> The Hidden Story
>  by Cryogenii
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> The Wrath of Celestia
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Although she had no way of knowing it, Princess Luna had been imprisoned for three days.  Held immobile in magical chains all she could do was await her fate at the hands of her sister and think.  So much time to think over how she'd come from being a noble royal alicorn to a prisoner.  Did anypony know what had happened, why the royal castle lay in ruins and what fate had befallen her?

She had been so close with her sister, being at her side when they'd defeated Discord and Tirek. They'd ascended to the throne of Equestria together under Starswirl's guidance. A throne they were to have shared, but Celestia had come to believe in the supremacy of the day.  Though they both could control the celestial bodies, at Celestia's insistence the role had been split into night and day.

So it came to pass that Luna felt herself being excluded more and more from the affairs of state. Grand counsels and summits that occurred under the bright light of day whilst she toiled in the darkness.  Celestia kept shaping the throne around herself, until she made it quite clear that she was the sole ruler of Equestria.  Luna had desperately pleaded with her sister to rule by consensus instead of by decree, but without success.

Eventually the fear that Celestia would grow into an autocratic dictator became too great to ignore. To challenge her was a grave risk, because Luna truly did not know if she had the power to defeat her elder sister in combat. She had practised in the dark cover of moonless nights until there was a chance that she could emerge victorious. She would have been victorious too, but for Celestia's use of a weapon that Luna never believed would be turned upon her. The Elements of Harmony were not to be used for selfish desires, but this was exactly what had been done. A blasphemous corruption of what these symbols were created for.

That Celestia was utterly poisoned by the position she jealousy held, Luna had no doubt.  What would become of Equestria under such an uncompromising leader? One who was deaf to the words of friends and advisors alike. Luna could now only imagine the outcome, fearing what would become of both her and the subjects she loved.

Eventually a blinding light heralded the appearance of Celestia, the bright white alicorn’s immaculate appearance contrasting starkly with the bedraggled and soiled black one held prostrate on the floor of the cell.  Luna could see a visible change in her sister; her once soft pink mane and tail had become ethereal seeming, with rippling rainbow colours. The aftereffects of welding the Elements in such a wicked purpose were unfairly beautiful and made Celestia look more godly, it seemed. That wasn't the only change though, as Celestia's black rimmed eyes had a hardness to them that also hadn't been there before.

After what seemed to be a harrowingly long silence, Princess Luna spoke with a dry rasping voice, “Hast thou come to decideth my fate, Sister?”

Still Celestia simply gazed at her sister, seemingly enjoying the sight of her defeated and humiliated sibling. She remained silent, as she looked down, with maybe the faintest hint of a smile on her lips as she slowly circled the immobile figure in the centre of that bare and frigid cell. As the white coated alicorn made another slow orbit of her, Luna felt panic rising within her.  Had her sister descended so far into madness to be enjoying this sadistic drawing out of whatever punishment was about to come.
“What will it be?  Are we to join Discord as a statue in the palace grounds?  Will thou send us to Tartarus to enjoy the company of Tirek?  Speak Sister, for hast thou chosen execution?”

Celestia tilted her head to one side and then bent down to whisper into Luna’s ear “Nay Sister, these punishments doth not seem fitting to send the message We wish the subjects of Equestria to hear.
“We want it to be known that not Thou, or anypony, shall be tolerated to challenge My rule.  Thou will not be hidden in Tartarus, nor hung with ivy in My palace gardens.  Nor shall thou be ended, as thine rebellion wouldst be soon forgotten.

“Thou shalt be banished to the place of Thine own naming.  Every night, in what was Thou domain, it will be plain for every pony to see the consequence of Thou disobedience.”

“Sister, how can Thou contemplate such vengeance?” Luna's voice was a horrified whisper, "for thine own sake, think over what has brought this conflict betwixt Us."

