The returning princess.

Celestia had to control herself from bouncing like a filly on Hearts and Hooves day. Today was the day the white sun goddess had been hoping for. The return of her wonderful, wonderful sister, Princess Luna.

With her wings open to show authority, she walked forward, her hooves quiet against the marble floor. "My dear ponies. Today is the day I had been forced to banish my beloved sister to the moon. Her actions were not her own, But the evil of her own nightmare. Today, shall now be known as the day she returned, not the day she was sent to the moon." Her voice was loud, happy. Though the crowd could sense the princesses happiness, they said nothing to offend her as she took position. The stars aligned, and she rose her wings spread in a manner that was powerful and graceful all together.

It all happened in a quick flash, and then on stage was a puff of smoke, then a long, lengthy figure stepped out. Celestia gasped, and held guard, and the words that rasped from the skeletal pony made her shiver. "No. Don't, sister..." before the alicorn collapsed in pure exhaustion.

The screams of terror from the ponies had almost made it impossible for her to hear, and Celestia ignored the fact this was the mare that had tried to kill her off. "Get a doctor!" She nearly screamed, and she studied her sister.

"Oh, Luna. Is that you?" Her snout rested on the hard, sleek armor of the pony that was not her sister, but was at the same time.

"Please, Luna. Come back." She silently prayed, and she settled never to her. Celestia began to lick the princesses coat, and spat out a mouthful of gray dust. It had left a bad taste in her mouth, and she sighed. The dust had almost turned Nightmare Moons jet black fur white.

* * *

As soon as Nightmare Moon was in the bed of the medical wing, Celestia stood, looking at her. It was different. Nightmare Moon had no armor on her body. It made it worse, seeing that the fur was black compared to the dust. What was that stuff? Moon dust?

Setting the thought aside, her eyes traveled the mare. Her ribs stuck out in a ghastly manner, her legs almost seemed to be made of bone. Her mouth was open, her forked tongue lolling out, her fangs exposed.

"Oh, Nightmare. Please, awaken to be Luna." Was her silent plea, as she curled up in the bed next to her sisters evil form. The guards tensed as they watched, and they seemed stiff. As if waiting for the evil princess to get up and simply slit her throat.

But no. The tall princesses were next to each other perfectly, looking as if they fit. Celestia raised a wing to wrap around her.

Slowly, her mind became cloudy, and she closed her eyes, falling to sleep next to the delicate alicorn. Her dreams were happy.

She saw herself with Luna, the light blue princess curled under her wing, looking happy as she could. Then it flashed away, and another memory took its place; There father and mother teaching them there destinies. She remembered the joy of it, raising the sun. Luna had implied hers was amazing as well, and both after that exhausting experience, fell asleep into each other.

* * *

Celestia awoke later to a cramping back, and her sleepy eyes looked at the time. HEr wings sprung up at the time. It was time for the moon! The princess scuttled from the bed, not noticing the absent body as her work caused worry. She went to the window, and summoned her magic quietly. It took a few moments, but the moon rose. She smiled in delight at the site of no craters shaped in amare.. wait..

The sun goddess whirled around, seeing the black pony gone. She looked at her guards, and as they were to explain, a hoof opened the door, and between three nurses was Nightmare Moon. She looked so weak.

THe nurse looked at Celestia's worried face, and smiled softly. "Terribly 'orry for the fright, her wings needed a bit of preening. Givin' her some pain. Shes alright." The princess moved her eyes to settle on the black mare. Her coat had been washed, and she looked like she was knocked out with something. Celestia raised a eyebrow in question.

Another one, with  a needle for a cutie mark, apologized. "We had to give her sedate. Apparently the pain was worse then we though. Feather touch got a bit of a nip out of her." Celestia frowned, and looked at the small of both nurses, a little filly in training. She had a bandage on her foreleg, though she looked okay. "Is she alright?" The same colt nodded, and smiled gently. "She didn't break skin." He informed. "Wings can be painful if not groomed properly. She'll get more treatment later. We are having Colgate come to check out her teeth." Feather touch whispered, and Celestia laughed. "I'm sure she will be grateful." Though her guards looked uncertain. "May I have a talk with you...?" She asked, as if asking his name. She hadn't meant to forget, but lots of medical ponies had similar cutie marks. "Needle tip." He murmured quietly, and nodded. "Of course, Princess. I am honored." He bowed down, and Celestia motioned for him to stand.

"No need for that, Needle Tip." Her voice was warm, and friendly.

Needle Tip straightened himself, and walked forward. "You majesty, you needed something?" He asked, and the princess nodded. "She is looking rather frail, and I am afraid. Is there anything you could give her to make her stronger?" Her voice was hopeful, her mane flowing out and she closed her wings calmly.

Needle tip looked to be in deep thought, and nodded. "We may have something. I'll return in a second, Your majesty." The stallion bowed, and trotted out of the room.