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// Darkest Before the Dawn 
// Story: Crystal Nights 
// by Spellbound 
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Luna glided away from the location of her recently ended visit to the Crystal Empire in a daze. Part of her was in complete shock; Cadance would ask for something so absurd, and she even had the gall to compare her motivations of this plan with her own duties of looking out for Nightmares. What did she know about the Nightmares? What right did Cadance have to tell her, the princess of the night, what was and wasn’t her duty? The other part of her, however, hung on that last sentence. Was looking into ponies’ dreams to match them with others really as bad as fending off the Nightmares from the citizens of Equestria? Part of her jumped at the question with an immediate answer, but the other wanted to give the question a little more thought.

Luna gave a small jolt as she realized she had been lost in her thoughts for some time. In that time, she had been mindlessly flying and now had to get her bearings so she could figure out where to go. She looked down at the land below and was greeted with the sight of Ponyville. Many of the houses looked as if they themselves, along with the ponies inside them, were sleeping peacefully. The town square looked empty, save for a few traces of the bustling activity from the day before, and surely would have more today. The various stalls had been put away, and the shops along the streets were shut in for the night. Luna sighed to herself as she remembered walking these streets, in perhaps one of her more embarrassing moments since returning. She closed her eyes again as she shifted slightly to correct her flight path to Canterlot.

Luna had been feeling alone since her return. She was glad the guards no longer feared her, and the various servant staff of the castle had warmed up to her, but she still felt trapped in just the castle. She wanted to go out and meet the citizens of Equestria. She wanted to get to know those who she was ruling and protecting, but her schedule and duties presented problems. When she was free from her duties, most of her citizens were either asleep in their houses or were in a strange dream-like state where they staggered and struggled to walk or even hold a real conversation. That is when her sister had off-hoofedly mentioned something about a Nightmare Night. At first, it was simply another holiday for ponies; Luna had become used to the various references to her -- former incarnation. However, the holiday quickly caught her interest when she had heard many ponies would be out of their houses during the night. Some celebrations even lasted deep into the night. Luna had decided that then would be a perfect time for her to learn more about ponies and everything that has happened in her absence. The plan was perfect, but the execution left a little to be desired. Luna had planned to make a royal entrance, but one that was in theme with the day. That is why she decided she would ride her carriage from the direction of the moon and dismount in a strong, firm manner. To say the least, her plan backfired, and many were fleeing in terror, heralding the return of Nightmare Moon. Luna was ready to give up and return to the castle when a particular purple student of her sister had found her. Instead of running, though, she offered a hoof to help the princess get used to the changes since she last interacted with ponies. Luna had learned much from the purple pony and came to appreciate what she had done. She had extended a hoof when Luna needed it. Perhaps Luna could be Cadance’s purple pony in this situation.

Luna shook her head lightly at the last thought. What did Cadance’s question have to do with her Nightmare Night? She opened her eyes and saw the Canterlot palace balcony quickly approaching and readied herself to land. On the balcony was the familiar white form of her sister. She seemed a little wider than Luna herself, but since Luna was sure she had to deal with much more stress, being the ruler during the time ponies were awake, Luna would not comment about cutting back on what her sister called edible stress relief. Luna landed and gave a token smile to her sister, which her sister raised an eyebrow in response. “Another night glide, sister?” Celestia asked in a calm fashion, yet Luna could sense another motive behind the question.

“I simply had some business to attend to.” Luna responded in a matter-of-fact tone. Luna was hoping that the shortness in her response would deter Celestia from looking further into the matter. Her sister, however, was not so easily fooled.

“You always get that look when something is bothering you, Luna. Please do not hide any concerns you may have. I am here for you no matter the issue.” Her sister’s voice had a quality to it that was both soothing and assertive at the same time. It was almost like a mother’s voice; her mother’s voice. “If you do not wish to speak about it right now, I will not pry, dear sister.” Celestia spread her wings as her horn glowed softly “But come, it is time for the day to begin.” Luna spread her wings as well, her horn flaring to life as the moon started its descent from the sky. It was during this morning and evening ritual that the sisters had the most time to talk, and Luna determined to make the most of it. 

“Sister, has there ever been a time when you thought something might be good for ponies, but you were afraid that ponies would be angry at you for doing it?” The sun started to rise past the horizon in silence, though from her face, the sun princess had heard the question. The moon had faded under the horizon by the time the sun princess answered. 
“What do you mean, Luna?” Celestia asked toward the horizon as the moon faded below it.

“Have you ever been told there is a way you could improve ponies’ lives, but it would require something they might not agree with?” Celestia’s look of curiosity became one of concern, followed by a smile of amusement.

