What really happened between Luna and Celestia and how the birth of Nightmare Moon came forth. Told by the Princess of the Night herself.
Luna's frustration with all the love and praise her sister would get during the day continues to grow inside of her until all of the envy and rage begins to take a form of it's own and starts to consume her little by little until it completely takes control of her very being.
This is a story about my sister and I. This is my story and I would like to share it with you so please sit back and listen as I recall those tragic events oh so long ago....
It was always this way. Celestia raising the sun and myself raising the moon. We were born for this feat to bring night and day all over Equestria to every pony, pegasai, and unicorn. For many years it was the same thing over and over: sun comes up, sun goes down, moon comes up, moon goes down. An endless cycle of day and night, night and day, and it was mundane and getting tenacious. Why wouldn't the ponies play during the glorious night and thank me for it like they did for my sister?
Every time the sun would come up they would wake up and smile and go about their day while I just sat there and watched them laughing and playing. I just couldn't understand why they would always sleep away the night and not see everything that I could show them. It all started when I approached my sister with a question.
“Celestia I do not understand why every pony is happy during the day and sleep away when it is my turn to shine. Why do they love you more than I?” I asked her as I made my way towards her throne. Celestia just looked down at me and smiled before giving me her answer.
“Oh dear sister, is that what you think? Do you think they love me more than you?”
“Yes I do.” I replied then asked again, “Why is that?”
“You've seen it for yourself. The ponies of Equestria need the light from the sun to grow their crops, build their buildings, and go about their daily lives. They rest at night so they can recover their energy and start the next day fresh and ready to go.” That wasn't the answer I was looking for but it seemed my sister had other things on her mind so I left feeling empty inside once again.
The cycle began again: day into night, night into day, over and over and it just seemed like everything around me was becoming smaller and smaller. These ponies are missing out the beauty that the darkness brings. The stars and moon can only be seen at night and the stillness of it all brings a peaceful quietness to the land.
Again I approached my sister and once again asked the same question getting the same response from her. I was beginning to think she is starting to avoid answering it completely and it was making me upset inside, yet I dare not show it in front of her. The Princess of the night should have her subjects love and respect her just as equally as they do her sister.
Upon night fall I took to the air and flew silently over the lands of Equestria seeing not a single pony, pegasus, or unicorn awake. Each area I flew over just made the feeling inside grow more and more until I felt that it would just burst out of me. Landing near the edge of a lake I took a few deep breaths and tried to calm myself as I looked into the water at my own reflection. There was a full moon tonight with a cloudless sky which shown brightly down as I could see myself clearly.
“Oh Luna...what are we going to do?” I sighed as I sat near the water's edge.
“It's pretty clear what WE need to do.” I jumped back and shook my head. Am I hearing things or did my reflection just talk back to me? I paused for a moment to collect my thoughts before slowly returning to the water's edge and looked back down at my reflection.
“Phew. Just my imagination.” I breathed a sigh of relief.
“If only that was true.” That voice again made me stand strait up and look around.
“Who dares impede on the Princess of the night?” I commanded as my eyes shifted back and forth.
“There is no one here but us.” It said once again. Slowly turning and looking back into the calm waters I saw myself once more but it wasn't me. I mean it was but it looked different somehow. “That's right, now you got it.” it added as I blinked a few times and closed my eyes trying to rid the image I was seeing.
“This isn't real. You're just imagining things Luna. Get a hold of yourself.”
“This is as real as it gets, Princess.”
“Who are you?”
“You.”
“What?” I cocked an eyebrow staring at my reflection that seems to be talking back to me.
“I am you. You are me. We are one and the same.”
“That is not possible, no you are wrong.”
“Look deep inside yourself Princess and you will see. Those feelings that you have been having, the thoughts that pester your mind day in and day out.”
“No I don't believe you.”
“It's true, and you know that it's true.”
“Stop it. Stop talking to me.” I stomped a hoof and glared at myself.
“You see we are one and I will not be stopped.” The reflection shifted to a different form of me which looked like it was wearing some kind of helmet. Stepping away from the water's edge I closed my eyes and shook my head again as if trying to wake up from a bad dream.
“My time will come very soon now.” It said inside my head this time. “For I AM the Princess of the night and there will be no one to stop me!” The silence that followed only left me with more questions than what I had before.
“What is going on with me..?” I asked myself as I took to the air to head back to the castle sorting what just happened. It was just before dawn when I got back and I noticed my sister getting ready to raise the sun once again and I let out a soft sigh as I landed on the balcony that lead into my room. As the first rays of light spread across Equestria I closed the doors and jumped into bed after an exhausting night.
There was a slight knock on the door a few moments later and I groaned in annoyance as I replied.
“Yes?”
“May I come in?” It was Celestia as I rolled my eyes wonder what she wanted now.
“You may.” I replied as she walked in closing the door behind her. I watched her approached my bed and took a seat near it. “Something wrong?” I asked.
“I was about to ask you the same thing, little sister. Is everything okay?” I just nodded to her not really wanting to have a conversation at this moment. “I sense there is something amiss with you. Is there anything I can do to help?” she persisted.
“I'm fine Celestia, really.” I told her with a polite smile. I wasn't about to tell her what had happened only a few short hours ago. Standing up she smiled and using her magic pulled the covers over me before kissing my forehead gently.
“Sweet dreams, Luna.” was all she said as she walked out of my room softly closing the door as I listened to her fading hoof steps before closing my eyes and letting sleep take me away. Who watches over of the dreams of the dream watcher? It was only a few hours before I was startled and woke up clutching the clovers in my hooves, sweat dripping down my muzzle. The nightmare I was trapped in was filled with death and destruction as evil spilled out all over Equestria in an endless darkness that chilled even my bones.