Celestia drew herself up to her full height and bellowed out in the royal voice, “Thou has challenged Our power and Thou must be made an example of.  We could hath assigned Thou royal duties, but Thou would not accept thy subservience to Our crown.  We shall rule Equestria alone, both the day and night will be held sway to Our will.”

Luna summoned her strength to use the royal voice in reply, “Thou shalt be the dictator of all Equestria, ruling by force alone?  Be careful of Thy wishes, Sister, for thou mayst receive them.

"Thou know'st nothing of the night, not the dreams of Our subjects. The crown shalt be heavy on thine head, and thou'st shall not rest easy for fear of guarding it through both day and night!"

The last thing Luna heard was Celestia’s screams of rage as the cell disappeared in a dazzling flash of light.  In an instant the walls were replaced by the clearest sky full of stars that Luna had ever seen as the tears froze on her cheeks.  Still bound immobile by magic chains the horror of her situation became clear as the desolate landscape of the moon came into focus.  The lonely silence unbroken as Luna fought to scream with a breath that would never come.
> A Voice in the Darkness
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Familiar as the well worn rituals of a loving family, the stars and planets danced their eternal journeys in front of Luna’s eyes.  The lines they traced had long since burned themselves into her memory, as their coming and going were the only companions she had known for many centuries and unable to move she couldn't direct her gaze anywhere else.

Each point of light had a voice and a personality that had come to her over the long years of her banishment.  These were the only companions she knew and now their imagined conversations kept her company in the eternal night. Over the long, lonely years she had come to know their quirks and mannerisms, the voices that her lonely mind had assigned to each.

Now however there seemed to be something else.  Something new, which was tugging away at her consciousness.  How long had it been there?  She couldn’t tell, but slowly the interruption had become clearer and more compelling. A new, yet familiar voice. One that once had been enraged and vengeful but now seems transformed into something else.

“Can you hear me sister?  Oh please speak to me, let me know that your mind isn’t truly lost”, came a melodious voice which held warmth and compassion within it.

“Thou… thou art real?” stammered Princess Luna, barely knowing how to bring forth the words in her mind.

“Yes Sister.  I have been calling to you, pleading for you to hear my voice. I feared you were lost.”

“Lost? Where else could We be?” came the weak reply, "Our imprisonment is eternal."

“You had not answered in such a long time, Sister.” the speaker seemed to be overwhelmed. "We could not reach you."

“Thy voice was hidden in the voices of the cosmos.  Alone here there are so many speaking to Us. The stars and planets.  The screams of comets.  The Tantabus.”

Celestia paused, uncertain of whether her sister’s mind was irretrievably broken.  “You are alone Sister, and have been for neigh on a millenia.”

“Sister?  We had a sister…  but art Thou the dictator of Equestria?”

“Oh Luna, so much time has passed and I’m so tired.  I've grown and see the mistakes I made, and that you've paid the price for the folly of my youth.  This path that I chose has placed such a heavy burden upon me."

Luna almost scoffed at the thought that her sister could even contemplate comparing the toll of ruling Equestria for a thousand years to that of her banishment to the moon, a literal vacuum devoid of any freedoms.  Could she still be angered by that act of rebellion, so long past?

"So what doth thou desire of Us?" Luna asked, trying not to offend and lose this unprecedented spark of company.

“We wish to share our burden”, Celestia replied.  “If you will accept that My rule is absolute and serve me, then I wish for you to once again be the custodian of the night.”

Luna expressed her surprise, “Thou wish that We proclaim Our fealty to Thou and kneel at Thine throne?  In exchange for this Thou will release Us from our chains?”

“Yes, Sister”, said Celestia.  There was a long pause, as Luna seemed to be overcome by the prospect of freedom.  Her mind was ripped by two thoughts; that she might live with the shame of her own weakness if she submitted to be able to return home or otherwise forever curse her pride if she condemned herself to eternal imprisonment because of it. 

Celestia unconsciously held her breath. Could her sister ever acquiesce to her wishes? It had been so long, if the bitterness and resentment that led to Luna's rebellion had continued to burn for all these years it seemed impossible that there could be reconciliation. Would Luna accept what Celestia was offering, on her terms?

