A New Nightmare

by LittleAngelStocking

Rating: everyone
Tags: Dark, Nightmare Moon, Princess Luna, Drama, Spike, Twilight Sparkle, Main 6, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
Length: 45903

Twilight Sparkle finds a scroll in her saddlebags, and upon opening it unleashes the Nightmare Moon

(REWRITE IN PROGRESS)

After a weekend spent in Canterlot, Twilight Sparkle arrives home to find an odd scroll in her saddlebags. In the following days Twilight is plagued by terrifying nightmares, and horrific visions from a life not her own. Can Twilight Sparkle resist the Nightmare, or will she fall prey to the darkness?

Published 2012-11-17 06:30:01 UTC
Last updated 2013-02-24 04:03:40 UTC

Chapter One - A visit

Twilight Sparkle walked down the hall, the dark purple carpet underneath her softening the sounds of her hoof beats. She was not in much of a hurry, but she didn’t want to be late.

She finally found the room she was looking for. She raised a hoof and knocked on the door.
A minute or two passed before the door opened revealing the princess of the night herself, “Twilight Sparkle,” she addressed, “It is good to see you again. Please, come in,” she smiled, moving out of the way and using her magic to open the door wider.

“Thank you, Princess.” Twilight smiled, trotting into the bedroom.

“Please, call your princess Luna.” Luna said with a chuckle.

“Whatever you say, Princess!” Twilight said. Luna blinked, unsure if that was supposed to be a joke or not. She shrugged and shut the door behind her sister’s star student. “You have such a lovely room,” Twilight admired the darkly painted room; the purple carpet, the ceiling painted with twinkling stars and shimmering nebula that glowed all the brighter with the moonlight peeking in through the window.

Luna chuckled, “Thanks. For a while I had to stay in Celestia’s room since the ponies who built the castle were…” she paused. “…unaware of a second princess.”

There was an awkward silence. “I’m… sorry,” Twilight said.

“Oh no, it is fine.” Luna regained her composure. “Anyway, I’m glad you were able to visit. Are you enjoying yourself?”

Twilight smiled, “Yeah, I’m glad I could come today. I spent time with Celestia, visited my parents.” Twilight continued on about what she’d done that day, and Luna ended up although not really aware of it, tuning her out.

“…And that’s why I’m so happy to see you tonight!” Twilight finished with a smile.

“Huh? Wha- OH! Yes, I’m glad to see you too, Twilight.” The blue alicorn smiled, flushing slightly. “Come, would you like a place to sit? I have a few beanbags over here…”

And so the two continued to talk and visit; they hadn’t really had the chance to talk during the ‘Summer Sun Celebration aftermath’, so it was good to be able to just relax and get to know each other better.

A knock on the door interrupted them. Luna sighed; “Yes? What is it?” she called.

The door opened to reveal a guard; “Princess,” he dipped his head respectfully. “Princess Celestia requires your presence immediately.”

“Shouldn’t she be asleep?” Luna muttered under her breath, than cleared her throat. “Alright, you may go.”

He did so, and Luna stood up. “You’ll have to excuse me Twilight Sparkle, I will be back shortly.”

“That’s fine,” Twilight said as Luna walked out, shutting the door softly behind her. Twilight yawned – it was good to visit Canterlot again, she had sure missed it. It was good to just visit, see her family, spend time with her mentor; that kind of thing.

Twilight looked out the window, the dark curtains billowing softly. The moon was full; it was a particularly beautiful night tonight, there was not a cloud in the sky and the stars seemed to shine brighter than usual.

She laid on her back, stretching. She’d been more active then she usually was today, and her muscles felt sore. She stared up at the beautifully painted ceiling, trying to figure out if the stars were just painted on or actually jewels stuck to the ceiling. As she pondered this, a tiny sound made her ears perk. She paused, what was that?

She listened.

Another sound. It sounded faint, and whispery. She sat up, ears standing erect. “Hello?” she called, although her voice came out quiet. Another pause, and then another sound. It almost sounded like somepony saying ‘help’ in a long, drawn out whisper. She hesitated – where was that coming from? She stood up, looking around and trying to pinpoint the sound. “…Hello?” she called out again.

Another whisper. Twilight looked at the closet, listening hard. Yes… it seemed to be coming from there. She bit her lip, taking a slow, step closer.

Yessssssssss.

She jumped, backed away, and then moved forward a few cautious steps.

Come… closer… need….

Twilight hesitated… was Luna playing a prank on her or something? Why else would there be an eerie voice whispering from the closet? It made no sense… Twilight finally walked forward, determined to figure this out. This must be a prank – and in no way was she going to fall for it!

She stood in front of the door and mentally prepared herself for something to jump out at her. Slowly, leaned forward and pressed an ear against the door, then pulled away and using her magic she pulled it open. It swung open slowly; a steady long creak rang out.

No beast popping out at her, no ponies or anything relatively scary at all. The air felt cold and icy.
But that was normal for closed closets. Well, usually. But this closet looked normal enough; there were no clothes on the hangers, which was pretty normal. Ponies usually only wore clothes for special events.

A few books sat on the shelf near the ceiling, but that was it. Shoved into the back, was a chest. Twilight felt… drawn to it. Something almost seemed to pull her closer; she backed a step away, before slowly approaching it.

The sound of approaching hooves snapped the unicorn out of her trance, and she leaped out, using her magic to close the door and then jumped back into the beanbag just as the bedroom door opened revealing a very grumpy looking Luna. “Hi Princess!” Twilight smiled; rather unsure if she should mention the voice in the closet.

Was Luna hiding something?

“Luna,” the alicorn corrected. “And are you alright? You look pale…”

“What? Oh no, I’m fine. Just thinking… what did Celestia want?” Twilight said nervously.

“She thought now would be the perfect time to throw a blueberry pie in my face.” Luna growled, “I’m sorry – well, Celestia should be sorry for making me make you wait.”

Twilight would have been surprised, if not shocked at this, but she was too busy trying not to think about whispering voices in princess’ closets. “Oh… that’s fine. Do you need me to leave?”

“You don’t have to;” Luna sighed. “I’m just irritated is all.”

“I wouldn’t want to impose…”

Luna laughed; “Impose on what? It’s Celestia that imposed on us,”

“Well…” Twilight bit her lip. Luna eyed her. “Are you alright, Twilight Sparkle?”

“No – I feel sick… really sick all of a sudden. I hope you don’t mind, but I should probably get some rest….”

Luna seemed to agree. “Yes, you look rather ill. Would you like a guard to escort you back to your room?”

“No, that’s fine. Thanks though, Luna” Twilight smiled an insincere smile and headed out the door.

Twilight paced in her room; thinking hard.

What had that been? Why was it coming from Luna’s closet? Why had it called for help? Why did it sound so small and desperate? Was somepony trapped in there? Did Luna know? Was Luna hiding something? Did anypony else know? Had anypony else even noticed this?

A million questions raced through Twilight’s mind. After a good while of late night pacing, she decided she had only been hearing things. That was the logical answer after all – she’d been running around all day in the big city of Canterlot, she was tired… Yes, that must have been it. With a smile, she crawled into her bed; blew out the candle and tossed and turned for the rest of the night, finally falling asleep in the wee hours of the morning.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Note guys, this was written a few years ago so it's definitely not like the stuff I usually post, this is a lot more amateur. (Well, I'm still amateur,) but here you go... I cleaned it up a bit, and sent it to Crimsongraph for proofreading. Any chapter after three or four will be new, so they'll be better (comparatively, I think) Enjoy!

Chapter Two - Home

Twilight stepped off of the train to ponyville – only to be immediately buried by her friends, all swarming around her into a group hug.

“Woah! Girls – hi!” She cried both happy and distressed as her lungs were crushed under her friends. “Can’t… breathe!” she gasped.

“Girls, girls, let the poor dear go. No doubt she’s had a long weekend,” Rarity said pulling away from her friend. The others backed away to allow Twilight the joyous comfort of having air in her lungs.

“Oh, I’m sorry!” Fluttershy backed away. Twilight coughed – then smiled widely.

“That’s fine! It’s all right, girls – and Spike,” she added quickly when she got a glare from her assistant. “I’m happy to see you too!”

“What are you waiting for, Twilight?” Pinkie shoved her face into Twilight’s. “We’re going to be late for your ‘welcome back’ party!”

“Welcome back party?” Twilight blinked. “But I’ve only been gone two days…”

“So?” she laughed. “Well,” Twilight said with a giggle; “I should probably go home and unpack quick – I’ll meet you all at Sugarcube Corner then?” she asked, and they all agreed.

Twilight galloped home – she probably shouldn’t have, considering she was tired both from lack of sleep and her long weekend in Canterlot, but she hey, she didn’t want to make Pinkie wait either!

She sighed stepping into the library. She looked around; everything seemed to be in order. She wasn’t even sure what she was checking for, but she couldn’t remember ever really leaving Spike home alone for a whole weekend.

Not that she expected badly from her Number One Assistant, but still.

She trotted up to her room, dropping her Saddlebags next to her bed. She’d unpack and organize everything later. As she made her way down the steps and out the door; she heard a soft, far off ‘Don’t leave’ she hesitated, but walked out the door.

~~

The party was definitely one of Pinkie’s best – but then again, every time she threw a party it was her best.

Either way, despite her lack of sleep and aching muscles, Twilight had a lot of fun.

Naturally, everypony in Ponyville was invited, although, some chose not to come. (After all, going to a party every single week could get a little old for some…)

At around midnight, everypony had left and Twilight and Spike had stayed behind to help Pinkie clean up.

Actually, more like Spike sat around and ate the leftovers while Pinkie and Twilight cleaned up.

“That was a great party, Pinkie,” Twilight congratulated her friend. “Thanks for throwing it for me.” she smiled.

“No problem! I mean, when I heard you’d be leaving for two days I immediately knew I had to throw a ‘welcome back’ party for when you got back! I started planning immediately!” Twilight tried to listen to Pinkie Pie talk, but Pinkie’s words were drowned out by something else…

Twilight found herself staring off into space. She listened intently. Was somepony trying to call out to her?

“Twilight?”

Twilight was pulled out of her own thoughts. “Huh?”

“I said: Why did you throw the whole punch container away?”

“I did?” Twilight looked down – the entire punch bowl – still full of punch, had been dumped in to the trash can. “Oh my goodness! I’m sorry Pinkie, I didn’t mean to do it!” She levitated it out trying to catch as much of the flavored drink as she could. “That’s okay!” Pinkie said, taking the bowl and holding it on her head. “I’ll just rinse the punch off, and it’ll be good as new!”

How do you rinse punch off? Twilight thought, but didn’t ask. It was Pinkie after all.

She made a mental note not to drink any more punch from Pinkie Pie, though.

The two finished cleaning up, and said their goodbyes. Twilight levitated a half asleep Spike onto her back and set out for home.

As she walked, her thought’s begun to wander. She looked up at the night sky, the stars twinkling brightly against the black curtain that Luna draped across Equestria every night. She wondered what Luna was doing. Royal duties, probably. Twilight looked at the moon; such beauty. She wondered how Equestria’s past ponies could have possibly shunned this beautiful thing, it was amazing. With a sigh, she stepped into her home. She made her way up the steps, and gently levitated the baby dragon off of her back and into his bed. She tucked him in and crawled into her own bed. She looked out the window at the moon one last time before drifting off into sleep.

~~

Twilight awoke with a stretch and a yawn. She rubbed the sleep from her eyes and dragged herself out of bed. She stumbled to her dresser, with dreams still lingering in the corners of her mind. She lazily ran a brush through her mane and tail with her magic, and when she was satisfied, she set the brush down and trotted down the steps, still half-asleep.

She found Spike in the kitchen, munching on an emerald. “Good morning,” he said.

“Good morning, Spike.” She plopped down at the table and levitated a box of cereal, a bowl and spoon and some milk from various parts of the kitchen. She poured herself some, than put the cereal and milk away.

She yawned, “You know,” she said, “I had some really weird dreams last night.”

“What kind of dreams?”

“I can’t even remember now, just that they were weird.”

“Huh,” Her assistant said, taking another bite of gem.

Twilight tried to remember the dream, but couldn’t. Just a flash of bright light, that’s all she remembered.

Once she finished her breakfast, she rinsed out the bowl and headed upstairs to unpack the saddle bags she’d left on the floor the day before.

She magically opened them and levitated out her things: a few books, a candy bar, and a bracelet Luna had given her. She put each book away carefully; making sure they were put back in alphabetical order and such. She stuffed the candy bar and bracelet into her nightstand, then she used her magic to pick up the saddlebags.

She trotted over to her closet, and unceremoniously tossed them in.

A yellowed scroll fell out of them, rolling across the floor to her hooves. She stared at it. “What’s this?” she said, levitating it up. It was rolled up, but had tears and cracks on the ends; and was sealed with a black wax seal, with a crescent moon.

“Did… Luna put this in my saddlebags or something?” she thought aloud.

Using magic, she tried to remove the seal. It took quite a bit of effort, but finally it popped off. The scroll opened on its own accord, and Twilight was hit with a blast of ice cold wind that chilled her to the bone. She gasped, dropping the scroll. It never hit the ground; it turned into pale blue mist before disappearing completely.

Suddenly, Twilight’s whole body jolted. She was whisked away, zooming fast through a void yet she didn’t move at all. There was a massive clouding of dust, and she hit something hard, rock? Stone? She felt her whole body, shivering, freezing, cold! Stars twinkled in the dark blue sky above her, and all around was a gray, pale landscape. Rocks, just rocks. Dust.

And cold!

And just like that, it was over. The image jerked, and then disappeared completely, as did the freezing cold. She was in her room, in the library again. Twilight’s ear twitched. “What was that?” Another chill swept over her. Something twinkled in her peripheral vision, and she looked down, and gasped.

Sitting on the floor in front of her, reflecting the sun that was pouring in the window, was an indigo chest plate with a pale turquoise crescent moon in the middle.

Chapter Three - Odd Happenings

Twilight Sparkle felt numb. Mortified, even. And she didn’t quite understand. How had this gotten here? She slowly and carefully levitated the indigo piece up and looked it over. Twilight would know this anywhere: It was Nightmare Moon’s chest plate.

“No,” she said softly. Her entire body had gone cold, even though the early morning sun was shining through the window and right onto her coat. “I… No.” Twilight shook her head, how did this happen?

“I’ll get to the bottom of this,” she muttered. She was about to call Spike, then stopped. She levitated a quill, ink and parchment over to her and started writing.

Dear Princess Luna,

I awoke this morning and found in my saddlebags a scroll, but when I opened it…

Twilight stopped, the quill was shaking in the air slightly. “I… can’t,” She said, she wasn’t sure why but she just couldn’t. What if Luna got mad at her? Accused her of stealing? What if she was thought to be traitorous?

Twilight Sparkle shook her head. “I just can’t.” Something tugged at the back of her mind, preventing her from thinking clearly.

“Spike!” she shouted down the steps, and a moment later he appeared at the bottom.

“Yeah?”

“I need you to find me every book you can on Nightmare Moon! Now!”

He stared at her. “Are you okay?”

“Yes! Yes, I’m fine, Spike.”

“Uh… okay,” he said and ran off to find the books.

Twilight turned back to her bed. The chest piece was smaller than she remembered, instead of looking to fit a great big alicorn, it looked like any mare could easily wear it. She stepped just a bit closer, picking it up once again. She wondered what it would feel like to wear – just for a second. She closed her eyes and let it hover over her head, and slowly begun to lower it…

“Twilight, I found what you needed!”

Twilight gasped, her concentration broke and the armor fell, clonking her on the head. She yelped in pain, but quickly grabbed it and stuffed it under the bed just as Spike appeared at the door. “I got the… hey, are you okay?”

“What? Yes, I’m fine!” She levitated the books out of his grasp, and rubbed the aching spot on the back of her head.

“You don’t look fine,” he said, eyeing her suspiciously.

She chuckled nervously, “No, I’m just tired is all!”

“Well… okay,” he backed out slowly.

“Whew,” she sighed in relief. She tugged the armor out from under the bed and trotted over to the chest where she kept her old toys like Smarty Pants. She opened it and stuffed the armor to the bottom, making sure it couldn’t be seen.

Then, falling back on the bed she opened the first book: Nightmare Theory: The Legend of Nightmare Moon.

~~

“And so Nightmare Moon returned with a vengeance on the morning of the Summer Sun Celebration… yadda, yadda, yadda.” Twilight closed the last book and set it aside.

“Nothing,” she said to herself. “nothing useful, at least. Just religious propaganda and the re-telling of her fall and return.”

Twilight rubbed the bridge of her nose, sighing deeply. Her lids felt heavy; that tended to happen when one sits for hours and hours reading. “Maybe a book on ancient dark magic is what I need to be looking for.”

She yawned and looked out the window; it was only mid-afternoon.

“I’ll look around and… Oh brother, I was supposed to have tea with Fluttershy today! I completely forgot!” she cried hopping of the bed and stretching her stiff legs. As she half-staggered half-ran for the door, she stopped for a second. She could have sworn she heard… no, no. That was impossible. She chuckled nervously to herself and trotted down the steps.

The chest in the corner seemed to glow slightly. 'Twilight Spaaarklllle.'

~~

In Canterlot, Princess Luna jerked up in bed as if someone had dumped a bucket of ice cold water upon her. She blinked, and used a hoof to sweep her messy mane out of her face. She looked around, feeling more than a little disturbed.

“Bad dreams, perhaps?” she said to herself, unconvincingly.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Forgive if this feels a little rushed, this is old. The chapters after this will be new, so they'll be better.

Chapter Four - Late Night Thinking

Twilight was all alone. She had her eyes clenched shut tight; the air around her was freezing cold. The ground underneath her hooves was cold and hard, shivers wracked her frame.

“No,” she whispered. “No. No, no! NO!” She ran, she didn’t know why. But she did. She felt angry – enraged, furious! “NO!” she yelled again, and leaped. Her horn glowed; the air was thick with arcane energy. But not all of it was hers… she prepared to release a blast of purple energy into the void. She opened her eyes, and quickly closed them again when her retinas were assaulted with bright, unbearable light.

Suddenly, something hit her. She screamed in agony, flailing and screaming. “NOOOOOO!”

she was sent flying backwards, as though she’d been shot from a bow or slingshot. Bright yellow light surrounded her.

And then she was gone. Lost, shivering, alone. Hitting the surface with enough force to break bones, yet she was unharmed – there was no surface to hit. She was trapped. Trapped, all alone.

“NO!” Twilight shot up in bed, flailing and yelling. She fell to the floor, shaking.

“Twilight! Are you okay?” Spike jumped out of his bed and rushed to her side. She lay there for a moment, eyes wide, uncomprehending.

“Twilight? Twilight!”

She turned to face him, and then slowly got to her hooves. The blanket fell off of her and onto the floor.

“I’m fine,” she said coldly.

The dragon was slightly taken back, “Do you need a glass of water?”

“…Yes, please.” She gave him a weak smile. He hurried down the steps and she took a deep, shaky breathe.

“That was… unpleasant.” She closed her eyes. She cast a glance to the chest in the corner. Her stomach twisted into a knot, she forced herself to look away.

Just a dream. It doesn’t mean anything at all – it’s insignificant. Nightmares are normal! Nightmares. Nightmares… Night Mares…

Twilight paused, and then smiled to herself “This is silly. The armor... the scroll… Luna’s playing a joke on me. That’s all it is. I’m sure of it,” She laughed, a high pitched, hysterical sound. “I’ve been silly. It’s nothing to worry about!”

Spike returned with her water, and she eagerly took it and gulped it down. “Are you okay?” he asked, wide-eyed with almost child-like innocence. Twilight smiled and hugged him tightly.

“I’m fine, Spike. I just had a nightmare, is all.”

~~

Dear princess Luna

Today, I

“No.” The purple unicorn crumpled up the paper and tossed it into the wastebasket. After tucking Spike back into bed, she’d decided to come downstairs. The indigo chest piece was resting on the little table she often used to read.

She levitated over a fresh piece of parchment and dipped the quill into the inkwell.

Dear Princess Luna

I sincerely hope you are playing a joke on me. A very mean joke, but a joke. I hope you stop by soon to pick up your armor, because it’s making me very nervous…

“No.” She said again, furrowing her brow uncertainly. What if it wasn’t a trick? It didn’t make sense. The vision, the dream, the creepy tingly feeling that sent shivers down her back and caused her stomach to churn.. She cast the armor a quick glance, before tearing up the paper and trying again.

Dear Princess Luna

Luna, I have matter of what may be great importance at hand. Yesterday after arriving home from Canterlot, I discovered an odd scroll, and not a moment after opening it I found the chest piece of Nightmare Moon’s armor in my room. I hope it isn’t a cruel trick, because I had a horrible vision and a similar nightmare. I am deeply disturbed, and hope you may shed more light on the matter.

Your Good Friend, Twilight Sparkle

She read it over several times, before nodding slowly. She set the quill down and rolled it up. She set it down on the table, and yawned. It occurred to her she couldn’t send it without Spike.

“I’ll have him send it in the morning,” she said, then turned to the shiny armor. Owlowiscious was perched by the window, eyeing it distrustfully.

Twilight stepped up to it and lightly placed a hoof on the cool surface. There was not a single dent in it, it looked brand new. “How did you get here?” she questioned herself, it was much smaller than it was on Nightmare Moon. Any average-sized mare could wear it, if they didn’t mind the weight.

Wear it. Twilight cocked her head, it couldn’t hurt right? She imagined herself wearing it, along with the helmet and horseshoes. It looked so… right. She almost wished she had the rest, as creepy as they were, and as terror-inducing, they were actually quite lovely.

She carefully levitated it up, lowering it down over her head. She closed her eyes,

Yes, wear it! It was made for you!

Twilight smiled. Princess Twilight Sparkle. It had a wonderful ring to it.

“No!” she said suddenly, eyes flying open. She dropped the armor in front of her. It made a massive clanking sound as it hit the wooden floor, and she flinched, expecting Spike to wake up and come running down the steps.

He didn’t, and she realized she was holding her breath. She let it out slowly.

“I won’t let you control me,” she glared at the chest piece. “Owlowiscious!”

The owl snapped to attention, and she levitated up the sealed letter and carried it over to him. “I need to take this to Princess Luna, immediately.”

The bird nodded and held out his claw, which she tied the scroll to. He fluttered towards the open window, and then jumped out into the fresh nighttime air; soaring towards the mountainside city.

Twilight trotted up to the armor, and licking her lips she levitated it up. “I don’t know what you’re up to, but I’m going to find out.” She murmured to the inanimate object.

~~

Owlowiscious soared high in the sky, gliding along the wind currents. The Pegasi had scheduled a clear, but breezy day. Luckily the wind was not going against him, which was good. He could see the city of Canterlot looming ahead; it wasn’t that far, at least for one with wings. It was mostly the fact that it was atop a mountain that made it so seemingly hard to get to.

The owl cocked his head, sensing something following him. He hooted softly, speeding up a bit. Whatever was behind him, he didn’t like it. Finally, spotting a bare branch poking up and out from the side of the mountain, the owl landed. The branch swung gently up and down at the sudden weight.

Owlowiscious turned his head completely around, searching for any creature that might be following him. Seeing nothing, he then flipped his head upside down, scanning the early morning night sky.

Again seeing nothing out of the ordinary, he turned his head back forward and right-side up, and then flapped his wings, preparing for lift-off.

As he began his ascent, he didn’t even notice the faint, ghost-like presence wrap around his scaly-skinned leg, and then undo the string holding the scroll.

~~

Princess Luna sat in her office, writing down on parchment. She had dismissed her guards, who stood right outside the door nonetheless. She clucked her tongue, “The things ponies take to court these days,” she sighed. “Farmers are arguing over who gets authority over an orange tree! An orange tree!”

The Princess of the night could only be so lucky that most of the harder things were held during daylight, while she was sleeping.

She frowned when another thought came to her, that feeling. It made her uneasy; she didn't like it at all. And ever since Twilight had left... Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of flapping wings and a soft hoot. She turned her head, and saw a little tawny owl sitting on her open windowsill.

“Oh, how precious!” She cooed, pulling herself off the chair and taking a cautious step forward. “An owl, a nocturnal creature of the night! How do you do?”

“Hoo,” the owl replied. Luna smiled, and stepped closer, seeing that the bird didn’t seem to be afraid. “I used to have a pet owl, like yourself. She was a barn owl, beautiful thing. Her name was Moonlight, because her face glowed like the moon at night.”

The owl cocked his head, and ruffled his feathers. He held out his leg, eyed it, and then he tucked it back underneath himself, looking wide-eyed. It turned its head, searching for something?

“Hoo! Hoo!” the owl flapped its wings, turned around and flew off into the night.

Luna watched him go, tilting her head thoughtfully. “What luck, it’s not every day an owl lands on ones windowsill.”

Chapter Five - Prank

Twilight Sparkle had never been so angry, and lonely, in her entire life. She felt like she had no physical body, like she was floating; floating in an empty void with nothing but her thoughts. And she was furious about it.

How could Celestia do this to me? She lamented, how could she do this? What did I do wrong? And then the anger faded and distinguished completely. I don’t want to be alone…

That morning, Twilight Sparkle stumbled into the kitchen, yawning. “Oh no, I slept in!” she cried, looking at the clock. She rubbed her aching head, and sighed deeply.

Spike trotted up next to her, “I was going to wake you up a while ago, but I didn’t want to bother you.”

“Oh, that's fine,” she smiled rubbing his scaly head.

“Do you want me to make you something to eat?” he asked.

“No thanks, I’ll do it.” She paused. “Did Luna send any letters while I was sleeping? Or Celestia?”

“No, why? Expecting something?”

Twilight contemplated her answer for a moment before saying: “Yeah, yeah… I was doing a report. About… about…”

She hesitated, she wanted to tell him, but… something in the back of her mind told her she needed to keep it a secret, at least for now. No reason to make him worry, right?

Suddenly, a hoot sounded from behind her. She turned around, Owlowiscious had awoken, and was hovering in the air above her.

“Hoo! Hoo!”

Twilight stared. “What is it? Did you deliver the letter?”

“Hey, I thought I sent your letters!” Spike said, crossing his arms.

“You were sleeping, I didn’t want to wake you,” she smirked playfully before turning back to the owl, who was hooting frantically. “Did Luna get the letter?” she asked again.

The owl perched on Spike’s spines, and hooted loudly. Then, he shook his head.

“The letter didn’t get delivered?” she asked. The owl hooted a confirmation. “What happened to it?!” Twilight tried not to sound angry.

“Hoot, hoot!” Owlowiscious jumped into the air again, and circled, he swooped down and then picked up a random scroll from a bookshelf. He circled again, and then dropped it.

“You… dropped the scroll?” she asked. The owl shook his head, and then took the string that bound the scroll and undid it with his beak, the parchment rolled open.

“You opened it?” she asked. He shook his head again, and then picked up another scroll in his talons. It was held with one leg, the other leg undid the string and he let go, letting it fall.

“The letter got untied from your leg somehow and fell?” she asked.

The bird nodded his head. Twilight groaned, and rubbed her temples with her hooves.

“Relax,” Spike said, “you can just re-write it and I’ll send it.”

Owlowiscious flew back to his perch and settled down to sleep for the day.

Twilight smiled at her assistant. “Okay, hang on.”

“I’ll write it!” Spike produced parchment and quill, and readied them.

Twilight froze, “I… No, it’s fine. This is private,” she added. It wasn’t entirely a lie, she didn’t think.

She gently levitated them out of his grip, and re-wrote what she remembered from last night. It wasn’t entirely the same, but it got the same message across.

She rolled it up, tied it with string and handed it to him. He took it and sucked in a deep breath, then headed for the window, opened it and breathed out a blast of green fire, enveloping the scroll.

“Thanks, Spike-“

“Wait a second,” Spike said suddenly. “You said you wanted that to go to Luna?”

“…Yes.”

“…I’m not entirely sure I know how to send letters to anypony but Celestia,” he rubbed the back of his head.

~~

Princess Celestia left the court, and as soon as she did she sighed in relief.

“They fought for the authority over an orange tree.” She said to herself, the guards behind her remained silent. Suddenly a green flame materialized in front of her, and a scroll was dropped to her hooves. “Oh!” she smiled. What a pleasant surprise!

She levitated it up in her golden aura, and opened it.

Dear Princess Luna

Luna, I hope you get this. The other day, after returning home from my visit, I found an odd scroll in my saddlebags, and for the past day or so I’ve had haunting dreams and odd voices, I hope you could possibly shed some light? I hope this isn’t a mean prank, because that’s what I’m betting it is! Actually, never mind – I hope it is a prank. So, please get back to me when you can, please?

Your Good Friend, Twilight Sparkle.

Celestia narrowed her eyes. She then rolled up the scroll and held it beside her. “Guards, you may go wait in the throne room. I have something to discuss with my sister.” The two bowed respectfully and trotted ahead of her.

Celestia quickly turned her course towards the Lunar Wing of the castle. Luna was playing a prank on poor Twilight, she knew it. Luna loved that sort of thing – pranks. Mean pranks, even though she didn’t mean them to be.

“Well,” she smiled to herself. “At least she’s not throwing pies in pony’s faces. Ha! Like anypony would be mean enough to do that!” she giggled.

As she approached her sister’s bedroom her pace slowed, and she slowly and carefully pushed the door open. Luna was sleeping soundly in her bed, Celestia gently approached her. She magically levitated a book off of Luna’s shelf, and hovered it over her sister’s head before the magic let go, and it slammed into Luna’s sleeping face.

“AH!” The Princess cried, falling off of her bed.

“Good morning, Luna! Lovely day today, no? A perfect day for pranking poor ponies?”

Luna angrily got to her hooves. “Sister! What is the meaning of this?!”

Celestia shook her head, “Read this.” She held up the letter to Luna, “Are you pranking Twilight?”

Luna took the letter in her own magic and read it, her lips moving softly as she read.

