The Young Nightmare

by TimeLordStudios

Rating: teen
Tags: Nightmare Moon, Suicide / Self Harm, Death, Narcotics, Twilight Sparkle, Original Character, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Dark
Length: 5424

A filly resembling Nightmare Moon is found in the castle of the two sisters.

Some time after defeating Nightmare Moon who had somehow returned. A filly resembling her is found in The Castle Of The Two Sisters.
Is she evil or is she just misunderstood.
More importantly what damage has been done to her mind.

Published 2021-04-08 04:00:00 UTC
Last updated 2021-06-14 01:54:08 UTC

Chapter 1: The Beginning

Author's Note

All criticism is appreciated hold nothing back. as per usual I may come back and tweak a few things in the chapters to improve them.

Chapter 1: The Beginning

"It is over, Nightmare Moon! Now with the power of the final element of harmony, we shall defeat you... again!" Twilight called out, the power of harmony surging around her, as she channeled it through her element.

"No! You shall never defeat me, again! The night shall last forever!" Nightmare Moon called out, defiantly charging her horn with a spell she hoped would counter the elements.

"What? No this can't be happening! I Nightmare Moon can not lose, not to the likes of you! Not again!" She yelled as her beam of magic was being pushed back. She desperately poured more and more of her magic into the spell but to no avail. "No NO NO! I will return and when I do I'll destroy you all!" She cursed and screamed as the magic overtook her enveloping her in a cocoon of light.

"Save your breath, Nightmare Moon. There is no way you're gonna weasel your way out of this one. Not this time," Twilight called out as the cocoon imprisoning's Nightmare Moon vanished in a flash of light.

"Hoo wee, did we do it Twi?" Applejack asked worriedly. "Is there a chance she can reappear just like she did this time? Or is she gone for good? I mean she returned without needing Princess Luna's body as a vessel for Petes sake."

"One can hope Applejack, I mean how many times are we going to travel to the Castle Of The Two Sisters, to fight the same villain?" Replied Rarity as she checked the tapestry for any damages. "How many battles can this poor place take? It is hardly standing as it is."

"That isn't even the worst part. She even removed the source of our Rainbow Power. I mean what is the point of the Rainbow Power, if it vanishes the moment elements are removed from the tree. That is so not cool." Replied Rainbow Dash. " I mean how are we suppose to protect Equestria, if we also have to babysit the tree to ensure no one steals the elements to take away our powers."

"I'll speak to Celestia about getting some guard's stationed by the tree to prevent that from happening but for now lets head back to Ponyville to celebrate our second victory against Nightmare Moon." Twilight said already planning the letter out in her head.

"Lets party!" Pinkie cried out with confetti flying everywhere.

"Lets get back to Ponyville before we celebrate Pinkie."

"Oh alright I just can't wait to plan the how did Nightmare Moon return party and we defeated Nightmare Moon again party and the-"

"We get it Pinkie, we have a lot to look forward to when we get back." Twilight responded eager to report her victory To the Princesses.

"Umm I agree with Twilight on this one we should get out of the Everfree before the monsters come back out of hiding." Fluttershy said meekly.

"Alright lets go then." Rainbow responded flying out of the castle the others followed suit.

{?????} first person
Castle Of The Two Sisters

"What... who... where am I? what am I doing here I don't remember anything. So why does thing place feel so familiar. like I belong here." I say as I gather my bearings, taking in the scenery.
"Why is this place so damaged, did a battle occur here? Am I the only survivor?" Many questions floated around in my head but no answers to them. So I decided to risk it and explore the ruins to see if I could find any clues to what had happened here. Looking around I was able to locate a Throne room which showed signs of a recent battle but everything else looks like it has been untouched for centuries.

