Nightmare Moon is not evil at all. All she want is so ponies can live strong and happy. If theres the need to play the evil role, she would gladly do it.
After Discord spread chaos and Sombra spread fear across the land, the land become hard to live on. It hurt Nightmare Moon heart, seeing ponies hard daily struggle. Nightmare Moon is not evil at all. All she wants is so ponies can live strong and happy. If there's the need to play an evil role, she would gladly do it. for her children of the night, any price she would pay. Therefore the Element of Harmony aren't needed.
Rise and shine Luna, time to wake up. Even being told to wake up, luna still feels like stay in the world of dream. With magic, she pulls up her blanket. Getting comfortable she tries to get back to sleep. Being a princess of the night she always having a lucid dream. That means getting up should not be difficult for her because she had been conscious the whole time. But still, as much as she being conscious, her body still seeking warmth under the blanket.
Come on Luna, if you don’t set the moon in 30 minutes, Celestia will revoke our agreement with her. Nightmare Moon said with a motherly patient. Yesterday Luna ask Celestia if she can stop waking her from her sleep. It’s not like she doesn’t like it when her sister wakes her up. She likes it when her sister wakes her up. But she doesn’t want it to become a habit. Reminded by Nightmare Moon, Luna reluctantly wakes up.
“Morning Nightmare Moon”, Luna said with a sore throat.
Good evening, dear. How do you feel? Nightmare moon said with her corner lips curling up.
“Cold, stiff feeling all over my body, the usual.”
Great!
“Great... yay....” Luna rolling her eye at Nightmare Moon's sarcastic remark.
Luna pours herself a glass of water from a nearby table, working on her sore Throat. She, not an evening pony, she was a morning pony. When Discord spread chaos and Sombra spread fear across the land, Luna was the figurehead of the ponies. As a general, she had to wake up earlier than anypony else. It was a fun time actually, that is if I omit the part where ponies die because of them. Luna thought to herself.
But after the era of chaos and fear, Celestia decides that it is the time to unite all ponies and thus the kingdom of Equestria is born. As much as Celestia being an effective leader, she still needs her sister to govern ponies. The kingdom of Equestria has a structure of diarchy. But one thing that luna doesn’t understand is the need for herself to wake at night and sleep in the day. She tries to ask Nightmare Moon about that, but only earning her ‘maybe Celestia see the need of 24 hr of court?’. Luna is deadpanned at that because she knows that her ability to go in anypony dream is what requires her to wakes at night.
“Nightmare Moon, if you such evening pony why don’t you take charge of the body when it's time to wake up?” Luna said while stretching her stiff off of her body.
No, no, no. We already establish this long time ago that we take turns in taking charge of the body. It’s your problem, not mine. Nightmare Moon said while clicking her tongue and shaking her head. Besides, I already get my part in feeling agony waking physically impossible morning. Mirth could be heard in her voice.
“Fine! point taken.” Luna walking towards the balcony to prepare to set the moon.
While waiting for the time to lower the moon, she reminiscing the past, when she met Nightmare moon for the first time. For all the time she could remember, Nightmare Moon has been with her. It could be before she turns 5 Nightmare Moon already with her, though she couldn’t remember anything before the age of 5.
At the time she was really scared. Voice coming from her mind, not knowing where it come from. But she could make a brave front and make sense of everything without her sister because she heard fear from the voice far deeper than what she felt. Nightmare Moon was very scared. Not having her own body. Having memory basically from another person. Can not control her action.
“Hey, Nightmare Moon?”
Yeah?
“Do you regret living?”
Luna, what is this about? Nightmare Moon asks. She knows that this is an important question, that is why she needs more information so she can answer correctly.
“Just answer me, okay? I will tell you anything else later.” Nightmare Moon having a headache. As much as Luna tells Nightmare Moon how resourceful she is, there is still something she can’t just action blindly.
No, Luna, I don’t have any regret living.
“Then are you happy?”
Am I happy? Nightmare Moon thought. Because her condition is unique, all she could think of is what would happen if my host body is not Luna? She doesn’t know if being grateful equal being happy. I don’t know. I guess I am? Nightmare Moon finally answers.
Silent falls between them, which makes Nightmare Moon anxious. “What?....WHAT!? what did you just say?”
Did I say something wrong? IfNightmare Moon has a body, ponies can see how pale she is right now.
“Absolutely everything. How could you not feel sad? You are my slave, and I am your master. How could you even sure that I don't command you to do anything that you not even aware of?”
Ohh, so this is what it is about. Nightmare Moon giving knowledging look. She giggling earning a huff from Luna. Luna, dear, you should give yourself more credit than you did right now. I think, therefore I am, you should have heard this phrase before, because I remember I did. You acknowledge my existence is enough to make me happy. Not just that, you even let me be in charge of our bodies. You also let me eat food that I like, even you don’t at all. All command you ever give me is when I was 5, I think, so I can calm myself. I admit absolute command is scary, but I believe you would not deliberately command me to do something, and then command me to forgot about that. I am happy Luna.
At that time Luna feels secure like she never did before. Knowing she did the right thing, and the pony in question did not show any lie in her voice. “I see, thank you, Nightmare Moon. I have been questioning myself all the time.”
I think you should ask this question sooner. It looks like helping you so much.
“That's the point of being insecure, I am even scared to know the answer.” Luna answer with a huff, earning her a giggling. Nightmare Moon doesn’t know that Luna secretly grateful that she can have thought on her own. If she can’t think on her own, and all her thought is known by Nightmare Moon, Luna would not hesitate to consume Nightmare Moon’s soul. But that also means she can’t know what Nightmare moon thinking, that what makes this problem arise in the first place. all's well that ends well, I guess. Luna thought to herself.
The clock showing it is 6 PM now, it’s time to rise the moon. Luna knows this, even without looking at the clock, it is time to rise the moon. She points her horn toward the moon, tries to make a connection with the celestial body. The moon acknowledges her, and oblige her request. Relatively slow, the moon moves toward the sky. She never needed to command the moon, for the moon is part of them. The moon is part of Luna and Nightmare Moon.
What would it be? I hope it would be waffles. Luna existing her chamber, walking through the corridor. The dining room for royalty is not far from the royal sister chamber.
“In your dream.”
Waffles from dreams still not quite the same as eating the real thing. All that it does is reliving memories, not a new experience.
Turning the corner, Luna passes some maid and giving them a nod of acknowledgment. “point taken. A chocolate pancake from a dream doesn’t taste the same chocolate pancake from real life.”
I want waffles. May The Maker grant this one wish.
Turning another corner, Luna sees a solar guard seems sleeping while on duty. A pegasi mare with a white coat and blue mane. Her mane cut trim adhering guard standard. Her body looks lean behind her armor. With a mischievous smile, luna has an idea to prank the guard. She stops in front of her and stomps her hoof. “Guard light feather on duty, sir! ... Pri-princess Luna! I beg your pardon on sleeping while on duty!”
“It is a quite alright guard light feather, go report the end of your shift and meet your beloved family at home.”
“Yes, Ma’am! Please excuse me” seeing her guard of Luna could only smile.
So as I was saying, why don’t we just ask the cook rather than let him decide?
“The point of it is so ponies don’t suspicious of me having other personalities.”
Yes, I could see that, if we ask the cook to make waffles for a day and pancake for another would make him suspicious. But at worst he would suspect you for liking both waffles and pancake!
This time it’s quite uneventful, no guards or maid she pass this time. “you always like that, not liking plan, doing whatever the situation at the moment ask you to do. But I tell you what, we do it your way, and when a situation arises you deal with it. Deal?”
Deal!
“Let’s ask the cook to make a pancake!”
Wait, what? No! Please Luna, waffles! I want waffles... Luna pretends not to hear it, instead, she enjoys the night sky along the way to the kitchen.
Luckily the kitchen is not far from the dining room. “two more turns and we will arrive.”
Five turns and two stairs just to reach the kitchen.
“It is not that bad, only ten minutes of a walk”
even when a teleportation spell is an option?
“even whena teleportation spell is an option”
why?
“I want to say ‘it for putting appearance as a princess’. But I get your point”
exactly, we rarely pass any pony on our way to the kitchen. Luna walking leisurely along the corridor. Turning the last corner, Luna can see the door into the kitchen.
“There is still one thing I want to say to the architect”
what is it?
“Do not mix drugs with architecture!”
I will agree with that.
Luna stepping into the last corridor she needs to get through. “We never step into the kitchen, didn’t we?”
You mean we never step in the kitchen when at a busy hour. We did in the past when we need to discuss our diet with the royal chef.
“Yea, that. How many ponies do you think currently preparing for dinner?”
...Including our domestic servants, guards, cleaners, gardeners, chauffers we are counting about four hundred ponies.
“...Given or take, yes, that sounds about right.”
I think ten ponies are needed to prepare dinner for all of them.
“I would say fifteen ponies.”
One more reason why Nightmare Moon needs her bodies, we can’t make a bet with each other.
“I will agree with that.”
Opening the door into the kitchen, Luna could see ponies bustling around in the kitchen. There are twenty of them, some of them handling frying, another dicing, another washing ingredient. Luna could only smile spectating the scene. Seeing smiles on ponies face, enjoying their work. Twenty ponies sound a little excessive, even for providing food for all workers in the castle. I never thought I would see this many ponies in the kitchen.
“Me too, even for providing food for all the workers in the castle, they wouldn’t need this much ponies.”
Maybe so they could have a spare pony whenever we or sister Celesia want anything?
“It could be”
Noticing Luna standing in the doorway, all of them stop their activity out of courtesy acknowledging their princess. “Please be at ease ponies, don’t let our present stop you from your work.” With a nod ponies continue their work. The atmosphere seems to become tense.
“Your majesty, is there anything I could help you with?”. An earth pony stallion approached Luna. He has a dark brown coat and light green mane.
“Sweet Ace, the stallion we looking for. Tell us, is now a bad time? Ponies seem rather busy.” Luna takes a look around the kitchen.
“Not at all. This happens often whenever solar guard or lunar guard ends their shift.”
“We see. Have you done with our dinner for today?”
“yes, princess, waffles with ice cream topping. Your favorite.”
Luna, you must take it, this is an order. Pretty please?
“Hmm? Ordering your master I see. Are you forget your fate in my hoof? Do you want your waffles or not?”
Yes! I’m sorry, please.
“Sweet Ace, if it not a hassle, would you be so kind to make a pancake?”
“Of course your majesty, consider it done. What would happen with the waffles?”
“Worry not, your work would not be a waste. We would take it that too.”
“Certainly your majesty”
Yay! Waffles for nightmare moon tonight! While rolling her eye, Luna brings her dining trolley with her to the dining room.
Opening the door into the dining room, Luna takes her time to look around. A small table and four cushions around it. There are several dining rooms around the castle. While another dining room is to entertain guests, this dining room is made especially for royal sister. Comfortably over luxury is the motto. “good evening Luna.”
“Good evening sister”. Luna places her dining trolley close to the table, and then find her nice cushion to sit on.
“So how is it? Waking up by yourself?” Celestia takes her time to choose from four different kinds of cake before her. Then slice it nicely to eat it up.
“It is quite an alright sister. As you know, we are always conscious when we sleep.”
“Want me to wake you up for some time?”
“We would like to take your offer, sister. But please remember that the point is so we can have a good habit.” Luna put Nightmare Moon’s waffles on the table.
“Have any plan for tonight?”
“Not much. Work on paperwork and then work on getting used to dream walking.”
”Is it hard?” finishing her cake, she moves to another cake. There are only three of them but prove to be too hard for Celestia to choose.
“Dream walking? No. Banishing nightmare? Yes.”
“How so?”
“Ponies are complicated, sister.”
“You should order a new pair of glasses, Luna. Yours look fine, but it's old it needs to get change” Luna takes off her glasses. While close her eye, she nonchalantly cleans the lens. Put it back, she opens her eyes again.
You are way too careful, Luna. Closing your eye while clean your glasses?
“These glasses originally so we can hide your dragon-like irises. Stop complaining.”
“No, sister, we have quite a memory in these glasses.”
“That is true, you have had it ever since you were 5.”
“How was your day, sister?” Luna put a piece of waffles in her mouth.
“I never say this is bad, but I still can’t imagine eating ten of these.”
Oh Luna, talk to yourself, please. You could eat ten pancakes and it would never get old for you.
“Fair...”
“Today was a busy day. I have to visit a lot of places. Inspecting ponies doing their work.”
“That sounds rather rough, sister. Are you okay? You can take a rest tonight.”
“No, Luna, I still have paperwork to do tonight. No time to rest, ponies still need me.”
“We see, make sure to take care of you first, sister. No pony would like it when you fell ill from exhaustion.”
“Thanks, Luna, I will try.”
Our sister is always like that isn’t she. My little pony this, my little pony that. Is there anything we could help her with that?
“Sadly no, those lies she believes already rooted deep inside her.”
I see.
“But look at the bright side, she makes a very effective leader.”
I suppose so. But we still need to help her.
“Have any idea how?”
No... Luna continues to eat the waffles while waiting for her pancakes.
“See Luna, it’s been a few days, and no pony questioning us on our weird behavior.”
We will see about that, Nightmare Moon. Just now Nightmare Moon finishes her strawberry waffles. Where are you going?
“To the east gate”
I see, another session of leisure walk by Nightmare Moon.
“You got it.”
Navigating through the castle is a hassle as usual. Many turning corners and stairs later, Nightmare Moon comes to the east gate. There she could see two lunar guards. Silver Shine, a seasoned veteran, had a dark blue coat and silver mane. and Sky Victory, a recruit, had a light blue coat and cyan mane. Both of the guards is a bat-pony.
Oh, I see what you did here, Nightmare Moon. tonight scheduled light rain. and it happens that there are two guards on patrol duty.
"Leave me alone Luna, can't you let a mare have her fun?". Both guards approach Nightmare Moon. "And also, it kind of sucks that we share memories."
I will agree with that.
"May I offer you my assistance, your majesty?"
"Pri-princess Luna! am I in trouble?". Nightmare Moon could only smile at their antics.
"There is nothing important at the moment, Silver Shine. we only wish to join you on your nightly patrol. and no, Sky Victory, you are not in trouble. but it would be trouble if every time you saw us you thought you were in trouble. so promise us this would not happen in the future."
"Certainly, your majesty."
"I-I promise, Princess Luna."
"Very well, shall we set out for our patrol?" Nightmare Moon sees the Silver Shine give a respectful nod with his lazy eye, and Sky Victory eye sparkling. "This is getting better really quick, Luna." Luna could only roll her eyes at that.
They set out on their nightly patrol on a trail in the woods near Everfree. Silver Shine lead the group at the front. Sky Victory takes her chance to talk with Nightmare Moon. “Princess Luna, you are so awesome! I want to be like you! The awesome general Luna!”
“We just doing our duty, Sky Victory.”
“It’s just like others tell me ‘I only doing my duty’ or ‘duty call me’.”
“Oh, we are not just any other pony, Sky Victory. We are the princess of the night.” Both of them giggling.
“Princess Luna, could you call me by my surname? Sky Victory sounds a little too long.”
“We are your princess, and you are our guards. Some level of professionalism is required.”
“Awww.”
“But we could make an exception for tonight.” Seeing the sparkle in her eyes, Nightmare moon could only smile.
“What we are saying is true, Sky, we just doing our duty. No pony has the experience to become a general at the time, including us.”
“But you are awesome. So maybe it’s true that at first, you don’t know what to do as a general. But in the end, you lead them successfully right? Could you please tell me the story?”
“Very well, our story begins when....” Nightmare Moon patiently tells her their story, while walking along the trail. Nightmare Moon, of course, notices Silver Shine listening to her story as well.
Halfway through their patrol route, Nightmare moon finally finishes telling her their story. “Thank you, princess, you are so awesome! Do you mind if I retell it to my other friend?”
“Not at all, sky, go ahead and tell every pony.”
“Even the bad one?”
“We would appreciate if ponies do not think too highly of us. So, yes, even the bad one”
“Luna, her sparkling eye will never get old. She is so adorable.”
You are having too much fun, Nightmare Moon.
“Wait the main event has yet to come. Here it comes.”. A light summer rain breaks through the canopy, and the guards rush to the princess's side and spread their leathery wings to block out the rain as best they can. “It is quite alright guards we enjoy the rain.”
“If I may insist, your majesty, it would unbecoming for a guard.”
“Yes! Princess Luna, if you don’t allow me to do this, I will never hear the end of it from my colleague”
“Squee. This makes me feels like a princess, protected by her guards” Luna just silent, letting nightmare Moon enjoy her time.
“That pancake surely is delicious. Sweet Ace is good at pleasing his princess.” Luna just finishes raising the moon and having a honey topping pancake. While she was doing her paperwork, she had another idea tonight. “Nightmare Moon, want to arrange the stars?”
No.
“Why not?” After she makes sure nopony is around she prepares for a teleportation spell. With a flash of light, she appears in her chamber.
Come on, you know why.
“Because it’s boring? It’s fun! I promise.” Luna walks to a table to place her glasses on it. She then walks to the balcony.
It’s not that. I just do not exactly have an artistic sense.
Luna takes her time to exaggeratedly roll her eyes. “You are going to be fine. Come on and try it.”
... Fine! Might as well do it and make a point! Luna gives her body for Nightmare to be in charge of it. The exchange happens so naturally between them. “So what should I do then?”
Imagine something you like and put a star that interprets it as it is. For example, you like a box and then you put eight stars on each of its points.
“Okay, sounds easy enough”
So what is it that you have in mind?
“It wouldn’t be fun if I tell you, isn’t it?”
Fair. Luna said while shrugs
“Before I start, I want you to promise one thing for me.”
I know, I promise I will not laugh
Happy with the promise, Nightmare moon starts placing a star in the night sky. She first put three stars forming a vertical line. The process is relatively slow, moving a star for one centimeter relative from here will take approximately one minute. Though Nightmare Moon enjoys the process because she knows the star has traveled hundreds of light-year distances in a mere second. The bottom star is closer to the middle one, while the top is farther. She then put two stars diagonally from the bottom star, lower-left, and lower-right. The lower left one is closer than the lower-right one. “Done! so what do you think!”
Looking good Nightmare Moon. See, it’s not so bad, isn’t it? So what is it?
“It’s a cat!”
...
“...”
It’s what?
“It’s a cat.”
It’s not a crab? I’m pretty sure that looks like a crab, Nightmare Moon.
“no, no, no, how many times you look at it, it looks like a cat. How could you not see it?”
Seeing how serious Nightmare Moon sounds, Luna could only give up and just let her be. I guess I couldn’t see what you see. Getting herself her own body back, she prepares to arrange the stars. “It’s my turn now.”
She first put four stars in a somewhat crooked square. From the top left, she connects another four stars diagonally to the upper left. At the end of it, she connects another star diagonally to the lower left of it. back to the main square, at the lower left, she connects two branches of the star each with two stars. One branch is diagonal to the lower left, the other diagonally to the upper left. The later branch connected another two stars diagonally to the lower left. “Done, so what do you think?”
That looks gorgeous, Luna. So what is it?
“Guess it.”
I don’t know
“...”
...
“Just tell me whatever first comes to your mind when you see that.”
