Nightmare woke with a blissful smile, and stretched. As she opened the blinds to her room, she said words she'd never thought she'd ever hear herself say. "It's a beautiful day..." Nightmare got dressed, and walked over to the kitchen for breakfast. "Good morning Ms. Stream. Where's Burst at?"
"He should be down shortly Nightshade.", Lumina answered with a smile. She soon heard Burst's foot steps. "Just as expected."
"Mornin' Mom!", Burst said with a smile. "Hope you don't mind, but we might have an extra mouth joining us for breakfast." Blue-Eyes was trailing Burst.
"Hello!", Blue-Eyes said with a smile.
"Good thing I made extra", Lumina said with a chuckle and she got a plate for Blue-Eyes. "Enjoy you three." Blue-Eyes then turned to Nightshade.
"So who's the new girl Burst? Saffira told me you and Celestia had broken up, but I didn't think you'd move on THAT quickly!"
"C'mon Blue-Eyes! She's just living with me!" Burst then snuck a quick look at Nightmare. "Even if she is kinda pretty. But still, she's just a friend."
"So...that's a REAL Blue-Eyes?", Nightmare asked. Burst nodded.
"I can summon him because of the strong bond we have. I can also do this!" Burst called upon his dragon powers. "Pretty cool, right?" Burst then returned to his normal form. "Maybe you can try it out too." Nightmare got out her deck, and pulled out two monsters that were close to her. In a flash of light, Yubel and Queen Nyx fully materialized.
"Nice to meet you Nightie!", Yubel said with a pleasant smile. Queen Nyx was a humanoid figure with skin as pale as the moon, and dark purple hair wearing black and azure armor.
"It appears I'm in the presence of a legendary dragon.", Nyx said with a flirty smile. Blue-Eyes blushed!
"Y-Yeah. No need to be formal about that." Nyx giggled at Blue-Eyes' response.
"Relax. I know you're taken by the Queen of the Dragons. But give me a call if you're down to hang." Yubel and Nyx vanished in flashes of purple light.
"It looks like I've got some new friends that I already knew.", Nightmare said with a smile. The three finished breakfast, and grabbed their things for school.
"Hey Nightshade? I can fly on Blue-Eyes. It beats taking the school bus."
"Never rode a dragon before..." Burst helped Nightmare onto Blue-Eyes, and got on board himself.
"Let's go Blue-Eyes!"
"HOLD TIGHT!", Blue-Eyes called out as he took off! Soon enough, they landed at CHS.
"So how was your first flight?", Burst asked.
"It was incredible!", Nightmare cheered. Blue-Eyes then leaned down to Burst, and whispered to him.
"Don't forget! We've got that thing planned today!"
Burst nodded. "C'mon Nightshade! The day's not gonna wait for us." Nightshade followed Burst, and the two started their day. At lunch, Burst sat with Nightmare. "Say Nightshade? Wanna hit up Sugar Cube Corner after school today?"
"Hoping to get a sugar rush are we?", Nightmare asked with a mischievous smile.
"No. Just wanna show you something."
"Oh. Care to leak any details?"
"Nope! I pinkie promised."
"Hmph. You're no fun." The rest of the day went by in a flash, and Burst and Nightmare headed over to Sugar Cube Corner. "So what did you want to show me?" Nightmare noticed that all the lights were off as she and Burst entered, but they were switched on the second the two entered!
"SURPRISE!!", all of Burst's friends shouted! Nightmare was a bit shocked to say the least.
"What....what is all of this?"
"It's your party silly!", Pinkie chirped! "Didn't you ever have any kid of party when you were growing up?"
"..No. To be honest, no one's ever thrown me one before...."
"WHAT?! Then we're gonna make sure this one's your best EVER!" Pinkie almost dragged Nightmare by her ear, and showed her all the games and treats she had gotten ready. "And THAT is how you party!"
"I think I got the basics..." Nightmare was having the time of her life! She'd never had this much fun since...well, ever!
"I must say darling, your outfit is simply amazing!", Rarity said in awe.
"Oh. Thank you. In fact, its the only one I own."
Rarity was in shock. "No! No! No! That simply won't do! That's it! You're coming to my boutique this Saturday! We're putting together your wardrobe!"
"Quite generous of you.", Nightmare said with a small smile. Pinkie then popped up at Nightmare's side.
"Soooo? Do ya like it? Do ya? Do ya?"
"I won't lie. I can't remember having this much fun. Thank you Pinkie."
"Thank Burst silly! He texted us that he wanted to make you feel welcome!" Burst then approached the group.
