My Little Maleficent: The True Tale of Nightmare Moon

by xDark_Faerie_Queenx

Chapters

• Introduction
• Luna's First Kiss
• A Dark Twist
• The Horrid and Immoral Betrayal
• The Curse
• A Nightmare's Soft Part

Introduction

This is a tale about Luna... not a tale you normally hear about the dark mare cursing a princess to an eternal death sleep for many centuries. This is the tale of Luna's backstory and who she actually is. The story begins now... Legends said that alicorns are vicious, dark, and dangerous. One alicorn was involved in the tale of Sleeping Pony. Do you think you knew the tale? Well, let's tell the story and see how well you knew it.

Long ago, there were two kingdoms; the magical, mythical kingdom and the non-mythical kingdom.  Alicorns were rare, and they were never seen often, unless encountered in dire circumstances. The wars had raged on between two kingdoms for decades ever since the King of Equestria rose to power. It was said that either a great hero or a terrible villain would bring peace to the two kingdoms... the other kingdom was called the Everfree Forest, a forest thought to be evil and foreboding.

However, the forest wasn't always filled with evil. There were kind creatures that lived in there... and, sitting atop the Great Tree on the cliffs, was a powerful alicorn and her elder sister. Her name was... Luna. She was different from other Breezies and the other Everfree Folk, for she was destined to do something courageous someday. She was unsure of her destiny, because she was only thirteen.

"Luna, I've always wanted to tell you the truth about the non-magical ones," The elder sister spoke. "They can be cruel and vicious, but-"

"They can't be bad! There are good ponies that were non-magical. There were evil ones, just like there were evil Breezies and evil creatures. There were good creatures. There had to be both good and bad traits in all living things!" Luna chirped, unaware that she interrupted her sister. She knew that her sister was protective, but that was because Celestia cared about her.

"They killed our parents. I was three at the time. I had to take care of you ever since... that was why you used to call me 'mom.' The ones who killed our parents were ruthless and hateful! We can't trust Equestrians. Not even the Canterlot nobles, not now, not ever..." Celestia shook her head as she ignored her sister's optimism.

"Don't be so skeptical." Luna narrowed her eyes as she heard the chattering in the distance. "Lately, you've been going to Canterlot despite your hate for the Equestrian residents. Why is it?"

"There was a prince that respected us enough to not hurt us," Celestia smiled. "We have been planning to unite the two lands... if only he could convince the citizens and his unruly father..."

"He sounds nice." Luna's eyes glittered with hope and cheeriness, like usual. It was easy for her to be cheerful, for she never experienced the cruelty of the Equestrians. She was pure and innocent... but, someday, she wouldn't be.

"Aw, come on. Many fillies would love to be swept off their hooves by a stereotypically handsome hero, and you aren't like that. You are independent and strong." Celestia chortled, her musical voice entering her sister's ears as she smiled once more.

When Luna heard the cracking of a branch, she immediately climbed up the tree, and placed her horn onto the small branch. Her horn glowed in the same color as her cerulean eyes for several seconds. As she repaired the branch, she smiled as she looked on. "There you go," She whispered before spreading out her wings and prepared to soar into the headwinds.

"Have fun and be safe," Celestia called out from below.

Luna nodded as she soared into the sky. The setting sun was enough to make her sister gasp with awe, though the night-loving alicorn preferred watching the moonrise. Luna knew that the colors were lovely, but the sun was too unbearable to look at! She flew across a nearby pond, and nodded at the water Breezies. "Beautiful work, girls," She called out.

A group of diamond dogs prepared to throw mud, and Luna noticed as she shook her head. "Oh, no, don't do it!" She sang to them.

As the short diamond dog threw a ball of mud at the filly, the filly ducked the mudball. The mudball rammed into another creature, which caused Luna to look on and laugh with such mischief. "Gotcha," She remarked. As she flew farther away, she heard the commotion below. She normally loathed drama, but she sensed that something was afoot.

Luna landed onto the ground near the chattering creatures and fellow Breezies, and listened to the conversation. "What is it?" She interrogated.

Apple Bloom was the first to speak. "Oh, Luna-"

"Let me talk," Scootaloo interrupted.

"Can't I tell her this time?" Sweetie Belle begged as her eyes saddened. She seemed to plead, but nopony appeared to be convinced.

However, Luna grew tired of their tiresome ways, so she decided to let Sweetie Belle speak. "Tell me," She pressed.

"The border guards found a unicorn thief stealing from the Pool of Jewels, and-" Sweetie Belle blurted out.

Luna gasped. She was both surprised and intrigued. A pony from Equestria! What was the pony like? Was the pony a stallion or a mare? Fully grown or young? Tall or short? Benign or malign? Decked out in iron armor, or unarmored? Luna's mind was crowded with curious thoughts as she approached a clearing with a dark cave. The manticore was prepared to leap at the potential intruder.

"Now, Melvin the Manticore," Luna spoke. "There's no need to be aggressive. I'm not scared, and I'm not some weak little filly. I'm curious about this pony..." She nodded before glancing at the cave.

Melvin bowed in response to the filly's request. Luna almost rolled her eyes. She knew that she wasn't a queen, but she wasn't the type to be so pompous, vain, or self-centered. She focused her mind on coaxing the mystery intruder out of the cave. "Come out," She implored.

"No!" A youthful voice shrieked in response. "They want to murder me! They're so ugly and vicious, anyways!"

"That's not nice of you to say it," Luna scolded as she glanced at Melvin for a moment. She smiled. "You're classically handsome. I don't think this pony saw any of the good in you. Ignore his words."

Melvin gave the young filly a kind smile in return, his heart warmed by Luna's words.

Luna stared at the darkened cave once more. "I know, it's not right to steal! But, we don't kill others for it. Come out... come out this instant!" Frustration began to become evident in her expression as she furrowed her brows and frowned slightly.

A youthful colt, shy of turning fourteen, slinked out of the cave. Upon noticing Luna, he froze and stared in awe. "You're her," He whispered.

Luna gave him a sideways glance as she tilted her head. She wondered how he knew her. "Um, okay... tell me your name," She replied.

"I'm called Prince Sombra. What's your name?" Sombra returned.

"They call me Luna," Luna introduced herself. "You're the prince that my sister told me about!"

"You know Celestia?" Sombra's mouth gaped open as his eyes widened with shock and intrigue.

"Of course I knew her," Luna retorted defensively. "She's raised me ever since my birth."

"Oh, so she's your second mom," Sombra jested.

"Stop it. That's not how you should treat my sister!" Luna almost lost her composure, but reminded herself that there might be somepony watching. She glanced at Melvin, and the manticore spoke something to her immediately.

Luna nodded as she turned her attention to the young prince. "That's right. I'm leading you out of the forest. First, give back the jewels," She said.

"I don't have them," Sombra lied as he looked away.

"I see that you're lying. I know you have them. Bring them to me." Luna attempted to sound firm and authoritative, but she sounded youthful and soft, which wasn't what she wanted to sound like. She wanted to be tough like her powerful father, even though she barely knew him. He was only mentioned in the stories that Celestia would tell each night before bedtime.

"Oh..." Sombra huffed with selfishness as he levitated the jewel out of his pouch. He used an illusion spell to make it seem like a cluster of gems. Perhaps that was because he kept dreaming of the Crystal Heart.

Luna gave him a look as the prince tossed the jewel into the water. "Thank you," Luna spoke. "I may take you out of the forest. Come with me."

Luna led the colt out to the border, and a structure in the distance caught her eye. She wasn't impressed, as she imagined that whoever resided in there must have wanted to shut the world out. And Sombra called himself a prince? Surely, he would reside there someday.

Sombra pointed at the castle. "Someday, I want to be king. But, Shining Armor stood in the way as the official heir to the throne. I can't let him take the throne," He admitted.

"Why would you steal power from him?" Luna wondered, unimpressed once again. She gave him a bored expression as she waited for a reply.

"I want to be king, that's why. I like Cadence, but I think you're cute, so..." Sombra explained.

Luna blushed and giggled as the colt called her cute. She had always been called cute, but when this sweet colt considered her to be adorable, her pure heart of gold melted. She shyly turned her head away as her cheeks warmed even more.

"You're very sweet. Well, I don't think Celestia would welcome you into the Everfree, but, will you come again in secret? Pretty please, with a cherry on top?" She implored. She knew that she started to have a crush on Sombra, but she didn't want anypony to know.

"Yes, yes, I will..." Sombra replied as he held out his hoof. On his hoof was an iron horseshoe.

As Luna touched Sombra's hoof, she shrieked in pain as she pulled her hoof away. She shook her hoof to alleviate the pain. "It's iron. Iron burns those of my kind. It also burns Breezies," She admitted, even though she didn't want to be taken advantage of for her weakness.

