Disguised Dreams

Luna watched as three of her younger spies entered her kingdom. This is good, She thought. They will be safer here than if they stayed In the Empire.

The wind howled in the night air, as if trying to tangle her ethereal mane.

Luna allowed a hot tear to fall from her eye. The battle between Celestia and herself was brutal. Memories came in red flashes.

Searing pains, deep bruises.

Brutal.

She had retreated to the Everfree Forest, knowing that she would not be ready to kill her sister at the time.

The second that word began spreading around about how Luna was forming her own society, a fifth of the population left for a new princess to rule them, and more were coming.

Her civilization wasn't thriving. Few plants grew in such darkness, and the ponies mostly thrived on magically grown plants or the mushrooms that grew like crazy in the forest.

Luna's amnesia was dissipating more and more every day, and every truth was more horrifying than the last.

But then she remembered her young self's relation with Chrysalis.

Before her sister was corrupt with her power, and before Luna's inventions made the night welcoming, Celestia constantly pushed Luna to make friends.

Though few wanted to befriend "she who brought fear and darkness".

Luna was a tiny filly at the time, but she still knew that her sister hated the changelings who resided in the neighboring kingdom.

Celestia made sure that no changeling could legally enter the kingdom.

It was one night, the first night Luna introduced her stars in fact, the younger princess had found a changeling venturing away from her home.

The tiny thing was starved to a point where each of her ribs showed, and many other bones as well.

Her once lively, green eyes were dull with hunger.

The filly, had she been fed better, would've looked fairly adorable.

She had a shiny, black coat. And a long, teal mane and tale.

She was an alicorn, as a gangly horn and insect wings topped off her features.

Luna had been excited to see such a creature! The changeling, however, wasn't as excited.

At the sight of the filly princess, the changeling ran and hid behind a rock.

Luna knew little of what would happen.

Once the Changeling got over her fear of Luna, they hit it off.

They became each other's greatest playmates, though neither could reveal the other's existence to their superiors.

Luna's undying friendship became a substitute for the love Chrysalis needed to feed off. And eventually, Chrysalis was no longer starving.

The two were forever loyal to each other.

Chrysalis had even given Luna the crown that she wore even today.

The poor changeling was forced to watch, helpless, as the demon that Celestia summoned take over Luna. That night was when the changelings declared Cold War on Equestria.

That led to the only formal attack on Canterlot, though that was also because of the hunger crisis.

Luna was discomforted about one specific thing. She knew her dear friend was having a difficult time adjusting to the comforting world around her.

Which was upsetting.

That meant that the changelings had lived in such tribulation for so long, it was what they knew now.

But what unsettled Luna the most, was herself.

The relationship between her and Chrysalis didn't feel the same.

She missed the friendship they had when they were fillies.

But it felt like that piece of herself was left behind when they reconciled.

Luna was broken out of her thoughts when she heard the changeling queen trot into her room.

"Well, speak of the devil," she turned to face the other princess, "and she doth appear."

"I apologize, princess, if you were in the middle of disturbing you. Especially after all you've done to accommodate my citizens. I just… I feel as though there is no way to repay you after all you've done."

"There is no need for you to repay your debt. You have known that."

She walked to her Chrysalis, something else was wrong.

" This is just so…unfamiliar. A warm bed, food, and prosperity for my subjects."

"I know it's odd, but you'll get used it. Frankly, I'm glad you feel the way you do. It would be odd to experience enjoyment immediately after settling in."

Silence swept through the room.

"I-I…it isn't the same…" Luna sighed.

"Things are different when you're young." Chrysalis pointed out.

"I know, I know, but it should at least feel more comfortable."

Luna flopped onto her bed.

"It's times like these I wish I hadn't left my gaming console back in Canterlot…"

"I wouldn't know what it's like playing games. The badlands don't have the resources or the technology to make those kinds of things."

Silence.

Ten seconds of uninterrupted silence.

Finally, Chrysalis broke it.

"Do you regret it?"

"What do you mean?"

"I-I mean, she was your sister. From what I remember, you idolized her when you were a filly. Had I been in your place, I doubt I would believe my memories."

The Alicorn looked down somberly. "I must admit, with my memories growing in strength each day, and the growing suspicion causing unrest within me, I have no regrets."

Chrysalis tilted her head. "I thought she managed to hide her tyranny."

"Slip-ups, little Chryssy. The tiniest mistake will incite suspicion. Being honest, I wasn't as surprised as I probably should've been when I discovered her past."

Each word after that made Luna seem more and more depressed.

"Celestia always had a questionable way of doing things. And all started when she was little. I was only two, but the largest movement of anti-racism was finally made by seven-year-old Celestia. Despite her age, a throne was erected for her to sit upon. For a year, I remember how kind she was to me. She was so eager to make sure I grew up healthy."

Luna trotted over to the balcony, letting the pegasi-induced breeze flutter past her.

"That was when she found the elements. They made her…different. She started shunning me, and stopped caring for me altogether. And a millennia later, she still acts as when we were fillies."

"Do you remember discord?"

Chrysalis shuddered. "His cruelties inspired foals in my land to be good."

"Celestia could have done him in with ease. She could have done the same with King Sombra, a dragon, a myriad of Everfree cryptids, and even…myself. But no. Instead, she left the elements in the hooves of six, inexperienced mares. Poor things were more like mercenaries."

"What of the "shunning" you speak of?"

Luna stared at the searing light in the horizon for a moment. "It has been three years since the elements cleansed me. And yet, my sister has kept me away from the Summer Sun Celebration for two of those years. The only reason I was there this year was to loosen me of my previous suspicion. She invites me to no celebration, in fact. I wasn't even at my honorary niece's wedding.''

''What of Nightmare Night? I thought she announced the occasion just for you."

"Do you think it is to honor me? She made this mockery of a celebration supposedly in hopes of inciting Nightmare Moon to come sooner. And yet, I was told to be something to fear. To this day, the only thing ponies do on that day is fear me. Fear the monster in me will return. No, my sister was a monster hidden behind a sunny cloud. I have no regrets of this war."

She turned back. "There, in Canterlot, I was feared. Here, people need me, lest Celestia place their heads on pikes as an example. Surely, her tyranny will rise, soon. And-and…I don't know what we should do, what we can do."

more silence ensued.

"Luna…"

Luna turned to Chrysalis.

"You…you." Chrysalis huffed as though her breathing was labored. "Just know…I-I'm with you."

The two stared at each other until they both grew hot in the face.

Then Luna trotted to the changeling,

kissed her on the cheek,

and nervously left the room.