Thirty Minute Pony Stories

“So, we meet again, Twilight Sparkle!”

The dark-coated alicorn, dressed head to hoof in the ominous armor of Nightmare Moon, took a step forward. Twilight took a step forward, as well, her eyes narrowed and her teeth bared. The air in the still, dark library practically hummed with the tension that was stretched between the two ponies like an overwound string.

“Nightmare Moon,” whispered the young unicorn, her voice a quiet snarl. “I should have known that this was your doing.”

The two ponies began slowly, cautiously, circling one another. As they performed their deadly dance, the circle tightened, like a noose around a neck. Finally they were nose to nose, close enough that Twilight could feel the alicorn’s breath on her face, wet and warm.

“You cannot defeat me, little pony,” Nightmare Moon hissed.

With a fierce grin, Twilight pressed forward. “I’ve won against you once already. I can do it again.”

“Ah, but that was with your friends by your side. Now? Now, you are all alone … and you are all mine.”

Twilight shivered at the words, spoken in a deep, dark timbre, but did her best to hide that they’d shaken her. Squaring her shoulders, she replied, “Perhaps I am alone right now, but the magic of friendship never really—Luna! Would you please stop laughing?”

Nightmare Moon tried, and failed, to stifle her giggles. “I am sorry, Twilight Sparkle, but you are engaging in that … that thing that you do.” She gave the smaller mare an affectionate nuzzle. “What is it called again? Nose scrunching?”

Twilight sighed, even as a blush warmed her cheeks. “Yes. It’s called nose scrunching.”

“It is very, very cute.”

“Luna!” Still blushing, the unicorn still put on her very best stern tone. It didn’t seem to do much to stymie the other pony’s giggles. “How are we supposed to have role-play night if you constantly break character?”

Nightmare Moon smiled sheepishly. “I am sorry, Twilight. Truly.”

And she really did look sorry, too. So much so that, after a moment of two, Twilight gave in and leaned forward to press a gentle kiss to her lover’s lips. “It’s all right. I guess I just wanted tonight to be perfect and, well, you know how I can get sometimes.”

“I do, indeed. But there is something that I must point out.”

“Oh? What’s that?”

“Tonight is not yet over.”

Twilight frowned thoughtfully for a few moments before her suddenly eyes lit up, the way they always did when she’d just had an idea. “True enough! And I assure you, my dear Luna, that if I have anything to say about it …” She grinned wolfishly as her tail swished behind her. “ … the night will last forever.” 

Norse Pony’s comments: D’aww, what a sweet, cute take on the prompt. I love your sense of metaphor, like the circle tightening like a noose around a neck. And you change emotional gears in the story with grace and adeptness. Also, did I mention how cute this was? Because it was.