My Little Dream Becomes Reality

As the harmony barrier continued to be chipped away by the power of Nightmare's true form, the demon sat on Celestia's throne and relaxed himself as he thought of his next plan of action.

His wicked smile remained true to himself once he realized that he probably wasn't going to have to ever manipulate any other being to his will and rely on those beings to fulfill his dirty work.

The demon had three forms that made Nightmare, Nightmare. He had not the slightest idea on where his spiritual form had gone after he lost its connection and contact, but it didn't matter whatsoever at this point in time. His spiritual form's main purpose was to enter another alternate existing world and secretly create negativity to absorb and transfer back to the main world. Though it seemed to have failed in doing so.

His destructive form, or rather his true form was the form that existed to get the job done. Its job was rather simple, really. All it was made to do was to consume and destroy the world to ensure all light will never exist again. However, his true form was the only form of the three that required negative fuel to stay active. And ever since the harmony barrier came out of nowhere to seal away his true form, it had difficulty in staying active from there on out.

But like all barriers, there is always a way to shatter them away. And Nightmare's plan to continue sending away negative energy he gathers from the world to empower his form of destructive darkness seemed to be working. It appeared that it would only be a matter of time before his true form breaks through the barrier and takes action. Once it does, it would have to gradually consume parts of the world to increase its size and destructive capabilities until it becomes strong enough to finish the job.

Finally, there was Nightmare's one and only well-known immortal form. It was the form that first awakened and pulled Samuel into the world. It was the form that manipulated pony dreams to create nightmares and feed on their negativity to awaken his destructive form. It was the form that bonded with King Sombra. And it was the same sentient form that murdered Celestia and managed to defeat Discord using the princess's power.

Now, Nightmare's immortal form was just waiting for the perfect moment to strike as he remained sitting patiently on the throne without any regrets on what he had done thus far.

Out of no-good particular reason, the demon started to laugh like a complete maniac. Thankfully, no pony was around to hear the absurd cackling that would make any pony want to question what exactly the matter was in terms of insanity and mindlessness. As he laughed aimlessly around the throne room of Canterlot, he thought about what method of torture and murder he would use on Samuel specifically. He knew killing Samuel would end the world right away, but that wasn't exactly what Nightmare wanted.

What the demon REALLY desired was the enjoyment in watching the ponies suffer a slow decay in darkness. He desired to watch them lose what they love most. He desired to make them feel pain until they could no longer scream. And he desired to have fun with his role before the end.

"Hehehe..." Nightmare felt a surge of power in his negative heart and as a dark fog clogged every part of Canterlot, the demon raised his hand upward to command the fog to aggressively stretch far and wide into the sky. As the fog progressed in his command, it fused and shrinked into a small dark cloud ball before exploding into several large gooey, purplish, dark projectiles that spreaded across Equestria. "Rise my minions...RISE!"

Nightmare heard the cries of the undead and knew they were rising from the ground. He knew the undead monsters he had summoned from the underworld would feast on every mortal flesh they'd find. And the best part of it all, he could summon as many as he'd like without much of a sweat, as necromancy was one of the demon's biggest professions as part of his dark nature.

With monsters running around the world, there would be no one with the exception of very few who would be able to really interfere with his evil plans. The monsters could bite, run, jump, spit, crawl, and sometimes destroy so much in their way to temporarily num the unending hunger in their rotten stomachs. And there are even times where they can infect the living and make them become part of the undead.

Things only got worse from there on as more and more cracks formed on the barrier, indicating that it wouldn't be around to keep Nightmare's true form away much longer. The banging continued as a result of the constant bashing the destructive form inflicted against its seal. Judging by the intensity of the bashing, Nightmare believed his wild destructive form would certainly be ready for a fight once it broke lose. The demon just had to be careful not to allow anyone to go inside of it and destroy its-

*BAM*

The sudden loud noise from above alerted Nightmare and he looked upwards through his top middle eye while his other two eyes kept their view on the throne room door. His smile widened. There it was. Finally, after all this time it was free. And in an instant, Nightmare felt his immortal form's conscience connect itself with his destructive form.

His destructive form floated above the castle before it started going through a transformation process to ready itself for its purpose. Right now, it merely appeared as a floating dark cloud of lumpy coal, but it definitely wasn't going to stay that way for long.

"Hmmm...interesting," Nightmare clenched his right fist and opened it to reveal a quarter of an upside-down white heart. The demon then stared at it with interest as he felt the connection of the heart correlating itself with both the original owner and Samuel. The fact that the heart piece was correlating with Samuel had filled the demon with worry.

Frantically for Nightmare, he sensed an increase of power resonating within the young boy. There was no doubt in Nightmare's mind that Samuel was getting stronger.

"I may want to create a backup plan sooner than later if plan A goes to waste. I cannot allow that boy to live much longer. Otherwise, I may end up outmatched in the end. " he roughly squeezed and abused the soul as he connected its power into a spell that he actually put effort into for once.

Once he unleashed the spell, it did its thing and summoned the third killing skeleton of the four, only this time the third skeleton appeared to be more on the reckless, deranged, and savage side. Blood could be seen bleeding out of the skeleton's teeth while his blank pupils twitched rapidly to no end. The skeleton was also holding the skull of some other skeleton with a sharp bone piercing diagonally out of the other skeleton's skull.

"HEELLLOO, MAASSTERR," the crazy skeleton greeted with a creepy voice as he smacked his teeth multiple times.

"Disregard any small talk, servant. It will be your downfall whenever you are in battle," Nightmare declared.

The skeleton went into a mode of silence, his teeth no longer being smacked to please his master. Though, his crazed smile still remained along with his unsettling stare that he would always present to any other being near his vicinity.

"I created every part of you, including your deranged mind for a reason. So, you know what you must do for me at this time. And do return quickly with any valuable resource or information. You should know that I despise being patient for so long."

"UNDERSSTOOOD...MASSTERR!" the insane monster bowed and gripped the skull of his brother tightly before teleporting out of the throne room to fulfill his duty. And with that, Nightmare had already set a potential plan B in action.

Meanwhile, Nightmare's destructive form was about 60% done with its transformation. At the bottom part of its structure, it had already grown several humongous tentacles that were sharp as can be. There were also many other vital parts that were forming as it proceeded through its transformation process. The destructive form was even growing a little bigger in size during its progression. And finally, near the end of the transformation, the form grew three demonic heads. Each head had their own pair of horns and their own singular eye to that of cyclops. The heads let out a demonic roar, revealing their hungry sharp teeth that appeared capable of eating away at an entire building.

"Hahahahaha..." Nightmare observed his destructive form forcibly consume window shards, pillars, broken pieces of walls, and even small buildings as his form used an unimaginable force that could telekinetically pull away large chunks of the Earth and magically consume those chunks to grow bigger and stronger. And all three heads managed to have their eyes create a useful tool, which was a purple tractor beam that allowed the heads to clearly see, spot, and disturbingly pull up certain entities into the air and into their starving mouths.

After the destructive form became used to consuming large chunks of the surrounding land and had grown twice the size it was before it began its function of consumption, Nightmare knew it was time to unleash his attack and begin the next phase.

