In The Dead Of Night

by Timey-Wimey

Rating: teen
Tags: Twilight Sparkle, Main 6, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Dark, Nightmare Moon
Length: 6106

Not all dreams are happy...

"As the sun drowns in black...
The chill of night creeping up your back...
Will start the elegant swoon...
Of the song of Nightmare Moon..."

Published 2013-02-04 06:30:02 UTC
Last updated 2013-02-04 06:30:02 UTC

Nightmare's Touch

Twilight Sparkle faced Nightmare Moon, eyes set with determination. She lowered her body and scraped one front hoof against the ground, stretching her neck out as she prepared to charge. The muscles in her back legs tensed and she lowered her head, her horn gleaming as the moon light caught it. The air around her sparked with tension as each muscle in her body tightened in preparation, a faint spark glowing on the tip of her horn.

Nightmare Moon gave a questioning glance to the insolent child before her. Her black wings flared and she narrowed her turquoise eyes, upper lip curling in disgust. "You're kidding," She lifted a forehoof and brought to to her chest as she regarded this little peasant with annoyed draconic eyes, "You're kidding right?" She demanded, her voice dripping with disbelief and annoyance.

Twilight's expression didn't change. The only sound in the silence was the scraping of her hoof against the dead stone floor. A hum broke the still air, whirling from her horn as it started glowing brightly. Her hoof came down and she ran forwards, her hooves tapping on the ground as she charged towards the Alicorn of the Night. Her mane and tail flowed in the wind she created around herself, the hard and cold glare residing on her face. She pointed her horn directly at the Goddess as the light grew brighter, shining on her face.

Nightmare Moon let out a sigh of exasperation. She lowered her great black head, cold blue armor glinting and she pointed her long horn directly at the charging subject. She lowered down to her level and bent her knees, lifting a front leg as she leaped off, wings snapping out threateningly. Her slender legs hit the floor and she charged, draconic eyes narrowed.

Twilight's horn glowed brighter and brighter. Nightmare Moon's horn had the tiniest of sparks at the very tip of it. The two magical beings were heading right for each other and whichever one collided with the other first would do some serious damage with the sharp point of the magical bone set on their skulls. Twilight's could cause a serious injury to the flesh at best, but Nightmare Moon's horn could impale the little unicorn like a prawn on a stick.

Beams of light shot from the now vibrant ball around Twilight's horn and the hum grew louder and louder, the pitch extremely high as more energy flooded from her body. She closed her eyes and set her teeth as she neared her enemy, preparing the spell in her mind. There was no doubt in her mind, only the powerful weight of hope. Her heart was fluttering in her chest, trying to escape and her stomach felt like it would reject all of the previous food she'd eaten.

Nightmare Moon's eyes were being assaulted by the radiating light, but she kept running. The spark on the tip of her horn was glowing black now, no longer the lovely and icy blue that it normally was. It was pretty much hidden against the obsidian of her horn. She took one last step and her target was in reach. She thrust her head forwards and felt the tip of her horn catch something and she sent the black spark into whatever it was, but a blinding flash made her screw her eyes shut and her hooves ran right past where the unicorn had been running. She whipped around and saw her kneeling before the Elements, horn igniting.

Twilight's horn blasted full power just as she met Nightmare Moon. She felt the tip of the great black horn pierce the tip of her ear and something white hot shot through her. As she teleported, travelling as mere atoms of her form in the air, electrifying pain coursed through her form. As she reformed in the blinking of an eye, the pain subsided as her horn lit again. "Just one spark..." She begged, concentrating all of her energy to the tip of her horn. Sparks shot across her vision as the Elements were connected, just when Nightmare Moon materialized in the middle of them.

Leave them...

Twilight's eyes shot wide open. Her magic faltered and a burst of electricity shot her backwards, making her crash into the stone floor. She looked up and sneered at the Princess, eyes gleaming with victory.

Nightmare Moon gasped as the Elements rose around her. "No! No!" She begged, fear glinting in her bright eyes. She lifted a hoof, but the field of magic made it impossible for her to run away.

What have you done!?

Nightmare Moon's senses were drowned out with the powerful flow of energy. But just as soon as it came, it halted. The Night Being let out a vicious laugh and reared up, bringing her hooves down and shattering the Elements of Harmony into mere crystal fragments. She looked back to the pitiful creature before her. "You little foal! Thinking you could defeat me!" She bellowed, her rage firing up at the ignorant unicorn. "Now you will never see your Princess... Or your sun again! The night will last FOREVER!" She laughed, mane swirling and rising around her.

