Tears On Her Lashes (Sequel to Miasma)by Weeping AngelChaptersPart 1-Chapter 1- TARDIS Covered WallsPART 1:Chapter 2: (Not) Welcome Back!PART 1-Chapter 3: DespairIntroductionPart 1-Chapter 1- TARDIS Covered WallsPART 1 I Remember Twilight smiled at me as I sat down next to her at the dining room table. Celestia thanked the waiter as he served a gigantic platter of food. Some ponies might be shocked at the lavish food we were being served, but I was used to it. After thousands of years eating it, you really just got used to it. It had been five hundred years since the Miasma had been banished, and I was feeling great about it. There was an amazing chance that the Miasma would never return, maybe because the Elements worked better, or maybe because of shame or embarrassment. Twilight was depressed, though, through my happiness. Her friends, unlike her, were not immortal. They died along with the Miasma. And although she tried to hide it, you could always see the rim of depression surrounding her. Even now, you could see her secretly mourning as she ate the meal. After she finished, she excused herself and went to her suite. "What's up with her?" Celestia said, staring at me incredulously. My eyes bugged out. Celestia should have known "what was up" with her. But I noticed over the past five hundred years, Celestia has been acting more childish and weird. Especially towards Twilight. In fact, Twilight seemed more like a teacher than Celestia. "I'll go talk to her," I told Celestia, and I started to walk to the Star Suite. As I walked through the Star Hall, I stared out the window. The Nighties were out and partying as they normally did. The Nighties were a happy bunch, worthy of my Night. They partied all night long and had fun. Most of them were fashion designers, or artists looking for inspiration. They were mostly part of the Recreational sector of jobs in the New Equestria. After the banishment of the Miasma, I became more of a celebrity around Equestria. Before, I was unknown. Nopony came out during the nighttime, while they cherished and enjoyed Celestia's Day. This was one of the reasons that I rebelled and sided with the Miasma to create Night Mare Moon. So, in order to pacify both Celestia and myself, and so things would finally be fair in Equestria, we divided the ponies into two groups, the Lighties and the Nighties. The idea was brought up a few years after the Miasma's banishment, but wasn't issued until about three hundred years ago. The Lighties only went out during the Day. Their primary leader was, of course, Celestia, although their duty was to serve all three of us. They wore a Sun necklace around their necks to symbolize the Day. They were normally associated with more serious and intellectual jobs, and farmers. These included Judges, Lawyers, etc.(part of the Justice sector) Scientists and other related jobs (part of the Science sector) Teachers, Professors, and other teaching related jobs (part of the Knowledge sector), and more. The Nighties were the opposite, and only went out during my Night. I was their primary leader, even though they pledge allegiance to all three of us. They wear a Moon necklace to symbolize Night. They were more associated with recreational jobs, such as, Fashion Designers, Models, Singers, Artists, etc. They all belonged to the Recreational Sector. Then, the last group are the Stars. It is, however, not classified as a proper "group". They were neither Lighties nor Nighties. Their primary leader was Twilight, we couldn't leave her out. They wore a Star necklace. The Stars were only Students, and Fillies. They were the ponies who had half and half classes, which means half of their classes are during the Day and half at Night. After they finished College, where the Professors worked, they would choose whether they would be a Lightie or a Nightie. Suddenly I slammed into Twilight's door, knocking me to my senses. "My stars, Luna!" Twilight said as she opened the door to the Star Suite. "You scared me so much!" I apologized and asked if I could come in. Soon I was sitting in the Suite, on her chair, drinking some tea. The Star Suite, like my Moon Suite, was gigantic. The Suite itself was a separate tower at the top of the Canterlot Castle, as all three Suites were. Twilight's Star Suite was mostly libraries. The old Canterlot Library was converted to the Suite, so Twilight could study and read whenever she wanted. It was very high, almost thirty feet in the air. "So, what's up?" Twilight asked me as she plopped down in a chair next to mine. She kicked up her hooves and placed them on the cider table in front of her, which was littered with books. I cleared my throat. "Well, I was just wondering about...um...how you're doing." She looked at me with fake concern. "What do you mean?" She asked. "You know what," I answered. "Your friends. I've noticed how depressed you were lately," I added. Twilight sighed, then shook her head. "Well, I knew I couldn't keep you from this for long," she said. I put down my teacup. "I'm not depressed because of my friends. I mean, I miss them, of course, but that isn't why I've been acting like this." I straightened, expecting the worst. "What is it, then?" "I've seen the Miasma." Up until then I was fine. I was expecting something bad, but not something this bad. My hearing faded, and I heard a sharp piercing sound. My eyesight blurred. Suddenly Twilight was shaking me, trying to make me snap out of it. "Luna! It's okay. She's not here, not yet. She just warned me." I nodded my head. "I know. She's done it to me before, just thousands of years before. Before my banishment," I answered. I looked at Twilight, my good friend. She had done more for me than anypony, really. She anticipated Night Mare Moon's return, and stopped it, freeing me from the Miasma. She made ponies start to like me and taught me how to fit in. I heard some of the Nighties laugh faintly outside. "Okay, Twilight. I have to go," I said. "If you see anything, tell me. This is very serious, Twilight Sparkle," I added, leaving the Star Suite. I remember... It was almost time for the Sun to be raised, where was Celestia? Had she slept in? Impossible, she never slept in. This was her duty, and she would not disobey her duty. I went up to the Sun Suite and knocked on the door. "Celestia, where the hay are you? The Lighties will be as mad as Sombra on bad hair day if you don't move it!" I yelled, opening the door. I heard mumbling coming from her sunroom/bedroom, and then a crash. A weird, distorted, teenage voice came rumbling from the room. "Coming, dear sister of mine!" she said. "Celestia? What's wrong with your voice?" I asked. This time Celestia's voice came through. "Nothing, sister! I'll be right there!" A green light glowed underneath the door. This was way too weird. I slammed the door down, overcome by my amazing strength. It crumbled underneath, and I looked up. There, in front of me, were two Celestias. Literally. One was tied up, her voice being muffled by strange vines covering her mouth. Another was looking at me, surprised, and said: "It's not what it looks like." Angered, I zapped the untied Celestia with my magic, just a light perception filter spell, which