Tails of Sacrifice

by CommanderX5

Ch.9 - Lunar Choice

My first request would be to talk with Princess Luna and hear how she feels about your control over her body. The kitsune lowered her head, now staring at her with big pleading eyes. I apologize if my request is offensive to you. I pray you, give her at least a little bit of freedom so I can hear her out.

Nightmare gulped, devouring the remains of half the apple while placing the other half on a nearby plate. She noticed that the zebra looked uneasy, though the two ponies remained calm. "I am not offended. However, you will wait before I answer your request." 

The alicorn lowered her head and closed her eyes, now deep in focus. She gritted her teeth, reaching to the deepest part of her mind. Luna. Luna, can you hear me? As her question remained unanswered, she added in a louder tone, We are free, away from the cold prison. You no longer need to hide. Come back, please! Several seconds passed as not a glimpse of response was given.

Nightmare felt her heart aching in sorrow before unleashing it in a long sigh. She opened her eyes and raised her head, now staring back at the giant pleading kitsune, failing to hide her sorrow despite her effort. "It is a shame, but I cannot fulfill your request, Kyuubi, no matter how much I wish otherwise." She saw two large ears flatten against the kitsune's head. “Luna did not heed my call.”

But why?

"And how can we know you're not lying?" asked Hierarch Lily as she carefully placed her hoof on the table, as if trying not to damage it. "You could just as well be keeping her locked away so she wouldn't complain about being imprisoned by you." The filly was pushed off her seat by the big paw, though it looked as if she was merely poked by it. Kyuubi gave her student an admonishing look.

Please don't accuse her. I don't believe she's lying. I sensed too much sorrow in her words. 

Nightmare Moon, despite Kyuubi’s defense, frowned in annoyance as she once again spread her wings. There was something about this filly that made her want to put the youth in her place. "If I were to lie, I would shift my form to look like her and spin false tales to my advantage. No. I did no such thing. Luna is important to me, but she won't awaken despite my wishes and my calls!"

"Not awaken?" Rosey asked before levitating her commanding officer back onto the cushion. "Please elaborate. What happened to Princess Luna?"

Please do.

Nightmare lowered her wings and looked to the side. The creatures before her seemed almost as concerned as she was. After gathering her thoughts, she sat in her chair and explained, "The isolation, after so long, it became too hard for her. To escape it, she withdrew into the deepest part of her mind, relinquishing full control to me. That coward, using me as a shield, making me face this loneliness on my own!" She paused, taking a few calming breaths. "Even so, I wish for her to return. I hoped being freed from our banishment would awaken her soul. Yet she still slumbers."

"Oh... I can hardly imagine how it must feel," Rosey said, showing signs of worry. "I mean, it sounds as if an important friend was in a coma.” She slammed her armored hooves together. “I would want her to wake up no matter what. Maybe a hug will cheer you up."

"Hug me and die," Nightmare said with a cold tone, waving her wing at the unicorn with a strong gust of wind. Both ponies held onto their helmets to keep them from falling off.

"What, not a huggy person?" Rosey asked before pointing up. "What about Kyuubi? Her embraces are divine. You would love them."

Nightmare Moon looked at the kitsune, appraising the rich white fur on her five meter tall frame. She could confess to herself the idea of being in the massive creature’s embrace was not unenticing, especially after her long exile. Although, the inviting smile reminded her of Luna’s sister, which did not help matters. And she wouldn’t humiliate herself in front of witnesses. Resolutely, she shook her head. "No exceptions. Now, what's your next question?" She summoned a blue aura, levitating over a slice of pie, sinking her sorrows and her teeth in luxurious food. 

Lily stood on her rear legs, placing forehooves on the table, her face now filled with a sense of urgency. "Is it true that out of jealousy for Celestia, you threatened to bring eternal night so that ponies can admire your sky?"

"Excuse me?" Nightmare asked, baring her fangs. "Is that what you think of me, of us!?" She held forehoof on her chest. 

Kyuubi's second tail became surrounded by a silver aura. She was looking to interject with a raised paw before lowering it back down, the aura on her tail vanishing a moment later. She gave up on whatever she wished to say.

"Well, kinda." Lily sat and shrugged. "I mean, ponies and all other species would starve without the sun, so it is a good reason to banish you, saving the world and stuff."

Nightmare felt growing anger as she unleashed a lightning bolt next to filly's head, who leaped to the side with surprisingly good reflexes, bumping into the taller unicorn. "Our banishment was anything but just!" She exhaled and inhaled at a rapid pace, gritting her sharp teeth. 

