The following short story is based on characters created and/or copyrighted by Lauren Faust and Hasbro. All other characters were created and copyrighted by Roland Lowery.

The author gives full permission to distribute this work freely, as long as no alterations are made and the exchange of monetary units is not involved. Any questions, comments, suggestions, or complaints should be sent to esn1g(at)yahoo(dot)com. Thank you.

"An adventure is only an inconvenience rightly considered.
An inconvenience is an adventure wrongly considered."
-G. K. Chesterton

Nightmare
by Roland 'Jim' Lowery

The soft rustle of her own robes filled Twilight's ears as she slowly approached the throne. It was the only thing that could be heard in the vast hall save for the sharp scratching of pen on paper, both sounds almost thunderously loud compared to the encompassing silence.

Darkness shrouded the far corners of the room, but Twilight felt no fear that anyone or anything lurked there. Even if she hadn't cast her own protective spells before entering, she fully trusted the castle's wards. No one had broken through them in a thousand years, history told, and for good reason. The one who had cast those wards was the tall, stately figure sitting at the far side of the hall, writing quickly but neatly on fine parchment. Her knowledge of the arcane arts far surpassed that of any other. Even with her own natural talent, Twilight could never hope to best her mentor, not unless she too lived to be so many centuries old.

Queen Celestia did not look up when her student finally reached the other side of the table, but Twilight knew quite well that she did not need to make her presence known. She merely waited patiently and faithfully. While she did so, she took the time to reach up and pull the hood of her robes down, shaking out her black and purple striped hair to fall down around her neck. Her bangs trembled slightly then settled easily just over the two small, bent horns protruding from her forehead.

"You are aware of why I sent for you?" Celestia asked, her eyes and hand still intent on the paper before her.

"No, my queen," Twilight answered immediately.

"That is as it should be. The matter I wish to discuss with you is of both the utmost importance and confidentiality," she said. Her voice was not unkind, but it was low and sincere, impressing the seriousness of the situation upon Twilight.

"As you desire."

"There is a threat to the queendom that I wish you to investigate and, if possible and necessary, eliminate." Celestia finished a line, then moved the parchment to a growing stack next to her even as she pulled a fresh sheet over to begin anew. "I have received reports that a being calling itself Nightmare has been attempting to sow dissent amongst my people."

A frown creased Twilight's brow at this. The other woman somehow caught this expression and answered it.

"There is no reason to disbelieve that this person is the creature of legend," Celestia stated authoritatively, "yet neither is there reason to believe. It may be a dread force has truly risen against me. It may be that some would-be usurper is merely using an ancient tale to lend credence to a rebellion that would otherwise have none. The mission that I am imparting to you is to discover what truth there may be to any of this. Can you do this for me?"

Twilight's expression cleared as she bowed at the waist and said, "Yes, my queen. I shall begin my research immediately, and then investigate the matter based on my findings. I will find this Nightmare for you."

"I have little doubt that you will. But I am afraid there is little time for such research. You must begin your journey to Perinville immediately."

"Perinville?" Twilight echoed. "I'm sorry, my queen, but I don't-"

"There you shall meet with the team that I have assembled for you. They will aid you in determining the exact nature of our quarry."

A sinking pit formed in Twilight's stomach as she took in the words of her mentor and liege. "Team?" she asked, then gritted her teeth together and cursed herself for once again repeating Celestia's words. The conversation had suddenly swung far left, and she was feeling off balance. Shaking her head to clear it, she stepped forward and put her hands out beseechingly. "Queen Celestia, I do not believe that I need a team to accomplish my goal. I have performed well enough for you on my own before, and I assure you that I will continue to do so now."

Celestia stopped writing and slowly looked up. Even though her face betrayed no emotion, the white horns that sprang from underneath her flowing hair seemed to sparkle brightly, and the wings that sat close to her back twitched with agitation. Twilight knew that she was walking a thin line by pressing on, but she couldn't seem to help herself.

"I will go to Perinville if you believe it will help, my queen," she said, trying to placate and entreat at the same time, "and I will even do the research as I go. But I don't see any reason to involve others, especially as you yourself desire secrecy on this matter."

"Twilight," the queen said evenly as she gradually drew in a breath and then let it out as a soft sigh, "I have been your teacher and, more importantly, your friend for many years. I have seen you do many wonderful, amazing things in your time here in Cantela and abroad. But you simply cannot allow your self-reliance to consume you to the point where you become insular. If you close yourself off to the aid of others, then when you truly require that aid, I am afraid you will find it is not there, and only too late.

"I worry for you," she continued, allowing a hint of softness into her voice and expression. "But I cannot protect you always. Nor can you always protect me. Not on your own. Please, accept the aid provided by these others. I am asking you as your friend. Do not force me to order you as your queen."

The pit in Twilight's gut had somehow set fire, which she felt twisting up and around her heart. She yearned to say more, and very nearly did, but with a slight bow of her head and a downturning of her eyes, she acquiesced to the other woman's request. Without a word, she pulled up her hood, turned on her heel, and made her way back to the hall's wide doors.

The sound of pen on paper and the thrumming of blood rushing through her ears were the only sounds she could hear as she left.