Nightmare's Task

Nightmare Moon was thoroughly enjoying her flight from Canterlot to Ponyville. She hadn't been able to fly when she was trapped in the moon, so it felt good to be able to stretch her wings again. "My. I forgot how amazing flying feels." she said as she soared through the air. It only took her five minutes to get to Ponyville, but for her it seemed like an eternity. She swooped down, and landed in the middle of Ponyville.

As soon as she did everypony went crazy. "It's Nightmare Moon!" one of them yelled then they all broke into a stampede as they rushed into their homes. First Nightmare Moon was bewildered, then she got angry.

"Is this how you treat your new queen?!" she yelled, "I demand respect! Get out here now!" When nopony came out she stomped her hoof to the ground, making it shake. "I SAID NOW!" she shouted. Finally, slowly but surely, ponies started to come out of their homes. She smirked. "See. That wasn't so hard." she said. "Now where are the farmers for this town?" she asked.

"I-If you don't mind me asking why?" asked a light yellow mare with an orange mane or tail.

"Of course. What might be your name?" she asked the mare.

"C-Carrot Top your majesty." the mare told her.

"Well Carrot Top I simply wish to enchant them with a spell so they can survive on moonlight." Nightmare explained, "Show the way. You are all dismissed." she called out the last part. With that all but Carrot Top fled back into their homes. "Now are there any farms outside of town?" she asked Carrot Top.

"Just one your majesty." she told Nightmare Moon.

"Good.  This should be fairly easy then." Nightmare Moon said, her horn glowing. A soft sheen of light covered all of Ponyville as Nightmare Moon cast her spell. Soon the light faded. "There." she said, "That takes care of the ones in town. Now bring me to this farm."

"Yes your majesty." she said. Nightmare Moon followed her out of town, and to the front of a large apple orchard. "Here we are." Carrot Top told her.

"Thank you. You are dismissed now." Nightmare Moon told her. Carrot Top quickly galloped off back towards the town. As she walked into the orchard she saw a familiar face. "Well, well, well, if it isn't an element of harmony." she said, catching the mares attention, and her scowl deepened.

"What do you want here?" she asked.

"Now, now, is that any way to talk to your queen?" Nightmare Moon said.

"You ain't ma queen, or anypony elses." she seethed.

"I believe the captain of the royal guard would disagree." Nightmare Moon told her, making her grit her teeth. Applejack knew she had no other choice.

"Fine Queen," she spat, "Why are y'all here?"

"Just to cast a simple spell to allow the plants to survive on moonlight." Nightmare Moon explained.

"And why should ah believe you?" she asked.

"And why shouldn't you? I'm not just going to let my subjects die of starvation." Nightmare Moon retaliated. Applejack wanted to argue more, but couldn't think of anything to say.

"Fine." she said. Nightmare Moon smirked, and her horn glowed as she started the spell. The spell cast a soft sheen of light over the whole orchard just like with Ponyville, and Applejack couldn't help but stare in wonder, but snapped out of it when she finished.

"I've finished. I'll be taking my leave now." Nightmare Moon told her before flying off towards the next town. She did that for every town in Equestria until she landed back in front of her palace in Canterlot. "Servant!" she called out as she sat on her throne. A tan mare with a light orange mane stumbled into the room doing a clumsy bow.

"Yes your highness?" she asked.

"Draw me a hot bath will you." Nightmare Moon told her.

"R-Right away." she said, stumbling out of the room. Five minutes later she trotted back in the room a little more dignified than last time. "Your bath is ready your highness." she said.

"Very good. You are dismissed." Nightmare Moon told her. She bowed again, and left the room. Nightmare Moon trotted out of the throne room door, and into the bath room. There was a large bath filled with steaming water. She then slipped off her armor, and shoes.

As Nightmare Moon slipped into the hot water she felt all her muscles relax. She hadn't realized how tense she'd been, or how sore her wings felt. She let out a soft sigh. "This is amazing. I haven't had a bath in over 1000 years." she said as she relaxing. After about 20 minutes she got out, her mane and tail sticking to her.

She shook herself like a dog, getting most of the water off her, and making her mane and tail become ethereal again. She finished drying herself with a towel. "I should probably get some rest." she said as she laid down in a bed in her chosen room, "After all I do have court tomorrow." With that she drifted off to a dreamless sleep.