Eternal Nightmare

Chapters

Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen

Chapter One

I looked into the crater. Images of the land I would soon return to were reflected in the water. It was odd how the water worked. It would show you close to what you wanted from it, but never the exact thing you were looking for.

What I sought for was anything that could stop me from defeating my older sister, yet I only saw ordinary citizens of a town named evidently named Ponyville.

One pair of ponies chatted about how she was going to be at this town for a festive event.

Another pair of pegasi briefly appeared and seemed to be chatting about some famous performance troupe named The Wonderbolts.

One image lingered. A pink earth pony was chatting with a blue Pegasus. “Are you excited for the Summer Sun Celebration? Because I’m excited for the Summer Sun Celebration! And that means you should be excited for the Summer Sun Celebration!” The pink pony said, faster than I thought would ever be possible for a pony, or any living creature, for that matter.

“Uh-hunh.” The blue Pegasus said, clearly annoyed at the pink pony’s antics.

The pink pony failed to take the hint and kept talking as the image faded away.

My eyes narrowed. I had asked for information about any obstructions on my rise to power, not some crazed pony on too much sugar. I took in a slight breath as I realized I had gotten what I had asked for. Was the pink pony the key to defeating me?

Panic rising, I asked the water for the pink pony’s weakness.

The image shimmered. I was presented with muted blue paint drying on a wooden wall.

I struck the water with a harsh amount of force. How dare it mock me?

Some of the water splashed onto my helm and rolled down it. A small water droplet hit just below my eye and slid down, like a tear.

I chastised myself for being so frivolous. Tears do not matter. In two days, even less for me as time on the Moon passed faster than on Earth, I would return and bring about eternal night.

My new subjects will love me.

With a faint smile playing upon my lips, I found my favourite crater, the bottom smoothed out slightly from a millennium of day’s spent sleeping there.

I woke up. I had woken just in time. I could sense that the bars of my metaphorical prison cell were well and truly brittle and ready to shatter apart.

I took a breath and prepared the spell. The spell was like a key to a lock. It took over several decades to figure out the sort of lock and a few more to figure out the key I needed for it. As I spell finished, a large spectral key inserted itself in an invisible padlock and turned, making a very faint click sound as it then dispersed itself into thin air.

The force field that kept me here slowly shimmered into view. Patches of ugly brown rust, created from too much exposure to the stars, were visible on the otherwise pale white sphere of my imprisonment. I concentrated and sent a bolt of ghastly green energy from my cobalt horn at a particularly large patch of rust.

A green ripple came from the center of where I had hit the force field and emanated outwards like a ripple in a pond. The rusty sections began to crack, and then completely shattered. The rest of the partially broken sphere slowly followed suit, making more and more musical cracking sounds. Finally the scattered fragments of the former force field exploded in a dazzle of white light, like stars winking out of existence.

After one thousand years of agonizing wait, I was free.

I looked towards the Earth. Twilight had begun. And so had my new reign.

I spread my wings, black as the dark space around me, and flew towards my rightful place.

I had an easy glide towards the Earth, mostly due to no wind resistance existing in space. After soaring close enough, I shut my eyes and concentrated on a long range teleportation spell. The resulting crackle sound filling my ears, as well as the wind whipping through my mane alerted me that my attempt had been flawless, like the beauty of the night that other foolish ponies could not see.

As I opened my eyes I discovered that I was quite high up in the air.

The second thing I noticed was where I was. I could see the city of Canterlot.

The third thing I noticed is that she was on a hill, in plain sight. The white coat and pastel mane stuck out like a bright star in an otherwise desolate night sky. If stars could be revolting to see.

I tensed my body and leaned in, quickening my descent.

I landed in a patch of woods a few meters away from the hill, to ensure that my landing would be uninterrupted. I watched from the trees as my enemy merely waited, completely still.

As I trotted up the hill, Celestia finally spoke, “Sweet sister.”

“I am not your sister,” I corrected.

Celestia frowned. “So you have not changed from our last encounter.”

“What did you expect to change from our last encounter?” I asked sharply.

“I had hoped that you would have thought about the relation between day and night,” Celestia said.

“What is there to consider? The day is cherished and praised, and the other sister is loathed and avoided!”

Celestia went silent for a brief moment. “You said ‘sister’.”

My body, that had been fluid before, turned rigid with anger.

Almost too late, I realized, I had dropped my guard.

Celestia prepared her spell. Light flooded the area as a wave of déjà vu came over me as I realized what spell it was. It was the spell that banished me the first time Celestia and I had fought.

Without having thought about it, I casted my own spell. Light collided with darkness. And slowly but surely, darkness blotted out the light as Celestia’s spell failed.

Celestia stood there, dumbstruck.

“Did you think I spent all those years in that forced vacation you sent me off to doing nothing?” I demanded. “Did you forget that you lacked the Elements?”

Celestia said nothing.

I casted a new spell. A pillar of shadows sprung up around Celestia and enveloped her, like a thick unshakeable blanket. By the time the shadows receded, there was nothing left.

Like how Celestia had banished me to the Moon, I had banished her to the Sun, and as long as I held the land in an eternal nightmare, it would stay that way.

As I tensed my muscles to take flight and leave to Canterlot, a stray thought halted my departure. I thought back to the image I had seen in the water on the Moon. The one thing that could stop me from defeating my sister. Yet, I had already defeated her, and none of the ponies I had seen had interfered.

My muscles tightened. The water never showed exactly what the user was looking for. Perhaps the water instead showed me - what would defeat me in the near future! Panic surged through me.

I swallowed and fought the panic down. I was starting to quiver, as I realized the banishment took more energy than I had realized.

The ponies hadn't defeated me yet. The water had given me a chance to succeed, not a guarantee to failure.

I dissolved my body into a shadowy mist and began to head towards Canterlot. Not to announce myself as their new ruler, not quite yet. A ruler needed to eliminate threats as quickly and efficiently as possible. And so I needed to destroy the threat that stood in my way.

But first, I was in desperate need of a map to Ponyville.

As I slinked stealthily in the skies above the brightly lit streets of Canterlot, I marveled at two things.

One, ponies rarely looked up.

Two, finding a map to Ponyville was going to be slightly more difficult than it seemed.

As I continued my search, I listened to the snippets of conversations of the ponies below.

"I must say, I’m looking forward to the Summer Sun Celebration this year,” one mare said to a stallion that was walking along with her. The mare in question was magically pulling along a suitcase beside her.

The stallion sniffed, “I still don’t like that it’s being held in Ponyville this year.”

“You really shouldn’t be that way,” the mare admonished, “it’s held here in Canterlot most of the time, it’s only fair that other places besides Canterlot would be able to see Princess Celestia.”

“You’re only saying that because you get to go to Ponyville and see her anyways,” the stallion huffed.

“And you’re only saying that because you waited too long to get yourself a ticket,” the mare countered.

The stallion opened and closed his mouth noiselessly as he tried to find a way to bow out of the conversation gracefully.

By now they had stopped walking, having reached a train station.

Suddenly, I was furious with myself. What was I doing, wasting time eavesdropping on unimportant conversations? I had forgotten my goal. I had to focus on my goal.

A screeching noise filled the area as a train came to halt.

“All aboard the Canterlot to Ponyville train!” A light brown pony said in a loud voice that carried across the train station.
The mare I was eavesdropping on kissed the stallion and went onto the train.

I watched as the train began to slowly leave Canterlot in the direction that was presumably to Ponyville.

Of course. That was it. I sped off, following the train tracks, determined to make it to Ponyville for my grand appearance.

Chapter Two

Night had fallen by the time I reached Ponyville. I was still in my misty form as I flew around, looking for where I needed to go.

I saw a large crowd of ponies walking into a tall two story building with small windows at the both stories. I decided to follow the crowd inside, my misty form going through an open window.

I went to the top of the ceiling, and observed my surroundings. The main features of the building were a banister covered by purple curtains, as well as a podium in front of the banister.

The building was also packed to the brim with ponies. A few pegasi hovered above the crowed to make room for the earth ponies and unicorns, as well as a handful of Celestia’s royal guards.

They had not changed since my banishment. They still stood, their features an impenetrable mask, their coats magically bleached the same shade of white as my sister, still having the same golden body protection with the helms with blue plumage.

And if they were still as incompetent as they were back then, they would pose no threat.

A tan coloured pony in front of a podium in front of the banister was delivering a speech to the crowd. “…And now, it is my great honour to introduce you to the ruler of our land, the very pony that gives you the Sun and Moon each and every day, the good, the wise, the bringer of harmony to all of Equestria…” she paused for dramatic effect, “Princess Celestia!”

A yellow Pegasus pulled the curtains back to reveal absolutely nothing. The ponies gasped.

I had never felt as triumphant in my entire life as I had at that moment.

“Remain calm, everypony, I’m sure there’s a reasonable explanation for this!” the mare that had been delivering the speech reassured the crowd, although it sounded more like she was attempting to reassure herself than the crowd.

The ponies did a fine job of agitating themselves. The anxious murmur of the crowd began to turn into a panicked outcry.

It was, I decided, time to introduce myself.

My misty form coalesced into my original self as I addressed the crowd from the banister where their former ruler was supposed to be. “Oh, my beloved subjects. It’s been so long since I’ve seen your precious faces.”

“What did you do with our Princess?” a particularly foolish cyan pegasus demanded.

I chuckled. How could she not see it? “Why, am I not royal enough for you? Don’t you know who I am? Does my crown no longer count now that I have been imprisoned for all these years? Did you not recall the old legend? Did you not see the signs?”

“I did,” one purple unicorn said, “and I know who you are. You’re the Mare In the Moon -- Nightmare Moon.”

So she even knew my makeshift title. Impressive.

“Well, well, well,” I said, “somepony who remembers me. Then you must also know why I’m here.”

“You’re here… to…to…” the purple unicorn stammered, her previous bravado abandoning her.

“Remember this day, my little ponies, for it was your last,” I said, “from this moment forth, the night will last forever!”

Thunder rang outside, which muffled the panicked screams of the ponies.

The tan coloured pony finally recovered her wits. “Seize her! Only she knows where the princess is!”

Three royal guards, evidently too stupid to do anything without direct commands, began to fly towards me.

“Stand back, you foals!” I attempted to warn them of their impending error.

They continued, oblivious to my words.

I effortlessly batted away their fruitless efforts with a mild electrical spell, striking them down.

I then decided to make my exit, evaporating into my misty self and exiting through the wooden double doors of the building.

The blue pegasus attempted to chase me, shouting something that I did not quite hear.

I halted just outside the outskirts of Ponyville. While I had amused myself immensely, I still had not achieved what I set out to do.

After a brief pause to ensure that nothing had the foolish audacity to follow me, I doubled back towards Ponyville.

I found the pink earth pony with a smile on her face, talking excitedly with a group of other ponies in front of the building where I had introduced myself. One was an orange mare with a cowstallion hat. Another was the blue Pegasus that had attempted to pursue me. The final one of the group was the yellow Pegasus that had pulled back the curtains to reveal the sweet fruits of my labour.

“Hey, don’t worry! Celestia will be back! It’s just a game of hide-and-seek!” the pink pony reassured the other ponies.

The orange earth pony sighed. “Ah really don’t think that’s what’s happenin’ Pinkie.”

“Um,” said the yellow pegasus.

“Ooh, do you have an idea where she’s hiding?” Pinkie said to the yellow pegasus with enthusiasm.

A blue pegasus hit her face with her hoof. “We just told you Pinkie Pie, she’s not playing hide-and-seek.”

“Um, actually, I think Pinkie Pie has the right idea,” the yellow pegasus told the ground.

“Whaddaya mean, Fluttershy?” the orange pony asked.

“If she’s hiding, then, maybe, we should, um, find her?” Fluttershy asked the ground once again.

“Well, duh!” the blue pegasus said. “See ya at Twilight’s house!”

“Well, I’ll be going now,” the pink pony declared, although nopony paid her any notice.

The orange pony sighed. “I knew Rainbow Dash was impatient, but she should at least wait for us.”

Rainbow Dash came back. “Where is Twilight’s house, anyway?”

“Did you jus’ take off without even knowing where your goin’?” the orange pony demanded.

“Uh, kinda,” Rainbow admitted sheepishly.

The orange pony sighed. “Anypony else remember how to get to Twilight’s?”

“Wait a minute, Applejack, you didn’t know either?” Rainbow demanded.

“At least ah’ didn’t run off,” Applejack said self-righteously. Her brows creased as a thought occurred to her. “Why are we heading to Twilight’s house in the first place?”

“Didn’t you see the way Twilight Sparkle ran off right after Night Mare Moon showed up? Don’t you think it’s just a little suspicious?” Rainbow Dash asked.

A white unicorn broke in to the conversation. “What’s this about Twilight Sparkle?”

“We were going to go visit Twilight,” Fluttershy answered her.

“Hey, happen to know where Twilight’s house is… what’s your name again?” Applejack asked.

“To answer your second question, it’s Rarity. To answer your first… didn’t I see you at the party at Twilight’s last night?”

“We forgot, okay? Just tell us where it is!” Rainbow Dash asked impatiently.

“Only if I hear a please,” Rarity said smugly.

“Um, Rarity, could you show us where Twilight’s house is, please?” Fluttershy asked.

“I suppose since you asked nicely, I will,” Rarity said. “Follow me, then.”

The ragtag group went off, going from a leisurely trot to a full run.

I may as well follow. This could be amusing.

The group, in spite of running, were sluggish enough that I reached their destination minutes before even the so-called 'Rainbow Dash' could get there.

The place in itself was unexpected. To start, instead of a literal house, it was a thousand year old tree, with a massive trunk and branches. And yet, it still also had windows, and a functioning light delivery system, even a mailbox and a wooden door. It was quite literally a tree house.

I turned to find the group of fools just about to reach the house. I perched myself near a window, watching the group.

“First!” Rainbow Dash said.

“Ah’ didn’t know we were racing!” Applejack protested.

“Doesn’t matter. I still won,” Rainbow said smugly.

“I guess that makes me last!” Pinkie said cheerfully.

“I know it's none of my business, really, but you didn't seem to be trying very hard for a race,” Rarity said.

“I wasn't!” Pinkie said cheerfully, as if that explained everything.

“Then why... you know what, not even going to ask. Let's just go in. We have questions, and we need answers,” Rainbow Dash said as she opened the door to the tree house.

The random thuds of books being carelessly tossed to the floor accompanied a familiar voice. “Elements, elements, elements... Ugh! How can I stop Night Mare Moon without the Elements of Harmony?” Twilight Sparkle complained to who she thought was nopony but herself.

From my perch, I could see Twilight Sparkle startled expression as Rainbow Dash zoomed very close to Twilight's face.

"And just what are the Elements of Harmony?” Rainbow Dash demanded. “And how did you know about Nightmare Moon, huh? Are you a sp- Whoa!" Rainbow Dash said in surprise as her line or questioning was interrupted by the intervention of Applejack, who had briefly yanked Rainbow Dash's rainbow coloured tail.

"Simmer down, Sally," Applejack said sternly, "She ain't no spy. But she sure knows what's going on, don't you?"

Twilight hesitated, glancing over the expectant looks of the five mares, considering. Twilight let out a defeated breath. "I read all about the prediction of Night Mare Moon," Twilight explained, "some mysterious objects called the Elements of Harmony are the only things that can stop her, but I don't know what they are, where to find them, and I don't even know what they do!"

Pinkie Pie, who had lost interest and was walking around the library during the speech, stopped at a bookcase labelled E. "The Elements of Harmony: A Reference Guide."

Twilight slammed into Pinkie Pie and knocked her over in Twilight Sparkle's haste. "How did you find it?"

"It was under 'E,'" Pinkie Pie sang.

"Oh," Twilight said sheepishly as she slid the dusty book out from the shelf magically and flipped open the book. "There are six Elements of Harmony, but only five are known: Kindness, Laughter, Generosity, and Loyalty. The sixth one is unknown."

Unknown to her, perhaps.

"It is said," Twilight continued, "the last known location of the five elements was in the ancient castle of the royal pony sisters. It is located in what is now," Twilight paused for a moment, "the Everfree Forest."

"The Everfree Forest?" the rest of the ponies asked in horror.

"Oh, so you know where it is? That makes things a little easier," Twilight said.

Chapter Three

The pack of ponies traveled their way to the edge of the Everfree Forest in silence.

The Everfree Forest was a dark, foreboding and massive forest, with thick trees and abundant plant life, with only a well-worn dirt path. The only thing that cut off the forest from ever reaching Ponyville was a small, silent river with a bridge to cross over it.

As the ponies neared the bridge, I examined their facial expressions. All of them wore a look of grim determination.

Very well, I thought. It was time for a brief reminder of exactly who they were dealing with.

Hiding underneath the bridge, I summoned a small amount of lightning to make my entrance.

Fluttershy promptly shrieked.

The rest were noiseless in comparison, but I could hear their breathing accelerate.

I made no further noise.

“What in tarnation was that?” Applejack demanded after a brief silence.

“It was a thunder strike, obviously,” Pinkie Pie said.

“Actually, Pinkie, the proper term is lightning strike, not thunder strike. And that can’t have come out of nowhere. Rainbow Dash, did you set off a cloud to scare us?” Twilight Sparkle asked.

“What are you blaming me for?” Rainbow Dash said defensively.

“She was on the ground the whole time,” Fluttershy said, “And I know Rainbow Dash never sets off clouds to scare ponies.”

“Although...” Rainbow Dash said mischievously.

Another brief silence followed.

“I mean, that’s just what I think,” Fluttershy squeaked anxiously.

“Then that can only mean… Night Mare Moon, show yourself!” Twilight Sparkle shouted at the forest.

I laughed. “You will learn that I give the orders, not you. I simply wanted to inform you that going into the forest will entail that I will stop you.”

“Hah, go ahead and try!” Rainbow Dash said.

“I-is that it?” Twilight Sparkle asked, her voice starting to quiver again.

“That’s all, my little ponies,” I assured them.

There was a brief pause until the clopping of hooves could be heard, only to stop again after the ponies went over the bridge.

“What are we waiting for? Let's go!” Pinkie Pie said enthusiastically.

“Not so fast. Look, I appreciate the offer, but I'd really rather do this on my own,” Twilight Sparkle said.

“No can do, sugarcube,” Applejack said, “we sure ain't lettin' any friend of ours go into that creepy place alone. We're stickin' to you like caramel on a candy apple.”

A “hmph” of agreement went through the group.

