//------------------------------//
// Chapter 4 
// Story: The Crescent Nightmare 
// by ChaosKing 
//------------------------------//

Twilight’s POV
I was walking along the hallway to Celestia’s quarters. Cadence had left to go be with Shining for a little while, and Rainbow was off with her old friend. I knew there was something I should be doing to help my teacher, but right now I just had no clue.
I had reached the admittedly slightly intimidating double door that led to my teacher’s room. I paused when I noticed the door slightly ajar, and then did a double take when I heard what sounded like arguing.
“I will not allow it!” I heard what sounded like Luna say.
“It doesn’t matter what you allow sister! What matters is that justice is done! She has destroyed buildings that had stood through the history of this city, and it is a miracle that no one was killed! As the rulers of this land you and I have to set an example and punish her!”
“It’s always been that way with her hasn’t it?! You never liked her! You never wanted anything to do with her!”
I couldn’t understand who they were talking about, but I could tell that this was one fight I shouldn’t get involved in.
Celestia spoke up, “I admit I always had a bad feeling about her, but you must admit that circumstance has seen to prove me correct.”
Luna seemed like she also was trying to be more restrained, “You know what she and I had. You know that I care for her like you care for Twilight. You need to let me go to her sister. You and Twilight have always been the best of friends, but you know not what it’s like to be a mother.”
“No.”
“Please! For the love you have for me let me do this! You don’t know the torture that a mother goes through when she can’t be with her child!”
Suddenly Celestia seemed to go under a much darker mood, “At least I can still be a mother! You preach to me after so many centuries of losing friends and companions that I wished I could help! I don’t take orders from a would-be usurper like YOU!
I heard a gasp from Luna, and the sound of breaking glass. I ran in to find Celestia standing in front of the door to her balcony. She turned to reveal tears in her eyes and a frown on her face.
“Twilight… for over a millennia I have studied, and trained, and learned. But I am now, as always, a fool.”

Luna’s POV
I felt hot rage burning in my chest. How dare she?! How dare she bring up the sacrifice I had carried with me!
I breathed a little and felt a little calmer. I needed to be composed. A princess never let others see her composure break.
I knew where my dear child was. She was at home.
The castle of the Royal Pony Sisters had been sort of a vacation home. It was where my sister and I could go to escape the world of politics and deceit.
I loved it when I had taken Crescent there. She would run around and befriend the creatures, and then would come back and curl up in my arms when a creature snapped at her.
I felt a tear roll down my eyes, and shook it away. I had to meet my daughter in all but blood. She had to be talked to before she went out of control.
It was going to be a long night…and one that had been one thousand years late.

Time Skip

I landed at the entrance to the castle with nary a sound. I knew she didn’t plan anything evil for me, but I was still somewhat hesitant about entering. It had been here I had done so much damage in my fit of anger, and I had tried to proclaim it my throne of the night.
I opened the door with magic to see a warm, cozy entrance lit by a roaring fire in the central hearth that sent heat to every room in the building. I let a small smile cross my face as I remembered the cold winters next to the fire reading about knights and true love.
“Welcome…Mother.”
I looked up at the staircase to the left to see Crescent descending.  I let my eyes follow her and take in how beautiful she had become in time. I felt the desire to embrace her, but I restrained myself. It wasn’t what I had come to do.
“I thought you might be here. I think this day has been to long coming.”
She put on an innocent face, “Oh really? I hadn’t noticed how you were gone for ONE THOUSAND YEARS!!!” her anger was so fierce I almost lost my footing. I could feel all her uncontrolled magic simmering at the surface, just waiting to explode.
“I never meant to leave Crescent.” I sounded like I was making excuses even to my own ears.
I looked at her face and saw her battling over something. After what seemed like eternity she spoke, “I’ve been fighting, surviving, and hurting for a millennia…all that time waiting for you so we could make things right…and now…”
I suddenly felt a force hit my chest as she buried her face and tears in my mane, “I’ve finally got you back.”
I felt my wings extend to cover her like a blanket. Screw being a princess, and screw Equestria. Tonight I was a mother, and I was going to do what I had earned.
I was going to love my daughter…if only for one last night.

Rainbow’s POV (Yes people there’s more!)
I stood there looking at him for a moment before speaking, “Why do you think you need my permission about that?”
He looked at the ground bashfully, “I didn’t want to risk causing any trouble, or stealing any of your thunder. That and I didn’t know if you wanted an old grouchy man like me around. I mean you probably have your hands full already with the weather and this training thing right?”
I looked at him for a moment and wondered what he was talking about, “Training thing? I’m just helping Twilight learn the advanced moves. Once she flies a bit in a storm she’ll be golden. I don’t have anyone else I’m ‘training’.
He looked at me with one of his mischievous smiles, “I’d of thought I’d see a small fleet of rainbows down in Ponyville by now. I mean you do plan on tormenting me when I’m old right? Oh sorry, older!” he let out a chuckle.
I felt my jaw drop, “You mean- but I- what? You think I’ve got a guy?”
He laughed at me for a moment before settling down, “Just kidding kid. Sheesh and you use to call me a drama queen.”
“That isn’t something you joke about with me! You know what growing up was like for me!” I tried to keep it down, but it was hard when I got going.
He looked at the ground in shame, “Sorry kid. I know that family is a sore subject. I just was having a bit of fun. I really am surprised though that you don’t have any protégé’s!”
I started to get nervous, “Well…I sorta have one kid I’ve taken under my wing…but I think of her as more of a sister than an apprentice.”
“Oh really? What’s her top speed? Best weather hazard? Come on kid I want details.”
“It’s not that simple Shadow…She’s like me…from when I was a kid.”
He looked at the ground again, “Oh…”
“Yeah…oh”
“Do any of your friends know? Does she?”
“No. It’s not that I don’t trust them, but I just don’t want their pity. And if you respect me you’ll keep your mouth shut! I don’t want to have to give my whole life story okay!”
He let out another chuckle, “Ma’am yes ma’am. Just one question left though before I head off to pack kid.”
He began to walk away towards the waiter, presumably to pay the bill, and then stopped, “If you can’t trust them with your past…then who can you trust?”
And with that he was gone.