> Darkness and Light > by Dark_Soliloquy > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > The Memories that Bind us > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Celestia walked into the throne room, oblivious to what was about to happen. "Not another step!" She herd her sister, Luna, call. Thus begins the story of the two alicorn sisters, or at least that's what everypony says. But our story actually begins long, long ago... ~oOo~ "Catch me, Tia!" Luna laughed. She smiled with glee as her sister came flying towards her, hooves outstretched. The little filly loved playing games with her sister Celestia, and for some reason Luna always seemed to win those games, for Tia allowed her sister to win. But something was different this time. Celestia saw Luna staring at... Something in the bushes that she herself could not see from that angle. "Luna?" Celestia called warily. "Are you alright?" Luna slowly turned toward Celestia. "What? Oh, I'm... I'm fine... I'm coming." Luna didn't seem very convinced of the fact, and her voice was barely a whisper. Celestia wondered for a moment if her sister really was alright. After all, nopony could be there, for nopony came to the Everfree forest except for her and Luna, of course. Ponies would flee from the forest, but Tia and Luna thought it wasn't all that bad. Their castle resided deep into Everfree. And everyday, every morning, they would explore. Sometimes the sisters would get more than they bargained for, like a little run-in with Poison Joke, but they loved it. Perhaps Luna found a strange new plant...? Tia reached Luna's side and looked right into her bright blue eyes. "Luna, what did you see?" Celestia's eyebrows were furrowed with concern. "Nothing. Tia, I'm fine." Luna almost rolled her eyes. But what Luna did actually see, Celestia would never know. If only she knew that what Luna saw would change their life, all their troubles could've been avoided. But alas, the world does not run that way. It is unforgiving. > The Nightmares that Plague us > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Soon the two alicorn sisters claimed their royal titles and duties. Celestia got the sun, Luna got the moon. All was well. But you and I both know it was far from well. ~oOo~ Worthless. Stupid. They don't care about YOU Luna, why would they? They are far too busy worrying about perfect little Celestia. Great little Celestia. Powerful little Celestia. She gets all the- "STOP!!!" Luna shouted, stomping her hoof on the ground. Her thoughts had been out of control lately, and quite frequently she felt as if her thoughts were not even her own. "Celestia... Loves us. It's not her fault nopony else does." Luna whispered to nopony but herself. And her runaway thoughts. Thoughts of taking over Equestria, destroying her own sister, and brining eternal night. Luna didn't want to hurt anypony, so why was she still plotting? Was it even her own plot? What kind of sorcery would give her anger and hatred (Or was it somepony else's hatred?) a mind of its own? Then Luna had a better thought. If Celestia loves us, cares about us, then surely she would let the moon have a day to itself! She just won't raise the sun, and ponies will finally experience our night! She smiled at the thought and cantered happily out of her bedroom. ~oOo~ "Just one day, Tia? Thou's day gets enough admiration, and-" Luna pleaded. Celestia snorted and her face screwed up in frustration. "This isn't some game Luna! You can't have night at daytime! This is not one of your fairy tales! Stop your foolish dreaming and wake up! The moon can't be where the sun belongs. It's just they way it is! Luna's eyes pooled with tears. She fled out of the room, nearly knocking over one of the royal guards, but she didn't care. She just wanted to get far, far away from the sister that hurt her so badly, so very badly. Oh, well done Celestia! You are really starting to become what you feared. It's too late Celestia, you know you have to eventually give in... A harsh, evil voice crooned in Celestia's head. What?!? Who... What kind of witchcraft is this? Get out of my mind, you Nightmare! Celestia looked around, but nopony she could see was there. You know who I am. Well, I'm impressed! I can't wait- "STOP it!!!" Celestia shouted. Tears filled her eyes as she realized what she had done to her poor, poor sister. You can't stop us, Celestia. Soon you and your sister will just be pawns. And we will have our revenge. > The Darkness that Traps us > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Luna looked in the mirror, tears streaming down her regal face. Her reflection looked as it lately had: a slightly messy mane, a crooked crown and marks that tears left on her face. Suddenly her reflection changed. Instead of a deep blue coat, this haunting reflection-mare had a pitch-black one, and her mane was as mysterious and untamed as the sky itself. The reflection-mare had a sickly smile, and her teeth were as sharp as blades. At the sight of this, Luna screamed and with a swoosh of her hoof, smashed the mirror. The reflection-mare just laughed. ~oOo~ Celestia swiftly turned her head as she heard the sound of glass shattering, followed by a faint sound of maniacal laughter. Those eerie sounds appeared to be coming from Luna's room. She wanted so badly to go over there and see what was wrong, comfort her sister, but an invisible claw held her back, almost immobilizing her. Celestia let out an odd strangled sound. Tsk, tsk, Celestia. If you want to save your sister, you must give in to me. Comply, and your sister will suffer less pain. At least, Nyx won't harm her. But when I'm through with you, you might. The voice laughed, its laughter was strangely similar to the maniacal laughter from Luna's room. Celestia was filled with so much fear she couldn't respond. ~oOo~ Later that evening, at dinner, the dining room was silent except for the sound of clattering silverware. The sisters did not say a word, and once the meal was over they both retreated to their bedrooms. Luna flopped on her bed and began to cry. Her heart was broken, practically shattered like her mirror. She made a mental note to fix that before Celestia saw. "Oh, Luna, I understand your pain..." "What?" Luna was rather surprised at hearing another voice, this one was crooning, smooth, and slightly hypnotic. Luna raised her head and almost gasped