ANIMOSITY

by Elk1

Rating: teen
Tags: Twilight Sparkle, Gore, Princess Celestia, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Dark, Death, Alternate Universe, Princess Luna, Drama, Horror
Length: 5546

This is… interesting. I didn’t think about Celestia in this light… but now I know. She used me. She ALWAYS used me. Well, no more. I won’t be a toy.

Twilight is sent on another mission by Celestia, as she had done many times before. She walked with confidence, knowing that she wouldn’t disappoint. This was different, though. Twilight was sent alone. She was sent to a cave to recover a magical artifact. This artifact is quite mysterious, she heard. No matter. She will do as she always did, make Celestia proud.

Minor update: reason this story not set to complete yet is because there is a prologue that’s done, I am just trying to figure out how to move it to the beginning (this website is not nice to mobile users)

Published 2025-01-19 20:00:00 UTC
Last updated 2025-01-19 20:00:00 UTC

This is new.

Twilight walked into the cave just as the sun crested the horizon, bathing the world outside in soft, golden light. She carried with her a determined air, though unease curled deep within her chest. This mission was simple enough on paper: recover the artifact and bring it back to Canterlot for Celestia. Another step in proving herself as the faithful student, another task to prove her loyalty and competence.

The air inside the cave was damp and cold, and the further she walked, the heavier the silence became. Each hoofstep echoed around her, a hollow reminder of how alone she was. The artifact was supposed to be near the end of the cavern, stored in a chamber that had remained untouched for centuries. When she finally reached it, her breath hitched in her throat.

The artifact—a jagged black crystal the size of her horn—radiated an aura that made her coat bristle. The air around it seemed to hum with an unnatural vibration, sending chills down her spine. She stared at it, her instincts screaming that something was wrong.

Still, her duty was clear. I’ve faced worse, she thought, though she wasn’t entirely sure that was true. Taking a deep breath, she reached out with her magic.

The moment her aura wrapped around the crystal, the room plunged into complete darkness.

“W-what?” Twilight’s voice trembled as she backed away, her horn sparking to life in an attempt to light the space. The light fizzled out immediately, as if smothered by the weight of the shadows.

“You’ve come far, Twilight Sparkle,” a cold, echoing voice spoke.

Twilight spun around, her hooves scraping against the stone floor. A figure emerged from the darkness—a pony made entirely of shadow, with glowing white eyes that pierced through the void.

“W-what are you?” Twilight stammered, taking a step back. Her legs trembled, and she found herself unable to look away from the being before her.

The shadow tilted its head, a cruel smile forming on its featureless face. “I am you,” it said, its voice sharp and cutting. “I am your hate. Your regret. Your doubts. I am the form they have taken. You’re quite insecure, aren’t you?”

Twilight swallowed hard, her ears flattening against her skull. “What do you want from me?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

The shadow moved closer, its presence suffocating. “I want you to understand, Twilight Sparkle. Don’t you see? Celestia is using you. She has always used you. You have to break free from the shackles she has placed upon you.”

Twilight shook her head, her heart pounding. “No! That’s not true! Celestia is my mentor, my guide! She’s helped me become who I am!”

“Helped you?” The shadow laughed, a low and chilling sound. “When has she ever truly been there for you? Think, Twilight. Who defeated Nightmare Moon? Who saved Equestria from Discord? Who fought Sombra, Tirek, and every other threat to this land?”

Twilight opened her mouth to respond, but the words caught in her throat.

“It was you,” the shadow continued. “Yes, your friends were there, but you were always the key. The lynchpin. The one Celestia relied on to do her dirty work while she sat on her throne. Tell me, Twilight—has she ever risked herself for Equestria as you have?”

Twilight shook her head again, though her movements were slower now. Doubt began to creep into her mind, wrapping around her thoughts like vines.

“No…” she whispered, her voice breaking. “No, it’s not like that. She trusts me. She… she believes in me.”

“She manipulates you,” the shadow hissed. “You are her pawn, her tool. You’ve spent your entire life trying to earn her approval, and for what? A pat on the head? A new title? She will never see you as an equal, Twilight. She will never truly respect you.”

Tears welled up in Twilight’s eyes, and she tried to take another step back, only to find her hooves rooted to the floor.

“Let me help you,” the shadow said, its voice softening. “Let me show you the truth. Break free, Twilight. Embrace your power. Embrace who you truly are.”