She wished that she would take back the truth, but, she knew that once the words were uttered, they stay there forever, possibly in somepony else's memory. The moon rose into the sky, which illuminated her form and enhanced her ethereal beauty. Sombra was in awe, although he was conflicted about his horseshoe. "Sorry," He whispered as he levitated the horseshoe and tossed it away. "It will be worth the risk, coming to you every week. You're just too lovely to be forgotten. Good-bye, my princess..."

Luna blushed as she placed a hoof to her chest. Never had she been complimented like that, and her heart was moved by Sombra's act of kindness. She smiled like an excited little filly, and giggled softly. She knew that someday, she would fall in love and potentially unite the two lands. Then, she would become a great and benevolent queen, beloved by all she met... she would even outshine her older sister! Her thoughts were interrupted as she heard a voice call for her.

"Luna! Luna!" The voice shouted.

"I'm coming, sister! I was just distracted, okay?" Luna called as she flew into the Everfree and reached the Great Tree. Her sister waited impatiently as she lounged on the branch.

"What were you thinking, going off into danger like that? I can't let my precious sister be killed by evil ponies at night! I told you, at night, there be monsters lurking in the darkness! Monsters, monsters everywhere out there!" Celestia lectured, her worries getting the best of her.

"Sombra is not a monster," Luna reminded her.

"I know, but sometimes, he makes me feel..."

"Afraid? Endangered? Such ridiculousness, dear sister! Don't be like that. You were friends with him, correct?"

"Not really. I think he is too ambitious to respect nature."

"He's not." Luna ignored her sister's fretful warnings as she climbed up the tree and lounged on the branch near her sister's sleeping spot.

Celestia looked on, gazing at the vision of her sleeping beauty. She approached her sister, sat next to her, and draped her protective wing over Luna's small body. "Moonlight, starlight... all that, will be yours someday," She hummed. "Lulla-lau, lulla-lau, may this song reach your dreams! Lulla-lau, lulla-lau..." She continued to sing, and her sister fell into a deep sleep as the moon rose higher into the sky.

"Right now, sleep the night away..." Celestia finished as her eyes grew heavy. She lowered her head, and soon, her head rested near Luna's face.

As Luna slumbered, she slipped into a dream where she met with Sombra again. She was in a ballroom. The ballroom was gorgeous; there were countless marble arches and a beautiful marble floor, lined with a magenta carpet that would lead to a pair of throne chairs. She wasn't impressed, still. She wondered why the ponies of Equestria managed to seem much better than the magical folk. The castle must have taken a lot of work to build. Standing on top of the elegant marble steps, stood Prince Sombra of Equestria.

He slowly descended down the steps, and approached Luna. Luna willingly took his hoof into hers...

"I know you, I walked with you once upon a dream..."

Luna's First Kiss

For several weeks, Luna waited in the treetops for her dear friend. She nearly became withdrawn, which caused her sister to question her behavior. Luna didn't say anything, for she felt ashamed of loving a forbidden pony. One evening, Celestia left to deal with some matters in the neighboring kingdom, and wouldn't be seen for a while. That didn't concern the young sister, however; she didn't mind being independent.

She flew to the border, and hovered just above the trees. She watched a familiar figure come into view, and landed behind the pony. "Well, well. Look who's back," She announced.

Sombra jumped, and turned to face her. "It's worth the risk," He commented. "So, um..." He fumbled with his hooves for a moment. He knew that he kept the other jewels in his room, but he didn't want Luna to know, for fear of feeling her wrath.

He had heard tales of a terrible mare cursing the land. However, Luna didn't seem like her. She seemed sweet, benevolent, and pleasant overall; she wouldn't hurt a fly.

Sombra told himself to relax, and his nervousness went away. "What do you do for fun?" He asked.

Luna smiled and said, "I'll show you. I promise you, it's fun!" She led Sombra into the forest, and they reached the Everfree Pond.

Sombra had to admit, the water was gorgeous and clean-looking, especially under the clear, silvered moonlight. "It's a different world under the moonlight," He remarked.

"I agree," Luna concurred. She loved whenever it was dark out and when the colorful lights would come into play. When she was younger, she used to play with the nocturnal Breezies near the pond.

Now, she stood still and waited for the Breezies to appear. There was nothing, so Luna figured that the Breezies were afraid of Sombra. Why would they fear him if he was kind and innocent?

"Come out, come out, wherever you are!" Luna called to the Breezies.

The breezies cautiously escaped their hiding spots, and hovered closer to Luna and Sombra. "She brought a colt this time. Is he magical or nah?" A female Breezie wondered.

Sombra suddenly shifted with discomfort as he managed to keep his composure. "I have magic, but I... my father wanted me to, um, to practice the dark arts," He explained.

"You don't have to tell them the dark truth about you," Luna reminded him. She glanced at the Breezies, winked her left eye, and giggled. "He's quite the gentlecolt. You should trust him, no matter what."

The Breezies flew away, unsure what to say in response to Luna's words. Luna and Sombra were alone now. Luna's eyes glinted with mischief, and Sombra smirked in response. "I know what you'll do," He said.

Luna pushed Sombra into the water, causing the colt to laugh. The colt splashed the cool, clean water into Luna's face immediately. Luna scrunched her nose as she splashed the water back to him. "Back to you," She chortled as she watched Sombra slam his hoof against the water. "Oh, no, don't do-"

The water splashed all over Luna, causing her hair to become shiny and soaked. Her hair glistened in the moonlight, which made her seem all the more beautiful and ethereal. Sombra could only look on with awe, as he did before. Even though he loved her for her grace and beauty, he was still tempted to follow his ambition to become a king.

Luna still wondered what Sombra meant when he said "you're her." So, she decided to ask the question about the short comment. "Remember when you said that I'm her? I wonder what that means," She spoke as she pushed her bangs away from her eyes.

"Some ponies see you flying. You are about the same size as the other teenaged ponies, except that you are magical and you have powerful wings. They wonder whether you are a Breezie or a legendary alicorn," Sombra explained.

"Ironically, Celestia wouldn't let me into Equestria." Luna almost frowned.

"The thing is, my parents wouldn't let me speak with alicorns. They fear that an alicorn would murder me, but you're sweet and kind. I don't think you would do that. My mother is more protective, though she seems to prefer my rival more."  

"Who's your rival?"

"Shining Armor."  

"Oh." Luna nodded for a second before splashing the water onto Sombra.  

"What was that for?" Sombra playfully asked.  

"Who knows?" Luna snickered cheerfully as she splashed the water at her friend once again.

The prince and the alicorn frolicked in the pond til midnight, and the prince felt that he had to return home before his parents could suspect something. "Good-night, lovie," Sombra said at last.

Luna's heart fluttered at the nickname. No one called her lovie before, but she knew that it was endearing and somewhat romantic. "Good-night, my prince," She returned. "Someday, we will be queen and king, and bring peace to the two kingdoms!"

"That's a good idea." Sombra nodded in agreement as he waded out of the water, and trotted away from the pond.

Luna smiled as she watched her sweetheart leave the forest. Another visit, and another chance to bond with him. Then, someday... they would potentially fall in love, get married, and rule the two lands together! But, soon, she would learn that her dreams may not come true. She went to the Great Tree for the night, and slumbered on a branch.

Thus did the young thief manage to not only take the jewels, but, he stole something more precious; Luna's heart of gold. One day, he gave her a beautiful gift.

As they strode through the woods, they sat near a rock, and Sombra levitated a necklace from his pouch. Luna gasped as she observed the beauty of the moonstone necklace. "Oh, my. The moonstone... it's my favorite gem. This gem reminds me of the moon," She exclaimed as she took the gift and tied the necklace around her slender neck.

"It looks good on you," Sombra complimented.

"Aww, thank you. And, thank you for the gift! I really love it!" Luna pulled Sombra into a tight embrace as she squealed with happiness.

Hearts were warmed, and kind words were exchanged as the months turned into years. On Luna's sixteenth birthday, as the moon rose into the sky, Sombra planned to give her a wondrous gift...

Sombra waited near the borders, and looked to the skies. He looked to Luna, and smiled as he took in her ethereal, goddess-like beauty.

Luna was no longer an awkward little filly; she has blossomed into a beautiful young mare. Her hair changed from the lightest shade of lilac to a medium azure color, with the purplish tips surrounding the azure part. Her hair began to sparkle a little, but her hair didn't ripple yet. Soon, it would ripple as if there was a phantom breeze. Her fur coat changed from light purple to midnight blue, and she was the most beautiful sight to behold, just like her beautiful sister.

Sombra had changed, too. He was no longer skinny; he had a stocky, fit build. His hair was less unruly, and could be easily slicked back.

Luna decided that enough was enough; this was the time to let the romance blossom! She approached Sombra, and blushed shyly. She almost chortled with shyness as she smiled.

