Equestrian Darkness

by Arreis Of Avalon

Rating: teen
Tags: Nightmare Moon, Discord, Princess Celestia, Sad, Princess Luna, Gore, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Dark
Length: 8535

How did Luna become Nightmare Moon? Was it really connected to Discord? How did Tia manage to use the Elements of Harmony against her sister with only her elements? All that and more is answered in this, "Equestrian Darkness".

Long ago, Discord was defeated. But, what happened after he was? Let's delve deeper into the lives of the Princesses. Let's see what caused Tia to banish her only sister to the moon. Let's see how Discord was truly able to come back out of stone after Luna was back home, safe and sound. Let's take a look into the past, and see how life became a Nightmare.

Published 2013-06-23 17:50:02 UTC
Last updated 2013-06-26 16:31:19 UTC

Nightly Visits

It was almost midnight. Luna knew this, having raised the full moon just a few hours ago. ‘Does time really go by that fast?’ she wondered. She stared up at the moon, seeing its blank face staring at her. She sighed. ‘It’s always the worst when there is a full moon’ she thought. ‘His voice just gets clearer and more convincing.’ “Stop it, Luna!” she said to herself. “If you think that he can make you think that, he will be more convincing! If you just believe in yourself, you won’t give him any footholds in your mind!”

“Can’t I, Luna?”

Luna’s eyes widened in fear. “No! Not yet!” She said. “It can’t be midnight yet!!”

The voice chuckled darkly. “Oh, Luna, you’ve grown to be such a bore. If I came every night a midnight, we wouldn’t have any fun.”

“No Discord! You- you aren’t here! He’s not here, Luna, he’s not her-“

“Oh, Luna, I forgot how grim you are. It’s just so hard to remember things when your body is imprisoned in stone. OH! I just had a fantastic idea. Why not play a game?"

“No, Discord! I- I won’t fall for your tricks again tonight!” Luna spun around, futilely trying to see where the voice was coming from. ‘Not again, Not again! This happens every night now!’

It had been going on for a good year now, since he was first encased in stone. They had started as mere nightmares, but slowly grew to haunt the princess’s mind through the entire day. Luna held her head in her hooves, sobbing into them. “N-not again,” she repeated.

Discord just laughed. “I don't come every night, my little Luna, but that’s not the point right now. What game should we play? Oh, what about the riddle game? I know you love to play that one, Luna…”

‘It’s such a smooth and convincing voice… maybe…. Maybe I should just listen to him…’ Luna sat on the floor, silently weeping inside.

“Why don’t I go first?” Luna, not knowing what else to do, just nodded. “Good. Let’s begin." Luna sighed. She knew what happened next.

“Pony of darkness
A Mare of the night
Stuck forever In the Moon’s light.”

Luna knew she was a pony of darkness, never able to be rid of the moon. All the ponies played and rejoiced in her sister’s morning, and shunned her mysterious night.

“A horrible fate
From a child of sun
Away From which you cannot run.”

Her sister always had gotten everything before she had. 'Even a cutie mark’ Luna realized. Discord knew Luna harbored feelings of envy to her sister. That was just what he had expected. She knew. One more night and he would have her. She would be his. He would play his final card. Discord would be grinning as her body began to change color to a dimmer blue, shaded with grey.

“Twists and turns
Across the stars
A mare of darkness is what you are.”

The midnight bell began to toll, ringing its dark song out for all to hear.
Dong.

A pony of the night.
Dong.

Stuck in the light of the moon.
Dong.

A horrible fate to come.
Dong.

Celestia with her sun.
Dong.

There could be no running.
Dong.

Twists and turns.
Dong.

Across the stars
Dong.

Stuck. Forever.
Dong.

‘No'
Dong.

"No."
Dong.

"NO!"
Dong.

She looked up. She opened tearful yet cold eyes, the eyes of defiance and hatred.

“No.”

A flash of light, and Luna slipped into a restless sleep, darkness tugging at the edges of her nightmares. Discord laughed. 'Sleep well, dear Princess, and dream of the fate to come.'

Author's Note

WOW, lots of italics. So, technically, THIS was my first fan fic. I began writing it when i first saw MLP, during season 1. It kind of... Yeah, it really actually sucks. I'm editing the HECK out of this. ^^;; In any case, enjoy the story.

Celestia's Concern

Princess Celestia had awoken some hours earlier to raise the sun. Now, at what she presumed to be midday, she went to check on her Sister Luna. ‘Maybe today she will be feeling better’ Celestia thought. As Celestia neared Luna’s door, she thought she heard something. Could it possibly be… crying? She knocked on her sister’s door. “Luna, are you up yet?”She asked. The crying stopped. When the being inside spoke, it did not sound like her sister. Or, at least, not quite her sisters voice. There was a touch of something in her sister’s voice that Celestia had only heard a few times. The last time her voice had held this emotion, they had been about to face Discord. It was the touch of fear in Luna’s voice that scared Princess Celestia.

“Y-yes, Tia. I‘m up,” the voice inside said. “I- I’m feeling a little sick today, sister. I think I- I’m just going to lie down…” Celestia frowned.

“Are you sure you’re alright, Luna? Should I send for Nurse -“

“No!” Celestia recoiled, as though she had been struck. That was defiantly not her sister.

