An Equestrian Nightmare

The sun rose over Ponyville, showering the small town with light. Twilight took notice as a beam of sun streaked through her window and hit her eyes. She awoke, still drowsy and processing the events of last night.

What if he didn't change? What if he's still just a mindless killer? thought Twilight. She got up out of bed and went down to the library. To her surprise, she saw Nightmare putting a book back on the shelf.

"Morning, Nightmare." greeted Twilight.

Nightmare turned and faced Twilight. "Morning."

Twilight noticed Nightmare place the book in the "Z" section.

"Did you read all the books?"

"Yep. Told you I don't sleep." answered Nightmare. Twilight descended the staircase and entered the kitchen.

"You want breakfast?" asked Twilight as she prepared some dishes.

"I don't eat." said Nightmare. Twilight almost dropped the dishes. She luckily saved them with some last minute telekinesis. Nightmare noticed that Twilight was staring at him in sheer amazement. He didn't like it.

"What?" asked Nightmare.

"So what your telling me is that you don't need sleep or food to function." said Twilight.

"Yes. What's so hard to understand about that?" asked Nightmare.

"Nothing. I'm just amazed." said Twilight.

"Hmph." scoffed Nightmare.

"So...how do I begin?"

"Begin what?" asked Twilight.

"Learning about friendship." answered Nightmare.

"Oh! You and me are going to help Applejack over at her farm." said Twilight.

Nightmare put his hoof to his chin "Applejack's the one with the hat right?"

"Yes." confirmed Twilight.

Oh this should be good thought Nightmare. He then took notice to something walking down the stairs. He turned and saw what appeared to be a dragon in front of him. The dragon nonchalantly walked passed Nightmare.

"Hey, Twilight. Hey, monster." said the dragon. He then stopped in his tracks and looked at Nightmare, then at his claw, then at Soul Edge.

"Hi." greeted Nightmare.

"MONSTER!" yelled the dragon. He then sped up the stairs and closed a door behind him.

"What was that about?" asked Nightmare.

"Oh that's Spike. Don't worry, he'll be fine sooner or later." said Twilight.

Off to a great start already thought Nightmare.

Twilight and Nightmare walked side by side through Ponyville. Nightmare took notice to all the ponies staring at him. Every time he looked at them, they immediately resumed what they were doing. Twilight took notice to this.

"Don't worry. They just don't know you yet." assured Twilight. The two continued to walk through town when Twilight remembered something.

"Today is Applejack's birthday!" exclaimed the purple unicorn. The sudden shout took Nightmare by surprise.

"Sorry."

"It's fine" said Nightmare.

"Follow me, I have to go get her cake." said Twilight as she picked up her pace. Nightmare followed, quickly catching up to her.

High in the sky, a certain griffon was canvassing Ponyville with intent. She found her target, a yellow pegasus buying some food at a nearby market stall. She shrieked and dive bombed toward her target.

Twilight stopped in her tracks and canvassed the sky. "Did you hear that?"

"Yes." answered Nightmare. They then saw a brown streak drop near the marketplace. After the dust settled, it revealed the figure of a griffon. The griffon walked up to the stall where the pegasus was and threw her into the center of town. The pony didn't move.

"FLUTTERSHY!" yelled Twilight. The unicorn ran toward the downed pegasus. She didn't move. The griffon then balled up her talons and punched Twilight, sending the unicorn past Nightmare and into a nearby shop. Nightmare then saw the griffon walk up to the pegasus.

"Hello, Fluttershy." said the griffon.

"G- G- Gilda?" asked Fluttershy.

"Yep." answered Gilda. She then rose a clawed hand over her head.

"DIE!" she brought down the hand with extreme force. Her attack was stopped when she noticed another claw stopping her's. She then felt a good kick to her stomach that sent her a few feet back. Gilda took notice to the black stallion before her, protecting Fluttershy.

"Who are you?" asked Gilda. The stallion said nothing. Gilda then charged the stallion with speed and swiped at him. Her attack was stopped by the same claw. The stallion then broke Gilda's arm and punched her with his free hoof. She reeled back in pain she noticed that the bone was sticking out of her skin.

