1053 AD, May 3rd

“Hey, Wolf, how’s it hangin’?”

“A progressive day, no doubt.”

Entering the apartment, Nightmare Moon levitated her coat and saddlebag off her torso, and laid them over on the couch. She joined them a moment later, sitting down comfortably before turning on the television.

“Wow, today must have been a good day,” Vinyl observed, looking over her shoulder at Nightmare Moon, completely ignoring the cooking pancake batter in the frying pan. “You didn’t say anything about the mess I made.”

Just now realizing there were empty packets of chips scattered across the coffee table, Nightmare Moon glowered and made a noise of disgust.

“Amazing – you’re able to identify a mess, but still refuse to clean it up.”

“And you say I’m bad at noticing things…”

“Hmph…” Using magic to clear the mess away, Nightmare Moon then replied, “Be thankful I’m feeling particularly benevolent. Today, my popularity amongst the elite of Canterlot has come full circle; I am now officially a potential candidate for a place on the Royal Court.”

“No crap?” Vinyl beamed brightly at her. “Hey, congrats, Wolf!”

“Thank you,” Nightmare Moon was so full of pride that she didn’t even notice how easily she said those two words. “It took the better part of a year, but with the support of Fancypants and his inner circle, along with a few deeds to earn favour with other ponies of great influence, I now have the opportunity to make a true difference.”

“I’m rooting for ya,” Flipping the pancake to its other side with a flare of magic, Vinyl then added, “If anypony can yell loud enough to make a city change its ways, it’s you.”

“I’m assuming you meant that as a compliment, so I won’t throw the remote at you.”

“You know, it still blows my mind.”

Nightmare Moon glanced over. “What, me throwing the remote at you?”

“Nah, you’ve got all this success and high-class friends and crap, but you still stay in the club with me,” Vinyl looked back, one eyebrow arched. “I’m not complaining or anything, but why?”

“I am more comfortable here,” She replied simply, switching through the channels, and grimacing at the lack of entertainment. “Plus, if anything makes me angry, I can take my anger out on those that cause trouble at the club.”

Vinyl gave the pancake another flip. “Well, I’m glad you’re still with me, but you might have to find some other way to vent your unstoppable rage; all the dudes that cause trouble have been dryin’ up lately.”

“Unfortunate…”

Nightmare Moon was ecstatic to see her Star Secret persona finally pay off; she had carved a fine niche for herself as one of Fancypants’ closest associates and established a reputation as a mare who knew how to get things done.

Convincing Blueblood to partake in a paintball war dedicated to him being the main target was a particular moment of crowning achievement for her – the prince swore up and down to this day that he had no idea how she managed to persuade him into participating.

Naturally, when she revealed her plans to run for a seat on the Royal Court, she was met with overwhelming approval. The majority of Canterlot’s nobility wanted her in the Royal Court, but that wasn’t enough. If she wanted her position to be secured, Nightmare Moon would have to appeal to the rest of Canterlot’s populace; the middle-class and those that resided in the downtown district.

If the entire city was backing her up, then it would be hard for anypony to say no.

Unfortunately, the rising popularity and attention would also bring to light her occupation and living space – Nightmare Moon had managed to so far dodge any questions into her private life – which could cause some damage to her reputation amongst nobility, but that was unavoidable, and she would have to deal with it.

‘I’ll think of something; there are many things ponies are willing to overlook when one has particular skill in a field. Just look at athletes…’

At the thought of her occupation and living space, Nightmare Moon’s attention switched to Vinyl and their relationship.

She didn’t think it was possible, that she had too much control over her own feelings to let it happen, but damn it, it did happen.

Nightmare Moon had grown… fond of Vinyl.

Not just Vinyl either; Fancypants and Fleur had also grown on her despite her best efforts to remain distant.

With Vinyl, she found her patience with Vinyl’s antics growing longer and longer, and she didn't react when the DJ referred to them as… friends. Likewise, Nightmare Moon was now very comfortable chatting with Fancypants about their interests and dislikes.

Worst of all, she had begun accompanying Fleur to fashion debuts and even go out shopping.

Shopping!

Nightmare Moon wasn’t losing herself, no, she was just as cold towards ponies as before, but she was definitely defrosting in response to those three.

‘I just know this is going to backfire on me; how could I have let this happen?’

“Hey, Wolf, you okay there?”

