"Um, if you don't mind my asking, Princess, what is going on?" I asked as I trotted behind the Solar Princess. We were in Canterlot Castle, making our way to her bedchambers.
"I will answer your questions when we reach our destination, Twilight," she replied, not bothering to look behind her. Our hoofsteps echoed through the hallway as I remained silent for the rest of the short trek. She opened the door with her magic and ushered me in. "Please, Twilight, relax. I'm not going to hurt you," she said, chuckling softly.
I trotted to her bedside, noticing its enormous size. "Princess, do you really need a bed that can hold five of you?" I asked in disbelief.
My question elicited laughter from her. "Oh, Twilight! You should know why I need a bed this size!" she grinned. I shuddered ever so slightly as I felt her eyes on me. "Why are you so tense?"
"Something seems a little off, Princess. I have a sinking feeling something's not right," I replied flatly. "I don't think you normally act like this."
"Twilight, I have some disappointing news for you. What you are familiar with is not real. You have been living in a dream state for the past few weeks. Please, allow me to use my magic on you to dispel those illusions," the Alicorn said warmly, enveloping me in her golden aura. My vision went hazy then blurry as the her magic seemed to lift a veil from around me. As the spell finished and the aura dissipated, everything seemed to change focus, losing some definition. It was when I turned again to look at the Solar Princess that I noticed she had changed -- and that what I had thought was daytime was actually night-time ... or was it?
"Princess? What has happened?" I asked fearfully. My mind was racing as conflicting thoughts battled for dominance.
"As I told you before, Twilight, things are not as they seem. You have been living in a state of delusion and I simply removed those illusions from your vision. What you see is true reality," the Alicorn replied flatly. My jaw dropped when I finally saw her for what she was -- not the benevolent white Alicorn I thought she was, but her sister's evil counterpart. I let a curse escape my lips and regretted this immediately.
"Twilight, I would request you curb that potty-mouth of yours before it gets you into more trouble," she grinned.
"Nightmare Moon? But how? Why?" I asked fearfully. I readied myself for a teleport, hoping I might be able to escape to my home world.
"I have been watching you, Twilight -- and I must admit, I'm a little disappointed in you. Squandering your talent like that, just to earn a few dollars -- didn't you convert part of a tree stump into solid gold? What was to prevent you from doing more of that to make more money? Or is it that you wanted to earn it honestly? Even so, I consider it a waste of your time and talent and I need you here, with me," the dark Alicorn explained calmly.
"But I thought --" I began before she cut me off.
"You thought wrong, Twilight. You've been living under an illusion."
"But what about Discord? I need to save my home world from him!" I protested meekly.
"That too was illusory, Twilight. Your home world is safely under control of the Changelings, and will be so for the next five centuries -- until they drain all the life-force from it," she stated matter-of-factly. "Discord was never there to begin with -- you had been enchanted with illusions which clouded your mind."
"WHAT?! Please tell me you're kidding! I've got to go back there and save my home world! How can you be so nonchalant about this?! Let me go back NOW!" I practically shouted at her.
"I'm sorry, Twilight, I'm afraid I can't do that. Besides, how are you supposed to defeat the Queen and her army, let alone the billions of your species who have already been converted and assimilated into her hive? How are you going to do that alone?" the dark Alicorn asked, grinning menacingly. "You have another purpose here, Twilight -- you must serve ME now!"
"That's my home world we're talking about here! I have to do something! And can't you help me? What am I supposed to do for you?" I asked fearfully, tears beginning to well up in my eyes. The prospect of never being able to return home had me terrified.
"No, Twilight, it's not my responsibility to help you -- and as far as serving me, you will do everything I ask you to, without question or protest. Understood?" To illustrate her point, she lit her horn with a dark blue aura, glaring at me almost angrily. "If you do not do as I please, I shall take measures to ensure your compliance."
"But what if THIS is illusory? How do I know you're not an illusion yourself? Serving you would be like me betraying everything I hold dear, all my personal morals, everything that defines me and my identity! How are you simply going to enforce your will upon me?" My questions were tinged with great anger and resentment, contempt for the dark Alicorn being made quite evident. She scowled at me and bared her canines.
"Do not test my patience, Twilight, as I have very little of that for those who attempt to defy me. You will do as I command, or I shall inflict such pain on you that you will wish I had killed you instead. I have ways of enforcing compliance with my desires -- you of all ponies should know this -- so let this be your final warning, unless you desire to experience the exquisite pain and suffering I am tempted to visit upon you!" she growled, though her face showed an evil grin.