Chapter 15

Nightmare’s body had grown heavy, very heavy. The once swift movements had slowed down to nothing but a basic crawl. Even her magic had grown rather limited to just simple telekinesis by this day. Along with the limitations now imposed on her body, she also had to cope with the pure and simple fact that she had grown wider too. Particularly around her midsection and she absolutely hated it. She had gained quite a bit of weight and this very weight had not only slowed her down, but it was also what the weight represented that seemed to bother her.

What was truly incredible though, was the simple fact that throughout the past year she had gone completely uncaptured. It was truly amazing how she had not only evaded the Lunar Guard, but the Solar Guard and Princess Luna at the very same time. However, most of it had simply just been a matter of luck on her part coupled with a bit of careful planning. Even with that though, it still amazed her how she had been able to dodge the royal guard in its entirety and any local law enforcement on top of that. Especially considering what she had to do to survive.

Thinking back on it, summer hadn’t really been much of an issue for her. However, it was as the temperature began to drop that she actually began to worry. Nightmare’s worry though hadn’t been about herself, in fact, for the first time in her own life; she was actually concerned for something else. The well-being of the unborn foal she was carrying. This was one of the reasons she had been extremely lucky in her survival as the moment autumn hit, she commandeered an apartment building for herself. She had just been thankful that the building had been rather run down as compared to many of the others in the city, so it made the perfect hiding spot for her. Even considering she had to steal blankets still to keep herself warm throughout the winter.

It worked out especially well in the way of food too, because with the shelter she had gained the ability to actually store larger quantities of food instead of going out to steal every single night. This made it far easier on her body in the later months as her pregnancy progressed. As she found herself growing tired far more quickly. This resulted in her actually growing far more cautious while on the run. Being very careful not to leave any traces behind during thefts as to prevent being tracked. She couldn’t risk anything at this point.

For the first time, Nightmare had truly been afraid. She was scared, she was alone. It made her far more defensive and protective instinctually. She didn’t want to risk being captured, because she feared what Luna and Celestia might do to her; or worse, what they might do to her foal if they ever found out. It was the one thing she wouldn’t risk for anything in the world. Which was why she was very glad she had found the apartment.

What really surprised Nightmare though, wasn’t just the fact that she had survived an entire year. It was the fact that she had remained just under the radar the entire time as well. While she was aware that Luna and the entire Lunar Guard was searching for her, she hadn’t exactly done much to draw attention to herself or even her hiding place. Yes, she did recall a few rather close calls on that front, but otherwise she remained rather well hidden. Had she actually won this battle against Luna? She didn’t quite know that yet, but it really did feel like it as she slowly walked through the darkened streets of Canterlot.

It was a rather warm night, even for it being early June. She walked with a bit of spring in her step through the streets, all the while being very cautious as to not draw attention to herself. She had to be like this, as there hadn’t been very much of an option overall. It was either walk out during the daytime and cause a complete uproar or walk through the streets at night and be cautious. This was mostly due to the increasing numbers of the Lunar Guard now patrolling the streets of the city. While it did concern her, they seemed easy enough to avoid for the most part. The very strange thing though was, even while walking out in the open many of them seemed to just ignore her. It was almost as if she wasn’t there. Which was something she found particularly strange at least until she remembered the condition she was in.

Even stranger still, was the fact that a few of them even seemed to assist her as she walked through the streets. Offering assistance because of it. Which only seemed to make her life even easier as she crossed through most of Canterlot. Somehow, this seemed to be one of the greatest blessings she could’ve ever asked for. The question did remain though. What would Luna do to her foal if she discovered it? That was something she refused to think about though. Because the more she did, the more upset her stomach became. In fact, all throughout the trip through Canterlot, she could feel a bit of discomfort throughout her lower region. It seemed to grow as she walked, but she paid very little mind to it as she continued along her path.

Luna cared not for her regalia at this point. Merely tossing it aside as she let her body flop onto the bed with a groan. She had never faced a challenge like this before in her life and it was finally beginning to wear on her after almost a full year. While the times had indeed changed, her job hadn’t, the only difference was...unlike before she had a great deal more help. Even with that help however, it was beginning to wear on her a great deal, she could feel herself growing tired even more quickly than before as it was apparent with the yawn that finally escaped her. She didn’t even try to be polite about it either, she just simply yawned rather loudly.

‘How....?’ she asked herself, turning from her side onto her back. With her full body sprawled onto the bed as she stared up at the ceiling. While Luna did appear to stare up at it, she wasn’t actually. Instead she was gazing well past the solid surface, as if she was looking up at the actual sky. ‘H-how could she elude me for this long...?’ she continued to think, focusing on the one singular fact of Nightmare Moon. ‘Am I doing something wrong?’ she asked, ‘Or am I missing something?’ she blinked very slowly, letting her eyes close as she fell into deep thought. ‘No! The plans were absolutely flawless! How can I be missing something? I asked specifically that they report everypony they see!’ It was befuddling as she slowly turned onto her other side with a sigh of defeat, her gaze now moving to the door. ‘Is it possible she left Canterlot?’ she paused a moment, reflecting upon this line of thought. ‘No! She hasn’t! I’m sure of it! Otherwise the thefts would’ve stopped by now! That is...unless she doesn’t NEED to steal and its somepony...GAH!’ The moment she felt a spike in her frustration, she immediately picked up a pillow and chucked it right at the door.

As if on cue, the door swung open the very moment she flung the pillow and before she knew it, said feathery softness struck a pony dead square in the face with a great deal of force. The force of the throw had been incredible, even for a pillow, causing the pony it had struck to go flying back about half a meter before landing right on his flank.