“Well?” Celestia questioned.

“Shush you mouth, sister, I am no foal. And this is no prank.” She rolled up the letter and set it on her desk. “Pray tell, why are you reading my mail?”

“I didn’t on purpose, Spike sent it to me. I imagine he doesn’t know how to send letters to you,” Celestia stated. “Now if you weren’t playing tricks, what is going on?”

Luna said nothing, deep in thought. Celestia studied her expression, and finally Luna turned to her. “’Tis nothing, sister. I apologize, I have fibbed. I am pranking your student, it shall stop immediately.”

Celestia nodded slowly. “Why did you lie?”

“It was all in good fun,” Luna said softly.

Celestia shook her head, “Get some sleep, sister. I hope you apologize to Twilight.”

“Will do, my sister.” Luna nodded watching Celestia leave, gently closing the door behind her.

As soon as the Solar Princess was gone her brow furrowed and she rubbed her chin thoughtfully. “I feel uneasy, as I have since Twilight Sparkle left. I wonder…” she pulled out quill and parchment, and quickly wrote down;

Twilight Sparkle

I thank you for bringing this to my attention, Twilight. Look, I’d rather not speak by letter, I know you have come recently but I am hoping you will visit once more and we shall converse in private? I am unsure myself if my suspicions are true, but I have a feeling. Don’t bother sending letter via your dragon pet, it will only go to my sister. I will send guards to pick you up tonight, if that is not too much trouble? See you then, I hope.

Your Princess, Luna.

Luna hastily rolled it up and enveloped it in her blue aura, before it disappeared in a flash of light.

~~

Twilight Sparkle paced nervously in the main room of the library. “Come on, come on,” she murmured.

Spike sighed, “Take it easy, Twilight! She’s probably sleep-“

He interrupted himself with a cough, and then he doubled over then belched out bright green flame with holding a letter.

“Oh, joy!” Twilight cried enthusiastically and took it in her magic. She opened it eagerly and read it over, “Oh. Yes, okay! That sounds wonderful!” She smiled to herself, “Spike! I’m leaving for a bit tonight.”

“Again?”

“Not for an overnight, I’ll be back before dawn.”

Chapter Six - Abuse

Twilight stood outside the library, rocking on her hooves. She had her saddlebags, and in them she’d managed to squeeze in the chest-piece. Her eyes scanned the sky for Luna’s guards; she pawed at the ground, and hoped they’d hurry up.

“I’m coming with you.” She heard Spike behind her.

She shook her head and sighed, “No Spike. Not this time.”

Spike crossed his arms defiantly. “You’re acting weird! Let me come with you!”

Twilight dug her hooves into the dirt, looking back at him. “I’m sorry, Spike. I’ll be right back, I promise. I just need to talk with Luna.”

“And I’m going with you!”

“No, Spike.” She turned her head.

“Come on,” he stepped in front of her. “Please? I’m worried about you.”

Punish the lizard. The thought came so suddenly. She blinked, “No, Spike. Go back to bed.”

“No!” Spike put a foot down.

“I said, go back to bed!”

And Twilight whirled around, and bucked him right in the chest. The dragon cried out, stumbling back several feet before hitting the ground hard.

Twilight blinked several times, before slowly turning around. “O-Oh my gosh, Spike! I’m so sorry!” she galloped to his side, “Are you alright? Spike?”

Spike sat up slowly, one claw held over his chest, he looked wide-eyed, before turning his head away from her.

“Spike!”

“N-No!” he got up and ran towards the library, Twilight didn’t follow. She stood there, blinking back tears.

She saw Luna’s guards in the distance now, like dark shadows against the night sky. Her stomach twisted, and she turned around.

Avoid them! Run!

“What’s become of me?!” she wailed, and then galloped into the darkness.

~~

Fluttershy was first brought out of her sound sleep by a gentle tapping on her forehead. “Who… what?” she murmured opening her eyes sleepily before letting them fall closed again. The tapping got harder, and she finally sat up, stretching. Angel fell off of her forehead, falling into her lap. “Angel? What…”

The rabbit hopped to his feet, and pointed towards the window, jumping up and down. Fluttershy yawned, scooping her pink mane out of her face. “What is it Angel?” she asked, fluttering off of the bed and staggering slightly towards the window. “Angel, the sun isn’t even up yet. What is it?” Angel pointed out the window, pointing out towards the chicken coop. “Is something wrong with the chickens?”

Angel hopped off the window sill and out of the room. Fluttershy stretched, and followed him.

“Slow down, Angel Bunny!”

She followed him down the steps and out the back door. She sighed when the pleasant, nighttime breeze gently blew her mane around her. She flew out to the chicken coop, which the rabbit was pointing into.

“Oh, alright,” Fluttershy yawned, and flew over the gate, poking her head in. “Is everything all right in here, friends?”

The chickens were all wide awake, they didn’t make a sound but they looked rather distressed. Fluttershy squeezed in cautiously, “Shh, it’s alright, friends. What’s wrong?” Fluttershy frowned when she heard a sound towards the back – sniffling? “H-hello?” she called gently, slowly stepping forward.

Silence.

Fluttershy squinted her eyes in the dark, and stepped into the back of the coup. She heard another sniffle, and turned her head towards the noise. There, squeezed into one of the empty nests was Twilight, curled up with her back towards Fluttershy.

“Twilight?” Fluttershy’s brow furrowed in confusion. “What are you doing in my chicken coup? Are you all right?”

“No.”

Fluttershy was startled at the coldness of the reply, but gently placed a hoof on her friends back.

“What’s wrong? Come on out of there…”

“No!” Twilight raised a hoof; it shook in the air, before she forcefully brought it back down and curled it underneath her. Fluttershy backed away a step, was Twilight about to… no, no of course not!

Angel bounded in, and hopped on top of Twilight, gently tugging on the strap of her saddlebags. “Don’t touch that!” Twilight shrieked, wriggling frantically in the tight space, but Angel held tight.

“Angel, respect ponies’ privacy!” she scolded, gently picking him up in her teeth. He wiggled, pointing at Twilight’s saddlebags. She set him down, and he bounced, still pointing. Fluttershy turned back to Twilight, “Twilight, please… why don’t you come in for some hot cocoa?”

“I don’t deserve it,” the unicorn said, her voice wavering.

Fluttershy pawed at the ground nervously, “Well, I… please, why don’t you come and talk about it?”

Twilight shook her head, which proved difficult in the tiny space. “No, just leave me for now.”

Fluttershy put a hoof down. “Twilight, no. Come on out of there, please? Whatever it is, talking about it will make you feel better. Come on out,” she gently tugged on Twilight’s tail.

“Well…” Twilight bit her lip. “Okay…” With some help from Fluttershy she managed to pull herself out of the box, she groaned and stretched legs, feeling weighed down. Fluttershy wondered about the saddlebags, but decided not to ask.

“Come on inside.” she led her friend out of the chicken coup, “I’ll make you some hot cocoa.”

The stiff-legged Twilight followed the butter-colored Pegasus into her cottage and seated herself at the table, as Fluttershy turned on the lights. Fluttershy was startled at how Twilight looked. She had hay from the coup stick to various parts of her body, and there were tear-streams on her face and hooves.

“Oh, Twilight…” Fluttershy said softly, running a hoof through her friends’ sweaty mane. Angel pounced on Twilight’s side, trying to get into her bag. “No! Please, cut that out, Angel!” Twilight gently pushed him off and onto the floor. “Angel!” Fluttershy scolded, “Leave her be!”

With a huff, Angel bounced over to the doorway and kept a suspicious eye on Twilight.

Fluttershy prepared the hot water, and then sat down across from Twilight. “Want to talk about it?” She offered, but Twilight shook her head, wiping a stray tear from her eye.

“No thank you, Fluttershy.” She smiled. “But… thank you.” She looked towards the window, the sun was coming up. It wasn’t very visible, but she could see the light shining up over the horizon. She felt a twinge of regret, fear, and anger. She shook her head softly, sun is good. The sun is great, it’s not bad. It brings warmth and light and–

-hatred. Twilight closed her eyes, No! You must resist, Twilight! Resist! “Twilight, are you alright?” Fluttershy gently set the cup of steaming chocolate in front of Twilight, and seated herself once more.

“What?!” Twilight looked up, “Oh! Yes, yes, I’m perfectly fine! Why? Do I look not fine to you?!”

Fluttershy cowered under her mane, “No! You look fine!”

“Wait,” Twilight winced, “Don’t… I’m sorry. Really sorry,” she lowered her head and took a sip of her cocoa. Fluttershy sipped hers, the silence was deafening.

“So, um… would you like me to walk you home?” Fluttershy offered, “Or I could let you sleep here if you’re tired.”

Twilight shook her head, “I can’t go back to the library right now.”

“Why not?” Fluttershy ventured cautiously, and Twilight simply shrugged.

“I… I just can’t. Not right yet, at least.”

Twilight closed her eyes and yawned. She hadn’t slept easily, and she was tired. “I should go…” she said uneasily.

“Go where?” Fluttershy blinked, “You said you couldn’t go back home. And I hope you don’t plan on sleeping in my chicken coop…”

Twilight shook her head and smiled, “No. I have to see Princess Luna.”

“Oh.” Fluttershy wondered, but didn’t pry for answers. Twilight pulled herself off the chair and started for the door.

“Bye, Fluttershy. And thank you,”

Angel jumped up and down, once again trying to get at her bag. Twilight shot him a dark look, and he stopped, staring in shock.

~~

Twilight didn’t trust the rabbit – and she didn’t know why. He sense something odd was happening, she could tell! Animals had that odd sixth sense for the unnatural. The sun was peeking up over the horizon now, casting an orange glow over Equestria. She scowled – that rabbit. She then stopped herself.

“Don’t think like that…” she whispered aloud. “Oh Luna, what’s happening to me?!” she sighed. She wiped away more tears and started forward. If the guards had left, she’d just take the train. Or walk. Yes, at this point she was willing to walk.

Somehow, she found herself turning around. Towards the forest, with a sleepy yawn. She closed her eyes, her legs working on autopilot as she headed past Fluttershy’s cottage and into the Everfree.

Chapter Seven - A Talk

“Resist!” Twilight hissed, forcing her hooves to stop moving, but alas her body ignored and continued forward. The heavy saddlebags made her feel like she weighed a thousand pounds, she shut her eyes, trying to will herself to stop. Thorns and brambles cut at her coat, leaves and twigs crunched underneath her hooves.

“You must stop!” she said to herself, “Resist, Twilight! Resist!” an icy chill slithered down her spine. Her vision faded, and she blacked out.

~~

Fluttershy was just tucking herself back into bed when Angel jumped back up onto her and tugged at her mane. “What is it this time, Angel?” she gently pulled her mane out of his tiny grip, and he pointed towards the window yet again. “Out there?” she groaned, pulling herself back out of her bed. “What is-“ she was interrupted by a light tapping on the glass. She blinked and looked out; Owlowiscious was fluttering outside the window, tapping it with a claw. Fluttershy opened the window, and the owl flew in, swooping around the room before growing back out and motioning with a talon for her to follow. Angel jumped out the window, and Owlowiscious caught him. Angel made a frantic ‘come on!’ motion with his paw.

Fluttershy fluttered out the window, “What is it, boys? What’s wrong?”

Owlowiscious swooped down, dropping Angel on the ground and the two starting towards the Everfree forest. “Oh my,” she whispered, gently swooping out of the window, and onto the ground following the animals.

~~

Twilight was furious, the anger causing her blood to boil and her body to shake and tremble. Hate, hate, hate! Jealousy and anger and loneliness, all swirled together in her mind. She mentally lashed out at whoever had caused this much rage – Celestia, her friends… All abandoned her, she was left all alone. How could they have done this to her? Why would they do this to me?! I just wanted to be heard! She ran. And ran, blindly into the black. Only one thing on her mind: Make them love me. Make them remember me!

And then she fell. Agony surged through her, and she screamed. Screamed out her anguish, her regret, her anger. And then she was swallowed up, swallowed by the shadows.

Twilight was brought back to reality with a jerk, “Ah!” somepony was tugging in her tail, and a white rabbit was pushing her fore-hooves back. A pair of talons were tugging on her mane, she looked up, shocked. Ahead of her, was a familiar, rickety wooden bridge. They were in the Everfree Forest…Twilight froze completely, her fur bristling, before she collapsed, blinking back tears. Fluttershy let go of her tail, leaping gracefully over her and then turning to face the lavender unicorn. “Twilight! Are you alright?”

Twilight lifted her head, trembling. “...Fluttershy?”

“Yes?”

“I want to go home…”

~~

Princess Luna paced in her room, troubled. The guards returned without Twilight Sparkle – nopony had answered the library door.

“Where could she be?” she muttered to herself. “Where has she gone? Is she alright?”

Luna wondered if maybe she should tell Celestia – she couldn’t be sure, but she had an aching feeling that… She had returned. Luna scowled, if Twilight Sparkle was in danger Celestia needed to know.

Finally, the alicorn headed out the door and towards the throne room.

~~

Celestia sat upon her throne, her quill making a scritch schritch noise as it scratched across the parchment. “And… there!” she rolled up the parchment and levitated it down to a young earth mare standing before her. “Your name is now officially ‘Darkened Heart.’”

The mare smiled, “Thank you Princess!” she said, stuffing the parchment into her bag. She turned tail and galloped out, “Whooo! Long live the darkness!”

That was… interesting. Celestia thought, and turned her head when her sister’s booming voice echoed towards her ears; “Celestia! I must speak with you,” Luna stepped into the room, and turned towards the guards. “Off with you, I wish to speak to my sister in private.”

The guards gave Celestia a look, but obeyed when she nodded and then they filed out of the room. The doors shut, and Celestia and Luna were left alone.

“What is it, Luna? I’m surprised you’re still up.” Celestia stood up and stepped towards her sister.

Luna cleared her throat, “I lied,” She said bluntly. “I did not prank Twilight, and I am quite certain I might know what her problem is.”

Celestia furrowed her brow, “You’re serious? Why did you lie?”

“I wasn’t sure! I wanted to be sure before I brought this to your attention, and even now I can’t be positive – but I do think Twilight is in terrible danger.”

“Danger? What kind of danger?”

“A danger of the… the Nightmare variety.” she bit her lip.

It took Celestia a moment to register what her sister meant but then her mouth dropped.

“Nightmare Moon? But the elements of harmony rid you of her, she’s gone!”

“Apparently not, my sister.” Luna stepped towards the window, and looked out over Equestria. “And I fear the worst. I have had this feeling since Twilight left… Nightmare Moon is following her.”

Celestia stepped up next to her sister, and nuzzled her neck. “Do you have any idea what her motivations could be?”

“I have a good idea,” Luna said. “I believe that she intends to be rid of Twilight Sparkle. The Element of Magic… without all six elements we wouldn’t be able to stop her. If Nightmare were to convince Twilight to… dispose of herself…” Luna trailed off, her eyes glazing over.

Celestia shook her head. “Twilight is stronger than that. And Nightmare Moon no longer has a physical form – what could she accomplish by killing Twilight?”

“I am… unsure. Like I said, I’m not even sure if it’s even Nightmare Moon we are dealing with. But if she has some way to build herself a body, or convince others to give her a body…”

Celestia placed a hoof on Luna’s shoulder. “Luna, you don’t think Nightmare Moon will have some sort of cult preparing to give her a physical body of her own do you?”

Luna laughed a bitter, humorless laugh. “She might, she might. She is manipulative – you know this. Manipulative enough to even drive Twilight over the edge – or possess or brainwash some sort of cult.”

Celestia thought for a long time, “I’m going to send Twilight a letter, I need to see her.”

“I wouldn’t count on it.” Luna shook her head sadly, and Celestia gave her an accusing look. “Look Celestia, I already sent for her last night, my guards returned and she wasn’t home, or simply didn’t answer the door.”

“What about Spike?”

“Ah, her pet? I was told nopony answered, so I assume he is gone as well.”

Celestia closed her eyes, and took a deep breath. “I will send more guards to search for her. I hope this isn’t as bad as it seems…”

~~

Twilight Sparkle’s eyes were on her hooves as she entered the library, Fluttershy flipped on the lights and flew inside. “Come on now, Twilight. You’re tired, I’m sure a nice long nap will help you.” She guided her upstairs, and Twilight magically undid the saddlebags and let them drop to the floor. One side hit the ground with a massive clonk! Fluttershy flinched, briefly wondering what was inside. Slowly she reached a hoof out towards them,

“Don’t touch that!” Twilight hissed, and Fluttershy cowered.

“No, I was just going to put them away!” the Pegasus cried.

“I’ll do it later.” Twilight collapsed onto her bed and closed her eyes.

Fluttershy looked around, “Where’s Spike?” she asked, looking at his empty bed. Twilight opened her eyes; she stared out at nothing for a moment, before they lowered guiltily to her hooves.

“Oh… He must be… out.”

“Out?”

“…I’ll find him later,” Twilight squeezed her eyes shut, grinding her teeth.

‘Find him – he didn’t ask permission to leave!’

No!

‘He’s abandoned you!’

No he hasn’t! I hurt him…

‘He deserved it. He disobeyed.’

He’s a good boy…

‘He’s a dragon – they cannot be trusted.’

“SHUT UP!” Twilight shouted, leaping to her hooves and throwing her pillow with all her equine might. It hit Fluttershy smack in the face, and then fell to the floor with a gentle thump. Fluttershy took a few steps back, shocked. Tears filled her eyes and she turned tail and flew out of the room, sobbing. “Wait, Fluttershy!” Twilight curled up on her bed. “I’m so sorry Fluttershy!” she whimpered softly.

“Don’t leave me all alone!”

‘She’s abandoned you too, Twilight.’

“No! She hasn’t! She hasn’t…”

‘They’re all going to leave you. Nopony cares about you… I do, though.’

“No! No you don’t!”

‘Twilight, I’m your friend. I just want you to see that they don’t care; it will save you from later heartache…’

“Stop talking!” Twilight pressed her hooves into her skull, as if to block the voice out, block it out and forget about it.

‘Twilight, don’t you see? You’re better than them, you can rise above them. They don’t care about you.’

“Of course they do! I love them!”

‘If Fluttershy loved you, would she have run out like that? Or would she have helped you?’

“I- I….” Twilight fell asleep.

Chapter Eight - Forgiven?

Spike crept up the steps, “Twilight?” he called up, rubbing his eyes. “Are you… awake?” He was a little surprised she was back so early; he’d heard Fluttershy bring her in. Peewee chirped, hopping up and down on Spike’s shoulder. “What’s wrong boy?” Spike asked quietly, and the bird simply ruffled his feathers.

Twilight didn’t answer Spike’s call, and the dragon wondered if she had gone back to sleep. As he got closer to their bedroom, Peewee begun to chirp and hop, flapping his fuzzy little wings. Spike pushed open the door. “Twilight?” he called again. Peewee nipped his scales, but he paid the phoenix chick no attention.

“You hear that?” he whispered to the bird, and they both listened. Twilight was buried under the covers, moving around and mumbling. “Twilight, are you okay?” Spike called, stepping cautiously towards the bed. Owlowiscious was sitting on the head of her bed, hooting.

No answer, just more mumbling. Spike lightly tapped her form through the blanket, “Twilight?”

Peewee fluttered off of Spike’s shoulder and onto the floor, hopping over to Twilight’s saddlebags lying on the floor, and started tugging at the strap.

Spike jumped onto the bed, and grabbed what he assumed was her shoulder and gently shook it.

“Twilight?”

Twilight groaned, and Spike tugged the blanket down, uncovering her. She pulled the pillow down over her face, blocking the sunlight that was pouring in through the open window, whimpering softly.

Spike shook her again. “Twilight!”

“N-no! Don’t leave…”

“I’m right here, Twilight,”

“I can’t – I don’t want this!”

“Twilight, wake up!”

“No… Don’t…”

“Wake up!”

Twilight opened her bloodshot eyes, jerking upward and knocking Spike onto the floor. She looked awful, her coat was filthy and her her mane a mess. “Spike?!” she cried, and then she scooped him up into her hooves and hugged him tightly. “Oh, Spike! Are you alright? Where were you?”

“I was hiding under the couch,” he mumbled.

“Oh, I’m so sorry!” she cried, and looked at him apologetically. “I didn’t mean it, I’m sorry Spike. Can you ever forgive me?”

“Yeah,” he smiled, “It’s nothing.”

“Spike… were you crying?” she studied his eyes, and he quickly turned away.

“No! I mean – no, I…yeah.” He embraced her back, burying his face in her shoulder.

She hugged him tighter. “It won’t happen again, I promise.”

Twilight turned her head when she heard high-pitched chirping, Peewee was tugging on the strap of her saddlebag with his beak, tiny wings flapping. Her entire body stiffened, but she relaxed. He won’t be able to open it. He’s too small, she thought with a relieved sigh. Twilight and Spike jumped when somepony knocked on the library door.

“Twily? You home? It’s me, Shining Armor! Please open up,”

Twilight gasped. “Oh my gosh! I hope nothing’s happened,” she whispered jumping off the bed. She froze for a moment, before turning back to Spike. “Spike! Please put my saddle bag in… the closet! Yes, there. Okay?”

“Sure!” he hopped off the bed and attempted to pick it up, but it proved too heavy. “Woah! Twilight, what’s in here?”

“Nothing, just try? Please?”

“Okay…”

Peewee nipped at his heels as he attempted to drag it around the bed. Twilight galloped down the steps and stopped – took a deep breath – and opened the door.

“Shining Armor! What a pleasant surprise!” she smiled widely. “What brings you here at this fine hour?”

Shining Armor stood at the door wearing his – well, his shining armor. He was surrounded by a squadron of guards. Twilight wilted, “BBBFF? Is something wrong?”

Shining Armor shook his head. “I hope not, Twilight. The Princesses’ have summoned you. Apparently Luna sent for you last night – er, early this morning. You never showed up, and now they both want you.”

Twilight remained silent for the longest time. “…I fell asleep,” she said. “I take it you’re here to pick me up?”

Her brother nodded, and she nodded slowly back. “Right. Give me a moment; I’ll be right with you.”

She headed up the stairs and into the bedroom, Spike was hunched over her bag, and she froze.

“…Spike?”

“GAH!” The baby dragon cried, jumping up.

“Were you looking inside?” She asked darkly, narrowing her eyes.

“No! Peewee got inside and I was pulling him out!”

‘He’s lying,’

No, shut up.

Twilight trotted up to him, he had the phoenix chick cupped in his claws. Twilight rubbed his head, “Spike, I’m going to Canterlot for a bit. And you’re coming with me,” she levitated up the bag and strapped it around her back.

Spike smiled, “Thank you!” he jumped eagerly up onto her back, and Twilight smiled. She found it adorable; she had read somewhere that it was a natural instinct for a baby dragon to ride upon its mothers back when traveling. She wasn’t technically his mother, but she found it endearing all the same.

She headed down the steps and out to where her brother was waiting by a small chariot pulled by two Pegasus guards.

“I’m back,” she called to him, and stepped up into it. He smiled down at her, as she seated herself. “Alright boys, we’re ready,” he told the Pegasi, and they quickly started their take off.

Galloping forward, before leaping into the air. Twilight watched Ponyville as it seemed to slip backwards and away from them. “What’s in the bags?” Shining Armor asked.

“Oh, these? Fluttershy needed me to repair a birdhouse and I’m still working on that.”

“Oh, but why bring it?”

“I haven’t eaten yet, there’s a sandwich and some salad in the other side, I just haven’t taken the birdhouse out yet.”

“Oh, alright then.” Twilight was stunned by how smoothly the lie passed her lips – and that her brother believed her! She felt positively sick.

“Spike!” the captain of the guard rubbed Spike’s scales. “What’ve you been up to, buddy?”

“Not much! Keeping cool,” the two fist/hoof bumped. Peewee jumped up off of Spike’s head and onto Shining’s hoof, lightly pecking him.

~~

Celestia and Luna stood side by side in front of the throne. The room was empty, save for them and the silence was uncomfortable as the two waited. They could only hope Twilight would turn up. Luna yawned, unused to being up this late, even though it was still technically early morning. She then groaned, lowering her head.

Celestia extended a wing over her sister, “Patience.”

“I know. She will be fine, she’s a strong mare. I can only hope my suspicions are false."

Chapter Nine - Suspicions

Chapter Nine - Suspicions

Why? Twilight asked herself. Why. Why did this have to happen to her? She looked over the side of the carriage, a sense of uneasiness creeping over her. She watched the scenery pass below, the trees, fields, homes…

Why me? She didn’t get it. Why? Why did she always end up in these situations? She couldn’t lose her friends – yet somehow somepony always ended up trying to break them apart. She swallowed the lump in her throat – could Celestia help her? Could Luna help her? She felt a flicker of hope – this had started since she visited Luna, maybe Luna could stop it with just a single flare of her horn. Twilight felt better – she even smiled.

She was certain now that Luna could help her.

‘That’s only wishful thinking.’

Twilight turned towards her brother, “So! Shining Armor… How is Cadance? Is she feeling better?”

Shining smiled, “Yes, she’s doing fine. She’s doing great! How about yourself?”

“Good, good,” she stated, feeling suddenly cold. “I’ve been doing just fine.”

Silence.

‘Push him off. You don’t need him. Let him fall…’

Spike rested his head against the back of Twilight. “Tired?” she asked with a yawn.

“No, of course not!” he fibbed.

Twilight smiled, closing her eyes. She felt pretty sleepy herself.

Shining Armor held Peewee in a hoof. The phoenix was hopping up and down, chirping and showing off his tiny wings. Shining laughed, “Nice phoenix you got here, Spike! What’s his name?”

Phoenix. Twilight’s mouth opened into a silent ‘O’ and she felt reality slip away. Phoenix. Phoenix – just one word. Whatever her companions said next was lost to her, and she remembered.

Remembered… what exactly? Those couldn’t be her memories…

She didn’t know. She didn’t care right now. She just remembered.

She flew up, up, up. Higher and higher, smiling a toothy smile. “Sister!” a voice bellowed from behind her, “Come back at once!”

But she ignored, she wasn’t going to listen. She didn’t have to listen – not to the one that had ignored her, abandoned her, and left her all alone. Her smile turned to a scowl, roiling clouds of smoke swirled above her, blocking out her precious moonlight. She glided towards the clouds, preparing to move them and allow her beautiful moon to shine through. “LUNA!” The accursed one behind her cried, “Come back!”

She licked her lips, “Come on Selene. You will shine tonight, and forever!” As she prepared to break the cloud barrier, something blocked her vision. She looked up – a brilliant crimson light shine above her, blinding her. She cried out, shutting her eyes, and she felt a presence – a bird swoop past with a high pitched, ear-shattering caw. Her wings stopped working, and she fell. “Philomena!”

“Twilight?”

“Huh?” Twilight opened her eyes. “What?”

“We’re here,” her brother told her.

She looked up – they were in the main Hall of Canterlot Castle, approaching the throne room. She hadn’t even been aware she’d been walking.

She quickened her pace, eager to see the Princesses. Was Luna even awake? Oh Equestria, Twilight hoped so!

Shining Armor sent the other guards away, and the grand doors opened, and closed behind them as they passed through. Princess Celestia and Princess Luna stood side by side in front of the throne, and Twilight eagerly galloped towards them, nearly knocking Spike off of her back. She eagerly nuzzled Celestia’s chest, “Princess Celestia!”

“Twilight Sparkle, my most faithful student.” Celestia lowered her head, nuzzling Twilight’s neck.

“Princess, why are we here?” Shining Armor bowed respectfully.

Luna cleared her throat and stepped forward, “We have reason to believe that something is… happening to Twilight Sparkle.”

Spike looked up at her, “What do you mean?”

Twilight back away, looking from Celestia to Luna, and then back.

“Happening to me? What do you mean?” You egghead! She silently berated herself, Why are you playing dumb? Spike hugged her tightly. “She has been acting weird,” he said quietly.

Shining Armor stepped up, “Weird? How? What’s happening?”

Celestia turned to Twilight. “Twilight… that letter you sent Luna… are you alright? How do you feel?”

“Oh, that stopped.” The unicorn said before she could stop herself. “I think I was just sleep-deprived, or simply paranoid.” She cracked a smile. “I actually feel fine, now. I know I sent the letter only last night, but I feel wonderful.”

“Wait,” Luna said suddenly. “Open your bags,” she instructed. Twilight froze, time seemed to slow.

Do it, don’t do it, do it, don’t do it… Twilight swallowed. What was happening? She’d just completely lied, and now she wanted to give the armor away, to reveal the lie, but she also didn’t want to. She couldn't - she just couldn't! But she did. Slowly, she unstrapped the bags and let them fall to the floor.

“Open them,” Luna said. Twilight lowered and used her teeth to unclip the top, and then she flipped it open.

A small, broken, wooden birdhouse sat inside. Twilight could only stare in shock, and then a small smile split her face. “I’m fixing it for Fluttershy…” she said slowly, turning back up towards Luna. Luna nodded, seeming to relax. She shared a comforting look with Celestia and turned back to Twilight.

“You’re sure you’re alright? Nothing’s happened?”

Twilight opened her mouth to deny it, but nodded.

“I don’t get it, what are you worried about?” Shining Armor felt left out.

Celestia smiled at him, “It’s nothing, Captain. It’s fine.”

~~

“Bye, BBBFF!” Twilight waved as her brother left on the chariot, he smiled and waved back, and she closed the library door letting out a shaky breath. “I think I’m going to take a nap.”

Spike nodded, “Okay, I guess I’ll tidy up the library, then!”

She smiled at him. He’s such a good boy. “Alright, then. Thanks, Spike.”

As Twilight trotted up the stairs, her mind wandered. Why had she lied? She felt a twinge of anger, partially at the thing which had made her do it, and mostly with herself. She should have been stronger – and where had the armor gone? How had the birdhouse gotten there? She never even had a birdhouse that needed fixing; it had just spawned there somehow. That sent chills down her spine – creepy. She didn’t like it one bit.

