The Apprentice of War

Chapter Four: Lesson One

Perspective Twilight

'Celestia...Friends...Elements...Harmony...Death...Sacrifice'.

My mind is racing at a mile a minute, lost in the events which have happened in the past day; the worst day of my old life. Today is a new day, a clean slate. My new life begins now. When the last thought entered my head all I could imagine is how stupid I must looked of somepony saw me.

“Rise my student, the day has begun and we still have not begun your training!” Nightmare Moon shouted in my ear, ending my vivid thoughts and dreams and; being honest scaring, the living hay out of me!

“AHHHH” *THUD* I scream as I fall to the oak wood floor. With a groan I get up, rubbing the base of my horn in attempt to get rid of the throbbing pain at the base. Remembering who was in my room I forgot about my horn and sprung back up onto my hooves. “My Queen! I am so sorry I should have been up hours ago! I had no idea how late in the day.. errr night it is..” I spoke in a gruff husky voice; thanks to my throat being dry.

“Calm your self Twilight, I did not expect you to be up early anyway. Also now with you being my student you don’t have to be so formal with me. Call me Nightmare Moon or Queen Moon.”

Wow... one day and I’m already on first name terms with Nightmare Moon? Celestia was never this informal with me...

“Twilight I want you to shower and get ready for your first lesson; I expect you to be at the throne room by 12 o'clock, Okay?

“Yes Nightmare Moon, I will come down as soon as I am ready.” I replied with a smile. As Nightmare Moon turned and exited my room I began to run the shower to get it nice and hot. As I slipped into the shower, the hot water running down my coat, I sighed in relief. It felt wonderful washing away all the grit and soot from yesterdays fight and other encounters. After my shower I began to dry myself with a towel and brush my mane and tail.

I finally finished about an hour later. I glance back to my clock and  found that I was perfectly on time at 11:50 am. Satisfied with my time, I set off for the throne room. Walking down the empty corridors was eerie; hearing my hoofsteps echo in the great halls and the feeling of the eyes of the paintings seeming to follow me.

After ten minutes of silent walking I reached the large double doors of the throne room. The two guards looked at me and nodded as I approached the door, turning and opening the two doors for me. As I entered, the first thing I realized was the colour and decorations of the throne room had changed. Celestia having red and gold banners, Nightmare Moon having  purple and silver ones. The second thing I noticed was that Nightmare Moon was currently holding a court session. Thirdly was that I knew the mare she was talking too.

“Queen Nightmare Moon kin yo' please brin' back th' sun, as enny fool kin plainly see mah apple trees is dyin'. Wifout th' sun th' crops will fail an' Equestria will starve in a few weeks!” It was Applejack, the apple farmer from Ponyville. I wonder if she will remember me?

“Applejack? What are you doing here?” What will she think of me? Will she think I betrayed her?... No. She betrayed me and if she has a problem with me supporting Nightmare Moon... well she can just buck off!

“Twi, Whut in tarnation are yo' doin' here? We all thought yo' were dead!” They thought I was dead? They never bothered to even help me! They just assumed I was DEAD!

“Twilight you know this country hick?” Nightmare Moons asked in her regal voice, ending my mental rant..

“Yes Nightmare Moon, she is the bearer of the Element of Honesty, and was my ‘friend’!” I spat the last word out through gritted teeth. I can tolerate thieves and liars, but traitors... they sicken me!

“An' whut is thet supposed t'mean? Yer th' one hyar who is gittin' all snhomely wif Nightmare Moon!” That does it Applejack has gone to far! I. Will. End. Her.

Seeing the anger in my face, Nightmare Moon intervenes. “Now, my student, do not allow your anger to cloud your opinion.” At the word student I saw Applejack gag, I'm sure if she had water it would be all over the floor right now... “So Twilight what is your opinion on Miss Applejacks dilemma? She believes that I should bring forth day again to save the crops and vegetation of Equestria. Do you believe that I should accept and show that I am a ruler with false intentions and empty threats?” Nightmare Moon’s question was rather straightforward. Allow Equestria to fall and die or to save it but hurt her reputation and show her threats are meaningless.

“If I was in your hooves Nightmare Moon ,I would bring back the sun, It will cause some doubt in your power but in the long run it will save Equestria. What is better, to rule with power but no subjects or to be less feared but still have people to rule?” ‘Buck I just reversed the question, shes gonna hate me... She might even remove me as her student!’

“Very good point my student. I shall take that into concept, although I do believe I can alter the moon to have the sun’s properties and keep the night sky hmmm..” I sighed in relief ‘I actually gave her good advice? WAIT WHAT! She can do that?! But Celestia couldn't even achieve a feat such as that! Changing the properties of a celestial object, Nightmare Moon must have magic level over 20,000!’

“Now Miss Applejack you have heard my decision, I will alter my moon to give life the way the sun does, as you can see I am not tyrannical. I am a kind goddess who should be loved and respected from afar, but feared at all times. Go now as I have promised your crops and trees will not wither and die and the effects of the moon will be ready within the week.” As Nightmare Moon finished her announcement, Applejack rose from her bow and left, scolding me on her way out.