Rosey remained nonchalant. "Welp... It’s why we’re here. We want to fix possible contradictions. Will you explain how it went from your point of view?" Rosey requested, placing her commanding officer on the cushion for the second time before fixing the helmet on her head.

Regardless of what you believe, I am sure that your… I mean, Luna's sister wouldn't seal you away without a good reason. If this was a misunderstanding, then please enlighten us.

Nightmare Moon stood up from her seat and approached the window, glaring at the moon for a few seconds before looking over her shoulder. She wasn't sure if they would believe her, but everyone was looking at her with anticipation and curiosity. She could at least give it a try.

She gathered her thoughts, perching herself in the elegant seat. She explained with a somewhat calm tone, "I admit that Luna felt underappreciated and jealous, that all her work didn't matter. Two sisters ruling Equestria as equal became a mere pipe dream. Bottling up her resentment and feeling abandoned, she created an alternative personality from the darker and more violent side of her mind."

Multiple Personality Disorder?

Nightmare nodded at the large kitsune. Upon noticing that Lily opened her mouth, she continued her story, not letting her speak. "When Luna complained, that cursed Celestia did nothing, even treating her like a pouting child rather than upholding the ideals of their diarchy, adding fuel into the boiling flames of rage. One night, it blew up in her face. And ours."

"Is that what you call going into a murderous rampage?" Rosey asked. “A bit extreme if you ask me.”

Nightmare Moon shot the officer a glare. "Let me finish." The alicorn took a quick sip of apple juice, continuing right after. "I admit that the way Luna acted and her words sounded very threatening, aside from her taking a more intimidating form." She gestured at herself, poking her chest armor. "But it was just her anger speaking. She didn't mean most of it." 

Even if it was just anger and intimidation, I fear that was how Princess Celestia has seen it. 

The alicorn sighed, her tone now filled with regret. "Alicorn magic responds strongly to our emotions. Her new appearance was the fruit of that. She wanted her subjects to see her as more than Celestia's shadow. She refused to let the night end and even attacked Celestia to demonstrate her power." 

"Demonstration of power? So it wasn't an attempt to force ponies to admire her night or stuff like that, nor trying to kill her sister due to corruption?" Rosey asked.

"Her version admittedly makes more sense. It doesn't help her case, though," Lily remarked.

Kyuubi's second tail shone with power but stopped a moment later. Whatever she wished to say was once more left unsaid.

"She had no desire to kill!" Nightmare Moon stomped with a loud thud, leaving a hole in the carpet and floor. "Luna wanted to best Celestia to prove she's the mightier one. She tried to take charge as her sister was the sole ruler for months past. But it was nothing when compared to the idiocy of Celestia's foolish action."

The guards raised their weapons, alerted to the violent black aura that surrounded the dark alicorn.

The mighty kitsune raised her forepaw defensively. Idiocy? Foolish? 

Both ponies and a zebra narrowed their eyes, while the four spirits became wary of her actions.

"Celestia represented the Element of Magic, Generosity, and Kindness. Luna had dominion over the Elements of Laughter, Loyalty, and Honesty. Together they bested many ancient foes. Yet, in her arrogance, Celestia thought she did not need Luna anymore." Nightmare Moon’s out of control emotions summoned storm clouds underneath the ceiling, causing bolts of lightning to come down. 

"Did she apologize for being neglectful? No! Did she plead with her sister, reassuring her that together they could resolve it peacefully? No! She demanded that Luna lower the moon, and after facing defeat, she tried to purge corruption that was not even there!"

A few guards quickly rushed to the burned marks on the carpet caused by lightning, putting out the fire with hasty freezing spells and a few stomps.

The kitsune summoned a shield over her head, deflecting a few weak bolts that would otherwise have scorched her spotless fur.

Nightmare kicked her seat with her rear hooves, smashing the chair into wooden pieces. "One Element Bearer using Elements that didn't belong to her, against none other than their owner. Believing they would work as intended was a sign of pure idiocy if not insanity!" She was about to smash the table before her but restrained herself in time. 

While the ponies and a zebra seemed afraid of her recent behavior, the kitsune whimpered sadly, like a puppy, of all things, and looked at her with dropped ears. 

Upon seeing the giant paw raised towards her, the alicorn levitated it firmly back onto the floor, not wishing to be comforted by a large animal, well trained or not.

What would have happened, then, if the princess didn't use the Elements?

