Twilight's Inner Nightmare

by EclipseGuardian

Chapters

• Chapter 1 - Beginnings (Edited)
• Chapter 2 - Twilight (Edited)
• Chapter 3 - Dusk and Dawn
• Chapter 4 - The Past Part 1
• Chapter 5 - A Mother's Love (Edited)
• Chapter 6 - Morning and Dreams

Chapter 1 - Beginnings (Edited)

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1000 Years Ago

Castle of the Royal Pony Sisters

Silent Dusk

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“No…..no! This can't be!!” I screamed as the wind whipped through my purple ethereal mane. “MOTHER!!”

“Your Highness! We must retreat! The Day Guard are pushing us back!!

I turned to my commander with a seething glare. “I know!!! But we must continue our assault!!” I roared while stomping my left forehoof into the dirt.

My bat-winged commander shrank back under my intense gaze, but kept his tone somewhat steady. “F-Forgive me My Princess...but if we continue this endeavor we’ll-”

Cutting him off I scoffed. “Fine!! ...” Turning back to my Mother’s moon, I realized it now had a silhouette of a mare across its surface. “Retreat ...all forces retreat…”

The overwhelmed bat-winged ponies gathered what they could, than turned tail into the underbrush of The Everfree Forest. More than half of our forces had been wiped out by the army commanded by the Sun Goddess, and her three Captains. The battle lasted only one night, we overwhelmed our adversaries, but when my mother Nightmare Moon was hit with the Elements our forces' morale was a  ghost of what it was three hours ago.

I, the Alicorn known as Silent Dusk watched with tear stained eyes as my forces pulled back. My body had a very pale purple coat, which was covered with several pieces of armour. Black obsidian greaves , a black peytral made of the same material, with a magenta star burst on the front, and a black plated helmet with a wickedly sharp and long slender horn protruding from it. The Cutie Mark on my flank was a magenta star burst with a black crescent moon covering it.

“This wasn't supposed to happen...we had everything planned.” I said quietly without turning my gaze from the moon.

“Your Highness”

“Yes, what is it Commander Steel Point?” I asked

He saluted out of respect more than out of fear. “All of our surviving have pulled back but we lost many of our finest and only Captain Shade Hoof’s group hasn't reported in.” Steel Point bowed when I gave him a sideways look.

“I see…commander you may leave I will return later I...I wish to be alone” The commander looked at me with an unsure expression but nodded his head and ran into the woods.

Standing rooted to the spot where I saw my Mother being banished into the Moon, I thought to myself. ‘Why? Am I alone now? …’ I could feel some tears appearing in the corners of my eyes. "This is all HER fault...yes it’s all HER doing” I growled flying into the abandoned castle while keeping an eye out for The Day Guard, seeing no one around; I trotted into the duel throne room and glared at the Solar Throne.

“My Dear Aunt Celestia is to blame for this.” I said, spitting the name out like poison. I thought for a moment before breaking out into a laugh that echoed through the halls. “How ludicrous! To think I’m related to that- that monster!” I screamed, not caring if anypony heard me.

I began destroying whatever I could set my sights on. Although, I almost could of sworn I heard hoof steps coming from behind me. I paid them no attention while I wrecked the unfortunate castle. I continued to wreck whatever I could in my blind rage for about an hour until collapsing on the stone floor of the Elements Chamber, breaking out into loud wails that could be heard throughout the area.

“Mother please come back, don’t leave me alone…” I pleaded to my beloved mother Nightmare moon even if I knew that she couldn't hear my weak voice.

The sounds of hoof steps stopped in front of me and I felt a hoof on my right shoulder. Opening my grey draconic eyes with a start and gazing up at whoever was there, but when my eyes focused on the other pony’s face they went wide eyed and I jumped back several feet with a snarl.

“You!! What are you doing here!?!”

The one in front of me was also an Alicorn of my height, but had a multi-hued pastel mane, with a white coat, gold hoofcuffs, a gold torque and a gem encrusted tiara. Her purple eyes gazed solemnly at the mine. “Dusk…I-”

“Silence Celestia!! You banished my Mother you're own flesh and blood!! You don't have the right to speak to me!!” I hated this mare with a passion, even more now she since she was the one who banished the one who gave me life.

Celestia flinched at my hate filled and heartbroken voice but took a deep breath and continued. “My Niece, you must understand I did not want to banish Luna but...” She took another breath and from I could deduce decided that taking a calm, care filled tone would calm my rage. “She was not herself, at least not entirely…”

“Do you think that I would want to hear this!? My Mother was a gentle pony that only wished that her selfish subjects would appreciate her and her Night!!” How dare she try to defend herself.

“I Know that but ...please listen-”

I cut her off again. “Shut up! It’s you! You’re the problem!! You stole all of my Mother’s glory and adoration!! They, all of Equestria and you did not care for her…” I started sobbing again at the thought of the pain my mother was in for all those years.

The white mare started having a difficult time keeping her own tears in check I saw and slowly made her way to where I stood.

As she reached me, I powered up my horn and fired a powerful magic bolt at her. She flew into the air just before the bolt hit her. “Stop Dusk! I don’t wish to fight you!!” The Solar Princess cried but I paid her pleas no heed and continued firing magic at her.

Laughing darkly I sneered. “What? You fought and banished my Mother without an issue so why play this game with me!?!” I screamed while charging at Celestia head on.

I whirled around and bucked Celestia in the chest with my hind legs sending her reeling into the far wall. The white Alicorn grinded her teeth as she stood up attempting to ignore her injuries, but I knew she was injured. I flew up and went outside beckoning Celestia to fight me in the skies.

“Weak you are so WEAK!!” I taunted.

Celestia grimly glared at me and flew into the sky. “Stop this! This will only bring ruin for the both of us!!”

I grinned like a mad mare and proceeded to laugh again as a dark purple glow enveloped my form. “No Aunty Celestia I will bring ruin to you!!” I yelled as I flew over Celestia and dive bombed her.