"Burst....you really had this all done for me?"
"Of course! No one should be alone right?" Nightmare was speechless at Burst's kindness, and hugged him tightly. "Whoa! Where's all this coming from?" Nightmare's eyes were tearing up.
"No one's ever done something this nice for me before.....thank you."
"No problem.", Burst said with a smile as he returned the hug. "Now I think it's time for the next part."
"Next part?" Nightmare was stunned to find that Burst and his friends had gotten her presents.
"Here's a little something from me.", Burst said as he handed Nightmare a box. Nightmare opened it, and found a phone inside. "It oughta help us keep in touch. I put the house phone, my Mom's number, and my own number on it already."
"Let each of us see it for a minute.", Inferno said. He typed like crazy, and handed it to Rarity. The group continued until everyone had typed something into the phone. Inferno handed the phone back to Nightmare."There you go! You've got all our numbers now! Hold on for a sec." Inferno digged into his pockets, and pulled out a card. "This oughta help you get some music onto your phone!"
"This next one's from me, darling." Rarity handed Nightmare a wallet. "It should help keep you organized."
Applejack handed Nightmare a six-pack of fizzy apple cider. "Here ya go sugar cube! Some of Sweet Apple Acres' best!" Pinkie handed Nightmare a cupcake, which she happily ate. The rest of the group handed her greeting cards with minor amounts of cash in them. Sunset and Gold were a bit hesitant when they saw their friends acting so at-ease around the former mare in the moon.
"Odd. I thought for sure she'd try to blast us right about now.", Sunset said with a puzzled look on her face. "She's certainly not acting like the Nightmare Moon of legend."
"Well, we better not arouse suspicion. Let's just give her our gifts." Gold and Sunset gave Nightmare gift cards to Sugar Cube Corner. "Welcome to Canterlot, Nightshade."
Nightmare smiled. 'They're quite the exceptional group of people. Maybe when I bring eternal night, I should give them all a place in my castle. I'd certainly like to keep people like these close to me.' Nightmare then looked to Burst. 'One especially close in particular...' "Thank you. I've never had anyone be this nice to me before."
"Hey. That's what friends are for, right?", Rainbow Dash asked.
"Yeah. I guess you're right."
"C'mon Nightshade.", Burst said as he put a hand on her shoulder. "Let's head home." As the two headed home, it began to rain. "Oh man. Well, no use running unless we wanna slip and fall."
"You wouldn't happen to have an umbrella?"
"No....but I've got an idea!" Burst removed his shirt and summoned his dragon wings. Using one of them to shield Nightmare while he used his shirt as cover. "There we go! Let's keep on movin'." As they walked, Nightmare couldn't help but stare at Burst. "What? Is there frosting left on my face?"
"N-no. It's just...I didn't expect you to be so well-toned."
"Well, I've got powers. I might as well train to keep them honed.", Burst said with a smile. "Of course, it also makes great exercise." The two soon arrived at Burst's house. "Just gotta get my keys...there we go!" Burst unlocked the door. "Home sweet home." Burst was about to head upstairs to take a shower when Nightmare stopped him. "Hm? Something up Nightshade?"
"Nothing. It's just...I wanted to thank you."
"Thank me? You've already said 'thank you' at the party. That's more than enough."
"No. I want to thank you properly..." Nightmare kissed Burst on the cheek leaving him reeling in surprise. "Thanks for a wonderful time."
"Y-Your welcome....", Burst said with a blush. "I'd....better hit the shower now...." Burst left for upstairs while Nightmare put the fizzy apple cider Applejack had given her in the fridge, and put the money she'd received in the wallet Rarity gave her. All the while she had a fond smile. 'It seems like I've chosen an excellent lover.' Nightmare soon found Burst coming down in his PJs. "I guess I caught the duel champion off-guard."
Burst chuckled. "Maybe. But I guess it was a pleasant surprise. I just might have to return the favor some time!", Burst said with a wink.
'And I'm looking forward to that day...', Nightmare thought with a smile. The rest of the day soon passed, and the house was all but silent. Burst was downstairs getting a glass of water when he turned to face Nightmare.
"AH!" Burst nearly jumped out of his skin! "Geez! Do you make any noise when you move?"
"I never thought about it. I just move.", Nightmare said with a shrug. "You really went all-out for me."
"You looked like you needed a friend. Especially since...well, you know. Everybody needs somebody.", Burst said with a kind smile. "Well, sweet dreams Nightshade. I'll see you tomorrow." Nightmare smiled as Burst went to bed.
"And I'll be waiting...."