“Who are you,” she asked the being who had replaced her sisters place, “And what have you done to Luna?”

“I- I’m your sister, Tia! I am Luna!” The trace of fear in her voice was gone now. All that was left was something else that Celestia had thought was all but gone in Equestria. Chaos. Panic.

Celestia decided to play along with who she believed was her sister now. “Ok, Luna. I’m sorry. Your voice sounds different, no doubt from your cold. I will take over your duties for today. I hope you feel better.”

“Thank you, Tia.”

As Celestia walked away, Luna sighed. She turned to stare at her newly found cutie mark, a Moon, signifying her fate to come. Tia must have known something was wrong. She was a foal, never investigating what needed to be looked into. Luna sat on her bed and cried helplessly. ‘Why won’t anypony help me?’

Author's Note

Short chapters, sorry. ^^;; I love writing, and I began writing this when i first got into writing. So, expect short chapters and a bit of confusing grammar. Also, the story goes REALLY fast. I still haven't quite learned how to pace myself. ^^;;

The Moons Last Hour

It was after midnight, Luna knew, but she was determined not to be fooled again. In fact, she was determined to put a stop to Discord’s trickery once and for all. She and Tia had faced him once before, and they could do it once again. Yet, even as she told herself this, inside she was broken. She felt like a twig about to snap under pressure, and though she may try to delude herself, she knew tonight was her last night of defiance. She had lied awake for hours, waiting and watching for him. She waited.
And he came.

“Well, what do we have here?” The voice asked, startling Luna. “It seems our sweet little mare was so excited to see me again she stayed up all night just to see me! Why, Luna, You shouldn’t have!”

“Enough, Discord!” she said in her most powerful voice, which was rather weak to be honest. Discord chuckled darkly. “You are imprisoned in stone, and can do no harm to me here!” There was a pause… Then a dark chuckling, laughter sounded that chilled Luna to the bone.

“Can’t I?” There was a flash, and Discord appeared before her. Every other time, he had been just a voice in the young ones mind, but now he showed himself, exactly as he was, though a bit faded. Lunas eyes widened, staring at him.

Her resistance was shattered. Seeing him again, the being that had caused her pain, her suffering… Her Princess Hood. He caused it all……

“Did I really, Luna? Did I MAKE you imprison me?” His voice was so calm, with a smooth edge behind it. He was right. Discord’s chaos hadn’t been intolerable. Luna gasped as memories surfaced that had been long forgotten. Had they ever really happened? Celestia and herself running through popcorn, eating chocolate milk filled cotton candy clouds… Celestia, discovering the elements of harmony, forcing Luna to go with her to defeat Discord. She had been so scared, but Celestia had made her go right up to his throne and face him.

“N-No.” She struggled to say as darkness yet again began to tug at the edges of her eye sight. Discord only laughed as Lunas coat began to fade to a dull grey, nearly black.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Celestia was still walking to her room. As she walked by her sister’s room, she thought she heard voices. “You are imprisoned in stone, and can do no harm to me here!” Who was her sister talking to? Then laughter rang out, startling Celestia. She knew that laugh from somewhere….

“Can’t I?” Celestia gasped, to surprised to speak. How could Discord have returned? She felt paralyzed; she couldn’t move a muscle. “Did I really, Luna? Did I MAKE you imprison me?” Did he really… What? Then she saw memories, memories and thoughts that had never been hers. Roaming through popcorn fields, eating clouds… that was not how things used to be. Celestia and her sister had to work hard, trying to survive without being able to grow crops and take care of their family. Then one day Celestia found a hidden chamber beneath the house. Inside where 6 stones, bearing the marks of the elements of harmony. Celestia knew these were the only things that could save Equestria from Discord. She also knew she could not use them alone, and she asked her sister to help her. Together, they defeated Discord. Celestia shook her head, and finally made her way inside her sister’s room.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

“N-No.” Luna repeated, her vision failing her as shadows tore at her mind.

“Discord!” Luna jumped, startled at the sudden sound. She looked up to see her sister standing in the doorway, a stern look on her face.

“T-Tia…” Celestia looked at her sister, and Discord grinned. Suddenly, Luna dropped to the ground , screaming, being assaulted by memories again. Tia gasped too, seeing everything she did. She even remembered what they had said.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
“But, Tia, he is the God of Chaos. We’re just kids. How can we go against him?”

“No, Luna! We’re not. We have the Elements of Harmony! They have so much power, we could defeat him so easily! He won’t even see us coming!”

“But…”

“Come on, Luna! I need you to help me! I can’t do this alone!”

Luna’s eyes narrowed as more memories surfaced.

“Discord, God of Disharmony and Chaos!” her sister had screamed. Luna had been terrified.

“T-TIA! Why are you calling to him?” She had said, huddling behind Celestia.

“I know what I’m doing, Luna.”

Luna remembered Discord looking at them from his castle throne, the same castle she lived in today. And what had he done? He had laughed at them. He had sat there and laughed at them. “Who are you?” he finally managed to ask.
Celestia stepped up to his throne. “Our names are unimportant. What is important is that we will defeat you!”

Discord glared at them. “Nevermind, Celestia.” Celestia took a step back, surprised. “Oh, don’t be so surprised. I plucked your names out of little Luna’s mind. My, aren’t you the determined one,” he said to Celestia as she stepped up once again. “Well, if you’re going to defeat me, you might as well get on with it. I’m missing an awful lot of Chaos here.”