“Then I have no choice again” Celestia frowned from I could tell was an anguished look and started glowing white and charged at me with her horn drawn.

Our locked horns in a heated frenzy both trying to overpower the other. I knocked Celestia back and unleashed a shower of ice spells at her while the white mare melted the projectiles with a heat shield.

Celestia narrowly avoided several beams of Dark Magic from me. Lucky her, I barely ever miss with those. Storm clouds began to form above us as the princess circled me and I just continued to glare at her while keeping my horn charged.

‘Dusk is serious about this' was the kind of expression I saw on her annoying muzzle. I had enough and I screamed. “Stop running away and fight me!!”

I charged again at my aunt only to be tackled by her with the force of a hurricane. We both started descending to the forest floor while I tried to free myself but Celestia kept her grip tight with magic. Crashing into the middle of a clearing I just barely saw Celestia backing off in the nick of time and landed safely away from the crater I created from the impact

“Graaaaaahhhhhhhhh!!!!” I howled in pain.

I could feel bit of pain my body was in but thanks to my Alicorn genes it was not overly injured. Slowly but surely I managed got back to  all four hooves. I looked up and Celestia was watching with tears falling freely down her cheeks.

Several Day Guard who overheard the battle from afar appeared in the forest clearing but kept their distance from me in sheer confusion and fear. I figured they heard and had paid witness to the magical might from my skirmish with Celestia so they have a right to stay away but they remained stoic as much as they could and awaited orders from their Princess and Ruler.

Celestia just stared at me. Injured and angered, I could barely move. She wiped the tears from her face but I was too enraged to make sense of it. “Please Dusk stop, I don’t wish harm you anymore…”

I just laughed. “Foal! You will all fall to me!! And I will free my Mother so she can bring absolute fear to you all!!" A maniacal laugh escaped my mouth soon after.

Celestia closed her eyes and appeared to be thinking deeply.

What she did next would stay with me forever. She lit her horn and it began to shine brightly.

I stopped laughing and narrowed my eyes at Celestia. I questioned what has happening. ‘What is she doing now!?’

Celestia started chanting in an unknown dialect as her horn summoned long white tendrils that forcefully wrapped themselves around me. Becoming wide eyed I struggled to free my. I bucked, kicked my forelegs, and tried flying but to no avail. The bonds were just too strong.

“Wha-What are you doing to me!!??”

“I’m so sorry Dusk but you are just too dangerous to yourself and others” She explained as she finished the spell.

“Dangerous!? I ‘m dangerous!? Release me!! Now!!”

“Forgive me…” My vision began darker and I finally started to fall unconscious.

The first thing I noticed as her spell fizzled out was my form, what was once a pale purple coat was now a deeper lavender colour, my wings vanished, and I was now the size of a 3 year old filly. My once ethereal mane and tail were now solid and had a deep purple colour with a pink streak down the middle that sat just on both sides of my now tiny horn.

I, Silent Dusk the daughter of Princess Luna/Nightmare Moon was now a tiny 3 year old Unicorn.

“Princess, Your Majesty what just happened?” One of her Day Guard asked.

Celestia didn't answer right away as she trotted up to me and warily scooped up my prone form in her wings gently.

“Something I’ll never forget my…little pony” I heard her say before I blacked out.

Chapter 2 - Twilight (Edited)

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Present Day

Golden Oaks Library

Twilight Sparkle

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I tossed and turned with my blankets thrown haphazardly around the bed and floor, while groaning and sweating profusely. ‘Where am I... ‘ I thought myself.

“Twilight...Twilight?” A voice spoke out from somewhere.

"Uh-Wha? Spike? That you?" I asked, sitting up from my spot on the bed.

"Yeah, you alright? You were sweating... a lot." Spike said, looking up at me friend worriedly

“Oh” I dragged myself out of bed and trotted to the bathroom. “Heheh must have had a bad dream last night” I remarked as I looked at my reflection in the mirror.

From the corner of eye I saw Spike standing in the doorway. “It must have been very bad, you were screaming and kicking in the middle of the night. I woke up to try calm you but you kicked me” I heard him grunt as he rubbed the spot on his head where an obvious bruise was visible.

“I did?....Oh! Spike I am so sorry are you okay?!” I looked at him in a panicked state.

“Whoa whoa Twilight I’m just fine. It’s just a bruise.”

“Oh I hope I didn't give you a concussion! Or brain damage...oh! That would so terrible of me-”

“Twilight! I’m okay!” Spike pulled my head down to his and gave me a stern look. “Relax I’m not damaged.”

Grinning sheepishly I replied. “I almost did it again didn't I?”

“A panic attack? Yeah.” He let go of me then headed out of the room. “Breakfast is ready when you are Twi!” I heard Spike call from downstairs.

“Okay thanks Spike!” I replied maybe a little too quickly. “Anyway what are these dreams about? Every night this month I have been having them.” I thought closing my eyes for a few moments and then I remembered something very similar from the past… “This closely resembles those nightmares me and my friends had when the nightmare energy took Rarity from us. Even though Nightmare herself wasn't there somehow some of her energy gained sentience”

I snapped my eyes open and began to panic again but shacked my head furiously. “No that’s absurd we already defeated Nightmare Moon and that energy was purified by our Harmony magic.” As I turned to the door the scent of pancakes filled my nostrils. “Oh Spike must be making blueberry pancakes this time.”

Making my way down the stairs I noticed how clean the library was, every shelf and book has been dusted and re-shelved. “Hmm everything is clean but...how long was I asleep?”

“About 10 hours”

“Ahhhhhhhh!! Spike don’t do that!” I glared at him for a moment.

Spike only snickered. “Sorry Twilight but you were asleep for much longer than usual.”