Twilight backed away, shrinking to the floor. Her confidence ebbed, blown away like dust in the wind. Fear returned to her purple eyes. The lavender unicorn gulped as she faced what she now realized to be a powerful foe, a fearsome force of darkness with no mercy. She beheld the shattered Elements upon the floor, the power of Nightmare Moon.

"Twilight!"
"Hang in there Twilight!"
"We're comin' ta get ya!"
"Hold on!"

The mare turned around and saw the shadows of the five ponies she had made this journey with as they approached. Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie and Rarity. Her eyes widened and her pupils dilated, shock and hope filling her vision. But deep in those black depths, a single flash of light lit up. She finally realized something...

Zap!

Her friends were there for her.

Her confidence restoring, Twilight spun around and faced Nightmare Moon. "You think you can destroy the Elements of Harmony just like that?" She demanded, striding forwards with a smirk on her face.

"What?"

No!

The voice pounded in her ears, but she ignored it. She saw the unsure frown across the great Alicorn's face. She knew she had her. She stared into the eyes that glared at her, trying to hide their owner's fear at Twilight's question.

"Well you're wrong."

Twilight backed away and could feel the presence of the five mares behind her. "Because the spirits of the Elements of Harmony are right HERE!" She declared, the five mares around her glaring with satisfaction at the bringer of eternal night, a challenge in their eyes. The broken and dusty remains started glowing and rising from the ground in their own magic.

Stop this at once!

"Applejack, who reassured me when I was in doubt, represents the spirit of... HONESTY!"

A set of glowing gems turned red and flew towards Applejack, circling her as she stood proudly.

"Fluttershy, who tamed the Manticore with her compassion, represents the spirit of... KINDNESS!"

Another set of gems glowed pink and flew around the hovering Fluttershy, who backed away with her face full of fear.

"Pinkie Pie, who banished fear by giggling in the face of danger, represents the spirit of... LAUGHTER!"

Blue gems flew around Pinkie Pie, who smiled brightly and bounced excitedly, wagging her tail like a dog.

"Rarity, who calmed a sorrowful serpent with a meaningful gift, represents the spirit of... GENEROSITY!"

Rarity's pieces flew around her as she watched with a tearful smile, glowing a pale shade of violet.

"And Rainbow Dash, who could not abandon her friends for her own hearts desire, represents to the spirit of... LOYALTY!"

Rainbow Dash smiled proudly at the red gems circling her. She puffed out her chest and watched Twilight, who was now in full confidence.

Twilight stood forward and faced Nightmare Moon, no doubt in her mind. She had the advantage, she had the last move and she planned to use it. "The spirits of these five ponies got us through every challenge your threw at us!" She hollered, watching in satisfaction as the shield of bravery around Nightmare Moon crumbled.

The Dark Goddess looked incredulously at them. She lifted a front hoof in case she would have to run, she would not be defeated! "But you still don't have the sixth Element! The spark didn't work!" She challenged, a glare coming onto her face as she realized that they still needed the sixth Element to make the Elements work.

Twilight Sparkle glared back. "But it did. A different KIND of spark," She turned to the Elements, a smile on her face, "I felt it the very moment I realized how happy I was to hear you, to see you. How much I cared about you. The spark ignited inside me. When I realized you all," She turned back to Nightmare Moon, tears of happiness in her eyes, "ARE MY FRIENDS!"

There was a brilliant flash of white light above them and the seven ponies tilted their heads to see. An orb with the glistening shape of a six pointed star floated down, shimmering with brilliance. The Element of Magic had appeared, the spark had worked.

What? No!

Nightmare Moon shielded her face with one wing as the light became blindingly bright. She screwed her eyes shut as it penetrated the tiny gaps between her feathers.

Twilight looked back at Nightmare Moon, seeing the shield of bravery destroyed by her pounding voice. "You see Nightmare Moon, when those Elements are ignited by the... the spark, that resides in the heart of us all... It creates the sixth Element. The Element of..."

The large mare leaned back, eyes widening in fear.

"MAGIC!"

