Princesses of the Night

by Maleficent Fangirl

Rating: everyone
Tags: Dark
Length: 6716

A sequel to "Romance in the Air," it is focused around the princesses of the night. Moonlight and Nightlight are the heroines, and they have casted a shadow on Midnight without knowing it.

This is a sequel to "Romance in the Air." The story is focused on the three night princesses called Moonlight Sonata, Nightlight Sparkle, and Midnight Darkness. Moonlight and Nightlight are the heroines, and they have casted a shadow on Midnight without knowing it. Midnight is cursed by Nightmare Moon at birth- and her dark powers seem to get worse every year. One day, when she turns to the darkness, Nightlight and Moonlight decide to redeem her using the Elements of Harmony- but, will they save her before it's too late?

Published 1970-01-01 00:00:00 UTC
Last updated 2014-08-10 13:52:30 UTC

Conceal, Don't Feel

Luna's P.O.V

So many years have passed- I'll say two hundred has passed, by the way.  Twilight and I have three alicorn daughters, and Celestia and Cadence has gone to the heavens.  Only their names are remembered and mentioned in old tales that could be true.  The castle has become a bit more futuristic, but it still has the royal charm.

My oldest daughter is Moonlight Sonata.  She is very beautiful in her own way.  Her purple mane with pink and blue highlights is very long.  Her bangs are swept to the side, and her eyes are lavender with a hint of teal.  Her coat is midnight blue, and there is a purple heart on her left cheek.  It is a small beauty mark, but it tells of her personality.

She is full of love, but she can hold a grudge if somepony keeps being mean to her or her younger sisters.  She is kind to her sisters, no matter what. She can be generous, too. Moonlight's cutie mark is a golden full moon with a black night sky.

My second daughter is Nightlight Sparkle.  She isn't as beautiful as her older sister, but she isn't ugly either.  Her lavender coat shimmers in the daytime, and occasionally in the nighttime when there's a full moon.  Her mane is midnight blue with hot pink and light purple highlights.  Her eyes are teal with a bit of purple.

She is the adventurous tomboy, and she sometimes go to dangerous locations.  That could have gotten me and Twilight worried, but she usually comes home safely.  She is also fiercely protective of her sisters, and she is never afraid to speak the truth.  She's good with magic, but would never use it to harm others.  Her cutie mark is a red moon with a hot pink star.

My third daughter is Midnight Darkness.  She is very dark and mysterious.  She's the only one out of the three to have constant nightmares since birth.  Midnight only becomes nice whenever her powers are in control.  Most of the time, her powers are getting stronger, and she acts cold and distant because of that. She sometimes walk around in the castle when it's really dark- her sisters sometimes commented on her being "scary" in the darkness.

Her coat is coal-black because of a curse.  Her mane is midnight blue with purple and black higlights. She has teal eyes with a hint of coal black, and her eyes are a bit like Nightmare Moon's.  Her cutie mark is a light purple sky with a stone heart and a sword piercing the heart.   When she was born, Nightmare Moon has placed a curse on her so that Midnight would someday become a creature of nightmares.

Flashback

The little wailing noises echo for a second as a filly cuddles with Twilight.  "She is beautiful like her oldest sister," I said.

"I know, right? But, her coat is lighter- almost light purple," Twilight replied.

The filly also has light lilac hair with pastel blue highlights.

As we talk about the little filly, the lights go out for some strange reason. A familiar laughter sounds throughout the room, and a figure is now standing near the window.  This figure has a type of mane without any form- and that's when I realize who she is. "Is it Nightmare Moon?" Twilight asked as she places a wing over the little filly.

"Right you are, Twilight Sparkle. I have decided to give this filly a little visit.........." The figure said as she turns her head to look at us.

"To cast a dark curse upon her whole being," Nightmare Moon concluded as her eyes glow white.

I rush towards the filly to protect her.  I place my wing in between the filly and the creature of nightmares.  "No, Nightmare Moon. You shall not place a curse upon her, as you have once done to me. You will never, ever turn anypony else into a nightmare as long as I live!" I said.

Nightmare Moon chuckles in response. "You're kidding, you're kidding, right? I can sense your vengeance, fool......" She remarked.

"And that vengeance is for a good reason, not a cruel one! I will always protect my family and my subjects from the likes of you!"

She touches my horn with hers, and smirks evilly.  "Do you want to give in to the darkness again?" She asked.