showed anypony's true self. Sure enough, I was met by a Changeling. She looked pretty young for a Changeling, I could tell. But instead of being one of those puny Changeling drones, she was a full-fledged Queen Chrysalis look-alike. She was very tall, just like the Queen, but wore a Changeling tiara instead of crown. She had a blue-ish mane with purple streaks, as if she had tried to dye it but failed. Her eyes were a bright yellow, and she wore a blue vest, like Chrysalis. "Who the hay are you?" I interrogated, zapping the vines that held my sister. She stepped up, shaking off the vines that held her. "I am Princess Monarch of the Changeling Colony," the Changeling said, back in her normal voice. "I am Queen Chrysalis' first daughter, and heir to the throne." Her voice had a shaky tone to it, as if she was scared of our wrath. "Well, then, Princess. What the hay are you doing here, then?" I asked, cocking my head. She sighed, and lowered her head. "I have a real reason to be here, Princesses," she said, and I watched as tears welled up in her eyes. I almost felt sorry for the Changeling, but I stopped myself before I let her go. Being banished for a thousand years made me have compassion. "And what is that?" asked Celestia harshly. "Well," Monarch said, "before I would take the throne after my mother, Queen Chrysalis, I must infiltrate an important government leader and take her form, and come back with a lot of food for my subjects. It's a sort of test before you take on the role of leadership!" She sighed and hung her head. "I'm really sorry about this, but if I come back as a failure my mother will disown me, and leadership will be handed over to my younger sister, Moth Wings. And I can't do that, Princesses." Now I felt sorry for the young princess. She didn't seem like all of a bad pony. Monarch was just trying to win her mother's approval... Another green light filled the room, and we both looked at Monarch suspiciously. Suddenly a different Changeling appeared in front of me. Why, it was none other than the Changeling Queen Chrysalis. "Daughter of mine, you have failed me," she said, an evil tone to her voice. Monarch cringed, expecting the worst. "I-I'm sorry, Mother. It... I just...um..." Monarch was at a loss for words. "No excuses!" Chrysalis snapped, stomping her holed hoof on the ground. "I gave you a test and you failed. Might I add that I did this same test the day I was made Queen?" she added, frowning. Her mane swished as she spoke. "Yes, Mother," Monarch whispered, defeated. Chrysalis shuddered, and said: "Well, you know what happens. You are dismissed from the Changeling Colony, and are dismissed of your duty towards it. You are now classified as Rogue Drone," she concluded, a formal tone to her voice. I hadn't noticed before, but Celestia did her duty and raised the Sun a while ago. It was a bright sunny day, and suddenly I felt an overwhelming tiredness wash over me. Monarch stepped back, tears on her thin lashes. Her pupils enlarged, signaling her pain. And who could blame her? Monarch's mother had just disowned her, she had lost everything she believed in, her home, her family, her royal position. Reminded me of my time as Night Mare Moon. But my compassion was in vain. Chrysalis was gone, taking Monarch's whole life with her. Monarch stood for a second, bewildered, not blinking. Then she crumpled to the floor, sobbing. I knelt next to her. Her hooves were covering her face, but you could see her pained eyes through the holes in them. "Hey, it's okay," I told Monarch. She shook her head. "No. Things will never be okay," Monarch said in between sobs. I hugged her, and she relented. "You can stay with us if you want," I told her. Celestia shook her head and whisper-yelled at me. I waved her off, and continued to comfort the ex-princess. "Thank you, Luna. I appreciate it so much," she said, and looked at me. Her eyes were bloodshot from crying, but she managed a smile. I smiled, and Celestia scoffed. I remember... I showed Monarch her room in the Moon Suite. "Now, you must decide what you will be," I told her. She looked at me, confused. I sighed. "Did you finish Changeling school?" I asked her. Monarch nodded. "Yes, I finished the Royal Academy of the Changelings," she said. "I am over 500 years old," she added. "Okay," I answered. "Would you like to be a Nightie or a Lightie?" I asked. "Nightie," Monarch said without hesitation. I smiled, and handed her a Moon necklace, and a golden band to put on her horn, to show that she is a member of Equestria. I wouldn't want any riots happening about her Changeling form. I went and raised the Moon, for it was time. As I flew up, channeling my magic, I thought about the Miasma. How it appeared to Twilight, of all ponies. Why wouldn't it appear to me? Not that I was jealous, per se, but worried. Twilight was such a young Alicorn... she did not need the evil one's influence. I finished raising the Moon, and walked back inside, closing the door of the Moon Balcony. I sat on my chair, which was embroidered with moons. It was hand-crafted by my good Nightie friend. I was starting to settle down when I heard a piercing, gurgling scream. "MONARCH!?" I yelled, jumping off the chair, flying in the air, shooting towards the sound. Turns out Monarch had the same idea. I slammed into her as I flew, causing a collision that sent me back flying into a TARDIS-colored wall. ( A good friend of mine called the Doctor gave me the idea.) Monarch was shaking. When I asked her what the problem was, she raised a holed hoof and pointed to the next room. I shook my head, feigning bravery, as I stepped through the doorway to enter the next room. I must have screamed by then, I don't know. For then, I lost hope in everything I have hoped for since the Elements of Harmony five hundred years ago. PART 1:Chapter 2: (Not) Welcome Back!DAY1 "Hey, girlfriend. What's up? How you been?" She asked. Her misty form shimmered, as if it had been disrupted for some reason. "What's up? WHAT'S UP?" I screamed. I levitated a vase and shot it at her. "Ow!" The Miasma yelped, obviously stunned by the vase. She picked pieces of it from her skin. "Okay, obviously you haven't been doing good," she said, cocking her big monstrous head. "What are you doing here? How Why? WHY?!" I screamed through my hysteria. Monarch had tears in her eyes as well, but was just standing there in shock watching the whole scene unfold. It was as if she knew about the Miasma... "Oh, stop being such a big baby," replied the Miasma, waving me off. "I'm not actually here. Remember that time when I came to warn you about my return, but you forgot about it?" I did remember. The Miasma used the mist to manipulate my brain and make me forget about seeing her. But this time, it would not happen. Besides, Monarch had a Changeling brain, which makes her very hard to manipulate. She could help me remember. I nodded to the Miasma, and she smiled. "Don't you remember all the fun times we had together, Woona?" I shuddered. Night Mare Moon was not my idea of "fun". "Anyway, I just wanted to tell you about my newest plan. I can trust you with my ideas, right?" The Miasma chuckled. Once again, I nodded. She grinned. "Great!" The