Epilogue
And that's how I was banished to the moon for one thousand years. I heard every thought Crescent sent out to me, even though I couldn't return them. I was on a dusty, lifeless rock, a thousand miles away, but I still felt happy for her, She became a celebrity throughout Equestria, became a scholar, lived on, and, eventually, forgot about me.
And one thousand years later, I STILL ponder this: was it worth it? She became everything she could've been, and more since I left. One thousand years of living on a dusty, white rock with none but my evil counter-part for company. For my only friend to live the best life possible? Was it worth getting banished because of my counter-part, and being stuck with her still? Torture. I hate her for what she did to me, even though I blame myself for making the mistake of asking for her help.
And to top it all off, later, I needed her assistance again, in order to escape. I feel like I should've learned a lesson back then, but I don't care. I must see Crescent one more time.
* * *
Just as I had expected, Nightmare Moon took control of my body again, went on a rampage, and got vanquished by the Elements of Harmony. Again. But this time, I was separated from Nightmare Moon. My sister was very happy to see me back (After a thousand years on the moon) and we had a very mushy moment, filled with lots of tears.
There was a celebration for my return. I put on a false smile as I scanned the crowd multiple times. I could not find Crescent anywhere. Then again, this wasn't Canterlot. That was probably why. Wrong I was. When the celebration was over, I requested to see her. Celestia's celebratory smile dropped off her face, and was replaced by a very sorrowful looking frown. I already knew what was coming.
She left the castle in charge of a new prince named 'Blueblood' and we flew back to the old chapel in the Everfree forest. Before I knew it, I was standing in front of a grave that read:
Here Lies:
Silver Crescent Lullaby
Departed at age 112
Renowned scholar, mother, and hero.
Saved Equestria from Eternal Darkness
The words engraved on the tombstone were faded, and barely legible, but still held as much meaning. It seemed like just yesterday I was dropping tears onto her silver mane, and now they were falling onto her grave.
My sister tapped my shoulder with something flimsy.
"I believe this is for you." she said.
After wiping my tears away, I grabbed the letter gently with both hooves.
"I'll leave you be now." stated Celestia, and she departed.
The letter was yellowed with a thousand-years age. I opened it with my magic, and took the letter out. And in writing that was undoubtedly Crescent's, it read:
Dear Luna,
If you ever get to read this, I want you to know that I forgive you for everything that happened.
I thought it mattered that you were royal blood, but in the end, it really didn't.
Whether or not you attempted to raise the sun, my mother would have died on the spot.
I like to think that's what caused my blindness; trauma that spread into my retinas, and just blinded me.
I'm kind of glad I was blind. It gave me the opportunity to bump into that tree in the Everfree forest.
I met the best friend anypony could ever imagine.
Even though vanquishing Nightmare Moon brought back my blindness to an un-recoverable state,
I still live a healthy, educated life.
My father fully recovered, everypony in Equestria respects me, and I'm living in the castle with Celestia.
The only thing missing is you.
As I sit on the balcony, scratching this down in my adulthood, I believe, and always will believe;
the years I spent with you were the best ones of my life.
Your faithful student, Silver Crescent Lullaby