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.