Twilight sat still for what felt like days. A combination of fear and concentration had frozen her in place while she reviewed the very item that had started her entire ordeal. She was reading The Theory of Evil again, having conjured it from memory. She had merely been attempting to form a shadow. How could it have gotten out of control so badly?

"Dark magic is not something to be tested. It corrupts even the purest of hearts."

Luna had stood watch next to her the entire time. She had chastised Twilight for meddling in dark magic. After seeing the fear the mare was experiencing though, the princess had put the matter aside. Now the two sat there within an old memory, hoping to find an answer.

"I'm such a fool. I thought perhaps with my alicorn magic I could handle a simple shadow spell."

Luna rested a hoof on Twilight's shoulder.

"Even the simplest spells of darkness can be treacherous."

"I just don't understand how the shadow gained power. Maybe I was putting too much magic into the spell."

"Was it your first attempt?"

"Yes. I was shocked."

"As am I. It's as if dark magic came naturally to you."

Twilight glanced at Luna from the corner of her eye. Was it true? Was she able to use dark magic? The thought made her insides turn. She didn't want that kind of power. It seemed Luna could sense her unease.

"Forgive me. I didn't mean to put it so bluntly. I just wonder if there are other forces at work here."

Twilight nodded her agreement. Surely something else had given life to the shadow. Something else had caused her accident.

Something? Or somepony? You know what you saw.

Twilight winced at the recent memory. The dark alicorn that had stood in front of her. Seeing her own cutie mark on the new Nightmare.

You thought you could wade into the darkness? Ha! Even Celestia knows you can't do that. You're already in over your head. It's only a matter of time until you've become the Nightmare.

"Twilight? Is something wrong?"

Luna stood in front of her. It was only then that Twilight noticed she was crying again. How long had she been crying? She reached up and wiped away the tears. Luna looked around the landscape.

"Are you hearing someone?"

"No! Why would you think that?"

"Because you're crying as if somepony has spoken harshly to you. And one always speaks most harshly to herself."

"That doesn't make any sense."

"You're hearing it aren't you?"

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"You know. And you know that I know firsthoof what you're going through."

"Nothing's happening! Stop presuming you know what's happening to me, because you don't!"

Twilight stood up and walked away from Luna. How could she say those things?! She had basically said that she understood why she was becoming evil! She wasn't evil!

Of course not. You're good. You've always been good. And you were still being good when you summoned that shadow. You were just being a good student, trying to broaden your horizons.

Yes. That was true. And it had broadened her horizons! She now knew how to summon shadows! Wait.. Summon them? Did that mean they came from somewhere to begin with?

All shadows have a beginning. Surely you knew that? And you summoned a shadow that didn't want to be summoned. Do you remember what it looked like?

Yes. Some fierce looking creature. Most likely from the Everfree Forest. A timber wolf perhaps?

Or something hidden away. Did all of the Nightmare forces return to the moon?

Of course. The Elements of Harmony couldn't have missed anything.

Unless it was the strongest Nightmare of all.

Twilight halted. Could it be? Had something escaped that night? She turned to ask Luna her thoughts on the notion.

But Luna was gone.

Twilight began to panic. Where was Luna? Where was the castle? She was nowhere! Nothing but a black landscape. The panic turned to fear. Where was everything? How long would she be stuck here? Twilight felt like she was going to cry, but no tears came. She wished that her friends were here. She wanted them. She wanted Ponyville. She wanted her life back.

"Twilight? Are you okay?"

Twilight looked up to find Spike in front of her.

"Spike. Please take me home."

"We are home."

She looked around. Sure enough they were in their castle. Whether it was real or not no longer mattered to Twilight. She just wanted company. She wanted her friends.

And then the doors opened.

Everypony from Ponyville poured into the room. So many voices went off at once that Twilight couldn't understand a word being said. But it didn't matter! She was home.

"TWILIGHT!!!"

Five familiar ponies appeared at the front of the crowd. Twilight's face lit up.

"You're all here!"

