Sunrise, Moonrise

by Silver Quills

Rating: everyone
Tags: Alternate Universe, Sad, Nightmare Moon, Princess Luna, Princess Celestia, Slice of Life, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
Length: 5435

Using the Elements of Harmony, Princess Celestia banished her sister to the moon for a thousand years. This is the aftermath.

Using the Elements of Harmony, Princess Celestia banished her sister, Princess Luna and Nightmare Moon, to the moon for a thousand years – something she still regrets to this day. Now, there is a sun without a moon. A princess without another. Two hearts, shattered like glass.

Without Luna by her side, Celestia is nothing. Without the moon, the sun has no true light.

And without her big sister to guide her and comfort her, Luna is lost. Without the sun, the moon cannot shine.

Published 2016-09-24 02:20:01 UTC
Last updated 2016-09-24 02:20:01 UTC

Sunrise

"LUNA!"

Celestia jolted awake, pulling herself from the dream and the Nightmare with a desperate cry for her sister. Breathing heavily, she looked around her with wild, panicked eyes. She was in a large, round, sun-themed room. Deep purple-blue walls with a subtle cloud design. Swirly, light-purple carpet. Big, round, gold-and-magenta bed with lots of pillows and transparent silk draping. Cozy fireplace with an ever-glowing fire and several silk cushions in front of it.

Her bedroom. She was safe.

The Sun Princess lay back against her pillows with a deep breath. It was only a dream, she told herself. Just a dream.

It had been exactly three weeks since Celestia had banished her younger sister – Princess-Luna-turned-Nightmare-Moon – to the moon, using the extremely powerful Elements of Harmony. And yet, Celestia still dreamed of that terrible night every time she slept. She missed her sister already. She would not see Luna for another thousand years.

Agony.

Celestia wondered if Luna missed her, too.

Pushing aside her silky-soft bedsheets, the Alicorn of the Day slid out of bed and walked over to the always-open doors that led to her private balcony. It was time to bring forth the dawn. Tears pooled in Celestia's eyes as she lit up her long white horn, and her golden alicorn magic surrounded the moon. Her sister's moon, which bore the dark visage of the Mare in the Moon on its pale surface. Luna's visage.

Slowly, Celestia used her magic to lower the moon from the sky until it was out of sight. Then, her sun crested the horizon, filling the darkened sky with a rosy glow. Before the Nightmare came to Luna, Celestia had thought of the sun as glorious and awe-inspiring. Now, like the Mare in the Moon, it was just a reminder of what had caused Luna's dark transformation.

"Oh, Luna," Celestia whispered, almost inaudibly. The teardrops slipped down her cheeks and, one by one, splattered on the pale stone floor of the balcony. "If you can hear me, if the wind would carry my words up to you, I want to tell you that I'm sorry. Forgive me, little sister. I . . . I love you, Luna, and I miss you. Please, come back to me soon," she begged. "Please."

With one last, tear-filled look up at the sky, Celestia turned away and walked back into her bedroom. It was time for the Dawn Court, and she wasn't even ready yet.

Staring into the gilt-framed mirror that hung above her matching vanity table, Celestia saw a broken mare, once proud and regal, looking back at her. Her soft white coat was perfectly groomed and sleek, her great feathered wings preened to silkiness, her pastel-rainbow mane billowing gently in its ethereal breeze. She was beautiful and perfect on the outside. But inside, her heart was shattered like glass, lying in a million pieces.

But she had no right to feel sorry for herself. Luna did. Luna, who had been rejected and shunned by the ponies of Equestria and by Celestia, her own sister. How could I have been so oblivious to her feelings? How? How could anypony ever be as selfish as I was?

Celestia watched as her levitation magic fitted her with the royal regalia. Her four gilded horseshoes, fancy and golden, were slipped onto her polished white hooves. The matching golden torc, complete with intricate etching and a rhombus-cut amethyst set in the center, went around her neck and rested lightly on her shoulders. And last but not least, the Crown of the Sun was placed on her head. The royal-violet amethyst and glossy gold surface glittered together in the morning light.

