Chapters The Aftermath of Nightmare Sparkle
Today was the first day after the wedding of Shining Armor and Princess Cadence. Although Twilight’s brother and ex-foalsitter were married and very happy on their honeymoon, Twilight’s life wasn’t good. Although Twilight is happy with her Shining and Cadence being married now, she still remembered what happened at the wedding.
Twilight was lying on her bed, she was crying just of remember. Her hooves covered her mouth and her ears were down. She remembered when her brother, her friends and her mentor left her behind after she tried to warn that ‘Cadence’ was evil. And did they believe her? No. They abandoned her at the rehearsal site. But that wasn’t the worst thing that happened. Then came Nightmare, the same creature that made Luna become Nightmare Moon in the past. Nightmare had offered her to take her body. Although she didn’t seem to accept it at first, Nightmare managed to convince her. And she became Nightmare Sparkle. And from there, things didn’t look good, because even though she successfully stopped Queen Chrysalis, she planned to dominate Equestria together with the Nightmare Forces! But she forgave them in the end, but she kept her sadness to herself.
“How could I accept that?” asked Twilight Sparkle to herself as she continued to cry. She was lying in bed since early this morning. She didn’t want to get out of bed, all she wanted to do was just stay in bed and reflect on everything she did as Nightmare Sparkle.
She knew that she had failed to conquer Equestria, but she planned to do so as Nightmare Sparkle. If it weren’t for Spike, her friends, her brother and the three princesses, she would not have being free from Nightmare.
Twilight Sparkle returned to tears. “Why did I accept the Nightmare offer? How could I let my anger get the best of me?”
“Twilight? It’s all right?”
Twilight’s ears perked up. She looked to the right and saw Spike with a concerned look. Twilight looked at the blanket sadly and her ears went down. “No, Spike. It isn’t alright…”
Spike put a paw on the blanket. “Would you like to tell me?”
Twilight Sparkle looked uncertain. Should she tell? She didn’t know if it was a good idea, since she didn’t want Spike to be worried about her. “I don’t know, Spike...”
Spike smiled. “Come on, Twilight. You can tell me how you feel.”
“I don’t know if I should, Spike. You’re just a baby dragon,” said Twilight Sparkle as she was unsure.
“Twilight, I may be a baby dragon, but I can see that you’re sad about something. And as your number one assistant, it’s also my duty to know how you’re feeling,” said Spike.
Twilight Sparkle wasn’t sure if she should tell. “But I don’t want you to feel guilty about why I’m like this.”
“Why would I feel guilty?” asked Spike.
Twilight Sparkle looked to the side. Knowing Spike, he wouldn’t give up until he found out why she was crying. She decided she would tell. “Okay, Spike. You won. I will tell you.”
“Great! Can I sit on the bed to hear you?” asked Spike with a smile.
Twilight Sparkle smiled slightly. “Sure, Spike,” she took Spike with her magic and placed him on the bed.
Twilight Sparkle felt more tears come from just remembering. “Do you remember what happened after you and the others left me at the rehearsal site?”
“Twilight, you still feel guilty that I went with them, right?” asked Spike, now sad. “I’m so sorry. I understand if you’re holding a grudge against me.”
Twilight Sparkle was surprised. “What? That’s not it, Spike. I forgave you for having abandoned me at rehearsal. Really.”
Spike was concerned. “But if it isn’t, what is it then?”
She looked down. “You remember that Nightmare came to me, comforted me and offered me to take my body, right?”
“Yes. I remember,” replied Spike.
“And you remember what I tried to do with you and the others, don’t you?” asked Twilight Sparkle, now with more tears in her eyes.
“Yes. You tried to destroy us,” replied Spike. “Twilight, is that what bothers you?”
“Yes, Spike. I don’t even know how I’m going to live with this,” Twilight Sparkle returned to tears. “Spike, what am I going to do?”
Suddenly, they heard a knock on the door. Spike went to the door. “I’m going. I’ll be right there,” when he opened the door, he saw Luna.
“Princess Luna? What are you doing here?” asked Spike as he was suprised.
“We… I mean, I would like to see how Twilight Sparkle is feeling. Can I go see her?” asked Luna.
“I’m going to see with Twilight.” Spike went up the stairs.
Upon reaching the room, he saw Twilight Sparkle, now wiping tears with a hoof. “Twilight, you have a visitor.”
Twilight Sparkle looked at Spike. “Who was at the door?”
“Princess Luna. She wants to see you. Can I let her in?” asked Spike.
Twilight Sparkle started to think. As much as she wanted to be alone, Luna was a princess of Equestria, and she couldn’t deny a princess request. “Yes, Spike. You can let her in.”
“Okay,” Spike put a paw close to his head, like a commander before going to Luna. “Twilight said you can come in.”
Luna smiled in relief. For a moment, she thought Twilight wouldn’t want her in the library. “Where’s Twilight at?”
“She’s in her room,” replied Spike as he closed the door with a paw.
“Is she reading a book in the bedroom?” asked Luna as she and Spike went up the stairs.
“Unfortunately no, princess.”
Luna was worried about her best friend. Twilight usually liked to read books, and if she wasn’t reading, it was a sign that something wasn’t right. “What does she have?”
“She is very sad about what she did during the wedding as Nightmare Sparkle,” replied Spike.
Luna felt sad. Sadness for what Twilight was going through. She couldn’t help but notice that Twilight was going through the same as her. Twilight was still trying to recover after the aftermath of Nightmare Sparkle, just like Luna who was trying to get used to modern life after she was Nightmare Moon. Spike and Luna arrived in the room.
When Luna saw Twilight Sparkle crying, she ran to her best friend in a worried way. “Twilight! What happened?”
Twilight Sparkle recognized that voice. She looked at the owner of the voice, but it was all blurry because she was crying a lot. She scratched her eyes with a hoof. That done, her vision returned to normal. “Hi, Princess Luna.”
“Twilight, Spike told me what you were going through,” began Luna.
“Really?” asked Twilight Sparkle to be sure.
Luna smiled as she wiped the tears from Twilight Sparkle’s eyes. “Yes, Twilight.”
Twilight Sparkle was confused. “Princess Luna, I don’t understand. What are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be in Canterlot?”
“Twilight, since you went through all that during the wedding, I decided that I would spend a few days with you in Ponyville so that you would feel better after everything you suffered,” replied Luna.
Twilight Sparkle smiled at those words. She knew that Luna cared for her, but she never imagined that Luna would spend a few days with her in Ponyville. But remembering that she she got angry, accepted Nightmare’s offer, and had the desire to rule Equestria, she returned to cry.
Luna was concerned. “Twilight? What happened?”
“Luna, I feel guilty for accepting Nightmare’s offer to take my body and let the anger take the best of me,” replied Twilight Sparkle between tears.
Luna was now stroking the mane of Twilight. The Twilight mane was very soft. “Twilight, I know what you’re going through.”
Twilight Sparkle looked at Luna as more tears came out of her eyes. “Really?”
“Yes, Twilight. In the past, Nightmare came to me as well and also offered me to take my body,” replied Luna. “And I, naive, let Nightmare take my body, believing that my night would be appreciated at last. And when you said what you were feeling, you reminded me of me in the past.”
Twilight Sparkle was surprised by those words. She never imagined that she would look so much like Luna. But she still didn’t know what she was going to do. How would she recover after that? Okay, she had her friends, but her friends had their jobs. “What am I going to do, Luna? How am I going to recover after everything I did as Nightmare Sparkle?”
Fortunately, Luna knew of a solution, but she didn’t know if Twilight would want to do that. “Twilight, I think I have an idea how to fix this.”
Twilight Sparkle looked at Luna, still with tears in her eyes and a small hopeful smile. “What’s your idea?”