"NO!" I shouted using the rarely used Royal Canterlot Voice as I back away from her.

"You're such a coward- and you're trying to protect everypony that you care about?! Ha! That's so priceless."

She places her horn on the filly before Twilight and I could take action.  Nightmare's magic envelops the filly, and I stare in horror.  "Stop!" Twilight and I shouted in unison.

"You're too late, fools. Now I must leave. Once Midnight Darkness realizes her true destiny, she will become the creature of darkness!" Nightmare Moon said as she flies out the window.

She then disappears, and the filly has changed to a different color.  "This couldn't be true........" I sobbed, "I....... Why am I too afraid to protect this child from Nightmare Moon?"

"You weren't afraid, Luna. You have made a wise choice to resist her influence," Twilight assured me.

"But it's not a wise choice. It's like....... Cowardice. It's something I've never felt in my immortal life."

"I don't think you're a coward.  Everypony is brave in their own ways, but they get scared sometimes."

I nuzzle the filly, and I sigh for a second.  "We shall name you Midnight Darkness," I said, "Hopefully you could resist the curse that may grow stronger as the days and nights pass."

"Luna, I don't understand why she keeps coming back regardless of how many times we try to keep her away.  Let's hope that Midnight Darkness resists the evilness given by the creature of nightmares," Twilight advised.

"Someday she may turn to the darkness if no action is taken. If she turns to the darkness, then her sisters shall save her.  She wouldn't get banished to the moon, though."

Twilight looks at Midnight, and begins singing a little song to her.  "Conceal..... Don't feel..... Do not let it take over....... Resist the power of evil....... Conceal, and never feel....... Keep it in control, do not let it take over......." She sang as her magic envelops the little filly.

End of Flashback

I don't understand how Nightmare Moon could have escaped her magical prison to corrupt her. I thought that I stopped her....... I thought the Elements of Harmony stopped her........ But she keeps coming back for a reason.  I fear that Midnight would become evil if no action is taken.

My daughters have flowing manes like mine, but Midnight's hair flows differently as if it has no form at all.  That is why most ponies are afraid of her- sometimes they call her "Nightmare Moon" because of some resemblance to the creature of nightmares.  Whenever her powers threaten to surface with the curse's influence, Twilight and I would use a spell to keep her powers in control.

It has gotten to the point of where Midnight has to wear a special necklace that keeps her powers in control.

One night, as Twilight and I enter Midnight's room, we notice that some objects are affected by her powers.  Midnight seems a bit more mysterious.  "This will help keep your powers in control," I said as I levitate a special necklace with a magical crystal in the center.  The crystal is said to keep evil magic from surfacing.

Midnight only nods in response as the necklace lands on her neck gently.  "Conceal...... Don't feel....... Never let them know........ And never reveal your powers," Twilight spoke softly.

"Okay..... So now, I will not be feared?" Midnight asked.

Her hair turns to a faint lilac as it stops flowing. Her coat is of a light lavender color. Her cutie mark turns from a stone heart to a white crystal with a black swirl in the center.  That symbolizes concealed powers.

"You will not be feared, and you will not have magic for a while," I replied, "Remember...... Conceal, don't feel....."

Nightlight Sparkle and Moonlight Sonata walks in a second later.  "How is my little sister doing?" Nightlight asked.

"I have to conceal my powers," Midnight replied.

"I see. If Nightlight and I ever encounter Nightmare Moon, then we would take her down," Moonlight said, "Using the Elements of Harmony."

"I represent loyalty, honesty, and magic," Nightlight said.

"I represent kindness, generosity, and laughter," Moonlight added in.

"I see. Why can't I be a heroine like you?" Midnight asked.

"Some ponies never get to be heroes, that's why.  That includes the ones who couldn't fight back or are often the ones to be captured by evil," Nightlight replied.

"And not to mention the ones who has powers that could go out of control," Moonlight added in.

"Okay. You must get some rest, girls," I said.

"Alright then. Good night," The girls replied in unison.

Twilight and I walk out of Midnight's room.  "Luna, are you sure that Moonlight and Nightlight will become the next Elements of Harmony?" She asked.

"They might," I replied, "They're pretty determined and brave.  Celestia may have put up a brave front many years ago when she once used the Elements, but she's not very brave."

"Well, when my friends and I first use the Elements long ago, we weren't brave either.  It's like something new and unexpected long ago."