Against her will, Celestia's purple eyes strayed to another bit of regalia resting on her table, a piece of jewelry that did not belong to her. A sparkling black crown with a silver-white crescent moon on it: Luna's old crown, the Crown of the Moon. It was the only thing that Celestia had left of the sister she loved. She had used the Elements of Harmony on Luna and destroyed the old Castle of the Two Sisters in the Everfree Forest. Celestia had found this crown left in the ruins of the castle. Every time she looked at it, she felt a sharp pang of hurt and remorse. It was her fault that Luna had turned into Nightmare Moon. It was Celestia's fault and nopony else's.

Now, Celestia spread one of her wings and reached forward with it to polish Luna's crown to a high shine. There. Setting the black crown back on the vanity, she made her leave from the bedroom. The Dawn Court was not going to start itself.

After a long trek through the hallways of the newly built Canterlot Castle, Celestia stopped in front of the grand doors that led to her royal throne room. She straightened her crown and torc and shifted her large white wings into place. Taking a deep breath, the Day Princess nodded wordlessly to the two stoic unicorn guards who stood at either side of the doors. With twin bows from the guards, the doors were encased in two colors of magic – orange and green – and opened soundlessly.

A long, narrow carpet of woven red silk ran the length of the rectangular, high-ceilinged throne room, leading up to the two Thrones of Day and Night that sat on a raised dais. Colorful stained-glass windows lined two of the walls, which were opposite each other. They depicted beautiful scenes of moonlight nights, sunny days, and noteworthy events in history. The newest windows showed Celestia's victory over Nightmare Moon.

Like she did every time she walked along the red carpet, Celestia winced when she caught sight of those particular windows.

Her pained gaze shifted to the two thrones, which mirrored each other in design but not in color. Celestia's Throne of Day was made of polished, honey-colored wood with gold filigree accents and red silk upholstery. Luna's Throne of Night was of shiny black ebony wood with decorative silver filigree and soft upholstery of dark blue silk. Their cutie marks were carved into the wood of their respective thrones and painted by professionals.

Even though this castle was built after the defeat of Nightmare Moon, Celestia had ordered the construction ponies to add Luna's throne to this room. Her sister would be back. In one long, long millennium, but she would return.

Celestia donned her well-practiced mask of composure and calm regality as she walked the length of the silk carpet and seated herself on her throne. "Guards, open the doors and let the courtiers in," she commanded, her voice ringing through the air.

The doors opened, and the usual crowd of courtiers flooded into the throne room. They were almost all nobles and advisers, most of whom Celestia hated. They were arrogant, self-absorbed scoundrels who, in her opinion, didn't belong anywhere in the royal castle.

"Prince Blueblood from the House of Blueblood, you may speak first," Princess Celestia said in a bored monotone. This is going to be a long, long day.

The white-coated, golden-maned unicorn stallion stepped forward and cleared his throat. "Princess Celestia, I have a proposal," Prince Blueblood said grandly in that irritating voice of his. It made Celestia want to bury her head in the ground. "We should remove all objects related to Princess Luna from the castle – paintings, windows, the like. After all, she is gone now. There is no need to continue with such insignificant trivialities, don't you think, Princess? We should not be reminded of the darkness and despair Nightmare Moon forced upon us, but the glory of your day and the warm regality of your sun."

The other nobleponies were nodding in agreement and approval.

This was what Celestia hated about the Court. Nopony would say things plainly, and when they said anything at all, it came out sounding shallow-minded and offensive, despite the fact that it was often praise. And she hated the praise, too. Did the nobles really think that she was too stupid to see through their endless lies?

After registering what Prince Blueblood had just said, the princess froze. A hot fury started to burn like a small, bright candle flame inside her, ignited by the arrogance of the rambling prince. How dare he? How DARE he calmly suggest that they erase the memory of Luna like simply wiping away a smudge on a mirror?

