Lunar Creations

Chapters

Origins
The Subjects
Chaos
Marked for Greatness
The Nightmare Begins
Nightmare Moon

Origins

Millions and millions of stars smiled upon the process. The celestial bodies watching intently as molten asteroids were being flung through space, all to the same destination. They passed planets, nebulae, stars, all twinkling in their wake. Finally, after travelling light-years, they collide.
The sun, the colossal fiery sphere of pure plasma and heat, stood awaiting the arrival. From it, stood an alicorn. She watched as the space rocks came from all around and collided in a single location. The molten rocks fused together, slowly creating a larger body.
"Almost" said the lone living spectator. The heat and light of the sun directly behind her did not effect her gaze as the rocks continued to meld together. Her four-colored mane floated, motionless in the black of space.
"Almost" she repeated herself. The shape was still rough and forming, but the rocks were coming in less frequently.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw it. Another asteroid was on its way. This one, however, was massive, the size of a smaller planet at least. Her forming planet was big enough that the incoming rock could do serious damage to the formation.
"No!" she cried out. "Stop it!"
It is needed The heavens called back.
"But why? Why must there be this destruction to something so beautiful?"
You need somepony to help you
"Help? But this is to be my kingdom, I will rule over my subjects."
You cannot stop it now
She turned, away from the distant cosmos, and to her mass of rock. The asteroid was colliding, and a silent explosion ensued. The still molten material fused with some of the asteroid, but some did not. Some had an opposite reaction, and flew away from the forming planet. But, the gravitational pull from the now massive, cooling rock, kept it a short distance away. Now, a smaller solid hovered near her planet.
"What purpose does this serve?" she asked.
Look for yourself
She teleported the hundred of miles in an instant, to her new planet. From the surface, she saw the purposes of the smaller-but-still-massive shape in the sky.
First, it could theoretically reflect the light from her sun, providing some light even in the night. Right now, from the surface, it didn't even appear to exist. Second, another living being was formed. Her mane was dark blue and waving in the breeze. Her fur was also blue, with blue-green eyes looking up at her.
This is your sister. Together, you shall form this world
"What am I to call her?" she asked.
Her name is Luna, Goddess of the Night and Moon
"Luna" she said to herself. Her sister looked hardly to be a goddess, such as herself. She was only a young filly, patiently staring up at her big sister.
"Luna" said the older sister. "Come, let us begin."
Luna followed Celestia obediently, watching as water, plants, and animals began appearing from their conjoined magic. Although she appeared young, her magic was just as strong as her sister's. She watched as grass grew, mountains rose, and oceans were filled. Creatures Celestia named "Fish" began populating the waters all over the planet. Different areas sprout up. From grassy fields, murky swamps, harsh mountains, and blistering deserts, creatures emerged. Luna watched in wonder as her sister created with limitless capability. For hours, life was on a nonstop growth pattern. But as Celestia's sun fell into the horizon, she called upon Luna.
"It is your turn sister" she said. "You are to populate the night."
"What else is there to create" she replied. "You've made so much, I cannot think of anything else."
"Think of what you control, and emphasize on it."
Luna, channeling her horn, flew up into the air and looked around at the darkening land. Stars could be seen all over the sky, hanging above the two like a blanket of inspiration. She spotted a mouse, running freely through the fields, in search of food. From her magic, conjured a creature that flew to a nearby tree. It hooted at the night, then screeched and flew at the mouse. The mouse was caught by sharp talons in a vice grip. The creature flew back to the tree, and feasted on its catch.
"Luna" spoke Celestia. "What is that?"
"I call it an 'Owl', isn't it amazing?" questioned Luna. "It is a hunter of the night. It is mighty, powerful, yet wise and knowing. Just like my big sister."
At this, Celestia couldn't help but blush. "Carry on" she giggled.
Luna went on, creating things of night. Insects with behinds that lit up to attract each other, called "Fireflies", populated the fields and forests. Owls, bats, insects, and thousands of other creatures began to spread themselves out through the night. Sounds of crickets chirping and owls hooting rang throughout the hours of night. Luna was in bliss, flying through the forests and over oceans, listening to her work. Gradually, the stars began to disappear, and her sisters sun rose over the horizon.

The days went on, each sister taking her part of the cycle to create and revise. Celestia had the day, and the sun. Luna had the night, and the invisible disk in the sky called "The Moon". Celestia noticed something different about her sister. Some days, her sister would be as large and as powerful as herself. But other days, she appeared as small and innocent as she was when she was first found. Celestia had questioned the stars of this many times, but got no response.
"Sister" Celestia said one day. "Do you ever notice your strange patterns in power?"
"Yes" Luna replied. "I always thought you knew the answer to it, so I never asked."
"Perhaps you should model this in the world" she said.
"I was also thinking about that" said Luna, looking up at the darkening sky. "The moon, what a wasted object."
"Do not say that sister, it is what created you!"
"But it cannot be seen from here. What use does it pose besides the tides, why must it be an invisible force with no local impact. What if the moon could be like your sun, be seen."
"What are you saying?"
"If the sun reflected light right, the moon would appear to be a similar entity. I bright disk in the sky."
Celestia knew this, but had said nothing. She did not want the glory of her sun to have an equal, as that would take glory away from herself. But her sister had come up with the idea on her own, and Celestia couldn't come up with an excuse.
"Let's do it."
Their horns began to glow, as the moon began to appear. It was a barren off-white color, not appealing to Celestia at all. Once the entire moon was shown, Celestia cringed at the ugly sight. Luna, however, was ecstatic.
"Oh sister, it's beautiful!" Luna cried. "I've never seen anything like it, never imagined my night could be made this beautiful!"
"Yes, it certainly is, different" replied Celestia.
"Now, for the final touch" said Luna, channeling magic into her horn. The moon grew an eerie glow to it, then remained unchanged.
"What exactly did you do sister?"
"The moon now follows the same cycle I do" said Luna, her eyes lighting up. "When I am weakest, the moon doesn't appear to be there. As I grow stronger, the moon continues to get fuller until it is full. Then, it decreases, back down to invisibility. The cycle then restarts, over and over again."
Celestia and Luna embraced. "That's a wonderful idea Luna" said Celestia. "Now, we need subjects to see it's beauty."

