What if Luna was not only carrying a foal when sent to the moon, but also wasn't alone?
A Thousand years has passed, and Equestria has received its Princess of the Night. Things slowly return to normal. But odd things soon happen, making every pony question The Princess of The Light's true motives. But who's to say that when the Princess of the Night returned, some pony else was forgotten?
The full moon shone bright in the mid-night blue sky. Stars twinkled in beautiful arrays above a white, majestic palace. On a balcony that stretched from the palace was a alicorn. Her coat was white as the moon. Her pink, green, and blue mane was infused with magic, enabling it to float around her and her wings. The same was true with her tail. She was dressed in royal jewelry reserved for her kind, such as a ring around her horn and a large gold collar.
Most importantly though was her slim gold crown. At first glance it seemed weightless. But upon her head, it was heavy. The alicorn looked up at the sky with her purple eyes, royal-looking even in the twilight. Taking a deep breath she channeled her power through her long, white horn. It began to glow and sparkle. A beam of light shot from her horn and toward the moon.
Pulling back ever so slightly she directed a clear path for the moon, and used her magic to move the moon in that path. After the moon had progressed a couple of spaces she relaxed. The beam of light vanished and the glow dimmed itself out. She had to do this every few hours. Her magic kept the moon moving, but it always needed a push. Hearing a sigh she turned her head. A yellow unicorn filly with a flaming red and orange mane was staring at her with obvious envy.
“Is there something wrong, Sunset Shimmer?”, the alicorn asked, moving a few hoof steps forward.
Sunset Shimmer sighed again and shook her head. “No”, she faltered, “Well, yes well.... I'm just wishing I could be a princess like you Princess Celestia, faster.” Sunset Shimmer looked at her with her turquoise pleading eyes, and a trembling lower lip that only fillies and foals could accomplish.“Is there a faster way?”
A sad smile spread across Princess Celestia's face as she extended a white wing toward Sunset Shimmer and pulled her closer.“I'm afraid not, my student. The only way is long and hard. But do not fret. What have I told you before?”
Sunset Shimmer hung her head, and replied “Friendship is magic.”
Princess Celestia looked at her closer, “Are you struggling with the task I gave you, my student?”
Sunset Shimmer frowned, and slowly nodded. “Yes, I guess so. Other Canterlot fillies and foals just don't want to be friends with me. The other students already have friends, and are not interested in being friends with me.”
Princess Celestia gazed at her with questions in her purple, regal eyes. “Have these fillies and foals told you this? Or, have you come up with this on your own?”
Sunset Shimmer just gave another sigh. Then she answered. “I came up with it. I'm sorry Princess Celestia, it's just so hard to overcome my shyness.”
Princess Celestia chewed her upper lip in thought. “How am I supposed to give advice to her on overcoming shyness when I was never allowed to struggle with it as a filly? If I did feel its claws, I had to ignore it because a soon-to-be princess can not ask her subjects about matters such as those. Soon, I could no longer feel its grip. My sister, Luna, had a different tale. With myself as the one to speak the most often, Luna never needed to make a speech. Well, except for that one time when I had a bad head cold and Luna had to fill the royal duties. Too bad for Luna as she had to make a speech to the orphanage caretakers. She had tried in front of the palace staff, and choked. We sent the royal adviser instead. Ever since, Luna, who before had been the shy one, practiced in front of a mirror so that if the time came she could fulfill the royal duties. She could have given the filly the proper advice.”
“Luna...”, Celestia looked at the moon once more, this time searching for the faint shadow that was upon it. Tears formed in her eyes, ones she quickly blinked away.
She bent her head down and thought on the matter at hoof. Luna had practiced for speeches at a mirror. Maybe, Sunset Shimmer could do likewise to learn speaking to other fillies and foals? Princess Celestia turned to Sunset Shimmer once more.
“Sunset Shimmer, maybe you should try and talk to mirrors for practice. Perhaps it would help you in your task.”
Sunset Shimmer looked at her with eyes filled with sudden hope, “I'll go and try right now!”
Turning to the balcony’s doorway, the filly bounded toward the nearest mirror. Princess Celestia smiled at the retreating figure, and turned her head to the night sky once again.
