Silent Night

by Timey-Wimey

Rating: teen
Tags: My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Dark, Comedy, Nightmare Moon, Romance, Tragedy, Random, Discord, Slice of Life, Zecora, Main 6, Princess Luna
Length: 11661

Princess Luna has been through a lot recently.

Chaos + Night Sounds Just Right

(Read the above story first as this is the sequel to it.)

Princess Luna has been through a lot recently.

While searching to see if Discord has returned, she breaks her wing and is trapped in the Everfree for two months. Under the watchful eye of Discord, she slowly recovers and they fall in love with each other. Princess Celestia confronts them and tries to turn Discord into stone, but almost kills Luna instead. She is killed in the process of saving her and Equestria mourns. Fluttershy is injured, Sweetie Belle has been killed and it seems as if Nightmare Moon might come back through Luna's rage and sadness.

The only thing Luna has to cling on to is the prospect of Twilight's soon-to-be born foals and her love for Discord. Even if Nightmare Moon's reign will be short, she knows it could destroy friendships and her love for her soon-to-be husband, Discord.

Will Luna be able to handle the pain?

Published 2012-10-15 09:40:01 UTC
Last updated 2012-10-16 21:09:18 UTC

Crumbling

Everypony stood in shock and fear. A shrill scream echoed from Roseluck and the town snapped to life, fleeing and screeching as they realized what was happening.

A loud laugh emanated from the black mare and her cat eyes snapped with triumph. She looked down at her boyfriend. "Oh Discord if only you could feel the whirlwind of emotions in your pathetic girlfriend. I can hear her thoughts, see her emotions. She's under so much stress, she feels so much pain. You have no idea how much she hurts everyday. Her sister dead, her friend injured, a small filly killed the stress of her new job and concern for you, now all she can feel is rage and fear. Rage that she found you with this pony," She pointed a hoof at Screwball, who shrank against her chair,"And fear that I have taken over her body."

Twilight felt tears coming to her eyes. She crouched down and tried to back away, but her hoof snapped a twig and it seemed to echo in the deserted streets. Her pupils shrank in fear and her ears flattened to her skull as she waited for the horror that would come to her and her foals.

Nightmare Moon turned to her. She shuddered once, then her eyes turned into Luna's eyes. "Twilight, help me!" Came Luna's voice, before the mare shook her head and glared at the unicorn. "Well if it isn't Twilight Sparkle, the unicorn who destroyed me. I'm back now Twilight, where are your precious friends?"

Her soft tone didn't fool Twilight. Her voice was ridden with venom and her eyes were full to the brim with hatred.

Twilight backed away. She knew that if Nightmare Moon could hear Luna's thoughts, then she was aware that Twilight was pregnant.

Nightmare Moon advanced, eyes bright with menace. "Pathetic Luna is pretty much screaming at me not to hurt your foals. Silly little Alicorn, does she really think I'll spare the chance of hurting you and your foals?" She was pretty much purring, the silky tone was laced with acid and she reared up, poised to bring her hooves down on the pregnant mare.

Twilight backed away more, hitting a tree and falling back against the trunk. Nightmare Moon's shadow engulfed her and she screamed, "No! Don't hurt my foals, please!" She wailed, placing her forehooves on her belly and shrinking away, eyes full of fear as she curled her legs over her body to protect her stomach.

Nightmare Moon laughed. "Oh Twilight, killing you means I'm going to get my revenge. Why not kill your foals? You can feel the pain I did when my body was broken into a purple cloud!" She ended the sentence in a hiss and brought her hooves down.

Twilight screamed again, closing her eyes as she waited for huge hooves to crush her. It never came, but a loud solid clang made her curious, despite her terror. She opened one eye a crack and then they flew open with shock, a smile formed on her face.

Flim stood in front of her, his horn alight with bright green. His eyes were blazing and he and Nightmare Moon's horns were pressed against each other. They were both sparking, magic blazing from the two. Flim was pushing the mare back with the strength he had earned from working on the farm. "Get. Away. From. My. WIFE!" He hollered, rearing up and lashing at her, his horn barely missing Nightmare Moon. He looked back at Twilight. "Run." He ordered.

