> Nightmares Alive
>  by Horsegirl123
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> The Beginning
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------



She awoke on a an isolated patch of grass, untainted by any of Earth's elements that might dare to soil such a perfect spot. No mud licked at her coat, nor did any bugs try to gnaw on her sensitive underbelly as she inhaled the fresh aroma of the soft meadow. How she ached to be a filly once again; her body screamed at her to give into temptation and indulge in one relaxing roll so that the muscles of her back could unwind and the scent of the field might linger for a few moments longer in her coat.  But for now, she rested. The sun would rise soon and spread its warmth across the land. Vibrant colors of orange and red would flame across the skies, signaling the ponies of her kingdom to awake for the new warm day so that they may carry out their routines. 

The cool night breeze shifted the heavily leafed branches to and fro, shaking in a wind that only swept more warm air around the Princess' body. Her mane refused to oblige to the current winds that softly whispered around in the night, but instead danced to its own invisible rhythm. The sky stayed its natural color of deep blue, untouched by the pink aurora of city lights that too frequently streaked across the heavens.

She was alone, as she liked to be. Checking the time by the position of her moon, she concluded that Celestia would still be asleep. Although Luna had constantly begged her sister to stay up for at least one of her nights, Celestia just couldn’t. She was adapted to sleeping during the time when Luna's masterpiece was visible, and therefore could not experience it as Luna could. However, Celestia learned to turn the argument back around on Luna.

"Why don't you stay up during the day and rule beside me, little sister? Raise the moon and go to sleep. We were meant to rule together, not apart," she would argue.

It had been hard to decline. Sleeping during the night would mean more time with her beloved sister. But it would also mean missing what she created. How could she simply paint and refuse to ever acknowledge her work again? To create and not admire was a sin to anypony capable of beauty in art, and she was not about to create, ignore, and then demolish every night for the rest of her life. 

But as for now, her creation looked a little dull. The stars weren’t shining as bright as usual, and some weren’t even visible, despite the cloudless sky. The constellations looked sloppy, with many of the stars having strayed from their lines.

She decided that as her night started to conclude, she would end it with a bang. Maybe somepony will be awake to see this, she thought. The Mistress of the Night closed her eyes and breathed in deep. She held her breath and puffed out her cheeks, feeling a great pressure boiling below her crest and dock. Holding in the magic she was summoning felt like holding in a forest fire that was begging to escape, but she dared not release until exactly the right moment or the experiment would fail. Her mane and tail swayed rapidly and thrashed about in their invisible wind from the strain, but the princess was not done yet. With one last burst of her magic, her mane and tail exploded upwards in a fury of relief. They licked the sky and tickled the stars in their fire of cosmos and darkness, stroking their canvas. No longer were they her previously luminescent mane and tail, but rather glowing beams of matter that stayed up in the dark heavens, painting the sky with a new wave of energy that brightened her stars and cosmos. 

“Ahh,” sighed Luna as she crossed her forelegs and laid her head to rest on them. Her  energy-filled mane and tail continued to dance in the sky high above her, but she was now at peace. The sun would rise soon; she would need to lower her night.

“I don’t want to go!” moaned Luna as she flopped onto her back. A few strands of her magical mane got caught in her mouth; she spit out the clump, but watched as instead of falling to the ground, it floated upward. A few seconds after it was gone from sight, a subtle new star twinkled right above her head. Luna cocked her head to the side and rolled back onto her stomach, gazing at the addition and trying to make sense of her new discovery. 

"Interesting," she said, rubbing her muzzle with a hoof. Intrigued, she tore off another clump of mane and let it fly, and another star appeared when the clump reached the sky. She knew the astronomers would march into court with their tails in a twist about the spontaneous addition, but she didn’t care. The princess giggled to herself. 

“Oh well,” she whispered to herself, “They’ll get over it.”

An internal alarm went off in the princess’ head, informing her that the moon's time to shine was now coming to an end, and that it must greet the horizon and whatever world lay below it. She stepped up and held her head high, summoning her alicorn magic into her horn and lighting it with her trademark blue aura. Gaining momentum and strength, the aura shot out from her horn, spreading across the moon in front of her. It raced across the surface, covering every inch in a blue tint that only Luna's trained eye could notice. Seeing that the moon was well in her grasp, she proceeded to tug it down below the horizon to make way for Celestia’s sun. The moon fought her, wanting to shine longer, but eventually it and the stars faded away into the light of the new day.

But day did not come. No light spread across the horizon. Luna squinted her eyes, for something was wrong. 

The moon peeked up back over the horizon, seeming to scope out the situation,  before arrogantly climbing back into the sky. 

"That's not possible!" exclaimed Luna, taking a few steps back from her defiant creation. She summoned her powerful magic again, wrapping the moon in her lasso before trying to shove it back down once more. It was fighting her.

Luna grunted with the strain she was experiencing, but the moon would not go down. A back-and-forth struggle played out between the mistress of the night and the unknown force that was toying with her beloved moon.

“What is this?” she said. This force was familiar, one she hadn’t felt in a long time, but she couldn’t put a hoof on it. Suddenly, with a power far greater than her own, the moon shot back high into the sky. Accompanied by a soft tremble of the earth, a strong white light burst outwards from the celestial object propelling Luna backwards into the soft grass. A continuous energy pulsated from the risen moon as it grinned from its place in the sky. But there were no screams, no ponies crying out for their sun. The world was dead silent. As if to add to the eeriness, the wind ceased, turning the air to a suffocating stillness. Luna clenched her teeth and placed her hooves firmly on the ground as she glared daggers at her moon. 

"Enough." She flared the magic around her horn, summoning the incredible powers that her alicorn abilities allowed to her. With eyes aflame, she attempted once more to hurl her night down. It responded with the most powerful magical backlash Luna had ever experienced, shoving her off her hooves and sending her flying through the field until she hit the ground, ripping up yards of fresh grass. She choked back tears in desperation.

"Celestia!" she screamed into the dead night. 

"Tia, help me!" she whinnied. A wicked laugh echoed through the darkness. Luna’s ears perked up, and a bead of sweat formed on the side of her cheek. 

“How foalish, dear Luna. I thought you had grown in a thousand years,” it teased. Luna felt her heart skip a beat. She spun her head around, desperately searching for the source, yet at the same time, she was scared of what she might find. However, knowing she was an immortal princess and was above empty threats of anonymous ponies, she knew she had to maintain composure. 

“Show yourself!” she commanded into the darkness with her Royal Canterlot Voice. Unfolding her wings to look larger, Luna searched the blackness. Nothing moved, scurried, or chirped. 

Finally, the voice responded. “As you wish.” The wind picked up yet again---not the soft wind that had previously warmed Luna, but a vicious hurricane that threatened to tear the skin right off her flank. It blew with so much ferocity that Luna was forced to duck her head so as to avoid being blown off her hooves. But through the storm she was able to make out a faint sound nearby. The sound of shattering glass.

The sound perplexed Luna. She could not be entirely sure what she was hearing. But something wasn't right that sent a chill through her spine, for she was sure she heard something. Grass did not shatter when stepped on. Not even trees swayed with the sound of breaking glass. Without warning, a crack sounded out directly in front of her, sending her jumping back in surprise.

Before her lay a hole in the ground from which the sound had emitted, and from within the hole, a white light flickered. Curious, Luna took a few cautious steps towards it, bracing against the winds that were slowly calming down. Peering into the hole, she gasped. A beautiful little star was burning bright. 

"A star? B-but how?” It flickered and burned out, leaving nothing but a dirty crater that tainted the perfect grass. She could hear more shattering around her, and as Luna scanned the scene she could make out individual stars rocketing down from her night sky.

“Tia!” she screamed again, hoping this was a joke. The lights swirled as they fell, and a dozens of stars were picked up in the wind before they hit the ground, carried upward by the current. They zipped past her face, leaving tiny burn marks in her fur.  Soaring past her in a blaze of light, they settled in an area twenty feet from Luna’s hooves; still close enough that she could feel their heat. They hovered in the air a few inches from the ground, refusing to move. Abruptly, they whirled again, creating a dark purple tornado of magical energy that swirled rapidly towards Luna. The energy storm spun at powerful speeds as a second wicked laugh rang out through the dead night. Luna looked all over for the source, only to be caught off guard and thrown back by the intense wind that had unexpectedly started up again to fight her back.

“Ah!” yelped Luna as the tornado approached her, slowly decelerating with every inch it crept closer. As it approached, the beautiful green grass beneath her hooves started to wilt and die, turning to an ugly yellow crisp with every inch the tornado progressed. Everything the magical storm passed died beneath it, and its deadly energy leaked out ahead of it, crawling demon-like through the ground and scorching any living plant with its unholy power. The trees and reeds started to wilt, and the lush green leaves turned to brown brittle bits that blew into Luna’s face. Debris from the dead trees and bushes around her blew into her mane, snagging and pulling.

The wind whipped her face as the swirling vortex of mystery and horror blew right towards her, slowly dying down as it stood in front of her. The tornado opened up with a deathly laugh and — 

***********************************************************************************

Luna shot up in her bed, panting heavily as sweat dripped from her forelock. 

“Tia! Tia!” Luna screamed out into her bedroom chambers. The light of day leaked through her heavy curtains. Judging by the shadows, she could tell it was about two in the afternoon. She thrashed about under her covers, trying to free herself from their constrictions on her body.

“Tia!” she sobbed out into the emptiness of her room, pleading for her voice to be heard by any pony who happened to wander by. Luckily enough, a pair of unicorn guards busted into her darkly painted room, magical daggers at the ready. 

“Princess Luna, are you harmed?” asked one of the white-coated unicorn guards.

“Tia!” she screamed, ignoring the guard's question. She covered her eyes with her hooves from below the covers, hiding her tear-stained face from her subjects. The guards stood dumbfounded. As one approached to check the Princess' condition, Luna’s head popped out from beneath the covers, scanning the room.

“Get away from me!” screamed Luna in a voice that sounded demonic. The guards stumbled backwards in confusion at their Princess’ new tone.

“Uh, I-I shall fetch Princess Celestia,” stammered one of the guards as he started to back out of the room with his head bowed. When he reached the door, a magical white light flashed at the corner of the room, sending out sparks of lightning. Luna had dove under her covers and shook. The guard stared in awe, quickly casting the spell to create a magical dagger. The other guard looked at his comrade and copied the spell, his blade casting a faint glow. They waited for the threat to emerge from the light, standing their ground for the Princess they were assigned to. The light faded, and none other than the regal Princess Celestia stood in its place.

Her wings unfurled in royal tradition and the guards bowed flawlessly for the co-ruler, their eyes glued to the floor. Celestia paid no attention to the guards before her eyes locked onto the sobbing mess of her sister. Climbing into bed beside her, she draped a wing around the crying pony.

“Guards, you are dismissed for the moment,” she said in a calm yet tense voice. 

“Yes, Your Highness,” they said in trained unison, and the pair trotted away, their magical daggers having evaporated with Princess Celestia’s appearance. The massive wooden doors clamped shut and glowed with the lock spell palace guards used to keep intruders out.

Alone with her sister, Celestia used her motherly ways to soothe her. “There there, Luna. What’s wrong?” 

Through the covers, Luna attempted to choke something out through her tears. She sobbed into her elder sister’s crystal white wing.

“Luna, what happened? Did somepony try to hurt you?” 

Luna's soft blue eyes, red from tears, peeped out from the blankets. She raised her neck, shaking off the remainder of the sheets that still trapped her body; from there she scooted under Celestia's wing.


"Did you hurt yourself?” Once again Luna shook her head no. Celestia breathed out heavily and rolled her eyes. 

“Was it a nightmare?” she asked. Looking up from her comfort spot, Luna “Mhm'ed" and Celestia put on a caring smile.

“There, there Luna darling. Its okay. It was only a bad dream. I’m here.” Celestia stroked Luna’s back with her hoof until the crying subsided and her breathing returned to normal.

“I am embarrassed for you to see me like this, dear sister,” admitted Luna sheepishly. She sniffed and wiped her nose with a hoof before repositioning her head beneath Celestia’s wing. Mumbling through the feathers, she continued. “I dreamed of… her...” Luna’s voice faltered and died, and an eerie hush fell over the room. Nothing moved. The only sound was that of the two alicorns breathing. Celestia softly nuzzled her sister’s neck, hoping to soothe her.

“Dear sister, you are not to blame for the horrors that haunt your dreams. She may plague your sleep, but you must remember one thing: she is no longer real, nor will she ever be. And in your dreams, you can contort her into any pony you like. Then you won't be afraid of her.” 

Luna raised her head with an arched eyebrow. “Sister, I may be able to control dreams, but I can’t do it to myself unless I recognize that I am asleep. But it is hard to do so. Even I am not able to lucid dream often." 

Celestia rolled her eyes and scowled. “Says the controller of the dream realm. Believing is not only seeing, young one. Faith must be present, and you shall succeed." Celestia began to rise from her sister's side, only to be pulled back down by Luna. Celestia’s eyes dilated in surprise, but returned to their soft nature when seeing the her sister blush.

“Do you think you could stay here until I fall asleep? Just to be safe?” asked Luna, nestling against Celestia’s warm body.

“Of course,” sighed Celestia. Her horn glowed, and a magical message went to her assistant, Raven, informing her that court would have to be postponed for the time being. Celestia draped her neck over Luna’s body as their breathing slowed until they plunged into a deep sleep.

********************************************************************

She awoke on a an isolated patch of grass, untainted by any of Earth's elements that dare to soil such a perfect spot. No mud licked at her coat, nor did any bugs try to gnaw on her sensitive underbelly as she inhaled the fresh aroma of the soft meadow. How she ached to be a filly once again; her body screamed at her to give into temptation and indulge in one relaxing roll so that the muscles of her back could unwind and the scent of the field might linger for a few moments longer in her coat.  But for now, she rested. The sun would rise soon and spread its warmth across the land. Vibrant colors of orange and red would flame across the skies, signaling the ponies of her kingdom to awake for the new warm day so that they could carry out their routines. 

She decided to paint the sky a little more, so, mustering up her strength, she enchanted her mane and tail so that they flooded from her body into the heavens above, painting her personal canvas. An alarm in her head reminded her of her duty, so she got up to end her night. Not like anypony cares. She shook the thought away, not wanting to think thoughts that could result in a relapse to her jealous behavior. 

“This is… familiar,” said Luna, noticing that the wind had ceased and that no more animals scurried beneath the brush. The world was deathly silent, sending a chill up her spine. Turning her attention to her moon, she wrapped it in her mystical alicorn magic, guiding it down through the night sky toward the horizon where it would reside until the next night. But as she lead it down, it started to resist far more than it ever had in her experience. She began to panic, pouring more of her strength into her task so that nopony would think she was trying to bring eternal night again. Then, with great strength, the moon shot right back into its midnight position.

“Impossible. What kind of sorcery is this…” ranted Luna as she racked her brain for answers. Without warning, the wind picked up at ferocious speeds that threatened to tear the fur from her coat. The grass started to die in front of her, charring and curling into brown husks.

Luna hurriedly crawled backwards to prevent the unknown evil from reaching her. Desperate and terrified, she looked to the stars for aid and power, but then something odd happened. The stars swirled back down towards the ground, twisting into a tornado. From inside the tornado came a wicked laugh that sent Luna falling on her haunches.

“No,” she whispered, remembering where the déjà vu feeling had originated from.

“Yes,” it whispered back. The tornado halted, and the stars fell to the ground, shattering like glass one by one. The smoke and dust cleared from the tornado’s center, revealing a tall, regal pony. The jet black coat shone through the night, and her horn seemed able to pierce the moon if it pleased. She stood taller than Luna, perhaps taller than Celestia herself. Her mane flowed freely as Luna’s did, but her eyes were enchanted to be like those of dragons’, and they pulsated with a sense of loathing and evil that made it difficult to keep eye contact for long. Sheets of armor caressed her rounded head all the way to her muzzle, and boots of the same silver clawed up to her knees. A peytral wound its way around her breast and neck, bearing the moon as its symbol. Luna couldn’t tear her eyes away from the mare that stood before her.

“Y-You’re n-not real,” said Luna, remembering Celestia’s advice. A tear spilled down her cheek. The black mare lowered her head and laughed a maniacal, wicked cackle that Luna had not heard in centuries.

“Oh, but I am all too real!”. She laughed and flashing her razor sharp teeth, galloped towards Luna.
*************************

“Tia!” screamed Luna as she snapped awake from the nightmare yet again. Luna panted in a nervous sweat, “Tia!”

“Luna I’m here. I’ve been here.” Her sister’s voice echoed from the walls. Luna felt her sister’s warm breath on her back, and looked up to see Celestia was in the same spot as before Luna fell asleep.  But she did not look as she had when Luna had last seen her. The usually regal-looking mare looked sick and tired, her mane frizzed and her coat ruffled and dry. The heavy bags that now hung lazily from her eyes upstaged the sheen and softness that they once possessed, and the peaceful look of her face was nowhere to be found. 

“Sister, why art thou — I mean you — so fatigued? Tis your day. You are not missing any rest periods?” asked Luna as her eldest sister stifled a yawn.

“Was it the dream again?” asked Celestia.

“That does not pertain to my question, but yes it was. Answer me, Celestia,” prodded Luna.

“Horse apples…” muttered Celestia under her breath. Luna’s ears perked up at the whispered tone, and she arched an eyebrow.

“Tia, what is wrong?” 

Celestia huffed in defeat and rested her head on her forelegs. “I was trying to purge your dreams of her. It was surprisingly difficult and strenuous. I believe it did not work, either. Whatever is bothering your subconscious, dear Luna, is very deep.”

What is deep? What does she mean? Can I be fixed? Why am I cursed with these nightmares? Luna’s thoughts raced as she tried to think of anything that could have triggered the dreams. But then she looked up with a look of maturity that had not been present for the past hours.  

