As Luna flew through the air towards the Summer Palace, the doubts continued to creep inside her, making her unconsciously slow down mid-flight. Did she need to approach Andromalius about keeping such an insignificant secret from her? Summoning a succubus was a practice Luna was aware of, and it was nothing more than harmless adult fun. However, to summon a succubus, one needed to know a certain incantation, as well as paint symbols in proper order and shape. How would the hell stallion know about it? Something didn't seem right, but she had to think about it.

The spires of the Summer Palace were visible even from this distance, not covered even by the tallest trees of the Everfree forest. Ancient ruins, a reminder of her failure, they towered above the forbidden forest, now but a shadow of the former dominance. The forest grew dark and unruly since all those centuries ago, and beasts returned to their habitat, prowling for prey day and night. Nightmare Moon is a dark spot in the history of Equestria, and the Everfree forest is an existing reminder for all, warning of what could happen if one were to succumb to powerful darkness.

Shaking these dark thoughts off, Luna decided to send a mental transmission to the castle in hopes of reaching Andromalius and perhaps talk to him that way - this option only occurred to her after the potion substantially cleared up her mind. She cast her spell, and yet silence and white noise was her answer, for the chaos of Everfree hid the hell stallion from both sight and magic. Realizing she had no other options, the Lunar alicorn continued her flight.

She dreaded the moment of her arrival – what would she ask? More importantly, how would she voice her questions, concerns, and worries? Would it be right for her to demand or would she simply be too inquisitive about his personal life? On one side, Andromalius was an otherworldly demon who might have an agenda; on the other, he hadn't shown to be malicious in any of his actions or words. Even during his escape from Canterlot, he caused no harm despite having enough raw power to bring down quite a few squads of Royal Guards by himself. When he stole the train, he managed to minimize the material damage as well, stealing only what he needed. He would likely abandon the train after getting off, which would result in but a relatively slight delay in the cargo transportation across Equestria. It would undoubtedly cost some, but in the end, things would return to normal sooner than the next day. Whether it was his conscious choice or not was unclear, however.

Luna had to be honest and admit his actions didn't speak of evil, his words didn't speak of it, and the only piece of evidence of any harm he might be harboring for others is obscure, vague, and supported only by statements of Nightmare Moon and a dream she could have easily made. Her sister Celestia distrusted Andromalius as well, and perhaps it was getting to the nightly alicorn as well.

The Princess of the Night was rarely wrong about people regardless of their species or affiliation, and she sensed Andromalius meant no harm and was indeed simply a confused person stranded in an unfamiliar world doing his best to adapt. However, she needed to make sure she was right about it, otherwise the itching doubt would drive her insane over time. But if it was indeed just tricks of Nightmare Moon meant to drive them apart, what was the end goal? Where did this trickery lead, what would it accomplish?

Luna had yet to see the end of it, but the castle was growing closer, and so was her talk with Andromalius. She had to prepare herself.

Andromalius had exited the cramped space of the study and returned to the main hall of the castle for the breath of fresh air. His mind felt tired, deeply exhausted by the fight he had with Nightmare Moon in the dream realm, and yet he was afraid to go back to sleep, afraid to as much as lie down. She let him go this time, but it was apparent she was not forced to do it; if he fell asleep once more, she could easily ensnare him and turn his mind inside out if she so wished.

He paced and turned, kicking up ancient dust and disturbing the deep silence of the ruined palace. The hell stallion couldn't stop, for he needed to stay awake, and constant movement seemed to help him. At the very least, he soon grew calmer, his steps slowed down and became more measured, precise.

Perhaps it would be best to leave the castle – the entire atmosphere of the place made shivers run across his body. He could sense the dark magic surrounding and penetrating the decaying walls, shattered glass, and many tomes of knowledge stored within the withering halls. Was getting this knowledge worth staying in such a place, feeling paranoid as if someone was watching him? His entire mind was screaming at him to leave this place and never return without a good deal of exorcism knowledge and practice of it. An imprint of something wrong was present, and it needed to be erased before the palace could be considered a simple abandoned structure.

A realization struck him. The feeling of wrongness, the dream he had, his fight with Nightmare Moon... He figured out what was going on and what was going to happen soon. With this realization, he dashed towards the exit, almost flying through the hall, and the doors seemed painfully close...

"No," a dark female voice whispered and he was suddenly suspended in the air, frozen in place, "Thou shalt remain here."

