//------------------------------// // Chapter 4 // Story: Element of Harmony is Not Necessary // by Zeltecrast //------------------------------// “Rise and Shine, Luna!” Nightmare moon wakes up and then rush to a mirror. Today you sound energetic, what gives? “Because yesterday you did not even have the time to look at a mirror.” I doubt that. Probably the stuff you absorb yesterday mess with your mind. “Shush, look!” Nightmare Moon lifts her right hoof. “It’s all black!” That is indeed strange. But that beside point, you know how much reserve of our magic right? “I know, combining mine and you probably double the amount of Tia have.” Exactly, and we even manage to use half of them! “Big deal, you should remember the look on her face after we show her, her past life.” Sigh, usually when ponies use half of their magic reserve they will show an exhaustion symptom. “I do feel exhausted a little, but I think it will just take four days for us to get our peak condition.” What’s that? “When I awake I try to figure out the rate of our magic restores. It will take about four days.” I thought I misheard you. Four days from our usual five days. That is a huge improvement. “Luna, switch place with me?” Nightmare Moon still standing in front of a mirror, scrutinizing her hoof. Why? “I wonder if it works like our eyes, which is always change according to who is in charge.” Alright, let see. Princess Luna takes charge of the body. “Huh, that is interesting.” Princess Luna lifts her right hoof. “The black color is gone.” That is indeed interesting. No, I would say this is so cool! Forgot about that, we need to think of a way to hide it. “Can’t we just say this is a cosmetic?” No! If we do this too often, our sister will become suspicious. “Then we will use an Illusion spell!” That is also a no, we will have a longer time to recover. “I think we would be fine, we can recover in four days.” Let me see. We will need five days to recover with an illusion spell used. “Isn’t we are awesome that we can calculate how much magic we have or how long we will recover?” That is true that ponies can’t gauge their magical reserve. I guess we are special. “So, I can use an illusion spell or what?” Suit yourself, although I will retract my word earlier about we have improved. “Nice, we can have a white coat!” No! When I said ‘we will need five days to recover with illusion spell used.’ I mean only your right hoof! “Too bad... Right! Why don’t we destroy the 3D model that we have?” So that way we can restore some magic? “Exactly!” You know, last time I thought ‘surely this will the last episode of ‘random ideas by Nightmare Moon’’, but I got betrayed. “Come on... just try it. I promise nothing bad will happen. Maybe.” Can you at least show confidence? “I admit we got into trouble several times with my random ideas.” I hate it when you are this good at convincing me. Ugh, fine, at least you have self-awareness this time. “That’s the spirit!” Nightmare Moon enters the mind space. If somepony saw Princess Luna in this state, they will thought it just a lifeless body. “So, what we are going to destroy?” “How about this stack of paperwork?” Princess Luna pointing at the stack of paper laying on the floor. While in the real-world it white, in the mind space it all black. The darkness in mind space is not the same as a room in the real-world without a source of light, they still can read well. “Oh! One of my ingenious idea!” “Yea, idea which born from laziness.” “I know you would say that. Come one, think positively, you can do it.” “...It does help when I can read the whole stack of paper in a mere second.” “And?” “...Your idea inspire me for another not less ridiculous idea of hoarding knowledge from all Everfree kingdom archives.” Princess Luna points her hoof toward her ‘library’. Though not like every library where every book is neatly sitting on a bookshelf, it looks like a thousand books and scrolls that randomly stacked against each other. “Muahahaha... The clever and powerful Nightmare Moon! Praise the great me!” “I will let you have this one, Nightmare Moon.” “This place looks lonely, don’t you think we need more entertainment spot?” “I do think we need more than just a spa and a bar that give you pseudo-drunk feeling.” Princess Luna looks toward the pool and the bar they have. “It just a pool, I want a lake.” “You know that would require us a huge amount of magic right?” “I know that...” “Just be grateful that the water, even it doesn’t