Sighing I asked. “10 hours did you say?” Spike nodded. “Great, just great I am so behind on my schedule.” I grumbled as I made my way into the kitchen and sat at the circular table. I noticed with slight amusement by just how many pancakes were actually on our plates. “Just how many did you make Spike?”

“Well most of them were going to be for me...but considering how badly you've sleeping recently, I thought you could use a pick-me up.”

“Thank you my Number One Assistant” I replied by fondly giving him a quick hug.

“Twilight that's-" I heard him trail off for just a second. "...It's no trouble Twi”

After letting him go I asked. “Did any of the girls come by while I was out?”

“Yeah they did, except Applejack she’s in Apploosa right now, something about a family get together or something.”

Spike shrugged than began to dig into his pancakes. 'For just a baby dragon he sure eats a lot' I giggled before also devouring my own breakfast.

About half an hour later we finished breakfast and head out into town to begin my schedule for the day. Ponyville was about three weeks into spring so the winter frost was long gone but some frozen grass could still be seen here and there. I looked up to see a rainbow trail pass above clearly meaning Rainbow Dash was busy clearing the sky of clouds with the weather team. Probably so she could hang hangout with somepony or take a nap.

“Seems like Dash is pretty busy this morning” I heard Spike point out.

“Yeah when she not napping.” I giggled.

“Hey Twilight I forgot to mention this earlier, but Princess Celestia is coming to visit soon”

“...What!?! How could you forget that and-”  For just a moment I felt an overpowering anger at the mention of the Princess’ name which completely cut off my rant before it even began. “Wha-what was I ...Where did THAT come from?”

“Eh…” Spike noticed my odd look. “Okay where did what come from?” He asked tilting his head to the side.

“I don’t know, besides your forgetfulness I suddenly felt angry for an...ugh never mind. What time did the Princess say she was coming to town?” I continued walking if only to shake off that anger from wherever it came from.

Spike gave me a skeptical look but answered. “Around 3 I think… so about in four hours since it’s 11 o’clock right now.” He stated as we entered Sugarcube Corner.

“Okay then” I took a moment to think. ‘Why did I feel angry like that? Especially at the mention of my mentor?’ As I was lost in my own thoughts, I failed to notice everything seemed to stop around me until I bumped my muzzle into a wall and landed flat on my haunches.

“Ow” I looked up and heard a voice coming from nowhere.

“Twilight”

“Huh? Was that you Spike?” I turned around only to see nopony around. “Hey, where is everypony?”

“Don’t ignore me little mare”

“Wh-who’s there?!”

“Me or what was me” The voice growled.

“What’s that supposed to mean? Answer me!”

“You know exactly what I meant Twilight! ...But that’s not important right now.”

I started breaking out in a cold sweat as this creepy voice sent chills down my spine. It sounded so cold and angry, like a snake protecting itself from a threat.

“Soon very soon your entire world will fall apart and the ones you cherish the most will suffer” The voice was obviously feminine but was I was too scared to notice. The voice laughed as it continued. I will enjoy those days when I am free of this infernal prison.”

Swallowing the fear that was trying to pour over, I yelled. “Who are you and what do want with my friends?!?”

“All you need to know right now is the name …Dusk” The voice laughed across my ears.

“Dusk?...W-w-well Dusk I will not allow whatever you are planning to happen”

“You don’t have a choice foal....” The voice vanished as light returned to my vision.

“Twi...ligh…”

“Ugh”

“Twilight! ...wak…com...on! Twilight!”

Jumping to my haunches in surprise my looked around and noticed that I was laying down in the middle of the bakery. “What happened Spike and where is that voice?”

“Voice? What are talking about Twi? You suddenly passed out on the floor!”  Spike exclaimed while he was helping me to my hooves. “Geez , are you sure you’re okay? That scared me.”

“I’m fine Spike just tired is all.”

“I don’t know Twilight maybe you should get some more rest.”

“Oh is one my bestest best friends tired?!” A loud cheery voice called out from behind the bakery’s counter. “I have just the thing!” I twisted my swiftly and saw Pinkie Pie pulled out a very large bullhorn from out of who knows where. “A wake-me-up-bullhorn!” I lit my horn knowing what  was about to happen as Pinkie took a deep breath.

“Everypony run for it!” A stallion called out.

“Oh no not again” I heard Mrs. Cake groan.

Before anypony could get a hoof outside Pinkie blew on the horn which caused every pony in the bakery to fly into the walls and out the door with the exception of Mrs. Cake who I noticed ran into the kitchen then closed the door. I luckily put up a barrier around myself and Spike before the Pinkie’s explosive antic.

“Pinkie! Was that necessary!?” I exclaimed dropping the barrier.

She giggled. “Silly Twilight of course it was.” She said as she waved her hoof at me dismissively.

I blinked then rolled my eyes and sighed. “Right.”

“Oh whoops sorry teehee! Sorry Twi-Twi!” Pinkie said as she started bouncing around me.

“I guess it’s just Pinkie Pie being Pinkie Pie. Anyway how are the orders coming along?” I managed to regain some of my composure but couldn't get my mind away from thoughts about that creepy voice from earlier.

“Just fine actually I’ll be heading to Canterlot soon to help out your old buddy Donut Joe!” Pinkie happily exclaimed.

I put up a forced smile. “Oh? That’s great ...Spike we should get going and finish the schedule see you later Pinkie” Spike hopped on my back as we left the building while Pinkie Pie waved from the corner of my vision before heading back to work.

“Hey Twilight that wasn’t much of a reaction.” Spike pointed out clearly with another worried tone which I noted but pointedly shrugged off.

“Hmm? Oh I guess not…”

Eventually I began to feel sick to my stomach while a painful headache formed. I couldn't prevent my body from wobbling back and forth than I collapsed on the dirt street.

“Twilight! Are you okay?!” Spike exclaimed.

“Spike”

“I’m here hold on I’ll get help!” I saw him looking to the sky and he gasped. I turned my head over a bit and saw a golden chariot coming our way.

