"Sacrifice is never easy; some struggle with it.
For others, it's as simple as 123."
- Autumn Delight

CHAPTER THREE

Nightmare

Panic; overwhelming, paralysing panic. That was what the Princess of the Night was currently feeling as she stood before her elder sister, tears welling up in her cerulean eyes as the shock of what she had blurted out in the hallway, without even meaning to, washed over her like a tidal wave. She hates me now, I pushed that onto her and she must think I'm a deviant Luna thought to herself, just before everything became black, and consciousness was taken away from her.

Celestia's reaction was quick and instinctual, her radiant golden aura enveloped the smaller princess' form, squeaking out a little cuss under her breath as she leapt forwards wrapping Luna in her arms carrying her over the large fluffy pillow, placing Luna down with a gentle sigh. "Sister... you worry too much." Celestia whispered and shook her head slowly stroking through her younger sibling's ethereal hair.

Levitating a blanket over Luna's form Celestia couldn't help but smile as a particularly wicked thought crossed her mind, Lulu... you're such a little filly when it comes to love... Celestia smirked just a little as she sat there, continuing to stroke through her sister's hair like a caring mother would, her gaze shifted to the door as she heard the firm knock. "You may enter" she called out.

A night guard opened the door, offering her a small kind smile, well kind once you get over the fact of seeing their fangs. "My princess, Twilight Sparkle is in the court asking for the Mistress of the Night." He informed her, though his eyes went wide seeing Luna lay on the pillow. "I-is she... Is the Mistress alright?" he asked, instantly filled with an incredible amount of concern for his princess.

"She is guardsman, please fetch Luna's seneschal, I think he will be able to instruct Twilight in the mannerisms in court." Celestia smiled softly, her magenta eyes shifting to Luna with a tender smile, "Princess Luna has had an exhaustive day please inform Twilight that Luna is with me currently." She sighed softly "Just forget to inform her Luna is currently passed out, Private. She doesn't need more worries on her young mind."

"Yes Princess." He saluted and took his leave rather swiftly, by the sound, Celestia guessed he was running down the hallway rather than the normal march her personal guard had.

"Oh Luna..." she sighed again softly nuzzling into her sister's hair, a soft sisterly peck landed on the crown of Luna's head. Celestia slowly levitated a piece of parchment towards herself along with the Phoenix feather quill, with a small little sigh she started to compose her letter.

Dear Cadance,

How are things in the Crystal Empire? It has been quite a while since we last had a correspondence, which I understand things are quite busy there as I recall hearing. But that is unfortunately not why I am writing you currently, this is about Twilight and Luna, it seems that I owe you twenty bits as you were entirely right about them not being able to handle... their own feelings. I would appreciate you making time to visit Canterlot. Preferably before Discord decides to handle this... he has been quite antsy about the subject.

Love,

Your aunt Celestia.

Celestia smiled gently as she read the letter over once more with a small frown, it seemed just a little scatter-brained to her, although with her sister passed out she couldn't quite say that she cared about that fact right now. With a burst of her golden magic the letter was gone, and on its way to Cadance. "There now to wait for her to arrive" she sighed softly.

***

Twilight allowed herself to fall into one of the pillows that had been laid out next to Luna's throne, sighing softly as she waited for the princess... the princess. A bright blush crept onto her cheeks as she remembered the words, they were engraved into her memory Thy art my every reason and my every desire and every dream, Twilight Sparkle... Luna... why did you run away. She sighed even deeper as she mulled it over in her thoughts not realising others entered the room with confused looks.

Twilight waited patiently, her cheeks flushed as she considered her response for Luna's words. Coming up blank every time, unable to string together a coherent response for those particular words. Opening her eyes she noticed about twenty ponies sitting in front of her, causing her to squeak a little in shock the beginnings of her plan lost in a sea of worry.

For a moment the Princess of Friendship was more like a deer staring into the lantern of a cart, but that changed as her eyes fell on a particular figure in the crowd. A tall unicorn woman that made her way to the front; Twilight would recognise that raven hair with scarlet highlights anywhere "Raven, where is Princess Luna?" she asked of the princess' seneschal.

