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Chapter 5: Alone
Celestia awakened the next day, and immediately applied an ice pack. Her sister had hurled her into the wall of the bedroom, and it had been rather painful.
There was a knock at her door. "Come in."
Porthos entered. He had some minor bruises from his encounter with Luna. But nothing serious. He came today, bearing the day's newspaper.
"What is that?" Celestia asked.
Porthos did not answer. He grimaced as he handed it to her, knowing the reaction the news would evoke.
NIGHTMARE MOON LOOSE IN EQUESTRIA! ROYAL GUARD SCRAMBLING TO CAPTURE ROGUE PRINCESS!
The old soldier timed his duck perfectly. A royal slipper that may or may not have been aimed at his head. It didn't matter really.
Celestia turned a little red. "Sorry old friend. Could you retrieve that for me?"
Porthos patiently obliged. Celestia slipped it back onto her hoof nonchalantly, never taking her eyes off the cover of the paper.
Of course, they had found a picture of Nightmare Moon to go along with the headline.
"I was under the impression that this was going to be kept quiet."
"Apparently the Equestrian Justice Department had other plans." Porthos replied.
Celestia stood up. "This is out of control. The public will never accept Luna at this rate."
Porthos sighed. "Perhaps there are more pressing matters than just Luna's reputation."
Celestia nodded. "I know. Like the fact that my sister, is out there in the cold, freezing. Because SOMEPONY couldn't keep up."
Porthos edged ever so hesitantly towards the door. He had served the sun princess for many years, but had never been embroiled in a situation hitting as close to home as this. He had already received a royal slipper. Perhaps the foreplay would be cut, and the princess would merely incinerate him with a good blast from her horn.
"It's not entirely your fault." Celestia continued, causing the old pegasus to take a sigh of relief. "This...this was just so badly handled. Sealing her in her room...forcing her to try and be more outgoing...it was a disaster from the beginning."
Porthos looked up at her. Damnitt. He hadn't become captain of the guard without displaying a certain degree of bravery.
"Is she perhaps...afraid of you?"
"I am her sister. Could she really still be afraid of me?"
Porthos seemed uncomfortable answering the question.
"There was a time when we were inseparable, you know. When I was younger. When she was little more than a child. We were more than just sisters. We were the best of friends." Celestia slammed her hoof down on the floor with great force. "I sent her to the moon. For a thousand years. How could she not be afraid of me?"
She opened her window. The bone chilling wind flooded into the room.
"What are you doing ma'am?" Porthos asked.
Celestia turned. "My sister, the pony I am meant to watch after, and keep out of danger, is wandering out there in the cold. And that scares me Porthos. I must find her. When is the new squadron set to arrive?"
"Tomorrow." Porthos replied. "I'm assuming they were to be reassigned?"
Celestia shrugged. "After all is said and done, she may very well need her own squadron of guards."
"I would ask that you stay." Porthos said.
Celestia turned to him and smiled warmly. Then she spread her massive, angelic wings and lifted off.
As horrible and mysterious as it was during any other time of year, the Everfree Forest was beautiful in the winter. Luna took a moment to absorb it's beauty.
Every tree was topped with powdery white snow. All of this reminded her why winter was her favorite season. She continued trudging onward through the snow. Her coat helped with the cold, but she still felt chilly.
"Oh yes. This is beautiful isn't it?"
Luna jumped. Nightmare Moon was at her side.
"Yes. Yes it is. Kindly shut up and allow me to take it in."
Nightmare was brushed back by the words. "You know, you really should be nicer to me. I mean...I am the one who will get you into the history books."
Luna shot her a glare.
"Oh little Woona. You look so adorable when you're about to hit something."
Luna gritted her teeth. "If I could, I would."
"Oh lighten up already! You are truly free now! You are out in nature! In our beloved winter! There is only one thing left to do. Just let me in..."
"No. Never." Luna replied. "I'll sooner freeze to death."
"Oh, you are not a mare of fun at all. I can tell you, worse things have happened."
Luna sighed, silently contemplating what this strange word, 'fun' meant.
"What must I do to be rid of you? Eh?"
"I already told you. Let me back inside your mind."
"You have already intruded upon my mind! You have possessed me."
Nightmare Moon shook her head. "Tis not a permanent stick. In order for you to fully gain my powers again, I must be allowed back in willfully."
Luna smirked, glad to finally have some advantage against this apparition. "Well that sucketh for you then."
She continued onward. Nightmare Moon floated on after her. She kept a good peripheral angle on the spirit as it floated along.