The second phase is what Nightmare had been waiting to get to throughout the start, but ever since Samuel's little pony friends started to interfere with Nightmare's plans, Nightmare didn't have a better option but to delay his dark future actions. But now, with his destructive form fueled to unleash a darkness like no other onto Samuel's world of wonder, Nightmare could finally smile for real as he takes pleasure in making a successful horror story made of nightmares.

"The village will be first," Nightmare created a signal of thoughts that were transmitted to his destructive form. After the signal became apparent, Nightmare's destructive form roared once again before following the conscious command to aggressively maneuver itself towards Ponyville and consume every part of the village until there was nothing left. Then, whenever it's done, Nightmare will continue the same process someplace else. That's all there was for the demon's existence.

Nightmare will continue to torment, spread his darkness, create nightmares, and consume or destroy the entire world. And he will not stop until Samuel is dead. That is his purpose, and no reasoning in the world can change it.

*The Golden Oak Library*

Twilight sighed and sat on the floor, her mane a complete mess. She knew running Ponyville on her own after Luna's department would've been rough, but she didn't know it would be THAT tough.

'UGH! Sunny swirly Celestia! How do the princesses even manage to keep up with all of Equestria every day!? I barely managed to keep the whole town in check for the night! Whew, okay calm down, this is your first time on the job...take a deep breath...everything's going to be fine.'

Twilight sadly went through a rough day and a terrible night as she made herself create a checklist and then another checklist after checklist that she would use to organize the 'to do's' and the important events for Ponyville's own good after being put in charge by Princess Luna to watch over the town.

'For Luna's sake! Did I have to negotiate everything to the most stubborn ponies that I have ever met? Horse apples! They were so unreasonable! At least I know it's possible to knock some sense into those ponies when you're in charge. Seriously, they switch from carefree to obedient as soon as I remind them how I'm the one in charge.'

She really wanted to call it a night, but after she acknowledged the unexpected number of misplaced books cluttering nearly the entire library, her tasks for the night were not over just yet.

'Oh... Well, isn't this wonderful. Ever since the crystal war against Sombra happened, Spike and I weren't around to keep an eye on this place. Great.......'

With an even heavier and frustrated sigh, Twilight pushed the remaining magic through her horn and levitated each individual book. After spinning the books around to get a good view of their titles and numbers, Twilight started placing the books into their corresponding shelves one by one.

"Hey, Twilight," Spike called out, trying to grab her attention as the little dragon came into the room with a book in both of his claws. He felt a slight constant breeze whirling around as the flying books that were controlled by a magic aura, circled in a constant motion which allowed Twilight to pick up the titles of each book in a fast pace.

"Hold on Spike. I'm not in the mood to talk right now. I still have a few more books to organize before I even think about doing anything else," Twilight said with exhaustion in her voice.

"I know. That's why I brought you a book that you forgot upstairs," Spike reasoned.

Twilight sooner than later caught sight of the book in the dragon's claw after she was down to the last couple of books to organize. With a pleasing smile that she gave to her number one assistant, Twilight forced the book out of Spike's claws with her magic before she got a look at the cover and title.

"My Little Dream Becomes Reality?" Twilight raised a brow; the title of the book was unrecognizable, or rather...strange to her.

"What's wrong Twilight?" Spike asked with a worried look, believing he had mistakenly given her a book that she disliked.

"No, nothing's wrong Spike. It's just..." Twilight scanned every outside part of the book and even looked through every page within seconds with her skillful eyes. She eventually confirmed it wasn't a spell book but more of a book related to something personal.

"Huh. That's...odd. This book isn't even finished," Twilight once again flipped through every page, only this time she focused on the number of chapters she caught sight of. "There seems to be around fifty chapters planned out, and only 18 of those chapters are finished. But that doesn't make any sense! Last I checked, there were only ten chapters planned, and only three chapters filled out when I got this book."

Spike scratched his little scales from the side of his head as he tried to accompany Twilight with the mystery. "So what? It's not like that book wrote itself. When and where did you even get that book Twilight?"

Twilight instantly nudged herself towards a wooden desk with a light lamp that she would use to examine specific books even further before answering her little dragon.

"I retrieved this book from an earth pony who goes by the name Bon Bon. I believe she gave it to me when we made a trip to Canterlot by train to attend my brother's wedding. And if I'm not mistaken, she said Lyra Heartstrings is the pony who wrote this, but I can't say for sure if there isn't even an author's name displayed on any part of the cover."

The dragon looked around the library and scratched the bottom of his small chin. "So which shelf is it going to be put into? It's gotta be put somewhere, right?"

"No Spike," she rejected. "An unfinished book like this doesn't have a place in the library. It should rightfully be sent back to its owner."

Spike stared at her for a bit, but didn't bother arguing over something reasonable. Although, the dragon definitely thought it would've been better if the book were in Twilight's hooves for the time being. She was a master librarian after all. And no place but a quiet library owned by a great caretaker is perfect for a book's safe keeping.

"Oh, alright," Spike accepted defeat before hearing something outside. "Hey, what's that?"

The little amount of noise in the Golden Oak Library provided plenty of room for the sudden galloping sounds of ponies. And both Twilight and Spike glanced outside through the windows to see what the deal was. Sometimes, Twilight really wished that she could be more focused on what was going on presently in Equestria that was outside of her books. Because after Twilight quickly opened her door, she spotted what she thought she saw across the path to her home. And out of no surprise, ponies were galloping towards it, or rather the princess to be specific.

"Spike! Look! She's back!" Twilight exclaimed, putting the strange book in her saddle bag before following along the galloping crowd down the path, leaving Spike to look after the library by himself as he decided not to follow.

When Twilight made her way closest to Princess Luna, something about the princess was...off. The tears sliding down her royal cheeks were a clear sign of bad news, but Twilight couldn't exactly pinpoint the issue in her head. She also acknowledged the group of ponies who were standing behind Luna, but Celestia was not anywhere to be seen.

Eventually, the silence between every pony happened as they realized their questions were being ignored by the princess. In exchange for their silence, Luna gained the confidence to speak up about her tragic loss and the growing darkness that will soon bring Equestria down.

"Greetings, every pony. Tis I, Princess Luna, who has returned with an...important message regarding my trip to reason with my...sister," Luna found almost the entirety of Ponyville putting their full respectful attention onto her which wasn't helping her mind relax as she grew hesitant to continue her speech. Clearly, every pony eyeing her were confused, curious, and were craving to hear the princess out. The same feeling applied for Twilight with the difference of the feeling being ten times as curious and engaged for her.

The princess took a breath, believing her subjects deserved to know the truth. She just couldn't stand to let them live their lives while being unaware of the importance.

"I am deeply sorry to return with disappointing news, but I am here to speak the truth..." the princess once again felt the demon's dark essence in the air as she flapped her royal wing to signal every guard to immediately execute their ways of defending the town. "My sister, Celestia, has..."

*Luna's POV*

Twilight Sparkle's face was the worst of the worst out of all the ponies, after I gave away the most terrible news. My hooves were frozen stiff on the ground as I watched my subjects gasp, panic, and scream in great disbelief. It certainly was a horrible sight. Though, the ponies and that young little creature that I decided to take with me to this village didn't seem to give much of a concern. But that is to be expected since they have witnessed my sister's death through their own very eyes. Additionally, some of them appear to be outsiders who may have no knowledge of my sister.