"Just who am I? Who ruled here?" I questioned myself as I continued to explore the castle. finding a bunch of emptily rooms filled with booby traps. "Just who in there right mind, booby traps their own castle this is outrageous." I yell out loud as the frustration of getting caught in yet another trap gets to me. "I'm glad that there not deadly at least, but seriously." I say as I once again look for my way out of the trap. Each one seems to have a puzzle that needs to be solved to escape but I can't find the puzzle in this one.
"Don't tell me I am actually stuck down here. There has to be a way out." I say as I rub my hoof against the wall searching for a clue when all of the sudden the way rotates and sends me flying in the other direction "That is one way to get out I guess. If I ever find the pony that build this damm thing I'll give them a peace of my mind." I say as I check my new surroundings.

"A library this is exactly what I've been looking for." I say as I went to read the books only to find that I could hardly understand them. "Well that's just great. All that time to find something useful, only to find out I apparently can not read." I say as I continue searching the library. As I continued to search through the books, the symbols suddenly started making sense.

"What? This is so weird. I wasn't able to read a moment ago, but now I am? Is it because I'm starting to remember more about myself?" I asked myself not expecting an answer. "What ever caused it I'm not going to complain." I said as I continued looking through the books in the library till the sun went down and I could no longer read the books. "Brrrrr it is so-so cold in here. I need to find a blanket or something, maybe I should of done that instead of reading till it was to dark to see." I said scolding myself for not plaining ahead. And as if it wanted to add to the list of problems my stomach growled as well.

"Just great I am hungry and I'm cold what else is there to worry about." I say as wolfs started howling in the distance.
"Me and my big mouth. It will be hard enough to fall asleep without worrying about being eaten in my sleep. World cut me some slack please, thank you." I say as I curl up in a ball on the most comfortable surface I could find and tried for sleep.

Chapter 2: The Forest

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

Chapter 3: The Discovery

Author's Note

Criticism is appreciated.
Let me know how you the readers want the story to go on. I have a bit planned out in my head, but there are gaps that need to be filled.

Chapter 3: The Discovery

{Starlight} In The Castle Of The Two Sisters -library room- 3rd person

"Let's see here... There are a bunch of books lying around. Tapestry that belongs in the throne room and skid marks along this wall." She noted as she walked towards the wall. She could of sworn she heard something whimpering behind the wall. She had put her hoof up against the wall to investigate, when the wall suddenly spun around forcing her into the secret room. It took her a few seconds to gather her bearings. And when she did she noticed her, Nightmare Moon, but as a filly. Her anger was rising, not too long ago Nightmare Moon had beaten and humiliated Starlight. That memory still fresh on her mind.

"Nightmare Moon!" She growled angrily, as she looked at the filly in front of her charging her horn.

The filly in question quickly rose up and used the rotating wall next to her to escape. The spell grazing her shoulder as the wall spun. She yelled in pain, but continued to run through the halls. Dodging all the traps, till she ran into a dead end.
Starlight being not far behind her, gets caught in one of the traps but she immediately teleported out looking madder than before. She charged up her horn and blasted the filly into the wall before calling Twilight over. "Twilight, she is over here." She called out magically amplifying her voice so that Twilight would hear her.

"Be right there." Twilight called out from the distance.

{?????} Castle Of The Two Sisters.
1st person

Why are they doing this to me? Who is this Nightmare Moon? Why did she mistake me for her? "Who- who are you? I asked my attacker. My fear clearly present.

"What don't you recognize me or did you forget humiliating me and leaving me out cold." She said loudly, the venom in her tone sent a shiver down my spine.

"I only remember waking up yesterday morning, nothing past that, I do not know who I am-" I tried explaining to her but she cut me off.

"Do you honestly expect me to believe that!" She said as she hit me with another spell. Screaming out in pain, I begged her to stop but she wasn't listening.
"That you have forgotten everything you did!" She said as she once again blasted me with her magic, each one stronger than the last.

She is gonna kill me! I got to get away, I just have too. I struggled to my hooves but was immediately shot back down. "Please don't Kill me!" I yelled loudly tears flowing down my face. just as Twilight rounded the corner.

Seeing what was happening Twilight came rushing in to stop Starlight. "Starlight! What are you doing to that filly!" She said as she used her magic to create a barrier between the filly and Starlight before teleporting in between them.

"Get out of the way Twilight, that filly is Nightmare Moon." Starlight said as she pointed her hoof in the direction of the filly in question.