Snapping back to reality, Nightmare Moon nodded. “I’m fine. Just thinking.”

“Are you sure you just don’t need to go take a crap?”

Nightmare Moon sighed. “I’m sure,” She looked over to the DJ and noticed she was flipping her pancake, but watching TV. “You’re going to scald yourself again and this time I’m not going to help.”

The DJ nodded, but continued flipping. “I’m sweet. See?” She flipped the pancake up. “Upsy…” It landed back with a splat and spray of melted butter. “Daisy. Upsy… daisy.”

Shaking her head, Nightmare Moon turned back to the TV. “I’m not going to help. In fact, I’ll just point and laugh.”

“Upsy…”

“…”

“…”

Nightmare Moon frowned.

“Uh…” The DJ slowly put down the can and looked up to the ceiling. “What…? Where the hay’s my pancake?”

Turning her head in Vinyl’s direction, Nightmare Moon gave a quick check to confirm the pancake was nowhere on the ceiling. She then checked the floor and the walls – nothing.

Vinyl placed the pan on the oven, stepped back, and simply stared at nothing in confusion. “O-kay then… I’m not exactly…” Shaking her head, she turned to Nightmare Moon. “You saw-”

A bright yellow object landed in the pan and exploded into pink and purple confetti with the sounds of several cows mooing.

Nightmare Moon stared in shock. ‘What.’

The DJ was more vocal about her surprise. “What in the flying fuck just happened?! I-I just…” She pointed enthusiastically at the oven. “I… Huh? Huh?! I mean… what?!”

Rising to her hooves, Nightmare Moon watched the confetti float to the carpet. “That’s… How did this…?”

The floor suddenly shook under her hooves. Before she could even think of holding onto something, the entire apartment… buckled – she didn’t know how else to explain it – and she was thrown out a window she didn’t remember being open. The fall to the pavement was shorter and softer than it should have been. Landing on her back, she watched as the building she was thrown from shook from side to side and promptly uprooted itself, sprouting huge red and white candy canes before turning to the side and lumbering off.

“I…” She vaguely heard Vinyl next to her, but she wasn’t sure; the building that was currently tap-dancing away took up most of her attention. “I… I…”

Nightmare Moon cast her gaze down and noticed the street was made of soap.

“What in the name of Equestria is going on here?!”

Vinyl’s shout brought her out of her stupor. It only took a second for her to assess the situation and figure out the culprit.

‘Discord…’

This was bad. This was worse than bad. It was horrible.

All her plans, all her work meant nothing if Discord was free from his prison. The insipid draconequus was twice as powerful as Celestia and Luna, but without even a fraction of their restraint.

Her tail swished and she stomped the ground furiously, suds flying up to stick to her coat. “No. You’re not taking this from me, you ADHD-inflicted menagerie of-”

“Hey, I know this must be especially hard for you considering you’re a neat freak and all that crap, but, um…” Vinyl suddenly sped past her. “Run like a motherfucker!”

Nightmare Moon cast a quick look back and snarled as a tidal wave of balloon animals rushed down the street.

“You’d better find a deity to pray to so that I never find you, Discord!”

She ran after the DJ.

“Celestia!” Blueblood pushed the throne room doors open and gaped in shock as they floated right off their hinges and dissolved into glitter. Shaking his head, he jogged down the carpet. “I apologize for my rudeness, but there, ah… appears to be quite an issue in Canterlot.”

“We are aware,” Luna was looking out a window with a venomous expression. Her tail – it had gained the lovely astral-properties as her sister’s by now – flicked to and fro.

“Discord has broken free of his stone imprisonment.” Celestia paced back and forth in front of her throne, brow scrunched in worry.

Blueblood swallowed hard. “Please tell me that you have a plan for all this. I can’t shower until I know that miscreant is safely back where he belongs! Who knows what will come out of the damnable pipes next!”

“Our sister has enlisted the aid of the Element bearers,” Luna turned away from the window and towards him. “They are seeking the Elements of Harmony as we speak.”

“Oh, that’s wonderful news…” He sighed, smiling shakily. “For a moment there I was afraid my supply of shampoo was in…” Blueblood’s eyes widened. “What do you mean they’re seeking them? I thought they were in that vault?!”