Far, far above Equestria, away in the depths of space was the moon. Upon the moon was a broken-down palace. It was once a grand thing to see, now it lay in ruins. The moonscape around the palace was equally ruined. Creatures that had lived upon the moon had been turned into vapors of gas. Inside the palace was a grand chamber with an onyx throne. An alicorn sat upon the throne with her wings folded across her back. Her coat was as black as the darkest night. Her mane and tail were midnight blue and sparkled with tiny stars. She was dressed in special alicorn armor which was covered in carved turquoise moons.
This alicorn was different than most. Her eyes were shaped like a dragon's with a turquoise iris surrounded by teal. Her horn too was unlike others, for it curved slightly. Two beams of magic spread from her horn. One supported a crystal ball, filling it with magical energy. The other spread widely about the room, making it glow with the same colors as her mane, and pulsing with energy like a heartbeat. This beam filled the otherwise airless space with life-giving oxygen; not that she needed that. The alicorn craned her long neck forward. She stared at the crystal ball, converting the energy into images of the world below her; a world in which she had lived before she was known as Nightmare Moon. Through the ball she could see a white alicorn staring at the moon. Nightmare Moon's eyes narrowed at the sight. “Princess Celestia, our 'dearest' sister. Do you enjoy your sun-filled land? We think you do.”
Celestia did not respond, for she could not hear anything that Nightmare Moon said, but Nightmare Moon could hear everything that Celestia said.
“Goodnight, my dear sister.”
Nightmare Moon snorted and cut off the beam of magic that held the image. The crystal ball fell and shattered upon the floor. “'Dear sister', huh? Well, excuse us your highness, but weren't you the one to send us into this exile?!”, she raged. “Weren't you the one to use the elements of harmony against us and banish us to the moon?!”
A voice interrupted, “Nightmare Moon, calm yourself, for you are frighting your daughter.”
Nightmare Moon drew in a sharp breath. Filling a nearby doorway were two shadows. The two shadows stepped forward and the larger form turned from shadow into solid; silver armor and red cape appearing before her eyes. The mane and tail were almost entirely black smoke. The unicorn's horn was grayish-red and curved even more than hers. It was his eyes however that were startling to most pony folk. Shaped like a dragons with red irises swimming in a pool of smoky, reptilian green. Swirls of violet magical energy arose from them. It was King Sombra and he was capable of giving every other pony, even her 'dear' sister, their worst nightmare. Beside him stood a miniature replica of Nightmare Moon. This alicorn filly wore only a silver collar set with rubies and turquoise gems. That she was immature was clearly seen by her mane and tail which were entirely ordinary. “King Sombra, you are supposed to be making sure she isn't around when I am viewing my 'dear' sister.” The little filly whined, “Mommy, can't I please teach that meanie a lesson so we can go down to that world below us?” Nightmare Moon did not answer right away, but instead got down from her throne and used her magic to gather up the broken crystal from the floor. She hurled the broken crystal outside the palace where it floated away in endless space. Nightmare Moon walked over to Selena and sat down in front of her. King Sombra sat as well. “My Selena, you shall go down into that world soon, very soon. Here, let me show you something.”
Nightmare Moon walked over to a balcony, where one could see the celestial arrays of stars so much clearer than from Equestria. She lifted a hoof toward a particular patch of stars. They were almost in a straight line. “See those stars? When they are in a perfect line, I can escape from this prison using my magic. When I do I shall take over the throne that your Aunt occupies, then the banishment that binds you here shall vanish. King Sombra shall take you down there. You shall be able to see the world in all of its moon-lit glory!” Nightmare Moon took a deep breath and continued. “And those sun-loving ponies shall no longer be able to harm the Lunar Pegasi, for they will be dead!” Selena looked at her in confusion, “But why would they want to?” Nightmare Moon glanced toward the stars. “Most ponies think that the Lunar Pegasi are monsters. So they do everything in their power to get rid of them. I, during my reign along side my 'dear' sister put up laws that prevented them from being harmed. But in doing so I was branded as a monster-” She was cut off as Selena rushed forward and hugged her leg tight at such a thought. Smiling gently, she embraced Selena with her large wings, and continued.
