Luna who? All I see is Nightmare Moon.

Chapters

0: Prologue
1: Bittersweet
2: Ice
3: Landfall
4: Blazing
5: Betrayal
6: Overhaul
7: Harmony
8: Twisting
9: Blossoms
10: Preparations
11: Breaking

0: Prologue

I had disappointed Celestia, and now the time had come to pay the price. I bowed before her, having reached her throne, and waited for judgement to fall.

"Twilight Sparkle. Rise, and come forth," Celestia called out into the silent hall.

The tone had a finality to it. I disliked the new Celestia. But what she had asked of me, I would wish on nopony. There was no question of my defiance. But what have I gained for it all? My mentor now felt a thousand worlds away, and I had never been so alone. That...That filthy request still echoed in my head.

Still, putting up a shield of bravery I couldn't back up, I stepped forward. I couldn't be afraid, not now. I had done the deed, and now I would face the music, and gladly.

"Twilight Sparkle, you are charged with heresy and treason against the fair land of Equestria. What say you in your defense," Celestia continued, as if talking to somepony of much lower stature.

What could I say? What should I have said? What I said...

"You're the one betraying me, not the other way around. What we had...You threw it away. For what? A single touch. You lusted for it so badly, and now that you've gotten just a touch, you've changed. You don't...love me anymore. You aren't the same," I cried in fury and pain.

I knew bringing up their relationship now, like this, would have repercussions. Perhaps I would be sent out, exiled from Equestrian lands for the rest of my life. Or maybe, I would be executed, right here and now. She certainly looked angry enough right now.

"You are a disgrace to ponies everywhere. Any other pony would grovel for weeks without end for what I had asked of you-" Celestia began.

I cut her off, not very careful of my own safety anymore. "I'M NOT ANY OTHER PONY!"

I almost screamed at her, showing flat defiance to everything she stood for. I was now her enemy. She understood that.

"Twilight Sparkle of Canterlot, if I were to send you out of the land now, you would simply raise an army to de-throne me. If I were to kill you now, you would become a martyr of anyone else that might plot against me. That leaves me with only one choice. I'm sorry it has come to this, my student." Celestia stated flatly.

With that, magic unlike any I had ever felt washed over me. I didn't know what was going on, so I was afraid. Before I could move, it was over. Before me, however, was no longer Celestia, and I was obviously no longer in Equestria. Or, for that matter, anywhere on the same planet.

She had sent me...to the moon.

Author's Note

I've read a few fics, none of the ones I can find touch on sending anypony to the moon. So, that's what I did. Sue me.

EDIT: I realized an entire paragraph was in the wrong person, so I fixed it. Sorry, should've checked myself before I wrecked myself.

1: Bittersweet

Before me, stood a different pony entirely. It wasn't Celestia, but it was an alicorn. A thousand bits couldn't help make her any more contrasting from her. Except their race.

The pony before me was an alicorn. Just like Celestia, fledged and horned, but the similarity ended there. Where Celestia was white, this one was black. The sun was replaced by the crescent moon, however, it was a faint outline of white in the blackness on her flank. Her face was something else. A mixture of pain and sadness unending. Her eyes seemed wild, the pupils were so big.

"Do you not fear me? You should. Everypony fears eternal night," she said suddenly.

A booming voice came from the pony, and Twilight recognized it immediately. The Royal Canterlot Voice. Rarely had Celestia ever needed to use it in Twilight's presence, and I was surprised she hadn't used it today. I stepped forward, until I was right in front of the strange alicorn pony.

"No. I'm not afraid of you...Nightmare Moon. I'm more afraid of Celestia, but not for the reason you think. She's been my mentor since I was a filly." I spoke, sounding a lot braver than I felt.

I found a hoof in my mouth, silencing me as I spoke. The other pony looked down, not unkindly, upon me. I was, strangely enough, comforted by this, and smiled as the hoof was removed.

"What do you plan on doing with me?" I asked. Nightmare Moon chuckled.

"I suppose I'll have to get you to support me somehow. Working alone has proven tedious. Would you support me willingly, knowing my intentions to Equestria," the alicorn spoke once more.

It sounded as though she wanted a pledge of my loyalty to her. I smiled, knowing now exactly how I could get Celestia back for what she had done. The memories of what she asked of me that fateful day burned in my mind as I gave my answer.

"Yes. I would like nothing more than to aid you in bringing your beautiful night eternal to Equestria," I smiled as I spoke.

I surprised myself with the unquavering voice with which I had given my reply. But I cringed internally at my word choice. Beautiful night eternal...? When had I started thinking that way? If I were to guess, about the same time Celestia betrayed everything she meant to me by asking one question. That one question. The way it had been delivered assumed nonchalance, but her reaction to my vehement rejection proved otherwise. Nightmare Moon prodded my side with a hoof.

"There isn't much time. Any day now, she could realize her error and whisk you somewhere else. We must make the most of what time we have. See if you can move that star over there," she spoke quickly.

She pointed, and I, with no inch of remorse or hesitation, moved it exactly as she wanted. She giggled gleefully, but the sound was wrong coming from such a dark individual. However, I didn't particularly care, and fell to laughing with her after a moment.

After a few hours moving stars around with perfect precision the way she told me, I was allowed to rest. However, that allowed me time to think. Thinking led to remembering, and remembering...

It had been an unusually bright day, which never happens because Celestia is always careful with the sun. A hoof knocked on my door, and I bid them enter. When I saw it was Celestia, I smiled, my love for her expanding like always. I could never get enough of seeing her, and any moment we were together was a treasure. I ran over and jumped into her embrace as she closed the door. We kissed happily, and I cuddled into her chest. She led me back to the bed, and I grew slightly uneasy. However, I trusted my mentor implicitly, and knew I was safe.

Or so I had thought.

Celestia had laid me on the bed, raining gentle kisses on the tip of my horn and my cheeks. I giggled, the feeling of her lips on my horn enough to already get me blushing. I guess that was what she wanted from the beginning. A happy and aroused pony is a lot easier to convince. Then, she laid down beside me, rubbing my stomach. I remember remarking on an odd look in her eyes as she stared at me. If I'd followed the signs, the next part maybe wouldnt've happened.

"Twilight...you know I love you, right?" Celestia had asked, cooing gently as she did.

I nodded, giggling again like a schoolfilly. Which, I had just barely grown out of that age range, so I guess it wasn't too surprising.

"Yes, Celestia, and I love you, too. More and more every day I see you." I smiled, basking in her light.

Celestia nodded, then her hoof drifted downward slightly. I cringed, my legs coming together reflexively, though even with reaction time I would've done the same thing.

"Twilight, is something the matter," she had actually seemed concerned here, and that made most of the bad feelings go away.

I nodded slowly, watching her with new eyes, no longer the giggling image of happiness. In fact, I was distinctly unhappy with Celestia at that moment.

"I want you, Twilight Sparkle. I want you...All of you..." she murmured, my blood running cold at the thought.

With no explanation, magic separated my rear hooves, making a perfect target of my untouched marehood.

"Yes...I want that..." she said, completely giving in to whatever urges ran through her.

Celestia's hoof traveled down my stomach, playing with the lips when she reached them.

"No..." I moaned gently, unwillingly continuing to be aroused.

I weakly tried to bat her hoof away, but it was like she didn't even feel my hoof. I tried again, harder, determined to avoid this fate.

"NO...." I cried softly, hoping this was some cruel joke.

Her magic strained my back legs wide open, muscles screaming. She bent over, her intent clear and certain.

"NO!!!!!!!"

I screamed my denial when her ear was right next to my muzzle, shocking her out of her horny daze. She froze, uncertain, not believing her ears. She withdrew her head and turned her face away from Twilight.

"Celly..." I whimpered, instantly remorseful.

I knew instantly I had said the wrong thing.

And here's why. SLAP!!! My ears rang and my face instantly stung from the force of the hoof that had struck my cheek. I felt so helpless.

"You...You...Do you know...How much pleasure I had planned for you, Twilight Sparkle," she asked, seeming almost genuinely hurt for a moment.

Her face brooked no reply, and I gave none, a defiant glare in my eyes. Celestia rose from the bed and trotted away, not dropping the spell straining my legs until she had left the room.

"I'm sorry you had to see that side of her, Twilight Sparkle. She gave up all her trysts to be with you, I saw from the moon. When you wouldn't give her what she wanted in return, after starving herself of it long enough to show you her love, she snapped." Nightmare Moon interjected, standing beside me.

I gasped, knowing Nightmare Moon had read my thoughts.

"She needed that, and you denied her. She wasn't in her right mind, and still isn't. I believe she does still love you. However, I wouldn't blame you if you admitted you didn't love her." She spoke softly, knowing this would be a harsh truth for me to accept.

I looked down, tears in my eyes, as I processed what she had said. She gave up all her lustful pursuits for me. All she wanted in return was that I feed her needs...I felt like a dirty traitor now. She asked so little, and gave so much to put me in a position to ask. I had shot her down.

Nightmare Moon seemed to understand my inner turmoil. She walked over and sat, pulling my head to her lap in a comforting way. I didn't mind how close we were, because inside I was ripping myself apart. And why shouldn't I? I had no right to do what I had done. I deserved no respite from this.

After what seemed like hours of these thoughts, I noticed a gentle hoof in my mane. I looked up, and there smiled Nightmare Moon. She was doing so much for me, trying to be compassionate despite the lack of pony companionship she had experienced the last thousand years. I climbed into her lap and cuddled, like a scared filly, into her chest, and she just held me there, gently, like a mother would. Internally, my mind still raged at my complete and utter failure, but I couldn't help smiling on the outside.

Author's Note

Okay, so, as you can probably tell, I decided to write this directly from Twilight's point of view, as opposed to omniscient view like my Twixie fic. I'd love feedback pointing out which style you ponies like more from me. As always, feedback on the content is welcome as well. For those disappointed by my spin on this part of the story, it will get better, I just had no better idea on starting it.

P.S., the flashback is in a somewhat narrative view, so it is seen as Nightmare Moon would've seen it while reading Twi's mind.

2: Ice

Apparently, for a hunk of rock in the middle of space, there were seasons on the moon. I had practiced my teleportation while Nightmare Moon ravaged my mind with her powers, simulating the pure chaos of battle, preparing me for what was definitely to come. I collapsed, in pain, as Nightmare Moon stood over me. This was the third time today I had collapsed, usually our stopping point. But something seemed different about her today.

"Again," was all she said.

