Suddenly, everything stops.
The ponies surrounding Anon freeze in place just as their hooves reach the doors. The gentle breeze that had been causing the forest's many trees to sway above them halts, and the area is filled with an eerie silence. Anon, however, can still move. Just as he begins to look around in confusion, a voice rings out. The voice is strangely familiar, and it carries a sad, yet serious tone.
"Are you sure you want to do that?"
Anon spins in place, but he cannot find the owner of the voice. In fact, he can't really tell where it was coming from, either.
"Who's there?"
There is an audible sigh throughout the space.
"You're quite strange, Anon. I cannot tell if you want to forget all of this ever happened, or if you're desperate to relive it and just in denial about the reality of your situation."
"I..."
Anon's eyes widen. He does know that voice. But... how could Luna be talking to him here, and now?
Wait, Luna? Luna is a princess, and she's the pony that was left behind when Nightmare Moon was killed. But Nightmare Moon is on the other side of those doors that he... hasn't gone through yet.
"It seems like you're finally realizing the situation you're in."
The ponies that were frozen in place slowly begin to shimmer before fading away completely, leaving Anon alone in front of the castle. Then, seconds later, a ball of light descends from the moon and lands directly behind Anon before dissipating, revealing the graceful figure of Luna.
"Wh-where are we?"
"This is a dream, Anon. Your dream."
"Hold on, that's... no. We were in the market, and... and you can't visit my dreams anyway!"
"We were in the market, yes. However, I believe the revelations you learned were too much for you to take. Whether it be due to grief, regret, or whatever else goes on in that head of yours, I do not know. Either way, you fell unconscious. I then carried you away from prying eyes and entered your dreamscape. Which, by the by, I am able to do because of that Nightingale apple you ate. Its effects still won't wear off for a few more hours."
After locking eyes with Luna and staring at her silently for a few moments, Anon takes a deep breath.
"I suppose I should wake up, then."
"That is up to you. I may have agency in the dream realm, but I cannot tell others how to dream. If this is what your mind wants, then so be it. However, I'm not sure if you really want to face her again."
"You know, I'm not sure either."
"Well, if you do decide to wake up, I can help with that, Anon. Or... is it Ryan?"
Anon glares at Luna.
"Start calling me Ryan and I'm going to start calling you Nightmare Moon."
"...Fair enough, I suppose."
After a few quiet moments, Anon shakes his head.
"Just wake me up already."
"Very well."
Similar to how she arrived, Luna's body begins to glow. That glow grows brighter and brighter until she is encased in a ball of light. Said ball ascends to the sky and disappears within the outline of the moon. Shortly after, the whole world begins to shake as though there were an intense earthquake rippling across the forest. Anon struggles to maintain his balance as the moonlight surrounding him starts to fade. The area around him slowly becomes bathed in darkness, and once he can no longer make out any details, the ground gives way beneath him. Yet, he does not fall. Instead, he simply floats in an infinite black void, unsure of what to see or do.
Then, his vision goes dark.
Anon gasps as he shoots upright. He attempts to catch his breath as he takes in his new surroundings. He appears to be sitting on grass, with his back to a large oak tree. A setting sun bathes the landscape in varying hues of orange and red, the sunlight reflecting off of the modest pond that lies before him. There are rolling hills on all sides, and behind the tree he sits against, he can see the outline of Ponyville rooftops not too far away. However, most notably is Luna, who sits a few feet away and is facing him. She looks at him with a mixture of emotions, making her hard to read.
"Thanks, I guess."
"You're welcome."
