Nightmare's Anon


                                            >"Picking flowers?! I would rather prostrate myself to my sister than to ever involve myself on such coltish acts!

                                            "Well you've been eating, sleeping, and shitting under my roof for a month and I think it's time you pull your weight around here."

                                            >"I am to be FEARED! By all who gaze at my visage!"

                                            "Used to be feared. Now it's either that or I kick you out."

                                            >"You wouldn't."

                                            "I would."

                                            >"And what's stopping me from removing you from your own home and claiming it as my own?"

                                            "By the sheer fact we're having this conversation right now."

                                            >"...Just give me the basket."

                                            "Here's the list as well. Make sure you look at the picture very carefully to know which is what you're looking for."


                                            ---------------

                                            >"Alllrgiht girls! Ready to have our 'Catching Bees with our mouths' Cutie Mark?"

                                            >"Yeah!"

                                            >"Yeah!"

                                            >The Cutie Mark Crusaders were off to the bare edges of Everfree looking for beehives

                                            >Applebloom was in charge of carrying the bug nets

                                            >Sweetie Belle is holding the honey-scented mouthwash

                                            >And Scootaloo was armed with binoculars to scan their surroundings

                                            >A few hours pass and with no luck

                                            >Sweetie Belle was the first crack

                                            >"Girls... Can we take a break? I think I'm gonna throw up."

                                            >"C'man Sweetie Belle. Its still tha aftahnoon."

                                            >"No no no. I think I might need to take a rest."

                                            >The young filly unicorn laid down on her side under the shade of a tree

                                            >"Isn't it supposed to be this season where bees go out find flowers Bloom?"

                                            >"Ah don' know. All I know is apple seasons."

                                            >"Huff Huff."

                                            >Scootaloo looked at Sweetie Belle with concern.

                                            >"Jeez, Sweetie Belle are you alright? You're kinda breathin' real hard."

                                            >the said filly furrowed her brows in confusion

                                            >"That's not me girls."

                                            >They followed the heavy breathing to a clearing

                                            >A tall robed figure was prodding something in the fields

                                            >All of them looked at each other and nodded trying to approach the figure to satisfy their curiosity

                                            >They could here the figure, a mare's voice, mumbling something

                                            >Scootaloo was the first to speak

                                            >"Uhmm... Excuse me miss?"

                                            >The figure's hidden face turned slightly towards the trio before facing away from them

                                            >"Oh! Uh. C-Can I help you little ones?"

                                            >"We were just asking if you found some bees or beehives around here?"

                                            >The figure was silent at the question before speaking

                                            >"I haven't found any. Maybe check the eastern region of the forest? I've known that they like to make it their home at this season."

                                            >"Cool! Thanks miss!"

                                            >With that the trio headed to were they were pointed to

                                            >The figure relaxed and continued to pick on the flowers with their horns

                                            >"Wow she seems nice."

                                            >"Ah don't know Sweetie Belle. Mah sister tells me we shouldn't talk to strangers."

                                            >"Pfft. How could she be dangerous? Especially when she's out here picking flowers like a colt."

                                            >"TIS NOT A COLTY ACT YOU PRESUMPTIOUS WORMS!"

                                            >The three turned around immediately to find themselves face to face to an enemy long forgotten by their sister figures

                                            >"N-Nightmare Moon!"


                                            >"Yes. 'Tis I, Nightmare Moon! I am here to remind you cretins of the true ruler of Equestria!"

                                            >Scootaloo was on her knees bowing towards the cackling alicorn in fear

                                            >Applebloom wanted to book it but she didn't want to leave her friends behind

                                            >Sweetie Belle was on the verge of tears

                                            >Oh how she missed this

                                            >She bared her fangs towards the Crusaders

                                            >"Now now, you troublesome idiots will pay for questioning my maresculinity."

                                            >Scootaloo looked up towards the fear incarnate with tears in her eyes

                                            >"Please, we didn't mean to! Don't eat us pretty please!"

                                            >"SILENCE!"

                                            >The voice was enough to freeze the fillies in place

                                            >"Now, as first order of business, you three will take back at what you said."

                                            >The three looked at each other and then at Nightmare Moon

                                            >"Well?!"

                                            >"Uh-Uh your face looks strong!"

                                            >The alicorn smirked and looked to the side, letting her hair flow into the cosmic winds

                                            >"Why yes it is."

                                            >"Yah! And uh- mah sister said you're the scariest thing she's ever seen."

                                            >"Of course it is."

                                            >"Oh! And when I went as you during Nightmare Night, I was voted the ugliest monster ever!"

                                            >The rest looked at Sweetie Belle

                                            >"What I made it myself. I'm proud of it."