"Please help me! I don't know who this Nightmare is. I just want this nightmare to end. I don't wanna die.
Please I don't want to die here." I pleaded. Hoping that she would save me.

"Don't you see she is just trying to trick you the moment you lower your guard she will attack. We need to deal with her before she gets the chance."

Twilight took a moment to examine the filly. She did indeed look like Nightmare Moon but acted nothing like her. But her fear won out and she lowered the barrier joining Starlight's side. Seeing her side with my attacker broke me. Destroying the last of my resolve to continue fighting.

"If your gonna kill me at least make it quick. I am unable to run away." I said as the life disappears from my voice. As I lost the will to fight... And the will to live. They are the only ponies I've met besides me and they want me dead.

"Understood-" Starlight responded quickly charging up her horn.

"Are you really going to kill her. Shouldn't we take her in for questioning." Twilight said trying to reason with Starlight. Feeling uncomfortable with taking the life of a filly even if she resembled Nightmare Moon.

"If we give her the chance she will do it to us." she reasoned. Hoping Twilight would understand.

"I can't let you kill a filly that isn't even fighting back take a look and tell me what you see." Twilight said once more trying to reason with her.

"All I see a monster that needs to be exterminated." She said a she stepped closer to me.

"Starlight stop this-"

"I have excepted my fate, so you don't have to protect me. If killing me, a helpless filly with no memories will make her feel better why shouldn't she. I mean you sided with her didn't you. Don't you want the same thing to kill me based on my appearance alone. " I said to the winged unicorn in front of me. The winged unicorn held her head down in shame.
"Step back and let her decide, because in a way whatever happens I will still die. This is my wish. My only regret is not being able to find out who I am or who I was." I said solemnly.

"But that-" Twilight said trying to tell me something but I cut her off.

"Then again seeing from your reactions of me I must have been a terrible pony. If killing me now will bring peace to this land I will except it with open hooves."

Starlight started doubting her self but she shook it away as she charged her horn towards me and she fired...
But she missed. The blast disintegrated the wall behind me.
"Take her away Twilight, make sure to block her horn." she said as she looked away from me.

"Why didn't you kill me! I had excepted that I was going to die. Why didn't you finish me off. I thought you hated me for who I represent."

"I do but... I can't have killing you on my conscience. Especially how you are now." She said as she began to walk away.

"...But you can live with attacking a filly based on her appearance alone, and then blasting said filly till she can no longer move, threating to kill her all the while. If you ask me the fact that your ok with doing that is bad enough. But braking me down to the point that I actually wanted to die. and then letting me live. You're... You are a monster." I cried out between sobs before blacking out. The last this I See is the worried expression on the pony closest to me and... The look of guilt of the one who attacked me.

Chapter 4: The Interrogation

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

Chapter 5: The Confession

Author's Note

Criticism is appreciated.:twilightsmile:
Please point out any errors that you notice, I will go back and fix them.:twilightblush:

Chapter 5: The Confession

"Starlight, are you in there?" Twilight called out as she knocked on the door. But she didn't respond. "Starlight open up. Princess Celestia wants to speak with you." She kept knocking but she got no response.

"If she won't come out then we will have to go in." Celestia says as she walks towards the door, unlocking it with her master key. After which she opened it slowly.

"Starlight are you in here?" Twilight asked as she enters the room. "Oh my Celestia! Starlight are you alright!" She yelled out as she saw Starlight laying on the floor surrounded by bottles of fine wine and hard cider.

{Starlight} Canterlot Royal Hospital 3rd person

"Uuuah my head." She groaned as she came to. Looking around she noticed a glass of water on the bed side table. Using her magic, she brought the glass of water to her lips and drank the water.

Slowly she began to remember what happened. "I started drinking and I couldn't stop that has never happened before." She said to herself, as Twilight and Celestia entered the room.

"How are you feeling Starlight? Do you remember what happened?" Twilight asked worriedly.

"I drank and I drank till I passed out... I tried to forget but I couldn't." She said as fresh tears flowed down her face.