She crept towards her toy chest, and opened it up. She dug around for a bit – ah! There it was, glinting in the light; the armor, a bright indigo. Twilight reburied it and closed the chest.

Why. Why me? Why is it always me? Why does all this madness have to happen to me?! I’m always the one. It’s just…. I can’t take it anymore! What is going on?

Thousands of questions swirled in her head, but the most common one: Why.

Twilight crawled into bed and curled up under the warm covers. She closed her eyes and slipped into an uneasy and dream-filled sleep.

~~

“Well?” Celestia asked, brows furrowed in worry, she stepped towards her sister. “I was honestly afraid she’d turn into a nightmare right before our eyes – are you right? Is Nightmare following her?”

Luna shook her head, and Celestia’s gulped. “Luna? Is something wrong?”

“Yes.” Luna answered, and gave Celestia a grim look. “I feel no better. Nightmare Moon was once part of me, Celestia. I know she’s somewhere – maybe not with Twilight Sparkle, but she is somewhere out there.”

“So… she’s not with Twilight?”

“I don’t believe so, at least not anymore.”

Celestia rubbed her chin thoughtfully. “Have you felt this way this entire time? Like… after you were freed, or only after Twilight’s visit?”

Luna nodded slowly, seemingly deep in thought. “It has only been since Twilight left,” she closed her eyes. “I believe when the Elements of Harmony redeemed me, they sealed Nightmare Moon… somewhere. I can only guess where. Perhaps somehow she was freed, and now I can only imagine where she could be lurking.”

“But you’re sure it’s left Twilight alone?”

“Positive,” Luna affirmed. “Now, if you’ll excuse me I have some hunting to do.”

“Aren’t you tired? Perhaps I should-“

“No. Sleep can wait,”

~~

Spike was sweeping when the library door blasted open revealing three familiar little fillies. “HI SPIKE!”

They all cried in unison with their loud voice, Spike fell down from the sheer force of their shout. “Woah, hey! Quiet, Twilight’s trying to sleep!”

“Oh!” Sweetie whispered, “Sorry!”

“I didn’t know Twilight took naps,” Scootaloo scratched her head.

“Me neither,” Apple Bloom added. “Anyway,” she trotted up to Spike. “So, Spike! We just had the greatest idea fer’ earning our Cutie Marks, and we thought you’d be just the dragon to help us!”

“Well, okay, what is it?” He asked, getting back up to his feet.

“So!” Sweetie started, “We have the most amazing idea ever – we can be Cutie Mark Crusaders Archaeologists! But we need help with the digging part,”

“We might find a hidden tomb or something underground to explore!” Scootaloo grinned.

“Or buried treasure! Or both!” Apple Bloom added.

“So will you come with us?” Sweetie asked, “Maybe you will get a Cutie Mark too!”

“Don’t be an egghead, dragons don’t get Cutie Marks!” Scootaloo wrinkled her nose.

“I’m not an egghead!” Sweetie defended.

“Come on, Spike!” Apple Bloom said, “Are you with us?”

“Well… okay!” Spike dropped the broom and followed them out towards Sweet Apple Acres. "To the Clubhouse!" the fillies cried excitedly.

~~

It was late afternoon when Twilight Sparkle awoke from her long nap. She rubbed her eyes, not feeling the least bit rested. She was sweating, she noticed, she licked her dry lips.

I felt it – felt her pain. She thought, depression overcoming her. One thousand years all alone on the moon… nopony deserves that. Nopony. She closed her eyes, tears squeezing past her eyelids. “S-Spike?” she called.

No reply.

“Spike?” she called again.

No reply.

She jumped out of bed and practically zoomed down the steps. “Spike?!”

She found the broom lying on the floor, and carefully picked it up in her magical magenta aura. Her stomach lurched.

‘He’s abandoned you.’

“No he hasn’t.”

‘He’s gone, Twilight.’

“No he’s not, I’m sure he’ll be back…. Wherever he is.”

‘Even your own mentor doesn’t trust you, why would he?’

“She trusts me.”

‘And you lied to her.’

The broom was shaking in the air. “Shut up.”

‘I’m only trying to help…’

“I don’t need your help.”

‘Yes you do, because none of your friends care about you. You’re all alone.’

The broom snapped in half.

‘All your friends are going to leave you, one by one. Soon even Celestia won’t love you anymore. But I do.’

“SHUT UP! SHUT UP, SHUT UP, SHUT UP!”

‘Poor thing, I only want to help you. All your friends leave you, yet I’m still here.’

“SPIKE, WHERE ARE YOU?!”

‘Gone.’

Twilight reared back, hissing in rage. The door glowed pink and swung wide open, slamming into the wall and Twilight galloped out as fast as her legs would carry her.

Chapter Ten - My Little Liar

“Well, this sucked.” Scootaloo rested her head against the handle of her shovel. They’d actually managed to get pretty far down, and now there was a small crater, and a massive pile of dirt next to it. The sun was beating down mercilessly upon them, and not even the breeze seemed able to reach them down there.

Apple Bloom collapsed in a heap on the dirt floor, “Now what? I don’t wanna have to fill all this in!”

“Me neither,” Sweetie fanned herself with a hoof.

“Why don’t we fill this with water?” Spike suggested, “That way your family will have a watering hole to swim in when it’s hot!”

“Oh my gosh, that’s a great idea!” Apple Bloom cried. “Applejack has always wanted a quiet place to relax after doin’ chores! C’mon, girls – and dragon! Let’s get the hose and some buckets!”

~~

“Yo, Twilight!” Rainbow Dash was lying on her belly on a soft cloud, her head hanging over the edge as she witnessed Twilight gallop underneath her. Twilight ignored the Pegasus’ call and continued on her way. “I wonder what her issue is,” Rainbow Dash sat up and watched her; the unicorn had stopped to speak to the local mail mare Derpy, who was delivering mail to her own home. Rainbow watched Derpy shake her head and Twilight shook her head in frustration and ran off.

The rainbow-maned mare hopped off the cloud and with a lazy flap of her wings started towards Twilight. “Twilight,” she called. “What’s up?” She zoomed up beside Twilight, keeping perfect pace with her. “What’s the hurry?”

“Rainbow Dash, my bestest of friends!” Twilight smiled, keeping her eyes in front of her and not slowing down. “Do you know where Spike went? I mean, he certainly didn’t leave me – but I can’t find him!”

“Uh, yeah! I saw him hangin’ with the Cutie Mark Crusaders a few hours ago, I think they’re at Sweet Apple Acres.”

Twilight skidded to a complete stop, and Rainbow, taken by surprise flew into a tree face-first.

“Thanks, Rainbow!” she hugged the downed Pegasus, and then galloped off towards Sweet Apple Acres.

Rainbow lifted her head, scratching her neck. “Dang! She’s acting weird!”

~~

“Applejack!” Twilight knocked on the door of the house, sweating and gasping for breath. Big Mac opened the door, and she smiled at him. “Oh! H-hello,” she wheezed. “Is… is Spike here?”

“Eeyup.” The stallion answered, and Applejack appeared beside him. “Well, howdy Twilight! What brings ya here?”

“She’s lookin’ fer’ Spike,” Big Mac answered and disappeared inside the house.

“Oh!” Applejack said, “He’s playin’ with Apple Bloom and her friends! I think they’re out near their clubhouse.”

“I’m sorry, but I don’t know where the clubhouse is,” Twilight said, and Applejack stepped out.

“No problem! I’ll take ya there!”

Applejack lead her out towards the orchard, and Twilight followed. The breeze helped to cool her off. The trees swayed slightly in the wind. It was chilly, probably one of the last ‘nice days’ before the Pegasi prepared for winter. “…Applejack?” she started uncertainly, and the orange earth pony looked at her.

“Yes?”

“You would never… like… How do I phrase this, um – you’d never leave me right? For better friends?”

Applejack paused for a moment, then stomped a hoof. “Of course not, Sugarcube! I’d never leave you for the world!” the two continued on in silence, and Twilight smiled softly.

“Thanks, Applejack. I can always count on you,”

Twilight felt much better now, although she still felt a twist of dread in her stomach. What if Applejack decided not to be her friend because she asked? Was Applejack offended? Was she going to avoid her?

Twilight shoved these fears into the back of her mind. They can fester with that little-head voice, she thought angrily. She knew her friends better – they wouldn’t leave her!

The sounds of splashing water interrupted her thoughts, “Water?” Applejack said aloud. “Now where on earth…”

And the two made their way through thick bushes and found themselves at the clubhouse. A few feet away was a massive pile of dirt, and next to it a pool filled with water. Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle were carrying a big bucket of water, and poured it in.

“I think we’re finished!” Apple Bloom cried, “Now we’ve got our very own pool!”

“Huzzah!” Spike pumped his fist in the air.

“Now what in tarnation are y’all doin’?!” Applejack cried, “You dug a huge hole! You know better than that, Apple Bloom!”

“But Applejack,” Apple Bloom cried, “We wanted to be Cutie Mark Crusaders Archaeologists, but we got tired so we decided to make a pool instead for swimming!”

Applejack marched up to the four and pointed to the dirt pile. “And what about that? What’re y’all plannin’ on doin’ with that?”

“Uh… put it in a bunch of pots and grow flowers?” Sweetie said slowly, as though it were a trick question.

“Ugh! And y’all are covered in mud!”

“Not for long!” Scootaloo said, and then proceeded to jump into the pool, splashing everypony with water.

Applejack pressed a hoof to her face and let out a frustrated groan.

“Should I just…Take Spike and go, then?” Twilight half asked half stated, and Applejack nodded.

“I’ll send Scoots’ and Sweetie home. Come on then!” She said louder, directed at the children. The four quickly trotted over to stand in front of her, looking ashamed. “You three are goin’ home, and you young lady are comin’ with me!”

Twilight magically tugged on Spike’s ear, eliciting a cry of startled pain. “Ow, hey!”

“Come on, Spike, we’re going home.” She offered Applejack an apologetic smile, “Sorry for the trouble. I’ll have him fix the damage some other time, then?”

Applejack chuckled, “No, don’t worry about it for now. Bye then, Twilight!”

~~

Spike didn’t like the silence. He followed Twilight home, her head was low, her movements slow. He wanted to say something to break the silence, but every time he opened his mouth he thought better and decided not to.

He attempted to climb onto her back, but she knocked him off. Not a good sign. Was she really that mad at him?

He kept his eyes on his feet, nervously twiddling his thumbs. Why wouldn’t she say something?

They entered the library, and he closed the door gently behind him. Twilight stopped walking, but didn’t turn to face him.

Spike noticed the broom was leaning against the wall, broken in half. Did it break when I dropped it? He couldn’t remember. Was that what she’s mad about? I should have put it away instead of leaving it…

He attempted to break the silence, “Twilight?”

“I. Looked. Everywhere for you!” Twilight didn’t move, her cold voice seemed to drift back towards his ears.

The baby dragon rubbed the back of his head, eyes low. “Sorry, I should have left a note…”

“A note?!” Twilights laugh was cold and humorless, and ended as abruptly as it started. “You should have asked permission to leave in the first place!”

“Well, you said you wanted to sleep and you looked really tired and I didn’t want to bother you, and…” he trailed off.

Twilight stomped a hoof, causing him to flinch and leaving a nice crack on the floor. She still didn’t turn around, and that bothered him. “Then you should have waited for me to wake up.”

“Well… I…”

“You what, Spike?!” Twilight interrogated, finally turning around. Her head was low, her dark eyes glaring at him. “You planned to leave didn’t you? Leave me, leave ponyville!”

“What?” Spike was shaking, “What are you talking about?”

“Don’t play stupid!!” Twilight shrieked, causing him to fall backwards. “Don’t lie to me! I’ll bet you lied about not looking into my bags too, right?! What else have you lied about, my most trusted assistant?!” that last part came out in a low, angry hiss that made Spike cower.

“No!” He cried, “I’m not a liar! I didn’t lie! I swear!”

“All lies!” Twilight yelled, stomping her hoof again. Her horn glowed with raw energy, the magic snapping and popping. Spike shut his eyes and tensed, instinctively shielding himself with a claw.

“D-don’t!”

Nothing happened, and the popping of her magic stopped. Spike dared to open an eye, Twilight wasn’t looking at him anymore, she was staring off into space; looking uncertain. She appeared deep in thought,

“T-Twilight?”

Her eyes widened, and then her expression turned to a grimace. “I’ve taught you better than that! Don’t you know it’s rude to interrupt ponies when they’re talking?! Oh, but I guess I haven’t taught you well enough – my little liar! Go to your room! I don’t want to see you again until – until later!”

Spike was speechless, he tried to get to his feet but nearly fell again; he was shaking so hard.

“What are you waiting for?!” Twilight shouted. “Get! Go!”

Finally the baby dragon got to his feet and ran towards the bedroom, Twilight levitated the broken handle of the broom and hurled it at him, he yelped and crouched down on all fours, running towards the steps as fast as he possibly could.

Twilight made the door slam hard behind him, and stood there breathing hard. She sucked in a deep breath, and let it out slowly. “Lying beast,” she hissed. She closed her eyes, letting out a sigh.

Her expression relaxed to a neutral one, and tears started slipping past her closed eyelids. She stepped up towards the window and looked out at the ponies outside, enjoying the nice weather.

She looked at her reflection in the glass, at her own dark purple eyes, lavender coat, violet mane with a pink stripe. She gulped, rubbing her eyes. Her dark purple eyes, with the slit-pupils.

Twilight sat there on the floor for the longest time, not moving, just thinking. After a solid ten minutes, she got up and trotted towards the steps. She trotted up and slowly opened the door into their bedroom – she paused, searching for Spike.

Ah, he was buried underneath his blankets, wailing. He probably hadn’t heard her enter – good.

She slowly and carefully used her magic to open the chest, and pull all if the sentimental trinkets inside out of her way. The armor came up out held in her magenta aura, and levitated towards her. Up came her saddlebags, and then the armor was stuffed inside. She closed the door, and started down the steps; tying the bag around her middle.

She headed out the door, and looked around as though somepony might see her and immediately get suspicious – but nopony noticed or cared. She rubbed her mane, and started out towards the far edge of ponyville.

~~

Luna wasn’t sure where to begin. She was sure Nightmare had left Twilight… if Twilight had been possessed, she would have been hostile – and if she had been simply followed or haunted, she undoubtedly would have told them the truth.

And so Luna was left wondering: Where would the Nightmare go next? Was she even back, or was this just paranoia?

Luna closed her eyes, she was sleepy. So very tired. Luna stood up behind her desk, and started to pace. This wasn’t unlike a thousand years ago, when she was up all day trying to think of new ways to arrange the stars to please her subjects, wondering what she was doing wrong.

But this time it was much more important. She rubbed the bridge of her nose with a hoof: What to do?

Luna hadn’t the slightest.

The elements! The thought came, and she sprang up. “The Elements!” She repeated out loud. “If Nightmare returns, she’d want to get rid of one or all of the elements… If she’s already perused Twilight, she gave up. And maybe now she’s going after one of the others!”

She sat back down, and begun furiously scribbling down notes.

~~

Twilight smirked as she watched the shining chest-plate sink to the bottom of the river. She’d made sure to drop it in the deepest part, where nopony would see her do it.

She felt as though a thousand pounds had been lifted off of her shoulders after she’d climbed a tall mountain – she walked home with an extra skip in her step.

While on the outside, she appeared as carefree as a foal chasing a butterfly, but inside she was seething:

‘Why did you do it?’

I have to fight you! I can resist!

‘Go back for it.’

No!

‘Now. Bring it back.’

No!

‘Swim!’

“I can fight you!” Twilight growled, trying to continue her skipping, yet some other force was tugging her – tugging her back, the same force that had overridden her temper back home, and caused her to hurt Spike.

‘Go back for it.’

NO!

‘Come on, child. You know you want to…’

Never!

‘It would look so good on you’

Resist, Twilight! You can do this!

‘No. Go back.’

“NOOOO!” Twilight galloped home, feeling that weight again. As though Ponyville was getting farther every time she stepped forward.

~~

Spike crept down the stairs once he was sure she was gone – he thought he heard her leave, but he wasn’t sure.

She might still be down here, but if she was out he wanted to take his chances. He carefully looked around, making sure she wasn’t hiding around any corners or something. When he was sure, he ran out towards the desk and grabbed a quill and parchment. He wiped a stray tear from his eye and dipped the quill into the inkwell, then prepared to write,

Dear princess Celest-

He was interrupted by the front door swinging open and hitting the wall hard - the ‘I’ in Celestia’s name now had a hole in it. Spike’s heart sank when he saw who’d entered – Twilight.

She looked up, and their eyes met. There was a long silence, Twilight stood there staring in surprise and Spike quivering in fear.

Twilight raised a hoof, opened her mouth, and then closed it, narrowing her eyes; seeming to glare into his soul.

With a furious hiss of rage, she charged.

Chapter Eleven - Child Abuse

Spike yelped, and jumped out of her way. Twilight landed on her hooves where he had been standing only seconds before; horn glowing. “What are you doing?!” she shouted, pointing at the parchment still clutched in his claw.

“I’m t-telling Celestia on you!” Spike cried, backing away, trying not to let any more tears fall.

Twilight pawed at the ground and preparing for another charge. “Tell? On me? What, are you going to make up some lie? Go to her all teary-eyed, and pitiful? ‘Oh Celestia, Twilight is being so mean to me for no reason at all!’ Nothing less than what I’d expect from a greedy little monster like you.”

“Don’t say that!” he cried, those words tore him deeper than any knife could, tearing up his heart, throwing it to the ground, stomping on it and then spitting on it.

“Why? Can your itty bitty black dragon heart not take being insulted?” The glow of her horn pulsed threateningly, and he backed away.

“Stop saying those things! What did I do to you?”

“You existed!” she yelled, and grabbed the desk in her magic and threw it at him with all the magical force she could muster. Spike was so stunned at her reply, he couldn’t jump out of the way in time and the desk hit him, pinning him against the wall and knocking the wind out of him. The letter flew from his hand and landed on the floor. Several books fell from the shelf above him, hitting his head.

“Ouch! Ow – ow!” a particularly hard corner caught him in the side of the head, drawing a bit of blood. Spike started to cry, and as Twilight approached she suddenly stopped, hoof raised slightly in mid-walk. She blinked, eyes widening.

“S-Spike? Spike, I-“ she stopped, her eyes narrowed into tiny slits, she shook her head furiously and then with a sneer, she telekinetically brought the table away from him, and taking advantage of his dazed and crying state, she slammed it back into him. “You’re useless!” she shouted. “Worthless! Greedy! A liar, an untrustworthy-”

Slam!

“Over-grown-“

Slam!

“-Rat!”

Slam!

“Who I wouldn’t even pick last to be my assistant! Even Gummy is more useful than you, and all he does is bite things!”

“T-Twilight, p-please-“

“Shut your face, I’m not finished! You’re a greedy, diamond-eating beast! I bet you don’t even love Rarity, you just like her mane! I saw you looking at me when my mane got styled that way! What an inconsiderate, dragon scum!”

Slam!

“You want to know another thing? I told everypony in Ponyville about your crush! They’re all laughing at you behind your back!”

Twilight tossed the now-cracked desk to the side; it slid across the ground and broke in half upon making contact with the wall.

She stepped menacingly towards her shaking, bleeding, cowering assistant. “You’ll never have a chance with her! She hates your guts! Dragons and ponies can’t be in love, dragons don’t have souls!”

“Twiliiiiight!” he wailed.

“Did you notice she doesn’t wear that ruby you gave her anymore? She threw it out! She didn’t even want to risk putting it on one of her dresses after you touched it!”

Twilight listened to her assistant cry, letting her words really sink in. She stepped up to him; he shrank back. She crouched down next to him and wrapped her hooves around him.

“Hey, it’s okay, shhh… there, there…” her tone changed completely from furious, to gentle. She gently rubbed circles on the side of his head, “…I bet your dead parents would have spared you the misery of living, and smashed your ugly egg when they had the chance.”

Spike completely lost it. Twilight stepped back, smiling as though she’d just finished a particularly good novel.

“Now hold still,” she ordered. “This will only hurt a lot.” Her horn glowed, and she prepared to charge. Spike sensed the danger, and quickly got up, ready run.

Twilight dove at him, but he jumped over her and using her back to launch himself onto a bookshelf. He held tight, her magical aura engulfed him attempting to tug him down.

“Come down from there! You know better than to climb the shelves, Spike!”

“Nooo! L-Leave me alone!”

“I said get down from there! You’ve until the count of three!”

Spike ignored her, trying to force back more tears he clung tighter, his claws cutting into the wood.

“One…”

Spike begun to wonder if it was worth it, his stomach was twisting into knots – what was she going to do to him?

“Two…”

He clung tighter still, squeezing his eyes shut and waiting for the inevitable – whatever the inevitable was.

“Three!”

“Wait! Don’t hurt-“

But Twilight had teleported into the air above and behind him, and when she fell she wrapped her hooves around his neck, attempting to pry him off the shelf.

“Come on now, Spike! Be a good boy and let go!”

Spike weakly grasped one of the books on the shelf, and brought it back. The corner hit Twilight’s forehead hard enough to leave a nasty bruise and a tiny cut, and she blinked, and then begun to shake with rage. “Oh, you’re in for it now, you scaly rodent!”

Finally Spike let go, attempting to pry Twilight’s death-grip off of his neck. They fell backwards onto the floor, and several books rained down on them. Spike finally twisted his head enough to bite into her foreleg, she yelped in pain and let go.

Spike dove for the door, trying to escape. Twilight grabbed his ear in her magic and jerked him backwards, and the baby dragon cried out.

“T-T-Twilight, p-please stop it!”

Twilight ignored his plea, pinning him down and lowering her horn, it crackled with magic. “Face oblivion, lizard!”

It was just then that the door opened. “Twilight?” Rarity called, and then abruptly stopped to stare at the scene before her. Twilight froze solid, and so did Rarity. There was a short silence, and then Spike bawled loudly, “Rarityyyyy, help!” he managed to squirm out of Twilight’s grip, and Twilight was really too surprised by Rarity’s sudden entrance to try and stop him.

He dove underneath Rarity’s legs, quivering. Rarity blinked in shock and surprise, “Spike? Twilight? What…”

Twilight blinked several times, shook her head and looked at them; “Spike? Rarity, I-“

She stopped herself, scowled, her entire body shuddered, and then her head snapped back up, looking at them coldly. “Rarity, don’t you know that it’s rude not to knock?”

Rarity stood there for several seconds, trying to mentally process what was going on. “Twilight!” she said eyes widening,“ What did you do?” She raised her fore-leg; Spike was cowering underneath her like a foal under their mother during a thunderstorm. He was covered in bruises, scrapes and cuts.

“Spike, come on out of there.” Twilight said gently. Spike, who had his face buried in his claws, curled up tighter.

“No!”

Twilight gritted her teeth, and then forced a smile. “Spike, come on out. I won’t hurt you, I promise!”

Rarity didn’t like this - she wrapped a hoof around Spike protectively. Something about Twilight was giving her chills.

“Twilight,” she cleared her throat, “I don’t know what’s going on here, but if what I walked in on is any indication, I don’t think-“

“Shut your mouth!” Twilight spat. Rarity was shocked, her eye-lid twitched.

“…Come along, Spike.” Rarity said. “We’re leaving.”

“NO!” Twilight telekinetically slammed the door shut, trapping Rarity inside. For a split second, Twilight looked panicked. “Don’t leave-“ and then she was once again overcome with that coldness.

“Twilight! Let me go at once,” Rarity felt conflicted. What had Twilight done to her poor assistant? Why had she done it?

Twilight’s ears flattened, and she snorted. “No, you’re going to abandon me just like that scaly little monster!”

Those words ripped Spike’s soul to shreds.

This couldn’t be a mood swing, or simply a bad day. This frightened Rarity - she decided a letter to the Princess was in order – something could be very wrong. Nothing else could explain this.

She was going to voice this decision, but decided against it.

“Abandon you?” Rarity shook her head. “No, Twilight! I want to he-“

“Hurt me? I knew it!”

“What?” Rarity’s eyes widened. “Hurt you? Of course not, dear!”

“ALL. LIES.” Twilight prepared to charge, and Rarity realized she only had a limited number of options. She picked Spike up and jumped out of the way, then placed him on her back.

Twilight crashed into a bookshelf, several books raining down on her.

“Hold tight, Spike,” Rarity whispered and her horn began to glow. Twilight got to her hooves, stumbled a bit, then picked up a book and hurled it at them. Rarity managed to dodge, but it broke her concentration. She tried again, and started to sweat.

“Rarity, w-what are you- OWWW!” The abused drake curled up when a book hit his head.

Twilight charged again, and then jumped. Spike clung to Rarity’s mane, and the white unicorn shut her eyes. Then, in a blinding pulse of sapphire magic, the two were gone.

Twilight hit the floor where Rarity had just been standing, then looked around, bewildered.

~~

Spike and Rarity reappeared just outside of her shop, and after several minutes of regaining her senses – and trying not to lose her lunch, Rarity ran inside. “Oh my!” she murmured closing the door behind her.

“Spike, are you alright?”

“…Yes, I’m f-fine. Just fine!” Spike covered his eyes.

Rarity was silent, and trotted into the kitchen. She gently set him on the table, and then headed for one of the cupboards, pulled out a little yellow box with three butterflies on it and brought it to Spike. “Fluttershy gave this to me a while back. I can’t remember why.” she explained and then opened it. It was a medical box, and Spike didn’t argue as she gently tended to his wounds.

“Y-you know, I’m not crying.” He sniffed. “I’m j-just sweating through my eyes.”

“Spikey-Wikey, there’s nothing wrong with crying.” She gently patted his cheek. “Here, I’ll make us some tea, and then I’ll find you the biggest, tastiest gem I can find!”

Spike lowered his eyes, feeling a blush rise to his cheeks.

“Spike, I don’t mean to pressure, but do you think you’re up for sending a letter? I believe the Princess should know about this…”

“Wha… Oh! Yeah… yeah… okay.”

Rarity quickly went into the living room, and to the desk. She pulled out the parchment, quill and ink and started:

Dear Princess Celestia

I am sending you this letter because Twilight has recently undergone a major… personality change, as I can best describe it. Fluttershy has described that she is behaving oddly, and ponies think she is acting suspicious. I went to see her, and she acted completely hostile towards me and Spike – I am in my shop now with him, we needed to resort to teleportation as she would not allow us to leave.

And it doesn’t help at all that I walked in on her assaulting Spike, poor dear.

I hope Twilight is alright,

Your Faithful Subject, Rarity.

She rolled it up and brought it to Spike. “Ready?” she asked.

“Yeah,” he picked it up and then he sucked in a deep breath and sent the letter off in a blast of green flame.

~~

Twilight lay on the floor, curled up.

“She left me, too!”

‘She did.’

“I’m all alone!” she sobbed.

‘You have me.’

“Everypony is leaving me! I bet Applejack lied about being my friend, too!”

‘She did.’

“C-Celestia doesn’t trust me, I know it!”

‘She doesn’t.’

“I KNOW!”

Twilight held her head in her hooves, crying. She was all alone – her friends didn’t want to be near her. The Princess undoubtedly would either – she felt cold, but not the emotionless sort of cold, this was just plain cold. And she shivered, covering her eyes with her hooves.

“They’ve abandoned me. I needed them…” Twilight felt all alone. She needed help – she didn’t understand what was happening to her, she was losing control of herself and she couldn’t do anything to stop it.

She needed her friends – but they didn’t want anything to do with her, and the ones who hadn’t left yet were bound to.

“Oh Spike, I’m soooo sorry!”

It isn’t fair… She wept. She didn’t know what else to do – anything she tried to do was overridden, changed. Her friends would just hate her more if she tried to apologize.

“I’ll just n-never speak to th-them again!” She rolled onto her belly and hit her forehead against the floor. “That way I can’t hurt them!” she smiled, tears streaming down her face. A giggle passed her lips. “If I avoid my friends, I’ll – I’ll stay in control! It only takes hold if I’m with my friends, or doing something it doesn’t like! I’ll just not move forever! I wonder if Discord would mind having a companion statue? I’ll bet it gets lonely over there!”

Her hysterical, panicked laughter turned to choking sobs.

~~

Sweat poured down Celestia’s face, as she slowly sat down. She took a deep breath, trying to regain her composure. She closed her eyes, counted to ten, and opened them again. The guards on either side of her waited in nervous anticipation. She licked her lips, and slowly levitated up her weapon.

“I’ll enjoy you this day, cake!~” she said, and her fork dove into the tip of the wonderful vanilla confectionery. She levitated the piece of soft delight towards her mouth, closing her eyes. She could already taste it – delicious vanilla, with that amazing blue frosting with the white-

A letter materialized in front of her, and fell. It hit her fork, knocking it to the ground, and the parchment landed in her cake slice.

“NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!”

Chapter Twelve - Loyalty

Celestia levitated the rolled up letter out of her beloved cake with a grimace, but then smiled. She unrolled the letter, when Luna stepped in. “Tia! I believe I have figured out where Nightmare may go next,” she stepped up to her sister, and then glanced at the letter.

“Did you?” Celestia said eagerly, forgetting about her cake. “Do go on! We must act quickly.”

Luna nodded. “I believe that she might go after the other Elements – she will want to get rid of one or all of them, so that our chances against her will be less.”

Celestia nodded, realizing Luna was right. “Alright then. Should we summon all of them here?”

“Yes,” Luna nodded.

Celestia sighed deeply, then stood up. She opened the letter and read it. Luna watched her expression go from a concerned one to a shocked one.

“Celestia? What is it?”

“Forget calling the others” she said, and turned to her guards. “Go get Shining Armor – now!”

~~

Rarity was anxious for a reply from Celestia, but she didn’t let it show on her face. A lady is always patient.

She had settled on a red floor-pillow, her hooves tucked underneath her, elegantly sipping a cup of iced tea.