“You need not help me Celestia. I am a grown mare. I can take care of myself.” Luna gazed up at her sister with a look befitting a ruler and a friend. “Don’t tire yourself on my behalf.”

“I will always do whatever it takes to help you, little sister.” Celestia smiled. Luna smiled back. Celestia’s eyes drifted behind Luna’s face for a second,  but then shot open in alarm.

Thump! Luna’s head crashed down onto the bed where Celestia had previously lain. Looking up in confusion, she watched Celestia race over towards the balcony. 

"Oh, dear Luna! I’m going to miss lowering the sun! Maybe I can still make it.” Celestia muttered the last part. She galloped to Luna’s balcony and spread her wings, preparing for take off. Luna leaped off the bed and ran to her sister, trying to fit in a few more words before she was left alone to begin the night.

“Wait Tia! Will you stay with me tomorrow, too?” pleaded Luna, terrified of what the next day’s dreams may bring.

“I will try my best, but I cannot guarantee. I must go now. I’m sorry, but I love you. Have a wonderful night.” And with that, Celestia spread her white wings and soared off of Luna’s balcony. She dropped at a steady pace at first, but the wind caught her wings like a parachute, and she rose on the current. Every so often, she pumped her wings to gain altitude as she flew toward one of the palace’s highest towers. Luna watched until Celestia rounded the corner of a tower and disappeared from view.

“Hmmm,” sighed Luna with a snort. She was rested for the most part and had a few minutes to spare before she had to bring out the night. Maybe tonight she would add that constellation she was drawing out. Trying to shove the recent events as far back in her mind as she possibly could, Luna trotted to her desk and levitated a quill. Sifting through the piles of budgets that she had been putting off, she found what she was searching for.

On a plain sheet of paper were the etched-out beginnings of her new constellation. If she worked efficiently, she could have it in the sky by tomorrow night. The constellation was a very personal one for her. Though many ponies would not know nor care enough to look into the details of the constellation’s picture, it brought peace to Princess Luna. The pattern of stars depicted her fighting Nightmare Moon, their two horns clashing in intense battle. But while Luna wore an expression of triumph, Nightmare Moon for once wore one of fear. Although the event never took place, it was a little homecoming gift to herself. She would tell the astronomers it was something about Equestria so they wouldn’t think she was vain to put a constellation of herself in the nighttime sky. Maybe two unicorns creating a spell. Yes, that would work.

The last of Celestia’s light faded from the horizon, and Luna once again brought out her moon. Flying up with it, she pushed the constellations out of her horn and into the heavens with each beat of her wings. Pony warriors and spirits now graced the skies through stars. 

Luna looked over her work once again, as she routinely did. The North Star was a bit crooked. With a huff of breath, Luna blew it straight. 

Satisfied, she continued drawing out her latest addition.






> To Hear the Wind Scream
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Through the open windows of her private quarters, a cool breeze wafted in, bringing along with it the sounds of chirping crickets and snoring ponies. There was no distinct sound like there was during the day, of carts clacking on the road and barters being made; but rather a peaceful tone that induced relaxation and serenity. A soft rapping echoed on the large wooden doors, which Luna answered with a soft ‘enter’.

A young unicorn mare slowly peeked through the doors, and bowed to the ground as soon as she met Luna’s eyes. “Excuse me Your Highness, but court is about to begin,” said the unknown pony. Her cutie mark was that of a checkmark, for whatever that meant.

“Who are thou?” questioned Luna towards the white mare with the jet-black mane.

“Forgive me, Your Highness. I am Moon Shine.”

“And pray tell, what business do you have of informing us of our schedule?”

“I-I’m your new assistant, Your Highness.” The poor pony never looked up from the ground.

Luna studied the mare for a minute, but concluding that she was not an assassin in disguise, nodded and walked towards her door. Using her telekinesis, she shoved her drawing into a drawer, and re-scattered the overdue budget accounts across her desk. That way if Tia came to check up on her work, it would look as if some progress was being made in the national bit crisis.

Moon Shine held open the large doors with her own magic and the Princess sauntered through them, as a Princess should. The two ponies walked through the dimly lit, halls; the silence of the night, making each hoof step sounded like a falling bomb that radiated throughout the palace. Few servants were up at this hour, mainly because 90% of them waited on Celestia, not Luna. Although Luna often wished to be equal to her sister, she understood that most had families that they could not afford to be away from all night long.

Luna could practically feel the sweat pouring off her worried new assistant. She had seen it too often with every replacement. But it wasn’t nerves. It was genuine fear. “So Ms. Shine. What happened to Ms. Beam? She was present yesterday.” Luna said, trying to break the obvious tension between the two ponies. Gathering what she learned from Twilight and her friends about meeting new ponies, she decided it was best to start the conversation.

“Oh, um, I think she took personal leave,” answered Moon Shine in a shaky voice. She levitated her clipboard from her back and scanned over it.

“Very well. We suppose we can’t execute her for that,” said Luna with a joking smile. Hoping it did the trick to ease her assistance, Luna was more than disappointed to see even greater fear in the mare’s eyes as she hurriedly flipped through her checklist. Clearing her throat, Luna tried again at the conversation. “For whom are we making an appearance?” asked the Princess.

With a few more nervous flips of the never-ending checklist, Moon Shine answered. “Tonight you are meeting with Pegasi in charge of the weather for your meteor shower next week and a few common ponies with extreme time zone difference. The astronomers are expressing concerns over the stars and there is a pony guilty of threatening the crown.”

“Time zone differences? Why does that concern us?” huffed Luna. Night court was always slow, but some requests were just too stupid to get by to Celestia’s court, so they got shoved into Luna’s.

“W-well you see Your Grace, these ponies come from far away, so when they are able to come for a meeting, it is night when it is day at their homes. So they can only attend night court.”

“Hmm, we see. Well, onwards we suppose.” Luna and Moon Shine walked through the tall hallways of Canterlot Castle. Tapestries decorated the walls depicting major fight scenes between Celestia and mythical creatures (most of which were fabricated to make her seem like a hero); a large painting of the Royal Sisters stood alone between two doors, painted centuries before Celestia’s mane had even started to flow.

Navigating perfectly through the endless series of hallways in the castle, Luna and her assistant were soon upon the throne room in which the honorable Night Court was held. The looming doors swung open with the magic of the unicorn guards, squeaked loudly as it had for over a thousand years. Celestia and Luna’s thrones stood together regally in the center of the room; boasting their elegance and fineness to anypony who passed. Celestia’s throne shone with a brilliant gold luster, complete with hoof rest and pink cushion. It had forever been a rumor that her throne was carved from the horde of gold kept by the strongest dragon of the land, Perithemus. As a token of gratitude to Celestia for sparing his life, he melted his treasure into the shape of a throne; the same of which she rests on to this very day.

Luna always smiled when she heard the tour guides recounting the story to the awestruck foals.

Luna’s throne, however, had a different backstory. For once in her life, it was just as epic as Celestia’s. Famed for her bravery during battle, and her loyalty to her subjects, Luna would often fight alongside her ponies in battle. When the ponies defeated the Zebras 3,000 years ago, a blacksmith by the name of Hungaar the Great melted the armor of the Zebra king, and created Luna’s throne. Today it still boasted a metallic silver gleam and bore a plush blue cushion that much resembled the darkness of the night. All though she had once been jealous of Celestia’s day and the colors it brought, she was now thankful for the soothing, deep colors that her night brought.

Luna unfolded her wings and flew up to her high throne while Moon Shine sat on the cold tiles below. Moon Shine’s once soft voice suddenly became assertive and harsh as she screamed “Pony #1, we are ready for you!”

A Pegasus pony sauntered into the room with his head held high. Luna rolled her eyes at his cockiness, but quickly snapped to attention as he cleared his hoarse throat. Splotches of his light blue coat were still visible among the dark blue stains of a rainstorm. His blonde main was knotted; yet he still strode up to the throne with the same attitude of Prince Blueblood himself. “General Stormcloud, Captain of the Weather Patrol, your Majesty,” he said as he bowed.

“Charmed,” stated Luna as she was expected to.

Knowing that a princess’ time was valuable, General Stormcloud immediately stated his business. “You requested my presence to discuss the weather schedule for your meteor shower next week.”

“Yes, what are the arrangements?”

“Well your Highness, a thunderstorm was previously scheduled for that day. The outskirts of Canterlot badly need the rain, as Celestia herself has admitted that the sun is a bit close to the Earth than usual. She believes that is was a slight shift in the atmospheric pressure-“

“Yes, we are quite aware of our sister’s dilemma,” said Luna, purposely cutting him off.

“Uh, of course Princess.” He cleared his throat. “Well you see, this has caused an increase in temperature in areas not protected by your climate control spell-“

“It is a hard spell General. I am not going to waste my magic on uninhabited areas so that the animals of the Everfree and the Badlands may have a cool spring morning.”

“Yes, I understand. If you’d please let me finish-“

“Will it be cloudless or not?” asked Luna.

She could see his deeply furrowed brow and his self control about to crack, but in a sweep of his mane to the side, all composure was returned. “We have decided to push the storm towards Baltimare two days early. It will slowly ride the current back to Canterlot, but will arrive hours after your meteor shower is complete.” The General finished with a sigh. “Thank you for your time.”

“You are excused, General.” The Pegasus pony bowed and flew out of the room. With a loud close of the door, Luna rolled her eyes dramatically and blew a raspberry. She looked down to Moon Shine who was busily scribbling down notes. She cleared her throat loudly, and Moon Shine looked up to her with scared eyes. “I don’t see why they have to come talk to me if they already know the answers to their questions. I’m beginning to think that they just come to hear themselves talk. Couldn’t he just send us a scroll that said ‘the weather will be good’?”

Luna had never seen such a large amount of sweat filter off a single pony as Moon Shine stammered for words. “Uh-uh, uh I-I didn’t know-“ as she flipped through her clipboard with crazed eyes. 

Not knowing what to do, Luna tried to pull a Pinkie Pie. “Whoa, looks like somepony is weathered from this situation,” she said with a large smile. Her face was strained from the masked grin, something her face didn’t experience much anymore.

Looking at the oddly smiling Princess, Moon Shine broke into tears and hid her face as she curled up into a terrified ball. “Don’t hurt me!” she whispered. Luna blew yet another raspberry. ‘Every assistant. Why can't they realize I’m a different mare?’ she thought to herself. Luna felt a stress migraine coming on, but quickly zipped up a spell to nip it in the butt.

Seeing as her assistant was unfit to do anything at the moment, Luna yelled out “Pony #2, you may enter,” herself, something she knew Celestia would have her flank for. A black stallion pranced in with his head held high and with a skip in his step. His cutie mark of a moon somewhat pleased Luna, for she always enjoyed seeing ponies that enjoyed and studied her night. His facial expression, however, looked a tad testy. Behind him levitated maps and stands and a projector wrapped in a lime green aura. He bowed at the foot of the throne, and Luna nodded, signaling him to proceed with what he was there to discuss. He stood and conducted himself in a manner only an astronomer would attempt towards the Night Princess. “Your Highness,” he said in a graceful bow, “it is lovely to see you again. Are you well?”

Luna was not much for personal chatter with common ponies, or noble ponies for that matter, nor did she want to stay in court for any longer than was necessary. She was a Princess, ruler of the nighttime realm and all of Equestria: she should be treated as such.

“I am not your next door neighbor Shadow. Do not address me as if I were,” said Luna, biting back a snarl at the informality that this pony was addressing her with.

“M-my apologies, your majesty.”

“What business do you bring?” said Luna.

The black stallion cleared his throat and set up a display on the projector in front of the Princess. “Yes, you see Princess, the astronomers and I noticed an unscheduled addition to the stars last night. We were wondering what the occasion was?”

Luna raised an eyebrow. “We did no such thing,” she said dumbfounded.

The pony pointed to two stars on the projector’s screen. “Well, you see Your Grace, that there are in fact two additions. Here,” he pointed, “and here.” Luna squinted her eyes to see what the pony was yammering about. Her eyes shot open with recognition.

“Impossible…” she whispered.

“Excuse me, Your Majesty?”

“We don’t remember making those,” lied Luna.

"Perhaps they are a mistake," Shadow said with a similar lack of honesty as he flipped to a new slide on the projector. “But you see, they are going to cause some problems. In six months time, Orion’s Saddle will be overlapping them, adding two more stars to his stirrup than usual. This cannot go unfixed, Princess.”

“I am quite aware of this, Shadow, and intend to fix it. If you are here only to berate me, I suggest you pack up your belongings now and exit my courtroom,” she said curtly, eyeing daggers into the stallion. He did not mind, but instead shook a hoof playfully at her as he gathered his materials in his magic.

“Always so serious, dear Luna. Celestia would be more subtle about her annoyance.”  
Luna felt  a heat rising from inside her, but washed it away with a deep, soothing breath. “Get out, Shadow,” she said quietly, and the stallion trotted away. With a loud thunk of the door, the room was once again silent.

Luna’s mind raced, trying to come up with explanations for the situation at hand. She remembered creating those: she remembered it all too well. She made them with her severed hair. In her dream.

‘This isn’t possible. I cannot influence reality from within dreams, not even for other ponies. How could this possibly have happened?’ fretted Luna in a panic. But they had been there. As clear as night. They were there.

A loud creak snapped Luna out of her madness. Sometime in her frenzy Moon Shine had called for the next appointment, and two pegasi guards were escorting an Earth Pony in shackles towards the throne.  His coat was a light yellow: the fur was ragged and unkempt, sporting multiple dirt stains and prominent blood splatters on it. 

They threw him down in front of Luna and he coughed in agony. One of the guard spoke. “We bring thee a pony who has been accused with threatening the royal crown!” bellowed the nocturnal guard before her.

Luna eyed the accused pony. “And why does thou threaten my rule?” she said as she looked up to the royal crown she had atop her head.

The pony tried to rise to his feet, but the guards pushed him down so that he remained in a bow. “I never threatened you, princess. Nor did I the crown. I am the royal crown polisher,” he said. Luna raised an eyebrow and eyed his cutie mark of a sparkle. “When I was cleaning your crown the other day, I found an ink stain. I was scrubbing it, and when it wouldn’t come out, I said ‘I hate this stupid thing’. I didn’t mean I hated you or the crown itself. Just the stain.” He started sobbing. “Just the stain!” he cried into his hooves.

“You idiots,” she yelled to the pegasi guards who were now looking sheepish. “Set him free at once!” The guards whimpered like beaten puppies, kicking their hooves loosely at the ground but eventually bowed to their master and unhinged the pony’s chains.

Without so much as a thank you, the accused pony galloped out of the room in a panic. The pegasi guards remained bowing before Luna. She knew them; she knew all her guards by name. “I expected better from you two.” Luna stood from her position, spreading her majestically feathered wings and alighting down before them. Their golden eyes looked up for a second, but quickly shot back down to the marble tiles.

“Whiz. Melano. How dare thee maim one of my little ponies when he has not been proven guilty of anything! Thy carelessness is unforgivable  ” 

The two ponies tried to stay cool, but were obviously shaken by being personally reprimanded by their god. “We were just trying to protect you,” whimpered Melano.

“And why would thou believe we need protection? Does thou not think that we are capable of defending ourselves?” Luna said, enraged. She hardly even noticed it as she took them in the grasp of her magic. Whiz cried out softly, terror in his eyes. “We wonder how you might like it,” Luna mused, and lifted the guards off the ground. 

“Your Majesty...” whimpered Melano.

“To be at the mercy of somepony far more powerful than yourself. And to realize that there would be no mercy,” Luna interrupted. 

Luna lifted the guards higher and higher off the floor. “You’ll get that same mercy,” she said quietly, calmly, and dropped them to the floor. 

There was a crunching sound, and then silence.

Luna looked to Moon Shine, whose eyes were filled with terror. Her incessant scribbling had stopped, and her expression was frozen in fear at what she had just witnessed. However, her gaze did not last long, for with a slight tilt of her head she caught Luna’s stare, and immediately snatched her notepad up again, furiously writing once again.

‘Why does she even bother?’ thought Luna. ‘It’s not like I read the notes anyways.’

Luna returned to her throne, regaining her regal composure for the next client.

Through the door on the opposite side of the room poked the head of a brown Earth Pony. His eyes widened at the sight of the expressionless princess and grew to the size of ripe pumpkins when he noticed the unconscious forms of the guards but he quickly scurried to the center of the room and bowed respectfully. “M-M-My name is Rusty, Miss Luna.”

“Good evening. What business do thou have in the royal court?” asked Luna.

“I come from a farming village outside of Trottingham, Our corn and hay are coming in late so my village sent me on behalf of asking how l-l-long we have until eternal n-night. So w-w-we can prepare our crops?” Luna’s eyes shot open, and she suddenly lost her breath.

“W-what hast thou said?” she stammered. She cleared her throat quietly, cursing herself for allowing a stammer to leave her lips. She racked her brain for an appropriate response, but she couldn’t; who dared to encroach upon her domain and insult her so blatantly?

Her anger boiled over the edge, spreading through her body with a burning rage that was entirely inappropriate for a princess. Her horn glowed, and a bright white light erupted from her eyes. A set of storm clouds formed on the ceiling, crackling with lightning and roaring with ominous thunder that caused Moon Shine to start sobbing again from the terrifying princess. ‘I guess they’re not scared of Celestia anymore. She warned them not to do this. Why would they do this? The audacity, the nerve, the criminal!’

“Its just that we need more time to harvest, Ms. Nightmare, and-“

“What hast thou said?!” screamed Luna in her Royal Canterlot voice, forgetting the lessons Twilight Sparkle had taught her. “WE BRING THEE BEAUTIFUL NIGHTTIMES AND HAVE BEEN NOTHING BUT LOYAL TO EQUESTRIA. AND THOU HAST THE AUDACITY TO OUTRIGHT ACCUSE US OF STILL BEING THAT MONSTER?”

