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// Prologue II: A Brave Face, A Charred Sun 
// Story: Friendship is Magic: How it all Began 
// by Ryebuck Coppercap 
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"NOOOOOO!" thy shriek of pain reverberated across the whole castle.

I breathed heavily, taking in the eerie silence left afterwards. The world was silent, as if nothing had transpired. The leaves rustled and the wind whistled, refusing to acknowledge the battle that just happened.

In the ruins of our home, lost in both gaze and thought, I sat. My eyes were over the elements, those cursed relics that never worked how one wanted them to. They were supposed to bring harmony, were they not?

My vision blurred. "Oh Luna, how can I have sent thee away?"

As I looked upon the moon, with tears across my face, I saw thy silhouette. My thoughts ruminated on our last conversation. Thou saidst thou wert sorry, but the fault was mine, not thine. I should have been a better sister, I should have seen thy jealousy —but nay, I was foalish and blind to thy pain.

With a heavy heart and a mewling sob, the sun rose once again: it pained me to lower thy moon.





The nobles bickered as always, but I wasn't listening: my heart was not in here.

After court finished, I went to check with the Arcanum. Mages rushed to and fro, some trying to reactivate the elements and others experimenting with unbanishment spells. It was no use.

Sleep did not come to me that night.





I took my quill in trembling golden magic and wrote to thee again.



My dearest sister,

Still not one thing we've yet to try has been able to release thee of thy prison. Wherefore did those wretched elements have to banish thee to the moon? Why not petrification, where I could have let thee free again, or better yet, why not clean thy corruption? Those crooked rocks took thee away!



I struck through the last sentence and started anew.



Nay. It wasn't the fault of the elements, it was mine. I should have found another avenue, I should have reasoned with thee. Oh, how I crave to see thee again... 

I miss thy constant jests and pranks; thine endless, boundless wit. I miss our meals together, and I miss thy night sky: mine will never be as beautiful as thine.

Forgive me, and I hope to see thee again.

With love, Tia








I gazed upon the sky as I sung to the silent night, hoping thou could hear me.


 Lullay moon princess, goodnight sister mine
Rest now in moonlight's embrace
Bear up my lullaby, winds of the earth
Through cloud, and through sky, and through space

Carry the peace and the coolness of night
And carry my sorrow in kind
Luna, you're loved so much more than you know
Forgive me for being so blind 


Only the wind answered.





My birthday came again.

Once, it was a day of joy; but having to banish thee last year on the same day made it feel painful.





Our little ponies told stories in Nightmare Night, but none was truer than yours.


 Once did a pony who shone like the sun
Look out on her kingdom and sigh
She smiled and said, "Surely, there is no pony
So lovely and so well beloved as I"

So great was her reign and so brilliant her glory
That long was the shadow she cast
Which fell dark upon the young sister she loved
And grew only darker as days and nights passed

Soon did that pony take notice that others
Did not give her sister her due
And neither had she loved her as she deserved
She watched as her sister's unhappiness grew 


I made sure thou are remembered well.





"Over nine hundred winters, Cadance, and I miss her more than ever," was what I said to my niece, who was holding my trembling form.

The Crystal Mirror stood there; reminding me of both my biggest failures.

I wouldn't fail again.





I watched the filly bounce in joy.

I hope someday to be as happy as her, I hope someday I see your smile again.

Sleep well, Lulu.





A thousand years... A thousand years since I've seen you. Are you ever coming back, Luna?

Incoming mail interrupted both my meal and my musings.




My dearest teacher,

My continuing studies of pony magic have led me to discover that your sister Luna is about to return to Equestria as Nightmare Moon, and bring with her eternal night! It is imper Something must be done to make sure she is cleansed of The Nightmare's corruption so her plan does not come to frooi true. I await your quick response.

Your faithful student, Twilight Sparkle





I penned my response and sighed. I hope you're right, Twilight; I hope you're right.