Twilit Nightfall

Silhouette of a Life

Luna stared as Twilight's power sent shockwaves through the ground at her hooves, cracking the earth like ceramic tiles under a massive impact. The Lunar Princess staggered backwards with each shockwave emanating from the lavender unicorn, scaring even the demi-goddess with the power she was putting out. Concern for her friend's plight soon turned to concern for Ponyville, as the shockwaves began shattering windows and waking the ponies who had already gone to sleep.

Luna began hearing something over the roar of the flames that were now Twilight's mane and tail. It almost sounded like something was calling her name and Luna flicked her ear in annoyance as she turned to try and evacuate the town when the sound of her name rang out, louder than before.

"Luna!" the voice said, "You have to put Twilight to sleep!"

"Who's there?" Luna asked, looking around, slightly unnerved.

The voice gave a huff and said, "No time to explain, Luna, because if you don't knock Twilight out, she's going to burn out her horn and cause magical backlash so severe, she'll turn Ponyville into a crater!"

"And how would you suggest I do that, oh mighty invisible voice?" Luna asked, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

"A sleeping spell, duh," the voice said in return, "And I figured you'd recognize my voice by now, Luna. It's Serene!"

"Oh.." Luna said sheepishly, "I'll do that right away then." She turned back towards Twilight and began charging her horn to put the lavender mare to sleep. Twilight, who was still staring in the same direction that the pegasus had taken Spike in was howling her grief at the loss of her surrogate son and her first real friend before moving to Ponyville. Tears were flowing down her face, only to evaporate almost as soon as they left her eyes, because her fur was putting off such intense heat.

Luna let loose her spell after a moment and the azure magic took hold on the grieving mother. Twilight's howls came to a sudden end as the spell took hold, her mane, tail, and body returning to normal, even if she was smoking a bit and singed in places. Luna charged another spell and let loose a cooling breeze on Twilight, cooling her body down enough that she wouldn't accidentally catch the library or her bed on fire.

Luna levitated the unconscious unicorn before her and finally noticed the scared looks of the ponies who had gathered around the treehouse. Twilight's friends were at the fore of the gathered crowd, and they all followed Luna as she put Twilight into bed. When Luna came back down, she went outside, assured everypony that nothing was wrong and that they were all safe and to return home. She took a deep breath, then let it out slowly as she processed what had happened, then turned to answer the questions she knew were surely going to arise.

~~~~

Twilight found herself sitting in the throne room of the dream castle when she opened her eyes. Sitting next to her, a very concerned look plastered on her face, was Serene. The dark alicorn looked down when she felt Twilight stir, then wrapped her forehooves around her host and began comfort her. Twilight, who was still in shock from what had happened returned the hug slowly, then began to weep openly.

"It's alright," Serene said, tears flowing down her own face, "I'm here for you, Twilight, and I promise I'll help you any way I can."

"T-they took Spike," Twilight sobbed, "Why did she do that?"

Serene looked down and asked, "She?"

"Yes," Twilight said with a sniffle, "I could tell by the shape of her body, she was a really large pegasus. Larger than the guards Luna and Celestia use in Canterlot."

Serene hugged Twilight close, then pulled away to look at Twilight closely. She brought herself to eye level with the lavender mare, then said, "I know a way to give you an edge."

"W-what do you mean?" Twilight asked, suddenly very aware that she was in her mind. With the being formerly known as Nightmare Moon. In a VERY compromising position.

"I'm in your head, remember?" Serene asked with a chuckle, "I know exactly what you are thinking at this moment. You want to bring back Spike, and be damned anyone or anything in your way."

"Yes," Twilight said in a low voice, her tears no longer flowing, "They took my Spike from me. I'd go through Tartaurus and beyond if I thought it would help bring my son home...."

"The Night's Blessing," Serene began, "It will allow you to survive most conditions that would normally kill you. But, the cost is terrible...."

"Whatever it takes," Twilight said with conviction, "I'll do it."

Serene suddenly moved in for a kiss, shocking Twilight out of her fuming. She looked up at Serene, confused at first, then realizing what was going on, closes her eyes and allows Serene to continue.

After a moment, Serene pulled back with a heavy blush and said, "I'm sorry.... But you need to have a clear head about this. It would not be a good idea to go through with this angry or upset. It would only get you killed, in the end, and I don't want that for you, Twilight."

Twilight put a hoof up to her lips, which were still tingling from the kiss, and asked, "How long?"

"A while now," Serene responded, "I'm not entirely sure when it started, though. It may have been the Summer Solstice...."

Twilight nodded, still a bit shell shocked. She shaked her head, as if chasing away buzzing mosquitoes, then nuzzled Serene and said, "It'll be alright... And I'd be willing to give us a try, if you can get a body."

Serene nodded happily and said, "I would be happy if you are happy, Twilight. But I appreciate the gesture."

Twilight sighed contentedly, then closed her eyes with a yawn. Serene stroked Twilight's mane with a smile, then, Twilight woke up.