“Discord has not grown any weaker,” Luna said gravely. “My sister, why wouldst thou keep that villainous draconequus within thy garden? Free for any who pass by to gawk at and tamper with?”

“Luna, you know that even if I buried him a hundred miles under the surface of Equestria in a concrete chamber armed with the most dangerous spells it would only slow him down for a few moments should the Elements’ imprisonment fail. At least in the garden I could easily keep an eye out for any signs,” Celestia stopped pacing and sighed. “But you’re right – I should have done more; I should have told Twilight and her friends about him, just in case. I’ve failed.”

Now if there was one pony Blueblood didn’t like seeing unhappy it was Celestia. “Aunty, now is not the time to play the blame game. We can do that after everything’s sorted.”

“Blueblood is correct,” Luna said. “We cannot simply sit by and watch Discord ruin Equestria once more! We have grown stronger; we must fight back!”

“That’s more like it!” Blueblood beamed brightly; pleased with his rousing words. “Wait, when you say ‘we’…”

“You know what he’s capable of,” Celestia shook her head. “Because of what we are, we may be immune to the majority of his tricks, but he’s still a formidable opponent.”

“He is powerful, yes, but not omnipotent. Nor is he omnipresent or omniscient. We have already confirmed this. We have fought him without the Elements and proved to be significantly effective and that was when we were but foals. Now…” Luna’s wings snapped open. “We are mares and it is our sworn duty to protect our home. Will you not join me? Will you not try?”

Celestia cast her gaze towards him. Blueblood smiled and nodded his head enthusiastically. She sighed once more before inhaling deeply and nodding. “Yes,” She repeated herself, louder, “Yes! We have grown stronger. With you at my side, Luna, we will go up against Discord and attempt to defeat him. Just like old times.”

“Those are my aunties!” Blueblood cheered. “You show that uncouth spirit what we ponies are made of!”

Luna coughed.

“Ahem, excuse us…”

She placed one hoof on her chest and coughed again.

An unflattering sound filled the air and small rainbows suddenly flew out from… under Luna’s tail.

Blueblood’s cheeks almost went as red as Luna’s. “That doesn’t seem quite right.”

“Phew! What a killer!” Blueblood grunted – he most certainly didn’t shriek – in alarm as a pair of yellow eyes appeared in the air before him. “Well, you know that’s what happens when you live in such a sugar bowl world; you eventually start pooping rainbows. You should really start watching what you eat, Moon-Butt.”

“Discord!” Celestia’s hoof came down hard upon the floor. Blueblood winced as he heard the marble underneath the carpet crack. He’d have to hire somepony to fix that later. “Are you here to face us or flaunt about; hiding your cowardice behind your words?”

The eyes spun about and flew towards Celestia, hovering in front of her face. “Oh, ‘Tia, now you’ve gone and hurt my feelings. I thought you were all about harmony and friendship, but then you go and say something like that? It’s enough to make an old prankster cry.”

Geysers of water erupted from the eyes and rose to the ceiling as the owner sobbed loudly.

“Prankster?” Luna stepped forwards. The eyes immediately stopped crying and flipped upside down to look at her. “Thou hath a twisted opinion on what ‘pranks’ are. Hiding foals from parents until they go mad with worry, setting ursa majors upon settlements only to banish them before they can cause harm, and suddenly making clouds hard as granite for pegasi? These are not pranks but the antics of a bully!”

The eyes closed as laughter echoed throughout the throne room. “Oh, Tutu-Lulu – still as stuck in the mud as ever I see. I must say I absolutely adore your new colour scheme; you and your sister’s. And have you two grown?”

There was a bright flash and Blueblood stared in mute terror as Discord – who could even conceive of such a mish-mash creature? – appeared in his true form… albeit dressed in a doctor’s outfit.

“Why, you have indeed! Quite a growth spurt; ‘Tia, you should really be careful with that horn. Somepony could get their eyes poked out.”

Luna’s horn lit up and a bright blue beam erupted from the tip. Blueblood winced as the beam cut through the empty space where Discord once was and promptly destroyed part of the ceiling.

And he worked so hard yelling at the ponies who were in charge of keeping the place clean.

“Wowee-zowie!” Discord materialized on the throne, casually reaching up to the fur on his head and pinching out a small flame. “I’d have thought spending ten centuries on a sub-zero satellite orbiting the planet would cool one’s temper, but apparently I don’t know anything.”

