Nightmare Twilight

Chapters

I'm a. . . Princess?
Return of the Nightmare
The Need for Magic
Quest and Toil
Dark Madness

I'm a. . . Princess?

The orange sun peaked lazily over the western horizon, emitting bright rays which slowly brightened the legendary city of Canterlot, reflecting on the morning dew and sneaking inside the curtained windows. Most royal ponies, undisturbed by the early morning sunlight, snuggled deeper into the warmth of their beds to snatch a few more hours of sleep before the day began.

However, a certain lavender unicorn pony lived by a warped aphorism: “Late to bed, early to rise.”

Twilight Sparkle peaked open her large, purple eyes and soaked in the warm ray of sun laying over her bed. Although her head felt fuzzy and her mouth retained the hazy taste of sleep, she began to make mental notes of her activities for the day.

Unlike any other morning, her mind was like a sheet of paper waiting hopelessly for a pen to mark its pristine whiteness. Could it be possible that Celestia had not assigned anything for her? Baffled, she decided to wake up, shaking off the cotton sheets and reaching up with what she thought was her hoof to rub her sleepy eyes. A number of fluffy but painful, narrow spikes seemed to shove into her eye all at once, causing the mare to cry out in pain.

"Ohmygosh that hurts!!"

Jerking her teary eye open, she stared in shock dismay at the protruding appendages on each side of her body. In a state of sheer fright, she shut her eyes tightly, clutched at the blankets and called for the purple dragon who slept at the foot of her bed.

“SPIKE! HELP!”

A sigh and a yarn, the sound of covers shifting, and small patters of feet sounded chronologically until they reached the bedside of the frantic, frozen unicorn. He didn't understand why she was frightened, but his tired head didn't leave him much room for concern. He reached out and gave her one prick with a sharp nail.

“Youch!”

Twilight jumped up quickly and realized with horror that she was hovering over her bed. Flapping frantically, she lost control and fell hard onto her bed, sending a loud poof of cotton down underneath her.

She lay stunned. Spike hesitated, then attempted to to tip toe quietly back to his bed. However, he felt any hopes of a good morning's rest sweep away as he was lifted up in an silent aura of magic and dragged to the side of his owner.

"Ok, Spike." Twilight's whispered voice sounded funny as she lay, to scared of her own body to move it. "Spike, there's a theory that if a pony lives with a dragon, and that dragon isn't growing any wings, then somehow a spell might have been accidentally switched destinies and given it to the pony. It's happened Spike." She gasped big breaths and stared at the ceiling.

Spike rolled his emerald eyes and sighed. Whatever had he done to deserve Twilight freaking out at 6 AM, when he could be getting some good sleep? "Twilight, you have wings. . . remember the coronation?"

Twilight's eyes grew big and she sat up quickly. "Oh, yes! I’m a. . . Princess!”

"Now that's the right track." Spike encouraged. "But for a alicorn of your intellect, it does surprise me how you can be so forgetful of such a big event." The dragon yawned and decided it safe to slip off the bed and head towards his. But a loud burst from Twilight caused him to freeze painfully in his tracks.

“I’M A PRINCESS? SPIKE, GET ME A BOOK THAT SHOWS ME WHAT I’M SUPPOSED TO DO!”

This time, Twilight lifted Spike with a tenacious aurora of magic and galloped down the stairs with the irritated dragon hovering over her head.

The annoyed dragon, not able to move in the transparent, purple wrap, took to complaining all the way to the castle's library. “Oh common Twilight, you know I like to sleep in. And besides, all that work I did at the coronation yesterday made me really tired. Besides, Princess Celestia said that we would have time for that later, and Oudd!” Spike’s speech was cut short by a hard, abrupt landing on the carpet.

"But Spike, she said later, and later means now!" retorted Twilight who had already made it to the castle library and pulling book after book off the shelves and throwing them into an accumulating pile. “No, No, No No, NO! There are no books about being a Princess!” she yelled, her eye twitching in frustration. Pulling books wasn't fast enough; Twilight advanced to covering ground by pulling full bookshelves over and dumping it's contents on the carpeted ground.

"Twilight Sparkle, what exactly do you think you're doing?"

Twilight stopped in horror and stared from her cascade of books to the angry, rich voice above her.

"I mean," the pony cleared her throat and assumed a gentler tone, "This is not how a young Princess conducts her time at the library."

“Princess Celestia?” Twilight looked around her and realized that she was standing awkwardly in a stack of jumbled books, her mane frizzled and eyes diluted in no longer looked like the finest library in Equestria.

With a gasp of dismay, she instantly groveled at Celestia's golden hooves. “Please don’t punish me, I’ll clean it up! Don’t send me back to Magic Kindergarten!”

Celestia rolled her eyes but smiled patiently at the distressed alicorn.

“Twilight, don’t worry about the mess, I just want you to listen to me carefully. First, there are no books about being a Princess because it’s something that you are through destiny in itself. Although study is essential for properly performing your duties, being a Princess in itself not something that you can learn.. Remember that last stack of books I sent you? Those contained that last established spells ever invented by StarSwirl the Bearded or any other mastermind unicorns. You probably did not realize the complication of those spells, but only because you have studied for years and attain an immense talent in the art of magic.”

She gracefully lifted up Twilight’s face with a with her hoof, “Twilight, you don’t even realize your intellect. You know as many spells as me—my only advantage being centuries of practice. That’s why I can no longer teach you, why there are no longer books to study. When I saw how far you've come there was one last test—to see if you could create your own magic. If you passed, then I knew you were ready. So I sent you a spell that would cause discourse, cacophony that you could only repair by rewriting the spell. My dear Twilight, you are more than ready. All you have to do is believe in yourself and meet your destiny with grace.”

Twilight had been sitting in wide eyed attentiveness at the white Alicorn’s hooves during her speech, and now slowly closed her gaping mouth. “Ok Celestia,” Twilight stood on her shaking hooves and drew her disconcerted wings to her side. “But this is something I’m not used to. I’m great at memorizing facts, which is what I’ve done for all my life. Now. . .”

“Now you will use that knowledge to rule over Pony City."

“City? But. . . are you saying that Ponyville is becoming a city?” asked Twilight carefully, not sure if she'd heard the Princess correctly.

“Yes dear, you can rein with all the ones you love, and nothing will be changed but your daily activities and, of course, people’s attitude around you.”

“Oh Princess Celestia, Thank you!” Twilight squealed, jumping up and down excitedly and Celestia's answer to her unspoken worry. “Being a Princess sounds wonderful now! When do I go back?"

"Tonight Twilight, tonight. I have to be leaving now, a Princess always has tasks to be done.” Celestia began to depart, but stopped right outside the library door.

“Oh, Twilight dear, you should thank Spike for alerting me that you were. . .” she searched for a less insulting phrase than “going insane,” “. . .thinking irrationally. He really is a great assistant.” With a wink, she left the room.

“Heheh,” smiled the dragon who had been standing awkwardly by the library’s entrance during Celestia's entire speech. “Oh Spike thank you so much,” Twilight said, embracing Spike gratefully. But now I have to get ready to leave for Ponyville and tell my friends the good news—"

“We’re going to live in the CITAYYYY!” squealed an excited, pitched voice from a pink pony who randomly bounced from a alcove in the library “And it’s going to be so amazing, because everything will be sparkling and there will be lots of cake and music and everypony will be so fancy and there will be TONS OF PARTAYYYS!! No, wait, GALAS!!!!!”

Twilight almost jumped out of her hooves at Pinkie Pie's sudden appearance, but quickly remembered that her friends were with her in Canterlot.

“Oh, Hi everypony," Twilight said, "I forget you were all here.”

“That’s alright Sugercube” said Applejack, an orange pony with a deep Southern accent, “We’re real right happy for you, oh, and uhh the whole city reversion thing."

“Ponyville becoming a city! This is the best thing that has ever happened to me!” swooned Rarity, flicking the purple curl that hung down her neck with a white hoof for her characteristic, dramatic effect.“I will be the greatest fashion designer in Pony City. No, IN ALL OF EQUESTIA!” Even greater than Photoshoot herself!”

“GALAS FOR EVERYPONY!”

“Oh, well, I suppose I should share in the excitement, and if this does not harm my animals in any way, and perhaps Mr. Jay would be so happy to be a famous singer, and well, if I don’t have to do any speeches, then… Yay,” Fluttershy concluded on a note of glee.

“Ah, well, I suppose I’ll just keep on bucking apples. The business will be so great though, and we can get a new roof for our barn,” said Applejack smiling.

Twilight drew her friends in for a big hug. “It will be great for everypony, and I’m so happy that I don’t have to leave my supporting friends to be a Princess.” Twilight said happily. "But where is Rainbow Dash?"

"Oh, Dashie left early this morning. She said that she would be expelled from the Wonderbolt's bootcamp if she missed another day," Fluttershy replied in a soft, understanding tone.

