Dreams that Bind

Third Person POV

The unicorn stallion sat behind his desk, his room flooded with papers, but that mattered little. He yawned as he continued the with the task at hoof. The day he had had was enough to send him to bed as soon as the moon rose, but alas, that was a luxury he couldn't afford at the moment. No, he had to plan out the next day for Princess Celestia, and the day with Princess Luna temporarily taking charge for the day had set him back. He wasn't worried however. He was known to have organization skills that rivaled that of Twilight Sparkle, so he was able to find what papers he needed. He should be done in shortly. As he worked, there was a knock at his door.

"Come in." he called.

A pegasus pony who look more that a casual visitor than a member of the royal staff opened the door and walked in.

"Oh, it's you" the unicorn greeted.

"Nice to see you again too, Kibitz." the pegasus snarked.

"What do you want Instant Message?" Kibitz asked.

"The princess want to see you in the throne room." Instant replied.

"Thank you, I shall see to it at once." Kibitz huffed, getting up from his desk and walking past the pegasus.

As he made his way to the throne room, Instant flew alongside.

"You know, just because we work for the princesses doesn't mean we have to uptight all the time. I'm sure they'd understand if we cut loose a little."

"There's a difference between  "a little" and all the time. Of course you wouldn't understand that, your only a messenger." Kibitz rebutted.

"Ouch, my pride. Oh well, if your not going to take me seriously, then at least be polite about it."

"I'd be surprised if anypony took you seriously, with you making sarcastic comments about everywhere you go. Honestly, your a bigger joke than Blueblood, and that's saying something!"

"I wouldn't say that." a new voice interrupted.

The two ponies turn to the source, a tall slender alicorn. However, it wasn't the one Kibitz was expecting.

"Princess Celestia!?" Kibitz exclaimed.

"You didn't think I was going to make Luna work three straight shifts, did you?" Celestia asked.

"Truth be told Princess, I though you would." Kibitz replied.

Celestia chuckled. "No Kibitz, I would never do that." she paused for a moment, "You are dismissed Instant Message, just tell Luna there are some ponies waiting for her in the castle gardens."

"Of course Princess." Instant replied. He bowed and left.

"Now Kibitz, as you know the Grand Galloping Gala is coming up. This year, I think it would fitting for Luna and I to wear themed dresses to the gala."

"Allow me to guess, you would like for me to schedule a fitting time for both yourself and Princess Luna."

"Close, I've already taken care of that. I want you to leave the day as open for Luna and I as much as possible."

Kibitz was shocked. "But Princess, you days are always..."

"That was an order Kibitz."

"As you wish, Princess." Kibitz sighed defeated.

"I do wish. Also, I have something for you." Celestia continued, levitating a small object toward the royal scheduling adviser.

"My watch!" Kibitz cheered. "I though it was lost forever when Princess Luna tossed it away in frustration."

"I found it in the gardens. I know it was your grandfather's when he was the royal scheduling adviser."

Just then, Luna sprinted past, heading for a nearby balcony.

"I wonder what's the matter. Oh well, I'm Luna will take care of it, anyway, you are dismissed Kibitz." Celestia put in.

"Of course, good night Princess." Kibitz replied, bowed and left.

Princess Luna's POV

There was knock at my door. Good grief, what's a princess got to do to get some sleep.

"Come in." I replied.

The royal messenger walked in.

"What is it?" I asked.

"Princess Celestia says there are ponies waiting for you in the gardens."

"Why would...Fancy Pants!" I cried, and shot out of bed. I ran as fast as I could toward the balcony.

"Ah, there you are Princess." Fancy Pants greeted.

"Sorry to keep you waiting." I replied.

"Not at all, Princess. Shall we return to our game then?"

"Yes, or course."

As of now, I was fighting a losing battle. Alas, chess is a game of wits, even if you are using real ponies as game pieces. As we played, I noticed a chance to turn this game around.

"Queen to E9" I ordered. The pony who represented my queen did so. "That'll be check, sir."

"Quite confident aren't you Princess? Unfortunately, you failed the notice something important. Knight to D4." Fancy Pant's knight went to D4. "Checkmate your highness."

I would have be super angry if I wasn't so tired. "Good game, sir. You're all dismissed."

As everypony dispersed, Fancy Pants spoke up.

"Princess, if I may ask you something."

"Of course."

"It something I don't think you'd want to discuss."

"Try me."

"Did you have any control as Nightmare Moon?"

I sighed. It always hurts to think about it, but given recent event, I have to open up. "No, as soon I became Nightmare Moon, my body was no longer under my control. Everything Nightmare Moon did was the work of an evil shadow queen with my mentality and goals."

"Ah, I understand now. Thank you, your Highness." Fancy Pants replied.

Wait, what is it he understands now?

"Why do you ask?"

"Well, before coming to the Canterlot Garden Society tea party, I was in Ponyville visit one Miss Rarity for a suit to the Grand Galloping Gala. We spoke a bit about the Nightmare incident, and I got curious as to how these "Nightmare Forces" operated. You hadn't told us that and no pony asked."

"I see,"I yawned, "well, good night sir." I replied, and went to bed.