Chapter 2: Fears and Doubts
Once the Royal Sisters had finished the tour of the castle for Dawn Light, Celestia sent word to begin cleaning Dawn Light’s room. Since it hadn’t been used in so long, it was most likely very dusty and unkempt. Dawn Light looked up at his oldest sister, Celestia. “Celly, could I see my room now? I know it’s probably dusty and all, but I would still like to see it.”
Celestia smiled at Dawn Light. “All right, let’s go see your room. It’s right by Luna’s Room and Mine.” So the sisters led Dawn Light through the castle.
Soon they Came to the hall of Bedrooms, With Celestia’s room being First on the left. The doors to her room were large and gold with a magnificent depiction of the sun etched into the wooden surface. Across from hers to the right was the set of Doors to Luna’s room with an equally elaborate depiction of the full moon on it. And just past Luna’s room was another set of large doors with no specific depiction on it at all, other than the generic etchings around the borders and edges reminiscent of the time the doors were originally carved. Dawn Light gazed up at the doors to his room. They still looked nice, given the fact that no pony had touched them for nearly a millenia.
Dawn Light slowly approached the doors to his room and pushed one open. It creaked and groaned from age as dust fell from its surface and made him sneeze. Once open, Dawn light looked inside. The curtains over the windows blocked most of the light from getting in, but it was still bright enough to see the room clearly. At the center of the wall on the right was a large round bed with blue covers and a roof with four posts. It was very dusty and the tops of the posts had thick Cobwebs. Dawn Light slowly approached his bed as he looked sadly at it.
Celestia and Luna simply stood in front of the doorway to the room as Dawn Light went through his room. The two guards assigned to Dawn Light stayed outside as well. Dawn placed a hoof on his bed and ran it over the covers. Doing so kicked up a cloud of dust that caused him to let out a few coughs. “Ugh, you weren’t kidding when you said it needed cleaning in here.” He glanced around the rest of the room and sighed, “I can’t believe I’ve been gone for so long.” He then focused on the other side of the room where there was a vanity mirror. “Is that what I think it is?” He said to himself. He walked over to the gold crown sitting on the mirrors shelf with three white gems in the center and four gold shoes sitting next to it.
They were covered with years of dust and webbing. Dawn sat on his haunches in front of it as he picked up his old crown and tried to dust it off. Just as with the bed, thick clouds of dust went everywhere. “*COUGH* Ugh, wow it’s dusty.”
His two sisters came up behind him. “We were just so distraught over your disappearance, we couldn’t bear any pony setting hoof in here. So we ordered every pony simply not to come in here.” Celestia explained.
Dawn sat staring at himself in the mirror. “A thousand Years…” he whispered.
“Come Dawn, leave it for now. It will be cleaned with the rest of your room once the maids and butlers are done. It most likely won’t be until tomorrow that your room will be ready for you.”
“You may share my room for the night if you like.” Luna offered.
Dawn smiled up at Luna. “Thank you Lulu, I would appreciate that.”
“Come, let us go and have dinner, the cleaning crew will be here soon to begin work.”
Dawn Light placed his crown back on the vanity and followed Celestia and Luna out. They soon arrived at the dining hall and Dawn saw Discord there already eating. He Let out a Startled Yelp and quickly hid Behind Celestia.
“Well hello to you too young prince.” Discord greeted sarcastically.
Celestia turned to face Dawn Light. “Dawn, it’s all right, we’ve been through this, he won’t hurt you.”
Dawn just continued hiding behind Celestia. “Yeah right, I still say he’s up to something.”
“Dawn, shouldn’t our word that he’s changed be enough for you?”
“No, because he’s nothing but an evil little snake in the grass, I still say he’s just tricking you all and waiting for the right moment to strike.” Dawn Light shot a glare at Discord who looked very displeased and saddened with the accusations.
‘And after all I’ve done to change, My past still brings me wounds’ Discord thought to himself. “Well, I know when I’m not wanted.” Discord stood up from his seat. “Perhaps I should just go dine somewhere else since my presence upsets your little brother.”
Celestia raised a hoof. “No need Discord, Dawn Light needs to learn that you are not a threat anymore, please stay.”