“I-I was just sent. I didn’t mean to-“

“WE ARE NOT HER!” shrieked Luna so sharply that her voice broke, going up a few octaves. The stained glass murals that surrounded the room shattered, sprinkling glass down like the tiny stars in her dream. With that she teleported out of the room, dismissing court for the night to mull things over.

With a brilliant beam of white that eliminated the darkness from her chambers, Luna appeared. A thousand years of pent up emotion blew out of her. She paced around sobbing for the first time since she had reunited with Celestia after being purged by the Elements..

Using her telekinesis, she hastily tore her crown out of her mane and brought it in front of her face to examine it. The fine blue etchings on its black surface, the shine and care put into making it; all the details showed it was meant for royalty, and only for the most beautiful of mares.

But in it, she also saw a creeping darkness that made her grit her teeth. This crown was not meant for a tyrant, a dictator, or a mare of darkness. It was made for a peaceful and dedicated ruler of the night, who only loved her country. She did not deserve this crown.

Luna threw it against the wall of the room with a loud thud, and continued to pace.  The clattering of the metal ceased as it bounced under the bed, and Luna’s horseshoes also found themselves hurled to the same fate. But then Luna realized something even worse than a pony insulting her. She had just injured, perhaps crippled, two members of her own Night Guard, and just verbally harassed probably emotionally scarred an innocent pony that just happened to call her Nightmare Moon. But now that she’d done so, Luna wasn’t so sure that Rusty was entirely wrong.

“Oh Tia shall have my neck for this!” Luna peered into her mirror; a dark blue mare glared back at her. A horn of freshly buffed ivory was sharpened to a point; tradition for battle. Her ethereal mane danced beautifully on a wind that only it felt, cascading stars and sparkles wherever it flowed. But she could not see past her own dead eyes. They were full of sadness, anger, strife, and yet nothing. No emotion other than hate and anger. She needed to vent, so she lit her horn with her blue aura, enchanting the glass before her.

Her reflection distorted and twisted, until a beam of light filled the mirror. When the light faded back into the oblivion from which it had appeared, her regal blue mare no longer glared back. Instead, a mane of dancing rainbows joyfully wriggled around the angel white face of Princess Celestia. Not Celestia herself, but a copy Luna had formed when she needed to practice how to break news to her sister. Never would the white alicorn know of the conversations Luna was having with the copy.

“So, Tia, please don’t be mad. But I acted barbaric towards one of my subjects during Night Court tonight.”

“You what!?” yelled the imaginary sister.

“I’m sorry! But he called me Nightmare Moon!”

“Luna! As a princess with a country to uphold, you cannot allow your emotions to get the best of you. These ponies will never take to you again if every time you get angry you summon dangerous weather and use your Canterlot Voice. They need patience and nurturing, not cruel punishment for believing what has been fed to them since they were foals.”

The not-Celestia’s voice always cooled Luna down in her fits of rage. Celestia never got angry like Luna did. She puts on a calm face and saves her anger until she is in private. ‘Why do I always have to go insane?’ thought Luna ho-humly.

“I know that. God damn it don’t you think I know that!?” screamed Luna.

“See, right there. You cannot lash out like that; these are your subjects, but they are also much younger than you. You must be patient and forgiving with them, Luna.” Not in the mood for being lectured, Luna snorted and the image evaporated. Even the copy she controlled tried to constantly improve her.

Luna flapped her wings and hovered around her dark room in thought. Tapestries that depicted her raising the glorious moon hung in the quarters. Every article of furniture was a dark, rich purple that only accented how dark and dreary her room was. Celestia’s room had some dark cushions and such, but in the day it shone with the brightness of the sun with beautiful pastels and bright yellows that burned Luna’s eyes. The only time she was up during the day was for special outings (which were very rare for mostly they wanted Celestia) and if she had a nightmare and had to wander through the blinding light to her sister’s room for comfort.

Luna pulled out her journal from a pile of papers she had discarded on the floor in response to one of her previous fits of rage. Pieces of loose leaf flew off of it, and she brought it close to her. She didn’t know what to write, and usually didn’t write much. She stared at the leather binding, seeing the ink splot of a crescent moon that acted as a cover photo. Luna grabbed a quill, and began writing what had happened.

'They can’t forget can they? Why can’t they forgive me? I’m so sorry for what I’ve done, but with how I’ve been treated since I return I’m starting to not be sorry. Like they deserve it. No, I take that back. I really do. I just want them to love me like they love Tia. I don’t want them to think I’m that monster Nightm-' Luna stopped her entry, not being able to bring herself to write the cursed name.

She dropped onto her bed and smothered her face with a pillow. She couldn’t take it anymore. Nothing good had come to her in the time she had returned home from the moon. Everypony she met was terrified of her, and she had to admit that Celestia was her best friend. And only friend except Twilight and the occasional guard that Celestia had bribed.

A cool breeze tickled Luna’s flank, and she uncovered her face to see the source; an open window. Luna rolled off her back and glared out into her darkness. She stretched her wings and flapped them, gazing at their dark blue tint and beautiful plumage. “Well, I haven’t had a fly in weeks…” said Luna aloud to nopony as she smiled to herself. She stood and bounced off the bed, fluttered her wings, and soared out the window. Celestia would be enraged when she found out Luna was out alone; especially with all the death threats she had been receiving. Luna didn’t like to dwell on the hateful threats she had been receiving since she returned. Some times some school fillies would send her pictures of her in a heart. Most of those came from Pip and his friends from Ponyville, but many others were amateur drawings of Nightmare Moon eating young fillies and colts. And those always cut the deepest. That even her youngest subjects were raised to believe she was a monster. Nonetheless, she need not dwell on the matter while she soared through her sky. It was dark, but the sky was illuminated at the same time by the millions of stars she had painted into the heavens tonight. She dropped down from her window in a perfect nosedive. The wind attacked against her favor, begging her to pull up soon. But what’s the fun in that? Luna continued down in a spiral, cutting through the air like a sharp knife. A stone patio was closely approaching, but she didn’t care. Beneath it was another half of the castle, and she couldn’t miss out on the fun. Lighting her horn, she masked her body in blue. Her bones and muscles tingled like a thousand chills, but it only made Luna giggle. She was a foot from the stone patio. Then she was a foot underneath it. Luna laughed out loud. “Walk through walls. Never fails!” 

Gaining more speed than any pony could, Luna continued her descent alongside the castle. Before she reached the earth, she spread her majestic wings high and pulled up, missing the ground by mere inches. Her wings took the weight of her body easily, and she soon left the castle far behind her. Canterlot was spread beneath her, but didn’t even bother looking down. She knew what she would find. Dark houses and closing bars that made her sick. No pony enjoying the night. The cool mist of the nighttime clouds licked her face as she breezed right through them. She thought about resting on one, but decided she had the rest of her life to rest, but might not get the chance to fly unsupervised for some time. She barrel rolled and looped and zig-zagged until she couldn’t see straight anymore. It was such a rush. It was so great. If only Celestia was here. ‘No,’ thought Luna. ‘I can do things on my own.’ Her stars twinkled above as she flew over her amazing country at speeds that would make the Wonderbolts envious. After a while of uneventful flight, Luna even tried to attempt one of those sonic rainbooms that the Element of Loyalty had performed at Princess Cadence’s wedding, but she failed as the force tossed her backwards after refusing to split. After tumbling backwards in the air a few times and rubbing her head, Luna was fine, but decided not to attempt again.

Town after town flew beneath the rogue princess as she continued her rebellious flight. The moon princess spotted Ponyville beneath her, but decided against visiting Celestia’s star pupil at this time at night. However, she was fond of Ponyville’s scenery, and decided it would be a nice break area. Carousel Boutique almost scratched her legs as she descended into the sleeping village. ‘Wow, I remember when I was there. It took a lot of magic to wash off the pink dye Miss Rarity put into my coat,’ reminisced Luna with a joyful chuckle. 

She landed as silently as possible in the quiet town. Collective snores could be heard from open windows, and every house had a welcome mat on the doorstep.  Flowers bloomed even in the dark of Luna’s night with colors that could be faintly made out at this hour. She strolled through the town, not sure of what to engage in now that everypony was asleep. Hearing the audible effect of her hooves on the cobblestone streets of the main town square, she decided to use her wings a little more to be as silent as possible and not give herself away. It’s not like she would be mobbed by fans anyway like Celestia would. Well, maybe by a mob with pitchforks and torches. She passed the Town Hall and thought of the dusky mayor that refused to welcome the royal sister to their celebration. Hanging her head in sadness, she continued her flight/stroll and came across Ponyville Park. Multiple bridges came in and out of the public area. A cute fountain adorned the center while flowers bloomed everywhere. Tulips and petunias and roses and daisies. Seeing a particularly beautiful daisy, Luna plucked it with her magic and plopped it in her mouth. A savory and sweet sensation flooded on her tongue as the delicious aroma matched the wonderful taste that overwhelmed her mouth. Luna rarely got to experience a simple flower, for every single meal in the castle was as extravagant as Celestia’s mane was rainbow. She looked at the Ponyville Bell Tower, and saw that it was 4:00 a.m. “Okay, I have a few hours or so.” Luna decided to practice a little singing, for this was the only time she would get to be alone and away from Celestia’s put-downs about her pitchiness. The only time she got to sing was when she soundproofed her room with a spell, and even then Celestia would still send her notes that would say ‘Shut up. You’re hurting my ears,’ like any sister would. 

Remembering the lullaby her father used to sing, she put a soundproof bubble around herself to not wake the residents.

“Can you see the night? Burning stars oh so bright. Bringing peace and happiness. Nothing more that perfect bliss. Can you see the day? In the sun’s warmth we lay. Bringing joy and light to all. Beauty like a waterfall.” Forgetting the rest of the words to the old folk song, Luna just hummed the melody over and over again. And then, she looked to the moon. And it stared back at her. The imprint. Left to forever haunt her of her errors. When Nightmare Moon had initially escaped, the silhouette had vanished from the moon’s surface. However, to further convince the ponies that Luna was no longer a monster, Celestia painted an identical silhouette on the surface so ponies would think the monster was still trapped. It was fairly faint, but it was still there. It didn’t work well enough. For now it just served as a reminder to Luna of the monster she had become. 

Looking away from the painful memory bringer, she found a wooden bench next to a dimly lit lamp post. A few moths buzzed stupidly towards the light, only to get knocked back by the glass each time. She blew a raspberry and used her magic to open the glass so they might succeed at one thing in her life. With the glass opened and the light finally in range, the moths buzzed to it, only to be burned to death in a flame by the light’s intense heat. Luna’s eyes went beady as she quickly shut the glass and walked away whistling.

Luna looked around the park. North. South. East. West. There was nopony in sight. A shiver assaulted her spine as the wind crept through her body. It was cold. Not cool. But shiver inducing. Yearning for a warm blanket, Luna realized that for the first time she sort of missed being waited on hoof and hoof by her terrified servants. Luna wished that she could control the weather as well, for her night always seemed to bring coldness. She knew the sun brought warmth, but why did her night have to bring coldness? Her ears picked up the sound of clopping hooves. Luna sat straighter on the bench, trying to hear more. They were a steady beat, a trot. They were approaching. Closer and closer. Heavy and light. Light and heavy. Ever changing. Two ponies? Three? One? Luna could not tell from the changing sound of the clopping hooves as they approached her from the street. Luna slid off the bench and straightened her breastplate, trying to look as imperial as possible without her famed shoes and crown. She licked a hoof and smoothed her horn. The sound of the hoofs was now almost deafening, approaching closer and closer. There they were. She couldn’t see them, but she could hear them. The pony’s hooves were directly in front of her. Or at least from what she heard. And then there was silence. Shifting uncomfortably in the sudden silence, Luna cleared her throat loudly. “Wh-who goes there?” she commanded. No response. Just eerie quiet. The wind howled and whistled as the mosquitoes buzzed, but the hooves were gone.

Feeling somewhat scared and uncomfortable in the lonely night, Luna decided to fly back to Canterlot Castle before Celestia and her guards realized she was missing. She sat back on her haunches and took off, right into a branch.

> Don't Dream and Reveal All in One Night
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	The tornado unraveled yet again, and yet again stepped out the mare that haunted Luna since she broke free of her. 

Nightmare Moon. 

“Oh my dear Luna. It’s been so long! Have you missed me?” chuckled the black alicorn maniacally. 

“I cannot miss what I have never cared for,” gritted out Luna.

“But I missed you! That’s why I visited you tonight,” pouted the evil witch. 

“Y-you? That was you? But how?” Luna stumbled over her words.

“I cannot divulge my secrets,” teased Nightmare Moon. 

Luna turned to run. “Get away from me! I hate you! You witch!”

“But we are one dear Luna. You are me. And I am you,” said the vicious and evil black mare who ruined Luna’s life as her hair flung out and grabbed Luna’s back legs. It snagged tight, and Luna fell violently on her face. Nightmare dragged Luna towards herself, and with every inch Luna advanced her evil grin widened. Luna thrashed about violently, trying ferociously to free herself from her nightmare's grasp, but as soon as she relaxed her body, the grip relaxed as well, and she was able to quickly scramble to her hooves. 

“You may be me, but I am not you,” said Luna, trying to hold her ground. 

Nightmare Moon laughed a laugh that made Luna shrink back. “You foal. I am the closest of anypony who will ever understand you, who will know what you have gone through.”

“That is because you caused everything that made me feared!” screamed Luna in retaliation to the evil pony’s lies. 

“Me? As I recall, I am you, so you ruined your own life,” teased Nightmare. “Celestia doesn’t care for you, no pony in the castle cares for you, even your subjects are terrified of you! ”

“You’re wrong,” choked Luna. “I have friends, and Celestia loves me.” Nightmare laughed, and stepped from where her tornado of dark magic had unraveled, starting to circle Luna. With every step, Luna tensed up until Nightmare Moon was right next to her. 

Ignoring Luna’s last comment, Nightmare continued. “My my. Look how much you’ve grown. You’re going to look just like me pretty soon.”

“I am nothing like you!” sad Luna as she flared her horn in anger. 

“Uh uh uh,” tisked Nightmare as her own horn also began to glow. A seeping magic began to spread from the larger alicorn and take hold of Luna’s horn, blocking off its magic; Luna struggled, but decided staying still would be the easiest way to stay alive at the moment. 

“Do you know how we are similar, Luna? We both had the same hopes, the same dreams. We loved our nights, but no pony else seemed to. And we both wanted the night to last forever, don’t you recall? You cannot place the blame solely on my withers, now can you? Remember when you embraced me and let us become one? You wanted that, but now you stand as scared as a child in front of a ghoul! Why has Celestia poisoned your mind with lies about me? About you. Lest you not forget that, Luna. If you fear me, you are fearing yourself.”

“You took over my mind. Got out of control. I admit I wanted eternal night, but that was only after you poisoned my mind and convinced me to steal that magic! I was loved before you." Luna looked towards the ground, sucking back tears.  "They did not fear me. I was equal to Celestia, but you made me feel as if I was nothing but trash in her shadow. She loved me and that's what mattered." Luna let one tear spill before whipping around into Nightmare's face. 

"You turned me against my own sister you witch! Had you not been present, I could never have done what I did…” finished Luna as she lowered her body to the ground, hiding her face in her forelegs from the circling mare.

“Oh but you made me present, and you gave me that power. I can not help it if I simply took a little bit of advantage of that, now can I?”

“You’re a monster,” gritted out Luna.

“Then you are too,” sneered back Nightmare Moon. Her mane swirled around her in a fit of magical energy, and before she was whisked away, she whispered something in Luna’s ear. “I like your mane.” And then she vanished. 

Luna rolled into a fetal position and gently rocked herself from the horror that she just experienced. A tear dribbled its way down her cheek and splashed on the ground with a ‘plop’. It was audible, too audible for a single tear. 

“Luna…” echoed a voice. Her ears perked up. 

‘Was she back?’  Luna thought to herself. Just the idea of that sent chills up her spine, and she hugged her back legs tighter. 

“Luna…” the voice echoed again. 

“Leave me alone!” she cried out as she sobbed to herself. “Tia! Where are you?” she yelled into the darkness that surrounded her. She looked to the stars for comfort, but the only thing that admitted was another wave of helpless tears. The sky was blank, no stars to be seen; her beautiful creations had been burned out of the sky all at once by Nightmare Moon. The only thing that remained was a magnified moon that took up most of the sky. And the silhouette. 

The voice rang out again. “Tia? Its me, Twilight.” 


*******************************************


Luna’s eyes shot open to a bright light; A white mare with soft pink hair was holding a flashlight over her eyes. Luna blinked and fidgeted away from the brightness, but could not escape it in the highly lit, sterile room. The intense light that was the equivalent of a thousand suns stung at her darkness adapted eyes, and she rolled onto her stomach and held the pillow over her head to block it out as much as possible. 

“Princess, you have to stay still,” rang out Twilight’s voice as a soft hoof slightly restrained her squirming. The sounds echoed and bounced off of every wall in Luna’s shocked eardrums, so she couldn’t pinpoint the speaking pony. 

When the hoof rolled her onto her back once again, a smiling lavender unicorn greeted her. “Princess, are you okay?” it questioned. The two ponies slowly faded into one smiling Twilight Sparkle. 

“Mhmm,” muttered the sleepy princess.  It had to be 9 a.m. She looked to her left and noticed an IV tube in her left foreleg and with her right foreleg felt her head. There was a bandage. “What happened?” she asked, too weak to use her Royal Canterlot Voice.

“I was walking home from stargazing and I saw you passed out in Ponyville Park in the early morning. What were you doing here?” questioned Twilight to the aching princess of the night. 

“Really?” groaned the Princess. Her eyes shot open and she grabbed Twilight by her shoulders. The sun was up. “Does Celestia know!?” she suddenly panicked.

“Princess, I don’t think you should be getting up-“

“Does she know!?” rasped the princess. Her gaze shot over to the window; The sun was up. “She does know,” said the defeated alicorn as she flopped back onto the bed, resulting in a major headache. 

