The unicorn was approaching Ponyville after months of wandering away from Equestria. They had passed through Everfree Forest to pick their favourite treat, a Zapapple apple. They were not afraid of the dangers of this forest; thanks to their ability, creatures such as Timberwolfs were not a danger to them.
The unicorn was arriving southeast of the city, so they passed in front of Fluttershy's cottage. Finishing their apple with one last bite and throwing the core over the shoulder, they approached to see if the animal caretaker was there. A pegasus was there, surrounded by her animals: Harry the bear, Angel the rabbit, Elizabeak the hen, birds, snakes, beavers and many others. all of them were there to comfort her, to try to make her smile again, in vain. She had lost so much that her heart was broken. That pegasus that was there was no longer Fluttershy.
The unicorn was disconcerted, and called the pegasus. Fluttershy timidly looked up and crossed eyes only to lower them immediately. The unicorn asked a question that was never answered, as the pegasus turned her head away, shoulders lowered. Angel laid his paws on one of her hooves, to help her overcome her growing sadness. The pegasus gently took him to seek comfort, and all the animals joined the embrace to try to help her overcome the flood of tears that were now rolling over Fluttershy’s cheeks. The pegasus had no reason to leave her cottage after all.
The unicorn was troubled, so they knew they would not get more information. Their thoughts were racing faster than their hooves as they galloped toward Ponyville. They expected the worst, but nothing could prepare them for what had become of the small country town. Admittedly it seemed the same in the main lines, but the small details were not misleading. The joy of living was practically absent from the general atmosphere. The guards operating in the city wore armour similar to that of the bat ponies, decorated in shades of purple and blue. Even the statue of the fountain was replaced to glorify the reign of Nightmare Moon. No, it wasn't Nightmare Moon who was the model for this statue. It was Luna standing there, transfigured as she was consumed by her anger, a new Nightmare, and it was easy to understand for those who could support the look, that this monster was overshadowing her predecessor.
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The unicorn was disturbed. They galloped faster, attracting the attention of the guards, but they didn't care. Soon they arrived at the library. But when they rushed in, only Spike was there, surprised to see this unicorn. Again they asked this simple question. Spike's reaction was almost the same as Fluttershy's, with his index finger he pointed in a vague direction and answered.
The unicorn was incredulous. They could not believe what they had just heard, and short of breath, they resumed their journey. Following the dragon's instructions, they left the city and arrived at the top of a small hill overlooking the Great Plain. It was one of the names given to the cemetery, the one at the foot of the mountain on which Canterlot was built.
The unicorn was scared. They refused to believe what they had heard. Yet there they were, walking down the aisles. They arrived in a special section dedicated to the illustrious personalities of Equestria. They did not want to enter it at first, but their heart was crying out for them to go and see. Step by step, they dragged themself, forced themself, and step by step, they approached the stele. But they could not take their eyes from their hooves, shaking, their whole bodies traversed by a terror that they had never felt before.
The unicorn looked up, with great effort. At the simple sight of the Cutie Mark engraved on the stele, everything broke inside them, tears came to their eyes.
In a jolt, Bitter Truth straightened up on his forelegs, waking up in tears with a short breath, he carried the hoof around his neck to reassure himself that he was awake. He exhaled, driving away his melancholy, and for a moment this sinister vision of his mind. He removed a ceramic mask that covered the upper part of his face, on which was carved loose webbing worked into a pattern around a central hole this enchantment seemed to be there to prevent any oniric intrusion. He was satisfied that the enchantment of the mask was effective enough to first prevent Luna, then Nightmare Moon from perceiving and learning about his recurring nightmares. It was thanks to Princess Celestia that he was able to create such an object. She, who had to protect herself from her sister’s pranks before she gave in to her jealousy and became Nightmare Moon. However, the satisfaction was short-lived, the vision of this tomb haunted him more and more every day. Even if the present time was different from the vision in his nightmare, he couldn’t get over the vision of his friend’s death.
The unicorn cried once again.