Twilight hesitated, her breath coming in shallow gasps. “I… I don’t know…”

The shadow reached out, its form shifting and flowing like smoke. It touched her forehead, and pain exploded through her mind.

“AGHHHHHH!!!” Twilight screamed, collapsing to the ground as memories—twisted and warped—flooded her mind. Visions of Celestia using her as a weapon, of her friends holding her back, of the world weighing down on her shoulders alone. The pain was unbearable, yet somewhere beneath it all, a dark satisfaction began to bloom.

When the shadow finally pulled away, Twilight lay trembling on the ground. Her eyes burned with a new intensity, and a twisted smile spread across her face.

“I see it now,” she said, her voice low and unsteady. “I won’t be used anymore. I won’t be a puppet.”

The shadow smiled, its form beginning to dissipate. “Good. Then go, Twilight Sparkle. Take the first step toward your freedom.”

Pinkie Pie was humming a cheerful tune as she trotted toward Sugarcube Corner. The sun was shining, the birds were singing—it was shaping up to be a perfect day.

That was, until she saw Twilight walking down the road.

“Hi, Twilight!” Pinkie called out, her voice bright and welcoming. But as she got closer, she noticed something was… off. Twilight’s eyes were wild, her mane unkempt, and her entire demeanor radiated something Pinkie couldn’t quite place.

“Twilight? What’s wrong?” Pinkie asked, concern lacing her voice.

Twilight stopped and turned to look at her, a twisted smile spreading across her face. “Wrong? Oh, Pinkie… nothing’s wrong. Everything’s finally right.”

Before Pinkie could respond, a beam of magic shot from Twilight’s horn, striking her square in the chest. Pinkie yelped as she was thrown back, skidding across the ground.

“Twilight! What are you doing?!” Pinkie cried, struggling to her hooves.

“I’m sorry, Pinkie,” Twilight said, her tone eerily calm. “But I have to break free. I HAVE TO BREAK FREE!”

With a manic laugh, Twilight lunged at Pinkie, her horn sparking with raw magic. Pinkie tried to fight back, but she was no match for Twilight’s power.

When it was over, Twilight stood over Pinkie’s lifeless body, blood dripping from her hooves. She stared down at her fallen friend, her smile growing wider.

“I’m free…” she whispered, her voice trembling with a mixture of exhilaration and despair. “But not yet. There’s still more to do.”

Twilight turned and began to walk toward her next target, her mind ablaze with the shadow’s words. I won’t be a puppet anymore. I’ll show them all. I’ll show Celestia. I’ll show the world.

And so, Twilight Sparkle—faithful student, savior of Equestria, and former Princess of Friendship—began her descent into darkness.

FREEDOM

“Twilight, what are you doing!?” Rainbow Dash called as she moved closer to the shaking blue pegasus. Twilight laughed. “What I have to,” she said menacingly. She gripped a kitchen knife she had found in Pinkie Pie’s bag. Twilight lit up her horn and began dragging Rainbow Dash towards her.

“Stop! Please!” She called out, but before she could yell again, Twilight slit her throat. Twilights face darkened as she dropped Rainbow Dash. “Night night, Dash,”

Twilight’s hoofsteps echoed through the eerily silent streets of Ponyville. Blood splattered across her coat and mane, staining the lavender fur that had once shone with kindness. Her breaths came in shallow, ragged gasps, but her eyes burned with a manic light. She moved with purpose, every step driving her further from the life she once knew.

“I’m free,” she whispered to herself, the words a lifeline, a mantra. “No more shackles. No more lies.”

Her twisted smile faltered for a moment as she passed by familiar landmarks—the bakery where she and her friends would gather, the tree where they’d hosted countless picnics. Her chest tightened, but she shook the feeling away. They weren’t truly my friends. They held me back. Celestia held me back. I have to cut the strings.

She approached Sweet Apple Acres, the farm eerily quiet under the pale morning light. The scent of apples wafted through the air, a nostalgic memory that Twilight pushed aside. Her goal was clear. She wasn’t here to reminisce.

Applejack stood in the orchard, her chest heaving as she gathered the scattered apples that had fallen during her frantic search. She’d seen the smoke rising from Ponyville, heard the screams echoing in the distance, and her heart told her that something was terribly wrong.

“Rainbow? Pinkie? Somepony, talk to me!” Applejack called out, her voice cracking. She’d sent Apple Bloom and Big Mac to the farthest part of the farm, hoping to keep them safe. But deep down, she knew no place was safe anymore.

