Nightmare Moon was the first to rouse from slumber, her glowing turquoise eyes illuminating the area around her head as she opened them. She'd slept well. Very well, in fact. The new bed had been wonderful and the sheets soft even if they had been mussed by the activities of the night before. A yawn escaped her mouth even as she tried to suppress it. As she began to stir to get out of the bed, her body brushed against something solid and warm beneath the sheets. Nightmare Moon lifted the blankets with her magic and took note of the lavender unicorn curled up beside her, magical cuffs hooking her hooves together to prevent any attempts at escape. Despite her annoyance at having to share the bed with somepony other than herself, she relaxed and allowed the mare to continue to rest.

Until a loud pounding could be heard at the door.

Nightmare Moon's ire flared at the intrusion and she ignited her horn, throwing the doors open with enough force to cause the pony knocking to tumble backwards, the rush of air pushing her from her stance. "What is so important as to wake me from slumber!?" Her voice boomed in the chamber, echoing off the walls. Twilight's head shot up at the noise and spun around, searching for assailants, the attack on her still troubling her mind.

Silent Brook flinched, backing away from the open door slightly before regaining her composure and bowing before the Queen.

"Your Highness, I was sent to ask if you would like to bathe. The serving ponies have been trained to draw water for Celestia in the morning for that is the time she usually washes. Do you wish for me to tell them that you do not want to bathe at the moment?" Nightmare Moon's features shifted. She had not had a bath in a millennium. She usually did not require one due to her magic cleansing her body as she slept, but the feel of the warm water was quite enticing.

Twilight turned her head and sniffed herself, flinching back and wrinkling her nose. I haven't had a bath in weeks... and I smell like Nightmare Moon. Her face flushed, but she shook it off. "My Queen. Would I be allowed to join you? Or perhaps bathe after you?" The alicorn spun her head to stare at Twilight. "You see..., I haven't bathed in weeks, and... however much I love having your... scent... on me, it would be rude not to bathe before being fitted by the dressmaker."

Nightmare Moon's features twisted in thought until she simply smirked. "Very well. You may join me." She redirected her attention to Silent Brook. "Send a messenger to search for a dressmaker in one of the nearby towns. I would like to have an outfit made for my pet."

The lime pony smiled and bowed. "Yes, Your Majesty. I have heard that there is an exceptional fashionista in the town of Ponyville which is only an hour flight from here. I'll have the messenger send your demands to her. The royal bath chambers are just down the hall past the branch to the stairs." With that, Silent Brook turned and left, heading to the worker's hall to fetch a pegasus.

Twilight looked to Nightmare Moon, who had already had her focus on the lavender mare. The alicorn's horn flashed and the shackles restraining Twilight disappeared. "Let us make our way to the bath chambers, pet. I would like for you to massage me once more as I relax in the water." Twilight nodded and stood, falling in line behind her Queen.

As they made their way through the dimly lit passageway, Twilight took note of something off about the Moon Queen. Her mane wasn't flowing in an intangible wind or speckled with stars. It simply hung to the side of her head, simple navy hair falling just below her shoulder. Her tail was behaving similarly. "My Queen. What happened to your mane and tail? Are they not made of magic?"

Nightmare Moon stopped and turned to Twilight, her face stoic and unreadable. "My mane and tail are the same as any other pony's except for my ability to make them become as the cosmos. It requires great magic to keep them sustained in their astral form and, since I shall require much magic in order to perform the ritual for Moon Beam, I shall be leaving them in their natural shape." She explained it so matter-of-factly. No hint of agitation or pride. "Is there something wrong with that? Do you have any objections you wish to voice?" Her tone was quickly changing from that of calm to ire.

Twilight responded swiftly. "No, My Queen! I was just curious since I haven't seen anything other than your starry mane. It is quite befitting you like this." She was quick to fill her words with praise. I do rather like it though, she thought. It makes her look less intimidating.

Nightmare Moon took the compliment well, her face filled with pride. "Yes, I enjoy my natural colors. However, the astral form is meant to inflict fear into the hearts of my subjects. I feel it does its job quite well." She spun back around and continued the short walk to the bath chambers, her mind swelling with pride.

Rarity was moving about her boutique, cloth and dresses floating about her as she toiled away to create the newest line of dresses that had been ordered. Fashion never sleeps even with eternal night reigning, it would seem. The past month had been just as busy now as it was before Nightmare Moon had claimed power. Maybe even more so with all of the nobles that would be lining up to kiss the new Queen's hooves.

Her thoughts were broken at the sound of a tapping at her door. Now who could this be? I wasn't expecting any visitors tonight and these dresses aren't due for another four days. The knocking sounded again, drawing her attention away from her inner ramblings. "Coming, dear. Just give me a moment to set my pieces in place." She moved the various utensils to their resting spots and set the bolts of cloth against the wall before trotting quickly up to the door. With a tug of her magic, the door opened to reveal a lean red pegasus stallion with a cropped yellow mane. "Welcome to the Carousel Boutique~ How may I assist you this fine evening?"