"The princess is indisposed right now, an Emergency meeting with her elder sister." She nodded slowly, a devious grin forming on her lips as she motioned Twilight to the seat of the throne. "You will be replacing her on this evening miss Sparkle." The tone of her voice send a sense of undiluted panic into Twilight's system, her eyes went wide, her mouth moved but she couldn't make a coherent sound... that is until she whispered "I... I can't! I've never held court before... you can't just throw me to the wolves!"

Raven smiled almost evilly as she motioned to the throne once more, "The best way to learn is practice. Trust me I have taken the easier cases and dismissed the more sensitive ones." She assured Twilight, though her grin still held the same teasing, playful nature she was used to from Luna's night guard.

"V-very well." Twilight stood up and took Luna's throne crossing her legs under the simple lilac magi robes. Sitting down with a nervous smile on her lips, taking a deep breath she let it out, glancing to Luna's... no her Seneschal. "Call the first petitioner, please Raven." She said, putting on false display of confidence; something she had picked up from Celestia for the first time she'd ever addressed the council of magi, presenting her Thesis on the magic of friendship.

Her facade seemed to ease those gathered in the throne room; a small smile crossed her lips as her thoughts slowly played through her mind. This is the same as standing before the Arch-Mage, it is no big deal. Or so she told herself.

"Calling forth, Honeycomb and autumn wind." Raven announced with her stern voice, glancing at Twilight just a little impressed with her change in outward attitude.

Twilight offered a gentle smile as she looked at the two with a gentle nod as they bowed, signalling they may rise with a hand gesture. "Please rise, how... we be of service?" she asked, trying to emulate Luna's formal way of speaking. A ghost of a blush appeared on her cheeks as she caught the stifled giggle from Raven.

"W-well, your Majesty," the honey haired woman started with a nervous look in her eyes, glancing to the man besides her with a Small frown. "My husband, or rather my soon ex-husband here and I cannot agree on what is best for our daughter, she is only a few months old..." she paused a moment wiping tears from her eyes staring, no... glaring at her husband.

Inwardly Twilight noted that this was probably going to be a long evening, along with the fact that Raven had clearly lied about sending the tougher cases home. She took a long moment to reply "Please Ma'am tell me your side of the story, and then you will do so sir; but please keep it civil."

After three exhausting hours Twilight fell back into the throne with a loud exasperated sigh, Raven had already left as court had ended, though Twilight sat there; recovering from having to take over Luna's responsibilities. Twilight wasn't angry though she was more worried of how to even approach Luna.

She stood up walking down the dais, her eyes moving along the darker corners of the walls she could sense a chaotic presence in the room. "Discord I know you're there." She said flatly.

"Oh my apologies Princess, I was enjoying the show." He snickered softly leaning on his cane after walking from the shadows. "You did marvellous for your first time Sparkle; She's in Celestia's room if you want to see her." He winked, just before producing a still image of the passed out Luna with his magic.

"W-what happened to her!?"

"Oh relax, she just passed out from stress... she is absolutely fine." He assured her with, scarily enough a tone of sincerity in his voice. "She does however-" was all he said before he vanished in a golden aura, leaving a muttered curse of 'damn you TIA!' to echo through the throne room.

Twilight stood there dumbfounded by the sudden disappearance of Discord, though she shook her head and started walking out of the courtroom; sparing the throne she'd sat upon a last glance, she couldn't help but feel just a little proud of being able to handle some of the things her mentor did every day.

She yawned softly, glancing to the clock tower with a small frown it's not that late... but I feel like it's midnight already... I'll just go for a quick nap she thought to herself with a small smile on her lips. After that I can go see Luna... better give her some room. She nodded gently, taking a deep breath, allowing the magenta magic to envelop herself, sending her to the one closest attuned arcane beacon, her old room.

After Twilight had teleported to her old room she smiled an exhausted smile, and flopped down onto her bed without even taking off her robes or anything just allowing the blankets to wrap around her with very minimal effort on her part, she instantly allowed sleep to take her away to the realm of dreams.

***

Twilight found herself in the dark of night standing before the old ruined castle of the two sisters; she was shocked to see it had been entirely restored to its former glory. Although it seemed off, its walls were all obsidian, the Lunar flag hung from the highest tower making it impossible to properly make it out, however she recognised Luna's signature crescent moon.

