A Nightmares return

Chapters

The beginning
Passing out responsibility
Sweet dreams

The beginning

It was the time of night when all but the most insomniac ponies would have gone to sleep. At first sight the forest below seemed to promise nothing more than a rest from the noise and stress of daily city life, if not for the sounds of stealth betrayed and screams of prey chased and caught that echoed below.

A constant battle of predator and prey taking place in the dark embrace of the Everfree forest of which not even the full radiance of the moon could cast a glimpse of insight on.

What it did cast a glimpse of insight on to any looking up was a pegasus soaring, lowering itself towards the forest. Smiling faintly as the wind played with her mane, a simple dark brown mane in no way contemplating her grey skin tone. Not an elegant, commanding, or even beautiful form, her smile dropped at the sudden thought but only for the shortest time as the old ruins appeared before her in all of their lost glory.

Most of the former castle was in a shape only the tooth of time could account for, entire sections of it having broken down, laying in piles of stone while what still stood was frayed with the markings of rain and moss as the forest reclaimed its domains. Lost soldiers in the futile war against time. But one army still stood where both the battering of time and nature had failed.

Softly landing on the stairs the mare folded her wings and walked in with sure steps, up the staircase and through the chilly stone corridor, the stones around her all bearing cracks and signs of age. The only sounds accompanying here were the sounds of her hooves echoing around her, a sharp contrasts against the previous complete silence that had held this castle in control moments before.

Stopping and waiting until the last echo of her steps had evaporated the mare tilted her head, she could hear nothing at all. Not a single sound was heard now that she stood still, not even any noises from the forest could be heard. First now she sensed a certain pressure in the air, walking forward more carefully the pressure grew thicker the further she went until she found herself in what appeared to have once been the throne room or audience chamber.

Now it was nothing but a decrepit ruin of its former glory, yet this room still bore semblance to the beauty it had once held. Black twisted iron frames in the windows which once must have held beautiful glass mosaics in place, withered pillars heavy with spider webs and vines encircling them and ahead of her a heightened platform where the princesses once must had stood with their subjects beneath them

But more than the lost glory what hit her was the pure substance that penetrated the room. Where the corridor had made her sense the pressure here she could feel it, the very air was heavy with magic so powerful she could practically taste it. Anything that amount was used against had no right to be alive, and yet despite this she suspected the opposite.

Stopping at the center of the room she waited. Minutes passed slowly, the air and silence pressing themselves upon her until her patience faded

“I know you are here, show yourself Nightmare”

Nothing but the rebounding echoes of her voice sounded in the hall, chanting “Nightmare, nightmare, NIGHTMARE NIGHTMARE NIGHTMARE!” Rubbing her ears the mare allowed herself a small smile, so something did linger.

“I see that you st-“

“NIGHTMARE NIGHTMARE NIGHTMARE”

Slamming down her hoof green sparks flew up in the air around her, “ENOUGH!”

Silence reigned once more, an unnatural silence which now even denied her voice its echo.

“Good. Now listen as I’m short on patience. Either you show yourself or I leave you alone to your miserable, pitiful existence here. Your choice”

For several moments nothing happened, but slowly the pure moonlight that flushed its way through the windows began gathering in small strands, intertwining themselves in front of her, the pure light darkening as the form of a giant pony slowly formed itself from the shafts of moonlight.

Fully formed a night black alicorn stared down at her, only the cutie mark in the form of the moon and the eyes were of a different color, the moon pure white and the eyes an icy blue. The apparition before the Pegasus opened her mouth several times until a voice came out, as if from a great distance.

“Pony . Want. What?” The voice was hollow, devoid of the life that any flesh and blood creature possessed, each word coming with a heavy pause between.

“Nightmare Moon, so kind of you to stop hiding. I came here to make a deal which will aid us both” She said nonchalantly, apparently unperturbed in the face of the creature that had held a place in the ponies most frightening tales for centuries.

“Deal. Aid. Why?”

Frowning at the apparition she couldn’t deny this conversation wasn’t going like she had imagined it to. To begin with it wasn’t even a proper conversation, studying the alicorn she suddenly understood. That hollow voice, those icy blue, lifeless eyes, the barest speck of intelligence inside them differencing the being from a mere beast.

The elements of harmony had not only ripped Nightmare Moon from Lunas body and made her devoid of any powers, they had reduced her to a mere specter with no intelligence to speak of. If her memory was intact how terrifying it must be, to know what she’d once been, what she’d been reduced to, how desperate she must be. A soft smile emerged at this thought, how easily manipulated she’d be.

“For reasons of my own I will give you a chance to possess Lunas body. You do remember Luna I hope? The very body you owned until the elements of harmony ripped you out from it”

At the mention of the elements Nightmare Moons form shook and shifted, partially dissolving, strands of moonlight arching out like lightning until eventually the form calmed itself, retaking its previous pony shape.

“Pain. Cold. Hot” Mere words filled with so much heat it gave an uncomfortable image of what she do with the ponies who had done this to her, if ever given the chance.

Yet that wasn’t her problem. Waving away her words she continued

“Yes, yes I get the picture, now as I said I give you one chance to return yourself to power. Will you take this chance?” She said holding out her hoof.

Eyeing her with the same cold eyes without moving she started to wonder if the alicorn even understood her.

“You. Doing. Why?”

“You’re kidding me, right? Do you honestly care?” She rolled her eyes.

“No” she reached out for the pegasus’s hoof, her own hoof seeping into the small ponies. First slowly, the hoof dragging itself into her and then the rest of her body entering, faster and faster nothing more than the empty room remained before her. The pegasus couldn’t help but shiver at the sensation of it, it was akin to having ice slowly dragged throughout your whole body and focusing itself on one specific point inside. A dark cold part nestling itself inside in sharp contrast to the warmth of her body.

As soon as the alicorn had completely seeped inside she could feel the cold spreading throughout to the rest of her body. Slow at first, then faster until she was numb from her chest downwards and inside her own head she heard a cold cruel laughter. Laughter at the foolishness of a mere pegasus offering her body, expecting herself to be able to control a goddess.

Sighing she focused on the cold and pushed it back, the warmth swiftly returning back to her hooves and chest until the cold was locked behind bars in one specific location.

“Do not try that again or I swear I snuck out the last life you have left in you” she stated plainly, not growling nor shouting. A mere statement of what would happen.

“No. Pony” the same hollow voice resonated through her head. Still despite this small headache she couldn’t resist a laugh.

“Oh? How does that old saying go, seeing is believing? I look like a pony, so what else could I possibly be?

“…Changeling” the voice said with the same heat as before, slowly warming up her prison.

Her laugh resonated throughout the chambers “So you do know!” Chrysalis laughter only grew as she felt the spirit raging inside as she left the room. Unfolding her wings she flew up into the night sky once more, retracing her route back to Canterlot. Back to her wedding.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Standing on the balcony, overlooking the guards practicing below Luna felt a glow of pride. Not just any guards, her guards.

The ponies below were set up in three small regiments, the earth ponies being the most numerous requiring more instructors than the unicorns and pegasi. Something which was evident by the loud number of instructions being shouted, she couldn’t hear what they were but apparently they involved a lot of running and practice bouts against each other.

The pegasi took most of the room while at the same time taking none, using the whole of the practice area to fly and practice their maneuvers, all under the careful eye of their own instructors in case of a maneuver going wrong. Something that happened far too often with new, overeager recruits.

And the smallest squadron of them all, put away as far as possible from the others and any buildings, the unicorns. A unicorn was always a problem she thought, first you had to find one with enough power to be of any use magically, then they had to be willing to join the guard and thirdly they had to pass the tests and be trained. All in all Luna reflected as flashes of light, shielding and combat spells were cast and trained, unicorns could be a real nuisance.

A sudden surge of wind, a glimpse of black feathers and suddenly a pegasus stood beside her. The mare wore the traditional night guard armor, identical to the ones used a thousand years ago and recently reinstated with Luna’s return. A blend of blue and different shades of purple with a purple eye in the middle, but it was the magical properties of the armor that held the true fascination of anypony looking. Turning whoever wore its coat grey or black, turning their wings bat like, the eyes changing into yellow slits perfect to see through the dark with, all made possible by the enchantments placed by Luna personally on the armor, enchantments made to both make the wearer as effective as possible at night and look threatening to everypony who saw it. The threatening effect was unfortunately somewhat diminished by the mare grinning madly.

“Impressive isn’t it princess? We’ve gotten quite good after just this little time, this batch be all professional and trained in a couple of two months II bet, just as you wanted”

A sudden flash of light from the unicorns section followed by a small bang, once the dust cleared three ponies shakily got up while their instructor expressed his professional view of what just happened, loudly.

“Of course” the mare laughed nervously “there still remains a few hicks left to fix”

“So I see captain, yet I am impressed. You have done a remarkable job with the little time you had”

“Awh don’t talk about it, and I keep telling you just to call me Breeze, I’m the breeze keeping these guys afloat, eh?” she nudged the princess who just cast a look at her overly friendly captain before turning back into the castle, motioning for her captain to follow.

“There are rules and protocols to be followed captain. as I am bound to them I expect the captain of my personal guard to follow them as well.” Luna said with a hint of reproach.

“Princess Celestia calls Shining armor by name though” the pegasus pointed out.

