NMM & Anon - Counting Stars

>Nightmare Moon watches over her nighttime kingdom as the moon begins to set.
>It seemed like a lifetime ago that she had conquered it for the glory of the Moon.
>"Your Majesty you must rest"
>Her chest heaves out a tired sigh as she moves in from the balcony and dismisses her servant with a glance.
>This generation only knew of the old Kingdom in stories.
>A few unicorns were left.
>A few.
>Her path takes her by her writing desk, pointedly ignoring the treasury files laying there.
>A majestic mare appears in her mirror as she approaches.
>Eyes as ancient as the night gaze into her own.
>A face granted by the youth of immortality matched her own.
>But even immortality didn't seem to be enough.
>She turned from her mirror and strode back to her balcony and looked out once more.
>Far away, even beyond her sight, the rebellion still raged.
>They never seemed to understand.
>Her hoof raised to rest against the balcony railing.
>They only obeyed when she hurt them.
>They never obeyed when she was kind.
>A thought took hold of her mind then.
>But she couldn't do it alone.

"Bring Anonymous to me"
>A loud clop announced that her order was heard.
>Anonymous was an odd creature that had appeared in her court.
>Even as all her subjects cowered in fear, ever since she had first seen him she could see the fascination in his eyes.
>She felt a warmth settle in her as she waited for him.
>It wasn't long before her chamber doors were opening, permitting the strange creature entrance.
>As soon as he was inside his gaze found her and he bowed.
>"My Queen"
>She felt the warmth surge through her again as his gaze rose, how they studied her entirely.
>A grin cracked along her face.
"Let's go count the stars Anon."
>Anonymous eyebrows narrowed in confusion, but he gave a small bow again.
>"As you wish your Majesty"
"Come"
>Anonymous followed his queen as she once again moved onto the balcony and stretched her wings.
>"Um. I can't fly-"
>Nightmare's magic grabbed a hold of him and placed him on her back just before she launched herself up into the night.

>Ancient magic sped them along.
>Black wings pumped with the power of youth.
>Her kingdom rebelled.
>But they would obey.

>"This is amazing!"
>Anonymous had wrapped his arms around his queen's neck, holding himself onto her while trying not to choke her.
"Yes it is. Pity your species has no wings"
>Nightmare fell silent, reveling in the simple pleasure of flight shared with another.

>They soon arrived at their destination and Nightmare slowed down.
>For a few moments they were treated to a beautiful city of crystal spires before a magical dome appeared over it.
>And alarm began sounding throughout the city and ponies began flooding the streets.
>The center of the rebellion.
"I have learned a lesson my little ponies"
>Nightmare's voice echoed terribly over the city.
"Take your city and watch it burn"
>The ponies in the city began moving faster, panicking at what was said.
>The night glowed brightly with the magic of the the Night Mare.
"Let's count stars Anon. One"
>A shooting star fell from the sky and crashed into the shield protecting the city.
>"Two"
>With his breathless voice another star fell from the sky, impacting the shield and causing it to flicker.
"Three"
>"Four"
"Five!"
>The shield shattered.
>They stopped counting as the shooting stars began driving down into buildings, pummeling the city down.
>Her laughter sounded above it all.
>Under the sounds of screams and shouts Nightmare Moon heard a single word.
"Beautiful"