The leaves crunch under my hooves as I trot a familiar path through the dense trees of the Everfree Forest. The autumnal colors of the trees flow in the wind giving the illusion of a sea of yellows, oranges and reds rolling over top of me. Each step is a step closer to my destination, The Castle of the Two Sisters, buried in the depths of the Everfree. The kiss of the cold wind ruffles my mane and tail as I teck through the darkening woods as the sun slowly sets to the west. A gentle tune seems to drift on the wind and I hum along with it as I finally lay my eyes on my destination.
The cracked and ruined walls of the old castle stand across the ravine from me, connected by an old rope bridge. I walk across the old rope bridge, running my hoof along the rope for a moment or two here and there, saying hello to an old friend and soon I stand before the doors to the old castle. Pushing the doors open and stepping inside I am swallowed by the darkness, the sun finishing its descent below the horizon.
Walking along the darkened halls the whispering tune on the wind begins to pick up, becoming less of a whisper in the wind and more of a beautifully haunting tune that echoes through the castle. My humming harmonizes with it as my steps become less trotting and more dancing as I continue on to my destination. The beat of my hooves are joined by an echoing phantom of more hoofsteps. Their taps sync with mine as I slowly climb the stairs of a crumbling tower that rises high above the castle courtyard. Reaching an old oaken door enchanted to resist against the wiles of time and weather, I pause taking a deep breath and letting out a happy sigh as I push the door open.
The room is exactly as I remember it, perfectly preserved against the ravages of time, just like it always is. Shutting the door I slowly float out a set of plates, a large soft blanket, and various things of food, setting up a wonderful picnic on the stone brick floor in front of a large bay window that looks out onto the rising moon. As I finish setting up the picnic the humming, whistling, melody reaches a crescendo; a dark cloud of stars slowly rises from the floor, looming over me for a moment before slowly coalescing into the shape of a pony.
Standing above me with her dark navy—bordering ebony black—coat and her flowy star filled brilliant blue mane, is Nightmare Moon. I can’t help but to smile up at her and lean up to give her a kiss, a kiss which she reciprocates for a moment. Slowly though she pulls back and looks down at me with a fanged smile that I love so much.
“It is good to see you again, my love.” She says as she steps up to me and pulls me into a winged embrace. “It has been a long year since last Nightmare Night.”
“In more ways than one.” I reply as I lean into her embrace, wrapping my hooves around her neck. “I missed you so much.”
“I know, I know.” She says as she holds me and I hold her. “I am here now and I plan to make the most of tonight.”
I don’t say anything yet, simply laying my head against her chest, breathing in her wonderful scent—a hint of pine mixed with stone. We stay like this for a few minutes before she gently nudges my cheek with a hoof, guiding my muzzle up to hers for another kiss. This one lasts for what feels like an eternity before we break apart.
“As much as I want to cuddle you for the whole night, I would love to sample the wonderful smelling food that you’ve brought me this year.” She says as she unwraps her wings from my back.
“Can we stay snuggled up as we do so?” I ask, refusing to let go of her neck.
She gives a soft chuckle that is divine music to my ears. “Yes, of course we can.”
She leads me to lay down on the blanket I set up, her wing wrapping around me as I float up a small tart for her to try. The face she makes as she takes a bite of it warms my heart like a fire in the depths of winter. The joy on her face reminds me why I love her so much. Despite all the tales of her being evil, cruel and hateful, deep down she just wants love. I can’t help but to snicker as she licks her lips at the prospect of another one.
“These are divine.” She says after munching on a second one.
“Only the best for you~” I coo as I nuzzle against her chest. “I have a few more things for you to try, some which I know will satisfy your other cravings.”
“You didn’t have to-”
“Ah, ah, ah, nope. I want you to be happy and enjoy our one night a year together.” I say as I uncover a ceramic bake dish, the warming enchantments on it kept its contents perfectly warm. Using a serving spoon I scoop out a serving of casserole for each of us. “Chicken parmesan casserole, made by yours truly.”
“You… I love you.” She says as she nuzzles my cheek. “I don’t know how you managed to make something like this. Most ponies react rather badly to cooking meat.”
“I’ve made some griffon friends who were happy to teach me.” I reply as I float a plate over for each of us. “There’s plenty so please, help yourself.”