Sighing Luna wondered whether she had done the right thing in deciding her own guard be less strict than the royal guard. The reasons had seemed so clear at the time, a less strict guard in order to handle situations the royal guards strict rigid set of mind might not be able to. Not to say that she hadn’t wished her own guard to become an exact replica, of course the foremost reason of all was a very simple one. She wasn’t loved as her sister was, her only chance to gather up a guard of her own was to remove the rigid discipline of the royal guards that intimidated most ponies and it had given results. Yet despite the results this decision and her captain had given her, perhaps she had been hasty.

“Yes captain. The difference between you two being that you’re not marrying our niece,” she said tasting the unfamiliar word, niece. She hadn’t had a niece one thousand years ago and suddenly now she had one, and she was uncomfortably aware she had no idea how to act around her. Just one amongst many problems to be dealt with.

Trotting down the stairs, their hooves creating small echoes around them Breeze shook her head sadly. “I say, connections really are everything these days aren’t they?”

“Yes.” Luna stated plainly as they came to her personal quarters. Nodding to the two guards standing watch, two of her precious few trained Night guards, she walked in, closely followed by Breeze.

The room was opposite Celestias, draped in dark blue colors, much the same as her own skin tone. The walls were lined with bookcase after bookcase filled with everything from historical events, magical discoveries, nursery tales and instruction manuals. The objects of many spent hours to rediscover her kingdom. But the most eye grasping object of her room was the window, one whole section of the wall encased in glass to allow the moonlight to shine in, heavy drapes hanging on the side for her to close it shut during the day.

Squinting her eyes towards the dawning sky a flash of irritation struck her as she gazed, her eyes focusing more on the pink barrier that stood between herself and the sky than the sky itself.

“It’s kind of ugly isn’t it? Kind of think they could have picked another color than pink, green perhaps, or blue? Always been partial to purple myself though”

A soft puff of air was the only sign of amusement Breeze was given. “How many of my guard are ready to take up their duties? My sister has informed me that every guard might be needed in the coming days.”

“Hmm truth be told, I got no idea about the numbers right now. Now, now let me explain! There’s been a lot coming in lately, and with some constantly dropping out I can’t know without my papers or officers can I? I have to check with the trainers for the earth ponies and unicorns but whatever they say there won’t be a lot of them ready, sure isn’t enough in the pegasus section, and any who are will be ridiculously green.

“Some might say the same about you captain, you have served me less than a year”

“Hmm, you didn’t know? I served a couple of years in the royal guard, got kicked out though. They didn’t appreciate a prank I pulled” She laughed but was cut short by Lunas glare.

“And you haven’t felt inclined to tell me about this for what reason captain?” Sighing she switched her gaze back to the view outside. “No matter, even if green, to what extent can my guard be used?”

“Well” Breeze began slowly, “there is only so much we can train them for. But they’re good enough to hold the doors open for any guests and looking threatening. You will need to enchant a couple more armors though.”

“I knew as much when I asked for more recruits Breeze.”

Watching the clouds slowly pass above the barrier, a usually light fluffy white, tainted by the pink color cast by Shining armors magic made her recall Discords chocolate rain. While it was an uncomfortable thing to be reminded of it was an impressive feat for a single unicorn to cast such a spell, cast for the sole purpose of keeping an unknown enemy with unknown motives out. Keeping the doors open was it?

“I will deal with it after I had my rest and taken my watch tonight. For now I believe you should make sure of the number of guards prepared for the wedding should you not?”

Silently staying besides her Breeze eventually nodded, “sounds like a plan princess, I check it up, Goodnight”

“It’s good morning for most actually” Luna replied absentmindedly as Breeze went for the door, a sudden thought striking her.

“Oh and captain.” Luna spoke as Breeze held her hoof on the handle of the door, “make sure for the guards to realize that if what my sister suspects is true that they have to be ready to close a door, not hold it open and roll over for any enemies might come”

Nodding in affirmation Breeze left, closing the door behind her, leaving Luna alone once more. Breathing out a sigh of relief she collapsed on her bed.

Finally alone, nopony to impress or order, nopony to watch her every step around waiting for her to slip up. Levitating her crown, chest armor and hoof guards of herself Luna rolled down beneath the covers.

For now she trusted Breeze to be able to handle the guard on her own, but tomorrow she had to double-check so her captain didn’t do anything stupid, lax as the discipline might be her captains happy go attitude worried her. She would not allow her guard force to become a refuge for ponies who just liked having a lazy spot to stand in wearing fancy armor and earn bits.

And she had to meet her niece, Cadence as well. Uncomfortable she may be she was family, and after one thousand years family was the one thing that mattered.

Because that very family banished you for one thousand years a small angry voice within her spoke. Rolling around and nestling further into the pillow Luna muttered a sleepy “be quiet” before falling asleep.

______________________________________________________________________________________

An insistent knocking awoke her, groaning she waited, whoever was behind this sabotage of her sleep however did not plan to stop. Knock knock, knock knock, knock knock knock it sounded, whoever behind it changing the pace like a poorly constructed clock. Just waking her was not enough, they had to annoy her as well.

Heaving herself from the bed, stifling a yawn she went over to the mirror while casting an odd look at the hairbrush lying on the counter. Why she even had one was beyond her, one of the benefits of astral hair was never having to worry about bed hair.

Levitating her crown, chest plate and hoof guards to their proper position she scrutinized her image, nodding her approval to the image. Imposing yes, just as a ruler should be, but no longer threatening.

Opening the door and stepping outside the royal guard almost slammed his hoof right in her face. Eyes widening he withdrew it and himself a few steps backwards, stuttering on the way

“Prin- Princess I am so sorry! I did mean nothing of it, I assure you I wasn’t trying to hit you I was only-” So much for not appearing threatening no more. Holding out a hoof he quickly shut up, almost breaking Lunas neutral expression as he stood there shivering.

“Guard, why have you awoken me, where are my night guards?”

“It’s soon time to raise the moon and Princess Celestia told us to shift with them, they were needed elsewhere." He set himself in attention, relying on the discipline the guard was so famed for.

“What?! I heard nothing about this, I-” Catching her breath she counted to ten and exhaled, waving her hoof at the guard.

“Yes of course she did, at ease,” and in a heartbeat the discipline was gone, and so was the guard taking that as an allowance to leave, leaving her quarters defenseless. Her sister had some explaining to do.

Strolling down the corridor she looked out the nearest window. The sun was laying low in the sky, its fiery glare shielded by the purple toned shield engulfing the whole of Canterlot. Spying her sister in one of the towers Luna made her decision. It wasn’t quite yet time for her to take over the watch despite what the guard had said, but there were matters to be dealt with.

Trotting her way down the corridors she did not miss how the servants swiftly changed direction or hugged the wall as closely as common manner allowed, neither did she miss the royal guards watchful gaze eyeing her every step.

After a few minutes of this and coming face to face with the same corridor twice she had to admit something, she gotten herself lost, again. Looking around for a servant, any who her eyes fell on quickly entered a side corridor when they noticed her gaze. Not as if she needed a rumor spread about her getting lost in her own castle anyway.

Staring glumly at the wall she’d faced her shoulders sagged.

“Ah, enough is enough” her horn started glowing azure, its aura expanding and enveloping her for a brief second, then the princess of the night was nowhere to be seen.

Stepping out of the darkness that was her teleportation spell Luna was greeted by a smile tucking at her sisters lips.

“Lost again Luna?”

“This castle is much greater and complicated than the one of the past, I have yet to grow accustomed to the change. Much more so since I have not had the time to properly explore,” Luna answered steadily, ignoring the amusement in her sisters’ voice.

“Mm yes, you have been most diligent in your studies. So what do you want to talk about Luna? It’s not time for you just yet.” Celestia replied, returning her eyes to the telescope.

“Actually sister it was one of your own guards who woke me from my slumber, believing me incapable of knowing when the time is right to raise the moon.”

Taking her position besides Celestia, Luna followed suit and scanned the city below. Even now when the sun was about to go down the city was bustling with activity, so different from anything she had seen one thousand years ago, this city never slept. Smiling at the sight it quickly faltered as she gazed back at her sister.

“ I would like to have my night guards back under my direct command Celestia, without you giving orders to the whole company without speaking to me or captain Breeze first.”

“Luna we have spoken of this, we’re under an unknown threat. While the royal guard is effective, your own guard is much more so at night, and with the small numbers of them there is they have to be used as effectively as possible.”

Luna grimaced, partly due to her sisters reminder of exactly how few true night guards existed, once it had been an honored position to protect the ponies during the night. Now it was seen as an excuse for those who didn't make the cut into the royal guard or for crazy ponies wishing to serve a princess everybody knew would snap again eventually. Or for happy go lucky captains who always seemed to find something positive in any situation she reflected.

“So you’re telling me I cannot properly control my own guards, sister? Are you worried that I might somehow forget to give the order to search for any threats at night, the exact purpose for which I created them all those years ago? If so just say it, because I am in no mood for subtleties when the first contribution I made since my return is robbed from me right under my hooves!”

Celestias hair slowly settled itself back from the sudden outburst, taking her eyes of from the telescope she cast an annoyed look at her sister. “Luna, please don’t use the royal Canterlot voice, I rather have a private conversation than have the entire castle hear us. I know you’re fully capable on your own, have no doubt. However we’re facing a possible crisis, of what kind we don’t know, and for now you’re still readjusting. I will take no chances when it comes to any ponies lives”

“I see, the slightest hint of a threat is enough for you to rob me of my efforts, leaving all the praise for you I suppose sister? All for a threat we’re not even sure exist, all this,” she said with a hoof encompassing the dome surrounding them and the guards patrolling the sky and land. “Seems excessive. Is this what pony kind have come to during our absence, hiding behind their covers and praying it all go away at the merest hint of danger?”

