//------------------------------//
// Two Sisters Alone 
// Story: Seeking Answers 
// by Skye Mist 
//------------------------------//

Skye opened her eyes and yawned. Although sunlight never reached their castle, she always woke up at the crack of dawn. Her mother and sister woke up even earlier. She leapt out of bed and did her morning routine. Brush teeth, comb hair, etc, etc. 

Skye galloped down the castle's long staircase so fast, she almost fell a third of the way down. Catching herself by flapping her wings, she headed to the kitchen. Her mouth drooled as a pleasant scent coming from it drew her in.

Surprisingly, it was her sister that was behind the stove. "Nighty, where's Mommy? And why are you making breakfast? Mommy always does that. I didn't even know you could make anything!"

Night let out a sigh at her sister's attempt to get under her skin and rolled her eyes. Still, she answered, "Mother said that she had an errand to run and that we shouldn't wait for her to come back. There. Does that answer your question?"

She levitated two plates of pancakes out and sat down at the dining table. Skye followed after her and exclaimed, "Sure! As long as she doesn't take too long to get back. I want to know what the outside's like. You and Mommy have both been into town. Why can't I go too?"

Night sighed once again. "You know that you haven't perfected your transformation abilities yet. And remember the last time we let you out of the cave? You got chased by a Timberwolf! You were lucky that Mother was there or it would've made a meal out of you."

Skye shuddered at the memory of that day. Truthfully, she had been afraid of Timberwolves ever since that day. Still, she whined, "That was then and I'm older now! Why can't I go with you guys the next time?"

Night sighed. She was about to respond with the whole 'you're still too young' lecture until a thought crossed her mind. Her eyes gleamed and a devilish smile crossed her usually soft face. "Okay...you can come with us on our next trip."

Skye's eyes shined and a smile was plastered to her face.

"But" Skye's grin faltered. "You have to finish all of my chores...By noon."

Skye was about to protest, but she considered her options. A smirk appeared on her face and she stuck her hoof out. "Deal."


************


In her mist form, Nightmare Moon sped through the trees. Princess Luna had said that she needed to be there before noon. 'What' s the rush? I just don't understand that mare sometimes. How long have we been working together? About 500 years?'

Suddenly, she felt something knock her down. She quickly transformed back into her natural equine form. Today, she was wearing her silver armor, which to some, might make her look more intimidating and she had to admit, it was rather comfortable.

"Show yourself! I know you are there. Who are you?!"

Nightmare Moon turned her head back and forth, and her eyes scanned the area. However, she could not see the culprit. She growled in frustration.

"Now, now. No need to be so hasty, Moony," a deep chilling voice said from all directions.

Nightmare Moon's eyes grew small. 'No. It couldn't be.'

"Oh yes, Moony. It can be. In fact it is," the voice said as if it could read her mind.

"Coward! Show yourself!"

The voice chuckled. "I don't take orders from you, Moony. I am my own stallion."

By then, Nightmare Moon had seen the shadows inching their way towards her from across the clearing she was in. She fired a beam at them, but to no avail. They scattered when the beam hit, but quickly regrouped and continued towards her.

"So, how have things been, Moony?" the voice said as the shadows wrapped themselves around her legs. She blasted spell after spell, but had no luck. Her attempts to free herself were futile. 

She clenched her teeth in frustration, and said to the shadows around her, "I don't need to answer to you!" Each word was dripping with venom. Yet, the pony the words were targeted at seemed unfazed.

His voice was calm as he said, "Well, if you won't answer about your well-being, how about the foals? Hmm?"

Nightmare flinched.

"Ah. It seems I struck a sore spot. So, would you care to tell me about them?"

Nightmare regained her composure enough to answer, "You have no right to ask about their well-being! You lost that privilege when you sought after power and left us!"

"This coming from the mare who betrayed her foals' father."

"Shut up. I have nothing to say to you."

"Oh, pity. I thought we could have a nice little conversation about our little foals." His voice was full of sarcasm. The shadows continued to move around her legs, making her very uncomfortable.

"What do you want? I know for a fact that you aren't here for a little chat." she said in a voice like steel.