I, rather ungraciously, took to my hooves, staggering back to our starting position. I stood there, gasping for breath, as I waited for her to make the first move, as she always did. This ingrained in me a sense of self-defense and provocation, allowing me to fight my best despite the peaceful nature of all ponies. I stared at the black mare, watching for any slight movement or magic.

I was rewarded by a twitch. She was feinting. She charged at me, then flashed behind me, but I was ready for this, and bucked with all my strength, which I was able to build up even without the normal gravity. I felt the impact of lunar steel on steel, the weapons clanging against her armor. Against any other pony, however, the shockwaves from the power stored within would've staggered them, if not put them to the ground. We had to be ready, because we didn't know what to expect when we made our return.

And that day was not far off. Every day, we timed the sun as it stayed in the upper half of the planet's view. It would be Summer Sun Celebration in three days. As soon as we had finished moving stars, we had begun this training.

Before the shockwave had dissipated, I was already moving, turning to face her as I swiftly jabbed her in the chest. Any other pony would have their head there, so it was effective training. I knew, no matter how hard I trained, I wouldn't be ready to face down Celestia. It had only been a week, so the memories were fresh in my mind.

"I know you would like nothing more than to attack Celestia herself, but you could never be ready. An alicorn far surpasses any unicorn in magical prowess. If I put you against her, it would be a bloodbath, and that I could not allow," she had told me one "night."

Being on the moon, there was no true change in light or anything to mark the passage of time, so we had adapted it so our internal clocks marked day and night for us. I snuggled into her, feeling freedom of mind I hadn't felt before. It was exhilarating for me.

It was as if the moon was the opposite side of the world from Equestria, as the longer their days became, and thus the longer into summer, the colder our world became. It became increasingly difficult to channel magic, and multiple times I had awoken curled up and shivering underneath Nightmare Moon's wing, with her gentle eyes upon me as I had slept.

One such occasion brooked a conversation between us, as I sat under the warm blanket of her wing.

"Twilight, you have done well so far, preparing yourself mind, body, and soul to fight and champion my cause," she had said, a smile on her face.

"I would do anything to further your cause. Your beautiful night should be experienced by all, for all time." I had grown used to the way I spoke of the night, and thus did not cringe at my own words anymore.

Suddenly, she seemed about to speak again, but instead chose not to, and simply tucked me further under her wing as the warmth lulled me back to sleep.

However, even with the warmth and all, my dreams chilled me to the bone. So I worked tirelessly until I collapsed most times, drifting into dreamless sleep happily. It beat reliving the scene in my room over and over again. I got more rejuvenated in that dreamless void of sleep than when I had those terrible dreams.

In my heart, I felt what was going on. Nightmare Moon helped, but couldn't possibly fill the void ripped through my soul by her. One day, in the middle of practice, I lost control of my magic and ripped a huge chunk of dirt off the surface. It wasn't for more than a couple instants, but Nightmare Moon's look that day filled me with dread.

It was a look of terrible understanding.

The next day, one that would be our last full day alone, I woke up without her wing over me, and realized my heart rate was slowed from the chill. We were in the depths of winter, and without any cover I had almost died of cold. It was a careless mistake by Nightmare Moon, and I stood shivering and chattering as I channeled magic all through my body, raising my heart rate and warming my muscles from the constricting embrace they had been thrown into.

I walked around for a bit, searching, and found her at the area we always used for moving stars. She had a radiant smile on her face, and I couldn't help smiling as well, though I didn't know what was going on. Not yet.

She turned to me as I approached, jumping and effortlessly gliding all the way to me.

"Twilight Sparkle, this eve is the eve of battle," was all she said.

I was positively giddy, knowing exactly what she meant. Tomorrow, we would walk Equestria once more. I nuzzled her chest, as we had gotten very close over this time together, and she embraced me with her wings, gently caressing my mane and sides. I giggled, as her wings were tickling me, and we turned to stare at the world above.

__________________________

I woke up, yesterday's events flashing instantly to my mind. After we stared at the world for a while, we had cast sleep spells on each other and drifted away, with me curled on top of her. It was interesting how necessity turned to desire in such a short time. The desire I had to be close to her could not be explained, but her touch, her presence, helped ease the pain of my memories, and chased away the nightmares of my sleep.

As I looked up, I noticed the stars aligning above my head, and knew time was short. I donned my armor, a chestplate, full helmet with visor for sight, a flank guard, and legplates, all forged from the same lunar steel of my weapons. Nightmare Moon had been up here so long, she had explored the dirt itself for something to do and had found a wealth of metal, which was, of course, this lunar steel we were using. As I snapped on the buckhammers onto my rear hooves, I smiled, admiring the beauty of the craftsponyship. It looked stunning on me, and I admired my reflection in a nearby lake. However, there were still a couple things missing. The sheathes on my flank guard were empty, and I quickly rectified that with the two swords leaned against a nearby rock. That done, I snapped on the magic dampeners on my forehooves. It was way more effective than any shield, but also prevented me from tapping my own full potential. I could channel enough magic through my horn to levitate things or teleport, but not much more than that. That was why I hadn't been working on offensive magic, even though Nightmare Moon should know plenty by now.

"You look...um, like a warrior, Twilight," came an unexpected appraisal.

I looked up, and there she was, on the other side of the water was Nightmare Moon herself, in similar gear, but without the dampening gauntlets on her forehooves, opting instead for pegasi hoofblade gauntlets, meant for air to ground strikes. Of course, being an alicorn, she could definitely do that. She also had wingblades on her leading edges, which would allow air-to-air attacks, in the unlikely event any pegasi fliers stood against them. It was time, I could tell from the ecstatic look in her eyes.

"Thank you, princess. You look like a queen of war, yourself," I said, the comment flowing freely from my lips. I meant every word.

Hell, the armor looked good on me, it looked amazing on the disgraced alicorn. It brought a smile to my lips, imagining Celly even attempting to match her in any way. Above our heads, the stars shifted the final inches...

Author's Note

The amount of thought I put into the armor was astonishing. I looked at and discarded multiple ideas per minute, and settled for this rather basic, yet detailed, ensemble. Ah, I'm starting to sound like Rarity now. derp.

anyway, comments welcome ^-^ I enjoy hearing what everypony thinks of my stories as I write.

3: Landfall

I gasped in pain, feeling like hooks ripped into every inch of my chest and stomach as I was inexorably pulled upward, into the column of stars. I screamed, closing my eyes, as I passed through the burning points of light. However, my soul was in ecstacy as my reserves of magic reached new heights. I reached for it, and it leapt to my horn without any delay at all. I mentally giggled, my reflexes and aptitude rising the longer my body was tortured by the stars. However, every good thing must come to an end, and we had a nation to break. I pushed through the stars, and a blast of lavender light propelled me through space.

I now knew what Rainbow Dash felt when she made a sonic rainboom. Relatively speaking, I had just created one, but with magic. I gleefully rode out the speed as it bled out into the atmosphere. Wait, atmosphere?! I looked around and saw mountains, the natural borders of Equestria, swallowing me. I was hurtling to the ground faster than sound, a streak of purple against the night sky. My magic failsafed and started to break my speed, slowing me down, but it wasn't enough. I concentrated all my magic into trying to lift me into the air, overcompensating for my extreme speed. I had way surpassed terminal velocity, breaking physics in a way that would make Pinkie Pie proud. Still I hurtled towards the ground, flailing my hooves as my horn shined as brightly as the tear in the atmosphere I was leaving behind me.

WHAM! "Ugh..."

I crawled out from under the tree I had fallen through, feeling as though, despite all my attempts to break my fall, I had broken nearly every bone in my body. Then, I realized I was moving. Which wouldn't be possible without pain.

We hadn't engaged a single pony, and the enchanted armor had already saved my life. I smiled at the thought, wondering how much abuse it could still take.

"H-Hi, Princess..." was all I could manage as she alighted by my side. I rolled over on my side, gasping for breath. The armor had saved my life, not made me immune to harm.

"Oh, Twilight," came the very unexpected response.

Here we were, in the middle of what could be considered enemy territory, and the alicorn had taken me into her hooves and gently touched her horn to mine, healing and rejuvenating me. I felt a lot better, But, still, this level of care was misplaced in this instance. It left us exposed.

"Princess, shouldn't we be proceeding? I'm fine now."

They had sat like that for about twenty minutes now, Nightmare Moon had actually started to nuzzle her mane as they sat there, and as much as I wanted to sit there, my wish for revenge pushed me forward as I stood, moving out of her lap and gentle embrace.

"We have to do something now, before Celestia realizes what just happened," I spoke with conviction, pointing up at the still-present rift I had created in the atmosphere.

Nightmare Moon nodded solemnly, but still looked conflicted about something as we trotted towards Ponyville. I finally had had enough of the shifty looks and facial expressions.

"What's really going on, Princess? You hardly ever look me in the eye anymore, you have all these weird facial expressions when you think I'm not looking..."

I continued mumbling for a few moments unintelligibly, before my mind caught up with my body. Nightmare Moon had slipped in while I wasn't looking and kissed me, unabashed, on the lips. I understood immediately what had been going on, and was about to speak my mind against it when my mane was stroked ever so gently over and over while we stood there. I lost my resolve, melting into the feelings brewing in the depths of my mind as much as I melted into Nightmare Moon's embrace as her hoof continued it's repetitive path through my mane. What happened next will probably be remembered by me for the rest of my natural life.

Her hoof, gentle as the wind blowing through my hair like a warm breeze, drifted to my flank, gently unbuckling the guard as it falls to the ground, then to my cutie mark, causing electric flares of excitement to reach my brain. Nopony understood why this happened, but apparently, they were really sensitive. I was shocked at the way things were progressing, as much thought as I could muster through this melting feeling I was going through. I knew this situation was very similar to what had happened with Celestia, and we weren't even seeing each other. Somehow, though, it felt more right, restraining my ability to say no. It was maddening, this feeling of helpless acquiescence as Nightmare Moon had her way with me.

While I was having this internal war with myself, she had gotten the idea I wanted it, and her hoof was rubbing the lips of my marehood. I cried silently, unable to move for some reason, or give any sign of denial. Strangely enough, a calming influence stole into my mind, and I...

What was I talking about again? I can't remember...Oh, that feels good...

I moaned in pleasure, released from the binding by fully accepting the mare pleasuring me. I wanted more. I playfully nipped at her other leg, realizing at that moment exactly how tall she was that she could stand over me like this. I nibbled gently on her hind leg, earning a gasp as she increased the speed. I felt waves of pleasure melting my remaining concentration, and I stood there, glass-eyed, as she moved behind me.

