I was on a train to the Crystal Empire. Cadance had asked me to come and I figured get it over with. I went in my normal unicorn Selene form. Why bother keeping up the other one now. I was reading a news paper then the words formed into a familiar figure.
“Discord, what’s on your mind now?”
“Why you of course!” He gestured down. A look and see a large brain as my seat.
“Eeewww. Really dude?” With a flash it was normal again. Thank god.
“Well I was wondering how my little chaos bringer is doing. Since her little secret is out.”
“Could be far worse. Part of this trip is finding some of that out.”
“And the reason your mini me isn't with you?” I gave him a look.
“Mini me is with her mother. They need time together, so if I hear you messing with it.” I gave him a cold stare. “I will sic Fluttershy on you.” He gave a nervous gulp.
“Speaking of which, I am late to a tea time with her so. Ta ta!” And with that he was gone. I smiled. With Discord you just needed to know what buttons to push. Him gone I was back to my reading. The big talk was the labeling of Prince Blueblood a traitor and stripped of all titles. Nobles were fearful if this was just the start of something. Honestly she hoped so. Those guys need a purge. And it seems I am not the only one from the opinion section. The princesses were keeping my true form quiet and Ponyville was silence under decree. They didn't need anymore hassle.
I finally arrive at the Empire and took in a breath of fresh air as I left the train. I loved vacationing here in my world. I saw a pair of Crystal Guards nearby, one holding a sign with my name. I walked over. “I am Selene.”
“Follow us ma'am.” I nodded and we headed to the palace. I did see one of the guards glance at me sizing me up. Not as a threat but if I was sexy. I gave him a smirk and he blushed and looked forward. Yeah even in my disguise I am sexy. The Nightmare side of me desired to be desirable though in the decades since I became Selene I have yet to take a mate. Not quite sure where I sat sexually. Likely bi since Luna is and being former male. It was confusing. She thought of talking to her Cadance about it but never did. Well some to think of later. I literally have all eternity to figure that out.
Soon I was lead to the throne room Cadance sitting on the throne with a sizable baby bump. Shining on the throne steps with a concerned look. “Selene? That’s a new look.” Cadance commented.
“Actually it’s an old look. It’s my go to when not in nightmare form. So you called me over. What’s up?” The two looked at each other before looking back at me.
“Well we want to know the real you.” I shrugged.
“What you saw before is who I am pretty much who I am minus the looks.”
“Oh?” Cadance asked.
“Yes. The best lies have truths part of them. My only lie was where I am and what I actually look like. So your fears of me are unfounded. I am just a pony who is lost in another world and doing the best she can there.” Cadance nodded knowingly.
“That does seem reasonable. Also you being a Nightmare Moon makes your mane change make more sense.”
“Mane change?” I asked confused.
“When my husband had that dumb episode with Nyx and you went off on him. Your mane and tail went ethereal.” I blinked at that. I looked at Shinning. He nodded.
“Yeah, it was a bit scary.” I look at Cadance and blinked again..
“I…I did not know.” I stammered out. I lost that much control?
“So I guess that is your rage mode.” I blinked then remembered the few times I saw Twilight lost it.
“Oh, you mean her rapiddash act?”
“Her what?” They both act confused. I waved them off.
“A fictional creature from my birth world.”
“You mean your Equestria?” I shook my head.
“No, that is home not my birth world. Body is a twin of Luna's and Nyx's. My mind is a mix of Nightmare Moon and another being. Which gives me insight to her way of thinking.” I look directly at Shining. “And your theory on why Nyx gave up is bull crap. No offense to Cadance but she is not much of a military mare. She can inspire ponies yes but tactics belong to Luna and company. I even figured out how to pull it off.” Shining frowned while Cadance was looking curiously.
“So how would you beat me and my army?” she asked.
“Putting me in Nyx’s hooves. Use him since he knows you as my general.” I point to Shining. “Then with control over dreams I induce nightmares and there ends the love and light for the shield so that goes down. Victory is only matter of time. Luckily I have no desire to do that to family so you are okay.”
“You consider us family?” Cadance asked. I gave her a nod.
“Yes. You are their counterparts so close enough to me. Those a few decades behind.”
“Decades?” I nodded.
“Yes back home the girls are all old and you Shining have been dead for ten years.” Cadance cringed when that was mentioned. Shining also looked uncomfortable.