"Oh, really? By the way, we've ruled for many years.  Cadence has ruled for almost one hundred years before going to the heavens.  So, there is a young ruler trying to keep the Crystal Empire in balance. I think her name is Crystal Shield. She's protective of the ponies that live in the empire, and she has inherited the Element of Love from her mother."

"What is she like?"

"You probably haven't seen her much because of your duties as a ruler and a part time teacher. Crystal Shield looks like Cadence, except that Crystal has a white coat.  Her mane is pink with dark blue higlights.  Her cutie mark is a blue shield with a pink crystal heart in the center."

We continue speaking until we enter our room.

Midnight's P.O.V

Even though I am supposed to wear this special necklace, I still get nightmares and occasional visits from Nightmare Moon.  I slowly fall asleep, and I enter the same dream again.........

Nightmare Moon enters my bedroom as I throw the pillow across the room with my magic.  "This is one of your nightmares, right? You are probably feeling anger and hate right now...... Do you want to know why?" She said.

"Um...... Actually......." I hesitated.

"I will tell you in less than a flash! Moonlight Sonata and Nightlight Sparkle are heroines, and they are loved so much more- the ponies will never love you, even though you look different! They are always afraid of you! Turn to the darkness, Midnight....... Your dark destiny shall come soon!"

She then shows me a vision of a pony that looks just like her.  "That will be you, with that cutie mark," Nightmare Moon said.

I notice that the pony has a stone heart with a sword piercing it as a cutie mark.  I gasp in horror- I'm becoming evil?! "Notice that they will fear you so much more, as they has once feared your nocturnal mother," She concluded, "But they accepted her in less than two years."

"You mean....... My mother with that flowing blue mane with the sparkling stars on it?" I asked.

"Of course. You shall know fear, evil, and darkness!" She replied as the room starts to spin around me.

It's as if I am actually spinning.  The scene changes to when the pony from the vision threatens to hurt my sisters and my mothers.  She also threatens to bring eternal darkness upon the land.  "No........ No, no, no!" I screamed.

"Midnight....... Can you hear me speak? I sense you are suffering from the nightmares still," A familiar, almost motherly voice spoke.

The scene switches to a misty night sky with a full moon and the stars.  I notice my mother giving me a gentle, yet stern expression.  "Midnight, I know she wants you to turn to the bad side....... But, you should not let the curse take over you.  I know how it feels to have to live in the shadow of your siblings....... I do not want you making the same decision, as I once did......" She said as she shows me a vision of herself turning to Nightmare Moon.

"You mean that I would transform into a pony like that if no action is taken?" I asked, "Like, I would be feared?"

"That once happened to me. It was that one night when I was no longer Nightmare Moon, but the ponies still ran away from me. Your mother, who is there at the time, understands me and could tell the difference more easily than other ponies.  She knows that the Elements of Harmony released me long ago.  If you would turn bad and then get redeemed by the Elements, then I sense that one of your sisters would understand."

"But they're too busy taking in all of the glory."

"It does not matter- whatever Nightmare Moon may tell you is a lie. I once believed her words to be true, but now I don't. I must go help other subjects in their dreams."

I wake up a minute later, and I look at the alarm clock.  It is five in the morning.  I gasp in horror as I notice Nightmare Moon watching me through the window.  "They will never like you," Her voice echoed, "They will always fear you, especially if they find out that you're actually not cold or evil."

I have this one question for her......... Why won't Nightmare Moon leave me alone and lift off the curse that may someday befall me?

When Darkness Surfaces

Moonlight's P.O.V

The sun rises higher into the sky as my sisters and I board the train to visit Ponyville.  Sometimes I wonder how much longer my sister Midnight would keep in her powers.  Would the townspeople know that she's posing as a different alicorn instead of the cursed alicorn?  If they do, then she may still be feared?

As we enter the Ponyville Cafe, the ponies in there immediately recognize us.  "Moonlight Sonata! Nightlight Sparkle! The princesses and protectors of Equestria, oh my gosh! I finally get to see them," A youthful voice exclaimed, "And not counting the smallest alicorn though."

I turn my head to the left, and standing there is a filly.  "What are you doing here?" Midnight asked.

The filly backs up at the sight of Midnight.  How can she recognize my sister if my sister has just been transformed? "It's okay. She won't hurt you," I assured.

"That's good, heh heh. May I have your autograph?" The filly replied, "My name's Jade Star."

"That's a cool name," Nightlight said.

"Thanks," The filly responded as Nightlight and I sign her autograph.  The filly then runs off a second later.

