You could turn a tiny flame into a blazing star, you could move and create entire planets by building them with the tiny amounts of matter available in space, you could even create dimensional rips in the fabric of the universe, or my favorite, create a black hole to swallow up entire solar systems."

Black Sun still continued to speak, "Altering gravity with a wave of your horn, twisting reality to your will, creating life from nothing, all of these powers are at your disposal!"

He looked at everypony, "What I'm trying to say is, ponies may say that they have limits, but that is entirely wrong, everypony contains limitless power, they just don't know how to harness it yet."

Everypony stood in shock of this revelation, then said altogether "wow."

Shadow Armor asked Black Sun, "So on another note, if Sunset Shimmer created you, wouldn't that mean she had escaped from her cell?"

Black Sun nodded, "Yes. Is that a problem?"

Everypony (including Shadow Armor) panicked. Nightmare Twilight spoke out and said, "We need to find her before she goes and spreads her destruction across Equestria!"

Shining Armor said in a reply, "But we do not know where she is, currently! So, how do we find her?"

Black Sun chuckled, "Well, where would the first place Sunset would go to destroy?"

Nightmare Twilight went wide eyed and said,

"To Canterlot..."

Chapter 15: Eh Tu, Shadow Fright?

(Everfree Forest, Palace of Nightmares)

Nightmare Rainbow Dash had arrived at the entrance to the cave, the new Nightmare Scootaloo by her side. They pair of them were welcomed to the palace by a pair of Nightmare Ponies, and Scootaloo instantly saw Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom.

Scootaloo flew over to her fellow members of the CMC and tackled them into a hug. They then walked to the mirror room to take a look at themselves in the mirror to see how thier bodies had changed

Sweetie Belle stood as tall as a full grown mare. Sweetie Belle's fur was shining black and silver, Her mane and tail was now Shiny Pink and had a White-Gold stripe down it. Her cutie Mark became a constellation of the CMC logo that Scootaloo and Apple Bloom had on their flanks as well.

Scootaloo had grown to the size of a full grown mare as well, her fur had become pitch black and shone with an orange aura around it. Her mane and tail had grown and was now colored a bright frushia and crimson. The artificial wings Burning Star had given her were pitch black as well, but had purple edges to the metal feathers.

Apple Bloom had also grown to the size of an adult mare, her fur was also pitch black but had a faint red aura around it. Her mane and tail had grown and now had a mixture of black and red in it. Finally, her normally solid red bow turned a pastel purple and had red edges.

All three of the fillies had cutie marks of constellations of the CMC logo on their flanks, they were proud that they were still there too.

Eventually one of the nightmare guards sitting outside the cave spotted their newest queen, Nightmare Twilight Sparkle, and a vast amount of ponies with her, presumably the rest of Ponyville.

The Nightmare Guard walked up to Nightmare Twilight and bowed, saying "Greetings my queen, it seems you have brought guests to our home, why have you done this?"

Nightmare Twilight bent her head down and said, "Why are you asking me of my motives? I am your Queen!I should not need to be questioned on what I do, when I do it."

She reared up and said, "Now Move aside!"

The Nightmare Pony scooted out of the way and Nightmare Twilight motioned for everypony to follow her in. Some of the younger ponies, like Lyra and Bon Bon, were nervous of entering a cave inhabited by beings that literally are living nightmares.

Nightmare Rainbow Dash was hoof wrestling with a Nightmare Earth Pony when she noticed Twilight walked in with a large group of ponies.

Nightmare Rainbow Dash zipped over and gave Nightmare Twilight a hug, "Hey there Twilight! You like the new body? I'm faster than ever, and I know so as well..." She picked up a speedometer "One of the Nightmare Tribe members volunteered to test my speed and my top speed was over Mach 2!"

Twilight nodded and looked at the rest of the nightmare tribe and said, "My subjects. It appears as if we have all my friends as your so called "nightmare queens." I must say, well done on turning this cave into a sanctuary for us."

The nightmare tribe cheered. Twilight Sparkle saw all of her friends in their new forms, they all looked beautiful.

Nightmare Rarity walked up to Twilight and said, "Nice of you to join us, Darling. We have been waiting for you, right girls?"

The rest of Twilight's friends nodded, and each began to approach Nightmare Twilight Sparkle. They stood on the same platform as her, looking out over the Nightmare Tribe.

Nightmare Twilight Sparkle began to speak, "Listen up everypony. We have a pretty big problem on our hooves! One of my previous friends turned foe Sunset Shimmer, has escaped from Tartarus!"

Many of the Nightmare Tribe gasped, a few started talking amongst themselves. They had heard of Sunset Shimmer from their queens, she was the pony that impersonated Daybreaker during the so-called "Daybreaker Incident." The effects of that event were felt everywhere, even on the moon...

One of the Nightmare Ponies spoke out, "We know. Our queens told us already who Sunset Shimmer is, but my question for you is this, why shelter these normal ponies from her wrath?"

Nightmare Twilight Sparkle answered the ponies question, "Because despite my current form, I am still connected to my normal pony self, I still feel that I have a responsibility to both ponies and nightmare ponies..."

Many of the nightmare tribe murmured amongst themselves. They understood that their queens would have previous attachments to their families.

Shadow Fright spoke up over the crowd, "Wait a second, Where is Tantabus?"

Nightmare Twilight bowed her head in shame, "Tantabus... is gone..."

Shadow Fright's eyes glowed red, and he scowled. If Tantabus was dead, then the only ones who were responsible for the survival of his race were... them

Shadow Fright shouted out, "If Tantabus is dead, then we no longer have to listen to you!" He stomped his hoof down, "we no long have to go along with this ridiculous plan!"

Nightmare Rarity gasped, "Shadow Fright! What are you doing?"

He motioned to his tribe, "Come my brothers and sisters, there is no pony left in Ponyville, let us take advantage of these mare's idiotic move to bring the entire population here to a dark, dank cave. Meanwhile, Ponyville is defenseless! Leave these false Queens behind!"

Nightmare Applejack snarled at Shadow Fright, "Were you planning this from the beginning?"

Shadow Fright nodded, "Yep! My real master has big plans for Ponyville, and eventually Equestria. And, she is the main reason WHY Tantabus is dead... it was nothing more than our tool anyways."

Nightmare Rarity screamed at him, "Who is your master?! Tell us and we may spare your life."

Nightmare Pinkie Pie shouted out, "Isn't it obvious? Its Sunset Shimmer."

Shadow Fright went pale in the face, "What?! How did you know that?!"

Nightmare Pinkie Pie started her speech. "Let me ask you all something..." she pointed to her friends.

"Who else would know what we wanted to achieve in life? Who else has immense magical strength, strengh enough to bind a Nightmare to her wil? Who else wants to destroy all of Equestria because she never got the power she wanted?"

Everypony said at once, "Sunset Shimmer!"

