The Shy Shadow of the Moonby FuryhoundChaptersThe Past, Never Really Leaves UsAnd Yet, The World Moves Ever OnDawns Rise, Dusk FallsUnto Eternity, leaving only memoriesThe Past, Never Really Leaves Us The Past Looms ”It is often the same things make the most wicked ponies, as which make the kindest...” The filly laughed, turning back to taunt her friends, only to have two colts zip past, their wings brushing her hind hoof and ear. ”Gotta keep up blank flank!” came the challenge from the new leader. Huffing in annoyance, she redoubled her speed, quickly overtaking the crimson coated colt, but he laughed, as it was all in good fun. She and the other seven pegasi foals joined in... it was only ever in good fun... They flew in a poor excuse of a formation, dipping and dodging together like birds in a game somewhere between a race, and tag. They were flying ever higher in this endeavor, using the thicker non-enchanted clouds to hide and leap off for quick turns, flying as fast as they could. But this meant the foals didn't see the dragon until the filly ran head first into their chest. ”Hey! Watch it!!” roared the emerald drake, as she bared her teeth. The filly tried to apologize, and invite the dragon to play, but the drake snatched one of her wings, claws digging in as her hand wrapped around the bones. She cried out in pain, but the dragon didn’t seem to care, roaring insults and names at the others when they tried to talk her down, and rescue the filly. Finally, with a crack, her bone snapped. Surprised, either at the snap, or the frailty of the wings no one knew, the dragon let go... dropping the filly. Opening her eyes, the dream ended as usual, just before the scary part. As the mare sat up in her bed, her companion moved off to head for their food bowl, the usual wing ache greeting the mare as she stretched. Even though the dream didn’t finish the story, she did not need it too, for she remembered the injuries that stunted her wings permanently well enough on her own. Heading down stairs, she greeted her guests and tenants, friends every one. Each one of them she has helped, or saved in some way. As she checked on some of the infants, her companion tapped his foot rapidly in impatience. The mare couldn't help but giggle, but before she could give a reply, some pony knocked loudly on her door, startling her and many of her friends. “W-who is it?...” the mare asked in a gentle voice, little more then a whisper, and sweet as flowers on a gentle breeze. “It’s me, just open the door already, I got something to tell yah!” came a cocky, but thankfully familiar mares voice. She opened the door a crack, to look at her visitor with one eye. “Oh come on Flutters, no one else is here!” cried Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy’s oldest friend, and the only reason why she hadn’t run away as a filly. Opening the door the rest of the way, Fluttershy was still cautious, but trusting her friend. Rainbow was many things, but she usually only lied to protect her friends. “Y-yes Rainbow Dash?...” she asked, her nerves still high from the loud knocking. “Ponyville is going to host the Summer Sun Celebration this year!” Dash was so excited, Fluttershy couldn’t help but smile. “Oh my, does that mean you get to do your acrobatics routine?” Dash had been working on that for years, waiting for any opportunity to display it, perfecting it as she went, and making it more extravagant and intricate. “No, unfortunately they already hired the Wonderbolts, but hey, at least I get to see them perform! Maybe even get an autograph!” what a shame, though it was a bit complicated, last time Fluttershy saw it, it was a marvel of aerial acrobatics and speed. Rainbow Dash kept talking about every ones plans, and tried to convince Fluttershy to go along with her... she did suppose the birds would enjoy the chance to show off. Giggling at her thought, she recalled how many birds, especially the colorful ones, were very vain creatures, kind, but vain. “Okay, I suppose the bird choir can make a return this year...” she finally said, causing Rainbow to leap up, and cheer. “Yeah! Finally convinced you to leave your house for a reason other then groceries!” seems this has been building up inside Rainbow Dash... Fluttershy considered that it might be best to visit her more often, seems she might be bored... “I um, also go to the spa sometimes...” she replied, knowing Rainbow Dashes response already. “That doesn’t count, you spend most of your time in there alone anyways!” which was kind of the point of a spa, but she does have a point, in a way. Fluttershy gave her a saddened look, it couldn't be helped, she didn’t actually know anyone in Ponyville, and meeting new ponies always made her nervous they wouldn’t be nice... It would probably be a good idea to at least get to know the ponies in Ponyville, it isn’t a large place to begin with, only 40 ponies, mostly earth ponies. It’s why she had moved here after all. Earth ponies didn’t care how fast you could fly, so long as you were willing to work. Fluttershy had come here as an advisor to the wild life management, this usually consisted of inspecting areas of the nearby forest for dangerous animals, and being consulted on how best to deal with infestations. For Fluttershy, that was all much easier, as she could just ask the animals to behave. Harry groaned from the left of the house, as Rainbow Dash started talking about the Wonderbolts and how 'totally awesome' it was going to be. Personally, Fluttershy just hoped the sound of the event didn't scare her friends... The birds and mice were especially skittish, even more so then herself. Seeing that Dash was just going to keep talking, Fluttershy began to do her chores while the ever hovering Rainbow drifted along beside her. Both were well used to this routine by now, so she wasn't worried her friend would get offended. Angel Bunny looked at his food when she finally filled his bowl, steamed carrots with ginger, his favorite. Seemingly satisfied with the food, he turned to look at Dash. "Is she still talking?" Fluttershy sighed, he was always a little rude before he had his breakfast. "You know how she is Angel, please don't be rude." this seems to have caught the attention of Rainbow Dash. "What now?" Rainbow asked, looking at Angel. "Oh, Angel is just cranky before he has breakfast." Fluttershy explained. "Uh huh..." Dash clearly wasn't satisfied with that answer, but let it go. "Oh, I just remembered, the advisor from Canterlot is supposed to take the old library while they are here. Rarity seems nearly 'askew from the sheer excitement for the opportunity to have a noble from Canterlot here,'” Rainbow tried to mimic Rarities accent, but honestly it sounded more like some pony with a stuffy nose. “I swear, that mare reads too many romance books." Fluttershy remembered the unicorn tailor, having gone to her boutique a number of times because of mice, and once for a raven that was trying to get some of her gems. She seemed nice, if a bit dramatic. However Fluttershy didn't like how she always tried to gossip about every pony else with her, like Rarity thrived off of rumor and here say. "Oh my, then I should return my books before they lock it up..." Fluttershy usually borrowed books like the library was still open, even stamping and logging the books herself. She has asked some mice and an owl to keep the place clean, thinking some pony likely wouldn't want to walk into a building that was nothing but mildew and rotten books. It would probably be a good idea to ask them to leave until after the festival... Dash had to leave to tend to the clouds, so she waved, then like a hummingbird was gone in a blink. Fluttershy's wings ached as they unconsciously opened partially, wanting to join her friend, but Fluttershy knew that she couldn't keep up with her. Besides, even if she just stayed nearby, her wings would get sore within the hour, and if she persisted would almost be paralyzed from the effort the next day. She was just glad her lay lines were strong enough to easily support her, despite the stunted wings, to begin with. Her mood dropping from the thought, she turned to the photos on her walls... they weren't here, but in her minds eye she recalled the photos back on her parents walls. The ribbons, trophies, and plaques she had won in her filly hood. Her father had been so proud, her mother proclaiming her bright future... Even after all these years, Fluttershy still felt like such a disappointment... Sighing, she went to check on Harry, the clumsy bear had fallen out of a tree yesterday. He proclaimed his health whenever she asked, but she could see the huge bruise under his fur. Honestly, it's like he wasn't used to her being his doctor by this point. During the weeks leading up the the festival, Fluttershy decided she would practice with the birds, it had been awhile since they last sang together after all. Right now, she had asked them to perch on various low hanging branches so they could decide on a song. So far, half wanted to sing 'Farewell Moon', while half wanted to sing 'Ever Rise the Sun'. Both were great choices, but they had to decide one or the other, in case they didn’t have time to sing both. "Both are great choices, but maybe 'Ever Rise the Sun' would be more appropriate?" asked a parakeet, which was a good point, but a sparrow in the other camp rebutted this claim. "Perhaps, but 'Farewell Moon' is a better piece of music, and I believe would be better received." both good points, but the sparrows argument was entirely subjective. "What if we sang 'Ever Rise the Sun' when Celestia first flies in?" Fluttershy suggested, which left the birds in thought. "That should work." "I don't see why not." "That’s a good idea." came the many replies, making her smile brightly. "I'm glad we have come to an accord, but this means we need to double the time we practice, make sure we have both songs memorized." Fluttershy pointed out, the various birds tweeting their acknowledgement. They started practicing through the afternoon, it went well, for the most part... “Hey!” the birds scattered and Fluttershy let out an ‘eep’ as she turned to face whoever spoke. “Whoops... sorry Ms. Fluttershy... um... Package from Cloudsdale...” “I-it’s fine Derpy Hooves, I should have been paying attention...” the mail-mare smiled sheepishly, handing over the small package. Fluttershy opened it, revealing a bronze locket, she knew this locket, it is her mothers... “Bye Fluttershy, have a nice day.” Derpy flew away to continue her route, waving goodbye. She returned the wave, though not with as much energy. Why would they send her the locket?... Mother never took this off. Opening the locket revealed not the picture of her father holding her when she was a little filly that had always been there, but Fluttershy and her parents when she graduated flight school, Rainbow Dash hugging her with a wide grin. Nostalgia hit her, bringing a small smile to her lips, as she remembered her fathers face when he heard that she got an A++ in the paper work, it didn’t change even when he heard she got a D- in flying... Maybe she was wrong about being a disappointment?... Her smile faltered when she recalled how much brighter his smile had been whenever she won a race, or an agility course... She may not be a disappointment to her family, but Fluttershy knew she would have gotten a much better grade if her wings hadn’t been stunted... her father would have smiled so much brighter... Her mother would have been able to remain a housewife, instead of having to get a job to pay her medical bills... “I.... I’m sorry everyone, I have to go...” she told the birds, who were looking at her with concern. She always forgot that the animals were able to tell emotions, their languages were mostly body movements after all. Hopefully she didn’t worry the birds too badly... Fluttershy drooped her head lower thinking about how worried she must be making her animal friends. History Lingers The dark mare stood, watching Equis far below with a desperate and obsessive glare. Right now Zebrica passed, her magically enhanced gaze able to see the mortals go about their day. Soon. She can feel the chains binding her to her own moon weakening rapidly, as the thousandth year finally, mercifully comes to an undeniable close. Not even Celestia could postpone this, not even the elements can keep her from her ponies adoration... Soon, very soon... Deep within the dark mare, rested a small spark which separated, unnoticed, centuries ago. This spark was the remains of an Alicorns sanity, the last sliver of sanity left in a mare that went mad a thousand years ago. This spark wasn’t able to influence anything, not even gaze out from this form, but she could still walk with the creatures of Equis in their dreams... Walk, but not interact, barely more then a background character in the dream. However, it is because this sliver took this from the dark mare that has kept the spark alive, and the mortal creatures below safe from her wrath in the dreamscape. It is this sliver that remains of Luna. Eternally regretting her decision to hold the day hostage, shown the error of her ways by the very dreams she now could only observe. Not by dreams of eternal