Andromalius struggled and grunted, and yet he could barely move a muscle. Panic rose inside him as the forces of darkness squeezed around him.

"Thou hast figured it out, hastn't thou?" Nightmare Moon spoke, her voice quiet yet powerful, getting to him through his racing thoughts, "Very good, but much too late for thee to stop my plan. Thy struggle is futile now."

She threw him back deeper into the palace and his body tumbled to a stop near the very opposite of the exit.

"I thank thee, for thou hast taken the main role in my plan and acted it well," she continued, lifting him up and placing him back on four hooves, "Unknowingly, thou hast helped me... I'm willing to forgive thy transgression and even reward thee once all things are concluded."

Andromalius lit his horn, desperately wishing to teleport out of the castle; in a moment, he felt searing pain inside the horn as if someone clamped it with red-hot metal. He yelled, his mind filling with white nothingness, ceasing his magic, and his suffering immediately ended. He stumbled a few steps backwards but managed not to fall, although his mind was in disarray. He panted, sweating, slowly recovering from this moment of intense pain.

"As I've said, thou shalt stay here, Andromalius," Nightmare Moon continued. Yet, despite the apparent presence of her voice, it did not belong to a physical vessel. As a side note, the hell stallion realized souls could very well be a thing, "At least, for now... Thou shalt do well to listen."

The gears inside his mind turned – he had to warn Luna about Nightmare Moon, tell her about the danger of coming to the castle if she was already on her way... but how? He must get out of this situation, escape... but how? These questions repeated themselves over and over again in his mind, and yet he could find no solution, nothing that would work. He stood in one place, unrestricted, but he couldn't try to run away or teleport or even send any message out to anyone.

"There is a hole above thee. Look up," Nightmare Moon said, and Andromalius couldn't disobey. For a moment, he wondered why she told him to do it, but soon he could see small dots slowly growing bigger. His eyes widened, his heart sunk, "They're on their way here, Luna and her Night Guards. Just as I expected."

"What do you want to do?" Andromalius asked, his voice filled with caution.

"Retake what belonged to me first," she humored his question, "Then I shall conquer the day and turn it to night."

"Why?"

"Despite being cornered, perhaps even on the brink of death, thou art interested in my plans?" the invisible alicorn or a spirit chuckled ghastly, sending shivers down the spine of the hell stallion, "I would imagine survival would concern thee more. Unless thou realizedst I could've killed thee already but haven't... perhaps thou knowest I have plans for thee as well. Very well, I shall indulge thy curiosity, but all in due time. Now, thou shalt stay out of sight and gaze upon the finale."

He was frozen in place by magic again, and shadows cloaked him, making him invisible in the dark corner of the main hall. He could barely move, but opening his maw proved impossible. The grip on him was strong, and he didn't know how to break it. He hoped Nightmare Moon couldn't be too powerful without a body – assuming he was right about what she was going to do. If not, then Nightmare Moon's trap for Luna was nothing more than...

He tried to break free again, struggling to the best of his ability, and feeling the give in the dark magic of the spirit. With enough time, with enough willpower, he would break through it.

"Dost thou think I shall kill dear Luna?" Nightmare Moon whispered in his ear, "No, that is not my plan. I need to... reunite with her. Now stand still unless thou wantest pain."

Minutes painfully passed as Andromalius stood, deprived of freedom to move. Silence reigned in the hall, rarely disturbed by the noises the abandoned palace made as if it were yet alive: stone creaked under the weight of a thousand years, drops of water fell from the eroded walls and ceiling, and ghastly winds blew their cold air. Every twenty-eight seconds, a plop was heard. After three plops, the hall was still empty, and the dots in the sky became bigger. Five more, and the emptiness was the same, but the dots disappeared from view. Eight plops after that, the visitors came in silently, passing the threshold of the palace.

"Andromalius, art thou here?" Luna called out. He wanted to answer, he really did, but his maw was clamped shut. He could only think one thought - 'Don't go here, leave!'

Not getting her answer, the alicorn went further, and step by step she came closer to her doom. Her guards followed, ignorant to the danger looming inside the ancient palace. Andromalius struggled to move, to say, but the grip around him tightened, rendering him still. His heart skipped a beat when Luna stopped mid-step, her expression suddenly changing.

He felt it.

"My princess?" one of the guards asked, stopping as well.

