The Stars Above Know

The Stars Above Know

by Denim Blue

“There is one thing I’ve learned from ruling Equestria alongside my sister, and that is the fact that one is never too old to learn something new.”

-quote from an exclusive interview with Princess Luna from the magazine ‘Equestrian Times Monthly’ , published one month after her return from the moon

Nightmare Moon found that no matter how often she saw it, the planet she orbited was something she couldn’t grow tired of. Its vast oceans, ever-changing landscape, its expansive and diverse wildlife...everything about it made her love it more and more with each passing expanse of time she spent gazing at it.

Celestia told me once that the planet used to be a very different place. Before ponies, there were creatures that looked like us, but were smaller.
“Yes, I recall that being told to me, too.” Nightmare replied. Luna had told her this several dozen times already, but she didn’t mind. “Celly said it was part of the ‘innate’ knowledge we have. Sort of how I know where every star in the night sky is, even if I can’t always see them.”

Do you think Celly has any idea of what we were really trying to do before she sent us to the moon?

Luna’s question caused Nightmare to smirk. “Oh, I’m sure she has a few guesses. She’s smart, incredibly smart. She’s older than us, after all. By the time I was old enough to raise the moon, she had already made the first calendar that Equestria would follow for the next five hundred years.” She gazed down at the spot where she knew Canterlot to be. “In fact, I wouldn’t be half surprised if she’s watching us right now and making plans for our return.”

Hm...Luna hummed in thought. I’m still wondering how much of that dream we had was a premonition. Those six ponies we saw...I feel like I’ve seen them before, don’t you?

Nightmare Moon gave a hum of agreement. Not too long ago (possibly a few decades at most, but the flow of time felt different for them compared to other ponies) the two mares had experienced a dream, one which was surreal. They stood before six ponies, whose features were blurred, though they were bright pastels of sorts, just like many of the ponies in Equestria. They were all fillies, possibly young mares who had just reached adulthood, and they were confronting the two about something. While the six seemed threatened by the two, Luna and Nightmare themselves felt nothing but joy and relief. Nightmare felt something else though, but she couldn’t peg it. A part of her felt guilt, too, and she wasn’t sure why.

“I’m sure we’ll learn more as the time for our return approaches. The Elements are counting on us to return them to their natural state, after all.” Nightmare answered after some time, her gaze shifting to four orbs of light that were only several dozen light years away, slowly making their final stretch of travel towards the orbiting celestial body. “Just give it time, Luna. We’ve only got less than a century to go.”

Chapter Four: Bad Moon Rising

2979 E.B.
Castle of the Royal Sisters

Luna stared at her reflection, all the while feeling a strange sense of déjà vu.

Ah, I remember doing the exact same thing right before confronting Celestia in my own time...although it was more than one hundred years in the future.

Luna smiled as the sound of the voice of ‘Nightmare Moon’ echoed in her mind. Initially it had been a strange having another pony residing within her mind, but after a year of adjusting to it while forming a plan with her future-self, the midnight alicorn was used to it. Nightmare Moon had suggested that she transfer herself into Luna’s mind after a week of hiding within her shadow, claiming it would be easier to mask her presence within a life force similar to her own. Luna was amazed by the amount of advanced magic her future-self knew, and when she inquired about the spells, Nightmare had simply replied with a declination to teach her, stating she wasn’t ready to learn them yet.

I developed most of the more complicated spells I use on my own with no assistance or prior sources to look up for reference. Nightmare had explained once. While you are quite adept at magic, Luna, you’re not quite ready to use these spells. I had to put in several centuries’ worth of training within only a short span of time when I began to fear my sister’s reign was going to far. It nearly destroyed me on more than a few occasions.
Luna decided to let it be at that point. If her future-self didn’t feel she was ready to learn the more powerful magic spells she had at her disposal, than she would trust her judgement.

