Twilight trotted behind Pinkie Pie as they slipped back through the narrow streets of Ponyville towards Sugarcube Corner. The pink pony's knees continued to budge and pinch, but it seemed that over time Twilight Sparkle's doubt of her signs had grown back like moss clinging to a rock.
"I'm telling you Pinkie, nothing scary is going to happen." She said.
Pinkie shook her head slowly. "Twi, I wish I could agree with ya! Be safe now, look out for scary things!" She beamed, then her smile faded and she pushed her way inside of her house.
Twilight stared after her, something deep inside of her growing cold. She stared as the door closed shut, then snorted and turned away, hurrying off down the frosty street, eyes half squeezed closed.
The moon was now at its highest point, and the marks of the Mare on the Moon were prominent. The clouds had been chased away by Pegasus ponies, and all was silent. Twilight slowed, flicked her ears, and turned around to the sound of a hoof stomping the ground, then being drawn back in the gravel.
"Pinkie Diane Pie, by Celestia, if that is you-" She was cut off by a squeal cutting open the air like a blade, making her jump. "Rarity!" She twisted around again, seeing the lights inside of the boutique flash on and off.
The lavender mare galloped to the door and slammed her hooves down on the wooden frame. "Rarity, let me in!"
Inside there were loud sobs, and screeches of terror and pain. Twilight slammed on the door harder, eyes widening to a point where it hurt. She tried to draw another breath to call out again, but something was stopping her.
"My beautiful sister!" Rarity cried from inside.
Twilight reared back on her hind legs, threw her front legs forward, and charged at the door, horn glowing with dazzling light. She burst into the boutique, skidding to a halt on the smooth ground and almost crashing onto her side.
Rarity was leaning over Sweetiebell, who was thrashing restlessly on the ground. Blood smeared in places on the clean floor. Twilight's heart felt as if it had turned to stone. The filly had her eyes screwed shut in pain, tears sliding down her cheeks. Along her forelegs, long slices had been cut across her flesh, down to her hooves, which were bloody messes.
"Sweetiebell! Rarity, what happened?"
Before the scared white pony could look up through her wavy purple hair, the lights died out again, and Sweetiebell's shriek cut the silence that followed.
"NIGHTMARE MOON!"