night, no, by dreams of disasters like volcanoes covering the sky in ash for weeks, if not years, causing plants to wither, animals to starve, and entire regions to die, hit only by the shadow of the ash, not the burning ash itself. If only she could see this when she still walked Equis... No, she never would have allowed such dreams to play out if she had been able to stop it, and thus never would have seen the aftermath... She used to visit her sister in her dreams... she stopped after a couple decades, because she saw how much her distant figure on the edge of the dream hurt Celestia... Turning otherwise pleasant dreams into nightmares born of sadness and regret... Well, after the nightmares that originated from the event itself stopped haunting her nights for fifty years... How often had she wished she could speak to her sister? How often had she tried? How often has she been forced to watch her sisters desperate hope wither when Celestia tried to chase her form through the dreamscape, after catching a glimpse of the spark?... None could understand the feeling of walking the dreamscape, able to see every dream, of every creature that walked Equis, from the tiniest rodent, to the largest drake, each having a passage here. Because of this, no pony else would ever know what it was like to feel the primal wave of unfiltered emotions one experiences while dreaming, for it is blunted by the dreamer being unconscious... But Luna felt it directly whenever she entered a dream. The sheer loss and regret she felt from Celestia displayed the full depth of her love to Luna, showing her how little she actually understood of her sister... And now, very soon, she would have to watch her sister re-live that night a thousand years ago... and it was all her fault. Even so deep inside the dark mare, Nightmare Moon, Luna could feel the weakening restraints, feel the obsession rise up to broil inside her corrupted form... By Faust, she had been such a fool, if only she could have a second chance... And Yet, The World Moves Ever On Some Try to Follow ”The strongest spirits, are seen in those who have learned to keep going...” The filly walked alongside her father, approaching her school, the stallion carefully guiding her with a wing. Her own were bound to immobility against her barrel, as they are to be kept for the next several months. The damage had been so extensive that even magical healing, at least what her parents could afford, had to be used after surgery to put the bones back in place... The doctor said that if she hadn’t of been a pegasus, her spine would have shattered because her wings absorbed most of it. She couldn’t wait for the casts to be off, to fly again, to... scratch this incessant itch! Her father stopped her from rubbing against a cloud wall to scratch at it... again. He sighed, understanding his daughters plight, because he went through something similar not even a month ago, where he slipped and his hoof dunked into the scalding rainbow maker. “I know how that feels, but please don’t scratch it. Mine is a burn, yours is shattered bones... We don’t want to have them shift, Dr Bright Mend will be here tomorrow”, he said with a placating tone, and yet, she still wouldn’t be allowed to take them off... Well, Mom did say the itch was because of her ‘deep tissue’ healing, so hopefully the magical healing will fix that. She just knew the others were going to make fun of her... playful ribbing sure, but she also knew a few would not miss the chance to try and put her down. But, so is the way of those who can’t stand up for themselves. She climbed onto her Fathers back, as he glided to the school house. At least he didn’t try and carry her... Getting off, the filly nuzzled him, and went inside as the bell rang. The teacher today was a substitute, a midnight blue mare with a night sky for her mane and tail. The filly paused, mesmerized by the flowing image of the night sky, each strand seemingly marked with pearls of a divine polish. ”Hello students, mine name is Starlight Aurora, call me Ms Aurora.” ”Hello Ms Aurora” chorused the class, the filly included... Why does this feel wrong?... Why was the teacher speaking funny... Didn’t she already graduate? The world around her rippled as she questioned why she was here. ”Please...” Ms Aurora said in a voice that sounded broken and desperate. “Not yet... doth not let this dream end so soon...” "Ms Aurora? What’s going on?” the filly cried out, as the school house crumbled, revealing void where there should be sky. ”Mare, before this fades entirely, we must tell thee! The dark mare nears escape! Alert our sister!" She tried to shout at the filly, Fluttershy, but found herself unable to move, her voice quickly fading away. "Tis not fair...” Ms Aurora faded away, as if she was never there... Fluttershy opened her eyes, the dream this time was weird... but at least it hadn’t ended the way it usually did, with the entire school taunting her about having her wings removed... She stretched, the wing ache returning with the motion. Angel stretched with a yawn, before covering himself back up. Looking outside she could see that the sun has yet to rise, nothing unusual, but the level of darkness suggested day was still a few hours away. Well, the bats would probably enjoy the company, she normally didn’t get to see them before they slept. She made her way down carefully, so she wouldn’t wake Angel. Lighting her fireplace, Fluttershy began to make the fruit mash the bats loved. Just a bit of mango, apples, grapes, and watermelon, all smashed together with wheat. Together they made a wonderful mash, she sometimes made it for herself in fact. She brought out several bowls, three held on her back and head, one in her mouth, and six more on top of the other bowls. The bats looked over at her curiously, then swarmed Fluttershy excitedly, keeping their distance so they didn’t make her trip. She set the bowls down, then smiled as the swarmed around her. “Okay everyone, here is something special tonight.” Fluttershy backed away so the bats could eat in peace. They ate the mash in seconds. It made her concerned that she didn’t give them enough food, until she saw their bloated bellies, and giggled. They certainly enjoyed fruit. These weren’t the rude vampire fruit bats Applejack had to contend with, but cute fuzzy fruit bats, their faces reminding her of moles without the feelers. Really, she was sad that she couldn’t let them near the apple orchards, because of the vampire fruit bats. The vampire variant was greedy and rude, but the fruit bats Fluttershy nurtured, they were pollinators. They enjoyed fruit sure, but also nectar, it was the sugar they were after, something they could get from other fruits during the harvest season. Turning to go back inside, Fluttershy sat in front of the fireplace. It wasn’t that it was cold or anything, but the warmth was still nice. She kept the flame low since the heat wasn’t needed, just the warmth, to keep out the morning chill. Sitting in front of the fire place was rather comfortable, even when there was no flame within, it was just cozy. Fluttershy often used the shed fur and feathers of her animal friends to stuff her furniture, this kept them from wanting to rub or scratch it on instinct. It also had the benefit of making her furniture smell like them, this helped her calm down whenever she had panic attacks after especially bad nightmares. Often the temptation hit her to make a stuffed animal in this way, maybe a bear... Harry has been shedding a lot lately... A teddy bear would be a perfect addition to her bed come to think of it... Her thoughts were interrupted by a shadow dashing through her peripheral. Fluttershy froze as her eyes turned to look, relaxing slowly when she saw it was one of her squirrel friends. “Oh Ms Walnut, you startled me.”, she smiled, motioning for Ms Walnut to come over for a bit. She hopped over, rubbing against Fluttershy's fore-hoof, chittering her apologies. ”Sorry dear, I was wondering why there was light in here.”, Fluttershy smiled, scratching under the squirrels fluffy chin. “It’s fine, thank you for making sure everything was alright.”, reaching above the fireplace, she retrieved a hoof full of acorns, handing them to the little detective. “Please, for your troubles.” ”I couldn’t possibly! Not after accidentally scaring you like that!”, cried Ms Walnut. “Now now, your my guest, and I am giving it freely. Besides, like you said, it was an accident. Please help yourself.” Ms Walnut hesitated for a moment before giving in. Fluttershy was happy her friend felt the need to check on her house, but it really was no problem to give some acorns to the squirrels and chipmunks, it’s why she kept them after all. Besides, it was her fault for lighting the fire to begin with, in the middle of the night no less. Fluttershy turned to look out at the still sky bound moon, the mares silhouette seemingly peering into her window. Ms Walnut bade farewell, before scampering off with her gift in her cheeks. Fluttershy could tell by her movements that she was pregnant, how could she not after all her years with these animals, early stages but definitely with kits. She would be happy, as she always is, to welcome new life into her home come the spring! It always brought an air of renewal and joy. Speaking of which, she should probably check on the nursery since she is awake. Later, as dawn finally touched the horizon, she woke up in the nursery, a bear cub in her hooves drinking a bottle of milk that has grown cold. With a yawn Fluttershy set the early cub back in their crib, thinking about how they were all going to be gone in two months, saddened by the prospect of an empty nursery. This room always got so quiet in the winter, so very barren of the activity of newborns... Quietly walking out, she walked into her backyard from the sunken greenhouse, the underground structure was a constant temperature, making it perfect as a nursery, even though it was originally a winter greenhouse. Still, she didn’t have need for a winter garden, her animal friends either moved away or slept during those months. Be that as it may, she still used it to store extra food for them, just in case. This time Fluttershy saw Derpy Hooves fly in, waving to her with a small smile. Really, aside from Dash, Hooves was the only one she might be able to call a friend... In fact, she might have something to share with her. Waving her over, Fluttershy went inside, and grabbed her a little something she got from sugar cube corner. By the time Derpy came to the door, she was almost out. “Yes Fluttershy? Oh! A muffin!” cried the cross eyed mare, snatching the muffin excitedly from Fluttershy's muzzle. “Oh my...” She squeaked, surprised at Derpy's sudden movement. Derpy stuffed the muffin into her own muzzle, munching on it as if starving, as she began to fly off she waved back at Fluttershy, whom was quickly back inside her hut. She waved back shyly, and returned to her chores. The hens eggs still needed collected and checked for developing embryo, she needs to check Harrys bruise as well, the bees are due for their monthly checkup to ensure there were no signs of hive rot, so much needs done today... Others Get Stuck Nightmare moon never took her eyes off Equis, doing her best to not even blink, using the task to let time pass so much faster. By now she could hold her eyes without blinking for weeks, perhaps she was the best at staring- No! No! Don’t lose focus now, not so close to her time of victory! Hm? whats this? Firelight before the cold months? Nightmare Moon focused her attention on a house within a mound, next to a small village, dangerously close to the ancient forest of ever-free, like the traditional homes of earth ponies in the era of discord. Why is a Pegasus residing in an earth pony home? She gazes up at us like so many before, but again like so many before she does not see... Never the matter, soon they will ALL see! They will all know my Night! For they will have not the choice! The dark mare recalled the events before her banishment, before her sister betrayed her... She and the solar mare had been at war with a tyrant like no other, one whom used dark magic to steal the minds of his subjects. Luna had felt that magic, a warped form of her own dream magic! But what made it worse was not this, but that he didnt trap the minds of his citizens in dreams, no... He trapped them inside nightmares, fueling his dark magic with their suffering as they slept. It had not been enough that he had removed the shield from the kingdoms boarders, allowing the frozen north to kill the nations crops and freeze its rivers. It had not been enough when he shattered the mind of the alicorn ruling with kindness and wisdom. It had not been enough when he banished their children out into the cold for the snow or the windigos to take them... No... It was so much worse... The dark mare knew this is what birthed her shadow, as she repressed her sadness and anger down back then... She had needed a clear mind to lead her forces to victory... Sure, the solar forces had it difficult, this tyrant was powerful, but the magic of this tyrant was based in shadow and darkness, meaning her own forces had it so much worse as