//------------------------------//
// Nightmare Empire 
// Story: Being Immortal Doesn't Mean You Live Forever 
// by yeah i dont have a life 
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  A tall, slender mare emerged from a once beautiful queen, sighing, as if the much weak Queen Luna was the only thing that held her back, which was because Luna did it for Celestia.

Sombra bowed down to the land's moon nightmare, "My true queen. Nightmare Moon."

Nightmare Moon spat, "What do you want Sombra? I'm not going to take over the Crystal Empire again, weak fool."

Sombra knew she was going to say this, it was all planned out, "I was just thinking, since you are ruler of the land, thanks to her," the gray stallion nodded his head to Nightmare's cutie mark, "Why not expand even more? That old mare who called herself a princess is dead now. Nopony is here to hold you back. You will have your eternal darkness. The element bearers are gone for good."

"There is still a bit of a problem if you want me to join your forces though," Nightmare hissed, "That weakling, Luna, is gaining strength. I am losing connection of her body. I need to get my own.......... but then Luna will be free." She sighed, "But now, just get me out of these shackles."

Sombra just rolled his eyes while he used an unlocking spell on the cuffs to set Nightmare free. After removing the cuffs he mumbled, “I’m surprised your burden didn't put the unlocking spell on herself. Perhaps even weaker than usual. She was trying to repel you, yet not enough strength in total.”

Nightmare Moon rolled her eyes, ignoring the statement, “ Looks like some redecorating has been going on since my last visit….. it’s just hard to remember, Luna is fighting her way back.” Her cutie mark flashed black, instead of the usual purple on Nightmare. Luna was coming back. It never took long for the mare to gain strength, but all her years have worn her down, making it harder to rest. Nightmare Moon was stronger though, but a small pain grew on her side, and her purple cutie mark background turned to a black matching her coat color. 

"Then you are right," Sombra grumbled deeply, "We need to find a new body for you. But while we do so, we must convince Luna that you are still with in her, a dark force that consumes her mind."

"Do you know anypony that is too useless to your forces?"

Sombra walked over to a black tinted window, in which he looked out into his now corrupted empire, his slaves roaming around on his dark land, the arctic wind in the breeze, "Take your pick, Nightmare. I just want you to remember that you will owe me, just in the slightest of chance, you know?"

All Nightmare Moon did though was roll her eyes as she looked out on to the landscape. Anypony wouldn't do though. They would have to be not too strong but tall, even through the conditions of Sombra's control. Though she could control the size, strength, and other aspects (including gender), it took away from her strength, and she needed all of it to enslave the total of Equestria. After scanning the crowd, she spotted a mare that went through her specifics. After picking her target, the black mare didn't talk about her future victim, but her present one, "I was thinking, the Shadow Forces might be able to help deal with Luna. Plus, it will create another dark side to her."

"Are you suggesting we go to the Everfree? Hmm, you would have to go there yourself, though it won't be a problem for you to go by. The Kingdom of Friendship is long gone, after Twilight's death. Just because I was stuck in the arctic for endless years doesn't mean I didn't have the power to spy on everypony."

"I think it is a little cliche that they kept the same banishment for you, I would of thought that the arctic would be no place for you, since you did find a way out before. But, may I ask, Twilight Sparkle and the other elements are dead?"

Sombra gave a quick chuckle, "Oh, she became a princess too. The Princess of Friendship. Even her small town, Ponyville, was turned into a kingdom. She also had this weird tree caste after a fight with Tirek. And the elements are back at the Tree of Harmony. A lot has happened since your time."

Nightmare Moon looked out to the window yet again, spotting her next victim. Using her black magic, she pointed down to the mare that had meet qualifications, calmly saying, "Her."

Sombra nodded, walking out to tell two of his dark corrupted guards to go out  and get the mare. He used his black beams to create a reflection of the mare, while the guards nodded and walked out the door. He turned back to his fellow villain and gazed off saying, "Do you want to go ahead and go into your new body, or go get the shadow forces first?"

"I would much rather prefer getting the forces first than to let Luna escape. For it is too risky. I won't let the forces consume her yet, because I would be just a mere soul," She walked away from the window, facing away from Sombra.

Sombra nodded in agreement, "I will keep the mare here for while you are away. How many days will you think it will take you to get back to the Crystal Empire?"

"How long did it take Luna?"

"About two weeks or so after she stated her plan to come."

"She was obviously weaker when she arrived at your doorstep..... Hmm, I will say about a week. I'll use my magic to come back at key parts. I can't teleport the whole way back here."

"Of course, if you need anything before you go, then just tell me."

"I'm going to need your best guard come with me. Along with a small supply of food and water. I can just multiply it."

He walked to the nearest guard, whispering orders. The guard nodded and went off to finish his tasks. 

Nightmare moon sighed deeply. She was back, and nopony was going to stop her now.