"Ahh..." was all I could get out between moans as her hoof was replaced with her tongue, gently flicking against my pussy. Deep inside me, something fought for release, but I ignored it's pleas for help, pushing it deeper into my mind until I couldn't hear its distracting voice in my head. I was totally unprepared when the first thrust occured, the tongue thrusting as far into me as it would go, then rapidly pulling out and repeating the process. My marehood was soaked to the point it looked like I had sat in a puddle. I loved it, the feelings I was getting were absolutely amazing, and each thrust drove me closer and closer...

The night silence was broken by a scream of ecstasy, as I collapsed, an orgasm flooding my system with release. I sighed, and almost drifted to sleep, as that had worn me out, but there was something...

Something on my horn? What could poss- AH!

It became obvious in a flare of my own magic. Nightmare Moon was sucking on my horn, eliciting gasps and whimpers from me, the magic-dampening gauntlets I was wearing drawing the worst of the magical shocks from reaching her. The theory behind those gauntlets were simply that any magical output or input above a certain level was to be bled away directly into them, causing no effect. Whether I was casting the spell or receiving it, it would bleed it completely away.

"Princess...?" I felt a little bubbly, and it showed on my face, I just knew it.

The princess, however, wasn't giving me time to collect any thoughts at all, just driving relentlessly on my horn, driving me up just as quickly as she could. It was painful, the discharges off my horn being electric shocks burning my horn and the inside of her mouth. She went faster and faster, grabbing my head with her hooves as she thrusted my horn in and out of her mouth with animalistic speed. I couldn't speak, move, or do anything as I was driven to another orgasm. I collapsed into her arms, as she shifted from holding me still to holding me up with ease, and laid me on her wing, letting me cuddle to her side as darkness crept over my mind.

_________________________

I woke up, feeling very sore all over. It took me a moment to remember what had happened, but, with a sigh, I shoved it away. I had already pissed off one alicorn beyond recovery of a relationship with my rejection. I had grown to love this mare, as much as I had loved Celestia, and maybe a little more. Something about her called to me in a way that made me blush every time I saw her, though she had never seen it...had she?

I looked up from my position, still on her wing, and blushed, staring straight into her gorgeous eyes. Instantly, I felt an inescapable desire to kiss her, and so I did.

She chuckled as we broke apart. "I take it you're reacting more favorably than before," she stated gently.

She flipped me onto my stomach so she could stroke my mane again, and I didn't complain. The feeling of her hoof, like a whispering night wind, through my mane was like heaven. I snapped my eyes open, not realizing I had closed them, as I remembered why we were here in the first place.

"We need to finish our business before it catches up with us," I still felt that Celestia had been wrong. I didn't know how, but with Nightmare Moon, it was as if it were a different action entirely. That, or I was the most hypocritical lover in the history of ponykind.

"I agree, Twilight. We need to be in Ponyville before the sun rises," was all she said, and, after she helped me don my flank guard once more, we took off, galloping down the winding country road.

Author's Note

I don't know why I decided on an ironic approach to the clop scene, where Nightmare Moon uses the same methods as Celestia, with a completely different outcome. Nevertheless, the arc continues its plot with winding threads. As always, let me know what you think :D

4: Blazing

Even with the short rest I had taken after, I was exhausted from the sex, and couldn't keep the pace. Eventually, as I finally slumped down to a crawl, I was levitated onto Nightmare Moon's back, and she continued charging down the road while holding me with her wings so I didn't fall. I understood the need for speed, especially with our, heh, 'break.'

"Twilight, I'm sorry I pushed you so hard. Rest, now," she seemed genuinely upset at my state, and I fell asleep shortly, the pattern of her hooves against the dirt creating a nice swaying motion for me.

As I slept, I dreamed. For the first time in weeks, I dreamed. That dream came back, only to be clouded in darkness. I heard my voice, and I heard Celestia's voice, but as if far away, and thankfully no words could be made out. Eventually, the scene changed entirely. I was in Nightmare Moon's arms, in her bed in the castle that had lain abandoned for a thousand years, except for the cleaning ponies keeping the sheets and such from decaying with neglect. I was the happiest pony alive, nuzzling deep into her arms. I loved how gentle she was, how much she seemed to really care for my well-being. Celestia had been the same way, but it was more the student-teacher thing with her. I had a sinking suspicion that, had I been some noblepony in Canterlot, she wouldnt've even shown me that. I was eternally grateful she had sent me to the moon, for I had met my new lover, and now we were happier without her in the picture at all.

The dream was interrupted by a gentle melody in my mind. Not enough to shock me from sleep, but just barely enough to rouse me. I was still on her back, and I was completely refreshed. It seemed that short dream had taken the entire trip to Ponyville. I slipped off her back, taking to my own hooves, still in full battle armor, and stared up in surprise at her.

"How'd you carry me and all this armor all the way to Ponyville?" I sounded shocked, even to myself. I knew she heard it in my voice as well. She had had her own armor on, as well, which further increased my disbelief. She chuckled, however.

"It was no trouble at all. You are rather light, even for a filly. I barely felt your weight at all, so it was like just wearing a little extra armor than normal," was her eventual response.

I stared, agape, as she explained it as if it were nothing. However, now was not the time, and I mentally refocused on our objective. We had to infiltrate Ponyville without being recognized. Disguises were out of the question, as my magic-dampeners would just drain it away. Even if I did turn them off, if we did get discovered, the time it would take to turn them back on might be fatal. Then again, this was Ponyville...

"If I turned off my magic-dampeners, we could go in disguised...without worry of being detected," I supplied my plan to Nightmare Moon for confirmation, and she nodded.

"A sound idea. I could hold both spells up so you don't drain yourself too much. I want you ready to flip them on at a moment's notice, however. This might be Ponyville, but Celestia is present. Which means guards," she had thought through my entire thought processes, plus an extra hoop, in half the time I had taken.

I had to resist the urge to facehoof. It wouldn't be pretty with all the metal around my hooves. I toggled off the dampening fields, then waited as Nightmare Moon cast a very powerful disguise spell. My entire appearance changed, cutie mark and all, and as she finished, I giggled at her choice of alteration.

She had opted for a unicorn with scarlet fur and bright red eyes, while my mane changed to a beautiful solid white, keeping the same shape. The shape was a slight giveaway, but I couldn't be the only pony in Equestria with that style of mane. My tail was changed to almost be poofy like Pinkie's, and matched the mane color perfectly. That done, she concentrated on her own disguise, and the changes were shockingly different.

Her wings shrunk back into her body, as all the fur on her body changed to aquamarine, and her mane went from deep purplish-black to a true black, like nightfall. Her tail was curled like Rarity's, but the same shade of black covered it from tip to base. She smiled, pleased with her attempt, and we walked forward into Ponyville.

I was walking ahead, blissfully, until I stumbled over something. I looked back over my shoulder, and almost threw up, shock and confusion battling for supremity in my mind.

I had tripped over the body of Rainbow Dash.

_________________________

Two hours later, I was still crying my eyes out. Dashie was the most loyal friend I could have ever asked for, and now she was dead. For what? What pony in their right mind would kill somepony like Dashie? I snarled as I pulled her body into my lap. My library might not be the best place to be, but I didn't care right now. I studied her mutilated corpse, memorizing every detail of what they had done so that, if I ever find the killer, they could share this fate. All the blood had long since cleaned off, all the cuts stood out plainly to my eyes. A deep gash there, above her right eye. A jagged cut that had blinded her left. One of her wings had been torn in half, and the other one was woefully lacking of any flight feathers. Her back was a network of crisscrossing cuts and bruises, and there were hoofprints on her chest, as if she had been bucked repeatedly. Her flank was utterly unrecognizable. Her cutie mark had been obliterated from her by way of completely removing that section of skin. Her legs were bruised as if she had been chained up for a long period of time.

I think that was the day my mind snapped. I'll never know. All I remember after analysing every inch of Dashie's body is a firm embrace and a warm wing over me as I drifted to sleep. However, since she was goddess of the night, Nightmare Moon probably made sure I had good dreams despite the recent traumatizing experience. When I woke, however, it crashed upon me even worse, and I tried to find solace in the hooves of my new special somepony. Nightmare Moon endured my filly-like behaviour for hours, until it was nearly time for the Summer Sun Celebration. She had shaken me, whispering in my ear that it was time. I didn't know how well I could function, but I could think of no better way to channel my fury and pain out then by defeating that bitch Celestia once and for all. Somehow, she had something to do with Dashie's death, and she would pay.

Author's Note

THE GRIMDARK RAISES ITS UGLY HEAD AT LAST!

Sorry for the all caps, but I thought it was time the dark tag made sense. I had planned the Dash scene from the get-go, backstory, why's and wherefore's ready and waiting. Dashie was the first casualty because of her Element. She was loyal to Twilight unto her own end.

As always. I welcome your thoughts on the story so far.

P.S. 69 likes...I lol'd. a clopfic with 69 likes.

PP.S. I don't feel rushed, cause half of this chapter was pre-written, but I could spin a few more gears if you guys think it isn't any good.

5: Betrayal

My hooves stomped the ground of their own accord, the clang of metal against the ground hidden by Nightmare Moon's expert illusion spell. We had split up to enter the crowd as newcomers to Ponyville. Nobody questioned us as we mingled in. I was impatient, but I knew early exposure could spell doom for our plans. It had to go perfectly. This day was a while coming, and it would be sweet as candy to me. I sighed, waiting.

The wait felt interminably long to me, but Nightmare Moon swears it happened only a few minutes after we got into position. Fluttershy, as usual, was doing music, and Rarity had outdone herself on the decorations, while apparently it took an entire weather team to do what little Dashie could've done in a few moments in an entire day. I almost broke down, knowing exactly why she couldnt've done that this year. Applejack was still doing food, and Pinkie Pie had overseen the entire thing in my absence. Somehow, that worked out, but I was too busy to question it, and anyway, you just don't question Pinkie. Ever.

Mayor Mare, obviously, gave the expected speech she gave every year, and out walked Celestia. As she walked out onto the balcony like she did every year, it wobbled once, then all the supports broke as one, hurling the confused alicorn through the air. In an instant, Nightmare Moon dropped the disguise and launched after her, teleporting them both as soon as she touched her. We had planned beforehand where we were going, so I immediately popped my own teleport spell, throwing myself instantly to the Canterlot Palace dungeons.