Miasma cleared her misty throat. "So! Well, I won't spoil all of the fun things I have planned, but I will let you in on this: I'm getting stronger. You banished me to a place where it was so damp and moist I regenerated almost instantly!" "So why wait five hundred years to attack?" Monarch asked, standing behind me. "Because, Monarch, I was still banished. I couldn't find my way back here without getting completely lost forever," she answered, a mocking tone to her voice. I growled. "Okay, so, what's next?" I asked her, hoping she could see my anger. "I'll be back, however, in maybe..." she looked at a fake watch on her hoof. "...Eh, two or three days." Gasping, my knees buckled, sending me to the ground. "TWO DAYS?!" "Or three. It depends." Monarch looked as scared as I was. "But why if you were banished for a thousand years before would you not be banished for at least that much?" "I'm getting stronger, little one," the Miasma answered her, lowering her head down to Monarch's level. "Also, the banishment was by default longer while I had a host. Everypony knows I'm stronger in a host." I heard Celestia clamor in the background, walking towards the Moon Suite, and I knew, like before, that Celestia would be the reason I would have to say goodbye to the Miasma. She saluted me as she turned to mist, disappearing into the abyss just as Celestia burst in. This time I would not make the same mistake as before. I told Celestia everything the Miasma told me, leaving out no details. She sat in front of me, looking me up and down as I talked, but not interrupting. "I see," she said after I finished. "We must advance the troops and prepare for war." "No," Monarch cut in, her Changeling voice sounding grand and majestic. "The Miasma is powerful. My mother's army once battled her, thousands of years ago. She will destroy your army drone by drone until you surrender, assuming you are still alive. No, what you must do is hide your people. Make sure none of the Lighties or Nighties are out during this time. Your Guards should only fight to protect the town, not against the Miasma herself. You must fight the Miasma yourself." Just then Twilight walked in, apparently overhearing our whole conversation. "I'll go alert Equestria. Nopony should go out of their homes for any reason whatsoever. Tonight will be the time to start hording food and supplies, we do not know how long the attack will take place." "Okay, Twilight. Get to it, and I'll go tell the Guards," Celestia said. I nodded. "Monarch, you go with Twilight," I told her. She started to fly off with Twilight, and I turned to Celestia. "What will we do this time? The Elements of Harmony are still locked up in the Tree of Harmony, and we have no other options!" Celestia sighed. "I have been thinking about this. We will fight directly until we have no other options, then we perform my plan." "What plan, sister?" She sighed again, then sat on my chair. "We send her to a star." "How?" I was interested now. "The Sun is a star, is it not?" Celestia asked me. "Yes." "Well, you cause an Eclipse, assuming this is during the day. If it is nighttime, you don't have to cause one, obviously. I grab a hold of her, fly upwards, and use my magic to trap her in the star." My spirits faded. "But you would be trapped as well," I replied, shaking my head. She nodded. "I know. That's the catch." "I'm not going to let you sacrifice yourself, Celestia." "I know, I know. Don't worry, this is just a suggestion. For the worst-case scenario." "Okay." She stood, and I followed her down to the Army Headquarters to talk to the Guards. Soon the Guards were prepped and ready to go, Monarch and Twilight successfully rallied up the ponies of Equestria, who were now frantically buying food and supplies, and I was sitting with Celestia silently drinking some tea. "What are we going to do?" Celestia asked me, breaking the awkward silence. I shrugged. "Fight her until she gets tired and careless." Celestia sighed. "What if that never happens? She said it herself, she's gotten much more powerful than before, and even then we could barely even harm her without the Elements." I shrugged again. I had no idea what we would do. Is it possible to fight her? Is it possible to defeat her? The only way we could ever get that information is from the Miasma herself. Or from somepony who fought her herself... "We have to go to Chrysalis," I said triumphantly. With any luck, and a lot of bribery, maybe she can help us figure out a battle plan. With four Alicorns (including Monarch) we could at least put a couple of dents in her misty body. Celestia smiled and we walked over to the end of the Canterlot Castle where we could summon the Changeling Queen. I looked into the pot of green gunk Celestia had created. "Are you sure this will summon her?" I asked. Celestia nodded, full of pride. "Yup, this right here will yank her from her little colony straight into the real world." "Okay then." I turned my magic into the evil Sombra had created years and years before. Celestia did the same, and soon the green gunk started spewing even greener steam. Suddenly a holed leg inched through the steam, and a Changeling materialized in front of us. Problem was, it wasn't Chrysalis. The younger Changeling gaped at us with a look of annoyance. "What the hay do you fillies want?" She asked, and I noticed that she looked almost exactly like Monarch, but where Monarch had blue, she had purple. "Fillies? We're thousands of years older than you! We are-" "Enough, Celestia. I think she's just a young naive baby Changeling who acts like a big toughie when she isn't with her mommy," I mocked, and the young Changeling growled. "What do you want?" She purred sarcastically. Celestia stomped her hoof and looked at me. "Pity, we wanted Chrysalis. This here is nothing more than a larva!" I smiled, then turned to her. "Who are you?" I asked her, and she scoffed. "Oh, you ponies are so slow. I am Queen Moth Wings of the Changeling Colony." Celestia cursed. "So there is no more Chrysalis?" "She has...stepped down." I remembered Moth Wings from Monarch. She said that Moth Wings was her little bratty sister, and since Monarch "failed" in her mission, Moth Wings was the Changeling next in line for the throne. "Great!" Celestia yelled, exasperated. "How are we supposed to get her old war plans against the Miasma?" Moth Wings' eyes glinted. "War plans? Mother taught me about this!" Her chest swelled with pride. "I was the number one war planner out of all two hundred twenty-one of us!" "Okay," I replied. "What does that do for us?" Moth Wings looked down at her holey hoof and smiled sheepishly. "Well, the Miasma does affect us in some ways..." I waved my hoof in a motion meaning "go on". I knew she was aching for war, as most Changelings were. "I will lead my armies in attack of the Miasma if you do one thing for me..." Celestia snarled. "What?" "Give me Monarch. It will be fun torturing her as I've wished to do for so long." I shook my head. Monarch was my friend, and I would never do that to her. But Celestia cut in, saying "You have a deal." I gaped at my sister, feeling anger like never before. How could she have ransomed of a pony like that? "What the