Taking a few deep breaths I calmed myself and got out of bed before wandering down the hall towards the kitchens for I haven't had a meal since early last night and was quite hungry. I had one of the servant ponies fix me up a quick snack and I floated it along in front of me as I made my way to where my sister usually was sitting doing her royal business.
“Ahh, Luna, did you have a good rest.” she called out from her throne as I trotted over to her.
“More or less...” I replied as I finished off the food and sat down next to her. She just looked at me for a moment and then went back to her scroll before rolling it up and sending it off somewhere. “Are we still cleaning up the mess Discord made all across Equestria?” I asked as I looked around the throne room.
“Yes. It's been pretty rough trying to get everything back to normal.” she said with a sigh. “He has cause so much damage that it will take a long time for every pony to recover from his chaos.” She looked tired as she picked up another blank scroll and began to write in it before sending it off to who knows where. I got up and excused myself as Celestia just nodded as I walked out and headed towards the gardens to get some fresh air. As I stepped outside I felt the warmth of the sun and smiled slightly before I heard that voice again.
“You know that could be the moon up there.” It said as I glared around the area but no pony was in sight. I caught my refection in one of the castle windows and noticed it was me but not me. Just like last night it had the same look as the one in the water of the lake.
“Go away.” I demanded as it just smiled at me.
“We both know that's not possible.” It seemed to be enjoying tormenting me. Turning from the window the voice followed me as I made my way towards the center of the gardens. “Why do you try to hide from us?”
“Us?” I repreated stopping in my tracks. “There is no “us”.” I glared at no pony in particular. Feeling fed up and annoyed I continued making my way towards mine and my sister's secret place near the very center of the gardens where the rare white and blue roses are taken care of. Sitting down and enjoying the silence of the afternoon I tried to clear my thoughts of this “thing” that keeps appearing in my head.
Plucking one of the white and blue roses with my magic I took a deep breath of it and thought of nothing but the peacefulness around me as I closed my eyes and enjoyed the day. It only seemed liked a few minutes when I heard the voice of my sister calling me.
“Luna. Luna, you okay?” Slowly opening my eyes I looked up at her and she smiled as she sat down next to me. “You were out here for a while and I got worried when you didn't answer me.” Celestia smiled as she looked up at the setting sun.
“Oh my!” I said as I got up and stretched. “How long was I out for?” I asked her as she stood back up and we started heading back to the castle.
“Only a few hours but you must have needed it. Was there anything you wanted to talk about earlier?” she asked as we made our way inside.
“No, I am fine.” I lied to her with a smile as I turned and made my way up to the summoning platform to do my part in life. Standing there I watched as the last lights of the sun faded away as my horn started to glow as I spread my wings and started to float up as the moon began to rise bringing yet another beautiful night that will be wasted away once again. Sighing softly to myself I stepped down off the platform and headed towards the main viewing balcony to watch over the ponies of Equestria and their dreams, calming any nightmares they might have and inspiring others to be their very best at whatever it is in life.
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.
I made my way towards my sister's throne room going through all my thoughts as I tried to piece them together the best way I could so I could explain what's going on to her. I slowed myself to a stop right outside the giant double doors and took a few deep breaths before I felt I built up enough courage to talk to Celestia. Before I could use my magic to open the doors a few of the castle guards flung them open as they called back to my sister.
"Yes, your Highness. Right away!" as they galloped down the hall and out of sight. I stood there looking towards the direction that they left for a moment before turning and stepping inside the throne room. Celestia was busy with a few emissaries and messengers around her. Things did not look well and they had worried expressions upon they faces as I neared the small group.
"Oh, Luna, good you're here." Celestia said as she waved me over with a wing as I trotted over to her and stood next to her as she continued. "Things are bad in Saddle Arabia. These two have brought a plea of help and I offered my services for as long as it is needed." My sister pointed to the three emissaries as they talked amongst themselves. My eyes shifted from them back to her and as I was about to ask a question she cut me off and went on.
"I need you to stay here and watch the castle and our lands while I am away." Celestia's horn was glowing as she started gathering the items she would be taking with her. She told the emissaries that she will meet them there as they bowed and left the two alicorns alone.
"Dear sister I need to speak with you." I told her as I followed her towards her room so she could get the rest of the things she needed together.
"I'm sorry Luna but it will have to wait until I get back." she said distractedly as a multitude of items, some of which I have no clue to what they are, floated into her saddle bags. "Do not fret little sister. As soon as I get back we will have plenty of time to sit down and talk." Celestia reassured me half heartedly.
"It's important, Celestia, please." I tried to plead with her but she was to absorbed in her new mission that my words were not getting through.
"I promise the moment I get back then you can tell me all about it, okay?" she smiled as she placed her saddle bags upon her back and started to make her way towards the balcony. Stopping to turn and look at me from over her shoulder she nodded and spread her wings before taking off with a few quick beats and then was off to her destination. I watched her flying form fade slowly into the early morning sun as I stood there disappointed and feeling empty once again.
Turning I started to make my way out of her room and down the hall towards my own when I was stopped by one of the officials asking questions about something or another that I did not have any cares about. I just waved him away and continued down the hall making a left at the end and upon reaching the doors to my room opened them with my magic closing them behind me as I walked through. Passing by the full length mirror something caught my eye and I stopped turning my head to see what it was.