The amount of panic I have arisen in my subjects was exactly the amount I had imagined before I conducted the speech. But it is for their own good that they know what's coming for them. The demon, and the new dark presence. I can detect it from here. And it is not far from this place. Perhaps the demon took Canterlot for himself and has decided to use me and my sister's kingdom as his layer to safely create something disastrous. But whatever this dark presence he plans on unleashing, I must have my subjects moved elsewhere. Canterlot is closest to this village after all.

I waited for my subjects to calm down, albeit I waited for quite a while, but when they did, I gave clear instructions for evacuation. And yes, since that fiend murdered my sister, brought Discord to his knees, and took Canterlot for himself. I believe it is no longer safe to stay in this village. Canterlot is not far from here. And I can feel the dark essence of his existence growing stronger. This town may even be his first target for attack.

"Um, Princess Luna?" Twilight Sparkle uncomfortably trotted up to me with a pitiful face. "I'm sorry for asking you this but I just wanted to know if..." she took a moment to ask her question. "If Celestia said anything before, you know..."

A small portion of my anger entered my heart. But it wasn't for Twilight Sparkle. It was just for the bitter memory of the incident. "...Nay. The demon did not give her a chance for any last words. There was not even a tinge of hesitation or any sort of negotiation the demon had in his dark heart. It was just murder. The demon clearly showed no mercy."

"Oh..." her saddened face grew heavier. "So...what's the plan now? You said you wanted every pony to evacuate the town, right? How will that work?"

"Well, I believe there are a number of ways Miss Sparkle. Primarily, I am sticking with the train, as I believe it is capable of transporting everypony away to a much safer place."

"But where will we go?" she asked me, as to be expected from my sister's prized pupil. "Where will we be safe from the demon?"

Truthfully, the area on which we will flee to was supposed to be a surprise for all of my subjects, but I gave the hidden information away to Miss Sparkle and asked her to also keep a secret. After I had given away the knowledge of the demon's power and the death of my sister to my subjects, I do not think they deserve to know any more about any additional unpleasantries.

I have already ordered a train to arrive within the next few hours. That should provide my subjects with enough time to enjoy their last moments in this village before their departure. Though, it certainly will sadden me to watch as my subjects develop a type of homesickness to this future change. Not to mention the conditions we ponies will face in our new home. But what can we do about it? Unfortunately, I'm afraid there's nothing that can be done for the time being. That fiend is just too powerful and cunning for me or any pony to withstand. And if he plans on eradicating Equestria until there is nothing but darkness, then I shall devise a plan on stopping him.

I don't know how that demon will be stopped, nor do I know if that demon CAN be stopped. But I do know we as ponies that represent the flow of harmony must give it our all to survive this chaos and madness that has been unleashed. While I am uncertain if the demon is the sole cause of the other disasters, I will put the full blame on him anyway as I believe he is currently the biggest threat to pony existence.

That creature who stole our precious elements apparently has quite the rivalry with the demon. It's surprising how motivated a creature can get towards a singular goal when they value almost nothing in their mind. And trust me, I can read personalities and memories through one's mind, just like I would when it comes to protecting or supporting pony dreams.

But could that creature really be the key to destroying the demon? He doesn't appear to have much, but I can guess the creature has his own personal plans to destroy his nemesis. Tis quite a pity that Miss Twilight despises the creature so dear. A personal loss is deeply tragic. And hatred is always around the corner to corrupt the souls that have been damaged. However, I felt a great amount of regret in the creature's heart when I first met him face to face. He didn't seem to be a cold-hearted killer. So, I can only presume it was an accident.

After I had provided reasoning to my subjects, they all left for their friends, family, and homes. When I last checked, Miss Sparkle had left with the cyan pony that I took with me after questioning the creature who apparently really befriended Discord. I honestly found it hard to believe at first when I read the daily Equestrian news. I always think half of what is in those papers are fake. After getting proof on something unlikely, I may have thought wrong about those newspapers.

A great breeze of the night swirled around my mane as I felt it whispering to me that my tasks were finished for the night. Funny enough, despite receiving Celestia's duties after her death, it appears I am task free for tonight. All that is left now is to wait for the train I ordered to arrive and ensure everypony makes it in one peace.

Now it is quite a silly feeling of mine, but whenever I'm alone, I feel energized to do almost anything. Though, 'almost everything' is a bit exaggerated. Maybe I should describe the feeling as a sudden will of getting things done with motivation, since every pony had left me by myself to cherish the last time they will be here.

Normally, the feeling of solitude is something I'm quite used to, but I have never felt it this much on such a high degree. And it is much more of a lonelier feeling than it was being alone while banished in the moon. You see, my sister was usually always close to where I am at all times, even if separate from such a distance, we as alicorn sisters connect with one another through our magic. I felt my sister's magic disconnect from mine as soon as she was...murdered.

Now, ever since then, whenever no pony is around to talk to, I feel this horrible feeling of true loneliness in my heart. Now that I know that my sister is no longer around to detect my pain through her magic, I truly felt alone. But there isn't any way in Equestria I will quit pursuing for a peaceful land for my subjects, despite the loss of my older sister. There must still be hope no matter how much darkness trespasses into our land.

"L-Luna..."

"?!..." I flinched, instantly recognizing the voice. But was it really who I thought it was?

"Why did you fail me?"

I turned my attention from behind to notice...my sister standing not so far away from me. Her mane and tail were no longer sparkling and flowing beautifully like my own, and her skin...appeared rotten by the sight of it. Then, I recalled what she had inquired earlier, and decided to try and answer.

"S-sister? What do you mean?" I asked in return, having an unspeakable hard time believing she was alive. Was this her ghost? Impossible.

"You could've saved me! You could've killed that fiend when you had the chance! But nay," my sister's rotten hooves drifted across the path as she slowly approached me with anger and resentment in her eyes. It also seemed no pony was around to witness this moment. It appeared to be just me and my sister, if this really was sister.

"I-I don't understand! There was not anything I could do!" I yelled, refusing to sound shameful.

An excessive number of flames engulfed every part of my sister; the flames even thrived on her as if she were a stove stocked with large pieces of firewood.

"REALLY?! Don't I remember you foolishly struck a deal with him?"

I shook my head in defiance. "I did it save you, sister. And I have learned the hard way to never trust demons ever again!"

"FALSE! IT IS MY THRONE THAT YOU THINK IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN YOUR OWN SISTER!" she harshly commented, referring to the time when I became Nightmare Moon. "YOU SHOULD'VE STAYED IN THE MOON WHERE YOU RIGHTFULLY SO BELONG!"

"No..." I said without hesitation. "You're not real. I know my sister. And she would never say such things to me over a mistake. There is still hope no matter how many mistakes I or any pony else makes. As long as the fight for Equestria's sake isn't given up, me and my subjects will witness a bright future. So, I must ask for your departure. Because I know. You're. Not. My. Sister."

The rotten alicorn standing in front of me had lost the will to speak back in my astonishment. However, she did disappear like a spirit in response to my words. I would say it took at least eight seconds before I saw nothing but a gas cloud of spiritual energy dissipating into thin air.

