//------------------------------// // Chapter 3 // Story: Through the Eyes of Nightmare // by Mister E-Nonymous //------------------------------// Chapter 3 Golden Oaks Library... Ponyville... Equestria... June 3rd... 6:30 AM... Twilight was waking up from her slumber in her cozy bed. She was about to get out of bed until she felt something wrapped around her barrel. Twilight looked down at her body to see Moonlight under the covers with her. Twilight smiled to see the filly holding onto her barrel, but it was time for her to get up. Twilight put a hoof on Moonlight's back and quietly said, "Moonlight. Moonlight. It's time to get up." Moonlight groaned and squirmed a little until she woke up. She looked into Twilight's eyes and smiled. She then said, "Good morning, Twilight." "Good morning," Twilight said before yawning. "It's time to get up." Moonlight nodded, then she let go of Twilight's barrel, then she sat up. Moonlight then said, "It feels kinda weird sitting like this. It's like I'm sitting like a dog." Twilight giggled and said, "You'll get used to it." Twilight then got out of her bed, and then she used her magic to levitate Moonlight off of the bed. She then placed Moonlight onto her back, and then she headed on downstairs. Twilight went across the main room of the library and walked into the kitchen to see Spike cooking up some pancakes. Spike turned towards the door, saying, "Good morning." "Morning, Spike," Twilight said. "I see that you're making some breakfast." "Yep," Spike said. "I thought that you should enjoy something good today. Since we've already moved in." "Good call," Twilight said. She then levitated Moonlight off of her back and onto a seat at the table. "Alright, Moonlight. I think it's time for you to learn some basic magic. Starting with levitation." Twilight moved a fork towards Moonlight. Moonlight was confused about that. "I want you to focus on the magic within you, and concentrate it through your horn." "I'm... I'm not sure that I can do it..." Moonlight said, dipping her head. "I know you can," Twilight said. She then sighed and said, "It's all within you. Feel the magic within you, and concentrate it through your horn." Moonlight exhaled and closed her eyes. She was concentrating on something flowing within her. She then pushed that magic towards her horn which started glowing in a light blue aura. Moonlight looked up at her horn in amazement." "Whoa," Moonlight said. "Don't lose focus," Twilight said. "Now, I want you to concentrate that magic around the fork, and lift it up." Moonlight looked down at the fork. She then focused some of the magic, looking at the fork. Then, a light blue aura surrounded the fork, which was the same aura surrounding Moonlight's horn. Then the fork started levitating. "Ah?" Moonlight asked in surprise. "Keep that focus," Twilight said. "Try moving it the way you usually use a fork, but with your horn." Moonlight nodded. She then focused on moving the fork like Moonlight did before as a human. Spike walked up to Moonlight with a plate of pancakes, and placed the small stack in front of Moonlight, saying, "Here ya go. Enjoy." "Perfect timing, Spike," Twilight said. Then she looked back at Moonlight, saying, "Go ahead and eat. We'll do more magic training later." Spike then put a small stack of pancakes in front of Twilight. Then he went over to his seat with a plate of pancakes for himself. "Now, let's dig in." The three of them started eating their pancakes. When Moonlight was just about half way done with her pancakes, a tomato hit the window, making the two ponies and dragon looking towards it. But then a bunch of other fruit started hitting the windows and walls, going splat all over it. Twilight rushed towards the front door, and slammed the door open, seeing a bunch of ponies with angry looks and rotten fruit. Twilight got angry at the ponies and shouted at them. "HEY! What the heck are all of you doing?!" That made the crowd of ponies stop until one mare came up from the crowd, angry at Twilight for some reason. "Don't you realize you're harboring a monster?" the mare asked. "Nightmare Moon must be punished for her crimes and imprisoned someplace where she will never escape from." Twilight sighed and said, "Princess Celestia has inspected the filly's story with a lie detecting spell, and when the filly told her story, she was being one hundred percent truthful with her story. She had a tough life before she ended up here. Moonlight is not Nightmare Moon. She's just looks like her." "How can you