Nightmare Moon stood upon a surface of black water as her eyes snapped wide, she paused to glance around momentarily. The world surrounding her was barren, only her and this black sea, alone upon this massive body of water. She peered down at her own reflection for a moment of contemplation, not saying anything. She then looked towards the sky, which consisted of only dark solemn colors and ashen clouds, a sky just as lonesome apparently. Soon enough she took a trot forward hesitantly, a little frightened of the water, of the idea of sinking. Nightmare's expression had sunk further before she made a crooked frown and lowered her head. Yes, it is just a dream. This is just a dream. An ordinary dream. Surely, I must be sleeping somewhere. But how does one end up here?

She came to a pause as she closed her eyes with a worried expression. S-Surely, there is a reasonable explanation.

"Is this what it feels like to be alone?"

Nightmare's eyes widened as she suddenly appeared fearful. The voice was familiar, and she recognized it almost immediately as her counter-part, her now distant sister Luna. She glanced around again, looking towards the sky for some form of origin for that voice.

"It's natural to be alone when nopony understands you. Many of us live in that world, and we never leave it."

Nightmare Moon lowered her head as her expression sunk further and she just said nothing, closing her eyes.

"Do not sob, do not cry, you're stronger than that. Put on the face your meant to make, shelter all emotions."

And soon enough, Nightmare's world melted away as the scenery had changed completely. The alicorn now stood upon the barren surface of the moon, as she slowly opened her eyes and noticed herself that the world she'd been standing in, had changed completely. She appeared to be in a nostalgic daze, as she stood upon this familiar rocky surface. She coursed her hoof over it for a moment, as if just to get a feel for its texture, to see if it truly were the same. A deep frown appeared on her face then, as she just looked down at the surface of the moon with pained eyes. She closed her eyes, almost refusing to acknowledge it anymore. She didn't want to, nor did she want to remember.

"Acknowledge the feelings of guilt, relish in them, do not run. What does a god have to fear? You are the fear."

Nightmare Moon opened her eyes then as she did acknowledge where she was. She trembled somewhat as she attempted to stand firm and in place, putting on a strong face as she peered ahead towards the distant black. She focused particularly on the stars, specks of light which she now felt gave her some form of relief, comfort. A small smile crept onto her face, as she felt the pressure melt away, the angst.

"A light in the darkness can be one's greatest comfort. It's ironic isn't it? For the darkness has now found comfort in the light."

Nightmare Moon's eyes widened as she glanced to the lower left, as if thrown off by those words.

And suddenly in the next moment, her world had melted away again, as the alicorn now stood in a field of snow. She looked to the sky first this time, as she noticed it was partly calm weather with dark grey skies. She slowly turned her gaze ahead then, as what she saw caused her eyes to widen in surprise and shock. The mare then slowly began to trot towards that particular sight, uncertain but unable to turn away as well. In the distance was a kingdom of vast lights. But it was strange, she recognized it. It was the kingdom of Canterlot, but it had been torn from the mountain. Yet even so, it was still so beautiful, still so large in grandeur and fortified. As if it were laid out specially for her, like some kind of special gift-wrapped present. Nightmare Moon just continued to peer up at it, mesmerized. She had no words to describe the way she felt. Adoration, love, envy, joy? So many things rushed into her mind as she looked upon the gorgeous kingdom.

And as she looked upon it, the snow continued to trickle down and land upon her coat and muzzle. She soon glanced down at herself in surprise as a sudden and mysterious light had wrapped around her. Nightmare Moon observed herself in confusion as she was suddenly in a gorgeous sapphire dress, adorned with decorations of all kinds. She'd ran her hoof over the material in disbelief, such a thing being so alien to her she couldn't really wrap her mind around the idea of wearing it. Her black cheeks revealed a tint of crimson as she was obviously embarrassed by the idea of wearing something so beautiful, and she felt it didn't fit her whatsoever. And as she glanced down at herself, she hadn't even noticed the world around her had changed yet again, but she was still far too distracted.

"You're looking quite stunning."

Nightmare Moon's eyes widened again as she immediately raised her head, and then noticed that the world had changed again. She appeared fearful as she noticed that she was now standing in a location she was almost certain she'd never be welcomed in. It was a gorgeous ball room fit for the Grand Galloping Gala. She also noticed that ponies were dancing elegantly all around her but focused on their own lives and worlds, almost as if she didn't even exist. And as she just casually and eventually looked ahead, what she saw caused her look of fear to dissipate and melt away into one of heartache, as she just looked upon this figure with a look of sorrow, unable to say anything.

