The first thing that North saw when his eyes opened was a blur of colors, his mind still adjusting to actually see his surroundings. When his vision finally returned to him, he found Moonshine Drop tending to his bandages diligently. Her face didn’t express sadness or fear, just determination. He shifted his body slightly.

“Ngh… Morning…” He mumbled with a small smile as he tried to sit up.

Moonshine’s hoof slowly moved to his body. “Be careful, my starshine. I just reapplied your bandages. Your stitches are nearly fully healed, but we don’t want to risk tearing them open.”

North chuckled as he moved much more cautiously. “Alright, alright… Just let me sit up so I can be at eye level with you…”

“Nonsense. You’re already at my level…” Moonshine smiled at North as he carefully sat up. “But it’s nice to see that you recover quickly.

“I’ll say.”

“North!!”

“North!!”

North looked over at the voice to see Diamond Flare leaning against the wall, with quite a few other ponies waiting in anticipation. Lotus Dance and Nebula Feathers sat beside each other, both sound asleep and leaning against one another. Nearby was Suri, equally as exhausted but also awake while Knives and Shield were quick on their hooves as soon as North awoke. The most surprising of all his visitors was The Master, the eldest of the Black Dragon Society, sitting in a chair while resting on a cane.

“Jeez, dude! You took a serious beating!” Shield laughed as he approached the bed while Knives shook Nebula and Lotus awake. “For a sec, I didn’t think you’d get back up!”

“Yeah, same-OOOGH!” North suddenly felt the weight of two ponies slam into him as his sister and adopted cousin charged the bed, wincing as a light but persistent throbbing pain filled his body.

“Big bro! I was so worried!!” Lotus sobbed softly. “You weren’t alive for a bit!”

“I thought… I-I thought you were…” Nebula tried to find her words as tears filled her eyes, nuzzling into her brother.

“G-Girls, I appreciate it…” North mumbled. “B-But you’re crushing me…”

The two squeaked in surprise before hopping off of him, leaving the stallion laughing softly. “Th-Thanks, although…” He paused, remembering that his wings had gone limp during the fight. “I need to ask. How are my wings? I’m a bit too scared to look…”

There was a pause as the ponies looked to Moonshine, who was quick to relay the information. “While your wings had gone limp during the fight, it fortunately seemed that the attack was mostly aimed at your nervous system. A majority of your bones broken were in the body and hoof regions, which were not as severe. However, according to the doctors, the nerve damage to your wings and body means that you must undergo therapy for good while before you can fully heal.”

“Ahhh, you’ve got to be kidding me…” North mumbled, looking up at the ceiling. “Nightshade’s gonna skin my hide for this…”

“Rest assured, my beloved…” Moonshine slowly placed a hoof on the bed. “I have written to the Night Guard with details regarding the situation. I believe with that, your sabbatical can be extended for a little while longer.”

“Oh great. Now I get to wait for the lecture from Night-stiff to come later.”

There was a slight pause as the two exchanged glances before letting out a laugh, leaning their heads into one another. Soon, the others joined in the laugh, the tension that once filled the room fading like snow in the springtime. All except for Suri, who simply watched with a quiet expression before slowly getting up and approaching the bed. The laughter quieted down as the two gazed into the eyes of one another for what seemed like ages. Neither knew what to say now that a moment of peace had finally fallen between the two, with Suri’s eyes shifting to Moonshine for a moment before looking back. She took a deep breath and finally spoke.

“North, I’m…” She hesitated for a moment before continuing with a sad smile. “I-I’m happy you’re okay. Please… Please, stay safe.”

“I will. I promise.”

“Yeah… I hope so…” The mare turned around with her head down, quickly trotting out and leaving a good chunk of the ponies present confused.

“Suri! Wait!” Lotus called out, chasing after the mare with Nebula running right behind her.

Seeing the commotion, Diamond mumbled under his breath before looking over at his subordinates. “Knives. Shield. Go out and keep everypony out. We wanna have a talk with these two, in private.”

The ponies looked at each other before nodding and stepping out, the room now just the two gang leaders, North, and Moonshine. There was a bit of silence as the two looked down at the floor.

