The Night-Mare in her eyes

Chapters

*old* Original Chapters 1-12
The Night-Mare in her eyes- Chapter 1- To want the sun
Chapter 2- The Sun under hoof
Chapter 3- Fragments of Honesty
Chapter 4- Campfire Kindness
Chapter 6- When good Mares go to War
Chapter 7- The Price of Ascension: (End of Pony Arc)
-The Night-mare in her soul- Chapter 1- New body who dis?
Chapter 2- So you think you're a royal?
Chapter 3- Familia Lunch *Potential Grimdark*
Chapter 4- The Plague of Palomino
Chapter 5- Why Nightmares dream of war

old Original Chapters 1-12

Author's Note

This is the original 12 chapters of the first draft of 'The Night-Mare in her eyes'
This version of the story has been put into one chapter and won't be continued, for the current version of the story please go to the next chapter.

old Original Chapters 1-12

The Night-Mare in her eyes

—------------

Chapter One: To want the sun for a thousand years.

All she had wanted was to watch the sun, to see it in its full and bask within its warmth, yet it had been them who forbade it. It was them who refused to let her see anything but dark and it was them that had punished her for even daring to try.

As the young mare stared down upon the world she had once called home she wondered to herself where she had truly gone wrong all those years ago.

‘Why can’t I sleep at night like the other ponies?’ a young voice said in the distance.

‘I don’t want to raise the moon, the night is cold.’ came another.

A loud smack echoed across the surface of the moon as an intense pain and sadness blew across her shackles.

A soft sniffle escaped her breath as she remembered the first time she had tried to speak out about her suffering. She had been brought to her aunt’s personal chamber by one of the castle guards to raise the moon in her mother’s stead. She had thought that if anypony would listen to her pleas it would be the one others had considered the ‘motherly’ of the two. Oh, how wrong they had been. Unlike her mother who would at least humor her by listening before turning her down. Her aunt was quick to strike any signs of defiance from her only to claim that what she had done was for her own good.

She had hated that mare, more than any other who lived within the world of day, it was her that had caused the most pain, her that had kept her isolated, and it was her that had imprisoned her without a second glance.

“All I had wanted was to see-” the young mare’s words were cut off as a bright light engulfed her frail form and blinked her away from the cold rock.

Sounds murmured below her as her body slowly started to reform itself from a cloud of bluish mist. Opening her eyes she was greeted to a large room with ponies staring at her from below whispering to themselves. ‘I’m back,’ she thought as her eyes fanned across the crowd of gathered ponies. ‘Someone undid the seal’

“Nightmare Moon…” A young mare said quietly to herself with worry as though she was trying not to be heard. Only in vain as the young mare’s whisper had met her ears. ‘They still fear me?’ she thought to herself as she brought air up from her lungs to speak.

“Oh, little royal subjects,” she spoke glancing to the side. Remembering how her mother had taught her in addressing thoughts without royal titles. “It's been so long since I’ve seen your precise little sun loving face.”

As she spoke the ponies staring up at her began to shiver at her words. All except a few who seemed to simply looked at her with disdain.

“What did you do with our princess!” A sky blue mare with a prism mane shouted as she tried to fly at her only to be stopped by an earth pony with an orange coat and yellow mane speaking through her teeth at the mare.

Noticing that the mare I looked down at her. ‘She had said ‘princess’ and not ‘princesses’. Had mother overthrew her tyrant of a sister, had she simply thought I was dead?’ I thought to myself with a chuckle.

Wanting to test that thought I flapped my wings and spoke, “why am I not royal enough for you. Don’t you know who I am?”

I squinted at the mare with focus trying to read her response only for some pink blob to pop up beside her and respond instead.

“Oohh oohh, more guessing games.” The mass of pink said getting a few looks from those around her. “Uumm, poky smokes, how about… queen meanie, no. Black Snooty! Black Snooty!”

Before the mare of pink icing could continue on coming up with more insulting names a cupcake was shoved into her mouth by the mare of orange who was still holding the blue’s tail within her teeth. Clearly it was her among the others in the room that knew how not to be disrespectful.

I turned my head to the sides as I looked those around me in the eye. “Does my crown no longer count now that I have been imprisoned for a thousand years?” I asked, looking at the shy pegasus mare to my left before addressing the other to my right. “Do you not recall the legend, did you not see the signs?” I finished hoping that one would speak up and say no.

“I did.” A purple unicorn said, causing me to freeze as I straightened back up as she looked at me with anger filled eyes, “and I know who you are, you're the mare in the moon. Nightmare Moon.”

Gasps filled the room as the two of us were now the focus of the room.

“Well… Well.. Well,” I sputtered, waving my hoof in a circular motion as I took a breath, A small drip of sweat running down the inside of my helmet, “Somepony who remembers me. Then you also know why I am here?” My question coming out more like a statement.

As the purple unicorn looked around with a form of new found worry she struggled to get out the answer that even I was curious to know. ‘Why was I here, if someone did intentionally free me, why place me here and not somewhere else.’ And as that thought had begun so quickly was it snuffed out by her response.

“You’re here too…too..” She gulped without finishing.

I giggled at that, she had no idea why I was here, no one did, she knew my name, my title, but not my motive. She had no idea of what I wanted. “Remember this day well little ponies for it was your last. From this moment forth the night will last forever!” I shouted out loud as my magic slipped from my mane. Swirling above me like a storm as I broke out in a fit of laughter, before catching my eye. ‘I’m losing control again.’ I thought as I looked around for a way to leave before causing unwanted harm.

“Seize her!” An older tan mare shouted pointing her hoof up at me. “Only she knows where the princess is!”

At her command three white stallions with gold plated armor flew upwards towards the storm flowing from my mane.

“Stand back, you foals!” I commanded, unable to pull in the storm of magic that was whipping around out of control before striking the guards back to the ground causing every last pony in the room to start running in hysteria in an attempt to escape.

‘What is wrong with them?’ I thought to myself, ‘do they not value their safety, and how should I know where their princess is? I literally just got here,’ I laughed nervously as my eyes struggled to keep me awake before I was brought back into that bluish mist and wisped back out of the building and through the dark forest at the edge of the town.

—---------------------------

-One thousand years earlier-

“What do you think you're doing here, Night?” Princess Celestia said glaring over at her niece who stood waiting in the throne room of the two equestrian rulers. “You know the rules that me and my sister have set, how do you plan on helping our ponies if you refuse to go to bed.”

“Auntie…please.” Night pleaded,”I’m awake all night and never get to see the day. Please just once let me have this, I’m so… tired of the cold night air.” The young filly spoke with little strength as her light gray fur glowed softly from torches lighting the room.

“This again.” Celestia scoffed. “I won’t hear any more, off with you before you go wasting any more of my subject’s time because of this selfishness.” Celestie commanded with annoyance in her voice before beginning to turn her back on the little unicorn.

“No.” Night said in a quiet yet angry whisper.

“What did you say?” Celestia now starring eye to eye with the young filly.

“I said… I said NOOO!!!” Night shouted in her royal canterlot voice, her unstable magic mixing with her words pushing Celestia back a few steps from the force.
“You always do this! Anytime I ask for the one thing that every pony else gets to have you claim that I’m being selfish, that I’m being bad. No more! I won’t have-”

As the young filly’s words were quickly cut off as Celestia’s magic clamped around the filly’s muzzle holding it shut. “ENOUGH!” Celestia shouted back with her own canterlot voice. “You may be my sister’s daughter, but I am still Princess of this country and you will treat me as such you ungrateful brat! Now be gone with you!”

With that Night’s horn ignited with its goldish orange glow as the moon quickly rose up into the sky blocking out the sun. The sight of which snuffing out Celestia’s magic, allowing the filly the ability to speak.

“Night, what are you doing?” Celestia said almost taking a step back having never witnessed her niece move the moon all by herself without the aid of either her or sister.

“If I can’t have the day, then neither shall you!!!” Night Shouted as magic flowed out from both the sun and moon into her body. Her body to be engulfed into blue and gold flames that swirled around her like an inferno. Her fur blackened from the fire and her eyes changed into a familiar teal that only her mother shared, the only difference being the dragon-like slits that accompanied the change in color. Her eyes weren’t the only thing that changed with her color, two large bat-like wings stretched out from her back, her mane and tail flowed like a night sky on fire, and her teeth now jagged as to tear flesh. Yet lastly, her height had grown to be that of a few inches taller than Celestia herself.

Celestie just glared with rage and shook at what her niece had just pulled off. Not only had she wielded magic far greater than she had ever been able to use, but she had also pulled enough magic from the two celestial bodies to force herself into a warped version of alicorn form.

“I’m doing the one thing no one dares to do Celestia.” The monstrous form of Night said crouching slightly walking for Celestia. “I’m going to rid myself of you letting night and day be one.”

“That won’t happen Night. You know full well I won’t allow that to happen.” Celestia said as Night jumped up into the firing off multiple blasts of magic at her.

“Night is no more Celestia. I AM THE NIGHTMARE!!!!” the dark alicorn screamed, striking Celestia again and again with her magic.

As Nightmare relentlessly continued to assault the Solar Alicorn with her magic knocking her from one room into another, Celestia merely stared back at her tanking each hit as if they were mere shoves before finally speaking as she was pushed back into the room holding the elements. “Then you leave me no choice foal.” Celestia said as her eyes glowed white along with her horn, activating the elements of harmony and blasting the corrupted alicorn with her magic surrounding her in a prism of color and heat that burned and pushed the young alicorn into the sky sealing her within the moon.

—---------------------------

Present Day

As my body once again reformed I found myself in the ruin of my mother’s old castle, now taken by time and left in ruin, surrounded by stone orbs marked with the symbols of the elements that my aunt has used to seal me away in punishment for standing up to her. I laughed as I picked the stone orbs up with my mane. 'oh how the mighty has fallen.' I thought glancing at the now ruined castle. 'Turned on by your niece and than your own sister. I wonder Celestia, did she make you suffer for what you did to me.' I thought as I noticed the small purple unicorn from the town that had spoken up to me. Her breathing heavy as she look over in my direction. before crouching down and stomping her hoof repeatedly onto the stone ground.

"Your kidding... your kidding right." I said as narrowed my eyes in a deadpan manner at mare less than half my size before she stated charging at me. Staring at the mare for a brief moment I begun charging forwards in hope that if I knocked her back once, like the three guards it would demotivate her from trying again. However just before I came within an inch of her she teleported past me over to the stone orbs. As I looked back towards the mare it accrued to me what she was attempting to do. Just like my aunt all those years ago this mare without even trying to work things out was attempting to use the elements against me.

'Not this time...' I thought as I teleported over to the stone just in time to watch up close as the purple made was zapped backwards by the elements seemed to reject her magic. Without wasting my chance I raised up on my hind legs and slammed my hooves downward smashing the elements into rubble. I laughed as I starred down at the now destroyed weapon that had been used against me all those years ago.

"You little fool, thinking you could defeat me. Now you will never see your princess or your sun." I said flaring my mane in defiance of going back to being just another royal.

"The Night will last forever." I laughed wickedly as my magic swirled around in my mane only to be stopped as I heard the sound of other ponies approaching from the entryway.

As we both looked towards the doorway the purple unicorn gasped as if realizing something before turning her head back to me.

"You think you can destroy the elements of harmony just like that?" She said smugly before turning back to face me. "Well your wrong."

Looking at the five other mares behind her I started to tune her out as I looked at them in confusion. 'Aren't these the mares from the giant gazebo like room, why in the name of Tartarus are these mare here? I mean I know the purple seems to be off her rocker , but surely one of them must be sane. Wait what was that about me and challenges?'

My thought process was broken as my eyes slowly blinked open to real a bright rainbow slamming down upon my head before coiling around my body in what I could only describe as spicy air meets blind prism lights. My body begun to burn and tear as I silently screamed in pain from the elements ripping the magic from my core and my wings from my back. As I clenched my eyes tight old cuts from the last time the elements had been used against me opened back up and started to leak out red blood down my head and legs. My back burned from the open wounds at my shoulder blades from where my wings used to be. As I struggled hard to stay awake through the pain my eyes widened and my brow furrowed at what I saw next. A bright light and a blue cloud of mist, like the one that had pulled me from the moon and here to the castle ruins, entered the room before turning into my mother 'Princess Luna' and my aunt 'Princess Celestia'.

My heart sank and my anger boiled over as they thanked, the now much larger than me, mares before turning to with looks of disappointment. I didn't hear what they said after, my body was in to much pain and I was to angry to make out their words before I finally spoke.

"I hate you." I said as Celestia had extended a hoof. "I will always hate you and now that I see where we all stand. I hope you enjoyed this final night."

Looking at me with horror the six mares and my aunt took up a defense pose as my mother only starred at me in horror. As they prepared for my next move I pulled the last of my magic into the tip of my horn and as I casted my spell to teleport away from that place everything went dark. The world around me turned and twisted in a sense of vertigo before finally my body fell forwards into what felt hard and cold. My body went numb as my vision blurred out. The last thing I heard in the voice of my mother. "Cadence, Call for an ambulance Now!!!"

Chapter 2- Lost and found

-Vice Principal Luna-

It had been a long week for the Vice Principal of Canterlot High and the Dean of Crystal Prep Academy. After having finally finished with the remainder of their work needed for completion before winter break, the aunt and niece were relieved to be able to spend a few moments unwinding as they carpooled on their way to meet up with Principal Celestia for a much needed meal and much deserved drinks.

“I’m telling you Cadance I’m just not sure what we’re going to do with that girl, every semester is like she just gets worse.” Luna said from the passenger seat of Cadance’s car. “Last Tuesday I caught her no less than six times skipping class. I understand that transferring to a new school can be a difficult adjustment for a teen, but it's starting to get out of hand.”

“It does sound like you and Auntie Tia do have your hands full with this Sunset Shimmer, but in fairness Twilight is no walk in the park either, I mean I literally had to pry her out of her little workshop in order to get her to go home for the break.” Cadence said giggling as they drove along the dark winter road.

“Well at least yours only has a studying problem, while ours has a..” Luna stopped for a moment as a flash of light from up ahead caught her eyes as she looked out the window. “Pull over really quick.”

As Cadance pulled the car to a smooth stop alongside an opening of snow, Luna undid her seatbelt and opened the car door.

“Auntie?” Cadance asked, watching her younger aunt step out of the vehicle before looking back at where they had just passed.

Luna’s eyes worked hard to make out what she was looking at, a small girl with long white hair with black tips and off white skin stood naked out in the cold, her body illuminated only by the bluish glow of the moon. Her pale skin contrasted by red lines that seemed to cover her arms and legs, a small puddle of maroon sitting above her ankles in the cold winter snow. As Luna finally began to realize just what she was seeing, the young girl collapsed upon the ground with a splash of white and red.

Looking back at her niece, “Cadance call an ambulance Now!” She yelled as she started running over to the child.

“Wait, what's going on?” Cadance asked in confusion as she got out of her vehicle. As she looked back in the direction of her aunt she watched Luna crouch down next to the girl before taking off her coat and wrapping the small girl with it. Without waiting to be told again, Cadance pulled out her phone and began to dial.

“Hey, hey can you hear me?” Luna asked as she covered the girl in her coat like a makeshift blanket. “Everything is going to be okay, help is on the way.”

Looking back at the car Cadance was walking up with her phone to her ear. “-small girl, looks no older than fourteen, multiple open wounds along her arms and legs.”

“She’s bleeding from the back.” Luna added looking up at Cadance with concerned eyes.

“And she’s bleeding from the back.” Cadance relayed before finishing up her call.

“Who does this…” Luna said after a moment as sirens started to echo in the distance. “Who does this kind of thing to a child?”

“I… I don’t know Auntie.” Cadance said, looking in the direction of the flashing light that just pulled up.

“Over here!” Luna shouted with a wave as she stood looking over to the officers who were now quickly approaching them.

—---------------------------------

-Nightmare-

My eyes stung as a bright light engulfed my vision. Muffled words called to me as I flicked in and out of consciousness.

“Hey..” one of the voices called to me as soft smack met my cheek. “Hey… try to keep your eyes open.”

“Her heart rate is dropping…” The second voice called as my eyes closed.

Once more as everything went black the darkness felt like suffocating as my soul felt like shrinking as it drifted down. As my mind drifted down a large spike pierced my chest and I found myself being rammed back to the surface for all of a moment before my consciousness slammed further into the dark abyss.

The faint echo of a long screech filled my ears as the darkness flashed yellow, breaking the screech for only a moment before the sound came back louder only to be broken again by another flash. As the darkness was ripped by the flashes of lightning and the sounds of screeching I felt myself freeze weightlessly in place before the sudden pull started slowly rising back to my mind.

A soft beeping could be heard as the sound of my breathing rasped in my ears. A cold sweat covered my now cool body as it laid beneath thin layers of blankets. As my eyelids struggled to move from their resting as a scratchy voice escaped my lungs.

“Where….am…I?” I said between breaths as I felt warm skin holding the frog of my misshaped hoof.

“You're awake…” A soft voice similar to my mother’s spoke as the warm fleshy claw released its hold. “I'll go inform the nurse.”

Sounds of deformed foot steps clanked across the ground away from me before returning followed by others.

“Let’s have a look.” the new voice said before the loud sound of a snap caught my attention before my eyes were forced open only to be blinded by a light before snapping back shut. “Eyes are dilating to visual stimuli, so that's good.” My foreleg was gently lifted as a softly wrapped around my hoof. “Can you give me a tight squeeze?”

Unsure of what was going on, I did my best to follow the request and my hoof wrapped around the voice’s claw as hard as it could. The feeling was like that of my magic field yet somehow solid.

“Good…Good” the voice said before placing my foreleg back. “How do you feel? You got a name?” she asked as my eyes moved towards her under my nonmoving eyelids.

“I can’t…open my eyes…” I said roughly taking in air. “ and my body… feels wrong.”

I could make out the looks on their faces due to my tightly shut eyes, however my ears did catch the sound of slight gulping before I continued my response.

“My..name is Night.. Mare.” I got out before letting out a dry cough.

“Nightmare….that’s…” The voice responded with concern before turning into a false comfort. “A lovely name. Do you know where you are, Nightmare?”

“No…who…are you.” I asked as I tried and failed to move my body.

“I see, well… I am Nurse Mender and well, you're at Canterlot General. Do you think you can remember who or what did this to you?” Nurse Mender asked her voice trying to keep its warmth.

“I…was imprisoned…” my voice cracked as my eyelids through heavy effect squinted open to glance at the four blurs within the room. “Chained and beaten…” A wet line fell down my cheeks, “then I was left alone… all I wanted was to see the sun.” I finished as my eyes stunged back close. My consciousness quickly slipped back into the realm of sleep leaving everything around me.

Chapter 3-Not As Plain

-Equestria-

-Princess Luna-

It had only been a few moments after Princesses, Celestia and Luna had raised the sun and lowered the moon into their respective places before appearing in the tower of the ruined castle to greet her daughter. As they entered the room via their magic she watched as they bowed to them before her sister’s student Twilight Sparkle wearing the element of magic ran over to greet them. “Princess Celestia, Princess Luna.” The young unicorn said, nuzzling her sister.

“Twilight Sparkle, my faithful student.” Princess Celestia responded before raising her head. “I knew you could do it.”

“But you told me it was all an old pony tale.” Twilight replied, looking between my sister and I.

“We told you that you needed to make some friends, nothing more.” I said walking up beside my elder sister. “We saw the signs of Nightmare Moon’s return and knew that it was you that had the magic inside to defeat her.”

“But you could not release it until you let true friendship into your heart.” Princess Celestia added, “Now if only another relative would as well.”

As we turned our attention to my daughter standing there without her armor it was Celestia that went first to greet her. “Princess Nightly Moon. It has been a thousand years since I’ve seen you like this.” She said her wings stretched out. “It is time to put our differences behind us. You were meant to join our rule my little niece.”

It was the element bears that questioned Princess Celestia’s words. “Niece?” They said in unison as I leaned my head to the side to get a better glimpse of my daughter. It was the look in her eyes that made my heart sink. As Celestia extended out her hoof. Night’s horn flared to life and a spark of teal flicker in her golden eyes.

“I hate you.” She said, as what had remained of her magic crackled through her body. “I will always hate you. She turned her head towards me as Celestia took a few steps back before readying to counter my daughter’s magic. “And now that I see where we all stand.” Her magic flared up and ripped a hole into the air itself, creating a portal to a world that looked of ice and snow. “I hope you enjoyed this final Night.” Just like that Nighty stepped through the portal before it closed itself behind her.

My daughter, whom I had not seen for one thousand years, had disappeared. “She…she’s gone…” I said before I screamed. “EEERAAHH!” Slamming my front hooves into the ground in sorrow and rage, my sister was wise enough to quickly teleport the six dumbstruck ponies and herself out of the tower as I leveled it to the ground.

—----------------------------------

-Vice Principal Luna-

-Present time-

Luna stood in the halls of Canterlot General in deep thought as a woman in a dark gray pinstripe suit and skirt waited for her response. “Well, what do you say?” The woman asked looking up at Luna in hopes that she would agree to her request. “Out of everyone I know, I’m sure you would be a fine fit.”

“I don’t know Sunny, I know I’m on the list of volunteers, but I’ve never fostered anybody before, especially one who will need as much help as her.” Luna replied, looking the CPS Agent in the eyes.

“Honestly Luna, that's why you're my first choice on this.” Sunny said, giving her friend a soft smirk. “Look, why not try it out for a few days and if it doesn’t work out I’ll look into other means.” As Sunny placed her hand on my shoulder she glanced at the girl named NIghtmare who was looking at the palms of her hands. “However from how she reacted when she fully woke up, I get the feeling she already thinks the world of you.”

“Fine…” I said leaning into the door frame while crossing my arms. “What's a few weeks anyways.”

“A few weeks, already planning that far out Lulu.” Sunny teased as she handed me a clipboard and some papers to fill out.

“You know what I mean, beside its winter break, you try finding someone else willing.” I retorted as I signed the release forms for the hospital in addition to the foster care paperwork.

Handing the paperwork over Sunny placed them into her folder before parting ways with me, however not before letting one last comment slip. “Hey, just let me know when you’re fully ready to adopt, I’ll pull some strings.”

Luna facepalmed at that, as Sunny handed in the release form before exiting the building. Shaking her head she walked back to the room when a now bandaged up Nightmare squeezing her hands open and closed before Nurse Mender helped her into the wheelchair provided by Sunny. “You feeling ready to get out of here?” I asked looking over to Nightmare whose eyes glance over to me before she turned her head to face mine. ‘Definitely gonna be a Terminator fan.’ I thought to myself with a chuckle as she shook her head yes.

“Alright, let's get out of here then.” I said as Nurse Mender, Nightmare and I began heading for the front of the building where Cadance had brought her car around.

“My Auntie Tia is going out with Ms. Sunny to pick up some clothes that you can wear,” Cadance said as Nurse Mender and I helped Nightmare into the care before putting the wheelchair in the trunk. “So… while they’re doing that, why don’t we go get something to eat, my treat.”

Nightmare took a solid few seconds before looking up at me for confirmation before looking at Cadance. “That’s fine.” She said, rubbing her throat and glancing away.

“Now remember to bring her back in a few weeks so that we can re-look at her legs. If everything looks alright we should be able to get her into some physical therapy.” Nurse Mender said as she greeted Nightmare and I goodbye and returned to her post.

—----------------------------

-Nightmare-

Staring out the window of the self moving wagon, Nightmare rested her chin upon the palm of her hand. She wasn’t completely sure what had happened after her magic had flared up in the ruin castle six days earlier, however she was able to put a couple of things together based on part of conversations she had listened to when others had thought they were out of ear shot.
The first being that although she had teleported as a pony her body was now that of a human, specifically one of the teenage variety. The second was that the place she landed had its own Luna and Celestia who although shared traits with their Alicorn counterparts had such drastically different personalities that she was sure most others would be unable to notice. For example this world's Celestia was quick to back out of the room when I gave her a look of disdain at her introduction. As well as Luna’s threat to make her eat cake if she didn’t stop acting scared of an injured child. I smirked thinking about how afraid she was of accidentally hurting me when she extended her hand to shake mine. It was her reactions to the situation that had calmed my anger and made me realize that it wasn’t her who had hurt me, She was guilt free.

As we pulled up white building with magenta overhangs above the entrance and windows of the restaurant. “Alright, since the doctors said you seemed to have a high metabolism when it came to sugar and vegetables, welcome to Sugar Cube Corner. Don’t ask me about the name I don’t know either.” Cadance said with some fanfare before turning the ‘car’ off.

After taking a few moments to slide me back into the wheelchair, which seemed harder than when we were getting me out of it. Cadance held the door to the establishment open as Luna rolled me inside and to a small booth as Cadance went to get menus for us to look at. As Luna went to get us some coffee to start us off, at my request, I stopped looking over the menu as the site of a orangish yellow teenager round my age, if I had to guess, with red and yellow hair caught my eyes as she seemed to be berating one of the workers with pink skin and puffy pink hair that seemed to deflate the more the other girl talked to her.

