Author's Note

Sorry I have been out the game for so long. I am just experimenting with this chapter if people don't like it i can go back to the drawing board.

The cats out the bag.

Stuck between a rock and a hard place. A phrase I found very appropriate for the currant situation. Caught in act and worse with a pony that was suppose to have been killed when the elements freed princess Luna. I had no idea how I was going to talk my way out of this situation but as the seconds crept by the awkward silence only seemed to worsen.

Silently I fumed at myself. How could I have been so reckless. my failure to take precautions had caused this mess. The problem was how was I going to get the two of us out of the mess, bodies intact.

My eyes flitted to where Celestia stood her face Somber though I could see the rage slowly building behind her magenta pupils. Behind the two stunned monarchs stood my friends, a myriad of expression making me cringe. The looks of betrayal and anger left me quivering like a foal. I feared what any of them would say.

Quickly pushing back I hastily covered my shame blushing profusely. Nightmare Moon made no show of moving as she lovingly stroked my mane. Her cold demeanor showed no weakness as she lazily observed the group. A grin slowly crossed her lips. Taking a dark and petty pleasure in seeing the distress on my friends and fellow rulers faces.

Rainbow Dash, pawed at the ground her wings flared as she looked from the princesses to me. I knew she was at a loss her loyalty to me and her hatred for Nightmare Moon leavening her unsure of what to do. The rest including even Fluttershy moved forward prepared for a fight. Whilst I was touched at the care my friends but it was misplaced and if I did not do something soon all Tarturus would break lose.

"D-dusk Shine... ?" Princess Celestia whispered, pausing as words seemed to elude her. Her eyes filled with confusion and hurt as she looked back and forth. Princess Luna on the other hoof was more furious than she was confused. A sneer etched onto her face, eyeing her dark counterpart.

"What—is the meaning of this? What have you done with Dusk Shine, foul enchantress?" Luna snapped, Crushing one of the floors large tiles with her hoof.

"Done? More like what have Dusk shine and I done." Moon taunted, daring the smaller alicorn to make a move as her horn glimmered in the dimly light room. A look of revulsion crossed the faces of my friends as I suddenly felt great shame. I never wanted them to find out like this but with Moon's argumentative and stubbornness in full swing I feared that this was going to end badly.

Moon took the reactions in stride leaning down as she gently ran her tongue up the side of my neck. Making sure the mares knew who I was claimed by. The delight she took in the looks of horror and outrage was not helping as I shot her a dirty look.

Luna's body twitched, her eyes glimmering as a white mist seemed to extrude from the sides.

"Princess Luna wait!" I gasped, clambering off the sheets. "ahh" I yelped tripping over the sheets, landing in an undignified heap on the floor. A shark crack rang out, followed by pain as I felt warmth trickle down my nose. Groaning I shakily climbed to my hooves, my head throbbing from the hard floor.

Moon gave a concerned cry as she gracefully jumped off the bed, leaning down as she inspected me. Her wing instinctively wrapping around my smaller frame.

"Your nose." Moon gasped, her magic gently grasping my head as she examined me ignoring the mares behind her. Tilting my head up, her eyes peered into mine. I felt the gentle touch of her magic. The warm sensation seeping into my skin, repairing bone and mending flesh.

Quick as lightning the mare pushed me to the ground turning as she fired off a powerful bolt at the ground in front of my friends taking them by surprise

"MOON WHAT THE..." I was silenced as she wrapped her hooves around my chest. With a sharp pop I grimaced as I squeezed my eyes shut. Teleportation always left me feeling nauseated, stumbling around I tried to stop the world spinning. Groaning I weakly shook my head looking around as I spotted Nightmare Moon pacing back and forth. That teleportation had been erratic and violent making me feel all the worse as I tried not to throw up. 'My castle?' I mentally noted, wondering why she had brought us here of all places. Surely she knew that this would be the second place the princess's would look.

The mare in question was currently pacing a scowl on her face as I tried to call out. I could see it in her eyes the extent of her anger. I had no idea what she was muttering under her breath but I knew for a fact that what ever it was, it was less than flattering towards my friends.

"Stupid fat cow, even now she just can't help but meddle." Moon huffed throwing a chair across the meeting room leaving it embedded in a wall. "That prison charm will only last a few minutes at most before they manage to tear it down. We need to do something." Moon barked looking to me to think of something as I gave a confused shrug. The mare sighed her shoulders slumping. Pacing back and forth the mare muttered to herself trying to strategies a plan to incapacitate Princess Celestia and Luna. If she managed to do so it would give us time to escape but would also brand me a traitor and make it so I could never return to Equestria. The idea scared me more so the thought of Moon or my friends getting hurt.

