Luna awoke the next night feeling refreshed. The last few days had been trying for her, but her meeting with Twilight had been nice. She had a few minutes before the sun would set and she would need to raise the moon. It didn’t take her long to prepare for the night, mostly just needing a gentle splash of water on her face and a brush through her hair. While it didn’t have her sister’s ethereal flowy-ness, it had begun to darken slightly, along with her coat.

Once it was time, Luna walked to her balcony and looked out over the city. Lights had begun to flicker on and light up the night, but the city was still mostly lit by the reds and pinks of Celestia’s setting sun. As the last of the light faded, her horn alit. Closing her eyes, Luna reached out to the moon. With a practiced ease, she channeled her magic into it, slowly bringing it over the horizon to begin its journey. As the moon passed the horizon, set for the night, Luna turned her attention to the stars. In a wave travelling outwards from the moon they lit, further brightening the night sky.

Nightmare stayed curled up in the back of Luna’s mind, silently watching. She smiled as the moon crested the horizon, and her smile widened as the stars flared into life. Such a wonderful art she has.

With her task done, Luna turned back to the city, giving it one last glance before returning to her room. Nightmare chanced a glance down at the city, but it was too far to tell if anypony was watching. The night again set, she made her way from her chambers, winding through the many halls of the castle, to the private dining room she shared with Celestia. The older sister was already there, quietly munching on a sandwich. She gave Luna a smile as she entered, and gestured to a waiting bowl of oats.

Nightmare looked intently at Celestia as Luna went to sit down. Satisfied that she was still in the dark about their condition, she returned her attention to the bowl of oats. She had to agree with Luna, they tasted wonderful.

The two mares didn’t talk much as they ate, just their usual conversations regarding recent actions from the nobles, plans for the coming days, and a promise to find a day or night they could spend together, as sisters.

With their meal over, Celestia stood and bid Luna a good night. Luna returned the wish, smiling as the older mare left. Enjoying the silence, Luna only stayed a minute longer. With much of the country not going to sleep for another hour or so, Luna began to wander the halls. Most of the staff had gone home for the night, leaving Luna to explore on her own. She didn’t have a destination in mind; rather, Luna simply turned where she felt, opening doors as she saw fit.

This was not Nightmare’s first time watching Luna wander. While she had worried the first few times, mostly over what other ponies would say if Luna was found, she had relaxed greatly. They had never encountered anypony beyond the guards, and tonight was no exception.

Luna’s wandering soon took her to a part of the castle she hadn’t yet visited. It was one of only a few such wings left for her to explore. This particular wing happened to take up one of the southern towers. With a smile, Luna entered, prepared to suss out any secrets waiting to be found.

Upon entering the tower, she noticed the particularly increased guard presence. While there were guards everywhere in the castle, this tower had a good number more. Though she didn’t mind much at first, her curiosity soon got the better of her.

Turning to trot over to the next guard she met, Luna smiled as she greeted him. “Evening, good sir. How is thine watch, this fine night?”

Snapping to attention, the guard saluted her. “Reporting all clear, your highness,” he replied, having the good sense to keep his volume to a softer level, rather than the usual full throated reply.

During the guard’s answer, Nightmare slipped gently into control. It was getting easier for her, the dozens of times, and few recent nights she had almost full control, giving her the needed experience. Keeping up Luna’s generally happy demeanor, Nightmare turned to sit by the guard, looking out over the hallway with him. “At ease, good sir.” Though she did her best to mimic Luna, her voice was always firmer. She simply couldn’t fake that sincere cheer Luna held onto. The guard did relax slightly though, returning to his watchful gazing. “We hath noticed the increased guard presence in this area. Tell Us, what is the need?”

“Two reasons, ma’am. First, these rooms are the designated rooms for Miss Twilight Sparkle, wherever she chooses to stay. Second, as was originally requested, Miss Sparkle’s rooms have their own entrance. As such, we consider this another possible entry point, and must be guarded as such.”

Nightmare frowned slightly. A flash of possessiveness shot through her; She didn’t like the idea of Twilight being so vulnerable. “Surely Miss Sparkle’s rooms do not open directly to the city?” she inquired, doing her best to keep the rising emotions out of her voice.