Standing before her also in a similar dress would be Princess Luna with her hoof stretched out, as if asking the alicorn to take it. "It's nice isn't it? This world? The lights? The idea of being adorned and surrounded by loving and caring subjects? It's all wonderful isn't it?"

Nightmare Moon opened her muzzle, as if about to say something, but she halted herself and then avoided eye contact with Luna.

Princess Luna continued with a blank stare and smile. "This world was ours, yet you chose to head down a different path?"

Nightmare Moon's expression worsened as she lowered her head and closed her eyes, sulking again.

Princess Luna only looked down upon her with a tired expression then. "I know I know, you can't take it."

Nightmare Moon's eyes widened as she looked upon Luna then in worry.

Princess Luna closed her eyes with a sad smile. "Some ponies are just meant to be alone. Isn't that right?" As Princess Luna slowly melted away to Nightmare Moon's horror, like sludge as she dissipated into the air, and slowly, the beautiful scenery of the Grand Galloping Gala surrounding her, had also began to crumble away. Nightmare Moon staggered back, as she just shook her head, watching as the ponies surrounding her continued to dance like mindless drones, dancing casually as they to disappeared along with the walls, the lights, and every other speck of this joyous world. Nightmare Moon watched as her vision began to go dark, as every source of light had slowly disappeared. As all her vision had slowly started to go black to the point where she wouldn't even be able to see her own hoof in front of her face, she stretched out one hoof, as if wanting to see it one last time in desperation. "Please,..." there was a slight crack in her voice, as she revealed a hint of vulnerability in her tone as she continued desperately. "Please, older sister, turn the lights back on."

Her world had gone dark.

"Lights? What?" Another voice had suddenly commented.

Nightmare Moon's world soon became bright as all she saw in front of her was a turquoise pegasus with a bright orange mane and a raised brow while wearing a Mcmuffin's hat. The pegasus had a look of confusion while also one of slight worry. Behind her would be a pale yellow pegaus with a green mane as well as a black colt with his hooves crossed in the background. The turquoise pegasus had a hoof resting over the alicorn's head as she just made a crooked frown. "What's with you? Were you having a bad dream or something?"

Nightmare Moon slowly opened her eyes as she then glanced at each of them, still a little dazed.

The pale yellow pegasus just looked to Nightmare Moon worriedly. "I mean, the lights have been on the whole time haven't they?." She then looked up towards the lights with a curious expression as she tilted her head to the right, still unsure what Nightmare meant.

Lightning Dust then snickered at the alicorn with a cheeky amused grin. "So you have nightmares now? That's kind of funny."

Raindrops then looked to Lightning Dust, "L-Lightning!"

Lightning Dust glanced back at her, flustered. "W-What!? It's true! I mean how could she have nightmares? Isn't that her thing!?"

Sombra commented in the background with his hooves crossed. "Grahahaha! First day and even I know when break is over!" He grinned at her with an amused smirk as he glanced to his left out the restaurant. "You best keep up alicorn wench!"

Lightning Dust then placed both hooves on her sides as she scratched at the back of her mane nervously. "Ah yea, about that." She then looked to Nightmare Moon in annoyance, leaning forward. "You can't just oversleep on breaks Nightmare! I thought you were getting enough sleep! Jeez!" She closed her eyes with a heavy sigh, leaning back and glancing to her upper right. "Well I can let it slide this time. I gotta talk with you guys about something important anyway, we also need to prepare for the new worker that's come- eh?" Lightning Dust paused as she suddenly looked upon Nightmare Moon while the others did as well, just as surprised as Lightning Dust was.

Nightmare Moon had tears drizzling her face as she sniffled and made a disgusting expression of absolute heartfelt joy. She muttered, "Oh, my allies! You have turned on the lights of this world. Y-You have turned on my lights. I cannot thank you enough!" She rose from the table she was sleeping on as she fluttered on over towards Lightning Dust and then spread her two front hooves, about to embrace her.

Lightning Dust gasped, "W-What!? EW! NO! Seriously go wash your face first at least! What the heck is with you!?"

Nightmare Moon then embraced the smaller pegasus, nuzzling her happily while Lightning Dust pushed her away angrily.

Raindrops and Sombra then just looked to one another with a heavy cringe in disgust as they just shook their heads and then saluted Lightning Dust in equal respect. They then closed their eyes and bowed their heads, mourning the loss in silence.

Suddenly the door to the restaurant creaked open then as all their eyes focused on the doors with wide curious eyes.

"U-Um, Hello. I-I'm supposed to be working here now?"