Princess Celestia and her guards descended from the sky, the aforementioned princess went wide eyed at the sight of me former faithful student lying in the middle of the road. Celestia jumped off the chariot and galloped to reach me. “Get help from the hospital immediately!” The guards nodded and flew to the hospital.

“Her breathing isn't good Princess!” My vision began to blur.

I could feel Celestia's warm magic envelope me and levitate me onto her back. The guards eventually arrived with the medics in tow.

“Hold on Twilight”

In the far reaches of my mind I heard the voice again. Angry whispers and laughter filled the void while that female voice spoke. “Soon…”

Chapter 3 - Dusk and Dawn

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1 Day Later

Ponyville General Hospital

Twilight Sparkle

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“Oh my head” I groaned out as my eyes gazed around the white hospital room.

“Hey girls she’s awake!”

“Darn tootin’ Sugarcube” Applejack said with a relieved sigh.

“Hey egghead you alright?” Rainbow Dash asked me.

“I think so…” I trailed off not entirely sure myself.

“Oh thank goodness Twilight” I turned to see a very concerned Celestia enter the room. “I was so worried” She said with a soft smile.

“Princess I...what happened exactly?” I asked while attempted to sit up.

“Well…” Celestia began to go over the past day while I was unconscious…

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Silent Dusk

'Ugh this is ridiculous she’s right in front of me, and here I am still trapped in her damn seal. I was so close to breaking it but Celestia had to show up and strengthen the seal while this fake mare was out cold.'

I paced around in circles while going through reasons as to why I hated Celestia. My wings were fluttering irritably, thinking about her always made me mad.

'First ignoring my Mother than banishing her inside our beloved Moon. She’s the worst and considering that she hasn’t even told Twilight anything about me...ARGH! I hate her SO much!'

Stomping my hooves like a filly throwing a tantrum caused the mindscape to rumble. I thought for a moment only to sigh angrily. Sitting on my haunches I shook my head side to side as my ears drooped.

''Being trapped here while my Mom is being controlled by Her is just horrid. I will never forget that night she had finally escaped her lunar prison…'

(Flashback)

“You little foal! Thinking you could defeat me!” Nightmare Moon said while she glared at a terrified lavender Unicorn.

‘Mother! Destroy her and free me please! I can’t stand being away from your side inside this mare's feeble soul!’ Dusk pleaded from her mental prison within Twilight’s mind.

“Now you will never see your Princess or your Sun!” Nightmare stated as she sent her magic across the room. Lightning sparked from her mane which gave her a terrifying visage.

“The Night will last FOREVER!!!” She then continued with a sinister laugh as Twilight’s hope almost ran dry.

‘YES! It’s over for you foal and all of Equestria will pay for their transgressions against your true rulers! At last freedom!’ I excitedly laughed.

As I and Nightmare continued our triumphant laughter several familiar voices appeared behind Twilight. I stopped while Twilight turned her head around to see her friends arrive.

‘Those foalish mares. It’s too late! You can’t hope to stop a Goddess now that those cursed Elements are shattered!’

“You think you can just destroy the Elements of Harmony just like that!?” Twilight turned to Nightmare Moon with confident grin.

‘Wait... what is that magic that just appeared out there? No it couldn't be.’

“Well you’re wrong because the spirits of the Elements of Harmony...are right here!” Twilight said as her friends stood behind her. The shards around the Nightmare start to glow and float in the air.

“What?” Nightmare replied shocked.

“Applejack who assured me while I was in doubt represents the spirit of Honesty! Fluttershy who tamed the Manticore with her compassion represents the spirit of Kindness!. Pinkie Pie who giggled in the face of danger represents the spirit of Laughter!”

‘No…’

“Rarity who calmed a sorrowful serpent with a meaningful gift represents the spirit of Generosity! And Rainbow Dash who could not abandon her friends for her hearts’ desire represents the spirit of Loyalty!”

‘NO!’ I screamed.

“The spirits of these five ponies got us through every challenge you threw at us!”

Nightmare began to panic. “You still don’t have the sixth Element! The spark didn’t work!”

“But it did...a different kind of spark. I felt it the very moment I realized how happy I was hear you, to see you, how much I cared about you. the spark ignited inside me when I realized that you all ...are my friends!!” Twilight let a few tears out as she turned back to Nightmare Moon.

‘This again…not again!!’

Finally the sixth Element appeared.

“You see Nightmare Moon” Twilight continued. “When those Elements are ignited by the-the spark that resides inside the hearts of us all it creates the sixth element the Element of MAGIC!”

The Elements formed into five gold necklaces and a gold tiara dropped itself on Twilight’s head.

‘STOP!!’ I yelled as a Rainbow beam formed around them and span toward Nightmare Moon. Much to my horror I could only watch and wait as the Elements ended my hopes for uniting with my mother and bringing Eternal Night.

“Nooooo!! NOOOOOOO!!” Dusk’s mother screams in defiance.

‘Why?...WHY?!?’

My vision gwent blurry as a bright light enveloped the chamber.

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(End Flashback)

“I couldn't do anything again it’s not fair...” I began to cry.

“D-Damn it *sob* Will I ever be F-free? Twilight is living MY life! *sob* B-b-being trapped here without my mommy’s warm embrace ... IT’S NOT FAIR!!!”

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“Ahhhhhhhh!!” Flowing tears began to fall down Twilight’s face as an intense pain surged through her head.

“Twilight!” Everypony in the room ran to her.

My voice cut through Twilight’s own. “Let me out! NOW!!”

Celestia gasped. ”Oh no Dusk” All eyes turned to her.

“I know you’re there Celestia! This is not fair! Break this seal and let see me my Mother!!”

“Who is that?!” Rarity looks around trying to identify the voice.

*meep* Is all Fluttershy managed to get out.

“Dusk! Now let me out-” Celestia put a quick sleep spell on Twilight.

