The Apprentice of War

Chapter Three: Tutorship

Perspective: Twilight

Nightmare Moon looked back with a smug grin spreading from ear to ear. Captain Vera Virtute has accepted Nightmare Moon’s rather biased question. But nonetheless I am happy he is alive. Without his armour he has a dark teal coat and black and blue mane and light blue eyes, he is medium height and a rather buff build. I guess it comes with being a guard....

“It is nice to see a Captain with sense for once, you shall go far Captain Vera Virtute,” Nightmare Moon complemented the Captain, she even seemed to blush through her onyx coat as she spoke. “Come now Twilight it is time we shall retire to our chambers, as my sisters pupil I suspect you have your own chamber?”

“Yes Nightma...” Nightmare gave a throaty cough and seemed to glare at me with her draconic eyes “OH yes sorry your highness... Yes Queen Nightmare Moon I do have my own chambers, would you like any help finding your own?”

“No my pet, I will not need any help. Captain, I would like you to gather all the staff of the castle and to tell them to carry on working as normal. Also I would like new guards who are loyal and trustworthy, I expect this to be done with uttermost urgency as I am sure assassination plots are already being developed.” Nightmare Moon turned towards the guard. she seemed to say the last sentence with a hint of irony. ‘I am sure she can defend herself, she did just kill one hundred odd trained guards with a flick of her horn.’

“Yes my Queen your orders shall be done at once, regarding recruitment I shall have 50 men by the end of the month, I will test all of them to see where their loyalty lies.”

As the Captain salutes and marches out of the throne room Nightmare Moon’s hoofsteps echoing down the empty corridor. Realizing I am all alone I quickly cantered in Nightmare Moon’s direction to catch up with her, we continue to walk down the corridor in relative silence as we reach our rooms Nightmare Moon turns towards me and with a cold glare she begins to speak in a regal yet monotone voice devoid of emotions

“Twilight, tonight you have proven yourself, not only have you shown your loyalty in numerous occasions, you have shown you can be obedient and with time become a great diplomatic leader. As with the Captain I shall give you a choice...” 'Oh god what is going to happen? Will she torture me? Kill someone?! Or worse make me take a test!’ Twilight visibly cringed at the horrible thought of a test.

“Will you stay by my side and become my apprentice, or will you abandon me and live your life with your so called ‘friends’. If you choose the former I will not only put you under mental exercise and pressure it will also be physical, you will train everyday to make your body withstand the strongest blows, to be able to make the most impossible decisions in a matter of seconds, and lastly to sacrifice your morals and innocence. It is not easy to be able to kill and look back with no remorse.”

‘Yesyesyesyesyes I can return to my friends! I can spend the rest of my life with... them... my friends... who left me. Who betrayed me. Why is Nightmare Moon giving me a choice; has she realized what she did was wrong? Was she seeking forgiveness?’ I lifted my head up and looked into her eyes, she did not seem distant and cold. 'She was lonely, she had been alone for a thousand years on the moon. She is offering me knowledge, knowledge which has been forgotten by everypony. She was giving me a new life... A life I will embrace'

“Queen Nightmare Moon. I would be honored to be your student, you have shown me nothing but mercy and you have given me a chance of redemption, to take knowledge and power, to step out of my darkness and into the light” With my speech concluded I realized how ironic it sounded, but when I noticed the huge smile on her muzzle it made me feel happy inside, like the times when I made Celestia proud. That moment I knew I wouldn't regret my decision.

“Very well my p.. student, we shall begin your training tomorrow morning. your first lesson will be the worst, but it should get better in time.”At this time all I could think of is all the new spells and knowledge I will be learning.

I turned around and opened my large oak doors and entered my old room, nothing had changed. I walked over towards my bed and flopped down onto it. 'Celestia is dead... My friends betrayed me... I've killed someone...' A thousand thoughts raced through my head all my emotions had been bottled up and are now breaking free, tears streamed down my cheeks staining my fur.

Just before I fell asleep I whispered to myself “What have I done....”