Daylight. There was still day light as I opened my eyes and sat up slowly yawning tiredly. I was still on the floor as I looked around and my body felt a bit stiff as I got to my hooves, stretching my legs and wings out before heading over to the open window. From the looks of it it was only early afternoon and a few clouds were starting to form in the sky. From what I remember I believe it is supposed to rain tomorrow morning sometime as I turned from the window and headed for the doors.
Opening the double doors to my bed room I noticed there was a messenger pony standing right outside who looked like she was about to knock. Looking awkwardly she placed her hoof back on the ground and managed to stutter out, "Have a-a message from C-celestia. Received it e-early this a-a-afternoon." Holding a small envelop out with her magic she seemed to be shaking a bit as I stared down at her wondering if anything was wrong with this pony. As she made eye contact she squeaked and fell to the floor seemingly afraid of me.
"What is wrong with you?" I questioned as I took the message with my magic as the unicorn just laid there on the floor not answering my question. Sighing I waved a hoof at her and dismissed her as she turned and ran back down the hall and out of sight. I will never understand some ponies as I decided to trot over to the kitchens and get myself something to eat carrying the small envelop with me half forgetting about it for the smells that were coming from them made me smile and brighten up a little.
Round the corning I stepped into the kitchens and watched the cooks who are always so furiously busy preparing things through out all the day. Noticing me one of the cooks came over and I told him to make me something small to take with me as he nodded and told me it'll only be a few minutes. Remembering the message I opened the envelop and pulled out the small piece of paper and levitated it in front of me.
My Dear Sister,
I hope all is well with you. I just wanted to let you know that it's going to take longer than projected
before I will be returning. But I am sure you have things under control there.
When I get back I promise to spend time with you and see what you wanted to talk about.
Take care Luna and I'll see you soon.
Crumpling the paper and then burning it with blue flames I stomped angrily at the news as the cook pony returned with a plate of what I wanted and I just turned and walked out not even hungry anymore. I made my way outside as the sun began to set as I started to pace back and forth talking to myself.
"Oh of course she's to busy to return on time. Why wouldn't she care about her own sister when she's having problems."
Speaking in a mock Celestia voice, "Oh look at me, I raise the sun and all the ponies love me. Har har har." Stomping here and there I continued to walk back and forth and before I knew it it was dark and the sun has completely set and I sighed to myself knowing I've gotta do my job now. Not even going to the raising platform I gathering up my magic and brought up the moon before going back to my pacing before stopping and I wasn't even in the mood for that. I wasn't in the mood for anything right now as I started walking out with my head down not really paying attention to any pony around me even if they tried to get my attention.
I did not know how far I waked or even how long I have been walking for or even the direction I was heading in. Stopping for a moment I took in my surroundings and I was in a forest but it wasn't the Everfree Forest that I would recognize but something more sinister. Quickly gathering my senses I looked around more closely and noticed there was a heavy fog coming in from everywhere around me. It was moving unusually quick and I had a strange feeling that something unnatural was approaching. Spreading my wings I prepared myself to fly into the air but when I looked up I could see that the fog has already covered the tops of the trees and was coming down upon me.
I still tried though and got up only a few feet when it felt like my body started to weigh about 10 times more than it should and my wings couldn't hold me as I landed back on the ground before the entire area was encased in this dense fog. Folding my wings against me I carefully watched my surroundings ready for anything that might come out of this fog.
"They say that the night brings out the darkness in every pony." a disembodied voice echoed throughout the fog.
"Who's there?" I demanded looking around slowly.
"You know exactly who I am." it replied.
"Yes I do know." I closed my eyes for a moment before snapping them open and demanding once again. "Now show yourself!" Stepping out of the dense fog was a shadow of a pony and as it made it's way closer to me. As it became more and more clearer it was...me...but not me like the images I have seen before.
"You look surprised, Luna." it said as it stopped in front of me. I continued to look at it for a few moments wondering how this is being possible. First as an illusion and now right in front of me? This must be some kind of magic working against me, I thought as I quickly darted my eyes back and forth before returning to the alicorn standing in front of me.