“No ma’am,” the guard assured her. “There is, two floors down, an entrance. The doors are guarded just as heavily as the main gate. Miss Sparkle’s rooms begin on the floor above us.”

Nightmare nodded. Regardless, I want this wing given it’s own full complement of guards. She had to take a deep breath to bring her emotions back under control. No, that wouldn’t be in keeping with Luna’s character. Can’t break the act. “Very well, We shalt leave her rooms undisturbed then. Good eve, good sir.” With that, Luna, now back in control, arose, turned, and left Twilight’s rooms.

Tia must love her, giving her her own wing of the castle, Nightmare mused as Luna began wandering again. I wonder exactly why. If I get the chance, I’ll make sure to ask. Rolling her eyes, Nightmare chuckled to herself. Just add it to my growing list of things to ask... Settling back into the back of Luna’s mind, Nightmare prepared for another slow night. Still, I’d rather she stay in my chambers. There, at least, I know she’ll be safe.

Is that the only reason you want her in your bedchambers? The voice that echoed in Nightmare’s mind was her old voice, dripping with lust and passion as it growled. Despite it sounding clearly in Nightmare’s mind, a quick glance told her Luna hadn’t noticed anything.

What-? Who-? When no reply came, Nightmare grumbled. I must be exhausted, talking to myself like that.

As it was now late enough for the dreamscape to be full of dreams, Luna found a quiet room to settle in. Her frequent walks had left her with a good knowledge of which rooms would be open at this time. It didn’t take her long to find one. With a gentle pop, Luna teleported in a few cushions from her room. Setting them in a pile, Luna climbed onto them and settled. With another flash of magic, she put herself to sleep, and entered the realm of dreams.

As they flowed into the dreamworld, Nightmare took over, as had become the norm. She landed in her usual lucid dream, a plain field with the stars glittering above. When she had been consumed by her anger and hate, the field was often either burning under an oppressive sun, or chilled beneath endless night. She was glad for the change, neither endless fire nor ice had been very welcoming.

Nightmare walked forward, quickly leaving the field behind. The world shifted around her when she left her dream, forming a star filled plane, dark and calm as her night sky. Countless doors littered the plane. Behind each door was the dreams of a pony in Equestria, along with a few zebras and griffons. While Nightmare and Luna could extend their reach to enter the dreams of just about any sentient in existence, out of respect for the sovereignty of other nations, they only entered the dreams of Equestrians

Upon her return, Nightmare needed to inspect each dream individually, as she had not yet regained her former command of dreams. Now, she only needed gaze at a door to sense the dreams behind it. She could determine whose dreams were happy, whose dreams were not, and whose dreams needed to stay private. She had walked in on one too many wet dreams by accident to not learn to tell those apart.

As Nightmare walked down the dream path, she could only smile as the vast majority of her dreamers were having pleasant dreams. Only one subject’s dreams were beginning to slide towards her namesake. A quick inspection, however, told her this was not a terror born of stress, but of random chance. She sighed. Even a thousand years later, the corruption I left in the dreamworld is as strong as ever. Nightmare placed a hoof upon the door, sighing. I poured my anger and hate into the dreamscape. I let all of that loose in here, hoping for this exact result... She turned to look around, noting the darker blues and purples amongst the lighter cyans and teals that marked her dark influence.

Turning back to the dreamer, Nightmare shook her head. I have to do something about this... After a few seconds of thinking, her face hardened. I need to remove the corruption. I’ll find something to do with it later. Her horn lighting, Nightmare began to draw the corruption she had left out of the dreamer. The black, star filled smoke glowed purple as it flowed into her.

When the last bit entered her, Nightmare shuddered and slid down to the ground. Cleansing his dream hardly left a mark on the level of pain I pushed into here. If only I could pull it directly from the plane... Nightmare sighed. This is going to take a while... She sat there, leaning against the door for a while. A few tears of regret slid down her face. Eventually, she stood, and finished checking dreams.

Satisfied that, at present, no dreamers were in need of her, Nightmare returned to her meadow. Time is fungible enough here, she mumbled to herself. I should be able to have a few minutes of peace to myself before Luna returns. Her eyes turned to her stars, Nightmare relaxed.