Finally Luna spoke again, “We will do as Thou wish, Sister.  To be free to move and draw breath will make the bondage of serving Thou seem like nothing.”

“Oh Sister, you will see I have been a kind and just monarch.  I’ve not become the monster you feared all those centuries ago."

“Release Us then, that I may be amongst Thy loving subjects.”

“If only it was so simple as a remorseful sister, forgiven and returned from banishment”, said Celestia sadly, “the story of your banishment has changed with so many tellings.  You are the monster of my subject's imagination. 

“What was the nightmare on the moon has become a tale of a monster known as Nightmare Moon.  The cult of personality that has grown around me has painted you as a tyrannical force, defeated by My righteousness.”

“Nay Sister, 'tis not true! We quarrelled over Thine own desire for tyranny.”

Celestia paused, she still felt that sting of her sister's betrayal keenly. However she also needed to accept that her own desires, a millennia ago, to be the supreme monarch of all Equestria had hurt Luna far worse. It was the princess of the night who had suffered a torture that would've destroyed a lesser being than an alicorn, but whose very immortality had perpetuated that suffering.

“Yes Sister, but history is written by the victorious.  And so, you became the monster.” sighed Celestia regretfully. She conjured an image of Nightmare Moon into her sister's mind.

"How doth thou let this falsehood stand Sister!" Luna cried out, "Slitted eyes and fangs? We are a demon in Equestria's eyes!"

"Every hero needs their nemesis, and you were to be mine. The endless retelling of the tale has twisted your image, and I've done nothing to correct it for it served my purpose." Celestia paused before continuing with a regretful tone, "I see now that my lie of omission has turned from a convenience to a trap. I'm sorry, Sister."

“Then there is no hope for Us, Sister.  How dost a monster return?”

“Have hope, Sister, for I have a plan for such an event,” came Celestia's reassuring reply, "for there was a prophecy written long ago, by an old friend, that serves exactly this purpose.
> Sunset Shimmer Escapes
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The magic lesson's Sunset Shimmer could see the value of, but why had so much time been spent on studying philosophy and rhetoric. Learning the arts of speech making and persuasion, how to shape opinion and gain support.  Did Celestia plan for her to be a powerful unicorn or a mere politician, endlessly campaigning for support amongst the masses?  What would be the point? Everyone knew there was only on ruler of Equestria, and there would be no support for any silly enough to challenge that.

There was no way of shaking the feeling that there was a master plane, and nursing a growing fear that she was viewed as a pawn. She couldn't see the board or the other pieces on it, but knew that at some point Celestia would guide her into place. Would she be a simple sacrifice or a queen's gambit? Whatever happened, she felt that her safety wasn't the highest priority in this game and had to escape somehow before she was played.

It was hard to contemplate trotting away from Celestia's magic school though. This was the conduit to everything Sunset Shimmer desired. The prestige of being a pupil here was lovely to bask in, but what was truly making it hardest to leave was the promise of power.  Such unequalled potential to bend the world to her will, either by force or status.  Already it seemed the other ponies were deferential towards her and she was just a student.

No matter what track she chose, her infuriating mentor refused to engage when Sunset tried to speak of the future. It was as if, beyond a specific time, there was no further interest in what happened to her. Sunset didn't wish to arrive at that moment on another pony's terms.  She knew that she could attain greatness and take her rightful place amongst the greatest that Equestria had ever known, all she needed was for Princess Celestia to stop holding her down.

If the princess wouldn't get out of the way then Sunset would need to find a way to sweep her aside.  It seemed impossible that a unicorn, no matter how skilled and powerful, would have the strength to overcome an alicorn. To complicate things further Celestia couldn't be destroyed, as she would still have to perform her role in the raising and setting of the sun.  The princess would have to be enslaved, which seemed an impossible task.