"Well that makes sense," said Twilight, “Let’s go girls, it’s time to go to Ponycity and start supervising the reconstructions.

As the friends trotted away from the castle towards a large, purple hot air balloon, Celestia and her sister, Princess Luna watched from the balcony. “I am so proud of my faithful student” Celestia smiled. I will miss her letters regarding her faithful studies about friendship, but I wish her the best during her new life.”

Luna sighed and turned to her sister. “Celestia, we are worried about Twilight. You saw how she acted this morning. Gifted, yes, she is very, and most of the time she conducts herself wisely. But when the pressure gets to her head, she becomes almost evil. We think it would be of her best interest if you inquired. . . some mental help for her.”

Celestia chuckled and threw a hoof around her sister, “Nonsense Luna, those outbursts are only the result of fear when she believes she has failed me, which she, having graduated, does not need to worry about anymore. Though I cannot imagine where this fear is derived! In fact, she was never in magic kindergarten, advancing to first grade immediately after her answers to the essay test made her teacher spend hours researching their validity. Soon after she applied to my school and performed the gifted disaster that opened the pathway for her education."

Changing the subject, Celestia turned to Luna, “Now sister, let us hasten to prepare for our trip to Saddle Arabia, where we are needed for a meeting with the emperor there.”

“We hate that place,” Luna said grouchily, “It’s male dominated and we are likely to be despised.”

“Oh, I think it will be quite the opposite,” replied Celestia. “But no matter, it is our duty. I will send a quick letter to Twilight regarding our temporary leave, although I feel even a letter is somewhat unnecessary. What could possibly happen in two days’ time?”

Author's Note

Yes, there's a lot of work to be done, so bear with me. I hope you enjoy the story anyway!

Return of the Nightmare

Upon entering what was now Pony City, the friends thanked Twilight for the ride and separated. Rarity proudly trotted to her new designing studio; Fluttershy hastened to gather her animals safely out of construction sites; Applejack went home to start harvesting her newly ripened crop of apples; and Pinkie Pie went to babysit Mr. and Mrs. Cake’s twins while they organized their paraphernalia in the new confectionery bakery.

Twilight quickly penned a floor trailing list to organize the city’s work schedule, and trotted about the construction sites with Spike on her back, ignoring the purple wings she kept folded to her sides. She was surprised to find that the city’s new designs had been already fabricated during the week she spent at Canterlot planning the coronation, and resigned to admiring the stunning structures. Every building was so magnificent!

“Well, I see the construction is well under way here so I’ll be going,” Twilight encouraged the workers.

“Thank you Princess” the workers said, bowing respectfully in whatever way their awkward positions allowed.

“Why sirs, that’s not necessary.” Twilight grinned, “Just pretend I’m not a Princess.”

“Yes, sure thing Princess Twilight” said a brown pony, bowing again as he addressed her.

“Yeah. . . they are so not going to treat me like a normal pony.” Twilight felt a twinge of annoyance, but reminded herself to “Stay calm and be a Princess.”

When she had reached her "tree house," she stopped trotting in sheer shock. The tree had been expanded with amazing structure; the tree was merely an entrance to the monstrous castle that glimmered and sparkled in the sunlight. It was entirely completed, being the first building to be restructured.

“Wow” she gasped, and nodding pleasantly at the tall, erect Stallions on each side of the door entered her “library.” Her mouth fell to the ground (literally) in shock and Spike let out a gasp of green fire as they surveyed in the refurnished library, which looked exactly like Princess Celestia’s except the ceiling was painted identical to the constellation charts she had kept pinned on the walls.

“This…is… AMAZING!!!” Yes yes yes yes yes yes! I have the best library ever and all the books in the world to stu—err read.”

“And now, I can relax” said Spike, trotting to a plush, velvet chair in the center of the room.”

“Uhh Spike I believe that’s my throne.”

“Oh yes,” he rolled his eyes and settled for the plush couch on the corner. “Don’t call me if you need me.” He closed his eyes gratefully and feel asleep.

“Spike! Spike?" No response but dragon snoring. "Oh well," smiled Twilight, "You’re just a baby dragon after all. Well more like an adolescent dragon. . . whatever.”

She relaxed on the red throne and drew a “Manegled” from the Fairy Tail section with her magic. Relaxing with a good fairy tale sounded inviting and certainly would help relax the stress being a Princess brought upon her nerves. “That pony certainly had a long tail. . .” Some moments passed in sweet silence. Then the book fell to the ground--

"Spike? SPIKE!!!”

“Yes, Twilight?” yawned Spike without opening his eyes.

“Spike, I just realized…” Twilight's purple eyes became huge. “If I don’t fulfill my duties right, Princess Celestia will think I forgot all my studies and send me back to Magic Kindergarten!!”

“Oh Twilight, you’re fussing over nothing. The Princess couldn't send you back to Kindergarten. I overhead her saying that your Kindergarten teacher was astounded by your intelligence even at that age, and you heard her say that you know as many spells are her. So just quit it and get some sleep..”

“But SPIKE! Do you know what that means? If she can’t send me back to magic Kindergarten, and I do something wrong, she’ll BANISH ME TO THE MOON!”

“A dragon can’t get any sleep around here” mumbled the purple dragon. He stumbled unhappily off the couch. “Hey Twilight, I’m going over to Rarity’s. She probably needs some help… and hasn't heard that I’m a Knight now.”

Twilight paused in her rant to consider this prospect. “You are?"

“Well yes, isn't the closest assistant to a Princess a knight?”

“More like a consort. . . But I suppose it’s no harm to consider yourself a knight. . ."

“Yes! Thanks Twilight!” The dragon threw on his “knight costume,” a present from Twilight for next Halloween, and waddled out the castle door.

Twilight sighed. She felt so alone with too many decisions to make, and she did not dare send a letter to the Celestia, or she would think she wasn't fit to be a Princess.

Meanwhile, Rarity was admiring her new Designing studio. “Oh, this is just the most magnificent place in the world. I must get to work on my new designs, and Oh just look at all the beautiful gems!!”

“There was a knock on the door. “Come in!” sang Rarity. Spike entered and immediately drooled at the beautiful white pony who glanced around at him.

“Oh hello Spike! Just in time, I would be ever so grateful if you would help pass me stuff to make these designs. It’ll only be a few minutes.”

“Oh, uhh, sure Rarity… anything for you! But uh did you notice something different about me?”

Rarity surveyed Spike momentarily and exclaimed, “Why you just look adorable my Spiky Wiky! Even though you’re wearing a rather old fashioned astronomer robe which is the ultimate crime to the current stream of fashion!”

Spike’s face fell, “What? I was supposed to look like a knight…” He threw off the robe in disgust. “Ahem. I’m a knight, my lady, and I’m always at your service.” He gave a little bow and looked for a glimmer of admiration in her face. He was disappointed by a pitying smile.

“Well Spike, you certainly can’t think people will notice you as a knight if you don’t dress like one! Just like a lady must look beautiful with the latest fashion at all times, so must a knight wear fancy outfits!”

A idea awakened as Rarity gave a little gasp. “Oh my Spiky Wiky! You just gave me the best idea ever! I could make a line of outfits for Stallions! Oh, and of course baby dragons. I would be the most popular designer in all of Equestria for certain!”

“Here we go again” Spike sighed as Rarity took to her easel and sketched out several suits. In about an hour’s time, a advertisement had been placed outside the studio for male suits and accessories. “Now, I just have to sit back and wait for the orders,” she grinned at Spike.

At that moment, the door swung open and a white, male unicorn with blond hair and a blue bow-tie trotted in. “Hello, I have come to place my order for the latest suit you have.” He said, his head held high so that he hardly saw the designer who, he of course, considered beneath him.

“Why. . .uh. .. is it Prince Blueblood?” asked Rarity, in her surprise forgetting to use her usual regal accent.

“Why yes, that is me. And I have come here to because they say this is the place for the latest fashions.”

Opening his eyes, he finally glanced down at the white and almost panicked. “Whaaat! Rarity? Wha—but you—I uhh…”

Rarity wanted with all her heart to scream in his face and kick him right out of her studio, but she knew better. After all, this was a Prince, and if he wore her styles her fame was indeed sealed. "Well, Prince Blueblood, I am indeed flattered that you have chosen to come to my studio in particular." She turned her nose up and gave him the cold shoulder pointed to the pile of sketches."This is what we have. Make your selection at your will, sir.”

“At least he can not help but notice how elegant my designs are,” she thought proudly.

The Prince wanted to dash away from the pony he’d been so embarrassed by, but he arrogantly stood his ground and selected what appeared to be the most difficult of all the designs.

“I would like you to create this one for me; the azure jacket and sand colored buttons would match well with my eyes and hair,” he said, vainly concentrating on his own good looks as was his trademark.

