My Friend, Nightmare Moon

by evanim26


Friendship and Violence

After Amber had eaten her cupcake she made her way to school, and this time she didn't make any detours since she was already late. Once she had finally arrived at school, Cheerilee was standing outside and was giving her a stern look.

"Amber, you are nine minutes late." Cheerilee said

"Sorry, Ms. Cheerilee. I guess I lost track of time." Amber said

Cheerilee sighed "I heard about where you went so I'll leave it at that this time, but you have to do better. this isn't the first time you've lost track of time." she said

Amber nodded "I will, I promise." she said

"I hope so, now come in. I need to get the class started." Cheerilee said as she stepped out of the way and allowed Amber to enter the school

As soon as Amber entered the school, she felt all of the foal's eyes on her, and only her. but she ignored them and simply trotted to her desk as Cheerilee trotted to her own desk and began to take roll.

"Why did I feel the eyes of all these foals on you?" Nightmare asked

Amber bent her head down "I told you I'm not on good terms with the other foals." she whispered then she sighed "I wished I stayed home."

"You could always just leave, there is nothing in your way." Nightmare said

"I would, but then my parents will get mad and I'm already in trouble for entering the Everfree. so I think I should stay here." Amber whispered then she heard some whispering herself, and once she looked over she saw a couple of colts whispering to each other while pointing at her "Hey, Moony? I don't think we should talk anymore."

"And why is that?"

"I just don't want the others to think I'm weird. they already don't like me so I think it's for the best." Amber whispered

Nightmare scoffed "Let them talk, they do not matter to me and they should not matter to you as well." she said

Before Amber could say anything else, Cheerilee stepped to the front of the class

"Okay class, today we'll continue our math problems from yesterday." Cheerilee said then she looked at Amber "Amber, I'll work with you to catch you up later." she said and Amber nodded then she turned and began writing on the board

"Moony, what did you mean when you said that?" Amber whispered

"Whatever they say does not matter, you are already on a higher standing than them by being my servant. they don't matter." Nightmare said

"I...guess you're right, in a way." Amber said then she noticed everyone else get out a book so she did the same "I should focus on my work now. we can talk later." she said

(Elsewhere)

The mane six had each gotten letters from Twilight to meet at her castle so they were all headed there.

Applejack was the first to enter "Twilight? you there?" she called out

Twilight came out of her library and immediately ran over to them "Girls, I'm glad you came." she said

"Yo Twilight, what's all this about? is there another friendship problem?" Rainbow asked

Twilight shook her head as she levitated over a letter "I got this letter from Princess Celestia and you're never gonna believe what it says." she said

"Well, don't keep us in suspense darling." Rarity said

"Right." Twilight said then she floated the letter in front of her "Dear Princess Twilight, I have urgent news. while Princess Luna was traversing the dream realm, she came upon something that was thought to be long gone. Nightmare Moon is alive and has infected a young filly, who this filly is is a mystery. it is up to you and your friends to find this filly and save her from Nightmare moon's clutches. Luna and I will do what we can from here. sincerely Princess Celestia." Twilight read out the letter

"Nightmare moon's alive?!" Pinkie shouted

"How is that possible? we blasted her with the elements. there's no way she could have come back from that!" Rainbow said

"Oh dear, that poor filly. I hope she isn't hurt too badly by Nightmare moon." Fluttershy said

"What do you suppose we do, Twilight?" Applejack asked

Twilight levitated over a few books from the library "I've been working on a spell that will help us locate which filly has been infected, I still need some time to complete it though. so you and the others will investigate the filly's of ponyville to find out which of them has been infected." she explained

"Got it, let's get moving." Rainbow said then she flew right out the door

"Be careful. this is Nightmare moon we're talking about, she might have a trick or two up her sleeves. and if you find the filly or her, tell the others." Twilight said

"Don't worry Twilight, we know how to handle ourselves." Applejack said then she and the others ran out of the castle as Twilight went back to the library

(Amber)

After working with Cheerilee and getting caught up with the work she missed when she disappeared, Amber joined the other fillies and colts during recess but mostly stayed off to the side and away from the others.

