The day started out like any other. Celestia woke at dawn and rose the sun, then went to, for her, breakfast. For her sister, it was dinner. After her meal, Celestia was sitting in the throne room, responding to letters from her subjects. Most were from nobles, asking for special privileges, but every once and a while, there would be one from a poor farmer. Just like the one she was currently reading.
' Dear Princess Celestia,
I'm writing to you today to ask for more hours of daylight during the upcoming harvest season. That way, we can grow our crops faster and they'll be healthier. I don't ask for much, maybe just two more hours daily. Thank you, Hay Bale '
Celestia set down the letter and picked up a fresh roll of parchment. She lifted a hoof and slowly massaged her growing headache. Why didn't these ponies understand? She couldn't simply leave the sun up for an extra two hours. That would disrupt the harmony. This is how it had all started last time. Every pony wanted more daytime. None of the ponies wanted more night time. It had made Luna so sad that nopony wanted to admire her work. Celestia lowered the point of her quill down onto the scroll and began to write.
' Dear Hay Bale,
I'm sorry to inform you that I cannot make the day last longer. Doing this would disrupt the harmony between night and day and would have many consequences. The sun needs it's time to rest while the moon has its chance to shine. Once again, I'm sorry. There are many different spells that allow plants to grow equally in daytime and nighttime. I would gladly send some pony to your farm to cast it, but other than that, there's nothing I can do. Signed, Princess Celestia '
She had just set down the scroll when a guard came running in.
"Princess, There's something wrong with Princess Luna!" He said hurriedly after a quick bow.
"What, where is she?" Said a panicked Celestia.
"Her bed chambers, your hignes-" Started the guard, but was cut off by a white blur streaking past him. Celestia flew as fast as she could to Luna's chambers. Luna's chambers were on the other side of the castle, unfortunately. Celestia soared past guard and servant alike, each ducking and looking up in bewilderment. When Celestia arrived, a couple of guards were standing outside the room.
"What's going on?" she asked with urgency.
"Your majesty, a fellow guard was patrolling the halls when they heard movement behind the door. When the movement suddenly stopped, the guard knocked on the door, and Princess Luna was heard yelling out in pain on the other side of the door. We tried to kick it down, but it was magically reinforced. She's been silent for about a minute now."
Celestia nodded and approached the door. She knocked three times before trying to enter, but found that it was indeed magically reinforced. She cast a long spell, and finally got it opened.
"Luna!" shouted Celestia galloping into the room. She stopped when she saw the smaller blue alicorn sitting in a fetal position on the floor. Luna turned when she heard her name, and Celestia gasped. Luna's pupils were pinpricks, but much more importantly, the whites of her eyes were black. Celestia saw an expression on Lunas face that she hadn't seen in over one thousand years. Fear. A Cold fear that cut through Celestia like a knife.
" Tia... h-help " Whispered Luna. But before Celestia could do anything, Luna began to shake violently and lifted her head in a blood curdling scream. Celestia watched in horror as Luna's body began to change. Her coat turned coal black, her mane and tail became larger, and her wings writhed as their bone structure changed. By the time the transformation was done, Luna had grown quiet. Celestia moved forward, but Luna stood quickly, turning as she did so.
"No, Luna" sobbed Celestia.
"I told you long ago, Celestia. I am not Luna. My name is Nightmare moon" snarled the mare.
"No, you aren't. You're Luna. You're my little Lu-lu. Please Luna, come back to me. Fight her. Please" pleaded Celestia.
"No, STOP! !" Roared Nightmare moon. " STOP IT! I'M NOT LETTING GO OF YOU THIS TIME! "
For a brief second, Celestia saw Luna's face poke through the shadows, but she was quickly gone.
"Yes Luna! Fight it!"
" NOOO! " Screamed Nightmare moon. She quickly turned and flew out of the large windows. The guards ran forward to follow her, but Celestia stopped them.
"No" she said. "Get me the elements and bring them to the throne room"
"Yes, your majesty" Saluted the guards and quickly turned and ran towards Celestias bed chambers. Celestia stood in the same spot long enough for only a single tear to fall, then turned and trotted quickly to the throne room.
***
"NOOOOOO!" Screamed Nightmare moon as the rainbow flew towards her, than streaked off to the moon. Celestia landed lightly on the grass below her, tears running down her face. Just as soon as she turned to leave, the sound of screams of terror reached her ears. Celestia turned quickly only to see all of Canterlot fading from existence.
"No" She cried. She had recognized the spell immediately. It was the same spell she had seen cast on the crystal empire after they had banished king Sombra. If Celestia had blinked, she would've re-opened her eyes to nothing. Canterlot had completely disappeared.
"NO!" She cried again. "DAMN YOU, NIGHTMARE MOON! DAMN YOU". Celestia's grief was carried on the winds, and every living creature felt it, mourning for an unknown reason. Celestia felt her knees wobble as she fell to the ground and her body was overcome by sobs. Everything had just been taken from her. Her sister, her city, her home, her life . It was all gone, and she had been powerless to stop it.
She didn't know how long she had been sobbing, but she was pretty sure it was too long. No normal pony could hold so many tears. The grief and mourning she felt all condensed in her chest, making it difficult for her to breathe. Celestia began to panic, realizing that she actually couldn’t breathe. She took one last, strained breath and blacked out from oxygen deprivation. The last thought that went through Celestias head was: ' now she's even taking my life '. Then there was only black and cold.