My eyes went wide at the image I was looking at. I turned to fully face it and took a few steps towards it as it mimicked my movements and took a few steps towards me. I was looking at myself but it wasn't me. The body was slightly different, the wings were sharper, the legs were taller, she wore what looked like some kind of helmet upon her head with an opening for her horn and those eyes...the eyes that shone with hatred and power and vengeance.
I stopped a few feet from the mirror and just stared at it before it moved her head on her own and smiled down at me with a grin that felt unnatural. I cringed at it before regaining my composure and stood up strait doing my best to put on a brave face. It was just an image in a mirror, I told myself and the alicorn in the mirror laughed that sent shivers down my spine.
"That may be true for the moment. This is what you look like, on the inside that is." she said as she stared at me.
"That's not possible. I know what I look like and that is not it."
"I am the representation of all your fear, hatred, envy, and every other negative emotion that you bury deep down inside of you."
"But how? All that training I had to keep those emotions in check should be keeping anything like you from surfacing." I tried to reason with myself.
"Well it looks like all that "training" was for nothing. Every moment that we feel any of those emotions I become stronger and become that much more closer to fulfilling our dream."
"And what dream is that?" I questioned her. She just looked at me and smiled before answering the seemingly simple question.
"We are pretty sure that you already know that answer." She laughed again then stared down at me with those eyes which I could have sworn felt like fire against my skin. "My time is nigh and the time for endless night will be glorious!"
"Who...are you?" I asked frighteningly as I sat down staring at the mirror. She stopped laughing and held herself up high and said in the royal voice which seemed to shake the entire room.
"I am Nightmare Moon and ALL will know my power and the joy of eternal darkness that I will bring all across Equestria!" There was a sudden knock on my door and it snapped me back to reality as a voice called out from the other side the same time I turned to face them.
"Is everything alright, Highness?" It was only one of the guards that must have been passing by. Walking over to the doors I opened them slightly and reassured him that it was and that I should not be bothered for the rest of the day. He bowed as I told him to relay those orders to the captain of the guard then turned and headed to deliver my request. Closing the doors with my magic I started making my way over to the bed and as I passed the mirror once more I noticed it was only my own reflection in it now and that emptiness crept back into those small pieces of my heart that were missing.
"NO!" I shouted as my magic destroyed another building and that familiar laughter could be heard echoing around the ruins of a small town. I tried shouting for some ponies to turn and run but I couldn't hear my own voice as another beam of magic struck them and they just turned to dust. My body wasn't doing what I was telling it to do as yet another building came crumbling down before I took to the air and hovered there spinning slowly laughing at all the death and destruction that I seemed to have caused. A small filly sat crying near her dead parents. My eyes fell upon her and I could see that she did not even have her cutie mark yet as I felt my eyes glare at her before the magic started to build up in my horn. I heard myself laugh again as the filly looked up and our eyes locked for a moment before I fired down upon her.
Waking up in a panic and covered with a cold sweat I fell out of my bed and landed hard on the floor. I just laid there on the cool floor breathing heavily as fear and sadness gripped the edges of my heart and I started to cry. I needed Celestia but she wasn't due back for at least another two days and I feared that may be to late. Sitting up slowly I used my magic to bring a small dry towel over and I started to wipe the sweat from my forehead as I tried to calm myself. I started to shiver slightly so I floated my covers over to where I was sitting on the floor and wrapped myself in them.
Letting the small towel drop to the floor I surrounded myself in my blankets and laid back down right there on the floor as I closed my eyes as the thoughts of that small filly filled my head and I started to cry once more. I knew it was just a dream but it felt real and I knew that if I did not get this under control soon these nightmares will become a reality for every pony here in Equestria and beyond.
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.
As the fog began to clear I opened my eyes and saw that I was alone once again. It was still night time and I was still in a forest that I did not recognized but at least what seemed like a nightmare was over. Breathing a sigh of relief I tried to take a step forward but my legs would not move for some reason. I attempted to look down to see if I was stuck on anything but my head wouldn't move either. What is going on? I thought as not a single inch of my body wanted to listen to me.
Then I heard the laughter and after a moment I realized it was me laughing and not in a good way. I couldn't stop myself as I fell to my knees holding my sides as tears formed in my eyes as I continued to laugh until I was out of breath and had to force myself to stop having bursts of laughter here and there before I finally calmed myself enough to wipe my eyes and sit up strait. That's when I heard myself speak.
"It work! I can't believe she was so weak that I was able to take over so easily." It can't be! I thought as I continued to spectate having no control of my own body. Is this how she felt, watching all the time from the inside, just waiting for her time to strike? And now she has, this Nightmare Moon has taken complete control of my body and all of my magic. How could I have gotten so weak? I thought I was much stronger than this and had the strength to repel her but I was wrong.
I continued to watch as she got up and started to walk around testing out her new legs and then her wings flapping them up and down a few times as I felt her smile to herself. "Oh ho ho ho ho. This is going to be very good. My most heartfelt thanks to you, Luna. This is amazing! I didn't think freedom felt this...good!" She said excitedly half to me and half to herself. It wasn't my voice anymore either and I bet it is safe to say that I now look like Nightmare Moon on the outside as well.
It was not long before my assumption was confirmed as she made her way to a small lake and looked down upon the still waters as her eyes lit up with glee as it was definitely Nightmare Moon and not Princess Luna anymore. I sighed to myself knowing that there is no way I can take back control of my own body but I was sure as the night I wasn't going to make it easy on her. I just pray that Celestia heard me and will be able to stop her before anything bad happens to any pony.