Celestia looked back at Luna and grinned. Luna timidly walked up to the throne. From under her wings she pulled out the stones that were the Elements of Harmony. Discord recoiled. “Where did you find those?!” Celestia didn’t answer, but lifted her head as the stones began to roll on the floor.

Celestia had investigated the strange stones at their home. Loyalty, Honesty, Laughter, Generosity, Kindness, and an unknown element. Celestia was Loyalty, Generosity and Honesty. Luna was Kindness and Laughter. Celestia had heard the Old mare’s tail. Once the 5 Elements were united, the 6th Element would be revealed by a spark. The Elements started to spin rapidly around the person they had belonged to.

Suddenly, Celestia heard her sister speak. “Tia.” Celestia was surprised to see her sister in tears, her eyes closed. She began to open them, and her eyes shined with a white brilliance. Her wings unfurled and the 6th element appeared in a flash. Celestia gasped as she was overtaken with memories, her eyesight gone, and then everything went white.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Celestia gasped as her sister dropped to the floor, shivering. She glared at Discord. “What did you do to her!?” she shouted. He chuckled.

“Now really Celestia, isn’t it what you did to her?”

Celestia was confused. What had she ever done to her sister? Maybe as a mare, playing a gam-

Discord laughed again as there was a brilliant flash of light. In that instant, he vanished.

Something new had happened, she realized. There was a new presence in the room. Three was movement behind her. Celestia realized she had turned away from her sister. Now that he had gone her sister would have escaped his clutches. She turned and gasped as she saw a full size alicorn standing in front of her, right in the spot her sister had been huddled. “What have you done with my sister?” she yelled at this imposing pony. Where had she come from?

The pony glared at her. “Do you not recognize me, dear sister?” she said, cruelness in her eyes. Those eyes… Tia gasped as she looked deep into them, and there she saw the broken remains of her sister, trapped forever by Celestias folly.

Tia felt tears roll down her face as the mare laughed. “The night is me, dear sister, and I will last forever.”

Author's Note

AND BOOM. LONG CHAPTER. The "*~*~*~*~*~*~" bits are basically divisions. They divide the characters, and time. If you notice, Celestia walks in halfway through the conversation. So, the division marks basically make you go back in time and let you read the other points of view. In any case, enjoy reading this chapter.

Panic

The mare glared at Celestia, her eyes full of hatred. “You never planned for me, did you? Never thought your ‘loyal sister’ would betray you. How do you feel, knowing it took the god of chaos to show me the real you, the one who always pushed me towards the side, always took command?” Tia shook her head, speechless. This horrible, nightmarish alicorn was – no – had been her sister? Looking at what had been her sister, Celestia saw her worst nightmare had come true. Her sister, the one she had always loved and cherished, had turned into a wicked mare of darkness.

The darkest form of Luna laughed a cold and merciless sound. “Speechless, dear sister? I never thought of you as the SILENT TYPE.” As she said these last few words, her eyes flashed with hatred, and her horn flared with dark magic. Tia, powerless in her shock, was thrown to the wall by one of the same shadowy bolts she had seen in her dream. Her chest burned where the spear of darkness has impacted with her, and she struggled to stand.

“L-luna…”

The alicorn laughed again, that sound making Tia wince. She could still recall the old Luna, the way she used to laugh, the way her voice sounded; all this and more was what made this hurt the most. “I’m not that sniveling foal anymore, sister. I am ever so much more, now. I am the night. I am the mysteries that invade your deepest dreams, leaving my menacing touch on your mind. I am…The mare, destined to live like the moon. I will rise forever more, always coming forth in the night. I am… Nightmare Moon.”

As she said this, Tia felt that last lingering flame of the Luna she had known go out, leaving this hideous monster in her steed. This… Nightmare Moon laughed as Tia stood. “Nightmare Moon, by the order of the royal pony sisters, I banish you from Equestria.”

Moons eyes glinted with loathing for Celestia. “You BANISH me? You really think you are that powerful?”

Celestia stood strong against this mare who had been her sister, her broken heart stone cold against her adversary. “I have more power than you will ever know, Nightmare. I can and will use the Elements of Harmony against you.”

The sinister mare’s eyes widened. “The Elements? Did you truly think you could use such weak toys against me?” To prove her point, her horn sparked with magic, teleporting both of them to the room where the elements were held on their pedestal. Celestia gasped as Nightmare walked to the Lunar side, the three Elements Luna had wielded. With a calm certainty, Nightmare picked up the Element of magic. Celestia gasped as in a flash the 6th Element disappeared.

“What have you done to the 6th Element?!”

Nightmare laughed. “I’ve hidden it where you cannot use it against me. Not that you would have been able to anyways. The Lunar Elements have been bound to Luna, yet little Luna no longer dwells in this body. Therefore, the Lunar Elements are now bound to me. The last Element, Magic, is now bound so deeply to me… I AM the Element.”

Celestia gasped, taking a step back. She knew she needed to defeat this pony… but there had to be some way to bring back her sister. Everything about this was so chaotic…

Suddenly an idea came to her mind, a horrible, terrifying idea. If Discord had made her like this… then only he could change her back.