“I mean really, how hard is it to make a decent hot cup of coffee, Pinkamena.” The girl said loud enough to start making the pink girl’s eyes water.

“But we made it exactly how you wanted it Sunset…” Pinkamena said as she held her serving tray as a shield from the verbal assault. All of which only seemed to make the girl named Sunset madder.

“What a childish tantrum.” I said out loud as I went back to looking at the menu.

“What… Did you say.” Sunset said as her neck looked like it would creak from the stiffness of her head turn.

“I said, what a childish tantrum.” Without even looking up from the menu I decided to add a bit more to my words and Sunset had gotten up and walked over to me. “Complaining about getting exactly what you asked for, if I didn’t know any better I would call you a ‘foal’.” I said tilting my head up at her, making complete eye contact.

Sunset stared at me for a hard moment with her arms crossed before finally speaking. “Sunset Shimmer,” she pointed her thumb to herself.

“Nightmare Moon.” I replied placing one hand on the menu and the other on my chest.

Smirking back at me she placed the cup of coffee she had been complaining about on the table in front of me before gesturing to it. Taking the hint and being glad the girl didn’t just pour it on me, I picked the cup up and placed it in my mouth taking a slow sip before lowering the concoction back down before blinking a few times.

Looking over to the pink haired girl who looked at me with a sense of hope before focusing my eyes back onto the cup, Just as Luna and Cadance came back to the table with our drinks in their hand and an eyebrow raised. “Wow, that is bad.”

Chapter 4- The Sun that poked the Moon

-Nightmare-

As Luna looked between Sunset and I noticing a strange tension that had begun to form between us. “I see you’ve met Canterlot High’s top student already.” Luna said before handing me a cup of coffee.

“Indeed, She seems quite interesting… As for the taste, the soy used in the milk in preparation for ‘this’ clearly went bad three days ago.” I said, closing my eyes while holding Sunset’s cup up to her by the bottom. This seemed to catch Pinkamena's ears as she rushed behind the counter, checking the date on the container.

“Oh wow, she’s like totally right!” Pinkamena exclaimed loudly in a way that reminded me of a similar pony that I had seen back in Ponyville’s town hall.

‘Must be her counterpart.’ I thought to myself cracking one of my eyes open to glance at Sunset while resting my chin in my open hand. The look in her eyes seemed to be that of annoyance, yet mutual respect.

“We’ll make you another.” An older woman said coming from behind the counter before taking the cup from my hand. “I am truly sorry about that dear.”

“It's fine Mrs. Cake… just please stop letting Pinkie make the coffee. Her baking skills may be up there, but I’m pretty sure taste buds are too coated in sugar for other things.” Sunset said, pinching the edge of her brow before letting out a sigh.

“Speaking of which, I assume this is safe to drink?” I said, giving it a slight sniff before bringing it to my lips.

“It is, however I would let it cool off first.” Luna said giving Mrs. Cake an apologetic look while mouthing ‘sorry’ to her. Mrs. Cake merely gave her a knowing wink before pulling out a small pad of paper along with a pen.

“So Nightmare right? Luna’s told me you just got out of the hospital, I would assume you must be starving knowing their food. Have you decided on what you might want to order?” The mention of the hospital seemed to grabbed Sunset’s intress cause instead of leaving the moment her ‘order ordeal’ got fixed, she decided to taking up a seat at the booth next to me, mimicking the same pose I had used when handing her back her drink, except her eyes were open and locked on me, while her other hand rested on the table.

“I’ll take the cesar salad with balsamic vinegar for the dressing and a slice of… pumpkin pie if you would.” I replied handing the menu over to Mrs. Cake.

“Are you sure about only having a salad and pie, aren’t you like extremely underweight.” Sunset snarked, eyes still locked on me as I slowly turned my head to the right of me where she was sitting.

“I don’t eat meat.” I said furrowing my brow while taking another drink of my coffee.

“So why were you in the hospital, let me guess; passed out from a lack of protein. Throw up too many times in the public bathroom. Slit your wrists.” I just stared at her.

“Blood loss and starvation caused by years of imprisonment and assault on the command of my aunt and mother once they found out I wasn’t dead. What about you? Let me guess, broken nose.” I said in response as I swung my leg into her ribs before slamming her face into the table. “Or was it the broken rib.”

As Sunset’s face bounced off of the table with a crunch, a small splat of blood from her nose she reached for her nose with both hands before falling out of her seat and into the fetal position. The look on all the other patrons was of shocked expressions and ones that read ‘it was bound to happen at some point’. Luna’s was a mix of the two.

“So what did you two order?” I asked, looking at Cadance and Luna like nothing out of the ordinary had just occurred within the last ten seconds.

“Uuhh… is she gonna be alright?” Cadance asked slowly from her seat while pointing at the now writhing Sunset.

“She’ll be fine, I kicked her in the floater and her nose should mend once the swelling goes down. Although it might be a little crooked.” As I glanced back over, Sunset had already managed to pull herself to her knees before lunging at me. Without missing a beat I reached out with my hands, placed one on her forehead while using the other to grab her nose causing another snapping sound as I pulled on her nose while pushing her head back.

“Okay! Okay! I give! I GIVE!” Sunset cried while being released from grasp.

“That should reset it.” I said calmly watching her gently hold her nose while blood slowly slid out of her nostrils.

With that, Sunset sat back into her seat at the booth as Pinkamena popped up next to her with a tray holding one cesar salad, one slice of pumpkin pie, two sandwiches with fries, Sunset’s Coffee and a bag of ice. Which just as quickly as Sunset’s nose was broken, was placed in front of the intended person at the table before skating away on the flat rubber of her shoes. Her hair now having a lot more volume to it than before.

—--------------------------------------------------------------------

-Vice Principal Luna-

After a much needed meal while talking between NIghtmare and Sunset, which inhaled a lot of back and forth between them trying to piss the other off, I decided it was finally time for us to head out. After a surprising farewell from Sunset who now sported a nasal strip over the bruised bridge of her nose. The three of us hopped back into the car, making our way home, where Sunny and Celestia were waiting for us.

Looking over to Nightmare in the back seat, I let a small smile wash over my face as the young teen laid across the back asleep from what I figured was a lot of excitement for her in one day.

“What have I gotten myself into.” I said, shaking my head while Cadance just smirked.

After a good thirty minute ride back to my and Celestia’s home. I gentilly woke Nightmare from her nap and helped her into her wheelchair before rolling her up the driveway and into the house.

“It's a lot different than I was expecting.” Nightmare said blinking at the two floor townhouse.

“Ilke good different or bad different?” I asked, wincing a bit at the girl’s comment.

“Just, different different. Although I am going to assume the living areas are on the second floor?” Nightmare asked with a tilt of her head.

“Yeah, why?” Cadance asked without realizing the implication.

“Stairs…” Nightmare said bluntly.

“There's a spare room on the ground floor.” I responded as I pushed Nightmare through the doorway into the living room.

Chapter 5- Adjusting

-Vic Principal Luna-

A sigh left my lips as Sunny and I finished settling Nightmare into her new room. Leaving the little lady to her own devices, I met the others in the living room for a quick chat about our plans for the new member of our household.

“So, how did your trip to Sugar Cube Corner go anyways?” Celestia asked, sitting down in the loveseat with a glass of wine in hand.

“It… went okay.” I winced, wanting to avoid the topic.

“That bad?” Sunny asked from the kitchen, shutting the fridge door before entering the room.

“Nightmare got into an altercation with Sunset Shimmer.” Candance answered dryly before taking a can of soda from Sunny.

“She didn’t try to hurt her, did she?” Celestia asked glancing over to Nightmare’s room with concern, “Nightmare just got out of the hospital today,”

“Other way around actually.” Taking a sip of her own glass of red wine she glanced up with a slight smirk. “Sunset thought it would be a good idea to mess with our little Nightmare.”

“So Nightmare cracked her rib and broke her nose.” Cadance said as Sunny joined her on the couch.

“Wait… WHAT?!” Celestia shouted before covering her mouth. Taking a deep breath Celestia continued, “And Sunset didn’t try to attack her back?”

“Oh, she tried… until Nightmare reset the foolish girl’s nose back into place.” I answered, placing my wine glass down upon the coffee table. “The interesting thing is after that Sunset and Nightmare seemed almost inseparable.”

“You mean they became friends?” Sunny asked, jumping back into the conversation.

“Eh, more like frenemies. The whole time they were together it was like. “Cadance stopped for a moment in thought before finishing, “Like the worlds calmest verbal cat fight.”

“Soooo… how are we gonna handle… the assaulting a person, thing?” Celestia asked, raising an eyebrow feeling the need to take another long drink of her glass.

“For the moment, I think-” Before I could answer, the door to Nightmare’s room loudly creaked open as the girl in question wheeled herself into the living room.
“I felt challenged and acted out of turn.” Nightmare said, pulling herself up to where everyone could hear and see her. “What I did was wrong and would be worthy of punishment, however much like with Sunset, I will not give apologies for what I do not feel guilty about. I can only try to not repeat my actions.”

It was the way that Nightmare had said it that gave a slight chill down my spine while also making me feel somehow relieved. “Try, but not promise?” I asked, looking the girl in the eyes. Eyes that seemed to hold a sense of worry behold a masking of intent.

With a nod of her head I understood the meaning behind that look. As my older sister finally emptied her glass she leaned back into her loveseat before speaking what we were both thinking. “You used the word try because you don’t want to make promises you can’t keep, is that right?”

“Correct… I dislike those who can’t keep their word, so to foolishly promise that such a thing won’t happen again would be to ignore what caused me to do it in the first place. Just like her.” Nightmare said, looking down at her hand and taking a breath. “I refuse to be like her…”

The room got quiet after that, as we tried to think of how to even touch the topic that Nightmare had just let slip. Luckily we were by some form of grave Nightmare was just as quick to change the subject,

“So, how are we going to handle this thing you call ‘school’.” Nightmare said with a slight tilt to her head.

—---Two weeks later—--

-Nightmare-

It had been a few weeks living with the alternate counterparts of her aunt and mother, and even though the first few days had started off kind of ruff with having to adjust to living under a roof with parental figures for the first time in over a thousand years, Nightmare found the experience rather refreshing. For the first time in most of her life, she was living with others that were a) not annoyed at her presence and b) took the time to actually talk and work though any problem that she presented them with. For example, when Nightmare had gotten up one night and drank a whole box of red wine due to it smelling like berries, she had picked it thinking it to be some sort of juice. When she was found laying on the ground next to her tipped over wheelchair, bottle in hand. Both Luna and Celestia had taken the time to explain that although some wine was made from fruits and berries, they weren’t made with the intent of girls her age to drink. Oddly enough, instead of an hour long lecture on the dangers of alcohol or the locking of the wine cooler, Luna had gone out of her way to get her a mini fridge for her room and proceeded to stock it full of all kinds of bottles of juice as well as some jugs of water.

Another thing that took NIghtmare time to adjust to was that after Luna had taken her back to the hospital to have her legs looked at, the doctors had given her three options in regard to her legs due to the achilles tendon having not healed correctly, The first being some tartarus looking braces that would keep her foot from moving in any direction which would give her a waddle while walking or crutches which would require the use of her upper body to be mobile or thirdly continue using her wheelchair as a form of transportation. Nightmare not wanting to be seen dead with the first two was content with her chair while finding her own means of regaining her ability to walk.

As such, Nightmare had spent the last two weeks practicing getting in and out of her chair without the aid of others while taking breaks to read into some subjects that she was unfamiliar with in regards to her current world. The first being the long and much more violent history that had led to a lot of this world's current technological advancements. The others being science and medicine. Being a creature that had lived in a world that revolved around magic, Nightmare had been raised in the many ways that magic could be used to manipulate the world to their will. Whereas here most if not all advancements had been made in the way of electricity and motorized gears, a far cry different from such things as magic filled golems and alchemy based healing potions.

Oddly enough, Nightmare found it interesting that a lot of the mathematical formulas used in the textbooks littered around the home were similar to ones used for magic crafting. A concept that was drilled into her during her tutelage under her mother ‘Princess Luna’ herself. Even if she had never cared for such lessons, she couldn’t help but be glad at having already been familiar with such concepts, even if a little rusty.

“You up for this?” Luna asked, pulling up to her parking space behind the school as I unbuckled my seatbelt.

“Yeah, I think I got this.” I said opening the door and pulling myself out of the car. Using the side of the vehicle as support I slowly made my way to the trunk while being careful of my balance until I reached the back of the car and pulled the wheelchair before promptly letting myself collapse into it. “See… Got it.”

Chapter 6- A sight to fright

Nightmare wasn’t sure what to expect upon entering the school while in the company of Luna, the one thing she wasn’t expecting were all the looks of panic that seemed to be directed straight at her. At least that was her thought before she noticed that some of their eyes seemed to be following something behind her. Tilting her head slightly she heard the glass doors behind her open fully before slamming hard.

Giving the air a quick sniff, Nightmare closed her eyes before addressing the figure who loomed over her side. “It's good to see you again, Sunset.” Nightmare said before glancing up to the fiery haired teen.

“Oh, hey Nightmare, Vice Principal Luna.” Sunset greeted knocking the snow off of her boots. “Wasn’t expecting to see you here, you just transferred or something?”

“Something like that,” Luna answered before leaning down to Nightmare, “I have to go finish informing the teachers, I’ll meet you in the main office after the bell rings.” Straightening up she looked Sunset hard in the eyes with her emotionless mask. “I expect you will be able to assist in that Sunset.”

Without much of a thought Sunset left out a short groan before answering with a simple, “Sure,” before watching Luna disappear in the crowd of students.

“So what's the connection there anyways? You like her daughter or something?” Sunset asked, pointing into the direction Luna disappeared into with her arms crossed.

“Something like that.” Nightmare responded with a smirk before changing the subject, “So what's with them?” She gestured with a nod.

“Eh, they’re just a bunch of scared losers. Personally, you're better off not acknowledging their existence.” Sunset surmised while looking at her nails.

“Shall I put that to the test?” Nightmare asked, giving a toothy grin before rolling up to a small group of boys before tugging on one of their jerseys.

“Excuse me boys, but could one of you tell me where the main office is?” She asked, causing one of the boys to turn around and look down at her.

“Yeah sure, you just head- DEAR GOD!!!” The boy answered before jumping back into his friend.

“WhaT’S WroNg …” Nightmare’s voice said with a slight reverence while she looked at the boys with only the white of her eyes showing before grinning wide revealing a row of sharp pointy teeth. “ARen’t YOu GoiNG TO ShoW Me THe WAy.” With that she began leaning forward with one of her miss colored black hands before creeply sucking in air as she started opening her jaw. Causing the boy to fall to the ground as his friends seemed to watch in horror before Nightmare placed her index finger under his chin to make him look into her eyes as she blinked her eyes back to normal revealing two Bluish Teal eyes with a reptilian slit where the pupil should be.

“What's wrong boy…. Don’t you want to be friends?” She whispered falling forward from her chair landing with her knees between his legs as the group of young men screamed bloody murder and ran for dear life.

Placing a hand on her chair she pushed herself back into it while dusting off her long gray skirt before letting out a soft chuckle. “You're right, they are scared losers.” Nightmare said in her normal tone before looking over to Sunset who was ‘pissing herself laughing’ at the reactions of the football players.

Just then a loud bell rang around them as the halls quickly emptied leaving behind only NIghtmare and a much winded Sunset.

“Girl, you are going to do great here.” Sunset managed to stammer out between laughs as she rubbed a tear from her eye. “Let's get you to Vice Principal Luna.”

—------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

After a quick trip to the office, Luna had informed the girls that Nightmare much to Luna’s dismay, was to shadow Sunset for the day so that she could get familiar with the layout of the school as well as her classes. This which not only surprised Sunset, also seemed to please Nightmare for reasons that neither Luna nor Celestia could guess.

This in return led to NIghtmare scaring just about half of the student body as well as faculty by her mean prescenes. A phenomenon that wasn’t new for Nightmare, even as a newborn foal Nightmare’s existence seemed to send shivers down the spines of all who looked upon her. From Nightmare’s point of view, it was one of the few things which was the cause as to why, even though she was a royal, she was so poorly treated by castle staff.

It was also the reason why she found herself enjoying the company of not just Luna and Celestia, who saw her at her weakest. However, it was Sunset in particular that she enjoyed the company of most, because unlike others, instead of shrinking away. She had instead started prodding her in an attempt of making her mad.

So after giving the poor lunch lady a near heart attack, Nightmare found herself wheeling over to a table where Sunset was sitting, talking to a boy with blue pulled back spiky hair.

“So who’s your friend.” Nightmare said, setting her tray on the table before transferring herself from her chair to the connected bench.

“Oh you must be the girl Sunset’s been talking about recently. Flash Sentry, Sunset’s boyfriend.” Flash said, introducing himself with his hand extended.

Nightmare stared at Flash for a hard moment with her eyes held open before giving a quick blink. “Nightmare Moon, Sunset’s personal ‘Frienemie.” Nightmare said, extending her hand before giving Flash a quick shake. “Or at least that's how Mom puts it, not really used to the whole friend concept.”

“And why’s that?” Flash asked, a bit concerned.

“Reasons.” Nightmare answered before looking over to Sunset who slid up next to Nightmare before stealing one of her fries.

“Frienemie, eh,” She said with a chew, placing an arm around Nightmare’s shoulder. “I like it, gots a nice ring to it.”

Chapter 7- Teal or Gold

-Princess Luna-

Night fell over the land of Equestria as Luna stared down from her Lunar tower, dark bags lining her eyes. One thousand years, one thousand years she had waited for her daughter to return since Celestia had banished her to the moon. Now she didn’t know how long she would have to wait before she would see her again. ‘Why did it go so wrong.’ Luna thought as she walked the halls of Canterlot Castle. Reaching her sister’s private quarters she weakly knocked on the door before pushing it open. “Sister… I wish to talk.” Luna said with a hoarse tone.

“I know Luna…” Celestia sighed, not looking her sister in the eye. As Luna walked over to a less than stoic Celestia as she looked up at the moon now missing the silhouette of its once prisoner.

“I don’t understand sister… was returning to us so bad?” Luna asked, laying down alongside the solar alicorn.

“I don’t know Luna, I had hoped that the elements would rid Nightie of the darkness that had filled her heart, yet it looks like the elements were only able to rid her of the magic that she stole.” Celestia said, shaking her head as she closed her eyes. The look of anger on Nightie’s face, the teal glow still in her eyes. The image, still burning in her mind.

“So what are we going to do, how are we going to save her?” Luna asked, tears slowly falling from her eyes. “Celestia, how are we going to get back my daughter?”

As Celestia looked down at the royal garden, a statue in the distance caught her eye. “I have a few ideas Luna, but it will take time to prepare. For now just rest.”

Off in the distance, in the royal garden, a large statue of a mismatched creature stood in a dramatic pose. A small twinkle gleamed from its eye.

—--------------------------------------------------------

-Canterlot High School-

“So then she went up to these four guys in the hall to ask where the main office was and they were so afraid of talking to a girl that they ran away screaming.” Sunset laughed as she walked down the halls with Nightmare and Flash.

“I still don’t think it was that funny, I ended up falling out of my wheelchair because of them. Honestly, what is it that makes them think I’m so scary?!” NIghtmare exclaimed, raising her arms up in annoyance.

“Mhm, maybe it's those golden eyes of yours, makes all the boys think you're gonna eat them.” Sunset snickered leaning forward to press her cheek next to NIghtmare’s.

“Uh, Sunset you're not going colorblind are you?” Flash asked as he walked next to the girls.

“What do you mean?” Sunset asked, narrowing her brow to glare at her boyfriend as she stopped to look him in the eyes.

“Well… Nightmare’s eyes aren’t gold.” He said as he walked in front of them before gesturing to Nightmare’s eyes. “They’re clearly Teal.”

This got the two girls to look at each other before looking back at him. “Flash, her eyes are blatantly gold, orange gold at best. You sure you aren’t the one who’s colorblind?” Sunset looked at Flash with a quizzical look.

“Hold on, hey Soarin, what color are her eyes?” Flash asked, stopping yet another male teen with blue spiky hair.

“Eh, those are Teal dude, also kind of creepy, sorry.” Soarin said as he took a second to look at Nightmare before stepping back.

“You two must be blind, hey you!” Sunset shouted, grabbing a white haired girl with blue skin and a wizard’s hat. “What color are her eyes!”

The white hair girl stopped for a moment before leaning forward at an uncomfortable distance before squinting at Nightmare. “Trixie would have to proclaim that this girl’s eyes are clearly yellow, no… gold. Sorry, Trixie has trouble with specific shades.” With that Trixie straightened back up before crossing her arms. “She does wonder why her eyes have slits like a lizard though.”

This started a chain reaction of both Flash and Sunset stopping every single person who would spare two seconds to ask them what color the poor girl’s eyes were. After a significant sized crowd had formed around the three, a few teachers had come over to break things up so nobody was missing class.

“Okay, this is just plain weird. It's like an even fifty/fifty split.” Sunset announced as they made their way to the girls locker room.

“Tell me about it, I’ve only ever seen my eyes as gold so I’m not sure where they’re getting the whole ‘TEAL’ thing from.” Nightmare said making air quotes. “Also, everyone that said teal outside of Flash seemed kind of… unnerved didn’t they?”

“Did they? I didn’t notice. Maybe it's like a lighting thing. Maybe your eyes are really just Hazel or something.” Sunset added before walking up to one of the lockers and opening it. “Almost forgot to ask, you did bring something to change into right?”

“Yeah, I have some that mom put in my bag before we left.” With that the two girls changed into their gym clothes. Sunset wearing a trademark orange shirt and shorts and nightmare in a dark purple shirt and black shorts.

This caused Sunset to stare for a brief moment as she got a good look at Nightmare’s arms and legs which were covered in scars reaching from her black hands to her shoulders as well as down her legs. Not wanting to stare too much, Sunset closed her locker and began heading for the gym with Nightmare not far behind her.

As the two entered the gym a soft murmur could be heard coming from both the guys and the girls as they all glanced at Nightmare’s arms and legs.

“Ah, this must be our latest transfer.” A large bulking dark blue man with a mohawk and goatee approached as he made several poses. “Iron WIlls the name, coaching students like yous’ da game. And you're in a wheel…chair, they did not tell me you would be in a wheelchair.” Iron Will stated as his shoulders slumped a bit before picking himself back up. “Hmm, might need to rethink this one though.” As Iron Will rubbed his goatee for a moment before he snapped his fingers before looking back down at NIghtmare.

“You able to lift?” He asked before getting a simple shrug from her. “Good, Weight Room Everybody!!!” He yelled as he pointed to a door on the other end of the gym. “Lets see whos been lift’n and who’s been skipp’n.”

Chapter 8- How heavy are the weights you lift?

Nightmare Moon watched as student after student laid down on a long bench and tried to see how much weight they could move before being unable to move the bar any further. From what she could see the guys seemed to vary between 120lbs (54kg) to 230lbs (104kg) whereas the ladies were moving between 70lbs (32kg) to 130lbs (59kg). There were a few exceptions though, one girl with orangish skin and blonde hair was able to out bench the boys by a good 62lbs (28kg) putting her at a good 300lbs (136kg) total, while another with blue skin and a rainbow prism of hair was able to stop at 280 lbs (127kg), even Sunset was able to get an impressive 240lbs (109kg) during her go.

With no one else left before her, Nightmare wheeled herself over to the bench before sliding herself onto its cushion. A buff giant of a teen with white skin and short blonde hair kindly rolled her wheelchair off to the side so it wouldn’t get in the way.

“Alright, so you got da chance to see how its done, let’s walk you through it. Place your hands on each side of the bar, equal distance away.” Iron Will spoke, helding with the placement of Nightmare’s hands. “You're gonna want to keep your palms under the bar and hold your grip tight, keep your thumb on the outside opposite of your fingers.

“Got it.” Nightmare said looking the teacher in the eyes.

“Alright, after your first rep with the bar, I’m gonna add ten pounds, that's about four and a half kilograms of weight. After each rep you will place the bar back onto these two posts known as the stand. All we are doing is seeing where your current max strength is, no shame in not being able to reach what some of the others can, you can always work on it and get better.” Iron Will pulled the bar off the stand, “When you can’t lift the bar anymore, speak up imitendly, I’ll help with getting it on the stand. Got your grip tight?”

Nightmare gave a short nod. Then Iron WIll let go of the bar. To NIghtmare’s surprise the bar felt almost weightless as she pulled the bar to just above her chest before pushing it back up onto the stand. “Good, now Will will add the weight.” With that Nightmare proceeded to do her reps.