Shadow Fright was already one hoof out the door when he heard the Mane Six solve who his master was... and he came rushing back in, only to find six angry Nightmare Ponies Queens staring him down.

Shadow Fright said in a smug tone, "Yeah, my master is Sunset Shimmer, and I've been feeding off her negative energy all week. None of you can stop me!"

He pointed a wispy hand at Twilight Sparkle, "Not even you Twilight Sparkle! It would take a REAL Alicorn to beat me..."

The main six heard a voice from the entrance of the cave.

"You mean like me?"

Shadow Fright turned towards the source of the sound and he went white with fear.

Before him stood a dark gray Alicorn with a bright silver mane and tail. Upon his flack sat the cutie Mark of a solar and lunar eclipse, and his wings were covered in silver-gray feathers.

His golden eyes stared into Shadow Fright's soul, as he stammered out words in panic.

"You're... You're...!"

The Alicorn used his magic to send Shadow Fright flying into the trees, causing them to topple on him.

He then said his name, which made everypony's jaw drop.

"I'm Prince Eclipsio, Prince of Eclipses, Brother of Celestia and Luna..."

He put his horn to Shadow Frights neck, eyes full of determination.

"And I am your worst nightmare..."

Chapter 16: The Real Prince Eclipsio

(Everfree Forest, Nightmare Clearing)

Prince Eclipsio, an Alicorn of immense power.

He was the ruler of eclipses, the swallower of the sun and moon,

and exiled prince...

He was't exactly very proud of that last one.

But, He was finally home on Equestria, it took 1,500 years, but he was finally home.

He didn't think that he would need to flex his immense power as soon as he arrived, but I guess fate (or at least the deity known as Faust) had other plans for him.

The Eclipse Prince had a member of the nightmare tribe pinned against a tree, he had overheard his plan to corrupt a village called "Ponyville."

When he last walked the world, Ponyville didn't even exist, even Canterlot was just a basic village back then. He and his sisters hadn't imposed upon the unaware ponies thousands of years ago... and he wasn't even there when they did...

Granted, being exiled to the farthest reaches of space would do that. But during his long exile, he didn't really mind.

Instead of burning and seething with hate and jealousy like his sister Luna when she was banished herself by Celestia...

He began to use his powers to explore, finding his ability to create wormholes in space extremely useful.

However, that was the past... now he is locked in his first official battle on his home soil. It both excited and terrified him. Would his sisters know he was here?

Prince Eclipsio had fought many monstrous creatures, both of this world and other worlds...

But this Nightmare Tribe peon was just plain disgusting!

Prince Eclipsio held Shadow Fright up against a large tree, his horn up against the nightmares neck like a knife.

He began to speak to Shadow Fright, each word sending chills down the Nightmare Pony's spine, and the spines of everypony else there.

He said, "How dare you try to harm these mares. Have you no respect for beauty, or even respect at all?"

He turned towards them giving the main six a warm smile, saying "especially beauty of such... allure."

Eclipsio continued to speak to the Nightmare. "Now I'm only going to ask this ONCE. Where did your tribe go? I've heard of this nightmare tribe before... and I've noticed that you need ponies to possess in order to do any sort of military action against Canterlot."

Nightmare Twilight looked behind her and saw that every pony in Ponyville had just vanished, almost as if Shadow Fright's speech was a diversion from the entirety of Ponyville being kidnapped by the nightmare tribe.

Nightmare Applejack asked the obvious question, "Uh girls, where did the ponies from Ponyville go?"

Shadow Fright said in a aggressive tone, "As Prince Eclipsio said, we need bodies to possess in order to pose any real threat to Celestia and Luna... so why not turn your ENTIRE TOWN into Nightmare Ponies and wreck Ponyville, then when Sunset Shimmer finally kills Celestia and Luna and everypony else, she will use the powers we gave her to prepare a spell that will bring doom to this pathetic kingdom."

Prince Eclipsio tossed Shadow Fright into the trees nearby, "What spell are you talking about? Tell me, and I may spare your life for it... if you refuse to however..."

Eclipsio ignited his horn and flared his wings. "Then I will force the information out of your brain, painfully!"

Shadow Fright smacked Eclipsio in the face with one of his wispy hands, which turned into a hammer. The Prince staggered back and roared, and the battle began.

Eclipsio fired a barrage of icicles at Shadow Fright, who just used his wispy body to weave around them before returning fire with a explosive ball of dark magic.

Eclipsio put up his shield and deflected it away from him and into the air, where it detonated with a loud bang. Shadow Fright immediately fired off a storm of energy knives, which made contact and left cuts along all parts of Eclipsio's body.

Shadow Fright said with pride, "Hah! This is the mighty Prince Eclipsio? I expected more..."

He turned his mouth into a cannon. "Sunset will be thankful that one of these stupid royals is dead thanks to me!"

Prince Eclipsio smirked, "You're not going to do that, pal. I'm not going to die that easily!"

He turned to Twilight and her friends and said, "Everypony, get back as far as you can and hold on to something!"

Shadow Fright fired a giant purple laser of magic and Prince Eclipsio smiled.

"You really shouldn't have done that..." said Eclipsio as he fired a projectile into the air.

The projectile began to spark and shake, before exploding into a Black Hole!

The beam of magic was sucked into the black hole, and everypony's hooves were holding on tight to the cave's inside as the ground began to crack and pieces began to be ripped up from it and fly into the black hole.

Shadow Fright panicked and tried to fly away, but he could not escape the massive gravitational pull, his body began to be sucked into it as well.

Shadow Fright felt a sharp pain as his memories were ripped from his mind by Eclipsio, then he felt even more pain as he finally was sucked into the infinite abyss.

Eclipsio said to him, "I'll take these..."

The girls heard a loud scream as Shadow Fright was crushed under the immense gravity of the singularity, then Eclipsio stopped the black hole.

Everypony walked out, shocked at the sheer strength of Prince Eclipsio's ability, there were no more trees in sight, the ground was cracked and pieces were missing, and the rocks that made up the cave entrance were just... gone.

Nightmare Rarity said to the Prince, "Marvelous job darling! But... where did the Nightmare go?"

Prince Eclipsio snickered and said, "He went into the black hole, nothing can escape the pull of a black hole, not even light itself!" He turned his head towards Ponyville, and he growled.

Nightmare Pinkie Pie bounced over and looked, "Uh-oh guys! Those big Nightmare meanies got to Ponyville, and I don't think they are going to leave very easily."

Nightmare Rainbow Dash snarled, "Hey! No one takes over our town and gets away with it!"

Nightmare Fluttershy corrected her, "Except Discord, Tirek, and Tantabus... and various other villains..."

Nightmare Applejack snorted, "Then let's go smash those nightmares back to the place they belong, on the moon!"

Everypony cheered, then Twilight said "They couldn't have take over the entire town, my friends and my brother should be fighting back against them..."

