The scars of Luna's past haunt her dreams, causing sleepless nights. Can Twilight's love help her?
With each passing day the cries grow louder, her laughs tainted more and more with mocking, the destruction spreading.
The memories of Luna's rebellion as Nightmare Moon still hang around her neck, dragging her down. Twilight knows the princess's troubles, and she wants to relieve the burden. The nights are dark however, and Luna's dreams darker.
Can Twilight really stitch Luna back together, or are some wounds too deep to heal?
Darkness, swirling around. Lights, white and blue. Screams and cries. All of it dampened by sobbing, the overbearing sound of choking and sniffling.
“Luna? Luna, what’s wrong? Is it another one of your dreams? I’m here for you Luna.”
Fluttering her eyelids, Luna opens her eyes to a blur of moisture, the purple blob still whispering comfort into her ear. She wipes the sheen of tears away, the picture of Twilight holding her growing clear. “I’m sorry to trouble you again Twilight.” The words roll slowly off Luna’s tongue, each syllable of the apology an arrow in Twilight’s chest.
“Luna,” Twilight grasps the princess’s jaw between her hooves softly, directing Luna’s eyes into her own. “This is something I want to help you with, not something I see as a burden.” Tilting her head forward, Twilight closes the gap, her lips embracing Luna’s lightly. “So please, tell me what you dreamt.”
Her thoughts still scattered by the recent mental attack, Luna searches the dim room around her for the missing pieces, the familiar surroundings helping to settle her mind. Soft, black cotton sheets cloak both ponies. the dampness of sweat glueing the material to Luna’s body. The poor light of the room hides little furniture. A rosewood desk made for one but often used by two. Heavy oak painted white to match the palace’s theme forms the door, a misfit among the black walls of the room.
Obsidian surrounds them on all sides. The cold stone magically enchanted to display Luna’s sky, her other great love. The white marble balcony extends beyond a wall of glass, the windows and doors bearing no curtains, free to portray the night’s beauty.
“It was the same as always,” Luna speaks finally, knowing Twilight has heard the nightmare countless times. “I saw her, me. I was chained to the tallest tower of our old home, only able to watch as she tore the city to shreds. The worst of it was Celestia’s sorrow, her sobbing is growing louder with each dream since my return. The cries seem to come from right behind me, but when I turn there’s nothing but destruction. Without you rousing me I would be trapped in that torment all night, forced to watch my greatest sin on repeat.” She pauses again, decision straining her face, not knowing whether to alarm Twilight or not. “I fear if I don’t find a way to combat the demon I may fall under her will once again.”
Twilight’s breathes in Luna’s tale, her lips still inches from the princess’s. “Did you try any of the waking techniques we practiced?” She questions, subconsciously nipping at her hoof, demonstrating one they practiced together.
Luna can't help but giggle at the notion. “Twilight,” Still smiling, she presses her lips against Twilight’s snout to control her laughter. “I’m the Princess of the Night, the Goddess of the Dream Realm. If this were something as simple as a dream this discussion would never take place.”
“And just what would we be doing then?” Twilight questions slyly, her lips suggesting her thoughts with a playful nibble at Luna’s ear, barely wetting the fur. Luna purrs in response, a shiver passing along her neck as she lowers it to nuzzle Twilight’s. “Luna,” Purple hooves raise, a wedge to pry the eager princess from Twilight. “As much as I’d love to, we need to focus.” Taking the hint, Luna retreats, a disappointed pout touching her lips. “Is there anything we haven’t tried?”
Memories of the various sessions with Twilight skip across Luna’s mind, each lightening her heart a little. No matter what they tried, whether it be exhaustion till she lacked the energy to dream, or talking out her problems in the hope that sharing the burden would ease the dreams, they had all ended in distraction. Twilight’s tempting lips, a slender frame that overcame Luna’s ability to concentrate many a time, resulting in the two having to release some stress. Each solution bringing no solace to Luna’s hauntings.
“There is one thing,” Luna’s mouth twists and head turns as soon as the words leave her mouth, regretting the decision to speak instantly. Peeking back at Twilight, she grimaces. Noting the raised brow with wide eyes below, lips forming an O, telltale signs of the unicorn’s curiosity. “Forget what I said, it would be foolish to even think of attempting.”
“I would play the fool for eternity if it would help you Luna,” Twilight replies, the sappy remark lifting the corners of Luna’s lips. “So please, could you tell me?” Luna hesitates, thoughtfully pursing her lips. “If it’s too dangerous, I promise I won’t force you to do it. I just want to know.”
A sigh escapes Luna’s lips as the argument building in her head collapses, knowing it won’t hold against the storm of questions waiting on Twilight’s tongue. “I can’t deny you the knowledge after I hinted it,” She speaks finally, choosing each word carefully. “It involves an advanced form of dream magic, thought sharing.”
“I-” Twilight fails to restrain the instant of speech, instinctively curious about the topic. She takes a slow, calming breath, restraining her mind, noticing Luna waiting for her. “I’m sorry for interruption, please continue.”
“As I said previously, the technique is thought sharing,” As she speaks, Luna pulls away from Twilight, sinking into her deep-blue pillows behind. “It involves forming an intimate connection between two ponies. Once the process is complete each party can sense the other’s thoughts and in theory share dreams. It is a largely undocumented spell and only four ponies have ever performed it successfully, the most recent pair falling into madness after a number of months. In their possesed state the magical power they held was used to perform many horrible deeds. Whole villages being destroyed before Celestia and I stepped in to stop them.”
