Sun, Moon and Stars

by FifthAlicorn

Part 1

               Once upon a time, in the magical land of Equestria, there were two regal sisters who ruled together and created harmony for all the land. To do this, the eldest used her unicorn powers to raise the sun at dawn. The younger brought out the moon to begin the night. Thus, the two sisters maintained balance for their kingdom and their subjects: all the different types of ponies. But as time went on, the younger sister became resentful. The ponies relished and played in the day her elder sister brought forth, but shunned and slept through her beautiful night. One fateful day, the younger unicorn refused to lower the moon to make way for the dawn. The elder sister tried to reason with her, but the bitterness in the young one's heart had transformed her into a wicked mare of darkness: Nightmare Moon. She vowed that she would shroud the land in eternal night. Reluctantly, the elder sister harnessed the most powerful magic known to ponydom: The Elements of Harmony. Using the magic of The Elements of Harmony, she defeated her younger sister and banished her permanently in the moon. The elder sister took on responsibility for both sun and moon, and harmony has been maintained in Equestria for generations since.
               ~The Legend of the Royal Alicorn Sisters

               A loud clamor resounded throughout the Great Hall within the Castle of Canterlot. A golden tiara sporting a large gold star as its centerpiece dropped to the ground.The headpiece representing the Element of Magic and containing the unbridled power of the Elements of Harmony suddenly whisked away of its own accord, as if disgusted by the deed it had been forced to commit.

“Sister...” whispered Princess Celestia of Equestria, the caretaker and most recent user of the Elements, as she watched their departure. “Why did you have to push me so far? What happened to you? No... this is my fault. I should have seen the signs. I should have realized just how angry you were becoming. I-I’m so sorry, Luna!” Wracked with grief and guilt about what she had just been forced to do, the regal alicorn sobbed as uncontrollably as a newborn filly.

Taking a deep breath, Celestia slowly regained her composure through sheer willpower. “It’s finally over, though...” she sighed. “After everything we went through... after what that... thing... did to Luna... to my subjects... it’s finally over.” She felt tears threatening to return. “But- even after putting an end to all that violence and bloodshed I just feel... empty.” She took a few hesitant steps back. “It’s done,” she said again, somehow feeling the need to reassure herself. “Victory is mine.”

Victory, but at what cost? Celestia wondered as she gazed into the night. She sighed quietly and closed her eyes. Concentrating, she extended her magic outward into the leylines of the universe, and searched until she found the familiar strands of magic she recognized as her sister’s. Her horn began to glow a bright yellow, until she eventually managed to set Luna’s moon back into the motion which had been interrupted when this whole tragedy began. She stared into the receding night, lost in thought, until she was interrupted by the doors slamming open. Through the doorway galloped Feather Stride, a member of her personal guard who had complete elation plastered all across his face.

“Your Highness! The moon, it’s setting! Does this mean that you’ve wo-”

Celestia transfixed him with a glare that could easily have blasted the door from which he had just entered off its hinges through sheer will alone. “Thank you, Feather Stride. I am aware of the situation. Kindly return to your post and await further instruction.”

“Y-yes Princess.” Feather Stride, his previous expression cleanly wiped and replaced with a look of barely contained fear, gave a trembling bow and exited the room as quickly as his soldierly instincts allowed him without outright sprinting.

The alabaster alicorn returned to the window as she guided her sun into the sky. Luna, can you ever forgive me?

“How dare she?!” Luna’s horn glowed a ghastly dark, brimming with potent magic, as she cleaved a nearby moon-mountain in two. “How DARE she?!” she roared again. Another flash of black, and the terrible power of the Moon Goddess blasted a large crater in her celestial creation. “Trapping me on my own moon, the only pony to EVER appreciate it?! Celestia, I knew you were a horrid monster, but you’ve really outdone yourself this time!” Luna reared back and loosed an arc of lightning straight into space.

Nightmare Moon, the Mare of Darkness responsible for the near-defeat of Celestia and subsequent takeover of the world, had receded back into Luna’s mind after being ravaged by the Elements of Harmony, changing Luna back into her original form in the process. While she had committed many horrible deeds during her illustrious reign, even she was slightly intimidated, but also proud, by the pure, unadulterated rage the younger alicorn was displaying. 

Luna, dear, perhaps we should conserve our power. We don’t know what effects were placed on the moon when the Elements... placed us here. Need I remind you that my fate is inextricably tied to yours? I wouldn’t want us to run out of energy and be rendered helpless for the rest of eternity.

Luna snorted. “Whatever. I made this thing, didn’t I? No stupid gemstones are going to prevent me from leaving my moon.” Taking a few breaths to calm herself and concentrate, Luna spread her wings and took off. As she got further off the surface, she grinned arrogantly at her counterpart’s stupidity “See? Piece of ca-AHHHHHHH”

Just as Luna reached the edge of the moon’s gravitational pull, the alicorn was met with an electrical current. Yelling in unexpected pain, Luna was subsequently sent rocketing back down to the moon, leaving a sizable crater upon her impact. Slowly recovering, she rubbed her head with a hoof. “What the hay was that?”

It appears to be some sort of barrier that the Elements put in place to keep us here, Nightmare replied. Problematic.

“What a bunch of horsefeathers. I can’t believe that-” Luna stomped down with her hoof. “No, you know what? I’m not going to do this. It still feels just too weird talking to myself and having somepony else respond. Hang on...” Luna’s horn glowed again, and the outline of a pony drifted from it. In a flash of light, the image of Nightmare Moon appeared.

“Interesting,” the Midnight Mare commented approvingly as she looked over her newly materialized body, “I must admit, it does get kind of cramped in there.”

“I noticed,” Luna replied. “When I was in there, I mean. Back in Equestria. We were so close. But stupid Celly,” Luna stammered and corrected herself, “um, Celestia had to go and use the Elements and banish us. I can’t imagine they’re too pleased with her right now, either. I used to study the Elements back before... everything happened. They’re fascinating, really. They may look like just a bunch of gems, but truly they’re so much more. It’s like they’re actually alive.”

“Alive?” Nightmare Moon interjected. “They’re just a force of power. Even more powerful than me, apparently. How can they be alive?”

