//------------------------------// // Chapter 2 // Story: Taming Nightmare Moon // by Leafdoggy //------------------------------// Nightmare Moon tapped a hoof on the edge of her throne. She traced shapes in the air with lingering flames, imagining how she might redecorate the castle. She filled the throne room with a dense fog, then blew it away with a burst of fire. She made Celestia’s throne just a little bit smaller, to see if she would notice. Nightmare Moon was bored. She had been sitting there dutifully, waiting for her sister to return, for several hours. She thought for sure Celestia would have come back in a matter of minutes, grovelling in defeat, and when that didn’t happen, she had no idea what to do. How was she supposed to solve her problems with Celestia if she wasn’t there? She groaned. “Guard!” she snapped. The stallion standing at the base of the thrones wheeled around to face her. “Yes, Your Highness?” Nightmare Moon didn’t bother to regard him in much detail. It was clear from how he carried himself that he was no more than an errand boy in shiny golden armor, and she was content to keep it that way. “Where is my sister? Should she not be doing her duties as Princess?” The guard pursed his lips. “I don’t know, Your Highness. I’m not privy to her schedule, and we never know if she’ll even come in here on any given day.” “Well, then go and fetch me somepony who does know her schedule,” Nightmare Moon said. “Um,” the guard responded, “I’m really not supposed to leave my—” “Now!” Nightmare Moon stood up from her throne and stomped her hoof on the ground. The guard, who until then had held his composure well, immediately panicked and sprinted out of the room. She scoffed and started pacing around the room, looking absently at the stained glass windows. “Mindless cronies,” she muttered. “How my sister can stomach employing ponies with no will of their own, I will never know.” She passed in front of the window depicting herself, not as Nightmare Moon but as Luna, and stopped to take it in. The bold, striking blues and purples did a fantastic job of drawing the eye from the Princess up to her beloved moon, high and glorious as it deserved to be. It was clear the artist was one of the few ponies who understood the beauty of the night. Walking more, she came to Celestia’s window. Bright and brilliant, it was a symbol of hope for Equestria’s future. It told any who viewed it that no matter what happened, they need only turn and look, and they’ll find the path to a better tomorrow. It was everything she felt the day should be. Not a means to forestall the night, but another step forward. Eventually, she reached her window. There was no mural in dedication to Nightmare Moon, of course, only in dedication to her defeat. She stopped and stared up at it, remembering days long past. That pivotal clash against the ponies she now called friends. She lingered on their cheerful faces as they revelled in locking her away.  There was an awkward cough beside her, and a pony who she hadn’t noticed spoke up. “Um, Princess Luna? You called for me?” Nightmare Moon looked down, then looked down even further to take in the tiny mare standing beside her. A light cyan earth pony with a carefully brushed purple mane, she barely looked old enough to be working in the castle, and certainly didn’t look big enough to be able to carry around the wide array of scrolls and notebooks she had strapped to her sides. She was putting on a smile, but it was clear it was at least a little forced. “And you are?” Nightmare Moon asked. “Oh, sorry,” the mare said. She shuffled in place nervously. “I’m Princess Celestia’s personal assistant? I make her schedules and take messages and everything. My name is Violet Meadow, but my friends call me Vim! Um, but you can call me whatever you want, of course.” “Mm.” Nightmare Moon turned her attention back to the stained glass. “Tell me, what do you think of this one?” Vim looked up at the window and immediately got more nervous. “Oh, well, I um…” She was having trouble thinking of an answer. “Be honest,” Nightmare Moon told her. Then, after a pause, she hesitantly added “please.” That seemed to calm her nerves somewhat. “Well,” she said, speaking incredibly slowly and carefully, “I don’t really think I’ve thought much about it at all. It’s just a piece of history, you know? It was the day you came back, and, well… They stopped you from hurting anypony.” Neither of them talked for a long moment. The only noise was the sound of frantic hooves running through the halls outside, but despite the turmoil just a few feet away, the air in the hall was completely still. “Do you believe that is a day worth commemorating in this hall?” Nightmare Moon asked after some time. “Well, I’m no historian or, I don’t know, sociologist, so…” “You’re the pony I asked.” “I guess there’s probably better uses for the space?” Vim hummed anxiously. “Unless you really are planning to be evil again, but if you’re not it’s a bit pessimistic.” Nightmare Moon thought for a moment, then nodded. “I agree.” With no warning or hesitation, she lit up her horn, and the window exploded outward. The great crashing sound was tremendous, and seemed to chime strangely in the air as the shards of glass dissolved away into nothing in the air.  