Resuming Duties.
The chamber was cast in shadows, not the black shadows of light’s absence, but the pale blues of stars or moonlight. The air was still and the sounds of the world distant giving an ethereal peace to this place.
The walls were of a smooth stone, that seemed to glow with an inner radiance of their own when the moonlight touched them, lending further evidence that this chamber was set apart from the normal world above.
Pale green vines with purple flowers crept down from the darkened roof above. Their blooms lending the chamber a fresh scent, that would not be expected in such a confined and still place. A single water droplet falls from the ceiling above, tumbling slowly as if in no hurry to reach the floor below.
The perfect sphere completes its journey downwards, hitting a mirror that covers the ground. Upon contact the drop is subsumed into the greater mass before the tranquil lake is disturbed and ripples flow outwards from the impact; causing the reflections held within to dance and waver. The walls are treated to a shimmering light show that plays across their worn contours like froth after a cresting wave.
Few beings know of this chamber, even fewer have seen it, for despite its natural appearance this place was created. Moulded, shaped and finally perfected for a singular purpose. It has been many lifetimes of Equestria since the room has been used, the creator and designer having been absent.
Times have changed once more and the cave is suddenly stirred by a wind that has been absent for over a thousand years: Further signs of action become apparent, the sounds of hoof steps on the carved stone stairs grow in volume as a cloaked equine figure descends, their face hidden in shadows deeper than the surrounding shades.
The figure is fully covered as if a mourning shroud. The only clue as to their identity is a horn poking out from under the dark cloth. This intruder completes their descent and pauses for a time, as if taking in the state of the chamber and all within it.
The vines cover most of the surfaces, coiling along the walls and gathering in thickets in corners. A thick layer of dust blankets everything else, the intruder’s hoof prints showing that no one has been here for a vast space of time.
The newcomer seems to reach a decision and with purpose moves further into the chamber. A slightly musical sound echoes through the air, a noise that was once common, but is only now being revived after centuries of absence. It is the sound of magic being channelled and the intruder moves over to a thick clump of vines huddled at the base of the far wall.
With delicate care, a blue aura envelops the plants and they begin to unravel. This stranger slowly unwinding the growth of centuries. It takes a long time to disentangle the vines, several hours of painstaking attention and the stranger does not hurry at their work.
After another seeming age has passed the target of the intruder’s search is revealed: An armour rack, a surprisingly militant adornment for a chamber that was designed for peace and quiet. The rack is not empty either; held in place is a suit of armour, which now revealed, reflects the moonlight and shows off its black luster and silvery inlay once again.
The armour is heavily ornate, with symbols and patterns worked into its surfaces. It is less a suit and more a work of art, lovingly crafted with talent and skill seldom seen in this world anymore. The figure lingers before the rack, simply standing and staring at the master crafted protection as the wind continues to stir the dust of centuries.
As if finding fresh resolve, the figure moves to another tangle of vines and begins the process of unwinding again. As the hours drift by another rack is soon revealed, this one bears weapons however. A collection of swords, knives along with other more exotic items.
These tools of war have been made with the same expertise and care that the armour displayed, their style and design clearly linking the collection together. It is a fraction of time that the figure lingers before the weapons, their manner and stride filled with greater purpose when they move past and on to more thickets of decorated vines.
Further careful excavation uncovers a grind stone, anvil and many furnishings of the smith’s craft. Bellows, buckets for water along with hammer, tongs and files are revealed one after another; thick with dust and fallen petals from the purple flowers.
As the figure moves on, the magical being exerted weaves the vines into plaited clumps so that they hang like gala decorations above the revealed furnishings. The dust and detritus of years is swept away by the spells being woven anew, the power of restoration flowing out like a wave, banishing entropy’s touch and setting right the neglect of ages.
Soon enough the task is finished, the chamber looks as it was once intended to. The figure who is responsible for this revolution stands still before the pool of water, looking down at the reflections within. Another drop of water falls, but this time it originated from within the darkened hood of the figure and as it tumbles a quiet sob can be heard.
The sound of a mare crying filters through the stillness as more tears join their comrade, falling one after the other into the waters below and causing the reflected images to flee from the ensuing ripples.
For the first time since they entered the cave the figure speaks, “One wonders if one is still up to the task?” The regal tones are of a pony who is used to speaking with authority. Not waiting for an answer, they raise their head and let the hood fall back to reveal a dark blue mare. Her cheeks are tear stained and her mane is slightly tangled as the vines were before she attended to them.
Once that mane flowed and rippled with an ethereal power, small stars twinkling within its embrace, but now is still and lifeless. It is a consequence of the power removed from her, a power that will be recovered in time as will the strength that accompanied it. For now however, the pony looks like others of her kind.
With a shrug the concealing cloak dissolves into a flock of bats which swirl around the mare before disappearing into the dark shadows of the ceiling above. As they depart she is revealed to not be a common unicorn after all. A pair of enchanting wings are revealed along with a cutie mark depicting a crescent moon on a black background.
The sobs continue as she looks about the chamber with pained eyes, “One is not ready for such a task, one should not have come here so soon.”
Another voice joined the echoes, calm and confident, “Why should this scare you, have you not proven equal to the duty before?”