The cosmos were still silent.

The Subjects

For subjects to rule over, Celestia made creatures much like themselves. These creatures were called "Ponies". Some had horns, just like them, except they had no wings. Celestia called these "Unicorns". Some had only wings, which were "Pegasi". And some had neither wings nor horn, who were called "Earth Ponies".

But the creations did not just stop there. The land of the ponies was to be called Equestria. This is also where the two sisters would rule most supreme, taking home in whatever city suited them. Other lands and subjects were created as well as Equestria. Zebrica was home of the Zebra, as it's grassy plains were suited for such a creature. Other creatures like Buffalo, Deer, Rams, Griffons, and Mules, were all created to be ruled over.

These creatures all made societies, and quickly built towns, cities, and capitals. Using wings, magic, or just hard work, they thrived in whatever they did. But as problems arose, they knew who to call upon for help. Celestia always answered these pleas, making sure that everything was perfect. Luna, however, did not often answer these calls. One day, Celestia questioned this.

"Sister" she said. "Why is it that you do not help those mortals in need?"

"It is not because I hate them, if that is what you are thinking" replied Luna. "It is because we cannot always be relied upon for such things. If we always answer pleas, always make the world perfect, then they will have no reason to grow, expand, discover. We need to let them make their own mistakes, and learn from them."

And so they did. It took many months, but the mortals eventually stopped calling for every little thing. After years, they only called upon Celestia when it was between life or death. In many of these situations, Luna stopped Celestia from going. Civil war ravaged Zebrica, a famine plagued the land of ponies, and an unknown disease struck down much of the Griffon population.

But, as Luna predicted, they fought through it without relying on their goddesses. Unicorns, Pegasi, and Earth Ponies united to create Equestria, where they thrived once again. A standard Zebrican government was established, rather than tribes fighting for control. And a cure was discovered for the Griffon plague.

In Equestria, castles and huts were being phased out. More modern buildings were appearing, as well as more technology. With more confidence in themselves, the ponies researched and built at their please. Foundations of Las Pegasus, Canterlot, and Fillydelphia, were already beginning. And for this, the sisters rewarded their people with a new challenge. It was Luna's idea, to create a race of beasts that would hinder the ponies progress. Something for them to fight and tame, become masters of themselves. Luna wanted to make dragons.

"No Luna, that is a terrible idea" said Celestia to the idea. "These creatures sound far too dangerous to be made."

"That's the idea Celestia" said Luna. Her eyes lit up like the night of the first full moon. "Ponies need to have something to fight, something to keep them guessing. There will be initial panic, yes, but think of how they will feel once they conquer such a feat."

"But what if they never do discover how to defeat a dragon. What if dragons just wipe out every other species, it wouldn't be that hard for such a creature."

"If things do get out of hand, then we will help. Better for them to seek help from us again than for them to cease existence."

Celestia thought about it, long and hard. Much time went by as she pondered over the decision. Finally, she had her answer.

"Luna. I have decided to permit their creation. But if the ponies cannot fight them, they will be destroyed."

"Yes sister!" Luna yelled, her eyes lighting up again. "I will begin immediately."

Luna's horn lit up, and the first dragon was created. It was hundreds of feet long, with red scales and large red spikes lining its back. Giant wings carried it through the air, and it roared fire into the open sky. Luna turned to her sister, seeking confirmation.

"Proceed" Celestia nodded.

More dragons were created. Some large, some small. Some had wings, some did not. Some breathe fire, others ice or something completely different. They began to seek food, precious jewels would be their source. Most took resident in caves in solitude, but others made large groups in quarries and ravines. The dragons seemed uninterested in the ponies, only jewels.

Luna was extremely happy with her work, and Celestia was happy that nopony was hurt yet. Luna continued to make dragons, fulfilling her wishes. But, as another creation spell was about to be cast, a Pegasus, flying through the air at amazing speeds, hit into the cloud Luna was standing on. Luna began to fall, catching herself with her wings and flying back up. But as she fell, her spell was cast.

"Luna" called Celestia, panic slightly hinting her voice. "Come here now."

"I am fine sister" said Luna. "It was only an accident."

"Oh my, Goddess Luna! I am so terribly sorry! I had no idea..." The Pegasus stopped mid sentence. Luna, wondering what the Pegasus and her sister were looking at, turned to their gazes. Flying at Luna was the largest, most frightening, most horrifying dragon created.

"Luna run!"

Luna took off, her wings carrying her as fast as the lone pegasus. The dragon did not need to fly fast, as one flap of its wings took it past Luna and towards the village of Canterlot.

"No!" screamed Celestia. "It will destroy the village!"

"Get rid of it" yelled Luna. "Kill it!"

Celestia's horn lit up, and a ray of pure sunlight was shot through the air at the dragon. The ray bounced harmlessly off of its scales, and was redirected at one of the many unfinished buildings of Canterlot. The wooden building caught aflame instantly, burning to the ground within seconds and taking anypony inside with it.

Ponies began panicking, running like ants under a lowering shoe. Arrows were shot, spells were cast, but all were ineffective against the dragon. Flames erupted from the beasts mouth, disintegrating the structures in its wake.

"Celestia, what do we do?" yelled Luna over the destruction.

For the first time, Celestia's answer was not a wise, controlled speech. "I don't know!"