“They’re so much more than that, though!” Luna explained excitedly. “It’s like they’re all one collective mind. They want exactly what their name implies, harmony. Peace and all that. And if you can correctly tap into their power, the Elements can do amazing things.” Luna’s face fell as she remembered their predicament. “As you can see. But she still used them as a weapon. I doubt they’re happy.”

Nightmare Moon grinned maliciously. “Well then. Let’s get back down there and see just how much they abandoned that pretty little princess. Let me out.”

Luna blinked once in response. Her teal eyes, normally filled with black irises, constricted until they resembled more those of a cat. Luna’s horn then glowed softly, the aura slowly growing in intensity as her body began to change. Her midnight-blue coat began to turn black as night. Her limbs grew longer until she matched her sister in height, and her horn in turn grew and sharpened until it bore a razor-like point. The mane of stars grew in length and darkened in color, the change mirrored by her tail to complete the transformation. The Creator of the Night had disappeared, and in her place stood Nightmare Moon.

Now what? Luna asked, safely stored within the recesses of Nightmare Moon’s mind.

“Now, my dear Luna, we test just how strong of a barrier that awful rainbow placed us in. We hold much more power in this form, as you of course know, so we’ll have a better chance of breaking out.”

Just remember your own words and try to conserve energy. We might need it.

“See how much more rational you are when you’ve calmed down, Luna?” the ebon mare snipped as she gathered dark energy in her horn. Let’s try something simple first, she thought to herself, channelling her power into a new spell.

Whoa, I heard that thought. Weeeeiiiirrrrd.  

Nightmare hushed her as she began to charge a simple dispel, while still reinforcing the magic as much as she could. All she saw was black for a few seconds while the spell did its work. When the spell completed, Nightmare reached out into space with her awareness.

“No good,” she muttered to herself. “I can still sense that infuriating barrier. Perhaps a more direct application of power?” Charging her horn again, Nightmare released an immense blast of lightning, her personal weapon of choice, straight into the barrier. As the destructive magic reached the edge of the moon’s gravitational pull, the resulting explosion produced a spectacular light show as the concurrent energy spread across the confines of the barrier.

Would you judge me if I said that the magical barrier that’s forcibly holding us against our will for possibly all of eternity looks pretty in this light? Luna asked.

“Yes,” her dark counterpart replied simply. Squinting up at the explosion, it eventually began to die down. “Hmm. Used a lot of power on that one. Hopefully it worked...”

As the corona of destruction finally died down, both Luna and Nightmare Moon stared expectantly at the magical veil.

No way.....

“Impossible!”

Far from being torn asunder as Nightmare Moon had hoped, ot even the magical equivalent of a scratch had appeared on the surface of the barrier that the Elements had erected above them.

“Well. That’s... unfortunate,” the Nightmare remarked dryly. “I hit it with all of my considerable power, and we’re not any farther than when we started. I’m tired, Luna. I’m coming back in.” She began the familiar process of transformation, and soon the Regent of the Night was back in her own body.

“So that’s it, then?! We’re stuck here? Nightmare, when you promised to give me enough power to defeat Celestia, you never said this would happen. You said I would finally be happy, free from everypony rejecting my night, and NOW LOOK WHERE WE ARE!” Luna shouted into space, tears welling up in her eyes. “I... I just want to go home.”

Luna, dear... I’m sorry. This was never meant to happen. Even I didn’t think that Celestia would use the Elements of Harmony on her own sister. We underestimated that mule, and now you’re paying the price along with me. I’m sorry, Nightmare Moon said sincerely. Despite being a Mare of Darkness, she had begun to enjoy Luna’s ever-present company during the War of the Night. Luna, if you don’t mind, I’m going to rest. Both the battle back in Equestria and trying to tear the barrier have left me exhausted. We should probably try to conserve as much energy as we can for now.

Nightmare Moon summoned what little magic was available to her in her current position and effectively powered herself down, a luxury afforded to her as she resided in Luna’s mind.

“Nightmare, wait! Don’t...” she cried out desperately. But there was no response. The only friend she had was ‘asleep’, and Luna was now more alone than she had even been in Equestria. “She’s right. I may be up here for the rest of my life. I need to save my energy, for whatever may come...”

Luna located the very crater she had left when she impacted her moon, and curled up inside. She then began weaving a simple spell around herself that would allow her to be cast into a deep sleep. The alicorn yawned as she felt the spell begin to take effect, and she suddenly remembered a song she had once made up for a tiny filly who had been brought by her mother to Night Court. A tear rolled down her cheek as she sang softly to herself:

Luna glared at her sister through Nightmare Moon’s eyes as the final battle took place in the Great Hall of Canterlot Castle. Celestia, grinning sadistically with eyes full of hatred, charged her horn with magic and a giant rainbow burst from her tiara, which Luna recognized as an artifact of the Elements of Harmony. The Lunar Princess gasped as the rainbow crashed down on Nightmare Moon, and herself, who tried futilely to escape  

All time seemed to slow.  “Princess Luna of Equestria. You have been accused of consorting  with a being constructed of dark magic, allowing it to enter and manipulate your body of your own volition, and employing said being in an attempt to overthrow your sister and bring about a time of eternal night. We have judged you guilty, and we shall place upon you the harshest sentence allowed us. Princess Luna, we ask you this question: do you feel regret for your actions?”

As the curiously warm Rainbow of Light fully enveloped Nightmare Moon, the enraged Luna heard the voices all around her “Never! I knew exactly what I was doing, and I would do it again. That mule never loved me OR my night! So do your worst, Elements.” If the Fallen Princess could spit derisively, she would have.

“So be it.”

The lack of emotion in that single sentence made Luna cringe inwardly. “You senseless things!” she shouted in defiance. “Who do you think you are to judge me?!”

The voices were unperturbed. “Luna, we hereby strip you of your magical connection to the moon and your title of Princess of Equestria. You shall be banished to the moon, where you will never again bring harm to Equestria or its denizens. Our judgment has been passed, let it be so.”

As time seemingly sped back up, Luna was forcibly reverted back to her original form, with Nightmare Moon being shoved back inside her mind. The strange warmth of the Elements wore off, quickly replaced by an unnatural cold. Luna cringed and opened her eyes, revealing to her the very distant continent of Equestria...

