Chapter 03: Perchance to Dream

It had been two weeks after Luna's audience with Twilight before she felt that the time was right. However, she had ignored the state of the castle's staff while lost in her thoughts for all that time.

For the sixth night in a row, she'd canceled night court in favor of secluding herself in her room for the better part of the evening. If she wasn't locked in her study or aimlessly wandering the Dream Realm, then she was walking the quiet castle gardens with orders to not disturb her.

Celestia had approached her on more than one occasion after her third night of self-imposed isolation. She didn't want to force Luna to do anything, and she genuinely cared about her little sister. However, it didn't take a level 5 intellect to know what her gentle reminders were silently saying. “Whatever is troubling you, handle it so that we can return to business-as-usual. If not for your own sake, then for the sake of our subjects” was her silent message.

It would have driven Luna mad had she not noticed that Celestia always cleared her schedule two hours earlier than usual. Again, it didn't take a genius to know why. The older sister, ever watchful of her beloved younger sibling, wanted to be open in case Luna ever wanted, or needed, to talk.

In her own standoffish way, Celestia was still looking out for her, and Luna saw the sweetness in it. It warmed her heart to know that Celestia will always be there for her. There was a part of her, however, that still coiled in annoyance at Celestia's behavior.

This was the part of her that made Luna afraid of herself.

She'd always been a mare of passion. Every emotion she felt was intense and intoxicating, and the Nightmare had done nothing to cool her short temper.

What had helped was her oldest and dearest friend. Darkness had been there in her earliest days — maybe even the moment she was born. She had been there to whisper soothing words into Luna's ear when her irritation threatened to bubble to the surface and explode in all its dark and glorious fury.

In her youth, she had failed to see just what her friend was doing to her, guiding her to become. Under her tutelage, Luna had been growing to be as strong, wise, and regal as her sister — if not more so. She had recalled this while drafting her twelfth and fifteenth failed letters to her old friend.

The idea to arrange her words using letters was an odd one given to her by Starswirl the Bearded. He had suggested it to work out her words when her tongue felt too stuck, and the right words too far away.

To this day, Luna suspected that the old unicorn had known of the Nightmare that had boiled within her, whispering poison into her heart. That kooky, old unicorn always seemed to know more than he let on.

It is that knowledge that made Luna suspicious of when Celestia told her of Starswirl's infamous Unfinished Spell.

It just didn't sound like the Starswirl she knew to simply leave a spell unfinished. Even more suspicious was the flimsy reason that “he didn't understand enough about friendship”. When she had enquired further on the issue, Luna felt like she had somehow caught Celestia with her hoof in the cookie jar.

Celestia always had a nasty habit of straddling the line between bending the truth and outright lying. With the right words and enough time, she could fool anyone — literally, anyone — into believing anything. She could trick anyone, that is, except Luna.

Her older sister was very good at choosing her words, a master if there ever was one. Her ability had saved Equestria from many trials in the early days, and continued to do so. However, who do you think helped her perfect such a craft? None other than Luna herself.

Crafting the perfect lie is much like baking a cake, Luna discovered. The key, ironically, is to mostly tell the truth. Then you add in a few touches of vague information without any hint of feeling the need to clarify. Finally, before anyone can think to ask questions, you add a pinch — just a pinch mind you — of your little lie. Ninety percent of the time, it works all the time.

Luna hadn't been absolutely certain Celestia had lied about Starswirl's spell until she pressed her on it. The effect was instantaneous. Though her face did not betray her, Celestia's eyes had chosen that moment to stage a coup de'tat. She knew for certain now. Starswirl hadn't given up because he couldn't finish the spell, it was because he didn't want to finish it.

That, however, was a separate matter entirely.

Coming back to her senses, Luna found herself lightly landing amidst the castle gardens. Tonight was the night she was going to confront her old friend, but she had a bit of business to attend to first — business in the mismatched form of a particular spirit of chaos.

A light suddenly shone on the princess, forcing her to shield her eyes. “And what brings the Princess of the Night to her quiet garden on this exceptional night?” A goat face was mere inches from her own, as red-pupiled, yellow eyes gazed at her accusingly over a large pair of aviator sunglasses.

