Nightmare Night was here. Fillies and foals could be seen in their costumes around Ponyville’s streets, knocking every house’s doors and asking for sweets. Flags of the Mare in the Moon hung all over Ponyville, and lanterns adorned and illuminated the town. The full moon hung high in the sky, giving the chilly, spooky atmosphere appropriate for this peculiar festivity.

Spike gave his Diamond Dog costume the final touches downstairs in the Golden Oaks Library as he waited for Twilight Sparkle to finish putting her own costume on. He honestly hated these creatures for capturing Rarity and all, but he had to admit the guys looked pretty scary.

“How does the collar look on me, Owly?” Spike asked Owlowiscious, who was dressed as a phoenix.

“Who.”

“Really?” Spike giggled “Thanks! Though I think it actually looks really… delicious…” he commented while salivating as his claws threatened to grab said diamond collar and shove it up his mouth.

“Spiiike!” Twilight yelled from upstairs.

“Y-yes?” Spike woke up from his trance and directed his gaze towards the voice’s source.

“H-how does it look?” A blushing Nightmare Moon descended down the stairs.

Twilight’s mane and tail were still the same, but they were dyed blue, one of her streaks in white and the other in light violet. A slightly modified version of Nigtmare’s helmet covered Twilight’s face, the chest plate was almost the same as well. Her coat was black, and Nightmare’s Cutie Mark adorned her flank instead of Twilight’s star. There were also wings on Twilight’s sides. Spike couldn’t believe Twilight went as far as to emulate Nightmare’s cat-like turquoise eyes, which seemed to glow in the dark.

It was a ridiculously amazing improvement from her Starswirl costume. It was almost creepy… in many ways.

“You can’t be serious…” Spike’s eyes widened further as the realization hit him. He swore he probably felt like Starswirl the Bearded when he discovered a new spell, just that instead of feeling like a genius, he actually felt utterly stupid. Rarity had been right all this time, but Spike didn’t want to admit it.

His dorky friend, almost like an older sister who hadn't even received her first kiss yet, was now in love.

“W-well, I am!” Twilight was still blushing, but she attempted to hold a stern tone. Walking past Spike, she went to the window and began staring at the full moon outside. This had been a habit Twilight had ever since that night last month when Twilight finally arrived at midnight with her wobbly horn, muttering some nonsense about a flower and Princess Luna.

“This was the surprise?” Spike asked, still standing some feet away from her helpless looking friend. Said friend sighed deeply.

“At least it is better than the Starswirl the Bearded costume” Twilight commented with a distant smile “And it does hold some other meaning…”

“S-so… You made the costume yourself?” Spike tried to change the subject; he felt really uncomfortable with this awkward romance stuff, especially considering it was Twilight Sparkle speaking them “You even dyed your coat, mane and tail? And what did you do to your eyes?!”

“Rarity helped me, and no. I used a spell. Do you have any idea of how hard it is to get those dyes off?” she frowned “And by which other means am I supposed to get these eyes without magic?” she said as if it was some sort of obvious fact as she briefly glanced at Spike to emphasize her point.

“And the wings?”

“They aren’t functional. Rarity designed them.” Spike felt a chill run down his spine when he detected how distant and cold her tone had become. He was downcast, awkwardly fidgeting and wondering what exactly happened to Twilight and how to help her when everything he said only made her feel more annoyed and frustrated.

“W-well… it turned out pretty ama… wait…” first there was the sound of a burp, then the sound of a scroll falling on the wooden floor. “Twilight… it has Princess Luna’s seal!”

“What?!” immediately, Twilight perked up and ran to grab the letter “W-wasn’t she supposed to be too busy to…” she wasted no time to break the seal and read the letters contents. Suddenly, Twilight dashed towards the door with a smile form ear to ear and opened it.

The letter fell on the ground and Spike picked it up...

"Could you please open the door?"

What kind of joke was this? Was that really necessary? A whole scroll for just a sentence like this?! What a waste of... everything! Oh well, it was pretty common in those romance novels Twilight kept around...

When Twilight opened the door, a taller Twilight had been revealed.

“Nightmare Night! What a fright! Give me something sweet to bite!” the taller Twilight chanted, an empty paper bag rested in front of her hooves. Nightmare Moon stood on her doorstep staring at the mare, shocked.