Every gem and stone glowed. There was a bright flash as they dove into the pony's chests, right to their hearts. Golden necklaces formed on five mares, each representing the Element they bore. Twilight was levitated into the air with her friends as the orb flew down, creating a large tiara atop her head. White sparkled behind them as each Element started to work. A brilliant double rainbow expanded and twirled, exploding from the light. It combined into one prismatic ribbon and streaked towards Nightmare Moon.

"NO!"

Stop this you foal!

It wrapped around her in a blazing multi colored tornado, trapping her as it worked its way into her soul. Pieces of her armor fell off, peeling off. Her fur started lightening, she started shrinking and everything became a whirlwind of pain and fear.

"NO!"

Twilight Sparkle opened her glowing eyes. There just white, no color, no nothing. The rainbow exploded and they drifted to the ground, resting on their stomachs and sides as they won the battle. It was over, they had won. The Elements were victorious and the obsidian mare was vanquished.

Enjoy it while you can Twilight Sparkle...

Twilight's mind froze, irises and pupils shrinking in huge white depths. She could still hear Nightmare Moon, why could she still hear her? None of the others seemed to have heard her, maybe it was just her imagination. Her ear started burning again and she winced, rubbing it with a hoof.

~~~~~

Twilight watched her friends leave, not an ounce of care in her trembling body. She trembled not with terror, but with rage. Her eyes blazed, twin purple fires that could make the mighty Discord quiver with fear.

Let them leave, who needs them?

Twilight's hatred for the five mares steamed inside her like an angry cloud, begging to be released. "Fine! Leave then, see if I care! With friends like you, who needs-" She stopped mid-rant and drooped, her entire form wilting as realization crashed upon her shoulders, "Enemies..." Her entire form was washed upon by a great grey wave, draining every last ounce of color from her once vibrant purple form. A single tear rolled down her face and hit the dusty road, taking the form of a broken heart.

Excellent.

~~~~~

Twilight plodded towards the stairs and collapsed on the red carpet, her legs unwilling to let her stand up. Tears swam in the depths of her eyes and she looked up at the ceiling, trying to process and digest what had just happened. Inside her head, a million thoughts were bouncing around, trying to make themselves prominent amongst the storm that brewed inside her skull.

"And you can forget about being my Best Mare! In fact, if I were you... I wouldn't bother showing up for the wedding at all."
"Come on y'all, lets go comfort the Princess."
"You have a lot to think about."

The voice rang out clearly in her ears and she covered them with her front hooves. "Go away..." She pleaded.

You little foal... You just lost your friends, your mentor, your brother and a potential sister...

Twilight started sobbing, burying her face in her hooves. "I could've gained a sister... But I just lost a brother..." She sniffed. She buried her nose deeper into her front legs and cried more, guilt and remorse weighing heavily on her heart.

"He was my big brother best friend~ forever~

And now we'll never do anything~ together~"

Her voice was rich and smooth, flowing like soft caramel over the harmonics and notes. She laid back into her hooves and the tears started flowing thickly from her eyes and her shoulders heaved.

Crying makes you weak...

The voice ended in an ominous hiss as the sound of hooves signalled the entrance of Princess Cadance. The pink Alicorn stopped just in front of Twilight and ran a hoof through the sobbing unicorn's highlighted mane. She smiled warmly at the little mare.

Twilight lifted her head, pale fur streaked with flowing tears. She saw the gentle face of Cadance and more guilt crashed into her. She looked so kind, maybe it was just wedding stress. How could she have been so wrong? Her actions had been horrible, she had embarrassed her brother and made her potential sister cry. Her friends had all left her with cold glares on their faces and Princess Celestia was ashamed of her. "I'm sorry!" She cried out, her voice high pitched with her own sadness.

Apologizing won't help you idiot!

