~Nightmare Night, Two months after Luna's return~

Celestia stood on her balcony overlooking the castle square. She admired her little ponies as the customs of night mare night changed over the thousand year stretch that Luna was gone. Ponies all around her were dressed in costumes of the nights' creatures. The smells of fair food from the stalls below her drifted into her nose.

“Mmm, what a wonderful smell, candied apples, roasted corn and funnel cakes.” Celestia said with slight mouthwatering delight.”

Through all the joy and sounds the thought of her dream still plagued her. She longed to tell her sister of her troubles but dare not bother her.

I don't want to worry her so soon after her return, that would be selfish of me. Celestia thought to herself.

Back in the darkest shadow of the balcony patio, a small undetectable mass of magical energy watched mentally grinning as its plan to destroy the mare from the inside out smoothly played its course.

Its only a matter of time before she is broken enough inside for that little nightmare I gave her to come to fruition. It thought maliciously.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Twilight walked with spike in Ponyville stopping at every house and shop so the baby dragon could fill his bags with candy. The bells of her Star Swirl the Bearded costume jingled as they walked along.

“Spike have you seen Pinkie Pie? I have to wonder if she would mind walking around with you I'm quite worried about princess Luna. I want to go check on her.” Twilight said voicing her worry for the baby dragons safety before heading off on her own.

“I'm not sure, I think she is running around in a chicken suit” Spike replied mumbling through a mouthful of candy.

Suddenly out of nowhere as if she knew they were looking for her Pinkie clucked her way into view followed by several young foals.

“you want me to take spike with me!” Pinkie Pie blurted out before Twilight had time to explain to her what she needed.

Stuttering Twilight nodded her head trying and failing to figure out just how pinkie seemed to know everything that happened before it happened. With Spike safely in the pink mares care Twilight set off to find the sulking Princess of the Night.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Back at Canterlot castle, Celestia walked around the town disguised as a white unicorn filly with a bouncy pink mane, in keeping with the theme she wore a pair of fake card board wings and slathered a haphazardly painted sun cutie mark on her flank. Upon her head was a paper crown resembling that of her own. She pranced around enjoying the collection of candy.

“well now little filly if I didn't know better id say your dressed as our dear princess” Said a pony at one of the food stalls as she stopped to get a cob of roasted corn for herself.

“yes, mister, when I grow up I want to be a princess just like princess Celestia” Celestia said Laughing inwardly for only she knew that she was really the princess he spoke so fondly of.

The old stallion chuckled at her with delight, “how about you tell me your name, if you do ill give you this funnel cake as a gift.” he said smiling brightly at her.

“My name is Sunny Skies” She replied with the delightful eagerness only her inner filly could pull off.

“and, do you have your cutie mark yet miss Sunny Skies?” the stallion said while bagging the treat he promised her.

“oh, no sir, I haven't figured out what my special talent is yet.” Celestia replied.

“well little one, you'll get it some day don't rush it. Here is your sweet treat and you enjoy the rest of your festive filled night.

Celestia quickly thanked the old stallion and trotted off back to the castle. This has been a delightfully fulfilling night. I think I will turn in. Out of sight of the crowd she removed her disguise. Her head spun and a pinching headache took its place nearly bringing her to her hunches. What is wrong with me, disguises never do this too me. Flashes of her dream pierced her mind and dragged her back to the terrifying reality of its possibilities, ruining her night. She staggered back to her chambers. To the passing guard who showed concern she said,

“Have the castle doctor come to my chambers as soon as possible, also send for a pony in Ponyville by the name of Zecora. My student tells me of her unusual abilities in medicine.” Celestia said gritting her teeth. Her headache persisted with vigorous annoyance.

“Yes, your highness. Do you wish me to alert Princess Luna?” the Guard asked.

Celestia momentarily lost her cool and shouted, “APSOLUTELY NOT!” The guard staggered back for a second before regaining his composure and once again asking,

“but your highness, don't you think you should tell her, she would be worried about you.” the guard braced himself for her next reply.

“I'm sorry, no please don't I will tell her in my own time its just a headache. I don't want to worry her on her first nightmare night.” Celestia said visibly earning a relaxed posture from the previously startled guard. The guard walked off and went about the task given to him. Celestia pushed her way into her chambers and slumped down on her bed. The shadow that had been following her all evening undetected sat outside her window watching her unable to enter her magically protected room.

Uh! that stupid sun loving pony, always thinking of everything when it comes to her protection, I could break this spell but if I did then I would risk revealing myself before I want to. I must let her believe she let me in. she must accept me of her own free will. It thought scorning its inability to move the plan faster. I must be patient lest I lose my opportunity. I must first create pain then I shall trick her into thinking it's me that can fix it. We shall see what that so called healer Zecora can do. It laughed inwardly at the fact before fading into the darker hiding space that would soon become Celestia's dream world.

Author's Note

Sorry guys for the long wait, i'm going to be totally honest and say i forgot i had this story on here, it's been so long since i was on here to read. also i'm sorry for the short chapter, i wanted to update asap so i didn't have the time to really write out more than what you see here, promise the next chapter will be longer.