I don’t know. It looks like a box with three attached limbs on it.
“...”
...
“Ugh, fine, point taken, you don’t have an artistic sense.”
Haha, told you so... so what is it?
“It’s a pegasus...” Nightmare Moon surprised with the answer. Shown by her mouth forming an o-shape.
“I want to go out for a while.” Luna reflexes her wing, getting ready to fly. Pegasi or alicorn does not need to build up speed when they want to fly. They just flap their wings and magic do the rest of the work.
Where are you going?
“Wherever the wind takes me.”
How about the paperwork?
“It can wait. And also it is not like you worrying about paperwork.” Luna looks around and notices that ponies are sleeping. Houses have their lamp turn off.
Hey! ...I’m not that bad. Am I?
“You are the kind of pony who living on the present, and sometimes I envy that”
What can I say, regretting mistakes and worrying about the result is ridiculous.
“reminiscing and making a plan is important, Nightmare Moon.”
Luna, believe me when I say this. I’m totally reminiscing and making a plan.
“Oh, you totally do.”
You don’t believe me at all, do you? Please tell me how to make you believe me? A silent fall upon them. They just enjoy the wind blowing at them, pulling them up, sometimes gliding down. Despite not being in charge of the body. Nightmare Moon could still feel it. How about our glasses? We totally forgot our glasses.
“Totally. Nightmare Moon, could you be a dear and help me when I am distracted? You could totally grab our glasses yourself.”
Oh! Don’t blame me. I’m totally innocent here. Besides you are the one who is totally paranoid.
“Really? Dragon-like pupils. And teal-colored sclera? It's totally going to distract ponies!”
Just tell them it is cosmetic. Tell them you like slit pupils. And also we should stop using the word ‘totally’. It is getting old real fast.
“Alright, we will try that.” Luna just across the border of Everfree kingdom.
Luna, what’s wrong? Are you okay?
“...”
You could tell me whatever it is, I’m all ears.
The worried Nightmare moon is betrayed by Luna’s laughter. “The image of you having more than one ear is horrifying.”
...
“Nightmare Moon, have you noticed something when we are flying?”
Nothing out of usual. What is it?
“Nopony awake for the sake of enjoying the star! Enjoying the night! Ponies awake because of work! I want ponies to enjoy my star! I want ponies to enjoy my night! This is not fair! Ponies played and had fun when my sister brought the sun! But slept through my beautiful night! Why! Nightmare Moon, why!”
I understand your sadness but remember that you are a princess, strong and intelligent. And I promise, if that is not enough, I will move sky and Equus till I find a solution.
Luna laughs as loud as she can. Tears could be seen in her eyes. Both from her sadness and laughter. “What the hell is that. Nightmare Moon, that is the cringiest thing you ever said.”
Can you at least appreciate that you are no longer sad!
“Alright. Alright.”
What I want to say is, even when the world turns against you, I will be on your side.
“Thanks, Nightmare moon, I will do the same too.”
I love you, Luna.
“...”
Oh, come on! I always said that to you, but you never answer it! Luna turns back to the castle to finish her paperwork. Nightmare Noon never receives an answer that night, but she still smiles anyway.
Are you sure this is a good idea? They are just done with raising the moon. Nightmare Moon standing in front of a mirror. Inspecting how she looks.
“I don’t know about good, but it's a fun idea!”
Luna could only roll her eyes at that. Fun is not a good way to appraise some action!
“Why not?”
There are facts and there are opinions when it comes to appraising an idea, to know whether or not it’s a good one. There is a fact on which idea will bring us more trouble. But there is an opinion on which idea will bring us fun!
“Relax Luna, you are way too stoic for your good.”
This stoic of me safe us from trouble is a lot more than you ever think of!
“My quick-thinking saved us from trouble a lot more than you ever think of!”
Their bickering ended just like that, leaving only giggling from both of them. Now that I think about it, we are having each other back. Ugh, fine, we will go your way then.
“That’s the spirit!” Nightmare Moon looks closer into the mirror. Inspecting her teal-colored eyes, with lighter teal scleras. Sometimes she dilates and contracts her slit pupils. “Boy am I hot or what!”
...
“Hey. What with the silent?”
Even if I genuinely compliment your eye, you will take it as sarcasm. So why bother?
“Fair. But I still want to hear it, I promise I will not take it as sarcasm.”
It looks pretty, surely anypony who looks at it will think so.
Nightmare Moon takes her time to nod sagely. “As expected everypony will look upon the great me. The great and powerful Nightmare Moon!”
I think I prefer it if you take it as sarcasm. Are you not ashamed of saying cringe things like that?
“I’m not that shameful Luna, I'm just doing this in front of you. Now let the great and powerful Nightmare Moon teleport us to the dining room!”
Please stop. Luna said while Nightmare Moon uses a scrying spell in front of the dining room to make sure nopony around before preparing her teleportation spell.
With a flash of light, Nightmare moon appears in front of the dining room. Not bother knocking, she pushes the door slowly, albeit she exaggerated the act. “Good evening, sister!”
“Good evening Luna, you seem rather skittish tonight.”
“Of course! You will see why when you look at us.” While eying waffles from the nearby dining trolley, Nightmare Moon takes a seat. Still waiting for her sister to notice her. Celestia could be a little too focused when it comes to cake.
Done with savoring the taste of her cake, Celestia finally looks at Nightmare Moon. “Luna, what happens with your eyes!”
Nightmare Moon is happy with her sister's reaction. Shown by a smile forming on her muzzle. “what do you think, sister! The grea—!”
Nightmare Moon!
“Sorry.” Nightmare Moon does a little cough. “We mean, we like how dragon pupils look. So we use some illusion spells for cosmetics. So, what do you think?”
Celestia takes her time to compose herself before finally saying “You look nice, Luna.”
Nightmare moon takes her waffles to the table. “you should do it yourself, sister. Yellow-colored eye with slit pupils. Oh! And also a dark orange sclera will look good on you!”
“Maybe later, Luna. No offense, but I have much more important things to do.”
“None taken, sister. We still think you should relax more.”
“I’m alright, Luna. Never mind about me, where are your glasses?”
“We have it right here.” Nightmare Moon opens her wing and produces a pair of glasses. “just to be safe for whenever we need it.”
“Are you okay? How much can you see without glasses?”
“We could recognize you, this waffle, and cabinet over there.” Nightmare Moon pointing toward a cabinet in the dining room. “But, reading text is impossible for us.”
While we could see a text without glasses, I still thought it looked good on me.
“Then we waste my beautiful eye.” Luna rolled her eyes at that. Huffing included.
“I see, you better keep wearing one, for safety. Another point would be you look better with glasses.”
See! Even our sister said it!
“We will see about that, Luna.” A corner of Nightmare Moon lips curling up. “Sister, between this cosmetic and my natural eye with glasses, which one is better?”
“Both have their perk. Your cosmetics make you look vicious, while your glasses make you look younger. It makes you look more beautiful. I think both are good.”
“You are not fun, sister. Choose one, be decisive.”
“Well, you sound like you like those eyes. I don't have the heart to choose.”
“Wait, do you mean?... oh...”
Hah! Told you so!
“I’m sorry, Luna. I don’t mean to upset you. like I said, I don’t like it because it doesn’t match you. I like the eye itself. I will consider taking my time to learn the spell, I promise.”
Hey, Nightmare Moon? Are you okay? Sorry, I just feel a little jealous of your eyes, it looks so pretty.
“I’m okay, Luna. It is the first time we show my eye to others and I panic a little. I thought it was going to be fun.”
Hey, remember that I’m here with you. I have your back, now go and have fun.
“Yes! Thanks, Luna.”
“Luna? Wake up, Luna!”
“Sister, what happens?”
“You spaced out, that’s what happens.”
“Was it that long?”
“It’s not that long, but still worrying.”
“We see, we are not upset, sister. Well, we mean that we are upset but not because we are angry at you or disappointed because you think our eyes don’t match us. We are upset about something else.”
“I see you better rest early. You don’t look so well.”
“Thank you sister, but we are quite alright. We think we are going to do our paperwork and then rest early.” Nightmare Moon finishes her waffles and then stands to form her cushions. “Goodnight sister.”
“Goodnight Luna”
Nightmare Moon walking through the door from the dining room. Nightmare Moon? Where are you going?
“I want to meet with Sweet Ace.”
I see, so it comes to that again.
“Yea, hope it will make me feel better as usual.”
Nightmare Moon arrives in front of the kitchen. She takes out her glasses and puts them on her muzzle. She then pushes the door open, not bothering with knocking. Inside she could only see one pony. “Sweet Ace, how are you doing tonight?”
“Princess! Tonight was busier than usual, one more batch of recruits in training tonight. We did cook more than usual, but it appears to be unnecessary. The usual portion is already enough to feed them all.”
“We see, good work as usual Sweet Ace. We come here for the usual.”
“Thank you for your kind word, Princess. It’s this way.”
Nightmare Moon follows Sweet Ace through the kitchen. There she could see a load of leftovers from tonight. “Great!”
“I will pack it right away, Princess.” He put all of the leftovers into a big steel pot. “Princess, if this is not crossing boundaries as a cook, can I ask you a question?”
“What is it?”
“Why are you doing this?”
“Judging how one doing their job is considered rude, you know.”
“I know Princess. But I know too that you have a kind heart so I will bravely cross my boundaries.”
“Very well. But first, pray tell, did you tell our sister about this.”
“I’m doing my best, Princess. But if my team catches me doing this, my only hope is my team doesn’t gossip about this.”
“Alright, we will tell you about our motive. It is only for the sake of recreation.”
“Recreation, Princess?”
“That is right. As much as we want so that ponies can live a prosperous life, we still could only do much. Many ponies still live in poverty.”
“I see, Princess. That is understandable.”
“What happens with the leftover when we don’t pick it up?”
“I bring it home and give it to the slum.”
“Why?”
“For one thing I just feel that is the right thing to do. The other would be so I have alibi so princess Celestia wouldn’t hear about this.”
“Oh my. Not only that you are a kind pony, but you are also a hardworking pony.”
“Thank you for your kind word, Princess Luna. Here is your order.”
“Thank you, we will take our leave. You better go home and meet your loved one.”
“Will do, princess. But I don’t have anyone at home.” The last part he could only say barely above a whisper, so his princess did not hear it. “Should I add that I also have so much free time?... Nah...”
Nightmare Moon flies to the Everfree kingdom. The slum is her destination. There she would meet with her favorite filly, Water Lilly. She embeds a marking on her so Nightmare Moon would always know where she is.
“Hello dear, how are you doing?”
“Luna! I’m doing good, but it’s been lonely because I can’t meet you often.” Nightmare Moon disguises herself as a unicorn. She also makes Water Lilly call her without her title as a princess. Nightmare Moon does this so nopony would bully Water Lilly because of her closeness to the princess.
“I’m here, dear. Tell you what, you eat until you are full and then tell me whatever you want to tell me.” Nightmare Moon produces a steel pot full of leftovers and a bowl.
“food! What is it? whatever it is, the food you bring is always good.”
“isn’t she just pure gold, Luna? Whenever I meet her, I always bring food. But as much as she is hungry, the first thing she thinks of plays with me.”
I could see that, Nightmare Moon.
“I want to have my colony, Luna! Where ponies can live without suffering! Children of the night we will call them! Our children of the night! It always hurt me seeing ponies hungry like this! I don't want that anymore! I hate this! ”
“Luna, why are crying.”
“I’m okay, dear.”
“Adults always say that, when it’s not okay. Tell me, Luna, Why are you crying?”
“It hurt me seeing you hungry and unhappy.”
“I’m not hungry and I’m not unhappy. And after Luna comes I’m not lonely too! So don’t cry.”
Nightmare Moon rushes to hug the little filly. Luna quickly overrules Nightmare Moon's charge over the body, but only for the horn, and transfers her magic into the real world to catch the thrown bowl. Hey, remember you are not alone. If you want to make chaos and flip the world around so ponies could live strong and happy, I’m with you.
“It’s okay Luna, just cry and let it all out.” The word Luna and Water Lilly said was supposed to calm Nightmare Moon. But it only makes the rain even increasingly heavy. But still, Luna and Water Lilly patiently be with Nightmare Moon.
“Who are you! Stay away from me!” Cherry Blossom is running as fast as she can. She could nothing but sees darkness around her.
“Don’t look at me!” In the darkness, Thousands of eyes surround her. All of those eyes focused on her.
“What do you want!”
“...”
“Fine! Just stop looking at me!”
“...”
“Why! Why me!” The darkness doesn’t seem to listen. All of those eyes keep scrutinizing her.
Her legs ultimately give up. She stumbles down. Her leg giving up not because of exhaustion, but because she is subdued by fear. “Please stop... Help me... help...”
Like if the darkness listens to the mare plea, her surrounding cleared, leaving only an infinite clean plateau. “Don’t be afraid, for we are here. You’re secure now.”
“What? Who?”
“...”
“Princess Luna! Ah! Where is my manner!” Cherry Blossom tries to get up and lower herself into a genuflect. Only to make her stumble forward. The fear she had earlier had not yet subsided.
Poor girl. Many dreams we visit, and this is the first time it has a huge impact on a pony.
“Indeed, that is also what I’ve been pondering.”
Do you think you can get rid of it?
“I don’t think I can.”
What causes you to think like that?
“This nightmare is special.”
I do think like that. But I can’t explain it. So I thought it was just an imagination.
“No it’s not just your imagination, I think I have an idea what it is. But I need confirming it first.”
Princess Luna waits until the mare genuflects properly. It’s not because she is crazy with authority, she merely knows it will soothe the mare to calm down. “Be at ease. we are not coming here to assert our title, but we are here to help you. miss...”
“...Ah! Blossom, Cherry Blossom and please just my name, no need to include ‘miss’”
“Very well Blossom. Before we proceed, is there anything you want to ask us?”
“Yes! There are many things I’m curious about when it comes to dreaming.”
“Hmm? Usually, ponies refrain themselves and say to the effect of ‘no thank you, princess. I don’t want to waste your precious time.’”
“My apologies, princess!” Cherry Blossom says while trying to genuflect again.
“No need, Blossom. It is a surprise indeed, but a welcome one, and we try to express it. Now inform us what you are intrigued about. But before that, in this lovely plateau, what we require is a picnic.” Princess Luna spawned a carpet and tea.
“Yes, princess.” Cherry Blossom sits down.
“We have waffles and Pancakes. Which one do you desire? Or, if this is not to your liking you could consider spawning it yourself.”
“Let me try it. I’m curious.”
“As one would expect, just imagine an item and it will be spawned.”
Cherry Blossom imagines a pie and a pie spawned in front of her. “This is so impressive!” Cherry Blossom settles and snatches a bite of her pie. At that moment she asks her first question. “What is a dream? Where does it come from?”
“There is no research about the dream because as you naturally know we recently freed ourselves from chaos and war. Therefore research is focused on agricultural and general pony’s wellbeing.” Princess Luna spawns herself a pancake.
“So we don’t know anything about a dream?”
“That appears to be the chase. But we have an idea of our own. Though we never prove it.”
“What is it?”
“When we sleep, we and you and anypony else, our mind consolidates the memories we receive when we awake.”
“Consolidate? Like we reconstruct or reenact the event that happens in real life, so we can retain more vivid memories?”
“Exactly! You understand it quickly. I suspect you have your theory.”
“I may have, princess, especially when I have suffered the same nightmare for the prior days.” Princess Luna pours tea for herself and Cherry Blossom.
“Your dream just now, inform us about it.”
“I don’t know when it starts. When I become aware, the surroundings are pitch black. And then thousands of eyes open in the darkness and stare at me.” Cherry Blossom shuddered.
“What represents the most familiar thing you can think of this dream to an event in the real world?”
“...A bar! I work as a singer at a local bar called ‘The Blushing Horses Tavern’, Princess Luna should visit.”
“We might or might not, Blossom. You will never know.”
“Princess Luna, please give me mercy. I don’t want to perform badly when special guest visits.”
“Very well, we shall visit, but no promises. And also a little advice for you, sing for the sake of singing, not satisfying your guest.”
“Thank you, Princess, will do.”
“Where were we? Right, do you have stage fright, or people staring at you scares you? However, I have suspected it since you, however, prefer a job where you are the focus of interest.”
“Yes Princess, that’s the thing, I don’t have any of that.”
“That’s it!”
I see so that’s what happens.
“Wait, let me vocalize it so I don’t have to utter it twice.” Princess Luna takes the last piece of her pancakes. She notices that Cherry Blossom’s pie, not even halfway eaten, she spawns another pancake for herself.
Sure, I can wait.
“Princess if I may, there is something else I wonder about.”
“What is it?”
“Is it possible a nightmare is just happening and doesn't have any correlation with the real-world event? Like it from magic? Like what happened to me?”
“It is possible. Only just for your note, you are the first pony with this chase.”
“Really?”
“Yes, when we do our first dream walking, the first thing we notice is almost every pony has a nightmare.”
“Almost everypony? Wow, that must be quite a work.”
“We admit, we are stunned by the amount at first. But then we notice that, since ponies don’t have somepony to clean the dream world since we think whenever ponies start dreaming, it creates a thought energy buildup.”
“That sounds dangerous, princess. What will happen if we leave it alone?”
“We don’t know and don't want to wait until we know what happens. We could merely speculate.”
“What is it? I hope it will be nothing like Discord.”
“Well, if it could retain enough power to manifest itself into the real world. When that happens, it will become a monster, imagine Discord and King Sombra produce a foal but more powerful.”
“Okay, I follow the analogy, but more powerful?”
“See, it can hide in the dream world whenever we try using the element of harmony on it.”
“Yikes! Princess, please protect us.”
“We are your princess for a reason you know, so be at ease.”
“Yes Princess, thank you so much!” The pancake she just spawns is her favorite, though because of its size it takes a while to consummate it.
“You are welcome, Blossom” Princess Luna is giving Cherry Blossom a gentle smile, only to hide her worried mind. “Any ideas?”
Try fighting it?
“How?”
I don’t know, just try to make it get out and shoot it with some random magic you can think of.
“We don’t even know where it is hiding. Though I have an idea where it is.”
Where?
“...”
What?
“It's just that, this is not the first time you give me some random idea which you don’t even know how to proceed with.”
... Hey! Stop complaining! Admit it that my idea constantly produces a way for our problem.
“Alright, might as well try it.” Princess Luna refocuses her attention toward Cherry Blossom. She waits until Cherry Blossom finishes her pie. “Cherry Blossom, we want to try to get rid of your nightmare right now.”
“Yes Princess, how can I help?”
“To begin with we want to find the foreign magic inside your mind. It will require us to go deep into your mind, would you comply with this?”
“Yes Princess, the nightmare has been disturbing my sleep hence my work is disturbed too. If I can get rid of it for my secret, I want to.”
Princess Luna nods. “Secondly, what you are going to see is an absolute secret, not even my sister, knows about this. Therefore, I give you two options. One, do your best in keeping this secret. If we even once heard of this not from you, then we are going to kill you and anypony you told of. Or two, we will curse you so you can’t speak of this matter even if you want to.”
“This sounds so serious Princess.”
“Indeed it is, this is a matter of death or alive of somepony. We can take how much time you need to make up your mind.”