Princess Cadance's smile faded. Her eyes went cold and she glared at Twilight. "You will be." Her voice was like the mournful hum of a shining brass tuba, deep and cold and devoid of all emotions. It was like ice and as dark as the blackest of nights, pure black with no moon to glow in its depths. Bright green magic pumped around her horn and trapped Twilight in a green bubble. Her beautiful eyes changed to the slit acid green eyes of a monster. An evil grin formed on her face as green flames erupted around her, surrounding the two ponies in a circle of fire. She turned and walked through the blaze as Twilight sank into the floor, a victorious grin on her face as her eyes reverted back to normal.

~~~~~

Twilight cried out as she was dropped harshly to a cold stone floor. She looked around wildly, seeing nothing but pitch black. She lit up her horn and her reflection faced her in the crystals that surrounded her. "Hello?" She called uncertainly. The echoes bounced back to her eerily, thick in the silence. "Is anypony there?" She added, the echoes ringing in her ears. She walked into one of the crystals, her fearful face reflected on the rare stone.

Two different tones of laughter entered her ears. One evil, one mocking.

"Where am I?"

Princess Cadance appeared on the gems behind her. "The caves beneath Canterlot." She declared, Twilight ran away in fright. "Once home to the greedy unicorns who wanted to claim the gems to be found inside. And now, your prison." She disappeared and reappeared behind Twilight again, an evil grin on her face.

Twilight ran away from the offending rocks, eyes wide. "Help! Help!"

The two pairs of laughter rang in her ears again. The high pitched now mocking laugh of Cadance and the deep monotone of the voice in her head. Both mocked her fear, putting her through torment and terror.

Cadance appeared beside Twilight, a knowing leer on her face as she stared at her through the gems she appeared on. "It's no use. Nopony can hear you. And nopony will ever think to look for you either!" She chuckled, vanishing again. She came into existence again on the ceiling. "Most ponies have forgotten that these caves even exist." She whispered, teleporting to the gem beside her. "Which is why they are the ideal to keep the ones who try to interfere with my plans." She explained, glaring down the purple unicorn below her. Her laughter rang out, this time a solo as she teased the trembling mare.

Twilight looked at her in confusion. "Plans? What plans?" She asked slowly, her suspicion forming once more as guilt retreated its heavy weight from her heart.

Cadance adopted an innocent look and lifted a regalia clad hoof to her chest in mock shock. "Why the plans I have for your brother of course." She told her, seeing no use in hiding her devious plot.

Twilight's eyes widened. Her fear was abandoned as rage and fury welled up inside her, setting her heart on fire and burning in her stomach. "Don't you DARE do anything to my brother you... You monster!" She hollered, her horn blazing with angry light as she glared at the crystals.

Let the fury build...

The pink Alicorn chuckled and looked at her with glee. "The only way to stop me is to catch me!" She teased in a sing song voice. She vanished and the sickly green glow in the room faded. Her laughter filled the room as Twilight looked back at millions of herself, trying to find Cadance.

"Over here!"

Allow the rage to control you...

Sweat dripped down the purple mare's forehead and she whipped around, eyes burning. A jet of magic shot towards the laughing reflection. The image of Cadance vanished and the precious rock was hit by the beam. It bounced off the reflecting surface and shot around the room, barely missing a cowering Twilight Sparkle.

"No! Over here!"

That's it Twilight Sparkle...

She continued teleporting around the room dodging blast after blast of Twilight's magic. Her laughter never ended, mocking and teasing and everything in its power to annoy. As the magic heated, it shattered the rocks and gems of the cave, reducing them to smouldering chunks of useless grey rock.

RELEASE!

Twilight turned and let out a great boom of magic towards Cadance's reflection. The entire wall cracked and crumbled as the heated beam of strength connected with it. There was a great rumble as the wall caved in and revealed a very dusty, scraped and bruised Princess Cadance. Twilight's face contorted in fury and she charged forward.

That's right Twilight Sparkle... Let the anger and hatred build up, let it control you...

Cadance backed away, eyes wide as she waved her front hooves in alarm. "NO! WAIT!" A streak of purple collided with her and the two ponies were sent rolling.

Twilight pinned the Alicorn beneath her and pointed her blazing horn at her.

Cadance flinched away before looking up to see Twilight Sparkle. Amazement sparked in her eyes and she looked into her eyes. "Twilight it's me!" She exclaimed.

Twilight remained furious.

"Please, you've got to believe me! I've been imprisoned her like you. The Cadance that put us here is a fake!" She pleaded, looking up at her with scared eyes.

Twilight eased a bit but didn't let her guard down. "Likely story." She snapped. She felt something slip past her hooves and looked up to see the Princess standing in front of her.

Princess Cadance leaned down and started reciting something that meant the world to the two of them, "Sunshine, sunshine, ladybugs awake. Clap your hooves," Her gestures ended as she bumped hooves with Twilight. At the same time, two voices rang clearly, "And do a little shake!" They echoed each other and Cadance turned to smile at Twilight, hope shimmering in her eyes.

Twilight flung herself at Cadance, hugging her and feeling tears of happiness come to her eyes. "You remember me!" She exclaimed, joy welling up inside her heart.

Weakling...

Cadance nodded, feeling tears of her own come to her eyes. "Of course. How could I forget the filly I loved to foalsit the most?" She murmured, looking over Twilight's shoulder at the deep caves. There was a muted laugh from the Cadance above and a very dull spark of light.

Twilight pulled away and followed where Cadance was looking. She jumped onto a crystal and pointed a hoof in the direction of the dying light. "Come on, we have to get out of here!" She stated, smiling as her old foalsitter trotted by. She jumped down and followed her.

What neither of them noticed however, was that Twilight's eyes had turned to turquoise. As she followed her friend, the bright shade of blue-green faded back to her normal deep purple.
~~~~~

