This story follows Dusk Shine and Luna from the F.C.E. & tells the story of how they came into being the way they are in the present. The story starts a little over 40 years before the events Emerald Spider: First Contact Equstria.
This story follows Dusk Shine and Luna from the F.C.E. & tells the story of how they came into being the way they are in the present. The story starts a little over 40 years before the events Emerald Spider: First Contact Equstria.
Link to Emerald Spider: First Contact Equestria below.
EDIT: I want to apologize for however many of you were interested in this story. I had every intention of coming back to finish this, but me and my Co-Writer The-Lonely-Art had a falling out to put it lightly, and I honestly don't know who is more at fault, me or her. Maybe things will be better between us one day, but with a heavy heart, as it stands this story is canceled, as I cannot in good conscience continue the story without her. I sincerely apologize as I had time to work on my stories, but always got distracted. If anyone wants to blame me I won't blame them.
Luna had been seeing actions through her eyes that were not her own for the past 1000 years. She thought her body would never be her own again, and when she saw these new bearers about to use the elements on her again, she thought she would spend another thousand years on the moon. But instead she saw a bright flash, and to her surprise body was her own again. She looks up, blinking and trying to focus. It was hard to believe that her movements were of her own will again.
Luna then heard the mumbling of the element bearers, but one voice caught her attention.
"Wait... I recognize you!", The Lavender Stallion said, "Why didn't I see it before? You're princess Luna! Celestia said Nightmare Moon killed you centuries ago! Are you alright?"
"I... b-believe so...." Luna responded, "Who art thou?"
"My name is Dusk Shine, I am Celestia's personal student."
Dusk extended his hoof to help her up.
"W-wait... Celestia's personal s-student?...", She said trembling.
"Yes he is, and I am very proud of him."
Celestia had come in through the window behind Luna.
"Celestia!", Dusk Shine and the others said as they all bowed.
"Now now... I'll have none of that.", Celestia said in response.
She approached Luna.
Luna looks back, her ears lowering and she backs away a bit. "S-sister...."
"Luna..."
Celestia teared up and huged Luna.
"Luna... Please forgive me..."
Dusk and his friends look on in confusion.
"Wait...", Dusk said, "Celestia, did you..."
Luna hugs back, with tears flowing out of her own eyes. "Tia..."
"I didn't want to send you away. But I didn't have enough time or strength to free you... I never wanted this for you..."
Tears flowed from Celestia's eyes now in even greater volume.
"I think I get it now...", Dusk said, "You didn't want Equestria to know that Nightmare Moon was Luna so you told every pony that Nightmare killed her..."
Celestia nodded as a response.
"So I did something you couldn't... Well that's a first."
Elusive then went up to Luna and put a blanket around her, and asked, "Will you be alright?"
Luna nods, "We are thankful for thy help. Without thee, we would still..." She looks down and turns her head away.
"It is alright, you were not yourself, thanks to Dusk here we were able to help you. If he hadn't of come to Ponyville who knows what would've happened."
"We do..." She mutters softly.
"Luna it's over now...", Celestia told Luna as she hugged her.
Luna looked at Dusk. Luna stared at him with thankfulness. He saved her from that black abyss. That creature, and evil power simply refering to itself as 'Dark'. It had deceived and used her. And because of Dusk, and his friend she was free.
As they got up and walked out of the castle Luna spoke to Dusk.
"Dusk.. uhm, we-... uh... i... am ver- greatful for th- you and... uh...", Luna seemed to stumble over her words.
All the while Celestia whispered something into Rainbow Dash's ear and Dash smiled deviously. She flew by quickly and made it look like she bumped Dusk on accident causing him to accidentally his lips against Luna's and seem to kiss her.
Luna's eyes got wide and her navy coat turned bright red. Yet, she did not move back.
Dusk did after his shock wore off however.
"P-Princess... I-l-l'm sorry I didn't mean..."
"No-no-no! Do not worry! We saw what happened!" She quickly said.
Dusk blushed awkwardly looking away biting his lower lip.