-35 reps later-

Sweat dripped across Nightmare’s forehead as slowly pulled the bar down to her chest before slowly bringing it back up and setting it on the stand. “Next ten.” Nightmare commanded as she kept her hands clamped to the pull as Iron Will added another ten lbs of weight to the bar before helping to take it off of the stand. Bringing the bar down the dense muscles in NIghtmare’s arms flexed as it reached her chest before she pressed it back up with her teeth clenched. Placing the bar back onto the stand Iron Will added one last set of five pound weights before giving the bar a slight tug letting the weight rest in Nightmare’s hand as her arms flexed hard before struggling to slowly bring the bar down to her chest. The other student held the breath as Nightmare breathed in hard through her nostrils as her forehead began to turn a slight shade of pink from the blood pressure as the bar, much slower than before, came half way up before coming to an almost complete stop. As Nightmare to mentally fight off the pain in her muscles and joints a small ring of teal formed around the gold of nightmare’s irises as the muscles in her arms flexed causing the skin to tighten as the bar continued to move up one centimeter at a time.

“Come on… Come on.” Sunset chanted, “Come on Nightmare you're almost there.”

Nightmare with her teeth clenched hard as she slowly worked the bar further and further up before finally holding in completely straight. “Take… it.” She growled as Iron Will Grabbed the bar hard, pulling it onto the stand as Nightmare released the bar letting her arms drop down. Breathing in hard she closed her eyes hard before the other students started talking amongst themselves.

“Four hundred pounds. Gotta say that was mighty impressive sugarcube.” A voice called walking up to the side of the bench while holding out a towel.

Opening her eyes and leaning forward into a sitting position, Nightmare reached for the towel with a sting to her arm as the muscles seemed to spasm a bit. “Thanks.” Nightmare responded with a worn out voice as she put the towel to her face and wiped the sweat away.

"Your welcome, names Applejack.” the girl said, extending her hand out.

“I think I saw you in the lunch room earlier, name’s Nightmare.” Taking a moment to catch her breath she passed the towel back to Applejack before Sunset wheeled her wheelchair over for her to get into.

“I gotta say, wasn’t honestly expecting you to out-press me given your outer appearance and all.” Applejacked chuckled, rubbing the back of her head.

“And what does that supposed to mean?” Sunset asked, glaring at Applejack as I slid into my seat.

“Hold up now, all I was say’n is that it was mighty impressive.” Applejack quickly put her hands up in defense as she took a step back from Sunset who was furrowing her brow at her.

“It's fine Sunset.” Nightmare said, putting her hand up signaling her to stop. “I get it, A scrawny looking girl in a wheelchair,” Nightmare let out a soft chuckle closing her eyes for just a moment. “I might not look like much, but like they say, ‘tis best not to judge a book by its cover.’.” Eyes of teal met the farmgirl as she flinched back. “Wouldn’t you agree.” With that Applejack quickly backed away with a look of concern on her face before leaving the weight room with the other students.

The rest of the school day went by rather quickly and before NIghtmare realized it school had let out for the day.

“So what are you doing after school today?” Sunset asked as she walked along Nightmare as they made their way down the hallway towards the front.

“Mom and I have a meeting with Agent Sunny once she’s finished up with her facility duties. After that, I’m not sure.” Nightmare said as Sunset gave her a look.

“Agent Sunny? What like with the government or something?” Sunset asked.

“Social Worker I think, she’s currently working on my documentation so that I can officially be adopted by mom.” Nightmare looked over to her side, staring at one of the trophy cases before looking forward.

“Wait, are you currently in foster care?” Sunset stopped looking at Nightmare with a slight look of concern. Nightmare just giving a slow nod. “I know you’ve mentioned your family issues briefly before, but you never mentioned you were straight up taken from them.”

“I wasn’t taken…” Nightmare looked down at scars along her arm. “I was abandoned… Let's change the subject.”

“Alright.” Sunset agreed before thinking up another topic. “So… you have a crush on anyone here yet?”

Nightmare just stared at her for a moment before turning her away as they head back down the hallway. “Not saying.”

“Oh, that's not a no. So is it a boy?”

“I don’t like boys.”

“So its a girl, is it me?”

*Thwack*

“oww!”

Chapter 9- Nightmares that hurt

-Equestria-Castle of the two sisters-

-Princess Luna-

Princess Luna walked through the old halls of the castle. Sounds of a small filly crying off in the distance. Walking down the hall Luna stopped in front of an old wooden door covered in splinters. Reaching with her huff Luna pushed the door open revealing a small light gray filly curled up in a ball laying in front of a small window.

“Nightly, my little Nightly. What’s wrong?” Luna asked, laying down next to the small filly, placing a wing around her in a blanket-like motion.

“Auntie… hic…hic… Auntie she…” the young filly cried struggling to get her words out.

“She what, NIghtly? What did she do?” Luna asked with worried eyes as she leaned down to show her daughter that it was okay.

“She… She Took Me From You.” The young filly’s eye glowed as the sun beyond the window went black. A fire burst from the filly’s mouth engulfing her body as Luna fell back. Looking over towards her daughter, panic and guilt filled her eyes as the once small filly stood over her.

Where the once small filly laid, the image of a large black alicorn stood with eyes of teal and a mane and tail like that of the cosmic storm in the night sky. As Luna frantically jumped to her hooves the black alicorn looked up at the opening in the ceiling where Celestia stood looking down on them.

With a flap of her wings Luna watched as Nightly flew up to Celestia and out of view. Stretching her wings to follow chains of ice stretched out latching onto her wings, legs and horn before slamming her back down. “You can’t save her.” A wispy voice carried through the air like a haunting wind. “Save her… Save here….You can’t save her.” Luna struggled in her chains as the walls around her crumbled into the darkness of the void. “Watch her die!” Celestia’s voice said in a harsh tone. “Open your eyes and watch.”

Opening her eyes, Luna looked up as Celestia stood over the broken body of Nighty, her hoof pressing down onto the now bleeding black alicorn as the elements of harmony surrounded them and began to spin into a ring of fire before Celestia crushed Nighty’s form into ash. Watching as her daughter’s body scattered into nothing day turned to night as the silhouette of her child formed on the moon’s surface.

“No…” Luna wept as her sister turned, walking into the void of night.

“It's for her own good.” Celestia’s voice echoed as her figure vanished.

“Give her back!” Luna cried as she pushed herself to her hooves, the sound of ice cracking as the chains struggled to hold her in place. “Give me back my Daughter!!!” Shattering the chains Luna spread her wings taking flight as she raced for the moon. The cold air slowly freezing her body as she flew up higher and higher into the night sky. The small platform of the castle shrunk into nothing as she rammed into the stars around her for warmth as she crashed into the moon itself.

Landing hard on the surface of the moon she frantically looked around for any sign of her daughter laying her eyes upon the frozen form of the black alicorn crying to herself.

“Nightly…” Luna whimpered as she drugged herself over to her crying daughter. As she approached the still body of the sobbing alicorn she was again met with darkness as she was pulled back into the ruins of her old castle.

Turning her head, she watched as six mares activated the elements of harmony before firing them at the black alicorn, causing the wings on her back to be ripped away. However unlike she had witnessed before, the wings of her daughter latched onto each other before forming a dark purple mist that mimicked the form of her daughter before ramming it’s horn into the air and ripping a tear into the realm of dreams.

“No….” Luna whispered as she rushed after the unicorn before sealing the tear behind it.

“No! No No No!” Luna exclaimed, unable to stop the specter from escaping.

“Mother…” A small voice sniffled, catching Luna’s attention.

Looking down at the small filly Luna collapsed to the ground, wrapping her wings around the body of her daughter. “I’m sorry… I’m so sorry.”

—-----------------------------------------------------------------

-Human World-Canterlot-

-Luna-

Luna awakened with a panic as the sound of screaming rang throughout the town house. Grabbing the bat she kept next to her bed Luna raced out of her room and down the flight of stairs. Running for Nightmare’s room, she swung the door open as she watched Nightmare cradled up in a ball with her hand digging into her shoulders.

Dropping the bat, Luna ran over to the rocking Nightmare grabbing her softly by the hands before slowly pulling them away from her bleeding shoulders. “Nightmare!” Luna called as her hands met blood. “Nightmare! Look at me!” As Luna lowered her head to look Nightmare in the eyes she felt her heart stop. Nightmare’s eyes glowed bright teal as her pupils dilated to the point where only it and her glowing irises were visible. Staring into NIghtmare’s eyes, fear and panic flooded Luna’s senses as the young girl kept muttering herself. “I'm sorry… I’m sorry… I’m sorry… I’ll be good…I’m sorry.”

Hearing Nightmare repeating those lines again and again, Luna took a deep breath and exhaled, gathering her composure before placing her hands gently onto both sides of Nightmare’s head before pulling her into her chest and slowly rocking her back and forth as the young girl sobbed to herself.

“It's okay, Nightmare. It's not your fault.” Luna glanced over to Celestia who stood in the doorway in a sweat before making her way over to Nightmare. Kneeling down Celestia took the girl’s hands and held them as they both continued to consol until she silently went back to sleep.

After watching Celestia clean Nightmare’s wounds with a warm wet cloth, Celestia left the room returning back to her room. Luna held her daughter as the two of them laid on Nightmare’s bed before slowly drifting back to sleep.

Chapter 10- A Manifestation of dreams

-Nightmare-

“Good to see you again, Nightmare.” A young woman with green skin said as she sat down across from me, her red dreads held back by her yellow and white flower bandana. “So tell me my little thunder cloud, how has the nights been treating you?” She asked, placing a cup of herbal ten in front of me before taking a seat across from me.

“Not so good, Tree Hugger…” I answered, taking a sip of the brew before looking up at her with dark circles under my eyes. “It's been about two months or so now and it's only gotten worse. My grades are doing fine, but it's starting to affect my sanity.”

Tree Hugger motioned for me to continue as she made a note on her notepad.

“At first everything was going okay or as okay as one can get waking up in the middle of the night in a cold sweat, However last night… week was different.” I said rubbing my shoulders where I had clawed them. “Mom found me screaming in my sleep tearing at my skin. Two nights later she found me collapsed on the hallway floor, and last night she stopped me from shoving a shard of glass in my throat… I don’t even remember getting out of bed. I wish it only stopped there, but I’ve begun seeing things.”

“What kind of things?” Tree Hugger asked looking up from her notes.

“I’m not sure. The first time I thought it was my eyes playing tricks on me.” I said through my raspy throat. “Then the more I saw it the more shape it seemed to have, like a ball of gas but solid. I’m not really sure how to describe it, however the more I see iit the more it seems to take shape.”

“And what might that shape be now?” Tree Hugger squinted looking at my side waiting for an answer.

“It looked kind of like a person, but I can’t make out any details as it always seems to be hiding in the corner of my vision.” I said as I glanced to the spot next to me where Tree Hugger was staring.

“You can see it now can’t you?” Tree Hugger asked as she placed her notepad down on the table next to her.

“How could you tell?” I asked as my eyes darted back to her as she walked over to a small dresser at the other end of the room.

“Because your eyes have turned purple.” She said before pulling a box out of the dresser and placing it on the table in front of me. “Normally your eyes are a comforting shade of gold when you feel safe or teal if you seem anxious or threatened. Your gold eye makes others feel welcomed and cared for, like the warm rays of the sun. Whereas your Teal eyes give off a sense of danger and dread, like a hypnotic effect. As someone who sees others’ auras I was able to pick up on it after our first few meetings.” As Tree Hugger continued her explanation she opened the box, pulling out several herbs along with a stone bowl and grinding stone. “Your eyes are currently purple, which means something new and based on what you’ve been telling me.’ She looked up at me as she placed the herbs into the bowl and began grinding them. “I’m going to guess that they're connected.”

As Tree Hugger finished grinding the herbs into small pieces she pulled out a small piece of paper, placing them in the middle of it before rolling them up tight and licking the edge to hold the herbs in tight. Passing me the rolled up herbs I gave her a weird look before she made a second one and placed it in the edge of her mouth. Walking over to me she scavaged around in her pocket before pulling out a small box of matches and striking a match. Bringing the match’s flame to the edge of the paper she lit the end taking a deep inhale before motioning to me. Bringing the roll to my lips she lit the end and I took a small inhale of the burning herbs.

“I normally don’t smoke this stuff with clients, however given the circumstances this is a bit of a special case.” Tree Hugger said, blowing a small stream of smoke from her lungs. “The herbs in this are used for two things.”

“And what would that be?” I asked, exhaling the smoke as I watched Tree Hugger walk back over to her seat before passing me a small tray for the ashes.

“Calming nerves and vision seeking.” Tree Hugger said as the room around us began to grow slightly darker starting from the ceiling. “Now tell me, where do you see this figure?”

As I glanced around the room everything started to get slightly distorted as the darkness started to surround everything around us leaving only be and Tree Hugger sitting in the middle of a black void.

“What the fuck…” I said as a purple mist started to come out of the void and swirled around me.

I watched as a hand formed from the colored mist gently grasping the roll from my hand before smothering it out and dropping it in the tray before forming into a smoky version of me.

“What are you?” I asked as the faceless me seemed to stare straight at me before glancing off into the darkness where the sound of Luna’s voice spoke in the distance.

“Nighty, what did she do?” The voice said as I watched the image of my mother counseling a younger version of myself before vanishing into the void.

“Save her… SAVE HER!” Another Luna yelled, staring down Celestia.

“It's for her own good.” Celestia said glaring at her sister before the two disappeared like mist.

“Give me back… Give me back my daughter.” Luna shouted chained up to the ground as Celestia stood on the other side of a row of dungeon bars.

“It can’t be undone Luna, only when the elements’ effect wear off can she finally return. Until then you need to get yourself under control, don’t make me have to banish another member of our family.” Celestia glared before walking away leaving a crying Luna on the ground, her eyes turning purple as a small ball of purple formed in front of her as she spoke the word ‘Tantabus’. The purple ball entering Luna’s horn before causing her to fall asleep,

“Tantabus? Is that what you are?” I asked, looking at the purple figure as it gave a slight nod. “Why are you here?”

Luna’s voice echoed from the darkness once more, “Save her… How do I protect her?” Tantabus pointed once again into the darkness showing my wings being ripped off before quickly turning into a unicorn silhouette, creating a portal that it then jumped through before hovering over my sleeping figure and entering through my forehead. I watched as my sleeping form screamed before curling up into a ball. The scene than changed to the night I was found in the hallway, as nightmare was causing me to grown in my sleep my eye busted open with the color purple as the Tantabus’s mist surrounded my limbs trying to walk me into the hallway before snuffing out causing me to fall to the floor. Then it showed another night, another nightmare, another attempt of trying to wake me, the images continued from one night to the next until finally it showed the previous night where I was screaming silently in my sleep. The Tantabus manifested itself once more as it walked my body into the bathroom. The purple mist reached out, smashing the mirror before using my hand to grab one of the sards and pointing it ast my neck before Luna rushed in grabbing my wrist and waking.

Turning to face the Tantabus it mimicked holding the glass and stabbing itself in the shoulder before pulling it out.

“You were trying to wake me?” I asked, staring at the creature as it gave a nod before turning back into mist and surrounding my body in the shape of a suit of armor before going back to its human form a few feet in front of me.

“You're protecting me…” Just then the black void around me faded back into Tree Hugger’s office as the Tantabus looked over at Tree Hugger herself.

“So you two worked it out, far out.” Tree Hugger said as she looked straight at the Tantabus as it tilted its head.

“You can see it?” I asked, pointing over to the misty figure before looking back at a smiling Tree Hugger.

“I’m not sure if it's the weed or your eyes, but I’m gonna guess that the purple irises are for when you’re manifesting this gal. It's pretty far out.” Tree Hugger said reaching down and grabbing a can of air freshener and spraying the room as she cracked the windows. “Now why don’t we talk about those nightmares you’ve been having.” She said picking back up her notepad.

Chapter 11- Tastes like...

-Equestria- Canterlot Castle-

-Luna-

Luna watched from the shadows as Celestia removed a large chest from the magical vault. As she watched her sister open the chest revealing it to be completely empty before dropping it in front of the six mares who had last used them.

“The elements, they’re gone.” Twilight exclaimed, as the six of them surrounded the empty chest. Celestia began pacing back and forth before thinking out loud.

“That Chamber is protected by a powerful spell that only I can break.” Celestia claimed. “This doesn’t make sense.”

Laughter echoed from above as the voice of a stallion spoke from above. “Make sense… oh what fun is there in making sense.”

“Discord. Show yourself!” Celestia shouted into the air as she looked around the hall at the stained glass windows before focusing on one.

“Did you miss me Celestia?” As the voice continued to speak the depiction of a mishmash creature came to life within the glass, animating itself as it spoke. “I miss you.” The image of Discord then began moving from one glass image to another. “It's quite lonely being encased in stone, but you wouldn’t know that would you? Cause I don’t turn ponies into stone.” The image glared at Celestia as it sat upon the depiction of the element of kindness, before tapping it with its claw.

“Enough! What have you done with the elements of harmony?” Celestia shouted, stomping her hoof.

“Well, I just borrowed them for a teensy little while.” Discord said rubbing his lion paw together before snapping his fingers together and pointing at the stained glass elements, making them disappear.

“You’ll never get away with this Discord.” Celestia threatened, staring with a glare that could burn a hole into him.

“Oh I’ve forgotten how grim you can be Celestia. It's really quite boring.” Luna moved across the shadow of the ceiling to get closer to the window that Discord laid within.

“Hey! No pony insults the princess!” Rainbow Dash yelled, slamming face first into the glass window before pulling herself back, hovering in front of it.

“Oh, you must be Rainbow Dash, famed for her loyalty; the element of harmony you represent.” Discord said looking the blue pegasus in the eyes.

“That's right, I’ll always be loyal to the princess.” The blue pegasus claimed, putting her hoof to her chest.

“We’ll see about that.” Discord’s voice echoed as he vanished from the glass.

Luna looked from one image to another as Discord spoke to each mare in the room addressing each by their name and element before telling them where the elements were located in the form of a riddle. As she listened to him finish his riddle, Luna watched Discord blink out of the glass, but not before giving Luna a little wink. With that Luna returned back to her royal quarters before reforming herself from the shadows.

—---------------------------------------------------------------------

-Human World- Canterlot-

-Nightmare-

Nightmare sat in the backseat as Luna got into the car. As she watched her mom buckle her seatbelt she stared down at her palms as the small purple ball of mist rolled back and forth around her hands.

“Well, the good news is Tree Hugger doesn’t think you're a danger to yourself.” Luna sighed as she turned the key to the ignition. “Bad news is she prescribed you like six different sleeping pills to try to help with your sleeping issue in addition to giving you medical weed to smoke if you wake up screaming.” Looking up with concern in her eyes, Luna let out a heavy sigh before glancing back to the road. “To be honest, I’m not particularly a fan of her prescribing my ‘daughter to be’ cannabis, but if it helps you… I won’t stop you from using it. Just make sure to open a window and turn the fan on first.”

Looking up from my palm as the purple ball absorbed itself back into my hand, I gave her a small nod. “I don’t plan on using it unless I really need to.” I said as my stomach growled loudly. With a slight blush I glanced out the window. “Any chance we can stop for a bite to eat, I’m a bit hungry.”

Luna began to laugh it herself as she changed the course in her driving. “No problem, how about something a bit different.”

With that Luna pulled up to an orange building with the image of an elephant on the front. As we got out of the car, and me into my chair I rolled myself through the doorway as Mom held it open for me.

“Nightmare, I would like to welcome you to the Tasty Treat.” Luna said, as we were met with a large room filled with oranges, reds, yellows and greens. Looking around I noticed large fabrics and lanterns hanging from the ceiling and large fabric covered booths with pillows placed on them. The whole aesthetic, giving a warm homey vibe. Pulling my phone out of my purple messenger bag I opened up my camera, taking a quick picture before closing the screen.

“I know they saw a picture, lasts a lifetime, but I think the food will last an even longer impression, Nightmare.” Luna joked, placing a hand on my shoulder as we waited for someone to greet us.

“I was actually hoping… we could do something similar… to my… room?” I asked, giving Luna the puppy dog treatment, causing her to smirk.

“If that's what you want.” Just then a tall, shapely woman with orange skin and long, puffy, raven-like hair walked out from the back before greeting us.

“Auh, Luna my dear. How have you been?” She asked, giving her a tight hug. “And who is this?” The woman exclaimed, crouching down to my eye level causing my face to go a bit crimson.

“I’m Nightly…. I mean Nightmare, he he, Nightmare Moon.” I said extending my hand only to be taken into a hug which pressed my face straight into her rather generous chest before releasing me.

“It's wonderful to meet you to Nightmare, I’m Saffron Masala, head chef here at the Tasty Treat. Please sit anywhere you like while I fetch you some menus.” As she walked over to a small booth in the back Luna gave me a knowing smirk.

“I think she’s a bit too old for you.” Luna said, walking over to one of the booths near the back. “Not to mention, she’s taken.”

“Wait, what?” I asked in confusion as I snapped back to reality. “It's not like that, she’s… just very pretty.” As I rolled up to the booth I slid onto the couch-like seat before folding my chair and placing it next to the wall.

“Oh I know, we used to date on and off back when I was going to Canterlot High. Now she’s married to an old friend of ours.” Luna explained as Saffron walked over to our table placing the menus down before us.

“So I can see you two are close, what's the connection hmm?” Saffron said leaning over to Luna as she picked up her menu.

“She’s my daughter.” Luna answered as she pulled out her glasses to read the menu.

“Hold on.” Saffron straightened up forming an ‘X’ with her arms. “I have known you for over twenty years and have seen you at least once a month for each of those twenty years, where was the baby bump Lulu.” She exclaimed, slapping her palms down onto the table as an older man placed a couple of glasses of water down next to us before returning to the back shaking his head.

“She’s my adopted daughter, Saffron. Or she at least will be in a few weeks when Sunny Meadows returns with the paperwork from the court.” Luna said, pinching her brow in frustration before setting the menu down. “I’ll just have the usual.”

“Fine, but we’re talking about this more later.” Saffron said, writing down her order before turning to me. “And what will you be having dear?”

“I’ll just have the same. I’m not really familiar with any of these dishes.” I said, passing the menu over to Saffron before picking up the glass of water.

As we waited for our orders to be made Luna placed her elbows on the table before resting her chin on her hands. “So tell me Nightie. How’s things been going for you at school lately?” She asked with a mischievous look that only her and Cadance could seem to give.

“You’re one of the principals there, I would assume that you would have been keeping an eye on my grades.” I said, raising a brow as she shook her head.

“Being the Vice-principal only means I only know what teachers are saying, what I want to know is how you are going. How’s your friends? What do you enjoy doing with them? Who are you planning to take to the Spring Fling Dance in a few weeks?” As I stared in horror at my mom with my mouth hung open. Saffron placed bowls in front of us before walking away laughing to herself.

“Umm… Well, first me and Sunset haven’t been doing too well since she found out that I signed up for princess of the dance.” I said poking my fork into the food. “Outside of her, Flash and sometimes Trixie I don’t really like to go out and do anything really. As for the Dance itself, Trixie has agreed to go with me as friends since the person I had wanted to ask is in a relationship…. And currently not talking to me.” I murmured the last part as I shoved the food in my mouth.

“Oh… I see.” Luna said dejectedly as she picked up her fork to eat before stopping. “Hey, Nightmare?”

Looking up at her with my eyebrows raised, “whmmt?” I sounded through stuffed cheeks as I held the bowl near my mouth having been shoveling it down.

“I’ll… I’ll tell you when you're finished.” Luna said with a sheepish look on her face.

Finishing my bowl I placed it down as Saffron walked over to look at the empty dish. “Wow, you really liked my chicken curry didn’t you, want another order?” She asked as my pupils turned into pinpricks before the sound of Luna facepalming could be heard.

—---------------------------------------------------------

-Equestria- Canterlot Castle-

-Luna-

Luna sat on her bed as Discord floated around her room. “Discord.” I said, addressing the draconequus as he puffed a large chair into the room.

“Luna… I wasn’t expecting you off all ponies to be wanting to speak to me and secretively at that. What would your sister say?” Discord laughed as his chair slowly spun upside down.

“I don’t care what my sister has to say, I’ll deal with her in time. When that happens I’ll need somepony or perhaps some-creature to help fill in the space.” Discord stopped spinning and a serious look crossed his face and his chair righted itself.

“Tell me what has happened.” Discord said crossing his fingers giving Luna his full attention.

Chapter 12- The Talk

-Human World-

-Nightmare-

Nightmare felt ill as she rolled over to her side. Laying in her bed she held her stomach groaning as she held her eyes closed. As she continued to groan as a knock on her door caught her attention as she cracked an eye open.

“Hey Nightie, how are you feeling?” Luna asked, walking in with a small glass of water and a small packet of medicine.

“My stomach hurts.” Nightmare responded, sitting up as Luna passed her the glass a few tablets. “What is this?”