When she heard the crunch of hooves on gravel behind her, Applejack spun around, relief flooding her face.

“Twilight! Thank Celestia—”

Her words died in her throat as she took in the sight before her. Twilight’s mane was disheveled, her eyes wild and bloodshot. Her coat was matted with blood—too much blood.

“Applejack,” Twilight said, her voice unnervingly calm, “you’re one of the last.”

“Last?” Applejack took a shaky step back, her hat falling to the ground. “Twilight, what… what have you done?”

Twilight tilted her head, a smile curling her lips. “I’m breaking free, AJ. From everything. From Celestia, from expectations, from… all of you.”

Applejack’s heart sank. “Twilight, sugarcube, this ain’t you. Whatever’s goin’ on, we can fix it. We can fix this together.”

“Fix it?” Twilight repeated, a hollow laugh escaping her. “You don’t understand. None of you ever did. I don’t need fixing. I’m finally seeing clearly for the first time in my life.”

Applejack’s muscles tensed, her instincts screaming at her to run. “Twilight, please. Don’t do this.”

Twilight’s horn glowed with a sickly, dark magic. “I’m sorry, Applejack. But this is the only way.”

Before Applejack could react, a surge of magic shot toward her. She leapt to the side, narrowly avoiding the blast. She hit the ground hard but scrambled to her hooves, her mind racing.

I have to get through to her. There has to be a way to stop this.

Applejack charged forward, aiming to tackle Twilight, but the alicorn was faster. Another blast of magic sent Applejack sprawling, the force knocking the wind out of her.

Twilight stood over her, her expression unreadable. “Goodbye, Applejack.”

Applejack’s eyes widened as Twilight’s horn flared one last time. Pain blossomed in her chest, and she looked down to see Twilight’s hoof being removed from her chest, coated in crimson.

Applejack collapsed to the ground, her vision fading. Her last thought was of her family, of the ponies she wouldn’t be able to protect.

Twilight stepped over Applejack’s lifeless form, her breath coming in sharp bursts. She wiped the blood from her hoof, her expression unreadable.

“Two more strings cut,” she muttered to herself.

Her next destination loomed in her mind: Carousel Boutique.

Fluttershy trembled in fear as blood leaked from her nose. Twilight was stalking towards her slowly.

“Please! Twilight! What are you doing?” Fluttershy cried desperately. Twilight didn’t stop her advance. “Fluttershy,” Twilight said “I’m… I’m… I don’t need to explain myself. J-just close your eyes.”

Fluttershy put her wing over her face. Twilight raised her front hooves and stomped. A sickening crack filled the air. She kept stomping until Fluttershy’s head was a bloody pulp on the ground. Twilight pupils shook as she stared at what was left of the element of Kindness.

Rarity sat in the corner of her boutique, trembling as she held a pair of scissors in her magic. Spike stood in front of her, his small body trembling but his resolve unwavering.

“Rarity, stay behind me,” Spike said, his voice shaking. “I’ll protect you.”

The door to the boutique burst open, and Twilight stepped inside. Her smile widened as she saw the two of them.

“Spike,” Twilight said, her tone almost fond. “You’re still trying to be the hero, aren’t you?”

“Twilight!” Spike shouted, his voice breaking. “I don’t know what’s wrong with you, but you need to stop! You’re hurting everypony!”

Twilight’s gaze softened for a moment, but the darkness quickly returned. “You don’t understand, Spike. None of you do. This isn’t me losing control. This is me taking control.”

“Twilight, please,” Rarity pleaded, her voice raw. “Whatever’s happened, we can fix it. We’re your friends.”

Twilight’s smile faltered. “Friends? You think this is about friendship?” She laughed, the sound bitter and hollow. “Friendship was just another chain. Another way for Celestia to control me. I’m done playing her game.”

Spike stepped forward, his claws clenched. “I won’t let you hurt her.”

Twilight tilted her head. “How noble of you.”

Her horn flared, and Spike’s body froze. His eyes widened as he was lifted into the air, his limbs flailing helplessly.

“Twilight, no!” Rarity screamed, lunging forward, but it was too late.

With a sickening crunch, Spike’s lifeless body hit the ground. His neck was twisted unnaturally.

Rarity let out a wail of anguish, her magic sparking to life as she launched herself at Twilight.

“You monster!” she screamed, her scissors slashing wildly. Mascara dripped down her pristine face.

