Big Mac sat on the edge of the regal bed in the quiet sanctuary of the royal bedchambers. The room, adorned with rich tapestries and a canopy above the bed, exuded an air of tranquility. The soft glow of candlelight played on the intricate details of the furniture, creating an intimate atmosphere.
With his large, worn hooves Big Mac held the framed wedding photo of him and Luna. The golden frame reflected the elegance of their union against the backdrop of the grand ceremony. Luna's radiant beauty and the happiness they shared on that special day radiated from the photograph. The memory of their vows echoed in his mind, a solemn promise to stand together through thick and thin. As he gazed at Luna's eyes in the photo, he could almost feel the warmth of her presence. The room held a quiet reverence, broken only by the soft crackling of a fireplace.
As he studied the image, memories of that magical day flooded back, and he couldn't help but marvel at the radiant joy on Luna's face. To his side Applejack stood as his best mare, and beside Luna Stood Celestia as her best mare in turn, and Twilight as her lone bridesmare. The weight of the day lifted from his shoulders, and he found solace in the silent company of the photograph. Big Mac's thoughts drifted to the journey they had undertaken since that day – the joys, the challenges, and the shared laughter. Their future together weighed heavily on his mind.
The royal bedchambers, usually echoing with the bustling sounds of the palace, now embraced a hushed stillness. The never ending glow of the moon streamed through the curtained windows, casting gentle light on the room. Even by himself the moon was a constant companion to him, having not moved from its place in the sky for several months. As he traced the contours of Luna's smile with the tip of his hoof, a tender smile played on his own lips. The love that had brought them to this magnificent bedchamber remained a constant, an anchor in the ever-changing currents of life. The royal insignia embroidered on the sheets bore witness to their shared journey, and Big Mac couldn't help but feel a deep sense of gratitude for the life they had built together.
Loud hoofsteps could be heard clicking along the marble floor outside the room, growing loader before stopping suddenly just outside the door signifying the arrival of his Wife. The gold laden doors of the grand bedchamber burst open plunging the room into an otherworldly darkness as Nightmare Moon made her way into the room. Her ethereal, shadowy mane glided through the air. The room, once bathed in warm colors, now took on a cold and foreboding tone as her presence permeated the space. The air was filled with the haunting echoes of Nightmare Moon's hoofsteps as they reverberated against the chamber's walls.
A chill descended upon the room as Nightmare Moon's cold, otherworldly aura enveloped everything in its path. The temperature seemed to drop, and Big Mac felt a subtle, bone-deep shiver, as if touched by a ghostly hand. A supernatural fragrance filled the air, a mix of ancient dust, and the scent of a distant and desolate night. It was a scent that permeated the senses and added to the unsettling atmosphere, as if the very essence of the night had been distilled into a haunting aroma that heralded Nightmare Moon's arrival.
Big Mac set the picture back down on his nightstand, and turned to face the powerful demi-god. "Hi Honey, how was your day?" he asked with a grin. Big Mac felt himself being lifted up off the ground as the faint whir of the sound of magic resonated across the room. Nightmare Moon carried him towards her effortlessly until he found himself face to face with her. She had a big smile on her face, while Big Mac nervously feigned one in return. He found his lips pressed hard against hers as they were forced together in what was a deep and passionate, albeit one-sided, kiss.
Finally satisfied, Nightmare Moon allowed Big Mac to gently float to the ground as she released her magical grip. She looked down at him with her piercing blue eyes with a wide smile; Big Mac couldn't help but feel somewhat intimidated by her huge stature. Despite being a large pony himself, even by stallion standards. Luna had always been taller than him, but now in her new form, Nightmare Moon Towered over his tiny frame.
As Nightmare Moon grew bored with the oppressive silence, her voice echoed loudly through the grand bed chamber like a haunting melody, weaving a spell of both command and power. "Hello my love, my work tonight was simply exhausting. Working with nobles and advisors is so much more difficult when you compromise rather than dominate." She mused.
"Thank you for that by the way, I'm glad that you decided not to go full on dictator this time around" he said with a small smile, struggling to be direct with his wife.
Nightmare Moon snatched him up in a big hug, her long legs meeting behind his back. "I suppose that's your influence on me, my love. I've got to rule with... what's that word you like to use? 'compassion', that’s the term,". Big Mac, feeling himself lifted up off the ground once again, returned the hug, trying to simulate her forceful squeeze that he found himself in. "They annoy me so, always demanding more than they need, while I seek to be fair to all my ponies both rich and poor, and there still remain a few in my console that do not approve of my forced integration of the Thestral tribe into the greater Equestria. It is a battle with myself every night not to obliterate them." Big Mac returned a grim expression at these remarks. "Don't worry, I have you to keep me on the 'straight and narrow' as the ponies say" She remarked. Big Mac sighed and gave a small nod. "Now, you must join me in our bed for a much needed rest" she stated matter of factly.
