Chapter 7: A Question of Loyalty
"Spike," Twilight said.
"Got it," replied Spike, who quickly pulled out a quill and parchment, and also put on a fake moustache, which Nightmare Moon thought was kind of cute.
"First question," said Twilght, "When were you born?"
"One thousand five years ago on the Day of the Summer Sun," said Nightmare Moon, "I was created by the neglect Luna was given."
"Okay," said Twilight, waiting for Spike to finish writing before continuing, "How are you still alive?"
Nightmare Moon had feared this question. She knew that she couldn't tell them that Winter had saved her, but she promised them she'd answer their questions...
"Prince Winter," Nightmare Moon said with a sigh, "He saved me, but I promised him I wouldn't tell anyone about it, so I will say nothing more on this subject."
"Very well," said Twilight, once again waiting for Spike before continuing, "Have you ever died?"
"Two years ago," said Nightmare Moon, "I was run through by Count Vladmane Dracula. He pierced my heart. Don't ask me how I'm still here, because I have no idea myself."
"Okay," said Twilight, once again waiting for Spike to finish. This cycle continued for the next hour or so. Most of the questions weren't very invasive, but there were a few that really annoyed Nightmare Moon. Eventually, though, the questions ended.
"Well, that's all the questions," said Twilight, "Spike, send a message to Princess Celestia. Tell her we have Nightmare Moon at the library in Ponyville."
"WHAT," exclaimed Nightmare Moon. "But I answered your question! I did everything you asked!"
"You're still a menace to society," replied Twilight sternly, "And as such, deserve to be punished."
Nightmare Moon lowered her head. Celestia was gonna kill her.
~~~~~~~~~~
"When you've been around as long as I have, it takes alot to suprise you," said a familliar voice, "This suprises me."
Nightmare Moon turned to see Winter standing in the doorway, smiling at her with a smile that expressed worry and relief.
"WINTER," Nightmare Moon exclaimed as she leapt from the bed and ran to him, wrapping him in her forehooves, "I missed you."
"As did I," said Winter, "Celestia said Twilight had caught you, and I feared she had gone to see you without me. Thankfully, she waited, and we're on our way now."
"You mean this is a dream," said Nightmare Moon.
"Yes, but don't worry, we're arriving at this very moment," Winter said before he dissapeared.
~~~~~~~~~~
Nightmare Moon slowly opened her eyes as a knock was heard on the front door.
"Coming," said Spike, "Helo Princess Celesstia, Luna, Crystalia, Prince Winter."
The conversation continued for a moment before subsiding. Alomst immediately afterwards hoofbeats could be heard entering the building. The hoofbeats grew louder and louder until Twilight appeared in the doorway, followed closely by Celestia, Crystalia, Luna and Winter.
"There she is," said Twilight in a toneless voice.
Before anyone knew what has happened, Crystalia was upon Nightmare Moon with her forehoves wrapped around Nightmare Moon's neck.
"YOU KILLED CELESTIA," she screamed.
Suddenly, a blue aura surrounded her, and she was lifted off of Nightmare Moon, who was now gasping for breath.
"That is no way to treat anypony," said Winter with glare that rivaled The Stare.
"Sorry," said Crystalia, "But she deserved it."
"No she did not," said Winter, "I do believe one thousand years of guilt was punishment enough."
Crystalia lowered her head, ashamed of her actions. "I'm sorry."
"It's okay," said Nightmare Moon, "I would have done the same thing."
With that comment, everypony in the room looked at her. The way she'd said it hadn't sounded evil, but more sorrowful.
"When Winter told me I'd killed you, Celestia, I didn't think I could live with that," said Nightmare Moon, "Winter saved me from that, though."
Celestia looked at Winter. "You rehabilitated an evil goddess!?"
"Indeed," Winter said, "I also fell inlove with her. The wedding was not for Luna, but for Nightmare Moon, since for reasons beyond my comprehension, they are still the same mare."
Silence followed as this revelation sunk in on those who hadn't know about it. Of course Luna knew, as they had discussed it before the wedding, and Winter and Nightmare Moon knew, but this was news to everypony else.
"You married Nightmare Moon," said Celestia, voice filled with awe.
"I reformed her," Winter said as he turned his head to face Nigthmare Moon, eyes filled with love and compassion, "Then I fell in love with her."