“Nightmare Moon, what will our first lesson cover? Forbidden magic? Ancient philosophers?” Nightmare Moon seemed to chuckle at my almost foalish thirst for knowledge.

“No Twilight, it is none of them you have suggested. We will start from the very beginning, come with me and we shall start at once.”

We both exited the throne room and walked down the corridors to a large single mahogany door. I have seen this door before when Celestia gave me a tour of the castle when I was a filly. She told me that it is the door to the dungeons.

“Nightmare Moon, why are we going to the dungeons for our lesson?” Looking annoyed Nightmare Moon looked down at me.

“Wait and you will see.” I sighed deeply, I hated it when my parents did that to me

We walked down the spiral staircase going, deeper within the dungeons. The walls were covered in thick green sludge and stained with the blood of those unlucky enough to find their way down here. Inside the cells of the dungeon were lumps of old rotting hay used as bedding and a small bowls of water, although there were no prisoners. The cells were always stocked with fresh water and food anyway.

After 15 minutes of walking we finally reached a crimson red door with intricate carvings around the door. As I was looking slightly afraid, Nightmare Moon gave me a caring smile to boost my confidence. Nightmare Moon’s horn sparked to life and unlocked the heavy door, once I had entered I noticed it was not a cell... It was a torture room. Before I could voice my opinion shackles wrapped around my ankles locking me in place.

“Nightmare Moon! What are you doing!” I screamed, terrified for my life. ‘Was she going to kill me? Was the offer to become her student a trick just to lower my guard?!’

“Twilight, this is your first lesson. For fifteen years Celestia has been feeding you lies, dampening your magic to stop you from reaching your full potential, most of all she has made you weak. However I am going to undo Celestia’s work, you could say I am reforming you. To do this you will have to suffer.”

The shackles around my ankles started to tighten, crushing my hooves and causing me to scream out in agony

“Why are you doing this Nightmare Moon!? I already showed you that I’m loyal” Speaking was too hard, my voice was forced out through gritted teeth. The pain was excruciating, it felt as if lead weights being slowly pressed down onto my hooves.

“Twilight my dear, do not see this as a punishment. I am lifting the barriers Celestia has put on you, I will be opening your mind to a whole new level of magic and knowledge. Surely you can live through a few days of pain and suffering for a lifetime of power and enlightenment.”

Looking up I could see Nightmare Moon levitating a bull whip, bracing for the pain I scrunched my eyes. Pain... All I could feel was pain from the impact of the whip. I turned around fearing the damage on my body, the cut was a long thin lash on my cutie mark.

*Crack*

“AHHHH” I screamed, the pain was too much. My flanks throbbing in pain. Lash after lash I scream out. I feared what my body would look like, my coat stained in blood with cuts all down my back and flanks. This lasted for two long hours...

When the whipping finally stopped Nightmare Moon began to pump healing magic through my body. All the cuts healed instantly, not even a scar was left.

“I-is it over Nightmare Moon?” I sheepishly asked, praying that it was.

“No Twilight, the real pain has not even begun yet.” Nightmare Moon cooed with a sadistic grin spread across her muzzle

After Nightmare Moon had rummaged around in her chest she returned with a pair of spiked hoof dusters. She slowly walked up to my face and put one hoof on my jaw, she brought her hoof back and smacked my jaw making my head whiplash sideways, spraying blood and shattered teeth across the wall.

“AGHHHHH!” I half screamed half gurgled as blood began to fill my mouth. I have never felt this much pain in my life....

Nightmare Moon hit me again with the hoof dusters, breaking my muzzle and causing a steady flow of blood to gush out of my sore mouth. She then circled me and hit the front of my knee caps, shattering them in the process, causing me to fall to the ground only to be choked by the chains keeping me up right.

Seeing black splotches around my vision I truly thought I was dying, but somewhere in the distance I could hear Nightmare Moon’s soft words echoing in my ears.

“Sleep Twilight. Go to sleep, let the pain go away.”

Perspective: Nightmare Moon

‘She is broken, physically but not mentally.’ As I packed away my torture instruments, I prepared myself for the worst part of this ordeal. I am going to dive deep inside my students mind, corrupt her thoughts and put her through the worst nightmares possible.

“Don’t worry Twilight, it will all be over by the time you wake up...” Although she was asleep and could not see my expression I gave her a soft smile as I stroked her silky purple mane.

I lit my horn and touched Twilights forehead with it, with a quick flash I was inside Twilights subconscious. ‘The only place of security and secrecy, and I am going to tear it apart. I will make her believe her dreams are reality and cause her pain nopony would be able to live through. Twilight, please forgive me.’

Perspective: Twilight

‘All my pain was gone and so were all the injuries Nightmare Moon had inflicted on me.’ It was weird a lone shadowy figure stood there next to a red container looking at me, it slowly walked towards me and poured the contents inside the red container all over me, soaking every last inch of me. The liquid smelt of... Gasoline.

The figure ignited a splint of wood, my eyes shrunk to the size of pin pricks. Petrified at what was happening to me I began to back away from the fire. The figure then threw the ignited splint onto the ground, causing the flames to consume my entire body.