Celestia levitated her Elemental stones, each glowing with arcane magic. “I do not know how defeat you, Nightmare Moon, but I do know my sister is in there, somewhere in the darkness of your heart. I will get Luna back… no matter what the cost.”

Nightmares eyes narrowed and her horn sparked with magic again. Slowly, the castle began to rumble and shake. Celestia gasped as the ceiling above them began to crack as a strange darkness swirled around Nightmare. Celestias own horn sparked with magic, the only light in this darkness. She gasped as Nightmare Moon turned to a wisp of shadow and the ceiling began to cave in around her. Quickly, the Solar Elements close to her, she teleported outside of the castle to the town.

Ponies were in a state of panic outside the Everfree. The castle of the two pony sisters was deep inside the Everfree forest, seeing as they had claimed the castle from Discord. A small town had been built outside of the Everfree, and they had named the town Everfall after the forest. Celestia looked up at the night sky, and realized what had everypony in fear. The stars were going out.

Darkness was covering Equestria like a sheet. All of Equestria was being shaded with eternal night, just as Nightmare had said. Celestia looked around at the chaos… It was Discords era all over again. Ponies around her were running to their families and loved ones, some screaming much the same thing as she thought.

She flared open her wings and took to the sky, flying beyond the Everfree to a nearby mountain. Beneath the mountain were large caves and caverns, and in the deepest ones lied Discord, encased in stone. She flew fast and made good time, landing beside the entrance to the caverns. It was now or never.

She walked deep into the caves, the beautifully glittering walls doing nothing to sate the sense of foreboding inside of her. As she went further, the dim light of the moon began to fade. She lit her horn with light, thinking to herself it looked a bit dim in the shadows. She went deeper still, down into the seemingly bottomless gloom.

Finally, she came to a small, crystallized door. In the center was a small hole. Putting her horn inside, she concentrated and her horn light with a light aura, making the door glow with magic. She heard the door begin to unlock, and with a brilliant light, it opened.

She walked in, and for the second time that night, she went face to face with her old foe… the God of Chaos, Discord the Draconequus.

Author's Note

Hey... As a few of you may have noticed, things have been a little crazy on my end. Sorry for the lack of story posts all day. Been feeling really sick, and... just a general icky day. Still, that doesn't mean you all have to suffer from it. Thank you all for continuing to read this story, even though i had little hope for it in the start. Please, enjoy the general 'Panic'.

A Chaotic Deal

Celestia heard the crystal doors shut behind her. She slowly began to walk up to the stone statue. As she got closer, she noticed the statue was cracked in places, all of the cracks stemming from Discords heart.

“Discord…”

Celestia gasped as the stone pedestal he stood on cracks once more, and in a burst of light, Discord the Draconequus stood in front of her, in the flesh. “Oh, my aching back,” he said, cracking his back. “A mere year in stone, and I’m already creaky.”

Celestias eyes narrowed. “Discord, I do not have time for your games.”

Discord laughed, and Celestia heard the sound echo around her, seeming an endless, bone – chilling laugh that surrounded her and swallowed her up in its noise. She cringed slightly as the sound became sharper in her ears, like hooves on a chalkboard. “Why are you deep down in the crystal caves, Princess? Shouldn’t you be out enjoying the bright night?” He rolled on the air, laughing.

Celestia sighed, knowing what she must do. “Discord… I have come to make you a deal.”

Discord stopped laughing, his back to the Princess. Because of this, she could not see his cunning smile. “Moi? You came to ask ME for a deal? My, my, you MUST be desperate.”

She turned her head slightly, not wishing to comprehend what she was doing. This was the only way, she told herself. “I am not powerful enough to banish Nightmare Moon on my own. I don’t even know where to banish her to. She was born of chaos… and so, chaos must unmake her.”

Discords grin grew larger, and he re-appeared behind Celestia, his face a mystery. “And you think I’ll help you? Why?”

She kept her face cold and like stone. She knew of his cunning ability and smooth voice – He had changed her sister the same way he tried to change her now. “Discord, you will help me now… and in return…” She closed her eyes and hung her head. “I will do you any favor you ask.”

Discords eyes widened as they filled with a childish delight, much like the eyes of a foal that was playing their favorite game. The game was cunning, and Discord was the master of playing it. “A favor, you say? Oh, whatever is it that I could want?” He sneered at her. “Power? No, I have plenty already.” With a snap of his claw, Celestia turned pink. She snarled at him, and he laughed whilst changing her back. “Let’s see here, Money? Bits don’t get anything in today’s economy. Love?”

He paused a moment, glancing at Celestia. She blushed slightly and he laughed. “With you, Tia? Please. I could do better with a mule.”

She gasped at him in anger, but kept her mouth shut. He was just trying to rile her into saying something she would regret.

“Really, I can see nothing that I would want… except…”

Celestia felt her head tilted up to look at his, his soft paw beneath her chin. “I want you to give me the forbidden spells.”

Her eyes widened. “Discord, those are secret… how did you-“

He rolled his eyes, letting her go. “Do you not remember the fact that I read minds? I knew you were dim, Tia, but THIS!”

Her eyes hardened into a glare. “Those spells are forbidden for a reason. Star Swirl the Bearded himself stated that we were not meant to bring forth artificial life.”

