Sweetie rushed in her room with a spring in her step: it had been a great day spent crusading with her friends and, even if they had not found their special talents, they had a lot of fun, and best of it all they were going to stay at Sweet Apple Acres for the night since Rarity and her friend had left to help Twilight with a test or something. She swiftly gathered her things on her bed and started putting them in an empty bag with her magic when she noticed a really strange thing: the mirror on her nightstand was reflecting somepony else's image. The filly in the mirror had dark gray coat and mane and tail stylized like hers, only coal black and deep purple, and was facing away from her, apparently intent in contemplating the room in the mirror. Sweetie timidly poked the mirror's surface, but nothing happened. She started to back away from the unknown filly when the latter turned around, fixing her eyes on her. They were cold, hard, green pools of hatred, and worst of all, they were reptilian.
"Uhm, hello?" tentatively said Sweetie.
The filly seemed genuinely surprised to be addressed, then really pleased of it.
She smiled, a smile that was more like a sly grin, and said: "So you can see me? Good, very good."
Her voice sounded somehow like Sweetie's own, as if she had exercised in imitating it but still wasn't quite there; it had a strange echoing quality too. Now that her feature had relaxed, Sweetie noticed a disturbing similarity in their appearance.
"Uhm, yes, I can... What are you doing in my mirror?"
"Well, I'm your reflection, of course," explained the dark filly "Where else should I be?"
"But you don't look like me," protested the other "And mirror images don't usually talk."
"I look exactly as we looked a while ago, don't tell me you don't remember, Sweetie Belle."
The answer to all her doubts hit her like a hoof jab in the face.
"You're Nightmare Moon!"
"True and, at the same time, false," was the dark filly's enigmatic answer.
"What do you mean?"
"I'm Night, and I am the nightmare that possessed you, but without Luna I'm nowhere near as being my glorious old self," explained the image "The fact that after two years appearing in a mirror is the best I can do is a hint of how weak I am right now."
By the end of her speech, Sweetie had fled.
"What a troublesome host," muttered Nightmare before dissolving in a cloud of black smoke.
---
Having licensed the whole episode as a product of her vivid imagination joined by a tired mind, Sweetie spent a pleasant evening with her friends. After having planned the crusades of the next day, the three fillies went to bed. Around midnight, Sweetie went to the restroom. It felt a bit surreal to witness the farm, normally bustling with activity, quiet and silent in the full moon light. As she passed in front of the bathroom mirror, her eyes caught the image of her nightmarish other self peering at her through the shadows of the dark room.
"Are you ready to talk now?" asked Nightmare with a sly grin.
Sweetie almost screamed at the top of her lungs. Almost.
"Are you real? Or is this a dream?" asked the white filly instead after having calmed down.
"While being a nightmare, unluckily for both of us I'm absolutely real."
"Didn't Celestia...?"
"Yeah, she did," answered the dark filly with a frown "And it hurt a lot."
"Then why are you here?"
"I wasn't lying when I said I had fused our life essences," explained Nightmare "Luckily for you, and probably for me too, the process is very slow."
"So you're inside of me?"
"No."
The answer gave the filly an enormous relief.
"I am one with you," finished explaining the dark filly.
At those words, Sweetie's heart sunk. She felt her legs become weak as she almost lost consciousness.
"So you're back to trick me and steal my body?" asked Sweetie after a painful moment in which she had cleared her mind.
"That would be pointless: as time flows I regain more and more power," explained Nightmare "In another couple of years I should be strong enough to take control, three at best."
"Then what do you want?"
"Isn't it obvious?" asked the dark filly "I want my own body."
"Then go, I won't certainly hold you with me!" said Sweetie motioning towards the small window.
"Do you really think I wouldn't have already done that if I could?"
"What do you mean?"
"First of all, right now I'm far too weak to go and take over somepony's mind," explained Nightmare "And, since I fused with your life essence, my new host must share blood ties with you."
"I'm not letting you touch my family!" said the white filly stomping a hoof.
"Calm down, you'll wake somepony!" snarled the other before explaining in a calmer tone "I have a solution that will make everypony happy."
Sweetie sighed and said: "I'm going to regret asking, but what is it?"
"There is a spell that lets the caster clone itself," said the dark filly in a conspirator tone "You cast it, I take the clone, everypony wins."
"But the clone..."
"I know what you're thinking," said Nightmare raising a hoof to interrupt her "And no, it isn't a real pony, and it doesn't have a soul, a simple puppet."
The white filly took a couple of minutes to ponder over the offer, then asked: "What will you do once free?"
"Does this really matter?" asked the dark filly, then, after noticing her light's counterpart eyes, sighed and said "I don't really know... I want my revenge against that lavender unicorn, against Celestia too, yet I'll be far too weak to try anything... When I hit Rainbow I used the maximum power, I should have killed her and she was barely hurt..."
"I won't help you if you don't promise not to hurt anypony," sternly said Sweetie Belle.
"That I cannot promise, but I can avoid searching for them," proposed the other "Only self defense."
"Why are you so accommodating? You can just refuse and wait a couple of years."
"Yeah, to get zapped by the elements and go back to square one," said Nightmare in a dejected tone "Having my own body might help avoiding that, moreover I'm sick tired of families wanting their loved ones back... And admittedly Celestia overpowers me."
"I see..." said Sweetie "It seems we have a deal, Nightmare Belle, but if you do something weird I'll tell everything to the princesses."
"Nightmare Belle?" asked the other visibly disdained "But it sounds lame!"
"I think it's a great name."
"It's terrible!" lamented Nightmare vigorously shaking her head "What about something cool like Nightmare Toll?".
"Do you like more Sweetie Moon? Or maybe Sweet Nightmare?" asked the white filly giggling, ignoring her counterpart's proposal "After all, you are a nightmare and me fused together."
"You know what? Nightmare Belle is fine," sighed the dark one in defeat "Just don't try to find other names for me."
"Deal," said Sweetie "But now I need to use the restroom so, could you please turn around?"
Unfortunately for the crusaders, their plans for the day were ruined since their rules forbade crusading without any one member and Scootaloo had to leave for Cloudsdale with her family. Obviously, Nightmare Belle couldn't let go of such an opportunity and convinced Sweetie to start researching the spell. And so, early in the morning, the two remaining crusaders arrived in Canterlot.
"Not that Canterlot isn't a nice place," started Apple Bloom cautiously looking around as they left the train station "But was it really necessary to come here?"
"Why?" asked Sweetie pausing to look at her friend with a crocked eyebrow.
"Ya know, fer all that incident with Nightmare Moon..." said the yellow filly dragging a hoof on the ground.
At those words, Sweetie stiffened visibly.
"Now Bloom, it's not like we're wanted criminals or something..." she said putting on an awkward smile, yet she casted side glances at every reflecting surface trying to spot her dark counterpart.
