Twilight chuckled nervously, spinning to face her friend while putting on the biggest smile possible, desperately trying to disarm the farm mare's suspicions. She did want to appear somewhat sane at least and absolutely not puddle-talker crazy. Everypony knew what had happened the last time she had struck up a casual conversation with a strange puddle.
“Uh...yeah Applejack! Just fine! I was just uh....” Twilight paused, searching frantically for any viable excuse that would justify her conversing with a stagnant puddle on the side of the road in the fledgling hours of the morning. “....yelling at my new land fish!” she declared emphatically, shifting her eyes away from Applejack, knowing that making any sort of eye contact would completely shatter her horribly constructed lie like a breeze blowing against a house of cards. “Silly guy. Keeps jumping into water whenever he sees it, even after I told him to control himself.” Immediately, Twilight cast a simply disruption spell underneath the surface of the shallow puddle, creating a small splash that seemed to qualify her statement, making it look like there actually was a “land-fish” swimming around in the makeshift pond.
Despite this, Applejack's eyebrows raised in suspicion, finding that something was, for a lack of a better word, fishy. She eyed her purple unicorn friend dubiously, not about to let her guard down after the last incident that had required divine intervention to stop. Twilight's wide smile continued to broadcast through all of the probing directed her way while beads of anxious sweat began crawling down her face.
“Hmm...well if ya need any help with the lil' critter, I'd be happy to assist ya. Sounds like he could use some discipline,” Applejack suddenly offered, highly interested in this “land-fish.”
“No!” Twilight panicked, slightly affronting the hardworking, earth pony with her sudden and immediately hostile response. “Oh..um...sorry about that AJ. It's just that he's really, really shy, like Fluttershy shy. He doesn't like anypony all that much yet, except for me,” she amended, wringing her hooves in a silent prayer, begging for any divine that was listening for mercy. “What are you doing out this far this morning, Applejack?” the unicorn deflected, hoping to throw the snooping farm mare off the scent.
“Uh..No reason!” Applejack answered quickly, her face scrunching up into a tight knot as her eyes began dodging Twilight, her whole frame tense and suddenly fidgety, “Ah...actually, I really gotta be going Twi! Can't dawdle. Good luck with that land-fish!” Abruptly, the apple mare took off, leaving Twilight alone on the road, a cloud of brown dust being the only indication that a pony was there just moments before.
The lavender mare finally exhaled, wiping her forehead in relief as she scowled. Twilight would have some choice words for a certain dark goddess the next time they met. She looked at her hooves and grimaced, a vile combination of mud, sweat and stagnant water clinging onto her. She groaned, knowing that another washing was in order.
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Spike had learned ages ago: silence is truly golden. He refrained from making any smart remarks as Twilight dragged herself through the front door, tracking mud all over the wooden planks of the library floor which he would surely have to clean later. Twilight absentmindedly announced that she was fine, having received a clean bill of health, which was enough to satisfy the worried dragon. He waved her off towards the bathroom as he got to work on cleaning the new mess.
Twisting the metal knob appropriately to the “warm” position, Twilight could only moan hopelessly as she stepped back into the tub for the second time that day, letting the warm shower water clean her defiled coat and mane. Going through the same washing procedure, she attempted to relax, but unfortunately, it didn't seem to have any recognizable effect. Twilight was just too high strung to enjoy it, knowing that all of her problems had started in this very room, the source being mere hooves away from the edge of the porcelain tub.
She closed her eyes, trying to imagine herself back in the resplendent, royal washrooms where the chamber maids and servants tended to her every need, offering everything from massages to hooficures. Twilight sighed, swearing that she could almost feel the expert hooves of one of the maids working away at the kinks in her neck, a perfect combination of rolling and kneading doing wonders for her stressed muscles.
“Lower,” the unicorn purred automatically, losing herself to her wonderful daydream, the combination of barraging, warm water and expert, ghost hooves befuddling the state of her mind that was so desperately looking for relief.
“Of course,” a distinctly feminine voice responded, snickering all the while as the sensations traveled further down Twilight's body. The unicorn's eyes popped open in shock as her muscles tensed up again, much to the chagrin of her spectral masseuse that had just finished working on them.