Twilight dodged the attacks with ease, her own magic crackling dangerously. “Rarity, you always were dramatic,” she said coldly.

With a swift motion, Twilight disarmed Rarity, the scissors clattering to the ground. Twilight’s magic surged forward, pinning Rarity against the wall.

“I’m sorry,” Twilight said, though there was no remorse in her voice. “But this is freedom.”

Rarity felt the pressure on her chest begin to close. Air was being forced out of her lungs. She cried as her ribs began to crack. She looked around, trying to think of anything… but it was useless.

The room was silent as the last breath escaped Rarity’s lips.

Twilight stood amidst the carnage, her chest heaving as she surveyed the devastation she’d wrought. The voices in her head—the shadow’s words—echoed louder now, drowning out any doubt that remained.

“I’m free,” she whispered, her smile returning. “Finally free.”

As she stepped out into the streets of Ponyville, her mind turned to her final target.

“Celestia,” she said, her voice dripping with venom. “I’m coming for you.”

Author's Note

Edit 1: Added death of Fluttershy

CONTAINMENT

Twilight walked through the ruined streets of Ponyville, her bloodied hooves leaving crimson trails on the cobblestones. The sky was overcast, gray clouds swirling as though the world itself was mourning the carnage. She paused at the edge of town, staring into the distance where the road stretched toward Canterlot. Her breathing was slow, calculated, but her heart raced with anticipation.

She barely noticed the faint rustling of wings overhead or the whisper of hooves on the ground until it was too late.

“HALT!” a voice boomed, and Twilight’s gaze snapped upward. She was surrounded.

Hundreds of royal guards emerged from the shadows, their golden armor glinting in the dim light. Pegasi hovered above, unicorns' horns glowed, and earth ponies stood firm, their weapons drawn. They formed an unyielding circle around her, and though their numbers were overwhelming, their eyes betrayed their fear.

Good. They should be afraid.

Twilight chuckled darkly, her lips curling into a wicked grin. “So, Celestia sent her pawns to do her dirty work?” she sneered. “How predictable.”

The guards held their ground, though some exchanged uneasy glances. Twilight took a step forward, her horn sparking with residual dark magic.

“Do you really think you can stop me?” she asked, her voice dripping with venom. “I’ve already severed the strings. I’m free. You’re just more obstacles in my way.”

The guards didn’t respond. Instead, a single unicorn stepped forward, his horn glowing with a strange, pulsating light. Before Twilight could react, a beam of magic shot toward her, striking her square in the chest.

The world tilted.

Twilight stumbled, her legs suddenly feeling like lead. A strange warmth spread through her body, followed by an overwhelming wave of exhaustion. She tried to summon her magic, but the familiar spark refused to ignite.

Her vision blurred as she collapsed to the ground. The last thing she saw was the triumphant expression on the unicorn’s face and the faint shimmer of an enchanted collar being fastened around her neck.

Twilight’s head throbbed as she opened her eyes, the dim light of the room making her squint. The air was cold and sterile, and the faint hum of magic vibrated through the walls. She was in a containment cell, her movements restricted by heavy chains that glowed faintly with enchantments.

Across the room stood two familiar figures: Cadence, her face pale and tear-streaked, and Celestia, her expression a mix of disappointment and sorrow.

Twilight’s lips curled into a grin. “Celestia,” she purred, her voice low and dangerous. “There you are.”

She lunged forward, or at least tried to. The chains around her neck and legs yanked her back, pulling her to the ground with a metallic clang.

“Fine,” Twilight muttered, her grin never faltering as she slowly rose to her hooves. “I’ll get you eventually. You can’t keep me locked up forever.”

Celestia stepped closer, her golden regalia gleaming under the dim light. Her expression was stoic, but her eyes betrayed the turmoil within. “Twilight,” she said softly, her voice heavy with emotion. “What have you done?”

Twilight laughed, the sound cold and humorless. “I’ve freed myself. Isn’t that what you wanted, Celestia? For me to become the best version of myself? Well, here I am.”

Cadence stepped forward, her voice trembling. “Twilight, this isn’t you. Please, whatever has taken hold of you, we can fix it. We can help you.”

Twilight’s eyes snapped to Cadence, her grin widening. “Oh, Cadence. Always the loving, compassionate one. Tell me, do you still sing that ridiculous little song to yourself? *Sunshine, sunshine, ladybugs awake?*” She tilted her head, her expression mocking. “How quaint.”