Sombra stared into a pair of cerulean eyes, and his heart fluttered for a few moments as he smiled. He closed his eyes, moved his head forward, and leaned forward. Luna's eyes widened, but she reminded herself to close her eyes. Her lips pressed against Sombra's lips; soon, they were lost in the kiss.

The moon shone, which illuminated the pair. Then, the couple gently broke the kiss. Sombra smiled once more. "This is true love's kiss," He whispered. "You are my truest love ever. I love you, and my heart aches each time I'm away from you."

"May peace soon fill our future reign someday," Luna promised. "Hopefully, if you have to choose a bride, you have to choose me; and, with good reason."

"I will, I swear..." Sombra nodded swiftly.

Luna beckoned Sombra to follow her, and they strode into the forest. They sat near the Everfree Pond, and the alicorn draped her wing across the prince's back, as if to protect him from danger. Just then, they heard a noise in the bush. Luna immediately shot up, for fear that Celestia might be spying on them. "Go home, before they find you!" Luna warned. "It's not safe!"

With that, Sombra escaped the forest immediately. What used to give him a feeling of peace and security now filled him with a foreboding sense of dread. Luna watched as an ivory alicorn escaped the bushes. Celestia stared her down, as if to shame her for loving a stranger.

"Who is that?" She demanded. "Was it Sombra again?"

Luna backed away; she had never seen her sister so livid before. She knew how terrifying the magical folk could be if they were enraged. "Yes," She confessed. "He's kind and sweet. He is as gentle as a smooth stream-"

"He stole from us one time! How can we trust him? I have a bad feeling about him," Celestia interrupted curtly.

"It's only rumors, I assure you. Don't yell at me."

"Fine, whatever. I'm going to sleep through the night. I'm tired from protecting the forest all day! You will go about your nightly duties as the Protector of the Everfree! Hear me?"

"Yeah... right." Luna only whispered as Celestia stomped off. Behind the alabaster alicorn was a fiery trail, with flames licking the soft grass and the air.

Luna tamed the flames with her magic, and willed the flames away. Soon, there was no more destruction in the forest. She couldn't handle her sister's dark side, could she? She shook her head as she flew into the headwinds. She inhaled, and then exhaled softly as she looked around. Soon, she was high up in the air, her mane rippling in the wind. Her tail mimicked the movement of her mane as she dashed through the darkened sky.

The kiss was surely sweet and gentle, and that was what Luna thought about the true love's kiss. She was seriously infatuated with the prince, that's what. But, the kiss and the romance was not what they seemed to her... she was still naive, young, and innocent, but the future would forever change that. Soon, she would become the opposite. For now, she was content with being young. She still wondered if she would get another visit from the prince. Maybe, someday, if they became young adults, then they would get married and live happily ever after.

However, there would not be a happily ever after. All of the innocent romance was about to change...

A Dark Twist

As the years passed, Sombra's ambition pulled him farther and farther from his lover and into the temptations of royal life. He even had a secret lover, but would not tell Luna about it. Princess Cadence of the Crystal Empire was to be betrothed to Sombra soon, if Sombra had followed the aging queen's orders to steal from the Everfree. He had only stolen some jewels as a teen, but he didn't plan to return the glorious gems. He transformed the gems into a single necklace, and gave the necklace to Cadence as a gift.

Meanwhile, Luna, the strongest of the Everfree folks, became the Protector of the Everfree Forest. She had grown much more beautiful and powerful. One evening, she took to the skies for an exciting flight. She spun as she flew higher into the skies. The darkened clouds spun around her as she finished spinning. She grinned, flapped her wings hard, and dashed towards the river. She hovered above the water, her shadow gracing the river as she flew past the tall rocks. Her long mane rippled and sparkled as she flew high into the headwinds once again.

The moonlight kissed the alicorn's body, and gave her an ethereal, brilliant glow. Luna sighed as she closed her eyes and slowed down for several seconds. Surely, there was nopony so lovely and so well loved as she... yet, there was something missing from her ever since her sixteenth birthday; her lover, the Prince of Equestria, had become more distant than ever. He was less loving and less caring than before, which began to turn Luna off.

Luna's heart ached at the realization as she opened her eyes. Now, the moon lost its luster as Luna's smile disappeared. Clouds blocked the moon from view as she flew to the Great Tree. Feeling dejected, she decided to remain on the branch for the remainder of the night.

She wanted to talk to Celestia, but she didn't want to mention the prince. She knew how much Celestia loathed Equestria's residents and the kingdom's royal family. Well, Celestia didn't deliberately hate the royal family; she tried to make relations with them politically, for she was now the Queen of the Everfree.

Luna looked to the skies, frowned even more, and sighed with disconsolation. "Does he still love me?" She asked nopony in particular. The stars no longer twinkled cheerily as the clouds disappeared; there was an ominous twinkle in the stars.

Oftentimes, she walked alone near the borders every night, and one afternoon, she received a surprise; Sombra waited by the borders. Luna cheerily ran to him and pulled him into a tight, loving embrace.

"Oof," Sombra panted. He didn't know if he loved her for real or not. Perhaps he loved Cadence much more, after all.

"Is that how you say that you love me?" Luna pressed as she broke the hug and backed away, her wings stilled and open as she narrowed her eyes. She seemed ready to attack, but that wasn't part of her plan.

"No. Forgive me," Sombra returned as he bowed before her.

"Thank you. Now, can you tell me the reason why you are always disappearing?" Luna interrogated.

"I was busy," Sombra half-lied. He wanted to become king, so that was what made him busy. He often competed with Shining Armor for Cadence's hoof in marriage.

"Hmm..." Luna hummed, uninterested. "With what?" She tilted her head.

"There is aggressive competition for the crown." Sombra nodded softly, his head bowed in shame.

"You needn't to be ashamed of that," Luna reminded him. "If you're not cheating..." She added.

"I'm not cheating on you!" Sombra shouted in defense as he rose his hoof. "I swear, I swear!"

"No need to get nervous." Luna smiled as she beckoned the stallion to follow her. They strode through the forest and chattered.

A rosy smell entered Luna's nose, and she looked to the stallion. She gave him a sideways glance, and gritted her teeth. She began to wonder if Sombra had cheated on her with a secret lover.

"Have you been seeing someone?" Luna interrogated.

"No," Sombra lied as he nodded.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes!" Sombra shook his head, the fresh feeling of guilt taking over his heart.

Luna tilted her head, perplexed and suspicious. She was suspicious of Sombra's motives, for one thing. A mysterious ache shot through the alicorn's heart like an iron knife as she frowned. "Do you have to go?" Luna whispered.

"Yes," Sombra retorted curtly. "I have to! It's nice spending time with you."

"Okay... bye." Luna bowed her head in sadness as she slunk away from the stallion. She strode into the Everfree,  silent like the night as she searched for the Great Tree.

The nocturnal Everfree creatures and Breezies looked to her, for they wanted to comfort her. Luna didn't care for any kindness from them. Perhaps her dreams would never come true, after all... she was hurt, not for the first time, by love and romance. When Sombra didn't come to her several years since her sixteenth birthday, she was quite hurt.

Luna approached the Great Tree, and watched as Celestia climbed down the tree. "What's wrong?" Celestia wondered.

Luna turned away, and shook her head. "It's nothing," She murmured.

"You seem miserable." Celestia reached out her hoof, and pushed several strands away from her sister's eyes.

The lunar alicorn swapped her sister's hoof away, and gave her an angry look. "It's nothing! I already told you," She blurted out.

"Okay..."

"I'll make you miserable if you continue to pester me!" Luna stood her ground, and stomped away from her sister.

The next night, Luna lounged in the Great Tree on the highest branch. She looked out to the skies, and glanced at the castle in the distance. As usual, the night was gorgeous and mystifying. She smiled as the moonlight kissed the forest floor. She was still naive, for she never understood the greed and envy of most Equestrians. Soon, she was to learn...

The alicorn heard an approaching noise, and looked near the border for a source. As she saw an army approaching, she gasped and froze. She darted into the skies to confront the approaching army.

The Changeling Queen, who led the army, halted her stallions as they approached the Everfree Forest. "The mysterious Everfree Forest, where nopony dared to enter for fear of the mythical creatures lurking within! Well, I say, crush them! Take the treasures and destroy the forest!" She commanded them.

As she looked to the forest's entrance, she saw an ominous figure with a pair of wings and a tall, sharp horn. The alicorn resembled the legendary night mistress that wanted to plunge the world into an eternal night.

Luna stared them down as she scowled. She could imagine how her parents felt, having to face down the army years earlier before their death. Despite being a little frightened, she stood tall, strong, and firm. "Come no further!" She bellowed.