After Luna awoke, she stood and stretched. While her short dreams did not cause any real discomfort, it was her usual routine. A gentle pop later and her pillows left, leaving the room as she had found it. Leaving the room herself, Luna again began to wander. She soon found herself entering the library, having followed her hooves there. “I suppose tonight would be a fine time to learn more tax policy changes,” she said, mostly to herself.

Inwardly, Nightmare groaned. I understand that we need to know this, that it’s a vital part to knowing how things have changed, but still. IT’S SO BORING! Nightmare settled back, preparing for another boring night. I wonder if I can do anything on my own while Luna reads...

Quickly trotting back to the relevant section, Luna scanned shelves, looking for pertinent titles. Grabbing a few which looked interesting, the night princess made her way over to one of the study tables. It didn’t take her long to make herself a little den of cushions to curl up in while she read.

She had just settled in for a night of tax laws when a loud snore rent the air.

OH THANK FAUST! Nightmare practically screamed. That saves me the trouble of finding something to do. Now, who is sleeping in the library?

Luna stood and searched around, wondering who else was in the library. She quickly found Twilight, who had fallen asleep, her head resting on the open pages of a book. Luna chuckled softly to herself. “Poor dear.” Before she could take a step towards her, however, Twilight whimpered and curled up slightly.

Despite the shock of seeing Twilight like that, Nightmare was able to take control without missing a beat. I hope she’s cold, and not having a nightmare, she mused. Another whimper escaped Twilight’s mouth, causing Nightmare to speed up. Upon reaching her, she placed a hoof on the younger mare’s back. Immediately, the fear flowed into Nightmare. She had to fight to not jerk back. Okay, what’s scaring her this time? Closing her eyes, Nightmare slipped into Twilight dream.

Twilight and her friends charged through the old castle. Pieces of the walls fell around them as they wound through the halls. “Come on girls, she’s just up ahead, we can stop her!” Twilight’s voice betrayed a hint of panic. Racing around another corner, the six mares came skidding to a stop. Before them was a pair of large wooden doors.

Drawing herself up to her full height, Twilight turned to Applejack and commanded “Applejack, kick the door open.” With a curt nod Applejack turned around, readied herself, and bucked the doors open. They crashed inwards, blown off the hinges. Charging into the room, Twilight cried out, “NIGHTMARE MOON WE’VE-”

“Oh, there you are Twilight!” Celestia interrupted. She and Nightmare Moon were seated next to each other, the five Elements of Harmony sitting on the ground in front of them. The dark alicorn raised a hoof and waved, a cheery smile on her face. “I was just having a wonderful chat with my sister.”

“Your sister?” Twilight cried out in confusion. Twilight’s panic grew as she realized she had been about to strike down a member of the royal family. “But, but-! You sent me here to defeat her!”

“Defeat her? Twilight, she is my sister.” Celestia wrapped a wing around the other alicorn. “Didn’t you read the story? Did you learn nothing from it?”

Stepping back, Twilight looked around for her friends. But she was alone; There was no hiding from Celestia’s eyes. Her heart began to race as the panic kept building. “But, but-”

“Twilight, have you learned nothing from me over all these years?” Celestia shook her head, a somber expression on her face. She rose and walked towards Twilight, who had fallen prone in terror.

“But, the story said she was a wicked mare of darkness!” Twilight tried to reason with her mentor, tried to explain her actions. But even as the words left her mouth, Twilight couldn’t help but admit they sounded foolish.

The princess’ voice was stern now. “And you think I would send you, a child, and my favorite student, to face my immortal sister?” Celestia towered in front of Twilight now, looking down at her, a mixture of sadness and fierceness in her eyes. “Did you think I sent you on what would clearly be a suicide mission? I sent you to Ponyville to make friends, nothing more.”

Twilight was shaking now, barely able to form words. “But I thought-”

“Clearly you didn’t think hard enough, Twilight.” Celestia raised a hoof, lifting Twilight into the air. “I suppose I have no choice but to send you back to Magic Kindergarten.”

Twilight flailed in the air, looking around wildly. “NO! Please! I can do better. I’ll triple read everything and give you a report on my course of action every day! I only did what I thought was best! Please, I’m sorry-”

“Goodbye, Twilight. Perhaps next time you’ll do better.”