“Especially if there are candy apples in there-- what? Those things are good,” Pinkie Pie said randomly.

Twilight Sparkle let out an audible sigh as the sound of hoofsteps moved deeper into the forest.

I waited until it was completely silent again, and then went from under the bridge to into the forest.

“So, have none of you been in here before?” Twilight Sparkle ventured a few minutes later.

“Ugh, Heavens no!” Rarity said immediately, “just look at it--it's dreadful!”

I saw my opportunity. Seeping into the ground below their hooves, I went to quick work.

“And it ain't natural,” Applejack added.

“A little more like so...” I quietly urged myself.

“Folks say it don't work the same as Equestria,” Applejack continued.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Twilight Sparkle asked.

I continued working at the ground, rapidly yet carefully chipping away at the earth.

“Nopony knows,” Rainbow Dash said ominously, “you know why?”

“Rainbow, quit it,” Applejack said sternly.

“”Cause everypony that has ever come in, never comes out.”

Immediately afterwards, the ground beneath them gave way, sending the earth ponies and unicorns tumbling down the cliff that they had been previously standing on.

“Fluttershy, quick!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed.

“Oh my goodness, oh my goodness,” Fluttershy said, panicked.

As I took in the scene from a bird's eye view, Rainbow Dash grabbed Pinkie Pie, while Fluttershy gently took hold of Rarity.

Applejack grabbed a stray branch growing out of the cliff slope.

Twilight Sparkle grabbed onto a small ledge, but it was readily apparent that she would soon fall a very long way down. A broken back leg at the very least awaited her at the bottom.

I had to stop myself from laughing in utter delight.

Applejack let go of the branch and slid down to Twilight Sparkle. “Hold on, I'm a-comin',” she said as she attempted in vain to pull her upwards.

“Applejack!” Twilight Sparkle exclaimed, “what do I do?”

Applejack cast a brief look upwards and gave a small nod to the sky. “Let go.”

“Are you crazy?” Twilight Sparkle asked.

“No, I ain't. I promise you'll be safe.”

“That's not true!”

“Now listen here. What I'm sayin' to you is the honest truth. Let go, and you'll be safe.”

Twilight Sparkle hesitated, and then let go.

She screamed the entire way down until Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy caught Twilight.

And then Fluttershy's grip slipped, causing a panicked squeak from Twilight until Fluttershy readjusted her grip.

“Sorry girls,” Fluttershy apologized as she and Rainbow Dash lowered Twilight Sparkle to the ground, “I'm not used to holding anything more than a bunny or two.”

Applejack hopped from one part of the cliff face with expert grace to the next until she was with the rest of the group already waiting.

I took a moment to examine their faces and postures. All of them seemed even more determined than before to continue on their fool's errand.

I continued on my way speedily, and halted at the next opportunity.

It took the form of a manticore, a being who was the body of a lion, the tail of a scorpion, the ears of a bat, and extremely resistant to pain.

They tended to have harsh mood swings, so they were either a contented housecat or a fierce lion. The slightest provocation would turn it's mood from one to the other.

It wandered around lazily, not paying attention to it's surroundings.

I simply moved a sharp thorn from a bush into it's path and watched as the thorn impaled itself in the manticore's paw, causing a fierce roar.

As luck would have it, Twilight Sparkle and company chose that exact moment to come across it.

“-But we gotta,” Twilight Sparkle said before gasping. “A manticore!”

The manticore roared.

“We've gotta get past him!”

The manticore lept and took a swipe at Rarity, who countered with a kick to the face.

“Take that, you ruffian!” Rarity said sumgly.

The manticore roared with such force that Rarity's hair was comically blasted backwards.

“My hair!” Rarity cried out frivolously, before deciding to retreat.

“Wait,” Fluttershy said in vain.

Applejack leapt on top of the manticore, impressive considering that it was twice her size, and began to ride it, yanking it's ears hard. “Yee-haw! Git along, little doggie!”

“Wait,” Fluttershy said again, her voice lost in the din.

The manticore soon shook off Applejack violently, although she landed on the ground and rolled, taking minimal injury.

“All yours, partner,” Applejack said.

“I'm on it,” Rainbow Dash said, giving a brief salute.

“Wait,” Fluttershy said, once again completely ignored.

Rainbow Dash flew circles around the manticore, enveloping it in a rainbow coloured vortex.

The manticore effortlessly swatted Rainbow Dash like a fly.

“Rainbow!” Twilight Sparkle exclaimed as Rainbow Dash crash-landed in front of her.

Rainbow Dash got up and the group, stood in a line while Fluttershy watched the spectacle helplessly.

This was all according to plan. Sooner or later, the group would be forced to retreat and I would be victorious, without even laying a single hoof on anypony.

The ragtag group charged towards their impending failure once again.

“Wait!” Fluttershy yelled as she stepped in between the ponies and the manticore.

With a small smile, Fluttershy walked up to the manticore as it protracted it's claws, prepared to swipe.

“Shh... it's okay,” Fluttershy said as she gently nudged the manticore.

The manticore retracted it's claws. After a hesitation, the manticore presented Fluttershy the thorn stuck in it's paw.

“Oh, you poor, poor little baby,” Fluttershy cooed.

“Little?” Rainbow Dash commented.

“Now, this might hurt for just a second,” Fluttershy said. She very quickly yanked out the thorn.

The manticore instantly roared in pain.

“Fluttershy!” the group exclaimed.

Fluttershy gave a small giggle of happiness as the manticore gave it an affectionate lick. “Aw, you're just a little old baby kitty, aren't you? Yes you are, yes you are!”

The rest of the group hastily moved past the manticore.

“How'd you know about the thorn?” Twilight asked once Fluttershy had caught up to the party.

“I didn't,” Fluttershy simply said, “sometimes we all need to be shown a little kindness.”

After the group had left, I spoke to the manticore.

“You were supposed to scare them off, not give out hugs,” I growled.

The manticore spun in circles, trying to locate my voice.

“And the only thing cute or endearing about you is that you're too stupid to understand you're being duped.”

The manticore sat down and mewed pathetically.

“When I am done, I will come back and put you in a circus, mark my words.”

“Meow.”

“Yes, I may even give you the mercy of being with that foolish Fluttershy.”

“Meow.”

“Why am I speaking with a manticore in the Everfree Forest?”

“Meow.”

I gave up, instead speeding onwards once again where Twilight and company had gone.

Chapter Four

I found the group about to enter a very thick patch of trees in the Everfree Forest.

“Ugh,” Rarity said in disgust, “my eyes need a rest from all that icky muck.”

The darkness of the forest canopy enveloped the party.

“Well, I didn't mean that literally,” Rarity said.

I casted a spell, one that was simply known as 'Waking Nightmares'.

“That ancient ruin could be right in front of our faces and we wouldn't know it,” Twilight Sparkle complained.

There was a bump sound, followed by Rarity hastily apologizing.

“Oh wait, I think ah' stepped in somethin',” Applejack said.

Fluttershy screamed.

“It's just mud,” Applejack said before she began to scream as well.

Excellent. The Waking Nightmares had begun to kick in.

The Waking Nightmares were an infamous spell created millennium ago, who the creator was was unknown.

What was widely known were it's effects. The victims of the spell would be subject to hallucinations, having objects or ponies become distorted to the victims and causing mass panic and fear. I was later told that in this case, the trees were distorted.

The victims screamed.

All the victims, minus one.

Pinkie Pie was laughing at a tree, and making ridiculous faces accompanied by silly noises.

“Pinkie, what are you doing? Run!” Twilight said, in full panic.

Pinkie Pie gave a joyful smile at Twilight. “Oh, girls, don't you see?”

“When I was a little filly and the sun was doing down...” Pinkie Pie sang.

“Tell me she's not...” Twilight Sparkle trailed off.

“The darkness and the shadows would always make me frown...” Pinkie Pie continued to sing, now with an accompanying choreography.

“She is.” Rarity sighed.

Pinkie continued the song.

I'd hide under my pillow,
from what I thought I saw,
but Granny Pie said that wasn't the way
to deal with fears at all...

“Then what is?” Rainbow Dash asked.

She said: “Pinkie, you gotta stand up tall,
Learn to face your fears,
You'll see that they can't hurt you,
Just laugh to make them disappear.”

Pinkie Pie skipped along over to a tree and said, “Ha! Ha! Ha!”

A collective gasp went through the group.

So, giggle at the ghostly
Guffaw at the grossly
Crack up at the creepy
Whoop it up with the weepy
Chortle at the kooky
Snortle at the spooky

“And tell that big dumb scary face to take a hike and leave you alone and if he thinks that he can scare you then he's got another thing coming and the very idea of such a thing just makes you wanna...

Laaauuugh!”

I watched as all of them were soon overcome by fits of laughter, rolling on the ground and clutching their sides as Pinkie finished her song.

I shot out those stretch of woods as if the monsters of Tartarus themselves were on my heels.

That spell had been refined and molded for one thousand years, the finest wizards of every era attempting to find a counterspell to resist the effects of Waking Nightmares, but still broken by nopony.

Broken by nopony until tonight.

My ears were still ringing from Pinkie Pie's song.

I dashed into a clearing and sped over a stream when I heard a snip.

A moment afterwards, I heard a scream of horror as a sea serpent with an odd half shaved moustache gazed in shock at his reflection, with some hair slowly sinking underneath the water.

“Oh no! My magnificent moustache!” the sea serpent cried.

The river began to go from still water to a raging rapids as the serpent began to sob and thrash about.

Apparently in my haste, I had sliced the moustache. While an accident, it's sobs of pain over it's appearance put my mind more at ease.

The rapids would no doubt slow the down Twilight and her friends.

Twilight and her friends.

No. They were just a group of ponies with a common enemy. Nothing more.

I left the sea serpent to his loud sobs, my mind not quite as relaxed.

After mere minutes of travel, I could see the castle of the royal pony sisters, separated only by a chasm with dense fog shrouding the bottom. A shoddy rope bridge connected one side of the chasm to the other.

Of course, not a problem for me as I could fly, but for earth ponies and unicorns it be a much more different story. I took a mental note of that as I flew over the chasm, eager to once again see the castle of my sister and my former self.

The castle was not as I remembered it.

The bricks had eroded, the front room without a ceiling, yet the Elements of Harmony were still there. But even then, the Elements were made of simple stone, and the Elements and the pedestal it rested on had been subject to the same wear and tear as the castle had.

As I examined the Elements closely, I found numerous cracks. Not large or numerous enough to be immediately noticeable, but enough that it had confirmed what I had suspected.

The Elements were broken.

And, as I noticed with a smile, there were only five.

The sixth, of course, had been used wastefully by my sister.

All had been according to my calculations.

It did not matter if Twilight and her group of imbeciles had shrugged off challenge after challenge.

If I had not been noble and taken them on directly, they would not have been able to even set hoof in the Everfree Forest.

My patience had been well rewarded, it seems. The stage is set for their “triumph”.

Of course, I needed to give my favourite actors one performance.

A shame they didn't have a chance to read the script, I thought as an idea began to form in my mind.

I quickly went outside, shutting the door as I did, and cut the ropes connecting one side to another, so that it hung uselessly on Twilight's side of the chasm.

Then, I simply used the rest of my bought time to flesh out the final act.

Sure enough, Twilight had 'triumphed' once again, arriving a few minutes later.

“There it is! The ruin that holds the Elements of Harmony! We made it!” Twilight said excitedly, breaking out into a run.

“Twilight, wait for us,” Applejack called out behind her.

“We're almost there!” Twilight said just before she took a ghost step onto the broken bridge. “Woah!”

Rainbow Dash effortlessly pulled Twilight Sparkle back to safety. “What's with you and falling off cliffs today?”

Twilight rolled her eyes.

Pinkie Pie pouted. “Now what?”

Rainbow Dash stretched out and flexed her wings. “Duh.”

“Oh yeah,” Pinkie Pie said.

Rainbow Dash dived underneath the fog.

Quickly, I split myself into three illusions.

I viewed the world through the eyes of the middle, as I carefully eyed the other two athletic stallions that I had conjured.

The both of them were identical, with black coats, dark blue hair, and white ears and wings, complete with purple sports gear with a white lightning bolt as an insignia.

I looked down at myself, to find that I was an almost perfect female version of them, except I was a much lighter colour than intended. Yet, it would have to do.

A moment as Rainbow Dash came back up through the fog, I quickly moved it in order to conceal my three selves.

As Rainbow Dash landed with the rope of the bridge caught between her teeth, I called out to her. “Rainbow...”

Rainbow Dash dropped the rope on the ground and looked over her shoulder.

“Rainbow...”

“Who's there?”

"Rainbow Dash..."

“I ain't scared of you! Show yourself!”

“We've been eagerly awaiting the arrival of the best flier in Equestria.”

“Who?” Rainbow Dash asked, puzzled.

“Why, you, of course.”

“Really? I mean... Oh yeah, me. Hey, uh, you wouldn't mind telling the Wonderbolts that, would ya? 'cause I've been trying to get in with that group for like, ever.”

“No, Rainbow Dash. We want you to join us,” I said as I revealed myself from my foggy hiding place with my two puppet-illusions in tow, “The Shadowbolts. We're the greatest aerial team in the Everfree Forest, and soon, will be in all of Equestria, but first, we need a captain, the most magnificent-”

“Yes.”

“Swiftest-”

“Yes.”

“Bravest flier in all the land.”

“Yes,” Rainbow Dash chuckled, “It's all true.”

“We need... you.”

“Woohoo! Sign me up! Just let me tie this bridge rope real quick and we have a deal.”

“No! It's them or us.”

“Rainbow!” Twilight yelled from across the chasm.

I quickly elevated the fog to block the view of Twilight and the stranded group, which also had the effect of silencing any further noise.

Rainbow Dash looked at the ground, agonized by the decision that I had shoved her into.

“Well?” I asked.

“You...” Rainbow Dash answered.

This went better than expected, I thought to myself.

“Thank you! For the offer, I mean,” Rainbow Dash said as she tied the ropes she had previously left lying around, “but I'm afraid I'm going to have to say no.”

Never mind, it went exactly as expected, I thought to myself again, as I dispelled my illusions, reverted to my misty form, and retreated back to the foggy shadows.

Chapter Five

Everypony except for Twilight trotted out the door.

All was according to script, and it was now my cue.

I flew in, and began to transform my misty body into a tornado, picking up speed and causing the Elements to lift up and spin around in the magical wind.

“Aah!” Twilight shouted as she opened her eyes, immediately stopping her magical charge.

I continued to pick up speed as my vortex grew.

“The Elements!” Twilight cried as she dived into my vortex.

I transported myself, Twilight Sparkle, and the Elements into the next tower over.

I teleported onto a small elevated pedestal on the floor, the Elements laid in a neat circle around me.

Twilight coughed from the other end of the long, rectangular room and looked up at me, dazed.

I laughed.

Twilight Sparkle got ahold of her senses, and tensed. She pawed the ground and snorted, an unspoken challenge to fight.

I arched an eyebrow. “You're kidding, right?”

Twilight Sparkle magically charged her horn and charged at me in answer.

She is truly an imbecile, I thought as I charged at her as well.

At the last moment, Twilight Sparkle's horn released the charged magic power it had stored and she teleported in the middle of all the Elements.

Perhaps not, I thought.

Twilight Sparkle groaned before magically charging the Elements at a much quicker pace. “Just one spark. Come on, come on.”

The Elements responded to the power surge, slowly levitating upwards.

“Aah!” Twilight Sparkle cried as a stray magical spark blasted her back.

That brought me to my senses.

I teleported back to the Elements of Harmony, only to see that they were somehow working.

“No, no!” I said in panic.

It wasn't possible. They were defective! Cracked! Broken!

And then the Elements fizzled out.

“But... where's the sixth Element?” Twilight Sparkle asked.

I stomped my forelegs, and the Elements shattered.

I started to laugh. It was all too funny. Here I was, worried that my plan was going to fail, only to find mere seconds later that all had gone as well as I had plotted. No, even better that I had initially envisioned.

Victory was mine.

Twilight Sparkle's expression of horror only made the moment even more worth my previous frustrations.

“You little foal!” I laughed, “Thinking you could defeat me? Now, you will never see your princess, or your sun! The night... will last... forever!”

The voices of Twilight Sparkle's friends called out to her from the entrance of the stone room.

Twilight Sparkle turned and listened to the voices. She gasped, and slowly turned back to me. Her eyes sparkled like bright stars. “You think you can destroy the Elements of Harmony, just like that? Well, you're wrong, because the spirits of the Elements of Harmony are right here!”

Twilight Sparkle looked to her friends, who stood by her side.

“What?” I said in confusion as the fragmented Elements began to rise up and gravitate to Twilight's friends.

Twilight Sparkle continued to spout her nonsense. “Applejack, who reassured me when I was in doubt, represents the spirit of... honesty!

“Fluttershy, who tamed the manticore with her compassion, represents the spirit of... kindness!

“Pinkie Pie, who banished fear by giggling in the face of danger, represents the spirit of... laughter!

“Rarity, who calmed a sorrowful serpent with a meaningful gift, represents the spirit of... generosity!”

Twilight Sparkle took a breath before continuing, “and Rainbow Dash, who could not abandon her friends for her own heart's desire represents the spirit of... loyalty!

“The spirits of these five ponies got us through every challenge you threw at us,” Twilight finished her speech triumphantly.

“But you still don't have the sixth Element!” I pointed out quickly, “the spark didn't work!”

“But it did,” Twilight said as she turned to her friends, the shards of the Elements of Harmony spinning around them, “a different kind of spark. I felt it the very moment I realized how happy I was to hear you, to see you, how much I cared about you.”

Twilight Sparkle turned back to me. “The spark ignited inside me when I realized that you all... are my friends!”

A thunderclap sounded as the sixth Element, whole, undamaged, and shining so bright I could barely look at it, appeared above Twilight Sparkle.

“You see, Night Mare Moon,” Twilight continued, “when those Elements are ignited by the... the spark, that resides in the heart of us all, it creates the sixth element: the element of... magic!”

The light from the Element of Magic flooded the entire room as I shielded my eyes.

When I looked back, the shards of all the Elements had transformed themselves into amulets.

The room audibly hummed with power.

No. This has to be some sort of farce! I thought.

My eyes saw as the Elements fired colourful beams, joining into a gigantic rainbow.

Then, slowly at first, but rapidly gaining speed, it arced right to where I stood, paralyzed.

