“Don’t worry about her,” said the ethereal mare, nodding toward the sleeping filly. “She’ll sleep right through until morning. Come with me.” She smiled at Twilight, then turned slowly and stepped back in through the door with a flick of her tail.
Twilight glanced at her playmate, seeing her dozing peacefully. She trotted to the open door, peering into the dark interior. It seemed to be a long and dark hallway, with the soft glow of the mare’s mane and tail drifting away. “Wait, I’m coming.” She stepped through the doorway.
She found herself once again in a starry void, following the soft glow ahead of her. She trotted quickly, trying to close the gap, but the mare remained distant. “Who are you?” Twilight called.
The mare looked back over her shoulder, smiling behind the veil of her luminescent hair, and laughed. “Oh, come now, Twilight Sparkle. You are so much smarter than that. It’s one of the things I like about you. You know who I am. I’ve seen you watching me through your telescope on so many nights.”
Twilight’s eyes grew wide with the realization. “You’re the moon. But I don’t understand, how are you here? I haven't reached out to you yet.”
The mare sighed dramatically. “Yes, I know. You were taking so long getting that spoiled filly to go to sleep I nearly perished from boredom. So, I decided to come and watch how you handled her. Storytime was a nice touch.”
“Ah, thank you. I just remembered when my niece would insist she wasn’t tired. A story always did the trick then.” Twilight closed some of the distance, settling into a steady pace.
“Yes, of course, dear little Flurry Heart. She’s grown into a lovely young mare in her own right, though. You ponies grow up so quickly.” She walked on quietly for several moments. “You know, I should be cross with you, Twilight Sparkle.”
Twilight frowned, stopping in place for a moment. “With me? What did I do?” She hurried to catch up again.
The mare gave Twilight a sidelong glance, raising a brow. “Have you forgotten your role in ending the most blissful thousand years of my existence? How you and your friends took my beloved Luna from me?” She sighed. “Having her here with me, within me, for all that time— mmmh, it was such a delight. And it’s true she was in a bit of an angsty phase while she was here, but I still loved her all the same.”
“But we didn’t take her from you,” Twilight said. “All my friends and I did was free her from the darkness of Nightmare Moon.”
She tilted her head, thinking, then gave a small shrug. “Hmm, I suppose that’s right. It was the stars that helped her leave.” She smiled. “Perhaps I should thank you for helping her back to her lovely self again, after all. She really is better off without all that anger weighing down her spirit, and she kept coming back to visit me. Until you started trying to trick me, that is, with that silly amulet.”
The mare looked back at Twilight again, her countenance stern. It lasted for mere seconds, once she saw the expression on Twilight’s face. “Oh, sweetness, don’t worry. I was having some fun with you. I’d already decided I wasn’t angry about all that. You’ve helped my beloved so many times, I couldn’t be anything but grateful to you.”
Twilight finally smiled, letting go of the tension she’d felt building in her shoulders. “Of course. Luna is such a great friend. Anytime I can help her, I’m always happy to do so.” She saw something moving in the corner of her vision and turned toward the mare. The crescent moon of her cutie mark slowly waxed larger until a full moon gleamed from the dark patch on her flank.
“I’m surprised to hear you say that.” Her horn glowed with pale silver magic. “When you’ve come here to try and replace her.”
Twilight stepped back, her eyes growing wide. “What? I never meant to try and replace Luna. I just want to ask for your help.”
“Oh? Help in the form of rising into the sky at night or clearing the way for the sun at dawn?” She stepped forward, horn still alight. “Exactly what my beloved Luna would do, you mean. So you mean to replace her. You intend to rival her for my affection. Do you know what I have to say about that?”
Twilight shook her head, eyes fixed on the moon’s glowing horn. “No, what?”
The mare smiled and turned her head to the left, discharging her magic. The void twisted and shaped itself into a set of glass double-doors, etched with a crescent moon motif. They swung open silently into a dark space. “Come and show me what you’ve got,” she said with a wink, then strode through the doors.
Twilight stared after her, her jaw hanging open at that last comment. She took a deep breath, steadying herself. Seeing no other option, she followed the luminescent mare into the dark.
Once through the doors the darkness receded. She blinked as light returned, hearing the sounds of ponies talking over the background of a light, sultry jazz tune. Light hints of perfume and fragrant food drifted past her nose. Around her an intimate, softly-lit nightclub came into view, with her standing by the entryway. Small clusters of ponies in fashionable clothes chatted, shared drinks, or danced. On a stage near the front, a small band kept the music flowing, with a few couples dancing close by.
