-Months later after Nightmare Moon's defeat...-
While Luna did appreciate Celestia wanting to protect her name, she believed Equestria deserved to know the truth. So she did just that, she told the nation the truth about Nightmare Moon, and to her surprise most of Equestria was very forgiving. Which was very much a relief to Luna, as Celestia had convinced her to go back to Ponyville for this Nightmare Night holiday.
Dusk was getting ready putting the final touches on his costume.
"Ha! Now I look just like Starswril The Bearded! Hey Spike you ready?"
"I sure am!", he replied.
Spike was dressed as a dragon as he came downstairs.
"Spike... Why are you dressed a dragon When you are one?", Dusk asked.
"It's meant to be ironic.", Spike smiled.
Dusk chuckled, "Well come on little bro, you ready for your first Nightmare Night?"
"You bet!"
As they walked out into town all Dusk could think about was that night.
-Meanwhile...-
Meanwhile Luna was flying to Ponyville on her personal chariot. She sat silently and worried about the night ahead. She hadn't taken part in many festivities. Let alone in public with citizens. However she felt she did need to make a dramatic entrance so she thought of something.
-Back in Ponyville...-
Dusk was having a good time, despite his irritation that nopony knew who he was supposed to be in his costume. But he seemed to be somewhere else. Distracted. Spike noticed this.
"Hey Dusk you alright?", he asked.
"Hmm... Oh. I'm alright Spike. Just thinking about recent events...", Dusk responded.
"Hey I know you faced off against Nightmare Moon, but it all worked out didn't it?"
Dusk smiled. He knew Spike was right. After all this was no night to be distracted by negative thoughts.
"Now come on let's-"
Spike was cut short by thunder clouds and lightning in the sky, which was strange because the sky was clear a second ago.
A chariot starts speeding down, her bat-pony soldiers flying dangerously fast towards the ground. When it made it to the ground the passenger stepped out. At first it looked like the the menacing figure of Nightmare Moon stepped down off the chariot, and ponies trembled.
Luna knocks her hood off with a simple head motion and looks out onto her subjects. She speaks out in her Canterlot voice. "GREETINGS SUBJECTS! IT IS US! THE BELOVED PRINCESS OF THE NIGHT!"
Luna nodded signaling the chariot ponies to leave.
The ponies still trembled the memory of Nightmare Moon's return still fresh in their minds.
Her ears droop but she remains regal. She thrusts her hoof, "GREET THY PRINCESS!"
The ponies she pointed in the general direction of thought she was going to "smite" them.
Luna pulls back, confused as she looks around at them.
Pinky yelled out, "EVERYPONY RUN!"
They all ran except for Elusive, Sweety Belle, Spike, and Dusk.
"Pinky that was uncalled for!", Elusive said.
Luna drooped her head and ran off into the woods.
"Spike stay with Elusive and Sweety Belle, I'll be right back.", Dusk told his assistant.
Tears welled up in Luna's eyes, and she ran to towards the Ever Free stopping in front of a statue of Nightmare Moon, and she stared angrily at it.
She then hears a familiar voice from behind her.
"Princess Luna?"
She turns around to see Dusk dressed as Starswril The Bearded.
Luna's ears flatten and she looks away. "Nice costume..."
"You remember me?"
"Yes, Dusk, we do. Go ahead and scream in fear of the Terrible Nightmare Moon..." She mutters, laying down.
"Now why would I do that to the first mare I kissed.", He chuckled.
Her ears flatten. She didn't seem to take the joke right.
"Don't worry, I haven't told anypony in case you are wondering. I think your entrance just startled everypony is all."
"Enough to make one who saved us scream to run?..."
"Maybe Pinkie (I'm still trying to figure her out), and others, but not me. I could tell the type of pony you are, when uhh... You know... You didn't get angry, or upset with me, and you were just as surprised as I was."
Dusk smiled, "Plus how can I stay mad at an artist like yourself.", He looked at the stars, "The night has never been more beautiful."
He looked back at her.
She looks up, smiling at him, "Thanks... We were hoping seeing such beauty would allow us to come and be welcomed here..."