“The Lunar Pegasi are simply ponies who are nocturnal. They look different and eat different foods, but that does not mean that they should be hunted down like beasts. Every pony else just couldn't accept that. When Celestia refused to help, I rose up and got banished to the moon. But soon, very soon that throne will be mine....” King Sombra cleared his throat. “Yes, and King Sombra can do what he wishes with the soon-to-be dead subjects,” Nightmare Moon added. “And I can see what my 'dear' sister will think of being trapped on the flaming sun for a thousand years!” Her laughter rang throughout the room, and soon was joined by King Sombra and Selena.
After completing the task of raising the moon to its needed height, Princess Celestia settled down upon a pillow and opened a book. Turning to a fresh page, she dipped a quill in ink and began to write. Canterlot, year 3876 Today is the Eve of the Summer Sun Celebration, the time where I raise the sun in front of my subjects. A thousand years ago, it was a double celebration, for my sister Luna would be there. She would raise the moon in front of what was our subjects. Together, we would give them a special show. My glorious day, her majestic night, combined together for that one instant. Such it was a thousand years ago. Now it is I and only I who performs the ceremony. To be honest, I can't really do the duty that once was hers. Oh yes, I raise the moon, but I am not its creator. I do not know the number of stars so I cannot make sure that none are missing. I can't bring our ponies the sweet dreams that she did. For the day is not the night. The task shall forever be properly hers and hers alone...Oh sister if only I could go back in time, if even for only an hour. What a lecture that foalish me in the past would get. You know, one thousand years is a lot of time to think upon what to say. Perhaps I would even use that special royal Canterlot voice. I suppose the idea of me writing about me giving me a lecture in my diary is silly. Our friend Starswirl the Bearded told me very plainly that doing this would help me feel better, so I won't complain. Comfort would be welcome indeed since tonight is the anniversary of what was the worst day of my life. Even more than the day our parents left us to roam in whatever paradise the dead await in. For then I knew that they still loved me. And I did not have to wield the tools that brought them into this state. I do not blame her for having the feelings that she did. Truly, as I imagine myself in what was her situation, I see that I might have followed the same trace. Tonight, though shall be different. For tonight is the night where she shall return. For an old legend shall come true. Let's see if I can quote it properly: “On the eve of the thousandth year the Stars shall aid in her escape and she will bring night-time eternal.” She shall come, my dear sister seeking for revenge and thirsty for my throne, but I have a plan to restore things. For even though I can no longer wield the Elements of Harmony, there is some pony who can. Celestia stopped writing, and levitated her pen beside the book. She got up, and walked over to the balcony. From there, one could see the labyrinth maze that grew in the castle courtyard. In that maze a mirror glittered in the moonlight. She gazed toward the mirror for along while deep in thought, then gave a long sigh, and went back to the pillow. Settling down again she turned the pages of the book backwards, searching. Then she read, Canterlot, year 3458 I plan to bring my sister back somehow. These years of research proved to be of use as I have found that its alright if I can no longer wield the Elements of Harmony. Some pony else out there is meant to. So in order to find that pony, I shall start a school for gifted unicorns here in Canterlot. She flipped forward many pages, Canterlot, year 3855 I think I have found the pony! Her name is Sunset Shimmer. An orphan who has a lot of potential. I have grown very fond of her. Although she is very obsessed with being a alicorn princess. Another few pages go by, then Canterlot, year 3861
My beloved Sunset Shimmer fell prey to the greed that had plagued her throughout her apprenticeship. She tried to become a alicorn princess by force. She went and convinced two little foals to be practically her slaves. She had them distract the guards, while she went inside. She burst into my room, horn glowing with dark magic powered by an alicorn amulet. She demanded that I make her into a princess or else I would end up just like that crystal. She turned around and removed the glass lid that was encircling the last remaining crystal from the Crystal Empire. I warned her that casting dark magic was not a good idea, that doing so warped your mind, and body, but she ignored me. Then she blasted a bolt of dark magic straight at the crystal. To her surprise, the crystal did not shatter, but instead turned dark and sprouted more crystals. I truly feared for her life, as those crystals would continue to grow and one might impale her. So, I let my power loose to shatter them for they cannot withstand the full, and true power of the sun. But this frighted her. Sunset Shimmer ran from the room thinking I was going to harm her. She ran into the hedge labyrinth on the castle courtyard. She knew that in the middle was the magic mirror that led to another world. After finding the mirror, she ripped the amulet from her neck, for one cannot carry dark objects across it. She glanced back and roared, “I hate you, Celestia!” and dashed into the mirror that led to another world. Why did this have to happen?! Celestia paused, and took another deep breath before continuing. Canterlot, year 3862 I am having a hard time accepting the fact that Sunset Shimmer is not coming home. After hiding the amulet, I waited beside the mirror for this past year hoping beyond hope that she would lose the darkness and come back. It seems however she is staying there. Today, this happened. As I wandered throughout these halls letting my emotions loose, I felt a sonic rain boom shake the land. As I looked through a window I saw the many colors that it had created spreading across the sky. But then to my utter shock of all things, a dragon's head suddenly popped out from one of the towers. He was a hatchling that had been enlarged to the size of a fully grown one. Naturally, I was curious and slightly unnerved. I quickly glanced around. There wasn't any pink clouds pouring chocolate milk. No slippery, soap roads. No floating upside-down houses.