"Come on you two.", Celestia said smiling, "Lets reintroduce my wittle sister to Equestria." (She then wrapped her hoof around her head giving her sister a noogie.
Both Rainbow and Pinkie laughed at this.
Luna blushes more, struggling to get away, "Tia! Not in front of sub- other ponies!", Luna pouted. It almost looked cute to Dusk.
Dusk laughed. "I know how that feels. I have an older brother."
Luna pulls away, and steps and glares at her sister.
"I am sorry Luna... I've just missed you so much...", Celestia hangs her head.
"I've never seen this side of you before Celestia.", Dusk said
"It is one I hope to show more."
Luna sighs. "We are not mad Tia. It has just been so long and..." She looks down, tears forming.
Celestia hugged her again," I missed you too. You have no idea how much I've missed you little sister."
Luna looks up and smiles warmly, for the first time in awhile.
"Now let's get out of here." Celestia told Luna, "This place represents our past, and I believe it is far past time we look to forward to the future."
Everypony agreed, and their way back to Ponyville.
-Later that night.-
Luna was thinking about the recent that had just transpired. Ponyville had welcomed her surprisingly, but she could stop thinking about two things.
What might have happened had the Elements failed, and... Dusk Shine.
Why was she having thoughts about this 'Dusk Shine'? She wondered.
She hovers around the thought, confused more than anything. Why is this mere mortal intriguing her?
Later that night in Canterlot Castle Celestia came to Luna's room.
"You set the stars beautifully tonight, but I get the feeling something is bothering you. Are your living accommodations not to your liking?"
She looks up. "No, Tia, they are fine"
"You are curious about the ones that saved you, aren't you?"
"Uhm... one, yes..."
"My student?", Celestia said smiling.
She rolls her eyes. "Do not get any ideas, Tia"
Celestia chuckled a bit, "What do you wish to know?"
"How did you come across a student that surpasses you?"
"I wouldn't say he surpasses me... At least not yet. This is the first time he has done something I could not. I dare say he is progressing faster than Starswill."
"Hmm... I'm impressed. That is no easy feat even for a moderately experienced alicorn."
"As long as he stays on the right path, I see great things in his future."
"You say that about all of your students."
Celestia smiled, "I know, but I have a feeling about him. Look what he and his friends pulled off tonight.", She smirked, "You know... I've never seen either you or my student turn so red before."
She blushes again, "Tiiiiaaaaa!!"
Celestia laughed,"You are a grown mare. And I don't judge you. If you need me I'll be down that hall to the left. Good night Luna... And it's good to have you back."
She lays down, hugging her pillow and pouting again. However the thought of the accidental kiss between her and Dusk Shine still lingered.
While Luna did appreciate Celestia wanting to protect her name, she believed Equestria deserved to know the truth. So she did just that, she told the nation the truth about Nightmare Moon, and to her surprise most of Equestria was very forgiving. Which was very much a relief to Luna, as Celestia had convinced her to go back to Ponyville for this Nightmare Night holiday.
Dusk was getting ready putting the final touches on his costume.
"Ha! Now I look just like Starswril The Bearded! Hey Spike you ready?"
"I sure am!", he replied.
Spike was dressed as a dragon as he came downstairs.
"Spike... Why are you dressed a dragon When you are one?", Dusk asked.
"It's meant to be ironic.", Spike smiled.
Dusk chuckled, "Well come on little bro, you ready for your first Nightmare Night?"
"You bet!"
As they walked out into town all Dusk could think about was that night.
-Meanwhile...-
Meanwhile Luna was flying to Ponyville on her personal chariot. She sat silently and worried about the night ahead. She hadn't taken part in many festivities. Let alone in public with citizens. However she felt she did need to make a dramatic entrance so she thought of something.
-Back in Ponyville...-
Dusk was having a good time, despite his irritation that nopony knew who he was supposed to be in his costume. But he seemed to be somewhere else. Distracted. Spike noticed this.
"Hey Dusk you alright?", he asked.
"Hmm... Oh. I'm alright Spike. Just thinking about recent events...", Dusk responded.
"Hey I know you faced off against Nightmare Moon, but it all worked out didn't it?"