The rainbow enveloped me, causing my vision to be assaulted by multiple colours rushing past me, the warmth causing my legs to buckle.

I shut my eyes to resist the colours, and blacked out.

I came to a few minutes later, my head foggy, as if I had just awoken from a very long sleep.

Sunlight streamed in through the windows.

Sunlight? Wasn't it night before? I thought to myself, confused.

“...Now if only another will as well. Princess Luna!” A familiar voice called me.

Princess Luna? I thought, even more confused. Oh yes, that's right, everypony called me that once. But if they are calling me that now that means...

I gasped as the massive figure of my older sister stood over me.

“It has been a thousand years since I have seen you like this,” my older sister said, “time to put our differences behind us. We were meant to rule together, little sister.”

“Sister?” Celestia's followers gasped.

“Will you accept my friendship?” my sister asked.

The memories of Night Mare Moon assaulted me as I began to cry.

“I'm so sorry!” I sobbed, “I missed you so much, big sister!”

“I've missed you, too,” my older sister replied softly.

“So... what happens now?” Twilight Sparkle asked.

“For the moment, my little sister and I need to return to Canterlot. Both of us are exhausted by our hardships we've faced. As for you, I will return you back to Ponyville for now,” my sister said.

“That sounds like an excellent idea. I am simply exhausted,” Rarity said.

“Wait,” I croaked, “your misery was inflicted by me. Allow me to repent by sending you to your homes in place of my sister. 'tis only fitting.”

“Um, well, er...” Twilight stammered.

“It is rather kind of you,” Rarity said smoothly, “but we would prefer if Princess Celestia would teleport us home. It's fitting, as... if Princess Celestia is to see us off, then it only makes sense that she would be the one to grace us with the teleportation spell.”

Twilight glanced at Rarity and mouthed a quick thank you.

“Casting aside the glamour of diplomacy, would it be safe to think thou does not trust me?” I asked.

“Huh?” Twilight said, “oh, not at all. It's just-”

“Yep,” said Rainbow Dash.

Five sets of eyes glared at Rainbow Dash.

“I thank thee for thine... straightforwardness. Do as thou wilt,” I said, taking a step backwards.

Twilight Sparkle opened her mouth, but whatever she was about to say was cut off by Applejack. “Ah' really don't care who sends us home. Ah' gotta hit the hay, and then there's some apples that need buckin'. No offence, Princesses, but I'm beat.”

“Applejack!” Twilight Sparkle admonished.

“None taken,” was all my older sister said before Twilight Sparkle and her friends vanished from the room in the golden yellow magic of my sister.

My older sister turned to me. “I'm sorry.”

“'twas my actions that led me down this path. Do not feel sorry for me because I suffer the consequences,” I said, sharper than I intended.

“It wasn't your fault.”

“How? 'twere my actions.”

“They were what Night Mare Moon did. You were under her influence.”

“And if I cannot control myself, she will come again.”

“We have the Elements of Harmony now.”

“I doubt that she will make the solution so simple next time.”

“There won't be a next time.”

I had been avoiding my sister's gaze until now. Now, I looked up at her in the eyes. “She has seized my waking thoughts for an entire millennium. I know the delicate craftiness and brutal determination that is born from bitterness and tempered fury. She will come again.”

“Enough,” my older sister said, “we will talk about this later. For now, let's go to Canterlot, and rest. When we're both ready, we'll finish this conversation.”

I nodded weakly.

My sister's horn glowed, and in a heartbeat we were in a castle in Canterlot.

Two guards next to wooden double doors snapped at attention.

“Princess!” they both said in unison.

“That would now be Princesses,” my sister corrected.

One guard merely gave an uncaring shrug.

The other guard immediately glared at him. “As you wish, Princesses.”

“These will be your accommodations for the time being,” my sister said to me.

“Very well,” I said, and opened the door.

The room was fairly large, with a red carpet, large windows that had been covered, a full-size mirror, a table with a brush, a smaller mirror on top of the table and various other things. A luxury bed was situated in the back of the room.

I simply nodded back towards the guards and my sister and shut the door.

Instead of going to the bed, I instead strolled in front of the mirror.

I saw a small, scrawny alicorn, with light blue hooves and a darker blue coat. My dull blue mane was frizzled, and unkempt. My blue eyes devoured it's reflection. My cutie mark was a pitch-black night sky with a crescent moon in the middle.

I barely resembled Night Mare Moon.

I smiled.

Finally, I went to bed and quickly fell fast asleep.

Chapter Six

I found myself standing at the gates of Canterlot. My sister was standing there, her face a frozen mask. Several guards stood behind her, equally as emotionless.

“Go,” she said.

“Why must I?” I asked.

“Go,” she said again.

“Where must I go?” I asked.

My sister stuck out her hoof and pointed towards a hill in the distance surrounded by thick forest. Then she abruptly turned around and went back into Canterlot. I wanted to follow, but I somehow knew that I had to go to that hill.

While I could have flown, I instead chose to trot through the moonlit forest. Trees rustled as I passed by and I felt the warm dirt under my hooves. After a few minutes, the forest cleared to reveal the moonlit hill.

There was a shadowy figure, facing away from me. She had her head tilted upwards, admiring the night sky. I felt like I knew her, but I couldn’t quite tell who it was.

The shadowy figure turned around, and I realized with horror why I knew her. I'd seen her in my reflection for over hundreds of years.

“I’ve been waiting for you,” she said softly.

I tried to teleport away, but my magic failed.

I tried to fly, but my body felt like it was made of stone.

So I ran instead, as her laughter filled my ears.

A river that had not been there before blocked my path. Even with its raging rapids I could still hear the laughter.

Steeling my courage, I jumped across, landed, and kept running.

The forest, which before had been partially lit by moonlight, was pitch black. Something touched me, and I shrieked. The laughter in my ears only grew louder as I stood, finally paralyzed by fear.

“It's rather rude, running away from an old friend like that,” the voice sneered. The voice echoed around the forest, as if there were several voices instead of one.

“Begone,” I pleaded.

Night Mare Moon gave a mocking gasp as she put her hoof to her chest dramatically. “I haven't even done anything yet. Why are you so scared? I'm your friend.”

“Thou art my enemy.”

“Am I? All I did... was do what you wanted.”

“It was never my wish to do what you hath done.”

“You said it, loud and clear to anypony who listened.”

“I said nothing.”

“Your mouth said nothing, but your thoughts were loud and clear to anypony who paid attention. Shame Celestia was too busy being high and mighty to notice our pain.”

Any retort I had died in my throat.

“Well,” Night Mare Moon chuckled, “I suppose I can let it drop for now. Sweet dreams.”

The ground underneath me cracked, and I began to fall into endless darkness.

I woke up, bolting upright. I closed my eyes and focused on my breathing while the hammering of my heart roared in my ears.

I threw off the covers and got out of the bed. I opened the curtains to discover that it was still daytime. How long had I been asleep? A minute? A day?

I strolled over to the door and opened it. Two guards, who previously had their backs to me, immediately spun around and knelt.

“Princess Luna,” they greeted me in unison.

“How long have I been at rest?” I asked them.

“Three weeks,” one guard dutifully answered.

Three weeks? While not much time to a pony that was not affected by old age such as me, it was still far more time than I expected.

“Thank you,” I nodded.

I noted that they had moved themselves directly in my path. “If thou would excuse me, I hath business to discuss,” I said.

“I’m sorry, but we kinda have to keep you in here until further notice,” the second guard said.

“Have you received any other orders of that nature?” I inquired.

“I was instructed to inform Princess Celestia of when you woke up,” the first guard said.

“See to it immediately,” I said as I retreated back to my quarters and shut the door.

While I waited, I fixed my messy mane with a hairbrush.

I had finished brushing and was starting to wonder if my sister was out doing something else with her time before I heard a knock at the door.

“Enter,” I said.

My sister opened the door, walked inside and gently closed the door.

“Good morning, little sister,” she said cheerfully.

“Good morning,” I said, much more drearily than I intended.

My sister's smile shrank slightly. “Did you sleep well?”

I went slightly ridgid at the word 'sleep.' “Erm, pardon?”

Celestia blinked and then nodded her head slightly. “I said, did you sleep well?”

I swallowed. “Of course. No nightmares, simply a longer rest than I thought.”

My sister tilted her head in confusion. “I never said anything about nightmares. If there's anything that's bothering you, we can discuss it. You can trust me.”

“I know.”

“Luna. What's wrong?”

“Nothing,” I said, my body rigid.

“Is it Night Mare Moon?”

I slowly nodded a defeated yes.

“I thought so. What happened?”

I bit my lip before admitting, “she appeared in my dreams.”

Celestia breathed a sigh of relief. “Don't worry. It was just a dream. Your time as Night Mare Moon is over, dear sister.”

I grinded my teeth. “Thou hath not changed.”

“It's been one thousand years. A pony changes a lot in that amount of time.”

“Hath you?”

“I'd like to think I've grown wiser, and less apt to make mistakes.”

“Keep deluding yourself, then. Night Mare Moon was in my dreams, and she was very clear that she fully intended on coming back.”

“It's only a dream,” my sister said calmly, “she doesn't have any power over anypony in dreams.”

“Who am I?”

“Your sister.”

“My title.”

“Princess Luna,” Celestia said, the quizzical expression clear on her face.

“My full title.”

“Princess Luna, Ruler of the Night, and Traveler of...”

“Dreams. I know the power of dreams better than anypony has or will. Used for good, they can turn an ordinary pony into a being that will not stop trying to achieve their dreams no matter what challenge or insult that bars their path.

“Used against a pony, and it will slowly rob them of their wits, one by one, until a hopeless, cruel, and bitter husk is all that is left.

“Do you know what transformed me into Night Mare Moon? It was a dream. A rather pleasant one, at first. It was a dream where ponies would laugh and play and stargaze in my night instead of simply sleeping it away. But I knew it was a pointless dream, so I tossed it away. But then, a voice began to whisper to me in my dreams.

“'You can make this dream into a reality,' it said in a hushed whisper, over and over, every night. Then, another voice joined it too. 'I can give you everything you want.' They began to become less welcoming and more demanding, more insistent. I begged them to stop. I was beginning to slip away from reality, I knew, but I still couldn't do anything to stop it.

“And then, harsher and more vicious voices than before, with harsher words. 'Why does one sister get attention, and you out in the cold?' 'You should overthrow Celestia. She doesn't deserve the throne, or even co-rule it. You would be much better on your own.'

“And finally, it took away the last of my wits, drove me to utter madness, and that was the night I was christened as Night Mare Moon.

“So if thou wishes to tell me that dreams are meaningless,” I said, “then there is little more I can do to persuade you. But I remain firmly in my convictions that dreams hath the power to tear me down, like they hath done once already. And t'will as long as I give the nightmare that power.”

“Then, how do you stop giving that nightmare power?”

“I need to stop being afraid of it.”

“How do you intend on doing that?” my sister asked.

I could only shook my head sadly. “I wish I knew.”

“I suppose I was much too optimistic about your recovery.”

“If I recall, you had fought me even though I was clearly the stronger pony of us two. I hardly place that in the realm of optimisim and more in the realm of foalishness.”

“You lost the first time.”

“With the Elements of Harmony at your disposal. The second time, they were broken relics. Why fight the second time?” I asked, curious to hear the answer.

“It doesn't matter.”

“One cannot say that the truth is important, only to shy away from the truth once it becomes inconvenient.”

“I was hopeful that your banishment would bring you to your senses once you returned.”

“You were willing to fight me in a honourable duel with the kingdom and it's subjects at stake for a vague hope?”

“I also had a back-up plan.”

In my mind's eye, I could begin to see the outline of a jigsaw puzzle, with the pieces slowly taking shape before me.

“Twilight Sparkle. Your pupil, I suppose?” I asked.

“Yes,” my sister confirmed reluctantly.

“Where is she now?”

“I allowed her to stay in Ponyville.”

I remembered the pool of water on the Moon. I had seen her pupil before, but never in Ponyville. There was something vaguely amiss.

“I was under the impression she studied under you in Canterlot," I asked, "when did this change?”

“Two weeks ago,” my sister answered. She had an excellent poker face, but the tiny giveaways, the way her eyes moved, the subtle shift of weight onto the back legs, hadn't changed in spite of one thousand years.

My sister was hiding something from me. I was determined to find out what.

“If you do not mind my curiosity, why were you in Ponyville two weeks ago?” I asked, continuing my line of questioning.

“There... was a celebration. One of Twilight's friends had wanted to throw the party sooner, yet I waited as long as I reasonably could for the celebration.”

“Twilight Sparkle being in Ponyville was not a happy accident, was it?”

“Didn't I mention I had a back-up plan?” my sister asked with forced humour.

“I suppose you did. But why hide it?”

“I wasn't hiding anything.”

“Then why did you seem so nervous to tell me?”

“I... had expected you to react worse to missing the celebration.”

I laughed. “Yes, it was a shame I didn't have to face the town I single hoofedly terrorized.”

“That was Night Mare Moon's work, not yours.”

“What Night Mare Moon did was not your fault.”

“Do they know that for certain? Will they believe me?”

“I'm sure they will, with time.”

My laughter died immediately. “Sister, even I do not believe that what Night Mare Moon did was not at least partially my fault. How much time and explanation will it take to convince them?”

“They will. Someday.”

“Mayhaps,” I said somberly, “Mayhaps not.”

My sister took a deep breath, and changed the subject. “I need you to begin raising the moon as soon as you can.”

I nodded, relieved that there was something we could agree on. “Of course. I'll commence tonight.”

“Tonight?” My sister asked nervously.

“Is there something wrong, big sister?”

“Maybe... we should wait a week. Until we know you've fully recovered.”

“My powers depend on my connection to the moon. For my recovery to be quick, 'twould be best to begin as quickly as possible.” A realization formed in my mind. I knew what she was hiding. “Unless thou does not trust me?”

My sister bit her lip.

“So you have changed. Into a hypocrite.”

The eyes of my older sister narrowed at the accusation. “Excuse me?”

“You insist on honesty from me, yet you seem hesitant to give me the truth.”

“I've been completely honest with you, Luna. What is it you're talking about?” my sister asked, continuing her charade of stupidity.

“First, thou insists on coddling me as if I were a small filly and telling me everything will be alright when only a fool would think it truly.

“Second, you attempted to hide that I had missed a celebration that I had no interest in attending.

“Third, just now, you tell me that I should recover as soon as possible, yet raising the moon, the first vital step to regaining my powers, you wish to 'wait a week,' and will not explain your reasons for your actions. Rather suspocious for one that I thought I could trust.

“And you have also posted guards to ensure I do not leave my room...

I took a breath before asking, “so if thou are not hiding the truth from me, what is thou hiding?”

“I... I...” my sister stammered, “You have the nerve to tell me that I'm the one in the wrong? Even after Night Mare Moon?”

“When thou deceives me in one breath and tell me that thou wishes the truth in the other, then yes! Thou is the one in the wrong!”

“I wish you'd never come back from the Moon. I can rule without somepony arguing with me,” my sister growled.

“A mutual agreement, then,” I spat.

Celestia stormed out of my room, slamming the doors shut as she left.

Chapter Seven

A few hours later, I heard a tepid knock on the door.

“Come in,” I said tersely.

A pegasus came in. I noticed that he was mane was light blue, meaning that he wasn't part of Celestia's guard. It was most likely he was a messenger.

“Princess Celestia wanted to notify you that you are allowed free reign of the castle,” the pegasus said quietly, “but-- you're not to go outside Canterlot Castle.”

“Very well,” I said calmly.

The pegasus sighed with relief. “Princess Celestia also wanted your response.”

“Tell her I accept her terms and find them reasonable.”

That was the last I had heard from my sister for a while.

Admittedly, I was glad that she was out of my mane. I spent my idle time to good use, burning the midnight oil in the castle library to research the current state of affairs in Equestria.

I was already nearly up to date anyways, thanks to Night Mare Moon's pool of water. However, there were occasionally small things that had aged when I had my eyes somewhere else, or escaped my notice completely.

For example, in my time there was an composer named Wolf Fang had been widely known to compose utter trash. Now, a millennium later, he is hailed as the most influential composers of his time, his musical works an utter marvel.

One thousand years is a long time to be gone from the world, I reflected.

Five days into my secluded reading, I had decided to study the current state of Equestrian military. I had a few choice thoughts about their usefulness, yet regardless I researched.

A quick search through history books revealed that nothing had happened to warrant a change in my opinion.

Every time some noteworthy event happened, the history books simply had said the Equestian military failed, or, in some cases, weren't even mentioned. My sister had been the one to save the day, and not her guards.

Regardless, I was searching through military law, when I came across rule fifty-two. It simply stated: “Rule fifty-two of the Equestrian Military: A soldier who has felt that their superior, being princess, captain, or otherwise, has severly erred in judgement, is permitted by law to ignore or directly oppose their leader.”

I pursed my lips. This rule did not exist when before my banishment.

I called to a librarian working a distance away. “Where may I find a book on the history of Equestrian military law?”

The librarian looked at the book I had been reading and pointed to it. “I believe you will find it there.”

“I need to know how the laws were created and exactly when they were implemented,” I specified.

“Ah. Give me one moment,” the librarian politely said.

Moments later, she came back with a book titled “Laws: How They Came To Be.”

A rather direct and to the point title, I mused.

I thanked her and began to quickly flip through the pages until I found rule fifty-two. Only a few lines explained it's existence. I began to read the short paragraph.

Implemented a year after Night Mare Moon's banishment,it was a topic of much concern, with Equestrian citizens anxious that the law could easily allow Equestrian soldiers to disobey laws and legally abuse their power. However, Princess Celestia calmed what could have been a revolution.

My eyes returned to the start of the paragraph.

Implemented a year after Night Mare Moon's banishment.

Of course. Why else make such a law unless you were worried that your sister would go insane for a second time?

The Sun was starting to rise. I magically levitated the piles of books onto a unponied trolley, and went back to my room to sleep.

The next day, I was woken to the sound of a firm knock at the door.

Just by the knocking sound alone, I knew it was my sister.

I sighed. “Enter.”

Sure enough, my sister came through the door.

“Did I wake you up?” my sister asked.

“Thou hast, yet it was time I was awoken anyways. What did thou come for?”

“Two things,” my sister said, “first-- I'm sorry. I shouldn't have tried to hide so many things from you.”

I blinked. “I'm... sorry as well.”

“And... I think it's time for a certain pony to begin raising the Moon once again.”

“Dost thou trust me with the task this time?”