She adjusted the dark blue crown on her head before nodding to herself. This time, she would confront Celestia by herself. No outside help from other ponies, no diversions, nothing but her–and Nightmare, of course. She wouldn’t drag others into this mess. With any luck, she wouldn’t need any help from other ponies and simply resolve the issue with the Elements of Harmony.

If that plan didn’t go through though, then she would go with plan B: the Armor of the Night.

“Now, just remember, Luna, state what you feel. She is likely to listen to you, seeing as she is still a rather peaceful individual,” Nightmare began. “We want to lessen the control we have over Equestria, and want to allow a greater range of variance with night and day. Longer nights in winter will keep the snow from melting so fast, and longer days in summer will allow more sunlight for crops. That’s one of the main arguments we have for that proposition, but the ponies of Equestria come first.”
“Right.” Luna let out a breath. “I am ready.”

She walked out of her room, and with grace fit for a princess like herself, made her way towards the throne room. That familiar sense of déjà vu washed over her once again as the guards bowed to her before opening the doors while the servant near the entrance spoke out her name. All the ponies in the throne paused and bowed to her, while one pony gave her a nod and a gentle smile.

“Luna, good to see you...although, shouldn’t you be getting some rest? You still have...” She looked out the window towards the sun. “...about seven hours before sunset.”

Luna’s attention, however, was drawn to the objects laid out before her sister. Six of them, to be exact.

The Elements of Harmony.

The younger sister forced herself to remain composed, though the task was proving to be quite difficult as Celestia continued to smile while walking down from her throne. “Sister, could I speak to you...in private?”

Celestia’s smile dropped slightly as she heard the tone in Luna’s voice. “Luna, dear...are you alright?” She was now beside the Princess of the Night. “You sound upset...”

Luna looked up to her sister, then gazed at the ponies within the throne room. Celestia got the hint and cleared her throat. “My dear ponies, if you would, my sister and I would like to have a moment to ourselves. Please leave us.”

The ponies, guards included, all bowed to the two and exited the throne room in an orderly fashion. As soon as they were alone, Luna spoke. “Celly...I want to talk about the solstices again...that and a few possible changes in the liberties our citizens have-”

“Oh, Luna, this topic again?” Celestia’s voice carried both an air of annoyance as well as worry. “Luna, dear, I know you care deeply for them, as do I, but we are ageless for a reason. We are meant to rule. As for the solstices, I don’t think we should be tampering with the way things are, do you?”

“Celly, if you would only listen-”

Celestia placed a gentle hoof over Luna’s shoulders. “Sister, trust me on this one. I know what I am talking about.”

“No! You are just afraid!” Luna shouted, taking Celestia by surprise with her outburst.

“I...what do...afraid? Luna, what do you mean by that?” The Princess of the Sun was looking at Luna with a mixture of confusion and anger now. “Why would I be afraid of our subjects?”

Luna took in a deep breath to calm herself. She could feel Nightmare Moon poking at her conscious, asking for permission to speak through her. Luna closed her eyes, and when she opened them, they were brighter and seemed to glow with concealed power. “Sister...our time to rule Equestria with absolute authority is drawing to a close. Ponykind is progressing faster and faster every year, and I believe it is time that we allow them to walk on their own hooves.”

Luna closed her eyes and opened them once more, revealing the same gentle ones that were her own. She bowed her head and glanced over to the Elements once more. Why had Celestia brought them out? Did she suspect Luna of trying to dethrone her?

“Luna, I understand where you’re coming from, believe me, I do. Still...we stand above the unicorns, pegasi, and earth ponies. We have been given the right to rule by the cosmos themselves. Why should we allow ponies who only live for a mere moment in our own lives rule? Think of the confusion and disorder it could bring them.”

“Perhaps you should seek an answer from the Elements of Harmony,” Luna replied. “I’m sure they can find an answer. They exist for the sole purpose of peace, after all.”

“Ah...” Celestia looked to the six magical jewels and frowned. “Unfortunately, that would be impossible. It appears that the Elements are not reacting to my magic. I’ve tried to make contact with them, but they do not resonate to my power. It’s worrisome, to say the least.”