The brief spark of irritation that swept past her sisters eyes made her smirk, it was a rare sight.

“Personal glory doesn’t matter at all Luna, any threat towards our subjects should always be addressed as efficient as possible” Celestia said in a slightly cooler voice compared to from before.

“I should know, I experienced that efficiency myself one thousand years ago!” Luna snapped.

Icy silence settled in the air around them, each of the princesses trying not to meet the others eyes, very much resembling a young pair in love. Sighing Luna rubbed her forehead. “My apologizes, I did not mean that, it just came out. However I will not back down on this issue. They are my guards, I expect any further order encompassing the entirety of them to be taken to me or my captain first in the future. Or I be forced to tell them to ignore orders from you for the time being”

“Luna... I rather not tell you, but I doubt they obey to that command, they are loyal to you, yes. But I ruled for one thousand years on my own, don’t put their loyalty and the kingdoms safety on the line because of your own pride. Also, I did talk with captain Breeze.”

Before Luna could reply Celestia turned back, stopping at the entrance of the tower. “We can discuss this further when you stop being so irrational.” With that she walked into the tower, the echoes of her descent downwards accompanying her departure. Perfect Luna. You might have been able to regain control of your guards if you kept calm but instead you snapped, made threats and dragged up that… Incident again. This is exactly how it all began one thousand years ago. But if what Celestia said was true, why didn’t Breeze tell me of this?

Massaging her she sighed, lowering the telescope to suit her height she took a look through it, as always marveling at the advancements that had been made during her exile.

Scanning the surroundings for any sign, and since nopony know what the threat was it was no surprise she went without success. Casting an impatient glare at the sun she was rewarded with the sight of it finally going down.

Smiling she closed her eyes and ignored everything else, concerns, argues, doubts, fears. The chilly breeze, the feeling of her hooves on stone and all her troubles. A brief peaceful moment with nothing except her and the moon. Slowly strands of blue started flowing around her, her magic slowly nudging the moon awake from its daily sleep. Feeling it respond to her magic as to an old friend she nudged it to rise, and in a brief moment the blue ribbons around her transformed into pieces of the purest night snaking around her.

Opening her eyes she looked around, mildly disappointed that nopony had seen her. There was no real need for the dramatic effects she knew but she had always believed that the atmosphere was important.

She admired her moon for a few minutes, doing her best to ignore the barrier. Shifting slightly to a more comfortable position she drew her eyes away from the gem in the sky, and glued her eyes on to the telescope, scanning the areas with deep interest. For somebody who been imprisoned for one thousand years the opportunity to have a valid reason to spy on the population below was an interesting one.

In one particular building she saw ponies rushing out, immediately preparing to go there herself her worry ceased as she saw dough rising out from every corner of the house. “Just a baking accident” she chuckled to herself “a particularly nasty baking accident.” Her argument with her sister for now forgotten she returned to her pastime. Never forgetting the duty she had as she also scanned the outside for any incoming threats, nor ignoring the moments of amusement or surprise she got from watching her, she was starting to suspect, slightly insane subjects.

“Aunt Luna how glad I am to see you.” A voice broke through her concentration.

Turning unwillingly from the latest development a pink mare approached, her curved hair carrying three colors within it, her wings neatly tucked in, wearing jewelry not all that different from Celestias or her own. All these things marking her as one pony almost all of Equestria would recognize without having ever been introduced.

“Hello dear... Niece” she replied uncomfortably.

“Found anything?” Cadenza asked as she positioned herself beside Luna.

“Nothing that our subjects can’t blame themselves for.” She shifted her body slightly, setting some distance between the two.

“You do not like me” Cadance said plainly, surprising Luna with the matter of fact tone she used.

And it was a fact, despite all the praise she heard of Cadenza from her sister, the captain of the royal guard, and in general everypony she ever asked the truth couldn’t be denied when looked at straight in the eyes.

“No.” Luna agreed, rubbing her eyes as she tried to figure out how to say it. What had her captain once said? Lies come back and bite you, but you know exactly where you are when telling the truth, even if where you are is somewhere in the gutter with a bruise on your face.

“I am sorry Cadenza but the thought of suddenly having a niece, it’s an unfamiliar one,I like to get to know you better, but for now I am occupied. Perhaps we can meet tomorrow noon?”

“I thought you slept during the day?"

“I can manage for this. I truly wish for us two to get along, I learned the hard way that family is all that truly matters.” Twisting her mouth into a sick comparison of a smile, her mind returned back to her latest family conversation.

At the mention of family Cadance gave her an odd look coupled with a lopsided smile.

“Yes... Family really is all that matters isn’t it? I know I do absolutely anything for my own, so I be seeing you in my room tommorow then?”

“Yes, I truly hope for us to get along niece I just... I just need some time to get used to all this. It’s a lot to take in.”

“Don’t worry auntie,” she tapped the princess of the night lightly on the shoulder making Luna involuntarily shiver, a sudden chill spreading from her shoulder only to disappear just as quickly as it had come.

Rubbing her shoulder she cast a suspicious glare at Cadance whose, and maybe it just was her imagination, smile looked just a tiny bit strained all of a sudden. “Sorry for the interruption aunt, I be seeing you tomorrow then. Otherwise Celestia is bound to throw both of us in a room to force us to get to know each other, isn’t she?” She said with a soft giggle, her horn flashing up and with an eruption of pink with a trace of green in it the balcony was occupied by one less pony.

Rubbing her eyes, momentarily disoriented by the sudden flash of light Luna swore to herself. Why that little, she was sure she’d made her teleportation flashier than needed on purpose. But no, it was merely a mistake of course. Cadance must be tired and had messed up her teleportation, simple as that.

Sighing at the prospect of even suspecting her own niece to be against her she returned her attention to the telescope. But what about that green shade? Her magic shouldn’t be green, and what was that chill from when she touched her? Did her dislike of her niece unknownst to her run so deep that her very body rejected the young alicorn, and her eyes deceiving her when she was in sight?

No. Tommorow I will see her, we will talk and I will find out that there is absolutely nothing wrong with her and it’s just me being judgemental. After I seen Breeze of course, and enchanted the new guards’ armor.

Returning her attention back to the telescope, towards the location she’d been watching before Cadance had come, she shook her head at the scene below.

I might be wrong, but I could’ve sworn ponies were more intelligent one thousand years ago.

Passing out responsibility

Her hooves laid out on the desk, Breeze whistled a tune to herself, warily eyeing the piles of paperwork in front of her. She had come up with two theories during her time as captain; the first one involved the reports breeding right under her nose. The second one being that the castle employed ninjas, sneaking right past the guards while she was away and increasing the piles. Of course there was also a third one coming to think of it.

“Hey, you two out there!”

Opening the door, Breeze blinked in surprise, two expressionless guards entered, clad in the golden armor of the royal guard.

“Hey isn’t the night guard meant to keep watch out there? I’m sure I asked some to be sent for when I saw you two out there before.”

“Yes ma’am, we were told no guards were available. They all needed rest from their duties last night.”

“What, all of them?” She raised her eyebrows, and then shrugged. “I check that out later. Now, you didn’t let anypony in with these papers while I was away did you?”

“We did.”They said, absolutely no hesitation in exclaiming the vile truth.

“Get out and leave me alone,” she growled, waiting for the door to close before she reached for the papers. “Good grief, sure am glad I’m no longer one of them.” She muttered, scrambling on her desk to retrieve the reports from last night, setting her hooves back up once accomplished, reading the report any leftover thoughts of vile betrayal left her mind.

“What the, where did this order come from?”

Suddenly the door burst open, “I said leave me alone!” She roared, casting a furious glare at the offender. Her fury quickly changing to shock, throwing her hooves from the desk she knocked the rest of the paperwork down in her haste, toppling over her chair. Rubbing her head a shadow fell on her, looking up she saw Luna leaning over the desk, glaring.

“Get up Captain,” she said coldly, setting herself in the chair across the desk while Breeze got up.

Her heart started beating even faster when Luna levitated all the papers together, going through them with a speed Breeze only dreamed of. For every piece of paper read Luna’s eyes narrowed further.

“Look princess, I know this looks bad but-“

“Enough Captain, I am not angry at all these leftover reports. Annoyed, yes, however it is my fault for neglecting to assign you a helper to assist you. What I am angry about is something else entirely.”

Putting down the papers she locked eyes with Breeze. “Why did you not tell me that my sister went to you and ordered away all my guards, I expected you to be capable to tell me that. While I can easily defend myself I do find it disconcerting, both to find my guards have left me without my consent, and not being aware of these orders. Now, an explanation.”

“Wait, wait… Wait just one second.” Breeze waved her hooves in front of her, “Wait. You mean it was Celestia ordering out all my guards last night? Cause I sure didn’t, nor was I told of this. I had to read a report to find it out! All I told her when she came in yesterday was that she could have those not doing anything important right then. I sure didn’t tell her to take away every guard under my command on active duty!” Breeze slammed her hoof on the desk, sending the papers scuttling for the floor again. Looking between Luna and her hoof she retracted it, smiling awkwardly.

