Luna barreled through the halls of the castle, leaving behind more than a few confused ponies in her wake. But that didn't matter to her now. All that she cared about was getting back to the safety of her room. Once she got there she...would be able to put her thoughts together, would be able to try and make sense of what was happening.

With a mad rush of speed she burst into her room and just as quickly slammed the door closed. The curtains that she normally kept open when she was awake were immediately bound tightly shut. Letting not even the faintest crack of sunlight through. Right now she needed to be were she could think best, and since it wasn't nighttime, this would have to do.

Once her room was properly closed up and completely dark she instantly started pacing. It was a habit she picked up long ago that she frequently performed when she was nervous, and right now she was far beyond nervous. Staying in motion helped calm her, made her feel as though whatever was ailing her would have to follow her a long ways before rearing its head. This, of course, did nothing to help her if what ailed her was in her head.

I am probably just overreacting. So what if I was mistaken? Perhaps my tired eyes made me think there was a mare instead of a stallion, and perhaps I also saw the mane color because of that...No. No I wasn't mistaken. I may be tired but I'm not inattentive. So it must have been my sister that made the mistake! She was stuffing her face with cake after all, and after ruling so long I'm sure she must make mistakes while seeing ponies from time to time...right? Luna was slowly working herself into a deep panic. Her sister had never made mistakes like that before, and Luna doubted she would have started now. Which meant...

"I did see a mare who looked like Nightmare Moon. But why? Why does she have to haunt me like this?"

"Why indeed" A sultry voice purred.

Luna let out a short yelp as she whirled around. Looking in every direction she could as she tried to locate the source of the voice.

"Who's there!??" She asked, her voice cracking from fear of the reply she would receive. Why did she even bother asking? She already knew who it was, she had known who it was since the nightmares started. It was the same pony who had been constantly haunting her inner thoughts and dreams for weeks now. Luna waited and waited, keeping completely still as to not make a sound, but the voice seemed to have disappeared. Agonizing minutes went by before Luna finally felt comfortable enough to let out an exhausted sigh of relief. It was leaving her alone, or at least for now it was, and at the moment, that was more than good enough for her.

Luna sat down on the edge of her bed, eyelids drooping low. She rubbed at her eyes, attempting to grind the tired out of them, but it didn't help. She was so tired. The couple of hours she had been awake today had effectively taken their toll on her, not to mention all her previous nights of unrest, and now it seemed to be all crashing down on her at once. So many days with little to no sleep. So many nights wrapped in fear.

She glanced at her clock. 2:30 it read. Maybe she could take a small nap. She was supposed to be sound asleep anyways, so what would it hurt? Mmmmh. Just a short nap, just so I can rest my eyes. Her head was already falling down into her pillow as those thoughts came up. Almost as soon as she lowered her head she was quickly being whisked off to sleep. But she had enough time, before she fully embraced the dreamworld, to see a pair of glowing teal eyes. Grinning at her maliciously from the darkest corner of her room.

Celestia was starting to get worried about her sister again. After that strange display in the dinning hall she decided to modify her schedule so she would have more time before her next meeting. Her Royal Planner hadn't been easily convinced that extra time should be allowed, as her schedule was already full as it was, but after a few less than subtle hints of him losing his job if he didn't comply he was more than happy to assent to her wishes. Once more time was firmly secured Celestia went directly to the Canterlot library to find her sister.

She walked through that castle halls with a regal trot, looking like a true princess. But inside she wasn't feeling so royal. Her day was going down the drain. First the meetings and now her sister? Celestia barely knew what was going on with her anymore. Why did she think their server was a mare? and a blue one at that? And why did she run off immediately after? Celestia dearly wanted to know what thoughts could possible be running through her little sisters head, but to learn that she would need to find her.