Luna slowly made her way towards the Elements of Harmony, all the while feeling Nightmare Moon looking at them through her eyes.

Thisis bad. If the Elements of Harmony are inactive, then there’s no way for us to use them on Celestia and open her eyes up to what she’s doing. It’s clear that speaking to her and using reason are not enough. We have tried before, and she has always brushed our suggestions aside.

Touching the Element of Loyalty, Luna could feel the slightest ebb of magic from it. Her eyes widened, but she quickly hid the expression beneath a look of indifference. “Celly...will you not reconsider your stance on my proposals?”

The white alicorn shook her head slowly. “I’m sorry, Luna. Changing the Solar cycle-”

“See, that’s what I’m talking about!” Luna grumbled. “It’s always about you and your kingdom! Everypony loves you, a few respect me, sure, but has anypony ever approached me about issues involving the kingdom?” She didn’t wait for a response. “No! Not once can I recall a major decision being brought before me first! It’s you, always you!”

Celestia took a step back as she felt a powerful force being summoned from her sister. “Luna...come now, there’s no reason-”

Luna stomped a hoof on the ground, silencing her sister. “No, you listen to me! I will not be treated like a foal, not any more! You have coddled me and kept sheltered from the politics of our kingdom long enough!” She looked to the daytime sky and frowned.

Luna...I have an idea...you may not like it, but it may bring our sister to her senses, and help the Elements reawaken.

Luna’s mind was suddenly flooded with thoughts belonging to her counterpart. Her eyes widened, and she smiled sadly. “...I understand...”

“What was that, Luna?” Celestia asked, unable to make out what Luna had whispered.

Luna looked up to face Celestia fully. “Celly...do the ponies out there mean anything to you?”

“Well...I suppose. They’re only mortal, though, so not especially-”

“Then I suppose you will not mind if I take out my frustrations on a few of them, will you?”

Celestia’s expression became one of fear. “Luna...what are you planning to do?”

Luna just smiled deviously. “Since none of them truly appreciate my night thanks to your enforced curfew, I think it is about time they see my night for all the beauty it holds.” She let Nightmare Moon’s voice intermingle with her own. “Yes...an eternal, beautiful night for the ponies whose lives are but meaningless moments compared to our own, dearest Celestia!!”

A dark blue mist enveloped Luna, and Celestia’s heart began to pound with terror.

What...what was happening to her sister?

Nightmare Moon forced herself to continue laughing as the mist of starlight faded around her. The once smaller, dark-blue coated Luna was now pitch black and her starlit mane was once more waving wildly. She did her best to appear menacing, trying to recall how Celestia herself had acted in her timeline.

Facing her elder sister, Nightmare spoke. “Well, Celestia? Do you oppose this idea of mine? After all, you admire my night, why shouldn’t they do the same? It will give some purpose to their lives.”

Celestia shook her head. “Luna, what...what did you do to yourself?”

“Oh, this?” Nightmare inquired with what she hoped was a smug grin while a hoof ran over her blue breastplate. “Lovely, is it not? It is known as the Armor of the Night. It’s a gift from the heavens above, used when I see it appropriate. In truth, I had been planning on taking on this form for quite some time now. Those ponies do not show me the respect I deserve, after all. What with that Sun of yours being all they ever care to gaze at in the sky.”

“Luna...” Celestia spoke calmly. “If this is about your desire to have more recognition, please reconsider what-”

“Enough, sister,” Nightmare growled. “I am Luna no more. I am Nightmare Moon! This is my wish, and if you try to stop me, I’ll see to it that you are punished for interfering!”

Celestia frowned. “Luna, you are acting out of line. I am the one who makes the rules, we have spoken about this before! The natural order of things cannot be changed, and a few ponies’ complaints about the way things are run are not-”

Nightmare Moon burst out into a fit of laughter. “You vain, simple-minded fool! You think this is about those foals? I could care less about them!”