Celestia's ears shot up, and she felt her face begin to heat up. The nobles who were in their right mind started to slowly back away from the thrones, but Prince Blueblood was oblivious, wrapped in his own ignorance. He prattled on about everything that was wrong with Canterlot Castle, mostly revolving around how Luna's absence gave cause for them to remove all relics of the Night. This just fueled Celestia's rage to the point when the hairs on her coat started to prickle and burn and her horn itched to blast Blueblood out of Equestria with a single, fiery, painful shot of magic.

"That is ENOUGH!" Celestia suddenly shouted, using the Royal Canterlot Voice. She got up from her throne, the gentle colors in her illusive mane and tail washed away by a tide of fiery orange, brilliant scarlet, and blindingly bright yellow. Her coat burned a glaring white, and flames ignited at the edges of her opened wings. Her violet eyes burned with pure fury.

"P-Princess!" Blueblood stammered, stumbling over his own hooves as he tried to back away.

"My sister will NOT be disremembered or disgraced in such a way!" Celestia growled, shoving her face in the cowering prince's. "I hereby DENY your proposal! Now GET OUT of my sight, you coward!"

Weakling that he was, Prince Blueblood shot out of the throne room like his hooves were on fire. They weren't, but he managed to get away with only a few burnt hairs.

Once the prince was gone, Celestia's appearance returned to normal as she calmed down. "The Dawn Court is now over for today," she told commandingly to the rest of the terrified nobles. Her head held high, she walked regally out of the throne room as if nothing had happened here.

But what the others did not notice was that diamond tears glittered in the corners of their beloved Sun Princess's eyes.

Back in the privacy of her bedroom, Celestia finally allowed herself to cry for Luna. Did the ponies of Equestria really dislike her sister so much? So much that they would be willing to tear down all evidence that there had ever been a Princess of the Night? Did they even care that Nightmare Moon had once been Princess Luna – Celestia's sister and Regent of the Moon? Where was their respect for her? Why couldn't they have just loved Luna like they should have from the start?

"But I won't be like them," Celestia wept, her wet tears staining the rich bedsheets. "I will remember my sister. And every day, I will live with that pain and bear that heavy burden until she returns."

Sitting up, Celestia's magic latched onto the keepsake box beneath her bed. It was an average-sized jewelry box, nothing really special or fancy, made of polished cherrywood and carved with her cutie mark, which was inlaid with a single amethyst in the center. To deter any curious prying ponies, there were thirteen magical locking charms on the box, set in place by Celestia herself. Not that anypony would be foolish enough to sneak around in the Day Alicorn's private things, of course.

There was a secret way to disable the enchantments, which had been invented by the famously powerful unicorn mage, Star Swirl the Bearded himself. Celestia touched the tip of her horn to the amethyst and made it glow. A tendril of golden magic separated itself from the light of her horn and wrapped around the purple gem, dissolving into the precious jewel. The amethyst glowed gold, and there was a subtle click. Now, Celestia opened the box effortlessly.

The interior was lined with lavender silk, cushioning the priceless objects inside the box. One by one, wrapped in a golden aura, they floated out and settled on the bed. "Mother's and Father's wedding rings, my first enchanted amethyst, a feather from Luna's wing . . . here it is." Celestia levitated a photograph out of the box. It was encased in a glossy white frame with gold filigree and a thin glass plate to protect the photo.

The photograph had been taken many years ago, when both of her parents were still alive. It showed young Celestia and Luna with their now-dead parents, beautiful Queen Galaxia and handsome King Cosmos, who had been alicorns, too. They were standing in front of the old castle, which had been whole back then, of course.

Galaxia and Cosmos had died shortly after they had Luna, who didn't remember anything about them. Celestia's memory of their parents was blurry, too. She remembered what they looked like and how they acted, of course, but other than that, she could only see snapshots of her short time with them. Her mother's welcoming smile, her father's strong spirit . . . they were all gone.

