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// A Second Chance 
// Story: The Stars Shall be her Escape 
// by Luna Lily Ruby 
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	"It's a dark time for me. Did I know that I've gone through changes? Yes. Did I know my alternate-dimension counter-parts changed too? Yes. Change can be good or bad... It just depends on how you take it. My sister? She saw it as a bad thing. I, myself? I saw myself as a good change. I suppose I went a bit too far... Suppose that's why I'm here... It's not that it's bad... It's actually quiet comfy. Yet it does get lonely. I wish I had at least a pet. Some sort of companion at the very least. Though I don't get enough light, I still wrote. The only thing I thought to store in my armor. Why I didn't just take Moonlight - my one-of-a-kind dark phoenix - to battle is beyond me. She's invincible after all. As my path drifted towards the void, I sat, before I could - mother forbid it - fall into it. I looked at the stars, disappointed. I don't know why. It wasn't like I'm expecting anypony. The moon, after all, deserves to be a forsaken place." Nightmare Moon glanced up from her notebook, her only source of entertainment. It was magical; never running out of paper, always having enough room. Sighing, she settled down and fell asleep. Only one more day until this so-called thousand year banishment was up.


  
Asteria sighed. She hated the Summer Solstice. Zeus always called the whole family together. Ugh. Maybe she could... Yeah... That sounded good. Walking up, into the throne room she looked at the head of the Olympians and bowed. "My lord, if you to ever be so kind... I have business else where. May I have please have my lord's ever merciful heart shine down with favor to allow such a small and little part of the inner workings of the world to please leave, even if it is against my wishes."
Zeus rolled his eyes. "Ria, it's fine. You may go. Please don't bombard me with Shakespearean worthy speech. I'm still recovering from it."
Asteria grinned. "Thanks Z.! Gotta run!" And off she dashed, as fast as she could, breaking through the barrier of dimensional-speed. And then, she felt her hooves fall gently to the ground. Smiling to herself, she recognized her idol's icon... The moon.



Nightmare Moon wanted something to bash her head against. Her weaker, younger-self, Luna was trying to take over again. But why? Didn't turning into Nightmare Moon signify the last alicorn summit? To have her equal with her sister? Then a small chuckle sounded. Quickly alight her horn, pleased to realize that she was still in tip-top performing position, she called out, "Who dares defy my? Who dares to enter my tranquil moon? Show yourself, because I can guarantee you are a nothing but a silly, little foal against me!" Now, a full laugh echoed. But it was a warm laugh. A laugh that Nightmare Moon had missed. But it was Nightmare Moon that it called to... It was Luna. And, for the last few hours on the moon, Luna was in control.



Once Asteria knew for sure that Luna had indeed taken control, even for a few minutes, she stepped out.
"Hello... Me."
"Let's keep this simple, as I do not need thyself getting confused between thou and me. I am Luna and thy is Ria."
Ria laughed again. "Drop the Ye Olde English(e) Lu, no one's used that in like, hm... A thousand years here and by me." WHACK "Ow! Okay, okay. No poking fun," Ria giggled.
Luna humphed. "I should hope not. Why have you come, so late in the game. I was bored here! Like, the-only-thing-I-can-do-is-write bored."
Ria rolled her eyes. "You're escaping, you Royal Doofness."
"Excuse me?"
"Come on! It's a second chance! "...and the Stars shall aid in her escape." Did you really think I'd live my pony counter-part good as dead?"
Luna looked startled. "Well... I... I... Well, no. But... Why not before?"
"Because," Ria said gently, "you weren't ready. You've redeemed yourself at last Luna!"
Luna snorted. "Right. Tia and everypony else is totally going to believe me."
Ria pawed the ground nervously. "You're just a myth. Like me. Just ya know... Evil? Called 'the Mare in the Moon; Nightmare Moon'? It has been a thousand years."
Luna blinked, then the tears started to roll down her cheeks. "I... I... I've do-done so-so ma-any thi-ings a-a-a-an-d I ca-a-a-n't," she wailed. Ria rushed up to her.
"See? You regret everything. You are redeemed," Ria said soothingly. 
Luna shook her mane. "Your right," she whispered. "But wouldn't I... Turn back into her once I'm freed?"
Ria sighed. "There are somethings that cannot be helped." 
Luna took a deep breath, and stood as tall as she could, her starry-blue mane billowing in an invisible wind. "I'm going to back down a few alicorn summits, aren't I?"
"I believe so."
"Then I shall take it all in my stride, fight her as hard as I can."
"Then you are more noble then anybo- anypony I know. Now I must take off, but be good."
"Thanks Ria. You take care too." Then a startled look. "Ugh. I hate it when I speak, but cannot understand half of the words that emit from my mouth."
With that, Ria took off, returning home, leaving Luna to undergo one last transformation into Nightmare Moon, before Ria's leftover magic enabled her to leave. Once the time came, Luna would face anything thrown at her. She knew she could! Could she?



A few hours later, a silver-white glowing pathway formed, just as Nightmare Moon regained control of Luna. "You pathetic weakling," she hissed. "Thinking you can beat me down? I am the stronger side of you... Even Celestia fears us! We need to work together if you truly want equal power to your sister. But, seeing as you refused, I shall have to once more, take the lead." 
Luna refusing to send out a retort via thought. Why should she, when she knew it was all lies? Celestia was at the very least two thousand years older then she, of course she's more powerful! Luna, on the other hoof, should have asked her for more help and advice, instead of suffering quietly. She knew that Starswirled preferred the dark. So did those who were most need for help. 
Nightmare Moon growled, then laughed. "Fine. Stay silent you worm. I shall take over, then you will see that it is right to work in harmony..." And down Nightmare Moon went, on the star path into the world of Equestria. And the rest of the story, you know well, for it is your history and duty to learn that each pony makes mistakes and nopony is perfect... Even Celestia, although, that is a story for another day.