hay, Celestia!?" I yelled at her when we released Moth Wings and we exited the room. "That's murder! You're murdering my friend?! You are such a flank hole, you galloping idiot!" I started spewing more curses at her, releasing my anger completely, until she waved a hoof at me. "No, Luna. You have it all wrong. I won't actually give her Monarch. We can defeat Moth Wings ourselves after the war, assuming we're alive. What we can't defeat is the Miasma, and whether you like it or not we need those drones." I nodded, still a bit ticked off but cooling down nicely. I guess she was right... DAY2 I woke up panicked, and I could see it was the middle of the Day. Wow, it was late. I heard clanking in the next room. It was Monarch, probably still adjusting to the Nightie routine. I laid in bed for ten minutes until I couldn't stand it anymore, and got up to go talk to Monarch. Walking through the majestic Moon doorway, I was surprised to see the three Alicorns sitting and drinking tea (or at least Celestia and Twilight were, Monarch was sniffing it, frowning, and setting it back down). "Heyy, guys," I told them, walking cautiously. My hair was frizzy and rumpled, for it had not changed to its wavy state. "We were just talking about the Changeling army helping us, Luna," Monarch informed me, frowning deeply. "Oh." "I have informed Monarch about...our ideas," Celestia said awkwardly. "Oh." I knew what this meant. Monarch knew about Moth Wings' plan, and how'd we agreed to it. I felt bad. "Monarch, I-" "It's fine, Luna," Monarch assured me. Deep inside, I knew it was not "fine". We had ransomed my friend off to her evil little sister. But what could I do? Nothing. "So, anyway, the Changelings are here," Twilight said as she broke the silence. "Great," I said. "Where are they?" "Training with our Guards and being dispatched across Equestria." "What about Moth Wings?" "Snoring away in the throne room." "Good, good." I brushed my mane and used my magic to make it normal again. Suddenly thunder boomed in the background. I looked at Celestia. "Did the Pegasi schedule a thunderstorm in Canterlot?" I asked. She shook her head. "Crap." Something told me that we should go outside. Outside was chaotic. Ponies had listened to us and stayed indoors, but you could see the drones and the Guards freaking out. I told them to stay calm and looked to the sky, where a blue mist started to form around us and Canterlot. It thickened to a point where I could barely see my own hoof. "It's happening," a drone near us buzzed. "It's happening!" I could see the mist above us turning black as midnight. The drone screamed and flew away. It knew what was coming. An evil laughter filled the air. "Ah, Equestria! I have missed you so much!" The Miasma yelled, looking stronger and full of misty, evil power. She laughed maniacally. "Now then, my good friends!" She yelled to us. "Welcome, to the New Mist Era!" PART 1-Chapter 3: DespairWhat happened next was in slow motion for me. The Miasma landed next to Twilight, who smirked evilly next to her. "As you ponies know, I am the Miasma!" she yelled out, and we knew the ponies inside could hear her booming voice. "I am infamous for destroying countless lives, the Zebra nation, and most importantly," she smiled at me, "I caused Night Mare Moon. What you are about to witness is the...collaboration between my new friend and host, the princess you call Twilight Sparkle. "She has agreed to my terms, and we have decided to take over Equestria as a team; Night Mare Twilight." This confused me. How could she have agreed to anything? Then I remembered; the visit from the Miasma Twilight had told me about. Why, though? Then I remembered another thing: when I was Night Mare Moon, I could read the Miasma's thoughts. She thought about a door in a ponies' mind that opened when the pony had a negative thought. "What did you feel, Twilight?" I asked her. She shook her head, as if I didn't understand. Then the Miasma laughed as she possessed Twilight, her body changing as it did mine. She rose, and a purple ball of mist circled around her. Twilight screamed as the pain spread through her body. The mist dissipated, and I could now see Night Mare Twilight clearly. She looked a midnight blue; her cutie mark the opposite shades of violet. Her hair was purple mist, and armor, much like mine, covered her body. Her teeth was as jagged as a shark, but her eyes, they were the worst. They were a neon yellow, with green pupils shaped like her cutie mark. When she looked at you, she sent shivers down your spine. "Despair," it said. "It was despair." Despair. After her friends died. After her mentor neglected her. After she lost her life's work, the Elements of Harmony. I knew. I felt these emotions. I know. I know. End of Part 1 IntroductionThe monster in front of me snarled, than threw back her head and laughed, her evil laughter echoing across the ruins of the Canterlot Castle. Lighties were screaming, running around amidst the chaos. In the monster's eyes I could see the friend I once loved; and the monster that had destroyed my life. Celestia looked at me, pain in her eyes. She knew what she must do. I shook my head. She was not going to sacrifice herself for this! But Celestia was right. We had no choice. We couldn't use the Elements of Harmony against her... they remained in the Tree of Harmony, where they were returned to five hundred years ago. "I HAD NOTHING!" The monster that once was Twilight Sparkle bellowed at us. "I WAS UNNEEDED TO EQUESTRIA!" Normally Celestia or I would scold her; she had so much, but we both knew this was not Twilight. This was my old enemy...the Miasma. My sister ran to a corner of the wrecked Castle, where we regrouped. "Sister, you know what I must do!" I shook my head. Suddenly Monarch slammed into the wall next to us. Her vest was ripped up, and her face wore a scared expression. "She's destroying us out there!" Her voice whispered, her voice using the normal vibrations that they normally did. Celestia looked at me, and I nodded reluctantly. As much as I hated the idea, I knew we must do this. Monarch shuddered, and tears pooled in her eyes. As much as Monarch and Celestia fought, in the end they cared for each other. I played a part in this as well. I was supposed to cause an Eclipse, so Celestia could complete the job. The Eclipse would cause the stars to appear, for a brief two minutes, as Eclipses normally do. This would be enough time. Celestia walked over to where the monster was. It smiled, showing off it's Miasma-like teeth. She lurched forward, and I channeled my magic and pointed it at the Moon. It slowly swallowed the Sun, engulfing it's light. The stars began to show. Celestia grabbed the monster, wrapping her hooves around it's neck. She threw back her crown, and it landed in front of me, making me choke up. This was the last time I saw my sister. I remember when she turned back the last time. I remember when she took my best friend with her. I remember the tears. I remember the tears on my lashes. I remember. And I know. I know what she felt like when I was gone. I know what she felt when she sent me to my doom. I know what she felt like when she saw me off for the last time. I know. These two phrases help me. They help me with my mourning. It's her fault. Miasma. Her.