Rarity rolled her eyes and inquired, “Well sir, now that you have chosen your design, do you have measurements taken already or do you require me to attain them personally?”

Prince Blueblood shuddered at that thought of the pony he despised touching him. “No!! Ahem, I mean… here! You can take my suit for measurements.” He pulled off his jacket with a swipe of magic and plopped it down in front of Rarity.

“So gentleman like,” she scoffed to herself. “Very well, this will take little more than an hour so you may wait here or leave and come back for it as you prefer."

Rarity expected the Prince to leave, but he replied he in all his vanity would not go anywhere without his jacket.

“Well I suppose he has a point there,” Rarity pondered, “In my current rank and class I certainly wouldn't dream of going anywhere without accessories, and he is a Prince! But still, he is so selfish and would never know how to treat a lady. I will never consider him a gentleman!”

The next hour passed by slowly as the Prince stood stiff-necked, staring at his reflection in the mirror and turning this way and that to admire it, while Rarity proceeded to cut and stitch up the design, nick picking each detail.

Spike, who had thought it best to stay out of the taciturn conversation, contented himself to handing Rarity everything she needed.

***

Back in the library, Twilight grew restless on her throne. She tried to concentrate on the Fairy Tail, but it did not interest her as she yearn for nightfall to approach and comfort for with the galaxies of stars which she felt so vividly, now that she was their Princess.

"I wish one of my friends were here to help me,” Twilight sighed, “but they are all busy. Usually I’d just go to a book for answers but I can’t! I am doomed to failure! There has to be some way out of this… Think Twilight, think!”

She closed her eyes and tried to envision what her favorite legend would have done. “Aha yes! I’ll cast a spell to summon Star Swirl the Bearded from the past! I know I can do it, I still know that spell from future Twilight.” The spell would certainly need a little revision, but Twilight was up to the task.

“A legend, from the era of times new a wide, pass the gap in the years and fly to my side.”

Suddenly, a swirl of blue and darkness entered the room, encompassing Twilight’s throne as she watched in anticipation. But the wise face of the legend did not appear, instead the face was sinister and cruel, a smile with fangs and eyes narrowed and dark.

“Nightmare! Oh my Celestia, I summoned the Nightmare!” Twilight cried, feeling a cold, helpless sense of fear at her mistake.

“Yes you have, my precious” laughed a snarling, sinister voice, and now I am here to help you.”

“No, you are EVIL! You can’t help me, just go back to where you came from!” cried Twilight, frantically casting relocation spells at Nightmare which had no effect whatsoever.

“Seems like you’re in a bit of a fix my Preciousss. You can only vanquish me with the elements of harmony, and your friends aren’t here to help you. Oh, poor Twilight.”

Twilight no longer felt like a great Princess; seeing her spell’s fruitless results she sank on her hind legs and whimpered in her seat.

“Twilight, you know, you really don’t have to worry like this. I know why you summoned me and I can assist you. I gather that are so worried that Princess Celestia will take away your honor should you fail her. But you don’t have to live in constant torment! You and me together—we will have more power than Celestia could have ever dreamed of! We will never be banished! Your fears will be all over!” The monster's authoritative voice grew louder and louder with each phrase.

Twilight sat on her throne, sweaty and shaking, her nerves leaving any common sense as panicked enveloped her system.

Nightmare took full advantage of this opportunity. “Just think of what the Princess will think when she hears you summoned the Nightmare! You will be banished to the moon! You have only one way out, Twilight, and that is to let me in.

Twilight gasped in horror, her hair frizzing at the ends and her pupils growing smaller.

Her wrecked nerves could not take any more pressure—once the most powerful unicorn in Equestria,
Twilight sank to the hooves of the almost invisible Nightmare, so well did she blend with the deep shadows. “Yes, Nightmare, help me!” Twilight cried in pure agony.

“Ahhh!” Twilight felt a cold wind rushing around her, then a similar sensation inside of her, growing colder as it rushed though her system, hardening her emotions. Her eyes lighted up with a black fervor as she spun out of her chair in a massage flash of darkness. Silence. One shadow rose from the ground. The transformation was accomplished.

The Need for Magic

“Swish! Swash!” Colorful streaks disillusioned the natural, transparent air as Rainbow repeatedly slicked around the flying track, showing off her impressive speed.

“Enough!” shrilled Spitfire, the leader of the much admired Wonderbolts who was leading the endurance exercise session at the Wonderbolt's Academy.

In a flash, Rainbow Dash swooshed down to Spitfire's level and gave her ornately colored mane a side sweep. “Already? I could do 20 more, no sweat!” Rainbow boasted, trying to impress her stern faced instructor.

The other Pegasi flew down in single file behind Rainbow, panting for breath after performing the extensive workout.

“I think you all did enough for today,” Spitfire nodded at the exhausted Pegasi, who cohesively thanked her and fluttered back to their dorms for a break.

Rainbow was about to turn away in disappointment before Spitfire turned towards to address her. “Rainbow Dash," began Spitfire, "you did exceptionally well. You make a great leader and so far hold a good chance for joining the Wonderbolts.”

Rainbow’s face lighted up; the corners of her cheeks elevating in excitement.

“But don’t get your hopes up,” Spitfire continued, noting her compliment's effect. “There are many obstacles you must overcome during the remainder of this camp. Only then will we see if you’re qualified.” Having finished, Spitfire shot up in the air and whirled away, following the retreating Pegasi.

“Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh!!” Rainbow squealed, squeezing her legs together in pure happiness. "I'm going to be a Wonderbolt!" With no pony in sight, Rainbow displayed her excitement over the day's accomplishments in a dance that was more cute than anything else.

When her excitement decreased, Rainbow remembered that Twilight might be worried about her sudden departure from Canterlot the day before. “Now that today’s workout is completed, I should go back and say hi to Twilight. I did leave pretty rudely yesterday morning" Rainbow murmured to herself.

Rainbow spread out her wings and swooped off the cloud towards the ground below, immediately crashing into her yellow friend who had been innocently walking by, unaware of the incoming flyer.

“Hahah. . . sorry there Fluttershy,” Rainbow said embarrassed as she helped Fluttershy back on her hooves and hastened to pick up the perfectly round, red cherry that now had a small bruise on it's right side and place it back into her friend's satchel.

“Oh, that’s alright Rainbow,” Fluttershy said pleasantly, holding back a laugh at Rainbow's frantic attempt to right the damage on pretense that laughter was not the kindest action. “I was just alerting my last little friend to go back to the safety of the meadow.”

Fluttershy bent down and spoke softly to a small, trembling robin, “It’s ok Little Buddy, those loud noises won’t hurt you, but you really should go back home so nothing hits you.” The robin nodded, flew up into the sky, headed towards the thick foliage near Fluttershy's residence.

“Wow, I guess it is pretty noisy down here” Rainbow said with a hint of surprise to her voice. She was so used to the loud ripping of air whenever she raced that she hadn't noticed that the developing city was full of clanking, the screeching of equipment., and the loud conversation of the workers. “Anyways, I was just on my way to Twilight’s. Wanna come with me Shy?”

“Oh yes, that would be lovely. After all I don’t have anything else to do today,” replied Fluttershy, giving her friend a typical, sweet nod.

The two ponies (well, mostly Rainbow) chatted garrulously about the events of that week as they flew leisurely to Twilight’s castle. But upon arriving, Fluttershy stopped flying and fluttered meagerly in the air, staring ahead with a troubled expression.

“What’s wrong Shy?” asked Rainbow, noticing her wet blue eyes grow wide and anxious.

“Dash. . . there’s something dreadfully wrong here,” said Fluttershy, her voice no higher than a low whisper.

“Oh yeah?” Dash looked at her inquisitively.

“Well. . . it’s so dark inside the windows, and it’s hard to explain, but you know, after being around so many dangerous animals while protecting my pets, I can sense monsters, and, well, I can sense there is one in this castle. . .

Suddenly, both ponies saw a familiar shadow creep along the curtains that blocked the wise windows of the castle's upper chambers.

"Oh my gosh What is that???” Fluttershy screamed as high as her mouse-like voice could and flew behind Dash.

"I think it’s the Nightmare!" Dash cried in horror. "Shy, we have to go save Twilight!”

Before Fluttershy could respond, Dash grapped her left foreleg with her right hoof and speedily flew upwards, crashing through the haunted window and landing headfirst on the floor as glass shattered about them.

“Owwww” moaned Rainbow from where she lay on the floor.

“Um, Dashie, are you alright?” inquired Fluttershy, crawling unharmed off Twilight’s bed where she had been flung.

“Yeah, I’m fine,” Dash had no time for injuries, she darted up and frantically scanned the room. “Twilight! Where are you?" she bellowed.

“Ah, my subjects. You are staring right at us." Out of the shadows came forth Nightmare’s tall, dark figure, her eyes flashing wickedly.