I found myself rising into the air and it was a bit unsettling at first as I watched myself fly through the air yet I could not feel the wind on my face or the flapping of my wings on the cool night's breeze. I was both scared and curious to find out where she was going and what was her initial plan. Nightmare Moon flew around for a bit and then turned sharply and started to head towards my home. I now knew that was a very bad idea and I tried everything in my power to stop her.
"Stop this at once!" I screamed not knowing if she could hear me.
"Huh? Oh you're still in there?" She responded to me out loud.
"Of course I am still here and I demand you stop this and give me my body back, now!"
"Ahahahaha. I didn't know that royalty had a sense of humor." Nightmare Moon just laughed at me as she continued to drift along the currents towards home.
"Please....don't do this..." I tried to plead with her fearing the worst if my own dreams were to come true.
"You are the one that started all of this. You are the one that created me in the first place with those ponies who you thought loved you as much as your sister." She spat back at me as she rose a bit higher in the sky. "You've seen how they show her all the love while you get shadowed by the light she spreads all over Equestria." Nightmare Moon continued trying to lock me away deep down in her forever and the funny part about all of this is that it is all true.
Yes, it was all my fault. Yes, I was always in my sister's shadow only watching over the night as I raised the moon every night. Yes, I did bring Nightmare Moon to life as the pain and frustration grew deep inside of me before it finally spilled out and I could not control it anymore. I also knew that it was stubbornness that kept me from talking to Celestia for I thought I could deal with it on my own and perhaps let the ponies see how much I wanted their praise and adoration just like my sister received.
Nightmare Moon is right. I started all of this and now I have no idea what to do or how to even fix it. I noticed that we were only minutes away from landing on the summoning platform as the panic and fear gripped my every fiber as I continued to scream and beg for her to please stop and not do anything to harm any pony. I have given up and sat in that emptiness as she landed gracefully on the summoning platform as the first rays of light began to show themselves over the tops of the distant mountains.
Turning slightly so she can face the raising sun, I watched Nightmare Moon spread her wings and begun to gather her magical energy as her horn glowed brilliantly before her eyes went completely white and what looked like an over glow formed on top of her glowing horn. Suddenly I noticed that the sun was not moving any higher up and was staying in the same spot for a few minutes before things started to slowly get a bit darker. At first I thought it was just my imagination but as the sun began to slowly sink back down behind the mountains and the light slowly faded away to reveal the night sky once more I realized then just how much power she really had to be able to counter Celestia's magic in such a fashion.
As Nightmare Moon lowered the sun all the way back down and brought out the moon, placing it high in the sky, a few of the royal guards stepped out onto the platform and demanded her to identify herself. Composing herself she turned and faced the guards and just smiled to them as she started to step slowly towards their direction.
"Do you not recognize the Princess of the Night?" she said authoritatively as she stopped in front of the guards as they quickly bowed and said their apologies.
"Please forgive us, Your Highness. You just look a bit..."
"Different?" Nightmare Moon finished for him.
"Yes, ma'am!" they both responded in unison. She just sighed and waved them away with her hoof before turning back and looking up at the moon, once again smiling to herself.
"Look at that Luna." she told me as I also gazed up at the moon. "Tonight is the first night of Eternal Darkness!" Laughing once more she walked inside and made her way to Celestia's throne room taking a seat upon the throne as one of the servers bowed and she told them to get her something to eat and drink as she relaxed and took a look around the room. It wasn't long before the servant pony returned with her order and she placed it on a small table next to the throne. I watched as Nightmare Moon levitated the glass to her muzzle, took a sip and spat it back into the other pony's face throwing the glass against a wall which shattered to pieces.
"What is this?" She demanded as she stood up glaring down at the shivering pony. What in Equestria was she thinking? That's not how you talk to any pony. I thought as all I could do is watch the events unfold.
"I-I'm sorry, Princess. Is that not what you wanted? I can get you a new one if it pleases you." she said from the floor not daring to even look up at Nightmare moon.
"Begone with you! All of you get out!" she shouted as every pony scattered for the nearest door and it was only moments before she was alone in the giant chamber with the only sound was of her breathing. "Argh. Is every pony going to be this annoying?" she asked herself.
"No they won't be but you have no idea what you are doing or how to talk to them." I said not really caring if she could hear me anymore or not.
"Oh I think I know plenty well what I am doing." Her response made me jump slightly as I was staring at myself in a mirror or should I say she was looking at me. It was like when she first appeared but in reverse. I was on the other side of the looking glass as I stood there glaring at her before taking a quick look at my body and giving a slight smile.
"What are you smiling about? It's not like you'll get that body back anytime soon. In fact you may never get it back." Nightmare Moon grinned back as I took a step closer to her.
"Then you do not know my sister very well at all. She has the power to stop you and I know she will do it soon!" I was as confident as I possibly could be without sounding resentful in any way.
"Oh here we go again with the Celestia talk. Don't you think that with all her so called "power" she would've been here by now?" she taunted back at me. I had no answer to that question. It was true, with all the magic my sister has she would have been here and put a stop to Nightmare Moon. I did not understand it. Where was she in my time of need? What could be so important that she just had to be away from the kingdom, leaving it in the hands of her unstable younger sister?
"Let me say this one last time," she continued on, "Celestia. Is. Not. Coming." As Nightmare Moon finished that last word it hit me like thunderbolt and everything I knew of my sister, all the hope and dreams and love for her drained out of me as I shriveled into nothing more than a distant memory. Celestia....not coming? I kept repeating the question over and over as Nightmare Moon turned from the mirror, my body vanishing in a poof of smoke as she strutted down the middle of the hall throwing the giant double doors open with her magic as she made her way out towards the main balcony and stood there looking down at the gathering ponies for they were starting to wake up and when they noticed that the sun wasn't up they made their way towards the castle most of them having the same question run through their minds.