Entering the castle however, made Twilight shiver, the artwork she had seen of the luxurious hallways did not match what it looked like, at all like what Twilight was seeing, none of Celestia's heraldry was anywhere to be found; neither was any living being for that matter she found herself all alone in this twisted version of the castle, her eyes fell onto a large grandfather clock, which showed that it was midnight or so she thought until her eyes fell onto a sun, signifying that it was in fact afternoon.

Midday? How is that possible, it's pitch black out there... she thought to her with a small frown, continuing up the steps taking slow deep breaths. Wondering what felt like aimlessly through the labyrinthine hallways, until she found herself in front of the large oak wooden doors that led to the throne room. Looking at the door Twilight felt a pang of fear running through her, a bad feeling telling her to not open the door.

Against her instincts though the Princess of Friendship used her magic to push open the doors to the throne room, encountering significant resistance from the door itself. Putting more of her magical energy into it she slammed them open; it was her dream she has the power here not the environment. What was revealed though surprised her greatly, standing with her back to the door was a tall woman, her hair was a mixture of blues and purples, Twilight could see countless constellations weaved through the hair; dark blue wings rested below a royal purple cloak.

"L-Luna is that you?" she asked with hesitation, the woman was too tall to be Luna it couldn't have been her; not to mention Luna respected her privacy and would not enter her dreams unannounced like this. Her heart felt like it stopped as she woman cast a glance over her shoulder, piercing blue azure eyes stared at her, with the distinct cold look of unrefined hatred in them.

She didn't speak while turning around to reveal the impractical plate armour, a dark almost black Shade of blue with silver trimming, the woman, that was definitely not Luna had her midsection on display as well as a significant amount of thigh and cleavage; making the armour look more about looks rather than function. Twilight's eyes went wide though as she saw Luna's cutie mark on the woman's toned belly.

That... is not Luna... that is... Fear gripped Twilight as her mind connected the dots, having seen this woman once before a while ago, during her first summer sun celebration in Ponyville. "Nightmare... Moon..." she managed to mutter before being cut off by a bolt of dark purple magic aimed for her last position, teleporting just a meter backwards helped avoid the spell, which left a small crater in its impact location.

"Do not ever dare compare me to that miserable creature... Luna is dead." She spat her old name with pure hatred as she pointed the enchanted blade at Twilight.

Panic attempted to take hold of the young Alicorns mind, though she quickly pushed it aside she'd faced her before, and this was her dream after all she could take on her own nightmare. Taking a deep breath Twilight started weaving a spell in her mind, eyes locked onto the nightmare version of Luna. "I can handle a figment of my own nightmares..." she said, with a Small grin framing on her lips. Twilight had in the past had similar nightmares before; just after Luna's return in fact and it had been somewhat similar.

"Oh, you think this is a dream little one!?" She laughed, her smile shifting into a particularly wicked grin that filled Twilight with a deep measure of concern. A worried look crossed her face as Nightmare Moon lunges towards her with a mighty flap of her large strong wings; she was upon Twilight in seconds barely allowing her enough time to finish the shielding spell as the blade impacted with the intricate defensive spell matrix.

It didn't help against the might of the impact though, her shield shattered, as the momentum launched the surprised princess against the nearest wall, knocking the air out of Twilight Sparkle with a loud groan of pain. Leaping onto her feet she flexed her wings making sure neither was broken, she winced though as she felt some pain shoot through her breast as if she'd bruised a rib. P-pain... I'm feeling pain you're not S... it's not a dream this is real she leaped away from the magical follow up by speeding into the air, the wall she had been thrown against was turned to dust by the five magical bolts.

Flapping her wings as quick as she can, Twilight made a dash for one of the windows, though realisation dawned on her that the woman she was facing was likely a much better flier. It was confirmed the moment she blinked and Nightmare Moon was in front of her, slashing at Twilight with a clawed gauntlet, she managed to avoid the claw striking her in the gut, but it left a rather nasty scratch along her side, along with ripping out a chunk of the primaries of her left wing.

She found herself falling to the ground, screaming in pain as she made a mighty flap with her wings to slow her decent just enough to avoid injury, a hand shooting to her side as she felt the warm sensation of blood dripping along the side of her robes. A moment passed where Nightmare Moon grins showing off her fangs, as if she was a predator playing with her prey.