“Give Twilight back, Nightmare Moon!” demanded Dash fearlessly, squinting her ultra violet eyes wrathfully.

“Twilight is no more,” laughed the sinister mare, “and neither is Nightmare Moon, for I am Nightmare Twilight ” Indeed, the mare resembled Twilight in color and form, but was so tainted with evil that her authentic look was unrecognizable.

“I presume you have all come for your precious elements, have you not? Well, you may have them,” said Nightmare, tossing the chest of ornaments at the ponies. It hit the ground and it’s contents scattered across the ground. “They are of no use to us, and will likewise be of none to you. What can you do without its most important element, magic?”

In the loudest tone her voice could command, Nightmare Twilight thundered,“Eternal Twilight shall reign over Equestria, forever!"

The malicious Alicorn took to the skys and soared out the shattered opening. Following her departure, a dark haze swept over the formally azure sky, and the stars shone more brilliantly than they had ever been seen before, even on lustrous nights.

“It’s Nightmare all over again” Dash yelled angrily, and she’s not going to get always with this, not with our Twilight! I am the element of loyalty and I will never stop until we get Twilight back!”

Even while she was speaking, Dash knew how small her chances of saving her friend was. The last time the brave pony had cried was recently during the coronation, when Twilight professed how the ponies’ friendship meant to her. Now, that Twilight had so blatantly changed, Dash felt overwhelmed with tears and sank to the ground sobbing.

“Oh. . . Dashie. . .there, there now. It’ll be alright,” Fluttershy said gently as she flew over to Rainbow and gave her a comforting hug with her wings.

“But how are we going to save Twilight?” Dash sobbed.

“We will Dash, we just have to go find our other friends; they will help us.”

“Right,” Dash wiped away her tears quickly and jolted up, “Common Shy, we’ll get everyone’s help. Oh, and we’ll take these,” she gathered up the elements into a satchel and swung it over her neck, “I know Nightmare said that there are useless, but what gives? They will probably be our only hope!”

“Oh. . if you don’t mind Dashie, she said Nightmare Twilight. . .”

Rainbow almost knocked over Fluttershy in furry, “Don’t say that, OK? This is NOT Twilight’s fault and that is certainly NOT Twilight! Now let’s go!” she zipped out of the wiped-out window in a flash of color.

“O…K. Wait up Dashie!” Fluttershy hurried after her frantic friend towards Rarity’s design studio.

****

“There, that’s the last stitch” Rarity said. “Well Mr. Blueblood, you can try it on.” She teleported the crisp suit over to the mirror where the Prince was almost asleep.

“Oh, uhhh, thank you miss Rarity,” he replied stiffly, carefully throwing on the ensemble. “It’s quite nice,” he added, admiring how it flattered his body.

“Well of course it is,” said Rarity, “Oh, and we always throw in a little something special for first comers. Spike, would you give the Prince this hat for me?” Rarity handed Spike a neat, light blue cap.

Spike nodded and hastened towards Blueblood. As he was reaching up on tiptoes to place in on Blueblood's head, poor Skike suddenly coughed up a puff of fire, damaging, though not severely, the Prince’s blond mane.

“Oh my Celestia! What have you done to my hair?!! Blueblood panicked, staring with dismay at the burnt edges. “And I just got a Justin Bieber style” he added sorrowfully.

“Sorry sir,” Spike giggled nervously, “But speaking of Celestia, I just got a letter from her." He held out a neatly rolled scroll, fresh from Cantalot.

“Do you think we should give it to Twilight or read it here? Rarity wondered aloud.

Spike shrugged, “Well it doesn't say Private anywhere. . .” With that, he pulled it open. “My dear Twilight, Luna and I will be going on a trip to Saddle Arabia. It’s very important, so try not to send me any letters unless absolutely necessary because as you know, I will not receive them. We will be back in two days, and I’ll visit you then. Until I return, just relax and get used to your new lifestyle and the power of the stars.”

“Maybe I shouldn't show this to Twilight,” Spike said, “It’ll just make her more nervous about bothering Celestia.”

“Yes you have a good point there Spike,” replied Rarity.

“Does anyone here even care that my hair is ruined?” sobbed Blueblood, disrupting the conversation.

Rarity glanced up from the letter and trotted toward Blueblood, her eyes narrowing mischievously. “Oooh it looks like you have a bit of problem. I’ll just snip here. . .there now, you look absolutely beautiful.”

Blueblood surveyed his hair and realized her words were literal; she had clipped his mane sideways to create ladylike, swirly bangs. “No! I look ridiculous! How could you do that? How could you ruin my gentlemanly good looks?” he lunged towards the door to escape in utter defeat.

“My dear sir! You have forgotten to pay me for that magnificent suit, which I used the most exquisite materials and gems to create.”

“I’ll send you a check!” he yelled.

Rarity caught him in an aura of magic, a trick she’d picked up from Twilight. “My dear Blueblood, how could you ever forget that a lady demands money immediately after she has earned it?”

“Smash!” the east window crashed as Rainbow tumbled, again, headfirst onto the carpet.

Rarity dropped her magic letting Blueblood down hard on his stomach. “Rainbow! Whatever brings you here in such a dreadful state?”

Fluttershy silently flew in the shattered entrance, “Oh, dear. I am so sorry Rarity. This is the second window Rainbow broke like this. But we really need your help. You see Nightmare. . .”

“Nightmare took over Twilight, just as she did Luna in the past, and now we have to save her!” interrupted Rainbow loudly upon regaining her breath.

“Yes, exactly, and. . .”

“Oh my Celestia! Of all the things that could happened, this is the. Worst. Possible. Thing! Ahhhhh!!” Rarity proclaimed in earnest worry.

Fluttershy tried again to finish her statement. “But we have a solution. You see, in that bag. . .”

“We have all the elements of harmony and we’re going to gather all of our friends and do the best we can to save Twilight!” said Rainbow, springing into the air and giving a salute.

“Yes, indeed! That we shall do. Spike, pen a letter to Celestia, fast!”

“Sure Rarity,” said the shocked dragon as he pulled out a piece of paper and quill. He dipped the quill in ink, “Dear Princess Celestia, Twilight has been taken captive by Nightmare, and we really need you to come fast and vanquish the monster! Meanwhile, we will to all we can to rescue Twilight. Your faithful subjects, Twilight’s friends" Spike penned with a practiced hand.

A puff of smoke, the letter disappeared. “Celestia won’t be getting the letter for a while though,” said Spike. “She is at Saddle Aribia with Luna, so that letter will just land on her throne and. . .”

Rainbow face-hoofed impatiently. “Well, if the princesses can’t help, then we have to do it ourselves huh? “Rarity and Spike, you go get Pinkie Pie. Shy and I will get Applejack. Everyone meet at the center of the city, now GO!”

“Goodbye girls, I . . .squeak!” Fluttershy's farewell was left unfinished, for Rainbow had already snatched Fluttershy and bolted with her towards Sweet Apple Acres.

***

“Ok let’s take a toll! Fluttershy, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Spike! We’re all here, so let's get going!”

“Woah, shimmer down Nilly” said Applejack. Now, from what I picked up so far, there ain’t no way we’re going to git rid of Nightmare without Twilight’s magic.”

“But where are we going to get this magic?” asked Pinkie Pie. “Dun Dunnnnnn!”

"Pinkie, will you stop it with those sound effects? They are simply dreadful!" fussed Rarity.

"Ok girls, we’re going to have to find another unicorn, one that’s really good with magic," pondered Rainbow aloud.

“Hey Rarity, aren’t you really really really good with magic?” Pinkie Pie questioned.

Rarity sighed, “I wish Pinkie, but I’ve only used magic for whatever I needed to be a seamstress. It would take a long time to learn enough magic to be considered worthy of holding the element. And also, I couldn’t wear both elements of generosity and magic at the same time!”

“She’s got a good point” said Spike. “But Twilight was amazing with magic. Where are we going to get a pony as good as her?”

“Well. . .perhaps not quite as good, but I’m recalling a pony who might do” said Applejack thoughtfullly. “I propose Trixie!"

“Trixie? Why that’s a horrible idea! Don’t you remember the horrible way she treated us last time she was here?” Rarity gasped.

“Yes, Sugercube, I do. But she was under the influence of that..umm..magical thing. As mean as she is, she would never purposely hurt anypony.”

Rarity raised an eyebrow.

“Well… maybe their feelings. . . but listen here, I think she’s our only hope.”

“Well, I guess you’re right. . . muttered Rarity, reminded of Blueblood. "He was mean, yes. But he’d never purposely hurt anyone. Just all in good vanity," she added.

“I think Applejack has a point, “ said Rainbow Dash. “Everypony in favor raise a hoof!”

Each hoof initially hesitated, but then rose, even Rarity’s.

“Alright let’s. . . where does she live?”