they battled during the night... But did they care? Did they allow her the solace of her fallen comrades having proper burials? Did they praise the bat ponies and thestrals of the lunar legion for their service and sacrifices?... No... and for that... For the fallen, she must make them understand... Must make them appreciate the fallen... She had promised them glory, and all they found when coming home was... THAT!!!! Three days... three more days until either the elements seal us away again, our sister stops us, or... or we kill all of Equis... half by eternal dark, the other by eternal fire... We should have tried to warn the mare from before sooner, but the sensation of finally being free to move as we wish... mostly... was just too good... What a shame it ended after not but a few minutes! Surely we will lose, surely our ponies will not be ended by our folly... Surely?... Faust can only hope... Dawns Rise, Dusk Falls People March On "Often the cruelty of others has the farthest reaching consequences, for while the mind forgets, the heart remains scarred" The filly was now a young mare, beginning to mature in body, though in mind remained a scared little filly. She watched as old friends walked beside new friends, forgetting her, uncaring of the memories left behind... of the ponies left behind... The Mare watched them mingle with strangers, her friends she once played with, turned strangers as she couldn't play with them anymore. Yet, she remembered the few that truly bullied her... The mare turned to leave, but found four ponies blocking her way, three stallions, and a mare. "Where you going wittle shy?", sneered the bright red mare, her wings splayed out in intimidation. "I-I-I-I was just...", the mare tried to explain, but was cut off by one of the stallions. "Shut it Fluttershy! Bright Zip wasn't done talking yet!", he chuckled darkly. "My my, you are BOLD today wittle shy! Interrupting me!", Bright Zip tisked, starting to advance on Fluttershy, her wings quivering in a threat display, making Bright Zip's feathers buzz like static. "I-Im sorry!", Fluttershy quivered as she retreated, but Bright Zip was cornering her, getting closer and closer. "You know how this works Wittle shy, its time to be punished!", Bright Zip sneered disdainfully as she raised a hoof, showing her victim the bronze frog cover under her hoof. Fluttershy paled as she saw the frog cover, aware of how much more painful the blows would be with it. It weighted a ponies hoof to allow them to strike harder in melee, potentially causing bone fractures and tendon breakage. As Bright Zips hoof descended, Fluttershy coward into the corner, screaming. "NOOOOOOOOOO-" "-OOOOO!!!!!!", Fluttershy sat bolt upright, spraining her wings as she forced them open in fear, ready to fly away. A cold sweat coated her, as she looked around with eyes wide and pupils shrank to pinpricks, trying to find the danger to move away from it as fast as possible. But as she took in the quite calming chitters of Angel Bunny, and smelled his scent nearby, she began to grow calm. Fluttershy became aware of his paw gently stroking her barrel, carefully working the stiffness her fear induced adrenaline forced into them. She pulled him into a hug, laying on her side and burying her muzzle into the chicken down pillow, tears streaming down her snout as she cried. Angel gently stroked her neck and mane, his chittering becoming words again as she calmed down. "mumu sun mu-there there... I'm here Fluttershy... it was just a nightmare...", He said reassuringly, his tone gentle and calm. She weeped freely as he calmed her down, her mind seeing flashes of the past slowly fading from view, hugging him close. Her nose was filled with the scent of her friends fur and feathers in the bed and pillows, friendly smells that helped her heart return to a steady and calm beat. "I-Im sorry Angel... I woke you up...", Fluttershy hugged him close again, wiping her final tears away as her mental blocks were restored, allowing her to stop crying, to smile for him... For them... "Fluttershy, it's fine... im never annoyed when you need help... you know that." Her brave little angel said, hugging her tighter. "I know Angel... I know...", She ran a gentle hoof over his ears, the sensation calming her down. Then the wing pain began, their forceful extension having caused her muscles to cramp and ache... but she remained silent, not telling Angel so he doesn't worry further... Standing, she stretched her wings, as she usually did when waking up, trying to hide the cramping pain. Then she walked towards her showers, needing to get the sweat off before it dried and began to smell. The last thing she wanted, was for her carnivorous friends to smell fear on her. They wouldn't hurt her, but their protective instincts would make her cottage a no-pony zone until they calmed down again. She didn't get many visitors, besides Hooves and Dash, but as the local animal consultant she did occasionally get called to help the other ponies in Ponyville deal with pests or particularly irate pets. She didn't want to hurt somepony because her nightmares made her sweat, and caused her carnivore friends to become anxious for her safety... She recalled the nightmare as the water cascaded down her neck, it was one of many incidents with Bright Zip and her gang... Dash stopped them eventually, but Rainbow Dash hadn't been at her old school... Soon, Fluttershy left the comforting warmth and privacy of the shower, intending to prepare for the day since the nightmare had taken any chance of a full nights sleep away... She would be better off reading, or knitting... yeah, knitting... Ms Walnuts kits are going to need little sweaters when they are born, or maybe a small sock to act like sleeping bags?... As Fluttershy sat on her favorite chair before the fireplace, she started to knit, trying to forget the nightmare through focusing on helping her friends... Today was the eve of the Summer Sun Celebration, so she had a lot to do, when the day properly started, before she left for the next several hours... Hopefully Pinkie Pie's party wouldn't be too bad... Then, as she recalled the presence of the pony from Canterlot today, she began to shiver as she recalled the reputation of Canterlot nobility... not usually mean, but... very tribal to say the least... Hopefully the pony coming here wasn't a tribalist... Even as their Heart Looks Back The dark mare watched as the stars finally started to align, literally as well as figuratively. That's right Tia! The heavens themselves demand her release! Soon all of Equis will know her night! She paced restlessly, checking every few minutes for the right moment, her magically enhanced eyes watching Celestias progress across Equestria to Ponyville. The smug mare probably forgot about them, a thousand years alone with the crown, and she has forgotten the one she has trapped on the lunar surface! Oh how she was going to learn the price for her negligence! The dark mare continued to pace, eyes locked on the solar diarches position, glaring daggers at the one who abandoned her up here. The one who allowed the nobility to snub her! The one who had shrugged off her attempts to get the mares help! The one who allowed them to desecrate the graves of her fallen! AND DID NOTHING!!!! Her eyes narrowed to slits alongside her pupils as she recalled Tia dismissing her, her anger blinding her to the tell tale signs of exhaustion, her fury causing her to miss the slight droop of stress to her sisters shoulders. What did Celestia care? The ponies adored her, frolicked in her sun, safe from whatever darkness they thought wanted to devour them! It wasn't her crown the nobles were trying to take away! She sent her forces to hunt down the beasts, only to be met with fears of militarization. She tried to paint the black night with stars and constellations to guide the little ponies through the darkness, only to have accusations of stealing the sunlight for her night. She tried to safeguard their dreams, not just guide ponies through nightmares, only to be met with suspicions of attempted mind control! MIND CONTROL!!!! That is when she realized it, they thought her like HIM, that loathsome creature that claimed a crown with all the pride of a worthless worm that found an apple! The dark mare stomped her armored hoof into the lunar turf, baring her teeth at Equis, especially at a certain solar princess. In her mind, memories of times she had tried to ask Tia for help, tried to have her sister step in, only to be brushed off as 'paranoid'. The dark mare is gifted, or perhaps cursed, with Hyperthymesia, or as better known, perfect memory. She can recall everything in her life, perfectly, including every attempt by the nobility to undermine her power, or set her up for a justifiable removal! "Enjoy your crown while you have it dear sister! Soon you shall know my pain!", she hissed out the words as she glared down at her sister and the escorting forces. The night was cold, but right now the dark mares fury burned hot enough to challenge the sun! After this night, dawn shall never return! She will make sure of that! Make Celestia watch as their subjects finally started to love her night! Make Celestia stay for a thousand years upon her beloved Sol! An eye for an eye! She would pay! Those nobles descendants would pay! Equis shall pay for denying her, for denying her fallen, for denying them the same glory as the solar legion! Or her name isn't Nightmare Moon!!!!! She cackled wickedly, the sound echoing strangely off the thin, almost absent, atmosphere of her moon... Until she stopped, and now had to wait for the right time to strike... as her previous actions slowly made her feel awkward for having done so with no audience... After all, working herself up like that, and throwing out witty one liners was just... weird when alone... alone... She grew quiet as she considered that all of her legion would be long buried by now... no longer able to rejoice with the glory she had promised them... at first this saddened her... Before her mind twisted it into another reason to hate Celestia, another reason for her to pay. This day decides it all... she shall win and all will die... or she shall lose, and Equestria will continue on in peace... Faust, how could they have allowed this to happen? They had been so close to their goals when her mind snapped, and the criticism and tribalist behaviors of the nobility finally drove her over the edge. It was understandable for them to fear the dark for a time after that tyrants actions, but they had actively tried to dethrone her for the suspicion of being just like... as if they would ever... To think, the loyal subjects of equestria would accuse her, the Alicorn of the night and dreams, of ever doing as that... that... THING had done!!! He had warped the magic she had pioneered, making it from something therapeutic to something traumatic, twisting dreams into nightmares to feed his dark power! Just the idea of its existence sickens her, causing the accusation to infuriate her boundlessly at the time... though her reaction was still inexcusable, she now liked to think she would now handle that particular scenario with the unicorn noble with a bit more... tact... Throwing somepony from the throne room by their horn down the castle stairs didn't exactly project a benevolent manner... no matter how much the pompous tub of lard deserved it... The spark of Luna recalled the events leading up to her banishment, the attempts to win over the favor of her and Celestia's subjects, after fear of the dark magic used by the tyrant stole their adoration for her... made them fear her beautiful night... She didn't blame them now, but back then she had been young... well as young as a six hundred year old alicorn could be at any rate... after a thousand additional years it certainly feels young... regardless, she had been brash, arrogant to a degree, and maybe a teensy bit vain... after all, Luna and Celestia were the first alicorns to ascend in recent memory, though according to Star Swirls research not the first ever, there had been others... very few, but others... Such as Princess Platinum from the Crystal Empire. Luna and Tia had ascended after defeating discord, Luna had been an earth pony while Celestia had been a pegasus. It's probably why Tia is physically weaker then her despite being larger come to think of it... but no matter, the point is that they had not ascended to defend pony kind, just to be suspected and dethroned from a pedestal they had been thrust upon by harmony herself, but a bunch of greedy power hungry nobility that only held the title thanks to the actions of kin long dead... At least... that's what she had thought at the time... now she understood that what they had been doing was not out of greed, but fear... unlike her, who focused on constellations and theoretical combat, they had understood history... had understood the price of dark magic. But while before they had trusted Luna as they did Celestia, now they had an example of what the dark could do to them... And they feared she might become like... Him... Still frustrating, still infuriating that they thought, after nearly six hundred years of responsibility and