Nightmare regained her composure. She sat on the damaged carpet with fragments of wood surrounding her. Her mask broke down as she didn't bother to hide her sorrow. "Luna would have locked her sister in a dungeon, had the night last for a few days and tried to show she could be a competent ruler, even by using fear. Eventually, she would have calmed her anger, raised the sun, and tried to salvage the damage, even by pleading to her blind sister for a compromise."

But because she believed Luna was corrupted and used the Elements that didn't belong to her… Kyuubi started.

The alicorn cut in. "Poor Luna ended up seeing the planet from her new prison. She demanded to be freed, then for the next few nights spat curses about her sister robbing her of everything once more. Then a few days of her begging for mercy, apologizing and swearing she would never act in anger ever again. After a few months or years, she lost hope she would ever be free."

I see. I finally understand.

Nightmare and a few ponies looked up at the kitsune curiously. "Understand what?" the alicorn asked.

If alicorn magic is prone to emotions, then being lonely for so long gave birth to you. Was she talking to herself? Did she desperately try to find an imagined companion? Could this be her desire to have somepony to talk with? Did it turn the dark part of her mind into an actual sentient being?

The alicorn blinked, caught off guard. Perhaps this beast wasn’t an animal, after all. She smiled lightly and nodded, impressed by this massive fox's insight. "I couldn't explain it better myself." 

The four spirits looked at the alicorn in the deepest level of sadness.

“Quit staring. I do not want your pity,” Nightmare demanded.

It is not pity. My spirit friends relate to your fate more than anyone, as they experienced imprisonment in objects by those seeking their power. Even after they rebelled against their masters, they spent centuries possessing one host after another, taking away the freedom of ponies to safeguard theirs. Fortunately, my holy magic broke this horrible cycle.

Rosey shot an annoyed glare at the electric spirit and crossed her arms. She complained under her breath, “Yeah… Fortunately for whom?” 

Nightmare looked between each spirit before glancing at the lowered muzzle. “This is why they view you as their savior?”

The kitsune lowered herself, now keeping her muzzle a meter above the dining table. Maybe my holy magic can aid you and bring Luna back. Since we both want that, will you let me try? 

As the big muzzle advanced towards her, the alicorn pressed her armored hoof against the nose, locking it into a stalemate. The strength of her single limb proved enough to keep it at bay. "Keep your magic to yourself, Priestess Kyuubi. Your kindness is not enough to earn my trust. Your magic could pose a threat to me instead."

You can trust me, I swear. There must be a solution.

"The solution is simple," Nightmare Moon said as she spread her wings and narrowed her eyes. "I shall take over this castle and regain what is rightfully ours. As we sit on our throne with the corpse of Celestia before our hooves, Luna will finally awaken from her slumber. She will bless us with her presence and words once again."

A collective gasp filled the room as everypony looked at the alicorn in shock. 

The kitsune, however, just stared back in confusion instead. What?! Why?! You just said that Luna had no intention of killing her sister!

"That was before her fears and foolishness forced us to endure imprisonment for centuries! Furthermore, I am not Luna. I am Nightmare Moon! I have no reason to forgive that traitor." She closed her eyes, adding with venom in her voice, "But most importantly, if anything can trigger Luna to come back, it would be the death of her sister. The throne and revenge shall be my offering."

"Are you crazy?" Rosey asked, standing on her rear hooves and shaking her forelegs. "You want to start a war between one alicorn and an entire nation? Do you have any idea how many ponies will suffer?"

"I have no intention of harming anypony other than Celestia, but I won't let anypony get in the way of my goal," Nightmare declared. 

"All you'll accomplish is getting yourself killed. Is this what you want, risk your and Luna's life?" Lily asked as she took a battle stance, with Zecora slowly following suit. "You're using her body. Are you going to put it in danger on this suicide crusade?"

Wait! All of you stand down! There must be a better way to bring Luna back. Please, Your Majesty, we can work this out. You can live in Equestria amongst the citizens. Maybe feelings of freedom while visiting a familiar land will convince her to return. I beg you to reconsider. Kyuubi set her puppy dog eyes to maximum power, but they proved not very effective against the dark alicorn.

"You do not know the extent of my power. I am more than capable of seizing a castle." Nightmare Moon finally pushed the muzzle away, taking a combat stance instead. "I may spare her life and torture her instead for years. However, only revenge can clean the pain of isolation we had to endure. Pity only the backfiring Elements can banish to the moon, for I would repay her in kind.”