Hugging Big Mac Tightly, she flapped her wings, she lifted them both off the ground and flew over their bed, gently placing Mac on his side before coming to rest herself. She used her magic to extinguish the candles and the flame in the fireplace that had lit the room. A beam of moonlight now bathed the room in a pale blue hue. Big Mac found himself still locked in the embrace of Nightmare Moon. Even without her magic, her physical strength still eclipsed his own as he could never escape her aggressive cuddling even if he wanted to. Finding her once again pressing her lips hard against his own, he did not make any effort to return the kiss. Nightmare Moon released her grip slightly. "What's wrong my love, you seem so distant tonight".
Big Mac nodded. "I.. I need to talk to you about something" he said with a hint of sadness in his voice.
Nightmare moon sat up, moving herself closer to Big Mac who stared at the wedding picture on the nightstand. "I'm sorry honey, I've been having trouble coping ever since you changed into Nightmare Moon. It feels to me that you're a different pony now, and on top of that..." Big Mac turned to face Nightmare Moon, "I never got to say goodbye to Luna, I wasn't there when you changed”.
It had been months now since Nightmare Moon had become the sole ruler of Equestria, and through no direct fault of her own. The neighboring kingdom's expansionist ambitions had succeeded with the assassination of Celestia, at the cost of plunging the entire region into turmoil.
Luna rushed to Celestia's side as soon as she had gotten word of the attack, but she was too late; upon seeing her sister's lifeless body, Luna snapped. She was filled with both a rage and sorrow that she had never felt before. Her emotions and Alicorn magic tore through her body, shredding what was once a docile and tender mare, leaving in her place the once feared nightmare moon. With her newly found rage and powers acquired through her second ascension, she forged a brutal path through the neighboring kingdom, leaving it with a permanent crimson stain. In the wake of Celestia's tragic demise, Nightmare Moon quelled the chaos and installed herself as the head of state.
"The night I first saw you was shocking,” Big Mac asserted earnestly. I had seen Luna that same morning, I remember saying goodbye to her when she rushed off to deal with an emergency, and how that night I found a fearsome Alicorn in our bedroom, claiming to be the same pony".
Nightmare moon sighed, pulling Big Mac closer, albeit more gently this time, "Close your eyes" she commanded. Big Mac Returned an inquisitive gaze at this instruction. "Please just trust me" she said with a softer tone. Reluctantly, Big Mac obeyed this request and closed his eyes. A loud whooshing sound was heard, Big Mac squeezed his eyes shut despite the dull roar now reverberating through the room. "Ok, open your eyes now" she dictated. Big Mac Nervously opened his eyes.
"Luna!" shouted Big Mac at the sight of the purple Alicorn, her bright blue ephemeral mane once again wafting in the air as though there were a strong breeze. Luna shook her head no. "Only in appearance Big Mac" I'm still the same pony. Big Mac gave a small frown at this, and upon seeing his dejected expression, 'Luna' stated "You said you wanted to say goodbye, well, now is your chance, go right ahead." Big Mac froze for a few seconds, he had desperately wanted for so long to say goodbye to his darling Luna, and now with her right here he struggled to find the words. "Good - Goodbye Luna". He managed to get out as he fought back a tear. Luna smiled at him, "do you feel better?" she asked with a curious expression.
"Nope" Big Mac swiftly responded.
Luna placed her foreleg around him. "Of course it doesn't, saying goodbye to somepony doesn't mean anything, what matters is the memories you have of them, how you feel about them, and in our case, experiences that we have yet to share together." Big Mac was taken aback; he found himself unable to formulate a response . "I'm still the same pony you married, the same pony you shared all those wonderful nights together with as we trotted together under the soft moonlight, and I still love you despite all that has happened. I know this has been difficult for you, and I want you to feel as happy as you did when I looked like this." she gestured to herself with her other hoof. "I'm sure that whatever problems we have from this, we can work out. You just need to talk to me, I care about you, and I hope you still care about me."
Ordinarily she was never willing to display even a hint of vulnerability, but the facade of a smile on her face was an easy emotional tell. Big Mac closed his eyes, and planted a kiss on Luna's lips, surprising them both as he took the lead, and Luna offered a gentle kiss in kind. They found themselves with their forelegs wrapped around one another. After what seemed like an eternity Big Mac pulled his head back and opened eyes again, finding Nightmare Moon looking back at him once again. This time, she finally saw a genuine smile on his face. Big Mac once again found himself in her brutally strong grip as she wrapped her huge form around his own in a loving embrace.
She kissed him on the top of his head, and whispered, "I love you Big Mac" She whispered. This simple act of tenderness melted his worries away.
"I love you too Nightmare Moon"
