The crisp night air kissed at Luna's body, her radiant form rising from her soft bed. The Sun was nearly set when she awoke, it was soon to be her turn to rule Equestria while her sister Celestia slept. Letting out a soft yawn and a stretch of her arms, Luna shook the sleepy out of her and rose from her bed. It was getting to that point in the year where Luna had to wear heavier clothes for bed. Her teal colored night gown was not going to cut it when winter came.

"Looks like I'll have to get the thicker blankets soon." Luna said to herself, letting her slight shivering fully wake her body. "Well, I can't stay in my room all night, there's work to do."

Igniting her horn, Luna illuminated the night sky, raising the Moon and letting the twinkling stars brighten the dark horizon. One thing that raised Luna's eyebrow, the Moon was not only massive and full, but a bright orange color. The sight of the Moon caused a small chuckle to escape from Luna's mouth. It was Nightmare Night, how could she have forgotten such a holiday? Feeling a little silly over forgetting something so amusing, Luna used her magic to pull the finest, regal attire she could. There would be time for attending the Ponyville celebrations later on, first she had to attend the Lunar Court.

"Princess?" Called a guard, knocking at Luna's chamber door. "Princess Luna, are you awake?"

"I am." Luna replied, quickly slipping into her dress. "You may enter."

The attire was moderate but still showed off some of Luna's aspects. Luna wasn't as endowed as her sister, but rather sported modest B cups and a well-toned hip and rear. More than once she caught a night guard watching her as she walked by. But so long as the guard did not act on their urges, Luna enjoyed the small bits of attention. It was better than seeing so many stallions and mares drool over Celestia's curvaceous form. The guard entered the room, bowing his head in respect. He was a dark blue bat pony with a dark iron color short mane and tail, with near dazzling indigo eyes. The bat stallion appeared younger than Luna's normal guards; possibly a new recruit, fresh to the job.

"I am here to escort you to the Throne room Princess." The guard stated, keeping his face directed at Luna, but his eyes slightly arched around her. As if he didn't want to look at her completely.

"Very well." Luna responded, not asking why the guard was not fully gazing upon her. "Let us be off, Sir?"

"Tobit, Princess. Private Tobit, I'm a new recruit who just joined the guard." Tobit replied, his tone was as green as any new guard would be, but he did his best to maintain a professional dialect. "It is an honor to serve you."

"It is an honor to have such well-mannered ponies in my guard." Luna smiled gently, walking towards Tobit. The bat stallion blushed at little at the sight of Luna's smile; a reaction that had not escaped Luna's notice, but she would play along for the time being. "Let us attend to the Luna Court Tobit."

Within the Lunar Court, Princess Luna went through the nightly paper work and documents; most of which were requests from some of Luna's fans to have her visit their dreams. Since her return and redemption, Luna had worried that many ponies would still remember her as Nightmare Moon, but over time, the masses had taken to Luna; receiving her help in their dreams and giving her great advice. It did warm Luna's heart to know so many had come to love and respect her, and as much as she would enjoy being in everyponies dreams, she could only focus on those who needed her, not on those who simply wanted her.

"This should be the last of it." Luna commented, filing the last of the scrolls and parchments before having a night servant take them away. Looking out a nearby window, Luna could tell it was only a few hours until Midnight, and she wanted to enjoy Nightmare Night with her friends in Ponyville. But to leave the caste so abruptly would require an escort of some kind; looking at the current guards around her, Luna's eyes fell on Tobit. "Private Tobit?"

"Y-yes Princess?" Tobit stuttered, taken off guard by Luna addressing him. "Is there anything I can do for you?"

"There is." Luna responded, rising from her throne and walking towards the nervous stallion. "I wish to enjoy Nightmare Night with my friends in Ponyville. You are to escort me there. Understand?"

"P-ponyville?" Tobit asked, but chose to not question Luna, only obey. "Y-yes Princess."

"Very good." Luna replied, igniting her horn; enveloping both herself and Tobit in a midnight blue bubble. The next thing Tobit could notice was both himself and Luna were now in Ponyville. "Excellent, we have not missed the fun."

The sights of Ponyville during Nightmare Night was a spectacle that Tobit has never known. He was a bat pony from the darker districts of Cloudsdale and never affiliated with anypony but his own kind, and never attended ant festive events. But being with Luna brought a new level of confidence in the nervous bat stallion. The hanging lights, decorations, and even the groups of ponies in costumes was a rather adorable sight, as well as the joy on Luna's face, followed by the respect the citizens were giving her only brought a warm feeling in Tobit's chest.

"Princess Luna!" Princess Twilight Sparkle called her surrogate Aunt. "I have not seen you in so long."

Like the other citizens, Twilight was dressed for Nightmare Night. Though her attire of a Day Guard Captain made Tobit feel a little nervous. He had heard that Captain Armor was Twilight's older brother, and he was rather strict with recruits, so the sight of the same type of armor caused a small shiver to run up his spine. Accompanying the Princess of Friendship were the other Elements of Harmony; all in costume. Applejack was dressed as some lion, Pinkie Pie was a roller-skating cheerleader, Rainbow Dash was an astronaut, Rarity was some manner of noble mare or possibly royalty, and Fluttershy was simply wearing some black dress; maybe something related her pointed teeth and more bat-like mane,

"Oh?" Twilight commented, finally noticing Tobit. "So who's this Luna?"

"OH OH!" Pinkie bounced, offering an answer. "Is he your coltfriend?"