In a bright flash, the world around her faded away, leaving Twilight screaming in terror. “Please, no! I can do better, I-”

“Twilight,” Nightmare said calmly, stroking her back. “It’s okay,” Continuing to mumble incoherently, Twilight began rocking back and forth. “It’s just a dream...” She lifted Twilight’s head off the book and shifted her back. With a gentle pop she teleported in a pillow and blanket for the young mare. With the purple unicorn settled in a far more comfortable position, she returned to the delicate task of waking Twilight while easing her fears.

Twilight slowly awoke. A thick, warm blanket was draped across her back, with a soft pillow under her chin. Looking around, she noticed both the blanket and pillow were a dark, midnight blue. With a dull smile she burrowed deeper into the warmth, her lingering fear still sending shivers down her spine.

“Welcome back, Twilight,” Nightmare whispered. Twilight slowly looked over, registering the princess before her. “I’m sorry I couldn’t wake you sooner.”

Twilight curled up, the warmth of the blanket finally beginning to ease her shivers. “What,” Twilight let out a long yawn. “What do you mean, ‘sooner?’” Twilight pulled herself into a sitting position, wrapping the thick blanket protectively around herself.

Nightmare sat down next to Twilight. “One of my many charges is the realm of dreams. It is my duty and privledge to safeguard my subjects from nightmares.” She turned to smile at Twilight. “You were having one, and so I spared you further terror.” Twilight took a few deep breaths, finally stopping her shaking. “I am sorry to say this is not the first I have ended for you. These night terrors are often brought on by stressors and fears in one’s waking life, and while I am more than happy to help you with those fears, I don’t believe this is the time to discuss such things. I believe you need to go to your room and sleep in your bed, not on a pile of books.” Nightmare gestured to the number of books surrounding, and, in one case, under, Twilight.

Twilight blushed. “What was the other dream about?” she asked, her voice still slow and sleepy.

Her attempts to stall did not get past Nightmare. However, she answered nonetheless. “You were trapped in a maze, running from Nightmare Moon.” Twilight blushed again. “Before I send you back to your room, however, I must ask. What are you still doing here in Canterlot?”

Twilight chuckled. “Princess Celestia asked me to do some research for her. Something to do with psychology.” Twilight chuckled. “Oh, oh!” Twilight’s eyes suddenly lit up. “So, when I got here earlier, I asked the librarian if she had any books on Pavlov’s dogs, or Schrödinger’s cat. She said the names rang a bell, but she wouldn’t be sure until she checked!” Twilight crumpled, laughing hysterically.

Nightmare forced a placating smile, not getting the joke. “I see.” Nightmare paused for a moment, letting Twilight gather herself. “Well, would you like me to escort you back to your room?”

Shaking her head, Twilight stood slowly, still chuckling at her joke. “I’ll be okay. I’ve walked back from here, half asleep, plenty of times before.” She swayed on the spot, momentarily looking like she was about to fall again, before steadying.

“Twilight, how long have you been awake?” Nightmare stood and moved closer, prepared to steady the half asleep mare, or catch her should the need arise.

“Um...” Twilight swayed again. She looked off for a moment, thinking. “Well, not counting that small nap... Since yesterday morning!” Twilight finished cheerfully, turning to grin at Nightmare.

The alicorn deadpanned. She raised an eyebrow for a moment, then grinned as Twilight tipped over, losing balance. Having fully expected her too, Nightmare was ready to steady her, gently setting her down on the ground. “Twilight, please. Being able to walk back on your own does not mean you should.”

Smacking her lips, Twilight looked at Nightmare, then the ground, then the distance to the doors to the library. “Okay... But, I’m walking. I’m a big mare, I don’t need to be carried.”

Nightmare chuckled as Twilight shakily rose to her hooves. She stood next to the younger mare, prepared to support her. “Then allow me to offer you some support.”

Twilight giggled happily. “Okay, sure.” Leaning against Nightmare, Twilight pointed a hoof towards the door. “That way!” she said with far too much enthusiasm.

Nightmare snickered before slowly trotting forward, making sure to stay next to Twilight. It took them a few minutes, Twilight kept stumbling. Once they were past the doors of the library, Twilight turned to look up at her walking companion. “Princess Luna?” she asked hesitantly.

“Yes, Twilight?”