As a good number of them filled the court yard, Nightmare Moon used her magic to make her voice louder as she addressed all the earth ponies, pegasi and unicorns that have gathered on what would have been a bright sunny day if the moon still was not out, hanging high in the star lit sky.
"Good morning, every pony!" she started with as I watched the confused ponies on the ground turn and look at each other before returning they eyes back on her. "Yes it is morning I can assure you of that. You may be asking yourselves: but if it's morning why isn't the sun up? That is a very good question and I will tell you exactly why, my little ponies." Nightmare Moon slowly paced back and forth as she went on.
"You see Celestia was getting to big for her britches, so to speak, and the light she was casting drowned out everything else it shown upon. So now that she isn't around I have taken this fine opportunity, as the REAL Princess of the Night, to be recognized as the one true Princess and to receive all your praise and respect that is deserving of me."
"But we need the sun!" some pony called out.
"What are we going to do?" asked another.
"I thought Luna was the Princess of the Night. You're not her!" shouted a third.
"Yes, yes, yes." Nightmare Moon nodded as the ponies fell silent once again. "The moon will be your new sun and it will shine brightly down upon all of you forever now." There were a few gasps in the crowd as I could see panic and worry began to slowly spread through out every pony. "Let me tell you this!" she shouted as fear began to replace every other emotion on the ponies faces. "Do not forget what you hear today. There is no more Luna. There is no more Celestia. There is only the Night and all that it brings. For I am Nightmare Moon and I shall rule Equestria from this night forward until eternity!"
It was strange being trapped inside another pony only able to look out through their eyes, not having the feeling of hunger or sleep but pain was very real in this unreal place I find myself in. It seemed like an eternity as I watched her go about with royal assertiveness all the time the other ponies being to afraid to stand up to her or say anything back to her. She didn't seem to tire or even falter as the day or should I say night carried on as she enjoyed her new role more and more.
Only about a day passed before the first rays of hope arrived as Nightmare Moon watched the Princess of the Sun stride her way through the main gates and into the main hall before leaving her line of sight. I never felt more happier in my life than I did at that moment when I watched Celestia arrive but at the same time feeling anger and disgust for all the times she brushed me off or ignored me when I needed her. As Nightmare Moon made her way back into the throne room and sat upon Celestia's chair as she carefully watched the doors waiting for the Princess to walk through them at any moment.
She didn't have to wait for long as I watched that recognizable yellow glow surround both doors as they casually opened before my sister as she strode through the room stopping right at the steps that led up to the throne. I noticed she had a serious look in her eyes as she silently stared at the alicorn sitting in front of her. I could feel Nightmare Moon start to get bored with her as she finally spoke breaking the silence that filled the room.
"Good evening, Celestia." she said smiling down at my sister. When Celestia didn't reply she went on, "What? No: hi, hello, how are you?" Nightmare Moon teased as the look on Celestia's face hardened as she finally spoke.
"Where is my sister? What have you done with Luna?" I have never seen her like this. It was almost scary at how serious my sister could be when she puts her whole heart into something.
"What?" Nightmare Moon gave a mock gasp before continuing, "you don't even recognize your own sister?" She got to her hooves and slowly walked down the stairs and past Celestia, rubbing her tail across her face. Pushing it away in annoyance, Celestia understood what she meant as her eyes caught her cutie mark. It was similar to Luna's but slightly different in shape and position. Quickly turning her attention back to Nightmare Moon's face she growled between clenched teeth.
"Give me back my sister."
"She's right here in front of you." she waved a hoof casually back at Celestia.
"Luna! I'm here now. Luna can you hear me?" she called out staring at Nightmare Moon. Yes, yes I can hear you! I shouted as I tried to force myself to say but to no avail. I tried everything in my power to get anything out to my sister but it was useless. Nightmare Moon had complete control now and there was nothing I could do.
"Ahahahaha! Give it up Celestia. Luna is gone and it's all thanks to you." she said as she started to circle Celestia.
"What do you mean by that?" she asked as she watched the dark alicorn carefully. I kept shouting that it wasn't her fault and to not listen to her but it was like I had no voice.
"YOU are the one that wouldn't listen. YOU are the one that would always push her away when she tried to talk to her. YOU are the one that always received the love and praise from every pony." I watched as the words drove home and Celestia's face softened slightly as Nightmare Moon was speaking the truth. She continued to circle my sister as she continued, driving each and every point deeper and harder into her that she was at the point of breaking. Yet the only thing I could still do was watch.
"And YOU are the one that created me when Luna had no pony to turn to." Nightmare Moon stopped in front of Celestia almost muzzle to muzzle as I could see sadness and pain in Celestia's eyes as she sat back onto her haunches not really knowing what to say for everything that was just said was true. Yes, my sister got all the ponies' worship and praise and not a second thought was given to the Princess of the Night as she watched over every pony in their sleep. I could see that it hurt my sister deeply as she looked into my eyes searching for something to say as if the words hung just on the edge of her tongue yet not a sound came forth.
"Now that the Princess of the Night is gone and soon the Princess of the Day," Nightmare Moon continued as she turned away from Celestia taking a few steps towards the throne, "I shall rule over all of Equestria and there will be eternal night forever."
"No!"
"Excuse me?" Nightmare Moon stopped suddenly and looked over her shoulder at the now composed Celestia getting back on all four hooves.
