The Tale of the Nightmare

The Everfree Forest was populated with various creatures, from small to large. While the forest inspired the curiosity of some ponies, others desired to steal a treasure from the Everfree Forest. Centuries ago, a war divided Equestria and the Everfree Forest, and there hadn't been civil interactions ever since. The alicorns, from whom Luna had descended from, had taken it upon themselves to guard the Everfree Forest. As time passed, more and more had either died or gave up on a possible peace between two lands.

Luna rested on a branch, levitating a pair of small figurines in the air. They reminded her of her parents. The white figurine would be her older sister... if only she could remember her name. It wasn't something to dwell on, yet her dreams involved her family. Why did the other alicorn disappear? Who could be watching over her sister? Was the alicorn alive or not? She had many more questions, but for now, only time would tell. What struck her odd was the fact that she heard fragments of a lullaby from time to time. If she met her sister face-to-face, would the alicorn look similar to the white figurine?

A branch snapped, startling Luna out of her introspection. She rose to her height and channeled her magic into the branch. Once she was done, she said, "All fixed. You're good to go." The moon ascended into the clear dark sky, illuminating a nearby lake. Beams of silver light penetrated the forest ceiling. Nocturnal breezies stirred from their slumber and danced above the lake.

It was a beautiful sight. Luna tilted her gaze toward the starlit blackness. Unfurling her large wings, she swooped upwards and spun with ease. Gone were the days of awkward flights. She zipped past the trees, giggling. The nighttime was her favorite time of day, as it was peaceful. Still, she never understood why some ponies performed their wicked deeds in the darkness. Someday, she would discover the reason. The diamond dogs tossed the mud balls at each other. One of them prepared to toss a mud ball at her.

"Don't do it," Luna said.

The diamond dog threw the mud ball. Luna ducked, then made her way to a glade. A trio of sisters gossiped about a young visitor. She landed in front of them. Who was the visitor, and why were they alarmed? What if the stranger was kind? She waited until they were finished talking.

"A colt-" Apple Bloom began.

"No, I get to talk," Sweetie Belle interrupted.

"No, it's my turn," Scootaloo retorted.

Luna furrowed her brows. "What did the colt do?"

As usual, the three sisters bickered amongst themselves. Luna rolled her eyes and let out a sigh. As much as they meant well, they could be a nuisance at times. Her patience grew thin, and she tapped her hoof against the ground. She cleared her throat.

"One at a time," Luna said.

"Our apologies. The colt stole a jewel-" Apple Bloom replied.

"Now he's being confronted," Sweetie Belle chimed in.

"Hush, Sweetie Belle. She said one at a time, not multiple at once!"

Luna dashed into the air. Her wings carried her to a pond filled with jewels. She spied two bat ponies scrutinizing the veil of leaves. She descended to the ground. The bat pony on the right stopped her from stepping closer. She turned to him, and he shook his head. Did he view her as a weak mare? She wasn't hesitant. On the other hoof, she hoped the visitor wasn't dangerous.

"I'm not scared. Besides, I've never encountered an outsider up close," Luna said. Her eyes darted to the leaves. Behind the leaves was a cowering shadow. "Come out. Return the jewel to its rightful place."

"No. I don't have it," a terrified voice murmured.

"Yes, you did. They told me."

"They mean to kill me. And they're hideous to look at."

"That's not nice. The bat ponies are handsome. On a count to three..." Luna observed the shadow's body language. "One, two..."

The colt emerged from the leaves. He had a gray coat and a black mane. His eyes were the color of rubies. "Alright, fine. I'll return the jewel. Can you let me go now?"

Luna nodded. "I'll escort you out. Why did you steal it?"

"Because it's pretty. Are you my age?" The colt asked.

"I'm a preteen. There were times when you shouldn't touch something, no matter how beautiful it is." Luna levitated the jewel away from the colt's magical grip. "What's your name?"

"I'm a preteen, too. My name's Sombra. Yours?"

"Luna."

"It's an unusual name. I thought alicorns were extinct."

Luna's ears flickered. The myths and fables of ancient alicorns came to mind. Because of the legends, they were feared in Equestria. "It's a story for another time. How do you view them? Do they intrigue or frighten you?"

"I'm not sure. My father never saw one, so he told me not to believe in such tales."

As they walked to the border, Luna gazed at the vast field. A tall structure loomed in the distance. Who would lock oneself behind a wall? Somepony who hated the kingdom? She glanced at a small village. Was it where Sombra came from? The colt turned to face her. Wouldn't his parents be looking for him at this time of night?

"You better go now. Your parents must be worried," Luna said.

Sombra hung his head. "They're dead."

Luna placed a hoof on his shoulder. "Mine are, too. I understand how it feels to lose a parent."

"Don't you have relatives? Older siblings, aunts-"

Luna pulled away. She always felt a mix of emotions whenever somepony questioned her about her relatives, or a lack thereof. Grief at her loss, disappointment in her sister for leaving the Everfree, and uncertainty concerning the future. To her friends, she was the last of her kind. In reality, nopony knew if her sister was deceased or not.

"It's a sensitive topic, and I'd rather not bring it up," Luna said at last. "Can I at least accompany you to the village?"

"I don't mind," Sombra replied, and they began walking toward the village. Torches lit the stone streets.

Not one pony was out admiring the stars or the beauty the night brought forward. Did the Equestrians shun the night? Why would they? Luna observed the windows. They were dark. Was everypony asleep? If the absence of civilians said anything about the ponies in general, it was that they didn't share the Everfree creatures' love of the night. She wouldn't hold it against them, though. She followed Sombra to a large home. Was his adoptive family important to the town?

"It's an orphanage, where I sleep each night," Sombra said. There was a sadness in his eyes, which tugged at Luna's heartstrings. "At least the mare of the house takes great care of us." He motioned to the castle in the distance.

"The fortress?" Luna murmured.

"Let me tell you this..."

"What's so interesting about it?"

"One day, I shall marry the princess and become the next king of Equestria. It's where I will live if it ever happens. I'll move out once I turn sixteen."

Luna nodded as she listened. Wasn't Sombra a commoner? The Everfree creatures mentioned the king's brutal hatred of the forest. It was the reason her parents died in the last war. Once the colt finished speaking, he approached the door. She reached out her hoof, and when Sombra touched it, a hot flash shot through her hoof. She noticed a sunstone on his hoofshoe. The sunstone left a red burn on her hoof.

"What's wrong?" Sombra asked.

"Your hoofshoe has a sunstone on it," Luna explained.

Sombra removed the sunstone and tossed it into the field. "I'm sorry. My parents gave it to me, and if it hurts you, I'll stop wearing it."

"That is very sweet of you. We'll meet again."

Sombra entered the house. Luna made her way back to the Everfree. Nopony outside her homeland had done something kind for her. Perhaps not all Equestrians were bad. Still, the friendship would remain a secret, as she knew her friends would tell her how dangerous the Equestrians were. If she did introduce him to the creatures, they might take some time to warm up to him. She flew to her favorite tree and began watching over the forest. Little did she know was that Sombra would someday reveal his true colors. For now, she hoped to see the peace flourish between both kingdoms...