Now of course after witnessing such a thing, I just have to ask myself what in Equestria was that about? Obviously, it was a spell casted upon me to deceive the most common senses of mine, but I have never seen a spell like it before. And I believe I have sensed the dark arts of magic being involved in some way. I should-

"Hahaha. You speak of hope princess. But that is a word for fools."

'Wh-What?!' my thoughts screamed and raged inside of my mind. It...couldn't be. There was no way he could be here this early!

"Awww, what are those desperate thoughts I hear inside of your head, princess? A desire for my demise? A need for evacuation? Why is that? Do you have any idea on how pointless that is?"

'SILIENCE!' I squinted my eyes as they teared. My internal thoughts were beginning to screech in pain over the present nightmare. Why was this happening? How was he here now of all times?

"And here comes my favorite part of the process; negativity is always a delightful taste when I torment you and your subjects."

A wicked laugh echoed across the very sensitive parts of my mind when it became clear to me that this very moment was all just a game to this cruel fiend!

"Where are you?! Show yourself, demon!" I demanded through the royal Canterlot voice, attempting to sound intimidating, but alas the demon did not give fear as a response. I was able tell by the sound of his voice.

"Go on. Yell. Scream as much as you desire. It is only music to my ears," the demon stated with a slight cackle, bringing out a despairing emotion in my heart. I also sensed his utter presence in front of me, but he was not anywhere in my view. Why? Was this conservation meant to distract me? To torment me?

"Just know, no pony can help you when you're living a nightmare. Specifically, a living nightmare created from the Nightmare. "

Enough was enough! I have endured through this demon long enough! And I could just feel a smile coming along that fiend's mouth as he hid in the shadows to watch me suffer from the sound of his voice.

It was time to take action. The countless ideas flowing inside of my suffering head sooner than later combined into one for a solution. I quickly came to my senses and remembered that I have the ability to access any pony's mind through the use of my dream realm, including my own. Thus, I will access the parts of my mind that the demon believes he can fiddle with!

"And do you honestly believe that will work on me?"

I channeled a great amount of magic in my horn and casted the dream spell to connect my mind with the dream realm! Everything in the world went dark, and I felt myself connecting with my realm, as the spell finished its work.

I then opened my eyes, carefully observing my surroundings in the process. The fake moonlight shined across my realm before the light uncovered the darkness which was once enveloping a replica of Ponyville. The lights, buildings, and pathways were the same. The only difference I found was that no pony was around with the exception of me.

With this place I placed myself into, the dream realm made no exception with its mysterious foggy atmosphere that surrounded the mimicked village. Heh. And I believe only a few ponies including Miss Sparkle and me would really find this endearing by sight. The rest of my fellow subjects who cherish only the day would most likely believe this village to either be haunted or put to silence by a wicked force if they were in this dream to see it themselves. But I wasn't here to admire the village's beauty in the dream realm. Not now.

I took a few seconds to breath before looking around back and forth. Even with the fog, my eyes had the ability to see everything in the distance a mile away. Everything appeared to be the same. Nothing seemed to be unusual about this place other than the darker tone that dimmed the light from what I am used to seeing in the real world. It was all surprisingly peaceful and calm.

Only then when I turned to face the path on the other side...is when my time of peace had come to an end. I instantly gasped in horror after I shortly spotted the demon who was responsible for tampering with my visions and thoughts. The fiend was standing still beyond the path as I heard the clicks and crunches of his body tearing and reforming in a constant cycle. Though, I couldn't tell whether those sounds were coming from his hands, arms, neck, or all three, as the demon showed off to what I assumed to be his self-pleasureful activity. It was a deranged activity in which he would repeatedly snap and crack his bones before allowing them to regenerate like any careless maniac. More specifically the type of maniac who does not fear harm.

"Quite a smart move for a pony such as you. Only true intellects will see how pointless your actions are too."

"Enough of your discouragement!" I yelled, controlling my anger so I wouldn't find myself screaming from the top of my lungs with no control.

"There is always room for discour-"

I instantly wrapped his utter mouth with a magical bandage before he could finish that sentence. Since we are specifically in MY dream in the realm of dreams, I had full control of its reality. The bandage was purposefully created to silence any entity through their lips, whenever deemed necessary. Even though I was a faraway distance when I did so, my sister showed me how much of an important factor and advantage range could bring to you and your enemy.

*Tap, tap, tap.*

I froze, my pupils shrunk before I turned to what tapped me from behind. And I spotted the fiend attempting to creep behind my back. Absurd...he was beyond the path hundreds of hooves away before, but in a blink of an eye, he managed to slip behind me without a moment's notice.

Regardless of that egotistical stunt, I used the power at my disposal to create four individual chains, designed by the essence of my magic, that each cuffed his legs and arms in an instant. Now, he was unable to move around my realm any longer. And when I felt confident, I angrily gripped the front part of his neck with my left hoof before using my other hoof to buck his head repeatedly in a spare less and very vengeful manner.

The demon irritatingly ate away at the bandage covering his mouth. And he once again began speaking with calmness in his tone. "You are only making this easier for me. And I highly doubt you really have anything to threaten me with."

I kept on pounding and pounding the fiend's face, only to notice his toothy grin remaining calmly the same and still as his facial expression despite the amount of physical damage I threw at him. I could even swear that I heard laughter coming out of the demon with each buck he received from me. Was he really sincerely enjoying every bit of torture? Or is it all a trick to deceive me?

"You think mere violence will do any good? Haha! You can't kill me, princess. I am the embodiment of the fear, the doubt, the despair, the darkness, the suffering, and the evil for this world," the demon continued speaking word for word about his feats, while seemingly ignoring my bucking.

As my intense thirst for vengeance softened, my consistent attacks on the fiend with my bare hooves slowly reduced to nothing, believing it wasn't getting us anywhere at all. And with a sigh, I carefully glared into the fiend's eyes before I noticed him tilt his head to the side. The demon didn't seem to be intimidated, more or less shook by my angered presence. He seemed to be more on the puzzled side more than anything. Though, it certainly was hard to tell exactly what he was feeling, considering of how I never once saw that smile of his ever wear off.

"Demon," I called him out, refraining from saying his name. "Do you think this is funny? Do you think all of this is a game? Is hurting my subjects and all of pony kind that endearing to you?"

A slight chuckle came out of the fiend. "What do you think princess?"

The question caught me off guard for a moment. I was sincerely expecting a direct answer from the demon, but he didn't seem to be in a rush. Also, I didn't see it until now, but I believe he questioned me without moving a single lip muscle of his mouth.

"I think you're doing this all for your selfish desires to inflict pain for the pleasure. What else would a fiend like you desire? And I really do not believe the nightmares you created for my subjects is a dire need for you."

I sensed a careless shrug as a response to my thoughts, even though the demon didn't show it. "Believe what you wish to believe about me princess. It won't do you any good. Either way, no matter my intentions or motives, my plans will be put into action."

My mind was quite uneased and angered at the same time upon hearing such pride. Despite me having the upper hoof since we were in my realm, this fiend was not even in the slightest showing an ounce of fear. Moreover, he seemed quite pleased that he was here, chained up like a wild ravenous beast with the inability to move for the time being. But why?

