Verve

The icy winds rippled against the Castle walls, snow falling in its endless dazzle across the land. Her eyes hunted the moon, embracing its beauty and majesty. Her rule was solidified; only the faintest outliers were left, the resistance against her near futile. Nightmare Moon breathed in the delicious, magic-laden air. She ruled this world. It was hers now - only the faint sun in the distance stood between her, and total domination. And soon, it too would fall.

“My Queen,” a soft voice called; a familiar purple alicorn kneeling before the throne. She wore a heavy coat to protect her from the chill in the air, her head bowing in total respect of her ruler. The black of her corneas had shifted to a soft blue, the magic of the moon swirling dominantly within her. “I come bearing news of the Crystal Empire.”

“Oh? Have they finally surrendered to the night and its glory?” The Nightmare smiled, turning to face her loyal subject with joy.

“They are still struggling against our hold - but the magic of the Crystal Heart is fading. The power of the Empire is relinquishing with each hour, and it is likely soon that they will submit to your proper rule as the sun falls for the final time. Our enemies will be no more, and the night will truly be eternal.” Twilight smiled, lifting her head from the deep bow.

“Wonderful, my subject - but I did not instruct you to be at ease.” The Queen’s horn flicked with a casual spark of blue magic, forcing the loyal mare’s chin to the floor in proper respect of her majesty.

“I am truly sorry, my Empress. I promise to never let it happen again.” Twilight submitted; it was her mistake to assume that she could rise to meet her eyes properly. “I have other news, concerning the exiled ‘Princess’.”

The sheer amount of bitter hostility in Twilight’s voice regarding her now vagabond sister could nearly make the Nightmare blush - if a scowl didn’t take hold first. Any news concerning Celestia should be accompanied by her head on a platter, and Arin in chains. Though she hardly needed him, a part of her she couldn’t shake would cry out at his demise. The lesser half, deep below. Just another thought to be abandoned. But his body could satiate other needs - menial labor, powerful healing magic. She would find use for him yet.

“Go on. I am curious now; were my scouts successful in tracking them down? Or do they still elude me and my justice?”

“The feather trail ended in White Tail Wood. At first, it was an easy enough path to follow - but it appeared to lead north, towards Vanhoover. Our scouts were misled. They traveled far West instead.”

Vee. If there was one pony she hated on equal terms to the former Twilight, it would be her. It was not the first time Vee ruined her plans. Long ago, she founded a Lunar Acolyte who was in search of a familiar of her own - and through her, she would have escaped her banishment early. If it weren’t for Vee. The dark mare was quite surprised she could persist so long under her curse; no matter. Simple tricks would not delay the inevitable for long; but she should have predicted her excessive preening would lead them astray. A childish spell, to breeze her feathers to places beyond her own step - one she should have seen coming.

“They flee to the edge of the sunlight, then. When the moon eclipses all, it will not matter; I will find them. And I will take them in their sleep.” Nightmare Moon stepped quietly around Twilight, exiting into the grand hall of her castle.

“I will speak with my new Guard Captain, Flash Sentry, when the moment arises. I will see to it that he keeps my security tight. All entrances to the Castle should be under heavy scrutiny - the crystal caves below, as well, should not be forgotten. Until the moon takes all, I will not ease my vigil. How does the rainbow brat fair? Still struggling against my command?” The menacing alicorn hesitated by the door - awaiting her servant’s response.

“Rainbow Dash is as stalwart as the day she was captured. All of my friends have joined your cause, my Queen, save her. But she will break soon enough, I promise.”

“Very well then. I trust you will speak with her again. See to it that her struggles are futile. After all - she would fit well under my wing and command, much like you, my Subject.”

Twilight bowed at the compliment; she was obedient and subservient to the one true Queen, after all. And her loyalty was rewarded well; the most beautiful dreams came to her in her rest, and the most obedient of ponies were given the attention of their Queen, which she basked in religiously.