[... You should sit down, Diamond. You need plenty of rest.]

“Heh, you know I can’t, Master. Never was fond of just sitting idle.”

The Master chuckled as he nodded, finally speaking Ponish. “Yes… It’s been quite a long time since the two of us have been in the same war without pretext of conflict. In this, our final battle is over. Now, my beloved granddaughter is in the safest hands possible…” His eyes shifted towards Moonshine. “Isn’t that right, Princess?”

Moonshine’s eyes widened as she stepped back, waving her hoof nervously. “N-Now, wait a minute! Me? A princess? Th-That’s just absurd-!”

“Ah, c’mon now…” Diamond interrupted with a slight snicker. “You don’t gotta hide nothin’ from us. A couple o’ old geezers like us, who spent decades worshippin’ the moon… We could spot ya from a mile away.”

There was a pause as they looked at Moonshine, and she in turn looked at North. Even he seemed cautious with trusting his own uncle and quickly moved to intervene. “Uncle, if this gets out-”

“It ain’t gonna,” He held out a hoof to stop his nephew. “There’s no benefit to the two of us gettin’ out any info.”

“It could harm Lotus Dance’s ability to escape this life…” The Master mumbled before closing his eyes pensively.

Hearing the earnestness and sensing no falsehoods, Moonshine looked to her coltfriend and nodded. “It will be okay. I trust them…”

“If you say so…”

The mare turned to the two gang leaders and stepped forward, her horn glowing as she slowly removed her necklace. Slowly, the form of the unicorn faded into sparkles, revealing a taller form, large wings, and a color change which revealed not a tall, beautiful yet slightly dorky unicorn, but the Princess of the Night themselves. She stood tall before the criminals, looking down stoically while they just as stoically looked upwards towards her before slowly stepping forward…

And bowing before her.

“Princess Luna…” Diamond spoke in a low, gravely tone. “To stand before you is such an honor…”

The Master nodded, never taking his eyes off the ground. “To think the day we’d meet is the day Lotus Dance would be freed from our curse…”

Saying nothing, Luna maintained her gaze before speaking in a stiff, regal manner. “Raise thy heads and stand tall before Our Majesty. Nopony within these walls shall face my wrath tonight.”

“Thank you, My Moonlit Princess,” Both muttered respectfully before slowly raising their heads and standing up. Just from every motion, the level of reverence, and the title bestowed upon her clued her in.

“Simply Princess will suffice,” Luna spoke with a raised hoof. “Though I must admit, I am quite surprised. I did not believe the Cult of the Moonlight was still in operation.”

“It is indeed very minor, My Moonlight Princess,” The Master nodded solemnly. “After your banishment, many members vanished into society, usually to the far corners of the kingdom. Some were caught and pardoned, becoming the first ever Night Guard, but for the rest…”

“It was destined to stay underground,” Diamond continued, standing firm. “They took in anypony down on their luck and promised a new hope when you returned. Some were… Pretty angry about it, though.”

Luna stayed quiet as they continued to explain to her what had become of the cult, The Master speaking. “Some believed, due to your treatment and your development into Nightmare Moon, your followers should follow in your footsteps and rail against the dawn for what it did for the helpless, becoming The Church of Nightmares.”

“Others believed that once you returned, we could resume a way of helping from the shadows, making use of our miserable lives by sacrificing our day presence and using underhanded and shadowy means to help ponies. They became The Long Shadows.”

“And of course, the ones who wanted to seek salvation and have a normal life once you had returned, believing that forgiveness should be sought out through cooperation and helping the community. This became The Faith of Dusk to Dawn.”

“I see…” Luna nodded slowly, her mind considering every piece of information. Before, the Moonlit Cult were simply worshippers of Luna in the same way that Celestia had her own church. To see it crumble away broke her heart, but even she knew that something like this had to be inevitable after her corruption and banishment. She bowed her head to the duo. “I thank you for this information, and for treating me hospitably.”

The two flinched at the sight of their royal and figure of worship bowing, both moving forward.

