//------------------------------// // Aftermath of Nightmare // Story: Death to Nightmare // by Admiral Q Ponyform //------------------------------// She hurt all over but she was alive so that was a plus. With a groan she opened her eyes to see clear signs of a familiar room. “Selene?” She heard Twilight ask and she looked over to see a look of concern and hope on the young alicorn's face. She yawned before answering. “More or less. I think the Element power fused Selene and Nightmare Moon together. Nightmare Moon is truly now a part of me. Twilight looked at her in shock. “Don't worry my friend, no Night Eternal here. I have Nightmare Moon's knowledge and a bit of her personality but the bulk of me is Selene. Now how is everypony else?' “Well the Element power healed me and the girls of our injuries but we were exhausted. Princess Celestia is recovering in the royal hospital so Luna is in charge at the moment.” “I assume she got free when Pinkie somehow got out of her cell. That mare is amazing in a crazy sort of way.” “Yup, she was helping the guard while we ….fought. She turned the tide in that battle and what's left of Nightmare Moon's forces retreated. Thankfully civilian casualties were small but a lot of guards have died.” A deep silence fell before Twilight continued with tears in her eyes. “Selene I'm sorry. You, Celestia, and Shining were right. IF I had guards you would not have been taken and....” Twilight felt a hoof around her neck. “Shhhh! It's okay, I forgive you. This was not how I wanted you agree to that. I'm sorry I couldn't stop her till the end. What is to be done with me? All that work down the drain in the PR department. Who would trust me now? Heck I'm guilty of treason.” “Well Celestia asked me to debrief you before we decide anything. So what happened to you when you were taken?” “Well I know how I got here for the most part. Many ponies are dissatisfied with Celestia's ability to protect them. I have to say I think they have a point considering the last few years. Anyway these ponies thought that Nightmare Moon would be better. After scanning Luna's mind they recreated Nightmare Moon's personality and planned on implanting it with a magically created body. It worked for the most part but by some fluke I got into the body and it didn't appear where they wanted it. I truly was an accident and when they realized I wouldn't be what they needed they kidnapped me and used a spell to implant Nightmare Moon in. Nightmare moon was in full control so I could watch everything that happened and could only annoy her with my yapping. I didn't get the chance to do anything till she tried to kill you. I was saving my strength and managed to gain control. Why didn't you kill me?” “Because you're my friend. I lost you once and couldn't lose you again when I had the option.” “Well some forces go to the north eastern mountain range. Grape Vine's base is there. Everything you need is there. All her plans and contacts which includes some generals.” “I'll do that thanks.' Twilight started to Gallop off before turning back to Selene. “Um until further notice you have to stay in this room and that suppressor has to stay on.” Selene raised a hoof and felt the ring up there and the band around her waist pinging her wings. “I figured as much, good luck Twilight.” Twilight nodded and raced off. With her friend gone Selene got up and looked at herself at a vanity mirror. The armor was gone as was the eyeshadow but for once this body felt like hers. She even found more eyeshadow and put it on and she felt more normal. She guessed she has some changes to get used to. * * * * * * It was hours later and Selene was reading a book when the door opened. She looked up from the book to see Luna by the door as she closed it. Selene had a huge urge to run up to Luna and hug her but she fought it down. Instead she said. “Hello Luna.” “How are you Selene?” “Well considering everything. I'm sorry I couldn't stop this. Couldn't stop her from going after you. But in irony Luna, Nightmare moon did in fact care about you. I felt it during that time and since I am now one with her I am sure in that feeling. I can't help but think of you as a sister Luna. Whatever you and the others decide please at least visit me. It would make me happy.” “You sound a lot like I did when I returned.” Luna looked down. “I came here to see who you are for myself. I know what's like to be a prisoner in your own body. If Celestia could forgive me and Discord I think she can forgive you. But I will promise to visit.” “Thank you.” Luna nodded and left as Selene went back to reading. * * * * * * A week later Selene stood in the throne room before Celestia, Luna, Twilight, and Cadence. The room was filled with guards, nobles, and common ponies. Selene stood proud awaiting her fate. Celestia herself still looked banged up but she sat with ease regal pose on her throne and began. “Before we begin, do you have something to say Selene?” “I do.” “Then let us hear it.” “I did not come to this world by choice, but I have come to love this country. The bulk of the ponies I met have been friendly and understanding. I was forced to watch the actions of others trapped in this body. I would give my life for this country and nearly did. I expected Princess Twilight to end me and keep Equestria safe. And even in her own way, Nightmare Moon, at least the Nightmare Moon embedded in me, wanted a secure Equestria as well and did what she could to minimize the death toll. Though imperfect you ponies have a wonderful country. Treasure it, defend it, for such countries are easily lost. I accept whatever the Princesses sentence me.” “Well spoken Selene. We Princesses have gone over all the evidence. Many of which were provided by Selene herself.” Celestia looked down sadden. “It saddens me that so many of my little ponies fear that I can't protect them. In hindsight they have a point. A few of our recent troubles could have been avoided. While I have absolute faith in my former student Princess Twilight Sparkle, perhaps I relied on her abilities too much. Using her like a crutch when actions by me, Luna or the royal guard should have been better. Our investigation proves that Selene's body was created as an attempt to bring back Nightmare Moon, who these misguided ponies thought would be a stronger and better ruler. Selene herself was an unplanned accident. Which was a blessing for us. Without Selene Nightmare Moon would have succeeded that night. While the traitors foalnapped Selene and implanted a Nightmare Moon personality in her. While they succeeded in this they couldn't purge Selene