Another month has passed and nothing has changed save for this feeling inside of me which grows little by little as each day passes. I can not seem to shake it or get rid of it no matter what I do. I still not dare tell my sister about it either. I am not sure why but perhaps I am just scared of what she might say or do if I start to tell her that I'm hearing voices in my head and seeing illusions whenever I look at my reflection.
It was another peaceful night as I strode through the dreams of a pegasus who just tried out for the Wonder Bolts and passed with flying colors. It always made me happy to see good, healthy dreams like these even though most ponies just forget about them when they wake up. A scream of fear caught my attention and I quickly jumped over to a young filly who was having a nightmare of being alone in the Everfree Forest surrounded by timber wolves which growled and snarled at her.
I landed near her and used my magic to calm her dream making her reappear back home as she looked up at me and smiled before thanking me and then joined her friends. That was all I pretty much received from these ponies. A thank you or a smile before they eventually wake up and forget about that night's events. Sighing to myself I left her dream and stepped out into the real world and flew high into the night sky to get a good look over much of Equestria.
"Just think about it. This could be all yours and you wouldn't have to share it with your sister ever again and all the ponies will love and adore us." the voice echoed as I hovered there in the quiet darkness. Closing my eyes and shaking my head I tried once again to rid myself of these thoughts but it was all in vain.
"You know it's true, Luna." it continued. "Every pony bowing down and giving you the praise you deserve and the love you long for. All you have to do is never lower the moon and they will eventually wake up and see that YOU are the only Princess to be worshiped."
"No. I will never do such a thing. They need the sun. Everything across Equestria needs sunlight to grow and flourish." I argued back. "I would never do that to my sister. It is just wrong to deny her duties in life."
"That's just pathetic and you will never be loved as much as her with that attitude." it commented.
"What do you want from me?" I growled as I continued to flap my wings slowly hovering in the same spot high in the sky.
"I want what you want." it replied in my head. "To be loved and cherished by every pony more than Celestia."
"Yes...but...more?"
"Yes, more, and to do that all we have to do is never let the sun come up again." it persisted.
"I will not say this again. My answer is NO. The cycle will continue like it has for years." I said firmly as the voice growled angrily in my head.
"Then I will have to do it MY way then!" it shouted as I felt a surge inside me as my magic began to spill out of my horn. Gathering my strength I fought against it and was able to subside it back down deep within myself where I first felt it. As the echoing screams of defeat faded away in my head I finally took a deep breath and floated down to the ground landing gently on my hooves before sitting down and placing a hoof to my face.
"This is getting worse and worse. Maybe I should tell Celestia what's going on with me before it's to late." I sighed still conflicted about what I should do about all of this. Placing my hoof back down I looked around at where I was and didn't recognize this part of Equestria. Was I lost? I thought to myself then just giggled because I couldn't get lost with being the Princess of the night and having wings to just fly away with. Standing up on all four hooves I decided to take a look around and see what's here.
It was pretty barren save for a few hills, some rocks, and some trees scattered here and there. The ground was pretty fertile and any pony could build a farm here growing their crops successfully. I made my way up one of the hills and upon reaching the top I stopped for something glinted in the darkness over to my left. Studying it for a moment I realized it was a fire and there was some pony over there.
Wondering who could be up at this hour, for there seemed to be no pony ever awake during the night (save for myself), I trotted over towards the small light as it sounded like some pony was talking to either themselves or somepony else. As I neared the light of the small camp fire it was clear to me that there was only one pony here and he was singing, or attempting, to himself. I waited for a few moments in the darkness watching him as he set out a few things which looked like he was preparing himself a meal of some sorts.
He was a unicorn of a faded cinnamon color with a matching mane and tail which had streaks of grey in it. He was wearing an oddly made cloak which covered his cutie mark as he set about floating a pan over the fire while adding a few ingredients into it before levitating a spoon placing it inside and started to slowly mix it all together. It smelt really good and it was nothing that I have smelled before back at the castle.
"You are free to join me if you'd like to." he called out to me as he looked through his trunk for something. Stepping into the light I presented myself royally and waited for him to turn around and greet me as the commoners usually do. After finding what he was looking for he walked past me and poured a few drops of a yellow colored liquid into the pot and a moment later it smelled a bit sweeter which started to make my mouth water but I held my composure as I continued to wait to be greeted as royalty should be.