"Ahahahaha! What are you looking for? You think there is any pony else around here?" it laughed at me as I glared at her before it continued. "This is all still in your head, Princess. You see," she went on as she started to slowly walk around me in circles, "You created me and now that my power continues to grow I will be free soon and it will be eternally night all over Equestria."
"I won't let you." I growled back.
"Oh really? It seems you arn't doing a very good job at it." I watched her circle me once more as she went on. "It seems to me that it won't be long now."
"What do you mean by that? I still have complete control here."
"Oh yeah, especially since your sister keeps pushing you away whenever you try to talk to her and now look where she is at? Doesn't even want to be around you."
"That's not true!" I turned around and yelled at her, my voice a little shaky. "Celestia is just busy right now after everything Discord has messed up."
"Ahh Discord. Yes that was a pretty tough battle you and your sister had to get through. But shouldn't family come first over some other pony in some other kingdom?" she questioned me as she continued to slowly circle me.
"Yes but that's not why you're here. What do you want with me?"
"That's simple. To be free." she said as she stopped in front me. Now that she is facing me and only a few feet away I could clearly see her. We almost looked similar in a way. She was taller, black in color, longer horn and seemed to wear some kind of helmet with slots for her horn and ears. Those eyes were the big difference though. I've never seen eyes like those.
"But how can you be free if you are me?" I asked her.
"Oh it's actually quite easy." She smiled at me before taking a step forward and whispered, "You have to go away." I took a few steps away from her and gasped as my eyes widened.
"Celestia won't let that happen." I told her with confidence.
"Celestia is not HERE!" She yelled at me as she stomped the ground with a hoof. I was starting to get scared as I took another quivering step back from her.
"She will help me and I will be rid of you." I said trying to hide the shakiness in my voice. I watched her spread her wings and bare her teeth as she growled and bent her legs as if she was getting ready to pounce on me. My body wouldn't move anymore on it's own as fear started to spread its icy claws around my heart as I started to make myself as small as possible.
"Celestia will not help you. No pony is going to help you. There is no pony as powerful as me and I will be set free and the darkness WILL be ever lasting for the moon will rule the sky in place of the sun and the stars will gaze down upon the land for eternity." She laughed as she looked down at me with those eyes full of evil.
"What...are you?" I said the fear dripping in my voice. She continued to laugh before calming herself and turning her yes back upon me.
"Not what, dear Princess, but who would be the right question. So let's try this again, shall we?" I looked at her and blinked for I was completely confused at what she was trying to say. She faced hoofed and then added, "You are supposed to ask "Who are you?"" She motioned with her hoof towards me as if letting me know that it was my que to ask.
"Who are you then?" I asked her as I tried to move but to no avail as my body still does not want to listen to me. The alicorn just smiled at me and stood up strait with wings spread out to their full length before she spoke with the royal tone we use when addressing our subjects and she was full of confidence and very sure of herself.
"I am the true Princess of the night and the very heart of darkness herself. I AM NIGHTMARE MOON!" She exclaimed and it sent shivers down my spine as I just sat there unable to move as she seemed to be basking in her own glory. This was me...or what was inside of me and wants to get out or more precisely take over my body to take over all of Equestria.
"But now it is time." Nightmare Moon said as my attention was brought back to her as she got into that same stance she was in a moment ago.
"No I will not let you have control." I said doing my best to summon my magic but there was something strange going on, like I had no magic anymore and felt completely empty.
"You are completely powerless and there is nothing you can do to stop me. Prepare yourself, Princess!" Her horn was glowing as she flexed her wings and bent low to the ground. Is this the end? Is there really nothing I can do? Those and other questions flew through my head as I watched her as time seemed to slow down for each passing second felt like an eternity. As she adjusted her hooves and lauched herself into the air, wings out, hooves pointed at me, I could hear her scream with delight as she grew ever closer to my frozen body. The last thing I heard before everything went dark was my panic stricken voice calling out for my sister.
"HELP ME.....CELESTIA.....!"