Author's Notes:

An odd way to start things, but it beats the quick, poor development of their relationship. Oh, and to everyone who does not know what is going on with this story, I'm rewriting it for a much better development of Derrick and Nightmare Moon's relationship.

At least their starting off good.

Hope you enjoy this chapter.

Don't worry, there is more to come, because I have four days to myself now.

Yes everypony. . . NO MORE THERAPY CLASSES OR SURGERIES, JUST LOTS OF REST!

WOOOHOOO!

There was no grand conversation as the light of the dark moon beamed on the eve of Nebula's daytime. . .certainly nothing out of the ordinary between Derrick and Nightmare Moon. The atmosphere around them was the status-quo of their day, which happened to be the worst first day in the dark country. Nightmare Moon had quietly been sorting through a large stack of documents she had been neglecting since last week, so as to save her sanity from the miniscule complaints some of her noble subjects throw at her. She was a bit irritated with the upper class whining over every little thing that does not fit in their 'perfect world', although the latter did notice this when the first maid to give them lunch had the gall to spread gossip about it, which was very bad, but Nightmare Moon was not berating herself for this minor setback. Instead, she was quickly reading over her work and deeming which is worthy to look over while the rest go into her fireplace.

Derrick found he was getting feeling back in his legs as Nightmare Moon stood up from her desk, stretching her legs and wings as the trash stack levitated into the fire. Though the alicorn was being quick about it, and the papers being small, it seemed to be a loss when most of them were tossed into the fireplace.

"All that time looking over those papers, and hardly any of them are worth my time." she sighed to herself, while rubbing the top of her head to ease the migraine she received. "If only I could make a law that prohibits—how did Derrick say it?—oh, yes. . .bitching."

Derrick had been curious of her work, watching like child with vast wonder in his eyes; that is until blood flowed back with movement, and he found he was dealing with the pain of pins and needles with every attempt to shuffle around the bed. After the jolt in his knees, the prickly sensation was more agonizing than it was annoying in the beginning. Nightmare Moon heard him groan and picked up the pace of her filing, and surprisingly in deference to his state, she was moving very quickly. Her long strides of reading each sentence hastened.

He has not been provided medication since this morning. The doctor said it is too risky to give him another dose, but hearing and seeing my darling in pain does do any better.

Nightmare Moon hadn't believed she could just threaten the doctor give him something for his agony, but what else was there to do? Biting her lower lip to remain at bay, she had to think od something to help her human rest. A lot of her day-to-day operations were instinctual in the arcane of magic, probably imprinted in her mind before birth.

Her own experience as one of two mares fed her information on what it means to be a normal pony, giving her the data necessary to a normal mare caring for someone she holds dear to her heart, but this was different. Her instincts told her how to fix the problem, but she gleaned much more. She knew how to tend with others, albeit rather poorly in some cases. She kept her mind focused on the logical means of helping Derrick ease his suffering, although her body was screaming to move.

She found her heart swelling with worry and concern. There should be something or someone that can help, yet no one was around to provide. Her abilities continued to grow along with her need to help. Was it the combination of her powers?

"Fuck me," Derrick shifted to the left and then cut back sharply to the right, trying his best to calm down. He could feel the pain growing with each minute. Every breath he drew was difficult, and he had no way to prevent his body from making any sudden jerks when the nerves surged.

He began to sweat and groan as the spasm accelerated.

Nightmare Moon felt the terrible tension in her worry rising without end, her relentless shuffling of paperwork pushing her faster and harder until she saw a single tear fall from his cheek. Her body had become a volcano of molten fire, an erotic fury, capturing the darkness in her room on fire with her beauty, yet gracefully going to him with ease.

She exploded from her seat and towards her human, tossing aside her crown and other pieces to her garment with haste, but that did not help. She had struck her stuck of papers, and now they were scattered across the floor. But that did not matter to her. The schism of fear snaking through her heart, weaving through the frenzy of care, that she might descend into paranoia of Derrick suffering the slightest.

"Derrick," she whispered lovingly as the bed creaked under her. Her hooves worked on his legs, slowly massaging away the pain while her wing kept him firm to the bed.

As if his body had been bitten by a venomous spider, the pain started to leave him, with that silhouette fur soothing every nerve from the tip of his toes to his thighs. His shorts were rolled up to his waistline, and that soft lick of her tongue move across the cuts one by one.

Nightmare Moon gave herself up to the instincts of healing her human, her snout and hooves rubbing across his legs, warmly invigorating, dragging him into what must be paradise. Once again he felt numb, unable to feel the smallest amount of pain, cleansed of the agony he brought upon himself.