Vim was so surprised she jumped back several feet. “W-W-What? Why did you—” “Come.” Nightmare Moon turned and walked back towards her throne. “We’ve things to discuss.” Vim scurried down the hall, nearly tripping over herself as she climbed the ramp to stand on the small ledge below the thrones. She found her balance right as Nightmare Moon took her seat, and managed to hold steady when the steely gaze of the Princess threatened to knock her over again. “So,” Nightmare Moon began, “you are my sister’s keeper.” Vim nodded slowly. “In a way, I guess.” “Well then, my little bookkeeper, would you kindly inform me of where she is?” Vim swallowed hard and shook her head. “I-I’m sorry, Princess, but I don’t have any clue. She’s been missing all day.” Nightmare Moon grimaced. “If Celestia is missing, why did you not inform the other Princess?” “I, um, didn’t want to disturb you. I know you don’t really like your sister, so I was worried that you’d see it as a waste of your time.” “Just because I am angry with my sister doesn’t mean I dislike her. She may be eager to toss me aside, but I still intend to see things through. I did not return in order to stage a coup.” “Um, forgive me for saying this,” Vim said, “but… Well, with Celestia gone and you just… Being here, it kind of feels like a coup.” “Well, it’s not my fault Celestia has decided to run off and shirk her duties.” “I know, but with your reputation… May I make a suggestion, Princess?” “Go ahead,” Nightmare Moon told her. “I think if ponies saw you step up and fill in while Celestia is gone, they’d see that you actually care about them.” “And how would I do that?” Vim coughed quietly and pulled out a scroll. “Well, she has a whole schedule she hasn’t been doing…” Icy winds whipped past Celestia, and frigid snow crept up her hooves. Her mane and tail flapped wildly in the gale as she made her way quickly through the empty streets. She could handle the cold, but she hadn’t prepared for it. The Crystal Empire rarely ever got actual snowfall, at least not while the crystal heart was intact, so weather that managed to break through that barrier had a tendency to keep ponies in their homes. The ponies guarding the castle entrance were shocked beyond belief to see Celestia, but they wasted no time in prying open the heavy insulated doors to allow her inside. She thanked them as she passed, but was in too much of a hurry to actually stop. She was already around the next corner when the doors slammed shut behind her. Ponies clambered to clear the way as she made her way to the throne room. She was well past the point of anger, and now her face was painted with sheer determination. There wasn’t a pony in Equestria that would stand in her way after seeing, and feeling, the intensity she carried within her. She blew into the throne room like a storm. Princess Cadance was the only member of the royal family present, and she rose to greet Celestia.  “Princess?” Cadance was immediately worried. “Did something happen?” “Yes, I’m afraid so,” Celestia told her. “I apologize for being so terse, but Nightmare Moon has returned, and I cannot stop her myself.” Cadance’s eyes went wide. “But what about Twilight and her friends? Have they already failed?” Celestia winced. “I’m afraid they’re not an option this time.” “Okay… Well, I’m prepared to help in any way you need.” Celestia shook her head. “I’m sorry, but it isn’t actually you whose help I came for.” “Ah.” Cadance nodded solemnly. “I understand. He should be studying the crystal heart.” Celestia was already halfway out the door when she remembered to say “thank you.” In the chamber that held the crystal heart, an old bearded unicorn was patiently tapping away at the artifact. He would lightly hit it with a mallet or a pick, careful not to damage it, and then record its reaction. Sometimes he tried making the tools icy cold, other times he made them red hot. He had been at this for days now, and was already on his third notebook. When the door blew open with all the force of a raging typhoon, he leapt back so fast he nearly lost his hat. He didn’t of course, he was far too old to embarrass himself in such a manner, but he came close. Celestia wasted no time at all. “Star Swirl,” she said, walking straight up to him, “we have a problem.” “This is inane!” Nightmare Moon sat on her throne with an annoyed grimace, reading through Celestia’s schedule. Vim darted back and forth around her, adjusting her regalia and her mane and making sure nothing was out of place. “I know it seems like a lot, Princess, but we’re far too pressed on time to allow everypony a private audience.” Vim took a step back to look her over, then stepped forward again to polish a spot on her chestpiece. “Besides, a town hall will be good press for you!” “Not that,” Nightmare Moon said. “What I mean is, if I am happy with how I look, why do I need you to do all this preparation?” “Nobles can be… Picky.” She stepped away again, then nodded, more to herself than to the Princess. “If they don’t think you’ve gone to the proper lengths for them, they’ll see it as disrespect.” Nightmare Moon scoffed. “So? Why should I care if these so called ‘nobles’ think I respect them?” “Well, we need their support for more important things,” Vim explained. “They can provide the resources for things like schools and parks and libraries.” “I see.” Nightmare Moon thought for a moment. “Well, let them in, then.” “Are you sure you wouldn’t like me to touch up your mane?” “It’s made of fog!” Nightmare Moon groaned. “Just send in the rabble.” Vim nodded rapidly, then ran over to the throne room doors and opened them wide. Throngs of ponies poured inside, the vast majority of them reporters, and Vim ushered a select few towards the front so that they could properly speak to the Princess. Those few stood