The Tale of the Nightmare

A week passed since Luna met Sombra. In the middle of her daily afternoon flight, she spied a familiar figure in the clearing. It wasn't every day that an outsider would visit the Everfree Forest. She landed behind the figure, who turned out to be Sombra. The sun inched toward the horizon. Trees swayed in the breeze. An array of colors spilled from the horizon. A deer approached her. She touched the deer's muzzle, and it nuzzled against her hoof. Sombra was staring at the deer, yet he didn't pet the animal. Did he have something against the creatures? She hoped not.

"It won't hurt you," Luna said.

"If the deer attempts to eat the crops, I will chase it away," Sombra replied.

Choosing to ignore the colt's remark, Luna petted the deer. Sombra stepped forward, which made the deer back away. He was staring at her wings, and she closed them. Did he expect her to attack? She knew the Equestrians held stark misconceptions about alicorns. Not all of them were dangerous. And she might be the last of her kind. Should she cover her wings to appear less intimidating?

"Your wings are beautiful. They're by far the most magnificent pair I've ever seen," Sombra said.

Luna blushed. "Thanks. My wings are special to me, as they're a part of who I am."

"Are you aware of the tales surrounding alicorns?"

"In some ways, yes. Not all are wicked. What are most Equestrians like?"

"They can be gentle. Others are awful." Sombra's gaze was still on Luna's wings. "Can I touch your wings?"

"Sure." Luna unfurled her wings. "Try not to push on them."

Sombra's hoof met Luna's wing. "It's soft, yet strong." He pulled away. "What do you do for fun?"

Luna grinned. She had just the idea. They could play on the river, where the creatures didn't gather too often. She led Sombra past the trees. She knew her friends would search for her, so she couldn't make the meeting last until bedtime. He would have to leave within an hour. By the time they found the river, they sat on the riverbank. She collected a few nuts and berries from the ground. She offered some to Sombra, and he accepted. She ate several nuts, too.

"Coming here is worth the risk. My guardian will ground me if she sees me with an alicorn," Sombra said.

"What scares many Equestrians the most about alicorns?" Luna asked.

"Alicorns are rumored to possess great power. They're much stronger than mortal unicorns." Sombra dipped his hoof into the water. "Are we going swimming?"

"Something similar. Climb onto my back." Luna beckoned Sombra closer. "And hold on tight."

Sombra climbed onto Luna's back. Luna hovered above the river, flapping her wings. He was heavier than she thought. At least she managed to carry him. She could feel Sombra's head on her neck. From what she registered, he was hanging on for dear life. She continued to fly, and when he slipped off, she observed him. While she chuckled, he splashed the water at her. She descended toward him, then splashed the water back at him. They proceeded to play in the river. Their laughter penetrated the air.

"You have a sweet voice," Sombra said.

Luna's cheeks warmed. She hoped that he didn't see her blush. "Aww, thanks. Do you have any other friends?"

"Does Radiant Hope count? She's a commoner who lives in the orphanage."

They reached the riverbank and dried themselves off. Luna draped a wing across Sombra's back as they sat on a rock. "Do you want to be my friend?"

Sombra smiled. "Yes. I have a gift for you. A necklace." He retrieved a necklace from his saddlebag. The sapphire was shaped like the crescent moon.

Luna gasped, eyeing the gem. "It's so beautiful. This aside... I hope you don't mind me asking, but-"

"Go ahead."

"If you ever become the king of Equestria, what will you do on the throne?"

Sombra stroked his chin. "I hope there can be peace. If the princess agrees to this, there won't be any more wars."

Luna tilted her head. "Sounds ambitious. Won't you still visit the Everfree Forest?"

"Of course I will visit."

Without forethought, Luna hugged Sombra. Her wings cocooned him in a warm embrace. They had something in common - a desire to bring peace. And she adored this about him. Or at least, it was the same goal they had shared. Once it was time for Sombra to go, she released him. It was as though the old hatred between Equestria and Everfree had been forgotten. Perhaps harmony could be achieved in this era. It was what her parents wanted, and what her sister might have lost hope in.

"I'll see you again," Sombra said.

"I love the necklace. I'll wear it all the time," Luna replied.