The queen snorted derisively as she shook her head. "A queen does not take orders from a winged unicorn!" She retorted.

"You... are no queen to me! You cannot take over the Everfree Forest! My sister is the rightful queen of the Everfree! I am Luna, Protector of the Everfree! Don't you dare come closer!"

"Look at you, boasting about your position, mare! How pompous and regal," The queen sneered. "How arrogant and brazen!"

A fury rose in Luna's heart, for she was offended by the queen's words. She knew that she wasn't vain, but what of it? The only one who was vain was the queen herself! "I am not arrogant nor brazen," She corrected the queen. "I'm the strongest one in the forest, and that is why I rose to become its protector!"

"Whatever, Princess Luna."

"Agh, shut it!" Luna nearly lost her temper as the thunder boomed. She stomped her hoof, and stared down the queen. She clenched her teeth, growled, and darted into the air. She let out a battle cry as she dashed towards the army.

As the alicorn hovered in the air, she looked for the sentries. "Arise and stand with me!" She commanded, and the creatures emerged into view. The wolverines attacked every soldier in sight, and a tatzlwurm emerged from the ground and chomped on the unsuspecting victims.

"It's the dark creatures!" A stallion exclaimed.

"It's the dark creatures!" Another stallion agreed.

The bug queen looked to Luna, and pointed at the alicorn's face. "Bring me her head!" She commanded.

"Battalion!" The soldiers exclaimed in unison.

Luna attacked the other soldiers, and as she approached the bug queen, she shoved the queen to the ground. "You will never have the forest! Not now, not ever! You-" She hollered.

"I'm called Chrysalis!" The queen sneered as she pushed the alicorn away, the iron brushing against Luna's neck.

The alicorn gasped with pain, and backed away. "I know you're armed with heavy iron armor," Luna remarked.

Chrysalis snorted as she rushed to the castle, and beckoned the soldiers to follow her. She would tell somepony to avenge the royal family soon...

Luna stood near Melvin, and looked on as she nodded. The Everfree Forest had won once again. For some reason, she managed a sad smile. She strode into the forest, and Melvin followed suit.

"Do you think we will be able to foster peace?" Melvin wondered.

"I don't know. I dealt with them violently, so it's likely that there will be another war," Luna worried.

"I'll guard the borders."

Luna only approached the Great Tree, and lounged on the ground as she looked to the skies. Fretful thoughts filled her head. An icy claw of fear began to penetrate her heart. What if Sombra sided with the queen? What if Celestia was right about the neighboring kingdom? What if Celestia actually wanted to thwart the royal family for a reason? Why would Sombra lie to Luna about a potential lover and his ambition to become a king? Would the safety of the Everfree become more endangered?

At the castle in Canterlot, several ponies entered the dying queen's bedchambers. The queen croaked as she spoke. Sombra lighted the candles on the candelabra as he sighed deeply. He felt even more conflicted by the day; he didn't know whether to be loyal to Luna or to be loyal to Cadence. He was seriously in a love triangle!

"Ever since my husband and I became the rulers of Equestria, we promised you that we would take over the Everfree Forest and steal its treasures. Here I am, dying... several years ago, your king died of an illness. Now, I am destined to die, all because of the defeat in battle," Chrysalis announced. "When I pass away, I will allow Shining Armor to be betrothed to my stepdaughter Princess Cadence and to take the throne. Sombra seems to be conflicted, so I won't let him become a king, unless he kills Luna."

Sombra whirled around to face the queen upon hearing the request. He was tasked to betray Luna so that he could become a king! "I am worthy of the crown," He assured her. "I will avenge you."

"Good," Chrysalis purred. "That way, we will no longer be thwarted by the Everfree's protectors."

Sombra nodded, unable to stand up for his love. He decided that it wouldn't be risky to marry Cadence and to take the throne. He dashed out of the castle and to the Everfree Forest. As he approached the borders, he searched for Luna.

"Luna! Luna!" He called out. There was no response. Saddened and disappointed, he turned away.

Luna landed behind him, aware of the potential threat that would doom her homeland. She had been wary of Sombra ever since the war ended. "How is life with the Equestrians?" She interrogated. Lividness, apprehension, and tension were written across her face as she narrowed her eyes and backed away a little.

Sombra turned to face his love. He frowned as he sighed. He shuddered with each breath as he managed to speak the truth. He didn't want to go into detail about the love triangle or about hurting Luna for the sake of achieving the throne. "They mean to kill you. They are horrible. I belong here with you, even though it is risky," He admitted.

Luna's scowl softened as she nodded. "You are forgiven," She murmured, despite herself.

They strode to the Everfree Pond, and sat near the rock. Luna's wing was draped across the prince's back as they gazed at the stars and the moon. She had forgiven the prince his folly and his ambition, but didn't realize that she would run into a lot of trouble and turmoil. She chose to ignore the consequences, anyways. She smiled happily as she rested her head on Sombra's head. As Sombra levitated a flask in front of Luna's face, Luna took the flask and drank from the bottle. She immediately closed her eyes, and snored as she let the sleep take hold. Maybe, she believed, she would get to live happily ever after...

The Horrid and Immoral Betrayal

Sombra levitated the iron blade above Luna's neck, and lowered the blade. He struggled to murder her, but he couldn't bring himself to hurt the one that loved him the most. He didn't want to provoke her, and he didn't want to make her vengeful. So, he levitated the iron chains from his pouch and lowered them near Luna's back, where the alicorn's wings were. He felt as if somepony watched him, as if to snitch on the horrible act that Sombra was close to committing.

An alabaster alicorn emerged from the shadows and spooked the daylights out of Sombra. "Watch it!" She warned. "Don't hurt my sister!"

"Celestia," Sombra exclaimed as he placed a hoof over his chest. He never thought that Celestia would refuse to side with the Equestrians.

"Yeah, that's me, the Queen! If you do this, you'll be punished!"

"I'm going to spare her life, but I must take her wings. I will imprison you when I become king."

"I am not convinced," Celestia muttered.

"You should be convinced. I am not actually planning to imprison you. If you want peace between two lands, you must come to Canterlot and remain there as a prisoner. I swear, I am telling the truth. Once peace is fostered, I will return Luna's wings," Sombra explained.

"Go ahead. I will still be offended by the horrendous crime that you are about to commit." Celestia scowled as she narrowed her eyes and scrunched her nose.

Sombra pressed the iron chains against the mare's wings, and pulled the wings away. He had succeeded in sparing her, but he knew that he had committed an immoral act. He failed to feel remorse, and only grinned at her misfortune.

As Celestia watched on, she felt nausea worsen inside of her stomach. Bile climbed up her throat as she tried not to retch. She hated whenever somepony tried to injure the citizens of the Everfree, and this was no exception. This made her feel livid and sick. She covered her mouth with her hoof as she turned away. "Oh, my," She whispered. She couldn't believe that Sombra tricked her into allowing him to steal Luna's wings! She should have prevented that from happening...

Morning quickly approached, and as the sun rose into the sky, Luna fluttered her eyes open. Feeling groggy, she felt a strange sensation on her back, where her wings once were. She shook her head to repel the pain, but the pain returned twofold. As she looked over her shoulder, she gasped in shock and horror. Anguish and resentment filled her heart as she noticed the pair of angry red scars on her back. Then, she looked at the iron chains. On the chains were several midnight blue feathers.

She realized the shocking truth; Sombra betrayed her! She hollered and sobbed. Her body shook with each sob as tears streamed down her cheeks. Her body was wracked with emotion as she curled into a fetal position. "Why! Why! Why would he do this to me? Why?" She hollered in dejection as she sobbed even more. Her throat began to hurt, and her heart ached even more. She let the darkness fall upon her soul, and grew only darker with each sob and each livid thought.

All the light, love, and happiness were purged out of her heart this instant. The nearby branches creaked and moved, but Luna didn't care about being comforted. A cool breeze surged through the forest as she summoned the strength to stand up. She tried to walk, even though her wings weren't there to properly balance her. She stumbled with each heavy step, for she wasn't used to traveling on hoof. Her phantom wings begged to lift her into the air, but nothing happened.

At the castle in Canterlot, Sombra rushed into the queen's bedchambers and presented the pair of midnight blue wings to Chrysalis. "I have avenged you, milady," He confided.

Chrysalis woke from her slumber, and glanced at the pair of wings. "Congratulations, Sombra! You have done well. You can marry Princess Cadence and become the rightful king of Equestria," She returned as she grinned darkly. "But, you have to wait until after I pass on and after Shining Armor-"

Sombra lost his temper, and took a pillow from behind Chrysalis. He pressed the pillow against the queen's face with sheer rage. "I'm called Sombra!" He jeered as the queen's muffled cries became silent. The queen became as still as a statue as her eyes closed.