Twilight took the chance weaving another spell, whimpering as her wounds were painfully sealed firstaid spells were never her strong point. Panting lightly she folded her wings, ignoring her ruined left wing for now. Holding out her right hand she focused her magic, summoning the arcane focus she had been gifted by the Princesses, for a moment her magic faltered, though it appeared after a short moment. Luna... I need you... badly... this is still a dream, but it's not mine... she called out for the princess of the dreams, using all her strength to summon her.

The mighty flap of wings brought her back to the moment, looking up as she saw the Nightmare approaching her at a high speed, it took a moment for her to respond, though instead of a shielding spells she instinctively cast a spell, without thinking of even recalling the specifics of it. Her horn lit up in a mixture of magenta and solar golden, as she allowed the raw blast of solar magic to hurl towards Nightmare Moon.

Grinning like an insane woman, she didn't even try to dodge it taking the full brunt of Twilight's magical assault, not that it mattered to her. Though the sound of shattering glass alarmed her as she took the last bit of the spell to her face and chest screaming as her pale milky skin was burned by the terrible heat. The pain was terrible and she did not manage to strike with her blade, instead she crashed on top of Twilight Sparkle, before rolling away in a practised motion.

Twilight on the other hand did not stand up, she groaned loudly as she lay on the ground of the throne room, her gasping for air. Having a full grown woman fall on top of her like that, hadn't just knocked the wind out of her body she was certain by the pain in her back and chest that she'd broken multiple ribs, along with both her wings.

"Done already, truly what a shame I was starting to enjoy my little prey." She purred with a slightly disappointed tone to her words. "Well then, time to snuff out the one thing that makes my jailer happy."

Twilight craned her neck to watch Nightmare Moon approach her, her vision was blurred, although she wasn't sure if it was from the pain or from tears. The only thing Twilight Sparkle was sure of currently, even as her mind Screamed and begged for her to stand up was... she was going to die at the hands of Nightmare Moon. I... I can't die, not now she thought her fingers grasping for the arcane focus desperately so, she could feel the warm tears rolling down her cheeks as the realisation dawned on her dyeing here meant her death in the real world.

She screamed as a new hot lance of pain show through her body, a plate sabaton, stomped onto her hand, filling the room with the sickening snap and crunch of her fingers breaking. She let out a choked cry "Luna! HELP ME!" seeing the blade already above Nightmare Moon's head, a sick grin of glee on her lips.

Twilight closed her eyes as she saw the blade come down, resigning herself to what was about to befall her.

***

Luna shot up, her eyes wide as she grabbed Celestia by the dress shouting at her elder sister, without even making a coherent sentence, "Twilight, Trouble, her room, teleport NOW" Was all she said before vanishing in a chaotic mess of her own blue aura, shattering one of Celestia's cups.

Luna fell, onto the floor of Twilight's room, instantly leaping up and looking around as a sickening scent caught her attention, the sickening scent of something coppery in the air. Her eyes went wide as there came only one word to her mind... blood, and lots of it. She let out a choked sob as she ran to the bed, the white linen sheets had taken on a deep scarlet colour, Twilight's wings lay in an impossibly awkward position clearly broken, her right hand's fingers bent in similarly unhealthy angles.

Luna upon inspecting her closer noticed the wound on her side had been cauterised by magic, looking at her face Twilight was clearly crying, and gasping for air. "No... TWILIGHT wake up!" She screamed, though she didn't wake up, instead she heard her whisper, faintly and distantly 'Luna... help... me'.

A second later Celestia popped into the room with a frown, though said frown quickly disappeared once she caught the scent of blood much like Luna did. Rushing to her sister's side she saw the state her student was in, before she could speak though she heard Luna whisper "Get the castle Physician... I'm going to help her..." Without even waiting for the reply Luna touched her horn to Twilight's invading the poor Alicorns dream, encountering an unnatural amount of resistance.

Celestia with curt nod left the room and soared through the night air off to fetch the Physician like she'd been asked, or rather ordered to by her younger sibling.

Luna opened her eyes standing in the throne room, the old throne room. Her eyes fell onto the twisted nightmare that she had become, a deep seated feeling of horror filled her chest as she dashed forwards, unsheathing her blades and ducking under the falling Broadsword, allowing a magical shield matrix to from between her blades, allowing the blade to rebound off the shield throwing Nightmare Moon away from herself due to the reflective nature of the spell.