“To be honest, I don't,” my sister said with uncharacteristic bluntness, “but, forgiveness is instant. It's trust that takes a long time to build.”

“Then perhaps I should begin rebuilding that trust.”

My sister nodded. “The only true way to rebuild trust is to take action."

I looked out the window to see the Sun slowly vanish below the horizon.

“Then take action I shall,” I said.

I attempted to raise the Moon.

My horn glowed with the my magical blue aura, only to fizzle out.

I closed my eyes and concentrated this time.

My efforts were rewarded with a throbbing headache.

“Maybe I should raise the Moon tonight,” my sister said gently.

“No,” I said firmly.

I took a deep breath, relaxed my body and negated the headache that I now had. I would raise the Moon tonight. I must.

I cast the spell. My mind felt as if it was being squeezed by talons.

I opened my eyes to see the Moon slowly rising in the sky.

“Are you alright?” my sister asked with audible concern.

“Yes,” I said. “Simply a harsher ordeal then I thought.”

“The Elements didn't just take the evil you had in you, they took your powers, your appearance...” my sister marveled.

“And I'm glad that I look ugly. I'll take this ugly form in the glass of a mirror over the beautiful evil in a pool of water,” I said.

“I didn't say you were ugly, just... different compared to before,” my sister said carefully.

“Would you rather I look like Night Mare Moon?”

“I meant before you became Night Mare Moon. Although, you at the time and Night Mare Moon look awfully similar.”

“We were one and the same,” I said simply.

“Were?” my sister questioned, “Or still is?”

“I'm not sure myself.”

My sister sighed. “That's what I'm afraid of.”

“Thou art not the only one,” I said darkly.

After a moment of silence, I decided to change the subject. “There is one thing I wished to ask of thou.”

“Yes?”

“Thou hath allowed me free reign of Canterlot Castle, yet will not allow me to leave the premises. Why?”

“You aren't ready just yet,” my sister said.

“If not now, when?”

My sister raised a placating hoof. “In a week, there is going to be a new hospital opening in Canterlot. I intend to see the red ribbon cut myself.”

“And I am to stay here?”

My sister smiled. “Actually, I thought this would be an excellent high note to reintroduce you to Canterlot.”

One day before the opening of the Canterlot hospital, I was once arguing with my sister.

“I can groom my own mane,” I said gruffly, “I needst not a pony to do it for me.”

My sister touched a hoof to her face, making a gesture that was unfamiliar to me, yet one that seemed to be born of exasperation.

“Sister, this is a special occasion,” my sister said.

“I do not see thy point,” I said, “a special occasion will not impair me from brushing my mane.”

“You need to look your best for Canterlot,” my sister argued.

“If I recall, thy hast said thyself yesterday that Canterlot will love me no matter what,” I countered.

“Someponies are going to be looking for any excuse they can find to not like you,” my sister suddenly informed me, “even a average looking mane is going to be used as ammunition.”

“And thou intended to tell me this when?” I asked between gritted teeth.

Celestia merely held her mouth open before closing it and henging her head slightly. “I'm sorry I didn't tell you earlier. They're such a small group they shouldn't cause any harm, but I don't want to make any political blunders if I can avoid it.”

“Noted,” I remarked dryly, “but aside from a group that shouldn't cause any harm, why should I still volunteer for this hairdresser?”

“Give it at least one chance,” my sister urged.

“Very well,” I grumbled, “thou shalt have it thy way. I will see this hairdresser, and utilize her services.”

My sister nodded, with a relieved smile. “I'll take care of the preparations, then.”

Chapter Eight

One day later, hours before my grand debut, the hairdresser in question was in my room while I patiently sat still on a chair.

The hairdresser levitated her various brushes, gels and other tools of her profession while maintaining a rapid monologue. She talked at me, I noticed with some irritation, not withme.

On the other hoof, the constant background noise helped put my mind at ease. I couldn't hear the whispers of doubt in my mind over her constant gossip-filled chatter.

“...My little filly, Shining Star, she told me she was having problems with...” the hairdresser trailed off, “sorry, am I talking too much?”

“Not at all,” I said dismissively.

“Oh, all right then, so, as I was saying...” the hairdresser continued.

Eventually, she finished. “I'm really flattered that you chose me of all ponies, I usually take clients in my salon but of course I hadto make an exception for you... but enough about me. Do you like your mane?”

I gave the full size mirror in my room a critical eye. My mane was well done, and, as I noticed, my mane and coat had turned a slightly darker shade of blue, closer to Night Mare Moon's appearance, as well as being an inch or two taller now than the average pony...

“Is there anything wrong with it?” the hairdresser asked plaintively.

“Not at all,” I said by way of apology with as much patience as I could muster, “we had gotten lost in our thoughts. We are rather impressed at your efforts.”

The hairdresser knelt in reverence of me. “Thank you, Princess Luna. It means a lot to me to hear that from you.”

I got off the chair I had been situated on. “Rise.”

The hairdresser nearly tripped over herself getting up. I restrained myself from biting the inside of my cheek.

“We thank thee for thy excellent work. If we are ever in need of a hairdresser in future, we will consider you.”

“Thank you,” the hairdresser said in awe.

“Now, please, depart. We've some other preparations to make.”

The hairdresser nodded. “Of course. My daughter and I are simply dying to see you at the new hospital.”

I coughed.

“Oh, yes. My apologies,” the hairdresser said, quickly leaving.

When she had left, I took a moment to reflect on her actions. She had been overeager to please me, that much was readily apparent. Was that simply becasue she wanted to do business with the Princesses of Equestria, or because she truly supported me?

My mind argued the former. Treating your customers with utmost kindness is an extremely wise business practice, especially for very rich and very important customers.

My emotions argued the latter. The way she had sounded genuinely sad when she had thought I didn't like my mane couldn't have been anything but genuine. If that was the case, I had more of an effect on Equestria already than I imagined.

I was going to have to pick my words and actions today with utmost caution. Any wrong action could turn today into disaster.

Before I left, I took one last glance in the mirror.

The hairdresser had done a far better job than I realized.

Perhaps hairdressers weren't as useless as I had thought.

I quickly left my room and joined with my sister, taking my place at her side on a wide chariot pulled by the castle guard.

My sister and I were taken through the streets of Canterlot, which had a path from the castle onwards cleared simply for our usage alone. Adoring crowds shouted their appreciation from the sidelines.

My big sister, smiled as wide as she could, waved whenever she could, and called out encouraging things to the crowd whenever possible.

In contrast, I was expressionless, unmoving, and silent, simply watching the proceedings play out.

As we reached the hospital, a orange unicorn in a muted blue scrub greeted us with a pair of scissors in front of a red ribbon strewn across the entrance to the hospital.

“Princess Celestia-- And Princess Luna as well!” he said loudly as he bowed, “it would be my honour to allow you, Princess... es, to cut the ribbon for us!”

“It would be my pleasure,” my sister said as she levitated the scissors, “however, I would like to give this honour to my sister, who has recently returned to Canterlot in order to help me rule the throne.”

“Oh... erm, oh, of course, Princess Celestia. We are equally honoured to have Princess Luna... erm, do the honours,” the doctor said in a tone that made it clear that he was very clearly not honoured.

I dutifully took the scissors and cut the ribbon, which was met with notably muted cheer. I glanced at my older sister, and her facial expression of disappointment was all I needed to confirm my suspicions.

Canterlot did not adore me. Canterlot did not even like me.

At best, Canterlot tolerated me. And if my sister was correct in her knowledge about those who opposed my return, I was quite a distance away from the best case scenario.

As we headed back to the Canterlot Castle, the cheering had resumed its previous enthusiasm. All of it was for my sister.

Once again, I was in Celestia's shadow. Nothing had changed from a thousand years before.

Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it, I thought darkly, and I have demonstrated so far that I have learned nothing.

As my sister and I headed back to the castle, I heard a small filly comment, “I wonder what she ate a thousand years ago.”

My head turned to find a black filly watching me with curious eyes.

“Same thing as you eat now, child. Hay, oats, and bread, although bread was much harder to find a millennium ago.” I told her.

The filly lit up at hearing my response, her eyes beginning to twinkle like small stars.

“Thanks, Miss Princess Luna!” the filly said eagerly, before visibly hesitating. “Um, Miss Luna, I mean, Miss Princess Luna,” the filly said, now rather shyly, “do you mind helping me with my project? Um, my teacher assigned my to write about the way ponies lived a thousand years ago and--”

“The Princess has is busy, sweetheart. She has many things to do,” A stallion, presumably her father, interrupted gently.

“On the contrary, we have much time on our hooves to spend on our subjects,” I said. “If thou doth not object, perhaps we could borrow the child? We remember what it was like a thousand years ago quite well,” I turned my attention back to the child, who leaned towards me, inexplicably glued to my words, “mayhaps we could aid thou in answering questions that thou may have.”

The crowd was quiet, all eyes were intently focused on the father.

The father took a nervous glance to the crowd that watched him. “I... I don't suppose why not.”

“Are you sure about this?” my sister whispered.

“I'm sure,” I whispered back.

“What is thy name, child?” I asked.

“My name's Shining Star! Although you can call me Star if you like,” Star said.

I smiled, for the first time that day. “Then let's go to Canterlot Castle together, Star. We can talk in our room, unless you would prefer somewhere else?”

Star thought for a moment. “Can we go to the Canterlot Gardens? Dad's always talking about how you can see the stars there!”

“Do you like stars?” I asked.

“I love stars!” Star said with abundant enthusiasm.

“So do I,” I chuckled, “I think that we will have a wonderful chat when we reach Canterlot Castle.” I tapped my hoof onto the chariot I was on. Star excitedly bounded over and sat next to me.

The crowd exploded into cheers. It took me a moment to realize that the crowd was cheering for me.

So for the first time in the entire proceedings, I smiled back to the crowd and waved, while Star peeked over the front of the chariot with the largest smile that I had ever seen in the last one thousand years.

Chapter Nine

Star eagerly trotted along with me to Canterlot Castle as I escorted her to a wide open area in Canterlot Gardens.

“This is my favourite place in all of Canterlot,” I told Star.

“Why?” she asked.

I pointed up to the star filled night sky. “'tis just far enough away from the city that thou canst see most of the night sky with the naked eye, and... take a sniff, and find out for thyself.”

Star took an exaggerated sniff of air. “Wow! That smells really good! Kinda like my mom's perfume.”

“The scent comes from flowers called Gardenia's. My sister insisted on having some planted hither, and over time I grew to like them more than my sister did,” I chuckled.

Two guards entered our stretch of the garden. One was an average build with an excellent poker face, with a snow white mane that marked him a member of Celestia's guard. The other also had the same mane, but she was an inch shorter and a petite build, and her eyes marked a certain curiosity, as if the scenery around her was utterly fascinating, although she had likely done the route at least twice by now.

Both of them came to a sudden halt. The first guard's eyes widened, and the other one broke out in a massive grin.

Star followed my gaze over to them and then squealed with happiness. “Idle! And Cheer!”

Idle widened his eyes in surprise but didn't move.

Cheer evidently had no such qualms as she trotted over with a massive grin on her face.

“Permission to temporarily halt my patrol?” Idle asked.

“Granted,” I said.

Idle finally smiled and joined Cheer in greeting an excited Star.

“I'm surprised to see you here!” Cheer said.

“Do you know these two?” I asked Star.

“Yep!” Star said, “this is my big bro, Idle Hooves! And this is Infectious Cheer! She's really nice once you get to know her!”

“Star, why exactly are you with Princess Luna at this time of night? You're not in trouble or anything, but it's not quite an everyday occurrence...” Idle Hooves trailed off.

“She wanted help with her school project. Seeing that I had no urgent matters to spend my time on, I decided to help,” I explained.

Idle Hooves small smile grew ear to ear.

“And just the other day you were saying how hard it was to get information for the project,” Infectious Happiness teased Star, affectionately ruffling her mane.

After a few minutes of polite chat, the children, Star and Shine, and I went inside my room.

“So, what did thou needst to know?” I asked Star when they were gone.

“Well, did ponies really eat exactly like we do now?” Star asked.

“Ponies back then did eat the same essentials, such as hay or oats, but no extras, such as sweets,” I explained.

“So... no cupcakes?” Star asked in shock.

“No cupcakes,” I confirmed.

“Wow. Cheer wouldn't wanna live back then. She loves cupcakes. They still ate hay, right? So I think Idle would be fine. His favourite food is hay. He always eats-” Shine said before spreading her hoofs apart to the size of her face, “-this much at dinner.”

I spread my hooves to indicate a size that was less than half then Shine had shown me.

“This is how much an ordinary pony one thousand years ago would have on his or her plate,” I said.

Star's eyes went wide.

“Mom tells us we need to eat lots to grow,” Star said, “so how did ponies back then grow?”

“They didn't,” I stated flatly.

Star rewarded me with a look of absolute confusion.

Hunger is a foreign concept to her,I reminded myself.

“Everypony didn't have as much to eat as they did back then, so ponies grew slower than they do today,” I explained.

“Oh, okay,” Star said.

I continued to answer her questions, and explaining certain concepts to her further like famine and food shortages when she didn't understand me in my first attempt to explain.

I tried to simplify and soften the harshness of life back then. She was still a young child, and still innocent. She would be able to fully understand starvation when she grew older.

“Can I ask you a question about you this time?” Shine said hesitantly.

Simply by her tone I knew it was going to be a question that she knew I may not like. I was tempted to refuse.

“It... depends on thy question,” I said. There. No promises, but I would still hear what she has to say.

“In the paintings, you looked so much bigger and scarier. But now you seem so nice now. Why?” Star asked.

A polite cough from my older sister saved me from answering.

“Save that question for a moment,” I said quickly, “hello, sister.”

“I'm sorry to interrupt, but I think it's past time for you to raise the Moon,” my sister said warmly.

Star's eyes gleamed. “Can I watch?”

I hesitated. One one hoof, she look genuinely interested. On the other, I hadn't remastered raising the Moon. Failing in front of a child would no doubt make me seem like a complete fool.

“I suppose while you're here,” I said nonchalantly.

My eyes shut in focus, and raised the Moon with surprising ease. For the first time since my return to Equestria, raising the Moon was easy and uplifting.

“Wow!” Shine said excitedly.

“And, while I'd preferst to spend more time with thou, I think that thee should begin to embark to thy home,” I said gently.

“But,” Star protested, “you didn't answer my question.”

“I'm sorry to disappoint you, my little pony, but we're very-” my sister began to say.

“I hath time to answer,” I said. “Art thou familiar with the tale of the Mare In The Moon?”

“Yeah,” Star said, “there was a good pony and another good pony who became bad.”

“I am the one who 'became bad', as you put it. I began to look different when I became good again. There may be one day where I may turn bad again.”

“Don't worry, Luna!” Star said eagerly, “Idle and Cheer will make sure you won't go bad again!”

“Mayhaps,” I said to humour the child. “And now that I've answered your question-” I turned to face Idle Hooves and Infectious Cheer, who were passing by on patrol again, pretending not to pay the conversation any attention, “-Idle Hooves, Infectious Cheer, take Star home.”

“Yes, Princess,” Infectious Cheer said.

“But... who's going to guard the garden if we go?” Idle Hooves asked.

“I think the garden can be left unchecked for a few minutes,” my sister chuckled, “your shift should be nearly done, if I recall.”

After they had left, I faced my sister.

“There... is something that happened when I attempted to raise the Moon,” I admitted.

“What was that?” my sister asked.

“It...” I trailed off, searching for the right description, “was much easier than before.”

“Your powers are coming back to you,” my sister said.

“No,” I said, “it was as if my magic had been artificially enhanced.”

My sister thought about that, and then slowly grinned. “I think I know what happened. Did you enjoy your time with the little filly?”

“Yes, I did. Why?”

“I think, that in that small shared moment, friendship helped your magic grow beyond what it had been before.”

I snorted. “I only spent a minuscule amount of time with her. Hardly enough to aid me magically.”

“Having her there meant a lot to you, didn't it?”

“Yes. What is thy point?”

“When a pony, even alicorns like you or me, truly realizes the value of friendship, the magical power gained by it increases by massive amounts,” my sister explained. It was all information I already knew, but I listened anyways.

“But...” my sister continued, “sometimes it only takes a few short hours for the power of friendship to manifest itself in a skilled magic user, as Twilight Sparkle has no doubt proven to you.”

I thought back to Twilight Sparkle activating the Elements against me, or rather, Night Mare Moon.

The way her eyes sparkled when she heard the reassuring voices of her friends. Was that what caused her to truly appreciate her friends, generating enough magical power for the Elements to not only function, but renew themselves wholly? That was more magical power than any ordinary unicorn could even dream of achieving. The thought of mere friendship giving her an edge seemed utterly ludicrous.

Unsure, I simply said, “mayhaps you art correct, big sister.”

Chapter Ten

The months passed at an agonizingly sluggish rate. I had not lied when I told Star that I had much time on my hooves, and through the next six dull months very little changed in that regard.

My typical night-to-night schedule was: wake up, raise the Moon, read the morning newspaper at night, (an irony my sister gleefully pointed out to me,) and make a polite appearance for the Canterlot aristocracy. If there failed to be any vitally important galas or other social gatherings on that night, I continued on to the library, read history books or whatever else appealed to my sense of curiosity, and then went to rest again when the morning Sun dawned over the horizion.

Alicorns, namely my sister and I, did not need nearly as much sleep as I did. My sister and I could go on for months without rest before showing any signs of exhaustion if we so wished. In fact, I had never seen my sister sleep ever since I returned to Equestria.

My nocturnal sleeping habits were a way to pass the time, to advance from one day to the next.

And every night, I waited for my sister to allow me to shoulder her burdens with doing royal duties that were more than merely providing myself as a living, and occasionally speaking, lawn ornament for the Canterlot aristocracy.

I wanted to truly co-rule the throne, helping pass judgements on issues in Equestria that could not be solved by ordinary lawmakers, to sift through endless piles of bureaucratic papers with my sister hard at work beside me, to be my sister's equal in the amount of work that I would put in for our subjects.

And yet, my sister never said so much as a word. When I expressed my desire to help in the royal duties of a Princess, she simply shook her head and told me that I still needed my rest and relaxation. No matter how much I argued otherwise, my sister would not be persuaded.

So instead, I merely waited.

I took a sip of tea that was delivered to my room while I read my favourite morning paper, Equestria Daily.

On the front page was a story on an upcoming holiday that I didn't recall seeing before. Apparently, it was named Night Mare Night.

