Two months have passed since Discord was defeated, and Ponyville has since returned to everyday life. While regarded as the saviors of Equestria as a whole, the ponies of Ponyville continue to treat Twilight and her friends as any other pony would and not hold them on a pedestal, and still thought of them as friends and their neighbors.
Summer was already half way through as August moved it's way toward September, the lives of the Bearers of the Elements of Harmony continued their daily lives, their bonds only grew closer after resealing Discord into stone. Thinking back on what Celestia told him, Silver continued his training with Black and White Magic under Crimson's guidance within the dreamscape, and was quite pleased with the pony's performance as defeating Discord seemed to help awaken more of his dormant magic abilities and thus was able to move onto the some of the next tier of magic. As well, he decided to train Silver in his sword skills as well to help improve his self-taught experience, but despite the five years of training Silver was getting beat by Crimson, considering the human was more trained, experienced and had the advantage of using his hands, while Silver had to resort using his mouth or, an unorthodox method, using his tail after watching Applejack swing her lasso with it.
Crimson thinks that once the pony's magic can be opened the whole way, he would be able to levitate his blade and would be able to have better mobility and better control with his swings, but was still impressed by Silver's use with a blade, despite being an earth pony and lacking actual hands.
By the end of the week, Silver was capable of perfecting the use of 'Fire', 'Blizzard', and 'Thunder' at their base level and was already putting in work for 'Fira', 'Blizzara', and 'Thundara', as well as learning some status-inducing spells like 'Stun', which paralyzes a foe for a limited time, 'Sleep', which puts foes to sleep, and 'Slow', a spell that will slow time around the target. In White Magic, he was able to perfect 'Cure' and nearly has 'Cura' mastered, as well as getting in the protection spells 'Protect' and 'Shell', a status-healing spell like 'Esuna', which removed all negative status affects on someone like poison and confusion, and status-inducing spell like 'Silence', which prevents the use of magic being cast as it forces the target to remain silent, unable to cast the needed incantation.
Silver talked about what he told Celestia about the possibility of being a bearer of the Elements since his mother's ring reacted with the other Elements when they sealed Discord into stone, but Crimson simply remained quiet and said it was possible, however under the face cover the human was grinning. He also told her about his existence, confirming what Luna told her, and Crimson simply shrugs it off knowing Luna would go about telling Celestia about him regardless and was not to worried about it. When he was asked if he was out there somewhere, alive, and if he would ever reappear outside his dreams, Crimson simply said that maybe one day.
Silver often wonders how the girls will react when eventually comes a time he uses his newfound abilities before them and didn't say anything. While the girls would be amazed, Twilight would just be on his case for not telling her sooner and would likely do what Celestia predicted: learn more about Black and White Magic and the possibility of using it. He didn't want to keep secrets like this from his friends, but it was probably for the best considering what the princess said about how difficult Black and White Magic was, as it was otherworldly magic, and required a great deal of patience and mental prowess to even use, and considering it was magic that operated much differently compared to Equestrian magic and thus, Twilight, even though she embodied the Element of Magic itself, would have difficulty using it.
Plus, even though some of his inner unicorn magic was opened up more, he still needed to be wary of using the magic since it will still leave him drained, especially when it came to using the second tier spells like Fira. He would just need to continue to do this training in secret until the day comes when all can be revealed.
By then, October rolled around and the fall season was approaching. With the Running of the Leaves come and gone, this time without Applejack and Rainbow Dash competing like they did last year and simply having fun together as friends helping the other ponies out bringing down the leaves for fall, it was nearing the time of the one holiday everyone in Ponyville was excited for: Nightmare Night.
The holiday which ponies celebrate by dressing in costumes and hand out candy to all the fillies and colts who come by, as well as paying homage to Nightmare Moon whom the holiday was named after. It was one night to remember for everyone attending, as Princess Luna made her grand appearance since her return during the Summer Sun Celebration the previous year, and has changed since then in terms of her appearance as it seemed much of her magic has returned to her and now has a flowing mane and tail much like Celestia, only it is a deep blue that sparkles like the night sky.
After much trial and error, as well as witnessing Luna cancel Nightmare Night because of how the ponies treated her with much fear after trying to fit in, she soon becomes accepted by her subjects and adored by fillies and colts who enjoyed being scared on the night. Twilight even learned a new lesson in friendship, in that it is to give friendship to others and help them find it themselves, as well as even if someone is intimidating or scary, offering them your friendship will help you discover a whole new individual underneath.
Royal Palace - Canterlot
It was a long night of fun and excitement for the blue alicorn as she returns home to Canterlot after the festivities have concluded. She was certain to remember this evening as a memorable one. The Royal Guard all salute Luna as she nods to them.