“Good evening Discord” Luna greeted with a touch of amusement. The chaotic spirit had donned a pair of navy-blue slacks and a light-blue shirt. On his shirt was a comically large, shiny badge that had Canterlot Police Department engraved into it. Above the etched lettering was a carved image of Celestia dressed as a clown. “I figured I would find you out here.”

Discord straightened, and with a snap of his lion paw's fingers, exchanged his guard costume for that of a gardener. “Oh?” He daintily sniffed a flower with an overly sweet smile. “What ever would have given you that idea?”

“Considering your love of Nightglow Blossoms,” Luna smirked when Discord's eyes widened. “I knew you'd frequent my little side project here.”

“Guilty as charged” Discorded conceded with a flourish of his hands. Discord snapped with his gryphon claw and returned to normal. He then placed his claw and paw behind his head and reclined in midair. “So, I'm out here for the flowers, but what brings the illustrious Mare of the Night out here to her garden?” He smirked and looked at her with one eye open. “And without her regal attire no less! How scandalous...”

Luna curtsied in return of his mockery, and basked in the feeling of being without her royal dressings. “I'm out here looking for you, believe it or not.”

“My, double scandalous!” Discord dramatically gasped and pretended to faint.

His act only got a smirk and a small laugh from Luna. “I want to tell you that the castle's going to get a little chaotic tomorrow.” Her smirk only grew when Discord shot her an interested look. “I won't ask you not to have a little fun with it, but please be mindful of my sister's long-term sanity?”

“That boat sailed a long time ago” Discord muttered offhandedly. “Before I go making promises,” Discord coiled around a nearby pegasus statue, “what are you planning on doing?”

Luna expected him to be suspicious. If her request itself wasn't suspect enough, then her appearance was enough to raise some questions. Aside from her lack of regal-wear, she hadn't exactly been taking care of herself. In her anxiety, she often forgot to eat and hardly slept. Her eyes were constantly puffy from crying, and her ethereal mane wasn't as pristine as she usually kept it.

The princess looked away from the spirit and into the dark sky of the night. “I wish to dream for the first time in well over a thousand years, and I don't think things will be the same once I do.”

Discord hummed and stroked his beard in thought. “A dreamwalker that doesn't dream?” Discord raised an eyebrow. “That's not unusual. Knowing the secrets of the Dream Realm can make one paranoid.” Mischief bubbled its way into his gaze, as he leaned in to loom over Luna. “What could possibly be waiting for you in your dreams? That's what I'm curious about.” Discord waited for Luna to take the bait and play along, but the princess only lowered her head and retreated into herself. “Luna?”

Silence fell between the two as Luna looked off into the night to gather her words. What she wanted to ask was something a little touchy, personal. An image of her sister's disapproving face popped into her head, but Luna quickly shoved it aside.

“Discord, when you apologized to Fluttershy about the whole Tirek incident, how did you get her to forgive you?” Luna gazed at the draconiquus unflinchingly when he gave her a shocked look.

“How?” Discord bitterly echoed with a chuckled. He sat down at the foot of the statue, closer to eye-level with Luna. “I had to spill my guts. She deserved that much at least.” He sighed and slumped forward. “It was good-natured of her to even speak to me, but telling her why I did it seemed to help. I told that sweet, little pony things I've never told anyone.”

He somberly met Luna's gaze. “We still have a long way to go before we're as close as we were, but we're getting better.”

Luna offered the spirit a soft smile. “I'm glad you have a friend so forgiving who you can speak openly with.”

“I might have two now” he returned Luna's gentle smile with one of his own. “Well, that put me in a giving mood.” Discord levitated back into the air and stretched. “Very well Luna, I'll try to take it easy tomorrow, but” he paused to point at her, “do be careful. The last thing we need is Celestia dissolving into hysterics.”

Luna rolled her eyes and shook her head despite her smile. “Be nice Discord. Sister is still in the process of forgiving you after all. A little good behavior will go a long way.”

