To Fix a Broken Soul

Chapter 7 - A Grave Mistake

Luna couldn't sleep.

Horrible plaguing nightmares tormented her head, the few moments of real sleep that she collected not being enough to support her the next day.

The whispers spoke to her, speaking horrible tauntings, snide remarks and sometimes even suggestions, including quite detailed descriptions of the gore involved.

Luna couldn't tune it out. It was at the forefront of her mind, a voice whispering to her cranium that she couldn't grasp herself.

She kept refusing it mentally and even out loud, and that only served to anger it.

It decided to torment her again.

Luna was addressing her guards. Stalking slowly down with fake attention, she looked awake, unless you looked at the heavy bags under her eyes.

“You are all dismissed.” Luna waved a hoof and the guards dispersed. She sat down on a bench in the small room, gazing at the door where the guards were exiting.

A dull throbbing at the back of her mind began worsening. She rubbed her temple with a hoof, trying to massage the pain away. It didn't stop.

A feeling set into her jaw, and it tightened against her upper lip. Luna paid no notice to the odd feeling before she spoke with a voice that she wasn't in control of.

“You, stay here for a minute,” Luna said to a bat pony. Outside, Luna remained stoic and rigid.

Inside, her mind was racing. She wasn't in control of herself! She tried to tug at the chains holding her from self control, and eventually relented as the bat pony stood at attention in front of her.

Suddenly she lunged, slamming the bat pony to the ground. She lost most of her senses, leaving her to only hear as a sharp crack, a blood-curdling scream and the sound of something like a banana being squished. She resisted against the invisible chains again. This time she felt something click and her senses flooded back to her.

She was staring forward, looking at the door. Luna blinked and shifted her weight on her hooves. An odd squelch noise sounded beneath her. Her eyes wandered down to her hooves, which felt wet. Her eyes flew open and her stomach began to swim circles at the sight.

Her hoof… was in his skull. She had cracked straight through the skull.. and…

She tugged her hoof out. It was a bad idea. The previously covered view was now out in the open. It was horrifying.

She gagged and averted her eyes as the doors slammed open. She could hear the sound of a single set of hooves running across the surface.

“What did you do?” Oh no. That was Celestia.

“Luna, WHAT THE FUCK?” she yelled, and Luna's ears flopped downwards at the sudden loud shout.

“I… I wasn't in control again…” Luna started, but was shut off by Celestia.

“I can't believe you've done this,” she said, “Do you realize how much trouble this is going to cause you? What about me? This is going to be serious-”

“SHUT UP!”

Celestia stopped speaking and stared at Luna, mouth wide open. Luna’s eyes were full of rage, her mouth curved in a frown.

“You… don't care about my condition, do you?” Luna asked.

“Of-of course I-”

“No you don't,” said Luna, “Because if you did, you'd know that there is something that takes control of me. The fact you are oblivious to it shows how little you care.”

She teleported away in a flash, reappearing in her bedroom. She let out a breath, then sucked in another.

Luna growled in frustration. “Why can’t anypony listen to me! Celestia doesn't care!”

In instinct, she pushed out of her room and knocked on Shining Star’s door. On the third she stopped with her hoof on the door, and a sigh escaped her lips.

“Oh, who am I kidding… he ran off with that mare.” Luna padded back to her room.

She got to work on removing the now-dried blood off her forehooves. Scrubbing at the fur, she thought back to the moment she teleported away.

Wait.

Luna looked in the mirror. She still had her broken horn.

But isn't magic with a broken horn impossible? Luna dismissed it as Celestia teleporting her instead,as that was the most viable option at that point, and went back to scrubbing her hooves.

Finally done with her job after a half hour of scrubbing, she stood and prepared to leave the bathroom.

Luna took a glance in the mirror as she went out the doorframe and did a double take, looking in the mirror.

“Hello, Lulamoon,” said Nightmare Moon.

That was definitely her. The black coat and purple mane were hard to miss.

“Why are you here?” Luna seethed, and the creature laughed.

“I'm just checking up on you after you killed that pony,” she said, “Besides, you do realize I've been the one on this the entire time, right?”

Luna's jaw dropped. “You're not the voice.”

“Yes I am!” Nightmare yelled, “and you do not have enough to withstand me now!”