say something like that?!" the mare asked in a snark tone walking up to her. "That is the monster you have in that library is planning something, and she chose to appear in the form of a filly to make certain ponies doubt themselves! We will not be fooled!" Twilight gave a grumpy look and said, "Look. That filly isn't who you think she is. From what the filly has told us, her story is far too detailed to simply be a trick. And Princess Celestia did some tests on the filly, and no sign of any evil within her. Princess Celestia also took a small sample of the filly's mane to take back to Canterlot for DNA testing. So, she isn't evil. She just looks like Nightmare Moon." The mare just groaned. The other ponies weren't sure of themselves, and just left the place. Some stayed to clean up the mess they made, and then left. And since the other ponies went their separate ways, the mare who spoke up just walked away, stomping her hooves away from the library in frustration. Twilight went back inside and headed back towards the kitchen. Spike and Moonlight watched Twilight walk in with concern on their faces. Twilight tried smiling to make the concerned looks fade. "Were... were those ponies... angry at me?" Moonlight asked. Twilight grew concerned and said, "Some ponies refuse to know the truth. A lot of ponies don't want to see the inside of those who look like a villain. What matters is what's on the inside." Moonlight smiled that she was getting some positive words about her. "Now, how about we continue eating? I'll teach you the basic spells of a unicorn after breakfast." Golden Oaks Library... Ponyville... Equestria... June 3rd... 11:30 AM... Applejack was coming up to the door of the Golden Oaks Library, accompanied by a filly around the same age as Moonlight. It was Apple Bloom, Applejack's little sister. "But why do Ah have ta meet with that filly?" Apple Bloom complained. "Isn't she supposed ta be that wicked mare that showed up at the Summer Sun Celebration?" "No, Apple Bloom," Applejack said. "Moonlight just looks like Nightmare Moon. Now, Ah just want ya ta get ta know her. Let's just say that that filly has had a tough life before comin' here." Applejack knocked on the door. The door opened and revealed Spike standing there. Spike then said, "Oh, hi Applejack. What brings you here?" He then caught sight of Apple Bloom. "Oh, you brought your sister, huh? Apple Bloom, right?" Applejack nodded and said, "Eeyup. My li'l sis, Apple Bloom. "Ah thought that Moonlight should make some friends 'round her age. And Ah thought that Apple Bloom would be a good start." "Ah, good thinking," Spike said. "Well, c'mon in." He opened the door more, and Applejack walked in. Apple Bloom tried walking away, out of sight from Applejack, but her tail was bit by Applejack, and was pulled in. As soon as they came in, they saw Twilight teaching basic magic. And for Twilight, basic magic is... "And that's how you do some transfiguration magic," Twilight said. "Um... Twilight?" Moonlight asked. "Isn't this a bit too much for someone my age?" Twilight looked back down at the book, chuckled nervously and said, "I guess you're right. Sorry, I keep forgetting that you're still learning things. I guess we can wait a bit. You're currently an alicorn, which is more skilled in magic than any other pony in Equestria." "Darn tootin'," Applejack said, getting the attention of both Twilight and Moonlight. "Applejack?" Twilight asked. "What brings you here?" "Ah just thought that Moonlight should meet some ponies 'round 'er age," Applejack said. She then used a foreleg to reveal Apple Bloom. "Y'all remember mah li'l sis, Apple Bloom, right?" "Oh, of course," Twilight said. "It was because of her that I couldn't say no to your family for something to eat. I'm still trying to lose those 30 pounds." "Yeah, guess we shoulda respected ya and not over feed ya," Applejack said. "Now, Ah thought that Moonlight should make some friends 'round 'er age, so that's why Ah brought Apple Bloom here." "That sounds like a good idea, Applejack," Twilight said. "She should make some friends around her age." "But why do Ah have ta hang out with 'er?" Apple Bloom complained. "Ah was in the middle o' my chores until ya brought me over here." "Apple Bloom, she needs ta make some friends," Applejack said. "Just hang out with her fer the day. It don't matter what she looks like. What matters is who she is on the inside." Apple Bloom was unsure of the situation. She looked over at Moonlight, still unsure about her. She then