Shifting on the mattress, Twilight leans back into her own purple pillows, listening intently to Luna’s words. “Why exactly did they go mad?” She questions, the prospect of losing the ability to think clearly frightening. “Did they not have enough magical power to maintain the bond?”
“No,” The corners of Luna’s lips turn downwards, her face a somber picture as she fight’s a staring match with the darkness before her. The drawn out pause wears at Twilight’s patience, her curiosity threatening to speak for her. “They were great magicians,” Luna breaks the silence finally. “Powerful unicorns who had fallen in love through their work. The spell was supposed to be the final step in their relationship, to show the eternal commitment they shared, but all ponies are different.”
Luna pauses again, her heavy breaths the only sound holding back silence. Twilight holds the princess in her eyes, her body silent, her mind begging, pleading to speak up, ask one question. Not wanting to disturb Luna however, she holds back, instead focusing her mind on the shape of Luna’s face. The curve of her downcast muzzle, messed starry hair, free from its tiara, falling over deep-blue, unblinking eyes. Each feature draws Twilight closer until her breath brushes across Luna’s cheek.
“Twilight,” The sudden sound surprises Twilight. She jolts back, giving Luna room to turn her head, blue eyes capturing Twilight’s own. “How compatible do you think we are?”
The question comes as confusion to Twilight. “I, I guess extremely compatible,” Her eyes roll upwards, attempting to recall an excerpt from one of the many relationship advice book Twilight had read. “We share similar interests, similar friends, we’ve never fought,” She recounts the signs, her hoof bobbing midair as she lists each item. “Even our personalities are extremely similar. According to my research we’re the perfect match.”
Luna nods her head thoughtfully, considering Twilight’s statements. “You are correct, but that is only a minute amount of what matters. All ponies think, it isn’t something that can be taught, how our minds work is something that comes naturally.” Luna’s words come slow, each one thought through carefully before spoken. “If we perform this spell our minds will be interlinked, our thoughts mingling with one another’s. If our processes of thinking are not perfectly compatible our minds will grind against each other, slowly wearing away until we are no longer able to control our minds. The mess left over, it’s very unpleasant.”
“I’ve, never, thought, of, that, before,” Twilight allows the words to dribble from her lips, her mind consumed by thought. “How we think. It doesn’t even seem like something I could explain.” Her eyes light up with awareness, locking back with Luna’s. “”How do you think Luna?”
“It’s, it’s a blur of images, words and emotions,” Luna recites clearly. “Almost like a everything is in a mixing pot, thoughts combining with each other, new thoughts formed from the mix.”
“Oh,” Twilight utters, disappointment staining her voice. “That seems quite different to how I think. My mind seems closest to a library, thoughts clear and ordered, waiting for me to pick them out. Images are rare, most of it consisting words.” Her teeth capture a purple lip, chewing the flesh. “It doesn’t sound like we’re too similar.”
Forcing herself to smile, Luna pulls Twilight’s face closer with blue hoofs, as if rubbing their lips together will spread the joy. “Don’t worry Twilight, it’s actually good that our thought processes aren’t exactly the same.” Twilight’s mouth forms a silent question at the prospect, confusion creasing her brow. “Compatibility of two minds isn’t based on their similarities. It’s like two puzzle pieces, they are perfect reflections of one another, fitting together with ease.”
“So is there a way to calculate the compatibility of our minds?” Twilight questions, her mind unable to determine the answer without a clear cut definition.
“There is,” Luna’s smile widens, her eyes flicking from side to side. “And I may have already tested our compatibility two months ago.” Twilight’s mouth moves to question, a breath escaping her mouth before she snaps it shut, the memory Luna mentioned coming to the forefront of her mind.
It had been a beautiful night, Luna had treated her to a moonlit dinner atop Canterlot Castle. The food was passable, but it was Luna’s handiwork and that was what mattered to Twilight. Luna’s fidgety movements and distracted words had broadcasted her intentions to Twilight, she wanted something. The whole evening that thought had plagued her, an itch she couldn’t scratch. Luna slipped in her question as the night was coming to a close, her voice shaky, her lips holding a weak smile.
The striped, purple stockings had been cosy, a snug fit around her legs. Luna’s attitude was the memorable part of the night. Motherly, she had tended to Twilight’s every need, not allowing anything in return. It hadn’t been unpleasant, rather Twilight had a night of overwhelming pleasure. Luna had reminded Twilight a little too much of her sister, a thought Twilight had spent pushing from her mind the whole evening.
Having sifted through the memory, Twilight catches Luna’s eye, confusion twisting her mouth. “I don’t understand, what part of that night was the compatibility test? Was it the stockings, or the dinner, or something else?”
Unable to control herself, Luna lets loose a snort of laughter, shaking her head at Twilight’s assumption. “That night was not what I was referencing,” Her burst of laughter over, Luna sighs, breathing deep to recover. “The tests were performed in the Canterlot Library, a few days prior to that night.” Twilight’s lips still hold a puzzles smile, her signal for Luna to explain further. “We performed spells with ink. I questioned you on certain topics while you held the ink in your magic, just above a blank page. The patterns each thought formed I compared against the results of my own self-testing. The patterns were surprisingly similar, some identical but for a few blots.”