I sincerely could not resist the urge to ask, even if I were to receive a lie in return. "Demon...may I ask exactly, what are your plans?"

An even wider grin blew across the fiend's face, along with his pupils on all three of his eyes enlarging as if he were exhilarated by a simple question of mine.

"Oh? My existence has you curious about the future? Hehehe. What would you like to know?"

I took a moment to think what to ask, having a hard time believing this fiend's words would provide any use in defeating him. After all, it is unlogical that a demon would ever provide the forces of good with its weakness. But I feel that I must at least squeeze some sort of information out of this demon while we're both stuck here for a time.

"What is it that you desire?" I asked him as gently as I could manage, but the boiling rage that continued to grow with each hateful thought, over the injustice of my sister's death because of this fiend, was definitely not making it easy.

"Are my intentions not obvious?" his right eyelid covered the top right part of his right eye, and I believed he was raising his left unseeable eyebrow in attempt to show his suspicion. "My desire is to dominate all of existence in this world, then destroy it until every ounce of light is sunken and consumed into the dark abyss I will create. And when that is done, I will recreate this world in my own image. I will resurrect your subjects who will fall, to live an endless loop of a horror story, which will appeal to my need for negativity. When that is accomplished, there will be no need to stalk and hunt for a prey to torment, as you and every other living being in this world will fall victim to an endless cycle of your worst nightmares to keep me alive."

I eventually asked the fiend something else, since he clearly wasn't going to go into full detail on how that plan of his will be executed. "What about that...human boy who has been wandering Equestria? Is he of any concern for you?"

"......"

A change of mood entered the atmosphere as a moment of extreme quietness came in to make the demon's change of mood more noticeable. For once, and for the first time I believe; his smile lowered into a frown.

"Oh how funny and stupid he is. He thinks he can make friends and go on a heroric quest to slay the evil. How pathetic. The real world doesn't work that way. Why should this world be any different?"

A continuous moment of the demon ranting away his thoughts about the human boy kept on for an estimated couple of minutes. I remained still, and stared at him with as much focus as I could muster. For the sake of all pony good, I could barely make out what was being said about the human boy I mentioned. The fiend's voice was a complete whisper to say the least, but I could tell those whispers were the result of no-good thoughts.

"No matter what, I will make sure this story ends with the sweet taste of my victory," he said it out loud with an outrageous volume before continuing his rant about everything that stands in his way towards his goals.

*The Waking World / Ponyville*

Twilight unusually trotted alongside Lyra Heartstrings as they gradually made their way to the house of Bon Bon, since Lyra wanted to speak to her closest friend again. But Lyra was finding her little trip down the path to be quite a pain in the flank as the company of the lavender unicorn beside her was really an unpleasant and unwanted incident she wasn't expecting to put up with during this time. Lyra also didn't have it in her to even pay Twilight any attention, but sadly for Lyra, she started noticing Twilight becoming more obnoxious with a consistent barrage of her ridiculous questions that were unanswered, along with her voice growing louder the more she was ignored.

While Lyra may have stumbled into several ponies who may have possibly ticked her off from time to time in the past, Twilight Sparkle was about to be the first pony to drive away all of the sanity available for the first time.

When Lyra first met Twilight back in Canterlot, she remembered that the lavender unicorn was too engaged into those very old dusty books of hers to even have the time to speak to any pony. The one moment when Lyra waved at Twilight only for the greeting to be ignored showed how much care Twilight really gave towards common interaction. But for some reason, Twilight was presently all in for an all-out conversation with Lyra.

Although, despite Twilight speaking her every word loud and clear, a poor Lyra Heartstrings could barely manage to comprehend even a single sentence. And it had already been past five minutes of Twilight speaking away an introduction of an essay that probably wasn't written on paper.

However, once Twilight pulled out a specific book out of her saddle bag, the entire rest of Twilight's chit chat became more clearer as she and Lyra continued down the path. They also decided to take the time to admire the scenery, and all of the greatest structures ever made in Ponyville, as they believed tonight would be the last night they would ever lay their eyes on the village that they called home.

"So, Lyra, back to what I was saying earlier," Twilight shoved the book in Lyra's face to get her attention as Twilight proceeded to speak. "This book belongs to you, right?"

Lyra looked over to the obsessed nerdy unicorn before taking the time to glance over to the cover presented inappropriately in front of her face.

Instantly, Lyra raised a brow and put a hoof on top of the book to slowly lower it down to the height of her chest. She didn't appreciate having a book shoved in her face. "Twilight, what's your deal, exactly? For your information, I don't own any kinds of books like the one you're referring to. Gee, I haven't actually written a single book ever in my life. The least amount of experience I've had when it came to writing was maybe a short poem I wrote back in my school when I was a filly. Other than that, all the books I keep at home are only books borrowed from your literal library."

Twilight quickly grew in shock. "What?! But...your name."

"My name what?" Lyra asked in a quick pace, clearly wanting the whole conversation to be over with as fast as possible.

"Your name is written on the book claiming that you're the author! Your friend Bon Bon gave it to me back in Canterlot and even said that this book was from you!"

"Well, it's not, okay," Lyra finalized, beginning to get very irritated over Twilight's excessive persevering desire to squeeze all personal information out like a serious detective. "Why do you care anyway?"

"Because I'm not just gonna leave an unfinished book in the middle of nowhere to rot!" she answered without any hesitation as her voice grew stern. "Every book in Equestria, no matter the topic or length, deserves to be treated with care."

'Says the pony who values the company of her books more than the company of real ponies themselves...' Lyra fought off the temptation to allow that thought to become her words since she wanted to avoid starting an argument about stupid books with a ridiculous book worm of a unicorn.

Realizing that Lyra wasn't about to give any care to the book situation whether she owned the book or not, Twilight then asked, "Could I at least visit your home and speak with Bon Bon? She is the one who gave me this book in the first place."

Lyra let out a mere exhausted sigh before she could give permission for entry. "Sure...but do not go around and mess with any of my research. And I mean it this time! You really have a hard time minding other ponys' personal space."

"Yeesh, I get it," Twilight agreed, but was ruffled over the fact that Lyra just threw the bitter truth in her face like a mean mare. The truth is, Twilight was being judged as a nosey pony. "Could you kindly escort me to your place of stay please? I'm beginning to feel a tinge of rain falling on my nuzzle, and I really would not appreciate finding myself in the middle of a heavy rain cloud that will drench my mane out here in public."

"Agreed. We should get going before the it's too late," Lyra stated with a bit of worry in her voice. "I also may have to warn Bon Bon about the whole 'evacuation' situation going on. Because I don't believe I saw her in the crowd during the urgent message from Luna. She may be occupied by something at home."

"Well, what are we waiting for?! Let's go!" exclaimed Twilight as she was just about to beg Lyra to gallop a lot faster when they were already trotting to their destination in a fast pace.

"Alright smart horse. If you know so much, then you should be able to explain what the $#!% happened out there!" General Dan demanded for Sunburst to speak up as the poor unicorn was shoved into an ally way after leaving the urgent meeting from Princess Luna.

Sunburst instantly spoke in disapproval at the rough general. "Excuse me? Am I being held responsible for your problems? Because shoving ponies into alley ways without permission is quite a criminal act and an inappropriate kind of action if I do say so myself."