I could smell my skin burning, I could feel it charring. ‘How could somepony do this to me?’ All of my fur and hair had long been consumed by the flames, the charcoaled skin started to flake of revealing fresh nerves.

“AHHHHHHHHH-” My scream, cutting out from the smoke causing me to violently choke and vomit hot black tar. My insides started to burn, the feeling of the flames licking my stomach lining causing me to kick and thrash around in the metal chains.

“Why are you doing this to me!” I shouted at the top of my lungs, my voice sounding dry and rough. The smoke cleared to reveal Princess Celestia and my five ‘friends’ staninding before.

“Why have you done this to me!? I thought you loved me like a daughter Celestia!” Celestia just turned her muzzle up into the air, so did the other five pony’s mimicking their rulers actions.

“Because Twilight, I do not allow failures to live. You’ve failed me Twilight, these five pony’s told me how you betrayed and left them alone to fight Nightmare Moon! And then you have to audacity to betray me and become Nightmare Moon’s student!” Celestia finished her speech spitting out each word with anger and despise.

“W-what? I didn’t betray them! They left me! They have lied to you Celestia, please believe me!” Tears rolled down my charred cheeks and rolled off my chin, mixing with the pile of blood and vomit around my hooves.

“No Twilight, you betrayed us. Even after how loyal we were to you! We were like totally awesome!” Scoffed Rainbow Dash as she looked away from me, tossing her mane to the side.

“How can you even tolerate Nightmare Moon Twilight? She is an awful creature who should be punished!” Celestia shouted; still giving me a dirty look of betrayal

“Because she has been kinder to me in these past few days then you have been to me my entire life! She has shown me how cruel you all are. She cares for me... Nopony else does!” As I defended Nightmare Moon, Celestia began to step toward me; towering over me.

“No wonder nopony cares for you, why should anypony care for a monster?” Celestias words stung like a snakes bite, burning its way towards my heart causing me to cry even more. The feeling of my friends and teacher betraying me is beyond horrible. ‘I wish I could die...’

‘No I have to be strong for Nightmare Moon, wherever she is I will be strong for her!’

I slowly rose to my hooves, grunting in pain as the pressure was applied to my hooves. My hooves were cracked and my skin was splitting all over my body; blood seeping thru the cracks of skin. My screams of agony only adding to their enjoyment.

“I hate you Celestia! Buck off and leave me to die! And you five! If I live through this, you shall all experience pain worse than you can ever imagine! I will cut you up, pour salt into your wounds and burn you alive!” My angered speech was cut short, as my vision went blank. I could feel goo trickle down my cheeks, my eyes had melted under the heat of the flames...

‘Please Nightmare Moon, let me die. Celestia was right, I am worthless...’  Suddenly I could feel the pain begin to slip away; I was dying. ‘Thank you Nightmare Moon...’ I suddenly slipped from thought. It felt like a long awaited slumber, a long peaceful rest...

Perspective: Nightmare Moon

With a flash I reappeared in the damp chamber, Twilight is still wriggling around her her chains rubbing her ankles raw. ‘The worst part is over Twilight, you have been suppressed by Celestia for to long... It had to be done.’

‘Why do I feel like this? I am Nightmare Moon for faust sake! And yet I have feelings for a mear unicorn!? Have I gone weak?’  Three sharp knocks on the heavy door disturbed my thinking, with a sigh I rose from the guard and opened the door with my magic. Stood behind the door was Captain Vera Virtute, his uniform had changed to suit my colours. The armour was a dark shade of purple and blues mixed with a light silver trim. The plume was replaced with razor sharp draconic fin. The plating was magically enchanted to change the wearer’s coat to appear an ash grey with their eyes yellow.

Coughing to clear his throat, Vera Virtute began to read off the parchment; “Queen Nightmare Moon, I am sorry to disturb your lesson, but I have come with some reports. I am glad to tell you that we have 50 guards already, willing to server the crown. I have personally removed all un-loyal guards, they have all been sentenced under high treason.” Vera Virtute looked up from the sheet and stared in my eyes. His gaze was cold, never emitting any emotions. He would be a perfect soldier in my grand army.

“Very good my Captain, I would like to see more guards as capable as you. That reminds me, I am hoping you are looking for another Guard to join you as Captain, until Twilight has finished her training you and one other will be incharge of my guards. I expect great things to come from you Captain. Do not fail me.” Vera Virtute nodded and exited the room, his hoofsteps slowly fading out.

Perspective: Twilight

‘Darkness... Am I dead?’ I try opening my eyelids, only to be assaulted my bright lights causing me to shut my eyes quickly. I attempt to open them again, my sight is very blurry but is improving. I woke up to find myself inside the torture room. Nightmare Moon sat just in front of me, staring at me with watery eyes ‘Had she been crying?’ With all the strength I could muster I slowly stood up onto my hooves, Nightmare Moon’s magic grasped the shackles and unlocked them from my ankles. As I hobbled towards Nightmare Moon I threw my forehooves around her neck.

Whilst sobbing into her ear I whispered, “Please Nightmare Moon, never leave me. You can torture me and cause me as much pain as you like, but please... never leave me”