Suddenly a loud scream was heard from above, the ponies looked up to see both Shining Armor and Shadow Armor falling out of the sky, followed by Burning Star and Black Sun right behind them.

The all landed with a large crash, and Shadow Armor said. "Ok, maybe calling Sunset a megalomaniac wasn't the best of decisions."

Burning Star got up and looked around, seeing the Nightmare Main Six and PRINCE ECLIPSIO!

Black Sun got up to see the pony he was based on and his face went pale, what would he think of Sunset's crude attempt at imitating him?

Black Sun slowly backed away, but the prince spotted him. He knew it, this was the end of him, he was dead meat!

Granted, he was already a walking corpse, but he would be dead again!

Prince Eclipsio approached Black Sun and smiled, "So, you must be Black Sun..."

Eclipsio noticed the stitches along Black Sun's body, then said "You were made by Sunset Shimmer to imitate me weren't you? The spread fear and darkness, am I right?"

Black Sun closed his eyes and braced for his obliteration, but instead he got a laugh from Eclipsio.

Black Sun asked in a obviously confused tone, "What is so funny? Aren't you going to kill me?"

Prince Eclipsio said in a rather depressed tone, "Why would I kill you? I've been looking for something like you for a long time..."

The prince turned towards everypony, saying "I've been keeping a secret from all of you..." a brilliant white light erupted from Eclipsio's body.

When the light disappeared, Prince Eclipsio looked like a ghost!

He said in a relieved tone, "I couldn't maintain this illusion anymore..." he sighed, "You see, I've really been just Eclipsio's soul, his body is long destroyed."

Everypony's jaws dropped, then Twilight said, "so you were just a ghost this whole time? Why did you come back to help us?"

Burning Star smiled and said, "I can take a very accurate guess on that. He wanted to do one good thing before his soul passed on into the afterlife... am I right?"

Eclipsio nodded, "Yes... I felt so sorry for what I tried to do... that I thought that I wasn't redeemable. You see... I've been watching over you all your lives." He smiled, "and I must say, I've never seen a friendship so strong... and if it is as trying as I've seen, you should be able to absolutely crush this Sunset Shimmer!" He looked at his wispy hoof, "unfortunately I will not be there to see it... as I require a body to inhabit."

He began to fade, "Thank you for letting me see my home again, now I must be going..."

Everypony began to cry slowly, each one begging him to stay.

Until Black Sun shouted, "Wait! You can use my body! I have no soul inside me, Sunset created me without one."

Eclipsio went wide eyed, "What did you say? you have no soul?"

Black Sun nodded, "Yeah. It made me Sunset's puppet because it's easy to control something without a soul..."

Eclipsio gave everypony a warm smile, then turned to Black Sun, "You would offer your body to me?"

Black Sun nodded, and Eclipsio smiled wider, he had a second chance!

then he turned and spoke to everypony, "Great news everyone!"

Black Sun felt Eclipsio's soul rush into him, within seconds, the stitches that once bound his parts to him, vanished, leaving real flesh in their place. His cutie mark changed to a solar and lunar eclipse, and his horn changed to a spiral horn finally.

Prince Eclipsio landed on the ground, in full control of Black Sun's body.

"I guess I'll be sticking around for a while..."

He turned towards Ponyville, pointed out his hoof, and said

"Alright everypony, lets go take back Ponyville and stop Sunset Shimmer from preforming that spell!" He said as he took off, flying as fast as he could. Burning Star, Rainbow Dash, Twilight Sparkle, and Fluttershy flew behind him. The rest of the group ran on the ground, keeping up with the flying ponies.

"Onwards, to NIGHTMARE PONYVILLE!"

Chapter 19: I Don't Want to Be Alone...

(Canterlot Castle, Main Throne Room)

Prince Eclipsio stood against Sunset Shimmer, his horn ignited as he stared her down.

Sunset returned the stare and said, "You will not beat me you Demonic Alicorn scum. You couldn't beat Celestia and Luna, and I am stronger than the both of them. No pony can best me, not even you."

She roared out, "You can hurl any attack against me! It will do you no good, I have been preparing for this battle for 8 months... I will not be denied my revenge! Not even King Sombra is as strong as me now!"

She paused and said in a mocking tone, "But he is dead now isn't he? And no one can stop me now! Not even your sisters! Face it Eclipsio, you've lost!"

Burning Star and the group rushed into the room, but were instantly stopped by Sunset's barrier spell.

Burning Star unleashed a massive fire blast on it, it didn't budge. Many of the other ponies tried to break it as well...

But nope, the barrier was solid as a rock.

Eclipsio and Sunset were trapped inside the barrier, staring each other down.

Burning Star heard a hissing noise as the entirety of the Nightmare Tribe flew in and passed through the barrier.

He cursed under his breath, "Damn, that's not good."

Sunset saw that her Nightmare Tribe minions were here to help her destroy this kingdom, and then this world entirely!

Eclipsio gasped as the ENTIRE Nightmare Tribe began to envelop Sunset Shimmer. They swirled and dashed around her like winds in a raging tornado.

Sunset began to laugh as the negative energy of the tribe began to fill her, she began to grow and transform into the Nightmare Tribe's greatest creation, Terror Demon Sunset Shimmer!

When the smoke cleared, Prince Eclipsio saw a pony even he feared a little... but not much.

Sunset Shimmer was now slightly taller than Burning Star, her fur was pitch black and had blood red glowing lines running up and down her legs. Her eyes were bright red and emitted a purple aura of dark magic smoke. Her horn became twisted and gnarled. Her mane and tail grew and turned into black and red smoke. Her Magitek wings gained serrated feathers and the Alicorn Amulet was now attached to the blood red armor she wore on her chest and back. She had a five pointed crown with a black sun at the peak and her cutie mark became a spiky golden and black sun.

She felt as if she could take on any pony in the world and win.

Even Starswirl The Bearded...

Demon Sunset screeched out, her loud scream shattering the window and causing everypony to cover their ears.

"I am reborn!

"I AM INVINCIBLE!"

"AND NO PONY CAN BEAT ME, TERROR DEMON SUNSET SHIMMER!"

Prince Eclipsio closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He wasn't going to let this... monster win. He had to do Something!

But, he didn't know what to do...

A magic duel between the two would rage on forever, and he doesn't want to prove Celestia and Luna's point that he is a "Evil, Destructive Pony"

So, he played his ace in the hole.

He would talk her out of this destructive mindset, by using his own feelings as his weapon.

Somepony once said, "The Pen is mightier than the Sword."

Eclipsio thought to himself, "Well let's see if that is true."

Prince Eclipsio began to speak, his tone pleading at first. "Sunset, please. You know this isn't right, deep in your heart I know their is a part of you who believes that destruction is not the way to make yourself a real leader... all it would do would make other ponies fear you."

He put a hoof on his chest, "Believe me, I'm speaking from personal experience here, rule by fear doesn't end well. Ponies may follow your commands, but they won't respect you because fear isn't a way to earn respect..."