Luna scoffed. “Like that time you dropped me? You didn't gain control.”

“Oh, that is hilarious. You think anypony cares if I take over? Celestia doesn't give two shits. I just put the icing on the cake!” Nightmare smiled, her sharp teeth glinting. “You’re going to give in soon enough, I know it. Without your precious stallion to protect you, what are you going to do?”

“Celestia will listen about you, Nightmare Moon,” spat Luna, “she knows that you are trying to resurface.”

Nightmare only cackled, and faded away, leaving Luna to stare at her own reflection in the mirror. She sighed and walked to her bed, laying on it and letting her thought stew.

The door to the hotel room was pushed open, and two figures padded tiredly into the room.

The bustling town of Trottingham, even at night, was as vibrant as ever, the sound coming from the city muted by the pane of glass

The light flicked on, the hum of magic applying a small spell into the glass sphere. The room was bathed in light, and the two ponies tossed their bags on a small armchair.

“That was fun!” said Emerald, a smile piercing the tired expression, “we have to go see her again when we can!”

The two had gone to see a concert - keeping mind of their budget, of course, - and Emerald thoroughly enjoyed it.

“You may have enjoyed it, but I am mostly neutral,” Shining Star half-muttered. He flopped onto the unmade bed and spaced out, his eyes squinting in tiredness. He yawned and rubbed an eye with a fetlock, but jerked back awake due to Emerald shaking his head with magic.

“You dolt. Stay up for a little longer.” Emerald gently lifted him with magic and placed him next to her, on a chair facing the window overlooking the city.

“It's been a great week, hasn't it?” she mused, watching the ponies bustle below, “It's almost like we left only yesterday.”

She looked at Star. “It's been an awesome experience, hasn't it?”

Star nodded.

“Just… right now, I feel kind of… unsatisfied. Like there's just one more piece to the end of the puzzle, but you lost it,” Emerald said, scratching the back of her head with a hoof.

Saying the two’s relationship has come far was an understatement. The two understood each other. Emerald, being Star’s only friend besides Luna in Canterlot, and Emerald, because Star kind of… brought her out.

It was hard to admit it, but they were incredibly close.

Star slumped slightly, and his head fell back onto Emerald’s shoulder. Said mare gasped, but smiled warmly as she heard him snoring softly.

Instead of carrying him to bed, she slung a hoof over his neck and placed it on his right shoulder. Star sleepily sighed and shifted slightly.

“This is nice,” he mumbled, already half asleep.

Emerald glanced at him. A lone eye was cast in her direction, lazily moving slightly to affix on her face.

Emerald kind of felt fuzzy - she knew it well, the feelings inside her. She knew of her attraction to the stallion, but he just wanted to slow things before she took it past the level they were on.

She surprised herself and Star when she leaned in and nuzzled his left cheek, rocking her head and feeling the friction of the fur. Colour rushing to her cheeks, she squeaked and pulled back.

Why did she do that? It's the opposite of taking things slowly.

She threw her head back and let out an easily audible sigh. Star jerked and murmured again as his eye reopened and glanced at her.

“Why'd you stop?” he asked quietly.

That brought the colour back into her cheeks as she stammered for a response. “I-I don't want to take anything too fast… I'm not sure-”

“Shhh,” Shining Star shushed the mare, “Don't make what you say too cheesy.”

The two shared a chuckle, and Emerald continued.

“I, uhh, have never met somepony that brought me out like you did. Since I worked at the castle as an event organiser, I didn't get much exposure to other ponies… and here we are,” she chuckled, “maybe you and I, could, uhh… try to see if this would work? Between us?” Emerald let out a sigh.

Shining smiled. “Even though I've only known you upwards of a few months, we've hit it off so well that I'm not to surprised this isn't happening.

“Regardless, your idea sounds good. We can do it.”

Emerald felt a weight come off her shoulders, and she gazed at the stallion. She leaned her head forward and nuzzled him again, pressing her cheek against his.

“Thanks,” she murmured, “that was a weight I needed off my shoulders…” she pulled back, her cheeks flushed once again. She opened her maw and took in a long intake of breath, then let it out in a yawn.

Blinking at Shining Star, she said, “We should go to sleep.”

Nightmare Moon was relentless. She never stopped trying to convince Luna to turn to darkness.

