Nightmare Moon sat at her vanity, humming gently as she brushed out her mane. She had a long night ahead of her, and wanted to look her best. Especially if she were fortunate enough to find more ponies that happen to be infatuated with her. Perhaps they would also find a stallion to have a fun time with.

Tonight, she was going to The Neon Flank with Chocolate Cherry to get the "full" and proper experience of what the club can be like. Especially since there was supposed to be some live music being performed. There were also supposed to be a great number of ponies, far more than when Nightmare Moon had gone during the middle of the week. It was possible that she would find others that were willing to worship and follow her.

Leaning forward, Nightmare Moon grinned widely, showing off her fangs in the mirror. A part of her wished she still had her helmet and peytral. It would be quite amusing and she would certainly cut an intimidating and memorable figure in it. Although she did not have her ethereal mane and tail like when she had possessed Luna. She did like the way her mane looked: dark blue with indigo streaks. Perhaps after figuring out the proper style of garments and accessories for going to a nightclub, she might very well get some of her own. She had gotten her first stipend, and was only taking a portion of it to cover the door charge and a few drinks (just a few, she was not repeating that mistake).

The sound of knocking drew her attention to the door. Turning from the vanity, Nightmare Moon stared. It was a somewhat new and odd experience hearing such a thing. She was not used to having a room of her own, nor did she ever imagine that there would be knock at her door. What was she supposed to do?

"Nightmare," Spike called out, "it's Spike."

"What is it?" she called back.

The door opened and the young dragon poked his head in.

"You got a message from Princess Celestia."

"What does she want?" Nightmare growled, shifting as her shoulders tensed. She was not expecting anypony to write to her, let alone Celestia. If she were to guess which of the two Canterlot princess were to do such a thing, she would have guessed it would be Luna. Being stuck living with Twilight Sparkle, Nightmare Moon figured that any correspondence would be with Twilight. Plus, Nightmare had yet to do anything that would potentially earn the ire of the great solar plot.

Taking a step further into the room, Spike held out a scroll to Nightmare Moon.

"Stay there," Nightmare stated as she took the scroll. "I may need you to send my response." With that, she unfurled the parchment and began reading through it.

It... was not what she expected. Not in the slightest. Pulling out the two golden tickets, she stared at them, still trying to process what she had read.

"What is The Grand Galloping Gala?"

"You got invited too?" Spike asked.

"It would seem so," Nightmare responded. "Now what is it?"

"Oh. It's this big fancy formal ball they hold at the castle every year. In fact, it's supposed to be like the biggest and most exciting one of them all. Dozens of ponies go and it seems like a lot more of them want to. Twilight and the girls all went to it last year. They... kind of hated it actually. " He suddenly grinned. "But it worked out great. They and Princess Celestia all joined me at Joe's for donuts."

Something about that all sounded familiar, but Nightmare could not quite place why. Something to do with a bad experience? Somepony being angry? Something frightening? It was vague. Probably something she picked up from a memory or dream but had not actually paid much attention to. It hardly mattered anyway.

"Why would Celestia invite me to this?" she asked aloud, more to herself than to Spike. "Is it some sort of political maneuver? An attempt to further solidify and expand her power base? Am I to be presented before the nobles and foreign dignitaries as a symbol of past successes and a future warning to any potential rival? 'Behold, Nightmare Moon. Once a mighty threat to Equestria. Now she has been defeated and is forced to serve under the kingdom's lowest princess. Beware those who wish to threaten our kingdom, or your fate shall be the same.'"

"Wow," Spike said from the door. "That's really overly dramatic. Anyway, I don't think it's anything like that. Maybe she just wants you to attend so she can help you feel welcomed and accepted."

Nightmare Moon let out a snort.

"Or maybe..." Spike trailed off, bringing his claws to his mouth.

That was unexpected. It seemed he thought that whatever it was, he should not say it aloud.

"'Or maybe' what?" Nightmare asked, lowering her head to look him directly in the eye.

"Nothing," Spike replied. "Never mind. I should get going anyways."

Turning around, he tried to head for the hall. Only to be blocked by one of Nightmare Moon's wings. It pressed against him, pulling him closer. Nightmare smiled, trying to look as sweet and friendly as possible. If the look on Spike's face was any indication, it was not working very well.