Twilight took a step into the club, feeling fabric tight around her flank. She looked back, finding herself in a form-fitting gown of deep purple silk, with gemstone stars placed where they would best catch the light, drawing attention to her every move. She turned in place, smiling at the fit of the dress, and a glance in the mirrored wall behind the bar showed her how good she looked in it. She certainly knows what she wants.
She made her way into the club, slowly circling the main room, and scanned the crowd for the luminescent mare. By the way the ponies parted to allow her own passage, Twilight was certain spotting her counterpart would be simplicity itself. Still, she saw no sign of her in the main room. She was passing by the entrance to the second bar when she heard a familiar lilt of laughter.
Twilight followed the sound into the quiet back bar, the music fading to a gentle backdrop to the soft conversations of couples at candle-lit tables. She saw a few appraising glances from the few single ponies enjoying the quieter space and found herself adding a little more swing to her step, feeling the energy of the place seeping into her. Another laugh turned her attention to the balcony that opened off the back wall.
Stepping through the archway onto the balcony she looked out at the dazzling moonlit skyline of Canterlot. Although she’d seen the view from the high castle towers countless times, from this angle the stars seemed to dance around the castle’s silhouette, the moonlight throwing them into sharp relief. She stood savoring the majestic view for a moment before turning to the rest of the balcony.
There she stood in the moonlight, her mane flowing out like a luminous halo. Her silver evening dress glistened with every subtle shift of her body as she held court, surrounded by a half-dozen ponies who hung on her every word. She spoke and laughter rose from the ponies around, joining her own at the turn of phrase, when she turned her head and spied Twilight. A smile curled her lips. With a word she excused herself from the group and walked closer, her eyes locked on Twilight’s.
The moon sees me as a lover... a romantic pursuit. Twilight heard Luna’s comments in her mind, the reality of those words fast approaching. Once she drew close enough to greet, Twilight turned her eyes back to the night sky. “Doesn’t the city look so beautiful in the moonlight?” she asked wistfully before her suitor could speak.
The mare raised a brow, her smile growing at the sudden deflection. “Everything looks better in the moonlight,” she said, stepping up close beside Twilight at the balcony rail. “Especially you. I can see the stars in your eyes in this light.”
Twilight smiled, glancing at her before demurely turning away, blushing. “Thank you. You look radiant in that dress.” She turned just enough to let the moonlight reflect from the amethyst stars on her flank. “It’s no wonder you have so many admirers.”
She laughed, glancing back at the ponies milling about on the balcony. “They are amusing for a while, but you interest me far more. Seeing you here in the moonlight is like seeing a guiding star over the horizon. Naturally, I set my course for you.” She stepped closer, lifting a hoof toward Twilight’s cheek.
Twilight giggled, shying away from the touch and twirling in a full circle as she stepped back. “Careful. You never know what could happen, touching a star like that. A star can only guide you from a distance, after all.” She grinned. “And you wouldn’t want to get burned.”
The mare matched her grin, stepping steadily closer. “The burn would be worth it, for the kiss of such a brilliant star.”
They approached the entry to the back bar, the music from the front growing louder. “So brave and bright to risk such a fate,” Twilight said, holding out a hoof. “Dance with me.”
She reached out, gently taking hold of Twilight’s hoof. “I thought you would never ask.” She led Twilight through the entrance of the back bar. Ponies made way for the two tall alicorns, whispers and envious eyes following them as they passed. By the time they emerged to the main dance floor over a dozen other ponies followed them, spreading out along the edge to get a good view.
Twilight slipped her hoof from the mare’s grip, winking at her and weaving her way past the few dancing couples to the center of the floor, her flanks swaying to the fast rhythm of the current song. She looked back, inviting her companion with every step she took.
The luminous mare caught the eye of the band leader, gesturing to where Twilight stood. The musician nodded and wrapped up the song, whispering to the other band members for a moment. When they started playing again the brass section grabbed everypony’s attention with a brief fanfare before quieting into support of the bass, slow and sensual, keeping a steady rhythm to dance to. She approached Twilight as other couples joined the dance floor, reaching out to join her in the center of everything.
They caught each other’s gaze, smiles growing on their lips. Twilight felt the rhythm washing through her and started to move. The two of them circled opposite each other. Twilight winked at her, then swooped in closer, taking the mare’s hoof and pulling her into a twirl. They both laughed, giddy from the close contact.
The mare grinned and pulled back, bringing them closer together through the chorus of the song. Twilight felt her breath hot on her cheek and nearly missed a step. Chills rippled through her as they danced close, urging her closer.
The brass section flared into the bridge of the song as she spun herself out and away, her dress sparkling in the soft lighting. Keeping eye contact, she turned herself around the mare, leading her to turn with her. She stretched out a wing, brushing the feathers over her partner’s cheek.