Spike was lying next to her on his back, his head resting against her side.

“Spike? Aren’t you going to eat your sapphire?” She asked gently. He gave her a guilty look, and set the big gem on the ground next to her. “No thanks, I’m not really hungry…”

Rarity sipped her tea, trying to think of something to say to cheer him up. She opened her mouth, but he beat her to it:

“Rarity, am I worthless?”

The question surprised Rarity, but she immediately responded: “Of course not, Spike! You are not worthless!”

Spike didn’t look so sure. “Well, Twilight said that…”

“Twilight wasn’t herself.” Rarity told him. In truth, she had no idea what Twilight’s issue was but she was confident that it must have been something else making Twilight do and say those things. “Spike, Twilight loves you. She’d never hurt you, or say those things to you. You know that,” she reached back and wrapped her hoof around him, tugging him closer and nuzzling his head. He hugged her neck, and Rarity continued, “you are the most loyal, kindest, sweetest, most generous dragon I have ever had the pleasure of meeting,” Rarity said. “and Twilight certainly agrees – I’m sure Celestia will know what’s wrong with her.”

“You really think so?”

“I know so.”

“Thanks Rarity, I…thanks. There was a long silence, and Spike was about to say something, and then stopped, and blinked. He turned his head away from Rarity, and before Rarity could ask what the matter was, he belched out a letter.

“Oh! My,” Rarity caught it in her blue aura, and opened it.

Rarity,

Gather the other Elements and meet Shining Armor at the library,

Princess Celestia

“Oh dear, this doesn’t look good.” She rolled it up and placed it on the desk on the other side of the room.

“What is it?” Spike asked, “What did it say?”

Rarity stood up. “Celestia wants me and the other four to meet Shining Armor at the library,” she said. “I hope nothing has happened.”

“Oh.” Spike said quietly, and after a moment he stood up. “I’m coming with you.”

Rarity paused on her way to the door. “…Are you sure?”

“Yeah,” Spike stepped up next to her, “There’s something wrong with Twilight and I want to help her.”

Rarity couldn’t help but smile. “Alright, come along Spike. We need to find our friends though, first.”

~~

“…So, this has only been what, two – three days and Twilight’s actin’ crazier than a beheaded snake?” Applejack asked for a third time as the six of them headed towards the library. They could already see Shining Armor’s carriage sitting in front of it – the lights were on, he was no doubt inside.

Night had fallen over Equestria; Celestia had lowered the sun with particular haste this evening, wanting it to be over with as quickly as possible. Luna was even hastier in raising the moon – it hung a tad higher than it should at this time of night.

“That is what Spike tells me, yes.” Rarity confirmed.

“I can speak for myself,” Spike muttered from his place on Fluttershy’s back (“You poor thing, what happened to you?” had been followed by her sweeping him up off the ground and hugging him gently)

“Oh my gosh! I hope Twilight is okay!” Pinkie fretted, her usual bounce had been replaced by a sort of bouncy trot.

“Should I fly ahead and make sure it’s safe?” Rainbow Dash asked, to which Rarity responded.

“Dear, we’re only a few feet away.”

Rainbow Dash shrugged. “Eh.”

Shining Armor stepped out of the library door, and quickly galloped towards them. “She’s not here.”

“She isn’t?” they all said in unison.

“She isn’t,” he repeated; his brows furrowed in worry.

“Oh dear!” Rarity whispered. “Where could she have gone?”

“Were there any clues?” Applejack asked, walking past the captain and peering in.

“Not that I could find,” Shining Armor shook his head.

Fluttershy spoke up: “I, um… I think I might know…”

“Where?” Shining Armor stepped up to her and she stood up a bit straighter. “Well, uh, the other day I-“

“Spit it out!” Rainbow Dash cried, “Twilight could be in trouble!”

Fluttershy winced. “The Everfree Forest.”

“What are we waiting for, then!” Rainbow cried, “let’s go!”

Shining Armor turned to his companion guards, “Stay here in case she returns.” They nodded, and he scanned the area once more before motioning for the mares to follow him. But Fluttershy stopped. “Where did Spike go?”

~~

Twilight broke the surface of the water, paddling her aching legs and gasping. She felt like just stopping her legs, but that would mean sinking to the bottom, and she certainly didn’t want to do that.

Night had fallen over Equestria, purple clouds sat lazily in the sky, stars twinkled brightly, and if Twilight weren’t busy trying not to drown she’d have stopped to admire it. “Luna did well tonight!” she said, managing plant her hooves on muddy earth, she then crawled out of the river and collapsed on the dry grass. She lay there for a few moments, weighed down by both the water in her mane tail and coat, and the indigo chest piece around her shoulders. She got up to her shaking legs; her entire torso feeling like it would tear right off.

“I… I got what you wanted!” Twilight called, she waited for a reply; but when none came she started hesitantly: “So… I get to stay in control, right?”

No reply.

“Okay! You’re not saying anything – that must mean you’re pleased! Right? Right?!”

Still no reply.

Twilight shook herself like cat, trying to shake out the water that was running down her coat. She didn’t know how she was going to be able to walk when she was weighed down like this, but she walked anyway.

She needed to.

She trudged forward, trying to keep her thoughts from her friends, or the Princess.

“I don’t remember it being this heavy when I wasn’t wearing it.” She briefly wondered who she was talking to, then simply shrugged and continued forward.

“Twilight!”

Twilight’s entire body seemed to freeze. No. She didn’t turn around and continued walking.

“Twilight, wait!” the baby dragon ran up beside her, “Where are you going?”

Twilight’s lips trembled, but she said nothing and simply continued forward. If I don’t acknowledge him, It won’t take control of me.

“Twilight? Can you hear me?” he lightly nudged her shoulder, and his eyes trailed towards the big blue chest-piece. “Is that…”

Twilight closed her eyes, feeling tears well up in them. Go, go Spike! She thought. I couldn’t bear to see you hurt again…

“Twilight, please say something!”

“Go – go! Please… just go!” She clenched her teeth, expecting to say something violent, rude or especially hurtful. But nothing happened – she remained in control.

“No!” Spike said firmly, “Twilight, what’s happening to you?”

Twilight didn’t answer, she had no answer.

Spike grabbed her leg, attempting to stop her. “Where are you going? Twilight!”

“Please, go!” Twilight gulped, her body quivering – It could take control any second!

“Spike, please – I don’t want to hurt you - I have no control! Please, just go!”

Spike stopped walking for a second, seeming to think about it, and then he grasped her shoulders and jumped up onto her back. “No! I’m not going to leave you.”

“Spike, please…”

“I don’t care what happens. I’m not leaving your side!”

“Spike I…” She realized that her assistant wasn’t going to change his mind, and simply let out a shaky breath. Just don’t talk to him, and maybe It won’t hurt him.

And so she continued on her way, stopping for only a second when she stood in front of the Everfree Forest. She held her breath and started forward.

Chapter Thirteen - Haunted

Spike couldn’t remember actually ever going into the Everfree forest – he had a couple of times, but never this deep. And the ponies weren’t lying when they said it was creepy. The thick canopy of leaves blocked out the moonlight, occasional breaks in the green would open up, allowing the faintest hint of light in. The trees were gnarled, and the branches creaked eerily in the wind, and the plants were all ugly and dead looking.

Twilight progressed forward without a word or complaint, ignoring him when he tried to talk to her.

An icy mist covered the forest floor, but Twilight didn’t seem to care. She didn’t care when she got sliced up by brambles either, she just continued forward without a flinch.

Spike lightly touched Twilight’s chest-piece with a claw. It made a slight ‘ding’ noise, and he quickly tugged his arm back as though Twilight would scold him, but she didn’t say anything.

“Where are we going?”

Twilight didn’t answer.

Spike’s attention was drawn by a hoot, and he looked up. “Is that Owlowiscious?”

But before Twilight could react, the owl swooped down, sweeping past her head. She blinked, stepping back, but then continued forward, her walking pace quickened to a trot.

The owl turned in the air and flew back towards them. Angel Bunny was riding the owl, and Peewee was clutched in his talons. When he dove past, Angel jumped off of his back and onto Twilight’s, and he started tugging at the armor with his tiny paws.

“Angel?” Spike blinked, and the rabbit gave him a glare, pointed at the indigo piece, and continued trying to tug it off.

“Hey! Cut it out!” Twilight cried, rearing back and nearly knocking Spike off.

Owlowiscious swooped down again, dropping Peewee behind Twilight. The baby phoenix grabbed her tail in his beak, and tugged back, using his wings to try and stay in one place.

Twilight broke into a gallop, and Owlowiscious followed, swooping down in front of her in vain attempts to stop her.

“GET LOST!” she shouted, lowering her head and swishing her tail, in an attempt to shake Peewee off.

Spike wrapped his arms around her neck, trying not to get thrown off. Finally, mid-run, Twilight managed to kick Peewee off, and jerking her head back enough to startle Angel, he fell off as well.

“Twilight, slow down!” Spike cried.

“Shut up!”

Spike obeyed, and buried his face in her neck.

After a good while, Twilight slowed to a trot, breathing hard. “I think… I lost him…” she wheezed, really only talking to herself.

Owlowiscious was nowhere to be seen, he probably couldn’t get to this part of the woods; the trees were thick, the gnarled branches blocking any flight-paths.

The mist was higher and thicker here, and Spike squinted trying to see. He noticed the sound of Twilight’s hooves on the grass changed to the sound of hooves against wood, and he guessed they were on a bridge.

The passed back into forest, and mist seemed to clear away. “Where are we?” Spike asked, not really expecting a response, but it came:

“The Ancient Castle of the Royal Pony Sisters.”

Spike looked up. “Woah…”

Ahead of them was a large, ancient, crumbling castle. Vines had managed to curl into broken windows and blocks had fallen out of the walls.

Spike poked her shoulder. “Why are we here?”

She didn’t answer, and Spike hung his head.

Twilight headed past the front gates and eagerly walked up the crumbling steps, and into the open door.

Spike noticed a change in Twilight, she seemed… different. He just couldn’t figure it out – the way she was walking seemed more… uptight? Regal? More like Rarity, or a snooty Canterlot pony.

She almost seemed to actually sparkle.

At least, the chest-piece did.

Twilight closed her eyes, letting her hooves guide her. She had only been here once before, but she knew this place like it was home.

You’re kidding. You’re kidding, right?

The Elements of Harmony!

But where’s the sixth?

The spark didn’t work!

But that’s where you’re wrong!

No, no!

She looked up at the pedestal in which the five elements had been held. She licked her lips, and looked out the window out at the tower where she and Nightmare Moon had fought. There is where she must go.

She took a step forward, preparing to leave, when a shout from behind her stopped her in her tracks.

“Twilight, stop!”

It was Shining Armor. She turned around, Shining Armor stood at the entrance with Pinkie, Dash, Fluttershy, Rarity and Applejack with him.

Twilight winced, Spike was about to speak but she silenced him with a spell. Why she did it, she didn’t even know.

“Twilight, are you holding Spike hostage?” Rainbow Dash said menacingly, and Spike shook his head furiously.

Shining Armor took a step forward, “Twily, what are you doing here?”

Twilight was silently panicking, what should I do what should I do?!

“I…” she struggled for the right words, swallowed and started: “Just… just go back! Leave!”

“No,” several ponies said at once, and Twilight gritted her teeth.

“Don’t make me do something I’ll regret!”

“Twilight,” Shining Armor started slowly. “We want to help you… just come on with us, the Princess will help you.”

“You mean lock me up? Ha!” Twilight scoffed, turning her nose up in a not-so-Twilight fashion. Spike cupped his hands over her mouth and somehow managed to break past the spell. “You guys, she doesn’t mean it!”

Twilight shoved him to the ground. “Of course I mean it!”

Rainbow Dash prepared to dive, and Twilight turned and brought a hoof down on Spike’s chest. “Any of you move an inch – a single inch and this scaly beast is in for it!”

Nopony moved – and Twilight picked an alarmed Spike up with her magic and oh-so-slowly backed away. “Nopony move a muscle,” she threatened, then, with a flash of magenta light she and Spike were gone.

“We have to go after them,” Rainbow cried and prepared to dash off when Shining Armor grabbed her tail in his mouth.

“Wait! Rainbow!” he spit out her tail grimacing. “She could be anywhere! Do any of you know where she could have gone?”

All five mares looked at each other. “The tower.”

~~

Twilight and Spike reappeared in the big tower room, Spike dropped to the ground momentarily stunned and Twilight smiled widely, eyes twinkling.

She galloped to the massive, somehow unbroken windows on the other side of the room. The entire room seemed almost untouched by time, whereas the rest of the castle was cracked and crumbling; while this one didn’t look necessarily new, it wasn’t falling apart either.

Spike sat up, rubbing his head and looking at Twilight. “Uh… I don’t hold it against you!” he called. Either she didn’t hear him or simply didn’t care – probably the latter.

Twilight closed her eyes, horn glowing. The entire room seemed to glow with magical energy. Her entire body pulsed with blinding light, and she opened her eyes – glowing white.

She curled up slightly, lowering her head. There was a deafening noise – thunder? And the ceiling broke away, a bright blue light piercing right through it and enveloping Twilight. Twilight squeezed her eyes shut, then opened them – they looked normal again. She looked around, seeming to realize what was happening. She begun to thrash and shout; “Wait! No! I – I don’t want this!”

Twilight struggled, but then succumbed. She curled up, and Spike got to his feet. “Twilight!” he took a running leap, attempting to pull her down, but the magical energy deflected him; blasting him into the ground.

There was one final explosion of power, and the lights faded. Everything went quiet.

Spike was lying on his stomach; he groaned and lifted his head. He opened his eyes, just in time to see the massive lavender hoof stomp down in front of him, practically paralyzing him with fear. Said hoof was wearing a horse-shoe not unlike Celestia’s, only this one was dark, dark purple, nearly black.

Spike’s eyes slowly traveled up that slender purple leg, up to the chest, wearing that same chest-piece, only the color had gone the same as the shoes, and instead of a turquoise crescent moon it had a familiar pink starburst. His eyes dared to look even further up her neck, and finally into her draconic, purple eyes and that cruel sneer upon her face. Her violet mane swirled around her as though underwater, the pink stripe moving freely. Stars danced across the wavy violet surface.

Spike wanted to run, run far away and never look back and yet he remained rooted to the spot, quite literally frozen solid within her stare.

She cleared her throat, shocking him out of his trance. She smiled at his fearful expression, and spoke in a familiar voice, Twilight’s voice: “Hello there, little Spiky-Wikey,” her use if his nickname both scared him and infuriated him. “It is so good to see you.”

He attempted to back away on all fours, but she held a hoof on his back. “You’re not going anywhere,” She said. It came out casual, almost soft.

“After all,” she drawled. “We need an assistant, and We distinctly remember you saying you refused to leave Our side…”

“I – I don’t want to leave T-Twilight’s side!”

“Ah, but are We not Twilight? She is I, I am her. We are One, now.”

“Twilight!” a shout from the other room, and both Spike and the Twilight-thing looked towards the entrance. Shining Armor galloped in, and then stopped abruptly, skidding to a halt. Rarity crashed into his backside, and Fluttershy crashed into hers, Pinkie, and finally Applejack followed suit. Rainbow Dash would have laughed from her place in the air, but her eyes were frozen to the lavender alicorn, looking at them all with a cold smile.

Shining Armor studied the monster with a look of complete shock, her eyes, her armor, her twisted Cutie-Mark, a combination of both Nightmare Moon’s and Twilight’s. A dark purple night sky, with a pink starburst in the center.

He pawed at the ground, shocked expression going furious. “You monster!” he charged.

Nightmare Moon seemed more amused than anything, and simply yawned as he leaped at her. He was easily deflected, flung to the ground. She chuckled, “Element of Magic, anypony? Ah?”

“Beast!”

“Monster!”

“Ruffian!”

“Jerk!”

“Meanie-head!”

All five mares charged at her in much the same manner, and she smiled a cruel, icy smile. She jumped up into the air, massive wings holding her aloft, she closed her eyes and all five mares and Shining Armor stopped. They all backed away, staring. “Shhh,” Nightmare whispered an eerie echo. “Sleep,” she said softly horn glowing.

“No! Must… resist!” Rarity hissed, taking several steps forward. Pinkie took a step forward, before falling onto her side. “No… Twilight…”

“Mustn’t... listen!” Rainbow was on the ground now, “Can’t! Let her win! Cheating...”

“No!” Shining Armor hissed, struggling to stay awake. “Got to save my sister…”

“Oh... no, no…” Fluttershy murmured, eyes lidding. Angel came out of seemingly nowhere and tugged on her mane, eyes wide in panic, trying to wake her up.

“I won’t fall for your tricks!” Applejack said, eyes already closed, and with a final spark of Twilight’s elongated horn, all of them disappeared.

Spike panicked. “What did you-“

“Hush, they will wake up in the library,” Nightmare Moon smiled. “If they are smart, they will continue on with their lives. If not, they will come after me. And We will punish them.”

Spike glared at her. “You’re a monster! A lying, sick, twisted-“ before he could finish his sentence, Nightmare Moon stuffed a hoof in his mouth. “We dare you to finish that sentence.” She removed her hoof, and Spike was silent.

“That’s a good boy! Now-” but before she could finish, there was a blast of magic, and Luna appeared in the air above them.

“NIGHTMARE MOON!” the Royal Canterlot Voice knocked Spike back several feet, but the Twilight-thing seemed unfazed.

“Ah, and Our beloved sister appears to save the day!” Nightmare drawled, and Luna landed in front of her, taking in the appearance.

Her face twisted in rage. “I DEMAND YOU RELEASE TWILIGHT SPARKLE AT ONCE!”

Nightmare Moon cocked her head, and said: “Dearest Luna, We are your friend!”

“You are no friend of mine,” Luna spat.

“Oh, you’ve no use for Us now?” Now it was Nightmare moon’s turn to be angry. “After all We’ve done for you?!”

“You got me imprisoned for thousand years!”

“No. You got Us imprisoned for one thousand years. We only wanted to help.”

“Silence!” Luna stomped a hoof. “I refuse to continue this pointless arguing! Release Twilight, now!”

“Luna, dearest, look above you!” she motioned towards the moon, visible through the massive hole in the ceiling. “Eternal Night Luna! Is this not what We wanted?”

“As long as Celestia is still here, Sol will still rise!”

“Ah, but she shall not be here for long, Sister.”

“I am not your sister, fiend!” Luna spat. “I never was!”

Nightmare Moon snorted. “That’s not what you were saying a thousand years ago. ‘Oh Nightie, you’re such a good friend. I hope one day we can rule together without Celestia!’” Nightmare Moon was obviously taking great pleasure in watching Luna tremble. Luna pawed at the ground.

“Enough of this madness! You’ve got one chance to free her, or I shall end you!”

“Dearest, We can see you plan to end Us anyway,” Nightmare Moon sneered. “Why should We listen when We are obviously more powerful?”

Luna’s horn glowed. “Then I shall end you now.”

“Ah, but We wouldn’t,” Nightmare moon shook a hoof in the air, “This is her body, as well as mine. Kill me, she dies too.”

The glow of Luna’s horn faded, and her expression went uncertain. Then she scowled; “You are lying! You’re just trying to defend yourself!”

“Go ahead then. Kill Us.”

“Luna, don’t!” Spike cried, “What if she’s telling the truth? Don’t hurt Twilight!”

“I don’t intend to,” Luna said, never taking her teal eyes off of Nightmare Moon’s newly acquired purple ones. “The Elements of Harmony rid me of you, and they shall rid Twilight of you as well!”

Nightmare Moon laughed. Not a booming or threatening laugh, but not a giggle either. “Now, how will that work? We are the Element of Magic. Only together can all six elements work.”

Luna held back a gasp, as the reasons for the possession of Twilight became all too clear.

“You – you!” her wings unfurled, horn glowing. “How dare you!”

“Luna, calm yourself,” Nightmare Moon said in a terrifyingly motherly tone. “We can still be together, can’t we? You and Us, together – rulers of the eternal night sky. Together, Moon and Stars.”

Luna lowered her eyes, seeming to think. For a split second Spike was afraid she would listen, agree, but he quickly shook those thoughts out of his head. Luna would never do that.

Luna closed her eyes, and then opened them, glaring into her evil counterpart. “I shall never betray my friends!”

She charged. Nightmare Moon ducked, and as Luna sailed over her head, the blue alicorn dove down, hooves digging into the lavender one’s sides.

Nightmare Moon attempted to buck her off, but and Luna flew off gracefully. “Fight me!” she yelled, and the Twilight-thing joined her in the air, massive wings causing a rush of air that once again knocked Spike back.

Luna levitated up the bits of stone ceiling rubble, holding them besides her, sharp ends held towards Nightmare Moon like daggers. Luna had no intention of killing this thing – not if it meant Twilight would suffer the consequences as well. No, she needed to somehow incapacitate her – knock her out, injure her badly enough to render her helpless – anything.

“Dearest, you cannot harm Us!” Nightmare drawled. “Not like that!”

“LESS TALK, MORE FIGHT!” Luna screeched, one of her rubble weapons shooting towards Nightmare Moon like an arrow.

This actually startled the mare; she hadn’t actually expected Luna to do anything. She sent a blast of magic forward, it didn’t affect the stone but it did knock Luna back enough to cause her to lose concentration and drop everything.

“We’ll give you credit, We weren’t expecting that,” Nightmare purred, Luna struggled to her hooves.

“I won’t rest until you’re gone!”

“Funny, isn’t it? You sensed my presence all along and yet you still waited until it was too late to take action. That’s why it took me so long – I knew I had plenty of time, and breaking her was quite fun. And now We are one.”

“No, you aren’t one!” Luna shouted. “Twilight’s in there somewhere, just like I was! She has no control!”

Nightmare Moon landed in front of the admittedly smaller alicorn, eying her up and down. Luna glared, silently weighing her options. What if she tried to lift something from behind and knock this thing out? No, no – she would see her horn glowing. She glanced at Spike, who was watching them from behind a pillar. Could she somehow get him to help her?

She couldn’t think of a way how that wouldn’t alert Nightmare. Her thoughts were rudely interrupted when a hard, horse-shoe clad hoof struck her in the side of the face. She fell to the ground, stunned.

Nightmare Moon lowered her head, staring deeply into Luna’s eyes, horn glowing magenta. “We said, you have one more chance to join Us! Will you accept? Together we may overthrow the Sun!”

Luna lowered her eyes, deep in thought. Her brows knitted on concentration, and then she looked back up; scowling. “Never.”

A jagged rock hit the back of her head with incredible force.

“Luna!” Spike cried. The sapphire colored alicorn gasped in shock, legs buckling and vision growing hazy. “No! No-“

It struck her again, in the same spot. Luna blinked, vision fading, and then collapsed completely.

“When you awaken, you shall have one more chance. We are merciful.” Nightmare Moon raised her head, and turned to Spike who tried to hide behind the pillar. “Come, Assistant! We have much to do this night!”

“What? No!” suddenly, a magenta aura grasped his tail and tugged him up, “hey!”

He was held upside-down in front of her, squirming.

“You said you refused to leave Our side. We hold you to that,” she smirked. “now!” she tossed him unceremoniously into her back. “Hold tight, little one! We shall be off!”

“Wait, no! Woah!” he instinctively clutched her neck, as she took off into the air, and with a glow of her horn and a burst of magic they were gone.

~~

“Come on Luna,” Celestia paced anxiously in the throne room. “Shining Armor, anypony!”

“Auntie, are you alright?” Cadance stepped up to Celestia, and Celestia gave her a little smile.

“Don’t worry about it, Cadance. I am fine.”

“I’m sure it’s nothing to worry about,” Cadance urged gently. “Shining Armor is capable of protecting Twilight, and Twilight is more than capable of defending herself.”

“I know. But… that doesn’t make me worry any less,” Celestia rubbed the bridge of her nose with a hoof.

“I’m sure it’s… it’s…” the smile faded from the pink alicorn’s face, and her eyes slowly trailed towards the door.

“Do you feel that?”

“Feel what?” Celestia looked at her. Cadance had a special talent for spreading love, and one of her talent ‘quirks’ was the ability to sense emotion. At least, very strong emotions.

“It’s…” Cadance ruffled her feathers, wings unfurling slightly. “Hate. And a lot of it.”

No. Celestia looked at the big double doors with wide-eyed anticipation. If She was coming, the guards would alert her – wouldn’t they?

Don’t jump to conclusions Celestia, she thought, her expression turning neutral. Cadance glanced at her. “Should I call the guards?”

“They’ll alert us if something’s wrong.” Celestia shook her head, and Cadance furrowed her brow. “But didn’t you say Nightmare moon could possess ponies, or somehow magically influence them?”

Celestia opened her mouth, but then closed it. “Well… yes. Actually-“

She never got to finish the sentence; the throne-room double-doors blasted open, thrown off of their hinges and hitting the opposite walls.

“My Celestia, so wonderful to see you again.”

Chapter Fourteen - Battle Canterlot

Celestia and Cadance were speechless, and considering how Celestia has had over thousands of years to practice the perfect poker face, that’s really saying something.

The creature that walked in was like a sick combination of Nightmare Moon and Twilight Sparkle.

It had all of Twilight’s colors, but the alicorn-body of Nightmare Moon. Her Cutie-Mark had the dark – if more purple-colored night sky of Luna’s Cutie-Mark, but instead of a crescent moon it had a pink, six-pointed star.

Her violet mane went right through the dark purple helm, swirling around her. Her face was contorted into a sneer, studying Celestia’s expression.

“It is so good to see you again, for We have missed you so.”

“G-Guards!” Cadance called, and Nightmare chuckled. “Shouting is useless, child. They are all useless now.”

“What did you do?” Celestia found her voice, and narrowed her eyes.

Nightmare tapped a hoof on the ground, “Oh, nothing really. A simple spell, and now they bow to Us.”

“How did you…” Celestia blinked.

“She used a possession spell!” Spike cried, startling Celestia. She hadn’t even seen him on Nightmare Moon’s back; he was so small compared to her.

He attempted to jump off, but Nightmare caught him in her levitation, never taking her eyes off of Celestia.

Celestia turned to Cadance. “Go.” Cadance blinked, then when her senses returned she shook her head.

‘What about Spike?’ she mouthed, and Celestia said quietly,

“Don’t worry about it, I’ll help him. You go evacuate everypony in the castle.” Cadance was about to object, but then nodded. She quickly dashed for the door on the right side of the throne. The second she disappeared beyond the threshold, Nightmare Moon used her magic to slam both doors shut, sealing them. Celestia looked her in the eye.

“What did you do to Luna?”

“She’s fine. They all are – We are not a tyrant. We gave them all second chances.”

“…And me?”

“To the sun with you.”

“Not without a fight.”

Nightmare Moon smiled. “We were hoping you would say that.” She let the struggling Spike drop to the floor, and glanced at him. “We would hide if We were you.”

Spike didn’t waste a second retreating to the other side of the room, glad to be away from her. He hid behind Celestia, and she gently pushed him back with a wing. “Stay back Spike. I don’t want you to get hurt.”

Spike backed away, up the steps and hid behind the throne.

Celestia’s horn glowed gold, and she stepped towards the Twilight-thing. Nightmare stepped forward as well. “Are you ready? We wouldn’t take advantage of you, after all.”

Celestia pursed her lips. “I am ready.”

~~

The ponies of Canterlot were enjoying the weather. Some were out for a simple stroll, others spending time with significant others; enjoying the beautiful night.

In other words, it was a perfect, normal night in Canterlot.

That is, until half the city was shaken by the explosion coming from the castle.

Ponies gasped, looking up – just in time to see Celestia crash down into her back into the fountain of the main square. The stone shattered, and Celestia gasped in shock and pain.

“Princess!” several ponies cried out, but before anyone could get close a second alicorn landed roughly in front of the fountain, cracks opening in the cobblestone.

Everypony stared in shock, slowly backing away. Nightmare ignored them all, rearing back and preparing to stomp down on Celestia.

Celestia counter-attacked with a blast of magic, sending Nightmare Moon off balance. One thing that startled Nightmare was how hot it was – like fire, just without the injury!

She fell backwards, and rolled onto her side. Celestia leaped into the air with a mighty flap of her wings, and pinned Nightmare down.

“Princess!” several guards ran towards them, but Nightmare Moon sent tendrils of magenta magic towards them.

They back away, and she managed to get out, “Step any closer, and you shall forever be under Our influence!”

Celestia stomped a hoof down on her throat, and the Twilight-thing gasped. She focused her magic, and then teleported. With nothing to support her hoof, Celestia lost her balance, and Nightmare reappeared next to her, apparently anticipating this and using her magic and fore hooves to shove Celestia. Celestia flew several feet, crash-landing through the windows of a clothes store.

Several ponies gasped, one was even brave enough to jump in front of Nightmare as she charged after the sun deity, but Nightmare didn’t just jump right over her; she made a point to buck this pony in the flank as well.

“Ouch!”

Nightmare dove through the broken window, head-butting Celestia as she tried to stand. Celestia shoved her head forward, trying to knock Nightmare Moon back. Celestia enveloped the glass window shards in her golden aura, and then impaled various parts of the lavender alicorn’s body, causing her flinch and gasp in shock, taking a step back.

Celestia took her chance, and leaped to her hooves shoving Nightmare back. The two tumbled out into the street, once again the guards rushed to Celestia’s aid – but Nightmare anticipated this and with a magical shot from her horn; they blinked and then stood straight, eyes staring out emotionlessly. Celestia tried to counteract the magic, but Nightmare brought back her hoof, and then brought it down across Celestia’s horn.

Celestia stopped the spell, head jerking back in an instinctive reaction. Without her horn, she couldn’t raise the sun!

She reared back slightly, and brought both hooves down hard on Nightmare moon’s chest, knocking the wind out of her. (It might have done more damage had she not been wearing the dark purple chest piece.)