“Um, excuse me Luna, but how do you know?” gently asked Twilight as she tucked a blanket over the dark princess of the night.

“The moon is down. She lowered it for me.” Luna smiled at the fact that Celestia would do that for her, but then became panicked once again. “She has guards looking for me. They’ll find me and I’ll be in so much trouble!” Luna groaned and moved to her side and covered her ears with the pillow once again. 

“PRINCESS LUNA!” roared a mighty voice form the doorway of the hospital room. Luna uncovered her face and saw a bright white and bowing hospital ponies. 

‘Oh no,’ she thought.

‘Tia, I can exp-“ Luna’s words were cut off by a white alicorn embracing her in a bear hug. 

“I was so worried,” whispered the older sister. 

“You’re not mad?” asked Luna. Celestia broke away from the hug and stood tall and regal.

“I would like to have a moment alone with my sister,” she announced to nopony in particular, but everypony cleared out of the room just the same. When the door clicked closed, Celestia huffed. “Luna, why would you do that? You know you are not allowed to leave the castle unsupervised. I’m sorry, but that was very naïve of you. You have a duty to uphold control of Equestria’s moon, which means you cannot go off flying without giving notice and without guards.”

“But this was my own fault,” reasoned Luna, “No pony tried to hurt me.”

“This time,” corrected Celestia, “You know how these ponies have been acting towards your return. What if you did get hurt? What would I do? I just got you back and then I would lose you,” sighed Celestia, wiping her eyes with one of her wings. 

“I’m sorry, Tia. I didn’t mean to scare you. But how did you find me?” asked Luna.

“Well, I noticed you were gone when the moon was a few minutes late of going down. And we traced your magic traces to here. Actually quite simple.” Celestia smiled and nuzzled Luna, “You’ll have to try harder next time.”

Luna and Celestia giggled together, but the weight of the secret Luna was carrying made her laugh forced. “Tia. May I tell you something?”

“Anything little sister.” 

“I think Nightmare Moon is in our world.”

Celestia chortled at the words. “That’s impossible Luna. She’s not real anymore.  It was probably just a dream. Come, we must return to Canterlot.” Celestia offered her wing to bring Luna home, but Luna shook her head; she knew she was right, and if Celestia didn’t believe her, somepony had to. 

“Sister, may I stay the day. And talk to Twilight Sparkle?”

“What for?” questioned Celestia.

“She was going to teach me some pony skills, so I fit in better. And you will be in court and busy so…” Luna looked up at her big sister with large pleading eyes.

“I suppose-“

“Oh bless thee! I shan't be long. I shall be back in Canterlot to raise the moon tonight.”

“Very well sister. I shall see you soon.” And with that Celestia teleported back to the castle while Luna stood alone in the hospital room. 


*****************************************


“Thank you for meeting with me, Ms. Sparkle,” said Luna as she sipped her tea.

“Of course princess,” shakily replied Twilight as she poured more tea into Luna’s cup. “Although I was a bit surprised when you called me back in earlier. Do you need to borrow my Star Swirled the Bearded costume?” said Twilight excitedly, perking up a little.

Luna had to suppress a laugh at Celestia’s student’s serious question. “N-no. I am fine, thank you,” Luna snorted into her cup of tea. 

“Oh, well. Anything you need, feel free to ask.” Twilight Sparkle’s cup was shaking a tad. Luna knew Twilight did not fear her; she was one of the few ponies who respected her. 

“Twilight, you need not be nervous. This is an informal visit.”

“I-I know Princess… Spike! This place is a mess!” Luna giggled at the student’s nerves. “How are you adjusting?”

Luna’s teacup slipped out of her telekinetic grip with the thought. “Oh, I’m sorry Princess. Spike! No there’s another mess! Spike!” called Twilight. 

Pushing away her eye twitch, Luna cast a spell from her infinite stores of knowledge. In a blink the mess was cleaned and the tea and cup were in place on the coffee table between them.

“Oh Princess, you didn’t have to-“

“It is all right Twilight Sparkle,” said Luna with a wave of her horseshoe-less hoof. 

“Please, call me Twilight.”

“If you insist. But then you must call me Luna,” said Luna with a warm smile.

“Of course Pri- Luna. So, um, if you don’t mind me asking, what brings you to Ponyville at such an hour?” asked Twilight settling her own cup on the table.

Not wanting to admit it was because of a temper tantrum, Luna racked her brain for a lie. “Oh, you know. Stuff?”
‘Smooth’ she thought with a sarcastic tone.

“Oh, ok,” said Twilight skeptically. 

“And how do you fare, Twilight,” asked Luna in small talk.

“Just wonderful! I’m opening a new fantasy section of the library; it’s going to include everything about ghosts and zombies and this new hilarious thing that I personally think should be in the comedy section. They’re called humans. They’re like monkeys but they can talk. Can you imagine talking monkeys?” laughed Twilight.

“Ha ha, yeah…” said Luna uncomfortably. ‘Ghosts.’ She needed to know more. “I would love to see this collection Ms. Sparkle.” Twilight gave her a faux death glare. “I mean, Twilight.” A smile lit up the purple unicorn’s face once again. 

“Right this way,” she said with an exaggerated bow. Twilight led Luna through a small hallway out of the common room. They passed a small door with a wood slate that showed a stallion and mare that could only lead to the bathroom. A few clattering pots and pans echoed from further beyond the walkway, but Luna continued to follow behind the librarian. Rounding a corner, a bright light came from an arched opening. “Spike! What are you doing?” shrieked Twilight. Hearing the horror in her voice, Luna peeked her head around and had to hold back a laugh. Twilight’s dragon assistant was perched on dozens of stacked pots and pans, desperately reaching for something on top of the counter. 

“Whoa! "Woah!!!” he screamed as the pots and pans twisted and turned under him, losing balance. With a final wiggle, the pots gave way, sending a terrified baby dragon falling to the tiled floor. 

“Spike!” screamed out Twilight as her friend fell.

“Ahh! Oh, wow. Okay.” Twilight peeked her eyes out from behind her hoof to see Spike being carefully lowered to safety in the magic grip of Princess Luna.

“Spike! What were you thinking? You could have hurt the princess!” yelled Twilight at the clumsy dragon.

“Yeah, hurt Luna. I’m alright too, thanks for asking,” sarcastically remarked Spike before his mouth was magically sealed closed with a zipper. 

“I’m so sorry Luna.” Twilight’s horn shined as magic spun out of it, fixing up Spike’s mess in the kitchen. With the close of one last drawer, the room was picture perfect yet again.

“It is quite alright Twilight. I have made many a mess in my time,” smiled Luna. 

“Yeah! You go sister!” declared Spike as he playfully punched Luna’s chest. Looking down in shock and confusion as a stranger touched her, Luna hoisted her chin high into the air and backed away form his touch, causing the baby dragon to recoil his arm in embarrassment. 

“As I was saying… I would like to continue on to your new addition if you would be so kind.”

“Oh, yes, of course!” exclaimed Twilight before turning to Spike with a glare. “And you’re going to march your little dragon butt upstairs and think about what you have done!” reprimanded Twilight.

“March my butt upstairs? How old do you think I am? Geez.” Spike huffed out of the room with many grumbles. His clawed feet paddled up the stairs until the princess and Twilight could hear him crawl into his bed located on the floor directly above their heads. 

“I’m so sorry Princess. You know how foals are…” tried to apologize Twilight.

Without looking at Celestia’s student, Luna decided to start escorting herself through the hallway. “I cannot say I do,” said Luna before she started off. Twilight quickly cantered up to the royal mare and took the lead. 

The hallways opened into the main library area where the front entrance was located. Hundreds of books stood dusted on the mahogany shelves covered in a deep orange polish. Labels for each genre graced the wood on faux gold plaques that shone in the light through the window; each book was meticulously arranged in alphabetical order by author, lined up neater than stacked plates. Colorful books with detailed binding stood proud, while some duller and more worn books shrank below their counterparts. Luna immediately spotted the gold plaque she was searching for: fantasy.

Far fewer books than Luna had hoped graced the shelves, but a laundry cart filled to the brim held the rest of the bounty. Luna stepped to examine the cart, but as she reached a hoof in to browse, the cart was whisked away by a purple energy. “Sorry Luna. These are preordered.”

“As a princess, I believe I have the right to browse. Who in Equestria preorders that many books anyways?” said Luna in disbelief that she was being denied something.

“Oh, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to offend you. Its just that these are the books on humans, and they have been put on hold for a… Miss Lyra Heartstrings,” said Twilight, checking the name on the cart that had been scribbled on by Spike. She would have to reprimand him later for writing in marker on a reusable cart. 

“O-oh, of course,” Luna scanned the list of available titles that lined the shelves. Attack of the Zombies, Humans Invade, Ghosts, the Paranormal, and the Unexplainable: perfect! 

Luna brushed her bangs out of her eyes and cleared her throat, causing Twilight to whip round and face her in anticipation. “Ghosts sure are odd, aren’t they quite silly don’t you think?” said Luna with a halfhearted smile, trying to get Twilight talking. 

“Oh no. They are very serious,” said Twilight, not getting overly excited like Luna had expected. 

“Serious? Pray tell, what do you mean, fair Twilight?”

“They have powers that even unicorns cannot understand. At least, not from what I’ve read.”

“And what do they say of ghosts' powers?” asked Luna inquisitively.

“Why you sure are interested in ghosts. I would think that you and Celestia would know all about these,” said Twilight.

"Our library does not hold room for such reads. Fantasy tends to distract ponies from proper studies. However, that has always been more of Celestia's ruling; I for one quite miss the fiction tales of my foal hood.”

Twilight walked over to the princess. “Oh, I’m sorry Princess. You can borrow this one if you want,” said Twilight as she floated Ghosts, the Paranormal, and the Unexplainable over to the dark blue alicorn. 

“Twilight, I certainly cannot ask you to give me a book from your business. That is not right of a princess to take from her subjects.” Twilight only waved a hoof.

“Please, I'm a librarian, lending books is my job. But if you don’t mind me asking, why are you so interested?” Twilight asked.

Luna shifted uncomfortably on her hooves at the question. “It's okay Princess,” reassured Twilight politely, “If it’s a personal matter you do not have to tell me.”

Although that statement should have allowed Luna to relax her tense body and carry on with her life, it only made it worse. “No, Twilight. I have to tell somepony.” 

Twilight suddenly looked scared. “Luna, really, you don’t have to. I’m sure Celestia or one of your other friends-“ Twilight cut herself off when she saw a tear slip from the eye of the ruler of Equestria. “Oh Luna,” she comforted, putting a hoof over the princess in an embrace. 

“I do, Twilight. I have to get this off my chest.” Twilight broke from the hug and led Luna by a hoof over to some cushions that Luna could only contemplate was for reading.

Twilight levitated some tea over which Luna politely declined. “I think I’ve had enough tea since I returned to last my entire life.” Seeing the princess was not partaking in the drink, Twilight put her own cup back on the table. 

“Where do we begin?” asked Twilight, using her magic to tie her mane in a bun, much like a therapist. “What is troubling you?”

“Its not so much ghosts as it is my dreams.” Luna laid on her back across her cushion. 

“Dreams? About what?”

“It’s a bit embarrassing,” said Luna uncomfortably.

“I’m sure it's perfectly fine,” assured Twilight.

“They’re all about… her,” finally blurted out the Princess of the Night.

“Oh Princess. I know Pinkie Pie can be a little creepy, but I didn’t think she could plague a pony’s dreams!” 

“No!” shouted out Luna in shock. “It’s about… Nightmare Moon.” whispered Luna.

“What was that?” asked Twilight, leaning in. 

“It’s about… Nightmare Moon,” repeated Luna. 

“Didn’t quite catch that,” prodded Twilight.

Luna hung her head in shame and defeat, knowing the truth would have to come out. She blew a raspberry and continued. “I’ve been dreaming of Nightmare Moon every night lately.”

Twilight looked at her quizzically. “Luna, you didn’t have to be embarrassed by that. It’s natural to have nightmares about traumatic experiences."

“I know, I know,” admitted Luna, “But they’re so real. She talks as if she’s right in front of me,” finished Luna with a shudder.

“Well, you and your sister-“ 

“Celestia,” said Luna, cutting off Twilight. She didn’t want any pony calling her by a family name. That was a family title.

“Um, okay… You and Celestia both have magic beyond belief. So it is no wonder that your dreams would be more powerful and lifelike than regular ponies as well, don’t you think?” said Twilight with a hopeful smile.

“I-I suppose so. But that isn’t all Twilight. It seems my dream realm has somehow crossed over into reality.” Luna bit her lip back, afraid that Twilight would burst out laughing. To her dismay, Twilight tried to stifle a giggle.

“Princess, I’m sorry, * giggles *, but that sounds impossible. Even for you.”

Luna could not contain her temper. Her sister’s student was laughing at her. “How dare you not respect me!” raged Luna as she raised her voice.  

Twilight’s eyes shot open, and her laugh evaporated immediately. She tried to put an apologetic hoof on Luna’s, but the princess moved her bare hoof away. “Princess, I am so sorry. I just have trouble believing things I cannot see.”

This brought Luna’s attention back and her rage down to cooling temperature. “But I have proof!” she said excitedly. 

Twilight cocked her head, causing Luna to roll her eyes. “I can’t show you until the night, and judging by the events that unfolded last night, Tia won’t be allowing me to make any more unscheduled visits. I shall return tomorrow night at nine p.m. Do not be tardy.” And with that, Luna teleported out of the library.

> The Night Brings New Wonders
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	“What am I supposed to be looking at exactly?” asked Twilight, one eye burrowed into the lens of the telescope aimed at the starry night sky. A palace guard stood firmly in his spot behind the two ponies, eyes trained on the field below the hill they rested atop. Princess Luna sat her flank upon a cushion Spike had been forced to carry out to the largest hill in Ponyville, and Twilight was studying the sky. 

“There,” said Luna, pointing a hoof to the sky. “That star right there!”

“There are billions of stars! How can I tell which one you’re pointing at?” said an exasperated purple unicorn. 

Luna face hoofed. “Give me the telescope,” she said, losing her patience. She immediately found the two stars she Twilight had wasted thirty minutes searching for. “There.”

Luna moved her face form the telescope, allowing Twilight to replace her eye to the lens. “Ohhhhh! I see!” said Twilight finally, allowing Luna to finally let out a breath of relief.

“Now compare those stars to the ones on the map,” said Luna, feeling like she was giving more of a lesson than showing proof. Twilight backed away from the machine and studied a map strewn across the grass. Stars dotted every corner of the plot, covering every inch. If Twilight wasn’t so bright, it would be pretty much impossible for any other pony to read it. 

“T-that’s not possible. They aren’t here!” exclaimed Twilight in shock.

“I know Twilight.”

“How did they get there? I didn’t get any notice, and I check my mail every day!”

“I know Twilight.”

“It’s Discord! He’s become evil again. He’s behind this!” 

“I kn- Wait, what? No, it was me!” said Luna, becoming very confused by Twilight’s nonsense. 

“You, Luna? Why? There’s no organization, no order, no-“ Twilight started to hyperventilate by the unannounced addition that did not fit into a schedule.

“That’s what I don’t understand!” screamed Luna into the dead nighttime air, startling Twilight a few feet back. 

“What do you mean? You don’t remember making them?” asked the inquisitive pony. 

“No Twilight. I remember. That’s the problem!” shouted back Luna, losing her short temper at the poor unicorn. “It was in the dream,” she said, hanging her head so that her horn scarped the grass. “Before she came, I made them. And now they’re here,” admitted Luna, sinking onto her hooves and laying in the grass. Soft grass, like that of Canterlot Gardens. “That is what brought about my suspicions.”

“I’ve never heard of anything like that. Are you sure?” asked Twilight.

Luna gestured to the stars in the sky. “Of course I’m sure! I made them in my dream, and now they’re there! It’s connected somehow. That’s why I need your help, Twilight Sparkle,” said Luna, getting to her hooves. 

“You know what we need? To study!” happily suggested Twilight. Luna snorted and rolled her eyes, not being a fan of studying. That was more of Celestia’s thing. 

“Um, okay, if that’s what it takes,” said Luna getting to her hooves. Packing up her equipment in a burst of magic, Twilight hoisted her supplies and trotted towards her library. Luna followed obediently behind while the Royal Guard kept a fair distance behind.

Unlocking the door to the library quietly, Luna and Twilight stepped in with careful hoof steps to not wake Spike as the guard stood outside. Twilight settled herself on one of the cushions yet again, as did Luna. “So, what happened?”

Luna was getting tired of the constant questions, but obliged. “I was painting the sky, and I took off some of my hair, and it floated up into the sky creating a star. Then I did it again. And when I went to night court that night, some astronomers complained about the new stars.”

“That seems very off,” mumbled Twilight. She rose from her seat and pondered through the library, pulling out countless books and then tossing them on the floor in frustration. This continued for a few minutes until she finally wore a triumphant smile. 

“Oh my, I think I know exactly what happened!” squeaked Twilight as she grabbed a book with her magic. It floated over and flipped to a page. “An alicorn’s power is unlike any others. When in dren sleep, they have the power to open a portal from their mind, releasing what they are visualizing into the real world,” read Twilight from the random book. 

"Seriously? Simple as that? Seems a bit too easy to me," said Luna.

Twilight flipped through more pages of the book, not seeming to find any damning evidence to contradict the book's statement. "Don't shoot the messenger. But if you really think about it, why can't it work? If you have the power to open up the void of space to dream walk, who's to say that you couldn't open a void in your own mind to the outside world? You possess the power."

Puzzled and amazed that the answer was so simple, Luna stood to bid the unicorn ado. “T-thank you so much, Twilight. Really. That was very helpful. I’ll be more careful next time,” promised the Princess of the Night.

“No problem Princess, I was happy to help,” smiled back Twilight, stifling a yawn. 

“Oh I’m sorry Twilight. You have been up quite a while helping me. I thank you for your time and effort, and bid you a good night.” Luna smiled warmly at the pony and regressed to her awaiting chariot outside of the Ponyville Library. 


