Author's Note

But what if the episode Nightmare Night never happened?

Owing time

It appears I had underestimated the amount of change that could occur within a thousand years. It was foolish on my part truly. Nothing in this world can be truly capable of remaining the same forever. Even things that are forever like my sister and I have changed as years stacked on years. Things change almost completely when they're unable to die. But yet they're always the same pony, which I'm unsure is an injustice or just cruel fact. In the millennium I had vanished, Equestria had changed so much that I am forced to take drastic measure to become comfortable with my culture shock.

With this matter I consulted with my sister, for only her I trusted with admitting my concerns. She glanced up at me from her scroll held in a magic grip.

"What has you so upset Luna?" She spoke calmly, rolling the scroll in one fluid motion.

"I wasn't aware my concerns were so apparent."
She let out an airy chuckle, "You've been anxious most your life. I've picked up the hints at this point. Now," she rested her hoof on my shoulder gently "What's wrong Luna?"

I let out a sigh, closing my eyes as I explained. "It's been a year since I've returned sister. Even with that, I have continued to struggle grasping the new customs of the kingdom. I worry I will not be a proper leader if I don't even understand my own people. What would be to happen if you fell ill or succumb to something worse and I was unable to lead the ponies of Equestria? There would be chaos among the cities. Other kingdoms would question our stability and I would be considered a blight on Equestria's history once again. I want the citizens to have no fear in facing me. I'm not the same mare anymore."

I hadn't realized the extent of my anger until I had concluded my speech. I found my breath heavy and a knot within my throat. The expression my sister gave me did not help in my comfort. It was an expression she had given me many times before. I refused to mention that guilt that always spread across her face as she did for me when she knew I was upset. There were certain topics within a family that were never touched upon unless brought up out of absolute necessity. We silently agreed with one another that we wouldn't mention the battle that commenced before my exile and my problems wouldn't be touched upon unless I willingly sought out advice. She pulled me in closer to her, reciting some mantra too low for me to hear.

"Luna, I understand your concerns, but I find the chances of those to occur close to impossible. I would never abandon you to the kingdom and it's problems, ever. It's been some time now, you can't change as fast as I believe you want to!"

"That is not the concern! I don't worry about the speed of my recovery, but the success of it. I want to be able to hold conversation here without striking fear in ponies hearts." She gave me a tied smile, and only in that smile could I see the years of stress etched into her eyes.

"Luna, in order to learn, you must apply yourself." I wanted to interject but she continued.

"I think, that in order to get the kind of results you're looking for, you would need to be free from me."
"But sister-" she held up a hoof to me
"If you are worried about me, I will be traveling soon anyway, so you are not sacrificing any time with me if you go. With my travels," she released me and stood, slowly walking to the windows lining the room, "I think it would be good to expose you to others. You've been back a year and not once have I seen you properly interact with ponies outside the palace. I am not forcing you to separate from me, but I dearly recommend it." She looked to me with her diplomatic smile. I felt a tinge of loathing that I was being given the same smile as the ponies we were forced to meet and pretend we enjoyed the company of.

"And how long will I partake in this "learning experience"?"

"A month. I will be visiting many cities, but I will expect to arrive back at Ponyville by the end of the trip. I think that will be long enough for proper training and by the end of the month, I'll be able to see your progress and we can return home together."

I inhaled deeply, releasing the tension I had built up throughout this conversation. "I will take your offer. But I have one thing to ask."

"Yes Luna?"

"Why Ponyville?"

She chuckled, a much more playful smile tugging at her lips "It will be a good piece of nostalgia for you Luna. And I believe you owe them some time." She said finally, trotting out of her personal study as if to seal the deal.

~~~

"Twilight!" Spike called, jogging over with a scroll in his arms. Twilight looked to him, cutting off what she was saying to the other two girls.

"What is it?" She asked, rolling out the scroll "It's from Princess Luna!" Twilight bristled and surprise.

"What does it say?" Fluttershy spoke up, Rainbowdash nodding and trying to peep at the letter.

"Yeah, she's never talked to us before. Is something up?" Twilight batted her away as she reached the bottom of the letter

"Not per say.."

"What is that supposed to mean?" Rainbowdash retorted, frown stretching further. Twilight cleared her throat, looking up at the two mares bashfully. Fluttershy offered a reassuring smile, obviously hoping for the best. Twilight rolled the scroll with a huff and offered it back to Spike.

"We are to find a teacher the Princess," She explained matter-of-factly. She winced at the resounding "What?!" that came from Rainbowdash. Rainbowdash stared at Twilight incredulously.

"Why come here for that? There's tons of ponies in Canterlot that could help her isn't there?" Twilight huffed and took the scroll in her magic grip again.

"There is, but I believe the princess just feels indebted to us. Here"

"Dearest Twilight, Fluttershy, Rarity, Rainbowdash, Applejack, and Pinkie Pie,

I apologize if this letter comes at an inconvenience but I am in need of your assistance. Due to my exile I have lost touch with much of the world and it's new customs. When I had been sent off much of what is here today was just a concept. I come to you out of concern about my abilities to properly engage with other ponies. If the occasion were to occur where I would have to take the head of the kingdom, I worry I would be a mere shadow compared to my sister in my abilities of dealing with the citizens. I want to be a successful leader, but I doubt I would be anything but a blight on Equestria's history if I were to do it now with my current knowledge. I am trusting you six and your town because in my sister's words I "owe you some time" and I trust you deeply now that you have given me my redemption. I believe that I can only truly have faith in Ponyville. My sister and I both agree that I need help from an ordinary pony, not a teacher who will bombard me and possibly be untruthful of my progress. Celestia says that I need to leave the castle every once and awhile as well and learning here would compromise that idea. I am aware at how inconvenient and ridiculous it seems for me to learn miles away from here when I live in the capital but as I said before, my sister says this will be the best option for me. She has a faith in you all and I trust her and her opinion full-heartedly. Even so, I can understand if you don't want to teach me personally. I am aware you all have occupations and lives of your own so if you are unable to teach me yourselves, I will accept whoever you recommend to me. I trust your judgement and will not be angry with your decision no matter what it may be. I know none of you would choose poorly as a joke. I have a strong belief that you want what is best for each and every pony, which leads me to trust you with such an important task.

I will be in Ponyville for a month starting next week. On my last three days my sister will arrive to socialize with the townspeople and see my progress. I am giving you this week to prepare everyone and everything. I know it will be no easy task choosing my mentor either, so I deemed it better to give you time to prepare rather than coming there now myself. Please send me any further letters if you have any concerns about my trip. So, to summarize: Due to culture shock, I will be visiting and training under the pony of your recommendation. This is under my own free will, so i entrust you with choosing my "mentor" of sorts.

With my deepest regards,
Princess Luna"