“What? You can’t be serious, I’m not eating with him, he’ll just cast me back into that horrible void again!” Dawn cried out.
Celestia gave Dawn a stern look. “Dawn Light, that is enough! I promise Discord has changed.”
Discord cut in. “I’m sorry princess, but my presence here just upsets him too much, I think I should just go for now,” He turned to Leave before Turning Back and Saying, “Enjoy your dinner!” and In a flash, Discord was gone.
Celestia gave a sigh as she closed her eyes. “*Sigh* Dawn, when are you going to believe he’s changed?”
“I’ll never believe it, he’s evil. Plain and Simple. Plus he sent me to that horrible nightmare of a thousand years in a void.”
Luna cut in. “Dawn Light, do you believe in second Chances?”
Dawn looked up at her curiously. “Second Chances? What do you mean?”
“I mean giving a pony a chance to make up for the things they’ve done, a chance to redeem themselves and prove they have changed and learned from their mistakes, even if what they did was horrible.”
Dawn Light put a hoof to his chin in thought. “Well, I guess so, but only to those who deserve it.”
Celestia continued. “And I’m guessing you don’t think Discord is deserving of one. Can you tell me why?”
“Well duh; because he’s evil, because of what he did to me, to us, to all of Equestria.”
“But why did he do it?”
“Well…..like I said, because he’s evil.”
“Is it so Simple?” Asked Celestia.
Luna cut in. “Sister, perhaps I can help here, but first, let us sit and eat.”
The three took a seat at the table with Celestia at the head, Dawn Light took a seat on her right while Luna took a seat next to him. Once they placed their orders for food, Luna began. “Dawn Light, we haven’t told you the tale of Nightmare Moon yet have we?”
Dawn gazed up at her with a quizzical expression. “No, who is that?”
Luna began to weave her tale of woe. “You see little brother, several years after you disappeared, a terrible mare of darkness came to the land. She wanted nothing more than to shroud the land in eternal night, and she was bitter and cruel to those around her. Her name was Nightmare Moon, and she was indeed evil.”
“But why did she want to shroud the world in eternal night, that would make it hard to grow food, all living things need sunlight.”
“Yes they do, but she didn’t care about that, all she wanted was for the night to last forever. She felt the ponies didn’t appreciate her night and she felt neglected and unappreciated.”
“Hold on, how could she shroud the land in eternal night if you’re the one that controls the moon?”
“Let me finish Dawn Light, then you’ll understand.” Dawn simply nodded. “Eventually, Celestia used the elements of harmony to seal her away in the moon, for a thousand years.”
“Luna, where were you? Why didn’t you help?”
“Again, let me finish please.” Celestia couldn’t help but let out a light giggle at Dawn’s curiosity. Dawn shut his muzzle. “Now then, Celestia used the elements of harmony to seal Nightmare Moon away for a thousand years. Because of this, we lost our connection to the elements of harmony. After a thousand years passed, Nightmare Moon was freed again. Celestia then charged one pony to find the elements of harmony and use their power to save the land. This single pony didn’t do it alone, she and five others went on an adventure through the Everfree forest to find the elements of harmony.”
“Through this adventure, they became friends and were able to use them to stop Nightmare Moon, removing the bitterness from her heart and changing her back to what she was so that she and her sister could be reunited. Do you see where I am going with this?”
Dawn Light shook his head.
Luna continued. “Nightmare Moon wasn’t always evil, she became so because she felt her nights were unappreciated when she couldn’t have been more wrong, she just couldn’t see that the ponies adored her nights.”
“I’m sorry Luna, but I’m still lost, you’re the one who controls the nights, so how could this Nightmare Moon do what you say she wanted to do? And what was she before? Who was this sister you mentioned?”
“Celestia was the sister Dawn Light.”
Dawn took a moment to let this information sink in. “Wait, so does that mean we have another sister?”
The two sisters couldn’t help but laugh at his lack of understanding. Luna continued. “No Dawn Light, I was that pony in the story.”
Dawn’s eyes widened in surprise. “What? You were Nightmare Moon? But, how? You’re good and kind and nice, there’s no way you turned evil and became this Nightmare Moon character!”