Twilight shook her head. "As if." Flim's eyes shone with new power and the green glow strengthened. "Get ready for the best show of your life." He turned around with a battle cry that would've put a dragon's roar to shame and the 2 magical ponies clashed as Nightmare Moon lunged, eyes and horns blazing.

Twilight watched in sheer excitement and horror. Flim was thrown into the air with a yell, but he righted himself and blasted her with a blinding glow. He landed hard behind her on a green cloud of magic then leaped on her, hooves clamping down on her neck. Nightmare Moon writhed and twisted.

Flim heard something snap and he let out a cry of pain. He lifted his head and then brought it down, his horn impaling Nightmare Moon's neck, just below the slope of her head and driving right through her star-studded mane.

Nightmare Moon screamed and her form wavered. It seemed to melt and shrink.

She turned dark blue, her cutie mark black with the white moon. Her eyes flashed once, then turned dark blue. Her legs shrank and the Princess was on the ground, eyes closed and breathing heavily.

Flim collapsed beside her, eyes glazed with pain. One of his front legs was bleeding heavily and was twisted at a slight angle.

Twilight rushed over, fear flowing through her. "Flim! Princess Luna!" She cried, skidding to a halt beside her husband and nosing him. "Please wake up! The foals are safe!"

Flim looked up at her. "Get us... To hospital..." He wheezed, extending a foreleg before falling limp, unconscious. Blood spattered the ground and hit the side of his face, leaving deep scarlet splashes on his pale blonde fur.

Luna strugged to her hooves beside him, eyes wide with sheer horror. "The horror... All that agony, all that fury... It hurts." She whimpered, legs shaking. She staggered forwards, leaning over Flim. Her horn lightly touched his forehead and her voice murmured softly as she spoke to him,

"You're so brave, taking Nightmare Moon on by yourself. Thank you." She whispered, placing hoof lightly on his shoulder. A shudder passed through the stallion and a moan escaped him. Luna's horn flared and she levitated him, placing him on her back. "Come on Twilight." She urged.

Twilight had sat down, tears leaking from her eyes. She got to her hooves, legs shaking. She was about to follow when a blast of pain came from her stomach and she stumbled, hitting the dirt. "Sweet Celestia it hurts!" She cried, forelegs clasped her stomach as her eyes closed shut tight and her jaw locked in agony.

Luna looked at her, then remembered. "Twilight your foals! They're coming now!" Luna cried, looking around. "We need a unicorn or a pegasus, now!" She hollered.

Three fillies had just stepped outside of a store and rushed over when Princess Luna called out, two of them airborne.

Feather Weight and Scootaloo flapped over, followed by a turquoise unicorn with a bright yellow mane. Scootaloo pointed a hoof at the unicorn. "You levitate her, me and Feather Weight'll take her on our backs. Stick close to me." She turned to Feather Weight, who nodded.

Sun Glimmer's horn glowed and Twilight's form was lifted onto the backs of the two pegasi.

They buzzed their wings and lifted off, Sun Glimmer close behind them.

