“Luna!” I cried as my baby sister disappeared in a cloud of swirling black magic. I charged towards it, intent on dispersing the darkness or simply dragging Lulu out by her scruff. But as soon as I touched the black cloud, energy pulsed from within and bucked me across the room. I was thrown against the far wall, which knocked the air from my lungs and my hooves out from under me. It took me a minute to get up, but it was a minute too long. When I finally regained my footing, it was too late.
The black cloud was gone, and had taken my sister with it. In her place stood a jet-black mare with cruel green eyes and a mane that seemed to be made of the night sky. It had no discernible hairs, only billowing magic fields filled with glistening stars. The cutie mark on her flank that once displayed her beautiful moon silhouetted against a black sky, now shone bright blue, the former color of her fur. The mare’s head was also armored, curving blue steel held tight to her horn and then draped over her neck. Perhaps worst of all, this mare’s eyes were filled with unbridled hatred. It was like… Luna’s dark side.
“Luna!” I cried again, more in shock than fear. “What’s happened to you?”
The dark mare snorted in derision. “Luna? What a pathetic name for an immortal Alicorn. I am Nightmare Moon!”
I took a step back, trembling. “Sister? Something’s wrong, you’re not yourself.”
The dark pony reared to her full height. “Am I? Perhaps these are my true colors! Perhaps I am stronger than the pathetic weakling that once dwelled in this body. However, it is certain that I will shroud the land in eternal night!” she declared, reveling in her own power.
I felt anger welling up within me. Whatever Luna had become, it wasn’t good. “I don’t know what’s gotten into you Luna, but you are not the sole ruler, and night does not last forever! Harmony must be maintained throughout the land.”
This time my possessed sister laughed manically, as if what I had said was the funniest thing in the world. “Harmony?! There has never been any Harmony in Equestria! Not since the first rising of the sun and moon!”
“What are you talking about sister? We brought the harmony to the land when we sealed Discord in stone.”
“So it would seem from your glorious point of view.” Nightmare Moon sneered. “Not once have you or any of our so-called subjects even glanced upon our beautiful night. That changes now! At last our work will be known!”
A bit of pity stirred within me. No pony was giving Luna any attention? “Lulu,” I tried, using her childhood nickname, “our subjects love us because of the light and harmony we bright them. Attempting to force yourself upon them will only bring hatred and fear.”
Nightmare Moon roared in rage. “Do not call us that! We are Nightmare Moon! We do not need love! All the ponies will cower before us for their indifference!”
A protective fire took hold of me. No one threatens My Little Ponies! “Luna, step down at once! I do not wish to fight, but will if I must!” To illustrate my point, I flared my wings and let power surge through my horn.
Nightmare Moon laughed once more. “Then let’s see if there is any strength within the beloved Princess Celestia!” Then she charged.
As powerful as the spirit calling itself Nightmare Moon was, it didn’t know how to wield Luna’s power properly. This gave me the opportunity I needed. When the evil pony charged, I waited until she was a heartbeat away, then teleported. Nightmare Moon hit the cold stone wall at full speed, stunning her. I used this to my full advantage. While the dark spirit was weakened and disoriented, I lowered my horn to Luna’s, and prepared to enter her mind. I would find this Nightmare Moon, and purge her from my sister forever. I thought it would be easy. “I’m coming Lulu.” I whispered under my breath, and plunged into her memories.
It is very strange being within somepony else’s mind. The best way I can describe it is like being within a river. It is like a stream of memories, flowing forth from the time of birth. However, without strong magic and lots of skill, you can easily end up a forgotten idea, lost to the eternity of space. Yet I knew what to do, and willed myself deeper into the mind pool, to the earliest memory where I could sense darkness. I would find the first hoofhold of the Demon, and tear it out of my sister! With a deep breath to steady my nerves, I plunged into the corrupted memory.
There was a moment of agony as I passed through the mind’s barrier. There is a difference between the consciousness of the mind, and its memories. Jumping between them is momentary, but also unimaginably painful. If I were to be caught in this void of the mind for longer than a moment, the raw magical energy would rip me apart like Timberwolves on a rabbit. Thankfully, my mentor Star Swirl was greatly talented, and more than willing to share his knowledge with me and Luna. I only wish he were still here, to help me save my sister from the demon that had taken her.