Luckily for her, Nightmare Belle was nowhere to be seen.
"Ah hope yer right," said the other as they paced towards the library "Ah'd like to avoid being beaten by the guards again."
"I'm sure the princesses won't let them," said Sweetie putting a comforting hoof on her friend's shoulder.
Luckily for them, nopony seemed to hold a grudge towards neither of the two and so they reached Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns and the annexed library. It was huge, with the high shelves full of leather-bound book that towered over the two fillies. The magic particles saturated the air to the point that even Apple Bloom could feel it. Having no clue on where to find the clone spell, they started searching for the librarian instead. Their hooves clicked on the white marble floor breaking the thick silence that reigned in the deserted library, making the two of them feel almost unwelcome, like thieves in an ancient tomb, only tidier. Soon, a third sound of hoofsteps started resonating in the not-so-empty halls, signaling that somepony was coming their way. From behind a bookshelf appeared an elderly looking unicorn mare with acid green coat and bright orange mane.
She regarded the two fillies (and Apple Bloom in particular) with a skeptical expression from behind her thick glasses before asking: "Can I help you?"
"Yes," said Sweetie offering a cheerful smile "We were searching for Mirror Sheen's clone spell."
"Mirror Sheen's work is very advanced magic," stated the librarian "May I ask why you're searching it?"
"For research, of course."
"Search 'Through the Mirror' in the antique section, third row on the right," said the mare pointing a hoof "Please, be careful with it, for it is a very old text."
"Will do, thank you very much."
"Ah don't like the way she looked at me," whispered Apple Bloom when they reached the antique section.
"You have to admit that not many earth ponies wander a spell book filled library," chuckled Sweetie "Let's find that book now."
It took them around a hour, but they eventually found 'Through the Mirror'. It was bound in white leather and the title engraved in polished silver, with a circular piece of mirror enchased in the cover. Turning the yellowed pages with care, Sweetie searched for the interesting parts (signaled her by a tingling sensation in the back of her mind), which Apple Bloom copied on a notebook. Writing out two spells and some useful notes took them another hour and half, so they were out of the library by lunch time.
---
Princess Celestia sat on her throne, a poorly masked bored expression plastered on her face, as two unicorn stallions bickered in front of her about a land tax or something. Luckily for her, a page rushed to her side to tell her that Arcane Mark was asking to be received.
"Arcane Mark the librarian?" asked Celestia feigning not to notice the two stallion's outraged expressions at being interrupted.
The page nodded.
"My good sirs, I beg your pardon but a matter of the outmost importance has arised and demands my attention," said the alicorn in a well faked anguished tone "You'll have to excuse me now."
And with that, she left the room following the page. The two nobleponies, not knowing what else to do, resumed their discussion.
The princess met the librarian on one of the balconies that opened on the castle grounds, a place as nice as private.
"I beg your pardon for the intrusion, your majesty," said Arcane Mark bowing deeply.
"No harm done, don't worry," assured Celestia in her usual motherly tone "Now, I suppose you're here for that reason."
"Yes, your majesty," answered the green mare without rising her head "Two fillies responding the description came to the library less than an hour ago, searching for Mirror Sheen's clone spell."
"Ah, the clone spell, a wonderful way to skip the day court when my nephew comes!" said Celestia with a chuckle "I even went back in time just to thank Mirror Sheen..."
"Do you think it may be a problem?"
"Oh, I seriously doubt that," said Celestia waving a dismissive hoof "Anyway, I'd like to see the texts they examined, just for being sure."
---
After having had lunch at Pony Joe's shop, the two fillies took the train back to Ponyville.
"You did well making your friend write the spells out for you," said her reflection in the window as her color scheme darkened "She has a much neater calligraphy than you."
She was taking a risk, even if the carriage was empty and Apple Bloom asleep, but she had to make sure of the filly's capabilities.
"Yeah, I kn-" started saying Sweetie before realizing she had just been insulted and shouted "HEY!"
"Don't shout, or you'll wake your friend!" snarled Nightmare Belle before asking in a calmer tone "How much did you understand of the clone spell?"
"Nothing, more or less..." answered the white filly in a dejected tone "The librarian did say it was advanced magic..."
"Luckily for us, I can help you with that," sighed the other massaging her temples.
"Do you think I can cast it? Twilight says I'm promising but..."
"I hope you can," said the dark filly "Otherwise we'll be together for a long time, and I really don't like the idea."
"Is being with me that bad?" asked Sweetie in a dejected tone as she lowered her frame.
Nightmare Belle was taken aback by the filly's reaction: she was a parasite that used her to stay alive and to create a new body, and yet, the small unicorn looked hurt from her words.
"I didn't mean..." said the nightmare "Look Sweetie, it's only that for something like me having my own body is like a dream..."
"I'm not sure I can understand what it means not to have a body..." said the white filly with a pensive expression "I think I misinterpreted your words, sorry."
"Sweetie, who are ya talkin' to?" asked Apple Bloom.
Sweetie Belle turned to look at her friend, only to see that she hadn't opened her eyes.
"Uhm, nopony Bloom, don't worry."
When she turned again to regard Nightmare, she found only her reflection staring back at her.
Sweetie mumbled over her own words as she laid sleepless in bed. She had felt rejected and had spoken on impulse, so were those her real feelings for the nightmare? Was she taking to her? She looked at the darkened room through the mirror on the nightstand. Her reflection peered at her with her normal-looking emerald eyes. Behind that illusion though, laid sleepless Nightmare Belle, mumbling over the very same phrase. Was that little filly only self centered, feeling offended by her words, or did she really care for her, the parasite that had caused her, her family and Equestria more in general so much troubles? They both laid there, looking at each other, until Sweetie finally fell asleep, exhausted after an afternoon of crusading.
---
It took Sweetie Belle two days to finally muster the will to confront her notes, much to her counterpart's dismay. She sat on her bed and let her sight dance between the complex words that made up the incantation for hours, stopping only to ask the dark filly whatever she didn't understand. Meanwhile, Nightmare Belle herself studied the other spell they had took from the library: the one to implant herself in the clone. By the time they had finally learned the spells and were ready to cast them, Rarity and her friends had returned from their trip in the Crystal Empire, so they had to postpone their plans. Finally, another two days later they found themselves alone at Carousel Boutique, for Rarity had gone to the spa with Fluttershy, so they jumped at the occasion.
"Is everything set already?" asked Nightmare visibly impatient "Your sister won't be gone for long."
"Yes, we're ready," beamed Sweetie contemplating the magic circle drawn on her room floor.