look like one, is constantly hot.” “True. Right! Don’t forget about bowling place.” Nightmare Moon point toward the bowling place they have. “Yes, that place is great. Ponies have weird ideas when it comes to entertainment. I still wonder why the ball has three holes on it.” “Maybe it will be funny if it looks like a face?” “That would make it horrible. Anyway, any ideas what to add, Nightmare Moon?” “...A turntable!” “You are a genius! Why we don’t think about this sooner? Of course, what we need is music!” “Heh, I know I am.” “Let’s get back to the reason why you retreat to mind space.” “Right, completely forgot about it.” Princess Luna rolls her eyes. “Destroy this stack of paper then, any ideas?” “My guesses are as good as yours. We have tried everything in the past, make a magical connection, or physical connection, or just shoot it with magic.” “You do remember that you are the one who suggests destroying our 3D models for magic!” “Yes, I did. I just want to test what effect the substance has on me.” “Heh, I will just pretend you have not thought of this on the go but you are planning. Alright, what is your idea then?” “Shoot it with magic?” Nightmare Moon says, pretending not to hear Princess Luna. “What? No! It doesn’t make sense when our goal is to retrieve magic.” “Understandable. But that is the only thing I can come up with.” “I think I will just try to make a magical connection with it and that way maybe I can destroy it.” Princess Luna points her horn to an object that looks like a stack of paper. A dim glow can be seen on her horn along with the manifestation of a tendril of magic. The tendril approaches the stack of paper slowly. “Interesting.” “What is it?” “I think your ‘prediction’ is correct. When I make a magical connection with it, it does give me more information than the last time I did.” “Including a way to destroy it?” “That is precise. Let me try It.” the stack of paper glowing and then dissolve into a magic particle. The now floating magic particles divide into two and each side either gets absorbed by Nightmare moon or Princess Luna. “I see, fifty percent conversion huh. We can retrieve fifty percent the amount of magic used to create a 3D model.” “If we know about this when we fight King Sombra, it will be easier. Right, Luna?” “Please give him mercy, Nightmare Moon. Isn’t it kind of cruel if we give him false hope of winning when we could defeat him in an instant with our raw power?” “I guess I’m not thinking of it that way.” “I think it would be a good idea if we dedicate twenty days just to make a reserve. Anyway, refueling is done. Of with you.” “Could you tell me to leave the mind space softer way?” “Right, don’t forget to find us a turntable, along with a bunch of vinyl. You know my preferred genre of music right?” “Yes, my master.” “On second thought, I will do it myself. Please don’t call me that.” “No, no, no. Your wish is my command, my master.” Princess Luna groans. She picks a liquor at the bar and goes to the spa. Satisfied with Princess Luna's reaction, Nightmare Moon back in charge of the body. “I wonder what kind of waffles Sweet Ace makes for me.” Nightmare Moon says while walking to the royal dining room. ======================================================================== “Come one try and move stars. Who knows the black substance will help with that.” Nightmare Moon arrives at her chamber. Do you mean the star will move faster? “Maybe, I don’t know, try it.” No, this hot tub is comfy. “Luna the moment we know that the star is not moving any faster you can go back to your hot tub.” Fine, I still need to know if absorbing nightmare makes us a walking nightmare. “What you mean?” Nightmare Moon places her glasses on a nearby table. She then walks to the balcony. Well, maybe whenever we dream walking to ponies dream, just with our present the dream will become a nightmare. “Is that possible?” Probably. Princess Luna claims her body back. “Moving star you say?” Yes, try it. “Let’s see.” Princess Luna makes a magical connection with one of the brightest stars and moves it arbitrarily. Wow... “I wonder if ponies will notice it.” Ponies do notice your star, though I doubt they will notice the difference in the moving speed. “If you say so” Other than that, isn’t this awesome? “What is?” This means our time arranging star will be reduced from actual moving it. “Heh, you say that as if you have a better thing to do.” Good point, other than boring paperwork we