“But I did, I thought no pony loved my nights. I let my jealousy get to me and it turned me into the evil pony I told you of. And though I regret it, I did terrible things as Nightmare Moon. The elements of harmony changed me back to what I was before, and because of what I did, I feared I could not be forgiven for my actions. But Celestia did forgive me, as did so many others. Do you see where I am going with this now?”
Dawn Light lowered his head in thought. “I think so. You’re saying that even though we do bad things, if we are willing to make up for it, we should get a second chance?”
Luna smiled at her little brother. “Correct Dawn Light. I did awful things as Nightmare Moon, and I still feel terrible for them after I returned to normal. But I am always grateful I was given a second chance.”
Celestia then cut in. “Now do you believe Discord is truly evil? He was reformed through the acts of the same six ponies that helped Luna, and who are now the bearers of the elements of harmony. Specifically it was the bearer of the element of kindness who was pivotal in his Reformation. We now Strongly believe that Discord may have acted out and did the things he did because he had never had a real friend before. That is what helped him decide to change.”
Dawn Light hung his head feeling a little guilty. “So all he really wanted was just a friend?”
Luna answered. “It would seem so.”
Dawn looked back up at Celestia. “Sister, will I ever get to meet these ponies who helped Luna when she was Nightmare Moon and helped Discord want to change?”
Celestia gave a smile. “Of course, they live in a town not far from here called Ponyville, you’ll get to meet them one day soon. For now though, it is getting late. And I think it’s time for bed.”
Dawn then looked to Luna. “Sister, can I watch you raise the moon, I always liked watching you do that.”
Luna gave a smile as well. “Of course you can. Come, we shall head to my chambers and I shall raise the moon.” The three got up and took their leave of the dining room.
The siblings soon arrived at Luna’s Room. They made their way to her balcony and stepped out. The sun was just beginning to disappear over the horizon. Once the last rays vanished, Luna began her task. Dawn Light stood on the edge of the entrance to the balcony with Celestia. Luna closed her eyes and her horn lit up with a dark blue aura. She spread out her wings and took to the air climbing higher and higher. The moon began to rise in the distance on the opposite side from where the sun set.
The moon was now set on its path as Luna gently set back down. “Wow, I never get tired of seeing that sister.” Dawn Light commented. He gazed up at the night sky and saw it painted with little white points across the black sky. “The stars look just amazing, it’s been so long since I’ve seen them.”
“I would imagine so.” Celestia commented. “Now come on little one, it’s time for bed.” Celestia leaned down and nuzzled Dawn Light.
“Come little brother, make yourself comfortable on my bed.” Luna offered as she walked back in. With no more than an “Ok,” Dawn Light hopped up onto Luna’s Large Bed.
“Good night Dawn Light, and welcome home.” Celestia then left the room and closed the door behind her. The two guards assigned to Dawn Light stood firm with Luna’s personal guards outside the door. “Good Work Soldiers, May this night be a peaceful one.” Celestia Commented to them before turning to her own room whilst saying, “Have a Good Evening.”
Dawn Light Nestled into Luna’s bed and got under the covers. Luna removed her jewelry, shoes, and tiara and placed them on her own vanity Mirror. She then Climbed onto the bed and Lay Down against her large blue pillows, placing a wing over Dawn Light while saying, “Good night little brother, I am pleased you have returned.”
“Me too.” Dawn Light responded with a smile and a yawn. “Good night Luna.” Luna gave one last smile before closing her eyes and laying her head down for the night.
Morning soon came as Celestia’s sun struggled over the horizon as if weighed down by its own res. The morning light stirred Luna from her sleep as she slowly opened her eyes. She gave out a yawn and stretched. She sat up and looked over to Dawn Light who was already awake. “Good morning little brother, did you sleep well?”
Dawn Light looked up at Luna with tired eyes. He gave out a yawn as he answered. “*Yawn* Uh huh, great.”
Luna gave him a concerned look. His Eyes had bags as if they were planning an extended vacation elsewhere, and his eyes were read with weariness. She cocked an eyebrow. “Are you sure, you don’t look like it.”