A jewel shop caught on fire, burning the structure to the ground. The dragon, smelling its food, landed with a quake. Its large clawed hand dug under the remains of the shop and scooped up everything that it used to be, and shoved it in its mouth. Then, it took flight once again, burning and crushing the town.

"That's it!" yelled Luna. "Jewels! If we get a large enough sum of its food, and throw it into space, it will follow it and die outside of the planet!"

Luna, using her magic, had jewels and precious stones float up from the ground and form into a big pile in the sky. The dragon, spotting the mass of food, flew at it. Luna used one last bit of magic to push it into the sky at amazing speeds. The dragon followed, flying straight up into the sky and toward its food.

Luna collapsed from the stress, but was caught by her sister. "Luna" Celestia whispered. "You saved Equestria."

"Goddess Luna saved us!" yelled a pony.

"And to think she didn't care about us. Praise Luna!" said another.

A chant formed across the remains of Canterlot. "Praise Luna! Praise Luna!"

Celestia carried her sister to a nearby cloud, and set her down. "You've had quite a day sister" she whispered. "But it is time to rest." She kissed her sisters forehead, and stroked her mane. "Sleep well savior."

Celestia stood atop a cloud. It was the middle of the night, and Luna had not yet awoken. She looked at the stars above her, looking for any sign of the dragon. There was none.

"Stars" said Celestia. "When will she wake up?"

No response.

"Heavens?"

Nothing

"Can you hear me wise watchers? Why do you not answer me?"

Silence

"Why? Why have you abandoned me after her making? Why do you not hear my pleas for guidance?"

Still, the stars would not answer. Celestia gave up, falling to her knees and crying.

"Sister?" asked a voice from behind her. She turned to see Luna, awake. "Why do you shed tears sister?"

"It is nothing" said Celestia, wiping her eyes and sniffling. "Nothing we can control."

"Sleep sister" said Luna. "I will watch the night."

"But we do everything together" argued Celestia. "Why would we now do so differently?"

"I am night, you are day. We should each control our domains, but not all of the time together. We are tired, and one of us needs to stay up to watch over the mortals."

"I see" said Celestia, now feeling very tired. "Will you watch this night?"

"Diligently" replied Luna. "Sweet dreams sister."

Celestia slept for the first time in many years. Luna watched as the ponies also slept, just like their daylight protector. She then looked to the sky. Her moon was half lit, slowly getting fuller and fuller by the night. Something caught her eye, however. A star, a seemingly normal star like the rest, brightened. It twinkled, and moved, and no matter where Luna looked, the star was there, in her gaze.

"The night is playing tricks upon me" she convinced her self. "I must not get distracted."

But through the stress of the previous day and the uneventful night, Luna fell asleep, right next to her sister.

The star was not pleased.

Chaos

Luna awoke with a start. Strange dreams were now blurring as her moon got lower in the sky, and Celestia would soon be waking. She looked to the sky for the strange moving star, but it was absent. She concluded that she was just delirious, and the star had not existed.

In a few minutes, Celestia awoke to raise the sun. "This is a good system" she told her sister. "You cover your night, and I will wake for the day."

"Yes, we really should implement it" replied Luna, looking at the brightening sky.

"Something troubles you?" asked Celestia, concerned.

"Just looking for the dragon" said Luna. "See if it wan't as dumb as I predicted."

"Relax sister" said Celestia, putting her foreleg around Luna's neck. "I'm sure it is dead."

"I hope so, it would be terrible for it to come back after the ponies believed I saved them."

"But you did save them, Luna. You're their hero! Soak up the acknowledgement, you'll feel better."

With that, the sister's flew to Canterlot, to see how badly the damage was. Most of the buildings were destroyed, either in a pile of rubble or obliterated by the fires. The citizens weren't letting that stop them, however, from building more and more elegant buildings. The future palace was now only wooden foundations, but in years to come will be the shining icon of Equestria. Pegasi were flying in to assist in the re-building, which was odd considering Canterlot then was a unicorn dominated town.

Something, however, seemed off about the construction. Many ponies who helped had no idea what they were doing. While unicorns used magic for tools and pegasi used their wings to fly materials around, earth ponies were having trouble with it. Luna was watching one in particular, a brown coated earth pony with a short black mane, who could not figure out a way to saw a board in half.

"Let me help you with that" said Celestia, already down on the ground. "Just hold it in your teeth, yike dish, and move your neck back and forth."

"Um, wow, thank you Celestia!" said the earth pony, completely in awe that his goddess just came from the sky to help him with a simple task.

"What is that structure back there?" asked Celestia, indicating the foundations of the palace.

"We've started building a home for you and your sister" said the earth pony, looking back at the wooden frames. "Still a lot of work to go."

"I can see, but let it be known that we greatly appreciate the thought."

"Of course, princess" he said, bowing.

"That was unexpected" said Luna as Celestia flew back up to their cloud.

"They are building a home for us" said Celestia, beaming at the workers. "Isn't that nice!"

"What kind of home?" asked Luna, a bit concerned.

"It looks like a palace or castle."

"Interesting" replied Luna, then said nothing more.

With that, Celestia flew away to watch over other parts of Equestria. Luna stayed on that cloud, watching as the ponies worked to build her a home. Just as she and her sister had made homes for them, they were returning the favor.

Interrupting her thoughts was sizzling from above. Luna looked up to see a ball of fire, plummeting to the ground. By its path, it would land directly in...Canterlot! She acted, conjuring a force field above the village. The ball of flame hit the field, then bounced away, down the mountain.

"Luna, what was that?" asked Celestia, returning in a cloud of white smoke.

"I am not sure, but it almost hit Canterlot."

"Come, we will find it."

