>You are Nightmare Moon
>you have just returned to the planet only to have your joy cut short
>at first the adulation was welcome if unexpected but this soured once you learned an impostor had ruled them
>disgraceful, that some mare would dare to run around thinking she is worthy of the name Nightmare Moon
>and one with such horrid taste in architecture as well
>as you float through the cool night air you thank the abyss none of the ponies are sharp enough to realize you aren't their ruler
>though you should be
>you land on the gaudy castle, it's opulence disgusts you! Where's the flying butresses? The Gargoyles? The vaulted arches?
>as your hooves hit the cobblestone you see guards,once again in the tackiest fucking outfits dragging a..
>is that a minotaur?
>seriously what the buck is that?
>the darkness certainly doesn't help
>either way it looks worse for wear, to the point where even you almost feel for sorry for it
>you clear your throat and flare your wings
>presentation is everything
>the guards draw their spears
>you simply cackle
Fools, do you not recognize thy true queen?
>The guards gasp
>"The impostor." The rightmost one, a Unicorn stallion shrieks
>well looks like the faker keeps some of the brighter bulbs to herself
>they fling their spears only for you to easily knock them aside with your arcane might
>you loudly cackle enjoying the terror as your horn lights up and you throw both against the crumbling masonry
>both are out cold
>with those foals out of the way your attention to the now shivering creature in chains
>it sort of looks like a shaved monkey.
>Why would anypony shave a monkey?
>still something about it's shiver tells you it's sapient, or at least intelligent enough to know commands
>you approach and it jerks away head still held low
Ape Creature! If thou knowest what is best you shall take me to your... OH STARS AND VOID WHAT HAPPENED TO YOUR EYES?
>as the creature lifts it's admittedly oddly cute face instead of occular organs were two still bloody holes.
>it takes every once of strength in your body not to void your stomach of what little lunch has remained in your stomach since your banishment
>"Y-you don't remember?"
>he asks, a voice somehow between shocked, pleading and angry.
Nay.
>You shake your head though you know he cannot see you.
>"But you did this to me Luna."
>you throw up in your mouth a bit
>you may have been a villain, but that was bucked up.
>and the idea that this was the kind of thing associated with your name may have been even worse than the architecture
>"Are you ok?"
>He asks as he hears you almost fail to hold back an avalanche of acidic slime which burns your tongue.
>seriously what the buck was wrong with this impostor?
>the creature didn't even hate you!
>in fact it seemed to care for you
>after around a minute of fighting the acidic burn in your throat you feel ready to speak
>you had to stop this doppelganger
>.. for practical reasons.. that was it practical reasons..
>good excuse
>you had an image to uphold after all
>and besides good help was hard to come by especially when a mare with your face was alienating them.
Creature, thou art clearly a part of this liar's regime! We have decided to take thee as hostage!
>yes hostage, and then interrogate him by applying medical supplies!
>some of those herbs stung after all!
>despite the two major missing organs you can tell by his brow he's confused, deeply confused
>it's the kind of face a pony pulls when one of their coworkers suddenly starts declaring themselves Naponian Bone-Apart.
>in fact he does not even talk
>enough he is your hostage, you do not need his consent!
>you pick him up with your aura, his malnourished frame surprisingly light as he falls on your back
>for somepony tortured by the deciever he doesn't put up much fuss
>like he's resigned
>that hurts... you can't find a reason to excuse that thought but you're sure you can find one.
>the sound of hoofsteps and rough voices signals the approach of more guards
>No doubt armed and ready to attack
>with a running start you leap off the castle balcony spreading your great black wings into the dark night
>"Wh-what's happening?"
>Asks the creature now unnessecarily clinging to your back for dear life
We are escaping.
>hoof wigglers clenched as hard as he can with what little strength he has.
Release thy grip on the royal coat!
>he whimpers
>"But what if I fall?"
>he asks terrified
Do you not trust Nightmare Moon to keep her own hostages secure?