I flew out of the chaotic darkness, ready to fight anything from a Dragon to a Basilisk. I found… laughter? I appeared to be near the celling of Canterlot Castle, probably close to the limits of the memory itself. I would have to stay near the past version of Luna if I intended to remain within her memory. Looking down, I saw Luna and me playing together. We are wrestling, giggling, and just having fun. We haven’t done this since the first time we raised the sun and moon for the ponies of Equestria.
It had been shortly after the defeat of Discord. His reign of random terror would not soon be forgotten by the ponies. Nor would they be able to concentrate enough of the Unicorn’s power to raise and lower the sun and moon for the foreseeable future. So, as our first act of goodwill to the young nation of Equestria, we took on the role of raising the Celestial bodies.
I had chosen the role of raising the sun. It was no easy task, and to be honest, I was scared. What if I couldn’t control it?? The planet itself might die! The deserts would grow strong, the dark side of the planet freeze… I had been on the verge of a nervous breakdown when I felt a reassuring touch. My little sister was hugging me. I hugged her back, hugged her tightly. She always knew when I was scared or unsure of things. And was always there to bring me back.
“Tia, don’t worry so much! You’re gonna do great! You’re my big sister!” Luna had said, as I had shaken in fear. When I didn’t look down, she took my muzzle in her hoof and gently brought my gaze to hers. In her eyes I could see so many emotions, but the most prevalent was love. Whatever happened, good or bad, Luna would love me. It was with that strength that I finally raised the sun.
Oh, how the ponies had cheered. They crowded the streets of Canterlot, chanting their love of the sun, and nothing but admiration for the one who had brought it forth. Candy left over from the Chaotic Age, as it would later come to be known, was thrown merrily around the streets. Music and Dancing abounded. It was, without a doubt, one of the happiest moments of my life. Yet what made it all worthwhile, was the little light-blue pony that bounced by my side.
That first day was heavenly. Luna and I freely mingled with our subjects. We stayed with each other the entire time, sharing in its memories and joys. For reasons I will never know, we ended up as participants in a game of “Spin the Bottle”. The first spin was Luna’s, and it landed on me. She hadn’t hesitated to leap up and kiss me on the cheek, much to my own embarrassment and my subject’s enjoyment. It was truly a glorious day.
Unfortunately, all parties must end, and eventually we left the happy ponies and returned to the castle. Still riding on an emotional high from the day’s events, I had just tackled my sister. For that moment, we were foals again, laughing and playing together without a care in the world. Yet throughout it all, I had begun to feel tired. Raising the sun had sucked away my energy, and I soon needed to sleep. I had tried to stay up and witness the first rising of the moon, but Luna wouldn’t have me strain myself. So as my past-self slunk off to the Royal Bedroom to sleep, Luna went bounding off to the balcony. This time, I could follow her.
I have never seen such joy and excitement in my sister’s face! There seemed to be a glow from within her as she brought forth the shining moon, and crafted the night sky. Intricate patterns of stars woven across the endless black canvas… It was beautiful, truly beautiful. I briefly wondered why I had never stayed up to watch the moon rise since, and a cold feeling gripped my stomach. Dread filled me as Luna finished her work, and called out for the citizens of Equestria to witness her night. We both stayed there until dawn, but the only noise we ever heard was the lonely echoes of her joyful call.
Suddenly, I felt reality itself lurch beneath me. The Spirit! It was trying to banish me from Luna’s mind! I beat my wings as fast as I could, but the powerful magic flow would not be denied. The last I saw of that memory was Luna slowly walking off to her bedroom, disappointment evident on her face, as my sun climbed the west horizon. Somewhere below, the citizens of Canterlot began to wake, ready to welcome the return of their glorious sun and it’s princess.