Demon Sunset snarled at Eclipsio, "I don't need respect from them. I want everypony to fear me! I want them to cower and grovel before me!"

Eclipsio interrupted her, speaking in a soft tone, "And that makes you feel good? Instilling fear and destroying things gives makes you happy? Somehow I don't believe that is the case, Sunset."

He changed his tone to be more firm, "I should know... I was in the exact same mindset 1,500 years ago. I thought because I was strong that ponies would fear me, and that would make me happy... but it didn't."

Prince Eclipsio put a hoof where his heart was, "All it made me feel was cold and empty. No matter what I did to try and earn respect from them, ponies would see it as me trying to instill fear."

Demon Sunset roared, "So, that's what I'm trying to do, you insufferable cur! I don't need respect, I want FEAR!"

He started to speak in a more authoritative tone, "I wanted their respect! I was so angry that they feared me that I let my own power consume me... I became jealous of my sisters. Eventually, that jealousy and greed got the better of me and I was banished..."

Demon Sunset attacked Eclipsio, he deflected it with a shield. It flew upwards and destroyed the ceiling.

Eclipsio knew that he was getting to her good side, he needed to push on.

Prince Eclipsio began to speak again, in his speech voice. "I know what it is like to feel so much jealousy for somepony that it blinds you to the bigger goal. My goal was to prove I was stronger than my sisters... when I already was!"

Demon Sunset scowled, "How is this relevant to me in any way? You were banished for your power, I was imprisoned!"

Eclipsio clenched his teeth, "Don't interrupt me!"

He took a breath, then said "My main point is that I know what this much jealousy feels like. I know how much it hurts... and I know that it is possible to overcome it. Sunset, look at yourself... you have become a nightmarish monster. Yes, you are powerful beyond belief right now, but how do you feel on the inside?"

Sunset's natural eye color returned, "I...I... I feel alone... I feel as if nopony likes me. I thought by proving to myself that I'm stronger than anypony that it would fill the empty feeling."

Demon Sunset sank to the floor, "But all it did was make me feel more alone."

Eclipsio managed to walk up to Sunset and put his hooves on her chest, saying "Listen, we may not be the best ponies out there morally, we both have done some really bad things in our lives..."

Eclipsio looked right into Sunsets eyes, "But I believe that anypony deserves a chance to be good..."

He walked away and put one of his hooves out, offering his hoof for a hoofshake.

Prince Eclipsio thought he was getting to her heart, he knew in his own heart that Sunset was able to change.

Hell, if he could change, why not her?

Demon Sunset swatted his hoof away, saying "I don't need your sob stories! I want to destroy Equestria! I... don't care for anypony..."

Demon Sunset Shimmer growled in pain, almost as if her nightmare form was breaking from the internal struggle in her head.

"Does he know what he is talking about?"

"Can I trust him?"

"Is there any hope for me?"

Sunset Shimmer screamed in agony as the nightmare tribe she was being possessed by suddenly fled her body. She collapsed to the floor and Burning Star grabbed her and surrounded her in a red shield bubble.

The nightmare tribe took the shape of the Demon Sunset Shimmer, they all roared out in frustration.

Everypony heard the collective voice of the nightmare tribe, "This is impossible! We will not lose again!"

The giant construct pointed a hoof at the palace floor, "So, We will shroud this world in darkness, WITHOUT your assistance Sunset Shimmer."

Sunset smirked, "Well, tough luck! I'm still in control of your tribe. You can harm me!"

The Nightmare Tribe laughed, "Hah! We have a plan for that."

The Nightmare Tribe swarmed Sunset, she screamed in pain as her body was forcefully altered. A large cloud of smoke appeared from where Sunset was standing.

When the dust settled, Sunset was surrounded in some sort of purple bubble, and it sat at the center of a giant black and purple monster that stood as tall as the castle itself.

The monster turned red, "We have decided to kill you all first!"

Princess Celestia and Luna turned to Eclipsio, "You're right, everypony can do something good. You proved us wrong."

They both pointed to the monster, "Now go stop that monster before It swallows Equestria in darkness."

Eclipsio nodded and bolted out the hole in the ceiling. He looked at the sheer size of the monster, doing estimates on the monster's height and weight compared to his.

When he finally came to a answer, he shuddered.

The monster was approximately 230 feet tall, and weighed possibly 4,056 tons (if we went by the weight of the average pony)

The nightmare monster swung a giant claw at him, it was promptly repelled by a blast of fire from Burning Star.

He lined up next to Eclipsio and said, "Alright! Let's do this, Burning Star. You go for the head, while I go rescue Sunset... got it?"

Burning Star nodded, "Roger!" He flew up to the monsters face and began to pelt it with fire balls, then unleashed a giant stream of lava from his horn.

Eclipsio dived right for the purple bubble holding Sunset Shimmer. He smashed through the shell and grabbed her body.

But before he could fly away, something grabbed his back legs, causing him to drop Sunset.

Burning Star swan dived to catch Sunset and got her before she hit the ground. He looked up to see Eclipsio be dragged into the monsters midsection.

(???)

Eclipsio stood amidst the icy reaches of space. He looked forwards and saw his alter ego, Black Abyss, he looked miserable.

Prince Eclipsio approached him and Black Abyss lashed out with a blast of dark magic.

Prince Eclipsio blocked it and thought to himself, "Why would the nightmare monster drag me into this nightmare? I've not been Black Abyss in 1,500 years now..."

Black Abyss looked at his good counterpart, he had tears in his eyes and said in a somber tone, "This isn't your nightmare, idiot. Its mine..."

Eclipsio looked confused, "That makes no sense. How can my evil side have a nightmare? He is a part of me, so is this my nightmare or his?"

Black Abyss got up and said, "It is my nightmare, it is my greatest fear Eclipsio... you know what it is, yes?"

Prince Eclipsio nodded, and said "You don't want to be alone. You don't want to die, do you?"

Black Abyss nodded, tears in his eyes, he was terrified that if Prince Eclipsio returned to power, he would no longer exist... he then said, "I don't want to be alone..."

Eclipsio hugged his old self, "Don't cry... you will always be a part of me... no matter how much it hurts to admit that. You give me strength, Black Abyss. That's the positive thing about you. You make me want to become stronger... you may have been arrogant and destructive."

Eclipsio looked at Black Abyss, "But you will always be with me... and that will never change."

The blackness of space was suddenly cut by a bright red light, the red light was the fire blasts of Burning Star.

Black Abyss whispered to his good hearted side,

"Thank you..."

Burning Star lifted Eclipsio's weakened body and slowly flew down to the ground as the nightmare monster just... vanished.

Eclipsio looked up as the Nightmare Tribe was being blasted by Luna and Celestia right past the moon... into the icy reaches of space.

He smiled weakly, knowing that his sisters would win. This time... the nightmare tribe won't return so easily.