So a certain, 'rude' draconequus was not responsible. Thinking that if I didn't check it out I was going to regret it, I flew over. When I entered the tower, I found the inside to be utter chaos. Discord would have loved it. My staff were floating above me trapped in a magical shield terrified out of their wits. The lower half of the dragon was simply standing there in the remains of what was the wooden cart that had carried his egg. Two strangely colored potted plants were on the floor. But what really grabbed my attention was the young, lavender unicorn filly in the middle of the room. She seemed to have been startled by the sonic rain boom and had let loose a magical surge. For one so young, this was a miracle. I tapped her shoulder, and gave her a warm smile. This distracted her enough so that the surge was plugged. As I returned everything back to normal I found the filly's parents had been actually turned into the plants! Thank the sun I knew a reverse spell. They were minor nobles that had hoped to help me by having their children attend my school. As I repaired the roof, a teenage colt came running in, with my adopted niece, Princess Cadence. He was very worried for the filly's safety, calling her “Twily”. Her actual name is Twilight Sparkle. Twilight has received her cutie mark, and with a little training shall become my new apprentice. Although I still keep the mirror watched just in case. Celestia smiled as the warm memories that had been written from the happy times she and Twilight had shared were relived once more. She turned back toward the current passage she had written. Dipping her pen in ink once more she wrote.
Tonight, Twilight is in Ponyvillie, the little town set next to what our beloved castle. I can only hope that Twilight has followed my advice, made some friends and is now waiting for the ceremony to begin.
A flash caught Princess Celestia's eye, and she stopped writing. She looked at the night sky with grim acceptance. The shadow that had scarred the moon's face for a thousand years had vanished. In the night sky, a perfectly straight line of stars was visible. Princess Celestia gave a sad smile, and glanced at the flaming bird sitting on the golden stand nearby. The bird nodded its head in approval.
King Sombra lay on the soft carpet of Selena's room. Nightmare Moon took a lot of effort to make this room bright and cheerful, even though it was sadly lacking in toys, or books to read. King Sombra often told little Selena legends from his homeland, and made up games for her. She was now sleeping softly in her little bed. King Sombra sat up slowly, and quietly walked to the open balcony.
It had an excellent view of the stars. Many constellations danced around in the sky, but one stood out in particular. A straight line of stars that pointed straight at Equestria. Those stars now left a gateway for Nightmare Moon to go through. She left the shield up for King Sombra and Selena to breathe.
When Princess Celestia was taken care of, she'd send them down. Nightmare Moon had mere hours ago left to settle the matter. King Sombra had wanted to come along, but Nightmare Moon wouldn't allow it. “No, King Sombra. We need you to look after our daughter for us.
No pony else is capable of protecting her from Princess Celestia.” He chewed his lip on that. Yes, he had beat Celestia. But her younger sister had struck him with the elements, unknowingly banishing him to the moon. He had once asked Nightmare Moon about her.
“Luna? Ah yes. She was a cute little thing. I knew her very well indeed. But no, she's gone.
Celestia killed her.” It was sad really. Such a young thing she was. Would of changed the world. His ear suddenly twitched.
He turned from reading the stars to see what was making the odd noise. Selena had gotten down from her bed, and was sitting on the carpet floor. She was looking at the shield with worried eyes that were filled to the brim with tears. He turned to her and went over to her. “What's wrong, Selena?”
He asked sitting down next to her. Selena sniffled, and brushed a hoof across her face. “I went asleep and had a dream that Mommy was hurt.” Tears were now flowing freely down her cheeks. King Sombra gave Selena a reassuring nuzzle.