"YOU" they both shouted, in unison.

"Good, you can watch as I destroy everything you love." Nightmare Moon chimed, almost happy at having Luna there to watch her, taking a stance with her blade she grinned wickedly, like a madwoman slowly licking her lips.

Luna didn't reply as she stood up, casting a glance over to Twilight, a strong wind picked up and all the torches in the room were extinguished by the strong, chilling wind. Luna faded away, allowing the darkness to envelop her body, hiding her from sight, her breathing slowing masked by the winds that had picked up.

"Hiding like a coward!? This is MY realm. You can't control it." She screamed, though unable to find Luna she made a dash for Twilight Sparkle once more. Though as she got halfway there she felt a sudden shift in the ambient magic, not a second later her body was being pelted by falling stars, each of them leaving cuts as if small razor blades were shot at her.

Luna allowed herself a smirk, she was still hidden and had moves again, watching Nightmare Moon charge her previous location she allowed the second spell to fire, a beam of cold moonlight struck down from above, with the force of a ton of hammers falling on Nightmare Moon. Adding more burns that already adorned her skin. She wasn't prepared for the follow up though.

A grin flashed across her lips, and with a flap of her wings she charged Luna, striking her with the full force of her blade, sparing her from using the cutting edge, instead allowing it's shadow magic to burst forth and propel Luna across the room, up against one of the marble columns, laughing in enjoyment as the smaller Alicorn appeared the moment she hit the floor. "Still weak, Weaker still without your big sister here." She said coolly. Her hand raised as three orbs of dark magic appeared around the clawed hand, with a simple motion they rained down on Luna each sending the princess sliding across the floor with a scream of pain.

"You forget yourself Princess. You are the realm of nightmares, you hold no power here." She licked her lips, her eyes glowing with glee, as if taking a perverse, almost sexual pleasure in tormenting her former host.

Luna stood up, shakily, left arm hanging limply at her side, cuts and bruises adorned her body along with nasty looking magical burns.

Nightmare Moon shifted her blade as she lifted up Twilight Sparkle, her clawed hand punching the youngest princess in the gut, electing a pained wail from the young girl snapping her back to reality. Luna felt her heart break at hearing Twilight scream, and without any hesitation she rushed forwards. Recognising the shift in Nightmare Moon's stance as she prepared to strike the killing blow on Twilight.

Time seemed to slow down as Luna pushed Twilight from the nightmare's magical grip remaining caught inside of the aura herself, her side facing nightmare moon, unlike Twilight who was facing her head on. Luna's eyes went wide the moment she felt the blade connect, not with her collar or even her shoulders. Luna screamed in agony as she felt the blade cut through the base of her wings, she didn't even register hitting the floor.

"LUNA! NO!" Twilight screamed at the top of her lungs as she watched in terror, seeing her friend's wings fall to the floor, tears welled up in her eyes as she realised she'd have died if Luna has not shoved her away... But she couldn't help but feel sorrow and guilt wrack her mind, she lost her wings... for me...

She gasped, desperately trying to breathe through the pain, her eyes falling on the nightmare creature approaching her beloved Twilight once more. Raising the blade to strike. "T-Twilight... No..." she croaked.

With magic gathering in her horn Luna, uttered the spell, allowing it to shoot at the woman. But she could only helplessly watch as it was absorbed by the woman's armour. It was then that a flash caught her eyes, her vision unable to focus as Nightmare Moon brought the blade down at Twilight, her eyes closed as she heard the blade crash with the stone she tried to scream, but no sound came as Luna devolved into a sobbing mess.

***

He needed to be quick, the moment he had managed to pierce the veil that was covering Twilight's dream was when he saw it, Luna on the floor, and casting the weakest spell he had ever seen the Diarch of the Night cast. He shot forwards with a mighty flap of his mismatched wings swiftly bringing his cane in an upwards arch, slapping the Nightmare's blade off course, making it impact the ground just a millimetre away from Twilight's horn. Discord's eyes locked with Nightmare Moon's as he snarled, causing the woman to stare back in shock at the Draconequus with an impossible blast of Chaos magic that defied the Nightmare Realm's physics send Nightmare Moon crashing into the furthest wall.

