"Nightmare? Nightmare?"

Nightmare Moon felt a tapping sensation on her shoulder. Turning toward it, she found that Chocolate Cherry was there, staring at her with a concerned look on her face.

"Are you okay?"

"Fine," Nightmare replied, running a hoof down her tie. "Why do you ask?"

"You've been glaring at where that stallion went for a while," Cherry told her. "I mean, if looks could kill, I think you would have made his head explode."

The mental image of that actually happening caused Nightmare Moon to smirk slightly. One moment he was walking around, the next there was a loud pop and everything above the dress collar was gone.

Not like he ever used the thing anyways, Nightmare suddenly thought.

"They announced him, correct?" she asked, getting a nod. "Did you happen to catch his name?"

"You don't know?" Cherry asked, eyes going wide. "From the way you were acting, I thought you knew him."

Nightmare Moon shifted, looking toward the main ballroom and where the stallion had gone. She could still feel her body tense at the thought of him. Her jaw clenched as her ear and tail gave an irritated twitch.

"There's something familiar about him," she answered. "Although I can't place why or where from."

"Well I didn't quite catch the whole name," Cherry told her. "I think I heard them call him 'Prince' though."

"'Prince,'" Nightmare repeated slowly, shifting slightly. That should make it easier to find out about him. It was unlikely that there were more than three or four stallions who held such a title. Assuming it was a title. Although unlikely, it was possible that it was a part of his name. Still, the number of stallions called "Prince" would be small. Considering his attitude, it was probably safe to guess that most ponies would remember him. As much as she disliked the idea of being friendly toward the ponies here, if she were to speak to them, Nightmare would be able to learn more about the stallion that she so strongly disliked.

The thoughts about the stallion were pushed aside as Nightmare Moon and Chocolate Cherry made their way to the ballroom entrance. One of the awaiting ponies took the tickets before announcing them.

"Miss Nightmare Moon and Miss Chocolate Cherry!"

Several of the ponies that were already in the room turned to look toward them. Of a few that Nightmare could see thoroughly, there was a moment of shock (and maybe fear). It was quickly hidden away behind a mask of calm curiosity. Dozens of eyes were on Nightmare Moon, watching her.

Her own eyes narrowing, Nightmare Moon grinned widely at the crowd. She flared her wings out at her sides as she gave a shallow bow, head up to watch the crowd.

"Excuse me," a voice said from Nightmare's side.

Straightening up, Nightmare turned to find a guard standing there in his full armor.

"Pardon the interruption," the guard said as he stood at attention, "but Princess Luna wishes to speak with you and sent me to escort you. If you would come with me please."

Although it was polite enough, Nightmare knew that it was not an optional request. She turned to Chocolate Cherry.

"I'll re-join you once the business is finished," she stated. Leaning close to Cherry's ear, she then whispered "and I'll see if I can get him to ... join us later tonight." Tilting her head, she gave the ear a gentle nip.

Cherry's ear twitched as she let out a snort. She turned to face Nightmare Moon.

"You're terrible," Cherry whispered back. Her gaze drifted back toward the guard. "Although... I don't think I've ever been with a guard before.." Cherry let out a cough and shook her head.

"I'll be at the buffet table," she announced as she started to walk off.

"Don't forget," Nightmare called after her, "I get the first dance."

"Of course, my lady." Cherry grinned and gave a wink before walking off.

Nightmare grinned as she watched Cherry, catching the extra swing of the hips. Returning her attention to the guard, Nightmare realized she was not the only one that had noticed the swaying.

"Eyes forward," she snapped, causing the guard to stand at attention and look straight ahead. She could not help but chuckle at it.

"Now, lead on."

The guard gave a nod and a salute. He then turned and started marching. Quickly and quietly he went, making his way through the crowd and across the room. Reaching the stairs, he started climbing, walking past a long line of ponies that seemed to be waiting.

Nightmare Moon followed after him. As they went up the steps, Nightmare noticed that several of the ponies were giving her dirty looks. She was not entirely sure why they were looking at her like that. Perhaps they thought she was getting special treatment. That she was being permitted to forgo the line in which they waited and proceed immediately to whatever matter they were currently waiting for. Whatever the case, Nightmare grinned at them and continued after the guard.

Soon Nightmare had followed the guard past the line -- which turned out to be ponies waiting to meet Princess Celestia -- and to an indoor balcony that was guarded by a pair of batponies. The pair of them stood as stiff as statues, eyes narrow and fangs showing.

"Nightmare Moon to see Princess Luna, as requested," the pegasus guard stated as he approached the bat-ponies. The pair gave a barely perceptible nod of their heads. The pegasus guard then turned to Nightmare.

"The princess will see you now."

"Thank you Wind Guard," Nightmare said as she started walking toward the balcony.

"That's not my name, ma'am," the guard called out after her.

As Nightmare Moon approached, Princess Luna stood looking over the balustrade at the crowd below. She wore no dress nor jewelry, only her royal accouterments. Princess Luna did not turn away from the balcony as she watched the ball, although one of her ears twitched toward Nightmare Moon to acknowledge her approach.

