The Apprentice of War

Chapter Two: A Troubled Descent

Perspective:Twilight

‘What have I done? Why don’t I feel any remorse? Is Nightmare Moon already affecting my morals...?’

“Come now, Twilight. It is time to show you the true power of the moon.” I was snapped out of my train of thought by Nightmare Moon. “Twilight, what do you know about me?” questioned Nightmare Moon.

‘What besides you're a cynical and tyrannical ruler which will inevitably cause the end of Equestria?’ “I do not know much your highness, all I know is the tale of the Mare in the Moon”

“Yes that story your beloved ruler created to make all of my subjects hate and fear my return.” Nightmare Moon spat out the words with fury “Do not misunderstand me, I do not hold any regret on my actions and my ascension to power, but let me shed some light on this half told tale” she said.

‘Why would the princess make such a horrible lie of her co-ruler? Surely Nightmare Moon is lying, Celestia is such a kind ruler.’ “You see Twilight before my banishment to the moon, me and my ‘sister’ ruled Equestria as ‘equals’”

“WHAT! Princess Celestia was your SISTER!?” ‘I was outraged, I was sure even Nightmare Moon had some morals left. But to kill your own sister!’

“Yes she was my sister. And if you interrupt me again, Twilight, I will have your right hoof. Am I clear?” ‘Nightmare Moon was clearly not joking about the threat.’

“Crystal clear your highness, I am sorry, please forgive me” I apologized fearfully, I slowly shrunk expecting Nightmare Moon’s wrath. Yet when I looked up I could see sadness in her draconic eyes, alongside a lone tear.

“It is alright Twilight, It was a simple mistake, Now let me finish the tale” I was dumbfounded. ‘Why was she so forgiving? From what Celestia said, she was a beast consumed by darkness. Is she trying to trick me to lower my guard? Or is she generally a kind hearted pony who had been corrupted?’

As we both slowly walked up the path to the Royal Castle door, I noticed none of the Royal Guards were stationed by the doors. ‘Where were they?’

“My sister and I were supposed to be equal, yet she oversaw all of Equestria’s complaints and laws, I was cast into background and only ruled over the night. My beautiful night! Yet everyone shunned my work and slept through it, so I began plotting my revenge. I entered ponies’ dreams and corrupted them, turning their once sweet dreams into bitter nightmares. All I wanted was to be noticed and appreciated” More tears began to fall down her onyx cheek. “Do you know what it is like to spend millennium after millennium creating the cosmos and nopony gives it a second glance? Tell me, Twilight, how would you feel if you finally understood everything there is to magic, and Celestia just turned her nose up to it?”

I thought about it for a second and realized. ‘I would be beyond disappointed, angry even. No wonder Nightmare Moon became vengeful and cynical, anyone would be if they were ignored for a thousand years’ “Nightmare Moon, I am so sorry that would be awful, how could ponies be so cruel?”

“Enough Twilight, I do not want your pity, I am a goddess for Faust’s sake!”

Nightmare Moon reared up and opened the double doors to the throne room, as the doors swung open the faces of over one hundred guards suddenly appeared. Their faces showed fear, anger, and doom were etched on the collective countenances of the Royal Guards.

“Enough Nightmare Moon. Your attempts of capturing Equestria will be in vain as we will stop you here, tonight! Even if it costs us our lives!” The Captain shouted, desperately trying to raise the morale of his men.

“You foal, do you think you can thwart my plans?” Nightmare’s horn glowed black, darker than the night itself. With a flick of her horn Nightmare Moon’s magic grasped all of the guards besides the Captain, who stood still in fear. With a sharp collective ‘snap’ all the guards fell limp to the floor, their necks bent in impossible angles.

“Now tell me Captain. Do you think ‘you' stand a chance?” As her chuckle turned into a maniacal laugh. I could only grimace at the sight before me; so little effort to levitate all the guards, and kill them off in a single sweep.

Perspective: Nightmare Moon

‘Hmmm, what shall I do with this foalish Captain? Death would be too easy, but I cannot allow him to walk free, as it would make me look weak. Maybe Twilight has the answer?’

“Twilight, what do you think we should do with Celestia’s dear Captain?”

The fear on her face was undeniable yet as the question sank in her face turned into concentration and wonder, judging by her expressions she is probably analysing every option and outcome from what we do with the guard.

“Your highness, I believe we should capture the guard and interrogate him. Not only will this be a deterrent to other rebellions, we will also gain invaluable information on how the royal guard operate” The lavender unicorn replied, and to say I was impressed would be an understatement. I was pleased with how well she reacted when on the spot and how effective her opinion on the matter was, yet her morals have drastically changed. Whether this is to gain my trust and betray me or that she always had a cynical side and just needed a little bit of darkness to bring it out, I will never know.

“Very good Twilight, I don’t think I could have come up with a better solution myself.” I turned my attention to the defeated Captain “Now Captain....” the Captain just stared at me.

In a deep gruff voice he replied “Captain Vera Virtute commander of her royal majesty's army.” 'True Courage? Let’s put that to the test...'

“Anyway, Captain Vera Virtute, I shall now give you some advice, embrace me as your true Queen and join me, and you will live and grow to become more powerful than you ever imagined. Betray me and you shall suffer eternally, I will torture you, you will wish for death to save you. Now tell me what your choice is?”

Perspective: Captain Vera Virtute

As I lift my head up and stare Nightmare Moon in her eyes I feel numb and nauseous. 'How can I betray Equestria? My home, my country'. As my stare continues all I can think of is how I failed everypony; my men, my family, my friends. I look over towards Twilight, how could she support Nightmare Moon? She killed the princess. As a guard I knew when I signed up that I would protect the royal family and the leaders of Equestria...

Nightmare Moon is now the leader of Equestria.

I looked into Nightmare Moon’s cat like eyes hoping I will never live to regret this decision “I shall serve you till death my Queen.”