months before the pit fight at the crystal empire.

“Walking” through the shapeless realm of the dreamscape always brought a sense of peace within Luna. Feeling the loud colors brush her mane wild, and to feel the singing path beneath her hooves was true bliss for a pony in a big need of relaxation such as her. it was a much grateful break from the monotony of running a kingdom, with all of that detestable paperwork and other bureaucratic duties, but mainly the paperwork.

Seriously, luna often joked to her sister, in her much younger and naive years, that singing papers all day couldn't be that bad. There was no way that could even be considered a nuisance. If anything that should be the easiest part of ruling a whole country, right?

Now, as the co ruler of equestria, she was seriously considering banishing herself back to the moon. The crippling isolation and silence from that grey rock was looking more and more appealing than that accursed paper torture. At this point, actual torture is starting to look like a more attractive way of passing her time.

Sure, she was being a tad bit dramatic, but come on! You’d have to see those mountains of paper to understand her pain. On a good day, they were taller than her actual tower-chambers. On a bad day, well...the least the thought about that the better, least she starts to consider death as another escape route for such torment.

Not that what she was about to do was any better. Which is why she tries to, at least, enjoy her journey towards the deepest parts of the dreamscape.

Speaking of it, the dream realm was as busy as ever, never staying in a single form, always shifting and changing. Nothing new for the princess of the night.

Of course if you were said princess ,there was nothing bizarre or unpredictable in such place.

Then again, one wouldn't be able to see or sense the complicated patterns and connections that made up such a realm unless one were a multidimensional being capable of undertaking an ethereal transformation, such as the one luna was currently undergoing while inside said dimension.

It was frustrating thing, trying to explain to other ponies how such a thing was possible, even to the smartest and wisest of ponies. The best luna could to, in terms of explanations, was saying that this was the place everypony went after dark. The place where dreams and nightmares met and she, as the princess and ruler of the night, was the one in charge of maintaining harmony and order there. As such, she had special privileges in controlling such a domain, allowing her to do the things many others found incredible and downright impossible.

That was the simplified, mediocre, answer she gave to her subjects. The truth was way more complex and rather overwhelming, even to her.
To make a very, VERY, long story short, the “real” world and the dreamscape where intertwined. Inverted and twisted reflections of one another.The actions and events occurring in one could affect the other. Granted, the rates at which the effects take place between the two vary a lot. Time was irrelevant in the dreamscape after all. One cannot survive without the other. One representing reality, the other representing all that is not reality. All the things that transcend it reside there.

More than dreams, the dreamscape housed all manner of concepts, such as ideas, emotions, memories, stories and a bunch of other metaphysical crap she hadn't even begun to explore.
Those with more free time in their hooves than her have argued and theorized that, within the realm of dreams,magic itself originated, alongside the concept of the soul, and even the gods themselves, took shape within the non existent walls of the dreamscape. So far however, the evidence to support such a claim has yet to appear before her.

Moreover, it was thanks to her alicorn nature that allowed her to enter the realm, while also adapting to its ethereal nature. Physical bodies could not survive for long here without risking iminent deterioration and eventual fusion with the realm. She could imbue others with a protective barrier, protecting their corporeal bodies but it was impractical considering everyone could enter at any time in their sleep. It is a forever opened realm for everypony in equestria and beyond. But it wasn't without it's dangers, hence her responsibility and duty of maintaining some semblance of order in the dreamscape.
She dreaded to think of all the dangers and evils that lurked in the corners of the dream realm, nightmares being nothing but a minor inconvenience in comparison to what lurked in the shadows. Preventing such dangers from leaking into the waking world was just one of her labors.

One single drop of such evils escaped the dreamscape long ago into the waking world and it was one of her biggest shames and regrets.

“Speaking of evil things that bring me shame, it’s about time i paid her a visit”, luna bitterly said to herself, her voice echoing through the shifting mass of colors and shapes.

The deeper one went into the dreamscape, the farther one went from dreams and ideas, and entered into the domain of nightmares, obscure thoughts, and sealed up things, chained up by luna herself to prevent them from making havoc in the sleeping minds of her subjects or to escape into the waking world via her ponies.

Many of the trapped creatures here didn't have a distinctive shape to categorize them. They were simply shapeless accumulations of negative energy that only took shape once they entered into the nightmares and dreams of the sleeping citizens of equestria.

But this isn't where she wants to be. No… she must dwell even further.

Going beyond the captive creatures, into a space within the dreamscape devoid of even the resemblance of light, there she stood, chained with invisible binds, Nightmare Moon herself.
Of course, she wasn't on her alicorn form but it was easy to identify her thanks to her bright, serpentine eyes, glaring daggers towards her warden.

“Well, well...if it isn't the gracious princess luna! It must be a good day for the queen of the night to grace me with her presence! Lucky me!”, the venom and sarcasm in her voice was obvious to luna, as it shook her to the core.

“Moon… still as energetic with your response i see. You should work on that sharp tongue of yours, now that you have all the time in the world”. That last part she said with a little smirk at the corner of her mouth. She couldn't help it and while she couldn't see the scowl she knew would have formed on nightmares moon face, the narrowing on her eyes was the reward she got.