“Why did you that!?” Rainbow yells as she glared at the white Alicorn.

“Everypony I have something to share with you all.”

‘One day ….’ I growled angrily.

‘Dusk just who are you?’ Twilight asked before she fell asleep once more.

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'She stopped me AGAIN! She has not changed one bit, not in a thousand years. No more waiting I WILL escape.

'But how? Every time I tried in the past something always got in my way, when that fool Discord escaped I was so close but his arrogance got him turned to stone again by the Elements which caused my seal to fix itself.

'Maybe it was for the better, he would have been a bother in my Mother's future reign anyway.'

'*sob* No I must not break down again I already exposed my presence to those pesky Element bearers. If I could just break a small hole in the seal I could access some of my magic again.

'Discord and Sombra were on to something with those mind control spells, turning Twilight against her friends could perhaps weaken the seal so I could break free.'

I sat on the cold ground of my prison setting up a plan in my 'mind', finally something came to my. 'Anger MY anger could work, pumping this little mare with my hate is perfect.'

'Just you wait Twilight Sparkle you'll feel every last bit of my hatred!' I laughed darkly.

Chapter 4 - The Past Part 1

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15 Years Before Nightmare Moon’s Banishment

Castle of Moonlight

Silent Dusk

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“Mom I don’t understand this.” I said reading a tome on dreamwalking. I had been learning how my mother banishes nightmares or creates them to find ponies who had been less than faithful to the Alicorn sisters, namely assassins or traitors to the crown.

“Well Dusk take a closer look here” My mother Princess or Queen of the Night to me, Nightmare Moon looked at the tome in front of me and pointed with her hoof. “Dreams are created by the sub-conscience, with our Lunar Magic we can dive into them and manipulate certain aspects of the dreams ponies have.”

I looked at the text again while thinking about what my mother told me. After a few seconds of mental debate I nodded. “Okay I think I got it.” Lighting up my horn in a dark purple glow I turned the page and continued reading and taking notes on a piece of parchment levitating beside me; books and studying are what I do best after all. ‘I almost feel bad for the librarians during one of my late night reading sessions’ I thought to myself with a quiet laugh.

“Good, you’re doing wonderfully my little daughter.” I heard Nightmare praise but I only rolled my eyes at the name ‘little daughter’.

“Mom I’m not little anymore, I’m already your height” Rising to my full height and unfurling my wings to prove my point. My mother only laughed at me with an amused smile. “What’s so funny, I’m serious here.” I couldn’t help but smirk a little at the stupid look on her face.

“Indeed you are as tall as I am but you’re still little in my eyes. So are you almost finished?” She asked while I looked back to my notes.

Making sure all the correct words and diagrams were written down I picked up the tome with my magic and placed it back into its spot on the shelf beside other books about Lunar Magic. Making absolutely certain it was in the correct spot I counted the shelf numbers by flying up and  looking over each and every book on the top shelf.

After landing back on all four of my hooves, I watched my mother trot past me with a ‘come with me’ kind of look. I was a little timid as we passed some batpony maids in the hallway but said nothing, I’m still not entirely comfortable around them. Their eyes are the same as my mother’s but they had that creepy stoic look plastered on their faces whenever I looked at them.

My mother took me to her favourite balcony in the castle which makes sense since you could see all of Equus from here.Yep we live on the Moon, mother didn’t want her sister to know about me yet. She didn’t say why exactly just something along the lines of ‘I don’t want to share you’ I still don’t quite understand yet, but I don’t care much. Being with the one who gave me life is good enough.

“So did you want talk about something Mom?” I asked as she gazed at the planet.

She didn’t respond immediately which confused me since she has always been so open with me.

“Nightmare?” I used her name this time hoping I could get her to say something.

“Oh...sorry Dusk, I have been thinking about my sister recently” She said still not looking at me.

Okay now I’m actually concerned, my mother doesn’t talk about Celestia unless it’s serious.

“You can tell me” I smiled at her while wrapping one of my pale purple wings across her withers.

Nightmare finally looked at me with a grateful smile. “Of course I can you are my daughter.” Then her face became darker and more grim, a look I have never seen before. “It would seem my sister has been asking for my presence in the Day Court more often lately, much to my dismay.” She closed her eyes briefly before she turned to stare at Equus once more.

“I...see” I didn’t like the sound of that. I personally haven’t met my aunt more than twice before, in disguise of course. And already I disliked her. She seemed so...ignorant. “When is she expecting you?”

She narrowed her eyes as she spoke. “Today” That was all she said to my question before taking off into the lunar atmosphere and disappearing in a flash.

That was odd. She never left me without a warm hug or a reassuring smile; something about all of this for some reason made my blood boil. I turned around and stormed down the hallway to my private room, though it was more of a villa of sorts. I even I had my own garden. Lunar roses and lilies on every hedge and bush, but as pretty as they were, my favourite was the lone flower in the center of my little garden. The flower itself was the very first one my mother ever gave me, it’s blue and white tipped petals and white stem standing proudly in its vase.

“Ah, my Moon’s Tear, still as full as the night it was given to me.” I smiled while bringing over a watering can with my magic and gently pouring water over the leaves. “Bloom little flower, Dusk will take care of you…” I thought for a moment 'I have had this flower for quite a while now' it needed a name. “Hmm...What should I call you little sis?” While I didn’t have any siblings this flower a was gift from from my mom so I fondly called it my ‘little sis’ It filled that hole in my heart whenever mother wasn’t around. “Oh I know! Since my name name is Silent Dusk for the time before the Night, I shall call you Twilight Sparkle just before the night turns to day.” I liked it. I may not like my aunt much even with with little knowledge on her, I still enjoyed the day when I was on Equus.

I brushed its leaves for a while before I decided to head to bed since I wasn’t sure how long my mother would be gone for this time. ‘I really do wonder sometimes what Celestia is actually like.’ I thought before drifting off into a dream filled sleep.