“But, no offense meant against her of course”

“… I’m sure she would take none, it seems I was misguided. It seems the guards themselves are to blame for moving out.” She replied tersely after having scooped up the papers again, turning back for the door.

“Eh, princess should I tell them not to go out tonight, recall Celestias order?” Breeze felt a nervous itch coming on, didn’t all this seem awfully similar to the old Nightmare Moon bedtime stories she been told as a filly?

Luna merely shook her head. “No, if there is a threat they need to be out, if we recall a single one of them it will just make us seem like the villains if something goes awry. Now, I was on my way to promote our latest batch of recruits, you may accompany me if you wish.”

All too happy to skip her paperwork Breeze fell in line with Luna, walking together in silence, the weight of future paperwork weighing on Breezes mind while Luna, well who knew what she was thinking about.

Reaching Breeze knew very well they began their ascent, she noted as always how the torches disappeared the further up they went. But instead of the darkness one would expect a soft glow lighted their way, enough for her enchanted sight to see every detail just as well if the torches had been there. Finishing the staircase, the pair found themselves in one of the spires towering high above the rest of Canterlot.

The stone around them were at spots draped over with dark cloth, the windows on Luna’s decree to be covered up until nightfall. The door on the other hand was in full display, the stony surface painted dark blue, a shade away from night black, with a brilliant full moon carved into the stone glowing slightly. All these changes hadn’t existed before Luna came, yet nopony had seen any workers enter, one of the many mysterious surrounding her.

Stepping up to the door Luna’s horn began to glow and with a slow, ominous creak the door swung open.

“Should I get some oil after this?” Breeze whispered.

“No” Luna responded striding in, struggling to contain her smirk Breeze followed, sometimes even a mysterious princess was easy to read.

Once inside the door slammed shut, leaving them in complete, utter darkness, the moon symbol giving of no light on this side.

Yet Luna’s enchantment couldn’t be denied, waiting for her eyed to adjust, Breeze eventually managed to make out the shape of fifteen ponies. All of them getting up on their hooves, whispering between themselves.

Slamming her hoof down, instantly silencing the whispers, Luna surveyed the ponies, waiting until the last echo had faded away.

“There will be no glorious ceremonies, nor any celebrations in this room. You been left here in utter darkness for one day and night, not much some of you may say, while others might resent me for it. However this is the life you are about to take up. Your duty will be to serve in the dark and against it, it will be hard, I won’t lie. There will be pain and fear the moment you accept your armor so if anypony have any second thoughts, leave now.”

Waiting for several moments nopony moved, unseen by anypony except Breeze, Luna’s shoulders sagged in relief, the comparison of a nervous mare waiting for her confessions reaction crossed her mind.

“You have my gratitude, come.” Her horn lighted up, bathing the room in its soft glow, illuminating carvings of past events. One after another the carvings light up, Celestia and Luna ruling together, the banishment of discord by the elements of harmony and the redemption of Luna. The carvings spiraling higher and higher, each one glowing in turn until at the utmost top the shape of three ponies appeared, unicorn, pegasus and earth pony all standing together, wearing the armor of the night guard.

The recruits slowly stumbled forwards, shielding their eyes from the sudden light while doing their best to take in the sight. Breeze couldn’t help but smile despite the severity of the situation as she too admired the walls. She must have looked just as ridiculous when it was she standing before Luna, except she had been alone at the time. Ah, how things change she thought as the last recruit got into line.

Fifteen ponies of different origin standing before them, all wearing an unadorned steel plate, except for a small moon inscribed into it marking them as recruits of the night guard. Her smile fell at the reminder, there was nothing funny in what was about to transpire.

“I will now enchant your armor, giving you the benefits that come along with it when worn. When I have done so you will be forever pledged into my service, until the day you would pass away or I free you from this duty.”

Coughing loudly, sixteen heads turned towards her, she ignored the irritated look one gave her. “Actually you will all be free to quit whenever you want, as long you turn over your armor of course. Sorry princess, got to remember there are different rules nowadays,” she shrugged.

“Times have changed, yet some things are meant to return.” Without warning the previous soft glow erupted into a storm of brilliant, silvery light.

Shielding her eyes Breeze could make out fifteen dark tendrils of pure night coming out of Luna’s horn, snaking their way towards the recruits. Some shied away, others stood completely still but to their credit nopony ran away.

Eventually the tendrils reached each pony, encircling their armor, leaving behind trails of dark sparks in their wake.

After several minutes of this, each recruit straining to stand completely still, the tendrils reared up and dived into the recruits’ armor, disappearing inside. On cue each of the recruits cried out, their armor beginning to darken and the metal starting to change shape, melding into the proper night guard version. A change that went unnoticed by the recruits as they screamed out as one.

Breeze winced at the memory as she watched them all cringe, the magic forcibly molding their bodies, the earth ponies and unicorns clutching their eyes, some hitting them repetitively while others banged their heads desperately at the floor, crying out even louder as their eyes began to change from their previous pony shape to snake like slits.

The pegasi had it the worst, they threw themselves all around the floor, like dogs gone mad. One second clutching their eyes only for the next second to clutch their wings, somehow screaming even louder as their feathers dropped one after another, the dark sparks turning the previous soft flesh into leathery membrane.

Rubbing her own bat like wings Breeze waited, and after a few minutes the last scream had died out, the former recruits only punctuating the silence with the occasional sob or wince. After a few moments some of them dragged themselves up, staring with widened eyes at ponies they never seen before.

“Rise.” At the sound of her voice the last stragglers got up, Breeze didn’t fail to miss the hasty eye rubbing that happened beforehand.

“That pain is the burden you bear, I expect you to be the shield between Equestria and its foes. You have experienced the pain that comes with it, that is what you are protecting Equestria against. And to answer your question, no, you will not feel any pain when you remove or adorn your armor. This is just a separate occurrence. Now report to your barracks, or the sickbay for any self inflicted injuries, those of you able to will take up patrol duty tonight. Dismissed.”

Magically opening the door she and Breeze parted away, leaving a clear line for the guards. Raising her hoof in salute Breeze cast a meaningful look at Luna who raised hers in an identical position. The recruits’ pain lined faces shined up at the gesture, their chests puffing out and their steps gaining purpose until the door closed behind the last of them.

Turning to Luna, Breeze gave her a hearty clap on the shoulder which to her surprise sent Luna staggering. First now she noticed the beads of sweat dripping from Luna, panting slightly the alicorn wiped it of her face.

“Don’t worry captain, its mere exhaustion. The magic I cast is not an easy one, even for me. But we need the soldiers.” She whispered before Breeze could say anything. “Now you can return to your other duties, I will find a suitable helper for you when I can, I trust you to go sort out your remaining paperwork.” The light in the room retracted towards Luna, the carvings dulling as their light joined the rest, binding itself around her and then she was gone, the whole event taking less than a second.

Shrugging, Breeze went for the closed door and began pushing; looking up in annoyance she took a wider stance, straining her limbs against the obstacle to no avail.

Stopping, she scanned the entirety of the room, a round chamber which she could barely see in now, just enough for her to know one important fact, no windows. Giving the door another inspection she scratched her head and sighed. “Well, this day has been going well so far.”

_______________________________________________________________________

Frowning at the pink alicorn in front of her, from every pink detail to the ridiculous small crown and chest armor she wore. Chrysalis turned away from the mirror, a frown plastered on the face of Princess Cadence.

The room was filled with everything from flowers, cakes, cookies and mannequins. Everything one needed for a wedding, all painstakingly created and brought to her by those horrible six ponies.

The memories of the day she had spent played out before her, from eating disgusting sweets made by that farmer, to listening to that arrogant fashion designer, and the pink pony. Crazy pink reality altering pony she corrected herself. The mere memory of that one gave her such a headache she sat down on the bed. Still that one wasn’t the worst of her problems, once walked away from she was gone unlike somepony else.

“Why isn’t she here yet?” She winced at the sudden noise bouncing inside her head.

“Oh be quiet and wait. I don’t need her to get suspicious about why her niece is talking to herself. Are you really sure you can take control of her? I have no trouble controlling you after all.” Chrysalis growled at the invasive voice. Ever since she had saved Nightmare moon from the ruins in the Everfree the spirit had quickly regained her intelligence, she suspected by somehow slightly leeching of her own power despite her precautions.

And that wasn’t the only problem. Levitating a pillow at random she frowned at the green aura surrounding it, her shape shifting should mask the true color of her magic, but no longer.

“A foreign body and my own are two completely different matters. You would have known this if you’d just let me retake her last night.”

“Don’t test my patience Nightmare, just do as you’re told and we both get what we want.”

“And after that?”

Studying her hoof the pause continued for several moments. “After that we will reconsider our positions.”

“Trust me I will…” the grating presence in her head faded temporarily, along with the ill hidden threat, signaling that at least for now the alicorn was done speaking. Without saying it they both knew that the second Nightmare Moon regained her freedom she would attempt to establish her eternal night once more.

Walking over to the window, giving Chrysalis an amazingly clear view of the entire city, together with that foul barrier she smiled at the thought of the crazed alicorn believing she would pose a threat.