"No!" she repeated which made her clench her jaw as she turned to completely face the white alicorn glaring deadly at her. "I believe Luna is still in there somewhere and I WILL save her from you." Celestia stated as she stomped a hoof into the ground.
"You think you can beat me?" Nightmare Moon challenged as she slowly stepped towards my sister. There was a glimmer of hope in her eyes which made me cheer for her as she stood her ground.
"I will beat you, no matter what." she stated once again and this seemed to push Nightmare Moon over the edge as she charged up magical energy into her horn and shot a solid beam at my sister. Celestia was quicker though and flew out of the way as the beam struck a pillar destroying part of it which caused it to fall to the ground. As i watched my sister turn gracefully in the air she had her own magic powered up and shot her own beam back. Nightmare Moon was able to get out of the way as it stuck the ground right behind her leaving a nasty scorch mark.
The magic my sister wielded was incredible. Yeah I know she raised the sun every morning but to see it like this, in the heat of battle, defending what she believes in...it was simply amazing. Around and around they few barely missing each other as the throne room took a beating. It wasn't until the last supporting pillar was destroyed and the roof started to come down on both of them that they finally took the fight outside.
"You are pathetic, Celestia." Nightmare Moon called down at her as she hovered above catching her breath. "Is this all the power the mighty Princess of the Sun has?" I felt her laughter shake her body as she was smiling down upon my sister who seemed to look slightly worried about something. Is it true? Is this all that she has? I echoed the questions as Nightmare Moon fired off another beam of magic as she flew towards my sister.
I could see that Celestia was getting slower and slower by the minute as if she was running out of energy as Nightmare Moon continued her relentless assault. I knew that if she didn't do something soon that the next blast from her would hit my sister and I feared the worst. It was not long before I was right and as Nightmare moon fired off a quick volley of magical beams two of them hit her and sent her spinning down towards the ruined castle leaving a big dust cloud as she hit a nearby wall which crumbled on top of her. Oh no! I gasped as I could hear Nightmare Moon's laughter ring out over the mostly destroyed castle. There was no pony left for they all fled, half due to Celestia's warning and the other half when the fighting had started.
As the smoke and dust started to clear there was a slight movement as Celestia pushed some rocks off of her before looking up with a sadness that wasn't there before. What is she doing? I thought as I yelled for her to run out of there. Nightmare Moon continued to laugh as she watched Celestia slowly get to her hooves all the time never taking her eyes off of her. As the dark alicorn began to charge one last final blast she spoke loudly down to my sister.
"It is time, Celestia. Time to say good bye!" I knew that this much magical energy stored up and released would surely finish off Celestia and I screamed and begged at Nightmare Moon to stop and spare my sister as all I could do is watch in horror as she released every bit of her magic in a huge beam which covered that whole area that Celestia was standing in with such a force that everything turned white and all sound seemed to just fade away.
Everything seemed to be moving in slow motion. Nightmare Moon hovered there, wings barely moving as the beam of magic continued to rain down on Celestia but she wasn't there. She was hovering just right below Nightmare Moon with that same sad look in her eyes as I noticed that she also had the Elements of Harmony with her. Only one thought crossed my mind as she closed her eyes and softly said, "Good bye..." before everything went completely dark.
The last images I saw was Celestia laying on the ground with the Elements scattered around her before being thrust far from home out of Equestria and into an unknown darkness that not even my thoughts made a sound. I was cold and couldn't see anything as it just felt like I was drifting, no control of my body or where I was headed in this everlasting darkness.
Nothingness. Inky, dark, devoid of everything, nothingness. That's the only way I could explain it. It felt like I was just drifting in space not in any control of any part of my body yet not really going anywhere at the same time. I couldn't see, couldn't breath, I couldn't even feel my own heartbeat in this place. I guess it was a good thing that I didn't need to eat or breath and probably did not even need to sleep here where ever "here" is. I sighed to myself and that's when it hit me and I would've seen it with my own eyes but I couldn't see anything. The only thing I knew for absolutely certain was that I was in my own body once again.
I soon noticed another presence in this nothingness with me and could only assume it was the other me, Nightmare Moon. I could feel that she was near by but I still couldn't see anything. It felt like I had no eyes at all but I knew that was silly as it took a few tries but I finally managed to bring my hoof up to my face and place it on one of my eyes.
"So this is where I am banished to, huh?" I heard her say and turned my muzzle towards where I thought I heard her voice come from. "And the best part?" she asked herself, "Oh yeah the best part of all of this is that I'm stuck with YOU." If I could have seen her I would've sworn she just spat as she said that.
"Where are we?" I asked her. It was a good while before I got anything from her and the silence was beginning to get to me.
"Can't you tell?" she mocked me.
"Oh yes, I can clearly tell where we are." I said sarcastically back at her. I could have sworn a heard a slight giggle from her as soon as I said that but then again this place is messing with all of my senses. Even I couldn't feel my magic as if it as not there anymore which bothered me the most.
"Well that crazy sister of yours just banished us for who knows how long." Nightmare Moon somewhat explained.
"Banished...? What do you mean banished? And where to?" I started throwing question after question at her as panic slipped into my voice.
"By the moon and stars, calm yourself you silly pony." she yelled back as I quieted down so she could go on. "Your sister, Celestia, used the Elements of Harmony on us. Do you remember that?" I nodded and then realizing how silly that seemed for she couldn't see me either I said I did remember that part.
"Well if you were paying half of as much attention as I was then you would've known that her position and her line of sight there was only one place for us to go when she used that much power. Can you guess where we are?" It took me a few minutes to put all the pieces of the puzzle together and then I gasped as I replied.