The queen was lifeless because of Sombra's rage and because of his ambition. Shining Armor entered the room, and froze as he witnessed the crime. "Why did you do this?" He demanded.

Sombra quickly levitated the knife and jabbed the blade into the stallion's chest. The stallion collapsed to the floor, lifeless as the blood poured out of his chest. Sombra placed the knife onto the ground so that the aftermath would resemble a suicide. He swiftly escaped the bedchambers, energized by his cruel acts against his enemies.

In the dungeon, Celestia woke as she heard her sister's anguished cries. Her heart ached for her dear sister. The iron chains burned her legs, which made her gasp with pain. Sombra wasn't in the dungeon; he lied to her. Celestia felt the anger boil in her heart as she realized the reality of the situation. Sombra left them so that he could rise in power! She heard hoofsteps coming down the stairs, and she whirled around to face her oppressor.

"You!" Celestia bellowed.

"Thanks to you, I am about to be a king. You have supported me," Sombra congratulated her.

Celestia bowed her head in shame, mortified about betraying her own flesh and blood for the sake of peace between two lands. There was no peace; there was only betrayal, despair, and deceit! "How dare you trick me! How dare you lie to me!" Celestia accused the prince.

"I have to, otherwise I wouldn't rise in power," Sombra retorted crisply.

"Don't you dare do this! I'll make sure that you never touch my sister ever again!"

"Oh, my dear... I already have..." Sombra smiled with smugness as he turned away and walked up the stairs.

"You can't get away with this!" Celestia fought against the iron chains, and the pain burned her whole body as she struggled furiously. She had no choice but to wait for the end. She slumped onto the ground, curled into a fetal position, and closed her eyes.

"I'm so sorry, sister... may you forgive me that foolishness mine..." She whimpered softly. "May no darkness consume your soul... forgive me for being so blind!"

Ever since Celestia's sister was born, she had sworn to protect her. And now, she had broken the promise forever. In a way, she had forever lost her sister to the darkness and to the harshness of the real world. She made a plan to apologize to her sister if Luna was to find her in the dark dungeon. But, she felt that her sister would hate her for allowing Sombra to steal her wings. Luna would be angry with her...

She could imagine her sister accusing her of being a terrible sister.

"Celestia, I couldn't believe you! You allowed him to steal my wings," Luna would say.

Celestia sobbed even more as she let out a wail of remorseful sorrow.

Soon, a wedding took place in the throne room, and Sombra waited by the throne. Cadence strode into the throne room and wore an elegant white gown with pink and purple trimmings. She seemed somber, even though she wanted to marry Sombra. Sombra glanced into the royal's eyes, and his heart warmed immediately. He was reminded of Luna's benevolence and her pleasant presence. Guilt welled up in his heart this instant, but he quelled the growing emotion.

This was what he achieved for stealing the alicorn's wings and for murdering Chrysalis and Shining Armor. Nopony suspected him at all, for they thought he was a benevolent and good-natured king.

Back in the Everfree Forest, Luna strode near the border. She started to become used to traveling on her hooves, not with her wings in the air. She missed her wings, and she wondered what happened to Celestia. She should have listened to her sister's warnings. She looked to the castle, and felt the rage burn in her heart. How dare the prince betray her! Celestia could have helped in the betrayal...

But, she knew that it was Sombra who stole her wings. Luna felt even more rage as she entered the neighboring kingdom. She swore that she would make the Equestrians pay for what Sombra did! She stomped farther and farther from the forest, and she allowed the chaos and destruction to plague the kingdom. First, she set the barn on fire with her dark magic. Then, she magically opened the gates and then the chickens flew off the farm. Disorder was everywhere, and one of the Equestrians became victim to her evilness.

As she approached the treehouse, a stallion was about to leave when she set the treehouse on fire, killing the stallion in the process. Luna looked on with amusement and cruelty as she stomped away from the field and into the darkened land. As she approached the ruins, she saw a drawbridge between her and the fallen building. The building was just like her; broken, yet still going strong. She planned to remain here, away from the nosy Equestrians. She strode into the building, and sat against a wall as emotion wracked her once more.

Luna looked out the window, and frowned as an owl came into view. The wings reminded her of her own, soft but strong. Her heart ached once more as the owl preened its feathers and hooted. The alicorn blew the magic dust at the owl, and the owl flew away immediately. She remained in the ruins all night, waiting for the end. But, the end never came to her. Disappointed, she strode out of the ruins and approached a well. As she peered into the well, she heard distressed hoots coming from the owl. The pent up rage bubbled in Luna's chest once again as she approached the farmer and the owl.

"I've got you," The earth pony shouted. "You little devil, you will be my dinner!"

Luna summoned the magic, and the magic surged into the owl. "Into a stallion," She whispered.

The earth pony backed away as he gasped with horror. "It's... it's a..." He stammered.

The owl transformed into a pony. The stallion had scars on his body, and his snout was slightly pointy. He had a pair of large brown eyes that retained the kindness in them. His fur coat was tan, while his hair was dark brown with blond streaks. His mane was ruffled, and so was his tail. He looked around, and wondered what became of him.

"It's a demon!" The earth pony screamed as he ran off with his collie.

Luna chortled softly, amused by the pony's reaction to the transformation. Pitiful Equestrians... terrified of magic, but entertained by tricks. Oh, the irony, she mused as she approached the stallion.

"What have you done to my beautiful self?" The former owl pressed.

"Would you rather let them beat you to death and cook you for dinner?" Luna returned as she observed the stallion's looks. Her heart almost melted as she looked into his large eyes. So much kindness in the dark brown eyes...

She shook her head, and managed to seem hard and stony. She stood her ground, and scowled. "Don't complain. I saved your life," She continued nonchalantly.

"Forgive me, mistress. I shall be your servant. I will do anything you want me to do," The stallion promised.

"What do you call yourself?" Luna hummed.

"Owlowiscious. That is my name."

"Wings..." Luna murmured.

"What?" Owlowiscious replied.

"I need you to be my wings. Find the castle, and check on Sombra. When you're done, report to me. I'll be waiting in the ruins."

"I know where the castle is. I'll go now."

Luna then transformed Owlowiscious into an owl, and strode to the ruins.

When Owlowiscious reached the castle window, he was perched upon the windowsill as he watched the coronation of the king and queen.

Sombra bowed before the crowd as he placed the crown upon his head. "I am your king. I am the one who vaniquished the fearsome alicorn," He announced. "Hear me? Ever since the queen passed away, she passed the crown to me. Shining Armor couldn't bear it anymore, and murdered himself. What a pitiful stallion he was. They will be dearly missed."

The crowd cheered as Sombra sat upon his throne. He had achieved it all; kinghood, a beautiful wife, and a kingdom to watch over! Cadence smiled at Sombra, and thanked him for killing the terrible alicorn. She didn't realize that Sombra stole Luna's wings to become a king.

Owlowiscious flew away from the castle, and rushed to the ruins to report to Luna. He was transformed into a stallion. "Sombra became a king. He has married Queen Cadence," He admitted.

Rage darkened Luna's soul as she scowled. A dark aura surrounded her as the violet magic prepared to shoot from her horn. "He stole my wings so that he could become a king! How dare he! He left me for the queen! That was his secret relationship... what a liar he is! I hate him," She muttered as she hollered with anger.

Thunder boomed against the dark clouds as the violet magic surged through the skies and joined the thunder. The clouds parted to reveal a crimson moon, and the dark magic surrounded Luna immediately.

All of the darkness entered Luna's soul; she became as cold as ice, her heart as black as night. Her midnight blue fur was replaced with ebony fur that resembled a starless winter night. Her eyes became draconic and slitted. Her teeth were replaced with spiked teeth, and her hair lost all of the graceful form and ripple. She grew slender and tall. She was now the embodiment of evil and wickedness; the embodiment of cruelty, hatred, and revenge.

"I am Nightmare Moon! The darkness shall last forever!" Nightmare boomed.

Owlowiscious quaked in fear as the evil alicorn transformed him into an owl once more. Nightmare Moon strode away from the ruins, and stomped through the fields. She magically broke apart the two stone walls in front of her. Rage and unforgiveness was evident as she stormed into the Everfree Forest. The whole forest darkened, and all the plants withered. The water became murky and dark, and the grass was no longer bright green, but a sickly shade of brown. A throne of gnarled roots emerged in front of the Everfree Pond, and she sat upon the throne.

"Enjoy the last bits of light, for the night shall last forever! I am Queen Nightmare Moon, the Queen of Darkness and Evil!" Nightmare announced.

The creatures and the Breezies shakily bowed before her as Melvin appeared by Nightmare's side. Nopony recognized her, for she was a self-appointed ruler of the Everfree Forest.

Melvin convinced the Everfree Folk to respect Nightmare Moon, no matter what. The darkened alicorn would rule with an iron hoof, starting now! The alicorn cackled balefully as she watched the others quake in terror.