“Let my student go.” Celestia said, horn glowing threateningly.

“She is mine,” Nightmare Moon hissed. “Forever.”

The smirk was wiped off her face when Celestia struck her with a hoof. Hard.

Nightmare Moon gasped in shock, momentarily stunned.

“FREE HER!” luckily, Celestia managed to refrain from going all-out Royal Canterlot Voice.

Nightmare was jarred out of her shock, and then she turned back to Celestia. With narrowed eyes, she spat in Celestia’s eye. “I shall not!”

Celestia backed off, one hoof held over her eye. Nightmare Moon used her wings to lift herself, and then landed in front of Celestia. Her face contorted into a scowl, and she surveyed the surrounding ponies, all looking on in mixed shock, worry and fear; seeming to shrink back from her gaze.

“Any last words before I send you to your doom?” The Twilight-monstrosity smiled, turning back to Celestia. Celestia looked up, blinking her defiled eye furiously, trying to not let it water.

She opened her mouth, paused and then began, “You may do what you will, but Twilight’s friends will end you.”

Nightmare chuckled. “I’d like to see them try.”

Celestia had no time to retort, there was a blinding pulse of magenta light and then Celestia let out a cry of mixed pain and fear. The glow enveloped her, and then she was lifted. She thrashed, massive wings flapping in panic, and then she disappeared.

It was over, just like that.

“Wh-what did you do to the princess?!” A brave pony shouted, stepping forward. Nightmare Moon turned to her – a cream-colored, earth pony commoner Nightmare recognized from Twilight’s memories.

“Ah, Bon-Bon was it?”

The pony flinched at the nightmare’s use of her name, and said nothing. Nightmare tilted her head, smiling. “We did to her what she did to Us. She is now one with Sol – he could certainly use the company, for He shall never see the face of Equestria again!” she stomped a hoof triumphantly.

“From this moment forth… The night will-“

“Silence!” Nightmare’s ears tilted back, as the familiar voice sounded out behind her. Several ponies shouted in relief, but still did nothing to help, as per usual.

Nightmare turned around, and smiled. “Well, if it isn’t-“

A sapphire colored hoof with a very pale, shiny lavender horse-shoe connected with her jaw.

Nightmare Moon stumbled back in shock, but didn’t even have time to recover when Luna charged, both hooves hitting her chest and knocking her back.

Nightmare moon fell backwards, and Luna wasted no time in pinning her. “FIEND! RELEASE MY BIG SISTER!”

Several ponies shouted in agreement. “Go Luna!”

Luna snarled in Nightmare Moon’s face. “You’ve got five seconds! Release her!”

“No. You’ve got five seconds to get off, and you won’t share her fate.”

Luna remained firmly planted on her evil counterpart, having no intention of moving.

“Do you really want to relive it?” Nightmare Moon’s smiled slyly, batting her eyelashes. “One thousand years, Luna. Are you so sure you want to go back?”

Luna looked uncertain, remembering her thousand year sentence. It had been horrible – all alone, uncertain, afraid, waking up one day and hoping the next day would be her freedom, but then it wasn’t and then she’d-

No. No, I can’t think about it. She told herself. “You cannot send me there. You’re just trying to scare me!”

“Want to find out?” Nightmare Moon’s horn glowed, and Luna instinctively recoiled.

“No, you do not scare me; Nightmare moon! I have overcome you once, and I shall again!”

“Suit yourself,” Nightmare Moon smiled, and used her fore-hooves to shove Luna off.

“Fight her, Princess!”

“You can do it!”

“Come on, your Majesty!”

Several ponies cheered Luna on, and Luna smiled at their loyalty.

“Guards, seize her!” Luna cried.

Nothing happened.

Nightmare Moon cleared her throat, and said softly, “Guards, seize her.”

They obeyed.

They all attempted to dog pile Luna, but she jumped up, holding herself in the air with her wings. “TREACHERY!” she shouted. “TREACHERY MOST FOUL!”

Nightmare Moon then enveloped Luna with the same magic she had Celestia. Luna’s eyes widened, and she started to struggle. “No. No!”

“We shall miss you,” Nightmare said with a dismissive wave of her hoof. “Enjoy your vacation!”

And Luna was gone.

Nightmare Moon looked around, taking pleasure in the mixed expressions on the faces of the ponies around her. Shock, fear, despair, among them.

“…the elements of harmony will stop you!” One shouted.

“They can try.” Nightmare Moon smiled. She puffed out her chest proudly,

“The night will last forever!”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Please tell me that the fight wasn't unfair, or unbelievable. I tried to keep it fair!

Chapter Fifteen - Queen Nightmare

Nightmare Moon stood in the center of Canterlot, looking at all the terrified ponies surrounding her. She was sure every pony in Canterlot was here, everyone had watched as Nightmare Moon had finished off both Celestia and Luna.

She couldn’t have said it better; it was glorious.

Needless to say, she was very pleased. “Ponies of Canterlot,” she started, unable to keep the triumph out of her voice. “We doubt We need to tell you that We are your new Queen. We are…” her eyes flashed. “Nightmare Dusk! Bow to Us.” She reared back, stomping a hoof on the ground hard, lighting flashed behind her.

There was a long silence. “WE SAID BOW TO US!”

Broken from their collective trance, the quivering noble-ponies bowed. One noble, was brave – or foolish enough to step forward.

“You can’t do this!” he cried.

He was a white stallion with a golden mane – Nightmare recognized him from Twilight’s memories. A distant relative to Princess Celestia, Prince Blueblood.

“We can’t?” she narrowed her eyes menacingly. “Aren’t We already?”

“You can’t because – because you are a fraud!” he huffed. “You aren’t royalty!”

“You’re right,” she said. He blinked, doing a double-take.

“Wait, I am? Wait, of course I am!”

“Of course,” she replied. “In fact, We think there is no better place for you than in the castle with Us.”

She paused, watching the shock and excitement and fear creep onto his face. “We have already gotten you a room – in the dungeon! I’m sure you will find it most homely, it hasn’t been used in ages and is full of nice little bugs and cobwebs! Guards! Seize him.”

“Wait, no!” he cried, backing away as the guards approached, and Nightmare Sparkle halted them.

“Do you have anything else to say to Us?” she flared her wings.

“N-no.” He reluctantly but not hesitantly bowed.

“No? No what?”

“…No your Majesty.”

Nightmare smiled, a chuckle broke past her lips, which turned into a deep laugh. She laughed, and laughed and laughed. “Remember this hour, my little ponies! I am Queen Nightmare Dusk!”

~~

“I can’t believe this.” Shining Armor put his face in his hooves. The six of them were sitting in the Ponyville library, grim and silent, having awoken there.

“We… lost.” Pinkie traced circles in the ground with her hoof, shaking her head, as if to deny to herself that it was true.

“No!” Rainbow Dash and Rarity cried. They glanced at each other, and then Rainbow said, “We haven’t lost! At least… we won’t lose again! I mean, she cheated! She knew we were more powerful so she put us to sleep!” she beat her hoof against the ground, feeling confident with herself.

“Oh dear, I hope Spike is alright,” Rarity whispered.

“We all do,” Applejack added quietly.

Fluttershy was crying softly. “This is all of my fault! I found Twilight in my chicken coop, and sh-she was acting strange, but I didn’t see that something was seriously wrong!” she covered her face, tears streaming down her cheeks. “This is all my fault!”

Applejack put a hoof around her shoulders. “Now, that ain’t true! It wasn’t your fault; nopony is to blame here but Nightmare.”

Fluttershy wrapped her hooves around Applejack, sobbing into her chest. Angel jumped onto Fluttershy’s shoulder, and gently stroked her mane.

Shining Armor rubbed the bridge of his nose with a hoof, “I’d take us to Canterlot immediately to alert the Princess, but my cart left. Something must have happened…” the captain zoned out, deep in thought.

“I could fly there! They don’t call me fastest flyer in Equestria for nothin’!” Rainbow Dash said, leaping into the air.

“We have to use the elements of harmony!” Pinkie looked up in a rare moment of seriousness. “We have to save Twilight!”

“Dear,” Rarity started; “I don’t think the elements will work without Twilight… and… the enemy basically is Twilight.”

The silence was cold and empty.

“I want Twilight baack!” Pinkie burst into tears.

There was a knock on the door. They all looked up, but the door opened before anypony could react, and a very sweaty, extremely exhausted looking Cadance practically fell in. “Cadance!” Shining cried, rushing over to his wife. “Are you okay?” he held her in his hooves, and she gasped for breath.

“I… flew all the way…”

“From Canterlot?” Shining stared at her; she nodded and turned to the other five.

“You’ve got to… help Celestia! She’s in… grave danger!”

All five ponies were on their hooves in an instant. “The Princess is in danger? We must get to Canterlot!” Rarity cried.

The others shouted in agreement. “How do we get there?” Fluttershy wiped a tear from her eye. Everypony went silent.

“The train,” Applejack said. The all galloped out the door, but Applejack stopped and turned to Shining Armor and Cadance. “You comin’?”

Shining Armor looked conflicted, when Cadance replied, “Go with them. I’ll catch up, I promise.”

The captain nodded slowly, then gently set her down and stood up. The two galloped off after the others.

~~

“Assistant, come forth!” Nightmare Dusk trotted up to the throne, keeping a regal posture. She poked her head around to the back, the baby dragon was gone.

“Ah, so he left.” She closed her eyes, thinking of a possible way to find him. He couldn’t have gone out any of the doors – she’d magically sealed them. But there was that massive hole in the wall now, courtesy of her blasting Celestia through it. But no, there was a very long drop into the city – unless he could climb walls? Nightmare pondered this, could he climb walls and ceilings like some other lizards?

“What are We pondering for?” she asked herself and her horn begun to glow. A magenta ball of light formed at the tip of her horn, and hovered down to where Spike had hidden behind the throne. Then, a pale pink trail formed, pretty much mapping exactly where he’d gone.

She followed the trail with her eyes. He’d gone over to the door where Cadance had gone, and had realized he couldn’t get through, and then he had ran to the center of the room. Paced, and headed for the big double-doors. Sealed as well, he had gone for the massive hole, and probably got discouraged from jumping. He had backed away, and his trail lead right to… ah!

Nightmare Dusk stepped up to one of the fancy potted plants on either side of the main doors. She couldn’t help but admire him; he’d managed to bury himself without disturbing the plant itself, and there was only a little bit of dirt around the pot as evidence.

She turned towards the big double doors, “Oh dear. It appears Spike has gone. We shall look for him elsewhere.”

She magically opened the double doors, paused, and then loudly slammed them shut.

There was a long pause, before the pot shook a bit. It fell over, cracking slightly and Nightmare smiled at the startled, muffled cry from inside. She watched the dirt move away, Spike’s claws working like perfect little digging tools.

Spike crawled his way out, and slipped, face planting. He pulled himself up off the floor, shaking his head and finally noticing her. He let out a startled, almost girlish squeal and tried to run, only to face plant again.

Amused, Nightmare placed a hoof on the tip of his tail and watched him run in place. “Twilight, I- Nightmare! I meant Nightmare!” Spike clamped his claws over his mouth in horror, closing his eyes and tensing.

When she did nothing, he opened his eyes, peeked up at her, noticed she was no longer restraining his tail, and made his big escape.

He dashed for the door, but two brainwashed guards blasted in and blocked it, as if reading Nightmare’s mind. He skidded to a stop, and then attempted to go for the other door. Nightmare let him get within a few feet of it before enveloping one of his legs in her telekinesis and pulling it back. Spike face planted for a third time and struggled furiously as she dragged him towards her.

He dug his claws into the floor, and they made nasty screeching sounds that made Nightmare wince and flatten her ears. When she pulled him across the red carpet (Which she intended to make purple,) his claws tore right through it, ripping the fabric in long, messy cuts.

Nightmare wondered if she should file his claws, or simply remove them completely just to be safe. He could seriously do some damage if he really wanted to. But they could also be useful…

She slid him in front of her, and rolled him onto his back. Squirming, he turned his head, pressing one cheek into the floor, trying to avoid her gaze. She pressed a hoof into the side of his head; turning his face and forcing him to look at her. He froze, staring into her purple eyes. She studied his emerald ones; she could see many things in them. Fear, hurt, confusion, and anger the most prominent.

This delighted her. She said nothing, continuing to stare into him. His anxiety seemed to rise with her silence, he’d stopped squirming.

Finally he found the courage to speak: “Where… where is Princess Celestia?”

“You don’t need to worry about it. She’s gone.”

“Gone?! Whe-“ Spike was hushed by her hoof.

“Does it really matter now?” Nightmare chuckled, “she’s gone now.”

Spike didn’t answer; he looked away refusing to look her in the eye again. She unpinned him and stepped back. “Rise, Assistant. Don’t bother running – you know it’s pointless.”

Spike stood up, he looked about to bolt, but then sighed and hung his head.

“Guards!” Nightmare called, and within a moment every brainwashed guard near enough to hear her shout was at her side. “Yes, my Queen?”

“We want all of you to find every pony who works in the castle! Bring them here – every cook, maid and servant We want here. And any guards with free will also be brought here. Now go!”

The guards obeyed without a word, scrambling out the door all in one big mass.

“Now come, Assistant! We have much to do, as We said.”

Spike shot Nightmare a bitter look, and crossed his arms turning away. He was stuck with her, but he wasn’t going to listen to her.

“Come along, that is an order.” She stomped a hoof for emphasis.

“What are you going to do?” Spike huffed. “Throw me out that big hole in the wall?”

“We are perfectly capable of doing it, if you wish. It’s quite a long fall, is it not?”

Spike practically froze. She wouldn’t…

She picked him up by the back of his neck in her mouth and held him over the edge.

“AH! OKAY, OKAY! I’LL DO WHATEVER YOU SAY! PULL ME BACK INSIDE!”

Nightmare stepped back and dropped him to the floor. “That’s what We thought.”

She turned towards the throne. It was much too brightly colored – as was the rest of this dreaded castle. She focused the magic in her horn, closing her eyes. This was going to take a lot of energy…

Her horn glowed bright magenta, pulsing with light. Magical sparks flew off her horn, and she closed her eyes in concentration. Tendrils of magic seeped down from the glow of her horn, and each shot off to a different destination.

The carpet slowly started to knit itself back together where Spike had torn it, and then the color started to fade, turning from bright red to dark purple.

The throne underwent similar changes, going from a bright color to a dark one befitting a Queen of Darkness.

All around the castle colors changed to Nightmare’s will, colors darkening, statues changing, becoming gargoyles.

There was only one place she couldn’t seem to change. The stained glass windows. She strained her magic, before giving up. She could just break them and have them replaced.

The glow of her horn faded, and she sucked in a deep breath, sweat poured down her face. Panting, she couldn’t help but chuckle. “The day We can out-do two Princesses, but remodeling wears us out! We suppose We are a little rusty,”

She looked around, admiring her handy-work. She’d even fixed the big hole in the wall, something that took more effort then she’d realized. The walls had gone black, and the ceiling as well. Not completely black, just so dark blue it looked black. Midnight blue.

Stars were scattered across the walls and ceiling, and pink nebula stretched across the wall. “The horsehead nebula,” she informed an awestruck Spike. “Part of the Orion constellation. It matches our new mane,” she flipped her swirling mane proudly.

The throne had changed not only in color, but in design as well. The color had turned into mixed black and magenta, with silver lining. The back had changed, big black bat wings extended from the sides, and the etchings on the back had changed to form constellations. Something she was proud of.

Spike hated to admit it, but this was all kind of pretty.

Chapter Sixteen - The Elements of Harmony

“We’re almost there!” Pinkie pointed out the window of the train, at the mountainside city just ahead. She had a look of determination on her face.

“What time is it?” Rarity looked out the window at the moon hanging high in the sky, partially hidden behind a cloud. “I feel like the sun should have come up by now… I do hope Celestia is all right.”

“It’s four in the morning,” Fluttershy glanced at the clock on the wall of the train car.

Shining Armor sat in the back, looking out one of the windows. “We should have been more careful,” he said. “Luna sensed something was wrong, and we still let that thing get to her!”

Everypony was silent; the only sound was the chugging of the train and the ticking of the clock.

“…I’m sure Princess Celestia is okay,” Fluttershy said hopefully. “Luna’s with her, right?”

“Yeah! I bet Celestia and Luna have Nightmare locked up in the dungeon already!” Rainbow Dash said, pounding a hoof on the floor. “We can just blast her with the Elements of Harmony and BAM! We save Twilight!”

“Will the Elements even work without Twilight?” Applejack murmured quietly.

“They have too! They must!” Rarity cried.

~~

Nightmare Dusk stood in front of her throne, looking over the crowd of ponies in front of her. “Is everypony here?” she called. Nopony answered, but it didn’t matter to her. The amount of ponies here was sufficient enough.

“Subjects!” she called, “you are all workers here in the castle, are you not? Employees?”

Nopony answered, and she huffed. “Answer the question.” She said firmly, giving a dark glare to all of them. Slowly, most of them nodded.

“Good. We want you to continue your duties here, as our servants. Continue your jobs, do as We say, and you won’t have anything to worry about.”

“…I refuse to work for you!” one of the cooks cried, stepping forward. Several others nodded in agreement but dared not speak.

“Do you have a family, subject?”

He blinked, and then started slowly; “I don’t see-“

“You don’t have to. If you don’t work for us willingly, We will lock away your friends and family. If you disobey further, We will make you our unwilling slave.” She gave a sideways glance to the possessed guards on either side of her as a hint as to what she meant.

He lowered his head and backed away, nopony else in the small crowd argued further.

“Excellent,” she nodded. “now go.”

There was a long silence, before the shocked ponies slowly scattered, back to do what they were hired for.

Nightmare Dusk watched them go, smiling. She backed up, and sat down in her throne. Spike stood by her side, staring at his own feet. He’d been completely quiet through this whole thing.

“Cheer up, Assistant!” she wrapped a lavender wing around him and pulled him close.

“Don’t touch me!” he cried, shoving her away. (Actually it was more like he shoved himself away by trying to shove her massive form away…)

“Don’t be so disrespectful,” she said, regarding him with a small smirk. Spike refused to look at her. She sounded just like Twilight, and that infuriated him. She sounded like her! She felt like her, she looked like her, she even smelled like her.

A guard galloped through the open double-doors. “My Queen,” he said emotionlessly. “The Elements of Harmony have been spotted heading this way. Shall we capture them?”

Nightmare Dusk thought this over for a moment. “No, stay out of their way. Let them come, this should be entertaining.”

“Yes my Queen,” he bowed and backed out. Spike grimaced; even Celestia’s guards weren’t this… lifeless.

“Don’t you dare hurt them!” he told Nightmare, who only chuckled. She stood up, stretching her legs. “Do us a favor, Assistant. Bring us the Elements of Harmony.”

“…What?” he looked at her, confused. “The Elements of Harmony! Are you deaf?” she knocked him hard on the head once.

“Even if I wanted to I couldn’t get them, only Celestia’s magic can open the lock.” Spike declared triumphantly. Nightmare seemed to think this over, and then a sly smile split her face.

“No, not only Celestia, and not just Luna either. But Twilight Sparkle… wait here,” she ordered the baby dragon, and then headed down towards the door.

Spike put his face in his claws. What was she up too now?

~~

“Where is everypony?” Fluttershy asked. They were galloping towards the castle; but Fluttershy couldn’t help but notice how empty the streets were.

“How should I know?” Rainbow Dash cruised by in the air.

“What I’m wondering, is where all the guards are,” Rarity said.

“Good question.” Shining Armor said. “I don’t like this.”

“Goodness!” Rarity gasped, stopping in her tracks. “Look at the castle!”

Everypony stopped and looked up, mouths hanging open. The castle had darkened considerably; and not just the paint. The towers had a more gothic, yet elegant appearance, sharp-pointed spikes sticking up out of the tops. The same could be said for the rest of the castle, although the changes were subtle yet noticeable. The white paint had gone dark, dark purple – the tower-tops now a magenta and midnight-blue, the entire thing was straight out of a nightmare.

“Come on, y’all!” Applejack started forward, “The drawbridge is open! Let’s hurry!”

They galloped past the drawbridge; down the cobblestone pathway and through the open doors into the castle.

“Wait!” Shining Armor stopped, causing the four mares behind him to crash into his backside while Rainbow Dash couldn’t help but laugh at their misfortune.

Shining Armor took a cautious step forward. “This could be a trap.”

Rainbow Dash flew ahead, “I’ll check it out,” She said, and before anypony could argue she dashed down the hallway into the dark.

The group went quiet, waiting for her return. Finally, she reappeared. “It’s all clear up to the throne room – let’s go!”

The ponies started forward, although Shining Armor was still cautious. Finally, the big double-doors to the throne room came into view.

“Alright, are you girls ready?” Shining asked, turning to his companions.

“Um, could we possibly reconsider?” Fluttershy whispered eyes on her hooves. “I don’t… I don’t want to fight Twilight.”

“But this isn’t Twilight!” Pinkie said, “It’s just great big meanie Nightmare Moon using Twilight’s body!”

“Well, yes but… Okay,” Fluttershy sighed.

“Alright, let’s go,” Shining Armor adjusted his helmet.

He reared back, and then galloped forward, throwing the doors open.

“NIGHTMARE MOON!” He shouted, stopping just in front of the steps.

Nightmare stood in front of the throne, looking quite smug. “Actually, We prefer ‘Nightmare Dusk’, now.”

“What have you done with Spike?!” both Rarity and Fluttershy shouted at the same time.

“Oh, he’s right…” Nightmare glanced behind her. “…Oh, he was right here.” She turned back to them. “No matter,” she said simply.

“Wait,” Pinkie said suddenly. “Shouldn’t we have gone to get the elements before coming in here?”

The other mares glanced at each other, and then groaned at their own mindlessness.

“What, these?” Nightmare levitated the chest out from behind her, and held it up so the moon shining in through the massive windows would shine off of it. She then thrust the box to the ground, it tumbled down the steps, knocking open and the five necklaces and tiara scattered onto the floor.

The six just stared down at them in mixed shock and surprise. Then, faster than a bullet Rainbow Dash flew down, scooping them all up, and then she swooped by each girl in a flash of Rainbow, and they all found themselves wearing their respective necklaces.

“And… you get this big crown thingy!!” then she placed the tiara down on Shining Armor’s head. “What?! Hey!”

“Somepony’s gotta use it, and you’re Twilight’s brother!”

“Yeah, I suppose…” Shining Armor muttered his face red as a tomato.

Nightmare Dusk was deeply amused. “Go ahead then, try it.”

“Girls, formation!” Rainbow Dash took the lead, and then quickly added; “And Shining Armor too, hehe…”

Nightmare yawned, covering her mouth with a hoof and idly stretching her wings. “Get on with it!”

“Close your eyes, Shining! Just… feel friendship!” Pinkie nudged Shining’s leg, closing her eyes.

“Uh… okay, that’s all it takes?”

“Shush!”

All five mares, and one stallion closed their eyes. Nothing happened for a short while, but then slowly a slight breeze seemed to make their manes flutter gently around their faces. The five mares slowly started to rise into the air, the air around them starting to glow with magic.

Nightmare Dusk wasn’t afraid. She had nothing to fear. Shining Armor wasn’t even floating with them, Twilight was the only one capable of using the sixth element.

And then just like that, the magical glow disappeared, and the five fell to the floor. Dusk smiled confidently at the despair on their faces. “Well, well, We knew it wouldn’t work.”

“No!” Pinkie jumped to her hooves. “No, this – this isn’t fair!” she pointed an accusing hoof at Nightmare. “You cheated! You – you…” she collapsed onto the floor, burying her face in her hooves.

“We… lost.” Fluttershy said, staring at nothing at all. Rarity put a hoof around the yellow Pegasus, but said nothing, tears in her eyes.

Applejack put her hat over her face, and Shining Armor threw the tiara to the ground and marched right up to the thing that was once Twilight.

“Upset, captain?” She drawled, sweeping a hoof through her ethereal mane.

Shining Armor just glared at her. He started to paw at the ground with a hoof, lowering his head in a charging position.

“You wish to fight us?” Nightmare stepped forward. “This should be entertaining…” She adjusted her helm, and flared her wings.

Shining Armor reared back, “For Celestia, Luna and Twilight!” he charged. Nightmare Dusk didn’t move, to his surprise and he hit her chest with his horn. It hit her chest-piece with a ‘clang,’ and he staggered back. He’d expected her to jump over him or something!

Nightmare Dusk closed her wings, galloped forward and rammed the side of her head against his chest. She did it in an upward motion, and he was knocked back through the air. He tumbled down the steps crashing into Applejack.

“Hey!” she cried, knocked back.

Shining Armor rubbed his aching horn, “Sorry!”

Nightmare leaped up into the air, and landed above him, she raised a hoof and brought it down on his back, pinning him down. His horn glowed, and a circular blast of magic extended out ward, it was enough to cause her to step back and left several small cuts across her body to go with the ones already there.

He rolled onto her belly and jumped to his hooves; he grimaced but quickly twisted his expression into a scowl.

“Headache, captain?” Nightmare said smugly, ignoring the small droplets of blood that decorated her coat. Shining Armor ignored her, and charged again.

Nightmare was amused, couldn’t he do better? She adjusted herself so he’d hit her chest-armor again. He better be careful or he’ll knock his own horn off, she thought to herself. She turned her head, feigning boredom.

He leaped up into the air at the last second, and Nightmare lowered her head. He tried to stop himself before he was gored by her horn, but she turned her neck and instead thrust her head upward into his stomach, knocking him over her back. Killing him wouldn't be any fun. She jumped forward a bit, giving more room to kick her legs in a powerful buck. Shining Armor gasped in pain, curling up on the ground. This wasn’t supposed to happen! He was captain of the royal guard, how could he be losing so quickly?

It was then that a flash of Rainbow swooped down, and crashed into Nightmare Dusk’s side. Dusk was taken by surprise, and struggled to keep from tumbling over.

“How do’ya like them apples?” Rainbow grinned, folding her wings and falling onto Nightmare’s back, and then dug her hooves into Nightmare’s sides.

“Get your filthy hooves off of us!” Nightmare finally regained her footing, and twisted her head attempting to knock Rainbow off.

Pinkie Pie appeared in front of Dusk’s face, “You let Twilight go right now you big Meany-head!”

“I concur,” Rarity appeared out of nowhere and kicked the back of Nightmare’s long hind leg with all her might.

Nightmare buckled, her legs nearly collapsing out from underneath her, but she managed to stay upright. Applejack jumped up with Rainbow Dash, onto her neck. “Yeehaw!”

“Off! Spike, assist us!” she hissed, “Tear them to pieces! We know you’re in here somewhere!”

No reply.

Her wings spread outward quickly, knocking Rainbow off. She lifted into the air, and Rainbow went up with her.

“You want to fight, child?” Nightmare hissed at the rainbow-maned Pegasus. “I will give you a fight you shan’t soon forget!”

“Bring it on, purple snooty!”

“You’ve got a big mouth!”

Rainbow Dash flew in circles around Nightmare with dizzying speed, “Fight or give up!” the Pegasus drawled. Nightmare rose up higher into the air, “We wouldn’t give up. At least try to last long though, We like a challenge.”

“Stop this!”

Both looked down. Cadance had appeared in the doorway, breathing hard. “Stop this right now!”

Ignoring Cadance’s order, Rainbow Dash took advantage of Nightmare’s distracted state and dove into her side, trying to hit her with as much speed as possible.

Nightmare was so surprised she actually did fall, but she caught herself before she hit the ground and made for a less then graceful dive-landing. “Cadenza! You’re just in time to join the fun!” she said this with a slight pain in her voice – it was hard not to be in pain with Equestria’s fastest flyer had dove into your side repeatedly.

Cadance gave the Twilight-thing a glare, before galloping past it and crouched by her husband. “Shining, are you alright?”

“Never better,” he rubbed his head and struggled to his hooves. She lowered her horn and carefully applied her healing magic, easing the headache.

Nightmare carefully applied her own healing magic, knowing full well she needed to be careful. The earlier fights and remodeling of the castle had really worn her out magically, and she didn’t want to waste too much energy.

“All of you!” Cadance said to the Element bearers. “Get out of here!”

They all hesitated, glancing at each other.

“No, we have to fight this… thing!” Rainbow cried.

“No!” Cadance shouted, “Just go! All of you!”

“Wait, what about Spike?” Fluttershy cried. “We can’t leave him here!”

“I’ll find him! Just GO!”

With one final glance, the five of them galloped out of the door.

“Playing hero, Cadance?” Nightmare stepped towards the couple, most of her major injuries sealed.

Cadance swallowed, looking at the nightmare. “Don’t hurt anypony, so help me or I’ll – I’ll…”

“Don’t defy us, and nopony gets hurt.” Nightmare said icily. “Simple as that,”

“…You have to raise the sun. Night cannot last forever!” Cadance stood up, wings flaring.

“The night WILL last forever!”

“It can, but it shouldn’t. Equestria can’t exist without the sun!”

“It exists with the moon and stars!” Nightmare hissed, “Watch your tongue!”

“But without the sun, everypony will freeze! The plants will die, and we’ll starve!”

Nightmare scoffed, “We can make the plants grow with magic! Isn’t that what Earth ponies do?”

Cadance glared at her for the longest time. “How can somepony who took over a mare as brilliant as Twilight be so dense?” she spat, and turned towards her husband. “Come on, Shining Armor. We’re done here.”

“Yes you are,” Nightmare growled before the captain could respond. “And I don’t want to see either of you in Canterlot again; the same goes for the elements of harmony! Guards, escort these traitors out!”

Two guards appeared at the door and obeyed, Shining Armor made a mental note to craft some kind of ‘brain-wash-proof-spell.’

“Wait!” Cadance turned, “Spike!” she shouted. “Come on out, let’s get out of here!”

There was a long silence, before he slowly peeked out from behind the throne. (Nightmare had figured he’d been hiding there,)

“…No.”