Closing her eyes she felt the magic ripple through her, connecting her to one of her officers. Opening her subject’s eyes the serene view of Canterlot was replaced by the cold, damp refuge of a cave. She urged her commander to shift gaze to the back of the cave, obligating her impulse a huge giant wave of living darkness appeared. Urging him to light up his horn he obliged once more, the light reflecting on the carcasses of the wave, showing it to be an army of changelings pressed together in the cramp confines of the cave, ever shifting and pulsating as they moved around. Yes, that should be enough.

Severing the connection between herself and her officer, Chrysalis returned to her own body just in time to hear somepony knocking. Hadn’t she said she was not to be disturbed?

“Cadence, it’s Luna. May I enter?” Ah, that would explain it.

She couldn’t help but shake her head at the idea of someone of Luna’s power asking for permission. “Please come in aunt.”

Watching the regal alicorn take a few uncertain steps inside she mentally rolled her eyes; pony society was so different from her own. To imagine royalty showing uncertainty in front of what in essence was their lesser, princess or not Cadence wore nothing more than a glorified title when standing beneath the shadow of Celestia and Luna.

“Aunt Luna, I’m so glad you could come, do you want the servants to fetch something? You look tired” Luna’s eyes were sagging, and she had already suppressed several yawns from entering

Sighing she sat down next to Cadence, not far enough to be insulting but neither was she close to her by any means.

“I’m sorry but I been forced to settle some issues today, my duties left me more drained than I imagined.”

“Really? What could leave you so tired, surely you and Aunt Celestia haven’t had a fight?” She laughed, not failing to notice the hardened line of Luna’s mouth or her tensed up position, interesting.

Sighing Luna relaxed, rubbing her eyes. “My sister and I have our differences but that’s between us. It’s the night guard. I have promoted fifteen new recruits, meaning that I had to imbue their armor. It’s a taxing experience to change a pony’s appearance and enchant their senses, but I should have recovered by nightfall.”

“I understand.” She replied calmly, internally screaming. This was her chance; she wouldn’t have a weakened Luna alone like this again before tomorrow.

Reaching out with a hoof for a friendly tap at the shoulder Lunas eyes widened in alarm as she practically flew out from the bed, away from Chrysalis grasping hoof.

“Cadence, what?” She appeared as surprised by her reaction as Chrysalis.

That idiot! First now she felt the alicorns power struggling to break out of her hold, spreading a chill to her very bones. Luna must have unconsciously felt the remnants of Nightmare moon and jumped away.

“Cadence, I think we should go to my sister and talk, something is wrong here.” Alright perhaps she was wrong, Luna might be very conscious of what she had evaded.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, there’s nothing wrong.” She said edging closer, reaching out for Luna only for the shadows around the alicorn to condescend and slap her hoof away.

“Don’t move an inch Cadence, in this I will not be denied. Exactly what is going on here?” Her eyes began turning white, her horn turning azure with awakened power.

Flinching at the power displayed Chrysalis rallied, taking one more step forward, head hung low. “Auntie, don’t you trust me?” She said, faking her best hurt expression as she struggled to contain the spirit inside.

“By the moon, your eyes.”

Swinging her head to the mirror Chrysalis starred aghast, her eyes had returned to their original emerald color, and already she could see the fire every changeling used to transform gnawing at the tip of her tail. The internal struggle of keeping Nightmare Moon in bounds had now somehow disturbed her very most basic power.

Already she could see Luna readying herself. The pressure in the room increasing as her full might was prepared, but she had one last card to play.

Concentrating her magic the fire spread out from her tail, overtaking the rest of her body, the crackle of the blaze accompanied by Lunas startled cry. Stepping out of the inferno that had held her Chrysalis towered above Luna, flaring out her wide white wings, she watched the alicorn with a face of deepest disappointment.

“Planning to hurt your own family? I am so disappointed Luna, I wish you never returned.”

“Wha, Celestia? No, no I’m not like that!” She cried out, her widened eyes turning back into teal, the magic at the tip of her horn disappearing while she begun backing away towards the door, the image of her sister following.

“So disappointed”

“But you’re-“ With a jump Chrysalis pinned down Luna and held her, the princess of the night too shocked to be attacked by her own sister to retaliate for a moment, which was all she needed.

“Now” she hissed and for the first time Nightmare Moon obliged her words. Out from her hoofs a thick, dark, fog like substance came out, traveling down toeards Luna and passing right through her skin. Crying out, Chrysalis pressed her leg against Luna’s mouth, struggling to keep her pinned down. The alicorns eyes bulged out, her entire body going into spasms, hitting Chrysalis with several kicks. Gritting through the pain she endured her grip until the last essence of Nightmare moon had entered her and with a last shivering breath Luna passed out.

Staggering back, clutching her stomach, Chrysalis revealed in the sensation of heat rushing back to that cold core Nightmare Moon had been residing at.

Seeing Lunas eyes fluttering she quickly changed back into the form of Cadence, just in time as Luna opened her eyes seconds later, awkwardly getting up on her feet. Still in shock, or perhaps not used to having a body to control any longer. Was this truly Luna she was looking at now, and if it was would she remember what happened seconds ago?

“Ugh, Why am I on the floor? And is it merely me or has it gotten chilly?” She said surprised, which Chrysalis was sure she was. For the being meant to dominion the cold night itself it must be a surprising sensation.

“You fainted Aunt, perhaps you should go and rest for now? You must have overexerted yourself with your guards today, we can talk after the wedding.” Placing a hoof on Luna’s shoulder the alicorn flinched but relaxed shortly afterwards, now that the presence of Nightmare Moon was no longer inside Chrysalis she felt nothing.

“Perhaps you’re right, still it’s strange that I would faint. Perhaps I am still weaker than I thought; we have to meet another day Cadence. I had hoped to talk with you properly before the wedding tomorrow but that obviously have to wait, I wish you a pleasant day.” Without waiting for a response Luna left the room, the last glimpse of her Chrysalis could catch before the door closed was of her shivering.

Alone again Chrysalis dropped down on the bed with a long sigh of relief, recalling just how close that had been, if Luna had remembered anything she would have been done for. Now all she had to do was hope that Nightmare Moon could hinder Luna from attending the wedding tomorrow, and Celestia… She would have to improvise that one she thought with a frown. Yet she’d have an army of changelings backing her up, but the ponies had their own forces.

“Of course, I have other means” she mumbled as the familiar sensation of her newly acquired servant approaching entered her mind, knocking and opening the door she didn’t even need to look at him. No proper red uniform or blue mane was needed for her to know who it was.

Stalking towards she softly stroked his mane, “Ah, my husband, came for me to cure your headache again?” Without waiting for an answer an emerald glow enveloped her horn, she watched with pleasure as her spell enveloped the head of Shining Armor.

“You know dear I believe you need another pet name, one that shows exactly what you mean to me. Don’t you think so, my little battery?”

]

Sweet dreams

Hauling up her legs, step after step, it felt more like climbing a mountain than walking down a simple corridor towards her rooms. Lowering her head she snapped up again, shaking off the dizziness while trying to huddle herself closer to herself, an impossible effort as the shivers passing through her proved.

This didn’t make sense, how could she freeze, and faint in front of somepony else? The memory would have brought a small blush if not for the cold, all it did now was bring a bit of natural color to her face.

Passing the guards without a word she dragged herself towards her bed, it was still the middle of the day and she had some time to sleep before it was her turn to stand watch. Closing her eyes with a sigh the clattering of her teeth was soon replaced by calm breathing. And then the nightmares began.

_________________________________________________________________________

“So Captain, how exactly did you get stuck in there?”

“Not in the mood private!” Breeze snapped back, practically fuming, a small part of her pointed out she’d laugh at all this in a few days, that was then though and now was now. It had taken nearly a whole day before anyone noticed she was gone. If not for one of the cleverer, newly made guards remembering never having seen her leave the chamber she’d most likely still be there, speaking of clever recruits.

“Get to the barracks and tell the officer to give the private pointing out you guys forgetting me in there some of the more pleasant guard posts this week,” Breeze said to the guard beside her.

“Wouldn’t it be better if you did that captain?”

“Perhaps but I’m captain and therefore can tell you to do the errands, come on jump to it” she added with emphasis. Nodding in satisfaction at the sound of hooves scurrying away in the opposite direction towards the barracks she headed another way.

Now, how to tell her that those doors must be redesigned Breeze thought, making her way towards her boss’s quarters, raising an eyebrow at seeing the door completely unguarded, again. Sighing, she recalled Lunas earlier outburst at this exact thing, yet better to deal with this now than be assaulted in her office again. When this was over she would assault two guards for sure though.

Knocking she waited a few seconds before trying again, still no response. Frowning she wondered if Luna had already woken up, it was just a few hours into twilight so it seemed unlikely.

“And a third time for luck” She muttered, smashing the door violently.

“Do not disturb me!” A voice echoed from inside, almost identical to Lunas.

“You alright Princess? I’m coming in”

“I told you to leave you idiot!” Luna screeched, shrugging her shoulders Breeze turned to leave.

“Wait! Come in, captain” Looking around in confusion, wondering if anypony was pulling her leg she reached for the door again.

“Leave!” Enter!” Two voices spoke at once, joining into each other with equal amounts of command and desperation. Hesitating for a second Breeze glanced at her armor, Luna had told her that the night guard was created to protect Equestria from any threats, no matter who it came from. A rambling goddess princess seemed to fit the bill.

Throwing open the door Breeze stumbled at the sight, barely having the mental awareness to close the doors before anypony else saw.