Luna abruptly broke from her magic-induced sleep. A quick scan of her surroundings confirmed her nightmare as reality. That final battle in Canterlot really had happened, and she was stuck here. Forever. “How long was I asleep for?” She wondered.

“You have been asleep for nearly two hundred years, Luna.” came a swift reply.

Odd, that didn’t feel like it came from inside my head... “N-N-Nightmare? Is that you?” She asked aloud.

Luna felt a noise inside her head that she could only assume was that of a yawn and the crack of a non-existent spine. I’m right here, Luna. Is something the matter?

“Wait, you just woke up too?” Luna asked. You didn’t say anything?”

I didn’t say anything, Nightmare replied, confused. Why? Is somepony here?

“Or something, yes.” Luna‘s voice held a bit of fear, (what if Celestia had come to finish her off?) but also intense curiosity. Who could have known she was asleep for nearly two hundred years? She had to find out. “Hello? Is anypony there? Answer me!”

“Worry not my Queen. You have nothing to fear from me.”

Luna started at this in confusion. What pony could possibly be on the moon and be calling her Queen? “Just who are you?”

“Not who, but what. I am the vessel of night upon which you stand. I am the object which you yourself created, Princess Luna of Equestria.”

“W-wait. Am I talking to... my moon? How is this even possible?”

“When you created me, it required a titanic effort of magic. Due to unforeseen circumstances relating to your imprisonment here, I am able to harness this magic in order to speak with you. I will not be able to do this for long. Please, listen and take heed.”

Interesting. Very interesting. You’re actually speaking to a product of your own creation. Even I, in all my power, never thought this would be possible. Luna, cast that spell again and let me out, please. Luna’s horn glowed, and the image of Nightmare Moon appeared again. The spectre wandered off in an attempt to collect data on this phenomenon, while Luna asked the moon to continue.

“When you were sent here by the Elements of Harmony, nearly two hundred years ago, both you and your other half believed that you would be stuck here forever. However, that is not the case.” Nightmare Moon looked up, startled, at hearing this.

“What do you mean ‘not the case’,” Nightmare Moon demanded, “I took that blast from that tacky rainbow straight in the muzzle. It sure felt permanent.”

“While the Sun Goddess may have intended that the effects of unleashing the forces of Harmony be permanent, the limits of the Elements prevent them from effectively erasing a being off the face of the planet on which they reside. While your Celestial Sister used as much power as possible in banishing you, the spell will only last for a total of one thousand years.”

“And just how do you know this?” Luna inquired.

“The barrier which prevents you from leaving is intimately tied with the same magics that you used to create me. While the decline is gradual, I can detect that the strength of the shield is slowly waning.”

Nightmare Moon cantered back to where Luna was standing. “So what? This really isn’t permanent? We just have to wait about...”

“Approximately eight hundred years remain until the end of your sentence. However, there is a slight complication.”

The Mare of Darkness rolled her eyes. “Figures. There’s always a catch. What is it?”

“A side effect of the barrier that the Elements of Harmony placed upon me is that it very slightly drains the magic of all organic beings caught within it’s grasp, and also prevents those beings from regenerating any spent magic. I believe that my creator has already begun to feel the effects.”

Rounding on her counterpart, Nightmare Moon discovered that Luna was blushing slightly. “It’s true. I felt a little weakened after I cast the spell to make you appear out of my head. And I can sense that my inner store of magic hasn’t refilled itself since we fell asleep... apparently two hundred years ago.” Luna shook her head in irritation. “And after the fight with Celestia, the transformations and trying to break the barrier, not to mention the draining effect, I know that my reserves must be under half.”

“That’s just fantastic,” the shade muttered, “So even when we get out of here, we won’t be able to do anything to get revenge on that cow because of this stupid snag.”

“That is incorrect.”

This elicited a frustrated groan from Nightmare Moon. “Listen, um, moon!” She turned to Luna. “I don’t want to call that thing just ‘moon’. Can’t we name him? Like, Bob, or Tom?”

“No!” Luna exclaimed.

“Why not?”

“Nightmare, I refuse to let you call my prized creation ‘Bob’!”

“Fine.” She replied, perhaps a little foalishly. She turned away from Luna to speak again to the moon. “Listen, first you say one thing, and then you go and say another. Would it trouble you to make up your mind?”

“Be at peace, and listen well, for I must save enough energy to secure the answer to your problem. When the barrier lifts, you will likely be left with little to no power. However, that does not mean that you shall be without assistance. As with myself, Luna also used her magic to create the night sky, and with it, the stars. As such, we all share a link with each other.”

“While my ability to speak to you does not yet wane, I will be able to transfer the rest of my available power to the nearest plausible stars through this bond we share. When the barrier is at its weakest, these stars will intervene and shatter the barrier and, in turn, transfer their remaining magic to you, my Queen. By doing this, you should be left with sufficient power to exact your revenge upon the Keeper of the Sun. This is my gift to you for bringing me into existence.”

A wicked smile danced across Nightmare’s features. “Well well, Luna, looks like we may have a second shot at eternal night after all.”

Luna mimicked her darker side’s grin. “Moon, thank you for your work. Please go about your business and know that you have made your Queen very happy.”

“It is my honor to serve. I shall begin the transference of magic. This is the last time we shall speak. All glory to the night, and it’s Harbinger.”

Silence again fell across the landscape, leaving Luna to reconsider the new development “Excellent. We won’t be stuck up here forever after all, and in eight hundred years we shall escape and find our revenge on my sister.” Luna’s face distorted into a sinister smirk. “I just had an idea. Let’s not let Celestia forget where she put us. So that every time she looks up into the night sky, my night sky, she’ll remember what she did to us and know that we’re still watching, waiting.”

“Luna darling, that is deliciously devious,” Nightmare Moon replied and smiled cruelly.  “What do you have in mind?”

Luna didn’t answer. Instead, she walked over to where she created the crater nearly two hundred years ago and with her horn glowing, created another one overlapping the first. Smirking, she said, “You’ll see. Now, get flying and help me out. This needs to be perfect...”