“Now. I will fetch my advisor - Blueblood. He was so eager to join my cause, unlike you, Twilight. I believe his words have weight in the affairs of my Subjects’ pitiful toils.”

And with that, the Nightmare vanished beyond the great doors in a flurry of jet-black wings. Alone, Twilight stood and calmly made her way towards the familiar, now blue-stained halls of Canterlot.

To the dungeon she would travel - quietly, like a spectre in the night. Her eyes adjusted perfectly to the blue flames scattering their faint light through the halls. Attentive guards paid her no attention - no salutes were given in her tribute. She was, after all, nothing more than an obedient underlying to the true Queen.

Taking the side passage down to the Guard’s quarters, she veered off the main path and into a less traveled one; the pristine white marble shifting into more roughshod stone brick as she stepped into the Jailer’s office. The stallion in charge snapped awake with a snort, but quickly fell back to his dreams without another word. Sleeping was often encouraged in the castle, after all - the beautiful dreams the Queen gave were a spectacle to behold.

Only one cell was left occupied at the moment; Rainbow Dash, the unbreakable Pegasus, sat helplessly in her chains. Her violet eyes gazing sadly at her friend, so far gone from the light.

“Hello again, Rainbow. How do you fare? Are your accommodations acceptable? I can fetch more blankets, if you wish. More food, perhaps?” Twilight gave a dim smile, her eyes holding her former friend close to her heart. She did care for her, and wanted only the best - if only she would accept her aid.

“No chance, Twilight!” Her sad eyes shifted to a glare, “I won’t break! I won’t give up on you, or the Princess! I know you’re still in there! You can hear me, right, Twilight? You’re my friend! You would never work for Nightmare M-”

The purple Alicorn’s magic zipped tightly around Dash’s snout, cutting her off mid complaint.

“I came down here to offer you food, Rainbow. Can’t we have a normal chat, for a change? I’m sure you’re tired of fighting. You’ve been fighting for so long. Surely you’d like to just sleep again? Isn’t the bed provided to your liking? I followed everything by the book on comfortable rest - excessive comfy pillows, thick blankets, a cool room… lavender scents and filling food.”

“Buck no, Twilight! I have creepy dreams when I sleep! Like I’m being hypnotized or something! Can’t you see that Nightmare Moon has done the same to you? That you’re just being controlled? Manipulated? Are you dumb, egghead?! I thought you were smarter than this, Twilight! You’re failing me right now. C’mon…” The rainbow mare sniffled, wiping a tear from her eye. She didn’t cry. She never cried. But knowing all of her friends were abandoning her… it cut deep.

The purple mare blinked - her corneas shifting to a soft black. Senses stirring as she took in those words.

“Failing you?... I… I’ve never failed at anything before. You’re…” Collecting her thoughts, Twilight’s magic snapped at Dashie’s muzzle once again - silencing her. She glared through the rainbow-maned Pegasus, her corneas shifting to the supple blue of the moonlit sky. “Silence! Don’t undermine my judgement, Rainbow Dash. I did not come here to be scrutinized! I came here to help you understand your new place in this world. Maybe some more time alone will help you realize this.”

Twilight turned on her hooves, her purple magic snapping with a fluff of her wings. “You’re just pathetic. Just like the ‘Princess’. At least you didn’t flee to the final sunset.” She spat down the hall, tail swishing in frustration. In her mind, Twilight had spent the last one thousand years serving under Nightmare Moon - in truth, it's only been several nights. Her dreams have taught her well; and she wouldn’t let the words of a ‘friend’ sway her from the lessons she’s learned. She was obedient to her queen, and that wouldn’t change.

The jail door clicked behind her as she left, leaving Rainbow Dash alone in the moonlight. The cold floor kept her awake - her meals mostly ignored, to stay alert and on edge. She wouldn’t break. If she did, nopony would be left to save Equestria. If only she could reach out to Twilight - her words worked, but she always snapped back before she could get through to her. There must be something she could do to break the spell.