Dusk smiled. He knew Spike was right. After all this was no night to be distracted by negative thoughts.
"Now come on let's-"
Spike was cut short by thunder clouds and lightning in the sky, which was strange because the sky was clear a second ago.
A chariot starts speeding down, her bat-pony soldiers flying dangerously fast towards the ground. When it made it to the ground the passenger stepped out. At first it looked like the the menacing figure of Nightmare Moon stepped down off the chariot, and ponies trembled.
Luna knocks her hood off with a simple head motion and looks out onto her subjects. She speaks out in her Canterlot voice. "GREETINGS SUBJECTS! IT IS US! THE BELOVED PRINCESS OF THE NIGHT!"
Luna nodded signaling the chariot ponies to leave.
The ponies still trembled the memory of Nightmare Moon's return still fresh in their minds.
Her ears droop but she remains regal. She thrusts her hoof, "GREET THY PRINCESS!"
The ponies she pointed in the general direction of thought she was going to "smite" them. Luna pulls back, confused as she looks around at them.
Pinky yelled out, "EVERYPONY RUN!"
They all ran except for Elusive, Sweety Belle, Spike, and Dusk.
"Pinky that was uncalled for!", Elusive said.
Luna drooped her head and ran off into the woods.
"Spike stay with Elusive and Sweety Belle, I'll be right back.", Dusk told his assistant.
Tears welled up in Luna's eyes, and she ran to towards the Ever Free stopping in front of a statue of Nightmare Moon, and she stared angrily at it.
She then hears a familiar voice from behind her.
"Princess Luna?"
She turns around to see Dusk dressed as Starswril The Bearded.
Luna's ears flatten and she looks away. "Nice costume..."
"You remember me?"
"Yes, Dusk, we do. Go ahead and scream in fear of the Terrible Nightmare Moon..." She mutters, laying down.
"Now why would I do that to the first mare I kissed.", He chuckled.
Her ears flatten. She didn't seem to take the joke right.
"Don't worry, I haven't told anypony in case you are wondering. I think your entrance just startled everypony is all."
"Enough to make one who saved us scream to run?..."
"Maybe Pinkie (I'm still trying to figure her out), and others, but not me. I could tell the type of pony you are, when uhh... You know... You didn't get angry, or upset with me, and you were just as surprised as I was."
Dusk smiled, "Plus how can I stay mad at an artist like yourself.", He looked at the stars, "The night has never been more beautiful."
He looked back at her.
She looks up, smiling at him, "Thanks... We were hoping seeing such beauty would allow us to come and be welcomed here..."
"Come on Princess Luna. Come with me, I think I have a friend that can help you with communicating with other ponies, show the town you are not Nightmare Moon."
She slowly stands, nodding softly and turning to follow him. She glances back at the statue however.
"Princess...", Dusk said as he noticed this, "Come on, lets leave this place."
Luna nodded and followed.
On the way to where they were going Luna looked over Dusk's costume, and was surprised how accurate it was.
"Very good detail Dusk. Thou even got the bells and constellations right."
Dusk smiled, "I think you are the first one to figure out who I am supposed to be. If I remember correctly you knew Starswril... Princess, do you mind if I ask you a question?"
Luna nodded.
Dusk had a huge stupid grin on his face, "What-was-Starswril-like!?!"
Dusk covered his mouth as he realized he had almost been yelling.
"Sorry...", Dusk said lowering how loud and fast he was speaking to normal.
"All Celestia ever gives me is books on him. She never tells me her first hoof experience with him."
Lunas ears flatten. "We apologize Dusk. We know this answer would be great for you but we made a pact with our sister not to talk about him."
"Oh...", The smile disappeared from Dusk's face and his ears drooped, "So you can't tell me anything?"
She shakes her head. "We are sorry Dusk..." ,her ears droop as well and she looks away.
"I suppose there is a good reason...", Dusk sighed, "I am not upset, just a bit disappointed. Well it looks like we are almost there."
They approached what appeared to be a cottage.
"Now don't worry Princess, my friend Fluttershy has the tiniest sweetest voice. I'm sure she can help you."
