This foal keeps following me, Celestia take her with you to the moon. Actually, maybe don't.

"This is your room, now goodbye." Nightmare said with the utmost bitter tone she could manage, she headed for the door, her hoof steps proper and prim. The newly 'adopted' Twilight Sparkle was mostly confused and found herself approaching the tall queen.

"Hey, wait!" The purple foal called to the queen, Nightmare would glare through hooded eyes, obviously not pleased with the rather annoying twerp. She had a soft spot for fillies, but the little filly had Celestia's essence and morals built within her, she undoubtedly would prove useless.

Nightmare found herself twisting the doorknob, the door had been ruined and scarred over the decades it hadn't been touched. She really needed to clean this place up, but she just recently got the title as Queen. She smugly grinned at the title. Yet, her ears perked to the cries of a foal.

"What?" She said bitterly. The Queen's tone dripped with anger and impatience, the usually strict yet soft-spoken mare was at a low level with this filly. She certainly barely wanted Twilight, but she couldn't simply leave her there, homeless. She was sickened by the thought of her being practically Celestia's daughter, but things happen.

"Celestia usually reads me a story, so I can go to sleep. I can read it by myself, but I'd love it if you'd... do it. Until Celestia comes back, of course!" Twilight was much younger than Nightmare was used to, not a fully grown foal at all, just a small and rather an idiotic brat. Yet, she could already read well? Hmm.

She brushed it off. "... A story you will have then if you promise to not bug me any longer." Nightmare rolled her eyes at Twilight's eager nodding, the young mare struggled to get into the large and old bed, the Queen lightly groaned at the actions of the filly. She simply levitated her with her magic and put her into the creaky yet warm bed.

The blanket raveled around the foal, she had bright eyes, looking eagerly at Nightmare. The Queen tilted her head before simply pulling out a small book. She simply read a few pages. "Once upon a time..." She whispered, telling the tale of an orphaned foal who learned to be himself. It was cheesy, but enough to satisfy someone of the youth.

After a few painstakingly long minutes of reading word by word, the foal found her eyes weaken. "Sleep." Nightmare said in a quiet tone, which automatically gained a yawn from the filly. She obviously was tired at the very mention of the word.

"... See you tomorrow, we can play in the sun and...everything, like Celestia and I use to do. I can't wait till she gets back..." Nightmare paused momentarily, before re-tucking Twilight in, turning the ever so slightest. "...I'm sure you're excited too." She yawned once more, watching as Nightmare gradually exited.

"Oh, I'm leaping for joy at the thought of her coming home." Her voice went low, as she frowned quietly, giving a side glance to the moon. She huffed quietly, turning off the light, which almost made the room pitch black. Bits of magic danced off her horn and emulated a little nightlight for Twilight.

Finally, silence crept into the halls, she has been Queen for a full week now. How glorious was that? It was amazing. Certainly, she'd prove to be a GREAT ruler, right? For once, maybe she could get an appreciation for what she does! Indeed, everything seemed to be perfect. Aside from the fact she certainly did not know how to be a mother.

She padded through the halls, her eyes gazed upon the walls nearby. Each had its' own special little crack, how utterly pitiful. She had to fix this place up, even if she did it herself. It wasn't too bad, but it had been left behind for ages. It was annoyingly boring to look at too. She needed a spark!

Perhaps that 'Twilight' foal could prove useful though, she could help convert her new subjects into respecting their supreme leader who could say no to Twilight's adorable face? She couldn't deny, despite being the pupil of Celestia, she certainly had the flare of no other foal she's seen this past week. Certainly not as social, she kept her nose in a book, and honestly, Nightmare could relate oddly.

She understood the need for solitude and alone time, it was the utmost importance to her, of course, constant loneliness drove her mad. She just wanted a few ponies to appreciate her, even her sister was enough. But alas, Celestia proved too BUSY. Nightmare's inner demons boiled with rage, but at the same time, her inner self leaned with guilt.

You just banished your sister for a thousand years. Her mind rung that toward her a dozen times over.

Though, she couldn't deny the fact that Celestia was prepared to use that attack back. In the long run, even if she was Queen, she had an emptiness in her chest that still swarmed her. She had her throne, yet she hadn't gotten what she quite wished for, and she would keep working toward it.

"Ugh..." She whispered under her breath, she needed to perish her thoughts of her sister, enough about her. What about that new foal? She certainly has to look the part to be considered a 'pupil' to you, since you're her 'substitute.' A kind bun and buttoned-up outfit would do her good. Honestly, it would make her feel more proud to be in the foal's presence.

She wouldn't put that weight on the filly quite yet, though. She still couldn't grasp the concept that she was now a Queen, mother, AND mentor. It was quite a heavyweight. She could barely handle all the overwhelming emotions pounding into her heart all at once, and yet a part of her screamed for her to wake up. She tilted her head quietly. Nightmare Moon progressed through the castle with caution. Unaware that a figure was following close behind.

Her eyes wandered to the ground, watching herself move forward through the silent castle, as the shadow behind her grew closer. She hadn't noticed, as she was much too lost in thought, even a bit weary from the day. It was miserable, yet she felt so very happy and still couldn't believe this! Celestia would've apologized. She shook her head quickly, banishing those thoughts from her mind.

As the moon was raised higher and the darkness swarmed the night even more vastly, the shadow finally made its' way right near the Queen. Her eyes darted to it, she took a short moment to process the situation, but in a turn of events, she swiftly turned and bared her fangs to the shadow. Her horn glowing, ready for battle. Though, her eyes settled upon an unlikely sight. "Miss Sparke, why are you out of your bedchambers?"

The foal looked almost ashamed, her words caught her throat drastically. Her eyes swelled up with liquid, as she tried to find the right words. "I had a bad dream."

"..." Nightmare stared in disbelief, but alas expected it from someone of her age. She used her main instinct and slowly wiped the tears from Twilight slowly. She looked up, still holding onto her blanket for dear life. "It is but a dream, do not let it plague your mind." The foal simply leaned up against Nightmare, huffing into her coat. Suddenly, the wings of Nightmare wrapped around Twilight.

What am I doing? I need to get to work. Nightmare's thoughts tried to pull her away, but a force kept her in place.

"Will you tuck me in again?" Twilight whispered in an innocent voice, as she melted deeper into the Queen's embrace, she was warmer than expected. It was surprising to her. But yet, Nightmare seemed in utter confusion. There was just a slow and accepting nod.

"Yes, yes. Fine...last time."