Part 1-Chapter 1- TARDIS Covered WallsPART 1 I Remember Twilight smiled at me as I sat down next to her at the dining room table. Celestia thanked the waiter as he served a gigantic platter of food. Some ponies might be shocked at the lavish food we were being served, but I was used to it. After thousands of years eating it, you really just got used to it. It had been five hundred years since the Miasma had been banished, and I was feeling great about it. There was an amazing chance that the Miasma would never return, maybe because the Elements worked better, or maybe because of shame or embarrassment. Twilight was depressed, though, through my happiness. Her friends, unlike her, were not immortal. They died along with the Miasma. And although she tried to hide it, you could always see the rim of depression surrounding her. Even now, you could see her secretly mourning as she ate the meal. After she finished, she excused herself and went to her suite. "What's up with her?" Celestia said, staring at me incredulously. My eyes bugged out. Celestia should have known "what was up" with her. But I noticed over the past five hundred years, Celestia has been acting more childish and weird. Especially towards Twilight. In fact, Twilight seemed more like a teacher than Celestia. "I'll go talk to her," I told Celestia, and I started to walk to the Star Suite. As I walked through the Star Hall, I stared out the window. The Nighties were out and partying as they normally did. The Nighties were a happy bunch, worthy of my Night. They partied all night long and had fun. Most of them were fashion designers, or artists looking for inspiration. They were mostly part of the Recreational sector of jobs in the New Equestria. After the banishment of the Miasma, I became more of a celebrity around Equestria. Before, I was unknown. Nopony came out during the nighttime, while they cherished and enjoyed Celestia's Day. This was one of the reasons that I rebelled and sided with the Miasma to create Night Mare Moon. So, in order to pacify both Celestia and myself, and so things would finally be fair in Equestria, we divided the ponies into two groups, the Lighties and the Nighties. The idea was brought up a few years after the Miasma's banishment, but wasn't issued until about three hundred years ago. The Lighties only went out during the Day. Their primary leader was, of course, Celestia, although their duty was to serve all three of us. They wore a Sun necklace around their necks to symbolize the Day. They were normally associated with more serious and intellectual jobs, and farmers. These included Judges, Lawyers, etc.(part of the Justice sector) Scientists and other related jobs (part of the Science sector) Teachers, Professors, and other teaching related jobs (part of the Knowledge sector), and more. The Nighties were the opposite, and only went out during my Night. I was their primary leader, even though they pledge allegiance to all three of us. They wear a Moon necklace to symbolize Night. They were more associated with recreational jobs, such as, Fashion Designers, Models, Singers, Artists, etc. They all belonged to the Recreational Sector. Then, the last group are the Stars. It is, however, not classified as a proper "group". They were neither Lighties nor Nighties. Their primary leader was Twilight, we couldn't leave her out. They wore a Star necklace. The Stars were only Students, and Fillies. They were the ponies who had half and half classes, which means half of their classes are during the Day and half at Night. After they finished College, where the Professors worked, they would choose whether they would be a Lightie or a Nightie. Suddenly I slammed into Twilight's door, knocking me to my senses. "My stars, Luna!" Twilight said as she opened the door to the Star Suite. "You scared me so much!" I apologized and asked if I could come in. Soon I was sitting in the Suite, on her chair, drinking some tea. The Star Suite, like my Moon Suite, was gigantic. The Suite itself was a separate tower at the top of the Canterlot Castle, as all three Suites were. Twilight's Star Suite was mostly libraries. The old Canterlot Library was converted to the Suite, so Twilight could study and read whenever she wanted. It was very high, almost thirty feet in the air. "So, what's up?" Twilight asked me as she plopped down in a chair next to mine. She kicked up her hooves and placed them on the cider table in front of her, which was littered with books. I cleared my throat. "Well, I was just wondering about...um...how you're doing." She looked at me with fake concern. "What do you mean?" She asked. "You know what," I answered. "Your friends. I've noticed how depressed you were lately," I added. Twilight sighed, then shook her head. "Well, I knew I couldn't keep you from this for long," she said. I put down my teacup. "I'm not depressed because of my friends. I mean, I miss them, of course, but that isn't why I've been acting like this." I straightened, expecting the worst. "What is it, then?" "I've seen the Miasma." Up until then I was fine. I was expecting something bad, but not something this bad. My hearing faded, and I heard a sharp piercing sound. My eyesight blurred. Suddenly Twilight was shaking me, trying to make me snap out of it. "Luna! It's okay. She's not here, not yet. She just warned me." I nodded my head. "I know. She's done it to me before, just thousands of years before. Before my banishment," I answered. I looked at Twilight, my good friend. She had done more for me than anypony, really. She anticipated Night Mare Moon's return, and stopped it, freeing me from the Miasma. She made ponies start to like me and taught me how to fit in. I heard some of the Nighties laugh faintly outside. "Okay, Twilight. I have to go," I said. "If you see anything, tell me. This is very serious, Twilight Sparkle," I added, leaving the Star Suite. I remember... It was almost time for the Sun to be raised, where was Celestia? Had she slept in? Impossible, she never slept in. This was her duty, and she would not disobey her duty. I went up to the Sun Suite and knocked on the door. "Celestia, where the hay are you? The Lighties will be as mad as Sombra on bad hair day if you don't move it!" I yelled, opening the door. I heard mumbling coming from her sunroom/bedroom, and then a crash. A weird, distorted, teenage voice came rumbling from the room. "Coming, dear sister of mine!" she said. "Celestia? What's wrong with your voice?" I asked. This time Celestia's voice came through. "Nothing, sister! I'll be right there!" A green light glowed underneath the door. This was way too weird. I slammed the door down, overcome by my amazing strength. It crumbled underneath, and I looked up. There, in front of me, were two Celestias. Literally. One was tied up, her voice being muffled by strange vines covering her mouth. Another was looking at me, surprised, and said: "It's not what it looks like." Angered, I zapped the untied Celestia with my magic, just a light perception filter spell, which showed anypony's true self. Sure enough, I was met by a Changeling. She looked pretty