Luna tried her hardest not to do so. She knew that letting her guard down would certainly end in a bad situation.

Luna had finished a meal and was heading to her chambers, out onto her balcony so she could enter the dream realm. She was certain Nightmare Moon could not penetrate her in that state.

Luna watched as lights flicked off inside houses, and the city of Canterlot grew quiet.

Despite her horn being severed, her image abilities could still tap into the magic realm of dreams. The world fell apart around her as black crept up every surface, and Luna felt herself touch the smooth glassy substance that appeared under her hooves here.

She knew she wasn't alone right from the start. She quickly turned raised a hoof to parry a lunge from Nightmare Moon, who gave up after that.

“I made it!” she cried, “You are in serious trouble now!”

Luna rolled her eyes. Nightmare would be stupid as to try to do anything right now. Luna could easily do anything within her imagination to stop her.

“You must see, Luna. Even your student has strayed to new thoughts,” Nightmare Moon hovered a dream over to Luna.

“He dreams of the mare. It's quite obvious he's rather infatuated with her,” said Nightmare, “maybe he'll spend more time with her than you. Maybe he will forget about you in the fruitless pursuit of love.”

“Silence, you imbecile,” Luna growled, “Shining Star is a friend of mine. He wouldn't betray me like that. I need him to be stable!”

“That's the problem, see,” said Nightmare Moon, “But for you to continue your time with him, you may need to eliminate the competition.”

“Competition?” Luna shouted, “Why you-”

“Oh, my, by the way you're reacting it's like you are attracted to him yourself! Don't worry, I know that's not the truth, but the implied meaning is more important.

“Without Shining Star you are nothing. Just a hornless wreck. He won't attend your little lessons you do. He will be too busy sleeping with that excuse. You need to stop it before that happens.”

Nightmare Moon smirked as a number of emotions ran across Luna’s face. It eventually set on a face of conceit.

“This is a losing battle…” began Nightmare. She moved up to Luna and dragged an armour-clad hoof up her chin.

“Why not just end it sooner and spare all the pain? I'll just take care of her, and I'll throw in all of Equestria to boot.

“You only need to let me in,” Nightmare finished, “Just do it fast.”

Luna felt the world contract around her. The glowing orbs of pony dreams disappeared, winking out like stars in the transition from night to day. Luna lowered her head, and began to leak tears as her mind crumpled. She collapsed on her knees as Nightmare Moon laughed maniacally.

The scene shut off. Luna was alone. A small sphere sat on a simple wooden table, gentle magic flowing around it and keeping it afloat. Luna padded up to the sphere and peered in.

She got a good view of the balcony of her castle. She gasped as the vision shifted, as if the pony’s head was moving.

The next morning…

Celestia was worried. Luna was late for breakfast. She usually wasn't after she returned and that worried her.

Celestia was walking to Luna’s quarters. Multiple thoughts and ideas raced through her mind at what possibly could have happened.

Of course, all of them went out the window when she let herself in.

“Hello, Celestia.”

Celestia stopped in her tracks and stared at the cobalt black alicorn before her. Her face fell and paled, and she shrunk back in fear.

“No…” she whispered, then teleported away to her study. She whisked out a paper parchment and wrote a message.

Dear Twilight,

There is an emergency. You will need the Elements of Harmony when you get here. Bring all six of you. Nightmare Moon is back.

Princess Celestia

She rolled it up and set it aflame with green fire, the floating ash and smoke drifting out the window. She wrote a similar message for Shining Star and sent that in the same scrawled, messy cursive.

“You can't escape me!” a voice sounded from outside the door, and Princess Celestia had no time to react as Nightmare Moon came crashing through the doors, barreling into her.

Celestia charged her horn, but it was snuffed by Nightmare Moon’s hoof. The dark alicorn tried to go for another blow to crush it, but Celestia ducked her head out of the way in time. The hoof met the marble with enough force to crack it.

Celestia teleported out of the way, immediately shooting a long magic blast at Nightmare. Nightmare put up a magical barrier and flicked it, parrying it with enough accuracy to rebound it into Celestia’s horn. Celestia couldn't dodge her own magic, and she felt the magic enter her horn and backfire her system. Electricity coursed through her and she collapsed in pain, convulsing as she screamed.