The Mare in The Moon kept him from sitting up to watch her, pushing on his chest with her majestic wings. She could feel his heart slowing down, matching the rhythm she started to feel with her own. She worked with the other leg, delicately working her way up to his thigh, his moans soft and joyful.

"Thank you," Derrick whispered. "I doubt I could take much more."

"You are my stallion," she whispered, receiving a confused look from the human as she realized those words slipped from her mouth. She began to blush as her mind went to work about misleading him from the truth.

"You were enduring pain like a filly," said the alicorn, with a smug grin, although the beads of sweat across her brow gave away she was lying. "So I decided to take pity on you until the doctor returns with another dose of your medication."

"Pity, huh?" he grumbled, while crossing his arms. He started to pout as she tenderly squeezed his legs with her wings, forcing a very relaxing 'pop' to his joints. "Well I guess I should feel honored that the Mare in The Moon is kind enough to ease my pain."

Nightmare Moon laughed as she spun around to face him, and her wings did the rest of the work. With her position comfortable, she adhered to the desire of snuggling with Derrick, who happened to be observing her with keen eyes. This time, she took in the satisfying allowance of snuggling with her chin resting against his thighs— nearly lying on top of his crotch— and her mane wrapped around his arm. Nightmare Moon was an oblivious mare when it came to intimacy, her first thought of it was the stallion rutting that same night as a way of courtship. To bathe one another in their scent. But that was then, and this is now. She still had yet to truly understand the term 'snuggling' until she actually followed her sister's advice. . .then she realized just how magnificent that sensation is. It was more gratifying with each moment of her human allowing it, especially on a glum day like this. Quiet nights were the worst for the Dark Alicorn; even though it gives her time to be lazy, there was no fun in that.

"I'm surprised you have good physique considering the structure of your body is very different from ours." Nightmare Moon pointed out when her wings curled around his leg muscles. She knew Derrick to be a man that cares about his figure, but the tone of his body was better than she anticipated. Slightly muscular, actually. It was quite a treat to be corrected of her assumptions, given she observed him from a distance for a few months So, she indulged herself with getting a nice feel for his calves. Derrick, undoubtedly more timid than Fluttershy when it comes to infatuation, turned red as a beet when the alicorn rubbed him in a possessive manner.

"Mine," she whispered to herself.

"How do humans acquire such a muscular appearance?" she continued, this time stroking his abs with her hoof, which was he was not particularly comfortable with. But it's not like he can tell the mare who saved his life stop or to get away from him. Though it did feel nice at first, he was not like most males on Earth or in this world who enjoy having a female touch them so tenderly. He preferred to be left alone, untouched if you will, although he could not deny that Nightmare Moon's touch was very comforting and reassuring.

Nightmare Moon tittered musically as her lust driven movements worked deeper into his personal space. She circled his left peck as the movement of her wings slowed to a gentle glide, her feathers tickling when they reach his feet.

"Big Macintosh had me build a windmill that runs a water channel through Sweet Apple Acres; that is thanks to Discord using a jinx to make the water travel without gravity applied." Derrick said in a nervous tone, his body shivering with delight as she stared at him endearingly. "Building the windmill took a few months, but for it to have constant function required a daily check-up from me. So I lost a bunch of my fat and. . .and. . .gained some muscle throughout the months."

Derrick looked away but Nightmare Moon would have none it. She was very determined to fit herself in his life, without the chance of another coming into the picture; even if it meant having conversation and taking small steps to capture his heart, she was going to do so with wholehearted intention. She stayed her next move and smiled warmly so his blush burned hotter and she could see his wonderful eyes, her hoof firmly in his palm. She inhaled his scent and continued to make him squirm with her charm.

"A handsome, intelligent and hard working stallion who builds things for others," she slowly massaged his left leg, targeting the thigh for his shivering defeat. "It is no wonder why the mares want you all to themselves."

"You mean it was no wonder why the mares wanted me," Derrick sighed deeply and continued to look towards the window, his eyes glossed with painful regret. "Now I'm just a man who has nothing. I've lost everything. My home, my work, my belongings, and my pride. All thanks to Twilight assuming that I am the same as my fellow humans."

He was certainly depressed now. She wondered why that is when it should be a joyous day, because he is free. Nightmare Moon considered this to be a setback to her goal and decided to counter it like most of problems: if were to hinder what she is doing, then she will remove it with swift action. Luckily there was no problem to finding the solution. She recalled the first day Derrick came into her life and resorted to his interests. Nightmare Moon used her magic to pull a single vial with a red liquid from her dresser and levitated it to Derrick, before sitting up and commanding her entire bedroom to shift with the darkness. She knew this would make him happy.