don’t have any more boring things to do. “To be honest, when we first discover our ability to dream-walking, I was hoping we could fight nightmare creatures.” I know right! Instead, we dealing with ponies as a psychologist. Both Nightmare Moon and Princess Luna sighing, followed by a giggle. “I kind of wonder whenever I move the star, what happens if it collides on something?” Princess Luna looks around from the balcony. She notices how houses still have their lights on, and ponies still walking on the street. Probably on their way home from work. You know very well that it’s impossible to happen right? “Yes, we probably wouldn’t even notice it.” Right. “Since we move the star fast, faster than even light, doesn’t mean we solve time machine?” Maybe. I mean, that is if you can latch into one star and move it that fast. “Yes! We could try to make it work.” Where are you going with this ‘time machine’? “The future, I mean that’s the only thing it can do.” The future eh. “Wait, since I can move it faster than light, doesn’t that mean it warp through space and time? Here we go again. “What?” Your train of thought. “Isn’t it only natural for ponies to have thought?” Nerd. “What! I’m not!” Then tell me, Luna. Are you still thinking about your hot tub? “I... tsk, smartass.” You need to ask the real question, Luna. “Like what?” Can you make it brighter? “Can I make it brighter?... That’s it! That way ponies will notice my star!” Then try it. Still, on the balcony, Princess Luna focuses her attention on the stars. “Hmm, seems like I can’t make it bigger.” Well, try to make it closer. “Oh, right I think I forgot to tell you something.” What is it? “Remember when I told you when we move a star it travels hundreds of light-year distances in a mere second?” It feels so awesome when I thought about it that way. Why? “I’m so sorry, Nightmare Moon.” Oh... we move stars way slower than we thought? “That is precise” How much slower? “I rather not tell.” Please, Luna. I promise I will not be disappointed. “Sigh, about six-hundredths of what we thought we could.” Ouch, that is much more than I thought. “But we are still awesome! See, we move star fourteen million times as fast as the speed of light!” Wow... “That is also why, if we could latch ourselves on a nearby star and went that fast somewhere else and back to Equus second later we travel to the future.” I see I see. Nightmare Moon is not an unintelligent pony. But she is, uh... let’s just say have creativity in mind somewhere else. Not that I was disappointed or whatnot. Just curious, how do you only tell me this now? “I only figure this out just now.” Are you disappointed? “No, I just feel like this is make more sense.” If you say so. Anyway, how about the plan of making the star brighter? “Not going to takes that much longer. I just need to move it for six minutes and it will get twenty-five percent brighter.” Hmm, that is quite fast. “I told you so. I will get myself a liquor, this would make a great spectacle.” Princess Luna goes to her wardrobe and opens her secret stash. She then gets back to the balcony. She then makes a magical connection to several stars, and pull it toward Equus. True to her word, one by one star is getting brighter make a great spectacle. ======================================================================== “How does it taste, Lilly?” Nightmare Moon and Water Lilly are currently in an alley somewhere on the slum. Water Lilly currently eating spaghetti that Nightmare Moon brings. “This is so good, Luna!” “We know right, we take pride in our chef.” “Hmm, but I want you to be the one that cooking.” “It wouldn’t taste as good, you know.” “It would be fine, the feeling that counts.” “Hmm, how could a filly like you can be this smart?” “Luna, stop messing with my mane.” “Do you think we can cook for Lilly?” We are not that bored, Nightmare Moon. “But she wants it.” Let me finish talking first. We could make a 3D model of the entire kitchen. “That is a good idea. Lately, I don’t know what to do in the mind space.” A Princess that can cook. This is going to be weird. “Nothing weird about that.” I’m talking about a Princess that spends time in the kitchen more than her cook. “...Yea, that sounds weird.” You are great at marking ponies right? Including, of course, curse. “Yes, that is true. Though I still not sure where you are going with this.” How about blessing, I never saw you use blessing on somepony. “I did...” You did? When? “When our ponies