The moon shone brightly over Canterlot, slowly making it's way to the horizon to set for the night. It's white light bounced off of the buildings, making the city look even more beautiful than during the day. All but a few houses had their lights shut off, and all but a few ponies had been asleep for hours.
On the castle grounds, in the middle of the Canterlot Gardens, one pony trotted quietly through the trees and brush. Her purple mane flowing in the breeze, seeming to resemble the stars themselves. Princess Luna finally found a nice place to lay, and she gently plopped herself flat on the well-kept grass.
Sleep.
That's what she wanted to do right now. Sleep away, and let the the world flow past her. Maybe for another 1000 years. But Luna knew that she couldn't do that. It would be very undignified of a Princess to act like a foal who had just been scolded.
Yet she still wished that she could go to sleep. Until a different time where she was more needed. Ever since her return, Celestia had slowly given Luna a few responsibilities, none of which being particularly difficult, let alone interesting. Luna had began to think that her sister didn't have faith in her as a ruler. That because of her past mistakes, it conflicted with her ability to handle responsibility. She had done well so many years ago, why could her duties not be the same as then?
Well, that was obvious. The world was different, and thus needed different ways to care for the problems of the world. Luna just wished to feel important again. But deep down, she knew that she wasn't needed anymore. Celestia had managed to handle these tasks herself for a thousand years, so Luna was only a relief from some of her duties.
That thought alone made her blood boil. Not only was she unnecessary, but to think of her sister using her as a rest break... 'No,' She thought. 'It was these thoughts that turned me into the monster, Nightmare Moon.' But what else could she do? She was untrusted by the Royal Court, and not allowed to be granted a seat. Celestia had convinced her that it was her duty to deal with the daytime troubles of Equestria, and that Luna's duty was to guard the quiet of the night.
And her sister had not lied to her. That was the duty thrust upon her, and she needed to honor this duty. There was no way around it. Luna had to face reality in these situations. Still, she couldn't help but think of a way to end this childish treatment. There was no way to earn any real respect from anypony. No way to leave the shadow of her sister.
Unless...
Raising her head, staring at the empty space before her, as if somepony was there, she spoke aloud. “What if I killed Tia?”
Upon uttering the words, Luna laughed at herself for saying something so childish. Shaking her head she began to talk to herself some more. “Oh please. Why would I wish to harm my sister?” She answered her own question immediately, lowering her head as the realization sank in. Luna had a reason to harm her sister. She had been treated like a filly for a whole two years now, and was still not trusted by most of the citizens of Equestria, and Celestia seemed no different. Her own sister was distant in their conversations, and never bothered to ease the ponies' worries about the Princess of the Night.
The only exceptions to this irritation were the citizens of Ponyville. After the very mixed reception on Nightmare Night, Luna had finally earned the trust and friendship of most of the town ponies. Still, the faces of fear were not going to fade anytime soon from her memory. That was how all other ponies treated her. They all feared her as she walked by, and Luna had soon given up walking through her own city.
Sighing, Luna thought that there was no harm in at least answering her thought. She thought some, tilting her head. “If I did, if I wanted to, then I would be the sole ruler of Equestria. Then, the ponies would see that I can be just as good as Tia.” She seemed to say these words as if to convince herself that this made sense.
Luna's ears perked up from a cracking noise, and she turned to the source. On the branch of a tall tree stood a big, gray owl who looked curiously at the Princess. Luna gave a smile to the bird. “Hello Archimedes.”
Upon hearing his name, the large owl descended to the ground, landing softly on Luna's back. The two gently rubbed against each others face, glad to see one another. Archimedes was the largest owl that lived in the Canterlot Gardens, and stood half as tall as the average pony. Luna had been happy to find a bird that would stay with her all night. After enough tries, Luna earned the owl's trust and named him. He was one of the few companions, besides the royal guards, Luna had during the long, quiet nights in Equestria.
Archimedes tilted his head, seeming to ask what Luna was talking about. She chuckled before replying. “Oh. I was merely playing with my imagination. A perverse thought had crossed my mind. I had been thinking what would happen if I killed Tia, my sister. Is that not odd?”
“Hoo.” The owl replied, his deep voice seeming to echo in the trees for a moment.
“No?” She paused, not sure if she understood her friend. “You're not saying that this is a normal thought, are you?” He didn't respond. Luna looked at the ground again, a bit confused. “Is it because I'm angry at her? Is that what makes this idea alright?” Still hearing no response, she chuckled. “Well, I guess it wouldn't be that difficult. I mean, just say that I was going to kill my sister: I could do it in but a moment's time.”