"If you are with that boy who caused all of this horse$#%/, then you must be an accomplice of the whole thing. And what I am doing is not criminal! I am only bringing scum like you, to justice," the general then pulled out a combat knife from one of his leather pockets before pointing it at Sunburst's neck. "Now talk before I do what you know I'll do without a clear answer."

"Okay, okay, fine," Sunburst surrendered as the knife that was threatening to slice his throat like a fruit, instantly wiped away his calm and reluctant face to an expression of panic. "I just met the guy some place back where I once chose to live! And FYI, he actually isn't the cause of the whole crisis going in the world! As a matter of fact, he claims to be willing to fix everything when he's given the chance! That's literally all I know, so please let me go!"

Dan looked at his hostage with some distrust. "Then why send me and my daughter to this other world where you magic freaks dwell in?"

"Uh, I'm pretty sure he said to have put you here by accident. It's not like he did it on purpose to bring you down or anything."

The general's face became a great glare. "Accident my @%$! That boy and his crack magic is full of tricks and lies! $#&*, if he has magic freaks for friends like that...goat head, dragon snake, like thing I saw not too long ago, then that boy definitely ain't nothing but trouble! I don't care what the %@#= he said to me back at that school! He's the cause of the problems we're facing right now!"

"You're just going to blame my friend for every single one of your problems that he's not accountable for? That's honestly very brutal in my opinion."

"The hell I am. And I'm going to make sure to get his @%& the next time I see his #!@&/%$ face!"

"DAD! WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOU!" a shouting high-pitched voice echoed across the alley and faded into the darkness as the two stallions quickly put their attention onto the disappointed pink mare who had appeared to have just entered the alley.

The general got a good look at his daughter, and his glare on Sunburst faded into a frown of disappointment.

"Sweetheart, for the last time, there ain't nothing wrong with me," Dan said to his daughter, his tone turning calm and caring as sweet as a hummingbird when he looked at his daughter in the eyes. "You just got to understand that sometimes, there are bad people in the world who enjoy pissing daddy off. And those who piss daddy off, will get what they deserve."

"Well, that doesn't really explain your actions. Because I really don't think I'm the pony who deserves to be put on a death penalty threat by yo-" Sunburst was silenced by a thick hoof covering and pressuring every muscle of his mouth.

"SHUT YOUR #&@%!*$ HOLE!" the wrath of general Dan had returned, and he directed his knife to a much more fatal position, as if he were about to slash away at a poor Sunburst who just wanted to be let free. "This conversation is between me and my daughter! So, if you don't want to be a headless horse corpse, I suggest you cut your tongue before I cut away your dam life!"

Hearing the threat, Sunburst stopped himself from responding like he would always do in a casual argument. This clearly wasn't a casual argument Sunburst was forced into. The only hope he thought he had at this point, was the reasonable compassion that the general's daughter showed off.

"Dad, please. Leave the poor unicorn alone," the general's daughter, Sticker Picker, came up close and put a hoof gently on her father's shoulder. For the sake of peace, the general instantly felt relaxed, relieved, and surprisingly unworried upon receiving a loving touch from his good sweetheart.

Sunburst froze, bewildered at the sight he was witnessing.

"Now..." Sticker Picker's eyes glowed pink as she stared into her father's eyes. The general grew drowsy, along with his face tiring down upon receiving eye contact. Then, within a few seconds without the two blinking at all, general Dan released his grip on his trusty knife and eventually gave up pressuring Sunburst to the side of a structure so he could fully put his attention on the pony he cared for the most.

"Sweetie...I'll do anything it takes to keep us safe. But I will also do whatever it takes to make you...happy," General Dan said sympathetically.

A smile came to his daughter's face before she gave a strange command that sounded like she had authority over her dad. "Don't worry dad. All you have to do...is let the unicorn stallion go. And I will be pleased with your existe- uh I mean!" Sticker shortly glanced over to Sunburst, as if she didn't want him to hear something she kept private from others. "I meant to say I will be happy and satisfied to have you as a father. Dad."

"I under-" Dan's head shook as if something pinched the side of his head or brain. But he quickly soothed up before finishing the word he was going to say. "-Stand," he finally turned to Sunburst and said, "You are free to go, but I better not see you with that magic boy again, or I will find you, and make you suffer over endangering the environment and my daughter with this 'magic'."

Sunburst could only stare at them for such a short period of time before an extremely awkward feeling in his gut would tell him to gallop away as far as possible, because he should know that what just happened really isn't any of his problems.

"Y-yea, th-thanks," Sunburst could only manage a fake grin as sweat flowed down his head. "Nice knowing you two, I-I'm outta here!"

Just like that, Sunburst galloped to someplace else, leaving a simple father and daughter all to themselves.

Luna sat and continued to observe the demon who was completely still and quiet after he finished his complaints about a particular individual he despised. The princess was sure the demon was captured in her chains of dreams, still not wanting him to be able to move around and risk his escape from the dream realm.

"So, is that really all you desire?" Luna asked, noticing she got the demon's attention once his top middle eye of his three, showed itself. "Consume every aspect of Equestria and use the power you've consumed to create a new world of nightmares in Equestria's place, where us ponies suffer to no end?"

Nightmare's middle eye blinked, and he lifted his entire head to directly eye Luna. "You speak words no more truthful than any other, princess!" he claimed, his toothy grin returning in the process.

The response Luna received felt completely unthinkable to her. "Why? Why are you doing this? There must be a good reason for such a desire. Why do you hate us ponies so much? Why do you...exist?"

"Woah now! Let us not dig into such pointless existential subjects here. Only then will more questions arise that I will be unwilling or unable to answer."

"Eurgh! ANSWER ME NOW, DEMON! OR I WILL MAKE YOU SUFFER FOR WHAT YOU HAVE DONE TO MY SISTER!" Luna shouted with her royal canterlot voice combined.

"I've already suffered rotting under those caves of that stupid place you used to call your kingdom," Nightmare's grin became sinister and daring. "Do you think you'll be able to top it off!? Just know, this form of me cannot die."

"Form of you?" Luna instantly lost her rage, and her mind was lost in thought. "What are you saying?"

"Oh? Dropping the intimidating act I see. Well, regardless, you don't scare me worth the fly. Sure, you can shock me with those chains, buck me in the worst spots possible, and even keep this form of mine trapped in this realm forever, but you will have to stay and keep watch of me forever in here, while the rest of your pony friends deal with the worst of the worst without you."

"...No way in Equestria...could it be?" Luna took concern of the outrageous dark presence she sensed not too long ago and decided to check up on the presence once more with her magic. The presence was far from Ponyville last time she checked, but...when she casted a spell to check up on Ponyville presently once more, her mind exploded in a heap of panic. "N-no! Th-this can't be! The dark presence! It's arriving faster than I thought it would! I can sense it just a hundred hoof steps away from Ponyville!"

"Hahaha! Yes! Foolish princess! Did you really think keeping me trapped here as much as you please would be your advantage? Hoho, it's so pleasing when you ponies think you're right, yet I prove that isn't the reality."

