//------------------------------// // The Mare Off The Moon // Story: When Two Are One // by Rigoo //------------------------------// The Princess of the Night stood out on her balcony, high above the city of Canterlot. The chill of the nighttime air nipped at her coat, and the gentle light of the moon outlined her shape in the dark. Were anypony to peer through the blackness and see her lone, silhouetted form, they might wonder just what she was doing up in her tall tower. Most of her life was shrouded in mystery. Only Luna herself knew the truth. The moon sat high in the sky, its light shining down clearly in the cloudless night. Now devoid of the markings of the mare it once held, its silver, shining surface appeared near perfect to anypony humbly gazing from Equestrian soil. But its creator was conflicted as she took in its pewter light. For, as the moon's shepherd, she knew it better than anyone. While she loved the moon dearly and basked in its glowing radiance, she also knew how lonely it was to stand upon its desolate surface. Luna had walked upon the moon far longer than any sane pony should, and its lifeless horizon was burned into her memory. A reminder of her betrayal, unrelenting and inescapable. It is beautiful out tonight, said a voice only she could hear. And on that they could agree. "It is beautiful indeed," she replied. "Despite our best efforts." A low chuckle was her only answer. For all the trouble it had caused her, she did love her night. She loved her bright, silver moon, even though its brilliance was merely a reflection of the sun's. She loved her sea of sparkling stars, even though they were so far away they were nothing more than twinkles. She had fought for them, suffered for them, and spent a millennium trapped with them. She might regret her actions, but she was still true to her cause. The night was hers, even if she didn't deserve it. But you could be worthy of it. You have the potential. "I don't remember asking for your thoughts." Nor did I ask for yours, and yet here we are. "Cease your drivel. Your voice grates against my ears." Laughter filled her mind, echoing with haughtiness and pride. I may never tire of your foalishness, Luna. She scowled. "And I have long since tired of yours. No good comes from your thoughts." Yet I remain. Surely if I were such a burden you'd have removed me by now. After all, weren't the Elements supposed to have cleansed you of evil? Luna said nothing. She had remembered too late the danger in engaging with this beast. You cannot remove me. I am you as you are me. We are trapped with each other. "I am not trapped. I simply haven't figured out how to rid myself of you yet. That day will come and I will be free to move on." The laughter was deafening now. She winced as it reverberated inside her skull. You are nothing without me. Without my strength nopony would respect you. "And you think ponies would respect you?" Luna shot back. "They know full well your villainous ways. It was your terrible deeds that inspired the new bearers of the Elements to heroism." Without me you would be weak and spineless. Nopony would respect us. It was I who struck fear into the hearts of ponies. It was I who showed them what we were capable of. It is because of me that anyone knows of us at all. Had you not unleashed the Nightmare, you would still be locked away in your room feeling sorry for yourself. A chilly breeze overtook Luna's senses, distracting her. The faint whisper of wind and serene scene of Canterlot below her came into focus, giving her pause. The world seemed so peaceful, contentedly going about its business. Ponies slept comfortably in their beds, saving their strength for the coming day. All they had ever needed from the night was peace and quiet, nothing more. “Perhaps Equestria would be better off if I stayed there.” You foolish little wretch! Don't you dare start your ridiculous whining! You are the Alicorn of the Night, who controls the moon and the very stars overhead! You deserve their respect! “I don't deserve anything! I'm lucky to be alive and still roam free. I don't know what drives my sister to forgive me, but I won't waste her efforts on more mistakes!” And yet that's exactly what you do! Even the Element-bearers you idolize seek power. Have you not seen how they chase perfection? Everyday they strive to better themselves in any way they can. They falsely attribute their strength to friendship, foolish as they are, but they crave greatness all the same. A pony is nothing without power. "What good is power if we squander it? What awful acts would you have me do with your strength, you despicable creature!" Despicable you say? Is that a touch of spite I hear? A hint of anger? A dash of hatred? “It is not. Anger and hatred have led me astray once, I will not let them do it again.” What a shame. For a moment I thought you might be mustering up some courage. Taking your life into your own hooves instead of moping on the sidelines. The voice laughed. Surely you've realized by now how foolish you are. You talk so proudly about becoming a better pony, yet you've left yourself with no path to follow. You will never get far if all you have are fear and self-pity. “Then I'll find something new. Anger lead me to jealousy, and jealousy led me to betray Celestia and ruin everything. They have no place in my life, and neither do you. It was your foul advice that doomed everyone who ever trusted me. Now, I have to find a way to redeem myself. Redemption is what you seek? You want to be forgiven? To move on? Then why do you keep yourself trapped in the past, endlessly agonizing over every detail? No, no. What you seek is pride. You want to be proud of yourself, to be the pony others expect of you. I am your pride, Luna. I am everything you lack and long for. So long as you keep me hidden we will never amount to anything. You will doom yourself to failure. Embrace your strength. Let me help you. Luna could take no more. She came in from the balcony and lay down on her bed, quickly willing herself to the land of dreams. It was her only solace from the terrible voice.