“Don't worry Selena, your mother shall be fine.” Even though, King Sombra himself was getting anxious about how long this was taking. Selena nodded slowly, and gave a long yawn. King Sombra smiled, and lifted her back onto the bed. Selena snuggled down into the blankets, and closed her eyes.
After giving her one last pat, King Sombra turned back to the stars…
Nightmare Moon watched the little purple unicorn in front of her. She, and five other ponies had passed everything she had placed before them. But now. Nightmare Moon was going to win. The Elements of Harmony were now sitting in front of her in their cases of ball shaped stone tombs.
The unicorn watched her as well. Then with a snort she lowered her horn and charged. Nightmare Moon raised an eyebrow and sniffed. “Really? You're kidding me right?”
But the unicorn wasn't kidding. She was charging. Nightmare Moon charged right at her. But just as they were about to meet…The unicorn disappeared into a flash of purple sparks.
Nightmare Moon screeched to a halt. Wait, what? She turned around to see that the unicorn was trying to activate the stone balls that contained the Elements of Harmony. “No!” She evaporated into blue smoke, and flew over to the unicorn. With a blast of power the unicorn was knocked back. She fell flat onto her back. Nightmare Moon watched magic lighting dancing between the balls of stone. “Stop!” She lifted both hooves and brought down on the Elements of Harmony.
They broke into little pieces. Nightmare Moon gave an inside sigh of relief, and outside laughed loudly. “Now, the night shall last forever!!!” She screamed. “She had won!”
The unicorn stared, all hope lost. But as she watched the unicorn heard the concerned shouts of the five other ponies. A spark ignited inside the unicorn. She gave a speech to Nightmare Moon about how each pony had proven themselves. As each pony was spoken, a necklace appeared for that said pony.
“They were the recently smashed Elements! They were appearing on the ponies!…They were lifting into the air!…Rainbow colored light was pouring everywhere!” Nightmare Moon's heart thudded with panic.
She was going to die. “Oh no! Selena and Sombra will be left all alone!” She glanced at the moon. She could leave, but that would mean the rainbow light would head to the moon. It would shatter the shield cutting off Selena's life force…
“No! That shall not happen!” With the last pieces of magic inside, she activated the shield. As the last tendrils of magic left her, the rainbows hit. Pain.
Nothing but pain. Agonizing pain. But as she was torn apart by the rainbows, she watched as the spell sent itself to the moon… Bang! Luna slowly awoke to the light of day.
She blinked, confused. “What just happened?” She wondered. Then the sun came, and with it her sister. Princess Celestia made a speech to her, explaining everything.
As she explained, the memories came back. She embraced Celestia, begging for forgiveness. As she did so, she wondered. “Am I forgetting something?” She eventually decided that she wasn't, and eagerly awaited Celestia's answer…
Selena bounced on her hooves, excited to be reuniting with her mother. King Sombra held her steady as they flew through the air, entering the land. Selena oohed at all the beauty she saw for the very first time. The fresh air that was made from plants, instead of magic. They landed on the cold floor of the ruined palace.
But it was empty. Selena's grin started to fade. “Sombra? Where is she?” King Sombra's head was turning around.
“I don't know. She should be here.” Selena and King Sombra searched the palace, calling for her. She never answered. Selena's eyes filled with tears.
“S-sombra? You don't think that my dream…came true, do you?” King Sombra hung his head. “…It looks that way right now.” Selena gasped.
“No.” Her tears fell down her cheeks. “No.” They entered a courtyard. In it, were the remains of Nightmare Moon's armor.
“No!” Selena's scream echoed throughout the palace. For hours, she knelt next to the armor. She wept. Even King Sombra shed a tear or two.
Selena finally stood, after quite some time. She dragged a hoof across her face. “I will avenge you, my mother.” She spoke, eyes narrowing. King Sombra laid his head on her shoulders.
“And I will help you achieve that goal.” In the courtyard, two ponies swore an oath to avenge Nightmare Moon…A year later, Selena stood in front of the cracked statue of Discord. Three small fillies had argued causing it to crack. But it didn't free him fully.
She would fix that. Using her budding powers, she freed him. He fell to the ground, unconscious. Selena evaporated away, going back to King Sombra. “Step one of revenge is complete...”