The stained glass windows in the throne room always were an inspired idea, Nightmare Moon believed. More than an element of decor, it was a reminder. A reminder of deeds past and the empty slots for the deeds still to follow.
Artists always have a way of noticing subtle things in life: the facial expression, body language, even the eye shape, Nightmare Moon always marvelled at how the artists managed to so accurately portray her using something as crude as irregularly shaped glass pieces. The eyes of the black mare looking down at her from the windows indeed were her own, or they had been.
“Your Majesty,” Nightmare Moon shifted her eye at her visitor, Celestia formally bowed to her.
“Your Highness,” Nightmare Moon returned the courtesy.
"She came," Luna asserted.
“The moment of truth is upon us.”
“Are you sure? There is no controlling her after this.” Nightmare Moon had to suppress the reflex to think again. No, not this time. She might change her mind if she thinks a single more moment in this. It had to be done.
“I ran out of other options. She is the only one who can help, my only chance now. For all of our sakes, I hope she deserves the love you all give her even at this point. Promise to be quiet for a while.”
“Of course. Not a word.”
“Shall we drop the act, “Your Majesty”? We are far too old for these games,” Celestia broke the silence. Nightmare Moon returned to staring at the window.
“Yes,” she sighed. “No point playing pretend any longer.” Celestia raised her brow, the change in attitude was far too big to miss.
“What did you do to my sister?” Celestia asked straight.
“Nothing.”
“She hated you. What did you do?” Celestia didn’t back down. Nightmare Moon closed her eyes, quivers running down her body.
“Celestia, I promise, I did nothing to her. The only thing I ever did to her is tried to silence her, so she would let me work.
I can’t hurt her, nor that I would. I don’t imagine living without her now. She may cry a bit too much and she isn’t useful in ruling the land, but...she is the only one around who can be trusted. Until recently, maybe.”
“What are you saying?”
“Celestia, our past was never smooth. I tore your sister away from you. Your ponies died in our War. I sent you to spend years of your life on the moon. But perhaps the time has come for us to end our feud. I wish no harm to you, Luna or any other pony. What say you? Shall we now leave our bloody trail behind and give Twilight’s Magic of Friendship a chance?”
Celestia wasn’t quite convinced yet, her look was as suspicious as ever. She waited for more. So be it. Nightmare Moon sighed, if she had to lay bare before Celestia to broker her way out, then this is what she would do.
“Waiting for my motives? I understand, we can never trust anyone unless we know everything about them, can we?” Nightmare Moon gestured Celestia to follow her and led her to a different window, the one depicting King Sombra's downfall,
“Do you remember the King, Celestia? He is my nearest comparison, it seems. Some of our ponies followed because they believed in me, or more accurately in Luna, but others did because they feared the alternative.”
“The natural state of things.” Nightmare Moon nodded.
“Rainbow Dash, as foolish and bullheaded as she is, nonetheless has every reason to fight me. No matter how much I try to hide it, I will remain a tyrant. And the natural response to tyranny is rebellion.
It cannot possibly succeed, but ponies will continue trying nonetheless.
Rebels are a threat to everyone, so I have to put them down, this makes more ponies angry and the circle starts again.”
“You are no longer content with rolling heads and starving down your enemies in the dungeon?” Celestia sharply asked. “I remember you searching for an opportunity to exercise your power.”
“Celestia, what would you do if you could have everything?” Nightmare Moon asked and looked back at the King.
“This a bit too personal question, don’t you think?” But Nightmare Moon wasn’t listening.
“Power is pointless, Celestia. Sombra had all the power he could dream of. A nation that couldn’t resist him, an army spreading to the horizon, a circle of mages that could shatter the world at his whim and as much prosperity as he could possibly want.”
Nightmare Moon gave a single chuckle,
“Do you remember how miserable he was when you found him? Didn’t it seem like defeating him was a little too easy?
He lost because he chose to, Celestia. He found no point in further conquests, they offered him nothing. He found no point in living, so he hoped he could die with dignity. You should have indulged him. Forcing him to continue living after losing everything is nothing but cruelty.”