“So how did I die?”
“In bed, surrounded by family having lived a long life and a fine career. And despite Cadance's efforts it was not death by snu snu.” Cadance snorted while Shining blushed. I gave him an evil smirk. Which cause Cadance to laugh.
“Okay let’s break for lunch. I'm hungry.”
“Careful , you end up like Celestia. Everything in the flanks.”
“Many think those flanks are sexy.”
“Oh I know. We are feature in the same sites in sexy poses.”
“Sites?”
“Technology has progress a lot in my Equestria. Libraries are fading since we have the technology to put an entire library's worth of knowledge in a device the size of a hoof mirror.”
“Bet Twily didn't like that.” Shining quipped.
“She is…mixed on it. She finds it easier to find stuff and not make a mess for Spike to pick up after but you know..book horse.” They both snorted as we entered a small dining room. We sat together and gave our orders. The servants took them and left. Cadance having a very odd combo, but then again. She is pregnant.
“So, did your Cadance have foals?” Cadance asked as we waited.
“Yeah one, Flurry Heart. An alicorn and a power house. Her cry managed to shatter the Crystal Heart.” They looked at me in shock. “And you are having yours earlier. Some reunion celebrations?” I waggled my eyebrows at them. Cadance laughed as Shining blushed. The food arrived and we ate.
“Did your Twilight ever find a special somepony?” I shook my head.
“Not yet. There was some hope with Flash Sentry, but it didn't take off. My Cadance has become obsessed with it. I swear I saw a match making chart once.” Cadance suddenly became shifty eyed and gave a fake laugh. I eyed her before taking another bite of my meal.
“So, how is your relationship with your version of Luna and Celestia?” Seemingly trying to change the subject. Since I was the guest I let her.
“Very good, they see me as another sister. I claim to be Luna's twin and me and Luna love pranking Tia.”
“I bet that goes over well.” Shining quipped. I smile at him.
“Better then you think. She rolls her eyes and sighs but I see the smile in her eyes. And she occasionally gets us back. She is quite the prankster and trollster.” Cadance nodded knowingly. Yeah she had first hoof knowledge.
After dinner and some small talk I was shown my room. After a snack I went to bed.
* * * *
I awoke in a starfield, in my true form. Confused I looked around around. “What the hell?”
“That is an interesting curse word.” I hear a voice say and from the stars Luna appeared.
“How? When I tried to find Nyx I merged with her in the dream.”
“I had the same issue. So I worked on a solution. This is my first attempt. I am glad it worked!”
“So I got to be the guinea pig, fun. So now that we are here what do you want to talk about?” I made a table and chair appear with some drinks. Luna joined me in sitting down.
“Well still trying to come to grips with another like Nyx.”
“I bet, I was shocked myself when I first saw her. I thought I would be alone in this. Being a magical construct after all, but there was Nyx. In the same boat as me. Something I never thought possible, yet Nyx exists, she is in Ponyville. So full of life and wonder and yet both dealing with past sins. I tried to make her life a bit better.”
“You are not alone in that.” Luna admitted. “She inherited my sins and result of them added her own.”
“You all had parts to play in her becoming Nightmare Nyx. All I can promise that while I am here she has one more hard defender.” She nodded with a smile.
“So you comment on my look.”
“Yeah, its and interesting look. It's mix of Nightmare and standard you. My Luna isn't like that. She is in that second form you have. I think my Luna uses it to better relate to ponies. I prefer being Celestia tall but the flanks.” Luna snorted and we both chuckle. She smiled at me and I smiled back.
“So, how are things between you and my counterpart?” I gave a warm smile.
“She is my twin sister. We have fun hanging out and prank our sister Celestia. Things are very good between the three of us. I hope to have something like that with you.” Luna looked thoughtful.
“Why not. Now you have questions about my world?”
“Well, what is with Cadance, she wanted sex with me during Hearth's Warming.”
“Oh she is bisexual. And she and Shining Armor have an open relationship.” I face hoofed and groaned.
“Great, now I have to deal with that during my stay.” Luna laughed at my suffering.
“You say that like it's a bad thing.”
“She isn't hitting on you.” I did here a reply and looked over and she had that blush on her face. “No.”
“Well she isn't my niece by blood and Shining wasn't always available and I am also bisexual.”
I groaned again to the laugh of this Luna.