Sweetie Belle's time in Canterlot started in a stone-cold cell Nightmare Moon called a guest room. The bed was scratchy, the covers thin, and the chamber pot revolting. She didn't even know chamber pots still existed. Moonlight shone like a pillar of ice through a high, narrow window, playing off Sweetie's misty breath as she stretched and rose.

A small desk and chair rested in the moonlight shaft, the glow illuminating a book on the fundamentals of magic. At first, she ignored it out of stubbornness, but as time wore on, curiosity and boredom won out. What started as casual skimming turned to reluctant study, which in turn led to a careful consideration of every word the book contained. More than once she told the Shadowbolts that delivered her meals that she needed something else to read, as well as warmer blankets, but if her requests ever reached Nightmare Moon, they fell on cold ears.

Eventually, boredom turned to desperation, and she decided to put one of the book's many spells into practice. She chose a simple spark spell, something to start a small fire. Despite the book's detailed instructions, she struggled. On the one hoof, her constant failure was infuriating, but on the second, perhaps her incompetence would lead Nightmare Moon to pick someone else to be her student. But on the third hoof, there was no evidence that the dark mare was even paying attention to her, much less her failures, and on the fourth, she dreaded what might happen if she suddenly lost her usefulness.

With three hooves against one, she kept trying, until finally, she succeeded. Well, 'success' probably wasn't the right word for a spell that left her bed in embers, but it did accomplish one thing: It got Nightmare Moon's attention.

"What happened?" the dark mare asked while her Shadowbolts dragged the charred bedframe from the room.

"I-I..."

"Speak up." Nightmare Moon's voice wasn't loud, but it was firm as a glacier.

"I messed up the spell," Sweetie blurted as she shied away, though Nightmare Moon did not move at her words. "I-I was trying to do a spark spell, and—"

"And you set your bed on fire." Sweetie Belle swore she saw a flash of amusement on her face. "A clumsy attempt at magic, but an attempt nonetheless." The dark mare turned and walked toward the doorway. "You've learned well on your own. My Shadowbolts will take you to a new room. I will see you for dinner."

Sweetie Belle stood in shock for a moment, before the Shadowbolts prodded her forward. The thought of dinner with Nightmare Moon scared her. Not because she feared some evil would befall her—knowing that would have almost made it easier. No, it was the uncertainty that gnawed at her. She had been left alone in a cold room for Celestia knew how long, but Nightmare Moon hadn't done her any real harm—not yet, anyway. Her concern only deepened when she saw her new room—a comfortable space with a soft mattress, worktable and warm fireplace. Despite herself, she rushed into the room and sat by the fire, savoring the warmth that felt at once foreign and familiar. She hardly noticed the time go by until the Shadowbolts returned to take her to dinner.

Sweetie Belle was surprised by how elegant the dining room looked. Nightmare Moon's black-moon banners lined the walls, illuminated in the blue-white light of candles mounted between them. Nightmare Moon stood near the long table in a gown that could only be Rarity's work. The dark purple fabric billowed around her, like her star-studded mane and tail. Sweetie almost didn't recognize her without her armor.

"Welcome," the dark mare said, fang-like teeth peeking through a small smile. "Is your new room to your liking?"

Sweetie slowly nodded. "It's nice."

"I'm glad." Nightmare Moon gestured for her to sit at one end of the table, and Sweetie Belle obliged. The dark mare took her seat as well. "Your friend Fluttershy has prepared this evening's meal for us," Nightmare Moon said. "Why don't we talk about your experience here so far, while we wait?"

Sweetie Belle's hoof gave an involuntary nervous tap. "I... uh..."

"Don't be nervous." The dark mare's voice was soft, almost charming. "I told you, I bear no ill will toward my subjects." Sweetie's voice refused to dislodge itself from her throat, so Nightmare Moon continued speaking. "I know your previous accommodations were a bit austere, and I apologize for the discomfort. I had to make sure my predecessor hadn't left any... unfortunate surprises."

Sweetie couldn't help herself. "What do you mean?"

"She left quite a few traps," Nightmare Moon said with a sigh. "Some rather nasty ones, too. It would have been unfortunate for you, or anyone else, to stumble into them unprepared."

"B-but, that doesn't sound like—"

"Something she would do?" Nightmare Moon finished her sentence with a smile. "Yes, she played the role of benevolent ruler well."