“N-Now, c’mon Princess! Ya don’t gotta raise your head for us!”

“Indeed,” The Master bowed his head in return. “After all, the ponies in my employ had treated you far from favorably.”

Luna let out a chuckle. “Oh, sir… I would have managed. I simply did not wish to actively reveal my identity to ponies while I’m here.”

“Heheh!” Diamond cocked his head back and laughed. “I guess that means we’re the special cases, huh?”

Luna softly smiled. “Indeed. The stallion who raised my beloved, and the stallion who set such things in motion. To think both were members of my own cult…” She let out a laugh that rang like the chiming of bells. “I suppose that means I am ultimately responsible…”

“Heh, ya got that right, Yer Majesty!” Diamond tilted his head forward while The Master simply smiled and nodded in kind before speaking himself.

“Although, I must ask, Princess… What of Lotus? Will she truly be safe living with North? She has considered living in Neighpon, and I cannot guarantee her safety forever…”

To this as well, Luna remained calm. “Rest assured, I have considered all of this. In moments where the Royal Guard manage to save a pony from circumstances which would put them in danger if left unsupervised, we can complete forms to give them a protected status. This will ensure that she may move about freely while also receiving a private security detail courtesy of the Guard to keep her safe at all times.”

The Master looked relieved at this before Luna continued. “However, in place of receiving this information, you both must follow my orders. If I must institute it into writing then so be it.”

The two looked surprised at the sudden command but quickly returned to bowing before Luna.

“Anythin’ you want, Princess.”

“We are your eternal servants.”

Luna slowly held a hoof out before them, speaking in a firm and authoritative manner. “Hence forth, for the remainder of your days, you shall use your gangs to make Equestria a safer and better world. You will slowly mend the ways of the ponies within your group, ensuring that, even when the sun sets for you both, your legacy will be one of mending the pains you have caused.”

After a moment of silence, the duo nodded, looking up at her. “As you wish, My Moonlit Princess.”

“Very good. Now,” Luna slowly turned to North before pausing. “Oh, actually. I must ask. What gave my illusion away?”

The two looked at each other before joining in a chuckle.

“Princess, ya gotta ask? We’ve followed ya path fer years. We can tell just from, well…”

“Your energy. Surrounding you, it spoke of a pony far stronger than it gave out. Only somepony truly adept at reading a pony could tell.”

“Plus your movements, your mannerisms, they were as royal as royals come.”

“I see…” She chuckled. “If you may, I would like some time alone with my beloved. And…”

She bowed her head with a smile. “Thank you. Thank you for making him into a valiant stallion…”

The two bowed one more time. “It was truly an honor, My Moonlit Princess…”

“And hey, take care of my nephew, would ya? The colt gets himself in more trouble than I’d like. Knowin’ he’s got a lovin’ mare keepin’ him in check keeps me sleepin’ well…”

With this, the two slowly departed, Luna slipping on the necklace and returning to her form of Moonshine Drop. Finally, North let out a soft groan before finally speaking up. “You know, if somepony would’ve caught a peek in the room, we would’ve had so much more issues to deal with…”

“I understand,” Luna sighed and nodded. “However, I feel as if now, I have said what I wanted to say to your uncle. It is a weight that has been lifted from my shoulders…”

“I mean, I doubt he was gonna say no to a princess, let alone the princess he worshiped for so long…”

“Yes, but…” Moonshine looked down and closed her eyes. “For the longest time, all I desired was the love and respect of my subjects. When I returned and slowly came to understand these feelings, I realized… I desired companionship. To be like a normal pony who could be at the level of everypony else. My responsibilities kept me bound not only in one place, but within a time period… Had it not been for Twilight Sparkle, I think I would’ve never realized the joy of being loved and the feelings of seeing everypony at eye level…”

North nodded along, looking up at the ceiling as he breathed. “That’s pretty heavy, I won’t lie. I mean, having that title is something that carries a lot of responsibility, and no doubt a lot of stigma. Normal ponies don’t like staying up all night…”

Moonshine looked down slightly as North continued. “But that’s you, babe. That’s the pony I fell in love with. I didn’t fall for a royal, I fell for a pony. Maybe at the start, it was some need for comfort which turned to affection, but…” He shook his head and smiled at her. “I’ve grown to know you even more now. You’re amazing. You’re a pony full of mystery, a pony I want to spend my life learning about and having fun with.”