The very thought caused Tobit's heart to skip at least five beats. He was a measly guard, no way worthy to even be a consideration; not even as a joke. But the look Luna gave Pinkie, as if she was not denying Pinkie's comment made his blood freeze and his joints stiffen. Why wasn't Luna denying this obviously ridiculous comment? Was she even considering? No, Tobit shook his head in refusal, not willing to accept he could be anywhere worthy for Princess Luna.

"This is Tobit." Luna answered, clearing the confusion. "He is my escort for tonight."

"An escort?" Twilight asked, curious at Luna's words. "But you didn't have an escort last Nightmare Night."

"Oh I did, they were just hidden away." Luna laughed a little. "But this year I decided to have my escort enjoy the holiday with me."'

"Yeah well he looks like he's about to drop." Rainbow chuckled, looking at how weak in the knees Tobit was becoming. "Maybe he just can't handle fun?"

"Now now Rainbow Dash." Rarity interjected. "He just is dazzled by being around so many mares at once."

"But anyway, we should be off." Twilight commented. "Fluttershy said she had something in mind for this year's Nightmare Night and we just had to see it."

"Okay, I shall see you all later." Luna nodded, letting her friends leave. As the group left, Luna let out a small sigh, wishing she could join them, but another thought seemed to have struck her mind. "Tobit, have you ever wished to regain what was once lost?"

"What do you mean Princess?" Tobit asked curious what Luna could possibly mean.

"Actually, never mind, i-it's not important." Luna replied, her warm smile returning to her face. "Let us be off to have fun!"

Over the next few hours, Princess Luna and Tobit enjoyed themselves among the ponies. Throwing spiders, bobbing for apples, and even getting the occasional treat. But the more Luna and Tobit seemed to enjoy themselves, the more Tobit noticed that a small glimmer of sadness was shining in Luna's eyes. Something about the holiday was getting to her, and it was something that was beginning to deeply concern Tobit. After their fun was expended and the ponies seemed to begin venturing back to their homes, Tobit and Luna were getting ready to return to Canterlot. But all of a sudden, Luna grabbed at Tobit's arm, pulling him towards the Everfree Forest.

"P-princess?!" Tobit said, his voice was weakened by the sudden motion of his body.

"I'm sorry Tobit, but I have to confirm something." Luna said, taking off towards the Everfree, Tobit following close behind. After a short flight, the two arrived at the old Alicorn Castle, the once home of Luna and Celestia only a thousand years ago. "I believe you would like an explanation?"

"It is not my place to question you Princess." Tobit replied, walking with Luna as the two ventured into the castle. The interior was dark, but the large Moon and bright stars illuminated the interior in a soft dimness. "But if I can, I am curious what has been troubling you?"

"I apologies for worrying you." Luna responded, looking around, as if she was searching for something. "Before I fell to darkness and became Nightmare Moon, I had a friend, someone who I could talk to and he would comfort me. But after my banishment, I was unable to speak with him."

"I'm sorry Princess, but your friend would be...well...it had been so long..." Tobit stated, struggling to state the fact any friend of Luna's would be long dead after a thousand years. But this revelations unfazed the Alicorn. "Perhaps a descendant remains?"

“That's sweet of you to concern yourself, but this friend was no pony, no mortal by any definition." Luna responded, the two finding themselves in Luna's ancient bed chamber. The room was nearly in complete ruins, with little recoverable things around. But Luna was able to find what she sought, a strange looking book. The book had no title and the cover appeared to be made of some leather and dark fur. Tobit felt a sense of unease at the sight of the book, but the excited look in Luna's eyes revealed this to be the prize she sought. "After so long, I had thought...I must speak with him as soon as I can."

"Perhaps we can commune with your friend back in Canterlot Princess? Tobit suggested.

"An excellent idea Tobit, let us be off." Luna's horn ignited with the same dark bubble that brought them to Ponyville. Within mere moments, Luna and Tobit were back in Canterlot, but now in Luna's current bed chambers. Luna rubbed her hand gently on the book's cover, as if she was holding a long lost pet. Before Tobit could excuse himself, Luna grabbed him in a hugging embrace. "Tobit, what you've done for me, it was more than I thought anypony could do. Thank you."

"A-a-a-anytime Princess!" Tobit exclaimed, his body almost going into hyperventilation and shock from Luna's touch. "I-I-I believe I am all good for the evening Princess?"

"Yes, thank you Tobit." Luna responded, blushing a little herself at how long she was holding the bat stallion so close to her. "Please inform all the guards I am not be disturbed for the rest of the evening."

"Yes Princess." Tobit responded, but Luna wanted to be doubly sure.

"This is a serious order Tobit." Luna commented, her voice was in the tone of command but was still kind in attitude. "Nothing short of Equestria in flames will be tolerated to disturb seeing my old friend. Understand?"

"Yes Princess!" Tobit saluted, then obediently taking his leave, gently closing the door behind him. No sooner has Tobit left, that the door was then sealed by Luna's magic, and the surrounding room was coated in a sound proof, magic proof, and sensory proof bubble. As far as anypony was concerned, Luna and her chambers had simply vanished from existence.

"After so long, I am not going to let this reunion be ruined by anything." Luna's horn then slowly stripped the dress from her smooth body. Her nude body shivered in anticipation and a longing she had long forgotten. Licking her lips and swallowing the last ounces of courage she held in her, Luna opened the book. "Let us begin our reunion my old friend."

Author's Note

Next chapter, and Luna's "friend" on Halloween!