Vengeance

Chapters

Part I - For a thousand years I've waited
Part III - Infinite Dispise and Endless Jealousy
Epilogue - Luna, Won't You Cry for Me
Part II - Days Turn into Years, and into Centuries

Part I - For a thousand years I've waited

Inspired by the song 'Luna' by Eurobeat Brony.

Celestia...

Use the name.

Hidden far from sight, in the depths of the Everfree forest, lay the ruins of an aging castle. The centuries of rain and weather having reduced its once magnificent walls to rubble. Great halls lay bare, empty of the hundreds that had lived and worked so many generations ago. Gardens overgrown with all manner of plant life, wild and untamed, freed from the tender care of gardeners.

I have to use it, use the pain. Use the memories.

Resting along the northern side of the Courtyard lay the barracks, a flickering torch within the only light source, illuminating a lone pegasus stallion. His black coat shone with sweat, running down and dripping off the two curved blades attached to his wing tips. A vicious snarl plastered itself across his muzzle, teeth bared as he glared down the log, a thick chain attaching it to the last remaining rafter above. Dozens of similar targets were scattered around the room, deep gashes in some, others lying broken in two.

Celestia.....

Warmth. The first thing he felt was the soft warmth of a bright warm day. The sound of flowing water nearby interrupting the empty void. The touch of grass tickling his stomach.

"Did... Did I do it?" a soft, gentle voice spoke from just in front of him.

Unfamiliar muscles twitched, slowly opening his eyelids to the sunlight, the vibrant colours of the world around him temporarily blinding him. Peering back at him, was a young purple filly, her teal eyes full of curiosity, horn softly glowing.

"I did it? I did it. I DID IT!" The curiosity on her face turned to shock, and the quiet foal opened her lungs, wings buzzing in excitement "'TIA! 'TIA COME LOOK! I DID IT! I MADE ONE!"

His wing flickered, droplets of perspiration spraying the wood as the steel found its mark, burying deep.

Celestia.

Much of the day had consisted of the pegasus being checked for deformities, and beginning the slow process of learning to walk. To the mirth of the little alicorn, his timing between steps had taken many hours to perfect, the taste of dirt becoming quite familiar.

As the sun dipped down to the horizon, both ponies rested in the cooling field, watching the beautiful display of oranges and reds. After some time of silence, the young filly turned to the stallion, pointing to herself.

"I'm called Luna, can you say that? Lu...Na"

Mustering up his courage, the black pegasus slowly formed the sounds in his throat. The feeling was weird, alien. "Loo... Nar"

He heard Luna's breath catch in her throat, the excitement in her face that had slowly diminished over the day building again. “And your name is Nimbus. Nim... Bus”

“Nimm... boos” he croaked

A high pitched squeal next to him was the only warning he received before a bundle of excited filly launched itself into him, knocking him to his side. Something he had gotten used to in the short time he’d known her.

"You can talk!" she gushed, tears of joy streaking her face.

He twisted his body, and the other wing sprung into action. The wicked blade followed its counterpart, lodging itself into the log on the opposite side.

CELESTIA!

"Come on Nimbus, bet you can't catch me!" Luna challenged as she galloped over the cloud, her black pegasus friend close behind, hooves kicking up the once undisturbed surface.

The entire day had been one long game, darting through forests, soaring though the skies, laughing without care. Hunger forgotten to the giggling pair, as was common for the many weeks previous, ever since she'd animated him from the soil.

He leapt. Strong stomach muscles curled in, before powerful haunches rocketed his rear hooves out. The inverted buck kick slammed into the target, both daggers burrowing deep trenches into its surface as they pulled free. The building around him groaned as the chain snapped taut, cleanly slicing though its supporting rafter. Launched through the air, the log came to rest embedded in the far wall, showering the area with stone shards.

CELESTIA!

The long trek back to the castle was nearly over, its shimmering walls and towers visible in the bright moonlight, standing regal above the vast Everfree City, capital of Equestria. Tucked securely under his left wing sat a moonflower, purple center giving way to gorgeous blues along the edges. It reminded him of Luna.

A sigh escaped his lips. She'd been acting strange, distant, even towards him. And it caused him no end of worry. In the thousands of years he'd known Luna, he'd never seen the cold that now shone though her eyes. Gazing up at the star filled sky, he gave a silent wish to have her old self back. The happy, love filled filly. Maybe the flower would work as a gift?

A sudden explosion ripped his attention back to the massive castle. The ground rumbled under his hooves, the black of night rearing back as a sphere of fire erupted from the western tower, soaring high into the air. The wooden roof covering Luna's room incinerated instantly, the tower itself knocked from its foundations by the shockwave. As the structure tumbled, a strange black bubble burst from within, only visible against the twinkling stars.

"No..." The moonflower fluttered to the cold ground, left forgotten as fear and shock gripped him, voice little more than a whisper "Please no."

Far above, the two orbs tore through the sky, moving erratically as if jostling for position, looking for any advantage over the other. Celestia moved first, driving her protective field into the bubble surrounding Luna. Lightning streaked across the horizon, the earth splitting into craters when the errant bolts impacted the soil.

"CELESTIA!" A long, drawn out snarl ripped from his throat, throwing himself towards the log, quick beats from his wings propelling him forwards. The wooden target flashed briefly before his eyes, taking the form of a pure white mare, eyes filled with the wisdom of millennia, a soft smile bending her mouth.

The fight between the two goddesses had lasted less than a minute, but the damage was irreversible. The castle lay in ruins, the grounds surrounding the walls destroyed, vast chasms sunk into the earth, and the air itself crackled with unstable magical energies. Even after the battle, undetonated spells still hung suspended mid flight, and the earth shook from after shocks. Hoards of ponies ran through the streets, fleeing the sisters wrath.

Nimbus knew he was risking his life, gingerly trotting through the main gate, but the worry ate at him. He could make out two muffled voices coming from the courtyard, amongst the sounds of evacuating ponies. Unable to make out individual words, he crept closer, avoiding a glowing spell embedded into the stones. Bolts of electricity arced from the unstable spell’s core, leaving scorch marks in their wake.

Reaching the vast archway that lead to the courtyard, it became clear the voices were having a heated argument, both rapidly increasing in volume. Volume far beyond what moral throats could produce. Waves of vibrations shook loose rubble. Pain lanced through his head, his eardrums screaming.

Slumping against the massive arch, he got his first view of the sisters, the only ones left in the courtyard. Both mares were bloodied, deep gashes across their sides, burns and melted fur spread along their skin. From their stances, it was obvious Luna had come out second best, propped up against a fallen statue, left eye swollen shut and a trickle of blood streaking from her lips. Celestia was not in much better shape, shaky legs held her up, a missing ear, breath coming in ragged gasps. Six strange circular stones floated around her, free from any magical glow, seemingly defying gravity on their own.

His hoofs' impact sent a jolt though his body to his flank, the force of his right foreleg cleaving though the mares temple, continuing into the wall behind. Blood splattering across his face, searing and burning into his eyes. The pain was welcomed with open hooves, it's what drove him, kept him moving, training.

The argument between the two living Goddesses reached its peak, the raw force collapsing more of the damaged walls. He was whimpering like a foal now, the throbbing in his head unbearable, panic rising in his chest as Celestia finally reared back.

"ENOUGH!"

Wings extended with a wild fury in her eyes, the elder sisters horn shone, washing the courtyard with pure light. The six stones vibrated violently, adding a loud whine to the chorus of sound. The previously still air, now whipped up into a frenzy, buffeted him with small stones. Ducking his head, cowering behind his hooves to shield it, he could barely make out the prone form of Luna.

The younger alicorn’s face was a mess of emotions, anger giving way to fear, to panic and back to anger. Staggering to her feet, only to tumble back to the earth, she watched with defiant eyes as her opponent’s horn blasted searing light over her broken body. It lasted a single instant, the howling winds returning to its still calm, the night reclaiming its place amongst the ruins.

Luna was gone

Luna...

"Why? Why'd you do it?" It was barely a whisper, a common question he'd asked over so many years, now directed at the mangled face before him.

How could you have done that to your own sister? He knew he'd never get an answer, not now. He'd hidden himself after the fight, terrified of being found. If she could do that to her own flesh and blood, why not knock off Luna’s companion too, loose ends and all? No, his only chance had been to remain unseen. He’d seen the guards she’d sent after him, searching through the debris. He knew they were searching for him, to take him to Celestia.

A thump from behind him jerked Numbus from his thoughts, the face of Celestia returning to the dull brown log impaled with his hoof. Behind him, the two halves of the rafter that once held his targets now rested on the floor. Its last support finally gone, the wooden roof bowed dangerously, the entire building groaning under its own weight.

"Oh horseapples."

A quick glance over to his living corner showed a pile of rubble had already fallen over his bed and saddlebags, trapping them firmly beneath. Ripping his leg from the wall, Nimbus leapt for the entrance with a curse, narrowly avoiding a spear of wood crashing down as the building collapsed around him.

* * *

Resting on the cool grass of the courtyard, the dust covered pegasus watched the old barracks finally give into age, joining the rest of the castle in its ruin. It'd been his home since he'd come out of hiding, and the only place that had survived the battle intact. While he’d known it wouldn’t last forever, it still hurt to see it go. And it would take hours to dig his equipment out. Sighing, Nimbus rolled onto his back, staring up at the night sky, tossing his wingblades to the ground. Watching the stars, looking at the moon, thinking of Luna, and of his 'siblings'.

She'd only told him bits and pieces about how they’d created ponykind, but just enough to know the two sisters had not been prepared for it. Neither would even speak of the first few attempts, immediately changing the topic with a shudder.

The first real breakthough had been by Celestia. A brown female earth pony she'd christened Terra, to represent the solid foundations of a new civilization, stabilized on the backs of immensely strong, dependable workers. A proud apple adorned her flank, showing the earth pony way to care for and use the land for the betterment of all.