Luna and her sister flew off of the cloud and down the mountain, following the path of destruction the ball of fire caused to the natural landscape. They found a crater in an open field, where Ponyville will sit hundreds of years later. A trail of scorched grass led right to the crater. In it, was a creature the sisters had trouble describing. It had the tail of a sea creature, one leg of a pony, another leg of a frog, a body of an eagle, yet shaped like a dragon, one arm a birds, the other a large cat. Its wings were also different, one of a pegasus and one of a bat. It's neck and head were pony-like, but slender and curved like the rest of its body. One horn was a unicorn horn, the other an antler. It had different sized eyes, and teeth.

To the sisters, it was possibly the most horrid, convoluted, disgusting creature they had ever seen. It rose then, from the crater, climbing out with ease.

"Ladies" it said. It's voice was smooth, unlike it's appearance. "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Discord."

"Discord?" asked Celestia. "Where did you come from?"

"Up there I suppose" Discord cackled, pointing up.

"Why are you here, Discord?" asked Luna.

"I was told you two are making this place quite, orderly" said Discord, turning three hundred and sixty degrees to survey the area. "And I despise order."

"Well what are you going to do about it?"

"My my, Luna, is that a challenge? Because, I wholesomely except it!"

"How do you know her name?" asked Celestia.

"Well, Celestia, someone's catching on. Unfortunately for you, I have no time for stories right now. It's time for some chaos."

Discord disappeared then. Where he went, the sister's did not know.

"We must find it" said Celestia. "Before it causes trouble."

"I believe that is it's goal" said Luna. "To cause trouble."

Screams from miles away could be telepathically heard, and Celestia teleported away quickly, followed by Luna. They appeared in Fillydelphia, and saw what Discord had planned. Trees were alive, and dancing around fires. Homes were floating in mid-air upside down. Mice sprouted wings and chased birds, snakes grew legs and climbed buildings. Pink clouds formed overhead, and chocolate rain fell onto the panicked citizens below. A pegasus tried to move the cloud away, but got stuck in it.

In the center of it all, was Discord. He moved uncontested through the chocolate stained streets. He was in every painting, every window, every song!

"Stop him" yelled Celestia, indicating Discord with her hoof.

Discord stopped as a crowd of angered ponies blocked his way. More Discord's appeared, perfect clones of the original.

"Listen to your rulers" shouted the Discords. "Attack us!"

No pony moved.

"I'm waiting!"

Nothing.

"That's what I thought" said Discord. "You say how much you love them, but you won't dare listen to them if you might get hurt. They do so much for you, and you are ungrateful. Time to whip you all into shape!"

Discord disappeared yet again, followed by the sisters. They arrived in Canterlot, to see Discords idea of "whipping into shape". Hundreds of ponies were still working, but something was different. They seemed mindless, following a hive mind. No pony was working on restoring the town, only on the palace. Discord lay on the grass, watching them work.

"What is the meaning of this?" shouted Celestia.

"I need a place to stay, don't I. And this seemed like a fabulous idea, so why not use it."

"You'll never get away with this" said Luna, stepping forward.

"Oh won't I?" Discord then snapped his bird fingers, and the ponies stopped working. In fact, all of Equestria seemed to be at attention.

"Your former rulers dare to defy my reign! What do you have to say about that?"

In unison, the ponies yelled "Hail Discord!"

"No, you fools! What are you going to do about it!"

Again, in unison, "Destroy the traitors!"

The ponies charged, tools being used as weapons, at their beloved princesses. In a split second, Discord appeared between Luna and Celestia.

"And you my dear" said Discord turning to Celestia. "Are spared." Discord teleported away, with Celestia in tow. Now, it was Luna against the mob of brainwashed ponies. Tears forming, Luna teleported away.

Sobs could be heard in the forest. Brainwashed ponies patrolled every town and field. Discord wanted Luna found, but his magic was useless in the Everfree Forest. There, Luna wept. She cried for the ponies, she cried for their towns. But mostly, she cried for her sister, captured by Discord. She looked to the stars for an answer, but they were silent. They have been long silent, Discord having messed with them as well. Her moon, full as the first night she laid eyes upon it, provided no help. Or so she thought.

A twinkle here, a flash there. Something was on the moon that was not there before. Although she was weakened by the forest, she was strong enough to fly out into the open sky and teleport to her barren watcher. The moon's undisturbed dust welcomed her hooves. In the distance were fields of craters, created by astray space rocks. Luna walked over to them, looking in each one.

After hours, she thought it was hopeless, that she had just imagined the sights. She decided to look in one more crater, and if nothing was there, she would return to Equestria. Peering over the lip, something shiny lay at the bottom of the hole. Her telekinesis brought it up to her. It was a necklace, golden up to the center design. A red lightning bolt lay in the center.

Loyalty

Luna looked into another crater a short distance away, and found another necklace. It was also gold, with the center being an orange stone with a smaller green stone jutting upwards.

Honesty

Luna continued looking for more necklaces. She found three more, a purple diamond, a pink butterfly-like stone, and a light blue balloon-like one.

"What are these things?" she wondered to herself. She thought that if they were all together, something would happen, but these necklaces seemed devoid of purpose.

"Have I not found them all?" she asked herself. She continued looking, but found no more necklaces. The moon continued to be an off-white wasteland.

Luna, giving up on the search, decided their true purposes will appear when confronted with Discord. Why else would they be given to her to find? Luna returned to Equestria, and flew to Canterlot.

The palace was completed, or near completion, because of the involuntary construction. Inside, Discord sat upon a gold throne, waited on hoof and tail by his mindless minions. Next to him, sat Celestia, also brainwashed.

"My dear Celestia, isn't this palace wonderful?" Discord said sweetly to Celestia.

"Yes Discord" monotonously replied Celestia, blankly staring at nothing with contracted pupils.

Suddenly, the door to the throne room burst open, and Luna strutted through.

"Guards?" yelled Discord, looking left and right. "Stop her!"

"Fat chance Discord, I have these!" said Luna, holding out the necklaces.