I decided to do some more reading into this Night Mare Night. Evidently, it was a tradition that was celebrated to celebrate the banishment of Night Mare Moon.

I ground my teeth. While my transformation to Night Mare Moon was a massive mistake on my part, I did not enjoy the
prospect of being reminded of it every year.

But I must not take the bait, I reprimanded myself, I will simply ignore it, and assume that this celebration was not meant to intentionally mock me.

I flipped past the front page where the story was housed, opting to look for non-Night Mare Night related stories.

I failed to find them.

Angrily, I folded the newspaper and threw it on my bed.

Just then, I heard a loud knock on the door.

“Enter,” I said.

I wasn't surprised when my sister entered the room.

“Hello,” my sister greeted me.

“Hello. Did thou needst something?” I asked.

“Actually, I wanted to ask if you were aware of a celebration that was coming up in two days from now. It's called 'Night
Mare Night.' Have you heard of it?” my sister asked.

I took the newspaper and presented the front page to my sister. “Rather hard to miss.”

“Oh,” my sister said as she realized the explaination of Night Mare Night was on the front page, “try not to be offended. While it is partially about Night Mare Moon, it's mostly just a night of entertainment for the little ones,” my sister explained, “but as I was about to say, I was thinking that perhaps you should make a surprise visit to Ponyville on Night Mare Night.”

“No,” I said immediately.

My sister sighed, and that commenced an argument that lasted several minutes. I pointed out to her that going back to the town I had terrorized a short six months ago was not a wise idea under any circumstance. My sister argued that with the nighttime celebration putting Ponyville's populace at ease, there would be no better time to make a good second impression.

In the end, it proved to be a contest of stubborness, and unfortunately, I lost.

“Very well!” I finally said, “I shall go.”

“Good,” my sister said in audible relief, “and you won't be going alone. Three of the castle guards are being sent to the Lunar Guard to pull your chariot for Night Mare Night.”

The Lunar Guard were my personal guard, separate but working with my sister's guards.

“Thank you,” I said.

My sister smiled. “You're welcome.”

The night of my departure to Ponyville, I took a moment to look at myself in my full-length mirror once again.

The first thing I had noticed was that I was much taller than I realized. Before, I was the size of an average pony. Now, I was at least two feet taller than before, nearly as large as my older sister. Coupled with how my mane had darkened and now shimmered slightly, I was far more intimidating than before.

I scowled at the mirror. I looked like Night Mare Moon once again.

I went into a drawer and took out a bedsheet, and draped it over the full length mirror.

I checked the time from a clock hanging on the wall. Only a quarter-hour until I was due on the chariot my sister had prepared for me.

Not enough time to get rid of the infernal mirror.

I took a simple black cloak from my personal wardrobe and put it on as I made haste to the Canterlot Castle launch tower, where my chariot and Lunar Guard were already harnessed and ready.

After my sister had left my room two nights ago, I had done some research on Favourable Outcome's credentials. Nearly all of them marked him as a pony who often bent the rules and spoke out of turn, but was still recommended by his superiors for being a natural leader with a healthy sense of initiative.

I was not quite sure of what to make of him being placed in my personal guard.

As I approached the chariot, I slowly analyzed the Lunar Guard.

The first thing I noted is that their white manes and golden armour were gone, replaced by dyed grey manes with violet armour, appropriate for one of the Lunar Guard. Their ears were now pointed as well, and their feathered wings were replaced by batlike ones.

I noted that Infectious Cheer kept looking at her wings and then looking away, as if they severely perturbed her and was attempting not to show it.

Favourable Outcome snuck a quick glance towards me, and I had the feeling he was attempting to analyze me as I analyzed him.

Idle Hooves simply kept a neutral expression, looking out at the sky ahead of him.

I got onto the chariot. “Art thou all prepared?”

“Yes, Princess Luna,” the Lunar Guard said in unison.

I nodded. “Then depart.”

The Lunar Guard ran to the open sky and then leapt into open air, and began the flight to Ponyville, the open air whooshing around me.

The Lunar Guard flew in a triangular formation, with with Infectious Happiness at the top of the triangle, Idle Hooves at the bottom left, and Favourable Outcome at the bottom right.

In order to keep myself distracted on the journey to Ponyville, I focused my mind on reviewing how I would greet the villagers when I arrived.

“I must be royal and formal,” I spoke aloud to myself, “they will surely be expecting the royal Canterlot voice and the royal 'we.' No informal actions such as my time with Star until it can be assured they are fully welcoming of me. If I remember that, then I will surely leave this night triumphant.”

The sky was starting to turn slightly foul when we had nearly arrived in Ponyville.

I leaned over the side of the chariot.

On the ground, I could see several of Ponyville's citizens dressed with various costumes in a forest clearing, congregated around a grey statue. Of whom the statue was built to resemble, I could not see from this distance.

Suddenly, they began to run to Ponyville, yelling something that had to do with the Moon.

It was a curious sight, to say the least. Perhaps it was a tradition.

Nevertheless, we kept our course towards Ponyville, following the villagers.

“Please, slow down!” I called down to them.

The villagers looked up and began to run even faster.

Certainly, Night Mare Night was an odd holiday. I cursed myself for not doing more research on local customs before coming.

The chariot stopped over the Ponyville town square. As I peered down, I could see why the Lunar Guard chose not to land. The town square was nearly crammed to the brim, nearly everypony was out enjoying the festivities.

Excellent, I thought eagerly, the entirety of Ponyville shall hear me, and it shall be a joyus occasion!

Without a moment's hesitation, I lept from the chariot and gently glided down to the earth below.

At once, everypony bowed in reverence to me.

I trotted over to a nervous pony, who glanced up at me with hesitation. I gave her a reassuring smile.

She merely bowed her head and cowered at the ground.

“Citizens of Ponyville!” I shouted, ensuring I was loud enough to be heard by all, “we have graced your tiny village with our presence, so that you might behold the real Princess of the Night! A creature in the hold of nightmares no longer, but instead one that desires for your love and admiration! Together, we shall change this dreadful occasion into a bright and glorious feast!”

“Did you hear that, everypony?” one of the villagers asked in a small voice, “Night Mare Moon says she's going to feast on us all!”

Immediately it was followed by frantic screaming, with half the town square running away from me.

“What?” I asked, I asked in disbelief, “no, children, no! Screams of delight are what your princess desires, not screams of terror!” I said as I stomped my hoof to emphasize my point, which only brought a small whimper from one of the remaining citizens.

I looked into the meager crowd that was left to find the Mayor, dressed in a jovial clown costume.

“Madame Mayor,” I said with as much politeness as I could muster, “thy Princess of the Night hath arrived.”

She simply cowered before me, visibly shaking.

And they think I am the mad one, I thought to myself in utter disbelief at my current situation.

“What is the matter with you?” I huffed, “very well then. Be that way. We won't even bother with the royal farewell.”

I exited the town square, fuming.

I was lost in the depths of my own mind when my chariot came down to land beside me in an open field next to the Everfree Forest.

“Pardons, Princess,” Idle Hooves said, “but we await your further orders.”

I sighed. “Do what thy will,” I told them, “'tis immediately apparent that my task of winning the hearts of these villagers is not going to be without struggle. All I ask is that you are to be back at the chariot at midnight. Understood?”

“Understood!” the Lunar Guard said as they deharnessed themselves from the chariot.

“All I shall say is that I recommend you stay out of the villagers sights for the night. I cannot guarantee your warm welcome,” I said dryly.

“Can't hurt to try,” Infectious Happiness said before taking flight to Ponyville.

“Ten bits says she comes back within the next quarter hour literally tearing her mane out,” Favourable Outcome whispered to Idle Hooves once the rather sociable pegasus was gone.

Idle Hooves snorted. “Rejection stings, but not enough to get that bent out of shape over it.”

Favourable Outcome grinned wickedly from ear to ear. “So, wanna bet?”

Idle Hooves grinded his teeth. “I do not gamble. It would make a poor example for Star.”

“Star's not here,” Favourable Outcome pointed out.

“I stillam not gambling,” Idle Hooves said sternly.

“You were the one that said it's not gonna happen,” Favourable Outcome taunted.

“And I believe myself to be correct.”

“But not enough to put the bits where your mouth is?”

“Fine!” Idle Hooves snapped, “I'm betting this one time, if only to prove you wrong.”

With a sigh and a slight insight as to what my personal guard does in their spare time, I trudged into the Everfree Forest, retracing my steps back to the clearing that I had seen in the chariot.

When I arrived at the clearing, I stopped in shock.

The statue I couldn't make out before... was of me.

Or should I say, of Night Mare Moon.

Her stone helm and armour hugged her body tight. She was on two legs, her massive wings spead to full, fangs bared, rearing up as if to lunge at anypony who dared look into her cruel, hate-filled eyes. Her long, flowing mane dipped below the raised statue's pedastal, as if the height advantage was deliberately done simply to emphasize to how much larger and evil Night Mare Moon was over anypony.

This is how Ponyville must see me, I thought.

I sat in front of the statue, allowing it's moonlit shadow to envelop me as I puzzled over my dire situation.

“Princess Luna?” an uncertain voice called out to me.

I turned around to see a familiar lavender unicorn, with a fake white beard and dressed in a blue, clearly hoof-stitched wizards attire, yet I noted the bells on the costume were so accurately done. It made her seem as if she had walked out of a history book.

“Hi, my name is-” the lavender unicorn started.

“Star Swirl the Bearded. Commendable costume! Thou even got the bells right,” I noted.

“Thank you! Finally!” The bells along her cape and pointed hat jingled musically as she gesticulated in apparent relief, “somepony who gets my costume!” The lavender unicorn immediately froze, embarrassed by her outburst. “Uh, I just came to welcome you to our celebration!”

Does your celebration involve the mockery of apologetic alicorns? I resisted the urge to ask.

“My name is-”

“Twilight Sparkle,” I finished for her. “It was thou who unleashed the powers of harmony upon us, and took away our dark powers!”

Twilight Sparkle recoiled slightly. “And... that was a good thing, right?”

“But of course! We could not be happier. Is that not clear?” I asked.

Twilight Sparkle recoiled again. “Well, it kind of sounds like you're yelling at me.”

“But this is the royal Canterlot voice!” I protested, “it is tradition to speak using the royal 'we,' and to use this much volume when adressing our subjects!”

Twilight Sparkle readjusted her hat, which had nearly fallen off when I was speaking. “You know, that might explain why your appearance was met with... mixed results? I think if you just changed your approach a bit, you might be met with a warmer reception.”

“Change our approach?” I asked.

Twilight Sparkle readjusted her hat once again. “Lower the volume?”

“Oh,” I said with a realization of what Twilight Sparkle was attempting to imply, “we have been locked away for a thousand years. We are... unsure if we can.”

“I have an idea,” Twilight Sparkle said, “Let's pay a visit to Fluttershy! Maybe she can help you.”

“It is difficult for a pony to change her mannerisms overnight! Art thou certain of this plan, Twilight Sparkle?” I asked.

Twilight Sparkle recoiled again.

I realized I had slipped into the loud version of the royal Canterlot voice. “Our apologies.”

“No problem,” Twilight Sparkle said as she levitated a leaf off the forest floor and rustled it next to her right ear. “Anyways, I think that you can change, you just need to watch how you say things until it becomes a habit. We just need Fluttershy to help teach you the habit.”

“Very well, then,” I said slowly, “let us visit the manticore tamer.”

“See?” Twilight Sparkle beamed at me, “you're doing better already!”

“And I hath thou to thank, Twilight Sparkle!” I said happily.

“Okay... maybe not quite as better as I thought,” Twilight Sparkle said in a pained voice before she examined the night sky. “Okay, so there's North Star, so we take... this path,” Twilight Sparkle pointed to a path that was in the opposite direction of the North Star.

“We art impressed by thy skill in astronomy,” I said.

Twilght Sparkle smiled. “I always loved to use the Canterlot library telescope when I was a little filly. My foalsitter would always help me find the constellations and important stars in the night sky.”

I nodded in quiet approval as I followed Twilight Sparkle down the small forest path she indicated.

Not wanting to unintentionally torture her further with the royal Canterlot voice, I held my peace.

Chapter Eleven

Twilight Sparkle and I stood in front of Fluttershy's house.

“Don't worry, Princess,” Twilight Sparkle reassured me, “Fluttershy can give you some great pointers. She's delicate and demure with the sweetest little voice.”

I nodded in acknowledgement.

Twilight Sparkle went up to Fluttershy's door and tapped it softly.

“Go away!” Fluttershy screamed, “There's no candy for you here! Visitors not welcome on Night Mare Night!”

Twilight Sparkle laughed nervously. “Fluttershy, it's me, Twilight.”

Fluttershy opened the door a faction of an inch. “Oh, it is you,” Fluttershy opened the creaking door flully before adding, “oh, and Night Mare Moon.”

Fluttershy's pupils shank as she realized what she just said. “Night Mare Moon!” Fluttershy yelped before slamming shut the door.

Only a half hour of panic and ostracization and I had already gotten somewhat used to the treatment. This did not bode well.

“'Delicate and demure?'” I said flatly.

Twilight Sparkle laughed, more of out her nervousness than any appreciation of my strained humour. “Wait right here. Should only take a moment.”

Twilight Sparkle went inside the house and shut the door behind her as an immediate racket started up.

I leaned over and peeked into a nearby window to find Twilight Sparkle attempting to magically drag an extremely resisting Fluttershy, who knocked over a large assorsement of pots, pans, bags of birdseed, and animal beds in her futile attempt to escape her horrific fate: speak to me without the privilege of screaming in panic and running for the hills.

I quickly took my previous place in front of the door as Fluttershy was shoved out of her own cottage.

“Fluttershy,” Twilight Sparkle said nonchalantly, “you remember Princess Luna?”

Seeing her reaction, I would say she remembers me better than I had ever hoped, I thought.

Nontheless, I extended my hoof to her. “Charmed.”

“Likewise,” she squeaked.

“Twilight Sparkle hath speakest of the sweetness of thy voice. We askest thou to speak as thou speakest.”

“Okay,” she said, even softer than before.

“Shall the lessons begin?”

“Okay.”

“Shall we mimic thy voice?”

“Okay.”

I cleared my throat. “How is this?”

“Perfect, lesson over!” Fluttershy said hurriedly before making a mad dash to her home, but Twilight Sparkle slammed the door shut before she could escape.

“How is this?” I asked.

“Better,” Twilight Sparkle said enthusiastically, “right, Fluttershy?”

A small laugh directed to the dirt road under her hooves was Fluttershy's answer.

“How... about... now?” I asked.

“Now you're getting it!” Twilight Sparkle said.

“And... how about now?” I asked, this time speaking in what felt like a mere whisper.

“Yes!” Twilight Sparkle exclaimed, “well done!”

“I thank thee, dear Fluttershy!” I exclaimed as I gave her an appreciative embrace, “our adjusted speaking voice shall surely win us the hearts of thy fellow villagers.”

A pink mare in a chicken costume leading a group of small children trotted anxiously along the road. “Fluttershy!” she called out to us, “You've got to hide us! Night Mare Moon is here and... ahhh! It's Night Mare Moon! She stole Fluttershy's voice so she won't scream when she gobbles her up!”

She and the group of children ran away screaming in mass hysteria.

“Nay, children, wait!” I said before realizing I had slipped back into the royal Canterlot voice. “I mean... nay, children, no, wait,” I repeated, but they were already out of sight.

And behind me, I heard a loud slam of a door, quickly followed by a soft click of a lock.

“Come on, Princess, time for plan B,” Twilight Sparkle said.

As we journeyed back to Ponyville, an audible sob could be heard from off the path.

Twilight Sparkle and I halted. “Maybe we should just keep going, leave him or her alone.”

“Mayhaps you can have that luxury as an ordinary pony,” I admonished her, “but as a Princess it is our duty to aid those clearly in need.”

“No offence, Princess, but you're having a heck of a time talking to ponies when their in their right mind,” Twilight Sparkle pointed out.

“P... Princess?” a voice called out to me. Infectious Happiness stepped out of the darkness of the forest.

“Hello, Infectious Happiness.” I said in relief.

“H-hey,” Infectious Happiness said as she wiped a tear from her face. I noticed that her mane was nearly torn out from frustration.

“What ails thee... you?” I asked.

Infectious Happiness took a shaky breath as she composed herself. “It's the Ponyville folk. I keep trying trying to have a friendly chat, but they keep on avoiding me. They started calling me... a freak!”

“I'm sorry,” I said.

“Hunh?” Infectious Happiness looked at me in confusion.

“It it my fault that things are this way. They fear me too much to displease me, so they take their fear out on you. It is my fault.”

“I know... it's just... I want them to like me,” Infectious Happiness sobbed.

“Why? Do they truly matter to you?” I asked.

“Princess...” Twilight Sparkle said.

“What do you mean?”

“We...,” I started to say before stopping, “I mean that Favourable Outcome and Idle Hooves enjoy your company, as well as Star and no doubt the rest of your family that I haven't the pleasure of meeting. With friends like them, who requires the folk in Ponyville you may never see again?”

Infectious Happiness smiled a little at this. “Yeah, I guess you're right, Princess Luna. Actually, speaking of which, do you know where they went off to?”

“Anypony here?” Idle Hooves yelled from a distance away.

“Over Here!” Infectious Happiness yelled back.

“Wait.” I said.

I fixed Infectious Happiness's chaotic mane into something much more manageable. “There.”

Infectious Happiness gave me a confused look, before she joined Idle Hooves and Favourable Outcome.

We had reached the town square of Ponyville once again. Ponies began to gawk at me, and then tremble in place.

I looked to the terrified crowd. All that fell under my mild gaze trembled even more. I shook my head. “It is of no use, Twilight Sparkle. They have never liked us and they never shall.”

“My friend Applejack is one of the most likable ponies around,” Twilight Sparkle said, “I'm sure she'll have some good ideas.”

Twilight Sparkle led me to a wide-open park where a random assortment of things were set up for... what, I could not guess.

In one, there was a tub of green liquid with apples floating in it. Another was a set of goalposts with a bowl of spiders provided on a table a throwing distance away. I thought it was awfully inconvenient to have those that far away, if they were used in tandem with each other at all.

And last, but certainly not least, was a trio of small, hastily constructed catapults aimed at three respective targets. A moment before the strike team noticed my presence and halted their target practice, I could see they were using pumpkins as ammunition.