care, that she would so easily throw aside her shared crown for that of a lone ruler... She would laugh, if not for her current situation... She wasn't trying to snatch a crown, she was going to try and do something far worse... If only she could convince the dark mare of the folly, but all this spark could do was prevent her from lashing out through the dream realm. She has tried to show the dark mare the dreams that proved the folly of her plan, however the dark mare ignored her and immediately moved for Celestia. But she had somewhat expected that, because she had tried to talk to her before, and got dismissed as her mind trying to cope with the isolation. Thankfully Celestia hadn't been harmed during that close call... She might be insane, but that didn't make her stupid, so unfortunately she was able to think of a reason to hear voices in her head. Then ignore them. Please Tia, be ready to stop her... your the only hope Equis has! Unto Eternity, leaving only memories Echoes "Though the past defines all, it should never be allowed to consume all... Lest the past becomes your future." Celestia Recalled so very long ago, as the land she was meant to rule with her other, raced past far below. Despite the whistling winds, the powerful swoosh of wings, and the chuffing of her chariot teamsters, her mind sank into memories she has tried to bury, into a pain both ancient and yet still sharp. Oh how naive she was back then... ⬅⏺➡ "But sister, thou must understand, our nobility doth try to dethrone us!", Luna cried in the memory turned daydream, very much looking as if she was losing sleep. "Lulu, we are sure thou thinkith this the case, but toward what end? Sister, thine state is a clear display of exhaustion, we hope thou try to sleep, at least thine must make an attempt...", Celestia sighed, her mind thinking of the mountain of paperwork awaiting at her desk, "Thou, out of any pony, surely understand how the mind tricks thine senses when tired, yes?" "Tia, surely thou dost not think we are so careless as to ignore sleep!?", Luna shouted in annoyance, not the royal voice but a close second, "Our subjects reject us sister, think us no better then... THAT THING!!!", she hissed the words venomously, her eyes slitting slightly in her fury. "Luna, dost though truly think our subjects compare thee to such a lowly excuse for royalty? Why, we-", Luna cut Celestia off, seething in anger. "Thou think we doth not know this!? Doth though forget our domain includes the realm of dreams!? They fear mine power Celestia, think me a tyrant plotting my claim to a lonely throne!!!", Luna was crying by the end, I really should have known then, but at the time we were both more emotionally sensitive after suppressing a large portion of our minds. "Sister, fear after a war as traumatic and inequine as this. Simply try to show them that you are not this tyrant... Remind them of the dream weaver, the lunar warden...", I coaxed softly, unaware of how much this would worsen the situation... If only she had known then, what she knew now... ⬅⏺➡ Of course, after the incident Celestia had investigated what drove her sister to the point of becoming Nightmare Moon, her title during the shadow war... It was only then when she realized just what they had done to her... It is little wonder that it left her suppression weak, allowing for the memories of the war to return... and the War Mind to manifest once more... Just recalling every report, every smiling face that expected praise for driving away her sister... The mere memory made Celestias own war mind stir with the suns fury as it roiled for release. The greatest mercy those... Dalcops received was at best a demotion from noble to commoner... at worst... let us just say they were different times... and she was a very different mare... She and Lunas war minds were not separate individuals, not some self aware alternate selves... they were one and the same, what Celestia and Luna would be like if they didn't suppress the memories they had of war... especially the shadow war... The broken mares that remade themselves into warriors... they are what happens, when the sisters stop caring about holding back... Dawn Breaker, and Nightmare Moon were names earned, not chosen... Celestia shivered as she recalled the look in Nightmare Moons eyes. Madness, a psychopath pursuing a singular goal... Those were not the eyes of the sister she loved. A sudden voice dragged Celestia out of her thoughts, one of her teamsters, "My Lady, we are about to make a landing approach", She nodded elegantly in acknowledgement, straightening her posture, putting her mask of regality back on. Ponyville, a small town that has changed little in the hundreds of years since its founding... though the ancient mares mind overlapped previous settlements that once sat in this same region... all called some variation of Ponyville... The meeting with Mayor Mare was pretty cookie cutter, introductions, paperwork, debating about specifics, paperwork, discussing the events set after the sun rising ceremony, and, you guessed it... more paperwork... As the night began to wane with the coming dawn, Celestia sat in her powder room in the town hall. She was debating if Nightmare moon would try to fight her again, or attempt to contain her in some way... Luna was always the more clever tactician, even if she herself was the better general. Probably going to contain her, possibly on Sol if Nightmare Moon could manage it... Then, she felt the air in the room shift. Someone was there, and after the Lunar Legion was disbanded, Celestia knew only one pony who could hide literally inside of a shadow... "Hello Nightmare... Come to talk, or were you planning an ambush?" Shadows The dark mare sneered as she strode imperiously out of the shadows, her gaze locked to her sister, her alabaster form practically glowing in the moonlight, as her aurora mane and tail light up the room. Such a vulnerable posture, yet she knew this mare well enough to see the slightest lean to her posture, the preparation to turn and duck, enabling her to turn around and dodge any attack at once. "Celestia~", the dark mare purred maliciously, "how disappointing, not even a weapon.", she tisked. "If we truly fought, as we did back then, any weapon would be shattered from the force.", Celestia said calmly, before turning to face the dark mare, "I suppose we cannot simply let things be?" "No, we cannot.", the dark mare sneered again, seeing the false care Celestia had for her subjects. Before Celestia could continue to speak, Nightmare Moon lit her horn, a complex spell matrix spinning to life in front of her, a thousand years developing this singular spell. It would burn what she had regained of her magic while on the moon, the barren surface very thin of magic, but it would contain the solar monarch inside a pocket dimension as long as she kept feeding it magic. Equestria was rich in magic, she could afford this much at least! Without even a cry, or whispered whimper, the spell engulfed Celestia, stuffing her inside a pocket space before she can make a sound. Nightmare Moon knew Celestia would expect either an ambush, or direct assault, so instead took advantage of her favoritism for diplomacy, only attacking after Tia tried to speak. Indeed, She was the better strategist. Nightmare Moon forcibly suppressed her evil cackle, with Tia contained, she could now have her fun, for victory is already hers! She was really going to put the terror into their hearts!... Terror? No, no, admiration, forcing admiration... must not forget! Now... how to make an entrance... Perhaps they should arrive in a burst of smoke and lightning? no, no, too intimidating... Yes, something not so bombastic- Suddenly the curtains opened, and Nightmare Moon sunk into the shadows on reflex, expecting an ambush. But nothing happened, before a white unicorn mare walked in, her purple styled mane displaying her likely noble born heritage. "She's gone!", Rarity cried out as she came back out of the darkened room, having found only an open window. Pony feathers! it's too late to plan, just go with the smoke! ▪ Well, that could have gone better... then again it also could have gone worse. Nopony died after all. She raced towards the castle she had shared with her sister back then, its crumbling towers coming rapidly into view as she exited her shadow mist. Gazing at the crumbling walls, memories from the shared years came flooding back, threatening to swallow her attention. They cannot allow this, they must secure the elements. Yet even as she strode forth with purpose, ponies long dead passed her peripheral, intricate designs set in plaster lined the walls whenever her focus slipped, and voices long silenced echo in her ears. Something many ponies never understand until their twilight years, the past has a weight... regret more so. But for the ageless... there will never be a twilight, only the ever mounting burden of the past... The moments missed, the friends one never got to send off into the eternal night, loved ones you were not there for... such moments may leave the mind, but never the heart... Only to be relieved when they are inevitably severed by a blade... the only end an alicorn can ever know... The Nightmare stopped, unable to bring herself to go further into the castle, her gaze locked where two thrones stood, one toppled from a conflict long past... She couldn't stay here alone, her mind was too emotional in these halls... Turning around, she trotted away. A Hearts Shine Fluttershy walked into the library after the new mare, Twilight Sparkle if she recalled correctly, rushed here and began throwing the books the owl and mice have been so carefully tending... Rainbow Dash of course was quick to accuse, hiding her fear with bravado and aggression, but her refusal to land showing her nervousness, just like herself. Apparently the mare that suddenly appeared in the town hall is this ancient enemy from Equestrias past... If Celestia couldn't defeat her, what chance did they have? If it were not for Rainbow Dash being so reckless, Fluttershy would rather drag her friend back to her cottage to hide amongst her animal friend... friends... But... but that mare said she would make the night eternal... if the sun never comes out, plants wont grow... if plants wont grow her friends will starve... Summoning the flickering flames of courage that dimly persisted within her, Fluttershy decided to trust Ms Sparkle... At least she didn't seem like a mare that enjoyed acting on impulse or hope... Hopefully she knows what needs to be done... For her friends sakes... They began their travel into the everfree, towards a castle Ms Sparkle said is supposed to be there, the castle of the two sisters. Ms Sparkle tried to tell us to leave, but we need to go with her to ensure she has the best odds to succeed. Sure enough, not even a half mile into the everfree, four of us slide down the cliff, Ms Sparkle included. She and Rainbow rushed down to save them, barely succeeding in Twilights case, thankfully Rainbow is far stronger then Fluttershy. If it was just her, they both likely would have plummeted. While trying to find the path again, we came across a manticore, riled up into a frenzy. "Get away!", it roared, as the mare in question recognized the cub from a few winters back, all grown up. "Back off!" He lunged for Rarity with a warning swipe, missing her by inches, and getting kicked on the snout. Now he is angry! "Wait...", Fluttershy tried to interject. He tried to chase the mare to retaliate, but then something landed on its neck. Looking up, the orange one was pulling on his mane, "what the-!? GET OFF!!!" He threw himself into thrashing, trying to dislodge the pony. "Wait...", Fluttershy tried again to interject. Before he could turn to leave, fed up with these ponies, a blue blur rushed at him, and around him, blowing his mane irritatingly into his eyes. Sweeping his tail out, he knocked the blur... or rather, the pony, away. As the ponies prepared to charge, he has had just about enough of this! He must show these ponies the price for disregarding his power! The Ponies raced towards him, a typical herd animal strategy, likely meant to trample him, but he would not-!! "Wait!!!", Fluttershy shouted, surprising both parties. Approaching the Manticore, Fluttershy smiled with a closed mouth, making sure not to show teeth, and at a steady and slow pace. As the young adult brought back his paw to swing, she looked up kindly" "I said back up, dont you-", it tried to demand. "shhh... it's okay..", Fluttershy soothed, gently nuzzling its other fore paw, once more surprising the Manticore. He watched this pony, her gently demeanor quickly causing him to relax, clearly she was no threat. Perhaps she would even help where his large teeth failed him. Fluttershy watched as the manticore presented one paw, a thorn embedded inside the sole. "Oh you poor, poor little baby... Now, this might hurt for just a second..." She soothed again, before gently, but quickly removed the thorn. He roared at the pain of its removal, but quickly swept the mare up into a hug, licking her mane in thanks. Fluttershy giggled, "Oh your just a little ol' baby kitty, aren't you? Yush you are, yush you are...", Smiling, she quickly followed her friends when he finally set her down.