"What happened to our sweet protector?" A Breezie wondered.

"Her wings! They were gone," Another Breezie spoke.

"She has lost her pure innocence forever!" A creature cried out.

The Curse

A year passed since the betrayal. Nightmare Moon stood near the Great Tree, silent and mourning the loss of her wings. She hadn't heard any news about the cruel king, yet... the forest was dark and fearsome as usual. Some creatures, however, grew comfortable around her. The others were still afraid of her wrath and her cruelty. They began to wonder whether Nightmare Moon overthrew Celestia out of jealousy and envy, or whether she banished her to a distant prison. Some creatures mourned the loss of Celestia, and would shun Nightmare whether the dark alicorn tried to communicate.

At the castle in Canterlot, there was a hype about a newborn. The three small Breezies entered the throne room, clumsily trying to keep their balance in the air. "We would like to take shelter here. There is so much darkness in the Everfree," Apple Bloom offered. "Give us a place to reside."

"Yeah. The forest became dreadful, and the ground was so damp. Everything over there reeked of death and despair," Sweetie Belle complained.

"We also want to hide from the dreadful Nightmare Moon," Scootaloo added in.

Sombra listened as they spoke. "Alright," He grumbled. "Just don't act foolish."

"We won't, I promise," Apple Bloom swore.

"Nice to meet you, Your Royalnesses," Sweetie Belle squeaked as she curtsied.

Their wings buzzed as they hovered to the bassinet. "Aww, look," Apple Bloom crooned. "How cute!"

"I love babies!" Sweetie Belle exclaimed.

"Same," Scootaloo replied.

"She has the most adorable nose that I've ever seen! She is cooing at us, which makes her all the more adorable and charming!" Apple Bloom blurted out as she patted the infant's nose.

"We will give gifts to her during the christening," Sweetie Belle offered.

"Thank you," Cadence replied in the kindest voice possible. "You may remain here with us."

They didn't realize that Owlowiscious watched them from a window. Owlowiscious flew away from the window, and returned to the Everfree Forest. He didn't want his mistress to do something desperate or cruel; Nightmare Moon had been scary enough already. As soon as he returned to his mistress, Nightmare waited impatiently as she sat upon her black throne. "Well?" She hummed. "What is it?" She transformed the owl into a stallion once again.

"There's nothing," Owlowiscious replied. "The king and queen has had a... foal."

"What?" Nightmare gasped, shocked. She couldn't believe that Sombra had a foal with the queen! The foal would never achieve a pair of powerful wings or a pair of luminous cerulean eyes.

Jealousy grew in her heart. She clenched her teeth as Owlowiscious continued to speak. "There will be a christening," He said.

"A celebration for a foal..." Nightmare muttered. "How wonderful." She grinned darkly as she narrowed her eyes.

Nightmare Moon and Owlowiscious traveled to Canterlot Castle, and snuck into a throne room as they watched the three Breezies granting the gifts to the infant. She assumed that the crowd thought of them as adorable and benevolent, simply because of a ridiculous tale that involved a sleeping princess who pricked her hoof on the spindle of a spinning wheel. She scowled as she watched the royal couple. As she glanced at the queen, jealousy grew in her heart, and so did lividness and hatred. She realized that Cadence wore a necklace with jewels that were stolen from the Pool of Jewels.

How dare Sombra trick Nightmare Moon on that day! How dare he do that... he was so evil that he committed horrible acts against the world. Nightmare cringed as the Breezies granted the blessings to the infant.

"I give you the gift of beauty," Apple Bloom spoke.

"May you never be blue," Sweetie Belle added in.

"Sweet Twilight Sparkle, I wish you-" Scootaloo started.

Twilight Sparkle? Nightmare Moon was impressed, but suppressed the positive feeling of being impressed. The name reminded her of the evening, her favorite time of night, where the moon rose into the sky, and where the beautiful lights disappeared from the sky. She thought about a sky with a lavender ribbon and the darkening blue center of the sky. She also thought about the first few stars sparkling as they appeared in the sky. Enough was enough with name meanings, Nightmare reminded herself.

This wasn't the time to be impressed by the spawn of her enemy, but the time to get back at Sombra for robbing her of her flight. Finally, the dark alicorn couldn't take it anymore. Her jealous rage inspired her to crash the party! She stormed towards Sombra, and stood still as the breeze shot throughout the room.

"Well, well..." Nightmare started as she looked to the fearful crowd, and then to the shaking queen.

Cadence was frightened by the alicorn's sudden appearance. She had heard tales of this terrible alicorn, and this one fitted the description quite well; cruel, baleful, and vicious.

"King Sombra, look at your glittering assemblage. Royalty, nobility, the gentry, and the peasantry... even the rabble. How quaint," Nightmare continued as she cackled darkly.

"You're not welcome here," Sombra retorted as he gave her a curt nod.

"I feel quite distressed in not receiving an invitation," Nightmare retorted sarcastically as she turned away. She faked a sob before cackling at the onlookers. "Oh, dear... what an awkward situation..."

"You're not offended, Your Grace?" Cadence intervened, uncomfortable in the dark alicorn's presence.

"No, I am not offended," Nightmare returned as she turned around to face the rulers. "To show you that I bear no ill will, I, too shall bestow a gift upon the princess..." She gave them a malicious grin as she strode to the bassinet.

"We don't want your gift," Sombra shouted with worry as he shot up.

Nightmare looked at Twilight, and reminded herself not to grin. Suddenly, the three Breezies rammed into her face. She swiped them away with full force. "Gnats," She taunted before continuing.

A dark violet aura surged from her black horn and into the infant. "Listen well, all of you!" Nightmare Moon echoed eerily. "The princess shall indeed grow in grace and beauty, beloved by all she meets!"

"That's a nice gift," Cadence spoke uneasily as she shuddered with fear.

Nightmare Moon whirled around to face the rulers. "But, before the sun sets on her sixteenth birthday, she will prick her hoof on the spindle of a spinning wheel and fall into a death-like sleep! A sleep from where she may never awaken," She hollered as she gave Sombra an intense glare.

"Please don't do it... I'm begging you," Sombra implored.

"I like you begging. Do it again, you mangy mutt," Nightmare taunted.

"I beg you..." Sombra bowed his head curtly.

"The princess can be awakened from her death sleep..." Nightmare continued. "But, only by... true love's kiss!" Her last three words sounded cruel and ominous. It was obvious that she wanted the filly to die.

She turned to the crowd, and prepared to curse the kingdom. "The curse shall last till the end of time! No power on Earth can change it!" Nightmare Moon bellowed before cackling and trotting away.

Then, Sombra demanded his stallions to kill the alicorn. However, Nightmare Moon escaped death and returned to the Everfree Forest. She decided to build walls of her own... the Wall of Thorns! She watched as the thorns grew huge, wide, and tall. The thorns twisted and thrashed about as they continued to grow. They became as rigid, and the thorns were as black as night. It wasn't a pretty sight to behold, but this would be a perfect way to defend the Everfree Forest.

Sombra entrusted the safety of his daughter to the magic of the three Breezies, and told them to take her to a hidden cottage in the woods. The trio carried the crib away from the castle, and they labored all night until they reached a cottage.

"I can't believe that sweet little Luna turned into a big, fat meanie!" Apple Bloom bemoaned.

"I know! Nightmare Moon cursed the adorable little princess to die on her sixteenth birthday!" Sweetie Belle chimed in.

"Luna was the worst alicorn in the world, I swear!" Scootaloo complained.

"Of course!"

The trio carried the crib into the cottage, and accidentally dropped the crib. They transformed into pony-sized earth ponies, each one of them wearing a dress that was their favorite colors. Apple Bloom wore a red peasant dress, Sweetie Belle wore a blue peasant dress, and Scootaloo wore a green peasant dress. Each dress had a messy, filthy apron. They each wore bonnets that failed to hide their messy manes.

Twilight started wailing, but the trio was too busy to notice her. They walked outside and frolicked in their dresses for several hours. She wailed even louder, which only alarmed Apple Bloom. She rushed into the cottage, and placed the filly into a wooden bassinet with a pale pink blanket.

"There you go, sweetie," She spoke with relief. "At least the meanie wouldn't find you here!" She kissed the filly's forehead before lounging upon a nearby sofa.

The kiss didn't work, and Twilight wailed louder than ever. Apple Bloom gasped with worry. She frowned as she approached the bassinet. "What is the matter?" She worried.

She thought that she smelled the odorous scent of excrement, but shook her head. Innocent princesses were never smelly. She assumed that Twilight was hungry, so she ran outside to collect some blueberries. She placed them into a pouch, and rushed back into the cottage. The whole place was filled with hollering and screaming, and she cringed for several seconds.

