The two circled each other, unable to avert their eyes from one another.
“A new moon has risen,” said Nightmare Moon in her cold, cruel voice. “Stronger for her hardships, wiser to her subjects, and ready to assume the throne her decadent sister has kept in neglect.”
“You can’t have it, Luna,” said Celestia. “I will fight you and win again if need be, but if you subdued the dark powers that tempt you, I would gladly restore your old throne.”
“How kind of you to offer me something you have no intention of giving me.” Celestia stopped firmly in her tracks. Nightmare Moon mirrored the movement. “You haven’t even realized the tables have turned, and you still condescend me. I’ve dealt you a crippling blow and you still deny your weakness!”
“I doubt your exile has granted you any significant amount of power, and this time I am not defenseless.”
“Ah yes. I must admit the enchantments you’ve endowed yourself with command a strong aura. But while you’ve been flitting between your books and your parchment for these mere garments, my isolation has granted me an unanticipated blessing. When I left you I was merely a herald of my element. Just the bringer of darkness. Now I AM the night. I AM the darkness! My incalculable patience has given me new sight with which to view this world, and with which I shall embrace divinity!”
“A madpony once proclaimed himself king of an ocean,” said Celestia cooly. “He drowned.”
“I must sound a fool to you, oh humble PRINCESS.”
“You once understood, as I do, that royalty is not a right to be protected, but a privilege to be exercised. Now your philosophy stinks of self-righteous tyranny. I will do what I must.”
Celestia set her horn aglow as she prepared to execute the necessary spell. As she was about to let go of the energies she withheld, she began to feel a draining sensation.
“Will you though?” asked Nightmare Moon, her smile widened.
“I shall!” proclaimed Celestia loudly, as she attempted to prepare another spell. The second attempt made her feel even feebler.
“You must understand how darkness operates. It is not banished by light, only postponed; and when the light ceases, everything it vainly protected is consumed once more. It, and therefore I, will always have the upper hand. For you every darkened corner and shadowed path must be lit. I need it not, and shall have it not.”
“I won’t let you subjugate…”
“You make it sound like such an ordeal,” the dark one said irritably. “I only wish to reclaim what is mine. If you can rule my part of our realm with impunity, then it is only fitting that I be given the same opportunity. I shall rule Equestria with darkness forevermore.”
“You’re insane…”
“Such dramatics! Then I shall make it even. A thousand years, and then I shall recall you personally, as a show of good faith. Then we’ll see who’s fit to rule Equestria, and whoever that is shall finally have no more need for the pretense of an empty throne.”
Celestia searched desperately for a reasoned retort as Luna continued on.
“After a thousand years they may have forgotten me, I do not know, but I shall ensure no one shall remember…”
“Why should you? They chose me last time, and won’t need living memory to choose me again.”
This shut Luna up.
“They embraced the sun and shall miss it dearly if you hide it from then. Even if my image is wiped from every window, torn from every book, and burned from every painting, they will herd beneath my wings. Even in my absence, others will resist you. I have made sure of it. There is another Princess of Equestria, and a Unicorn cleverer than Clover herself. Even with this victory, you have initiated a war you can’t win.”
Nightmare Moon glared Celestia down. Celestia observed the work of her boasting. She was surprised that it was this easy to get to an enemy who was one move away from winning. Still she continued her attempts to launch the spell that was becoming more and more difficult to initiate.
“I am sure there will be resistance, as there is to most change,” said Nightmare Moon quietly. “I welcome it. As a being of purity, I shall demonstrate to them the eternal mercy.”
“What are you talking about?”
“I have not yet taken a life, nor do I plan to during my upcoming reign. That magic which you denied me for so many years will aid me.”
“What magic, Luna?!” demanded Celestia.
She answered in an inordinately soft voice. “The never-wake spell, Celly. The Forever Sleep.”
“No. You wouldn’t.”
“THOUGH I MUST!” screamed Nightmare Moon madly. “Whoever breaks the laws established to maintain order and welfare shall be subject to an endless fantasy that shall deliver them from want and sense of self! Whoever dissents in favor of the return of sunlight shall enter a dreamless sleep to remind all of the emptiness of your rule!”
“You can’t!”
“…and for those who threaten me, defy my rule, or invoke your name… they shall forever live in a nightmare, as a lesson to those who would help you now or in a thousand years!”
“STOP IT, LUNA! STOP IT! STOP IT!!!”
Celestia’s spirit gave out. The last attempt to harness magical power made her fall to the ground as tears for the fate of her subjects welled in her eyes.
“I had only one wish every night of the past thousand years,” said Celestia evenly, in spite of her tears, “It was for you to return and for things to be the way they once were. No matter what curses you spew at me or threats you make against my ponies my wish won’t change! Let go of your hatred, and return to your throne! It’s so easy… why won’t you…”
Celestia’s plea dried up with the last of her energy. She looked into Nightmare Moon’s eyes, which looked… shocked? Was is working?
“Lu… na…”
“If you had never become arrogant, you would not have killed your sister all those ages ago. Farewell…”
Celestia’s eyes closed just as the darkness enveloped the pony she had addressed as her sister.