The Great Equestrian Journey

I have no idea whatsoever why Discord, of all creatures, is here. This is what I tell Celestia when she points him out.

"Because," she responds, "he insisted." From the tone of her voice, she's already exhausted by him. I can surely relate. He is literally bouncing off the walls.

Literally.

I wonder how much insisting Celestia would have gone through, or maybe she just caved in because saying no to him would be terrifying. Either way, Discord, who I'd like to call Chaos Delivery Guy(and yes, I say things like 'guy' now), is coming with us. Which doesn't make me happy. Not at all.

But I chose the wrong time to object. We're going into the Everfree early the next morning, and it's already eight PM. I should get a good night's sleep, right? Except for the fact that I'm basically nocturnal.

Celestia drops me off in my room after going over the whole thing in the boardroom, smiles weakly, and shuts the door behind me.

I keep pacing the room exactly like I did when I was pondering my decision whether or not to help Celestia. I find myself not regretting that decision. After all, Luna, wherever she is, needs help. And I will be there for her. I am almost satisfied with it--

If only Discord weren't breathing on my neck right now.

I stiffen, realize who it is, and roll my eyes. "Dis. Cord."

I can almost hear the volume of his grin as he plops down on my bed and readies his fingers(?) for a snap.

I duck just as an eagle soars over my head and repeat probably everyone's least favorite name. "Discord!"

He laughs, big and boastful, and makes the eagle disappear. An eagle? Now that is random. Why not a good ol' elephant? Why an eagle that could peck my face off?

I unfurl from my crouched position and walk on over to the windowsill, since I would rather not sit in the same bed as Chaos Delivery Guy(I have lost all hope of using my old language). I set my face to stone as I sneer at him with only my eyes. "Why are you here?"

Discord props himself up on one elbow. "I thought I'd throw a little 'Let's Save Luna' party for you."

I grit my teeth. "I need sleep." Not only that. I can tell that he's about to say something entirely personal to me.

"You're very, very close to her. You once were Luna, after all. So why are you helping her? To possess her again?"

I breathe in through my nose, my muscles tense, and my mind begins to come up with a million comebacks. But nothing comes from my mouth. This...it struck close to my heart. Why can't an absolute idiot like him see?

But Discord snickers. "Just messin' with you. Now to be honest I am wondering, but I know you'll only blow off my head."

I decide to try to put him in his place by smiling wickedly and replying, "Watch me."

I begin to conjure a spell that will only make him be sore. I smile wider and wider as I...my magic's not working. My magic is not working.

Discord is enjoying it so far. "Magic's not allowed in here, isn't it?"

"Then how in Equestria did you conjure an eagle?"

Huffing, I face away from him out the window. It's a full moon tonight, one that casts my entire room with a dim glow. I find comfort in it. I know it's not mine anymore, but still. It's mine to me.

A few seconds later, I hear him get off the bed. "Hey, I'm sorry. Learn to take a joke."

I nearly swallow my lips in attempt not to explode. I continue looking at my comfort.

Discord is beside me, looking at the moon himself. Then he nearly shoves me over when he tries to fit his long, slender body on the windowsill. He's hilariously hunched over. I snort at him, and he pretends to be hurt when I know that he's really enjoying it.

It's silent for a moment, and then I steal this chance to run to the bed, jump in, and beat Discord in his own race. He grins at me over his puppy dog eyes.

"Goodnight" I mutter, and yank the covers over my head. I can imagine Discord scheming.

But it's peaceful. And quiet. I have the feeling the ding-dong's left already.

And then a really loud whisper from the windowsill: "Hey, you asleep yet?!"

"UGH."

_____

Discord is officially my alarm clock.

He wakes me up with a "Ya-HOO!" and then informs me that that beautiful aroma is food. I find that he's not kidding. He didn't even touch it with his weird powers.

Next, I search for my armor that I placed under the bed. Except it's not there. I find that Discord is carrying the box it's in.

"Give it back," I demand.

"If you take a shower. You stink."

"Where even is a shower?"

"Mare's room. I know where it is."

I sigh. "I'd have to risk escaping this room to get there."

Discord gives me a weird look. "Since when did the great Nightmare Moon follow the rules?"

"Since when did you know where the mare's room is?"

_____

At least Discord provided a cover for me. I'm back in my room, drying off with a towel. I stow it under the bed so no one will find out. Discord reluctantly gives me my armor since I won't stop pleading with him. Once I'm done putting it on, he insists that I need to see my 'true form' and conjures a mirror.

I smile at my reflection. I look like a true ruler. A feared one. I look like what Nightmare Moon would look like.

_____

We're by the castle gates, Celestia checking in with her personal guard and Discord performing 'magic tricks' for the other guards. They seem to love him; I wonder how they know him. I'm standing by my own--you know why--as Doctor August Sun loads me with saddlebags. "Just some food and equipment for survival."

"Thanks," I mutter.

As Celestia and Discord finish getting ready, I allow myself to drift. I found out I was staying near the hospital wing of the castle--Luna was so, so close.

As I look over there now, I imagine my counterpart. Lying on a bed, surrounded by what must be more advanced things than a millennia ago. She's pale. Skinny. Fragile. Many things, but not well. Not healthy. Not strong enough to support herself. Doctor August Sun and a few other doctors surround her, taking notes. She'll look at them and smile a bit. And then go to sleep. And then wake up. And then go to sleep. And then wake--

"Nightmare Moon?"

I swivel my head towards the voice--Celestia. "What?"

"Are you ready to go?"

Outside, it's clear and beautiful. I can't imagine a world like this being destroyed. I can't imagine Luna being destroyed.

So when I say "Yes", it's the most meaningful word in the world. "I couldn't be more ready."

Celestia nods, the gates open, and we leave.

END OF PART ONE