Twilight looked at the Throne and concentrated all her power into her horn. All around her was shining white crystals and wonderful shimmering decor. Every negative emotion she'd ever felt channeled into her horn and her magical aura turned black. She opened her eyes and they glowed turquoise, the pupils dilating and shrinking as they worked from slit to full. Her fur darkened a shade and her horn seemed to gain a spiral as it lengthened, just a little bit.

Very good Twilight Sparkle... Use the Dark Magic, let it control you...

A deep purple beam of bubbling light blasted the throne and revealed the staircase underneath, looming into the dark. The magic ceased and her eyes gradually returned to normal. Her fur brightened and she ran forwards, looking into the dark.

Soon my child...

~~~~~

Twilight sat before the open door, light spilling onto her. Her eyes were frightening, the whites bright green and her irises red.

You failed Twilight Sparkle. You failed and your mentor did nothing to comfort you. She rejected you coldly and told you to leave. Kindness is false my child...

Tears flowed from her red on green eyes as her vision was dominated by black. A pair of draconic turquoise eyes glared at her and an evil, deep laugh resided in her skull. Her heart twisted inside her chest, shattering into millions of pieces.

I'll help you...

Out of the blackness, a front leg reached out. The hoof was clad in a shoe the color of the sea when it was iced over. It lightly touched Twilight's shoulder and where it made contact, the fur turned deep black like dead skin. A long horn came out of the dark and a deep blue, ethereal and star studded mane billowed out behind it. A smile grinned from the darkness, fangs glinting.

I'll make it better...

~~~~~

"HELP!"

The purple mare tried to teleport away from the black crystals, but she just kept getting sucked back in. She looked around wildly as the pitter-patter of Spike's running feet faded. She was alone, trapped inside the ring of dark gems.

Don't fight it Twilight Sparkle...

Twilight covered her ears with her hooves and laid down, closing her eyes. "No... Go away..." She whispered to the voice. The voice that came and went at random, the voice she'd been hearing for 3 years straight.

Let it reign supreme... Dark Magic, rage, hatred... Let darkness rule your heart...

The lavender unicorn backed against one of the prison's walls, trying to escape the purring hiss of a voice inside her head. "No! I don't belong to you! I'm Princess Celestia's student, I believe in friendship and I will NOT turn evil to the likes of you!" She defied the voice, her resolves hardening.

Silly unicorn, I'm inside your head, there's nothing you can do about me. 3 years I've waited and now you're so close... Embrace it my dear Twilight, there's no escape...

"No!" The unicorn cried, a bit less confident then before. Her fear was steadily growing, creeping up on her with cold claws. Tears swam in her eyes, fear forging deep within her heart.

I...

"Stop."

Rule...

"Please..."

You.

"SHUT UP!"

Her voice exploded into the air, a roar that signalled something that wasn't fury. When an animal or a pony is backed into a corner, they lash out. This was Twilight's case. She was petrified of the dark voice within her mind, the dark voice that had been plaguing her for years. Her mane started smoking, thin wisps flowing into the air. "You don't rule me. You're just a voice in my head!" She hollered.

I can see your emotions Twilight... I can feel your fear. You're scared of me yet you have no idea what I am.

Twilight growled, deep in her throat like a wild feline. Heat started building up inside of her and the smoke grew thicker. Her coat started to pale and her eyes started changing color as her fury frothed inside her. "I. Am. Not. AFRAID!" She positively roared, her mane starting to turn black around the edges before it burst into flames, her pelt bleaching white. Her eyes lost their pupils, becoming one color inside the whites.

Turquoise.