“What?” Cadance took a double-take.

“No,” Spike repeated, refusing to make eye-contact.

“But… Spike…”

“I can’t. I just… I just can’t!” he said.

Cadance wanted to say more, but she was interrupted by Nightmare. “Guards, take them out of here!”

The two were shoved towards the door, and reluctantly started walking. Shining Armor shot Nightmare a sour look before they were lead out of the throne room.

When the doors slammed shut, Nightmare took a deep breath. She said nothing, slowly walking towards her throne. Her eyes were closed, her face expressionless.

“…Nightmare?” Spike asked.

“Dense! She called us dense!” the alicorn exploded.

Author's Note

Using the new authors note add-on like a boss

This chapter is now proofread and edited, by Crimsongraph

Chapter Seventeen - Small Talk

“I can’t believe we lost.”

A statement that had been repeated over and over, all the way through Canterlot, the entire train ride, and continued as they walked through Ponyville, with no set destination.

“You should have let us stay and fight!” Rainbow Dash flew besides Cadance, and Shining Armor nodded in agreement.

“She’s an alicorn!” Cadance cried. “You can’t win in a fight against an alicorn! They have three times the strength, speed and magic of any kind of pony!”

“You’re an alicorn,” Applejack pointed out. “Wouldn’t that have been an even match?”

Cadance shook her head. “No, I’m not a true alicorn. I have wings and a horn, but I don’t have the abilities of an earth pony, and my flying isn’t really that great.”

“Really?” Rarity spoke up, wiping tears from her eyes. “I’m curious now.”

Cadance sighed. “Celestia and Luna are true alicorn’s. They are all powerful; they can raise the sun and moon. But I couldn’t do it if I tried, I don’t really know the details. I just know that I was born with wings and a horn, but at heart I’m really a unicorn.”

“But wasn’t Twilight just a unicorn too? How did Nightmare make her get all big?” Pinkie asked.

“I don’t know,” Cadance sighed. “Maybe because Luna... Nightmare Moon was an alicorn originally?”

“We can’t just give up, you guys!” Rainbow Dash cried. “We have to stop her!”

“How?” Applejack asked. “We can’t use the Elements of Harmony without Twilight, and we don’t stand a chance against her in a fight!”

“Then I guess it really is over…” Fluttershy whispered. “The night really will last forever…”

“No. I refuse to believe it.” Rainbow landed on the ground, stomping a hoof indignantly.

“Then don’t,” Shining Armor said. He turned to Cadance. “I guess it’s to the Crystal Empire with us.”

“You guys are just leaving?!” Pinkie cried. Cadance gave her a sad look. “We can’t do anything else, Pinkie. I’m sorry.”

“Oh.” Was all anyone had to say.

“…Here are your invitations,” Pinkie produced a basket of letters and handed them out to everypony.

“Invitations?” Rarity asked.

“Yeah,” Pinkie turned and walked away. “For my upcoming ‘The End of Equestria is Nigh and Twilight is gone forever’ party.”

~~

“Dense! Dense! She called us dense! We aren’t dense, are we Assistant?”

“Um… no?”

“Of course we aren’t. Why with our combined intelligence we are a thousand times smarter than they, I say!”

She had sat back down on her throne while a reluctant nurse tended to the minor wounds Nightmare didn’t want to waste magical energy on.

“Combined intelligence?” Spike asked with interest.

“There’s my intelligence alone, and there is Twilight’s intelligence. I can see it in her memories.”

“Oh…” Spike said with mild disappointment.

“They are lucky We did not lock them away,” Nightmare huffed. “We should have, though. But luckily We are merciful – one more strike, though… I should banish each and every one of them to different stars!”

“You can do that?”

“Of course We can!” she snapped. “Did you doubt our abilities?!”

“No! I didn’t doubt them, I just… forget it.”

Nightmare gave him a sideways glance, before shooing the nurse away. “Off with you, healer. Our wounds are sufficiently tended to for now.

“Yes my Queen,” the milky-colored earth pony replied with no small amount of venom in her voice.

Nightmare watched her go with a frown. “Why do they snap? Tis most inappropriate!”

“Gee, I wonder,” Spike muttered under his breathe.

“We are proud of you,” Nightmare said quietly, startling Spike.

“What?”

“You did not go with them. You chose to stay with us.”

“Oh… yeah,” Spike said. He himself didn’t even know why he had done it, but he couldn’t leave her. He just couldn’t.

“Come now to…” Nightmare Dusk thought for a moment, before saying, “Luna’s office! We have paperwork to go over!” She stood up, levitated the baby dragon up onto her back. “We must go over the current laws, the functions of society and many other things!”

“Okay,” Spike said less than enthusiastically. He closed his eyes as Nightmare walked; trying to pretend it was Twilight Sparkle, the real Twilight Sparkle. It was hard; she felt so different, yet so similar.
Pretend it’s Celestia, he thought to himself. That was easier, but still not the same.

~~

Four days. It only took four days for the news of Nightmare Dusk’s reign to reach all the cities of Equestria, and the lack of sunrise in those four days proved it of those who hoped it might have been just a silly rumor.

Already ponies were boarding the train, ready to head to Canterlot to give the Queen a piece of their mind. Fools.

Nightmare Dusk had gone over all the paperwork she could, reading the laws and other things she might want to change. But she wanted some time to settle into her position as Queen before doing any drastic changes – other than nighttime eternal, of course.

In the castle, Nightmare Dusk was currently sitting on Luna’s bed. She didn’t know what she planned to do with Celestia’s room yet, perhaps turn it into a bar for her own pleasure and amusement?

She was sitting with her hooves tucked underneath her, eyes closed, face expressionless. Her armor was sitting on Luna’s dresser, her mane swirled about her face.

“...Nightmare?” Spike nudged her shoulder. She opened her eyes, sparing him an expressionless sideways glance.

“Are you okay?”

“We’re fine, Assistant. We are simply watching,” she closed her eyes again.

“Watching?”

“Watching Luna,” she said, eyes still closed. “She's crying. But she tries to stop, because she knows we’re watching.”

Spike said nothing, lowering his eyes.

“But she can’t.” Dusk continued. “She wants out. She wants to escape so badly, like a trapped bug. But she has no hope.”

“Maybe you should free her?” Spike suggested hopefully.

“No. At least, not now.” She said softly.

Spike looked out the window, thoughtfully. “What about Celestia?”

“Oh, We do not bother with her. She may burn for all We care.”

“Burn? Is she going to burn to death?” Spike asked with alarm.

“No, of course not. Sadly. She created Sol. It does not affect her as it may other ponies.”

“Is she like… on the sun or in the sun?”

“Both, and neither. She sees outside the sun, as though she were on the surface. She can move her consciousness inside of it, but cannot leave. Her body is useless to her mind, her mind goes where it wants. It just doesn’t leave the sun itself.”

“But… don’t you care about her? Weren’t you on the moon once?”

“Yes, because of Celestia. She has earned this.”

Spike couldn’t think of anything else to say, so he simply didn’t.

Author's Note

~~I'm going to wait before sending this to my proofreader, he said he's busy with his own fic~~ 'tis now proofread! Thank you Crimsongraph!

Sorry, this chapter is mostly filler

Chapter Eighteen - Love and Lost

Equestria was in chaos.

Eternal night had fallen over the land, ponies were terrified, outraged, or both. Nightmare Dusk was beginning her rule with an iron hoof. Many were too afraid to do or try anything and simply continued their lives, while others were headed towards Canterlot to try and give the new Queen a piece of their mind.

Needless to say, the castle was crowded. Nightmare decided to allow them in even though she knew they should have scheduled appointments. She decided to be lenient for now. Besides, she didn’t want to come off as a cowardly Queen who simply uses her guards to shoo ponies away when she didn’t want to deal with them!

Angry ponies had nearly rioted outside of the castle. Dusk had succeeded in chasing them off; she was getting quite irritated by the constant pleas. ‘Bring the Princesses’ back!

‘You can’t do this!’

‘The Elements of Harmony will stop you!’

‘Celestia will escape!’ and so on. And now the hopeless ponies returned home, to Nightmare’s relief.

And all of this happened in one single week.

Nightmare Dusk groaned, resting back on her throne. “One more,” she hissed through her teeth as the final pony walked in slowly, quivering.

“If you say ‘please raise the sun’, ‘give the princesses back’, or anything of the sort I will have you executed.”

There was a long, awkward silence before the pony slowly backed out. “Of course,” Nightmare sighed. “Does nopony love Us?!”

“Spike, you love us, right?” she turned to the baby dragon by her side, who blinked, taking a moment to register the question.

“Um… yeah! Yeah, of course I…” he shrank back underneath her accusing stare, and sighed, lowering his eyes to his feet.

Dusk closed her eyes with an irritated huff, allowing herself to relax. Hopefully now everypony got the idea that she was Queen, and that their sun would never return. “They are ungrateful. They simply do not appreciate our beautiful night!”

“Well… maybe they’d like you better if you brought the sun up?” Spike suggested hopefully, and earned a harsh glare.

“No.” she said, in a low, cold voice. “The sun will never rise again.”

~~

“Princess Cadance, you must do something!”

“Prince Shining Armor, there must be a way!”

“There’s got to be a way!”

“This can’t be happening!”

“It’s cold!”

“Winter will be unbearable!”

“The sun has to rise!”

“Please!”

“Help!”

“Do something!”

Princess Cadance and Shining Armor stood on the high stage outside the town hall, nearly all of Ponyville and several non-Ponyvillians had been too many ponies to fit inside, and thus the unplanned ‘meeting’ was outside.

Ponies from all over Equestria, having failed to convince Nightmare Dusk to at least raise the sun had gone for the next best pony: Princess Cadance.

The Princess and her husband called out several reassurances and tried to quiet the crowd, but to no avail. Finally, the overwhelmed couple were given a chance when a loud “QUIET!” rang out over the crowd. Everyone stopped, momentarily deafened, and looked for the source of the shout.

Fluttershy stepped timidly forward from behind Cadance and Shining Armor. “Um… I mean no disrespect but, I think they’re trying to speak,” she motioned her head towards Cadance and Shining, before timidly backing into the shadows with the rest of the elements save for Twilight.

“Thank you, Fluttershy.” Cadance dipped her head, and then stepped forward. “Ponies of Equestria, I…” she bit her lip, glancing at her husband who only nodded sadly.

“I’m sorry. But there isn’t anything my husband and I can do.”

Several defeated murmurs and angry shouts rippled through the crowd. “I’m so sorry,” Cadance repeated.

“…The elements of harmony!” a gray Pegasus in the crowd shouted. “They defeated her once, what’s stopping them from defeating her again?”

“We tried.” Rarity stepped forward. Her mane was a tad messier than usual, and her eyes were red-rimmed. “We failed; we are useless without the Element of Magic.”

“Why doesn’t Cadance raise the sun?”

“I can’t.” The Princess replied. “I’m sorry, I wish I could, but I can’t.”

There was a long defeated silence, before she turned to her husband. “Come on, Shining. We should get ready to go.”

They backed off the stage, the Mayor taking their place to try and comfort the citizens.

“Is there really nothing at all we can do?” Shining Armor turned to his sisters’ friends. “Beats me,” Rainbow Dash replied. “We used the elements; I don’t see why we don’t bust in there and attack all at once.”

“I can think of several reasons,” Cadance replied. “First off, she has an army of brainwashed guards at her side. Second off, she could take you down without even lifting a hoof. She could defeat all of us at once if she wanted to,”

“Then why didn’t she? We were beating her back there!” Dash shot back.

“She was having fun! If you proved too much, she could have easily defeated you with a blast of magic, no sweat!” Cadance argued. She by no means knew Nightmare Moon personally, but she could sense emotions. She could tell Nightmare Dusk’s motives.

“This ain’t right,” Applejack said. “There must be another way.”

Pinkie Pie, who had been uncharacteristically quiet and had remained still and silent, finally looked up. “What if – What if we’re nice to her?”

“Pinkie,” Rainbow started, “I don’t think-“

“Maybe Twilight might be able to break through and give us a chance to use the elements? Like, if we’re really nice to her and stuff she’ll remember us!”

“That makes a lot of sense!” Rarity exclaimed. “Pinkie, you’re a genius!”

“But what if it doesn’t work?” Shining Armor asked. “Do we even know if Twilight is…” he hesitated, biting his lip. “…Still in there? Is she brainwashed? Possessed? Is her conscious just locked back behind Nightmares?”

“No, it’s not possession or brainwashing.” Cadance said. “I think everything but the vessel – Twilight’s body – is Nightmare.”

“Maybe not,” Rarity said, “But… Maybe Twilight is still able to influence her, at least a little. Or maybe it’s just Twilights… I don’t know, ‘residue consciousness’? I mean, Dusk…” she shivered at the name, and she wasn’t quite sure why, “seems to care about Spike, right?”

“Maybe,” Cadance replied. “But… I don’t think it would be enough.”

Everypony remained silent, eyes lowered.

~~

“We- no, I haven’t had cake in over a thousand years!” Nightmare Dusk exclaimed, biting into the sugary softness. She melted into the taste, so good! No wonder Celestia was hopelessly addicted.

She leaned back in the big chair meant for Celestia’s size, but magically crafted – by Nightmare – to suit her nightly color scheme. Luna’s things were nice, but size-wise were much too small for Dusk.

“Can I have a piece?” Spike asked from his apparently eternal place by her side.

“No, no, no, Assistant. You’re a growing child! Sugary sweets aren’t good for you! You must eat healthier.”

“Healthier?” Spike grumbled. “You mean gems, right?”

“No, those count as snacks.” The Queen said, taking another elegant bite. She chewed, swallowed, and said; “What do dragons eat? Meat? Ah! I’m sure there is a griffon restaurant somewhere here in Canterlot. I’ll have to-“

“No!” Spike said suddenly. “I mean – no, it’s fine. I’ll just eat hay! I like hay just fine!”

Spike had wondered about eating meat in the past, but decided not to. He didn’t want to offend or disgust his vegetarian friends, y’know? Besides, it didn’t sound all that great to him. He could be eating pony and not know it! Yuck!

“Chef!” Nightmare called, “Get this child some hay!” several confirmative grunts from the kitchen was her only reply.

Nightmare continued eating her cake, and her pleasured moans only further increased Spike’s appetite for sugar. A dark earth pony stallion trotted out from the kitchens, a plate of plain hay balanced on his head. He set it on the table in front of Spike, and when he was sure nightmare was too absorbed in her pastry he whispered, “I stashed a ruby in the bottom,”

Spike gave him a grateful look and started stuffed his face a little too eagerly as the chef backed into the kitchen.

“It is good that We finally get a chance to relax, the past week has been exhausting!” Nightmare Dusk sighed, setting her fork down. “I do not understand. Why are we so unloved? We barely have a chance to rule and already we are hated!”

Maybe it has something to do with the fact that you banished both princesses and then brought about eternal night? It’s just a guess, Spike thought but held his tongue. The Queen finished her cake and neatly dabbed at her chin with a violet handkerchief.

“This confectionary was most excellent!” She called to the kitchen, getting to her hooves. “We shall come back for more at a later time!”

No reply. “We compliment them and they ignore us,” she growled but said nothing more. She picked Spike up and placed him on her back, much to his disappointment as he hadn’t yet gotten to the rewarding bottom of his hay pile.

“Where are we going?” he asked, more than a little frustrated.

“Our bedroom balcony. We have time, and We would very much like to see how Luna is doing, and We don’t want somepony to interrupt us.”

“Oh.” Spike said. Nightmare Moon liked to ‘visit’ Luna once in a while, and by ‘visit’, she meant watch Luna suffer while doing and saying nothing to comfort the lunar alicorn. Still, at least she got some company, which couldn’t be said for poor Celestia. Spike wondered if she was lonely. Was she mad at Twilight? Mad at him? Or mad at Luna for becoming Nightmare in the first place?

“We won’t take too long, though. There is one Pegasus pony who was decent enough to at least schedule a meeting with Us this afternoon.”

Spike looked out a massive window as they walked down the hall. The inky black night, sprinkled with stars, not a shred of sunlight peeking up beyond the dark horizon. “How can you tell when is what?” he asked, scratching his head.

“We do not need the sun to tell us what time it is!” she replied snootily. “We tell by the constellations!”

“What?”

“The constellations, We move them.” She replied with the faintest irritation. “Just like the sun used to move across the sky, the stars do as well, only instead of descending beyond the horizon, the sky move in a circular motion above us. And then as the seasons change, the summer constellations will descend below the horizon to make way for the newer ones.”

“I didn’t know that,” Spike said, thinking it over.

“Nopony does!” The lavender alicorn shouted. “Nopony knows these things! We slave away for hours to make sure the sky remains perfect, beautiful, and they don’t even notice!”

“I think it’s pretty,” Spike told her, hugging her neck.

“…Thank you, Spike.”

Author's Note

Proofread by Crimsongraph

Sorry about the short chapter, it felt a lot longer to me than it actually was cause I've been working on over the course of several days rather than all in one day like I usually do, sorry!

Sorry also about the delay, I've been working on a novel, plus the holidays

So how was your new year?

Chapter Nineteen - Winter

“Step forth,” Nightmare Dusk commanded the Pegasus who was nervously lingering by the door. A nudge from a guard sent the Pegasus sprawling to her belly. She quickly got to her hooves, slightly red in the face. She hurried towards the throne and gave a brief bow. She was yellow, with a turquoise mane.

“Raindrops, is it?” The Queen inquired, and the pony nodded.

“Y-yes, your Majesty.”

“Right, so what did you want?” Dusk said as though she didn’t care at all.

“Well,” Raindrops started, “it’s about winter, actually. It’s awfully close…”

“So it is! I’ve been so busy I didn’t even realize,” Dusk laughed, a genuine laugh, not a cruel or dark one. It was a nice change, actually.

“Right. Well, I’m from the Ponyville weather team, and I came here to ask – to forget about snow. We don’t want it to snow,” she said quietly.

“What?! Absurd! Snowy winter skies are the most beautiful skies! Summer skies are cloudy; winter skies are clear and black! Why would you not being about the snow?”

“We can always keep the sky clear,” Raindrops said, and continued; “Ever since the sun stopped rising, the temperatures have been dropping. Snow is going to be unbearable!”

Nightmare furrowed her brow, thinking hard. Had the temperatures dropped? She hadn’t noticed if they had, part of her figured this mare was making it all up. Yet something tugged in the back of her mind telling her it was the truth, and not to be stupid. Yet at the same time: It would only be a little change, it’s not like they would freeze or starve, and it was only a minor change. They weren’t babies; they could handle a slightly colder winter.

Don’t be stupid, one side of her thought. The other was saying; They can handle it, it will just take some getting used to.

Don’t be an idiot.

They have already holed up their food for winter, it’s not like they’ll starve.

When spring comes around the cold will remain, nopony will be able to grow crops. We must do something,

They are capable of using magic,

No, they aren’t. But it’s not our problem for now.

More than a little conflicted, Dusk turned to Spike. “What do you think?”

“Oh, er, I guess if you raise the sun it won’t-“

“We won’t even consider it!” The Queen interrupted, and turned back to Raindrops. “We will consider your proposition, though. Winter is still a few weeks off, come back later and we will have decided.”

Raindrops slowly nodded, “Thank you… your Majesty,” she added with no large amount of gratefulness. She then turned and aloud the guards to escort her out.

Once she was gone, Nightmare Dusk leaned back in her throne, rubbing her temples with her hooves. “An understandable proposition, We suppose…” she muttered to herself. “We think they’ll all live, they’ve got food to last the winter.”

“Yeah,” Spike said, “Every winter we have to store a bunch of food to last us, since crops don’t grow in the cold.”

“Yes, We know that! But… oh, Cadance may have been right. What if the plants won’t grow in the spring?”

Spike had no answer, and neither did she. “Oh, what can we do…” she got to her hooves and started pacing in a circle in front of the throne. Very Twilight-like.

“Magic. Yes, magic.” She relaxed a great deal. “Magic, it always comes through. It can do this, We’re sure.” She sighed in relief. “Problem solved.”

“Wouldn’t it just be easier to raise the sun?” Spike deadpanned. “I mean, it wouldn’t make you any less the Queen. Besides, you could always just make the day longer. I hear over on some other parts of the planet nighttime lasts for thirty days!” he said.

“And,” he added, “You could earn the love of your subjects by mastering the sun. Right?”

Dusk couldn’t help but admit, he had a strong point. How could she earn the love of her subjects if she only subjected them to freezing cold and starvation?

“We…” she bit her lip. Then, a cold, biting anger rose in her chest. “No.” she said coldly. Inside her head she was scolding herself, but she refused to follow through.

“The sun has done nothing but blind and burn, we refuse to let him return!”

“But-“

“NO, SPIKE!” The Royal Canterlot Voice was as much a shock to Dusk as it was Spike, who was knocked off of his feet. Dusk coughed several times, her chest feeling like it would explode. “…Except our apologies,” she said slowly. “We should not have lost our temper at you.”

“It’s fine!” Spike got to his feet. “It’s okay, really!”

“…If we raise the sun, the night will be forgotten. Maybe we will bring it back once they learn to love us. In the meantime, hopefully they learn this lesson sooner rather than later.”

“So that’s your new logic?” Spike asked, “’Love us or die?’” Dusk didn’t answer, simply taking her place back on the throne.

“Your plan has holes,” Spike said. “Why not just go with my idea of making night last longer than day? Don’t you want to earn their love, not force it? And-“

“Alright, close your mouth!” Dusk snapped, silencing the baby dragon. “We cannot think about this right now, this is an argument for another time.”

“I wasn’t arguing, I was trying to help.” Spike muttered.

Nightmare sighed. “We know! We know, We are just frustrated.”

~~

Rainbow Dash kicked the clouds clear out of Ponyville’s sky, part of it out of frustration and the other out of grief.

Her best friend had been consumed by a nightmare. Her other best friend was held prisoner by said nightmare. Eternal night had spread across Equestria. And unless Raindrops was able to persuade the new Queen to either raise the sun or cancel winter’s snow, they were doomed to freeze and then starve.

She collapsed onto a small, soft but admittedly colder than usual cloud and sighed, closing her eyes tightly.

Don’t cry, don’t cry, don’t you dare cry! She mentally scolded herself, yet ultimately failed. She buried her face in the plush-like softness, crying softly. It couldn’t be helped; this was all just too much.

“Stupid Nightmare, stupid elements, stupid, stupid, stupid…” Rainbow Dash closed her eyes, and fell asleep; hoping that when she awoke the sun would be high in the sky.

~~

Several hours later, her wish wasn’t answered.

“Rainbow Dash?” a hoof poked her shoulder. She slowly lifted her head, groaning.

“Whuh…”

“Rainbow Dash, it’s me.”

Rainbow Dash turned around and squinted in the darkness. The moonlight shone off of Raindrops’ turquoise mane, the only reason Dash could figure out who she was. “Oh, hey Raindrops,” she said dismissively before settling back down, head tucked in her hooves. A whole minute passed before she suddenly jerked her head up, springing into the air with a quick flap of her wings. “Raindrops! You’re back!”

“I am,” The darkish yellow Pegasus said grimly. Rainbow Dash’s heart sank.

“So, what did she say? Will she raise the sun, or can we postpone winter?” the cyan Pegasus asked urgently.

“She said she needed time to think about it, and to come back later.” She said with a sigh. The poor mare looked exhausted; having gone to Canterlot and back. Rainbow wasn’t entirely sure if Raindrops had taken the train or simply flown there, she’d left the other day. If it could be considered ‘day.’

“What?! Ugh!” Rainbow Dash put her face in her hooves, unsure whether to feel angry or defeated.

“This isn’t fair!” She kicked the cloud that had been her previous resting spot, and it whisked out of existence, small puffs of snow lingering in the air. All of the clouds were packed with snow, all prepared for the weather ponies of Ponyville to start the first snowfall. Dash sighed, “You can go home, Rain Drops.”

“Are you sure?” The yellow pony asked, “Do you need help getting rid of any more clouds?”

“No, I’ve already dealt with them, but thank you.” Rainbow Dash gave a playful salute, forcing a smile. Things weren’t all bad, she still had her friends. And as long as she had friends to protect she was not going to give up, no matter the cost.

“Alright, then. Catch you later,” Raindrops lingered for a moment, before turning and flying down towards her home. Rainbow Dash hovered in the air for several moments, feeling quite happy and not entirely sure why. She slowly lowered herself to the ground, and landed, feeling a chill rush through her hooves after landing upon the ice cold dirt that served as the Ponyville roads. She started walking, not a giddy trot nor a slow gait, she just walked. It occurred to her she never really walked much, always hovering in the air.

“Meh,” she said and continued forward, her destination only a few blocks away: Sugarcube Corner.

Finally she arrived, and knocked on the door once before entering. “Pinkie Pie?” she called, looking around. Despite everything, Sugarcube Corner had remained open; although currently Rainbow Dash was the only pony currently there.

“Dash? Is that you?” Pinkie trotted down the steps, looking relieved. “Oh, I was just thinking about you! And Fluttershy, and Rarity, and Applejack. Do you want something, like a cupcake or a fritter or a regular cake or a super cake or do you wanna hang out and be friends and-“

“Woah, slow down Pink! I’m just here for a visit.” She paused for a moment, before saying; “But a fritter sounds nice, too!”

“Okie dokie lokie!” the pink pony trotted towards the kitchen, and Rainbow Dash followed, noting that Pinkie wasn’t bouncing. Even her mane and tail seemed less bubbly. Not flat, just less bouncy.

“Soo,” Rainbow started, “I sent one of my girls to ask... ugh - the Queen – if we could postpone winter this year unless she raised the sun,”

Pinkie stopped. “Postpone winter? That’s terrible! Without snow we won’t have snowponies or snowball fights or snowcube fights or-“

“I know,” Rainbow Dash sighed, “but it’s already so cold out there and we haven’t even got the winter winds going. I’d rather not have any winter fun than freeze to death,” she took the apple fritter Pinkie handed to her and stuffed it in her mouth, chewing noisily.

Pinkie nodded sadly, “So what did she say? Will she raise the sun?! Surely meanie-pants like her love snow too! She can raise the sun and play in the snow! Or stop winter, which would just be plain crazy!”

“She hasn’t decided, apparently,” Rainbow Dash coughed, half-choking on the pastry she’d practically inhaled. “I’ll go there myself in a few weeks. And I’ll give her a piece of my mind, no matter what Cadance says!” She lifted into the air and threw a few punches as if to accentuate her point. Pinkie watched, eyes glazing over momentarily. “I hope Twilight doesn’t feel it,” she said sadly, only serving to make Rainbow Dash feel terrible.

“I hope Cadance and Shiny are okay, they’re staying at the library for now,” Pinkie said. Dash lowered herself to the ground once more, not quite sure what to say or talk about.

Pinkie looked at the clock, and said, “The Cakes took the twins to their parents – the Cakes parents, not the twins parents that wouldn’t make any sense and sounds silly! – to stay in Manehatten for now, they say too much dangerous stuff always happens to happen to Ponyville. So,” she started, heading out into the main dining area with Dash in tow. “I was thinking we invite everypony over for a sleepover? Not a party, just a sleepover! We still have to appreciate the things we still have, like each other!”

Rainbow Dash paused, “That’s not a bad idea,” she said. “Wait, by everypony you only mean Fluttershy, Rarity, AJ, Princess Cadance, and Shining Armor, right? Not all of ponyville?”

“Yup!”

“Well, okay. Here?”

“Of course, silly! Where else?”

“Okay then! You set things up here, I’ll go get everypony,” she said with a smile.

Author's Note

Short chapter is short, please accept my apologies.

Proofread by Crimsongraph

Chapter Twenty - Different

Spike listened to Nightmare Dusk squirm in her bed, occasionally mumbling something inexplicable. Something Spike had gotten used to. She rolled over, twisted and turned, mumbling and hissing in her sleep. Spike wondered what was going on in her head.

He curled up tighter in his own little bed – a basket next to Dusk’s bed – wondering why she did it. Was she having nightmares? Spike could think of any other reason why she would be doing that, unless there was some deeper reason. Perhaps there was something on her mind? Or someone.

He lifted his head some and looked out the window, at the stars. He couldn’t see the moon from here, but he wasn’t sure he wanted to. It always made him feel guilty, thinking of Luna. And Celestia, as well. He wished they’d been sent to the same celestial body, so they could at least keep each other company. He felt terrible.

Nightmare groaned, interrupting his thoughts. She raised her head off of the pillow, and rubbed her eyes with a hoof.

Even her bedhead looks like Twilight’s, Spike thought. At least the bangs do. Indeed, the bangs seemed to be the only solid part of her hair. She opened her draconic eyes and looked around, as if confused as to where she was, before relaxing. “We’re… still home,” she sighed, lowering her head back onto the pillows.

“Where else would you be?”

Dusk let out an amused snort, “Don’t mouth off, Assistant.”

Spike didn’t argue, and instead settled on: “You were tossing and turning all night. You toss and turn every night,”

Although he used the term ‘night’ loosely, as ALL the time was night now. He continued, “Is there something you want to talk about?”

Dusk turned her head away, expression uncertain. “…No. No, there is nothing wrong.”

Spike didn’t believe her, but he decided not to pry. The Queen got up, kicking off the covers and rolling over off of the bed and onto her hooves. She rose to her full height and not bothering to put on her jewelry she magically opened the glass balcony door and stepped out, Spike hopped out of his bed and followed.

“It’s not time to wake up now, is it?” He asked, suddenly confused.

“No, not yet. We still have a few hours before the moon makes its daily rotation.” She closed her eyes, deep in thought. Spike watched her expression tighten after a while, and she lowered her head, biting her lip. “We think… maybe we want a crown, rather than our helmet. We want to look less menacing. Do you think that would work?” She opened her eyes and turned to him, and he thought for a moment.

“Yeah, yeah! That could work,” he said with a smile. Dusk turned back to the moon, and hesitated before saying slowly, “We also… wonder if we should free Luna. It hurts us, to see her like that.”