Nightmare Moon had already magically sealed Celestia's horn, throwing on a total magic supression ring for good measure, and popped out of the cage before I got there, and Nightmare Moon dropped my disguise as I appeared. I smiled banefully at her as the recolorings seemed to melt off my body. To her credit, she gave no outward sign of surprise until it was over, and there stood her "faithful student." I had to laugh.

"My, my, princess, you seem to be in a little bind, here. Shame you sent your precious, faithful student to the moon. Maybe she could help, if she were still around," I mocked her and her decision ruthlessly, taunting her. Nightmare Moon had taught me some torture spells, and I wanted to try one out. I looked up to my new teacher, and she gave me a nod.

"Ready for the time of your life, 'princess'," was all I offered as I channeled magic through my horn. But, just before I began, I chained her to a wall, overpowering her physical strength with my magic. She was thrown against the wall in the most brutal of manners as the manacles locked her forehooves high above her head. Any normal pony would be dangling off the wall, but alicorns had always been bigger than the average pony. She could see the blade now, knew what I was about to do, and turned to face me, a pleading look in her eyes.

"Twilight, please, rethink this madness. We can go back to the way things were, and I promise never to make any kind of advance until you're ready for it," she begged, tears already forming in her eyes. However, I just walked closer, the sword behind me swinging around with brutal force, causing wind to whip up in the room.

"You had your chance to be sorry. Instead, you banished me to the moon. Now, I've come to exact revenge, and you plead for MERCY?! Really, I expected more composure from you," I showed no remorse as I advanced, the blade coming ever closer to the bound princess. With a lunge, I slammed the blade into her chest, and revelled in the scream. Alicorns, it seemed, weren't immune to pain, either. The blade spell was a piece of work. It couldn't cut anything, being an entity of pure magic, but it did damage to something a lot more precious. Your very soul, your essence, is scarred the moment the blade touches you. Your spirit is sliced to ribbons, then pieced back together to try and hold in the pain, only to be sliced into tinier ribbons as waves of pain wracked your body.

"I honestly can't say what I love more. Nightmare Moon, or the sound of your screams. So sweet, so...rewarding. It makes my trip to the moon all worth it," I wrenched the blade through her chest, then tore it out, dispelling it before moving on to the next act I had in store. I took one of the swords from my hip and glided it over to Celestia.

"That tore your soul apart, and this will make sure nopony loves you ever again," I cried out, my pain from our relationship being severed as it had been ringing clearly through my voice. I raised the sword, then dragged it across her muzzle, letting the tip cut in a little. She was panting, still wracked in agony, as she should be. I suddenly sliced the sword up her face, cutting across her left eye.

"Bitch. I. Hate. You," I meant every word, following it up with the hilt of the blade bashing brutally into her muzzle. She seemed to realize exactly how far gone I was and lay there, against the wall, completely and utterly defeated. I walked up to her, sheathing my sword, and reared up, slamming my metal-encased hoof against her muzzle, returning the slap she had given me all those weeks ago. Then, I turned around, bracing my forehooves and gathering all the strength I possessed. I looked up at Nightmare Moon, and she nodded. However, I decided to switch tactics mid-thought. I had one more way to destroy her, and I knew just what to do. I walked over to the bars of the cage.

"Come here, please, my love," I whimpered, acting helpless. Really, I was just flaunting our relationship in front of her before I finished torturing her. As Nightmare Moon approached, I kissed her on the lips. It was all for the sake of sweet revenge, but that didn't mean I couldn't enjoy my lover's kiss. I pushed my tongue against her lips, and she opened for me. We kissed for what felt like eternity, lost in each others' eyes. We broke apart after a while, and I approached Celestia once more.

"That could've been you, dear princess. But don't worry. Nightmare Moon's taking good care of me now that you're out of the picture." With that remark, I turned again, building strength. I needed a lot of it to lift these behemoths on my rear hooves the way I wanted to. Adrenaline made it easier, but in a scenario like this, I had to work for it. I closed my eyes and concentrated. Then, as my physical power built to a threshold, I unleashed it all in one move.

It was simplicity itself. I simply bucked the shit out of Celestia's chest.

Author's Note

As I said in that comment, I hope the infliction of agonized rage I placed on Twilight is taken well. I have seen sadistic Twilight before, but never a brutal, over-the-top Twi like this one. I hope I stayed a little bit in character even as the darkness took her more and more completely. As always, reviews welcome :D

6: Overhaul

As I swung my legs up and back, I realized my error. I had put too much into it, and now something was going to go wrong. My legs slammed into her chest with less force than I hoped for, and I just hoped it was enough. Lavender dust swarmed around the room from the explosion of magic. The screams of pain were music to my ears. I turned to admire my work.

Celestia's chest looked like it had been cut into, I had kicked her so hard. Her latent alicorn magic, even with the ring, was starting to heal the worst of her injuries. Which was fine. I wanted her alive, I realized. She was broken, and that was good enough for me. I stepped back as Nightmare Moon materialized in front of Celestia, a smile on her face.

"Dear sister, you truly are a fool, if you think an alicorn and the most powerful unicorn in history could be detained anywhere together. Now, you will pay for your mistake," she promised, and with that, materialized a midnight-black collar around Celestia's neck. With that, she released the manacles.

Celestia dropped to the ground, hard. She seemed to be trying to stand, but wasn't able to. I laughed, and trotted up beside Nightmare Moon, who embraced me with her wing. I looked up at her, grateful for everything we had already accomplished. However, there was still much to do.

"Stand, my pet," was all she said.

I watched, a bored look in my eyes, as Celestia leapt to her hooves. She stood there with a smile, as if eager and willing to do Nightmare Moon's bidding. We turned, walking out of the cell and into the castle proper.

"You will walk before us and tell the guards not to make a move or a sound," as soon as she was done speaking, Celestia surged forward and began relaying the message.

"Now, Twilight, as for you...my most loyal subject. I think you deserve a reward for your actions this day. I hereby make you Mage-Commander of the Army, supreme leader of all the ponies in our armed forces, answering only to me," she smiled and pulled me closer with her wing. I was still processing what she had done. Supreme leader of all the ponies. Answerable only to her. It clicked in my mind.

"Oh thank you, thank you, thank you, Nightmare Moon! I promise, I won't let you down," I exuberantly declared.

Nightmare Moon just chuckled, and we continued down the hallway. We reached the bedroom area, and the guards there tried to stop us. We laughed, and simultaneously slammed a prepared ethereal blade into each of them, and without the strength of spirit an alicorn possesses, they were no match for it, and were immediately incapacitated, if not dead. We dispelled them as we went through the door they had been guarding. After a few moments, a brief flicker of magic trailed through Nightmare Moon's horn, and soon Celestia appeared before her, bowing in supplication.

"Now, then. Go out into the hall and make sure nopony disturbs us. We have other things to attend to," she spoke down to Celestia, and she meekly obeyed without a sound.

I didn't know how, but Nightmare Moon had crafted an enchantment capable of enthralling an alicorn. As Celestia left the chamber, I was blindfolded. Uh oh. I felt my hooves leaving the ground, but went completely limp. I floated through the air, ending up in the hooves of my very special somepony. I giggled, cuddling with her, as she laid back so I was on her chest. She stroked my mane softly, and, as always, I loved it. I could never get enough of that feeling it gave me. It was amplified, however, since I had realized my eyes were useless and closed them. It proved true that your other senses became better if you cut one off. I nearly moaned as the intensity of the feeling swept over me repeatedly. I felt loved in a way I had never experienced before.

Her hoof travelled lower, stroking my tail now, and I shuddered, not bothering to contain the moan this time. However, I wasn't able to hear it, though I knew for a fact I had. I cocked my head slightly, unsure, and in that moment, swift kisses travelled down my neck. I knew what had happened. In much the same way that with cloth she cut off my eyes, with magic she cut off my ears, further amplifying my sensitivity to touch. I squealed as she continued to stroke my tail, the powerful feeling washing away all my pain and suffering.

I shivered when she rubbed my cutie mark, sending electric pleasure through me like the last time. I was completely enthralled by her, but in a stark contrast to the way Celestia had been bound, I was willing to give myself to the mistress of the night. I moaned at each arc of pleasure hitting me, and kissed any part of her I could reach with my muzzle. I felt her shaking with laughter as I did so, and without meaning to, had put my horn in a good position to be sucked. She descended on it before I realized, wrapping her tongue along the entire thing, taking it into her mouth gently. I was in complete and utter ecstacy, moaning uncontrollably as pleasure poured into me.

"Oh, Nightmare Moon..." I felt myself calling her name as I sat there, enraptured. She giggled, my horn still in her mouth, and her hoof drifted to my marehood, quickly soaking it in juices as she rubbed it hard. I gasped, my eyes flickering open and closed as I orgasmed almost instantly. I sighed as my hearing returned to me, and the cloth was removed, but I just lay there, trying to return my breathing to normal. My eyes had snapped shut again, and I nearly drifted off. But I forced myself awake for one thing.

"Your...turn..." I managed to gasp out between breathes, my heart having not slowed a beat the entire time.

Nightmare Moon nuzzled my neck gently, and I blushed. Then, she laid out, completely exposing herself to anything I wanted to do. Now that I could do something, though, I didn't know what to do. Ah, buck it, I thought to myself. I leapt onto her and kissed her on the lips, passion taking over my mind. I reached up and rubbed the tip of her horn, gentle and slow at first. Then, I stroked all along it, from tip to base and back again, still going quite slow. I knew she was already horny, so this was more teasing than foreplay for her. I slid myself off her and sat on the pillow above her head, giving me a good position to continue, and stroked her horn with both forehooves now, going faster than before. She moaned, and I giggled, going even faster, until I had her moans matching the rhythm of my hooves. I saw sparks of magic flowing through her horn erratically, and shook my head.

"Already losing control of yourself, huh," I taunted, then leaned over, kissing the tip as I continued to stroke her at the base. I was rewarded by a gasping moan:

"T-Twilight!" I could even decipher that, so I knew what to do next. I put the thing in my mouth, testing how far I could go, and got about halfway down before I started gagging on the horn. I pulled back, then slowly started bobbing my head up and down half the thing, occasionally gagging as I went a little too far. I blushed as the shocks became more frequent in my mouth. I began to increase the intensity, but apparently it was too much for Nightmare Moon, and I watched as her cum leaked out of her marehood.

I stopped, crawling back to her chest, and cuddled happily, knowing I had given for once. I giggled as I watched her come back down to herself. I kissed her lips before cuddling myself to sleep.