~~~~

Luna sighed heavily. It had taken some doing, to be sure, but everypony in town was placated, for the moment. It had taken a lot more convincing for Twilight's friends, however, and they all seemed to want more of an explanation than Luna had the ability to give. Except for Pinkie Pie.

Pinkie had been the only one who was acting slightly out of character during Luna's interrogation by the other Elements of Harmony. She looked somber, her hair straight instead of it's usual bouncy curls and cotton candy look. She looked Luna in the eye when it came time for her to ask questions and said one thing only.

"Make sure you bring her back safely," said the pink party pony, then she turned and left without another word. Her friends were a little stunned that Pinkie was acting so peculiar, but chalked it up to Pinkie being Pinkie.  Luna was a little curious as to what she had meant, though.

She pondered this as she went up stairs, Twilight's other friends having left a while ago, to check on the lavender mare. Only to find that Twilight was already awake and heading downstairs, a determined look in her eyes. Twilight walked up to Luna, then motioned towards the dining area with a jerk of her head.

"I am surprised you are awake right now, Twilight," Luna said, "I assumed you would be unconscious for a few days at least, especially after that little power show last night."

"I suppose having the spirit of an alicorn, even if she was originally part of you, Luna, has some benefits," Twilight said as she got herself a glass of water. She sat down and looked pensive for a while, her thoughts racing.

"Speak your mind, Twilight," Luna said softly, "You have been through a great deal this night, and you do not need to go through it alone."

"I know," Twilight said, fighting back tears, "I.... I miss him."

"Understandable," Luna said with a nod, "From what I heard last night, he is as a son to you. And losing a child is the worst thing a mother, regardless of true parentage, can ever go through."

"I want the Blessing," Twilight said, confidently, wiping her eyes with a foreleg.

Luna hesitated before speaking again, her thoughts beginning to race. It had been centuries since the last pony had wanted the blessing from the Lunar Princess. And the ones that were still alive and active in the world did not exactly want anything to do with Princess Luna anymore, due to the lingering resentment of Nightmare Moon.

"There will be no going back, Twilight," Luna said after a long while, "You will be subject to the same curse 'Tia and I are, as you may very well end up living for eternity. This is not something to take lightly, as I am sure you are aware."

"I know, Luna," Twilight said in a low voice, "But that pegasus took off in the direction of the dragon's homeland, Drakos. A normal pony won't be able to survive out there, mainly because the landscape is so hostile towards most life."

"That is true, Twilight," Luna said in surprise, "But how did you know this?"

"I have a pretty good memory," Twilight said with a sad chuckle, tears beginning to form in her eyes, "I was researching dragons a while back, because I wanted to know more about them as a whole, so I could help Spike if he needed it. I came across a book detailing the countries of the world. The chapter it had on Drakos wasn't very long, but it did detail that a pony could die if they weren't properly prepared."

Luna sighed heavily. "It appears that you will not be dissuaded in this matter."

Twilight nodded slightly and took a drink of water, then asked, "Does it hurt?"

"The... sensations, for lack of better term," Luna began, "Are different for each individual undergoing the Blessing. Some who accepted it were wracked with unimaginable pain, while others  had a look of such peace and serenity that it seemed that they had died and gone to the Elysian Fields."

"When would we have to do the blessing?" Twilight asked, taking another drink of water.

"Tomorrow night, at the apex of the full moon," Luna replied, "But I would prefer that we were someplace where there is not going to be much collateral damage. I would rather not have to explain to Celestia why your home was destroyed if we did it here."

Twilight thought for a moment, then said, "The Castle of the Two Sisters in the Everfree Forest would work. It's not in the best of shape, but the tower where my friends and I released you should still be stable enough."