“P-p-p-prin…cess… L-luna?” the red in her cheeks could still be seen despite the darkness of her coat. Princess Luna’s choice for costume had been a little ironic. Her coat was lavender, her mane still flowed, but had Twilight’s mane own colors. The cutie mark had also been changed. However, the wings remained, now lavender.

“Good evening, Twilight Sparkle” Princess Luna politely greeted with a mischievous smile. The real Twilight failed to reply, her eyes wide and mouth hanging “Or should I say… Nightmare Twilight? If I am… not mistaken, I believe that if you fail to give me the recently requested treat, tradition demands me to prank you somehow as an act of revenge.”

“U-um, s-sorry! Good evening!” Twilight quickly grabbed some candy from a nearby bowl with her magic and placed them inside the paper bag. Luna gracefully giggled, covering her mouth with her hoof.

“Splendid!” She held the bag with her magic, and it was teleported somewhere else. Nightmare Twilight’s cat-like irises just stared at Princess Twilight questioningly, but refused to actually ask the question she had in mind. She didn't want to shock herself further.

“L-Luna… You said you would be busy back at Canterlot with other Nightmare Night related events!” Twilight asked as Luna began to walk off, expecting Twilight to follow her. She closed the door behind her, forgetting completely about the confused dragon inside the library.

“You see, Twilight, you are not the only pony I made a promise to” Luna said, her gaze dancing around the peaceful town and the disguised fillies with their parents “Even though… you alone are reason enough for me to excuse myself, the main guest, from these grander and more luxurious events back at Canterlot…” Twilight swore she could see Luna blushing, though she was not a pony to speak since her face was also bright as well “...I strongly believe these endearing shrieking children are also worthy of my attention.”

“I’m glad to hear you ended up taking a liking to them, Luna!” Twilight cheerfully said as she watched the object of her affection greet the children that passed by joyfully. This kept going until they reached more isolated parts of Ponyville.

"Luna?"

"Yes?"

"Where are we going?"

"To the Everfree Forest."

The owner of the Night herself walked through the dark halls of Canterlot Castle. She lacked her regalia; she didn't bother going back to her room just to put them back on. Right now she needed to talk to her sister so she could help her in a choice she had to make.

It was just a little past midnight, there was a possibility that Celestia was long lost in the labyrinth of dreams. Luna hoped she was still awake. Unconsciously, her pace quickened and became a gallop. She felt she had to win a race against something... Something that had already taken too many things away from her. She had to win this race against time.

That wasn't necessary, though. Luna stopped abruptly when she saw Celestia walking through the hallways in her opposite direction absentmindedly.

"'Tia?!"

"L-Luna?! What are you-" but before the alicorn could finish her question, Luna jumped to embrace her. They remained there, basking in each other's warmth under the silver moonlight.

"Lulu... What's wrong?" Luna sighed, feeling her heart pounding in her chest.

"It is... about Twilight Sparkle."

"You went there again... didn't you?" her sister's silence was enough to answer Celestia's question.

"Those flowers... it is almost as if... they could hear me and understand me even..." Her voice was shaky, and her sighs interminable. Her head lowered further and she allowed her weight to rest on her sister's strong body. Celestia's scent, fur and voice were something that had always soothed Luna ever since they were both little fillies.

"Why don't you speak with me, sister?" Celestia whispered on Luna's ear, wrapping wings and hooves around her.

"Celestia, I just do not want to-"

"I was worried" Silence followed, Luna being deep in thought about Celestia's sincere words. They reminded her of that night a thousand years ago, when she realized that her actions, her selfishness could hurt more than one pony"You know I am always here for you, Luna. It does not matter when, where or why. I love you and I want to be there for you."

"'Tia... I cannot carry this burden anymore... I hate love!" Luna's rantings were childish; her mind was obscured by her pain just as her eyes were by her tears.

"Lulu... Why don't you give the first step?"

"I am too scared, sister... too scared..."

"You're not alone..."

Princess Luna frowned at the memory. Sure, 'Tia's words had been beautiful, but her own behavior had been... embarrassing. She still hated love for making her act like such a foal.

