//------------------------------//
// Nightmares of the Moon 
// Story: Forgotten Romance 
// by Aetaes Wolf 
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Mystic walked behind Celestia, heading to the throne room. Mystic's ears are flat and she tries to keep in stride with the sun princess. The princess walks, keeping her eyes forward. "I told you to stay in your room."

Mystic trots until she can keep up with the white alicorn. "B-but...I can help! I could-"

"No. Go back to your room."

"B-but.."

"I said GO!"

Mystic winces a bit, her eyes widening and she backs away a bit, lowering her head. Celestia looks back at the young unicorn, letting out a breath. "I just don't want you getting hurt, alright? Go stay in your room until this is dealt with."

Celestia walks forward. Mystic stays where she stands for a few moments before quietly following. I won't get hurt. Celestia walks into the throne room, Mystic stays by the door, watching the events unfold from there. Celestia stops when a voice rings out through the room. "Not. Another. Step." Luna walks out from behind her throne, her angered eyes glaring at her sister. 

Celestia looks at her sister, though making no move. Luna walks out in front of her throne. "Did you really expect me to sit idly by while they all basked in your....Precious light!?" Luna walks up to the podium between the two thrones. "There can be only one princess in Equestria. And that Princess...Will be ME!"

Luna slams her front hooves to the ground causing the half-wall of the podium to crack, a part of it breaking off entirely. Luna's eyes glowing white, returning to normal after she closes and opens her eyes. Mystic eyes widen as cracks run along the wall behind Luna, reaching the window and shattering, along with parts of the wall itself. Luna rises up, the moon rising above to block out the sun, the sky becoming dark as night. Black beam shoot from the moon, surrounding Luna in a ball of shadow, and fire. The ball changes into a dark blue, breaking. The shadowed figure of a pony was the only thing that could be seen, a red glow from behind her causing this effect. The pony begins to laugh, landing on the broken podium, the red glow disappears. Mystic watches, her ears completely flat. The pony was pure black, her mane and tail like smoke, reflecting the night sky. The laughing ceases, she glares at Celestia, with hatred and anger. The pony shoots a blast of magic from her horn, hitting one of the statues in the room and lifting it to the ceiling, destroying it and causing parts of the ceiling to collapse.

Celestia takes a few steps forward, looking as the pieces of the roof that had fallen before looking back at the pony. The black alicorn walks forward, Celestia spreads her wings taking to the air. The black pony shoot a blast of magic, aimed for Celestia. Celestia flies out of the way, the blast hits the ceiling, causing a hole to appear in the ceiling, pieces of the ceiling crashing onto the floor. Celestia lands on the floor, looking directly as the pony. "Luna! I will not fight you! You must lower the moon, it is your duty!"

Mystic lets out gasp. Th-that's Luna!? Luna puts her hoof in front of her. "Luna? I am Nightmare Moon. I have but one royal duty now. TO DESTROY YOU!" She lets out a blast of magic, aiming it at Celestia. Celestia spread her wings, flying up through the hole in the ceiling into the night sky. Nightmare Moon spreads out her wings. "And where do you think you're going?" She takes to the air, following Celestia. It was silent, Mystic slowly crept into the throne room. She stopped, letting out a gasp as loud crashing sound came from outside. She heard Celestia scream, watching as she dropping through the hole in the ceiling and onto the floor. Laughter echoed from outside. Mystic darted to Celestia, nudging her with her nose. "Come on! Get up!" Tears form in Mystic's eyes and the alicorn lay there, motionless. Tear ran down Mystics face. "You can't die! Please! Not another...."

Celestia slowly stood up, nudging Mystic with her muzzle to calm her. She looked up, Mystic following her gaze. Nightmare Moon was in the air above them, the moon behind her. Celestia lowers her head. "Oh, dear sister, I am sorry." She swings her head around to look at the entrance to the room. "But you have given me no choice, but to use these." Celestia's horn glows a pale yellow, Mystic's eyes widen in surprise as the floor lifts up, a large mechanism lifting up until it can be fully seen. A large stone ball on a pedestal at the center, stone arms jut out of the side, creating smaller pedestals for the five gems that sat on them. Celestia flies to the top of it, using her magic to lift the gems to her. A sixth gem appears from the stone in the center, this one shaped like a six-pointed star. The gems fly around Celestia, moving faster until light glows around her. Mystic stares is awe as the rainbow light pours from the princess. Celestia flies up, aligning herself with Nightmare Moon. Nightmare Moon's eyes become pure white, as she charges up her magic. The gems form a barrier around Celestia, pulling themselves into position. The five gems pour their power in the star-shaped one, which shoots out a blast of what appears to be rainbow magic. Nightmare Moon lets out a blast of her own magic, the forces meeting in the middle, the rainbow overpowering Nightmare Moon's own magic. The black alicorn lets out a cry, and the magic engulfs her. Mystic looks at the moon, noticing a pony-shaped head appearing on it. Once the magic has disappeared, Mystic realizes Celestia is the only one in still in the air.