when she saw a body (If you could call it a body) in front of her. There was a swirling mass of shadows, with tendrils of dark smoke glided across the room. "You want some admiration, yes? That I can give to you, and much more..." The Shadow's dark blue eyes blinked sympathetically. "I..." Luna knew it wasn't wise to talk to a stranger, much less an eerie shadow who seemed to know too much about her for her own comfort. But that thought eased to the back of her mind and she found herself pouring out her emotions to the Shadow. "-Oh, and Celestia is just terrible! She-" Luna stopped herself. She loved Celestia, but... She felt... Angrier, somehow. She used to be depressed, but now she was just angry. "Shhh. I can help you, Luna. And, my name isn't 'The Shadow'... You may call me Nightmare, or Nyx, if you wish." Nyx laughed at this, though her laugh was more of a slithery rattle, it was quite unnerving. "Do I... Know you?" Luna's eyebrows were laced with confusion. Nyx seemed so familiar... But Luna's memories were coming more and more blurred and unimportant the more she talked to Nyx. "Oh, yes, you know me. From long ago." Nyx smiled. Her body now took a more concrete form of a mare, somewhat, but she still looked as if she were made of smoke. Luna suddenly remembered, that one morning... In Everfree... She saw something... It was Nyx. She was so small then... "Ah, Luna, I think we're going to get along perfectly..." ~oOo~ Celestia paced around her room. What was that nagging voice in her head? If her suspicions were correct, Luna was having the same problem. She had to tell Luna! Celestia stopped her pacing and faced her mirror. She sighed as she saw how sloppy her mane was, and how tired her eyes looked. Then her reflection changed. Instead of a beautiful white mare with a flowing pink mane, there was a cruel orange mare with black armor, and her mane was made of flames which danced across the mirror. The reflection smiled, showing rows of sharp fangs. Celestia screamed. Somehow that image made all her worst memories come flooding back, especially the time she yelled at her sister for wanting more. She hated her self for it. You can't stop us, Celestia... Time for a new age of Nightmares to arise. > The Pain that Tests us > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Luna scowled as she lowered the moon and the sun abruptly rose in its place. Ponies were up now, enjoying the day and rejoicing that the night was over. See, Luna? They don't care. But maybe, just maybe, if you got rid of Celestia, then perhaps... They would appreciate you more. Nyx purred in Luna's mind. Nyx had this... Plan, but Luna wasn't sure if she wanted to follow through with it. But Nyx insisted that it would work. ~oOo~ Celestia sighed and walked into the throne room, awaiting a pile of scrolls for her to read. "Not another step!" Luna called, stepping out from behind her throne. To be honest, she didn't really have time to think, she was just doing as Nyx said. "Luna...? Why-" "Did you really think I would just stand there when they all... Basked in your precious light?" Luna said 'precious' as if she were saying something repulsive. "Luna-" Celestia was filled with confusion, and she was quite overwhelmed. "Luna, what's going on?" She started to really worry... Oh, looks like Nyx already worked her magic. Ooh, such fun! Wait till you see what your own sister does! The voice in Celestia's head mocked. Celestia's eyebrows furrowed in anger. Shut up. Just leave my sister alone! "Equestria only has room for one princess... And that princess will be ME!!!" Luna's eyes flashed a blinding white and she stomped her hooves on the ground. For a second Nyx almost made Luna stomp so hard it would make the whole castle fall on Celestia, but Luna held back. Luna rose up, rising the moon which covered the sun. A sinister amber light surrounded her, encasing her in a ball of darkness. Nyx? NYX? What's going- The amber light turned as misty as the night sky. Poor oblivious Luna. You didn't see that coming, did you? You were so easy to manipulate. Ha! Perhaps your sister won't be any better. Nyx laughed, her cackling ringing out through the throne room, but that laughter came out of Luna's mouth. Her coat darkened to an inky black. Her delicate crown and accessories turned into armor. Luna's mane grew wild and as mysterious as the night sky itself. Just as her reflection had had that fateful night, she too had fangs for teeth. "Luna! Lower the moon! It is your duty!" Celestia shouted as she tried not to cry. Fight her, Celestia! You know you will win! Who cares if it's your sister. Celestia wished she could punch that voice. "Hmm? Oh, I am not Luna. Not anymore." It was Nyx talking now, Luna had no control over her new body. "I am... NIGHTMARE MOON!!!" Celestia barely had time to jump out of the way when Nightmare Moon fired a blast of magic at her. Instead of hitting the white mare, it hit the ceiling. Huge chunks were falling. Celestia swiflty flew out the castle, not wanting to fight her sister. Luna tried to reign in Nyx, holster what she had become, and tried to speak her own words. "Celestia! We... We were supposed to rule as equals, sister, We just wanted... We just... We just wanted to be loved! Like you were. We... we didn't want it to be like this, sister. Please. Forgive us." Luna said in a strained voice as tears poured down her face. Nyx got control over Nightmare again. "And where do you think you're going?" Nightmare Moon smiled. She flew after Celestia into the moonlit sky. And with a mighty blast, Celestia screamed as she fell to the ground. She had been hit squarely in the chest. Nightmare Moon laughed gleefully. ~oOo~ Celestia slowly got up to her hooves. The Elements... They... Will save Luna... Pffft. You can't wield them alone. It won't ever work. Celestia used her magic to bring up a stone pedestal and brought out the Elements of Harmony. She rose up to face Nightmare Moon, face her own sister. "Oh, back already?" Nightmare Moon scoffed. "Luna... I'm so sorry..." Celestia whispered. Rainbow light came towards Nightmare, then she disappeared. Her silhouette appeared on the moon, with a faint shout of fury from Nightmare Moon. "I couldn't save you... I am too weak..." And then Celestia heard the laughter of that evil voice in her head. And she would never forget it. "I will see you again, my sister."