She was brain dead, lacked a tail and a leg, and had accelerated aging, in her grave within 3 seasons.

The second was a joint effort between them both, its magical nature requiring both their power. An effort that produced a dazzling white unicorn stallion, his cutie mark quickly showing up in the form of an atom. They named him Nova, in the hopes he'll bring a burst of magical sciences, and to lead the pursuit of knowledge that would assist all creatures, great and small.

He was albino, blind in one eye, and insane. He died within 4 weeks by his own hoof, trying to work out if his internal organs were fireproof. They weren't.

And finally a pure black male pegasus. Black eyes, mane, and tail. Not a drop of colour. He was created by Luna. She'd called him Nimbus, to symbolize pegasi mastery over the sky and everything contained within, molding the weather and clouds to provide bountiful crops and cooling rains.

He was deaf in his left ear, never had a cutie mark and suffered from vivid hallucinations. He was gifted with eternal life, however, and had never aged a day. Luna claimed it was a mistake she’d made, scared with what happened to Terra and going to far in the opposite direction. But he had his suspicions to the contrary.

It always amused him that despite all this, the three were put down in legend, songs written about them, tales told about their exploits that shaped the future of pony kind. How Terra had moved mountains for farming, Nova had studied the stars to guide all ponies, and Nimbus had driven back entire coastal storm fronts alone.

Nimbus laughed, dry and without mirth, arching his back and waving his hooves in the air like a carnival announcer. "Witness the beginnings of the glorious pony race. A vegetable, a suicidal loon, and a blank-flank. See the feats they performed. Drooling, combusting, and arguing with thin air" He mocked. "Come and see the great and beloved Cel... estia...?" He trailed off as he blinked. A new, brighter glow cast shadows along the walls surrounding him, a soft crackling noises reaching his ears.

Rolling to one side, he glanced over towards the new light source. "Oh no... " The wooden roof of the destroyed barracks were wrapped in flame, billowing out in great tongues. "No. Not my bags, anything but..." Leaping to his hooves, he galloped towards the inferno, only the painful heat on his coat keeping him from diving in head first. Panic began taking hold, his voice raising to a scream "No, oh Goddess NO!" Everything he owned were in those bags, his food, books, medical supplies and -

"Even your little gift" A white alicorn appeared, her sun cutie mark bright against the roaring fire, sparkling mane and tail whipped up by an otherworldly wind. Casually strolling though the flames, she slowly moved towards Nimbus, a sneer across her face. "Poor little Luna, such a thoughtful gift. So sad she never received it" Holding up one gold encrusted hoof , the mare peered at the small purple and blue moonflower she held. "So carefully pressed and stored for all these years, kept as a memento of a better time. It's just a pity to see it..." She turned her hoof, sending the flower fluttering to the fire, turning to ash before it landed "...burn."

Nimbus could only stumble backwards, staring in horror as the remains were lifted by the heat, scattering in the breeze. "What's wrong, my dear Nimbus?" She crooned, slowly advancing on the trembling stallion, stepping out of the flames "Did you not want to see me? And now that I’m here, you cower? Very well, then join your precious Luna.” Celestia's wings extended, carrying her over the destroyed barracks, horn flaring with powerful magics. Great tentacles of fire wrapped in a magical sheath rose from the inferno. The glowing lances streaked towards him from every direction, and he ducked, flinging his wings up to cover his face.

It took several seconds of silence for Nimbus to uncover his eyes, peering out from under his wings. The night had reclaimed the yard. Only the roaring flames broke the dark, illuminating the now empty yard. Falling back to the ground, he stared blankly at the stars, too shaken to move further from the sweltering heat source.

“I hate hallucinations”

* * *

Weaving though the blackened remains of the barracks, it was apparent the fire had spared nothing. Even the steel armor and weapons housed inside were destroyed, misshapen and useless. But the faint glimmer of hope that something, anything, of his gear would have survived pushed him onwards. Much of it was worthless, old maps and bits of food. But some things were irreplaceable.

His hooves black and charred from the few still glowing embers, he finally reached his destination. His living corner. It didn’t take long to shift though the coals covering the area, but his efforts quickly proved fruitless. Like the rest of the building, the saddlebags were unsalvageable, crumbling away when touched.

Nimbus’s shoulders slumped, feelings of defeat and hopelessness worrying at him. The terrifying vision had reminded him of the gravity of what he’d sworn to do. Sworn on that one night so long ago. It was a fools quest. Attacking the most powerful pony in Equestria? Might as well waltz into the dungeons himself. Or a shallow grave.

Soft steps brought Nimbus from his thoughts, a single teal eye shyly peeking though the entrance of the destroyed barracks. The hidden figure let out a gasp, eye darting around at the area, before zeroing in on the saddlebags.

“Wh... What happened?” Luna asked, stepping in though the doorway.

Nimbus was trapped, he’d never been able to bring himself to lie to her. Sparing a glance for the crumbling bags, he stared shamefully at his hooves, feeling much like a scolded colt “I... uh, there was an accident.”

Luna’s voice wavered, eyes glistening. “But, you promised. Promised you’d keep it safe. To remember. You PROMISED!”

“I’m so sorry Lu - LUNA!? Wait!” Nimbus’s yell fell on deaf ears, the mare already fleeing into the night, trailing soft sobs behind her. “I’M SORRY, COME BACK!”

Leaping to his hooves, Nimbus moved to follow, but a whispering in his ear held his steps “Shame on you, Nimbus” The sound seemed to come from all directions. A soft mares voice, almost sultry, but surprisingly cold. “Breaking a dear friend’s trust like that? She must be so very disappointed in you.”

Nimbus’s eyes opened wide, darting around the dark, searching for the source of the voice. “Who’s there? How do you know my name?”

“Just an old ally of your dear Luna, and I’ve been watching you for a very long time” A dry chuckle left chills down his spin. “A very long time indeed. I watched you hide in the bushes like a foal. I watched you make your silly little ‘oath’. And am still watching you break it today.”

By now, Nimbus had backed himself into a corner. Wincing as his leg brushed against a glowing ember, he called back out at the voice “But I didn’t bre-”

“Oh, but you did. Always telling yourself ‘One more day, one more week’. You don’t even know how long its been, do you? In two days time, it will have been a thousand years, little Nimbus. A thousand years of lies.”

Nimbus’s mouth worked, opening and closing, trying to muster words to defend himself with. But nothing would come. The voice was right. Giving up, he slouched, eyes closed. When he finally spoke, it was hardly more than a whisper “What do you want?”

Even without a face, the pegasus could almost hear the presence grin. “I just wish to help you. I too desire revenge. During the fight, Celestia stripped me of my magic and banished me to the moon. However, my prison is weakening, my magic returning. And after so long, I will soon be free.”

Help? Revenge? Nimbus perked up upon hearing those words, curiosity overriding fear. “But why me?”

In front of the stallion, a transparent appendage rose from the ground, black as night and twinkling with millions of stars. Like a mother comforting her child, it rubbed against his cheek, cold and unpleasant to the touch. The voice became softer, sweeter. “My, my, my. You are full of questions, aren’t you? Isn’t it obvious? Because I need your help.”

“But why me?”

Turning, Luna faced Nimbus, giving a warm smile. She towered over the pegasus, her mane black as night and twinkling with millions of stars. Like a mother comforting her child, she raised a hoof to his cheek, cool and pleasant to the touch. “My, my, my. You are full of questions, aren’t you? Isn’t it obvious? Because I need your help.”

He shook his head, trying to clear the sudden dizzy spell, nearly knocking himself off his hooves. Where did that come from? Straightening up and forcing back the churning in his stomach, Nimbus stared into the darkness, eyes slightly glazed. “What cou-”

A second tendril reached up, the pair gently holding his head, interrupting him. He could feel the presence peering into his eyes as it gave a soft sigh. “Your endless questions are getting us nowhere, my friend. Don’t you trust me?”

“What cou-”

Luna’s second forehoof reached up, the pair gently holding his head, interrupting him. He could see her peering into his eyes as she gave a soft sigh. “Your endless questions are getting us nowhere, my friend. Don’t you trust me?”

If not for the hooves of Luna holding him up, he’d have fallen, the world spinning around him violently. Her face graced with a wise and loving smile, patently waiting for him to regain his balance. He’d do anything for her.

“I’ll help you.”

Luna’s smile widened, reaching almost ear to ear. Bringing up her right hoof, she pressed it gently to the fur on his forehead, brushing away the grim accumulated there from the nights woes. “Then just relax, my little pony.”

The face in front of him was no longer motherly and warm, but growing twisted, a cruel grin breaking across her features. The gentle comforting pressure on his forehead gave way to searing pain as the hoof pushed into Nimbus’s head, white hot and scalding with every twist.

* * *

From atop her lunar prison, a figure stood high upon a barren mountain. Her mane and tail a swirling eddy of stars and nebula, wings outstretched and horn aglow. Beads of sweat rolled down her face, collecting dust and grit from her dark coat. Delving into a pony’s memories was taxing, and the vast distances involved strained her abilities to their fullest.

From her perch, she could hear the prone pegasus’s screams of agony and watch as the pathetic thing writhed over the ash covered floor. The starry appendage embedded in his forehead thickened and throbbed, refusing to release its searing grasp.

It had been far too long since Nightmare Moon had last felt the thrill of causing pain, and manipulating ponies had always been so simple. So delicious. Cause them to doubt their self worth, then give them a means to ‘fix’ it, and they’re putty in your grasp.

But this one had been too simple, too easy. No satisfaction. A simple nudge of his already cracked mind, and his hallucinations took over, giving himself over to her in a moment of weakness. Broken toys are not much fun, after all.

“But like everything broken, it can still be useful.” Two more coiling snake like arms rose from the ground, lunging down though tear stricken eyes. Moulding, changing, producing a new wonderful chorus of squeals. “You just need to break it a little. Bit. More.”