Twilight paused, looking around, trying to find the right words. “You mentioned that you help ponies when they have nightmares, but well... I guess I want to know where they come from, what you do, and what was done for the last thousand years.”

Nightmare smiled. “There are two sources of nightmares,” she explained. “The first come from fears and stressors in your waking life. For example, an upcoming exam upon which much lies can cause these night terrors. It can also be fears that a pony has, say a fear of the sea or a terrifying story.”

Looking off into the distance, Nightmare smiled as she reminisced over her charge. “For those, I do my best to talk with the pony. Often times, the true source of one's fear does not manifest so readily, and I help ponies identify it. After that, I work through it with them. All within the safety and privacy of dreams.” Her expression hardened suddenly. “Before my fall, there were ponies who refused my help. It was painful to be denied my favorite charge, but I respected their wishes.”

Twilight nodded along, absorbing everything the princess said. “And the other kind?”

At that, Nightmare stopped. A few tears welled up in the corner of her eyes. “I made them,” she whispered, barely loud enough for Twilight to hear.

Twilight blinked, not sure she had heard right. “I’m sorry, what?”

Composing herself, Nightmare turned to the unicorn. “Nightmare Moon made them,” she retconned. “One night, she poured her anger and pain into the dream world. She corrupted it. That corruption flits about, randomly striking fear into the minds of our subjects.”

Twilight stood, open mouthed. “Wow... she really was evil...” she said, more to herself.

Nightmare’s cheek twitched. Realizing what she had said, Twilight began trying to stammer out apologies. “Twilight. You have no need to apologize. You are right. She was a cruel and dark mare.” But I’ve changed. I’m not the pony I was then. I’m working to fix my mistakes.

Twilight blushed. They walked the rest of the way in silence, Twilight was too embarrassed to ask any more. “Well, this is my room,” she mumbled, pointing towards her door. A slow yawn escaped her lips, which she tried to stifle.

Nightmare opened the door to Twilight’s room for her. “Thank you, Twilight. It is good to talk of some of these things. Now, I believe it is time for you to sleep. And don’t let me catch you staying up all night again,” she added with a chuckle. “You need your sleep.”

Nodding, Twilight stumbled into her room. Nightmare closed the door behind her, trusting the young mare to make it to her bed on her own. Add to the list: What did Tia ask of Twilight that has her working this hard?

As she returned to the library, Luna stepped forward. She hummed merrily to herself. Though Luna did end up spending the night researching tax code, only once more checking the dreamscape, Nightmare had plenty to distract herself with.

Specifically, she wanted to know the source of Twilight’s fears of her. She knew that the fears had to do with her, and her specifically. There was no fear of Luna in Twilight’s heart and mind, only a fear of the Nightmare. A fear of me, of the evil she thinks I represent, sure that makes sense. But, why only her? None of the other five have any of these fears.

Nightmare began to pace, only occasionally glancing up to check on Luna. But is it just me? There was also a fear of disappointing Celestia in that last dream. Is her biggest fear just failing her mentor? But then, where do I fit in? Why does that fear revolve around me?

Nightmare shook the thoughts from her head. I need more. I need to know more.

Nightmare Moon sat upon the Equestrian throne. She was getting impatient. Her black hoof tapped slowly against the polished white of the chair. She shifted a little, getting more comfortable on the cushion. She glanced out the window, staring at the moon, hanging low in the sky. Where are they? She thought angrily. They should be here by now...

Turning to her side, she smiled at Celestia. The other princess was curled up next to the throne, head resting on her hooves, dozing. “Sister, where is your student? Should she not be here by now?”

Celestia merely shrugged. “It’s only been an hour, and the trip is long.”

Nightmare growled. “Still, it is not proper to keep-” She stopped as she heard the distinct sounds of approaching hooves, just beyond the closed doors. “Ahh, good.” Nightmare settled back into her chair, grinning.

The doors swung open, revealing a calm looking Twilight and her friends. “Princess Luna, is everything-” She froze mid step as she saw the black alicorn upon the throne.

Nightmare’s grin widened as Twilight stepped in. Good now- Her thoughts were interrupted as a wave of anger, hate, pain, and jealousy washed over her. The force of them knocked her forward, though she was able to gracefully catch herself. “Twilight Sparkle, how good of you to come.”