I noticed a white foal dressed as the infamous Pipsqueak the pirate trying to grab a floating apple from the tub of green liquid. He was small, and had precariously balance himself on the rim as he reached for an apple.

An orange earth pony costumed as a scarecrow, whom I reconized almost immediately as Applejack, caught Pipsqueak as he lost his balance and nearly fell into the tub. “Whoops,” Applejack said as she helped him back to solid ground, “careful there, partner.”

She turned towards me and then promptly fell to the ground cowering.

Twilight gave me an apologetic glance as she leaned down to Applejack. “Uh... Applejack, the princess is looking for a little advice on how to fit in around here.”

Applejack took her hooves away from her eyes and looked at Twilight Sparkle extremly skeptically. “'Fit in?' Really?”

Twilight Sparkle stared daggers at Applejack, who immediately got off the ground and straightend herself. “I mean... that's easy! All you gotta do is loosen up a bit, be positive, play a few games, have some fun!”

“What is this 'fun' thou speakest of?” I asked.

Twilight Sparkle and Applejack indicated the table with the bowls of spiders.

“Pray tell, what purpose do these serve?” I asked Twilight Sparkle.

“Try to land the sp-sp-spiders on the web,” a fushia earth pony masqueraded as a large bee stammered.

I picked up a spider with my hoof and judged the distance from where I was to the web. I gave an experimental toss aiming directly for the center, and the spider landed on the ground instead.

I felt a pang of disappointment in failure, but an odd desire to immediately try again.

“You can do it, Princess!” Applejack called to me encouragingly.

This time, I gave my toss slightly more power as I aimed for the top of the web, and it landed in the direct center.

A sense of elation and intense statisfaction struck me.

“Ha!” I whooped aloud, “your princess enjoys this 'fun!' In what other ways may we experience it?”

Twilight Sparkle and Applejack looked at each other, grinning.

“Well, ya might wanna try the pumpkin catapult, before we run outta pumpkins,” Applejack said as she led us to the trio of miniature war machines I had seen before. As we walked, I quietly noted that a crowd of curious onlookers had gathered and were eyeing me from a safe distance away.

I levitated a pumpkin magically.

“Ah-ah-ah, Princess,” Applejack chided, “ya gotta do it without usin' magic.”

The crowd of onlookers edged backwards.

“Why?” I asked with curiosity.

“It's the rules,” Applejack explained, “gettin' the pumpkin on the catapult with your own hooves is part of the fun!”

“Ah. My apologies, Applejack and Twilight Sparkle, we were not aware,” I said as I magically set the pumpkin down and began to physically place it on my back. I carefully took the pumpkin over and set it in the catapult.

“Fire away, princess!” Twilight Sparkle said excitedly.

I pushed down the catapult with my hooves with all my strength, and then let go and stepped back as the crock whizzed by my nose and launched the pumpkin into the air. I watched with delight as the pumpkin gracefully arced right onto the center of the target and exploded with a entertaining splat, spraying orange all over the already orange grass.

“Ha ha!” I whooped, “the fun has been doubled!”

The crowd of onlookers cheered for me. It was a sound that I had been dying to hear all night.

“Why dontcha try bobbing for apples?” Applejack suggested, “we've got the best apples in Equestria here, Princess.”

“I ask that thou refer to us... me... as Luna, Applejack. Hear me, villager's! All of you! Call me Luna!” I declared.

“Luna...” the villager's whispered amongst themselves.

“Show me to these bobbing apples,” I requested of Applejack.

A stone's throw away from me, Pipsqueak the pirate was once again at the tub of green water. He leaned over precariously, vying for a distant apple, before falling in. His violent flailing before sinking under the murky water marked him as a colt that had never been taught to swim.

With adrenaline fueled speed, I bolted over, threw my head under the surface, yanked him by his shirt with my teeth, and brought him up for air.

Immediately, the sound of Pinkie Pie reached my waterlogged ears. “Hey, gals! Anypony seen Pip? We lost him the last time we had to run... aaah!

“Night Mare Moon gobbling Pipsqueak! Everypony run!” Pinkie Pie yelled, stirring the townschildren into a frenzied panic.

“Help! My backside has been gobbled!” Pipsqueak squealed as he wriggled free from my grip.

“'Tis a lie!” I protested, “thy backside is whole and ungobbled, you ungrateful whelp!”

I stomped my hoof and summoned a small amount of thunder to make my point, which only caused the remaining crowd to edge away.

“Fair villagers, please do not back away,” I pleaded, “let us join together in... fun!”

I tossed a toy spider next to the villagers as a gesture of goodwill. The villagers refused it by jumping away from the spider as if it were manure.

“Not enough fun for you? How about this?” I asked as I magically enchanted the bowl of spiders with a come-to-life spell. “Huzzah! How many points do I receive?” I asked as they gathered to the web.

The villager's were simply fleeing in terror by this point.

“Do not run away!” I pleaded.

The villager's ran even faster in even more erratic patterns.

“As your princess, we command you!” I snapped.

The villager's continued in their mindless terror.

“Be still!” I shouted in the royal Canterlot voice, my voice echoing throughout the streets of Ponyville.

Immediately, everypony halted in their tracks and bowed down to me.

“Princess, remember!” Twilight said warningly, “watch the screaming!”

“No, Twilight Sparkle!” I said, “we must use the royal Canterlot voice for what we are about to say.

“Since you have chosen to fear your rightful Princess rather than love her, and dishonour her with this insulting celebration, we decree that Night Mare Night will be canceled! Forever!”

Chapter Twelve

I collected my thoughts as I looked over the bridge to the Everfree Forest. As I looked into the water, the only thing I saw in it's reflection was what the villagers had seen from the very outset.

Perhaps they are not wrong to think of me as Night Mare Moon, I thought.

“Princess?” Twilight Sparkle called to me.

A tear from my eye shattered the still reflection, drawing my attention away from it and to Twilight Sparkle.

“Leave me be, Twilight Sparkle,” I managed to choke out.

“Princess,” Twilight Sparkle persisted, “I'm sorry that things haven't worked out how we wanted. But you have to belive me when I say that Night Mare Night is one of the most popular celebrations we have.”

“Yes,” I said, rolling my eyes, “I can tell by the adoring shrieks of the children as they run away.”

“Princess...” Twilight Sparkle said, clearly hurt.

I stalked away before I could do any further damage.

“Thou art a sorry excuse for a ruler,” I announced to myself aloud in the middle of the Everfree Forest.

I had ranted to myself for the past five minutes, uncaring as to who might hear me. I looked up at the Moon, bathing the night in it's soft and welcoming glow.

“Maybe I should just banish myself and save my sister the trouble,” I said as I entered the forest clearing with the statue of Night Mare Moon, “I'm only one slip of my wits before transforming back into you.”

I glared at the statue in sudden seething rage. “Is that how thou had planned to win? By knowing from the very start that I was helpless to fight you, even freed from your grasp? Well, worry no more! It's only a matter of time before my sister eradicates me from Equestria, and saves the land from your still-lingering taint!”

“Um, Princess?” Twilight Sparkle asked hesitantly from behind me, “you may want to take a deep breath.”

“Why do you persist in this, Twilight Sparkle?” I snarled, “we have wasted your time, rewarded you by canceling 'one of the most popular celebrations you have', and very likely damaged your reputation by being in your presence.”

“Don't worry. I have a plan to fix that. I just need you to come with me,” Twilight Sparkle said.

“Just leave, Twilight Sparkle,” I growled.

“I know you're fustrated, Princess,” Twilight Sparkle said, “but I'm here to help you...”

“I think thou hast done enough of that tonight!” I yelled.

I took a deep breath and exhaled before speaking again.

“I'm sorry,” I said to Twilight Sparkle.

“No, it's my fault, Luna,” Twilight Sparkle apologized, “I should've waited until you calmed down to talk to you.”

I raised a hoof to halt her before Twilight Sparkle could say more. “No. No matter how furious I may be, I've no right to take it out on my friends. But this... plan... could you elaborate?”

“Well, I'm sort of making it up along the way,” Twilight Sparkle admitted, “but first, we're going back into Ponyville to reason things out with a certain oversized Gallus piecus domesticus.”

As we left, Twilight Sparkle took a small amount of candy at the base of the statue of Night Mare Moon that I hadn't noticed before.

I was curious, but I said nothing, instead opting to listen to Twilight Sparkle as she explained how she intended to for me to have a private audience with Pinkie Pie, the ringleader of the townschildren.

I was instantly suspicious at this plan's odds of success, but I kept my doubts to myself.

Twilight Sparkle and I snuck around to an alleyway that was near the edge of Ponyville.

“Wait here for a sec,” Twilight Sparkle said.

I nodded as confirmation, and I stepped as far back into the alleyway as possible, using my dark mane to blend into the shadows.

She came back minutes later, placing pieces of candy on the ground as she stepped back into the alleyway.

Soon after, Pinkie Pie began eating the trail of sweets.

Twilight Sparkle immediately gave a flying tackle to Pinkie Pie, and muffled Pinkie Pie's screams with her hoof. Pinkie Pie began to try to cry out.

“No!” Twilight Sparkle scolded, “no shrieking. No screaming or squealing either. Okay?”

“Okay,” Pinkie Pie said through Twilight Sparkle's hoof.

“There's someone that I want you to meet,” Twilight Sparkle said, “and I promise that it's safe, but you really, really, really can't shriek. Can you promise not to shriek?”

“Mm-hmm,” Pinkie Pie promised.

Twilight Sparkle slowly took her hoof off of Pinkie Pie as I stepped forward.

“Pinkie Pie, you remember Princess Luna, right?” Twilight Sparkle asked placatingly.

“Ah, the ringleader of the frightened children,” I said, “hast thou come to make peace?”

I offered my hoof, and Pinkie Pie outstretched hers in response.

No sooner had we touched than a thunderclap sounded from behind me. Pinkie Pie bolted with a shriek.

Twilight Sparkle tackled Pinkie Pie to the ground as I checked behind me to see a black storm cloud fly off.

I sighed and left Twilight Sparkle to negotiate with Pinkie Pie.

Two minutes later, Twilight Sparkle came back with Pinkie Pie in tow, this time with a sprightly skip in her step and sudden lack of fright towards me.

“Pinkie Pie gave me a genius idea!” Twilight Sparkle said excitedly.

“No, I didn't. I gave you a chicken idea. It's not that hard to tell the difference between a chicken and a genius, silly!” Pinkie Pie said.

“Hast thou any idea of what she just said?” I asked Twilight Sparkle.

“You get used to it after a while,” Twilight Sparkle said, “but for now, this is what I need you to do, Luna...”

It was a silly plan. A mad plan. A plan that, if any other pony except Twilight Sparkle had told me to follow, I would have sent them away for how utterly ludicrous it was.

Yet, here I was, hidden in the brush of the clearing with the statue of Night Mare Moon. I had false fangs in my teeth and illusionary magic casted directly onto me. I no longer looked like to Night Mare Moon, I looked exactly like Night Mare Moon.

Needless to say, I thought the success rate of Twilight Sparkle's 'chicken idea' was very low.

I waited only minutes before the townschildren, carrying tiny sacks containing small smounts of candy arrived at the statue of Night Mare Moon once again, lead by Twilight Sparkle.

Pipsqueak took his bag over the candy pile and held it upside-down, to have only one peice of candy fall out. “Good-bye Night Mare Night. Forever,” he said mournfully.

Twilight Sparkle gently tapped her back leg against a tree, giving me the signal.

I used my magic to create a windy gale that caused the children to scrabble around frantically as they tried to keep their balance.

“Citizens of Ponyville!” I growled menacingly in the royal Canterlot voice, “you were wise to bring this candy to me! I am pleased with your offering! So pleased, that I just might eat it...” I paused for dramatic effect as I teleported in front of them with a thunderclap, “instead of eating you!”

The children screamed in terror and ran for the umpteenth time that night. Only Twilight Sparkle remained, with an enthusiastic grin set firmly on her face.

I spat out the fake fangs and dispelled my illusion as the wind died down. “I am not certain that did what you meant for it to do, Twilight Sparkle.”

“Just wait,” Twilight Sparkle reassured me.

“For what? For... for them to scream some more?” I asked rhetorically.

I realized I could hear whispers from the children, who had evidently halted at the brush.

“So... which one of you is brave enough?” one child whispered.

“Not me!” another exclaimed.

“Not me two!” a third one whispered loudly in panic.

“I'll do it,” Pipsqueak whispered nervously.

“She almost got you once,” the first child whispered ominously, “but go ahead. It was nice knowing you, Pip.”

Pipsqueak stepped out from the brush. His knees shook like they were made of gelatin, but he advanced regardless, cautiously travelling close enough near me that I could reach out my foreleg and touch him.

“Um... Princess Luna,” he said nervously, “I know there's not going to be any more Night Mare Night, but do you suppose you could come back next year, and scare us again anyway?”

“Child,” I said, stunned, “are you saying that thou likest me to scare you?”

“It's really fun!” Pipsqueak said with childlike enthusiasm, “scary, but fun!”

“It... is?” I asked.

“Yeah! Night Mare Night is my favorite night of the year!” Pipsqueak said.

“Well then,” I chuckled, “we will have to bring Night Mare Night back!”

“Woah!” Pipsqueak exclaimed, “you're my favourite Princess ever!”

Pipsqueak ran off back to the brush. “She said yes, guys!”

Cheers of adoration could be heard as they went to greet Pipsqueak with excitement.

“Can it be true?” I said, as it slowly began to sink into my mind.

“Oh, most wonderful of...” I trailed off as I realized I slipped into the royal Canterlot voice once again. “I mean,” I said in a normal voice, “oh, most wonderful of nights.”

Laughing children lead the path that Twilight Sparkle and I took back to Ponyville. We took a slightly different path that lead us to where the chariot was parked.

I was still concealed in the treeline as I saw the little ponies regarding the chariot with awe.

“Hey, Pip. Go and touch the chariot,” one of the children, an orange pegasus filly dared.

I realized Idle Hooves was a distance away in the treeline. I caught his eye as I silently beckoned him over.

“What is it?” Idle Hooves said in curiosity.

“Play along with what I'm about to do,” I said with a grin.

“I'm not touching it,” Pipsqueak said, “you should go on the chariot! It was your idea!”

“What? No way!” the first child said.

“Scootaloo's a chicken!” another child whispered loudly.

“Fine!” Scootaloo said, “I'm gonna do it, just to show you that I'm not a chicken!”

“I wouldn't do that if I were you, my little ponies,” I cackled, “for you see, the spirits of my guards haunt this chariot. And do you know what they like to eat? Little children, just like you.”

I nudged Idle Hooves quickly.

“Mmm... yes...” Idle Hooves said in a remarkably spooky voice, “that orange one... she looks very tasty. Come on to the chariot, little one, I can't wait to eat you!”

“Never mind! Run for it!” Scootaloo yelled in absolute terror as she fled full-speed with the rest of the townschildren in tow.

It still escaped me that fun could include tossing spiders at webs as well as running for your life, but I could not put the smile off my face watching the dust cloud the children left in their wake.

Twilight Sparkle walked up to us.

“Wow. Where'd you learn to do that?” Twilight Sparkle asked Idle Hooves in astonishment.

Idle Hooves smiled. “Ever since Star was little, I'd tell her a horror story every eve of Night Mare Night. I got lots of practice doing spooky voices.”

“It sure paid off! Anyway, I gotta check up on the kids and then deliver my message to Princess Celestia,” Twilight Sparkle said.

“I can deliver thy message, if you so wish,” I offered.

“No thanks. It's a friendship report,” Twilight Sparkle explained.

“Friendship report?” I asked.

“Oh, Princess Celestia didn't tell you? Whenever I learn something about friendship, I write it down and hand it in as a report to Princess Celestia.”

“Pray tell, what could you have learned in tonight's chaos?”

“A lot more than you think,” Twilight Sparkle said, “and most of it I learned from you, Luna.”

“I'm... glad to be of assistance to you somehow. And... thank you for being my friend.”

Twilight Sparkle pushed her wizard's hat up as she smiled warmly. “The pleasure was all mine, Luna. Good-bye.”

“Good-bye, Twilight Sparkle.”

Twilight Sparkle teleported away in a flash of lavender sparks.

Chapter Thirteen

I suddenly became aware of my lack of awareness of the hour. “What time is it?”

I was promptly answered by twelve consecutive bongs from Ponyville's clock tower.

“Convenient,” Idle Hooves remarked.

“Very, with the exception that only you are here,” I said dryly, “have you any idea where the others are?”

Infectious Cheer, with haunted eyes and shaky breaths, walked with a concerned Favourable Outcome moments later.

“Are you alright?” I asked.

“Yeah, just fine, Princess,” Infectious Cheer replied shakily.

“We ran into a cave full of bats,” Favourable Outcome explained.

Idle Hooves visibly grimaced at that. “Are you okay?”

“No. I'm not. You should know that, out of anypony,” Infectious Cheer said, tersely as she saddled herself to my chariot.

“Why are you so scared of bats? There are way more dangerous things in that forest, but it's batsthat worry you?” Favourable Outcome asked as he saddled himself as well.

“Their beady eyes... the way they dive at you and chase you down... just creeps me out,” Infectious Happiness shivered.

“I kept telling you to stand still,” Favourable Outcome said, “they won't chase you if you stand still.”

“And wait for them to get me?” Infectious Cheer squealed, “no way!”

“If you stood still, they'd leave you alone...” Idle Hooves reasoned.

“Enough,” I intervened, “everypony has their own fears that they cannot face.”

“Then... what's your fear that you can't face?” Infectious Happiness said.

“Night Mares,” I said.

“Hunh,” Favourable Outcome said, “I didn't take you as the type of mare to be afraid of nightmares.”

“She is far more fearsome than you'd think,” I said.

“She?” Infectious Cheer asked.

“I won't say more than that,” I said, as I stepped onto my chariot.

The Lunar Guard prepared for takeoff, but I could see that Infectious Cheer was still shivering in fright.

The Lunar Guard coordinated their flight upwards, but I noticed it was slightly wobbly. Infectious Cheer was lead pony, but I could immediately see her wing speed was all over the place, going slowly and then speeding up, and then slowing back down as well as going in a small zig-zag pattern.

“Set me back where we started,” I ordered immediately.

They complied, and after we had touched back down on the ground, I ordered Infectious Cheer to unharness herself.

“I'm sorry, I'm so sorry, Princess Luna, I just can't think straight, just give me a minute, I mean, I'm fine, just...” Infectious Cheer blubbered.