“No need, Princess, I already made up my mind. I will take option number two.”
“Very well.” Both of them get up from the carpet. At the same moment, the carpet and tea sets dissolve into magic particles. Princes Luna points her horn toward Cherry Blossom. Her horn glows brighter and brighter. With a flash of light, the surrounding is no longer an infinite plateau, but black space.
“Where are we, Princess Luna?”
“This is what we proclaimed mind space.”
“Mind space? Wow.” Cherry Blossom takes her time to observe her surroundings. She stopped when she discovers a pair of glowing teal-colored slit-pupil eyes. “Wh-Who are you!”
“Hi! The name Nightmare Moon, nice to meet you, Cherry Blossom.” An alicorn mare with a blue coat and lighter tone blue mane revealed herself from behind Luna. Even though they have similar colors for their coat and mane, one of them has teal-colored slit-pupil eyes.
“Hello...”
“See Cherry Blossom, I am never alone, I always have somepony beside me.”
“Yes! Luna is nothing without me, the great me!” Nightmare Moon laughing.
“Please stop.”
“What? But How?”
“I don’t know, we just happen to be two souls sharing one body.”
“I see, since when?”
“Probably my whole life? Not sure. But I’m reasonably certain I remember Nightmare moon when I was five.”
“Is that why you habitually use the word ‘we’ or ‘us’ when you prefer to yourself?”
“That is precise.”
“I see, so the thing that has to keep a secret is the fact that you have a companion soul?”
“That and Mind space.”
“I understand.”
“Follow me. We need to find that nightmare. I will search for it, meanwhile, you could ask Nightmare Moon for any question you are curious about.” Still, in a dark place, Princess Luna seemingly walks in an arbitrary direction. Cherry Blossom and Nightmare Moon follow her from behind.
“...Ah! Nice to meet you too, Nightmare Moon.”
Nightmare Moon takes her time to giggle. “I know for sure you have so many questions right now, so ask me anything.”
“...What is mind space?”
“After we agree with how we are going to live our life, we search for anything anywhere about companion souls.”
“Have you discovered anything? For sure this is nothing new.”
“Regrettably we cannot discover anything, meaning what happens to us is something that never happens in the past.”
“I see, that is unfortunate.”
“Yes, we have to work on it ourselves. The first thing we work on is switching the charge on bodies.”
“Wait, between Princess Luna and Nightmare Moon, who is the host body?”
“It was from Luna.”
“My apologies in advance, Nightmare Moon, but isn’t that mean you are a p—?” Princess Luna shoots a piercing glare toward Cherry Blossom as if saying, ‘mention it and I will slay you!’ Goosebumps crawling real fast on Cherry Blossom, causing her to cower.
Nightmare Moon naturally gives Princess Luna the look to soothe her, only to earn her a huff from Princess Luna. “Indeed, that's what I believed. But Luna always makes sure that I’m not what I think I was. You recall how kind she is when she helps you with your nightmare right? But she has the terrifying side too.”
“I could see that. But still, she is scary.” Cherry Blossom tries to compose herself.
Nightmare Moon giggling at both Cherry Blossom and Princess Luna, each with varied reasons. “Where was I? Right, when we switch charge on the body day by day, we notice this place is where the soul lives.”
“Soul? But you called it mind space.” Cherry Blossom loses track of how long she has been walking because all she could perceive is darkness.
“That is true this is where the soul lives, but there is more to it than that.”
“Like what?”
“Remember when Luna talks about how a dream is consolidating our memories?”
“...” Cherry Blossom bobs her head.
“Not only that but when we are dreaming we are sorting through memories.”
“You mean those useless memories or simply we don’t cherish them to get deleted?”
“Yes! You are so clever! But do you know the deleted memories still could be revived?”
“It can?”
“It can! With magic, we can restore it from here.”
“...” An amazed face could be noted on her muzzle.
“Not only that, with magic we can arbitrarily save memories with the highest precision!”
“That is absolutely amazing!”
“Wait! There’s more.”
“There’s more?”
“Yes! With enough magic, we can peer into what kind of life we led in the past!”
“Nightmare Moon! Can I witness my past life too!” Nightmare Moon could see a dazzling sparkle in Cherry Blossom’s eye.
“Sure, let just say this is the compensation you get for the curse you will have.”
“Yes! Thank you, Nightmare Moon.”
“Now, do you understand how dangerous it is for Princess Luna and me if ponies know about Mind space?”
“No offense Nightmare Moon, but that sounds pretty tame for me.”
“Hmm, weird, I think I overlook something... right! Because no pony can access their mind space, its safety is close to nothing. Because of that, we can altogether go to some pony and consume their soul.”
“What happens if you consume their soul?”
“Did you know that a creature's raw power can be gauged by their soul? The bigger their soul the bigger their power is. And one way to increase one soul is to consume another.”
“Ah! That sounds dangerous. You wouldn’t be a villain, would you?”
“It will be fascinating if this world has a villain that even the Element of Harmony can’t do anything about it.”
“Please don’t be such a villain, Nightmare moon.”
“Right? So do you understand how dangerous it is?
“Yes, nightmare Moon, my lips are sealed.”
“Don’t worry about it. You already choose option number two, remember?”
Before Cherry Blossom answers Nightmare Moon, she focuses already on something else. “What is that?” in front of her, there are a bunch of black objects that glow.
“What you perceive is not a tangible object, but a projection of a memory. Think of it as a 3D model of memories.”
“It’s all black, and I could only see the outline of it in a dim glow of color. Is it safe to touch it? It’s a little too scary when I can’t perceive the color of the object itself.”
“It is safe, but before you touch anything it’s wholly appropriate if I explain it first. First thing first, choose an object you want to see.”
“There is so much to choose from, from an object that I think I know what it meant to me like that necklace, to a random object like a chair?”
“That chair looks interesting, I wonder what kind of memories you have with it.”
“I don’t know Nightmare Moon, I think I want that pie. Looks like the most sensible option.”
“Very well.” Nightmare Moon and Cherry Blossom walk toward said pie. “Alright, we can use the object as it is.”
“You mean if it looks like a food we can use it as food?”
“You are right! Here sample it.” Nightmare Moon collects the pie and divides it into two slices. One slice she gives it to Cherry Blossom. The other she eats it herself. “Wow, this is so excellent. Whoever the baker of this pie is a blessing for our world.”
“This tastes like the pie grandma often baked for me.”
“I think I want a second.” The pie already respawned in its original place. Nightmare Moon takes it for herself now.
“You could do that?”
“As a matter of course. And also, you could reconstruct the memories it has behind it.”
“How is it?”
“Touch the object and think you want to recall the memories behind it.”
“Like this? There is nothi—?” Cherry Blossom can be seen to be spaced out. But what happens is she reenacts the memories.
Seconds later her consciousness is back. “Wow, I can see my Grandma. She looks radiant and fit, too bad I could no longer encounter her.”
“I’m sorry for your loss Cherry Blossom.”
“I’m okay Nightmare moon. I’m already over it.”
“Nightmare Moon! Cherry Blossom! I think I found it!”
“Come, look like Luna has found it.” With a nod, Cherry Blossom silently follows Nightmare Moon to Princess Luna. From Luna sounds Nightmare Moon could estimate the distance toward her. While it’s not far, many objects cluttering on the floor restrict them down.
“What is it, Luna?” Nightmare Moon disturbs the silence when they reach her.
“Look at that. Seems like the nightmare we are looking for.” In front of her, there is a small ball-shaped object. The object emitting a sickening purple-colored smoke.
“Have you tried to do anything about it?”
“Not yet, I prefer you two are over here if anything happens.”
“I see, our initial idea then?”
“That is so, alright here we go!” Luna points her horn toward the object. Gradually, she builds up magic in her horn. At a certain threshold, with a flash of light, she releases it toward the object. The magic passes through the object, seemingly doing nothing to it. “Alright, that’s all I can accomplish, your turn.”
Nightmare Moon steps forward and does the same. And an identical thing happens just like when Princess Luna tries it. “As expected we can’t do anything to it.”
“We are sorry Cherry Blossom, looks like we will attempt it another time.”
“Wait, why don’t we just absorb it?”
“Again, Nightmare Moon, you could think of random ideas.”
“Less talking, more action. Now try it.”
Princess Luna shrugged. “Fine, let’s see if that will do anything.” Princess Luna approaches it.
At the start, she tries to graze it with her hoof. Nothing happens beside her hoof disperse some of its smoke before it comes back. “No reaction with bodily contact.” Princess Luna talks to no pony in particular but still receives a nod from both of her companions.
Princess Luna points her horn to the object. She tries to develop a magical connection with the object. Her horn glows a faint light, and a tendril of magic appears from her horn. The tendril approaches the object slowly. Still, no reaction when the tendril touches the object. “Alright, your turn Nightmare Moon. No reaction from physical contact, nor magical.”
Nightmare Moon walks toward the object. “How does it feel when you touch it?”
“Just like a ball, and the smoke just like smoke. Nothing special or noteworthy.”
“What about magic?”
“I don’t feel anything. Like it avoids me.”
“Alright, let me try to nudge it first.” When she nudges it, the object reacts to her. The emitted smoke reverts to the object as if the time itself reverted. “Ack!” Because of the surprise, Nightmare Moon is flailing her hoof crazily. The ball sticks to her hoof like an adhesive.
“Moony!”
“Nightmare Moon!” Princess Luna and Cherry Blossom shout their worry. Although Princess Luna is still stoic as ever. They run toward her.
After the initial surprise subsides, Nightmare Moon composes herself. “I’m alright girls. I was just surprised a little bit. In addition, it is our goal to absorb this thing.”
“Does it hurt?” Princess Luna asks.
“No, it doesn’t hurt.”
“How does it feel?” Cherry Blossom asks.
“Imagine somepony sticking a ball on your hoof with an adhesive. Something to that effect.” Nightmare Moon shrugged.
Princess Luna and Cherry Blossom offer her a nod. Their focus is on the object. At a slow pace, the ball-shaped object continues to permeate itself into Nightmare Moon’s hoof. They patiently wait for the process until it’s done.
“At long last, it’s done!”
“I can’t believe you can be this joyous.”
“Waiting sucks, Luna.”
“Wait, let me rephrase that. I can’t believe you worry about when it's going to be done. Did you know that I and Cherry Blossom worry sick about your wellbeing!”
“Lu-Luna... You are frightening me. Could you stop? I-I’m sorry...”
Princess Luna groaned. “Fine! I’m not even bothering telling you to not behave like that again.”
“Nightmare Moon, are you okay? How do you feel?”
Nightmare Moon flexing her hoof multiple times. “I’m okay, Blossom.”
“But it looks completely pitch-black!”
“A part of my right hoof does look completely black. Do you think I will retain this black color when I’m in charge of the body?”
“High probability we will consider to deal with it just like with your eyes.”
“The first thing you anticipated is habitually what problem something will cause to us. You are not fun.”
“It is a problem, but it’s not as much as a hassle. I like the glasses. That’s said, I think you look splendid in black.”
“I know right. I will look fabulous.”
“Is this the same thing with our theory?
“No... It’s something different. This thing is not part of my soul.”
“Is that so?”
“Princess Luna, What is this theory about?”
“See Blossom. We try to theorize the origin of Nightmare Moon. One of them is her soul scattered in the wild and the more considerable piece found her way to my body.”
“I see, and this thing is not part of yours, Nightmare Moon?”
“No, this is not part of my soul.”
“Are you okay, Nightmare Moon?”
“I’m okay even if it’s true that maybe I couldn't find my origin and where did I come from.”
"wouldn't that make you feel lonely, not knowing where you came from and what you are?"
“The lack of explanation about me sometimes makes me feels lonely. But I possess Luna! It is just one theory debunked is all.”
Princess Luna rolls her eyes because of the word 'possess' Nightmare Moon uses. “If this is not your stray piece of soul, then the way I conceive it you just consume it.”
“I did?”
“Indeed, maybe you don’t notice it, but your soul looks bigger.”
“I guess I did. A little bit preoccupied with the ball thingy.”
Princess Luna giggled at Nightmare Moon antics. “Alright, we have got rid of those nightmares, you should sleep soundly from now on.”
“Much appreciated Princess Luna and thank you, Nightmare Moon!”
“You are welcome, Blossom. But you did not forget your side of the deal right?”
“...Ah! Is it going to hurt?”
“It is going to hurt you. We did these multiple times in the past to our enemy.”
“Ah! Okay... please allow me time to relax.”
“Very well, we are going to wait whenever you are prepared.”
After some time, Cherry Blossom finally says. “Alright, I’m ready Princess.”
At that time Nightmare Moon broke into laughter. “I’m sorry Blossom, but we already did it.”
“What’s that?”
“I already place the curse in you, Luna just messing with you.”
“Ah?... I see! So that’s what happens. Nevertheless, I can have your promise right?”
“You are not even concerned with the prank Luna did to you?”
“Well, it is a surprise that the stoic Princess Luna is joking like that, But I am still curious about my past life. Please, Nightmare Moon.”
Nightmare Moon giggles at Cherry Blossom. “Very well, but please remember, do not have high expectations. Do you understand?”
“I understand Nightmare Moon.”
“Alright, here we go!” Nightmare Moon practices her magic at Cherry Blossom. Nightmare Moon and Princess Luna have the feeling they can time travel as a soul because a soul isn't bound in space and time. But what Nightmare Moon does is not time travel, but resurface buried memories. Every so often, ponies will retain a deep attachment that produces memories in their soul, even when they die. Said memories are what Nightmare moon uses for.
“Rise and Shine, Luna!” Nightmare moon wakes up and then rush to a mirror.
Today you sound energetic, what gives?
“Because yesterday you did not even have the time to look at a mirror.”
I doubt that. Probably the stuff you absorb yesterday mess with your mind.
“Shush, look!” Nightmare Moon lifts her right hoof. “It’s all black!”
That is indeed strange. But that beside point, you know how much reserve of our magic right?
“I know, combining mine and you probably double the amount of Tia have.”
Exactly, and we even manage to use half of them!
“Big deal, you should remember the look on her face after we show her, her past life.”
Sigh, usually when ponies use half of their magic reserve they will show an exhaustion symptom.
“I do feel exhausted a little, but I think it will just take four days for us to get our peak condition.”
What’s that?
“When I awake I try to figure out the rate of our magic restores. It will take about four days.”
I thought I misheard you. Four days from our usual five days. That is a huge improvement.
“Luna, switch place with me?” Nightmare Moon still standing in front of a mirror, scrutinizing her hoof.
Why?
“I wonder if it works like our eyes, which is always change according to who is in charge.”
Alright, let see. Princess Luna takes charge of the body. “Huh, that is interesting.” Princess Luna lifts her right hoof. “The black color is gone.”
That is indeed interesting. No, I would say this is so cool!
Forgot about that, we need to think of a way to hide it.
“Can’t we just say this is a cosmetic?”
No! If we do this too often, our sister will become suspicious.
“Then we will use an Illusion spell!”
That is also a no, we will have a longer time to recover.
“I think we would be fine, we can recover in four days.”
Let me see. We will need five days to recover with an illusion spell used.
“Isn’t we are awesome that we can calculate how much magic we have or how long we will recover?”
That is true that ponies can’t gauge their magical reserve. I guess we are special.
“So, I can use an illusion spell or what?”
Suit yourself, although I will retract my word earlier about we have improved.
“Nice, we can have a white coat!”
No! When I said ‘we will need five days to recover with illusion spell used.’ I mean only your right hoof!
“Too bad... Right! Why don’t we destroy the 3D model that we have?”
So that way we can restore some magic?
“Exactly!”
You know, last time I thought ‘surely this will the last episode of ‘random ideas by Nightmare Moon’’, but I got betrayed.
“Come on... just try it. I promise nothing bad will happen. Maybe.”
Can you at least show confidence?
“I admit we got into trouble several times with my random ideas.”
I hate it when you are this good at convincing me. Ugh, fine, at least you have self-awareness this time.
“That’s the spirit!” Nightmare Moon enters the mind space. If somepony saw Princess Luna in this state, they will thought it just a lifeless body. “So, what we are going to destroy?”
“How about this stack of paperwork?” Princess Luna pointing at the stack of paper laying on the floor. While in the real-world it white, in the mind space it all black. The darkness in mind space is not the same as a room in the real-world without a source of light, they still can read well.
“Oh! One of my ingenious idea!”
“Yea, idea which born from laziness.”
“I know you would say that. Come one, think positively, you can do it.”
“...It does help when I can read the whole stack of paper in a mere second.”
“And?”
“...Your idea inspire me for another not less ridiculous idea of hoarding knowledge from all Everfree kingdom archives.” Princess Luna points her hoof toward her ‘library’. Though not like every library where every book is neatly sitting on a bookshelf, it looks like a thousand books and scrolls that randomly stacked against each other.
“Muahahaha... The clever and powerful Nightmare Moon! Praise the great me!”
“I will let you have this one, Nightmare Moon.”
“This place looks lonely, don’t you think we need more entertainment spot?”
“I do think we need more than just a spa and a bar that give you pseudo-drunk feeling.” Princess Luna looks toward the pool and the bar they have.
“It just a pool, I want a lake.”
“You know that would require us a huge amount of magic right?”
“I know that...”
“Just be grateful that the water, even it doesn’t look like one, is constantly hot.”
“True. Right! Don’t forget about bowling place.” Nightmare Moon point toward the bowling place they have.
“Yes, that place is great. Ponies have weird ideas when it comes to entertainment. I still wonder why the ball has three holes on it.”
“Maybe it will be funny if it looks like a face?”
“That would make it horrible. Anyway, any ideas what to add, Nightmare Moon?”
“...A turntable!”
“You are a genius! Why we don’t think about this sooner? Of course, what we need is music!”
“Heh, I know I am.”
“Let’s get back to the reason why you retreat to mind space.”
“Right, completely forgot about it.”
Princess Luna rolls her eyes. “Destroy this stack of paper then, any ideas?”
“My guesses are as good as yours. We have tried everything in the past, make a magical connection, or physical connection, or just shoot it with magic.”
“You do remember that you are the one who suggests destroying our 3D models for magic!”
“Yes, I did. I just want to test what effect the substance has on me.”
“Heh, I will just pretend you have not thought of this on the go but you are planning. Alright, what is your idea then?”
“Shoot it with magic?” Nightmare Moon says, pretending not to hear Princess Luna.
“What? No! It doesn’t make sense when our goal is to retrieve magic.”
“Understandable. But that is the only thing I can come up with.”
“I think I will just try to make a magical connection with it and that way maybe I can destroy it.” Princess Luna points her horn to an object that looks like a stack of paper. A dim glow can be seen on her horn along with the manifestation of a tendril of magic. The tendril approaches the stack of paper slowly.
“Interesting.”
“What is it?”
“I think your ‘prediction’ is correct. When I make a magical connection with it, it does give me more information than the last time I did.”
“Including a way to destroy it?”
“That is precise. Let me try It.” the stack of paper glowing and then dissolve into a magic particle. The now floating magic particles divide into two and each side either gets absorbed by Nightmare moon or Princess Luna.
“I see, fifty percent conversion huh. We can retrieve fifty percent the amount of magic used to create a 3D model.”