As her sister’s Nightmare was finally whisked away by the Rainbow of Light, Celestia began to feel the tiara which rested upon her head slip and fall to the ground. Time seemed infinitesimal, the headpiece very slowly falling as if reality itself had slowed. Suddenly, she began to hear a voice 

“Princess Celestia of Equestria.” the voice said, sounding warm and yet... displeased. “You are guilty of employing the Elements of Harmony for destructive purposes. By using us, you have all but removed a life from the face of this planet.” Celestia started to object, but stopped as the Elements continued. “As your reasons were ultimately selfless, thinking in benefit of the land and ponies which you protect and govern, we shall pass no punishment upon you. However, let it be known that Princess Celestia of Equestria, Goddess of the Sun and Bringer of the Day, will forever be severed from her connection with the Elements.”

Celestia did not know how she was hearing the Elements of Harmony inside her, what she had always thought was just an inanimate set of magical jewelry. Her sister had always been more fascinated with the relics than she was. However, she somehow knew the proper way to respond to them. “But there was nothing left I could do,” she protested. “I had to destroy that thing. Didn’t you see what it had done to my sister?”

“Your personal feelings are irrelevant.”  the Elements said, forestalling whatever answer she could have devised. “You attempted to destroy a life with our power. Our decision stands, and you shall no longer have access to us. Until we are again wielded by bearers whom we deem worthy, we shall return back to our ancestral home, the Castle of Everfree.”

“Everfree?” Celestia replied, shocked. “But...that place got utterly destroyed in the War!”

“It is where we belong, Princess, and is where we shall remain. Goodbye.” Time resumed to as normal as the tiara finally struck the ground. Almost instantly, it reverted back into magic and whisked away of its own accord.

Princess Celestia was left to deal with her grief... alone.

In her room high in Canterlot Castle, the Solar Goddess’ eyes snapped open. She sighed in frustration. She’d had that dream before many times, as if it was permanently burned into her memory and she was being forced to relive it. Even asleep, I can find no solace. Is this my punishment for doing what had to be done?

It was time to lower the moon and begin a new day. As she approached the balcony, she gazed upon her sister’s creation, and immediately noticed something... new. Terrible and new. It looked almost like the face of a unicorn, created by a concentrated area of craters on the surface on the moon.

The regal alicorn sank to her stomach, devastated by the intangible proof of her actions. Luna, what have I done? I’m so sorry.

However, her sadness and regrets didn’t matter right now. She had a country to run, decisions to make and meetings to attend. Her horn glowing a bright yellow, she went about the usual motions of setting Luna’s moon and rising her sun. Stepping back into her bedroom, she took a moment to visit her vanity and apply her makeup. Even after two hundred years, she marveled at her mane. Ever since she had taken on responsibility for both sun and moon, her originally pink hair had been replaced with something different. In its place was something that could only be described as pure magic; a flowing mane resembling the aurora borealis, slowly fluttering in the invisible breeze of the solar wind.

As the rest of the ponies who remembered what had happened in the War of the Night eventually passed away, soon nopony but Celestia herself knew that she had not been born with such regal hair. In fact, nopony knew that Celestia was not the only alicorn currently alive anymore, but with the current changes in the moon, Celestia suspected that would soon change.

Indeed, her suspicion was proven correct within the hour. As the Sun Goddess was eating her breakfast, a compilation of different fruits and vegetables, her personal steward Gilded Carafe approached. “Princess,” he whispered. “One of the staff has requested to see you. He didn’t say why, only that it was...urgent.”

Finishing up her meal, the Guardian of the Day followed Gilded Carafe into the private meeting room, where Celestia was surprised to see one of the more reclusive castle scribes waiting for her. Her attendant waited outside as the Princess greeted her subject. “Keen Eyes,” the princess said in welcome, “what can I do for you?”

“Princess,” the dark blue unicorn started, looking greatly troubled, “I had a dream last night that awoke me with chilled sweat and a thudding heart. I made sure to write it all down and report it to you after the sun had risen and I was sure you were awake.

“As honored as I am that you came to me about a simple nightmare, Keen Eyes, why do you think it is important enough to bring to my attention? If I recall correctly, you prefer to stay near the library and rarely leave, except to eat and sleep.”

“Normally, Your Highness, that is very much the case.” He glanced at his cutie mark, a looking glass. “My special talent involves what most would call clairvoyance. Limited foresight into the future.”

“I am familiar with the term, my little pony,” Celestia smiled.

Keen Eyes blushed slightly. “Y-Yes, Princess, of course. I didn’t me-” He paused to collect himself. “What I mean by all this is that, while I am rarely greeted with views of the future, when I do, they come in the forms of dreams, and they are very distinct.” Celestia noted with some degree of humor that he was trying very hard not to sound depressed about his ability, although she couldn’t imagine why. “In addition to that, as opposed to any normal dream, I am also able to take away a secondary meaning from them. Something easily transferable to writing. Normally, I keep them locked away in a trunk up in my quarters. They usually aren’t very important, and will occur long after I will pass away. The other scribes... pester me occasionally for having such a seemingly useless special talent.” He cleared his throat before continuing. “This one, however, I feel is important and, while this too will happen long after I am gone, I felt that it should be brought to your immediate attention.”

Using his magic, he produced a piece of parchment and drifted it over to the Princess. Ensconcing it into her own magical grip, she began to read:

“Centuries ago in a time lost to tomes long forgotten, Nightmare Moon, the Queen of the Night, Mistress of the Ebon Sky, and Ruler of the Lunar Shadow, did rise up in all her power and glory to bring about night eternal. She did call forth the War of the Night, and amassed an army of thralls to follow in her wake to bring about that which she most desired: dominion over the land and sky.

To defend the land and all those ponies who fled in fear of the Goddess of the Moon, Celestia, Queen of the Day, Lady of the Dawn and Keeper of the Sun called upon the most potent magical force known to all ponydom: the Elements of Harmony. With the power of Loyalty, Generosity, Honesty, Kindness, Laughter, and Magic, Celestia did banish her tyrannical sister to the moon, where she would serve her eternal sentence until the time of the final days.