***********************


The Pegasus guard that accompanied her unhitched the chariot from his back. Luna, however, was already off. As soon as she reached Canterlot Castle, she bolted from the supervision of the minion and straight to the Canterlot Gardens. Looking around dazed and confused from seeing that Princess Luna had vanished, his lip began to quiver. ‘Oh no. Celestia is going to banish me if I lose Princess Luna!’ He immediately broke into a gallop to search the grounds.

Luna walked through the gardens as she so often did; she passed the sleeping hummingbirds and the dozing squirrels as she explored, yearning for there to be more fuzzy and cute nocturnal animals, but supposing that bats would have to suffice.

The garden was mapped out through a series of secret paths that either led in circles, or brought a pony into the damning labyrinth, but if one knew them form years of wandering, especially one dark blue alicorn, they could find themselves in a hidden oasis, surrounded by waterfalls and daisies and critters. Sure, there were flowers and animals everywhere else, but this place was special to Luna: The frogs croaked even late into her night: a few birds tweeted through the darkness: the air was still and cool, yet comfortable and warm at the same time: multiple waterfalls splayed into a crystal pool. Luna was sure that if it was day out, she would have seen a rainbow sparkling in front of each individual fall. Truth be told, Luna saw few rainbows in her everlasting lifetime. Maybe one or two, tops. Rainbows don’t shine through the night. 

A lot of things didn’t shine through the night: a filly’s smile was never apparent: the colors of a flower did not radiate as nicely. Although Luna hated to admit, even to herself, she was envious of Celestia; not because of the whole everypony likes her better and her sun and day, but more because she got to experience things in the light. In the pitch-black sterile darkness that surrounded Luna, she couldn’t even identify a tulip form a rose. Everything was black. Eerie. 

But it was also peaceful, soothing, hers, and perfect for what it was. It was what she created, and Luna was happy to bask in it. She breathed a heavy breath, pulling in the cool night air that stung her nostrils with every breath; the scents of flowers and water and trees flooded in like a tsunami. If she couldn’t see them, at least she could smell them. In a faraway tree, a monkey screeched loudly, followed by the calls of many more. Branches broke and vines were swinging, and overhead passed many an ape moving to a new sleeping spot, probably having been scared by one of the panthers. When the gardens had first been installed, Celestia had insisted that only cute, furry, and harmless creatures occupy its land, but Luna had protested and asserted that predators were needed to keep balance. She was correct and won that argument, but that was only an excuse to be able to have the carnivores.

The champions of the night. They stalk their prey, using the cover of her glorious darkness to feast and thrive and feed their families. Without her night, they may not survive. She was helping something; it wasn’t ponies, but it was something.

A swarm of bats rushed past her muzzle, their wings tickling her snout Most ponies would stumble back in fear, but Luna only embraced the animals as they circled around her. Getting really close to the ground, they spiraled around her in a flurry of wings and gloom that brought her a sense of comfort that screamed she belonged. Harnessing a simple spell, she vacuumed the bats towards her. 

At first they fought the light of magic and the restraint, but then they embraced their princess, swarming towards her and engulfing her body. Their bodies morphed together for the time being in a magical bind, and as the last bat fell into place, Luna wore a dark shroud, the hood pulled to her horn.  Beneath her cloak she was truly alone.

The night was hers. No supervision, no guards, no Celestia. 

Something tapped on her barrel. Luna spun around at a break neck speed, turning to face the culprit who had not only stalked her, but now knew of her only hideaway. The shock startled the cloak of bats away, their wings escaping the binds of her magic as they fled from the mysterious predator. Shuddering from the new cold chill, she stared down at a white Pegasus guard knelt before her, forelegs crossed over his head for protection from the Princess’ oncoming wrath. 

“How dare thou disturb thy Princess in her own personal time!” raged Luna at the terrified pony.

“I-I’m sorry Princess,” stammered the still kneeling pony, “But Celestia said I cannot let you out of my sight,” he whispered.

Growing more infuriated, Luna turned away from the white pony. “And why does she think I need a foal sitter!? I have been alive forever. I know how to handle myself on my own grounds!”

“I’m sorry Princess. I know you can. I was just following orders,” he said. He reached one of his hooves to a grove in his helmet and pealed it off, placing it behind Luna. As he took it off, rushes of blue crept across his body, sinking down into his hooves and engulfing him in a new coat. Hearing the clatter of the metal behind her, Luna turned to face the new stallion. With his helmet off came his natural coat and mane; dark blue fur, though not nearly as dark as hers, now made up his body, and a short mane of navy blue blew in the wind around him. Ripping off the breastplate that adorned his chest, he shrunk a tad, losing the molded build of all other guards. He was slimmer and smaller, but not by much, and his eyes stared back bright and large. 

“I shall resign immediately Your Majesty.” Luna was taken aback by his comment, and realized where he was placing his armor: at her feet. 

She kicked it back towards him. “There will be no need for that-“ she blanked, not knowing his name.

“Notte, Your Majesty.” The pony stumbled through his words, not believing what he had just heard. His job was safe?

“Notte,” repeated Luna, the name rolling off her tongue. It was so familiar, but she couldn’t place a hoof on it. “I say, does thy name contain a hidden meaning?” asked the perplexed Princess.

“Um yes Your Royal Majesty. It means night." The pony never stood.

“Please, Notte, stand.” The pony did as told and raised to his hooves, but his gaze was glued to the ground.  “Thy parents were fans of the nights I comprehend?” Luna knew she wasn’t supposed to associate with the help, but if a pony enjoyed her nights, she couldn’t help but try and fish out complements.

“Sadly not Your Majesty. It is an adopted name.” He looked up at her, hoping she would not take offense to him trading his name.

“And your original name?” she asked with an emotionless face. 

‘I’m dead. She’s going to make me change my name, then banish me. Then make me change my name again, bring me back to see if she likes it, then banish me again,’ he fretted to himself. With an embarrassed sigh, he spoke. “Sunny,” he said. 

Luna could barely hold back a laugh. ‘What a wildly inappropriate name for his color.’  But, nonetheless, she was joyous that a pony had enjoyed her nights so much that he would legally change something about himself to be closer to it. 

Unable to control herself, Luna let out a giggle/snort. “I must say, I like Notte better.”

He smiled at the princess for the first time. “Thank you princess.”

An awkward  silence surrounded them, and he pawed a hoof at the ground and folded his wings. Luna was plagued with a thought that wasn’t wildly unreasonable, but might cause a few problems either way. “Say, Sir Notte, does thou work in Celestia’s realm?”

“Yes. But to no insult to you Princess! When I applied, you weren’t… um… you know-“

“Back.” Luna finished, looking away full of sorrow. 

“Yes, Princess. But as soon as you were back to doing the nights, I applied to work as your guard. I was, however, sadly declined for the position.”

“You don’t say.” Luna’s mind started reeling. This pony was amusing her. She had to admit she appreciated the compliments, and he wasn’t crying yet. That was good sign. 

Her decision was made. 

“If you wish, I could put in a request to transfer you to my personal guard.” The blue pegasus’ jaw hit the ground. 

“I-I-I-I.” He couldn’t get a word out as he stammered through his thoughts. “YES!” he screamed, louder than Luna could muster in her Royal Canterlot Voice, forcing her to take a step back from the force.

“Oh, my Majesty, I am so sorry,” he said, reverting back into his bow. 

Luna chuckled in a way that reminded of her of seeing Celestia and Twilight Sparkle together, but she would not allow herself to be any less professional as a princess as Celestia so often did. Embarrassing the crown with her foolish ways of caring for everything personally; sometimes it was better to not give a clop. “Thou are welcome. But, thou must learn to control thyself if thou wishes to serve us- I mean me.” Luna mentally slapped herself for reverting back to the royal we. “Thou must compose thyself with grace and humility, with professionalism and enthusiasm. Can I trust that thou can handle the task?” asked the Princess of the Night, her mane billowing with its myriad of stars. 

The dark blue Pegasus pony nodded his head furiously, a large smile wrapped around his face. “Thankyouthnakyouthankyou- I mean, thank you your Highness. I shan’t disappoint,” he said bowing for the zillionth time. 

Luna blew her bangs out of her face and started off away from the pony before stopping and looking back. “Thou shall meet in the throne room tomorrow morning at one a.m.”

“That seems mighty late, Your Majesty-“

“I suggest you sleep during the day to prepare your body; the only light you will see from now on will be that of my moon. If you are to serve with me, you must be awake with me,” she concluded, and walked away, leaving an eager and somewhat nervous pony behind her.

“Phew. I’m glad that’s taken care of,” Luna whispered quietly to herself, more than pleased that she gained more ponies for the nighttime shift. And one that wanted it nonetheless!

“Ahhhhh,” she yawned, “How long have I been gone?” She bid ado to her oasis for the moment and summoned a teleportation spell, bringing her to her chambers once again.

She glanced at the large grandpony clock that stood proud and tall. A crescent moon hung form the ticker, and when Luna was a filly she remembered watching it swing back and forth, back and forth. Mesmerizing, hypnotizing even. 

She shook her head, freeing her mind from its sorcery. Two hours until the moon rose. Not enough time for a nap, not enough time to do anything in particular. Maybe read. Boring. Her eyes drifted to her desk, and she couldn’t resist. She scattered the papers and documents, surfacing her drawing; it was perfect. Not much more to be added. Nightmare Moon was falling like the wicked pony she was, and Luna was succeeding at something for once; it was glorious! 

Seeing there wasn’t much to do, as always, Luna sifted through the friendship reports Twilight Sparkle sent Princess Celestia. Celestia was always giving them to Luna after she read them in hopes that Luna would learn a thing or two about being more friendly and social. All it had done was teach Luna things she was bad at recreating. ‘Daring Do?’ she read. Rainbow Dash? Well, if Rainbow Dash likes it, it has to be good. Luna reached some of her magic through the castle to the library. Being bored all night did have its benefits, and now Luna was able to stretch her magic out all over the castle. She reached around the shelves, her eyes closed to visualize where her magic was. 

Dank Dungeons, Dares and Truths, Daring Do! She grabbed the book and teleported it to her feet. Cracking it open, the stench of rotten wood and abandonment flooded her nostrils.

Seemed Canterlot ponies don’t have time for fiction. 

Wincing at the thought of reading, she forced her eyes to clamp down and analyze the words. 

And she was hooked. 

> Friend or Foe?
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	“Come on Daring! You gotta get out of there!” Luna couldn’t tear her eyes away; was Ahuitzotl going to keep the sapphire stone? Would Daring be able to escape her bounds and get her treasure? Would- Ring Ring Ring.

Her internal alarm buzzed in her head, alerting her that the time had come to lower the moon and give way for Celestia’s day.

She stepped onto her balcony and yawned, having been awake for way too long. She had barely gotten any sleep the day before, trying to save herself from another nightmare, using the Daring Do books to keep herself occupied. With another large yawn and sip from the coffee cup that had been placed on her nightstand from earlier in the evening, she vacuumed the stars back into her being, feeling her mane absorb their energy and rejuvenate itself, which, before, was starting to go limp and light blue like common pony hair. One by one, the stars swirled back into her soul, refreshing her body, but not taking away the heaviness in her eyes. She couldn’t ignore it anymore; she had to sleep.



*******************************


“My my, back so soon?” questioned the black mare. 

“Get away from me,” Luna hissed through clenched teeth as the black alicorn circled her once again.

Nightmare only laughed at the hostility. “You’ll have to try harder than that, Luna. Wouldn’t want Celestia to come help now would you?” Luna looked confused at the mare, who only exchanged a maniacal grin in return. Her face contorted and twisted, contracting and stretching; a light seemed to come from beneath her fur, and her horn began to shrink and lose its sharpness. Her eyes glowed and rolled into her skull it a disgustingly graphic scene. Luna looked away from the horrifying feat, only to have her head snap back to where the other mare once stood at the voice that was all too familiar. “Tia! Tia!” called Luna’s voice. On top of Nightmare Moon’s pitch black frame was Luna’s face and her voice, crying out for her sister. Luna smiled an evil smile back at the real Luna, before resorting back to Nightmare Moon’s face in a flash.

“You monster!” yelled Luna as she lurched forward to pierce Nightmare’s heart. With a quick dash, Nightmare Moon ducked, vanishing into a thin smoke and re-animating herself behind Luna with an evil cackle. Luna fell into the vacant space where Nightmare Moon's heart should have been and stumbled forward before regaining her footing. Luna spun around so fast it almost gave her whiplash, and she tried to strike again; this time, her navy blue horn clashed with a steel black one, both struggling at the force of the other. While Luna’s face was contorted in pain from the pressure, Nightmare Moon looked bored at the physical quarrel. Mustering the rest of her possible strength, Luna lit the tip of her horn; little sparks emulated, and suddenly a blast erupted that threw Nightmare moon skidding on her backside ten feet away. Defeated for the moment, Luna teleported to stand over her tormentor of a thousand years. Nightmare just cackled under her, although it could easily be her certain death. 

Through her snarled laughter, Nightmare levitated her helmet off; her piercing dragon eyes struck through Luna, freezing her momentarily. Luna shook off the paralyzed feeling and pinned Nightmare Moon’s forelegs with her own.

Luna lowered her horn onto Nightmare’s heart, ready to strike her dead and free herself from the hell she had been forced through; however, she hesitated for a reason she could not understand. The sinful black alicorn only cackled more.

“What’s the matter Woona? Can’t you kill me?” Before Luna could drive her horn into the foul being, Nightmare’s sword like unicorn horn emulated the same spark from before, sending Luna flying back, skidding onto her back through the rocks and twigs, ripping dozens of feather from her wings; she knew it was a dream, so why did it hurt? 

Nightmare Moon appeared on top of the young blue alicorn. “Because I could kill you in a second,” whispered Nightmare into the now pinned victim’s ear. 

“Tis but a dream, tis but a dream,” whispered Luna, unable to struggle against the powerful mare.

Nightmare laughed wickedly. "Oh but a dream you claim? But a dream!" She lit her horn and fired at Luna, grazing Luna's neck with a fiery blast.

"AHHH!" Luna's neck sizzled, the skin bubbling from the deep burn, and a steady stream of blood began to trickle forth from the fresh wound. She held back tears, biting her lip so hard that it split; she tried to turn her head to examine her burn, but every movement was as painful as the initial wounding. "If its money, or power you want, I assure you that you will never get either. You are vile, despicable, a threat to all, and it is below me to beg. But I can say for a fact that if you kill me, there will be NO reward in my place."

“Please,” chuckled Nightmare, “I could never.” 

“W-what?” scoffed Luna, but immediately regretted her response for fear that it may change Nightmare moon’s mind.

“I can’t kill you, I am you,” Nightmare Moon lowered her head and stepped off of Princess Luna. “If I killed you here, I could easily take over your body once again and bring eternal night. If purged by the Elements, I would die, and Princess Luna and Nightmare Moon would be gone forever. And if I banished Celestia and ruled, nopony would listen to me. I would spend the rest of my life watching as ponies cowered at the sight of me, and crying when I addressed them. They would never accept me,” Nightmare Moon said. She stepped off of Luna, her scowl softened, but Luna immediately scurried back a safe distacnce, still biting her lip with every movement to distract from the pain in her neck. 
Nightmare Moon sat on her haunches and pulled off the rest of her armor. Luna couldn't help but notice that she was actually quite lovely, like Celestia; her coat was shiny and clean and her mane flew with the magical wind of Luna’s. It was more lavender than Luna’s, and not as transparent. “So what’s the point?”

Luna was now faced with a tremendous inner struggle. Now was the time to strike and kill Nightmare Moon! She would defeat the dream entity and find safety once again in the dreamscape. But Celestia had taught her better than to laugh in the face of an ailing pony, even if this pony had ruined her life and gotten her banished to her to the moon for 1000 years. Luna straightened herself and approached Nightmare Moon, not entirely sure of what her next move would be. She couldn't believe this sob story before seeing more first. Seeing that the mare would not harm her, Luna approached a little closer. When she reached her side, she saw that the wicked mare of darkness was crying. Nightmare Moon, crying! It utterly shocked Luna to see the ace of darkness and evil be vunerable. Seeing how the past events had an emotional toll on the mare, Luna had to admit that she felt the same way. “Although I have no sympathy for you, I can admit that I too have felt the same way. But you are a monster; you have killed countless ponies, and you most importantly tried to kill my sister, and for that you will never be forgiven. You do not deserve my sympathy, no, not yet. You are my darker side, and when being accused of being you in court, I was rather displeased. 

Nightmare Moon’s eyes turned to Luna, seething with anger that was not present moments ago. Luna scuttled backwards to escape the fury as the dark mare’s eyes burned a bright red. “What is so bad about me?”

“N-Nothing. I mean, you have been associated with being-“

“Evil,” finished Nightmare Moon, losing the sudden outburst of anger. “I have never done anything evil. I had a passion, a need. And I acted. I never harmed anypony. I had a way figured out of how to keep plants healthy through the night. I knew how to make the ponies thrive. I never planned to kill them or make them unhappy.” A few tears spilled down the black mare’s cheek as she continued. “I just wanted to be loved. We deserved it.” 

Luna relaxed her shoulders, downgrading Nightmare from the threat she had been a few minutes earlier. She exhaled, giving in for conversation with her worst nightmare. “I know Nightmare Moon. They were my dreams too. I was the one who wanted those things, but you were more powerful. I must admit I don’t know much about the events that trans folded after you took over; I only know from what Celestia has told me... I’m sorry for what happened. But I know now that we were wrong, and it was selfish of us to try and take away the day.”

“Please, call me Moon. It makes me seem less… vile. I just wanted to help you; I know how much you wanted them to appreciate you. And then I wanted that too. And I got out of control, and I apologize,” said a very out of character ‘Moon’. 