Nightmare looked at each pony before fixating her glare on the kitsune. "You all have gained my gratitude and respect, and whatever comes next, I thank you for greeting and listening to me. I can tell that you will not step aside, but I swear to be as merciful as I can. But take heed, as I can make no promises in the heat of battle. There is no shame to surrender against my might, so do not hesitate to give up. Do not throw your lives away when I wish you no harm."

She watched as the massive kitsune walked backward on her thudding steps. Earth ponies guarding the door ran in front of her, taking a defensive formation while preparing large shields. Other soldiers quickly surround her. Nightmare knew this conflict was unavoidable, so there was no point in delaying it. She was going to have a glorious battle on her terms.

Concentrating her magic, she summoned black clouds, sending a barrage of lightning against surrounding soldiers. To her surprise, her attack was absorbed by a wand with a yellow gem and by the electric spirit.

She raised a defensive bubble, deflecting magical beams shot by the unicorns. What shocked her was the action of Hierarch Lily. The young-earth pony jumped at her and slammed her barrier with a hoof, creating a crack on it. A quick spin-kick followed as Nightmare took a step back, feeling the impact even behind her shield.

The alicorn reinforced her barrier to hold the ongoing assault. She had expected to knock down the soldiers with a single spell. Instead, she ended up on the defense. Before she could prepare a counterattack, she noticed an odd-looking powder land on her barrier. As her shield became more transparent and thinner, she spotted a grin on Zecora's face. 

“I will bring an end to your power to defend!”

A moment later, her weakened barrier shattered to pieces from a powerful punch from the little earth pony. The eyes of the filly looked like the eyes of a battle-hardened veteran warrior. 

The alicorn spread her wings, flying away from two hooves that were about to collide with her chest. What followed felt like bolts sinking into her back, and a moment later, her wings refused to flap, restrained by two pegasi in black-violet uniforms.

"Gotcha!" said a feminine voice. "Sweet nightmares, Miss Moon."

Nightmare Moon hissed at the cocky pegasus, only to feel as if her eyes became heavier and heavier with each passing moment. As she got closer to the ground, she endured one beam after another. The odd part, none of those spells hurt her. Instead, she felt even more sleepy than before. 

As soon as she hit the ground, she felt more ponies pin her wings against the floor, and one very heavy white paw landed on her back. As she wriggled in an attempt to free herself, a different powder thrown into her face by zebra sealed the deal as her consciousness faded away.

Seconds passed as a transparent version of Nightmare Moon watched her own body pinned against the floor, deep asleep. 

"Now's your chance, Kyuubi, do your best," Rosey cheered.

"Even an alicorn is no match for our teamwork," Lily said, her head raised in pride. 

"Victory for the Templars!"

"That was quick. Even the Wonderbolds wouldn't have gotten it done that fast."

"Stay on guard! Don’t forget that we haven't won just yet."

The transparent Nightmare Moon apparition gave the Templars a glance filled with interest, impressed by their teamwork, skills, and resolve. Those weren't average soldiers but a well trained and properly-equipped elite. 

As she watched the kitsune summon a rune of magic with the help of her third tail, she grinned, then laughed as her voice echoed through the throne room. If these Templars ambushed that cursed Celestia, this would be a victory, but unfortunately for them, they fought her. A mare of the night. The ruler of dreams. Putting her to sleep was nothing to her.

With the help of deep focus, she regained control of her unconscious body. The ponies and the paw were pushed away by powerful levitation, and soon, shocked eyes and gasps filled the room. Every creature stared at an armored alicorn whose eyes remained closed.

"I admit, I have underestimated you, but I won't make the same mistake again, my worthy adversaries. However, it appears you have underestimated me as well, for I am the ruler of dreams. Being asleep is but a minor inconvenience to me."

Lily stood on her rear hooves and pointed at the sleeping yet active alicorn. "Then we will defeat you with more violent means. Your desire for vengeance will lead Luna to her doom."

"And we won't let that happen," Rosey commented. “We believe Kyuubi can save you and Luna.”

I had hoped it wouldn't come to this. I wished we could find a peaceful solution. It pains me we have to fight.

Noises of cheers and war-cries from the other Templars filled the room.

Nightmare Moon couldn’t help the smile on her muzzle. Even if these misfits were standing between her and her vengeance, she was unable to bring herself to hate them. Born from Luna's personality, Nightmare had access to her memories, and battles filled with honor and respect were still present in her mind. If she, Nightmare Moon, had to face against enemies that stood in the way of her goal, she was glad it would be against opponents she respected.

“So be it, then. HAVE AT THEE!”