Princess Luna has been worried about a young pony in Canterlot, but who is he?
Late one night Princess Luna had a heavy mind and decided to go see twilight because she needed some one to talk to and her sister, Princess Celestia, was away on business. Luna had seen a young pony on a few occasions and only at night. Luna just couldn't get the youth out of her head.
This story takes place between the movie and the fourth season.
I apologize in advanced to any lore that I have gotten wrong and I also apologize if I have written the characters in such a way that it offends anyone for not reflecting the original characters. If any typos are spotted please tell me.
Late one night Twilight Sparkle was working on her studies of a new subject that had landed in her hooves earlier that night. Outside of the library, not a sound could be heard. A deathly silence covered Pony Ville and a wind that touch none of the leaves began to stir. Inside of the library was a different story, with Twilight sitting at a desk, illuminated by candle light, working onward with curiosity and the air was being clouded only by the steam floating up from her cup of tea she held within her hoof.
A gentle rasping pierced the night. Twilight lifted herself from the work laid out before her and listened for the sound to come again. Indeed the sound came but not from the door of the library, but from the balcony of her room. Twilight started to ascend the stairs, when the gentle rasping came again and twilight called back in reply “I’m coming.”
When Twilight finally reach the balcony window and opened it she was meet by the sight of Princess Luna. “Princess Luna, I was expecting to see a raven.”
“Huh, oh, I was in the area and I apologize if I woke you or your assistant.”
“No, no, it’s fine. I was working late and spike is over at Rarities Boutique.” Twilight said shaking her head.
“Luna, why don’t you come down stairs and I’ll poor you some tea.”
Luna followed Twilight, but her mind was else were. Twilight used her magic to poor Luna a cup of tea as she sat down in front of the desk that twilight had her studies on.
“I see you’ve been practicing your casual voice.” Twilight said trying to break the ice.
“Huh, oh yes, thank you.” Luna half replied as she bit her lip and looked down into her cup.
“Luna, you came here for a reason, so tell me what’s on your mind.”
“It’s just this young one in Canterlot. He’s only been seen at night and he’s been leaving artwork on the side of buildings. One night I decided to confront him.”
Luna tried to think back to that night.
~~~~
The night was mostly silent except throughout Canterlot for the sound of compressed air being released, from a metal container, in an ally deep within Canterlot. Luna had spotted what she had thought to be a mare, wearing a cloak with her mane flowing out the sides of the hood, finishing a picture behind a bakery. As the young one rose to leave, Luna Stated “Halt citizen.” As she landed.
The youth only took off down the alley, ignoring Luna. She followed closely behind but this one was fast, very fast. Her speed may even beat that of the Wonderbolts. However Luna was able to grab her cloak as they turned into a dead end. Luna exclaimed “Nowhere to run now little one” her breath coming in heavy beats. She thought she had the young one but a veil of smoke surrounded the youth and out of it came a swarm of insects, flying off into the night and leaving no trace of the youth.
~~~~
Luna looked up from her tea “Twilight, I noticed two unusual things, after I removed the cloak from this youth. The first is that he was a colt and not a mare like I had originally thought and the second would be the fact that he is an alicorn.”
“WHAT!?” Twilight shouted almost choking on her tea.
Regaining her composer “Sorry for the outburst Luna, but in order to become an alicorn, a form of magic must be mastered. For example Cadence has mastered love and I have mastered friendship.”
“I know Twilight and I can’t even begin to imagine what form of magic he has mastered.”
Looking down at her studies on her desk, with a heavy mind. “Luna, can you at least describe him for me?”
“I think so twilight. Though he is a colt he has many physical features similar to that of a mare and I remember his body was that of a smoky gray. His long mane however was an onyx black with a bright red streak running from the top of his head down through the entire length of the mane. I didn't get a good look at his cutie mark though and when he used his magic to escape, instead of an aura, only smoke came from his horn.”
Twilight just sat their dumbfounded as she handed Luna a picture that had been sitting on her desk. Luna was taken aback as she saw within the picture the alicorn she had just described.
“Where in Equestria did you find this?”
“It was within this book that was left on the library’s doorstep earlier in the night.”
“Do you know who left it?”
“Not really and I shouldn’t say left on the doorstep. It was more like shoved at me through the door.”
“I don’t seem to understand what you mean by that Twilight”
“Well, as the sun was setting a knock came to the door. When I tried to answer it, whoever was on the other side held it firmly closed so that only a hoof could get through.”
“And I’m to assume that a hoof was stuck through the door.”
Shivers ran though Twilight’s spine “No Luna, what was stuck through was a skeletal hand similar to that of the humans in their world and the only thing, whoever it was, said and I quote ‘Do not lose this’ before fleeing into the growing night.
A confused look grew on Luna’s face. “Is there any information on the young one like a name or anything?”
“I’m sorry Luna, but even though it is set to a similar fashion to that of a journal, all I can make of it is that he is the physical embodiment of something called the four horse men.”
“The four horse men, Twilight in all the vast knowledge that I possess, I have not heard of such a thing.”
“Same here Luna. I’m just sorry I couldn’t tell you more.”
“It’s alright twilight you’re doing what you can.” Luna replied as she set her cup of tea down and started heading for the door. “I think I will return to my nightly duties.”
“Luna if you are that concerned for him, then you should find him and talk to him. I will see what else I can learn around here. Then in a few days I will meet you in Canterlot with spike and the other girls to see what we can dig up there, Okay.”
“Thank you Twilight. I’ll see you then.” Luna then flew off into the night.
Twilight was left to her thoughts in the now silent library. She went back to work doing what she did best in the candle lit room on the dark silent night.
‘Twilight was right’ Luna thought as she flew through the night air of Canterlot.
‘I should talk to this young one and find out who he really is, but maybe I should use a gentler approach so that he doesn't flee this time.’
The talk she had just last night with Twilight, at her library in Pony Ville, helped Luna a lot with the situation at hand. She couldn't get this youth, whoever he was, out of her head and the curiosity that arose from him kept pestering her. She had to find out who he was, his back story and everything, just to scratch this itch on her mind.
Luna had spent a good half hour flying over the roof tops of Canterlot, looking for him but to no avail. When she finally spotted him, he was creating another painting behind a boutique. He seemed to frequent the back alleys that lay in secret just in between the different buildings of Canterlot. The area that the youth had chosen to work was within a large opening behind the buildings. It could have been turn into a nice garden if some effort was put into it, but these concerns were not hers at the moment. She landed behind him and without arousing suspicion, to the presence of another, she slowly walked closer to him. Luna started to speak but before a hint of air could pass her lips, she was taken into a form of trance by what was in the picture that he was creating.
The scene showed a grave with a crying pony who was wearing funeral attire that seemed to disintegrate into a murder of crows, where they would soon fly off the scene if the picture was complete. Luna was amazed by how much actually was held deep within this image. There were many metaphors about life that were very complex and took skill just to comprehend. Luna could only stand there in amazement.
An enchanting voice came from the youth. “Do you like it?”
Luna shook her head to snap herself out of the trance that held her, where she then replied, “Yes it is very beautiful.”
A moment of silence was left between the two before Luna remembered she had questions for him.
“Young one there are some things I must know. First is, why did you run away from me last night?”
“You told me to stop and I don’t stop for anyone.” the youth replied
‘A typical response from the ego of a rebellious soul’ Luna thought but decided not to let first impressions get the best of her.
“Okay, second what is your name?”
The young one turning around stated “Ah yes a name is very important and if I remember correctly, from the little time that we have been talking, we haven’t properly introduced ourselves to each other. Though I wasn’t given a name at birth there is only one name that life itself finds suiting for me. I am Nightmare, Bloody Nightmare.” The youth then took a bow showing what manners he had.
Luna was taken aback by what had just happened. This young one had showed a side that suggested a sophisticated upbringing, but the name was something else. What pony could ever be called something so horrible as Bloody Nightmare and still find it appropriate. The thought of saying it alone soaked Luna’s tongue with great distaste, but Luna decided to play along to him.
“I am Princesses Luna, guardian of the night and raiser of the… I’m sorry I just can’t do this.”
“Is there something wrong Princesses?”
“YES and it’s your name. It’s just… How can in all of Equestria is a name like Bloody Nightmare ever even be considered appropriate for anypony?”
A look of sadness accompanied by a frown appeared on Nightmare’s face. “It’s appropriate because that’s what I am to everyone and what life has been for me.” He turned back around and continued on with his work.
“I’m sorry I didn't know.”
“It’s alright, I've gotten used to it.”
“Still it can’t be all bad for you, can it?”
“Well… Life might be exactly as I say or it could be my dark outlook on life, but I’m pretty sure it’s the first one.” Nightmare said, becoming a little annoyed.
“Look I have had my dark days where I have felt like what you perceive to be reality, but the truth is by the end of the day it had been much brighter than what I had thought.”
Luna walked closer to Nightmare and placed a hoof on his shoulder “Maybe, all you need is a friend.”
Nightmare looked up to Luna, only to reply “Friendship, what a cold, dead word.”
Luna was stunned, she had once been cold in her beliefs on friendship, but they were never so cold to the point where Nightmare is now and friendship is exactly what warmed those beliefs.
“Look, Nightmare if I may call you that, I don’t know what your life has been like, but what I do know is that a true friend can make any situation better no matter what happens, okay.”
“You may, but how would I go about to find a friend Princess?” He stated with sarcasm that did not slip past Luna.
“I will be your friend and call me Luna.”
Nightmare realized Luna was being serious. “Alright I guess I can give it a try. Did you have any other questions?”
“Oh, yes I do. How exactly did you become an alicorn? I mean because under normal circumstances a form of magic must be mastered.”
Nightmare sat down against a part of the wall that wasn’t covered in paint. “Luna you might want to sit down for this because there is quite a bit of explaining to do.” He stated as he gestured for her to sit down next to him.
Luna walked over and sat down. “All right, I’m all ears.”