Luna looks away from Anon and begins to stare at the pond. Anon, unsure of what else to do, does the same. A million thoughts swim through his mind. He hasn't thought about his old life in quite some time, and the memories aren't exactly pleasant. However, when he stops thinking about them, his mind drifts to the revelation he came to hours before, and the pain feels just as fresh as it did then. Nightmare Moon never loved him, huh? From the very beginning, she was just as much of a liar as Damien was. And yet, when he tries to block out those thoughts, his mind drifts to the past four years, and all of the atrocities he committed. He doesn't understand why reflecting on them hurts so much. He never had any remorse before, so why does he feel like this now? And when he tries to stop thinking about that, his mind drifts back to the dream he had, and to Damien, and to Nightmare Moon, and to-
"You're crying again."
Anon glances at Luna, who is still looking at the pond. He wipes at his face and realizes that his cheeks are indeed stained with tears.
Anon isn't used to feeling sad. He doesn't really know how to feel about that. In truth, a not-so-small part of him doesn't want to talk to Luna at all, but... if not her, then who? What is he supposed to do here? He has always had someone there to give him orders. He isn't the 'smart one,' he doesn't make his own decisions like that! That job is given to people who deserve it, like...
Damien? Nightmare Moon?
...
"Hey, Luna?"
"Hm?"
"How... how do you deal with it?"
"What do you mean?"
"You used to be Nightmare Moon. How do you handle knowing you did... all of that?"
"..." Luna is quiet for a few moments. Her brow furrows, but her eyes do not stray from the pond. A distant bird calling into the late afternoon air breaks the silence before Luna does. "I'm not sure how well I'm 'handling' anything. Despite my sister's pardon, I feel wholly responsible for everything Nightmare Moon did. I wish I could just bury it all and pretend the past never happened, but that's simply not an option. As it stands, I have the power to help. It won't undo what I've done, but working to bring Equestria back to a state of peace and prosperity alongside my sister is at least better than doing nothing."
"And what about the ponies that hate you?"
"Let them hate me. I deserve it. However, if I were to spend the rest of my days wallowing in self-loathing, doing nothing to help fix the problems I caused, or even worse, doubling down on those problems? I'd just be fueling their hatred further. Most will never forgive me, and I've accepted that."
"Why do a job no one will thank you for?"
"Because I don't need to be acknowledged to know what I'm doing is right."
"..."
The two fall silent once more for quite some time, neither really knowing what to say next, but Luna eventually sighs.
"It wasn't even my intention to tell you about Nightmare Moon's feelings."
"Hm? Then what did you want to tell me?"
"...Well, my sister and I did some digging. We came across an old spell that, if we were to combine our magic, might be able to send you back home. We thought that might be the best course of action considering your... recent behavior."
"..." Anon doesn't even look at Luna as she says that, but his expression hardens even further.
"Though after seeing that dream of yours, I... wonder if that might not be the best idea. There's no telling what might happen if you were to get sent back to where you were when you ended up here."
Anon clicks his tongue.
"Even in the best-case scenario, I don't have anywhere to go back to. I'm Anon, and as far as I'm concerned, Anon was born here."
"And Ryan?"
"Ryan is just as dead as Nightmare Moon."
"...Right."
Anon sighs.
"What do..." Anon cuts himself off and shakes his head as his words get caught in his throat. "Ugh, I'm not used to this kind of conversation. Er... what do you think... I should do?"
"Oh? You want my opinion?"
"I don't know who I can trust anymore. Nobody, maybe? And right now, you're probably the only pony still willing to talk to me."
"If you want me to be honest, you remind me of all of the worst aspects of myself. You remind me of my past mistakes, and while I can't say that I think you deserve good things, I think you at least deserve to not be manipulated anymore. Plus, I... just feel uncomfortable around you."
"..."
"But, I also feel responsible for helping you. So... I guess your best option would be to just leave."
"Leave?"
"There are plenty of countries outside of Equestria you could flee to that are likely less angry with you. The griffons, perhaps?"
"And what would I do there?"
Luna shrugs.
"I can't make your decisions for you, Anon. I said it back at Canterlot, and I'll say it again: I want you to be free."
Anon lets out a single, empty chuckle.
"Free, huh?"