>you ask turning your head with a glare he of course cannot perceive
>he simply shakes his head and grabs on even tighter
Fine but thou shalt receive rougher treatment for such infractions next time!
>you spot a clearing in the forest between a grove of oak trees
>you extend your long legs gently touching down on the soft grass
>you lie down before releasing your grip on the primate
>he falls with a soft thud
>he gets up wincing and rubbing his forehead
>normally you'd not care but.. well with how he was doing it's hard not to
>"So... what happens now?"
>he asks slowly steadying his form
We.. we do not know.
>despite the obvious lack of eyes Anon is now staring at you with deadpan disdain
>the tension is gone from his form but it's probably because he's thinking
>'Now I know you're not my Nightmare because you're an idiot'
>you are truly grateful he can't see your blush at the moment
>you thought this would be easier, show up pretend to be the liar and then easily defeat her
>after all if this wasn't Celestia, surely you were dealing with a mortal
>and copies were usual inferior to the original
>but now you don't know what to do
>you certainly didn't expect to take a 'hostage'
>you steel your nerve and put on an imperious scowl for the few Squirrels and bats watching this farce
Enough, we should be the ones asking questions, and thou art required to answer!
>you hope he doesn't pick up on the insecurity in your voice
>"Alright Luna.."
>He says with a heavy sigh
>"What do you want to know?"
>you huff
You are not to call us by that name.
>you pause
>he would be the first being in a thousand years to be your subject
>what would he call you
Thou shalt call us Queen Nightmare.
>he gives another sigh
>it's amazing how sarcastic this ape can be in such pain
>it's almost impressive
>later on you shall ask what training he received to achieve such an ability
>"Alright, 'Queen Nightmare', what do you want to know?"
Who is the pathetic filly who claims our mantle?
>"Luna."
>you scoff
Tis impossible! We were Luna.
>"You said yourself you didn't want me to call you that."
>he grunts the pain getting to him again
Of course we do not, but that does not change the fact that it is impossible.
>he keeps the deadpan expression
>he really believes that there was a Luna running around before you
>the fact he thinks you're the impostor fills you with a simmering rage
>still your job is to gather information not to berate ponies for their stupidity
Very well, when and in what manner did this 'Luna' first appear?
>"A few years back..."
>he gives a pant the adrenaline rush fading allowing more pain
>"She came back as Nightmare Moon before I got here."
>", got hit by the-urgh- elements, and then she was Luna again."
>odd, this pretender was quite dedicated to this farce
>what caused her to go back to her original plan?
And when did this 'Luna' become 'Nightmare Moon?'
>his face grows somber
>but somehow you can tell it's not from pain
>"Last year... after a fight with Celestia."
>very dedicated
Over what?
>his face grows more miserable
>"Over me."
>you smile a bit, surely this creature is quite useful and now you had him in your hooves
And what were you to them.
>his face grows sadder, his head hangs low
>as if even though his vision is gone he can no longer bear to face you
>"I was her lover."
>Lover.
>the somber mood is shattered
>it was just too humorous
>that you would go so far over a Love triangle
>or that you'd pledge yourself to a hairless biped at all
>you chuckle
>then you giggle
>then you laugh
>>37740234
>in seconds you are now cackling from the pit of your belly
>the echoes penetrating the dark forest
>surely this is a jest
>by the time you come down, anon looks grumpier than usual
Thou art serious?
>he nods
>you giggle some more, this time your body falling on the floor and laughing again
>perhaps this death by laughter is your Doppleganger's plan for you?
>you almost feel as if you're choking before air returns to your lungs
>"Seriously, how do you not know this?"
>you grunt
We were indisposed... lover.
>He harrumphs but it turns into a yelp as the adrenaline finally fades from his system
>letting him bare the full brunt of his pain
>you wince
>you scan the area quickly as if you somehow have a knowledge of which plants can heal
>after your initial search comes up empty you think of the next best thing.
>with your telekinesis you tear a bit off of the creatures worn clothes and wrap it around his eyes
>now for the tricky bit
>healing magic was never your forte
>in fact you have probably hurt more ponies trying to heal them than trying to kill them
>"Wh-what's goin-AAAAGGGHHH."