Her horn, enchased in an emerald aura, started glowing as she built up her magic more than she ever had in her whole life and as beads of sweat started flowing down her forehead. She chanted the spell and then she fired a brilliant green beam towards the circle, which started glowing on its turn, first white, then green, pink and ultimately deep purple. The light then turned into a smoke cloud and started spinning furiously around the room, collecting itself in the center of the circle, where it took an equine shape. Immediately, Sweetie's horn flared to life again; she stared dumbfolded at it for a couple of instants before turning towards her mirror, where Nightmare was focusing on some mute incantation, her eyes wide open and glowing green, the same as her horn.
"Uhm, I think something is wrong..." tentatively said the white filly looking at the cloud as it fitted together.
The dark one ignored her, totally absorbed by her own spell.
"You should really stop," suggested Sweetie whimpering as her horn's glow shifted to an ominous purple "Nightmare!"
She then felt her own head recline till her horn was pointed towards her now completely formed clone. She looked desperately at her reflection, only to see that it was just that. In that moment, a dark purple jet erupted from her horn and enveloped her clone, turning her coat dark gray and her mane coal black and deep purple. Nightmare Belle opened her new eyes with a joyful expression. A smile that soon turned into a frown.
"Hey, why are you so big? No, wait, why is everything so big?" she asked stomping one of her small forehooves.
She was in fact no higher than Sweetie's shoulder, exactly the same size of the white filly's Celestia plush.
"That's what I was trying to say earlier, but you didn't listen," replied the other flatly.
"All right, let's calm down," said the dark filly falling back on her haunches "We can try again next week, ok?"
"I don't think it will work," said Sweetie shaking her head slowly "I'm drained, I cannot possibly use more power than that."
"Then what do we do? What do I do?"
"I don't know..." admitted Sweetie as tears started building up in her eyes "I'm sorry."
"Hey, let's look at the bright side: I'm on my own finally!"
The white filly didn't answer immediately, letting her head wrap around the other's words first.
"Yup, you're right!" she said after a moment with a wide grin, her tears gone.
"Ok, let's quit with this fake smiles and such," said Nightmare getting serious "I know what you're thinking and it's not your fault I'm this small, got it?"
"Yes, it's just..." mumbled the other before asking bluntly "Nightmare, what will you do when this is over?"
"We already talked about that, didn't we?" answered the dark filly after an initial instant of stupor "I promised not to hurt anypony except to defend my self."
"Yeah, right, just checking..." said Sweetie putting up a sheepish smile, she then got back on her hooves and paced towards the door.
"Wait, where are -"
"Restroom."
The door closed behind her, and she sat back against it.
I'm lucky she didn't get what I meant, she thought as tears started streaming down her cheeks What was I thinking?
"I don't know what you're thinking," said Nightmare from behind the closed door "But whatever it is, it will be okay."
"You promise?" asked the other between her sobs.
"I know where this is going, and I don't like it," said the dark filly in an evidently fake fit of rage "I say yes, you ask for a pinkie promise and I do that silly thing, well no thanks, my promise is all you're going to get."
Sweetie turned around and saw that the door was open and that Nightmare was grinning at her, the same grin that Scootaloo always gave her after a joke.
"It will do," she said with a smile.
---
Something wasn't right with Sweetie, Apple Bloom and Scootaloo had that suspicion for a while but the sudden feeling of sickness that got both of them at the same time as they were making their way to her house spoke volumes of it. Thinking of it as a bad omen, the two fillies rushed to Carousel Boutique and started pounding at the door, which was opened a couple of minutes later by a tired-looking Sweetie Belle.
"Hi girls," saluted the unicorn offering a warm smile.
"Sweetie, are ya all right?" asked Apple Bloom eyeing her friend.
"Yeah, you look like you just finished the running of the leaves!" exclaimed Scootaloo.
"I'm just a bit tired from practicing my magic, don't worry," said Sweetie waving a dismissive hoof.
"Ah'd say mighty tired..."
"It's nothing a good night of sleep cannot heal," chuckled the unicorn "But if you were here to go crusading I'll have to decline."
"That was our original plan, yes, but we got this horrible feeling you were in danger..."
"Nah, nothing like that," said Sweetie waving another hoof to dismiss her friend's worries "But I think I'll be getting some sleep now..."
"Scootaloo, are ya thinkin' what Ah'm thinkin' ?" asked Apple Bloom looking mischievously at her pegasus friend.
"That Rainbow would be great as a sister?"
"That we should help Sweetie!"
"That, yeah, right, my next guess..."
"There's no need for -" tried saying Sweetie.
"CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS NURSES, YAY!" shouted the other too cutting her short.
---
At the familiar 'battle cry', Nightmare Belle's heart skipped a beat, hearing more than one set of hooves on the stairs could have killed her. She frantically searched for a place to hide, until she spotted the open wardrobe, which she entered without a second thought. Moments later, the door was opened and she could hear the crusaders' voices.
"Really, I'm fine!" protested weakly Sweetie.
"No, ya aren't," said Apple Bloom "And ya're goin' to bed this instant."
"But -"
"No buts Sweetie!" said Scootaloo pushing her friend in the bed.
"Can I have my notes at least?" asked the white filly putting up her best puppy dog eyes.
"I don't see why not..." said the pegasus shrugging.
"Did ya forget why she's like that?" asked her the yellow filly before addressing her other friend "Sorry Sweets, it's for yer best."
"Please, Bloom," pleaded the unicorn.
"A no is a no, Sweetie, and to be sure ya don't do anything stupid, Ah'm putting them in the wardrobe."
"A no is a no, Sweetie, and to be sure ya don't do anything stupid, Ah'm putting them in the wardrobe," said Apple Bloom pacing towards said piece of furniture, her friend's notes in her teeth.
At those words, Nightmare Belle froze. She frantically whipped her head around searching for a way out, or at least another hiding spot, but to no avail. The earth pony opened the wardrobe door and placed the sheets on the nightmare head, apparently not noticing her, then closed it. Nightmare didn't dare to let out a sigh of relief, not to push her incredible luck.
"Wait a minute, who was that?" asked Apple Bloom stopping dead in her track.
Dumb luck! thought the dark filly.
"Who was who?" asked Scootaloo who had been busy tucking her friend in.
"A figment of your imagination?" tentatively said Sweetie Belle with a sheepish smile.
The yellow filly turned around and opened the door once again, finding herself face to face with the dark unicorn, who had still the notes balanced on her head.
"Uhm, hello?" offered Nightmare Belle waving weakly one of her forehooves.
Silence fell on the room as Sweetie tried to disappear under the blankets.
"Who are ya?" asked the earth pony frowning "And what were ya doin' in there?"
"She is, uhm, my cousin from, ehm, Fillydelphia?" lied the white filly poking from under the covers.
Scootaloo was going to scold her friend for lying them, but she was cut by the unknown filly.
"Let's cut this Sweetie, they're your friends," sighed the dark unicorn before addressing the one in front of her "I bet you already know who I am, right Apple Bloom?"
"Well, I don't know," lashed the pegasus "So, who are you?"