"Why must they hate me so?" Midnight asked.

"They don't really hate you. They probably don't recognize you, Midnight....... If you feel like using your powers just now, just resist the temptation. Conceal, don't feel......." I told her.

"Don't let them know," Nightlight said.

"They already know about her other form," I reminded her.

We notice a mysterious pony in the dark corner of the building.  Midnight seems very curious, and starts to approach the pony.  "No! Don't talk to this pony," Nightlight warned, "This could be Nightmare Moon! She could tempt you."

"Why not? There's nothing wrong with having a little advice........ Though," Midnight replied as her eyes dart around.  She seems nervous- she could be lying.  She even lets out a nervous chuckle as she approaches the pony.

More and more foals surround me and Nightlight, and their parents seem to approve.  "Can I have an autograph? You're the best princesses ever! You're always our heroes," The foals chanted.

I smile in response.  I didn't expect this to happen- but Nightlight loves getting the attention.  Frankly, I think that's because she is a hero.

Midnight's P.O.V

This pony turns out to be Nightmare Moon.  She creates a door with her magic, and then she allows me to go through the door, though I hesitate at first because I know she could give me nightmares- she cursed me at birth- and now my powers are getting worse.  Hopefully my sisters someday purge out all of the evil that is inside of me, and restore my powers with good magic.

I have a feeling that the temptation is too strong to resist- even though my sisters and my mothers advise me to "conceal, don't feel."  I enter a strange room with no windows, but with some lights.  Nightmare Moon appears out of nowhere, and gives me an evil smirk.

"Greetings, Midnight. We meet again...... This is a door closer to your destiny," She said, "A very dark destiny."

I don't know what to say.  "Actually, I want to go back......" I said.

"And what do you mean by wanting to go back?! You belong here, in the darkness.  The world of shadows........ The palace of evil......... You will gain this very special gift........"

"A special gift?"

"Yes. This is what you will have when you turn to the dark side, Midnight."

Nightmare Moon takes off her helmet, and I gasp for a second.  So, that is what she looks like without the helmet? Her eyes are glowing with evil as she hands me the helmet.  "You think me a beautiful nightmare?" She asked.

"Maybe so," I replied, "But you're also creepy in a way."

She levitates the helmet with her magic, and then she places it on my head.  It feels a bit heavy.  Negative thoughts fill my mind, and I sense a kind of power conflicting with another power.  I unconsciously smile evilly as I take off the special necklace.  "Look in the mirror," Nightmare Moon said, "This....... Is your destiny....... To become like me!"

I gasp as I regain my consciousness.  I notice myself in the mirror.  I see that same pony from a vision.  I immediately levitate the special necklace, and then I place it on my neck in less than a flash.  I quickly take off the helmet with my magic as I try to find a way out.  "You shall stay evil........ Forever!" Nightmare Moon's voice echoed throughout the room as I rush through the door.

"I....... Stay evil....... Forever?!" I asked myself as I enter the cafe once again, "This couldn't be true........"

I think there is a huge weight in my saddlebag, and I open the saddlebag to see what's in there.  I gasp in horror- it's the Nightmare helmet! "What's in there?" Nightlight asked.

"Yeah, what is that?" Moonlight added in.

My heart beats much faster as they continue asking questions.  I'm not supposed to tell of what happened........ Right? How would they feel about me after they notice the helmet in my saddlebag? Would they shun me even more? If my mothers find out, would they banish me to the moon for a thousand years as my aunt once did to my lunar mother?

"I.......... I............" I whispered.

"What is it?" Moonlight asked.

I sense the special necklace being lifted off of my neck.  "No, no, no, no!" I screamed as I look around.  One of the fillies is apparently interested in my necklace.  "Give it back!" I demanded.

The ponies then notice my true form.  They gasp in horror, and I glare angrily at them. "You dare me to spit it out, sisters?! The gathering's over," I declared as magic spews out of my horn.

"The darkness shall last forever!" I concluded without thinking as I slam my hooves on the floor.

As a result, the moon blocks the sun, and the place becomes dark as a result.  No! This couldn't be! No....... I thought as I quickly fly out of Ponyville.  I fly higher into the night sky, and then I fly farther away from the town.  The sky seems to get darker each second, and I realize that I'm getting closer to the moon.  "The moon..... Where they'll never find me," I whispered.

