Once upon a nightmare

“... and by the end of the period, you will notice a strange and yet subtle mixing of the old and new world thinking blending together. The ruling structure while now a monarchy is still present and functioning, the legions were disbanded and reformed into the modern day Royal Guard. There are many more examples, like how hard currency is now used in place of everyday items, but for the sake of moving forward, I’ll just give you notes for your convenience.”

Twilight reinforced this by dropping a stack of papers rivalling the history book in front of her distracted student.

“Alright Luna, any questions, comments or concerns over the final decade of the Fallen Moon, and the start of our transition into the Solaris period? ”

The silence was her reward for the informative three hour lecture. It’s hard enough waking in tune with the sun, let alone to plan and assemble all the needed material for this class. It took hours and hours alone of reading, note taking, skimming, and chart making to make it as time efficient as possible, and what is her reward?

“Princess Luna!” her reward was to have the sole inheritor of this knowledge asleep in class. Even for a princess this was such a massive disrespect to not only her character but as a teacher.

The delinquent alicron awoke in a panic, nearly smashing the table as she scrambled to fix her posture. Twilight didn’t even need to ask the obvious, Luna’s exhausted expression said it all; from her shattered red eyes to the sagging ears hiding in her pale mane.

"We covered enough today Luna, please make herself at home. The guest bed is already set up with the pitcher of water on the nightstand this time.”

The studious unicorn didn’t receive a verbal thanks( just like the last few times before that) but the by observing her body language, she faintly noticed a subtle nod from Luna’s sleepy eyelids before the impact. Twilight didn’t worry too badly but just hearing the impact’s load pop never got easier on her sensitive ears.

The table had seen better days as well.

Unwilling to move and most importantly disturb the monarch, Twilight casted a small silencing spell on the room, leaving all materials as they laid, frozen in the moment as she carefully closed the door behind her. It was hard watching Luna exert herself this much after just returning, but on the other side she greatly approved her dedication to these lessons. It was this similar mindset that ultimately gave Twilight everything she currently had, and hopefully it will aid with Luna’s eventual full return to greatness.

With the door closed and the room silenced, the student unicorn turned mentor descended the stairs with soft claps. Today’s lesson was over and that meant another afternoon of attending to all the chores running a library required, all of this after she sent a letter to Celestia. A simple, one sentence letter explaining the situation: “Luna was staying over.”

Twilight watched as her assistant and...well… number one assistant Spike lounged on one of the padded chairs, reading yet another comic. She didn’t mind too much, at least not today anyway for it was their slowest day of the week; it was the main reason she taught on this day every week.

With little to no distractions, it meant leaving the pair mostly to their own devices. Speaking of distractions, Twilight cast a quick glance over to the checkout desk where a stack of two books laid unattended.

“Spike? Where did those books come from?” She asked. The bell just above the door didn't ring...or did it? Honestly she wasn't sure exactly what had transpired in the world around during the last three hours, and now the thought was starting to bother her. The little dragon and assistant didn't even look up.

“ Somepony just came and returned them not too long ago, just after you began.”

“Spike, that was almost three hours ago, but did you at least get their name?”

“Sorry, Twilight. He just kinda..came and went.”

Strange.

With her curiosity sated for now, she left Spike to his own world as the primal urge to open, stamp, and shelf occupied her current desires. Any thoughts and concerns about the books prior caretaker could wait until an opening in her schedule made itself available, but until then these books need a home.

With a practice delight only found in the company of many hours among books, Twilight summoned her bureaucratic supplies: Stamp, stamp book, quill, and one log book. Settling them just above their assigned placement on the desk before taking her own assigned spot behind it.

With her magic the first book was placed before her and the cataloging began; “ An abridged history of Ancient Equestria.” A new book most definitely considering she would never allow what she felt was lacking in context, still maybe she could use it as an introductory book?

Satisfied with this, Twilight quickly, but carefully snapped the cover open revealing its pristine pages. The texture and smell of a very well kept book never ceased to send her senses into a flurry! Oh but the irony she was about to unleash was enough to ground the free floating tendrils of her psyche, and with a readied magical grip….

“Property of the Golden Oaks Library” the deed was finished but the damage was everlasting. It was for the greater good of society Twilight would tell herself but it never did anything more than to dull the regret.

With the feeling still dull, she brought forth the next and final book waiting its assimilation into this databank of knowledge. This one was old, far older than it looked before and looked practically ready to become dust.

No name was imprinted on its weathered spine, and the cover.. well it was nothing more than the fiber stitching used to hold the book together. With the exception of a worn sliver of paper marking a past interest, the book on the surface looked less and less worthy of lining the shelves. In its defence, the book had served its time and wouldn’t be used by the public but would be officially retired and stored in the cellar for preservation.