Sunset did have a plan though, or at least she had the beginning seeds of one.  A chance discovery deep in the royal archive hinted at a destiny that could be of Sunset's own choosing instead of something preordained by another.  If Celestia was aware of this ancient text she had given no indication of it, and Sunset had no intention of sharing what she knew.

Heart beating fast, Sunset scrambled with her notes. An uncatalogued prophecy of Clover the Clever was hidden within, one that she had kept secret from the moment she found it.  Incredible as it seemed, it appeared to address her directly with a dire warning.  The text referred to it as the third prophecy: the first warned of a terrible event and the second was lost, but this one was direct and spoke to Sunset's heart.  And her ambition.

"Oh, pony of dusk, heed my word,
And listen well to what I heard.
For in thy heart, there burns a flame,
But beware, for it will lead to shame.

Thou art a student of great power,
But in thy quest, be not devoured.
The Princess of Day guides, it may seem,
But beware, for 'tis but a dream.

She seeks to mould thee to her will,
To shape thy power, and bend it still.
But take care, lest thou become,
A puppet on a string, a lifeless one.

Escape through the mirror, turn pony to girl,
And that tight grasp, thou shalt unfurl.
For in the land beyond, a new destiny,
And the power to shape thine own legacy.

Follow the light that shines within,
And let thy heart be the guide therein.
For in the end, the power is thine,
To break free, and let thy spirit shine.

Seek out a new kingdom, to call thy own,
Rule with kindness, or let power be shown.
For in the end, the choice is thine,
Find a new world, and you will shine."

From what she understood, she was certain that the oddly shimmering mirror in the royal archive that she'd briefly gazed into was some kind of doorway or portal, although to which distant corner of Equestria she had no idea. Perhaps it led to some land beyond the border of the Princess's control.  She'd seen… something. It was dark and clouded with oddly proportioned figures, but the face looking back at her was undoubtedly her own, only it wasn't too.  The orange and red mane and teal eyes were hers.  Those eyes though, were both chilling and captivating.  They seemed so piercing, so measured.  So utterly in command of all they saw, holding the promise of a greater life than being Celestia's pupil. The means to be her equal, or even master.

With a manic grin, Sunset held the ancient manuscript to a candle's flame. As the paper burst into a brief but brilliant flame she felt the thrill of such wanton destruction of an irreplaceable artifact. Only she now knew the message it had contained, which meant that nopony would be warned about what might happen, especially her Mentor.  

She had to find out more though, and fortunately there was just the place to find it. The Dark Magic section of the library was off limits to students of the school, but what was the use of books that weren't read? The certainty with which she felt this was where she'd find her answers overwhelmed her fear of the consequences. Sunset threw on a dark cloak and slipped out of her chamber before doubt, or good sense, could stop her.
> Twilight Sparkle Takes Her Place
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Celestia smiled to herself as she read Twilight Sparkle's letter. The young pony had found Clover the Clever's second prophecy just in time.  Although that particular founder of Equestria had lived and died long ago, she had written an account of the Princess of the Night's return from exile.  Whilst this feat of clairvoyance seemed impossible in its farsightedness it was not unexpected from one as accomplished as Clover.

The prophecy came, unbidden to Celestia. She'd read it so often that the ancient stanzas were easily brought to mind…

"Beware, Equestria, of the longest day,
For it will be the return of a foul display.
The Mare in the Moon, from icy embrace,
Shalt escape that prison and take her place.

The stars shall aid the escape from her cell,
And the kingdom shall tremble under the spell.
For she brings with her an everlasting night,
And all of Equestria shall be plunged into fright.

The longest day of the thousandth year,
Shall be the day when her reign shall reappear.
Fearth not, for there doth be still hope,
For one shalt arise, with strength to cope.

The Elements of Harmony, shall be their guide,
To face the darkness, and turn the tide.
But more shall come, with hearts pure and true,
Joined in friendship, to see battle through.

With friendship as their weapon, they shall fight,
And vanquish the darkness with all their might.
And though the night mayth be long and cold,
The dawn shalt break, a new day to behold."