"Well anyway, possessed or not possessed, you seem like you could use some company."
Luna stopped and turned to the apparition next to her. "I'm quite fine on my own. Please, leave me be."
She continued on, deeper on into the forest.
"Oh come on now. You already looked bored."
"Oh yes. And talking to one self always tends to relieve boredom." Luna said dryly.
"Well I mean...it seems unfair. You haven't even given me a chance since I first appeared."
Luna let out an exasperated sigh. "You know why I haven't given you a chance? Because you are pure, unadulterated evil. You represent everything I once stood against." She felt her frustration and anger and stress start to blast to the surface.
"Luna, the noble guardian of the night. That is what they used to call me. Before I betrayed everything I ever stood for. Before I created you."
There was a silence. Luna trudged on, looking rather disgruntled.
"Come now Luna. I am not completely evil. I have my layers..."
"No you do not!" Luna retorted angrily. "You are my darkest side! The part of my heart so black with hatred that it could swallow up a universe in it's soulless void!"
Nightmare Moon stopped floating along. She looked down at the alicorn.
"Frankly Luna...I'm...rather unsettled that you think of me this way."
Luna looked up at the night demon. This was the most bizarre thing she had never seen. It appeared to be genuine sadness. And she could tell, this vision was trying it's very best to hide it.
This 'vision' may have been invisible to anypony except her. And it may have had no physical qualities. But it was very real. It could feel pain. And guilt.
"Well...I'm sure you have some good bits. I mean...it was I who created you."
Nightmare Moon looked away. She seemed quite determined not to show the alicorn how much she had been hurt.
"You know what? Maybe I will leave you alone for a bit. I need to...collect myself."
Luna's ears went back. Her mouth gaped. She couldn't believe this. The villainous creature, which had been rampaging through her life, was sulking away in what appeared to be a depression.
A guilt trip. Luna did not like to consider herself weak, but if she had one glaring weakness(other than a sun killing, sister hating, jealous rage monster side to her personality) it was that she was highly susceptible to a guilt trip.
"Wait." She said, closing her eyes. Unbelievable.
The night demon stopped, then slowly turned around. "What?"
"Look...I'm sorry. I...do not wish to...hurt your feelings. It's just...you have literally driven me to the edge of insanity."
Nightmare Moon nodded. "I know. I suppose this is all we deserve. All I deserve."
Luna grunted. "Ugh. Very well. You may accompany me. But you are not allowed to discuss anything involving turning me into you, nor turning Equestria into the dark side of the moon. Understood?"
Nightmare nodded, the smallest of smiles appearing on her face. "Very well."
"Holy Celestia!" Rainbow Dash shouted.
She was staring at the front page of the day's paper.
NIGHTMARE MOON LOOSE IN EQUESTRIA! ROYAL GUARD SCRAMBLING TO CAPTURE ROGUE PRINCESS!
She speed read the rest of the article. Her eyes seemed to widen with every word.
She quickly folded the paper up, bit down on it, and launched herself out of her cloud home, and down towards Sugar Cube Corner.
The other five were already there.
She smashed through the front door, tumbling to a stop at the hooves of Pinkie Pie. She smiled cheerfully at her.
"Good morning Rainbow Dash! Wacky entrance!"
Rainbow Dash held up the newspaper. "Read this."
The six ponies gathered around. They each gasped as they read each word of the article.
"She...she's gone back? But that's not possible. The elements of harmony, they cured her of Nightmare Moon! This makes no sense." Twilight Sparkle insisted.
"Sure it does. She was good, everything was hunky dory!" Rainbow declared. "Now she's evil. It's flank kicking time! What are we waiting for?"
She prepared to take off. Applejack bit down on her tail, holding her in place.
"Now hold on there RD. We don't know a darn thing. Cept what this paper tells us. We might not be gettin the whole story here."
Rarity looked at one of the sentences of the article. It stated that Nightmare Moon had been seen heading in the direction of the Everfree Forest.
"Well, I'll tell you one thing everypony. I am not setting foot in the Everfree Forest again!"
Applejack rolled her eyes. "Ah come on. A little mud won't hurt."
Rarity glared daggers in Applejack's direction. Applejack looked to Twilight. "We should go to Canterlot. Go talk to Princess. See what's up. No point chargin off into the Everfree if this lead is busted."
Twilight rubbed a hoof under her chin. "I'd need at least two days to restock the shelves..."
Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes. "Come on! Every second we sit here, she gets closer to taking out the sun! We gotta go do something!"
Fluttershy raised her hoof shakily. The other five went silent and stared at her.