Once again, silence overtakes them. They both sit as the sun almost finishes setting. Luna's horn begins to glow as she slowly starts to raise the moon. By the time she's done, moonlight is gently glimmering on the pond's surface. In the water, Anon can see the perfect reflection of a crescent moon.
He's not sure he's ever considered being "free." Sure, he understands the concept, but he's never really wanted it. At least, not when it comes to being free from those around him. Even in his old home, he always imagined Damien being right by his side when they escaped the city. In Equestria, he never even bothered to think about a life without Nightmare Moon. Why would he? What better way to spend your life than dedicating it to the one you love, regardless of what you're being asked to do?
To his surprise, a different memory is brought to the forefront of his mind. A face of horror and betrayal stuck on the face of a purple unicorn. Now that he thinks about it, she was the first person or pony to ever just... offer him food. Shelter.
Friendship.
And he repaid that kindness with betrayal. Heck, he didn't even think about it. He just carried out the order he was given without question, just as he had always done.
...
Anon rises to his feet. Luna looks up at him with curiosity in her eyes. Without saying a word, Anon reaches into his back pocket and pulls out a small, silver badge in the shape of a crescent moon. Nightmare Moon gave him this before his first job, and to this day, he's never parted with it. It was a reminder of the mare he loved. Of his purpose.
Balling his hand into a fist, he winds up, takes a couple of steps forward, and throws the badge into the pond. It hits the water right where the real moon is reflected off of it, and although it floats for a few seconds, it eventually sinks down beneath the surface, never to be seen again.
"You've made a decision, then?"
"I don't want to run." Anon turns back to Luna. Although he doesn't appear even remotely happy, it's the most certainty she's ever seen on his face. "Is there anywhere in Equestria that might need a really strong creature that's good with a knife?"
For the first time since meeting her, Anon watches a smile make its way to Luna's face.
"...I think I know some ponies that could use you."
It's been almost a year since the day Anon learned about Nightmare Moon's lies. He pops his back as he makes his way down a relatively quiet Canterlot street, one of his eyes half-lidded with fatigue and the other swollen shut due to an injury. The sun has already set, and the moon is beginning its ascent into the night sky.
Anon is a terrible person. He's done terrible things to countless ponies. The longer he continues to live this new life of his, the more apparent that becomes to him. Almost nopony forgives him. Nopony trusts him. The looks he was getting when Nightmare Moon fell continue to this very day. They used to not bother him. Now, he forces himself to acknowledge every single one, lest he forget what he's trying to do in the first place.
These ponies don't like him, and they never will. Anon has come to terms with that.
If he wanted to be liked, he shouldn't have crossed the lines he did. Yes, Nightmare Moon had him wrapped around her hoof, but even then, that doesn't excuse his actions. He could have stopped. He could have fought back. He could have helped Twilight, or Rarity, or Pinkie Pie, or anypony else that he came across. He didn't, and now he has to live with the consequences for the rest of his days.
But it's not all bad. If he wanted to spend all day feeling terrible about himself, he could go hide in the Castle of the Two Sisters and mull over what could have been. However, there is little point in that. Instead, to the surprise of everyone, he technically works under Celestia now. He is "officially" part of the Equestrian Conservation Effort, a team put together by the princesses to help the entire country heal after the long, terrible reign of Nightmare Moon. As far as Anon is concerned, that mostly involves tearing down her militaristic structures and helping to rebuild areas that were damaged or destroyed during her rule. He can't count how many houses he has helped build for Equestria's population, or how many stone walls he's torn down. That number is perhaps dwarfed only by the number of apologies he's given to each and every pony he encounters during his travels. Most do not accept them. How could they possibly take The Moon's Enforcer at his word?
It cuts Anon deep, as his word is the only thing he has to offer them. Yet, he does not blame them. Instead, he silently accepts the jeers, the insults, the angry tears, and even the occasional slap or punch he receives from a grieving parent. So long as he isn't hurt enough to be unable to continue fixing up their homes, he waits for them to let it all out and gets back to work.