Inside the rings of white was a scalding turquoise, not a flaming orange. Her horn flared up with bright yellow magic that seemed to spark on its own. She leaned forwards and blasted her black prison, feeling the sheer force of her heat slam into the dark crystal. Heat rolled off of her in waves, making the ground burn underhoof as she marched forwards, firing at the jail walls. She stood in front of one of the crystals and froze, seeing her eyes. "What have you done to me..." The flames extinguished and she placed a hoof the smooth surface of the black gem, tears rolling from her eyes. They changed to normal pony eyes, but the turquoise stayed.

I have done nothing. This is your doing. You let the hatred build, you let the fury take control and you slowly wither away, giving in to something more...

Twilight's reflection stared at her. But as the horrified mare watched, a twisted grin that wasn't her own started to take form on it's face. The pupils shrank inwards, making a draconic appearance. Fangs jutted out, gleaming back at her. The evil face looked back at her, a face that wasn't hers. The fur fell off in patches, revealing black underneath. The mane rose into the air and each strand turned blue and white, making an ethereal billow of stars in the night sky, trapped in the membrane of her ghostly mane. The tail repeated the process, flowing in a non-existant wind. The black horn lengthened and black wings spread as the figure rose up on long legs, glaring down at the Element of Magic. Armor seemed to grow from her skin, rising out of her flesh as the terrifying figure stared her down. A long black front leg extended from the crystal and the mare of darkness stepped out, shining like the reflection she had once been.

Twilight shrieked and backed away in horror. "N-N-N-Nightmare Moon!" She gasped. She turned her head away and screwed her eyes shut. There was a sound like rushing wind and the young unicorn turned around and gasped.

Nightmare Moon had vanished. She turned to the mirrored black surface behind her and could see that her eyes were no longer turquoise, but their normal shade of deep purple. She looked around wildly, but there was nothing. She was alone inside the pressing walls of her shining obsidian prison.

Not Nightmare Moon... Just a figment of your imagination dear child.

~~~~~

The young unicorn sat in front of her window, watching the moon as it ascended slowly into the sky. Her heart beat increased in her chest, hitting the layers of tissue and beating against her ribs. Her mane and tail were frazzled, bent unnaturally and frayed at the edges. Her eyes were bloodshot, black bags living underneath them. Her body constantly twitched as she stared unblinkingly at the stars, as if searching for some cryptic message.

Twilight hadn't slept for days.

Just keep watching the stars, learn them and understand them. If you can understand them, you could move them...

The sleep deprived mare would normally have declined this information, but she possessed no will power to do so. Over the months she'd been plagued by visions and nightmares, growing increasingly worse as she was driven deeper into insanity. Her frame was thin, she barely ate and her mouth was dry, cracked lips always in a terrified position. Scars were slashed just below her mouth where her biting teeth had pierced flesh too many times. Her once powerful magic had gone down a few levels, making her weaker than before.

Like a possessed doll, Twilight Sparkle lit up her horn. The once magenta aura was turquoise as she channeled what power she had into her horn. As this happened, her eyes lightened and started glowing with the same light as her magical energy. There was no brightness in her form, everything around her was dull. But as she gazed up at the stars, one of them had a ring of turquoise weakly surrounding it.

Now that won't do at all. Here...

The light around her horn intensified as more power was pumped into it from the voice inside her mind. The star started glowing bright turquoise and some vibrance entered Twilight's form. The energy flowed from that single point atop her head and she moved her head slightly to the right. The star complied with her movement, shifting ever so slightly in the deep blue, purple and black canvas.

Very good... my student.

Turquoise eyes widened at those words, but offered no resistance. "Student..." She whispered hoarsely, echoing the last word her tormentor spoke. Her eyes glowed brightly and a manic grin took place on her features, changing every line, muscle fibre and structure of her face. "Of course..." She agreed, her voice rasping but still strong. Her horn lit up and behind her the door to her bedroom locked, sealing her inside and keeping anypony who came by out.

"Obey the night. Obey the night. Obey the night." She whispered to herself over and over again, never once taking her eyes off the stars nor blinking.

Give way to your insanity Twilight Sparkle... I've waited 3 years for you to crumble...