>Anon falls to the ground reeling in pain as the spell takes effect
>his eyes scaring over in seconds as blood clots and solidifies, skin dissolving and reforming
>after a few more seconds of screaming the creature weakly pushes himself up by his hands
>"What the fuck was that for?"
>you smirk
Consider it payment for tearing our coat.
>you stomp your hoof
Now creature
>"I have a name you know?"
>you ignore that comment
Thou shalt tells us of where we can hide and recuperate from this pretender queen!

>you and the Anon creature have been walking for around several hours
>you have made a fair bit of progress despite the fact you are saddled with a blind biped
>granted you are not going as fast as you wished to but having something to talk to was admittedly nice
>even if you wouldn’t admit it and anon was by no means your first choice
>on the way through the various moonlit forests you have learned much about anon
>he is a human, a species of intelligent ape from a planet named after dirt
>you made sure to ridicule his people for that last part
>not only that but he not only claimed that his planet orbited the sun
>but had landed on the moon via a series of what sounded like a mix of fireworks and explosives
>and without magic no less
>you of course scoffed at the idea but he was very insistent that all of this was true
>and whether it was true or not it soon became clear that he was at least convinced of this
>as you spent more and more time with him
>you had to admit he was rather charming
>in an obnoxious kind of way
So how then does your nation survive without a monarch?
>he gives another smug smile as if he just found a way to playing his trump card
>you had to admit when the war is over he’d most likely make a great bard or scholar
>assuming his singing skills were of course up to the snuff
>”Simple, we just elect somebody.”
>elect?
>that was the system for rural hamlets, surely not a nation in possession of these so called ‘nuclear bombs’
You joke.
>”Yeah we elect someone?”
Pray tell it is at least from the nobility?
>he laughs again
>”Nope, don’t have one.”
Abhorrent, so any lowbred rude may achieve supreme power in thy country? No wonder thy planet is named after filth!
>”If only?”
If only?
>”Yeah.” He says briefly swatting away some of the foliage constantly brushing against his face
>”Most of them are either career politicians, or tv stars.”
>The Tv, that was the magick box which supposedly showed plays at any time with no need of a cast
>you understand now why a peasant or craftsmen would preferable
>the thought of having an actor of all ponies run a global superpower sent shivers down your spine
>it was barely better than having Equestria run by a common whore
>which may actually be happening now considering the state of things
Truly thy world would be better under a united monarchy.
>”Most people would disagree with you. Not that it could hurt any worse than what we have now.”
>you snort pushing your muzzle up
If people are of similar aspect to Ponies, then most of them are incapable of making good decisions.
>you pose dramatically even though by all laws of nature he can’t see you
This is why we shall rule!
>he smirks again, clearly he’s bemused by your response
>an hour ago you would have snapped at him but it seemed to lack the malice and distrust of his previous expressions
>in fact there seemed to be some affection
>did he find you cute?
>that wasn’t right you were to be feared and worshipped not found cute!
>your cheeks involuntarily puff and color as you turn away from him
>you are glad he is blind so that he may not see you
>do you tell him that you are not cute?
>no that would indicate that you see that this was a possibility
>mayhaps you should imply he is cute to establish dominance?
>no that would create a level of familiarity between the two of you that you did not desire
>it was bad enough already he was clinging to you the entire time
>you continue to way your options as the silence soon becomes uncomfortable
>luckily a clearing seems to offer you an alternative
>not only was it close to a brook of water and natural cover
>but from the bushes you could make out the various lights of a settlement
>from which you could do more reconnaissance and perhaps find out more directions to this mysterious pony anon is leading you to
>at this point with a mild shove of your wing you push him off
>eliciting upset, “Hey, what was that for.”
Creature.
>He gives you that consternating glance
Urrrgh Anon in our wisdom we have decided to make camp here
>”Uhh can you still see the Canterhorn?”