“You could stay at Canterlot Castle with me and my sister until you get over it,” replied Luna.
Twilight Sparkle until she thought it was a good idea, but she still has shares her concerns. “But Luna, what about my friends? I don’t want to go there without them knowing it.”
“I could tell them today that you would be staying at the castle for a while until you feel better,” replied Luna as she smiled. “Would you like me to call them over here to say goodbye to them?”
“Yes. I just hope it doesn’t bother you,” replied Twilight Sparkle. She felt uncomfortable that Luna was a princess and Luna had to do something for her, since she was just a unicorn.
“Twilight, helping somepony would never bother me. Not when it involves you.” Luna then left the room and went down the stairs. She was happy to do this favor to Twilight. She just hoped that Twilight’s friends would be understanding.
“Spike, could you stay in Ponyville to take care of the library?” asked Twilight Sparkle.
“Yes, Twilight,” replied Spike.
After ten minutes, Twilight and Spike heard the sound of a door opening. They went downstairs and saw Luna with the five Twilight-friendly mares. Twilight ran to them. “Girls!” She and the others gave a group hug. Except Luna, who just watched the scene with a smile.
“Twilight, Luna told us that you are going to spend a few days at Canterlot Castle until you recover after the Nightmare Sparkle incident,” said Fluttershy.
“Do you know when you will return to Ponyville, Twilight?” asked Applejack.
“I don’t know, Applejack. It can take several days for me to recover after what I did as Nightmare Sparkle,” replied Twilight Sparkle. “But I hope that with Luna’s help, I will be able to forgive myself.”
“Twilight, can we go?” asked Luna as she smiled.
Twilight Sparkle approached Luna. “Yes, Luna. But how we’ll go to Canterlot? By train?”
“No. Let’s go flying.”
Twilight Sparkle was unsure. “But princess, I don’t have wings.”
“I know you don’t have wings, Twilight. So, you will climb on my back and hold on tight,” replied Luna.
Twilight Sparkle smiled in relief. “Ah okay,” she climbed on her back and held Luna with her hooves. She looked at her friends. “Bye, friends.”
“Bye, Twilight,” said Twilight Sparkle’s friends in unison.
Luna walked out of the library, spread her wings and flew off to Canterlot with Twilight beside her.
The Aftermath of Nightmare Sparkle
Staying with Luna and Celestia
Celestia was in the garden, watching the sky. Since she had no real duties today, she may have time for herself. As she looked at the sky, she saw that something that flew in the sky, approached her. Celestia was trying to identify who it was. But when it got closer, she was able to identify who it was. It was Luna and Twilight.
When Luna landed on the floor and Twilight came off her, Celestia said with a smile, “hi, Twilight!”
Twilight Sparkle looked at Celestia, she smiled in return. “Hi, Princess.”
“Twilight, I appreciate you being there. But I would like to know why you are here,” Celestia said in a calm way, while she smiled.
Twilight Sparkle looked at the floor guiltily. “Do you remember what happened when you and my friends and Spike left the rehearsal and left me alone?”
Celestia approached Twilight Sparkle and hugged her with a wing while looking sadly at her student. “Yes, Twilight. I remember. And I’m sorry that I didn’t hear you and spoke to you that way.”
Twilight Sparkle looked at Celestia. “That’s not what is bothering me, Princess.”
Celestia was confused. “So what is, my dear student?”
Twilight Sparkle could feel tears in her eyes. “Princess, you remember what happened after you and the others left me alone, don’t you?”
Celestia looked sideways, guiltily. “Yes, Twilight. Nightmare came, comforted you, but then Nightmare asked to take your body”
“And you remember it after that too, don’t you?” asked Twilight Sparkle as even more tears came out of her eyes.
“Yes. You managed to stop Queen Chrysalis,” replied Celestia. “But after that, you declared, as Nightmare Sparkle, that you would rule Equestria.”
Twilight Sparkle had to sit on her hips. “Y-you remember what I did to you, Luna, my brother, my ex-foalsitter, Spike and my friends, don’t you?”
“Yes. You, like Nightmare Sparkle, locked us in the dungeons of your castle,” replied Celestia. Suddenly, Celestia felt embraced by Twilight.
“Princess, how could I let anger get the best of me? I was so angry that I couldn’t see that I was hurting you and the others with my anger!” Celestia began to feel sad for her student. “Please, don’t banish me to the moon!”
Celestia was surprised by the last sentence. “Twilight, I would never do that to you!”
Twilight Sparkle wiped the tears away with a hoof, but to no avail. More tears started to come out of her eyes. “I know princess. But what if you do? I practically became a villain for Equestria.”
Celestia hugged Twilight Sparkle with her hooves. She could feel tears in her eyes. “Twilight, it’s over. That has passed. You are in your original form now.”
Twilight Sparkle continued to look at the floor guiltily. “But what if I become Nightmare Sparkle again? What if in the future, I get so angry that I end up becoming Nightmare Sparkle again?”
“Twilight, you aren’t going to become Nightmare Sparkle again. Nightmare is no longer in your body,” said Celestia.
Twilight Sparkle looked at Celestia, still with tears in her eyes. “But what if...”
Celestia interrupted Twilight Sparkle. “Twilight, believe me. You’re no longer Nightmare Sparkle. You’re Twilight Sparkle. The same mare that saved Equestria from Nightmare Moon and Discord.”
Twilight Sparkle looked uncertain yet. “But ... I didn’t do it all alone.”
“Yes, Twilight. But it is with the help of your friends that you and they can use the Elements of Harmony,” replied Celestia.
Twilight Sparkle was suddenly unsure. What if her Element of Harmony no longer works for her? She started crying again.
Luna decided to approach Twilight Sparkle and Celestia as she wasn’t worried. “Twilight, what happened?”
“I’m worried, Princess Luna,” replied Twilight Sparkle, as she cried even more. “If I became a villain to Equestria in marriage, does that mean that my element no longer works on me?”
“Twilight, I’m sure your element still works on you.” Luna assured with a small smile.
“How are you so sure, Luna?” Twilight Sparkle wiped the tears away with a hoof before looking at Luna.
“Twilight, do you know why my sister and I are no longer the bearers of the Elements of Harmony?” Luna sat on the grass while she looked at Twilight Sparkle.
“Because did you become Nightmare Moon?” replied Twilight Sparkle.
“No. But because Celestia have to use the Elements on me and banish me to the moon,” replied Luna. “And since Celestia and I were far from each other, we were disconnected from the Elements of Harmony, and then they became stones.”
Twilight Sparkle smiled a little. “So does that mean I’m still the bearer of the Element of Magic?”
Luna hugged Twilight Sparkle with her hooves. “I believe so, Twilight.”
Twilight was less sad. But that didn’t mean that she forgave herself for what she did. She still had a lot of guilt inside her. But she hoped that with the help of Celestia, and especially Luna, she could find her way to forgiveness. She decided to hug the two princesses back.
When Celestia left the embrace, she stood up and looked at Luna. “Luna, let’s go to the balcony. I need to lower the sun and you need to raise the moon.”
“I’m already going. You can go ahead,” said Luna. Celestia did what Luna asked.
Luna returned to look at Twilight Sparkle. “Twilight, where are you going to sleep in the castle?”
Twilight Sparkle started to think. She was thinking about sleeping in her room that she had as a filly during her studies in Canterlot with Celestia. But she started to think better about her emotional state. She couldn’t deny that she was very sad, and possibly broken. If she went to sleep alone, she probably wouldn’t be able to sleep and would feel lonely. She knew what she was going to say was childish, but she was going to say it anyway. She just hoped that Luna wouldn’t be uncomfortable. “I would like to sleep with you in your room. Are you going to feel uncomfortable with somepony with you everynight?”
