Of Nightmares and Memories
"And where do you think you're going?!" Screeches a black Alicorn mare,a maniacal sneer scrawled across her face. She shoots into the air, chasing after the Sun-Princess, her bat-like wings creating a wind after her. Twilight narrowed her eyes, and despite her discomfort when flying, she flings herself after the other ponies, determined to save Princess Celestia from Luna, no, Nightmare Moon's, wrath. She could see the flashes of blazing turquoise magic and she knew all too well what was happening. Nightmare Moon was trying to bring down Celestia, one way or another. Just as Twilight rounded the corner, her heart pounding, she saw Celestia dropping like an egg towards the ground, her dark sister cackling high above.
"Celestia!" Twilight yelped and dived after her teacher. Stumbling onto the ground, she stared in horror at the Alicorns unmoving body.
"No... why would Luna do this now?" She whispers softly, tears streaming down her muzzle. In the back of her mind, Twilight recalls seeing this before, but how could that be? She should have gotten up by now... She thinks, and her lip trembles as her Princess still doesn't move. Sniffling, she looks up at the darkened sky and sees Nightmare Moon grinning down at her. She opens her mouth to speak, her fangs glistening in the pale moonlight but instead of the icy voice, she heard...
"Spike?" Bolting upright, Twilight sees her friend staring down at her, concern clear in his grass green eyes.
"Twilight, are you alright?"
"I uh.. yes, Spike, I'm fine. Just a nightmare." Shaking her head, she slides out of her bed, staring down at her hooves. It was the third night in a row that she'd had that same night-terror. Slowly, she makes her way downstairs, shrugging off the dream. Spike followed her, his claws clacking against the wood flooring.
"What time is it?" Twilight murmurs, glancing at the small clock hanging on the wall. It read 9:06 am. Sighing, she entered the kitchen, magically opening the pantry. Seeing nothing that she wanted to eat, she turned around and walked into the main part of the Library. She had just sat herself down with an old spellbook when Spike asked, "Hey, Twilight... do you want to talk about it? The dream?"
"I... it was just..." She stammered. Celestia's lifeless body blazed in her mind and she blinked quickly, realizing tears were welling in her eyes. "I saw how Luna was banished, as you know. But I keep... I keep..." She stumbled again and looked at the baby dragon. "Celestia was... Nightmare Moon.... she defeated her." Spike nodding in understanding and rested one hand on her shoulder.
"It was just a nightmare, Twilight. It's okay." He smiled and she mirrored him.
"Thank you, Spike. I'm glad you're always around to save the day." He grinned wider and saluted.
"But of course! Sir Spike always comes to the rescue for a mare in distress!" Twilight chuckled and Spike walked away to start his chores, still smiling broadly.
~~~
Later that day, Twilight was finishing up cleaning the Library, Spike balancing on a ladder, shelving a few stray books.
"So uh, when will she be arriving?" He asked, sliding a book into a space.
"Soon enough. If you meant exactly, I think in an hour at most. She has duties and things to sort out first, of course." Princess Celestia was coming to Ponyville to visit Twilight and discuss her role as Equestria's newest princess. Exhaling, Twilight gazed around the Library. The oak floor shone and not a speck of dust lingered on any of the shelves. Spike and her had been cleaning all morning and finally, their task was complete.
Trotting back up to her room, she grabbed her crown and placed it gently on her head. Staring into the mirror, she tried to look confident, like Rarity did. Her eyes slid over the points and jewels and sighed. She had just regained her element of Harmony from Sunset Shimmer, to give it away again. Even though it was for the betterment of Equestria, she felt like she had lost a part of herself. She put a smile on her face, and cantered back down to the main floor to wait for the Princess.
Within the next hour, Twilight wandered aimlessly, thinking about different trails her and her friends had undergone in the time they'd known each other. First with Nightmare Moon, which had brought them together, to Queen Chrysalis, back to Discord and his trickery that had cost them their Elements. One thing kept coming back to mind though, and she made a mental note to ask Celestia when she arrived. As if on cue, there was a knock at the door. She rushed to the sounds and flung the door open.The Royal Guards entered, Princess Celestia following closely.
"My dear Twilight, thank you for allowing me to come today." She greeted the younger Alicorn, a smile appearing. "Guards, you can wait outside" The two stallions nodded and trotted outside, shutting the door after them.
"Oh of course. I should have come to Canterlot instead but-" She broke off, stifling a laugh. Celestia chuckled and seated herself on one of the cushions Spike laid out. "Now, Twilight, before we begin, is there anything you would like to tell me?" Curiousity sparkled in Celestia's gaze and she tilted her head to the side. Twilight frowned and sat beside the regal Alicorn.
"Well, yes, actually. I know that giving up the elements was a good thing, for our land, but I still feel..." Trailing off, she searched for the right words.
"Like you've lost yourself." Celestia finished. "I understand, and it's only natural for you to feel that way. They are what brought you and your friends together. I heard your conversation at the Tree of Harmony." Twilight levitated a teapot and filled two cups with the tea inside.
"Yes. I know that my friends and I will always be connected, but it still feels strange." She moved one hoof up to touch the crown on her head before taking a sip of her drink.
Nodding, Celestia also drank some of the hot liquid. "I see. But that's not what's really bothering you, is it, Twilight?"
"Sort of. I'm still very curious about your and Luna's time with the elements. It must have been difficult dealing with all the you did." Celestia sighs and looks up at the ceiling.
"So, you wish to know our history, yes?"
"If that wouldn't be too much of a bother. I wouldn't ask if I could find it in my books."
"You wouldn't. The stories of my sister and I are bare before a few decades ago. With the exception of the tale of the Mare In The Moon. But, since you've asked, and we have time, I'll tell you. It's a long story, as is expected, but as I said, we have plenty of time."
Twilight felt a little apprehensive but also excited to hear the stories from Celestia's past. The sun princess gulped some tea and exhaled before beginning. "It started a thousand years ago, when my sister and I were just fillies..."
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