"Sit, sit." the unicorn offered as he stirred the pot some more and floated the vial back over to his chest closing it when it was back in it's proper place. I blinked at him and took a seat where I was standing a bit confused at this strange pony. Does he not know that he is in the presence of a Princess? Not just any Princess though but the one who rules over the night ever watchful as everypony else sleeps recovering their energy and strength for the following morning.
"It should be ready in a few minutes. Would you mind grabbing a couple of bowls from the smaller locker over yonder?" he asked me as he waved a hoof to where his wagon was parked. I turned my head and used my magic to pull out two small bowls and place them next to him as I watched him take a small taste of what ever he was cooking and smack his lips a few times before smiling. "There we go." he said as he levitated both the bowls, filling them and floated one over to where I was sitting before taking a seat across from me turning his direction towards me now.
Taking the bowl with my magic I lifted it to my muzzle and took a sniff and found that it had a surprisingly pleasant smell. It had even a better taste to it when I took a small royal sip (because we do everything "royally") and then another enjoying this new experience and even the company of this strange unicorn. It wasn't until he spoke again that I looked up and over at him.
"I'm sorry where are my manners. My name is Zenith. It is a pleasure to meet you and to know that someone is up at this late hour other than myself." Zenith smiled at his comment and that is when I noticed it. He was not being rude or did not recognize who I am. Zenith was blind.
"Tis a pleasure to meet you, Zenith. I am Princess Luna." I replied and finished off the soup he had given me, placing the bowl next to me on the ground.
"Princess Luna, you say?" he echoed before continuing, "Well nice to meet you. How was the food?" he asked as he filled another bowl for himself. "Would you like some more?"
"Yes, please." I said as he floated my bowl over to the pot and refilled it for me before levitating it back to me as I took it over with my own magic. "It is very delicious. I have never tasted anything like it before." I answered his question as I took another sip of the steaming hot meal.
"I don't think I've ever met a Princess before." he commented more to himself than to me but loud enough that I would be able to hear it.
"Where are you from?" I asked.
"Lands far to the West of here." he said and then added, "it's been such a long time that I have forgotten the where abouts of my home town." Zenith didn't seem to be saddened or disappointed in his statement and from what it looked like to me was that he just kind of shrugged it off like it was not a big deal. "Could you tell me where I am, Ms. Princess Luna?" he asked as he cleaned our bowls for he have finished eating.
"Please call me Luna or Princess or Princess Luna. You do not need to add the Ms." she corrected him before answering his question. "I am not to familiar with this part of Equestria but I do know that you are about a days travel from the Everfree Forest." The unicorn nodded and raised his muzzle to the sky and what looked like he sniffed a few times before making a "Mmmhmmm" sound then turning his head back towards me.
"Well Luna thank you for the answer and I'm glad you enjoyed this meal with me." He was smiling as he started to clean up everything as I continued to just watch him before turning my eyes towards the skies. It will be dawn in a little more than an hour and I should be heading back so my sister could take over. As the light of the fire went out I turned my gaze towards Zenith as he finished packing everything up and hooked himself back into the harness and it looked like he was about to head off again.
"Do not envy your sister so much. You are very much loved all over Equestria even if you don't believe it yourself." he said as he smiled over to me. Closing my eyes and letting out a quiet sigh I replied, more to myself than to the unicorn.
"Much easier said than done I'm afraid." Upon speaking the last word I opened my eyes and I was alone once again in the darkness. Looking around quickly to see if he just moved out of my line of sight, I didn't see Zenith any where even after I took to the sky and spun in a 360 looking for any kinds of movement.
"Do not falter. Remember you are much stronger than you perceive yourself to be..." His voice drifted on the breeze as I felt a small smile spread across my lips before everything around me shattered as malicious laughter filled my head blurring my vision which caused me to land back on the ground as I staggered to keep my hooves under me.
"You're not strong enough to keep this up, Princess." It said that lost word mockingly. "In fact at this rate I should be taking over soon enough and then we will see who the REAL Princess of the night is." It's laughter filled my head once again bringing me to my knees before it finally died off leaving me with a bitter taste in my mouth and I was finding it hard to breathe. That was it. I was going to tell Celestia everything that is going on with me and ask her to help me. I took to the air and made my way towards our castle as off in the distance I could see the small rays of light start to break over the horizon and smile down upon all of Equestria.