“Well, you know me. It is a little hard for me to work on my tongue when the only one i can talk to is myself. But you would know all about loneliness and isolation, wouldn't you?”

“It is exactly why i know of that that i tell you. You are trapped for good in here. No spell can free and no pony can break those bindings but me. At the very least you should try to change your attitude. You are not going anywhere”.

“Is that a fact? Cause, if memory serves me right, there were those who thought that the peace brought by the sister princess would never fade. That their beloved rulers would never dare rase their hoof against them. You sure showed them though, huh?”

“It was your twisted, corrupted influence that changed me! If it weren't for you, my little ponies wouldn't look at me with so much suspicion or fright! Even know they keep their distance and distrust my words. The damage you did still lingers on!”

“Oh stop being such a drama queen! We both know that the whole ‘it-wasn't-me-it-was-the-big- bad-shadow-demon’ is a bunch of bull shit! You know exactly what i am, and of where i come from, so you should stop the whole innocent act while you can. You are as guilty as i am, if not more”.

Luna remained silent for a few seconds, a deep frown forming as she dwelled on those words.

Yes, she knew that moon wasn't wrong in her accusation. The dreamscape is a reflection of the waking world, but not as exact and identical as an actual mirror reflection. It was more like a “funny house” reflection. The things found on the realm where always twisted and complete distortions of elements and ideas found in the real world. Nightmare Moon was no different.
It was thanks to her jealousy, her anger, that gave birth to moon in the dream realm. At first it was just a mindless idea. What if her ponies could always enjoy the bliss and beauty of her night? Surely such a gift would be loved and cherished by all her subject right? It would give her the recognition she so rightfully deserved.

And so, the idea began to grow and flourish under her constant nurturing, giving it a mind and soul that where all too identical to her own. But as the being became too infused by her hate and greed, it gained her power and might, making it very difficult to tell which was the one that controlled who. Was it luna the one who dominated the idea or was it the other way around?

Eventually, the idea gained such power and consciousness that it came to impose its will over the princess of the night, succeeding in switching place between them, such that it was luna in the end, who was trapped at the dreamscape, with the idea herself, nightmare moon ,as she got to call herself, at the other side of the wall, running wild with her body.

As you all know, the rest is history.

If only she were a little more strong willed at the time.
If only she wasn't so jealous of her sister and learned to appreciate her duties and privileges more.
If only...all that remained where the “what ifs”. One can't change the past, regardless of their desire to do so.
All a pony could do was to learn from their mistakes and move on, onwards towards a better tomorrow

Yeah! Easier said than done.

“All i wanted was the best for them”.

“Huh?”.
Luna snapped out of her self-hating to look towards her prisoner. The floating eyes seemed to go soft for a fraction of a second, revealing all of the pain and grief she knew she felt.
For a split second, they both connected.

“All i ever wanted to do was give them something that they could enjoy and to call truly my own. A gift that could last forever without losing its charm or beauty. Something truly worthy of the ponies whom i loved so much…”

“I know that is what you wanted...because that is exactly what i wanted. I still do. Even now i wish my subjects could bask on the magnificent shows i put out every single night. Some ponies do enjoy them and i am grateful for that, i really am...but…”.

“It is never enough with just a few…it has to be all of them”.

“Right”.

Silence reigned in the dreamscape for a couple of minutes...or where they hours? It didn't matter. Time didn't matter here.
It was all irrelevant.

“Still...You are awfully talkative today! You usually tend to just...glare angrily towards me. This is real improvement! You might not believe me, but i am glad we have this moments. that you are talking to me in such a cordial matter. This tiny windows are proof that the magic of friendship just might be within our reach after all!”

“Fuck you”.

And just like that the moment was gone and the hate was back. With a vengeance!

“...really? You're going to be like this? We were having a moment!”.

“The only moment i want is the one where i step on your tits while you yell ‘harder master! Harder!’. Mark my words, my day will come!”

“Well, joke’s on you! You don't have any tits!”.

“Joke’s on me!?! Joke’s on you, cause even when i don't have any tits, they are still bigger and better than yours!”

“You take that back you egocentric fart!”.

“Who are you calling fart, you worthless cunt!”

“Better to be a cunt than a formless shit!”.

“You sadistic whore!”

“Evil bitch!”.

“Fuck you!”

“Fuck YOU!”.

Then it happened.

It was hard to describe the sensation but to the two bickering beings in the dreamscape, it felt like a massive pulse resonated all through the realm. Like a powerful heartbeat or a massive wave that clashes against the shore of an island. It sent shivers and tremors all over lunas body, silencing her immediately. Apparently nightmare felt the sensation as well, for her insults halted and instead the two floating orbs winded in surprise and shock.

Not much after the pulse, another thing clashed against the two ponies, just not in the way they expected it.

It was as if her mind ignited into flames, bringing an incredible pain too great to describe.
Her ears began to ring painfully and it was then that she became aware that she was screaming from the top of her lungs.