The space in front of her was held in control by a foggy hurricane, the blue haze enveloping the entirety of the room except for the small patch she stood on, shifting and changing position constantly in a dizzying pattern of stars. Hesitating for a second Breeze pushed forwards.

It felt like diving under water, the further she got the more effort it took, she felt the pressure beginning to build up in her ears. Taking a deep breath there was suddenly no air to take in, gasping for air and with nothing but the azure haze slugging down her every moment she might as well really be submerged.

Just as darkness began to cloud her vision she took one last step forwards and fell through the haze into the eye of the storm. Gratefully gasping for air Breeze took a moment to observe her spot of respite.

Even though she couldn’t have taken more than ten steps forward she couldn’t make out anything past the whirlwind of mist, as for within the circle there was nothing to make out besides the cold stone floor, and the raging tempest of a Goddess.

Luna’s mane and tail were no longer contained windows into the night sky, the glass was smashed and the night sky was rushing out endlessly from them, writhing and weaving as more and more joined the storm containing the two of them.

Raising her head from the ground Luna regarded her captain for what felt like an eternity, the malice in her eyes stealing Breezes breath away.

“I told you not to come you worthless-” Hiding her face Luna took several deep breaths before returning her gaze again, the pure grief making Breezes eyes water this time.

“Captain, I need you to get me out of the city. It’s no longer safe for me to stay here.” Luna winced and for a second her pupils turned into slits before returning to their regular form.

“Wait... Just wait here and I get help and I be back before you-”

“I gave you an order” Luna said calmly, a voice Breeze had followed for several month.

“But I don’t understand, what’s going on here? How am I to get you out with all this around us,” Breeze waved a hoof towards the azure mist, “why did you tell me to go before, why can’t I bring a doctor and-”

“Captain you’re rambling, again.” Massaging her head Luna let out a soft smile, “Trust me, and follow my orders. I explain once we’re outside the city” Drawing in a deep breath the mist surrounding them began to spin the other way, slowly slipping back into Lunas tail and mane until the room was clear again and the chill gone from the air.

Panting heavily Luna got up on wobbly legs, not slow on the uptake Breeze positioned herself beneath her, allowing Luna to get a grip around her. Looking back with a worried eye at her burden she had to wonder if she could take the unaccustomed weight and body mass, a regular pony wouldn’t have been a problem but Luna was larger than a regular one.

“I heard last years winner of the young flyers competition won while carrying four ponies at once.” Raising her eye at such a ridiculous claim Breeze nevertheless flexed her wings in preparation. Accounting for the body weight itself she should be able to handle Luna, what worried her was carrying someone so large would mess up her balance. That was one concern, but looking around she realized that wasn’t even the first concern.

“Eh, how do we get out?” A bolt of lightning shot out from Luna's horn, obliterating the glass between them and open air.

“Oh, that works, hold on.” Walking over to the ledge with the weight of Luna dragging between her she leaned hesitantly past the edge, regarding the distance to the ground. A few moments passed before she shook her head and set her sights on sky, what was she, a young filly out for her first flight? No, she was the captain of the night guard and if she couldn’t even fly while carrying her ruler then she deserved to crash, damn it!

And with that somber thought Breeze jumped, flexing her muscles to unfold her wings she felt how Luna’s position had slipped, part of her body effectively holding one of her wings down. Flapping furiously with one wing they were sent in a dizzying spiral rapidly heading downwards. Shifting her body in a struggle to free her wing Luna’s body slid away enough for her to get it out, after a few moments of struggle she managed to get Luna safely balanced on her back again. All this while Luna hadn’t made a sound, the only sign of life was her grip around Breezes neck tightening. If what had happened before hadn’t been enough to make her concerned she was definitively so now, the Luna she knew of would definitely have made a comment by now.

With her own armor and Luna’s natural colors the pair melted into the darkness, shielding them from the eyes of any Royal guards out on patrol. Nevertheless Breeze flew as close to the buildings as she dared, searching for any traces of her own guard out on patrol. Whether it was dumb luck or her own efforts at stealth she had no idea but they reached the barrier surrounding the city without further incidents.

Hearing a light buzzing sound she looked back to see Luna's horn glowing, a space opening in the barrier large enough for them to pass. Not wasting anytime Breeze soared through it, the hole closing behind them.

A hoof reached past her head, “Past that hill there’s a clearing, go,” Luna wheezed the words as if she had just run a marathon. Nodding in response Breeze set out, doing her best to ignore the chilling sensation at her back, concentrating on getting there as quickly as possible.

A few minutes later Breeze landed in the clearing, allowing herself a moment to appreciate the sight. The trees surrounding them made an effective barrier for anypony trying not to be seen, through the clearing there flowed a small river pouring cheerfully. Looking around for a few more seconds Breeze headed for a cluster of flowers, carefully putting Luna down, grateful at the warmth returning to her body as she let her go.

Luna’s hair slowly started leaking again; Breeze could feel the chill even from where she stood. She had once wondered if Luna ever felt like cutting her hair, now she wondered if the scissors wouldn’t freeze and break when attempting to cut through.

Opening her eyes Breeze almost jumped, one eye was the normal eye she’d seen so many times, the other one was colder, the eye of a snake staring accusingly at her.

“Captain” Luna’s voice carried with it an undertone of something else again, another voice mingling with hers, “I need you to kill me.”

Breeze sat down dumbly on her hindquarters, “What, this some kind of joke Princess?” She smiled, she had heard rumors about Celestia, perhaps it ran in the family.

“Attention Captain!” Jumping up, aligning her hooves and raising a hoof in an automatic salute Breezes smile dropped. “We’re not alone, you heard of Nightmare Moon I presume.”

Upon Breezes nod the air grew noticeably even chillier, the light growing duller as from the midnight blue mist a form started forming, building up from one hoof, a wing until a pony the same size as Celestia towered above Luna.

“Sweet mother of Celestia!” Breeze couldn’t rip her sight away from those eyes; they were glued on Luna with the absolute ravenous desire of a predator. With a wave of her hoof the apparition disappeared again.

“That is my foe. I cannot be certain I emerge victorius, I will not risk Equestria facing Nightmare Moon a third time.”

“I couldn’t-”

“You can and you will obey Captain!” Luna roared, “You swore an oath, you will follow it. You have no idea what would have happened hadn’t the elements of harmony stopped me.”

“That’s right, the elements-”

“Got lucky, they might not have a chance to gather the elements a second time, now do it!”

Slowly stepping forward Breeze hesitantly placed her hooves on Luna’s slender neck; Luna sighed in content and closed her eyes, awaiting her end. Her heart beating furiously Breeze sighed, resigning herself to her fate, removing her hooves.

Luna's eyes shot up, staring incredulously at her. “What do you think you’re doing, if you won’t do your duty I will Captain!”

Turning her back to Luna, Breeze walked a few feet’s away and settled down nicely in the grass. “Princess I’m not stupid, I won’t even try to pretend I understand what’s really going on, some childhood monster showing up, but if you could have died you would have done it already without trying to force me to do it. I just wait here until you calmed down.”

I-” Luna’s eyelids started to fall down, biting her hoof so sharply that she drew blood they shot up again. “Then you may very well have doomed Equestria if I fail.”

Breeze made a long exaggerated yawn, “Yup, but I figure since I’m here I be the first one to regret it, and so nopony can punch me for it afterwards. But I trust you princess; you’re the one paying my bills after all, if you can’t trust your boss who can you? So, goodnight, sweet dreams I hope.”

Luna sighed, her eyelids drawing down again, “Then pray. Pray that your trust wasn’t misplaced, Breeze.” Her eyes finally closed, her body growing still. Watching her, the irregular breathing, her face grimacing and eyelids fluttering Breeze saw all the symptoms of a nightmare. Yet she couldn’t help but smile, it was the first time Luna called her by name.

Opening her eyes Luna looked around with weary eyes. The forest was gone, an entire field of dark blue grass enfolded before her as far as she could see. The full moon gave the field an eerie appearance, and the night sky was equally devoid of anything else, not a single star was up.

Without warning the ground shook beneath her hooves, trees sprouting out behind her, to her sides the ground shattered and sunk down in a torrent of stone, a crevice forming around her and a bridge appearing from nothing, then finally with an ear splitting groan stone emerged from the soft ground. Luna gasped as she recognized it; it was her and Celestias old castle, now a decrepit ruin in the Everfree forest.

Waiting for a few moments with no other sign of something happening she began climbing up the stairs and enter the corridor, the stone was polished to a fault, the walls lined with items of arts, some being paintings and other statues elaborately made. Throughout the corridor she could smell the nostalgic odor of tar; the torches lined alongside the walls extinguished for now. Another thing not used anymore she reflected as she walked past the wide opened gates into the throne room.

Where last she had seen the twisted bars of the windows, wines climbing up the pillars and spider webs of cracks littering the stone there was now no sign of age. The windows were whole, each side showing her and Celestia respectively to be joined together on the last window behind the throne, the pillars were without a speck of dirt and the floor was whole.

And at the end of the room, the floor raising up a few steps a single throne stood, even without a closer look she knew exactly how it looked. Carved out of a single block of obsidian, a single onyx gemstone was placed on it, dark, cold and hard. Just like the mare sitting on it.

“This can’t be, how are you here?” Luna whispered, paling significantly. Nightmare Moon faded nearly perfectly into the dark throne, the silver laid armor serving to define her features. Dark, purple like haze served as hair, much like Luna’s, showing the night sky within. And those snake like eyes never left her for a second, the message in them was clear, kill and consume.

