Author's Note

Welcome back, hope you enjoy and let me know what's your favorite part of the story so far. Almost may be a small part of a touchy topic in here, just giving a heads up when you see it.

''Someone who lies about the little things will lie about the big things too.''

-Terry McAuliffle.

Forgotten Lies

The ground was once silent, being followed by the sounds of hoof steps. The events of Nightmare Night were plentiful, and the various ideas behind each stemmed from the idea and fear of Nightmare Moon, and what it could mean for their future, should anything they do be taken as disrespect to appease the dark figure for salvation.

Duncan and Luna walked down the road back into Ponyville, both of their brows furrowed and their thoughts scattered about as the idea of turning around what would essentially be an entire cultural idea in the span of one night would be next to impossible. The cold air harshly stung at the pair, forcing both to shiver a tad in favor of remaining warm as Twilight lagged behind some, her own thoughts more of a mess than she would like to admit.

“So, if we are to implement your idea into changing the way that things are done on Nightmare Night, what do you suggest that we do first?” Luna asked, watching Duncan with a curious eye as he sought to articulate the reason so Luna would understand. “And to what end do you hope to achieve this supposed peace?”

Duncan only wanted to make certain Nightmare Moon and Nightmare Night would be a thing of the past, for the simple reason that. . .he was unsure of. Something inside of him told him that what Ponyville saw as a tradition, so to speak, was essentially a singular night devoted to the hatred of one due to circumstances that may have, or in Luna’s case was misunderstood and the new narrative was put on the record as law.

Being Celestia’s sister already drove a wedge between him and Luna when it came to wanting to help her, out for some reason he was unable to properly understand.

“We just have to wait for the right moment where we can help everypony see you’re not as bad as you once were,” Duncan weighed the scales of how he would tell everyone that Luna was not bad, and just wanted to be as understood as her sister, or better in Duncan’s case due to the recent act of violence against him. “I’m sure it won’t be that hard for a pony, at least it won’t be as bad how it was back in my world with-“

“-Slavery of African Americans across your world but more subjectivity concentrated in America, am I correct?” Luna asked, surprising Duncan as he was preparing to tell her about that.

“How did you know that?” Duncan asked.

“A few of the Old Equestrian Humans held memories of some history of Earth; books, pictures, stories and even some first-hoof account experiences,” Luna chimed without missing a beat, thinking back to the few nights she could have time to sit with those and learn of some of their own culture and history. “Some of your. . .people’s culture is much interesting, especially the notion of your music.”

Duncan shrugged, chalking up the explanation as something that would have been told anyways, though it made him wonder how much she was told about Humans and the history of Earth.

Twilight remained in her own thoughts, looking to see the pair converse and formulate a plan of action as she wrestled with her own conflicting thoughts; Princess Celestia hadn’t sent a letter or even responded to any of hers that Spike sent off. Perhaps she was busy taking care of Equestria, as she always had. The Day Court was certainly taxing in of itself, and any foreign matters that came up would certainly be an additional worry that she would shoulder by herself, so Twilight could understand that part of it, but something else stirred within her.

“Maybe Duncan was right; maybe Princess Luna too. There’s something with Princess Celestia’s mind that I can’t seem to figure out, but I know it can’t all be her fault,” Twilight muttered to herself, shaking her head and hearing the bells of her costume jiggle and shake about. Nightmare Moon was a most fearsome part of Equestria history, and to turn that around in a night would be quite the feat, though even Twilight knew that the likelihood of that happening would be less than ideal. ''II hope there's something that I can do to help. . .'' Twilight continued to trot on with her thoughts as Luna and Duncan began the slow walk back into the town square, a few of the townsponies scattering about or giving a side glance was certainly something to take into account.

''Isn't that; you know?'' a whinny of worry came from Daisy as she whispered to another pony who was desperately trying to get away without being noticed.

''N-Nightmare Moon; okay, be cool. If you don't move, she might not see you,'' another Pegasus whispered, making Luna's ear flick in annoyance.

''W-Wasn't she imprisoned in the moon? Why is she here?''

Luna huffed, a deep exhale coming as her body began to turn towards the source of the issue that would take but a moment to fix, if it had not been for Duncan laying a comforting hand on the back of her neck and slowly coaxing her to remain walking straight. It was a most difficult task, but slowly, it was done. Twilight watched from her position and was quite tempted to say something in defense of the princess, but she felt as though that would follow with a twinge of hypocrisy if she had a moment to stop and think about it.

''Just keep walking, Luna. Keep walking,'' Duncan urged, ignoring the looks as he knew part of it was part ignorance and the other part genuine curiosity, which he knew would be something to take time to understand and get over. ''If you lash out now, you'll just confirm what they think about you.''

Luna's mouth nearly opened, wanting to prove her misunderstood subjects wrong, for them to understand a bit of her pain, and for her to not be subject to these accusations. Her heartbeat was the only sound she concentrated on for the moment as she and Duncan began to walk over to the podium where the first small part of their plan would be implemented, even though she was. . .hesitant of what could happen with the topic at hoof.

The thump of Duncan's shoes and her regalia were in a rhythm as the looks of some of the ponies were almost laser-like, wanting to analyze every little part of what stood before them. Luna slowly began to want nothing more than to disappear if the road ahead would be difficult. Duncan had assured her that if she tried her best, some result would be better than doing nothing. Luna looked to Duncan who nodded, only a hint of a confirmation to try.