“Calcium Carbonate helps with indigestion.” Luna said, patting her on the back. “You know, for someone who says they don’t eat meat, you sure didn’t stop at the second bowl.”

Nightmare glared at her as she took the tablets. “It was highly looked down upon to eat another creature where I’m from.”

“Speaking of which and you know I don’t like to pry, but-”

“But with everything that has happened in the last week.” Nightmare looked off to the side away from Luna with a look of sorrow.

“I know you don’t want to talk about it, but regardless you're my daughter and I want to know. I’ve wanted to know for a while.” Luna removed her hand from Nightmare’s back. “But it’s not my choice when or if you tell me. So if you ever decide you're ready, regardless of what you tell me, I won’t abandon you.” Giving a small peck on my head, Luna stood up and started making her way over to the door.

“After dinner…. After dinner with you and Tia I’ll tell you about it, but we might need some wine.” Nightmare said, rubbing her arm. “Otherwise I’m not sure if I can bare it.”

Stopping in the doorway Luna looked over her shoulder with a small comforting smile. “Just this once and if the wine isn’t enough you’re gonna have to share some of that medical weed with me.” Luna said before walking out the door.

Looking down at my lap a small tap on my shoulder caused my head to turn as I say Tantabus’s mist nuzzled my cheek. “I know we haven’t known each other for very long, but you think you’ll be able to help me later?” I asked as the mist made a question mark shape before pausing and then giving me a nod. “Good, cause I really don’t want them thinking I'm crazy.”

—-------------------------------------------------------------

-Equestria- Canterlot Castle-

-Luna-

“I see, so that is what’s happened.” Discord said, stroking his goatee. “Of course leave it to that mare to go making me look like a saint.”

“So will you help me Discord?” Luna asked as Discord pondered in thought.

“To be honest, I’m not sure if I can, even my magic has its limits and given where Nightly ended up, even I as the lord of chaos would be unable to bring her back.” Discord let out a sigh as he looked into the tired Luna’s eyes.

“So it is truly hopeless than…” Luna said, looking down as a small talon pressed under her chin.

“I’m sorry Luna, sometimes things are, however I don’t think that night will be the last you’ll see of that girl. Call it parental instincts, but I have a feeling she’s in loving hands.” Discord said with a toothy smile as he leaned back into his chair.

“Parental Instincts… huh, weren’t you the one that said helping me create her didn’t make you the father.” Luna half smirked as the draconequus scoffed.

“Fine, Uncle instincts, whatever. All I said was ‘I’m not the mother’.” Discord waved with his claw looking out into the garden’s labyrinth.

“But you were the one that helped give her life.” Luna said mischiefly.

“Please, any draconequus with a teaspoon of chaos magic could have done it, It wasn’t that special. Now then, I have a schedule to get back to, can’t go give the readers everything now can I?” With that Discord popped out of existence only to appear in the garden below.

“Until next time Discord.” Luna said, shaking her head. “Wait, what readers?”

—----------------------------------------------------------

-Human World-

-Nightmare-

Taking in a deep breath I looked over to Mom and Tia as I took a gulp of wine. “I’m not really sure where to really begin with this,” I said looking at the reflection of my eyes. “So I guess I’ll start with this. Mom, Tia, what color are my eyes?”
The room went silent for a moment as the two sisters looked at each other then back over to me. “They’re gold.” Luna said only for Tia to cut her off.

“Teal.” Tia said, taking a sip of wine, “your eyes are currently teal.”

Looking at her sister for a moment before looking back at me Luna’s eyes widened a bit before leaning over to get a better look. “I thought it was just my imagination, your eyes turned teal. But how?” Luna asked flopping back into her set

“The short answer would be, because I’m not really Human.” Nightmare said, rubbing her shoulder. “I mean I am, but I wasn’t before.”

“Take a deep breath Nightmare, we’re not going anywhere.” Tia said, placing a hand on her knee.

“Take it slow, we have all night and we can cope with it during the weekend.” Luna spoke, giving me a smirk.

“Okay,” I said, taking another breath, “What do you know about parallel worlds?”

“Not much outside of what some people have theorized.” Tia responded as she got up and walked into the kitchen. Before coming back with a large glass bottle labeled Prussin Water.

“Really sister.” Luna glaring at Celestia as she cracked the bottle open taking a large swig.

“What, we’re getting into sci-fi/magic territory. I’m gonna need something stronger than wine.” Celestia responded as she sat back down.

“She’s not completely wrong…” I said getting an eyebrow raise from Luna as a purple ball of mist formed in the palm of my hands. “Where I come from magic exists.”

Luna without another world reached over to Celestia, stealing her bottle before taking a few large gulps before passing it back. “Continue.” Luna said as I began telling them about my home and where I came from, making sure to leave out specific names and details as we talked through the night. My bottle of wine getting a little lighter as their bottle got a little emptier.

The Night-Mare in her eyes- Chapter 1- To want the sun

-The Night-Mare in her eyes-

‘Good, the moral, the righteous, the desire to see approval from others. Evil, the profound, the wicked, the relentless pull towards one’s own desire. Those who see this line, walk with certainty through her court. For all who hide in her dark shall hold no candle to her light. Like the coin that lands between the times of dusk and dawn, they too shall be known as the Night. The time where no sun can truly shine.’ -Everfree V

Chapter 1- To want the sun

Time, always flowing, never standing, always changing. Like all true stories, our story starts much like many do with a young mare who yearned for the sky. Wingless yes, yet just like time she too found changes. Wings like gentiana flowers grew and like all things, so she did too. However this mare is not where I story follows, but like all tales a predecessor is required. For this mare who grew wings with horn desired one thing that neither she nor sister could discern. Small and full of life she did seek, new form of growing within she. Yet let known with all great desires, a trickster will always sire. Alicorn and Draconequus met in secret, yet harmony’s sun did see them. A deal was made, a foal did grow, yet it was the chaos which was turned to stone. First of it’s kind, familiarity it showed, the Mare of the Night born and grows. Yet like discord before, so too did this filly go. Far away, to a place up high, a reminder to the mother who rules the night. A thousand years sealed in plain sight. Yet the reason for her penance shown no light. Yet word did surface, a prophecy made in earnest. For the thousandth day of her commemoration, the stars would aid in her retaliation.

So that dear reader is where our story shall commence. On a round floating rock within a starry net.

It had been almost a thousand years since she had seen another living creature, it had been almost a thousand since she had seen the sun. As her eyes stared down upon the place she once called a home, she pondered to herself. Not of anything of significance or filling, just the mindless wonders that pass through all creatures thought. Where to go, what to do, how many of her ponies still remembered her. Were there any still alive, she doubted that. No, no one had remembered her, no one cared and all who had surely had passed. Yet in the coldness of her heart she knew of one who had lived, one who must have lived. For it was her spell that had held her for these last nine hundred and ninety nine years.

Letting out a snort, the black mare turned her back towards the world. Feeling no more desire to see it as she flopped herself onto the ground. Rolling to her side the mare rested her head on the cold white dust, closing her eyes in thought. “What was the reason after all this time?” The mare said as mind fading to that of sleep. The world around her fading into nothing as she felt herself sink into her own mind before the feeling of hard stone slabs meet her hooves.

She was standing, standing in a long corridor lit by torch light. Banners of blue and gold, night and day decorated the walls next to suits of armor that stood on display and relics of past victories on pedestals beneath glass cases. This was her home. An old castle, in an ancient forest, built in honor of her aunt and mother. A place she had not dreamt about in a very long long time.

“I remember this place.” She thought out loud as she slowly walked alone down the long hall. A soft breeze ran through the hall through open windows as she went at sluggish pace, her hooves like lead as she approached a single window. The starry night sky meeting her teal eyes reminding her of her mother’s flowing mane. In her youth she had always wondered how her mother managed to capture the starry night so perfectly in essence within her mane. Now in her older years the wonder had long since vanished for much like her mother she too shared in this magical genetic trait. The only visual difference between them, being that while her mother’s featured different shades of blue with white stars that stood out even next to the night sky, hers was a deep purple that could fade into the backdrop showing only stars of yellow and blue.

Drifting away from the sky she gave her head a quick shake as she continued on glancing here and there at various trinkets that caught her one. One being a dark gray metal amulet, the object was in the shape of a triangle with a red diamond shaped ruby embedded in its center. A pair of pegasus wings with red trim sat at the top meeting with a unicorn head between them. It was known as the alicorn amulet if she recalled correctly, an enchanted artifact from a war long before her time. “It's funny, Mother once told me that you could give your wearer untold power, only for you to corrupt your wearer. Looks like there is more than one way to corrupt a pony.” She snorted, her eyes focusing on her reflection with the glass casing before turning away.

She walked a bit more before stopping in front of two large old wooden doors with two guards standing to each side of it. Each guard stood unblinking with yellow bat-like eyes, brownish gray fur and a dark purple mane and tail. Their fluffy ears peeked out of purple and blue armor with silver trim. She stood there a moment taking in the appearance before a sense of familiarity met her like she had once in her life knew these two ponies, but now their names escaped her.

“I wish to enter.” She said looking past the two guards as they gave a quick bow as they stepped off to the side as the doors creaked open ever slowly. Walking through the threshold she was met with a very dark room with three large pink glass windows, one on each of the exterior walls. Two sets of stairs sat at the other end of the large room, both leading to two large wooden thrones, one of blue and one of gold, each with a corresponding banner hanging above them.

Walking a bit further into the room the silhouette of a large mare stood upon a single platform that connected the floor between the two thrones.”What do you think you're doing here so early in the morning, niece.” The silhouette scuffed as she watched the first beams of morning light pass through the window above the thrones.

“I was wondering if I could watch the sun rise with you?” A small filly’s voice answered from behind her accompanied by the soft sound of small hoof steps that came closer to her.
“That’s enough.” The black mare said as the world around her started to disappear like ash on a windy night. Closing her eyes, she flickered her ears around before picking up the fairly faint sound of some pony trying to hide their breathing. “I already know you’re there, why don’t you stop hiding.” The mare snapped showing off pointy teeth as she opened her eyes with a glare.

“I was only wanting to talk to you, Nightly.” The voice said from almost nowhere as a dark blue cloud of mist formed from the ground before taking the form of a dark blue alicorn. She stood almost as tall as her with teal eyes and a starry mane, her wings resting at her side while a black grown rested upon her head, her cutie mark being that of a crescent moon on a black sky.

Lightening my expression a bit I unfurrowed my brow giving the blue alicorn a look without expression. “That’s not my name anymore, Luna” I said, as I laid down on my legs amongst the nothingness that made the floor. “It hasn’t been for over nine hundred years. Now why are you here?”

With a deep sigh the blue alicorn gave me a sorrowful look as she lifted a hoof. “May I perhaps lay down with you first?” She asked with a pleading expression as I motioned with my head.

“Just stay five feet away from me and where I can see you. Now for the second time, why are you here?” I knew why, it was the same reason she always visited. Once a year, on the anniversary of my banishment this mare would pay my dreams a visit, when the spell sealing me away was at its weakest. Everytime she would request the same thing, to release her daughter from my control, to take her body instead, to give her back her Nightly. However there wasn’t any daughter to free, no one to control or body to take control cause I had never left. I had only forgotten who I used to be, before the anger, before the jealousy, before the moon. So to spare this mare the heart breath I played my role, I played it over and over and over again each year for every year for the past nine hundred and ninety nine years. I played the villain, the monster, the nightmare. I played the role that was given to me when my aunt burnt me into the ground, when she had used the elements of harmony to seal me in the moon. I was tired of playing the role, I was tired of her.

“I… wanted to tell you that in a few days we’ll be holding the one thousandth summer sun celebration.” Luna said, not wanting to make eye contact. This had piqued my interest. Not once within my banishment had she gone out of her way to mention the celebration of my defeat. From what I had seen prior, it had always been a sore subject for her.

“So you will.” I said squinting my eyes and I gave her an inspecting look. “Why tell me?” Raising an eyebrow I waited for her to respond as pawed at the ground for a moment before finally speaking.

“It was said… that on the one thousandth anniversary of the summer sun celebration when the moon is at its highest, the stars will aid in your escape.” Luna cleared her throat as she raised her head to look me in the eyes. “What I’m saying Nightly is that in a few days you’ll finally be able to return.”
Looking into the blue alicorn’s eyes it seemed like time had stopped. ‘I’m going to be freed.’ I thought to myself as a wicked grin spread upon my muzzle as I slowly stood up to look down upon the mare. “Is that so,” I hissed as I slowly started to approach the slightly smaller alicorn. “Then let me give you a message to deliver.” Leaning my head down close to her ear I clenched my teeth with a slight growl before continuing to speak. “Tell your sister, when I get out of here, I’m going to come find her. I’m going to rip her throat out with my teeth and shatter bones as she bleeds out from her wounds, I’m gonna make her watch as I level your castle to the ground before I hang her corpse for all of your subjects to see. Then, once I’m done with her… I’m coming for you. ” Raising my head back up I watched as the mare in front of me shook as her eyes had become pinpricks from fear before slowly turning her head to me as I raised up on my hind legs before crushing her astro form and destroying my dreamscape.

Opening my eyes I looked down upon the world as I started laughing to myself. “For so long I had watched from afar, for so long I have been forced to watch without being able to act.” Getting up to my hooves I grinned at the planet before me. “When I get out of here, everybody is going to know the name Nightmare!” I shouted slamming my hooves into the moon’s surface causing lightning to burst from the contract. “Just you wait.”

— *** —

Nightmare rested upon the ground, her legs folded under her belly, her wings gently hugging her sides. As she laid there quietly with her eyes closed she focused on her breathing as she brought her mind inward. ‘Just a little longer.’ She thought as she listened to the stars flicker and spark around her. The dark void around her magic core sparking and twisting in sync with the stars as her mental awareness spread out further tying one star to another like one giant web made up of burning balls of light and invisible threads. Feeling the tug of the stars against her core, Nightmare took in a deep breath and held it for a moment before slowly releasing it. Her brow twitched as the stars tugged again in her magic. Taking in another breath she loosened her grip on the stars ever slightly. “Guide, don’t force.” She said to herself as slowly led them into a song of flicks, sparks, snaps and twinkies. “Feeling within me… I made only hate… You lead me in sorrow.” Nightmare sung, her body rose as her legs lifted her to a standing position. Her voice ever somber as she slowly walked from her lunar cave into the solar reflection of the sun that refracted around the planet. “Going about… pleading. Your lack of love is.” Her cold body warmed as the light reached her black fur. “It’s clouding my heart and freely gives me something… that flows in my eyes.” Slowly opening her eyes the starry sky circled around slowly in dance. “If this hate would stay… Please only use this pain… Please Ohh…”

Sounds of flapping wings slowed her song to near pause followed by the landing of hooves on white stone dust. Without turning to look, a wide sharp grin stretched across her muzzle. “Nightmare…” A voice said in the tone of an older mare. “It’s time.” Nightmare laughed as she turned her head to the side glancing back as she turned to face the mare. Standing before her in her golden regalia and crown, with wings and fur of white. Mane of pastels like an ever blowing wind, stood a white alicorn. Her magenta eyes showed an air of authority and age. “Celestia, so eager to die.” Nightmare said, expanding her wings out as the stars around her glowed in golds and teal.

“Never know glaver gley in your glisten.” Nightmare sang loud as the stars erupted in a symphony of sound, her body appearing before Celestia as she pressed her forehead against her own, staring down into her eyes. An angry furrow met the solar princess’s brow as Nightmare’s teal eyes flickered with gold with her horn before vanishing. Looking around her white dust slowly started to pick up into the thin air as Nightmare reappeared to the left of Celestia’s side delivering a hard hind kick to the white alicorn’s ribs knocking her into the ground. “Tell me like a day in your rising.” Nightmare slowly approaching the knocked down alicorn with teeth shown. “Heavy going and you like getting peace that’s clean.”

Slowly coming to her feet the solar alicorn winced with a spike of pain that came from her ribs. Letting out a small groan she turned herself towards the black alicorn and she spread her wings readening herself for flight. “Like a child in the light… where's the light been.” Nightmare continued mimicking Celestia as she spread her wings out like an inverted reflection.

Taking flight the white alicorn flapped hard as she aimed herself for Equus before several large spikes clamped into her hind leg before pulling her hard back into the moon’s rock-like ground. Red liquid slowly left her leg as the spike-like object left her leg as a black mass rose above her. Pressing a hoof into Celestia’s bleeding leg, Nightmare took in a breath as blood ran down her pointy teeth, dripping from her jaw. Flicking her ear around she chuckled as she pressed her back hoof into the ground creating a stone shield as a beam of blue light curled around the side like a flame as a scream to stop came from the other side, “Hear the cry of the leave in the heathen. Ever know where the blamed and the leathered get lashin?” Nightmare raised her horn up as magic flowed through it before swinging her head down striking the white alicorn with lightning as she screamed out in pain.

“Oh I’ve never wanted heaven only sewn with gold. It’s been kinda lousy with it gone.” Nightmare let on as a light blue barrier covered Celestia in a magical field. Looking at the blue barrier, Nightmare ceased her spell as she felt a pressure in her side before being slammed by a blue alicorn causing her to roll, small gashes forming under her fur as she was scrapped by the ridgid ground before slowing to a stop. Letting out a growl from the impact, Nightmare glared at Luna as she pinned her to the ground with her hooves. A stern look plastered across her muzzle. “It’s never kind to but in on somepony else's battle, Luna.” I said through gritted teeth. My horn glowed with gold as my magic tethered onto one of the stars above us like a rope covered in oil before igniting a that stretched from the star to the pony standing over me in a blast of celestial heat. Luna let out a loud scream of agony as she collapsed onto me as I severed my tether to the star putting out the connecting line of flames as Luna’s back smoked from burnt flesh and fur.

Pushing the cobalt blue alicorn off of her body, Nightmare rolled to the side before getting to her hooves. Looking across the barren lunar plane her eye locked onto Celestia as she slowly went over to her semi concession form as she walked a limp in her back legs. “Did you two fools really think I was doing nothing up here as you ran my name through the mud for the last One Thousand Years!” Nightmare shouted as she stood over Celestia who was struggling to move as she attempted to climb back to her hooves. “A name that I remind you Celestia, a name that you gave me.” Glaring down at the solar princess she frowned as she stared at the injured form of Celestia. “It hurts doesn’t it.” Nightmare said, extending her wings as she lowered her head down to Celestia’s neck. “Don’t worry, it’s only going to get worse.” With that Nightmare clasped her jaw around Celestia’s neck, her teeth digging in through her fur and into her skin. Locking her jaw, Nightmare’s horn started to glow and she covered Celestia in her magic. “You don’t get to die yet.” Nightmare murmured holding Celestia by her neck, flapping her wings as she took off towards the world below, leaving the lunar alicorn unconscious in the place which for the last thousand years Nightmare had called her home.

— *** —

Down bellow, in the land of Equestria, in a small town next to an old forest ponies from far and wide gathered in a coming together to witness their princesses lower the moon and raise the sun, amongst the crowd of ponies a purple unicorn looked up at the sky through the window of town hall. Her eyes filled with worry as the stars around the moon circled around it before the silhouette of Nightmare Moon vanished with a flicker.

Author's Note

Welcome to the new chapter one for 'The Night-mare in her eyes' I hope you like the updated version of the story, I've put the original 12 chapters into one so that there is less confusion on what was going on. The musical number by Nightmare is heavily based on Bodhisattva Cathedral from the original Hellsing RAID soundtrack. I would love to read any feed back you all might have or comments you might want to post so please don't be shy.

Once again thank you all for reading. I'm gonna take a few days before working on chapter two.

Chapter 2- The Sun under hoof

-The Night-Mare in her eyes-

Chapter 2- The sun under hoof

Down far below and across the land of Equestria, sat a small little village, this little town was known as Ponyville. A friendly piece of Equestria full of ponies young and old where very interesting things were known to happen. From orchards of apples changing colors from lightning, to random creatures of the Everfree coming to visit. Yes yes, Ponyville was indeed used to the strange, however on this fateful night, on this celebratory anniversary no one was prepared for what was coming from up above. That is all except for one. A young unicorn mare with lavender fur, purple eyes and a dark indigo mane with a streak of purple and pink stood in the middle of Ponyville’s town hall staring up at the night sky through one of the building’s many windows. As The mayor of this small town readied the crowd of ponies for the appearance of their beloved princess of the sun and princess of the night a small chill ran down the lavender unicorn’s spine. Watching the white unicorn known as Rarity pull open the curtains to the balcony where the two princesses were supposed to be appearing an air of silence filled the room as all could see that no pony was there.

“They’re gone!” The white unicorn with the radiance purple mane exclaimed at the emptiness of the room behind her. Loud gasps filled the room as the ponies around the lavender unicorn known as Twilight Sparkle talked amongst themselves at the realization that they’re princesses were gone.

“Now… now, I’m sure there’s a perfectly good explanation.” The mayor said in an attempt to quell the crowd, only for her attempt to be in vain as the sound of wood splintering broke through the room as something slammed into the roof from above adding a sense of panic to the already nervous ponies.

“Nightmare Moon…” Twilight whispered to herself as the beams holding the cracking wood in place broke as the sound of another slam impacted the poor struggling beams. Chucks of wood and dust rain from above as two large masses landed on the balcony in front of the white unicorn. Looking up at the two masses, fear and dread filled the room. Standing before them with the broken form of Celestia herself held down under her hoof stood a much larger, even if by just slightly, black furred alicorn with sharp teeth, teal eyes, and a deep purple starry mane. With blood dripping from her mouth spread in a wicked grim the unknown figure laughed maliciously as she looked down upon the others. “Well well well… Would you look at that, Celestia.” Nightmare taunted digging her hoof into Celestia’s head with a back and forth twist. “An audience to bare witness to the retribution for your sins. You really are too kind.” She laughed as the ponies of Ponyville screamed in terror as their beloved solar princess layed defeated before them.

“Look at them trickling with fear, it really is quite annoying isn’t it. It’s almost like none of them saw this coming.” Nightmare commented with disgust in her voice. “SILENCE!!!” Her shout freezing the ponies as silence filled the room. “Look at you lot, running around in a panic as your beloved ‘Sun’ lays beaten and battered under the weight of my hooves. Do none of you have any spine? Do none know who I am?” Nightmare furrowed her brow in anger at the sight. Here they were with Celestia at her mercy and not one was willing to extend their hoof and for reasons unknown to the black alicorn it angered her.

The crowd stayed silent for a moment in disappointment towards themselves before one pony gained the courage to speak up. “I know who you are.” The lavender unicorn spoke looking up at her. “You’re the mare of the night, the terror of dreams, Nightmare Moon.” Feeling a twitch under her hoof as the lavender mare spoke. “One of yours I assume.” Nightmare said under her breath glancing down at the princess before locking her gaze on the unicorn.

“What is your name unicorn?” Nightmare asked, tilting her head down showing the mare her face in full.

“My name is… Twilight Sparkle.” The lavender unicorn answered as she took a slight step back under the gaze of Nightmare.

“Tell me Ms. Sparkle, do you know why I am here?” Nightmare questioned as she watched the young mare gulp before answering.

“You’re here to… to bring night eternal.” Nightmare laughed at her answer causing the lavender mare to flinch.

“Is that really what she’s been telling you? Night eternal? Foal, I have spent over the last thousand years in nothing but nighttime eternal.” Nightmare laughed before glaring down at Celestia before slamming her hoof into her wing. The sound of bone snapping echoed through the room as Nightmare bared her teeth. “What makes you think I would want to spend another day in such a tartarus.” Looking back to Twilight, the dark alicorn stared her down before softening her expression. “No no no, dear filly I do not wish for such a fate, who could I possibly rule if my ponies froze to death while the other half of the world burns to glass. After all, are We not royal enough.” Nightmare finished giving a slight flutter to her eyes.

“We’ll never bow to a monster like you!” Came a shout from below here as a blue pegasus tried to fly at her as her tail was caught by the mare next to her. Shifting her gaze over slightly, Nightmare spotted the mare who dared to speak up, a smirk forming on her muzzle as she looked at the sky blue mare with a rainbow like mane.

“Well well, looks like there are at least a few of you with spine.” The words coming out with the slightest hint of pride as her magical mane reached down forcing Celestia to look out at the crowd as she leaned down to her ear. “What do you think, should I not give them a chance? It would be more than what you gave me.” Celestia visibly winced through her swollen eye before her head was dropped back onto the wooden floor. Standing back up she looked down upon their faces as she saw but a few had lost what fear had not long ago struck them.

“Very well, a challenge then. At the far end of the living forest at the edge of the cliffside stands the Castle of the Two Sisters. If you can maintain the courage to reach it within three days time and best me. I’ll let your princess live. If you fail, well I’m sure I can think of some ideas.” Sweeping her eyes across the room she counted four in total who looked ready to take up her challenge, her ears picking up two more to the sides of her. “Finally, to show that I can be fair.” Nightmare reached down with her mane as she pulled Celestia up by her neck. Placing the tip of her horn to that of the solar alicorn, Nightmare pulsed her magic into her forcing Celestia to scream as the sun and moon slowly swooped places. “I hope to see you there.” Nightmare laughed as the two of them were engulfed in her mane before fleeing out the window towards the ruined castle of the two sisters.