“I guess it started when I was very young, because at that age I was confused about the world and I didn’t understand much. One night as I was laying down to go to sleep, I started thinking long and hard about well... everything almost to the point of meditation and when I woke up the next day I was an alicorn.”
“What did you think about Nightmare?”
“Well my life was just as bad then as it is now and I just wanted to know why. My transformation could have been triggered when I realized how the world truly works or when I figured out the best way to deal with it was to stop caring about it. I don’t know something just clicked and here I am an alicorn.”
Luna looked down and could only think ‘is his life really so horrible and is there a dark side to equestrian that no one sees’.
Silence draped over them for a few moments.
“That was also the same night when I received my cutie mark.” Nightmare moved his cloak to show the spot on his flank where the cutie mark was located.
As Luna looked down, she stated “But your flank is bare.”
“Actually it’s not. It has a natural magic field, luckily for me that makes it visible only through the use of magic.”
Luna’s eyes and horn glowed, but she gasped when the cutie mark was revealed. She was taken back in pure disgust, “It’s… it’s hideous. Oh Nightmare how could such a cutie mark exist?”
Pulling his cloak back over his flank Nightmare replied, “I don’t know Luna. I don’t even know what it’s supposed to be or what it represents, but it’s mine and I’m stuck with it.”
Luna looked at him with sympathy in her eyes “I am sorry, I did not know somepony so young could have experienced such a horrible life.”
“Don’t worry about it Luna, I’m older than you might think.”
The two sat in silence until Luna stood up and turned to Nightmare. “I have my nightly duties to return to so I will be off then.”
“Sure thing, I’m going to finish up my work and then be on my way. See you tomorrow Luna.”
“Absolutely Nightmare.” Luna said as she took off into the night air of Canterlot. Her mind was now filled with many more questions than of those that were answered tonight, but what arose from it all was concern, concern for her new friend. A pony called Bloody Nightmare.
Princess Luna was sitting in front of a large vanity mirror that was held within her bedchamber of the Canterlot royal castle, brushing her mane. She would always give herself a presentable appearance, but tonight she thought she was putting on more of an appearance than usual. Almost like she was trying to impress somepony.
Luna sat in silence, which was unusual for her. Under normal circumstance, a great deal of conversation would be exchanged between her and her sister Celestia. However, Celestia was away on emergency business in the Crystal Empire and would not return for two more days.
Suddenly a knock came to the door accompanied with “Princess Luna, may I enter?”
“Huh, yes come in.” Luna replied
Into the bedchamber walked a royal adviser. “Princess, it is almost time for you to begin your watch over the night.”
“I suppose it is.” Luna said with distance in her voice.
“I’m sorry princess, but your mind seems to be preoccupied with something.”
“Yes, for it is heavy with recent events.”
“Of course, word from the Crystal Empire about a new faction of changelings would concern anypony of your position.”
Luna stood up and started to move out onto the balcony. “Actually, what concerns me is within Canterlot. For you see, a new creature has appeared within my night.”
The adviser followed Luna out onto the balcony. “Is this creature something to be concerned about?”
“Not in the least, although what does follow him is curiosity and mystery.”
“Him? Is he anypony special princess?” “No, he is just a nightmare.”
Before the adviser could comment on what Luna had said; a large explosion came from the edge of the everfree forest that sat down below, but even though it could be seen from the castle it was still a good distance off. This was followed by several more explosions that ripped and slashed at the air itself.
“Princess, shall I send guards to the source of the explosions?!”
“I don’t think there will be a need for that. I will go investigate it myself.” And with that Luna flew off with the setting sun, towards the source of the explosions.
As Luna drew closer to the source, she could make out the figure of a pony bucking trees into splinters. From the distance she was at, it could have been anypony destroying the landscape, but a bright red streak running through the mane could only have meant one single pony.
“Nightmare, what are you doing?!” Luna screamed as she landed a few feet behind him.
“Luna? NO, NO, NO. Get away from me! GET AWAY!”
A strange red aura started emanating from Nightmare. Anger and rage could be felt tearing the fabric of space around him.
“Nightmare just tell me what is going on!”
“No Luna, you wouldn’t understand.” Nightmare said as he started to transform before Luna’s eyes. Both his mane and tail began to glow and then burst into flames. Then his coat began to change with an ink like layer rolling down his body becoming as black as his mane once was; but on the last moments of his shift to this new form a large blast of energy was sent out from him. Luna was knocked back, crashing against a rock.
All Luna could see was Nightmare running off deeper into the everfree forest. All she could say, with the little breath she had left, was “Nightmare wait.”, but he was already gone, leaving flaming hoof prints on the ground.
Sitting up Luna assessed her condition. She could bare through the pain from her legs and body, but her wings were broken and flying was out of the question. Even though many questions were left from what had just happened, Luna knew the only way she could have them answered was to find Nightmare and ask him. She regained some of her composer, with her vision a little fuzzy, and started to follow Nightmare’s tracks.
~~~~
The everfree forest was not someplace that one would want to be alone in, for it was known to have weather and plants that would change on its own. Luna had been following the hoof marks, which had scorched the earth, deeper and deeper into the everfree forest, for most of the night. The combination of light from each print and the fact Luna’s sight had started to fade more and more with each passing hour, had turned the hoof prints into a trail of condemned souls guiding Luna to the colt she simply had to find.
The sun started to rise in the distance. For Luna had walked all night until she came upon a clearing with an abandoned building in the center. As Luna walked closer to the building the shadow cast from it followed as the sun continued to rise into the sky. The only detail of the building Luna could make out with what sight she had left was that of a plus sign on top of a bell tower, but the horizontal line was raised higher than normal. However there was no time to ponder such things for the wisps of hoof marks lead inside. Having barely any strength left to use, Luna opened the large doors that would lead into a large area with what seemed to be some sort of alter at the back with several rows of benches that were placed facing it. At the base of it, in a heap laid Nightmare, motionless.
“NIGHTMARE!” Luna screamed at the cost of what energy she had left. She collapsed to the ground with the world around her fading to black.
~~~~
Luna awoke sum time later laying on a make shift bed tucked within a corner of the building that was of unknown origin. Looking around for a sense of the detail that decorated the walls. The architectural style was of nothing seen in Equestria. The ceiling was raised with massive arches and the windows were made of stained glass, similar to that of the castle in Canterlot, but detailed very differently. From the light shining through the windows, it was easy to tell it was night and Luna had been out for a day at the least. On the center alter was a statue portraying some deity that Luna thought as though it had appeared sometime after the construction of the building, for it was in far better condition than that of the walls and ceiling. Luna then judged the condition of her wounds, most of her body had healed, but her wings were still in pain and somehow bandaged.
Luna’s attention was captured by the sound of wood being tossed into a fire. Looking over to a fire place. Nightmare was taking care of a fire and adding wood as he went, but he looked different. Almost as if he had aged considerably; before he looked like a young pony and now he looked to be only a year or two older than that of Twilight.
“Good morning Luna or should I say good night?” Nightmare said giving notice to her, but without adverting his gaze away from the fire.
“Nightmare, how long have I been asleep?”
“Only about a day. Although that is much longer than what would normally be needed to heal those wounds; is there anything else that would give you great stress and cause you to lose sleep?”
Standing up and stretching her legs. “Isn't that a bit blunt for a question, especially since I just woke up?”
“Actually Luna it is a standard medical question.”
“Nightmare you don’t have to be professional around me, were friends after all.” Luna replied with concern.
“That’s alright, I don’t mind a professional environment.”
“Well I mind, because were not on business and friends don’t have to act professional around each other.”
“I’ll think I keep the professional, so is everything alright?”
With a stern voice Luna walked over to nightmare and replied, “No Nightmare. It’s not alright, you’re shutting me out and I want to know why. Nightmare I thought we were friends.”
“I’m sorry Luna, but that was a mistake, to make friends with anypony just never turns out well. There is a jacket by the door you can have when you leave. It is chilly outside tonight.” Nightmare said with an annoyed tone.
“I’m not going anywhere and I won’t leave until you answer all of my questions.” Luna then planted her flank firmly next to Nightmare.
With a very annoyed tone Nightmare only said “Fine.”
“Okay, first of all what in all of Equestria would give you the idea that making friends or any other dark light you have on the world is a mistake? Second has your life really been as bad as you say or are you exaggerating to no end and if you are, why. Third what was that back there, at the edge of the forest?”
“Look Nightmare, I just want to help you that’s all.”
“Luna, why, just why!? All I am to anypony else is a nightmare, a huge bloody nightmare, so why help me!?”
Luna replied with a soft tone “Its simple Nightmare. For you are a creature of the night, but not just any night. You are a creature of my night and it is my duty to watch over, protect and take care of my night and every living thing held within it, along with other reasons.”
Nightmare started to open up to Luna, little by little “Alright. Back when I was young I had friends of sorts. I mean they were the only ones I talked to in school, but that was the only time I ever saw them. We never planned to see each other or even talk outside of school.”
“They never invited you to do anything, did they Nightmare?”
“No, not even once.”
“Nightmare. I don’t think they were your friends even if they were nice to you.” Luna said as she laid a hoof on Nightmare’s shoulder.
Nightmare looked to Luna and said “I know. I've realized that long ago.”
After a moment of silence, Luna asked “Nightmare what was your home life like?”
“Actually very fuzzy, all I can remember is what my father looked like and nothing else more except for the feeling of much dread. It wasn't the best of times.”
“I’m sorry Nightmare for asking, I didn't want to bring back any bad memories.”
“Its fine Luna it’s sometimes good to remember. Oh, also you wanted to know what that was back there at the edge of the forest. Yeah, that happens sometimes.”
Nightmare sat in silence, unsure of how to start to explain it until Luna asked “Nightmare at the edge of the forest you said that I wouldn't understand. What did you mean?”
