Invitation
A distant part of Sweetie Belle’s mind felt the Shadowbolt nudge her side, and her legs responded by moving her forward. Red light from the flames and pale, smoky light from the moon bounced off Canterlot Castle’s once-pristine walls and entered her eyes. Rarity’s indignant protests and Fluttershy’s soft squeaks found their way to her ears, but none of this really registered in the filly’s mind. When she found herself entering the castle, the only thing she could remember was the smell of ash and blood, a smell that still lingered in her nostrils even after the Shadowbolts closed the doors behind her and the pitch-black mare of darkness appeared before the throne.
Sweetie Belle glanced up and briefly met the dark mare’s narrow-eyed stare before quickly looking away. She had never been inside Canterlot Castle. Shadowbolts were tearing down tapestries and banners decorated with Princess Celestia’s sun and replacing them with ones bearing a black moon on a purple background. “Do you like them?” Nightmare Moon’s deep, melodic voice echoed through the room and sent a jolt through Sweetie Belle’s heart. She felt the guard jab her again and squeaked.
“They’re, um, nice,” Fluttershy muttered. Sweetie Belle was certain only she and Rarity heard her.
“I, for one, find them dreadfully gloomy,” Rarity replied. The curls in her mane had begun to droop, and her coat was covered in dirt and ash, but her eyes still shone.
Nightmare Moon frowned. “Odd. My spies told me you had an eye for fashion and decoration,” she said with arched eyebrows.
“Forgive me, your majesty, if I do not share your taste in décor,” Rarity replied. “It’s certainly not the only thing we disagree about.”
“Yes, I imagine so,” said Nightmare Moon, crossing the room to stand in front of the white mare. “Still, I find myself in need of somepony who can make me a royal gown.” A wisp of Nightmare Moon’s mane lifted Rarity’s chin, forcing Rarity to meet the dark mare’s gaze. “You are the most qualified candidate I’ve managed to locate, and so I am willing to forgive you our differences of opinion if you can create a gown to my liking.”
“As tempting as that sounds,” Rarity said, jerking her head away, “I’m afraid you are beyond even my help. Besides, your minions destroyed my equipment and supplies when they razed my boutique.”
“A boutique?” Nightmare Moon chuckled. “I thought that was a thrift shop. No matter. I’m certain we can procure everything you need. I must look every bit the princess I am.”
“A diamond dog is still a diamond dog, your majesty, no matter how you dress her.”
Nightmare Moon’s eyes widened. “How dare you!”
“You’re right; I wasn’t being fair to the dog.”
The dark mare’s horn glowed. A Shadowbolt abandoned the banner it was hanging and dove from the ceiling, slamming itself into Rarity and knocking her to the ground. Fluttershy let out a barely audible gasp that sounded like “omigoodness” before falling over herself in a dead faint.
“Rarity!” Sweetie Belle’s mind finally engaged, and she lunged at the Shadowbolt. She hit its side and bounced off, landing on the floor in a heap. “Leave her alone!”
Rarity tried to stand, but the Shadowbolt placed a hoof against her neck and pinned her to the floor with a growl. Sweetie Belle started to lunge again, but another Shadowbolt stepped in front of her with teeth bared. “Stay back, Sweetie Belle!” Rarity shouted as she struggled against her captor, but no amount of squirming could free her.
Before Sweetie Belle could answer, she felt her body being lifted off the ground, wrapped in Nightmare Moon’s magical aura. “I have little patience for ponies with an inflated sense of importance,” Nightmare Moon said. “Surely you will not let your sister pay the price of your pride?”
Rarity froze, her eyes wide. “You wouldn’t dare.”
Nightmare Moon smirked. “You don’t think so?”
Rarity sighed, and her eyes narrowed. “Fine. But don’t expect me to be happy about it.”
The aura around Sweetie Belle dissipated, and she squeaked as she fell to the floor. “Take her to her room,” Nightmare Moon ordered. The Shadowbolt released Rarity and escorted her out of the room with one of its companions. “Take the pegasus as well,” she added. “It appears I’ll have to find another use for her.”
Sweetie Belle rubbed her head as she sat up. The doors closed, sending an echoing slam through the room. “My sincerest apologies,” she heard Nightmare Moon say. The filly turned to see the dark mare standing above her. “Your sister has been rather obstinate, and my patience for her wears thin.”
Sweetie Belle’s hooves scrambled against the floor as she backed away. “What are you going to do to her?”
“Nothing,” Nightmare Moon replied, “provided she chooses to cooperate from now on. Her attachment to you was enough to save her this time, but I must wonder whether that will be enough in the future.”
The dark mare stepped toward her again, and Sweetie Belle suddenly noticed the absence of wingbeats. It only took her a moment to confirm that she and Nightmare Moon were completely alone. “W-what do you want with me?”
Nightmare Moon chuckled. The sound was surprisingly soft to the filly’s ears. “Tell me this, little one. Would I be correct in assuming you care for your sister just as much as she cares for you?”
“Y-yes.”
“Yes, what?” Nightmare Moon arched an eyebrow. “You are in the presence of royalty, after all.”
“Y-yes, um, your majesty.”
“Good.” Nightmare Moon lay on the floor in front of her and looked her in the eye. “Understand, little one, that I don’t enjoy all this violence and bloodshed. However, since your Princess Celestia was so determined to deny me the crown that is rightfully mine, I was forced to take drastic measures. That is why your sister despises me so. She does not truly hate me, but rather the rumors and lies Celestia spread. In a gesture of goodwill and forgiveness not only toward your sister but to all of Equestria for believing Celestia’s lies, I have decided to offer a place here in Canterlot Castle to all who have had to suffer because of my actions.”
Sweetie Belle blinked. “You’re letting me and Rarity live here?”
“Oh, it’s much better than that,” said Nightmare Moon. A tendril of her mane snaked toward Sweetie Belle and gently stroked her face. “I would like you to become my personal student. I will teach you everything I know about magic so that, one day, you can help me rule this land in peace.”
Sweetie Belle jerked away. “I’m not helping you!”
Nightmare Moon laughed. “Dear child, I understand your aversion. It’s only natural that—”
“You destroyed my home!” Sweetie Belle shouted. “Princess Celestia said you were bad, and now I know why!”
Nightmare Moon’s smile melted into a scowl. The doors opened, and a pair of Shadowbolts entered. “Very well,” the dark mare said. “Take this filly to her room. Perhaps over time, she will come to rethink her foolish decision.”