=====***=====

No pony had been ready, as much as the young mare had thought she could prepare, nothing had prepared her for what she had seen. Nightmare Moon, the mare in the moon, the pony born of jealousy and bringer of eternal night had just left. After having succeeded in escaping her prison the ‘Mare of the Night’ had defeated her teacher and displayed her power in full hoof before issuing a challenge, raising the sun and vanishing as if having never been there at all. The only remnant of her presence being the hole in the roof of Town Hall.

Shaking her head of those thoughts Twilight Sparkle did the only thing she could think of… She ran. Not in fear, but in determination as she headed to the giant tree near the center of town. The golden oaks library, home to books old and new, yet mostly old. Twilight searched for one book in specific, one that told of the Elements of Harmony. As the mare frantically tossed books left in right, five mares entered behind her listening to her rambling.

“Elements… elements… there has to be something, I can’t possibly stop Nightmare Moon without them.” She said to herself as a blue blur collided with her, face first.

“And just what are the elements of harmony? How did you know about Nightmare Moon? You a spy? A traitor?!” The blue blur accused pressing her muzzle closer to the lavender unicorn's face before quickly being yanked away from behind.

“Easy Now!” An orange earth pony demanded as she tugged on the rainbow tail of one Rainbow Dash before releasing her grip in order to speak. “I don’t think she’s a traitor, but it does seem that she does know what's going on, don’t you Twilight?” Applejack asked as the five mares circled around her.

Looking from one pony to another, Twilight let out a soft sigh as she closed her eyes for a moment. “I had read all about the predictions of Nightmare Moon, they say that the Elements of Harmony are the only thing that can stop her, But I don’t know what they are or where to find them. I don’t even know what they do.” Twilight explained taking in a deep breath.

“The Elements of Harmony a reference guide, I believe this… is what you seek young Twilight.” A weak yet familiar voice spoke from the doorway of the library. Turning their attention to the entrance a short gasp exited the six mares as Princess Luna leaned against the wooden frame of the door, her once blue wings singed black and almost completely devoid of feathers. Held aloft within her magic was one said book, red in tone and bound with gold.

“Princess Luna! You're okay.” Twilight exclaimed, running up to the Lunar Princess, giving her a quick nuzzle.

“Okay, might be… a strong word…” Luna winced looking back at her wings. “Yet I am alive, although I am unsure of my sister. By the time I came to, Nightmare and her had already gone.”

“If you don’t mind me asking… Princess, what happened?” Rarity asked with a hoof wincing at that princess’s wings.

“A few nights ago, I had spoken with Nightmare within her dream. I had hoped that over the course of her banishment she would have let go of her anger towards my sister and I. Yet it seemed to have only strengthened.” Luna’s body slouched as she hung her head low. “Unable to deter her, Celestia and I went to confront her on the moon before she could escape. However, not all went according to plan.” Looking up with tired eyes the blue alicorn sighed deeply as she handed the lavender unicorn the book with her magic. “It would seem she had become too powerful for even us to defeat by normal means.”

“But what about these element things?” Rainbow Dash asked with hope in her voice. “Would they perhaps work?”

“That I am not a hundred percent sure. Although my sister used them to banish Nightmare a thousand years ago, I am not completely sure of there location.” Luna said watching Twilight open the book.

“Why’s that?” The pink party pony asked with her head tilt, “Aren’t you and Princess Celestia like super duper close?”

“At the time of my sister’s battle with Nightmare, I was overlooking the construction of Canterlot, after news had reached me of what had happened, I regret to say a tear was formed in our relationship. Celestia did not trust me with the location of the elements, only this book knows.” The sound of guilt forming in Luna’s words as she spoke.

“Sounds Like you knew this Nightmare pretty well.” Applejack stated, putting her stetson to her chest. A pained look crossed Luna’s muzzle as she broke eye contact with the six mares. An air of regret showing in her pain.

“Indeed I had,” Luna closed her eyes hard as she stopped herself from recalling the event before taking a deep breath. “she was like family.”
Looking at one another, the mares in the library turned their attention to the lavender unicorn as her brow furrowed. “There are six elements of harmony.” Twilight read as the others focused their attention onto her. “But only five are known, Kindness, Laughter, Generosity, Honesty and Loyalty. The sixth is a complete mystery. It is said that the last known location of the five elements was in the ancient castle of the royal pony sisters. It is located in what is now known as the Everfree Forest.” Looking up from her book, Twilight looked at the princess of the night as her eyes struggled to remain open before she forced herself to straighten up.

“Then.. that's where I’ll go.” Luna started taking a step forward only for Applejack to catch her as her legs gave out from underneath her.

“Oh no you don’t.” Applejack ordered holding the blue alicorn. “Not only are you in no condition to enter that there Everfree, but Nightmare Moon said ‘herself’ that that's where she’s going to be. UH eh, no way.”

“But if I do not go then who will stop her?” Luna asked as she looked dejected at the ground.

“We will.” A soft voice said from the back of the group. Turning their gaze, the once shy looking yellow pegasus known as Fluttershy walked forward amongst the group.

“Fluttershy’s right. We’ll go get those element 'whatcha you call thems' and take down that big jerk.” Rainbow Dash added hovering in the air.

Looking from one mare to the other a silent confirmation was reached among the six. “Very well… It seems my ability to deter others has failed as of late.” Luna chuckled to herself with tired eyes. “However, if you do intend to face her, then I shall bestow upon you this.” With a flick of her horn a blue aura formed around the six mares before vanishing from sight. “There is no doubt that Nightmare will sense you coming a mile away, with that you should at least be able to find where my sister placed the elements before she can become the wiser.”

“Don’t worry Princess, we won’t let you down.” Twilight ensured her as she helped her up the stairs to her bed to rest and sleep. Walking back down she looked at the five mares waiting near the door. Swallowing her saliva with an audible gulf she approached the other. “Alright everypony, we have a Princess to save!”

“Oh yeah, this is gonna be awesome!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed as the six mares exited the library, making their way to the Everfree Forest.

Author's Note

Okay, I've reread this a couple of times now, I think its good.

Chapter 3- Fragments of Honesty

-The Night-Mare in her eyes-

Chapter 3- Fragments of Honesty

“This is so not awesome…” The blue pegasus uttered enthusiastically, slowly approaching the Everfree alongside her friends. “Why is it that this is the only place that somehow looks like it’s night even during the day?” Dropping next to her friends, she looked to the forest, then back to her friends, before gesturing with her hooves.

“I know whatcha mean, place always gives me the heebie-jeebies.” Giving a slight shutter, Applejack looked to the rest as her and Rainbow waited for the rest to catch up.

“Tell me about it.” Rarity exclaimed with a lean of her head. “Under any normal situation, I wouldn’t be caught dead near such a dreadful place.”

“Oh oh, same same.” Pinkie added bouncing up and down past Rarity before stopping just past the orange earth pony. “Quick question, does it always do that?” She asked, pointing her hoof.

Catching up with the others, Twilight stopped next to the others, giving them a puzzled look. “Do wha-” Twilight began to ask, as her words fell silent. A purple mist rolled out from the forest before growing into a deep fog that filled the Everfree, the only thing visible from where they stood were the silhouette of the trees lightly surrounded by small orbs of light. “It almost looks like the night sky, I’m guessing this isn’t normal.”

“Girl, when it comes to the Everfree ain’t nothing normal.” Rainbow Dash stated, walking forward.

Entering the forest, the six mares huddled closely to one another as they slowly proceeded down an old dirt path, only slightly visible due to the nature of the flickering orbs of light. Watching their step as Rainbow hovered alongside them sounds of rustling could be heard from trees and wild growth around them. “I know we commented on this already, but this place just ain’t natural.” Applejack said, glancing around for the source of the rustling.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Twilight asked, a large snap causing them to stop as a low snarl came from up ahead. As the group of six looked around warily two glowing green eyes opened before them as the sound of hard paws slowly moved around them. The fog fading in front of them just enough to make out the appearances of several large wooden canines. “You're kidding me…”

“Timberwolves!” Applejack exclaimed, the six mares taking battle positions as the seven wooden wolves crouched down low as they slowly approached. Stalking closer one of the wolves made of logs and stick stopped, turning its head up and to the side. The others followed suit as the one leading the pack sniffed the air before lowering itself once again growling at something in the fog to the ponies' side. Glaring into the fog a bright glow of orangish-gold pierced the thick fog as a beam of magic shot into the leader’s side causing it to be knocked to the side as one of the timberwolves pounced into the fog. Sound of cracking wood echoed through the fog as a shadowy blur lifted the silhouette of the timberwolf into the trees before its body slammed down next to the six mares.

“Now!” The ruff commanding voice of a mare yelled as a group of grayish brown guards tackled the other five timberwolves, their bodies covered in scratched up armor of purple and silver. Their wings like a bat dark blue in color, their eyes gold with a reptilian slit down the middle. “Thestrail squad strike them away from their leader, Shimmering Sun with me!”

Twilight and the others watched as dozens of Lunar Guards swarmed the pack of timberwolves. Their numbers appeared much larger than before as the beating of the thestrail’s wings cleared more of the fog away revealing an intense battle that ranged across a large part of the area. “Hold the line! Don’t let any of them escape!.” One of the Guards called out amongst the group.

Following the mare’s commands the thestrails continued to ram the timberwolves away from the larger one as it got to its claws. The guards executed the command with a flawless maneuver as the guards not only pushed the timberwolves back, but were also wounding them quickly enough to prevent them from quickly repairing themselves as they attempted to regroup. With its eyes trained on its attacker the alpha timberwolf’s head followed as an orangish-gold pegasus with a red and yellow mane flew overhead coming down behind the alpha with a sword gripped tightly in her teeth.

Dive bombing the large log-like wolf she slashed at the creature’s neck as it nipped at her tail before being stabbed in the side by a large white unicorn wearing dark cobalt armor with the lunar insignia on the center of her chestplate. Her silver like mane flowing like a stream as she smashed the alpha into one of the trees before darting back and off to the side as the alpha swept at her with its claw.

“Come on Nightly, how am I supposed to aid?! If you slam the damn thing into a tree!” Shimmering Sun yelled as the Alpha Timberwolf launched itself at the white unicorn. Crouching low the white unicorn lowered her head under the wolf, her hind legs tensing as she pushed up like a crescent moon, flinging the timberwolf into the air where the fiery pegasus pushed it to the ground, her sword in its chest as it hit the ground before coming down and smashing the pommel of the sword with her full weight by her hooves. The impact shattering something within the alpha’s chest before its glowing green eyes faded away, its body falling apart along with the rest of its pack.

As the battle died down, the six mares looked to one another as one of the guards approached the white unicorn in armor as the golden pegasus landed next to her. “Princess Nightly, Area secured.” The guard stated with a salute. Taking her helmet off, the mare held it under her foreleg with a furrow on her brow.

“That’s General Moon, First Sergeant. I’m not your princess anymore.” The unicorn said with a somber tone as her gold eyes looked in the direction of the Castle of the Two Sisters.

“You think she knows we’re coming?” Shimmering Sun asked, looking at General Nightly Moon before turning her gaze to their troops.

“I wouldn’t doubt it, nothing gets past that Alicorn. Wouldn’t doubt it if she was the one who sent these bastards our way.” The General speculated putting her helmet on.

“Um, excuse me…” Twilight spoke up as she and the other five walked over to speak to the Lunar Guard, General Moon’s ear twitching as she looked over to her with a smirk on her muzzle.

“Corporal Sparkle, Glad to see you finally decided to join us.” General Moon spoke with a smile walking through Twilight like a phantom as her squad and her vanished into the fog.

“What the?!” Applejack let out in confusion as they approached where the Lunar Guards had just been. “What the hay is going on?”

Rarity put her hoof to her chin as she thought out loud. “I’m not sure, you don’t think it was some kind of trick to scare us away do you?”

“Or maybe it was ghosts, Ghosts!” Pinkie shouted, grabbing Rainbow Dash by her shoulders, shaking her.

“Pinkie, stop shaking me.” Rainbow yelled, causing Pinkie to let go with a “Okkie Dokkie.”

“I’m not sure, but the armor they were wearing hasn’t been in service in hundreds of years.” Twilight pondered in thought. “And what did she mean by Corporal? I’m not even in the military.”

“I’m beginning to get the feeling that there’s a lot more going on here than meets the eye. On the bright side we’re safe…” Applejack said scratching the back of her mane as a loud crackle came from the ground underneath them. “Me and my big mouth.”

=====***=====

In the ruins of the Castle of the Two Sisters, Nightmare stormed the halls as she approached a set of two metal doors bound with a magical seal. Flaring her horn, several locks turned and clicked as she willed the metal doors open to a spiral staircase leading down. Casting a simple light spell, Nightmare took her time walking down the steps as an old memory from long ago in the past entered her mind. Stopping at the base of the steps, she turned her head toward Ponyville before erasing the memory from her mind with a quick shake. ‘What are you up to Luna’ the black alicorn thought to herself as she stared into nothingness.

A pained cough dragged her attention back as a pained wheeze came from further in the darkness. Walking past multiple rows of bars Nightmare wandered across wet stone slabs, their condition cracked and broken from time long passed. Shadows of long dark poles gliding across metal chains and stone walls as she made her way past several abandoned cells within the forgotten dungeon. A sight not at all unfamiliar to her as she reached a single door at the end of the hall. On the outside, the door didn’t look like anything special to the untrained eye, but to thoughts that knew the origin of this room or those who had been placed in it before like her. A single thing was known, no magic, no matter how strong could escape this room when sealed. Looking at a small metal furnace near the door, Nightmare pointed her horn at the wood she had placed inside of it, igniting the inside with her magic before placing a long metal poker made for earth ponies into the grated opening.

Grabbing the sealed door’s metal ring shaped handle in her teeth, she pulled the door open. The light of the furnace casting over a burnt and blooded Celestia. Her wings chained to opposite sides of the room and her front hooves clamped to the floor. A metal collar hung around her neck connected by a metal chain behind her. Her left eye held shut from swelling.

“Suffocating isn’t it, this room. Unable to move your wings, incapable of casting your magic.” Nightmare spoke, her words emotionless as she stood in the doorway. “A perfect prison for creatures like us… Like her.”

Celestia looked up at her with a pleading eye. “Please… Nightmare…” Nightmare stared at Celestia in the eye, her expression unwavering as they listened to the crackling of wood behind her.

“If memory serves me correctly, I used to beg you the same every time you would bring me here.” Nightmare turned her back to the solar princess stripped of her regalia as she looked over to the metal poker in the furnace, its tip glowing a bright red from the heat.

Walking back to the furnace, Nightmare grabbed the poker’s leather grip in her hoof as she pulled it from the magic fire, holding it where Celestia could see. “No…noo…please… no.” Celestia begged, struggling in her bonds as Nightmare walked into the cell with the poker’s handle in her mouth before stopping in front of the princess.

“Now then, let's have a good…” Nightmare’s brow furrowed as anger filled her eyes. “Long… talk.” Her eyes showed an angry gold as her mane and tail went flat with the silvery glint.

=====***=====

“Are you Crazy!” Twilight yelled onto Applejack’s hooves as she dangled off the edge of the cliff.

“Twilight, trust me…” Applejack said in a comforting tone. “Everything is going to be okay, nothing bad is going to happen to you, that's the honest truth.” Receiving a comforting smile from her friend, Twilight closed her eyes as she released her grip on Applejack’s hooves as she fell back screaming. Feeling the air pass through her mane she felt pairs of hooves grab her from the sides, opening her eyes she looked to her sides seeing both Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy holding her as they gently lowered her to the ground where Pinkie Pie and Rarity stood waiting.

A small glint flickered in her eyes as she looked back to watch Applejack hope from one cliff to another making her way back to the gang.

Author's Note

Gonna be honest here, tying in the first to episodes in this has to be the most challenging thing for me at the moment. On a side note I've figured out how I'm gonna do it.

Chapter 4- Campfire Kindness

-The Night-Mare in her eyes-

Chapter 4- Campfire Kindness

Reunited at the bottom of the long valley within the Everfree, the six mares headed onward through the fog as sounds of hooves marching could be heard in the distance before abruptly stopping. Listening carefully the somber sound of crackling wood could be heard as an orangish bloom fluttered faintly within the fog. As they approached the cause of the light, two figures obscured by the shadows coming from the campfire.

Slowly getting closer it became apparent that one of the two was laying on their side, while the other moved around them. Getting close enough, the six mares were able to recognize the two figures before them. Laying on the ground with harbored breath, laid the red and yellow maned golden pegasus. Her armor lay off to the side amongst the ground as the slightly taller white unicorn removed her armor, showing a layer of cloth that rested under her armor plating. Stripping herself of her fabric padding, the white unicorn General Moon rolled the padding into a pillow before placing it under the pegasus’s head.

“This should help, how bite onto this.” The general commanded softly as she put a metal dagger into the soft dirt before placing its leather sheath into her mouth. “I’m going to relocate your wing now.” Placing a hoof onto the pegasus’s shoulder, she pressed it firmly as her horn softly began to glow.

Watching as the orangish gold pegasus’s wing was wrapped in the unicorn’s magical aura, sweat began to run down Shimmering Sun’s forehead as the unicorn forced the joint back into its socket with a confirming ‘pop’. Breathing out through her nostrils, Shimmering dropped the leather sheath as she looked at the General with watery eyes.

“You know…” Shimmering commented as she tried to control her breathing. “There are better ways of getting a mare out of her armor than stumbling off a cliff.” She teased reaching her hoof out for the General’s.

Taking the mare’s hoof into her own, the white unicorn laid down next to the pegasus, placing her neck across her side as she looked into the pegasus’s own. “And there are better ways of getting me out of mine.” Moon said in a soft tone with a hint of concern. Letting out a short sigh the two nuzzled each other as they laid next to one another.

“You think the others will be okay without us?” Shimmering asked, laying her head back onto the makeshift pillow.

“They know what to do, I did train them myself.” Moon said with a smirk that fell as the sound of a loud roar made her ear twitch. Standing up from her comrade, General Moon walked to the other side of the campfire as she looked hard into the fog.

“What is it.?” Shimmering asked struggling to lean forward as a large lion’s paw swiped out of the fog, slashing the General across the cheek splattering blood across the ground as the unicorn teleported to the side of the creature delivering a powerful hind kick into the creature’s side as it bounced off of the fire and over the pegasus. Landing on its four legs, the creature let out another roar as it spread a pair of large bat-like wings, a long scorpion tail whipping around its side.

Rushing at the unicorn it jumped with a pounce before landing on nothing as everything in the clearing faded into mist, leaving the six mares in the middle of the valley with the angry Manticore. Searching around the clearing, the Manticore eyed the six remaining ponies. Charging at the group, Rarity reared up on her front legs, bucking the creature in the face. “Take that you ruffian.” She called with a smirk as the Manticore roared again. Seeing the Manticore unfazed by her attack, Rarity started sprinting away as the Manticore followed.

Feeling pressure on its skull, the Manticore halted in place, glancing up at the orange earth pony as she gripped the Manticore by the mane causing it to hop around before launching the earth pony off.

“All yours partner.” Applejack told Rainbow as she flew past the blue pegasus, landing on the ground behind her with a bow.

“I’m on it.” Rainbow Dash said with a salute as she flew around the Manticore, attempting to confuse the beast as it smacked her away with its tail.

Getting back up from the ground, Rainbow, Applejack, Twilight, Pinkie Pie and Rarity charged at the beast as Fluttershy flew in between them. “WAIT!” Fluttershy yelled as they slid to a stop. Watching the yellow pegasus walk up to it, the Manticore raised its claw up to strike as Fluttershy nuzzled its paw causing it to stop. “Shh… It’s okay.” Fluttershy said in a gentle tone as the Manticore lowered itself back down, showing the mare its paw.

A old rusted spear head protruded from the creature’s paw, the site drawing Fluttershy’s eyes before she looked into the Manticore’s. “Oh, you poor little baby… Now this might hurt just a second.” She said in a motherly tone as she leaned forward, grabbing the spear head and pulling it out with her teeth. Nuzzling the yellow pegasus, it thanked the mare before running on back into the fog.

“How did you know about the spear?” Twilight asked as Fluttershy walked up beside her.

“I didn’t, sometimes we all just need to be shown a little kindness.” Fluttershy stated, meeting back up with the others as Twilight stared at the spear head laying on the ground.

As she began walking back to rejoin the others, Twilight noticed a piece of torn fabric laying next to a leather sheath near where the phantom campfire had been prior to the manticore attack. Picking it up in her magic, she was surprised to see that the sheath read ‘Princess N. Moon’ on its underside. ‘Who are you?’ she thought to herself as she put it away to ask about it later.

=====***=====

Nightmare Moon slammed open the door from the cell as she threw the metal poker across the hall. Her silvery mane returning back to a purple starry night as her irises became teal as she crossed back into the hallway of the dungeon. “You Fucking BITCH!!!” She screamed, grabbing the furnace in her magic as she slammed it through the bars of one of the empty cells. “ERRAH!!! I hope you fucking rot down her Celestia!” Kicking the door back shut, Nightmare stormed her way back up the stairs to the main hallway. The stone slabs crumbling to dust as she stomped her way to the back of the castle and into the royal garden. Looking up at the sun, Nightmare's cloud-like mane turned to that of fire as she lit her horn. Grabbing the sun in her magic as she forced the day into night, a small crack formed down her horn as she moved the two Celestial bodies without the aid of Celestia’s or Luna’s magic. “Two days left…” She said looking back in the direction of Ponyville as blood started trickling down her horn.

Walking back into the castle, Nightmare’s mane maintained its fiery form as she started wandering the halls, searching for something.

“Now then, where did she put you?” Nightmare as she made her way for a specific chamber. “I know it’s behind one of these doors.” Walking for a few minutes, Nightmare came across a set of two large wooden doors with gold trim. ‘I hear they’re calling you ‘Nightmare’ Moon now.’ Celestia’s voice entered her mind as she pressed the two doors open with her hooves.

Walking into the stone chamber she noticed the old banners still hanging in the withered throne room. ‘It’s a shame really, because of you…’ Nightmare shook her head trying to erase the memory from her mind, not wanting to think about what happened the last time she had entered this room.

Locking her eyes on the pillar in the center of the throne room, Nightmare stared at the five stone orbs resting on the arms of their pillar. “Hello elements, I’m going to need a favor from you.” She said as her fiery mane reached out, collecting the orbs in their magical fire as she brought them close. “I know more than enough to know that I’m incapable of using you, however I also know that your tree is always listening.”

Gritting her teeth, Nightmare placed the elements on the ground. Lowering her head she closed her eyes as she placed the tip of her horn to the stone orbs. Her magic gently flowing into them as they sent a gentle spark of magic back to her horn.

Sending their magic back and forth for a moment, Nightmare raised herself back up as she opened her eyes looking down at the orbs before leaving the room to head to Luna’s old sleeping chambers to rest as she waited for her visitors to arrive.

Author's Note

Next time on -The Night-Mare in her eyes-, Can our heroes make it to the Castle of the Two Sisters, who are these two mystery mares in the forest. Found out that and so much more, next time on baba ba ba baa baaa ba ba baa ba baaa.

yes, I'm going for a DBZ reference in the notes.
Next chapter is going to be a longer one. Hope to see you there.

Chapter 6- When good Mares go to War

-The Night-Mare in her eyes-

Chapter 6- When good Mares go to War

The fog brightened across the Everfree as the stars of night luminated the sky from above. The changing from day to night transformed the thick fog into a manageable mist as the six mares made their way through the overgrowth of the forest to a single dirt path leading through a section of twisted trees with swirling maroon bark and low hanging branches. The light of the moon shining down like a beacon for lost travelers.

“Is it just me or is it getting easier to see?” Rarity asked as they walked in the shadows casted by the trees under Luna’s moon lit night.

“It does seem to be a bit clearer, since the fog has dyed down.” Fluttershy stated, walking alongside her friends.

“Yeah, perhaps now we can finally navigate this forest.” Applejack said, stepping into a puddle of dirt followed by Rarity who screamed. “Oh come on, it's just some dirt… Ahh!” Looking up from her hoof, Applejack hopped back at the sight of the trees. The bark of their trunks sharpened into the mangled faces with sharp jagged teeth and malicious eyes, which caused five of the girls to scream as the branches of the trees reached out for the six mares.

Sounds of rushing hooves stampeded towards the six mares as the limbs of the living trees lifted the group of ponies off the ground, waving them around in the air as they squeezed tighter. “Nightly!” The voice of Shimmering Sun shouted as the golden orange mare in cobalt armor grabbed her companion from behind, raising her off the ground and throwing her with a spin at the trees.

