Dearest Celestia,
These past few centuries I’ve been living on the edge of darkness. Each and every day, I do the best I can to prevent myself from being consumed by the darkness, but now…
I’ve been living each and every day in fear of what I might do. In the beginning, I clung to the hope that you might see what I was going through. But I should have known that you were too self-absorbed to see what was happening to the little sister you said you loved more than anything. Obviously that time is long past. Now, all you care about is soaking up the love and admiration of our subjects. Meanwhile, I was left to succumb to the darkness within me.
The only solace I had left was the night. Each night, as I was left alone to wallow in self-pity and jealousy, I would reach for the stars. They were the only things I had left. The only things that would listen when I poured out all my troubles, all my feelings.
The one time that I even got a chance to confide in you, all you said was that I was being silly. You said that everything would be alright, and that I was exaggerating things. Well, everything isn’t alright Tia.
Look into my eyes, sister. What do you see? The night. They are as black as the darkest night I’ve ever crafted, as black as my heart. For they reflect my true feelings. Look deeper, Tia, and you’ll see that I tell no lies. Look past your reflection, past the darkness, and into the heart of my emotions. Can you see what I see, Tia? Can you?
Of course not. You never did, so why should it be any different now?
You’re the prisoner of your own emotions, dear sister. You soaked up all of the praise given to you by our subjects without ever noticing what it’s done to you. I hope you can see it now. You’ve become so egotistical, so self-centered that you cannot see what is happening right in front of you.
The night is coming, and once, I would have been there for you. Just as you would have been there for me. But now, we’ll each be alone. For I am the night, and I am coming to destroy your perfect little world. I’m going to make you see, make you understand what you’ve done to me. Try and say you love me then, try and convince yourself that you’re still a perfect pony. If you can then know that you have become cold and emotionless towards those you claimed to love.
I promise that the darkness will not be gentle, not like my night. You let the ponies of Equestria believe that I am a monster, so, that’s what I have become. I will show you what you have done. This is all your fault, don’t try to deny it. I will make the ponies see what you’ve forced me to do. They’ll despise you then, and scorn you because of what I do. How do you think that will make you feel, Princess? How will it feel to have lost all their love, and be thought of as a monster?
You don’t know, not yet. But I do.
It feels like hell. Eternal hell, which is your destiny. It makes you want to prove them wrong with all your heart. But no matter what you do, they won’t ever love you again. All you’ll have is memories.
I know that you’ll want to make everything right. You think you’re perfect. But I can promise you, that I will never let you push back the darkness. Because you aren’t worthy.
When the night comes…
Listen to what I have to say. This is a dangerous game, you’ll be playing. I’ve made up my mind. There’s no changing it. Nothing you do will stop me now. There’s no time left to waste, not for you, not for me. It’s almost too late.
You’re going to get what you deserve. I cannot keep pushing away my emotions anymore. The time has come for me to let go. Leave your memories behind. I won’t be your sister any longer. I’ll be a Nightmare.
And I’ll be haunting you forever.
Princess Luna sealed the letter, and with a burst of magic, sent it toward its recipient. With a last glance around her chambers, the princess of the night set off towards the throne room.
I know you, Celestia. I know where you always go when you need to think. Except this time, I’ll be waiting. This time, your thoughts will become your Nightmare.
The dark princess stepped up onto the dais where the thrones were placed. She shot a hateful glance toward the throne that belonged to her older sister. Soon, you'll have lost everything. Soon, I'll teach you that things aren't always as they seem. And what a brutal lesson it shall be.
Princess Celestia looked up in surprise as the letter materialized in front of her. Curious, she picked it up with her magic and opened it. As she read through its contents, her expression changed from pleasant, to horrified.
No, Luna, no. Why would you do this? What do you even mean?
I need to go somewhere to think.
Celestia placed the letter onto her bed and walked out of her bedchambers. Out of habit she felt her hooves turn on the familiar path towards the throne room. As she walked, the last line of her sister’s letter haunted her thoughts.
And I’ll be haunting you forever.
As Celestia walked into the throne room, deep in thought she heard her sister’s voice.
“Not another step!”
She halted, and looked up, “Luna…what’s going on?”
“Did you really expect me to sit idly by while they all basked in your precious light? There can only be one princess in Equestria! And that princess…will be me!”
Celestia watched in horror as her sister began to raise the moon. No, it can’t be true! My own sister wouldn’t do this!
Her fears were confirmed as darkness began to envelope her sister. When the moon had covered the sun completely, her sister fell back to the ground. The darkness around her dispelled and the mare in front of Celestia was not her sister. This mare was pitch black, with draconic eyes, and was of equal height with Celestia. What have I done?
The mare that was once her sister began laughing maniacally.
“Luna, I will not fight you! You must lower the moon! It is your duty!”
“Luna?” her sister sneered, “I am…Nightmare Moon! I have but one royal duty now: to destroy you!” And with that, her sister fired a magical beam into the ceiling of the throne room causing it to collapse around them.
No! I can’t take this; I have to get away from here! Away from her!
Celestia took off and soared through the gap where the ceiling used to be. She heard her sister take off after her with an indigant shout, “And where do you think you’re going?”
As Celestia looked over her shoulder, she saw her sister firing magical bolts at her. She forced herself to fly faster. How could I have not seen what she was feeling? Why am I such a horrible pony, such a horrible sister?
She was jolted out her thoughts as one of her sister’s bolts of magic hit her directly below her wing. Celestia screamed as she plummeted to the ground.
The once mighty princess of the sun allowed herself some time to lie limply and focus solely on her thoughts. If only she would listen to reason, then I wouldn’t have to do this. I wish I didn’t have to do this to my own sister. But is this mare really my sister?
“Oh, dear sister. I am sorry, but you have given me no choice but to use these.” Celestia forced herself to stand and used her magic to pull the Elements of Harmony out of the vault where they were kept. Slowly, regretfully, Celestia took each of the Elements into her magical grasp and activated them. As they began to rotate around her, she flew upwards toward her sister.
Once she was of equal height in the sky with her sister, they both activated their magic. Tears slid down Celestia’s cheek as she poured all she had into the Elements. I’m so, so sorry Luna, but you have given me no choice.
The magic of the Elements met with her sister’s magic and for a moment Celestia was afraid they would not work. But then, she saw the Elements envelop her sister and heard her final scream.
“Nooooooo!”
You were right Luna. This is my Nightmare, my worst Nightmare. And it shall haunt me forever.
Luna, felt the magic of the Elements tugging at her body. Pulling at the darkness she had become. She closed her eyes and gave in. What’s happening? How could I have lost? How could she wield the Elements without me?
When she next opened her eyes, the princess of the night saw that she had been transported to her own celestial body. You may have won this battle Celestia, but I shall return. In a thousand years’ time I shall return to Equestria and reap my revenge. I hope that I shall haunt your dreams, not as your sister, but as the Nightmare I am. For whatever love I once felt for you has turned to dust. Let this be our final goodbye, for my last tear has fallen.
Author's Note
I hope all of you enjoyed this, especially Unbridled Dolly! And thanks to my awesome proofreader Gizpegahoof!