"It is..." she said quietly, and then went silent with a gasp, closing her eyes. The guards readied themselves, quickly forming a square around her, weapons prepared.

Painfully, seconds passed. Andromalius closed his eyes, a quiet sigh escaping his lips as the grip on him loosened. Alas, it was too late to do anything about it.

When Luna opened her eyes next, they were no longer hers – viper-like, emitting a certain intensity, they belonged to another. She put her hoof down and straightened her posture, spreading her wings.

"Guardians of the Night," she spoke, the booming voice of Nightmare Moon coming from her, radiating with power and majesty, "Your queen hath returned."

The guards turned to her, astonishment on their faces. She looked at each of them, inspecting them with her eyes, getting their names from the mending fractures of consciousness belonging to both of the beings inside the same head.

"Your families have sworn fealty to me, and I call on you to fulfill it, for things shall now change," she continued, "I, Nightmare Moon, shall realize a dream of mine, and it is your duty to aid me," she walked from one guard to another, looking them deep in the eyes. They thestrals were frozen in place, uncertainty evident on their faces, "What say you? Uphold your honor or cast yourself into darkness?"

Somewhat reluctantly, the guards lowered their weapons and bowed to their queen. They might question her judgement or actions, but never aloud, for they were loyal to a fault, unwavering. For generations, their families passed down the tale of Nightmare Moon – the Moonlit One. From father to son, from mother to daughter, the tale was told of a mare who embraced the night and turned into its vessel, the carrier of power and will.

Luna was believed to be this mare, and yet it was clear something more powerful awoke inside her, the true Moonlit One. She now stood before them, expectations in her gaze. Her gaze softened, and a look of pride appeared on her face, making the guards straighten themselves even more than before.

"Perhaps as Luna, I lacked the will to do what is right, but it endeth today when my soul is reunited, now a whole," she declared, "I see you are confused, but worry not – all things shall make sense, in time."

The alicorn turned to Andromalius, making his blood run cold in his veins. Shadows fell back, revealing him, and he could move freely once more. For a moment, nothing was said as the two looked at each-other. The guards noticed him too, and now looked at him warily, forming a half-circle in front of Nightmare Moon, but not raising their weapons yet, waiting for their mistress' command. A passing thought made the hell stallion shiver, an irrational stumble of mind – would she now order him to be imprisoned or killed or... worse?

"Very well, demon, thine assistance is dearly appreciated," she spoke, "And now... tell me, what is thy goal?"

"...My goal? I... I don't know," he replied honestly after a few moments of consideration. He decided to omit his supposed role among the demons who thought him a part of a prophecy, a prophecy he wasn't sure he was ready for or even willing to accept.

"Indeed, thou art without a purpose... yet," she took a few steps forward, "Thou hast done one thing only – survive. Survive and learn, to be precise. Dear Luna hath done well to help thee on thy journey of discovery, but alas 'tis not enough. But first and foremost, I must apologize for my earlier treatment of thee – I used thee without thy knowledge twice in my own plans and I have hurt thee. However, I can see great potential within thee now, potential that I can help nourish and expand."

This offer already sounded devilish. What reason did Andromalius have to trust her, especially after she admitted to using him, especially if he knew she was using him for purposes many would consider suspicious at best and evil at worst?

However... what else was he left to do? Pony society was now at large against him, for he was fooled and trapped. Demons, or at least Inanna, were seemingly willing to help him achieve success, but he had yet to bring himself to trust them. There was also this prophecy, and he didn't even want to think about it yet. His only reliable ally, maybe even almost a friend, Luna, was... not gone, no, but... not accessible anymore, perhaps.

He now stood truly alone in front of a powerful alicorn, one that attacked him before. Perhaps she wasn't an outright foe, but she was far from a friend either. He might have been able to keep up with her in the dream realm somewhat, but that made sense to him – it was his dream, he could change it. The outside reality was not his playing field, however, and it would be foolish to fight.

"What do you want to do... to the world?" he asked carefully.

"Such an interesting question coming at this time..." she replied, curiosity in her voice, "But I think I understand. Tell me, then – what dost thou believe I want?"

"You want to drown the world in eternal darkness, making the night last forever," he began, reciting what he knew about her, "Wouldn't that kill everything? Sun gives warmth, it makes plants grow... you can't do without the sun!"