“I usually like to be alone in my room,” replied Luna. Twilight Sparkle was saddened by this. “But since you are my first and only friend, I can make an exception for you.”
Twilight Sparkle smiled and hugged Luna with her hooves, while crying, but this time with joy. “Thank you, Luna. You have no idea how much your company will help me.”
Luna was obviously surprised. Nopony ever hugged her, except Celestia. She was even enjoying being hugged by Twilight Sparkle. She returned the hug while smiling. “We were... I mean, I’m happy with that, Twilight.”
When they came out of the embrace, Luna said, “But I think it’s best if we follow Celestia to the balcony, or else she’ll find it strange that we’re not there yet.”
Twilight Sparkle remembered. It was true! She had forgotten that. “You’re right. Let’s get going.”
Twilight and Luna got up from the grass and started walking. But Luna had an idea. “I have an idea, Twilight.”
Twilight Sparkle looked at Luna. “What’s your idea?”
“How about if we were flying to the balcony?” asked Luna.
Twilight Sparkle smiled. “It’s a good idea, Luna.”
Twilight Sparkle suddenly felt herself being held by a turquoise-colored spell and she was placed on Luna’s back. “Hang on, Twilight.”
“Ok, princess,” replied Twilight Sparkle as she smiled and held on to Luna’s neck.
Luna spread her wings and flew away. While flying, Twilight looked at the ground and saw that she and Luna were very tall. She couldn’t deny that she felt a little chill in her belly. She never stayed on the back of an alicorn while flying high. Upon reaching the balcony that Celestia was on, Luna landed and allowed Twilight to get off her.
“You’re finally here, Luna,” said Celestia.
“Sorry for the delay, sister,” apologized Luna while she had her ears down. “But I just needed to know where Twilight Sparkle was going to sleep.”
Celestia smiled. “Where’s she going to sleep, Luna?”
Luna’s ears perked up as she smiled. “In my room,” replied Luna. Luna didn’t notice, but Celestia looked a little sad about it, but she soon smiled.
Luna looked at Twilight Sparkle with a smile. “Twilight, would you like to see me raise the moon?”
“Sure, Princess Luna,” replied Twilight Sparkle as she sat on the balcony floor.
Celestia closed her eyes while she used her magic to lower the sun. The color of the sky changed from light blue to yellow and orange. Then it was Luna who closed her eyes while raising the moon. As the moon rose, the color of the sky changed from orange to light pink with dark blue. When the moon was right over the sky, the color of the sky was all dark blue.
Suddenly, the three mares heard footsteps. They looked back and saw a white royal guard outside the balcony. “Princesses! The dinner is ready.”
“Thank you for informing us, we are going. You can return to your post,” said Celestia.
The royal guard bowed before leaving.
“Come on, Twilight,” said Celestia as she walked. Luna waited for Twilight to get up. When Twilight got up she started walking. Luna followed Twilight.
As Twilight walked, she started to reflect on everything that happened today. She never imagined that Luna would be with her during this difficult time. Usually, it was Celestia who was with her during her sad and difficult moments. Well, except when Celestia left her at rehearsal.
Upon reaching the dining room, Celestia opened the door with her magic and went to the table. Luna and Twilight accompanied her. Celestia didn’t notice, but Luna and Twilight were very close to each other. Celestia sat down first, then it was Luna, and lastly it was Twilight. Twilight decided to sit next to Luna, since Luna was with her since this afternoon.
The food on the table there was three soup. Celestia’s soup was tomato. Luna’s, ginger corn broth and Twilight’s, carrot. Celestia took the spoon and started eating. Luna did the same. As for Twilight, she hasn’t started eating yet, because she seems sorry for what she did as Nightmare Sparkle and seems uncertain if she would be able to forgive herself. She really hoped she would be able to forgive herself for what she did, but she knew that with Luna by her side, that would be possible. After thinking about it, she took the spoon with her magic and started eating. She couldn’t help but deny that the soup was good.
The Aftermath of Nightmare Sparkle
Twilight was in Luna’s room, along with Luna. Both were in bed and slept peacefully while hugging each other and had smiles on the faces on the bed. Twilight opened her eyes. She never slept so well before. She couldn’t help denying that Luna’s fur was very soft and the hug was very comfortable. She looked at Luna and noticed the smile on Luna.
Suddenly, the bedroom door opened, revealing Celestia. Celestia went to Twilight and Luna. “Good morning, Twilight.”
Twilight Sparkle looked at Celestia with a smile. “Good morning, princess. Why did you come here?” asked Twilight Sparkle. She hoped Celestia wouldn’t be offended by the last sentence.
“I came to wake you and Luna, but it looks like you’re already awake,” replied Celestia. “Twilight, could you wake up Luna so she comes over to the balcony so she can lower the moon and I raise the sun?”
Twilight Sparkle smiled determinedly. “I will not disappoint you, princess.”
Celestia smiled. “Thank you, Twilight. Tell Luna that I’m waiting for her on the balcony,” that said, she left the room and closed the door with her magic.
Twilight Sparkle looked back at Luna and nudged her lightly with a hoof. “Princess. Please, wake up.”
Luna opened her eyes slowly while looking a little sad. “Why did you wake me up, Twilight?”
“Princess Celestia wants you to go out on the balcony so you can lower the moon,” replied Twilight Sparkle.
Luna looked uncertain. She didn’t want to get out of bed yet. “But it feels so good to be hugging you in bed...”
Twilight Sparkle smiled. “I understand, princess. I am also enjoying hugging you, but you also have your royal duties as princess of the night.”
Luna pouted. “Can’t I stay in bed with you for a few more minutes?”
“By order of Princess Celestia, no,” replied Twilight Sparkle.
Luna released Twilight from the embrace, got up from the bed and put on her perk and crown. Twilight also got up from the bed. “Princess, can I see you lower the moon on the balcony?”
Luna looked at Twilight with a smile. “Of course you can, Twilight. Now, are we going?”
“Come on,” replied Twilight Sparkle.
The two started walking and left the room. Luna closed the door with her magic before continuing to walk. Although Twilight was enjoying Luna’s company, she wondered how she would find a way to forgive herself. “Princess Luna.”
Luna looked at Twilight Sparkle. “Yes, Twilight?”
“How are you going to help me find the way for me to forgive myself?” asked Twilight Sparkle.
“Simple, Twilight. I will show you the ways to forgive yourself and I will be by your side to help you become a better pony,” replied Luna with a smile.
Twilight Sparkle started to think about something, but she wasn’t a hundred percent sure. “So, will you be like a mentor to me?”
“Technically yes, Twilight Sparkle.”
Twilight Sparkle smiled at that. Imagine how much she could learn, especially about forgiving herself. “Princess, I never imagined that you would do this for me.”
“Twilight, you’re my best friend. I would do anything to make you feel better,” said Luna as she smiled. Twilight smiled in return, she knew that Luna cared for her, but she never imagined that Luna would do that for her.
Twilight and Luna entered the balcony and saw Celestia waiting patiently for them. She smiled when she saw Luna. “Luna! Twilight managed to wake you up!”
“Yes, Sister. It was a little difficult at first, but I managed to get out of bed with her help,” said Luna.
“Luna, shall we do this?” asked Celestia.
“Let’s do this.” Luna approached Celestia to lower the moon.
Meanwhile, Twilight sat on the balcony floor again to watch the work of the two princesses. Luna used her magic to make the moon go down. As she lowered the moon, the color of the sky changed from dark blue to light pink. Then Celestia used her magic and made the sun rise to the skies. The color of the sky changed from light pink to light blue. They heard hooves hitting and looked back and saw Twilight clap while she smiled. “That was beautiful to see, princesses!”
