In her tower, the Princess of the night paced. The events she had witnessed left no doubt in her mind that there was indeed a solution to her problem. Glancing at her mirror again, frozen with the image of her sister and the colt Dusk Shine, she tried to clear her thoughts. Instead, only the terrible buzzing lurked around the edges of her mind.

Must we pay for our sins forever? she mused, before opening the door to her balcony and stepping out into the cool night air. Above her, the stars wheeled in a dance to music only she could hear. The moon, once adorned with the face of the Mare in the Moon, now hung quietly over the mountains far to the west of Canterlot. Below, the city was quiet. A metropolis the capitol of Equestria never truly slept in this day and age. Once again, she marveled at how foolish she had been. Only a few more decades, a few more centuries, and she would have had her dream: ponies enjoying her lovely nights. Even now, her sharp ears could pick up the distant wub-wub of the nightclub owned by that curious mare, Vinyl Scratch.

Though the cool air provided a moment of peace, soon enough the oppressive weight of her geas pushed down. For a few more moments, she fought it. She was a noble, an Alicorn of the most ancient blood, born of the First Ones penned into creation by long-forgotten gods. However, she was also a mare with needs, needs that she was now well aware a certain young colt could satisfy... if he was strong enough.

But how shall we get to him? His only interests are the study of Magic and Friendship... she thought, before inspiration struck her like a hammer. Her lips curling up into a smile, she finally began to execute her half-baked plan. Picking up her quill, a primary feather from a long-defeated Gryphon Warlord, she dipped it into the ink well and began to write. Her letter was not long.

"Let us see if we remember the Dragonfire Sending spell..." she said to the empty walls, before concentrating. With a burst of green fire, the parchment vanished on its way.

Dusk Shine, the brother of one of the most gifted warriors in the land; son of one of the best writers; and most faithful student of one of the Diarchs of Equestria groaned and face-desked. "Spike... where is our copy of 'A Brief History of Everything, Unabridged' volumes one through seventeen? I don't need the others. I don't think I can figure out how to help the Mayor with the zoning law if I can't remember the history of Ponyville. Maybe we should go talk to Applejack and Granny Smith? They've been living in Ponyville forever, right?"

Spike nodded, tossing another gem into his maw. The ever-hungry dragon looked over at the desk stacked high with books, parchment, quills, books, inkwells, and even more books. "I think so... but haven't you been at this long enough? Celestia told you to take a break!"

Dusk glared at him. "I am taking a break... from my studies. Mayor Mare asked me to look over the new zoning laws, remember? Besides, if I don't figure all of this out in the next two hours, I'll just call it- Spike?"

Spike had stopped listening, instead concentrating on not spitting out a mouthful of razor-sharp sapphire shards as he felt the familiar upwelling of energy that heralded an incoming message. Finally, with a belch to make any grade-schooler giggle, a jet of green flame coalesced into a scroll. Instantly noteable, however, was the seal of the Night Court, rather than Celestia's signet. Snatching it from the air with the ease of years of practice, he slit the seal before unrolling the scroll.

To Thee Dusk Shine,

Since our return from exile, we have looked upon you and observed your studies in Friendship and Harmony. Though mine sister has spent many hours extolling your intelligence, sensitivity, and dedication, We realize that We have yet to truly spend any time together since last Nightmare Night (For which We thank thee dearly for helping us bond with Our subjects). Nearly a year ago thou saved Us from Our own dark past and cleansed Our form of the dark taint upon us. Now that We have 'settled in', as mine sister is fond of saying, We believe that it is overdue for us to meet. As mine sister has given thou leave from thy studies, We do hereby extend thee an invitation to thee to visit Our chambers in Canterlot Palace.

Mine sister informed Us that We may require some method or motivation to entice thee to come to Canterlot. Thus, We would be honored to tutor thee in several arts that Our sister lacks any ability to practice. If, as the ponies say today, the forbidden fruit is the sweetest, then perhaps this knowledge may tempt thee?

The debt that We owe to Thee cannot be easily repaid, but We wish to be allowed to try.

Princess Luna

Dusk read and re-read the letter several times, before turning it over to see if anything was on the other side. It was... rather short. Though he had only ever met Princess Luna in passing, she seemed both distant and formal. Her legendary cool attitude towards both her servants and her detractors had merited her the moniker "Ice Queen" behind her back. His cheeks tinged a light red as he recalled another rumor: that it was due to being 'pent up' from one thousand years on the moon. Still... the rumors he remembered best were from history. Supposedly, she was the first being on her level of power to consort with Demons from Tartarus. Supposedly, she had created the magic now used in summoning rituals... and that she, as Nightmare Moon, had called forth legions from the underworld to do her bidding in the Lunar Rebellion. This was an area of magic he had never explored... for good reason. Being banished to the moon would be pleasant compared to the fate in store for those caught dabbling in Necromancy and Diabolism.

"Spike, it looks like Princess Luna wants to see me in Canterlot. Maybe while I am there I can pick up a copy of "Residential Regulations" from the Royal Archives. Would you be okay on your own for a couple of days?"

Spike nodded, a bit too quickly. "Of course! You can count on me. After all, I AM your Number One Assistant, right?"

Dusk rolled his eyes. "Yes Spike. You are my Number One Assistant. I don't suppose your eagerness to have Discord, Big Mac, and Rumble over for Ogres and Oubliettes has anything to do with it?"

Spike gave a deadpan look. "I can neither confirm nor deny the existance of an Ogres and Oublietts group."

Dusk Shine groaned and facepalmed. "I swear, this bucking town."

