The night had claimed her. she was of course princess of the night. But this was different. A slow and creeping darkness had swept her heart, and not even her sister had seen it.
She was so alone that it felt like she lived in a void, the cold non air with moments of sun radiated joy.
Celestia was strong, she was able to bear the time with no pony else. But the dark blue and purple mare was not. She NEEDED somepony. But there was no one for her. It had been centuries since she was last held by someone other then her sister.
She missed the time when she could play under her parents loving gaze. Her sister was kind. Her sister gave her love. But her sister was at least loved and adored by others. Her duties left her alone in the darkness she was expected to bring light too.
Begrudgingly she would admit only to herself she was jealous. THEY worshipped her sister offering their hopes and prayers.
The mare of the night was almost always left alone. A wish upon a star the only rare voice of some pony desperate for help. Or greed, or selfishness.
She had tried at first to grant such wishes. But it had always turned sour. Desperate ponies were liable to do anything and when they had the power of the gods on their side they were not thankful but hateful. Nor did they at least remember where there wishes had been granted.
Ungrateful ponies....all of them.
The darkness grew.
She had asked in all fairness for a longer equinox. A day just for herself, one in hundreds. Celestia had rebuked her, chiding her of crops and the necessity of the sun.
She had begun to dream but not like before. These were dark, fueled by lingering thoughts of what glorious nights would come.
She walked in other ponies dreams, always bathed in the sun, never did one dream of HER night. Her step became feared, for if she walked upon your dream it would become a nightmare.
Still Celestia refused to see what her sister was becoming. Even after her sister's shadow was cast amongst amongst her dreams.
So caught up was her sister in daily duties that she could not, would not see the torment that the mare of the night went through each day.
She was not a bad or hateful pony, but corruption only needs a little grasp. THEY did not deserve her. If THEY could not see what she did for them then why should she continue? Or perhaps THEY needed a day, neigh a night, unending to see what she DID do for them.
Maybe it wasn't them but her sister that was the problem. After all remove the sun and all would worship the night. For a time she pushed these thoughts out. Raise the moon and make the stars, it's not so hard. But every night brought dark thoughts to her own dreams.
Unwanted and unloved, they whispered. Other ponies dreams were not so direct but they always were of the sun. Her sister. In the light of day they so loved. Only in nightmares did she see her glorious night.
A whole nation that viewed her darkness in fear. At first she was struck with sadness. But over time she saw she had more power then her sister.
She hated the reverence her sister had. In the darkness of night she worked, making ponies lives whole. But in the darkness she also worked her seeds of corruption.
A dream is ever fleeting it comes to us all and leaves nothing behind. Just a fuzzy memory. But hers were vibrant and violent and never to be forgotten.
If a pony was touched by her grasp then they would not forget the fortnights visions. The dream would eat at you and chew you apart. Gouging and clawing at your sanity. A true nightmare.
She never meant to leave such visions. She was not a bad pony. It was just her imprint the shadow she left behind. But her darkness and self doubt it could eat a pony alive.
She walked upon the night in everyponies dreams and they in turn learnt to fear her for her touch meant more then just a restless night. The side she held back was gaining power.
Every night it's whispers became a choir of hate. Her sister did not see it but she knew she was losing control. It was both hard and easy. It was hard to admit but letting go was so simple, and it made her so happy.
She would not allow herself to "let go" during the waking hours. When she was near Celestia or other ponies. But the night was hers right? In dreams (she was never quite clear weather they were hers or others.) she was herself fully let loose. A storm of dejection and the calm of contemplating hate.
She had earned her title in full for she was a nightmare to behold. Regel and even noble....if you were brave enough to ask her favor. But these were nothing more then dreams right? That is how she comforted her thoughts each day at her sisters side.
Celestia for her part never saw how her sisters shadow grew. That hurt more then anything else in the world. SHE knew Celestia cared, she counted on it.....and her sister had not seen she was in pain.
The only one she counted on in the world.....she ignored her. A world in her hands and she forgot the other half. And so darkness crept further upon her.
The descent began to hasten at that point. It wasn't hard, nor did she feel regrette. she only needed justification.
Everypony in Equestria offered that. Ask who ruled the nation and Celestia was the go to answer.
She was the darkness in every corner and they forgot her. It was slow her slip. But gradually she fell. Each Day she saw her sisters adoration and she felt abandoned.
She didn't hate her sister, she loved her. But THEY claimed her love every damn day. THEY did not love her. THEY took every ounce of love her sister had.
Nightmares ensued.
Her sister was blissfully unaware. She walked her sisters dreams but they were already of fears of what could go wrong.