“If we know about this when we fight King Sombra, it will be easier. Right, Luna?”
“Please give him mercy, Nightmare Moon. Isn’t it kind of cruel if we give him false hope of winning when we could defeat him in an instant with our raw power?”
“I guess I’m not thinking of it that way.”
“I think it would be a good idea if we dedicate twenty days just to make a reserve. Anyway, refueling is done. Of with you.”
“Could you tell me to leave the mind space softer way?”
“Right, don’t forget to find us a turntable, along with a bunch of vinyl. You know my preferred genre of music right?”
“Yes, my master.”
“On second thought, I will do it myself. Please don’t call me that.”
“No, no, no. Your wish is my command, my master.” Princess Luna groans. She picks a liquor at the bar and goes to the spa. Satisfied with Princess Luna's reaction, Nightmare Moon back in charge of the body.
“I wonder what kind of waffles Sweet Ace makes for me.” Nightmare Moon says while walking to the royal dining room.
“Come one try and move stars. Who knows the black substance will help with that.” Nightmare Moon arrives at her chamber.
Do you mean the star will move faster?
“Maybe, I don’t know, try it.”
No, this hot tub is comfy.
“Luna the moment we know that the star is not moving any faster you can go back to your hot tub.”
Fine, I still need to know if absorbing nightmare makes us a walking nightmare.
“What you mean?” Nightmare Moon places her glasses on a nearby table. She then walks to the balcony.
Well, maybe whenever we dream walking to ponies dream, just with our present the dream will become a nightmare.
“Is that possible?”
Probably. Princess Luna claims her body back. “Moving star you say?”
Yes, try it.
“Let’s see.” Princess Luna makes a magical connection with one of the brightest stars and moves it arbitrarily.
Wow...
“I wonder if ponies will notice it.”
Ponies do notice your star, though I doubt they will notice the difference in the moving speed.
“If you say so”
Other than that, isn’t this awesome?
“What is?”
This means our time arranging star will be reduced from actual moving it.
“Heh, you say that as if you have a better thing to do.”
Good point, other than boring paperwork we don’t have any more boring things to do.
“To be honest, when we first discover our ability to dream-walking, I was hoping we could fight nightmare creatures.”
I know right! Instead, we dealing with ponies as a psychologist. Both Nightmare Moon and Princess Luna sighing, followed by a giggle.
“I kind of wonder whenever I move the star, what happens if it collides on something?” Princess Luna looks around from the balcony. She notices how houses still have their lights on, and ponies still walking on the street. Probably on their way home from work.
You know very well that it’s impossible to happen right?
“Yes, we probably wouldn’t even notice it.”
Right.
“Since we move the star fast, faster than even light, doesn’t mean we solve time machine?”
Maybe. I mean, that is if you can latch into one star and move it that fast.
“Yes! We could try to make it work.”
Where are you going with this ‘time machine’?
“The future, I mean that’s the only thing it can do.”
The future eh.
“Wait, since I can move it faster than light, doesn’t that mean it warp through space and time?
Here we go again.
“What?”
Your train of thought.
“Isn’t it only natural for ponies to have thought?”
Nerd.
“What! I’m not!”
Then tell me, Luna. Are you still thinking about your hot tub?
“I... tsk, smartass.”
You need to ask the real question, Luna.
“Like what?”
Can you make it brighter?
“Can I make it brighter?... That’s it! That way ponies will notice my star!”
Then try it.
Still, on the balcony, Princess Luna focuses her attention on the stars. “Hmm, seems like I can’t make it bigger.”
Well, try to make it closer.
“Oh, right I think I forgot to tell you something.”
What is it?
“Remember when I told you when we move a star it travels hundreds of light-year distances in a mere second?”
It feels so awesome when I thought about it that way. Why?
“I’m so sorry, Nightmare Moon.”
Oh... we move stars way slower than we thought?
“That is precise”
How much slower?
“I rather not tell.”
Please, Luna. I promise I will not be disappointed.
“Sigh, about six-hundredths of what we thought we could.”
Ouch, that is much more than I thought.
“But we are still awesome! See, we move star fourteen million times as fast as the speed of light!”
Wow...
“That is also why, if we could latch ourselves on a nearby star and went that fast somewhere else and back to Equus second later we travel to the future.”
I see I see. Nightmare Moon is not an unintelligent pony. But she is, uh... let’s just say have creativity in mind somewhere else. Not that I was disappointed or whatnot. Just curious, how do you only tell me this now?
“I only figure this out just now.”
Are you disappointed?
“No, I just feel like this is make more sense.”
If you say so. Anyway, how about the plan of making the star brighter?
“Not going to takes that much longer. I just need to move it for six minutes and it will get twenty-five percent brighter.”
Hmm, that is quite fast.
“I told you so. I will get myself a liquor, this would make a great spectacle.” Princess Luna goes to her wardrobe and opens her secret stash. She then gets back to the balcony. She then makes a magical connection to several stars, and pull it toward Equus. True to her word, one by one star is getting brighter make a great spectacle.
“How does it taste, Lilly?” Nightmare Moon and Water Lilly are currently in an alley somewhere on the slum. Water Lilly currently eating spaghetti that Nightmare Moon brings.
“This is so good, Luna!”
“We know right, we take pride in our chef.”
“Hmm, but I want you to be the one that cooking.”
“It wouldn’t taste as good, you know.”
“It would be fine, the feeling that counts.”
“Hmm, how could a filly like you can be this smart?”
“Luna, stop messing with my mane.”
“Do you think we can cook for Lilly?”
We are not that bored, Nightmare Moon.
“But she wants it.”
Let me finish talking first. We could make a 3D model of the entire kitchen.
“That is a good idea. Lately, I don’t know what to do in the mind space.”
A Princess that can cook. This is going to be weird.
“Nothing weird about that.”
I’m talking about a Princess that spends time in the kitchen more than her cook.
“...Yea, that sounds weird.”
You are great at marking ponies right? Including, of course, curse.
“Yes, that is true. Though I still not sure where you are going with this.”
How about blessing, I never saw you use blessing on somepony.
“I did...”
You did? When?
“When our ponies war with King Sombra.”
What? Why you never tell me about this?
“Because it’s not going to change anything”
It can save so many lives!
“No, it’s not going to change anything!”
How did you know!
“Sigh, let me ask you this. Surely you have thought about giving a blessing to ponies during the war.”
Yes, of course!
“Have you try giving a blessing at that time?”
I did try
“How does it work?”
I... couldn’t do it.
“That’s what I try to say.”
“Luna, are you okay? You are spaced out often lately.”
“Just lost in thought, dear. Right! Want me to give you a blessing?”
“I want it! I want!”
Nightmare Moon giggles. “Alright, here we go.” Nightmare Moon’s aura glowing around her horn. “Done!”
So this is why I never notice it before. Nothing noticeable that happening.
“How do you feel?”
“I think I feel safer!”
Nightmare Moon giggles again. “This blessing from us will make you stronger!”
“Wow...”
How is it, Nightmare Moon?
“I think, unlike last time, this blessing do something!”
That is great news!
“Unfortunately there is a catch.”
What is it?
“If she got sunlight, the blessing will be dissolved.”
I see, then we need to ask our sister a land for our own.
“Yes, hopefully, she would understand.” That night, Nightmare Moon spends her night with Water Lilly.
Princess Luna rolls her eyes. “Let’s get going then.” She prepares her teleportation spell and with a flash of light, she appears in front of the dining room.
She opens the door without bothering to knock. When she wants to greet their sister, Princess Celestia beat them to it. “Good evening, Luna! How was your sleep!”
“Never mind our sleep, sister. You look like in a really good mood today.”
“Yes, something good happens today. Hey, look at you, I like your mane!”
“Thank you, sister.” Princess Luna sits and then brings her pancake from the nearby dining trolley to her.
Both of them eating their dinner quietly, creating a silent atmosphere. Though, there is no awkwardness in the air. Princess Celestia humming from time to time, still try to choosing which cake to eat first.
Are you ready?
“Never thought talking with our sister could be this nerve-racking, but I’m ready.”
Good. Just remember, I’m here with you.
Princess Luna brings her focus to her sister. “There is something we want to ask you, sister.”
“What is it, Luna?”
“Is it possible to have one day in a year that is all night?”
“We could arrange for that, my dear sister.”
Good, she still has a good mood. Nightmare Moon switches place with Princess Luna. “Wish me luck, Luna”
I hope the best of luck for you. Now go.
“Sister, there is something else.”
“What is it?”
“Is it possible for us to make our colony?” The ambient temperature seems to drop a few degrees Celsius. Princess Celestia's good mood is broken.
“You understand that is not possible right?”
“What makes it ‘not possible’?”
“Our kingdom is weakened from the recent war. It only would make it divide it even more and shatter it.”
“Could you at least listen to the reason we thought it is necessary?”
“I’m listening.”
“Many ponies not eating enough. They live in hunger.”
“I’m well aware of that, Luna.”
“But we can help them, sister.”
“But how?”
“We will give them a blessing, so they can live a strong and happy life!”
“Then go and help them. No need for you to build a new colony right?”
“But that’s the thing, sister. A new colony is what we need!”
“How so?”
“Whenever a pony with our blessing exposed to the sunlight, it will dissolved.”
“I see. I’m sorry Luna, my answer is still the same.”
“Tsk, you cannot be serious, sister!”
“Look, we can’t risk our weakened kingdom. It’s for the best for ponies.”
“Ponies are dying, sister!”
“We will do something when that happens!”
“What! Are you seriously telling us to bring your pony dead bodies to you to make you realize! How much do you need! Huh! One! Or two! Or five!”
“You are being ridiculous, Luna!”
“That is my line!”
“No! Means no!”
“Ugh!” Nightmare Moon flips the table in front of her. She then teleports herself to her chamber.
Back to her chamber, Nightmare Moon retreats to the mind space. She then rushes to hug Princess Luna seeking comfort. “This is not fair! Ponies are dying and our sister turns a blind eye to them! Why Luna, why!”
Princess Luna could only silent. She is stroking Nightmare Moon’s mane. It’s her way to tell Nightmare Moon that she is here with her.
“It’s been one year, huh.” Princess Luna is sitting on the balcony. In front of her place a table with a pancake on top of it.
One year it is. Nightmare Moon enjoys her waffles. She is eating it while bathing in the hot pool.
“Yea.”
...
“...”
Isn’t this too long?
“No? What do you mean by ‘too long’?”
You know, going around absorbing nightmare?
“I rather take it slowly, though.”
Why?
“When we first absorb the nightmare from Blossom, that also means we reduce the accumulation of thought energy.”
But wouldn’t it better if we work hard first and relax later?
“I guess my answer is just because?”
‘Just because’, huh.
“Are you saying you have a better thing to do?
Maybe we could embark on an adventure.
“Adventure, huh?” Princess Luna slices her pancake and places it in her mouth.
Yea, adventure... Oh, I know! How about us as Selena work as mercenaries?
“Mercenary huh? So ponies paid us to go to retrieve some artifact or something?”
That’s it!
“Though it’s not going to be as fun as you make it sounds to be.”
Why? Nightmare Moon plays with her duck toy. Regrettably, there are no bubbles in the pool. They give up the idea of having a bubble because of the lack of color inside mind space.
“Obviously because we are a little bit, maybe too much, overpowered of a pony.”
Is that a problem?
“Really?”
You make it sounds like I’m a clueless pony.
“Because you are.”
Just tells me what makes it a problem and we will see if I am a clueless pony.
“Hmmm, I remember that smug face.”
In that case you know what it signifies.
“Surely. See, if we are overpowered, that’s means we will never encounter any uncontrollable situation.”
That was the problem?
“What? Have any more brilliant ideas?”
I thought you were going to say something like, ‘It will ruin ponies’ life.’ Or ‘we are going ruining other mercenaries because we will have one hundred percent completions.
“Lame... I was saying, even our actions will not cause any negative effect. That is how overwhelming we are.”
Okay, point accepted. No excitement for you.
“I guess let’s hear the excitement of adventuring by Nightmare Moon.”
My idea is, we just sightseeing. Oh and savor the culinary delights of the region. This is going to be so much fun!
“Ohh! That sounds fun.”
I told you. If there is legitimately no threat to us, we can solely go and sightseeing.
“I guess I’m not imagining about it that way.”
What will happen to you if you do not have me?
“I don’t know. Not adventuring at all?”
Just forgot it, Luna. I forgot you were so dense.
“I’m thinking about an exotic pancake. It is possible they will make it with chili?” Princess Luna pretending to not hear.
True, true. Just thinking of those new flavors for waffles.
Princess Luna finishes with her pancake and pondering if there any flavor she has not to taste yet. But she conceived another idea. “How about meat?”
What? Nightmare Moon genuinely surprised, practically cause her drowned. Although it’s impossible to drown in mind space, a pony will still experience it like in the real world.
“You know, meat.”
I know what meat is. But the ‘how,’ you could think about it, baffles me.
“Just admit it you want to taste it too. In addition, we need that adventuring spirit.”
Typically ponies would be disgusted by meat.
“I know, but aren’t you curious?”
I am curious how it tasted like.
“Tell you what. We are going to find meat, and when we find it you can back out. No question asks.”
Sure, I did say I was... intrigued.
“Meat it is!”
This is going to be the weirdest mercenary work ever.
“You could see the potential I see.”
Indeed, but...
“Imagine we become a legend among mercenaries because we have the highest completion rate.”
Right...
“And subsequently reveal to them that we are not indeed trying! All we desire is all the culinary delicacy!”
Please think about the merit to have made them as a contact.
“I... I guess you are right.”
Regardless, do you think we could figure out The world of the souls?
“I don’t think so, why?”
Do you think we can absorb a lost soul?
“Your thought is so dark you know.”
I know, but that would be awesome.
“That would be unethical, Nightmare Moon.”
I know, but they are depleted, souls. Most likely they are deficient enough to not reincarnate.
“One of these days I’m worried somepony that are a threat to us will try to intercept us.”
We are probably going to be fine.
“Even if we can, that would be risky for us.”
Why?
“We probably can explore the world of the soul if we out of our corporeal body.”
That is great news!
“Agreed, but that means there is a risk where you are lost forever.”
Well that's easy, just command me to come back.
“No, I make a promise to never use the absolute command ever again.”
You are so stubborn.
“Say anything you like. We are not going to do any of that anyway. Well, being a mercenary might seem like a good idea.”
You know I’m doing this for you, right?
“What you mean?”
Well, you see, my soul currently twice as big as yours.
“Okay... But I don’t think of it as a big of a deal.”
You don’t? Maybe envy even a little bit?
“Come on, you make it sounds like you never know me.”
We did share the same memories, but it’s not like I perfectly know you.
“Fair. But that makes it worse.”
Sorry, I don’t mean thinking of you lowly.
“Heh, if I don’t know you better, I would think you were earnest with that apology.”
Te-he. Nightmare Moon knocks her head while sticking out her tongues a bit. This kind of action is only possible in the mind space. Ponies can't rotate their elbow. Which in turn causes Princess Luna to rolls her eyes.
“Silly Moony. But seriously though, the only concern I have would be if you are going rouge.”
That would not happen, Luna. And moreover, if it comes to that, you can impede me right?
“No, I don’t think that would be easy.”
Why?
“Your soul is twice as big as mine. Meaning, you are twice as much raw power as I have.”
I mean, you could just use the absolute command on me.
“Oh, it always comes back to that huh? But no, it will be the last resort.”
Even if many ponies died because of me?
“I will figure out something when that happens. What about you, Nightmare Moon.”
What about me?
“Come, let me show you something.” Princess Luna walking toward a mirror in her chamber. “Now switch with me.”
Initially, there’s stood an alicorn pony with a blue coat and light blue mane. A white crescent moon symbol can be seen on her flank. But now, there’s stood an alicorn pony with a black coat and dark blue ethereal mane. This alicorn is one head higher than the former. A purple splotch surrounds her white crescent moon cutie mark. “What is it?”
When I talk about you going rouge and you answer with ‘that would not happen’, you are not being confident, right?
“Believe in me, Luna. That would never happen.”
And then you ask me about the scenario of you going rogue.
“That just me going with the flow of conversation.”
How about this, look at this mirror. You don’t look as cheerful as you used to be.
“I guess you are right, there is truly a problem.”
Tell me, so I can help you.
“No, don’t worry about it. I will handle it myself.”
The act of Nightmare Moon refusing help from Princess Luna infuriates her. All she could do is groans. Fine, come here.
Nightmare Moon retreats to the mind space. Because originally this body belongs to Princess Luna, all there stood in front of the mirror is a lifeless alicorn with a blue coat and light blue mane. Nightmare Moon rush to Princess Luna's side. They briefly nuzzle each other. All that night they spend cuddling with each other.
“No! This can’t be happening!” Nightmare moon suddenly wakes in the day time.
Hey, what happens? Princess Luna foreshadowing this a little while ago. Nightmare Moon consistently refuses to talk about it. Her mental health deteriorating day by day.
Princess Luna has distress on her own because ponies seem not to give her stars attention it deserves. Nothing but, she still calms because she knows Nightmare Moon requires her to support her. Or she could be just that stoic for all we know.
“No, no, no!” Nightmare Moon rampaging around. With her hoof, she destroys her bed, table, wardrobe, and mirror.
Nightmare Moon?
“What is a Princess! A protector! A leader! Or a figurehead!” Nightmare Moon shooting a laser through her horn. While the laser continuously fired, she spins two rounds. All furniture in her chamber is sliced clean in two pieces or more. Fortunately, nopony is around this time.
Hey, it's okay, I’m here.
“Haaah, I’m so sick of this!” Nightmare Moon isn't even pretending to not hear Princess Luna. She is drowned in her rage. She builds up magic energy in her horn. Reaching a certain threshold, she discharges it outside her balcony. The amounts of the magic shoot are equaled to a full reserve of one unicorn. Nevertheless, the decrease in her magic reserve is unnoticeable.
All of this commotion is noted by all the guards, including Princess Celestia. The guards rushing toward Princess Luna’s chamber. Thinking if security is breached and Princess Luna currently fighting with the enemy. However, the Princess in question has another idea.
She is reasonable enough to not kill anypony at this rate. Guess, I will wait till her rage subside. As ridiculous as currently, Princess Luna makes herself sounds, all she wants is to make sure Nightmare Moon knows that she is not her enemy. Princess Luna knows how much Nightmare Moon needs mental support.
“Sister!” Nightmare Moon shouts as hard as she can. She then smashes the chamber doorway and walks toward the courtroom.
In the corridor just outside Princess Luna’s chamber, many guards already take a position. A loud bang and door flying surprise all the guards. Fortunately, nopony is positioned at the door trajectory.
A black alicorn with leathery wings steps out of the chamber. Some say instinct represents just a memory from another sompony have in another timeline, others say it a danger perception everypony has. But this time, every guard’s instinct screams to get out of her way.
Nightmare Moon only thinking about the courtroom. She does not even notice the guards positioned outside of her chamber. Each of her steps shatters the flooring beneath.
After some time she finally reaches the courtroom. Fortunately, when she reached the doorway, her rage is lower enough to not smash the door. With a loud bang, the door swings wide open. “Hmm, she is not over here.”