It doesn't make up for everything he did, of course. He now understands that perfectly well. However, it's perhaps the best thing he can do.
Anon lets out a tired sigh as he reaches a small home tucked away in a far corner of the city. The land here is technically owned by the princesses, which is the only reason why Anon was able to acquire this house in the first place. Nopony in their right mind would sell land to The Moon's Enforcer.
Mindlessly, he digs into his back pocket for his keys and attempts to unlock the door, only to find that it has already been unlocked. He groans as he opens the door. It wouldn't be the first time somepony has broken into his house. He no longer has the energy nor the drive to be upset, but he certainly isn't looking forward to cleaning up the mess left behind.
As he clicks on the light, however, he is taken aback.
"Surprise!"
There is the sudden sound of a party popper going off as confetti falls down onto Anon. He looks into his small living room to see a little blue table set up with a pink cake resting on it. A few assorted balloons are floating around aimlessly, and a small banner that says "Happy Birthday Anon" is hanging above his sofa. Most surprisingly of all, however, is the pink mare smiling at him in the middle of the room.
"P-Pinkie Pie?"
"Happy birthday, Anon!"
"I... wow, uh..." Never in Anon's entire life has someone thrown him a party. Granted, this party is very small, but it's unexpected nonetheless. "You threw me a party?"
"Of course! Everypony deserves a birthday party, right?"
"L-look, I'm thankful, but-"
"I know it isn't your actual birthday. You've never told me when it is!"
"I'm not actually certain when it is myself," Anon mumbles.
"And that's all the more reason to have it today! If my math is correct, it's the anniversary of your arrival in Equestria!"
"Oh, is it?"
"Five whole years!"
"Five years... huh."
"Sooooo?" Pinkie leans forward, an inquisitive smile on her face. "I know it's not much, but I figured big parties aren't really your thing. Also, I don't really know what your likes and dislikes are, so I went with the classics!"
"A party with just the two of us?"
"Well, I... er... couldn't get anypony else to come." Pinkie hangs her head low apologetically, but she doesn't take her eyes off of Anon. "I'm sorry."
"No, no, it's not your fault. If I were them, I wouldn't come either. That said, why did you come?"
"What do you mean?"
"Why throw a party for someone like me? I... I was the one who-"
"I already told you a while ago, Nonny." Pinkie's voice, although still optimistic, is much quieter than normal. She smiles at Anon, though the smile is less excited and more gentle. "I forgive you."
"...Why?"
"Forgiveness is a choice. Twilight and Rarity and Applejack and... well, a lot of ponies might not want to forgive you, but I do."
"..."
"I always believed you could do better, and look at you now! ...Nonny?"
Pinkie tilts her head at Anon as he shuts his eyes tight. However, doing so does not prevent tears from beginning to run down his cheeks. Unsure of what to do, she looks at him nervously for a moment until he speaks up with a quiet, shaky voice.
"Thank you."
Once more, Pinkie smiles. Anon, overwhelmed by the mare's kindness, is gently guided into the living room before Pinkie happily gives him a slice of cake. Although Nightmare Moon provided plenty of decadent meals over the years, it's the most delicious thing he's ever tasted.
Anon can't undo his mistakes. Equestria won't forget everything he did. He can't forget the effect that Nightmare Moon had on him and his life. However, he also cannot forget the life he lives now. It's hard. It's thankless. Oftentimes, it feels like there is little reason to go on. However, Pinkie's little party for two is all the confirmation he needs. He will never be able to redeem himself, but he can at least try to do some good with the life he still has. He's not just putting his past behind him, he's accepting it, learning from it, and growing from it. Even when Celestia and Luna run out of jobs to give him, he'll keep trekking along, and he won't allow the scars caused by himself or Nightmare Moon to reopen. He has to, because at the end of the day, regardless of his feelings...
It's for the best.