A few years had passed, Mystic and Celestia had made a new home for themselves in a small city called Canterlot. The two hadn't spoken much since Luna was banished to the moon, only speaking when it was time for Mystic's lessons. Mystic sits in her room, looking down into the garden below. Celestia walked into the garden, Mystic guessed it was time for her raise the moon. Celestia's horn glowed, using her magic to lower the sun, and raising the moon. She sat down, letting out a sigh, she begin to sing softly. Mystic blinked, using her own magic to lower herself into the garden, walking just close enough to hear Celestia.

"Fate has been cruel, and order unkind. Could I have sent you away? The blame was my own, the punishment yours. The harmony's silent today. But into the stillness, I'll bring you a song. And I will your company keep. Till your tired eyes, and my lullabies, have carried you softly to sleep.
Once did a pony to shone like the sun, look out on her kingdom and sigh. She smiled and said, "Surely there is no pony, so lovely, and so well beloved as I." So great was her reign, and so brilliant her glory, that long was the shadow she cast. Which fell dark upon the young sister she loved, and grew only darker as days an nights passed.
Lullay, moon princess, goodnight sister mine! Rest now in moonlight's embrace. Bear up my lullaby, winds of the earth, through cloud and through sky and through space. Carry the peace and the coolness of night, and carry my sorrow in kind. Luna, you're loved so much more than you know. Forgive me for being so blind.
Soon did that pony take notice that others, did not give her sister her dues. And neither had she loved her as she deserved, she watched as her sister's unhappiness grew. But such is the way of the limelight, it sweetly takes hold of the mind of its host. And the foolish pony did nothing to stop, the destruction of one who had needed her most.
Lullay, moon princess, goodnight sister mine! Rest now in moonlight's embrace. Bear up my lullaby, winds of the earth, through cloud and through sky and through space. Carry the peace and the coolness of night, and carry my sorrow in kind. Luna, you're loved so much more than you know. May troubles be far from your mind. And forgive me for being so blind.
The years now before us, fearful and unknown. I never imagined, I'd face them on my own. May these thousand winters, swiftly pass, I pray! I love you, I miss you...All these miles away. May all your dream be, sweet tonight. Safe upon your bed of, moonlight. And know not of sadness, pain or care. And when I dream I'll fly away, to meet you there. Sleep....Sleep.....Sleep."

Tears run down Celestia's face as she sits down, staring up at the moon. Mystic walk forward, sitting beside Celestia and looking at the moon. "Think she heard you?"

Celestia blinks, looking at Mystic, unknowing the pony had been there. She looks back to the moon. "I hope so." She wipes the tears from her eyes. The two ponies gaze at the moon for a few moments, until the white alicorn breaks the silence. "How do you think she would reply?"

Mystic pause for a moment. "If she was still Luna, I think it'd be something like this." She begins to sing softly, using the same melody as Celestia.

"How my deeds pain me, as time stretches long. How could I have hurt them this way? So rest easy now, my punishments mine. The weight of my crimes are my own. But into the stillness, you brought me your song, with your voice my company kept. For your tired eyes, and sweet lullabies. In exile I pay you my debt.
Once did a pony who gleamed like the moon, look out on her kingdom and sigh. Dejected she cried surly there is no pony, who loves me, or finds any love in my night. So great was her pain, she rose in rebellion, against those who cared for her most. She let the nightmare fall on those she ruled, and threatened to grip them in permanent cold.
Lullay, dear Tia, goodnight sister mine. Rest now in starlights embrace. May this cool lullaby reach you in dreams, and ease you your passing of days. May my apologizes find you this night, and may my sorrow in kind. Tia, you loved me much more then I knew. Forgive me for being so blind.
Soon did her sister do what was demanded, and gave to the Moonlight her due. Breaking the Harmony, she saved her ponies, and banished her, as a wise ruler must do. Such is the weight of the crown that we wear, sister, duties we always uphold. May you forgive that foolishness mine, and live on with no burden upon your soul.
Lullay, dear Tia, goodnight sister mine. Rest now in starlights embrace. May this cool lullaby reach you in dreams, and ease you your passing of days. May my apologizes find you this night, and may my sorrow in kind. Tia, you loved me much more the I knew, may troubles be far from your mind. And forgive me for being so blind.
The space now before us, empty and forlorn. I never imagined, we'd face them all alone. May these sunless season, swiftly pass I pray. I love you, I miss you, all these miles away. May all your dreams be, sweet tonight. Safe upon that bed above all the lights. And know not if heartache, fear, nor gloom. And when I dream I'll fly away to meet you soon. Sleep...Sleep...Sleep."

As small smile creeps across Celestia's face. Mystic gazes at the moon, tears beginning to fill her eyes as she starts to cry. "Why...Why did it have to be this way?!"

Celestia wraps a wing around Mystic, pulling her close. "I don't know....I miss her, too."