A dunce cap appeared on his head and he struck a goofy face. His expression remained floating in the air even when his body disappeared to avoid a bright yellow beam which scorched the throne.

Blueblood bit his hoof, wincing at the bits needed to fix that.

“Enough, Discord!” Celestia glared at the floating face. How she managed to keep a clear head amongst such insanity was beyond him.

“Enough?” Discord’s voice lowered to a menacing growl and his expression went dark.

Two mismatched arms stretched from behind the throne and grabbed Discord’s face. He replaced it on his blank head as his body reared up over the seat.

“Oh, but we’re just getting started. See, I don’t know if you realize this – considering you’ve never been trapped in stone – but it can get so boring staying still in one spot day after day, month after month, year after year. So forgive me for being so twitchy,”

He laughed, softly and sadistically; chills ran up Blueblood’s spine.

“I’ve got a lot of chaos to catch up on.”

Luna shouted, “Thou shalt not defy one more law of physics while we draw breath, fiend. Now face us!”

Suddenly snapping out of his dark mood, Discord craned his neck forwards, eyes wide with child-like wonder. “Okay, I’m facing you. It’s really boring. Dreams are crashing. What should I do next?”

“Fall!”

A mirror – Blueblood’s eyes sparkled at the beautiful design – appeared in Discord’s hand. He placed it in front of himself and the beam of energy was reflected. Celestia gasped and threw her wings in front of herself. The beam struck and she was knocked back a few hooves.

“Aunty!”

“Sister!”

To his immense relief, Celestia lowered her wings and smiled reassuringly. “I am fine.”

“Oh, I remember when I did that the first time; Luna looked so miserable,” Discord laughed and examined his reflection. “Why, hello there, handsome.”

His reflection winked. “Hey, how you doin’?”

“We will not be so easily bested this time.” Luna rose into the air and swooped forwards. “Defend thyself!”

“Well, if you insist,” The mirror vanished and he was suddenly in a suit of armor, weaving back and forth with fists raised. “You know, I’m an admirer of things that don’t make sense, so tell me how your whole speech works out. I always thought it had something to-”

Luna suddenly disappeared in a blue flash and reappeared behind Discord, both hooves raised. Discord burst into confetti and his auntie’s strike threw her off balance, cartwheeling forwards in the air three times before righting herself.

“Oh, are-are we-you fighting now?” Blueblood knew that he had to find some guards to help. He’d come back and help as soon as he did… seriously. “Fear not, dear aunties! You are not alone and I will assist as soon as I get ready!”

He turned to run and bumped into a scaly leg. Looking up, he was met with the crazed grin of the draconequus.

“Well, if it isn’t Luna’s totally legit son.”

Blueblood gulped. “I’m, uh… I’m not really her-”

“If you didn’t pick up the sarcasm in that one, then… woof, good luck with everything.”

Discord’s gaze flicked upwards and he stuck his tongue out. He burst into confetti as a yellow beam cut through the air. Before it left the throne room, a crystal ball blinked into existence and intercepted it; the energy entered the ball and bounced around, emitting several rays of light. The draconequus reappeared and grabbed it in his talons.

“Skills, don’t fail me now!”

Blueblood grunted – not shrieked – and leapt out of the way as the pony-sized crystal ball rolled past him. Celestia flew into the air before it could hit her. It impacted with the throne and exploded, scorching a great deal of wonderful architecture and furnishings.

Blueblood wished they would take the fight outside where no expensive things were.

“Awww, I struck out,” Discord face-palmed in dismay. “Come on, D, get your head in the game.”

He reached up and removed his head from his neck.

Before he could do something else which would test Blueblood’s sanity, Luna swooped and landed before the draconequus, her horn glowing. Instead of a beam like Blueblood was expecting, a bubble formed around the tip of Luna’s horn and grew to fully encase her. It was transparent, so he could see six rings of dark blue light appear on her right foreleg, starting at her shoulder and ending near her hoof. The bubble dissolved into nothingness and his younger aunty shook her head, panting heavily.

“Pfft…” Discord rolled his eyes. “Flashy and extravagant much?”

Blueblood stared at the rings in confusion. “Aunty, what was that?”

“We have been familiarizing ourselves with combat spells in our sister’s archive,” Luna briefly glanced at Celestia with a smile. “Thou hast some rare and powerful scrolls and books for such a peacemaker.”

