Twilight didn't sleep well that night. Her dreams were plagued with nightmares from dusk till dawn. Haughty laughter echoed in her ears whenever she was wrenched awake, and slitted pupils glared at her from the backs of her eyelids when she tried to fall back asleep. Normally sleeping in Canterlot Castle would have brought her comfort, but right now it didn't feel like a very safe place. The subject of her nightmares was sleeping just a few rooms away, after all.
By the time morning came, Twilight was sick of lying in bed. Once she saw the first rays of sunlight creep around the curtains, she threw her sheets aside and got up. She spent just enough time brushing her mane to look presentable before heading out into the castle. She needed to have a princess in her sight, either one would do at this point.
Shortly after leaving her room, she heard shouting nearby. She followed the sounds, passing several distressed ponies who seemed to be fleeing from the source.
“Your Highness, you don't understand—”
“Oh, I understand perfectly well,” Twilight made out Luna's voice, growling in a tone much harsher than she had ever heard her speak before. “Were it Celestia asking you for a favor like this, you wouldn't hesitate to accommodate her.”
Twilight picked up to a trot, rushing to find the Princess. She found Luna in an empty hall, save for the white stallion she had trapped against the wall.
“I will not tolerate such prejudice against me. I am a Princess of Equestria, not some doormat you can push around as you please. Do not test me.”
The stallion silently nodded in fear before quickly making his retreat. He scurried off, leaving Luna to snort in distaste. She shook her head, rolling her eyes as she turned away. Her gaze landed on Twilight.
“The nerve of some ponies,” Luna laughed, suddenly wearing a smile. “Sometimes they just need a good talking to. I guess some things never change.”
“What were you talking to him about?” Twilight asked.
“More preparations,” Luna answered with a sigh. “I swear this used to be much easier. I remember Celestia used to make declarations at sunrise and most the work would magically be done before the day was out.” Luna looked off to the side, her mouth frowning slightly. “Perhaps she still finds it just as simple.”
“Are you saying the castle staff is biased against you?”
“Are you saying they aren't?” Luna retorted. “I haven't been very popular since my return, even with my sister's blessing. I suppose I can't blame ponies, considering the only thing they know about me was I previously tried to banish my sister and bring night eternal.”
Twilight scowled. “You don't think the way you're treating them might have anything to do with it?”
Luna snorted. “You were with me yesterday. You saw how I treated them. I was quite amicable at first. Then they stopped cooperating with me.” She shook her head. “I wouldn't worry about it much. I'm sure they'll get used to me before long. I'm going to be around quite a bit more, after all,” she laughed. “Anyways, as much as I'd love to chat, there's no shortage of things on my schedule today. We'll have to catch up later, Twilight.”
With that Luna walked off, turning a corner and disappearing into the depths of the castle.
To say that Twilight was suspicious was an understatement. Between the nightmares and the shouting, she had a terrible feeling she'd be calling her for her friends sooner rather than later. Neither of those things were conclusive proof of Nightmare Moon's return, however. There wasn't much for her to do besides continuing to watch and staying patient.
Being patient was much easier when she wasn't so tired and wound up. The day had only just begun, and yet Twilight was already looking forward to going back to bed. She was going to need something to help her get through it. Maybe a trip to Donut Joe's would help pick her up.
She made her way out of the castle, driven by thoughts of strong coffee and sweet pastries.
“This is unbelievable...”
Why? Why did it have to be so needlessly difficult? What possessed these stupid ponies to antagonize her so?
“Do we really have to do this?”
Flash Powder had the nerve to look offended. His collar and tie hung around his neck, trying to make him look important and powerful. The papers scattered around his desk tried to make him look busy. The plaques that hung on the walls of his office created the illusion of experience. None of his tricks could fool Luna. The little stallion wasn't even thirty years old. He was nothing compared to her.
“This is standard procedure, Princess,” he said.
“Standard procedure for what? Wasting my time?”
He couldn't hide his deception from her. She could see the outrage in his eyes, the stubbornness in his posture. He had no respect for her. That would change.
She knew he was being unfair on purpose. Ponies like him were terrible at hiding it. Every one she met had a list of excuses longer than most novels, and performances that would put the best trained actors to shame. But Luna knew they were fake. She was onto their conspiracy.
He scowled at her. “You don't seem to understand, Princess, but I run a business. A private business. I can't drop whatever I'm doing just to answer the crown. I have my own things to worry about.”
“No, you do not understand!” she shouted. “I am not some client, and this is not a suggestion. You are going to supply the fireworks for the festival, by decree of me! This is not some business deal, it is an obligation you have to the crown!”
He wavered for a moment. She saw the fear take hold in his eyes, but he drove it out. He wasn't swayed yet. “We can't!”
“What do you mean you can't? You've been making fireworks for years,” she gestured to the plaques. “Of course you can!”
“We're a business, Princess! We can't function if we don't make up the cost of production! If I give those fireworks to you for that, I won't be able to pay the workers who made them! I won't be able to buy the materials used to make new ones! I'll go bankrupt!”
“You shan't! The crown is compensating you. Five hundred bits should be plenty.”
He shook his head. “That isn't enough, Princess! I spend more than that in an hour!”
His absurdity knew no bounds. Spend that in an hour? She and Celestia would struggle to throw that much money away.
“You are lying! Five hundred bits is plenty of money! I could build half a castle with that! I will not stand for your games!” Thunder crashed behind her, echoing loudly in the office. “You have no right to deny me! I am not Celestia's spoiled little sister, as you surely think! I am a Princess, an Alicorn! The Sovereign of the Night!”
Darkness seeped out of the walls of the office, slinking along the floor and ceiling. Everything it touched lost its form, from the plaques to the lights to the desk. Only Luna's bright green eyes were left untouched, along with her bright white teeth.
“I was born before your family name existed! I channeled the magic of a hundred unicorns to raise the moon! I fought Discord alongside Celestia to save all of ponykind! I won't be treated as anything less than I deserve!”
Now the terror had properly taken hold. He cowered beneath her, his eyes wide as dinner plates. His legs trembled, threatening to give out beneath him.
“Am I being clear?”
He nodded.
“Good. You won't be causing me any more problems then?”
He shook his head.
“Excellent.” Luna turned to leave, and the darkness faded as she walked. By the time she exited and closed the door behind her, the room was bright and normal, like nothing had happened. Flash Powder's panting breaths were the last thing she heard before the latch clicked.
She wouldn't be stopped. Not now, not when she was so close. The ponies would see in time. They would understand that she was good for them. She just had to break through their bias. Then they would see.