Cadence flinched as though she’d been struck, her lips pressing into a thin line.

Before she could respond, the door to the cell opened, and Luna stepped inside. Her expression was grave, her dark eyes fixed on Twilight. She whispered something to Celestia, who nodded solemnly.

“Your trial will be in a few hours,” Celestia said, her voice devoid of its usual warmth.

Twilight’s grin widened. “A trial? How exciting. I can’t wait to see how you plan to justify your hypocrisy, Princess.”

Celestia didn’t respond. She turned and walked out of the room, Cadence following close behind. Luna lingered for a moment, her gaze piercing as she studied Twilight.

“You were once a great mare, Twilight Sparkle,” Luna said softly. “I hope, for all our sakes, that some part of her still remains.”

Twilight tilted her head, her grin never wavering. “Don’t worry, Luna. I’m still here. I’m just better now.”

Luna said nothing more. She turned and left the room, the heavy door slamming shut behind her.

Twilight sat in the silence, her mind racing as she waited for her trial. The enchanted chains kept her magic suppressed, and the collar around her neck hummed faintly, a constant reminder of her captivity.

But she didn’t feel defeated. Far from it.

She savored each passing second, knowing that every moment brought her closer to her ultimate goal: Celestia’s downfall.

The memories implanted by the shadow replayed in her mind, fueling her hatred. She saw Celestia’s cold indifference, her calculated manipulations, her constant use of Twilight as a tool rather than a pony.

“I’ll make you pay,” Twilight whispered to herself, her eyes glinting with malice. “I’ll make you see what it feels like to be powerless.”

Time passed slowly, but Twilight didn’t mind. She used the quiet to plan, to strategize. She knew they would underestimate her. They always had.

There was something different, though. Twilight swore she could see the ghastly forms of her friends. They looked at her with disbelief.

“Ehehehe. Have you come to haunt me?” Twilight started “Or try and make me feel guilty? I don’t. You were unfortunate enough to be manipulated by Celestia as I was. But I’m not anymore. Your deaths won’t be in vain. You were just stepping stones to show me how powerful I truly was.”

The phantom ponies gave a look of sorrow before slowly fading away. Twilight smiled. “No longer will I be bound to Celestia. No longer will I be manipulated.”

When the door finally opened, and the guards came to escort her to the trial, Twilight rose to her hooves, her chains clinking softly. She allowed them to lead her, her smile unwavering.

The trial would be the beginning of the end.

For Celestia.

For Equestria.

For everyone who had ever underestimated the power of Twilight Sparkle.

CONSEQUENCES

The grand courtroom in Canterlot was silent, save for the steady hum of magic from the enchanted restraints binding Twilight Sparkle. She stood at the center of the room, her chains glowing faintly as they suppressed her immense power. Around her, the gallery was packed with ponies: nobles, guards, and terrified citizens. Their eyes were locked on her, wide with fear, confusion, and disbelief.

Twilight didn’t care. She thrived on their terror, letting it fuel the malicious fire inside her. Her lips curled into a wicked smile as her gaze swept the room, meeting the eyes of those who once adored her. They didn’t recognize her now.

Good.

Her smile faltered only slightly when her gaze landed on the Princesses. Luna and Celestia sat at the head of the room, their regal forms flanked by a tribunal of judges. Unlike the rest, they didn’t look afraid. No, their expressions were calm, solemn even, but Twilight could see the pity in their eyes. That made her stomach churn.

Pity. They dared to pity her.

Twilight let out a soft chuckle that grew louder, echoing through the quiet chamber. Her laughter was sharp and cold, cutting through the tension like a knife. The sound made several ponies flinch, and the guards standing closest to her tightened their grips on their weapons.

“Afraid, are we?” Twilight drawled, her voice dripping with mockery. “You should be. You all should be.”

“Silence!” one of the judges barked, slamming a hoof against the table.

Twilight smirked but said nothing more. She didn’t care about their trial, their accusations, or their futile attempts to control her. Let them speak. Let them waste their breath. She was only here for one thing: her sentence.

The trial dragged on, the judges and witnesses recounting her crimes in excruciating detail. The murder of the Elements of Harmony, the massacre of Ponyville, and the terror she had wrought upon Equestria. Twilight tuned it all out. She didn’t need to hear it. She had been there, after all. She had done it, and she didn’t regret a thing.

Her focus shifted as a faint whisper tickled her ear.