"She's Nightmare Moon, Scoots," said the earth pony taking a step back and dropping into an aggressive stance.
Scootaloo glared at the nightmare and followed her friend's example, making sure to place herself between her and Sweetie.
The dark filly levitated the notes on the floor without taking her eyes away from the two, then said: "I don't go by that name anymore, but yes, that's me."
"I don't know what you're here for, but I'm going to -" started saying Scootaloo in a low, threatening tone, but her voice trailed off when she saw Sweetie land between them and her fellow unicorn.
"Before you three start beating each other," said the white filly picking herself up from her ungraceful landing "You'd better hear me out."
"But... She's Nightmare Moon!" protested the pegasus "She's evil!"
Nightmare Belle's expression didn't betray any emotion, but her ears dropped visibly showing that Scootaloo's words had hit a sore spot. A thing that Sweetie didn't miss.
"Let's sit down, there's much to talk about," said Sweetie letting out a heavy sigh.
---
Much like Apple Bloom and Scootaloo, princess Luna had felt a wave of nausea when Nightmare Belle had taken over the clone, and so she had gone to tell her sister right away. Much to her disdain, the sun princess refused to believe the last member of the hated race had avoided her fiery judgment and was once again roaming free.
"Tia, I am telling thee that it has come back once again!" said Luna slamming a forehoof on the floor of the throne room.
"Lulu, you were there when I dealt with it, you even helped me," said Celestia shaking her head "I tell you it's impossible."
"Fine Lulu," sighed the other "You said it was Ponyville again? I'll ask Twilight to find out what she can, then I'll deal with the creature if it has survived."
"Thank you Tia!" said the dark alicorn wrapping her forelegs around her sister, her mood visibly improved.
Celestia rolled her eyes at the other alicorn's mood flip, but hugged Luna back anyway.
"I think thou shall summon the royal mason now Tia..." said Luna breaking the hug "The jeweler too."
"Why is that?"
"I may have smashed the floor and my horseshoe in my outburst..."
---
While the two princesses were having their discussion, Sweetie Belle had explained the whole situation to her friends.
"So," started saying Scootaloo eyeing suspiciously the dark filly "You say you've changed?"
"Not in the slightest," answered Nightmare Belle "But I promised not to hurt anypony, and I intend to keep my word."
"As if your word means anything!"
"Scoots, come on!" said Sweetie Belle raising her forelegs in the air "Mistrust won't do any good!"
"She hasn't exactly earned our trust," said Apple Bloom slowly shaking her head.
"It's not like you've given me the chance," retorted acidly the dark filly.
"You already wasted your chance when you brainwashed us!" snarled the pegasus.
"I controlled only Sweetie, I just directed you where I wanted you to be, you could have stopped anytime," said Nightmare with a smug grin "And I didn't ear any complain about the boons I gave you."
"All of you, SHUT UP!" shouted the white filly as tears started streaming down her cheeks "Why can't you just try to get along?"
"But she -" tried to protest Apple Bloom.
"She's not a monster, she's just alone Bloom! What would you do in her place, without family and friends? And you, Nightmare, they are just worried fillies! There's no need to be so brash! Try to act your age!"
The three fillies lowered their heads in shame.
"Uhm, Sweetie is right," admitted the dark filly, her eyes cast to the side and her tail wrapped around her "I'm really sorry."
"Yeah, me too," said the yellow one while hugging her crying friend to calm her down "Ah don't know what Ah would do without mah family and friends."
"Me three," said Scootaloo extending a hoof towards the nightmare "I guess that if Sweets trusts you then you cannot be such a bad pony after all."
Nightmare Belle studied the extended hoof for a long minute, almost as if she didn't know what she was supposed to do with it, before shaking it.
"Thank you, it means a lot."
"Speaking of Sweets," whispered Apple Bloom "She fell asleep, help me put her in bed."
---
The next day, early in the morning, Sweetie found herself in front of Golden Oaks Library door. She was just standing there, with a forehoof raised to knock and a frown on her face. It looked almost as if she did not know how she was supposed to knock. Truth to be told, she was undecided on whether or not meeting Twilight was the right thing to do: on one hoof, she was the right pony to go to, but on the other Nightmare was counting on her. She simply stood there, wrapping her mind around that doubt until, after a good quarter of hour, she lowered her foreleg and turned to go away, letting out a sigh. She didn't take as much as a step away though, before the door opened revealing one of the library residents.
"Hey there, Sweetie Belle," called Spike "I saw you standing in front of the door and wondered if I could help you..."
He was standing on the door step wearing a slightly oversized chef hat, a white apron and somewhat worried expression.
"Uhm, hello Spike," stammered the white filly turning around "Is Twilight home? I need to talk with her about something..."
"Sure, she's having breakfast," answered the dragon motioning the other in "Come in!"
"Oh, good morning Sweetie," saluted Twilight Sparkle as the filly entered the kitchen "Would you like something to eat?"
She was in fact seated at the table in her kitchen, with a sizable plate of pancakes to her left, a fuming cup of tea to her right and a leather bound tome floating in front of her.
"Good morning Twilight," replied Sweetie Belle sitting at the table in front of her fellow unicorn "And thanks but no, I already had breakfast."
"All right then," said the mare finishing sipping her tea "Spike said you had something to ask, what is it?"
"You see, yesterday I tried a clone spell but -" started explaining the other.
"Wait, do you mean Mirror Sheen's spell?"
"Uhm, yes, is it forbidden or something?"
"No, it's just really difficult spell," explained Twilight with a chuckle "You don't have to worry if you couldn't cast it."
"But I casted the spell, it simply didn't turn out quite right: the clone is a little too small."
Twilight Sparkle went wide eyed at the filly's words. She put down the cup and the tome: Sweetie had gained her unconditioned attention.
"Let me get this straight," slowly said the mare "You did create the clone, but it was too small?"
"Yeah, that's what I said."
"Sweetie, do you realize what this means?"
"That I have too little magical power?"
"No, well, also that, but it means that you're more than simply talented in spellcasting!" said Twilight clapping her forehooves joyously.
"Well, thank you?" tentatively said Sweetie, who didn't see any reason to be that excited.
"I think you're missing a point here," said the older unicorn "With such a spell you can be easily accepted in Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns!"
"Really?" asked the filly, her interest picked "But I can't do it right."
"If you can cast it once again for me, even if the clone turns out small, I'll teach you how to make it the right size and I'll write a letter of recommendation to the school principal!"
"You can teach me how to fix the clone? We have a deal Twilight!" said the small unicorn jumping down her chair and bolting towards the door "I'm going to fetch my notes!"
"Bring your sister too!" called the mare as the filly disappeared behind the door, before adding with a chuckle: "Foals these days..."