Dusk knocked on the door).
"GO AWAY THERE IS NO CANDY HERE!"
Fluttershy had yelled so loud that it even startled Princess Luna slightly. The shout was nearly on par with the royal Canterlot voice.
Dusk smiled awkwardly, "Umm... Fluttershy... It is me Dusk Shine."
"Oh...", Fluttershy cracks opens the door slightly and looks out, "Hi Dusk. Oh and hi Nightm-", Her pupils shirk, "Nightmare Moon!", She slams the door shut.
Luna backs up, seemingly about to walk away, "Maybe we shouldn't..."
"Hold on...", Dusk told her, "Fluttershy, you remember Princess Luna right?"
"Yes...", She squeaked.
"Do you think you are in any danger?"
"..."
"Fluttershy?"
"No..."
Fluttershy opened the door slowly and walk out fiddling with her right hoof on the floor.
"How c-c-can I help you P-Princess?..."
Luna takes a breath, "WE WERE TOLD THOU COULD TEACH US HOW TO SPEAK WITH THY CALM VOICE?"
"Sure...", She squeaked.
"HOW SHOULD WE START?"
"M-Maybe... Be a little... Quieter..."
Her voice lowers a bit. "HOW ABOUT NOW?"
"Perfect-lesson-over.", She said quickly as she tried to flee back inside only to have the door slammed in her face by Dusk.
Dusk turned to Luna "Princess... Have you ever considered speaking without the royal *We*?"
"WITHOUT THE ROYAL WE? BUT ISN'T THAT PROPER. IT IS ONLY APPROPRIATE THAT WE DO SO."
"Maybe 1000 years ago, but do you see Celestia using it?", Dusk replied.
"U-uh... NO."
"Fluttershy did have the right idea though, try speaking a little more softly."
"Is this good?", Her voice is still a bit raised.
"Better, now a little more."
"How... About... Now?"
Dusk was stunned by how her voice sounded, "It's... Perfect."
She blushed as Dusk smiled warmly at her.
"Thank you.", She replied.
"Now let's thank Fluttershy."
Fluttershy's eyes were still spinning from hitting the door.
Luna hugged her, "THANK YO- I-I mean... Thank you Fluttershy, this will help us- I mean me to win the hearts of the villagers."
"Umm... You're welcome...", Fluttershy whispered.
Luna put Fluttershy down.
"Now just follow my lead Princess.", Dusk told Luna confidently.
As they made their way back to Ponyville, Luna waved goodbye to Fluttershy.
"Prin-Uhh... Luna... Can I ask you an awkward question... You don't have to answer if you don't want to...", Dusk said as he blushed trembling nervously.
She looks over. "Yes, Dusk?"
"Did you ever kiss anypony before you know..."
Dusk bit his lower lip and cringed fearing a negative response.
She shakes her head softly, looking away with a blush. "Being born an Alicorn makes the world impose high standards on me... Such things were frowned upon back then..."
"I guess it was just my curiosity, I didn't mean anything by it... For what it is worth many would've killed to be in my position that night..."
Luna blushed even more. "R-really?..."
Dusk realized he let that last part slip and feared he said something improper.
"Luna... I didn't mean to insinuate that I would steal a kiss from you-"
"No no! It is alright! I am not offended in fact I-" she tried to walk up quickly to catch up and get to the side of Dusk but triped falling into him and into another accidental kiss.
Dusk stunned once again, perhaps even more so than last time tried to pull away, but his body went stiff, and his face turned red. Luna's eyes go wide and she tried to pull back but slips into a puddle with a shocked squeak.
"Luna... I-l-l'm-I-I...", Was all Dusk could get out, as Luna was standing over him.
Luna stares at him her oown face red before purposefully pressing a kiss onto him. Dusk went tense before relaxing and kissing back. He didn't know what was happening, but he never wanted it to end. When their kiss broke Dusk's mind was racing, he just looked at Luna blushing, and she looked back at him blushing and smiling, in all her time she had been alive, she had never felt so alive.
"L-Luna..?", Dusk asked, "Did we just...?"