After FINALLY getting a decent night's sleep, with surprisingly pleasant dreams, Dusk Shine spent a quick morning packing a light travel bag before getting a train ticket to Canterlot. Though the ride was short, on this day the car happened to be packed with a large number of ponies heading to Manehatten, and most of them had the "Manehatten Attitude", right down to the absolute lack of manners. For a Unicorn who preferred solitude, Dusk Shine was uncomfortably cramped into a corner seat next to a large Minotaur who seemed unaware of his musk emanating over poor Dusk, causing him to wrinkle his nose.

Once there, however, he finally got a chance to breath the air of Canterlot, Crown Jewel of Equestria and the most prosperous city on Equiis. A short cab ride later, and he found himself at the gates to the palace. Surprisingly, it was not Gleaming Shield on duty today, but some lunar pegasus named Nightstep. As it was still daylight, the poor batpony was struggling to stay awake behind his desk, eyes drooping and ears folded back against his head. Not wishing to bother the guard, Dusk waved his Royal Warrant and trotted by, nodding as the guard saluted sluggishly and resumed his post. Dusk made a mental note to mention it to his sister next time they met... though the thought of her, as always now, brought a tinge of pink to his cheeks.

Finally, he stood outside the chambers of the Princess of the Night. To his surprise, the guard at the door ushered him in immediately, only for Dusk to find that the room was empty of Alicorn. Not even glancing back as the door behind him closed, Dusk instead focused his gaze upon the desk, upon which there was a single book, bound with a chain, and with a small card bearing his name upon it.

Walking over hesitantly, Dusk eyed the strange tome. The chain wrapped around the book glowed with a magical aura while the book itself gave off an ominous red hue. On the card was a short note:

Dusk Shine-

We have been summoned to assist at Day Court for a few hours. We shall return shortly. Please, make thyself comfortable in Our quarters. This book is for thee, and contains a spell not for the faint of heart.

-Best Princess

Setting the note aside, Dusk Shine looked instead at the book. The enchantment on the chain was a simple seal, meant more to alert someone that it has been tampered with than to stop said tampering. Wrapping it in his magenta field, he gave a short incantation. The magic on the chain was not even close to a mach for his, and he smiled as it simply crumbled to dust.

What happened next was difficult to recall, yet impossible to forget.

The book screamed. With a shriek that would have been more at home in the mouth of a small filly, he stumbled backwards while an unholy wail filled the room. In a mad panic, he scrambled backwards until his head hit something hard, and his horn spat a few sparks in response before his groping hands clutched the edge of the bed. Pulling himself up as his heart pounded, he peered at the accursed book again. The screaming began to fade to silence, and after only a few moments the only sound in the room was his heavy breathing... and two girlish giggles.

Slowly turning around, still tense, Dusk Shine saw a glamour fade, revealing Princess Luna and Gleaming Shield grinning at him. "Thy sister was correct, young Shine. The look on thine face was indeed without price!"

"Priceless, princess. Priceless is how you say it" chided Gleaming Shield, stepping forward. "I'd love to stay and enjoy your humiliation a bit longer, little brother, but I have to go rescue poor Nightstep from daylight. Toodles!"

Dusk sputtered as she clapped him on the shoulder and kissed his cheek on her way by before leaving. Princess Luna, however, simply waved her hand, causing the book to vanish. It was a few moments before Dusk found his tongue again. "P-p-princess... W-why?"

She tilted her head, looking quizzically at him. "Was it not thine cohort, Pinkamena Pie, who claimed that it was fun to be scared? And do not thy compatriots Rainbow Dash and Pimkamena both 'prank' and engage in practical jokes? Was this not appropriate?"

Finally, his heart subsided a bit. "I... I never expected it from you."

Her smile was now from ear to ear. "Nopony ever does. We apologize if Our prank was in poor taste... but we hope it works as well on Our Sister."

After a moment, her smile subsided a bit until she stepped forward, looming over Dusk by a full six inches. "We are... pleased that thou came so soon. Thy sister predicted you would, but we... have been let down before. But first, a debt must be settled."

Dusk started to speak to deny that thanks were needed, but before he could, he found himself folded in a tight hug. To his chagrin, his face was pulled directly into her bust as her wings wrapped around him. "We can sense thy hesitation. The deed thou performed... thou could have smote Our ruin in the old Everfree Castle, or even simply banished or sealed Us. Instead... thou cleansed Us. Thou saved Us. Because of you, Nightmare Moon shall never again attempt to rule."

It was nearly ten seconds before she pulled away, setting her hands on his shoulders. "I think it is time to explain a few things, however. You have faced many threats so far, but you will soon face a much greater test. Mine sister has forbidden Us from speaking of it further. For now... We hope to be able to help you. Perhaps though," she said, wrinkling her muzzle, "Thou should avail thyself of the water closet?"

Dusk's face reddened as he remembered that he currently smelled like a train, and a Minotaur's armpit. Nodding, he stepped back a pace before setting his bag down on the end of the bed. "I thought I might be spending a couple of nights here at the castle?"

Luna nodded. "Indeed. Thou shalt be our guest for the next two nights or so. Demonology is not an easy thing to get into or understand. Now go, and refresh thyself. We shall prepare for this evening's tasks. Night Court is out of session until Winter, and We... I... look forward to spending time with thou."

Author's Note

I spent about four hours looking up the Middle and Old English variants to figure out how Luna might speak.

In the end I gave up.

Before anyone gives me crap over "You keep capitalizing We, Us, Our, and Mine", remember: They are being used as Royal Pronouns (the 'royal we').

We are not apologizing.