war with King Sombra.” What? Why you never tell me about this? “Because it’s not going to change anything” It can save so many lives! “No, it’s not going to change anything!” How did you know! “Sigh, let me ask you this. Surely you have thought about giving a blessing to ponies during the war.” Yes, of course! “Have you try giving a blessing at that time?” I did try “How does it work?” I... couldn’t do it. “That’s what I try to say.” “Luna, are you okay? You are spaced out often lately.” “Just lost in thought, dear. Right! Want me to give you a blessing?” “I want it! I want!” Nightmare Moon giggles. “Alright, here we go.” Nightmare Moon’s aura glowing around her horn. “Done!” So this is why I never notice it before. Nothing noticeable that happening. “How do you feel?” “I think I feel safer!” Nightmare Moon giggles again. “This blessing from us will make you stronger!” “Wow...” How is it, Nightmare Moon? “I think, unlike last time, this blessing do something!” That is great news! “Unfortunately there is a catch.” What is it? “If she got sunlight, the blessing will be dissolved.” I see, then we need to ask our sister a land for our own. “Yes, hopefully, she would understand.” That night, Nightmare Moon spends her night with Water Lilly. ======================================================================== “Wow, this is looking better than I imagine.” I told you white mane look good on you. Princess Luna rolls her eyes. “Let’s get going then.” She prepares her teleportation spell and with a flash of light, she appears in front of the dining room. She opens the door without bothering to knock. When she wants to greet their sister, Princess Celestia beat them to it. “Good evening, Luna! How was your sleep!” “Never mind our sleep, sister. You look like in a really good mood today.” “Yes, something good happens today. Hey, look at you, I like your mane!” “Thank you, sister.” Princess Luna sits and then brings her pancake from the nearby dining trolley to her. Both of them eating their dinner quietly, creating a silent atmosphere. Though, there is no awkwardness in the air. Princess Celestia humming from time to time, still try to choosing which cake to eat first. Are you ready? “Never thought talking with our sister could be this nerve-racking, but I’m ready.” Good. Just remember, I’m here with you. Princess Luna brings her focus to her sister. “There is something we want to ask you, sister.” “What is it, Luna?” “Is it possible to have one day in a year that is all night?” “We could arrange for that, my dear sister.” Good, she still has a good mood. Nightmare Moon switches place with Princess Luna. “Wish me luck, Luna” I hope the best of luck for you. Now go. “Sister, there is something else.” “What is it?” “Is it possible for us to make our colony?” The ambient temperature seems to drop a few degrees Celsius. Princess Celestia's good mood is broken. “You understand that is not possible right?” “What makes it ‘not possible’?” “Our kingdom is weakened from the recent war. It only would make it divide it even more and shatter it.” “Could you at least listen to the reason we thought it is necessary?” “I’m listening.” “Many ponies not eating enough. They live in hunger.” “I’m well aware of that, Luna.” “But we can help them, sister.” “But how?” “We will give them a blessing, so they can live a strong and happy life!” “Then go and help them. No need for you to build a new colony right?” “But that’s the thing, sister. A new colony is what we need!” “How so?” “Whenever a pony with our blessing exposed to the sunlight, it will dissolved.” “I see. I’m sorry Luna, my answer is still the same.” “Tsk, you cannot be serious, sister!” “Look, we can’t risk our weakened kingdom. It’s for the best for ponies.” “Ponies are dying, sister!” “We will do something when that happens!” “What! Are you seriously telling us to bring your pony dead bodies to you to make you realize! How much do you need! Huh! One! Or two! Or five!” “You are being ridiculous, Luna!” “That is my line!” “No! Means no!” “Ugh!” Nightmare Moon flips the table in front of her. She then teleports herself to her chamber. Back to her chamber, Nightmare Moon retreats to the mind space. She then rushes to hug Princess Luna seeking comfort. “This is not fair! Ponies are dying and our sister turns a blind eye to them! Why Luna, why!” Princess Luna could only silent. She is stroking Nightmare Moon’s mane. It’s her way to tell Nightmare Moon that she is here with her.