Archimedes just tilted his head, as if intently listening. “Hypothetically, what would happen if Celestia were to be cut off from her source of strength? The Sun itself? If I were to, just suggesting, put the Moon in front of the Sun, I would have my full strength, and Celestia would be crippled of her's.” Luna's speech began to sound winded, half excited over the thought, but also terrified at what she was concocting with her mind.
“I would have to do it without her noticing, of course.” Luna continued. “If I waited until midday, she would no doubt see it coming, and thwart my scheme. It would need to be at dawn, before the sun rises too high.” She looked back at her owl friend, who seemed to have a concerned look on his face. “Oh Archimedes. You know I'm only joking.” Luna laughed, feeling like she needed to convince herself that she was only jesting as well as Archimedes.
“But, still. I suppose it would be rather easy. Oh! Why do I bother with these thoughts?” Luna stood abruptly, startling the owl on her back. “I could never bring myself to do this. Besides, the Ponies would just fear a tyrant even more. Why do I even bother thinking about it?” The Princess turned to leave the gardens, and back to her chambers. Archimedes decided to fly back into his tree.
Luna walked all the way to her room, much to the surprise of most of the guard. When she normally retired to her chambers, the Princess had always just flown to her balcony. But with her taking the long way, the castle staff could tell something was upsetting her.
Before she could retreat to the safety of her room, however, one of the blue-armored guards standing before the doors turned to her. “Princess Luna?” He was hoping that his request to speak with her would work.
The dark Alicorn stopped before her door. Without looking to him, she responded. “Yes, what is it?” She was just hoping that it was important.
The black Pegasus soldier cleared his throat. “You are retiring rather early for the night. Nothing is wrong, I hope?” He tried to ask as concerned as a guard should sound, but not too much where it sounded personal.
Luna sighed. Even her guards could tell something was wrong. There was no way she could hide something like this from Tia. “Well, if you must know; I simply feel like my sister does not have need of me. That is all.” The Princess returned to walking into her chambers.
“But we do, Princess.” The second guard, a Unicorn, quickly uttered. He heard her hoofsteps stop, and turned to share a concerned look with his partner. “Princess Luna, your sister may not have need of you for royal duties. But that doesn't mean that your subjects don't need you.” He paused to see if she would respond, or close her doors. “The people don't fear you as they used to. In fact, there are many who admire the night more than the day. And they...we believe that you will lead us to prosperity.”
Luna scoffed. “So a few ponies admire me. It doesn't matter while Celestia still prohibits my involvement with political affairs.”
“If I may be so bold, Princess; There are many ponies in Equestria that would rather have you rule than Celestia.”
“And how would you know this?”
The Pegasus and Unicorn shared a nod. “There are some who wish for a new Equestria. Not one ruled as an Empire, but as a Republic. And you are the chosen ruler that they desire.”
The Princess of the Night laughed. “What a foolish ideal. The Kingdom of Equestria would never accept this change, let alone Celestia. Unless...” He voice trailed off as a thought resurfaced. Her mindless ramblings of murdering her sister grew anxious, seeing an opportunity. She wouldn't be alone with this choice? There would be ponies who would follow her. Then, she would no longer live in the shadow of her sister, which had been the problem since the very beginning.
Realizing she was still standing before her door, Luna quickly retreated into her bed chambers, slamming the doors closed behind her. She couldn't think like that. Evil thoughts would turn her into a monster. But, she only became a monster last time because nopony understood her, cared for her creation. This time was different.
The Alicorn Princess trotted slowly over to her balcony. Her room stood atop one of the tall towers of Canterlot Castle, offering a wide view of Equestria. Using just a bit of her magic, Luna sped the descent of the Moon to send it past the horizon. She felt a decrease in her magical strength, as she always did when ending the night. Luna had slipped sometime during the night, and the Sun needed to rise.
As the sky began to turn from it's dark blue to a light violet, Luna's attention was drawn to the tower opposite hers. On the other side of the castle, Celestia's room sat at the tip of a tower as well. Now that it was morning, the Sun Princess strode out to her own balcony, her white coat shining like the Sun she represented. Her horn glowed a bright yellow, and a large light rose from the opposite side of the sky Luna's Moon had just set.
Celestia had brought the morning. Now another day could go by with Luna doing nothing of significance. Her sister had spotted her, and offered a gentle wave from across the way. Luna merely nodded, and turned back to her room.
So carefree, Celestia. You already have what you want, so no worries plague your mind.
The Alicorn looked around her room, thoughts buzzing around her mind once again. For the first time in a long time, Luna let a wide grin spread across her face. “What would happen indeed...”