Nightmare hung his head ashamed and replied “I’m sorry about that, anger just builds up and I sometimes haft to release it and normally I’m much deeper in the woods when I have to, so as to not let ponies get hurt or find out about me. But have you ever felt like an energy just builds that is full of rage and you just have to somehow release it?”
“I’m sorry but I haven’t.”
“I guess it is just me then.”
Feeling sorry for the alicorn sitting beside her Luna simply replied “I do know that the best way to let others know how your feeling, is to tell them about it.”
Nightmare smiled and said “Thanks Luna.”
“So what brought you closer to town?”
“I was waiting for somepony.”
Luna then move behind Nightmare and raped her front legs around him. “I think you found her.”
Nightmare looked up into Luna’s eyes and replied “Indeed I have, any more questions?”
“Tons.”
“Okay Luna shoot.”
“First, why do you look older than you did before?”
“This is actually my normal age, but I take the appearance of a youth simply because, at that age a pony can know everything and experience nothing. If that makes any sense.”
With a quizzical look, Luna undid her hooves from around Nightmare and moved to one of the front benches “Alright, so what is this place anyway?”
Nightmare left the fire and joined Luna. “Well it’s called a church and at one time it was thought to be a place of sanctuary, but the beliefs that gave guidance and were once housed here, became diluted with passing years. Eventually it died only leaving dead memories.”
“And what about the statue?” Luna said looking up at the image of the deity.
“That was given to me by my father when I moved here. It shows the image of Night Mother, a great being that is well known in my home town. She is a guardian of the night and protector of children. Kind of like you Luna.”
Luna looked on in wonder. She knew most of the legends of Equestria, but this was brand new for her. Nothing even close to it could be found anywhere. “A protector of the night, huh.”
“Yes, for unlike Equestria many of our horrors that haunt our dreams came during the day and followed the light. The only place for protection we could find was held within darkness, so it became very comforting.”
“Things seem to be very different from where you’re from, don’t they Nightmare?”
“Yeah, a lot of things are very different than they are here in Equestria.”
“Are you going to tell me about them or no?”
Rubbing his head “Sorry Luna, I can’t.”
Looking over with knowing eyes “Now Nightmare, were friends after all, you can tell me.”
“Oh uh, no what I mean is that I can remember how horrible it was, but I can’t seem to remember any details.”
Laying her head next to Nightmare’s neck and gently nuzzling it “Don’t worry Nightmare, if you ever need somepony to talk to about it, I will always be right here beside you.”
“Thank you Luna I really appreciate that.” Nightmare said looking down to her.
~~~~
The two alicorns talked deeply through the night with stories of joy and tales of woe. Laughs and tears were shared from each pony until the night started to grow bright and the fire had long since died.
~~~~
Moving towards the door “Hey Luna we should be getting you home.”
“Sure thing Nightmare. I’m right behind you.” Luna followed Nightmare close behind thinking of what had occurred within this specific night and what the next might possibly hold.
Nightmare grabbed a jacket that had been hanging on a coat rack and handed it to Luna. Luna took the jacket from his hoof and held it up to examine it. There was a white faux fur collar that wrapped around the neck. The cuff fabric came up halfway from the hoof and although it was a bit short, similar to that of a half jacket. As Luna put it on, she thought that it fit quite comfortably.
After striking a few poses “Thank you Nightmare, I love it.”
“I’m glad you love it Luna.” Nightmare said, blushing slightly
Stepping outside the sun was peaking just over the horizon and the smell of dew rose up from disturbed grass blades, exciting the nostrils of the two alicorns as they walked around the corner of the church. Nightmare stopped in front of a large object, covered by a thick cloth.
“Luna, I think you’re going to like this.” Nightmare stated as he pulled back the cover revealing a two wheeled vehicle. Luna eyed it with great interest. Thou vehicles were normally used for mass transport and a small personal one was uncommonly seen, but the elegant detail of a night unheard of dressed it with formal function, if that could even come close to describing how beautiful it was.
“Equestria to Luna, Equestria to Luna, come in Luna.” Nightmare said waving his hoof in front of Luna’s face.
“Sorry Nightmare, but it’s beautiful.” Luna replied snapping her attention away from the vehicle.
“Thanks, where I’m from the most common name is a motorcycle, but I don’t care much for giving objects names.”
“Where did you get it?”
“Well Luna, as it turns out. I built it from hoof, believe it or not and the best part is since it runs on magic, it will never run out of fuel.”
“Wow Nightmare, I can’t believe you built it yourself, with so much elegance that clearly went into it.”
Getting on the motorcycle “Thanks, it took me quite a while but I did eventually manage to complete it. Now would you like to take a ride with me back to the castle?”
“But Nightmare, you do know we can just teleport or even fly back to the castle. Well I can’t currently fly at the moment of course, but you know what I mean.”
“Now what fun would that be and plus there is just no substitute to riding on one of these. So what’s it going to be?” Nightmare asked offering a hoof to Luna.
Luna then took the extended hoof in hoof and climbed onto the motorcycle and stated “Well if you so intriguingly put it that way, why not.”
“Hey Luna, you don’t mind if I play some music will we ride do you?”
“Not while you’re driving, no!” Luna stated with thoughts of dangerous stunts dancing through her head.
“Oh, no, I have music system hooked up to this thing, so it will be playing while I’m driving.”
“If you say so Nightmare, then no I wouldn't mind at all.”
With those final words, the vehicle roared to life and took off down a dirt trail, leading out of the everfree forest. Luna became lost in the song as she held tightly to the pony of her night. Thinking back to what had been said and the growing bond between the two ponies who each went through their own kind of isolation. Luna knew that the healing she had once received to heal her wounds, she would now have to give to another. For the pain Nightmare had was far greater and it even could be heard in the song he had playing. With singing about how only the names change, from place to place and being a cowboy on some sort of steel horse, along with being wanted dead or alive. Luna knew the place Nightmare once called home and which gave him so much pain, was not Equestria; but would he truly except Equestria as a place where those wounds can finally be healed and for him to have a true place to call home.
~~~~
“Hey Luna we’re back at the castle.”
Luna had been lost in the blur of the ride. The two ponies were parked outside the front doors of the castle. She didn’t even know how to get back to the church even if she wanted to, which she just might. “Huh, oh sorry Nightmare.”
“I enjoyed the ride though and thanks. We should do this again sometime soon.” Luna said getting off of the motorcycle.
“Will do Luna. I’ll be seeing you around I guess.” And with that Nightmare road off to who knows where.
Luna then walked through the castle doors and was meet by the same adviser that she had talked to before the explosions happened.
“Princess Luna, are you alright?”
“Yes, why wouldn't I be?” Luna asked while headed, almost skipping, in the direction of her bed chamber.
The adviser was close behind “Well princess you disappeared for quite a while, we had no knowledge of your location, your clearly injured, and most importantly of all… do you seem happier than normal?”
“Well you see, I had the most wonderful time with a certain nightmare. Now if you’ll excuse me, I think I’ll retire to my bedchambers for the day.”
The adviser was left in the hallway outside of Luna's bed chamber, not even wanting to know what Luna had meant and decided to continue on with her work. Leaving Luna to herself deep within her room to rest.
Luna walked through the halls of the Canterlot Castle almost in that of a haze, for she had not seen another pony in quite some time and this seemed out of the norm. With the halls sitting silent lacking sound even from that of Luna’s own hooves as they moved step by step. A deep concern grew in her as a cloud of fear, from something she had tried to put far behind her, started to fill the air and swirl around her. A familiar voice, Luna didn't want to admit was there, broke the silence that hung in the air.
“Hello Luna, long time no see.”
“Nightmare moon, but you were defeated?!” Luna said looking around for the source of the nightmarish voice.
With an evil chuckle “Now, now Luna you of all ponies should know that as long as you’re around so will I.”
“No, No you’re gone!” Luna said shaking her head violently.
“I will always be here, because I am you.”
With Luna’s whole body shaking with fear, “No, I’m not you, I’m not!”
An unseen force pushed Luna out through the nearby window, which over looked the moat. The glass, rather easily, broke on impact. As Luna began to fall towards the moat, she looked up to the sight of the castle being destroyed by fire and standing in the window was Nightmare Moon.
“Look Luna, look at all the destruction that was caused by our own hooves!”
Luna couldn't say anything, for she was lost in the moment with the black water of the moat coming closer and closer. With a splash that couldn't even shake her, Luna began to sink deeper and deeper into the water hoping to get far away from the horrors that took place above. Unfortunately the images and sounds of them danced around her as she continued to sink into the darkness.
The deeper Luna fell into madness, the colder the water became and the louder the images and sounds of destruction grew. Most ponies’ minds could not endure such a thing, but what was giving Luna sanity to bear through it? Then the madness started to dim. Luna turned to look into the abyss of it all and from within it came a much deeper darkness. It was hard to describe, but instead of blackness reaching from it, something closer to nothingness reached out to wrap around her. However what accompanied it was not that of cold sadness, but that of a comforting warmth that heated the water.
Water was replaced by warming shadows and Luna finally came to rest on a smooth floor. The light from candles grew from the darkness and light up a familiar room. Looking up she could see the same alter that had been in the church. This brought great relief, but surrounding her were several figures covered in cloaks and even though no description of specific details could be made about them, Luna knew that they were not ponies, for they stood on two legs. The sight of it all should have been foreboding mixed with the fear of the uncertainty that came right before certain death, but what was felt was that of comfort and the warmth that can only come from the ones that care about you.
One of the figures, with a more slender form took delicate steps while approaching Luna and with a voice of reassurance stated “Luna, wake up Luna, wake up.”
~~~~
Nightmare was standing next to Luna’s bed trying desperately to wake her, “Luna, wake up Luna, wake up!”
Luna sat bolt upright, waking from her sleep. A cold sweat wrapped her body, but seeing Nightmare standing beside her gave her some comfort. She wrap her hooves around him forming a hug with a firm grasp and started to cry heavily onto his shoulder, “Oh Nightmare, I had the most awful dream.”