>you turn around he’s the one with the mental map not you
Barely.
>He cautiously lays down feeling about for any rocks or crawling creatures first
>”Yeah we can settle down for a few hours.”
>you hear his stomach growl
>”Hey do you have any food?”
The only hunger in our stomach is vengeance!
>”Well that’s fine for you but I haven’t eaten in around..”
>He begins counting off his fingers attempting to estimate the time
>”A day.”
>and right back to irritating
>you were fine on the moon for a thousand or so years
>did always need to eat so often?
>or is this new?
>either way this will be an annoyance
Feed thyself.
>anon gives that glare which once again makes you blush before pointing at his eyes
>”I’m blind remember?”
>right he now has another good reason to think you’re an imbecile
Then what do you want us to do about it?
>your voice a frustrated growl
>”I dunno, fish, find some berries? Hunt I mean those teeth of yours must be good for something.”
>is he suggesting?
>the nerve!
WE WILL NOT BE LOWERED TO THE LEVEL OF SOME SAVAGE BEAST!
>he lays down again his face infuriatingly nonchalant
>gods how it pained you to be forced to make so many concessions to this wretch
>you’re sure if he had eyes they’d be rolling
>”Hey if you want my help, you need to feed me.”
>he’s right
>you throw out more and more of your dignity everyday
>then an idea hits
>there is a village nearby
>Perhaps you could gain sustenance like a civilized pony
>the question is.. how?
Alright one time CYOA bit because I can’t think of anything.
A.Go in and pretend to be the other Nightmare, demand food
B. use cloaking magic to disguise yourself and pay with conjured gold and potentially learn more without rousing suspicion
C.Go in invisible and steal shit

As our Anti Heroes continue on their quest to free the kingdom for themselves , trouble stirs at Canterlot Castle!
>you are Nightmare Moon
>undisputed ruler, no owner of this country
>rule implied things such as these creatures deserving respect and dignity
>as if you smirk remembering what you did to Appleloosa
>and the delicious meal you had as you watched the spectacle
>screams truly are the greatest seasoning
>it also suggested that you truly wished to create a functioning society
>order enforced by fear
>power consolidated by cruelty
>that was Sombra's deal
>the boring old bureaucrat hunched over his war map
>giving up all happiness for some byzantine future plan
>but for you the cruelty and the terror were not the means
>they were the main if not the only point
>which of course meant that in board meetings such as this
>with not a drop of blood to be found your mind started to wander
>yesterday if days are still a measure of time
>the primate Luna loved had escaped
>funny to think your release owed itself to such a pathetic creature
>and Luna's sad little feelings for him
>to think you would let something so weak and sentimental into your heart let alone your body
>when you had much better choices at your hoof tips if you so desired
>still you had to admit he was fun to have around
>not only had he proven quite a thorn in your sides in executing your generals plans so that his captivity was comforting
>but seeing that hope in his eyes
>that love
>feeling the sparks of Luna inside you
>and crushing both was wonderful
>making your black heart soar with glee as you cut him up bit by bit
>all while he still tried to reach out
>besides that, he was yours
>so the fact that the pretender, no doubt some hackneyed rebel plan took him was infuriating
>even keeping you awake at night as you awaited every report with bated breath
>hoping that your toy could return
>right now the meeting which you weren't paying attention to was actually about him
>with any dissenting voices of course kowtowed
>obviously agriculture and logistics came second to a queen's pleasure
>a general turns to you
>a midnight blue Unicorn who had just taken his seat
>not many Thestrals are in your army
>in fact many are your most ardent antagonists
>"Your Majesty, permission to speak."
>you sigh rubbing your face with a hoof
Granted, General Steady State
>"The impostor situation, our reconaissance teams scanned the scene of Anonymous's kidnapping."
>he looks nervous
>you suppose the fear is enough to keep you interested
And?
>you ask with still a fair bit of disinterest
>"It appears the impostor is a true Alicorn."