“I understand, Infectious Cheer. Which is why you will sit in the chariot,” I said.

I got off and took Infectious Cheer's harness and saddled myself to my own chariot as Idle Hooves watched me, trying to surpress his shock.

Infectious Cheer was still standing next to me, even after I had harnessed myself.

“Problem?” I asked.

Infectious Cheer started like she'd been hit with a sudden jolt. “No, Prin- I mean, Luna, it's nothing.”

Infectious Cheer got onto the chariot.

Favourable Outcome was clearly trying not to laugh.

“Let's attempt this again,” I said.

Now, for those that have never flew as a lead pony, allow me to explain what it is like.

Imagine dancing as a duet. You and your partner must know where to move, and at what exact speed. At least, you have to if you're leading said dance. If you're simply being lead instead of leading, the task of not falling and tripping on your face while still actually dancing is far simpler.

I started forwards as lead pony, and chariot groaned horribly. I immediately halted to find that my two wing ponies were still going forwards, which resulted in me nearly being run over by my own chariot.

That is the chariot-pulling equivalent of falling flat on one's face.

Idle Hooves and Favourable Outcome halted as soon as they saw what had happened.

“Jeez, Princess,” Favourable Outcome teased, “you're supposed to start slowly. What flight camp did you get sent to?”

Idle Hooves visibly scowled at Favourable Outcome, as if he was the one under scrutiny instead of me.

“What is this 'flight camp?'” I asked.

“Well, that explains a lot,” Favourable Outcome said dryly.

“Show some respect to the Princess!” Idle Hooves said.

“Can you guys just stop?” Infectious Cheer asked quietly, peering over the chariot like Kilroy, “if Luna can't be lead pony, then maybe one of you two can? Unless you really need me...”

“A sound suggestion,” I agreed, “Idle Hooves, can you be lead pony?”

Idle Hooves shifted uncomfortably. “If you so wish, Luna.”

“Let me rephrase. Do you want to be lead pony?” I asked.

“Not really, but... if you really need me to be lead pony, I can handle it,” Idle Hooves said.

I levitated the harness I had on akwardly as I thought about my current dilemma.

Idle Hooves had proven himself to be a loving older brother as well as being quiet, calm, and competent. Adding to that, the fact my sister felt that he could handle being in my personal guard would suggest that his superiors took more than a cursory notice of him. Even with his apparent discomfort in the leadership role, he was still an appealing option.

And then there was Favourable Outcome. All I knew of him is that he liked to gamble and was known to bend the rules frequently. Not ideal credentials for a lead pony entrusted to guide my chariot.

And then I remembered what had transpired a few short hours ago. I had walked into a town that I had previously terrorized, knew that my reception was going to be chilly, and still had my hopes up like a little filly before it was predictably crushed, which I allowed to spiral into losing my temper and almost permanently canceled one of the most beloved holidays in Equestria.

I couldn't say that I was a perfect princess in the same way Favourable Outcome was not an ideal guard, yet Twilight Sparkle had put faith in me even still.

So I decided to put my faith in Favourable Outcome.

“Favourable Outcome, wouldst you like to be lead pony?” I asked.

“Yes!” Favourable Outcome said with as much delight as a colt being given his presents on Hearth's Warming Day.

We switched harnesses so that I was wing pony, or to extend my dancing analogy, I was now being led by my partner rather than leading.

“This is sweet!” Favourable Outcome squealed in delight as we made a successful takeoff into the night sky.

I found the task of flying while pulling my own chariot rather liberating in a sense. After months of doing nothing but reading books and engaging in diplomacy with ponies, the flight was a simple, but fun, change of pace.

My wings ached by the time we had landed back in Canterlot.

The Lunar Guard and I had silently deharnessed by the time we realized we could hear snoring. We peered over the chariot to find Infectious Cheer as the source of the noise.

“Soak her in cold water?” Favourable Outcome suggested.

“Is that thy typical first reaction when thou sees a sleeping pony?” I asked.

“Only the ones I know,” Favourable Outcome grinned.

Idle Hooves simply flew over and gently shook her until she woke up.

“Hunh? Are we there yet?” she asked sleepily before her eyes widened in embarrassment, “oh... sorry. The ride was so smooth, I just closed my eyes for a second and....”

“'Tis fine,” I said, “I do not take offence to sleep.”

“You're much more sympathetic and patient that the rumours say you are,” Idle Hooves said.

“No,” I said, “the rumours were right, at first. I... have met somepony who has encouraged me to be kinder to others, no matter how badly I first think them.”

“That's... kind of cheesy, but kinda nice at the same time,” Favourable Outcome said.

Infectious Cheer concealed a large yawn.

“You are all dismissed for the night,” I told the Lunar Guard.

“Understood,” the Lunar Guard said in unison.

I left with the Lunar Guard and, with a lack of other things to do, started towards the castle library. As the path out of Canterlot Castle and the path to the library were identical for many paces, I silently listened to their banter as they walked.

“I wonder if Star got a lot of candy,” Idle Hooves said.

“Where your parents live? When I was a filly, that was the jackpot neighbourhood for candy! The question isn't if, it's how much?” Infectious Cheer said.

“You're right. This is Star's first Night Mare Night without me guiding her along, so I was kind of worried,” Idle Hooves admitted.

“Aww, big brother's worried over her little sis! How cute,” Favourable Outcome cooed jokingly.

I am invisible to them, I realized.

It was nothing profound. I had long since tried to resign myself to not existing to my subjects until I was their revered ruler.

But tonight, hearing them talk about their lives in front of me, and not including me in the conversation, it irked me somehow.

“Are you heading home after this, or to your parent's place?” Infectious Cheer asked Idle Hooves.

“Parent's place. If I'm lucky they'll just have gotten home. You're coming?” Idle Hooves asked.

“Of course!” Infectious Cheer chirped.

“Excuse me, wouldst thou mind if... I came to visit as well?” I asked nervously.

Idle Hooves looked at me in surprise.

Why did I ask such a foolish question? I berated myself, I am a Princess, and he is my guard that has done his work. Even ruling out the vast difference in status, why would he want me in his home?

“Sure!” Infectious Happiness said, “the more, the merrier! It's all right with you, right, Idle?”

Idle Hooves smiled. “Of course. I'm just...”

“Just?” I asked.

“Just surprised that you'd want to visit. I'd think that the high society ponies are who you'd be friends with, being a princess and all...” Idle Hooves said.

“You would be surprised how little friend-making happens when you are one in high esteem,” I said.

“So... how long are you planning on visiting?” Favourable Outcome asked.

“Why do you wish to know? Are thou... you... coming as well?” I answered.

“Just curious,” was Favourable Outcome's reply.

“Likely long enough for a pleasant chat, and back to the castle in time to lower the Moon for my sister,” I said.

“Oh,” Favourable Outcome said, “well, anyways, I gotta get home, see ya!”

“I'd be careful if I were you,” Idle Hooves warned when Favourable Outcome had left us behind, “I know he's planning something.”

Chapter Fourteen

Idle Hooves, Infectious Cheer, and I stood at the door of Star's house.

It was about half-past twelve in the morning, with almost no lights on in the houses in Canterlot, except for Star's.

I waited for Idle Hooves to knock on the door to his house.

Nothing happened as we simply stood there.

I took a deep breath to calm my nerves.

Idle Hooves gave me a silent prompt.

“Please,” I said, “it's your parents house.”

“Well, yes,” Idle Hooves admitted reluctantly, “but you should have the honour of knocking, as Princess.”

“And this is the home of your parents,” I reminded him, “it would be polite if the son knocked, regardless of other circumstances.”

“Well, yes, but-”

Three loud knocks on the door from Infectious Cheer interrupted the somewhat akward debate.

Idle Hooves gave Infectious Cheer a dirty look.

“Standing around here arguing wasn't going to help us open the door,” Infectious Cheer said defensively.

“Yes, but-” Idle Hooves started to say, before being interrupted by the door being swung open.

I recognized the pony that had answered the door on sight. She was my personal hairdresser that had done my mane for my first reappearance to Canterlot. I had sought her out as my hairdresser ever since. “Idle! Cheer! Oh, and Princess Luna as well! It's an honour to have you here! Well, don't just stand there, come in, come in!”

Idle Hooves waited for Infectious Cheer to walk in first, and then watched me somewhat nervously. “Mares first?”

Deciding that now may not the best time to argue the technicalities and complications of etiquette, I took Idle Hooves's invitation and stepped into his parent's home.

“I'm absolutely surprised by your visit here, Princess Luna! If I had known, I would've spent a little bit of time cleaning up around here!” my hairdresser said.

I looked around. The home was a small, two-story house, and for the most part, it was fairly well-kept. A room that was apparently remodeled for hairdressing had a tile floor clean enough to find a momentary glimpse of my reflection as I passed by.

“It was a... spur of the moment idea,” I said.

“Is Star still up?” Infectious Cheer asked.

“Oh, no, we just sent her to bed. She was completely exhausted by the time we got home. Night Mare Night ran so much later than it usually did, lots of ponies running about in Night Mare Mo...” my hairdresser trailed off.

Idle Hooves's and his mother's expression made the air so laden with nervous tension I could almost taste it.

I gave my most welcoming smile as I said, “I appreciate your consideration towards my feelings on the subject of Night Mare Moon and Night Mare Night, but you may feel free to discuss such things in my presence. I do not take issue to either of those subjects.”

“Oh... thank you, Princess Luna,” my hairdresser said, somewhat awkwardly.

I immediately berated myself for resorting to formal answers in what was supposed to be a casual and friendly visit.

An earth pony with thick spectacles trotted down the stairs. “Gel, who's this?”

I realized that I had never asked my hairdresser for her name, in spite of her doing my mane for months. A tinge of embarrassment came over me.

“My name is Princess Luna,” I said.

He pushed his glasses further up his nose, and then smiled. “Ah, I thought you had looked familiar. Please, make yourself at home, Princess. Or, if you'd like, we could use an extra set of hooves to sort out Star's candy.”

Idle Hooves's father casually stuck out a hoof, and I shook it, much to the nerves of his son and wife. Infectious Cheer was trying not to laugh at their facial expressions, and Idle Hooves's father seemed to be utterly oblivious to the situation.

“Thank you,” I said, “if thou... you... would not mind, I would like to help sort out the candy. And what is thy name?”

“My name is Sort It Out, but please call me Sort,” Sort said, before leading me up the stairs to a makeshift living room with a large pile of candy on a coffee table in between two metal bowls.

“And before you ask,” Sort said, “the place where the living room is supposed to be is Gel's workplace. We had to shift the living room to the top floor so that the first floor could be where my wife works.”

“Some customers tend to feel somewhat alienated when brought up to the second floor, and we wanted this floor to be
guaranteed privacy,” Gel added.

“I see,” I said.

Infectious Cheer trotted over to the pile of candy. “Maybe you should just sit and relax, while Idle Hooves and the Princess and me sort the candy for you?”

“That would be lovely,” Gel said as she took a seat in an easy chair.

“Pray tell, what are we sorting these candies by?” I asked, “shape? Size? Type?”

“It's by whether the candies have been damaged or not,” Idle Hooves explained, “someponies put poison in the candy, so we check to see if any holes have been made in the packaging.”

“Poison in children's candy? Despicable,” I said.

Infectious Cheer nodded. “Most of the time, it's just that a hole got accidentally made and germs got in. Most of the time, anyways.”

Sort reached over from his living room sofa and grabbed a pink piece of candy, and held it out for my inspection. “Like this one over here, for example.”

I levitated it up and brought it close to my face. I spun it around, examining it, and I found the tiny hole that was made.

“I'm sure the Princess doesn't need help knowing what a hole in packaging looks like, dear,” Gel said nervously.

I shook my head. “This has helped me greatly. Thank you.”

We proceeded to sort the candies. I immediately noticed that Infectious Cheer was a quick worker. Every time I had inspected a piece of candy and placed it in the correct bowl, Infectious Cheer would have already put in two, and sometimes even a third.

Idle Hooves was much slower, only putting in one piece of candy for every two that I put in, but he went through the motions like a pony that had sorted candy for years.

Originally, I attributed his unusual sluggishness to him taking his time. However, I noticed that every time I looked over to see what he was doing, I found him watching me as he worked, only to quickly dart his gaze back to the candy he was inspecting when his gaze attracted mine.

I bit my cheek. I had wanted this to be friendly occasion, but Idle Hooves and his mother seemed to be overtly stressed at my presence, and no doubt my anxiety were only fueling theirs.

Infectious Cheer and Sort, however, had seemed to not mind my presence, but welcome it, a fact that made me determined to fix my current scenario.

“Is there any reason you keep looking my way?” I asked.

“No, Princess,” Idle Hooves answered immediately.

“They say it's bad courtesy to lie to a Princess,” I said.

“We're only trying to pay the proper courtesies to a pony like you,” Gel said meekly.

“'A pony like me,'” I repeated slowly, “and what would that entail?”

“Just relax, Princess,” Infectious Cheer interjected, “it's not your problem if he doesn't wanna loosen up.”

Idle Hooves snorted, as if he was trying to blow out his frustration.

I couldn't take it anymore. “Idle Hooves, may I have a word with you in private?”

Idle Hooves nearly dropped the piece of candy he was holding. “Of course, Prin-... Luna.”

We went downstairs.

“Why are you so nervous?” I asked.

“I'm not nervous,” Idle Hooves said quickly.

“You watch me, look back at what you were doing when I caught you multiple times, Infectious Cheer herself commented on your inability to 'loosen up', and yet you claim that you're not nervous. Forgive me if I think you are lying to me. Once again,” I said dryly.

“I'm very sorry as to my lack of conduct, Princess. It won't happen again,” Idle Hooves said stiffly.

“It's not the 'lack of conduct,'” I said, “it's how you insist on treating me like a Princess.”

Idle Hooves gave me a blank look. “I'm not sure if I follow.”

“I want to be thy... your friend, Idle Hooves. Please treat me like one,” I said.

Idle Hooves blinked. “Then, why did you come visit my parents's house?”

“Because I wished to spend time with you,” I said.

“So... this isn't a test?” Idle Hooves asked.

“Why would I want to test you?” I asked.

“I'm new and you ask out of the blue to come to my house... that's usually what Captains of the guard do to evaluate individual members...”

“If I wished to test you, then I would have done so before you were made a part of the Lunar Guard.”

Idle Hooves let out a massive sigh. “For the past week, I had been driving myself insane waiting for something to happen so that I could prove myself in the pop quiz I knew I saw coming. When you asked to come by my house I thought that that was the test for sure.”

“If you want my opinion on you, Idle Hooves, it is that you're a caring older brother that gets his work done admirably.”

“Thank you, Princess.”

“Now, shall we get back to the sorting? I would hate to leave all work to Infectious Cheer,” I said.

“Of course,” Idle Hooves sighed.

“What is wrong?” I asked.

“Infectious Cheer kept telling me that I was being paranoid, but I didn't believe her. I guess she was right all along,” Idle Hooves said.

Idle Hooves and I rejoined Infectious Cheer, Gel, and Sort, were waiting anxiously for us.

“Is everything all right, Princess?” Gel asked worriedly.

“It is fine. I simply have one request to make,” I said.

“Just say it, and I'll see what I can do,” Sort said.

“Call me Luna,” I said.

“Well, Luna,” Infectious Cheer said, “you still up for some sorting?”

“Yes,” I said.

It was rather enjoyable. I was rather slow in comparison to Idle Hooves, who managed to sort three candies by the time I put in one, out pacing even Infectious Cheer. Gel was still slightly tense, but as soon as she realized that her son was at ease she decided she could be as well.

After some small talk, I asked Gel about her work with clients other than myself. Gel proved to be even more passionate about her work than I ever thought one could possibly be. I learned more that night about personal mane care then I ever thought I would acquire in my lifetime.

Soon, we were done, the work passing by quickly.

“I think it is time for me to go,” I said, “the Moon must lower soon.”

Gel nodded. “It was wonderful having you over to visit.”

“Thank you for allowing me your hospitality,” I said.

Idle Hooves smiled. “The pleasure was all ours, Luna.”

Chapter Fifteen

I walked home from Star's house. It was still a beautiful moonlit night, although the dimly lit street lights were just bright enough to obscure most of the stars in the cloudy night sky. Pity.

As I walked down a dark street, I heard a voice call out to me. “Luna...”

I whirled around to find the voice, but the acoustics made it nigh impossible.

“Luna...” the voice said again. It sounded feminine, yet masculine, as if one gender was trying to mimic the other.

“Who are you?” I asked.

“Luna... I thought you would remember me,” the voice said in a mock pout.

“Night Mare Moon?” I asked tentatively.

“Oh goody! You do remember me!” Night Mare Moon giggled.

“Show yourself!” I demanded.

In answer, a trash can lid rolled onto the street, bouncing loudly every time it went over a crack in the cobblestone street. While it clattered along the ground, I felt a whoosh of air hit my neck. I turned and looked behind me to find...

Nothing.

The garbage can lid slowly ran out of energy and succumbed to gravity, leaving it lying motionlessly in the middle of the street.

“Take a look,” Night Mare Moon whispered. I could barely hear her over the sound of my own heart hammering.

I considered running, but I had a feeling that Night Mare Moon would be expecting that.

I took cautious steps forward, keeping my senses alert for any signs of movement.

I checked over my shoulder to ensure nothing was there, before I levitated the garbage can lid for close inspection.

“Boo,” Night Mare Moon said softly from behind.

I lashed out with my back legs. I felt purchase on Night Mare Moon's flesh.

The garbage can lid clattered against the floor noisily, but it failed to drown out her immediate cry of pain.

I spun around to meet Night Mare Moon face-to-face.

Instead, I found a pony in a white bedsheet, with crudely cut eyeholes.

Light filtered onto the street as several lightbulbs were turned on.

The past-midnight commotion was not going to be good for my reputation if I was caught.

I teleported frantically back to my room in Canterlot Castle.

In a heartbeat, I was back in my bedchambers with my assailant.

The disguised attacker lifted up his bedsheet and let it fall to the floor with one hoof as he used his other to massage his nose.

“Owch, Princess, that's one heckuva kick,” Favourable Outcome said in a nasally voice.

“What were you doing?” I said angrily.

“Happy Night Mare Night?” Favourable Outcome said sheepishly.

The tension inside me broke. I started to laugh, doubling over in the process.

“What's so funny?” he asked.

“I... the Princess of the Night... fooled into thinking a pony in a bedsheet... was Night Ma... Mare Moon herself....” I managed to say in between my fits of laughter.