Nightmare Moon walk toward the throne. Everfree kingdom is a diarchy, therefore there are two thrones. One for the solar Princes another for the lunar Princess. Nightmare moon takes a sit on the lunar throne. The guards follow Nightmare moon into the courtroom, although they maintain their distance from her.
Feeling better?
“Luna! You surprise me.”
I can’t believe you forgot about me.
“Sorry, I guess I drowned in wrath just now.”
Maybe next time you want to consider again if you want to bottle up your emotion.
“Yea, that is a sensible idea.”
So, what’s next?
“I’m not thinking that far.”
I figured that much. Just conclude your business I will consider something else.
“Hey, Luna?”
Yea?
“Thanks.”
I did say I would support you whatever happens right?
“Yes!”
Nightmare Moon?
“What?”
Please make sure our sister doesn’t know about our power.
“Why?”
Two things are possible to occur. One, our sister could react positively. She will accept us, understood we will be okay and so she is.
“How about the other possibility?”
It’s still plain weird that you are this calm after what happened in our chamber.
“Well, I utterly forgot about you. When I remember I have you, I feel like I can go through everything.”
Princess Luna blushing. Wh-wh-what! What with this sudden love declaration!
“Blushing and stuttering, I think I have a significant chance my feeling will be reciprocated.”
Anyway. Princess Luna clearing her throat to calm herself. About possibility number two, our sister will be thinking that she is frail and needs power. This will cause her to feel insecure and fragile. Which in turn will cause a problem, for her.
“And after what I just did it will close the possibility number one?”
Exactly, so be careful.
“Alright, she should not be long.”
“Luna! What is the meaning of th— Luna, is that you?”
“Speaking of the devil.” Nightmare moon then points her focus to Princess Celestia. “Indeed, this is us, your beloved little sister.”
“What's with the black coat and leathery wings?”
“Nothing but think of it as your sister undergoing that phase, where we like... edgy stuff.”
“Is that so?”
“That is so, but we believe you are here for the other thing.”
“You are summoning me by wrecking your chamber!”
“Among other things.”
“What is this ‘other thing’?”
“See sister. We are sad, and we try to express it.”
“What are you sad about? Talk to me and I will help you.”
Nightmare Moon stands up and walks leisurely toward Princess Celestia. “One year ago, give or take a few weeks, we have this... discussion so to speak. Do you remember?”
“Is this about your demand to make one day in a year where it’s all night?”
Nightmare Moon stops her walking, genuinely surprised. Recompose herself, she continues her walks. “So you did remember our demand. It has been a year since then, surely there should be news for us.”
“I... I just can’t arrange anything, pon—.“
“Ponies, ponies, ponies, ponies, ponies, ponies, ponies. We only said it seven times, and it already lost its meaning. Imagine how many times you have said the word.”
“I... does it matter?”
“The exact number itself doesn’t matter, we just imply that word is meaningless coming out your mouth. Tell us, sister, is there any rule that dictates how to represent a leader? You should try to represent a leader who colors outside the lines sometimes.”
“I know what I’m doing, Luna!”
“Maybe. An exact number of forty-seven books about leadership can be discovered inside the archive. We suggest you refer to one of them.”
“How could you be so sure there is that much book about leadership?”
“Obviously sister, we read all the books and scrolls in Everfree Kingdom’s archive.”
Nightmare Moon finally stands right in front of Princess Celestia. Princess Celestia glared at Nightmare Moon, only to earn her a lazy look. “That is impossible!”
“You could try us if you want.” Nightmare Moon turns to the right and walk. She deliberately is giving her back to Princess Celestia. Sometimes, showing one's vulnerability represents power.
“No, that is not necessary for now.”
“Indeed. Where were we? Right! Is there anymore excuse than your ponies?”
“But that essentiality it. We couldn’t manage it for now.”
“If you say so. Because you remember about our demand, you should also remember our other demand.”
“Asking to make your colony is completely ridiculous!”
“Indeed, yes. That’s the one. At that time before we conclude our discussion, we make a promise.”
“What promise?”
Nightmare Moon turns to face Princess Celestia. “That if your ponies died because you did not allow me to establish my colony we will bring you their dead bodies. Tell you what, today is your lucky day.”
“No way, are you saying that—!“ Before Princess Celestia finished her word, suddenly there is a sudden flash of light. After the flash subsides, a lifeless body of a pony can be seen.
Princess Celestia suddenly mad at Nightmare Moon, thinking she kill the poor pony. Princess Celestia hastily prepares magic to blast Nightmare Moon. But before she could discharge it, chain-shaped magic suddenly appears below Princess Celestia. The chain bound her horn and limbs. Princess Celestia groans. She underwent tremendous pain because of the feedback from the canceled magic.
“Impressive, Don’t you think? Don’t worry, sister. Our raw power is the same as you, meaning you could learn to use this spell including how to counter it. That is if you read hundreds of books about magic like we did hahahaha...”
“Did you kill this poor pony!”
Nightmare Moon walks toward princess Celestia. “I thought it was apparent. We mean, from all our conversations. You should be able to deduce who kills who. But we guess not.”
“Guards seize her!”
The guard could merely stay at their position. This makes Princess Celestia confused. She then looks at her guard and figures what happen. Each guard suffers one of their hoof bounded by a magic chain.
“There two ways to combat scarcity, our sister. One, produce more food. With more food, an accident like this, where ponies died from famishing, will not happen. Though, we all know a little too well how that is hard to do.”
“I... cannot deny that.”
“Two, we reduce their need for food.”
“But how!”
“To jog your memory a little bit, we want to bestow ponies our blessing. This blessing will reduce their need for food, which in turn will cause them to live strong and happy.”
“Then why you didn’t do it!”
“But there’s a catch. Our blessing will get dissolved if they are exposed to the sunlight.”
“Bu—!”
After she arrives in front of Princess Celestia, Nightmare Moon stares dead Princess Celestia in the eye. “That is why we need to establish our colony.”
“No! It can’t be!”
“You suspect it right.” Nightmare Moon points her hoof toward the wasted body. “It was you who kill this pony!”
“...” A tear can be seen on Princess Celestia. She has been defeated.
“After the blessing is dissolved, we can’t do much. If we could monitor her health, this would not happen. All dissolved blessing can do is giving us feedback whenever somepony has died. That is furthermore why we could pinpoint her position and transfer it here.”
“...”
“Any last word before we force you to the dungeon?”
“...”
“Don’t worry, sister. Your ponies will be safe in our care.” Unlike the usual teleportation spell, this transport spell is different. A huge circle made of magic surrounds Princess Celestia. She then slowly sinks into the floor. Another huge circle made of magic appears inside a cell in the dungeon. Princess Celestia slowly appearing inside said cell.
Nightmare Moon cancels the seal she places on each guard. As the seal becomes undone, it becomes apparent that the solar guard is split into three groups. The first group is still loyal to Princess Celestia. The second group, they are loyal to Princess Luna. The latter group, they are neutral. The name solar guard doesn’t imply that they are royal to the Solar Princess, it solely for naming purposes.
“Guards! Attack!” Straight Arrow, the leader of the group that royal to Princess Celestia issuing his command.
A dozen spells, arrows, and spear shoot toward Nightmare Moon. Another try to engage in melee combat. After the spell makes contact with its target, a thick dust cloud the entire room. “Did it work?” one of the guards asked.
“Hehe...hahahaaaahaha...” Nightmare Moon did not even construct a magic barrier to defend herself, but still, all those attacks did not even make any scratch on her coat.
“Impossible!” another guard exclaims.
“Let us tell you something, my little ponies. There is a reason why we never experienced any war with the dragons. See, the sub-species of a pony called alicorn is just too strong.”
“...What would happen to Princess Celestia?” Straight Arrow asks.
“She is not a bad pony, Straight Arrow. A leader that makes an unwise choice that causes death is not unheard of. Nothing but think of it as... temporary detention.
“...”
“Guards, you are dismissed. And also, bring with you this dead body and give her a proper burial.” One by one guard exiting the courtroom. Some of them bring boiling anger with them. Another takes their time to bow toward Nightmare Moon before exiting the courtroom.
Okay, Spill it out.
“What?”
...
“I suppose there is something I conceal from you.”
Go on.
“Another four ponies died after they had got a blessing from me.”
Oh no, is Water Lilly one of them?
“As expected, I will be going enraged if anything happens to her.”
That makes sense. How about Cherry Blossom?
“She is fine.”
That’s good.
“So what’s next?”
We will lower the sun and rise the moon.
“Oh! So that way my blessing wouldn’t dissolve, and ponies will notice your star.”
That what I had in mind. But first, you need to repair all the damage you cause.
“Hehe...hahahaaaahaha... The night... will last... forever!” With that, Nightmare Moon walks toward her chamber while fixing anything ruined along the way.
“Do you know what happened?” Sugar spice just arrived at the kingdom square. She then approaches the two siblings that she well knows about.
“I don’t know. But it must be exciting things for everypony required to gather here.” Shining star says.
“Ohh, do you think this is a coup?” Starry Night says. She is Shining Star’s sister.
“Maybe. Though I must say your thought is dark.”
“But it’s exciting! You know a new power rules us?”
“New power, new leader, new everything!”
“Maybe you want to enlighten me about what is exciting about it.”
“How long is it after the pony wage war with King Sombra?”
“You know, the stallion who spread fear all over the land.”
“Thirty years or so. I'm still not sure where you are going with this.”
“See, this is too peaceful! We need some drama.”
“Our lives need more juice. More spice!”
“Yea, as expected I don’t know what you talking about.”
“How about Princess Celestia throw her sister out?” This time, Starry Night turns to giving ideas.
“Then she became the sole leader!”
“Why is your idea getting worse?” Sugar Spice can feel her sanity is declining every second.
“Sorry I’m late.” Caramel Crunch coming late, well technically not.
“Nah it’s fine. Looks like neither Princess Luna nor Princess Celestia is here anyway. Regardless, please help me.”
“What’s up?”
“This pony over here talks about a coup, and the other talks about Princess Luna being thrown by her sister.”
“I could see their line of thought. See, I’m thinking if King Sombra or Discord is resurrected.”
“Not you too. Is nopony here thinking about it in a positive way?” Sugar Spice asks with Hopeful eyes.
“...”
“...”
“...”
“I’m starting to wonder, how come I can be friends with you three.”
Whisper and hushed voice could be heard in the kingdom square until Princess Luna landed in front of them. Ponies are silent and pay attention to what their Princess wants to convey. Though in reality, it was Nightmare Moon that had something to say. “Fillies and Gentlecolts, we want to apologize for requiring you to leave your work to come here, for we have an announcement for you.”
“We are promised for what you are going to hear will be free from any sugarcoat. You could try to cross examine with one of our guards. Though we will warn you, our guards as for now are split into three factions. Each with their own biased opinion of what happened.”
“That’s said. Just today, we had a talk with our sister. It was unpleasant to say the least. A lot of tears, sadness, and anger happened today. Though with that, we come to a conclusion.”
“As you know we are suffering from scarcity in our kingdom. Even after we finally met at an age of peace after our seemingly endless war with King Sombra and Discord. Food is still not widely available for ponies, and even if it does become available the prices are too high for unfortunate ponies.”
“We and our sister, of course, want to make food to be widely available. But, unfortunately we live in ‘Zero-sum game’ society. This would imply two things. First, the only way for you to get better off is if somepony else gets worse off.”
“The good news is, we are not in a situation where we are competing for land with other species. The bad news is, we still can’t make use of the land we currently have for it’s maximum capacity. We want to implore you to limit the number foals you can realistically foster. You don’t want your foal to be suffering right?”
“Secondly, this would limit our way to combat scarcity. We can think of two way for the exact. It’s very obvious, right? We could produce more food. With more food then it will be widely available. But, it’s not going to be that easy.”
“There are two problem with it. As we said earlier we are not competing for land with other species, meaning we could expand our land as much as we want right? Wrong. There are still dangerous creatures lurking everywhere. It may be unintelligent, but still dangerous for the average pony. Another problem is, we simply don't have better fertilizer and crops.”
“Then how about the other way to combat scarcity? We simply make ponies need less food.” Nightmare Moon could see confused looks on her ponies. This makes her giggle a little. “In a way, we could bestow a blessing to ponies. This blessing will make you live strong and happy.” Ponies have the look of joy in their face, knowing that they would no longer be hungry.
“But it's not without a price.” Nightmare Moon opens her wings wide. She then flew high so ponies behind could see her. Even though it's still not the time to set the sun yet, she still set the sun and raised the moon. “Our sister, Princess Celestia, rejected our idea to bestow ponies or blessing. That is why, we need something radical.”
“We place ourself in a difficult position right now. We are currently opposing our sister and put her in the dungeon.” A gasp could be heard between ponies. “That is also why we ask you to come to us, and receive your blessing. For we will make a prosperous civilization.”
“Tonight we shall be holding court, so everypony who wants blessing could come to us! Hehe... hahahaaaahaha... The night... will last... forever!” with that Nightmare Moon flew toward her castle, waiting for her ponies.
“Hunger? Do we have a problem like that?” Shining Star asks which is always followed by her sister chirping in.
“Yea, at home we always have food. Well, even though getting fat is impossible for the amount of food available, we never really experience hunger.”
“It’s good that you two siblings are grateful for your circumstance. But still, please be less apathetic.” Sugar Spice asks them.
“Oh please, even if we do know it there is nothing we can do about it.”
“Yea, it’s not like we have any power to do anything.”
“Well, you have a good point. I’m working on administration in this kingdom. I know all the numbers but I can’t do anything about it.”
“Tell me then, how bad is it?”
“It should be pretty bad that Princess Luna usurped Princess Celestia right?”
“More or less thirty percent of our population is undernourished.”
“Wah, that’s pretty bad.”
“Yea, I could understand if Princess Luna wanted to coup.”
“Really? You trust her just like that? Getting blessings to combat hunger like that?”
“Eh, seems legit.”
“I trust whatever my brother says.”
“Really now. How about you? You keep silent for a while now.” Sugar Spice turns to Caramel Crunch.
“Let’s ask the guards. Maybe they can help us understand more.”
“’Maybe’? You mean we can’t trust them?”
“Yes, as Princess Luna just said, which is I believe it is true because it makes sense that the guards are split into three factions.”
“I see, each would have their own views.”
“Exactly, that’s why we can’t fully trust them.”
“I guess we would do that. Do you want to come with us?” Sugar Spice asks the two siblings.
“Can we? Yes, yes, yes.”
“Hehe, detective Shining Star and Starry Night in your service.”
“What? Why detective? How about journalists? It sounds cooler”
“What the difference?”
“Both doing just the same, uncovering the truth. But the difference is, detectives do it for themself or clients, while journalists make it available to the public.”
“I see, then you be a journalist, then I become a detective.”
“Sounds good to me.”
“Detective Shining Star in your service, hahaha!”
“Journalist Starry Night in your service, hahaha!”
“I still can’t get used to your antics.” Sugar Spice says. She then glanced at Caramel Crunch. “Then, do you have acquaintance work as a guard?”
“I might have an acquaintance that I’m pretty sure belongs to Luna factions.”
“Why is that?”
“It all started when one day she boasted about Princess Luna patrolling with her. Since then she always talks about Princess Luna whenever we hang out.”
“I see. It must be troublesome.”
“Yes, yes it is. Let's get going then. I think it’s around this time she will hang out in a tavern.” The four of them set to a bar called ‘the blushing horses.’
On the way to the tavern, they could see fear and confusion everywhere. Though they believe the fear is caused by confusion. Ponies always fear the unknown.
Some of the ponies seem out of the norm reaction. They seem angry to, for all they know, Princess Luna. Or maybe the lack of power to oppose her? It’s too hard to imagine, because even them still lack the information.
They finally arrive at the tavern. It has more customers than usual. They thought it maybe because there are ponies who would want a way to escape reality. Their imagination can be scary. It’s not like the world ends right now you know, they thought.
Scanning the room a little bit he found his friend. A mare and stallion sitting side by side. He knows the mare, her name is Sky Victory. Though he doesn't know the stallion beside her. Is he her coltfriend? he thought. Though, it's hard to imagine she likes older stallions.
“Found her. Go find us an empty seat. I will go talk to her first.” Caramel Crunch asks his friend.
“Yes sir. Assistant journalist Starry Night, go find us a seat.”
“Yes sir. Follow me, boss detective Shining Star.”
“Sigh, sure I will secure us a seat.”
Satisfied with their answer, he approached the mare. “Hi Sky.”
Sky victory looks to the newcomer. “Oh hey buddy.” They exchange a quick hoof bump.
He then took a seat beside her. “Five glasses already?”
“Today is... or maybe should I say tonight? Anyway, tonight is just stressful.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes, yes. You wouldn’t know how much of a mess the castle is.”
“I see, too bad. Just after I brought you ponies that would listen to your story. The story about you patrolling with Princess Luna.”
“Really? Where?” Sky Victory stands up and starts scanning the venue.
“Hah! I know you were pretending to be drunk!”
“Ugh, fine, I've been found out. Big deal.”
The stallion beside her giggling. “Hehehe, I told you so. Your idea is, not stupid but, easy to see.”
“Ugh, just be straight and say my idea is stupid. But I really thought it’s going to work. Five empty glasses on my front. Pretending to be tipsy. Well, until a certain somepony shows up.”
“What is this all about?”
“Apparently I’m the first pony they thought of when it was about Luna Loyalist.”
“It’s not wrong though.”
“It is true. But it’s getting to my nerve when ponies come to me and start spouting nonsense like ‘you are on Princess Luna side right? Doesn’t that make you a criminal?’ or ‘Why are you still supporting Princess Luna when you know she is wrong?”
“I see. That indeed sounds annoying.”
“Right!”
Caramel Crunch takes his time to drink his glass of water. “Who is he? Your coltfriend? Maybe you want to introduce us?”
“Oh yes, I almost forgot. This is Silver Shine, he is my senior at work. Outside work, we rarely hang out together. Just tonight I forced him to be my drinking buddy. And no, we are just acquaintances at work.”
“You seem so proud for forcing him to come here.”
“Sush. This is... I know him from the tavern. He is the one approach me at first. He never hit on me. That makes me feel unattractive.” Sky Victory shows a sad face. “Or he just gay.” She is suddenly smirking.
Rolls eyes. “You are attractive, but I just want a drinking buddy.”
“How do you do?” Silver Shine brings his hoof for a hoof shake. Which he received gladly.
“How do you do? Come, my friend should have found a seat for us.”
“Wait, you are not lying?”
“I'm never lying, Sky.”
“How would I know. We only meet at this tavern.”
“Good point.” Caramel Crunch Stand up and scan the venue for his friend. “Right there, I hope there will be enough seats.”
Caramel Crunch goes to where his friend has a secure table. Looking at how busy this place is, makes him wonder how his friend could secure a table from them. Remembering how the two siblings are doing things, it can be so random. Yup, I don’t want to know.
“Hey, good job at finding us a seat.”
“That was easy, you only need go ‘woosh’ and the ponies go ‘aargh’.” Shining Star answered, followed by his sister.
“And then the ponies give us their table, and then we take it.”
“What? That’s not how it goes. Anyway, you wouldn’t want to know.”