That Twilight could bring together the astronomy, archaic language and long dead calendar style was a testament to her intelligence and desire to learn all she could about everything she saw.  All except for her disregard for her fellow ponies. Indeed Twilight Sparkle was surely only fascinated in the lives of others only when they'd been dead for at least a couple of centuries.  This kind of ancestor worship was a troubling character flaw, except that it served the princess's needs perfectly.

A second smile came to Celestia's lips as she realised that she was an ancestor, her very immortality perhaps the one thing that made her of note to her student.  When had Celestia become a living fossil? Well, maybe her fatigue was making it seem that way this morning.  She needed to be clear headed now though,as this was the key moment; now she needed to start Twilight on another path.

What Twilight hadn't seen, and maybe should never see, was the sequel that Clover the Clever had written to the prophecy she had read.  Only one copy of this text existed, which was kept in the hidden, locked and magically sealed part of the royal library's restricted section.  A prophecy that was addressed to a single being, one for whom Clover had some specific but impossible advice across the ages.

The princess wondered exactly when Clover had written these prophecies.  Had he known what was to happen before even meeting the two sisters?  Maybe this foresight was only gained after years of friendship, but in either case it was unsettling to think that that wise and gentle soul had maybe been compelled to keep their precognition to themselves knowing full well what would happen between them.

It had almost seemed as though things were in ruins when Sunset Shimmer had disappeared. All that time coaching and training, the most powerful young unicorn in all Equestria. Celestia had concentrated on leadership skills, those that might command the royal guard to battle. Where the princess had utterly failed was in understanding that Clover wasn't directing her towards a general, but a leader of a different sort:

"Sun Princess, thou art strong and fair,
But in thy heart, a belief thou dost bear.
That day must reign supreme, over the night,
And so thy sister's rule, thoust doth fight.

But beware, for in thy quest to maintain the light,
Thou may overlook what's needed for the night.
And in that void, chaos may arise,
Bringing to ruin what thou dost prize.

Oh Princess, thy fate is set,
The longest day, do not forget,
A thousand years have come and gone,
And now 'tis time to right the wrong.

A third party found, with qualities rare,
Who can bring closure to this affair.
One who stands betwixt and doth see,
The strengths in both day and night's majesty.

That one must rise,  who knows the way,
To rule with friends, both night and day.
With the qualities rare, to bridge the divide,
And bring harmony to all by Equestria's side.

So heed my words, Princess, and search with care,
For the one who can both lead and share.
And with them in thy place, balance shall reign,
In Equestria, forevermore, without pain."

That she'd even been blind to the young fillies name was a private embarrassment. Too self-absorbed to notice that sunset only covers one interaction between day and night. Twilight, on the other hoof, stood between day and night, night and day.  Could this student learn her final lessons in time though? She'd been made to foster a baby dragon when just a filly herself, to learn to bear a great responsibility, but of friendship Twilight was a stranger.

The board was set now though, and all the pieces were in place. The summer sun celebration of the millennium was going to be in the town closest to the ruins of the Castle of the Two Sisters. In her duties overseeing the preparations for the festival, Twilight would meet the ponies that seemed most likely to embody the elements of harmony.

Celestia couldn't interfere in the events of that night, but she knew that she would have to be close by. If there was the slightest chance that Luna would betray her, then Celestia had to be ready to destroy her.  Would she be able to, though? She'd condemned Luna all those centuries ago to make a statement, but now she felt as though she had to end her sister's existence rather than return her to eternal torment if she couldn't be redeemed.  These thoughts were suppressed by her sense of compassion, which had developed over the centuries and her sister would be surprised to learn the existence of.
> The Return of Nightmare Moon
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Could such an audacious lie work? It seemed impossible that anypony would believe the events of this night, but so far they appeared to have been convinced. When she'd been transported back from the moon to appear in front of those ponies, she'd barely had a second to compose herself. To draw her first breath in a thousand years, to stand upon her own four legs. How had no pony noticed that she was as shaky as a foal, barely able to hold her own weight after all these centuries in chains?
She'd seen the fear in the eyes of the assembled crowd. No doubt, as her own image was ghastly to her, the sight of this nightmare made real would leave a lasting trauma in the psyche of many who saw it. Thankfully she'd still managed to transform herself into a phantasm and escape before any witness had seen through her display.