The Past, Never Really Leaves Us The Past Looms ”It is often the same things make the most wicked ponies, as which make the kindest...” The filly laughed, turning back to taunt her friends, only to have two colts zip past, their wings brushing her hind hoof and ear. ”Gotta keep up blank flank!” came the challenge from the new leader. Huffing in annoyance, she redoubled her speed, quickly overtaking the crimson coated colt, but he laughed, as it was all in good fun. She and the other seven pegasi foals joined in... it was only ever in good fun... They flew in a poor excuse of a formation, dipping and dodging together like birds in a game somewhere between a race, and tag. They were flying ever higher in this endeavor, using the thicker non-enchanted clouds to hide and leap off for quick turns, flying as fast as they could. But this meant the foals didn't see the dragon until the filly ran head first into their chest. ”Hey! Watch it!!” roared the emerald drake, as she bared her teeth. The filly tried to apologize, and invite the dragon to play, but the drake snatched one of her wings, claws digging in as her hand wrapped around the bones. She cried out in pain, but the dragon didn’t seem to care, roaring insults and names at the others when they tried to talk her down, and rescue the filly. Finally, with a crack, her bone snapped. Surprised, either at the snap, or the frailty of the wings no one knew, the dragon let go... dropping the filly. Opening her eyes, the dream ended as usual, just before the scary part. As the mare sat up in her bed, her companion moved off to head for their food bowl, the usual wing ache greeting the mare as she stretched. Even though the dream didn’t finish the story, she did not need it too, for she remembered the injuries that stunted her wings permanently well enough on her own. Heading down stairs, she greeted her guests and tenants, friends every one. Each one of them she has helped, or saved in some way. As she checked on some of the infants, her companion tapped his foot rapidly in impatience. The mare couldn't help but giggle, but before she could give a reply, some pony knocked loudly on her door, startling her and many of her friends. “W-who is it?...” the mare asked in a gentle voice, little more then a whisper, and sweet as flowers on a gentle breeze. “It’s me, just open the door already, I got something to tell yah!” came a cocky, but thankfully familiar mares voice. She opened the door a crack, to look at her visitor with one eye. “Oh come on Flutters, no one else is here!” cried Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy’s oldest friend, and the only reason why she hadn’t run away as a filly. Opening the door the rest of the way, Fluttershy was still cautious, but trusting her friend. Rainbow was many things, but she usually only lied to protect her friends. “Y-yes Rainbow Dash?...” she asked, her nerves still high from the loud knocking. “Ponyville is going to host the Summer Sun Celebration this year!” Dash was so excited, Fluttershy couldn’t help but smile. “Oh my, does that mean you get to do your acrobatics routine?” Dash had been working on that for years, waiting for any opportunity to display it, perfecting it as she went, and making it more extravagant and intricate. “No, unfortunately they already hired the Wonderbolts, but hey, at least I get to see them perform! Maybe even get an autograph!” what a shame, though it was a bit complicated, last time Fluttershy saw it, it was a marvel of aerial acrobatics and speed. Rainbow Dash kept talking about every ones plans, and tried to convince Fluttershy to go along with her... she did suppose the birds would enjoy the chance to show off. Giggling at her thought, she recalled how many birds, especially the colorful ones, were very vain creatures, kind, but vain. “Okay, I suppose the bird choir can make a return this year...” she finally said, causing Rainbow to leap up, and cheer. “Yeah! Finally convinced you to leave your house for a reason other then groceries!” seems this has been building up inside Rainbow Dash... Fluttershy considered that it might be best to visit her more often, seems she might be bored... “I um, also go to the spa sometimes...” she replied, knowing Rainbow Dashes response already. “That doesn’t count, you spend most of your time in there alone anyways!” which was kind of the point of a spa, but she does have a point, in a way. Fluttershy gave her a saddened look, it couldn't be helped, she didn’t actually know anyone in Ponyville, and meeting new ponies always made her nervous they wouldn’t be nice... It would probably be a good idea to at least get to know the ponies in Ponyville, it isn’t a large place to begin with, only 40 ponies, mostly earth ponies. It’s why she had moved here after all. Earth ponies didn’t care how fast you could fly, so long as you were willing to work. Fluttershy had come here as an advisor to the wild life management, this usually consisted of inspecting areas of the nearby forest for dangerous animals, and being consulted on how best to deal with infestations. For Fluttershy, that was all much easier, as she could just ask the animals to behave. Harry groaned from the left of the house, as Rainbow Dash started talking about the Wonderbolts and how 'totally awesome' it was going to be. Personally, Fluttershy just hoped the sound of the event didn't scare her friends... The birds and mice were especially skittish, even more so then herself. Seeing that Dash was just going to keep talking, Fluttershy began to do her chores while the ever hovering Rainbow drifted along beside her. Both were well used to this routine by now, so she wasn't worried her friend would get offended. Angel Bunny looked at his food when she finally filled his bowl, steamed carrots with ginger, his favorite. Seemingly satisfied with the food, he turned to look at Dash. "Is she still talking?" Fluttershy sighed, he was always a little rude before he had his breakfast. "You know how she is Angel, please don't be rude." this seems to have caught the attention of Rainbow Dash. "What now?" Rainbow asked, looking at Angel. "Oh, Angel is just cranky before he has breakfast." Fluttershy explained. "Uh huh..." Dash clearly wasn't satisfied with that answer, but let it go. "Oh, I just remembered, the advisor from Canterlot is supposed to take the old library while they are here. Rarity seems nearly 'askew from the sheer excitement for the opportunity to have a noble from Canterlot here,'” Rainbow tried to mimic Rarities accent, but honestly it sounded more like some pony with a stuffy nose. “I swear, that mare reads too many romance books." Fluttershy remembered the unicorn tailor, having gone to her boutique a number of times because of mice, and once for a raven that was trying to get some of her gems. She seemed nice, if a bit dramatic. However Fluttershy didn't like how she always tried to gossip about every pony else with her, like Rarity thrived off of rumor and here say. "Oh my, then I should return my books before they lock it up..." Fluttershy usually borrowed books like the library was still open, even stamping and logging the books herself. She has asked some mice and an owl to keep the place clean, thinking some pony likely wouldn't want to walk into a building that was nothing but mildew and rotten books. It would probably be a good idea to ask them to leave until after the festival... Dash had to leave to tend to the clouds, so she waved, then like a hummingbird was gone in a blink. Fluttershy's wings ached as they unconsciously opened partially, wanting to join her friend, but Fluttershy knew that she couldn't keep up with her. Besides, even if she just stayed nearby, her wings would get sore within the hour, and if she persisted would almost be paralyzed from the effort the next day. She was just glad her lay lines were strong enough to easily support her, despite the stunted wings, to begin with. Her mood dropping from the thought, she turned to the photos on her walls... they weren't here, but in her minds eye she recalled the photos back on her parents walls. The ribbons, trophies, and plaques she had won in her filly hood. Her father had been so proud, her mother proclaiming her bright future... Even after all these years, Fluttershy still felt like such a disappointment... Sighing, she went to check on Harry, the clumsy bear had fallen out of a tree yesterday. He proclaimed his health whenever she asked, but she could see the huge bruise under his fur. Honestly, it's like he wasn't used to her being his doctor by this point. During the weeks leading up the the festival, Fluttershy decided she would practice with the birds, it had been awhile since they last sang together after all. Right now, she had asked them to perch on various low hanging branches so they could decide on a song. So far, half wanted to sing 'Farewell Moon', while half wanted to sing 'Ever Rise the Sun'. Both were great choices, but they had to decide one or the other, in case they didn’t have time to sing both. "Both are great choices, but maybe 'Ever Rise the Sun' would be more appropriate?" asked a parakeet, which was a good point, but a sparrow in the other camp rebutted this claim. "Perhaps, but 'Farewell Moon' is a better piece of music, and I believe would be better received." both good points, but the sparrows argument was entirely subjective. "What if we sang 'Ever Rise the Sun' when Celestia first flies in?" Fluttershy suggested, which left the birds in thought. "That should work." "I don't see why not." "That’s a good idea." came the many replies, making her smile brightly. "I'm glad we have come to an accord, but this means we need to double the time we practice, make sure we have both songs memorized." Fluttershy pointed out, the various birds tweeting their acknowledgement. They started practicing through the afternoon, it went well, for the most part... “Hey!” the birds scattered and Fluttershy let out an ‘eep’ as she turned to face whoever spoke. “Whoops... sorry Ms. Fluttershy... um... Package from Cloudsdale...” “I-it’s fine Derpy Hooves, I should have been paying attention...” the mail-mare smiled sheepishly, handing over the small package. Fluttershy opened it, revealing a bronze locket, she knew this locket, it is her mothers... “Bye Fluttershy, have a nice day.” Derpy flew away to continue her route, waving goodbye. She returned the wave, though not with as much energy. Why would they send her the locket?... Mother never took this off. Opening the locket revealed not the picture of her father holding her when she was a little filly that had always been there, but Fluttershy and her parents when she graduated flight school, Rainbow Dash hugging her with a wide grin. Nostalgia hit her, bringing a small smile to her lips, as she remembered her fathers face when he heard that she got an A++ in the paper work, it didn’t change even when he heard she got a D- in flying... Maybe she was wrong about being a disappointment?... Her smile faltered when she recalled how much brighter his smile had been whenever she won a race, or an agility course... She may not be a disappointment to her family, but Fluttershy knew she would have gotten a much better grade if her wings hadn’t been stunted... her father would have smiled so much brighter... Her mother would have been able to remain a housewife, instead of having to get a job to pay her medical bills... “I.... I’m sorry everyone, I have to go...” she told the birds, who were looking at her with concern. She always forgot that the animals were able to tell emotions, their languages were mostly body movements after all. Hopefully she didn’t worry the birds too badly... Fluttershy drooped her head lower thinking about how worried she must be making her animal friends. History Lingers The dark mare stood, watching Equis far below with a desperate and obsessive glare. Right now Zebrica passed, her magically enhanced gaze able to see the mortals go about their day. Soon. She can feel the chains binding her to her own moon weakening rapidly, as the thousandth year finally, mercifully comes to an undeniable close. Not even Celestia could postpone this, not even the elements can keep her from her ponies adoration... Soon, very soon... Deep within the dark mare, rested a small spark which separated, unnoticed, centuries ago. This spark was the remains of an Alicorns sanity, the last sliver of sanity left in a mare that went mad a thousand years ago. This spark wasn’t able to influence anything, not even gaze out from this form, but she could still walk with the creatures of Equis in their dreams... Walk, but not interact, barely more then a background character in the dream. However, it is because this sliver took this from the dark mare that has kept the spark alive, and the mortal creatures below safe from her wrath in the dreamscape. It is this sliver that remains of Luna. Eternally regretting her decision to hold the day hostage, shown the error of her ways by the very dreams she now could only observe. Not by dreams of eternal night, no, by dreams of disasters like volcanoes covering the sky in ash for weeks, if not years, causing plants to wither, animals to starve, and entire regions to die, hit only by the shadow of the ash, not the burning ash itself. If only she could see this when she still walked Equis... No, she never would have allowed such dreams to play out if she had been able to stop it, and thus never would have seen the aftermath... She used to visit her sister in her dreams... she stopped after a couple decades, because she saw how much her distant figure on the edge of the dream hurt Celestia... Turning otherwise pleasant dreams into nightmares born of sadness and regret... Well, after the nightmares that originated from the event itself stopped haunting her nights for fifty years... How often had she wished she could speak to her sister? How often had she tried? How often has she been forced to watch her sisters desperate hope wither when Celestia tried to chase her form through the dreamscape, after catching a glimpse of the spark?... None could understand the feeling of walking the dreamscape, able to see every dream, of every creature that walked Equis, from the tiniest rodent, to the largest drake, each having a passage here. Because of this, no pony else would ever know what it was like to feel the primal wave of unfiltered emotions one experiences while dreaming, for it is blunted by the dreamer being unconscious... But Luna felt it directly whenever she entered a dream. The sheer loss and regret she felt from Celestia displayed the full depth of her love to Luna, showing her how little she actually understood of her sister... And now, very soon, she would have to watch her sister re-live that night a thousand years ago... and it was all her fault. Even so deep inside the dark mare, Nightmare Moon, Luna could feel the weakening restraints, feel the obsession rise up to broil inside her corrupted form... By Faust, she had been such a fool, if only she could have a second chance...