My beautiful Nightmare takes a small bite, tasting the flavors of the casserole as she chews it slowly. As she swallows it I notice tears in her eyes and reach up to dry them, only to have her squeeze me with a powerful wing hug. “I love it. I love you. My beautiful Crescent Scroll.”
“I love you too, and I’m glad you like it.” I squeak slightly under the pressure of her hug.
“You are the best thing to ever happen to me Crescent.” She says before going back in for another bite of it.
“I could say the same thing about you.” I reply as I take a bit of my own serving of it. That gets a raise of an eyebrow from her.
“You’re also eating it?”
“Yep.” I reply after swallowing my mouthful. “A lot’s changed in the last year, honey, more than you know.”
“What do you mean by that?” She sets her fork down as she looks at me, her ears perked with curiosity.
“Well, for starters,” I flash her a smile showing off my fangs. “I made a breakthrough with some of my magical research. I was able to change my body to be able to process meat like you can.”
“I… wow. I don’t know what to say.” She nuzzles my cheek and gently squeezes me with her wing.
“That’s not all, but the rest is for after dinner, okay?”
She just nods and we continue to eat, snuggling against each other as we enjoy the food and watch the moon rise. Slowly the spread that I brought is devoured, as I tell her a little of the various other projects I’ve worked on throughout the year. Eventually as the moon nears its zenith I lead her to the center of the room, setting up a small record player and starting some music.
“May I have this dance?” I ask as I offer her my hoof.
“Of course.” She replies, taking my hoof and beginning to dance with me.
We dance slowly to the music, our bodies entwined in music and magic as we dance in classical patterns. The slow music and our magic mix and move as we dance in the light of the moon as it pours down on us through a small crystal window set into the ceiling. As the moon reaches its zenith our magics mingle like never before, small gems set into the walls of the room glow a beautiful white and blue as our dance becomes less about form and more about emotion. Before either of us know it we’re in bed, performing a whole different kind of dance.
Slowly the night comes to an end, the moon setting below the horizon as the sun rises and shines down onto us, tangled together under the covers of the bed. The gentle warmth slowly wakes both of us as we snuggle together. As she properly wakes up, Nightmare lets out a gasp and bolts up looking at the sun and then at herself, before looking down at me.
“Surprise, honey. I did it. I found a way to give you your own body.” I say as I pull her down into the bed with me. “Never again will we have to wait a year to see each other again.”
Tears stream down her face as she pulls me into a crushing embrace holding me tight as I too begin to cry. Our joyful moment is shattered by the door being kicked open and Princess Luna marching in, flanked by Princesses Celestia and Twilight. In an instant I am on my hooves snarling at them as a shield forms between them and my love.
“Stay back or else.” My voice snarls out of my mouth as my magic flows like icy fire around the two of us.
“You hast brought back the darkness that separated my sister and I for a millennium.” Luna says as she steps forward. “Why should we not put her down?”
“Because she just wants love, you bitch.” My voice echoes with magical force as the gems in the wall glow again. “And I love her!”
Celestia, Luna and Twilight begin to charge their magic anticipating some kind of attack but as I go to do so, another alicorn appears between us. Princess Cadance stands firm between the other princesses and us, her own magic flaring into a shield that divides the room in half.
“ENOUGH, ALL OF YOU!” Cadance bellows, the magical force from her voice shuts off all of our magic. Darkness licks at the edge of her eyes as he looks at Celestia. “I knew. Crescent Scroll came to me a long time ago, asking for my help and advice. I also knew none of you would react well.”
“Cadance, we-”
“Don’t you Cadance me, Luna.” She scolds as she steps forwards towards Luna.
“But she-”
“No. I don’t care what she did in the past. It’s been a long time since then. She has changed, I met with her several times over the years to talk with her.” Cadance glares at Luna. “I am the princess of love, Luna, I know love when I see it. I also know Crescent would sacrifice his life for hers.”
“Cadance, please-”
“Don’t you start Celestia, you neither, Twilight.” Cadance stares each of them down before turning back to Luna. “There was no mind control, no mental magic, no manipulation. Their love is genuine and pure.”