What just happened? Caramel Crunch thought. He then takes a seat and allows his other two companions to take a seat. “This is Sky victory, she is my drinking buddy. And this is Silver Shine, he is a senior of Sky victory.”
“This is Sugar Spice, a foalhood friend of mine. This is Shining Star and Starry Night, they are brother and sister. We... we pick them from the back alley.”
“So rude, we are born from respectable families.”
“Pleased to meet you!”
“Pleased to meet you too. Now, which one of you want to hear about when I am patrolling with Princess Luna?” Sky Victory is no longer patient.
“Me! Me.”
“Me too!”
“Wait, what did you tell her?” Sugar Spice asks Caramel Crunch.
“That I brought her ponies that would listen to her story.”
“Seriously?”
“What? It’s not so bad... Probably.”
“If you say so.”
“One night, we are set to our nightly patrol. Then suddenly Princess Luna approached us. Of course, out of respect we are the one who is running to her...”
“It’s me Princess Luna, Your number one fan.”
“No, I’m Princess Luna’s Number one fans.”
“It’s me!”
“It’s me!”
Sugar Spice tries to ignore the siblings' antics. “Wow, it’s hard to believe Princess Luna is that kind of ponies.”
“I know right, her stoic demeanor makes you think she is a strict pony. The guards are thinking that Princess Luna has other personalities.”
“Do you think that’s true?”
“Not until somepony that is fanatic to Princess Luna conducts an experiment.”
“Oh, an experiment?”
“Yes. So, it has become an open secret that Princess Luna likes pancakes and waffles. But, when she had waffles, she had a brighter expression.”
“What does that signify?”
“Remember that Princess Luna is a very stoic pony right? She found out that Princess Luna never shows an even slightly brighter expression whenever she gets pancakes. This implies that other personalities like waffles so much. And also, these other personalities can’t keep a poker face.”
“Okay, that makes sense. But, surely there is more evidence right?” Caramel Crunch takes his turn questioning Sky Victory.
“Yes, their playfulness is different.”
“How different?”
“On the other day, Princess Luna caught Light feather sleeping on duty. She then stomps her hoof to wake her up. Light Feather says that she couldn't see any anger in Princess Luna’s eyes.”
“So are you saying that Princess Luna that wakes Light Feather and Princess Luna that patrols with you are different ponies?”
“Exactly.”
“Sorry, but I don't believe it.”
“You don’t, silver?”
“I don’t believe it either.”
“Not you too, Sugar Spice.”
“That is kind of hard to believe, sky.” Caramel Crunch says.
“I... I guess it does sound ridiculous. And also, not many guards believe that.”
“Assuming that is true, this indicates how good Princess Luna and her other personalities at acting.” Shining Star joining the conversation.
“Right? The guards are also noticing this because Princess Luna and her other personalities are not shy of their desires. That is, delicious food and be playful.” Of course, Starry Night is included.
“She has solid confidence. She is not overly cautious but she is careful enough that there are very few ponies suspecting her.”
“Why is that?' Well, when we wage war with king Sombra, who defeats him? Princess Luna.”
“What? How? That’s classified information.” Sky Victory surprised. She knows how Princess Celestia and Princess Luna make it so ponies believe that it was the two Princess that defeated King Sombra.
“It’s easy to deduce. Don’t worry, it’s not like there are guards with loose mouths. Well, maybe. Anyway, back to the topic. Princess Luna has the power to oppose every creature on Equus alone. So she is not afraid if one day ponies will start doubting her.” Shining Star continued his talk.
“Still not believe us? Maybe you want to talk about the day Princess Luna usurping Princess Celestia.”
“... Yes, Princess Luna defeated princess Celestia in mere seconds. And also she is receiving dozens of magical and physical attacks without a scratch.” Sky Victory hesitating. She thought that maybe its better if she just didn't answer her.
“I see, so what we thought is true. Then there is only one possible explanation.”
“Inside Princess Luna's body there are two individuals. That would explain how she could be that powerful.”
This revelation surprised the other four ponies that are listening. But the siblings are already back to their usual antics.
“Good job at figuring this out, detective Shining Star. Muahahaha”
“You too, journalist Starry Night. Muahahaha”
“Yea, those two can make a connection in the most unexpected way. Do you believe it, silver?” Caramel Crunch asks.
“After listening to all of it, it's hard to not believe it. It just makes sense.”
“Me too. My mind can’t just find any excuse to rebuke that.”
“Can you tell us the complete story of that day?” Sugar Spice comes back to reality.
“...It all started when Princess Luna shoots powerful magic outside her chamber. At the time we, the guards, thought there were intruders and Princess Luna currently fought said intruder...”
“Is all of that truly happening?” Sugar Spice asks, after Sky Victory finishes telling her story.
“Of course it is, I’m not lying.”
“Is it true, Silver?”
“Hey! What kind of pony do you take me to!”
“It’s not that. Even if Silver Shine is the one who is telling us the story, I would ask you for confirmation all the same.”
“All of what she said is true. It all happened exactly like that.” Silver Shine only giggles at embarrassed Sky victory.
“I see. That would mean, the night truly will be forever. I don’t need to always see the number telling me about hunger.”
“But you realize that everything is never as clear as black and white. It’s always on grey. Maybe it would be true that ponies will prosper. We will in the utopia age. But there are creatures other than ponies. And also, even if Princess Luna borrows magic from the moon, I doubt she can keep it if the population is higher.”
“That’s also true. As guards, what Sky and Silver think?”
“I will do whatever Princess Luna asks me to!”
Silver Shine giggles at her junior. “We become Luna Loyalists because we believe Princess Luna is right. But, personally I follow Princess Luna because she makes it clear that everypony is free to tell her if something she did is wrong. A leader that admits when they are wrong is more trustable.”
“I see, I understand your conviction.” Sugar Spice takes out her watch. “It’s getting late now. If it's all the same with you, shall we end it here?”
“Sounds good to me.” The group agree to the idea and start exiting the tavern.
“Silver, you should join us more often.” Caramel Crunch says.
“I’m not drinking much, but I will consider it.”
Sky Victory and Silver Shine separate with the group. They are going different ways.
“So what now? None of us have a connection with a guard that is loyal to Princess.”
“That’s easy, make them come to us.”
“Think like sugar. Attract all the ants.”
“How?”
“Close your eyes and imagine you are loyal to Princess Celestia.”
“We are royal to Princess Celestia.”
“What?” Sugar Spice says, but the siblings are already closing their eyes and keep silent.
Sugar Spice and Caramel Crunch speechless, and don’t know what to do. They then decide to trust the siblings and wait with them. After all, they seem to know what they are doing. Though, they still don’t want to close their eyes.
After waiting for ten minutes, a pair of guards approach them. They seem stern. Sugar Spice can’t help but look at them. For a split second they make eye contact. Sugar Spice immediately knows that she attracts their attention. Let’s hear what they want to say.
“Hey you! What are you doing here?”
“We just left that tavern, ma’am.”
“It’s late now, hurry and go home.”
“Yea, It kind of hard to tell time when the sun is no longer rising.”
“I see, you thought it’s wrong too, right? Princess Luna just decided to make the night last forever. Want to join our resistance?”
What? It does actually work? Princess Celestia loyalists actually approach us? Sugar Spice thought. It always baffles her what the siblings are thinking. “Yes ma’am, personally I thought it’s not right, but it’s not wrong either.”
“Hmm, the name Light Feather, what’s yours?”
“My name is Sugar Spice, ma’am.”
“I appreciate your formality, but it's getting old fast. Could you please drop the ‘ma’am’?
“Sure, Light.”
“So, how about it, joining the resistant group?”
“Could you please tell us your beliefs first?”
“Assuming you already heard the story. I follow Princess Celestia because I believe she is right. The only thing she wants is for her ponies to prosper. Imprisoning her is not right, I want to fix that.”
“I see.”
“So? Want to join us?”
“Maybe, we want more information before we decide.”
“Though crowd. But tonight is your luck, we are currently holding a gathering. Want to join us?”
“What do you guys think?” Sugar Spice asks her friend which is give her a yes. “Lead the way, Light.”
“This way.” The group follows Light Feather. Caramel Crunch pulls Sugar Spice to distance themselves from Light Feather. He has something to say and doesn't want Light Feather to hear it.
“These guards are really trusting aren’t they?”
“That is what I have been thinking. Aren’t they suspicious we are a Luna loyalist?”
“Maybe they really don’t have anything to worry about.”
“This can be a trap. They would kill us if we did not agree to join them.”
“Worry not, they would not do that.” Shining Star chipping in
“We will be safe.”
“What makes you think that way--” Sugar Spice asks the two siblings before she got cut by Light Feather.
“We are here.” They arrive in front of a civilian house. While not much looks like a luxury mansion, this house could accommodate a hundred ponies with ease.
“Who owns this property?” Sugar Spice asks.
“Somepony with a little bit too much bits in their pockets.”
“I see, so it's classified information.”
“Exactly. Come on in.”
“Good job putting this together in just one night.” Caramel Crunch asks. The number of ponies gathered in this house makes him wonder.
“The guards already set up around a few days ago. The announcement from Princess Luna is helping in gathering this many ponies.”
“So that happened.”
“Find yourself some place to sit. Though, if you like standing around is fine. That reminds me of how some ponies sleep while standing.”
“Sure, thanks.” Light Feather excuses herself, leaving Sugar Spice with her friends. The group talks with themself waiting for anything to happen. In reality, both Sugar Spice and Caramel Crunch don't know what to expect.
Suddenly a pony climbed onto a makeshift podium. The atmosphere becomes silent, everypony there focusing their attention toward the newcomer. He looks solemn and composed.
“Fillies and Gentlecolts, Tonight we are here to commemorate our fall Princess, Princess Celestia. Some of you may not believe it happens. I’m very sorry, but it does indeed happen.”
Some of the ponies present here have a very visible emotion shown on their muzzle. Anger, sadness, fear, and… shock? Wait, what? You should have heard the announcement from Princess Luna, right? Caramel Crunch thought to himself.
“Princess Celestia, she is always so kind and wise. Despite being royalty, she often encourages her subjects to relax through the use of jokes and gentle questions. We simply don't deserve her.”
“But her sister, Princess Luna. She is not kind nor wise. She is consumed by jealousy toward her sister. Princess Luna throws Princess Celestia to the dungeon, claiming the throne for her own.”
“She said she wants to give blessings to ponies, so we can live happy and strong. I’m not saying that her blessing is fake, it’s too early to judge that. But I believe instead of throwing her sister into the dungeon, she should have come to her sister and figure this out together.”
“She is wrong, and we have to bring justice. Princess Celestia is currently in a jail and we must free her. Princess Luna is currently on the throne and we must dethrone her!”
“Some of you may think that Princess Luna is too strong and impossible to oppose. Worry not! I, Straight arrow, and the guards will figure out something to free Princess Celestia and Princess Luna.”
“But, we can’t do this alone. We need your strong will and faith. For together we are stronger... Long live Princess Celestia!”
“Long live Princess Celestia!”
“Long live Princess Celestia!”
At the end of the speech, emotions that the ponies make are brighter. It’s like they found hope. They found a reason to fight.
Light Feather approaches the group of four again. “So? How about now? Interested?”
Sugar Spice looks at her friends. Their eyes are saying enough. “Sorry, we are not interested.”
“Why?”
“Don’t get me wrong. It’s not about which Princess is right, but which Princess is stronger.”
“I see, you want to take the stronger side huh? Alright, beware though, for not the stronger that win, but the winner is the strong one.”
“Don’t worry. We know what we are doing.”
“Is that so?”
“That is so. Thank you for inviting us, light. I believe it’s late now, so excuse us.”
“Sure, be careful on your way home.”
The group of four exit the building. The two siblings excuse themself. Right now seems a little bit too late for them, seeing how Starry Night letting a huge yawn. The remaining two are walking together, shoulder to shoulder.
Sugar Spice resting her head on Caramel Crunch’s shoulder who doesn't seem to mind it. She felt so tired after what happened tonight. We learn so much today. Sugar Spice thought to herself. Though, I am still not sure what will happen in the future. You know what you are doing right, Princess Luna? She is not sure if this is just her imagination, but the moon shines brighter. Make it look like Princess Luna herself answers Sugar Spice’s question. Sugar Spice could only giggles and continue walking to her way home.
“This is good enough for now.” Nightmare Moon think to herself. All she needs right now is to inform her ponies about three things. One, the general condition of the kingdom. Two, what happened in the castle with her sister. Three, what will happen in the future.
Nightmare Moon Slowly scanned the immediate vicinity. She sees all the ponies gathering at the kingdom square have various expressions. Most of them have a look of apprehension on their muzzle. It pained her that some of the ponies looked on in fear. But she did not let it ruin her good mood.
After giving the announcement, Nightmare Moon flies back to her castle. She comes back to her throne, she has an expected look on her muzzle. “This is going so great Luna!”
Yes, yes it is.
“Do you think everypony will come?”
Hard to say.
“Luna don’t be such a downer.”
You are so cute when you are excited, Nightmare Moon.
“It can’t be helped right. I no longer need to see ponies dead.”
Or maybe you are just expecting somepony.
“You can tell?
Of course. Water Lilly, right?
“Yes! She will come, right?”
I’m pretty sure she will.
The guards signaled Nightmare Moon. “Oh, looks like it has begun.”
Princess Luna could only giggle. After all, she is not expecting Nightmare Moon to be this pure. She is just so precious. Princess Luna thought to herself.
The guards open the door into the throne room. Ponies start pouring into the throne room. A stallion or a mare, unicorn, pegasi, and earth pony, young and old. All kinds of ponies can be seen inside the throne room.
Nightmare Moon takes her time to scan each ponies that come here. Ponies are showing emotion as they did in the kingdom square. But, a particular pony does not even bother to hide his anger. Interesting, let us hear what you want to say. Nightmare Moon thought.
“My little ponies, thank you for coming into our throne. Now please, form a line so we can proceed with giving the blessing.” Nightmare Moon says.
The gathered ponies obediently form a line. Many of them feel displeasure because they think their position is taken by other ponies. But, they are not brave enough to make a scene in front of, they thought, Princess Luna. Though, there always one or two ponies who are stupid enough to make a scene. In this chase, there are three.
“Move! This is my position!”
“No! You are behind me!”
“Oh please, I came earlier than you two!”
There are a new group of ponies. They do not show any maliciousness toward their Princess. They are just being a foal. Not like the pony that caught Nightmare Moon’s attention earlier.
Nightmare Moon told her guard to be still when ponies are making scenes inside the throne room. This will serve as a message that it is not that Nightmare Moon needs her ponies. She doesn’t want to be a tyrant. She wants her ponies to think that they need their princess as an added incentive. This would make more easy cooperation between Nightmare Moon and her ponies.
After some time, ponies become restless. Nightmare Moon doesn't start giving the blessing. All she does is smile at whoever looks at her. Please do something, Princess Luna. Somepony plea inwardly
More and more ponies finally realize that those three are the cause of it. But even then no pony is brave enough to stop them. Except one pony is not having it.
“Hey, you three. Could you just stop and start acting like civilized ponies?” mature pony says.
“Tell him that. He is the one who started all this.” less matured pony number one says.
“What? You mean him right?” less matured pony number two says
“Hey! I'm going first!” less matured pony number three says
Nightmare Moon doesn’t know the name of each of her ponies. She would leave that job to ponies with much more free time. As of now, she would call them a mature pony, less matured pony number one, two, and three.
“Just form a line at random and tell Princess Luna to give you blessing at once.” mature pony says.
“Are you sure about that?”
“Yea, there is no guarantee that would happen.”
“You two can do whatever you want. The front position is mine.”
“Regardless, Princess Luna is not going to start anytime soon if you continue doing this. Think about other ponies, please.” mature pony says.
“I-I... yes, I guess you are right.”
“I’m very sorry everypony.”
“I guess it's selfish of me keeping my place at the front.”
The tense atmosphere is loosened a little bit. Not much time has passed, but the atmosphere makes it feels like ages have passed. The three have taken their place in the line.
Good, a desired event and outcome. And all that without a paid actor. Nightmare Moon thought to herself.
“We are sorry everypony for sitting on a throne while giving out blessings. It is not because we don’t respect you. Please understand that we have tens of thousands of ponies waiting for our blessing.”
Ponies have a bright expression hearing Nightmare Moon. The foremost ponies hurriedly climb to the throne. After earning her blessing, she descended as fast. She seems afraid of wasting her Princess’s time.
Just like that ponies keep the atmosphere as cooperative as they can be. One by one ponies climbs to the throne to receive the blessing. It is quite fast considering the situation.
Now is the turn of the three who are the cause of earlier. Nightmare Moon has been contemplating what she should do to those three. In the end, she decided to call them.
“You three, come to us. We want to give you blessings at the same time.”
“Yes, Princess.”
“Thank you, Princess.”
“Huh, that pony earlier is true.” One of them remember the advice he heard earlier.
The ponies beside him smack him. “We are currently in front of Princess Luna. Keep it to yourself.”
Nightmare Moon giggles. This act shocked everypony. Princess Luna in the eye of her ponies is a very stoic pony. Princess Luna is indeed very stoic, but currently, they are facing Nightmare Moon. Maybe Princess Luna is a very kind pony. Some of the ponies thought.
“You are dismissed.” Nightmare Moon says.
The atmosphere is back to normal and ponies continue to take turns. But sometimes ponies are just questioning about anything. Nightmare Moon call her, curious pony.
“Princess if I may ask.”
“What is it?”
"I have been watching the procedure. And I cannot see any difference to the ponies receiving the said blessing." Curious pony asks
“This blessing is not doping. Think of it as a healthy food. You cannot expect an immediate change from just one time eating.”
“I’m very sorry Your Highness. I’m not meant to doubt Your Highness.”
“It is fine my little pony. You are standing right here is enough to prove that you are believing our blessing and idea. Anything else?”
“Maybe the right question is, why are there no flashy blessings? All I see is a pony climb throne. Then they get close. When they close enough, Your Highness horn is glowing. After that, they descend from the throne as nothing happened.”
“There is nothing more to it. Blessings are essentially us making a connection with you. We have been contemplating this thing before. But then we decide using Illusion spell to make a flashy blessing is a waste of magic.”
“I understand, thank you, Your Highness.” curious pony climbs down from the throne
Nightmare Moon talks loud enough for everypony to hear. Everypony that is currently waiting in line now understands. They are just glad there is somepony brave enough to question their Princess.
A pony climbs to the throne. he is the pony who has been showing malicious intend. the Nightmare Moon pretending not to notice and give the pony blessing anyway. But the pony doesn’t let Nightmare Moon do it.
“Please stop Princess Luna, I know you already notice me.”
“Interesting. You are not hiding the fact that you are opposing us. Pray tell, what makes you willing to wait in line.”
“Not much, I just want to expose you!”
“Well, go on.”
Yea, we always talk about the truth until now. About the condition of their kingdom, about the blessing, and about Princess Celestia. Princess Luna is as defeated as Nightmare Moon. In the end, Nightmare Moon called the guard. The guard then takes the pony away.
Nightmare Moon then called her secretary to bring her paperwork to the throne room. She decided to not let her ponies go back home so Nightmare Moon could attend to her work.
The secretary came to the throne room with a stack of paper. Nightmare Moon does a quick scan on those papers.