And Yet, The World Moves Ever On Some Try to Follow ”The strongest spirits, are seen in those who have learned to keep going...” The filly walked alongside her father, approaching her school, the stallion carefully guiding her with a wing. Her own were bound to immobility against her barrel, as they are to be kept for the next several months. The damage had been so extensive that even magical healing, at least what her parents could afford, had to be used after surgery to put the bones back in place... The doctor said that if she hadn’t of been a pegasus, her spine would have shattered because her wings absorbed most of it. She couldn’t wait for the casts to be off, to fly again, to... scratch this incessant itch! Her father stopped her from rubbing against a cloud wall to scratch at it... again. He sighed, understanding his daughters plight, because he went through something similar not even a month ago, where he slipped and his hoof dunked into the scalding rainbow maker. “I know how that feels, but please don’t scratch it. Mine is a burn, yours is shattered bones... We don’t want to have them shift, Dr Bright Mend will be here tomorrow”, he said with a placating tone, and yet, she still wouldn’t be allowed to take them off... Well, Mom did say the itch was because of her ‘deep tissue’ healing, so hopefully the magical healing will fix that. She just knew the others were going to make fun of her... playful ribbing sure, but she also knew a few would not miss the chance to try and put her down. But, so is the way of those who can’t stand up for themselves. She climbed onto her Fathers back, as he glided to the school house. At least he didn’t try and carry her... Getting off, the filly nuzzled him, and went inside as the bell rang. The teacher today was a substitute, a midnight blue mare with a night sky for her mane and tail. The filly paused, mesmerized by the flowing image of the night sky, each strand seemingly marked with pearls of a divine polish. ”Hello students, mine name is Starlight Aurora, call me Ms Aurora.” ”Hello Ms Aurora” chorused the class, the filly included... Why does this feel wrong?... Why was the teacher speaking funny... Didn’t she already graduate? The world around her rippled as she questioned why she was here. ”Please...” Ms Aurora said in a voice that sounded broken and desperate. “Not yet... doth not let this dream end so soon...” "Ms Aurora? What’s going on?” the filly cried out, as the school house crumbled, revealing void where there should be sky. ”Mare, before this fades entirely, we must tell thee! The dark mare nears escape! Alert our sister!" She tried to shout at the filly, Fluttershy, but found herself unable to move, her voice quickly fading away. "Tis not fair...” Ms Aurora faded away, as if she was never there... Fluttershy opened her eyes, the dream this time was weird... but at least it hadn’t ended the way it usually did, with the entire school taunting her about having her wings removed... She stretched, the wing ache returning with the motion. Angel stretched with a yawn, before covering himself back up. Looking outside she could see that the sun has yet to rise, nothing unusual, but the level of darkness suggested day was still a few hours away. Well, the bats would probably enjoy the company, she normally didn’t get to see them before they slept. She made her way down carefully, so she wouldn’t wake Angel. Lighting her fireplace, Fluttershy began to make the fruit mash the bats loved. Just a bit of mango, apples, grapes, and watermelon, all smashed together with wheat. Together they made a wonderful mash, she sometimes made it for herself in fact. She brought out several bowls, three held on her back and head, one in her mouth, and six more on top of the other bowls. The bats looked over at her curiously, then swarmed Fluttershy excitedly, keeping their distance so they didn’t make her trip. She set the bowls down, then smiled as the swarmed around her. “Okay everyone, here is something special tonight.” Fluttershy backed away so the bats could eat in peace. They ate the mash in seconds. It made her concerned that she didn’t give them enough food, until she saw their bloated bellies, and giggled. They certainly enjoyed fruit. These weren’t the rude vampire fruit bats Applejack had to contend with, but cute fuzzy fruit bats, their faces reminding her of moles without the feelers. Really, she was sad that she couldn’t let them near the apple orchards, because of the vampire fruit bats. The vampire variant was greedy and rude, but the fruit bats Fluttershy nurtured, they were pollinators. They enjoyed fruit sure, but also nectar, it was the sugar they were after, something they could get from other fruits during the harvest season. Turning to go back inside, Fluttershy sat in front of the fireplace. It wasn’t that it was cold or anything, but the warmth was still nice. She kept the flame low since the heat wasn’t needed, just the warmth, to keep out the morning chill. Sitting in front of the fire place was rather comfortable, even when there was no flame within, it was just cozy. Fluttershy often used the shed fur and feathers of her animal friends to stuff her furniture, this kept them from wanting to rub or scratch it on instinct. It also had the benefit of making her furniture smell like them, this helped her calm down whenever she had panic attacks after especially bad nightmares. Often the temptation hit her to make a stuffed animal in this way, maybe a bear... Harry has been shedding a lot lately... A teddy bear would be a perfect addition to her bed come to think of it... Her thoughts were interrupted by a shadow dashing through her peripheral. Fluttershy froze as her eyes turned to look, relaxing slowly when she saw it was one of her squirrel friends. “Oh Ms Walnut, you startled me.”, she smiled, motioning for Ms Walnut to come over for a bit. She hopped over, rubbing against Fluttershy's fore-hoof, chittering her apologies. ”Sorry dear, I was wondering why there was light in here.”, Fluttershy smiled, scratching under the squirrels fluffy chin. “It’s fine, thank you for making sure everything was alright.”, reaching above the fireplace, she retrieved a hoof full of acorns, handing them to the little detective. “Please, for your troubles.” ”I couldn’t possibly! Not after accidentally scaring you like that!”, cried Ms Walnut. “Now now, your my guest, and I am giving it freely. Besides, like you said, it was an accident. Please help yourself.” Ms Walnut hesitated for a moment before giving in. Fluttershy was happy her friend felt the need to check on her house, but it really was no problem to give some acorns to the squirrels and chipmunks, it’s why she kept them after all. Besides, it was her fault for lighting the fire to begin with, in the middle of the night no less. Fluttershy turned to look out at the still sky bound moon, the mares silhouette seemingly peering into her window. Ms Walnut bade farewell, before scampering off with her gift in her cheeks. Fluttershy could tell by her movements that she was pregnant, how could she not after all her years with these animals, early stages but definitely with kits. She would be happy, as she always is, to welcome new life into her home come the spring! It always brought an air of renewal and joy. Speaking of which, she should probably check on the nursery since she is awake. Later, as dawn finally touched the horizon, she woke up in the nursery, a bear cub in her hooves drinking a bottle of milk that has grown cold. With a yawn Fluttershy set the early cub back in their crib, thinking about how they were all going to be gone in two months, saddened by the prospect of an empty nursery. This room always got so quiet in the winter, so very barren of the activity of newborns... Quietly walking out, she walked into her backyard from the sunken greenhouse, the underground structure was a constant temperature, making it perfect as a nursery, even though it was originally a winter greenhouse. Still, she didn’t have need for a winter garden, her animal friends either moved away or slept during those months. Be that as it may, she still used it to store extra food for them, just in case. This time Fluttershy saw Derpy Hooves fly in, waving to her with a small smile. Really, aside from Dash, Hooves was the only one she might be able to call a friend... In fact, she might have something to share with her. Waving her over, Fluttershy went inside, and grabbed her a little something she got from sugar cube corner. By the time Derpy came to the door, she was almost out. “Yes Fluttershy? Oh! A muffin!” cried the cross eyed mare, snatching the muffin excitedly from Fluttershy's muzzle. “Oh my...” She squeaked, surprised at Derpy's sudden movement. Derpy stuffed the muffin into her own muzzle, munching on it as if starving, as she began to fly off she waved back at Fluttershy, whom was quickly back inside her hut. She waved back shyly, and returned to her chores. The hens eggs still needed collected and checked for developing embryo, she needs to check Harrys bruise as well, the bees are due for their monthly checkup to ensure there were no signs of hive rot, so much needs done today... Others Get Stuck Nightmare moon never took her eyes off Equis, doing her best to not even blink, using the task to let time pass so much faster. By now she could hold her eyes without blinking for weeks, perhaps she was the best at staring- No! No! Don’t lose focus now, not so close to her time of victory! Hm? whats this? Firelight before the cold months? Nightmare Moon focused her attention on a house within a mound, next to a small village, dangerously close to the ancient forest of ever-free, like the traditional homes of earth ponies in the era of discord. Why is a Pegasus residing in an earth pony home? She gazes up at us like so many before, but again like so many before she does not see... Never the matter, soon they will ALL see! They will all know my Night! For they will have not the choice! The dark mare recalled the events before her banishment, before her sister betrayed her... She and the solar mare had been at war with a tyrant like no other, one whom used dark magic to steal the minds of his subjects. Luna had felt that magic, a warped form of her own dream magic! But what made it worse was not this, but that he didnt trap the minds of his citizens in dreams, no... He trapped them inside nightmares, fueling his dark magic with their suffering as they slept. It had not been enough that he had removed the shield from the kingdoms boarders, allowing the frozen north to kill the nations crops and freeze its rivers. It had not been enough when he shattered the mind of the alicorn ruling with kindness and wisdom. It had not been enough when he banished their children out into the cold for the snow or the windigos to take them... No... It was so much worse... The dark mare knew this is what birthed her shadow, as she repressed her sadness and anger down back then... She had needed a clear mind to lead her forces to victory... Sure, the solar forces had it difficult, this tyrant was powerful, but the magic of this tyrant was based in shadow and darkness, meaning her own forces had it so much worse as they battled during the night... But did they care? Did they allow her the solace of her fallen comrades having proper burials? Did they praise the bat ponies and thestrals of the lunar legion for their service and sacrifices?... No... and for that... For the fallen, she must make them understand... Must make them appreciate the fallen... She had promised them glory, and all they found when coming home was... THAT!!!! Three days... three more days until either the elements seal us away again, our sister stops us, or... or we kill all of Equis... half by eternal dark, the other by eternal fire... We should have tried to warn the mare from before sooner, but the sensation of finally being free to move as we wish... mostly... was just too good... What a shame it ended after not but a few minutes! Surely we will lose, surely our ponies will not be ended by our folly... Surely?... Faust can only hope...