Twilight didn't dare scream, knowing that it would send Spike flying into the room, and then all hell would break loose from there, remembering that he didn't have the best of constitutions. She turned her head slowly to to face the mare, however, not a single soul stood behind her in the tub, contradictory to the continued massage her shoulders were receiving.
She whipped her head to the mirror directly across from her, afraid of what she would find displayed there. Twilight nearly choked as her eyes took in the scene: Nightmare Moon was shown in the tub, pressed intimately against the little unicorn's frame, her hooves moving rhythmically up and down the purple mare's body.
“Now...shall I go....lower?” Nightmare whispered throatily into Twilight's ear as she leaned forward, causing the Twilight's neck hairs to stick straight up. Without hesitation, the purple unicorn switched the temperature of the water to “cold”, the absolutely frigid water numbing away all feeling. “Aww..you're no fun Twilight! I thought you wanted a massage.” The dark goddess retracted her hooves, crossing them as if pouting while she faded from the mirror.
Finally, the squeaking sounds of the metal knob being turned off signaled the end of Twilight's second washing for the day and second bathroom rendezvous with the naughty, dark alicorn that seemed intent on mentally and emotionally debasing her with every appearance.
Shivering violently while she rubbed herself dry with a towel, using the friction to warm herself, Twilight didn't even spare a glance at the reflective wall, hoping that out-of-sight literally meant out-of-mind. She scurried out of the room without so much as a syllable slipping out, wanting nothing more than to have a normal day.
“Oh, hey Twilight,” Spike greeted as he piled some fresh, blueberry pancakes, topped with a coffee hazelnut spread on a plate for the purple unicorn, making sure to return and grab the most important piece, the coffee.
The heavenly aroma of the imported coffee she had bought in Canterlot immediately wiped away all thought from Twilight's mind as she levitated the cup of liquid gold, letting it cool for a minute before she downed the drink which tasted like it was infused with the very ambrosia of the ancient gods. Combined with the fruity, chocolate warmness of the pancakes, the meal was absolutely perfect, and Twilight actually started to feel a little relaxed.
“Thanks Spike. I really needed that. You're the best,” Twilight said as she nuzzled her favorite assistant fondly, “What would I do without you?” Spike laughed as he happily took a bite out of his emerald and opal infused pancake.
“Probably starve,” he deadpanned with a smug, playful grin, eliciting a much needed giggle from Twilight. For the first time that morning, she actually felt normal.
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Twilight ambled through the now-lively streets of Ponyville, having surprisingly heard nothing from the entity that had been pestering her all morning, not that it bothered her in the slightest. She continued along her way, wishing happy greetings to plenty of ponies while she picked up the week's groceries and supplies, namely a month's worth of black ink, quills and parchment. Levitating all of her goods above her head with her magic, Twilight trekked back home.
Opening the front door, she delicately attempted to squeeze the food and writing tools through into the library, hoping that an ink bottle wouldn't break, destroying all of the parchment in the process.
Finally able to wiggle everything inside, she directed them to their rooms and lodgings while she made a trip to the kitchen, hoping to snatch up the last drops of coffee that she had been saving. However, as she entered her kitchen, she noticed that she wasn't alone.
“Darling! Oh how wonderful. I was just about to go and look for you,” Rarity said with a smile, trotting over to her unicorn friend to give her a hug, “How are you on this fine morning?”
“Definitely been better,” Twilight stated dryly as she poured the last remnants of the black elixir into her cup.
“Oh that's simply dreadful darling,” the white unicorn consoled, “I do hope you feel better soon.”
“You and me both,” Twilight sighed, pulling up a chair for herself and her friend as she waited for her coffee to cool. “Do you need something Rarity?” She nodded apprehensively.
“Now, I hate to spring this on you at the last minute Twilight, but I'm afraid that I really have no other option.”
“Sure Rarity. What do you need?” the purple unicorn asked as she warmed up one of the leftover blueberry pancakes, still feeling a slight pang of hunger. Idly, she levitated the cup of coffee to her mouth as she waited for Rarity's request.
“Well you see...I simply must have your body,” Rarity answered in the most serious tone possible, causing Twilight to expel the glorious potion violently as she choked on the air thrown up by her lungs, “for modeling my dress darling! My latest client is a unicorn that is just about your size. She's getting married in about three weeks.” The lavender mare couldn't answer as she was too busy trying not to die, smacking her chest madly in an attempt to regain her escaping breath. “Oh goodness! Are you alright Twilight?” Mentioned mare coughed and spluttered frantically while she tried to get her own body and blush under control.
