Stardust

It was over in a matter of seconds. As soon as the Drakkon started to move toward him he made several motions with his front legs. Then, almost simultaneously, they fell to the floor, dead. Luna sat there stunned at the speed and precision of Moonlight’s knife-work.

He turned and said something to her but she couldn’t understand him as her fascination turned to horror. ‘How could he kill them like that?’ she thought ‘they did nothing to provoke him’. She stood there until Moonlight snapped her out of it by shaking her.

“Hello?” he asked cynically “anyone home in there?” She looked into his eyes and shook her head.

“I’m sorry” she stammered “it’s just that… you… and…” she trailed off and he nodded, understanding.

“Ray, deactivate all systems please” Moonlight said to the computer system “quickly”. Moonlight led Luna into the center of the room and soon it was just a room again.

“The void surrounds us” he said, now fulfilling his promise “it is impossible to describe with words, but we are the void”. She looked up at him and nodded, seeming to understand.

“I-I n-need your h-help” she stuttered “W-we a-are two”. Her voice was changing and her body was growing larger and darker. “h-how do I-I live with another?” she asked desperately. Then all of a sudden the change stopped and she fainted, laying there was no longer Luna, but Nightmare Moon.

Celestia had returned to the castle distressed, she began wandering the halls aimlessly thinking about the events that had just occurred. Her long forgotten planet had come back to haunt her, there was now an angry alicorn general storming through Equestria; her student may not even trust her anymore.

She began muttering to herself while pacing the halls of Canterlot Castle, her voice growing louder and louder until it was a shout. Several guards came in and she quickly dismissed them, assuring them that she was fine.

‘Luna!’ she thought ‘I must see Luna’ and with that she set off for Luna’s Room.

“Now breathe” Moonlight told Luna (NM) “to master it you must master yourself”. She began taking deep breaths and relaxing with each one.

“Now to truly be at peace, you must resolve your anger” Moonlight said “what are you angry at?” Luna (NM) took one more breath and said in both voices “Celestia”.

“Are you?” Moonlight asked “are you truly angry at your own sister, or are you blaming her for something deeper within you?” Luna (NM) opened her eyes and said in only Luna’s voice this time.

“No I am not angry with her” she shuddered “I am angry at myself”. Then she gave a huge shudder and in Nightmare Moon’s voice she said “No, I am angry at her for locking me up for 1000 years, HER OWN SISTER!”

“No, we forced her to do it”

“She could have left us alone”

“We would have harmed ponies had she not locked us up”

“1000 years is NO EXCUSE!”

“No it isn’t but I respect her decision, we can’t undo what has been done”

“BUT SHE LO…”

“ENOUGH!” Luna’s voice finally shouted “You have been within me, plotting, and screaming about my sister”. She jumped up and reared on her hind legs “NOW YOU MUST LEAVE!!” and with that she smashed her hooves on the ground and transformed into Luna again.

She looked at Moonlight panting and said “thanks for the help”. He laughed and said “Your highness, you did all the work”. With that Luna looked at the floor and sighed a happy sigh.

She changed into her darker form and was overcome with joy, there was no more Nightmare haunting her. Moonlight gave her another jumpsuit and they headed back for the exit to the maze of random stuff.

Celestia stood at the door of her sister’s room waiting for her to respond to her knocking. She tried again and the door pulled open. She walked into the room expecting to find Luna, but instead she found Nightmare Moon lying on her sister’s bed reading a comic book.

“Hi sis” Luna said in a cheery voice “I need to tell you some great news!” her mood faded when she saw the look on Celestia’s face. “Nononononononono it’s not what it looks like, I’m Luna not Nightmare Moon, really!” and she stood up to prove it.

But as soon as she had all four hooves on the floor her sister tackled her and pinned her to the floor. “What have you done with my sister you monster” she spat “I should have killed you when I had the chance”.

“No sis listen!” Luna cried out “it really is me, Luna!” she struggled against her sister but couldn’t shove her off. “Please you have to believe me” she half screamed “I got rid of the Nightmare”.

“You can’t fool me Nightmare Moon, I know a rat when I… OOF” she was cut off by a body being flung against her, throwing her to the wall. She looked up stunned to find Moonlight in his battle mode standing over Luna.

“Goddamnit LISTEN TO YOURSELF CELESTIA” He shouted at her, clearly angry “She finally got rid of the one thing haunting her and was ready to celebrate with you, and you CALL HER A LIAR?!!?” He stepped toward her fuming. “WHAT KIND OF TERRIBLE SISTER ARE YOU HUH?” he was nose to nose with her “guess you’re as good at being a sister as you are protecting a planet” with that he walked outside onto the balcony and sat down.

Celestia looked at Luna, ashamed for not seeing past the body of her enemy and she began “Luna… I… I…” she fumbled for words but Luna cut her off with a forgiving nod. Luna stood up and walked over to Celestia; she gave her big sister a hug and said “I forgive you for everything”.

Moonlight walked back in and said “looks like the hug time will have to wait, a Drakkon cruiser just entered high orbit”.