“I know!!” cried Pinkie Pie bouncing. At the questioning expressions of her friends, she continued:

You see, Trixie and I both used to live near each other in Rambling Rock Ridge. When we were realllyyyy little filles, we’d haul rocks together and talk about how we would be performers when we got older and live that place. At school plays and around town we’d put on the best shows: I’d play music and do stand-up comedy, and Trixie would do magic tricks. Everypony loved us, and we’d put big smiles on everypony’s faces. But. . .”

The pink pony’s curly hair draped flat to her sides as she continued in a bemoaning voice, “As Trixie learned new magic spells she grew vain, and didn’t want to perform with me anymore. She said I was annoying and a distraction to her magic. She wouldn’t even talk to me anymore, she was the only pony who wouldn’t be my friend. It hurt so bad. . . . We had planned to go to Ponyville together to start a new life, but I had to go alone. Of course, I met some pretty awesome friends here, so I knew it wasn’t my fault.”

“Of course it wasn’t Pinkie dear,” said Rarity, wiping away a tear. “I had no idea that such eminence existed between Twixie and you. . .are you sure you want to face her?”

“I see what you’re doing Rarity, and nothing doing!” yelled Rainbow Dash. "We’re going to Trixie, and I don’t care!”

“Whhaat? I wasn’t doing anything of the sort,” said Rarity, embarrassed.

“Aww well you’re just a good friend Rarity," said Pinkie, "but it’s Ok! I’d do anything for Twilight! Let's PARTY!. . . I mean FIND TRIXIE!”

Quest and Toil

A dark, unchanging atmosphere released a multitude of stars, shining in an unnatural brilliance in the deep purple sky. The darkness was relieved only by a glimmer of light from the horn of a prom, white unicorn.

"I have been walking through this utter wasteland for ages!" groaned Rarity peevishly, "Whenever will we ever get there? My hooves are killing me!"

"I agree" muttered Spike, realizing how kind his former caregiver Twilight had been to carry him on her back all the time.

"Not for some while!" sang the energetic pink pony who bounced along, unaffected by the hours of trotting on hard ground.

"Well, I have to admit, it would be pretty annoying to be walking in that tangle of foliage," laughed Raindbow Dash, floating on her back in the air.

Applejack and Fluttershy walked at the head of the group alongside with Pinkie, being used to walking for long periods of time.

"The Bog seems to end a little ways ahead," noticed Fluttershy, pointing her hoof towards a change in scenery ahead.

"Yes, one more minute and. . ." Pinkie sped ahead and stopped, throwing her arms open to emphasize the dry, rough clearing ahead which juxtaposed harshly with the brush they had been through. "This is Rambling Rock Ridge!"

"Well... it certainly has a lot of rocks." said Rarity, a little too sarcastically.

"Well DUH! This is where we'd grow rocks (granite and sedimentary rocks), and sell them to the ponies who used them to build strong walls and houses! It wasn't very fun, and I would get so hot and tired and am so happy that I can back cakes all day instead but it's nice to visit here again and maybe I can get to see my family and oh my gosh I'm totally going to see my family right now so BYE!" Pinkie zipped off in a flash of pink.

Rainbow rolled her eyes, "Well now we're left without a guide!

"Whatever," she continued, "Trixie can't be so hard to find with her loud mouth and all. Common everypony, let's head this way." Rainbow pointed east with her right hoof, towards the corner where Pinkie had just disappeared. "Pinkie said that Trixie lived near, her so if she's headed towards her family, this has to be the correct way."

A little ways further, and a small village of plain, dirt colored houses appeared behind a hill evolved from grainy dis-posits of gray rock and sand. There wasn't much to sight-see, so austere was the atmosphere, not even brightened by a hint of blue sky, thanks to Nightmare Twilight's dominion.

The ponies hastened towards the town's center where the flashing form of their pink friend and the squeaky chatter of her voice had attracted a whole crowd of ponies, females with no-nonsense attire and style, straight, long manes gathered to their sides, and stallions strengthen by years of rock moving. Pinkie Pie was running from mare to stallion, throwing startling Pinkie hugs and chatting all the while about her time in Ponyville.

The friends arrived to hear the last of her rather cryptic speech. "And now Twilight's a Princess, and the whole place is becoming a City, and it looks incredibly amazing, but then Nightmare returned and look Twilight away and we need to save her, but we can't without all the elements of harmony so we came all the ways here and. . ." she grabbed a blow horn from practically nowhere and spoke loud and bold:

"Trixie, come out here! I know you're somewhere!"

There was a pause as Pinkie jumped on top of her blow horn for a better view and squinted her blue eyes, gazing suspiciously while around the barren town. Her friends stood in a quandary behind the multitude of work ponies who wondered whether they should abdicate their severity and laugh at the scene, or maintain their ever harsh expressions.

"Did someone send for the great and powerful Trixie?" boomed an equally loud voice as a sky blue pony trotted from the rock quarry.

It was Trixie alright, but she looked exhausted, sweat forming on her pale brow and her lavender eyes lackluster from the hard work.

"Pinkie Pie? Oh, and the rest of you. . ." she surveyed the friends with a disagreeable air. "Well, what brings you all in search of the great and powerful Trixie?"

Pinkie Pie jumped off the stool, obviously fighting with herself to break down the walls of eminence built up over the years and give Trixie a big hug.

Rainbow Dash flew to Pinkie's rescue, landing suddenly in front of Trixie."Hey you, " she squeaked, folding her hooves while hovering as if impatiently. "Long time no see! I could make a big speech about why we're here, but I'm going to be awesome and cut to the gist."

Rainbow paused and came eye to eye level with Trixie, who looked more tired than interested. However, Rainbow pretended her reaction otherwise, acting as if the blue pony was staring with the innermost levels of curiosity and anticipation.

"How would you like to stop doing all this hard work and make a great profit in Pony City with your magic shows?"

Trixie's could not help growing interested as Rainbow offered what she had inherently desired ever since she discovered Ponyville.

"Ahem," Trixie refused to show her eagerness. Blinking, she opened her eyelids halfway and made a little smirk with her dry lips. "What were you saying about Ponyville being a city? It is simply a potential town that I can do far better than."

"Like this rock quarry?" laughed Rainbow sarcastically, folding her arms and hovering a little higher.

Trixie turned red and gritted her teeth, but said nothing because she knew the proud pegasus was correct. She was living poorly here, nothing like the life a popular show-pony ought to have.

"Well, it's a city now," said Rainbow, "because Twilight Sparkle became a Princess. . ."

Trixie's mouth draped open and her violet eyes widened in shock.

"And," continued Rainbow, gleefully noticing her speech's effect, "any pony who is lucky enough to reside their is practically famous."

Trixie stood overwhelmed for a moment, contemplating the situation, then carefully asked, "So. . . how exactly can Trixie make herself welcome there?"

"That's just what I wanted to hear," approved Rainbow smugly, "You see, Nightmare has somehow returned and, in the guise of Twilight, says that she will cast Equestia in twilight forever! I'm sure you've notice the darkness of the sky lately."

"I had noticed as much" thought Trixie. Aloud, she asked (or rather announced) "Are you asking the great and powerful Trixie to vanquish the Nightmare?"

"In a way, yes! You see, Nightmare can only be expunged without harming Twilight through the activation of the elements of harmony, but with the element of magic gone, the elements are useless."

"So here's to us hoping that you'll put down the silly show attitude and work with us to get Twilight back and yourself an enjoyable profession." finished Applejack.

"Ah, so the fate of Twilight Sparkle rests on my own generosity now," proclaimed Trixie.

She turned her head aside gave a long pause for dramatic effect, posing confidently with and hooves apart. Her thoughts contrasted with her display of confidence, however. "What am I getting myself into?" Trixie thought, her mind racing, "I couldn't even defeat the Ursa Minor, and now they expect me to be as powerful as Twilight, a pony powerful enough to become a Princess, to defeat this Nightmare?"

However, Trixie's desire for attention interrupted any formations of common sense. "Oh, but the rewards are so great, so impossible to resist! I will pretend this is a performance, believe in myself, and vanquish the evil. I. Can. Do. This. Because. I. Am. Great. And Powerful!"

"Eh hem, well Sugercube?" asked Applejack.

Snapped out of her reverie, Trixie turned back to the ponies, who anxiously awaited her response. "Yes, the great and powerful Trixie will. . ."

"Yess!! Thank you Trixieeee!"

Pinkie, no longer holding back, threw her arms around Trixie and squeezed her tight in her best hug.

Trixie waited to Pinkie to release her tight hold and then snubbed her off indignantly. "Let's go, I have some evil to vanquish and my powers to demonstrate!" Trixie galloped off towards the north west.

Pinkie stood, shocked, her hair quavering in a fearfully straighter style. "She's. . .still the same," Pinkie sighed. "I will never be able to make friends with her, and that's breaking Pinkie Pie's number one rule: Make friends!" She bit her lip as tears swam in her wide, light blue eyes."