Dawn Light hopped down out of Luna’s bed and looked back up at her. “I’m sure, I slept… *YAWN* ….great.” He put on a tired smile, hoping that Luna would drop the subject.
Celestia soon came into the room. “Good morning Luna, Dawn Light, I trust you all had a good night’s sleep.”
Luna climbed out of bed and stood in front of Celestia. “I’m not quite sure Dawn Light did.”
Dawn Light tried to object. “Of course I did, see, I’m bright eyed and….*YAWN*…..bushy tailed.” He finished tiredly.
The two looked at him curiously. “Dawn Light, did you sleep last night?” Celestia asked with a bit of worry.
“I’m telling you two I’m fine, I got a…..*YAWN*……good night’s sleep.”
Celestia closed her eyes and shook her head. She opened them and began. “Dawn, why didn’t you sleep last night?”
“I did sleep, honest.”
Celestia gave him a stern look. “Dawn, it isn’t good to tell lies, why didn’t you go to sleep last night?”
Dawn Light finally caved. “All right, I didn’t go to sleep last night.”
“But why?” Luna asked.
“I was afraid that if I did, then all this will have just been an illusion and I’ll just wake up back in that void.” His eyes started tearing up. “This dream is just too real, I don’t want it to end. I don’t care anymore if it’s an illusion, it’s the most real one I’ve had and I don’t want it to end, please don’t make me go to sleep here, I don’t want to go back to that void.” Tears started running down his cheeks.
Celestia and Luna walked up to him and hugged him tightly as they nuzzled him. “Dawn Light, I promise you that this is No Dream. You really are home.” Celestia said in confidence.
Luna tried to comfort him as well. “I promise you, you ARE home, you are no longer in that void, we are here for you and we always will be.”
Dawn Light was sobbing now. “B-but, I’ve had so many dreams about all this I-I-I don’t know if this is real.”
Celestia tried again. “It is Dawn Light, you really and truly are home. You are really here, we are real and we are here for you.” The two broke their embrace as Celestia looked down at her little brother. “But you need your sleep, you may be scared, but I promise you we will be here when you wake.”
Luna’s horn began to glow ever so slightly as she cast a subtle spell, a “warm Milk” spell as she had come to call it, that she had developed for helping young ponies go to sleep when they needed their rest more than they themselves understood. Dawn Light exhaled another Yawn while admitting, “I really don’t want to take the Chance this isn’t real, but I suppose this will help to prove it is, won’t it?”
Celestia Draped a wing over his back, “I assure you that it is Dear Brother, Now rest, and we shall be waiting anxiously for you”. After a few more seconds his Eyes were shut tighter than a vault, and Dawn light was in the most comfortable, peaceful, and refreshing sleep that he’d had in Literally almost a thousand Years.
Luna picked him up in her magic grasp and floated him over to her bed. She used her magic to pull the covers back and set him down gently with his head resting on a pillow, then placed the covers over him as she and Celestia walked up to his sleeping form. Luna placed a hoof on his side as he breathed gently. “Sister, it seems it will take a great deal of effort to convince our little brother that he is home and no longer in that void.”
Celestia responded with a frown as she gazed upon Dawn Light. “I fear you are right. We must understand he was in that dark place for a thousand years with his mind playing tricks on him, making him think he was home again only for it to be an illusion. I can only imagine the impact that had on his young mind. It will take some work, but over time, he will realize he is home.”
“I wish there was something I could do, I was in a similar situation being on the moon. Only my mind didn’t play tricks on me when I was imprisoned. Plus, I was at least able to see home, even at a distance, while he saw nothing.” A single tear ran down Luna’s face as she recalled her time on the moon.
Celestia placed a hoof on Luna’s back. “I know sister, but for now, all we can do is to be there for him as I was there for you when you came back. Come, let’s let him rest, he has been through so much already.” The two sisters took one last look at their little brother before leaving the room.
They began to exit the room, but Luna stopped in her tracks and looked back one more time. “Sleep well little brother, you will not be alone any more, I swear it.” She then faced forward and continued on with her elder sister.