"I'm sorry Sparkle... “Discord whispered, drawing the blade from his cane with an almost saddened sigh, "I wish I could have pierced through her magic sooner... I hope you can someday forgive me for being late." He said in a sombre tone, dashing forwards to meet the woman's broadsword with his thin blade. The blade but all Rights should have been shattered by the broadsword, but it held firm.

"Discord, you are supposed to be a statue. Furthermore you should have no power IN MY REALM" she screamed in disgust at seeing the Draconequus. Giving her blade a powerful thrust to shove the Lord of Chaos away.

"Ooh... Lulu you forget, Chaos doesn't play by the rules." His voice was flat, even and emotionless. Gone was the playful trickster, the man that had once been a genius gone mad with his vast amount of knowledge. In his stead stood... She was not sure what stood before her but certainly not the Discord that she remembered was turned to stone.

She spat on the floor, and with a cry of anger swiped her claw at him, unleashing a wave of shadow magic. She rushed forwards to follow it up with a slash of her blade. To her own horror the wave was redirected to one of the windows, a moment and the flash of green and black crackling steel later she felt a hot lance of pain shoot through her body.

Discord has suddenly appeared behind her, and his blade was coated in black blood, her black blood she realised. Then she notices a certain weight missing in her right arm, looking down she couldn't just see her blade on the floor but her hand lay besides it chopped off at the wrist.

She gasped, and not a moment later she felt an arm wrap around her throat, the skeletal fingers ripping into her throat. "N-not... not li-" she could not finish her sentence, as the hand ripped her throat open with a brutal amount of strength. He made her death quick though as the sword pierces through her armour, bone and heart as if it did not even exist.

"No one harms my... friends." He growled, as the light left her eyes, making the last thing for her to see. The seething hatred in the Lord of Chaos' eyes.

The nightmare realm vanished leaving them standing in the void of nothingness, dropping his blade Discord approached Luna, softly stroking through her hair as she sent the princess back to the waking world. Approaching Twilight he smiled at the shocked Princess. "It... it is going to be alright Twilight, I promise." He said with a small smile, kissing her on the top of her head, allowing a powerful magic to run through her body, closing her still bleeding wounds before sending her off to the waking world as well.

Then, and only then did he allow himself to leave that place. Appearing besides a distraught Celestia, an arm wrapping around her, blood still coating his expensive greatcoat. "They will be fine Tia, I... I handled it..." he said pulling the aurora haired Princess into a thigh comforting embrace. He watched as Luna and Twilight both were Rushed off to the hospital wing.

"I swear Tia; I... will do anything to make it right."

***

Twilight finally woke up, her eyes shifting to peer across the simple white room; it was Dark, though she recognised it as the recovery room of the Princess's personal medical wing. She let out a groan as she tried to sit up but her body didn't obey, it took a moment before she saw... him.

Discord placed a hand on her shoulder pushing Twilight back into the soft silken sheets, "Don't move Twilight." He said softly, locking eyes with her offering a small smile. She instantly noticed the dark rings around his eyes, and the raw red streaks on his skin.

"D-Discord... what happened? I-it was a dream... why does everything hurt..." she croaked, her voice startled her a little, it sounded as if she hadn't used it in days "W-what's with m-" she was silenced by a gloved finger pressing onto her lips, looking up at the Lord of Chaos, panic starting to flood her system.

"You... have been unconscious for a week Twilight... Luna still hasn't regained consciousness." He said softly, though not moving his finger, casting a glance over at Celestia who was sleeping in one of the beds, the bed besides Luna to be exact "Not too loud, she's been awake for days on end... And to answer... what happened in the dream... physically happened to you both."

"Luna's w-wings..." was the first thing she said as the finger moved, tears welling up in her eyes once more as the scene replayed in her mind, the blade cutting through the bones, severing Luna's wings from her body. She couldn't process it for a moment, and then rolled herself away from Discord, over the edge if the bed with a loud whine as she caught herself with her broken hand.

"Sparkle are you mad!?" Discord hissed for a moment, though watched as she limped over to Luna's bed, half crawling onto her with a choked sob. Cupping Luna's cheek she whispered "I-it's my fault... her wings are gone... and it's my fault." She spoke softly, hardly allowing anyone to hear her, breaking into unrestrained crying she buried her face into Luna's neck, her own wings wrapping around Luna's form.