They are in a better place now, Celestia thought. Mother and Father can't feel pain anymore.

More glittering teardrops fell from her violet eyes. I wonder if they're looking down at me right now. Blaming me for what happened to Luna, my own sister, and rightfully so. How could I have been so blind to her sadness and envy? Why didn't I love her or know her enough to see it?

What is wrong with me?

Celestia stood up abruptly and walked to her balcony, resting her hooves on the stone railing. It was a beautiful summer afternoon. Her sun shone brightly, the songbirds chirped merrily, and a gentle breeze was present in the pleasantly warm air. While this usually brought her comfort and proud pleasure, today she hated the lighthearted joy that floated around her.

Her bedroom tower was one of the highest in the castle, and she could easily see a large portion of Canterlot from here. The ponies were walking lazily in the streets, chatting with each other, having tea, as if nothing at all had happened just three weeks ago. It angered Celestia to see that her little ponies were so happy today. Had they already forgotten who Luna was? Was her sister already nothing but a memory, pushed to the back of their shallow minds and hearts?

Well, she may be absent and forgotten now, but she isn't gone. Not in my heart.

Oh, Luna, where are you?

I miss you. Come back soon.

No sun is complete without a moon by her side.

Please . . .

Moonrise

"Hello, Luna."

The dark, whispery voice that had been the cause of Nightmare Moon brushed past her ear once more, snapping Luna out of her thoughts. The Night Alicorn looked up, glaring at the source of the sound with angry, teary eyes. "Go away, Nightmare," she hissed, straining to keep herself from lashing out. She could feel the dark forces pressing in all around her. "Now is not a good time."

The vaguely alicorn-shaped, star-speckled cloud of black night magic that was the Nightmare smiled in its usual devilish way, showing sharp fangs in its mouth. Curiously enough, a trail of stars and oozy, dark magic followed in its wake. "Oh, what's wrong?" it jeered mockingly, weaving around Luna. "Is this too . . . upsetting for you, Lulu?"

"Don't call me that!" Luna spat, springing to her hooves. Her horn lit up with a blue glow, even though she knew that the Nightmare would not be harmed by her magic, which was useless in her moon prison. "Only my sister calls me that, and . . . and she's g-gone . . . now . . ." She sank to the floor, the fight draining out of her as the cold reality hit her heart and her mind at the same time. Tears flowed freely from her eyes, and her wings and shoulders shook with heaving sobs.

To her extreme annoyance, the Nightmare smirked, seemingly amused by Luna's despair. "I'll leave you to your 'waterworks', as they call it, then," it said in a somewhat smug tone of voice. "Ta-ta!" The magical cloud-alicorn melted into the starry darkness that surrounded them. Luna squinted until she could no longer see, but she could catch no sign of it. Where did the Nightmare go when it was done tormenting her, anyway?

Even though it was bad company, it was still her only companion. Even if the Nightmare taunted and mocked her every chance it got, it was still somepony – or something – to talk to.

Celestia . . . Luna missed her sister greatly. She'd been stuck in the star-filled darkness of the lunar prison for three weeks now. The Sun Princess had banished her with the Elements of Harmony, but Luna knew that it was not Celestia's fault. It was Luna who became jealous of her sister, Luna who had hated the sun and the day, Luna who had submitted to the dark forces and turned into Nightmare Moon. It was her fault, not Celestia's.

Why couldn't I have waited?

Luna remembered that night all too clearly. The way she had felt when she raised the moon to block the sun and to create a total eclipse. The wondrous feeling of thinking that she would be the sole ruler of Equestria when she struck Celestia out of the sky. The pain she had known when she was blasted by the rainbow of the Elements of Harmony. The tears and the look on Celestia's face just before the Elements hit Luna.

It was a facet of Celestia that Luna had never, ever seen before – until then. She would never forget the torrents of tears that poured from her sister's eyes, or the distraught way she had screamed out Luna's name as the Elements banished the younger princess to the moon. That memory would haunt Luna forever, reminding her of the sins she had committed but could never undo.

