We were running through the fields, my sister and I. It had been a while since we had done this. She was only young, very young, but we were having fun. I had just invented a game where we had to tip each other. I didn't much like it, but she was having fun.
I don't know how long we were playing for, but I remember the look on her face when she suddenly stopped dead in her tracks. She had gone pale and looked... Terrified. She was trembling and staring into space like she had forgotten where she was.
"Luna!" I cried, changing direction and running towards her. She was so pale!
"I-I'm fine Tia..." She muttered, snapping back to reality. But she trailed off as she looked up at me. I hadn't realised it at the time but... I was flying. I was really flying! One minute I had been rushing to help my sister, the next... I was up in the air.
It felt so lovely to be in the air! It just felt... So natural! The wind was flowing through my mane and ruffling the feathers on my wings. I was almost disappointed when I landed.
"Tia! Tia!" Luna came rushing towards me, laughing.
"Wh-what?" I was still shocked from being in the air.
"You've got your cutie mark!" She practically screamed. "You raised the sun and — and you've got your cutie mark!"
"I-I got what?" I said in disbelief. But there it was, a beautiful golden sun resting on my flank. I was elated.
"I got my cutie mark!" I had completely forgotten about how pale Luna had gone, or how terrified she had looked. I had cared only for myself... "I really got my cutie mark! Mum! Dad!"
I leaped up and ran from the fields to show my most recent success to my parents. I completely forgot about Luna altogether.
Looking back, I realise that she had probably been trying to congratulate me.
And I knocked her over and ran off. Just like that.
If I had thought of her, noticed that her thoughts were being corrupted, I could have stopped it.
I feel so ashamed.
I'm not sure if it was just that one incident, but over the years we grew further apart, more distant. We didn't fight, didn't talk. Just drifted apart.
And it occurred to us that our parents were in their final days. We both knew that even alicorns couldn't live forever. But I never thought... My parents... Could just... My parents...
Perhaps I was stunned that they were dyeing.
Perhaps I was already grieving for them.
Whatever the reason, I locked Luna out. To give myself more time with them. I know it was horrible. I know it was unforgivable. And if I could change it... I would. But my teenage self was selfish. I can't help what I did in the past. No one can.
I saw Luna go outside in the grass. And if I had known what was going to happen, I would have stopped her. Talked to her. Apologised.
But I didn't.
And she became Nightmare Moon.
And it was all my fault.
What I did was unforgivable. And if I ever see her again I'll tell her so.
But she's locked in the moon. If she ever comes back... I can only hope that she does.
I'm sorry Luna.