young for a Changeling, I could tell. But instead of being one of those puny Changeling drones, she was a full-fledged Queen Chrysalis look-alike. She was very tall, just like the Queen, but wore a Changeling tiara instead of crown. She had a blue-ish mane with purple streaks, as if she had tried to dye it but failed. Her eyes were a bright yellow, and she wore a blue vest, like Chrysalis. "Who the hay are you?" I interrogated, zapping the vines that held my sister. She stepped up, shaking off the vines that held her. "I am Princess Monarch of the Changeling Colony," the Changeling said, back in her normal voice. "I am Queen Chrysalis' first daughter, and heir to the throne." Her voice had a shaky tone to it, as if she was scared of our wrath. "Well, then, Princess. What the hay are you doing here, then?" I asked, cocking my head. She sighed, and lowered her head. "I have a real reason to be here, Princesses," she said, and I watched as tears welled up in her eyes. I almost felt sorry for the Changeling, but I stopped myself before I let her go. Being banished for a thousand years made me have compassion. "And what is that?" asked Celestia harshly. "Well," Monarch said, "before I would take the throne after my mother, Queen Chrysalis, I must infiltrate an important government leader and take her form, and come back with a lot of food for my subjects. It's a sort of test before you take on the role of leadership!" She sighed and hung her head. "I'm really sorry about this, but if I come back as a failure my mother will disown me, and leadership will be handed over to my younger sister, Moth Wings. And I can't do that, Princesses." Now I felt sorry for the young princess. She didn't seem like all of a bad pony. Monarch was just trying to win her mother's approval... Another green light filled the room, and we both looked at Monarch suspiciously. Suddenly a different Changeling appeared in front of me. Why, it was none other than the Changeling Queen Chrysalis. "Daughter of mine, you have failed me," she said, an evil tone to her voice. Monarch cringed, expecting the worst. "I-I'm sorry, Mother. It... I just...um..." Monarch was at a loss for words. "No excuses!" Chrysalis snapped, stomping her holed hoof on the ground. "I gave you a test and you failed. Might I add that I did this same test the day I was made Queen?" she added, frowning. Her mane swished as she spoke. "Yes, Mother," Monarch whispered, defeated. Chrysalis shuddered, and said: "Well, you know what happens. You are dismissed from the Changeling Colony, and are dismissed of your duty towards it. You are now classified as Rogue Drone," she concluded, a formal tone to her voice. I hadn't noticed before, but Celestia did her duty and raised the Sun a while ago. It was a bright sunny day, and suddenly I felt an overwhelming tiredness wash over me. Monarch stepped back, tears on her thin lashes. Her pupils enlarged, signaling her pain. And who could blame her? Monarch's mother had just disowned her, she had lost everything she believed in, her home, her family, her royal position. Reminded me of my time as Night Mare Moon. But my compassion was in vain. Chrysalis was gone, taking Monarch's whole life with her. Monarch stood for a second, bewildered, not blinking. Then she crumpled to the floor, sobbing. I knelt next to her. Her hooves were covering her face, but you could see her pained eyes through the holes in them. "Hey, it's okay," I told Monarch. She shook her head. "No. Things will never be okay," Monarch said in between sobs. I hugged her, and she relented. "You can stay with us if you want," I told her. Celestia shook her head and whisper-yelled at me. I waved her off, and continued to comfort the ex-princess. "Thank you, Luna. I appreciate it so much," she said, and looked at me. Her eyes were bloodshot from crying, but she managed a smile. I smiled, and Celestia scoffed. I remember... I showed Monarch her room in the Moon Suite. "Now, you must decide what you will be," I told her. She looked at me, confused. I sighed. "Did you finish Changeling school?" I asked her. Monarch nodded. "Yes, I finished the Royal Academy of the Changelings," she said. "I am over 500 years old," she added. "Okay," I answered. "Would you like to be a Nightie or a Lightie?" I asked. "Nightie," Monarch said without hesitation. I smiled, and handed her a Moon necklace, and a golden band to put on her horn, to show that she is a member of Equestria. I wouldn't want any riots happening about her Changeling form. I went and raised the Moon, for it was time. As I flew up, channeling my magic, I thought about the Miasma. How it appeared to Twilight, of all ponies. Why wouldn't it appear to me? Not that I was jealous, per se, but worried. Twilight was such a young Alicorn... she did not need the evil one's influence. I finished raising the Moon, and walked back inside, closing the door of the Moon Balcony. I sat on my chair, which was embroidered with moons. It was hand-crafted by my good Nightie friend. I was starting to settle down when I heard a piercing, gurgling scream. "MONARCH!?" I yelled, jumping off the chair, flying in the air, shooting towards the sound. Turns out Monarch had the same idea. I slammed into her as I flew, causing a collision that sent me back flying into a TARDIS-colored wall. ( A good friend of mine called the Doctor gave me the idea.) Monarch was shaking. When I asked her what the problem was, she raised a holed hoof and pointed to the next room. I shook my head, feigning bravery, as I stepped through the doorway to enter the next room. I must have screamed by then, I don't know. For then, I lost hope in everything I have hoped for since the Elements of Harmony five hundred years ago.
PART 1:Chapter 2: (Not) Welcome Back!DAY1 "Hey, girlfriend. What's up? How you been?" She asked. Her misty form shimmered, as if it had been disrupted for some reason. "What's up? WHAT'S UP?" I screamed. I levitated a vase and shot it at her. "Ow!" The Miasma yelped, obviously stunned by the vase. She picked pieces of it from her skin. "Okay, obviously you haven't been doing good," she said, cocking her big monstrous head. "What are you doing here? How Why? WHY?!" I screamed through my hysteria. Monarch had tears in her eyes as well, but was just standing there in shock watching the whole scene unfold. It was as if she knew about the Miasma... "Oh, stop being such a big baby," replied the Miasma, waving me off. "I'm not actually here. Remember that time when I came to warn you about my return, but you forgot about it?" I did remember. The Miasma used the mist to manipulate my brain and make me forget about seeing her. But this time, it would not happen. Besides, Monarch had a Changeling brain, which makes her very hard to manipulate. She could help me remember. I nodded to the Miasma, and she smiled. "Don't you remember all the fun times we had together, Woona?" I shuddered. Night Mare Moon was not my idea of "fun". "Anyway, I just wanted to tell you about my newest plan. I can trust you with my ideas, right?" The Miasma chuckled. Once again, I nodded. She grinned. "Great!" The Miasma cleared her misty throat. "So! Well, I won't spoil all of the fun things I have