He said to Burning Star, "You... you saved me... why? I barely know you and you barely know me..."

Burning Star smirked, "I could tell from one glance at you, that you wouldn't harm anypony."

Eclipsio smiled, knowing that he would be in good hands.

He then lost consciousness...

Epilogue: Twilight's Foals

Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.

Chapter 3: Dark Generosity

(Everfree Forest, Dark Cave)

Tantabus sat thinking, pondering, ruminating, and any other word to describe it, about which pony it would pursue first.

Shadow Fright approached his master and said in his raspy voice, "Tantabus... the sun is setting. This might be time to as the ponies say "get a move on.""

The shadowy organism put a smoky hand on Tantabus, it recoiled, as if it had been shaken from thought.

"I know Shadow Fright... but I cannot choose who I should go corrupt first." Tantabus stopped, "that doesn't sound right, corrupt sounds so evil. how about "Improve" or "enrich"? What do you think Shadow Fright."

Tantabus leaned in, its white glassily eyes staring into Shadow Frights Red ones.

Tantabus continued, "Well? Answer me!"

Shadow Fright stepped back, "Well, show me the ponies you picked and I'll judge them based on personality, strength, and more."

Tantabus summoned a wall of holographic magic. It displayed images of six ponies, Shadow Fright instantly recognized them!

He roared in anger, "WHY THEM! They destroyed us! Plus, they have the elements of harmony, they could wipe us out!"

Tantabus rolled its eyes and pressed its hoof on Shadow Fright's face, "I am not going to force them into it, little Shadow Fright... I'll make them agree to it..."

Shadow Fright raised his smoky hands, "I ask again, HOW."

Tantabus rolled its eyes again and transformed into a purple mist, it surrounded Shadow Fright and his red eyes turned yellow and purple. He began to drool, he was seeing his greatest desire, ruling the Nightmare Tribe as they shroud the world in darkness.

Shadow Fright heard the voice of Tantabus in his head, "this could be yours if you just say the word, Shadow Fright. Just... say it..."

Shadow Fright said clear as Day, "I submit."

Tantabus smiled and Shadow Fright was engulfed in a purple aura. When the light faded, his gray-blue smoke body had been replaced with a Crome black Pegasus pony, but it had bat wings.

Tantabus reappeared in front of him and said, "there. Isn't it just easier to submit and give in?"

Shadow Fright rose up, "Yes...mistress... I am... slave."

Tantabus smiled and clapped its hooves together. "Good."

"Now kneel before me..."

Shadow Fright kneeled and bowed his head, he was completely under Tantabus's control, and he loved every minute of it.

Tantabus clapped its hooves together and it's horn glowed bright pink. A warm feeling filled, it had its first slave, It said "good slave. Feel my pleasure..."

Shadow Fright felt a wave of pure pleasure was over him, he whispered out.

"Thank you... mistress..."

Tantabus smiled, knowing it had won. "Who are you?" It asked Shadow Fright.

Shadow Fright responded, "I am slave... I am slave... I serve mistress..."

Tantabus laughed, then said. "Ive decided! I will go to the unicorn known as Rarity... she is naturally flirty and she has a bad case of vanity... perfect for the head of the brainwashing when we take over... soon all ponies would be Nightmare Ponies, and the best part is...

"They won't even object, stand up, or resist. Especially when it's coming from the element of generosity. They will be thinking that this is a gift, it is. But, it comes at a price, to be forever connected to everypony else, as they slowly become the slaves of the new nightmare queens."

"Once the gift starts, it will slowly consume them until..."

"Until the only thing left is obedience and control... and the love of the night..."

(Carousel Boutique, Main Lobby)

Rarity was busy fixing up the mannequins after Rainbow Dash burst in, she was exhausted.

Her sister Sweetie Belle approached her and helped Rarity up. "Come on sis, let's get you to bed. You look exhausted."

Rarity yawned, "I suppose so, good night."

(Carousel Boutique, Rarity's Room)

Rarity was sleeping peacefully, dreaming about making the perfect dress, the dress for her wedding day, when a gust of wind blew open the windows and blew her out of bed.

Rarity got to her feet and rubbed her eyes, "What was that for..." she walked over the window and shut it.

Rarity felt the breeze brush past her mane, leaving the smell of lavender in her face.

She heard a voice, "Rarityyyyyy..." it sounded like a snake.

Rarity looked on in shock as her shadow extended and took shape into an Alicorn's shadow. Something began to rise up from it, a being Rarity and anypony would dread to see again. The manifestation of Luna's Doubts and Fears, Tantabus!

Rarity backed up against her bed, scared out of her mind. "TANTABUS! No! Your nothing but a bad dream!"

Tantabus whispered, "I assure you... this is no dream..."

Rarity swung a Hoof at Tantabus's form, it passed right though as if it were smoke.

Rarity said shakily, "Why are you here? I thought that you were g-gone..."

Tantabus interrupted Rarity by petting her with its wispy hooves, "shhhh... I'm not here to harm anypony... the Nightmare Tribe and I are here to help."

Rarity pushed away from Tantabus, saying "Help, how? I thought the Nightmare Tribe was back on the moon... and why did you come to me? why not Luna?"

Tantabus shrugged, "I...grew bored of her... you are younger... you have style."

Tantabus leaned in closer, "you can help me "Improve" everypony."

Rarity tilted her head to one side, "I see now. You want to turn me into another one of your little drones while you shroud the Kingdom in darkness."

Rarity put her hoof against Tantabus's body, "Well I'm not going to be one of your slaves!"

Tantabus opened its glasslike eyes and looked into Rarity's, they were like mirrors. it then said, "No Rarity... you will be queen..."

Tantabus cupped Rarity's face, staring up and down her body, "and you will be more beautiful than Celestia..."

Rarity had no time to react as Tantabus engulfed her into purple smoke, Rarity felt it enter her nose, mouth, and eyes.

Rarity began to see a vision, it was her store really successful, beautiful dresses and outfits lined the hangers and mannequins. Sweetie Belle was hugging Rarity's leg, smiling with pride.

Tantabus whispered into Rarity's ear, "this can be yours and more... I will give you incredible powers. Invisibility, increased magical prowess, increased strength, mind control..."

Rarity seemed to be close to giving in to her vanity, "You can be generous too... my tribe will bring you ponies to "improve"... they will worship you as queen..." Tantabus looked Rarity in the eyes, Rarity could see her reflection in them.

Tantalus finished off with, "and you just have to say two words."

Rarity spoke them out, "I submit..."

Tantabus smiled and began to transform Rarity, shining bright with a purple and yellow glow. Rarity emerged, but she was a changed mare.

Rarity's fur had turned from pure white to deep shining black, her mane and tail had grown and now flowed as if they were water. They were colored shining purple and had white stripes running down them. Rarity's eyes became ice blue and had little glimmers in them. Her horn grew to twice its size and her cutie mark had become a constellation of stars in the shape of gems. She stood as large as Celestia, and she was twice as beautiful.

