Returning of the darker side- 1
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.
Celestia was pleased when they returned with a plastic looking cup, with a black straw that was see through. "Ah, I see your search has been successful. I thank you." Her voice was still friendly towards the stallion, who smiled at the praise. "I live to please." He replied, in a respectful tone.
Celestia slowly took the drink in her mouth, careful of the liquid that swished around inside. "She is far to weak to consume solid foods, at the moment. For now, she will have to drink this. IT should held take the pang of hunger, and give her more strength.. but not too much." He hinted slightly, and the princess understood almost immediately. So she didn't try to overpower again.
* * *
There was a small knock at the door, and Celestia used her magic to pull it wide. "Why, Hello Colg-" She stopped midtrack. This wasn't Colgate! It was a small filly, two wings fluttering excitedly. "Hi! I'm Minty Stockings! I'm Colgates sister!" Her voice sounded happy, proud. "Colgate has got the flue, your highness!" A nurse informed, her pink hair in a tight bun as she appeared next to the energetic filly. "Nurse Redheart, lovely to see you." She greeted the panting mare, who bowed.
"I'm professionally trained!" The little child's hoof saluted, and smiled. "Colgate herself trained me." She sat down, her wings out in pride, chest puffed out.
Celestia couldn't help but musically laugh at that. "I'm sure you are, dear." The filly walked by, her wings closing in respect, before bursting back open as she jumped up on the stool near the bed. Nightmare Moon was sipping weakly at the straw, her teeth catching because of the pointed fangs. She tried to luster a greeting, but since the day she had returned, despite her one sentence, her throat felt scratchy, dry. IT was like speaking a foreign language as the jet colored mare tried to. "Hpdfff.." It was weak, and the filly grinned. ""Hi, Miss Moon! People call me Crest, my my name is Minty Stockings!" She again, said. She pulled over a tray of sharp looking objects. The mares eyes slitted in distrust, but she stayed put. "Now, if you'd open your mouth this'll be easy!" Minty Stockings pulled herself over, her wings folding. Her long, sway-sided mane clipped the the side. She began to search, and while she did, Nightmare Moon looked over her. She was a greenish blue, had gray eyes, and blue striped hair. Minty Stockings? Her dragon eyes went to her hooves, and indeed saw that her forelegs were a lighter green. She tried to smile, but a toothbrush prevented it from happening. Foam filled her mouth, and she coughed. Minty pulled her over a bit, the liquid dripping from her mouth into a bowl. "Good, job!" The praise warmed her, even if she was a grown princess.
She saw a bit of uncertainty in the foals eyes as they eyed her long fangs. Minty Stockings reached warily over to the tray, getting some pliers. "I'm really sorry, Princess. These are gonna have to shake loose." She swallowed, and saw that in the green eyes of the princess, there was her bracing herself for the known pain.
Taking the instrument in her mouth, She leaned in to clamp them over the first canine.
Minty pulled.
Out with a loud, stomach churning pop, a fang shook loose, and she placed it on the tray. The foal looked over, seeing that the bleeding had began, and a relieved look was on her face.
Nightmare groaned as the painful pressure of the rotten tooth was released, and soon the others followed. Cotton balls were stuffed into the holes. Minty Stockings was explaining to her that they would soon come back, and in the mean time, brush three times a day to get her teeth white again.
* * *
Honestly, it felt amazing to be fussed over. The princess was enjoying herself. The doctor came back with her juice, freshly cold, and held the straw to her lips. The cotton balls had been removed a few minutes after Minty left. A nurse was attending to her hooves, which she didn't mind, but didn't like exactly. Celestia had curled up in the corner, where the guards had insisted they'd order a small bed for her, but she just refused, taking some of the hospitals bed clothes and making a small nest in the side of the room.
She gave a smile, and watched. Black and white feathers mingled on the floor, either from her and Celestia, or the pegisi nurses. Nightmare felt tired, saying nothing as she stared at thin air.
Was she Nightmare, or Luna in a different coat?
Returning of thy faithful student
Celestia was watching from her make-shift resting place, and saw the star like mane move in Nightmare Moon's sleep. It had a certain gleam to it that was beautiful, yet the memories it shed were all to painful for her to try and recover.
Celestia heard a knock suddenly, and she shook off her thoughts. The majestic mare stood, and her golden shoes clanked almost silently. She used her magic to pull open the handle, and a familiar lavender unicorn trotted in.
"Ah, Twilight Sparkle. I expected your arrival." Her voice was amused as she craned to embrace her student. "Princess! I'm so glad for the news!" The mare chirped, and began to trot in place. Celestia smiled, and watched as the nurses that were in the room removed the curtain, and Nightmare Moon came into place.
Twilight watched, and sighed. "Do you know yet of her intentions?" Celestial shook her head. "Sadly, no.." Twilight nodded, and watched.
"Hopefully, she's good this time."