"Hungry baby, eat the berries!" Apple Bloom swiftly sang as she spilled the blueberries onto the filly's chest.

Lavender magic levitated the berries into the air and tossed them across the room. Twilight's cries now sounded livid and distressed. Apple Bloom gasped with horror, and only looked on for a moment. "Why are you crying so much? Is the curse taking effect already?" She murmured, but swiftly covered her mouth. She couldn't take back the words.

What if Twilight knew? Wait, she was too young to know anything, anyways. Apple Bloom denied her words, and returned outside, leaving the wailing filly alone. Twilight cried even louder as the night surrounded the land.

Nightmare Moon, though energized by the day's events, decided to walk to the cottage. She followed the nerve-wracking noise into the woods, and cringed as she saw a familiar figure in the window. The three irresponsible Breezies decided to slumber through the noise, which almost irritated Nightmare Moon.

"Those three fools are gonna leave her crying forever!" Nightmare complained with sheer rage.

Owlowiscious nodded in agreement. He wasn't as irked as Nightmare would be. Nightmare would easily be irked by the threesome's annoying antics. Owlowiscious didn't seem to mind the drama very much, even though the drama could wear him out.

With that, Nightmare stomped towards the window, and flung open the window. The cold night breeze entered the cottage, and she waited for the filly's reaction. However, the filly calmed as she looked into the fearsome alicorn's eyes. She gave her the most adorable smile, which made Nightmare growl in response. "It's so ugly, you could almost feel sorry for it," She muttered.

The filly cooed and giggled in response as Nightmare cringed. So, the alicorn rose her hoof, clenched her teeth, and snarled as aggressive as possible. The filly gasped for a moment before smiling once more.

Nightmare was irked even more by the filly's courage. "Brave, but also foolish," She commented. She narrowed her eyes as she thought about how the betrayal resulted in this ugly little brat.

"I loathe you, beastie!" She hollered with anger.

Twilight wailed, which made the alicorn smile with wickedness and cruelty. It worked! Nightmare Moon bursted into cruel, bitter laughter as she watched the filly cry even more. Suddenly, the filly stopped wailing, which caused Nightmare to pause. Twilight bursted into high-pitched laughter, which caused the alicorn to cringe even more.

"Oh," Nightmare breathed out. "She thinks it's funny whenever I laugh." Upon catching a whiff of the stench, she retched for a second.

"She needs her diaper changed," Nightmare acknowledged. "Owlowiscious, fetch a clean cloth that was somewhere in the cottage. Then, I will get rid of the dirty diaper."

They snuck through the door, careful not to create any noise as they approached the filly. Nightmare was careful not to snicker as she levitated the dirty diaper off the filly, and threw it out the window. She noticed the brown waste on the filly's bottom, and retched. "You need a bath," She whispered softly.

Spying a bucket near the sink, an idea came into the alicorn's mind. Surely, she would fill the bucket with water, as there was a well nearby. She levitated the bucket, strode out of the cottage, and approached the well. Then, she lowered the bucket down the well. The bucket scooped a huge amount of water. Nightmare then levitated the bucket up the well, and trotted into the cottage. She placed the bucket on the floor, and levitated Twilight into the water.

She used her magic to bathe the filly. When Twilight was clean, Nightmare Moon levitated her out of the water, and summoned a dry towel to dry the filly. As the alicorn placed the filly into the bassinet, she caught a glimpse of the filly's violet eyes. She almost thought about Celestia, but they barely resembled each other.

Just before Twilight could do anything, Nightmare blew the magical dust at her, which made the filly fall asleep this instant. "At sixteen, you will sleep forever," She remarked as she managed to sound cruel. Instead, the words sounded soft and almost worried. She chuckled at her vocal tone as a result.

That would mean one less pony to destroy the Everfree, correct? Nightmare levitated the bucket, trotted out of the cottage, and dumped the unclean water onto the ground. Surely, the stench would drive the trio insane. She snorted derisively as she imagined the scenario. She could write a little mystery note about Twilight sleepwalking and pooping on the yard, but the threesome would suspect something.

Owlowiscious flew out of the cottage as the door closed by itself. As Nightmare approached the window, she closed the window, and peered inside for a brief second. There was a clean diaper in place of the filthy one. Did Owlowiscious do this? If so, how?

"Rest well, filthy scum," Nightmare muttered before trotting to the Wall of Thorns.

A Nightmare's Soft Part

As Nightmare approached the Wall, she heard the clang of iron. Then, something or somepony attempted to set the Wall on fire. She also heard shouting and determined commands coming from the enemies. A violet aura escaped her horn, and strengthened the wall even more. The thorns thrashed about, endured the fire, and grabbed some of the stallions.

Then, the stallions were catapulted far from the forest, one by one. Nightmare cackled as she reveled in the misfortune of her enemies. "You can't stop me!" She taunted.  

"Urgh! Kill the mistress of all evil!" A stallion commanded.  

"I can't!" Another knight retorted. "The king will kill us if he finds out!"  

Nightmare grinned deviously. Surely, the king would murder his own soldiers out of anger. She cackled louder as she allowed the thorns to thrash the knights about. More and more soldiers were catapulted away from the forest as she watched on with twisted amusement.

"Ahahaha! You fools! You can't win the war!" She lashed out.

Soon, the fires disappeared, and the army retreated to the castle. Nightmare watched on with satisfaction as she trotted to the Everfree Pond. She sat upon the throne, and looked on to the quaking creatures. Owlowiscious sat near her left side. The dark alicorn gently stroked Owlowiscious as she chuckled darkly.

Meanwhile, the king grew darker as midnight approached the land. The guards entered the war room to meet with their king.

"We can't destroy the wall," The captain admitted. As soon as he felt the cruel gaze of the king, he quaked in fear.  

Sombra scowled as he glared at the captain. "I can't believe you, cowards! Nothing is indestructible! Not the Wall, not the Everfree Forest, not Nightmare Moon! Wait..." He hollered as he slammed his hoof onto the table. An iron dagger came into view as he levitated the dagger. He grinned maliciously as he glared at the guards.

"Are you plotting something?" One of the guards wondered.  

"Bring me the iron workers," Sombra muttered.  

"Fine," The captain spoke.

"Hurry up and get to work! We have only sixteen years before the curse fulfills itself! Fetch the newborn colts in every town, city, and kingdom and bring them to me! I shall know of their backgrounds. I will need to know whether they were destined to be knights that will kill Nightmare Moon!"  

"They're still young," Another guard reminded him.

"It doesn't matter! Push them into training by the time they turn one year old! Then, they shall go to war at age ten! I don't care about their lives! I only care about Twilight!"  

"We-"  

"Don't talk back, fools! Get to work before I chop off all of your heads! I want the newborn colts to be raised in the knights' headquarters!"  

The guards ran out of the war room as quick as they could. Sombra felt even more hatred towards Nightmare Moon with each passing second. "Fools... everypony's a fool..." He grunted as he scowled deeply.

He didn't know that the owl watched him from a distance. Owlowiscious flew away from the castle, and returned to the Everfree Forest to bring the news to Nightmare Moon.  

Nightmare Moon watched as Owlowiscious appeared in front of her. She waved her hoof and transformed the owl into a stallion. "What are the news?" She pressed.  

"The king is twisted. He demanded that every newborn colt be pushed into war by age ten. They would be pushed into training by age one. He swore that whoever was the worthiest colt would rescue Twilight and to murder you," Owlowiscious replied.  

"I've always known that he is a sniveling coward. But, pushing the young ones into war? Somepony will surely get hurt." Nightmare tried to ignore the part of her that felt bad for the young ones. She could have sworn that her old self managed to surface and to save the innocent ones.

"Can I see the princess next time?"  

Nightmare gasped, and shook her head. "No. You're surely infatuated with her-" She started.  

"She's small!"

"Stop it!"  

"About the cur-"  

"I'm not planning to save her!" Nightmare stood her ground as her voice echoed throughout the forest.  

"You like her. You hate Sombra," Owlowiscious reminded her.  

"If you turn into an owl, I'm putting you into a cage unless you promise not to check on the little beast!"  

"I prefer my original form."

"Fine." With that, Nightmare Moon waved her hoof and transformed the stallion into an owl.

Owlowiscious was about to leave the forest, when, suddenly, Nightmare Moon warned him to stay. "Watch it," She muttered. "You don't want to be in a cage! Next time, I'll change you into a diseased hound!"  

Owlowiscious hooted with annoyance as he landed onto a log near the throne. Weeks passed, and transformed into months. Nightmare Moon grew curious of the young princess; the youth reminded her of her own innocence, eager to trust the world. Nightmare once trusted somepony, but that came with a price; the horrid loss of her wings and the disappearance of her sister.