"What's up Fluttershy?" Twilight asked.
"What if...stop me if this is a bad idea. What if she just ran away from home because she's having trouble adjusting?"
The five were silent. They exchanged glances. "Maybe." Applejack said.
"Or maybe she's Nightmare Moon!" Rainbow shouted. "Ugh! You ponies are so talky! We need action! I'm going in there!"
"Well hey now, if you're goin, I'm goin too!" Applejack said.
Pinkie Pie hopped up next to her and saluted. "I'm in it to win it!"
They looked to Fluttershy. She looked away, then nodded. "I'll go too."
The four then glared at Rarity. She scowled. "Oh why not! Nothing like a nice winter stroll through a disgusting jungle full of evil creatures!"
"How bout you Twilight?" Applejack asked.
Twilight looked out the window. "I'm gonna have to pass. I'll go with Spike to Canterlot, I need to talk with Princess Celestia. The shelves can be restocked later."
Rainbow Dash shrugged. "Suit yourself. Alright. Let's move out everypony!"
Luna continued on into the Everfree Forest. Nightmare Moon had disappeared. It was a relief. Between being tormented by her, and being sent on a royal guilt trip by her, she really could use the silence.
And frankly, after being sent on this guilt trip, she was more suspicious than anything else.
Perhaps Nightmare Moon was simply buttering her up? Perhaps it was part of her plan.
She dismissed further thoughts about the spirit. She knew it would be better to enjoy the time she was alone.
Yet the loneliness bit at her. One would think, after being completely alone for a thousand years, one would be adjusted to the feeling. But Luna wished now, more than ever, than somepony, anypony who was an actual living creature, would accompany her.
But of course, this wish could not be granted. So she pushed onward.
She was searching for something in particular. Something buried deep in this deceitfully beautiful forest.
The sun was high in the sky now. She entered the brush, and found herself in somewhat unknown territory. She had never been in such a place before. At least Luna hadn't. Nightmare Moon had been well acquainted with this area. But she had been royalty. To trudge around in a forest was unlike what a royal figure was supposed to do. And she couldn't say she was enjoying it.
She approached an old wooden bridge. She knew exactly where it led. She hesitantly walked across it. Then, in the distance, she spotted it.
It was not but ruins now. It had been here that she had been freed of Nightmare Moon. It had been here that Celestia had raised her, had shown her how to act as a princess would act. And it was this old castle that she had sought since running away from Canterlot.
She hesitantly entered. It was like entering a childhood memory. Happy thoughts came flooding back. She saw what remained of the royal kitchen. She remembered the countless times that her sister had tried teaching her how to cook here. She remembered the first night she had ever raised the moon. And the celebration her parents held here.
She slowly trotted up the rotting stairs. Her room was up here. So was Celestia's. And mother and father's room.
The alicorn trotted slowly from room to room, feeling the waves of nostalgia wash over her.
She trotted into the royal bathroom. The door was wooden, and had rotted away. The massive royal bath tub.
As she approached the sink, she noticed a bucket of paint. It was covered in dust, and sat just under the sink.
She reached out a hoof and touched it. White paint. Her mind flashed to another time.
Luna was at an age now where few bedtime stories were exciting, or original enough to elicit anything more than boredom from the growing filly.
So her big sister, Celestia, had decided to tell her a new story. Her cutie mark story.
Whether she knew it or not, little Luna's respect for her sister had nearly doubled after hearing the story. And one thing she did know, was that it was possibly the most breathtaking story she'd ever heard.
Luna still had goosebumps from the pure awesomeness of it. And now as she sat here in the royal bathroom, she hatched a plan.
She opened the cabinet under the sink. Good. There was the paint. Made from only the best white dyes the local plants could produce. Quick drying.
A combination of awe over her sister's story, as well as boredom with her own cutie mark had led to what was about to happen.
Celestia whistled whimsically as she trotted through the hall. She stopped to take note of the relative silence in the palace. It was never, ever silent in the palace. Luna was responsible for eighty percent of noise in all of Equestria. Her loud, bizzare, filly adventures were loud enough to wake the dead.
But today, silence. Celestia's ears perked up to the sound of water running. She trotted slowly towards the royal bathroom.
"Luna? Are you there?"
"Yeah. Just a minute." Her sister's high pitched little voice replied, in a sing song tone.
Celestia frowned. "What's going on in there?"
"Um...nothing. Why?"
Celestia's eyebrows perked up as she tried opening the door. Locked. "What are you up to?"