"Twilight... It's not your fault... if anyone has to take blame let it be me... for... not being able to help sooner." He said laying a comforting hand on her shoulder "Be happy though Sparkle, you're both alive..."

She shivered, looking at Luna for a long moment, her breathing irregular, and frantic; running a hand through Luna's hair ever so gently. "I..." she started, glancing back at Discord, "D-do my friends... know?"

He gave her a confirming nod, glancing back at the door for a moment "They are in the next room. Still asleep I think, together with your brother and Cadance." Sighing softly, he ruffled Twilight's hair; his look led her to believe there was more bad news, though she put on a gentle smile. "She's going to be alright. Now come on back to your bed Sparkle... before the doctor shouts at me again."

She gave a reluctant nod, pausing a moment as she looked down at Luna for a long moment. She leaned in and in a sudden move of brazenness she softly pressed her lips on Luna's, allowing it to be a chaste little peck. Her horn caressing along Luna's "I... love you too Luna, please wake up soon..." she whispered under her breath.

She walked slowly back to her bed, climbing into it with a little help from Discord. "Try to sleep a little more Sparkle, I promise when you wake up... It will be alright." He nodded, and before she could even reply she fell into a dreamless sleep once more, the moment his finger booped her on the nose.

He pushed the door open glancing at the two night guards, "No one enters, except for well... you know the drill already." He sighed softly. Walking across the hall, and into the room where seven girls lay curled up in a sea of pillows. His eyes though, fell on a certain blue haired guy; his eyes were like steel as he sternly stared at him.

"Captain." He greeted Twilight's elder brother with a polite nod.

"Discord." Shining returned, with more than a little worry in his voice.

"She... woke up just now..." he said, conjuring up two glasses both filled with an amber liquid, offering one to the blue haired former captain of the guard. "I... sent her back off to a dreamless sleep, her things Luna is her fault... I... didn't have the heart to tell her the implications."

Shining sighed deeply, taking a sip from the glass after accepting it into his magenta magical aura. "I don't think anyone does Discord... Is she... at least recovering well?"

"She is, it's only her hand now, but you know how broken bones work."

"MH, I'm no stranger to them" He muttered softly "At least she is recovering... we should tell her though Discord."

He shook his head a little "Let's leave it to Luna... I think she'll take it better when it comes from her." Discord sighed and slammed his glass back in one go, closing his eyes with a deep sigh.

"Discord... When is the last time you slept?" Shining asked with a certain amount of concern for the reformed Lord of Chaos.

"I haven't since the incident. I can go without sleep... for a long time." He said, though half-heartedly.

Shining Armor nodded gently, opening his mouth for a moment, before thee was the clattering sound of armour hitting the floor, it took both of them all of two seconds to be in the hallway, watching a two toned blond Unicorn woman stand up, glaring at the night guards "Let me in! I want to see Princess Celestia!" she demanded.

"Ma'am, we aren't to let anyone disturb here."

"Sergeant, with all due respect I-" She paused her rambling as she looked at the gloved hand on her shoulder, gently pushing her towards the door.

"Excuse us gentlemen." Discord said, as he led Starsong inside, he flashed a smile at her, motioning to the sleeping Celestia, whispering softly as he closes the door behind them. "Go to her."

She lost all pretence of decorum, and rushed to Celestia's side holding her close "T-Tia... I'm... here." She whispered softly holding the Princess pressed close to herself, a kiss softly caressing the woman's cheek. "I-I'm sorry... why didn't you summon me while I was with my Family..."

"S-Starsong..." Celestia whispered softly, wrapping her arms around the small guardswoman, a slightly happy smile crept onto her lips. "B-because, I did not want to ruin your time with them... I know how important they are to you."

Sighing softly she play slapped Celestia on her cheek, putting on what could only be described as a scolding tone "Listen here Missy, your sister, Nada her student were attacked. You needed me more than my family... and... I wasn't there for my beloved."