Nightmare Moon huffed and took a step towards Andromalius; his body tensed, various spells going through his mind just in case. However, her horn did not light with magic and neither did her expression become more threatening. She merely... let out a laugh. And then it grew into a guffaw as her whole body shook and tears welled up in her eyes. The hell stallion watched her, not sure how to react. The guards were likewise puzzled, uncertain of what they should be doing. And so the ancient hall of the palace was filled with nothing but the mad-like laughter for a solid minute before it subsided and Nightmare Moon could control herself again.

"Dost thou really believe I would try to bring forth Eternal Night if that was truly the case?" she asked rhetorically, the last of her chuckles dying down, but an amused grin remained on her face, "Of course not, I do not aim to destroy this world but merely to reform it. Plants and animals shall live under moonlight better than they ever could under the sunlight."

The alicorn looked up at the sky – the sun was peeking ever so slightly over one of the towers. She stepped aside, now fully under the shade, and her expression became serious.

"In summer, the sun maketh days unbearably hot, and heat killeth both animals and plants alike often," she continued, "In winter, it provideth no warmth, for sunny days are cold, and animals have to hide while plants lay dead underneath the snow. Thou canst not even look at the sun. Dost thou truly believe it can be the only and the best source of what life requireth?"

"But that's just how nature is, you can't just... change it," Andromalius argued, although he was losing conviction, feeling he was missing an important detail. Not to mention the fact his argument came out awkward.

"Perhaps in thine own world it doth," Nightmare Moon pointed out, making him realize where he was at fault, "In ours, it is not so. Magic sustaineth life, and magic is everywhere, and magic can likewise be manipulated to bring forth the change. The power of moon and stars is far greater than one measly orb of heat. Perhaps 'tis best for thee to silence thine ignorance and learn instead."

She let out a sigh of a certain kind of tiredness, looking away for a moment. She could feel the effects of the potion Luna took slowly but surely fading away, and fatigue now grew in place of power. However, it was not the time to show it – she straightened her posture and looked once again at the peculiar demon before her. A curious otherworldly creature he was, bearing great potential in power and wisdom... if such potential is guided correctly, if such potential is fulfilled to the best of her ability to teach and his ability to learn, he could become a worthy ally in her quest. Perhaps she could convince him despite their earlier conflicts.

Inside Nightmare Moon's mind, now that her consciousness was not divided between the collapsing ruins and the head of Luna, calm reigned, serenity unlike before. The disturbances from her fractured consciousness stopped, clearing her thoughts and putting them back in order. Perhaps she and Luna were no longer one and the same, but they shared many things, and perhaps the princess will come to understand the queen and, once more, unite. Until then, her objections could be ignored until it was the time to have a talk with her.

Her mind returned to reality, and she noted Andromalius uttered not a word. Perhaps it was good, perhaps he was willing to listen to her indeed. And if not, he was considerate of angering her. Either way, it was a smart decision, and it could very well be a step towards recruiting him to her cause.

"Bringing Eternal Night is just one step towards reformation," Nightmare Moon said after she recomposed herself, "Such a huge change is but one of many, for the world needeth to move forward. I shall move it forward, unwilling as the world is. This world is full of terrors I refuse to call my own, for the night is not meant to be known as the time of dread, treachery, and crime. Its destiny must not be grim, for the real fate of the night lieth in being the beacon of prosperity, peace, and beauty."

"If... if your goal is so good, why-"

"Why was I struct down by the Elements of Harmony?" she cut him off. It wasn't the exact question the hell stallion was going to ask, but it was close enough, "It was my error of judgement, and perhaps the deep conviction of the Bearers that they were good and I was evil.

"I had a long time to think in my banishment, yet my return was unplanned, chaotic... I was thrust back into this world without a chance to prepare. Such a rush leadeth to mistakes in all of us. Fortunately, the Elements do not kill, and I now realize where I failed and how to remedy it."

Nightmare Moon closed her eyes and inhaled deeply. Maybe the potion was weaker than it should've been, maybe it was expired, or maybe her possession took a great toll on Luna's body. Her strength was waning quicker than she expected. She couldn't see whether Andromalius was convinced of her cause or not, however, and it made her feel desperate, for losing him would be a waste of great potential going who knew where without proper guidance.