Celestia hummed thoughtfully. “I had actually forgotten they were still down there.”

“A spell that conjures up glowing bracelets; how wonderful!” Discord began tossing his head back and forth between his hands. “Could you loan me that spell? I might use it to spice up my celebratory party.”

“Then by all means, accept our bracelets!”

Luna’s horn flashed and she thrust her right hoof forwards. With a crackle of energy and a deep, resonating choom, one of the rings arced from her leg and formed a streak of dark blue energy. It flew fast and struck the draconequus hard in the chest, sending him flying out of the throne room with a pained cry. He hit the walls of the corridor, leaving a sizeable crack and a perfect imprint.

“What say you now?!”

Blueblood cheered. “You go, Luna! Show that ruffian why you’re in charge!”

“Well then…” Discord floated to his feet and placed his head back, spinning it around so it was screwed on tight. “That’s certainly something new. Normally I adore surprises, but that one? Not so much.”

He snapped his talons and a small fireball appeared in the air before him, orange and yellow flames flicking wildly. He swung his arm back and brought it forwards, a tennis racket suddenly in his grasp. The fireball sailed towards them and split into a dozen, forming a triangle-shape.

Blueblood flinched away. He heard the projectiles hit something, but felt no heat or pain. Cracking one eye open, he let out a sigh of relief as he saw the shimmering yellow barrier erected in front of him.

“This fight is between us, Discord.” Celestia said as her horn dulled and the barrier collapsed. “Leave him be.”

“But putting ponies between the two of you and I has always worked out so splendidly,” He paused and pursed his lips. “Well… for me at least.”

“Oh, believe me – I do not make a good shield,” Blueblood chuckled nervously. “I know one pony who would probably make do though.”

“Blueblood!”

“Don’t hurt me!”

“Thou will only get in our way,” Luna’s horn glowed. “Find a safe spot to protect thyself from Discord’s reign and stay there ‘till the matter is solved.”

“Oh, I can most definitely-”

“-do that.” Blueblood blinked and looked around. He huffed. “Urgency be damned, it is so rude to teleport a pony when they are speaking.”

“Prince Blueblood!” A pegasus guard ran towards him from the castle gates. “Are you hurt?”

“No, I’m fine but your princesses are, even as we speak, fighting the one responsible for all this madness,” He gestured to the castle which had now been coloured a bright pink. “You are to recruit more of your brutish fellows and assist them in any way you…” Blueblood paused and lowered his hoof. “You’re not all there, hm?”

“Nope.”

Blueblood sighed and trotted off to find help as the guard spread his wings and tunnelled into the ground, disappearing in a shower of dirt and stones.

“Okay, okay, so if we take a right here then we should end up…” Vinyl turned the corner and came upon a wall, the words ‘DEAD END’ written across it. “Wow, what bullshit. What honest bullshit. Hey, Wolf, you seeing this bullshit?”

Nightmare Moon could literally feel her anger breaking what she thought was the threshold as chocolate rain soaked her to the bone and matted her mane. It was actually fascinating just how much rage she was experiencing, and how it continued to grow with each passing second.

All her hard work wiped in a single snap of the draconequus’ talons. It made her sick and she yearned to find him and make him pay.

‘I can’t be stupid about it; he’s an incredibly powerful foe, and I’ve never fought him.’

The only experience she had with Discord was Luna’s memories of him and his reign. Memories of another could only teach you so much.

“Where the hay are we anyway?” Vinyl shouted, looking back and forth. “This is so not downtown! Does this look like downtown to you?”

Nightmare Moon shook her head. “No, it doesn’t. This appears to be the middleclass section of Canterlot.”

“How did we end up here?” A rubber chicken struck Vinyl on the head, courtesy of a cotton candy cloud passing by. “Oh, right – everything’s totally screwed. What’s causing this? Some dick unicorn? I swear if this is another one of Celestia’s city-wide pranks I’m gonna be real pissed.”
Nightmare Moon knew something had to be done.

She didn’t care in the slightest for Celestia’s rule, but she outright despised Discord’s more. At least the white alicorn had order, this was just plain anarchy.

The quickest and surest way of defeating him was using the Elements of Harmony. Nightmare Moon didn’t like the idea of using the very thing that caused her prior two defeats, but it was the most powerful weapon in existence so far, and ignoring their potential was just plain stupid.