General Moon flow through the air with her twin swords held in her magic as she slashed through the thick branches of the trees dropping three of the six as Shimmering Sun swooped in driving the edge of her blade release two more mares before heading for the sixth pink pony who was busy laughing as the tree that was attempting to eat her. The shaking of her laughing body tickling the tree to the point of loosening its grip on the cotton candy colored mare. The mare making mocking faces at the trees as she giggled away causing Shimmering Sun to grind to a halt across the dirt as she watched the tree’s face disappear and revert to a normal state.

“Well, that’s different.” Shimmering Sun commented as the six mares regrouped out of reach of the living trees. “Are you girls okay? What are you doing out here, don’t you know how dangerous the Everfree can be at night?” General Moon casted a barrier around the mares as she backed her over to the group, her eyes trained on the trees that tried to bash their limbs at her magical shield.

Looking back at Shimmering and the six mares, General Moon noticed the confused looks on the mares’ faces, all except for the pink one who was too preoccupied with laughing at the trees as she taunted them.

“You’re real…” The lavender unicorn commented with widened eyes. “But you were just illusions created by the fog, you can’t be real.”

Looking over at her comrade, Shimmering Sun raised her hoof to the side of her head, making a circular pattern as the lavender mare questioned their existence. “I can assure you, we are completely real.” General Moon stated as she stood next to Shimmering. “Now then, why are you six here?”

“We’re here to save Equestria duh.” Rainbow Dash scoffed with a roll of her eyes.

“You're apart of the resistance? Then that means you're here to help stop that tyrant?” Shimmering Sun asked before turning to the General.

“Well of course darling, what pony could possibly allow that monster to rule. Quite frankly I’m insulted, you even have to ask.” Rarity said, flipping her mane over her shoulder.

“Whether on the same side or not, none of us are going to be making it out of here if we can’t do something about these trees.” General Moon stated as she glanced over her shoulder.

“Your friend over there, the pink one, she turned one of the trees back to normal.” Shimmering Sun commented gesturing with her hoof at Pinkie Pie. “Do you think she would be able to perform that act again?”

“Oh! Oh! I can tell you how.” Pinkie hopped past Shimmering as she bounced out of the barrier.

“Pinkie, what are you doing? Run!” Twilight shouted as the pink mare bounced out of the way of the swinging limbs.

“Oh girls don’t you see?” As Pinkie sucked some air into her lungs, the sound of instruments started playing around them.

Looking at each other, General Moon and Shimmering Sun spoke in unison, “She isn’t possibly going to…”

“When I was a little filly and the sun was going down…” Pinkie Started to sing.

Shimmering Sun and General Moon let out an audible groan, “She is… ughhh.”

The seven mares watched as Pinkie Pie hopped around the edge of the barrier as she continued her song.

“The darkness and the shadows, they would always make me frown.” The mares followed the pink mare with their eyes and she managed to dodge out of the way to the attacking limbs while holding her notes. “ I’d hide under my pillow, From what I thought I saw.” Another branch came swinging for her head as she ducked.

“But Granny Pie said that wasn’t the way, To deal with fears at all.” Pinkie appeared beside Rainbow Dash back inside of the barrier.

“Then what is?” Rainbow Dash questioned as the two soldiers gave a puzzled look at the physics breaking mare.

“She said: ‘Pinkie, you gotta stand up tall, Learn to face your fears.’” Pinkie Pie reappeared next to Shimmering Sun as she lifted her up into a ballerina pose.

“You’ll see that they can’t hurt you, Just laugh to make them disappear.” Pinkie sang, dancing with her until they were face to face with one of the trees. “Ha! Ha! Ha!” She laughed at the tree reverting it, back to normal before giving Shimmering a spin back to her partner.

The mares gasped as they realized the secret to undoing the magic on the trees. General Moon gave her partner a sassy smile as they took each other in their front hooves as she continued on the dance that Pinkie had started with her mare as the two of them added into the song with harmonics.

“So, giggle at the ghostly,” Pinkie started pushing her friends to the trees as the General dropped her magic shield, while the other mares joined in with laughter that harmonized with the music. “Guffaw at the grossly, Crack up at the creepy, Whoop it up with the weepy.”

The forest was filled with laughter and singing as General Moon and Shimmering Sun danced to the music, aiding with their voices as the pink mare bounced through the trees. “Chortle at the kooky, Snortle at the spooky.” Pinkie Pie than speed up her singing as the music died down before the finale. “And tell that big dumb scary face to take a hike and leave you alone and if he thinks he can scare you then he’s got another thing coming and the very idea of such a thing just makes you wanna… Laaauuggh.”

Finishing her song the six mares fell back onto the grass as they continued to laugh and laugh. Unaware that the two mares who had joined them, had already vanished like phantoms of the mist.

“Ha… ha.. So… ha… Who are you two anyways?” Pinkie Pie asked, looking over to where the two female soldiers had been dancing. Taking in a big gasp, she bounced to her hooves pointing at where they had just been. “Look, they’re gone. And they didn’t even introduce themselves.” Pinkie stuck out her bottom lip with a sulking expression.

“Don’t worry, something tells me, we’re going to be seeing those two again.” Applejack said placing a hoof on Pinkie’s shoulder causing her to cheek back up.

=====***=====

With they’re laughter dying down, the two mares took in a deep breath. “So what are your names anyways?” Shimmering Sun asked, looking over to the laughing ponies on the ground as they started to vanish like mist.

General Moon raised her eyebrow at this as she walked over to where they were laying, The grass having imprints of the six mares that had been laying there. “Curious…” General Moon commented under her breath as she touched the grass.

“What just happened?” Shimmering asked as she walked over to the General, her confusion clear to read on her face.

“I don’t know, Shimmering, but it seems that some other power is currently at play.” General Moon looked up towards the silhouette of the Castle in the distance, her eyes locking on to a black alicorn as it turned into smoke. “And before this night is over, we’re going to find out what. Let’s go.”

Rushing through the rest of the trees the two mares came across a long river where they met back up with their allies. The thestrals had been trying to calm down a large purple river serpent with orange hair and a mustache that seemed to be crying and thrashing within the river, making it impossible for the non-flyers to cross.

“What happened here?” General Moon asked as they approached their allies.

One of the Kirin scouts under Spring Flare met her halfway as she began to give her report. “We aren’t completely sure, Nightmare Moon. When we finally made it out of the forest we threw one of our spears across the river with some road so that we could pull ourselves across, however as we got ready to cross this creature appeared out of nowhere crying about its mustache. It won’t even respond to us.” The kirin finally finished as she pointed over to the river serpent.

General Moon gave Shimmering Sun a look before she walked over to the serpent. “Sound familiar Shimmering?” General Moon asked as they reached where the serpent was, only to see the image of the white unicorn with the purple mane cut off part of her tail, giving it to the serpent.

“This night just gets weirder and weirder.” Shimmering stated, as the unicorn and the serpent vanished into air, the river quelled itself as the thestrals took the ropes and across the river so that the others could hold onto them.

“Let’s not dwell on it for now, we have a mission to complete.” General Moon said, giving Shimmering a soft peck on the head before she grabbed onto the rope as she started crossing the river.

=====***=====

“I still can’t believe somepony would throw a spear at that poor serpent’s mustache, really, some ponies have no respect for fashion.” Rarity complained, pointing her muzzle into the air.

“I know, hurting a defenseless creature, those ponies must be some meanies.” Fluttershy added as the Castle of the Two Sisters came into view.

“Look, there it is, the ruins that hold the elements of harmony.” Twilight said, almost walking straight off the cliff before being pulled back by Rainbow.

“You just like walking off of cliffs today don’t you?” Rainbow Dash joked as she helped her friend back to her hooves.

“Um, I thought that book of yours said that the castle was in ruins?” Applejack asked as they got near the edge of the cliff, pointing a hoof at the castle on the other side.

“It does, why?” Twilight questioned as she looked back to the ruined castle as her jaw dropped.

On the other side of the ravine at the top of the hill, stood a gray stone castle with a blue roof, free of any signs of visible damage.

“You think it has something to do with the fog?” Fluttershy asked as she looked at the castle.

“Maybe, but for now how are we going to get across?” Twilight asked, looking at the destroyed bridge.

“Um, duh.” Rainbow replied, giving her wings a quick flap as she flew down to grab the other end of the rope bridge.

Flying down into the ravine, the purple mist swept across the broken bridge as sounds of battle roared from above her. Grabbing the rope Rainbow Dash carried it back up to the other side of the ravine, dropping it on the ground as her eyes widened at the sight of therstals and pegasi in dark blue armor fought in the air against white pegasi stallions coated in Celestia’s royal guard’s golden armor.

An all out battle was unfolding as the two mares from before ran along the ground under the aerial assault in front of the Castle of the Two Sisters. The silver maned unicorn general firing off her magic as the golden armored soldiers that came near the two of them as the orange pegasus picked up the opposing unicorns who tried to halt their approach with magic.

“Don’t stop Nightly, let the troops hold off her forces, just get to the castle!” Shimmering Sun commanded from above as she continued to clear the way up the hill, as General Moon blasted another white pegasus that came close to the cobalt armored mare.

“We’re a team Shimmering, we’re doing this together.” The general shouted back as the two of them made their way through the royal army.

Watching the battle from the bridge Rainbow jumped, dodge a spear as two gold armored guards charged at them. “She’s trying to repair the bridge, stop her!’ One of the guards yelled as they rushed the blue mare.

“Wow, now hold on!” Rainbow shrieked as she took to the air, dodging the two stallions as they fired magical beams at her.

“Rainbow!” The girls shouted as they watched helplessly as the two armies fought each other with Rainbow Dash caught in the crossfire.

“Leave Her Alone!” Growled a black pony-like creature covered in red and blue flames as it rammed into the two unicorns leaving a glowing orange dent in their armor.

“Thanks.” Rainbow said, landing back near the bridge.

“Thank me later, if you're here to help then you best be quick.” The creature said as she fought off three more approaching guards.

“Right.” Rainbow quickly tired the rope to its post. “Quickly!” She shouted to her friends as she turned to help the flaming pony, picking up an earth pony stallion brandishing a spear as it tried to stab the creature from behind before throwing the male into the other gold covered soldiers.

“I’m not completely sure what’s going on, but I’ve got your back.” Rainbow stated, aiding the creature as the two of them continued to fend off any soldier that tried to attack the bridge.

Crossing the bridge, Twilight charged her horn as she fired a bolt of magic at a pegasi guard that flew for Rainbow. “Rainbow! We need to get to the castle!” Twilight yelled as the six mares regrouped.

=====***=====

Reaching the castle, Shimmering Sun and General Moon blasted their way inside as they watched the moon beginning to set over the horizon.
“We’re Running out of time!” Shimmering called, as General Moon slid under one of the guards guarding the throne room doors as she lifted the stallion into the air before using her magic to slam him into the ground.

“I know! It's now or never!” General Moon replied as the two mares kicked the throne room doors open.

Opening the twin doors to the throne room, the two mares walked in with caution as they entered the dark room. Looking around slowly as they entered the chamber, Shimmering felt a pressure between her wings as a heavy force caused her to crash into the stone slabs that covered the ground beneath her.

Turning around quickly, General Moon watched as a dim aura lifted Shimmering by the throat before pulling her to the other end of the room where a dark silhouette of an alicorn stood. Holding the mare in her magic it brought Shimmering’s figure close to its muzzle as two glowing golden eyes stared at her before squeezing her with a jerk. A loud snap echoing through the throne room as the torches along the walls one by one became alive with flames.

“I hear they’re calling you ‘Nightmare’ Moon now, my little Noche de Estrella.” The silhouette said as its body lit up.

Standing at the center base of the two thrones stood a white alicorn with the cutie mark of a sun, eyes of maroon and gold and a mane and tail of living flames. Tossing the mare’s body to the center of the room, General Moon ran to catch her body as it landed in her hooves. “Shimmering… Come on… you can’t…” Tears started to flow from Nightly’s eyes as she stared into the eyes of her lover, her lungs gasping for air as blood ran down her neck and muzzle.

“Nigh… tly…” Shimmering Sun said through gargled breaths. “Re… member… I’ll… always… be… your.. wings.” Closing her eyes, Shimmering Sun halted her breathing as her body went limp.

Looking at the two Celestia ignited her horn, as the body of Shimmering Sun bursted into flames. Nightmare glared up at Celestia as the remains of her partner turned to ash in her hooves. Gritting her teeth hard, Nightmare’s eyes flared teal as she lit her horn forcing the moon to halt its descent. Pushing the moon back into the sky, she blocked out the sun as Celestia slowly started walking down the stairs leading to the center of the room. “Celestia…” Nightmare spat through her gritted teeth. “I’m… gonna… Kill You!!!”

As Nightmare’s mane flowed up into the air, her magic bursted through it like a starry night. Pulling in the ashes of her beloved friend, Nightmare’s fur turned to a dark black as her body was engulfed in a pillar of teal and gold magic. As the magic stabilized, a mix of thestral and pegasi wings protruded from her back as she stood face to face with Celestia.

=====***=====

Finally reaching the base of the hill, Rainbow Dash and the others watched as the Sun began to rise into the sky. As the light of the sun touched down across the battlefield the mares watched as the ponies vanished into nothing as the mist grew in volume, reforming itself back into the purple fog.

“Great! First the battlefield, now the fog’s back.” Rainbow said as the mares continued to make their way to the Castle of the Two Sisters.

“If we make it out of this alive, I’m treating you girls to my family’s special apple cider.” Applejack stated as they got closer to the castle.

“Now that’s what I’m talking about.” Rainbow Dash said with excitement.

“I’m sooo throwing a party then.” Pinkie claimed as she hopped past the others. “I’ll be the ‘Made it out alive Party’ . It can go right along with the ‘We beat the baddie party’.”

“As long as we don’t die, I’m fine with anything.” Twilight said as they reached the front of the castle. Pushing the doors open, a loud creak filled the room as Twilight looked into the dark room. “Now all we have to do is find the elements and save Celestia.”

“Then by all means, have them.” Said a voice from the shadows as a golden aura ignited the torches within the room. Revealing Nightmare Moon waiting with an unconscious Celestia laying on her old throne. “They’re all yours.”

Author's Note

Woot!!! We're finally here!

This chapter happens along side chapter 5. Didn't think I would forget about the other three element wielders did you?

Next time - Chapter 7- The Price of Ascension.
Nightmare vs Celestia/ Elements vs Nightmare.

Chapter 7- The Price of Ascension: (End of Pony Arc)

-The Night-Mare in her eyes-

Chapter 7- The Price of Ascension

Nightmare Moon looked down from her platform at the base of the castle’s old thrones. Watching as the six mares from the night of her rebellion entered the castle’s throne room. Her starry mane flowing in an unfelt breeze. “Then by all means, have them. They’re all yours.” She said as she slowly strutted towards the steps of the two sister’s thrones. “Or are you too afraid to take them from me?” She taunted descending the steps.

The six mares took a cautious set forward as Nightmare Moon slowly took her time closing the distance.

Watching their hesitation, Nightmare let out a hearty chuckle. “Don’t tell me you're scared?” Now reaching the base of the stairs she glanced from one mare to the other as the seven of them got closer and closer to the pillar that stood next to the elements. “Applejack, who reassured you Twilight, in your moments of doubt at the cliff. Fluttershy, who aided the manticore with her compassion. Pinkie Pie, who’s laughter broke through the magic of the Everfree. Rarity, who selflessly sacrificed her one tail for the river serpent. Rainbow Dash, who aided the Kirin on the battlefield.” Nightmare Moon now stood at the center of the room. “After everything you’ve six been through, you can’t seriously be that afraid of me.”

“And how do you know all about that?” Applejack asked as her and the mares circled the stone forms of the elements of harmony.

“Ohh ohh, I know! It's cause she’s psychic!” Pinkie Pie said standing up on her hind legs with one of her hoofs in the air.

“Ha ha ha. Oh it truly has been a thousand years.” Nightmare said with a laugh. “No, my dear little Pinkie Pie. It’s because it was you who led me here.”

Twilight Sparkle’s eyes widened as the past twenty four hours worth of events played through her mind. The attack of the timberwolves at the cliffside, the manticore and the leather sheath, the two mares who danced along to Pinkie’s song, the ponies that attacked Steve the sea serpent, even the battlefield at the bridge. It all clicked in her mind as she looked Nightmare Moon in the eyes, her irises were gold, her purple mane had faint traces of silver that glistened with the stars. “You’re the mare from the forest, the one the thestrals called General Moon. I don’t understand.”

“Neither did I at the time, that was until I saw you six in Ponyville’s town hall. Then it all made sense.” Nightmare teased with a wiggle from the tip of her mane. “I don’t think I need to tell you what that fog was, do I?”

“So what’s your endgame, huh?” Rainbow Dash popped up as she glared at the alicorn.

“Why don’t you try taking the elements and find out.” Nightmare taunted as she teleported to the elements, grasping them with her tail as she slammed them into Rainbow Dash with a high sweep. The sound of ribs cracking as the stone orbs collided with the pegasus’s side.

“Rainbow!” Twilight yelled as the blue mare hit the ground with a thud.

“Try to keep up Sparkle.” Nightmare commanded, jumping forward grabbing Applejack by the tail with her teeth, pulling her up the wall. Running up the wall, Nightmare kicked off the stone bricks, swung Applejack over her head as she opened her jaw, sending the orange mare flying back down.

Reaching out with her magic, Rarity caught the farm pony. Lowering her toward the ground as Nightmare Moon teleported to her side, delivering a swift kick to the fashionista's side. Rarity slid across the ground as her concentration was broken by the sudden kick, Applejack barely landing on her hooves as gravity pulled her back to the ground.

Looking back over her shoulder, Nightmare grinned at the party pony as the pink mare ran for her friends. “What’s wrong Pinkie Pie, why don’t you try laughing this Nightmare away?” Nightmare asked, turning her gaze to Fluttershy as she slowly walked up to the quivering yellow pegasus mare.

Standing in front of the yellow caretaker she looked down into her eyes. “Kindness only goes so far Fluttershy.” Nightmare stated in a neutral tone as she dropped the stone elements before her hooves.

Turning around she looked over to the lavender mare as she panicked in thought, attempting to think of what to do. Watching as the dark alicorn walked up to her, Twilight looked around at the state of her friends. “So much for the magic of friendship, right Twilight? Nightmare said, walking past her with a tickle of her ethereal tail.

“Face it, you all did well getting here, and it would be wrong not to thank you for your help. However you six are out of your depth.” Nightmare continued back to the center of the room as the six mares looked at her dejected. “You might embody the spirit of the elements, but you don’t have the courage to use them.”

Looking back at her friends, a twinkle glistened in Twilight’s eyes as a spark started to grow in the mare. The images of her friends during their travels enter her mind. “You’re right.” Twilight said with a smile, causing Nightmare Moon to look back at her. “My friends do embody the spirit of the elements, but it isn’t courage that we need to use them.” Looking at her friends as they pulled themselves to their hooves, a smile crossed their faces. “It wasn’t courage that got us here, it was the bonds we made with each other that pushed us closer together. A bond of friendship and like you yourself said Nightmare Moon. Friendship is Magic.”

Nightmare Moon watched as a flash of light appeared over the six ponies. The stone orb of the final element of harmony glowing as the other five were lifted into the air before transforming into six balls of light that circled around the mares forming five necklaces matching the five mares. The sixth element formed a crown embedded with a star that lowered onto Twilight Sparkle’s head.

Watching as the six element bearers floated into the air, a rainbow light glowing from them. A single memory rushing to the surface of Nightmare Moon’s mind.

‘Re… member… I’ll… always… be… your.. Wings.’ Shimmering Sun’s final words echoed through her mind as the six mares fired the elements of harmony .

Raising her horn towards the sky, Nightmare reached out with her magic. Casting one more spell, she pulled on the moon with her magic, her horn crackling under the strain of her forcing the celestial body of another. Bringing the moon back into the sky, she blacked out the sun. The day and night merging into one as the stars lit up the sky from above. The stars shimmering in rays of reds, golds and teals as her mane and tail flickered in color. Her starry mane of purples and blues shifted to a fire of yellow and red. Her horn shattered away into dust as her black coat cracked and broke away into shards of obsidian revealing her golden orange coat. Raising a hoof, she brought it into the ground, creating a barrier of flames that refracted the light of the elements around her, splitting them into six separate streaks that tore into the walls and ground of the castle. The twisted purple fog radiating in the prismic hues of the elements as Nightmare’s fog rippled through the Castle of the Two Sisters.

As the light of the elements returned back to their gems, the six element bearers floated back down in confusion. Before them two alicorns clashed in the air above the throne room, one as black as night, the other covered in flames like the sun.

“Well done my ponies.” The tall figure of Shimmering Sun said as she looked up through the large hole in the ceiling. “Now I can finally put an end to that tyrant.” Furrowing her brow, the Shimmering form of Nightmare Moon took off into the air, her eyes locked onto the solar alicorn of flames.

Looking at one another the six element bearers watched as the transformed Nightmare Moon flew out of the room after two other figures. “The elements… failed?” Twilight stuttered as she continued to stare up at the sky through the ceiling. “But if the elements.. Failed, then how do we beat her?”

“By relying on your friends young Twilight.” As a voice echoed around them as the familiar blue magic of Luna’s spell flowed out of them before reforming into Princess Luna herself.

“Princess Luna, but how? I thought that spell you casted on us was meant to conceal us from Nightmare?” Applejack asked as she stared at the Princess of the night.

“That it was, however I added another effect in the event that the elements failed. A summoning spell to be exact and looking at how things seem to be going here. It looks like it was the right call. Where’s my sister?” Princess Luna asked as she looked around up at the magic beams being fired overhead.

“I’m over here, Luna.” Princess Celestia spoked from her old throne. Her one good eye having watched the scene play out.

Flying over to her elder sister, Princess Luna landed softly as she stared at the white solar alicorn. “Wow. She really did a number on you.” Princess Luna stated with a blink as lowered the tip of her horn to Princess Celestia’s. Pouring some of her magic into her sister, sounds of bones crackling echoed through the room as Luna sped up Celestia’s natural healing until her body was almost completely as a hundred percent. “Now back on your hooves you, we have a corrupted alicorn to deal with.”

Raising up from her old throne Princess Celestia gave her body a quick shake before addressing the bearers of the elements.

“Twilight Sparkle.” Princess Celestia spoke as her and Luna met the mares in the center of the room. “For you this all seems new, but for Nightmare and I, these events have already happened. I’m gonna need you to trust me now more than ever.”

“Don’t worry Princess, we got your back.” Rainbow Dash said with a hoof pump.

“Whatever you need Princess.” Applejack said with refound confidence.

“Let’s go beat the baddies!” Pinkie Pie said with a bounce.

“Two Alicorn Princesses plus these fabulous Elements, That mare doesn’t stand a chance.” Rarity added, with a soft smile.

“If we can help.” Fluttershy said in a meek voice as she pushed her mane out of her eyes.

“Whatever you need Princess.” Twilight said, looking up to Princess Celestia with eyes of determination.

“Luna and I will aid the two Nightmare Moons in their fight against my past self. When the moment appears, we’ll need you to use the elements on her.” Princess Celestia said in a flat tone as the six mares and her sister looked at her in dead silence.

“I’m sorry dear sister, but it sounded like you just told these girls to use the elements on yourself.” Princess Luna questioned as she slowly turned her head to glare at the elder alicorn.

“I did, the version of myself from this day was corrupted with jealousy, anger and fear. When I got word that Princess Noche de Estrella Moon had been raising an army to rebel against me, I let myself be overtaken by the thing now posing as me in this time period.” Letting out a sigh, Princess Celestia looked Princess Luna dead in the eyes. “It calls itself Daybreaker, your daughter was sealed in the moon in order to destroy it.”

In a brief moment, Twilight Sparkle and the other five element bearers witnessed Princess Luna’s expression go from confusion to anger in less than a second as she punched her sister in the face knocking her into the stone brick wall of the throne room.

“Celestia! When this is all over we will have words!” Princess Luna shouted with rage lit eyes. Taking in a deep breather, Luna closed her eyes and turned to the six mares. “We’ll tell you about it after we're done here. For now just be ready.” Taking to the air, Princess Luna flew up into the sky, shortly followed by Princess Celestia.

=====***=====

Shimmering Moon flew through the air as she quickly caught up with her past counterpart. “Nightmare, I’ll divert her fire, you focus on bringing her down.” Shimmering Moon yelled as she sped past her as she flew under Daybreaker delivering a burning headbutt to her underbody.

“Shimmering.” Nightmare Moon said to herself as she tilted her wings circling towards Daybreaker’s side as she released a golden blast of magic into her.

“EEH!!” Daybreaker groaned as she used her magic to teleport ahead as she quickly spun her wings to turn around. “Shimmering Sun! You’re supposed to be Dead!” Daybreaker shouted as she curved her wings to halt her forward motion as she released a stream of fire at the large fiery pegasus.