"Oh, Pinkie," it's gonna be alright," whispered Fluttershy. "You just have to endure her until this whole ordeal is over."

"More than endure her actually, said Rarity. As much as she hates us (and some of us likewise), we need to show her the value of friendship if her magic is to attain the amount of power required. Twilight always said that the spell had nothing to do with her magic abilities; it was us, the combination of our elements! In short, friendship is magic!"

Pinkie Pie gasped, her hair popping back into full curls as she sprang to her hooves and grasped her ever handy blow horn. “Trixie, you have to come back here because this is something we have to do together!"

Trixie stopped running and looked back annoyed.

“You are not even as fast as the great and powerful Trixie!”

“Maybe we’re just smarter," Applejack shouted back. "All that running is only gonna make you too tired to get to Pony City before sundown. Oh wait. . .” Applejack stopped upon realizing that it was always sundown since Nightmare, and her friends burst into an amused laughter.

"What exactly are you all so pleased about?” asked Trixie, who only noticed the ache she felt so keenly in her worn hooves.

"Oh Trixie, sometimes you just have to make fun of yourself, take things easy, and laugh about it” said Pinkie Pie, bounding by Trixie’s side.

“Pifft, that’s not hard for you, always making a complete fool of yourself,” returned Trixie.

"Trixie, why are you such a meanie pants?" Pinkie asked, "We used to be such good friends, but then you just had ignore me for no reason at all, and I had to do everything myself, which turned out Ok, actually, but it would have been better with you, but I'm not sure if I want to be friends with you anymore, but then of course I do because I'm friends with everypony, and. . ."

"Shut up or I'll take away your stupid mouth, like I did last time I came to Ponyville!" exclaimed Trixie, feeling more annoyed by the second.

Suddenly, all the ponies stopped walking, and Trixie noticed that they were also looking at her indignantly. “Sorry,” Trixie muttered, and fought tears as she conveyed an expression of nonchalance. “This is how it always is,” she thought, “I try to get people to like by showing I’m the best; then they’ll want to watched my shows and see how awesome I am."

“Would you all mind resting here for tonight? My hooves are simply killing me, and I’m being absolutely honest this time.” complained Rarity.

“I agree, I’m exhausted; please Rainbow, say we can stop!” asked Spike.

“You two are so alike! Don’t you get any exercise?” retorted Rainbow.

"If time was correct, it would be almost midday. We've been traveling all night to come here and it would be nice if we could stop for some rest. If. . .that's ok with you Rainbow," Fluttershy said in her usual, meek tone.

"You all seem to forget that Trixie is the one who has been working hard all day, and deserves some sleep before being rushed into this silly event," said Trixie, who could no longer hide her exhaustion at the mention of sleep.

"So. . . where do we sleep?" the ponies rang in unison. Silence issued.

"It's so annoying that this is one of the only places in Equestia that you can't take a train to!" sighed Rarity, breaking the silence.

Suddenly, Pinkie left arm began jerking up and down violently, jerking her in a circle as she looked at it with a mixed expression of amusement and curiosity.

"Is there a rock falling?" Trixie asked alarmed, recalling that Pinkie's antics usually meant a disaster overhead.

"No," sang Pinkie Pie, "This little shake means there is somewhere dark and enclosed, probably with a horrible monster inside! But it doesn't have to be a monster. I got this sensation last time we were visiting Zecora's and she's not scary at all, even though we thought she was once. Remember that? Oh Trixie, you haven't met Zecora! You have to soon; she's really nice, even though she hardly ever comes to my parties. . ."

Pinkie continued to chat about the Evergreen Forest while the other ponies continued walking, forgetting the gesture's significance that another large creature must be occupying the forest ahead continued their trek forward.

Trixie rolled her eyes, "Do you ponies put up with her conversations all the time? It's quite annoying!"

"I suppose so," laughed Applejack pleasantly, "But she's our friend, so we accept her just the way she is, and being the element of laughter and all, you'd have to expect her to be a bit funny."

"Oh look ya'll!" Applejack hesitated and glanced besides the tangled path of foliage, which revealed a half hidden, stone cave, only dimly exposed by the heavy shrubbery. "Looks like Pinkie's arm signal had some connotation!" Applejack said, tearing at the shrubs with her front legs to create a clean entrance for the other ponies and Spike.

"Oh look a cave! I'll go check it out first!" said Rainbow Dash, flying right into the cave's mouth without pausing to reflect possible danger. "It's perfect!" rang her voice shrilly, which echoed four times back to the waiting friends.

"I've never been here," said Pinkie, "So you can all explore at your own risk!" She bounced in the cave pathway after Rainbow, ignoring her ever tingling leg.

"It looks dark and scary," said Fluttershy, following her friends cautiously into the cave, I don't like dark and scary places and. . .oh my. . .it is very dark." She whimpered and fearfully trod the forsaken ground.

"Pift, the great and powerful Trixie is not scard of anything," said Trixie, lighting the cave somewhat with her horn and nodding to Rarity to do the same. Together, the unicorns made a decent path of light, leading the group to a corner of the cave which appeared warm and inviting.

"Nice teamwork there ya'll" said Applejack, "But what the hay is that light coming from the corner yonder?"

"Oh my, what is that?" whispered Fluttershy nervously.

"Pinkie Pie's leg. . .someone in the cave! It all makes sense; there's probably a huge monster and we should get out of here!" Spike concluded nervously. "Oh, well. . . nothing a big dragon like me can't handle, but I'd be worried for you guys!"

Whatever Spike had contrived to say next was drowned out by a powerful, breathtaking blast of air followed by words which caused each pony to shiver and quake, bowing their heads to block out the terrible cold air from their eyes.

"It looks like you have discovered my habitation!" boomed a voice that could shake the centuries.

Spike let out a shocked gasp of green smoke. They had unknowingly walked clean into the hideout of Nightmare Twilight herself!

Author's Note

Last chapters are in progress--I'm doing some more work on them and adding more detail, ect. to the beginning chapters as well.

Dark Madness

Moments before. . .

Twilight Nightmare strode around a dark cave, as black as the night skies bereaved of clouds. "Yes, this will make a most satisfying place to rest," she murmured, evil eyes scanning the stone walls for any sign of life. Then, with a powerful thrust of her horn, she created a large mirror in the right wall. One more shock of black and an image of her former friends, accompanied by Trixie, appeared in it's reflection.

"So, they have gathered another magical one to defeat me, it seems," she whispered, her eyes squinting and growing blacker. "They will not succeed, I will capture and destroy everypony would will not pay adherence to my reign!"

A deep moan came from the dark, isolated background. Nightmare turned and glanced without a trace of pity at a white stallion, who lay in unconscious on the cave's floor. She had flown into the wimp as she left the city, for he was making his way cautiously though the darkened town. In pure annoyance, she had threatened her horn at him, causing the already frightened stallion to faint with one, faint cry of terror. Snatching the unfortunate soul in a dark aura of magic, she sped away once more towards the forest ahead, where a welcoming cave came into view. Such a place would be perfect to hold ponies for ransom in case of threats by those awful Princesses and also to increase the fear that everypony would soon hold of their new ruler.

"He will be my first victim, should no one fear and obey my command," she smirked.

Hearing a crying wisp from the mirror, she turned her attention back to it as her former reflection appeared: a timid, purple unicorn with eyes as wide, innocent and appealing as a young filly. She shone with a mixture of power and weakness, courage and despair. The unicorn opened her mouth and spoke with perfect calmness.

"No, Nightmare, we will not harm him or anypony. They have been kind to us, and we have not been so to them."

"I have told you already, Twilight. They want to vanquish us. They must die!"

"No, we will not harm them. Cast them in shackles, make them plea for mercy. . .but we are a kind creature, are we not?"

Nightmare could not decide between her personas. Her promise to Twilight had been to make certain that no one could inflict punishment upon her, and though the unicorn was merely a side of her conscience, enough argument and she risked losing her hold on Twilight's soul, and with that her power.

"Let us make a compromise, Twilight," she hissed. "We will imprison all those who try to take what is rightfully ours, but try not to inflict physical pain."

The adjustment worked, for her conscience helplessly faded back into the glass.

Nightmare's reverie suddenly was distracted by a stomp of hooves, a rustle of the bush that guarded the rustic cave. She snarled and turned towards the shining light which slipped in a steady stream thorough the cave's opening which steadily outlined her ghastly figure. "Oh, what fools to enter this place," she thought, curling her lips.

****

Each pony, frozen in terror by the shock of cold air and hiss of evil laughter, had only one desire--to run. A hastening of hooves, a clamor of jumbled, frantic voices, and streaks of dismay echoed off the pervasive walls.

