An Equestrian Nightmare

"Sister!" yelled Luna as she sprinted through the royal castle. She found Celestia reviewing some reports in her private office. Celestia looked up and saw a look of dread over Luna's face.

"What is it, Luna?" she asked.

"Come quickly! We have a BIG problem." said a worried Luna.

"Where?" asked Celestia.

"The Royal Garden!" exclaimed Luna. The color drained from Celestia's face at the realization of what her sister said.

Could it be? No. I trapped him years ago. thought Celestia. Not wanting to take risks, she followed her sister to the royal garden.

Back in Ponyville....

Twilight and Nightmare left Ponyville and made their way to Sweet Apple Acres. They arrived and saw Pinkie Pie setting up the banner saying "Happy Birthday" inside Applejack's barn. Pinkie turned and was about to say hi...till she saw Nightmare beside her. She cautiously backed away from the two, not wanting to anger Nightmare.

Nightmare looked at Twilight "Why is she doing that?"

Twilight sighed "Pinkie, he's safe. He's not the gigantic meanie you think he is." She then turned towards Nightmare.

"No offense."

"It's fine, but weird." Nightmare said.

"What's weird?" asked Twilight.

"Normally, I'd kill anybody who insulted me. Now...nothing." he said.

"It's weird."

"Maybe you're finally changing your ways." said Twilight with a smile.

Nightmare took her opinion into consideration Could I really be...good? Impossible. Unless...

"Celestia." he growled.

"What was that?" asked Twilight.

"Nothing." he said, repressed anger in his voice. Nightmare walked up to a nearby table and noticed the food laid out. Cakes, assorted sweets, pie, and something he had never seen before. A cupcake. He approached and picked it up with his telekinesis. He examined it carefully, noticing the small ridges surrounding it and the sweet smell of the icing on top.

"What is this?" asked Nightmare. Pinkie then gave a long gasp and ran toward Nightmare. She stopped in front of and began to explain.

"It's a cupcake, silly! exclaimed Pinkie.

"What's a cupcake?" asked Nightmare.

Twilight facehoofed "Here we go."

"Oh my." said Celestia. The stone statue that was Discord laid broken before her.

"When did you find this?"

"Just now, sister. It appears that Discord escaped without us knowing it." said Luna.

"How?" she asked.

"I think it has to do with...you know." said a sad Luna. A sudden wave of dread fell over Celestia.

"No." said Celestia before she ran back to the palace.

"Sister! Where are you going!" yelled Luna. It was no use, Celestia was already to far and to focused to hear her. Luna was about to leave as well...until she was grabbed by something telekinetically. She fought to escape.

"Let me go!" yelled Luna.

"Now, now. Is that any way to treat me?" asked a scarily familiar voice. She was brought around and came face to face with Nightmare Moon.

"Wha- What?" said a frightened Luna.

"Did you miss me? Cause I DEFINITELY missed you." said Moon. She began to laugh maniacally and teleported both herself and Luna away.

"And that's what a cupcake is!" exclaimed Pinkie. The pink pony then caught her breath and waited for Nightmare to respond.

"All right. No harm in trying one." said Nightmare. He was about to eat the cupcake when Twilight took it.

"What are you doing?"

"No food till Applejack gets here." said Twilight.

Nightmare shrugged "All right." Shame, I really wanted to try one. Oh well.

"What's up guy--" Rainbow Dash noticed Nightmare by the food table.

"Hi." greeted Nightmare. Dash didn't respond, she just backed away slowly, not wanting to feel Nightmare's wrath. This made him sad.

"I apologize for my outburst the other day. You didn't deserve it." he then stuck out his clawed hoof.

The fear in Dash melted away as she shook Nightmare's hoof.

"Apology accepted. I'm sorry too." said Dash. She then went to help Pinkie, for she was somehow tangled in a mass of ribbon.

Something is definitely WRONG with me thought Nightmare. He was then about to go get his cupcake back when he felt an invisible force strike him. He then left the barn.

Maybe some air will help thought Nightmare. Twilight then went outside to check on him.

"You alright?" she asked.

"I'm fine, I just needed some air." he said. Twilight then went back into the barn. He felt a know grow in his chest. The knot the disappeared as quick as it came.

What the hell was that? thought Nightmare. He shook it off and went back inside, preparing to surprise Applejack.

Celestia entered her study and activated a secret door behind a painting given to her by Mayor Mare. She entered the room. The room contained reminders of past enemies. When she check on Nightmare Moon's crown, she noticed it was missing.

"We're doomed." said Celestia.

"SURPRISE!" yelled everypony, except Nightmare. He wasn't up to celebrating. In fact, he hated celebrating in general. He just shook off his feeling of boredom and pretended he was happy, which was hard because he NEVER smiled ever. Applejack was busy greeting the guests. When she got to Nightmare, a wave of fear hit her, causing the orange earth pony to back away.

"Why does everyone do that?" asked Nightmare. Applejack now felt bad.

"Ah, apologize. Just nawt used ta' ponies like you." she said.

Nightmare brushed it off "Its fine." He then took a seat at the table and waited for the cake to arrive for Applejack. Once the cake arrived, everypony began to sing "Happy Birthday" to Applejack, making her blush. Nightmare on the other hand, kept quiet.

I don't even know how to sing. thought Nightmare.

"Hello, Nightmare." said a voice. Nightmare looked for the source. He found no one.

"I see you have taken a leave from your evil ways. Allow me to fix that." said the voice. Nightmare immediately screamed in pain. He grasped his head as he felt all the pain he inflicted over the years.

"Nightmare! What's wrong?" asked a clearly concerned Twilight.

Nightmare knew exactly what was going on "RUN! GET OUT OF HERE!" he yelled as he writhed on the ground.

"But, Nightmare!" said Twilight.

"GO!" he yelled. Twilight then evacuated the barn...right as it erupted in flames.

"Nightmare!" exclaimed Twilight. She ran towards the barn but was stopped by Dash.

"He's gone." said Dash. She then saw a large black figure in the flames.

Twilight and the other ponies noticed it to. The figure then jumped into the sky and landed right in front of the group. As the dust settled, the figure was revealed to be a massive monster with flaming wings. The creature brought its arms to its face and roared, causing the wings to spread.

"Celestia, help us." said an awed Twilight.

Discord watched the ensuing chaos through his crystal ball. "This should be interesting." Nightmare Moon then walked in.

"Hello, Nighty." greeted Discord.

"How?" asked Moon.

"How what?" replied Discord.

"How did you revive me?"

"Oh, I had some help with that." said Discord. He then motioned behind Nightmare Moon. She turned around and saw a demon standing before her. It was about as tall as her and had a piece of it's midsection missing, showing the spine. She also noticed that it held a glowing scythe in it's right hand.

"And you are?" asked Moon.

The demon laughed "I...am Abyss."