>your blood runs cold
>if you had a drink you would spit it out
>in a second you use your manna to grab Steady State by the throat
>watching him dangle in the air like a fish on a hook while the rest of the table backs off
LIAR!
>"Your..Majesty."
>he chokes out barely audible
>"It's true."
>it can't be
>you increase the pressure
>his face going from blue to an even darker shade of purple
Are you calling me a liar?
>you made a big point of saying there were no more Alicorns
>both as a way to rob the populace of hope and make them compliant
>but also as a security blanket for yourself
>he shakes his head
>or at least you think he does it's hard to tell as blood begins to gush from his throat
>adding another shade to his once blue face
>with a final squeeze and a rough thud the body falls to the floor
>you give a calm smile before turning to the terrified advisors who sit cowering before you
Anything else before the Crackdown on Manehattan begins?
>another one raises her hoof
>a red pegasus
>you don't know her name
Yes?
>"Your majesty, General State was the one leading it."
>oh
So? Find a new general, with our anti magic bomb it really didn't matter
>another pony raises his hoof
>"Ma'am, General State was the only one who knew how to use the bomb."
>how disrespectful in an instant you levitate a knife to his throat
Then..
>you purr
I'm afraid you will simply have to figure it out, my dear Lieutenant General.
>he nods in delicious terror
Anything else
>shaking heads all around
You are dismissed.
>as the ponies file out tails between their legs you take a deep sip of wine
>or perhaps a chug
>the idea of another Alicorn makes your blood go cold
>just the thought of something that could challenge you horrifies you
>Luna loved challenge, loved battle, going into the thick of it
>and that was stupid
>a fight was only fun if you knew you were going to win
>like your fight against the old Night Court
>trying to 'bring you back to your senses'
>and with these incompetents you surround yourself with
>you aren't sure if your victory is truly garunteed
>seeing that your glass is still not empty you take another swig for good measure

Back to the Dynamic Duo!

B.
>you are Nightmare Moon
>The true Nightmare Moon!
>and at the moment you are doing one of the many unpleasant tasks necessary for somepony at a tactical disadvantage
>disguising yourself as a commoner
>in this case a Unicorn as you figured in an earth pony town conspicuous magic would be more useful than conspicuous flying
>true you've done it before but it never suited you
>battles should be fought on fields
>two armies stampeding
>hoofs raising up dust sorms
>you running at the front towards potential death
>wings outstretched
>grinning to spite whatever Mare or Goddess would dare oppose you
>so this truly didn't mesh well with you
>especially when it was for a purpose as rude as acquiring food
>you didn't even get to infiltrate a fortress
>still as much as you disliked it you knew this was necessary as you drape a magically summoned black cloak over your body
We suppose this will work
>not only that but it is always odd to hear a different voice come from your throat
Nightmare?
>calls anon slightly nervous
>you trot over still getting used to how low the ground is beneath your now stubby hooves
Yes Anonymous.
>he wipes his brow
>"Just wanted to make sure you were still here."
>you snort pawing the ground
Dost thou not think we would tell thee?
>he shrugs
>"Maybe. I mean you are Evil."
>"Right?"
>he says it without malice, more as if stating an obvious fact he assumes you believe
>your nostrils flare
>your hooves begin to tear at the grass
>such simplistic moralism infuriates you
>it reminded you of Celestia and the ponies who shunned you
>to the point where you have to keep your anger in check so as not to shred your disguise
>he senses your anger
>"Well you aren't good, right?"
Nay, but you speak spurious nonsense! Good, evil! We are above such paltry labels!
>you come up closer your disguise now showing your sharp fangs
What makes thee think any may apply either label to us? Let alone to any pony?
>"Woah, woah ok."
>he backs down clearly not intending to make you this sore
>you calm down and remove thoughts of violence from your mind
>you should not beat a commoner for ignorance
>as then there would be none left
>"Sorry, I guess my time with the other one is rubbing off. Half of what she said to me was bragging about being evil."
>you snort looking away
We are not her.
