Stars In Moonlight

In the dream realm….

Moonlight was calmly walking through a moonlit forest and came upon a pond, though when she looked into it, it didn’t show her reflection. It instead showed a rather dark looking version of her, a corrupted image.

“Night Sky!” Moonlight cried in shock, backing away as the figure emerged from the pond

“Hello, Sister.” Night Sky spoke, her voice strangled but deep with power. “It’s been, what? 4-5 years since you locked me away?”

“H-How did you-” Moonlight was about to finish before being cut off

“Escape? Simple. You used dream magic again, allowing me to manifest. Although, I must say it was not the most pleasant experience.” Night Sky calmly walked closer towards the shaken pegasus. “And this time I am more than just your imagination. I’ll see you when you wake.” Night sky then vanished into thin air.

Moonlight was left to ponder what Night sky had meant but knew that it wouldn’t be the last she saw the demented shadow.

That morning….

Moonlight woke up with a stretch, and as she did, her shadow shifted on the wall. Moonlight then heard a voice from what sounded like behind her and turned her around.

“Hello, Moonlight,” Night Sky spoke from Moonlight’s shadow.

“So that’s what you meant.” Moonlight said, annoyed. “So what’s your deal? Come to torment me?” Moonlight questioned.

“Of course not, my dear sister, I gave up on that ages ago. I want you to help me become real”

“Stop calling me sister. And what do you mean real?” Moonlight asked, confused.

“Like a physical body,” Night Sky said as the shadow smirked.

“No way, absolutely not, I will get my parents-” Moonlight was cut off again.

“Our parents.”

“No!” Moonlight quickly retorted before continuing her earlier statement. “I will get them to seal you away like before.”

“Like that will work. As long as you help that filly of yours – Stardust was it? – learn dream magic, I will always break free. So just help me.”

“You never ask for help unless-” Moonlight was then interrupted.

“Unless I need a favor, I know,” Night sky responded sarcastically. “But this time I want you to actually help me. You know how bad it is in a shadow prison or locked in someone’s head,” the shadow complained. “It’s boring, and I grew envious of you after seeing all the beautiful places of this land, so I ask just once, will you help me?” Night Sky asked.

“So let me get this right, you're asking for help” Moonlight began.

“That’s correct” Night sky responded.

“With no strings attached?” Moonlight asked but only saw the shadow silent whistle “With no strings attached correct?” Moonlight asked again this time with a serious tone.

“Ugh, fine,” Night sky groaned, “you never make anything fun.”

“Ok, I’ll help you but just this once! If you try to betray me, I’ll seal you away again.”

“What did I just say 5 seconds ago?” the shadow said snarkily.

Moonlight went to shake her shadow’s hoof before phasing right through. “Right, shadow, not actually here, sorry.”

“Ha-ha, so funny.” Night Sky rolled her eyes before releasing her hold on Moonlight’s shadow, the shadow reconnecting to Moonlight’s movements and returning to normal.

Stardust then came into the room.

“Who were you talking to?” Stardust asked.

“Nopony!” Moonlight responded quickly, eyes darting around nervously.

“Right..okay,” Stardust said suspiciously and shut the door.