“You...” Celestia’s eyes narrowed. “You are not Luna. My sister...she was too kind to say such horrid things. Explain who you are, now.”

Oh, this was working well for a spur of the moment plan. “Well...you’re more perceptive than I thought.” Nightmare Moon looked out one of the windows towards the Sun while making the best sneer possible to show what she hoped was disdain towards the warm sunlight. “I am the manifestation of Luna’s darkest wishes...of her jealousy and her anger. I am the means for her to execute her wishes without the weaknesses she has.”

Celestia began to piece it together, or so she believed. “The Armor of the Night...you...are you a curse of sorts, given physical form?”

Yet again Celestia was making this easier for Nightmare. “Bravo, my dear Celestia!” Nightmare began to walk slowly around her sister. “Yes, I am a curse...a curse that gives one strength at the cost of losing their true form. I am magic in pony form. Though...I wouldn’t call myself a curse personally. No, that has a bad ring to it. I am an enchantment. I bring forth the true pony that dwells within.” She smirked as Celestia glared at her. “What? Are you angered that you were unable to achieve this power yourself?”

Celestia took a step forward. “Release my sister at once. Luna is my only family. If you do not free her...” Waves of heat began to roll off of the royal sister. “I will ensure that you pay in as painful of a manner that I can imagine.”

Just as a flare of fiery magic began to encompass Nightmare’s form, the ebony alicorn spoke. “Not so fast, Celestia. Unless you wish to harm poor little Luna as well.”

The white alicorn halted her spell, and the flames died down. She cursed under her breath, her pink mane blowing ever so slightly from the restrained power being held within her. “You coward...only a truly despicable pony would use such lowly tactics.”

“Oh, such harsh words, Celestia,” Nightmare chuckled. “Do you hate being put in such a vulnerable position?” She took several steps towards Celestia. “Do you hate knowing that anything you do to me will directly affect your darling little sister as well?”

The ebony alicorn continued laughing as Celestia watched with a look of defeat. “Sister...please don’t do this...”

“Enough!” Nightmare Moon opened her wings fully, buffeting the Princess of the Sun with a cold breeze. “Your reign ends here, Celestia of Equestria! I am the one with the power now! Behold!!”

Celestia watched in a mixture of awe and fear as the quickly descended toward the western horizon while the moon rose from the east. The elder sister tried to call forth the Sun once more, but to no avail. After all, their magic worked most effectively when the two sisters cooperated.

“Luna, you can’t do this! You’ll throw the world into chaos! Life will wither away, the land needs the Sun!”

“Yet the very same life-giving orb can cause so many problems. Dehydration, sunburn, heatstroke, the list goes on! The moon, on the other hoof, does none of those things!”

“Yes, but the moon can’t give light to the world like the Sun!”

“Do not belittle me, Celestia!!” Nightmare shouted while inwardly wincing at the look of hurt and fear on her elder sister’s face. “I am the ruler of the night, and I will make the rest of the world as such! The night shall last forever!!”

A cyclone of blue, starlit mist stretched forth from Nightmare’s mane, encompassing the entirety of the throne room. At the same time, the double doors of the throne room banged open. The Royal Guard burst into the room while the captain shouted. “Princess Celestia!! The Sun has suddenly set, is something-?” The guards halted their galloping upon seeing the cyclone.

Celestia turned to face the guards. “Stay back, it’s too dangerous!”

“Milady, we have sworn ourselves to defend you with-”

“She is right, my poor, pathetic little ponies!” Nightmare shouted, her voice becoming amplified by the storm of stars and night. “I, Nightmare Moon, formerly known as Princess Luna, have already seized the sky and made it mine alone! Stand down and I’ll spare you from being punished for your impudence!”

Truth be told, Nightmare was straining to keep Celestia’s Sun from rising. Even with the glowing orb of light no longer in the sky, Celestia was still a powerful pony, and even with one hundred years more experience than this timeline’s Luna had, Celestia was still more advanced in most magics than Nightmare. It was only through being able to take her by surprise that Luna and her had been able to pull this off.