"Hey Moony?" Amber whispered

"Hm?"

"Do you ever feel, you know, lonely?" Amber asked

Nightmare raised an eyebrow "I do not understand why you're asking me this." she said

"I'm just bored and felt like asking you, you don't have to answer." Amber said

"Wait, is this about what you said in your dream last night?" Nightmare asked

Amber looked down "M-maybe."

"Hmph, you think too much about it. I have been on my own for more than one thousand years, and not once did I feel lonely. do you know why?" Nightmare asked and Amber shook her head ”Because I did not care, all I focused on was the path ahead. I was going to be the empress of the night, why should I care if I had others with me or not?" she said

Amber nodded "So what you're saying is. as long as I keep moving forward, I shouldn't care about little things in my life." she said

"Um, sure."

Amber smiled "Thanks Moony, you really cheered me up." she said

'Even I am unsure if that was my intention with my speech, but it seems to have done something so I will leave her be.' Nightmare thought "You are...welcome." she said

Before Amber could say anything more, she heard giggling and turned to see two earth ponies. one was named Diamond Tiara, while the other was Silver Spoon, and both of them were trotting right to her.

"Oh no, it's them." Amber said

"Who?"

"Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon, the two meanest fillies in school." Amber said

Diamond was the first to reach Amber "Hey, Amber, how's it feel to be alone and a blank flank?" she said

"Go away, Diamond Tiara." Amber said

Silver spoon trotted next to Diamond "Oh come on, we just want to know what it's like. I mean, it's not like we'll ever experience the real thing." she said with a small snicker

"Go away." Amber repeated

Diamond shook her head "What a shame, it seems after she returned from the Everfree, her mind has regressed. now she can only say two words." she said

Silver giggled "To be fair, was she really smart to begin with?" she said

Amber turned her head away and tried to tune both of them out

Diamond got an idea and snickered "Hey, Silver. why don't we just go and pick on someone who's even dumber than her, like Twist?" she said

Amber immediately turned back to them "You leave Twist alone!" she said

"Why? she's not even your friend anymore, why are you trying to defend her?" Diamond asked

"The only reason we're not friends anymore is that you spread those stupid rumors about me!" Amber said

Silver stepped forward "Hey, it's not our fault she was dumb enough to fall for those rumors." she said

"Why you!" Amber said

'Oh? is this hate I'm feeling coming from this filly? and it's directed right at those two. maybe I should give her a little push.' Nightmare thought then she used her magic to slightly increase the hate Amber was feeling for Diamond Tiara, and Silver Spoon

“Anyway, let's get out of here, Silver. let's leave her by herself." Diamond said as she and Silver turned and began trotting away

"Stop right there!" Amber shouted making both of them turn back to her "You think I'll let you say all those mean things about Twist and get away with it?!" she said

"Ha, and what are you going to do about it?" Silver said

Amber got down into a charging position as she readied herself

"Oh no! she's gonna charge right at us. I'm so scared." Diamond mocked as she, and Silver snickered.

Amber then charged straight at them, and since they believe she wouldn't actually do it, they weren't able to move out of the way in time as Amber hit both of them in the face, knocking them down. Everypony else on the playground looked on in shock and awe at Amber's actions. while Amber herself was smiling down at the teary-eyed Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon.

"Ha, and what's what you get. don't ever talk bad about my friends EVER again!" Amber shouted at them but the more she looked down at them, the more she saw their shocked and scared faces which made her calm down as she realized what she did "W-wait...I...What did I just do?"

Cheerilee had just stepped out of the building to call the foals back inside when she saw Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon on the ground, hurt and crying. so she quickly ran over

"Oh my goodness, what happened?" Cheerilee said

A colt, Pipsqueak, trotted over "It was Amber, she attacked Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon." he said

Cheerilee looked at Amber "Is this true?" she asked

Amber looked around at the other fillies and colts staring at her, then she looked back down at Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon crying "I-I didn't mean to, I swear. I don't know what happened, I was just so angry, and...I'm sorry!"