Nightmare Moon’s power could not be contained however, and she quickly fed her essence into the void of the night to the stars. There they heard the plight of their mistress and with her power promised her thus: on the thousandth night of her imprisonment, when the world below had all but forgotten her name, and the sun looks away from the moon, shall the stars aid in her escape from her lunar prison so that she may resume her conquest of earth and air, to make all bow before the perfection of her night and bring about nighttime eternal.

Though the stars plan to end the tyrant’s isolation, the greatest star of them all, the Sun, knows all too well of the looming shadow that waits in the deep dark. Celestia will call upon the Elements of Harmony once again, when the darkness has reached its apex in the world, to do battle against the darkness of her twisted sister, and to finally decide the fate of Equestria and the world.”

For the second time in a very short period, the ruler of Equestria was brought to her knees in shock, and this time, it felt that her heart and turned to ice and sank down into her stomach to join her.

“Princess? I’m confused. What does this mean?” The scribe genuinely seemed worried about her after seeing her reaction.

“I... can’t talk about this right now, Keen Eyes. However, you deserve to know more than most ponies for bringing this to my attention.” She turned around and opened the door, to where Gilded Carafe stood waiting. “Will you join us for a moment, please?”

“Certainly, Princess.”

“Take a note.” She waited as her steward readied his parchment and quill. “In my station as Monarch of Equestria, I, Princess Celestia, hereby decree that the scribe, Keen Eyes, be elevated to the position of Mystical Advisor to the Princess. As such, he shall be granted new quarters in the Princess’ Tower amongst his advisor peers, and a salary befitting his station. Additionally, he shall be granted full compensation for any costs required for producing a compilation of his various prophecies.”

Keen Eyes’ jaw dropped to the floor. “T-thank you, my Princess? But may I ask what for?”

“Just consider it... for services rendered to the Crown,” she winked. “That will be all, Gilded Carafe.”

As the blue scribe watched the steward trot back into the hall, he was struck with sudden realization. “Are you paying me to keep my mouth shut about this whole Nightmare Moon thing, Princess Celestia?”

“Not exactly, Keen Eyes. I will meet with you in your new chambers tonight to fully explain why, as the circumstances behind Nightmare Moon’s imprisonment are still painful to recall. However, the truth must get out. Ponies must be warned, if they are learned enough to go digging through books of myths and legends.”

“So... you would like me to include it in this book, just stripped down to the bare details?”

Celestia smiled at his quick grasp of the situation. “Yes, please. And thank you.”

Keen Eyes bowed. “Anything for my Princess. Now, I shall return to my quarters and prepare to move into my new lodgings.” He bowed again. “Thank you again, Princess.”

The life of the Princess never holds an empty day, but this particular day seemed to be out to get her. Exiting the meeting room, she looked to her assistant. “What is first on the schedule for today, please?”

“Day Court, your Highness,” Gilded Carafe promptly replied.

“That’s just fantastic,” Celestia grumbled. “The very thing I want to do today, of all days, is listen to the petty squabbles of Canterlot ponies.”

Gilded Carafe grinned. One of the perks of his station was seeing the lesser-known sides of the Princess. “Shall I fetch the powdered wig, Princess Celestia?”

Celestia smiled back despite herself. “You know as well as I do that I retired that thing six years ago. And I would appreciate it if you would stop reminding me of that horrid thing just for spite.”

“No can do, Princess. Guess you’ll just have to dock my pay. Besides, you know that every so often, someponies still remember that court is meant to settle actually serious issues, like territory issues or grievances with the law. And it isn’t all bad, I notice you sometimes manage to make Court entertaining for yourself.

Celestia’s eye glinted as she remembered two snobby mares that came before her, shrieking at each other because they had both grabbed the last hat in a recent blow-out sale at the local fashion studio.

“I have made my decision!” Celestia declared dramatically. I have decided that....you shall split the hat down the middle, and you each shall receive one half. That seems to be the most rational decision.” She scratched her powdered wig, she swore that thing had bugs in it even if the cleaning staff never found any, and wished she had a gavel to bang decisively.

One mare nodded violently. “Yes! Give me my half of the hat!! Maybe I can make a...a doily or two out of the thread. Plus, this way, that other mule won’t win either!”

Her headgear adversary made a choking noise that sounded suspiciously like a strangled shriek of terror. “Forgive me, Princess, but are you sure? To destroy such a beautiful hat, it’s a crime of fashion! Please, if that’s going to be your final decision, please just give it to her, just to save the hat!”

Celestia smiled at the second mare, genuinely impressed by what she said. “Wait!” the Princess declared again. “I have changed my mind. After seeing the selflessness of this mare, I have decided to grant her the full rights to this hat, for it is evident that she is meant to be the true owner!” Deciding that she wanted a gavel after all, Celestia summoned one with magic and knocked it three times on the chair on which she was sitting. The victorious mare looked elated, but also very confused, as she pranced away with her new prize. The Princess then directed a level gaze at a pair of guards snickering uncontrollably in the corner. They flinched once they realized she was watching them, and proceeded to amble off in opposite directions.

Snapping herself out of her reverie, she responded to Gilded Carafe. “Thank you, Gilded Carafe, for restoring my faith in ponykind. But now on to business. Anything of importance I should know about today?”

The steward visibly flinched at the question. “Actually, Princess, there is. There have been many rumors amongst the farmer ponies who wake up even earlier than you do to tend their farms. Something about the head of a unicorn being present in the moon early this morning, in the form of craters. They have already begun calling it the ‘Mare in the Moon.’ If my reports are correct, these rumors quickly spread to the rest of the ponies gathered in Court. My humble recommendation is a public address, Princess, before it begins to stir nationwide panic.”

Celestia allowed herself a frustrated sigh, a luxury to which she rarely treated herself. Like good things, apparently bad things came in threes as well. “Yes, you are correct. I’ll cut Day Court early and make a public statement.” Once again, she grinned despite herself as she realized that she would be cutting Day Court early.

“Very good, Princess. I’ll have one of the scribes begin drawing up your speech.”

“Not this time, Gilded Carafe.” She took a deep breath, bracing herself in advance for what she would have to tell her country in the next few hours. “Today, I’d like to address Equestria using my own words. Many of my ponies are undoubtedly scared, and if they’re not now, they will be. I’m the only one who really knows what’s going on. They should hear it from me.”