“Fine...fine...” she whimpered, the sting of wasting such good coffee causing her eyes to water. Why did it seem that everything was out to get her this morning? “Not...not a problem Rarity. I'd be happy to help.”
“Splendid darling!” Rarity exclaimed happily, clapping her two hooves together, “Let us not waste a single moment.” The white unicorn abruptly grabbed Twilight by the neck, whisking them out the door and onto the streets towards her boutique while Twilight lamented the death of her poor, precious coffee.
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“Oh no no no,” Rarity declared disdainfully as she ripped off the offending piece, “Much too garish.” Twilight lightly rolled her eyes, trying her hardest to remain patient, but she had been sitting in this wedding dress for hours, trying on different accessories, accenting them with various gemstones and bearing the inescapable heat that the dress inflicted. It looked like shower number three was already lined up for the day. “What do you think of this amethyst darling?” Rarity asked as she levitated the stone into place, bonding it to the center of the dress. “Oh my! It looks absolutely stunning with you in the dress.”
Twilight shook her head hopelessly, having gone through this routine for the last few hours. Just when Rarity was about to decide which jewel looked best, she would rescind her choice, believing that there was another stone that would fit the letter better.
“I'm sure it's fine Rarity,” Twilight stated with as much forced enthusiasm as she could muster, “If you're going to pick another stone, make it match her eyes or something.” She really was trying her best to not fall asleep standing up right there, but fashion details were only so exciting.
“Oh what a marvelous idea! You see I was trying to accent her fiance, but perhaps you're right. She does have the prettiest set of ruby red eyes that would absolutely dazzle anypony,” Rarity ranted on. “Maybe a brilliant garnet for her eyes, or even a blue topaz centerpiece with red opals......” Twilight didn't hear the rest of Rarity's creation speech, having drifted off to sleep.
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Twilight opened her eyes, gasping in surprise and delight as she found herself back in the world of the night, the endless void greeting her with happily familiarity as it embraced her presence. Like an old friend, the night enveloped the unicorn in a hug, sighing happily as She ran her hooves lovingly over the mare's splendid body, memorizing every crisp bump and every smooth curve.
She led Twilight to the shore of the patient sea, summoning a boat of shimmering stardust out of the blackened space. The night climbed in, beckoning for her lovely unicorn to follow in suit, wanting her for a companion on their journey. The boat itself pulsed in agreement, announcing that only two could make the journey, and only for two, the vessel would move across the starred ocean. She offered her hoof to the unicorn, her endless orbs of crystalline perfection pleading and wishing.
Twilight smiled as she firmly grasped the outstretched hoof, knowing that she would go anywhere with the perfect creature that she loved, always wanting to be able to bask in her beauty and adore her, body and soul.
Together, they departed from the first plane of mundane existences, venturing forth into the unknown that awaited them, knowing that as long as they were there for each other, their otherworldly love would transcend all time and space.
The night gazed longingly down at her partner, whispering her name as a vow and prayer, inching forward, her lips mere centimeters from the fervent unicorn as they floated through the heavens in a moment frozen in time.
“Twilight...Twilight...Twilight...”
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“Twilight! Twilight Sparkle!” Rarity yelled, waving her hooves frantically in front in Twilight's blank face. The distracted mare suddenly realized that somepony was vaguely calling her name and shook her head.
“Huh? What!?” she stammered, finding a rather concerned friend staring intently at her.
“Darling are you alright?You looked rather.... distracted, and you're a bit flushed,” the pony fashionista said, concerned, noticing the unusual color of Twilight's face. She pressed a hoof to the librarian's forehead, finding it to be extremely hot. “Oh my goodness! You're burning up Twilight!”
“Uh...I'm just tired,” Twilight answered automatically with an awkward chuckle, not wanting Rarity to get one whiff of what really had happened, “I stayed up a bit too late last night watching the stars.”
