//------------------------------//
// Chapter 1: Fell Asleep on the Job 
// Story: Nightmare Ponyville 
// by Super Ponyman 
//------------------------------//

(Canterlot Castle, Luna's Bedroom) 

Luna rose the moon up for the night, and stood admiring its beauty. However, today was the anniversary of the day she became Nightmare Moon, and she was very uneasy. 

"Wow, seems like only yesterday i transformed into that evil being and tried to bring eternal night to Equestria. All because of my jealousy and that accursed nightmare tribe."

Luna started to yawn, "Well. I should be getting to bed and scanning the dream world for Nightmares..." Luna walked over to her bed, lay down, and fell asleep. 

However, when Luna was busy flitting around the dream realm, a certain phenomenon started happening to the moon. It was shrouded in thick gray smoke and giving off a dark blue glow. 

(Surface of the Moon)

"Is she gone Shadow Fright?" One shadow cloud asked another.

"Yes, I believe so. Now is the time we make our move. soon my nightmare tribe, EQUESTRIA WILL BE OURS!" Shadow Fright shouted as many of the shadow clouds cheered. They all began to lift up and start to fly off the moon, Shadow Fright was leading them. 

He said to the army of shadows he had in tow "Now, our plan is to NOT capture Luna this time."

Many of the shadow clouds stopped and started to bicker amongst themselves. 

One of them asked, "What Do you mean?" 

Shadow Fright flew over to the one that spoke up and smacked his smoky face. "Because, then those little ponies would use the Elements of Harmony on us... and we would be back at square one!" 

Many of the nightmare tribe began to bicker again, one of them shouted out. "Then why not corrupt one of them? Or better yet, ALL of them! What do you all think?"

Shadow Fright grabbed the cloud that spoke and said to him in a amazed voice, "brilliant idea! Tell me, what is your name?"

The purple shadow cloud spoke, "Shadow Fright, its a shame you don't recognize your master, Tantabus."

Shadow Fright Screamed as Tantabus pulled him close and said, "Shadow Fright, thanks for leading my tribe while I was... indisposed. From this point onwards you will serve as my second in command officer." 

Tantabus pointed one of its ethereal hooves, Now, let us be off!"

With that, the ENTIRE Nightmare Tribe let the moon, but in their haste, they forgot to cover their tracks.

Upon their escape, there were gray clouds circling the moon. 

Tantabus said, "Soon, Dear elements of Harmony... you will be ours... and the best part. You will enjoy every moment of our powers. We will grant you everything you truly desire... as long as you serve as our rulers." 

(The Dream Realm, Burning Star's Dream)

Burning Star and Luna were sitting at a table, they were playing the board game "Sorry!", and Burning Star was winning.

Luna gritted her teeth as she tried to draw a card, she got a ten. Luna got another one of her pawns into the end spot. 

She said, "Game is getting pretty close Burning Star, you sure are good at this..."

Burning Star pulled a Two, and won the game. 

He smirked and said, "I win."

Luna snorted and then slammed her hoof on the table, smashing it flatter than a pancake. "Why are you so skilled at this Game?!"

Burning Star winked, "It is Luck-based, Luna. Not skill." 

He cleared his throat. "Anyways. I'm guessing you're not here for the board games..."

Luna nodded, "I need some advice Burning Star."

The Fire Alicorn's jaw dropped, he then said, "You want my advice? This is odd, I thought ponies come to you and Celestia for advice, why me of all ponies?"

Luna answered, "Because you're the only pony who knows what that much negativity feels like. Remember when you told me about King Sombra's "punishments", you wouldn't stop crying until I had to put a spell on you so you didn't pass out."

Burning Star nodded, extending his black wings to loosen them up. "Yeah, I remember that, I see why you came to me for help. What's bothering you Luna? Has another villain returned to Equestria? Cause if that's the case then I will waste no time in incinerating them with the fires of..."

Luna spoke, a little concern and frustration in her voice. "Focus Burning Star! The anniversary of the day I became Nightmare Moon is coming up, and I still think that there are a few ponies that hate me for it..." she began to cry softly.

Burning Star extended one of his massive wings, wiped Luna's face clear of tears, and said, "Luna, everypony experiences bouts of jealousy. Trust me, if it were Celestia instead of you it would have happened the same way. Hell, If It are me and Twilight and I was going nuts she would have done the same thing, and vise versa."

Luna stood back, shocked. "Really?! You are willing to banish Twilight to the stars if something like that happens?! Why would you even consider..."

Burning Star put a hoof over Luna's mouth. "Due to recent events, I felt it necessary to inform her of the responsibility of being a hero, I've been training Twilight in combat magic, Lethal Combat Magic. I'm teaching Twilight that not everypony can be stunned over and over. Sometimes, you got to kill them if they refuse mercy..."

Luna looked appalled, "That's rather dark, Burning Star." 

She stopped to think, then said. "Then again, you were trained under King Sombra, so I could see why he prioritized lethality over incapacitation." 

Burning Star scowled, "Don't remind me of him, please. He may have saved my life but he still nearly killed us."

Luna continued, "So back on topic, Advice on if some ponies still hate me?"

Burning Star winked and said, "if ponies hate you, ignore them. let them hate you. They will just waste their lives trying to piss you off. Other ponies tend to not like to be around somepony who is bitter and hateful. A lot of ponies dislike me because my fire powers are destructive."