Nightlight's P.O.V

Moonlight and I fly back to Canterlot Castle, where we would find our mothers.  To our surprise, our nocturnal mother is in the air as she seems to search for something.  "Midnight has revealed her powers because a filly took off her special necklace.  How can we save her, if she seems to have completely turned to the dark side?" I asked my mother.

"I wouldn't blame it on her, but Nightmare Moon seems to have won over Midnight's soul and mind," Mother replied, "You must find Midnight on the moon- and stop Nightmare Moon's curse that is affecting Midnight negatively."

"By using the Elements?" Moonlight asked.

"Aren't we a bit afraid of the dark?" I asked my sister.

"You shouldn't be. Everypony has fears, and they must face them," My mother said as she looks up at the moon once again.

Moonlight and I fly into the castle to find the Elements of Harmony.  Our younger mother is standing near the secret door, and she uses her magic to activate it.  "Take them and save your sister from the Nightmares," She said.

The Elements of Harmony are placed into my saddlebag and my sister's saddlebag.  We fly out of the castle a minute later.  Our lunar mother isn't there for some reason.  "Did Nightmare Moon kidnap her?" Moonlight asked.

Nightmare Moon appears out of nowhere.  "I have taken your mother, and she is imprisoned inside the moon castle's dungeon," She said.

"And she couldn't escape? How could you?!" I retorted, "Stop taking away our family!"

"Never......." She flies into the castle.

This doesn't look good at all.  Moonlight and I enter the castle once again, and our younger mother is imprisoned in a magical prison.  Nightmare Moon chuckles evilly as she flies away with our imprisoned mother.  "Stop!" Moonlight and I shouted in unison.

"Follow me," I told my sister as I start flying higher into the sky.

Midnight Lets it Go

Midnight's P.O.V

I enter a darkened palace, and I watch as Nightmare Moon imprisons my lavender-colored mother in the dungeon.  Is this what Nightmare Moon wants, to imprison my mothers? I wish I could stop her, but I am powerless because of evil corrupting me........  I sigh as I look out the huge window next to the abandoned throne.

I have left Earth because ponies are more afraid of me than ever.  "A land of isolation, and it looks like......... I'm forever alone," I sang.

My emotions rage with conflict as I think about my actions.  Normally, I try to act nice and to keep my powers in, but they keep trying to surface because of the evil curse from Nightmare Moon..........

"There is not a hoofprint to be seen on the moon.......... The darkness surrounds the moon as I contemplate my actions......... My emotions are raging like the darkness, and I couldn't keep them in........ Heaven knows why.......... It's so dark now, especially on Earth because of my powers........ Don't let them in, don't let them see....... Conceal don't feel....... Be the good mare that you always have to be, and don't let them know...... Well, now they know!" I sang.

I think about the times when the ponies back away each time they see me.  It's just a curse, but they don't really understand the point of curses.  I sigh as I look at the Earth.  It will forever be dark until my sisters do something- they could imprison me, or worse.........

"Let it go, let it go! Can't hold it in anymore! Let it go, let it go! Show them what's your power's for........ The dark is mine......... And it's here to stay...... Let darkness rage on! The night never bothers me anyways! It's funny how the distance makes things seem small, and my fears that once control me can't get to me anymore! No rights, no wrongs, no rules for me! I'm free! Let it go, let it go! I'm one with outer space! Let it go, let it go!" I added in.

I feel free, after years of keeping the powers in for long and having to always being in the shadow of my sisters.  "It's darkness you will face....... Here I stand, and here I stay! Let darkness rage on!" I sang.

Nightmare Moon approaches me, and places her horn on my flank.  "You will be evil," She whispered, "You're getting closer."

"My powers flow into the nightmares of every soul! I'm starting to feel like the bad mare in the emptiness of night! The darkness covers over, everypony screams! No, you don't want me back! I'm not evil, but I seem like it..........  Let it go, let it go! I'm the princess of night......" I sang as I levitate the helmet onto my head.

"Never turn to the good side. You truly belong to the darkness," Nightmare Moon concluded.

I nod in response. If they couldn't accept me, then I shall be feared right now! "Let it go, let it go! I'll be causing all the fright! Fear me now! No more light of day! Let darkness rage on......... The night never bothers me anyways," I finished.

Nightmare's magic envelops me as I feel myself transforming.  I close my eyes for a second, and as I open them, She levitates a mirror in front of me.  Now, I am the pony from that vision.  "Follow me, Midnight. You are no longer Midnight Darkness.   You are Nightmare Darkness!" She said.