If she could convince Twilight, the rest would be a piece of cake. She’d be let out of her cell, they’d find her other friends - a couple of words, maybe a cute song or two - and the Mane Six would be back in action! Ready to take down Nightmare Moon in an instant.

But her mind fell back to reality, and likely her only solution. She popped the chain off of her hoof with ease - a little trick she picked up from Daring Do to unlock shackles was to give them a solid knock in the right spot with a fork. The tumblers inside were often small and easy to force, and because of this, she’s actually been free for days. Twilight was smart, but this odd… dream brainwashing left her dull minded, oddly enough. Like her true brain was being suppressed.

The Dungeons were rarely, if ever, used in Canterlot - and it looks like the previous ‘tenants’ made a few attempts to escape. She vaguely recalled a newspaper article of some castle chefs being held for questioning here - and this cell in particular had some wear in the cobble bricks. Thank Celestia she loved to read the morning comics.

Speaking of Celestia… Twilight made a mistake. She gave her a heading - west, towards the sunset. Stuffing the pillows and blankets against the wall, and with a turn on her hooves, she bucked hard into the stone’s gouges. The dungeon wasn’t built into the earth, as this section of the castle was supported by a small island between two sets of waterfalls. Because of this, the architects couldn’t dig too deep. It helped that she could see how low she was through a window.

She was an athlete. A strong bodied pegasus, not Applejack strong - but strong. The quiet, rough thump of hoof on stone sent a crack right through the wall, muffled by the ample pillows and blankets. Her legs nearly shook from the shock, but she wouldn’t be hampered. Another kick. Harder. Desperate. If she stayed in here for another day - yes, it was still day to her, the ‘infinite night’ could go buck itself - she would lose her nerve and pass out. It may be the last time she fell asleep as Rainbow Dash, the Element of Loyalty. And she couldn’t risk it.

Another jarring buck, the thump of the wall nullified by the sound of running water. Another. Once more. Panting now, she felt something give beyond - and she quickly ripped the sheets free to inspect the damage.

The massive block she intended to squeeze through was loose enough to wiggle and carve, split down the middle with cracks spreading out to encompass the surface. She took her overly fancy fork, gutting the cement around the stone quickly. Finding a grip, her hooves tugged roughly at the cobble - ripping a giant rock to the pillow below. It thumped through the halls, making her tense and freeze in place. If the guard heard that, she’d have to rush.

There. Light. Freedom. All she had to do was dig and wiggle herself free. It would be a tight fit for her, even with her lithe body - but she could do it. She hadn’t given up hope yet.

Forcing her mane into the muck of the mud, her hooves ripped at the roots of grass and clogs of dirt to find friction. It swiftly came, popping her muzzle - then chest and hooves free - with a gasp. Dirt clattering to the churned soil below, her hooves bucked at the stone before finally slipping free.

Panting, she had no time to waste. West. She had to travel west. As far west as she could on little sleep and food.

With a flick of her wings, she hovered above the chilly water’s edge - snowflakes plunging around her dirtied blue coat in the freezing air. She really should have brought a blanket with her - but there was no time to even attempt a blankie rescue. It was do or die!

Rainbow shot forward quietly into the night, tilting down over the waterfall, and into a great plunge. The sunset - it was her goal. She was one of the world’s strongest fliers after all, with a wingpower of sixteen and a half - it was hard to top her in raw speed on an even incline. Endurance, on the other hoof… She was more of a sprinter than a marathon flyer.

Not to ring many alarm bells - as much as she wanted to, the Pegasus steadied her flight as the ground pool far below approached. Her wings billowed in magnificent form, steadying herself in the air before taking to the cover of the trees for protection. This was a stealth mission - being caught, or leaving a trail, could end poorly for her and the Princess.

But the better question is… what was Celestia doing out in the wilds of the far west alone? Was she alone? What about that Seraph - Arin. Was he with her? She wasn’t hiding like a coward, was she?

No. She had to have a plan. And Rainbow was about to find out. Hopefully before her wings cramped up and gave out on her.