                                            >The filly suddenly finds herself snout to snout with the usurper

                                            >"And you think I am ugly?"

                                            >"Well-"

                                            >A flash of sharp teeth and slit eyes embodies her whole vision

                                            >"DO YOU?!"

                                            >"No! No! I don't- I didn't mean to- I... WAAAH!"

                                            >Sweetie Belle broke under the pressure and started bawling

                                            >The alicorn pulled her face back in surprise and the duo accompanied their crying companion

                                            >Applebloom glared at Nightmare Moon

                                            >"Look at wah ya did! Yah made Sweetie Belle cry."

                                            >Nightmare huffed and looked away

                                            >"Well of course I did. I make ponies cry. That's my purpose"

                                            >"And you call yourself a ruler when they're suppose to make them happy!"

                                            >That pulled the alicorn in to a stop. She glared at the puny worm who questions her right

                                            >"Of course I can make her happy! Watch."

                                            >She approached the crying unicorn

                                            >"Hey there."

                                            >Sweetie opened her eyes to see Nightmare trying to pull a silly face by sticking her tongue out.

                                            >But her rows of sharp teeth and glowing eyes just made her think she was going to be eaten

                                            >"AAAAAAHH!"

                                            >"Ya made it worse!"

                                            >Nightmare Moon stomped her hoof in frustration

                                            >"Well how am I suppose to help her then O smart one?!"

                                            >As the three bicker over the crying filly, the alicorn sensed a magical signature she felt before

                                            >Honesty

                                            >She growled in frustration and turned away from the trio

                                            >"I'm wasting my time here. Beware you three! For if you ever cross me again, eternal nightmare awaits!"

                                            >Her wings sprung out through the robes and splayed wide enough its shadow encompassed them three

                                            >"Beware!"

                                            >She galloped away from them

                                            >"Beware!"

                                            >As soon as she disappeared to the tree line, an orange earth pony entered the clearing

                                            >"Bloom?! I heard cryin' over here!"


                                            ---------------


                                            "So, how was the trip?"

                                            >"It was... it went well."

                                            "Uh huh. Where's the basket. "

                                            >"... *inhale* "

                                            "Where's the basket."

                                            >"You didn't give me one."

                                            "Also why did you punch holes in my robe."

                                            >"You know, giving strangers your personal belongings is a bad habit one must overcome."

                                            "And the flowers?"

                                            >"SOMETHING HAPPENED ALRIGHT?! I had to flee because some fillies recognized me and I forgot to bring it back with me."

                                            "..."

                                            >"..."

                                            "Now did the telling the truth help you feel better?"

                                            >"Silence."


                                            ---------------


                                            >Edge of Everfree Forest

                                            >2:35 PM

                                            >A pink snout sniffs the flower in the fallen basket

                                            >"What do you think Pinkie Pie?"

                                            >The instinct-driven mare turned to her friend, Twilight Sparkle and saluted

                                            >"It smells like evil, narcissism, and a whole lot of hay chips ma'am!"

                                            >The junior princess sighed at her friend's enthusiasm and formed a magic bubble around the evidence

                                            >She felt over the basket and flowers and felt tracings of their nemesis

                                            >"Looks like the CMC were right girls, Nightmare Moon was here."

                                            >Fluttershy visibly gasped

                                            >Applejack just pulled her stetson up

                                            >"Well ah don't care if she's back! She's ganna pay for messin' with mah little sister!"

                                            >A streak of rainbow zipped passed them and turned around to arrive at the group

                                            >"Rainbow Dash did you find anything?"

                                            >The pegasus shakes her head

                                            >"Nah, I looked all over and couldn't find nothing suspicious."

                                            >The cocking of a crossbow was heard

                                            >Rarity was sporting a white sun hat alongside a toothpick between her teeth

                                            >"Well even if we can't find the dubious wench, we'll be prepared for anything!

                                            >"Rarity, why are you even wearing that?"

                                            >The fashionista gasped and landed slammed the stock of the weapon to the ground

                                            >"I will not allow my sister's reputation be blemished by a thousand-year old mare! Her school life was practically dead when they've heard of the incident."

                                            >"Oh, but where is she now?"

                                            >"I've had Spikey-wikey take care of her needs while we're gone."


                                            ---------------

                                            >"C'MON COLT! WHERE'S MY SAMMICH!"

                                            >"Coming!"

                                            >Sweetie Belle was on her bed and watched as Spike entered the room wearing a bowtie and carrying a PB&J Sandwich

                                            >He hurriedly placed the food to the nightstand

                                            >"Is there anything else?"

                                            >"Dance for me."

