For Want of a Nail: The Lunar Paradox

The Nightmare was always the same.

Once again, she found herself standing in a familiar location. Only, it was different now. Where once stood strong pillars, now lay shattered fragments of stone and dust. The carpet, once bright and pristine had been burned to pieces from the fighter's traded blows. What few shards still remained, were dark and frayed. The golden throne, which had stood tall and proud, now laid broken and hidden beneath piles of rubble.

The mare of darkness moved towards the last standing window, while trampling upon the shards of its fallen brethren. A warm wind blew through one of the gaps in the wall, blowing through her ethereal mane and bringing the cries of despair from below. Standing tall despite her injuries, the mare gazed down upon her new kingdom. The city below did not fare much better than its centerpiece. Flames swept across the buildings, destroying all that stood in their path. Ponies of all types rushed about, desperately trying to escape into the forest and away from the destruction and death that completely enveloped them.

Just try and run, she thought to herself with a perverted smiled. There was nowhere in Equestria that was safe anymore. Her reach now expanded throughout all the land. Everypony everywhere was going to feel her wrath. They would all share in the pain and misery that they had foolishly caused her. She would make them suffer, as long as her radiant moon hung in the sky and until her unappreciated night came to an end.

That was going to be a while, she cruelly giggled. For this night was going to last for a very long time.

This night was going to last forever.

The sound of groaning rising above the serenade of destruction, brought her away from her own thoughts. Turning around, she glared at its source. Across the room sat the one who dared to call her sister, lying helplessly along the ground. All around her lay feathers, torn from her own broken wings during the intense duel the pair had engaged in. Her pink hair was a mess, tangled and frayed all around her head. Her once gleaming white coat was dirty and scattered, many parts died red from the trickles of blood that escaped from her. She was still breathing, though each breath was slow and deliberate to reduce the pain her rising chest caused.

For the briefest of moments, a tiny sliver of guilt crept through the mind of the black mare. However, she quickly snuffed out the thought, burning it in the midst of her utter hatred. This dying creature deserved none of her sympathy. She who sat upon a throne, basking in her own glory while her younger sister sat alone, crying and forgotten. Luna had been too weak to do or say anything. Nightmare Moon on the other hoof, would not accept such frailties to herself. She had conquered those who dared to mock her and struck down the very one who would have destroyed her.

Turning back towards the window, the dark mare smiled sinisterly. Yes, this fire was just the beginning. She would cleanse this world of its wickedness. Like the princess lying broken behind her, she would destroy all who dared to oppose her. She began to chuckle, slowly building until the shattered room was filled with her chackling. She would destroy them all.

Then, something completely unexpected caught her eye. Off in the distance, the tiniest glimmer of light appeared. It started as nothing more than a speck, but slowly grew in size much like the rising dawn. She stopped laughing. Leaning forward, she glared at the glowing fragment. It was not possible for the sun to be rising. Her moon still hung high in the sky amidst the diamond covered blackness while she herself held the sun away beneath the horizon. The only other capable of grasping such an object was lying in a heap behind her, broken and slowly fading into nothing.

Yet, there it was, just as clear as could be. The inexplicable light pulsed with an otherworldly energy, beating light a heart as it continued to grow brighter and brighter. Although it frightened her, the black mare could not bring herself to look away from it. Her curiosity held her, forcing her to glance as the light continued to expand, slowly filling her entire vision. It wasn't until it was too late, that she had a terrifying realization.

The light was not coming from the horizon. It was merely a reflection.

She spun around just as the light exploded forth, filling every inch of the destroyed castle with its heavenly glow. The mare attempted to shield her eyes with one of her wings, but the burning brightness merely poured through it, blinding her to all else. With great effort, she turned her head, glancing towards its source. Where had before been laying the broken mare, now floated a beaming, majestic being. Her white coat shone while her mane flowed ethereally behind her.

Anger clenched the heart of the darkened mare. A simple light show was not enough to discourage her. She had already defeated this mare once before and would destroy her again if needs be. Her horn glowed an empty color as she summoned up her magic. With a wave of her head, she released the compressed magic into a dark orb, flinging it towards her opponent. The spell never even came close, glancing off the side and bouncing away before fizzling into nothing. She tried again, and was terrified as the same fate as its former befell it as well. Beginning to panic, she released a large volley of shots all at once, only to watch in terror as they all dissipated one after another.

Before she could charge up again, the white mare reacted. Opening her eyes, she glanced down upon the now terrified alicorn. Her eyes were filled with a heavenly light, far brighter than the sun on a noon day. It seemed almost to pierce straight through the dark mare, leaving her feeling cold and vulnerable. The air shifted around the room, as it began to swirl around the glowing mare. Then, the light shattered, bursting forth in an array of color that launched forward until it encircled the dark one completely.

No sooner did the dancing colors fall upon her, did the mare feel herself being torn apart. In desperation, she attempted to strike back with her magic, only to find that her magical reserves would not respond. She attempted to spread her wings and flee, but was held in place by some unseen force. The more she struggled, the harder it grasped until the force was so great that it forced her to the ground.

As she felt her body slowly begin to disappear, she looked up into the glowing eyes of her captor. Her face contorting into a scowl, she spat out a single question. "Why?"

She never heard the answer. The rushing wind of magic pressed in against her as the last remaining pieces were stripped from the world and hurled through the sky. She tumbled and turned as she flew through the magical stream, twisting and turning as the light continued to bounce around her consciousness. Then, without warning, the light dispersed and was gone.

Breathing heavily, the mare looked around her. There was nothing; no light, no sound, absolutely nothing. She tried to move, but couldn't. She tried to call out, but there was no sound. All there was, was her own thoughts and the cold, emptiness that completely surrounded her.

So, she did the only thing that she could do. She screamed. Within her head, she let loose every emotion bottled up inside. She screamed out in anger. She screamed out in sadness.

But most of all, she screamed out in fear.