While it was kind of this mystery pony to bring it here for donation, she felt the act itself was closer to a dumping than an act of kindness. Still beggars can’t be choosers and new books on a town library fund was a needle in a haystack.

So, with the outside a bust, Twilight turned to the one place any book would house a crucial detail- the Front Matter. With a librarian patience, she opened the book one page at a time until she found her target...

“Predictions and Prophecies" Edition 1th. Scribed in the founding year of the city of our liege, Princess of the Sun, Celestia. Hoofscribed by Guard Historian, Goldeneye.

_________________________________________________________________________________

The birds chirped their always lovely tune, ponies humming along as they milled about the late evening. Luna neither heard nor felt none of this merriment. Instead, the princess was treated to what was becoming her night’s very own anthem. She watched as they bobbed their little heads in great exaggeration to the silent tune, the little messengers of evil preached right off her balcony railing this time with another group accompanying them. The new flock watching intently with the midnight alicorn as the choir entered the final chorus.

“O…h… br…ing…the…end…, O…h… br…ing…the…end…cruel…moooooon.”

“Cute.” was the princess’s only thought as she threw her second cup this week out the window.

Their sharp cries were the real music of the setting sun; Luna smirked triumphantly as they flock of 20+ birds scattered once more to the skies, vowing to finish the second verse tomorrow night. Just like the last night, Luna would be there with another object at the ready.

Of course the birds weren’t really talking… or even existed for all the alicorn could distinguish. A few ponies here and there as they encountered the approaching night showed some wariness, but the rest were oblivious. Only her Captain and two nightly escorts knew of the blending reality, but beyond that Luna made sure nopony knew. Feigning adjustment to an illness was to easy, ponies accepted the word as easily as a parent telling their foal about life.

A knocking at her door garnered the Night Princess back to reality, as her eyes quickly scanned the room…finding it to be exactly the same way. No questionable distortions in the air or any other unexplainable occurrences. The shadows, visions, and more importantly the voice hadn’t bothered her lately, and by not haunting her dreams continually it was mocking her, treating her to constant paranoia.

However, from her own paranoia or actual demons of the soul, nothing was certain anymore. It didn’t hurt to tread lightly though, after all one can never be too careful when it came to the night…

“Y..Yes.” Luna asked hesitantly, unsure if the knocking was not but a distant pony’s hoof steps or just the new doors expanding from a little moisture. Part of her wanted to feel relieved, when silence answered and not those damn birds, but the other part argued the lack of noise as an omen. What could this omen mean besides a looming danger?

Nothing. Omens were explanations concocted in early civilization to explain the bad and the ugly. So, when a disciplined voice broke her short lived silence, Luna nearly knocked over the “picture frame” Celestia had given her a week after her return. She quickly returned the small painting of her saviors to its home on the petrified wooden desk before something else happen to it.

“The Night Court is assembled and ready to begin.” The deep voiced Stallion replied, momentarily pausing after processing the Princess’ rather weak tone. “Are you ill my Princess?” He asked curiously, but mostly with concern. “We can…”

“No.” Luna cut him off. “Tell them we’ll be there momentarily.”

The stallion held his voice for a moment, long enough to ask his partner what should he do; the mare noticed his pleading eyes and admittedly shrugged at their dilemma. He questioned the blue eyes, but quickly ceded to their wisdom and resumed his role of protector/ate .

“Yes, Princess.” The stallion’s reply was quick and without further question.

______________________________________________________________

“Silence is a double edge sword.” or so a wisepony had once possibly mentioned in some distant time, and so does it lingering echoes. Tonight, like every night, there were no ponies awake besides its few enigmatic guardians. The very few beings meant to bring life to an otherwise desolate time where nothing was to be seen.

The silence was almost painful.

And so the young pony set in limbo, waiting for the sharp clicks and clacks that would single her time was at an end. The doors remained still; no matter how many glances or hopeful wishing, they remained defiant to her protest. Down the grand waiting hall, the cheery red carpet, now marron served as a damper to her mood. It didn’t help the only source of light illuminating its walls were the rarely used, but extremely pricy “Blue Flame” candles, which used an enchanted flame to allow the candle to burn longer and brighter. A side effect was it turned the flame blue, which was how it received its name.

She watched as the pale light flickered

back

and

forth,
back

and

forth.

