Author's Notes:

Just so everyone knows, still down from surgery and still taking serious medication.

So please, don't hate me if I messed up somewhere in this chapter.

Oh, and mild clop as well; in other words, Nightmare Moon pushes her luck.

Enjoy.

"Well this has been a surprising turn of events," Raven giggled as Luna struggled desperately in her grasp. As she had always remembered, the violent edge of her perfect, little nightmare bared grudge and aggression towards her with snarls and flailing legs that desperately reach for her throat, but the aura that surrounds the infuriated princess kept her at bay and for all to see the might of their empress while the rest of the royals recovered from Luna's last spell. It was a powerful blast that everyone but she and Black Hole Sun had the displeasure of tasting after Sombra foolishly commented how Derrick found Nightmare Moon as a much more worthy mare.

Deep down though, something in the night mother told her that this was not going to be one of the usual meetings with the same mare she taught to control the stars and moon. . . granted, however, meeting was rather stretched in this unfair encounter of rage.

"I must say I am impressed that you braved returning to Nebula. I take it Celestia put you up to retrieving my son and forcing him to return to that awful realm of light." Raven inferred, wondering where Luna was standing in the matter of her only son.

"We did not come here to force such recurring pain. Our reasons are completely different from your presumptions. However, there has been a serious development in the conflict between my sister and myself, a conflict that I doubt you could understand. Now put me down!" Luna demanded, an odd sense of negotiation in her words, absent of the scorn and disdain she had naught two minutes ago. Raven grinned she slowly dropped the alicorn to her alicorn, yet without releasing her, feeling most curious to Luna's reasons for being here. She had a good idea though as to what drove a wedge between the royal sisters.

"So you are not here for that horse, then perhaps it may be the other human that beds her every night, hm?" Raven inferred sarcastically. The Lunar Princess finally calmed down and raised an eyebrow as her hooves touched the floor.

"Walk with me." She gestured for a private conversation, and frightened the pony with her calm nature. Luna mistakenly left Spike with Discord though. "I know all about the other human that wench has been seeing. In fact, I know about him more than you." Raven began clarifying, her wing moving over Luna's back as she spoke and ignored the groans of her wounded and possibly injured guards and royals.

"So. . . you knew about that human and kept quiet;" Luna finally broke her silence as the two stared at one another with critical looks. "Why?"

"You may call me cruel and sadistic—which is oh so very true—but would it have done any good for Derrick to have found out." Raven implied with a cheeky grin, finally releasing Luna when she felt her emotions were in check. "Come now, my little Lulu; what good would it have done to fly across this world just to expose the lies and deception of Celestia. I had to play my cards right in order to bring my son home."

"You could have done so with exposing her." Luna said quietly, but the dark goddess shook her head and giggled.

"You forget that Derrick is not the kind of man to stick around when the pain hits most." She pointed out, guiding the mare into the corridor and up the stairs to her astrodome. "Or at least he was, but now he's grown some backbone."

"You're avoiding the subject."

"Right, I am. Anyway, if he had found out that Celestia was cheating on him, then there was a high possibility of him running away, and I really did not want for Nightmare Moon to waste any more time tracking him."

"And am I going to believe that you planned this ever since he found himself in Equestria?" Luna questioned with scrutinizing eyes. Raven stopped dead tracks in pace and glared down at the mare with the true meaning of fear in her eyes. There was no questioning to who the stronger alicorn was, and Luna immediately shut her mouth and resumed pacing with her old teacher.

"Your mother took him away from me," Raven growled, tightening her wing with enough force to make Luna grunt. "Four-thousand years, four millennia of wondering if my son was alive and well. And I suddenly find myself listening to Nightmare Moon about locating my first foal." She leaned into Luna's ear. "Yes, I planned it out, just as I planned on revealing the secrets about your sister."

"I am not surprised. There are always secrets with you. Hence why I left this realm in the first place."

