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// Tomorrow Always Comes 
// Story: When Two Are One 
// by Rigoo 
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Luna had eyes for nothing but the door. Its smooth texture and light brown color filled her vision, and the light bouncing from the crystal handle played tricks on her eyes. She could have sworn she had just seen it turn, but the door stayed shut for now. It was only a matter of time before it actually did open, and then she would have to face the consequences of her actions.

Behind that door was Flash Powder's office, and Flash Powder himself. She had come to apologize and extend an olive branch, metaphorically anyway. Celestia had informed her that the actual branch was no longer required. At least she had been saved from making that mistake. Her sister was sitting next to her in the waiting room, and her presence was the only reason Luna hadn't flown back to the castle yet.

She was grateful for Celestia's presence, but at the same time, she was embarrassed that she needed her help. She wondered if Flash Powder would think she was only apologizing because her sister was here to make her do it. Or maybe, he would think Celestia would threaten him if he didn't forgive her.

It doesn't matter what he thinks, the Nightmare interrupted. What matters is what you do. Sister told us 'As you long as you regret hurting others, you can always find your way back into their good graces.' You have more than enough regret for the both of us. It's time to put her advice to the test.

It was then the door opened, and a cold stone formed in the pit of Luna's stomach. Celestia placed a wing on her back in response, and Luna found just enough strength to stand. She timidly placed one hoof in front of the other, making her way inside the office. Celestia followed behind her. 

Flash Powder waited for her behind his desk, looking slightly shaken himself. A million excuses popped into her head at the sight of him. She shouldn't bother him, he was clearly unhappy to see her. Worse than unhappy, he was scared. He probably thought she was a monster and wanted nothing to do with her. If he accepted her apology, it would only be out of fear. He was just another one of her failures, and further proof that she was doomed to fail at anything she tried.

'Behind every pony is an endless list of mistakes, and they only get longer everyday.' You're not the first to make things hard for him, and you won't be the last. It's your duty as Princess to bear the burdens of your subjects, as it is their duty to serve you to the best of their ability. Running away would only leave this wound to fester, and your country to suffer needlessly. With a simple sentence, the healing process can begin.

Luna took a deep breath.

"Flash Powder," she greeted, her voice sounding more confident than she felt.

"Princess," he answered, as a bead of sweat ran down his face.

"I'd like to apologize," Merely saying those four words left her feeling exhausted, and she almost couldn't think of what to say next. "I wasn't fair to you at all the last time we met, and I deeply regret my actions." She sucked in air through her nose, trying to fight against the dizziness she felt.

"Oh!" Flash Powder's eyes went wide, and they flickered between herself and Celestia. "Well, um, thank you, your highness. Your apology is... appreciated."

Just as she expected, his words were empty. He was consumed by fear, and all he could think to do was try and placate her. This whole trip had been completely pointless. All she had done was add another failure to her legacy.

You have not failed yet. Take the next step. Do what you came for. Right the wrong.

Luna took another deep breath. The fear was overwhelming; she wanted so desperately to run away. But that wouldn't fix the problem, it would just maintain it. Celestia was still behind her, and she knew what her sister expected of her. She had to keep trying.

"I was told you were having trouble meeting the demands I made of you," she said. "I was wondering if there was anything I could do to help."

"Help, your highness?" Flash Powder's expression changed. His strained smile fell away and his head cocked slightly to the side.

"Yes, I—" the words jammed in her throat. She swallowed, trying to clear it. "I wanted to... to try and fix the problem I caused."

Flash Powder was stunned. "I see! Well, in that case," He looked through some papers on his desk. "I assume you're unwilling to change the deadline you set?"

"Um, yes. That would be... difficult." She had been paying attention to the Nightmare's preparations. There was a lot hinging on that single day.

"Well, in my experience, money always helps things along. Two thousand bits would likely make this ordeal much easier for me."

Two thousand bits! That was a fortune!

"That seems rather expensive..."

"Not as much as you're used to, sister," Celestia said. "The value of bits have changed in the time you've been gone."

"It has?"

Celestia nodded. "They call it 'inflation'. As the value of money goes down, the price of goods and services go up. Two thousand bits today is the same as five hundred bits a thousand years ago."

"Oh! I see."

Well... that makes things awkward.

"In light of that, I suppose the extra money does seem reasonable. Is there anything else I can do?"

"Well, I always appreciate free advertising. If you could make it clear who is providing you with fireworks during the festival..."

"Of course! We would be remiss if we didn't credit you for your hard work. Your name shall be made clear to all who attend."

Flash Powder smiled. "Glad to hear it."





Luna left Flash Powder's office with her mind stuck in a haze. It felt like she had just left a dream, the most tiring dream she had ever visited. But it was over now. She had done it. She could barely believe it.