Discord grinned. “Artificial life, you say? Celestia, those spells are the key to life. With them, as you know, you can make anypony possible. You can make a pony be born… why, you can create destiny.”

She glared at him, thinking. Was it worth getting her sister back to give up such terrifying power to him? “Will you return to stone afterwards?”

His grin grew, if possible, bigger. “Well, now, isn’t that a pickle. If we banish Nightmare Moon, there goes the 6th Element. So, how do you get me to return to stone?”

She gasped as he snapped his claw again, and before her stood Discord, in stone again, yet beside her stood the same Discord she had been speaking to. “Very life - like, isn’t he? Of course, that will be me. Yes, Celestia, you have my word, I will return to stone.”

Her eyes narrowed as she looked for loopholes in his deal. “But couldn’t you just break out again?”

He shook his head. “Not until what happens tonight happens again. When chaos begins to stir in Equestria, I will be free of my stone prison once more. Even if it is the tiniest bit, the stone will begin to crack, and I will be free to spread my delightful chaos around the world.”

Celestia sighed. It wasn’t a perfect plan… but it was better than nothing, she told herself. “And you say that you can banish Nightmare Moon from my sister for good?”

He grinned, his eyes deceptive. “I swear to you, Celestia, Luna will be freed in due time. Nightmare Moon will be banished from her heart, but only if you make this deal with me.”

Celestia closed her eyes tightly. She scarcely heard her own voice agree to his deal. He grinned and held out his claw. “Shake on it?”

She put out a hesitant hoof, and he grabbed it quickly. She gasped as she felt power surge through her. She stumbled back, feeling the magic of chaos run in her veins. She looked in the crystals around her, and her eyes widened as her reflection became a pony she did not know.

Her mane grew to be the colors of the sunset, no longer a cool rainbow of colors, but instead the colors of a raging fire that tore down its enemies with its blazing touch. Her eyes grew from the violet she had grown used to, to a bright blood red, and she could only describe it as the blood of her enemies. “W-what have you done to me,” she asked, a voice not her own sounding terrified.

Discord smiled, and for once, Celestia saw grimness in that face. He was no longer the mischief loving draconequus… he was now a God, a deity, and a serious one. “I have brought you to Moons level of power. Chaos can only be fought with Chaos. That is the only way to make order.” She nodded, his perverse logic somehow making sense. He glanced up, seemingly through the stone of the mountain, and towards where Celestia knew the monster who had taken her sister now flew. “We must be quick, Princess. Chaos is something that makes the heart wicked… We may already be too late.”

Author's Note

WOOT! TWO CHAPTERS DONE IN ONE NIGHT! There's something to smile about. Now, gotta post quick, laptops almost dead. Enjoy "A Chaotic Deal"!

Pulling The Strings

Together Princess Celestia and the God of Chaos traveled through the caves, taking short cuts along the way. Celestia could still feel the power racing though her blood. She struggled to keep her head about her, loving the power and hating it all at the same time. She knew she could easily give into this mind numbing magic, but if she did she would become no better than Nightmare Moon.

They quickly reached the outside. Both Discord and Celestia glanced at the starless sky, and nodded to each other. With a snap of Discords claw they were back in the Everfree forest. In front of them, the castle stood in ruins. Celestia looked around in horror at the remains of her palace. She could only hope the servants had managed to escape in time form Nightmare Moons rampaging destruction of the castle.

Slowly they made their way through the rubble, eyes wary and hearts determined. Finally, they came to the throne room doors, and from under them they saw shadows curl. “She’s beyond these doors, isn’t she,” asked Celestia, cold and merciless with her new - found power.

Discord nodded grimly. “You will need to face her, Celestia. You will not be able to defeat her entirely, but you should be able to distract her long enough for my banishment spell to take hold. When you see me again, stay far back from the being that had been your sister.” With those parting words of advice, he vanished.

Celestia took a deep breath, turning back to the stone doors. Behind these doors stood hardest foe she would ever have to face. Beyond those doors, the monster that had taken her sister stood. She knew the very being she had chosen to save her sister had changed her in the first place, but she also knew that chaos could only stem from order and truth. There had been truth to what Discord had told Luna. Tia had forced her unwilling sister to face him. Tia had forced her to accept the duel Princess Hood. Celestia knew she had always forced her sister into these situations, and knew that this was all her fault. If she had only seen the signs of Nightmare Moon rising sooner, then she would have been able to save her sister from the fate that was to come.

With one last breath, she blew down the doors.

“Sister.”

The throne room was the only thing that still looked somewhat in shape, yet it had changed drastically since Celestia had been here last. Instead of the shining room she had grown used to, she saw dark tapestries across the windows. The stone pillars around her bore the Lunar insignia, and the thrones at the end of the room had changed. One, where Nightmare Moon now sat, was black as night with a blue trim, the jewel on the top the bright moon. The other bore the same colors as Celestias new mane, the sunset’s rainbow. The jewel at the top of the throne was as bright as the sun, and Celestia instantly felt drawn to the throne.

Nightmare Moon smiled at her, a cruel, sinister smile. “Dear sister, welcome to your throne room. Do you like how I’ve redecorated?”

Celestia stood tall against her adversary. “What is this, Nightmare? What is the purpose of this?”