"That's not possible...are we really..."
"On the moon?" Nightmare Moon finished for me as she confirmed it as she went on. "Yes. Celestia has banished us to the moon using the power of the Elements. And once again I am stuck here with you for who knows how long." I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Why would Celestia do that to me? Why didn't she find some other way to defeat her? Why didn't she save me like she said she was going to? So many more questions ran through my mind that brought back feelings of anger and rage just like before as I couldn't just contain it anymore and let out a scream of rage and pain that would've shaken the very foundations of the tallest mountains.
Something strange happened next after I seemed to calm down. The first thing that happened was that Nightmare Moon came into view and we were both standing across from each other. She had an expression I've never seen on her face before. It was a mixture of shock and awe before she composed herself and turned her head away from me as if I was a sore sight to see. We were still in complete darkness but a few moments later a few lights appeared below us and as I looked down to see what they were I could see Equestria shape and form into what we know of it today.
It was strange watching all of this and I couldn't wrap my head around any of it to try and make sense of it. I saw Celestia and I immediately called out to her and started to run towards her but it was useless for I was going nowhere no matter how far I tried to run. I even tried to fly and the same thing happened. I stopped moving and just watched the events play out before me but they seemed jagged and out of place for they kept jumping around from scene to scene.
One moment there was Celestia talking to some pony and the next she was standing on a hillside looking up at an empty cliff face. It jumped again to some part of Equestria that I've never seen before where some ponies where playing in the afternoon sun. I heard Nightmare Moon spit in disgust for she was seeing the same thing I was and I knew why she did that without her having to say anything. Turning back to the images I watched as the days turned into years, the years into centuries, as Equestria grew and grew as I just floated there in that blackness next to Nightmare Moon the whole time. We haven't moved in a very long time nor did we barely talk to each other as we just watched everything unfold before us.
How long did I have to stay up here? Will I ever be able to get back home? More and more questions began to pile up over the years as we just watched time pass by yet it didn't seem to affect us much in this void. Then one day something really weird started happening and turning my head I watched Nightmare Moon move over near where we were watching everything unfold and just stand there. I would ask her what she was up to but I thought better of it. It looked like she was focusing on a certain scene but I tried not to stare in her direction for I did not want to be near her in the first place but there was nothing either of us could do about it. It seemed like another few years came and went before I heard her speak, more to herself than to me but I couldn't help over hearing for there was no other sound in this place.
"It is almost time...."
"Time for what?" I couldn't help myself but ask for it was so long that I've heard any pony's voice other than the thoughts in my head.
"Time to go home my little pony." She turned her head and smiled evilly at me before returning her gaze back down to where it was. I blinked a few times and was confused at her statement. How? Is somepony going to come save us? Is my sister going to finally free us from our imprisonment? I wanted to ask her these things but then my eyes caught the scene she was staring so intently at. It looked like they were getting ready for the Summer Sun Celebration in some small town I didn't recognized. My thoughts drifted back to those days when my sister and I would be there on the platform together as I lowered the moon while she raised the sun at the same time. It was the only time of the year when we were both together using our magic for every pony.
Laughter broke my train of thought as I turned towards Nightmare Moon. She was laughing? It seemed a bit strange to me for all of a sudden that she would just start laughing uncontrollably at what looked like nothing to me. It was a few minutes before she got herself under control and turned to face me before she spoke once again in her menacing voice.
"Now it is time. We will be free from this place very shortly. Unfortunately for you you'll be stuck back on the inside." She laughed again as I stepped back from her.
"No! I will not be trapped inside you once again." I shouted back doing my best to not believe anything she is saying.
"You have no choice and now you have no time. Sweet dreams, Luna." she laughed again as everything seemed to go hazy and slowly start to get dark once more.
"Stop! Please! I don't want to go back in there. I want my sister! Please let me see Celestia!" My words fell on deaf ears as everything around me faded away and that all to familiar filling returned but the scenery was different as I felt our body rush back towards Equestria in a cloud of blue and purple smoke before a moment later we appeared on a balcony looking down at a crowd of ponies. Gasps and shocked faces could be seen through out the room as Nightmare Moon laughed as she scanned the group below her.
"Oh my beloved subjects. It's been so long since I've seen your precious little sun loving faces."
"Hey! What did you do with our Princess?" I saw a rainbow colored pegasus shout out before Nightmare Moon replied.
"Why? Am I not royal enough for you?" she laughed and the glared down at the pegasus as she continued. "Don't you know who I am?" These ponies didn't know who she was. Has it really been that long that nopony remembers her, or perhaps even myself? I didn't like where this was going as I just watched not being able to do anything. I watched her fly around the room as she continued her speech to every pony as they all seemed afraid of her.
"Does my crown no longer count now that I have been imprisoned for a thousand years? Did you not recall the legend? Did you not see the signs?"
"I did, and I know who you are!" Nightmare Moon's eyes quickly shifted to the one who spoke. It was a purple unicorn standing near the center of the room. I didn't know who she was either but something told me that she was the only one who actually might know about us. "You are the mare in the moon. Nightmare Moon!" she said as every pony let out a gasp as they recognized the name.
"Well, well, well. Some pony who remembers me. Then you also know why I am here." It looked liked she tried to answer but just couldn't as Nightmare Moon just laughed as she called out. "Remember this day little ponies for it was your last. From this moment forth the night will last forever!" Blue and purple smoke started to fill up around her as she continued to laugh before we faded away and left what seemed to be a town hall.