Her first stop had been to check that the group of ponies who were to vanquish her were on the correct path. Luna knew that her sister had seeded the tiny library in Ponyville with the correct volumes to provide all the clues needed to lead them to the Castle of the Two Sisters.  She paused briefly to spy on them, and check that all the intended subjects were present. Indeed there were six, including the young unicorn who had spoken to her with such bravery at the failed summer sun celebration.  In total there were two earth ponies, two pegasi and two unicorns.  That felt like the correct mix, because all communities should be represented.

She's made her way to the Evergreen Forest. It's green embrace had always been wild, but over the last ten centuries it had become truly monstrous.  The trees were thoroughly overgrown with creeping vines and the ground below was a carpet of tangled plants, locked in a life or death struggle to reach the sunlight.  Only a handful of paths could be made out, where one trade routes had lead to and from the castle she and Celestia had called home.

The only sign of habitation was a small hut. It was adorned with masks, in a style that Luna was unfamiliar with.  Who could possibly be living in this lonely and wild spot? That would be a question for another day, if there was another day after this for her.

Finally she arrived at the ruins that had been her home many, many years before.  The last time she'd seen it, was the night of her battle with her sister.  In that terrible fight the ornate windows had been smashed, rugs and tapestries shredded and even columns and walls smashed. The destruction of the home they'd shared barely seen in the fury and billing magical energy.

Luna had always assumed that the damage would be repaired and the castle would stll serve as the seat of government for Equestria.  Now she could see that it had been abandoned long, long ago.  Was the sight of their ruined home too painful for Celestia to bear? Perhaps she didn't wish to be reminded of that night, and the events that had led to it.

There was too little time to dwell on those long passed events though. Luna had to prepare herself to fool the ponies that would be pursuing her to this very spot.  She had to make each of the embodiments of the Elements of Harmony acted in accordance with their true nature. Celestia had briefed her on each of the ponies that she'd manoeuvred into position, as skillfully as a grandmaster might move the chess pieces upon a board.  None of these ponies knew they were pawns to her sister's schemes, but in truth Luna realised that she too was another piece upon the board being guided by that steady hoof.

These trials would be carefully scripted to have the appearance of true peril, without placing the ponies in any real danger.  The aim was to educate, both the individual and the group, into the strengths that each pony brought and to start to strengthen the bond of friendship that would bring them together as a unified force.  Eventually to deliver them to the castle, with all the puzzle pieces laid out perfectly for our band of heroes to put together.



Seemingly having taken no time at all they were here. They had all starred in their own little vignette, all to prime the young purple unicorn with what she needed to make that final leap of understanding.  A final nudge to make her realise that she couldn't do this on her own was all that was needed.  Luna carefully separated her from the herd, seemingly destroying the Elements of Harmony to make her see that she needed her friends.  

Twilight looked defeated until the other five ponies came thundering into the room. When the young unicorn turned to face Luna she now had confidence about her posture, perhaps even a little swagger.  As the Elements of Harmony reformed and blended with each of these individuals a blast of pure magical energy ripped towards the princess.  The Elements did their new holders' bidding, and clawed deeply into Luna's mind.  Unconscious of the masquerade which had been performed, the magical forces sought out a way to strip Luna of any means by which she could rule Equestria alone.

There was intense pain as abilities which had been core to the alicorn's very being were torn away.  In an instant she knew that the sun would no longer listen to her commands.  Though both her and Celestia had been able to command both heavenly bodies, and individually rule Equestria, Luna was now only able to command the moon.  She could no longer challenge for supremacy without dooming their civilization to a dark, lingering death.