Luna and Celestia smiled. “Thanks, Twilight,” said Celestia. Twilight Sparkle got up from the floor. “Twilight, I’m curious. How will you find the way to forgive yourself?”
“Princess Luna will be my mentor,” replied Twilight Sparkle. “She will help me find the way for me to forgive myself.”
Celestia looked at Luna now, who was smiling at what Twilight Sparkle said. “Luna, do you think you can do it?”
“Of course I do,” replied Luna. “Are you thinking that we aren’t able to be a mentor just like you?”
Celestia laughed with joy as she had a hoof close to her face and her eyes were closed. “Imagine, Luna. I was just curious,” she stopped laughing, opened her eyes and put the hoof back on the floor. “I’m going to have coffee. If you want to join me, you’re both welcome.”
“Of course we will accompany you, princess,” said Twilight Sparkle with a smile as she followed Celestia. Luna followed her while smiling.
As Luna walked, she decided to talk to Twilight Sparkle. “Twilight, did you manage to sleep well while hugging me?”
Twilight Sparkle looked at Luna. “Yes, Princess. At least this way, I could feel less alone and less sad and broken with what I did as Nightmare Sparkle.”
Luna felt sad for Twilight. Twilight still felt guilty about what she did. She wished she was there with Twilight during the rehearsal to comfort her after the others left. But she wouldn’t blame Twilight for feeling that way, since she also felt the same as Twilight, especially what she did as Nightmare Moon.
Celestia opened the dining room door with her magic and entered. Luna and Twilight accompanied her. The three smelled pancakes and sat down. They sat in the same seats as yesterday. Celestia’s pancake had a happy face, Luna’s too, and Twilight’s did not, but it had fruit and whipped cream. Celestia took the fork with her magic and started to eat, Luna did the same. Twilight hasn’t started eating yet, because she started thinking about something, which left her in doubt recently. She looked at Luna. “Princess Luna.”
Luna looked at Twilight and swallowed the piece of pancake before saying, “yes, Twilight?”
“What will be your learning technique? Will it be for books?” asked Twilight Sparkle as she was curious.
“Unfortunately it won’t be for books, Twilight. It will be through dialogue,” replied Luna. Twilight was a little sad, since it didn’t involve books. “But in our free time, we can read together in the bedroom or in the library, if it makes you feel better.”
Twilight Sparkle smiled with joy at the last sentence. “Are we going to read together in our free time?”
“Of course, Twilight. I don’t want to see you sad,” replied Luna with a smile.
Luna took the fork with her magic and started eating the pancake. Twilight did the same as Luna.
Celestia had already finished eating her pancake. She wiped her mouth with a napkin and when she was done, put it on the plate. She looked at Luna and Twilight, and saw that the two aren’t finished eating yet. She decided to wait for them. But she heard footsteps and saw a royal guard come to her. “Princess Celestia! They need you in the throne room.”
“OK. I’m already going. You can return to your post, ”said Celestia. The royal guard bowed before leaving the place. When the guard left, she got up and went to the throne room, leaving Luna and Twilight alone.
When Twilight Sparkle and Luna finished eating, she looked at Luna as the waiters took what was on the table. “Princess Luna.”
Luna looked at Twilight Sparkle with a smile. “Yes?”
“What will we do now? Are you going to start teaching me?” asked Twilight Sparkle.
“Yes. I was thinking about teaching classes in my room,” replied Luna.
“Princess, what will the classes be like?”
“Simple. Classes will have three methods. Each with different goals,” replied Luna.
“But what will help me to forgive myself?” asked Twilight Sparkle to be sure.
“Through the practice of self-awareness and understanding,” replied Luna wisely.
Twilight Sparkle looked uncertain. “I don’t know, Luna. Do you really think I will be able to forgive myself for what I did as Nightmare Sparkle?”
“Of course I do, Twilight. I see great potential in you,” replied Luna.
Twilight Sparkle smiled hopefully. “Do you really think?”
Luna got up, went to Twilight Sparkle and hugged her with a wing. “Yes. I know that deep down you have a great desire to become a better pony.”
“Well, I’m not going to deny that you’re wrong, Luna. I really want to become a better pony after all of that,” said Twilight Sparkle.
“Don’t worry, Twilight. With my help, you will be able to become a better pony.” Luna said with a smile.
“I hope so, Luna.”
Luna stopped hugging Twilight Sparkle with a wing. “Well, are we going to my room now?”
Twilight Sparkle got up from the chair. “Yes. Let’s go.”
The two left the dining room and were now in the hall. As Luna walked, she started to think about how she would speak in the first class. Twilight hoped that everything would work out and be perfect. Upon arriving at the door of Luna’s room, Luna opened the door with her magic and entered, Twilight accompanied her. When Twilight came in, Luna closed the door with her magic.
“Twilight, sit here on the bed with me.” Twilight Sparkle looked at Luna and saw her sitting on the bed while smiling at her. Twilight approached Luna and sat down.
“Princess, what will my first class be?” asked Twilight Sparkle as she was curious.
“Your first class will be about identifying why you need to forgive yourself,” replied Luna. “Twilight Sparkle, could you identify why you need to forgive yourself?”
“I need to forgive myself because what I caused as Nightmare Sparkle was unforgivable!” replied Twilight Sparkle, now crying with guilt. “None of this would have happened if I hadn’t been blinded by anger and had accepted Nightmare’s offer!”
“Twilight, don’t blame yourself. It will only make you feel even more hurt,” said Luna, now saddened by her best friend as she lifted a hoof.
Twilight continued to cry, but replied Luna, “why shouldn’t I blame myself? I practically became a villain for all Equestria!”
Luna approached Twilight Sparkle and hugged her with the front hooves. “Twilight, it wasn’t your fault, it was Chrysalis. She who is to blame for all that happened. She who made Celestia, Shining Armor, your friends and Spike stand against you.”
“No! It was my fault. I should have come up with evidence instead of accusing her without being sure!” shouted Twilight Sparkle through tears. “I also shouldn’t have stayed at the rehearsal site after they left me. If it weren’t for that, Nightmare wouldn’t have reached me and I wouldn’t have accepted Nightmare’s offer to take my body!”
“Twilight, you’re not to blame. You had no way of knowing that Nightmare would show up,” said Luna as she stroked the mane of Twilight Sparkle.
More tears started to come out of Twilight Sparkle’s eyes. She hugged Luna back. “But even if I didn’t know, I shouldn’t have been so childish and carried away by my anger! Because of my anger, I almost mastered Equestria!”
Luna has never seen Twilight so sad and broken before. Normally, Twilight was very strong, determined and brave when it came to things. But it seems that after she became Nightmare Sparkle, Twilight broke down emotionally, due to almost dominating Equestria and having the will to destroy who she cared most about. Luna knew it was going to be a long way for Twilight to forgive herself, but she hoped that in the end Twilight could return to being the same mare she always liked as a friend.
After hours in the throne room, Celestia was finally able to leave the throne room. Another day is over. She wondered where Luna was.
“Do you need help with something, princess?” Celestia looked to the right and saw a royal guard.
“Yes. I would like to know where Luna is,” replied Celestia. “Did you see her?”
“Yes. Follow me.” the royal guard started walking. Celestia followed. She wondered where Luna was. Would she be with Twilight? Could only be. Luna had told her, the idea of her being a mentor to Twilight so that Twilight would become a better pony after the Nightmare Sparkle incident. Celestia allowed, although inside she looked a little sad, since she would have to share Twilight with Luna.
The royal guard stopped a light blue door with a crescent handle. “She’s here, princess.”
“Thanks. You can return to your post.” thanked Celestia.
The guard bowed before leaving. Celestia looked at the door and knocked with a hoof. “Luna? Twilight? Are you two there?”