“Approve number twelve, twenty-three, and thirty-one from the top.”
“Eh? Your Highness not going to read it?”
“Yes, we read it thoroughly. With magic, of course, because as you can see we are occupied with giving blessings right now.”
“I understand. Excuse me, your Highness.”
Princess Luna can't give blessing like Nightmare Moon. They switch places every twelve hours. They open court for twelve hours every night.
When it was time for Princess Luna to take charge of the body, she flew away. She wants to know what her ponies are doing. To her delight, more and more ponies go out to just appreciate her star.
From time to time she moves her star to make a new constellation. Ponies seem to be interested in the process as they're mesmerized.
This happens constantly for a week. Nightmare Moon and Princess Luna having the best time in their life, it feels so fast for them.
Water Lily doesn’t come for the first three nights. Nightmare Moon decides to visit her dream. She doesn’t know what happened. All she does is, wonder why the sun is never rising again and when Nightmare Moon will visit her.
“Wow, this is so awesome!” Water Lily shouted.
“Where do you want to visit first?”
“Everywhere!”
“Well, we have so many places with that name.” Nightmare Moon chuckles.
Nightmare Moon makes Water Lilly visit various places around the castle. From the throne room, armory, treasury, archives, and garden. Finally, they arrive at Nightmare Moon’s chamber.
“Your room is so big, Princess Luna!”
“Yea...”
“My room is like only a tenth of this.”
“Is that so?”
“Hmm” Water Lily affirms her. “And this bed. So fluffy.” She jumped around on the bed. Then rolls herself on it. “And it smells like you.”
“D- don’t smell it!”
“Hehe~.” Water Lily doesn’t seem to feel guilty. She continues smelling it. “But it’s comforting.”
Nightmare Moon climbs on top of the bed. “Could you please stop it?”
“Hug me.” Nightmare Moon complies. “This smells
better.” Princess Luna chuckles seeing all this.
Nightmare Moon gives up and lets her do whatever she wants. “There is something we need to say.”
Water Lily sensing the seriousness in Nightmare Moon's tone. She then releases her hug. “What is it?”
“My name is not Luna. My name is Nightmare Moon.” Nightmare Moon climbs down from the bed.
Nightmare Moon cancels her illusion magic. At first, her coat is blue and her mane is light blue. But suddenly her coat turned black. Her mane turned into an ethereal mane. Her eyes too, showing an imposing slit pupil.
“Wha...” Water Lily surprised. But she isn't scared at all. She recognizes those eyes, the eyes that always look at her. Gentle and full of affection.
“And this is Princess Luna.” Princess Luna takes over the body. At that moment, her coat turned blue. Her mane is no longer ethereal mane.
“Hello, little one.” Water Lily climbs down and approaches Princess Luna. She suddenly buried her face on Princess Luna's chest. She is sniffing it.
It is very subtle, but right now Nightmare Moon is jealous. Wha-, what the meaning of this. Nightmare Moon says from the mindspace.
“I don’t know, and I want to know too. For now, control your jealousy first.” Princess Luna talks with Nightmare Moon whilst waiting for Water Lily to finish. After some time, Princess Luna thought it was enough, she pushed Water Lily gently. “As expected, if you hug us this suddenly would make us confused.”
“Hmm? Oh, yea, I’m sorry. It's just that your smell is different from Nightmare Moon.”
"Really?... No one's ever noticed until now. Guess that makes you the first." Luna winked.
“Hehe~”
“Do you think we can make an empty vessel for your soul?” Princess Luna asks Nightmare Moon, but the latter seems not to think about that.
Whatever, let me have the body for a second, I want to play with her. Princess Luna gives Nightmare moon the best wry smile she can give. she is thinking both of them already very comfortable sharing a body.
“Welcome, Nightmare Moon, I don’t make you feel jealous, did I?”
“You! You did that on purpose don’t you?”
“I did, but not the one you are thinking of right now. I promise!”
“Go on.”
“Nightmare Moon, your eyes are so scary. I’m sorry, please forgive me.”
“I said, go on.”
I wish we had some kind of popcorn dispenser in this mind space. Princess Luna muttered whilst watching those two like some theatrical show.
It has been sometime since the sun stopped rising. Nightmare Moon and Princess Luna have new policies on when and who takes control of the body. Nightmare Moon would take control for half of the night. She gives the blessing at the time. Princess Luna would take control for another half of the night. She arranges the star on her free time. The night feels so fast for both of them. They want moments like this to last forever. Of course, it will never be that easy.
“I hope moments like this will last forever.”
Hmm? Really Nightmare Moon? It’s not like you, want things to be stable.
“Well, it's just that... hmm... I guess until I feel bored.”
When exactly you are going to get bored?
“Well, I guess when I’m not with you?” Princess Luna rolls her eyes hearing this. “Anyway, how is that important?”
I suppose it’s not. I guess the real question is, what would you do when you are bored?
“How about we make a golem?”
Why a golem, exactly?
“I don’t know, Luna. Maybe because it’s interesting for me?”
Really now? I suppose that is as good as the other answer.
“Right? The golem itself doesn’t have any purpose other than killing time.”
Can you be more altruistic?
“What do you want from me exactly? Plan like you geeks and nerds do?” Nightmare Moon says.
You have a point. At the time a knock came from the door.
“Who is it?”
“It’s Sugar Spice, Your Highness.”
“Come in.”
“Please excuse me.” Sugar Spice says while getting inside.
“Is this the report we ask you to make?”
“Yes. Two-third, of the total population, is already receiving your Highness blessing.”
“Good good, any sign the number would increase?”
“My apologies to your Highness, but I’m afraid it would not.”
“No need to be sorry, Sugar Spice. You did nothing wrong, but your thought in this regard is appreciated. You are free to speak.”
“Well, I think ponies are not informed enough about your Highness's blessing.”
“All we did indeed is make one announcement and nothing more. But, surely mouth to mouth information is enough to make every pony in the kingdom hear about my blessing.”
“Yes, but the problem is the mouth to mouth information sharing, Your Highness.”
“Hmm? What problem would it bring?” Princess Luna and Nightmare Moon are smart. They understand what their subordinates try to say. But they are also too smart to not hear what their subordinates try to say. Because they believe they are not perfect. they could overlook one or two things. Something their subordinates catch. Of course, this is only for the ponies who are loyal to Princess Luna.
“One thing is the loss of translation. Ponies would have their interpretation of your Highness's blessing. They would tell their ideas to other ponies. Now, this other friend would have a unique interpretation...”
“...” At first Nightmare Moon was confused by why Sugar Spice is suddenly silent. She then realized that she needed some consent to continue to speak. Nightmare Moon tries to give her a gentle smile and urge her.
“Yes! I’m sorry, Your Highness, as expected talking freely with a princess is nerve-racking.”
“It is also, as expected, asking you to speak freely is our egoistic demand it seems.” Nightmare Moon and Sugar Spice giggle.
“Okay, then let me continue. Because of that, Information giver and receiver would have different ideas. Somepony could have a good impression of their princess. They then told their friend about it. But their friend then has a bad impression because of it.”
“That is a good insight.”
“And also, other than that, ponies are less trusting. I think this is because Your Highness usurped Your Highness’s sister.”
“That is also true. Tell us, after you receive our blessing, what do you feel?”
“Yes, after I receive Your Highness blessing, I’m not eating even once. Part of it because I want to know if it is as good as your Highness said it is.” Sugar Spice peek at Nightmare Moon. She sees that Nightmare Moon giggles, which in turn makes her blush. “The other is because I want to become a proof of your Highness's blessing. And the result is I truly don’t need to eat.”
“Thank you, Sugar Spice.”
“Please think nothing of it, Princess Luna. Instead, on behalf of your ponies, I want to say thank you for trying to do something with our famish problem.”
“You are welcome.”
“There is something I want to ask your Highness.”
“What is it?”
“What would happen on the one-third of the rest? That is to say, ponies that are not accepting, or to get it?”
“We cannot say anything for now. Changing ponies heart wouldn't be simple.”
“How about giving blessings by force?” Sugar Spice suggest.
“No, that would be bad for a message.”
“What message does your Highness speak of?”
“That would make us look like a tyrant.”
“Ah, yes, that is true.”
Now, another knock could be heard. Nightmare Moon doesn’t expect any more guests. “This is Silver Shine, your Highness. May I come in?”
“You may.” Silver Shine quickly gets in. “What is it?”
“It is Straight Arrow, Your Highness. He brought many ponies with him. I believe he wants to protest.”
“Well! Don’t let them in!” Sugar Spice barks. Silver Shine could only give her a wry smile. He doesn’t want to decide for himself. Realizing this, Sugar Spice cower from embarrassment.
“Let them in. We want to hear what they want to say.” As for ponies who want to oppose her, she is still going to hear what they want to say. But most of them not having a constructive conversation with her. Even if they are, all the question she gets is stupid. She does all this, only to make sure she doesn’t come out as a tyrant.
“Open the door. We are open court now.” Nightmare Moon right now in the courtroom. After hearing her command, the guards open the door.
“Princess Luna.”
“Ah, Straight Arrow, what is it that we have your attention for?”
“You know what it is.”
“We do in fact. But we still need to make it pleasant. How about tea?”
“Do you make light of this?”
“Of course not. But it’s not good when your mind is clouded by anger. There is no need for the hurry, is it?” Nightmare Moon says.
“No! I don’t need no tea.”
“... As you wish.”
“Where is Princess Celestia? Where is our Princess Celestia?”
“’ Our?’ as if she is yours. She is not your plaything, you know.”
“How about you? You throw her to, who knows where. Princess Celestia is your sister, is she not?” Straight Arrow says, with higher tone.
“Oh please, don’t tell us how to treat our sister. She is safe, inside a dungeon.”
“A dungeon! What kind of crime she did to deserve that.”
“A third of ponies are undernourished and my sister does not even do anything about it. Then one day we want to give shelter to all them, but she rejects it.”
“But that doesn’t-“ Straight Arrow says, but cut mid-sentence
“She was blinded by her arrogance. She stood against us and our efforts to better our lives. Fear not, we will be a better ruler!”
“If you want to become a better ruler, then let us grow crops. Rise the sun!”
“What! Are you even listening to us! Didn’t we just say that a-third of our ponies are undernourished? Meaning, for two ponies to eat one time, one ponies have to forget to eat one time? What you are eating is your brother’s life! Do you want to continue living that way?” Nightmare Moon says. Anger slipping through her teeth.
“And do you think your blessing would solve all it?”
“Oh, you were worried it didn’t work? You should’ve said so from the start. You are wasting time. Sugar Spice.”
“Yes, Your Highness.” Sugar spice walks forward a few steps from her place beside Nightmare Moon. “Ever since Princess Luna gave me her blessing, I’m not eating even once. And as you can see, I’m healthy.”
“You don’t expect us to believe it from just one pony, right?” Straight Arrow asks.
“... Sugar Spice, give him all the names of ponies who are undernourished.” Sugar Spice excuses herself to go and get it. After some time, she came back with a stack of paper. She then
placed it in front of Straight Arrow. “You can come and visit every single one of them. There you will see they have a better life now than ever.”
“How about the sun? Can you not do all it with it?”
“We will remind you once again. It will dispel my blessing, we don't need it anymore.”
“But it’s too dark outside.”
Nightmare Moon can only give him a wry smile. She feels like losing brain cells every second talking with this pony. Nonetheless, she takes one of the torches hanging in the courtroom. “This is, my little pony, called an artificial light. This is made of magic. Would be brighter than a real torch made of a real fire.” She then put it back.
“Also, we can’t tell time.”
“You are grownups. You don’t need your mom to tell you when to sleep right?” Nightmare Moon is genuinely confused by this question.
“It’s not that! We can’t tell whether it is morning, day, or afternoon.”
At this rate, I would be dumb enough to back to a foalhood school, Nightmare Moon thought to herself. “This is night. We don’t call night as the morning, day or afternoon.”
“But what we want is to be able to tell time by the hour.”
Forget about improving crops. I want our R&D department to develop medicine to regain brain cells. Nightmare Moon thought to herself. Nonetheless, she produces pocket watches from her wings. “This is, my little ponies, called a clock. Which would tell you what time it is.” She brings her pocket watches in front of Straight Arrow, for him to look closely. She then brings it back.
“Some don’t know how to read them.”
Now Nightmare Moon heavily regrets having the bodies of an alicorn. Because an Alicorn, or a pony for that matter, can’t rotate their elbow. I can’t facepalm. Oh, you know what, let’s ask our R&D department to develop a material strong enough to withstand an alicorn head but. Nightmare Moon thought to herself. Fortunately for Princess Luna, she got popcorn this time. “How about you, Straight Arrow, can you read clocks?”
“Well, I can, of course.”
“Good, now go and teach them how.”
“What about the beauty of the day?” Straight Arrow ask like it’s the most obvious question.
“Is my beautiful night not good enough?”
“What about crime rates? Without the sun, crime rates will go up!”
“We will be opening positions for new guards, this will help the economy as well.” Nightmare Moon says. Her patience is running low.
“The guard hadn't been reliable, or on our neighbors.”
“What are you saying when you’re a guard yourself? And also, they are your neighbors as much as they are your protectors. If you are that worried about it, do something about guards that are slacking! Make Equestria a better place, or die trying!”
“D... Die? But, umm, what about the weather?”
“Do you know what pegasi are, or do you need us to explain?” Nightmare Moon genuinely wonders about this. Straight Arrow has been asking stupid questions.
“I’m a pegasi myself. No need to explain.”
“Good, we will help pegasi figure something out.”
“What about the animals? They are innocent and need the light and crops.” Straight Arrow ask another question.
“They will adapt as they always do, and so will you.”
“How do you feel about the policies Celestia put in place, like mandatory vaccination?”
“We are not changing any policies our sister put in place until we thoroughly review them... but they are unlikely to change, they are there for a reason.”
“What about racial-“
“ENOUGH! Our survival as a species is at stake. We have more important concerns to deal with at the moment. This gathering is about giving our blessing so no more will perish. We are trying to save your lives! We are in this together!” Nightmare Moon think she going nowhere with this discussion.
“So discuss it after?”
“No matter what we do, some of you will walk away unhappy it seems.”
“What keeps you from being a tyrant like your sis-.” Straight Arrow and his group don’t think of Princess Celestia as a tyrant. They are loyal to Princess Celestia. But he knows how some ponies don't like Princess Celestia. And he tries to compare Nightmare Moon with Princess Celestia.
“SILENCE! All you dismissed!” The truth is, nothing does. Nothing keeps Nightmare Moon from being a tyrant except herself and Luna. if they wanted, they could rule the world and almost no one could stop them. Nightmare Moon waits for all the ponies to get out of the courtroom. “Somepony tell the cook to bring waffles to our chamber with tea.” Nightmare Moon says while walking to her chamber.
“Princess Luna, another crowd outside of the castle.” A guard reported to her. Nightmare Moon currently inside her study room.
“Let them in, we are expecting them.” The guards don't know any announcement is made. It feels out of place when Princess Luna expecting a random crowd. But decide to not question it.
Nightmare Moon goes to the courtroom. She orders her guard to guide them to the courtroom. Arriving at her throne, she silently waits for them. Nightmare Moon is not the type of pony who thinks ahead of what will she going to tell her ponies. Nonetheless, composing herself should be of help.
A guard came to the door, getting ready to open it. All he is waiting for is a signal from his princess. After sometimes Nightmare Moon finally gives him the signal to open the door. A crowd of ponies flood inside the courtroom. Not all the ponies are from a well-off families. Fortunately, none of them insult each other. But it still can’t be helped to stay away from the stink.
“Princess Luna, we are here answering your summon.” One of the ponies inside decides to lead the other and asks his princess because of the silence. Nightmare Moon and Princess Luna summon them from the dream. This is urgent, and they have a strict category in which ponies they want to summon here. It only cost them magic power, so it’s not a problem if one ignores the fact that it is lacking in courtesy.
“Thank you for coming here from our short notice. You are here because there is one thing we want to tell you about.”
“Is this about the blessing your majesty gave to us?”
“What makes you think like that?”
“I discussed with some of my friends, and all of them said they don’t need to eat anymore. But for me, hunger still exists. I don’t want to doubt your majesty's blessing.”
“A doubt is only natural when something is wrong, my little pony. Continue.”
“Yes, in front of the gate, I also confirm it with ponies here. And all of them report the same thing. That they still feel hunger.”
“Excellent. It is always good when somepony is sharp and knows ahead of what is happening. But, not everypony is like that, and still needs more explanation. Do you mind if I explain from the first place?”
“Of course, Princess.”
“Thank you. Now, two-third of our total population come to us, asking for our blessing. Of course, we are giving it without discrimination. All the ponies who come to us will receive blessing without exception.”
“...” The crowds give their princess their utmost attention.
“Among the two-third ponies, a fourth of them don't receive our blessing. That is because they are attuned to the sun's magic. The truth of our blessing is, we are borrowing magic from the moon.”
“You are here now, so we can ask for your forgiveness in our lack of power.” Nightmare Moon lowered her head. She wants to bow and show her ponies how regretful she is.
“Please raise your head, Princess. You don’t have to lower yourself for us.” The ponies here are confused and feeling weird. They don't like their Princess lowers herself for them.
Nightmare Moon finally rises and sees her surroundings. Weird, none of them is angry. Nightmare Moon thought to herself. The category ponies in here are only two. One is ponies who are attuned to the sun's magic. And two, ponies who are loyal to Princess Luna. The reason for the latter is because this is urgent and they don’t have much time left.
“Of course, we have some reserve food for all you to use.”
“Thank you, Princess. But there is a more important question.”
“What is it?” What is more important than getting you fed, honestly. Nightmare Moon is confused about her subjects.
“Are you doubting our loyalty to you?” Ponies nod their head, suggesting that they are asking the same question.
Ponies here are thinking that, if they are loyal to Princess Luna, they should have attuned to the Moon magic. If they are not, then they are not loyal. Where even this idea come from? Nightmare Moon asks herself. It is understandable given that this is a new concept for the ponies.
“Of course not. You are my loyal subject.” Nightmare Moon never doubts how loyal it is her subject to her. This is probably the most powerful thing a dream walking can do. That is, determining if somepony is loyal to her or not.
“Thank you, Princess.” Ponies show relief on their face. “Then, can Princess do something about it? Like, make us attuned to the moon magic?” This time around, ponies don't have much hope but ask anyway.
“We don’t like to see it as a problem. Because saying it is a problem is the same as saying your soul is not normal or a problem. It's that your soul is unique. Forgetting about ethical or moral reasons, modifying your soul could be dangerous.”
“So there is a way?”
“We would ask you to not get your hope to be high. The answer is, yes and no. Yes, we can change a soul. No, there are no willing test subjects.” Of course, this whole soul modifying thing is the idea Nightmare Moon made on the go.
“We are willing.” Ponies nod with each other.
“Didn’t we tell you how dangerous it is?”
“I guess, Princess did say that.”
“Then why?”
“Because we trust our princess that much.”
“No! This is not something you can decide as if to decide what for dinner. This can even cause death. Worse yet, it can even make your soul scatter!”
“Well, we can come back here in few days if that makes Your Highness feels better. Though if the answer is the same then it’s not necessary.”