Each movement of the flame would push and fight the pale darkness until it fought back to continue its encroachment on the flame. Their struggle reminded the silver mare more like the rhythm of a miniature beating heart; each candle, all 32 of them, 16 on each side, beating in unison to support the entire complex which was Canterlot Castle, the seat of power. With each collective flicker from the candles, she felt it against her chest as her heart matched the speed. Why was did she feel so nervous? A question with merits as her hoof attempted to quell her rebellious heart, as it pounded madly against the her chest.

Why?

What could be causing her such heartache, especially during a time like this? It had been years since she had last experience an episode, and it ended her career as Senior Flight Lead of the local weather team. Still they found it in their hearts to keep her as an consultant, it felt more of a shallow gesture than anything.

A gesture meant to ease their own guilt.

This line of thinking was a common time waster, and keeping true to this logic had proven right. Her temporary angst was soon dispelled by the low grown of the massive hall doors; slipping from between them came one of the enigmatic guardians, his movements while discipline in design showed the night was wearing him down.

“That explains the heart murmur.” she thought.

“Miss. Eclipse, her majesty will see your appointment now.”

Not wanting to keep Luna waiting, Eclipse nodded to the guard in appreciation as she trotted past him eagerly. Finally, after waiting for almost a solid two hours, she was about to have her moment under the stars, a meet and greet with the Lord of the Night herself! Truly the drain to her savings was well worth it!

_________________________________________________________________________

It was to be her last appointment before the retirement of the Night Court, and it disappointed the princess to say she was glad for the morning sun. Her beloved court was more than an extension of the Day Court, or a social experiment to help not only her readjust… it served as a means exercise her authority most definitely but it was her child.

After a week of recovery and calming the affairs of the general upper crest of government, Luna finally convinced them to allow another court of commons. A court all her own. A sign that not all sleep during the night, but some even prefer it- there can be life in the stillness.

Still, her fellow hobbyist were few and far between.

So, for Luna to watch this enthusiastic mare wilt the closer she drew closer, dampened her spirits. She wasn’t disappointed by any means, just a little heartbroken. Disregarding the past, Luna was trying to bring to light so to speak, that the night could be nothing short of joyous scenes and wonderful experiences. It was this type of feeling and wonder she hoped to grace her subjects from now and onward, but the almost trembling mare before her had bluntly reminded her such hopes were likely a long way off. Nothing in this world was achievable without talent or hard work, but the fact this mare still crawled in fear rather than bolt in terror gave the her some hope it was a possibility.

“Court is in session, announce thy complaint and we shall listen.” Luna started with tradition in mind, but killed that notion when the mare gave a startled squeak. With nothing to lose, she felt mimicking Celestia’s tone would be the best route to take until the ponies warmed up to her.

“Please, my little pony don’t be frightened of thee. We won't hurt nor harm you…” The more Luna spoke, the more she notice the mare’s tension dissolving but still held some feral fear. “We…er Pinkie Promise?” Luna asked unsure, vaguely recalling where she heard it from but once she spoke those words the mare’s entire demeanor quite literally puffed back, startling the Night princess.

“OH! Well that’s wonderful than! I was worried you didn’t like me or might have even tried to eat me!” The silver coated pegasus happily exclaimed, ignoring the strains of white mane falling over her eyes. “But you pinkie promised so you must be ok then since nopony ever breaks a Pinkie Promise.” She finished, seemingly adding extra emphasis on “ever”.

“We… er excuse us?” Luna responded unsurely. This sort of open display of joy, and casualness continued to awe and surprise her more and more. Thought the House Nobles and Elite of Canterlot continue to act as they had for the past millennium, it seemed the common ponies of this time bowed more out of common courtesy then of protocol. Maybe a bit of both.

“How much the times have changed.” The dark Alicorn though sulkily. The more she thought her grasp of the “Modern Times” was adequate, something would “kindly” and constantly remind her, like the mare before her, showed just of out of tune she still…and probably forever will be. The world felt more like a rose of such beauty and splendor; it brought praise and joy to all that gazed upon it. While she was and would forever be the ugly, out of place thorns that clung to the rose with some desperate, misplace hope of being a part of that beauty.

“Sorry...” She inhaled a relaxing breath to help calm her and gather her composure.

“I’m.. It’s such a relief and joy to find the stories and rumors about you were based out of false speculation and not fact. My name is Pale Eclipse your majesty and I work as a consultant for a small weather team near the islands around VanHoover. I’m also an amateur astrologer at heart, my Princess.” She finished with a heartfelt and respectful bow.

It was only when the mare mention she was an aspiring Astronomer, did Luna notice for the first time the mare’s cutie mark. The mark itself was up to debate with the Night Princess but trusting the mare’s words concluded it to be of a planet of some sort. If that is the case, then the small, golden circle that sat in the very center of a much larger ring had to represent the sun. Then again, cutie marks were easily as vague or held a deeper meaning than they appear.