Once, when the Breezies were having a picnic out in the sun, a two-year old Twilight giggled as she chased a nearby butterfly. There were sweets and food in the picnic basket, but she didn't care about the delicious food nearby. She was only curious about the world around her, for she was quite young.

Nightmare Moon was perched atop a branch in a large tree, and observed the scene before her. Owlowiscious, in his owl form, sat near his mistress as he observed the innocent little princess.

Since there was no drama between the sisters, Nightmare quickly grew bored. She mimicked the movement of slapping somepony's cheek, and the magic purged from her horn as she watched on with mischief.

"Ow!" Sweetie Belle exclaimed as the pain stung her cheek. She pounded Scootaloo across the cheek, thinking that it was her fault that she got slapped.

Apple Bloom attempted to intervene, but, however, she joined in the drama. They were oblivious to the fact that Twilight ran towards a cliff, trying to capture the butterfly.

Nightmare looked on as she watched the innocent princess running closer and closer to the cliff. "Oh, look," She hummed. "The little beast is about to fall off the cliff!"

Owlowiscious hooted with worry as he flew towards the quarreling sisters. One of the sisters absent-mindedly shooed him, too absorbed in the drama to take notice. Nightmare Moon climbed down the tree, ran towards the cliff, and looked around. The coast was clear as she watched Twilight fall off the cliff. She levitated Twilight up, and placed her on the ground.

Twilight smiled at the ominous alicorn before the alicorn swiftly disappeared from view. "Huh?" She breathed out, mystified by the alicorn's habit of acting as a shadow to her. She was grateful that this mysterious figure saved her from death, though. She wanted to thank her, but as she looked around, there was nothing to see, except for a figure perched atop a tall tree.

Was that her? Twilight decided not to chase the figure away, for her aunts would suspect something. Nightmare Moon watched from a distance as the young princess approached the bickering Breezies. Owlowiscious appeared on the branch once again, and looked to her.

"What?" Nightmare hummed innocently. "I just wanted to keep her alive until her sixteenth birthday... you know, for dramatic effect. I don't care for the brat."  

Owlowiscious ignored her sarcastic remark as he watched the drama before him. He knew that the alicorn was drawn to the innocent princess, but, what of that? Someday, the alicorn might love the princess unconditionally, just as a mother would love her child. However, Nightmare Moon didn't believe in any kind of love - whether familial or romantic. She firmly believed that love didn't exist, just because she lost her wings to the crazed king that night.

The betrayal resulted in the spawn of her enemy, that's what. Nightmare Moon climbed down the tree, beckoned the owl to follow her, and cantered to the Everfree Forest. As soon as she arrived in the woods, she paused as she noticed a spot on the tree that turned light brown. Cerulean magic surged from her horn as her horn gently touched the bark.

She didn't realize that somepony tried to follow her, and she heard a sweet little chuckle behind her. Nightmare turned to face the little filly, and her cerulean magic disappeared from view as the bark turned brown.

"Hello," Twilight murmured innocently.  

"Go away. I don't have time for young ones like you. Go home," Nightmare demanded, but her voice was softer than she intended her voice to be.

Twilight only approached the alicorn, and embraced her. Nightmare groaned in frustration as she struggled against the filly's hug. "I don't like foals," She lashed out, but her voice was soft and sweet instead of hard and bitter.

"Up, up!" Twilight begged.  

Nightmare Moon managed to shove Twilight, which caused the innocent princess to tumble and fall onto the ground. The princess sobbed silently before wailing out loud. Nightmare Moon felt a strange twinge of guilt, but repressed the guilt and forced a chuckle. She knew that her old self loved young ones, but that didn't matter anymore. This was the spawn of Sombra, not the spawn of Nightmare Moon's!

Then, Twilight embraced Nightmare Moon tightly and sobbed endlessly. Nightmare Moon felt a strange warmth surge through her chest, and she felt the urge to protect the filly from further harm. She also felt the urge to apologize for shoving her, but repressed the maternal instincts instead of showing sympathy for the innocent princess.

The filly sniffled as Nightmare managed to pull her into an embrace. Then, she levitated the filly into the air, so that Twilight could look directly into the alicorn's eyes. Twilight brushed her hoof against Nightmare's helmet, but the alicorn turned her head away. Twilight wailed once again, and then Nightmare Moon glanced at Twilight. Curious to see what would happen, she craned her head forward so that the filly could touch her horn and her helmet.

The filly's hoof gently touched the alicorn's horn, and stopped crying. Her lips quivered, and then she looked into the alicorn's eyes once again. Nightmare Moon gently placed Twilight onto the ground, and convinced her to go to the cottage. "Go home," She said.  

Twilight tumbled away from the alicorn, and Nightmare Moon could only watch on. She was more curious than ever, and she saw how innocent the little one was. The little beast was so adorable, so innocent, so pure... she was like a bright star trying to light up a starless night whenever the moon forgot to shine. Something stirred in the alicorn's heart; she recognized the pleasant feeling, but she knew that the feeling led her into heartbreak and betrayal.

"What is wrong with me?" Nightmare asked herself, conflicted. She let out an exasperated sigh as she trotted into the Everfree Forest.  

As the days and nights passed, she continued to feel drawn to the little princess. Curiosity began to get the best of her. There were times when she wanted to open her heart and appreciate the little one's kindness, but her heart was still frozen shut. It was if she had managed to turn her heart into ice, but the ice might have began to melt, simply because of Twilight's warmth and kindness.

One time, when Nightmare Moon was quite young, Celestia told her that only true love can thaw a frozen heart. However, the alicorn didn't believe in true love. The alicorn shook her head as she strode towards a tree with the bird's nest. She peered into the nest, listened to the chirping, and observed the little Breezies that were so absorbed in a quarrel against each other.

The baby birds kept pecking at the air hungrily as they continued to chirp. Nightmare Moon nearly felt sorry for them, so she levitated a cluster of worms out of the dirt, and placed them into the nest. The baby birds swiftly ate at the worms and finished their fill.

"Here you go," Nightmare murmured as she walked away from the tree. As she strode past every creature and every one of the mythical folk, she approached a wolf and a pup resting near the riverbank.

The maternal wolf licked the pup's face and washed the fur with her tongue. The pup whined and crooned softly as Nightmare watched with curiosity. She felt even more curious about motherhood and what it was like, even though she never had her own foal. What really piqued her curiosity was that she began to feel maternal instincts whenever Twilight was in trouble or whenever she needed attention.

However, Nightmare Moon still enjoyed pranking the three Breezies. Once, when Twilight was almost four, the alicorn trotted to the cottage and climbed up a tree. She lounged on a branch, and transformed Owlowiscious into a stallion.

A cerulean aura emerged from her horn as the magic entered the cottage. Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo were playing a board game, and they just started to bicker.

"You cheating dum-dum brain," Sweetie Belle taunted Apple Bloom.  

"You irresponsible twit," Apple Bloom retorted.  

"You girly worms!" Scootaloo shouted.  

A tiny droplet fell into Apple Bloom's mane. "Don't. I said no magic," She warned. "Watch it..." She pointed at them.  

Three more droplets fell onto Apple Bloom and caused her to lose her temper. She stood up and stared down the two. "You imbeciles! I said stop it!" She repeated.  

"I didn't do nothing," Sweetie Belle replied with an innocent stare.

"She did it," Scootaloo disagreed.

"No, it was Scootaloo!"  

Outside, Nightmare Moon watched on with amusement when the storm started inside the cottage. "Oooh," She hummed as more cerulean magic escaped her horn and into the cottage.

Owlowiscious, however, seemed unamused as he turned to his mistress. "Mistress, I want to talk about something..." He whispered.  

"What? Oh, come on! It's funny," Nightmare replied as she chuckled. Why would the owl want to ruin her day?

"When are you going to revoke the curse?" Owlowiscious gave the alicorn a questioning gaze.  

Nightmare snorted derisively as the cerulean aura disappeared from view. "Why are you asking me?" She demanded. She waved her hoof as the violet aura surged from her horn.  

Suddenly, Owlowiscious placed his hoof onto Nightmare Moon's horn to stop the magic flow. Nightmare only scowled with contempt.

"I'm not turning back into an owl," Owlowiscious asserted. "Answer my question."

"I already told you. I dislike the little brat. Why do you love her so much?" Nightmare answered defensively.  

She also wondered why Owlowiscious wanted to save his little friend. It was not like they would be romantic with each other someday... the mere thought made Nightmare cringe. No, Twilight would see Owlowiscious as a father figure, not a lover. If they fell in love instead...  

"She's innocent. Deep inside, you love her. You loathe Sombra," Owlowiscious reminded her.

"Oh..." Nightmare turned away, and didn't intend to quarrel with the owl any longer. With that, she allowed her magic to transform Owlowiscious back into an owl.