She leads me into the dungeon, and I notice my mothers in separate cells.  "Midnight! Why would you let it take over?" My lavender colored mother asked.

"Twilight, it is not wise to ask her that question. That signals the fact that you may not understand her. I could understand her more. By the way, Midnight........ We shall not fight you. Your sisters will save you," My lunar mother said.

"Are you saying that you want to suffer my wrath? Gladly you will," I remarked.

I smirk at them, and they wince in response.  "You foolish princess of the night..... We meet again," Nightmare Moon told my lunar mother.

"Why did you curse her?!" My lunar mother demanded.

"Fools......... You thought that I am defeated, but you are wrong! Your daughter shall be mine......... Forever!"

Nightmare Moon shoots dark magic at my lunar mother, and she transforms to stone as a result.  "The same will happen to you, Twilight......." She told my lavender colored mother.

I shoot a dark beam at my unaffected mother, and now she is turned to stone.  I walk back to the throne room to sit upon the dark throne chair.  Nightmare Moon sits next to me, and I simply stare into the distance.  "Let the past go," She whispered, "You are never going back to the good side."

"I know," I replied, "But villain life seems boring."

"Hey, even villains have fun."

"What type of fun?"

"I'll show you- causing nightmares!"  She stands up with an over-confident air about her.

"I don't want to go back. Remember what happened?"

"You don't need to show any remorse about your villainy!" She sounds as if she has boomed a bit, "Here, you'll see. You simply get into somepony's dream using dreamwalking techniques. And then you cause a nightmare!"

"I have a question- is there a spell for eternal sleep?"

"Of course. You place it on the ones that have nightmares."

"Looks like the fun will be doubled."

"It will be, Darkness."

"Ain't I supposed to be Nightmare Darkness?"

"I'm just nicknaming you so that we won't confuse ourselves."

We start dreamwalking using our magic.  After three hours of entering many dreams and causing nightmares, we decide to take a small break.  "Ha ha, that was funny when we gave that one pony a nightmare and he was like 'those zombies are gonna eat my skin.' He's such a child," Nightmare Moon said.

I must admit, I have to agree with her- or else.  The dark side is promising- the good side is just full of ponies that could outcast you.  "Do we ever get sleep?" I asked.

"Not really. Nightmares never need sleep," She replied.

"Thanks for letting me know."

"You're not supposed to be kind!"

"Okay, then."

"You're as kind as Luna sometimes- I find that really annoying."

I shut my mouth as to not speak any more words and comments about the situation.

The Defeat of Nightmare Moon/Epilogue

Moonlight's P.O.V

Nightlight and I land on the moon, and we notice a dark palace in the distance.  "I wonder if this is what our lunar mother built during her banishment and lonely exile," She said.

"Yes. I bet Midnight could be in there. C'mon," I replied.

We fly closer to the palace, and a black dragon appears out of nowhere.  "Moonlight, watch out for its fiery breath! It's more dangerous than regular fire," Nightlight shouted.

The dragon roars as it claws me out of the way.  I crash into the rocky surface, and I then groan in pain.  "It's too strong," I complained.

"I don't think it is! We have to fight it!" Nightlight said as she shoots a magical beam at the dragon's tail.

The dragon roars in pain as it slams its huge tail against my sister.  My sister landed next to me, and she seems to be in pain, too.  As I examine the beast with my alicorn eyes, I notice that it is made up of Nightmarish type of stuff.  "The legends say that when we act out the qualities of the Elements, then we shall stop the Nightmares," I declared, "Now I know what this is, it's actually a Nightmare beast and not the actual dragon!"

"Moonlight, you remind me of our lavender colored mother.  When she was your age, she is said to be a great leader to her now gone friends," Nightlight said.

"Really?"

"Of course."

I smile in response as I cautiously approach the dragon.  "Why are you like this?" I asked in a gentle tone, "Because you're big, doesn't give you the right to hurt us. You hear us?"

I stare at the beast for a few minutes.  My sister is still on the rocky surface, unable to move for a few minutes.  The dragon groans in sorrow as it transforms into black and purple mist.  Those colors must be from Nightmare Moon!  Just then, I hear my sister crying out in pain.

"What is it?!" I asked.

"My powers are going away," Nightlight replied.

"Okay...."

I use my magic, and then I place some of my power into her body.  The same mist that is currently hovering over my sister has disappeared for a moment.  "Now, we must go further," I declared.