Nightmare looked out over the crowd. Dozens of ponies stood below: talking, dancing, eating, and generally going on about their business. None of them seemed to notice the two mares -- one royalty, the other wishing to be -- staring down at them.

Curious, Nightmare Moon looked around to see if she could find Cherry. While she could not entirely be certain, Nightmare thought that she could see Cherry at the buffet table, something at it having her attention.

"Princess Luna," Nightmare said, "seeing me personally. I think you just had me create quite the stir with the nobility."

Luna gave a grunt of acknowledgement. Nightmare turned to the princess and raised an eyebrow.

"Not greeting guests like your sister tonight?"

"It is more ponies than I am ready to interact with," Luna said with a sigh. "Plus it seems... pointless. A greeting, a hoofshake, the pony moves on, another takes their place and the hollow ritual is repeated. No opportunity to establish a meaningful connection with any of them. While at best it is an opportunity for some pony to meet a princess when they feel they would have no other opportunity, at worse it is an attempt to improve one's station and influence by claiming to 'know the princess personally.'"

"Yes," Nightmare said, turning to face Luna at last. "You were never as social or optimistic as your sister."

"I have made much progress on the former," Luna replied. "However, it was not to speak about myself that had me request your presence.

"Tell me, how is your time in Ponyville going?"

"Don't you know?" Nightmare Moon asked, raising an eyebrow. "I had figured that Twilight Sparkle would have been sending little reports on me with that dragon of hers."

"I wish to hear it from you directly," Princess Luna replied.

Nightmare Moon considered the question for a moment, and how to answer it. She could claim that the town was terrified of her. That soon she would be able to take over Ponyville and start her own little landholding. Luna would no it was untrue, but it would be fun to claim. Alternatively, she could be completely honest. Flat out admit that the moment she gets free of her confinement, she was going to try and find a way to restore her powers. Doubtful it would be a surprise, but it would bring Nightmare no benefit and cause her to be observed more closely.

"There is not really much to tell," Nightmare stated. "I have done some exploration and experimentation. As a result, I have found some things I like, and some I don't."

"It seems that you have also made a friend of your own," Luna added.

"Hoof-maiden," Nightmare claimed, "and sexual servant." She watched Luna more closely as she said this last part, but did not catch any signs of surprise or embarrassment at the statement. That was a little disappointing.

"Yet she meant enough to you to bring her to the ball," Luna pointed out.

Nightmare Moon let out a snort and looked away, feeling herself turning a little pink. She let her gaze turn back to the buffet table, watching what she thought was Chocolate Cherry again.

"I have to admit," Luna said, "I have been performing some additional monitoring of the dreams of Ponyville."

There was a gentle tap of hooves on the marble floor, and Nightmare Moon could sense that Princess Luna had moved closer.

"I tell you this," Luna continued, "because in the time you have been there, the number of ponies with nightmares have not increased. Of the ones I have found, none of them involved you as the threat. Although there was one where you were terrorizing a filly, but it was not the filly that was having the dream."

"Why are you telling me this?" Nightmare growled out, her ears pulling back. "Why do you even care?"

"I tell you this because I think it would do you good," Luna answered. "Because I believe that knowing that you are starting to make connections with other ponies will help."

Something touched Nightmare's back, causing her to tense. It took a moment for her to realize that it was one of Princess Luna's wings wrapping around her. It felt... oddly comforting.

"As for why I care," Luna said, "it is because we are connected, almost like sisters in our own way. Or perhaps mother and daughter? Remember, we were once the same being. It was my own fears, jealousy, and anger that allowed you to exist as we did in the first place. I still recall how I felt then, and I'm sure you do as well."

The wing shifted as Luna's body pressed against Nightmare Moon more. The princess leaned in, nuzzling Nightmare the same way she had nuzzled by Celestia so many times.

"I have managed to move forward. While I still have a long way to go, I do now have some ponies that I can call friends, and no longer feel as sad, nor as lonely, and I am no longer envious of my sister. In point, some times I feel bad for her, seeing how much responsibility she now carries. However, that is off-topic. What I am saying is that I have started to find my place and I am happier. As one I am close to, I wish the same for you."

Nightmare Moon continued to look out at the ballroom, or tried to. Something was wrong with her eyes. They burned slightly and everything was getting blurry. It also felt like there was something wet on her cheeks.

"Are w-" Nightmare started, but her voice cracked. Clearing her throat, she tried again.

"Are we finished? Can I go now?"

"Almost," Luna answered, pulling the wing away. "There is one last thing I wish to ask. Hypothetically, if you were able to restore your power and successfully take over Equestria, would you still create eternal night?"

Nightmare tensed at the question. If she had thought about it, Nightmare would have imagined that it was a question that would have been asked at a later time. It was strange to be asked straight out. Did Princess Luna actually expect her to answer honestly?

Well she may as well.