Author's Note

So, am I keeping it up well with the dark side? ^-^

7: Harmony

I woke up seeing the moon high in the sky. Obviously, with Celestia bound so closely to Nightmare Moon's will, she couldn't try to influence the day/night cycle. So, eternal night was already done. Now, all we had to do was make the ponies see the light. Figuratively speaking, of course. I giggled at my own joke, then looked around for her. She wasn't in the room, but she had to be somewhere in the castle. I went searching for her.

And found myself staring down a group of guardsponies. There were seven of them. I had left my flank guard on the bed, having had it removed again, but everything else was still in place, so I was ready. I slammed the visor down over my face, glaring at them through the eyeslit. I lowered my head, dragging my hoof threateningly across the tile. Channeling my magic, I drew my swords and prepared to charge. But still, I waited. I didn't know why.

It hit me after a minute. They were bowing before me. Then I remembered, I was in charge of the army, and that included the Royal Guard. I immediately recanted, sheathing the swords quickly. I let my gaze flit over every pony before me. I went back and retrieved my flank guard, buckling it to the rest of my armor, completing my ensemble, before walking back out. I realized then, what kind of regime Nightmare Moon was bringing. A highly militaristic order, with her as leader of politics and military. I was her direct subordinate.

It was glorious.

_____________________________

I walked out into the freezing rain. My armor kept out the worst of the chill, as any covering is better than none. I could shield myself, but then I would look weak. It had been three days since we overtook Canterlot Castle. Canterlot itself had already surrendered itself to us, but we were being troubled. Each other bearer of an Element of Harmony had built up a resistance movement in different parts of Equestria. Minus me and Dashie, that left four. Rarity had gone to Manehattan, Applejack had stayed in Ponyville, Pinkie Pie had come to Canterlot, and had already been captured by Nightmare Moon the second day. As for Fluttershy...Last reports from our scouts had her running deep into the Everfree Forest. So, either she was staying true to her element, kindness, and not partaking in battle, or she was going for some kind of animal defense. Whatever.

Dashie's funeral would be taking place here in Ponyville in a couple hours, but I was here early. Applejack could set an ambush if I were simply on time. I wanted to pay respects for my fallen friend, so I came. I could see Applejack on the far side of the field, the preparations for the burial between us. I walked over. Early or not, I still had my battle armor on, as always. I tapped Applejack on the shoulder, and she whirled to face me. Her face seemed to pale visibly when she realized who it was.

"Relax, Applejack. I'm not that cold and unforgiving that I could desecrate a funeral of one of my best friends with war," I was trying to pass it off-hand, be friendly. I looked AJ in the eye as she stood there, assessing the fact I lacked any kind of guard. I was a capable pony, but this was an act of faith to persuade her to let me be at the funeral. I could almost see the gears in her head circle before she nodded gravely.

"I miss her, ya' know. Jus' thinkin' 'bout her makes me wanna cry." AJ threw herself into my hooves, bawling her eyes out into my mane. I held her close, smiling. Applejack was a dependable pony. The people of Ponyville would be hard to conquer with her at the head.

"I'm sorry, Applejack. It's my fault she's dead. If I hadn't gone to Celestia when I had, I would not have been sent to the moon. I appreciate what she did, but it's because of me," I confided in her my most troubling secret. I laughed internally at my screwy priorities. Completely destroying Celestia barely rated anywhere near Rainbow's sacrifice in terms of troubling secrets. It lifted the weight off my shoulders a little, knowing somepony else knew. We separated and sat next to each other when the ceremony started. It wasn't very eventful.

Until the end, that was. A contingent of Nightmare Moon's specialty troops appeared on the opposite side from us right as the ceremony ended. I knew her intentions immediately. She planned on capturing Applejack. In the middle of a funeral. I was furious, to say the least.

"Hey, AJ," I whispered, too quiet for anyone else to hear. She grunted in response, and I pointed them out.

"Nightmare Moon sent her personal soldiers to capture you at this funeral. If you want to get out, you have to go now. I'm sorry, you can come mourn when they leave. I'm going to leave as well, I'll mourn when the war's over," I hated being so callous, but AJ understood. There was still a war going on, even if I had ordered nopony else to get near her. This one contingent I couldn't order around proved it. I got out of my seat and walked calmly towards them.

They said nothing as I passed, except point to a nearby teleportation nexus erected for my departure. I walked straight there without a word, throwing myself into the nexus.

I didn't end up in the throne room like I thought I would. I ended up in Nightmare Moon's bedroom. More specifically, I ended up on the bed. However, I looked around and confirmed she still wasn't here. However, I was tired from crying all throughout the funeral, and it had taken a lot of composure to not snap and try to take on that squad of soldiers. I nestled myself under the covers and, as sleep took me, I smiled, hoping she would be here when I woke up.

________________________________

I woke up unremarkably. I went into the bathroom, stripped, took a bath, donned my armor again, and came out. When I got out, one of my generals was waiting for me. Oh, great.

"What is your report, soldier," I barked. I had really started slipping into the role of commander rather easily the last day or two. The soldier jumped, having had his back to me when I walked out of the bathroom. He spun around and saluted quickly.

"Ma'am, rebel leader Pinkamina Diane Pie is ready to be questioned." The message was quite clear, and I had a very good idea who told him to bother me with this. I sighed. I knew it would happen eventually. Pinkie was one of my best friends. But Nightmare Moon was my regent, my lover, and my commander. The options were so outweighed, to me at least, that there was no choice.

"Very well, I shall begin at once. Take me to her," the conviction in my voice spoke volumes to anyone who knew how to look, but the guard did not know, and simply obeyed my orders. I trudged behind him, my decision weighing heavily on my heart. But it had to be done, for the good of Equestria. If I could get anything out of her that helped me end the other movements quicker, that many ponies would be spared. Lost in thought, I almost ran into the guard as he stopped.

"Here we are, Mage-Commander." His voice snapped me from my thoughts. I strode forward, not bothering with niceties, and opened the door. I closed the door, then turned to face the room.

It was quite bare, save for a pair of manacles on the wall, a bookcase full of books on torture, spells and techniques, and a table with two chairs. Two guards stood, one to each side, behind one chair. In that chair sat one unmistakable pink mare. The other was empty, and I trotted over coolly to take the seat. I stared Pinkie Pie in the eye with unflinching harshness. This wasn't going to be easy, and I couldn't afford to be weak.

"You may go, but stay by the door." With that, I waved dismissively at the two guards, and they obeyed. As soon as they left, I slammed my forehoof, still encased with a magic-dampener, on the table. I wanted to establish a serious discussion.

"Pinkamina Diane Pie. Are you not a bearer of the Elements of Harmony?" I asked, to start off the discussion. She seemed to detect the seriousness of the situation, and for now, atleast, she was behaving herself.

"Yes. I hold the Element of Kindness." Indeed, she told the- wait, what?! I stared into her eyes.

"This is not a joke. I need you to cooperate with me. Which Element of Harmony do you represent?" I tried again.

"I solemnly swear on Celestia's name that I hold the Element of Kindness." As she finished her sentence, I kicked the chair I was sitting on into the wall behind me, turned, and bucked the table straight into her before realizing what just happened. Pinkie was thrown into the far wall from the force of my enhanced buck. I shook my head. This wasn't going well at all.

"Don't you dare invoke that slut's name in my presence again." I had nearly broken down crying at the memories, but instead I had, without thinking, channeled it into rage, which I had then worked out of my system. Then I remembered that, again, she had said Kindness. Which didn't make sense. I trotted over to her and picked her up by her chest, putting us face to face.

"I'll ask you one more time. Which Element are you?" Thankfully, my voice didn't waver. Again, the answer was the same.

"Kindness, like I already said. Do I need to spell it out for you? K-I-N-D-N-E-S-S. Kindness. Now, you try," she babbled, trying to convince me. A chill crept into me, though it was quite warm in the room. Nevertheless, maybe she could still help me.

"I'm going to ask you some other questions now. For starters, why are you four rebelling against me?" I had to know what deluded concept they continued to hold on to. Celestia wasn't dead, so it wasn't a martyr's cause.

"Because we were called upon to restore Harmony to Equestria. I'm Kindness, Applejack is Generosity, Trixie is Laughter, Fluttershy is Honesty, Shining Armor is Loyalty, and Rarity is Magic. So that makes six of us." I didn't know what had just happened, but I just knew something about this wasn't right. It rang very oddly in my ears, but I never figured out why. I turned to face the pink mare, suspecting a trap. I grabbed her by her forehooves and shackled her to the wall, then walked away a short distance.

"When did you figure out Shining Armor and Trixie held an element inside?" I almost checked my fur and made sure I wasn't spitting poison, my words were so hatefully cruel in tone. I sat back down at the table and stared straight ahead, as if Pinkie Pie sat in front of me.

"Ya know, this really isn't necessary. But anyway, we found out they had the elements inside them when they disappeared from our base, and then we found them on their necks. It threw us for a loop at first, but we grew to accept it. You're really out of the loop on these things," she spoke, sounding as if she was beginning to think it was a game again. I stormed out of the room, barely acknowledging the guards long enough to give orders.

"Take her down in about three hours, feed her a little, and put her back up. I want her on the wall in five hours when I get back." I stormed to Nightmare Moon's quarters, daring anypony to get in my way. They seemed to detect I was not to be messed with, however, and let me on my way. Which was fine, as well. I slammed the doors open with magic, closing them as soon as I was through. I bowed to Nightmare Moon, to keep up appearances in case someone was watching.

"How fares your interrogation, Twilight Sparkle?" She reached a forehoof down, and I grasped it, standing before her. I shook my head, however, before answering her question.

"Pinkamina Pie declared herself and her friends the Elements of Harmony, however, something in her story doesn't add up. She claims there are two Bearers I had no idea about, which is impossible." I sighed, unhappy with my failure. Suddenly, a booming laugh echoed through the room.

"Twilight Sparkle, if this is correct, you will be rewarded. Who are these two new Bearers?" She seemed anxious, as if even the Elements of Harmony could somehow dispell the Nightmare. Please.

"The names of those calling themselves the Bearers are: Pinkamina Pie, Applejack, Trixie, Fluttershy, Shining Armor, and Rarity. And, just for clarification, Pinkamina Pie is currently in custody here at Canterlot." I looked up for some kind of warning how this news would be taken. She simply blinked, then laughed some more. I joined in this time, happy that she was happy. We kept laughing until sleep crept up on me, and I yawned, swaying in place, before Nightmare Moon gently guided me to her bed, bidding me sleep happily and with good dreams. I had one final thought. I'm not sure if I said it aloud, but Nightmare Moon says I did.