"Then that is where we shall go, Twilight," Luna said, "Now, I would suggest you rest yourself and prepare for the journey. I need to contact my sister and inform her of what has transpired."

~~~~`~

Luna left the Library shortly after Twilight went back up to bed, the lavender unicorn's decision weighing heavily on her mind. Luna knew it was ultimately the receiver's choice, and that Twilight would be one of the best possible candidates to receive the Blessing, but still, the whole situation left the azure alicorn feeling uncertain and wary.

Heaving a sigh, Luna sent her consciousness up into the aether that made up her night, preparing to both contact Celestia and make way for the rising sun. Sure enough, as soon as Luna's consciousness touched the aether, Celestia was right there with her, the solar diarch's presence a comfort through the sea of unrest that plagued Luna's mind. Almost immediately, however, Celestia voiced concern.

"What is wrong, Luna?" Celestia asked.

"Something has happened," Luna said. She launched into an explanation of the events of the few days she had been in Ponyville. She told of Twilight's dreams, but omitted the fact that the former Nightmare Moon was still very much alive and well. She told of the party Pinkie had thrown.

"...then, shortly after returning to the library, Spike the dragon was foalnapped by an unknown pegasus mare. Twilight was quite distraught. I feared she would have destroyed the town had I not put her to sleep," Luna finished, shuddering at the memory of the power the young unicorn could bring to bear if she put her mind to it.

Celestia stood, flabbergasted, for a moment before saying, "How bad was she?"

"If I didn't know any better, I would say she was attempting to channel the raw power of the sun, sister," Luna replied, "Whomever perpetrated this is in for one extremely rude awakening when Twilight catches them."

Celestia knew that Twilight was powerful and that rumors of that power alone were part of the reason why no-one and no-thing had attempted to try anything to hurt her or her friends. Of course, being the personal student of the Demi-goddess of the sun, who's power quite literally made it possible for life to exist on Yggdra, didn't hurt either. But this? Celestia was appalled and outraged  that someone would involve a child like this.

"Sister, there is one more thing," Luna said hesitantly.

"What is it, Lulu?" Celestia asked, using her pet name for Luna. Which told Luna that she was extremely upset.

"Twilight has requested the Blessing," Luna replied, "She wants to track and capture the villain responsible herself."

Celestia's hoof rose up to smack her face hard enough that it would have shattered stone. Her right eye began to twitch in irritation as she raged around the aetherscape for a few moments before speaking again.

"Damn it!" Celestia cried, "I NEVER wanted her to share in Eternity's curse with us! After all she's done for me, for US, Lulu, all I wanted for her was a normal life. Or at least as normal as the Equestrian Archmage can get!"

"But you have not heard whether or not I am even going to allow her to recieve the blessing, sister," Luna said.

"Please, Lulu," Celestia said with a scoff, "Twilight noticed I was getting a bit pudgy a while back and she managed to convince me that I needed to diet and get more exercise with nothing more that a few words and an extremely well placed set of puppy dog eyes. She even managed to make me stop eating cake for a whole year! Me! And I absolutely LOVE cake!! I'd eat it for every meal if I could!"

"You are correct, sister," Luna said with a sigh, "I am going to give her the blessing. She will not be dissuaded for any reason save the safe return of Spike to her."

Celestia shook her head and heaved a sigh before saying, "I'll send over a couple of flasks for her. I think she is making an incredibly rash decision, but I will support her any way I can. And I'm sure her friends will as well."

"Thank you, Celly," Luna said with a small smile, "I am sure Twilight will appreciate the gesture."

"I just hope that Twilight knows what she's getting into," Celestia said,  "There is going to be quite a lot of pain for her down this road."

Celestia looked down at her hooves, then asked, "What do you plan on doing after she has the Blessing?"

Luna looked thoughtful, then smiled as inspiration struck, "The Moon Wolves in the Whitetail Wood should be able to help Twilight train for her quest. There are some things that I will not be able to teach her because Nightmare Moon was the receiver of my blessing, and not me. The Wolves should be able to teach Twilight the finer points of hunting and how to control her strength."

Celestia nodded in agreement and said, "Very well. That would most likely be the best course of action anyway, considering the purging of Nightmare Moon took most of the Blessing she had with her."

Celestia's gaze suddenly became harsh and unforgiving, making Luna very uncomfortable keeping eye contact, but she couldn't look away. When Celestia spoke, it sent shivers down Luna's spine.

"Take care of her, Luna," Celestia said, "For a long time she was the only bright spot in my immortal life. And then she and her friends gave you back to me, and that is something that I will never be able to repay. Please.... Take care of her."

"I promise, she will live through this, Celly," Luna said solemnly.

The sisters stopped conversing right then, feeling their charges pull on their consciousnesses. Luna moved Nox, the night sky, to make way for Lux, the day. Celestia nodded in satisfaction as the transition was made, then nuzzled Luna affectionately before leaving the aether, presumably to send a letter to Twilight with the flasks. Luna waited a moment longer before leaving herself, and returning to the library, where Twilight waited.