Canterlot, the seat of power of Equestria, and home to the largest population of unicorns in the country. A city made up of only the famous and elite, Canterlot was the place to be for up and coming fashions. Unfortunately for its residents, this regal and elegant appearance was a mere façade; beneath the very noses of the princesses, crime runs rampant: illegal magical concoctions being sold in dark alleyways, various organizations extorting money from local businesses, ponies disappearing from their homes… surely it was no place for fillies at night.
But there one goes, down those dark alleyways and empty streets, to a place even she does not know.
“Stupid Rarity,” pouted Sweetie Belle. Tears in her emerald eyes, she galloped through the city, hooves clip-clopping on the cobblestones, kicking aside moldy fruit and discarded cans.
“You PROMISED.”
The strength in her legs began to wane, and she slowed to a trot, then stopped to catch her breath.
The night air was frigid, nearly freezing Sweetie’s tears to her face. She must’ve made quite a racket; yet the neighborhood around her was dead silent, lit only by a moon shrouded in clouds.
She could see now that she was in some sort of town square. The marble houses lining its perimeter were blanketed in shades of shadow, and the wind was the only voice that could be heard. But there, in the center, glittering in the moonlight, stood a stone fountain.
It was rough and gray; drab compared to the other stoneworks littering Canterlot’s streets. There was moss creeping along its cracked visage, as if the earth threatened to reclaim it. The water flowing from its three bowls, however, shone like liquid silver.
"Pretty…” Sweetie dipped her hoof into the water.
It turned black from her touch.
The filly screamed as silver dissolved into darkness, pedaling backward with all the speed she could muster. But it was not enough; tendrils of shadow erupted from the surface and wrapped around her tiny body, squeezing her like a vice as it dragged her back into the fountain.
Into the fluid Sweetie went. She could feel it pulsating around her body, as if her skin had been replaced with a pony-shaped heart. With each beat, the shadow tightened its hold, flooding her with its presence. It was trying to get inside.
Then, a soundless voice spoke in her mind.
You are upset.
The voice was… consoling her? Sweetie couldn’t move; she couldn’t feel; she had no choice but to remain silent, or play along. “Yes,” she replied.
Why?
“My sister broke her promise. We were supposed to watch Queen of Darkness at the Canterlot Theater, but she CANCELED last minute.”
Oh, I know that one. It’s about ME.
Sweetie trembled at the revelation. “T-then you’re—”
Nightmare. Or what’s left.
“What will you do with me?”
I want to help you, Sweetie Belle.
“It’s too late now. It’s probably started already.”
I can get you there. Quickly. And I can do more.
Sweetie knew that she shouldn’t trust a living embodiment of evil… but if she refused, the Nightmare would kill her. Or worse.
“More?” she inquired.
Yes. We can watch the play. We can make Rarity love you as she should. Help her be better.
“Why are you doing this?”
Well. I believe in a little something called quid pro quo.
“W-what’s that mean?”
I need this body, and you can give it to me. Anything you want, for this in exchange.
“What if I say no?”
Sweetie felt the shadows tighten around her throat.
I could always wait for the next foalish pony to wander by.
Sweetie tried to swallow, but her throat was dry. She spoke but one word.
“Okay.”
The darkness swirled around the filly, breaking the fountain apart and sending the pieces flying. Then it collapsed, draping itself over her body like cloth.
Sweetie… the Nightmare raised a black hoof, admiring its sheen. Black wings formed above her shoulders, and with a single flap, took off into the night.