A door opened, and a yellow pegasus stepped meekly through, two covered trays balanced on her back. It took Sweetie Belle a moment to realize it was Fluttershy. "Y-Your majesty," the pegsasus said, her voice barely a whisper.

Nightmare Moon smiled at her. "Ah, Fluttershy. Is that a wonderful meal I smell?"

"Um..." Fluttershy hid behind her mane, but not quickly enough to hide the bruises around her cheeks and eyes. "Y-Yes."

"Splendid. Sweetie Belle and I have been eagerly awaiting your arrival." She gestured toward the filly. "Please, serve my guest first."

"Y-Yes, your majesty." Fluttershy's walk down the table seemed to take hours, though Sweetie Belle knew it lasted only a few seconds. "H-Here you go," Fluttershy said, placing a tray in front of Sweetie Belle. The smell could have made her stomach growl even if she had just eaten a whole sundae from Sugar Cube Corner.

"Is everything all right?" Sweetie asked.

Fluttershy gulped. "O-Of course," she said, voice still a soft monotone. "I-I'd better serve the princess." Fluttershy practically scampered to the far end of the table to deliver Nightmare Moon's tray.

"Thank you, Fluttershy. That will be all," the dark mare said, waving her hoof toward the kitchen door. Fluttershy shot Sweetie Belle a furtive glance before bowing and wordlessly leaving the two alone. Nightmare Moon smiled. "Please, enjoy."

Sweetie Belle removed the cover and set it aside. The scent of a bowl of warm vegetable stew, a baked cinnamon apple and a slice of cherry pie with ice cream assaulted her nose, making her momentarily dizzy. Before she knew it, the food had half-vanished down her throat, and only the sound of Nightmare Moon quietly clearing her throat brought her back to her senses.

"Please, continue eating," the dark mare said as Sweetie watched her with a renewed sense of suspicion. "I wanted to ask you what type of magic you would like to study next."

Sweetie Belle gulped, and not just because her mouth was full. "Um..."

"Anything you like," Nightmare Moon continued. "I know your spark spell needs a little work, but I'm sure you'll learn that one quickly enough, now that I can properly devote my time to your education."

Sweetie Belle shivered. "I—I don't know," she stammered.

Nightmare Moon smiled again, and this time, Sweetie though she saw something sinister behind it. "Of course. You need some time to think about it."

Sweetie took a deep breath. "I—I mean... um..."

The dark mare raised an eyebrow. "Yes?"

"Well... I'm..." Her heart pounded. "I don't know if I want to be your student."

Nightmare Moon's smile twitched. "I see." The mare carefully dabbed her mouth with a magically raised napkin. "You still don't trust me."

Sweetie's courage failed, and she looked down at her plate. It was then she noticed a tiny square of paper sticking out from beneath her stew bowl.

"My dear filly," the mare continued, her gaze now firmly fixed on the filly before her. Sweetie tore her eyes away from the paper and focused on Nightmare Moon. "I understand that you still bear some resentment toward me, but I assure you, I have only the best interests of Equestria at heart." Nightmare Moon rose from her chair and wandered toward the center of the room. As quickly as she dared, Sweetie retrieved the paper from beneath the bowl and concealed it in her hoof. "I suppose I can't fault you for not seeing my true colors like the others have—after all, you had to stay in your room while I made sure this castle was safe." The mare turned to face Sweetie Belle again. "Fluttershy, and even your sister, have come to see me as I really am—not only the rightful ruler of Equestria, but the better ruler as well."

"W-Well, maybe if I talked to them, they could—"

"No." The word came quickly, and Nightmare Moon followed it with a chuckle. "Not right now. Not when there's so much work to do." Nightmare Moon returned to her seat at the table. "Please, think not of the lies your former princess told you. Think of the way I have treated you tonight, and I'm sure you'll come to see things my way."

Sweetie forced herself to sit up straight. She was sure the paper in her hoof would soon begin to crumble with sweat. "I—I will," she said. "I think I should go to sleep now."

"Of course. You've had a busy day." A pair of Shadowbolts appeared, and Sweetie Belle stood to follow them. "Sleep well, my child, and know that I am watching over you."

Sweetie said nothing as the Shadowbolts led her through the quiet halls to her room. She waited a full minute after the door closed behind her to unfold the paper and read the familiar writing within.

Don't trust her, the note said. I will come for you. —Rarity