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When I opened my eyes, I was standing in a familiar throne room gazing up at a pair of thrones. Immediately, I realized this was the throne room my mother and her sister Celestia shared down on Equus.

"Proceed." I spun my head over at the solar throne on which Celestia sat as she spoke. Turning my head the other way, I saw that the entirety of the room was filled almost to the brim with noble ponies. I scoffed at the thought of them being "nobles", true nobles fought for truth and justice, and cared for the less fortunate. These cretins wouldn't even give a friendly greeting for a passing servant.

'Do I have to be here? These ponies are just giving me nasty glares mother.' I thought to Luna using telepathy.

I could hear her mentally sigh. 'I'm afraid so Dusk. I wanted you to meet my sister incognito, but these infuriating nobles insisted on having the both of us handle their pointless issues.'

"Sister? You are being spoken to." Celestia hissed quietly at my mother, I only barely heard her through our telepathic link.

"Huh? Oh right, ahem, ...what were thee asking?"

I toned out the rest of court. Politics bored me, I'd rather spend my afternoon reading whatever books the library had in stock. But I couldn't just leave the throne room by teleporting, since I'm supposed to be a pegasus right now, so no magic.

I rolled my eyes over to my mother's appearance. In public, she would glamour herself into her "Luna" form, and when in private with me, revert back to Nightmare. I asked her about it once, she said that Luna was her real name but Nightmare Moon was her "true form". Celestia of course had no knowledge of this, we deliberately kept this information to ourselves. I still don't know the difference between both "forms" so I just sighed and continued to drown out the noise around me until court was over.

Once the stuck-up nobles were gone my mother spoke. "I have somepony for you to meet sister." She gestured with a hoof over in my direction.

"Oh? Come forward my little pony, so I can see you." I slowly trotted out the dark corner I tried to crawl into during the meeting. Celestia looked up and down over my form with a questioning eye. "Dear sister who is this young filly?"

Luna flew over to me and gave a warm smile before turning back her sister. "I'll be blunt sister...I wish to adopt her."

Celestia blinked, and I cringed internally. "What? Luna you know we can't have children."

Luna straightened her posture. "I know that, but she has nopony else to take care of her."

"Luna I-" We heard a very loud noise behind the doors, and in came a very large black scaled dragon.

"Princesses, we have very urgent business to discuss..."

I fainted before I heard what happened next.

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I awoke the next “morning” to the sound of loud knocking but not from a hoof but from the door hitting the side of the wall. I sleepily gazed at it before pulling the covers off and trotted to it. “Is the door broken again? I could have sworn I had it fixed last month.” I ignored the door and went into the hallway but noticed that nopony was around not even the maids or my personal guards.

I began to panic. “What is this? Where are my guards!?” I teleported right in front of my mother’s chamber. “Mom! Are you there!?” I moved to knock on the doors but when I touched them they opened up[,] much to my surprise. Walking into the room, I gasped at the state it was in, everything was covered in dust and even my mother’s rather large bed was filled with holes. “Wh-what happened here?”

“Dusk my daughter” I spun around and sure enough there was my mother but for some reason was in her ‘Luna’ form. “You must come with me to Equus we’re not safe here anymore.” She looked like she hasn't slept in days.

“Why? What has happened Mom?” I timidly asked as I nuzzled her neck.

She smiled at me and returned the affection with her own nuzzle. My mother pulled back and gave me a weary look which looked a bit odd given her current shorter stature compared to my own. “When I left the Moon last time Celestia and I had a disagreement.” She said with a sigh, I cringed slightly. “She said I can’t come to the moon anymore. Dusk you have been asleep for five years.”

I froze at that. “F-F-Five years?” Luna nodded. “...WHAT!?!” I yelled much louder than I intended.

“Dusk you were drugged with a sleep potion. There was a traitor amongst our servants. A solar fanatic who found out about you, tricked the other servants, and waited until I was gone to put you under a powerful sleeping potion.” She teared up and gripped me tightly. “I am SO sorry my dear, sweet daughter. It took me far too long break its hold over you.  But don’t worry I’ll be with you from now on and that accursed stallion paid with his life.”

“Y-you killed him?” I questioned her as I nuzzled into her soft fur as if I was a little filly again.

“Yes, he deserved it for harming you.” I recognized her voice right away, it was back being Nightmare Moon’s tone, the voice I first heard in my life. It made me feel safe. So safe in fact that it even beat my strongest shields...well that’s not a very good comparison but it felt appropriate. “Now come along Dusk we must return to Equus.”

“Alright Mother Moon” I smiled at her as we flashed out of sight.

Chapter 5 - A Mother's Love (Edited)

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5 Days Since Silent Dusk’s Resurface

Canterlot Castle

Princess Celestia

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I paced around in circles, unsure of what my actions may have wrought. I was positive that my hooves had begun to put a rut into the floor of my bedchambers. I stopped and looked around. “I have to stop pacing like this, not sure this poor floor of mine can take much more.” I sighed as I made my way over to my bed and plopped myself onto its soft cloud-like covers.

I thought about what transpired between me and Twilight’s friends five days ago. Their reactions differed obviously, but I also did not give them the whole truth. They were very scared about who Silent Dusk was, since they all heard her outburst. Rarity fainted once I revealed that Twilight had another, more violent-side to her, and that I had to suppress it with a powerful sealing spell to keep it in check. I could feel my wings rustling in agitation for that lie.

Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash did not say anything, oddly enough. I was sure they would have been the first of Twilight’s close friends to ask questions over her condition. Applejack explained that she cancelled her trip to Appleloosa when she heard Twilight collapsed. And then there was Twilight’s odd but hyperactive friend Pinkie Pie, asked so many questions, and so quickly, I couldn’t keep up with her until I only heard gibberish coming from her mouth.

