Nightmare Rising
A My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic Fan fiction
By Mark D. (Halpthiuian) Smathers


    Luna was walking down a strange corridor.
She had no recollection of how she got there, or where she even was, though she found it strangely familiar.
Maybe this strange fog was the problem. While she could see the walls were clearly old and dilapidated, it kept her from seeing much detail.
Then she heard the voice.
“Luna, Luna, Luna. You are such a disappointment to me.”
It was frighteningly familiar, yet hard to place. As if the walls were distorting it somehow.
She hazarded a guess, “Celestia?” she called, “Please, I-I shall do better. I promise.”
The dark figure that stepped out of the shadows right in front of her proved her guess wrong, “You're even stupider than I dared think,” It jeered, “Why, you didn't even recognize your own voice!”
“Nightmare Moon!” Luna gasped, involuntarily stepping back.
She only got a couple of steps before finding herself gripped by powerful arms that, while they held her no tighter than necessary, were impossible to struggle free from.
She looked up to find a leering canine face. A face that brought back memories she had been trying to forget since her friends had originally freed her.
He winked, said, “Miss me Sweet Lips?” and pulled her to him in a manner that brought a flood of abusive memories to the fore.
“Patience, Megamutt,” Nightmare smiled, “She's not for you, yet,” She pressed her face to Luna's, filling her vision with her beautiful turquoise dragon's eyes, “At least not until I am back in control.”
With that she reared up, making Luna think for a moment that she was going to strike her.
Instead, she stayed upright, her shape shifting to accommodate her new posture.
Luna watched, fascinated despite herself, as Nightmare's shoulders broadened, her flanks rounded, front hooves split into multiple digits, shortened and formed hands, and breasts formed on her chest.
The luridly red dress that appeared seemed more of an afterthought than any real attempt at modesty. The neckline was cut deep enough to reveal an excessive amount of her breasts. The back was  low enough to allow her tail to flow freely over the top of the skirt. Which was slit up one side so high her entire cutie mark was exposed.
The drink that appeared in her hand made Luna scowl with disapproval. She had endured far too many hangovers that had rightfully belonged to Nightmare.
Then she realized it hadn't materialized magically. Her gaze unwillingly followed the arm that had handed Nightmare the drink. Up the instrumented vambrace and shiny black armlet. Past the ornately runed breastplate to the mud colored lapine face of another of her old tormentors.
“Why, thank you, R'Tagget,” Nightmare said as she sampled her drink, “you always know what a lady of quality needs.”
The tall, bipedal rabbit took her free hand, kissed it and said, “But of course, My Dear Nightmare. A gentlefur must always be aware of his lady's needs and desires,” He smiled, “And, as promised, I hath brought an individual of interest to thee.”
Another figure appeared out of the fog. He, too, was bipedal. His face had the sharp features of a fox. His hazel eyes raked Luna, clearly unimpressed with what they saw. He turned to Nightmare, liking what he saw there much better, and Luna saw that he was digitigrade like a pony. Though his boots undoubtedly covered paws rather than hooves.
R'Tagget introduced his sky-blue-uniformed superior, “Nightmare Moon, mayest I introduce to thee, Col. Mumarsan Khadafal.”
Khadafal kissed Nightmare's hand, “A pleasure to meet you at long last, Ms. Moon. Your beauty certainly lives up to its reputation.”
Nightmare preened at his insincere words, knowing full well that he intended to betray her at a later date. But, for now, he was useful to her plans. Speaking of which, “Thank you, Col. Khadafal. You certainly live up to your reputation as well. Now, I wonder, what do you think of our current project?” She indicated Luna.
Khadafal looked her over like a herder buying a piece of livestock. Getting a little too intimate at points. When he forced her mouth open to check her teeth, she would have bitten him if Megamutt had not grabbed her horn to effectively immobilize her head.
“Doesn't look like much,” he smirked, “But I surmise that is why you requested the seed.”
“I'll give that pointy-snouted son-of-a-buck 'Not much to look at',” Luna thought, seething, “Right up his blank-flank...” She paused as the rest of his statement sank in, “Seed? What seed?”
“You'll see in a moment, My Dear,” Khadafal answered.
Luna cooled off instantly. She hadn't realized she had said that last aloud.
“R'Tagget?” Khadafal commanded, “If you please?”
R'Tagget disappeared into the fog momentarily. He returned carrying a small silver box. He opened it, bathing himself, Khadafal, and Nightmare in blood red light.
“Ooh!” Nightmare marveled, “So that's a 'Demon Seed'?”
“Aye,” R'Tagget grinned, “And of the highest quality.”
Megamutt rumbled his appreciation, “Sweet! I remember when the Colonel gave me mine. You're gettin' a power boost like you never even dreamed of.” 
Nightmare smiled in anticipation as R'Tagget surrounded his hand with a blue-glowing ward and removed it from the box.
Luna felt her blood freeze when she saw it. It was about the size and shape of a large chicken egg. It didn't just glow red, but had black veining that writhed in a way that turned her stomach.
R'Tagget took the seed to Nightmare, drew out a tendril from one end, then pressed the end to her chest.