“As you wish, Your Highness.”

Celestia nodded. “Indeed. Now, let’s get this over with...”

“Nine hundred and ninety years.” Celestia sighed as she looked at the moon. “It’s been nine hundred and ninety years since I sent you to the moon, sister. And in just ten more, you will be back.” Her eyes roamed the land of Equestria, visible under the moonlight and stars as she pondered. “I am... I’m scared, sister, no-  I’m terrified of what you, of what Nightmare Moon will do, upon your return-.” She shuddered. “The Nightmare is so powerful... will I be able to defeat you once more? Can I bring myself to do it?” Celestia shuddered. Nightmare Moon was somehow more powerful than her, and she was the ruler of an entire country who commanded a fiery heavenly body.

That horrid moon didn’t make her life any easier. Thankfully, the common ponies eventually accepted and believed that it was a natural phenomenon, as the ponies who originally witnessed it surfacing eventually died and the tale gradually became an “old pony’s tale.”

“Damn you, Nightmare Moon,” Celestia cursed. Only you could think up something so vile and twisted. Luna, I can’t even imagine what you could be going through right now, having to deal with that thing for nearly a thousand years. And it’s me who put you there. I’m so sorry...”

When Keen Eyes had first told her of that prophecy, over half a millennium ago, Celestia was determined to be prepared for Nightmare Moon’s inevitable return, and the first step to preparation is expectation. The lifetime of an alicorn is but one step down from endless, and as such, one’s perception of time might get a little muddled. And as the last thing the Solar Princess wished was to forget the exact year when the prophecy would come to pass, she created the one thing she would absolutely not be able to forget.

A celebration.

With the combined assistance of Keen Eyes and the Royal Astronomer of the time, the Goddess was able to determine exactly how many years remained until the return. Using that data and her authority as Princess of Equestria, she declared the next longest day of the year the official “198th Summer Sun Celebration.” Naturally, the townsfolk were very confused as to what happened to the other 197 of these Summer Sun Celebrations. However, Celestia kept her reasons to herself and insisted that the festivities continue. Eventually, they all just learned to accept it and, like with the origins of the Mare in the Moon, the true discrepancies regarding the Summer Sun Celebration were eventually lost to time. While the Guardian of the Day hated deceiving her ponies like that, she nonetheless felt that some secrets were not meant to be shared.

Now with a mere ten years to go until the return of the biggest threat to Equestria since Discord himself, Celestia was forced to do something that one would never expect of somepony of her station.

Beg.

Celestia sighed as she weighed the options available to her. As much as she hated even considering unleashing the Elements of Harmony once again upon Luna, she was afraid it would be the only option if she couldn’t reason with her sister. While she loathed the possibility, it couldn’t hurt to be prepared, could it?

But what choice do I have, really? That prophecy, that horrible prophecy, told me that I’ll have to wield them once again. I just....don’t know if I could do that to Luna again. Celestia shook her head. No, I have to be ready, for whatever may come. And that means I have to start now.

Her day began like any other, by raising her sun. Following that chore, she exited her bedroom to find her steward, Bee Barb, awaiting her. “What is on the schedule for today, please?” Celestia asked.

“Several meetings, your highness. One with the agricultural board, and the builder’s committee wished to meet with you for specifications regarding this year’s Grand Galloping Gala,” Bee Barb replied. “Also, you asked me to remind you that another set of prospective students for your school will be here to receive their entrance exams today.”

“Postpone those meetings, please. I have royal business to attend to today, of a more personal nature.”

“As you wish, Princess.” Bee Barb bowed and went about following her orders.

Turning around, Celestia re-entered her bedroom, stepped out onto her balcony and teleported back to a place she hadn’t seen in almost a millennium.

Reappearing outside of Everfree Castle, the first thing she saw was- “Spirits...” Celestia whispered to herself. “After the battles that took place here during the War, I expected it to be a little worse for wear. But this...” She trailed off. Despite what she thought she had seen when fleeing Everfree, the Princess had never fully realized just how much it had been annihilated. Barely anything from her ancestral home was left, and whatever structures remained were infested with vines, moss, and other forms of foliage. Just a dilapidated section or two was all that was left of the once extravagant fortress, the place that was once called the Capital of Equestria, and had been her home since she was born.

And Luna’s.... Left with little other choice, the Princess forced her way towards the closest of the remaining structures. Wait. I know this place. This is....this is the vault where the Elements of Harmony were kept. I can’t believe it’s still standing after everything this place has been through. I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised that the Elements are here, but I didn’t expect it would be this easy...  

As she attempted to cross the threshold into the holding chamber, however, she was met with a barrier that denied her access with a gentle, yet firm, rebuke.

“What just happened?” Confused, Celestia tried again, only to meet the same result. Becoming quickly irritated, she charged up her horn to cast a dispel upon it. Following the ensuing flash of light, she confidently stepped forward once more, only to find nothing had changed.

With nopony around to hear her, the Regent of Equestria spat a word very unbecoming of royalty.

How can this be? she thought furiously. Nopony should be able to cast a barrier that I can’t do away with! Nightmare Moon has to be behind this, but how?

“Nightmare Moon is not responsible for this barrier,” came an all too familiar warm voice she could only hear in her mind. “We told you once that you are barred from our power, Princess Celestia of Equestria. We do not forget.”

I don’t understand, she replied in still the only way that felt correct to talk to the artifacts. You put up this barrier? Why?

“Again, to fully deny you access to us. If you do not recall, you misused our power in an attempt to erase a life from this world. Attempting such an act of disharmony by our power cannot be forgiven, regardless of your personal feelings and motivations. However, as you ultimately acted for the good of your subj-”

Yes, I know. Celestia sighed remorsefully.You told me last time, and I never forgot what you said that night, nor shall I ever. She looked at where the barrier stood, eyes watery. Is it not good enough for you that I feel nothing but remorse for what I’ve done? That I’ve spent many nights this past millennium crying myself to sleep, wishing my dear sister was here to rule with me? That every time I look up at that moon, with that awful face in it, I remember exactly where Luna is, and exactly who put her there?