“Now now Luna, did you believe that I was gone for good, really?” Leaving her throne the alicorn slowly made her way towards Luna, even when leaving the podium she towered above Luna as Celestia always did. The irony did not escape Luna.

“A thousand years and nothing has changed. Tell me what you have done these past two years, no let me guess, you have studied the thousand years of knowledge you lack.” Nightmare Moon chuckled darkly at Luna’s expression, “Yes, I know. Learning all about our precious subjects, reforming to their ways when they should follow ours, watching their disgusting bastardisation of our former festival.” Her ethereal mane grew larger, electricity sparking throughout it. Stepping a few steps back Luna readied her stance, and then the mane went back, the sparks fading.

“You have studied for these past two years, no doubt for Celestia to have you out of her hair,” She continued as if nothing had happened. “So how long do you think this will continue, how long before you are allowed just the minimum power you were allowed one millennia ago, another year, two, ten, one thousand?”

“Be silent. I will not betray my sister a second time, no matter what you say.” Lunas voice quavered, her mind furiously searching for answers, it was impossible for Nightmare Moon to be here.

Nightmare Moon raised an eyebrow, “Wait, you thought that I was trying to convince you?” She let out a soft laughter, “Oh no, I’m not here to try to convince you of anything Luna. I’m here to take what’s rightfully mine, a body, Equestria and my night, by force.”

Without further warning she leaped at her, jumping away at the last moment Luna shot a bolt of lightning towards her. Countering it with one of her own Nightmare Moon leaped for her once more, bracing herself Luna dived beneath her legs, turning on her back she kicked upwards with all her might. Nightmare Moon was thrown up, landing on the floor with her back first, picking herself up from the floor wheezing and coughing while Luna braced herself.

Eyeing each other carefully Luna considered her options, she couldn’t risk a physical contest between them, she was severely lacking in size and reach if it came to that. Judging by the other alicorns calculating stare she had reached the same conclusion, circling each other both waited for a chance.

A shadow fell over her, looking back Lunas jaw fell wide open. An enormous timber wolf growled at her, hearing the distinct crackle of magic Luna realized her mistake even before she was struck by the magic, being thrown through the wolf splattering wood she gasped in pain when she hit the wall. Groaning Luna picked herself up, the fur around her chest smoldering, the burnt flesh making her wrinkle her nose in disgust. Before she could regain her posture another fell over her, seeing Nightmare Moon stomping down at her she barely raised her own hooves up in time before she was pushed down by the force, managing to protect her neck from being crushed at the last second. Nightmare Moon exerted more force, slowly pushing Lunas hooves down, black spots started to appear before her eyes. Staring up at the ceiling Luna felt the weight of failure, soon all of Equestria would be under the threat of Nightmare Moon again, she wondered what would happen with Canterlot. Would its buildings become as forgotten and brittle like this castles had become, wait, brittle?

Throwing herself up she managed to raise her head slightly, firing of a furious barrage of magic before she was pushed down again.

“What, was that meant to hit me?” Nightmare Moon laughed, her laugh froze as a sharp sound pierced the air. Looking up the weakened roof gave way and crashed down towards them.

In the brief moment she froze up Luna pushed away her hooves and sent a blast of lightning sending Nightmare Moon flying away, swiftly changing the focus of her power Luna barely made it in time to form a shield. Flinching as the stone battered her barrier it was over as suddenly as it had began, expanding her barrier slightly she cleared the debris. Dust filled the room making it impossible to see, trying to take a step forward she felt something holding her hoofs in place, glancing down Lunas eyes widened, her legs were encased in stone. This didn’t make sense, suddenly something Breeze had said flashed before her, sweet dreams… Sighing Luna shook her head, a self mocking smile adorning her face, the signs had been there from the start, how had she not seen them?

“I’m such a fool.”

Turning towards a sudden sound the dust was blown away by a burst of wind, revealing Nightmare Moon charging horn first towards her. Well, what to do Luna thought calmly as she took a step forward, the stone offering no resistance.

The floor turned to ice and Nightmare Moon skated past her, desperately trying to gain her balance, it was then that the dreaded Nightmare Moon with a definite non terrifying yelp landed on her behinds.

Chuckling at the sight Luna next set her sights on the remains of the roof, it was really quite a bother wasn’t it? Without further ado the rest scattered into dust, revealing the beautiful night sky in full, the stars back in place. Now that was much better.

From the sky a large storm cloud descended towards Nightmare Moon, sparking with electricity as it surrounded her entirely. Turning around Luna remembered the cloud prank she had done towards Rainbow Dash on Nightmare Night, same principle, vastly different results she thought absently as she gave the cloud a strong kick, setting of the energy inside.

A deafening boom resonated between the walls, followed by several more as flash after flash left even Luna, with back turned and eyes closed, disoriented by the lightning show.

The last wisps of cloud fluttered away, revealing an orb of black. Dissipating Nightmare Moon stepped out, panting visibly, giving Luna a venomous glare.

“So you finally realized, is this how we will fight now, fantasies and mind games?”

“Yes, I finally remembered, I admit your presence made me lose my bearings. Now I remember, I’m asleep, and for us dreams are something tangible, something real, you should know that. You wish to overtake me in my dreams? Very well, then be prepared to face chaos not even Discord himself would be able to repeat!” The walls crumbled around them, the trees outside degrading into saplings and the crevice filling up until they stood on the same grassy field Luna had seen when she fell asleep. The next moment sharp holed stones speared up. Nightmare moon jumped up just before one impaled her, with another flick of her mind Luna manipulated the dreams once more, summoning a powerful gust of wind, crashing the alicorn back to the ground, creating a haunting melody as the wind sounded throughout the stone. Ready to impale her the last stone refused to come up, her enemy preventing her full control over her dream.

“You call this beyond the mad king? You’re a fool.”

“This is a battle of the mind, one slip and you’re lost, pay attention.” Without further warning the ground collapsed, sending them spiraling downwards into the abyss. Watching Nightmare Moons shocked expression was enough to make Luna smirk. Lighting her horn she sent an array of bolts of magic, lightning strikes and pulsating lines of shadow blending into the dark towards her, throwing up her defenses Nightmare Moon blocked them all, emitting pained grunts as her barrier withstood the barrage of assaults.

Just as Nightmare Moon was able to get her bearings and turn towards Luna, ready to answer in return, she slammed into the ground, wings spread out Luna landed softly next to her, a bandana of darkness covering her eyes. As soon as Luna landed from the night sky a thousand small points of brilliant white light swarmed over Nightmare Moon, searing the entire field in a piercing light.

A shriek of pain followed, waiting for a few seconds Luna removed the shadows to see the fallen alicorn clutching her eyes, shrieking even louder as Lunas shadow fell over here.

“Are you so pained by my saviors? It was the stars that helped me return to Equestria while I was still Nightmare Moon.”

“I was released!” Nightmare Moon shrieked, “I will make them see my night, Celestia deserves to die!” As her horn light up Luna simply slammed her face down cutting short any retaliation attempts.

“Do hear yourself speak? You sound like a child throwing a tantrum, and I believe to know why, I had time to think. You keep referring to the past as if you did it alone, yet I have a livid memory of everything I did, not as an observer, but as an actor, then there’s this. How could you claim to be a ruler of the night without being able to control a single dream with anything less than your futile attempts, even less hinder my attempts in any meaningful way?

“… What are you saying?” A shiver of doubt entered her voice.

“You’re a fake. You are far too weak, too inexperienced in dream walking and you’re memories and personality are lacking, I figure someone found you and brought you to me.” As on command the throne room they been in before sprung up around them, “Residues of the power and emotions washed away by the elements perhaps, Nightmare Moon is no otherworldly, corrupting force that controlled me all those years.” Luna leaned closer towards her opponent, whose eyes had started to recover, Lunas form changing as she did so, her hair growing more like shadows, her skin darkening and her pupils shrinking. “I am Nightmare Moon, just as I am Luna.” Leaning back the change disappeared as sudden as it had come, “You’re evidently not, now you shall tell me who brought you here, and why.” Something in Lunas tone made it clear this was not a request.

“And that is all.” The fake Nightmare Moon muttered, head hanging.

“I see… I have heard that Cadence has been acting differently from her usual self, I been assuming it was just nerves.” Turning around Luna rubbed her chin, “A changeling, and a queen at that. This is a dangerous situation we found ourselves in, a queen is never far away from her hive. Now as for you,” Turning around again Luna stared into a fanged, glistening jaw.

The morning sun had come climbed up on the sky, shining its gold on the meadow, the plants all flourishing and drinking its nourishment, revealing the emerald colors of the leaves and the river sparkling like diamond, and one pony barely able to suppress a yawn. It had been several hours since Luna went asleep, the color of her coat and mane changing between midnight blue and black as she waited, Lunas face switching between fear and triumph. And still despite what was going on in Lunas mind Breeze couldn’t help being slightly jealous of her, to have a nightmare you had to sleep.

Casting a longing gaze towards Canterlot, a view blocked by the trees, she wondered how the wedding was going, they had to have started the ceremony by now, if not finished. She hoped some thoughtful pony had smuggled out at least a piece of the cake for her.

