~ Nightverse ~

Luna wasn’t ready to retire. She hadn’t ruled nearly long enough.

Yet again, dearest sister Celestia was taking away what rightfully belonged to her. Her crown. And no discredit to Twilight of course, she probably would have what it took to rule, but it just wasn’t fair. Why not pass the reigns fully over to Luna? She was a princess. She had experience ruling. Surely amongst everyone she would have been the most deserving. But no, instead, Celestia insisted she come with her in leaving their royal duties behind. She didn’t even ask, she didn’t even tell Luna of her plans to retire herself let alone the both of them.

Luna wasn’t about to be pushed over yet again. It was due time for a new era, but not one of harmony. Nightmare Moon had failed before, but she knew how not to fail again. The Elements of Harmony were gone for good, and a new, unprepared, juvenile alicorn was on the throne. Equestria was already weakened by the previous ‘Final Battle’ and had only just begun picking itself back off the ground. The stars could not have aligned themselves more for this old queen’s return.

Nightmare overthrows the mane 6 with ease and turns Celestia, Cadence and Discord all to stone. After a dramatic monologue, Nightmare reveals her first royal venture is to claim herself a companion. A bride. She needed a vessel for an heir. Not that she planned to go any time soon of course, but one cannot be too prepared.

She slowly circles her way around the 6 hopeless and fatigued ponies, contemplating, but also enjoying the tension, before finally stopping at the hooves of one miss Pinkamena Diane Pie. Pinkie is told to rise, and she does.

“Yes… The pink one shall do just nicely in providing us with an heir.”

Why Pinkie Pie though? She could’ve chosen Twilight Sparkle for her magic. Or Rainbow Dash or Applejack for their strengths. Or what about Rarity, who also has unicorn magic? Or Fluttershy, who has a notable control over animals? What’s so special about this seemingly normal earth pony?

Her chaos magic.

Pinkie possesses a magic never before seen in any other equine, and Nightmare Moon is fully aware of this. Pinkie can’t channel her magic properly though, which makes her perfect since she can provide a powerful heir without being able to potentially overpower Nightmare, unlike all the others.

As time goes on and Equestria settles into a new routine, Nightmare Moon somewhat… softens. She never wanted to be this evil, manic queen everyone imagines her to be, but she had to take on that role to get to be where she was now. To secure her place and title. No one listened when she tried with reasoning. Now that she was finally where she needed to be though she could afford to loosen up some.

Throughout the entirety of the ordeal, Pinkie Pie kept up a positive attitude, if not to reassure everyone else then to reassure herself. Nightmare appreciated this quite a bit. She wasn’t going to actually force a child onto Pinkie of course, she was evil, not a monster. Her plan was to use Pinkie’s DNA for a child and carry it herself, or have one of her loyal followers do so. As Nightmare began developing affections for the strange little pink pony though, her plans kind of changed. She could postpone the heir for now. It was too soon anyway, no need to rush. Pinkie was surely under much distress, even if it was just taking a piece of her DNA it would still also be /her/ child.

Why did this suddenly matter to Nightmare. Why was she so concerned about Pinkie Pie’s comfort and wellbeing. She cared about others sure, but never to this extent had she worried so much for someone before. Never had she so desperately craved for someone’s approval before. Never had she just wanted someone’s company before. Never had her cheeks gone so… red before?

Pinkie just had a certain aura to her. You could trust with your whole soul that she would do whatever it took to make you smile. She was silly, she was upbeat, she was positive. It made a nice change for Nightmare.

Nightmare will end up actually trying to court Pinkie Pie, not restlessly though so Pinkie doesn’t get more spooked or think she has to go along out of obligation. It takes a /long/ time, but Pinkie falls for her too. None of her friends know what she sees in Nightmare really, but Pinkie knows. She sees Luna.

When Nightmare relaxes more, so does her control over Equestria. She’s still secure in her position of power, but life falls back into somewhat normalcy and peace, just as how Nightmare and Luna both desired it to be. Celestia is still imprisoned in stone, but Cadence and Discord are eventually turned back, having their magic nerfed.