Getting caught in this memory stream was less like a river, and more like a whirlpool. Torrents of raw magical energy were swirling around me, making level flight all but impossible. It was all I could do to keep my bearing, and attempt to enter a few random memories. I saw an empty and abandoned Lunar court room, fleeting images of a moonlit field, and, most hauntingly, several images of tear-soaked pillows. Right before the Spirit would’ve cast me from Luna’s mind, I managed to enter one last memory.
It took a moment to re-orientate myself. When I could tell where I was, I gasped. I was in the throne room, and the night sky shone above. This had to be from just minutes ago! Luna was sitting on her throne, shaking under untold agony. How long had this loneliness been eating away at her, sucking away the once abundant happiness within? How long since she had truly felt… happy? For a moment, tears slipped down my sister’s muzzle, only to be furiously wiped away. Before I could react, the sound of thundering hooves filled the room.
Luna and mine eye’s snapped up. There stood myself from a few minutes ago, and I did not look happy.
“Sister, it is time for the dawn. Lower the moon.”
I was shocked at how insensitive I sounded. My voice sounded so robotic, so unemotional. Like my only sister, the last of my family even, was just a chore to check off my list for the day. Now I not only understood why Luna had shuddered in front of me, I shuddered with her. Oh, how badly I wish I could go back and change this!
“No.” Luna’s tortured, weakened voice croaked out.
My past self paused in confusion. “What?” I’m not sure if I honestly hadn’t heard her, or just didn’t believe what I had heard.
“I will not lower the moon.” My sister’s voice was still cracked, but gaining strength. Below her, Black Magic started bubbling on the ground.
Finally, finally, my past self allowed concern to cross her face. “Why not?” The confused mare stepped forward. “Luna, what’s wrong?”
The dark magic had formed a pool beneath my sister, and was beginning to swirl. “The subjects will not stay awake for our night, so we are bringing it to them.” Determination and anger could be heard in her tone.
My past self raised a hoof, ready to begin a lecture. I panicked, and tried everything I could to stop myself. I beat at her with my hooves, stabbed at her with my horn, but it was no use. This had already happened. “Luna, the subjects need the sun. Without it, the crops would fail, the ponies would grow cold, and…” To the ears of my past, I was explaining why Luna needed to lower the moon. To my sister, I was listing off reasons why I was so much more lovable and important than her. The anger within could be contained no longer.
“Those puny subjects need nothing!” Luna bellowed in the Royal Canterlot Voice. The black magic beneath burst through, engulfing my sister faster than a snowflake in a fireplace. I heard myself cry out, saw myself charge, but I was no longer there. I was floating in the air, as dreadful new information filled my mind. My baby sister had been hurting, crying at night even! I never noticed, never gave her a hug, never did my job as a sister. Even worse, when Luna had made one last desperate cry for help to the last pony she trusted, I had shoved her over the edge into the a Spirit’s waiting jaws. When the real Spirit found me, I had no energy to resist as I was purged from Luna’s mind and thrown back into my own.
I fell back from Nightmare Moon, trembling helplessly. The dark mare that had once been my sister stood up, her strength returned.
“Luna… I’m sorry…” I whimpered, unable to say more. The raw guilt and sorrow was gripping my very soul. No compassion or pity appeared on my sister’s face. She was well and truly, Nightmare Moon.
“We have no time to deal with quivering foals,” the evil pony declared, “The new order must be known! Finally, eternal night shall fill Equestria!” With that, the dark Alicorn teleported away, like the last fleeting image of a horrible nightmare. It was several minutes before I could stand, but when I did, a plan came to me. The Elements of Harmony! Those six magical gems held more power than anything in Equestria! If anything could purge Luna of this evil spirit, they could. I fervently hoped that they could. The worst nightmare I could ever imagine was going through life without my Lulu.
Even as I galloped through the halls of Canterlot castle, I could feel the order Luna and I worked so hard to build beginning to crumble. Guards were swarming the hallways, ordered by the captain to capture the strange Alicorn. I heard ponies were gathering in the square, though I did not know what for. Confusion, and now fear was beginning to seep into the hearts of my subjects. I had to get the Elements fast, for if I waited too long, Nightmare Moon might harm my ponies. Beyond that, once I have cured Luna, ponies might fear her! How in Equestria can my sister heal if our subjects fear her??