“So that’s good then?” Twilight guesses, incapable of reading Luna’s face.
“According to my theory, yes,” Luna’s answers lifts Twilight’s spirits, the hope lighting her eyes. “But it is completely untested, so I could be completely wrong.”
All the evidence now in front of her, Twilight examines the case, weighing up the risks and rewards. The potential to free Luna from her terrors in the night, definitely a positive result. The chance to fall into madness, lose all ability to think clearing, doomed to a life not worth living, a thought that sends a shiver through Twilight’s spine. The ability to communicate with her anytime, be with her anywhere, for the rest of her days, a result she still finds difficult to contemplate.
The thought of sharing every thought with another something her mind immediately backpedals at. The thought of sharing it with Luna however, a pony whose touch she yearns for each day, whose voice calms her nerves, a pony who she wishes to spend every moment with. That thought excites her mind, sending fantasies of what the coming months, coming years, could possibly hold.
Among the storm brewing in the library of her mind, a thought fluttering through the air catches against her face, forcing itself into her attention. A thought that had been floating about her mind the whole conversation. “What happened to the other pair?” Twilight questions, the details of Luna’s unfinished tale her want.
“I, what do you mean Twilight?” Luna’s brow creases, her voice laced with confusion.
Twilight’s hoof paws the air, as to not let her question escape into the torrent of other thoughts flowing through her mind. “You mentioned earlier that there was four ponies, two pairs. Yet you only mentioned what happened to one of them. Did the others go mad as well?”
Emotion flicks across Luna’s face, too quick for Twilight to recognise. “No, they were compatible enough to maintain the bond throughout the lifespan of a pony,” Luna responds, each word hand picked. “It happened many millennia ago however, there was no documentation of their minds before the bond was formed.”
The knowledge of possible success swings Twilight decision, her internal debate ceasing. “I think we should try it Luna,” She exclaims, the prospect tinging Luna’s face with regret. “I mean if two other ponies could do it, why wouldn’t the Princess of Dreams and Celestia’s student be able to?”
“I think it would be unwise Twilight,” Luna replies forcefully, a scare attempt her last hope to push Twilight away. “It is much too dangerous, the possibility of you falling into insanity’s clutches not something I wish to risk.” She stops to take a breath, her mouth primed for another hail of excuses. A purple hoof pressed against her lips stops the second round.
“Luna, I know you care for me,” Twilight says, her soft, emotional words catching Luna’s attention. “But you said it yourself. If you don’t beat this nightmare soon it’ll be you who goes mad, and that’s something Equestria can’t risk again. Trust me Luna, I’ll be fine.”
“I-” Luna’s mouth flails, protest still on her lips. “I must apologise Twilight. What you say is correct. It’s just the thought of you, the memory of those two. It paints horrid pictures in my mind.” A breath of air escapes her chest as she sighs, holding Twilight’s head between her hooves, uniting their lips in a soft kiss. “But your judgement is true, we need to take this risk.” Luna squirms against the pillow behind her, rolling to lie on her stomach. “This would be done best if we were lying down.”
Twilight follows suit, cuddling her body against Luna’s, the black bedclothes a mess beneath them.
“Now just close your eyes and let my magic guide you,” Luna instructs, the ringing of her magic filling the air. Obedient, Twilight waits blindly.
A spark, soft, deep-blue, requests entrance. Reaching out with her purple glow, Twilight grants it, Luna’s magic mingling with her own. The newcomer rallies Twilight’s magic, encapsulating her mind in purple, preparing one end of the link. Ready, the blue spark leads Twilight’s magic out through her horn, meeting with the rest of it’s kind. Upon contact Twilight’s thoughts jolt, the sudden flood of enlightenment shocking her, a way of thinking never imagined to her now obvious.
“Is that it?” Twilight inquires, noticing the spell settling.
“Yes, the bond is now complete,” Luna breathes, recovering from the spell’s strain. “Now only time will tell how compatible our minds are.”
Scrunching her face, Twilight studies her thought process, noting her findings aloud. “It seems like my mind works differently now, I assume that is a result of our minds melding together? I can see images so clearly now, it’s seems so bright, so-”
“Twilight,” Luna stops the unicorn’s trail of thought, drawing her attention back to the physical realm. “Don’t you think we should focus on what we planned?”
“Oh, sorry” Twilight’s lips form a weak smile. “So how do we start?”
“It is a dream world,” Luna explains. “So first we must sleep.”
I wonder if she’s is asleep yet? The thought floats through Twilight’s mind. Lying on her side, facing Luna, she listens to soft breaths, trying to lull herself to sleep.
It’ll be easier to sleep if you just clear your mind Twilight. The thought comes to Twilight as easily as it were her own, but foreign
Is that you Luna? She projects her thoughts this time, attempting to contact the princess.
Yes it is Twilight, Luna responds, the bubbling into Twilight’s mind like a laugh. And there’s no need to think so hard when communicating with me, it comes across as shouting. Just think as you normally would and I’ll hear it.
Luna’s explanation of her new way of thinking hits home with Twilight. She can hear every thought can’t she, even this one. Panicking, she attempts to hide her thoughts, focusing on keeping her mind blank What if she finds out my secrets?
Twilight don’t worry, Luna comforts, her words easing Twilight’s distress. Your secrets are safe with me. Just relax, let your mind wander. You’ll never get to sleep if you keep this up.