                                            >Spike was perturbed by the order but nonetheless put his hands on his back and swayed his hips

                                            >The little unicorn sported a goblin grin on her face

                                            >"Mmmm yes. Mama like."

                                            >'The things I do for love.'


                                            ---------------


                                            >"In any case, Fluttershy! Do you happen to know what these flowers were for?"

                                            >The shy butter horse pulled a flower with her wing and examined it closely

                                            >"I know these ones, these are often picked for their medicinal properties."

                                            >Twilight turned away to shake her hoof at the sky

                                            >"So she was trying to help herself up before she attacks."

                                            >"But these flowers need a lengthy process just to make healing solutions-"

                                            >"The fiend!"

                                            >"Twilight-"

                                            >"THE FIEND!"


                                            ---------------


                                            "Oh would you look at that, those nice mares are keeping my ingredients safe. I should introduce myself."

                                            >"Don't you dare! If you as so much as embarrass me or mention my current status I will-"

                                            "Send me in an eternal nightmare yada yada yada I get it."

                                            >"I'm serious! Those six may not look like it but I begrudgingly admit that they wield magic that I haven't seen since forever."

                                            "Aren't you suppose to research about the Elements of Harmony to figure out a weakness?"

                                            >"It- It must be a fluke! How come they get to have more magical power than my sister, who is a purebred alicorn!"

                                            "Must be a generational thing."

                                            >"Whatever! I demand you cease your illogical obsession with plants and take me home immediately."

                                            "Awww so you do care."

                                            >"I do not! I only keep you alive because you have the means to- wait where did you go?"

                                            >"... FFFFFFFFFF"

                                            ---------------


                                            >"Ok girls! Remember to stick to the plan."

                                            >"What plan?"

                                            >Twilight rubbed her crown and scolded Rainbow Dash.

                                            >"The one we discussed as we were getting here?"

                                            >The pegasus just shrugged

                                            >"I wasn't listening, got to boring since we've saved the world a bunch of times."

                                            >"This is crucial! We may not now how strong Nightmare Moon has become."

                                            >"Ah thank she's right Rainbow, we couldn't know how long Nightmare's been lickin' her wounds."

                                            >"C'mon, we all know how this song and dance goes. She appears, says some boring take-over-the-world speech, we use our elements, zip zap bop she's gone. Celebrations all around and I get to smack some stallion tush."

                                            >Sunhat Warrior Rarity scoffed at the speedster's summary

                                            >"We don't do that! At least not that last part."

                                            >Pinkie was confused at what the princess had said

                                            >"You mean we don't? But some stallions go to the Sugarcube Corner and ask me out for a cupcake."

                                            >Fluttershy raised her head in surprise

                                            >"Wait they do? Do you have some of their letter addresses?"

                                            >Twilight stomped her hoof just to get her friends attention

                                            >"Girls! Look, we can schmooze with some hot studs later. Right now we need stop Nightmare Moon first!"

                                            >"Just stay together, and we fight as one."

                                            >"We ain't holdin' back!"

                                            >"For my sister's pride!"

                                            >"For Equestria!"

                                            >"For some hot stallions!"

                                            >"YEAH!"

                                            >Something tapped on Twilight's shoulder and a soothing male voice spoke to her.

                                            "Excuse me miss, would you kindly remove your magic bubble? I need to retrieve my basket here."

                                            >"Oh sure, hold on a sec."

                                            >The bubble surrounding the basket disappeared and the tall figure picked it up

                                            "Thank you, have a pleasant day."

                                            >"Thank you too sir! Goodbye!"

                                            >The figure walked away as Twilight faced her friends again.

                                            >"Anyway, we should stay vigilant in case anything strange happens here."

                                            >She sees all of them slack-jawed as they continued to stare at the stranger walking away

                                            >"T-T-T-TWILIGHT!"

                                            >"What?"

                                            >Rainbow put her hooves on Twilight's head and pointed it at the figure leaving with their evidence


                                            >"HOLD IT RIGHT THERE!"

                                            >Twilight readied her horn as the stranger stopped in its tracks

                                            >It's cloak billowed in the wind as its head turned slightly towards her group

                                            "Yes?"

                                            >She had a pause on what she was going to say

                                            >What was it?

                                            "I'm waiting."

                                            >Hold on! The words caught up on her mouth

                                            >Wait

                                            >She held her head up high and responded marely

                                            >"That basket belongs to me."

                                            "No it isn't it's mine."

                                            >"Wrong! That was in custody of Equestria, therefore it doesn't belong to you."

                                            "I mean I did ask for it and you gave it away."

                                            >"That-That doesn't count!"

                                            >"Wait wasn't Nightmare Moon carrying that according to Applebloom? If that's suppose to be her, why does she look gangley?"