Finally, I reached the pedestal room. There, shining with a magical perfection, were the Elements of Harmony. Many would see them just as normal gems, to store the power of unicorns. That had been their origin, before my mentor Star Swirl died. All his life he had worked to concentrate the magic of the earth. In his last spell (except for the destiny-switching one, which he never completed), he achieved his dream. The Magic of Equestria could now be focused by five special gems, and fired by one. He would name the focusing gems: Loyalty (Red), Honesty (yellow), Generosity (green), Laughter (blue), and Kindness (pink). He named the firing gem: Magic (purple).
Unfortunately, the exertion required to bend these six gems to become what they are now took every last bit of magic Star Swirl possessed. Luna and I witnessed his passing. After the bright flash of light that signaled the Elements had been created, he appeared weakened, drained really. A steady but dying stream of magic flowed from his horn as he named the Elements. As the name of the last Element passed from his lips, his magic passed from his body. Then he collapsed, never to rise again. We later learned he had died of magic-overexertion, but it didn’t matter at the time. All we knew was, our beloved mentor was gone, never to return.
However saddened we were by Star Swirl’s demise, his gift did not go to waste. With their power, we once again faced the mighty and tyrannical Discord, who had taken the recently-formed nation of Equestria for himself. Our first attempt to overthrow him failed, to say the least. If it had not been for his distaste of killing, Luna and I would’ve died. Instead, he threw us out of the kingdom, telling us never to return. That is why we assisted Star Swirl in the Creation of the Elements, to save the ponies of Equestria. That time, we were ready to stop him.
It is strange how little resistance he put up to his own fall. Even bolstered by the Elements, Discord still wielded power enough to kill us all. Yet he didn’t, and made no move to dodge when the Rainbow Energy attacked him. It was like… he was tired. Tired of hurting the ponies, tired of fighting us, I don’t know. In fact, the last act of the spirit of Disharmony was to assume a dramatic posture for the rest of time. I still wonder if things might’ve turned out differently, if we could’ve befriended him…
I shook myself out of the past. Equestria was in turmoil, and my sister was in danger! They needed the Elements now more than ever. As I gathered the six gems of power and began galloping to the balcony, I started to think on how I could heal everypony from this horrible day. (or should I call it night?) The citizens would need reassuring that the land was safe from all threats and that their leaders would stay strong. Oh no…
Luna! How will I ever fix this!? My sister has fallen because nopony would love her! How can I possibly heal her if the citizens run in fright wherever she goes?! How can I keep the nation together if they believe their very rulers to be a threat!? I stopped for a moment, overwhelmed by the sheer impossibility of the task ahead. I don’t think I would’ve been able to snap myself out of it, if it weren’t for a memory I had almost forgotten.
…“Tia, don’t worry so much! You’re gonna do great!”…
Luna. She was why I kept going. I would’ve never made it so far if it weren’t for my little sister, and I wouldn’t abandon her now! Not when she still needed me so much. For even though the Spirit had a powerful grip on my sister, it was not absolute. When I was in Luna’s mind, I could still feel echoes of her consciousness fighting the darkness. Right then I knew everything would be all right. Whatever happened, I would get Luna back. And, when it comes down to it, she is all I need.
When I finally reached the balcony with the Elements, panic had filled the streets of Canterlot. Ponies were rushing all over, calling for then sun, calling for me. Once more, I felt the protective fire of a mother fill me. My Little Ponies were in danger, and I would do anything to save them!
“Nightmare Moon!” I called, “Step down! Your reign is at an end!”
The dark pony turned, and cackled. “Finally found the courage to face me dear sister? I was beginning to wonder if you had simply run off. Ready for round two?” she taunted.
“Do not call me sister!” I bellowed in the Royal Canterlot voice. Nightmare Moon reared back in surprise and confusion.
“You are not my sister; you are a parasitic demon who has taken my sister’s body!” I continued, letting my protective rage build in intensity. Below, the ponies had stopped running about, and begun to cheer. To them, their savior had come.