Celestia had probably taken the Elements after her defeat and locked them away in the castle for later use. If nothing had been done by now, then Discord must have stolen and hidden them.

Which meant she was stuck in this messed-up world until they were found.

A nearby manhole shuddered and was slowly pushed up by rising yeast.

‘Wonderful…’

“Holy Tartarus!” Vinyl gestured towards the wall to their right. “Look at that!”

Rather than acknowledge the oxymoron that was Vinyl’s exclamation, Nightmare Moon looked towards the wall and noticed a gap in the brickwork which – instead of leading to the interior of the antique store like it should – led to a street where several earth ponies and unicorns had been lifted into the air by corrupted pegasi and were dangled over a pit full of snarling timber wolves.

It certainly looked bad, but Discord would never intentionally harm a living creature – that would give him one less thing to play with. She could even see the glint of light where the sun’s rays reflected off the hard plastic lid covering the pit. Obviously, in their terror, the ponies couldn’t see it.

“They are in no immediate danger,” Nightmare Moon said. “There’s a covering across the pit which you can plainly-”

“DJ Pon-3 to the rescue!”

She should have expected it. She really should have. As Vinyl raced off into the gap, Nightmare Moon seriously debated leaving and finding some way of hindering Discord’s reign; it wasn’t as if Vinyl was in any danger of getting seriously harmed or killed. Besides, she wasn’t obligated to be Vinyl’s babysit-

Nightmare Moon’s hair stood on end as a wave of energy passed over her.

Everything shimmered for a brief moment; the pegasi reeled back in apparent pain, the gap in the wall wavered like water, and the plastic lid covering the pit dissolved into glitter. The timber wolves scrambled out in moments.

‘Curse you, Vinyl!’

She sprinted forwards just as the gap closed.

Channelling magic into her horn, she let loose a combustion spell; the wooden bodies of the wolves immediately caught fire, their snarls turning into panicked yelps. She had imbued the spell with enough energy that the flames consumed and turned their bodies to cinders within seconds. Nightmare Moon watched as sickly green tendrils of smoke – the essence of the wolves – rose from the debris and streamed into the air, back towards the Everfree Forest.

Turning towards the corrupted pegasi, Nightmare Moon prepared a Paralysis spell only to find that they had already released their captives and were lying listlessly on the street with miserable expressions.

“Hey, she looks really angry…” A mare said.

A stallion lying on his back yawned. “Which one?”

“That one.”

None of them moved an inch.

“Oh yeah, she looks really angry…”

“Yeah…”

“I’m so depressed.”

“I wish I was back in Las Pegasus.”

“I wish you were back in Las Pegasus, too.”

Pulling her magic back into her body, Nightmare Moon turned to the DJ, who was busy helping a grey mare to her hooves. “Take it easy, girl; you’re cool now. My main mare here just saved your flanks.”

The grey mare – Nightmare Moon recognized her as the widely-acclaimed cello player, Octavia – looked pitiful as she shook, wide violet eyes glancing about.

“Oh Celestia, why is this happening?” A mare with a grating voice shrilled. Nightmare Moon’s ears folded back and her lips curled into a scowl.

“Look at my coat!” A stallion gestured to his bright yellow body. “Look at it!”

Vinyl shrugged. “What about it?”

“I used to be blue!”

“I think it looks pretty good.”

“I…” The stallion blinked and examined himself closely. “You think so?”

“Yeah, totally.”

“Oh. Well… then look at her coat!”

The shrill mare glowered. “My coat is natural!”

“Honey, there’s nothing natural about that.”

The DJ gave a very fake laugh. “Yeah, you’re a comic genius, dude; now can we hurry and get somewhere less… weird?”

Nightmare Moon blinked twice in quick succession. “When you say ‘we’, I certainly hope you’re not including them as well.”

“We can’t just leave them in this mess!” Vinyl stepped towards her. “We must help our fellow ponies during this time of crisis. The Element bearers are doing all they can to stop this mess so we – all of Canterlot – must help in keeping our brothers and sisters safe.”

Once she got close, Vinyl lowered her voice.

“Do you not see the flank on the grey mare? Come on – help a sister out in her quest for some fine booty.”