Moonshine slowly closed her eyes, tears falling as she smiled. She leaped onto him without words, wrapping her hooves around him as she kissed him softly.

“M-Mmmm!” North squirmed a bit under the weight of Moonshine, but soon he just focused on the kiss, wrapping his hooves around her and savoring the moment.

Yeah… This is nice… I hope… We can have more time like this…

… My ribs really hurt…

~~~

Upstairs, the two gang leaders walked into the office of the building, Diamond taking a seat in his chair and slowly spinning in it while The Master sat across the desk. Both were silent for a long time as they took in the day’s events. Finally, Diamond spoke.

“So this is it. All our fighting, all that blood, and in the end, Lotus leaves us both…”

“It appears so…”

They locked gazes with each other as they stayed quiet… Before bursting out into exhausted laughter.

[Finally, I thought we’d never stop!]

“You’re telling me, you old fart! You just never quit! You know how many festivals I missed ‘cause of how stubborn you were??”

[And do you know how much I’ve missed listening to the music at the bar??]

“Yeah, well I had to rely on the rusty taps for a bath instead of your bathhouses!”

[And I had to undergo years without that delicious carbonara pasta!]

They two broke out into a laugh as they began relaxing, looking up at the ceiling.

[It’s been an eternity since I’ve relaxed like this…]

Diamond nodded, reaching for his cigarettes. “Yeah… I don’t think I can put up much of a fight, with my ticker taking so many hits…”

The Master paused. [Your… Ticker?]

“My heart, Master,” Diamond mumbled as he lit a cigarette. “The fighting, the bad sleep, the damage from my fights with Oni, all those near death experiences… Oh, and these…” He breathed out smoke.

[And why haven’t you gone to a doctor already?]

“Easy. You guys have been hoggin’ the best doctors, so not much ponies could’ve done for me.”

[... And asking North was out of the question because you feared ponies would believe his connection with the Haymakers was more than just simple association…]

“Bingo. Only reason I’m alive is because I’m forcin’ my body to keep movin’, for the sake of the gang. My number 1 pick for a successor ain’t quite up to snuff just yet. Once they are, though…”

The Master paused, closing his eyes as he remained calm. [And you are okay with this? Leaving it all behind?]

“Eh. Haven’t done much more than hurt ponies and break stuff. Not like I’ll be missed.”

[But that’s not true. Lotus would miss you.]

Diamond raised an eyebrow. “Really? After what I did?”

[You were the one who raised and protected her, all of these years. Regardless of your past, if you did not truly harbor love for her, she would be in my clutches. Anypony you cared for, you fought tooth and hoof to protect.]

“Yeah… Well…”

The Master held out his hoof. [If you still have doubts, then ask yourself this question. Do you believe that Lotus could handle your loss while reaching for her dream of becoming an idol? Do you believe that she wouldn’t want to see you at her first ever concert?]

Diamond said nothing, his head slowly moving down to his desk as he dropped his cigarette. His mind flashed with images of Lotus’ performance, her dedication to sing and dance and bring North back into the fight before suddenly bearing witness to a future vision. A vision of Lotus years from now, dancing before a sea of ponies, and his eyes began to pour tears.

[... Diamond Flare. Your former master has not an order, but a simple request.]

“... Yes…”

[Live. Live long enough to see Lotus shine bright.]

“... Okay…”

And that left the two elders, lost in the twilight of their lives but determined to stretch every second to see a truly shining star…

Author's Note

I don't have a lot of time to talk rn, so I'll be quick. I wanted to leave this until May, but I was too anxious to post. I've been very busy since I have 5 essays to write at the moment, but I wanted to post something that would make you guys happy. I'm almost out of the woods. May 8th, I'm free. See you guys then.