As much as Luna hated it, the Nightmare was the one with all the power here. And it had the option of helping her or not helping her.

"Nightmare," Luna called out loud, "take me into the dreams of Celestia, right now."

Right on cue, the Nightmare materialized out of thin air as a shapeless, floating cloud. Quick as a flash of lightning, it morphed into its alicorn-like form with a self-satisfied, conceited smile on its face. "What's the magic word?" it teased, flapping a blobby, star-trailing wing in Luna's face.

The Moon Princess batted the wing away with a scowl. "For something that's supposed to be evil, you don't act much like it. Fine!" she muttered under her breath. Taking a deep breath in, she stood up, spread her dark blue wings, and roared this in its face (well, what would be its face if it were a real pony): "Please bring me into Celestia's dreams or . . . I WILL PERSONALLY RIP YOU APART, EAT YOU FOR DINNER, AND –"

She suddenly felt silent. A prick of guilt and shame stabbed at her heart. What was she doing? Even if the Nightmare was infuriating and exasperating, she should not have been mindlessly yelling at something with no feelings. Had she fallen so far from happiness that she would do all of this?

Once more, amusement was conveyed in the Nightmare's ever-present smirk. It did not seem the least bit intimidated by Luna, which only annoyed the young princess more. "I will regret doing this . . . but very well, Your Highness," the creature of the night said smoothly. "Here we go!" It swept its wings back and lit up its horn. The black nightscape of the moon prison was swiftly pushed away by a wide swath of soft, sparkly powder blue: they were in a new place, a temporary escape from the cage.

"The dreamscape, a place where the ponies' deepest dreams are born," Luna breathed. For the first time in what seemed like forever, her heart lightened, and a gentle smile was brought to her face. She'd always had a special connection with the dreamscape. It was her favorite place in the world to be. "Even I did not know that your power extended here, Nightmare."

The Nightmare puffed up its chest in pride. "Oh . . . you tend to pick up things here and there, especially if you've lived for as long as I have," it said in its usual superior voice. As if!

A snort escaped Luna as they walked along the path of stars, which was lined with doors – no two entrances were exactly alike – on each side. "On the contrary, I very much doubt that you have been around longer than my parents, whom even Celestia does not remember," she replied in an argumentative sort of way.

"Oh, but I have," the Nightmare countered. That irritatingly complacent smile returned, full force, to its face. "Did they see the beginning of this world, even before the Three Tribe Kingdoms? Have they fought the legendary Fausticorn, Creator of All, for world dominance before the world was blasted into existence? Did they defend Equest –" It snapped its mouth shut suddenly, cutting off the words it was about to say.

"What was that?" Luna asked, genuinely curious. "Were you going to say 'defend Equestria'?" She leaned closer to the Nightmare with wide blue eyes. "You were once a friend of my ponies?"

The holes where the Nightmare's eyes would have been flashed ice blue, and it threw her a glare that was cold enough to make a sliver of ice trail down Luna's back. The Nightmare hurried on along the starry pathway, and the alicorn had to catch up quickly. In the frosty atmosphere, Luna hesitated to risk the wrath of this night creature by persisting. It obviously did not want to talk about its past.

After several minutes of walking in silence, the Nightmare finally spoke.

"Yes, I guess you could say that I was . . . used to be . . . a loyal defender of Equestria." The Nightmare kept its gaze focused directly in front of them, as if it were seeing the past right now. "Back then, I had a different name. I was called Daydream . . . a bringer of sweet dreams and protector of all ponykind. I looked different, too; my magical body was just like your sister's dawn. This was thousands of millennia ago, during the time of Fausticorn."

Daydream. Eager interest sparked and gleamed in Luna's eyes, and she pricked her ears to hear her jailer's story.