Dawns Rise, Dusk Falls People March On "Often the cruelty of others has the farthest reaching consequences, for while the mind forgets, the heart remains scarred" The filly was now a young mare, beginning to mature in body, though in mind remained a scared little filly. She watched as old friends walked beside new friends, forgetting her, uncaring of the memories left behind... of the ponies left behind... The Mare watched them mingle with strangers, her friends she once played with, turned strangers as she couldn't play with them anymore. Yet, she remembered the few that truly bullied her... The mare turned to leave, but found four ponies blocking her way, three stallions, and a mare. "Where you going wittle shy?", sneered the bright red mare, her wings splayed out in intimidation. "I-I-I-I was just...", the mare tried to explain, but was cut off by one of the stallions. "Shut it Fluttershy! Bright Zip wasn't done talking yet!", he chuckled darkly. "My my, you are BOLD today wittle shy! Interrupting me!", Bright Zip tisked, starting to advance on Fluttershy, her wings quivering in a threat display, making Bright Zip's feathers buzz like static. "I-Im sorry!", Fluttershy quivered as she retreated, but Bright Zip was cornering her, getting closer and closer. "You know how this works Wittle shy, its time to be punished!", Bright Zip sneered disdainfully as she raised a hoof, showing her victim the bronze frog cover under her hoof. Fluttershy paled as she saw the frog cover, aware of how much more painful the blows would be with it. It weighted a ponies hoof to allow them to strike harder in melee, potentially causing bone fractures and tendon breakage. As Bright Zips hoof descended, Fluttershy coward into the corner, screaming. "NOOOOOOOOOO-" "-OOOOO!!!!!!", Fluttershy sat bolt upright, spraining her wings as she forced them open in fear, ready to fly away. A cold sweat coated her, as she looked around with eyes wide and pupils shrank to pinpricks, trying to find the danger to move away from it as fast as possible. But as she took in the quite calming chitters of Angel Bunny, and smelled his scent nearby, she began to grow calm. Fluttershy became aware of his paw gently stroking her barrel, carefully working the stiffness her fear induced adrenaline forced into them. She pulled him into a hug, laying on her side and burying her muzzle into the chicken down pillow, tears streaming down her snout as she cried. Angel gently stroked her neck and mane, his chittering becoming words again as she calmed down. "mumu sun mu-there there... I'm here Fluttershy... it was just a nightmare...", He said reassuringly, his tone gentle and calm. She weeped freely as he calmed her down, her mind seeing flashes of the past slowly fading from view, hugging him close. Her nose was filled with the scent of her friends fur and feathers in the bed and pillows, friendly smells that helped her heart return to a steady and calm beat. "I-Im sorry Angel... I woke you up...", Fluttershy hugged him close again, wiping her final tears away as her mental blocks were restored, allowing her to stop crying, to smile for him... For them... "Fluttershy, it's fine... im never annoyed when you need help... you know that." Her brave little angel said, hugging her tighter. "I know Angel... I know...", She ran a gentle hoof over his ears, the sensation calming her down. Then the wing pain began, their forceful extension having caused her muscles to cramp and ache... but she remained silent, not telling Angel so he doesn't worry further... Standing, she stretched her wings, as she usually did when waking up, trying to hide the cramping pain. Then she walked towards her showers, needing to get the sweat off before it dried and began to smell. The last thing she wanted, was for her carnivorous friends to smell fear on her. They wouldn't hurt her, but their protective instincts would make her cottage a no-pony zone until they calmed down again. She didn't get many visitors, besides Hooves and Dash, but as the local animal consultant she did occasionally get called to help the other ponies in Ponyville deal with pests or particularly irate pets. She didn't want to hurt somepony because her nightmares made her sweat, and caused her carnivore friends to become anxious for her safety... She recalled the nightmare as the water cascaded down her neck, it was one of many incidents with Bright Zip and her gang... Dash stopped them eventually, but Rainbow Dash hadn't been at her old school... Soon, Fluttershy left the comforting warmth and privacy of the shower, intending to prepare for the day since the nightmare had taken any chance of a full nights sleep away... She would be better off reading, or knitting... yeah, knitting... Ms Walnuts kits are going to need little sweaters when they are born, or maybe a small sock to act like sleeping bags?... As Fluttershy sat on her favorite chair before the fireplace, she started to knit, trying to forget the nightmare through focusing on helping her friends... Today was the eve of the Summer Sun Celebration, so she had a lot to do, when the day properly started, before she left for the next several hours... Hopefully Pinkie Pie's party wouldn't be too bad... Then, as she recalled the presence of the pony from Canterlot today, she began to shiver as she recalled the reputation of Canterlot nobility... not usually mean, but... very tribal to say the least... Hopefully the pony coming here wasn't a tribalist... Even as their Heart Looks Back The dark mare watched as the stars finally started to align, literally as well as figuratively. That's right Tia! The heavens themselves demand her release! Soon all of Equis will know her night! She paced restlessly, checking every few minutes for the right moment, her magically enhanced eyes watching Celestias progress across Equestria to Ponyville. The smug mare probably forgot about them, a thousand years alone with the crown, and she has forgotten the one she has trapped on the lunar surface! Oh how she was going to learn the price for her negligence! The dark mare continued to pace, eyes locked on the solar diarches position, glaring daggers at the one who abandoned her up here. The one who allowed the nobility to snub her! The one who had shrugged off her attempts to get the mares help! The one who allowed them to desecrate the graves of her fallen! AND DID NOTHING!!!! Her eyes narrowed to slits alongside her pupils as she recalled Tia dismissing her, her anger blinding her to the tell tale signs of exhaustion, her fury causing her to miss the slight droop of stress to her sisters shoulders. What did Celestia care? The ponies adored her, frolicked in her sun, safe from whatever darkness they thought wanted to devour them! It wasn't her crown the nobles were trying to take away! She sent her forces to hunt down the beasts, only to be met with fears of militarization. She tried to paint the black night with stars and constellations to guide the little ponies through the darkness, only to have accusations of stealing the sunlight for her night. She tried to safeguard their dreams, not just guide ponies through nightmares, only to be met with suspicions of attempted mind control! MIND CONTROL!!!! That is when she realized it, they thought her like HIM, that loathsome creature that claimed a crown with all the pride of a worthless worm that found an apple! The dark mare stomped her armored hoof into the lunar turf, baring her teeth at Equis, especially at a certain solar princess. In her mind, memories of times she had tried to ask Tia for help, tried to have her sister step in, only to be brushed off as 'paranoid'. The dark mare is gifted, or perhaps cursed, with Hyperthymesia, or as better known, perfect memory. She can recall everything in her life, perfectly, including every attempt by the nobility to undermine her power, or set her up for a justifiable removal! "Enjoy your crown while you have it dear sister! Soon you shall know my pain!", she hissed out the words as she glared down at her sister and the escorting forces. The night was cold, but right now the dark mares fury burned hot enough to challenge the sun! After this night, dawn shall never return! She will make sure of that! Make Celestia watch as their subjects finally started to love her night! Make Celestia stay for a thousand years upon her beloved Sol! An eye for an eye! She would pay! Those nobles descendants would pay! Equis shall pay for denying her, for denying her fallen, for denying them the same glory as the solar legion! Or her name isn't Nightmare Moon!!!!! She cackled wickedly, the sound echoing strangely off the thin, almost absent, atmosphere of her moon... Until she stopped, and now had to wait for the right time to strike... as her previous actions slowly made her feel awkward for having done so with no audience... After all, working herself up like that, and throwing out witty one liners was just... weird when alone... alone... She grew quiet as she considered that all of her legion would be long buried by now... no longer able to rejoice with the glory she had promised them... at first this saddened her... Before her mind twisted it into another reason to hate Celestia, another reason for her to pay. This day decides it all... she shall win and all will die... or she shall lose, and Equestria will continue on in peace... Faust, how could they have allowed this to happen? They had been so close to their goals when her mind snapped, and the criticism and tribalist behaviors of the nobility finally drove her over the edge. It was understandable for them to fear the dark for a time after that tyrants actions, but they had actively tried to dethrone her for the suspicion of being just like... as if they would ever... To think, the loyal subjects of equestria would accuse her, the Alicorn of the night and dreams, of ever doing as that... that... THING had done!!! He had warped the magic she had pioneered, making it from something therapeutic to something traumatic, twisting dreams into nightmares to feed his dark power! Just the idea of its existence sickens her, causing the accusation to infuriate her boundlessly at the time... though her reaction was still inexcusable, she now liked to think she would now handle that particular scenario with the unicorn noble with a bit more... tact... Throwing somepony from the throne room by their horn down the castle stairs didn't exactly project a benevolent manner... no matter how much the pompous tub of lard deserved it... The spark of Luna recalled the events leading up to her banishment, the attempts to win over the favor of her and Celestia's subjects, after fear of the dark magic used by the tyrant stole their adoration for her... made them fear her beautiful night... She didn't blame them now, but back then she had been young... well as young as a six hundred year old alicorn could be at any rate... after a thousand additional years it certainly feels young... regardless, she had been brash, arrogant to a degree, and maybe a teensy bit vain... after all, Luna and Celestia were the first alicorns to ascend in recent memory, though according to Star Swirls research not the first ever, there had been others... very few, but others... Such as Princess Platinum from the Crystal Empire. Luna and Tia had ascended after defeating discord, Luna had been an earth pony while Celestia had been a pegasus. It's probably why Tia is physically weaker then her despite being larger come to think of it... but no matter, the point is that they had not ascended to defend pony kind, just to be suspected and dethroned from a pedestal they had been thrust upon by harmony herself, but a bunch of greedy power hungry nobility that only held the title thanks to the actions of kin long dead... At least... that's what she had thought at the time... now she understood that what they had been doing was not out of greed, but fear... unlike her, who focused on constellations and theoretical combat, they had understood history... had understood the price of dark magic. But while before they had trusted Luna as they did Celestia, now they had an example of what the dark could do to them... And they feared she might become like... Him... Still frustrating, still infuriating that they thought, after nearly six hundred years of responsibility and care, that she would so easily throw aside her shared crown for that of a lone ruler... She would laugh, if not for her current situation... She wasn't trying to snatch a crown, she was going to try and do something far worse... If only she could convince the dark mare of the folly, but all this spark could do was prevent her from lashing out through the dream realm. She has tried to show the dark mare the dreams that proved the folly of her plan, however the dark mare ignored her and immediately moved for Celestia. But she had somewhat expected that, because she had tried to talk to her before, and got dismissed as her mind trying to cope with the isolation. Thankfully Celestia hadn't been harmed during that close call... She might be insane, but that didn't make her stupid, so unfortunately she was able to think of a reason to hear voices in her head. Then ignore them. Please Tia, be ready to stop her... your the only hope Equis has!