“They’re weak,” the shadow pony hissed, its cold voice like ice on her skin. It stood beside her, unseen by the rest of the room. “They cannot contain you forever. You will have your revenge. All in due time.”

Twilight’s smile returned, her eyes narrowing with determination. She nodded subtly, her movement so small that no one noticed.

Finally, after what felt like hours, the room fell silent. Celestia rose from her seat, her towering form radiating authority. She stepped forward, her wings slightly flared as she addressed the court.

“Twilight Sparkle,” Celestia began, her voice steady and unwavering. “You stand accused of the most heinous crimes Equestria has ever seen. You have betrayed your friends, your country, and yourself. There is no punishment severe enough to account for the pain and suffering you have caused.”

Twilight tilted her head, her smile growing wider. “Go on, Celestia. Let’s hear it,” she purred.

Celestia’s eyes met Twilight’s, and for a moment, the mask of composure slipped. Twilight saw the pain in her former mentor’s gaze, a flicker of sadness that quickly hardened into resolve.

“For the murder of the Elements of Harmony,” Celestia continued, her voice heavy, “you are hereby sentenced to 10,000 years in isolation. You will be placed in a magically sealed containment, far from Equestria, where you will see nothing, hear nothing, and know nothing of the outside world. No visitors, no light, no contact. You will remain there until the end of your sentence.”

The room erupted into murmurs, the severity of the punishment shocking even the most stoic onlookers. Twilight, however, remained unfazed. In fact, she laughed.

It was a wild, unhinged sound, filled with mockery and amusement. “10,000 years?” she repeated, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “Really, Celestia? Is that the best you can do? Isolation? Do you think I fear the dark? That I’ll break under the weight of solitude?”

She leaned forward as far as her chains would allow, her eyes glinting with malice. “Mark my words, Celestia. No matter how much time it takes… I will kill you. I will burn your precious kingdom to the ground, and I will make you watch as everything you hold dear crumbles to ash.”

Celestia held her gaze, her expression unreadable. “Take her away,” she commanded.

The guards moved swiftly, surrounding Twilight and escorting her out of the courtroom. As they dragged her down the halls of the castle, her laughter echoed behind her, chilling and relentless.

Author's Note

Sorry if it was not as long as you were hoping for, but I wanted to whip up a prequel for the events of INSANITY. I hope it answered some questions you may have had.

Epilogue: History Class

Timeline: 6,500 years after Twilights trial and sentencing

Dusty Tomes sighed as he shuffled a stack of notes and books onto his desk. He glanced at his students, a room full of young ponies slumped in their seats, their eyes glazed over from the monotony of the day. History was a hard subject to make exciting, and in this generation, competing with their short attention spans was a losing battle.

“Good afternoon, class,” he began, his voice carrying the usual tone of tired patience. A few students muttered greetings, but most just stared at him blankly or doodled on their parchment.

Dusty frowned. He needed something different—something gripping to pull them out of their boredom. As he scanned the room, a thought crossed his mind. Perhaps he could try an old trick, something unexpected. Everypony loved a good story, especially one with a bit of mystery and fright.

He cleared his throat, placing his hooves firmly on his desk to get their attention. “Alright, everypony,” he said with a sly smile. “Let’s set aside the textbook for today. How about a story?”

That got their attention. Heads perked up, ears twitched, and a murmur of curiosity rippled through the classroom.

“A ghost story?” a pegasus filly asked, her wings fluttering with excitement.

Dusty grinned. “In a way. It’s a tale passed down from generation to generation, one that many ponies whisper about even now. It’s the story of Nightmare Eclipse.”

The room fell silent.

“Nightmare Eclipse?” a colt near the back asked, tilting his head. “I’ve never heard of her before.”

“That’s because it’s not in your textbooks,” Dusty said, pacing slowly in front of the class. “It’s not a story Princess Celestia or Princess Luna like to share. But everypony in Equestria has heard the rumors. Some call her a myth, others call her a cautionary tale. But let me assure you, my little ponies—there’s more truth to it than you might think.”

The students leaned in, their curiosity piqued. Dusty allowed a dramatic pause before continuing.

“Nightmare Eclipse was once a normal pony, much like you or me,” he began, his voice dropping to a more serious tone. “In fact, she was more than that—she was one of the most gifted students Princess Celestia ever had. A pony with a bright future, brimming with potential. She wasn’t just talented in magic—oh, no. She was kind, dedicated, and even became the fourth alicorn princess in all of Equestria. Everypony believed she was destined for greatness.”