                                            >Fluttershy chimed in, already ruining your mojo

                                            "Yeah she kinda left it behind. You know how she is."

                                            >The figure 'shrugged'

                                            >But if it knew her...

                                            >"Then you must be in league of her! A minion of evil!"

                                            >All the mares readied themselves for a fight

                                            >Only for a colty spontaneous laughter erupted from the figure, even holding his middle section with his other limb

                                            "-HAHAHA! Oh that's a riot. You really don't know?"

                                            >The stranger had to stop himself giggling before speaking

                                            "Well I would tell you, but it's patient confidentiality so goodbye."

                                            >It turned around and started walking away.

                                            >"Oh no, you're not getting away that easy buster!"

                                            >Rainbow Dash sped towards the figure mustering up all the strength her wings had

                                            >Everything was in slow-motion, butterfly wings fluttered moved at a snail's pace, blades of grass flowed in a pattern to her eyes

                                            >As she was a hoof's close to the figure's cloak, it turned around suddenly

                                            >In one smooth motion it brought up a single stubby claw from its sleeve, and gently touched her nose

                                            >She could see it mouth something to her

                                            >'Boop'

                                            >The sudden downward thrust on the tip of the blue projectile changed its trajectory entirely

                                            >Right into the ground

                                            >Rainbow Dash landed face first into the grassy terrain and left a long trail of misplaced earth and mud until she stopped

                                            >Her legs bucked in a panic as it protruded from the mound of dirt gathered from her landing

                                            >The rest of the Mane 6 were flabbergasted at what happened

                                            >Twilight only saw the figure moved for a split second and sent Rainbow into the ground

                                            >The figure turned to them, with their cloak covering up their face but she could tell they were amused

                                            "Good try but try to bring someone faster next time."

                                            >With that, the figure continued to walk towards the tree line

                                            >She gritted her teeth and tried to lift the figure up in the air

                                            >However, try as she might, her magic can't reach them

                                            >The alicorn princess exerted so much energy into her horn but nothing happened to the figure

                                            >Think of something fast

                                            >"Rarity, crossbow!"

                                            >The unicorn broke from her shock and tried to aim at the figure

                                            >With a single tug on the trigger with her magic, the bolt flew far

                                            >And landed a meter away from her target and poked into Rainbow's Butt

                                            >"HHHHMMMMFFF!!!"

                                            >Rainbow cried out in pain underground.

                                            >The figure looked back and was surprised

                                            "Oh dear, you should get that looked at."

                                            >Okay this is getting ridiculous

                                            >Instead of targeting the entire body, Twilight decided to yank their hood off

                                            >They stumble backwards as their entire head is finally revealed and they turn towards her revealing themselves to be

                                            >"H-Human?"

                                            >They or he judging from his facial structure, looked at the Princess of Friendship and spoke with a low tone

                                            "You know of me?"

                                            >The two exchanged looks in silence before the human turned away

                                            "Well, guess that cat's out of the bag."

                                            >After that single comment, the figure disappeared into the treeline


                                            ---------------

                                            "Heya, got my stuff back, that you left by the way, let's go home."

                                            "...What?"

                                            >"H-How did you?"

                                            "Did what?"

                                            >"You know what I mean! How did you move so fast that Loyalty got her turd kicked in a-and- what did she call you? Hyooman?"

                                            "Can we do this later? I mean, you already know about how I interact with magic."

                                            >"I know! But being immune to magic and being blindingly quick to catch something moving at the speed of light is different! You're hiding stuff from me again!"

                                            *sigh* "I'll tell you about it all later. Right now, I have a burnt hooves to fix since SOMEONE thought it was a good idea to challenge the local dragon for her hoard."

                                            >"Hrmmmmph!"

                                            "Oh don't you 'Hmph' me missy."


                                            ---------------


                                            >5:10 PM

                                            >Princess' Twilight Log

                                            >We had first contact with Nightmare Moon's forces

                                            >So far we had one casualty

                                            >"Twilight I'm not dead."

                                            >Not only that, but the enemy forces manage to get some sort of magic that negates magic

                                            >Anti-magic magic

                                            >Truly Nightmare's plans know no bounds.

                                            >"Um, Twilight? Do you want the blueberry or the raspberry cupcake."

                                            >"Raspberry please."

                                            >After the culprit escaped deeper into the woods, all of you grouped up in Ponyville Hospital

                                            >So far, Rainbow Dash got some bruises in her face from the impact and a red spot on her butt from Rarity

                                            >Nothing like unicorn magic couldn't fix

                                            >Applejack decided to cut the tension in the room.

                                            >"So Twilight? Ya said the thing was a hyooman?"