“I know, you were tossing and turning rather violently in your sleep.” Nightmare said wrapping his cloak around Luna. Silence filled the room as Nightmare let Luna cry out any fears that she had experienced in her sleep. Regaining her composure, Luna pulled herself away from Nightmare, letting the cloak fall from her shoulders and tried to explain the dream she had “Nightmare in my dream I… there was… it, oh how do I even describe it?”
Nightmare could see that Luna was having trouble trying to explain her pain to another soul. “Luna, have you told anypony else about these dreams?”
“Just my sister.”
“How much of your pain have you told her?”
“She is aware of them but I haven’t gone into detail with her. Now Nightmare I don’t like it when you remain professional around me, it’s not very social of you.
Nightmare grinned at the whole thought as he pulled out a book from beneath his cloak and handed it to Luna “Here I believe this will help heal you from the horrors of your dreams.”
After flipping through the book, Luna looked at Nightmare with confusion “But this book is blank? How is it supposed to help?”
“This helped me, with a problem that I have, the idea was to write all the things that troubled me down in a book. I believe that this process that once healed me, will heal you.”
“Writing huh?” Luna said pondering the idea.
Luna looked at the book thinking the idea over when a question took form into her head “Nightmare, what was the problem that you have?”
Nightmare paused at the question unsure of how to tackle it until he let out a breath knowing that Luna would not judge him. “Well, truth be told I’m suicidal and when I have no one to talk to about it, since no one that was once around me seemed to care and even though I still have the thoughts now and again, I put it to writing and it just makes me feel better. I have been writing ever since.”
Luna sat in shock, staring at Nightmare “Nightmare, I… I… I don’t want you to….”
Nightmare put a hoof on Luna’s shoulder “Luna, you’re becoming concerned with a wound that has healed long ago and now it is time to be concerned with your wounds. Like I have already stated what has once been healing for me, I believe can heal you now.”
“Do you really think it will help?”
“I do, now I’m going to give you some time to write while I’ll go to the kitchen and get you some food. How does that sound?”
“Thank you Nightmare that’s very thoughtful.”
Nightmare was at the door about to leave for the kitchen “Thank you again Nightmare, for everything I mean.”
“Luna, I haven’t done anything.”
“It’s meant far more than you’ll admit.”
“Yeah, you’re welcome then.” Is all Nightmare could say as he left for the food that he had promised for Luna.
After Nightmare left, Luna levitated a pen with a container of ink and went to work writing.
~~
Nightmare walked into Luna’s bed chambers levitating a tray with a glass of orange juice and a plate with a couple of daisy and clover sandwiches. Looking around the room it was clear that in the amount of time that Nightmare had been out of the room, given that it had actually been several hours because of the fact that he tried to leave no trace that he was in the castle, Luna had written the equivalent to that of an encyclopedia set. Luna sat in the same spot on her bed as before, only with trance like concentration on writing, which claimed all of her focus.
Nightmare sat the tray down in front of Luna, snapping her attention away from her writing. “Huh, uh… how long have I been writing?”
“Let’s see, you woke up at noon and now the sun is almost setting, so about several hours.”
“Really that long?”
“Yes Luna and I think you should take a break and eat.”
“Thank you Nightmare and you know what, the idea to write my problems down, really helps.” Luna stated as she took a bite of one of the sandwiches.
“It does, doesn't it? Although it appears that you have far more problems than I had originally thought.”
Luna was about to take a sip from the levitating glass of juice, but she just continued to look into it. “Actually Nightmare, it’s just one big wound as you like to call them.”
“Nightmare Moon right?”
“Yes, you are correct.”
“Luna, look you are far more than what the past has made of you and don’t forget that, okay.”
“Yes, thank you Nightmare, I feel much better now.”
The two of them sat in silence while Luna finished her food and drink. As Luna pushed the tray aside, she turned to Nightmare “Tomorrow, Twilight Sparkle will be coming from Ponyville and you do know of her right?”
“Yes I have heard of her.”
“Okay, great, she will be bringing some things that are apart of some recent concerns and they involve you, so I was hoping you could come and be a part of it since I really don’t want to be discussing such matters behind your back and…” Nightmare used his hoof to lift Luna’s head so that they were looking into each other’s eyes “Luna, I will be there, I won’t let you down and that’s a promise.”
The comforting look Luna wore, turn to one of perplexing confusion, almost if she had started to take a pondering step toward a question that had only just appeared.
“Yes Luna what is it?”
“Well something just dawned on me. How did you know I was having a bad dream?”
“A voice in the back of my mind just told me you needed help and I came as fast as I could.”
“Thanks Nightmare, it’s nice to know you’ll be there.”
“Now Luna, I have to go now, but don’t forget what I said okay.”
Luna nodded her head as Nightmare headed towards the balcony, with his cloak and his body’s edges starting to disintegrate into smoke. As more and more of his body began to disappear, the smoke was carried off by an untouchable wind, out through the balcony window and disappearing into setting sun.
Luna decided to continue her writing later and prepare for the night that knew a new comfort.
Twilight was preparing some papers and the journal that she had brought from Ponyville, onto a large table within a small meeting room, which was held in a smaller part of the Canterlot Castle. Spike and the other main six were sitting around the table still pondering the journal and its contents that were given to twilight only a few nights ago. As they were becoming more comfortable with the current situation, Princess Luna walked into the room. “Thank you all for coming.”
“You’re welcome Princess.” Twilight said as they all bowed in unison.
“My sister is currently discussing the matters of the changelings with advisors in another part of the castle. She will be joining us shortly. Has any more progress been made on obtaining information from the journal?”
Twilight looked down at the journal “Well, hardly any progress has been made.”
“Yes even I have it admit that making all those dresses for Hoity Toity were much easier.” Rarity replied
“It was no fun, no fun at all.” Pinkie Pie piped in as she laid her head down onto the table pouting. The rest agreed to the difficulty of the challenge at hand.
Luna let out a sigh and stated “I see. Very well, I believe I know somepony that may be able to help.”
Twilight replied “That would be very helpful, but who do you have in mind?”
With the last of those words being said a grey smoke started to fill the room and a menacing form, glowing colors of a deep thick blood and the burning shades of fire. It appeared to hover above the table and it looked similar in shape to that of an undead pony growing flesh from its very bones.
“WHO DARES DISTUREB MY ETERNAL SLUMBER?!”
All the ponies that sat around the table were terrified from the apparition and took shelter under the table, Spike however couldn’t move from pure fear, uncertain of what was happening. All except for Luna who was well aware of the situation.
Luna giggled “Stop it Nightmare you’re scaring them.”
“Sure thing Luna, but I was only having a little fun.”
The ponies came out from under their hiding spot as the smoke began to collect around a spot next to Luna and form the body of a pony. The apparition disintegrated into black sand and started to wrap around the pony, forming the mane and cloak that he wore. Nightmare took the form that he had worn inside the church.
“Everyone, I would like you to meet Bloody Nightmare. The youth I have spoken of.” Luna announced.
“Um Luna, he looks nothing like the young colt you had concerns about.” Twilight said with confusion.
“Nightmare, I believe it would be best for you to explain it.”
“Absolutely Luna. Well as it so happens I can change my form at will and I often take the form of a youth.” Nightmare said these words as he aged considerably from young to old and back again before their eyes.
The ponies sat surprised at what they had just witnessed.Nightmare thought that he had showed off a bit too much and decided to try and continue with the task at hand. “Twilight you had questions for me?”
“Yes I did. Let’s start with how I received this journal and the skeletal hand that handed it to me. It still gives me chills.” Twilight said slightly shaking from the thought.
A cold silence hung in the air with the mention of the disturbing event that left unwanted thoughts, corruptible from wandering imaginations. Nightmare could only give a calming response with a slight smile on his face. “There is no need to be afraid. The only creature it could only have been was my good old father.”
“FATHER!” Everypony else in the room shouted.
“I see I need to give some explanation, but first I need to explain about alicorns” Nightmare stated.
“Wait, what do alicorns have to do with this?” Twilight said with confusion.
“Well I must explain or else my situation will make far less sense.”
“Alright, but I’m just willing to bet you just mastered some form of magic to complete the ascension, just like all alicorns.”
“Actually, Twilight your last words aren’t exactly true, isn’t that right Luna and Celestia?” Nightmare said, sending his gaze towards Princess Celestia as she entered the room.
Celestia looked around the room at the princesses and her loyal subjects as they took their proper greetings, along with a new face she didn’t recognize. “What am I being involved with?”
Nightmare stood up, “Ah Celestia, I do believe that this is the first time we have met. I am Bloody Nightmare and I am glad to make your acquaintance.” He said as he greeted Celestia in his own way with a tilt and nod of the head, while standing firm.
“And I am glad to make your acquaintance, Bloody Nightmare is it?” Celestia said with uncertainty of the name. Twilight interrupted the Greeting, “Wait a minute! Not to be rude and interrupt, but are you telling me that there is more than one way to become an alicorn?”
Twilight looked towards Luna and Celestia, but they just looked down, unsure of how to answer. Nightmare could only let out a sigh, “Under normal circumstances an alicorn goes through ascension by mastering a magic, but some are born with the understanding and mastery of a magic.”
“Yes it is true we were born as alicorns, Luna and I. That should explain why we have lived for so long.” Celestia said
Twilight was still curious, “Yes it does, but where do you fit into this Nightmare?”
“Although for me, I still follow the same rules as normal alicorn ascension, but in truth and reality…” Nightmare replied rubbing the back of his neck.
“I’m not an alicorn or even a pony.” Nightmare shrank into his seat as he waited for the others response. The room sat silent as everypony tried to comprehend what Nightmare had just said until Luna spoke up with a concerned voice. “Nightmare, what do you mean?”