Spike didn’t want to say the wrong thing, so he waited for a time before saying slowly, “I think you should, I mean… I would.”

“We know you would,” she said not entirely hostile. “We are conflicted,” she admitted. “We want her back, We feel sorry for her, but We know she will fight back. We know she hates us, and that she especially hates… this form,” Dusk closed her eyes tightly, voice wavering. She stopped, as if holding back tears. “Everypony does! It is not fair, We only want… to be loved,” she bit her lip, a tear squeezing past her eyelids. She turned away from Spike, hoping he couldn’t tell. Spike rocked on his heels, trying to think of something to say.

“And winter!” she cried suddenly, “Winter! We want winter, we love winter… but we don’t want our subjects to freeze or starve! But we cannot raise the sun either!”

“Well,” Spike rubbed the back of his neck. “…I mean, it’s not that you can’t, it’s just that you – you choose not to,”

Dusk wanted to lash out, to tell him he was wrong, that he just missed it, but she knew deep inside that he was right. She hated it when that happened, but what could she do? “We… We won’t! We…”

“Dominate the sun and maybe ponies will start to like you,” Spike was getting bold. “Show them that you care, and they’ll start to appreciate the nighttime. They started caring about Luna, right? Ponies like to stargaze, stay up late, camp, and other things that they only like to do at night, but they also like daytime. They like both equally nowadays, and-“

“Shut your stupid dragon mouth!” The shout was so sudden, Spike silenced immediately. She turned to him, a furious expression plastered on her face. “Do you think We are stupid?! Do you think we don’t think about this?!” She stomped her hoof hard in front of him, causing him to back away, but she only stepped closer until he was pinned against the wall. “We understand! We know, We see, We aren’t featherbrains! And yet you speak to us as though We are stupid!” Dusk was breathing hard, now. “Always trying to get us to do what you want, always trying to find manipulative ways to free Celestia! You think We do not see it?!”

“What?!” Spike cried, “No, I didn’t-“

“Shut up and let us finish! We are different, We are hated, nopony understands us! And you don’t even try, ungrateful rat!”

“But- but-“

“NO! You only care about yourself, you only care about what you want and how you feel! Don’t you care about us?!”

“Yes, I-“

“We try to care for you, yet We never get anything, not even a thank you! You butter us up with your compliments, pretending to understand us but you don’t!”

Dusk had her muzzle pressed against his snout, glaring deep into his eyes, a wrathful fire burning bright in her own. A small glow lit her horn, and her leg shook as she tried to prevent herself from doing something she would regret. Spike closed her eyes and turned away, shaking. He didn’t entirely doubt that she would hurt him if she felt like it. Finally, after several intense seconds she stepped back, the light in her horn flickering out. She turned away, refusing to make eye contact, not that it mattered; his eyes were still closed.

She turned towards the sliding glass door and stepped towards it, head low. Her mane flattened slightly, some of the shimmer seeming to fade. He dared open an eye as she stepped back into the bedroom, closing the curtain but leaving the door open.

Author's Note

Proofread by Crimsongraph

Is it just me, or is Dusk becoming more sensitive? :trixieshiftright:

You ever notice how I always promise new chapters will be longer, yet they're always just as long or even shorter than the last?

Chapter Twenty-One - Chaos Ensues

"Is it morning?” Rarity groaned, lifting her head off of her pillow, and Pinkie sat up and looked at the clock, squinting in the darkness.

“Not yet,” the party pony yawned, stretching.

Rarity yawned and stretched along with her pink friend, taking the cucumbers off of her eyes.

“We’re all still awake?” Cadance giggled softly, sitting up herself. She rubbed her eyes with her hooves. It was kind of odd seeing her without her golden jewelry, which was currently sitting unceremoniously in the corner.

“Oh, good morning everypony, or good night,” Fluttershy appeared in the kitchen doorway along with Applejack. “Um, we didn’t want to wake you because you looked so peaceful, but we’re making pancakes.”

“Pancakes!” Pinkie cried, leaping to her hooves and bowling Applejack out of the way – carefully maneuvering around Fluttershy - as she dove into the kitchen.

Cadance looked at Rarity who was fixing her mane with her hooves, and promptly started biting back laughter.

“What is it?” Rarity narrowed her eyes, unease creeping over her.

“Oh, nothing, nothing!” Cadance giggled, clearly lying as tears were forming in her eyes.

“Alright, what is it?” Rarity was not amused.

“I think somepony got you in your sleep,” Cadance finally burst into complete laughter. It took Rarity a moment to understand what the Princess meant, but when she did she promptly galloped for the bathroom. She flipped the light switch, and looked in the mirror.

Somepony had drawn a crude lipstick smiley face on her forehead. At first Rarity felt complete anger and humiliation, but it faded into mild amusement. She allowed herself a chuckle, and picked up a rag, turning the sink on.

Meanwhile in the kitchen, pancakes were being served in black, starry skied early morning. Pinkie trotted into the main room, a plate piled high with pancakes balanced on her head. She set it down on the floor, and started eating.

Soon everypony was served and chowing down, save for Rarity who was eating slowly and delicately.

The ‘night’ before had been fun. They’d all stayed up late, doing all sorts of fun ‘girly’ things. (Shining Armor had decided to stay back at the library, not too keen on being the only male in a slumber party)

Makeovers, pillow fights, games, and fun. They’d all brought sleeping bags, (Cadance was using one of Rarity’s) and slept on the floor.

They’d forgotten about all their problems, they’d been able to relax, unwind, have fun, it was almost unreal.

Everything had seemed so hopeless, but now it was just good to remember that they were still friends, and they were still together.

“So, girls,” Rarity started, earning everypony’s attention. “I was thinking… maybe Pinkie Pie was right, about try to be… nice to Nightmare Dusk.”

“You can’t be serious,” Rainbow Dash groaned.

“I am,” Rarity said. “I’m not entirely sure it will work, but if we just show her some generosity and kindness, I’m sure we might be able to break Twilight free, maybe even enough to use the elements and free her.”

“It could work,” Cadance said, “But she doesn’t want to see any of us in Canterlot again,” she sighed.

“No, wait!” Pinkie cried, and then paused. “Uh… wait, um… OH! I have an idea!” she motioned for the others to lean towards her and they did, forming a small circle, and Pinkie started laying down her plan.

~~

Nightmare Dusk collapsed on her bed, feeling quite sick with herself. Just one more reason ponies hated her.

She hadn’t meant to lose her temper with Spike, she knew he was right. She hated to admit it, but she knew he was right.

She thought back to when she was one with Luna. Back then, she hadn’t cared for the well being of her subjects, only about making ponies love her. She’d been willing to start a full-on war with Celestia, she’s gotten hundreds of innocent ponies killed, and she only cared about herself. Always me, me, me, and I, I, I.

“And We still only care about ourselves,” she whispered. “No, I only care about myself,” she buried her face in the pillow, tears running down her cheeks.

“Raise the sun, be a good Queen,” she whispered.

No! She thought, No…

We can still rule, we can be a kind monarch, she closed her eyes.

But… No. Make them love us, make them love us or they will die. But that won’t work; We want to earn their love, not force it. They don’t love us, they never will. But if We just… Nopony loves you, nopony ever will. Why bother? I… Spike doesn’t care; he only wants his abusive ‘mother’ back. We care about Spike, it’s just- He doesn’t care about you, though. So why care?

“Let me go.”

Dusk opened her eyes and raised her head. She sighed deeply; all these conflicting thoughts making her head ache. She once again thought back to the way she used to be, the way she was: murderous, manipulative… and she still was murderous and manipulative. It hurt. She swallowed, and got up off the bed, opening her eyes and moving towards the door. “Spike?” she whispered softly, “Spike?”

She opened the curtain and stepped out into the almost unbearably chilly night air. No dragon on the balcony. Worry seeped into her chest, and she stepped out completely. “Spike?”

She was sure he hadn’t come inside, or left the room. There was no other way he could have gotten down unless he’d magically sprouted wings. “Spike?!” she called out again, wings unfurling. She looked over the edge to the gardens below, and suddenly a terrifying revelation came to mind: Had he jumped? Without a second thought she dove off of the balcony, great lavender wings spreading wide,

“SPIKE!”

~~

Spike headed through the Canterlot Gardens, eyes low. He’d managed to climb down the wall, the stones that made up that side of the castle were jagged and stuck out, climbing down was easy. He wasn’t sure how to feel anymore, about Nightmare Dusk, about his friends, Celestia and Luna… it was all confusing. What friends? You don’t have any friends, he thought. He picked up a rock from the ground, spinning out around in his claws. She’s right, she was right before. He was useless, worthless. He did nothing but cause problems for everypony else. He let out a low growl, deep in his throat. He wanted to help Dusk, he really did. But he was also conflicted: Was he even useful to her? He’d abandoned his friends, hadn’t he? He hadn’t even thought about that until now: did that just prove his disloyalty, his selfishness?

He gripped the smooth rock hard, his claws making horrible scraping noises against it. He pulled back his arm, and threw it as hard as he could in a small fit of pure temper. He flinched when a terrible cracking sound rang out through the garden, assaulting his ears. Did I hit one of the statues? The side of the castle? He thought, running forward. He found the rock on the ground, hardly cracked. He looked up at what it hit, and froze.

Discord’s statue.

The baby dragon eyed the statue up and down, looking for any signs of cracks or breaks, but saw nothing out of the ordinary and sighed in relief. He collapsed on his back, staring up at the sky. All I do is cause problems, he thought. Discord probably gets a kick out of watching me, assuming he can see.

I wonder, maybe freeing Discord wouldn’t be such a bad thing, he thought. Maybe if Dusk protects the kingdom and defeats him, ponies will love her then. After a moment, he sighed. Nah, that’s a stupid idea. Kind of mean too, for Discord.

“You and I have a lot in common, sort of,” he said aloud to the statue. “I mean… you’re sort of a dragon-thing, and we’re both the only one of- well, I’m not technically the only dragon in Equestria, but I’m the only one who lives among ponies, I think. And we both cause chaos,” he admitted, even though he knew his own chaos was usually indirect.

“…Sorry for throwing the rock at you,” he said, not even sure of the draconequus could hear him. He back up against the statue, pulling his knees up to his chin and wrapping his arms around his legs.

“Do you have any friends?” he asked, and received no answer. “I don’t think I have any, any more,” he said sadly. “I abandoned them all, to stay with somepony I’m useless to.”

No reply.

“Do you know what it’s like, to abandon all your friends and then realize you made the wrong choice after it’s too late?”

No reply.

“I miss Celestia, and Luna. And all the ponies who used to be my friends, and… I miss Twilight. It hurts y’know? But I can’t really do anything about it, and I care about Dusk, but… it’s not the same. She’s not Twilight, even if she looks like her and sounds like her, and smells like her and acts like her… it’s just not Twilight, but it is.”

Still no reply.

“I shouldn’t be bothering you, but… maybe I should visit more often. Can you hear me? Do you ever get lonely? Standing all alone out here, for hundreds and hundreds of years… Maybe I will visit more. Nopony deserves that,”

No answer.

Spike buried his face in his knees and started to cry.

Nightmare Dusk swooped down above him, though he didn’t notice. Dusk wanted to go down there and hug him, tell him she was sorry… she paid Discord’s statue no notice as she fluttered down to the ground, and landed on her hooves. The icy air chilled her to the bone, and she realized she had not yet adorned her armor.

She stepped forward, wanting to apologize, to comfort the poor baby dragon, but when she opened her mouth, she hesitated.

No, no, no… her mind clouded with alien thoughts and confusing commands, and she felt a cold anger seeping over her. What had this child done to deserve her pity? Nothing!

Nothing at all.

And running away? She didn’t like deserters.

Without warning of any kind, she gripped his entire body into her magenta levitation, and yanked him into the air. He opened his eyes, letting out a startled cry as he was held at eye-level with her, and she glared into him.

“Why did you leave?” she asked icily, her magic holding his head so that he couldn’t look away.

“I… I…” he had no answer for her.

“WHY?!”

“I don’t know!!” he cried fearfully, trying to squirm away.

“You don’t know? You don’t know?! What is wrong with you! We take care of you; we left the balcony to give you some alone time and you thank us by running away?! Tell us! Where did you plan to go, pray tell, hm?”

“I – I didn’t plan to go anywhere, I just-“

“You just wanted to leave us all alone? You planned to abandon us?”

“NO! Please, I-“ he covered his face with his claws, but she magically pulled them away and held them out at his sides.

“Did you just raise your voice at us? What gives you the right?!” Dusk closed her eyes, biting her lip and squeezing her eyelids shut tightly.

“P-please stop it,” Spike begged. Dusk sucked in a deep breathe, and let it out slowly. Then, she opened her hateful eyes and glared, Spike felt as though she were glaring into his soul. “We have had enough of your disobedience, your selfishness!” her horn glowed a brighter pink, and Spike started to panic when he felt the magical grip tighten around his chest and throat.

“You make us sick,” she growled. Spike gasped for breath, desperately trying to pull air into his lungs; but Dusk only tightened her grip, refusing to let him go.

And then, Nightmare Dusk let out a pained shriek and released the baby dragon when a piano came out of literally nowhere and fell onto her back, crushing her.

Spike fell to the ground, vision going black. He struggled to focus; and as his vision slowly started to return; he became aware of a sharp cracking sound, like cracks opening in stone.

Dusk groaned, and forced herself to her hooves; the piano broken in half fell to her sides. She was hardly hurt; with the durability of an earth pony, but she was incredibly sore. Besides; she’d been hit from above with a piano before. At least, this body technically had.

The cracking noise became aware to her as well, and her body froze, every muscle tightening within her.

No, no!

She looked up at Discord, as the cracks slooowly opened upon the stone surface, and panic filled her body. Spike entirely forgotten, she focused her magic into her horn, closing her eyes tightly in concentration as she tried to seal the cracks and prevent the god of chaos from escaping. Finally, she managed to seal all the cracks she could, she opened her eyes and backed away, waiting for the longest time.

Nothing happened.

She sighed in relief, but an icy realization swept over her: Discord wasn’t going to remain like this forever, at least not while she ruled. She blinked, any remnant of her irrational anger smoldering into a cold ash.

Nothing seemed to be in her favor any more, she lowered her eyes to the grass, her hooves. Not her hooves, Twilight’s hooves. Guilt wrapped her heart in its cold embrace, and she started to softly cry.

She caused nothing but chaos by just existing, she was nothing: an incarnation of one pony’s hate and jealousy and nothing else. An evil existence, a pony who used and manipulated others for her own gain. Selfish, cruel, evil.

“S-Spike?” she managed to choke out, she look to where the baby dragon had dropped, and found he was gone.

Author's Note

Proofread by Crimsongraph

You can't tell me you saw all this chaos happening in the previous chapters and didn't think of Discord?

Chapter Twenty-Two - Confusion

Queen Nightmare Dusk sat upon her throne, she’d sent out a squadron of guards to find Spike, but she wasn’t entirely sure she wanted to find him. She didn’t want to hurt him again, but she couldn’t just leave him out there. It took all of her willpower not to burst into tears right there; but no, she had to be strong.

So many arguments and conflicting thoughts swirled in her mind; Raise the sun? No, the sun doesn’t deserve it even if these ponies do.

Cancel winters snowy weather? No, the seasons shouldn’t be meddled with even if ponies freeze to death.

And then of course there was Discord. She should have realized sooner; Equestria had gone to chaos ever since she’d risen, of course Discord would break free eventually.

If you do this everypony will die, they’ll freeze, starve. And soon there will be nopony left, in less than a hundred years everything will be dead. You’ll be all alone just like you were… She bit her lip. Shut up, she mentally scolded herself for thinking like that, even though it was true.

“But... is it even me thinking like that?” she asked herself, in a voice barely more than a whisper.

“I can’t keep Discord imprisoned forever on my own, and… like this he won’t stay imprisoned.” She looked down at the stolen, horse shoe-clad hoof. Thief, liar, cheater, manipulator, murderer… “No,” she said out loud, tears clouding her vision. She wished her guards would say something, anything, but they spoke only when spoken to. Emotionless drones. They have families, don’t they? I’ve kept them from their families. That was a depressing thought. She stood up; she couldn’t sit still any more. She paced back and forth in a circle, her head starting to hurt.

Her chest ached, her heart fluttered, stomach doing flip-flops, and… her back was still sore. A piano… Why a piano of all things? Why at all? Honestly though, she felt she couldn’t complain. If Discord hadn’t stopped her, she would have… she swallowed hard, had the thought of killing somepony really become such a bad thing to her?

“Spike, We’re sorry,” she whispered to herself. “We… I’m sorry.” She needed comfort, somepony to tell her it was okay.

But there was no one there. Did she even deserve comfort? She looked up when a small herd of guards opened the great double-doors and stepped in.

“Did you find anything?” she asked, already knowing the answer.

“No, your Majesty.” they all replied in unison. Dusk sighed, should she make them search again? Should she go out herself?

…Let him alone, he needs time. He’ll come back, “…Alright. You may return to your original posts,” she told them. They nodded, turned, and walked out the door, the clip-clop of their hooves all matching perfectly. She hated that. All of them, mindless zombies! Her horn glowed faintly, she contemplated. She stood there, unmoving for the longest time, before her horn winked out.

She wanted to, but not yet. She felt an itch in the back of her mind, a dull throb. Magic, Harmony, Friendship… a rift.

~~

Spike knew the Canterlot Gardens like his own backyard, mostly because once upon a time it actually was. Back before Twilight had moved to Ponyville. And that’s why he knew that the secret hole hidden under the rock hidden under the marigolds was the best hiding place there. He used to hide here all the time; it was the perfect hide-and-seek spot. Nopony ever found him, not even Twilight.

Although the marigolds were all wilted now, most of them devoid of their lovely orange petals. But the hole was still slightly hidden by a rock. Spike was curled up, it was a tight squeeze and he was having trouble finding a comfortable position. He’d remembered it being bigger. He gently rubbed his sore throat. If that piano hadn’t fallen on her I’d be dead. The thought was frightening, somehow even more frightening than the experience of being suffocated.

Discord did it; Discord saved me, but why? He didn’t understand what he had ever done to make Discord want to help him. I… I owe him the favor now, don’t I? He thought; he saved my life.

Author's Note

Proofread by Crimsongraph

I had a really weird dream last night where I was Pinkie Pie and King Sombra's personal assistant, and for some reason Sombra sounded like Morgan Freeman

Chapter Twenty-Three - Twilight, Dusk, and Midnight

Dear Princess Celestia,

My friends and I all learned an important lesson this week: Never judge a book by its cover. Someone may look unusual, or funny, or scary. But you have to look past that and learn who they are inside. Real friends don't care what your "cover" is; it’s the "contents" of a pony that count. And a good friend, like a good book, is something that will last forever.

Your faithful student, Twilight Sparkle.

Dear Princess Celestia,

It's hard to believe that two ponies who seem to have so little in common could ever get along. But I found out that if you embrace each other's differences, you'd just might be surprised to discover a way to be friends after all.

Your faithful student,

Twilight Sparkle

Dearest Princess Celestia,

Today I learned that it's hard to accept when somepony you like wants to spend time with somepony who's not so nice. Though it's impossible to control who your friends hang out with, it is possible to control your own behavior. Just continue to be a good friend. In the end, the difference between a false friend and the one who is true will surely come to light.

Your faithful student,

Twilight Sparkle

A small sigh escaped Dusk’s lips, nostalgia that was not her own sweeping over her. “You remember when you wrote these, don’t you.” She rolled up the letters and placed them gently back in Celestia’s drawer, handling them with great care; as though they would crumble into dust if she so much as touched them.

“I certainly do, though I have no business knowing.” Dusk closed the drawer gently, and turned around.

Even despite her changes to the rest of Canterlot Castle, Celestia’s room had remained untouched. And she had to admit; she wouldn’t want to change it now. The walls were a beautiful, evening blue with darker clouds swirling across the surface and blue shooting stars painted on one wall. The grand fireplace was certainly a sight to behold, being slightly rounded in shape with a golden crown carved into the top; the rest of it was a lovely lavender color, elaborate carvings etched into the smooth surface. A red floor-pillow sat near the fireplace with a rolled up, golden-blanket-like pillow on one side – a place for Celestia to sit and relax when she could.

The bed was much like Luna’s, a massive canopy bed with silky curtains falling over the sides. The bed itself was golden; the canopy a pale pink, almost white; just like Celestia’s coat. The pillows were purple, with a golden one as well, Celestia’s Cutie-Mark embroidered on the front. The blankets shared the same color scheme.

She felt emotions of mixed hatred and love fill her chest, and she sucked in a deep breathe, held it, and let it out slowly.

“You miss her,” she said regretfully. She stepped out on Celestia’s balcony; looking at the pitch black horizon. “It couldn’t hurt…” she closed her eyes, head lowering. Her horn started to glow magenta, her heart started to flutter….

~~

“What do you mean ‘it won’t work?’ Everypony else agreed!” Pinkie Pie cried in Shining Armor’s face. The stallion took a startled step back, bumping into one of the library’s bookshelf.

“Pinkie,” he told her, “Even with one of us as a distraction there’s no way all six of us could sneak into the castle without being noticed, and set everything up without anyone noticing.”

“I have my party cannon!” Pinkie interjected, pulling the cannon out of thin air as if to prove it. “This baby gets the party started in seconds! Even though setting up the party yourself is much more fun,” she added to herself.

“That still doesn’t help the ‘sneaking in six ponies’ part,” he sighed. Pinkie opened her mouth to argue, stopped, closed her mouth, stroked her chin with a hoof, produced a mustache from nowhere and placed it on her muzzle, opened her mouth, stopped, and sighed. “Okay, okay, I’ll think of something else!” Pinkie trotted off, mumbling new plans to herself. Cadance stepped towards her husband and sighed sadly, “It did seem like a good idea at the time.”

“A party? I still don’t get it,” Shining said.

“It’s Pinkie Pie,” Rainbow Dash said. “Just go with it, and usually it works. Usually.” The cyan Pegasus fluttered down towards them, the other ponies following.

Cadance stared off into space, deep in thought. The others shifted awkwardly, and Shining Armor wrapped a hoof around her shoulders. “What are you thinking about?” he asked.

“What? Oh…” she shrugged. “Sorry, I just… zoned out for a moment.”

There was a long silence, before all the ponies – including Pinkie jumped nearly out of their skins when a fierce knock rattled the door. Without waiting for an answer, the door swung open, and a pony stepped in.

“Hello, is anypony… An I interrupting something?” the confused mare registered the shocked expressions all but Cadance and Shining Armor gave her.

~~

Blinding light, brilliant warmth, Nightmare Dusk felt as though the dancing elements within would tear her apart. The moon was so much different, a cool surface; easy to move, to visit.

The sun was entirely different in every conceivable way. It was massive, for one thing. Much, much bigger than the cold, smooth surface of the moon. Hot plasma made Dusk’s metaphorical insides feel as though they would burst; the magnetic fields were almost too much to bear. The solar wind that made Celestia’s mane blow so beautifully all the time felt like it would push Dusk’s conscious clear out of existence. The fact that the sun wasn’t even really solid made Dusk cringe, as though the gravity would simultaneously stop working and all the chemicals and elements of the celestial body would scatter away. And yet Dusk moved onward, the sun was so much farther away than the moon…

But the alicorn refused to stop going forward, her ethereal form left unharmed by what would have killed a living pony in seconds; even though she felt like she would die right there. She moved, traveled, searched…

‘Nightmare Moon’

The hideously angelic voice assaulted metaphorical eardrums, and yet as much hate is it derived from Dusk; it derived just as much adoration.

‘Celestia,’ she replied tartly. Their voices echoed in all directions, coming from everywhere and nowhere. ‘Dusk is what we are called now.’

‘…Nightmare Dusk?’

‘…We would prefer just… Dusk.’

‘I see.’ The voice held no anger, or accusatory tone. It held… pain, sadness. Dusk wondered if Celestia had been aware of how much time had passed since her imprisonment.

When she had been one with Luna, she only had a small idea of how much time had passed; she would know how many days had passed when she felt Celestia raise the moon. But she had not raised the sun since imprisoning Celestia; she had no way of knowing how much time had passed.

‘Celestia…’ Dusk started,

‘You sound just like Twilight.’ Celestia stated as though Dusk wasn’t aware of that. ‘…Why have you visited me?’

Dusk remained silent, having no clear answer. Various thoughts crossed her mind before she settled on an answer; ‘Part of me misses you.’

Celestia didn’t answer, as though expecting Dusk to continue, so she did; ‘I don’t miss you, but she does. We visit together; I bring us here for her sake.’

‘I… see. How much time has passed? Centuries?’

‘Only a few months,’ Dusk replied.

‘You visit me so early?’ Celestia said softly. Dusk got the impression that Celestia had something else to say, but was holding it back.

‘How does it feel?’ Dusk inquired. ‘Trapped, having no clear idea how much time has passed? When you may be free again? Whether you will be freed at all?’

Celestia was silent for a long time. ‘…Twilight, I have missed you.’

I’ve missed you too, Princess…

Dusk felt her consciousness moving forward, and met with another. Two ethereal bodies embraced, Celestia’s unbearably hot; and Dusk’s icy cold; and a third: a warm spark.

It was almost as though they melded together, no solid bodies preventing them from doing so. And then Dusk pulled away.

‘Will you raise me, my sun, just once more across Equestria?’ Celestia asked tentatively.

‘Farewell, Celestia.’ And Dusk’s mind pulled back, away; towards earth, towards home.

Author's Note

Proofread by Crimsongraph

I was listening to 'Day and Nightmare' by Radiarc while writing this chapter. Heck, all of his Luna/Nightmare Moon/Celestia-themed songs make up most of the playlist I listen to while writing this

Chapter Twenty-Four - Moonlight

Dusk’s mind was reunited with her body in a sudden jolt, and for a split second a searing pain swept across her body, as though a blanket of molten lava had been pulled over her. Her entire frame tensed up, eyes widening at the sudden shock. And then, it was over, leaving her wide-eyed and her coat standing on end. She stood there for minutes and more, before letting out a deep sigh. That was not so bad; some part of her psyche told her. She looked down at the horizon, an itch in the back of her mind.

Her interaction with Celestia had been… interesting, she was surprised at Celestia’s lack of hostility. And yet at the same time she knew that Celestia knew that there was no point in hostility, either way she’d still be trapped.

Dusk pondered this for a long time, before she looked up towards the glowing silver orb in the sky.

~~

“Trixie?!”

All five mares shouted in surprise at the blue unicorn in front of them.

“Er, yes, that is my name,” she replied, bewildered at the odd reaction. Had she not gained their forgiveness?

“Who’s Trixie?” Shining Armor deadpanned.

“I’m Trixie,” the unicorn replied with a smirk. “Surely you’ve… wait, never mind. You haven’t heard of me yet!” she said quickly, and Shining Armor narrowed his eyes.

“Wait a minute, I do know you! You’re that show mare who got showed up when Twilight defeated that Ursa Major!”

“Agh!” Trixie facehooved. “It was an Ursa Minor! Minor!”

Suddenly, Pinkie pressed her face right up to Trixie’s. “Don’t you dare use your tricks to take my mouth away again! Don’t even think about it!”

“Trixie would do no such thing!” The unicorn defended, “The Alicorn Amulet took control of me!” an excuse she used just a little too much.

“The Alicorn Amulet?” Cadance blinked curiously.

“It’s a long story,” Rarity said, “we can tell you another time.”

Pinkie stared suspiciously at Trixie for a moment, her face uncomfortably close to the unicorns before she smiled. “Okay! I believe you! “ She pranced off, leaving Trixie feeling more than a little disturbed at her lack of concept of personal space.

“What are you doing here?!” Rainbow Dash took Pinkie’s place in Trixie’s face, and Trixie backed up against the door.

“Actually,” Trixie growled, “I was hoping to find a book! But I see now that I am unwelcome here! I…” she stopped completely when she finally noticed Cadance. Her eyes trailed up and down Cadance’s form, widening the whole time.

“P-princess Cadance?!” She blinked in shock. What was the Princess doing in such a place as Ponyville?

Cadance smiled warmly, “Hello, and… yes, I’m staying here for now,”

Trixie blinked, almost speechless. “…Shouldn’t you be in Canterlot Castle?”

“Are you joking?” Rainbow cried, “Where have you been all this time? Has the never ending night really slipped your mind?”

“Of course not!” The unicorn scoffed, “That’s the reason I’m here! Where’s Twilight Sparkle? Doesn’t she live here?”

A silence fell over the library that even Trixie was not oblivious to. She blinked, looking at the grim expressions of the ponies around her.

“So… she’s not here, I take it?”

“Dear, are you really unaware?” Rarity asked, head low.

“Unaware of what?!” Trixie said, getting annoyed.

“Our new ‘Queen’ is Twilight!” Applejack groaned.

“What? No,” Trixie scoffed. “That evil Queen is Nightmare Dusk! Not Twilight Sparkle,” her words elicited annoyed groans and depressed sighs around the room. She paused, brows furrowing.

“…Enlighten me, would you?”

~~

‘Monster! Traitorous, foul, beast!’ Luna’s rather unprincess-like, primal screams of rage echoed across the lunar landscape, and yet none but one pony heard her.

‘Free me or go!’ Luna cried, voice wavering. ‘Do not visit if you are to ignore me, to simply watch me suffer!’ and yet everything in Luna’s voice told Dusk that the lunar princess felt her cries were in vain. For one thousand years the combined Luna and Nightmare Moon had suffered, and now Luna was reliving it all alone.

‘Luna,’ Dusk whispered softly, guiltily. Luna was startled, surprised – this was the first time Dusk had tried to communicate with her since her imprisonment. Luna seized advantage of that; ‘Nightmare! Speak, worm! Tell me why you torment me!!’