After a few pleasurable moments, she started to exchange lewd comments with her compatriots.
He finally removed his hand, leaving the tendril still sticking out of her chest. Then turned toward Luna.
Megamutt grabbed her forelegs and spread them as he drew her upright.
The seed began to glow yellow-hot at the end facing her. The end R'Tagget was bringing closer to her exposed chest.
She struggled in spite of herself as he brought it into contact.
“N-no! P-please! Don't!” she heard herself say.
The pain was incredible as it burrowed into her.
“AAAAAAGH! IT'S EATING ME FROM THE INSIDE!!!” She screamed, closing her tearing eyes in agony.


She opened them again to the concerned face of Twilight Sparkle.
Momentarily confused, she looked around. The strange hallway was gone. Replaced by Pinkie Pie's room above Sugarcube Corner.
Her tormentors had also been replaced by her friends.
Everypony was there: Rarity, Pinkie (of course), Rainbow Dash, Applejack and Fluttershy, the Cutie Mark Crusaders (Apple Bloom was still wearing her crown from an earlier game). Pinkie had even convinced Zecora to show up. A good time was had by all.
Right now, though, everypony was looking at her with varying levels of fright, concern or both. She turned to see the Cakes and her Lunar Guards peering in from the doorway. She hadn't realized she had screamed that loudly as Pinkie had installed good soundproofing to avoid waking the Cakes with a late-night party.
“Are you alright, Luna?!” Twilight was repeating herself, trying to get a response.
“Huh? Oh! Aye. Yes, Twilight. W-we are fine... just fine...”
“Y'all don't sound 'Jes fahn' ta me, Sugahcube,” a frankly skeptical Applejack said, “'Specially aftuh thet part 'bout bein' et from tha insahd'.”
Luna started. She must have said that out loud. She looked at the others and knew she would be immediately caught out if she tried to lie. The story of her nightmare and what she had suffered at Nightmare's hooves during her exile poured out uncontrollably.
When she finally wound down, a dumbfounded AJ said, “Wa'll ask a silly question...”
She looked over to her sister, who had a horrified look on her face, “Welp, don't look lahk either o' us is gettin' much more sleep tunnaht. Huh, Sis?”
“Twahlaht!? Lookit Luna's aura,” was what Apple Bloom had to say.
Luna looked closely at her eyes and immediately regretted winning that bet with Twilight. She had wagered that she could teach an Earth Pony how to do magic. The soft glow in the filly's eyes was evidence of her success.
A double flash of light brought her attention to Twilight and Zecora. The brighter glows in their eyes attested to their greater skills. The horrified expression on Twilight's face, and the grim one on Zecora's told her everything she feared to know even before the zebra potion crafter spoke, “Very great is Luna's need. For what you see is a Demon Seed.”
Twilight's gorge rose at the sight of the glowing red mass with its hideously writhing black veins. The worst of it was, it appeared to be gnawing at her friend's soul.
She cut off her aura-vision to avoid making a disgusting show of her own, seeing Luna looking normal as ever as she gratefully accepted a cup of tea from Mrs. Cake.
A whiff of chamomile and a soft “tink” from her right made her notice Pinkie serving her a cup of her own. Which she accepted with a, “Thank you, Pinkie,” allowing the soothing aroma and taste to settle her nerves.
Once in a somewhat calmer mood, she immediately decided she was in over her head. This was definitely a time to go to Celestia for help.
She borrowed a quill and paper from the Cakes (wondering, momentarily, if the princess would find the incongruous pairing of the cheerful letterhead and grim body of the letter amusing) and set to work on her report.
The aroma of hot cocoa mingling pleasantly with that of her tea soothed her further as she realized what good hooves they were in with Pinkie and the Cakes. She made a note of their kindness to Luna in her letter, and after attaching a note to the guards at the princess' chamber door, sent it off to Canterlot Castle.
When the light of the teleport spell faded, she noticed the darkness in the room. She must have been working by the light of her own magic when the lights were turned off.
As her eyes adjusted to the darkness, she saw that everypony had gathered in the center of the room. Surrounding Luna and the foals in a tight, protective knot.
Seeing it was still several hours until sunrise, she decided it was best if she got as much sleep as she could. It was looking like a very long day coming up.


The sun was up and streaming in between the curtains when she awoke. But that wasn't what woke her.
What did the deed was the scroll that materialized a good yard above her head. And that might not have done the job if it wasn't for the thick wooden dowel rolled into the center.
It made a satisfyingly (at least if the sender had been present) loud “thwack!” when it hit her.
“Owww!”
Luna looked over, “Art thou alright, Twilight?”
“Yeah. I'm fine, Luna,” She smiled ruefully as she rubbed her head and unrolled the scroll, allowing the dowel to clatter o the floor, “Just noting your sister's displeasure with certain instructions I gave her guards with last night's letter.”
“Ah, Celly,” Luna smiled, “Always giving advice, but rarely taking it thyself.”
Twilight read the message, “Heh. Good thing I had them tell her after she raised the sun. She's sending some chariots to pick us up as I speak.”
Scootaloo was at the window, “I think they're here!”