Nightmare looked away from her. “Well Luna, what I mean is that I was born a pony and in every aspect I essentially am one, but my family line is a bit more complicated. It is actually made up of powerful beings that take the form of other creatures when were born, whether they be real or mythical. However we are restricted to any rules, such as alicorn ascension for example, that may apply to said creatures.”
“If you are almost an exact copy of the creatures you take the form of, how do you know you’re not that creature?” Twilight asked.
Nightmare was biting his lower lip. “Well, we just feel different, as if we don’t belong and that we are different from others. It started with my grandfather, the first known individual of our kind. He was born as a human, but of course he always felt like an outcast, mainly because he was usually thinking about things humans wouldn’t normally think about. Common thoughts of his were different what ifs of little changes in the world and the changes that would come from them. Basically he would have thoughts far deeper about subjects others would just glance at.”
At this time Rarity began to speak. “Um darling, I’m just being curious, but how did your grandfather find out he was a different being?”
Nightmare closed his eyes and his head fell a little bit. “I’m sorry if I can’t answer your question, since most of my childhood is fuzzy at best, but what I can remember being told, is a real kick to the head.”
After gathering his thought and without a specific way to avoid the subject, Nightmare let out a sigh, showing that it wasn’t something he liked to talk about, but felt he must. “A wall was found that listed all of the information of every individual that had ever existed. It was determined that it told the fate and destiny of every single person, pony, etc. Although when he looked for himself…, his name wasn’t to be found.”
“Oh, um… I’m sorry if I brought up any painful memories.” Rarity replied.
Nightmare lifted his head and took a deep breath to reassure himself. “No it’s fine let’s just move on. Next in my family line there is my father who took the form of a living human skeleton and last of course is me. Also there is something I should mention. The world my grandfather lived in had long since died and was in constant decay, even though he was the only one who could see it.”
Spike interrupted, “But wait, when I was in the human world, it seemed fine to me.”
“Well spike, now bear with me because this is going to be very complicated.”
“You’re from another planet entirely within this dimension, which has no magic so harmony cannot be achieved, which means it is in a constant state of decay like you said and it would only make sense that in the other dimension there is a pony world that also has no magic and is also in a state of decay.” Pinkie said with clear understanding of the situation.
Nightmare stared at Pinkie and then nodded in agreement. “Pretty much, yes. I can only guess about the pony world in decay though.” ~~ Everyponies heads were spinning by now. Nightmare tried to avert course back onto the main topic, but became just as confused. Twilight was a bit more successful. She opened up the journal to the reference of the four horseman.
“Alright, um Nightmare, what do you know of the four horseman?”
“Well Twilight, in simple words to ease the mass of confusion that we have filled the room with. The four horseman are said to bring with them… the end of the world.”
All the ponies began to speak amongst themselves with fear of destruction and the end of everything they knew, but Nightmare raised a hoof into the air to get their attention. “Now calm down, they were said to bring the end of the world, but it is the end for my world and not yours.”
“That would explain the state of your world.” Answered Apple Jack.
Nightmare grinned slightly, “That would be the initial thought, but in reality they arrived long after my world had died. Even they could not believe the sight they saw and after that they travel the world lost and without purpose. Because of this they grew very weak and sought out my grandfather for help, which he did without question. They were placed within me, lying dormant, so that I may call upon them or their powers when needed.”
“That doesn’t make a lot of sense if you think about it.” Rainbow dash spoke.
“I know very well that it doesn’t, but I have no idea why my grandfather did it.” Nightmare replied with his shoulders raised in confusion.
“But don’t you have like tons of your own power?”
“Yes I do and in my opinion having both my own power and that of the four horseman’s is over doing it, but whatever.”
Then rainbow dash became really excited. “Wait, if you have so much power then you must have a really amazing cutie mark right?”
A look of fear grew on Nightmare’s face, as he pulled more of his cloak over his flank out of reflex. “Well um…” Luna answered for Nightmare, “I have seen his cutie mark and I have to admit that it is not a sight for our world to see.”
Nightmare simply whispered to Luna a “Thank you.”
The rest of the ponies let their imagination wonder on what the cutie mark looked like when Fluttershy began to speak. “Um Nightmare I was just wondering if it’s alright to ask you.”
“Fluttershy its fine, you can ask me anything.” Nightmare said with a soothing voice.
“Well, what magic did you master, out of curiosity of course?”
Nightmare pondered it for a second, “That is a very good question. Well it could one of three different things, or possibly all of them. The magic’s themselves I believe I have mastered are as follows rage, sorrow, and understanding.”
“How can any of those be a form of magic?” asked Rainbow Dash skeptically.
A large grin grew upon Nightmares face, “Well, since you asked I can at least show you the first two. I am not sure on the last since there isn’t really a form that understanding takes.” Nightmare said as he flew out into an open window so that he had a bit more space to work with. Once Nightmare had some room around him, he started to unleash some of his built up rage. The air that circled him started to tremble and Nightmare started to become the fiery pony that Luna had seen at the edge of the forest. He put his front hooves together as a small ball of light formed between the two. The ball started to hum loudly as lightning began to spark from the ball and up Nightmares hooves. At the last moment he let out a beam from the ball of light, which was something that has not been seen in Equestria before. The beam landed deep into space releasing an explosion that could have destroyed half the land if not for Nightmare take precautions beforehand.
As Nightmare landed back, slightly laughing to himself from showing off a little, Rainbow Dash muttered to herself, “Remind me not to get on your bad side.”
Nightmare replied to what Rainbow had said, but gave no notice that he had actually heard her. “Do not worry I have control over my powers.”
“Well that was… interesting, but what does sorrow look like?” Celestia asked with a mix of fear and intrigue.
“Actually Celestia, sorrow is best heard instead of shown.”
Nightmare stated to move his head to a slow beat only he could hear, but soon the music could be heard by the others as it started to flow from beneath Nightmare’s cloak. Then he began to sing with a soft soothing voice.
“I’m so tired of being here, Suppressed by all my childish fears”
The song was deep and moving. It could be felt by the others in the room.
“And if you have to leave, I wish that you would just leave, because your presence still lingers here, and it won’t leave me alone”
As drops of water began to form on the faces of each pony, the world around them began to turn to shades of dull blues and greys, while their heads began to fill with the memories of the saddest of times, each had once experienced.
“These wounds won’t seem to heal, this pain is just to real, there’s just too much that time cannot erase”
Celestia wrapped a hoof around Luna. She could remember when she had banished her sister and all the heartache that was left with both of them.
“When you cried I’d wipe away all of your tears, when you’d scream I’d fight away all of your fears”
Pinkie blew into a tissue as she thought back to when she lived on the rock farm, back… when she didn't have fun.
“And I held your hand through all of these years, but you still had all of me”
As Nightmare finished singing, he couldn’t help but think back to the years he had been alone. However something was different this time that broke through the silence of the isolation that he was accustomed to. The sound was coming from Luna.
“Nightmare… Nightmare…”
“Huh, oh sorry Luna. What is it?” Nightmare asked in subtle voice.
“That song was very lovely, thank you… for singing it.”
“You’re welcome.”
Nightmare moved his attention to Celestia. “Celestia, I know you had some business about the changeling situation you wanted to talk to us about and I was thinking that we could discuss it maybe in the library or archive, some place that has much more room than this, so we can get some air and use it as a pallet cleanser.”
Celestia began to rise from her seat. “I agree and it sounds like some air would be good change of pace.”
~~
As everypony left the room and headed for the archives, Luna, Celestia, and Nightmare were at the back of the pack. Nightmare was the first to speak, “Celestia, I wanted to talk to you”
“And I to you Nightmare.”
“Alright, you may go first.” Nightmare said with a nod.
“Thank you. When I entered the room you only nodded when the others gave a formal greeting and I was just curious because I heard from Luna that when she meet you, you bowed for her. I just want to know your reasoning.”
“Very well then. It may seem strange but I try to be careful when in public and although one could argue that we were in private, there was more ponies which means for me, more ponies to take my actions the wrong way, if that makes sense.”
Celestia nodded, “Somewhat, but I see where you’re coming from and now for you to speak your mind.”
“Alright, but we need to slow down our pace, just till were out of ear shot of the others.”
Luna lowered her voice, almost to that of a whisper. “Why do we need to slow down our pace?”
“It’s because I don’t know how Twilight will react if she hears what I’m about to say.”
“Is it that offensive?” Celestia asked.
“It may be for Twilight anyway, due to the relationship that she has with you. I think it’s now safe to talk. Look, on my old world there was a Ruler much like you Celestia and she was put into a similar position of having to banish her own sister due to the evil forces that had influenced her.”
Luna looked at Celestia, “Just like us sister.”
“Indeed.” Celestia said with pain in her voice as she remembered her own actions that had once banished Luna.
“Although this left the Ruler heartbroken from the action she took, the citizens that she ruled over did not see it that way. They thought that she did it to assume full control over the land and many ill thoughts were born from it. Even I hate to admit that there had been times where even I had thought of her as an anti-hero, which was believed to generous.”
Celestia looked at Nightmare with concern filling her eyes. “Nightmare… what did the citizens call her?”
Nightmare looked away from Celestia knowing that his story was starting to hurt her. “There are some names that I can’t even bring myself to say, but what the citizens called her the most was a tyrant.”
All three ponies stopped in their tracks. “I’m sorry Celestia, I just…”
“Nightmare it’s fine, but why tell me such a story?”
Nightmare could only look at the ground and feel awful for himself. “I told you the story to warn you, because somepony of your status should take great consideration for what results come from the actions they take, just like how I try to be careful with what I do…, but from the moment I meet you I could tell there was nothing but good inside you and… I just don’t want either of you or anypony else or even Equestria to become like my old world. I’m sorry, I’m so, so sorry.” Nightmare felt more ashamed than ever. Luna wrapped a hoof around Nightmare’s shoulder and Celestia use her hoof to raise his head out of the sorrow he was feeling. “Nightmare, you have nothing to feel sorry about. I completely understand that your world may not have been the best of places and you don’t want Equestria to end up in a similar state. Your intentions were good and if you ever have any other maters you want to talk about, you will be welcomed to speak them to either Luna or I and we’ll both be willing to listen with open hooves.”