Part III - Infinite Dispise and Endless Jealousy

Nightmare Moon stood over the sleeping pair, a smirk strung across her lips, watching the little black pegasus as he hung over the white alicorn. Both slumbering, trapped together in a world of the colt's making, and pretty as a picture. Neither would wake until she was ready, and by then it would be too late.

It had been so simple. A Mental Entrapment spell cast on the colt, goad him into hitting Celestia, and she was quickly and efficiently taken out of the picture. The little fool had only ever been meant as a distraction, and never in all her wildest dreams would she have expected him to actually succeed. Not that she minded, of course.

That pegasus though. Oh, he'd been perfect. An endless hate for the monarch, an unstable mind, and one of the few ponies who resided amongst the wild magics of the Everfree Forest. Anywhere else and Celestia might have detected her presence, and the last thing Nightmare needed was for an overly cautious Princess finding her hoofprints.

"Ex-Princess now." She reminded herself. "I'm in charge. Princess Nightmare Moon. Hmm... no, Queen Nightmare Moon." A fitting title for a new, glorious reign.

From beyond the thick curtains separating the backroom and the hall, the obnoxiously loud mare continued with her little speech. "And now, it is my great honour to introduce to you the ruler of our land. The very pony who gives us the sun and the moon, each and every day. The good, the wise, the bringer of harmony to all of Equestria. Princess Celestia!"

"Looks like somepony is going to have to correct her." The dark mare murmured, her body fading into a glittery, smokey haze.

Peering back at the two slumbering ponies, she allowed a small wisp of cloud to break off from her. Softly floating over to the duo, it condensed around them, holding them firmly within it's grasp. I will deal with you two later, she chuckled, watching as it lifted them out and through the open window, floating off into the night. While slightly worried about using so much power on the pegasus, she deemed it a satisfactory low risk. One could not rule while locked in combat, after all. Best to let the minion deal with it.

Besides, she still retained enough magic to deal with any would be challengers.

* * *

Nimbus was trapped. He could feel it. Surrounded by an inky black from all directions, a void unbroken even against his body, his coat blending in perfectly.

"Hello?" He whispered. "Anypony out there?"

When nopony answered, the black pegasus gingerly stood, a surprisingly difficult task on the strangely soft surface. It was almost as though he was floating, and even with four hooves firmly planted he could feel it move and sway. Everything about this place gave a general sense of unease... it just wasn't right.

What happened? Where am I? Wracking his brain for the answers brought up frustratingly little. Much of the previous day was blurred, as though watching through a fog. Vague notions of leaving somewhere with trees, a place with lots of ponies, and striking something. Something large, and white.

The black pegasus's heart sank. Celestia. I hit Celestia. Oh Goddess, I actually hit her. Nimbus peered back out into the endless dark. She must have killed him. Is this what dying looked like?

"Hello?!" He called out, louder now. If there was life after death, or whatever it could be called, shouldn't something happen? "Hey! Anypony out there?!"

Again, other than the sound of his own increasingly panicked breathing, nothing. Not even an echo.

"HEY!" Nimbus screamed.

Silence.

That damned voice, it was probably working for Celestia. She must have known all along and hadn’t been satisfied with just taking Luna from him. She'd watched him. Played with him. Then tricked him into coming to her for a grand finale.

Nimbus collapsed, his legs refusing the hold him any longer, a dampness wetting his cheeks. Celestia had finally won. She'd killed Luna, and now she'd grown bored and killed him. And now he was lost, confused and alone.

A muffled thump and groan nearby shook him from his sorrow, his ears jumping to full alertness, puffy eyes wide and darting. The dark hid something. Something close. Images of demonic creatures and unknown beasts rolled through his mind, each larger than the last. He could barely contain the scream lodged in his throat.

It's too dark! I need a light!

Instantly the black void flashed to a brilliant white, blinding him, bringing from him a groan of discomfort. The sound copied just in-front of Nimbus, the creature seemingly as blinded as he. He stumbled backwards, the uneven and still unseen ground catching his steps. He had to get away. It was going to kill him. With blood stained teeth and gory talons and vicious beady red eyes and... and... Oh, Luna.

Instinct roared to life, the need to survive pushing aside any logic about the situation. He was blinded by the searing light, and something was going to eat him. Nimbus spun, quickly throwing himself forwards in a gallop. Closer to running through water, the surface gripped and pulled at his legs, tripping him. Having sent him face first to the ground, the spongy material enveloped around his muzzle to the back of his head, thankfully muffling a yelp.

"Oh Heavens. What happened? Where am I?" Celestia’s voice muttered, sounding confused and disorientated.

Oh No. No... no... no.

Why was she here? She must have followed him, obviously not content with simply killing him. Even death couldn't save him from her. He had to run... to get away from her. A choked sob escaped him, lost in the gooey nothingness.

He wanted away from this place, to curl up with a warm fire. To forget anything had happened in the past few days, all the pain and fear. He just wanted to go home.

Suddenly, the soft surface beneath Nimbus's hooves firmed, the harsh glare of the light cut from his vision. His flailing became panicked pushes against grassy, solid dirt as he attempted to free his trapped head from it's new earth prison, wings beating frantically. A gasp from the Princess told him that more than just his tiny cage had changed.

"What is going on?!" Frustration was laced throughout her voice, a most unusual sound coming from her. "Oh! Oh dear. I'm sorry, I didn't notice you there. Are you alright?" The sound and vibration of heavy hooves reached his ears as Celestia's concerned voice approached. Ignoring the howls of protest from his neck, the pegasus pulled harder, tears again welling in his eyes. "Calm down, I'll help you."

Nimbus screamed wordlessly in reply.

With a warm glow that brought light to the dark hole, a magical grip pulled back the dirt. Without the soil's resistance, a final tug flung the black stallion backwards, almost colliding with the alicorn's chest. Landing heavily on his back, he looked up into the familiar face of Celestia, split with an amused smile as it hung upside down in his vision. The dank, starless night of the Everfree framed her white coat.

"There. Now isn't that..." Her grin died, eyes growing wide, shocked. "N... Nimbus? Is that you? I... where... What happened to you?!" she stammered, her usually stoic expression shattered.

He simply stared, breath catching itself in his throat.

"I was worried sick! I had the Guards scouring the castle for months looking!" She berated him, her face flickering from relief to anger. "We thought you had died! Where were you?!"

The terrified pegasus's mouth worked, unable to bring forth any words as the monarch sat, glaring as she awaited an answer. Every fiber of his being told him to lash out, hopefully buying himself enough time to escape. But his limbs remained locked, steadfast against his wishes. Slowly, Celestia's face lost its heat, the beginnings of concern showing as she looked into his petrified eyes.

"Nimbus? Are you..." She closed her eyes, touching a hoof to her forehead, and breathed deeply. "Okay... I'm sorry, I was just frustrated. We can discuss this afterwards, but for now we must hurry."

As Nimbus watched, a gold covered hoof reached down towards him. He recoiled from it, as though it were a snake. He could never let his guard down, not for a second. Not around her. The involuntary movement was just enough to finally shake him from his stupor.

"Get away from me." He breathed, the whisper barely audible to his own ears. Celestia blinked, her hoof freezing as he shied away from her touch.

"I beg your pardon?"

"Get away from me!" He screamed, the lump in his throat vanishing.

A confused noise had barely passed the stunned alicorn’s lips before he lashed out. A black hoof flicked up, catching the unaware pony solidly across the nose. The dull silence of the ruins split with a resounding crack, throwing her head back.

Scrambling to his hooves, Nimbus quickly spotted Celestia crumpled on the ground in a groaning mess of legs and wings. Finally free from her reach, he glanced around. Everfree Castle's courtyard surrounded him, its weather torn walls and familiar overgrown plant life lightly illuminated in the moonlight. Even the barracks had been returned to it's former glory, sturdy and as strong as he'd remembered it. His home for a thousand year, all before the recent happenings.

He was pulled from his reminiscing by a pained grunt from Celestia. While he'd been sightseeing, she'd managed to right herself, slowly beginning to stand. Her legs trembled, and a trickle of blood streaked from one nostril, her eyes wide, uncertain.

"Nimbus?" She probed, cautiously.

Nimbus stared at the mare, trying to calm his racing mind, quickly backing away. He was dead, and yet she was here with him. And, somehow, he had hurt her. Did she die along with him? Had she lost her power? Or was she playing with him again? One thing he always had to remind himself about her, was that she was a master at manipulation, able to convince anypony to do her bidding. And each and every time, they would come out thinking it had been their own idea.

"What's wrong Nimbus?" She asked carefully, a final heave pushing her upright, her legs slowing their shaking. "What is going on?"

Possibly she was still enjoying her game. Giving a sense of hope, then crushing it under hoof. He might have already been dead, but nopony could really know the limits of what Celestia was capable of.

"Please, speak to me." Celestia said, taking a few steps closer before wiping her nose clean with a foreleg, bright crimson staining the white coat.

While terrified at finally facing down the massive alicorn, the new red streak across her leg gave a surge of hope. If she can bleed... Nimbus bodily turned to face his foe, wings flared, stance wide, even breathing, just as he'd practiced. Aggressive, ready to move.

Nothing to lose.

Celestia's eyes widened, startled at his outright hostility, clearly expecting him to lay down and submit. One leg raised itself in a natural defensive stance, brushing the blood against her chest.

"Nimbus! What has gotten into you!?"

He replied with a snarl, his wings launching him through the night with an echoing snap, hooves outstretched towards his enemy.

"For Luna!"

* * *

Nightmare groaned inwardly. This was not what she had expected. She was supposed to swoop in, remove Celestia, scare her new subjects and rule forever more. Not playing hideaway while attempting parlor tricks! 'Still had enough magic to deal with challengers' her rump.

It was that purple unicorn. That one little foal. Celestia's prized student. Little Miss Know-It-All alone knew who Nightmare was, and she alone knew of the Elements. Even convinced five others to accompany her. Two earth ponies, two pegasi, and another unicorn.