Luna had enough and knew time was no longer on her side, or any of her subjects' sides for that matter. She figured that the whole point of this was a setup meant to distract her from the big picture. Knowing that she would have to depart from realm to aid her subjects, allowing the demon to escape in the process, only clouded her mind with deep frustration.

There really wasn't much she could do. She had to take responsibly for her subjects' lives. Otherwise, she will only end up failing every single one of them as a princess over an absurd desire for revenge over her sister's death.

Luna wanted to torture and make the demon suffer for what he had done. But she couldn't. She just...couldn't. Not while the ponies she cares for most are in danger without her help. But before she made the decision to depart, she cocked her head to the side and gave a sideways glare on the demon, who was smiling through the pleasure of his trickery.

"What exactly are you sending to harm my subjects, demon?" Luna demanded an answer, but she didn't expect to get a direct good one out of it of course.

"Ah, the good asking the bad for helpful advice on how to defeat them. How illogical can you be princess? Do you honestly think I'll provide you knowledge that will make things fair? I am the bad guy in your story after all. And bad guys don't ever play nice unless they become arrogant enough to believe they are untouchable every step of the way."

Luna couldn't help but to grit her teeth, but she resisted the urge to unleash a nasty rage onto the fiend. With that, the princess charged her horn and exited the dream realm in order to protect her subjects, leaving the demon to escape from the realm without any pony to stop him.

"Oh, pity. It is a shame, really. I was just about to give away a hint on the disaster. Oh well," Nightmare disturbingly transformed himself into a form of dark sludge, allowing himself to easily slip out of the magical chains. "The disaster is my destructive form. And it sure will be quite a storm for those ponies when they witness it consume their homes. Oh, it will be such a pleasure to watch."

Nightmare looked around for an exit out of the realm and spotted one all the way up in the bright moon. "Hehehe, Hahaha, HAHAHA!" after his moment of laughter, he reached for the exit by extending his stretchable arms and gripping onto the fake moon. Slowly, the demon stretched and pulled himself up to freedom. "Your next, Mr. Samuel."

"What?!" Twilight yelled aloud. "How do you not remember giving away this book to me?!" she immediately presented its cover in Bon Bon's face just like she did with Lyra during their gallop towards the house they were presently in to avoid the sudden rain outside.

"Uh, I never had a book like that to give in the first place. And also, what are you doing in our home, Twilight?" Sweetie Drops asked over the unexpected visit she certainly wasn't prepared for. "You weren't given an invitation to a party here you know."

Twilight's left eye twitched irritably. "I'm here because I need to return this book to its rightful owner. And I didn't just come here to joke around!" Twilight stomped her hoof in defiance, quickly unnerving both Sweetie Drops and Lyra together. "You gave me the book, Bon Bon! You said that Lyra wrote it and wanted to share it with some pony else, but Lyra tells me, that it literally doesn't belong to her at all! And then I come here to get answers from you, Bon Bon, but then you lie that you didn't do such a thing! NOW WHICH ONE IS IT!"

"Wait, Twilight. Didn't you say Bon Bon gave you the book when you were alone during the Canterlot Wedding?" Lyra asked, thinking it would go somewhere.

"Yes, for the last time! And speaking of time, I don't have time for tricks or any of these silly games! Either you two tell me who this book rightfully belongs to or I'm gonna leave it at some random pony's doorstep with a note clearly stating it is all theirs to keep forever!"

Sweetie Drops could only roll her eyes to express how little she cared, but Lyra could agree with Twilight on the moral that no book (except spell books in relation to the dark arts of magic) do not deserve to be abandoned, no matter how crappy the book is written.

"Twilight, I think it was a changeling who was trying to play tricks on you during the time you were given the book. Me and Bon Bon never planned on giving anything in our possession away. And to support that theory, we have pictures of the exact locations me and Bon Bon were when we attended the wedding ourselves," Lyra walked over to one of the drawers nearby. "Would you like to see them yourself?"

"Uh..." Twilight almost blushed at the embarrassing thought that came to her head that she had not thought about it being a changeling who was possibly responsible for this entire incident they were currently in in the first place. "No thanks. I've heard enough."

*Knock knock knock knock knock*

Twilight, Lyra, and Sweetie Drops took their attention over to the door and wondered who could be on the other side.

"I'll get it," Sweetie Drops offered with a tiresome face. Lyra and Twilight could only remain staring at the door in suspicion as they both felt a little creeped out by unexpected visitors during the night.

"Who could possibly be at our doorstep this late?" Lyra put a hoof under her chin and tried to gather every piece of personal information she could muster in her head to get a guess on who it may be.

"Well, let's find out," Sweetie Drops carefully opened the door and noticed a bit of rain pouring onto the entrance rug as a result of the storm happening outside. And when the mare fully opened the door, the pony who knocked was seen to be a pitiful orange manned unicorn stallion, who's cloak became drenched while in the weather.

"Um, who are you?" Sweetie Drops raised a brow at the unicorn stallion who she did not recognize as a Ponyville resident.

"Please! I need help!" Sunburst begged.

"Eh, sorry, but we're kind of-"

"Wait a second, Bon Bon," Lyra butted in before taking the conversation to the stallion herself. "Aren't you the pony I befriended back in that other world? Because I think you're one of the few ponies I met, who has a connection with my human friend."

"Um, yep, that's me. I'm close friends with the human," Sunburst reassured, taking a wet hoof step inside as Bon Bon stepped aside with confusion. The unicorn stallion then took notice of his drenched cloak and tail dripping away rainwater all over the floor as he walked. And he presented a humble apologetic smile and said, "S-sorry, I just came here hoping some pony would offer me a place to stay. I guess I'm in luck to find you three ponies who are up for warm welcomes."

Lyra chuckled. "Honestly, it's ironic how we're the ones who should be thankful that a stallion like you showed up at the right time," she complimented unromantically. "You enjoy reading books, right?"

"Uh, yes, actually. I find studying magic through the books of spells in general to be quite a hobby of mine. Why do you ask?"

"Great!" Lyra instantly took hold of the book out of Twilight's magic with her own and levitated it right in front of Sunburst within a split second. "Take it, please! It's all yours!"

Sunburst accepted the strange request and took a hold of the book himself before he got a look at its cover and title. "My Little Dream Becomes Reality?" he read the title aloud and received a few nods from the only two unicorn mares in the room who both appeared to be relieved after hoofing it over to him. "I do believe I heard arguing before I knocked. Was that what it was about? Over a book?"

"Unfortunately, yes," Sweetie Drops said from behind him. "Apparently Twilight over here said she was going to explode in some way, if no pony accepted the lost book without its owner."

Twilight didn't wait even a second to add her vexed feelings to the conversation. "That isn't exactly what I said I'll do, but you get the idea, sir."

As the four ponies began settling down, a loud raging thunder intimidated all of them. And when they acknowledged the sudden heavy rain, along with the strong winds they saw through the windows, they knew it would take a bold dare and a hefty reward for any of them to leave the house.

"So, uh, you ponies want to sit by the fire and talk?" Sweetie Drops suggested nicely.

"You kidding? After all the crazy things I've been through?! Of course we should talk!"

