Mort, also known as the Pale Pony (of Death), has been tasked to take time off from his rigorous duties of reaping souls. Seeking guidance, he is directed towards the town of Ponyville, to learn about the magic of friendship from Twilight Sparkle and her friends. All he needs to do is keep his true nature a secret. That shouldn't be too difficult...right?

Special thanks to Specter-Von-Baren and Pyrite Foolsgold for their help in proofreading and editing this story, as I really needed it. Additional thanks to Pilate, Chuckle5, Unimpressive Vagaries and Admiral Biscuit as well! Couldn't have done it without all their help!

Credit for the title card goes to Siansaar, AKA Carnifex.

For another excellent take on Mort, check out Sip's version!

Discord, for a master of chaos, was actually a very good planner. Despite the confidence that he would bring Equestria to its knees in mayhem, several millennia of experience had taught him to have a back-up, no matter what. And after watching from the sidelines as Princess Luna became Nightmare Moon, he knew he had found an ace in the hole. Despite his defeat, Discord's greatest trick was still to come.

You know what this means: Equestria's greatest Nightmare is back. And this time, she's not alone.

Edit: Featured 9-27-2013, first time I've had a featured story. Thanks to everyone who's stuck by this story in spite of admittedly slow updates!

In a moment of weakness, Chrysalis had more than a taste of Shining Armour's love. 11 months later, Twilight Sparkle finds herself a brand new niece by way of 'A small foal in a basket on my door step'.

Special thanks for the picture by Awilldrawforfood1
Now edited with DoomManta.

Derpy Hooves, a pony who seems to be on the wrong side of everyone in town, is restless and lonely. Thanks to her... unique eyes and clumsy nature, she's never had an easy time at building friendships. She begins to wonder if maybe its time to leave Ponyville and try again.

And that's when Blue Skies appears. A handsome pegasus who's new to Ponyville. And it goes by logic, anyone new to Ponyville will know little to nothing of Derpy's damaging reputation. Is this the chance for a fresh start she's been waiting for? It could be.

But can our favorite clumsy friend ever hope to catch his eye? Or will someone else get to him first?

ALL CHAPTERS REVISED~
I have improved a lot since my first run! So when you're reading my fan fiction and offering critique, (WHICH I LOVE, THANK YOU SO MUCH) I have officially hidden all the old chapters, and replaced them with a new version. If you wish to see the old version, just contact me! Feel free to offer any advice! I appreciate it.
Also, if you're a stickler for maintaining character, you might not like this. I mean I hope you will! But you might not. I didn't portray Derpy exactly as hasbro did, but rather as I like to think of her. Even so, she remains pretty much the same. I might even dare to call it cannon. You can be the judge of that!

For almost a thousand years, the immortal Nightmare Moon has reigned over Equestria as Empress. To the average pony, Nightmare Moon is an overarching enigma whose rule is absolute and whose wrath is terrible. But to Twilight Sparkle, who as an orphan has never known her parents, the Empress is something else entirely. When the young unicorn is brought under the royal wing as an apprentice, she learns a great deal more about the supposed tyrant than she ever knew. But as Twilight is introduced to life with her new mentor, she is thrust into a world of political intrigue, conspiracies and secrets. Secrets that were never meant to be revealed. As allies and enemies plot against the very peace of the nation, will Twilight fall prey to the perils of her new position? Or will she prosper and find in Nightmare Moon the mother she never had?

============

My eternal gratitude to my editor, LordOfTheWrongs, without whom Night's Favoured Child would not be the story it is today.

Now with added TVtropes!