She had to act fast. Her winds could hold the guards off, but only for so long before she either seriously injured someone or Celestia found a way to destroy the magical cyclone surrounding the two. Turning her attention to the Elements of Harmony, she grinned. “Ah...and I shall start by using these to further assert my-”

Nightmare Moon’s words were cut off as the six jeweled objects were whisked out of her telekinetic grasp. She looked to Celestia, who now had them floating around her.

No...not again!! Nightmare felt her heart skip a beat.

“S-so...you think you can stop me with the Elements, Celestia? Do you truly have the courage to harm your sister?”

Celestia bowed her head, then looked towards Nightmare Moon with grim determination. “I do what I must, Nightmare Moon.” Her gaze softened as she looked directly into her transformed sister’s eyes. “Luna...I am sorry...” Her eyes began to glow as the Elements resonated with her magic. “Honesty.”

One jewel began to hum while an orange aura emitted from within.

“Kindness.”

A pink jewel followed suit, adding to the glow surrounding Celestia.

“Laughter.”

A soft blue light mixed with the first two colors as the fourth Element began to shine.

“Generosity.”

Nightmare watched with uncertainty as a deep violet light shrouded Celestia. The fifth Element, Loyalty from what she could tell, began to give off a red light.

“Loyalty...” Celestia was now surrounded by a rainbow of color as she stepped forward. “Luna...if you can hear me, know that I am sorry...I-I never meant to ignore you like this. If only I had paid more attention...I would have seen the pain you were harboring.” She turned towards the guards, who were gazing upon Celestia with worried expressions. “My...my desire to make our kingdom stronger at the expense of our ponies blinded me...” She shed several tears. “The jealousy in your heart...I can sense it now.” Her ethereal eyes once again locked with Nightmare’s own. “That jealousy, however small it is, was enough to cause this change in you. For not being a more responsible sister...I can only apologize and ask that you forgive me someday.”

The Element hanging over her head that was surrounded by the other five began to emit a bright purple glow.

Nightmare’s eyes widened as she felt a spark ignite within her magical reserves, deep within her soul. “Celestia-!”

“Magic!”

A bright light exploded from Celestia. “Nightmare Moon, I banish you to the very object you hold so dear. The moon. Until the day comes when either the Elements see you fit to return to Equestria, or when this spell’s power dies, I do not know which comes first, but only then will you be released.”

Nightmare Moon could hear Luna crying in the back of her mind to do something, but the ebony pony was not sure of what could be done. A streak of rainbow burst forth from the horn on Celestia’s head, crashing down into the Princess of the Night, trapping her in the multicolored vortex.

Luna...hear us...

Nightmare’s eyes widened. Could it be?

...we are the Elements of Harmony, and we have communicated with the shards of Harmony within your own soul. We understand your plight, but we cannot undo what has already happened. Celestia, while aware of her faults, is still at risk of going down the same dark path you have seen.
Nightmare felt an icy grip clench around her chest. What? No, she’s using your powers right now, correctly at that. I sense no ill intentions behind her magic!
That is simply because you are her sister, Luna. Even if she has little concern for the ponies of Equestria, she still cares dearly for you. This pains her.

Luna spoke up from the back of Nightmare’s consciousness. What must we do to make things right, then?!
Nothing.
“What???” Nightmare shouted aloud.

We will slowly work our way into her heart, and bring back the Celestia that she once was long before she became driven by power and dominance over the lands. However, we can only work effectively if she wishes to change her ways as well...
Luna, once again, spoke first. What if she doesn’t want to change??
The Elements paused momentarily before speaking. We believe that to be highly unlikely. While we are not omnipotent...we see a great potential for good in her, and she’s already starting to see her mistakes as we speak. More silence followed before they went on. This spell Celestia is casting will make us go into a dormant state. The last of our magic will be used to create a spark that will slowly heal your sister’s heart.
Well, this was good news, but still... How long will we be banished?
One millennium.