Sorry, I’m just nervous. Twilight inhales, a deep breath filling her lungs, calming her frantic mind. Her thoughts slow, the tank of her mind emptying out, ready to be filled. Other thoughts drip-drop into her mind, blurred at first, but as her mind grows vacant they become clearer. Luna’s thoughts clear but for her counting clouds, the white, fluffy pillows floating across the scape of her mind, numbers in time with each one.
Seventeen, eighteen, nineteen, Twilight joins in, counting the clouds with Luna, her mind dimming. Forty-seven, forty-eight, forty-nine, fif-, the darkness overcomes Twilight’s thoughts, smothering her consciousness, finally asleep.
The roaring crackle of fire catches Twilight’s mind, pulling her from the haziness of sleep. She snaps her eyes open, a landscape of burning stretching for miles. Structures in various states of ruin scattered between towers of flame against a smoke-filled red sky, toys abandoned by a some demonic child. Luna’s protests call from somewhere above, each cry mixed with the twisted cackling of another voice.
Twilight fails to realize any of these things, the cries of another demanding her attention. Sobbing, the air thick with the sound, choking her. The struggled cries held by a familiar voice, Celestia. Each smothered sob a stab of pain for Twilight, drawing tears to her eyes.
Twilight? The thought a drop of water against the book of Twilight’s mind, seeping through the pages, barely touching the centre. Can you hear me Twilight? Another drop, aided by the efforts of the first, bores deeper into Twilight’s mind. The thought repeats, drop after drop, the eventual torrent tearing pages, soaking Twilight’s consciousness with a single thought. Can you hear me Twilight?
Yes Luna, Twilight manages to force the thought into her mind, struggling against the weight of Celestia’s sobs. I’m here. Where are you? Each action of her own will pulling Twilight out of the pool of pain, the sickening cries fading to background noise.
I’m atop my sister’s tower, Luna’s thought carries a somber tone. It will be easy to spot, it’s the only structure left.
Shaking away her previous chains, Twilight climbs to her feet, the mix of ash and rubble beneath making unstable footing. Examining her surroundings with a clear mind this time, she notes her own position. Dug into a ditch, a mound of stone chunks forming an unclimbable wall to one side, the other side an easy slope of black ash. Padding up the ash, the destruction meets Twilight’s eyes, fire from her feet to the horizon. With no standing structure in sight she turns, finding the only thing left untouched among in the ruins.
A tall, white tower, lines of black ash snaking down it’s sides. All Twilight can see of the top is an aura of darkness spilling over the side. Luna’s voice, defiance hiding her fear, falls from the tower top also, another voice joining it. Is it her? Twilight holds the thought in her head, waiting for Luna’s response.
It is. Luna responds. The thought bringing words to Twilight’s mind, weak, in pain, in trouble. Fear pulls at her spirit, the horrible feeling accompanied by nightmarish visions. You’re right Twilight, Luna speaks into Twilight’s mind again, the hint of a smile in her thought. I am in dire need of help here, her power has grown. There’s a staircase inside the tower, if you can-, Luna’s thought is cut off by a blare of pain. Twilight grits her teeth at the flash of red, hoping safety for the princess.
I’m coming Luna, Twilight thinks as she sets off for the tower, a chunk of stone tripping her instantly. Hissing in pain, she shakes the hurt from her hoof, pinning her eyes to the ground to prevent further mishaps. Her hooves leave inch deep prints in the ash as she steps around the ruins of buildings, broken brick and stone forming an obstacle course. The short journey through abandoned homes and shops tells quite a story. Carcasses of ponies young and old wait for her at each turn, all fleeing, all burning or burnt. A torn library, it’s shelves toppled, the marble floor covered by a carpet of strewn books.
As Twilight nears the tower, a building missing it’s wall catches her eye. The gaping hole reveals what she assumes was a barracks, golden armor twisted and melted in the heat of the flames. One poor pegasi baked alive inside his shell, a taste of what must have been many more. The solid pillar of white stone is largely unaffected, it’s black scars the only sign of the surrounding ruin.
White-washed oak doors framed with brass lay agape, the lobby left open for Twilight. Inside the floor is bare white marble. A wooden desk tipped over at the far end of the lobby, another white door behind it. The wall to her left is bare, the tapestries that once covered it bundled on the floor below. To Twilight’s right a stairway beckons her, the steps white, matching the rest of the room. The desire to reach Luna dominating her mind, Twilight bounds across the marble, meeting the base of the stairs in a few steps. The clip-clop of her hooves against the stone signals her ascent, the sound bouncing against the enclosed stairwell, reaching the ears of the pair atop the tower.
Be careful Twilight. A warning from Luna aside from the constant battle of words between her and the nightmare. She’s waiting at the top of the stairwell. The pain carried with the thought drives Twilight, her legs racing to be the savior. Her mind works with each stride, fumbling for a plan.
What can I do to help you Luna? Twilight directs her thought at her mental partner, her own mind exhausted of ideas.
Luna broadcasts a sigh. There is one possibility, but it requires much luck on your part and carelessness on her’s. I don’t know if it’s worth the effort.
I’ve come this far Luna, you have to let me try, Twilight urges, sensing Luna’s defeat. Still climbing, the conversation at the tower’s top comes into earshot. The mocking tone of the nightmare a familiar voice for Twilight.