Worst of all, she was powerful. Powerful enough that as soon as the dark alicorn had entered the Town Hall, she could feel it. So much so that in Nightmare's current shape, a direct confrontation would go poorly. Oh, she could retrieve her power from that foolish pegasus, and crush her like the pathetic insect she was, but doing so could easily cause the release of Celestia.

And whatever problems she would have with the little unicorn paled in comparison to Celestia herself.

The six of them together were amusing enough, at the very least.

From her vantage point, floating through the trees as a sparkling mist, she watched the spectacle unfold. A few magical lights directed at the trees, creating faces in the gnarled bark, had them screaming in abject fear. Grown ponies, squealing like little fillies! If she had a solid form, Nightmare Moon would have given herself away from laughter. She was shaken from her amusement when somepony actually did burst out giggling.

"Hee hee hahahaha! Hahahaha!" The pink earth pony laughed, making various ridiculous faces at the trees, drawing shocked looks from all present.

The five followers may not have been a threat, but that one's voice could have been used as a weapon. Ever since she'd began following them, the earth pony's constant chatter and inane babbling had been grating her nerves thin.

"Pinkie! What are you doing!? RUN!" Twilight screamed after her.

Pinkie simply shook her head, grinning ear to ear. "Oh girls, don't you see?" She replied, tapping her hooves to a beat only she could hear.

"When I was a little filly, and the sun was going dooooooown!"

... What?

"The darkness and the shadows, they would always make me frooooooown!"

No. No singing. Why is she singing!?

"I'd hide under my pillow, at what I thought I'd saw!"

ARRGHH! Pinkie's voice dug into her mind like pin pricks, amplifying her already increased irritation over being held at bay by a mere unicorn. Dropping her magical grip on the lights, allowing them to flicker and die one by one, Nightmare fled deeper into the dark forest. All to escape that accursed singing.

That voice could start a war.

* * *

"Where are you?! Come out!" Nimbus bellowed, his voice seemingly amplified by the stark silence of the forest. He'd been thrashing around for several minutes looking for her, ever since she'd fled the castle into the outlying forest.

The Everfree was just as she'd remembered, gnarled roots and constricting vines, the plants choking the life from the ground. All of it born from wild magics so long ago.

Propped up against a tree, Celestia fought to control her gasped panting, finally having a moment of peace. Everything about this night had gone horribly wrong. One moment steeling herself for the arrival of her sister, the next fleeing from a fanatical ghost, one she had long thought dead.

Guess I can't really call him a ghost. She thought, bringing up a hoof to lightly brush her cheek, wincing as it touched one of several bruises.

Sighing, Celestia willed herself to relax, to hopefully sort out the crazy happenstance. She had no idea why he'd turned on her in such a fashion. This... this creature was out for blood, growing more and more frantic and insane as time went on. That wasn't the Nimbus she remembered. He'd always been a polite, if overly headstrong, pony. Loyal, and a steadfast friend to her sister. Ever since Luna had created him, so long ago. The alicorn's eyes widened as she stared into the perpetual dark of the Everfree, pieces of the puzzle slowly falling into place.

He had always favored Luna, following her almost like a foal would it's mother. Watched over her, tried to be as protective as he could. And he'd vanished the day Celestia had banished her sister to the moon. He hadn’t died that night. He must have blamed her and fled.

"I know you're out there! I know you can hear me!" Celestia grimaced at the sound of more crashing and the enraged pegasus's screaming.

Whatever the case might be, she still had to keep survival as a priority. Only through luck had she gotten this brief respite. Her magic would not come to her, and the robustness she'd taken for granted had failed her. The Goddess felt... mortal. And it terrified her. She strongly suspected Luna to have been behind it, though she really must have changed for the worse to have gone this far.

The snap of a breaking branch was Celestia's only warning as her advisory resumed his attack. A hoof found the back of her head, throwing her across the ground. Tumbling end over end, with a insane pegasus latched onto her, she bucked and kicked blindly. Blunt teeth latched onto her hide, pulling and heaving, leaving welts and cuts in their wake. Eventually, one of Celestia's flailing hooves struck flesh, sending her attacker sprawling.

Free from the shifting weight of Nimbus, the alicorn rolled to her hooves. The pegasus before her groaned, slowly standing. A bright red mark almost glowed through the coat on his forehead. After a few moments of swaying, and a hoof held to his head to steady himself, his lips split with a grin. A most unpleasant grin.

"Found you." The black pony hissed, circling the alicorn in a slow, deliberate arc, his eyes locked to her's. Celestia turned with his movement, never allowing him to leave her sight. Diplomacy was her only option now, his smaller body giving the agility and speed to prevail in hoof to hoof combat. His black coat blending in with the night didn't help matters either.

"Nimbus, please. Stop this. I'm sure if we sit down-"

"Oh no. No, no, no." He slightly shook his head, chuckling. "I know you. So very well. All your little tricks. I'm not going to fall for them."

He threw himself above and to the side, launching into the air, darting and weaving towards her. Losing him in the pitch black of the canopy's shadow, Celestia could do little to track the pegasus until it was too late, only able to make out his rear hooves moments before they connected. The now familiar pain lanced through her face, the force of the blow knocking her back to the ground.

"I've watched you." Nimbus snarled from behind her. "I know just how easily you make ponies dance. So no, we're not going to play that game."

A muffled thump of a wing beat reached the white alicorn's ears, as did the soft rustle of feathers in flight soaring overhead. Still dazed from the previous buck kick, she could offer no resistance as four hooves landed solidly into her unprotected ribs, knocking the wind from her abused lungs. Coughing and gasping, Celestia lay against the cold grass, desperately trying to regain her breath as Nimbus hopped off her fallen body. Long moments ticked away.

"Why did you do it?" A barely audible whisper came, somewhere to Celestia's left. "She looked up to you. Adored you. You were her big sister." A confirmation to her theories. Luna's banishment was the root of the problem. "And don't lie to me."

"Lun... Luna tried to... bring an eternal night. Refused to lower the moon. Then... she attacked me!" She gasped, barely able to force the words out, ribs flaring in pain with each ragged movement. "I had no choice!"

He sighed, soft hoof falls approaching her prone body, coming to a halt by her head. A soft hoof brushed against her neck, stroking through the white coat.

"Is that right?" Nimbus asked, almost directly into her ear. From the corner of her vision, she could see his facial features soften, bringing a guarded hope to Celestia's chest. Perhaps his madness was calming. Fighting against the strain and swelling, the ageless mare nodded slowly, not wishing to disturb her lungs with speech more than necessary.

"That is a pity." He whispered. Slowly, the almost wistful touch grew, pressing down until it scraped across the alicorns skin. It hovered briefly over her throat, before suddenly slamming downwards, cutting off a choked cry as her air way became constricted. She bucked as well as she could, lying on her side, but her already exhausted and ragged body lacked the power to do much but weakly squirm.

"I told you not to lie."

* * *

Nightmare Moon was tired. Tired of being weak, tired of humiliating herself with these petty tricks, tired of these irritating ponies. And tired of HER.

"Whoa!"

Yes, you blasted little unicorn, 'Whoa'.

The rag tag collection of ponies had finally made it to their destination, despite their new Queen's wishes. The Everfree Castle. Or the Castle of the Royal Pony Sisters, as it now seemed to be called. Still as ruined as it had been when she had come to collect her living tool. Filing in through one of the few still standing doors left in the ruins, the colourful little group stood inside a massive room, one quite familiar to the dark alicorn.

"Come on Twilight, isn't this what you been waitin' for?" Asked the orange earth pony, looking up in awe at the massive object that stood in prominence within the otherwise empty chamber. Why one would speak while afflicted with that sad commoners drawl, Nightmare Moon would never know. Considering the apples on her Cutie Mark and the stetson on her head, she's probably proud of it.

"The Elements of Harmony! We've found them!"

All six of them stared up at the display before them. A giant pedestal with five arms, vines encroaching around its form. Each limb holding at it's end, in small divots, a large engraved stone ball. Its surface displayed the wear and tear of the ages, exposed under the night sky, the room's roof having collapsed untold centuries ago.

Impressive as always, and the one thing Nightmare could not allow to be used. But as with everything this night, to leap in would be folly. Just had to wait...

Kicking up dust and dirt, the two pegasi fluttered up to each runed sphere, picking up and setting them haphazardly on the solid rock floor. Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy if she wasn't mistaken.

"Careful... Careful." Ordered Twilight, keeping a close watch. The shrill voiced pink pony hopped up beside her.

"One, two, three, four... uh, there's only five!"

Congratulations, filly, you can count.

"Where's the sixth?!" Demanded Rainbow Dash. Everything about the blue filly a pony could ever need to know, encased within a name. Rainbow for a mane and tail, loud and fast in personality.

Twilight leaned down, intently studying the markings across the stones surfaces. "The book said, 'When the five are present, a spark will cause the sixth element to be revealed'"

"What in the hay is that supposed to mean?" Applejack asked.

Her horn glowing a soft purple aura, the purple unicorn closed her eyes. "I'm not sure, but I have an idea. Stand back! I don't know what will happen."

"Come on now, ya'll. She needs to concentrate." One by one, the rest of the group filed out of the room back into the chilled air of the night, leaving the teacher's pet behind. Silently, the Nightmare peeked from around a crumbling wall. She would have grinned if she had a mouth.

Opportunity!

After one last glance at the five other ponies now milling outside the door, the swirling mist darted in through the crack, swooping down upon the Elements. How could they use the Elements... without having the Elements? Quickly, but with care to remain silent, the new Queen spread her form over the stones. Concentrating on a nearby tower, she began gathering magic.

One more spell! Just one more!

Her magic fumbled and clambered into a teleportation spell, slowly but surely. The Nightmare had taxed herself far too much that night. But the end was so close. Just a touch more.