Nightmare Moon frowned. What? That...that’s far too long for-
Her words were cut off as a warmth flowed through her. Her mind, as well as Luna’s, was flooded by emotions...namely love and sadness. She looked to see Celestia, whose eyes were full of unshed tears.

Celestia forced a smile onto her lips. “Goodbye, my dearest sister. When the time is right, we will see each other again. Until then, I will wait for you, my dear Luna.”

Nightmare and Luna both let out a scream that filled the throne room, and then vanished in a burst of light. Celestia felt the power of the Elements fade, followed by a violent backlash that racked through her body. She screamed in pain as the Elements delivered a punishing jolt of magic through her for using them in such a manner. Despite using their power for keeping peace, the end result was not a harmonious or gentle one. Banishment was still banishment, and in the end somepony was hurt in one way or another.

“G-gahh....!!!” Celestia fell to the ground, tears streaking her cheeks and muscles shaking in agony. “I-I’m sorry...”

“Milady!” called out the captain of the Royal Guard. The guards quickly worked on helping the princess to her feet.

Celestia looked up and smiled weakly. “Thank you...my...dear subjects” She steadied herself after being helped up and forced herself to stop shaking. “Hah, it seems...that the Elements were none too thrilled by my manner of using them...” She took a few deep breaths before speaking softly. “Are any of you injured...?”

“Um...” The captain seemed taken aback by the uncharacteristic concern in Celestia’s voice. “N-not really. Swift Heart thinks she may have sprained an ankle from Princess Luna’s magical vortex knocking her away, but she can still fly.”

Celestia looked to see a young pegasus mare decked in Royal Guard armor bow slightly. “It will heal with time, your Highness.”

Celestia gave a nod. “I...I ask that none of you speak of what you witnessed until I make an announcement to the public. No doubt they’re all scared due to the radical changes in the sky...” She looked out the window and frowned sadly. Her eyes closed as she began bringing the Sun back up from the western sky. Its light brought warmth back into the throne room, and she basked in it for several long moments. “Captain, please take your team to the medical wing and have them look over you. There is always the possibility of magical injuries that could be hidden to the senses.”

“Y-yes, your Highness.” He gave a bow, as did the rest of the guard, and left with his team in tow.

Alone now, Celestia finally let out a painful hiss and her muscles spasmed. She gritted her teeth as her magic twisted and turned within her. The Elements of Harmony were not the kind of magical artifacts that forgave such usage, no matter what the circumstances may be.

“Perhaps...there was some truth to your words, Luna,” Celestia whispered as she looked to the moon, which was still hanging in the middle of the sky, now with the impression of a pony’s face on it. For now the moon would stay there until she could figure out a way to move it. “I am also at blame for what happened.”

It had all happened so quickly. She never would have imagined this to occur an hour prior. She had never suspected Luna to have such bitterness within her.

No...that was a lie. Deep down, Celestia knew her sister had been hurting. She just didn’t want to confront the problem though, because she knew that it would bring inconvenient truths to the surface. Her ponies were not suffering, not yet anyway, but she knew they deserved better.

“Luna...” Celestia spoke softly as she gazed at the moon, which hung peacefully in the early afternoon sky. “I...I will try to become a better pony, and make Equestria into a place that you would be proud of.” She felt her eyes water. “I’m not perfect, but I will try to follow the principles behind the magic I used to imprison you. I only hope that you will be able to do the same when I see you next.”

Celestia hung her head and began to sob quietly. For now, she was not a princess, or a being of great magical power. For now, she was simply Celestia, a pony like any other who was capable of making mistakes, being selfish, and feeling pain and sorrow.

“Luna...” Celestia breathed.

It would be one thousand years before she managed to finally be free of the pain from losing the most cherished pony in her life.