“We do not doubt that you regret your actions, Celestia of Equestria. However, we must still withhold our power from you.”

I don’t think you get it, the Princess replied testily. In ten years, Nightmare Moon is going to return from exile and come back straight for me. I won’t stand a chance, and I don’t think I’ll want to fight my own sister again anyways. I couldn’t. And after I’m gone, Equestria won’t stand a chance!

“We are aware of the situation,” the Elements said. “We are the ones that gave the scribe Keen Eyes the information by which you know this.”

You were? Celestia replied, genuinely surprised. How is this possible?

“Due to circumstances regarding Luna of Equestria’s banishment which even we did not anticipate, she was provided with this information when she was not meant to. We sensed this, and it caused an imbalance. We felt we had to rectify the imbalance.”

But why give the prophecy to him? Why not directly to me?

“We needed an appropriate vessel to bestow the information upon,” The Elements informed her. “The scribe Keen Eyes showed an affinity for “prophecy,” as you call it. You do not. We detected other viable candidates within the country; however, we felt that Keen Eyes would be the best solution, given his proximity to you. It was the best we were able to do.”

I understand, Celestia nodded gratefully. And I thank you for the information. But there is one more thing I do not understand. If what you say is true, and you delivered the prophecy to Keen Eyes, then why did you say that I am meant to use the Elements of Harmony once again to defeat Nightmare Moon?

“We did not claim that you were meant to once again wield the Elements of Harmony, Princess Celestia. You misinterpreted our meaning, a folly of the pony species. In truth, we stated that you were meant to only call upon the Elements of Harmony, not use them yourself.”

I don’t get it, Celestia objected, forcing down a feeling of panic. How am I supposed to call upon the Elements without using them?

“We apologize. That is a question you are meant to find on your own.”

Celestia was beginning to even panic more now. But why can’t you tell me?

“To divulge such information would force another imbalance in the flow of time and destiny. One that would have to be rectified by divulging similar information to the Fallen Princess. Information that could possibly turn the tide permanently in her favor. Is this what you wish?”

No! Celestia’s eyes went wide at the thought of this. Anything but that! I’ll figure it out myself.

“We are glad you understand. As you are held by your laws, so are we inextricably bound to ours.”

I... think I understand. She gasped and realized she had been holding her breath.

“Good. Now, we sense there is nothing more you wish to discuss.”

It wasn’t a question. No, there isn’t. The Princess sighed. Thank you for your time. The Elements of Harmony didn’t reply, and Celestia could sense the warm presence receding from her mind. Although the Sun Princess enjoyed that presence, she also did not like how the Elements seemed to be able to read her deepest thoughts and feelings while their minds were joined.

Celestia treated herself to an explosive sigh. She had been depending on using the Elements again to stop Nightmare. Now she didn’t know what to do. She sighed again. Her only solace was knowing that she had ten years to figure out the riddle of the prophecy. For now, it was time to return to Canterlot. Royal business called, as always.

Teleporting back into the Canterlot proper, she began to make her way to her first meeting of the day. For the rare few ponies capable of performing such a feat, teleporting directly into a conference room was severely looked down upon in Canterlot. Many saw it as parading one’s power around to those not able to perform such difficult magic, and it was altogether quite rude.

Trotting across the square, she not only heard, but also felt a rather loud explosion coming from behind her. Celestia whipped around, her horn glowing in preparation for an attack, only to freeze as she witnessed a sight she had not seen since before the War of the Night, yet one that could not be mistaken anywhere: a sonic rainboom. She stopped in her tracks, staring in awe at the vision of pure beauty and perfection. Even as she watched, she could feel a tear begin to glisten in her eye. Faced with the threat of Nightmare Moon, and the stress given to her by the Elements of Harmony, it was unexpectedly comforting to know that such a majestic sight still existed in this world.

She was quickly snapped out of her reverie, however, by a rather loud crashing noise very close to her. “What?!” Looking up sharply, she was greeted with a rather unusual sight. A very large, very purple dragon head with green scales had somehow managed to crash through the roof of one of her buildings. The very building she knew to be where the entrance exams for her unicorn school were taking place. Disregarding all thoughts of Canterlot social protocol in the interest of safety, she quickly teleported into the auditorium.

Reappearing inside, Celestia immediately noticed the source of the strange anomaly. A lavender unicorn filly, wriggling in the grasp of what she immediately recognized as a severe magic overload. This little filly had literally had lost control of her magic, and it was affecting everything it could reach. For her magic, even in the state it was now, to affect a dragon this much was nothing short of astonishing. Taking a quick glance around, Celestia also noticed that her four test examiners were also caught in the magical maelstrom, rendered helpless, and for some reason a cactus and a potted plant were sitting very close to the unicorn.

I need to calm her down... Celestia carefully approached the out-of-control filly and gently placed her hoof on her back. When the unicorn whipped around to stare at her, eyes shining a brilliant white of pure magic, the Princess put on a tranquil, motherly smile.

Almost immediately, the filly began to reign in control of her power, her eyes dimming until they revealed a set of lavender eyes which perfectly matched her coat. Instantly realizing what she had done, she bowed her head in shame as the magical effects began to wear off around them.

The examiners were released from their captivity, the towering dragon currently peering at the gathering crowd outside quickly turned back into a newly-hatched dragon with a quick pop, and the cactus and plant were reverted into a unicorn couple, presumably the filly’s parents.

Didn’t see that one coming. Such a transformation at her young age, and so many? Remarkable! In a flash, Celestia recalled her notes from this morning before she set out for Everfree Castle, and remembered that the school would be testing a Twilight Sparkle at around this time. She matched the description in the notes. Surely, this must be that filly. “Twilight Sparkle-”

“Oh, I’m so sorry!,” Twilight Sparkle interrupted, looking fearfully at the Princess standing before her. “I didn’t mean-”

“You have a very special gift,” Celestia continued, smiling kindly. “I don't think I've ever come across a unicorn with your raw abilities.” Not for a very long time, anyways.

The unicorn filly looked confused. “Huh?”

“But you need to learn to tame these abilities through focused study.” Wait a minute, maybe I do understand the Elements’ riddle.

Now Twilight looked thoroughly dumbfounded. “Huh?!”