A horrifying scraping echoed throughout the chamber. One single moment of distraction in her efforts to finish the spell and she'd nudged one of the blasted stones, rolling it against the rough flooring. The lavender unicorn whipped her head up at the sound, eyes flying open in panic. And screamed. She had to get out of there.

Throwing all pretenses of stealth out the window, Nightmare Moon ripped the elements from the floor, caught within a tornado formed from her sparkling body. Hopefully out of reach of Twilight.

Finally, the last charge of magic lay itself over her teleportation spell. With a sizzling crack of energy, and a most satisfyingly mortified gasp of "The Elements!" from a particular purple little nuisance, she vanished.

As the blinding flash from her sudden arrival faded, Nightmare Moon found herself standing upon a slightly raised platform, facing the remains of a massive arched window. As decrepit as the rest of the ruined castle, vines and cracks ran through the walls, slightly obscured by the smoke from her unstable teleportation. Allowing herself to return to her solid form, she had to fight down the desire to dance. She'd made it! The Elements were in her control! Nothing could stand in her way!

A sudden coughing drew her attention from her reveling. Spinning around, she peered out into the billows of smoke as they cleared, hoping to catch a glimpse of the presence. Eventually the cloud dissipated enough to find the source of the cough. A lone purple figure lay on the cold stone floor.

* * *

He could feel the muscles in her neck shifting beneath his hooves, pitifully attempting to free themselves. Nimbus could only grin. The vibration of blood pumping through the little vessels, the desperate gaping of her mouth, her bulging eyes and blue tinted skin! It amused him! Made him feel alive! Made him feel... vibrant!

He was in control. After so long of Celestia playing with him. Mocking him. Laughing at him. Watching him.

Now who was the one wallowing in the dirt like a insect?! Now who's scared?!

Not him! Not anymore!

Never again!

* * *

Nightmare Moon's steel shod hooves came crashing down upon the hard stone, shattering the physical representation of the Elements of Harmony into broken chunks of rock. The foalish unicorn had had her little moment of defiance, charging the dark mare in a unicorn jousting stance. Even going so far as to humiliate her, teleporting behind the alicorn and leaving her goring air. But what strength she had in her eyes died as the shards tumbled the floor. The new Queen could almost taste her helplessness.

"You little foal. Thinking you could defeat ME?! Now you will never see your Princess, or your sun! The night. Shall last. FOREVER!" Nightmare moon screamed, unfurling her vast wings and bringing her ethereal mane to bare, brewing it into a violent storm that circled above. Pure euphoria pumped through her body, and she cackled, laughing as her foe's face fell further into despair.

Voices from the staircase brought her back down to Equestria, the figures of five ponies coming into view as they rounded the corner. Nightmare Moon simply glared daggers, her brief duel with the brat must have lead them there. Not that it mattered, the Elements were reduced to dust around her hooves.

A airy gasp from Twilight caught her attention, the little unicorn smirking infuriatingly. Obviously something had snapped in her mortal brain. They really were ever so fragile.

"You think you can destroy the Elements of Harmony, just like that?"

What?

"Well you’re wrong! Because the Spirits of the Elements of Harmony, are right HERE!" While Nightmare Moons attention had been taken by the purple filly, her 'friend’s' had taken position behind her, fanning out. Each with a determined look on their faces.

What?

A chill ran down the Goddesses spine as around her hooves, the shattered pieces of the destroyed stones shifted, each lit with a faint inner glow. No longer content to lay there, the shards rose into the air, surrounding the dark mare.

"What?!"

"Applejack, the Spirit of Honesty! Fluttershy, the Spirit of Kindness! Pinkie Pie, the Spirit of Laughter! Rarity, the Spirit of Generosity! And Rainbow Dash, the Spirit of Loyalty!" As each pony was referenced, a group of shards would separate from the rest and begin orbiting the pony in question.

"The Spirits of these five ponies got us through everything you threw at us!"

No, no no no no NO NO NO! Wait...

"You still don't have the sixth element! The spark didn't work!" Nightmare Moon cried out, desperately clutching at anything. Anything that could cause the terror to recede from her breast. This couldn't be happening! Not NOW!

"But it did. A different kind of spark." Turning from the alicorn, Twilight faced the rest of the mortals. "I felt it the very moment I realised how happy I was to hear you. To see you. How much I cared about you. The spark ignited inside me, when I realised that you all. Are my FRIENDS!"

From above Twilight, a new runed stone materialised. Memories of that very stone, the catalyst for the Elements power, orbiting Celestia so long ago froze the dark alicorn in place. The shear pain it caused her. Even the light coming from it in it's inert state felt like fire across her face, and she cringed behind a wing to shield herself.

"You see Nightmare Moon, when those Elements are ignited by the... the spark that resides in the heart of us all, it creates the sixth Element. The Element of... MAGIC!"

It was sappy, mushy trash, enough to make the Nightmare retch. But fear had taken hold of her. Everything she'd planned and millennium of waiting was burning down around her. A flash of light ripped through the night, bright as the sun, again forcing Nightmare Moon to shield herself behind a scorched wing. When she finally peeked around it, the orbiting shards had condensed into golden necklaces, adorning each pony. A gem, symbolizing their individual Cutie Marks, shone brightly with inner fire.

And atop the purple unicorns head sat a gold Tiara, a purple gem in the shape of a six pointed star embellishing it's crown. The dark mare could almost taste the raw power coming from it, and it had only just started building the spell.

An unfathomable rage swept over Nightmare Moon. She would NOT be stopped by these pathetic wretches! If they wished to play with the big ponies, then they would play with a big pony! They would play with a Goddess!

Reaching out with her consciousness, she quickly located her pegasus minion Nimbus, still draped across her 'sister'. His body teemed with her dark magics, almost bursting with it. With but a thought and a tug, she ripped her power from his body, disrupting the spell binding his and Celestia's minds. The sleeping Goddess would wake, but a far more pressing issue was at hoof.

It roiled over her like a tsunami, a wave of pure power. She felt alive, her ethereal mane lashing with renewed vigor. Unbeatable and unstoppable. As a true Goddess should. Quickly turning her attention back to the mortals before her, she brought all of her power to dwell within her horn, awaiting her will.

Already the Elements spell had reached it's apex, two vibrant rainbow's coiling themselves like serpents around the now levitating forms of six ponies. The focus of the spell shone like the sun between the six, making it impossible to make out anything other than silhouettes.

Before she could ready her attack upon the upstarts, the twin rainbows launched themselves into the air, twisting around each other like a dance. Reaching the roof of the room, they altered their path, aiming directly for the alicorn's breast.

Startled by the swift movement, Nightmare Moon resigned herself to ignoring the ponies, her revenge for their defiance would have to wait. An attack of that magnitude would destroy her completely should it strike. Locking her slitted pupils onto the incoming twin beams, the Goddess let loose her terrible power.

Waves of dark magics lashed forth from her horn tip, blasting against the incoming harmonized energy, splitting it in twain. What little hope was gained from the sight, was just as quickly dashed as the multitude of colours swarmed in, absorbing everything the dark Queen threw out. Closer it pressed, paying little attention to the raw power of a divine being.

With a last burst of speed, the beams rammed into Nightmare Moons chest, shrugging aside her armor like paper. Her magic crumpled to nothing as an agony like she'd never could have imagined lanced through her. She could feel it shredding through her body, through her soul. Tearing and gouging.

It continued for what felt like hours, tears of agony sweeping down her face. but eventually the torture ended. Briefly aware of herself falling to the ground, she lay there, struggling to breath.

A swift, blissful dark swept over Nightmare Moon, and she slumbered.

* * *

Celestia couldn't breath, her lungs having been struggling for oxygen for far too long. She longed for the comfort of unconsciousness, but its sweet release refused to come.

Before she could once more wordless cry for mercy, the owner of the hooves on her neck screamed and reared back. The sudden rush of air into her system sent her mind spinning and like a drug addict, she consumed it with relish, great heaving gasps making her chest convulse.

After several moments, she dragged her head through the grass, the white mare attempting to catch a glimpse of what had attacked her assailant.

Oh my Stars.

The vision was one of a nightmare. The skin of Nimbus's face hung in strips, exposing the flesh and bone underneath. The very muscles seemed to be melting, dripping to the grass in bloodied chunks. The horrifying effect slowly worked it's way down the neck and across his chest and torso, as an inequine scream tore from his lips. It was as though nothing was left inside of him to hold his body together.

Turning from the gruesome sight, Celestia's stomach heaved, though nothing was present to regurgitate. Covering her ears with her hooves did nothing, the demonic wailing rebounding through her skull, howling in tortured agony.

Only partly aware of her surroundings, the Goddess vaguely noticed the trees encircling them growing faint, as though vanishing from reality. Chirping of birds and rustling of leaves in the wind replaced screaming. The lands around her fell to an impenetrable blackness, the aches and pains her body had suffered faded to nothing, and a new weight pressed down lightly on her side.

Attempting to look at what was trying to pin her down failed, the all encompassing dark giving up no clues as to its origin. Reflexively attempting to close her eyes to think brought no movement of her eyelids, and in a stroke of genus, opened them.

Dirt and patches of grass surrounded her, tree's holding a thin canopy above, lit in the soft glow of the moon. A quick glance showed her to be in a wooded area, however with no landmarks to speak of, she wasn't quite sure which one.

Celestia's head jerked, suddenly remembering the strange weight on her side. A black pegasus lay there, still and cold. No longer shredded and dripping, his unblemished face stared back. Worried, the princess freed a wing to lay it over him, feeling for any movement of breathing.

Nothing. Not even a fading sign of a pony’s natural magic. Everything was simply gone.

Sighing and moving carefully, Celestia stood, laying Nimbus's limp body to the ground. Leaning down, she gently nudged his head into a more natural position, softly whispering into an unhearing ear, tears glistening unshed in her eyes.

"I'm sorry my old friend. I am so... so sorry."

Standing once more, and spreading her massive wings, Celestia took to the sky. After one last glance back to commit the location to memory, she let her magic flow through her horn, quickly vanishing in a flash of white.