‘Luna, listen, We come-‘

‘NO! You come, I refuse to believe that… that…’ Luna’s voice wavered off, and she continued more so to herself than Dusk, ‘She didn’t deserve that…’ she whispered to herself. ‘It was my fault… I should have known, I should have…’

‘It was not your fault,’ Dusk told her, inching closer. Unlike with the unstable, raging plasma within the sun, the inside of the moon was hard and cold, but somehow much more comfortable for the ethereal deity’s.

‘Than who’s was it?!’ Luna hissed, ‘’Was it not I who was to make sure you were never freed again?! Was it not I who created you in the first place?!’

Dusk had no answer, and instead replied; ‘I’m willing to free you, Luna.’

Silence. Cold, empty silence.

‘…You would?’

‘Yes…’

Luna remained silent, thinking intently. ‘You… would just… let me go?’ she didn’t believe that. ‘There is a penalty, isn’t there? What is it?’

‘Penalty? There is no penalty other than that you must promise not to harm us.’ Dusk honestly couldn’t say she didn’t feel she deserved it, but Twilight definitely didn’t deserve it.

After some time, Luna slowly moved towards the surface. While she was trapped in the moon, she could still see as though she were on it. She could see the cold, emptiness of space and the small, circular shape of the earth. It looked so far away from here. Did she really want to spend the rest of eternity trapped like this?

Dusk moved up close to her, watching the earth. ‘We can put this behind us,’ she urged. ‘We could-‘

‘I promise nothing,’ Luna interrupted. Dusk sighed in disappointment.

‘Are you positively sure?’ she urged gently.

‘Positive.’ Luna said quietly. She wanted Dusk to go, to never come back, and to leave her to her misery.

But Dusk didn’t go.

‘Go!’ Luna nearly yelled, and while Dusk backed away some and her presence started to fade from Luna’s senses.

‘If only I could do the same for Twilight,’ Dusk murmured more so to herself than anything, ‘I will visit you again,’ she promised before her presence faded entirely.

Author's Note

Proofread by Crimsongraph

I'm not too happy with the Luna bit, but I re-wrote it several times and felt even less happy... so here it is. There might be another Luna bit later

Chapter Twenty-Five - Hope

After a brief introduction between Trixie and Shining Armor and the Princess, Cadance and the others explained to Trixie all that had transpired between now and Twilight’s transformation.

Trixie listened intently, not once interrupting. When the story finished, most of the others had their heads low, holding back tears.

The blue unicorn cocked her head in thought, “I was aware of the Queen… but I didn’t… Trixie never imagined Twilight had it in her!”

“She ain’t got it in her!” Applejack shouted defensively. “It’s Nightmare! Not Twilight!” Trixie was silenced, and Cadance approached her.

“You said you were here for a book… what kind of book?”

Trixie opened her mouth, and hesitated. “Well… I’ll just find what I’m looking for and be on my way,” she chuckled nervously. She scanned several bookshelves with her eyes, and then paused once more before saying; “There doesn’t happen to be a book on-“

“I don’t trust this,” Rainbow Dash interrupted, landing in front of Trixie. “What did you want Twilight for? What do you need a book for? Why are you here? Are you a spy?” She backed the unicorn into a corner once more, eying her distrustfully.

“I am no spy! And what Trixie intends is my business,” she turned up her nose snootily, while Shining Armor scratched his head wondering if Trixie had an accomplice of the same name or just spoke in third person. Applejack stepped towards Dash, and said; “While I can’t say I’m too suspicious… she could have been sent by Dusk.”

“Nonsense!” Trixie cried. “I haven’t been to Canterlot since her rule!”

“She doesn’t seem possessed like the Canterlot guards,” Cadance said. “Shiny, do you still have that one spell… the one that can search a pony for magical influence or possession?”

“Yeah,” Shining said, arching an eyebrow. As if one could simply ‘lose’ a spell that they’d learned!

Trixie looked indignant, “Have I no say in this?!”

“I don’t see why Dusk would send a spy,” Fluttershy said softly from the corner of the room. “Or anything, she already knows there’s no way we could defeat or overthrow her.”

“You can’t?” Trixie said excitedly, than quickly cleared her throat. “Well… no, of course not! Everypony knows…”

“What are you hiding?” Dash got uncomfortably close, so that their muzzles touched. “Why so suspicious?” she glared, and Trixie shoved her back. “Keep off, Pegasus! My business is my own! I am not acting suspicious!”

“That’s a lie,” Applejack closed in. Trixie looked from one suspicious face to the next, before sighing and silently cursing herself for not practicing teleportation.

“Alright, alright,” she sighed. The others backed away some to give her space, and she started: “I was hoping to defeat Nightmare Dusk all on my own!” she said quickly.

Rainbow Dash promptly started laughing. “You can’t be serious!”

“I am!” Trixie insisted. “I was hoping to find some spell books of offensive – and defensive spell casting here!”

“You know that the Elements of Harmony failed against her, don’t you?” Shining Armor told her and she groaned.

“Yes, I do! That’s why I was hoping that I could.”

“That doesn’t make any sense! Even for me!” Pinkie giggled, than promptly turned serious. “Trixie, how could you defeat her if we couldn’t?!”

Trixie didn’t answer, glaring at the ground. She looked at them all once more, before huffing; “I shall find the books I need and go!”

“Whoa, wait!” Cadance stepped between Trixie and the designated bookshelf. “You’re still not intending to go, are you?”

“Of course I am! The crops are dying, the sun won’t rise, somepony has to do something,” she said icily. Than realizing who she was talking to she gulped and gave a nervous bow. “…Your majesty?”

“No need for that,” Cadance reassured and then said; “Trixie, you can’t go. Not even all the magic in the world is going to help you.”

“I want to try,” Trixie replied, undaunted. She tried to step around Cadance, but the princess held out a pink, lavender-tinted wing.

“I don’t want anypony to get hurt,” Cadance said. Trixie gave an irritated sideways glance, and quickly ducked underneath the wing and slid forward – hitting her face on a small table.

“Ow!” she hissed. The small chest on the table shook, and fell over the side, landing on Trixie’s head and flying open. Trixie lifted her head, confused for a moment before she rubbed the sore spot on her head and looked down.

“What did… oooh…” her eyes widened at the sight of the golden necklaces and accompanying crown that had been strewn to the floor.

“Hey! Hooves off!” Rainbow Dash swept them up in her forelegs before Trixie even had time to blink.

“I wasn’t touching them” Trixie replied cockily. She spared the golden jewelry one last curious glance before turning to the shelf and looking through the books. Rainbow Dash continued to eye her suspiciously, handing Cadance the elements for safe keeping.

Trixie couldn’t help but be awed, though she didn’t show it. The Elements of Harmony! She was so close to having touched them!

What she would give to bear their magic…

Her attention turned back to the books, and her small smirk faded to a scowl. “What?! I’ve already read all of these!” She cried in frustration.

“Right, good for you, move along! Go!” Rainbow Dash said, earning looks from everypony. Trixie gave her a glare,

“Trixie will show you! I’ll show all of you! I’ve read all these, I should be powerful enough! I’m going to Canterlot right now!” she cried, and headed for the door.

“Wait!” Both Cadance and Fluttershy cried, but she paid them no heed until Cadance once again flew in front of her, blocking the doorway.

“I don’t care if you’re a princess,” Trixie said. “You’ll all thank me when I save Equestria!”

“Trixie, wait,” Fluttershy hovered next to the unicorns side. “I… I’m coming with you.”

“Huh?!” Everypony, including Trixie stared at the butter-colored Pegasus. She shied away under the attention, and said quietly; “I… I want to try again,” she lowered her gaze, then lifted her head, looking at her friends determinedly. “I want to try and help her,” she swallowed. She turned to Cadance and held out a hoof. “My… my element please?”

Cadance hesitated, before levitating the golden necklace with the pink butterfly jewel in it and the Pegasus took it gratefully. “Thank you,” she said.

Cadance stared at the other elements for a moment, before saying; “I’m coming too.”

“If Cadance is going, I am.” Shining Armor stepped forward.

“Me three!” Pinkie bounced forward, “I – I want to try and help Twilight one more time!”

“…I’ll go too,” Rainbow muttered. She then roughly poked Trixie’s horn, “I’m watching you – like a hawk!”

“I’ll go as well,” Rarity smiled weakly, and Applejack nodded.

“I’m going.” The orange earth pony said.

Trixie looked from one pony to the next, and then sighed. “I wanted to do this on my own,” she muttered.

Author's Note

Proofread by Crimsongraph

Chapter Twenty-Six - Confliction

Queen Nightmare Dusk wasn’t entirely sure if she should be worried when she found Spike curled up by Discord’s feet.

The stone had held resilient, that was good, but why was Spike hanging around here? She had a faint idea why, and that just made her feel even more worried. He had his back to her. She approached slowly, and carefully, not wanting to scare him.

“…Spike?”

The baby dragon tensed, and slowly raised his head, turning towards her. “Dusk?”

“We promise not to hurt you!” she said quickly, backing away slightly, giving him space. “We… wish no more harm upon you. We promise,” she said sincerely. Spike looked at her suspiciously.

“Spike…” she said softly, taking a cautious step towards him. She magically levitated off her dark purple helm, and let it drop to the ground. “I promise I won’t hurt you anymore.”

Spike nervously chewed on his lip, trying to come up with an answer. He didn’t really hate her, but… he didn’t want to end up in her death grip again, either.

“I…” would she… no, she promised she wouldn’t hurt me, he thought, but would she break her promise? No, no – Twilight wouldn’t – no, this isn’t Twilight… But…

“I forgive you,” he said quietly.

“Oh, thank you!” she cried, suddenly diving forward and sweeping the startled dragon into a bone-breaking hug. Spike struggled to breathe and she released her grip slightly, “Oops… hehe,” she nuzzled him affectionately. Spike wasn’t really sure how to react anymore, and numbly hugged her back. She extended a wing over him,

“Spike, We promise We’ll treat you better from now on. We’ll give you many gems to eat, and you may have our bed as well! No more sleeping in that tiny little laundry basket! We’ll sleep there, and-“

“Okay, uh… that’s fine, you keep your bed.” He rubbed the back of his head; still trying to catch up with what the hay was happening.

“Come, let us make our way back to the castle! You must be hungry, We shall-“

“No, that’s okay!” Spike said quickly. “I think I’ll stay here. For now.”

Dusk stopped, casting Discord’s statue a nervous glance. She didn’t want the stone to start cracking again…

“Why?” She asked the little dragon, who squirmed until she set him back down.

“I just…” He paused, struggling for words. “…I’m keeping him company,” he said finally.

“Discord?”

“Yep!”

Dusk blinked, momentarily stunned. “…Why?!”

“I don’t know,” Spike admitted. “I just… He did save me from… never mind, he saved my life so I’m keeping him company!”

“Noble Dragon Code.” she deadpanned and Spike nodded. Dusk sighed deeply, she didn’t really have a reason to stop him… but she still didn’t feel safe.

“Well… you do that,” she said finally. “But if any cracks appear, it is imperative that you let us know immediately. Understand?”

“Okay,” Spike said. Dusk gave him and the statue one last nervous glance, before giving Spike a weak smile.

“…You have fun, then…”

~~

“Trixie’s not paying for your tickets,” Trixie huffed as she took her own train tickets in her light pink levitation.

“I don’t have any money with me,” Cadance gave her friends guilty looks.

“I’ll pay fer’ everypony,” Applejack sighed.

“Na, I can pay for myself,” Rainbow shrugged.

Several moments later; the eight of them were all packed in the train headed for Canterlot.

“So, you’re a magician?” Cadance attempted to strike a conversation with the blue unicorn sitting across from her and her husband.

“Was a magician,” Trixie mumbled, but did not elaborate. She kept casting glances at the little box holding the elements, but had made no move to touch them.

“Sooo… What happened?” Cadance asked.

“I was ridiculed, shamed, and nopony watches my shows anymore;” Trixie said in one long exhale, and Cadance blinked as she tried to process what had been said.

“How do you make a living?” Cadance tried to change the subject, and earned another irritated look.

“I don’t.”

“…Oh.” The princess said quietly, decided not to say anything further, and busied herself with watching the scenery pass by the windows.

“I think we’re going to win this time,” Rainbow Dash said confidently. “If we can take her by surprise, she’ll never see it coming!”

“But what exactly are we going to do?” Rarity asked uncertainly.

“We should all just rush her, as soon as we get there,” Rainbow Dash shrugged.

“Nothing!” Trixie said quickly. “You stand back while Trixie does the work!”

“You’re acting like a fool,” Shining Armor told her. “Dusk has taken over the minds of all of my soldiers, the Elements of Harmony were useless against her, and even all of us couldn’t take her on, magic or no. What makes you think you can?”

Trixie opened her mouth to retaliate, and thought for several long moments. She licked her lips and said; “Trixie is special. I’ll take her down all by myself!”

“But how?” Shining Armor inquired.

“I have ways! My ways! I don’t need the dumb Elements of Harmony to help me!”

Shining Armor sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose with a hoof. He could see trying to reason with this mare was like talking to a brick wall. Trixie huffed indignantly and turned her nose up, eyes closed.

“Let her act that way,” Rarity said. “We’ll see just how she handles it when we have to rush to her rescue.”

By Trixie’s sudden change of expression, they could tell she meant to retaliate, but instead of dignifying the white unicorn with an answer she simply glared out the window, chewing her lip.

“Riiiight,” Applejack murmured, than turned to her friends. “I think we should start thinkin’ about strategies – have we all got our Elements?”

The others nodded, and Applejack cleared her throat. “So… anypony got any ideas?”

“There shall be no plans from you! Trixie will deal with this all on my own!” Trixie cried.

“Agh!” Shining Armor cried, “Stop talking in third person! You’re making my brain hurt!”

Author's Note

Proofread by Crimsongraph

Dusk's speech pattern is sounding more and more like Twilight's :trollestia:

And why does Trixie speak in third person? Does she think the people around her have three-second memory-spans? Is she afraid she'll forget her own name?

Chapter Twenty-Seven - Attack!

“Queen Nightmare Dusk-“

“Queen Dusk, not Nightmare Dusk!” The alicorn interrupted, sick and tired of the dub ‘Nightmare’.

“Queen Dusk,” the bowed guard rephrased emotionlessly, and when Dusk nodded for him to continue he stood up straight and started: “The Elements of Harmony are on the train to Canterlot. Should we send forces to throw them in the dungeon?”

Dusk felt something in her belly – hope? And at the same time her heart fluttered in fear, fear of what? She lowered her eyes, starting to squirm slightly on the throne. What do they want? Finally, she started; “No, let them pass. If they head for the castle, make no move to stop them. Just… let them through.”

“Yes, your Majesty.” He turned and trotted out of the throne room to spread the word to the other soldiers. Dusk was left alone to her thoughts, and she swallowed the large lump in her throat.

She’d ordered them to stay away, and they were coming back… Did that mean they were coming to confront her once more? She felt dread seep into her heart, and at the same time she felt somewhat relieved.

This isn’t right; I should imprison them all. I can’t wait to see- no, no I hope they burn in fires hotter than the sun! I hope they aren’t mad at me, I... I want to kill them! Oh dear…

Dusk felt her temper rising, and quickly clenched her eyes shut, breathing deeply. Don’t let your anger get the best of you… remember what that one book said… Silently counting to ten, she opened her eyes feeling better.

It will be alright, We can talk to them…

You know that they won’t listen, they’ll rush in here and attack without a thought for what they’re attacking, and that’s how it always is.

You’re wrong, that’s not true. They’re smart; they wouldn’t come here and mindlessly attack us.

That’s exactly what they’d do. What could they possibly want? Maybe they’re willing to resort to violence…

No. They’re our friends; they would not hurt us knowing it would kill.

Perhaps, but who’s to say they care? They were rather quick to abandon us, to allow our possession.

Shut up.

No. Not while our life may be on the line.

It won’t be. We’re fine; even if they try anything we can easily dispatch them.

Oh? They know that too, don’t they? They wouldn’t come without some sort of protection.

One… two… three….

Counting?

One… two… three… four… five…

Whatever you wish.

Stop interrupting! One… two…. Three… four….

~~

“Trixie isn’t saying she isn’t sorry, simply that the giant wing-thing was kind of funny!”

Trixie and Rainbow Dash had been squabbling since the got off of the train. They were now heading for Canterlot Castle, with Cadance and Shining Armor in the lead. Rainbow Dash glared at Trixie, “It wasn’t funny! It was horrible!”

“Maybe for you,” Trixie smiled.

“It… was kinda funny, lookin’ back on it,” Applejack chimed in with a snicker.

“What?” Dash groaned. “You’ve gotta be… Honesty sucks!” she said, but found herself smiling anyway. She gave Applejack a playful shove. Applejack stumbled a bit, and crashed into Trixie who yelped and fell on her face.

“Oh! Sorry!” Applejack said, scrambling to her hooves and holding out a hoof to help Trixie up. Trixie got to her hooves, refusing to take Applejacks.

“It’s… Fine.” Trixie gritted her teeth, than forced a smile. “It’s okay, Applejack.” She brushed grit off her coat, and hurried forward.

“Alright girls,” Shining Armor said, slowing down. “Dusk doesn’t want us – not counting Trixie – in Canterlot, so we have to be careful.” The girls nodded, and they continued forward more cautiously. The dark Canterlot Castle could be seen ahead, it was only a few blocks away now. Most ponies were indoors, trying to avoid the ice cold. eternal night air.

Trixie shivered, mumbling to herself about wishing she had brought her cloak. They remained silent, until Rarity trotted up next to the blue unicorn.

“You know Trixie,” she started, trying to be as friendly as possible. Trixie was arrogant, but Rarity felt she deserved a chance; “I think your mane looks positively stunning, do you use something on it?”

“Huh?” Trixie was taken by surprise. Nopony had ever complimented her that way before, and quite frankly, they should! “Oh! My mane, no I don’t style it or anything. It’s just naturally beautiful,” she gave a proud flip of her hair and smiled. After a moment of thought she added, “Thank you.”

“You’re quite welcome dear,”

“Look,” Trixie started, choosing her words carefully. She’d had a lot of thought since the whole Alicorn Amulet incident… “I’m sorry about insulting your mane, you know, the first time I was in Ponyville. And turning it green.”

“Oh… that’s fine,” Rarity grimaced at the memory, remembering the countless hours of washing, restyling and then having to dye it back its natural color.

“We’re here.” Cadance said.

There stood Dark Canterlot Castle, in all its terrifying glory. “Be careful,” Shining Armor said. “I don’t see any guards and that might not be a good thing.”

“So, are we just going to walk in, or find some other way in?” Fluttershy whispered. Before anyone could reply, Trixie shoved Shining Armor out of the way and galloped full speed towards the big castle doors.

“Trixie will defeat that tyrant!”

“Trixie no!” several ponies shouted, galloping after her.

~~

Dusk should have anticipated they’d blast through the door. They always did – but she hadn’t been prepared for it. She jumped, jerked out her rather deep train of thought with all the subtlety of a bucket of water being poured on a sleepers face. “Wha?! What!”

“Nightmare Dusk! I will end…” Trixie slowed to a stop, taking a moment to fully process the Queen sitting in front of her. “…You?”

She’d believed the others when they’d said it was Twilight possessed by Nightmare Moon, but this was just plain disturbing. It was like a horrible cross between the two of them, (Not that Trixie had ever even seen Nightmare Moon,) and at the same time the body itself seemed to still look more like Twilight Sparkle than Nightmare Moon. It had Twilight’s colors, the same curves of her body, and even the same voice! The only real difference to her appearance was the way her mane wafted around her face; stars sparkling across it, her unnatural height, those draconic eyes, and the wings slightly unfurled at her sides. She stood up, obviously startled, and pinpointed her gaze on Trixie.

The others galloped up and stopped behind Trixie, “Trixie you – oh.” Cadance stopped dead, staring cautiously at Dusk. Dusk regarded them all with slight uncertainty, but her expression glazed over and she turned to look once more at Trixie, who gulped.

The blue unicorn took a step forward, “Nightmare Dusk! I will destroy you once and for all, and rescue the Princesses!”

Ignoring the use of ‘Nightmare’ in her name, Dusk turned towards the others, her brows furrowing. “What is this?!”

Everyone glanced at each other in confusion, and Shining Armor started “What are you-“

“WHAT IS SHE DOING HERE?!”

Trixie felt the force of the… things voice push against her, and she swallowed the growing lump in her throat.

“We…” Nightmare’s face went from infuriated, to upset. She looked down at her hooves for a moment, head low and wings unfurling completely, hanging almost limp at her sides. Then, her head rose and her expression twisted in rage. “We see! We see what is going on here!! You’re trying to replace us!”

“Replace you?” Rainbow Dash stared venomously at her. “What are you talking about?”

“Don’t play dumb!” The Queen hissed, stomping a hoof. “You brought Trixie to replace us! We see you’re all wearing your elements! WE SEE YOU’RE TRYING TO DESTROY US!”

Trixie coughed, and bravely stepped forward. “I came myself! Trixie needs no help!”

“Dusk,” Rarity said, “How would we possibly replace you?! Replace you as… wait… I… Oh,” her eyes widened as a disturbing realization came over her. The others gaped, catching on as well.

Trixie took the silence to her advantage, and with a cry she galloped forward. She leaped towards Dusk, horn glowing fiercely. Dusk, half-mad with rage and feeling betrayed; didn’t leap out of the way. Trixie landed neatly in front of her, and her horn set off a blinding light that caused Dusk to cry out as her vision was momentarily impaired. A series of agonizing, stinging and burning pains ripped through her coat.

“Ha!” Trixie cried triumphantly. “You are no match for my-“

She was interrupted when Dusk, despite the invisible agony making her skin burn and itch, dove forward and used the side of her head to shove Trixie back. “GUARDS!” she cried, “ALL OF THEM! PUT THEM IN THE DUNGEON, MAKE IT STOOOP!”

She couldn’t help but start to panic, whatever Trixie was doing it was painful, and getting worse. The seven ponies quickly scrambled to leave; but their exit was blocked by several unicorn – and Pegasi guards.

“Take them away!” Dusk shrieked, “NOW!”

Several grabbed hold of everypony. “Oh no you don’t!” Applejack growled, and attempted to buck her captors in the face, but magical restraints snaked around her hooves, and the hooves of her friends. Cadance and Rainbow Dash attempted to fly away, but were held down – Dusk glared at them all with burning hatred.

Author's Note

Proofread by Crimsongraph

Chapter Twenty-Eight - Me, Myself and Her

“WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO US?!” The Queen shrieked, trying to ward the hex off with her own magic. And despite her being an alicorn, neither she nor Twilight has practiced such magic – healing and such. She shook with fury, and great wings rising she dove off of the platform and stopping inches from the pink bubble. “LIFT YOUR CURSE, WHELP!”

“What?! Trixie is no whelp!” the unicorn harrumphed. “…And curses don’t exist.”

“STOP!” Dusk screeched, and dove at Trixie. The body slam knocked the wind out of the blue unicorn, and for a moment the glow in her horn seemed to fade, but with a snarl of rage Trixie re-lit her horn, and a blast of telekinesis shot back at Dusk, knocking in her back. The alicorn stumbled a few meters, and was promptly dive-bombed by Rainbow Dash, only increasing her pain.

“NO!” With a glow of Shining Armor’s horn, a pink bubble expanded around him and the others, deflecting the soldiers away. “Get up!” he tugged Trixie to her hooves. With a glare, her lit horn intensified – and so did Dusk’s pain.

Conflicting thoughts of both rage and understanding danced in her mind; all at the same time until it all seemed like an endless stream of unintelligible voices until she couldn’t stand it! She watched Shining Armor hold up the small bubble effortlessly, while the mindless guards continuously bounced off of it, trying to get in. Shining Armor had been able to hold a shield around the entirety of Canterlot and repel an army of Changelings for a little while; he could handle a few soldiers.

“R-release your spell!” she hissed at Trixie. “A-at once!” she wanted to make threats, to splatter this unicorn all over the wall, but she just couldn’t bring herself to do it. “Stand down!” She told the brainwashed morons, who did exactly as she bid. She swallowed hard, near tears from the sting – it didn’t really hurt so much as it stung and burned.

Trixie looked about to answer, but Rarity plugged her mouth with a hoof. “She’ll stop once you promise to calm down and let us speak reasonably!”

A reasonable request. “Alright! We wanted nothing more than to speak with you!” Dusk almost sounding like she was begging, and this gave all eight ponies pause. Everyone looked expectantly at Trixie, who groaned in frustration.

“…Fine.” The light of her horn winked out, and with it the burn. Dusk sighed in relief, making a mental note to find out where Trixie learned such a foul trick.

“Let us converse,” Dusk said, standing up straight with a wince. “Lower your shield?”

“No.” Shining Armor said. “We’re fine how we are.”

“Very well then,” with an annoyed flick of her ear Dusk stared straight into Shining Armor’s eyes, alternating between the others. She couldn’t find Fluttershy; the poor mare was probably cowering behind somepony. “Why have you come?”

Nopony answered for a long time. Trixie broke the silence, “To destroy you and bring the sun back!” And if the Princesses don’t return make me the Princess of all of Equestria, Trixie thought hopefully to herself. She’d told herself not to get her hopes up, but she could dream, right?

“Yeah!” Rainbow Dash cried. “Let us out of here, Shining! I want to kick her flank!”

“Hey! Both of you!” Cadance kicked Dash’s leg, and then quickly turned to Dusk. “What they meant was we just want to…”

Cadance took a moment, studying Dusk’s feelings. The look on her face, her posture – Cadance’s special talent was love, but she could sense other emotions as well.

“…Possibly reason with you. Princess Dusk,” she added with a small bow. “I mean no disrespect, but… Ponies are freezing out there. Starvation will follow. Perhaps we could come to an agreement?” Come on, Twilight! I know you’re in there somewhere! Think logically!

Dusk looked slightly taken back, Princess? She called us Princess? It sounded… somehow more satisfying than Queen. Less foreboding. She considered Cadance’s proposal. She recalled her conversation with Celestia. And Spike…

“You want us to bring the sun back,” she said more so to herself than the Princess. Everyone except Trixie nodded rapidly – Trixie was getting more and more flustered. This wasn’t how she wanted this!

Trixie stomped her hoof. “There shall be no agreement! I want to face this fiend alone!”

“Give it a rest!” Rainbow Dash muttered, placing a hoof on the shield and causing a small shock wave to ripple across the surface.

Dusk lowered her head, eyes studying the floor, her mind working on overdrive. She didn’t quite know what to do any more, the request was so simple: raise the sun. That was it. That was all she was asked. And yet why couldn’t she bring herself to do so? It would everything better; she told herself – ponies would start to like her, appreciate her. She was starting to feel sick to her stomach.

Monster. That’s all that we are now, and all we will be. Can we really do the right thing? Her mind roiled in confusion and hurt, who was she? A jealousy-driven tyrant, or a benevolent ruler? A cruel and insecure monster, or a simple scholar with many friends and her whole life ahead of her? Was there two of them? Or just one?

“Dusk… I think you can do the right thing.” Cadance said gently. Dusk looked up, chewing the inside of her cheek. She stood there for a long time, processing what had been said.

No you can’t, you’re a fool. A selfish, arrogant fool, she told herself. Everyone makes mistakes though, she thought suddenly. We can be better. You can do better.

“Sunshine, sunshine…” she took a staggering step forward.

“…Ladybugs awake,” Cadance said, stepping up to Shining Armor’s barrier.

“Clap your hooves and do a little shake,” they said in unison; their hooves meeting through the shield.

“T…Twily? Is that you?” Shining Armor murmured quietly, and Dusk gave him a weak, almost tentative side-ways glance and smile.

“I’m… unsure.” She replied regretfully. When she was One with Luna, she really was one with her in every sense of the word. Not simply two different personalities occupying the same body, but a single mind made of two. And it was this realization that hurt the most: the Night Mare was nothing but that – A nightmare. A mindless, bodiless mass of wrathful emotions that merged with another to make a whole. All alone, there was no whole. At least not for it.

It. Yes, there was no she when separated from another. There was no he; it was it. Dusk felt alien, some part of her deeply wanted to go to Celestia and cry her heart out into the white alicorn’s warm fur. And the other half of her wanted to do just the same with Luna.

Dusk was taken by surprise when Trixie violently kicked the shield where Dusk’s hoof still lingered. “Enough chit-chat!” The unicorn hissed. “Face me!”

“Trixie!” Everypony shouted.

“No! I came here to fight for Equestria! Bring down this shield, and let me at her!”

“No.” Shining Armor told her. “It doesn’t need to come to violence, Trixie.”

“The Elements are useless as you said,” she growled. “Violence is the only way to solve this!”

“Perhaps we should sit down and parley?” Dusk suggested hopefully, not eager to fight. She was tired, and she couldn’t decide whether these ponies were friend or foe any more. Despite everything, she still had no idea whether she even cared about them – she almost did, but at the same time she didn’t. It was confusing, and she didn’t want to do anything she’d regret but at the same time she wanted to squash them!

Trixie glared daggers at her, trying to think of something to say that would make Shining Armor lower the shield.

“I think that sounds like a wonderful idea,” Rarity replied.

Applejack nodded in agreement, “Yes, it does.”

“…And wouldn’t it be so much easier if the shield was lifted?” Trixie added. Shining Armor hesitated a moment, before looking Dusk in the eye.

“You won’t attack?”

“You have our word,” Dusk promised. Shining Armor nodded, and took a deep breath before the magical barrier winked out. Trixie shuffled nervously on her hooves, waiting for just the right moment…

“Guards! Have our chefs prepare a good big meal! Come, my guests… shall we go to the dining quarters?”

Author's Note

Proofread by Crimsongraph

Sorry this chapter isn't 'up to quality', it underwent several re-visions, and even now I'm not that proud of it, but this is as confident as I can be with it for now. Originally there was going to be a glorious battle, but I cut it out because I didn't want to ruin anything. Sorry 'bout that.