"So as you can see, Nightmare Moon, the power of friendship cannot be defeated! Not by magic, or hatred, or turning one against another!" Shouted Twilight Sparkle, as the necklaces of each pony started glowing. The sixth element floating above her head turned into a crown. And each pony was lifted into the air, harnessing the Elements of Harmony. "What? That's not possible! Nooooooo!" Nightmare Moon shouted, backing up before becoming enveloped in a rainbow. And Nightmare Moon was defeated once more, yet again locked into the moon.
~*^*~
But alas, the spell is breaking. And now, a thousand years later, Nightmare Moon escapes. And now she rules along Princess Celestia and Princess Luna, a fair princess over dear Equistria. Her flowing mane matching her sisters, with the youngest in the middle. He nephew by her side, along with her most trusted friends, Zecora. And that, my little pony, is where our story begins.
~*^*~
"A thousand years is a long time....
"Being locked up wasn't the worst of my imprisonment.
"Oh, no. It was the isolation.
"Being alone in the moon, watching all the ponies play in the sun...
"It nearly killed me.
"But I'm free. Finally. Free.
"And how good it feels."
Princess Nightshine Moon, middle child of deceased Commander Hothead and Princess Platinum, Sister to Princess Celestia and Princess Luna, aunt to Prince Blueblood, and dear friend to Zecora. Once called Nightmare Moon, a name she herself dubbed upon herself due to her possessed time. Once herself possessed by the "Worst of all Evils" to posses her younger sister, Princess Luna, a deed of which she is ashamed. And now she resides in Canterlot, ruling alongside her sisters.
~*^*~
"Princess Nightshine?"
Nightshine immediately awoke, then opened the door of her room to see one of the servant ponies there.
"Your breakfast, Princess Nightshine." Nightshine took the tray and carried it to her bed. She sat down, her starry mane flowing alongside her, and she munched on apples and carrots while planning out her day.
"Tomorrow is Nightmare Night, so I'll have to go there for my special appearance..." She chuckled. There was another knock on her door a moment before Princess Luna appeared.
"Hello, sister," She said quietly. Nightshine looked up to see her sister.
"Oh, hello, Luna."
"May I go with you to Ponyville tomorrow? I have a great costume. Oh, and the Shadowbolts are doing a performance with the Wonderbolts after lunch." Luna stated.
"Hmm? Yes, you may come with me to Ponyville." Nightshine said, standing up.
"I have to go do some business, Luna." She said, trotting out of the room. Luna popped up behind her.
"Can I come?" She asked, her purple eyes wide.
"No." Nightshine said.
"It's....private business."
"Oh. Well, bye!" Luna said abruptly, trotting off in the direction of Celestia's room. Suddenly a cry arose near where Luna left.
"Luna!" Nightshine heard Celestia say calmly, yet at the same time frazzled. Nightshine did a lopsided smile; Luna was not the most graceful pony, and at times she was rather accident-prone; then she flew off in the direction of the Shadowbolt's regal and majestic training center.
~*^*~
When she arrived, there was a lone Shadowbolt there, zipping around the stormy track, his mane flying in the wind, his wings stretched out. Nightshine felt her heart flutter. She hadn't felt like this since....forever. The Shadowbolt stopped his racing and flew in front of Nightshine.
"Princess Nightshine." He said in his deep voice as he scooped up her hoof and kissed it.
"To what do I owe the pleasure?" Nightshine nearly blushed, then straightened her face.
"The Shadowbolts are my responsibility; therefore, I am obliged to visit often."
"Not this early in the morning." He said. Nightshine nearly swooned.
"I--I--you were very fast, Stratus." Nightshine said.
Stratus looked at her, his blue hair slightly quavering. He fluttered lightly and kissed her on the forehead. Nightshine looked at him.
"This is a crime." She said.
"But that only makes it better." Stratus said. Nightshine kissed Stratus lightly.
"It will be our secret." She said.
"A thousand years is a long time, my dear Princess Nightshine." Then they both shot into the skies together, their flowing manes and dark pelts matching each others through the golden morning sky. And as the sun rose, their bodies eclipsed some of the sun, for the legends were coming true.
Betrayal comes in many shapes and sizes, and the packaging is never the same.
Love grows strong, yet hatred grows stronger.