Tantabus finished the transformation, then fetched a mirror, it said. "Gaze upon your new form my queen! Nightmare Rarity!"

Rarity looked into the mirror, she gasped and then said, "I am beautiful!"

She stepped back and fired a bolt of magic that transformed her bed into gems. "I am powerful!"

Rarity inhaled, then shouted.

"I AM PERFECT!"

Tantabus clapped its wispy hooves then approached Rarity, "ok. I need to finish the... adjustment, so hold still-"

Tantabus's ghostly body was grabbed by Rarity's magic and pulled close, she was looking right into its eyes.

She then said, "I knew you would try something like this! You give me immense powers, then brainwash me while my guard is down? Well, let me fix that for you."

Tantabus struggled as Rarity used her new hypnotic eyes to stare into its own!

Rarity said in a alluring tone, "Gaze deep into my eyes... look deeper... deeper now."

Tantabus obeyed and kept focusing on her eyes, its own eyes were beginning to glow light blue.

Rarity whispered to the being, "You work for me now, darling... your mind is mine to play with, mine to control."

Tantabus went limp on the floor, got up, then kneeled in front of her. It said, "Yes my queen... who shall I give your "gift" to first...?"

Nightmare Rarity looked to Sweetie Belle's room. She began to approach the door, then opened it.

Sweetie Belle woke up with a fright, looked around, then saw Rarity standing at her door, with a purple cloud next to her, she looked like Nightmare Moon!

Sweetie Belle tried to scream before Nightmare Rarity put a hoof over her sisters mouth.

Nightmare Rarity said to Sweetie Belle, "Ssshhh... it's ok Sweetie, its me."

Sweetie Belle said in a scared tone, "Rarity! What happened to you! You look so... dark."

Nightmare Rarity nuzzled Sweetie, then motioned Tantabus to come over. "I'm Still your big sister, I'm just little different. You want to be different like me?"

Sweetie Belle looked scared, but nodded. "If you're still the same old big sis, then yes."

Nightmare Rarity whispered into Sweetie Belle's ear, then Sweetie Belle Said, "I submit to you, Nightmare Rarity."

Tantabus flew over and engulfed Sweetie Belle, when it finished transforming her it flew back to Nightmare Rarity's side, Nightmare Rarity teared up.

Sweetie Belle stood as tall as Rarity previously was before transforming into Nightmare Rarity. Sweetie Belle's fur was shining black and silver, Her mane and tail was now Shiny Pink and had a White-Gold stripe down it. Her cutie Mark became a constellation of the CMC logo that Scootaloo and Apple Bloom had on their flanks as well.

Sweetie Belle looked in a mirror, before saying. "Look Big Sis! I look like you. I'm not scared of the darkness anymore!"

Nightmare Rarity wrapped her mane around Sweetie Belle, "I love you Sweetie..."

Nightmare Rarity turned to Tantabus and looked it in the eyes, "Listen close. Your Queen is giving you a command, go spread my gift to other ponies, but we need some help."

Nightmare Rarity thought for a moment, before saying "Go to my friend Fluttershy's cottage, transform her into one of us... she will be scared at first... but she will learn to feel...beautiful and courageous."

Nightmare Rarity opened the window, "Now Go! Find another Queen to rule the darkness with me..."

Tantabus hissed out, "Yes... my queen..." before turning invisible and flying out the window.

It was heading towards its next target

Fluttershy.

Chapter 17: A Nightmare Pony on Main Street!

(Equestrian Skies)

Prince Eclipsio felt free.

And by free, he meant free as a bird, he finally had a way to communicate to his sisters WITHOUT them freaking out and sending him out to the cosmos again...

He wished that he could apologize to Celestia and Luna, but the apology would have to wait. Sunset Shimmer took priority over mending the bond between siblings.

So he used Black Sun's body as his vessel, his Ark, his weapon against the darkness that was The Nightmare Tribe, And he wouldn't stop until every pony was rescued from their grasp.

While Black Sun's body was a mishmash of body parts and was pretty much a living zompony...

It was still a body, and Eclipsio would use it well. Despite being evil, Sunset must have worked hard on him, since he had all the strengths of every pony species, with none of the weaknesses.

He quickly discovered that Sunset made him smart, as he had thousands of spells at his beck and call. He had the ability to alter the fabric of reality itself, even erase realities from existence.

Eclipsio wondered why Sunset built Black Sun with so much power... after all... she could not rule the kingdom if it didn't exist.

Or, did she intend to overwrite reality? Yes that must be it! She could use Black Sun's immense power to overwrite reality to make her the ruler.

However, that was risky. When you overwrite reality, you risk damaging it unintentionally. such damages can include matter destruction, space depletion, fragmented timelines, even a total event collapse of the reality itself!

Prince Eclipsio knew that as he fought Sunset in Canterlot, his allies would fight the Nightmare Tribe in Ponyville.

Splitting up was risky, but he must keep Sunset occupied while the Nightmare Tribe was purged from the tiny town.

Burning Star said to Eclipsio, "You ok there Eclipsio? You look... distracted."

Eclipsio said to Burning Star, "I am fine now... I was spacing out about Sunset's plan. She plans to use ALL the negative energy generated by the Nightmare Tribe, The Daybreaker Incident, and every other bad thing that has happened so far... to rewrite reality in her favor."

Burning Star went wide eyed with fear. "Wait... What?! Then I'm coming with you."

Eclipsio pushed him midair, saying "No. I must fight her alone. She probably has prepared for you to fight her, since you were the one who defeated her last time."

Eclipsio put his hoof on his chest, "She has not faced off against ME. Therefore, I hold an advantage over her due to her not knowing that I actually existed and that she made up the legend to spread fear."

Twilight Sparkle pulled up alongside Eclipsio, "Yeah. She is going to get a rude awakening when she discovers that you actually exist!"

Eclipsio smiled, then said to everypony, "Alright! Your plan is set! Head to Ponyville and purge the darkness from it! I will take on Sunset Shimmer, alone..."

Shadow Armor said to the eclipse alicorn, "That is a very bold move... Prince of Eclipses, are you sure that it is the best one you can make?"

Eclipsio nodded his head, "Yes. If I can delay her long enough for you to stop the nightmare tribe, she will be alone."

Nightmare Pinkie Pie asked an important question, "Are we really going to be hurting our friends?"

Eclipsio explained, "No. the nightmare possessing a pony acts like a shell. The pony inside will be unharmed once you destroy the nightmare possessing them."

Nightmare Fluttershy responded to that, "If the nightmare tribe wanted to take over Ponyville, why didn't the nightmare pony forms we have now end?"

Prince Eclipsio answered in a warm tone, "It appears as if these nightmares would rather stick by you."