Luna raised her hoof, beginning to speak as a small moment had clarity as everypony looked upon the two of them, and the realization began to set in. Perhaps she could do this. Maybe-

''-Stop!'' a boom of sound came before a plume of dust was kicked up, revealing Rainbow Dash in her costume, panting and looking rather irritated. Everypony else and Twilight looked to the new arrival with a curious eye, only to gasp when they laid eyes upon her costume, seeing it torn and parts of her coat bruised as her eyes were drenched with tears. ''Don't listen to them!''

''Rainbow? What are you talking about? What happened?'' Twilight walked over to her friend, concerned.

''Twilight! Everypony! Duncan and Princess Luna can't be trusted! They're evil!'' Rainbow panicked, looking around like a chicken with it's head cut off as Twilight tried to get through to her friend to understand what exactly happened. Whatever issue arose would have to be talked about versus plain accusation. Rainbow was completely catatonic, and the way she was talking made it appear as if she was under the influence of something. The feeling coming from her friend was certainly concerning.

''What are you talking about Rainbow? You're gonna ruin our plan!'' Duncan hissed, being completely in the dark about whatever she was talking about. Something told him from the first day she met her, Duncan knew there was something off about the Pegasus, but he never thought it would manifest itself in something like crazy accusations. Her idea of being a friend was questionable at best, with her volatile attitude and competitive nature, but he wouldn't take slander.

''Speak thyne mind, Rainbow Dash; what transgression have we done? Or do you merely speak out of your flank?'' Luna asked, daring to walk closer, as a few scared ponies began to somewhat stand between the two of them, the look of betrayal on her face unfazing the townsponies. ''What evidence do you have to back up your claim?''

Rainbow only shied away as Luna began to advance, but did not relent as she pointed a shaky hoof to Duncan.

''H-He's the actual monster! He did something terrible! Something that can't be f-forgiven!'' Rainbow began to slur her words, spitting when her mouth was filled with saliva. Rainbow began to hyperventilate, shaking her head in denial, but part of her knew she had to expose these two, let the truth be known, and for the healing process to be started. ''He. . .raped me. . . A Human raped me!''

The entire town went silent, the words settling in for some and taking longer for others. Duncan's mind began to short-circuit, the words making next to no sense to him as Luna slowly began to turn to Duncan, her eyes almost as slits before looking back to Rainbow Dash as Twilight confronted her friend about her claim.

''Rainbow! How can you say that?! That's a very serious accusation! Duncan would never!''

''How can you be so sure, Twilight? Duncan is a Human, and they're considered myths, but they're real! You're the skeptical one out of all of us! You betrayed Princess Celestia! You're the pony who didn't tell everypony And you're working with Nightmare Moon to bring Humans here so we can all be their slaves!'' Rainbow shouted at the top of her lungs, pushing Twilight back when she attempted to get close to her to console her. Luna's voice began to be filled with bass as the winds began to pick up, Duncan trying to calm her down as she began to huff and puff.

''Tread carefully on your words, Rainbow Dash; I am a great many things, but I am Nightmare Moon no longer, and Duncan is no predator as you may claim,'' Rainbow laughed as Luna began to flap her wings and hover in the air, Twilight looking between the two of them and the town as she was torn on what to do. ''Ponyvile! Do you dare go against one of your beloved princesse at the drop of a hat?!''

''Hahahaha. . .but how can you be certain, Princess? You barely know Duncan, you only met him tonight, so how would you know?''' Rainbow asked, countering her claim. ''The both of you were considered myths until tonight, and an accusation like this would stand for itself!'' Rainbow looked around at some of the townsponies rallying around Rainbow as Twilight, Duncan, and Luna remained confused, and a tad scared about what to do next. What would they say? How would they solve this? How-

''Ooof!'' Duncan was hit by a stray pumpkin, unable to see it as the winds kicked so violently that he had to shield his eyes from dirt and rocks, knocking him to the ground as Twilight rushed over to check on her friend. ''What the fuck?!'' the sounds of the town gathering items and shouting as they began to band together with Rainbow Dash, anything else the trio attempted to say being drowned out by the crowd's anger.

Twilight cast a shield to deflect the thrown items from buckets, fruits, and even a few of the torches that were used to light the way.

''Get Nightmare Moon and the Human!"' Rainbow chanted as the crowd began to advance forward, hearing nothing else but the words of what was true to them. Duncan's rage began to be shown as he wanted to act but could do nothing from behind the shield.

''What do we do?'' Duncan asked, flinching when something particularly heaver hit the shield. Twilight racked her brain to find an answer but found no such thing besides running. The town was so heavily focused on the two of them, that they almost seemed hypnotized, in a way. Something would need to be done until the three could reconvene.

''Run!'' Twilight pleaded, Luna nodded as Twilight dropped the shield partly to allow them to run, things still being thrown overhead as Luna's eyes looked every which way in panic before she thought for a moment, looking to Duncan as she flared her magic and laid him on her back, the sudden motion throwing Duncan for a loop as he nearly fell over.

''Hold on! I shall carry you as I fly!'' Lunas shouted, Duncan, gripping the base of her neck without chocking her as she took flight, zooming to the clouds, the strong wind whipping in his face as his eyes began to pop from the change in air pressure as they began to fly over the Everfree forest with the rate of speed that Luna was flying at, her movement and flapping of her wings erratic as the adrenaline surged through her and Duncan's veins. Where she was taking the two of them, he had no idea, but any place besides Ponyville would have to suffice for the moment.