"But now you have returned," Raven chirped, her expression turning 180 as she began nuzzling Luna. "And I suppose you are here to win Derrick back, under the assumption that Nightmare Moon is corrupting him and using him for her gain."

"Of course I am!" Luna yelled angrily, her eyes suddenly burning with long needed tears and anger. Raven took this moment of weakness to her advantage and grinned while the gears in her mind turned rapidly.

"You must be really desperate to find Derrick if you had come all this way just to attack my castle." Raven cooed, licking her lips hungrily at the mare's distraught nature. She loved nothing more than an a pony who was in emotional pain. "You know, I could have you executed for attacking us."

"You can try, but I did not come here to negotiate. I came here for my mate, so return him to me and disenchant the illusion my dark half has him under!" Luna commanded. Raven had to resist the urge to laugh at how ignorant Luna was being. The two turned around a corner, approaching the doors to the astrodome.

"I hate to crush your heart," Raven mused, tapping her chin teasingly. "But Derrick is under no spell whatsoever. Magic cannot touch him, not even levitation, and Nightmare Moon has not corrupted him. She has stolen his heart."

"What?" Luna shook her head, unsure if that meant physically or metaphorically.

"Let me put it bluntly. Derrick and Nightmare Moon are in love." Raven ceased holding her old student and proceeded to act like a filly. She hopped in front of Luna and gave her a big smile that was mixed with wonder and joy. Her wings ruffled with excitement. "I know. Isn't it wonderful!? I can wait to see what their foals will be like."

"Foals!?" Luna screamed in shock. "She bares one already!?"

"Oh heavens, no. Derrick is being a bit stubborn about the development of their relationship. He wants to take things slow with Nightmare Moon," Raven's grin became cheeky, and she nudged the shocked princess. "But knowing how forward my student is, I am certain that these walls will be screaming with foals by next year."

"Get back on subject. Where is Derrick?"

"Oh yes, apologies." Raven took a moment to compose herself, but her mind was rushing an idea that puzzled together. She stared at Luna with incredulity. Though in her head, this could be a serious change in the matter of her son and bring about the awakening she had been wanting for weeks. Perhaps she could reward Luna, if she were to side with her that is.

"I'm not sure," she replied in a calm voice. It did nothing to help Luna, but she was at her wits end and desperate enough to listen. "Something called out to him, and he shot across the sky with his mate, as a beacon of light. And thankfully one of my guards saw where he went before you arrived to defile my kingdom."

"Do you have suspicions of his whereabouts?"

"Perhaps I do," Raven lifted her hoof and stared at it, mocking the alicorn with her lack of care, though it was a facade just for fun. "But why does it matter to you?"

"Because he is MY MATE!" Luna proclaimed, spinning around the empress to face her. Raven simply gave a huff and shrugged her wings.

"You relinquished that relationship when you attacked him."

"I was fooled by Celestia's student!" Luna screeched, stomping her hoof and crushing the tile beneath it. "She used the culture of his species to make us believe that he would become a violent brute. Hence why we tried to use the elements."

"And now the lies of the jealous come to light," Raven mused, grinning evilly at Luna. "Quite ironic, don't you think?"

"Whether it is irony or not, I came here to make amends with him." Luna was finished. She'd had enough, and decided that talking was not going to get through the goddess. She approached Raven and did the unthinkable, surprising not only just her superior but Black Hole Sun, who was watching from the shadows.

She tossed her crown to the wall and bowed to Raven, tears gushing onto the floor as she sobbed pathetically without a shred of dignity to hold.

"Please. . ." she begged, hiccuping every so often. "I can't take this anymore. I love him and I want to see him. I want to make amends with Derrick." She looked up to the surprised alicorn with beady eyes. "Just tell me what you want. Surely you have demands. Tell me and I want will meet them, just let me see Derrick."