Twilight finally found her voice. “Princess Luna, what is going on? Why have you not lowered the moon?”

“Can you not tell, Twilight?” Nightmare let her rage drip into her voice. “You should have tried harder to get rid of me. I’ve been here all along. And now,” Nightmare let out a high, cruel laugh. “Now, I’m getting my revenge.”

Twilight blinked. It took her a moment to process what she was being told. “Girls! Elements, now!” The six girls quickly donned their elements before standing in a circle. “Nightmare Moon. We defeated you before, we’ll do it again!”

Another cruel laughed burst forth from the dark alicorn. “Ohh, yes! I remember that well.” With a flash of her horn, Nightmare blasted the purple unicorn, sending her body to slam into the closed doors behind them. “Well enough to know how to stop you!”

The five other girls ran to their friend, helping her up. Twilight stood on shaky legs before turning to Nightmare, standing strong. “I won’t fall that easily,” she growled. “And you’re not the only one who’s had a chance to prepare.”

In an instant, the six girls were floating in the air, rainbows of magic swirling around them. Nightmare could only keep laughing. “Yes! Go ahead! Try!”. Celestia jumped up and stood with Nightmare facing the swirling magic with her sister. Nightmare grinned, having known what Celestia would do. “Strike us both down! If you can bear to watch your beloved mentor blasted apart along with me that is!”

The magic continued swirling around the six girls, but it didn’t strike. After a few moments, Twilight voice boomed out, magically enhanced. “Princess Celestia. Why do you stand with her?”

“Because I must. I failed my sister once, and I won’t do so again,” the solar alicorn replied.

Nightmare laughed her cold, cruel laugh again. “So, what will you do, Twilight Sparkle? Can you strike down your beloved mentor?”

She didn’t have to wait long for an answer. The swirling magic soon died down, and the six girls floated back down to the floor. “What did you do to her, Nightmare?!” Twilight cried out.

“Oh, just made her see my side of things,” Nightmare replied. “Would you like to join her?”

Twilight’s eyes went wide. “What-?”

Before she could finish her though, five bolts of darkness flew past her and struck her friends. She turned around and watched in horror as her friends visibly changed. Their coats changed and darkened. Their pupils narrowed to slits. Their teeth grew fangs. In fear Twilight scrambled backwards, only to run into something. Slowly, she turned around, staring up into Nightmare’s face, fear etched upon hers.

“Ohh don’t worry,” Nightmare whispered. “They’re still your friends. They’re just loyal to me now.” Another chuckle, this one considerably quieter, escaped her lips. “In fact, the elements will still respond to them.” Nightmare reached up a hoof and stroked Twilight cheek, her grin turning lascivious. “I have a special torment in mind for you.

“You see, the Elements of Harmony are still the best way to defend Equestria. I can’t jeopardize that.” Nightmare forced the unicorn to stand before her. Behind her, her five friends had finished their transformations, and were all bowed before their new queen. “So, you get to use those wonderful elements, but on my order.”

“I will never take orders from you,” Twilight spat back at the alicorn.

“You would watch Equestria fall, let your friends fight, and likely die, on their own, just because you hate me? Out of spite?” Realization dawned in Twilight’s eyes, and Nightmare grinned. “So, what will it be?”

Twilight shook, trying to find a way out, trying to come up with something. She turned to glance back at her friends, and her heart sank when she saw them bowing. “Okay,” she whispered. Still shaking, Twilight slowly bent a knee. Slowly she bowed before Nightmare. “I will serve you,” she answered, barely able to form the words.

“Good.” Nightmare ran the back of her hoof along Twilight’s side. “In time, I think you’ll come to enjoy serving me.”

Nightmare bolted upright, sweat pouring down her face. Her eyes bulged as the terror from her dream coursed through her. “No Twilight! You have to stop me!” Her eyes darted around, trying to find the young mare. It took her a few moments to realize that she was sitting up in her bed, in her room. Twilight was on the other side of the castle. Her eyes quickly looked down, staring at herself. She breathed a sigh of relief as she saw only her dark blue coat.

“T’was only a dream...” she mumbled to herself, laying back down. Just as she was about to drift back to sleep, she sat bolt upright again, concern now etched into her face. “Wait. I don’t get nightmares.”