"I don't take kindly to those who hurt others." said Nightmare.

What an obvious lie thought Nightmare.

Gilda charged Nightmare and was met with an uppercut that broke the bottom of her jaw. She landed on her stomach with a dull THUD. Nightmare then climbed on top of Gilda's back and grabbed her wings.

He's not going to... Gilda couldn't complete her thought process as she felt her wings being ripped off her body. Gilda screamed at a pitch that would even make Rarity cringe. She began to roll on the ground, crying, feeling the spots where her wings used to be. Nightmare took the griffon's wings and dropped them beside her. He then walked over to check on Fluttershy. Gilda got back up and roared, gaining Nightmare's attention. She then charged him in a last ditch effort to hurt him.

SHHNK

Gilda felt something cold penetrate her chest. She looked down and saw a glowing red sword, her blood bleeding down the shaft. She looked up and Nightmare staring at her.

"Who are you?" whispered Gilda.

Nightmare finally answered her question "I'm you're worst Nightmare." He then kicked Gilda off his sword and onto the ground. The last thing the griffon saw was Nightmare's blood red eyes staring into her mind. She then closed her eyes...and died.

Note to self: NEVER MAKE PUNS AGAIN thought Nightmare. He took notice to the crowd gathered around him. He didn't bother with them. He turned around and checked on Fluttershy.

"You okay?" he asked.

"I'm fine." answered Fluttershy.

"Oh and by the way, I'm sorry. You know, about yesterday." said Nightmare as he tried not to kill himself. He was then met with a hug.

"Apology accepted." said Fluttershy. She then released her grasp on him and stood up. The crowd then let out a loud cheer and applauded Nightmare's efforts.

I could get used to this thought Nightmare. He was about to leave when he remembered something VERY important.

"Twilight!" yelled Nightmare. The Azure Knight stormed through the crowd and found Twilight in the store. Blood escaping from a wound on her head. Thanks to his night of intense study, he knew what to do. He focused his magic on the wound.

"Heal." he said. The wound began to close until it stopped bleeding. He then flipped Twilight on her back and put his two front hooves on her chest. He then stuck his claw in the air.

"Revive!" he yelled. A bolt of lighting came down and arced through Nightmare and into Twilight's body. The purple unicorn woke up with a gasp and noticed the crowd around her. She looked and saw Nightmare beside her.

"Welcome back to the land of the living." said Nightmare.

"What did you do?" asked Twilight.

"Oh! I just sealed your wound and revived you." answered Nightmare.

"How?" asked a dumbfounded Twilight.

Nightmare pointed to his horn "Unicorn, remember?"

Twilight laughed. She then got back up on her hooves and gave Nightmare a hug.

"Thank you." She then released him and saw Gilda's body. She then looked at Nightmare.

"She gave me no choice. I had to do what I could to protect Fluttershy." said Nightmare.

"I don't blame you." said Twilight. Nightmare then turned around and walked away from Twilight. He then approached Gilda's body, said an incantation, and the body disappeared.

"She's in a better place now." said Nightmare. He then walked in the direction of Applejack's house.

"Where are you going?" asked Twilight.

He turned around and responded "We got a birthday to attend don't we?"

Twilight smiled Maybe some ponies do change she thought as she caught up with Nightmare. The two then continued on their way to Sweet Apple Acres.

Meanwhile....

Deep within the Everfree Forest

A certain Draconeequus was observing the events in Ponyville through a crystal ball.

"His power will be useful in my uprising." said Discord. He then looked at the setting sun with evil intent.

"Soon, Celestia. Soon."

A diamond dog then ran up and bowed before Discord.

"Master." said the dog. Discord acknowledged his servant.

"What is it, Rover?" he asked.

"It's complete." he said. Discord then smiled as he entered his lair, a dark cave. He entered and saw that his plans where going to come together nicely.

"Hello, Discord." said a revived Nightmare Moon.

"Hello, Moon" said Discord.