The festivities in Ponyville went on until after midnight. Many residents were showing weariness and most of the fillies and colts often were asleep while still clutching their bags of candy. It was to be another new day for Ponyville in the morning, despite the amount of fun that was had this evening.
She enters the throne room, seeing her older sister taking over her place for the first half of the night court. She was happy to see Luna back, and can tell it was successful evening.
As much as Celestia wanted to hear about her night, the solar monarch was already exhausted and Luna promised to tell her everything the following day and relieved her of her duties for the night. Celestia, giving a small nuzzle to her little sister, as she walks by and for a nice rest.
Considering that the night court ended a bit after midnight, Luna decided to head to her bedchambers for the evening. She had at least five hours before the moon needed to be lowered for the dawn, so she decided to spend most of the that time to enter the Dreamscape and look into the dreams of sleeping ponies.
However, the moment she entered the realm of dreams, she noticed something off. She felt a presence here, which was impossible as she was the only one that can enter the realm of dreams.
Dreamscape
"Whoever is there, I know you are near... Show yourself!" Luna demanded.
It was then a voice replied. One that made Luna suddenly shiver, upon hearing it.
"Of course... Luna."
Suddenly the place became dark as a small, familiar blue cloud of mist appeared. It then began to slowly expand into the shape of a pony slightly taller than Luna. The princess's eyes widen as she steps back.
"...It can't be... H-how are you still here?!" Luna yelled.
The figure chuckles, weakly, as it finishes its transformation. Standing before her, was none other than Nightmare Moon.
"Miss me, Lulu?" Nightmare asked.
Luna's horn started to flare up, as she glared at the dark entity.
"Answer me! The Elements of Harmony should've purged you from me!"
Nightmare Moon just looks away, frowning.
"...As did I. However, we've been together for how long now, Luna? I am the darkness that resides in your heart, the manifestation of jealousy and anguish that you had all those years ago... I have since become a part of your very being. The Elements did rid my influence over you... yes, however they only weakened me to what I am now..." Nightmare explained.
Luna's horn began to dim a bit as she just looked at her in confusion.
"You have become what you once were before I took over, and as it stands I likely have no chance to take a hold over you... which is fine. I deserved what happened to me." Nightmare said with what sounded like... remorse.
"..." Luna just stood there.
"Even though I haven't been able to take a hold of you, because of the Elements, I have been aware of what has happened since that day. Even witnessing the events of this evening..."
She just gave a smirk.
"Never thought we would have a holiday dedicated to us... Even if half the things that were said were exaggerated... I mean, come now. I may have been terrifying, but eating little foals if they did not make an offering of sweets to us? I have standards..." She chuckled.
"...Is there something more you wish to tell me, Nightmare? As to what do you want?" Luna asked, impatiently.
"...The Elements of Harmony have made me see the wrong I have caused thousand years ago. Had they wanted me gone, we wouldn't be having this conversation now. I believe the Elements are giving me a second chance." Nightmare replied.
"...Pardon?" Luna asked, deadpanned.
"Think about it dear Luna... The effects of the Elements were never meant to be temporary and non-lethal. Had when Celestia used the Elements on us, they would have destroyed me... or rather both of us. Instead we were banished away on the very celestial body we raise and lowered for years on end..." Nightmare explained.
"Had when those six ponies used it on us again when we returned from our banishment, it could've destroyed us or send us back... but instead it just removed my influence over you and severely weaken me, and restoring your to yourself. If friendship is really that powerful of a force to stop me, and even return Discord to stone once more... then I don't see a reason to risk possibly losing my very being should the Elements affect me a third time... and for that, I wish be whole with you again... as a means to be able to learn more about this concept that eluded us for centuries." She finished.
"...How will I know this is not just a trick as a means to take me over again and enact revenge on Twilight Sparkle and her friends later?" Luna asked, still unsure about the whole thing.
"Because the Elements have not just affected me, they have affected you as well. You appear to be immune from further corruption by my magic, and the only way I could even take over is if you allow me to by your own will... Luna, I thought hard about this, and I only want to make amends for my actions. As I said, we are one in the same, as I am the darkness that resides within your heart. Light and darkness are on the same bit... you can't have one without the other. Just allow me this chance the Elements have given me..." Nightmare pleaded.
Luna didn't know what to think. The fact Nightmare Moon was still lingering within her made her uneasy, but she made a point that the Elements couldn't fully purge her from her mind. She was just as much part of Nightmare Moon as vice versa. And if the Elements were giving her a second chance to be a better pony...
"...I will think about it Nightmare Moon. I will take this into consideration, as this is something I wish to dwell on for a bit..." Luna responded.
Nightmare Moon simply nods.
"It is all I ask for Luna. I swear to you I will try to be a better pony, and hopefully make amends with our sister if the time comes..."