"Luna? I-Is something wrong?" Twilight asked her as she caught up, looking nervously at the forest's dark surroundings, but mostly paying attention to Luna's frown.

"Uhm... N-no, Twilight Sp... Twilight. Be at ease" Luna flashed the intimidated unicorn a small smile, her gaze landing everywhere but at Twilight's eyes.

Luna seriously began questioning her actions. No turning back now, though. At least she knew she had 'Tia's support, and that was enough for her. Still, she wanted to ease this torturing silence between them.

“Twilight… thank you.”

“You’re welcome… I think. Why are you thanking me?”

“Oh, nothing new… I just can’t thank you enough for helping me reconnect with ponies after all those years…”

“Luna…” Twilight just smiled at the princess whose gaze refused to leave the path ahead. She didn't want to argue any more about how it was also thanks to her friends, and Luna's own efforts and perseverance that everything turned out well that Nightmare Night. It was embarrassing for the both of them. "Your costume is nice..."

"Why, thank you, Nightmare Twilight!" Luna responded with a smug tone. "It is mostly illusion magic, but it does save some frustrating hours of furiously scrubbing dye away" Twilight giggled at the shared opinion. "Yours is remarkable as well. I can detect the illusion spells in it. Those eyes look very realistic, I must say! Have you perhaps been studying?"

"Well... yes" Twilight admitted, blushing "Though it isn't that much of a deal. It only required some visualizing and focus. I was scared in the beginning though... I was afraid to somehow insult you or even bring some awful memories by choosing this..."

"Worry not, Nightmare Twilight! The past is the past and it shall remain that way. There is no other productive use for it than for a good laugh! It was actually worthwhile to come here and witness your exceptional magical talent and creativity once more!" Luna reassured and praised Twilight with a friendly glance and smile, but the unicorn could only answer with a bashful smile of her own "How tempting it is to take you under my wing..."

"What?"

"This will remain as a joke until the day dear 'Tia decides to release you."

The conversation soon died as both mares ran out of subjects and the walk continued in silence. To Luna's fortune, their destination wasn't too far away now. In fact, things were starting to look familiar...

This part of the Everfree they were currently walking through had remained the same through the numerous years that had passed ever since it had been left in disuse and in nature's fearsome claws. Luna could still visualize the other paths, entrances and small caverns that used to exist. This particular path she was following lead to a secret place of hers that used to belong to somepony else as well.

"I've always believed..." Twilight suddenly spoke up "...that all the parts of the Everfree Forest looked the same, so it should be easy to get lost, but... I seem to recognize this particular path."

"That is because you already walked through here" she explained absentmindedly, her gaze fixed ahead. Luna really wanted to save all the answers for when they arrived. It could help her distract her from the nerves when the time arrived... Twilight stayed silent for the rest of the trip, lost in her own thoughts. After some time cutting branches and avoiding creatures finally arrived to the destination.

"The flowers... they are real after all..." Luna could see through the corner of her eye the amazement shown in Twilight's features. Her eyes were wide, fixed on the beautiful flower bed in front of them, and her mouth slightly hanging.

"I trust... that you will keep this a secret, and that you won't damage this place no matter what" Luna muttered to the pony besides her, gazing fondly upon the flowers.

"I... I promise. No, I Pinkie promise!" Twilight did the strange dance, Luna could only stare. This 'Pinkie Promise' seemed quite serious...

"A-alright. Now..." The Night Princess gracefully walked towards the flowers bed and laid down on it "leaving Nightmare Night behind and entering more serious matters, you shall ask all the questions you may have." Slowly, the disguise covering her dissipated, leaving Luna without her regalia... just like that night.

"What is the flower's real origin?" Twilight began her interrogation, walking hesitantly towards Luna as she also deactivated her own spells and discarded the other parts of the costume on a spot on the grass "I mean, 'sprouted from the princess's tears of sorrow'? That can't be serious."

"And it isn't" She said between giggles "True, this is a place I where have shed tears multiple times in the past... but these flowers were planted by somepony long ago..."

"...How long? Exactly." Twilight sat right beside Luna. Her posture relaxed when Luna didn't object against it.

"Two centuries before my banishment." Luna nonchalantly answered as if they were speaking about a couple of months, or even weeks.