"Does it have anything to do with the filly?" Celestia asked inquisitively.

"It has everything to do with her, or more importantly what I did to her!" She quickly replied back.

"And that is why we are here. To get your side of the story. We were going to ask you earlier but you know what happened." She said with a knowing look.

"Why! You already know what I did. Why have me say it out loud." Starlight pleaded not wanting to relive what she did.

"I'm afraid it is par for the course Starlight. I've already gotten Twilight's and the filly's side of the story, but I need yours to finish the investigation."

"your really going to make me say it aren't you... Alright fine! What do you want to Know." She said finally relenting.

"I Want you to look me in the eye when you respond. Where did you find her?" Celestia asked

"I've found her hiding in a secret room, behind the wall in the library. I saw skid marks against the ground, and I heard whimpering from behind it. So I went over to investigate the wall. And when I placed my hoof against the wall, it suddenly spun around knocking me into the secret room... That is where I found her."

"Did you attack her on sight?"

"Yeah...yes I did. I... I was just so mad. When I looked at her, all I could see was Nightmare Moon standing over me laughing. The memory of her defeating and mocking me overtook me and I snapped.
I chased her down through the halls till she made a mistake and ran into a dead end. I ended up springing a trap but I managed to escape it quickly. But the trap only made me madder I... I blasted her into the wall and continued blasting her. She tried pleading to me, but I wasn't really listening." She said as she tries to compose her thoughts. "I really could use a drink right about now." She said with a sad laugh.

"Sorry, no alcohol for you. You would have died if we didn't find you in time. Your alcohol concentration was just barely under point four percent."

"Oh well, it worth a shot at least..." She said with another sad laugh. "Auuh."She sighed. "You still want to to tell you everything, don't you?"

"Yes please do. After which you can talk to her yourself." Starlight gulped loudly at the thought of seeing her again so soon.

"Twilight showed up and defended her from me. But I was able to convince her to drop the shield...After which things took a turn. It was like she just gave up, she looked and sounded so defeated. She even asked me to kill her, and snapped at Twilight when she tried to intervene. Telling her it was my choice to make.
In the end I was starting to doubt if I was making the right decision, but part of me still thought that she was Nightmare Moon." She paused for a moment to gather her thoughts.
"So I went through with charging the attack to see how see would react. All she did was raise her head up, and closed her eyes. Not a single sign of struggle... She was really ready to die, but still for some reason I was still unsure so I fired the blast into the wall to see how she would react...
I wasn't excepting her to be so mad at me for not killing her. I told her that I couldn't have killing her on my conscience... It escalated from there. She went off on me, saying that I was fine with with attacking her. And she called me a monster for not finishing her off when she asked me to... Especially after destroying her will to live." Starlight said, noticing a look of guilt on Twilights face. Why was she feeling guilty?

"Starlight, you may have been the one to attack her. But according to her, I was the one that destroyed her will. By giving her hope, and then crushing it right in front of her. It was a team effort Starlight, both of us had a part in it, so you do not have to hold all the blame." Twilight said as she hugged Starlight.

"Now that I have the full story it is time for us to visit her once again."

{?????} Canterlot Dungeon 1st person.

"Hello, guard? May I have a bucket? I have to use the bathroom." I asked hopefully.

Sorry but I don't have a bucket you are just going to have to hold it." He responded back.

"What you think I've been doing for the past few hours? I will not be able to hold it for another hour, I know that much at least. So do I lie in a puddle of urine and feces, or do we work something else out?" I explained to the guard.
"How about you escort me to a cell with a toilet, let me do my business then escort me back. Nopony will have to know, and it would help us both in the long run. After all, you are trying to keep me alive and all. I've been demoralized enough as it is. Don't need to add...that to my list of problems."

Thinking about the guard looked around, and said as he unlocked the cell. "Alright but we need to be quick. Do you need help standing up?"

"Yes that would be very helpful, as I am unable to so on my own." I say as I continued to struggle trying get up, to prove my point.

"Alright I am going to use my magic to lift you up. Are you ok with that?" He asked.