Spinning slightly to the side, Shimmering Moon dodged the magical fire as she slammed into Daybreaker. “Let’s be dead together!” Shimmering Moon exclaimed opening her mouth wide as she latched her teeth into Daybreaker’s neck.

“AUGH!!!” You little Shit!” Daybreaker screamed as she kicked at the large golden mare. Holding herself in the air, Daybreaker let out another scream of pain as Nightmare Moon flew behind her, ramming into her back as she grabbed the other side of her neck with her teeth. “GET OFF OF ME!!!” Igniting her horn, Daybreaker unleashed a burst of fire from within her body, forcing the two mares of Gold and Black to release their hold. “That’s it, everything BURNS!” Lifting up her horn two streaks of white and blue flew into Daybreaker as Princess Celestia and Princess Luna grabbed her by her wings forcing her down towards the castle.

“No you don’t parasite!” Celestia yelled as the three of them crashed through the ceiling of Luna’s old tower.

“Celestia! Luna!” Daybreaker shouted as she bucked the two sisters off of her before grabbing the younger sister’s leg with her teeth. Giving her body a spin, Daybreaker swung the lunar alicorn into Celestia before liting her horn and firing at the sister duo. Sounds of wood cracking came from below her as the maw of NIghtmare Moon shot through the floor from below.

“Surprise Bitch!” Nightmare growled as she latched onto Daybreaker’s hind leg, dragging her down through the floor.

Flying down from the giant hole in the roof, Shimmering Moon flew down grabbing onto Daybreaker’s right wing. Giving the mare’s wing a hard twist with her teeth, Daybreaker felt her wing snap as she was forcing down to the ground floor of the tower.

Feeling the ground beneath them start to give way, Celestia and Luna flew back into the sky as they watched the tower crumble to a pile of wood and stone. “Well, that explains what happened to my room when I was in Canterlot.” Princess Luna commented as the two of them flew down alongside the castle’s wall following the trail of destruction as the three mares destroyed everything in the midst of their battle.

“We need to get them back to the throne room.” Princess Celestia called as the two sisters split apart from each other. Celestia flew ahead of the mares’ current path as Luna flew in from the side.

Grabbing Shimmering Moon from behind, Celestia flew her down the adjacent hallway. At the same time Luna grabbed onto Daybreak alongside Nightmare as they slammed her into the wall. “We need to get her to the throne room daughter!” Princess Luna commanded as Nightmare Moon gave her a confirming glance.

Twilight Sparkle and her friends watched as Princess Celestia came barreling through the doorway with Shimmering Moon in her hooves, the hornless Nightmare bleeding from several deep wounds as she breathed hard. The injuries from Daybreaker finally caught up to her as Celestia had forced her out of the battle.

Sliding across the ground with a roll, the two sun ponies watched as Nightmare and Luna came crashing into the room with Daybreaker in their grip. “Ready yourselves ladies!” Luna shouted as Nightmare and her slammed Daybreaker into the ground as she struggled to break free.

“Let me go you fools!!!” Daybreaker demanded as she shot a burst of magic into the part of the remaining ceiling causing it to come falling down upon them.

Pushing Celestia off of herself, Shimmering Moon quickly spread her wings and flapped hard as she propelled herself into Princess Luna knocking her out of the way of the falling debris. Wood and stone rained down on the two Nightmares as they grabbed Daybreaker in her attempt to escape before bringing her back down into the ground.

Looking into Twilight’s eyes, Shimmering Moon shouted at the lavender unicorn. “You fool! DO IT NOW!”

Looking over to Luna then back to Celestia, Twilight saw regret held within their eyes and they nodded for the elements to be fired. “Alight, one more time.” Twilight said as the elements of harmony levitated the six mares off the ground, their bodies glowing in an ethereal rainbow before firing it up into the sky. The six beams of light circled the three mares as the rainbow spiraled around them like a funnel before shooting a beam into the moon.

Looking up at the sky, the six element bearers watched as the familiar silhouette of the mare in the moon appeared across the moon’s surface. Turning their attention back to the other two, they watched as a sobbing Princess Celestia was held in the hooves of a tall white and silver maned unicorn with the cutie mark of a moon surrounded by six stars.

“Noche de Estrella… I’m so sorry,,,” The younger Celestia said as she sobbed into Nightly’s coat as she held her petting her mane.

“It’s… Okay… Auntie… I… For…give… you…” Nightly said as her body started to blow away like petals in the wind.

As the once Nightmare Moon disappeared into nothing, the world around the six element bearers and the two princess sisters started to shift and fade as the world around them faded back to their present day as the fog faded away along with the last remains of Nightmare’s magic.

=====***=====

*Elsewhere*

Luna screamed in pain as she took in multiple short breaths. “AHHH!”

“Come on Ms Moon, one more big push.” A nurse in teal scrubs commanded as Luna pushed as hard as she could. The room went quiet for a moment as Luna took a moment to catch her breath, as a spike of panic came over her as she held her breath.

“Waahh… wahhh.” Cried the lungs of a baby as the doctor and nurses carefully wrapped the small newborn in a blue blanket before turning to Luna.

“Congratulations Ms Moon, It’s a girl.” Nurse Mending congratulated as she handed over the newborn baby.

Holding her newborn, Luna smiled as she cradled the baby in her arms. “Hello little one.” She said as the baby calmed down in Luna’s embrace.

“So what’s her name going to be?” Nurse Mending asked as she watched the new mother hold her baby with a smile.

“ Noche de Estrella, It means Star Night.” Luna said as she rubbed her thumb along Noche's cheek.

“Noche de Estrella Moon, something tells me she’s going to grow up into a tough one.” The nurse commented.

Slowly opening her eyes, her vision was blinded by the intense light.

“Would you look at that, her eyes are like that of a dragon.” Noche heard a voice say as she blinked her eyes a few times.

“There isn’t anything wrong with her, is there?” The panicked voice of Luna asked the other as the two figures finally came into focus.

“Oh of course not, It’s rare, but she’s not the first to have pupils like that. Although normally those who have them have teal irises. My guess would be that she hit the genetic jackpot.”

As Noche focused on the faces of the two creatures, she screamed.

Author's Note

Episode 1 and 2 of My Little Pony Friendship is Magic is finally covered! WOOT!!! My back hurts so much from the sitting and typing.

In this chapter I used the name Shimmering Moon to refer to the Present Nightmare Moon in her Pegasus form, while I kept Nightmare Moon for the past version.

Yes present day Nightmare Moon was reincarnated into the world of equestria girls, no she will not be a baby when Sunset Shimmer is a Teen. That's all I'm giving away for now on where this story will go.

However if you have any questions about something that you might not have understood or just want to leave your own thoughts. Feel free to comment below. I do actually read these.

-The Night-mare in her soul- Chapter 1- New body who dis?

-The Night-mare in her soul-

Chapter 1- New body who dis?

Nightmare Moon had expected many things when she had ordered the bearers of harmony to activate the elements. She had expected pain, she had expected death. What she hadn't expected was to find her soul tied to that of a newly born child who shared not only her once relinquished name, but also a mother sharing the night goddess's name.

It had taken her a few months to come to grips with her situation, not only due to the strangeness of her new form, but also because her body refused to stay awake for only moments at a time. Never in her life as the daughter of royalty had she slept for such lengthened periods of time. Time she could only fill with the embarrassment of having others feed, change and bathe her.

Unlike her past infancy, Nightmare found pleasure in her allowance of being awake during the day, the sun greeting her every time she would wake. However that pleasure would quickly vanish with her inability to do anything by her own means.

'By Faust, this is dull.' The infant thought to herself as she watched her mother stumble through the morning routine of bathing herself with her mother.

Luna stood under the lukewarm water as she gently wiped her daughter with a soft wet cloth. The small infant staring up at her with golden reptilian-like eyes as her tiny palms rested on her cushioning breasts.

"Now close your eyes Noche, we got to rinse that soap off." Her mother commanded in a soft tone as her little bundle of joy clenched her eyes shut tightly. "That'da girl."

Slowly bringing the shower head over her body, Luna washed the suds off of Nightmare’s snow white skin before bringing it over herself. Letting the water rinse away the grime of night's rest, before placing the head of the shower back into its respective spot.

Turning the water off with the twist of a knob, Luna pulled open the curtain to the bath. Her light grayish blue body glistened in the illuminating light of the ceiling's fixture as drops of water rolled down her curvy form. To others of this species one would probably find the display as attractive or provocative by potential mates, but to Nightmare only one word could describe her mother's natural appearance, 'divine'. In Nightmare’s eyes, although her mother lacked the title or abilities of her equine counterpart from her previous life, she more than made up for it in her body's natural beauty.

'To be blessed with gifts.' Nightmare thought her mother wiped her down before placing her in her padded seat on the floor. Her eyes tried to glance away as her mother dried herself with a lavender colored towel. If not for her biological connection to the woman before her, Nightmare might have taken enjoyment in filling her eyes with one of such curves. However to her dismay she couldn't pry her eyes off of the of the two round bouncing orbs that were her mother's boobs as her stomach released an audible grow and her a huff.

"Let me get some clothes on us first, Noche, then I'll give you what you want." Luna said with a giggle at her daughter's ripening cheeks as she carried the two of them to the bedroom.

Placing the three month old on her bed, Luna grabbed a fresh diaper and clean clothes. Going through the process of dressing Nightmare and herself for the day. Nightmare remembered the first time her mother tried to place the infant sized dress on her newly born form. The young mother struggled to get the outfit on her daughter as Nightmare screamed, kicked and cried before causing Luna to trip over herself. The new mother hitting her head on the end table causing a small gash to appear on her head. Nightmare didn't struggle after that, her mother showing more concern for her daughter than her own bleeding head.

"And done." Luna hummed as she grabbed herself a shirt, pulling it over her head as she picked the baby up. "And here you are my little nipple biter."

Holding Nightmare in her arms she sat herself down in a wicker chair, placing one of her nipples in her baby's mouth. Nightmare closed her eyes as she began to suck and gulp the warm milk that was held inside. Although the mind of Nightmare disliked the act of suckling on her mother's tit, she did find the taste to be more agreeable than the artificial powder that her older relatives had tried to provide her while babysitting her.

'To be gifted.' Nightmare thought once again as she popped her mother's nipple out of her mouth before letting out a loud belch. Looking her mother in the eyes, Nightmare grasped the edge of her shirt, giving a slight tug as she let out a babble. 'I'm done. Finish clothing yourself.' She told her mother through bubbly sounds and grunts as she glanced at her crib.

"Well, if you're finished." Luna said, pulling her shirt down. "But we're not staying here today."

Giving her mother a quizzical look, Nightmare babbled once again in question. 'What's that supposed to mean?'

Looking at her little bundle of silver and white in her little black sailor's uniform with white trim, Luna smirked. "I have to go to work at the school and luckily for you, they don't have the guts to stop me from bringing you with me."

'Well, this day just got a little more boring.' Nightmare babbled as she watched Luna pick up her keys before strapping the annoyed Nightmare to her chest.

Securing her daughter in her carrier, Luna exited her apartment, locking it behind her.

_____***_____

Arriving at the school, Luna greeted her students as she made her way in.

'That's right colts and fillies, make way for you mare of the night has arrived.' Nightmare chuckled to herself as she watched the widening eyes of the young teens watch as Luna carried her to the office of the school. Occasionally getting stopped by students and teachers alike as they requested to see the leader of the school's new daughter.

Nightmare crossed her arms, puffing out her chest as she smiled with pride at the attention given to her. 'That's right, be honored by my greatness mortals, for before you sits a legend.' Nightmare gloated through a mouth of spit as the females around her awed and giggled. That pride quickly fading with widening eyes as she felt a movement in her bowels. "BABBA BA!" Nightmare exclaimed as she glanced at her mother with a hint of shame.

Looking down at her daughter, Luna picked her up, giving her a quick sniff before lowering her back into her carrier. "BA BA BAA." Nightmare glared as Luna gently put her down. 'Don't you just put me back down, I need changing.'

"Yep, I thought so." Luna said, picking up the baby carrier in one of her hands.

"And what's that Vice Principal Luna?" One of the students asked.

"Little Noche here needs a diaper change." Luna said re-sholdering her diaper bag.

"Ahh I get'cha." The younger girl said russelling my hair. "Well I'll just have to see you later than. Noche."

"Ba." With that we were once again off as Luna took me to get a fresh diaper.

_____***_____

The days went on a little uneventfully after that. I would spend most of my time sleeping as mother went through her day working, spending most of it either on the computer or taking calls on the phone. Eventually having to stop every once in a while to either feed or change me.

I wish I could say life got more eventful however as the next five years flew by, my days were filled with the following; eatting, sleeping, being bored out of my mind and mind numbing tv. Thankfully in that time I managed to learned how to do four important things; read, walk, talk and how to go to the toilet without the aid of my mother. Sadly these were the only things I really managed to learn as my small body seemed to have the attention span of a corgi.

As mother and I took a trip in the car, I noticed that we had pasted the school that we had been spending our days at for the last five years.

"You passed it." I said in my higher pitched voice. The vocal depth of this child body covering the maturity of my actual age.

"That's because today, you are going to be attending your own school." Luna said as she kept her eyes on the road.

"Nooo…." I dragged out as I slowly turned my head back to her.

"That's right, starting today, you are officially a student at Canterlot Elementary. They hold classes starting from kindergarten to 7th grade." Luna said as she pulled the vehicle into one of the available parking spots.

_____***_____

Waiting in front of the classroom Luna and the teacher stood off to the side of the entrance, a light pink woman with magenta hair and light green eyes looked at me before giving her attention back to my mother.

"Now before I go, I do want to warn you, Noche can be a little intense to handle." Luna warned as she looked down at me.

"Oh I'm sure she won't be too much to handle. A lot of students her age can seem that way at first, but it isn't anything new. Besides, she can't be worse than when I had Rainbow Dash in my class." The woman said not getting the full meaning.

"Not really what I meant. Noche can be inquisitive about things, she acts a lot more mature for her age. She's more likely to spend time reading than interacting with others and practically play caregiver when she was in daycare." Luna explained as I watched the teacher roll her eyes with a smile.

"I'm sure she'll be fine Ms Moon. If anything happens you'll be the first person I call. Now then let's get you introduced so that we can get class under way." With that I gave my goodbyes as me and the teacher went into the classroom.

"Good morning kids, today we have a new student joining us today, why don't you introduce yourself." Ms Cheerlie said as we stood at the front of the class.

Looking around the class I noticed a few students who looked at me with interest while others shied away from my eyes.

"My name is Noche de Estrella Moon, I'm currently five years old, I enjoy reading, politics and military strategy. My favorite foods are plant based, I don't like meat. Red and yellow are my favorite colors and I don't have any interest in boys in terms of mates. Any questions?" I asked finishing my statement to the jaw drop of the teacher. Looking around I saw a few hands raise. "You with the tiara."

"What do you mean by mates?" The light pink skin girl with pastel hair and white strikes asked.

"It means that in terms of male vs female companionship I would rather have a girl than a boy. I like girls." This response seemed to cause the teacher to quickly cover my mouth with her hands as she tried to end the verbal questionnaire.

"Alright, I think that's good for now, why don't you take one of the open seats in the middle." Ms Cheerlie said in a panic before removing her hands.

"As much as I am flattered, Ms Cheerlie, I think I'm a bit too young for you." I said with a wink as I took my seat next to a girl with light yellow skin and red hair.

'Something tells me this is going to be more entertaining than I thought.' I thought to myself as I glanced at the girl next to me.

"HI I'm Applebloom." She said with a wave.

"Noche, but you can call me Nightly if you want." I replied with a smirk.

"Scootaloo, So you really don't like boys?" The orange girl with purple hair asked.

"Nope, not that there's anything wrong with them, I just prefer women." I said with a shrug.

"Cool." Scootaloo said, leaning back in her chair as Ms Cheerlie pressed the palm of her hand to her forehead.

"What have I gotten myself into." The teacher said as she took a deep breath. "Alright, today we are going to cover the basics of writing, who here can give me the letters of the alphabet?"

Author's Note

And so we begin. Welcome to the world of humans.

Chapter 2- So you think you're a royal?

-The Night-mare in her soul-

Chapter 2- So you think you're a royal?

"Alright class, who can tell me what this letter is?" Ms Cheerilee asked, writing a 'B' onto the class chalkboard. Looking around the room she pointed to a short pudgy boy with scruffy light brown hair and bluish skin. The boy wore a black shirt with a pair of scissors printed on the front.

"Oh I know this one, it's an upside-down 'P'." The boy answered to the dumbfounded Nightmare.

"Close Snips, but this letter is referred to as 'B', can anyone give me an example of a word beginning with the letter 'B'?" The teacher asked, the corner of her eye giving a very subtle twitch that went unnoticed by almost the whole class.

"Brain-dead." The pastel pink girl from before said in a taunting tone at Snips' incorrect answer. This got a chuckle from most of the students which caused the overweight boy to hunch over in his seat. Oddly enough the girl's snark went unnoticed by the teacher.

Thinking for a moment, Nightmare turned to the girl with the tiara, her annoyance at her blatant insult inspiring one of her own. "How about baleful." Nightmare retorted as she glared at the overdressed girl.

"I'm not sure I'm familiar with that word, Noche, perhaps you could use it in a sentence for us?" Ms Cheerilee asked with an ignorant smile.

"Sure," Nightmare said as she stood up from her chair and turned her body to face the pastel colored girl. "I intend to be baleful to this brat if she dares to be rude in my presence." Gesturing to the girl as she spoke she narrowed her eyes before returning her expression back to normal as she faced herself back to the teacher.

"And what's that supposed to mean snake eyes?" The brat responded standing up from her seat.

The teacher watched as the two girls walked up to one another, standing almost nose to nose as they glared at one another.

"It means keep acting like a spoiled noble and find out what happens next." Nightmare threatened as she showed her sharp baby teeth.

"Or what? You're gonna try and kiss me, freak." Just as Ms Cheerilee started to make her way to the middle of the class, Nightmare gave a little smirk.

"Why? Are you asking? Cause in terms of looks, you might be easy on the eyes." Nightmare teased as she caressed the girl's cheek before grabbing her by the back of her hair. "However, you have a terrible personality."

Giving a sturdy tug Nightmare watched as the girl's eyes went wide as her head was forcefully pulled backwards as Nightmare leaned in towards her ear.

"Don't try to square up to me Chica, cause I will turn your world into a living wake." Nightmare whispered as she loosened her grip causing the girl to pee herself as she collapsed to the floor in her own urine. The girl shaking as her visual image of Nightmare became that of a monster.

"That's enough you!" Ms Cheerilee said in a harsh voice as she placed herself between the two girls. "Noche, hallway now."

Giving the teacher a raised eyebrow, Nightmare obeyed the adult's command, walking past the frightened girl as she glanced down at her.

"It's okay Diamond Tiara, let's get you to the nurse's office and get you cleaned up." Ms Cheerilee said in a comforting tone as she helped the girl up.

Watching as the three ladies existed into the hallway, the class looked down at the small puddle of yellow liquid for a hard moment.

"Well that got heated quickly." Scootaloo said as she scooted her desk away from the puddle.

"Yeah, I don't think I've even seen Diamond pee herself and we've gotten into fist fights all the time." Added Applebloom as she looked away from the floor.

"No kidding, she didn't even have to hit her and she scares the pee right out of her." Snips said with a brighter attitude. "You think it means she likes me?"

"No Snips, we don't think she likes you. Although pity is a good guess." Applebloom stated as Snips sunk back into his chair.

"Oh…"

_____***_____

Waiting in the hallway, Nightmare watched as Ms Cheerilee walked down around the corner with a sniffling Diamond Tiara. The repercussions of her actions falling flat as she audibly snorted. "If you're gonna wear the crown then you best know what it means." Nightmare mumbled to herself as she kicked at the ground.

'And what price does it cost hmm?' A familiar voice echoed through her mind as the lights of the hall flicked. Her vision clouded into darkness as the voice taunted her from everywhere. 'Poor little Noche, finally without her title, yet still holds her royal values. How twisted.'

"Who's there?" Nightmare asked as a cold chill ran up her spine.

Stepping away from the lockers she had been leaning on, Nightmare looked around at her surroundings only to find nothing.

'Ah ah ah. Spoilers.' As the voice faded away a firm grip grasped her shoulder dragging her back into reality.

"Hey, you okay?" Ms Cheerilee asked with a look of concern as she saw sweat beating down Noche's face. The young girl breathing heavily as she looked up at the teacher.

"What? I…" looking back around the hallway, Nightmare noticed that the hallway had reverted back to normal. Closing her eyes she took a deep breath and held it for a few seconds before breathing out. 'What was that? Some kind of PTSD panic attack?' She asked herself before opening her eyes to look at the now worried teacher.

"I'm okay… I think my body just caught up to me. I'm not normally this confrontational." She said looking down at the ground. "How is she. Diamond, I mean."

"Startled, her mother is having to come by with some clean clothes. Why did you do that?" The teacher asked, looking Nightmare in the eyes.

"I don't like bullies," Nightmare stated with a disappointed tone. "Figured if I gave her a reason not to…" Nightmare’s words cut off as her eyes began to water. "It doesn't matter, it was wrong… nothing more."

Cheerilee watched as the five year old girl wiped her eyes with her sleeve before taking a deep breath. "So what now, detention, suspension?"

"I… think a verbal warning and a word with your mother will do. Now let's get back to class." Ms Cheerilee sighed as they watched one of the school janitors enter the classroom with a mop and bucket. "Or maybe a quick rescue while the janitor cleans up the mess, you'll be posted next to me of course."

"Okay." Nightmare said in a low tone as Ms Cheerilee gathered the class.

_____***_____

A meeting was called day one, Spoiled Riche, Diamond Tiara's mother had called a meeting with the principal demanding my expulsion. My mother and Ms Cheerilee argued against it.

"I will not allow my daughter to be anywhere near that little monster. I want her gone!" Spoiled Riche shouted as her daughter looked at me with a smirk.

"And I'm telling you that she's not going anywhere Riche. My daughter has just as much right to be here as yours does." Luna argued back as the two mothers stood nose to nose.

"Ladies please, we're talking about two five year old girls. Both of which have shown signs of regret for their actions. This doesn't have to be bigger than what you're making it out to be." Ms Cheerilee said squeezing between the rather passed mothers.

"Bigger than what it is… BIGGER THAN WHAT IT IS!!!" Spoiled Riche upped in volume as she glared at the kindergarten teacher. "You weren't the one who had to bring their daughter a new pair of clothes because she was scared for her life."

"That's enough, both of you." I said standing up from the chair opposite of Diamond. The four adults in the room got quiet as they looked at me. "I scared your daughter, yes, but showing her that all her problems can be solved by yelling and screaming won't do her any good in the future." Turning my gaze to Diamond Tiara, she flinched. "What is the price of that Tiara you wear?" I asked as Spoiled Riche got ready to say something before Diamond cut her off.

"$2500, why?" Diamond questioned as I shook my head.

Watching my response Spoiled Riche seemed to pick up on something as they waited for my response.

"Not what I meant, the tiara on your head is a type of crown." I stated, looking her in the eyes as a queen to their successor. "A crown worn by those who lead comes with a price, one that can't be paid for in gold. You want to live up to your name's sake than stop putting others down and learn what it means to wear the thin piece of jewelry." Turning my attention to Spoiled Riche, "Let your daughter grow."

With that I walked over to the principal who had been listening patently. "It's your school, it's what you decide." I said with a bow before looking back to my mom who had a look of pride on her face as she rested her hand on my head.

"Well, what say you, Principal Celestia?" Luna asked with a warm smile.

"I… would say no rescue for two weeks." Celestia who's chin was resting on the back of her hands looked over to Spoiled, "For both parties involved. During that time, they will be spent under my careful watch as they learn to get along."

Looking over to Diamond and Spoiled, their faces showed two different emotions, while the elder showed defeat, the younger showed fear.

"Now then, I have things to do as do the four of you. We can pick this back up after their detention period has completed to see if any other measures are needed. Who knows, they might just surprise you." Celestia finished as she noted down the girls' punishment before standing to grab her jacket.

_____***_____

Sitting in the back seat of the car, I focused my eyes out the window. Watching as trees and powerlines flew on by. 'That could have gone worse.' I thought to myself as my mother cleared her throat.

"Well, that could have gone worse." She said looking up at me through the rear view mirror. "Be glad that it was your Aunt that was in charge of the school instead of one of Spoiled's relatives. So why did you scare her?"

Looking away from the window I pondered for a moment in thought. "To be honest, I'm not really sure anymore. She insulted a boy named Snips and I chose to act in his defense, but there were better ways of handling it."

"Ms Cheerilee said she found you having a panic attack in the hallway." My mother said pulling into the parking lot of a small restaurant. "You want to tell me what brought that on?"