If you must, Luna concedes. It involves using your thoughts to form the dream against her, it is partially yours after all. Do not be careless though, she holds just as much power in this space as you do with centuries more experience.
Twilight’s steps slow at Luna’s explanation. Her mind drawing power away from movement and into thought. So how exactly do I do it? The end of the stairs in sight, Twilight finds a dark mist descending the stairs to meet her.
Just think. The darkness engulfs Twilight, cradling her to the top of the steps Good luck Twilight.
“So dear little Lulu here has bought another into this world of ours.” Deposited harshly onto the white stone, Twilight struggles to her feet. Before her stands a familiar sight framed in a black aura, her teeth framed by a sly grin.
“Nightmare Moon,” Twilight spits the name out, narrowing her eyes. “I thought we got rid of you years ago on the Summer Sun Celebration, I guess I’ll have to beat you again.” Her words are bold, although her heart shakes and mind races with fear.
A ink-black tendril sparkled with stars closes the distance between the two ponies, causing Twilight to flinch from a touch on her snout. “Cute,” Nightmare giggles at Twilight’s reaction. “But courage didn’t win your last battle against me, your friends did. This time you won’t be let off so easily, I’ll use your body as another slave in my one-pony army. You two might be able to overcome Celestia this time.” Half listening to Nightmare’s mocking, Twilight’s thoughts follow a trail of wild ideas. Fantasies of what she could possibly conjure to overcome the enemy.
Don’t dwell on your plans Twilight, Luna’s warning comes soft, Twilight almost unable to sense the thought. She has just as much access to your thoughts as I do, just think and act. The new information sets off warning bells in Twilight’s mind. The sudden pressure blending her mind into a mush, her previous attempts at a plan lost.
“Oh don’t ruin my fun Lulu,” Nightmare tuts, directing her aura at the panicking Twilight, wrapping her in black. “I can’t have you getting too many ideas, so I think we’ll skip the battle I had planned.” Twilight now suspended in her power, Nightmare deposits her next to Luna with a smile. “You two do make a cute couple, I’m almost jealous.”
Struggling against the snakes of black mist binding her, Twilight finds herself unable to move. Her mind in a frenzy, she focuses on the first thought that floats into her head, forming it in the dreamscape.
That’s a very pretty butterfly Twilight. The taunt pressed into Twilight’s thoughts, the mocking tone it carries familiar to her. You should listen to your partner Twilight, I can put thoughts into your head just as easily as Luna. For someone renowned as knowledgeable you truly think poorly on your feet.
Don’t ridicule her. Luna’s weak thought stumbles into their shared mind, earning a laugh aloud from Nightmare.
“You and your precious little Twilight can’t do anything to stop me,” A grin spreads across Nightmare’s face, enjoying her victory. “Now before I drive the two of you insane I must ask one question Luna, why have you not fought back? Last time you put up much more of a resistance, it’s been a little boring without it.”
The comment raises a question in Twilight’s mind she hadn’t realised was there, something that she in her panic she had skipped over. “I, I would somewhat like to know the answer to that as well Luna, why haven’t you fought back? I know you hold a lot of power, far more than I could ever dream of.”
Two pairs of eyes pinning her against the cool stone post, Luna releases her pent up breath in defeat. “Because all my power is spent hiding this from my sister,” Luna speaks directly to Twilight, ignoring the billowing black clouds to her left. “If she found out I was going mad so shortly after my return she’d,” Pausing, Luna’s mind works with her jaw, teeth chewing blue lips. “I don’t really know what she’d do, but I couldn’t have her finding out. I shouldn’t have burdened you with this either Twilight, this is my battle to fight, now I’ve put you in grave danger.”
“Oh Luna,” Twilight shakes her head, tears pooling in the corners of her eyes. “I had no idea you were hiding this from your sister, you silly, silly pony.” She smiles, the wetness from her eyes forming dark lines down her cheeks. “Is there any way we can talk with her?” Luna’s lips part, not a syllable leaves her mouth before darkness plugs it.
“Don’t think you’re going to escape so easily, I have slaves to train,” The playfulness in Nightmare’s eyes battles with ambition, her black pet following her thoughts.
Luna? Twilight disguises the thought with a flood of emotion, hoping Luna will see through what she assumes Nightmare cannot.
“You never learn do you Twilight,” The black beast tuts, cocooning Twilight in starry blackness. “My black pet blocks Luna’s speech just as much as her thought. Now just hold still and try not to squirm, it will be over quickly.”
Sounds of Luna’s muffled cries disheartening her, Twilight scrambles for her oldest instinct, one bred through years of practice. “Celestia!” She screams with mind and mouth, the effort tearing at her throat. A surge of dizziness causes her head to sway. Ignorant of the tendrils loosening their hold, Twilight retches, the taste of bile staining her tongue. A similar sound fills the air, Nightmare forced to her knees over the bout of sickness affecting them all.
It spills from black, blue and purple lips together, the wave of nausea forming its peak, breaking onto the white stone. “What did you do?” Nightmare spits, saliva stringing from her snout, a tie to the pool of vomit below. Her aura of darkness retreats to hold its master, allowing Luna’s mouth free roam.
The buildup of bile erupts from Luna’s lips as the black snake leaves, another stroke on the green and white painting the floor now holds. “She broke the barrier,” Luna manages, gasping for breath after near suffocation.
“What do you mean?” Nightmare demands, eyes bulging.