"Oh, come now, Spike," she said gently. "You can tell me. After all, we live in the same castle. Aren't we... f.... fffff... fffrrr....

"Fffffffuuuuuuuu-orget it!" she groaned out. " I can't even say it. Let's go with a different tactic. Tell me what you were going to say, or else."

"Or else what?" Spike asked, raising one of his eyebrows as he looked up at her.

"Or else..." Nightmare leaned close so her nose nearly touched Spike's earfin and whispered, "I will go to your room, find your little secret, and share it with Rarity."

Spike tensed, eyes going wide as he stared at Nightmare Moon. His face seemed to become a paler shade of purple.

"You wouldn't," he said.

Nightmare Moon narrowed her eyes and grinned.

"Alright," Spike huffed out, shifting to a bright red. He pointed a claw at Nightmare's nose. "But you can't tell anypony that I said it."

"Fine, fine," Nightmare replied, waving a hoof.

Spike took a deep breath and said, "maybe she wants you to cause a little trouble. Nothing too serious or dangerous, just enough to make things interesting. When Twilight and the others went, they did some things they felt really bad about, but Celestia showed up and said it was fine. She had wanted them to make the Gala a lot more entertaining and they did."

"Really?" Nightmare said. She pulled her wing away from Spike and straightened up. "Interesting." Especially if it was accurate.

Although... why would Princess Celestia want such a thing? She was the princess, and had been ruling on her own for over a thousand years. If she were to find an event to her disliking, could she not simply change it? Why use another pony to do so in her stead? To protect herself in case of failure? Whatever the case, it was irrelevant at the moment. Still, she would have to keep it in mind and be careful what she did.

"You said I got an invitation as well," Nightmare said to Spike. "I take that Twilight Sparkle got one?"

"Yeah," Spike replied.

Nightmare smirked and turned away. Picking up the invitation and tickets, she carried them over to the vanity and set them down. She then flew out her room, along the hall -- passing over Spike in the process -- and down the stairs until reaching the landing and making it fulfill its namesake. Her wings gave a flick before folding against her.

Making her way through the main floor of the castle, Nightmare searched for Twilight Sparkle. It was not very long before she found Twilight in one of the rooms, sitting at a desk and writing.

"I'm heading out to see Chocolate Cherry and go to the club," Nightmare announced.

"Uh-huh," Twilight Sparkle replied.

"I got an invitation to The Grand Galloping Gala," Nightmare said as she moved forward.

"Uh-huh."

"Two tickets."

"Uh-huh."

"I suppose it means I should take somepony with me," Nightmare said.

"Uh-huh," Twilight responded.

"Perhaps I will take Cherry."

"Uh-huh."

"I understand that you got a pair as well." Nightmare moved closer, standing right beside Twilight now.

"Uh-huh," Twilight continued, still staring at her book as she wrote in another with a quill in her magical aura.

"It would be the perfect place to take Big Macintosh," Nightmare Moon stated.

"Uh-huh," Twilight replied.

"So, we agree: you will ask Big Macintosh to escort you to the ball."

"Uh-wait!" Twilight tensed, looking up from her book. "What? What about Big Macintosh?"

"Just don't wait too long to ask him," Nightmare stated. "He will need time to get a proper outfit." She leaned forward and gave Twilight a kiss on the cheek. "See you when I get home."

Twilight stood there a moment, eyes wide and jaw hanging open as Nightmare stepped away.

"Wait!" Twilight suddenly called out as she turned toward Nightmare Moon. "What was that? What about Macintosh? Why would he need a proper outfit? What are you talking about?" Followed after the other mare, chasing her through the castle to the front door. "What do you think I agreed to?"

Nightmare Moon stopped at the door and pulled it open. Turing to face Twilight, she grinned widely.

"You taking Big Macintosh with you to The Gala," she stated. "Seems like the perfect opportunity to have a date with him." Her grinned widened. "You might even get to have a little extra 'fun' since you'll probably be staying overnight in Canterlot."

With that, she headed out the door and took off. Surprisingly, Twilight Sparkle did not come after her. Although, Nightmare could hear Twilight shouting her name as she flew away. Nightmare Moon smiled, chuckling to her self at the flustered princess.