"My, those are certainly beautiful, but what do they do?"

"Well, I don't know" said Luna, taking a step back. "I was hoping they would do something when I walked in here."

"Those are almost as marvelous as this crown" said Discord, producing a golden crown from behind the throne. It was an elaborate design. Golden arches arced up, holding a large pink six-pointed star.

"It fits me, don't you agr..."

Discord stopped as the crown started vibrating. It wasn't just vibrating, it was shaking furiously. It began to glow, and zoomed over to Luna, right off of Discords head. The necklaces, wrapped around Luna's foreleg, also shook and flew into the air above Luna. The crown and necklaces began spinning, slowly at first, then rapidly. A rainbow of colors emerged from the center, moving up like a charmed snake. Suddenly, the rainbow arced, and came down with immense speed, right at Discord. A bright white light blinded all onlookers.

When the smoke cleared, and the light dissipated, Discord was no longer a horrid creature of chaos. By the throne, stood a stone statue of what was once Discord. Immediately, the chaos Discord created was gone. Trees once again were rooted, clouds stopped raining chocolate, and everypony was once again back in their own mindset.

"What? What happened?" asked Celestia, rubbing her head.

"Celestia!" screamed Luna, running over to her sister and embracing her. "You're back!"

"Where have I been? Where's Discord? Where are we?"

"Discord brainwashed everypony, and got them to build this palace for him. But these things, these necklaces and crown, turned him to stone."

Celestia looked carefully at the objects that stopped Discord.

"Loyalty, Honesty, Kindness, Laughter, Generosity, and what's this?" said Celestia.

"Magic" said Luna.

"Magic?"

"Magic. It's elusive, it may sometimes hide itself away for other reasons, but it is always there. It will always be there to help. I thought that it didn't exist, the crown, but it showed itself at the last possible moment, saving you and everypony else."

"What should we call them?" asked Celestia.

"I'm not sure, you decide."

"Hmmmm, how about Harmony. The Elements of Harmony."

Luna looked into her sister's eyes. "That's perfect."

The two embraced once again, then left the palace to help Equestria rebuild.

Marked for Greatness

With Discord gone, the ponies began rebuilding and getting back to their lives. Luna and Celestia made home in the palace, each having a tower to themselves. Celestia's was in the east, for the rising sun, and Luna's was in the west, for sunset. While comfortable, the palace seemed much to formal for their liking. Nonetheless, it would be their home. Celestia would watch over the ponies in the day, and Luna would watch over the night.

A problem arose, however, in the reconstruction of Equestria. Ponies lost their jobs, homes, and friends, all because of the destruction Discord had caused. Although everypony helped with rebuilding damaged homes, many were not skilled in the labor.

"Celestia" said Luna, one dawn as they were passing each other.

"Yes sister?" answered Celestia, still a bit groggy.

"I have been thinking about the ponies reconstruction."

"And?"

"Many are not skilled laborers. Just like that earth pony days ago, they know not what to do. In addition, many lost their jobs because they cannot go to work. We must do something about that."

"But was it not you who said we should not interfere too much with their daily lives?" smirked Celestia.

"This is different" said Luna, ignoring Celestia's comment. "It is, dare I say, chaotic. I do have an idea to fix this unemployment, however."

"Do tell."

"It is called a 'Cutie Mark'. It is revealed when that pony finds their special talent. With this, ponies will know what each other are best at, and can find jobs much easier to support their families."

"I'm afraid I do not understand" said Celestia. "What exactly is this mark?"

"It will be a symbol on their flank. The symbol will be whatever their talent is."

"But how will the ponies make this mark appear?"

"That is the mysterious part" said Luna, looking out a nearby window. "The ponies must find out what their talent is. They may get lucky, and just stumble upon it, or they will try many things to see what it may be. Other ponies will be able to see the cutie mark, and recommend work that suits that talent."

"But will the pony be condemned to that talent, or will they be able to do other things?"

"This talent may not specifically be a job. It could just be a hobby, or an activity. But using that mark as a guide, they can find what they truly enjoy and find a way to support them selves with it."

"And how will this help the ponies in rebuilding?"

"With ponies who's cutie marks involve this kind of labor, they can focus on rebuilding. Everypony else will get the economy back up, selling and buying."

Celestia paused, and moved over to her sister. "Amazing, isn't it?"

"What?" asked Luna, confused.

"Out there, all the ponies working together. It is hard to believe Discord caused this much damage in just a day, and it is taking months to repair it."

"But what do you think?" asked Luna, trying to get back on subject. "Do you think it is a good idea?"

"It does seem better than your dragon idea..."

"Sister!"

"Relax sister, I am jesting. It sounds like a wonderful idea."

Luna lead Celestia out onto a terrace. There, Luna's horn lit up, and a stream of magic snaked it's way into the sky. And just as the sun was coming up, ponies awoke to find cutie marks on their flanks.

"Celestia!" they began to call. "What is this marking?"

"Ponies, spread the word!" announced Celestia. "That marking is called a cutie mark. It is a representation of what you are best at, your special talent. Whether you have yours, or have yet to unlock it's mysteries, you know that all of you are special. Unicorn, Pegasus, or Earth Pony, you have something special about you."

"Did you preform this spell?" asked another pony.

"It was Princess Luna" said a pegasus. "I saw the whole thing!"

At this, Celestia's lips curved. Luna, now sound asleep, was being praised once again.

Weeks later

Celestia flew with blinding speeds through the castle corridors. Guards tried to stop her, but she kept on flying. Bursting through a skylight and flying right out into the outdoors, she saw Luna's tower. It was afternoon, and Luna would be resting, but that did not stop Celestia. She stormed in, waking Luna with a start.

"Sister, what is wrong?" she asked, frightened of her sisters behavior.

Celestia caught her breath, then began. "It is the cutie marks!"