---
Nightmare Belle's eye flashed open as she bolted upright, beads of sweat rolling down her forehead. Panting heavily, she slowly scanned the unfamiliar room: wooden planks composed the floor, the walls and the ceiling, simple furnishing and pale yellow curtains could be seen around the room. She sighed in relief realizing she was in the crusaders' clubhouse.
"My first night in this new body and I have a nightmare," she chuckled at the absurdity of the situation, but it was more like a nervous chuckle.
She thought back to her dream: it had been something more akin to a flashback of the previous day, more in particular the moments right after the ritual.
What will you do once this is over?
The dark filly fell back into lying position and let her gaze wander the ceiling as she mulled over Sweetie's words. Could it be that she had misinterpreted them? Nightmare shook her head to dismiss the thougth: it was simply impossible that anypony could accept her, let alone grow attached to her. She let out another nervous chuckle, but this time a lone tear ran down her muzzle.
"What's wrong with me?" she asked herself slamming a forehoof on the floor, her tone a mix of self-pity, anger and disgust "I'm the terrible Nightmare Moon, I shouldn't worry over that foal!"
Like a wave retreating from the seashore, the anger subsided leaving behind a confused and sad filly. Could it be that she had got it all wrong?
---
The piece of chalk danced through the room, obeying Sweetie's command and drawing on the library floor the same magic circle she had drawn the day before.
"I'm concerned Twilight," said Rarity watching her sister draw the complex glyphs that adorned the outer part of the circle "I think I should have noticed my sister becoming good at magic, yet..."
"Don't worry Rarity," said Twilight with a gentle smile putting a hoof on her shoulder "Luckily, not everypony turns its parents into potted plants, moreover it seems she was unaware of it herself."
"I'm ready Twilight," announced Sweetie Belle "We can start when you want."
"Then start please, I can't wait to see somepony else use this spell."
Sweetie nodded started chanting the spell as her horn got enchased in her usual emerald aura.
"Uhm, Twilight, why is she singing?" Rarity whispered to her friend.
"It seems Sweetie is full of surprises," said the other in awe "Voice casting is pretty rare, but sang casting is something right out of history books!"
"I think I never heard of it..."
"To put it simply, it lets the caster empower the spells by singing certain formulas," explained Twilight in a very professional tone "It also helps making the spell more stable."
"So she wasn't a slow developer, just doing it wrong for her!"
"I think so."
Meanwhile Sweetie, unaware of her peculiar way of casting the spell or of the whispered dialogue, completed the chant and fired a bright green beam towards the circle, which reacted exactly as it had done the previous day. The dark cloud that originated from it condensed into a small sized clone of the filly, who simply stood there, blinking every now and then, more or less like Gummy usually did. Sweetie fell back on her haunches, exhausted. She briefly wondered if it was due to Nightmare's absence or simply she hadn't recovered yet from her first try.
"That's wonderful, Sweetie!" said Twilight inspecting the clone with critical eye (and hoof, since she was mainly poking at her).
"Really?" asked the filly panting.
"Is it supposed to be that small?" asked Rarity after having ascertained that her sister wasn't hurt.
"No Rarity, but it's still much more than many unicorns can do," said Twilight with a sincere smile, levitating a small book out of a shelf and placing it in front of Sweetie.
"What's this?" asked the filly raising an eyebrow.
"It's a gift, it will help you improve your magic," explained the other "And it contains the enlargement spell to fix the clone."
Sweetie tackled the lavender mare into a hug and said: "Thank you Twilight!"
---
Dear princess Celestia, today I discovered a little prodigy here in Ponyville: Sweetie Belle, Rarity's little sister is capable of casting Mirror Sheen's clone spell, and she's a sing caster to booth! I suggested her to apply in your School for Gifted Unicorns, I hope you don't have anything against it. Your faithful student, Twilight Sparkle
Celestia frowned reading Twilight's letter. She knew that something wasn't right, but she did not have any proof. Certain that it was the only line of action, she wrote her answer.
Dear Twilight, if I recall well, young Sweetie Belle was one of the three fillies who made a contract with the nightmare, even if unknowingly. Being that the case, I advice that you keep an eye on her for the next couple of days, let me know if you notice anything strange. Your mentor, Celestia
The two fillies stared at their reflections in the full body mirror in front of them.
"Not bad," commented Nightmare Belle eyeing herself "I think an age spell wouldn't be out of place..."
Sweetie Belle did not say a world; she simply stared at her clone's reflection, a hint of sadness in her eyes.
"I mean, if you'll look anything like your sister... Hey, is everything all right?"
"Uh? Yeah, all great..."
"Come on Sweetie, you're a terrible actress."
The white filly sighed and said: "I was thinking that you're gonna leave soon and..."
"And?"
"Aaand I really hoped that you would have thought me that spell you used to take on my colors?" tentatively said Sweetie hoping that the nightmare wouldn't notice the evident lie.
"Oh, just that?" asked the dark filly "It's a simple illusion, you simply have to focus on the colors you want."
"Oh, ok, thank you," said the other closing her eyes to focus.
Meanwhile Nightmare turned to look at her reflection; she examined every detail ending with her reptilian eyes and noticed a thing: it didn't matter how much she could look like a pony, in the end she wasn't. And everypony could see that.
"How do I look?" asked Sweetie next to her.
The dark filly turned from her reflection to see another one, only with her counterpart's normal eyes.
"I strongly advice you against using my palette: the bearers won't like that in the slightest."
"Aww, but I really like your mane!" joked Sweetie blowing the other a raspberry.
"Don't blame me when your sister get an heart attack after having seen you like that," said Nightmare laughing.
"She would totally do that!" admitted Sweetie as the two of the fell to the ground laughing.
They stayed there after the laughter had died down, lying side by side, eyes glued to the ceiling.
"I guess that there's nothing keeping you here now, uh?" asked the fake dark filly after a while.
"I suppose so."
"Planning to leave soon?"
I wish there was another way... thought Nightmare, instead she said: "Maybe I'll stick around for another couple of days..."
Sweetie's heart fell at those words. She dropped her disguise and stood to look the other in the eyes.
"Why don't you stay?" she simply asked.
"Ponyville is far too near to Canterlot for me to be comfortable with it," explained Nightmare closing her eyes "And for what I've seen in the past two years, Celestia comes here far too often."
"The princess came three times at best!"
"That's four times too many."
"I see..." said the white filly, her ears lowered in defeat.
"Don't be like that Sweetie, you'll soon find it's for the best!"
I hope it's true... thought the two of them at the same time.
---
Sweetie Belle woke up abruptly as a thunderbolt tore the sky. Rain clattered heavily against the roof and the window, thunders could be heard in the distance. She scanned the dark room feeling that something was out of place, then noticed what it was: Nightmare, who was supposed to stay the night, was nowhere to be seen. On her makeshift bed, instead of her, there was a piece of parchment. The filly lit the candle on her nightstand and levitated the sheet to her.