She knew she could alleviate her sisters pain. But how was she apart of it? How was it that Celestias worries included her? Was she not strong? Was she not her sisters equal? Why did her sister needlessly worry about her? Doubt ate at her heart.
The night was her domain and her sister did not sleep. She watched always alert and wary. It was hard to see her sleepless. But when I mentioned it I was rebuffed.
Celestia always made reasons for her condition. Small excuses, a bit of cake or a tireless diplomat. I always knew. It was me and my darkness that held your head aloft. For that I am sorry. forever I am sorry. The monster spoke to me and I simply became.
The words of the nightmare were so sweet. At first they were kind. telling me of how valuable I was and how my glorious night was important. Times change I guess. and so did I.
I had held it off for so long that when hate first touched my heart it was an undeniable wave. I hated her. there was no question of that. I hated the one that loved me most. I....I think something broke with that realization. how does one hate love?
The dark thoughts continue.
It was near overwhelming but I held on. The night had been peaceful and quiet...it now had become a cacophony it would never leave me alone. The darkness shouted at me each day and whispered each night.
I wanted.... I wanted to hold on to be as my sister saw. But the cries of darkness were too strong. In the darkness I had become as the night.
One moon, one light for weary travelers. I had become as cold as the stone in the sky.
To this day I think I am stronger then her. I would never challenge her, but I think, there is a part of me, stronger then she could ever be.
The sun burns bright, but only the moon lights up the darkness. I raise it up only because I was told I need too.
Maybe mother was wrong? Do I really need to do such duty? maybe fathers smiles were false. My sister knew them...I was too young. I the younger foal lucky to be alive. AN Alicorn no less.
I was told I had all of Equestria at my hooves. Lucky or not I don't remember my parents. A passing dream of the centuries I lived. I don't think it matters much. I am as they expected. I sit upon a void unknown to others and I regrette nothing.
My sister does not see as I do. For I have seen both the endless and the end. Her light.....I do not wish for it to end, but it will. And only the quiet endless darkness of my night shall prevail.
Stars die you see, It's hard to imagine. A fading light that leaves nothing behind. The real question is when.
My moon shall die with it that I know. When a star dies though my night takes forever over. I shall be alone again. Not a single pony to comfort me.
The darkness grows.
"Sister what is wrong" she asked. She was brilliant as the day she gave to others.
"Nothing" I lied how does one explain the void to the light.
I raise the moon to light up the inevitable end. The end of day. One of many before the finale.
I am the princess of the last light and I do not want it to end. But I know it will.
I wanted to never see what I was born to see. That void I saw. Great and yawning expanses of never ending darkness.
My sister was the light, but it was always consumed. I was the source of that consumption. I was the anti-thesis of light. I was both more and less then her.
"Sister if you need to talk..." Celestia said to me. Her warmth and love gave me fleeting hope. Like the sun, but it's days are short at best.
"I said I'm FINE! sister." I wasn't of course. But why burden her with my thoughts.
THEY feared me, and I did not want for her to fear for or about me. THEY did not see as I do, nor did she. THEY loved her, and I like my night was cold and alone.
"I'm always here for you sister" she told me the concern plain to see upon her face. A genuine smile, rare these days spread across my face. "I know, thank you Tia" my smile seemed to comfort her, and she had much to do.
Night was coming.
The void talks to me now. It whispers of the unlit sky's on cold distant worlds. A night endless and eternal where the stars have gone out.
Celestia's rare glances are concerned and full of worry. When I meet her gaze she quickly looks away.
Maybe she see's it. The void that grows within. I was born greater then her, I hold the keys to the undying universe. I am part of what she shall never see, for the light fears what I am.
Darkness......with only dim pin pricks of light to remind us of what once was. She asked me today why my moon was dim. I did not know what to say. "Sorry" I stammered.
She still refused to look me in the eye. I had never known that the sun could be so cold. So distant. Worry was clearly written upon her face but she did not speak. She turned around and simply walked away.
Darkness.
The void it won't leave me alone! It's whispers have become screams from which I cannot hide.
Tia.....Tia help me.......It's sooo cold out here. In the void. I need your light, your comforting embrace....I love you but.... this thing it eats away at me.
I tried to tell you today. But you were to busy to hear me. Why Tia why? I'm falling into this dark pit of hate and I can't fly.
Your sun the one thing that gave me hope....your light it's so far away. I'm sorry Tia....I don't know what happens from here, but I hope I don't make you cry. Please remember me before the night.
Sometimes days don't end well, sometimes Nightmares Happen