"Yeah that is fine." I responded. Shortly after he uses his magic to upright me so I could move around on my hooves, albeit slowly do to the chains. "Ah It hurts to walk. Sorry I can't really go fast walking like this."

"Do you want me to carry you?" He asked, wanting to go as fast as possible.

"No this is the most I've been able to move around in a while, it is somewhat refreshing even if it hurts." I say as we slowly move towards the other cells.

Here we are, use this one here. Just let me know if you need help, or you are ready to head back. I'll be waiting over here." he said giving me privacy.

"Are you sure this is a good idea? Me seeing her again, what if I attack her again, or she doesn't listen to me or-" Starlight said freaking out.

"Calm yourself Starlight, we will deal with that when and if it arises. If you stress yourself out now, it will only make things worse." Celestia said to Starlight as they were walking to the dungeons. "We are almost there, so steel yourself." She said as she rounded the corner. Twilight being a few steps ahead.

"She's gone!" Twilight called out, from around the corner.

"gone? What do you mean twilight? How can she be gone?" Celestia asked Trying to figure out how she escaped.

"She is not in her cell, and the Guard is gone too. Did he take her, or did she take him?" Twilight said starting to theorize what could of happened.

"let us start searching the dungeon for her she couldn't have gotten too far." Celestia ordered.

"No need they are on there way back now." Starlight pointed out, showing the others that they were coming down the hall.

"what is she doing out of her cell, admiral?" Celestia asked the approaching guard.

"Hey! Ah princess you see! She ah... she needed to use the bathroom so I... I escorted her to the closest cell with one, and was on the way back princess... please don't fire me." He said clearly panicking. Meanwhile I slowly making my way back to my cell.

"It was my fault, I had to use the potty. So if anyone gets punished it'd be me." I said as I clumsily dropped to the floor of my cell, due to my lack of mobility. "Oww, I would like it if you could add at least one more link to this thing. It is hard enough as it is." I say as I pull on my chains.

"Don't worry I will not fire you, but you will be flagged." Celestia warned her guard.

"thank you your highness." He said wiping sweat from his brow. Not daring to say another word to raise her ire.

"That doesn't seem fair, why must he be punished? If anything the ones that put me in this cell are in the wrong. For failing to take into account that I have the same needs as everypony else. They could of at least left a bucket or something, but they didn't. So please don't punish this guard for their lack of insight... Or would you rather have came by to see me in a puddle of urine?"

"No, no your right it isn't fair to punish him for doing the right thing. I am going to fix this now, follow me I am transferring you to a new cell that you will stay in, for the time being." Celestia said.

"...You are going have to help me up, I can't even stand up because of these chains. Or if I can, I haven't figured out how yet." She quickly lifted me up in her magic and set me outside the cell. There I noticed the others "Oh hello Twilight, Starlight what honor do I owe this visit to? If you want to talk we can do it after I'm in my new cell. It hurts to stand." I say as I follow Celestia to my new cell.

Chapter 6: The Problem

"Now that I am situated in my new cell, I am ready for the second wave of questions." I said as fell on to the bed roll provided. Letting out a pained grunt as usual, but this time it felt different... "Isn't that the reason for your visit? To ask me more questions? That is the only reason I'm still alive after all." I said as they failed to respond the first time.

Twilight looked to Starlight for confirmation before speaking. "...No, we are here to apologize for attacking you, without trying diplomacy. We judged you based on who you looked like, instead of how you acted. We are now willing to try to get to know you, the real you."

"So that is how it is then?" I said with rising anger. "You came to ask for forgiveness? What a load of bull! The only act of forgiveness you can give me, is to end my life. Only in death will I finally forgive you." I winced in pain after speaking. Feeling a sharp pain in my chest, but they didn't seem to notice.

"There has to be something else we can do, anything?" She begged hoping to find away to gain my forgiveness and trust.

"You could add a couple links to my chains, so I can at least get up on my own. You could take it upon yourselves to fix what you broke, of my body and my mind. There are a lot of things you can do to make things better for me, but gaining my forgiveness is not one of them." I say as I notice Starlight hiding behind Twilight.
"Starlight you seem to like hiding behind Twilight all of the sudden. What happened to you, do I frighten you? Do you still honestly believe that I am out to get you." I say as the pain starts to become unbearable, but for some reason I refused to let my pain show.