"Drink this." she pulled the cork out, the liquid now tainted to a sinister black.

Derrick cocked an eyebrow at the vial, and then at Nightmare Moon as said darkness replaced part of the room with electronics he believed to be lost, his heart jumping its normal speed. "What the hell are you having me drink in the first place?" He took a closer look at the substance, his nostrils bombarded with a sour odor. "Good god, did the Devil donate some of his blood to you?"

"It is just a powerful extract that I have been holding onto for an emergency situation," she answered enthusiastically, her magic pushing the glass to his lips. "If my assumptions are correct, then the extract will reduce your breaks into fractures and numb whatever is left for the next six hours. And if it does, then you and I will have some fun."

"Fun?" the man questioned. He did not like the sound of this, nor the way his surroundings changed into such a dark atmosphere.

"A game," she quipped with a proud smile. "One you are very familiar with, except you will be teaching me. Now drink the water so we may enjoy ourselves!"

Regrettably, Derrick accepted the fact he was not going to get away from this mare any time soon, so he willingly guzzled the black liquid and waited for the change to end. Once the last drop hit his tongue, his gag reflex kicked in and he was coughing uncontrollably, his eyes watering with disgust. Nightmare Moon mentally grinned, praising herself for such an easy task.

Getting him to drink my blood should have been difficult, but I will not complain.

A surge of black light beamed around his arm and merged the broken bones back into place, before vibrating the hardened casts with a pulse of dark magic. His cuts and scrapes were still untouched for some odd reason, but none of them were felt after the liquid reached his system.

Seeing the results to be true, Nightmare Moon clapped her hooves and laughed victoriously as the first step of her plan came to fruition. This was the second happiest moment in her life—the first being her freedom and rebirth into a real goddess. She squeaked with joy and watched as Derrick's eyes flashed a deep blue similar to hers, before returning to normal when he blinked.

It is true, he can be affected on the inside. Now I just have to wait for his blood to alter. But how long did sister say that will take? A few months or an entire year?

Finally, Derrick regained his ability to breathe, yet he still gagged a little when his stomach finished churning its new content. He glared at the alicorn a little to let her know that was not at all pleased with tasting such a foul liquid.

"That was worse than tasting Celestia and Luna's pussies on our first night in bed. And that was really bad." he gagged for the last time. But little did he know what his words did to Nightmare Moon. If he was using his head right now he would process the hurt in her eyes as she realized his first time being gone. "What the hell did you just have me drink!?"

"Just a simple extract," Nightmare Moon lied, her silver tongue showing. She sighed deeply as the anger from him died in disgust of the taste, but she immediately replaced her attitude with concern rather than slight heartache. It quickly became curiosity when her common sense forced her to rethink what he just said. "Wait, you. . . bred with Celestia and Luna?"

"No," Derrick gagged, his eyes bloodshot. "I'm still a virgin. We simply had oral sex on our third month of dating and slept together. We were going to take it to the next level on the night of the Grand Galloping Gala, but Twilight—as you already know—ruined that and everything else in my life."

"But I thought you and those sun lovers were—"

"Nope. The closest I have come to intimacy is me doing the sixty-nine with Celestia while I finger the shit out of Luna."

Nightmare Moon cringed a little at the idea of the Royal Sisters going so that far with him. She had idea either of the two had the courage to come unhinged and be real mares that have real needs. Though she despises them with all her heart, she could not help being impressed with them.

"So you are still—"

"Yup, I am still a virgin," Derrick said frustratingly, his dignity damaged. It was the last thing he wanted anyone to know. "And the way things are going I am probably going to stay that way for the rest of my life."

Nightmare Moon glared determinedly before sitting up to regain feeling in her legs. So he has not been tainted by Celestia or Luna. Well then, I guess I will have to remedy his purity—in due time that is.

"Anyway, please do not make me drink something like that again," he requested. "I don't think I will live through such a horrible taste a second time."

"Maybe you need to learn to drink like a real stallion," Nightmare Moon giggled into her hoof, receiving the 'bird' from Derrick as he watched more objects from his old home appear. She could not be any happier than to see him act like himself again, as the slightly belligerent man she always knew he was.

After what had to be the most mind-blowing phenomenon in his entire life—this excluding how Pinkie Pie appeared in the tank of his toilet once upon a time—Nightmare Moon's magic no longer touched the room, and everything recognizable to the human was now in front of him, where her dresser and mirror should have been. There were many things Derrick left behind on Earth and in Ponyville, but he never expected any of it to return to him.