Prince Eclipsio turned towards Canterlot, he said "This is where I leave you... Now, Go! Go stop those nightmares and send them back to the moon, and make sure they stay there!"

Everypony waved their hooves in goodbye as they rushed into Ponyville.

(Ponyville, Main Gate)

Burning Star, The two knights, the Main Six, the CMC, and the apple family stood at the entrance to their home, which was swarming with Nightmare Ponies, there were hundreds of them.

Nightmare Twilight said in her booming voice, "Members of the Nightmare Tribe, this is your only chance, surrender and return to the moon and we will not harm you!"

A Nightmare Unicorn stepped forward, she was covered in pitch black fur like the other Nightmares, but radiated a faint teal colored aura. Her mane and tail were dark purple and had a single teal stripe running down them.

Nightmare Twilight instantly recognized her, "Starlight Glimmer!?"

Nightmare Starlight said to the main six and the three stallions, "You want this town back, Twilight?" She ignited her horn and screeched, every nightmare pony screeched as well.

"Then you're going to have to kill us to get to it!"

Twilight Sparkle looked down in shock, her previous student was betraying her!

Why did she get the feeling this has happened before?

"Nightmare Tribe, Attack!"

Burning Star ignited his mane and shouted, "Everypony, attack!"

The two groups collided, with Starlight going straight for Twilight Sparkle.

Luckily, Shadow Armor blasted a stream of electricity at Starlight, sending her flying backwards and blocking her charge against Twilight.

Burning Star and Shining Armor were busy with Nightmare Bulk Biceps, as he picked up entire trees and threw them at the two stallions. Burning Star grabbed them with his magic, set them on fire, and tossed them back at him. They collided with Bulk Biceps, and the Nightmare was flung from his body.

Shining Armor blasted the Nightmare with a steam of light, blasting it into dust.

He shouted to the main six and his counterpart Shadow Armor, "Everypony, hit the nightmares hard with light based magic. It separates them from their bodies, allowing us to destroy them."

Nightmare Rainbow Dash slammed two Nightmare Pegasus's heads together, "In English please!"

Shadow Armor rolled his eyes and said, "Just keep hitting them until the smoke clouds pop out, then crush them to dust!"

Nightmare Applejack kicked a pair of Nightmare Unicorns through a building, "Will do pardner!"

Everypony kept fighting harder and harder, until all the nightmares were exorcised from the citizens of Ponyville. They all floated there, but there was one missing.

Nightmare Starlight smashed into everypony with a giant ball of dark energy, then began to gloat. "You can break our hold over these ponies, you can transform them back to normal..."

She charged another ball of dark magic, "But you will all be dead before you see that day happen! Goodnight Forever!"

Suddenly, a flurry of lightning bolts rained down from above, and Burning Star looked up and saw his brother, Thunder Fury, eyes full of hate towards Starlight Glimmer.

The white Pegasus roared, summoning another flurry of thunderclouds, "You've got a lot of nerve hurting my brother!"

Thunder Fury turned towards his brother, welling up a bit, then snapped back to Starlight "Why are you even doing this anyways? What good will it do for you Starlight? Once Sunset Shimmer is done with you, you'll be discarded like a used tissue..."

Nightmare Starlight Glimmer blasted Thunder Fury with a beam of ice, he effortlessly dodged out of the way, then returned fire with a storm of lightning bolts.

Nightmare Starlight laughed, "Is this the only trick you can do? You're such a one trick pony!"

She would regret saying that...

Nightmare Starlight felt a large crash as Thunder Fury slammed into her, coated in electricity. It sent her sprawling to the dirt.

Thunder Fury flew high into the thunderclouds, then shouted the name of his most powerful Move.

"GIGAVOLT HAVOC!"

Nightmare Starlight screamed in agony as a giant lightning bolt crashed down on top of her, sending the nightmare possessing her flying away.

It flew into the swarm and said, "We will not be denied again!"

He turned towards his compatriots, "Time for Plan B, my brothers and sisters... onwards to Canterlot! We will cut the head off this snake!"

Thunder Fury tried to catch them, but it was no use, they teleported away.

Burning Star took flight and embraced his brother in a hug, saying through tears "Thank you so much bro, we wouldn't have made it out alive if it wasn't for you... thanks so much."

Thunder Fury blushed, "Well... it was nothing special... I just saved your lives. Not much compared to your accomplishments, Burning Star."

The main six, the CMC, and the apple family collapsed in pain as the nightmares inhabiting their bodies emerged and flew off in the direction of Canterlot as well.

Fluttershy said in a scared tone, "Oh no, t-they are heading to Canterlot! Celestia and Luna are in great danger!"

Rarity nodded, "I agree, we must head to Canterlot immediately."

Applejack chimed in, "I reckon Sunset is goin to try to destroy Celestia and Luna, we must hurry!"

Pinkie Pie bounced in as well, "Yeah! Let's get that meanie Sunset before she destroys everypony's friendship forever!"

Rainbow Dash smirked, "Yeah! Let's hustle, girls. We don't have much time before the nightmare tribe gets to Canterlot."

Twilight Sparkle turned to Burning Star and said, "You ready, partner?"

Burning Star nodded, and his two stallions also grunted in agreement. He said, "count us in, Twilight!"

Burning Star turned to Thunder Fury, "Coming, Thunder?"

Thunder Fury gave his brother a wild smile, "Of course! Let's go show that Sunset Shimmer whose really the strongest pony in Equestria!"

Everypony cheered, and began their sprint and flight towards Canterlot.

Burning whispered under his breath.

"Hold on Eclipsio, we will be there soon..."

Chapter 18: Infinite Jealousy!

(Canterlot Castle, Throne Room)

Celestia and Luna sat in their thrones, with the rest of the royal guard and servants standing at the foot of the stairs leading up to their thrones. Everypony was wondering why they were instructed to get their families away from Canterlot, and at such a late hour as well.

Celestia was tapping her hoof on the floor, nervous to read the letter that appeared mere seconds ago. She didn't want to see the bad news, that her worst nightmares were coming true.

She wanted to burn it all away and destroy all her fears...

But even she had to face the fear, that one of her students would try to overthrow her.

Luna opened the letter, It was from Burning Star. She began to read aloud to Celestia.

"Dear Celestia and Luna,"

"I bring grave news. Not only has the Nightmare Tribe returned, but Sunset Shimmer has escaped from Tartarus. By the way, you need a much better guard than Cerberus... he was easily won over by a rubber ball, A dogs greatest weakness."

Celestia interrupted Luna, "Oh this is my fault! If only I had not let my guard down and kept an eye on Sunset, this would not have happened."

Luna put a hoof on Celestia's shoulder, "It is not your fault alone sister, I did not think that the Nightmare Tribe would escape, either."

Luna continued to read the letter,

"She has also loosed a soulless monster alongside her, it was called Black Sun, a cruel amalgamation of parts from every species of pony in Equestria. It was incredibly strong..."