The mare stretched out her wing as well, slipping it behind Twilight’s and guiding her forward. The song crested and receded over and over like waves on the beach, rising higher with each peak. The two alicorns moved the same way, approaching and withdrawing, touching then letting go.
Through it all, neither could look away from the other. Twilight felt the desire growing between them, drawing them in ever closer. The song continued to build, the rhythm echoed the beating of her heart, and the luminous mare drew ever closer. She matched Twilight’s steps, then anticipated, leading her once more toward the song’s climax.
Twilight forgot the ponies watching, and the band, and the club around them. The world drew in close to only the patch of dance floor over which they moved, and those pale blue eyes. She could see herself in those eyes, elegant and eager, breathless as her lover drew near.
A thought broke through the haze. That doesn’t look like me. In her mind she saw a clear image of herself, regal and confident. She reached out to the image, embracing it once more. She blinked and the world returned to her senses. The band had hit the song’s climax and all eyes were on the two alicorns. Twilight found herself held close in a dip, her partner leaning in to kiss her waiting lips.
At the last moment, she turned her head, allowing only a demure kiss on her cheek. The mare’s eyes grew wide and she pulled back when Twilight laughed lightly. The last notes of the song faded, the band joining the astonished onlookers.
“You don’t expect the grand prize right at the start, do you?” Twilight asked with a mischievous grin.
The mare smiled, then reached down and raised Twilight’s hoof with her own. She kept looking deep into her eyes as she tenderly kissed her hoof. “I’ll see you at dawn, Twilight Sparkle. The chase continues.”
Their surroundings faded away until all Twilight could see were those beautiful, ice-blue eyes. Then they vanished, and any sense of place vanished with them.
Twilight opened her eyes, blinking quickly at the bright moonlight coloring the balcony in white and silver tones. She felt reality returning to her senses, taking a deep breath, and looked around at the smiling, satisfied expressions worn by Celestia and Luna.
“Welcome back, Twilight,” Celestia said. She stretched a wing over Twilight’s back, hugging her lightly. “I knew you could do it.”
“Indeed, well done, Twilight Sparkle,” Luna added. “You exceeded even my expectations.”
She shook her head, images of her experiences with both sun and moon mixing with this moment. “So it worked?”
Celestia stepped back and gestured to the west and the east. “See for yourself, Twilight. The sun is lowered, and the moon rises into the night sky.”
Luna nodded. “And they did so as smoothly as either of us can remember.”
Twilight looked to both horizons, confirming what they said. “But I took so long to do it. How far off from sunset was I? Will we need to update the clocks?” She looked from Celestia to Luna. “How long was I in there?”
The sisters laughed softly. “About thirty seconds,” Luna said.
Twilight stared at them, her mouth agape. “Thirty seconds? That can’t be. It felt like hours, even days.”
Celestia smiled. “Luna did mention that would happen while you were connected to them, if you recall.”
“Seconds can feel like weeks, if they want to draw out the experience, Twilight.” Luna gestured toward the interior of the tower. “Everything you experienced they drew from your mind. Your memories, your dreams, your fantasies, they sift through them and craft what they believe will draw you in.”
“It is to your credit that you maintained your anchor and successfully negotiated the experience, Twilight.” Celestia turned, guiding Twilight back into the observatory.
“I almost didn’t, both times,” Twilight said, thinking it through. “There was a point in each experience where I would have gladly stayed if I’d forgotten myself.” She stopped and looked at them both. “What would have happened if I’d stayed?”
Celestia and Luna exchanged a glance. “Then your mind and spirit, all that makes you, you, would be lost,” Luna said. “Your body would not survive long without them, and you would only exist within the will of the sun or moon.”
Twilight sighed. “I’m not certain if knowing that before I started would have helped me or hurt me.” She chuckled. “And you did this twice a day, every day, for over a thousand years?”
Celestia laughed. “You’ll find the process gets easier, and shorter, as you get used to it. The sun and moon will show you more respect now that you’ve shown your own strength of will. You may even come to enjoy it.”
“Think of it as a brief vacation at the start and end of your day,” Luna added.
Twilight considered the idea for a moment. “That— could be a promising idea.” She stepped ahead, turning back to them. “How can I thank you both?”
Luna chimed in quickly. “Let’s start with dinner tonight. I don’t know about the two of you, but I’m famished.”
Celestia chuckled. “And it doesn’t hurt that it’s your night to cook, does it, sister?” She winked at Luna, who smiled. “But it would be lovely to enjoy a good dinner with you, Twilight. That will give us a chance to talk more about all of this.”
Twilight bowed her head slightly, smiling. “As you wish.” She turned and led them to the door, calling out for Gallus to open the way for them.