Footsteps were heard, the door opened revealing Luna and Twilight. “Hi, sister. How was your day of real duties?”
“It was tough. But I finally finished for today. Shall we go to the balcony now?” asked Celestia.
“Yes. Come on,” Luna looked at Twilight Sparkle. “Twilight, would you like to come out on the balcony with us?”
“No. Thank you, Luna. I’m going straight to the dining room.” Twilight Sparkle left the place sadly.
Celestia just looked sadly at her student, when Twilight was out of sight, she looked at Luna. “She still feels guilty, right?”
“Yes Sister. When I asked her to identify why she needed to forgive herself, she started to cry a lot,” replied Luna, also sad. “Celestia, seeing Twilight like that left me heartbroken. I don’t think anypony has seen Twilight as sad and emotionally broken in life as I am.”
“Luna, how much did Twilight cry for?” asked Celestia.
“For a whole day,” replied Luna. “I have comforted her, but as the hours go by, the more she cries and the more she feels guilty.”
“Poor little thing. She must be very emotionally broken,” said Celestia, feeling sorry for Twilight Sparkle. Celestia couldn’t help but notice that Twilight was feeling the same as Luna during the first ones after being forgiven by the ponies for being Nightmare Moon.
“Yes. And she feels guilty about everything that happened at the wedding.” agreed Luna.
“So, Luna? Shall we go to the balcony?”
“Yes, sister,” said Luna.
The Aftermath of Nightmare Sparkle
Twilight was on the balcony of Luna’s room as she watched Canterlot down there. It had many ponies awake today. Some ponies were on their way to work, others chatting with their friends and others just strolling. Twilight couldn’t help denying that the Canterlot ponies seemed to have forgotten about the unsuccessful invasion of Chrysalis’ subjects. But she was sure that the ponies still remembered her and must hate her from now on when she was Nightmare Sparkle. Well, except for Shining, Cadence, Celestia, Luna, Spike and her friends, as they showed their regret. But she wouldn’t go to the other ponies and ask, “hey! I know I wanted to dominate Equestria with the Nightmare Forces, but you forgave me for doing that, didn’t you?” since she knew that if she did that, she would break even more emotionally, and she didn’t want it to get any worse.
Suddenly, she heard the sound of a door opening and closing. Twilight’s ears perked up, she looked back and saw Luna, who was looking at her with a sad look because of her best friend being like this. “Twilight, are we going to start classes?”
Twilight Sparkle got up, entered the room, closed the balcony door with her magic and sat on the bed, still looking sad and guilty. She looked at Luna. “Yes. What forgiveness lesson are you going to teach me today, Luna?”
“That you accept that mistakes don’t make you an evil pony,” replied Luna. Twilight was concerned about that. They sat on the bed to begin class. “Twilight Sparkle, I understand what you’re feeling. You feel guilty that you acted out of anger and accepted Nightmare’s offer. I also felt a negative feeling once in the past.”
Twilight Sparkle was surprised. “Really?”
“Yes, Twilight. And it was jealous, and as I felt a negative emotion, Nightmare was attracted to it,” replied Luna.
“But Luna, what happened to you was only with Princess Celestia. With me it went with more ponies,” said Twilight Sparkle. “I emotionally hurt more ponies close to me. You, on the other hand, went only with Princess Celestia.”
“I know, Twilight. But what matters is that Celestia and I are reunited,” said Luna, now with a smile. “And what matters too, is that you and the ponies next to you have apologized and you have forgiven them.”
“I agree. But that is not the problem. I shouldn’t have let the anger get the better of me after they left me. Nightmare felt that emotion in me and used me,” Twilight Sparkle started to cry. “How could I be so childish?”
“Twilight, you weren’t a child. You just weren’t well emotionally because they didn’t believe you,” said Luna.
“But I knew that Nightmare was a threat from the beginning, Luna!” Twilight Sparkle sobbed as she hugged Luna with her front hooves. “Nightmare took your body once, and then you took mine! Nightmare manipulated me in the hope that I would allow it to enter my body! And then, the Element of Magic wouldn’t be able to activate the other elements as I would be corrupted and nothing would stop me from dominating Equestria!”
“Twilight, You’re not an evil pony,” said Luna.
Twilight Sparkle continued to sob, but responded. “I am, yes...”
“You’re not, Twilight. We all make mistakes. Don’t think about what you did, it makes you an evil pony.”
Twilight Sparkle looked uncertain, she didn’t know if she could accept it, since she believed she was the villain in the story. “I don’t know, Luna. Are you sure that I’m not the villain?”
Luna lifted Twilight Sparkle’s head with a front hoof, then she wiped the tears from Twilight’s eyes with a hoof. “No. You’re not the villain, Twilight. The villain in this whole story is Chrysalis.”
Twilight Sparkle was uncertain. Should she believe her mentor’s words? She knew that Luna would never lie to her, but even so, she was uncertain about it.
“So, Twilight? You believe me, don’t you?” asked Luna with a smile.
Twilight Sparkle sighed as she looked down guiltily. “Princess. I believe you, Luna. And I know that you’re telling the truth. But I am not able to forgive myself for what I did, not now. I will need more time to be able to truly forgive myself. You can be patient, can’t you?”
Luna didn’t expect that answer. But she wouldn’t blame Twilight for feeling that way. Since Twilight was feeling the same as she was when she had just been forgiven after returning to her original form and returning to rule with Celestia. Waiting was never something she could handle. But she would do that for Twilight. “Yes, Twilight. I can.”
Twilight Sparkle managed to smile a little. But something came up in her mind. “Will there be more forgiveness classes involving the practice of forgiveness?”
Luna started to think. She put the hoof on her chin in thought. She wanted to continue to teach Twilight. But how was she going to continue the part of practicing forgiveness if Twilight couldn’t forgive herself? It looked like she was going to have to leave that step behind, at least until Twilight accepted that what she did doesn’t make her an evil pony. “Yes. I will continue to teach you, Twilight Sparkle. But unfortunately, this step that I took today cannot be completed right now.”
Twilight Sparkle looked a little sad to be feeling this way. Since a stage was’t completed because of it. “Princess Luna, I’m sorry! I’m sorry that I let you down, princess!” she sobbed.
Luna was heartbroken to see Twilight cry again. She put a hoof on Twilight. “Twilight, you didn’t let me down.”
“But it is because of me that you will have to skip a step in the method!” sobbed Twilight Sparkle. “I’m sorry for making you waste your time with me!”
“Twilight, don’t blame yourself. You’re not making me waste my time. And you’re not a lost cause, Twilight. I will stay by your side until you recover,” said Luna.
Twilight Sparkle looked at Luna, still with tears in her eyes. “S-so does that mean I won’t stop being your student?”
Luna hugged Twilight Sparkle with a wing, now smiling. “No, Twilight. Besides, it’s been two days since you became my student. And I’m not going to take you out of your position as my student just because things aren’t going as I wanted. ”
Twilight Sparkle smiled as she wiped away tears with a hoof. “Really?”
“That’s right, Twilight,” Luna hugged Twilight Sparkle with her hooves. Twilight smiled and returned the hug. “Tell me, Twilight. Since it isn’t yet night, I have free time now, how about we take a walk in Canterlot?”
“I liked that idea, Luna,” replied Twilight Sparkle. “So, we can take the opportunity to talk. But what are we going to do?” Suddenly, Twilight’s stomach rumbled, she laughed. “I think eating early is a good idea.”
“I agree. We are going to have lunch in a restaurant and then we are going for a walk,” replied Luna.
They left the room. Twilight waited for Luna to close the door with her magic. When Luna left the room, she closed the door with magic and they started walking again. The royal and lunar guards noticed Luna with Twilight. They even started to imagine that Luna was dating Twilight. They looked at each other while smiling and whispering in each other’s ears. But Luna and Twilight didn’t seem to notice, as they were both happy that they were going to spend an entire afternoon together.