from nightmare Moon and when she could she acted.” Celestia let that hang in the air before continuing. “I ask you Selene, do you have the knowledge and experience of Nightmare Moon?” “Yes I do.” “Then I will pronounce your sentence. Selene I hereby sentence you to serve Equestria and it's citizens.” Celestia quirked her mouth into a smile. “As Equestria's next Princess.” Selene's head tilts, her eyes go to pinpricks, and her jaw drops as some of the ponies cause an uproar of complaints. With a wing extension Celestia created an energized wing silencing all. “A weakness has come to my attention and I will address it. Princess Selene will work with Princess Luna and Prince Shining Armor to better secure Equestria while preserving the rights of its citizens. The Tirek incident and the coup attempt recently attempt to bring this fact home. THIS WILL HAPPEN.” Selene's features drooped. “This is a life sentence isn't it?” “Yup, there's no getting out of this.” Celestia responded and Selene sighed. “Well since this happening might as well get it right. Princess Celestia My name is now Selene Light and I accept my sentence.” “Then this court is adjourned.” Celestia said with the hammering of a gavel. Twilight and her friends raced to Selene's side to congratulate her on her sentence. Three weeks later..... Selene had cast a scrying spell on a mirror in her hooves. It revealed the throne room nearby. It was nearly time for Day Court and as usual there were tons of ponies. The door to her room opened to reveal Luna. “Oh Luna! Come over here you're just in time.” Selene said gleefully and waved a hoof over. Curious Luna decided to indulge her. “Okay, why are you looking at the throne?” “Just wait, oh there she is.” The mirror showed Celestia walking into the throne room regal as ever. The two alicorns watched in silence till Celestia sat down on the chair. The LOUDEST fart noise ever heard came from the Sun Princess and all the ponies stared with slack jaws and Celestia had a shocked expression till her face turned beat red. Celestia then got up and used her magic to lift the cushion to reveal a whoopee cushion. Celestia facehoofed and yelled. “SELENE!” “Even Royal Canterlot Voice YES!” Selene hoofed pump. Said before joining Luna in laughter. It took them ten minutes to calm down. “Selene that was a good prank. Even I haven't had the guts to do that during court.” “A side effect of the Elements, with my merged personality I have the spells of Nightmare with my knowledge of human world pranks. Then add in that while I have no desire to imprison or hurt Celestia I do have the huge urge to prank her. So she's got an eternity of dealing with me pranking her.” “Well be sure to include me in some of those pranks. You're not the only one who likes to do it to Tia.” Selene put a hoof around Luna's neck. “Of course I'll include my dear sister in such things.” Then Selene realized what she just said. She pulled her hoof away. “I'm sorry Luna. That just came out.” “It's okay Selene.” Both shared an uncomfortable silence before Luna ended it. “You better watch yourself, Tia will be out to get you.” “This why I'm going to fly around for a bit. See you this evening.” Selene took to the air but just had to fly by the the throne room, saw Celestia and happily waved at her fellow princess. Celestia responded with a raised and shaking hoof. * * * * * * Selene was flying over Ponyville, though she couldn't see it. A layer of clouds covered the town. But she did notice Rainbow Dash napping on the clouds again. Selene got the most EVIL of grins and she rubbed her hoofs together before diving into the clouds. After a minute a black shark fin rose from the clouds and made its way to the sleeping pegasus. All while Selene heard the Jaws theme in her head. She circled Rainbow Dash steadily getting closer and closer. Then she heard Rainbow getting up, it was time. “What the hay?” Rainbow started to say when Selene rose out of the cloud in the form of a shark and had her BIG and SHARP teeth out. Rainbow Dash, the tom coltish pegasus known for bravery, loyalty, and daring. Screamed like a little filly. That got Selene laughing as she reverted to her true form. It took Rainbow a moment to calm down and saw who it was. She glared at Selene and said. “That was not cool.” “Oh come on the setup was too perfect. And now you have cause to get back at me. Can't wait to see what you do.” “You do realize that me and Pinkie are the top pranksters in Ponyville?” “Of course, that makes it fun and a challenge.” “Okay you're on.” Thus the epic Selene, Rainbow, Pinkie Prank War began. Three months later...... Selene was taking off her regalia. It's been a month since Rarity designed it and a month and a week since the other Princess forced her to have a set. Still like all of Rarity's work it was a masterpiece. It was primarily a teal color to match her cutie mark with her mark on the chest piece with a purple gem on her tiara which looked like a crescent moon on it's side with the gem in the shape of a purple star in the middle. She was still getting used to the darn thing but it was growing on her. But tonight she was donning something familiar, tonight was Nightmare Night and only one thing fit tonight. The Nightmare Armor. She and Luna had a great prank for tonight. Normally she dons Nightmare's form at the end to scare the kids but tonight they will catch the kids off guard. After some final adjusting she went mist form and headed to the Nightmare Moon Statue. An hour later she sees Zecora and Luna leading the kids to the statue. It was show time. Selene expanded the mist so that it surrounded the group and began. “You dare bring that fake Luna to MY DOMAIN!” The fillies started looking scared, even Pinkie. “Well I see candy, you better leave it for me to eat otherwise I just might eat you instead.” With those final words she reformed herself and clearly showed her choppers to the fillies. Their screams were music to her ears as they raced over to the statue, dumped the candy and fled for their lives. Selene, Luna, and Zecora walked over to the pile of candy and each picked one piece up and raised them. “Another year of filly screams to hear.” Zecora stated. The candy would be split four ways. Some to Selene, Some to Luna, Some to Zecora, and the bulk to the kids too sick to enjoy Nightmare Night. Selene Looked up to the night sky. Yes she is stuck in this world in the body of a villain with her mind now a mixture of Tom and Nightmare Moon. Even more so forced to be part of a government for the rest of her life. But she wouldn't trade it or her friends for anything.