Looking around for the source of the voice the pony finds her gaze settling upon the waters below where another mare looks back at her. It was her, only different. The coat black and the eyes of pale green slitted like a dragon’s. It was a face she had hoped never to see again.
“You are not here, you are gone,” Luna said in a quiet whisper.
Her dark reflection simply laughed mockingly, “Oh please, don’t be such a foal. I am you, to have me gone would mean you were gone also.”
Luna shook her head in anger, “No, you lie. The Elements removed you from me and cast you away.”
The reflection cocked an eyebrow, “Do you really believe that? That you can just cast of the strongest part of your spirit and that I would just go quietly? Do not delude yourself, I am you and you are me.”
Luna froze as doubt crept back into her soul once more. Looking up to ensure that she truly was alone, Luna focused on the shadow below her, “I made this place, I know its purpose and design.” She levitated a small pebble and dropped it into the water.
The image of Nightmare Moon distorted as the ripples passed through her, but once they dissipated she still remained, “I told you, I am you. You cannot out run your own heart. I am where you draw your strength to combat the darkness.”
There was a moment of stillness before Luna smiled, “If you truly are me then tell me what this place is for.”
Nightmare Moon snorted in derision, “Simple, this is the chamber you created to prepare yourself each night to face the darkness, to battle the cold evils that try to enter the dreams of our 'beloved' subjects.”
Luna nodded, “Not bad, but what of the pool? What is its specific purpose?”
“These are childish questions foal, I...” Nightmare Moon began only for Luna to cut her off.
“Answer the question, or are you afraid to?” Luna said coldly.
The face of her darker self sneered, “Very well weakling, I’ll play your game a little longer.” She rolled her eyes, “The pool is the portal we used to enter the nightmare realm and fight the darkness. We never really needed it, but it eased our journey.”
Luna whispered something that her reflection didn’t catch, “What was that weakling?”
Luna smiled, “I.”
Nightmare Moon’s face creased up in rage, “You what?”
Luna’s smile became a triumphant grin, “It is the pool where I fought the nightmares, the dark falsehoods that haunt ponies dreams. Not we, you never entered there.
The reflection seethed with rage, “I don’t see what....”
Luna’s voice grew in strength, “No you wouldn’t. You never faced the darkness in here. Nightmare Moon had no use for this chamber.” Luna’s face became solemn, “You are partly right though, Nightmare Moon was me, is me. The madness I let control my soul and bring so much ruin and pain.”
Luna paused before finishing, “But no more, the Elements have lifted the veil from my eyes and I see myself truly, flaws and all. If I am Nightmare Moon then therefore you cannot be so, you’re just a reflection in a mirror for nightmares and lies.”
The image below Luna looked uncertain for a moment, “You can’t mean...”
Luna grinned with predatory vigour, “She never came here, she never deemed this place worth her time: You’re just a bad dream that needs to be stopped, and this place is my armoury. I fought nightmares before I made this place and I never needed it," Luna paused for a moment in deep thought, "Until now I think.”
The reflection screamed its rage as Luna called upon her magic and the armour lifted from the stand and fastened itself about her frame. With another flash of power Luna lifted a heavy sword from off the weapon's rack and hefted it in her aura. The reflection continued to scream in rage and frustration, pounding its hooves on the water’s surface as Luna strode forward and glared down at the imprisoned creature.
Nightmare Moon stopped her assault and locked eyes with Luna, “You can’t win you know, I will always be within you, waiting for a chance to strike again.”
It was Luna’s turn to cock an eyebrow, “Do you really believe that? Still you play the game of pretending to be a part of me shadow. Let us see shall we? If am to face the fears of others and help them to conquer, then surely I must first face my own."
Luna leaned down so that her muzzle was almost touching the pool and to her dark delight the image pulled back. "Know that I pity her, for she will have a terribly long wait ahead. I’m going to keep that part of my soul very, very busy with the likes of you.”
Without uttering another word, Luna stepped out onto the water: Her hooves causing barely a ripple on its surface and closed her eyes in concentration. The image of Nightmare Moon was already fleeing further into the darkness as Luna’s horn ignited and her eyes blazed with power, “Run you nightmare, I come for you.”
Celestia waited patiently in the Royal Gardens of Canterlot Castle and sipped from a small teacup. The sun was setting and she eagerly awaited Luna’s return so that her sister could raise the moon again after oh, so many years.
Just as she began to worry that Luna would be late, Celestia heard the sounds of wings behind her and turning saw the Regent of the Night clad in full battle plate, a sword held in her magic.
Celestia smiled, “I always did think you looked fetching in that outfit sister dear, so glad you decided to wear it again.” She paused, “Surely you don’t need that to raise the moon though?”
Luna’s eyes were bright and a slight smile played across her muzzle, “I was tying up some loose ends, but now I think I'm ready to resume my duties once again.”
Celestia nodded, “Very good sister, I have the moon ready for you skilled hooves.”
To her surprise Luna shook her head, “No sister, all my duties.”
Celestia raised both eyebrows, “I thought you were taking it easy for a while; the dreams of our ponies are, though important, not a vial task.”
Luna shook her head again, “No, I have let our citizens down for long enough, I’m ready to begin what I was created for.”
The older princess looked uncertain, “Are you sure Luna, you don't need to....”
Luna grinned and the old fire in her heart returned, “We run from nightmares no long sister.”
The End.