planned, but I will let you in on this: I'm getting stronger. You banished me to a place where it was so damp and moist I regenerated almost instantly!" "So why wait five hundred years to attack?" Monarch asked, standing behind me. "Because, Monarch, I was still banished. I couldn't find my way back here without getting completely lost forever," she answered, a mocking tone to her voice. I growled. "Okay, so, what's next?" I asked her, hoping she could see my anger. "I'll be back, however, in maybe..." she looked at a fake watch on her hoof. "...Eh, two or three days." Gasping, my knees buckled, sending me to the ground. "TWO DAYS?!" "Or three. It depends." Monarch looked as scared as I was. "But why if you were banished for a thousand years before would you not be banished for at least that much?" "I'm getting stronger, little one," the Miasma answered her, lowering her head down to Monarch's level. "Also, the banishment was by default longer while I had a host. Everypony knows I'm stronger in a host." I heard Celestia clamor in the background, walking towards the Moon Suite, and I knew, like before, that Celestia would be the reason I would have to say goodbye to the Miasma. She saluted me as she turned to mist, disappearing into the abyss just as Celestia burst in. This time I would not make the same mistake as before. I told Celestia everything the Miasma told me, leaving out no details. She sat in front of me, looking me up and down as I talked, but not interrupting. "I see," she said after I finished. "We must advance the troops and prepare for war." "No," Monarch cut in, her Changeling voice sounding grand and majestic. "The Miasma is powerful. My mother's army once battled her, thousands of years ago. She will destroy your army drone by drone until you surrender, assuming you are still alive. No, what you must do is hide your people. Make sure none of the Lighties or Nighties are out during this time. Your Guards should only fight to protect the town, not against the Miasma herself. You must fight the Miasma yourself." Just then Twilight walked in, apparently overhearing our whole conversation. "I'll go alert Equestria. Nopony should go out of their homes for any reason whatsoever. Tonight will be the time to start hording food and supplies, we do not know how long the attack will take place." "Okay, Twilight. Get to it, and I'll go tell the Guards," Celestia said. I nodded. "Monarch, you go with Twilight," I told her. She started to fly off with Twilight, and I turned to Celestia. "What will we do this time? The Elements of Harmony are still locked up in the Tree of Harmony, and we have no other options!" Celestia sighed. "I have been thinking about this. We will fight directly until we have no other options, then we perform my plan." "What plan, sister?" She sighed again, then sat on my chair. "We send her to a star." "How?" I was interested now. "The Sun is a star, is it not?" Celestia asked me. "Yes." "Well, you cause an Eclipse, assuming this is during the day. If it is nighttime, you don't have to cause one, obviously. I grab a hold of her, fly upwards, and use my magic to trap her in the star." My spirits faded. "But you would be trapped as well," I replied, shaking my head. She nodded. "I know. That's the catch." "I'm not going to let you sacrifice yourself, Celestia." "I know, I know. Don't worry, this is just a suggestion. For the worst-case scenario." "Okay." She stood, and I followed her down to the Army Headquarters to talk to the Guards. Soon the Guards were prepped and ready to go, Monarch and Twilight successfully rallied up the ponies of Equestria, who were now frantically buying food and supplies, and I was sitting with Celestia silently drinking some tea. "What are we going to do?" Celestia asked me, breaking the awkward silence. I shrugged. "Fight her until she gets tired and careless." Celestia sighed. "What if that never happens? She said it herself, she's gotten much more powerful than before, and even then we could barely even harm her without the Elements." I shrugged again. I had no idea what we would do. Is it possible to fight her? Is it possible to defeat her? The only way we could ever get that information is from the Miasma herself. Or from somepony who fought her herself... "We have to go to Chrysalis," I said triumphantly. With any luck, and a lot of bribery, maybe she can help us figure out a battle plan. With four Alicorns (including Monarch) we could at least put a couple of dents in her misty body. Celestia smiled and we walked over to the end of the Canterlot Castle where we could summon the Changeling Queen. I looked into the pot of green gunk Celestia had created. "Are you sure this will summon her?" I asked. Celestia nodded, full of pride. "Yup, this right here will yank her from her little colony straight into the real world." "Okay then." I turned my magic into the evil Sombra had created years and years before. Celestia did the same, and soon the green gunk started spewing even greener steam. Suddenly a holed leg inched through the steam, and a Changeling materialized in front of us. Problem was, it wasn't Chrysalis. The younger Changeling gaped at us with a look of annoyance. "What the hay do you fillies want?" She asked, and I noticed that she looked almost exactly like Monarch, but where Monarch had blue, she had purple. "Fillies? We're thousands of years older than you! We are-" "Enough, Celestia. I think she's just a young naive baby Changeling who acts like a big toughie when she isn't with her mommy," I mocked, and the young Changeling growled. "What do you want?" She purred sarcastically. Celestia stomped her hoof and looked at me. "Pity, we wanted Chrysalis. This here is nothing more than a larva!" I smiled, then turned to her. "Who are you?" I asked her, and she scoffed. "Oh, you ponies are so slow. I am Queen Moth Wings of the Changeling Colony." Celestia cursed. "So there is no more Chrysalis?" "She has...stepped down." I remembered Moth Wings from Monarch. She said that Moth Wings was her little bratty sister, and since Monarch "failed" in her mission, Moth Wings was the Changeling next in line for the throne. "Great!" Celestia yelled, exasperated. "How are we supposed to get her old war plans against the Miasma?" Moth Wings' eyes glinted. "War plans? Mother taught me about this!" Her chest swelled with pride. "I was the number one war planner out of all two hundred twenty-one of us!" "Okay," I replied. "What does that do for us?" Moth Wings looked down at her holey hoof and smiled sheepishly. "Well, the Miasma does affect us in some ways..." I waved my hoof in a motion meaning "go on". I knew she was aching for war, as most Changelings were. "I will lead my armies in attack of the Miasma if you do one thing for me..." Celestia snarled. "What?" "Give me Monarch. It will be fun torturing her as I've wished to do for so long." I shook my head. Monarch was my friend, and I would never do that to her. But Celestia cut in, saying "You have a deal." I gaped at my sister, feeling anger like never before. How could she have ransomed of a pony like that? "What the hay, Celestia!?" I yelled at her when we released Moth Wings and we exited the room. "That's