Nightmare, cleverly, had put up a soundproofing barrier as to not alert the guard. The ones outside were… taken care of. She lit up her horn and lifted Celestia, who was still writhing in pain, and created a magical cage before throwing her in a well hidden corner. Celestia kicked and screamed against it but no sound came out.

“I have a bone to pick with you later, Celestia,” said Nightmare, “but you need to be alive. Consider yourself lucky.” She cantered out the room, leaving Celestia stuck in the magical cage.

Star and Emerald were on the train when the letter came.

Instead of sitting across from each other, the two were now sitting close together, close enough that one of them twisting would brush their fur against the other.

Of course, most of it was them just leaning against each other, making small talk during the short train ride to Canterlot.

The letter materialised, then flew against Star’s face as the train was still moving. Emerald quickly took it in her magic and ripped open the scroll.

Dear Shining Star,

Luna has become Nightmare Moon. I need you to be here as soon as possible.

Celestia

Emerald’s face blanched. “We have a problem…”

Shining was freaking out. “It's all my fault!” he cried quietly, “Now Equestria is doomed! Why… is the universe against me or something?”

By the magic of convenience, the train whistled as it slowed, pulling into the station. Emerald and Star tugged their luggage with them in their saddlebags, dashing as fast as their legs could carry them toward the castle.

They arrived as six ponies ran into the castle. They glanced at the couple. A purple unicorn asked Star, “Who are you?”

“Luna’s student, Shining Star, and that is Emerald,” Star panted, “We know about the Nightmare situation. Let's go.”

The ponies galloped toward the castle. The six ponies ran off in a different direction to arm themselves with the 'Elements of Harmony' (which they said were the only way to stop Nightmare Moon) and the remaining two ran towards Celestia’s study room to talk to her.

They skidded the corner and ground to a halt. Standing in the hall was a black alicorn, standing at about an extra two heads above them. Her mane was a purplish blue, the odd quality of stars occasionally twinkling in its darkness.

It was Nightmare Moon, and she was pissed.

“You,” she seethed at the pair. Star took a step back, and Emerald did the same. They bumped against a magical barrier of teal blue.

“You two are the reason I couldn't be back so soon!” Nightmare cried. She laughed out loud.

Her laughter calmed. “I shall pertain to Luna’s wish, however.” She charged her horn, the crackle in the hall deafening as she charged her horn with dark magic. Black and purple spots spread across her horn, and it sparked with energy. Purple fire blazed from her eyes.

“Draw!” she yelled, and Star braced for utter annihilation. He peeked open his eyes and they widened in surprise as the bolt of dark energy shot it’s way toward the green mare. Emerald's eyes snapped open and she opened her mouth to yell in surprise when the magic bolt tore into her right flank, the bolt shooting across her side.

Emerald screamed in agony as she collapsed, showing the extent of her injuries to Star as he galloped over to her. She was already bleeding from the wound, sickly dark magic coursing into her insides. Star choked as he looked at the wound. The area where she had been hit had been just removed, leaving an ugly mass of ugly things to look at. Star instead lowered his gaze to Emerald’s face and looked at her in the eyes. A tear began to leak from his eyes at the distant look in his friend’s eyes.

“Emerald?” he choked, “Emerald, are you okay?”

Her eyes flickered to him for a moment. He was told all he needed to know - that she was barely still alive.

He let out a huff. “We need to go... Come on. We'll get you to a doctor.”

Emerald shook her head. She used her unhurt side to prop herself up slightly, and she reached to nuzzle Star’s face.

She pulled back after a while, her eyes slowly starting to turn an inky black. She smiled warmly as her head lowered to the ground.

Sets of hooves alerted him to the presence of the six ponies, who all rounded the corner and saw the scene. Their eyes opened wide and mouths slacked.

“No.” Star said, nuzzling Emerald again as she started to hack violently, and pulled back as a volume of sickly black fluid escaped through her mouth.

“I’ll… be… fine,” she croaked. Her breathing was becoming more short and ragged, and she could feel the reaches of sleep tugging at her.

“No, don't do this so soon,” said Star, shaking her lightly as she laid her head down. Star shoved his head into her neck, starting to cry at an increased pace.

“I… I can't do this, please, not now!” he begged, to no avail as Emerald took a tasked breath and exhaled, a puff of purple-black smoke leaving her body from the expulsion of air.