"What of them? What is the matter?"

"While it has only been weeks since they were created, the marks have already caused trouble. The ponies are beginning to discriminate those without them. As a matter of fact, a regime has been created to...eliminate the ponies who have not found their talent."

"A regime? Eliminate? Why have you not told me about this?"

"I did not want you to worry. I did not want you to know that your creation has turned against us, and for that I am sorry" Celestia looked to her hooves.

"Sister, do not apologize" Luna got out of bed and put a foreleg around her sister's neck. "Act. This regime must be done with. What exactly are the doing?"

"Well, at first, it was only verbal insults and maybe a few fights. Then it escalated to foal-napping and torture. I tried not to interfere, as you had advised, but..."

"But what Celestia?"

"The public of Las Pegasus is for the anti-blankflank group, and they publicly executed a young filly."

"Celestia! You waited til now to tell me! We must act, now!"

Luna teleported to Las Pegasus that instant, followed by her sister. When Luna appeared, the town was in turmoil. A riot was full scale, and the guard ponies could not hold it back. Houses were being broken into, and blank-flanks were being pulled out and put on a wooden platform. Torches and weapons were held by the rioters as they went from house to house.

"Citizens of Las Pegasus!" Luna announced.

Not a single pony turned her way.

"Citizens of Las Pegasus!" she called louder.

Again, no pony paid attention.

"Sister, perhaps we should just-" Celestia began.

"CITIZENS OF LAS PEGASUS!!!" Luna screamed. Here, the Equestrian Voice was invented.

Silence. Everypony turned her way, to their flying goddess with unreal vocal powers.

"What do you think you are doing?" Luna asked.

"We are ridding your world of the imperfections!" shouted a rioter.

"Imperfections?" asked Luna. "You mean the ones full of opportunity? These 'blank-flanks' that you are persecuting have limitless possibilities for what they can do. You should all be ashamed of yourselves! Who is your leader, that defies the royal sisters?"

"I am" said a blue unicorn. "I created this, and I intend to uphold it!"

"How dare you!" shouted Luna, flying right into the unicorns face.

"Luna..." mumbled Celestia.

"My sister created you, and I created that mark on your flank. If you think you have more power than us, you are mistaken. You kill other ponies, you take their lives for something they cannot control. You must be punished, as well as your supporters!"

"Luna...I"

"What is it Celestia!" snapped Luna.

"It is just, the standard punishment for murder is-"

"Put to death, yes I know that sister."

"Oh, okay."

Luna, confused still at her sister, forgot about it and returned to the crowd. She looked directly at the blue unicorn. "You are coming with us. Anyone else you care to rat out?"

"No" said the unicorn. "No one else will be subject to your tyranny!"

Luna teleported away with the unicorn, back to the palace. Celestia followed, ready to do what must be done.

Days later, the unicorn was put to death. The regime naturally died down, mostly because of the threat from Celestia and Luna. Although it seemed everything was fine, something still lingered in the back of Celestia's mind. Her sister was changing, she could see that. Not just with the moon, but in attitude. Celestia kept wary, taking note of her sister's varying behaviors.

Needless to say, she could have never prepared for what came next.

The Nightmare Begins

Luna sat in her tower, staring at the remaining embers of her dying fire. The door was locked, and the windows were covered. She was supposed to be asleep, as it was very late in the afternoon, but she was not truly asleep or awake. Daydreaming perhaps, or just spacing out.

Her mind was at work as she stared at the remaining light. Darkness would soon consume the room, but Luna didn't care. In her mind, she was not in that room, in that tower, in that palace, or in Equestria. She was in her own realm, where the moon was always high in the sky and she was free. Free from pleasing her sister, from pleasing the ponies. They're either with her, or against her.

It was unwise to be against her.

She walked through the imaginary fields in the starlit sky. Creatures of the night got out of the way of her graceful step as she continued her stroll. She didn't have any idea where she was going, only that something was beckoning her that way. Like an invisible hoof was around her and led her through the field. There was nothing in any direction, with the exceptions of grass and the sky.

The moon was full, in both realms.

She kept on walking. She should have flown up and spotted her destination, then flown towards it. But she did not. Luna walked in a straight line, unknowing where or why she was walking. The stars twinkled in their brilliance, in her brilliant night. It was hers after all, and it was magnificent.

Finally, her destination appeared in front of her. A cracked stone platform sat randomly in the field. Stone steps led to an archway that was positioned in the back center of the platform. Luna stepped onto it and stood in front of the archway. At first, only grassy fields shown through the other side. But gradually, the vision of the grass faded to blackness, and a dark abyss filled the archway.

Luna walked through the archway, into the complete darkness. She was not frightened, or apprehensive, or intimidated. She hadn't been here before, and did not know what was going to happen, but was only anxious as to what awaited her.

As Luna stood in the pitch blackness, small lights began to shine through. The curtain of blackness of lifted as stars were shown. Planets appeared with them, as well as nebulae, asteroids, and other space faring bodies. She looked around in wonder at the scene. What used to be a silent void was now filled with color and light. A voice, not in her head but not outside, spoke to her.

Luna

"Yes" answered Luna.

We have been expecting you

"Why? Who are you?"

We speak like nothing, but appear as everything. We created you and your sister.

"You have? Then why have you called me here, to this place?"

A comet soared by, becoming a fiery mass as it plummeted into the gravity field of a nearby planet.

You are, much beloved by your subjects

"Yes, I suppose I am" blushed Luna.

You have slain dragons, stopped Discord, and many other acknowledgments

"And?"

Your sister. She is still viewed as the...superior ruler

"What are you getting at? She is the sun, everypony sees here and loves her. When I come out, everypony is asleep."

Does that ever get to you?

"Not at all" Luna lied.

Are you positive?

"Well, I am a bit jealous of her. I do all of these things, get credit, yet nopony cares about the night..."