Celestia didn't reply, she couldn't reply; she knew Starsong was right, she knew she should have sighing softly she pulled her lover tightly into her embrace, wrapping the soft white wings around her lover with a delicate smile on her lips It... is for the best she did not see me like that... Celestia thought to herself. Her lips making a gently contact with the smaller woman's, their horns touching as she held her tightly.

***

Twilight let out a soft little groan, waking up to the smiling faces of her six friends. She couldn't help but smile as she noticed her brother and Cadance standing behind them, giggling lightly as she heard Pinkie screaming "SHE'S AWAKE!"

Rarity sighed softly "Honestly Pinkie... it is most unload like to shout in a hospital... Twilight, Darling HOW are you feeling?"

"Hey guys..." She managed weakly, casting a glance over to the still sleeping Luna. "I'm... fine, the doctor told me I can go..." she nodded gently, gasping as she was scooped up in a tight hug by Cadance.

"Twilight..." She only managed to choke.

Before she could answer though there was a gentle little cough from their left, Twilight's gaze instantly snapped to Luna, and before she knew it she stood at her side. "L-Luna..." she whispered softly, cupping the Princess' cheek gently watching as her azure eyes opened slowly, Twilight's breath caught as she wrapped her in a tight hug "Goddess above LUNA" she shouted in joy, softly nuzzling her cheek.

"T-Twilight... I'm glad you're safe." She said with a gentle smile softly running a hand through the woman's hair. Her eyes went wide though as she noticed the distinct lack of a certain appendage she was sure she moved to wrap around Twilight "N-no..." Was all she whispered softly.

Slowly Twilight pulled back, looking into Luna's tear filled eyes. "L-Luna..." she whispered gently, wiping away her tears gently, hearing the door open and close behind her, noticing it was only them now. "I... I'm sorry... if I had been stronger..." she started, but was caught by Luna pressing a finger to her lips.

"D-don't you dare say it was your fault miss Sparkle, What happened was my choice." She shivered as she sat up, casting a look over her shoulders were her wings once were "I... what I did Twilight, has implications but I couldn't let you die..."

"Princess I," she paused looking her in the eyes, unable to find the words she leaned in and softly allowed their lips to meet as they had the night before, her left hand softly cupping the woman's cheek as she leaned into the kiss allowing it to become deeper and more passionate. The kiss seemed to last an eternity at least to the both of them, but eventually they parted panting for breath "Love you..." Twilight finished her sentence with a deep blush.

"You're... n-not angry with me for... saying what I did?"

"I'm angry with you for running away straight afterwards..." Twilight countered with a teasing little grin on her lips. "...Not to mention having me take over for you in court."

Luna blushed a little as she looked at Twilight, a sheepish smile forming on her lips. "Do you... want to go out when I'm allowed to leave the room?" she asked her with a gentle little smile, arm draped around Twilight's neck.

"That sounds Lovely Luna." Twilight smiled, and sealed it with another gentle Kiss.

Both of them looked to the door as they heard something, something horrifying "PRINCESS DATING PARTY!" they glanced at one another and allowed a soft little giggle in response to Pinkie's little outburst.

"Seems we have a party to prepare for as well." Luna grinned just a little at Twilight.

"It seems that way indeed..." Twilight let out a small chuckle, settling on the bed with a gentle smile at Luna, leaning in to cheekily steal another kiss.

"Luna... what are the implications of you not having your wings?" Twilight asked, a worried edge to her voice as an arm wrapped around the smaller princess.

"It... with them gone..." she sighed deeply, looking into Twilight's eyes for a long moment. "Means I am no longer... immortal..." She said, grasping Twilight with her one good arm and pulling her close and nuzzling into Twilight's neck.

"Luna... there must be a way to reverse that, right?" she asked with a bit of desperation in her voice.

"Twilight I-" she started though was cut off by the snapping for a claw.

"It is, but it won't be easy, Luna, Sparkle." Discord chimed in with a small little smile on his lips "I'll tell you when you’re fit enough, I have been doing research." He smiled gently and motioned for the doctor to pass.

"Princess Luna, most of your wounds have been mended, I can say that we don't need to hold you here any longer, but please be careful? Your arm is going to take a while longer even with magic... it's still fragile." He smiled gently at her, though a look of regret was visible in his eyes.

<<<< To be Continued >>>>

Author's Note

This is my inspiration for what Nightmare Moon looks like.