As the ponies landed on a cloud, they walked side by side, tails swishing, tails swaying, as their slender legs carried them from cloud to cloud, their magnificent wings flying through the air. The settled on a cloud, their legs dangling, as they looked each other in the eyes.
"Canterlot is so beautiful in the morning..." Nightshine said. Stratus merely nodded. Nightshine sighed as her mane flowed in the early morning breeze. She rest her head on her hooves.
"I love everything about you," Stratus said quietly.
"Hmm?"
"Your mane, your coat, your voice, your grace..." He looked deep into her eyes. Those deep, blue eyes. He gave her a kiss. "Your eyes." He said. He laid his own head upon his hooves. Then Nightshine looked at the position of the sun.
"Oh dear..." She muttered.
"I'm nearly late for a meeting!" She said, soaring in the air, then surveying Canterlot, giving Stratus and sorry look, and then flying home to the castle.
And Stratus watched her depart before going his own way.
Love is truly strange.
~*^*~
"The clouds will be our home"
"The stars our guide"
"Our love will last forever"
"Through the day and through the night"
"Oh shining moon oh shining sun"
"Our secret shall be safe with the stars"
"For our love is dangerous yet it is true"
"For the night is where I love you"
"And this is what I say"
"Come meet me my lover"
"When the clouds are grey"
"And the skies are crying"
"For our love is strong"
"Forever"
Nightshine Moon arrived at the castle, her heart a little lighter then when she had first left the castle this morning. Her eyes gleamed brighter as she lightly walked into the castle courtyard.
"Ah, good morning, Nightshine." Nightshine looked up to see her sister, Celestia, approaching her, her mane ever flowing.
"Good morning, Celestia." Nightshine replied, tucking her wings in as she sat down at the garden bench. Celestia sat beside her.
"Do you want to know why I asked you to meet me here, Nightshine?" Celestia asked, her eyes blinking.
"Hmm?" Nightshine murmured, glancing over at her sister before returning her gaze at the flowers.
"I...think we should discuss how you will help to rule the kingdom."
Nightshine let go of a breath she had been holding. My secret is still safe.
"Well, Celestia, if there is anything that needs doing, I'll gladly do it." Nightshine said. She really did want to help; except it seemed that there was no place for her but to show at parties and Nightmare Night.
"Well, then, will you host the Grand Galloping Gala?" Celestia joked, her eyes twinkling.
"Oh please, anything but that." Nightshine said. She hated the Gala. All that stiff, uptight, formal disaster. And to greet all the ponies who hated Nightmare Moon! Even though she truly was Nightshine, the ponies of Equistria were not known for their forgiveness.
"I'll see you at lunch then." Celestia said before, with a flap of her great wings, flew off into the sky. Nightshine walked away, planning to go to her room and perhaps just think. That is, she was until Luna suddenly flew out of a tree right at Nightshine's feet. Nightshine jumped up in surprise, then landed softly on the ground. "You surprised me there, Luna."
"Of course I did!" Luna giggled. Her face had turned slightly red, and she nearly fell on the floor laughing. Nightshine poked her sister with her hoof.
"Huh?" Luna said, looking up at her sister. "Oh." Luna scrambled up.
"Is there anything you want me to do?" Luna asked. Not being old enough--even though she had been locked in the moon for a thousand years--to take on the full responsibilities of being princess, Luna would often run around the castle all day. So naturally she would ask for a job.
"Actually, yes." Nightshine stated, walking away.
"Really?" Luna said, surprised and happy at the same time.
'Don't touch my glass sculptures." Nightshine said.
"YA--wait. That's not funny." Luna pouted before becoming cheery again in an instant. Luna could be very cheerful when she gets used to you.
"I'm kidding. Did you forget to feed Susie today?"
A look of shock crossed Luna's face.
"Uh..see ya!"
Nightshine chuckled. She looked up at the grand clock in the room she was currently in. Time for lunch, She thought. She entered the dining room to see Celestia sitting down, already eating.
"What, you couldn't wait?" Nightshine asked as she sat down. A servant pony hustled in, set a tray before Nightshine, and left.
"I'm sorry, the hay and apples taste strangely better today." Celestia remarked.
Nightshine merely nodded.
Halfway through the meal, Luna came in. She sat down and started to eat. After the meal, they all went out to the pavilion to watch the performance. Nightshine's heart leaped a little when she saw the Wonderbolts fly through the air with the Shadowbolts in between. And then Stratus was in the middle, leading them all.