She was not alone in it, for nightmare was also screeching painfully to the dreamscape, alongside all the trapped creatures alongside her. Their screams, however, were not of pain but rather of excitement.

Like the welcoming salutations of an awaiting army towards their commander.

Images began flooding lunas mind, blinding her eyes and numbing her senses. Images with no apparent or coherent sense.

A meteor falling into a canyon.

A typhoon forming on the horizon.

Ponies of all races battling each other.

A peculiar and strangely familiar bat pony, nursing and caring for a chained human.

A special lavender alicorn adopting that said human.

Humans falling to the ground, dying.

Monsters running wild and fearful into the towns and cities.

And a human in armor, with the same lavender alicorn, fighting an unseen force which consumed all light into its corrupted belly.

Many more visions passed in front of her and, before she knew it, it was over.

Stumbling into the “floor” of the realm, it took luna everything to stand on her legs, her body weak and frail.

Nightmare moon looked even worse for wear, especially considering she was just a mass of energy.

No words where needed. They both knew what each other saw, and neither of them could make any sense about it, even if they tried. The images where already fleeing from their memory, like breath on a mirror.

No amount of magic could bring those visions back. They just knew it.

At that moment they both came to the unnerving realization that their shared space and supposedly private conversation was no longer private.

Even if it was impossible, even if everything within her told her otherwise, luna knew exactly what was wrong.

They were not alone right now.

“You k-know what moon, i… i think this is enough banter for today. I believe it is time i return to my the castle. It is time for Tia to raise the sun”. Luna couldn't keep her voice from shaking or from giving up a sense of fear. It took everything just to keep herself from eying her surroundings suspiciously.

“...yes, that is right. I grow bored of hearing your voice anyway. It takes away from the cold embrace of solitude”. Moon was far better than her in keeping her emotions in control, but even she was eyeing her surroundings in suspicion, her slit pupils becoming even more thinner and pronounced.

Luna nodded to her counterpart, turned around slowly and began her usual way out of the dreamscape, leaving her other half alone with a force she didn't understand. But now was not the time for doubting herself.

Eyes where upon her now and who knows for how long. She needed to act as natural as she could, as to not lose the element of surprise. Whatever was in here, couldn't know they knew about it. Nightmare was perfectly capable of defending herself of what may be lurking in the realm, even if part of her magic was sealed away.

That is just how powerful she was in her place of birth.

Talking to celestia was also a no-no. She needed to handle this quietly, with the least amount of intervention or attention possible. She was the princess of the moon for faust’s sake! She could handle this...whatever this was.
And if not...well, the elements of harmony where not too far away from her reach.
“Luna”

The calm voice of moon stopped her in her tracks, but she didn't turn around. She patiently waited for her shadow to continue.

“Do you remember that bat pony rookie you talked about on your last visit? What was her name?...Celeste Dawn?”

Luna blinked in surprise. That conversation was ages ago. She was surprised nightmare even remembered that. She guessed she really listened to her when she came to visit.

“You should probably send her on a mission far from canterlot. I suppose she has had enough of waiting and training in the castle. It is time to give her some action”

Luna’s eyes winded for a single margin. She knew what moon was doing. That bat pony of her vision looked almost identical to celeste dawn!

But...why? Why her? What did that vision even meant? what relation did it have with whatever was lurking near them as she spoke? Dawn was still a rookie. Granted she had potential and a strong attitude to prove herself but that just might be her hubris, that could very much cost her life in any mission she assigned her.

It was foolish to do such a thing. And yet…

“I'll see what i can do”. And with that, luna banished from sight, and the prison of nightmare moon became lonely once again.

With the the loud colors brushing against her bindings and the singing path beneath her to keep her company, Nightmare began to feel an emotion she had not felt in a very long time, and she doubted it would be the last time she felt it.

Fear.

“I have a bad feeling about this”

Author's Note

dear god! i am very sorry for the delay on this chapter guys! i had a very bad time working on this one, that i had safe on my pc for quite some time but simply never worked on it as i should. that is no excuse. you guys deserve better and i need to put on more effort into updating as much as i can. still, inspiration is hard to create and there will be days where i simply can't update, regardless of how much i want to. i just ask that you guys have patience and know that i will do my best in giving you guys the chapters you deserve.
sorry if this chapter is too short. i promise next chapter will be longer and definitely more juicer! look up to it!

anyway, i hope you guys like this interlude! interludes on this story will either serve as flashbacks for both the ponies and noah alike, or they will be world building chapters, where we step away from the main story and have a look at either equestria or earth, and all the things that happen in them while the main story happens at the same time. kind of like "meanwhile, at the legion of doom" chapter.
write in the comment section how often do you want to see this interlude chapters and what you guys want to see more in them: flashbacks or worldbuilding?
give me your thoughts and remember! your comments and support can and will change how this story is shaped. you can decide what could happen! probably...if i feel like it.

anyway...hope you guys enjoy the chapter! give me your thoughts and as always, i will see you guys next chapter!

stay frosty!