A clatter of wheels on the road outside confirmed her observation.
“Huh!” Luna groused, “So much for breakfast.”
The truth of her words became all too evident as the Celestial Guard hurriedly hustled everypony out and into the waiting chariots and made a beeline to Canterlot Castle.
They were just as hurriedly hustled through the castle to Celestia's drawing room, where an unmistakably agitated sun princess awaited.
“Luna! Thank goodness you're safe!” Her breathless delivery betraying her emotional state even further, “When I saw Twilight's letter about the attack, I feared the worst.
“And rest assured, the guards who failed you shall be dealt with. Severely!”
Luna looked over to Twilight, “Something tells me she didn't read the entirety of thy letter.”
Celestia gave them a blank look, causing Twilight to blush in embarrassment for her teacher.
“Maybe she had other things on her mind?” That sounded lame even to her.
Celestia went over to her desk, picked up the letter and started reading it again. Her face turning redder the farther past where she originally stopped she got.
“Heheh. Oh dear,” she looked at the rest of the group. Everypony was disheveled from being dragged out of bed so hastily, Luna's crown was still on Apple Bloom's head where she had evidently grabbed it on the way out to the chariot, the Cakes' foals were fussing and clearly needed changing, and, worst of all, Rarity still had her mud mask on, “Oooohhh dear!” Her face turned red as Big Macintosh's coat.
“I'm so sorry, Everypony. Maybe we can continue this after all of you've had a chance to freshen up and eat?”
Everypony thought that was a great idea.

After a quick wash up and toilette (relatively speaking for some, Rarity just reveled in the luxury of having access to the Royal Makeup Kit and Beauticians while AJ and RD found a quick shower and brush up sufficient),  everypony met in the informal dining room. Apple Bloom couldn't resist strutting in showing off her new gold and diamond ribbon, which AJ couldn't resist teasing her, “Now don't y'all go turnin' all Canterlot Nobility on me, now thet y'all've got a new pretty.” 
To which A. B. gave the inevitable answer of, “Pppbbbth!”
Celestia entered with the Cake Twins enjoying a ride on their new royal auntie's back. The elder Cakes were thanking her for compensating them for their lost morning's business.
“You're quite welcome,” she said, “Frankly, it's the least I can do to apologize for unneces-sarily disrupting your business.
“But now, I must insist you have something to eat before taking that long trip home on an empty stomach with a pair of equally hungry foals in tow.”
The Cakes couldn't argue with that.
After a pleasant meal the Cakes left to salvage their business day (they were somewhat dis-appointed to find that Pinkie couldn't accompany them) and the rest could begin with the business at hoof.
“Where to begin,” Celestia sighed, “Twilight, do you have any idea what's going on?”
Twilight pursed her lips, “Not exactly. However I think Zecora might be able to shed more light on this than I can.”
Celestia looked questioningly to Zecora. “Do you know what's behind this?”
Zecora's expression was grim, “To your request I can accede. Luna has been infected with a Demon Seed.”
The sudden look of sheer horror that came over Celestia's face would stay fresh in the memories of all in the room for the rest of their lives. Her irises shrank almost to nonexistence, her coffee cup smashed to the floor as the shock broke her concentration, and she had to work hard to control her breathing for a minute before she could speak.
Twilight nearly panicked when she saw her normally unflappable teacher in this state, “Celestia!”
When she finally found her voice, all she could say was, “Omygoshohmygoshohmygosh! W-why?! Why?” she wept.
Twilight hugged her, the CMC and Luna rushed up and joined in, until she regained control, “You-you're sure about this?”
“Yes I am, unfortunately. As certain as any mortal can be.”
This didn't do her composure any good.
She sighed heavily, visibly pulled herself together and asked, “Well. Does anypony have any ideas on what to do about this?”
“An exorcism.”
Everypony looked shocked at the suggestion. Not so much about the idea. But rather at its parent.
“Pinkie,” Celestia asked, “How do you know about this? That rite hasn't been performed in over 1000 years.”
Pinkie wore a scarily serious expression as was rarely seen on her, “Yes. But the memory has been preserved in stories for that long, too.”
This was too much for Twilight, “Pinkie, please. We've got a serious situation on our hooves here.”
“I am serious.”
Twilight looked over to Celestia hoping for some sanity. To no avail. She was clearly taking Pinkie's suggestion seriously, “Princess? This can't be real, can it? I mean I've never found any serious reference to demons and exorcisms in any of the books I could find in any of the Royal Libraries.”
“And you won't,” Celestia sighed, “It's my fault, really. After a few centuries without any attacks from the Netherworld, we thought there was no further need to retain easy access to such dangerous materials. So over time they were moved to the more secure sections of the libraries, then to secret archives. Where we were a little lax about their preservation. Not to mention the complete lack of up to date translations.”
She became downcast, “So now, when we need them most, we don't have them to work with.” She began to sob.
“But didn't you keep any for yourself?” This from Sweetie Belle.
Celestia's head jerked up as if she had been shot, “What did you say?”
Sweetie was unsure if she had said something wrong, “Uhhhmm... Didn't you keep any of that stuff for your own use?”