“But… where’s the sixth element?” Twilight muttered, horror filling every word.

“You little foal!” Nightmare Moon cackled. “Thinking you could defeat me? Now you will never see your princess or your sun! The night will last forever!”

The night-clad mare rose up onto her hind hooves and released a full-throated cackle. Behind her, lightning flashed, and the ensuing roll of thunder shook the very foundations of the ancient castle. The six mares huddled around Twilight, staring up in horror at the dark alicorn that loomed over them.

“Unless,” Nightmare Moon began, a cruel smile spreading across her face. “Unless you are willing to complete a simple test for me.”

“What kind of test?” Twilight hesitantly replied.

“A simple one, really,” Nightmare Moon explained. “Think of it as a test of your morals.”

Twilight glanced at her friends, gaining confidence from their resolute defiance.

“Fine then. I’ll take your test,” Twilight proclaimed.

“Good,” Nightmare Moon hissed. “Good.”

“What do I have to do?” Twilight asked.

“It's simple really,” Nightmare Moon began again, her smile spreading until it resembled that of a wolf’s. “All you have to do is take but a single life.”

“Just, any life?” Twilight asked hesitantly.

“No birds, or animals, or insects. You need to kill a fellow pony,” Nightmare Moon replied.

“I would n-”

“Ah ah ah,” Nightmare Moon interrupted. “Do not be so quick as to go back on our agreement. For if you are able to complete this little task not only will I return Celestia to you but I will leave Equestria alone forevermore.”

“Just like that?” murmured Twilight.

“It's a trap. It has to be,” Applejack declared.

“No trap. No tricks, and no strings,” Nightmare retorted. “Just take a single pony life and I will leave you all in peace. Rather than pieces.”

“I need to discuss things with my friends,” Twilight declared.

“Go on then. Talk it out though be warned. My patience is finite,” Nightmare Moon replied. “Oh and just to be clear you can pick whoever it is you wish to kill. Maybe an old bully of yours, or perhaps a politician has earned your ire. You need only name them.”

“That's… noted,” Twilight muttered before turning back to her friends. “What do you girls think?”

“What do I think? What do I think? This is crazy Twilight!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed, throwing up her forehooves. “We can't just kill somepony.”

“She ain't lying, she really would just up and leave if we did this,” Applejack declared.

“So? That doesn't change the fact that this is messed up!” Rainbow Dash hissed.

“Messed up or not it's the right call. Night that lasts forever would be the end of Equestria. It would be the end of everything. Everyone,” Applejack shot back.

“You can't seriously be considering her offer Applejack,” Fluttershy exclaimed in horror. “This is the life of a pony we’re debating.”

“What if we chose a criminal or perhaps a pony that is already on death’s door?” Rarity offered. “It's a horrid choice, don't get me wrong but surely there is some way out of this.”

“I am not killing some old lady because you don't want to buck up and fight that old bat,” Rainbow Dash growled.

“There are worse ends out there. We could at least make it quick,” Applejack muttered.

“Then I vote we pick Granny Smith,” Fluttershy boldly stated.

“You wouldn't,” Applejack retorted, eyes narrowing.

“Why not? She's old. She ain't long for this world,” Rainbow Dash added. “By your own logic, we should pick her.”

“Granny Smith may be old but she is not that old,” Rarity interrupted. “We need to think of someone else for this role.”

“Y-yeah,” Twilight picked up. “Maybe we could find someone who only has a few days left?”

“But you can't know that,” Rainbow Dash declared. “What if their sickness would have gone away or they would have beaten whatever it is they got and you ended up killing some pony who had another twenty years left!”

“That doesn't seem likely,” Applejack muttered.

“You must admit it is a possibility though,” Fluttershy pointed out.

“You can never know for sure,” Twilight admitted.

“Then we seek volunteers,” Rarity offered. “Surely there is somepony out there who is willing to er, take one for the team, as it were.”

“We aren't asking someone to clean the bathrooms here Rarity. We would be asking them if they want to die,” Rainbow Dash spat.

“Yes… well. Grim though the duty may be I’m certain someone wouldn't mind doing it,” Rarity murmured.

“Then why don't you volunteer?” Rainbow Dash demanded, jabbing a hoof into Rarity’s chest. “Since you’re so gung ho about this whole murder business.”

“Me? But I am far too young, and I have my whole life ahead of me you see,” Rarity remarked, stepping back defensively.

“It ain't gonna be Rarity,” Applejack interrupted. “She doesn't deserve that kinda fate.”

“Oh, now you’re the arbiter of what is good and just, Miss Murder,” Fluttershy shot back.

“Hey now. I ain't never said anything like that,” Applejack muttered.

“Hold on, what about you Pinkie? What do you think we should do?” Twilight inquired.

All eyes turned to the straight-haired mare staring down at the floor. For a long moment, the room was silent, with everyone waiting for the pink pony to speak.

“I think,” Pinkie Pie began, her voice barely above a whisper. “I think that even by entertaining the question we’ve forever placed a damning curse on our souls. Gone is the possibility of us being heroes or saviors. The most we can ever be are villains.”

She then turned and left without another word spoken.

“Times up,” Nightmare Moon declared, stepping forward. “What have you decided?”

“I…” Twilight gulped.

“You what, Miss Sparkle?” Nightmare Moon pressed.

“I… I’ll do it,” Twilight muttered.

“Good,” purred Nightmare Moon. “Now who have you selected? Don't tell me it is that dour pink mare that abandoned you in your hour of need.”

“No. It's not her,” Twilight retorted.

“Then who?”

Twilight lit her horn, and unleashed a blast of magic square into Nightmare Moon’s chest, blowing a hole straight through the mare. Blackened blood oozed out of the gaping wound. Nightmare Moon teetered to one side, then the other before toppling over, dead before she hit the ground.

“Nightmare Moon,” Twilight muttered.

Author's Note

This is part of the 12 days of christmas, head over here to keep track of all the cool stuff coming down the pipes. If you want to ensure I can afford to keep doing stuff like this, consider backing me over on Subscribestar or Patreon.