I'm dead. ShadowMist thought. Her eyes were closed, and her head was foggy. Everything was dark. I'm dead. I'm a ghost. I'm a dead ghost. Well, that was certainly silly. She wouldn't be able to think about being a ghost if she was already dead, right?
Her eyes opened slowly, and she slowly became aware of her surroundings. She was covered in something soft, and laying on something softer. Maybe clouds? There were clouds if you were dead, right?
The fogginess cleared from her mind slowly as she looked around the room. No, this wasn't any sort of death that ShadowMist would have imagined. The walls were made of stone around her, and as she became more conscious, she realized that she was in a bed, lying on a pillow and covered with a blanket.
Her eyes roved around the room, and she caught site of a familiar blue pony, her head lying against her chest and her eyes close. She must have been asleep. What had happened? Where was she anyway? Probably inside Canterlot Castle, ShadowMist mused. She played over the events leading up to her waking in her mind, trying to remember what exactly had happened...
Luna woke up with a start, her head springing up and her eyes flying open. She glanced at ShadowMist, though it took her a moment before she realized that her friend was awake. She came to the bedside quickly when it had registered.
“You're—you're awake!” she exclaimed. “I was so worried I—I...” Luna pause, backing up a few paces from where ShadowMist lay. “I'm sorry, ShadowMist.” Her face fell, and a few tears escaped her, cascading to the floor.
“How—how long was I out?” ShadowMist felt her strength returning slowly as she became more awake.
“A couple of days, I guess. I—I haven't really left the room since—” she stopped, clearing her throat before she continued. “—since I let Nightmare Moon get ahold of me.”
ShadowMist made a sound of understanding, staring at Luna as it all came back to her. She'd arrived, for their meeting...and met with an unexpected surprise. Luna didn't dare meet ShadowMist's eyes. She felt far too ashamed.
“I saw her Luna.” ShadowMist whispered. Luna looked up, surprised curiosity written on her face. “She was over you, upon you, like a ghost covering your body. I saw you struggle against her.” ShadowMist's voice sounded almost trance-like as she recalled the ordeal. “I flew down and pushed her off you. I couldn't fight her anymore after that. Everything went blank again, and I thought I was gone for good. But you...you brought me back.” she smiled at Luna.
“No.” Luna replied sternly, coming closer to the bed again. “It was Celestia. I cannot do the things that she can. I cannot bring life, or goodness. I only bring death and despair.” She turned and walked to another part of the room, facing a corner and shutting her eyes tight to try to fight back her tears.
“Don't say that!” ShadowMist pulled back the covers and slid off the bed.
Luna stood up and turned around, hearing ShadowMist's movements. “No! You shouldn't—”
“I'm fine.” ShadowMist said, even though she wobbled where she stood.
ShadowMist spoke as she walked over next to Luna. “You can't keep putting yourself down like this. It's how Nightmare Moon gets through to you.”
“I'm nothing. I can't do anything right. I'm... worthless.” Luna turned her face away.
“Stop saying that!” ShadowMist yelled. She panted from the effort in her weakened state.
Luna raised a hoof in the air, to smack her, and ShadowMist knew that Nightmare had a hold on her again, but she stood her ground. The hoof wavered in the air, two forces against each other, fighting inside the same body. The hoof came down and touched the ground, Luna having won this time.
ShadowMist put her head under Luna's chin. “You should tell Celestia. She's your sister. She can help you. You shouldn't have to fight this alone.”
“She hates me.” Luna whispered.
ShadowMist stopped and looked up at Luna. “That's not true. You're sisters! And she brought me back. She did that for you.”
“She did for YOU, not me. She had to fix the damage I'd done.” Luna's voice was soaked with bitterness.
“She doesn't hate you!”
“Yes, she does!”
ShadowMist suddenly felt dizzy, and she sat down on the floor. There was quiet between them, both thinking to themselves, and ShadowMist doing her best to remain strong.
“We can talk about this later.” Luna said sternly. She could see that ShadowMist was weak, and fighting to keep from passing out. “When you're better.” she added.
ShadowMist nodded, to tired to argue. Luna supported her on one side and helped her back to bed. Luna pulled the cover back over ShadowMist, realizing that the mare was already asleep. Luna sighed, quietly reflecting on things of the past. Things that nopony save for her and Celestia knew.
She had been holding these secrets for far too long. Perhaps... perhaps now was the time for the truth to finally come out. But what would Celestia think? Maybe... maybe she would never find out. ShadowMist was trustworthy, as far as Luna could tell. And besides, if she gave an order for her to remain silent, she had to obey... though Luna would prefer that that not be the case.
Luna sighed again, softly opening the door and leaving the room. She made her way to the kitchen for some tea, while she pondered exactly how she was going to explain everything to ShadowMist.