~~~~~

Twilight had been locked in her room for two days. She was thinner than ever and she still had not slept. Darkness had been eating away at her and now her fur was as dull as a dead candle and just as dark. Her eyes had not changed from turquoise, she'd barely moved. With agonizing slowness, the empty mare stood up. Her bones creaked and her joints popped as feeling rushed back to them after being held dormant for so long. She turned around and walked to the door as if in a trance, her eyes unfocused and cloudy. She turned again and with strength taken from Celestia knows where, she bucked the door off its hinges. She blinked once, the first time in what seemed like forever and she could see. With more vigour and strength, she trotted outside the room and skipped the stairs, leaping over the railing and slamming down on the floor below her, managing to stay on all four hooves. Her horn blazed turquoise and she levitated five pieces of parchment, a quill and a pot of ink before scribbling furiously on the paper, the glossy black quill scratching down her messages.

Help! Come to the library, quick!

-Twilight

After five separate clouds of bright light took the scrolls and teleported them to their destinations, Twilight sat in the middle of the room. "It is time..." Her voice wasn't her own, thick and sultry. It was smooth and purred, almost like the hiss of a snake. The voice in her head became her own voice, dripping off her tongue in a delicate whisper.

"When the day turns to night,
When the darkness captures light,
I will rise to my throne,
And drive fear into your bones~"

She started singing softly as the shadows reached forwards, forming a ring around her. The ring suddenly flashed turquoise and the blue-green flames erupted from it, surrounding the singing mare. The light landed on her, making her fur seem the same shade. She opened draconic eyes, blazing with new light and reflecting the blaze around her.

~~~~~

Rainbow Dash woke up as a bright light pounded against her eyelids. She opened her magenta eyes and saw the scroll sparkle before falling down to the foot of her bed. With an annoyed grunt she sat up, blinking as her eyes adjusted and picked up the scroll with one hoof. With a wing she hit her lamp's switch and screwed her eyes shut against the light. She opened them again and opened the scroll, reading it over.

The scroll fluttered to the ground as Rainbow shot out her window, leaving a blazing prismatic trail behind her.

~~~~~

Fluttershy was jolted awake by a scroll landing on her head. She squealed sharply and fell out of her bed, flailing her hooves. Wide awake, she stood up and looked at the scroll on her bed. The shy pegasus let out a sigh of relief and turned on the light, flinching for a moment before adjusting. She unwrapped the scroll carefully and unrolled it, reading it.

The mare froze up before dropping the letter. Her eyes burned with determination and rage and she galloped out of her room, out the door and towards the library, pumping her wings for extra speed.

~~~~~

Pinkie Pie's tail started twitching in her sleep. She shot straight up and jumped under her bedside table, watching as the scroll appeared in midair. She eyed it suspiciously before stepping out, picking it up and unrolling it. She hit a spot on the wall with a hoof and the lights turned on somehow, as if there was a hidden switch. With bright eyes, Pinkie Pie read the message.

There was a loud crash as the door was bucked down and Pinkie Pie bolted out of Sugarcube Corner.

~~~~~

Rarity was woken by something landing on her stomach. She let out a short yelp before lighting up her horn, levitating the sleeping mask off her face and giving light to the room. She looked at the scroll, glaring sapphire daggers at it before gathering it in her hooves with a huff. She unrolled it and read the six words scratched hastily onto it.

She never ran as fast as she did in that moment ever again.

~~~~~

Applejack was just about to get into bed. She'd been working hard all day and they'd had to deliver a large order to the train station, so she was beat. She walked sluggishly into her room, placed one hoof on the bed, and was stopped by a scroll making its home in her mane. She let out a frustrated groan and pulled it out, opening it and tiredly looking it over, wanting to get into bed and sleep.

She looked up from it, wide awake again and ran out of her room. "Big Mac! Ah'm goin' ta the library!" She hollered and booked it out of the barn, towards a familiar tree structure in the distance.

~~~~~

All five mares met up at the library. They ran together and Pinkie Pie jumped into the air, lashing out with a back leg and kicking the door wide open. They all pounded inside and stopped dead, horrified at what they saw.

"As the sun drowns in black,
The chill of night creeping up your back,
will start the elegant swoon,
Of the song of..."

Nightmare Moon turned around and faced them. The blazing turquoise flames made her positively glow as she stared down at them, a wicked evil grin on her face. Her purple horn, the only remnant of Twilight Sparkle, was swallowed by the black, the same deep color as the rest of her hide. Her fanged mouth opened and the last words of her song slid out, falling on horrified ears that could just barely hear them,

"Nightmare Moon."