Just then as we enter the palace, we notice spooky shadows surrounding us.  "What are these?" Nightlight asked.

"Our mothers say that laughter gives us courage and banishes fear," I replied, "Laugh at the shadows! Ha ha!"

I start laughing, and Nightlight reluctantly starts laughing as the shadows disappear.  One by one, the shadows transform into black and purple mist.  "You're so fun despite being the oldest," Nightlight said.

"I know," I replied.

We enter the first room, and then there are shadowy figures in the mist.  Nightlight walks up to them in a bold fashion.

Nightlight's P.O.V

One of the shadows resemble my lavender-colored mother.  "Is that you, Nightlight Sparkle? We've heard great things about you, and we would like if you leave your family and become one of us," The shadow said.

I can see the subtext beyond her words.  "No, no, no...... I will never!" I retorted.

The shadows once again turn to black and purple mist as the mist disappears through the left door.  "This place gives me doubt," Moonlight said, "I mean, it could have secretly been a labyrinth."

"I don't believe that it is a labyrinth.  Palaces are huge- trust my words, and we will find our family again," I replied.

"Are you sure? You can't be honest."

"I'm being honest. We will find them, no matter what happens."

I open the door with my magic, and we enter another room.  I swear that I can hear angry hissing from the mist.  "You have braved all the tests," The voice said.

We enter a throne room without knowing, and sitting atop the throne is Nightmare Moon and Midnight.  "Midnight! We have finally found you. We want to save you from her," I said.

"You're kidding, you're kidding, right?" Midnight replied with a smirk.

"No, we're not joking!" Moonlight shouted.

"You pitiless fools........ You may have passed the tests, but you won't discover the Element of Magic!" Nightmare Moon said, "Unlike that time when that lavender bastard found the element using her magic."

"We're not foolish," Moonlight and I said in unison.

"Then why do you come here?! Earth is where you'll belong- it's dangerous up here, because of myself being curse," Midnight retorted.

I ponder on her words for a second.  "You don't need to protect us. We're not afraid! Please don't shut us out again....... Please don't slam the door......... You don't need to increase your distance from us....... 'Cause for the first time in forever, we finally understand....... For the first time in forever, we can fix this hoof in hoof," I said.

Moonlight's P.O.V

I hope for my sister to come back with us.  Midnight really needs help, even though she's been feared and transformed into a villain.

"We can get out of the emptiness together. You don't have to be afraid anymore, 'cause for the first time in forever, we'll be right here........." Nightlight added in.

"Sisters, please go back. My powers are too dangerous to handle, and you couldn't survive once they touch you........ Go back and enjoy your life on Earth and open up the gates," Midnight said.

"Yeah, but-" Nightlight and I said in unison.

"I know you both mean well, but leave me be....... Yes, I'm alone, but alone and free! Just stay away...... You'll both be safe from me and my dangerous powers," Midnight interrupted.

"Actually, we're not," I said.

"What do you mean, you're not?" Midnight questioned.

"I get the feeling you don't know......." Nightlight advised.

"The whole world's in the dark, dark, dark, dark........ Night," I said.

"What the?!" Midnight exclaimed as my magic envelops her.

Nightlight's magic also envelops her, and she starts to transform.  "You've kind of set off an eternal darkness, everywhere!" I said.

"Everywhere? Oh, we get it," Nightmare Moon interrupted, "She's mine, and she's not coming back!"

"But she can lower the moon and make way for the sun," I told her.

"I wouldn't allow for that!" Nightmare Moon slams the marble floor with her hooves with such anger and force.  The floor starts to break a little, and the windows start to crack.

"You shall allow for that, or we'll turn you to stone!" Nightlight threatened her.

Midnight doesn't return to normal, but she is half her weakened form.  She grows unconscious as Nightmare Moon chuckles even more.  Nightlight quickly approaches Midnight as I approach Nightmare Moon.

"Because, for the first time in forever, Midnight........" Nightlight whispered to Midnight, "I know you've been in our shadow...... Forgive us if we've been so blind......"

"I'm such a foolish princess! I can't free myself from that powerful curse! Why, why, why?" Midnight replied.

"Don't be so afraid to free yourself. With your undying strength, you can save yourself from the dark side!" I told my youngest sister.

"There's no escape from the curse casted by Nightmare Moon," Midnight retorted as she starts crying real loud.

"Don't show any remorse, my friend!" Nightmare Moon shouted at Midnight.