Nightmare Moon turned around to Celestia, but gave her a moment to process.
“We, tyrants, all have a similar fate. It doesn’t matter if we are successful or not, one day we will be gone, having accomplished nothing. Our former subjects will work tirelessly to erase our every hoofprint and forget about our existence. Our end is always the same: alone, broken and forgotten.”
Celestia patiently waited for continuation.
“Celestia, I don’t want it to end like this,” Nightmare Moon gave it straight, having trouble to hold a dignified posture. “Celestia, teach me your way. I already tried everything I knew.”
“Teach you? So this is what you released me for. Well, perhaps this is not so surprising after all,” Celestia said, having closed the case.
“Celestia, I... I can’t keep going like this!” Nightmare Moon’s even voice broke. “This is a torture! Do you have any idea how it feels to wake up with the thought of your own infirmity?!”
Nightmare Moon pointed her hoof at the next window, depicting Twilight Sparkle, “Celestia, I am not blind or stupid! Simply looking at her hurts! It's like dying from hunger and being forced to sit on a feast but not allowed to have anything!
I learned what makes them so strong and I learned how to beat them. But when I did so, I discovered how pitiful and hollow my gains were!
Celestia, I no longer see any purpose to continue this...existence! I did my best to hide it from everyone, even Luna knew nothing! But I can't any longer! The mask shatters! Celestia, I am breaking down! I can't focus anymore, no scheme can bring joy! I only feel pain, like a disease it slowly paralyzes me, moving this body gets harder with each day! The only sooth I have left is your sister and those crumbs I manage to get from anyone who offers!”
Mute Celestia stared in shock as her ancient enemy dissolved into sobbing and quivering wreck before her very eyes.
“I am not naive enough to think I can be like them! But I can no longer return to my ways, a life like that is not worth living! Not after seeing how beautiful it could’ve been.
I cannot go back, but maybe I can still have a measure of solace! I can still help to protect and nurture what they are trying to build! Celestia, please! I’ll beg if I have to! Help me! You are the only who can!”
Nightmare Moon sank down on the floor. Celestia couldn’t believe this, quivering, pathetic, creature was the one who defeated her. Luna was correct, this turned out to be nothing less than amazing. Oh sister, what have you gotten yourself into?
“I am impressed, Celestia,” the familiar, pompous voice sounded in her head. “You completely broke my sister’s will without even being here. I must admit, your way really works. Seeing her stretched out before you like this, begging for your mercy, makes losing to you a lot less embarrassing.” Celestia ignored the compliment, “So, will you now wipe this unworthy tear puddle out of your way and take back what’s yours?”
“Quiet, I will do no such thing.”
“But...why? You know I am right. I told you killing Luna and my good-for-nothing sister will spare you and your ponies of great trouble. You didn’t listen, and your mistake came to bite you in your sweet plot. The only reason we are even here is because my sister turned out to be far too soft. She will come back to bite you again. Leaving to her own devices is a mistake, Celestia.”
Nightmare Moon cried again,
“Celestia! What do I have to say for you to believe me? I can't take this much longer! Please! I will do anything to end it!”
“Yes, you are absolutely right,” Celestia agreed with the fiery fiend in her head.
Celestia took a deep breath, collecting every last scrapple of determination she could muster. She needed all her will to force her body to do what was needed now. Taking another breath, Celestia lunged forward, grasping the mare and pulling her closer to herself. Nightmare Moon quivered with her entire body, but Celestia held her firmly.
“Thank you...” she whispered. “I will repay you one day.”
“Shhh… Quiet now.” Daybreaker wearily sighed.
“Celestia, what are you doing?”
“Silence.”
“You know she is your enemy, right?”
“Do I not destroy my enemies by making them my friends?”
“You are up for a disappointment,” Daybreaker said for the last.
“You will be alright now,” Celestia promised to the quieted down enemy in her hooves.