“You’re not evil,” realized Luna, suddenly regretting the harsh words she had spit at the mare moments before. “We have just been taught to believe you are so. This is the first time I have associated with you. When you took over me, I was buried so deep beneath you that I pretty much didn’t exist anymore. So I never really knew your actions.” 

“I admit, I didn’t paint a very good picture of us. I did some things… I regret.” Nightmare Moon sighed heavily, and stared off into the night. 

“We mustn’t dwell on the past right now. And you don’t seem like a bad pony to me,” comforted Luna to Nightmare Moon.

“Thank you Luna.” 

“But I don’t understand this very much. How can you be me? I am here, and so are you? So there are two of me?” asked Luna.

“It's confusing. See when I started influencing your mind, the amount of magic you stole was supposed to give you the power to stand up to Celestia. But instead you took too much, giving the 'darkness' inside of you, well, life, and I gained control of your motor functions, and I may have made a few… personal touches to your body.” Nightmare Moon looked at the grass that she had killed with the touch of her hooves. “I never wanted to be a monster. And my name wasn’t supposed to be Nightmare Moon. It was supposed to be Night Mare Moon. As in Mare of the Night. But I guess Equestria decided it would be a nice pun or something because I was scary.” Nightmare Moon hung her armor free head in personal defeat. 

“So, you’re like my alter ego, but you’ve separated from my brain entirely?” questioned a skeptical Luna. 

Nightmare Moon nodded solemnly. “Some what. Yes, the elements of harmony eliminated my magic from you’re body, but that just trapped me inside you. So my thoughts and part of my magic are trapped in your subconscious.  I’m… I’m sorry Luna. You made a monster.” Nightmare wiped a tear with her jet-black wing. 

Luna struggled for words. She wasn’t actually purged of the monster she once was? “But… you don’t seem like a monster,” admitted Luna to the weeping villain. 

The mare chuckled good-heartedly. “Thank you.” 

“So… what do you do in here? I still can’t believe I literally have a pony living in my head,” chuckled Luna forcedly at the confusing situation.

“I apologize, it is a lot to take in. Well I see through your eyes. I live your life without words. I just watch. Like a play or something.” 

“That’s awful!” said Luna. She thought of what Twilight would do. Read. Ick. Then she thought of Pinkie Pie. She would want to have some fun. “Would you like to play a game?” suggested to the mare that took over her and tried to banish her sister. 

“A… what?” stammered the distraught mare. 

“A game,” repeated Luna at the mare’s ignorance. 

“We did not have ‘games’ in my time. We have been gone for a thousand years. We are not sure we understand.” said Nightmare Moon in old Equestrian. 

Luna chuckled. “Yes we did. You just weren’t there for the good times,” said Luna, pawing the ground at the thought of what she had endured. 

“We play a game where we throw a circular disk, and then we shoot it with our magic. Tia- I mean Celestia and I used to play it in the gardens before she got so busy.” Luna immediately regretted bringing up Celestia, for she noticed a sudden twinge in the black alicorn that no longer looked like the fiendish monster Luna once was. 

“Sounds rather trivial for a princess,” gruffed Nightmare. 

“We- I mean I admit it is far outdated for a pony of my age and stature, but it might get you back on your hooves?” said Luna, starting to sound more like the encouraging Celestia than the uptight Luna.

“Why are you doing this?” asked Nightmare Moon. “I’ve seen how you interact with other ponies. Very professional and uptight might I add.”

“I am not uptight!’ retorted Luna. “You’re starting to sound like Ms. Sparkle.”

Nightmare’s ears perked up, and she looked at Luna. “Twilight Sparkle? Element of Magic?”

“Indeed. She was not very fond of my pony skills either. But she helped me realize how my dreams and reality are related, so I owe her.”

“You must tell me of that one time,” pleaded Nightmare Moon.

Luna’s horn glowed, and two disks materialized out of thin air. They were flat yet circular, and shined with a great silver sparkle. Luna hoisted her’s up, and watched it spin and cut through the air. When it reached a good height, she created a laser beam from her horn and shot it down, breaking it into a million fine pieces. 

The glass sprinkled down in a flurry of crystals lighting up in front of their eyes. Nightmare’s eyes widened and she oohed at the sight. 

Luna looked back at her evil counter part. “Care to give it a go?” 

Nightmare Moon looked uneasy and unwilling for a brief moment, but shook her head and got to her hooves. “I’m not sure I know how,” quivered the black queen.

She took a plate in her magic and flung it extremely high in the air. Firing a purple beam, she overshot and missed the target by a hundred feet. Her blood boiled as she screamed, “This game is rigged!” 

Luna was taken back by the ferocity in the pony and backed up a few steps. “Its okay Moon. You just need practice. Here, watch.” Luna created another disk and flung it in the air, shooting it down promptly. 

Nightmare Moon sat on her haunches with her jaw agape. Shaking the thoughts of envy away, she tried again with a newly formed disk, and only missed by a small margin. By the fourth try, she was jumping like a little school filly. “I did it!” she yipped. 

A loud ringer sounded. Nightmare and Luna looked around curiously at the sound, and after a few seconds, their faces both wore a look of recognition. “Night fall,” they said at the same time.

They both chuckled a little. Luna liked that one pony actually understood her responsibility as nighttime ruler, and that there was actually a lot of effort that went into every night. She liked that somepony actually understood how she felt, instead of pretending like she did.

Nightmare nodded at Luna. “I’m glad we had this time,” said Luna to the once feared mare.

“Thank you for trusting me,” said Nightmare Moon with a warm smile. “I will see you soon, Princess of the Night.”

“Likewise,” smiled back Luna, leaving her friend for the night.

******************************************

The stars did not dance that night. Thick, grey clouds blocked most of them out, making them invisible even by Luna's keen eye. ‘What’s the point of painting them in on nights like this?’ thought Luna angrily. It was such a hassle to not even have them seen.

Thinking back, she remembered a rainy night a few years before her banishment, right after she had raised the moon.

“Is the moon up?” asked Celestia, he pink mane tied in a ponytail as she laid on Luna’s bed, supervising her. 

“Gosh! Yes Tia. Its like, my only job!” yelled Luna, growing gradually more frustrated for some reason in the past few weeks.

“And the stars?” 

“Um, no,” said Luna in with a snarky voice.

“Luna! Don’t use that tone!” reprimanded the older sister. “Why didn’t you put the stars in? That is also part of your duty.”

Luna fluttered over to her bed, closing the balcony doors from the rain with her magic. She flopped on her back next to Celestia. “Because it’s raining. The clouds are covering it.” Luna gestured a hoof towards the storm outside. Celestia, however, wore a face of extreme anger and disappointment. 

“Luna! I am very disappointed in you! This is your duty, and seen or not, you must complete it. You can not afford to be lazy, dear sister,” lectured Celestia.

“But-,” tried to reason Luna.

“And the storm is only over Canterlot. What if somepony adventuring somewhere looked to your stars for guidance but was greeted with a blank sky!? They would die because of your foolishness.”

Luna felt tears bubble in her eyes at her sister’s words. “I’m sorry Tia… I’ll fix it, I promise.” 

Celestia rose to her hooves and spread her swan like wings. She floated off the rich purple sheets of Luna’s bed and on to the ornate rug. Reaching the door, she looked back over her withers. “Good,” she said, and sauntered out of the room, leaving Luna sobbing on the ground as swirls of cosmos and stars flooded from her stubby horn and out an open window.

Snapping out of her memory, Luna felt something she had been feeling a lot lately; loneliness. Her eyes searched through her deserted room; she did not own a pet to keep her company as Celestia did with Philomena, not that she would want one of those damned birds. Many a time had that foul fowl pranked her or scared the bejeezus out of her, and any prank Luna tried in retaliation was met with a harsh lecture form Celestia who refused to believe that the vile bird was pure evil. 

However, a good night’s sleep for once had done her weary eyes well, and Luna floated her attire to her body. Her horseshoes squeezed on to her hooves and sparkled with the shine of all the stars. They were custom fitted to her hooves, and were designed to grant comfort as Luna paced down the marble hallways as she so often did in the emptiness of the night. She levitated her crown onto her head, its cool embrace on her poll was like a foal’s teddy bear to her, reminding her of her purpose and her duty.  She used a hoof to pull her bangs out from under the crown, her bangs being the only pony hair on her head not filled with magic. 

Before returning her hoof to its natural place on the ground, she balanced on her three legs and examined it for a second. She rarely used her hooves anymore. Magic was way easier; she could do anything she wanted with ease. ‘How do Earth ponies and pegasi even survive?’ thought Luna. She flapped her wings and examined them as her hoof reconnected with the floor. Magic and the gift of flight. It was good to be her. Or was it?

Luna moved to her desk by the balcony. The moon shined through the thick cloud layer, but the stars were obscured. As she suspected. But she had a duty to uphold and she was going to do it.  She immediately found the drawing she had slaved over. Her masterpiece, her closure, her lie. 

After her conversation with- herself, she couldn’t help but feel wrong for what she had done. She knew in her mind she shouldn’t feel sympathy for the mare that had caused so much chaos, but her heart told her that she was a different mare than she had been made out to be. Luna couldn’t hate herself, right? She knew that she was not a bad pony herself, so that could only mean that Nightmare Moon was not a bad pony either. If they were the same, which they were, then Luna always had some control, right? And Luna loved her little ponies. She would never hurt them. And from what she had learned the previous day, Nightmare Moon wouldn’t hurt them either. She was a nice pony, dare Luna say it. 

To top it off, there hadn't been some cheesy montage of Luna teaching Nightmare Moon to be good, either.She wasn’t putting up a fight when they had talked. She seemed changed, and if nopony was going to see that, maybe Luna would make them. But right now, all Luna could think about was that a pony was trapped watching the world through another pony’s eyes. Everything anypony said to Luna, anything Luna said to anypony in response, Nightmare would have to watch. If she disagreed or had advice or just needed somepony to talk to, she was trapped watching, with no way to communicate. Except through Luna’s dreams. Her one escape.

Or maybe there was another way. Luna crossed to her mirror, studying her reflection: her sleek, trimmed figure: her glorious wings that made flamingos jealous: a shiny long horn that held secrets to the entire world, and a flicker of green crossed her eyes. A… catlike reflection took over for a split second, and had Luna not been closely watching herself, she wouldn’t have noticed. But that flicker was there. She was there. And Luna wasn’t scared.

Her horn lit up like a tree on Hearth’s Warming Eve, causing her reflection to sail and contort. A dark ink flooded the glass, splotting the mirror surface. When it started to sink back into the corners, a black unicorn head with dragon eyes of green stared back at her, instead of Celestia’s usual copy. But this was a far more complicated spell than usual; instead of a copy, Luna had reached into her brain and pulled out part of Nightmare Moon’s being, placing it in the mirror momentarily. She was trapped there for now, and she was bound to be weaker in the real world. But she was here. Free to speak out loud and see what she could through her own eyes, Though she was trapped behind the wall of glass, she was temporarily free, and Luna felt safe. 

Terrified, the black alicorn mare looked around viciously, feeling hooves up to the glass that contained her. Her armor was back on now, her horseshoes clinking against the glass loudly. “W-where am I?” she stuttered, not being able to catch her breath.

“You’re outside!” Luna responded gleefully. “Well, not outside outside, but pretty close.”

Nightmare Moon did not look pleased. She looked as if she was seething with anger. “What is this? Let me out!” she moved her head back and forth from behind, trying to escape.

“Woah, woah. I’m sorry. You can go back in my mind if you want,” Luna suggested.

Nightmare’s face drained of blood. “N-no, I am quite happy here. Just a bit, claustrophobic, that’s all. “ She repositioned her helmet on her head. “How do you fare Luna?” 

“I fare well Moon, but this is for you.” Luna beamed happily at the skeptical mare.

“What does thy mean?” she questioned cautiously, looking around her glass prison.

“Well, I thought you could stay here sometimes, and go back in my mind when I walk around, so you won’t miss anything. This way, you can talk and stuff.” Luna could barely contain her excitement as she revealed the good news. The black mare behind the glass put on a forced smile. It fooled Luna.

“Perfect! That is so great, thank you Princess Luna." She coughed, and her voice faltered.

Luna’s smile evaporated, and a look of concern shrouded her once shining smile. “What’s wrong?”

“It’s just, I am weak here.” Nightmare looked away from Luna’s sad gaze.

“O-Oh,” she stuttered, forcing a smile back on. “Well, that’s ok. Its only for a few minutes.”

Nightmare Moon smiled at the mare. “Splendid. Is there anything you wish to converse on?” the mare said with an inquisitive smile.

“U-um…” Luna thought of showing her the new constellation, but then she realized something; this was not a mare she wanted to fight. She wanted to change this mare. She was not the pony she believed she was when she had been told the stories of what she had become. She was not the wicked mare that had tried to kill every pony, she was a good-hearted mare who just wanted to be loved. Just like Luna. Luna peered over her withers over to her desk, focusing her magic and the picture and floating it over to herself. Examining it in front of her, she threw it to the trash bin, not being able to bare the sight that she had drawn something so stereotypical about herself. 

“Was that your new constellation?” asked the mare with a solemn and slightly insulted look. 

Luna face hoofed at remembering that Nightmare had seen everything Luna had done since she returned. 'You dodo! She saw you draw that!’

But Luna was able to smile again. “Not anymore.” Luna galloped over to her desk, enchanting her hooves so that they didn’t make a sound as her metal shoes collided with the floor. Grabbing a quill and paper in her teeth, she galloped back over to the vanity, laying the paper in front of her, floating the quill upright, and began her work. Dots covered the pictures, and lines swirled in patterns unimaginable; they twisted and turned and looped and created. Nightmare tried to catch a peek, but was blocked by Luna’s head bent over the paper in determination. After several minutes of focused drawing, Luna raised her head with a large smile.

“What? What is it?” questioned the mare with the speckled mane.  

“It is us,” she said gleefully. Raising the image to the mirror, a smile so big graced the black alicorn’s lips that Luna couldn’t help but laugh. She had never seen a pony smile so wide. “Its beautiful. Thank you so much Luna.”

“It’s nothing, It’s just accurate.” 

Dots and swirls depicted a constellation different in everyway from the previous insult of a picture. Two mares, one small, and one large, where galloping. Their gorgeous manes smudged and gradually faded into the rest of the stars, painting the skies as they galloped. Side by side, they smiled and laughed, their horns pointed to the sky, shooting out magic to shoot down tiny plates. It was trivial and didn’t pertain in the least bit of the rest of Equestria, but it was Luna’s gift to herself. Some closure. 

“I cannot thank thee enough, beautiful Luna,” warmly smiled Nightmare Moon. No teeth of razors or steel glared at Luna, but instead pearly whites of grace and royalty beamed, and her eyes were soft and caring, not piercing and cold. She was not the mare she was made out to be, and Luna could not help but feel sorry for the reputation she had gained in her short reign. 

“It is no proble-“

‘Knock Knock Knock.’ Luna’s body froze, as did Nightmare Moon, and thinking quickly, Luna cast the reverse spell and swiftly sucked Nightmare out of the mirror, transporting her back into her mind. 

The door creaked open, and a white head with a jet-black forelock peeked into the room. “Excuse me Your Highness, b-but court has assembled for the night.”

Moonbeam. The mare was less terrified today as she was before, probably form the day off between Luna’s meltdown and now. But nonetheless, she carried herself taller and presented what she needed done, and the mare earned a slight bit of respect from Equestria’s princess.

“Excellent.” Luna strutted over to the door and joined her assistant who sadly still flinched at the sight of Luna’s horn glowing, even just to close the door.
		

> Let Love in
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	The hours ticked by, every menial case drooping Luna's eyelids closer and closer towards the point of no awakening. Every complaint seemed to be the same; crops this, weather that, stars everything!

But as the clock struck nine, she was finally able to straighten her ailing back and let a small smile creep onto her face. The tail of the last pony for the moment disappeared behind the door, and Moonbeam finished scribbling the notes for the case when the door creaked open as it so often did, and the frightened face of a pony peeked into the room, as it so often did. But this one was special. Luna had been waiting for this pony in particular. 

He quickly scurried into the room and fell in front of her in a bow, which she dismissed with a nod of her regal head. “Your Majesty, it’s an honor,” said the pony of the hour.

“Before I may induct you, Notte, I must conduct a background check.” Luna snickered to herself. Her ‘background’ usually consisted of trying to fish out compliments. 

“Anything, Princess.”

“Why do thou want to work under my realm?” she questioned, shooting Moonbeam a look to see if she was taking notes. Like always, she was.

Stumbling for an answer that wouldn’t get him banished, Notte finally spoke up, blowing his dark blue mane out of his eyes. “I have appreciated your nights since I was little; I used study the stars and your meteor showers when I was a young colt and be awestruck. So, I decided that if you ever returned in my lifetime, I would devote my time to serving you.”

“Thank you,” she said, trying to hide her blush. She still couldn’t get over the fact that a pony had wanted to work for her. Every other pony that worked under her was picked at random out of those who applied to serve Celestia. 

“Under any circumstances, would thou protect and honor thy Princess of the Night?”

He looked at her. Through her. Into her ageless soul, and into her heart. “I would do anything,” he said surely and calmly.

“Congratulations, Notte. I hereby dub thee part of my personal nighttime realm guard. Thou are to be my personal guard on excursions and garden voyages, when, and only when, I ask for your company. Dost thou agree?” Luna held back the smile on her lips as the pony shook his head yes faster than she had ever seen a pony shake their head. 

“Thank you so much Princess Luna! I will not let you down!” He bowed and turned to leave. 

He was halted by a strong feminine voice. “Wait, you will need this.”

Just as she materialized the disks, Luna spun her magic into an array of metal that peeled out of the sky. From where? Well, she couldn't even answer that; unicorn magic was very complicated, and she often found herself bored to death when forced by Celestia to study their history. 

The sheets of metal spun and colored and twisted and broke. They reconnected, sucked color off of tapestries, and curled together in a feature presentation of alicorn magic in front of a guard. 