When they arrived at the restaurant, the two sat down and took a menu to choose what to eat.
“Have you chosen, madams?” asked the waiter.
Twilight Sparkle looked up from the menu and looked at the waiter with a smile. “I would like a nacismo sandwich with daisies.”
Luna did the same as Twilight Sparkle. “I would like the same thing as Twilight.”
The waiter nodded and left the place. Twilight and Luna looked at each other. “Princess Luna, after lunch do we just go for a walk, or are we going somewhere in Canterlot?”
“If you want, we could go to the library to read,” suggested Luna.
Twilight Sparkle smiled. “It’s a good idea, Luna!”
Luna smiled at the answer. “Thank you, Twilight.”
The waiter returned and handed the two sandwiches to Twilight and Luna. Twilight and Luna took their sandwiches and started eating.
When they finished eating, Twilight and Luna left the restaurant with smiles on their faces. They had no plans to go anywhere, other than to walk in Canterlot. Although Twilight still feels guilty and broken for what she did as Nightmare Sparkle, at least now she would be able to feel less sad, since now she and Luna would be leaving quite often after her forgiveness class. Especially for lunch and a walk in Canterlot, like going to the library, going to a store to buy something or taking a walk around the city with Luna beside her.
“Princess Luna,” began Twilight Sparkle as she looked at Luna.
Luna looked at Twilight Sparkle with a smile. “Yes, Twilight?”
“Whenever you finish teaching me, will we always go out to lunch and take a walk in Canterlot?”
“I was thinking of doing this,” replied Luna. “Why?”
“Are you going to warn her we will always stay of the castle when she is busy with real duty?” asked Twilight Sparkle.
“Yes. But I will only do this today only when it is time for Celestia to lower the sun and I raise the moon,” replied Luna.
Celestia was waiting for Luna to arrive on the balcony. Luna was taking longer than usual. She wondered what Luna was doing to take so long. She was on the balcony for almost an hour and nothing about her sister. Until she saw Luna flying Twilight in the sky to her. Upon reaching the balcony, Twilight stepped off Luna. Celestia approached Luna as she was worried. “Luna? Where in Equestria were you?”
“Me and Twilight just went out to eat and went for a walk in Canterlot later,” replied Luna. “Are you upset with me?”
Celestia was surprised by the answer, but soon smiled. “No, Luna. It’s just that when you took too long to come back I was worried. Did you two have fun?”
“Yes, sister. Twilight and I had lunch outside and then went for a walk in Canterlot,” replied Luna. “Sister, I wanted to tell you something to keep you informed.”
“I’m listening,” said Celestia.
“When you have a day full of real duties, after I teach Twilight, Twilight and I will go out for lunch and take a walk in Canterlot, but when you’re not busy, we’ll have lunch with you,” confessed Luna. “So if I delay getting back to the castle, you already know where I am and what I’m doing.”
“Luna, I’m going to allow you to go out with Twilight, but try not to be too late next time, okay?” said Celestia. She wasn’t mad at Luna, but she just wanted to warn Luna not to make that mistake again.
“I understand, sister,” said Luna as she was looking down with guilt and her ears were down.
“It doesn’t look like that, Luna. I’m not mad at you,” Celestia approached Luna and hugged her with a front hoof as she smiled. “I just want you to know that you also have real duties.”
Luna looked at Celestia and smiled a little. “I know, Celestia.”
“But shall we now lower the sun and raise the moon?” asked Celestia.
“Yes Sister.”
The Aftermath of Nightmare Sparkle
Twilight ran in the castle corridors very quickly so as not to be late. The reason she ran so fast was because she had an appointment with Luna this afternoon. Luna decided she was going to take a break from Twilight class to have a tea party for Twilight. Although Twilight doesn’t understand why Luna did this. Why Luna thought she was innocent, as she was the one who attracted Nightmare because of her anger. Since in her mind, she thought she was the culprit and villain of the story, not Chrysalis. Twilight stopped running, opened the dining room door with her magic and went inside while closing her door with her magic.
“Finally you’re here.” Twilight looked ahead and saw Luna standing looking at her. At the dinner table. On the table were cakes, biscuits, two lavender teacups and a lavender teapot.
Twilight Sparkle approached the table and sat next to Luna as she was worried. “Am I late, princess?”
“Imagine, Twilight. You arrived ten minutes early. I was going to call you to come here,” replied Luna with a smile.
Twilight smiled as she went to the table to sit. Luna sat on the right side of her student. Twilight took the teapot and put some tea in the cup. When it was over, she drank some. Luna did the same as Twilight.
When they finished drinking some tea. Twilight looked at Luna. “Princess Luna, I don’t understand. Why did you make this tea party?”
Luna looked at Twilight Sparkle, still smiling. “Twilight, I decided to have this tea party so that you could talk and vent everything you felt so that I could help you not feel so guilty and accept that what you did didn’t make you a bad pony.”
“But Luna, I got mad at them,” said Twilight Sparkle, “and I tried to dominate Equestria.”
“Twilight, it’s okay. You just made a mistake. Everypony makes mistakes in life. Just because a pony made a mistake, it doesn’t mean the pony is evil,” said Luna.
Twilight Sparkle looked to the side. Tears started to come out of her eyes. She didn’t want to be crying, but she kept thinking about what she did during the wedding as Nightmare Sparkle. “But... but... I was so childish...”
“Twilight. Look at me.” Twilight Sparkle looked at Luna, still with tears in her eyes. “You weren’t childish, Twilight. You were just angry. Feeling angry is normal.”
“But Princess Luna, I wanted to dominate Equestria,” said Twilight Sparkle.
“Yes, Twilight. I know that. I also tried to dominate Equestria like Nightmare Moon,” agreed Luna as she looked to the side in a guilty way. “But I was forgiven by my sister and subjects,” she returned to look at Twilight Sparkle now with a smile. “And I’m sure everypony has forgiven you for what you did.”
Twilight looked uncertain. “I don’t know, Luna. You think?”
Luna continued to smile. “Yes. I think, Twilight. Your friends, your brother and your teacher were very sorry, they even apologized to you and you forgave them easily.”
“It’s because I could see on their faces that they were sorry.” explained Twilight Sparkle, now with a smile as she took a cookie and bit it.
Luna was in doubt. “Twilight, can I ask you a question?”
Twilight Sparkle swallowed the piece of the cookie. “Sure, princess.”
“I know you’re having a hard time forgiving yourself, and I completely understand you. But I wanted to know something,” continued Luna.
“I’m listening, princess.”
“What is keeping you from forgiving yourself?”
Twilight was quiet. Her ears went down and she looked at the table before looking at Luna. “Do you really want to know, Luna?”
“Of course I want to know, Twilight. You’re ours… I mean, you’re my best friend. You can tell me how you feel,” replied Luna as she approached Twilight.
Twilight Sparkle started to cry. “I’m scared, princess.”
“Afraid of what, Twilight?” asked Luna.
“I’m afraid to become Nightmare Sparkle again and end up hurting those I care about most emotionally again!” whined Twilight Sparkle.
Luna hugged Twilight Sparkle with her hooves. “You’re not going to become Nightmare Sparkle again, Twilight. Nightmare left your body, remember?”
“B-but, but what if Nightmare Sparkle is living inside me from now on? What if at any time I felt a negative feeling, Nightmare Sparkle manifests itself?” Twilight Sparkle hugged Luna with her hooves while she cried even more.
“Twilight, this isn’t going to happen. I promise. I will be by your side helping you through difficult times,” said Luna.
Twilight Sparkle looked at Luna. “But what if I become Nightmare Sparkle during a moment of anger?”