They hugged for what felt like an eternity. Twilight barely noticed the entire crowd fading away as her focus turned to her friends. When they finally broke apart, Twilight looked at each of them. Her smile lessened with each passing second.

"What's wrong dear?"

She turned to Rarity. The alabaster mare was exactly as she remembered her.

"It's just... You're not really here."

Pinkie jumped on her back.

"Of course not silly! We're just in your head. And it's surprisingly echo-y. I thought it would be filled with lots of smarty pants stuff."

"Wait. You know?"

Rainbow Dash touched down on the floor and rolled her eyes.

"Obviously. It's your head. You know, so we know. You know?"

Applejack put a hoof on Twilight's shoulder.

"We know exactly what you expect from us. We're your friends."

Fluttershy nodded.

"And we'll always be here for you, real or not."

Twilight felt a tear roll down her cheek. Even though they were all in her head, they still cared for her like the ponies she knew. Her memories were serving as a near perfect surrogate. And that would have to do for now.

"Do... Do you know everything I know?"

"Are you talking about the scary Twilight that's running around?"

The others glared at Pinkie. She shrugged.

"No use beating around the bush, right?"

Twilight nodded. They knew. But how did they feel about Twilight and the Nightmare?

"We still love you darling. Just because you saw a Nightmare version of yourself, doesn't mean that's you. You're strong. Stronger than me anyways. I succumbed to petty things and let the Nightmare take me. But I had all of you to help bring me back."

Twilight remembered the events well. The Nightmare forces had held onto Rarity as long as they could. But she'd remembered herself in time.

But her friends had actually been there.

"You have to be strong sugarcube. We'll help as much as we can, but it's still your head. If the Nightmare comes, it's you that's gotta beat it."

Yes. She had to.

Why fight what's already been set in motion?

Everypony froze. Twilight looked around the room. Could the others hear it too?

Twilight has shown great initiative in practicing the dark arts. She has potential to master all kinds of magic. It is her talent after all.

That was true..

"Don't listen to her Twilight! She's just messing with you. Why don't you come out and fight, huh?"

But I'm not hiding. I'm Twilight. And she's me.

No. It couldn't be true.

You know it is Twilight. Do you realize what you've accomplished? You can have more power than Celestia! Your magic is far greater than any pony in Equestria. And you can rule over everything."

She couldn't subject the world to another monster!

Monster? Do you not realize that with your knowledge of friendship and the dark power you possess that you can bring eternal peace to the land? You will have rule over both good and evil! Never again will Equestria be threatened!

Could it be true? Could having control over both magics bring peace? Did Celestia know about this?

Of course. And she chose to ignore it. Luna figured it out. And she was banished for her enlightenment!

"Twilight! Don't tell me you believe this evil voice-y thing?"

"Celestia would never lie to you!"

Twilight closed her eyes. She couldn't concentrate. She didn't want to deal with this. Everything just needed to slow down.

The pain hit suddenly. The castle shook violently.

If you try to ignore this reality, you'll only be hurting yourself. Let me help you and you will survive.

Spike ran forward, crashing into Twilight's side.

"Twilight! I don't want you to die! You have to make a choice!!"

Twilight opened one eye, taking in the fear on her assistant's face. He was tearing up.

"Twilight, please."

She opened her other eye and looked at the rest of her friends. They had all lined up in a row. Each of them smiled as Fluttershy stepped forward.

"We'll always love you. No matter what."

That was all she needed to hear. And with that a wave of dark magic overtook her.

------------------------------

Spike jumped back as the magic covered Twilight. He looked at the others, but they were no longer there. Instead, the old Elements of Harmony laid where each pony had been. Spike picked up each piece, cradling them in his arms.

The magic that had enveloped Twilight slowed to a stop, unfolding to reveal a black alicorn. Her dark purple mane sparkled with every constellation in the sky, as did her tail. Her face had grown sharper, yet still held beauty. Her eyes opened to reveal sharper pupils. But Spike recognized those eyes.

"A- Are- Are you the Nightmare?"

The mare turned to look at the baby dragon, her lips curling into a smile.

"It's me Spike." Next Chapter: The Reign Estimated time remaining: 9 Minutes