Spike was, for the most part holding up the best. He did everything he could to make Twilight as comfortable as possible, such as bringing fresh water for her whenever she awoke for a short time before passing out again.  Such maturity for such a young drake.

My dear sister, Luna, has not left Twilight’s side since I brought her to Canterlot. I could only guess that she was very concerned over her friend/daughter. Oh I was such a foal for using that forbidden spell on her daughter, If only the Elements of Harmony hadn't abandoned me when I banished Nightmare Moon. I could’ve used them on…

“NO!! I will not think about such a thing. We know very little about the true power of the Elements, who knows what might have happened if they were used on Silent. Luna would not forgive me if anything worse happened to her daughter.” I shuddered at the thought. Rolling under the covers, I summoned my magic to bring down the sun after it’s daily route across the sky. “I will make this right one way or another, dear sister. You, your daughter, and my student must not suffer for my own failures anymore.” I stated before letting sleep over take me.

______________________________________________________________________________

Twilight’s Tower

Princess Luna

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She was so beautiful, my little filly; so full of life, so determined to keep me happy and proud of her. Dusk was always like that, even during nights when I was elsewhere, of course she always had my Night Guard or Duskclaw, a dragon who had pledged himself to me, to watch over my daughter when the need arose.

When she learned Elemental magic one night, she accidentally froze half of my garden and an unfortunate gardener pony. Turns out her affinity for Ice Magic was a little more than her young mind could comprehend at the time. When I returned she almost tackled me and broke down for “ruining” my private garden. I smiled at the memory. She was so cute back then.

She did not deserve to be sealed away like I did. “Oh Dusk, can you hear me young one? Mother is here. I want to hear your voice again, to hold you in my hooves once more.” I almost didn’t notice my hooves reaching out to Twilight’s prone form in the bed, so I pulled back immediately. “No I must not, Twilight is unaware of her true nature...but” My hooves reached out again and I began to pet Twilight’s mane lovingly.

“We were so close back then...the Moon and the Stars”

“Yes we were, weren’t we?” I heard another voice call out from somewhere unseen but didn’t pay much attention to it. “Silent Dusk”

“...Yesss. My beautiful Daughter.” My vision began to blur and only seemed focused on Twilight.

“All together, together forever, forever...FOREVER…”

My eyes shot into focus as I gazed into the mirror that sat across the room.

They were reptilian.

I held my hooves over my mouth to a screech, so as to not awake to Twilight. “No...Th-this cannot be…”

“Luna...there you are”

“N-Nightmare...n-n-no you’re gone, the E-elements destroyed you!” I exclaimed quietly.

“Oh, how quaint. But surely you are more worried about our daughter than me right?”

“Y-Yes but how does that-”

“Ah-ah, we will get there Night Princess.” I shivered as a large apparition trotted out of the mirror and came toward me. It was Nightmare Moon “How I am here you ask? Well I am you after all.”

I remained silent as possible in hoping that this was just a nightm- a bad, a very bad dream.

“Were you just about refer to my namesake?” Nightmare sneered. “Well in any case, this is Celestia’s doing after all. She imprisoned us in our own Moon and sealed our beloved daughter within her own body and mind. She’s no sist-”

I smacked the dark visage of myself with a forehoof and glared with a gaze that could burn metal. “Do. Not. Speak of my sister in such a fashion, monster. I was you once but not anymore, and Celestia was at a loss for what to do since MY daughter was so utterly distraught due to my banishment. She acted, so that Dusk could return to me after I regained my sanity. It was for our best interests.” I stated while stomping my hoof down quietly, but firmly on the ground.

Nightmare Moon growled at me, but opted a cruel smirk. “Hahahaha. I see, so that is how you chose to view things. Very well, Luna we will meet again.”

“What?” Nightmare vanished into the darkness as I stood there frightened, worried about what she had planned. “So she still exists then. I should go inform Celestia about this.” As I turned to leave Twilight’s room I heard a faint murmur from behind me, I peaked over my shoulder and noticed that Twilight had awoken.

But something was wrong. Her eyes were not the usual cheerful purple eyes of Twilight’s, but instead were the sad grey reptilian eyes of my Daughter.

“Mother, I can see you while she sleeps. Where are you going? Are you going to leave me here alone? Is she more important to you now?” Silent Dusk kept her gaze upon me, but I couldn’t summon the strength to respond, so she continued. “Our Eternal Night, what about that? Have you forgotten? I love your night more than any of these foals.” She got up and tossed off the blankets covering her and stood in front of me.

“Are you disappointed in me? Do you hate me? Am I not a good enough daughter anymore?” Snapping out of my cloudy haze I spoke up.

“Silent, stop daughter. I am not disappointed in you, I could never be, you are too important to me.”

“Than why am I still imprisoned?! It’s that traitor Celestia isn’t it? She’s convinced you that I’m evil, hasn’t she?!” Dusk almost yelled right to my face.

I softened my gaze, and hugged her the best I could. “No, no she hasn’t. You are still my daughter Silent, I would never condemn you to such a fate.”

“Then why?” I could hear her begin to sob against my shoulder, I only tightend our embrace.

“Because... the spell my sister used on you was only meant to seal you within yourself, not bring about another personality. And we are trying to find a way to free the both of you from the same body, safely so nothing bad happens to neither of you”

She broke away from me. “That is a lie if I ever heard one Mother.”

“Silent?” I asked, my voice quiet with shock and hurt.

She did not say anything. She seemed ready to run out the door any second, so I pressed further. "What's wrong my daughter? You can tell me."

Still, my daughter remained quiet, she stared at me while her wings fluttered nervously. After about fifteen minutes she finally spoke. "I'm afraid, very afraid actually, being stuck in this fake mare's soul and mind is...torturous. Also my fears are mostly with you..."

"Me? Silent, I can understand your fear of being imprisoned like I was, but-"

"Mother, you don't get it! There is something very wrong with you!"