"The entrance is blocked, she has us trapped!" wailed Rarity, scraping her formally polished hooves at the stone which sealed any hopes of escape.

A hideous voice ripped though the darkness; two eyes flashed cruel beams at light at the ponies who still dug at the stone, as if they thought the stone would obey their pleas and burst into molecules.

"My little ponies, look who is in the snare now," she breathed, causing each pony to turn around and face her sinister majesty. "You!" she pointed a slender hoof at Trixie, whose forehead was shining with great drops of sweat as Nightmare poured her indignation upon her.

"You thought you could overpower me. Me! The great and powerful Nightmare? I can only laugh at such absurdity! Oh, I just used your line, did I i not? Before this night ends you will not have the dignity to ever murmur those words, even in the leave of all honesty." Nightmare tiled her head with a sneer and darted her eyes at the others. "Does somepony feel left out?" she remarked sarcastically. "You will all face the same punishment as your little friend."

"Not on my life!" cried Rainbow, snapping out of her immobilized state. Nightmare's threat had done enough to fury her passionate personality, even in the face of death--it was madness, but only she could spur the courage.

Rainbow dashed into action. "Hurry everypony, adorn your elements!"

Grasping open the satchel that still hung about her neck with her teeth, she scattered it's gold plated contents on the ground, as everypony hastened to snatch their symbols and slip them around their necks.

Trixie stared in a frightened, bewildered state as Rainbow threw the shiny crown upon her head and ordered the other ponies behind her.

Poor Spike chattered in the darkest corner, fumbling with a sweaty hand to denote a message to Princess Celestia in hopes that she would have arrived in Canterlot and heed his frantic plea for help.

"Ok everypony, behind Trixie! That includes you Fluttershy, take your place!" Rainbow almost dragged her fearful friend into the group and then finally slammed down to earth, glancing hopefully at Trixie. "This is it Trixie! Make it happen!"

"Make what happen?" Trixie screamed.

"Nightmare watched the Rainbow's futile attempts with a half-amused expression, allowing them to face the uselessness of escape before she showcased her power. "Ahahahaha! So you go to the 'great and powerful Trixie' for help? You can never replace my element, I am the most powerful in Equestria! You shall be punished rightly for the mere attempted to vanquish me, you slaves!"

Trixie screamed again in terror as a dark aurora of magic lifted her body and shoved her into a barred cage that hung overhead in the shadows. "Help meee! Help. . ." Trixie bumped roughly into the stallion who had been fromally thrown in the same cage as she. She instantly shrieked and jumped backwards, but paused seeing she had nothing to fear but a equally afraid, white unicorn. Now entirely recovered and aware of his predicament, he opened his tearful, blue eyes wide and latched on to Trixie in a tight grip, trembling.

Although Trixie could not see the other ponies from her elevated prison, she could hear an awful clash of rocks and magic and assumed they had taken it upon themselves to personally attack the Nightmare, being derived of any other options.

"Trixie!" yelled Fluttershy from the clutter, "Don't worry we'll save you, I promise!"

"Yes, we got you into this mess and we won't let you down!" bellowed Rainbow from the whirlwind of clamor below.

"No, don't try! It's useless!" Trixie cast several spells at the cage door, knowing quite well that nothing she knew would burst an enforcement of dark magic. She grunted, breaking into an even greater sweat as her last spell burst into white sparks as it contacted the bars and sinking to the ground in sheer exhaustion.

The cave alighted in a bright flash of light and the five ponies and Spike, utterly defeated, were teleportated to the same cage. They lay on the ground, exhausted and beaten.

"No! That wasn't even fair!" yelled Rainbow, smashing her body painfully into cage wall. She met the bars with a wamp and was sent flying backward, landing on the cold, hard floor. "Oh. .. it hurts!"

With Rainbow down and quietly checking her appendages for busies, an enearthel silence rung until Rarity hesitativly lit up her horn to see where they had been imprisoned. The first pony her eyes feel on was rather large. . .he wasn't a pony at all! "Prince Blueblood!" she gasped, "Whatever are you doing here?"

The poor stallion, who, with his red shot eyes and dirtied mane looked like he'd been though his worst nightmare, wondered what he had done to deserve being cast into confinement with the pony he most hated. "Save me, beautiful angel!" Bloodblood threw his hooves aroud Trixie's neck and sobbed.

Trixie stood uneasily, at first trying to cautiously squirm out of his grip but finding that useless heaving a great sigh. She was more than exhausted, and felt her legs wobbling under her.

"Release your hold on the great and powerful Trixie! Uhh please?"

Bloodblood released his hold and with a menacing glace at Rarity, backed into a corner whipping away his tears. Rarity rolled her eyes. "What a wimp," she thought. "He is the most disregardful definition of a stallion I've ever seen." However, she felt a sense of pity for Bloodblood, who had been pampered and spoiled by royal life, and apt to be heart-broken should he even mess up his mane." Feeling insulted, she walked to the opposite side of the small cage.

Trixie was still in a state of exhausted bewilderment, but cast off her uncertainty with her usually contempt. "Ridiculous, all of them." muttered Trixie, "I'll defeat Nightmare myself, just. . .after some sleep." Her lids became lead as she swooned into semi-consciousness on the hard ground.

"We should all get some shut eye" said Applejack, "Nightmare is gone, who knows where, and we have to be ready for whatever happens tomorrow."

Spike had already dwindled into sleep, his snores leaving gasps of smoke into the air, warming the chilled atmosphere.

Rarity shifted down on her knees. The floor felt so hard and crumbly with dust. She quietly rolled around, trying to find a position less uncomfortable than the next. She wasn't the only pony suffering from discomfort, she could hear the shuffling of aching bodies all around her. Shutting her weary eyes, she drifted into a light sleep, thinking sadly about how leaving her false eyelashes on overnight would hurt her eyelashes.

Hours later, Rarity awakened with a jerk to the sound of Trixie's voice feet away--she was mumbling incoherent sentences and thrashing about wildly. This continued for a few minutes while Rarity tried to ignore the pitiful noises, not wanting to disturb her tired friends. But it became unbearable, and she rose to see what was wrong. The other ponies had heard it too--they crept in the darkness towards the twisted sobs.

"Sugercube, wake up," Applejack nudged Trixie lightly, and then a little harder when Trixie remained in her sleepy trance.

Rainbow punched her shoulder with a hoof, "Trixie, WAKE UP!!"

She stirred and opened her dewy eyes, and seeing everypony staring at her, burst into a fountain of tears.

"Go away, leave Trixie alone!"

"Sugercube, there's not much space to go," said Applejack. "Why not just tell us what's wrong?"

"Because. . .because that's too embarrassing!" she wailed.

"But why?" asked Pinkie Pie.

"Because. . .it's about my past," she whimpered. "I can't tell anyone. . .you wouldn't understand."

"Wouldn't understand? I grew up with you! What could possibly not be able to tell anyone, especially your friends?!" exclaimed Pinkie, her pitched voice loud echoing in the cave.

"You don't know everything about me Pinkie, said Trixie. She closed her weary eyes and wiped away a tear. Seeing that the other ponies would not head her pleas to ignore her, she sighed and began the painful recollection.

"When I was a little filly, I lived with my mother, Chelsea, in Filly Delphia. She was the most wonderful, kind, and hard working pony that ever existed. All she ever tried to do was protect and provide for me." Trixie's face hardened as she continued. "Because she had to raise me, she couldn't finish her magic education, and was unsuccessful as an instructor, forcing us to live homeless on the streets. She tried to become a street performer, traveling from place to place, hoping to be wanted, or at least accepted. It didn't help that everyone called her slut, and condemned her for leaving school. Everything that happened in the past wasn't her fault, and yet she bore the consequences of it." Trixie looked down and stroked at the ground with her right hoof before continuing.

"That. . .that consequence was me. I wanted to help, but I couldn't. I could only learn whatever spells my mother taught me as we wandered from place to place. From Filly Delphia to Baltimore to Dodge City, the cruel society would only see her as an outcast; no one would do more than toss a few bits after her shows. She wasn't pitied. . . she was despised.

We finally ended up in Rambling Rock Ridge, where she tried to make a living hauling rocks. . . but the toil of life had taken it's toll on her health. She became sick, very ill, and had no one but me to care for her."

Here Trixie paused, swallowing the lump in her throat. "One night, it was clear and dark and humid. An eerie mist gathered around the dirt streets, making it hard to see. Even in the deep fog, I managed to beg two bits from passing ponies and bought mother some apple cider, returning proudly to our tent to help the pony I loved most. But when I entered. . .Oh I shall never forget the pangs of horror I felt! She lay there, still and cold to the touch. My frantic attempts to wake her were futile. I called for help, I screamed! Some ponies came cantering at my screams and took her to the hospital, but they could not save her. They tried to console me, but I was inconsolable. These were the same ponies who had ignored her, mocked her. They had killed her. I suppose everypony in Ridge had pity on me, but I despised their pity. I became a foster pony, and was enrolled at the Rock Ridge Public School."