Raven stood in silence with her full attention on the broken mare. By her scrutinizing eyes and ancient mind, which held the most knowledge about a pony and their emotions, she could tell that Luna was not trying play tricks or fool her. She was actually serious about doing anything to see Derrick again. Resting on the past between them though, a great deal of buried feelings rose from the surface of the empress as she softened on the sobbing princess. Her eyes dissolved into sorrow, and she stepped forward to wrap her wings around the alicorn for a hug that had been missed for too long. Although they were two completely different ponies, this was a moment where Luna needed to embraced by her mentor, for behind the dark memories that plagued them, she was still the closest thing to a loving mother.

"Alright, my dear," Raven cooed, nuzzled the princess cocooned in her wings and buried in her chest. She had not felt this much as a mother in a very long time. It felt good. "Hush now. I'm here."

"I've missed you so much," Luna confessed. It was not like she was changing the subject, but she had suppressed emotions that boiled inside her over the years. She was well aware that abandonment was not the answer behind Raven not stopping the past, but the pain was the same. It still ate at her.

If there was a way to go back and fix things, Raven would have done that a long time ago.

"I've missed you too. I'm sorry for not being there when you were losing control." Raven moved by emotion and not by thought, she kissed and licked Luna's forehead, as she had done many times during their adventures. The effect was immediate, as it had drawn a giggle from the princess.

Luna shook her head and snuggled the warmth of her mentor. "It is not your fault that I became a monster. The fault is mine alone. I fell into darkness after mother forbid me from seeing you. The loneliness was too painful, and I fear that is what will happen to Derrick."

"You'd be surprised how strong he's become. Sure, he still has emotional moments but he is learning more about himself he should. He's finally come to understand that his life will never be normal."

Luna glanced up at the deity, again. "Is he happy?"

Raven let her breath out slowly. "He is happier now that his problems are gone, but I do believe he misses you. A fact that I detest due to your actions towards him. Still, that doesn't mean you can have him back; at least not without doing something for me and convincing Nightmare Moon to share him."

Luna shrank against the alicorn and hugged her tight. The smile faded. "She will never do that. She is obsessed with him."

"Oh, quite the contrary my dear," Raven told her with glee, straightening a few strands of her mane from her eye. "I believe you can be Derrick's mistress, but you would have to prove your worthiness."

"Why are you wanting to help me?" There was hurt in the princess' voice. "I hurt Derrick."

"Because you are family," Raven simply put, pecking Luna's head. "And unlike your mother, I look out for my children. Plus I would love to see your sister's reaction when she finds out you abandoned your role for us."

"I have not agreed to anything yet." Luna exclaimed, but the slow giggling of her mentor told her differently.

"Who said you have a choice?" Raven inferred, smiling sadistically. "Negotiating is not an option in my castle. If you want Derrick, then you have to become a child of the darkness once more, convince Nightmare Moon that you are worthy and. . . accept Derrick for what he is becoming."

Luna stood in silence and her eyes on the window that glowed with the light of her home. She had a long road ahead of her but much to think about first.

If only she knew though, what was currently happening with our favorite couple.

Nightmare Moon scooted forward, closer to the growing threads of her mate's hate, concentrating on the pace of his breath as she stretched across his body, extending her form in places that she was not allowed to touch. She called on the magic inside her to rejuvinate her being. She was a daughter of the darkness, bound to its power. The darkness had always come to her aid when had need. She felt that connection now but could not draw on it. She felt warm yet lacking the strength to summon her power as most straining effort of her magic was blocked, and her abiities, whether it was weakness or not, ran cold at her command. Right now, in this moment of waking up to the mysterious hour of their new night, she relied on what waking herself up.

To her groggy and utter astonishment the lack of magic made her exhausted and dreading with wonder how earth ponies could rise to the sun without the use of magic.

"Why does my magic fail me?" Nightmare Moon gave a groan, desperate to rise to her hooves, to be the first one awake so Derrick didn't try something stupid or foolish like wandering off or playing tricks on her, eyes burning through the light of their slumbering pet as it's fiery wings glowed, to keep them safe.

"I still hate you," she yawned on shaky legs. She felt her magic return to her and followed her tail to the tip being inches away from her sleeping mate.