out in stark contrast from the rest, wearing posh suits and puffing out their chests to seem more imposing. Nightmare Moon fought to hold back a look of disgust as cameras started flashing all around the room. She didn’t bother to stand and greet them. She didn’t even feel inclined to sit up straight, instead lounging as she looked down her nose at them. Vim snuck up beside her, close enough to whisper into her ear if need be. “Well?” Her voice was loud and booming, easily cutting through the din of the reporters and the clicking of their cameras. “Begin.” An old gray stallion cleared his throat and spoke up. “Yes, well, I suppose I shall ask the question on all of our minds. Where is Princess Celestia?” “As far as I can surmise, she’s off searching for a way to banish me.” She paused as the chatter in the room rose for a moment. “So, it has fallen to me to do my sister’s work for her.” A mare with a massive, elaborate hat that hid her face spoke up. “Does that mean you will be able to provide everything she could?” “We shall see,” Nightmare Moon said. “Yes, well,” the mare continued, “I was intending to speak to Princess Celestia about the possibility of her attending the grand reopening of my theatre.” Nightmare Moon turned to Vim. “What does this one give us?” She didn’t bother to keep her voice down. Vim, however, did whisper. “Um, she works with the school board to help organize field trips so students from smaller towns can come see the plays.” “Ah.” Nightmare Moon nodded towards the mare. “I’ll be there. Give my assistant here the details after the meeting.” The mare tilted her head up suspiciously. “How can I be sure you’ll bring in the same kind of publicity Princess Celestia would?” “You can’t,” Nightmare Moon told her. “Do not misunderstand me. This meeting is not so that you may haggle for more than you are owed. We are here so that I can determine the value you bring to my citizens, and then decide how gracious I wish to be with my thanks. You have no bargaining chips here.” There was another uproar amongst the press, and some of the nobles started rapidly whispering to each other. Another noble, a young stallion in a suit worth far less than he paid for it, decided to take his turn. “I’m sorry, Princess, but that simply isn’t true,” he said. He sounded far more aggravated than sorry. “Our goodwill has limits, you can’t just demand things from us.” Nightmare Moon turned her head, looking pointedly away from him and at Vim. “Who is this whelp.” Vim gulped. “Uh, he owns a bunch of the land the city parks are on. Inherited them from his grandfather, I think. Celestia’s been fighting to stop him from tearing the parks down and building something else there.” Nightmare Moon turned her gaze back to the stallion. “So, what have you been demanding of my sister?” “I am negotiating for a position in the royal court.” He stuck his nose in the air proudly. “I rather think I would be an excellent treasurer.” “Well,” Nightmare Moon said, “here are my terms. You will get nothing. You will—” “Now hang on, I—” “Do not interrupt me!” Nightmare Moon shot out of her throne, and the room went silent. Her voice rattled the windows and shook the floor, and a fire raged in her eyes. The whole room stared at her, unwilling to so much as move. “As I was saying.” She didn’t sit back down, instead towering over the stallion from the edge of the platform. “You will get nothing. You will do as you please with the land, and should your decision harm my subjects, I will ensure that they are fully aware of who tore down their parks. It’s up to you to decide if such a hit to your reputation is still a profitable choice. Do I make myself clear?” The stallion nodded slowly. “Good. Now get out of my sight.” He looked around in confusion. “W-What?” “Leave!” Nightmare Moon pointed sharply towards the door, her hoof leaving a trail of fire through the air.  The reporters parted as the stallion turned tail and fled, cameras flashing the entire time. “Now.” Nightmare Moon looked down at the nobles. “Have any of you not given your request to Princess Celestia already?” They all shook their heads.  “Wonderful. This meeting is over, then. I’ll speak with my assistant, and you will be notified of my decisions.” Several reporters rushed forward, wanting to ask questions, but with a swipe of her hoof Nightmare Moon made a massive wall of flames erupt between them, completely cutting herself off from the crowd. Then she turned and walked back to her throne, slumping down into it heavily. “Exhausting,” she muttered. “Um, for what it’s worth,” Vim said, “while it was very unorthodox, I think you made a good first impression.” Nightmare Moon sighed. “I appreciate it, Meadow.” “Oh and, um, about the ‘my assistant’ thing…” Nightmare Moon raised an eyebrow at her. “Are you turning down the offer?” “No!” Vim shook her head vigorously. “I just wanted to say that I don’t want to stop being Princess Celestia’s assistant. I-I can handle both, though!” “Ah. Yes, that’s fine. Just don’t expect me to lighten your workload, I expect the best from the ponies under me.” “Of course not, Princess!” Vim smiled, and this time, it didn’t look forced. “Um, are you ready for the next item on the schedule?” “There’s more?” “Oh, yes, that was only the first meeting! There’s at least five more today, plus some public appearances, a talk at a school, a da—Oh, no, you can’t do that one. Don’t worry, it’s a fairly light day.” “Great.” Nightmare Moon sighed. “She better come try to banish me soon. I am not lowering the sun for her.”