>as your raise your snoot in an imperious manner you take a look at the stars for the first time in days
>the stars from Equus
>despite their beauty you notice they do not change or rotate
>"I understand. I uhh shouldn't have said that."
>his voice brings your focus back to earth
>matters of heaven can wait
You shouldn't
>you walk over to him and gently press your horn to his forehead
>Anon clearly feels the magic coursing into him
>"Wait! What are you doing?"
>to you it seems like nothing has happened
>but to any outside observer it appears he has disappeared
A necessary precaution
>now for the next part
>you trot up to anonymous and begin to charge your horn
>anon despite being blind becomes aware of this and begins to back up clearly nervous.
>you grumble to yourself as a slow gentle beam hits the biped bathing him in blue light
>from your perspective it seems nothing has changed
>but to the rest of the world
>he was invisible if only temporarily
>not only that...
>"I CAN SEE!" He screams at the top of his lungs grabbing onto his face 
>"Holy shit I can see." 
>He follows this foalish routine up with several jumps before falling over a stump
>it was kind of cute
>in a pathetic sort of way
>"What the fuck is going on?" He asks more confused than anything
Fool, thine eyes are as blind as before. 
>you turn aside still acting your part to all the non-sapient animals of the forest
We were merely gracious enough to share our eyesight with thee.
>you scoop him up in your magic as he once again is forced to lean on you
>or at least trail you completely
>"Nightmare, why are you doing this?"
>simple because...
>why were you doing this?
>would it not be easier to leave him here?
>he would surely remain safe and undiscovered
>and even in this state he was a burden.
>never-mind
>you have work to do
Our reasons are above the capabilities of thy puny mind.
>once again genius excuse 
>the best way to hide ignorance is pretending the knowledge is top secret
>you turn and see anon shrug before he begins to look over himself
>babbling quietly about how this is like some kind of 'third person video game'
>surely another pointless earth trinket made to sedate the masses
>you'd tell him to keep quiet, but you have to admit
>hearing a voice 
>any voice besides your own is quite nice after all those centuries of deaf silence
>and dreamless slumber

>you are a hairless biped with flat nails
>so you must be anon!
>right now is probably the weirdest moment of your life
>even weirder than when you got transported to horseland
>currently you are with the corrupted version of your fiance
>the one who essentially had a breakdown and broke your heart in the process
>every night both as a resistance leader you prayed something was possessing her
>because if not, then you Imagine you'd lose all will to live
>to have someone who you loved more than anything to the dark side out of love
>and then immediately see you as a toy for her to sadistically play with was horrifying
>and if it really was her in that castle, did she ever really love you at all
>anyways back to the version you're with now
>yes she's technically Luna's corrupted form
>or at least does a good job imitating her voice
>but she doesn't seem all that... y'know
>corrupted
>she's a bit of a haughty imperious bitch 
>and would probably kill somepony if they were sufficiently in her way
>all in all not the kind of pony you'd want to spend much time with if you had the choice
>but she wasn't evil by any stretch of the imagination
>certainly not the kind of mare who'd do this for shits and giggles
>you decide to distract yourself by looking at ponyville, or rather what Nightmare is looking at
>from the angle alone you can see the disdain 
>though you can't really blame her for that especially as a would be ruler
>the once vibrant community of Ponyville is in shambles
>armed guards patrol the streets casually snatching produce even from ponies who already bought it
>not that the produce itself is much to write home about either
>the buildings are ramshackle and besides the guards, there's a general feeling of desperation and sadness filling the town that breaks your heart
>especially because you know for a fact it's most likely intentional
>you spot the flower sisters moping about, only Lily and Daisy
>you don't know what happened to Roseluck but you assume whatever happened isn't good
>if you were visible and could actually see where the fuck you were going you'd help them
>or at least try to
>not that it'd do any good
>a bit of you wants to blame yourself
>but a rational part of your mind says that if you could set her off like this, it was only a matter of time
>you turn to Nightmare, trying to hold back the nausea of watching your own head come into her field of vision
Nightmare.