Nightmare Moons smile widened. “Dear sister, do you not agree that we were meant to rule together?” Celestias eyes widened as she began to understand. “Yes, you see it don’t you? We could create a whole new world, Tia, a world where darkness and light combine. What do you say, dear sister? Will you join me as an equal and take to your rightful throne?”

Celestias eyes narrowed as the chaos magic in her began to stir. She felt heavy with magic; she needed to get rid of this power… and she saw the perfect target on her throne. “That’s the one thing you never understood, Luna…”

With a raging fiery blast from Celestias horn, the Lunar throne was destroyed. Nightmare Moon gasped, flying quickly away from the flames. Celestia grinned hideously, enjoying the power she had gained. “There was never a place for a second throne.”

Nightmare Moon snarled at her. “Very well… If that is how you choose to accept this new reality, then we fight.”

Celestia nodded, and with three words, she became something else. She was no longer the holy goddess of the sun that everypony saw her as. She was not the kind, loving alicorn who had saved them from the horror and pain of chaos. She was the Solar Tyrant, a Goddess of War. She was Princess – no, QUEEN Celestia, ruler of all of Equestria. Those three words would forever change the course of her life, and she would regret them for all of her days.

“To the death.”

Unseen by either alicorn, watching them like a reader of a book, was Discord. In his paw he held four figurines – Tia, Luna, Nightmare and, as he deemed her, Solaria. The two former had large cracks in them, and he smiled as the two, far below, began their battle.

He chuckled darkly in the knowledge of what was to come. He may have agreed to Celestias deal, but there had never been any doubt in his mind who was truly pulling the strings. The puppets never tugged the strings from his grasp, even if the cut off his hand.

“Sleep tight, princesses… and while you sleep… Equestria forever mine to keep.”

Author's Note

Hey guys! WOAH, this chapter. Everything is starting to boil, and soon, the pot will tip. Who will win? Discord, Luna, Tia, Nightmare or Solaria? Sorry for the somewhat shorter chapter, but the next one is going to be jam packed with action, and will hopefully bit a bit longer. Welcome to the prelude of battle. Let's see who's REALLY pulling the strings~ *resumes typing the next chapter*

Sunrise

The battle had begun.

Celestia fired a beam of fire at Nightmare, who dodged to the right. The flames hit the tapestry behind her, setting it ablaze. The fire reflected in the Solar Queens eyes, and she smiled in the heat of battle and flame.

Nightmare Moon dived down towards her, her horn blazing with shadow magic. Tia dodged to the left, rolling on her hooves to keep her body positioned towards Nightmare. The spot where the shadows hit sizzled slightly, and they left a hole where Celestia had been standing only moments ago.

Knowing Nightmare would continue to pull this hole burning trick, Celestia took to the air, flaring out her wings and taking off in one fluid movement. She kept her eyes on Nightmare Moon, circling in the air with her. She knew something needed to happen, but what?

Nightmare dived at her, and the flame of battle ignited in her. She charged forward as well, their horns glowing with chaotic power. Their horns collided, and as the shadow aura met the flaming magic, there was an explosion of sparks, pushing both mares away from each other. Celestia gasped as she hit the wall behind her, feeling something inside her crack on impact.

She glanced up, her eyes glazed with tears and pain. Nightmare had recovered quickly, flying up into the sky. Celestia realized the ceiling was made of a large glass dome, and smiled. Her horn blazed with magic once more, firing a beam of light straight past Nightmare, hitting the glass. In a single instant, there was a shattering noise, and glass began to rain down on them. Nightmare lost altitude as the glass shards cut away at her fur, sprinkling blood on Celestia. Celestia stood, wincing at her broken rib, and took to the air again.

She stayed away from Nightmare, using her horns magic ability to her advantage. She waited for Moon to make the first move, knowing she would be able to counter it.

Nightmare fired yet another blast of shadow which Celestia easily countered. “Is that all you’ve got, Moon?”

Nightmare narrowed her eyes, and grinned. Suddenly, the wind began to pick up, and clouds began to form. Shadows swirled and thunder roared as Nightmare began to change into shadow. Celestia struggled to stay aloft in the ferocious winds, her wings bent by the force of the gales. Looking forward through the beginning rain, she realized she had lost sight of Nightmare.

Suddenly, a sharp pain started square in her back. She was pushed down, the floor speeding towards her. On impact, her broken rib blazed with pain, causing her to scream in agony. Nightmare, above her, her horn sparking with darkness, laughed.

Celestia weakly attempted to stand, the heat of battle dying in the cold, bitter shadow of power. Where was Discord? Had he betrayed her, preferring to let her die in her own foolish idea of power?

Her only hope was the remaining Elements of Harmony. She could feel their magic deep inside her, ready to erupt in a rush of power. She lifted her head up to look at what had been her sister. Celestia closed her eyes and thought of all the times they had shared, all of the love between the two. She remembered Luna, her little sister. She remembered who she herself used to be, and realized the monster she had allowed herself to become.

Standing weakling, walking on glass, Celestia felt herself calm. Her horn lit with a gentle aura, and slowly her mane began to fade to its original color, the cool tones of a new day. Nightmare recoiled slightly, watching as Celestia reversed deeply ingrained chaos magic, knowing her sister could do the same to her. Celestia opened purely white eyes, and heard the Elements speak through her.