"Come on Princess Luna. Come with me, I think I have a friend that can help you with communicating with other ponies, show the town you are not Nightmare Moon."
She slowly stands, nodding softly and turning to follow him. She glances back at the statue however.
"Princess...", Dusk said as he noticed this, "Come on, lets leave this place."
Luna nodded and followed.
On the way to where they were going Luna looked over Dusk's costume, and was surprised how accurate it was.
"Very good detail Dusk. Thou even got the bells and constellations right."
Dusk smiled, "I think you are the first one to figure out who I am supposed to be. If I remember correctly you knew Starswril... Princess, do you mind if I ask you a question?"
Luna nodded.
Dusk had a huge stupid grin on his face, "What-was-Starswril-like!?!"
Dusk covered his mouth as he realized he had almost been yelling.
"Sorry...", Dusk said lowering how loud and fast he was speaking to normal.
"All Celestia ever gives me is books on him. She never tells me her first hoof experience with him."
Lunas ears flatten. "We apologize Dusk. We know this answer would be great for you but we made a pact with our sister not to talk about him."
"Oh...", The smile disappeared from Dusk's face and his ears drooped, "So you can't tell me anything?"
She shakes her head. "We are sorry Dusk..." ,her ears droop as well and she looks away.
"I suppose there is a good reason...", Dusk sighed, "I am not upset, just a bit disappointed. Well it looks like we are almost there."
They approached what appeared to be a cottage.
"Now don't worry Princess, my friend Fluttershy has the tiniest sweetest voice. I'm sure she can help you."
Dusk knocked on the door).
"GO AWAY THERE IS NO CANDY HERE!"
Fluttershy had yelled so loud that it even startled Princess Luna slightly. The shout was nearly on par with the royal Canterlot voice.
Dusk smiled awkwardly, "Umm... Fluttershy... It is me Dusk Shine."
"Oh...", Fluttershy cracks opens the door slightly and looks out, "Hi Dusk. Oh and hi Nightm-", Her pupils shirk, "Nightmare Moon!", She slams the door shut.
Luna backs up, seemingly about to walk away, "Maybe we shouldn't..."
"Hold on...", Dusk told her, "Fluttershy, you remember Princess Luna right?"
"Yes...", She squeaked.
"Do you think you are in any danger?"
"..."
"Fluttershy?"
"No..."
Fluttershy opened the door slowly and walk out fiddling with her right hoof on the floor.
"How c-c-can I help you P-Princess?..."
Luna takes a breath, "WE WERE TOLD THOU COULD TEACH US HOW TO SPEAK WITH THY CALM VOICE?"
"Sure...", She squeaked.
"HOW SHOULD WE START?"
"M-Maybe... Be a little... Quieter..."
Her voice lowers a bit. "HOW ABOUT NOW?"
"Perfect-lesson-over.", She said quickly as she tried to flee back inside only to have the door slammed in her face by Dusk.
Dusk turned to Luna "Princess... Have you ever considered speaking without the royal *We*?"
"WITHOUT THE ROYAL WE? BUT ISN'T THAT PROPER. IT IS ONLY APPROPRIATE THAT WE DO SO."
"Maybe 1000 years ago, but do you see Celestia using it?", Dusk replied.
"U-uh... NO."
"Fluttershy did have the right idea though, try speaking a little more softly."
"Is this good?", Her voice is still a bit raised.
"Better, now a little more."
"How... About... Now?"
Dusk was stunned by how her voice sounded, "It's... Perfect."
She blushed as Dusk smiled warmly at her.
"Thank you.", She replied.
"Now let's thank Fluttershy."
Fluttershy's eyes were still spinning from hitting the door.
Luna hugged her, "THANK YO- I-I mean... Thank you Fluttershy, this will help us- I mean me to win the hearts of the villagers."
"Umm... You're welcome...", Fluttershy whispered.
Luna put Fluttershy down.
"Now just follow my lead Princess.", Dusk told Luna confidently.
"Luna...", Luna said.
"Hmm?"
"Call me Luna." she smiles warmly.
Dusk smiled, "Alright I will... Luna."