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.