If you're reading this, it means I already left. Don't search me, it's for the best.
Sweetie stared at the fine writing, unable to make sense of it.
"Why? She was happy here, this makes no sense!" she whispered "I have to find her!"
She levitated Twilight's book to her and started turning the pages furiously till she found what she was looking for. She conceded herself a grin before reading a pair of times the spell to fix it in her mind. Once done, the filly jumped out of her bed and, as silently as she could, she reached the entrance. There, after having wore her raincoat and boots, she exited the house, disappearing into the night.
---
"Sweetie," called Rarity entering her sister's room "It's time to wake up!"
The smile on her muzzle withered as she embraced the whole room with her gaze and could not find the filly; instead of her, she found an almost consumed, still lit candle, an open book and a piece of parchment. With her heart pounding faster and faster, Rarity approached her sister's bed and red Nightmare's letter. Her screams were heard all the way to the library.
---
Nightmare Belle was trekking through the woods at a slow pace. The heavy rain of the night had messed her up: her mane was still wet and full of twigs and leaves, her coat stained by mud and mushy water, her eyes reddened by the lack of sleep. Definitely, she could have planned her escape better. Yet, her mind was a turmoil of conflicting thoughts and emotions for different reasons: she wanted to stay in Ponyville with Sweetie, the filly that somehow had found something worth of acceptance in her, but she knew that dreams were just that in the end, dreams. She was so absorbed in her thoughts that she almost didn't notice Ghastly Gorge opening in front of her.
"Whoa, gotta be more careful..." she said taking a step back from the edge.
She turned southward and started pacing once again, coasting the chasm. She wondered if things could have been different, if she could have been different.
If only I hadn't hungered for more... she thought with a sigh.
Less than ten minutes later, she heard the sound of hooves clattering on the rocks. She turned to see Sweetie Belle galloping towards her.
"What are you doing here?" she snarled at the white filly "I recall I said not to follow me!"
"I know..." wheezed the other "But I couldn't let you go."
"Nonsense, I'm a monster rejected by society, there's nothing to gain from being with me."
"I don't care!" shouted Sweetie stomping a hoof, tears swelling in her emerald eyes "I want you back!"
"I know," said Nightmare looking away "It's just not possible..."
"But why?"
"You think your sister will be fine knowing I'm around? Or anypony else for what matters..."
Sweetie would have protested, but a bright flash of light cut her answer.
Sweetie Belle felt a pair of hooves wrap around her body, she turned and saw it was her sister. Beyond her, stood the imposing figure of princess Celestia, her brow furrowed and her mane burning like flames instead of its usual gentle wave.
"Oh, Sweetie, I was so worried!" said Rarity as grateful tears streamed down her muzzle.
"Sis? What are you doing here?"
"But saving you, of course!"
"You," stated the princess locking her unmerciful gaze on the dark filly.
"Celestia," said Nightmare, her voice dripping poison.
"Take your sister home Rarity, I'll deal with this monster," sentenced the alicorn addressing the other mare but without averting her gaze.
"Wait, she's not a monster!" protested Sweetie flailing her legs while trying to get free from Rarity's hug "And I don't need to be saved!"
"Step aside Sweetie," said the dark filly shooing her with a forehoof "That's how it was bound to go from the beginning."
"I commend your not using an entranced foal as shield," said Celestia, her tone still cold "Now, are you ready to face your end?"
"It depends," stated the other with a smug grin "Are you ready to face yours?"
Celestia didn't answer; instead, she lowered her head, flapped her wings and leaped forward, trying to impale her opponent with her sharp horn. Despite the short distance, Nightmare avoided the attack by rolling to her right, which brought her between the edge of the cliff and the princess' body.
"It seems that after a thousand years you've lost your talent for battle," stated Celestia, her horn glowing gold.
Before Nightmare could throw her a smug reply, a pillar of golden flames rained on her location. The alicorn didn't waste a minute looking as her spell engulfed the hedge, turning to look where a burst of black smoke announced the dark filly's arrival.
"Maybe I'm a bit rusty, but such a trick wouldn't work even on a foal," spat Nightmare in an annoyed tone as the smoke condensed into her body "You're underestimating me, Celestia."
Again, the princess attacked instead of answering, firing five golden beams of magical energy. Again, the dark filly rolled out of harm's way; yet, this time she teleported right after regaining stability, reappearing in mid air above the alicorn, three onyx-colored arrows that looked like made of black mist floating next to her. Nightmare's horn flared to life once again and the darts were sent crashing on the princess. Despite the direct hit, Celestia did not show any sign of having felt the blow.
"My tricks may be easy to avoid, but at least they can do some damage," stated the alicorn as the filly landed in front of her.
She then reared up and smashed her front hooves down, but missed her target; the filly in turn tried once again to harm the princess with a blast of emerald magic in the belly. Taking the hit without as much as a whimper, Celestia kicked the small unicorn in the barrel with a foreleg, sending her careening some meters away. When Nightmare reopened her eyes, she saw white fur through her half closed eyelids, plus a waving pink tail.
Celestia is already on me, it will end soon, she thought with resignation closing her eyes and waiting for the final blow.
A blow that never came. She opened her eyes, almost annoyed by her opponent's lack of punctuality, and noticed she had got it all wrong: it wasn't the alicorn the one standing in front of her, but Sweetie Belle, trembling like a leaf in a storm, acting as a living shield for her. Celestia didn't look pleased with the interruption, but she certainly wasn't angry with the filly either. She looked more sad than anything else.
"Sweetie Belle, what are you doing?" whispered Rarity, worry clear in her voice "Come back here."
"No sis, that where I need to be now."
"As if you know what is right or wrong," stated harshly Nightmare pushing her aside and stepping towards the princess "I need nopony's help, let alone yours."
Even if her words and behavior had certainly surprised the other three (and hurt Sweetie), it was another think to catch the alicorn's attention.
"Are you cr-" tried to ask Celestia, only to be stopped by an emerald blast that hit her square in the face.
"What are you conversing for?" snarled Nightmare, tears more than evident in her emerald eyes "I'm fighting for my life here, not taking a tea!"
The alicorn's reply came in the form of a golden aura that wrapped around the dark filly's body to slam her down violently. Nightmare felt pain flow through her body like a torrent in spring as every bone in it let out creepy sounds, menacing of snapping. Her mouth filled with the metallic taste of blood: she had bitten herself in the impact. She spat and tried to pick herself up twice, but failed both times: the first try because her still shaking leg buckled under her weight, the second due to a hoof placed on her back that kept her pinned on the ground. She could hear her ribcage creak in an eerie way under the pressure.
"I believe there's a bit more than what meets the eye in this story, uh?" questioned Celestia leaning closer to the dark filly's left ear "Care to fill me up?"