Aghast by the sudden kindness of his savior, Derrick stared as she pretended to polish her hoof with a heated breath and wipe against her chest. Vivid, pleasant thoughts flashed through the Night Alicorn's mind as she finished her impressive feat by producing electricity to the largest electronic in the room, namely the first being his gratitude being a hug or a small gain of his trust. It was one of many thoughts she's had for weeks and on the first night she spied on him from inside his room. It was a thought that came to her through the actions of stalking her human with predatory eyes. Her life was full of joy when he came to this world, and that joy became a purpose as she got closer to him.

"You seem surprised rather than grateful." Nightmare Moon mirth, her eyes fluttering in a locked gaze with his. "Is it not pleasing that everything you possess has come back to you, or have I wasted my time and magic to help you adjust to your new home?"

Derrick returned to reality and blushed deeply to Nightmare Moon, biting his lip in embarrassment of her making him flustered.

"Th—Thank you," he stuttered, while his brain tried to process. Nightmare Moon giggled and levitated two familiar controllers to him, before spreading the electricity she commands to his favorite console as well. "But. . .how did you. . .Isn't this. . .bad because—MMPH!?" Derrick broke off, his eyes slightly widened as the Dark Moon Queen kept her hoof pressed to his lips.

"Let's keep this as our little secret," she winked at him, before removing her hoof from his mouth. After enjoying the shock on his cute face, Nightmare Moon activated the console, although it was very difficult since the buttons are flat. "And I would like for you to stop worrying about every little thing. Reality is not going to break or warp if I have your devices in this world."

"Okay, what the hell is with you?" Derrick asked seriously. Nightmare Moon flinched and quietly sat in front of him to try understanding the meaning of his question. Derrick was very patient as she leaned away apprehensively for her own good.

"I. . . do not know what you mean," she paused at him, feeling a little defensive. Confusedly, she pointed at herself and tilted her head at him. "But if you are unable to comprehend who I really am, then I must answer that I am the reformed Nightmare Moon."

"No, no, no. I'm not talking about who you are as a pony," Derrick shook his head in frustration. He was beginning to wonder if this was really the same alicorn that has a mean streak for all lesser beings. "I'm talking about the 'you' that is supposed to be cold and heartless to everyone around her. I'm talking about the Nightmare Moon that will crush anyone and anything that defies her. What happen to that Nightmare Moon?"

Derrick's words struck a hollow spot in the alicorn, and her smile disappeared in a flash. Vague, unpleasant memories flashed through the Dark Queen's mind as she looked away, particularly the first pony that cowered when she returned as a new mare. It was not even a month into her reforming she encountered a Thestral that was alone and injured in the Everfree Forest. She tried to share her love and care for the night creature to ease the agony of his broken hoof. He was not going anywhere in the night, not when the predators of the dense and unforgiving forest surrounded him. She tried again and again to help the poor colt, but his fright stayed her attempts, and through some terrible recollection of her history, the Thestral cowered against one of the trees and begged her to go away. It was through his eyes the Dark Alicorn realized how badly influenced the ponies were, and how she could never redeem herself.

Nightmare Moon returned from the darkness of her mind to find Derrick inches away, his hand touching her hoof to gain her attention as the most unexpected emotion filled her chest.

"Hey, you okay?" Derrick asked genuinely, his hands now reaching to her matted cheeks. His heart started to grieve for the mare, filled with guilt and regret for making her cry. He slid over the helmet and grasped it, before taking it off her head. "Here, let's get this thing off of you."

Before Nightmare Moon could stop the man from removing what masks her face, he slowly pulled it up and revealed the true face of a villain that's learned to have a heart. She blushed behind her tears as he gasped, his hands nearly dropping the helmet.

"Holy shit," Derrick whispered. He could not believe what he was seeing. It had to have been an illusion or some sort mental breakdown from his traumatic event, because there was no way in any universe the Mare in The Moon had such a face. "This is. . .you?"

He blinked multiple times in uncertainty as she stared at him with half-lidded eyes, her tears destroying what little suspicion he had left.

"I see that you are stunned by my hideousness." Nightmare Moon said glumly. As a result, he flinched with disbelief and dropped the helmet to the floor, with her attempting to take it back so it may cover her face. She desperately levitated said helmet and worked quickly to put it on, but the helmet was taken away from her for a second time. She was starting to feel miffed by this. "Release my helm to me at once. I do not want you to see another second of my ugliness."