"I love you, Nightmare Moon."

Author's Note

A pretty long entry this time. Go figure. More plot spinning before your eyes, as usual. I hope you all enjoyed this one as much as the rest of it.

8: Twisting

I woke up, feeling rather refreshed, as I never got any good sleep, not anymore. I looked at the clock and was shocked to realize that I was almost late to return to the interrogation as scheduled. I immediately threw myself into a teleportation glyph, arriving at the chamber with the first clash of the bell tolling the hour. I walked into the room, and looked around indifferently, seeing Pinkie hanging on the wall by her hooves, as I had left her. I resumed my seat at the table, staring straight ahead as before.

"Now, then, since you've had some time to think it over, is there anything new you would like to tell me?" I was giving her a chance to amend her statement, return the Elements to their proper places, et cetera. However...

"Nope, my statement stands as I spoke. All the Elements are in their proper place." I shook my head, sighing with regret. I knew it was probably useless, but I had to be absolutely sure, and I needed more information, anyway. I threw pure magic, lashing her chest and leaving a red mark through her fur, barely visible, but there. She whimpered, and I reveled in it. I whipped the magic against her again, and again, until she finally screamed. I was panting from channeling such magic for an extended period of time. I dispelled my magic whip, staring into her eyes for once. The fear was unmistakable, as was betrayal. I could care less about it, I was more interested in the look she was giving me.

It was the look of a defiant mare. I shook my head. So, that's how she wants to play it. The thought echoed in my mind, as if I myself had not thought it up. But that was impossible. I checked myself daily for enchantments of any sort, and came up clean every time, to make sure my actions were my own. I conjured the whip again, wrapping it around her hind leg to sear it for a few seconds. I dispelled it again, staring into her eyes once more. The look was still there. I growled, conjuring all manner of magical torture devices, from more manacles to whips to rods and shocksticks, anything I could think of. I saw her eyes widen slightly, and smirked. I had an opening.

"I won't use these on you any more than I have to. If you tell me where those two are hiding, I'll spare you the torture." I paused, giving her a chance to respond. She gazed levelly at me, and I couldn't help but admire her resolve, even as I worked to break it. I raised one rod and shoved it into her mouth sideways. The effect was twofold, firstly, muffling the screams so the guards wouldn't come looking in. Second, it seared her muzzle as she clenched it in her teeth. She couldn't spit it out, as I held it firmly in place with magic. Next, I unchained her from the wall and instead manacled her to the ceiling, giving me access to her entire body. I was going to enjoy this immensely.

Just as she seemed to be getting used to the burning of her muzzle, I acted. I swung two whips and a paddle, hitting her chest, back, and rear at the same time. The effect almost seemed to break her right there, but she bore it. Good for her. I threw all my might into another swing, and she gasped, and I heard a very telltale sniffle as she considered how far I was willing to go. I slammed her with the implements one final time, and she found the force to spit out the rod even as I fought to hold it there with magic.

"Something you want to say to me, Pinkamina?" I chuckled, dispelling all the various implements except for the manacles. I wanted her to think it was over.

"Yes...I...I surrender. I'll tell...tell you everything." She seemed to be having trouble breathing, and that was fine with me. I dispelled the manacles, and she collapsed to the floor, probably spraining a hoof from the sound of it. I walked over to the table and sat, waiting with a quil and ink. I turned to her. "Well?"

"First, I'd like to tell you that the Elements have indeed rearranged themselves, and this is no trick by the resistance to try and confuse you. Secondly, movements. Applejack guards Ponyville, Rarity is in Manehattan, I was in Canterlot before you captured me, Fluttershy went to the Everfree Forest to hide, you know her, she's such a scaredy-cat. As for Shining Armor, he's started a movement in the Crystal Empire he guarded so closely. Cadance left for some reason, though...As for Trixie, she holed up in a small community in the north. The arctic ponies are rising against you as well." She spoke with pure venom, finally realizing our friendship was no more. Which was okay with me. I only needed one friend in my life now, and it definately wasn't this pony. I conjured the shockstick again.

"Anything you'd like to add?" Pinkie thought for a moment, then shook her head. That's what I thought. I crammed the shockstick into her mouth again, the muffled screams music to my ears. A voice echoed faintly in the back of my mind, speaking of dissappointment. I quickly squashed it, throwing it out of my mind. I trotted out quickly, leaving her with the shockstick firmly planted in her mouth. It'd be about an hour before the enchantment wore out, and I was hoping she would break to join us long before that. I didn't need friends, but we needed generals to lead the troops, as I couldn't personally command every little action we took.

"Guards, watch her. If you think she's broken within the next hour, let me know. If the shockstick dispells itself before you think she'll join us, rough her up a bit, then throw her back in prison for now. I'll have to deal with that when I get around to it." They snapped a quick affirmative and a salute, before heading inside. I sighed, flashing back to my room as I collapsed, weak from all the raw magic I had been wielding. It would help me build endurance to try and hold that up every day, but it would also keep me from my duties as Mage-Commander. As sleep took me, my thoughts rested on Nightmare Moon. I was helplessly, head-over-hooves in love with the mare. I whispered declarations of love into my pillow as sleep claimed me.

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A/n

Here marks the first shift in perspective in the story. As the war develops, I'll be morphing through the Mane 6, Trixie, Shining and Nightmare as needed to get it told. This section in particular is from Pinkie's perspective. I hope you enjoy the break from Twilight's mind, which is thoroughly abused and raped by necessity. Enjoy the rest of your story. Onward to Pinkamina!

P.S. This symbol marks changes of perspective. So there. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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My mind was aflame with pain, more pain, nothing but pain. With it being so close to my brain, I couldn't simply torture myself with the manacles to draw some of the pain off. I screamed, muffled by the shockstick, as it continued coursing through me. All I could do was hide in my own mind. Sounds difficult, but I have a friend with me. She loves pain, it's her thing, since she's almost never needed, and she lives off memory. Any feeling is welcomed by her when she takes over. I stepped back mentally, ushering Pinkamina to the front. Pinkamina might have nopony's best interest at heart, but she could endure a lot more than I could. I could already feel the insanity seeping into my mind when I gave up to Pinkamina. It receded, allowing me coherent thought. I struggled to stand in my own mind, my mental image battered and bloodied by the torture. I heard Twilight had learned torture magics even worse than what she did to me, and I shivered in pure fear. Even Pinkamina couldn't protect me if her soul-sword pierced me.

"Calm down, Pinkie. You're fine. I'll protect you." Pinkamina was speaking to her as a lover, or a guardian. Pinkamina was the only one to understand her, and she honestly felt like she was in love with her, despite the fundamental differences they had, as well as the fact that they were technically the same pony. Nothing like petty physical barriers such as that prevented her from love. She smiled at the mare as she took over the bodily functions Pinkie had gave up for relief.

"Ahh, yes...To feel again...Even pain, endless pain, such as this. I should really thank Twilight. Maybe I'll go join her. But how to convince the guards...." Even though Pinkamina was simply thinking, it was spoken to Pinkie, since she was in her mind. I felt the usual pressure, being thrown into a dark corner and imprisoned, so Pinkamina could sit at the controls a little longer. I didn't mind this time. The longer Pinkamina was in control, the longer I could recover from the mind-ripping agony...

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I opened my eyes to the guards, giving them my best look of broken. Pain was fine, but it was getting boring. The same pain over and over again. They let me down, dispelling the manacles Twilight had erected. I hit the floor a little roughly, but I was not the worse for wear, no broken bones, just a slight ache in my chest from the dislocated rib when the table had hit me. I allowed one of the guards to escort me slowly, while the other guard walked ahead. I relished this, the chance to exist, the chance to feel. I had to take a chance, and the best chance lied in me swearing loyalty to Twilight.

As I thought this, they reached a door, and I was left against the wall, one watching me while the other went inside. He came out in short order.

All he said was, "Bring in the broken one." Sweet, sweet deception...

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I almost couldn't believe it when the guard told me, a mere fifteen minutes into the torture, the guards had taken her down and brought her here, saying she had completely broken. I wasn't expecting it for another twenty minutes, atleast. Sure enough, however, she staggered through the door, looking a little odd. Her hair was all flat and her cutie mark...Her cutie mark...

It was beginning to disintegrate off her body. I was so shocked, I could barely speak. I decided to deal with that later, however, and focus on the job of swearing Pinkie into the ranks. I placed my horn on her forehead as she stood there.

"Do you, Pinkamina Diane Pie, swear fealty and total obedience to me, Mage-Commander Twilight Sparkle, and Nightmare Moon, true ruler of Equestria and bringer of eternal night?" As she gave an affirmative nod, I channeled magic into her, permanently binding Pinkie into the back of her own mind, which Pinkamina had made laughably easy when I found she had already been supressed. Small miracles will never cease. I also bound Pinkamina's will to my own, corrupting her already horrible moral compass completely into my liking. With that, I released her from my mind's hold and sat back.

"Do you swear, as long as you live, to follow every order either aforementioned party gives you, to the letter, without question, without feeling, without any remorse what-so-ever?" I was pushing it a little, but I had to follow Nightmare Moon's scripted swearing-in. It was the start of a tradition, about half the guards had received this same treatment already. Pinkamina nodded in the affirmative, and I dismissed her with a wave.

"You may go."

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I left Twilight's chamber, relishing the moment. I was a general. A leader of ponies in battle. Nopony would question what I did. This feeling of freedom was further enhanced when I realized that Pinkie was nowhere I could find. That was fine with me. I walked forward, through the halls, to the barracks specifically assigned to me. There were six of them. Presumably, Twilight was going to try and break every Element of Harmony, twisting them into a general for her army. I giggled happily, glad to be the first.

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Somewhere, under the watch of somepony wreathed in shadow in the darkened cave, the first gem shattered.

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Author's Note

What did you think of me suddenly shifting perspective? I thought it would be a nice change of pace, I figured writing ALL of it from Twilight's perspective would leave a lot of plot holes that I actually hoped would fill in, so I took this approach to fill some of it in. More gruesome dark torture :D no more clop just yet. im derping out on good places to work in a scene, hopefully some will come up soon. The transition at the end is so I can start the story next chapter from any perspective I need to pick up. So yeah, feedback always appreciated. ^-^ Yay, plot-twisting ending, too. I just thought that up at the end to give it more impact what Pinkamina just did.