There would be time to figure out where she had been later. But for now, her little ponies needed her.

A/N: Not happy with this chapter, but throwing it up anyway. Sick to death of looking at it. On a second note, does anyone know why the first chapter has 500~ views, yet the second has 1500~?

Epilogue - Luna, Won't You Cry for Me

It was not the reunion Celestia had imagined.

Above the Royal Gardens, almost hidden amongst the canopy, the stars shone brightly, a stark contrast to their Mistress's sorrow. In the soft glow of the moon, she watched the smaller form of her sister lying amongst the grass, head buried between her hooves. Before her sat a single gravestone, white marble with etchings of obsidian, carved with painstaking care into flowing letters.

The ancient mare had dreamt of this day, to welcome her only sister back with an open heart, and to no longer feel the regret of banishing one she loved so dearly. For so long she had wished for nothing more than to hold her in her hooves again. But now? She merely watched the pony from a distance, each heave of the dark body bringing more moisture to the white mare's eyes, each cry cutting like a knife.

As much as she wished to run to her, to comfort her, and tell her everything would be alright, she couldn't. Not yet. This was her time to mourn.

* * *

Luna's tears had long run dry, the coat on her cheeks matted, as she hollowly stared at the grave stone before her. Framed by the full moon's light, she could see each carving, each letter, as clear as day.

When she had wrapped herself within Nightmare Moon, the younger Alicorn had felt naught but anger and an unstoppable pride. Nothing mattered but her night sky, and those little ponies would worship it's majesty or they would pay dearly.

When she woke upon being struck by the Elements, her beloved sister standing before her with a hoof extended in friendship, her heart swelled with joy. She felt hope for the future, and for eventual forgiveness from her little ponies.

When she recalled her actions that night...

Another sob wracked her body as images once again flowed unbidden into her mind. The black pegasus writhing on the ground in agony as she tore into his mind, molding it to her desires. Forcing more magic into his body than any mortal could withstand, pushing aside his very lifeforce as dark energy took control. And then ripping that power, the only thing keeping his heart beating, from him without care. All to put her sister to sleep.

It was her fault. She'd killed him, and there was nothing she could do to bring him back.

"I'm sorry..." she whispered, her voice catching on those two simple words, repeated without end.

He'd always been there for her, throughout the entirety of recorded history, and for as long as Luna could remember. Jokes, pranks and tantrums all. A rock to share in her joy, and her pain.

Luna's head drooped, resting her chin on the newly upturned soil beneath her. The grave had been empty of a body for one thousand years, sitting alone in Celestia's private garden. A tribute to a stallion that had never, until now, actually died.

Hoof falls approached from behind, but the Night Princess didn't bother looking. She knew it would be her sister. Her wonderful, dear sister, who had never killed a friend in cold blood as though he was nothing more than an insect to be used...

A gentle wing draped itself over her body as a fresh wave of tears spilled from her eyelids, rolling down her cheeks to water the earth. Silence reigned for many minutes, both ponies just basking in the comfort of one another.

"You weren't yourself, Luna." Celestia softly whispered, breaking the muted night.

"It was still me, sister. I hurt him. I'm the one who killed him. I can... I can still hear him screaming," she replied, muffled by the wet ground. "He didn't deserve this."

A gentle nudge from the white mare's snout brought her head up, to peer into her older sisters own tear rimmed eyes. "I know he didn't. No pony does." Drawing closer, she entwined her neck with Luna's, holding her new smaller frame to her. "You never meant for any of this to happen. I'm sure he would have understood."

Sniffles turned to sobs, which in turn became a tortured wail, as the youngest sister darkened the elder's coat with her sorrow. Firm white hooves held her close to the warm chest, Celestia's soft voice whispering in Luna's ear.

"I know he would."

A/N: Finally finished this story, hope you enjoyed my first ever, of any kind, fiction. Not going to bother with getting a reviewer for the epilogue, it's too short, so have fun with that. Just glad the whole things done with.

And I still hate writing the start of chapters. They never come out right.

Part II - Days Turn into Years, and into Centuries

“Nimbus? Would you come here please?”

The pegasus jumped slightly, the sudden break in the silence startling him. He glanced over to where she stood, staring out into her night sky from her bedchamber balcony. Free from her normal attire of ceremonial breastplate and slippers, Luna's ethereal mane and tail swirled, filled with an endless expanse of stars. She watched as Everfree City slept, thousands of her subjects resting from work and play.

Next to the fireplace, and relaxed in it's warm glow, Nimbus lay reading. It had been a passion of his, one of many that he'd been forced to push to the side. The Royal Court swallowed much of his time, more so than usual, leaving little for relaxation.

Gently closing the pages, Nimbus stood, stretching out a few cramps. “Sure. What’s up?”

She turned to him as he stepped alongside her, letting out a long sigh “Have I done something wrong?”

Nimbus froze, blinking, gazing up towards the regal pony, briefly awed again how tall she'd grown. Luna’s face held a worried expression, looking to him almost expectantly.

Catching his confused look, she arched a hoof out into the night, towards the city surrounding the castle, far below the tower. “To my subjects. Have I slighted them in some manner?”

Now he really was confused. “Not that I know of. What makes you think you did?”

Looking back out into the night, she watched the last few flickering lights contained in Everfree City. Giving a quick shake of her head, Luna turned, moving back into the warmth. “Just a passing thought. Pay it no mind.”

Consciousness returned slowly to Nimbus, the dream fading. With its passing came the pain. Every twitch brought agonizing jolts, harsh reminders of the previous night. Memories of the smoky limbs grasping, tearing at him. Not at his flesh, but inside. In his mind. And the laughter. At times it would be calm, collected. Others it would be maniacal, insane, twisted. Whatever it did to him, it enjoyed.

Forcing back these less than pleasant thoughts, he slowly opened his eyes, squinting against the glare of the morning sun. The black pegasus quickly found himself lying just outside the forest, by a small dirt path that lead back into the treeline, towards the ruins of Everfree Castle. He had faint recollections of this once being a mighty highway connecting Everfree City to the rest of Equestria, years of neglect reducing it to its current state.

Slowly stumbling to his hooves, he stared wide eyed at the lands before him. It had been so long since he’d seen the world like this. Fresh green grass covered rolling hills, nothing like the sickly brown covering the forest’s floor. Animals ran around with little care for predators. Everything so bright and sunny, vibrant colours as far as the eye could see. It was wondrous.

Off in the distance, building up around the ruined highway, sat a fair sized town, one that hadn’t existed when he last traveled the road. He could make out shapes moving though the buildings. Ponies. Dozens of them. Walking to work, to school.

The pegasus's heart sank. An entire town has been built. It really has been that long. He paused, his mind still sluggish from the unexpected sleep. Slowly putting the pieces together. But... If I can see ponies, then somepony could see... Oh Goddess!

Turning, Nimbus flared his wings, ready to propel himself back into the comforts of the shadows. Instead a searing heat ran up his back, and his wings fell limp, useless against his sides. Giving up on flight, he broke into a panicked gallop, only to find himself muzzle first in the dirt.

They’ll see me they’ll tell Celestia then she’ll find me and kill me gotta hide!

It took several more attempts, but he managed to painfully drag himself under the canopy, back into the shadows. Collapsed against the base of a tree, he whimpered pathetically, scared and alone. Breathing hurt. Everything hurt.

It had brought him here. Other than some vague notion of revenge, he had no idea why. It said it needed him, but he was just a pegasus. He huffed as frustration overrode his fear "It's the same reason I never tried myself. It said it would help me, but I -"

“That I did, my little pony, and unlike some I could mention, I keep to my word.”

It was that mares voice again, still as cold and cruel as the first time. That invisible presence that had attacked him. No longer a disembodied voice, it echoed within his mind, bringing painful chills to his aching muscles. Whatever calm he'd recovered was shattered, the screaming agony of earlier flashing though his head. That laughter...

Dark limbs erupted from the forest floor, encircling him, tearing though wood and bush. Each bore a razor edge, cleaving the area around the terrified stallion. Stretching out to their full length, towering over a dozen feet, they doubled back on themselves, holding their blades inches from carving the panicked pony. Eyes wide, he stared at the two tips hovering before his eyes. He couldn’t speak or move, fear holding him, trapped.

The voice sighed, frustration evident in its tone. “Seems I failed in fully controlling those hallucinations. No matter..."

A second chill flowed though his body, stronger this time, breaking him from his stupor. The smoke filled tendrils around him became formless, floating without shape towards the sky, eventually dissolving into thin air. The forest around him returned to it’s unaltered state, as though undisturbed by the chaos.

“Perfect. This should serve me well. Now, have you quite finished?”

Nimbus curled up tighter against the trunk. He didn't want to be there. "I'm finished." He whispered.

"Wonderful. You have seen your destination. You are to enter the nearby town, Ponyville, and -"

"WHAT?! I... I can't go THERE! There.... There's ponies there and they'll see me and -"

The voice's presence, once cold, flared up. Scorching heat streaked through his veins, washing his body with fresh pain. His body unfurled, limbs contorting violently. It took everything he had not to scream, still fearing being overheard. "I do not appreciate being interrupted, little pony. It is either this, or become my entertainment. And I do not think you wish for the later!"

As suddenly as it began, the heat vanished. His legs and wings collapsed to the ground, the faintest of twitches the only sign of life. This couldn't be happening. This had to just be a nightmare. It had claimed to be Luna's ally, but she wouldn't have associated herself with this thing. She couldn't have.

Taking his silence as consent, it continued. "As much fun as this is, I have other matters to attend to. Enter Ponyville's Town Hall. Hide backstage. Do so before the break of tomorrows dawn. As suddenly as it had appeared, the voice vanished, bringing a blunt end to the conversation. Leaving a broken, sniffling pony behind.

"I need to see the Princess!"

"But the Princess does not need to see YOU!"

"This is a dire situation, and a matter of urgency!"