"Are you serious?" Derrick exasperated, tugging the helmet away from Nightmare Moon. She folded her ears to the back of her head and cringed on the inside as he twitched with excitement. His eyes grew wide, and every meaning to the word "beauty" flew out the window. "You're not ugly at all. You're freaking gorgeous." He looked towards the curtained window, hiding his blush behind his hand as she perked up to his words. "You're. . .hotter than Celestia and Luna put together."

"You find me. . .attractive?" Nightmare Moon muttered with trepidation and curiosity, which really differed her from the monstrous creature she thought out to be. She twirled a hoof through her mane and briefly smiled behind it, tears no longer falling as he realized the statement he just made.

"Oh—uh. . .yeah. I mean. . . you're very beautiful and. . .and it would be a crime to hide such a beautiful face behind a helmet." Derrick immediately frowned at her joyous look, having remembered how inconsiderate he's been with the Dark Queen for the entire day, and gave a deep but depressing sigh. "But I have been thinking of you to be a monster that is trying to manipulate me, when you've really done nothing but treat me like a personal guest."

"It is nothing to worry about," Nightmare Moon waved off his honesty as though it were nothing, uncaring that he assumed like that. She scooted closer to him, laying her hoof into his numb hand. "I am just. . . pleased to know you do not find me to be a horrid monster."

"Regardless, I haven't been grateful for all of this. For you doing all of this for me." He hung his head in shame, wishing he could take back everything he said to her when they were in the old castle. "I. . .I'm sorry for treating you like shit. And. . .And thank you. . .for saving my life."

"As I told you already, it is nothing to worry about. But you are very welcome." She seemed to be completely unfazed by his words, but truth be told, she was stunned to the core. To have someone thank her was by far the most amazing thing she experienced, greater than receiving a smile from her sister. She did not know what to do as her human smiled warmly at her. . but that was when she quickly remembered, he is not a pony, nor any other animal of this world. He has something most ponies do not possess inside themselves, something not even she could ever hope to have.

"You really have changed, haven't you?" Derrick asked out of genuine curiosity. She nodded in response, having, again, no idea what to say. Derrick scratched the back of his head, nervously.

"Maybe if you start showing your real face to others you might get a stallion to ask you."

"Yes, but stallions are too thick-headed to treat a mare the way she wants him to. Besides, my interest is not in a stallion. . .but in you." Nightmare Moon tittered, feeling she could be a little more seductive with the man. In truth, she was now very confident of winning him over with her looks and charm, no more self-conscious thinking or fear. Derrick took that as a compliment and grabbed one of the controllers, albeit with much difficulty.

In Derrick's mind, he was beside the fact that he failed to see past her history and into the real mare she has become. This was the most shameful thing. To believe the Mare in The Moon was still a heartless bitch when she told him the truth to her revival, which had to have been quite a shocker in the beginning. Still, he had to be thankful that she was being so kind and sincere, even though he had been an asshole to her. . .why should he deserve this chance in the first place?

Damn, I really fucked up this one. But maybe I can amends to it by giving her a chance.

"Now that we have grown a little more acquainted with one another—" Nightmare Moon levitated the second controller, rested against his shoulder, and then wrapped the covers around their bodies. "—Care to show me how this oddly shaped contraption works?"

Derrick cocked an eyebrow at her and smiled. "You want to know how to use a PlayStation Four controller?" He asked in a disbelieving tone. She nodded furiously whilst using her magic to see if their dinner was on its way yet. "Okay, since when does a goddess take interest in human technology?"

"Well I cannot kill a living creature, because it would be cruel to do so when I am in a foul mood or want to." she replied in a joking tone, receiving a sudden look of fear from the man. She shrugged her shoulders. "What? I'm not that reformed. I am still a dark and twisted mare that enjoys making others suffer. But you are here with me now, so I must find a better outlet to quench my thirst for blood and death. And what better way than to have you teach me how to play those confusing games you had in your home on Earth."

"Are you for real or pulling my leg?" He looked at her with an incredulous gaze.

"I do not know what you mean, but if I did pull your leg I would either dislocate it or rip it off—depending on the mood I am."

"Okay then, I guess you're being serious. So with the confusion cleared up, let's teach you how to play Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare." he replied, although the little man in his head was telling him to make a break for the door.

"Huzzah! The killing shall begin!" she cheered proudly.

"Figuratively, Nightmare Moon," he clarified, beads of sweat falling down cheek as she nestled in his neck.

"You're adorable when you are nervous. I cannot wait to have you meet my sister when she returns from the Jade Empire."

Great. . . I made friends with, most likely, the hottest sociopath in the entire world.