You created the beauty of the night, yet not a single pony takes time to enjoy it

"Yes, that is right."

Perhaps then, you should make them take a look at it

"You mean make night last longer, so when ponies wake up they can see it?"

Not exactly

"Then what?"

Your sister's rule has become...out of hand. We never meant for her to rule like this, like a queen over her subjects. We needed her to be a loving goddess, not a cruel queen.

"Cruel? I think you have her mistaken-"

She put that rebellious pony to death

"But I was there, and I ordered it. I reminded her of the law."

But she still went through with it. Can you not see that it will not stop there? By reminding her of the death penalty, you sparked a fire that will eventually grow larger and larger. First one pony is silenced, then a thousand!

"Are you sure? I cannot imagine my sister going over the edge like that."

We are all knowing, and we know what will become of her if it is not stopped

"Then what should I do?" asked Luna. "I don't want to see my sister become such a thing!"

Take over

"Excuse me?"

Take over the throne. Not only will you be sparing Celestia, but the ponies will be able to finally see your beautiful night.

"I...I don't know..."

If you do not, your sister will become the tyrant we have predicted

Luna stood there in thought.

"I will do it" she finally answered.

Excellent

"Give me some time, as I will debate on how to go about it."

Take all the time you need Luna. We will be waiting.

Luna turned and walked towards the doorway to the fields. When crossing through, however, her thoughts were stopped and she awoke in her bedchambers. Celestia was standing over her, looking worried.

"Luna are you alright?" she asked.

"Um, yes sister" answered Luna, standing up. "I am fine."

"You don't seem fine" Celestia said. "It's time for the night to begin and you were still sleeping."

"I am fine sister, just a strange dream."

"Okay, I'll be going then."

Celestia flew out of the tower, towards her own bed. Luna's horn began to glow, and the sky was filled with stars and her waxing crescent moon. She looked once more at the fire, now stone grey ashes. All light was gone, and the room was completely dark.

She looked up at the moon, and smiled. Not a smile of joy, or of happiness. Her deviously large smile reflected back at her in the window, so it looked like her face was imprinted on the moon.

And with that, her plans for eternal night were made.

Nightmare Moon

Celestia, several weeks after Luna's vision, awoke in her bedchamber. She noticed that it was still dark out, so why would she be awake?

"Ahem" said a guard in front of her.

"Oh, Night Gazer, what is wrong?" asked Celestia.

"It is still dark your highness" answered Night Gazer, looking side to side suspiciously.

"Why yes, it is. Is that a problem?"

"My lady, it is past noon."

"What!" gasped Celestia. "Why was I not woken sooner?"

"The doors to your chambers were locked by some sort of spell. Only pegasi could get up here, so it took awhile to get the doors open."

"But where is my sister? Where is Luna?"

"She is, or I think she is, in the throne room" stuttered Night Gazer.

Celestia was about to ask why, but then more guards barged through the door. Unlike Night Gazer, who wore the dark night guard armor, these were day guards.

"Back away from the princess!" yelled their captain.

"Sun Dancer, what is the meaning of this?" asked Celestia, now rising from her bed and towering over the guards.

"The night guards have turned against you my lady, they now serve Luna" said Sun Dancer.

"Of course they do, all guards support both of us..."

"Luna has seized control" said another day guard who's name Celestia couldn't remember. "She has taken many of the guards and killed everypony else."

"What? Why has she done this?"

"We are not sure" said Night Gazer. "All I know is that-"

"Silence you fiend!" ordered Sun Dancer.

"I am not a traitor!" shouted Night Gazer.

"Then you're the first night guard to do so! Why should we believe you?"

"I haven't touched a hair on her mane, even though I had plenty of time to before you arrived. I serve Celestia, just as I always have."

"He speaks the truth" said Celestia. "I can tell. Now, bring me to my sister!"

The five guards and Celestia flew out of the tower and down through the open double doors. They then swiftly made it to the throne room, and stopped at the door.

"Princess, I don't think this is a good-" started Sun Dancer.

"I will put a stop to this silliness" said Celestia, opening the doors.

Inside was Luna, or it used to be her. She now had a pitch black coat and a strange magic-infused mane and tail. She wore a helmet and shoes, all shiny and metallic. Even the background color of her cutie mark had changed. This was not Luna, this was somepony completely different.

She sat on the golden throne Discord once sat upon, glaring down at her sister and the five guards. All around the room were night guards and a few day guards, posted at the walls and doors. The doors were abruptly closed at her sister's entrance, leaving no escape. A day guard, wearing no armor, was shackled to the wall and was being kicked by a few of the turned guards.

"Luna what is this?" asked Celestia.

"I am not Luna" she said. "I am Nightmare Moon, and this is my domain!"

"This is ridiculous, sister. Allow me to bring the sun up and we can go about our day like nothing has happened-"

"But something has happened!" shouted Nightmare Moon. "I am now in control, and there will be no more sun!"

"What? Luna, are you insane?"

"The ponies will now be able to enjoy the night, every hour of each day!"

"How will they grow food, or see long distances or even short ones?"

"My powerful magic will provide food for those who except me! You see Celestia, I am much more powerful than you! I have always been more powerful!"

"Luna, what are you talking about? We share the-"

"I am not Luna! And I am the one that slew the dragon, while you could not nothing about it! I am the one that stopped Discord, while you sat next to him! I have quelled rebellions, given ponies purpose, I have more power than you could imagine, yet you are the most beloved. The one most noticed, the one everypony is talking about!"

"Luna please, come down from there and we can make this all better" begged Celestia.

"All better? You want things to be all better! You cannot even comprehend my reasons for this, why should I stoop to your level and make things all better?"

"Just because you are jealous does not mean anything. I am your older sister and you will do as I say."