Everything had gone fine. She had listened to everything Flash Powder had to say, been as accommodating to his problems as she could, and above all made an effort to treat him with kindness and respect. Flash Powder had acted in kind, and the meeting had gone incredibly well. The Winter Moon Festival was one step closer to becoming a reality. She was really doing this. This was really happening.

"I'm very proud of you, Luna," Celestia said to her, her wing once again draped over Luna's back. "You did a fantastic job today."

"Um... Thanks," Luna managed to say. "Thank you for coming with me. I couldn't have done it without you."

"It was no problem at all. If you ever need my help again, you shouldn't hesitate to ask. I'm here for you, sister."

This wouldn't be the last time she did something like this. She would be in this position time and time again, likely as long as she lived. But Celestia was here for her. She had help.

"I... I can't believe that really happened."

Celestia nodded. "You can never be sure how something will go until you do it. It's easy to get bogged down by pessimistic thoughts and convince yourself things are hopeless. But with a little effort and determination, you'd be surprised how often they turn out alright."

"I'll try to remember that." She knew her sister's words were true, but it was hard to ignore the fear still buried deep in her heart. Driving it out would be a long journey yet, and she wondered if she ever would get rid of it completely. Now though, she felt like she could face it. For once, there was hope in her heart.

The pair left the building and climbed aboard the chariot waiting for them outside. Celestia nodded to the guards at the front, and within seconds they were in the air. The wind whipped around her ears, and the constant noise started to drown out her thoughts.

I wanted to say... thank you, the Nightmare said, pulling her back to the present. Thank you for listening to me. Thank you for trusting me.

Luna's mind went blank. She had no idea how to respond. Working with the Nightmare was still a foreign thought in her mind, and she wasn't completely convinced that it really was on her side. At any moment it could show its true colors and send her right back into misery.

But that didn't feel right. Something about it had changed over the last few days. The malice she had come to associate with it had been dampened, and the wisdom in its words had started to become clearer. Her hopeful feelings got the better of her.

"I want to trust you," she whispered. "I want to believe that today wasn't just a fluke, and that you really are trying to help me. I want to believe that you really do need me, and I don't want to continue to suffer like I have been. I don't want to be hurt by you anymore."

I... Nightmare's voice drifted. I'm sorry. The goal wasn't to hurt you, it was to fix our problems. The solutions were so obvious to me, it was maddening that you couldn't see them. You have so much potential, to see it squandered so ignorantly felt like an insult. Hence the many times I insulted you.

But clearly that wasn't the answer. Insulting you only completed the cycle of mutual hatred, and exacerbated all our troubles. I needed to remember how we used to be. How we used to respect ourselves. That was the real solution.

Her words explained so much. That Nightmare could take her actions as an insult was something Luna had never considered, but in retrospect it made perfect sense. They had both been antagonizing each other. 

But that last thing Nightmare said surprised her. She had never thought Nightmare could respect anything other than herself, nor had she thought she could respect Nightmare. But like so many things lately, she realized that wasn't true.

Despite all the mistakes Nightmare had made the last few days, Luna had to admit she had been wrong about her. The confidence and determination Nightmare possessed and the effect it had on other ponies had surprised Luna, and made her question herself. She had thought such behavior could only lead back to ruin, but instead it had gotten the castle staff to respect her and made Celestia proud of her. Until she took it too far, anyway. It seemed Nightmare's many criticisms of her held some truth after all, even if it had been obscured by malice.

"...I see," she whispered. "In that case, I'm sorry as well. I never thought you could be trying to help me, I associated you only with selfishness and hatred. After all the trouble you inspired, I was convinced you could only bring me more pain. Your cruel words only reinforced that feeling.

"But now I see that I might have been wrong. These last few days have made it clear that you do bring value to my life, and that you can be more boon than bane. So, in light of that... I'm willing to work together again. If you are."

Nightmare didn't respond right away. Instead, she made a strange whisper that Luna couldn't understand. After a few moments, the noise evolved into a chuckle, and then into full blown laughter.

Have you not listened to a word I've spoken these past months? Did you really do that great a job of ignoring me? Of course I'm willing to work together, it's exactly what I've been trying to get us to do!

"Then you won't be tormenting me anymore?"

Nightmare laughed again. No, no more of that. I've seen now that there are much better ways for me to help you understand. Things will be different from now on. I promise.

The whipping of wind around her ears was all Luna could hear. She was almost too exhausted to think. This day had ended up even more tiring than she had expected it to be, but it was also proving to be worth the effort. Her fears were being laid to rest, one by one, and her life was steadily improving. She smiled with weary blissfulness, and savored the feeling of the cool wind against her sweaty coat.

You know, Nightmare said, cutting through her foggy mind once again. "As long as we're on this streak of apologizing, there's another pony who deserves an explanation from us.

Luna sighed. "You're right. But I'm exhausted after all that just happened. Surely I have time for a nap first?"

Hmm... I suppose that's fair. But you better not have any excuses after that.

"No more excuses. I promise." She had come this far, she could give one more apology. Twilight deserved as much.