The Great Equestrian Journey

I watch as the shock mixed with understanding enters Nightmare Moon's face. I didn't quite expect this kind of reaction, only a harsh laugh and a sarcastic remark. But she's surprised.

More emotional than I am, even. I clearly remember trying to shake my sister awake, only to feel her searing-hot head. I thought it was just a fever, but then came the limp movements, the frequent headaches, and the blurry vision. That was when it got too far. That was when she checked into the hospital and they found out that she was sick with something else.

That was a week ago. Everything was such a whirlwind then, but now, as I remember it, it only gives me this feeling of resignation, even though my sister's state isn't yet considered grave.

I usually don't find it thankful that Nightmare interrupts me, but she does so from my memories of the past seven days. "She's...how?"

I meet her cat-like teal eyes. I hate having to pull up the facts as well. "That changeling was the first to die from the sickness Luna has."

Nightmare's voice becomes a touch frantic. "Do you know what it is?"

I thought I knew. "I thought...you were responsible for it."

Something else enters Nightmare's expression...I can't even think what it is, because it would be one of the many unpredictable things that has happened to me. But now it's too evident. It's the furrow of a brow, the intake of breath when you're accused of something you wouldn't do because...because you were once the victim. Because she knows Luna.

And she cares about Luna.

I don't know why I'm about to do this, but if Nightmare's feelings are true, it's the best thing to do. "But, judging by what the guard told me about your reaction to the changeling, you're not responsible. And that's why..." I swallow. I keep reminding myself that this is the best thing to do, this is the best thing to do, this is the best thing to do. "And that's why I'd like your help."

When she doesn't move or speak, I continue. "You witnessed firsthoof how you can die as a victim of this disease. We need all the help we can to save Luna and the other Equestrians, seeing as the disease has somehow spread to the public."

Nobody moves. The clock in my head ticks.

"I..."

Please. Please help me.

"I'm not sure."

I don't feel defeated. She said something that basically translated to 'maybe'. I just need to make that maybe a yes.

"I would really appreciate it," I reply, trying not to sound like I'm pleading. "We need all the help we can."

"And who's we?"

"Me and the team of doctors. They know about you."

Nightmare's face is blank for an instant. I can see the gears in her head turning, slowly, inch by inch. "I'll think about it."

I want to tell her to think about it hard. But she's watching me expectantly, like she's daring me to not spare her. She still hates me, even if I want Luna alive and healthy. So I back out the door.

She doesn't even make a move to come after me. I enter a code beside the door, and as it shuts, I spot her expression, sadder this time. The door shuts and locks.

_____

"And did you say pretty please?" Discord says, pointing a pen at me. I forgot to tell Nightmare that he was eager to help.

"I did," I reply flatly.

"And she said she'd think about it. What a jerk." Discord takes a sip of his coffee--decaf.

For some unexpected reason, I want to defend her. "Not really. I'm pretty sure she will think about it hard."

Discord takes another exaggerated slurp. "She'd better."

I stare at my own coffee. I watch the cream in the dark abyss. The clock in my head has been ticking and ticking ever since talking to Nightmare. More like a bomb.

"CeCe?"

I shake my head from my thoughts. "What?"

"Have you told Luna?"

I can't believe I forgot about my own sister. Sick sister. "I told her about finding Nightmare, but not about the decision to come."

"Then go tell her!"

The cream fascinates me again. I should tell her, but I stay rooted to the chair. I have no idea what's been wrong with me these days. Actually, I do. It's tough to admit it, but I'm quite depressed, with my sister's fate looking even more grim each and every day. I find out I've been contradicting myself. I still talk about this situation a lot, yet I claim others distract me.

It's without hesitation now that I stand up and trot briskly towards the doors. "Good idea."

I push the doors open and walk out into the hall. It's then that I decide to teleport; it's quicker that way.

I'm used to the fizzy, slightly nauseous feeling of teleportation, but today, much like the past week, it feels new. I find myself outside the doors to the castle's hospital wing.

I push open the doors, and I immediately fix my eyes on the room at the end of the hall. The mare at the reception desk greets me, then goes down the hall unlocks the door to the room. I follow her and tell her thanks. I walk in to see my sister.

Luna is hooked up to what seems to be millions of tubes, but must only be a dozen. She opens her eyes just a tired, meaningless sliver, but my heart does what it usually does: breaks.

I approach her bedside, and we grab each other's hoof. With my magic, I drag over the chair and then sit down so that I'm nearly level with Luna, who's only elevated a tiny bit.

"Hey," she croaks. I smile, and my eyes water a teensy bit. At least she can still talk.

I grip her hoof tighter, like I'll squeeze some life back into her. "Hey right back."

Luna chuckles, but it turns into a few small wheezes that seem huge to me. Then she turns over with some difficulty. "Any news?"

I nod, even though the news isn't very optimistic. "Nightmare woke up. I talked to her."

"And?" I bet Luna is expecting something drastic, so I shake my head.

"She looked surprised to know that you're sick. So I..." Oh no--I haven't told Luna about my intent to recruit Nightmare to help. She'd probably be mad, at me or Nightmare. Likely, she'll be willing to rip Nightmare's head off.

Luna frowns. "So you...

I say it before I can stop myself. "Tried to get her to help."

The look Luna gives me is a mix of shock and disgust, but, thankfully, not rage. "She wants to help? But isn't she responsible for--" Luna holds up a limb with three different tubes in it "--this?"

I shake my head. "I told you, she looked surprised when she saw the changeling die. It was genuine."

"She's a liar," Luna remarks.

I nod reluctantly. "I know. But she...didn't seem to like watching that changeling die. She was so shocked she could barely fight the guards when they caught her."

Luna softens, but just a tiny bit, like she doesn't quite believe even me. "So what did she say about helping?"

"She said she will think about it."

Luna subtly rolls her eyes. "Of course she did."

"But I could see in her face that she would." I hope that's what I saw. Sadness, gears turning, shock...

And the gears seem to turn in Luna's head too. She turns to me with a particular look in her eye. "You think you could use this chance to...reform her?"

I never even thought of that, but it sounds like a great idea. Only--how will I do it? Nightmare will be resistant. And I don't want to use Luna's sickness over her.

Except she might change willingly. It's near impossible, but I've seen the way Nightmare cares about Luna; at least, the gist of it.

Changing willingly seems like the best option. I should know firsthoof. I've changed, too. So has Luna, in a dire way.

And, if we don't act fast, Equestria.