Lest the Nightmare Continue

by rillegas08

Rating: everyone
Tags: My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Sad, Nightmare Moon, Princess Luna, Tragedy, Princess Celestia
Length: 1169

A thousand years ago, Princess Luna becomes overcome with negative emotions, and one day finds herself unable to control her own body. Her mind intact, she has to deal with whatever's taken control of her.

A thousand years ago, Princess Luna becomes overcome with negative emotions, and one day finds herself unable to control her own body. Her mind intact, she has to deal with whatever's taken control of her.

Formerly titled "Luna's Nightmare", changed on Nov. 6, 2015, to equally reflect all three chapters instead of just the first one.

Now with a cover image! "A Pony Moving On" by muffinshire on deviantArt.

Published 2015-05-15 04:00:02 UTC
Last updated 2015-09-10 12:27:09 UTC

Luna's Nightmare

“Are you off to see Star Swirl again, dear sister?”

“Yes, Luna. We’re getting very close to discovering what’s special about that mirror in his library.”

“Well… have fun.”

I don’t hear what Celestia said after I say that, if she did say anything. I know she finds excitement in her study time with Star Swirl, but lately it seems like she’s spending more time doing that than doing anything else. I’ve had to pick up some duties around the castle to fill in, and although I probably brought it on myself by never being interested in going there when he showed it to us the first time, it would still be nice for them to invite me. I still might not go, but it would still be nice.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

She’s coming back from Star Swirl’s library again. She’s smiling, and says something about having found another dimension. I congratulate her, and notice that her smile is bigger than usual, her gait more lively. Was the discovery of new dimensions that exciting for her?

I think I noticed more color in her cheeks than usual. Maybe ‘tis the way the light hit her face. But what if I am right, and there’s something extra-special for her behind closed doors?

Luna, shame on thee. She is thy sister. Do not think such things.

Then again, I’ve never had a brother. It could be fun to have a brother-in-law, when they’re not together or…

Luna!

It’s been a few days, but I’m having those thoughts again. You know, the thoughts about being left out. Maybe I should talk to Celie about it. Hmph. If I can find her when she’s not busy being a princess, with Star Swirl, or asleep.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As I look out to the nearest town, I just realized something. It’s hard to see past all these trees, even at the top of our castle. Okay, two things. All the ponies go inside when I bring out my beautiful night. They sleep through it!

I’m a little jealous of my sister. All the ponies laugh and play during the day, but they’re sleeping through my night. Even the ones who stay up as long as they can are unable to stay up for very long.

I know I should tell Celie my thoughts, but I cannot tell her in person. She is always so busy. I could write these in our joint journal, but… I am afraid, for some reason. I do not even know what could be the cause of these fears. Surely ‘tis something I have yet to discover.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Finally, after several months of thinking these things, I am going to tell her. I stay up all night as usual, and will tell her when she is ready to raise the sun.

Odd. I feel… dread? I hope ‘tis just nervousness about an unsure outcome.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Just a few hours ago, I lowered the moon, but I could not bring myself to tell her just yet. Why has this dread… fear… whatever you want to call it kept me awake, and why am I in our throne room again?

“Not another step!”

What? Where did that come from? Why did it feel so… evil?

“Did you really expect me to sit idly by while they all basked in your precious light?”

Why am I saying this? I cannot control what body is doing! Sure, I have had reservations about the ponies loving her day and shunning my night, but I was going to talk to Celie about it.

“There can only be one princess in Equestria!”

What? No! We were meant to rule together! Stop saying these things! I… I’m afraid of myself. How can I be afraid of myself?

“And that princess… will be ME!”

No! No, no! Body, why did you damage that pedestal? Oh, why won’t you listen to me?! Wait, this shadow creeping up behind me – how do I know what’s behind me? Not the window! Please, fix the window. Celie, fix the window. I don’t know what’s going on.

What? I… I’m raising the moon again. No, stop! It’s daytime! Put it back down!

I can’t bear to watch anymore. I close my eyes, but I can still see what’s happening in my mind. Whatever is happening, it’s more powerful now that I am. I was too slow in stopping whatever has come over me.

My body, the new host for something evil, battles with my sister, and I start crying. Please… stop. Whatever you are, just… go away!

…

…

My sister is falling. I… no, whatever has taken control of my body is stronger than she is. No, do not turn away! Let me see her! I need to see if she’s all right! LISTEN TO ME!

My body turns around Oh, sweet Celestia, I see you rising from our castle! You… you have the Elements of Harmony. Body, stop this before we both regret what is about to happen! I have seen what they can do. You do not want to be on the receiving end!

Oh, do shut up.

What?

You heard me, shut up. Your body will no longer listen to you. ‘Tis mine now.

I don’t understand. Who are you?

I get no answer. I put so much focus on trying to figure out what’s going on that I forgot that I – no, my body – was battling my sister. Nooooooo!

“Nooooooo!”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ugh, what happened? I just had a terrible nightmare that my sister and I were battling. I had no control over my body or my words.

That was no nightmare. It’ll take you a moment to catch up. I have heard you can be a bit out of it after waking up.

Wait, what? Suddenly I remember everything that happened before I fell asleep or was knocked unconscious with the force. Losing control, destroying our castle, battling Celie, Celie using the Elements of Harmony on my body.

Us. Do stop referring to me as your body.

I – we – look around. There is the planet, small off in the distance. We are surrounded by the black sky, and the vast emptiness of the pale ground. Are we…

Yes. Your ‘dear sister’ sent us to the moon where we will be unable to stop her. Some princess, banishing her own sister forever.

I wish this thing would not speak about my sister like that. We were a threat to Equestria.

“Home sweet home,” I sigh. I suppose ‘tis to be expected. I should at least accept the moon as my new home, even if I do not accept my fate. I would have been content to rule alongside my sister, even if I had less recognition than she.

“There has to be something to do on this rock.”

I wish I knew. Forever is a long time, and it will seem so much longer as long as I am stuck with us.

“Now, who needs ruling?”

Celestia's Lament

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After the Tantabus

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