Favourable Outcome started to laugh as well.

“So... are you still mad?” Favourable Outcome asked once we had both stopped laughing.

“Initally, we... I was,” I admitted, “but that was rather... fun.”

“Glad to hear it,” Favourable Outcome said.

“I must ask, however... why go so far as to hurry home, find the blanket, and set up your plan?” I asked.

“When you said that you were going to be out in Canterlot, it just came to me right then.”

“Not how, why?”

“Friends don't let friends have boring Night Mare Nights,” Favourable Outcome said with a sly grin.

I returned his grin in full. “Thank you, Favourable Outcome. I assure you, my Night Mare Night has been far from boring.”

We said our goodbyes as Favourable Outcome left my room, taking his blanket with him.

I looked at the time. It was four in the morning. Time for me to lower the moon, causing twilight until my sister raised the Sun.

I did so, this time with as much effort as breathing. Already, I had regained my full power from when the Elements of Harmony took it away from me.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the covered mirror I had left before I went to the Night Mare Night celebration.

I took the blanket off and looked at myself in the mirror once again. This time, instead of Night Mare Moon peering back at me, I simply saw myself.

I put the blanket back on the bed, tucked it in neatly, and slept.

I woke, and looked outside the windows. Usually, the Sun was dipping below the horizion as the sky turned a warm orange glow, but today it was a bright blue sky.

I attempted to drift back to sleep, but to no avail. The previous night had somehow energized me, not tired me. Deciding not to fight my body's unwillingness to sleep, I got up and went to find my sister.

I failed to find my sister in the throne room, her study, or the garden, which was fairly unusual. If she was leaving the castle she would have told me. I decided that left only one other place she could be: her bedchambers.

I found two guards barricading the doors to her room.

“Excuse me,” I said.

“Princess Celestia is sleeping,” one guard said, “she does not want to be disturbed by anypony.”

“Is this her first rest since I have returned to Equestria?” I asked the guards.

“We are not allowed to reveal that kind of information,” the other guard said stiffly.

“Does thou remember whom you are speaking to?” I asked in the royal Canterlot voice.

“This is her first piece of sleep since seven months ago. She expressed a desire to stay awake until she had dealt with Night Mare Moon,” the first guard suddenly volunteered.

But Night Mare Moon has been defeated for six months. Even I am beginning to think she no longer remains a threat, I mused.

“Thank you, gentlecolts,” I said aloud as I continued on my way.

It was nighttime when she finally reappeared in the library.

“Good evening,” I greeted her.

“Mmm? Ah... good morning... er, evening,” she said, sounding like she had been running a marathon instead of sleeping.

“Did you have a good sleep?” I inquired.

“Urgh... yes, I did. Everything is fine, little sister. No need to worry,” my sister admitted.

“You sound far from alright.”

“I'm okay.”

“A moment ago, you were alright,” I said, a little louder than I intended.

“Princess Luna!” Favourable Outcome said, “it's a disaster! You must come at once!”

“Could you check on that for me?” my sister asked in the middle of a surpressed yawn.

I followed Favourable Outcome as he urgently led me out of the library and into a spare room in the castle, where Idle Hooves waited for me.

“What is the meaning of this?” I asked.

“You were about to get on Princess Celestia's bad side,” Favourable Outcome said flatly.

“What?” I said.

“With all due respect, Luna,” Idle Hooves said, “we heard the conversation you were having with Princess Celestia.”

“You aren't going to find out anything by asking her a bunch of questions and hoping she'll give up and answer,” Frank Words said.

“But... then how will I be able to help her?” I asked.

“You can't right now,” Idle Hooves said, “the only way to help her is to drop the conversation now, and wait until she's ready to tell you.”

“I cannot wait until my sister tells me that she is suffering from nightmares,” I said gruffly.

“Then you need to trick her into helping you help her,” Favourable Outcome suggested.

“Very well. I shall 'drop the conversation' for now,” I said as I went to rejoin myself with my sister before I stopped. “Thank you, Idle and Favour.”

“For... what?” Favourable Outcome asked.

“For your help, of course,” I said.

I went back to my sister, with Idle Hooves and Frank Words just passing us on their patrol.

“Is everything alright?” my sister asked, her face reconstructed into a mask that showed no signs of fatigue.

I made a show of pouting loudly. “It's fine, just clumsy guards. But as I was saying... hmm, I can't remember what we were talking about. Do you?”

My sister made a show of thinking hard. “I... can't seem to remember either. Must not have been that important.”

I nodded in agreement.“If you happen to remember, remind me.”

My sister nodded as well and smiled as she said, “of course.”

As we went our separate ways, I concentrated on hiding my worry under a mask of my own.

If Night Mare Moon was in my sister's dreams... no. My sister is too pure, too self-righteous, too good to be caught in Night Mare Moon's trap. Likely she is simply exhausted from her work... if only she would let me help her... I thought to myself in frustration.

Then you need to trick her into helping you fix it, Favourable Outcome had said.

I was not by any means a trickster, but I realized I could not simply sit around on my laurels and wait for my sister to deem me worthy of helping her with her work.

If my sister would not tell me her problems, then I will help her solve the one I know she has for sure.

I could wait until my sister fell asleep and wait until I could use Dream Travel...

No. My sister would have to be asleep for me to use Dream Travel. She could force herself to be awake for months, and my patience was not going to allow me to wait that long. And that was not counting the possible dangers. Even as powerful as I was already, I wasn't going to attempt that spell. Not if I had other options.

Which meant that I was going to have to devise another plan.

Chapter Sixteen

I most of the night wondering how I was going to trick my sister into telling me her problems, or at the very least, go on an extended vacation for her own sake.

I paced in my room, back and forth, back and forth.

My hooves were aching by the time I had stopped, and still no ideas came to mind, except one.

Ask my guards for an idea.

Could I trust them with my personal problems? They were my friends, but we had only been friends for a meager week or so.

If I cannot trust them, then I cannot trust anypony, I realized.

“You wanted me, Luna?” Infectious Cheer asked.

“I need you to help me think of a plan to trick my sister into telling me what exactly is ailing her,” I said.

“Why?”

“Because she shows signs of fatigue, even after sleeping. She trots along, claiming that everything is fine and that she does not require my help, but if she continues down the path she is taking she will be too exhausted to rule Equestria, while I sit here, doing nothing because she refuses my help!”

“So just tell her that.”

I blinked. “What did you say?”

“Just walk up to her tell her how you feel, and then just force her to take a vacation. If you really have a problem with somepony, then just telling them that you do and why is always the quickest and easiest way. It's called the direct approach.”

I hugged Infectious Cheer. “Oh, thank you! I had been puzzling over this conundrum for-”

“Luna... squishing me... and really loud...” Infectious Cheer moaned.

I realized I had slipped into the Royal Canterlot voice in my excitement as I let go. “Our apologies,” I said.

Infectious Cheer smiled. “It's fine. Good luck with Princess Celestia, though. You're going to need it.”

I marched up to my sister in her room the early morning after.

“You are on vacation,” I said.

“What?” my sister asked.

“You are exhausted from your work. I will take over all of it, and you will stay in your room and rest,” I said firmly.

“Luna, we've talked about this before, you need your re-”

“Sister, I am not a filly to patronize and hush. I am a Princess of Equestria, and it is beyond high time I resumed those responsibilities. You have carried the burden of raising both the Sun and Moon for a thousand years now, as well as ruling Equestria on your own in my absence and six and a half months afterwards.

“You are the one who needs her rest,” I said in a tone that brooked no argument.

My sister smiled. “Very well then. What am I going to do in the meantime?”

“Sleep,” I said gruffly, “or, failing that, read a book that piques your interest. If I catch a glimpse of you in the throne room, or even look at an official document, I will order guards to lock you in thy room!”

My sister laughed.

“What is so funny?” I asked.

“Perhaps you are ready to return to your responsibilities,” my sister chuckled, “I was waiting all this time for you to do something like this.”

My jaw fell to the floor. “You... you... what?”

“I thought that the sure sign of you being ready to rule Equestria with me once again was when you had regained your self-confidence, and had lost your fears and guilt of Night Mare Moon. I admit, I was starting to get worried that you would never come in and tell me off like that.”

“Just for that, sister, I'm ensuring that thy vacation lasts three months. I'm sending you off to...” I paused to think of a good locale.

“Ponyville,” I decided.

“Well, then, I suppose I should-”

“Rest,” I interjected, “I will deal with the letters to the mayor and to thy student, as well as all other preparations pertaining to your vacation.”

“In that case, I'm going to the library to borrow some Daring Do books,” my sister said in amusement, “I had been meaning to read those for years.”

As my sister left, I simply stared at where she had gone.

That went better than I had expected, I thought.

My first order of business was in the throne room. I sat where Celestia sat.

Everypony surreptitiously glanced at me, and then around the room.

“If you are looking to speak with Princess Celestia, she is unavailable,” I declared, “anypony that wishes to speak with her shall speak with me.”

Four armed guards that were stationed next to the throne exchanged glances with one another, and then carried on as if nothing was amiss.

The rest of the room was somewhat more expressive, but reached the same conclusion as well.

“I am glad we have all reached an understanding,” I said dryly, “can the first case step forwards, please?”

An earth pony farmer and a unicorn in a business suit stepped forwards. The farmer, claimed that his taxes by the landowner, the unicorn, were being driven too high. The landowner argued that the increase in cost was perfectly reasonable and that the farmer was being too greedy with his money.

I held back a grimace. If the first case was an indication of what was to come, this was going to be a lengthy and tiring three months.

The next two weeks were an overwhelming tsunami of responsibility. Between putting myself in charge of all of my sister's duties, (with the exception of raising and lowering the Sun, I still left that one thing to her,) and organizing a last-minute trip to Ponyville for my sister, I hardly had any free time to lounge about.

I made use of my Lunar Guard as my personal pages, as the castle guard of my sister's provided the required security.

I expressed concern over whether I should be using the Lunar Guard as such, but Idle Hooves, Favourable Outcome, and Infectious Cheer all agreed that they would help me in any way they could, even if that was merely running messages from one end of the castle to another.

As I pored over countless papers in my room one late afternoon, I smelled smoke.

I whirled around to find the source of the scent, to find smoke coalescing together and forming a scroll, with the official Ponyville seal freshly stamped onto it.

I undid the binding and read it. It was a rather terse letter.

Dear Princess Luna,

Princess Celestia has collapsed. You are needed in Ponyville as soon as you can.

Signed, Twilight Sparkle

I heard a knock on the door to my room.

“Enter,” I said.

Favourable Outcome walked through the door. “I don't want to tell you bad news, but-”

“I have even worse news,” I interrupted, “get Idle Hooves and Infectious Cheer to my chariot as soon as possible. I'll explain once you're all gathered there.”

“But what about-”

“Everything else can wait. My sister may be in danger.”

It took only a quarter-hour to have the Lunar Guard assembled and in flight to Ponyville.

I landed in the town square of Ponyville, where Twilight Sparkle anxiously waited for me.

I instructed the Lunar Guard to keep an eye on the chariot.

Twilight Sparkle took me to the Ponyville Hospital, where my sister was lying in an expanded hospital bed. There were various wires attached to her wings and chest.

“What happened?” I asked Twilight Sparkle.

“I-I-I'm not really sure myself,” Twilight Sparkle stammered, “I was walking along the Everfree Forest with Princess Celestia, and she seemed a little... out of it, so I asked if she wanted to sit down and rest a bit instead of walking. She said no, and we kept on walking, and then she just... collapsed.”

“We took a test on her mental activity, right before you had arrived, Princess Luna,” a nearby doctor informed me, “as far as we can guess, she's in a dream that she literally can't wake up from.”

“A coma?” Twilight Sparkle guessed.

The doctor shook his head. “Not a coma, her brain signals are still intact and are in fact going on overdrive. If I had to guess, it would be a magically induced dream, or more accurately, a nightmare.”

“Thank you, doctor. I know for certain what my sister suffers from,” I said.

“You do?” Twilight Sparkle asked.

I nodded. “It is a spell simply called Eternal Nightmare. It puts you in a never ending nightmare that one cannot wake from, except if the caster voluntarily ends the spell, or one slips into the nightmare and frees the victim.”

“So what should we do, then?” the doctor asked.

“I will take her back to Canterlot Castle. As for you, doctor, and Twilight Sparkle, I need you to reassure the townsfolk that everything is under control,” I said.

The doctor detached all the wires my sister had on her. I levitated her through the hospital and onto the chariot, to the shock and fright of anypony who saw what was going on.

Behind me, I could hear Twilight Sparkle attempting to reassure the villager's, which would have been more effective if she didn't sound so nervous herself.

I told the Lunar Guard to fly my sister to Canterlot Castle and then bring her my room. I teleported myself back to Canterlot unceremoniously.

I would have taken my sister with me, but strong outside stimuli would affect the Eternal Nightmare, and I did not want to risk making things worse.

I checked the time. The Sun was scheduled to set soon.

Focusing my powers, I lowered the Sun and brought forth the night, and then waited anxiously for my sister to arrive.

Hours later, my Lunar Guard accompanied by three other guards brought my sister inside my room on a massive stretcher. I thanked all the guards and promptly dismissed them. All three of my Lunar Guard, however, hovered at the doorway.

“Are you going to be okay?” Infectious Cheer asked.

I bit my lip. “To be frank, I will be walking into a trap. At the very least, I will have to be cautious.”

“You'll be fine,” Favourable Outcome said, “I don't know what you're going up against, but you'll be fine. I mean, your worst enemy is a bedsheet. How bad can it be?”

“I thought it was Night Mare Moon,” I said.

“So?” Favourable Outcome said, “fear comes from tricking yourself to think something is real when it isn't. So just keep track of what's real, and you'll be fine.”

“Wow,” Infectious Cheer commented, “that's deep.”

“Star was really disappointed to find out she had missed you on Night Mare Night,” Idle Hooves said suddenly, “would you mind paying her a visit when you come back?”

“When I come back,” I agreed.

My sister thrashed violently before stopping just as suddenly as she began.

“Thank you for visiting,” I said, “but I need my concentration.”

The Lunar Guard nodded and left, shutting the door behind them.

I focused on calming my mind, preparing myself to use Dream Travel. Dream Travel was a spell that was nearly impossible to perform. One had to keep absolute focus while completely asleep, a paradox that could only be overcome by powerful magical users, such as myself.

I shut my eyes, relaxed my body as much as I could, and drifted off to sleep. As I did, I cast Walking Dreams. I felt my conscious separate from my body, which gave me the sensation of feeling weightless.

I found myself in a dark corridor, with an endless expanse of doors lining either side with various names on them. The floor was covered by a black carpet with an ornate pattern. The ceiling wasn't there, it was simply a black expanse of nothing.

It had been over a thousand years since I went down this corridor, and it hadn't changed in the slightest.
I drifted down the corridor, the only light provided to me was by the multicoloured lights peeking out from the cracks of other ponies dreams. They were just bright enough to provide enough illumination to read what were written on the doors.

Without much searching, I found a door labelled Celestia Moon.

I grimaced. If the name had been distorted to include Night Mare Moon, then what else had she already done?

I stood right in front of the dark entrance, trying to peer inside without stepping hoof into it. The crack underneath the door showed no signs of light.

Steeling my nerves, I finally entered somepony's dream for the first time in a thousand years.

It was dark. Even for somepony like me that cherished the night, it was dark. I looked up, trying to find some semblance of a night sky, but even the Moon or the Sun wasn't there.

“I was wondering if you were going to show your face or not,” Night Mare Moon said.

I looked around, trying to find Night Mare Moon, but I could hardly see my hoof in front of my face, let alone her.

“Need a little light?” Night Mare Moon asked.

“Show yourself!” I said.

“If I wanted to do that, I wouldn't have turned out the lights, now would I?” Night Mare Moon sneered, “but that's besides the point. I think you're looking for somepony else.”

A dim glow illuminated my sister, frozen in place. Her eyes told me one thing. Run.

“Sister!” I cried out.

“You see?” Night Mare Moon said, “I have your sister right where I want her. Your sister, the better one, the most loved one, the one who got all the attention and gifts, and then pitied you when you got nothing. She's good as gone, all thanks to me!”

Night Mare Moon laughed.

“No,” I said.

“No?”

“I won't let you do this,” I said.

“Oh please, I'm Night Mare Moon. I have total control over any nightmare, and there is nothing you can do to change that.”

I focused my concentration, and brought forth the Moon.

“Wait, what?” Night Mare Moon said, “what are you doing?”

The moonlight dispelled the darkness, revealing a grassy hill surrounded by forest. As the moonlight bathed the area, my sister began to stir.

“What did you do?” Night Mare Moon cried.

“I changed this place from a nightmare to a dream. You no longer have absolute power here,” I said, “I do.”

“But how?” Night Mare Moon cried, “the fear...”

“I am no longer afraid of you,” I said.

Night Mare Moon shimmered, and then appeared in front of me, her massive stature reduced to the size of a filly.

“I will be back,” Night Mare Moon growled, “I will exist in your subconscious for as long as you live, egging you on when you are weakest, and waiting as long as it takes for you to come back to me.”

“I have friends who will keep my doubts at bay,” I said, “and I will always have my sister.”

Night Mare Moon scowled, before flying away.

My sister walked next to me.

“Thank you,” my sister said, “for rescuing me from Night Mare Moon's grasp upon me.”

“You're welcome, sister,” I said.

“I'm sorry I didn't tell you about my nightmares. I had hoped they would go away in their own time, but I simply endangered everypony involved,” my sister said miserably.

I gave her a hug. “I'm simply happy to see that you're safe, big sister. I love you.”

“I love you too, little sister.”

We embraced for a long while, before stepping back and silently enjoying the moonlit view of the forest.

It was my sister who broke the silence. “Are you truly jealous of me?”

I had to think about what I said before replying. “Yes. I am. But I still love you, big sister.”

My sister thought for a moment before answering. “I suppose that in the end, that's what matters most.”

I nodded, before taking flight.

“Where are you going?” my sister asked.

“I have not walked through nightmares in a long time,” I said, “I believe it is high time I began. Sweet dreams, big sister.”

My older sister smiled at me. “Thank you.”

I turned around, and flew to another nightmare. Which one it was or whom it belonged to, I did not know.

But I knew that this was my responsibility, even if that meant I did not gain as much attention as my sister.

As long as I had friends and family, I would accept my responsibility without a singular doubt in my mind.