"How is that even... possible?" Twilight examined the flower in front of her with equal amounts of care and interest. She noticed they were slightly... translucent. "For something to survive for so long..."

"Well... these flowers are from somewhere far, far away." The princess' turquoise eyes wandered up to the stars above.

"You mean... another planet?" Twilight's magenta eyes also traveled upwards, as if trying to see what could be out there.

As if trying to search for somebody else that was also looking upwards.

"Who?"

"Pardon?" Luna turned to look at Twilight, who was still lost in the sea of stars.

"Who planted them?" Their gazes met. Twilight was now lost inside Luna's own sea of turquoise.

"A little filly... by the name of Sapphire Fang."

Sapphire Ghost Flowers...

Sapphire Fang...

"She was... a pony I cherished a lot... not romantically. More like a dear friend, or a younger sister." Their gazes refused to part, both hearts beat furiously and in sync. "...But right now, you matter more in my heart..."

"L-Luna?" A cobalt blue aura enveloped one of the flowers and levitated it into Twilight's mane, right behind her ear. "The flower! Is this... okay?"

"Like I just stated..." Luna lifted her chin delicately, almost as if she was caressing one of those flowers' crystal-like petals. "You matter more to me, Twilight Sparkle. It looks magnificent on your mane."

"Why were you crying, Luna?" Her question was sudden, but it made everything easier for Luna.

The answer to this question came from Luna's lips, but in a different way. She closed the little distance between them, forgetting the significance of words. Only actions, as bold as they could be, could express the intensity of what Luna felt. Finally, she was able to feel this wondrous mare's silky lips on hers. An indescribable warmth washed over her body when she felt Twilight reciprocating, and even if it was rather clumsy, Luna could feel the love and it was all that mattered to her.

They parted, and even though there was one particular question hanging in the lovestruck princess' mind she felt like her own answer was still incomplete...

"I cried..." she gazed deep into Twilight's eyes, foreheads touching, and between gasps for air "...because I love you so much it hurt. The pain is not present anymore, though... because... I know I have you... Am I correct?"

"Luna... I..." Twilight was truly at a loss of words. There were only three special words her mind wanted her to whisper only for Luna to hear. Embracing her beloved princess, she let these three words fly into her ears "I love you."

"AAAHH!!"

"Ah!" Twilight shrieked and both mares stood up.

"Who goes there?!" Luna adopted a fighting stance, extending her wings to cover Twilight. However, she relaxed when she saw the source of the noise had been none other than a blushing Rarity. She wore her red glasses and still had her measuring tape hanging around her neck.

"Way to ruin the moment..." Spike muttered, crossing his arms and rolling his eyes. His costume had branches and leaves stuck in it. Twilight also saw Fluttershy, who wore no costume, hiding behind Rarity.

"I-I am sorry, Princess..." Rarity gave a hurried bow "I c-couldn't resist this is just too beautiful..."

"P-pray tell... Why are all of you here?"

"More importantly... For how long have you three been listening?" Twilight stepped forward. She was still shivering and blushing madly from the moment, but her anger could be seen in her frown.

"Well, dear... long enough to know that I shouldn't touch these flowers..."

"The sky is very clear tonight..." Nightmare Twilight muttered, looking up at the sky. They were at the Nightmare Moon statue, preparing a little surprise for the children.

"Focus, beloved" Princess Twilight urged her marefriend as she also made some adjustments at the statue. Their plan wasn't very complex as there were some minutes left until the children arrived, but they hoped it would work just fine. "The frightened children are nearby and time is running short."

"I get easily distracted when the sky is as beautiful as its designer..." Twilight tried complementing, her cheeks flushed. Spike and Rarity better not be spying on her right now.

Otherwise the teasing would know no ending.

"Why, I never thought you would have it in you!" Luna said as she placed a small kiss on Twilight's blushing cheek. "Now, behind the bush. The time has come."

Zecora, like now she was accustomed to do every Nightmare Night, lead the group of children (and donkey Pinkie) through the forest and towards the frightening statue where they would drop their bags of candy as offerings. They proceeded to do this, and some of the foals and fillies were expecting something quite scary to happen by now...

"It should happen any minute now..." the kids thought eagerly.