She shook her head, disappointed in herself for not realizing it sooner. "Now I remember, his touch can block my magic as well."

Her eyes finally settled on Derrick as she shook the grogginess away one last time. The sight of her lover resting peacefully brought her peace and joy, as it was her desire to be the one he wakes up too and vise-versa, but Derrick's appearance veered her thoughts and emotions as she stared down at the hand that was close to touching her tail. She leaned for close examination, moving cautiously above the creature as it awoke to the sweet nuzzles of Zelda, his eyes bright now in the thick of the of the light. Nightmare Moon was unafraid yet flabbergasted to see the dark powers finally take hold.

"Oh my god," she gasped. A claw scraped the surface, slicing the bed of rock with ease before dissolving into a human hand to avoid cutting Derrick when he proceeded to rub his eyes. The emotional man she knew and loved was no longer vulnerable. Almost immediately the beautiful changes of her dark lord sent her loins on fire he smiled at her.

"Morning, Moon." Derrick yawned, jumping to his feet without realizing the magic in his body sprout four spider legs to balance him. By the time he stood up he was left with the mysterious tingling in his back as said legs dispersed into his spine. He rubbed his shoulders and groaned.

"Holy crap. I feel great." He told his queen with enthusiasm. He surprised the alicorn with a kiss, unaware of his new incisors grazing her lips. "That fish must have had some healing properties."

Derrick was essentially a changed man, a child of the darkness now, and his mare observed his appearance as carefully as she could could. She found it ironic that Sombra's disbelief in Derrick was now going to be his downfall when they return home.

Derrick finally saw that the alicorn was not going to speak and decided to break the silence. He tilted his head and scratched his chin while watching her mouth open and close repeatedly.

"What's the matter? Did you not sleep well?"

"Beautiful. . ." Her voice wobbled. She choked on the exploding lust for his taste and touch. She knew it was not normal for Derrick to turn into that overnight, yet she could not deny that he was far more handsome now than he was as a human.

"Huh?" Derrick cocked an eyebrow. He heard the deep shift of his voice as it rumbled for a moment, every bit as strong as a demonic tune as he remembered in movies. He turned to the pond and saw his reflection and gasped.

"You've become one of us," Nightmare Moon approached. She stood at his side with, their reflections together in the calm water as Derrick rubbed his hands across the horns curling around his head.

How could it have been possible to change overnight? How could this possibly be explained to him the power that finally entered his core and turned him into the beast that he was now? He wanted to ask Nightmare Moon for the answers, by there was nothing in her eyes that told him she would possess the ability to explain his metamorphosis. He didn't know if he even wanted it explained. He couldn't even get reassurance to the positive altercations.

"Is this what Raven meant?" He asked himself, staring and rubbing himself for assurance.

Nightmare Moon crossed her wings across his chest and planted a kiss to his neck. The mark she left was almost in full bloom for their connection to become permanent, and the coos of their new pet were delightful; even the darkest moment in Derrick's life was approved by Zelda, as she found no flaw but rather a complete man that was denied his heritage.

"This place has done more than draw you in; there was a reason for being here and it shows." Nightmare Moon wanted to shake down the concern and fear in her dark lord. She felt he deserved to reminisce this moment. "The reality of being a human is no more. You are now embraced by the reality of Nebula."

"What does that mean?" Derrick glared at her reflection.

She giggled, thinking about the future to come. She would be very happy to face the troubles too, which she could take, but she'd also be there to help him adjust again.

"Derrick, you are now who you were supposed to be in this world. Raven is going to be so happy when she sees that you've bloomed."

"Bloomed into what?"

"Isn't it obvious?" She chuckled. "You have bloomed with the blood of your mother and father, and this is what the results are."

Derrick was speechless. He took a good look at himself, one of very few things he did. The hand he raised to see the markings he around the cavern were now disappearing into his skin as his fingers morphed into deadly blades that curled at his command. Fortunately, the answer to that was obvious to the dark alicorn.