>you whisper
We should help these ponies
>she doesn't move her head eyes still on the prize as she trots swiftly towards the fruit carts
>"And we are."
>oh God, is she gonna say how helping herself is helping others
I mean like actually help them
>she snorts
>"And what good will that do?"
Plenty. 
>"Thy planned intervention will make a scant difference in their miserable lives, would a kind gesture or a smattering of meager produce truly make a dent in their suffering?"
Well doing nothing certainly won't.
>"Cretin! We are not doing nothing. We are preparing to create a better Equestria under our rule!" 
>That's actually a good argument
>its egotistical and phrased like a Saturday morning villain's monologue but it makes sense
>even if you don't agree with it
>deciding not to push your luck you nod and leave the sisters to their misery
>a few guards leer at the mare who appears to be angrily talking to herself
>you approach the stands
>most of it's hay or other stuff you can't hope to digest
>the only thing that you can actually eat is cabbage
>"Creature, what can thy species eat?"
>you shrug
Fruits, vegetables, meat... really anything you don't graze for.
>"Very well."
>she approaches the cabbage merchant and older pony you've only seen around occasionally
>" Good day. Merchant how much for thine harvest?"
>she'd be incredibly convincing  if her vocabulary wasn't 1000 years out of date
>the seller looks confused
>"Er.. the cabbages?"
>"Ay... the Cabbages."
>he shuffles around eyeing the guards nervously
>"Uhh that'll be three bits ma'am."
>with some subtle magic she summons three bits
>you heart sinks as you get a closer look at them
>unlike the modern bit which the other Nightmare hadn't bothered to change
>these were silver
>and the last time you'd seen them had been at the Manehattan Numismatics museum when Twilight dragged you there
>"Uhh I can't take these."
>she huffs again stomping her foot and gritting her just slightly sharper than normal teeth
>"Why not, is this not three pence?"
>the stallion clears his throat unsure of whether to be more afraid of the insane mare or the guards circling like hungry sharks
>"Ma'am. How do I put this these aren't bits."
>Nightmare is now pawing at the ground
>"Not bits, truly thou art a cretin! Dost thou not recognize the currency of thine own principality?"
>"Ma'am I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask you to leave."
>oh shit she's pissed
>"IGNORAMUS! WITH YOUR WITLESS DISPOSITION IT IS NO WONDER THINE VEGETABLES ARE DESSICATED!"
>the stallion stares at her for a few seconds trying to work out just wtf she said
>a look of anger forms with the understanding 
>"Hey! Say that to my face!"
>"THAT IS WHAT WE HATH BEEN DOING!"
>before Nightmare can roast the shit out of him Shakespeare style you see she's currently engulfed in a red aura as she's cut off mid sentence
>from what you could gather it was something about the shopkeep's repulsive visage and his low heredity
>you try not to stumble as Nightmare drops to the ground with a rough thud
>"Alright Schizo."
>says a large Pegasus stallion with hair over his eyes
>"Mind telling us just what you're sperging out over?"
>you swear the one in the castle hires high school bullies to be her guards
>a green pegasus mare with a blonde mane kicks her for good measure
>"Tis none of thy concern."
>she growls
>now the mare chimes in struggling not to laugh
>"What makes you think it isn't."
>"The affairs of the mighty are not for the ears of oafish serfs."
>the unicorn, a scrawny red specimen with a sick grin is silent
>still struggling to keep her contained
>now it's time for the Pegasus stallion to speak
>"Hey you wanna say that to my face."
>Nightmare grimaces and looks him straight in where his eyes would be
>defiant as ever
>"Thou art an oaf of the lowest breeding, and thy mother was a strumpet who pleasured griffon sailors for a sixpence."
>he kicks her again
>"Oh really... well let's see whose so high and mighty once we're done with you."