“You poor thing...Twilight! You should have told me you didn't feel up to modeling for me. I would have never forced you to do this if I had known you were feeling under the weather,” Rarity chastised, shaking her head. “Now you take that dress off right now. You've helped me plenty all ready. I'll boil some tea, and then you will go home and get some rest,” the white unicorn commanded as she set herself to her new task, sending various rolls of thread, cutting instruments, needles, ribbons and fabric all over the room to their respective places. “I'll be right back Twilight.” She descended the stairs to fetch Twilight's herbal tea, leaving the lavender mare alone.
The purple unicorn sighed as she slipped off the dress, her coat rejoicing as it found relief in the cool air. She stared at the collection of gems Rarity had amassed at her worktable, drawn to a sizable aquamarine that glittered in the mid-day sun, reflecting everything in the room, including the face of a certain unicorn.
“You really do have the most beautiful dreams my dear.” Twilight groaned, pulling her face; she should have known.
“Nightmare..” Twilight begrudged, trying to keep her interactions at a minimum, hoping it would drive the dark goddess away.
“I must say that you looked absolutely ravishing in that dress Twilight,” Nightmare continued, ignoring the fact that Twilight didn't wish to speak with her, “I particularly liked the purple topaz and blue diamond combination myself. They complimented you rather well, especially your eyes.” Twilight blinked, replaying what the black alicorn had just said in her mind.
“Uh...thanks I guess,” the lavender mare replied awkwardly, not quite sure of what to make of Nightmare Moon anymore, each appearance confusing her more and more.
“I wonder if that unicorn keeps anything else in this shop. I'd wager more than my fair share of the moon that you would look undeniably se....”
“Alright that's it,” Twilight snapped, her eyes widening in realization, cutting off Nightmare's sentence while grabbing the jewel housing the dark goddess with her furious magic, her face heating up so much that it felt like the very room itself had plunged into the sun. “If we are going to be stuck like this, we are going to have some rules!” She paused as she waited for Nightmare's reaction, finding that the night alicorn seemed very receptive, almost encouraging. “One: Don't talk to me that way! Or flirt with me or try to seduce me. Two: No appearing when my friends are nearby. Three: You had better not hurt any of my friends, or I swear to Celestia and Luna that I will end you.”
“Splendid! But before I agree to your terms, I have some for you,” Nightmare responded gleefully, “One: You acknowledge that we now share the same body and that I am a part of you now. Two: You allow me to manifest myself as necessary. And three: You allow me to fulfill your dream in any way possible.” Twilight mulled over the goddess' terms, knowing that accepting would be akin to making a deal with the devil, but at this point she was already experiencing hell by just talking. If making this deal would save her from that, she was fine with it.
“Alright then. Nightmare Moon, you've got yourself a deal. I acknowledge that you are now a part of me and may manifest whenever it is deemed necessary to fulfill your mission of making my dream a reality,” Twilight summed up, watching as a wide, genuine smile spread across Nightmare's face.
“And I, Nightmare Moon, goddess of dreams and nightmares, do bind myself to you, to serve, to protect, to rise with or to fall, agreeing upon the terms set forth by you, Twilight Sparkle, the Element of Magic,” the goddess finished dramatically. The contract was set.
As soon as Nightmare finished, Twilight felt an immense rush of energy and power wash over her, which could only be explained by the arrival of a slumbering divine taking up residence in her being. She sighed, finally feeling like some progress had been made.
“I admit. You held out a lot longer than most ponies Twilight,” Nightmare said with a cheeky grin, “I find it admirable that you were able to resist me for so long. It has been a while since I had a very competent mistress. Most ponies yield within the first encounter, so embarrassed by their true desires or truly desperate to fulfill them. This should be interesting.” Nightmare laughed enthusiastically. “Luna was extremely smart, but had a rather tunnelized vision of her own dream, far too inflexible. But you have so much potential.”
“Great...” Twilight muttered, wondering how she ever got into these situations, “So how does this work?”
“I'll explain to you in more detail when have a more private space to communicate where we will not be interrupted,” the dark alicorn answered, “Until then, you have fun! Oh, and you really did look rather fetching in that dress dear. Ta ta!”
“I thought I said no flirting!” Twilight said, aggravated that her rules were already being broken from the start. Nightmare giggled.
“I prefer the term, complimenting,” she said simply before finally vanishing, her image erased from the smooth surface of the gemstone to be replaced by Twilight's. A light jingling of laughter rang through the air as Twilight wondered what in Celestia's name she had just signed up for.