The pegasus didn't respond, instead, he pulled a roll of parchment from his saddlebags. Rarity broke the seal and read the note. Her eyes nearly burst from her skull. "Nightmare Moon wishes for me to have a dress crafted for her? Tonight?! How am I supposed to get there!? I don't have any means of-"

The stallion cut her off and motioned to a sky chariot behind him, hitched to a group of three pegasi with an opening that obviously belonged to the delivery pegasus. "You're going to be riding with us. Gather what you need and board the sky coach. You have five minutes."

"Well, I must say you are quite rude to demand such haste from a lady, but I digress. I wouldn't want to upset Queen Moon." She turned back into her shop and gathered several bolts of different colored cloth, sewing instruments, and a pony fitting statue. The objects floated behind her in her soft blue magical aura as she made her way out towards the awaiting carriage. I do wish I'd had enough time to tell everypony where I was going. Oh well, if I must be leaving right away then it cannot be helped. She boarded the carriage and arranged her luggage neatly in the roomy coach before resting herself on the soft seats. I do hope that she won't recognize me right away as one of the elements. Not moments after she had gotten herself situated, the pegasi took off into the air, pulling the transport and Rarity inside through the air towards the castle.

Nightmare Moon sat patiently in the throne room, her recently washed body gleaming in the torchlight, devoid of the typical blue armor she dons while not in the privacy of her chambers. She had been here for fifteen minutes staring at the only entrance to the room, awaiting the dressmaker Silent Brook had recommended to her. She wasn't due for another half hour, but Nightmare Moon had wanted to be waiting, prepared to get the clothing made as swiftly as possible. Her expectant eyes betrayed her stoic expression. Twilight sat beside her, watching the alicorn intently, curious as to why she wanted this dress made so badly. I wonder what kind of design she has in mind. Knowing Nightmare Moon, it's probably going to be something dark and menacing.... Her thoughts wandered as she imagined all sorts of evil looking dresses that she could possibly be forced to wear until her thoughts drifted. Maybe I could ask her some questions? We still have a while until the fashionista is scheduled to arrive. And....

"My Queen?" Nightmare Moon turned her head to acknowledge the unicorn. "Why do you seem so eager to have this dress made? It just seems like so much effort for your... pet...." She hesitated, knowing that the moment she called herself that, would be the moment she couldn't turn back. She had accepted this as inevitable. She no longer had any hopes of returning to her friends.

"However much I enjoy having you... dressed for any kind of service I need of you, but I cannot have you not look the part of my pet."

Twilight kept her focus on Nightmare Moon’s face. She could tell that wasn't the whole truth, but did not have the courage to speak up against it. She knew full well how that usually turned out. Nodding her head, Twilight turned her sight to the door in front of them and merely waited as they were doing before.

Rarity stepped out of the carriage and gathered her stuff then turned towards the structure before her. "Oh my, this place is really quite... intimidating. Nevertheless, I have a job to do." She began trotting to the front door. This will also be a great opportunity to get some information on the layout. When she reached the doors, they opened from the inside revealing a serving colt waiting for her to arrive.

"Welcome to My Queen's castle. I will be guiding you to the throne room where you will be meeting with Her Majesty. If you would follow me, she is expecting you." He stood and started towards the northern hallway, the door already open and waiting. Rarity followed quickly behind, trying to take in as much of the castle as she could while still maintaining the brisk pace at which the serving colt had set.

This place sure is large. It may even be bigger than the castle in Canterlot. To think that there is still another whole wing being added on to the southern side!

They reached the throne room doors in only minutes, having traversed the hallways without making any sort of detour or stop. "One moment please." The colt knocked on the metal and stepped through the doors after opening them just enough for him to slip inside. Rarity could hear conversation but couldn't decipher the words through the thin barrier. In a matter of minutes, the doors opened inwards revealing the current occupants to the white unicorn.

Rarity nearly fainted in disbelief. Before her very eyes sat Twilight Sparkle beside Nightmare Moon, fully intact and very much alive. It took all of her willpower to keep from simply rushing the alicorn in an attempt to rescue the lavender mare from her servitude. From what she could tell by the quick expansion of Twilight's eyes, the other unicorn was just as surprised to see her as well. Rarity stepped in and bowed, hiding her nervousness behind her business facade. "Thank you for allowing me to be graced with your presence, My Queen."

Nightmare Moon's thoughts churned. She knew she'd seen this unicorn before but couldn't quite place it. Her face seemed to just mix in with all of the other meaningless peons that made up her subjects. "Have I seen you somewhere before?"