"Fausticorn, or Laurel as I liked to call her, was a dear friend of mine, believe it or not." Luna was surprised to hear sadness in the Nightmare's voice. "Then . . . something happened. The Divide, when Day and Night were created.

"Laurel became the Ruler of Day, but she offered me a position as Ruler of Night. I accepted; what else could I do? That is when things changed, shifted. Eventually, I became the way I am now. Dark like our Night.

"Lightning struck quickly after that. Little bursts of anger from me, futile calming attempts from her. And then there was the Great Battle of Day and Night. Laurel defeated my dark powers, and now I am bound to this place with invisible chains. I cannot leave, doomed to walk this desolate moonfield prison forever." The Nightmare took a deep breath to compose itself, its usual, fanged smile in place as if nothing had happened.

Luna could only stare in shock. A shadow of dark resentment, a blizzard of icy jealousy, a blast of fiery battle that ended in defeat . . .

The Nightmare was like her.

Celestia and Fausticorn, Sun and Moon, Daydream and Nightmare. No matter how she worded it, Luna and the Nightmare were almost one and the same. They were trapped here, with two dark pasts that were so different yet so similar.

Am I going to be like that forever?

She didn't want to match the Nightmare – her Nightmare. She didn't want to stay like this, dark and lonely and resentful, forced to roam the endless prison in the moon for countless years. She didn't want to escape her imprisonment as Nightmare Moon, the deepest fear of every single pony in Equestria. She wanted to be a princess, a protector, and most of all, a sister.

A companion to the sister she had left so far behind.

And she could not go back and undo what she had already done.

"Here it is," the Nightmare announced grandly, gesturing broadly at a particular door placed randomly in the dream-door line. It was very obvious that the door belonged to Celestia's dreams. It was painted soft white, the same color as the Day Alicorn's coat, with a bold sun painted in the middle, bordered by stripes of powder pink, sky blue, and misty green. "The door to your sister's dreams," it added unnecessarily.

Luna stopped and stared at it, afraid to open the door. What kind of dream would she be facing? Maybe it's about Nightmare, whispered a tiny voice in her head. Luna jumped a little and glanced over at the Nightmare. It was studying her intently.

"Go on, open it." The Nightmare's voice was uncharacteristically soft and gentle. "Your sister is dreaming, and it isn't a good one. She needs you right now, Princess."

Trying to sweep away all hesitation, Luna turned the golden doorknob with her magic. Then she hesitated, which was the last thing she wanted to do. Turning back to the Nightmare, she asked, "Aren't you coming with me?" It was standing back, watching her.

"No. My presence will only make her dream worse. You will go without me." A little bit of surprise flashed from the Nightmare, that Luna would want it with her in Celestia's dream.

"Okay." With a deep, nervous breath, Luna pulled the door open.

And a flash of warm white light came forth to embrace her, all of her surroundings erased by a simple burst of sunshine.

Luna opened her eyes.

She was standing on the front steps leading up to the main entryway of the old castle, which was now whole again. It was dusk, and the first stars were beginning to appear. She drew comfort from the lighthearted winks of her silver stars above, and her pale white moon that was peeking over the horizon.

A glow of light came from within the castle. As if her hooves were guiding her, Luna moved up the wide marble steps and into the impeccably kept castle that she knew so well. She knew every corner, every stone, every speck of dust in here. This was home, and she loved it.

Luna followed the light until she came into a large, rectangular room that was partly open to the darkening sky. She sucked in a breath, startled. This was the royal throne room, where she and Celestia had battled. No, where Nightmare, Luna, and Celestia had battled.

Suddenly, Luna's point of view changed. She was sitting on her Throne of Night, looking down at a familiar white alicorn through narrowed eyes. The sudden spike of fury, sharp as a spear, that pierced her heart caught her by surprise. What am I doing?

Princess Celestia stood on the deep red carpet that led to the twin thrones' raised dais, staring at Luna. "Sister!" she cried out. "Why are you doing this? We were meant to rule together, as equals! Please, you're not the Nightmare they think you are now!"