Discord hummed and shot her a good-natured smirk. “So I take it you won't be accepting my tea-party invitation?” With a burst of his magic, Discord donned an oversized, pink sweater and white skirt. He pushed out his lower lip in a pout, revealing it to be messily covered in bright red lipstick.

The princess laughed genuinely for the first time in days at his gag. “I'm afraid I'll have to take a raincheck” she managed to squeak out between giggles.

“Aw,” Discord fluttered his heavy eyelashes, as his eyebrows scrunched together. “I was going to have Dream Fluttershy wear bunny ears and serve carrot cake for this one.”

“You can save it for some other time. Besides,” Luna started back towards the castle, “if all goes well, you might have another guest to entertain.”

Before she departed, she heard Discord say, “I'll hold you to that, Luna”.

The castle at night was quiet, but not lifeless. Where the bustling goings-on of the day were missing, fervent study and diligent watchfulness took its place. All while Luna traced the halls of the castle towards her quarters, she did not utter a word. Who was she to break the silence of a sleeping castle?

Let them rest, for the morning will bring many trials, and the evening to follow will bring much confusion.

All during her journey to her room, night patrols offered the princess an escort. None of them thought she needed it, but their growing concern for their princess pushed them to try and show her that they were there for her.

Many of the guards are mares and stallions she hunted fierce creatures with, and facing such challenges forges camaraderie. Much like her sister to her Dawn Guard, Luna's Night Watch had become much like family — extended family at least. This night, however, was different from the rest.

Tonight, she wanted to spend a few more moments alone before she faces her most selfish mistake.

The door to her quarters appeared before her far too soon. She gazed up at its elaborate etchings of the night sky, with the moon at its center. The stars that had released her from her prison encircled the full moon, forever remembered for their loyalty. Even in her darkest hour, her stars had not abandoned her. She could learn much from them.

Luna acknowledged the guards in front of her door and slipped inside. She wasted no time in trotting over to her dresser, where two letters lay sealed and neatly awaiting a reader. One, however, was never to be read at all. Lifting the letter on the left with her magic, she whispered an incantation. Sapphire flames ignited the letter, burning it to ash.

The second letter, Luna lifted and crumpled into a ball with her magic. She whispered another incantation and gently blew on the crumpled letter. In a flash, the letter came to life as a bird and flew once around the room before landing atop Luna's hoof once more.

“Wait until the sun and moon hang in the sky, then return to Celestia and Celestia alone.” With that, she opened the door to her bedroom's balcony and let the enchanted letter fly out into the world — not to return until the time it was told.

Having set everything into place, Luna finally approached her sleeping pillows and laid down upon them. Her bedding was her favorite part of her chambers because of how much thought she put into it. The large pillow that acted as the base of her bedding was plush, but firm enough to hold her. She then surrounded herself with softer pillows for added comfort before finally covering herself with thick blanket.

Closing her eyes, Luna let sleep come to her, but not before allowing an ancient magic to flow through her. She regulated her breathing and reached out with her consciousness to a realm beyond her own. Darkness obscured her vision for only a moment before the shadows cleared to show her a familiar sight.

The Dream Realm extended outwards before her, a wonder that few beings from the Waking Realm have had the honor to see. Her destination this time, however, was above her head, hanging in the skies of the Dream Realm.

A world covered in glowing blossoms, dancing fireflies, and bathed in silky moonlight — a world built by two friends. There, amidst the dreamscape of her childhood, waited a darkness she hadn't seen in a long, long time. For a thousand years she kept her waiting in the very spot where she'd said those fateful words, crafted to harm.

There waited her old friend, the Rainbow of Darkness.

Author's Note

Aaaaaand there's the bombshell. That's right, Luna's old friend is a personification (ponyfication?) of the Rainbow of Darkness. How that works will be explained, so stay tuned because I believe my take is different than usual.

For those who may not know what the Rainbow of Darkness is (just in case): http://villains.wikia.com/wiki/Tirek_%28My_Little_Pony%29

Until next time, thank you for reading!