“I can’t believe you,” Nightmare Moon really couldn’t. “Canterlot is being-” Vinyl hushed her, nodding at Octavia. Nightmare Moon gritted her teeth, but continued quietly. “Canterlot is being torn apart at its seams and you’re concerned about finding a mate?”

“I don’t know about finding a mate, but looking to mate? That’s more up my alley.”

“You’re kidding. You’re kidding, right?”

“I’m as serious as a friggin’ heart attack,” Vinyl brought her front hooves together pleadingly. “Come on – you’re a natural leader.”

Nightmare Moon was about to protest, but realized the DJ was right. She was a very good leader. “That doesn’t mean I go around finding lost ponies and guiding them back to their meadows like some insane shepherd!”

“Think of it this way: you’re giving orders to ponies who are so panicked they’ll do whatever you say blindly.”

That did sound tempting. It’d be nice to give an order and not have somepony talk back. Star Secret was popular, but there was always the occasional snide pony who dismissed anything she said, and it wasn’t as if she could beat them until they listened.

Nightmare Moon frowned in thought, swishing her tail back and forth. Vinyl trotted to her side and craned her neck up to whisper in her ear.
“And who knows? They might just remember the dashing mare that led them through this crisis and sing her praises, inspiring others to support the mare that led them through disaster, having seen her leadership skills first-hoof.”

Nightmare Moon narrowed her eyes. “Are you… playing on my personality traits to manipulate me into doing what you want?”

The DJ telekinetically lowered her glasses to reveal shining red eyes. “Who? Widdle old me? Perish the thought.”

Nopony had ever had the gall to try and manipulate her.

She was truly impressed; she didn’t think the DJ had it in her.

Nightmare Moon smirked. “You’re not as dumb as you look, you know that?”

Vinyl grinned and replaced her shades. “Yep, but I just love hearing you admit it.”

Nightmare Moon sighed and surveyed the group of ponies. She didn’t know what exactly Vinyl wanted her to do when she said ‘lead them to safety’ since there was hardly any place that Discord couldn’t touch, but she did know of numerous shelters spread all over Canterlot in case of cataclysmic events such as this.

Reinforced concrete chambers protected by charms installed a dozen or so metres underground and capable of holding two hundred full grown stallions.

It would only stop Discord for about five seconds, but it was better than nothing.

Well, it wasn’t as if she’d be stopping Discord by herself or finding the Elements anytime soon. With any luck, the Element bearers weren’t completely useless and would manage to find them and put an end to the draconequus. She’d give it a day and if things were still as bad-

The sun suddenly went down at ludicrous speeds and the moon shot up and braked with the sound of shattering glass.

She’d give it a day – using her own internal clock – and if things were still as bad then she’d do something. Until then, leading these idiots would prove to occupy her time.

“All of you!” Nightmare Moon yelled and cast an illumination spell, her horn lighting up the area. “Against my own better judgement, I will try and lead you to one of the shelters in the area.”

“You will?” A light brown-coated stallion said.

“But only if you follow my instructions and do not answer back! Now, first rule: shut up. Second rule: if you see a corrupted pony, loved one or not, do not touch them. Third rule: if a hybrid of animal parts tries to talk to you, either fight or run. Fourth rule: attack first and ask no questions later. Clear?”

“We-”

“First rule!”

“…”

“Let’s go!”

As Nightmare Moon strolled down the streets, Vinyl remained at her side, beaming. “I owe you one, Wolf.”

“More than one.”

“Yeah, yeah, cool. Now if you’ll excuse me…” The DJ slowed down until she was trotting side by side with Octavia. She nodded. “How you doin’?”

Author's Notes:

Note 1: Nightmare Moon's social links have levelled up, much to her chagrin. Even so, it's a long way from being even close to the friendships the Mane 6 have.

Note 2: Arcane Disruption Ring(s) - first created by Starswirl the Bearded in 50 BD (Before Discord), and then later improved on by Clover the Clever in 43 AD. This Arcane spell bypasses natural defences and causes magical backlash, which inflicts intense pain and possible internal injury on the target, the severity of which dependent on how much magical potential the victim has and how resilient they are.

The spell holds no kinetic energy; the impact force is dependent on the magical backlash, as if the victim's magic instinctively repels them from the foreign magical signature.

Very few have knowledge of it and even fewer have the skill to cast it.

Note 3: Vinyl likes to think she is smooth.