Mother of the Night (Prologue)
It had been nearly a thousand years since Nightmare Moon had taken over Equestria. She had battled her older sister Celestia for rulership over the land. At first many thought Nightmare Moon would become a tyrannical ruler of sorts. When the sun set for the final time in Equestria, many thought it wouldn't be long before things would unwind into chaos. But then, as if by some miracle, Equestria was more secure than ever. Nightmare Moon explained to her subjects that she was not doing this to feel like she was all mighty, and needed no one. She cared for her people, more than she cared about her own wellbeing. She was the one who, when she went by the name Luna, kept bad dreams from manifesting to overpower the realm of her subjects' sleep. And with some of the most trusted ponies she could rely on in the past, kept other dark forces from overtaking Equestria, who had used the night to their advantage. But like staring into the sun itself, the subjects of Equestria had been blinded by Celestia's own majesty to realize the danger they had once been in.
Nightmare Moon's accomplishments had gone unnoticed, while everypony gave her sister praise, in which some should have been given to Nightmare Moon when she went by Luna. After hearing Nightmare Moon's reasoning about what constituted her actions, while a few thought Nightmare Moon had taken things a little too far, in the end, they did agree that they had been following Celestia's rule blindly, and had not given Nightmare Moon her consideration she was due. And so, Nightmare Moon had risen the Moon to put forth eternal night over Equestria. It was not to have ponies live in fear, but to remind them that they were no longer blinded by one's majesty. Nightmare Moon herself vowed she would not let her power go to her head, and would look out for the well being of her fellow ponies.
Soon, many ponies volunteered to become guards, either part-time or full-time, to stand ready for any threats that dare reveal themselves. And Nightmare Moon, now having an easier time to watch over her subjects with her added protectors of the night, was able to keep an eye her subjects dream state more closely, not to invade their personal subconscious, but to detect any bad dreams they might have, no longer associating the word nightmare with it. She did allow people to speak her sister's name, for while she had to banish her sister, she still cared about her and missed her, and even admitted that Celestia herself was blind to her own praise she received. She often joked with her subjects to think of it as a prolonged "timeout", for one day, she would release her sister, and perhaps, allow the sun to return.
Now, in present day Equestria. Many Ponies were enjoying their time around Equestria. Foals playing, couples interacting, students enjoying their education, even most nobles were helping their fellow ponies of the working class. Most pass off the stories of a time when the sun used to shine on Equestria as pure myth, with only a handful believing it, even getting confirmation from Nightmare Moon herself, and informing them why they no longer have the sun around, in which all are understanding. Nightmare Moon was awoken to another moonlit day in her kingdom. Many families at this stage of her rule, accepted her blessing to allow them to see better in the night, but never forcing subjects to comply to the night vision. And Nightmare Moon was given a warm welcome to a pony she had become close friends with. Twilight Velvet Sparkle. The mare preferred Velvet though. "Ah, Velvet, good to see you my dear. I hope that rambunctious son of ours isn't causing to much trouble for his expecting mother while your at that maternity quarters," Nightmare Moon gestured to Velvet's pregnant tummy.
Velvet giggled, "Well, having only returned home a week ago, Shining Armor thought I had gobbled somepony up. We sort of let it slip our minds to tell him I was with foal. But I did tease him for a bit stating that if he did not do his homework while I had been away, that I, or his moon mother may have to gobble him up as well my majestic wife."
"Now now dear. You know I am strictly on a wrong doers diet. Doctors told me rambunctious foals have too much sugar in them for a princess like me," Nightmare Moon joked as she caressed her own pregnant tummy with her wing.
The two shared a laugh at how cute they thought it was Shining thought ponies could gobble other ponies whole, and Velvet assured Nightmare Moon that she had told Shining Armor it had been a joke, and he was to be a big brother soon. Many ponies in Equestria were aware of the relationship Nightmare Moon had with Velvet. Only a hoofful were a little uneasy with their relationship, but they did not despise their ruler for it. But that wasn't all. Night Light Sparkle was also part of the relationship. They had feelings for each other in a loving family. Usually most love triangles had two members who couldn't stand each other's presence, but in this relationship, all three loved each other equally. Night Light very much approved of both his wives loving each other as much as they loved him, in more ways than one.
Some thought that when Shining was born, it would draw a wedge in the 3 way relationship, however, in only strengthened the bond. They had only wanted to have the one child at first, because it was agreed they should see how they handled their first child, before deciding to have more. And while many thought that Nightmare Moon would have been the one to bare the first pregnancy, she had admitted to her subjects, when her wife demanded to be the birth mother, it was best not to challenge the mare.
But now, the two were expecting more foals. Shining was still in his early days of stable training, and he was excited both his moms were going to give him siblings. "Speaking of the tiny prince, where is the little soldier in training pants?" Nightmare Moon poked fun at her son wanting to be a guard already, and was still wearing his training pants.
"He's gone out to play with our niece Cadence for a bit in the Gardens. I swear, those two are a hoofful at times," Velvet stated as the two sat down in the chambers to have tea.
"They get it from you dear," Nightmare Moon teased.
"Me? Moony, that is all you," Velvet shot back.
The two laughed some more. "Anyways, Night Light had a mission to Ponyville today. To ask if the Apple family could stop by and speak with us about the Lunar Festival this year. He should be back in a few days," she stated.
"That's good to hear. The Apples have always been an entertaining bunch. And I heard they have another foal on the way, one that may be more feisty than their big brother," Nightmare Moon pondered.
"Wow, must be a filly. That herd always says that fillies get more lively in the tummy for the Apple Family members," Velvet recalled.
"Could be," Nightmare Moon agreed.
Just then, there was a knock on the door. "Come in," Nightmare Moon requested.
Soon, the two saw Princess Cadence, and little Prince Shining Armor came trotting in. "Pardon us if we're interrupting, but, Shining Armor stated he was hungry," Cadence admitted.
"Awww, well, come on in," Velvet stated.
Soon Princess Cadence and Prince Shining Armor joined the two mares in their morning feast. As they feasted, and drank tea and other assorted beverages together, Shining Armor asked for another adventurous story from his Moon Mother. She was happy to tell him, for telling him stories always brightened her day, that sometimes, they say when Nightmare Moon is very happy, the Moon shined even brighter.
Author's Note
Thought I'd try my hoof, er, hand at writing a Nightmare Moon story where she's not a mare bent on wanting eternal night for selfish reasons, and Equestria is prospering. And this story was inspired by Silfoe's comic drawn series they have posted on the Derpibooru site.
Sorry I've been silent for a while. It's been a lot to go through in the past year. Dealing with COVID restrictions, College and finances, it can sometimes wear one out.
Anyways, let me know what you all think.