9: Blossoms

A/n: This chapter is almost entirely revolved around the clop scene in the middle. If you're here for the story, you miss nothing by skipping this chapter. For those interested in how Nightmare treats her lady in bed, read on. :P I do suggest that, regardless, you read this first paragraph. It's there for a reason, and you'll find another plot hole if you don't.

I walked out onto the field, alone, battered, bruised, bleeding. Beside me was Pinkamina, in the same state. Before us, outside the flickering firelight, were five ponies. Three unicorns, a pegasus, and an earth pony, closing in. I started breathing heavy, channeling magic into a glyph of power. This was a spell to dismiss fatigue, but it did have a diminishing return on how much magic you threw into it. I finished the glyph and instantly broke it, feeling strength return to me. I growled, lifting my swords with telekinesis. This would not be an easy fight. Off in the distance, the sounds of battle sounded, our armies still thrashing against each other. I chuckled, and under the guise of that simple spell, wrote an almost invisible glyph in the dirt. I swung my sword out and caught one in the side, an alabaster unicorn. I felt more than heard her scream as I followed through the strike, cleaving her chest in two as I pushed.

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I snapped up in the bed, gasping for breath. So, just a dream, was it? A pity, to be sure. I sighed, crawling to the ground, only to be lifted by magic and set back in my original position. I turned, and there was Nightmare Moon. I smiled, snuggling into her chest. I had forgotten she was there in the aftermath of the dream. I nuzzled her chest, earning an amused giggle and a soft hoof through my mane. I sighed, remembering the night before...

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After having sworn Pinkamina in as a general under me, I had gone to report my success to her. I entered her chambers hesitantly, not knowing what I would find. When I did so, however, I stopped, thoughts of war fleeing my mind in an instant.

"Ah, Twilight..." came a voice full of passion. I smiled, approaching the Night Princess' bed. I was immediately lifted with magic and set on something soft and fluid, which I quickly realized was her mane. I blushed as it came to life, wrapping around my hind legs. Oh. So that's how she wants to play. She methodically stripped me of my ever-present armor, letting it crash to the floor a short distance away. I flinched a little at the sudden noise, before a brief touch to my marehood snapped me back to my own situation. I blushed as a hoof pushed against my chest. I was obviously meant to lay on my back. I ceded that to her, finding the bed quite comfortable.

"Do you want me?" came her voice again, dripping with power under all the passion. I tested how strong her mane was, trying to move my hind legs. I couldn't, they were as strong as any chains. I nodded to her, seeing no other recourse.

"Yes, please, take me now." I wondered what she would do to me now that she had me in this position. I felt a tingle of magic creeping up the lips of my marehood, swirling around it in circles. I was quickly getting aroused, but I was still in control enough to not make a sound. I looked down to see what was happening.

She was actually using the tip of her horn, cloaked in magic to confuse me. I blushed, figuring out what she was probably about to do, and gasped as she grazed through the middle. She made smaller and smaller circles around the middle, until she was barely moving more than side to side, causing my lips to spread one after the other. I smiled, before gasping as her horn pierced between them, pushing into my marehood. I squirmed with pleasure, the magic making me feel tingly all throughout as the horn worked me up just being inside me. I licked my lips, moaning gently as she started pulling out and pushing in in a slow rhythm, letting the magic work for her for a while. I closed my eyes, in order to feel it more, and gasped as, at the same moment, she thrusted, burying it to the base inside me. I started lathering the horn in juices as she pulled out, switching tactics as she thrust in over and over now. I squirmed some more, trying to find a weakness in her mane to turn this against her, but quickly realized that even now she was still paying attention so I couldn't reverse it on her. I sighed between moans, settling for enjoying it immensely. I was being driven faster than either of us had expected, even for being without through this week full of stress.

"Mmmm, N-Nightmare...Keep going." I couldn't supress my happiness any longer, as the thrusts increased in speed. I squealed, thoroughly gone as my climax came closer and closer. I also could feel her magic building up in her horn, a side effect of using her horn in such a way. I put one last burst of endurance into it, trying to outlast her surge of magic, but she was a lot better than me, and even as I pushed back against it, I lost.

"NIGHTMARE MOON!" The scream tore through my throat as I came, splashing it all over her horn and down her forehead, and even as I was climaxing, her horn lit up with magic and the tingle returned, driving me to another climax inside the first one, which was almost unheard of, even in a situation like this. I rode the afterglow for a long while, worn out, as I lay there, still trapped and held to her horn. Her intentions were clear, but I still had to protest.

"Oh, no, you can't be seri-ahh!" She grunted, driving her horn into me again, and I felt my calming down throw into full reverse, and after a few moments, I was mad with lust once more. I moaned in intense ecstasy, relaxing into her mane as I felt her horn inside me. It was amazing, driving me over the edge once again. I clutched my head in my hooves as the third climax drained me of any power to remain conscious. Even for a filly, three was embarrassing, but I couldn't help my body's limits. As wakefulness fled my mind, I felt her mane withdraw from my legs as she pulled out and pulled me down to her chest, and I, with the last of my strength, curled into it like a filly seeking the embrace of it's mother. She didn't seem to mind, however, and as the absolute last of my will broke, I drifted out on a sea of humming and something in my mane...

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I was brought back to reality by the same gentle tune, and I realized she thought I went back to sleep somehow. I didn't mind, as it allowed me to enjoy her comforting warmth. For a Nightmare, and an envoy of the night, at that, she was very warm, indeed. Though I've never heard of a cold pony other than those stuck in snow for a while, it still would've seemed more logical to me for some reason. I looked up, remembering why I had come in the first place.

"I have ~yawn~ some good news, by the way..." I began, finding the tune was, indeed, putting me to sleep as I spoke, but she should know. She stopped humming and allowed me to recover for a moment before pressing it.

"Indeed? Good news is good. Do tell." She stroked my mane as she spoke, sending shivers of delight through my body. I was easy to please, it seemed, if you knew where to touch. I snuggled closer as I spoke.

"Pinkamina swore loyalty to us last night. It's the original reason I came here, but you were oh so convincing that I should be here for...other reasons." I giggled, teasing her a bit. She did seem to take it in stride, and continued humming. I sighed, figuring she wanted me to sleep some more, and laid my head on her chest once more...

Author's Note

Don't ask why she had that dream. It was just my way of showing how her mentality was towards the war, and what she would do to claim victory. (Hacking through her friends, bringing an army to bear against them, et cetera.) Thought about having the elements there for more symbolism, but it seemed a bit too far. As for why I wrote the clop the way I did...I just did, okay. I wanted to make it a little more interesting than the road rut they shared on the way in. They had time to be passionate about it, so why not make it a little hot in there? I was so tempted to have a guard barge in while they were talking in the present, but it was cruel when I put it in, so I took it back out. Thus, you have a nearly completely clop chapter.

10: Preparations

I brushed my flat, red mane out of my eyes. I didn't know how Fluttershy went around like that, but I sure couldn't. It was annoying. I surveyed the troops I had been given with delight. These ponies would follow me to hell and back just because I thought it furthered our cause. At the moment, they were organized in rank and file, as I had just called for. I smiled as I looked over them. We had our orders. In three days' time, we were going to march on one of the Elements. More succinctly, we were marching on Trixie's place. We wanted her for the morale hit. If their troops lost the Element of Laughter, they wouldn't have much to be happy about. Sad troops didn't fight as well.

"Alright, you know what's going down. We're hitting them hard and fast, and the Mage-Commander will be with us to abduct the Element of Laughter in the midst of battle. Once she returns and signals mission complete, we'll withdraw, but we still need to train so we don't get overwhelmed before she can get away with the Element bearer. Alright, get to it!" I cringed at being so mean in speaking to them, but it was necessary. Military doesn't respond well to people saying 'please' or 'if you want to.' I looked off into the distance, where a mountain separated us from them. It would be a hard day of marching to reach their position once we were given the signal in three days, but it would be worth it to see the look of surprise on their faces. We knew there was a spy in Canterlot somewhere, but nopony could weed it out. So, for now, only Twilight and Nightmare Moon had any idea we were down here. That meant no reinforcements if they happened upon us, because Twilight couldn't afford to be away from Canterlot before the march, and Nightmare Moon was distracting them with raids on one of the other Element bearers, making them think we were pushing somewhere else. I surveyed the field as the ponies before me were engaged in mock battle and strategic maneuvers all over.

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I dropped the scrying plate and dropped back in my chair. Pinkamina was doing wonderfully with her new command. I knew that she was a mare of her word, so I shouldn't be so cautious, but still. Not everypony would be so willing to throw in with me, and I had to get used to watching them in action from afar. I seemed to wilt in my chair, my head drifting down in exhaustion as my entire body relaxed as if I were asleep. I pretty much was. I was so drained I could barely look around me. I had scried for hours, and channeling magic like that was sure to leave me like this. I fell out of my chair and crawled the short distance between there and my bed. As soon as my head hit the pillow, I was out.

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Twilight was doing wonderful as Mage-Commander. She had already broken and sworn in a general, and one of the Elements, no less. I wandered the halls, seeking her out. She didn't tell me where she was going when she left my chambers earlier tonight, so I had to guess, and keep guessing. Suddenly, I detected a bad dream forming, and as Princess of Eternal Night, it was my job to keep them away. I jumped out the nearby window, immediately unfurling my wings, and then I realized it was in the northwest tower. Odd, that'd be Twilight's chambers...

I threw myself against the sound barrier, soaring faster than I'd ever flown before. In seconds, I had traveled the entire distance and landed in the open top floor, skidding a little on the stone floor as I flared my wings to stop myself from falling out the other side. I shot down the stairs and opened the door to her room just as the dream formed, striking forward towards its target. I ran to her side, throwing a dreamcatcher shield around her. It was a special shield, and anyone sleeping within would have restful, dreamless sleep. I leaned down and nuzzled her gently as she slept, glad that I had diverted her dreams. I laid down beside her, embracing her with my wings. She seemed happy, and for that I was happy as well. A knock on the door sounded, and I got up to answer it, my shield keeping Twilight from hearing. I opened the door to admit a guard. He looked flustered at my being there, and I bid him tell me what the problem was.

"It's weird, Princess, all's quiet on the front. It's as if the defenders retreated from their barricades, though I can't see why," the guard whispered, in courtesy of his commander sleeping in the room. I flared my wings, and he snapped his gaze up to me. I growled, almost silently.