She soon entered the library, and started scanning the countless rows of bookshelves that made it up. A grimace began to form on her face as she started to regret making the library so damn big! Why are there so many books in here? No one even comes in here aside from Luna and I! It could take hours to find her in here, and I only have 35 minutes till my next meeting... Celestia let out a groan at the very daunting task that was displayed before her.

Then suddenly she had an epiphany! A perfect idea that was bound to succeed. I can find the librarian and ask him where Luna went! Genius! She swiveled her head left and right but... There seemed to be no librarians in sight. She would have to look for one. And who knows how long that could take.

Celestia let out another groan and hung her head, the reality of her situation becoming clear. This is completely hopeless. She thought depressingly. By the time I find anyone to help me will be to late, and I'll be up to my horn in meetings without any answers as to my sisters problem. Oh why can't anything go right today?

"Um...E-excuse me? Princess Celestia?" A meek voice sounded from behind her.

Celestia turned towards the voice to find... a small mare with light grey fur, dark orange hair, big eye glasses that were out of style decades ago and... a cutie mark of three stacked books. Well, that's a librarian if I've ever seen one. Celestia thought happily.

Clearing her throat and taking on a more regal posture, she addressed her subject. "I trust that you are the librarian?" She asked with thinly veiled hope in her voice hiding behind the formal speech.

"Yes princess, my name is Well Read, m-my friends call me Wellie." The mare shyly answered back, obviously intimidated from being in the presence of royalty.

"Oh wonderful!" Celestia exclaimed, her regal posture falling as she practically jumped for joy. "Now tell me, my little pony, Did you see my sister come in, and if you did where did she go?" Celestia asked excitedly.

Well Read was having a slightly more negative reaction, looking as though she was about to have a heart attack. "I h-h-haven't seen her m-my lady."

Celestia's face fell immediately, her hope and excitement coming crashing down in a twisted mess. "Oh... Is it possible you missed her? I'm positive she came in her."

"I'm sorry princess, but I've been here all day, and unfortunately you're the only one who's come in." Well Read said sadly, depressed she couldn't help the princess.

Celestia sighed. "Oh well, I suppose it can't be helped."

"W-well if it makes it better, I'll be sure to let you know if she does come in." Well Read said supportingly.

"Thank you my dear, it does help. Now I must bid you farewell." Celestia replied as she made towards the doors. Perhaps she went to her room first. It wouldn't hurt to check. Celestia decided.

A feeling of dread began to grow inside her. She didn't know why but she instinctively felt that something was off, and she was sure her sister was caught up in it.

Exiting the library she began to make her way through the winding corridors of the castle, making her way towards her younger sisters room. She tried to nullify the bad feelings she was getting. It is far to difficult to reach this place. Why did Luna have to choose the room farthest away from everything? If you don't know which ways to go you're liable to get lost...
Celestia licked her dry lips. Something was wrong. very, very wrong. She started to walk faster.

Despite making a wrong turn once Celestia was able to reach her sisters room fairly quickly. When she was in front of the door she started hearing noises coming from within. Placing her ear against the door she was able to make out...sobbing? Her eyes went wide and she wiped the door open, nearly ripping it off its hinges, and rushed into the room. Luna!

It was pitch black in the room but the door let enough light in to see. Celestia threw her head around, trying to locate her sister, before she was able to pinpoint her. Luna was on her bed, thrashing back and forth. Tears were running down her face and she kept on mumbling to herself...It sounded like begging. Celestia was beside the bed in a fraction of a second, and attempted to wake her sister up from whatever nightmare befouled her.

"Luna!" Celestia cried out in fear, shaking her sister back and forth in an effort to bring her conscious.

She could hear her sister begging over and over again. "Please...please stop. Please leave me alone. I'll be good, just please...please..." She was starting to sound desperate and frantic. Tears were streaming down her face and nothing Celestia did seemed to wake her.

"Luna!" Celestia begged, tears of her own starting to form. "Please wake up Luna! Wake up!"

Author's Note

I suck at coming up with names.