"No," Nightmare stated. "I would still have there be much more night, but not eternal. It was what we had come up with so that ponies would appreciate it, would notice us. It was never supposed to be about harming them. I have no interest in having them starve or freeze, any more than you do."

"You do not want to hurt them?" Luna asked.

"Don't misunderstand," Nightmare Moon retorted. "I will still destroy any pony that stands in my way under my hoof with fervor and extreme prejudice. However, I do not have an interest in bringing harm to the entirety of them. After all, who would worship and obey me?" The last part got a laugh from Princess Luna.

"Very well," Luna stated with a grin. "I believe that is enough for the time being. You may return to your... escort. Please, do enjoy the rest of the Gala."

Before she could leave, a thought came to Nightmare Moon.

"By the way, I have a quick question. How many princes are there?"

"Princes?" Luna asked as she tilted her head. "There are only two that I know of: Prince Blueblood and Prince-consort Shining Armor."

Blueblood! Nightmare thought, tensing up. That was the name of the obnoxious stallion that had shoved past her, Chocolate Cherry, and the other ponies in line. Now she had a name.

Unfortunately, she still did not know why she hated him so much.

"Thank you," Nightmare said. Moving away from Luna, Nightmare Moon climbed onto the balustrade.

Luna blinked and looked up at Nightmare Moon in confusion.

"What are yo-"

Nightmare Moon pushed off the balustrade and leaped into the air with all her might. After reaching the apex, she began to drop, moving toward the ground below. Once she was below the level of the chandelier, Nightmare Moon snapped her wings out to her sides, turning her fall into a proper glide.

When she glided directly under the chandelier, Nightmare Moon created a massive shadow that passed over the crowd below. Some of the ponies looked up, eyes wide as they stared at the source of the great shadow. It brought a grin to Nightmare's face, making her feel like some great predator looming over them all.

If only.

Chocolate Cherry looked up in time to see Nightmare Moon coming in for a landing nearby. One hoof held a stick that had something dripping chocolate on the far end. On the table in front of her was an odd thing Nightmare Moon had not seen before. It seemed to be made of four levels, each one growing wider and taller as it descended. A thick, liquid, brown substance ran down along it like miniature waterfalls. Getting closer, Nightmare could smell that it was chocolate, or at least something chocolaty.

Cherry grinned at Nightmare a moment before eating whatever was on her stick. As she chewed, she studied Nightmare, the smile turning into a scowl.

After swallowing, Cherry asked, "are you okay?"

"Perfectly fine," Nightmare replied. "Why would you think otherwise?"

"It... looks like you've been crying?"

"Bah." Nightmare gave a dismissive wave of her hoof. "Nonsense. I am Nightmare Moon. I do not 'cry.'"

"If you say so," Cherry responded. "But if that is the case, you may want to wipe the wet marks from your cheeks."

Grabbing a napkin from the table, Nightmare Moon wiped at the base of her eyes and down along her cheeks. As she pulled it away, she noticed that there were wet spots on the soft paper surface. Crumpling the napkin, she tossed it aside.

"What is that?" Nightmare asked, motioning toward the large chocolate thing on the table.

"It's a chocolate fountain," Chocolate Cherry answered with a grin as she turned to it. "See, what you do is you take a piece of food, like this." She grabbed a cherry and held it up. "Then you stick it into one of the falls." Reaching up, she placed it in one of the smaller parts of the fountain. "You pull it out." She moved away from the fall. "If you can wait, let it drip some of the excess off." Pulling it away, she held it out to Nightmare Moon. "And there you go."

Nightmare looked down at the cherry, chocolate covering one side of it. She then looked at the mare holding it out to her, and then back to the offered treat. A smirk spread across Nightmare Moon's face as she looked at the mare and the sweet.

"My my," Nightmare purred out as she smirked. "Such a scandalous mare on my hooves. Asking me to take a big bite out of a juicy chocolate cherry in front of everypony. So naughty."

Cherry's face scrunched up in confusion as she looked from Nightmare to the chocolate cherry in her hoof.

"What do you..." Her eyes suddenly went wide. "Oh. I didn't even mean it like that. I mean, I did but didn't. Wait. No. I mean... Yeah I did think of it as a reference to my own name, which is why I did it, but I didn't think of it as some sort of euphemism."

Taking the chocolate cherry from Chocolate Cherry, Nightmare Moon stuck it in her mouth and chewed. She had tried both separately, but this was the first time she had tried them together. The chocolate was a little overpowering, making it difficult to taste the cherry fully, but she could still enjoy a few hints of the juices on her tongue. It was good, but Nightmare would prefer to eat the two separately as opposed to combined.

Disappointingly, it tasted nothing like the pony of the same name.

"So what did Princess Luna want to speak with you about?"

"Nothing of great interest," Nightmare responded with a wave of her hoof. "Primarily my own account on how my life in Ponyville."

And to try and reach out to me as family, a part of Nightmare Moon added mentally. She shoved the thought aside before she started having eye trouble again.

"Now come," she stated aloud. "There is dancing to be done."

With that, the pair of them walked away from the table and headed for the main dance floor.