“It means Celestia’s coming,” The effort of speaking too much, Luna attempts to collapse onto her side, a bed of black holding her up.
Gripping Luna with her black tendrils, Nightmare suspends the exhausted pony upside down, her eyes looking to pop right from her skull. “How can she possibly be coming, how could she know?” Nightmare deafens Luna with her interrogation, putrid spit flying from her mouth, speckling Luna’s face. Night-blue eyelids shut, consciousness apparently evading her, Luna fails to respond. Frustrated with the princess, Nightmare releases her grasp, letting Luna fall to the stone with a sickening crunch of bone and splash of vomit.
“What about you Twilight?” Veins catch Twilight’s attention more than anything, red snakes running through Nightmare’s eyes taking up more space than her pupils. Her body a perfect frame for the insanity, black flames roaring behind her, drool staining her cheeks and lips. “Do you know what she means?”
Twilight struggles against her prison briefly, retesting the strength of the crazed Nightmare’s bonds. “I have no idea,” She replied finally, finding the dark binding tighter than before. “But if Celestia’s coming you’re finished Nightmare Moon.”
“How could she possibly defeat me here?” Nightmare questions Twilight, expecting no answer. “Only the three of us have access to Luna’s mind, so only the three of us can enter this dream.”
“That’s where you are wrong,” The voice pierces the red sky in a beam of light, Celestia descends in the aura of brilliance, rainbow billowing behind her. Her eyes fall upon Luna, tracing her sister’s fallen form. “Oh Luna, how foolish of you,” She murmurs wistfully, shaking her head.
“Ha!” Nightmare exclaims, her pupils shrinking to pinpoints, head tilting as a grin parts her face. “You’re the fool. Now I have you in Luna’s mind I can posses all three, who would ever be able to stop me?” She giggles under her breath, commanding the black swarm forward.
Celestia turns away from her sister to face the seething cloud of darkness, her rainbow mane rippling in the non-existent wind. Nightmare’s power collides a foot before it reaches Celestia, like water on hot iron it evaporates, dissolving into the wind. “You always were weak Nightmare,” Celestia speaks softly, her quiet words aggravating the black beast.
“How can you say that,” Nightmare screams, a rain of spittle propelled from her mouth. “I defeated you twice, only the power of those elements managed to stop me.” Trembling, she summons her aura, forming it as an arrow. “See how you manage against my full power.”
Watching from the sideline, Twilight flinches as the colossal point of darkness charges towards Celestia, only to shatter against her power. As if made of ice, the spearhead splinters into thousands of shards, each piece twinkling out into nothing.
The failure drops Nightmare’s jaw, her shock allowing it to hang agape for moments. Her fury quickly recovering, she stamps her hoof against stone, snorting at the effort. Concentrating her full force, arrowhead after black arrowhead shatter against Celestia’s radiant aura, each failure sending another shiver of anger through Nightmare. “How have you grown so strong,” She cries, still maintaining her hail of black.
“I have not grown any stronger,” Celestia explains, her voice slow and careful, as if speaking to a child. “You were never strong enough to battle me alone. It was Luna’s power that defeated me, not yours.” White eyelids falls as Celestia breathes deep, bracing herself. “Goodbye terrible Nightmare.” The blood-red clouds above part, allowing a beam of sunlight to spotlight Nightmare. Celestia releases the breath, channeling her power into the ray. Brighter and brighter it glows, its radiance consuming the nightmare.
The glare too much, Twilight turns away, shielding her eyes with a hoof. Her only knowledge of the event’s occurrence what she can discern from the terrible screams. The glow impossible to look away from, Twilight plugs her eyes with hooves, blacking the world out.
A touch on Twilight’s shoulder rouses her. “It’s all over Twilight,” She hears Celestia whisper into her ear. Pulling away purple hooves she finds the world dim, a circle of seemingly brand new stone among stains of green and yellow where Nightmare once stood. Trailing her eyes across the ground, she finds Luna shifted from her previous position, the deep-blue princess resting against the stone pillar, her chest moving with each breath.
The awe of Celestia’s display wearing off, Twilight finds a wave of emotion rushing to her head, thousands of questions waiting to be answered. “Thank you Celestia,” She manages at first, her gratitude overriding all. “I, I don’t know what would have happened without you.” Snuggling against her teacher’s touch, Twilight allows her mind to drift back into comfortable memories of her fillyhood, if only for a moment.
“You are the one who deserves the thanks Twilight.” The reply comes as a surprise to the unicorn, starting her upright. The question obvious in Twilight’s expression, Celestia smiles, helping Twilight to her feet. “I know you must be curious, but I think it would be best for both you and Luna if we returned to the waking world. She has some explaining to do.”
Rubbing her cheek with a hoof, Twilight cracks open her eyes to find herself surrounded by darkness instead of fire. “I’m glad that’s over Luna,” She speaks to where Luna last lay, still adjusting to the dimness of their bedroom.
“It’s not over for me yet,” Luna appears from the fog of darkness, jaw stretched wide in a yawn. “My sister will want to know.” She slumps back into her pillow’s embrace at the prospect, a sour expression broadcasting her emotion.
“Know what exactly?” Twilight questions, still curious of what exactly happened in the dream world. “It all happened so quickly I couldn’t piece together precisely what was happening.”