“Arise, my little pony. Thou does not need to bow to us. Na, in fact your words are truly welcomed and most appreciated.” And the Night princess meant it. To hear such a thing did remove part of the cloud that followed her so eagerly. “The Isles of VanHoover you hail from? Thou has truly traveled far indeed; tell us, what is it that brings you to our Court of The Night?”

The pegasus arose, and nodded. “As I mention before I come from the Islands around VanHoover, and with us being off the mainland and out a little ways at sea, the weather there is a bit more wild and untamed. Because of that we’re short hoofed on pegasi that can or would even dare try to fly in those conditions, let alone all the time. So most of the time the others and I end up pulling a double, and sometimes the extremely rare triple shifts which really eats into my stargazing.

Luna listened with extreme interest in the mare’s story. Though she really didn’t have many ponies ever come to her Night Court, let alone this hour, Luna couldn’t quite remember the last time she’d honestly felt a connection with one of her attendees. The few that ever did set hoof in her court were usually either to intimidated by her to hold a conversation and ended up stuttering their request/concern or were only there to have their request that had failed in Morning Court reviewed for a possible second chance.

Never, except for the Pink Mare of Cake did she have the privilege to meet one so friendly and seemingly selfless. The mare wasn’t here asking for gifts, privileges, ect that most wanted, but was here, asking if the Princess of the Night, could find some way to allow her just enough time during her busy schedule to view the night sky just a bit longer… and it filled the Princess with joy, and a warmth she hadn’t felt for nearly 1,000 years. This was the exact thing she had craved, and desired back then… for ponies to enjoy her night just like they did with the day.

“How times had change.” The Alicorn happily thought.

Waiting until the pegasus mare finished, Luna did something that not only surprised the mare, the Cosmic Guards, and herself: she broke tradition. A tradition that had not only stood through the ages, but had even evolved to defined what was proper etiquette of how a Princess or a similar royal should act in company- privileged or common. She rose from her throne, the pedestal from which she sat and passed judgment and carefully walked toward the mare.

To the mare’s credit, she didn’t run or tremble with a dreaded passion but held her ground as the living shadow approached. The stallions watched this with great animosity for what could happen, their relaxed muscles suddenly finding a new purpose. Their sovereign of questionable sanity openly advancing on the only pony to have sought a counsel in weeks and it made them all on edge.

“Pray tell citizen, why do thee shake as a leaf in the evening wind? Is it something we have said or done to displease you that causes you to tremble with fear?” Luna asked as she tried to meet the mare at eye level. It was a joy to see one of their own here at this time, seemingly full of life and foalish mystic as she nearly skipped to the throne but like a bad dream that ended when she noticed the pony on the throne. ]Luna, determined to prove not only to herself but to her guards that her past was exactly just that, the past. Even if this mare said nothing as the anxiety wrecked her ability to function, Luna was going to put her friendship lessons to the test.

Luna, determined to prove not only to herself but to her guards that her past was exactly just that, the past. Even if this mare said nothing as the anxiety wrecked her ability to function, Luna was going to put her friendship lessons to the test.

All was quiet as they watched with a childish fascination, each set of eyes lingering far too long to be considered public appropriate. Yet, this was a different matter altogether, for this was becoming a firsthoof account of not Nightmare Moon, but of Princess Luna lowering herself to greet a common born.

“I was there.” They would tell their numerous descendants. “I was there when our Princess Luna came back to us, and showed the world she was here to stay.”

The mare, Pale Eclipse, was astonishing in her discipline even if most of it was installed fear. The trembling had been exhausted to only a couple minute spasms of her achilles tendons, before leaving the irregular breathing as her only sign of distress. She tried moving but found no luck, her hooves had rooted themselves in place or it was because the princess’s own hooves had reached out and gripped them; no matter the reason, Eclipse found the sensation exhilarating.

Even her part time job of weather watching wasn’t even close to this feeling and yet this new alicorn could command such a response from just being in the same room unnerved and excited her. A living representation of her life’s passion was here before her, and it demanded her full attention; Eclipse needed to act, to respond if she was to be worthy of the celestial's affection.

“I don’t.. I mean I’m sorry princess.” the silver mare finally responded. Her apology- sudden and unnecessary, surprised Luna enough for her to lose her voice. Heir to the Royal Canterlot Voice and left speechless by a few simple words, uttered not by one of status but of common birth.

“Excuse us good mare?” The Canterlot voice was absent. “What in the good name of Equestria did thee do to warrant an apology?”