"Nothing at all Tia." The little voice replied. Celestia sighed. She could spot a sisterly lie from a mile away.
"Luna, you wouldn't be getting into trouble in there would you?"
There was a pause. "Not exactly..."
"I'd hate to have to ground my beloved little sister. Then we wouldn't be able to go play in the forest later..."
The lock clicked. Celestia opened it slowly, unprepared for what was on the other side.
Her jaw dropped.
The alicorn filly that stood before her did not look like Luna at all. Her coat was covered in bright white paint. Her mane had been loosely dyed pink. And a sloppy sun cutie mark adorned her flank.
"I am Princess Lunestia! Goddess of both the moon and the sun! Bow before me!"
Celestia could think of a thousand words to scold the filly with. Instead she burst out laughing.
"You...what have you done?" She managed between snorts and giggles.
Luna's ears went back, her confidence wavering a little. She frowned.
"Cease thy laughing, knave! As princess of both sun and moon, I hold more power than you! Now bow before me!"
"You...Oh this is just too precious!" Celestia said, as she began rolling on the stone floor.
Luna's ears remained flattened. "Guards! Throw this unruly subject in the dungeon! Princess Lunestia commands it!"
A guard awkwardly poked his head into the bathroom. He saw his princess rolling around on the floor, looking close to death by laughing, and the filly princess who looked like her tiny clone. His eyes widened. He slowly, awkwardly backed away.
Celestia stood. She managed to regain some composure.
Luna smirked. "Good. Now bow subject." She gestured downward with her hoof.
"Alright. Tub. Now." Celestia commanded, trying to look serious.
Luna's eyes widened. She backed away. "You wouldn't dare!"
Celestia chuckled, advancing on the outraged filly.
"Come here your excellency." She said, lifting the little alicorn up in her hooves, and cradling her adoringly.
"No! Put me down at once knave!" The filly commanded.
"Oh, this'll take a lot of scrubbing. You had to get the quick drying paint didn't you?" Celestia grumbled, still trying to suppress the tickle of laughter in her throat.
"Princess Lunestia refuses to take a bath! Thou shalt be exiled for this treason!" The filly declared.
Celestia continued laughing.
"What dost thou laugh at?" Luna asked, pouting as she was now fully soaked in the water of the tub.
"Oh...you are just too adorable Woona!" Celestia said, roughly scrubbing at her mane, in an attempt to get all of the pink dye out.
She had to admit, Luna really had pulled off a Celestia paint job. Though the cutie mark was a bit half flanked.
Luna's ears went back. She succumbed to the scrubbing of her big sister.
After the almost hour long bath, which consisted of rather painfully rubbing at Luna's coat, the white paint was finally off, and Luna looked like Luna again.
And the royal tone left with it.
"Am I grounded?" The filly asked.
Celestia smiled. "Of course not." She could not ground her for wanting to be more like her big sister. Besides, she hadn't laughed this hard in years.
Celestia wrapped her little sister in a towel and nuzzled her lovingly, eliciting a small squee of happiness.
"Princess Lunestia? Really?"
Luna shrugged. "I thought it would be better to be more like..." She trailed off. Celestia could see the embarrassment in her eyes.
"It's okay. I'm flattered really. But you need not paint yourself as me." She tapped the moon on her sister's flank. "This is your symbol, Luna. This is the symbol that defines you."
Luna looked away. "But you have a much better symbol. You have the sun. I mean, you get to raise it and everything! I mean seriously, who doesn't like the sun?" She sighed. "What about me? My moon sucks."
Celestia stroked the little filly's wet mane. "The moon must rise as well little one. And mother and father would not like you speaking ill of the celestial body they entrusted you with. Besides...between you and me...the moon is kinda nicer to look at."
Luna smiled. Celestia picked her up. "C'mon, let's go play in the forest before dinner."
Luna's ears went back. Her last moment with her sister had been one of aggression.
Just the idea that she had used her sister to shield herself from the royal guard. A move of a villain. Not just a villain. A coward.
"She would have done the same to you." Nightmare's voice called out.
Luna sighed. "No she wouldn't. She was always the braver of us. And the stronger. She would never have sunk to the level I did."
"You are too hard on yourself Luna. Do you not see the way Celestia victimizes you? The way she talks down to you? She never saw you as anything more than a liability."
Luna looked up into the night demon's cat-like eyes. "I have spent far too long thinking of thyself as the victim. A victim, I am not. I have been the antagonist. Always. And yet I ask ponies to feel sorry for me. Such is wrong."