"And I beg to differ!"

The volatile argument echoed down the hallway, both stallions standing outside the doors to Luna's bedchambers, the posted guards looking on in amusement. Just another blasted petty noble, demanding time from Luna. Too many of them for his liking, each thinking their own personal brand of petty whims important. Usually turned away by Celestia, they naturally try to latch onto the next best thing. Wait for the Night Court and try again. This one was particularly determined, having hounded Nimbus from the Throne room. Hadn't even bothered to wait until court opened.

The purple unicorn continued, trying to push his case. The same one he tried from the very beginning. "I don't think you understand. My sister is currently -"

"In debt to the tune of fifteen hundred bits because she decided she needed that necklace, I am aware. You've told me as such five times." And in increasingly irritating tones, at that. "What do you wish the Princess to do? Magic up the bits? A hand out from the treasury? Order the debt voided?"

The noble just grinned, sarcasm lost on the dolt. "The later sounds rather good, we will ta -"

"Get out of my sight before I have the guards arrest you! I am sure they will be most interested in why you are near the Royal chambers without permission!"

The nearby door creaked open, a half asleep face poking out from the crack. "Nimbus? What is going on?" Luna asked with a noticeable slur. Her head swung around, just catching sight of the fleeing end of a tail. "And who was that?"

Nimbus took deep breaths, calming himself. He was glad to be rid of both the noble and that absurd accent he was expected to put on. How the sisters kept it up, he didn't know. "Just an idiot trying to get money from you. He already got told to 'go away' by Celestia, and it took the threat of being arrested to get rid of him."

Luna sighed, giving a small shake of her head. She almost looked depressed, even the glow from her mane seemed dimmed. "And of my schedule for tonight?"

Whipping out a small clipboard from under one wing, the pegasus balanced the board on one hoof, quickly flipping through it. "Alright, well... We have a diplomatic request from the Griffin Kingdom, and a petition. The griffins want you to convince Celestia to side with them in a land dispute with a pony settlement... and the petitioners are a pony settlement... requesting you to convince Celestia to side with them against the griffins in a land dispute." A situation that was surprisingly common.

What little light remained in Luna's expression faded "Always Celestia." She muttered, half to herself. A strained smile forced its way across her face "Very well. I will take the first in one hour."

The black pegasus had been sitting there for hours, at the very edge of the forest, watching the town. Ponyville apparently. The closest he'd been to civilization for so long. A thousand years if the voice was correct. He'd made trips to the area often enough, 'this plan' or 'that plan' swirling through his head, preparing leave and enact revenge. But whenever he caught sight of sunlight, he'd turned and fled before he managed to even glimpsed the outside world. Could Celestia see everything caught within the daylight? Would ponies recognise him? Nimbus sighed, fear rolling his stomach. But this was what he wanted. Revenge. And the first step towards that goal would be to leave the Everfree.

Easier said than done... Rising to his hooves, Nimbus took the first step. One single hoof out of the forest. Waves of nausea slapped him as the noon sun touched his coat, little voices dancing through his head.

Run. Get safe. Celestia is coming. She knows. She's here.

"I can see you, little pony!"

He recoiled, jerking his hoof back into the cool shadows of the canopy. The voices quieted, dimming to a murmuring buzz at the back of his mind. Every single attempt, the same result. He knew he had to keep trying though. Possible death being preferable to assured torture. The pain from his previous encounters with the voice had dulled, down from a raging inferno to a light ache, but they still acted as a solid reminder.

Closing his eyes, he slowly let out another stuttered whimper, backing up slightly. He bent low, readying himself. I have to do this. I have to do this! Do it! DO IT! The black pegasus sprang forward, launching himself into a run.

Blind and without direction, he galloped into the light, screaming as if struck. Adrenaline pumped through his veins, barely feeling the soil beneath him. It lasted but a scant few seconds, uneven ground catching his hoof, sending him rolling heavily to the ground.

Nimbus lay there, his back resting on hard packed earth. Heart straining against his ribs, breath coming in laboured pants. The heat on his coat unpleasantly warm after years of the forest's chill. Did I do it? Opening his eyes, blinking rapidly against the glare, he found himself outside. Out of the forest and into the light, in the ditch running alongside the road. Again.

Once more the voices spoke. Whispering about Celestia, how she'd find him, catch him, kill him. How her guards were patrolling around the edge of the forest, waiting for a glimpse of him, to grab and bring him to his knees before the Princess.

But they weren't there. Nopony was. The field was empty. Not a soul in sight. She wasn't sitting outside, ready to strike. Those guards weren't prowling, ready to capture him. So many centuries hiding, fearful to so much as step beyond the coiled, knotted branches. All for naught.

He couldn't help it.

He laughed.

Nimbus sighed, boredom having long set in. Staring at a closed double door had, once again, failed to prove interesting. And the young female unicorn standing with him was too busy fumbling around with a dozen levitating documents, seemingly attempting, and failing, to get some semblance of order out of them. He was rather surprised at her presence, Celestia normally accompanied by a much older mare. And of course the guards, being guards, where their usual boring, un-chatty selves. And his clipboard had been checked and re-checked and double re-checked.

Luna had insisted this private meeting wouldn't be long, but after the half hour mark, he was beginning to worry. They only had 10 minutes to get ready for a Zebra diplomat, and the current one did not like being kept waiting. Rather surly .The previous had been a happy, almost motherly mare. Easy to get along with, and flowing with advice, but quick to scold if you took her ire.

"Whadaya think they're talking about?" The unicorn finally spoke, having apparently given up on her paperwork. She was quite easy on the eyes, light orange mane and tail with a rust coloured coat, a scroll and quill adorning her flank. A very common themed cutie mark amongst the higher ranked politicians. Surprisingly young for the position however, as well as lacking the formal speech that demanded respect.

"Probably something rather personal, and not for our ears. I take it you are Ruby Star's replacement?" He replied, grateful for something other to do than sit and worry.

She grinned, beaming with pride. That's something that will eventually be driven out when the monotony gets her. "Yep! Got sworn in today. Oh, I'm so excited! I can't believe I'm the Princesses Personal Adviser now! My names Unity! What's yours?"

Bowing, he introduced himself. "I am Nimbus, Princess Luna's Second-in-Command, and Personal Adviser. I beg your pardon for asking, but you seem quite young for such a position?"

Somehow, her grin just stretched further. "I know! I barely believe it myself, but -"

The massive doors exploded open, causing both ponies to jump, scattering his clipboard and her papers. From within, a very irate Luna emerged, heavy hoof falls containing none of her usual grace. Pausing at the entrance, she whipped her head around, glaring over her shoulder. "This is not over Celestia. We WILL be discussing this later." With that, she swept down the hall, leaving two ponies behind to gather their shattered wits.

Nimbus knew something was bothering her, something big. But all attempts to get her to open up over the last week had thus far failed. This time though, if her wrath was anything to go by, he'd be hearing about it in the morning before bed. Probably in amongst various curses and expletives.

But at least he might know what was going on.

Nimbus violently shook his head, trying to clear the haze these strange impromptu flashbacks brought. He didn't know exactly what was causing them, but he could hazard a guess his vocal 'friend' was involved.

Luna never actually did tell him what was wrong. For the remainder of the night she'd been a bit curt with those around her, but nothing too out of the ordinary. And other than a quick dismissal when they'd arrived to their respective bedchambers, his door across the hall from hers, nothing was said between them.

Redirecting his mind to the more current situation, he peered back out from his hiding place. A bush next to a shop provided a nice shadow for his black coat to meld into, and gave a good view over the town square. And the Town Hall. Or at least that's what he surmised the massive circular building in the middle of town to be, constantly bustling with activity. Ponies bringing swaths of cloth and silk, then leaving empty hoofed.

Ponies. So many ponies. It seemed the entire population was out and about. What could have been a 10 minute walk from the forest to the center of town, had taken upwards of two hours. Constantly darting behind bushes, edging around building corners. While he'd dispelled his, admittedly foalish, fear of guards ready to behead him, he still couldn't let himself be seen. His rather unique colouring and lack of cutie mark would garner too much attention. Then there could be problems.

And now, so close to his goal, he found himself stuck against a wall. A wall consisting of dozens of ponies as they milled about in the square. Each one working at various tasks.

Sighing, Nimbus rested his chin on his forehooves. 'So far, yet so close', I think the saying went? Guess I'm going to have to wait until nightfall. He had wanted to get in before then, and out of the open. Dawn had been the cutoff, and he knew he was well hidden, but a chance encounter with a pony poking their head in could easily ruin everything. 'Beggars can't be choosy' though.

Just as he began settling himself in for a long wait, a high pitched mares voice rung through the air. "Come'on everypony! BIIIIIG party in the library! And EVERYPONY'S invited!" The resulting cheer and clopping of hooves vibrated the ground beneath his stomach, chattering his teeth together painfully. Over the din, Nimbus could barely make out the word 'pinky' and 'party'. Whatever that meant.

Before the noise had time to dull, the ponies before him whipped themselves up into a flurry of activity, each attempting to finish their respective job in record time. Already a few had left, breaking into a full gallop off towards a massive tree, apparently eager to get to the announced party. Soon, in under ten minutes, the pegasus was left looking at a completely empty yard as the last pony ran off. After the hustle and bustle present not long ago, the deathly silence felt rather unnerving.

He didn't waste any time contemplating his sudden lucky break. Flaring his wings, and giving a few final glances around for witnesses, Nimbus flung himself across the square. A quick pause at the open double doors to glance in, checking for any ponies still inside, and he slipped inside the empty structure.

Before him, the hall interior looked as impressive as any royal ball he'd attended. Massive banners and tapestries hung from the ceiling and balconies high above his head, red carpet cutting a straight line from the entrance to the far side. Gems as tall as a pony were embedded into large patterned disks holding elegant ribbon aloft as it streaked across the walls. Each of the massive jewels catching the rays of the sun coming from the huge arched windows under the roof, reflecting the light around the area. It had all the appearance of a talented, professional touch.