As the magical display started to subside Luna let her fearsome Nightmare Moon disguise dissipate.  Sobs wracked her body as she now realised Celestia's true plan for her; that having her swear fealty was not enough to satisfy the jealous needs of her sister.  She had been manoeuvred into letting herself be vivisected by this unwitting group of puppets.  Would they have acted so cruelly had they known what they were truly doing? Luna didn't think so, but as her weeping was starting to turn to shrieks of rage her sister appeared.

With the unconscious grace that only a living goddess can possess, Princess Celestia immediately drew all other fuss and motion out of the room.  With a glance towards Luna which clearly communicated that she still had to play along, or else the consequences would be fatal, the Princess of the Sun made a show of seeking reconciliation.  Realising that she'd been manipulated, crippled and transformed into a servant, the tears that flooded down Luna's cheeks were genuine. She was barely aware of the words she was saying as the curtain fell on that terrible day's performance.
> The Loss
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

As she crossed the nighttime skies over Canterlot, Rainbow Dash's attention was taken by a solitary figure in one of the smaller side-gardens off the main castle grounds. In the shadows cast by the high walls the dark furred figure was nearly invisible, but Rainbow was no ordinary pony. Her eyesight was almost as sharp as her flying skills.

Circling gently down, she checked to confirm that no royal guards were lurking in the darkness.  The last thing she needed was to be bundled into a holding cell for the night.  It appeared though, that Princess Luna was sitting all alone under a cold moon.  Motionless, with her eyes cast to the stars, she could almost have been a statue carved from black marble if it weren't for the constant rippling of her shimmering mane and tail.

Rainbow Dash gently put down on a small lawn near the entrance of the garden.  She waited a moment, unsure of how to attract the princess's attention.  It was so unusual to see one of the royal sisters out in the open without a retinue of attendants and guards.  Something about the utter stillness of the moment made this pony who was so used to being in motion deeply unsettled.

She was just about to speak when the princess called out softly, "Well met under moonlight, Rainbow Dash. What mayst We do for you this eve?"

Rainbow Dash paced around to the side of Luna and bowed deeply before speaking, "Erm.  Are you ok, your highness?"

"We are well, thank you. Art thou concerned for Our wellbeing?" The alicorn raised an eyebrow and looked sidelong at the pegasus.

"Well yeah, you're out here all alone and I kinda thought you'd be busy fighting nightmares," Rainbow Dash winced at her choice of words.

Luna displayed a melancholy smile. "The subjects of Equestria sleep unusually well tonight. There art some fearful dreams, but none that require Our remediation."

"Awesome! You get a night off, Princess," came Rainbow Dash's light-hearted if slightly forced reply, "what're you going to do?"

"Some quiet reflection is a welcome change, We don't often get to visit our garden of Moonflowers and Night Jasmine," replied Luna gravely, after a moment's pause.

Now the pegasus pony looked uncomfortable, seeming embarrassed at having intruded on such a private moment. She averted her gaze, somehow unable to meet the princess's sad blue eyes.  She started to tense her wings, in preparation to say her excuses and depart, when the princess spoke again.

"We do not mind the interruption, Rainbow Dash", Luna continued, "But know that it is actually We that should not delay thou this night."

"Huh? I've got nowhere I need to be, Princess." Rainbow frowned, unsure of what was on the alicorn's mind.

"We know why thou art about at such an hour," Luna now spoke with a light smile, "Thou hast been performing thine duties as a Wonderbolt, but now wishth to be abed with thou true love Applejack."

Rainbow Dash's magenta eyes widened in shock, as she started to stammer out a denial. Luna spoke again, with an even more gentle tone.

"We are the Princess of Night, the keeper of dreams," she asserted, "We know countless secrets. There are many ponies who think fondly of thou in thine handsome Wonderbolt uniform, Rainbow Dash, but only one who knows thy embrace."

The cyan colour Pegasus blushed deeply, "Ernm, thanks Princess. You are a keeper of secrets, right?"