"Oh, how smart of you. I'm here to make an offer to you. Help me escape my prison and I will help you with your little...social problem. You know as well as I that this is not my true form. And I do know you have that little thing with the princess of the night to handle as well. Wouldn't you agree that it seems like a fair deal?"

Nightmare's eyes burned with indignation and rage. "I would rather rot in Tartarus with Cerberus before I make a deal with you! And it is none of your concern about my clients!"

The shadow stallion seemed to sigh before continuing. "You're still as stubborn as before. It seems I must take matters into my own hooves."

"Wha-"

"Nightmares! Come forth!"

Words died on Nightmare's tongue and her eyes widened as she saw the Nightmares come out from behind the trees. She struggled to free herself from the shadows that wrapped around her. She couldn't and before she knew it, the Nightmares attacked. She managed to knock a few down with her magic, but two more always took its place.

Before long, she was swamped by Nightmares. They faded completely a few minutes later. The shadows that held her in one place were released and Nightmare Moon fell on her side. Her breathing was haggard and her eyes were closed.

She was the only thing in the clearing. The shadow stallion and the Nightmares had disappeared. She slowly opened her eyes and if somepony had been there, they would have seen the whites of her eyes turn a light shade of turquoise. She grunted as she got to her feet.

Nightmare Moon turned into her mist form and headed toward the Castle of the Two Sisters.


************


The sun was at its peak.

Skye hummed as she finished washing the dishes. She was certain that doing chores was boring, but now that she was actually doing it, it was a matter of rhythm. She had made lunch, swept the entire castle by herself, and dusted all the shelves.

Night was impressed. In a matter of hours, her little sister had done all of her chores. Skye trudged over to the crystal chair next to her sister's. She panted as the last of her energy dissolved. She slumped in her seat.

Night's voice made her turn her head. "I'll be sure to convince Mother now."

Night winked at Skye and Skye managed a small smile.

Suddenly, the sisters felt something. Their internal clock told them it was nighttime. But, that couldn't be right. It was noon!

They rushed out of the castle and the cave. They looked up to see the sun blotted out by the moon. 

'Something's wrong.' The thought repeated itself in Night's mind. She turned to her younger sister and told her, "Get back inside. There's nothing we can do to stop this. We can wait this out. Mother will be back soon."

Skye nodded as she trotted after her sister. Normally, she would be happy to leave the cave, but for once, she wanted to be cooped up in the castle.

They heard what sounded like a battle raging on. It took all of their wits to keep just inside the cave's entrance. Despite the agonizing sound of battle, Skye's eyelids drooped lower and lower until she fell asleep.


************


"Skye. Wake up. Skye."

Night yawned as shook Skye awake. Unlike her little sister, she had stayed awake the entire time.

When the battle noises had ceased, the moon was lowered and the sun shone bright once again. Night had felt uneasy as she saw the moon after the battle. Before, it was a full moon that was the color white. Now, it had one major difference; the silhouette of a pony was on it. She had no idea why she felt so uneasy, but she was sure it was somehow connected to the fact that her mother hadn't returned yet.

Skye's stirring caused her to focus again. Skye opened her eyes and looked around, bewildered, until the memories came crashing. 'Right. The battle. The moon blotting out the sun.' She peeked outside the cave to see everything back to normal.

"Nighty, where's Mommy?"

Night flinched before she answered. "I-...I don't know, Skye. She isn't back yet."

Skye's eyes widened and tears started to form. she spoke in a soft, quiet voice. "But she never leaves us for this long. Do you think something happened to her?"

"I hope not. Come on." Night said as she headed back towards the castle.

When they stepped through the doorway, Skye asked, "What are you going to do?"

Night went to her room, picked up a cloak and two pearl necklaces. She gave one of the pearl necklaces to her little sister and put the other around her neck. "Wear this and stay here. Mother enchanted them with a spell that allows the two who wear them to be able to speak telepathically. I'll go alone and tell you through it if I have any progress."

"Okay. Good luck, Nighty." Skye said with a look of determination in her eyes.

Night draped the cloak over her shoulders and pulled the hood over her head. She stepped out of the castle and the cave.

'Don't disappear like Mommy, Nighty. Please.' Skye thought to herself as she looked at the pearl necklace in her telekinetic grasp.