Burning Star said next, "But onto a much more merry subject, I am planning on taking Shining Armor, Shadow Armor, on vacation. We decided that we need a little break to relax and rest from the "excitement" of the last few months." 

Luna smiled, "Then you enjoy yourself, Burning Star. I have to go now..."

Burning Star said, "Good Luck Tomorrow, Princess of the Moon!"

Luna smiled, "Thanks. I'll see how your advice works tomorrow, goodbye Burning Star!"

Burning Star said, "I wish you peace Luna..."

(Canterlot Castle, Luna's bedroom balcony) 

Luna awoke with a Jump it, feeling more refreshed than ever. She wasn't going to let somepony drag her down! She looked out the window, it was still dark out. 

She stepped out into the crisp night air and said, "No one can hurt me today! I'm not afraid of anything!" 

Luna looked towards the moon and immediately took those words back. Across the moon was a dark purple cloud, descending to Equestria and speeding across.

The cloud apparently noticed her and shot a ball of darkness her way. It was aimed towards her balcony!

Luna shouted, "Holy Shite!" And jumped inside as the ball of darkness pulverized the balcony she was just standing on. 

The purple cloud floated in the air a few hundred feet in front of Luna. She immediately recognized the being. 

"Its You!" She hissed

The purple cloud took shape, assuming the form of a featureless, almost gelatinous Nightmare Moon. It opened its eyes, they were white with black backgrounds. 

The being spoke in a ethereal voice, "Well... If... It...Isn't..."

Luna cut it off, "Can you not do that! You're already scary enough Tantabus, you don't have to do the whole "Pausing between words for drama" thing!" 

Tantabus said, clearly annoyed "Wow. Who shoved a stick up your butt Luna? You used to love dramatic entrances and things like this..."

Luna rolled her eyes and scowled, "How did you escape from the moon? and, why are you here you monster?"

Tantabus floated inside, "I'm here to offer a deal for you, Lunaaaaa..." Tantabus let her words drag on to annoy its former host. 

Luna flared her wings and said, "Whatever it is... my answer is a loud NO." 

Tantabus floated over to Luna's bed. "You won't even hear me out? Wow, whoever shoved that stick up your butt shoved it really far up..." 

Luna sighed, before asking "What is it?"

Tantabus sat on the edge of Luna's bed and said in its ethereal tone, "My Nightmares have escaped the moon alongside me Luna, and they are very annoyed that they have been locked up there on that rock for so long." 

Luna snorted, "So why come down here? Just so you can belittle/beg me into returning to the moon so I can stay there for another thousand years fending you off?" 

Tantabus laughed, "Not even close, Luna. No... the deal is, either we conquer Equestria by force under my rule... or I distribute my power into a few ponies to help even out the power so not one pony ends up hurt, or killed, or both." 

Tantabus let that word hang there, then continued "Maybe, the lucky ponies who end up with the power of the nightmare tribe will actually put us to good use "improving" other ponies." 

Luna raised an eyebrow, "What do you mean "Improving" what does that entail?" 

Tantabus generated a mouth and smirked, "You will see soon enough my former host... until then, we will remain hidden in Equestria. We will not bother or attack any pony unless we are attacked first..." 

Tantabus put its ethereal hoof down, making a soft thud. "I can assure you that..."

Luna bared her teeth and said, "How can I know that I can trust that all of your tribe will cooperate with this?"

Tantabus nodded, "I assure you, Luna... if one of my little nightmares touches a single hair on any pony without my consent..." 

Tantabus turned its body red, "There will be dire consequences for it." 

Luna looked confused, "Why such a change of heart Tantabus? You were so intent on brining Nightmare Moon back out of me a few years ago..."

Tantabus lowered its head, "I met with a pony on the moon that showed my tribe that nightmares aren't just for spreading fear and terror, they can be used to help ponies overcome thier fears..." 

Luna sighed and said with great worry in her voice, "Ok... so what is your next move?" 

Tantabus said as it turned invisible, "You will see, Luna..."

Luna felt a gust of wind as she felt Tantabus's invisible form zip out the door. She didn't like the answer Tantabus gave her.

"You will see, Luna..."

(Everfree Forest, Dark Cave)

The Nightmare Tribe waited anxiously for Tantabus to return to them. They all jumped a bit when Tantabus landed in front of them, a large grin on its face. 

Shadow Fright stepped, more like floated forward to ask, "So how did it go Master?"

Tantabus smiled, "Luna is completely dumbfounded, she won't know what we plan to do until it's too late..."

"And when it is too late... everypony will be one of us... and they will adore our new rulers."

Tantabus waved its Nightmare Tribe members closer and began to materialize images of six ponies and one dragon. 

Tantabus then called out to its minions, who all cried out in joy. 

"These ponies will be our new rulers! I will go to them and transform them into Nightmare Mares, then they will rule us and Equestria will be ours!" 

Shadow Fright asked his master, "How exactly are you going to win them over? They are probably going to freak out and refuse..."

Tantabus said, "Then we will persuade them..."

Shadow Fright asked again, "With what?"

Tantabus looked out onto the village known as Ponyville, "Anything they desire... anything they want... and all they have to do is say..."

"Submit..."