"Not really, but withholding doesn't do any good. I was fine until the teacher turned the corner, after that I just blanked out. It was like I wasn't even there anymore. I guess the stress just got to me." I answered with a shrug that caused my mother to frown.

"You scared me you know," looking up at my mother I could see water forming in her eyes. "Not your actions, but your reaction to what you did. You don't have to close yourself off like that."

"I'm sorry…" I said lowering my gaze.

"Don't be, it wasn't your fault, it's a mother's job to worry and it's your job not to grow up so fast, you don't have to protect the world Noche, just live it okay." Luna undid her seatbelt as she leaned back and hugged me tight.

"Okay." I said as my eyes began to water from her sadness. We sat like that for a moment, not saying a word as we held one another. The silence only ending with the grow of my stomach.

"Alright, let's get something to eat, we're meeting my sister here anyways." With that the two of us exited the car as we made our way inside.

_____***_____

-else where-

A young mare with gold fur and a red and yellow mane entered Celestia's school for gifted unicorns.

"Alright Sunset, you got this. Just go in there and show those canterlot nobles what a real unicorn can do." The little filly said to herself as she entered the testing room.

"You must be Sunset Shimmer." The white alicorn said as she looked at the little filly with eyes of familiarity. "Why don't you start off by showing us some of the spells you've learnt so far."

Author's Note

And now introducing, the first glimpse of Sunset Shimmer.

This chapter is brought to you by the song:
The Cost of the Crown - Mercedes Lackey & Shandeen

Which is what's being referred to by Nightmare in this chapter.

Chapter 3- Familia Lunch Potential Grimdark

Author's Note

Warning. Potential Grimdark for this chapter.

Chapter 3- Familia Lunch Potential Grimdark

-The Night-mare in her soul-

Chapter 3- Familia Lunch

Nightmare Moon sat next to her mother as the two of them looked over the menus given to them by the staff of the selected restaurant. Taking the read over the limited options of vegetarian specific items, she placed the laminated booklet on the table. Looking across from her, she met the lavender eyes of one Celestia who examined her with her gaze. Feeling uneasy by pasteled haired adult, Nightmare looked over to her mother who was reading through the chicken section of the Mexican styled dishes. Just past her, hanging on the wall a television monitor displayed something that caught her eye. She couldn't hear what the people were saying in the news program, however Nightmare was able to make out some of the text rolling along the bottom of the screen. 'Channel 4 news: 6 year old child found dead near Lake Everfree. Detective Summer Strike leading investigation. Body identified as 6 year old Night Walker. Last seen-' Just as the news program was about to show the photo of the desist, a young woman in her late teens with pink skin and purple, pink and yellow hair walked up blocking the view. She wore a maroon blazer with a magenta plaid skirt, her hair in a long ponytail.

"Sorry I'm late, Principal Cinche wanted to go over a few things with the student committee before school ended." The young lady said as she took a seat next to Celestia. Looking back to the television the news program had been changed to a sports station showing college football (soccer).

"It's fine my darling niece, we were just looking over the menu anyways." Celestia said, passing one of the spare booklets over to the girl.

"Thanks Auntie." The girl said as she flipped through the pages.

Tilting her head for a moment, Nightmare tugged gently on her mother's blouse to gain her attention before subtly pointing to the woman. Looking between the two Luna slowly realized what her daughter was silently asking.

"Right, I forgot you two have never really met." Placing her menu down she gestured to the pink woman. "This here is our niece Mi Amore Cadenza."

Looking up from her menu, Cadance looked over to Luna and then the small girl sitting next to her. A small girl with silver hair, white skin and gold eyes looked at her with confusion. Giving the girl a small smile Cadance placed her menu down, giving the small child her full attention.

"Most people just call me Cadance. So what's your name, little one?" Cadance asked as she looked at Nightmare with glee.

Standing up from her seat, Nightmare walked around the table till she was standing directly in front of the older girl. Pinching the ends of her black dress, she pulled the outward as she gave a bow.

"I am Noche de Estella Moon, child of Luna Moon and student of Canterlot Elementary. It is a pleasure to meet you MI Amore Cadenza." Looking up from her bow, Nightmare’s vision was spun as her body was quickly pulled off the ground in a tight hug.

"Oh you are so cute." Cadance said as she squeezed the girl in her grip, getting a soft snort from Nightmare who looked to the others with a deadpan look as they wiped tears from their eyes as they laughed.

"Can you put me down please." Nightmare asked, her words falling on deaf ears as she was placed on Cadance's lap. "Close enough."

"Cadance her is your mother's and my niece, basically she's your cousin, Noche." Celestia said as Cadance patted me on the head.

"Doesn't that… I didn't know you had other siblings?" Nightmare questioned looking between the two sisters.

"It's a long story, let's just say this family is a lot bigger than the four of us." Luna answered with a saddened smile.

"My mother isn't here anymore." Cadance muttered as I looked up at her. "Speaking of mother's, I hope it's not rude to ask, but if she's your daughter Auntie Luna, why does she look so much like Celestia?"

'Okay, yes rude.' Nightmare thought as both Luna and Celestia let out a shared sigh.

"That would be because I donated one of my eggs so that young Noche here could be born." Celestia said, rubbing Nightmare’s hair.

"Sorry, I guess that was rude of me to ask." Looking down at Nightmare, Cadance had a pained look on her face.

"It's fine, you're not the first to ask. It was a gamble on whether it would work or not at the time, I couldn't be happier that it did. She's my little miracle." Luna said, giving her daughter a warm smile.

"So who's her father? I don't remember you ever dating." Luna cringed at Cadance's question.

"That's a bit of a touchy top-" Before shutting down her niece's second question, Luna was cut short as Nightmare popped her head up.

"Discord!" She said excitedly as she hopped off of Cadance's lap before running over to a tall man wearing a black suit, white shirt, bow tie and cape. His hair was short and white, his eyes yellow with a familiar line for the pupil, his skin a light blue.

Running over to the man, Luna and Celestia both stood from their seat as the young child greeted the man.

"Oh hello little one and whom might you be?" The man said crouching down to the girl as he took note of Luna not far behind her.

"I'm Noche. Are you Discord?" Nightmare asked with a wide grin as she looked up to the man.

"I'm afraid not little one, Discord was my brother, I am Jackpot. Jackpot Lulamoon the great and powerful." The man said as stood up, striking a pose.

"Oh, my mistake." Nightmare said trying to hide her disappointment as she gave a half smile. "I just thought you were dad, sorry."

Walking up to her daughter Luna’s face held a frown as she patted her on the head. "Mr Lulamoon… " Luna said in a sad tone as she picked her daughter up.

"Luna, we're family you know you can call me Jack…" Jackpot said, clasping his hands. "So I'm guessing this is?" Looking at the child Luna gave a cautious nod. "She has his eyes… sorry, I didn't know you would be here."

Taking in a deep breath Luna closed her eyes before letting it out. "If you want, there's still space at our table." She offered glancing back at Celestia and Cadance.

"I would love to, I really would. However I'm only here to pick up my wife's order. Perhaps another time… say over the weekend, we could introduce the kids?" Jackpot suggested with a shrug and a smile.

"I think… I think we can make that work. Thank you… Jack." Luna looked up at Jackpot with a small smile as he handed her a small business card with his address and phone number on it.

"I will look forward to seeing you there, Luna Moon." He said as one of the workers handed him his to-go order. "And I look forward to seeing you too, Noche Moon."

With that the man exited the restaurant as Luna stood there holding her daughter for what felt like a long moment before returning to their table.

"Okay, so what just happened? Who was that?" Cadance asked, looking over at the door and then back again to Celestia.

"Jackpot Lulamoon, Noche's uncle from her father's side." Celestia explained sitting back down in her chair. "Noche must have mistaken him for her father."

"But surely she would have known it wasn't right?" Cadance asked.

"Noche has never met her father." Luna said, placing Nightmare down in her seat. "He disappeared just before she was born."

"So how did she-" Celestia placed her had on her niece's shoulder while shaking her head. "Sorry… I'm not leaving a very good impression are I?"

"Nope, but I think it's fine, you're young." Nightmare said with a smile throwing Cadance off. "Besides I make bad impressions all the time and I'm younger than you."

"Let’s just find a new topic, shall we. So Cadance, how's the babysitting going?" Celestia asked as their waitress arrived to take their orders.

_____***_____

In the far distance on the edge of town, a small child with thestal eyes looked out at the treeline next to the park. A deep growl humming through the forest as a red ball bounced deeper into the woods.

"Come on Shifter, you're the one that kicked it in there, go get it." Another kid yelled as he waited on his friend.

"Yeah yeah, I'm getting it." Shifter said as she climbed through the brush entering the forest.

Walking through the trees, the young girl struggled to find her ball. The wind slowly picked up as dead leaves swept up around her before settling back to the ground. Squinting her eyes she spotted the ball laying under the edge of a fallen tree covered in moss.

Making her way over the low growl of the forest circled around the child. Looking back to see how far from the park she was, the little girl began to panic as the area around her had changed. Turning her head in each direction Shifter could see no signs of the park which she had just come from. Picking up her red ball, she froze as the low growl came from right above her. Looking up the little girl shrieked as the leaves as a large set of sharp teeth lunged at her.

The faint scream of the girl fading at the edge of the forest as a red ball flew out of the tree lining and into the park.

"Took you long enough Shifter," The young boy said, picking up the ball. Looking up at the forest the boy looked around. "Shifter?!" He called as a circle of leaves slowly floated down the treeline, his friend nowhere in sight.

"Okay kids, come on. It's time to go." One of the parents called as the small boy ran over to his parents.

"Light Finder, where's Moon Shifter?" The boy's father asked, looking at the empty park.

"She went into the forest to get the ball back, but she hasn't come out yet and I can't find her." Light Finder said with a worried look on his face as the father looked over to the forest.

"Stay here with your mother." The father said as he ran over into the forest.

Running through the trees the man called out for the girl, his heart pounding as a terrible feeling formed in his gut.

"Shifter!" He called out as the wind picked up through the trees. The air being his only reply as he spotted a small body lying on the ground in a pile of leaves.

"Shifter!" The man cried as he ran over to the non-moving body of the little girl. Getting closer to the girl a wet splash caught his ears as he looked down to a puddle of blood coming from under the girl.

"Noo…" reaching over to the still child he reached for her shoulder as her body rolled over. The sight terrifying the grown man. Lying before him was a burnt mangled little girl with grayish blue skin and white hair. Her neck, wrists, ankles and stomach covered in a coiling sizzling burn mark, her arms and legs twisted in an inhuman manner. Her jaw ripped open with her tongue stretched from her mouth. Her eyes, two hollow holes, crisp around the edges with black ash inside.

Backing up quickly, the man pulled out his cellphone, quickly pressing the emergency call button as it dialed the local authorities, a low growl hummed through the forest as leaves began to lift up in the air. A large set of teeth opened above his as wet blood dripped from its Jaws. Feeling droplets run down his forehead, the older male looked up as the figure above him lunged down. His scream transmitting to the other end of the call.

Chapter 4- The Plague of Palomino

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

Chapter 5- Why Nightmares dream of war

-The Night-Mare in her eyes-

Chapter 5- Why Nightmares dream of war

Rain poured down upon the forest hamlet of Hollow Shades, grand weeping willows lurched over the village homes, swinging back and forth in the storm’s howling wind. Large puddles formed over cobbled paths as water ran off of wooden roofs. Glass lanterns hung from overhangs from ropes and chains giving light to passersby in the middle of the dark rainy day. The thestrals of Hollow Shades watches as two cloaked mares walked down the cobbled streets from the safety of their homes and businesses. Eyes slowly followed the cloaked mares as the sound of metal ‘clanked’ from under their clothed bodies. Whispers slowly permeated through the rain; some of the thestrals pointed their hooves at the taller of the two cloaked mares, the faint shape of a white horn poking out from the taller one’s hood.

The two mares stopped their walk as the taller turned their head towards some of the younger thestrals who stood beneath one of the businesses' overhangs. The young thestral foals slowly backed up as the tall cloaked pony strutted over to them. Her golden thestral like eyes glowing in the faint fire of lantern light. Stopping in front of the small foals the mare lowered herself to their eye level giving them a look at her faded white muzzle and her sharp teeth. “Pardon some time, little ones.” The mare spoke in a soft motherly tone looking between the three thestral foals. “We wish to acquire shelter from thine storm. Should tho aid us.” A faint glow came from the mare’s horn as a small pouch appeared from under her cloak, which when opened showed several weeks worth of fruit stored with the small pouch. Looking at one another, the three foals nodded their heads in agreement as they led the two mares down a side alley before pointing to a wide two floor wooden house with a set of swinging doors at the front. Handing over the pouch to the foal in front the unicorn mare smiled at them. “Make sure to share.” She told the foals with a flutter of her lashes.

“Are you sure those three were the right ones to give that to?” The shorter mare asked looking over to her companion, her tealish eyes showing a hint of doubt.

“I’m sure, out of the colts and fillies of the thestral tribe, those ones were the skinniest, my guess being from the local orphanage.” Looking the shorter mare in the eyes as she watched the three foals happily take off through the allies the white unicorn’s smile faded into a neutral expression. “Besides… thoughts who own nothing are the quickest to give out everything.”

Entering the establishment, the two mares dried themselves off with a light warming spell casted by the unicorn as they made their way to the tavern keeper. Their metal horseshoes thumping as they walked along the wooden floor. Removing her hood, the red and yellow maned pegasus took a deep breath before speaking to the stallion running the tavern. “We would like a room for two.” The pegasus said, looking up at the stallion as her unicorn companion stood quietly with her eyes closed.

“No can do, we don’t house your kind here.” The stallion stated, looking from the pegasus to the unicorn. “Yours either, unicorn. Now I recommend you two turn yourselves around and find somewhere else to sleep under. Perhaps one of the small diamond dog campment near the mountains to the south.” Turning his back to the mares he made his way across the bar over to a small group of three stallions as he refilled their drinks.

“Aren’t you tired of the solar princess bleeding you dry, colt.” The unicorn said, opening her eyes to show that theirs were the same as hers. “I would hope that my ponies would be more welcoming than that.” Turning their heads, the four stallions narrowed their brows at the unicorn’s words.

“And what makes us ‘your’ ponies, Unicorn. You may have similar eyes to us, but you're not thestral.” One of the stallions spoke up with a scarf around his neck for warmth.

Taking slow steps towards the thestrals, the unicorn removed her cloak with her magic passing it to her pegasus. “All tribes of Equestria are my ponies, from the Kirins of the Peaks of Peril to the Pegasi of Cloudsdale, to the Unicorns of Canterlot and yes even the Thestrals of Hollow Shades.” Approaching the scarfed stallion, she looked him dead in the eyes for a brief moment before turning to the tavern keeper. “Now I’m supposed to meet a stallion known as First Sergeant Night Striker to see about rectifying the injustices that plagues the thestrals as well as all other tribes that Celestia deems not favor. So me and my comrade ask again. Would you kindly give us a room for two.”

A long silence filled the room as the four stallions stared at the unicorn. “Give them a room.” The thestral at the end of the bar ordered as he took a drink from his wooden mug. “If she’s her as Night Striker’s guest then she’s more than welcome. Besides you should feel honored hosting the Night Mare General of the Desert Night.”

Looking over at the thestral at the end of the bar, the unicorn noticed a few things. The first being the scar that ran down his left eye, the iris grayed and whitened from an injury that induced blindness, the second was the two little nubs where his wings should be. “What’s your name, soldier?” The unicorn asked as the tavern keeper went to retrieve a key behind the counter.

“Captain Dark Stride, General.” The stallion said, looking at her.

“Captain Dark Stride…. Your squad fought with us during the battle of the San Nine, at the border of Palomino. I read your report. You fought bravely to get you fellow warriors out of enemy lines.” General Moon stated as if she had just read the report. “It’s good to see that you’re still alive and kicking. Most ponies, whose names I memorize, rarely get to be seen by my eyes after discharge.”

“Oh and why is that?” The Captain asked with a smirk already expecting the answer.

“Because rarely do I leave the line.” General Moon stated with her own smirk before the two let out a hearty chuckle.

“Yeah, I thought that would be your answer, the fights are rarely over for ponies like us, even without my wings I still act as a guard here in these parts.” Looking down at his mug he let out a sigh. “Even if the Princesses have forgotten us.”

“A problem that we’ve come here to rectify.” The pegasus added as she took the key from the keeper. “Our ponies all across Equestria are suffering while the Princesses stay held up in their Castle. They’re bleeding us dry while they waste their wealth, they take our food and demand tax while our foals are left to starve.”

“Calm yourself, Shimmering Sun,” General Moon said with a glance. “She is correct though, what's happening here isn’t isolated. It’s happening all throughout Equestria and those ponies closest to Celestia are to blind to see it.”

“So you're going to take on the goddess of the sun?” The Tavern Keeper asked placing two mugs filled with cider in front of the mares. “But why come to Hollow Shades?”

“Isn’t it obvious, she’s putting together an army.” The thestral in the scarf said putting his mug down. “And we’re at the top of the list. Where do we sign up?”

=====***=====

Ten ponies sat in wait around a large circular tablet as the white unicorn of the night entered the room, dawned in her cobalt blue armor, her silvery mane flowed behind her in a hidden breeze. Alongside her, in her own matching armor, walked an orangish gold pegasus, her red and yellow mane pulled back into a ponytail at the bottom of her helmet. Her cutie mark of a two tone sun surrounded by four white stars painted on the metal covering her flank.

“It’s about time.” Said a war torn pegasus with an aquamarine coat and pastel pink mane, her body covered in white armor. “We were beginning to wonder if you were ever gonna show up to this meeting, Princess Noche de Estrella Moon.”

“Staff Sergeant Zephyr Sky, It is pleasant as always to see you.” The unicorn said as she reached her spot at the table. Lighting her horn, the room around them went dark as a three dimensional map of the Everfree Forest and the area surrounding the Castle of Two Sisters appeared on the table. “As our intel has provided, in three days time Princess Luna will be leaving the Castle of the Two Sisters in order to oversee the construction of a new castle on the recently formed Canterlot. Currently over half of Princess Celestia’s royal guard has been moved to Canterlot in order to help with the construction of the castle as well as to make sure the lunar princess is safe.”

Taking in a deep breath, the white unicorn moved the location of the map to view their current location within the Ponyville settlement. “Currently we have a total of fifteen thestral knights, eight pegasi fighters, six unicorn mages, six kirin scouts and eight earth pony soldiers under our command. Our enemy commands not only more than double our combined forces, she also has the benefit of the creatures within the Everfree.” Moving the map back over the Everfree, several images of local creatures appeared over the map.

“Most creatures within the Everfree are completely harmless unless provoked. For example Manticores unusually won’t attack unless threatened by others, even though they do hunt for their food, they normally won’t attack creatures that are capable of fighting back. River Serpents are the same and can normally be talked to since they are a speaking species. Timberwolves on the other hoof do not see things like other creatures. They consume magic and have been documented eating ponies to get it. A strong blow to their body can render them in mobile for a brief period of time, however if an Alpha is among their group, the repairable ability of their wooden bodies will repair twice as quick if not almost instant. The most effective way of dealing with them is to destroy their core hidden within the center of their body, mostly within the chest.”

Dropping the images of the creatures from the map the General continued to plan out their routes to the castle as well as their method of attack. “In short, once we get to the castle, it’ll be up to you to take down Celestia.” The representative of the unicorns stated as they looked at the General. “You sure you’re going to be able to pull it off?”

“If I can get close to her, I should be able to subdue her. While Luna pulls from the moon and Celestia pulls from the Sun, I was gifted with the stars. As long as the sun stays set, I’ll be able to stand an equal chance in magic alone. That also doesn’t include the fact that Celestia hasn’t had to deal with actual physical combat in a while. Does that answer your question, Corporal Sparkle?”

Giving the General a firm nod, Corporal Sparkle looked to the others. “In that case if we have nothing else to discuss, we should prepare ourselves. So get the supplies you need now while you can.” The Corporal stated as he readied himself to stand.

“One last thing if I may.” The General said, regaining the attention of the eleven ponies in the room with her. “Once we leave this room, I am no longer your Princess, I am your comrade, your equal. I will no longer be ‘Princess Noche de Estrella Moon’, I will be Celestia’s personal Nightmare.”

Looking at the others with eyes filled with determination, the leader of the kirin scout, Spring Flare spoke up. “Then we shall call you as such. Today Princess Noche de Estrella Moon is no more. Long live the pony of the night. The protector of all the pony tribes. Night-mare Moon.”

Standing up from the table, the one eyed thestral and comrade, First Sergeant Night Striker looked at the General. Giving her a pony solute. “To Nightmare Moon.”

“To Nightmare Moon.” Said the Earth ponies, Melon Rock and Tree Breaker with a stomp.

“To Nightmare Moon.” Spoke Staff Sergeant Zephyr Sky and her subordinate delivering a feathered bow.

“To Nightmare Moon. We’ll see you out there.” Corporal Sparkle said, giving a deep bow with his horn.

“To Equestria!” Shouted Nightmare Moon in her Battlefield Voice alongside Shimmering Sun.

=====***=====

Waking up from her sleep, Nightmare Moon looked out towards the Everfree from the window of Luna’s old personal chamber. Stretching out her wings with a pop, she opened the window and flew up to the highest point of the castle. Her ears swiveled as she listened to the sounds of the forest.

“Is that singing?” She asked herself as she looked out past the river nearest the castle. Straining her eyes for a brief moment she was able to spot a small pink dot bouncing through the trees. “I see, they’ve made it this far have they.” Jumping off the castle, she glided her way down to the main entrance. Her legs touching down gently as she looked over her shoulder to the forest. “Then, I best get things ready.” Lighting up her horn, Nightmare Moon gripped the two celestial bodies, shifting them from night to day. The faint sound of creaking as another crack ran down her horn as the magic finished.

Walking into the castle, Nightmare Moon made her way back down into the dungeon to the cell where Celestia laid. Opening the door, Nightmare widened her cheeks into a malicious smile. “Wakey Wakey.” She said as she entered the cell with an iron key in her mouth.

Undoing the chains binding Celestia to the room, Nightmare Moon placed her horn under Celestia’s barrel as she rolled her onto her back. “Can't have you just sitting down here. We have to get you ready for the big event.”

Holding Celestia on her back, Nightmare made her way through the dungeon and up the stairs. Entering the hallway she carried the unconscious white alicorn to the southside of the castle and through a large wooden door.

Entering the room with the solar princess, Nightmare flared her magic to turn back time within the room, returning it back to its original state a thousand years ago. Walking inside of the stone room, Nightmare looked at the large pool of water that filled the large tube. The tube itself being big enough to hold ten average size ponies at one time.

Walking into the water, She gently slid Celestia off her back and held her so that her head was slightly above the water. Reaching over for a bottle of soap and a brush she began to carefully clean the princess’s wounds and wash her fur. “It’s a shame you weren’t a better pony Celestia.” Nightmare said with a frown as she looked down at Celestia’s scarred up back, her eyes emotionless as she carefully plucked the broken feathers from her wings. “If you had just treated me as your niece instead of the daughter of a monster…”

Picking up a bucket, she filled it with clean water before slowly pouring it over Celestia’s coat. “If you hadn’t sent me off to every conflict and battlefield.” Nightmare closed her eyes, taking in a deep breath as she let out a long sigh. “I probably won’t have known just how bad you had let things get. I wouldn’t have met and lost Shimmering, I wouldn’t have found the strength to stand up to you.”

Listening to Nightmare talk, Celestia slightly opened her one remaining good eye as it watered in regret. “I… I wish I could say I still hated you. It's funny really, after everything you did to me, to us. I can’t seem to hate you and it’s killing me.” Nightmare’s eyes watered as tears flowed down her cheeks. Placing her chin at the base of Celestia’s wings, Nightmare closed her eyes and cried. “Why couldn’t you have just killed me. Why did you have to place me in the one place where no matter what I did, I couldn’t die. Do you even realize what it’s like to try to end your life for a thousand years?”

Closing her eye, Celestia pretended to sleep as she felt Nightmare lift her head with a sniff. “But it’s fine, cause pretty soon, it’ll all be over and you can go on hiding away from society.”

Picking Celestia up in her magic Nightmare Moon placed the solar alicorn back onto her back as she walked her way out of the royal bath house, the sun’s light drying them through the many windows as Nightmare and Celestia made their way to the old throne room.

‘She didn’t destroy the elements?’ Celestia questioned to herself as Nightmare walked past the pillar of stone orbs before gently placing Celestia down on her old throne, the sound of the old wooden doors creaking open as Nightmare stood on the platform in front of the two thrones.

“Let the show…” Nightmare summoned her armor as she watched six mares slowly enter through the door. “Begin.”

Author's Note

My job gave me a three day weekend. I literally have nothing else to do.

Side note, I probably shouldn't listen to Billie Ellish while writing.

Nightmare Moon/ Princess Noche de Estrella Moon.