*30 minutes later*

Twilight Sparkle sat on the one and only rocking chair in the living room, as she listened to Lyra, Bon Bon, and Sunburst chat with one another about several topics. Lyra had explained exactly what happened and exactly where she was sent after providing her own unique way of assistance during the Crystal War. Sweetie Drops was surprised and impressed, but she found it far from true. Though, Sweetie Drops wasn't upset that Lyra was away from the house for a few days, since she was used to not having Lyra in the same place with her during unexpected times.

As for Sunburst, he explained his adventures with the rumored human wandering the lands, and that caught Twilight's interest. But she wondered why exactly Sunburst was describing the human creature as more...'friendly' rather than a 'monster' to be true. Twilight figured the human creature may have taken Sunburst hostage and used him as a pawn, but apparently Sunburst described his utter time with the human as more of a friendly bond instead of a complete ordeal.

"Do you all think every pony is really doing okay out there? It sure is pretty stormy outside," Twilight commented.

Sunburst and the others looked out of one of the windows again to watch the storm. And they all appeared to be in an anxious state upon observing the pitiful weather.

"Gee, it's really getting dangerous out there. Do you ponies think that's why the princess wanted us to evacuate?" Sunburst took a sip of a cup tea that Lyra generously served to every pony as he waited for a response.

"I don't know. Princess Luna really isn't the specific type," Twilight snickered. "Like one time, she needed a full description on what the word 'fun' meant. So, when she said we're evacuating because of a 'dark presence,' it's honestly difficult to tell what she meant by that."

"Well, whatever the reason, I think we'll all make it," Sweetie Drops motivated the group before finishing her last portion of tea.

"When do you all think they're going to start sending every pony out of town?" Lyra asked with a bit of concern in her voice.

"*sigh* Luna told me to keep it a secret, but because I trust you ponies, I'll tell-" Twilight was cut by an abrupt knocking before she could get the chance to speak up about the topic she wanted to cover.

The sounds of a pony knocking came from the door once more. Only this time, it sounded even more urgent and louder. And as the four of them turned to face the door, a tough stallion's voice could be heard from the other side.

"By the order of Princess Luna, we are here to escort every pony to the train for evacuation NOW! Please respond obediently to this urgency, or we will have to sadly FORCE you into submission!"

The four ponies inside of the house were in shock. But to make sure it wasn't some sort of prank, the four of them each galloped out of their seats and to the door. Twilight took curtesy of opening the door by its handle before she and the others realized it wasn't a joke at all.

There stood a highly trained and heavily armored guard, who appeared to have no time for humor at all in their life.

"You four, come with me. The princess has informed us all that a dark storm has arrived to tear this village apart! You must come with me at once for evacuation!"

"Wait what? This is happening now?!" Twilight gasped after the guard nodded. "But, what about Spike, my assistant. I need to warn him-"

"No need, Miss Sparkle. A patrol is already sending him to the train."

"O-oh okay!"

*BOOM*

An excruciating loud noise of lightning struck, and as the strong winds along with heavy rain worsened, the ponies knew they were in deep trouble.

"HAHA! TREMBLE BEFORE ME PONIES OF THIS WORLD! I WILL CONSUME EVERYTHING, UNTIL THERE IS NOTHING LEFT!"

The guard turned to the voice that echoed a mile away and noticed the danger from afar. "We must go! NOW!"

Sunburst, Lyra, Sweetie Drops, and Twilight all agreed and followed the guard in a galloping pace to the train station on the other side of the village. They did so without looking back, believing they would be quicker on their hooves if they were to face forward the whole way through. And as they followed the most effective path shown, they saw other ponies the same as them, screaming and yelling in disarray as other guards were forcing them out of their homes for the benefit of life.

"Our train is this way, to our left!" the guard pointed. "We're almost there you four!"

"W-wait. G-guard. Where is the Princess- ahhhh!" Twilight screamed from the top of her lungs as a thick tree came tearing down and was about to squish her into a dead mushed unicorn. But before it could do so, some pony came in just in the nick of time to buck it out of the way with a heavy hit from just their bare hooves. "Wh-wha?"

Twilight opened her eyes to see she was unharmed. Then, she looked up to find the pony who saved her. But it surprisingly wasn't the guard. A brown pony, wearing a camouflaged outfit had saved her from her potential death. And she was just about to thank the brown stallion, but he started speaking loudly before Twilight could let out a word.

"What the hell is going on?!" General Dan shouted, glancing over to what was behind him and every pony else. The general could not even help himself but to freeze in shock like everypony else who chose to see what exactly was after them.

"IT IS TIME TO SLAUGHTER YOU ANIMALS!"

An insane, ginormous, black tentacle of goo came slithering out of the dark stormy wind, demolishing pony homes as it searched for some pony to kill in the process. The ponies who continued to stare blankly into the storm, eventually caught sight of the three purple glowing eyes that were each the size of a giant's eye in estimation.

"HEELLPP!!!" a familiar voice screamed, snapping the ponies out of their frozen gaze on the living storm, and activated a load of boiling nerves in General Dan as he watched his screaming daughter get lifted and squeezed up by one of the humongous tentacles of the storm.

"Leave...my...daughter...out of this," Dan spoke up fearsomely with his combat knife gripped tight in his mouth. Then, without any hesitation, Dan leapt as high as a dolphin before grabbing onto the tentacle. Once there, he aggressively sliced through the tentacle's slimy skin and bone again, and again, and again, until there was no living tentacle to slice.

With Dan's trusty strength and rage, he managed to cut the tentacle in half. And with it dead, his daughter quickly began falling down to the ground after being freed from its grasp. Her rough landing was luckily softened by a bush of flowers conveniently on the ground beneath her fall.

"$#!/! Where the hell's the train?!"

"This way!" a few fellow guards alerted and pointed in the direction of the station.

"Come on every pony! Get a move on!" Lyra shouted, in hopes she would give out a little encouragement to not just stand around and become prey by dumb choice.

There definitely was zero time for every pony around the village to open up their feelings of agreement through their words like they always did. But they did express it through their quick action in fleeing the place they once called home, despite abandoning any prized possessions for the storm of nightmares to just absorb.

"YOU ALL CAN RUN AND HIDE! BUT I WILL MAKE SURE THERE WILL BE NO PLACE ELSE TO GO WHEN I COME FOR YOU PONIES ONCE MORE!"

The citizens of Ponyville tried to ignore the voice while they galloped over to the station. And when the station was in their reach, Princess Luna and her guards were standing in the middle to guide every pony into a specific car train. It wasn't a surprise that there was more car trains attached to the entire train itself than normal, since the entire population of Ponyville were meant to fit in every part of the train for immediate evacuation.

"Hurry my little ponies! Quickly now!" Luna watched the conscience demonic storm tear apart the most famous village of Equestria down to the grim. And once every pony boarded the train, the train instantly departed from the station and was onto its destination without a moment to spare.

"Twilight...?" Spike tapped the lavender unicorn who presently watched in horror at what was going to become of Ponyville. The demonic storm didn't seem like it was planning on stopping its consumption until nothing left of the village remained.

"Yes Spike?" Twilight later acknowledged her baby dragon and felt relieved he was safe and sound.

"Do you think the library will be okay?" Spike inquired.

"No Spike, I don't think so," Twilight answered with zero optimism.