"Let me go and you'll see how I fill you up with pain!" was Nightmare's witty retort.
The pressure on her back grew a little, causing her to wince in pain as one of her ribs threatened to snap. Meanwhile, since Rarity's efforts to bring her away had failed, Sweetie watched the scene wide-eyed, unable to make out the two opponents' whispered words but sure of the direness of the situation. While her counterpart's words still stung deep inside her heart, she knew for a fact that she hadn't really meant any of those things, only saying them to get her out of troubles, and so she wanted to help her.
Yet, between wanting to do and actually doing... pondered the white filly If Nightmare is powerless against Celestia, what can I possibly do?
She let her gaze wander around, searching a brilliant idea to save the dark filly, but the rocky landscape proved itself devoid of any suggestion.
Oh, come on! she internally protested There must be something that a filly like me can do!
That thought lit the metaphorical light bulb in her head. Wearing a determined expression, she sprinted towards the duo.
"Sweetie, stop!" cried Rarity seeing her sister getting closer to the other two.
The white filly ignored her sister's plead and, when she deemed to be close enough, she lounged at the princess.
"You better answer me," warned Celestia in a stern tone.
"And here I thought that torture was prohibited in Equestria..." chuckled Nightmare Belle in a tired tone, a rivulet of blood trailing down from a corner of her mouth.
Before Celestia could reply the filly's last teasing comment, Rarity's cry diverted her attention.
"Sweetie, stop!"
The alicorn barely had the time to register the mare's words before she felt something grab onto one of her forelegs. She looked down and noticed Sweetie Belle staring at her, tears swelling in the worst case of puppy eyes she had ever witnessed. And when your sister is Luna and Discord tags along, you witness a lot of puppy eyes.
"Please princess," said the white filly in a pleading tone "Don't hurt Nightmare, she's not a bad pony."
Celestia stood there for a minute that lasted an eternity, only her flowing mane moving, as she peered down at the white filly.
"Perhaps you would like to tell me why you care for her?" asked the princess in her usual motherly tone, lightening a bit the pressure on Nightmare's back "You know who she is, right?"
Sweetie, reassured by the alicorn's tone, let go of her leg and nodded slowly, eyes plastered in her interlocutor's own.
"Than you certainly understand that she is a bad pony, correct?" continued Celestia wearing a warm expression.
"She has did some bad things in the past, but she's different now," explained the small unicorn "We've been together for the past two years and she hasn't done a single bad thing!"
While Sweetie and Celestia were discussing her matter, Nightmare found herself very tired. She closed her eyes and let out a sigh. It wasn't the kind of tiredness coming from the battle that had just ended, it was deeper: she was sick of all of this debating wether she was worth living or not, that same scene had played in her mind since the beginning of this, always bringing the same arguments in favor and against her, to the point that she wasn't sure herself of deserving to live. She bit her lower lip. All of her magical knowledge and power were meaningless in the end: she couldn't defeat Celestia, she couldn't save herself, and, to make the situation even more pitiable, she had put Sweetie in a bad position. She took another deep breath, preparing for the leap.
"Celestia," she called, disrupting Sweetie's tale around the part when she met the other crusaders.
"Yes?"
"I wish to have a word with you, in private."
"You realize you're not in the position to make requests, right?"
"I realize it would be better to keep a foal's hears away from what I have to say," lied Nightmare in a convincing tone.
The alicorn seemed to ponder the matter before asking the white filly to give the two of them a minute.
"So, what is it?"
"Keep her out of this," said Nightmare in a pained tone "Sweetie is a good filly, she doesn't deserve punishment for being kind to me. I'm willing to surrender unconditionally if necessary."
"Wait, what?" asked Celestia, mildly confused by the dark filly's request.
"You heard me..."
"Indeed, but I'm still unsure of what I heard," explained the white mare, surprise still clear on her face "It's not like you to care for others outside your kin..."
"True," conceded Nightmare in a bitter tone, her eyes still closed.
She then felt the pressure on her back fade. She turned her head and gave Celestia a puzzled look.
"I believe we can talk normally," explained the alicorn in a calm tone before giving her a stern warn: "But no tricks!"
"Thank you," said Nightmare sitting up.
"Now tell me, why do you care?" pressed on Celestia after a moment.
"Sweetie is... Different, she has suffered greatly because of me, and yet she is willing to turn the page and start anew," explained the dark filly.
"I see..." said the princess pensively "I'm starting to see the pieces fall into place... Does she know what you think of her?"
"Does it matter?"
"I'm the one asking questions here."
"Fine, I don't know for sure, but I don't think so."
"And I guess you don't know why she cares either, right?"
"Sincerely no."
"I believe you are missing something," stated Celestia visibly amused.
"What?" asked Nightmare in a mildly annoyed tone.
"That is something I won't tell you," stated the other solemnly, yet evidently still amused.
The filly was about to comment on the princess' grin, more precisely on how she was going to make her eat it, when she was cut short by the alicorn herself.
"One last question," she said regaining her serious demeanor "Why did you not get revenge on Twilight or the elements?"
"Well, that's a bit awkward..." said the unicorn scratching her neck with a forehoof "I could say it's due to my weakened magic but it would be essentially a lie... I didn't try to take revenge because I promised Sweetie not to hurt anypony."
Celestia stood peering at her interlocutor, searching for something in her downcast reptilian eyes.
"I see," she said, a subtle grin dawning on her lips "I have a little something in mind I'm sure you'll be eager to help me with."
Before the filly could reply, the alicorn turned to go where Sweetie Belle and Rarity were standing, motioning for her to follow.
The black filly found herself momentary shocked by the alicorn's actions, torn between a hasty flee, a backstabbing attack and surrender. With some caution not to hurt her already mistreated ribs, she got up and did the only sane thing: she started trudging behind the princess.
"I inform you," said Celestia stopping in front of the two unicorn sisters "That Nightmare has surrendered and will be taken to Canterlot to answer for her crimes."
"What about Sweetie? She's not going to be held guilty, right?" asked Rarity in a worried tone.
"Normally she would be charged for helping a wanted criminal."
At those words, Sweetie ears and head dropped, while her sister brought a hoof to her mouth.
"Yet, as per Nightmare's request, she is free of charge."
Sweetie's head whipped up and her eyes locked with her counterpart's. Nightmare gave her a small smile, but her eyes were visibly sad.
"What will be of her?" asked the white filly, her voice slightly trembling.
An embarrassed silence fell on the group.
"I think that the princesses won't risk me coming to threaten them any more..." said Nightmare in a tired tone "Either a life imprisonment or a death sentence."
Words failed Sweetie as she tried to protest, her mouth moved but no sound came out.
"Now," said the princess with a warm smile "I believe you're a bit outdated: we don't have death sentence for ponies since hundreds of years ago."
"But I'm not a pony..."