What took his eye though, was the largest balcony, directly across from the doors, a red curtain with a pull rope draped across it. Strong wing beats carried him up over it's railing, and through the heavy fabric. It parted easily, showing a small room with few furnishings, a table with cushions and some potted plants. The sun shining in through a large window gave the area a warm glow. A small indoor garden set into a flat, raised stone slab at the back of the room could provide some cover. Or at least the best he could hope for in this place.

Squeezing in between the cold stone and the wooden back wall, he settled down for a long rest, the emotional toll of the day catching up to him all at once. Nothing more to do but wait til dawn. Maybe then he would find out what that voice had in store.

She was smiling.

And as she smiled, so did he. Never leaving her side through-out the Summer Sun Ball, he'd been keeping a close eye on Luna. After all the loud arguments between her and her sister in the weeks past, he had been worried about her. So far though, clean sailing. An easy smile planted itself on her face, and had remained there since her waking. Seeing Luna finally beginning to relax improved his own mood immensely. Talking to the pompous fools that usually attended events such as these didn't leave him with murderous thoughts for once.

Still, some ponies went out of their way to bring them back.

"I say, are you even listening to me?"

The sudden change in the previously droning voice of the lime unicorn before him jolted Nimbus from his thoughts. "I... I beg your pardon, my mind must have slipped. What was it you were saying?"

"Well I guess I'll forgive you. Not everypony can have as sharp a mind as I. And I'm sure your age must be catching up with you." An crack about age to an immortal. Classy. "As I was saying, my family controls the thirty largest farms in northern Equestria, and holds substantial sway with the councils and ..."

He stopped listening as the unicorn resumed his monotone listing of his families 'virtues'. Ponies like this were dime a dozen. Never interested in an actual conversation, any reply from them carefully crafted to have something to do with their holdings, number of employees, or political power.

Giving a quick glance back at Luna, whom he stood next to as she chatted to a gathering of overdressed mares, he happily noted the smile was still there. A little strained, but who's wouldn't be while talking to these idiots.

"... and of course I declined. I'm a stallion of high status, and anything of the sort is far beneath my station."

He had to get Luna away from these ponies before they managed to break her good mood. Or his. "I'm sure you are. However, I do believe I require some refreshments. If you would be so kind as to excuse me." Before any objections could be voiced, Nimbus quickly turned to Luna, clearing his throat to catch her attention. "Your Majesty, do you require anything? A drink, or bite to eat?"

The relief on Luna's face held an amusing contrast to the equal amounts of anger from the group surrounding her. "Oh, yes. I do believe I just might come with you, though. Stretch my legs a bit." Turning back to her admirers she briefly nodded her head. "Please, excuse us."

Finally free from being bombarded with ponies stating how superior they regarded themselves, Nimbus took a moment to look around the Grand Hall of Everfree Castle. Massive cloth banners hung from the roofs and walls, depicting crests from the various minor royal families, mixed in the the usual sun and moon motif. Hundreds of ponies milled around, usually in pairs or threes, quietly chatting. Waiters and servants weaving through as they tended to their duties, holding platters of nibbles. Vast tables filled with food and drink. Even the night outside was particularly bright, Luna going beyond even her norm for her sisters celebration.

Majestic as always, and boring as ever.

As the black pegasus guided Luna over to one of the refreshment tables, he spoke, dropping the haughty accent. "So what was that group after?"

She sighed, her gaze fixated firmly on the floor tiles, the already strained smile flagging further. "Oh, they were just inquiring about Celestia's schedule tonight. And... if I could obtain them an audience."

And there goes the rest of her smile. Alright, enough is enough. I've danced around this long enough. Reaching up to her chin with a hoof, Nimbus angled her head to look her in the eyes. Taking a deep breath, steadying his nerves. "Luna. What's going on?"

"Wh... What do you mean?" She replied, a sudden forced grin forming quickly.

He shook his head. "Nope. Not happening. Not this time. I'm your friend, and I've tried to respect your privacy about this. But it's gone on for too long." Holding her head still, he glared at her, emphasizing each word. "What's. Going. On."

As he looked her in the eyes, a sudden change came over her. Any of the normal warmth she held for him vanished, an almost sneering glare planting itself firmly on her features. "You over step your bounds, Nimbus. This is not for you."

He had to be strong. "Now hold on here -"

Jerking her head from his grip, she turned, throwing her words over her shoulder as she purposefully walked back towards the crowded floor. "I believe you still have some duties to be taken care of tonight. Something concerning the Night Guard at the City Gates. See to it."

"But Luna, this is important -"

A quick flick of her head brought a single eye to bare down on Nimbus, cold as ice, interrupting him. "This is not an option, I've given you an order, and you will obey." Luna paused, a hardness flashing behind her steely gaze. "Besides. The issue will, soon, no longer be a problem. This WILL be resolved tonight."

The pegasus jerked awake, driving his head painfully into the stone slab. A groan and muttered curses passed his lips before his mind caught up. Freezing in place, he weathered the painful throbbing in his forehead, listening for movement. Nothing. Nopony around to hear him.

Rubbing his eyes, Nimbus barely registered the damp streaks down his cheeks. He'd only seen Luna glare like that a few times, a visage of hatred. Once had been to a murderer, somepony who'd broken into an inn and killed four guests as they slept. The worst of the worst. And yet she had used it on him.

Then the last words Luna had spoken to him. Laced with scorn, like he was an insect, worthless. And his chance to apologise stolen from him. To simply say he was sorry for prying. All because of that monster. A hoof quickly knocked freshly forming tears from his eyelids, clearing his wavering eyesight. He'd cried too much over it already. Besides which, it wouldn't help the current situation.

A quick look to the window above him showed it to be well into the night, Luna's moon just beginning to dip itself below the horizon, getting ready for the sun. Nimbus's slumber had been long, but the dreams prevented it from being restful.

" - is for you to wait up here to be announced." A mare's voice? Nimbus checked his position, squirming further behind the garden. "The curtains will part and that will be your cue. If it pleases you of course, Your Highness."

'Your Highness'?

A second feminine voice spoke, and Nimbus could almost hearing the warm, motherly smile. "Thank you, that will be fine."

He knew that voice. It was her. Celestia. She was there. The real one, not just some trick of the mind. Just on the other side of the stone. Almost close enough to touch. After all this time, hiding, training his body and mind, she was finally close enough to enact revenge on.

Soft hoofsteps signaled the departure of the unknown pony. Nopony stood between him and his target.

And Nimbus couldn't move. His breath caught in his throat, terrified of causing the slightest peep. All of her power and magic far exceeded anything he could ever dream of achieving. And she wanted him dead. He had just walked himself into her grasp.

"Punctual as always, isn't she. As you can see, I have brought her to you. Now, strike her. I will do the rest." The now familiar voice spoke, sounding all too proud of itself. Nimbus would have jumped at the sudden appearance if his muscles hadn't already locked themselves in place. It paused, waiting. When nothing happened, it continued, agitation apparent in its tone. "What are you waiting for? I said I will assist you, but you have to move first!"

He couldn't respond. Not here, with Celestia so close. With each passing moment, he could sense a swelling anger. "You COWARD! How can you hide like this?! She killed Luna! And yet you still hesitate?! You swore on your LIFE!"

I did.

"She doesn't know you are here! Just one touch, and it will all be over."

Nimbus lifted his head, finally releasing his breath, slowly, to avoid disturbing the mare. Just touch her, just need one touch. Gathering what little wits remained, the black pegasus crept closer to the edge of the stone slab, ear twitching as it picked up the soft sound of a tapping hoof. Wings unfurled, muscles tensed.

* * *

Celestia rapped her hoof against the wooden floor, the nervousness returning now that she was alone.

This was it. Tonight was the night. After so long, her dear sister would return.

Glancing back to the window, she watched the dying light of the moon as it began to sink below the horizon. Every night, she'd watch it in its lazy voyage across the night's sky and ask, 'What if?'. What if she'd paid more attention. What if she'd listened. What if she'd not used the Elements.

She sighed. It was far too late to still be contemplating these questions, only what lay ahead mattered. And she was ready. With either words or spell if necessary. Hopefully she would not have to resort to violence, but that option had to remain open. Luna had already lashed out once, and who could know what a millenia of solitude would do to a pony.

Though should she fail, or fall, Celestia still had a contingency in motion. She had sent Twilight to Ponyville ahead of her own arrival, under the guise of 'checking on preparations'. In truth it had been to force her to meet with the other Bearers, ponies with the power to fully unlock the Elements. Something she herself had been unable to do on that fateful night. She detested the idea of tricking her student like that, but had little choice. An order to make friends would result in the bookish unicorn merely acting like a friend, treating it with a detached aloofness born from years of continuous study. The Elements required a ponies intent, and cared little for simple action.

Beyond the drapes covering the small backroom, the din of a hundred ponies softened, and the Mayor's voice spoke up. Practiced from years of public speeches, her voice carried impeccably even through the heavy cloth. "Fillies and gentlecolts. As Mayor of Ponyville, it is my great pleasure to announce the beginning of the Summer Sun Celebration!" The crowd erupted, loud whistling and stamping of hooves shaking the building.

Celestia smiled. The sound of cheering, happy ponies always raised her spirits from what ever melancholy might have taken her heart. Taking a deep breath, she brought herself up to full height, chuckling quietly to herself. "I need to stop worrying. Everything will go smoothly."

Without warning, something smashed into the back of Celestia's head, a lancing pain rocketing through her. A heavy weight collapsing against her back followed the stunning blow, knocking her from her hooves. As she slumped against the wooden floor, and slid to a painful stop, a telltale tingling washed over her body. Magic. Powerful magic.

"Smoothly for me, I can assure you, dear sister. Sweet dreams, both of you." A strange voice echoed through her mind, the world around her fading. "Have oh so very sweet dreams!"