“I freely admit it is my own fault that you had the chance to possess Luna.” I continued, my voice dropping in shame. “If it weren’t for my own ignorance, you would not be standing there now.”
“Yet I will not abandon her to your evil will!” I declared, letting a surge of magic build within my horn. “Sisters protect each other, sisters love each other, and sisters never give up on each other! I have been a poor sister in the past, but that changes starting now! I will never allow Luna to feel abandoned or alone ever again!”
“Ha!” Nightmare Moon laughed, trying to disguise her increasing nervousness. “You honestly believe that you can defeat me, let alone purge me from my host?!”
“I will purge Equestria of your evil, and I will purge my Luna of you!” I yelled, and activated the Elements of Harmony.
Too late, I felt something was wrong. Instead of an all-powerful Rainbow energy filling me, like the last time I used the Elements, I felt strained, weakened, as if I were forcing the Elements to activate against their will. Suddenly scared of a failure, I attempted to pull back, and de-activate their power.
I will forever remember the next few moments.
The six Elements were not generating a Rainbow. Instead, they were generating a bright pink field of energy. That wasn’t the Element’s power, that was my power! It wouldn’t be enough to cure Luna, I had already proven that. With a desperate cry, I leapt at the Elements, hoping to knock them into chaos and stop the spell. Time itself seemed to slow down as I approached the rapidly charging gems. Right as my hooves were about to reach the Element of Kindness, they fired, and the world disappeared in their bright, cleansing light. The last thing I heard of the agonized scream of Nightmare Moon.
When I awoke, Nightmare Moon was gone, and the Elements were no longer gems. In their place fell six stone spheres. There were no longer any indications of their power, save for the etchings of what lay within on their face. Suddenly horrified, I leapt up, searching the area for something, anything that remained of Nightmare Moon. Yet with each passing second my heart filled with dread. It couldn’t be true, it couldn’t! Finally, I could deny my fears no longer, and looked up at the waning moon. The vague image of an Alicorn pony was now etched in its craters.
I broke down crying, sobbing my heart out. The Elements of Harmony had succeeded in their first task, of purging Equestria of the evil of Nightmare Moon. But they hadn’t enough power to cleanse Luna! The spell I had cast meant for the Spirit, was a banishing spell. An ancient banishing spell that couldn’t be undone! My sister… My little Lulu was sealed within her own moon forever! I would never see her again.
True agony began to set in as I realized what I had done. I had basked in my own glory, and left my sister behind. My magnificent Sun had burned so bright, it consumed the Moon and it’s Princess. Yet Equestria still needed the moon. Without its guiding light, the oceans would grow still, and blind predators could feast upon helpless ponies. I… I had to take control of the moon as well. Forevermore, I would be cursed to raise the moon, gaze at its craters, and know that I killed the one pony who meant everything to me.
Yet throughout my heartbroken sobbing, I felt the tiniest flicker of hope. Star Swirl had always taught us that no spell lasts forever. Even the magic of the Earth would eventually wear off. That meant that perhaps… perhaps the Element’s banishment would not last forever. That someday their power would weaken enough for a counter-spell to be cast. I cast my broken mind as far back into my memory as I could, trying to find a forgotten conversation.
…’Star Swirl, how much can your future gems magnify a spell?’…
…’haha, do not ask me about power Tia’…
… ‘can it make spells last forever?’…
…’no, nothing can do that’…
…’perhaps a thousand years’…
I gasped in horror. I would have to wait a thousand years before I could see Luna again?! What if she were conscious in her heavenly prison?! If Luna were cursed not see another living creature for a millennium... It would shatter her. The pain she would be forced to endure would be unimaginable. Even if I did someday get Luna back, would she still be my little Lulu? Would she still be… My sister?...
Through my tears and heartache, I made one last promise. This promise I would keep. Tonight, and every night for a thousand years, I would honor my sister. I would look up at the rising moon, and sing her a Lullaby. Even if I couldn’t hug my sister, I would do everything in my power to comfort and protect her. Every night, I would sing a Lullaby for a Princess.
Somewhere down below, the ponies of Canterlot cheered at my sister’s demise.