Rarity fought to keep her composure, hiding her fear behind a smile. "We have not met before, Your Majesty. This is the first time I've laid eyes upon your exquisite form." Her lie and flattery seemed to appease Nightmare Moon's curiosity which allowed her to relax slightly. "Now I understand you wish for me to have a dress made for you? You, my dear, do seem like the kind of mare that would appreciate a good dress to help accentuate your natural beauty."

Nightmare Moon simply raised a hoof, silencing the fashionista. "However much I revel in flattery, the outfit is not for me. I want you to make an outfit to my liking for my pet." She motioned to Twilight beside her who had, in the time that Rarity had been talking, composed herself so as not to draw suspicion.

"Of course, Your Majesty." Rarity said, bowing. "I will do my best to make something befitting Your Highness'... pet." She winced at the word, not wishing to humiliate the lavender unicorn.

Nightmare Moon nodded and stood, motioning for the dressmaker to follow her and Twilight. "Excellent. Come this way and I shall tell you what I desire."

The black alicorn beamed at the sight before her. Twilight stood on a table in the private dining hall, her new outfit covering her body. If you could call it covering. The dress was a series of white silk sheets enchanted to be semi-sheer and draped across Twilight's flanks in a type of half-skirt. The sheets were held together by a band around the unicorn's waist and were held on her flanks by a smaller, similar band around her tail that lifted it into an arch. Soft slippers had been made for each of Twilight's hooves with lace straps tied halfway up her legs, little ribbons formed where they were tied. Finally, from the ring on her horn, hung two shimmering silk tassels that draped across her shoulders to connect with the waistband on the skirt. This was certainly not the dress that Twilight had in mind when she was envisioning what she thought Nightmare Moon had been crafting in her thoughts. This dress is so... embarrassing....

Rarity smiled, adding the last of the enchantments to the dress to make it sparkle slightly before stepping back. "This is quite a work of art if I may say. Quite a sensual uniform but very classy."

Nightmare Moon nodded her approval. "I am very pleased with your work, Rarity. I will pay you handsomely for your service. You can inquire with the serving colt outside to receive your dues."

Rarity bowed and made her way to the door. "Call on me again should you ever need my services. I would be more than happy to come and help." Her words were directed more towards Twilight, but the lavender mare took no notice as she tried not to die of embarrassment at being made to wear this on a day-to-day basis.

Twilight awoke to the sound of hooves clopping against stone outside the door to the Queen's chambers. Nightmare Moon had left for the night, leaving Twilight alone, shackled to the bed. She wasn't expecting anypony to come up here at this hour and she knew it couldn't have been the Queen. Nightmare Moon would have teleported herself into the room. She raised her head out from under the covers and focused her gaze on the door. The hoof-fall had stopped just outside and now she waited to see who was coming. The door opened and in stepped the lime green mare, her braided blue mane dangling down the side of her face.

"Silent Brook? What are you doing here? You know that you'll be severely punish if Nigh-" Silent Brook had closed the gap between her and Twilight swiftly before stopping the unicorn's words with a kiss. Twilight was shocked, unable to react. She had never expected anything like this to happen. The shock quickly wore however, and Twilight managed to pull herself away, sucking in air. "Wh-what was that!?"

Silent Brook flinched back and drooped her ears slightly. "I'm sorry! I don't know what came over me.... I heard that Nightmare Moon had left you alone here and I just had to come to you! I had to let you know how I felt about you before she returned."

Twilight took in her words, processing them, trying to figure out Silent Brook's intentions. A question formed in her mind. "But, why do you feel this way towards me? We've only known each other for about a month! How could-" Her words were cut off by a hoof from the earth pony.

"I've known you for quite some time Twilight Sparkle. I've known you since you were just a filly under Princess Celestia's care. I've been a servant girl in Canterlot Castle since I was young, just like my mother." Her eyes shone in the night like large turquoise gems, conveying her thoughts through her features. "I've always watched you from afar. As you studied, as you talked with the Princess, even as you slept...."

"But that still doesn't explain why you... feel the way you do for me." Twilight shook her head. It was too much to process. She had never been in a normal relationship before. Nopony had ever shown any interest in her except for Nightmare Moon, and Twilight was certain that the alicorn wanted her only for her previous relationship with Celestia.

"You don't seem to remember it, but I do. The day we first met was not long after your acceptance into Celestia's apprenticeship. I was crying under a tree in the Canterlot gardens. My pet dog had just died in a carriage accident.... You came up to me and set a book by my head and smiled saying, 'When I'm feeling down, I always look for a good book to read. They can help you find joy when everything seems wrong.' You set that book down and just walked away." Silent Brook was smiling, reminiscing.