"Shut up you peasant and don't ever question it...", She said smiling and winking.
"Am I... Am I dreaming... Again?"
She shakes her head. They both had fallen into a bigger puddle and are covered in mud and soaking wet. It looked rather attractive from Dusk's view. Little did they know Rainbow Dash had saw this. She was going to prank Dusk with a lighting bolt from a thunder cloud, but this left her at a loss for words and action as she watched on.
"Luna..?", Dusk asked, "Have you been having the same thoughts as me? I can't stop thinking about you. Ever since that night..."
She nods softly. "You haven't left my mind either."
"W-What does this mean?", Dusk said flustered.
Luna nuzzled his cheek. "Why don't we find out?~"
Dusk smiled and kissed her. All the while Rainbow had snapped out of it and went to fetch her friends. For a few moments Luna pressed into the kiss, smiling happily. Their fun did not go unnoticed however. Rainbow had gather many of her associates and they watched.
"You were cute the first time I saw you...", Dusk told Luna
"And now?"
"You're beautiful."
They nuzzled each other smiling.
"I love you my Princess of the night. Your night is beautiful, but it doesn't compare to you..." Dusk said, "I don't deserve a mare like you..."
Luna's ears drooped. "Why is that?..."
"You really want somepony like me? The book nerd? The anti-social outcast? My brother Shinning would be a better stallion for you, he was always good with mares..."
She nuzzles his cheek. "Do not belittle yourself... In all honesty, I'm shocked you'd choose somepony who threatened to destroy your world over a petty argument with a sibling."
Dusk looked back up at Luna, "So you've been thinking about me as well? All this time?"
She nodded softly looking away. Something was on Luna's mind but Dusk couldn't tell what it was.
Dusk couldn't believe what he was about to say, because he never thought he would say it.
"Luna... I... I love you.", Dusk awaited her response fearing the worst.
Luna stares, suddenly unable to respond and scared to. She's never come close to such a situation. What would her sister say?...
This was the closest Dusk had ever come to having a mare friend, and he never thought it would be with a princess.
"I need to head home and clean up, not like anypony besides you recognized who I was supposed to be anyway... Come with me. You can wash off in the bathroom at the tree house..."
She nods softly, her head lowering, and letting Dusk get up. She could not bring herself to respond for some reason.
They made their way back into Ponyville and noticed it was strangely empty. They went in and Dusk took off the costume he was wearing, as Luna washed up. And then there was a knock at the door as Luna finished up.
"I'll get it.", Dusk told Luna.
He was surprised to see who was there.
"P-p-princess Celestia!", Dusk stuttered.
Luna's ears flatten and she backs up, looking away in shame and fearing the worse.
Celestia looked with what looked like a scalding face to them but then she dropped her wings to reveal all of Ponyville cheering behind her.
"Wha?...", Dusk said confused.
Luna glanced up, confused greatly as well.
Celestia smiled, "I heard that my sister had gotten her first coltfriend, and my student his first marefriend, and I knew I couldn't miss this."
It then came to their realization the somepony had seen what they did, and it made it's way back to Celestia somehow.
Luna's face turned bright red. "S-sister! Th-that's not-"
"Why is everypony cheering?", Dusk asked.
Celestia smiled, "Isn't it obvious? The're happy the Elment of Power and the Princess of The Night found love."
Luna blushes more, backing up in embarrassment.
"But I thought they were scared of her...", Dusk said.
A young colt in a pirate outfit stepped forward and excitedly said, "Your entrance was awesome! I actually thought Nightmare Moon had returned again, and I actually was scared for moment there. You're awesome! You're my favorite princess!"
The crowd then began to cheer to Luna's surprise.
Dusk: "Wait... You all want to be scared?"
"Well duh silly!", Pinky said seeming to appear out of nowhere, "That's what Nightmare Night is all about. Scaring others, while both sides scarer and scarie still have fun!", She disappeared as quickly as she appeared.
Luna looked to Dusk unsure what to do, when Dusk got an idea.
"Hey Luna?", Dusk whispered, "Can you make an illusion of Nightmare Moon?"