"Push the advantage. If an Element is spotted, tell me immediately." The guard couldn't leave fast enough, and I sighed, shutting the door behind him. I returned to Twilight's side, humming an old, enchanted melody. Anypony that heard it would fall asleep after time. It was also good for keeping them asleep once they finally drift off. I sighed, holding her to my chest while stroking her mane. I sat like that for a long while, until Twilight woke up from her sleep, despite my humming.

"N-Nightmare...?" She stretched, then noticed my presence. I responded by holding her tighter. She seemed to enjoy it, and giggled.

"I love you, Nightmare Moon." I blushed, as always, hearing her talk thusly. I responded in kind, earning a delighted giggle from her. There was a knock at the door. I extricated myself from Twilight, going to answer the door while she put her armor back on. The necessity of such things as armor made me shudder. I waited for the day Twilight could shed it for the last time with impatience. However, that day seemed long in coming. Another guard stood there. I waited for his report, which he seemed to understand after a few moments.

"Ah, Princess, I was hoping to give the Mage-Commander a reminder that she is meant to leave in one hour. That is all." The guard left with that, not waiting for a dismissal. It was lack of discipline in the strongest sense of the word. However, I turned to Twilight, a little regretfully.

"You have somewhere to be? Outside of Canterlot?" I couldn't hide a slight accusation from my voice. She sighed and turned to face me. There were tears in her eyes, just begging to be shed.

"I have to go assist General Pinkamina in assaulting Laughter, remember? We are the only ones that actually know she's out there, and we must secure Laughter or risk morale overcoming training and winning the war. Losing Pinkamina didn't hurt them a whole lot, cause she was obviously expendable since she came to the most obvious place to start a resistance. The whole reason we attacked what we have in the meantime was to draw their attention away from that area so we could launch a surprise assault." Twilight had gone into full-lecture mode, explaining everything down to the last detail. Part of the reason I appointed her Mage-Commander, after all, was her impeccable attention to detail and memory.

"Of course, of course, I nearly forgot. Please, give Pinkamina my regards when you reach them." I chuckled, leaving her to her preparations, before my emotions could get the better of my resolve and try to keep her from going. Of course, acquiring the Element of Laughter was important. But I didn't have to like that Twilight would be the only one capable of reaching her in all the chaos, myself and my enthralled sister aside. Of course, in order for her to be able to do that, she would have to have full control of herself, and that would be a disaster. She'd probably as soon jump the fence as do anything to aid my cause. I went to my own room and slept for awhile, having not slept in days.

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I trotted over to the nexus plateau, where they made all the outgoing teleportation nexuses that we used to move troops and supplies between Canterlot and the areas of combat. I had tasked the unicorn in charge to make an open nexus, which I could program from inside. It took a lot longer to make than a pre-destined nexus, but I had time and predisposition. I know there's a spy in our midst, so the less ponies that know about my doings, the less that can be given away to the resistance. I threw myself into the nexus, envisioning the plains that Pinkamina's army had taken in secret.

In short order, a flash of purple light signalled my arrival right in the middle of it. I looked around, and saw them in the midst of preparations, tents being packed away, gear stowed in saddlebags, et cetera. I spied Pinkamina on a nearby hill and teleported over to her.

"Well, General, it looks like you've got good discipline in your soldiers," I spoke softly, so only she could hear. She smirked at me, sure of herself.

"Why, yes, Mage-Commander, I'd say that, too. It's an honor to lead them, and I thank you for your trust in me." Yeah, right, trust. I'll get right on that. I nodded, then turned in the direction of the city we would siege in a couple hours.

"Well, it's about that time, General Pie. Give the order when you're ready."

Author's Note

Well, no clop in this one. A few cuddles before Twilight leaves for Pinkamina's fields, thats about it. This chapter was very hard for me to write for no apparent reason, I kept thinking, rethinking, and rethinking again a line or two here, or that paragraph over there, and it was a little frustrating that I kept feeling I didn't do the scene justice. Finally, I ended up with this. Hope ya'll enjoy it, and any feedback is welcome. Sorry for the delay.

11: Breaking

The skies were dark. We had pushed hours into the moonless part of the night, because even without the sun, Nightmare Moon kept the lunar cycle in place to ensure that people still had some semblance of time passing in their lives. The moon being everpresent in the sky would probably not go over well. Night was still night without the moon, after all. I sighed, rolling over in my tent. We had decided to siege the city come the moonrise, when we had a little light to see by. I got up, deciding to take the final watch. It wouldn't be long now.

I walked out of the tent and up onto the hill where the moonwatch was, and tapped the other guard on the shoulder with my hoof. He whirled around, then saluted when he saw me. The Mage-Commander in full regalia was a sight to be respected. I dismissed him, and he trotted back to the camp, hidden in a valley between 3 hills, hidden from sight as perfectly as possible. We were a mere mile from the city, the hills were pretty tall and covered us well. I watched the horizon. This night, the moon would rise behind the city, allowing one watcher to watch for both scouts or raiders from the city and the moon, all at once. I settled in, watching intently. I watched for about twenty minutes, and then, it rose.

I galloped down the slope of the hill, racing the moon down. We had to time this perfectly. I roused Pinkamina, who roused everyone else immediately, in a way I could never have done. I sighed, but couldn't help smiling grimly. Even in the midst of all this, Pinkie, even buried underneath Pinkamina, could still find ways to be random and try to make ponies happy. I shook my head, dismissing the thoughts from my mind. I couldn't have these thoughts on the battlefield. I trotted to the ranks. I was going to flash from within them as soon as I saw her, and take her before she could react. Atleast, that was the plan. We marched silently through the last mile of fields and stood before the city. Five unicorns, standing at the fore of the group, charged up a bolt of magic strong enough to shatter the gate.

As soon as it hit, I saw magical glyphs shred through the air, shield after shield failing. Interesting, that they would expend this much power on the main gate. However, it wasn't enough. The gates eventually flew open, the hinges snapping like twigs under the pressure. We marched through the street. It made no sense. Where were the defenders? The Element Bearer? I grunted in frustration. Just when I was about to call an about-face, though, it happened. I saw magic streaming through the air, and powerful magic at that. I turned to face the source. There she was, the azure mare of Laughter. She didn't look much like laughing right now, though. Still, the plan came first. I flashed forward, slamming into her flank, then immediately slammed down the second glyph, which had been prepared and stored in my horn days ago. I had been feeding it power ever since. To get from here to Canterlot would take more power than I could spontaneously generate fast enough for this to work, but a glyph of this magnitude, cultivated over days of charge, would do it.

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I had closed my eyes, feeding all my might into one powerful glyph of explosion. Suddenly, something slammed into my flank right as I released it, and I was spun around. NO! I had just released it on my own soldiers! I opened my eyes, and realized I was nowhere near that battlefield to tell the damage I had just done to our cause. I pushed magic into my horn, but a flash of blinding pain prevented it. I knew immediately that there was a ring of disruption on my horn, and cursed my inattentiveness. If I had had my eyes open, I would've seen the flash and had that much more time to react. As it was, I reacted once I was already gone. It was useless to try anything now. I slumped against the wall, defeated.

"Now, now, don't even think of giving up just yet. You haven't even felt any torture yet!" The voice...That voice! It couldn't be...It was. I turned to face the traitorous lavender mage. She deserved no cowering from me. I had no magic, but we were both unicorns, and so would have similar builds. I launched myself at her, only to be slammed into the wall by magic. I felt bones in my side splinter from the force. I cried out in pain, and a muzzle was forced around my mouth, silencing me. I turned, glaring hatefully at the witch, and a blindfold was tied around my eyes. Every act of defiance was countered in a debilitating way so I couldn't do it again. Then, they set to work on my body. My mane was shorn off, as was my tail and my coat. My horn was depleted, all my magic drawn out through it. It took a very powerful and well-studied mage to perform that particular spell. I admired her skill even as she abused me. Then, she spoke again.

"If you want your magic back, you'll submit and pledge yourself to Nightmare Moon, eternal night, and myself. The longer you wait, the more time I have to do something with it before it's returned to you, so I'd do it now, were I you." I froze. If she tainted my magic with some curse, I would be trapped in a way even worse than Princess Celestia. I would be completely brainwashed from the inside out, in whatever way they desired. It would completely destroy my mind and reform it under their rules. But that would take time, and if I submit right now, they couldn't do it.

"I...I pledge to serve both Nightmare Moon and Twilight Sparkle until such time as they deem fit to release me from service." My eyes widened as the words flooded through my mind, encasing my mind and echoing through every crevice. The pain was excruciating.

"This spell will make sure of that. Any pony that gives their word without being one hundred percent behind it will be bound in pain by their own words until they accept them." I knew the spell she was referring to. She must've cast it while I was blindfolded. I was such a foal to think they would give me a way out of this mess. I would soon be an unthinking zombie mare until I accepted what I had said, and would be for all intents and purposes be dead or comatose. I had to give myself completely to the cause I had pledged to without any reservation to reverse the spell. This wasn't good at all...

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I watched her writhe against the wall for a while, then walked out. I would come back tomorrow to see how she was doing.

"Any noise or funny business in that cell, notify me immediately. That's an order!" I couldn't risk her being rescued or rescuing herself, unlikely as that was. I trotted down the halls to Nightmare Moon's chambers to report my success. I reached the room in minutes, knocking my hoof on the door. After the obligatory 'Come in' sounded, I made my entrance. I bowed slightly before her.

"Mission successful, Princess. The Element of Laughter was nabbed within seconds of the battle starting. It couldn't have gone smoother." I was swept up into an embrace, hooves wrapped around my body, and I looked up, straight into her eyes.

"That's not the kind of things I want to hear from your lips right now." She giggled once, before kissing my muzzle and leading me to the rather large bed on the other side of the chamber...

Author's Note

So, I've set up the next to chapters, and I must say, I like them. First, we have the battle that just started. That will probably take an entire chapter in itself. Second, I don't know if I should or how I should do it, but the next chapter for Twilight is going to be all clop, no story. If you're reading for story, I dunno, I guess skip the chapter two after this one. Again, I'm interested in your thoughts on story progression so far! The battle chapter will most likely be from Pinkie's perspective 90% of the time, as the only major character present. (Twilight and Trixie are gone, so that.) I'd like to know how well I pull that off, so prepare to judge me on that. :)

EDIT: I decided to flip the order of the chapters, so the next one will be Twilight's chapter, and the battle will be after that one.