"Your magic is not just an energy, it's symbiotic." She examined the blade before they shifted back to fingers. Astonished, she was. "It's no wonder you were able to heal so quickly."

"Symbiotic?" Derrick questioned. "Is it like a parasite?"

"Something similar, but not the same." She began, feeling proud of herself for studying the old ways of magic. "Sombra's dark magic was parasitic due to it driving him to madness. It was trying to control him. Your magic, however, is infused to your cells, which, I repeat, explains your healing. Instead of trying to take over, it has given you a new appearance and you still have control of yourself. Most symbiotic magic users are driven mad."

"Shouldn't we be concerned then?"

"Not at all," she shook her head. "It's been weeks since you have been brought to Nebula, and you are still conscious of yourself."

"Okay," he scratched the back of his head, unsure of his next step.

"And I think you blooming deserves a reward." Nightmare Moon implied with a lick of her lips. Her eyes fluttered as she still felt Derrick's skin and the powerful energy that was his magic flickered valiantly, but she needed more than just his touch to go with—if what she believed was true, she could get what her heart desired without his resistance.

"Still not having sex until a few dates," Derrick said bemusedly. Well that killed it for the mare, but she wouldn't give so easily. She was prepared to push the boundaries. No matter if the act was forbidden or not, if he could do those things to her, she would humble herself, put herself in the same spot and give what she'd felt in their bedroom.

"A lord in the making and still scared of me." She felt no shame in insulting her lover. She showed no mercy or outward signs of being gentle. Her hoof slid past the barrier and it was there, throbbing and erect. She couldn't suffer any more getting herself to him, because she had put a great deal of thinking into where they stand as mates.

"I'm not scared," Derrick interjected, spinning to face the mare with his hand firmly grasping the hoof stroking him. He fought the urge to respond to his bodily urges, yet kept his movements gentle, his voice stern. He didn't want to share the greatest of intimacy inside a damp a broken castle, nor let it happen so soon. If he could stay calm and instill his perspective that time and patience would out the best, she might take this transition as something natural in their relationship and try to force herself on him.

"Nightmare Moon, please. . ."

"I think it grew," she crooned, breathing on his lips tentatively as she fought the hand trying to stop her. "Such things must not be left unattended."

"I'll fix that when we get home." He told her with a firm voice. There was a flutter against the walls of his mind, a spark of lust that was as gentle as her hoof.

"Derrick, my darling lord," Nightmare Moon ceased her movements and retreated. Now this would have given the man the incentive that she had finally understood his morals and gave up, but the slow and enticing feeling of her hoof crashed his mind. He looked up, closed his eyes and took a deep breath to compose himself, but the battle had been lost already.

She lowered herself when he wasn't looking and grinned at the bulge.

You will thank me after this.

She astonished him once again, her actions proving the depth of her feelings towards him. In a swift motion of speed and accuracy, she took his pants into her hooves and ripped them down immediately. She opened her mouth just as he looked down and engulfed the arousal with a mild echo his breath leaving in a moan. She let out her desire, her hooves tripping the back of his legs. Derrick's only saving grace was Nightmare Moon's wings having the strength to catch and lower him onto the rocky terrain as she proceeded to assault his friend with harsh bobbing of her mouth and the swirling of her tongue.

"Dammit. I said no sex!" He yelled, an incredibly sexy gruff of his voice sending the mare over the edge as she pinned his legs. Derrick fared no better when she separated from the twitching cock and smiled evilly with one hoof sliding up and down the hard flesh.

"You tasted my love for you," she said slowly, twirling her hoof on the head. It sent shivers up the man's spine. "Now I will taste your love for me. Besides, I can't allow you to explore this castle while having such a problem between your legs."

Derrick went to scold the pony for her actions, but he gasped at the sensation returning to him immediately and by instinct, bit his hand to control his moans as they traveled the halls

"Fuck me." He groaned, and the mare between his legs came back up.

"That can happen in our bed. Now be still and enjoy the feeling of my tongue."

He couldn't argue, not any more.