Suddenly, rustles could be heard around them. Wind started blowing with force, and thunder roared, making the children leap backwards in fear.

"I am pleased to know you haven't failed me this year either..." a voice boomed "But what might this be...? It seems there just aren't enough sweets to satisfy me..." all the ponies present gulped, hearts pounding against their chests "will have to satiate my hunger...by eating you!"

The children shrieked and began to run away as a dark mist began to surround the statue. The plan was a success, but Pinkie remained there, laughing uncontrollably.

"Oh, Twilight!" the mist dissipated to reveal a rather confused Nightmare Twilight "You're so funny!"

"Pinkie..." Twilight sighed and rolled her eyes.

"YOUR PATHETIC IMITATIONS ARE INSULTING!!" another voice yelled, making Twilight scream and dash behind Pinkie. The mist returned, and the real Nightmare Moon jumped from it.

"Hee-haw!!" however, Pinkie brayed and hid behind the bushes, leaving poor Twilight alone in front of the frightening mare... until she remembered...

"L-Lunaaa!" Twilight pouted and the Mare of the Moon began laughing with malice, but transformed into innocent giggling as the Nightmare transformed back into Princess Twilight.

"Oh, Twilight dear!" Luna embraced her still shivering Twilight "You should have seen your facial expression!" Twilight just rolled her eyes and returned the embrace with a smile.

"You just get better every year."

Back at Twilight's library, the new couple sat in the balcony lacking their costumes, looking up at the stars Twilight had always loved with all her heart. The night had been beautiful and fun, scaring children, playing games and enjoying some minutes for themselves, but there were also some matters Luna knew she had to speak with Twilight. She wanted to make sure they were both ready for what was to come.

The Princess took Twilight's hooves in hers and looked straight into her love's eyes.

"You know this is going to have its difficulties..."

"Yes, Luna" Twilight took a deep breath "I have always been aware of everything... I can go through this."

"My schedule might get even tighter, Twilight. We may not be able to see each other for extended periods of time..."

"We'll figure something out, I'm sure" Luna could see confidence and determination in her love's eyes. It was contagious.

"Say. What if we make Nightmare Nights... our nights?" She suggested, and Twilight's eyes sparkled.

"Sounds like a nice idea" they leaned in for a sweet kiss, one of many more to come. Twilight leaned against her princess' body, closing her eyes to enjoy the warmth and softness of her coat.

"By the way, my love."

"Yes, my moon?"

"I may be wrong... but, back at the flower bed..."

"What happened?"

"Was that your.... first kiss?"

Twilight sighed and completely ignored her question for the rest of the night.

A lavender coated alicorn could be seen tending to a crystal-like flower at the Canterlot Gardens. She watered it and caressed its petals carefully and fondly. That single flower had survived for so many years, and it held so many beautiful memories. It had witnessed many good and bad moments, and had mended small wounds in the lavender alicorn's heart...

Because, just by looking at it, she could remember the face of the mare she loved the most.

Oh, well. There were just a couple of hours left until Luna left court. However, before she left, she saw her reflection on the Sapphire Ghost Flower, and it strongly reminded her of something else...

"Hello, Princess Twilight."

In the distance, hiding the shadows, deep glowing azure eyes followed the lavender alicorn as she returned to the castle.

"Sapphire Fang?" a voice spoke in her mind.

"Mistress Luna, I think I'm in the future this time... some sort of alternate timeline where you are dating Twilight Sparkle, who speaks with herself, and I assume I died."

"...S-surely, my student, we must immediately fix this anomaly and get you back home before you keep witnessing these rather embarrassing alternate scenarios. Also, I request you to keep this a secret from everypony and everybody, especially my sister. Understood?"

"Ah... but this has so much writing material... Yes, Mistress Luna. Understood."

Author's Note

Finally I managed to finish this chapter, even though I wanted to publish it on the 31st. It turned out a little longer than expected and I am very unsure about how it turned out.

Sapphire Fang is an OC of mine. You will probably learn more about her in future fics, but I believe this is the only Two-shot from "The Flower Series" where she will make an appearance in. You might not like her brief appearance much, but I just felt like adding her in for having some fun.

Anyways, I hope you enjoyed. You can suggest the shipping that will come next in the comments. However, I already have one in mind: TwiSalis.