Luna’s lips part, words halting on her tongue as she rethinks the situation. “I think it would be easiest if we waited till Celestia arrived,” She says finally. “I do not wish to explain myself twice in a single night.” Concerned, Twilight leans into Luna, caressing a curl of her starry mane with a purple hoof. Still silent, she peppers Luna’s cheeks and ears and snout with light kisses, hoping to sooth the obviously shaken pony.
“Oh Luna, my poor, poor Luna,” The voice grasps the pair’s attention, drawing their eyes to the wedge of light creeping through the door. “Please tell me why you hid everything. Even after your fall you still kept it secret, all those years,” Celestia steps through the door’s gap, climbing onto the end of the bed.
Unable to contain herself, Luna breathes another yawn, Twilight’s comforting touch relaxing her into a state of half sleep. “I was afraid,” She manages, watching her sister nestle into the bundle of bedclothes at the bed’s foot.“ After one-thousand years together I was afraid our minds were clashing, that our time had run out. I formed a barrier in my fear, a barrier that barred any possible contact between our minds in a hope that would extend our sanity, but I was truly a fool.”
Perking up at the conversation, Twilight finds it answering none of her questions, only asking many more. “If you don’t mind me interrupting,” She asks with a weak smile and raised hoof. “Could you explain exactly what you’re talking about, because I feel like I’m missing a key point.” Each princess's eyes flit across Twilight for a second before meeting again, a supposedly silent conversation transpiring between the two.
How much have you told her of our past Luna? A thought floats into Twilight’s mind, adding to her confusion.
Celestia, Another thought, definitely Luna this time. We should tell her everything, especially after all we’ve been through together.
I wouldn’t want her to get the wrong impression of us however. The tone carried with this thought similar to the first, setting Twilight’s mind at work. Quieting her thoughts as much as possible, she studies the possibilities that would explain her current disorientation. With you two being together now, it would seem strange to reveal such a long kept secret.
You don’t mind if I ask one question, do you? Twilight asks, needing one last scrap of evidence to confirm her suspicions. A gasp escaping from Celestia’s mouth in time with her thought settles it. “So you and Luna, uh how do I say it, joined your consciousnesses as well?” Twilight questions the sisters aloud this time, wanting to be able to discern who is speaking.
Luna peels her eyes from Twilight to meet Celestia’s, a nod between the two, agreement truly without thought. “What you say is true Twilight,” Luna speaks up, turning her focus back to the unicorn. “We were the first pair of ponies to ever perform the spell, it made sense all that time ago. We were hotly in love and had just realised our full power. This was simply the next step of our commitment, the binding of minds.”
“But aren’t the two of you sisters?” Twilight inquires, her cheeks reddening with the burn of her imagination. Catching Twilight’s blush, Luna twists her head away in embarrassment.
“I see there is much to explain,” Celestia answers, much to Twilight’s disappointment and excitement. Turning to her sister, Celestia catches Luna’s chin, pulling blue eyes up to meet pink. “I think Twilight would appreciate it if you continue.”
Luna clears her throat with a cough, regaining her previous composure. “Yes I think that would be best,” She speaks, her voice failing to hide the previous emotion. “As I said, Celestia and I had recently gained the traits of all three pony races, Celestia growing wings and a horn and I gaining earth pony strength and pegasus flight. It was a result of our battle with Discord and intimate contact with the Elements of Harmony.”
Flashes of golden and blue magic shock Twilight as it bursts into her memory, a familiar draconequus the target. “I had been dabbling in the magic of the mind and dreams, it was simply another spell I wanted to test, we had no idea of any consequences.”
“And we have never seen any negative effects as a product of the spell,” Celestia cuts in, much to the agitation of her sister.
“It is true,” Lowering her eyes and voice, Luna agrees. “The first signs we ever saw of negative effects was another pair of ponies performing the spell. Two unicorns studying in my academy of dream magic, they were the best pupils I ever had.” Her lip under the assault of her gnawing teeth, Luna sniffs softly, blinking away tears.
The weight of emotion tugs at Twilight also, sharing Luna’s ancient memories. “I trusted them enough to lend them my secret spell book,” Luna continues, her mind telling the story just as much as her mouth. “It was my final gift to them as they graduated, the first and only two.” Salty trails staining her cheeks, Luna chokes at the build up in her throat.
“We never had a clue what would happen next,” Celestia continues for her sobbing sister, purple hooves cradling Luna’s head. “They wrote to Luna a week after their graduation with news of their ultimate union. I still remember my sister parading the letter around, announcing that some day everypony will be able to be joined so intimately.” She smiles wistfully at the memory, a ghost Luna prancing through a throne room crowded with ponies filling the trio’s shared mind.
“A month or two following the first I received another letter,” Luna picks her tale back up after choking back another sob, having recovered enough from the wash of emotion to speak. “This one held much darker tidings. It was not from either of my pupils, but rather signed by their town’s mayor. It contained details of a wave of abductions that had swept through the town, every missing pony last seen with one of my students. The town assumed the worst, however they had no way of stopping them out of fear they would find themselves captured also. I had to see for myself.”
A exaggerated cough breaks through Luna’s pause, drawing all eyes to Celestia. “You mean we had to see it for ourselves,” She teases, a sly smile hinted on her lips.