“That’s right Nightmare both Celestia and I will be glad to listen to your concerns any time you need somepony to talk to, alright.” Luna said.
Nightmare straitened himself up and replied, “Thank you, you don’t know how much that means to me.”
The three of them start their pace back and continue onward towards the archives, when Celestia realized Nightmare didn’t finish the story. “Nightmare, how did that story end?”
Nightmare kept facing forward, “You tell me you’re still writing it.”
Both Luna and Celestia froze on the spot when it hit them of what Nightmare had just said. Both of them kept changing their focus between Nightmare and each other. With their mouths hanging open, neither of them could say a word. It took Nightmare a moment to realize what he had said. “Um… I may have said too much. Look I only used the word citizens for the stories sake, but believe me when I say that no pony in Equestria has ever thought that way about you, however I can’t say the same for anywhere else.”
Both of the sisters were unsure how to even respond to this news, until Luna had thought back to what Nightmare had told her, when she had the horrible nightmare. Luna placed a hoof on Celestia, “Sister, look you are more than what your past has made of you the past actions you have done.”
“Thank you Luna I should put what others may have thought of those actions far behind me and I also think we should ketch up with the others.” Celestria smiled.
The rest of the walk was held in silence.
~~
As the three ponies entered the Archives, they were met with curious questions
“Hey, what kept you up?” Rainbow Dash yelled from across the room.
Nightmare calmly replied, “Just some casual chit-chat, nothing important.”
However Luna did take notice, ‘That was not just chit-chat, that was a serious conversation we had, but even so that was a clear lie. Oh Nightmare, I know from what you have told me that your child hood wasn’t the best, but still… things like that are starting to feel as if they come to you a bit too easily.’ She thought to herself.
All the ponies gathered around a large table, with Celestia at one end preparing to speak. “As you all are aware that there is talk of a new faction of changelings somewhere near the Crystal Empire. Our first knowledge of this came from the changelings themselves. They had sent a messenger to Cadence stating, that since the last great battle we have had with them, they have been keeping their numbers down and in check, so that they would be able to feed without giving us concern to stop them. However a group of them has gone rouge and the rest of the changelings are becoming very concerned. They have no further knowledge on the subject, but what we have been able to uncover, from a few changelings that had offered to become infiltrators, was that they plan to bring a great disaster to Equestrian and have a ceremonial final feast from what we have been told.”
Nightmare put his hooves together, setting them on the table and resting his chin upon them. “Yes that would make sense since within the breaks of disaster love reaches a peak, also knowing that it would destroy them in the process and seeing it as a final feast would mean that they are working in a cult like manner. That would be the only way they would ever agree with their own destruction, but I’m still curious. How do they intend of summoning a disaster?”
Celestia sighed, “There was mention of a book and a possible area for their location, but that is all we know at this current time.” “All we have to gone is a book that can cause disasters, so that’s why we’re in the archives.” Twilight pointed out.
“Yes and we need to find any information or reference to such a book and fast.”
Celestia used her hoof to signal for the search to begin and all the ponies went to different shelves in hopes of finding anything that may help.
Only an hour had passed and a great deal of searching had been made, but to no avail. Twilight closed the book she was looking at and swapped it for another, setting the book onto a pile of more books that she had already gone through. No sooner had Twilight placed the book on the pile; Nightmare, who was sitting next to her, would correct its placement making sure that the pile was perfectly even. Twilight took notice of this only because he had done this five times already and just to see what would happen, Twilight placed the book she had just opened onto the pile and Nightmare corrected it without fail.
“Are you going to do that to every book in this pile?” Twilight spoke.
“A little OCD never hurt anypony.” Nightmare replied.
“OCD?”
“Obsessive compulsive disorder.”
Twilight look at Nightmare quizzically.
“I’m sorry if you’re not familiar with the term. Should I explain?”
Twilight shook her head, “No it’s not that, I know what it is but, it’s just you don’t seem like the type to have a disorder is all.”
“I actually don’t have OCD, medically anyway.”
Nightmare sighed. “Sometimes the people I used to know and I would just be OCD about random things.”
Nightmare put a hoof to his forehead, “Great now I’m starting to remember some of the completely random things I've heard from conversations.”
Rarity overheard this and asked “What where they darling?”
Nightmare started to ponder one of the best lines that he had overheard throughout the years, from what little he could remember that is. “Let’s see there was, ‘Wait so you’re telling me that there are enough bones in a body to make a skeleton.’”
Pinkie Pie couldn't help but laugh at this, accompanied with giggles from every pony else. Rainbow dash began to speak as the laughter started to die down “That is funny and all but did things like that really come up in conversation?”
“Yes quite often actually.”
Rainbow Dash gave Nightmare a challenging look, “How often exactly?”
Nightmare didn’t say a thing, but began to count down with his hoof starting with three, two, and one.
“That pineapple was our love child, you don’t even know!” Shouted a guard, from out in the hallway.
Apple Jack closed her eyes and asked. “Can somepony please tell me if I heard what I think I just heard?”
Nightmare had a huge grin streaked across his face. “Well if you think that you just heard one of the palace guards state that he is in a relationship with another and that they have a pineapple for a love child, plus another pony who doesn't even understand the situation at all then yes it’s exactly what you thought you heard.”
All Apple Jack could do was raise her hooves into an, I give up position, because she could not give a worded response to this.
“Alright now that we know it is possible to be more random than Pinkie Pie, as hard to believe as that sounds may we get back to searching for anything that may help?” Twilight butted in.
“Sure thing Twilight, now where is the conjuration section?” Nightmare said rubbing his hooves.
“Why conjuration?” Twilight asked.
“You know, just checking for conjuring disasters and some casual light reading is all.” Nightmare said with an innocent smile.
Celestia rose from her seat and with a stern voice, “Although your reasoning is clear, that type of magic is one of the most forbidden and even though the door to that section is behind me I and I alone am the only one who can open it.”
With the finale air of those words leaving Celestias lips, a knocking came from the door in subject. Everypony turned to look at the door, but it was the only way into that section and the door was still covered in ages of dust that was still undisturbed. The knocking continued as Celestia approached the door. She slowly reached her hoof out towards the knob and her horn started to glow as she prepared the release spell for use, a voice came from behind the door.
“Can somepony open the door for me I have my hooves full here?” Nightmare asked from the other side of the door.
All of the ponies looked back to see that Nightmare was not in his seat, but indeed behind the door. Celestia opened the door and greeted Nightmare with an annoyed look. “I tell you that the magic is forbidden and you still want to casually learn it?”
Nightmare simply stated, “Yes.”
The two alicorns stared each other down until Celestia, knowing that Nightmare wouldn't abuse the magic for trust was in his eyes, gave up. “Okay fine, but how did you get past the powerful spell that I had placed on the door.”
“I didn't break the spell on the door, but there are some loose bricks in the wall.” Nightmare said placing the books down on the table.
Celestia didn't say anything, she only face-hoofed at the realization of the flaw in the spell. As Nightmare picked up the first book on the pile, a piece of paper fell from in between the books. Spike quickly picked up the paper saying, “I've got it Nightmare.”
Before Spike handed the paper back to Nightmare, he examined it. “A music sheet, but why would this be in conjuration and this doesn't sound like a pony’s name?”
Nightmare looked over, “Really, what is the name Spike?”
“Top Hat Skull, but why would a skull be wearing a top hat?”
“Let me take a look Spike.” Nightmare said taking the music sheet as spike happily handed it over. Nightmare began to chuckle to himself.
“What’s so funny?” Spike asked.
“Well Spike, Top Hat Skull was one of many pen names used by my grandfather and this was in the conjuration section probably because of its title, which sounds right since its titled Waking Thy Dead.”
“You can wake the dead?!” Spike said starting to freak.
“No Spike, although the title is a metaphor, it is use to let others know of the songs purpose. In fact this isn't the songs original title, but I digress.”
Rarity closed the book she had. “What does those it sound like?”
Nightmare looked towards the sky. “It’s the most beautiful sound that I have ever heard. I remember hearing it growing up and thinking of how it was sung in the multiple languages of the world. I always wondered if individuals could come together and make something so lovely, why couldn't the world just come together for a better tomorrow?”
“Was it really so beautiful?” Rarity asked resting her head on her hoof.
A frown formed upon Nightmares face. “Yes it was and I hope none of you ever have to hear it.”
This took every one in the room by surprise. Nopony could figure out why Nightmare didn't want them to hear the song. Luna finally asked why. “Why would you not want us to hear the song?”
“Well Luna, the song is only to be used in a last case scenario and if everypony heard it, then they would want to hear it, over and over until it would hold no more power. Even my grandfather only heard it sparingly.”
Luna began to wonder. “What would have to happen for you to use it?”
“Well Luna, all of Equestria would have to be at war for you to hear it.”
Everypony in the room held their breath at the thought of Equestria having to be at war just to hear a single song.
Celestia with a concerned voice spoke, “Why would such a thing be within our world if it was from yours?”
“Well Celestia, My grandfather knew that in the wrong hands/hooves that this song would have dire consequences, but he also knew that it would be wrong to hide it away from the world. However to the exact details as to how this wound up in Equestria, I don’t know.” Nightmare said shaking his head.
Celestia tried to ponder the decision that Nightmare’s grandfather had made, but couldn't for it was a very unusual decision. She had to ask Nightmare, “That appears to seem make very little sense. If the song was as powerful as you say, then I would understand if it was locked away, but to give it freely to everyone is well… very odd.”
“Yes even when you yourself said that if every civilian heard it, the song would lose its power?” Luna added.
