Nightmare Moon watched as Night flew out of the moon. She had to think of something to say when he came back. There was no way Celestia would lie about this, and Luna couldn't win this argument.
She looked over and her eyes met Luna's.
"I can't believe you." Luna said.
"What do you mean, Luna?"
"You told Night that you were Celestia's sister, and then framed me as the bad pony here!"
"Luna, don't deny it. We both know that this isn't a fight to see who gets to return to Equestria in a thousand years. This is a fight to see who will be returning to Equestria in a thousand years with Night as their special somepony." Nightmare Moon smiled. "So... Will it be you... or me?"
Luna's mouth was hanging open, but she replied, "Night has nothing to do with this. In the end, it will be a fight between us. The fight won't be for Night's affection, it will be for Equestria's second throne. The fight will decide who gets to rule alongside Celestia. Maybe the winner will get Night as well, but right now that isn't the problem."
Nightmare Moon looked at Luna. Her leg was still wrapped along with her wing, and she had cuts and scrapes all along her shoulders and cheeks. This would be an easy fight, especially if she could find a way to keep Luna injured. Another fight every few months with just enough damage to make it an easy victory for herself when the time came.
"Alright, Luna, if you insist that you haven't fought for Night's attention at all since he arrived. I guess until the time comes, we will have to try not to kill each other."
"I guess so."
Luna sat down on her bed and curled up with her back to Nightmare Moon. It didn't take long for Nightmare Moon to do the same, but she didn't sleep. Instead, she came up with a plan to win Night for herself.
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Night slowly woke up to find a pair of lavender eyes looking at him intently.
"Where am I?" he asked.
"You're still in the castle. We moved you into the darkest room we could find," Celestia replied.
He looked around the room. It was almost completely dark with a few candles lit.
"What time is it?" he asked.
"It's nearly sunset. I was just about to raise the moon when-"
"Princess, it's time!" a guard called from the hallway.
"Go ahead. I'll be here," Night said looking up at Celestia from where he lay.
She nodded before walking to the door. "Will you be leaving tonight?"
"Princess!"
"I know. I'm coming just hold on." She looked at Night.
He sat up slowly still weak from the day. "I think it would be wisest."
Celestia nodded before turning and walking out of the room.
Night stood up and walked to the window. He pulled the curtains back and flinched from the bit of sunlight that met his eyes. It wasn't long before the moon began to rise. Night felt himself growing stronger in the moonlight. He pushed open the window and breathed in the night air. The moonlight streamed through the window and landed on his face. Night spread his wings and shook out his mane. He could almost feel the starlight reaching his bones, loosening his joints, and getting rids of the knots in his back. He hadn't realized how much the daytime had drained him. He wasn't sure how long he stayed like that.
"Enjoying yourself?" He turned around startled by Celestia's sudden appearance.
She smiled before asking, "Do you think you're strong enough to get back to the moon?"
"I suppose," he replied before stretching his legs. "What should I tell Luna and Nightmare Moon? Nightmare Moon will think I'm lying or that you're a fake."
"I'm not sure, but right now, Night, you are the only one who can get a message to Luna for me. You're the only one who can protect her as well. I know you have your council meetings each year, but I have a favor to ask of you. Well, two favors actually. First, I want you to give this to Luna." Her horn glowed as she picked up a letter off of the bedside table and handed it to Night. "Second, would it be too much trouble for you to protect Luna? I know Nightmare Moon will stop at nothing to win this fight. If she could overthrow Luna... well... I'm not sure even I would stand a chance," Celestia finished with a sigh.
The letter was still hovering next to Night. There was silence in the room before he replied, "I will. I'll protect Luna. Even if you hadn't asked, I would have stayed. There's just something about her... Anyways, I should go. The sooner I get back, the sooner I can protect her."
He nodded to Celestia before walking towards the window. Night spread his wings, but before he took off he turned to Celestia, "Thank you for your help."
She smiled at him before he flew out of the window towards the moon. A night breeze ruffled the feathers on his wings. He smiled, apparently night and day didn't mix. That explained a lot about why at every council meeting he got into some argument with his sister. Whether it was where a planet should be placed or what the snacks should be.
As he left Equestria's atmosphere, he laughed wondering what Luna would think of all of this, and what would Nightmare Moon do when she learned he was on Luna's side. Before he knew it, he was flying through the wall of the moon.