Celestia thought of the idea of some sort of... monster being, hunting both her and Luna to the ends of Equestria.

Luna continued to read, suddenly developing a worried smile,

"However, he was defeated..."

Celestia jumped for joy, literally. She flew out of her throne, relieved by the fact that this "Black Sun" was dead.

Luna said to her sister, "Hey, I'm not done reading here."

She continued to read,

"By your brother Prince Eclipsio. By the way, he now has Black Sun's body, due to his own body being gone now... Black Sun sacrificed his body for Eclipsio's soul to live on. Now, your brother is coming to aid you in the defeat of Sunset Shimmer... again.

"But this time, she is packing some serious power. She has the Alicorn Amulet and a Pair of Magitek wings, you know the ones I gave to Scootaloo? Yeah, apparently she found another pair... whoops."

Celestia and Luna went pale at the mention of their brother's name. Did Eclipsio really return? Was he going to destroy Equestria, or would he save it? the feeling of not knowing what he would do scared the crap out of them.

But Sunset wearing that cursed Alicorn Amulet combined with the mysterious power of Magitek Wings, Celestia and Luna may actually need their brother to help... if he doesn't kill them before Sunset does!

Luna finished the letter,

"I don't have enough time left to write, I'm going with Shining Armor and Shadow Armor, along with the CMC and Twilight and her friends to free Ponyville from the Nightmare Tribe. Please, please don't kill your brother... he seems like a pretty chill pony now."

"From,
Burning Star"

Celestia and Luna took a sigh of relief, they both worried that Eclipsio would be real mad about his banishment to deep space.

I mean, who wouldn't be? It's not like Prince Eclipsio could wipe the world away with a black hole or something... except he could, and he may eventually do that.

Luna said to her sister, "Celestia, we may have to use Eclipsio to stall for time..."

The room suddenly got very dark as the moon was eclipsed by somepony, then all the torches went out!

Luna and Celestia ignited their horns and tried to shine a light in the room. It was blacker than the darkest pit of Tartarus!

The sisters heard the raspy voice of their brother, "You, would use me? To stall for time?"

The darkness suddenly vanished, revealing Prince Eclipsio!

Celestia summoned her pole-axe, Luna summoned her broadsword, and they both said to their brother.

"Why are you back? I thought you were still out in space being banished?"

Eclipsio chuckled, and said "I could have come back at any point I wanted to, but instead of seething with hate jealousy, like Luna did... I used my powers to explore space, to see all the wonders of the universe..."

Luna snorted, obviously offended.

"That is not amusing, that is a... dark part of my past, brother."

Celestia scowled, "If you're here to help, then you are making a very bad first impression, Eclipsio!"

Prince Eclipsio clapped his hooves, completely ignoring Celestia's comment.

"Finally Celestia, you decide to flex your authority and intimidation on somepony... I am proud of you." His expression turned serious as he turned towards the door, "but I'm afraid that our guest is here..."

Almost as if it was on cue, Sunset Shimmer blasted the door down, sending the wooden shards hurtling towards the royals. Eclipsio effortlessly blocked it and turned them to dust.

Sunset galloped in, eyes ablaze with Dark magic, the Alicorn Amulet hanging around her neck and a pair of magitek wings on her back.

She snarled at Celestia and Luna, "I'm back, and I'm better than ever. Better than you two ever were and ever will be."

She finally noticed the dark gray alicorn standing between her and her prey, "Who the hell are you?"

Prince Eclipsio rolled his eyes, "Oh come on Sunset... surely you recognize the pony you were trying to imitate with your creation Black Sun..."

Eclipsio put his hoof on his chest. Well... I am Prince Eclipsio, swallower of the sun and moon, controller of unnatural darkness..."

Sunset laughed, "Hah, you are nothing compared to me. I use my jealousy and hate towards those stupid princesses as my fuel... what do you think you can do against me, pal. You do not know my pain..."

Eclipsio began to smirk, then said

"Oh you have no idea how much pain I was, and still am in... Sunset Shimmer."

Sunset suddenly heard music out of nowhere as Eclipsio began to open his mouth and sing a dangerously cold hearted song.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=XKjOJuPjiu4

All of a sudden, Sunset heard Eclipsio singing along.

I am the tallest of mountains, I am the roughest of waves, I am the toughest of terrors, I AM THE DARKEST OF DAYS!

Sunset began to see sparks of magic erupt from Eclipsio's horn, sending blasts of electricity surging through the air.

I am the last one who is standing, don't try in my way! Because I've been better... just take a look of my face!

Eclipsio was up in Sunset's face, and she could see cuts and scars on his face. She felt somewhat uncomfortable now.

cause if you're messing with me, I'm a dangerous weapon. I am the sharpest of blades, I'll cut you down in a second.

Eclipsio generated energy knifes and flung them through the air at Sunset, who blocked them with some difficulty, she had never dealt with somepony this strong.

Because I was born in this pain, it only hurts if you let it. So if you think you can take me then you can go and forget it!

He continued to sing, sending chills down Sunset's spine. He began to sing more in almost mocking matter,

And after all this time, you're back for more...

Sunset responded, I won't stop until know my name! So I'll take what's MINE, and start this war. I'm coming at you like a tidal wave...

Eclipsio and Sunset blasted each other with magic, the beans colliding.

When everything you've known has come and gone!

Sunset struggled against the flow of magic, but she pushed onwards, determined to destroy her opponent.

Only scars remain of who I was...

Eclipsio advanced on Sunset, she struggled hard against Eclipsio's onslaught of magic.

When there's no one left to carry on!

Sunset finally felt her shield crack, Eclipsio was winning.

This pain persists, I can't resist... but that's what takes to be INFINITE!!!

Sunset felt her shield broke, as Eclipsio lifted her body into the air with her magic, she looked scared as he continued to sing, sending chills down her spine and turning her face pale.

So look areound you, and tell me what you really see. I'll never end, and that's the difference between you and me. Because when your time is up and everything is falling down, it's only me and you... WHO IS GOING TO SAVE YOU NOW!

Sunset began to feel her life at stake, Eclipsio was determined to destroy her.

So look around you, and tell me what you really see. You live a lie and that's the difference between you and me. I have the power let me show you what its all about, it's only me and you... WHO IS GOING TO SAVE YOU NOW!"

Sunset Shimmer fell to the floor, struggling to stand up, she then said to him "Really? A song? Is that all you got, pal?"

Prince Eclipsio chuckled, saying "Sorry, I've always wanted to do that to somepony. But, we have both seen our powers. And I know why you are so angry at my sisters..."

Sunset unleashed a giant ball of fire, Eclipsio blocked it and sent it flying into the ceiling, blowing a hole in it.

Eclipsio knew that besting Sunset in a magic duel would not solve the problem...

So he would try a different tactic, a stronger tactic...

He would talk her out of this massive jealousy fit...

He said in the back of his mind,

"This is gonna suck."