The Hidden Story

by Cryogenii

The Loss

Thinking back, Luna had come a long way from the forlorn figure sat at the feet of a statue of the monster known as Nightmare Moon. It had been Twilight Sparkle who had helped Luna get through that first Nightmare Night. It had been a revelation, where the alicorn had to face the uncomfortable truth that no living pony knew her, associated her with the creature that inspired that festival or even knew that their ruler had a sister. She remembered the joyful faces of the foals as they eagerly prepared for the celebration that was a beloved tradition. It was bittersweet for Luna to recall the innocence and excitement radiating from the young ponies, blissfully unaware of the true origins of the holiday they so enjoyed.

As she recalled the foals excitedly dressing up in costumes, gathering candy, and partaking in games, Luna knew that she would willingly embrace playing the monster they all wanted to see. It was a testament to the spirit of Equestria, that an old mare's tale had transformed into a time of revelry and laughter. Yet, within Luna's heart, a subtle ache remained. The celebration was a reminder of her defamation as Nightmare Moon, a time when jealousy and anger had led to her imprisonment for a thousand years.

Despite the lingering twinge of sadness, Luna understood that the foals' love for Nightmare Night was not meant as an attack on her personally. It was a celebration that had evolved and taken on a life of its own, becoming a symbol conquering nightmares and embracing the darker fears of the night. Luna found solace in the fact that, through this holiday, she could now directly contribute to the happiness of the foals, even if they were unaware of her personal connection to it. In her own way, she could share in their innocent delight, cherishing the joy to be found on that night without being burdened by her knowledge of its origins.

Princess Luna found herself contemplating the loss of her power, in the moonlit night that she now belonged solely to. It was a constant reminder that she served as a subordinate to her sister, who retained command of both the day and night. Luna's heart ached with a complex mix of emotions— a lingering yearning for the autonomy she had once possessed as one of the most powerful beings in the whole of Equestria but there was also something else. Was it a paradoxical sense of freedom?

She couldn't deny that being a servant to her sister was not as demeaning as she had feared. The other alicorn hadn't treated her badly, or issued a single order to demonstrate her dominant position. Instead Luna was largely isolated from palace life and spent her working hours alone, in the darkness. There had been a time long ago when that angered her, but without her full depth of ability she knew she was no longer Celestia's equal. Not being paid the same level of respect no longer enraged her, it simply reflected the truth of her station. Perhaps she'd been powerless for so long that any small freedoms were an incredible luxury.

She felt an undeniable joy in her nocturnal domain. The vastness of the night sky was hers to command, a canvas upon which she painted her constellations and guided the moon's gentle glow. Now, although confined to a role that felt restrictive at times, Luna enjoyed the freedom to shape the night sky according to her own whims. The borders of dusk and dawn prevented her from being just a subordinate to her sister's sun.

In her contemplation, Luna found solace in the understanding that true satisfaction came not from dominion over the celestial bodies or the subjects of Equestria, but from the impact she could have on the hearts and minds of individual ponies. The happiness amongst the foals on Nightmare Night was just a start: her role as a subordinate to her sister had granted her the opportunity to touch lives, to bring light and comfort to those who needed it most.

Having lost the bright burning fire of her full power made it easier to remember what had seemed to be her lesser ability, that of the Dream Walker. Princess Luna discovered that her truest calling lay not in her celestial dominion but in her ability to nurture dreams and aspirations. She embraced this role with grace, understanding that her connection to the ponies of Equestria held a deeper significance than that of her sister's cult of personality—one that transcended the mere confines of power.

Luna revelled in her new purpose, finding strength in the bonds she had formed and the difference she could make as a beacon of hope and inspiration. She had really begun to realise the importance her new role could have when she'd helped the young filly called Scootaloo to overcome her night terrors. Having a direct and tangible effect on the ponies of Equestria gave her great satisfaction, whether it was bringing hope to the fearful or comfort to the lonely.

However she always came back to foals who's slumber was invaded by bad dreams. Night after night she would travel into the dream world to provide protection from whatever phantasms troubled the young sleepers. She had found that there were pools of darkness; young minds that she would be drawn back to again and again as the fuel of their nightmares kept being replenished. Often these foals would be grouped in clusters, residents of the orphanages of Equestria.

Princess Luna, driven by her compassion and desire to bring comfort to those in need, embarked on a heartfelt mission to visit orphanages across Equestria. Recognizing the pain and fear that plagued the young foals who had lost their families, Luna sought to provide solace and guidance, to become a beacon of understanding and empathy in their lives.

As Luna entered each orphanage, she was met with a mix of curiosity and apprehension from the young ones. Their eyes held the weight of sorrow and longing, their spirits overshadowed by the absence of parental love. Luna, with a tender smile, reached out to them, her gentle presence easing their apprehension and warming their hearts.

Through her unwavering empathy, Luna sought to release their pain and fear. To show them that they were not alone in their struggles. She encouraged them to express their emotions, helping them find the strength to confront their fears and heal the wounds of their past. Some of the young would weep or moan, others beat their hooves against her chest as they tried to release emotions they could not articulate. Luna would patiently let these outpourings subside, knowing that these were not expressions of anger but instead pain.

In her visits, Luna also introduced the foals to the power of dreams, sharing her own ability to guide and protect them in their slumber. She would create serene and enchanting dreamscapes, where the foals could find solace, comfort, and a respite from their everyday challenges. Luna's presence brought hope and light to their lives, reminding them that they were not forgotten, and that even in the darkest of times, they were cherished and worthy citizens of Equestria.

Through her visits to the orphanages, Luna discovered the transformative power of her role as a princess. She witnessed the resilience and strength of the foals as they began to release their pain, embracing a newfound sense of hope and optimism. The young ones gradually found solace in their shared experiences, forming a bond of understanding and support. In turn, Luna's own heart swelled with a profound sense of fulfilment, knowing that she had made a positive difference in the lives of those who needed it most.

Comments

[Someoneirrelevant]

wow I know what this references great work

[Pete100]

Luna would be a better ruler.