“Thy reign hath come to an end, mare of sinister darkness. The Solar eclipse hath now ceased, and thy power as the Lunar princess hath henceforth concluded. With the power of friendship, and the spark of love, we banish thee to your everlasting prison.”

In the dim awareness of her mind, Celestia saw Discord appear behind Nightmare. A powerful burst of magic from her horn appeared, wrapping itself around Nightmare. In the deepest part of her heart, Celestia cringed as she heard Nightmare Moon scream. Even if Nightmare was no longer her sister, she hated to see ponies in pain.

Discord was blocked from Celestias view, but she saw him do a gesture, and seconds later, there was a burst of light. TO be exact, 4 bursts of light. They began to swirl around Nightmare Moon, still engulfed in the light of the Elements. Looking through the darkness tugging at her eyesight, Celestia thought they looked like… stars?

Nightmare Moon shrieked, her eyes full of pain. Suddenly, Discord spoke.

“Pony of darkness, a Mare of the night, stuck forever In the Moon’s light. A horrible fate, from a child of sun, away From which you cannot run. Twists and turns across the stars, a mare of darkness is what you are.” His eyes narrowed. “The final words to break your throne, the pony made of moon and bone. For 1000 years will you be there, goodbye to the Nightmare, the Lunar heir!” As he said the last word, there was a burst of blinding light, and Nightmare Moon vanished.

Celestia swayed where she stood, the silence of the night deafening after the battle. She felt light headed and heavy with a dull fog, all at the same time. She was dimly aware of looking up at the night time sky and seeing the full moon. Looking at the moon, she saw her… the Mare in the Moon. Magic deprived and exhausted, the Solar ruler fainted.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Celestia awoke with a gasp. Had it all been a dream? She looked around her room, and was startled to see that it was all the same as before. She sat up, and felt perfectly healthy. The wounds from the battle of Sun and Moon would not have faded so fast, she knew.

Standing, she walked out of her room. Everything seemed to be the same. Nothing was destroyed, and the castle shone in the moonlit night. Wait. Moonlight…

She ran to a window and glanced at the night sky. The night stars twinkled, but the moon was the same as it had been that dreadful night. Her sister still dwelled in the moon, stuck forever.

Celestia closed her eyes tightly. Her only sister…

“It hurts, doesn’t it?”

Her eyes widened as she heard his voice. “Discord… Show yourself.”

He appeared behind her, his reflection in the window. “She will come back, Celestia. Not even my power could keep her there forever.”

She turned to him. “Why are you still here? You should have returned to stone.”

He grinned at her. “I think you forgot, we have a deal. The forbidden spells, please.”

Her eyes widened. “The spells…” He grinned as she closed her eyes. “… Follow me.”

Together they walked through the dark, abandoned castle. “I hope you don’t mind, but I cleaned up a little.”

Celestia shook her head slightly as they reached the library. Casting a spell on the door, it changed to a new door entirely. When she opened it, it lead not to the library, but to the hidden study. There, all of the forbidden spells known were kept. Discord grinned. “I’ll only be a minute, Princess.” In a flash, he disappeared down the stairs.

True to his word, a minute later, he reappeared beside her. In his claw was a single, leather bound book. “I have all I need now, Celestia. I will be returning to stone now.”

She looked at him closely. “What are you planning, Discord?”

He chuckled. “Nothing of value, Celestia. Just playing my games of puppet and master.” With those parting words, he vanished, returning to his caves once more.

Celestia walked silently outside, staring at the moon, a now constant reminder of what her sister had done… and what she herself had done. Her horn lit with magic, and in Equestria, the sun rose.

Author's Note

So, remember that time where i can't write action scenes well? I had to look up info on how to write with this chapter. ^^;; So. The next chapter is planned to be the last. Now... it's going to make some readers think there will be a sequel... The reason why? Because there just may be a sequel! :D SO, enjoy that tid bit of information, folks! Enjoy the "Sunrise".

Epilogue: The Game Has Begun

Discord sat in his caves, the book he had taken from the castle open on the floor. In front of him were 6 figures, made of clay. Each of them had distinct designs, each better than the last.

The first had been designed based on his own cotton candy clouds. She would be wild and crazy, and would always know how to laugh. Yet, in times of trouble, she would dwell deep in her own mind, the cotton candy mane falling straight as her own depth confounded even her. The cutie mark he had etched into her flank, 3 balloons, represented her need to smile. She would be an easy game piece.

The second was a country pony, complete with a hat and freckles. She was simple and collected, strong and rough. She hardly knew the meaning of the word ‘lie’. Her cutie mark was 3 apples, representing her simple nature and honest mind. Seeing as Discord knew how to use lies and trickery to his advantage, she would be a simple game piece to finish off.

Next was a speed demon. Shaped with Pegasus wings to show her free spirit, the mare would be absolutely loyal to her friends. With the cutie mark of a lightning bolt, it showed her speed. She would be quick to her friends aid… Yes, he could use that to his advantage easily.

Next was a peculiar one, but lovely as well. One of his finest creations, and quite possibly the most beautiful, her every aspect screamed ‘clean pristine queen’. Her heart was beautiful, but moreover, it would be generous. She would spread her beauty to others through her own. Still, beauty attracts other beauty… what better use of a mirror image to make this piece crumble?