"It suits you, as your name reminds me of the moon."

Luna nodded. She watched as Sombra left the forest. The golden light from the sunset bathed the forest in an ethereal glow. She trotted through the forest, and as she approached her favorite tree, a question presented itself to her. If Sombra liked her, then why did he desire to marry the princess someday? The rosebush rustled behind her. She turned her attention to the sound, and a certain draconequus leaped from his hiding place.

"Boo!" Discord shouted.

"You could do better than this. I don't get scared easily," Luna said.

"Okay, whatever." Discord snapped his talons, and a stool appeared. He settled on the stool. "How's the afternoon by the river?"

"Great." Luna hoped the draconequus wouldn't mind her friendship with Sombra. "You saw me by the river, didn't you?"

"Isn't the outsider our enemy? The king of Equestria murdered your parents." Discord made a face as he mentioned the war. "It's too impossible to make peace with Equestria."

"Not every Equestrian is terrible. There are wicked denizens in the Everfree, too."

"I know, but even wicked creatures defend the Everfree. My ancestors fought alongside yours in countless battles of old."

Luna rolled her eyes. She didn't need her friend to be overprotective. Her magic was powerful enough to harm the most baleful of enemies. "True. However, your ancestors didn't have a conscience. They've caused trouble in Equestria. Forces of nature didn't have as much of a moral compass. It didn't mean all alicorns were better than them."

Discord leaned against the tree. "Do you know the real reason behind those wars? Equestrians aren't tolerant. They're trouble, and you should avoid them."

"My parents want peace."

"Their intentions had a cost. No wonder they aren't here today, along with your sister."

Luna's ears perked up. "Did she share our parents' beliefs about peace?"

"I'm only a year older than Celestia, so I don't know if she wishes for peace."

"Oh. Don't you remember her?"

"A little. I was four at the time."

Discord flew away, unable to continue the discussion. Did he hold a grudge against the Equestrians? He never met Sombra. Therefore, he was wrong. The colt didn't have a mean bone in his body. If Discord met Sombra, he would be suspicious of him, regardless of how kind he was. Couldn't both sides let go of their prejudices? Luna sighed, observing the various creatures. If there was harmony between Timberwolves, diamond dogs, breezies, and others, why couldn't the same apply to Equestria and the Everfree Forest? Even the woodland animals were friends with one another.

As the years passed, Luna and Sombra grew closer. And each time they met at the border, they would discuss their future and their lives. Sombra had made it no secret that he hoped to take the throne from the royal family. Romance blossomed in their friendship, yet she didn't know of his feelings toward the Equestrian princess. While she fostered a genuine fondness for him, he was the opposite.

On Luna's sixteenth birthday, Sombra visited the border. He called for Luna, expecting her to arrive. Where did she go? His eyes scanned the treetops. The moon levitated above the eastern horizon. Did she decide to avoid him tonight? Why would she not respond? Then, he heard a familiar sound - the flapping of a certain alicorn's wings. Luna was gorgeous in the moonlight. The silver light formed a halo around her head.

"I thought you wouldn't come," Luna said.

"I did. I have a gift for you," Sombra replied.

"What is it?" Luna's eyes brightened.

They were now mere inches apart. Sombra leaned closer and closed his eyes. Luna's mouth met his. Time seemed to stand still. It was pure and honest. Luna called this the True Love's Kiss. When they finished the kiss, Luna wore a bashful smile. He found it adorable.

"This is the gift," Sombra said.

"It's what I thought," Luna murmured. "I hope we never drift apart."

The young couple reclined on the grass, stargazing. A star streaked across the black sky. Luna pulled Sombra closer. They might be in love, but it wasn't meant to be. After all, Sombra kept his involvement with the princess a secret. On the other hoof, Luna had nothing to hide.

"Have you moved to the castle yet?" Luna asked.

"I'm a squire," Sombra revealed.

"Are you and the princess-"

"No. She's betrothed to a prince."

Sombra sounded unsure. Was he being honest? Luna didn't want him to have an affair. If serving at the castle meant he couldn't visit as often, he better not flirt with the other mare. What if it was all a lie? What if his true motive was to get what he wanted from the Everfree? Soon, she would find out whether his love for her was real or not.