"That's. . . that's where you met me." gasped Pinkie with trembling lips, wet with her tears.

"Yeah Pinkie," said Trixie. "You were. . . a great friend." She gave a sad laugh. "There was I, only treated kindly for pities sake, and you cheered me up every day with your comedy routines and talkative nature. You were always there for me, and you helped me discover my talent after I performed with you."

"But if I meant so much to you, why did you leave me?" asked Pinkie, feeling bewildered.

"Because. . ." Trixie sighed. "I see I must start from the beginning. You helped me discover my talent: the talent of performing magic shows. I couldn't help myself, and after I got my cutie mark, I knew it was what I was meant to do. I couldn't have been happier at this realization. After years of solitude, I wanted attention, which I never failed to receive by performing. The best part of each day was putting on shows with you at school and around town. I even thought everypony admired my talent and hoped the best for me. But one late evening as I was walking by the school house, I overhead my name in our teachers' conversation. Curious, I crept up to the window and pressed my ear against the lower crack.

'You know what happened to her mother, right?' I heard Mrs. Evergrey say. 'Lived the life of a prostitute and died as one, almost killing her poor daughter in the process. And now, Trixie has picked up her mother's habits. Right now it's innocent play, but I fear for her future. Ponies will not stand it, for her mother's soiled reputation lingers behind her tiger stalking it's prey.'

I wouldn't hear anymore, I didn't want to. Dashing away from that detested voice, I ran home, to my room, and hid under the covers sobbing. How dare they call my mother such detestable names! And how dare they said her past tainted mine! Had they no respect? Is this what they thought of me? A slut and a show off? I gritted my teeth in fury. 'Who cares what they say, those horrible ponies who judge without tolerance,' I cried. 'I will become be the pony I was meant to be, a magic performer, and they will never stop me. I will become be the star of Equestia, the most powerful pony they'd ever laid eyes on. Then, they will be sorry.'

From that day on, I turned my back on the world and everypony I knew, they were beneath me. . .all I could afford to care for was myself. I've been traveling around Equestia, putting on shows for audiences, any audience how would give me the attention I craved. I found that those teachers were wrong in one respect, for ponies actually enjoyed my shows. In this new generation, magic performers have a better reputation, a good one, even."

Having finished her story, Trixie raised her head and looked at Pinkie sadly. "That's my past, and that's why I left you. It had nothing to do with you. Alone in my pain, I strove to be alone in my pride. I don't suppose you want to be my friend anymore, especially after I failed all of you tonight. A failure, that's all I am."

Pinkie, overwhelmed with tears, threw her arms around Trixie's neck. "Oh Trixie, I forgive you, if there's even anything to forgive! You've lived such a hard life, and I don't think I could have even gone through that, and I'm sorry I wasn't there for you, and I want to make it up to you! So see, you don't even have anything to even be sorry for!"

"No Pinkie, you were always there for me. . . I just wouldn't accept it. And after your parents let me work on their rock farm after the incident with the Ursa Minor, I should have been kind to you, but I wasn't. It is I who must be forgiven!"

"No, it's me!"

"I!"

"Me!" Pinkie raised her voice to a shout.

"Trixie!" returned the frustrated blue unicorn.

Hearing Trixie resume her old habit of speaking in third person, which had been broken by a lack of confidence during her confession, Pinkie decided it wasn't safe to continue fighting.

"Ok, but promise that you won't let it bother you. Pinkie Promise?" She smiled through her remaining tears at Trixie.

Trixie hesitated for a second to remember Pinkie's favorite vow. "Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye!"

The ponies' reunion was then disrupted by Rainbow. "Oh, my feels!" The tough pegasus was wiping away tears.

"I don't think anyone wasn't touched by your story Trixe," said Fluttershy, "We are so happy that you're our friend."

Rarity, overcome by the touching scene, suddenly felt a pang of guilt for how badly she'd treated Blueblood. "It takes a lady to make a gentleman" she thought, and addressed him nervously. "Uhh Bloodblood. . ." He looked up and she turned her head as to not shine her gleaming horn in his eyes.

"Look, I'm sorry you're here and cannot imagine how you ever got into this mess. Would it make it up to you if I didn't charge you for that, um, outfit?"

The suit was dusty and the gems were loosened, but he bushed tossed his mane out of his face and gave the slightest hint of a smile. "Sure, I'll forgive you for that."

"YOU!" Trixie's lavender eyes flashed as she pointed a hoof at Bloodblood, the light form Rarity's horn catching a shark on its shiny tip.

He jumped up alarmed. "Yes?!"

"You, me, Rarity! We're all unicorns, and while we may not pocess the magical power of Twilight, we can put our magic together to break out of this prison!"

"I hate to break it to you Trix, but this is black magic, and as far as I can remember, practically impenetrable," said Applejack.

"Um, I think you are right Trixie, but Applejack has a good point too. If none of us has a spell to penetrate black magic, the only way to escape is to write one. That is, if you don't mind. . ." said Fluttershy.

"Let's take this apart, said Rarity, motivated by Fluttershy's idea. "What gives a pony the ability to break through something?"

"Well, when I was scared of participating in tornado duty two years ago, I couldn't enter the flight because I was afraid of what everypony would think of my poor flying skills. But Twilight reminded me that I had to do this for Equestria, Rainbow, and most of all, myself! So, I can break though things, in this case, my fears, when I'm faced with an emergency and not a performance.

"Not a performance?" said Trixie, looking disappointed.

"Yes, and also when I'm doing it for somepony other than myself, but for myself as well. Oh, it's rather complicated. . ."

"Well, I had the strength to break through the wind barrier and make the sonic rainbow when I was trying to catch Rarity. I can also do it when I'm super happy, like during Candace and Shining Armor's wedding. So it's not when I'm thinking about myself, but when I'm helping others that I really outdo myself."

"So, we need passion, understanding that this is an emergency and not a performance, and a desire to help others to break the walls" mused Trixie. "So the reason that the walls will not break easily that. . ."

" NO PONY BREAKS A PINKIE PROMISE!"

"Uh, Pinkie, that's totally unrelated," said Rainbow.

"No it's not! You see, no pony can break a pinkie promise because that is the most serious vow they could ever make! Likewise, nopony can break this wall because it's made of black magic, the strongest magic that can ever be used! Now although there is nothing stronger than a pinkie promise, there is something stronger than black magic, and that is the magic of love, which in our case is loving each other so much that we want to help each other!"

"So, if the spell contains passion, energy, and a desire to help others, we can break out of here," Fluttershy summarized, bouncing lightly with trepidation and excitement.

"Ok. We've got the main facts down. Now to write the spell. . ." Trixie squinted her eyes and stared at the walls which taunted her with its boldness. Do this for Equestria, to save them from Nightmare. Do this for yourself, to gain back your reputation. All I need to do is write a spell. . .

"May a light arise that blots out the darkness

With an energy and passion which stands untied.

Bring forth the spell to break down these walls

Vanquish Nightmare once for us all"

Upon repeating the spell in unison, the unicorns concentrated and shot a yellow wisp of light from their horns, which spread and wraped around each bar of the prison. One second more, and the bars dissolved into golden sand on the ground. There was a loud cry of anger from the other end of the cave as Nightmare felt the force of black magic dissolve.

But nopony shock in fear as they had formally. They looked ahead, one purpose, one goal. Nightmare appeared, the elblem of evil. Her wings outspread and here eyes glinting with anger. "You think you're so powerful, breaking down my walls? Well, ye shall see the full power of the Nightmare!" She paused, swelling with wrath and pride. It would be cowardly to immediately terminate the ponies, so she waited for the ponies to make the first move. So deep was she in her inward decision of what action would best show her sovereignty that she did not realize how fatal this single move would be to her.

The ponies used those few seconds wisely; they swiftly adorned their ornaments. Bloodblood dashed up beside Trixie who nodded for them all to repeat the spell. The unicorns in front sent one spark into the air. The flash spun a ball in space, directly between the ponies and Nightmare. Nightmare made a move towards them but jumped back, surprised at the intensity and heat of the ever growing spare of fire. Instantly and without warning, Trixie felt an overwhelming sense of warmth encompass her body. But she wasn't scared, and stood still as the waves swirled around her and lifted her up into the air, her body radiating with rays of sunlight. One more moment and the other ponies were also lifted from their positions and radiated, their eyes filling with a bright light from within them.

The light filled the cave. The light wrapped around the Nightmare, hoisting her up through the cave walls which crumbled in the heat and dissolved instantaneously.

"No, No No!! This cannot happen to us!" Nightmare screamed with a heavy curse. Her dark shadow was sucked out of Twilight's comparably small body and faded into the air as Twilight, freed from the curse, plummeted towards the ground.