Where she was going I wasn't to sure but she was moving fast as the scenery passed by in a blur but then I did see something I knew: the Everfree Forest. That sure hasn't changed much save for it has grown and spread quite a bit since the last time I saw it. It finally dawned on me that she was heading back to where our old castle was at when me and Celestia first ruled together. I watched her set traps along the way in case any pony decided to follow us. It didn't take us very long to get back as she transformed back into her ponyself and started walking through the overgrown ruins.
"Why did you come here?" I asked hoping she would at least explain some part of her plan.
"I'm looking for something..." she said trailing off as she searched the ruins. I tried asking again wanting a more definite answer but got nothing but silence from her. After a while of not getting anywhere she flew high into the air and hovered there taking in a bigger picture of things. It wasn't very long before she heard voices on the wind and quickly started to scan the ground for the source of these voices. Over by one of the few standing buildings she saw six ponies walk inside and immediately heard raised voices of joy and excitement and something about the Elements of Harmony.
So that's what she was looking for but why would they be here? Wouldn't Celestia have hidden them in a safer place after she used them on us? Sometimes I just didn't understand my sister. Nightmare Moon flew down and closer to the build as she watched the ponies take down the stone Elements and place them in front of that purple unicorn as she explained about some kind of spark or something for they only had five of the Elements. A moment later she told them to wait outside and that was when she acted. Transforming back into the smoke she flew in stealthily and began to gather the Elements up together floating them higher and higher in a make shift tornado before teleporting them out of the room with her.
Appearing in another part of the castle that had not be so badly damage Nightmare Moon had the Elements around her hooves as she noticed that a little extra came along for the ride. It was that purple unicorn and I gazed at her as I thought that was a stupid move. She has no idea how powerful Nightmare Moon is and she would be in serious trouble. Suddenly I saw her go from being in shock at seeing the alicorn with the Elements to determination as she got low and started to paw the ground as if she was getting ready to charge her.
"You're kidding. You're kidding, right?" Nightmare Moon said almost annoyed with her actions. The unicorn pawed the ground a few more times as she started to activate her magic before taking off in a full gallop towards her. I just blinked a few times for I was utterly confused with her actions but Nightmare Moon had other plans. She got low herself and when the unicorn got closer she took off in her own charge ready to take down this small pony. As Nightmare Moon lowered her head to spear her with her horn the unicorn suddenly vanished which made me go "Huh?" as she had the same reaction.
It only took her a few short moments to spot the purple unicorn as she was now over by the Elements. Nightmare Moon had her own type of teleportation and as she appeared across from the unicorn right as she used her magic to create some kind of spark that seemed to connect all five of them together as they began to glow and to much of my surprise I thought she actually made it work.
"No, no!" Nightmare Moon said shockingly as she watched the same thing happen as I did but just as quickly as it started the magical spark faded and the stones stopped glowing. The alicorn began to laugh once more before raising up on her hind legs and then slamming her front hooves down shattering all the stones into pieces. The unicorn looked horrified and frozen in place for she thought she had solved it by using her magic. Turning her attention to the little pony Nightmare Moon spoke angrily at her as the unicorn shrunk down in fear at the all powerful alicorn.
"You little foal! You think you can defeat me. Now you will never see your Princess or your sun. The night will last forever!" she boasted again as she spread her wings and drew up to her full height. I watched as the little pony went from fear to bravery in a matter of seconds as she stood strait up and faced Nightmare Moon.
"You think you can destroy the Elements of Harmony just like that? Well you're wrong because the spirits of the Elements of harmony are right here!" As she finished saying that the other five ponies came into view and moved up behind her. Then something completely unexpected happened. I watched as the pieces of the Elements rose up on their own without any kind of magic and move to surround each one of the ponies as the unicorn continued her speech about each Element and what they represent. I felt the power begin to fill the area and I knew that power to be from the Elements.
I also felt the fear start to build up in Nightmare Moon as we both watched the Elements of Harmony take a new form in five necklaces and as the sixth Element become a crown that rested on top of the unicorn's head. This was it, I thought, we were going to be banished once again as i watched the six ponies raise up and gather together before rainbow colored light shot up from all of them before it came crashing down on Nightmare Moon.
"Nooooooooo! Arrrhhhhhhhh!" she screamed as the light completely enveloped her and I closed my eyes waiting for that moment where we would be sent away for another thousand years. I heard voices this time, none that I knew of though until there was a new one, one that I haven't heard in a very long time which brought tears to my eyes as I opened them to see my sister walking up towards me.
"Princess Luna. It has been a thousand years since I have seen you like this. It is time to put our differences behind us. We were meant to rule together little sister. Will you accept my friendship?" I couldn't bear to look at her as she asked me that but then hearing her soft sweet voice one more just broke me to pieces and I got up and ran towards her.
"I'm so sorry! I've missed you so much big sister."
"I've missed you too." was all she said as we held each other tightly tears flowing from both of us. As Celestia brought me back to her new castle called Canterlot there was a parade in my honor as now every pony seemed to praise me and love me just as much as her. I have never felt this way before in all my life and there were no words that I could use to express this feeling. Things were much better from here on out but it still took some time to get used to everything once again, especially when it came to all the other ponies.
I hope you have enjoyed this tale of mine for you know the rest. And for those who are just reading this for the first time please remember: no matter how bad it looks or how much pain you feel there is always some pony there who is willing to talk to you even if it doesn't seem like it. You just need the courage and strength to step forward for I promise you that if you let it sit there deep down inside it will fester and grow until you have your own personal Nightmare Moon to deal with. Thank you and be safe out there, my little ponies. I will be watching over you through out the night so rest easy and dream peacefully tonight.