What could we do? We were trapped either we surrendered and Moon would most likely be killed. Or we fled and were hunted by the royal guards for the rest of our immortal lives. I truly felt lost and Moon's pacing was not helping. Already my panicked mind pictured all the ways we would be banished or imprisoned. But surely they would listen to reason. Understand that Nightmare Moon was no longer a monster. I mean we were able to redeem Eris and even after the Tirek event she was given a second chance. So why not Moon. Sure she had a temper on her and first impressions had not been good but my friends trusted me and I know they would give her a chance.

"Dusk you back?" a soft voice called out. Freezing I licked my lips as I heard sharp hoof steps coming towards this way. With a sharp click the door opened, starlight Glimmer's walking though with her head buried in a book. A few instruments floating behind her, as she muttered about the complexity of her project. Pausing the mare looked up her smile brightening as she looked at me.

Her face twisted in a look of horror as her eyes caught sight of the mare behind me. A sharp clatter sounded as the instruments and book crashed onto the floor.

"N-n-n nightmare M-m moon. She stuttered. Shaking the mare's horn exploded in a fierce glow preparing a spell to strike the alicorn as Moon regarded her lazily. "Get away from Dusk Shine!" She demanded flinching as Moon took a step in her direction.

"Starlight enough." I barked the stress of tonight's events getting to me as the mare squeaked. Looking back between the two of us the mare crept forward.

"What in the name of Celestia is going on?" Starlight glimmer demanded. "Why is she here, more to the point why are you defending her?" the mare finished glowering as I rubbed the back of my head. Moon moved forward puffing out her chest as she stood beside me. Not physically touching yet too close to simply be friends. Starlight processed this, her mind clicking followed with a intake of breath.

"So you have a pretty little mare living with you? Should I be jealous?" Nightmare Moon teased giving a small laugh as I looked away.

"No it is nothing like that, I am simply teaching her about the magic of friendship." I replied my pride taking a kick as Nightmare Moon laughed.

"Is that one the young ponies call it these days?" She teased, sticking her tongue out as behind me Starlight made a small noise in her throat.

"My relationship with Dusk shine is purely platonic. More so I fail to see how it concerns you!" Starlight bit back, glowering at the alicorn her attitude returning as the alicorn smiled. Turning she pressed her mouth against mine her tongue slipping between my lips. I gave a small grunt of surprise at the sudden but not unwelcome intimacy. Sighing as she pulled back i raised an eyebrow as she gave a smirk.

I was not fooled by her laid back attitude. Despite her teasing she was not happy about Starlight living with me. She was making it known that I was claimed. Though why now when we had mere minutes before the rest of the group showed up was beyond me.

"Is now really the best time to be getting jealous? We need to do something before my friends arrive. " I whispered the mare huffing but giving a stiff nod in acknowledgement. "Look I don't like this anymore than you, but given your... past. Maybe it would be best if you waited in the bedroom. I will speak to my friends and try to talk this out." I finished uneasily,Moon's eyes narrowing.

"I don't like this and less so the idea of leaving you alone with those two. Despite what you might think Dusk Shine my other half and her precious sister are not infallible . They are stubborn and more so hateful towards me." Pausing to lick her lips I shuddered at the thought of losing her. "But I trust you. Be safe my love." Moon finished strutting past me as her tail flicking me on the noise.

Snorting I turned my attention back to Starlight who had been surprisingly quite the whole time.

"I don't know what is going on, or why you are with her. But I trust you and your friends trust you. Be honest with them." She finished slowly placing a hoof on my shoulder as I gave her a grin.

"I wish I had your confidence." I smiled the mare giving a small smirk as I heard a sharp crack behind. Turning I grimaced as I was subjected to my friends looks of confusion fear and betrayal for a second time that day. The princesses looking for Nightmare Moon as Fluttershy went to move forward. Luna stuck out a hoof halting the yellow pegasus as she looked up in confusion.

"Dusk Shine." Celestia whispered, eyeing me suspiciously as I took a determined step forward.

"Princess Celestia." I replied bowing as her eyes softened. Inside I could see that she was internally struggling. She had been a second mother to me but at the same time her fear for Nightmare Moon and her "influence" on my mind made her wary. With a small inhale I prepared myself for what was to come.

"She has changed." The statement seemed to catch the group of guard.