"Exploitation and suffering are still widespread in this world," she continued, speaking slightly quicker and more forcefully than she intended, "I have lived for long enough to recognize the rot within us and those who let it take control, and they would then spread it to others, poisoning us all. Celestia, despite her noble spirit, failed to bring the world to prosperity in a thousand years, Andromalius. She was poisoned by the unworthy, by the scum who should rot in prison, and do so away from others so they wouldn't infect more minds. She made her effort despite the corruption, that is true, but it was not enough!" she put her hoof down to emphasize the point, sending a vibration throughout her tired body, "Dost thou not realize this corruption nearly caused thy death?"

Nightmare Moon looked in the eyes of the hell stallion, waiting for him to speak. However, he found no word of objection, and now he began to wonder – indeed, what was his real opposition to her? Ponies in general saw him as suspicious, Celestia herself distrusted him and wanted to get him killed just like Nightmare Moon pointed out. Luna was hunting for the conspirators to prove Andromalius was innocent, but how long would it take her to do at this pace? Weeks, months, maybe even years? All the while, the conspirators would continue to operate, their influence keeping Equestria in its current state and maybe even making it worse. He had seen it happen on Earth, he did learn about setbacks in progress caused by those who wished to exploit others and cause harm for the sake of becoming more wealthy and powerful. And now, he had the chance to change it.

What Nightmare Moon said simply made sense.

"But what about Luna?" he asked, "What will you do to her?"

"To me, Luna is but a misguided sister," the alicorn said softly, "Just like Celestia is to her. I wish to help, and perhaps I shall be able to create a body for myself, for Luna and I cannot be joined easily. Now, tell me," she extended her hoof, "Hast thou decided? Shalt thou join my cause?"

He was reluctant to agree. What she said seemed right, he even thought it was right, but... There were some things he couldn't agree to do.

"Only... only if none are killed or tortured or... worse," he finally said, "Killing is irreversible, and I won't be able to do it, it just won't be right."

Nightmare Moon looked at him with a certain kind of surprise on her face. In certain circles, demons were rumored to be violent in one way or another – mythology covered them as beings of chaos and destruction. And yet, one of them stood before her, unwilling to perform such acts.

A voice of morality present by her side would help her not stoop low, she realized. Perhaps such a voice would've prevented her first fall. It would be foolish to disagree even if she didn't share his opinion on life.

"The criminals must be punished, but I agree with thy words," she nodded, "But thou must realize others might not share thy sentiment, and they shall seek to maim and murder thee. Think not of saving lives of they who would gladly take thine."

Andromalius gulped, realizing he might get into such situations. What Nightmare Moon proposed sounded like an invitation to change the whole world, which is a task not many were willing to undertook during the history of humanity. This position, while perhaps noble in spirit, introduced many dangers regular people didn't usually face. And yet here he was, standing at the crossroads, choosing a path he would have to follow until its end, and many dangers awaited regardless of his choice.

He never expected to be in this situation. The worst kind of decision dilemma he experienced was during playing various computer games, but at least you could go back to a previous save or look up the right choices. In reality, looking into the future was impossible. Even if magic did allow it, he lacked the ability to use it, so it didn't matter.

He let out a quiet sigh, wishing nothing more than to wake up in his comfortable bed, stretch, and wonder what an amazing but stressful dream he'd been having for so long. But there was no waking up – this was reality. He would be a coward to reject a proposition to change the world for the better, especially if he could do it. He didn't know what it would cost, and even games with similar scenarios didn't prepare him for it in the slightest.

He remembered his father talking about it on his rare visits: "Son, be prepared to make choices you never thought you would have to. Life is uncertain, it can change many ways, and sometimes so quick you wouldn't get it until it is already done." At the time, he was but a young teenager, more interested in running around and playing than learning wisdom. Now father's words resonated like never before, and he would do well to listen now.

Regardless of how he would decide, the outcome would remain unknown until he reached it. There was only one option that made sense to make, although a part of his mind reminded him to be thoughtful and remember what happened between him and Nightmare Moon before. At the very least, it was the best choice he could make if he wished to survive and become stronger; if she lied to him, he would hopefully recognize it and act. After all, if there were possessions, then there should be spells and rituals of exorcism. He only wished he would know what is right and what is wrong.

It all depended on the future and information he didn't possess, however, so there was only one thing he could say.

"I will follow you," he finally spoke, feeling a giant mountain sliding off his shoulders and freeing him of weight of the indecisiveness.

The choice was made.

Author's Notes:

While I was writing this chapter, I decided to edit the picture of Andromalius slightly. What do you think about the result?