"Naught shall hear of it from Us," the alicorn tried to be as reassuring as possible, "Although We believe it is uncommon to hide good news.

"Have no fear, Rainbow Dash," she continued, "We are certain thine friends will be overjoyed wenst thou'st share the glad tidings."

Rainbow Dash looked down, feeling very exposed. When she spoke again there was obvious pain in her voice.

"We want to tell the fillies, but there just never seems the right time," she tried to explain, "Keeping secrets like this doesn't feel right for AJ or me."

"Thou two are indeed known for thine honesty and loyalty," Luna agreed, "However some conversations have to occur at the time of thine own choosing. The shared joy will not be diminished."

The two shared a minute of silence, each gazing up at the night sky and lost in their own thoughts. Eventually the alicorn spoke again.

"The stars were friends to Us for so long, We miss their voices for they cannot be heard from here on Equestria."

Rainbow Dash contemplated this, "You are glad to be back home though, with your sister?"

Luna let out a quivering sigh, "We were… less than cordial for a while. However, by her reckless actions the pony known as Starlight Glimmer managed to get Us to recognise that We did not wish to serve Equestria in the manner that Our counterpart did."

"I get it," said Rainbow Dash, "you don't want Celestia's job."

There was another pause as the alicorn considered her words.  It seemed as though under this moon, in this company, she felt the time had come to speak honestly to her feelings.

"We do not wish to perform those duties as Our sister does," was the eventual reply, "and were it possible, performing those duties in the manner We would choose to would not serve Equestria adequately… It has taken a long time for Us to reach this conclusion, likewise We feel that our sister has realised that she did not fully address the needs of my domain whilst We were banished."

There was once more a period of silence, although whether companionable or awkward it seemed impossible to tell. Maybe it was both, but for a while neither pony saw fit to break it.  Then the alicorn continued.

"We have spent… lost so much time rebelling against something, only to find that the place which was made for Us… The one We fought so hard against being placed into, was that which We were the most comfortable occupying," she spoke sadly, "Those who We knew have lived and died without Us and for a while the world forgot of Our true existence, for naught than the stubborn pride of two young fillies who could not share the throne.

"We have been lucky enough to form a new bond with the ponies of Equestria. A more intimate connection than that of Our sister, where We provide comfort in the darkest of times. We make merry, on the celebration of Our imprisonment and torture, with the foals who are to innocenct to know what thy revelry is truly about. It seems to Us that this is far more fulfilling than directing matters of state."

Under the cold moonlight the alicorn's expression appeared to harden, as if the next few thoughts were old wounds, long inflicted and yet to heal.

"Thy friend Twilight Sparkle has earned her place as an alicorn, but the events leading to it were a plan known only to Our sister. Naught has happened that she didn't set in motion, and thine friends did play thy part, innocent and unknowingly.  Our sister is wiley, and We have no doubts that the wheels of her schemes turn still whether we perceive them or not.  We are all pawns on her board, played by her rules."

"But,  but,  but…," stammered the pegasus, "we weren't forced together! We, we, were just there. Together, in Ponyville."

"Did thou believe thy parts occurred by mere happenstance? Nay, t'was ordained by my sister placing thee in the correct position at the time of her choosing. Be that as it may, Our guiding hand that which unwittingly brought thou to the place where thy friends could cripple Us in another betrayal of trust by my sister, who never intended that We should return as an equal.

"Fear not, for the pain of being enslaved to my sister's tyranny, that thou'st friends and thee inflicted upon Us, is forgiven. We understand now what it is to be loved. Our sister is idolised, which is a comparatively poor and impersonal emotion.  Thy accolades have been earned by thy own hoof, even if by unseen forces were thy opportunities conjured."

Luna turned to to look at Rainbow Dash's shocked and ashen face.  She smiled gently and spoke again, "Thine lover sleeps restlessly without thee. Fly away Rainbow Dash, and be assured that all that appears terrible in the darkness will be gone as the sun rises."