He turned to the 5th in line… yes, she would cause him the most trouble, he saw. Shy and timid, she wouldn’t be able to defend herself easily, meaning that she would know this herself. She would always be prepared, just because of the fact that she would never be. This twisted logic twirled even his chaotic mind. He would have to see, on this one. She may just be his undoing.

Finally he reached the last in his line of creations, the 6th. She was his greatest achievement. She would assess and adapt to any life style, any birthing and any circumstance. She would take the throne he had lost long ago, and when the time was right, he would work through her to create his shining world of chaos once more. She would know that her magic powers came from her friendship…

Yes, he thought. Friendship… he would become their friend. He would be one of them – he could wear the mask of friendship well. After all, hadn’t he tricked Celestia into trusting him?

He glanced at each pony in turn, one for each Element. They would do the job perfectly… and Celestia would never connect the dots.

He smiled to himself. The game of Puppet and Puppeteer had begun, and only he knew who really pulled the strings.

Author's Note

Who is pulling the strings, truly? Is it Discord? Is it Celestia?... Is it me, the writer?...
Or even you, the Reader?
Only time will tell, puppets... only time will tell~

Prologue: A Bit of Back Story

Finally, it all seemed to be over. After finding and harnessing the power of the Elements of Harmony, Princess Celestia and her sister, Luna, had immortalized the draconequus Discord in stone. Earth ponies, Pegasi and Unicorn’s alike praised them and had crowned them their princesses. The Chaos Discord had created had been cleared, and it was about a year since they had first discovered the elements.

However, ever since they had ended Discord’s reign, Princess Celestia had sensed a change in her younger sister. Luna had become more aloof and distrusting. She was very subtle in these changes, and the Princess had only noticed her sister’s distress a week ago. Instead of joining her older sister on her rounds that morning, Luna insisted that she had other duties to perform at the Everfree castle and that she would not be able to see to them if she went about the town square looking for foolish trinkets and beads with her sister.

After asking the castle staff, Celestia noticed a re-occurring pattern. Princess Luna had begun to send her servants away, telling them she was quite able to handle things herself. She had even gone so far as to use magic to bar them from her room.

Normally, Princess Celestia would be more perturbed by her sister’s behavior, but with all of her own royal duties, she could understand if Luna had some trouble adjusting to her new rank. Before the rule of Discord, Celestia and her sister had been mere peasants in the Chaos fields. But then, after seeing the pain and hardship he put on other ponies, Celestia knew she had to put a stop to it. Now, unexpectedly, they were princesses. She sighed, remembering another probable cause of Luna’s sadness. The Princess had just earned her cutie mark, a rising sun, which signified her power to raise the sun and moon. She let Luna raise the moon while she made the sun rise, but Luna still did not have a cutie mark. The princess sighed again. Maybe if she waited for things to settle down, Luna would be back to her old self again.

If only that had been the case…

Author's Note

Wow, i found this in an old file in my recycling bin, and figured you all might like a look at it. Have fun reading, if this makes submission. Also, don't hate it just because it's a 'How Luna Blah Blah Blah" fan fic. I know there's a lot of them, but i just wanted to share my views on it.

The Nightmare

The Nightmare

Celestia had drifted off to sleep in the castle’s extensive library. She had been searching for any reason for her sisters bewildering behavior. Nothing had sparked her interest.

She had horrible nightmares, lying in that library. She stood in an abandoned castle, broken and torn to ruin. Beside her, the Elements her sister had claimed – Magic, Kindness and Laughter – laid on the ground, their power drained, leaving them worthless. Their color was grey, and they looked weak in her eyes. In the background she heard cold laughter, and the shadowy night seemed endless as she walked to the courtyard.

As she entered the courtyard, she saw that the castle was her and her sisters. ‘How had it gotten so torn down?’ she thought to herself. Looking up at the moon, she saw a dark pony flying straight towards her.

The alicorn was black as night with wicked eyes, her pupils slits of blackness in a sea of green. She was the same height as Celestia herself, and her blue mane swirled like a shadow. Celestia somehow thought this mare was familiar, but knew she had never seen the likes of such a frightful mare.

The alicorn came charging at her, her horn sparkling with a dark blue aura. Not knowing what else to do, Celestia’s horn sparked with its own magic, firing a beam of light at the oncoming nightmare. The alicorn stopped for a moment, blocking the magic with her own. 'Shes too powerful'

Suddenly, the other mare fired a shadowy bolt at Celestia. Tia gasped as darkness engulfed her. She felt agonizing pain, a hot, burning agony that seemed to sear at her blood and bones. It was as though the heat of the sun had been transferred to her body, burning her up in the night. She heard a bone chilling laugh, yet her body still boiled in the heat of the alicorns hatred. Finally, she awoke from the horrible dream, eyes wide and sweating.

‘What was the meaning of these strange dreams’, she wondered. She got up from where she sat, holding her head. Perhaps Luna was sleeping better. One more walk to where Luna was, so she could check on her. Then, off to bed for the night. Perhaps sleeping in her own bed would put her mind at ease.

If only that had been the case.

Author's Note

This will probably be the last short chapter. If you noticed, the chapters seem to be divided to the different princesses, and also the different periods of time. The next chapter, however, is where everything picks up, and where the two life lines converge. Please, enjoy "The Nightmare".