The Moon
3979 E.B. (present day Equestria)

Luna, or Nightmare Moon rather, felt a tingling sensation run through her body.

“Looks like it’s almost time.”

Yes, I can almost feel the Elements of Harmony even from this far away from Equestria.

The past millennium had been one the two Princesses of the Night spent thinking, reflecting, and most of all, getting to know one another. By now they virtually knew every minute detail about their counterpart. From their favorite food (hawthorn apples dipped in caramel for Luna, and honey-pickled daffodil flowers for Nightmare), to their favorite types of spells (Luna had a preference for magic influenced by music while Nightmare had a passion for magic that fell into illusions and image-manipulation), they had covered almost every topic possible.

They would get the briefest glimpses of what life in Equestria was like, thanks in part to Celestia borrowing their magical strength to move the moon. It had taken about a week or two after she had imprisoned them, but eventually Celestia learned how to create a connection between herself, them, and the moon. Every so often, about every fifty to one hundred days or so, she would tap into their magic and take what was needed to move the moon for that given amount of time. During that brief moment Luna and Nightmare would feel an echo of Celestia’s thoughts, of how she wished they were with her, how she missed them, and how much progress Equestria has made.

Luna and Nightmare had been elated they saw visions of the new government Celestia had created. While still the Princess of Equestria, she had created a branch known simply as the Branch of Representatives. It was based off the idea Luna had written in her journal (which Celestia had read some time after she banished them to the moon), and holding such an office in the government was open to anypony who was a citizen of Equestria. They held the power to counterbalance Celestia’s authority as well as bring forth issues and possible legislation to her. She could approve the law or disapprove, and then the Representatives would either try to override her vote or drop it. The former option of the two rarely happened, as Celestia usually only disapproved of laws that were either badly drawn up from the start or simply went against the basic foundations of Equestria. That isn’t to say she had never been overridden before. The law allowing unrestrained rock farming seemed a bit extreme for the environment as well as the farmers themselves, but she was happy to see ponies making their own decisions nonetheless.

Aside from that, there were several levels of court in Equestria, from local town halls up to Celestia herself. In the one thousand years as sole Princess of Equestria, she had only ruled as a judge of a courtroom around ten to twelve times. Most were issues of national level interest, such as border disputes or trade between major cities.

Yes, both Nightmare and Luna were happy with their sister. She had become more patient and benevolent with the ponies, just like they had both remembered her to be ages ago before Equestria was founded.

Look, Luna, the stars!

Nightmare gazed up to see the four “stars” now only several hundred yards away from the moon. It was currently night in Equestria. If the Elements of Harmony had been correct in their predictions that they told the two through dreams, Nightmare and Luna would be able to leave the moon on the eve of the longest day after the one thousandth year had come.

Today was that day...or night, rather.

What could they expect from their sister when they finally returned? From what the duo felt, she had nothing but love for them, and more often than not her messages to them were of how deeply she wanted to see them again.

Another hour had passed, and the four glowing orbs of light were now touching down on the surface of the moon. Nightmare Moon felt energy that had long been drained from her return, and strength she had long forgotten that she possessed surged through her very limbs. She looked around to see herself once again in her lithe, ebony colored form.

“It looks like I’m still in control of us right now, Luna,” Nightmare stated as she stretched her wings.

That’s fine. We both know what to do to awaken the Elements of Harmony from their slumber. I’ll be with you every step of the way.

Her past-self’s words gave Nightmare the assurance she needed to begin the task at hand. The moon began to glow brightly, and the final restraints on Nightmare and Luna’s magic vanished. Closing her eyes, Nightmare focused on the life force of her sister. Warmth, kindness, and patience. All these things could be felt by Nigthmare, and for the briefest of moments she basked in the wonderful feeling she was receiving from her sister’s power.

“Celly...I’m coming home.” Nightmare and Luna said in tandem. Then, with a flicker of magic, they vanished, making their way towards a small town not too far from the capital of Equestria.

A small town known as Ponyville.

To be continued...