“For what it’s worth, I’m sorry Luna.” Nightmare says as she bows her head. “I took things too far, took control away from you and fueled by your desires landed us on the moon. I never wanted that. I wanted them to love you, to love your night. Yes, I took advantage of you to take a physical form, and I am sorry.”
“I-We! Gah!” Luna shouts as she stomps her hooves. “We do not trust you, and we do not forgive you!”
“I understand.” Nightmare Moon bows her head and I wrap my hooves around her protectively, baring my fangs at Luna.
“You may not forgive her, but I expect you not to attack her.” Cadance says as she stares down Luna. “I have made arrangements for them to stay with me in the empire for now. Celestia, Twilight, Luna, I expect you to behave yourselves around them or so help me I will dip into the dark magics Sombra used and put you in your place.”
“You wouldn’t!” Celestia shouts aghast at the prospect before looking at Cadance’s eyes and wincing.
“I have contracted ponies to come and restore this old castle.” Cadance says as she looks over the sisters and her sister-in-law. “This will be their new home, one that will in time become their own demesne, much like Ponyville has become Twilight’s.”
“You can’t be serious?!” Luna shouts.
“I am.”
“You don’t have the right.” Celestia says with a shake of her head.
“Actually, she does.” Twilight says, speaking for the first time. “It was part of my demesne, however a few years ago she asked if I would be willing to give it up in exchange for access to all the crystals I need for ponyville and any side projects I may have. I agreed to it.”
“I can’t believe this!” Luna lunges forward only to have dark crystals shoot up from the floor as Cadance’s horn glows the malicious dark magic of King Sombra. Cadance shakes her head and uses the crystal to toss Luna back. Light blue runes glow over Luna’s body for a moment before fading.
“That was your last chance Luna.” Cadance says, shaking her head. The magic flowing from her horn returns to its normal color. “From now on you will not be able to set a hoof in the Everfree. Don’t make me do the same to you Celestia.”
“Why are you doing this Cadance?!” Luan shouts as she struggles to her hooves.
Cadance doesn’t reply as her magic surrounds both her and Luna, their eyes glow blue and Cadance points to me and Nightmare. The look on Luna’s face changes from anger to shock, to sadness, to understanding as tears roll down her face. When the magic stops Luna collapses into a heap, weeping.
“What did you do to her, Cadance?” Celestia asks as she grabs Luna in a wing hug.
“I showed her what I can see. I showed her the love between them in the purest, rawest form.” Cadance says as she trots over to Luna, putting a hoof on her cheek and wiping away the tears. “There, there, Luna. I know you’re scared, and worried, but I know you understand now.”
Cadance’s magic bursts forth from her horn as a glowing visage of Nightmare Moon and I appears. Strange magical bands string between the magical illusion of us, each one vibrates with a powerful emotion and different color, the strongest one resonates with a powerful pink and the emotion of love. A moment later our forms are swept away and replaced with the forms of her and Shining Armor. Their bond of love is just as strong and vibrant as ours. Slowly realization dawns on Celestia’s face as she looks between Nightmare Moon and I. Twilight’s face also betrays her realization as the illusion fades.
“You see, they are soul mates. Meant to be, like Shiny and I.” Cadance says as she helps Luna up. The runes that had previously glowed across her body reappear and then fade. “Now, we need to talk about a few things regarding this and we’ve disturbed them long enough. Crescent, Nightmare, I am sorry that I wasn’t here quick enough to head them off.”
“It’s okay, Cadence, we forgive you, right honey?” I ask my love as I nuzzle her.
“Yes, Crescent is right.” Nightmare says with a nod, holding me with her wing. “And Luna, I truly am sorry, I want to make it up to you somehow.”
“I-we… later.” Luna turns and walks back down the stairs.
“Right, let’s get moving you two.” Cadance says as she baps Celestia and Twilight with her wings. “The lovely couple deserve some privacy.”
The three of them leave, shutting the door behind them, and leaving us alone. I lean against my love gently.
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about this. I hadn’t meant for it to be a total surprise.” I give her a sheepish smile.
“I forgive you Crescent. You’ve made me happier than I ever thought I could be.” She sweeps me up in her wings and pulls me back into bed. The rest of the day passes rather pleasantly in the hooves of my lover, my beautiful Nightmare.