"No... no I do not, if anything I fear myself more than ever. I fear owning up to my actions."

"Why? it must feel good being able to get off scot free, just because your buddies with the Princesses. Chances are, you'll end up with a slap on the hoof at most. While I sit in a, albeit more comfortable cell for the foreseeable future. If you came here searching for forgiveness then why am I in a cell, and your not. I am not the one who attacked anypony. I am the victim. If you are really sorry, you'd leave me in the ruins you found me in." At this point I starting coughing lightly. The taste of blood present in my mouth.

You know we can't do that-"

"Why not? It was where I was found, it is where I belong. If I die in those woods then I'll die in peace. It is hard to explain but I feel as if I'm connected to it. *cough cough*" I say as I start coughing harder, Blood dripping from my mouth. I felt cold, like death himself was laying on top of me, freezing me to death.

"Are you alright? Your coughing up blood." She said worryingly, as she looked to celestia for advice.

"Yeah I'm fine *cough cough* it is not like you cared about my health beforehoof." I starting coughing harder and harder. Blood now pouring from my mouth.

"We need to get her to the hospital now!" I heard one of them say before I passed out.

Canterlot Royal Hospital

Doctor Gentle Hooves, how much do you like your job and what is you job?" Celestia asked. The doctor quickly noted that she looked worried and pained. But for who? it didn't matter. he would help her no matter what.

"My job is to help all creatures in their medical needs. Why do you ask princess?" He said quickly with pride.

"Would you help them, even if they look like Nightmare Moon? I have a filly in a serous condition but nopony else will treat her, because of who she looks like... In case it matters she is an alicorn."

After a moment of hesitation he said. "Bring her in I will do what I can."

"Thank you Doctor Gentle Hooves, if you can save her you will be rewarded."

Waiting Room

"Celestia what do you think of her? Do you really think she is The Nightmare? Or is she something else?"

"I believe that she is Nightmare Moon. Or at least what is left of her, after she was hit by the elements.
I believe that the elements are responsible for her appearance.
It must of wiped her memory and gave her another chance at live, but that is only a theory I have. The truth could be completely different."

"That is a possibility though, What do you think the chances are, of Luna finding her in the dream realm?"

"Not likely, she governs over countless dreams it would be like finding a needle in a haystack."

"Yes but usually, she only visits those that are having a nightmare. And we know that the chances of her having a nightmare is pretty high, given what has happened to her. I fear it is only a matter of time till Luna finds her."

"You do have a point there Twilight."

{dream realm}

"Where am I? Am I dead? Is this death?" I say as I floated around in the starry void, With no direction in mind.
"No I am still alive, if I was dead I wouldn't be able to feel anything. But I still feel pain," I say as I pinched myself. "I must of finally entered a deep sleep." I say as I continued floating aimlessly.
"They must have me in a drug induced sleep, if I weren't my stress would of insured that any sleep I would get, would be restless." I said as I tried recalling what has happened to me.
"Wait, what is happening?" I ask as the landscape changes around me matching what I was trying to remember... but somehow seeing from an outside perspective.
"This is weird, but cool at the same time." I say as I replay my memories trying to find something I could use to identify myself. "Why can't I remember anything before waking up in the castle? Was I placed there by something, what is my purpose?"
I asked myself, as I continued to loop through my memories. My anger, growing each time I watched myself getting beaten half to death, over and over again I watched. But that anger soon turned into sorrow and fear, as I got more and more drawn into it. No longer able to discern if it was a dream or reality... I was the one being attacked now not my dream double.

"Somepony help me!" I cried out as I ran from the dream Starlight. Reaching the same dead end each time I went through it. I waited for her to attack me but it never came.

"It is ok young one, it is only a dream. You have nothing to be afraid of." I heard a voice say in front of me. as a tall black figure walked towards me.

Chapter 7: The Dream

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