“That is true… How many of you are willing to give your life to us?”
“I’m willing.” One and another ponies gathering here says the same. Some of them are silent, but one can see determination from their eyes.
Nightmare Moon doesn’t expect this, neither did Princess Luna. They did only invite those that are loyal to themselves. But to the point of willing to giving one life, these ponies are fanatics.
“Very well, we will fulfill your wishes.” Nightmare Moon says, which earns her a bright smile from the crowd. “But, if we deemed this to be too dangerous, then we will stop it.” Ponies' expressions become complex hearing this. They want to have a chance to change 'side.' But their Princess rejects it as it is deemed dangerous. They can't help but feel disappointed. Though, they understand their Princess's concern and be grateful for it.
Nightmare Moon then discusses with them what they want to do in the future. Well, it’s Princess Luna's turn to make a plan.
“I know this is common sense, so needless to say, but catching is way more difficult than kill them.” Nightmare Moon says to Princess Luna. In front of her is a dozen of manticores inside cages. The crowd now follows Nightmare Moon and sees the process of her catching manticores. Some of them go home to continues their activity.
Manticore is a ferocious beast. It has the body of a lion, a scorpion's tail, and a pair of dragon-like wings. It also fed on ponies, often leaving no remains, not even bones or clothing. The beast needs about ten ponies to subjugate, and that is not mean the ponies will back without injuries. Princess Celestia makes rule one day to stop manticore subjugation.
This is because one day, a group of ten ponies gets wiped while fighting with a manticore. The Princesses don't want any more casualties, so they investigate it themselves. It's finding out that there is another manticore nearby that is attracted to the fight. Let alone two manticores, fighting one manticore is already dangerous for a group of ten.
Another reason is that manticores don't climb the wall of Everfree Kingdom. Nopony knows about it, nor any research has been done since. But it is hypothesized that the ponies' population is scaring them. It is a fortune that manticore is not an intelligent creature nor a social creature.
Nopony knows why the manticore population spiked, nor where it even comes from. Once upon a time, Everfree Kingdom is a peaceful kingdom. There are no manticore or any beast that poses threat to ponies. But everything changes when Discord the Lord of Chaos comes. Everypony can be sure that Discord correlates with the manticore. But they still not sure if Discord causes it to happen.
“Alright everypony, as you can see here, we already capture a dozen of manticores. Before we start to experiment on them, we warn you that this is going to be gore too much.” Nightmare Moon hopes ponies that have a weak mind would leave. Also, she hopes with this, those fanatics will change their mind. Though, it would be a lie if she said she is not curious if it can be done.
Nightmare Moon waits for ponies to leave. She then gets closer to the first manticore. Her horn glowing. Then a tendril of magic flies toward the manticore. She smoothly invades the manticore mind space. This process wouldn't be as easy if the victim has a higher intelligence or higher soul quality. She doesn’t exactly know what to look for. For now, she decides to look at something that she believes resembles a soul. After all, it’s not a pony but a beast.
After some time, she thinks she finds it. A soul is an intangible object. It looks like a ball that emits light. In the past, when Nightmare Moon and Princess Luna visit Cherry Blossom, her souls also look like an orb. her soul looks like a pony is because of Nightmare Moon and Princess Luna's influence. Every soul is unique. Each of them has different frequencies. There is no such thing as conjoined souls ever recorded. Nightmare Moon and Princess Luna are the only ones of their kind.
To make sure she gets it right, she pulls the soul out of its body. Ponies can’t see a soul. Souls are everywhere in the world. It will accompany you when you eat, sleep, or even taking a bath. Of course, they are different souls. After all, a soul doesn’t have consciousness, so it’s not going to stalk ponies.
A glowing orange ball comes out of the manticore’s chest. Nightmare Moon then brings the orb in front of the ponies. “This is what we called the soul.” A sounding gasp can be heard from the ponies and Princess Luna’s loyal guard. All the ponies that gather in here loyal to Princess Luna. This is to prevent a leak of information.
Nightmare Moon giggles a little seeing ponies gasping for this revelation. This reminds her of the old days when Princess Luna kick Nightmare Moon out from her body. How long has it been since then? Nightmare Moon is feeling nostalgic. Nightmare Moon keeps silent and lets ponies see it closer.
When the soul is pulled out, a rapid change can be seen in the manticore’s body. Its dragon-like wing getting smaller. Its scorpion tail is also getting smaller. This change is happening until it looks like a different species. It doesn’t have wings, not even a stump on where it was seen. The tail looks like a lion’s tail. Other than anatomy, its coat color also changes. From orange, it slowly changes into a dull gray color.
Nightmare Moon pulls the soul and draws their attention toward the cage. “And this is what will happen if you take somepony soul from their body.”
An exclamation of amazement heard from the ponies. “Wow, this looks like a lifeless doll.”
“Amazing isn’t it?” Nightmare Moon follows along with their exclamation.
“Is it still alive?” One of them asks.
“Pretty much. Even if it looks like that, Its inside still works fine. Its heart still beating, pumping life all over its body. Its lungs still taking life from outside its body. The brain still regulates organs function. Such as, how much heart beating, or how many lungs taking in air. But this brain lack consciousness.”
“Lack of consciousness? But I see it blinking now.”
“We have limited information about this.” Nightmare Moon says honestly. “There is no record everywhere. But we believe that blinking is an automatic response from the brain.”
“What will happen if we don’t put the soul back?” Another pony asks.
“Good question.” Nightmare Moon draws attention toward the soul. “Without the body, the soul will be leaking its energy. The soul would become smaller, turning it into a scattered soul.”
“A scattered soul?” Some pony can’t help but ask when she heard some new word.
“Again, there are no records or prior information about the soul. It's the name that we decide ourselves. Many souls are flying around us. But they are too weak to be perceived by ponies. We call them scattered souls.”
“Is this what happens to us when we died?” Some pony else asks.
“Yes.” Seeing somepony dies is nothing new for Nightmare Moon and Princess Luna. So they have plenty of experience of what happens after somepony dies.
They also notice that soul is not bounded by time and space. One time Nightmare Moon and Princess Luna decide to capture one of the deceased soldier’s souls. Without any sign of an intruder, the soul is gone from its special containment. They call it special, but in actuality, it is a common glass container.
From this accident, Nightmare Moon and Princess Luna hypothesize about two things. One is to use a made body to capture a soul. But their technology is too poor to make this. Cloning technology is still too far for them. Let alone cloning, they do not even have any research on the pony biological body.
Another hypothesize is, there is a secondary dimension where the high-quality soul is gathered. Nightmare Moon not going to explain any of this, for she also has very limited knowledge about this.
Nightmare Moon then draws their attention to the body. “Without the soul, its body would have two different scenarios that could happen. One is a scattered soul to occupy it randomly. Another is the body is developing its soul.”
Nightmare Moon decides to let the ponies talk with each other for a while. She also answers questions patiently. After all, there is nothing to hurry of. The other manticores also no longer ferocious and keep silent. Probably they decide to accept their demise.
“Princess Luna, what would happen if another soul from another species lives?”
“The body will change to be like the soul. For example, if a pony’s soul lives this former manticore body, it will change into a pony.” Nightmare Moon explains.
“Princess Luna, I want to try.” Ponies can’t rise their hoof to volunteer, they can only voice it.
Nightmare Moon has another plan if there is no volunteer. First, Nightmare Moon’s soul will transfer to the body. Princess Luna will stay and use illusion spells to make their bodies change to a dull gray. There is a reason why it’s not Princess Luna who transfers to the body. It is because one can’t immediately use a spell after the acquisition of the body. It’s not going to be easy to explain why her coat color is changing.
Fortunately, everypony here is volunteering. But the princesses still going to choose one among the guards here. The guards don't voice their want to volunteer, but they want to protect the citizen from danger.
Another reason is, they don't want to transfer themselves to the body. An alicorn soul would make the body explode. That is how strong an alicorn's soul is.
“Silver Shine, do you want to help us with this?”
“Yes, Your Highness.” Silver Shine doesn’t show it, but he is feeling happy inside.
“Good, please walk and get closer to the cage.” Silver Shine listens to his order and walks toward the cage.
Nightmare Moon then attaches her magic into Silver Shine’s soul. At that moment, Silver Shine shivers. A look of fear can be seen on his nuzzle. He then lowers his head to the ground in front of Nightmare Moon, as if he wants to worship her. This spectacle confuses everypony here. Nonetheless, ponies still follow and lower their head.
Let alone the ponies and the guards, Nightmare Moon and Princess Luna are confused too. What just happened? Nightmare Moon thinks. Nightmare Moon doesn't have this kind of experience in the past. All she ever do is intruding somepony else mind space to absorb the nightmare plaque. They never grip on a soul like this.
“Rise.” Silver Shine slowly stands up followed by the others. But he still doesn’t dare to raise his head. “Look at us.” Nightmare Moon demand. She could see the fear on his nuzzle. This pains her, but she still has to endure. “How do you feel?”
“I… am not sure. Feels like a part of me is gripped by something… So this is what we called soul. What makes me, me.”
“…” Nightmare Moon keeps silent and listens. But this doesn’t explain his fear. Or is it? Nightmare Moon thinks to herself.
“That is not all. Forgive me for what happened, Your Highness. The fear I’m feeling is from the other side of the thing that gripes my soul. It’s like looking into an insurmountable being. It’s more fearful than being killed.” Silver Shine is a senior guard. He has to experience life or death situation.
Nightmare Moon and Princess Luna finally understand. Nightmare Moon’s soul grows into twice its former size. It could be said, there are three alicorns simultaneously giving Silver Shine pressure.
Alicorn is higher in life hierarchy compared to a unicorn, pegasi, and earth pony. Let alone three, one alicorn is enough to give pressure to a pony. This reminds Nightmare Moon of pain. Tremendous pain when she is experiencing ascension in life hierarchy. “It was painful.” Nightmare Moon mutters
“Indeed it was.” Princess Luna reply.
Though, Nightmare Moon not going to explain any of this. “We understand your situation, this is nothing to be shameful of. Even more, we think you are the only pony that can withstand it.”
Hearing this, the other guards provoked. “Princess, let me try it too.” The guards voicing their desire. Silver Shine indeed a senior and many guards respect him. But that not going to prevent them to try their luck to get approval from their Princess.
Nightmare Moon complies with their wishes. In the end, all the ponies have fainted. Only Nightmare Moon and Silver Shine standstill. “What just happen.” Nightmare Moon asks herself. Tonight is full of surprise for her.
After some time, ponies starting to awake. It takes some time more for them to remember what happened. The guards then swarm Silver Shine. “We pay respect to our senior!” Newfound respect is born inside the guards. Though, they still remember Silver Shine is a humble and friendly pony. So they say it with a joking tone.
“Get lost!” Silver Shine can’t help but feeling happy inside
Nightmare Moon lets them be, she waits before she continues. “Silver Shine, do you still want to do this?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Very well.” Nightmare Moon then grips on Silver Shine’s soul again. A dark blue orb comes out from his body. Silver Shine’s soul now outside of his body. His body is changing at a visible rate. The coat from dark blue turns into a dull gray color. Its wing also retracts as if it doesn't have wings in the first place.
Nightmare Moon then brings the orb toward the former body of manticore. Slowly, the orb lives inside of the body. The body is changing at a visible rate. The anatomy of a lion changes into the anatomy of a pony. The body slowly grows its wings, the wings of pegasi. Its body coat turns into that dark blue color.
“Silver Shine, can you hear us?”
Silver Shine’s eyes slowly open. It takes another minute to regain consciousness. “Yes, Your Highness.”
Nightmare Moon opens the cage. “How do you feel?”
Silver Shine walks out of the cage. He tries to get used to his new body. “I’m feeling great. I think even stronger than before.”
“That’s interesting. Though it can be understood because a manticore can easily best many of ponies.” Nightmare Moon tries her best to not sound ridiculing. Fortunately, none of the ponies here thinking they are being ridiculed.
“Silver Shine, come and try to buck us as hard as you can.”
“Yes, Your Highness.” Silver Shine indeed very loyal to Princess Luna. But that doesn’t mean he will follow orders blindly. Nightmare Moon always tries her best to make sure her subject is not afraid to sound their opinion.
Silver Shine distance himself from Nightmare Moon. He then runs as fast as he could toward Princess Luna while preparing to buck her.
“Luna, please help me with this.”
“You know you don’t have to be too formal right?”
“Right, okay, okay… Luna go! Defense up!”
Princess Luna’s eyes twitching hearing this. Nonetheless, she still getting ready for her spell. Ponies usually conjure an all-around barrier. But it’s different for Princess Luna. She conjures two circles of barrier six inches in diameter. She can arbitrarily move this barrier.
This stunt is not only for show-off purposes. An alicorn body can easily withstand this kind of attack. But, it’s taboo for a guard to attack their Princess. This barrier can somewhat ease this taboo. Because the attack is not directly touching the body.
As for why it has to be Princess Luna. Because if it’s Nightmare Moon who conjures the barrier, it can easily shatter by this kind of attack. That is if the attack connects with the barrier. Nightmare Moon can’t move her barrier as nimble as Princess Luna did, nor predict the attack pathway. To solve this problem, she can conjure an all-around barrier. But it’s still can shatter more easily. This would not be good for their image.
Silver Shine arrives in front of Princess Luna. He put his front hoof to his right as a pivot point, and let his hind body get carried by momentum. Princess Luna then moves her barrier to connect it with Silver Shine’s hind hooves.
Princess Luna can make her barrier to not move even a little bit upon impact. But this would hurt Silver Shine. Instead, she uses the barrier to slowly dampen the attack.
Silver Shine then stands up and standstill. Seemingly lost in thought.
“I think I mess up.”
“What did you do?”
“I try to move the barrier to dampen…”
“Wait, dampen? Is that necessary? Aren’t your barrier suppose to be indestructible?”
“Well, yes, probably you are the only pony who can break my barrier.” There is a fun paradox circulating ponies. Indestructible barrier against unstoppable attack, which wins? Nopony knows.
“Ohh? Am I too strong, are you just too weak?”
“Nightmare Moon, after your attack breaks my barrier, it lost its power and has no impact on me.”
“… fair”
Princess Luna rolls her eyes. “Anyway, I dampen his attack so he doesn’t hurt himself. So instead of bucking an unmovable wall, he bucks some sort of pancake wall.”
“Sounds like it will taste good.”
“Probably.”
“You should learn to make a better comparison.”
“Okay, now you try it.”
“Instead of bucking an unmovable wall, he bucks some sort of waffle… dammit.”
“See?”
“Okay, okay. Look, Silver Shine regain his mind.”
Silver Shine never doubts his Princess to completely negate his attack. It needs around hundreds of thousand such attacks to threaten an alicorn. Not only raw power, but she even masters such technique. Isn’t this would be dangerous?
Wait, Is switching souls is something all alicorns can do, or it’s exclusive to Princess Luna? Silver Shine is thinking all kinds of things in his mind. In short, he afraid Princess Luna’s power would attract jealousy and fear. Not from himself, or everypony that loyal to her, but from everypony else.
Princess Luna knows how her power can attract jealousy and fear. She, with Nightmare Moon, tries their best to hide it. But of course, nopony is perfect. This is including the almighty Princess Luna. She also could make mistakes. This is one of the reasons she wanted to get rid of Nightmare Moon as soon as possible.
“Nightmare Moon, you seriously need to own a body.”
“Awww, you want to get rid of me?” Nightmare Moon can’t make the face unless she wants to embarrass herself in front of her ponies.
“I’m being serious here.”
“Right, but where could we find such body?”
“I’m tempted to get one of the dragons.”
“Torch, huh...”
“Right, him. I think the reward is enough to justify the risk.”
“No.”
“You know, all this mess is caused by you.” If only Nightmare Moon stops being nice, maybe ponies wouldn’t need to see their power to switch souls. Princess Luna can’t help but sigh. “You are a stubborn pony.”
“I may be stubborn, but you're just as stubborn for sticking around. Thank you.”
“Don’t mention it.”
after Princess Luna tells Nightmare Moon about Silver Shine’s power, she called him. “Silver Shine.”
Silver Shine snap out. “Yes, Your Highness.”
“Congratulation, you now can fight one on one with a manticore.” Silver Shine keeps his face straight. but his sparkling eye is not left unnoticed by Nightmare Moon. “But don’t get your hope up yet.”
Silver Shine then calm himself after hearing this. He has been hoping to help ponies to clear out surrounding the kingdom. This way ponies would have a bigger place to cultivate crops. With this power, he can finally fulfill these wishes. Though, he knows how important it is to make this a secret, so he doesn’t dare to ask for it.
“Experimenting on ponies never be a good thing. Usually, the thing we give you ponies is a completed product that has been tested countless times in the lab.” Nightmare Moon is skipping lab experiments and moving straight to pony trials.
“And tonight, we make an exception because you ask us. But, we have a bottom-line.” Silver Shine finally understands. Ponies are undoubtedly willing to sacrifice for their Princess. But that doesn't mean the Princess herself willing to receive it.
“Because of the ‘faint’ accident, the time is getting late and we suggest for you to go home.” Because it always night, telling time is not as easy. Pony usually bring a pocket watch to themselves.
After all the ponies are gone, Nightmare Moon talks with Silver Shine. “Silver Shine, now you are our personal guards. The reason for your transfer is to keep in contact with you. That way, we can check your condition and quickly take action if something bad happens.”
“And also, try to take care of your former body.” Nightmare Moon point to the dull gray body. “We suspect it still needs nutrition. Though, currently, we don’t have anything to enable us to do that. For now, we will infuse it with our magic once in a while.”
“For the manticore’s soul.” Nightmare Moon approaches the floating orange orb. “We will seal it in our body temporarily. Dismissed.” The guards scatter and do their job. Nightmare Moon then pulls the soul toward her. Inside the mind space, Princess Luna getting ready to seal the manticore. After sealing the soul, they both continue their work somewhere else.
After one week of constant observe, Nightmare Moon, come up with a few conclusions. One, the body constitution and power revert back to what Silver Shine formerly has. This process is not fast, but it still at a visible rate. Until now, Silver Shine still has a fraction of the manticore’s constitution.
Two, the digestion system of both manticore and a pony is very different. Manticore is carnivorous, whereas a pony is an herbivore. Nightmare Moon is surprised by how truthful Silver Shine is. If somepony expressing their craving for meat will, undoubtedly, be shunned by others. And Silver Shine did like that to Nightmare Moon. Though Nightmare Moon nor Princess Luna do not find it weird, rather it’s fascinating to them.
Three, there is no noticeable change with the soul itself. It can be said that the act of switching souls is safe. Though, it is a theory that needs to be proven right. So, one can’t say that it is completely safe.
Nightmare Moon also invites the ponies back. The onlooker is as important as the experiment itself. Nightmare Moon then continues with the experiment. It’s too much gore to tell what happens. Though, there is a noticeable success on the last manticore. It’s no longer has wings, and its tail is no more that of a scorpion but looks like that of a lion.
Princess Luna getting motivated because there is proof that it can be done. But Nightmare Moon refuses because it feels wrong from an ethical stand view. Even if she refused, it will be a lie if she is not interested to see a less intelligent kind of pony.