"Stop trying to manipulate her, you monster!" I shouted at Nightmare, "Or else you'll turn to stone and stay like that for a trillion years!"

"Please, you'll only make it worse!" Midnight begged.

"Don't panic! Stay strong-" Nightlight replied.

"There's fear everywhere on Earth because of the nightmares that I have intentionally caused! Why can't somepony understand me?" Midnight interrupted as her powers start flowing out of her horn in less than a second.

"Let's face this together," I said.

"You're not safe here, so no!" Midnight retorted as her voice grows silent.

"We can bring back the sun, we can bring back courage to our people........" Nightlight and I said in unison.

"I can't!" Midnight finished as she collaspses to the floor in less than a second.

Nightlight rushes up to her, and gives Nightmare Moon an angry glare.  "You........ How could you do this to our sister?!" She demanded, "You have a darkened stone heart!"

"I do have that," Nightmare Moon remarked, "You're too late to save your sister! Ha ha ha!"

Nightlight and I activate our magic to stop Nightmare Moon.  She has completely transformed to stone, and some of our magic has gone into Midnight.  "You have saved your sister and broken the curse," A motherly voice spoke behind us.

Midnight slowly wakes up, and now she is in her youthful form once again.  "Mother?" She asked as she notices our lunar mother.

Our mothers approach Midnight in a stern way, yet they seem forgiving.  "You are cleaned of the dark influence of Nightmare Moon. Now, your good powers will slowly be restored- and fortunately, you won't be in your terrifying form ever again. You will have a different form once you have completely recovered," Our lavender-colored mother said.

"I'm so sorry for what I've done! Please don't imprison me in the moon," Midnight sobbed as she rushes up to us.

"We forgive you," I said.

"Next time you have a problem, just tell us," Nightlight added in, "We have saved you from all this.  We shall go back now.  As long as the Elements of Harmony keep Nightmare in the stone prison, you will be okay. You will be protected, and you will never suffer from being an outcast again........."

I place my hoof under Midnight's chin, and she looks up at me with a faint smile.  "You are so fortunate to be the chosen heroines.  I wish I could be the chosen one, but I will have to adjust to being a regular princess. Maybe I could do something that could get the ponies to stop fearing me so much," She said.

We all continue speaking as we fly through space to return home.  We finally enter Canterlot after a few hours of flying.  My lavender-colored mother uses her magic to rise the sun.  My lunar mother then lowers the moon.  The bright sunlight warms up the whole place after being cold for a while from eternal darkness.

As we land onto the ground, Midnight gets accepted by the ponies.  "Midnight has returned, not to cause fear, but she has broken free from the Nightmares.  She is now good, as you can see," I announced.

Midnight does not respond to the cheering crowd- she seems shy and withdrawn, still.  She looks at the ground, and I place my wing over her small body.  "Even though we love being in the spotlight, we would gladly love to share it with Midnight," I concluded.

The crowd cheers in response, and Midnight slowly looks up.  She could barely make eye contact with a single pony.  "It's okay, Midnight. It is over," Nightlight assured her.

"Will they ever forgive me?" Midnight asked.

"It takes time, but Equestrians are very forgiving," My lunar mother told her.

We all fly home a moment later, and Midnight doesn't say anything else.  Why must she be so shy? She doesn't need to be so shy.  The past is in the past, right? As long as Nightlight and I hold the Elements, Nightmare Moon would never corrupt her again.  She would also never reach her in dreams.  Our quest to save Midnight ends for now.

The day passes, and Midnight comes into my bedroom.  "I couldn't sleep. I may get nightmares again," She said.

"It's okay. You may eventually find sleep later.  This song is what Auntie Tia once sang to our lunar mother after our lunar mother is released from the Nightmare....... Listen," I replied.

"Okay......" She climbs onto my bed.

"Fate has finally been kind at last........ Into the calmness of the night, I will bring you a lullaby, dear sister........ Your past will never come back, and I have forgiven you....... Lullay dear sister, and close your eyes....... Dream away into the night...... I pray that your dreams are kind....... Dream as the clouds go by, fly past the stars, and sleep....... You will someday have your powers restored........." I sang.

Midnight falls asleep as I gently place my wing over her.  "Go to sleep, dear sister......." I finished.

I look out the window to watch the moon rise into the middle of the sky.  "You are never touching my sister again," I whispered.

I place my head on top of my younger sister's neck as she enters a deep slumber.  I close my eyes to fall asleep.