“Twilight, do you remember me and your first Nightmare Night?” asked Luna.
“Yes, Luna. I remember. It was when we made friends,” replied Twilight Sparkle as she wiped tears with a hoof. “Why?”
“Do you remember what happened when all the ponies started running away everywhere?”
Twilight Sparkle looked to the side, still sad. “Yes. You lost your temper. And you said you would cancel Nightmare Night forever.”
Luna caught Twilight Sparkle by the cheeks. “Now answer me that question: Did I become Nightmare Moon just because I was angry?”
“No, Luna,” replied Twilight Sparkle.
Luna removed the hooves from her cheeks and smiled. “Then believe me, Twilight. If I didn’t become Nightmare Moon at that time because i was angry, then you probably won’t become Nightmare Sparkle when you’re angry.”
Twilight Sparkle was surprised by this. She hadn’t thought that way. Since Nightmare had taken Luna’s body in the past. But after Nightmare Moon was defeated by the Elements of Harmony, Nightmare Moon never appeared again. Well except during Nightmare Night when the foals were putting candy on the Nightmare Moon statue, but at that time, it was just an illusion spell. If Luna didn’t become Nightmare Moon when she was angry while saying that Nightmare Night would be canceled forever, then that would mean that Nightmare Moon was no longer part of Luna. And if Nightmare Sparkle was defeated, resulting in Twilight returning to her original form, that would mean that Nightmare Sparkle was no longer part of her. She was nothing more than open-mouthed while thinking rationally and how what Luna said made sense. She looked at Luna happily while crying.
Luna was surprised. “Twilight? You’re…?”
But there was no time for Luna to finish speaking, as Twilight hugged her with her hooves. “Thank you, Princess Luna. Thank you for helping me to forgive myself.”
Luna smiled and returned the hug. “I’m happy with that, Twilight.”
As they came out of the embrace, Twilight said, “What about my forgiveness classes, Luna? How are they?”
“Well, Twilight, you’ve already managed to forgive yourself. Which is a good start,” replied Luna. “Now, to answer your question: Will you have your last class will be about challenging yourself to do good.”
“How will it work?” asked Twilight Sparkle as she was excited to learn.
“Tomorrow I will explain to you how it will be,” replied Luna.
The dining room door opened, revealing Celestia, who smiled and waved when she saw the two mares at the table. “Hi, Twilight! Hi, Luna! ”
“Hi Princess!” waved Twilight Sparkle as she smiled.
“Hi sister!” Luna waved, also smiling and waving.
Celestia approached Luna. “So, Luna? How are the Twilight forgiveness classes?”
“They are doing very well, sister. And I have good news: Twilight managed to forgive herself,” replied Luna. “And I am very proud of her.”
Twilight Sparkle blushed with the last sentence. It was a long way for her to forgive herself, but at least she did. Now only the last class was missing, and then she could go back to Ponyville to see her friends and Spike again. She missed them. How would they be? Would they be okay without it? Well, even if her class ended on the same day, she intended to return to Ponyville only the next day after her last class.
The Aftermath of Nightmare Sparkle
Today would be the day. The last day of Twilight’s forgiveness class. She wondered how that last class was going to work. How would it be? Twilight was now eating pancakes at the table, along with Luna and Celestia. Luna was sitting in the middle, to her left was Twilight and to her right was Celestia. The three of them ate their pancakes with smiles on their faces.
When Luna finished eating her pancake, she looked at Twilight Sparkle, who had also finished eating. “Twilight Sparkle.”
Twilight Sparkle looked at Luna. “Yes, Princess?”
“Are you ready for your last class?” asked Luna.
“Yes, Princess. How will it work? ” asked Twilight Sparkle as she was curious.
“I’ll explain to you in my room, come.” Luna said as she got up from the chair. Twilight followed. Celestia just watched the two of them leave with a smile. She wondered how Twilight was going to do in that last class.
Twilight and Luna were now walking down the hall. As they walked, Twilight wondered what that last class would be like. Even though Luna had told her that she would explain to her when she got to the room, she couldn’t get that thought out of her head. Twilight, then, she heard the sound of a door opening, she looked ahead and saw that Luna was opening the door with magic her. Upon opening, Twilight entered first and then Luna, who closed the door with her magic upon entering.
Twilight Sparkle turned and saw Luna approach the bed and sit on their hips. She approached Luna and sat on her hips too. “Luna, how will this last class work?”
“Well, Twilight. This class is a daily activity that you will have to do on a daily basis if you don’t want to return to feeling guilty for what you did as Nightmare Sparkle,” replied Luna as she smiled.
“But what am I going to do?” asked Twilight Sparkle as she was confused.
“You’re the one who will choose.”
Twilight Sparkle was surprised and gaping. “What?”
“You’re the one who will choose the activity, Twilight,” repeated Luna. “Choose an activity or hobby that you enjoy and do it daily so that you avoid feeling doubt and guilt, so that you become somepony better. And act in a positive way that will allow you to forgive yourself.”
“But princess, I already forgave myself,” said Twilight Sparkle, now confused.
“I know that, Twilight,” she stroked the Twilight mane with a hoof as she smiled. “But this is to keep you from feeling guilty about something you might do in the future.”
Twilight Sparkle smiled and hugged Luna with her hooves. “Thank you, Luna. Thank you for helping me to forgive myself.”
Luna was surprised to have been hugged, but soon smiled and returned the hug with her hooves. “You’re welcome, Twilight. I am happy with that.”
Luna said, “Twilight, do you already know what you’re going to do to avoid feeling doubt or guilt so you can become a better pony?”
“Yes Princess. I will read books daily,” replied Twilight Sparkle as she stepped out of the embrace. “I mean, I already read it daily. Does that count?”
“Of course, Twilight,” replied Luna as she smiled and hugged Twilight Sparkle while her eyes were closed.
Twilight Sparkle smiled with that affection. She liked that Luna cared about her. She couldn’t help but notice that Luna was helping her a lot after the Nightmare Sparkle incident. When she was crying during those days that she hadn’t forgiven herself, Luna was always beside her, comforting her, hugging her and comforting her when she cried. Luna was a great friend to her after the wedding of Shining Armor and Cadence. She had an idea of what she and Luna could do.
“Princess Luna, since my classes are over, how about we go for a walk in Canterlot?” asked Twilight Sparkle with a smile.
Luna opened her eyes while still smiling. “I liked that idea, Twilight.”
Luna released Twilight from the embrace and got up from the bed. Twilight got up from the bed too.
As they walked, Twilight looked at Luna with a smile and her ears were down. She couldn’t help but notice that Luna was quite beautiful. To tell it the truth, since she saw Luna at Nightmare Night and helped her, she realized that Luna was quite beautiful. Twilight realized something that she hadn’t noticed since her first Nightmare Night: She liked Luna, not as a friendship, but romantically.
She would like to declare herself to Luna, but how would she declare herself? Perhaps, she could declare herself now. But she was nervous that Luna wouldn’t accept what she felt. How could she declare herself? Should she declare herself now or should she invite Luna on a date? Like seeing the stars with her on the balcony of Luna’s room? Perhaps inviting Luna to this isn’t a bad idea. That was what she was going to do. She just hoped that Luna would accept the invitation and agree to be her marefriend.
“Princess Luna,” Twilight Sparkle started as she walked.
Luna looked at Twilight Sparkle. “Yes, Twilight?”
“Would you like to watch the stars with me in your room?” asked Twilight Sparkle nervously.
“Of course, Twilight. I’m free at night,” replied Luna. “I can’t wait to spend the night with you.”
Twilight Sparkle blew out a small sigh of relief. “Me too, Luna. Me too.”