"Like what?! Silent you're not making any sense." I backed up as she flared her wings. 'What's going on? She was never this irate whenever we argued about things before.' I thought with a grimace.

"Why do you look like that?" Silent's eyes narrowed at me with a scrutinizing gaze.

'Yes Luna, why do we look like this? Are we not the Queen of the Night? Nightmare grinned from the mirror behind Silent.

"I-I c-chose this..." I whimpered, as I shook my head to drone out Nightmare's voice.

"Chose?! This isn't you! You are not Luna mother! You said so yourself! Your true name is Nightmare Moon!!" Dusk yelled.

My eyes widened at that. "What!? That's not tru-"

“Mother Moon. You are under a powerful mind control spell. A geas!”

“What? How did you come to that conclusion?” My eyes widened in shock widened even more.

"Ponies do not change overnight!"

"Don't be ridiculous! Please, calm down. I was always Luna, Nightmare Moon was nothing but a-" A pain shot through my head as Nightmare yelled.

'I do exist! Don't you dare deny it!'

“I plan to break this false mare, and free you of Celestia’s manipulations.”

“Silent! I am not under any form of spell or geas!”

“You are! And I will not stop until you are free!” Her eyes rolled back and she passed out after climbing back into bed.

“Silent...no, you don’t understand . . . ”

Chapter 6 - Morning and Dreams

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

That Same Night

Twilight's Mindscape

Twilight Sparkle

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I felt a sharp pain in my abdomen, I attempted to find out was causing it, only to find out I couldn't move my head. 'Huh? What's going on here?' I thought, I tried to move the rest of my body but failed in that regard as well.

“Dusk, you must move faster than that, if you are ever going to face a griffon in one-on-one combat.” A loud voice said from somewhere.

“I know that Claw, but how can I do so while wearing this DAMN armour!?”

'I've heard that voice before, the one that spoke to me at Sugar Cube Corner.'

“It's too heavy!” Finally everything in my vision came to light. A huge, black dragon was directly in front of me...or I think it was me.

“Silent Dusk, please. Your mother made that armour for you, it's meant to be heavy so you can build up muscle faster. Now come at me again.”

'Wait, Silent Dusk? Is that her real name?' I pondered that for a moment before returning my focus to scene before me. 'I believe, I'm seeing this from her perspective. A memory perhaps?'

Silent gazed at her abdomen and I could small gash along her right side. 'Ouch' She than looked back at the dragon and from what I can tell growled like an angry timber wolf.

“Oh ho ho, that's the spirit Dusk! Now let's go!” At that, the dragon charged at Silent.

I watched quietly. Silent teleported behind the scaly beast, unleashed several sharp ice shards at the base of his left wing. It froze instantly. The dragon's tail whipped out, Silent flew over it and bucked the dragon's head with her hind legs. She vanished again when he swiped a claw at her.

They repeated these same moves for several minutes, until Silent Dusk eventually collapsed due to the weight of her armour. “I'm done, anymore of this and I'll faint.” She grunted. Taking off her helmet, I got a good look at Silent's form off of the helmet's reflective surface. A pale purple coat, a flowing dark-purple mane speckled with tiny stars, grey draconic eyes, fanged teeth, a long pointed horn and large feathered wings.

'An Alicorn? But I have never heard of a fifth Alicorn. Than again, she looks a lot like Nightmare Moon.' My pupils became pinpricks, I began to shudder internally. 'Who is she? Why does she resemble Luna's alter ego?' Before I could continue my panic attack Silent Dusk spoke up, disrupting my thoughts.

“Where is my mother anywho? She said she would be back after our sparing session.” Silent asked, tilting her head to the side.

“Well she should be along shortly. You know how it is, being the ruler of a nation isn't easy. Especially with the Griffons demanding more land for them to inhabit.” Duskclaw snorted while scratching his neck scales.

Silent growled. “I hate griffons, and I can understand why I'm being put this rough session with you...even if this cursed armour is too heavy.” She removed each piece of the armour and they landed with a noisy 'clink' after hitting the ground.

'I've heard Silent Dusk mention her 'mother' a number of times now, I wonder who she is?' I don't know why, but I had a dark feeling in my gut that Nightmare was somehow involved. I just hope it isn't was I think it is...

“Daughter? You were expecting me?” A very familiar voice said from behind Silent.

Turning around, my worst fears were realized. Before Silent Dusk and myself was the wicked mare of darkness herself, Nightmare Moon.

'No-no, Luna - no Nightmare Moon had a daughter. I didn't know that, it wasn't even recorded. Ah...um...no WHO ARE YOU? SILENT DUSK?!'

'You want to know so badly Twilight?'

'Ugh...you can hear me!?'

'I can because we share the same body. Unless you didn't already guess that.'

'H-hold on are you really-'

'Nightmare Moon's Daughter? Yes, I am.'

I could feel my fear and anger rising. 'Why are you here in my body and mind?'

'That would be Celestia's doing. Besides fake mare, I despise you.'

'What?'

'It was because of you, that my mother was defeated, and sealed away AGAIN! It was also because of your Princess that I'm here while you live a life that should have been rightfully mine!!'

'No! Nightmare was trying to kill me and my friends! And the Princess isn't to blame for your faults! If you were sealed like you claim, it was probably due to you following Nightmare Moon's coup against Princess Celestia!' I fumed.

Within here I could feel her own rising anger and hate. 'How dare you!! Your precious princess has been lying to you, your entire, stolen life! My Mother is not a monster! Celestia is!!'

'You're wrong! Celestia she-'

'SILENCE!! I've had it with you! I'm going to make your friends hate you by the time this is over! And after that, Celestia will feel the pain of being sealed away like my Mother and I!! Soon, very soon Equestria will know and We will have OUR Eternal Night!'

She cut off her connection with me instantly after that explosive outburst. I felt myself being back into consciousness, so I just curled up into a ball and cried my eyes out.