"I know not what spell she has on you Prince Dusk Shine but if you come with us we can reverse the damage. You can fight it." Luna replied brushing my statement aside. "Now where is the beast!" Luna demanded a glint in her eye, her horn glowing menacingly. Taking a step forward my horn ignited as I prepared myself for what ever might come. Princess Luna recoiled as if I had physically struck her. The hurt in her eyes at my aggressive stance making me wince. "Dusk Shine please your friends care for you. We care for you. Please do not let that monster poison your mind with lies of redemption. She is the spawn of evil. She can't change!" Luna pleaded. Taking another step forward.

"Dusk shine enough! You are not going to convince them." My heart dropped as the familiar sultry voice of Nightmare Moon sounded from behind. "Well princess's you wanted the big bad mare in the moon. Well here I am!" Nightmare Moon spat, eyeing the two princesses as she stooped by my side.

"Moon I told you to stay in the bedroom." I hissed the mare giving me a playful grin.

"And when have I ever listened to you." She teasingly responded.

"I need to face them alone!" I replied. "You know to convince them that you are not an evil tyrant!" I finished exasperated by her stubbornness.

"Come now Dusky. Don't think I don't see what you were doing. Locking me away in our bedroom so you could flirt with the pretty princess's," Moon laughed.

Luna coughed violently in the background as I gasped, my body suddenly feeling very warm.

"Or is it the other way around." She smirked, eyeing Celestia as the mare spluttered indignantly at the accusation. 'well we're screwed' I mused, my body slumping as my carefully constructed plan was smashed to bits before my eyes. Maybe my mistake was thinking Nightmare Moon would pass up on the chance to fight the two princesses. From day one the mare had made no attempt to hide her distaste for the two.

At the moment the only thing separating two furious alicorns and Moon was me. As long as there was a chance they might hit me I was managing to keep both sides passive. Though from the look on Luna's face she looked like she was prepared to take the risk. I had never in my life seen her so furious. Any courage and valar I had was quickly draining as my mentor's eyes locked onto me. Ignoring Moons taunting the mare's eyes softened.

Celestia took a cautious step forward her eyes never leaving mine as I held my ground.

"Princess... Please." Celestia paused, sighing she gave a sharp nod

"Very well." She replied, Luna looking at her incredulously. "The floor is yours Dusk Shine." Celestia finished, taking a step back.

"Sister this is madness. What do you think you are—." Celestia threw a sharp glare in her sister's direction, silencing her outcry. The rooms attention on me I crept forward. Clearing my throat I noted how shaken I was. My heart harming in my chest as I licked my lips.

"I guess I should start from he beginning."

Celestia's POV

"As Dusk Shine spoke I found myself silently cursing myself. A year Nightmare Moon had been roaming this planet and right under my nose. How this had happened was beyond me. Nightmare Moon was not a pony. She was not even a living being. Simply malice given shape by my sisters bitterness and loneliness. Yet there she stood, the same demonic armor and fur as black as night.

Yet as I watched her I noticed glaring differences. When ever her gaze shifted to Dusk Shine, I saw genuine affection. The way her tail would subtly brush against his flank. Or how a small smile would creep across her face. This was not the same being that had tried to bring about eternal night twice. But then what was she?

Dusk Shine explained the circumstances of their meeting. How he had found her half dead and powerless. How he had rather than destroy her had helped her. Wanting to see if like Discord, she could be reformed. The more time he had spent in her company the more he had come to view each other not as enemies but as friends. Nightmare Moon had been stubborn but she had fallen for the stallion in the end.

I could not deny that Nightmare Moon being here was a large problem. Looking past my sister and I's issues with her. How would the rest of Equestria react. And worse that she was dating Dusk Shine. The press would have a field day. His reputation would be torn to shreds. These thoughts raced though my mind as I winced at my sisters expression. her glower only seeming to darken the more the two spoke.

But what could I do? I could not preach forgiveness and allow powerful entities like Discord a second and third chance. If I was not even willing to do the same for the alicorn before me. But why did it have to be her? Of all the villains why did it have to be the mare that was a reminder of my failure as both a ruler and a sister.

"Very well" I spoke up startling the pair as I felt Luna tense beside me.

"You get one chance. If she turns out to be untrustworthy, the blame will fall on you Dusk Shine." With that I turned ushering my sister out as the mare cried bloody murder. Internally my mind was screaming foul. But Dusk Shine was not a naive little colt any more. He had grown and proved himself time and time again. So why deep down did I feel so bitter?