When the night came, after Twilight had finished dinner, she would go around in circles while waiting for the arrival. She already had in mind how she was going to declare herself: She just hoped that everything would turn out perfect.
The bedroom door opened, revealing Luna, who was smiling at her and approaching her as she closed the door with her magic. “I have to confess, Twilight. No pony has ever invited me to see the stars. I usually invited Celestia to see the stars with me.”
Twilight Sparkle smiled hopefully. “And did she go with you?”
Luna’s smile fell, and her ears went down as she looked away. “No. Celestia always told me that she had to sleep early to get the sun up. I was usually alone all night. No one stayed up during my night,” she started to cry.
“Princess, I’m sorry for making you remember that,” said Twilight Sparkle, now sorry and with her ears down.
“Don’t blame yourself, Twilight,” Luna looked back at Twilight as she smiled. “Now, let’s watch the stars,” they approached the balcony and sat down. Luna sat on the left and Twilight on the right. Luna hugged Twilight with a wing while smiling and watching the stars. Twilight blushed when Luna’s wing touched her. Luna’s wing was very soft.
Twilight knew that now would be the time. The time when she would confess to Luna what she felt. But she was very nervous. Nervous that Luna wouldn’t accept it and that she wouldn’t feel the same way she did. Should she really count today? Perhaps she could leave it for another day or night. No. She couldn’t procrastinate. She was going to confess today. She just hoped that Luna would feel the same as she did. She looked at Luna.
“Princess,” she began.
Luna looked at Twilight Sparkle with a smile. “Yes, Twilight?”
“I-i have something to confess to you.”
Luna was curious. What would it be? “You can talk. I’m listening.”
Twilight Sparkle started to sweat with nerves. “Princess, do you remember our first Nightmare Night together?”
“Yes, Twilight. It was on that night that we met,” replied Luna, now smiling just to remember.
“So, from that night I realized something that I never noticed before but only now,” continued Twilight Sparkle.
“Really? What did you notice?”
Twilight Sparkle smiled as she blushed and looked away. Now would be the time. “I realized that from that night that I helped you... I realized that you were very pretty.”
Luna blushed at the compliment as she smiled. “Thank you, Twilight. No one ever us… I mean, praised me before.”
“You’re welcome Princess. But going on, I also realized that... I love you. Not as a friend, but as a marefriend,” Twilight Sparkle looked at Luna while blushing even more. “Princess Luna, would you like to be my marefriend?”
Luna was surprised by this revelation. She didn’t expect this. But then she smiled, and said, “Yes, Twilight. I accept.”
Twilight Sparkle smiled at the answer. “Really? You accept? Do you feel the same as I do?”
“Of course I do, Twilight. And yes, I feel the same way you do. Since you helped me with Nightmare Night, I started to develop feelings for you. I just didn’t confess to you before, because I was afraid that you wouldn’t feel the same as me,” replied Luna. “But I’m glad it didn’t happen and you feel the same as me.”
Twilight and Luna hugged each other while smiling. They were very happy that they were together now. Luna then remembered something. “Twilight.”
Still embracing, Twilight asked, “yes, princess?”
“Well, Twilight. Since we’re going to date, I would like you to just call me Luna. You doesn’t have to be formal with me.” asked Luna gently.
“Ok, Luna,” said Twilight Sparkle.
The Aftermath of Nightmare Sparkle
Twilight and Luna slept in bed together, hugging each other while smiling. Twilight woke up. Today she was going to return to Ponyville. She couldn’t wait to see her friends and Spike again. But she wasn’t going to tell them that Luna was her marefriend, since she didn’t want it to be judged. She looked at Luna and saw her waking up.
“Did you sleep well, my love?” she asked.
“Love? What an interesting nickname,” said Twilight Sparkle with a shy smile. She never imagined that Luna would start calling her that since they started dating. But she even liked that.
Luna’s smile fell. “Do you feel uncomfortable about this? If you want, I can stop and just call you by name again.”
“No. It’s okay, Luna. I’m just shy about it, but you keep calling me that.” explained Twilight Sparkle.
“Won’t you be uncomfortable?” asked Luna to be sure.
“Of course not, Luna. I even like to be called that.” blushed Twilight Sparkle. Luna smiled. Well, if it didn’t bother Twilight, then she would continue.
The door started to open, Twilight Sparkle and Luna looked at the door. The door opened, revealing Celestia. “Twilight! Luna! I see you two have already woken up!”
“Yes, sister,” said Luna.
“I came here to wake you both up, but since you two are awake, let’s go to the balcony. You need to lower the moon and I raise the sun.” explained Celestia to Luna.
Luna and Twilight came out of the embrace and got up from the bed. Luna put on her regalia and her crown. Twilight watched Luna. That done, Celestia started walking. The two followed Celestia. When they left, Luna closed her bedroom door with her magic. Twilight waited for Luna. When Luna finished, they started walking again.
“It is a pity that you will have to return to Ponyville today, love,” said Luna, now sad. “I will miss you.”
“I know, Luna. I’ll miss you too,” agreed Twilight Sparkle. “But you can come and visit me in Ponyville and I can come and visit you in Canterlot when I’m not too busy, so we could spend a night together.”
Luna smiled a little. “Yeah. It’s a good idea, love.”
Celestia and Luna approached very close to the balcony and started to lower the moon and raise the sun. Twilight had sat on her hips to watch the princesses. But her thoughts were on her days here in Canterlot, she wasn’t looking at Celestia and Luna now, she was looking to the left side. She never imagined that she would be able to forgive herself for what she did as Nightmare Sparkle. She looked at Celestia and Luna, and saw that the two had already lowered the moon and raised the sun. Twilight stood up with a smile.
The two royal sisters turned and saw Twilight standing. “Come on, Twilight. Let’s have breakfast,” said Celestia.
“Yes Princess.” Twilight followed Celestia and Luna. She approached Luna and stood beside her. Luna and Twilight looked at each other with smiles, knowing that they were now together.
When they arrived at the dining room, they sat in the same places and there were pancakes on the table. As they ate, Luna looked at Twilight with a smile. Since Twilight helped her on Nightmare Night, she started to develop loving feelings for the purple unicorn.
When she had returned to Canterlot after Nightmare Night, Celestia had realized that she was quite happy, well, happier than usual. Celestia had asked her why she was happy, since good humor was’t something Luna felt quite often. She had been unsure since Twilight was a student of Celestia. But after Celestia asked so much, Luna confessed that she was in love with Twilight. Celestia had been surprised at first, but then she accepted what Luna felt. Luna’s insecurity changed to happiness, as Celestia approved of her relationship with Twilight. But she never confessed to Twilight what she felt before, because she was afraid of rejection. When Twilight confessed that she loved Luna more as a friend, Luna accepted and took the opportunity to confess that she felt the same way as Twilight.
She was very happy that Twilight was her marefriend. But, she decided to start eating her pancake so she could take Twilight back to Ponyville, say goodbye to her and go back to Canterlot.
When finished eating, Luna, Twilight and Celestia were at the entrance to the castle. “Twilight, would you like me to take you back to Ponyville?” offered Luna with a smile.
Twilight Sparkle thought for a few seconds before answering. “No. Thank you, Luna. I’m going by train.”
Luna looked a little sad about the answer, but she soon smiled. “Okay, then,” Twilight hugged Luna and Celestia. The two alicorn returned the hug.
When they left the embrace, Twilight said, “I’m going. Bye, Princess Celestia! Bye, Luna!”
“Bye, Twilight!” the two royal sisters shouted in unison as they smiled and said goodbye with a hoof.
When Twilight was out of sight, they returned to inside the castle.
“I’m glad Twilight managed to forgive herself, sister,” said Luna with a smile.
“Me too, Luna,” said Celestia, also smiling.