Unto Eternity, leaving only memories Echoes "Though the past defines all, it should never be allowed to consume all... Lest the past becomes your future." Celestia Recalled so very long ago, as the land she was meant to rule with her other, raced past far below. Despite the whistling winds, the powerful swoosh of wings, and the chuffing of her chariot teamsters, her mind sank into memories she has tried to bury, into a pain both ancient and yet still sharp. Oh how naive she was back then... ⬅⏺➡ "But sister, thou must understand, our nobility doth try to dethrone us!", Luna cried in the memory turned daydream, very much looking as if she was losing sleep. "Lulu, we are sure thou thinkith this the case, but toward what end? Sister, thine state is a clear display of exhaustion, we hope thou try to sleep, at least thine must make an attempt...", Celestia sighed, her mind thinking of the mountain of paperwork awaiting at her desk, "Thou, out of any pony, surely understand how the mind tricks thine senses when tired, yes?" "Tia, surely thou dost not think we are so careless as to ignore sleep!?", Luna shouted in annoyance, not the royal voice but a close second, "Our subjects reject us sister, think us no better then... THAT THING!!!", she hissed the words venomously, her eyes slitting slightly in her fury. "Luna, dost though truly think our subjects compare thee to such a lowly excuse for royalty? Why, we-", Luna cut Celestia off, seething in anger. "Thou think we doth not know this!? Doth though forget our domain includes the realm of dreams!? They fear mine power Celestia, think me a tyrant plotting my claim to a lonely throne!!!", Luna was crying by the end, I really should have known then, but at the time we were both more emotionally sensitive after suppressing a large portion of our minds. "Sister, fear after a war as traumatic and inequine as this. Simply try to show them that you are not this tyrant... Remind them of the dream weaver, the lunar warden...", I coaxed softly, unaware of how much this would worsen the situation... If only she had known then, what she knew now... ⬅⏺➡ Of course, after the incident Celestia had investigated what drove her sister to the point of becoming Nightmare Moon, her title during the shadow war... It was only then when she realized just what they had done to her... It is little wonder that it left her suppression weak, allowing for the memories of the war to return... and the War Mind to manifest once more... Just recalling every report, every smiling face that expected praise for driving away her sister... The mere memory made Celestias own war mind stir with the suns fury as it roiled for release. The greatest mercy those... Dalcops received was at best a demotion from noble to commoner... at worst... let us just say they were different times... and she was a very different mare... She and Lunas war minds were not separate individuals, not some self aware alternate selves... they were one and the same, what Celestia and Luna would be like if they didn't suppress the memories they had of war... especially the shadow war... The broken mares that remade themselves into warriors... they are what happens, when the sisters stop caring about holding back... Dawn Breaker, and Nightmare Moon were names earned, not chosen... Celestia shivered as she recalled the look in Nightmare Moons eyes. Madness, a psychopath pursuing a singular goal... Those were not the eyes of the sister she loved. A sudden voice dragged Celestia out of her thoughts, one of her teamsters, "My Lady, we are about to make a landing approach", She nodded elegantly in acknowledgement, straightening her posture, putting her mask of regality back on. Ponyville, a small town that has changed little in the hundreds of years since its founding... though the ancient mares mind overlapped previous settlements that once sat in this same region... all called some variation of Ponyville... The meeting with Mayor Mare was pretty cookie cutter, introductions, paperwork, debating about specifics, paperwork, discussing the events set after the sun rising ceremony, and, you guessed it... more paperwork... As the night began to wane with the coming dawn, Celestia sat in her powder room in the town hall. She was debating if Nightmare moon would try to fight her again, or attempt to contain her in some way... Luna was always the more clever tactician, even if she herself was the better general. Probably going to contain her, possibly on Sol if Nightmare Moon could manage it... Then, she felt the air in the room shift. Someone was there, and after the Lunar Legion was disbanded, Celestia knew only one pony who could hide literally inside of a shadow... "Hello Nightmare... Come to talk, or were you planning an ambush?" Shadows The dark mare sneered as she strode imperiously out of the shadows, her gaze locked to her sister, her alabaster form practically glowing in the moonlight, as her aurora mane and tail light up the room. Such a vulnerable posture, yet she knew this mare well enough to see the slightest lean to her posture, the preparation to turn and duck, enabling her to turn around and dodge any attack at once. "Celestia~", the dark mare purred maliciously, "how disappointing, not even a weapon.", she tisked. "If we truly fought, as we did back then, any weapon would be shattered from the force.", Celestia said calmly, before turning to face the dark mare, "I suppose we cannot simply let things be?" "No, we cannot.", the dark mare sneered again, seeing the false care Celestia had for her subjects. Before Celestia could continue to speak, Nightmare Moon lit her horn, a complex spell matrix spinning to life in front of her, a thousand years developing this singular spell. It would burn what she had regained of her magic while on the moon, the barren surface very thin of magic, but it would contain the solar monarch inside a pocket dimension as long as she kept feeding it magic. Equestria was rich in magic, she could afford this much at least! Without even a cry, or whispered whimper, the spell engulfed Celestia, stuffing her inside a pocket space before she can make a sound. Nightmare Moon knew Celestia would expect either an ambush, or direct assault, so instead took advantage of her favoritism for diplomacy, only attacking after Tia tried to speak. Indeed, She was the better strategist. Nightmare Moon forcibly suppressed her evil cackle, with Tia contained, she could now have her fun, for victory is already hers! She was really going to put the terror into their hearts!... Terror? No, no, admiration, forcing admiration... must not forget! Now... how to make an entrance... Perhaps they should arrive in a burst of smoke and lightning? no, no, too intimidating... Yes, something not so bombastic- Suddenly the curtains opened, and Nightmare Moon sunk into the shadows on reflex, expecting an ambush. But nothing happened, before a white unicorn mare walked in, her purple styled mane displaying her likely noble born heritage. "She's gone!", Rarity cried out as she came back out of the darkened room, having found only an open window. Pony feathers! it's too late to plan, just go with the smoke! ▪ Well, that could have gone better... then again it also could have gone worse. Nopony died after all. She raced towards the castle she had shared with her sister back then, its crumbling towers coming rapidly into view as she exited her shadow mist. Gazing at the crumbling walls, memories from the shared years came flooding back, threatening to swallow her attention. They cannot allow this, they must secure the elements. Yet even as she strode forth with purpose, ponies long dead passed her peripheral, intricate designs set in plaster lined the walls whenever her focus slipped, and voices long silenced echo in her ears. Something many ponies never understand until their twilight years, the past has a weight... regret more so. But for the ageless... there will never be a twilight, only the ever mounting burden of the past... The moments missed, the friends one never got to send off into the eternal night, loved ones you were not there for... such moments may leave the mind, but never the heart... Only to be relieved when they are inevitably severed by a blade... the only end an alicorn can ever know... The Nightmare stopped, unable to bring herself to go further into the castle, her gaze locked where two thrones stood, one toppled from a conflict long past... She couldn't stay here alone, her mind was too emotional in these halls... Turning around, she trotted away. A Hearts Shine Fluttershy walked into the library after the new mare, Twilight Sparkle if she recalled correctly, rushed here and began throwing the books the owl and mice have been so carefully tending... Rainbow Dash of course was quick to accuse, hiding her fear with bravado and aggression, but her refusal to land showing her nervousness, just like herself. Apparently the mare that suddenly appeared in the town hall is this ancient enemy from Equestrias past... If Celestia couldn't defeat her, what chance did they have? If it were not for Rainbow Dash being so reckless, Fluttershy would rather drag her friend back to her cottage to hide amongst her animal friend... friends... But... but that mare said she would make the night eternal... if the sun never comes out, plants wont grow... if plants wont grow her friends will starve... Summoning the flickering flames of courage that dimly persisted within her, Fluttershy decided to trust Ms Sparkle... At least she didn't seem like a mare that enjoyed acting on impulse or hope... Hopefully she knows what needs to be done... For her friends sakes... They began their travel into the everfree, towards a castle Ms Sparkle said is supposed to be there, the castle of the two sisters. Ms Sparkle tried to tell us to leave, but we need to go with her to ensure she has the best odds to succeed. Sure enough, not even a half mile into the everfree, four of us slide down the cliff, Ms Sparkle included. She and Rainbow rushed down to save them, barely succeeding in Twilights case, thankfully Rainbow is far stronger then Fluttershy. If it was just her, they both likely would have plummeted. While trying to find the path again, we came across a manticore, riled up into a frenzy. "Get away!", it roared, as the mare in question recognized the cub from a few winters back, all grown up. "Back off!" He lunged for Rarity with a warning swipe, missing her by inches, and getting kicked on the snout. Now he is angry! "Wait...", Fluttershy tried to interject. He tried to chase the mare to retaliate, but then something landed on its neck. Looking up, the orange one was pulling on his mane, "what the-!? GET OFF!!!" He threw himself into thrashing, trying to dislodge the pony. "Wait...", Fluttershy tried again to interject. Before he could turn to leave, fed up with these ponies, a blue blur rushed at him, and around him, blowing his mane irritatingly into his eyes. Sweeping his tail out, he knocked the blur... or rather, the pony, away. As the ponies prepared to charge, he has had just about enough of this! He must show these ponies the price for disregarding his power! The Ponies raced towards him, a typical herd animal strategy, likely meant to trample him, but he would not-!! "Wait!!!", Fluttershy shouted, surprising both parties. Approaching the Manticore, Fluttershy smiled with a closed mouth, making sure not to show teeth, and at a steady and slow pace. As the young adult brought back his paw to swing, she looked up kindly" "I said back up, dont you-", it tried to demand. "shhh... it's okay..", Fluttershy soothed, gently nuzzling its other fore paw, once more surprising the Manticore. He watched this pony, her gently demeanor quickly causing him to relax, clearly she was no threat. Perhaps she would even help where his large teeth failed him. Fluttershy watched as the manticore presented one paw, a thorn embedded inside the sole. "Oh you poor, poor little baby... Now, this might hurt for just a second..." She soothed again, before gently, but quickly removed the thorn. He roared at the pain of its removal, but quickly swept the mare up into a hug, licking her mane in thanks. Fluttershy giggled, "Oh your just a little ol' baby kitty, aren't you? Yush you are, yush you are...", Smiling, she quickly followed her friends when he finally set her down.