Amber opened her wings and immediately took to the skies before anypony could stop her. Amber flew very far from the schoolhouse out of fear and didn't stop until she reached a small hill, it was still close enough to ponyville so no one would have to worry, and she can get back there safer. Amber landed on the hill sobbing

"Why are you crying this time?" Nightmare asked

"Because I just hurt those two back there." Amber said

"And why is that not a good thing?" Nightmare asked

"I was told that no matter how mean a bully gets, you should never rise to their teasing, nor should you hurt them. cause, in the end. you'll be no different than them, and I never hurt another pony. I'm not supposed to be violent." Amber said then a thought crossed her mind "Wait. anger, violence, bullies, hate...that was you, wasn't it?" she asked

"What do you mean?" Nightmare asked

"Don't play dumb with me! you made me hurt them!" Amber shouted

"I merely gave you a little push, you hurt those two fillies all on your own." Nightmare said

Amber stood up "You used your magic and had me hurt them! you made me violent! why would you do that?" she asked

"Because as far as I'm concerned, you needed it. from what I could tell from your nightmares, you would never raise a hoof against them. don't you think it was time they got what they deserved?" Nightmare asked

"No! Violence is never the answer!" Amber said

"You may say that but admit it, you enjoyed hurting those two fillies. I could see it on your face." Nightmare said

"That doesn't matter-."

"Yes it does, if you deny that you enjoyed it then the guilt will eat you up, admit it." Nightmare said

"I'm not saying it!" Amber said

Nightmare chuckled "Well, you're not denying it either. admit it, Amber night. you enjoyed hurting those two fillies." she said

Amber growled "FINE, I enjoyed it but that doesn't mean I'll just start being violent, as I said before, violence is never the answer." she said

"Maybe it should be, maybe I'll start making you violent every time I feel like it." Nightmare said

"No!"

"And why not?!

"Because that's not what friends do to each other!" Amber said

"I have already explained this, we're not friends. you are a means to an end, nothing more." Nightmare said

"You can at least give it a try!" Amber shouted

”Why?! what could I possibly gain from friendship?!" Nightmare said

"Well, for one. you won't be so mean and alone anymore!" Amber said

"I have already told you, being alone doesn't bother me." Nightmare said

"And I don't believe you, everypony gets sad when they're alone. I bet you did to." Amber said and Nightmare remained silent "The other benefit of friendship is that you can share your secrets, and your problems with your friend. you can also just talk with them, understand them, and laugh with them." she said

"I still don't see the point." Nightmare said

“You also protect your friends, no matter the danger." Amber said

”Protect me? you would do no such thing." Nightmare said

"What about last night when Princess Luna almost caught you, I could have told Luna everything about me and you, but I didn't. because your my friend and friends don't betray each other." Amber said

Nightmare remained silent for a few moments "...You are really pushing this friendship onto me."

"Only because I want to be your friend, will you accept my friendship?" Amber said

Nightmare sighed "Fine, since you won't shut up about it. I will try out this...friendship, but if I find it doesn't work out then I am going to take your mind and body for myself, understood?"

"Alright, but first, I want an apology for what you did before." Amber said

"Really?" Nightmare said

Amber nodded "If you're serious about trying out friendship, then you have to apologize." she said

Nightmare sighed "Fine. I'm...s-sorry." she stammered

Amber smiled "Apology accepted. that wasn't so hard." she said

"I feel sick."

Amber giggled a bit then sighed "We should probably head back to school and apologize to Diamond Tiara, and Silver Spoon." she said

"I still believe they got what they deserved. foals like them need to be put in their place." Nightmare said

"Whether they deserved it or not doesn't matter, what does matter is that we do the right thing and apologize." Amber said and Nightmare simply huffed as she took to the skies and flew back to the school house.

(A few minutes earlier)

Fluttershy was assigned to check on the fillies and colts at school to see if any of them were infected by, Nightmare moon. while trotting there, she saw a filly flying away from the school as fast as she could and she was going to follow, but soon after Cheerilee ran past her but stopped shortly after.