Nightmare nodded in agreement, “Indeed I see where your concerns bloom from, but there are things that I must explain. First, he didn’t want to hide it, because he had learned that it was wrong to hide information from any followers. This lesson was taught by one of the great empires that ruled his world. For you see they had done just that, but they had grown quite greedy and had kept vast amounts of information for themselves. The information would have been harmless if they had revealed it in the first place. However by doing this the citizens grew no trust for their leaders, but were placed into a situation where they could do nothing to oppose them and only received the punishment for their leader’s actions.”
“In the end the civilians suffered, but even so wouldn't there be situations where it is wise to with-hold information?” Celestia argued.
“Exactly!” Nightmare shot back, “I am actually in full agreement with you, although it should only be done sparingly at best.”
Celestia thought upon this and then nodded in agreement. Luna on the other hoof still had some concerns. “Indeed it is best to be honest with others, such is the way of Apple Jack here.”
Apple Jack’s ears perked to attention when she realized she was being referenced.
“Still how could your grandfather be sure that the song wouldn't fall into the wrong hooves, I mean hands? Jeez this is getting confusing.” Luna questioned.
Nightmare giggled slightly, “Well Luna he gamble on the fact that if they freely had the song then they would ignore it.”
Twilight shook her head, “I’m sorry Nightmare, but there doesn't seem to be any grounds for that to actually work realistically.”
Nightmare scratched his chin, “Noted, but for my next explanation it needs to be known that due to the decay of my world there was constant war.”
“Alright, go on.” Twilight said
“Well although it would appear that this idea wouldn't work, it was actually a very common sight. However the first account starts hundreds to even thousands of years before my time. There was a man and with all the knowledge he possessed he… well, he perfected war.” Nightmare said unsure of how the others would react.
“War p-perfected?” Twilight stuttered.
“Indeed and if one would take a look through the history that we have recorded, any instance where this process was followed, the lessons that it taught ring true without fail for countless examples.” Nightmare stated.
“If all of the regions of your world were at war and with it being perfected the results would be devastating.”Celestia commented.
“Indeed it would be if they actually bothered to follow his lessons.” Nightmare stated firmly.
“Just think of it, if they were to simple follow the lessons that I’m assuming they had relatively easy access to the results would be most devastating.” Luna said.
“Yes it would be very devastating, but you know what?” Nightmare said with a grin and a chuckle. “It was so easy to just look up. As easy as walking over and picking up a book, but from your ignorance you didn't give two bits about it.” Nightmare said more too himself than any of the ponies in the room.
Nightmare’s grin turned to a frown as he looked towards the floor and turned into his child like form without realizing it. “You were sending the world too war and you didn't’t even bother to do it right. Because of your stupid incompetence you were sending everything to hell… and you couldn't even do it right, you idiots why, why?! My grandfather, a simple child at the time, saw how stupid you were being! Why couldn't you, why couldn't you?!”
Luna saw how this memory from Nightmares past was starting to affect him so she walked up behind him and wrapping her front hooves around him tried to give him some comfort. “Nightmare…, Nightmare?”
Nightmare was grinding his teeth together as tears fell from his eyes. “Why, why?! You idiots, why?!”
“Nightmare everything is fine.” Luna said.
“Idiots the lot of you. You only knew greed and you messed that up you idiots!” Nightmare loudly stated.
“NIGHTMARE, you’re in Equestria remember!” Luna had to yell just for Nightmare to hear her.
Nightmare snapped out of his daze. As he looked around the room he saw all the concerned looks of the others and this made him feel all the more worse. “I’m sorry, I so sorry.”
‘Oh Nightmare.’ Luna thought, but she wasn’t entirely sure what to do next though. “Look… how about… we change the subject?”
“Thank you Luna, that sounds nice.” Nightmare said regaining some of his composure.
“Tell me about your grandfather. You seem to have a high regard for him.”
“Yeah he was pretty great.” A smile started to come back to Nightmares face.
“I do believe you haven’t told us much about him, like what he looks like or even his name. How about you tell us that?” Luna said in a soft voice trying to make Nightmare feel better with a better memory from his past.
“Yeah, what he looked like. What did he look like?” Nightmare said restating the question to himself.
Nightmare pondered this, for he had never really thought about. He would always give great praise, but did he even know what his grandfather looked like. The more Nightmare tried to remember what he looked like, the more his head started to hurt.
“Oh my head, but what did he look like?” Nightmare said
“Nightmare are you okay?” Luna asked.
As the pain in Nightmares head continued to grow, the more concerned Luna became from seeing him just trying to remember. The pain grew until it could grow no more.
Luna became very worried for Nightmare, the pony for which her hooves now wrapped around and who held a nightmarish past which seemed to have no good parts and was starting to catch up with him. “Nightmare are you alri…?”
“AAAHHHHHHHHHHH” Nightmare screamed as he went into uncontrollable convulsions. Luna used all of her strength to try and hold Nightmare still so that he couldn’t hurt any other ponies or himself.
Both Twilight and Celestia used their magic to help Luna, but his own strength was quite great. Luna took the brunt of it all as she only held that much tighter to Nightmare as he thrashed about.
“Huh…. WHO, WHAT, WHE, Ooouuch!” Nightmare shouted as he sat bolt upright on a couch.
“Please ma’am, you are in no condition to move about like that.” A light brown pony wearing a medical uniform instructed Nightmare.
“Actually Mrs. Hearts Aid, Nightmare here is a colt.” Luna said correcting her.
“My apologies Mr. Nightmare, It’s just that I assumed you were a mare due to your appearance.” Mrs. Hearts Aid said while motioning for Nightmare to lay back down.
Nightmare followed her orders. “Don’t worry about it, I understand the confusion. So tell me doc how bad is it?”
“You have nothing to worry about, only bruises a plenty and nothing very serious that would require immediate medical attention. Just a few days rest and you should be fine.” Mrs. Hearts Aid said with reassurance in her voice.
Nightmare shift his position on the couch slightly to become more comfortable. “Thanks for the treatment Mrs. Hearts Aid.”
“No problem and if it wasn’t for her highness here your injuries could’ve been more severe, but thankfully… oh look at the time, I’m sorry I have too rush out on you two but I have other patients elsewhere that need my help and all that jazz, so good-bye.” Mrs. Heart Aid said as she rushed out of the room.
Nightmare turned to look at Luna and assess her condition. Although Nightmare was covered from head to tail in bruises Luna looked much worse. “Ouch, you look worse than me.”
Luna rolled her eyes. “I was holding you down with my bare hooves after all, but don’t worry I’m in far better condition than you are at the moment.”
Nightmare looked down towards the floor as regret started to cover his face. “Look Luna, I’m sorry for injuring you… again. I’m sorry for when you hit that rock and I’m sorry for now. Can you forgive me?”
Luna shook her head. “Stop apologizing for everything, neither of those were your fault and of course I forgive you, how could I not?”
“I know, but still I feel really bad that you were hurt.” Nightmare said not wanting to look up.
Luna looked at Nightmare with a serious look in her eyes as she lifted his head to the point where their eyes met. “Nightmare you’re taking the burdens of events that should not concern you for they are in the past, so stop beating yourself up already and that… is an order, understand.”
“Luna, you of all ponies should know that I don’t take orders from anypony.” Nightmare shot back.
The two ponies giggled at the situation. Then Luna turned and grabbed a blanket with which she then placed over Nightmare.
“Thanks Luna but what about your injuries, should you really be moving about so much?”
“Don’t worry about me my injuries will heal within a day and as for my wing it has somehow magically healed in no time at all, you wouldn’t know anything about that would you Nightmare?” Luna asked almost implying that Nightmare had cast some sort of fast healing spell while she had been unconscious.
“Sorry Luna, but I only gave you basic medical care, that’s all.” Nightmare tried to shrug it off.
Luna sighed, “Look how’s about I go make you a couple of daisy and clover sandwiches, does that sound good?”
Nightmare gave a small laugh. “With the tables turned, yeah that sounds pretty good Luna.”
As Luna left the room and took the hallway that leads towards the kitchen, she couldn’t help but think, ‘Oh Nightmare your actions or lack of ones you are willing to admit are showing a side of you that is willing to give up much of one’s self, but receive no credit for such feats. These qualities I have not seen in Equestria even though they fit in with ease. A bizarre predicament that I’m not sure how to handle.’
Luna shook her head, ‘Nightmare as horrible as your world has become it is clear to me you have taken the best of what it has to offer even if you won’t admit it. Please get better for me at least.’
~~~~
Nightmare took his time to look around the room. He didn’t get the chance before for he went right into conversation after he woke up. The room looked to be that of a study turned into a family room, rec room, second salon, or something to that affect. At one end there was a fire place with a river rock mantle. Working my way back towards me, a small low leveled table, similar to that of a coffee table, was placed in the center with two white couches on either side placed so that they faced each other and then a pair of decorative, higher end in price tag, chairs were, placed at the end of the table, just so, so that they faced the fire place. On the wall to the right of the fire place was the only door to the room and nothing else worthy of mention, for the rest of the wall was relatively bear. However once you reached the end of this wall a third couch, more to that of a love seat which I was left to lay down on, was placed against the wall facing toward the fire place. It did seem a bit out of place, but hey I didn’t design the room. The wall to the left of the fire place didn’t have much to talk about either, for there was no decorations or anything really to talk about. The only distinctive qualities that were held were at the corner to the back wall. A large bay window that wrapped around the corner gave a decent amount of seating with a good view from what I can tell, but who knows, I can’t see it from where I am. There was also a small table with two wooden chairs, made of a darker wood, the kind that one would find in a coffee shop and the idea of its placement normally wouldn’t work with rest of the room, but for some offshoot reason it really did work much to my surprise, who knew.
Nightmare decided to put his thoughts away and get some rest and this sounded like a good idea until Princess Celestia walked into the room, but she seem to be lost in her own thoughts.
As she paced around the room, Nightmare only laid outstretched on the couch, not making a sound while wearing a big Cheshire grin on his face. Then Celestia began to speak her mind without realizing it.