“Twilight Sparkle, I’d like to make you my own personal protégé here at the school.” And it all starts with her.

This time, the lavender unicorn’s jaw dropped farther than Celestia thought possible. “Huh?!?”

The Sun Princess barely contained her smile. This little filly was adorable. “Well?”

Twilight Sparkle glanced back at her parents in askance, who were violently nodding their heads yes, looks of utmost joy on their faces. Jumping up in the air, Twilight screamed excitedly, “YEEESSSSS!”

Chuckling, Celestia noticed a purple six-pointed star, surrounded by several smaller, whiter stars, materializing on the unicorn’s flank. “One other thing, Twilight.”

Twilight’s eyes grew to the size of dinner plates as she comically seemed to freeze in mid-air. “More?” She quickly came crashing down to the floor. While Twilight lay there dazed, Celestia pointed a single hoof to Twilight’s newly formed cutie mark. Twilight’s features shifted from a look of shock to surprise rather quickly.

“My cutie mark!” She then began bouncing in circles around her new teacher, exclaiming cheers of “yes!” in very quick hops.

Celestia allowed herself a private smile as she let the unicorn celebrate with her parents. She reminds me so much of Luna when she was young. So many years ago...

Smiling, Celestia approached Twilight’s parents. “Don’t worry, Mister and Missus Sparkle. Unlike being a regular student here at the school, becoming my personal student is completely free of charge. It is something that is very rarely offered. Why, I believe that the last time I took on a personal student was a little over two hundred years ago. However, there is one slight catch.”

Twilight’s father cleared his throat. “A-and what would that be, Your Majesty?”

Now for the hard part.... “Part of the teaching requires the student to live at Canterlot Castle. It’s the best way we can ensure everypony’s safety in case the student ever loses control, much like your daughter did today...” she raised a hoof comfortingly, “not that she could do anything to stop it,” she assured them. “Here, she will be taught how to control her magic and be able to shape it to do extraordinary things. I've seen unicorns with a talent for magic before, but none with nearly the raw ability young Twilight has shown here today. The possibilities before her are nearly endless. However, all this means that she has to leave her home.” Celestia paused to let her words sink in. “I understand if you wish to decline my offer after hearing this.”

Mr. Sparkle glanced back at his wife for a second before answering. “No, we accept your offer, Princess Celestia. This is what is best for Twilight. And living in the castle? Why, it’s more than we could have ever wished for our little filly.” He bowed at her feet, his wife following his lead.

Twilight had ceased her bouncing, and was now prodding a nearby plant curiously, probably searching for any signs of higher intelligence.

The Princess and both parents chuckled before returning their attention to each other.

Mr. Sparkle spoke again. “Thank you, Your Highness. Thank you for giving her this opportunity. She’ll still be able to contact us, correct?” He looked up, hopefully.

Celestia smiled gently. “Of course. I could never be so cruel as to completely take a filly away from her parents.”

“Thank you again, Princess. That’s all we could ever ask. We’ll bring Twilight home, explain everything to her and then pack her things. We’ll have our Twilight back to you by tomorrow.” He looked.towards his wife, hesitated, and looked back to gaze up at Celestia with imploring eyes. “Y-You’ll protect her, won’t you? Our Twilight... she’s all we have, and she means the world to us.”

Princess Celestia put on the most comforting face she possibly could. “Mister Sparkle, you have my word that I will do everything in my power to prevent any harm from coming to your daughter.” She could see the relief wash over his face when she spoke those words.

“That means more than you could know, Princess. Thank you.”

“You’re very welcome, Mister Sparkle. Now, I have business to attend to regarding enrollment of your daughter, and general issues of royalty besides. I shall leave you to your daughter. And Mister Sparkle? The paperwork may take a litte longer than usual. Aforementioned royal business and all that. I insist, spend a few more days with your daughter before you bring her back.” She gave him a friendly wink as his face lit up in joy.

Celestia watched Twilight’s parents call her over to them, and reflected on what had transpired today. Interesting. First the Elements tell me that I will be unable to directly use their power, and now I’ve just met a filly who possesses more unbridled power than I’ve seen in centuries? I’ve long since stopped believing in coincidence, so where does that leave me? Celestia now knew what she had to do, of course. Indeed, everything that happened today all led down to what she planned to be doing for the next few days. Something she should have done centuries ago. What Luna did.

I need to study the Elements of Harmony...

Luna stirred awake from her spellsleep. Glancing up, she noticed that the moon was directly above what she knew to be Equestria. But... it couldn’t be. There were so many lights on the surface. Not enough to emulate the day, of course, but certainly a stark contrast to what she had seen nearly eight hundred years ago, when she had last enchanted herself to sleep.

“Look at all those lights,” she whispered, awestruck. “Does this mean... ponies are enjoying my night?”

Her question was answered by a loud yawn inside her head. Nightmare Moon had woken up with her. Mmmm. What’s that, Luna?

“I don’t have enough magic left to let you out anymore. You’ll just have to look through my eyes. But look at the lights! That means ponies are awake during my night! I wonder if Celestia had anything to do with this...”

You mean the same Celestia that stranded us here because she didn’t want anypony enjoying your night? Come now, Luna, I would have thought that being up here would have reminded you of that fact.

Luna sighed, dejected. “Yes, I know. You’re right, Nightmare.”

Of course I am, Luna. Now, because we’re awake, does that mean that the spell is about to break?

Luna glanced upwards at her night. “I don’t think so. See those four stars, shining brighter than all the rest? Those are the stars that the moon filled with it’s power. It doesn’t look like they’re close enough. But soon, very soon.”

Well then, why are we awake?

“I don’t fully know. But I’m guessing that when that stupid barrier drained the remainder of my magic, it disrupted the spell keeping us asleep.”

So we’re going to be awake until the stars set us free, then? How long will that be?

“I don’t know.”

Well, horseapples. Any ideas on how to pass the time?

“Well... do you know any word games?

No. And I know what you’re thinking next. It’s no.

“How about-”

Still no. Just try and sleep the normal way, alright? We’ll be out of here soon.

Luna, Keeper of the Night and the Creator of the Moon and Skies, pouted. “Fine.”