She nodded skeptically, Then Dusk whispered the rest of his idea to her. Her eyes widen and she nods softly, as she disappeared from sight, and then from thunder clouds and lightning a cackling Nightmare Moon descends.
"HAHAHA! FEAR ME PEASANTS FOR I HAVE RETURNED TO BRING ENTERNAL NIGHT! HAHAHA HA! " she lands in front between Celestia and the citizens.
The crowd cheered and Celestia thought it was a little too good, but was happy for her sister regardless.
Nightmare Moon turns to Celestia. "FEAR ME SISTER! I WILL REIGN SUPREME!", She then stepped towards Celestia.
Luna watches, really hoping to scare her sister with the illusion of Nightmare Moon she manipulated like a puppet, while she kept herself cloaked.
Celestia smiled played along, "You shall never triumph over us Nightmare Moon!"
They took to the air beams of harmful looking, yet harmless beams of energy hurled at each other.
Nightmare moon laughs more as she dodges. "YOU THINK YOU CAN BEAT ME!?! HOW FOOLISH!"
"I did it once I can-ahh!", One of the false beams finally hit Celestia and she hits the ground playing dead.
The crowd watches in awe as the illusion stands victorious over Celestia.
"AHAHAHAHAHA! I NOW RULE SUPREME!", The moon turns red and clouds swirl around it, lightning flashing. Nightmare Moon laughs even more.
The crowd is silent for a moment, which leaves Luna concerned, but then they erupt into cheers, and Celestia opens one eye slightly and smiles at Luna. Luna smiles and the illusion fades into the wind but the atmosphere remains to help with Nightmare Night.
Celestia gets up and motioned Luna to come over to her.
"Good show sister."
Celestia bowed as though she were a performer on stage as Luna then did the same. After the clapping and cheering calmed down Luna spoke to Celestia.
"I was hoping to frighten you sister.", She said smirking.
"You did a little. That impression was a little too good.", Celestia replied.
"I did have first hand experience as Nightmare Moon."
"Nice to see it is used for something good now.", Celestia smiled with pride in her sister.
Luna nods, smirking at sister. "Thanks. Maybe I'll get you next year."
"And remind me not to get on your bad side, literally.", Dusk said trembling having flash backs to when he first encountered Nightmare Moon.
Celestia chuckled, "Well you scared somepony good."
Luna looks to Dusk, giving a fanged smile and flashing dragon like eyes as a joke, causing Dusk to jump back a little. She then laughed softly, the fake fangs disappearing and her eyes returning to normal. Luna then went over to Dusk smiling warmly. Dusk was slightly embarrassed. She nuzzles him softly, nipping his ear. Then suddenly something seems to click in her head and she pulls back. Her ears flatten and she goes into the library, away from prying eyes, leaving the crowd confused.
Celestia tends to the crowd, and Dusk runs inside after Luna.
"Luna..?", Dusk asked concerned, "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine... I'm sorry Dusk but I can't do it..."
Dusk was taken aback at this, "D-Did I do something wrong?"
She shakes her head, "No... and you cannot control the reason I cannot be with you..."
"Because you're a princess?"
"No... Because you are mortal and I will out live you..."
Dusk began to tear up. He finally knew what loving another felt like, and now he knew what heart break felt like.
"Fine! I don't need you anyways!"
Tears form in his eyes and he teleported away. Long distance judging by how much energy Luna felt him use. She feels her own heart break as she just sits there, staring at the floor before also teleporting away and appearing in her room. She curls up and hugs a pillow as she cries into it.
Dusk had teleported to where he first encountered Luna and sat sobbing in the Castle of the two sisters, contemplating everything since that night.
"Well it's not like anypony would want to be with you anyways Dusk!... You can make it all... Alone..."
He sobbed more, but his drowning in sorrow was cut short as a bag was put over his head and he was bound.
"Mfff!!!"
He then heard the voice of the one that bound him, "Now now, you should feel honored, you will be helping the rightful ruler of the night return to power."
Dusk was then hit over the head, and he went unconscious as he was dragged away.