A purple helmet emerged first from the flurry of sparkles: a fin of bat wing adorned the crest, a richer and darker color than the helmet itself.  It wrapped down along a pony’s neck, laced with diamonds all the way down. Four horseshoes appeared as well, shining with the luster of Luna’s moon. A breastplate of steel materialized, built to wrap around the soldier’s chest, all the way to his withers, adorned with a piercing serpent’s eye situated in the center. Formal garments that were meant to cover the back flashed out as well. Luna smiled as Notte winced at the fru-fruiness of said apparel for his flank, but she figured she should have some sort of conversation started with all her new guards.

Luna levitated Notte’s uniform before him before softly placing it on the ground. She winced at the thought of what would now happen.

And she did. Notte threw on the armor as fast and unprofessionally as he could, and in an instance, his body was being engulfed in a mud brown fur. His ears became tattered and disfigured, and his once noble wings morphed into hideous bat appendages. His tail became short and awfully styled, and his once soft eyes, were replaced with the piercing yellow ones of a dragon.

Luna hated the form of her lunar guards; Celestia had donned them as punishment for her crimes as Nightmare Moon. Luna had initially protested, but Celestia had reminded her of hat she had done, and that even a small fee had to be paid for her actions. Luna had begrudgingly agreed, but now she regretted it more than ever. 

Such a handsome stallion, transformed into… this… this… monster. 

Monster. The word bit at her brain. It stung deep into her heart and flooded chilling memories that she had not ever seen. The last thing she heard, was a familiar shriek of 'No'. 

“Who are thou?” spoke a terrified, blurry figure. Watching the memory from what seemed like third pony, Luna couldn’t make out a soul through the hazy cloud that fogged her vision.

“Why, I am thy new princess, dear foal. Where is thy mother?” Luna recognized the voice instantly. Nightmare Moon.

A new pony galloped into vision. “Get away from my foal, you… you monster!” The image backed up a bit, as if stepping back in insult. 

“How dare thy speak of me like that, thou ungrateful whelp!” The image reared up, coming crashing down, followed by a blood-curdling scream. 

A flash of white. Some odd smells. Some very odd smells. They were so close. So pungent. Too close. Too close! Luna’s eyes shot open in surprise, darting around the room for any clue of what she had just experienced.  Several guards along with a hyperventilating Moonbeam had apparently crowded around her. 

“Princess Luna! Are you okay!?” rang out a familiar voice from the crowd. Pushing through the several guards emerged a new pony. He looked identical to the other guards, but his voice was all the same. 

“N-Notte?” she whispered. She immediately bit her lip and recoiled her words. Had she just asked for a guard? By name? That was unheard of! Luna shook her head, trying to get the thoughts to flee.

“I-I mean, what happened?” she looked around. She was on the marble floors. The banners of the throne room had been switched from those of the sun to those of the moon for Luna’s night court. 

His voice sang out again. “You collapsed. I think you hit your head fairly hard,” he added, reaching a hoof out to examine her wounds. 

The good-hearted stallion was stopped harshly by an equally mud brown hoof. “Thou shalt not lay a hoof on thy Princess!” it barked, in the same traditional language Luna sometimes reverted to. Captain Foscor. The only member of her lunar guards who tried to copy her language. Kiss flank. 

Her nose caught a whiff of something rank, and she immediately pushed the smelling salts out of her muzzle. “Get those damn salts off of me! And Captain, I am to decide who can and cannot touch me on my own, thank you.” 

“And if you do not mind, I believe that I should be able to dismiss court for the night as well.”

“But Your Majesty, that’s the third night in a row-“ tried to explain Captain Foscor.

“I can dismiss court whenever I damn please.” Luna spread her regal wings and flew over to where Notte had entered. Opening the huge doors with a strong hoof, she peered around the corner. With a look of satisfaction on her face, she appeared in a flash of unicorn magic with her forehead pressed against the Captain’s angrily. “Its not like there’s ever anypony here.”

“But-“ 

“And I feel like I need to stretch my wings,” she cut off, “And I would like Notte to supervise me.”

Without another word of explanation, the free willed Princess spread her mighty wings and flew up to one of the many windows, peering out at her night. Her horn lit up in its blue aura, encasing the window in a greasy film. “Come,” she beckoned.

Notte looked around in a confuzzled state, tying to receive the approval of the Captain to go. Only seeing a look of hate and sternness upon the commanding pony’s face, he backed down a little. Luna rolled her eyes. “Are thou going to resist an order form the co-ruler of Equestria?” she yelled. 

“Oh, no sorry, I’ll… um come, yeah,” he stumbled, flapping his bat wings. He wobbled a little in the air, trying to get used to the lack of feathers but eventually made it to the princess’ side. With a mighty flap of their wings in sync, they took off into the deafening silence, soaring through the crisp clouds of the night.

They soared. Luna closed her eyes and breathed in her night; cool and crisp. The sterile freeze of each cloud stung her nose like a thousand bees, yet it was refreshing. Looking to her side, Notte was no doubt shifting his eyes nervously, scanning for attackers, or any hint as to why they were flying so high up and away from the castle. The wind whipped the bat fin back on his helmet. Sadly, Luna couldn’t stand the sight of it anymore and turned away. That is, until he addressed her.

“Your Majesty, where are we going?” he asked innocently. He reminded her of a foal; so afraid of getting in trouble or doing wrong; so wary of everything. His nervous eyes scanned about, causing Luna to roll her own. 

“We are merely going to have fun,” she said with a playful smile, one she hadn’t worn since she herself was young.

“F-fun?” questioned Notte, having missed the briefing on personal fun time with royalty.

“Yes, fun. I just learned about it last Nightmare Night.” This time, Notte got to roll his eyes, getting him an angry glare from the princess.  Before he could break down into very manly tears and plead for her forgiveness, a smile had already taken hold on her face. She closed her wings. Just shut them tight, falling from her escort’s side in a nosedive. 

“Princess!” he screamed in terror, petrified that the ruler of Equestria’s nights had fainted yet again and was now plummeting to her death. He flapped his wings, trying to reach the princess before it was too late. Celestia would have my flank mounted on her hearth for this!

He barreled towards her, her tail and mane whipping upwards rapidly. With several mighty flaps, he reached beneath her, and caught the fallen princess in his hooves. Her eyes shot open, as did her wings. 

“What are thou doing?” she commanded, furious.

“Saving you! You were about to splat on the ground,” he argued.

“I am older than this country. I know how to fly!” she retorted with an audible snort.

“I-I…” his voice faltered, not knowing what to say. 

“Well, now you owe me,” she said in faux anger that brought a smile of relief to his face. “Race ya,” she winked, and blasted off back towards the castle.

“Oh no you don’t!” he yelled out playfully, and zoomed after his Princess.


***********************************************


They sat atop the roof that night, just watching as the moon ticked through the sky: Luna had not shared a moment like that in decades. She had had a colt friend once: he had been older than she, before ruling Equestria became so time consuming. His name was Clip: he would always try to cut her hair before she had gained so much power that it was no longer pony hair. Lets just say, three out of four times, she ended up half bald because he would try to “even it out.” 

As they relaxed in the palace roof, they talked about anything they could--from constellations to family life.

“And before my mom ever found out, I stuffed it into a box I found. Little did I know that box was going to my grandmare’s…” Luna and Notte rolled on their backs in a fit of giggles.

“I must admit, that was quite the enjoyable tale. And I also must confess that I must not be so causal with a member of my staff-“ she was interrupted by another fit of giggles as he tickled her behind her foreleg, a place only he had dared to find. She liked him, probably because he didn't fear her; maybe that was why for once she was so willing to be causal and not so uptight as she always was. “Notte-“

He looked over at her with his big green eyes. Luna cleared her throat and rolled onto her stomach, her legs neatly tucked under her. “I haven’t had this much fun in… well, ever. You must know that this is not how a Princess should act, and that you cannot breath a word of this night to anypony.” 

He was disappointed. She could tell immediately. She decided to change the subject back to something they could both be happy about. “I can’t believe you sent your playcolt magazine to your grandmother,” she said, another wave of giggles washing over her. The two shared in another hearty laugh, watching as the stars twinkled above the two dark ponies. Notte stood and walked over to the Princess of Equestria. 

“Princess-“

“Please, you may call me Luna in this setting.”

“Luna… Why do you always talk so professional? Even now?” The question startled her, but also peeked her interest. Truth be told, she had never thought about her way of speech; of course she had worked on the volume and the Royal We, but she did have to admit that she was far more articulate than other ponies.

“Well… I have had thousand of years to learn more vocabulary, and it just kind of rolls off the tongue.” 

“But you can be lazy in your speaking with me,” reassured her new friend. To seal the deal, he let out a large belch. Had they not spent the past four hours together, and had Luna not been becoming increasingly lonely lately, he would have been in the dungeon in the blink of an eye. But she was fond of this Pegasus pony. Even if he looked like a bat at the moment.

“Take off your helmet Notte,” she said.

“What? But Princess, I have to wear-“

“Please, take off the armor.” She looked at him with puppy dog eyes, her ethereal mane billowing in the none present wind. 

Trying to avoid the subject, Notte stuck a hoof through her mane, getting it stuck in the middle of the thick magic. “Oooo,” he said, feeling around the stars. 

“Stop it!” she reprimanded, hoofing his hoof away. He put on a pouty face. She stuck her tongue out like a foal. He laughed. She laughed. It was bliss.

Luna scooted over to the bat guard, and with two hooves, removed his armor, piece by piece. His natural color flooded back to him, and he visibly shrank in size from his guard like glory. When the color was all back to its usual scheme, his wings started to plump out with real feathers, instead of the Celestia awful bat wing membrane. 

“Much better,” said Luna, eyeing the stallion subtly. 

Notte smiled at her and she smiled back. Staring for a bit too long, Notte shook his head and returned his gaze to the sky. “What’s that one?” he said, pointing a hoof at the sky. Their friendship had originally blossomed with his unquenchable thirst for knowledge about the night. The night had started off professional, but with the all too frequent mistakes he made, it was extremely difficult to keep themselves from falling over in uncontrollable laughter form his ignorance sometimes. Luna admired him for that quality. That he could laugh at himself. Prince Blueblood, her nephew from who knows where, wouldn’t know a joke if it hit him in the face, which from what Luna heard, had actually happened at the Gala when a cake flew across the ballroom thanks to Pinkie Pie’s wild party antics. 

Luna playfully shoved him, something she rarely did since she was a foal, save for the rare servant she dubbed as playmate or bonded with. “I think I’ve literally told you this four times. “That’s the Ursa Major.”

“No, no, I’m petty sure that’s the Ursa Major,” he said, pointing a hoof in a completely different direction in the sky. Luna face hoofed.

“That’s Orion’s breast plate you feather brain,” she teased.

“Ooohh, ok. I knew that,” he said, pretending to brush off his shoulder like a cool guy. The comment only put Luna into a foalish fit of giggles.  

“How do you make and name all these constellations?” he asked. Luna was not one for teaching. To be honest, she had a shorted temper than Twilight did social skills. But something about the foal like curiosity of Notte drew her in; he was so eager to learn: so full of a spunk and life and willingness that brought a cool feeling to her heart. This must be what Celestia felt like when she would mentor Twilight Sparkle or any of her past students. Sadly, being the younger pony, Celestia would never even offer Luna the chance to mentor a pony. Luna was okay with that for the most part. She wasn’t very interested in teaching schoolwork and stuff, but if she could just mentor one pony who cared for a night on all the constellations, without them getting bored or whining or falling asleep, t would be a dream come true. 

And right now she was living that dream. She smiled at her semi student/friend. “That is a secret as old as time itself my friend.” Notte put on a coy smile, raising his lips up above his teeth.

“I’m your friend?” he said with a massive number of overly seductive winks. Luna threw her head back and laughed a deep-throated laugh, shoving her new star gazing buddy. 

“Sure. Whatever,” she said passive aggressively, making Notte playfully shove her back this time. “Just kidding!”

“Ok. But seriously. Can’t you tell me?” he pleaded.

“Sadly no. Over the years, interviews and gossipers and spies throughout the castle have given away every one of my secrets that I have ever culminated in my entire life span. But this. This is my one secret that no pony will ever know. It makes me happy to know that no matter how hard those stuck up snobs of astronomers say they understand my sky, they really don’t.” Luna sighed heavily and happily to herself as she examined her work, hundreds of years in the making. Notte returned the deep chested sigh, taking in the glorious sight. Next to a glorious pony. 

“Its beautiful,” he whispered, not wanting his voice to interrupt the moment of respect for  Luna’s hard work and creation that should be admired. And then it slipped. “You’re beautiful.”

Luna whipped her head around at her new friend. “W-what?”  she had never been called beautiful before. She swooned, and her heart meted into her blood. But at the same time she froze. That was wildly inappropriate for one of her subordinates to say to the ruler of all of Equestria.  

And what he did next was even wilder. He leaned over to her, and nuzzled her neck softly, rubbing his muzzle against her neck and cheek as she sat next to him. And for once, Luna did not shy away. She allowed herself to embrace the affection of the stallion she was spending time with. And it was glorious. 

> Let's Go on an Adventure
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	“Oh Moon, it was amazing!” she said as she sat with the mare in her dreams, her stomach still fluttering with butterflies from the time she had spent with Notte.

“You really like him, huh?” said Nightmare Moon with a warm smile, sitting across from Luna on the dead grass. 
“Oh, Moon. I really do. I haven’t felt like this in five thousand years! He likes me! And he likes my nights. And he’s not afraid of me. A pony that’s not afraid of me!”

Nightmare Moon smiled at the pony’s giddiness over a colt. “I know,” she said with an over the top eye roll. “I was there, remember?” 

Luna giggled sheepishly. “Oh yeah. I forgot. But I’m just so excited.”

“Luna, I don’t want to be a Captain Foscor, but you must heed this warning about your feelings. You are immortal; he is not. If you choose to love him, it will only result in heartbreak when he passes on, and you will be left mourning your entire life without the pony you latched onto. It’s a dangerous path,” cautioned the wise black alicorn. 

She didn’t show it, but Luna’s stomach dropped. She hadn’t given time or conscience to consider such possibilities, but as she sat in front of Nightmare moon, she chocked down her fear and put on a smile. “B-but, its better to have loved and lost, than to never have loved at all, right?” she offered.

“Is it, Luna?” Nightmare raised an accusing brow. Luna didn’t know what to think; she definitely didn’t love Notte, she had just met him. She couldn’t fall in love with everypony that complimented her, right? 

“I suppose not,” she said, trying to humor Nightmare Moon.

“I just don’t want you getting hurt.” Luna crossed over to the black mare and hugged her. At first the mare tensed up, extremely resistant against the contact with another pony. But as Luna rubbed her back lovingly, Nightmare wrapped her forelegs around Luna as well, embracing her alter self. “I-I, just know how it feels to not be loved.” She tried to hold back tears, but failed, sending a steady stream down Luna’s neck. 

“It is an awful sensation, but you are my friend, and I am here for you,” comforted Luna.

“Really?” asked Nightmare.

“Really,” replied Luna.

“I wish I could be with you out there Luna,” she cried. “To be a soul you could confide in, to be a pony whom you could rely on. I yearn for the others to see how glorious we truly are, and how wonderful our night is. I am desperately lonely when you awake Luna, trapping me behind the prison of your eyes. I do love you Luna, as my only friend, but I am crushed to only be a witness to your troubles.”

Now a few tears graced Luna’s eyes. “Thank you.” Her eyes suddenly brightened as she was struck with brilliance. “I have an idea!” she exclaimed joyously. “Why don’t I try and get you out of my mind? And you can be with me outside?” 

Nightmare Moon’s dragon eyes widened with excitement. “You can do that?” she squealed.

“Well, I would need a lot of power. Possibly the only source of that power would be the Elements, but it is a definite possibility.” Luna’s smile never left her face, and neither did Nightmare’s.  

However, Nightmare’s grin faded away and was replaced with a mopey frown. “But, everypony still thinks I’m a monster. They’ll never agree to release me,” she said solemnly.

Luna recalled this as well. The Bearers of the Elements of Harmony, the residents in Ponyville, had purged Luna of the evil power of Nightmare Moon. But they didn’t know the real pony Nightmare Moon was. 

“I’ve got it!” exclaimed Luna loudly, spreading her dark wings in excitement. Nightmare’s ears perked up in interest as she removed her uncomfortable helmet. 

“What is it, Luna?” she said sweetly.

“I’ll tell them that I have been constantly bewitched by you, even since the day of my release from the moon. I will supply the Bearers with a purging spell, but unbeknownst to them, it will be the same release spell they fired at you originally, and therefore you will be separated from me yet again. Then, I will state my plan and claim of your reformation, and convince them to show mercy and grace.”

Nightmare swept Luna up in a bear hug. “Luna! That is a fantastic idea!” Luna giggled in her alter ego’s embrace, glad to feel the warmth of another pony. Sure she would engage in idle chitchat with Celestia during shared meals, but otherwise she was alone most of the time. But soon that would all change. She would have her new friend Notte, and she would have her beautiful and wise friend Nightmare Moon. They would share together in the beauty of the night, pointing out constellations and meteors and when they got bored with that, run around the palace pulling pranks on uptight nobles and stressed cleaning ponies. 

But now Luna broke away from the hug. “Moon, I had a vision today. When I fell off the throne, I was seeing something. I was in the palace, talking to a filly, and her mother came and yelled at me. She called me a-“

“Monster,” finished Nightmare.

“How did you-“

“Know? That was I. Somehow you triggered one of my memories. I’m not sure how you did it,” Nightmare pressed up close into Luna’s face. “Just don’t do it again,” she growled through her teeth. 

Her once sweet face was now filled with malice and seething anger. And in a blink, it was gone. Her motherly expression had returned as quickly as it had left, leaving her eyes now soft and controlled, like nothing had ever happened.
Luna took a step back away from the mare in her face. “Luna…” echoed a voice throughout the dream world. Nightmare and Luna’s ears both pricked up, searching the world for the speaker. “Luna…” it echoed again, a sweet tone against her ears. 


