This story is a sequel to If You Came to Conquer

Princess Nightmare Moon had tried to keep it secret. She had suppressed her power, feigned ignorance, played the outdated fool at every opportunity. She should have known that something like this would happen. A threat that would reveal her, whether she played dumb or not.

If she had to reveal herself, then at least she could protect Equestria in the process. She nocked the arrow. The bow felt so flimsy, but she could not risk him absorbing a spell. She laced magic across the arrow and the string and the air, enough to make it fly faster and aim smoother. She sighted him easily; Tirek was a large target. Now he only had to turn around. An arrow to the spine would kill him simply and instantly, no matter how much magic he had absorbed.

Once he was dead, the hard part would come: explaining herself to Celestia.

Prereading thanks; Meta Four, Blank!, Yami Vizzini, and especially Craine

Russian translation by Doof
Chinese Translation by Dreams Set Free

Comments contain spoilers.

Nightmare Moon won. She defeated Celestia, broke the Elements, banished the sun. This all happened a very long time ago. So long ago, that she has had plenty of time to change her mind.

Of course, fixing our mistakes is never so simple, and never without consequences. Even with particularly potent help.

"If you came to conquer, you'll be king for a day. / But you too will deteriorate and quickly fade away."
— "No Control" by Bad Religion

A big thanks to Craine, Sorren, and Idylia for prereading and editing. If you enjoyed the story, don't forget to check out their pages.

Equestria Daily
Royal Canterlot Library (FIMfic version)
Russian translation by Doof
Chinese translation by Dreams Set Free

Kitsune Heart has done a dramatic reading of this story! Find it over here.
ObabScribbler has done a dramatic reading of this story! It includes a full cast of voice actors. Find it over here.

Comments contain spoilers.

Propaganda is a powerful thing. She took my crimes, my failures, and turned them into a wives tail. Into something you tell your foals to get them to come inside at night. Be good or Nightmare moon will come and eat you up. She did this so when I came back they would not fear me. They would not know me as a monster, just a story book villain.

Speak of the nightmare, and she shall appear.

Celestia and Luna were supposed to enjoy each other on a night alone in the Everfree. However, things go south when they find Luna's old dark self: Nightmare Moon. But, she is different. She wants to be better and wants forgiveness. And Luna, listening to the mare lament, asks herself a question.

Is Nightmare Moon deserving of the forgiveness she asks for?

Takes place three days after the events of Luna Eclipsed.

This story is a sequel to The Dark Is Brighter

Nightmare Moon, now dubbed Mære by Princess Luna, has decided to begin the life of a helper, rather than the life of a monster. Luna believes that she can start by saving ponies from their nightmares, but without her horn, Mære is unable to enter dreams. Luna takes matters into her own hooves, and uses her own magic to take Mære along with her to the realm of dreams. The two begin searching for a target, and immediately find an option.

Twilight Sparkle is having a nightmare. About Mære.

This discovery leads to something far more long-term.

Cover art by this noble Cobalion.

Nightmare Moon has been defeated, destroyed by the Elements of Harmony. Still some part of her survives, split apart from Princess Luna and trapped in a world of dreams. Now she searches for a way to return to Equestria, to live again and reclaim her throne. However, the dream world is a confusing place with many strange beings who may help or hinder.

(note: "Crossover" with some characters from Sandman comics, but you don't need to be familiar with them.)

Applejack is chosen as The Nightmare's new host.

It really isn't that big of a deal. Until it is.

Luna has been plagued with vivid dreams of Nightmare Moon, and from what she's encountered, she doesn't know who to believe anymore. Is this the same evil mare she had become? Or just a misunderstood pony looking for love? Now Luna must decide: friend or foe?

Super special thanks to my editor SpaceCommie

She had simply wanted recognition. Equality. Nothing more. She had never wished to be the cause of so much war and strife in a land once prosperous and peaceful.

Stricken by guilt and fearful of the judgment of her subjects, Luna, with the reluctant help of Nightmare Moon, sets out to remedy her mistakes and return the sunlight to Equestria, no matter what the consequences may be.

Meanwhile, as an ancient foe is awakened, and the changeling race is all but extinct, only their young and reluctantly crowned Queen Chrysalis stands against the total annihilation of her species.

Thanks to Darkflame75 for the coverart.