Nightmare Moon sat next to her. She seemed very uncomfortable. She opened her mouth a few times, before finally deciding on what to say. "You were not the antagonist. I was. Always. You were...perfectly normal before I came along."
Luna shook her head. "No excuse. Tis like you say." She looked deeper into the eyes of the dark one. "You are a part of my mind. A part I created. We are the same."
She turned away and trotted deeper into the castle ruins. She came upon her old bedroom. The roof had long since been blown off. Her stain glass window was shattered, and the room was completely open to the elements.
"Look Luna." Nightmare said, pointing towards the sky. "The sun will fall soon. Perhaps...you can raise the moon? And the stars?"
Luna looked up at the sky. She managed a smile and nodded. "Yes. Yes I can."
Nightmare began to vanish. "I'll leave you to it then."
Luna sighed. She looked up at the sky. "Anytime you are ready sister."
Celestia's horn powered up. She grimaced as she forced her mighty powers through it. The sun began to sink, then finally disappeared over the horizon. She prepared to raise the moon. Then she stopped. She looked at the white forest around her.
"Your move Luna."
Luna's horn thundered to life. Little wisps of energy burned off of it as she lifted the moon into view. The moon reflected beautifully off the snow, making the whole world seem to glow a bright white.
She smiled. Then she forced more energy, raising the stars, making sure every single one was in the proper place. She powered down and collapsed to the stone floor. Her journey had left her exhausted. The moon raising, even more so. She shivered a little from the cold.
"I deserve worse old friend." She muttered at her moon. She closed her eyes. The floor was warm enough.
"Luna." A soothing voice called out. Her ears perked up. She looked around. It was not the voice of Nightmare Moon. Nor was it the voice of Celestia.
"Who is there?"
"Look up."
Luna looked up into the sky. She gasped.
A beautiful aurora borealis. But this one was different. It had formed the silhouette of a face. A familiar face.
"M-Mother?" Luna asked. She did not remember her mother well, but she recognized her face from her fillyhood.
"Hello Luna. It has been a long time since we last saw each other. I'm honored that you still remember me."
Luna smiled. "Well...of course I remember you mother. I have missed you so much. We both have."
The silhouette seemed to smile. There was a silence
"Mother, why are you here?" Luna asked.
"Do you remember the gifts we left you when your father and I departed?"
Luna nodded. "Of course mother."
"We gave you the earth. The sky. The sun and moon."
Luna nodded happily. "Yes, and our subjects are so grateful for your gifts."
Her mother's face seemed to tighten up. "We wished for great things from you Luna. We wished for you to defend that which we created."
"And I have, mother! I have!" Luna replied.
"You lie." She said, any note of comfort leaving her voice.
"Wha...what?"
"You attempted to extinguish our sun. You showed us your true colors. You do not stand on the side of good. You stand on the side of evil."
Luna shook her head desperately. "No...No I do not!"
"You were meant to be the princess of night Luna. You were meant to represent kindness, and leadership, alongside your sister. Instead you chose the path of jealousy and hatred. You do not deserve your crown. You deserve only the punishment saved for the greatest evils that threaten the balance of harmony. You are, and always shall be, our greatest disappointment. A disgrace to all that your father and I built."
Luna shook her head. "No, No please no! I'm sorry! I no longer wish to be a villain! I wish to fight for good and harmony!"
The silhouette began to fade away. The aurora borealis departed along with it. Luna shook her head.
"No! Please mother, do not leave me! I am Nightmare Moon no longer! I am your loyal daughter! Your princess of the night! Please, come back!"
She slammed her head down on the stone floor and wept. She lay there, weeping for what felt like an eternity. The surrounding cold was nothing to her now. Whether or not that silhouette in the sky had actually been her mother, or just another hallucination, she had been absolutely right.
Great gifts had been given to the sisters. Luna had spat in the face of those gifts.
She took a deep breath, trying to regain some composure, if only so she could find a way to get some sleep.
She felt something warm lay itself out across her back. She paused, and looked behind her.
A white, angelic wing.
"S-Sister?"
Celestia looked down at the trembling, tired, cold alicorn. The expression on her face was not one of anger, nor hatred. It was one of happiness.
"I thought I'd lost you Luna."
She reached out and pulled Luna into a tight embrace. She clutched her trembling sister against her warm chest. The alicorn continued sobbing. Celestia gently caressed her mane.
Luna looked up at her, tears of joy in her eyes.
"Tia, I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you back at the palace..."
"Luna. Enough apologizing." Celestia said, warmth in ever word, as she hugged the purple alicorn even tighter.