*************************************


“Celestia? What are thou doing?” Luna rubbed her eyes with her hooves, trying to wake up. Celestia parted the curtains with her magic, letting the light of a thousand suns beat down on the poor alicorn’s tender eyes.

“Ah!” she shrieked, pulling the covers over her eyes.

“Luna,” chuckled Celestia, “You cannot hide from my sun forever.”

Luna squirmed under her covers, trying to get back into sleeping position. “I can hide from it for five more minutes.”

Celestia crossed back over to the gigantic bed, taking the sheets in her mouth. With an unprincess-like jerk of her neck, she yanked the heavy blankets off her royal sister. 

“Tia!” she whinnied.

“Really Luna, I thought you might want to spend some time together.” Luna looked up at her sister. 

“Really?” she said dumbstruck.  

“Really,” said Celestia, putting on a silly face, mocking Luna. Luna levitated a pillow and tossed it on her sister’s face.

“Shut up,” she laughed. 

Celestia grabbed something off of Luna’s discarded snack cart that she hadn’t gotten around to ravaging yet. Plucking a glass, she spit into it. She dipped her horn into he glass and created a thick golden syrup. She swished it around, and then floated it over to Luna.

“Drink this.”

“Are you crazy!? That’s repulsive!” protested the disgusted blue alicorn. Celestia rolled her eyes with a smile.

“It will wake you up, I promise.” Luna eyes her sister skeptically. 

“Uh, fine!” she said, ripping the cup out of the magic with a hoof. Holding it in front of her muzzle, the repugnant smells berated her nostrils, causing her to internally gag. 

“Tia…” she whined. 

“Come on,” prodded Celestia, ruler of the sun and thousand-year ruler of all of Equestria. She had to be trustworthy, right?

Luna raised the confounded concoction to her lips, and inhaling deeply, forced it down her throat. When she saw Celestia rolling on he back laughing hysterically, she threw it up over her balcony. “Bleh! Tia! How could you?” she said, racing over to tackle her awful sister. 

Wiping a tear form her eye, Celestia hugged Luna on top of her. “T-that was so rich! I haven’t had this much fun in eons!” 

"What? A silly little prank?” Luna was certainly awake now.  With a long felt fury eating away inside her, Luna cast as spell on her sister that would destroy her forever. Not knowing where the spell had come from, or why she felt how she did, she had no regrets as her sister stared at her with terrified eyes. Luna rose above Celestia.

“Thou have embarrassed us for thy own amusement. Prepare to feel our wrath!” she spoke. Igniting her horn, she shot down on Celestia, and only when she heard crying did she look at her sister again. 

Her once flowing mane had been replaced with a rainbow clown wig. Tears did not flow form her cries of pain, but her cries of laughter. Luna joined in, flopping on her back. The once regal Celestia had fallen, and now looked like a hobo pony shrieking about the end of the world. 

“I must admit, Lulu. You have not grown a bit,” chuckled Celestia at her sister’s childish prank.

“We can say the same for thou, Celestia.”  The two wiped the fit of tears from their eyes, and helped each other up from the floor. 

“What have thou planned for this day of… fun?” said Luna, seeing if she was using the word correctly. 

“A walk.” Luna’s ears drooped to her neck.

“A walk?” she repeated flatly. 

“Indeed.” 

“Like, what we do all around the castle, every night?”

“Precisely.”

“And where do thou plan to host this walk?” asked Luna in a dead tone.

“The Everfree Forest.” Now Luna’s ears perked up and the smile returned to her face.

“The Everfree Forest? The forbidden forest of Equestria that houses our Tree of Harmony? Full of monsters and dragons and hydras?”

“The same,” nodded Celestia. Luna started jumping with giddiness. Although her flight to Ponyville had been the biggest adventure she had set out on in over three thousand years, this just tickled her pink. A real adventure. With her sister! She squealed in excitement, which only led Celestia to smile warmly at her yet again. 

“Shall we go?” asked Celestia. 

“At this very moment?” questioned Luna, raising an eyebrow. “Have the palace staff been informed?” 

“Yes. But they think we’re on a conference in Fillydelphia,” winked Celestia. 

“Tia? Are you being… sneaky?”

“Maybe I am. Maybe I’m not. Do you want to go or not?” Luna jumped towards the window. 

“You coming?” she yelled behind her as she leaped off the balcony.


**********************************


“Hurry up Tia! You don’t want to get eaten by a manticore, do you?” teased Luna. Celestia was still trying to wrangle her way through loose vines that Luna may or may not have magically enchanted to trip her up.

Still trotting thirty paces ahead, Luna could hear cutting and ripping, and soon enough Celestia reached her side, covered in little nicks throughout her prestigious white fur. “Ha ha, little sister. Very funny. Fix me up.” Luna rolled her eyes, but was extremely relieved that Celestia was able to take such a harsh joke.

“Fine fine.” Luna ignited her horn, and a colorless wave washed over Celestia, engulfing her body in a pale light. With the fading of the light came the revelation of healed cuts that may have never existed. 

“I still hate you for creating those foul beasts. I should have never challenged you to do that,” gruffed Celestia, preening her now in tact feathers.

“Hey, my manticore was way better than your stupid Cockatrice!” argued Luna.

“Ok, I’ll give you that one. That was one of my… less fortunate creations.”

“It sucked,” corrected Luna.

“Okay, yeah, it sucked,” agreed Celestia. This sent Luna into triumphant round of hollering and laughing. “See, that’s why you’re so good at the constellations. Can you image what my constellations would look like?” shuddered Celestia.

“Probably a parasprite,” giggled Luna, “cause’ that’s the only thing you can draw.”

Celestia stuck a tongue out at Luna and Luna graciously returned the gesture.

“Shall we explore, Daring Do?” asked Celestia, poking Luna in the ribs.

Her blue face turned completely red. “Y-you know that I read that?” said a dry throated Luna.

Celestia threw back her head in laughter. “Of course I know. I nearly tripped over one of your copies floating into your chambers.”

Luna wiped the sweat from her brow, and forced a chuckle. “Yeah, well you know… It’s pretty good.” 

“Come now Lulu, I am only teasing. Let us enjoy our scarce time together,” said Celestia, offering a wing of apology, which her sister graciously accepted. Together they walked through the forbidden forest, free of any guards and any royal responsibilities, free of ponies flanking either side of them, dusting the ground before them on which they were about to step. 

“Its nice, being away from it all. A little vacation from the strict mannerisms expected of us daily, isn’t it?” said Luna with a large breath, inhaling the untamed scent of these mysterious woods. 

Celestia snorted through her large nostrils, tossing her head to the side. But her wing still stayed draped over her sister. “It is wonderful. Though you know it much better than I.”

Luna chuckled uncomfortably, daring not to look at her sister’s disappointed gaze. “I have already apologized for my ignorance Celestia. You need not raise the guilt from where we left it,” growled the younger sister.  She hated when Celestia resurfaced old wounds. 

Celestia shook her head at the young one’s misinterpretation. “I am not trying to open wounds healed, my sister. Rather I am expressing that you have more freedom than I.” Celestia’s sweet, melodic voice did not mask what she had just said, and the look on her face of utter regret registered instantly. Luna stopped walking, allowing herself to dislodge from under the protective wing of her older sister.

“More freedom than thou? In what way?” growled Luna through clenched teeth. 

“Luna, I’m sorry, that’s not what I meant-“ tried Celestia.

“In what way?” repeated Luna.

“Luna, please. Let’s keep going. There’s a wonderful little place I’d love to show you-“

“Damn it Celestia! You will explain yourself this instance!” roared Luna, her Royal Canterlot Voice peeking out threw her otherwise controlled vocal manner.

Celestia sighed. “I just meant you have less responsibility than I. You are young. You are free. You are able to cancel duties to pursue personal matters. I am not so fortunate,” reasoned Celestia.

Luna had not felt such a heat of anger in a thousand years. ‘How dare she insult your rule. Your power. You are as important as her. As powerful. Strike her down, Luna. Strike her down.’

Luna shook her head free of the whispers. She could not pinpoint where they were coming from in her memory, but she recognized them. Remembering them being in her head in the beginning. She could not revert to those awful ways again. 
She wiped her mind clear, and tried to think a little more sensibly. She secretly wanted to not forgive Celestia, but to instead punish her. She wasn’t sure why, or where the urge was coming from, but it was present. But a greater urge compelled her, the urge to forgive and forget, and not let one argument ruin their relationship as it had one thousand years ago.

“I understand that thou art extremely busy with thy responsibilities as ruler over Equestria’s days. And I now understand that my nights are being enjoyed through the peacefulness of sleep. And I know I do not receive nearly as much work as thee. And dost thou know what I have taken away from this? Peace. For once, sister, I am happy to be free of those bonds. I can dismiss court on a whim, not disappointing nearly as many ponies as if I ruled the day court. I can go off for a fly in the middle of the night, when no pony comes to check on my slumber. Thou art not so fortunate, as your guards check periodically. And I am happy that I can finally understand,” said Luna, being able to look up at her motherly figure with a warm smile.

Proud tears ran down Celestia’s furry cheek. She wrapped Luna in a hug with her forelegs before enveloping them in her massive wingspan. “Oh Luna. I am so sorry. I did not mean what I said. But I am proud of you and I love you.” 
Luna sniffed back a few tears herself, not wanting to lose Celestia’s respect. ”And I love thee, dear sister.” 

The two royal sisters broke their embrace, and continued their adventure through the hot and buggy woods. After a thousand complaints from Luna in the span of five minutes, Celestia created a bug force field, and the two were able to walk in peace without being made a meal of. 

Happily chewing on some grass she had found in a meadow they had frolicked through, Luna was stopped by a gleaming white hoof. 

The hoof was attached to her loyal sister, stopping Luna from walking right into a ravaging river with ice-cold water. And to top it all off, a hysterical sea serpent thrashed around downstream, blocking the only shallow water safe to wade through. His shining purple scales were magnificent. His moustache was as unique as Luna’s mane, one side a golden blonde, while the other a royal purple curl. However, his wondrous mullet had been sliced off the top. “Luna stay back!” said Celestia, restricting Luna and trying to figure out a way to sneak by without being noticed.

But Luna pushed through her sister’s hoof, much to Celestia’s panic. Before she could grab the younger one back out her embrace of safety, Luna was gone in a flash of dark blue sparkles.

In the distance she could hear Celestia yelling for her, but now was not the time to turn away and give in to authority. She approached the wailing monster, offering up a gentle smile. The poor serpent held his clawed hands over his eyes, trying to contain the bountiful tears that streaked his smooth face. 

“Good sir, what is the matter?” asked the Princess of Equestria’s night. The serpent uncovered one of his eyes and immediately took a double take at the princess that stood before him. He lifted his sulking head from the shore and bowed beneath her multiple times, shattering and shaking the ground with each bow of contact to the earth. Had Luna been a lesser pony, she would have been bounced to the moon.

“Oh! OH! Princess Luna!” he remarked in a rather marish voice for a creature his size.

“Dear sir, thou do not needest to kiss our hooves. We are here to see what it is that puts you into such disarray.” Luna said with sympathy. She didn’t know what could have troubled such a monster. She thought they were impenetrable. 

“Fair princess. My mane. Its ruined!” he cried, reverting back to his helpless tears. Princess Luna had to repress an eye roll. She had heard many complaints in her day. Many unsolvable or even downright stupid requests. But this one was probably near the top of the list. Nonetheless, this creature was one of her subjects, and it was her duty as a princess to aid him.

“Oh my,” she said, stroking his tearful face. “How did this happen?” 

“A herd of manticores flew by, and their tails cut it clean off!” He sniffed, and she prayed that he wouldn’t engulf her in fire with a sneeze. ‘That’s dragons. Not sea serpents,’ corrected a voice in her head. A familiar voice.

‘Moon?’ thought Luna for a second. 

‘The one and only my friend,’ replied the soft, caring voice.

‘How are you talking to me?’ questioned Luna happily that her friend was not bound only to her dreams and her mirror.

‘I’ve been here all along. You’ve heard me. You just haven’t made the connection until now I suppose,’ she said, and Luna was positive that in her head, the mare was shaking her head in disbelief.

Her mind drawing a blank on handle this dire situation, Luna decided to cheat a bit. ‘How do you suggest I handle this Moon?’

‘I do not know. You know I did not have time to test out my compassion when I was able.’

‘I suppose,’ thought Luna. And then she had it. It was perfect. Simple, easy, and it should work.

“Good serpent, I have a solution to your troubles!” she proclaimed happily as Celestia stalked closer.

“Y-You do?” he sniffed.

“Indeed.” Using her magic, she stretched out her flowing mane.

“OH no! Princess no!” he yelled, trying to stop her.

With a quick cut of a magical dagger, a lock of soft, blue pony hair fell into her magical grasp. It was long and luscious, soft and silky, mainly because it was her baby hair, enchanted away as her powers increased. But when separated form the source by a dagger, its true form would show. 

Floating it up to the wailing creature, she entwined it into his mullet, creating a blue poof where the original hair was sliced off. Looking up at his new do, her patted it with a clawed palm. “Oh woe is me! Its gorgeous!” giddily shrieked the purple serpent. “Thank you Princess! Oh thank you thank you!” he cried, kissing her hooves.

Patting his snout, she smiled warmly t her subject. “That is quite unnecessary. It is my job to see my subjects happy. That is my reward enough.”

Celestia slammed into Luna’s side, sending them both crashing to the ground. Opening her eyes in horror, Luna felt the warm hug tighten every second. “That was very impressive, Lulu,” wept Celestia. “Just don’t scare me like that again.”

Luna rolled her eyes for the thousandth time that day, hugging her sister back. Her mane whirled and hissed, and in a matter of seconds, had returned to its formal glory, breezing around at full length.

The two alicorns got to their hooves and easily soared over the now calm river, leaving the happily waving serpent behind them as they continued through the area. Touching ground in a floral clearing, they regained their breath. 

“What’s wrong Tia? Can’t take a little flight?” teased Luna.

“Very *pant* funny *pant*,” stumbled Celestia, tugging a snicker out of Luna.

They looked around where they were. Flowers bloomed along the edge of the field, save for the opening where the path continued on through the darkness. They blossomed in every color, and zap apples covered a few trees to the west. Little rabbits unowned by anything but the wild scampered away from the foreign ponies in the deep woods, and in the light of day, the dew sparkled and glistened. 

“It’s beautiful, isn’t it Lulu?” spoke Celestia as they wandered aimlessly through the enchanted woods. 

“That it is, dear sister,” said Luna, breathing in the air of freedom; the rare air of no responsibility; the rare air of nothing to worry about, no ponies to attend to, no fights to settle; the rare air of nostalgia.

But that wasn’t all that Luna felt. And she was absolutely sure that that wasn’t all her wise sister was feeling either in this enraptured forest. The mood was thick, a long forgotten topic that was willed not to resurface in either of their lifetimes. Although it tied into both of them as much as their manes waved freely, it was no longer something that they worried themselves with. It was air long forgotten, an air not breathed anymore. It was frayed, it was old, and it was abandoned. They wished not revisit such air, leaving it in their memories to rot and dust over. 

But here they felt it, and they yearned for it. And they were pulled towards it, but they dare not admit it. They were drawn with baited breath, and both knew it. 

And when they arrived by following that forgotten path, both breathed a sigh of relief and anger. They were there, though they wished they weren’t. It had to be faced sooner or later, so that they may forgive and forget. 

They were home. 

Across the rickety rope bridge stood, or fell, the ruins of an ancient castle. The ruins of a castle where two alicorns had been raised, where two alicorns had been deemed princesses, and where Princess Celestia had banished her dear sister to the far away moon. Although they had vowed never to revisit the cursed place, it beckoned through their souls, and with a nod of understanding to each other, they crossed the unstable bridge. Halfway through, an unnerving creak was let out form the wooden planks.

“Tia…” 

“What Luna?” said Celestia, looking back at her sister.

“What if the bridge gives out?” asked a wary Luna.

“I’ll let you figure that out,” said Celestia with a mighty flap of her swan like wings.

“Oh, yeah.” Luna chuckled with embarrassment. 

Safely reaching the other side as they had so many times when they were fillies, they stared at the looming structure. It was a place of love, anger, betrayal, and redemption of late. 

“Are you sure, Tia?” Luna physically shook on her hooves, and not even a draped wing by Celestia could soothe her.

“It must be done,” answered her serene voice.

Luna gulped down all her fears. Her guilt of becoming Nightmare Moon, her embarrassment of being saved from something she never meant to be, and the anger at still not being accepted. But she pushed on. The doors were unhinged at the top, allowing Luna and Celestia to squeeze between them with some effort. There was barely a roof, the light burning into what used to be their mighty throne room. 

Luna shielded her eyes to achieve a better look of her old home. Two regal thrones crumbled on the far side of the room. One could have been gold, though it was mostly a pile of ruble now. And the other, though also barely standing, smashed her heart with a wave of nostalgia. She crossed over to it. 

‘Luna was here.’ She traced her hoof over the ancient inscription of her foal-hood at the base of the throne. A bit of silver luster shone threw the debris and dirt that now plagued her favorite part of the castle. 

Refusing to punish her mind anymore with melancholy, she turned to face a large pedestal. Celestia, still eyeing her own collapsed throne, did not notice as Luna approached the old structure.

It was the resting place of the Elements of Harmony before they were rediscovered. It was naked right now, but Luna smiled. Although she no longer had the title of Element Bearer, they were safe in the care of the ponies who represented them. 

“Do you feel that?” rang out Celestia’s voice. 

Luna looked around, and now that she thought about it, she did feel something. It was a great power. Unlike one she had felt in a long, long time. 

“Don’t cry Lulu,” soothed Celestia, nuzzling her younger sister as she sobbed into her chest. “They’re still here. Can’t you feel them?”

Luna nodded through her tears.