"Oh really?" asked Nightmare Moon. "I should, listen to you? Look at what position you are in Celestia! I am on the throne, surrounded by my loyal guards, while you are below me, with nothing more than a handful of ponies to defend you!"

Nightmare Moon levitated the beaten guard of to her throne, and sat him in front of it, facing Celestia.

"My lady!" he gasped. "I did everything I could, I swear, gah!"

The telekinesis was squeezing him, cracking bones and contorting his body.

"Sister, I beg of you, please stop!" said Celestia, tears forming.

"I will make an example of him!" Nightmare Moon shouted. The body of the guard pony was crushed, blood spilling out everywhere and running down the marble steps.

Celestia turned away, not able to look at the deformed body of her loyal follower.

"Now, for you five!" laughed Nightmare Moon. Her guards lowered their spears and walked forward, making a circle around Celestia and the five guards.

"Luna, please, you are making a mistake!" begged Celestia.

"The only mistake made, was letting you kill that unicorn!" shouted Nightmare Moon. "Kill them!"

Her guards began to thrust their spears into the ring, killing and maiming Celestia's remaining guards. Celestia only stood there, her face in her hooves.

"You see sister!" exclaimed Nightmare Moon. "I am saving you! And it is working out exactly as I had planned!"

Celestia mumbled something not understandable.

"What was that?" asked Nightmare Moon.

"Saving me?" asked Celestia. "Is that what you think you are doing?"

"Why yes, the creators told me-"

"The creators are gone!" shouted Celestia.

"What?"

"I remember, when I was captured by Discord. He told me that he had been all throughout the galaxy, and that this was his final stop. Everything else out there is, gone."

"Impossible" smirked Nightmare Moon. "Discord was lying, or you are! They spoke to me, and I shall do their bidding!"

Celestia, unexpectedly, charged her former sister. Powerful wings aided her charge as she pointed her horn at Nightmare Moon's throat. Nightmare Moon simply moved her neck downwards, and the two were then locking horns and pushing at each other using their wings for a boost.

"Sister, it doesn't have to be this way!" said Celestia. "You can come back."

"I have no sister!" shouted Nightmare Moon, who blasted Celestia away with a spell.

Celestia recovered quickly, then fired a solar beam at Nightmare Moon. She dodged it, then fired her own sort of beam. Celestia put up a small protection spell, and it was deflected. As she put down the spell, however, Nightmare Moon was in her face, sending a kick right into her side. Celestia flew back and hit off of the wall, injured for the first time in a long time. Nightmare Moon then began to charge up another beam, which would surely end her sister. Celestia, too weak to put up a powerful enough protection spell, thought it best to teleport away. Her horn began to glow as the spell charged.

Too late! Nightmare Moon's beam had fired, and was going right for Celestia. Out of seemingly nowhere, a golden spear was tossed up and redirected the spell off of its shaft. The beam instead went to Celestia's hooves, knocking her over once again. Celestia, now on her back and still charging the spell, was now not staring at the place behind Nightmare Moon, but the full moon itself.

In a flash, Celestia was gone. Because the spell was aimed up, Nightmare Moon knew exactly where her sister transported herself to. In another flash, Nightmare Moon was also on the moon, looking for Celestia.

She wasn't that hard to find, as she was injured and laying next to a crater. Her horn was glowing, but Nightmare Moon did not care. She was charging another beam, which would finish Celestia once and for all.

"Well played Celestia" she smirked. "But not well enough."

"Please, Luna...I love-"

"Save it" said Nightmare Moon, aiming her horn at Celestia. "For when we meet again, I still will not care!"

Nightmare Moon fired the beam, which should have killed Celestia. Instead, a beam came from Celestia's horn as well, and the two hit each other, balanced in the middle. Nightmare Moon's would move some, but Celestia would push it back. Celestia's would move some, but Nightmare Moon would push it back. The two seemed to be at a stalemate.

Celestia, looking in her peripheral vision, saw the sun. It's giant glowing mass warmed her, even in the cold vacuum of space. It gave her confidence, hope, and power. Her beam moved forward, and Nightmare Moon could not push it back. Celestia's got closer and closer to Nightmare Moon's horn, until it was practically touching it.

"Sister" said Celestia. "I will now control the sun and the moon. And for a thousand years, you will stay here!"

"Hhhnnggg, no!" grunted Nightmare Moon. "I am your salvation, I was protecting you, protecting the ponies!"

"That is now my job" said Celestia. "And you will never hurt my, ponies, AGAIN!"

The beam made contact with Nightmare Moon's horn, sending a visible rippling effect go down her body. She then began to sink through the solid mass of the moon, as if it were quicksand.

"No! Celestia! Celestia!" she shouted.

The last thing she saw for a thousand years was amazing. Her sister, beautiful as ever, stood proudly over her, the glorious light of the sun behind her, casting an eerie shadow over Nightmare Moon's head.

And after that, nothing. Silence, darkness, and waiting.

The creators had lied.

The summer sun celebration was almost ready, and the small town of Ponyville was where Celestia herself would raise the sun. Twilight and the citizens of Ponyville gathered around to see their beloved Princess' great reveal. But when Rarity opened the curtain, there was nopony behind it.

"What?" asked one pony.

"Where is Celestia?" asked another.

Twilight, always observant, looked at the full moon, which should be setting right now. The Mare in the Moon, a shape of a mare imprinted on the surface of the moon a thousand years ago, was gone.

"That's strange" wondered Twilight. "Where is the Mare in the Moon?"

Her question was answered, as a cloud of strange dark blue smoke appeared where Celestia should be, and a figure appeared.

She had a pitch black coat, and a magic infused mane and tail. She wore a helmet and shoes made of a shiny metallic substance, and her cutie mark was of a crescent moon.

Finally, Nightmare Moon thought. I am BACK.............

And you know what happens after that.

The End