Nightmare?

Against her will, Luna found herself yelling back. "Sister! I am no longer your sister, your weak little Princess Luna!" she shouted, standing up and flaring her wings. Looking down, Luna saw that she was wearing Nightmare's silver-blue armor, complimented by her midnight-black coat. "You ignored and neglected me, Celestia, and so did the ponies of Equestria! The NIGHT will last FOREVER!"

She knew what would happen before it did. The silver moon flashed with dark blues, purples, and reds, rapidly rising into the sky. Darkness sprang from it, coating the entire land of Equestria in eternal night.

This wasn't only Celestia's Nightmare, but it was Luna's, too.

No! I'm not Nightmare Moon! Luna screamed out, but it seemed to be only in her mind. She had to watch with pangs of guilt as Celestia's eyes filled with tears.

"I will not fight you, sister, but I will to defend Equestria." With that simple statement, Celestia spread her white wings and prepared to take flight. Her violet eyes were narrowed at Luna, and they seemed to hold a single plea: I don't want to fight you! Please, stop this!

Luna laughed. She laughed and laughed maniacally, opening her own jagged black wings and flapping into the air. "Then fight we shall. If you want to save your precious little ponies, then you must get through me first!" She shot into the eclipsed sky and instantly whirled to fire a bolt of sharp turquoise magic at her sister.

Before the blast hit Celestia, before anything else could happen, another field of white folded around her, and everything seemed to stop.

Luna jumped up with wide eyes and frantic, heavy breathing. "What happened!" she burst out, looking around wildly. Her gaze landed on the Nightmare, floating there calmly and staring at her evenly. The memories came flooding back.

"No."

The single word was dragged out of Luna as she sank to the ground. "She was dreaming of me, of Nightmare Moon. I really am her greatest fear . . . and it's all my fault."

If I could see you, if I could speak to you again, I would beg for your forgiveness. Sister, I'm so sorry.

Why do things have to be this way?

It's all my fault, and I can't turn back time.

I'm sorry!

Please . . .

Epilogue

A thousand years later . . .

Up in the night sky, far above Equestria, four silver stars started to flash brightly. They moved closer to the full moon, which was scarred by the dark Mare in the Moon. A legend that would soon prove itself to be true. The legend of a Nightmare, a real one this time.

When the stars were in their proper positions, the silvery-white moon itself began to glow. A flare of cold light spread across the sky, and the stars glittered more brightly, as if sending a warning to the ponies below. An unheeded, unnoticed warning.

Then, the Mare in the Moon vanished from the surface of her moon.

In Ponyville, everypony was merrily trotting around town, busily preparing for the Summer Sun Celebration. Banners were hung up, lanterns were strung in the trees, and everypony flocked to the town hall gazebo for the expected sunrise.

Nopony took notice of this strange disappearance. Well, nopony except one. A lavender-coated mare with a pink, purple, and indigo mane. A young unicorn mare, the magical protégé of Princess Celestia herself, by the name of Twilight Sparkle.

She sat in the window of the Golden Oaks Library and frowned up at the sky, deep in thought.

Something is amiss here . . .

In Canterlot, Princess Celestia stood on her balcony, staring up at the sky with a smile on her face. Finally I will get to see Luna . . . Has she changed in all these years? Grown wiser, perhaps? A chuckle escaped her lips. No, she will be the same. Just the same sweet, innocent Lulu I knew and loved.

At least, that is what I hope for.

Today, my sister will be free.

For a few moments, Celestia let the cool breeze ripple through her mane. Then she abruptly turned and walked inside.

She had an important ceremony to get to.

And in the star-filled, moon-filled sky, a Nightmare and a Princess broke free . . .

The longest day and the longest night of the thousandth year had come. Princess Luna and her Nightmare were returning to Equestria.

Remember. Forgive.

Love.

Author's Note

I think you can still call it an epilogue when it's really, really short.