Twilight frowned slightly. I don't remember doing anything like that, but if what she's saying is true, then I probably forgot it over the time I had spent with the Princess. I do tend to push out memories from when I wasn't around Celestia. Twilight smiled slightly, enough to reassure the lime pony. "I appreciate your sentiments, however surprising they may be. I don't think I can return them though. Nightmare Moon would be furious if she found out that I was meeting with you for anything other than what your duty entails."

Silent Brook simply shook her head and stepped back. "Don't worry Twilight, she'll never have to know. I'll only visit you when she's gone. Just think it over." Without giving the unicorn any more time to respond, the earth pony made her way back out into the hall, shutting the door behind her. Twilight was left with her thoughts until she drifted off to sleep, her dreams now filled with hope of freedom and, perhaps, love.

Nightmare Moon stood under the glowing light of the obelisk's runes, her blue armor clasped to her body. She had been waiting for this night to come since the moment she had returned from her imprisonment. Twilight Sparkle stood by her side as always, dressed in the outfit Rarity had made her, visibly nervous. Nightmare Moon once again touched her horn to the runes on the face of the obelisk, its form shimmering as it had before. The two mares stepped through the false wall and into the expansive garden inside. Twilight was still amazed at the interior of the structure and curious as to how plants were growing on the barren land. She didn't have time to find an answer to the questions as she was made to pick up her pace to keep up with Nightmare Moons longer strides.

The alicorn was moving faster than Twilight had ever seen. Nightmare Moon typically took slow, even steps as she walked through the halls of the castle, but this pace seemed almost rushed. They came to the door of the stone building in the center of the field and stopped. Nightmare Moon brought forth her magic and slid the door open, revealing the inside. Once the two had entered the building, Nightmare Moon once again summoned her magic and forced the granite sarcophagus out of the way, almost sending it through the wall in her haste. She must truly miss this pony if she is in this much of a hurry. I wonder what kind of horrible creature Nightmare Moon would employ. Visions of mutated ponies augmented with various parts of other creatures filled her head, making her shiver. Curse my overactive imagination.

The two rapidly descended the stairs that had been hidden by the coffin, Twilight nearly stumbling multiple times due to the lack of any form of light. At the bottom, they halted once more in front of an opening. They moved inside and, instantly, the torches on the walls flared to life, momentarily blinding Twilight. As her vision returned, she gasped, staring at the sarcophagus in the center of the room. It's obsidian body was covered in the same glowing runes that marked the obelisk and was covered by a golden slab of metal adorned with diamonds and emeralds.

As Nightmare Moon stepped nearer, the runes on the side of the coffin began to glow more intensely as if beckoning her. The alicorn came to a halt and rested her head on the coffin's lid. "I have returned, Moon Beam. Tonight is the night that we shall be reunited." With those words, she stepped back and focused her thoughts and closed her eyes. Her horn sparked to life, a black aura pulsing about it. The torches flickered and another aura surrounded the first, this one a lighter shade than the original. The runes on the sarcophagus began to pulsate, glowing then fading, as a third aura formed, this one a dark grey. Seconds flew by with nothing happening until Nightmare Moon opened her eyes. They had changed from the typical turquoise to a deep blood red, casting sinister light wherever they faced. A fourth granite-grey glow emanated from her horn as she lifted into the air without the use of her wings, the air around her becoming dense with accumulated magic. A fifth and final aura formed, sending hot white sparks into the air and moving the magical condensation around her body.

As she reached the apex of her power, Nightmare Moon's horn exploded in brilliant white light, shooting straight up through the ceiling before crashing down onto the coffin only moments later. The entire foundation of the underground structure shook as if the earth was trying to displace the ground around them. The beam of light pierced the starmetal lid, sending a great crack up its face, originating from the moon cutie mark. The lid exploded in a flash of golden light, from out of the blackness of what it had sealed, floated a black orb of energy slightly larger than Twilight, pulsating in the air. Nightmare Moon landed back on the ground, exhausted from the strain this great magic had placed on her, but still wearing a giant smile as she eagerly waited for what was coming.

The orb pulsed over and over, sending black waves through the room. The orb grew with each throb until it engulfed the dais that it had come from until it compacted into a tiny sphere. It stayed like that for what seemed like an eternity before it exploded with great force, nearly sending Twilight rocketing into the wall. As she recovered from the surprise explosion, she drew back in fear. A great shadow had filled the room, its size and shape mimicking that of an adolescent dragon. She continued to huddle further away as the shadow took form, its bulk filling the room. Then, it changed shape. The fear wore off and now she stared at the creature before her. She had no idea how to describe it....

Author's notes: Haha! Cliffhangers! Ohhhhh I get some sort of sick sadistic pleasure out of leaving things off with cliffhangers like this. I must say though, I am quite the hypocrite as I, myself hate cliffhangers with a passion. Well regardless of how I feel that was chapter 6. Happy fun time right? Also Inb4 Silent Moon rage. With that I shall head to bed! Peppy out!