murder! You're murdering my friend?! You are such a flank hole, you galloping idiot!" I started spewing more curses at her, releasing my anger completely, until she waved a hoof at me. "No, Luna. You have it all wrong. I won't actually give her Monarch. We can defeat Moth Wings ourselves after the war, assuming we're alive. What we can't defeat is the Miasma, and whether you like it or not we need those drones." I nodded, still a bit ticked off but cooling down nicely. I guess she was right... DAY2 I woke up panicked, and I could see it was the middle of the Day. Wow, it was late. I heard clanking in the next room. It was Monarch, probably still adjusting to the Nightie routine. I laid in bed for ten minutes until I couldn't stand it anymore, and got up to go talk to Monarch. Walking through the majestic Moon doorway, I was surprised to see the three Alicorns sitting and drinking tea (or at least Celestia and Twilight were, Monarch was sniffing it, frowning, and setting it back down). "Heyy, guys," I told them, walking cautiously. My hair was frizzy and rumpled, for it had not changed to its wavy state. "We were just talking about the Changeling army helping us, Luna," Monarch informed me, frowning deeply. "Oh." "I have informed Monarch about...our ideas," Celestia said awkwardly. "Oh." I knew what this meant. Monarch knew about Moth Wings' plan, and how'd we agreed to it. I felt bad. "Monarch, I-" "It's fine, Luna," Monarch assured me. Deep inside, I knew it was not "fine". We had ransomed my friend off to her evil little sister. But what could I do? Nothing. "So, anyway, the Changelings are here," Twilight said as she broke the silence. "Great," I said. "Where are they?" "Training with our Guards and being dispatched across Equestria." "What about Moth Wings?" "Snoring away in the throne room." "Good, good." I brushed my mane and used my magic to make it normal again. Suddenly thunder boomed in the background. I looked at Celestia. "Did the Pegasi schedule a thunderstorm in Canterlot?" I asked. She shook her head. "Crap." Something told me that we should go outside. Outside was chaotic. Ponies had listened to us and stayed indoors, but you could see the drones and the Guards freaking out. I told them to stay calm and looked to the sky, where a blue mist started to form around us and Canterlot. It thickened to a point where I could barely see my own hoof. "It's happening," a drone near us buzzed. "It's happening!" I could see the mist above us turning black as midnight. The drone screamed and flew away. It knew what was coming. An evil laughter filled the air. "Ah, Equestria! I have missed you so much!" The Miasma yelled, looking stronger and full of misty, evil power. She laughed maniacally. "Now then, my good friends!" She yelled to us. "Welcome, to the New Mist Era!"
PART 1-Chapter 3: DespairWhat happened next was in slow motion for me. The Miasma landed next to Twilight, who smirked evilly next to her. "As you ponies know, I am the Miasma!" she yelled out, and we knew the ponies inside could hear her booming voice. "I am infamous for destroying countless lives, the Zebra nation, and most importantly," she smiled at me, "I caused Night Mare Moon. What you are about to witness is the...collaboration between my new friend and host, the princess you call Twilight Sparkle. "She has agreed to my terms, and we have decided to take over Equestria as a team; Night Mare Twilight." This confused me. How could she have agreed to anything? Then I remembered; the visit from the Miasma Twilight had told me about. Why, though? Then I remembered another thing: when I was Night Mare Moon, I could read the Miasma's thoughts. She thought about a door in a ponies' mind that opened when the pony had a negative thought. "What did you feel, Twilight?" I asked her. She shook her head, as if I didn't understand. Then the Miasma laughed as she possessed Twilight, her body changing as it did mine. She rose, and a purple ball of mist circled around her. Twilight screamed as the pain spread through her body. The mist dissipated, and I could now see Night Mare Twilight clearly. She looked a midnight blue; her cutie mark the opposite shades of violet. Her hair was purple mist, and armor, much like mine, covered her body. Her teeth was as jagged as a shark, but her eyes, they were the worst. They were a neon yellow, with green pupils shaped like her cutie mark. When she looked at you, she sent shivers down your spine. "Despair," it said. "It was despair." Despair. After her friends died. After her mentor neglected her. After she lost her life's work, the Elements of Harmony. I knew. I felt these emotions. I know. I know. End of Part 1
IntroductionThe monster in front of me snarled, than threw back her head and laughed, her evil laughter echoing across the ruins of the Canterlot Castle. Lighties were screaming, running around amidst the chaos. In the monster's eyes I could see the friend I once loved; and the monster that had destroyed my life. Celestia looked at me, pain in her eyes. She knew what she must do. I shook my head. She was not going to sacrifice herself for this! But Celestia was right. We had no choice. We couldn't use the Elements of Harmony against her... they remained in the Tree of Harmony, where they were returned to five hundred years ago. "I HAD NOTHING!" The monster that once was Twilight Sparkle bellowed at us. "I WAS UNNEEDED TO EQUESTRIA!" Normally Celestia or I would scold her; she had so much, but we both knew this was not Twilight. This was my old enemy...the Miasma. My sister ran to a corner of the wrecked Castle, where we regrouped. "Sister, you know what I must do!" I shook my head. Suddenly Monarch slammed into the wall next to us. Her vest was ripped up, and her face wore a scared expression. "She's destroying us out there!" Her voice whispered, her voice using the normal vibrations that they normally did. Celestia looked at me, and I nodded reluctantly. As much as I hated the idea, I knew we must do this. Monarch shuddered, and tears pooled in her eyes. As much as Monarch and Celestia fought, in the end they cared for each other. I played a part in this as well. I was supposed to cause an Eclipse, so Celestia could complete the job. The Eclipse would cause the stars to appear, for a brief two minutes, as Eclipses normally do. This would be enough time. Celestia walked over to where the monster was. It smiled, showing off it's Miasma-like teeth. She lurched forward, and I channeled my magic and pointed it at the Moon. It slowly swallowed the Sun, engulfing it's light. The stars began to show. Celestia grabbed the monster, wrapping her hooves around it's neck. She threw back her crown, and it landed in front of me, making me choke up. This was the last time I saw my sister. I remember when she turned back the last time. I remember when she took my best friend with her. I remember the tears. I remember the tears on my lashes. I remember. And I know. I know what she felt like when I was gone. I know what she felt when she sent me to my doom. I know what she felt like when she saw me off for the last time. I know. These two phrases help me. They help me with my mourning. It's her fault. Miasma. Her.