>the three thugs begin to circle her 
>they probably didn't consider her enough of a threat to kill 
>but what they planned was definitely not pretty
>despite this mare being what amounted to the '(comparitively) good twin of the mare who ruined your life
>you almost felt bad for her
>the almost because just as a hoof fell her horn lit and the burly male Pegasus was sent hurtling into the stone fountain 
>clearly breaking a few bones in the process
>in a bit of catlike grace Nightmare got up
>the ambient magic causing her cloak to ripple
>the mare, not expecting the presumably insane and scrawny Unicorn to be able to fight back hesitated before charging
>this was of course a mistake 
>Nightmare put her horn to a much different use by quite literally slashing her face
>the mare was lying on the floor screaming now
>clearly not used to being on the receiving end as she covered the wounded side with a hoof 
>from the looks of the blood trail you imagine she got an eye
>as Nightmare walks over to the offending mare clearly intending to gloat or extract info you see something from the corner of her eye
>the red unicorn is running at her with a spear
>clearly going for the vital organs
>at the moment Nightmare is too busy being smug to care 
>well fuck 
>time to do shit you'll regret
>with a swift jab of your hand and a helluva lot of pain you block the spear
>the metal spike no doubt tearing up your left hand quite nicely
>you shout involuntarily though thanks to the spell only Nightmare can hear you
>she turns around still in battle stance, her eyes moving between the spear and your attacker in rapid secession clearly figuring out what had just happened
>she grins
>a grin of t can best be described as confident bloodlust
>it seemed that while the old Nightmare got off on suffering, this one got off on terror
>the spear was levitated in front of the wide eyed guard
>and in a with a loud crack was snapped in two
>you swear you can see a trickle of piss going down his leg
>Nightmare for her part laughs
>it's not the giddy giggling of the other
>if anything it's more like a female version of golden bat
>she moves closer to the Stallion who for his part is attempting to back away 
>"Well colt, it seems thy toys are of no avail."
>he nods attempting a smile as several other weapons drop from his saddlebags
>"Still it is not honorable to attack a pony whose back is turned, so we think a punishment is due."
>he nods again at this point
>groveling in hopes of lessening his sentence
>she leans down her voice softening
>"Do not worry little one."
>"We will not hurt a hair on thy head."
>the stallion looks up his voice a whimper
>"P-promise?"
>Nightmare grins
>"Promise~"
>before your assailant can catch his breath you see a spiral of pure darkness shoot out of Nightmare's horn and into his eyes
>she throws her head back, the sound of hoofbeats alerting her to the presence of more guards
>at first he seems fine
>but then a look forms in his eyes
>a look of utter fucking terror
>"Oh buck! Oh harmony get em off!"
>"GET EM OFF!" he's practically crying as his hooves beat against his body in an attempt to remove the invisible creepy crawlies
>his aura beginning to tear at his skin
>that was... new
>your Nightmare had never done that
>could she even do that
>and what the fuck was that to begin with?
>just as quickly as the last time Nightmare shoots another wall of black smoke at the impending wall of guards  before grabbing a cabbage in her aura and your non injured hand in her mouth
>soon the screams begin as she begins to pull you into a sprint that your bipedal form can barely keep up with
>you went through alleys and corners that you didn't even know existed when you lived here
>beneath rotting wooden beams and through gaping holes in unused stone structures
>the sound of rats and the occasional shout of a guard only barely audible over the sound of Nightmare's hooves
>after what feels like hours of running 
>you find yourself at the ruins of Sugarcube corner
>even though the candy exterior is mostly wood and plaster
>it still looks like all those confections have rotted
>with a quick shuffle and a swift jerk the two of you are inside the decaying bakery
>Nightmare is panting
>"Creature."
>she huffs
Yeah
>you pant
>you immediately feel a mildly hard smack from a hoof to the face
>"Do not ever do anything that reckless."
>you let out a bitter chuckle
>Nice to know you care
>she snorts
>"Hardly thou art simply too valuable of an asset for us to lose."
Sure.
>you feel something soft and wet land at your feet as Nightmare's vision begins to surreally move away from you
>relying solely on your hands you feel wet leaves and veins
>Nightmare sits with a noticeable plop
>"Just eat thy damned vegetables."