“For acting as a foal in your presence. I have been fascinated with astrology and the sky since the early years of my life and this moment-meeting the princess of it all is like a dream come true.” Her moment was over but the impact it left solidified the young mare as a favorite.

“Ceade your sobbing and misplaced sorrow for you will find no companionship. Misery will not make friends today with thee.” Luna was on a roll. Her guards had all but abandoned protocol to fraternize with the others; each discussion ranging from their princess stepping up to their theories that Celestia and Luna were the same pony. The talk nearly stopped when the large plume of her wing extended for the mare, and delicately wiped away the only tear threatening to spill.

Eclipse shuttered. Her touch wasn’t close to how she had imagined it, even the sensation of fur on fur paled in comparison; nothing, from the lowest of cottons to the finest silks existed such an item. How could a simple feather of all things obliterate any known luxury? Simple. Because none could claim to have originated from the enchanted night itself.

She watched, quietly, as her immortal idle gingerly retracted her wing, observing as the one tear sparkled in the pale light. With a calming flick of the wing, everypony watched in awe as the tear failed to react, instead deciding to linger in place just a bit longer until Luna could grasp it with her hooves. With a magic as pale but beautiful as the heavenly moonlight, they all watched as it seeped over the princess’s frame twirling every way, yet still moving forward. Once it reached the inseparable hooves was where it truly took off; all but the princess herself shielded their eyes from the resulting saturation but only after its disappearance did they gaze upon the result and marvel.

“What in Equestria is it?” Luna wasn’t sure who had asked the obvious question, but given it would be her only response answered anyway.

The princess took a courtesy step away from her newest masterpiece, and absorbed the surreal praise and wonder imitating off the gathering around her. Hovering defiantly in the open air no bigger than a breezy floated a crystal of unparalleled beauty; pear shaped in design, the crystal attracted moonlight like a moth to a spiders web, caching every stray ray to add to its increasingly bright collection. This gem, a rare, and one of a kind item in beauty and power thought to have been lost had suddenly found life once more.

“This, companions of thine is known as a Moon’s Tear. An artifact with origins preceding anything known in the current; a time when sister and w.. I were content with the arts of health and nature.” Luna paused, letting her eyes linger as they moved from muzzle to muzzle. Each gaze met was the same- unlimitless wonderment.

A sensation the princess cherished wholeheartedly, It was this kind of fascination and desire to learn and explore Luna had wanted so desperately; a payment she was now just receiving. Nopony said a word as the mystical artifact descended into the stunned hooves of Eclipse.

Her expression was lost behind the dazzling white mane, but the reaction wasn't lost for once the fleeting moment passed she had ensnared the Lunar matriarch. It was too quick for the naked eye, even for Luna but the surprise hug was met with shocked confusion and mild outrage.

Luckily for the offending mare, the princess was first to have recover and with a stern glare fended off her guards. The three bat-winged ponies gave resistance to the request, but quickly(and wisely) backed off from their instincts to protect; with no threat declared, the three ardent guards nearly kissed the polished stone in their apologetic bows.

They were just doing their assigned duty, but a simple hug, while given without permission wasn't warrant of such a zealous reaction. Luna admired their willingness to follow and obey, but detested their exaggeration of most actions as being nefarious in nature.

Yet, she herself had most likely put them in this state with her near constant paranoia. After court is finally adjourned for the night she’ll fix that, but for now Luna gave into the feeling and returned the mare’s honest hug.

Tonight was a night of first, and following this series of broken protocols declared Night Court closed almost 3 hours early; the call was unexpected but wasn’t challenged by anypony present.

With a sudden opening in her free time, the Princess of the Night and Stars began the first steps into having a genuine discussion with an unknown pony about the future of the star constellations and what nightly plans were being scribed as they spoke.

Unusual by any means given the circumstance but considering who their sovereign is and her detrimental culture shock this was one of those look the other way moments. Knight Night Watch looked on and smiled as his reclusive princess eagerly tried to hold her own against this strange mare, but each time Luna stumbled over her own words, Eclipse wouldn’t laugh but politely correct her and continue on.

“Back to your post stallions- three hours left until we’re dismissed for the night.” Night Watch commanded.

“Understood sir, but what about the young mare?”

“Ignore her for now. Princess Luna may have closed Night Court, but now she is the Princess’s guest which means we do nothing but exist.”

The three stallions gave their captain a reluctant nod but quickly followed it with a crisp salute. Their job wasn’t to question, but only to react when the threat of harm stalked their princess and if Night Watch declared the mare not a threat.. than who were they to question him?