“Celestia and I arrived unto a scene of utter horror,” Luna continues, ignoring her sister. Twilight fails to notice the tension, her mind locked on the scene portrayed by Luna. Fire, it fills the small town completely. From the smouldering corpse of an unidentifiable building, to the roar of flames eating at the base of the town’s water tower. “We found the town abandoned, a trail of blood and bones and flame leading us into the surrounding forest. It-”
“Let’s just say it wasn’t nice,” Celestia interrupts, the disturbance bringing Twilight’s horror to Luna’s attention for the first time.
Nodding, Luna shifts on the bed, fast-forwarding her recount. “After that experience I was, put off the idea of a conjoint mind,” She explains, turning to face Celestia, her eyes and lips saddened. “I am truly sorry for what I did in my panic, it is my greatest regret. I, I lied. I told you our connection had faded, but the truth of it was I formed a barrier in our mind. Permanent, it required much of my strength, maintaining it weakened my power, allowed certain, undesirable influences to reside in my mind.”
Blue unfolds into Twilight’s mind, the sky parted by the sun over a city hinted with familiarity. Observing the expanse of thick forest circling the white city, she pulls at the scrap of a memory, trying to recall its entirety. Just watch Twilight, Celestia whispers over her mind’s shoulder, eyes glued to the cityscape.
Heeding her teachers instructions, Twilight pay closer attention to the skyline, attempting to place each building in her memory. A sharp white point sticks out, the pillar of stone the centerpiece of the city. “Oh,” Twilight breathes aloud at her realisation, the scene telling its story with the first lick of flame climbing a nearby inn.
Unable to interfere, Twilight’s eyes follow the orange beast’s path, climbing the rooftop of its first victim before leaping to the next, spreading its influence. The memory growing closer and closer to the smouldering ruin Twilight recalls from Luna’s nightmare.
“As you can see,” Luna continues, drawing Twilight out of the fiery scene in her mind back to the dim bedroom. “With my mind weak the nightmare crept in, slowly wearing away until I was weak enough to possess.” Silence follows, the weight of Luna’s confession churning thoughts in Twilight’s mind.
“Why did you never come to me Luna?” Celestia’s question pushes noise into the dead air, her tone passive.
Luna’s initial response is a sigh, the somber breath of air tugging on Twilight’s heart. “I was afraid,” She admits finally, her eyes finding Celestia’s. “After I realised my mistake there was nothing I could do to remove the mental barrier. I was terrified that if you knew of my growing madness I would be dealt with as my pupils were.”
“Oh Luna,” Celestia shakes her head, lips holding a sad smile. “They were a lost cause, completely consumed by insanity, but you. You were still you. I knew that even if it took the rest of eternity, I would help you overcome the nightmare.” Her eyes drift across to Twilight, holding the younger pony’s gaze with appreciation. “As it happens however it was Twilight who broke the wall and freed you from your torment.”
“How could you know?” Luna questions, puzzlement creasing her brow. “I assume you only gained knowledge of the events in my nightmare after the barrier had fallen.”
Celestia murmurs agreement, her head bobbing, rainbow mane dancing with the movement. “It was simply an assumption, my first knowledge of our reconnection was Twilight’s cry, it broke through my sleep and pulled me into your dream.”
“How could I have possibly broken the barrier,” Twilight shifts on the bed, fighting a growing ache with the twist of her neck. “If Luna couldn’t break it how could I?” Her question strikes the princesses with a pause, both unable to instantly formulate an answer.
“I truly do not know Twilight,” Luna’s words come slowly. The whirlwind of thoughts in her head hard for Twilight to ignore. “I have a few theories, but it is something completely untested, any information given would likely be false.”
Noting Twilight’s lower ears and the hint of disappointment in her mind, Celestia reaches a hoof across the bed, resting it on Twilight’s shoulder. “How it happened is no matter Twilight, what matters it you saved Luna from another bout of madness, something I and all of Equestria are truly thankful for.”
The encouragement lifts the corners of Twilight’s lips a little, allowing her mind to drift into scheduling the future. “If you don’t mind me bringing it up again, you two were in love once, right?”
The question pulls the sisters’ eyes into meeting, their simultaneous nod Twilight’s answer. “Did you two ever, um,” The reddening of purple cheeks finish Twilight’s sentence, eliciting a giggle from Celestia, Luna’s face sharing Twilight’s shade.
“Oh we never stopped, isn’t that right Lulu,” Celestia teases, her lips finding their way around Luna’s ear, stealing a light nibble.
Swatting the white pest away, Luna snorts in denial. “I would never do such a thing, I am committed to Twilight.”
Luna’s defiance only fuels Celestia’s playful nature, a grin spreading her lips. “I’m sure Twilight wouldn’t mind,” Her eyes follow Twilight’s figure, tracing the blurry body in the dimness. “And she’s more than welcome to join in.” The invitation overfills Luna’s agitation, her gaping mouth lost for words.
“Actually, that sounds like something I-I’d like to try,” Cheeks still stained with red, Twilight addresses Luna, seeking to shift her opinion. “To be honest, I sometimes dream about a moment like this. the three of us together, Celestia always starts.”
Taking Twilight’s hint, Celestia leans into her student, pressing their lips together, much to both Luna and Twilight’s surprise. Luna’s expression twists from shock to rage, her hoof moving to defend Twilight.
Pushed away, Celestia giggles at the pair facing her. The hint of want on Twilight’s features, the same feeling also tainting Luna’s mask of anger. “I can see you’re tired sister,” She says with a smirk. “Maybe another night?”