“Oh what to do, what to do? Do citizens really think of me as a tyrant and have my past actions really shown that spotlight unto me and what of Luna? Does she think of me in that way; I hope not, but still. Could I really be a tyrant and then Nightmare said there were other names that he couldn’t even bring himself to say? What could they be? Am I really that bad of a pony and if I am then it’s all my fault? Oh what to do, what to do?” Celestia kept tossing and turning these thoughts upon the sea of her mind.
The Cheshire grin Nightmare wore, that was from the thrill of being invisible around others while doing nothing, was replaced with regret for what was troubling Celestia. “Maybe I shouldn’t have told you that story.”
Celestia, in a surprised state, spun around and was now facing Nightmare, while almost falling and knocking over one of the white chairs in the process. “Aaahh…. Whoa you scared me. Sorry Nightmare I forgot you were placed in here.”
“No Celestia, I’m the one who should be sorry. From the sight of the state that you are in, I’m really regretting telling you that story.” Nightmare said, motioning for Celestia to pull up a seat.
Celestia used her magic to levitate one of the white chairs so she could face Nightmare. “Luna’s right you do apologize too much. Look I’m grateful that you told me that story, for I am now more aware of my actions than I ever was. It’s just… I know I should not let the opinions of others affect me and leave them in the past, but I’m still worried….”
“You’re worried about the most important opinion in your life, being that of you sister and what she makes of this revelation.”
Celestia looked towards the floor. “Indeed, I fear she may begin to think of me as a tyrant and that I truly did banish her for full control of the land and not just to rid it of Nightmare Moon. Nightmare, what do you think of the situation?”
Nightmare shifted on the couch so he was now in a sitting position. “Celestia, I am a creature of neutrality. My opinion doesn’t matter and I only make decisions once I have heard both sides of the story so that the first decision is a final one.”
“But you still have an opinion even if you believe it to have no weight.” Celestia said as she gave Nightmare a knowing look of him trying answer the conundrum without making matters worse.
“Look, you are the one who knows Luna the best, so just stop what you’re doing for a little while and ask your-self. Would Luna ever think that way about you?”
Celestia shot Nightmare a smirk. “Thanks Nightmare that’s really good advice, but I asked for your opinion.”
“Asking your-self if Luna would ever think that way about you is my opinion.”
“Yeah I guess you’re right.” Celestia said sighing, but there was something in her voice that let Nightmare know that even if she found the answer, she would still be concerned by the situation.
“Alight it’s time for me to be the concerned worrier.” Nightmare announced.
“Oh-um alright.” Celestia replied.
“Back their inside the archives, what happened exactly?”
Celestia let out a sigh. “Well you started to go into convulsions and Luna was holding you down. She received many injuries and eventually she was knocked out when your head hit hers, but that gave Twilight and I just enough time to focus our energy into holding you down. Eventually you just passed out from exhaustion and Luna did wake, but… I do feel there is more to this story than what I know.”
Nightmare nodded. “Yes indeed there is, but that is for Luna and I to discuss at a later time. No offence.”
“Non-taken Nightmare. I can see that you have many problems from your world that you wish to deal with and that my sister has been helping you. I don’t mean to pry, but as I have said before I am also here for help if you so desire.”
Nightmare thanked Celestia and with a growing silence between the two something came to Nightmare’s mind. “Um Celestia, if you could do me a favor.”
“Sure Nightmare what is it?”
“Well I know you just told the details of the events of what happened in the archives, but I need you to tell Luna that I would like to talk to her… about her side of the story. I want to hear it with her words.”
Celestia nodded, “I will honor thy request.”
With that an Adviser had entered the small room and informed Celestia that she had some immediate business to attend to. Celestia place the chair back into its original position and said her light fair-wells to Nightmare, who could now receive some rest, but with a heavier mind.
~~~~
Luna and Twilight Sparkle were walking down the hallway that led to the small room to meet up with not only with her sister Princess Celestia, but also Bloody Nightmare a mysterious mare looking alicorn with more questions about him than answers, along with the rest of the bearers of the elements of harmony and a small dragon whose main profession was that of a librarians assistant. Her mind, like that of the others, was heavy with the events that had transpired within a single day, but what kept pestering her was the concept of her sister being a tyrant. The only thing she could do for now was push it to the back of her mind.
“Um excuse me Luna, but your mind seems to be elsewhere.” Twilight said trying to start a conversation.
“Aren’t all of our minds heavy with the events that have happened today?” Luna replied.
“Well yes, but you seem to be concerned about something else other than the problems that we will have to face.”
“Well Twilight it is not with the problem of the changeling faction, or that of the untold power that Nightmare possesses. It is of his past and the isolation that he has been through.” Luna said half lying, for this still concerned her, but it was not what concerned her the most.
“I understand Luna, you are concerned about his past for you also have been through an isolation. One kindred soul looking to help another.” Twilight said.
“Yes Twilight, however the isolation that he has been put through is a societal one and not a physical one like mine. There is also the fact that I have been able to have a foal hood before my isolation, unlike that of Nightmare where it appears he has been isolated since birth, from what he has said.”
“I’m sorry Luna, I don’t know what to tell you, for a problem like this has not happened in Equestria and I’m not sure if there is a clear solution. The best I can say is that we show him a willingness to accept him for who he is, something I’m not sure if he has been shown before.”
Luna looked at Twilight. “You suggest that we take the path of friendship and I fully agree, however I am not sure if he is willing to accept it.” Luna replied.
~~~~
As the two alicons entered the small room Luna decided to take a look around it to see what was happening. Twilight sat down with the rest of the other ponies. They were surrounding the coffee table and were involved is some sort of board game, probably tries to ease their minds with some harmless fun. The room was still bear as usual and not much seemed out of place. As Luna tuned towards the back of the room she saw that the plate, which once held the meal that she had brought Nightmare and was sitting on a tray that had been brought in for him, had been devoured. However Nightmare was not lying down on the couch and looking at the bay window, Luna saw nightmare sitting on the ledge with his back against a wall. He was resting his front hooves on one of his back knees and the other was hanging off the ledge. Luna walked over to the table that was next to the window, pulled out one of the chairs and sat down in it.
“Good evening.” Nightmare said with an odd accent for he was the one to start the night’s conversation. However he did not turn to face Luna, he only looked out the window.
“You really shouldn't be moving, you know that right?” Luna said with a bit of concern in her voice.
“Yeah-yeah. Don’t worry Luna I heal quickly.” Luna sighed and looked down at the table. “Tia said that you wanted to talk to me, about what happened in the archives.”
“Yes I did.” Nightmare said shifting his position so that he was now sitting upright with his front hooves resting on the table and facing Luna.
“If I’m not mistaken, didn't she already tell you about the events?”
“Indeed she did, but I wanted to hear your side from you.”
“That is very thoughtful Nightmare.” Luna said smiling. “Alright let’s see. You were talking to Twilight, but then you appeared to be talking out-loud, as if to some pony else. It seemed like something from you past was starting to get to you.”
Nightmare looked away from Luna. “It isn't the first, I’m certain it won’t be the last.”
Luna sighed and shook her head. Nightmare had many problems and helping him would be a long hard road. “I then moved to a position behind you and wrapped my hooves around you, trying to give you some comfort.”
Luna moved a hoof so that it now rested on one of Nightmare’s. “A single touch can give more comfort than a thousand words. You taught me that Nightmare.”
Nightmare looked at Luna’s hoof, but didn't remove his. He blushed as he tried not look towards the pony that now sat across from him. “I don’t believe I have ever said that Luna.”
“You never had to speak a word of it Nightmare. Your actions have done it for you.”
Nightmare looked up at Luna. He wanted to avoid any idea that he did in-fact help with Luna’s injuries beyond that of basic medical care that he claimed was all that he did, but he knew that there was no way of talking out of the fact that Luna knew. They both were at a stale mate and the best thing to do was to admit it and move on.
“I suppose my actions have.” Nightmare final said.
Luna heard the confession in Nightmares voice, it was clear as water. “As you started to shout at whomever, I tried calling your name. Eventually I even had to yell just to get your attention.”
“I do seem to remember that part at least.” Nightmare commented.
“Yes and then you apologized far more than what was needed.” Luna shot back.
“Sorry about that.” Nightmare said apologetically.
Luna rolled her eyes. “Alright, then I asked you what your grandfather looked like and you seemed to be stuck on that question. Your head started to hurt as you kept saying and then… that is when you went into convulsions and I actually don’t remember much after that for it was just a blur for me.”
“Oh, I see.” Nightmare replied with little enthusiasm.
Luna could tell that a new conversation topic might be good at that very moment. She looked over to the group of ponies that had been enjoying a board game.
“Why don’t we go over and join the rest of us?”
Nightmare shifted back to his original position, the one that he was in when Luna started to talk to him. “Sorry, but that’s not my kind of scene.”
“Come on Nightmare, it’ll be fun.”
Nightmare said nothing. He only looked out the bay window.
“Nightmare, how do you know it isn't for you if you don’t try or does something from your past say otherwise?” Luna said with a quizzical look and leaning a bit forward.
Nightmare continued to look out the window. “I have tried Luna, in the past and even when I was a part of things, I still felt like I wasn't supposed to be a part of them.”
“Remember Nightmare, This is a different place and a different world. Why don’t you give it another try, for me at least?”
Nightmare stood up a bit weak, but mobile. “Alright, I guess I can give it a try.”
Luna rose from her chair and both Nightmare and she walked over to join the others. She sat down in one of the big white chairs, opposite her sister who was sitting in the other and Nightmare sat down on the floor in between them.
“So nice of you two to have joined us. We were just about to start a new round of trivial pursuit. Would you two like to be a team?” Celestia asked.
Both of the alicorns looked at each other and gave a nod to Celestia, who handed them a playing piece. They both played into the night letting their minds rest onto something of less concern, and almost beating the team that Pinkie Pie and Twilight were on. A fun way to end the day.