"Amber, wait!" Cheerilee called out to the filly but it seemed she did not hear her

"Oh, my. Cheerilee, what happened?" Fluttershy asked

Cheerilee tured to Fluttershy "Oh, Fluttershy. it was just a small fight at school." she said

"Oh dear, is anypony hurt?" Fluttershy asked

"Only minor bruises, thankfully. but one of the fillies flew off and I tried to stop her, but she seemed to fly much faster than usual." Cheerilee said

"I could go and find her for you." Fluttershy said

Cheerilee shook her head "I don't think that's a good idea right now. she seemed pretty upset when she flew off, maybe she just needs to calm down." she said and Fluttershy nodded "By the way, what are you doing here?" she asked

"I came to check on the fillies and colts. my friends and I fear something terrible has happened to one of them and wanted to make sure they're alright. is that alright with you?" Fluttershy said

Cheerilee nodded "It's fine. if you and your friends feel like one of the fillies and colts may be in danger, then we need to ensure they are safe." she said, so she and Fluttershy began trotting to the school house

Once they had arrived at the school house. Cheerilee, had the foals return to their seats and took one of them to meet Fluttershy alone. they had gone through each filly and colt without much problems until it was Diamond Tiara's turn.

"Hello, Diamond Tiara, how are you today?" Fluttershy asked then she noticed the ice pack being held to her face "Oh, what happened?" she asked

Diamond Tiara huffed "Another filly hit me." she said

Fluttershy gasped "Were you a part of that fight I heard about?" she asked and Diamond reluctanly nodded "Why did she hit you?" she asked

"I don't know! she just hit me for no reason!" Diamond Tiara said

"I don't think fillies would just hurt one another for no reason." Fluttershy said

"Are you calling me a liar?!" Diamond said

Fluttershy quickly shook her head "Oh um, no. I just think there might be a reason for this." she said

Diamond glanced at the ground "Okay, maybe I pushed the wrong buttons. but that doesn't mean I deserved to get hit." she said

"Has this filly ever hurt you or others before?" Fluttershy asked

"No, she hasn't. in fact, she never hurt me or others before, no matter what we did." Diamond said

"Really?" Fluttershy said and Diamond nodded "Do you think you can tell me the name of this filly?" she asked

"I think it was, Amber Night." Diamond said

'Didn't I hear Cheerilee call that filly that name?' Flutthershy thought then she looked back at Diamond Tiara "Thank you, Diamond Tiara. that will be all." she said so Dimaond nodded and returned to the school house

After Diamond Tiara returned to her seat, Fluttershy trotted to the door and waved Cheerilee over to her so Cheerilee followed Fluttershy outside.

"Fluttershy, is something wrong?" Cheerilee asked

"No, I just wanted to ask about a filly named, Amber Night?" Fluttershy said "I believe it was the same filly you called after."

Cheerilee nodded "Yes it was, she was the one who started the fight." she said

"Diamond Tiara told me Amber hasn't hurt anypony else before." Fluttershy said

"That's true, Amber isn't a violent pony. even I'm confused as to why she changed so suddenly." Cheerilee said

"Has anything happened to the filly before this?" Fluttershy asked

"Well, a few days ago. Amber flew off into the Everfree forest and went missing for three days, I heard she came back without even a scratch on her." Cheerilee said

"Oh my, The Everfree forest is full of dangers. to fly into the forest and disappear for three days, only to reappear unharmed is amazing." Fluttershy said

Cheerilee gasped "Oh no, what if something happened to Amber while she was in the Everfree!" she said

"Don't worry, I'll tell Twilight and she'll look into it. if something happened to Amber, I'm sure Twilight will be able to help." Fluttershy said

Cheerilee nodded "Thnak you, Fluttershy. if you're finished here, I need to get back to my class, I'll go visit Twilight later to see what she has to say on Amber." she said

"Okay. goodbye, Cheerilee." Fluttershy said then she began trotting away

(Amber)

Amber had just arrived at the school and while flying, she saw a yellow pegasus with a pink mane and tail trotting away from the school. Amber stopped flying for a moment to look at her.

"Hey, down there. isn't that-."

"Keep flying, Amber." Nightmare said

"Oh right, let's keep going." Amber said so she continued flying to the school.