“But something happened,” a unicorn filly said, her eyes wide.

“Exactly,” Dusty replied with a nod. “Something happened. Something nopony fully understands. You see, Celestia once sent her prized student on a mission to retrieve an artifact—a strange, ancient relic that was hidden away deep in a cave. When she returned…” He paused, his eyes narrowing as he leaned closer to the class. “...she was no longer the same.”

The room was so quiet that Dusty could hear the faint scribbling of a quill as one student took notes.

“She came back different,” he continued, his voice dropping to a whisper. “Darker. Colder. Ponies say it was as if the artifact had infected her, twisting her heart and mind. And then, seemingly out of nowhere… she turned on her friends.”

A collective gasp filled the room.

“I’ll spare you the gory details,” Dusty said, though his tone implied the details were indeed quite grim. “But one by one, she murdered the ponies closest to her. The very friends who had stood by her side through every challenge. Nopony knows why she did it. Some say it was the artifact. Others believe it was her own ambition. Whatever the reason, Equestria was thrown into chaos.”

The students were no longer bored. They sat at the edge of their seats, their wide eyes locked on Dusty as he painted the chilling tale.

“Her rampage didn’t stop with her friends,” Dusty said. “No, she continued her spree, targeting other ponies, towns, and even attempting to overthrow Princess Celestia herself. She became something else entirely—a monster of her own making. Ponies gave her a name to match her dark transformation: Nightmare Eclipse. And just like Nightmare Moon before her, she nearly brought Equestria to its knees.”

“What happened to her?” a pegasus colt asked, his voice trembling slightly.

Dusty smiled grimly. “Princess Celestia and Princess Luna confronted her. They knew they couldn’t reason with her, and her power had grown too great to be subdued easily. It’s said their battle shook the heavens themselves, a clash of magic so intense that the very skies darkened. In the end, the two sisters managed to defeat her—but not without cost.”

The room was silent again, everypony holding their breath.

“What… what did they do to her?” another student asked, barely above a whisper.

“They didn’t destroy her,” Dusty said, his voice grave. “Perhaps they couldn’t. Instead, they sentenced her to eternal isolation. They sealed her away in a magical prison, far from the eyes of the world, where she could do no more harm. Nopony knows where her prison is—or if she’s even still alive. But some say…” He leaned in close, his voice barely audible. “...some say she’s waiting. Watching. Biding her time. And one day, when Equestria least expects it… she’ll return.”

A collective shiver ran through the class.

“That’s just a story, right?” one of the colts asked, trying to sound brave but failing to hide the quiver in his voice.

Dusty shrugged, a mischievous twinkle in his eye. “Perhaps. Or perhaps not. History has a way of becoming legend, but there’s always a kernel of truth in every tale. Who’s to say what’s real and what’s not?”

The bell rang suddenly, startling the students and breaking the tension in the room.

“Noooo!” several ponies groaned in unison.

“Can’t you finish the story?” a small unicorn filly begged, her wide eyes pleading.

Dusty laughed, shaking his head. “Not today, my little ponies. But perhaps tomorrow.”

The students reluctantly gathered their things and filed out of the room, chattering excitedly about the story they had just heard. Dusty watched them go, a satisfied smile on his face.

Once the last student had left, Dusty sat down at his desk, his expression growing thoughtful. He reached into a drawer and pulled out an old, worn book with a faded symbol of the sun on its cover. He ran a hoof over the surface, his mind drifting to the conversation he’d had with Princess Flurry Heart just weeks ago.

She had shared the tale with him, a story passed down from Princess Cadence herself. Flurry’s voice had been serious, almost somber, as she recounted the events surrounding Nightmare Eclipse.

“Do you believe it’s true?” he had asked her.

Flurry had hesitated, her gaze distant. “Whether or not it’s true doesn’t matter,” she had said. “What matters is, don't burden one soul with endless responsibility and expect them to endure forever—everyone has a breaking point.”

Dusty closed the book, tucking it back into his desk. It was a story for another day.

For now, he had done his job. His students were captivated, their imaginations sparked. And perhaps, just perhaps, they had learned a lesson they wouldn’t soon forget.

As he turned off the lights and left the classroom, the faint sound of hooves echoing down the hallway, a thought lingered in his mind.

Was Nightmare Eclipse just a story?

Or was she still out there, waiting for her chance to return?