//------------------------------//
// Chapter 2: A Gift for the Night 
// Story: Nightrise 
// by ThePrinceOfTheNorth 
//------------------------------//

Chapter 2: A Gift for the Night

Lunar Palace, 505 years ago...

Nightmare Moon waited paitently at the end of the bridge for her guest, who should be arriving any minute. Oh, how she so enjoyed Winter's yearly visits! She only wished that he could visit more often. At least she had Luna, that little voice in her head, to keep her company.

A blinding light flashed before her, and Winter appeared with a smile on his face.

"Hello, Winter," Nightmare Moon said with a fanged smile. "I've been waiting for you."

"It's nice to see you too, Moonie," said Winter.

Nightmare Moon was taken aback. "Moonie? You hath given me a pet name!?"

"What, you don't like it," Winter said, mock-hurt appearing on his face.

Nightmare Moon glared at him with eyes like daggers. "I don't like it.....I LOVE IT!"

Winter nearly jumped out of his jacket. Nightmare Moon was still quite the unpredictable mare, even after five hundred years. Sometimes she would be a mature gentlemare, other times he would be an immature filly. It really became confusing after awhile, but Winter coped.

"Mind if we go inside?"

~~~~~~~~~~

Nightmare Moon led Winter through the halls of her palace to the Throne Room, where she sat down in her throne.

"So, what news do you bring for me this year," asked Nightmare Moon.

"Well, the Changelings attacked Canterlot, no doubt this will be the first attempt of many, and Celestia secured a trade agreement with Griffonia," said Winter, "On a side note, I did discover something that could make it a lot less lonely up here for you."

"Oh, and what might that be," asked Nightmare Moon.

"This," Winter said as he cast a spell on her.

Immense pain surged through Nightmare Moon's body. She thought she could feel her very soul breaking in half. Suddenly, as quickly as the pain started, it stopped.

Nightmare Moon looked down at herself to find she still looked exactly the same. She was confused for a momenet, but then she heard it.

Somepony was crying.

She spun her head to see Princess Luna on the floor in front of her, sobbing, and holding her back legs in a foaltal position. Nightmare Moon rushed over to the pained Princess, as they had been a part of each other for so long.

"Are you alright," Nightmare Moon asked, worry being prevalent in her voice.

Luna nodded, so she turned back to Winter, who was staring in admiration. "What did you do?"

"I tapped into the power of the Winter Spire," Winter said, "With it's vast magical reserve, I was able to create an empty shell, and put you into it."

"Wait, are you saying-" Nightmare Moon began before realizing that Luna was wearing her armor.

"A created a shell for you," said Winter. "You are the alter-ego, so you could not command Luna's body, as it is hers, not yours. Look on the bright side, your new body, while immortal like the old, has even larger magical reserves, and you are faster and stronger than you were before, though you don't look it."

Nightmare Moon looked over herself. He was right! She could feel the massive increase in her magic, and her muscles, which felt like they could move mountains. She took a quick run around the throne room. Yep, faster too.

She really didn't know what to say at that point, but remembered the sobbing little filly on the ground before her. She laid down and began to stroke the back of Luna's neck. "Shhh, it's okay, Luna. It's all going to be alright."

Luna looked up at her, tears falling down her cheeks. "Why wouldn't you let me out?"

Nightmare Moon softly stroked Luna's neck again. "You were still angry."

Luna nodded, knowing she was right, and laid her head against Nightmare Moon's soft, black fur. "I like your nickname, Moonie."

Nightmare Moon blushed, but it was hardly noticeable on her black fur. She turned to Winter. "Thank you."

"I'm just doing what I do best," Winter said, "Speaking of which, I best be off. You two have fun, now."

And with that, Winter was gone again for another year.

Nightmare Moon looked down at Luna, and Luna up at Nightmare Moon. "At least we have each other now."