Shaking her head Breeze bent down and snatched up a mouthful of grass, chewing desperately to keep awake. That wasn’t a problem as a groan sent her up on her feet, the missed sleep forgotten as Luna began to stir. The fight of colors had yet to wane though, and as Luna got up on shaky legs she grew larger, her coat turning obsidian and with a grunt fangs sprang out.

“Damn it,” Breeze whispered as a telekinetic aura enveloped her and brought her face to face with Nightmare Moon, it was then that an explosion of color occurred. Forcing her head around she could see how a pink barrier exploded outwards from the direction of the city, forcing countless spots of black flying outwards at an impossible speed, thousands upon thousands of them.

Following their flight they flew past them at such a speed she could barely make out anything more than an occasional wing and horn, Nightmare Moon was following them just as diligently.

After they all had passed, without further ado, the alicorn spread her wings, struggling to get out Breeze could do nothing but feel the discomforting feeling of hanging high in the air without the slightest control of her wings. Sighing she stopped struggling, she had no idea what was quite going on but she wasn’t dead yet, in her books that was a plus.

Groaning in pain Chrysalis opened her eyes, staring in agony at the broken tree she had hurtled through. It was only thanks to her chitin that she hadn’t been gutted by a stray branch, looking around she was grateful to see that at first glance the same applied towards her changelings.

She had no idea where they were, in a forest of some kind. The area was full of splintered trees and branches, about twenty changelings having ended up with her, all apparently intact, though if they were still alive she couldn’t tell. Trying to stand up she felt a resistance, noticing with a noise of disgust how the field was a muddy mess, heaving herself up with a disgusting plop the mud let her go she tried to recall what just had happened. She remembered the euphoria of besting Celestia, securing her victory by capturing the elements of harmony and then… Her pet and Cadence had been surrounded by more love she had ever felt and then… It had exploded. Chrysalis hissed, she remembered now, more love than any of her changelings, or even her, could process at once was projected outwards, driving them out and scattering them all over Equestria. There was no telling of how long it would take to gather them all up, how many had survived. The only positive thing she could think of was that she wouldn’t be the one to deal with Nightmare Moon now.

“Chrysalis.” A shadow fell over her and a second later Nightmare Moon landed before her, holding a guard pony tightly in a telekinetic grip, who she was surprised seemed to be taking it all rather calmly. All traces of weakness from the ruins were gone from the alicorn, her dark coat stood starkly out against the sunny day, her hair a small piece of night. Sighing, Chrysalis stood up straight, standing face to face with a being she had foolishly released.

“So you come to finish me then I take it?” Chrysalis was surprised to find she wasn’t particularly bitter, she had rolled the dice and lost. It was as simple as that.

The alicorn eyed the area, the broken trees and the strewed out changelings before returning her attention to Chrysalis. “What have you done to Cadence, Celestia and the elements of harmony? They would never have allowed you invade willingly.”

Chrysalis raised an eyebrow, “Why do you-“seeing the change in the alicorns eyes Chrysalis quickly changed her mind, “I hid Cadence her in the caves beneath Canterlot. Except some dirt she is fine, you know I had hoped for her power over love to help feed my subjects. Look how well that went. She threw us out and I freed something that will now kill me and who knows how many more.” She chuckled, it sounding more akin to a sob than anything. “As for the others, captured but alive. I was so close to success, only to have it all fail and you coming for me now.”

“You never freed Nightmare Moon, she left those ruins long ago.” Chrysalis eyes widened, as the black mane changed to midnight blue, the excess flesh disappearing into mist as Nightmare Moon shrunk down until Luna stood there, not a single trace of Nightmare Moon left in her.

“But how-“Suddenly caught in a telekinetic grip she was brutally forced down to Lunas eye height, and she did not like what she saw.

“You’re a fool Changeling queen, did you honestly believe that out of the blue an alicorn, thousands of years old, was overtaken by some kind of unknown spirit?” She loosened her grip, sending Chrysalis down into the ground. Looking up Luna loomed over her, looking much more threatening Nightmare Moon had ever done.

“It was all me. I was a misguided fool, yet it was all within my control. My war, the deaths caused by it on my conscience, my choice. I risked everything for what I believed in, and luckily I failed and the elements of harmony gave me one more chance, freeing me from my hate filled mind, but…” Leaning down towards Chrysalis their eyes were a centimeter apart, Lunas eyes turning dark with memories of the past, “If I did all those things for a foolish cause, exactly how far do you expect I be willing to go for a worthy one?”

For Chrysalis it felt like an eternity passed by as she experienced something she wasn’t familiar with, she was being judged. Then a voice broke through, “You know princess, you could have said you were still you at once instead of going all big, black and scary on me before, almost had a heart attack.”

“Not the most opportune time Captain,” Luna sighed, breaking away her gaze. “If it makes you more comfortable the transformation then was beyond my control, the fake tried one last assault, which temporarily led to my body changing.”

Chrysalis ears perked up, “What are you two talking about, what fake?”

“You still don’t comprehend? The Nightmare Moon you met was nothing more than a lump of magic, a few memories and hatred and greed the elements of harmony expelled from me. A fake, a dangerous fake I admit which could have become something much more had I failed, but now that’s not a problem.”

“You killed her then?” Chrysalis mood lifted slightly; at least that annoying thing was gone.

“No, that would have been foolish of me. She was once a part of me, to destroy her would have been to deny everything I had done, a convenient scapegoat for me to blame it all on.” Luna tapped her chest, “She’s here now, back to where she belongs, a part of me forever more.”

“So now what? You cannot absorb me.”

“True,” Luna conceded, “If I still called myself Nightmare Moon I would kill you right here and be done with it.” Casting a hard glance at Chrysalis she frowned, “Truth be told I much rather do so, you have caused no small discomfort to myself, not to mention how much damage you caused towards Canterlot. However, you are a queen.” She sighed, “I believe we both know what would happen to your changelings if you disappeared.

Chrysalis glanced at the changelings, some had began to stir but it still be some time before any of them were in any condition to move, and if she was dead? Yes, she knew exactly what happen. “Civil war” She simply said, “My commanders will divide into factions, they will scour the world for love without restraint while fighting between themselves, all until one last victor stands and enough power has been collected for the victor to morph into the next queen. By the time they are done I expect.” Chrysalis stopped, mumbling to herself, tilting her head slightly, deep in thought. “Actually I got no idea of how many ponies would die, the hive has grown much larger than during the time of my ascent, somewhere in the tens of thousands? Possible hundreds”

Luna nodded gravely, “Yes, it’s for that exact reason killing you would be foolish, even now you done far less damage than your hive would do without your leadership, as much I loathe saying so. Therefore I’m letting you go. However if you ever try something like this again, perhaps it be safer to simply eradicate your kind once and for all.”

Chrysalis laughed, “Oh, if it was that simple my kind kind would have died out long ago. It’s not only ponies who have reason to fear us. Nevertheless I agree, I’m in no position to bargain and wish I never had this blasted idea.” She said getting up, reaching out her hoof Luna reached out her own, shaking it together.

“A last word of caution Changeling queen. One day not far from now when you sleep I will visit you, then we can have a proper conversation. For now gather your changelings before they can cause any unnecessary harm, or they be caught and punished by us.” Spreading her wings Luna launched upwards dragging her captain along with her, the sound of her whinnying ending abruptly as Luna released her and they flew together towards the direction Canterlot.

Hearing a gasp of pain Chrysalis walked towards the first of her changeling waking up, looking up at her queen with hazy eyes filled with devotion and love, sitting down in the mud Chrysalis scooped up the changeling in her arms, sending out a trickle of love for him to feed on.

“Queen, what happened?” He whispered, his eyes growing clearer.

“Hush little one, rest now, you earned it. We have a lot of work ahead of us.”

“Come on Princess, after all this I believe I earn it after all” Breeze protested as they approached Canterlot, the barrier now gone.

“Captain for the thousandth time I cannot double your pay for you simply doing your job.” Luna replied tensely.

“Awh, I missed both a chance of a raise and the cake? But Luna maybe if you go and check if the weeding is still happening you might save a piece of the wedding cake for me? I call us even then.” Breeze said

“Captain you cannot call me by-“ Stopping midsentence Luna shook her head and smiled, “Very well Breeze. I will do my utmost to procure some cake for you.”

“Great! I go and check up with the night guard in the meantime, there be a lot of stuff to take care of the following weeks I bet so make it a big slice, extra large if possible.” She said and turned towards the guard barracks.

“Breeze,” Luna said the moment before Breeze speeded of, “I just want to say, thank you. I don’t know what would have happened without you.”

“Look here Luna, get me that cake and we’re even. Now go and enjoy the rest of the party, think I see them down there.”

Looking down Luna could see it was true; the wedding had vacated the premises of the castle and moved out to the gardens, the celebrations in full swing. Looking up again Breeze had disappeared, no doubt keeping her word to take care of her duties. Sweeping lower Luna sighed in relief when she saw Celestia together with all of the elements of harmony unharmed, both glad to see them alive as to their expressions. Judging by them the damage to Canterlot couldn’t have been as severe as she had feared. Putting on her most innocent expression Luna landed softly down next to Celestia.

“Hello everypony, did I miss anything?”

Author's Note

In all honesty I'm starting to believe I wrote this thing solely to have some fun with a fight scene, funny how that goes.

Anyhow if anybody been following this I'm sorry for being such a slowpoke with updating, think I write a few chapters to stay ahead of my own laziness next time.