“That’s a pleasant way to say ‘hello’,” Emerald remarked in a monotone voice. Almost as if he had become accustomed to taking a pillow to the face. He stood up very slowly, brushing off his body. “Although...I don’t blame you for doing it. Considering we have yet to find her.' he added as he entered the room, being sure to close the door behind him.

“That pillow was not intended for you,” Luna sighed in despair, “It was intended for the door. Unfortunately...it missed the intended target.” After that particular moment, she merely flipped onto her other side. Looking to hide her shame from her captain and adviser. That however became an invitation for him to climb onto the bed very slowly. Thankfully he was devoid of the Lunar Guard’s armor for the time being, otherwise this would’ve gone badly for him.

The next thing Luna knew was, she had a pair of hooves slowly wrapping around her lower body and her head was being forced up against Emerald’s warm chest. This was a pleasant sensation, giving a bit of a euphoria to the mare as she snuggled right into him without even bothering to fight against it. His presence always brought her a bit of comfort when she needed it, especially given he always seemed to know exactly what she needed at particular moments. This instance was no different, as she felt his warmth fill her body. All the stress seemed to vanish along with it.

‘How does he do this?’ she asked herself, hesitating for just a single moment before all the stress just vanished. ‘Ahh, screw it...’ Luna thought as she just snuggled on into his embrace further. It took just a couple of moments before she found that perfect position in his embrace. That very perfect position where it felt like she was sitting on a cloud as it drifted through the sky slowly. This was followed by her eyes slowly closing as she relaxed even further.

“Better now?” Emerald whispered seductively in her ear. Which sent an erotic chill right up her spine.

‘Damn him...’ she thought, feeling just a hint of arousal beginning to surface. This is where an idea popped into her head, a very fiendish one at that. While it did come at a bit of a price, she couldn’t really help but go forward with her plan. “Did you bring cake?” she inquired, without even opening her eyes.

“N-no...” he muttered, “W-why...? Should I have?”

“Yes you should have!” Luna argued, while trying to cover a small laugh that was beginning to form.

“B-but...do you know what cake would do to you?” Emerald asked, much to her dismay.

“Yes!” she replied, “It would make me most happy!” This was met with a very soft chuckle in the sheer amusement of the situation. Emerald could clearly tell she was just toying around with him a little bit. Even though he did consider the possibility that she did want some cake. It brought a few potential ideas to mind that made him enjoy the company of the princess.

“What kind of cake would your royal highness like?” he inquired as she shuffled in his embrace, to where she was now facing him.

“We would prefer a triple chocolate cake, with sprinkles and a cherry on top if you please!” she ordered, a rather pleased grin on her face. “But only if my sister hasn’t consumed it already! If she hasn’t, bring us a slice! A large slice!” Emerald’s response was to first place a very soft kiss upon the mare’s lips. Which in turn made her blush a tiny bit before he trotted to the door. This granted her the perfect view of him as he left. Luna’s eyes visibly tracing over his detailed features again, particularly the part of his body facing her direction. His extremely toned flank. Just seeing it sent a chill up her spine, followed by a luscious grin. ‘Now...if only he had frosting on it...’

The discomfort in her body had only grown worse as she continued through the streets. It had gotten so bad that it was virtually crippling. The strange thing about it though was, it seemed to come and go at set intervals. Intervals she could time very clearly in her mind too. She could only wonder what it meant as she struggled to stay on her hooves the entire way.

Nightmare was just grateful she had recently moved out of the apartment a few weeks ago, having chosen a warehouse as her present place of residence. It was far larger compared to the apartment and while it didn’t retain the heat as much compared to it, she didn’t care. She had numerous blankets that kept her warm, even on the cold spring nights. She just wished she had a soft bed to lie on instead of a cluster of pillows and blankets. Because maybe then, her back wouldn’t ache as badly as it did at this exact moment. Or had that been another interval of pain? She couldn’t really tell anymore. She just knew that this pregnancy was beginning to wear thin on her.

She pushed the door open very slowly. Opening it just wide enough for her to slip in before closing it once again. Inside, it was rather dark, even with the light of the waxing moon peering in through the window. The warehouse was rather empty, save for what sat in the center of it. Surrounding a small oil lap were several cans of food, an abundance of soft blankets and even large, fluffy pillows. She had even snatched a cloud not more than a few weeks ago, as it gently hovered above the blankets. Just high enough to be within reach. While it wasn’t exactly paradise, she could consider this her home for the time being.

It took just a matter of seconds for Nightmare to reach the blankets, desiring to rush before eventually curling up on them. She sought the comfort and warmth they brought to her, even through the excruciating she had begun to feel not more than a couple hours ago. As the next interval came, she winced in a great deal of pain. Doing so in hopes to remain as quiet as she possibly could. Detection was the last thing she wanted, but upon that wave of pain she began to contemplate it. Wonder about its source. The pain itself seemed to be centered around her abdominal area particularly and even her back. It was unlike anything she had felt before, but as she paid a deeper attention to it, she felt something else.

The pain came along with a tightening and cramping of her entire body. Nightmare continued to reflect on it and the pain itself seemed more of a sharp pain as well and it only seemed to be coupled with the tightening of her muscles. It was in that moment where she began to recall something from a maternity book she had snatched from the library in her own curiosity. How could she have missed it for the past couple of hours? How could she have missed all the signs? It was only upon the next wave of pain did it finally dawn on her.

‘No...No...no! Not now!’ she cried to herself in pure agony. What was she going to do now? What could she do now? She was all alone in a warehouse, unable to do much in the way of anything due to the increasingly intense pain. The worst part of all of this though, was the fact she didn’t even know what to do either as it meant not only her life, but the life of the foal that she carried around.

Author's Note

This chapter was a bit short sadly.