“Has Discord been getting into your head again? What’s his ingenious, definitely-not-a-prank idea this time?” Luna didn’t seem amused by her sister’s question, but a light flashed in her mind. Maybe if she were to present this as an idea from Discord, she could get her sister’s opinion without risking any retribution to herself or Cadance. Luna would have to be careful though; her sister didn’t like being lied to, even for things as harmless as a prank.

“Well, you see, he said I truly have a-a gift with my ability to walk ponies’ dreams. And so he thought maybe I could use it for things…other than defending from Nightmares?” her sister’s amused expression dropped quickly into a look of skepticism.

“And what is he suggesting you do with this talent?” Celestia waited for Luna’s response, showing intense interest in the next thing to leave her sister’s mouth. Luna hesitated for a few moments as she played out the next sentence carefully in her mind. If there were any time she were to get caught in her little lie, this would be the point.

“He said I should-“ Luna started uneasily. Her sister’s gaze became more intense, waiting for the sentence to finish. “Should help ponies find each other with it.” Celestia just sat there giving Luna a questioning look as the sentence processed in her mind. Soon, the questioning look broke into fits of laughter. Luna hardly remembered Celestia laughing this hard since Twilight had left the confines of the castle. Luna was unsure what to make of the situation, watching her sister attempting to stay standing while laughing so hard. Luna gave a smile more from being able to pull off her white lie successfully than the actual comedy of the situation. Celestia slowly calmed down and looked to her.

“And what do you think of it?” Celestia asked playfully, but was surprised when she quickly got an answer.

“I think it might actually be helpful, but can I use that as an excuse to intrude into ponies’ dreams even more?” Celestia quickly recovered and gave Luna a small smile which Luna knew all too well; it was time for a lesson by mother Celestia.

“Sister, remember your anxieties of when you first delved into the dreams of other ponies?”
Luna mulled it over in her mind before her stomach growled as she remembered she hadn’t eaten anything since after just waking up, which was quickly starting to feel like too long. Her stomach tried to convince her the best decision would be reached after some dinner, but her mind had decided it wanted to press forward in this conversation.

“Of course. It was an invasion of what many ponies felt were their most personal secrets.” Celestia simply smirked, as if thinking over some ulterior motive.

“But you did it anyway. You knew there would be consequences, and yet you took the burden of those consequences. Why did you do that?” Luna seemed caught off-guard by the question; the answer seemed simple enough for the question to not be asked.

“I had been under the influence of the Nightmares for a thousand years, and I did not wish for anypony else to suffer the anger and sadness that they brought to me.” Celestia nodded and continued.

“You had a reason to bear that burden. And what was the result of your decision?”

“Ponies were thankful. They did not see it as invading their privacy; they saw it as me saving them from their nightmares.” Luna felt as if she started to get where this conversation was heading.

“Exactly. There is a saying the ponies use today that goes ‘it is always darkest before the dawn.’ It is not a comment about the cycle of the day, but instead about our expectations and doubts. Most of our doubts and worries come before we are able to see the results of our actions. Therefore, do not become bogged down in the darkness of your doubt, but instead look toward the dawn that you hope your actions will bring. In the same way that your worries about fighting nightmares proved to be unwarranted, so too might your current worries.” Luna had to admit that her sister had become very good at consoling her ever since one of them had been redeemed and thrust back into the lives of ponies.

“So you think I should go through with it?” Celestia gave a smile and a nod.

“It sounds as if your heart and hooves are in the right place, and while that is the case, ponies will at least be forgiving if things don’t work out.” Luna started to head out before Celestia added, “ and do tell Cadance hello for me the next time you see her.” Luna had to fight the sudden urge to show surprise. Had she been found out? How could Celestia possibly known? Celestia’s smirk didn’t diminish, so Luna decided this was a time to end today’s lecture.

“I am going to get something to eat from the dining hall, then I am going to bed. Thank you for your wisdom, sister .” Luna started to head to the door. Celestia continued to stare out on the landscape as the sun shed its light across Equestria.

“One thing, Luna,” Luna turned her head to see her sister, a bemused look on her face. “You have a tendency to twitch your left ear when you lie.” She stuck out her tongue like a filly before turning back to the landscape. Luna returned the gesture and headed off to the dining room. She wasn’t exactly sure what Celestia was trying to convey to her, but she had decided two things; first, tonight’s meal was going to be an oat burger and hay fries, and that tomorrow she would give Cadance a second chance to explain her idea in full. She would judge then the motivations of Cadance’s proposal, but if it was what Celestia said, then it was another way she could help enrich ponies’ lives. Perhaps then, there would more purple ponies for others.