//------------------------------//
// The Wrong Path Taken 
// Story: An Alternate Nightmare 
// by PirateCattheShipper 
//------------------------------//

Princess Twilight’s short purple fur was rustled in the light breeze stirring over the land as she trod outside. Nightmare Moon tottered after her, armor gleaming in the morning sun. 

After the awful nightmare Twilight had just had the day before, she’d decided to wait till morning to visit the. . .Princess(’s). She’d just had to regain a good mindstate before setting out to a path that could lead somewhere she hadn’t wished upon.

Well, if Twilight was to be honest with herself, how could she obtain a calm mindset no matter what happened here? Nothing-nothing-would ever be normal again. And with out her friends and the elements they possessed, how would they stop evil? Evil like Tirek, or even Discord (who knows how he was in this world). Maybe her own friends had gone bonkers.

Twilight dismissed her rushing thoughts like a cat dismissed interaction with an annoying dog. But this was more than just an “annoying dog”-it was a nagging tick that wouldn’t let go of the fangs it had sunken into her flesh. It chewed and chewed at the Alicorn’s thoughts, consuming every thought that came bursting into her mind. Well, that and the hope. . .The hope that was shattered every time it got brought up. No Cadence, no friends. . .No way out, not even the wicked mare that’d started this all.

Twilight had never felt so helpless in all of her life.

“T-Twilight? You ok?” Suddenly, a small, fragile voice pulled Twilight from her zone of awful thoughts and feelings.

“Yes, Sweetie. It means a lot that you care.” Twilight stopped to give Nightmare a quick hug before continuing to walk in an unnerving silence.

Nightmare Moon frowned, flattening her ears and continuing to work her little legs and trot after her friend.





Twilight felt her heartbeat escalate greatly as she lifted herself off of the ground, Nightmare copying her, and flew above Canterlot over to Celestia and Luna’s castle.

“Why can’t we just walk in?” Nightmare Moon asked, blinking her icy blue eyes in confusion.

“Well. . .It’s quicker this way.” And even though I’m super anxious, I’m just dying to know what’s up with the princesses! 

As Twilight’s wings beat as fast as they could with out out “winging” Nightmare, her thoughts raced faster than a speed train. Did she really want to get there quick? Shouldn’t she collect herself?

The Princess looked back and saw Nightmare’s disconcerted expression. She then realized she was panting and she could feel how wide her eyes were opened, even her short purple fur was fluffed, making her look like she was scared to death.

Well, Twilight was half scared to death-questions were blasting in and out of her mind, making way for new ones and writhing like ants in her bristling fur. She had no Spike to defend her, no brother to defend her-unless, of course, he remembered her! Yes, what if Shining Armor had forgotten about Twilight? Or gotten mad at her? 

Considering, Shining might not even be at the castle. Or perhaps Chrysalis had taken over and-

Princess twilight yelped as she crashed headfirst into the tall, white outer wall of the Canterlot castle-Celestia’s and Luna’s castle.

Nightmare eased herself over to Twilight, of whom had her eyes spinning in their sockets and imaginary books circling around her dizzied head. Kindly, the small Alicorn reached out a hoof and pushed Twilight up a little; her wingbeats were unsteady and beginning to falter.

“Do you need help?” Nightmare whispered, sympathy washing up over her and glittering in her ice-blue eyes.

Twilight’s only reply was a strangled neigh. She shook her head vigorously, her eyes finally focusing both physically and “mentally”. 

“Let’s just knock.” The ruffled Alicorn suggested gruffly, before lowering herself lots of feet down, landing on the castle’s doorstep. Shortly after, Nightmare Moon landed, too.

Drawing in a deep, calming breath, Princess Twilight stiffened up sternly before mustering up piles and piles of courage to knock.

Huh, that’s weird. There’s usually guards at the doors. Twilight cocked her head, examining the door intensely, when suddenly it opened.

Twilight gasped. “Celestia!” There was so much relief in her voice it surprised both the Princess and Nightmare. That relief pulsed through Twilight, smoothing her fur and folding her wings and un-widening her eyes.

The small pink princess danced on her hooves, a large smile beaming on her brightened up face. “I’ve your sister! You have to help her!” Her voice was desperate now. “I can, of course, raise her myself,”-Celestia merely stared blankly at Twilight, but as the mare continued her pink eyes started to glow with anger and her fur stand  up-”but, still, you deserve to know such things!!”

Celestia snorted, lifting a hoof and then slamming it back down on the hard floor of her castle. She spread her wings regally. “You dare bring this, this nuisance to my castle? What have you become, small, purple, star-butted pony?”

Twilight’s jaw hung open and random bits of words were stuttered from her mouth. Nightmare shrank into her armor, cheeks a little red and shame heating up her body. 

Celestia’s right. I am just a mere nuisance. The small black filly fought back tears than pressed hotly into her shining eyes.

Twilight snatched a quick glance at the tear-stifling Nightmare, before snapping her head back to Celestia’s sharp voice.

“I banished my sister ages ago, and once she came back I retaliated and preformed an age spell on her.” Celestia’s voice was hard and her eyes only showed stony emotion. She then added with a sneer, “I hope she never grows up.”

Twilight gasped, a lump catching in her throat. It was her turn to stifle tears, now. Whatever had happened to Celestia’s love for her little sister? Didn’t she still care? Surely she did, after everything they’d done together and the closeness they had once shared?

This isn’t like you. Twilight said silently to Celestia. You must be hiding how much you secretly do love Luna.

“I must. . .Send her away.” Celestia pushed past Twilight before the purple pony could speak up.

As Nightmare’s jaws parted in a silent scream and her eyes widened, tears streaming from them, Twilight shot a beam of magic at Celestia.

Twilight shoved Celestia away and spread her wings, scooping up Nightmare and teleporting themselves back to “Fluttershy’s” cottage right as Celestia hollered for her guards.

So much fear and lostness flooded Twilight that she felt as though she would faint. Heat pulsed from her ruffled pelt and her wings were spread wider than ever, despite the tear in one of them.

Nightmare let it all out. She bawled like a raging thunderstorm, tears cascading down her face and shrieks of mental pain coming from her heaving flanks, raking jagged claws across the once still air.

Thoughts gushed into Twilight's head, questions buzzing like bees and predictions whispering in low voices that consumed her mind. But, her wholke world paused as the door to Fluttershy's cottage was swung open savagely.