sighed, looked up at her sister and said, "Alright. Ah'll... give it a shot." She then walked over towards Moonlight, still cautious around her. Apple Bloom gave a nervous grin and said, "Hi." "Hi," Moonlight replied. "Mah name's Apple Bloom." Apple Bloom held out a hoof for Moonlight to shake. "I'm... Moonlight," Moonlight said, almost about to say her old name, Nick. "Sorry. It's just... I've been having a tough life." "A tough life?" Apple Bloom asked, tilting her head. "Whatcha talkin' 'bout?" Moonlight exhaled and said, "It all started when I was four years old." Golden Oaks Library... Ponyville... Equestria... June 3rd... 12:45 PM... Apple Bloom was astonished by Moonlight's story. She never heard a story so tragic from an ex-human. But she knew that throughout what Moonlight went through, she couldn't resist on not wanting to be friends to somepony who needed one. She asked a lot of questions to Moonlight about the things she done back in her old world. They even had lunch during their talk. "So, ya still have no idea how ya got there?" Apple Bloom asked, receiving a nod from Moonlight. "And ya have no idea why ya look like a filly version of Nightmare Moon?" That got another nod from Moonlight. "Must've been tough. Even for a human ta go through terrible things. Ah still can't believe Ah'm talkin' ta a human. Boy, Ah bet that Lyra Heartstrings'll be mighty jealous." As soon as that last sentence came out of Apple Bloom's lips, Spike was coming to pick up the dishes by Apple Bloom and Moonlight. Spike then asked, "Did you say Lyra Heartstrings?" Apple Bloom looked towards Spike and nodded. "I was wondering what happened to her. She hasn't been in Canterlot for at least two months." "Yeah," Apple Bloom said. "Lyra Heartstrings moved here two months ago, livin' with that candy makin' pony, Bon Bon. She makes good sweet drops. They taste amazin'." "I'll have to see about that," Spike said. He then grabbed the plates and took them into the kitchen. Apple Bloom looked back at Moonlight and smiled. She then said, "Well, Ah hope that you and Ah will be good friends. 'Specially when school starts. Ya are gonna come ta school, right?" "I... guess if I am stuck here," Moonlight said. "I might have to get some school supplies." Twilight and Applejack were watching the two fillies talk. They smiled, then looked back at each other. Applejack then said, "Ah think that things will be good for Moonlight. Some ups and downs, but Ah believe that she'll get along just nicely." "I think so, too, Applejack," Twilight said. "Although, I might as well get her registered for school. I wonder where the schoolhouse is here in Ponyville." "Ya actually passed it when comin' ta Sweet Apple Acres the first time," Applejack said. "It's basically on the same path." Twilight thought about it and said, "Oh, right. Now I remember." "Cheerilee is a great school teacher," Applejack said. "She'll be able ta help with getting her registered for school. Ah can find 'er and send 'er over here if ya'd like." "That would be nice, Applejack," Twilight said. "Better do it as soon as possible." "Actually, Twi," Applejack said, "registration for the next school year don't start til early August. Y'all can go over to the schoolhouse until then ta get Moonlight registered." "Sounds good," Twilight said. "Thanks for the advice, and for bringing Apple Bloom here. I'm glad that Moonlight's already starting to make friends." "No problem, Twi," Applejack said. She then looked over at the clock. "Well, Apple Bloom and Ah gotta get goin'. We got a lot o' chores ta get done." Applejack then started heading towards the door and called out, "C'mon, Apple Bloom. Time ta head on home." "Okay, sis," Apple Bloom said. She then looked back at Moonlight, saying, "See ya some other time." Moonlight nodded as Apple Bloom followed her big sis out of the library. Golden Oaks Library... Ponyville... Equestria... June 3rd... 10:10 PM... Twilight felt some shifting in the bed. She looked down at Moonlight, squirming in the bed like the previous night. Once again, Twilight pulled Moonlight in for a hug and whispered into the filly's ear. "Shh. Shh. It's okay. Everything's going to be okay." Moonlight then started to calm down while in Twilight's hold. Although, she did mumble something Twilight was not expecting. "M-Momma?" Twilight went wide-eyed at that. She then gave a nervous smile, but it soon went away. She looked out the window and looked up at the moon. She then asked one thing before going back to sleep. "What am I going to do?"