"You were willingly sacrificing yourself for a filly, to me that's enough."
"Then she'll end up in prison?" questioned Sweetie.
"That, or socially benefitting works."
"Wait, you would put me on public service? Have you gone insane?" asked Nightmare Belle wearing a skeptical look.
"You demonstrated you've changed and Sweetie here confirms, or are you saying you both have lied?"
The dark filly bit her lip but said nothing.
"Thought so," chuckled Celestia "And you surrendered unconditionally, so I think I have just the job for one such as yourself."
"That is to say?" questioned Nightmare rising an eyebrow.
"That brings us to what I wanted to talk about: it seems Sweetie developed a strong attachment to Nightmare, and the feeling is reciprocal, so I'd like to have her spend her term of imprisonment in Ponyville under the elements' watch, if you are okay with it of course."
"I'd like to have Nightmare spend her term of imprisonment in Ponyville under the elements' watch, if you are okay with it of course," said Celestia in her usual calm tone.
Rarity and Nightmare elaborated the request in their mind almost simultaneously, and then both found their brains shutting down.
"Did you hear that, Nightmare?" asked Sweetie Belle in an excited tone, practically jumping in place "You can stay in Ponyville! Can she stay sis? Can she?"
"Uhm, well," said Rarity hesitantly "I believe it's better if we first ask the others, after all I'm in no position to choose for them..."
"She can stay with us at the Boutique, as an acquired sister!" explained the excited white filly.
This doesn't sound so bad... thought Nightmare Belle.
"She can come to school with me!" went on the bouncing unicorn.
I'm a bit past school age, something like a thousand years!
"And since she has no cutie mark, she can join the Cutie Mark Crusaders, then we'll all go crusading together!"
At the perspective of Nightmare joining the havoc-wreaking trio, she and Rarity paled a bit.
"Uhm, Celestia, are you sure life imprisonment isn't a viable option?" half pleaded the dark filly.
"I don't think it is," chuckled the princess, blissfully unaware of the crusaders' talent for mayhem "Now, let us all return to Ponyville, so that this matter might be settled."
"Oh, and Pinkie will surely throw her a welcome party!" continued Sweetie, who hadn't paid attention to a single word being too absorbed in her tirade.
---
The library main room was really spacious, built in order to hold as many ponies as possible, and so, even with all the presents, it was nearly empty. And yet, to Nightmare, it seemed incredibly crowded. And it was only her fault (mainly due to the fact the other four bearers were too busy staring at the princess with eyes as wide as saucer plates): since Celestia had ended recounting the filly's tale, Twilight Sparkle had been staring at her as if she was a rare specimen of some kind.
Well, I guess I kinda am... she thought.
"Let me git this straight," said Applejack ending the shocked silence that had filled the room "We are to keep an eye on Nightmare Moon while she spends her prison term here in Ponyville doin' socially useful work?"
"That's essentially it all, yes," replied Celestia sipping some tea that Spike had provided her.
"Are you sure it is a good idea, princess?" questioned Fluttershy, who found Nightmare's diminutive form much cuter and bearable than the one she had during their first meeting "If it's okay for me to ask, of course."
"It seems that your little sisters have developed a bond with her, and I can't find traces of them being manipulated," explained the alicorn in her motherly tone "I believe she is already trying to change, and so I decided to give her a chance."
"Uhm, princess?"
"Yes Twilight?"
"What does princess Luna think of this?"
"I... Actually I didn't tell her yet..." admitted Celestia fidgeting with her hooves, embarrassment clear on her face.
"Well, I have nothing against the idea of helping Nightmare reform, but I belive your sister deserves at least that much... You better ask her first."
"Ah reckon that if mah sis befriended her she mustn't be that bad, so Ah agree if princess Luna gives the go," stated Applejack tilting her hat backwards.
"She's not that scary, I guess it's ok," quietly added Fluttershy "Especially if she helps keep an eye on Sweetie, Apple Bloom and Scootaloo."
"Wee, gotta go prepare her 'welcome to Ponyville' party!" squealed Pinkie bouncing around the fillies.
"Wait a minute, are you for real?" asked Rainbow Dash with a disbelieving expression as she hovered next to her friends "This is Nightmare Moon we're talking about! She is evil by definition!"
"Why not give her a chance?" asked Twilight without pealing her gaze from the four fillies "Imagine all the good things that might come from her being here!"
"Exactly, might is the key word. Don't you see what a threat she is?"
"She has little magical power and no chances of talking us into distrusting each other," summarized the lavender mare "Pretty meager threat."
Nightmare grimaced at those words: hadn't she chosen to put aside her thirst for revenge she would have been in a tight spot.
"Fine, but don't cry when she goes all 'the night will last forever' thingie again," conceded the pegasus crossing her forelegs and putting on an offended expression, gestures that earned her a round of snickered laughter from her friends.
---
With a soft popping sound, a scroll appeared above princess Luna's sleeping head as she slept, only to fall on it a moment later, waking her.
"W-who? What? Letter?" said Luna, sleep sloshing her speech.
"She lit a candle, opened the scroll and red:
Dear Lulu, the nightmare has been dealt with and now resides at Carousel Boutique in Ponyville. I hope you don't mind. Love, Tia
"What?" stated the lunar princess rereading the short letter.
She rose and walked to the wardrobe, where she started rummaging and mumbling "I know how to solve this... Where is my war hammer?"
---
"No, it will be a cold day in Tartarus before I'll enter there!" stated Nightmare Belle stomping a hoof.
"Come on sis, it will be great!" pleaded Sweetie Belle.
"Like hay it will be! I'm a thousand years too old to be in elementary school! And Rarity wouldn't appreciate you calling me sister."
"Well, ya need history class fer sure: ya have a gap of a thousand years to cover," said Apple Bloom backing Sweetie up.
"Yeah, and the princess wants this too," added Scootaloo smirking "Unless you prefer Twilight's special course."
"Fine, but I won't be held responsible for my actions if that snobby brat, Pearl Crown or whatever, starts 'bullying' me. I hate bullies."
Without further discussions but with some snickering, the four fillies entered the school building and took seat, Nightmare taking care of placing herself in the back of the classroom.
"Hello class!" saluted Cheerilee entering moments later "Today we have a new friend joining us: please, come here and introduce yourself."
The black unicorn reached the desk and faced her classmates, then said in a monotone emotionless voice: "Hello, my name is Nightmare Belle, I'm Sweetie's relative."
"Uhm, yes, good, go back please," said the teacher, who was starting to feel unnerved by the new filly "Ehm, today we'll see the rise and fall of Nightmare Moon."
The unwilling main star of the class, who had meanwhile returned to her desk, slammed her face on it, as the crusaders giggled between themselves.
Stay in Ponyville, they said. It's gonna be great, they said, thought Nightmare with a groan.