Luna flew after, careful not to knock her wings against Flim. She heard cries from Twilight and cursed Nightmare Moon over and over in her head.

~~~

Luna paced outside the door. Flim was sitting behind her, one foreleg bound with a thick cast. He was biting his lip before getting up, limping over. "I hope she's alright." He murmured, eyes darting back and forth from the door to the nurse at the desk. The door to the birthing room slammed open and Nurse Tenderheart stepped out. "Flim you're a father!" She announced.

Flim's eyes brightened and he rushed in, his cast thumping against the ground. Luna followed him and looked in on Twilight, who was in a bed with two little foals pressed against her. She looked up and smiled warmly, moving the blankets slightly and reaveling the foals.

Two little unicorns.

One was a colt and one was a mare. The mare was pale yellow like her father with a violet mane and tail. She let out a small gurgle and pressed against her mother, squeaking.

The colt was dark purple with a red and white candycane striped mane. He didn't make any noises except for the occasional 'goo' as his small hooves hit Twilight lightly.

Flim was already nuzzling his wife and he whispered sweet things into her ears. He'd never been so proud in his entire life, to hell with his useless brother, he had a wife and children now.

Luna smiled, sitting a little ways away. "Maybe things won't be so bad after all." Her smile faded and was replaced by a look of sheer horror. She galloped out of the room, out of the hospital and and back into the square.

She saw Discord sitting with Screwball again and stood beside them. "Discord! Oh I'm so sorry, I'm sorry I ever thought there was something going on. I love you Discord, please forgive me." She begged, eyes pleading.

Discord turned and looked at her. A ring of black surrounded his left eye. He looked at her for a moment, which seemed to last years. His eyes were cold and guarded as he looked at her calmly.

Then he turned his back on her and resumed talking to his daughter.

Threat

Luna's pupils shrank. "Discord?" There was a flash of yellow, the sound of something tearing, a cry of pain and the sound of whimpering.

Luna had fallen back on her haunches. One of her forelegs and three deep gashes on it and blood spilled from them, dying her fur scarlet. She looked at her boyfriend in horror.

Discod had just clawed her.

"You're SORRY!? Why would I be dating an earth pony, Luna I'm 5,000 years old! She's my daughter, I adopted her when she was a fily and raised her! I have a black eye and you nearly killed Flim because of it! Back off Luna, you aren't any girlfriend of mine!" He hollered in her face, drawing attention from the ponies that had just stared coming back out.

They all ran back to shelter, sensing that something bad was happening.

Luna felt tears pour down her face. She looked up and her eyes went cold. She reared up, eyes still watering but her hooves slammed into the ground as she towered over Discord. "You don't want to be with me? I'm fine with that. You claw me," She showed him the deep gashes he had made and went on beforeche could speak, "Discord, I hereby banish you to The Everfree Forest! You can never leave there and if you do I'll-" Luna's voice broke and she looked away, turning her back on him with tears flowing down her face and years worth of misery in their blue depths, "I'll kill you myself."

Discord shrank back. "Luna..." A hoof slammed down on the hard ground and silenced him. "No! You don't get to apologize now Discord. What's done is done, now leave my sight!" She cried, feeling her heart break. Her horn blazed and Discord vanished in a puff of smoke. She turned away and limped off.

Derpy Hooves trotted up to her. "Princess, are you gonna be ok?" She asked. The pegasus was generally concerned, even if the Princess had been about to send them into eternal night, she was always there when somepony needed her to be.

Luna turned around. "Leave me alone!" She hissed. She turned away from the cross-eyed pegasus and started galloping, not wanting to be anywhere near Ponyville. Her dark blue wings extended and she took off towards the Forest, towards Zecora's hut.

Derpy sighed sadly, but turned and trotted away from the flying form. If she didn't want help, then she respected that. Luna just needed some time by herself.

~~~

Discord landed in a tree. He fell out with a grunt and rubbed his head. He got to his feet and looked up at the sky, noticing a familiar dark blue shape flying above the tree line. He buzzed his bat wing and his pegasus wing and took off, following her just below the tree line.

Luna looked down when she heard a buzzing noise, but saw nothing. She saw the familiar big tree and dove down, landing on the doorstep. She tapped the door with her hoof and the zebra opened it. "

What is this before my eyes, Princess Luna what a surprise! Please come in and have some tea, just the day when I needed some company!" She said in her usual rhymes.

Luna nodded to her. "Thank you Zecora. Might I say that you have the place decorated nicely today!" She thanked her friend and stepped in, admiring the foreign decor. She heard the click as the door shut and turned around, sitting down.

Zecora smiled brightly. "Tell me Princess, do you like tea? I have many kinds for you to see. From peppermint to daisy to chamomile, I'm sure one of these will convince you to stay for a while." She took two flowers from a shelf and placed them in front of Luna. "The smaller one is chamomile, the bigger one is daisy. I warn you that the chamomile will make you tired and hazy." She reared up and brought down a small bottle of clear liquid in her mouth. "This is peppermint tea, not to minty but good as can be. Now, which tea is the trick? Take your pick." She gestured to the three flavours in front of her.

Luna looked at them. She levitated the smaller white flower with her magic. "This one please." She said, a small smile had appeared on her face and she fought back the tears, not wanting to upset Zecora.

Zecora took the flower with a hoof and split the stalk with the pointed tip of her hoof. The juice trickled into a small glass and then she crushed the petals and pollen into dust, dropping it in. She craned her neck and bit down on a ladle and brought it down. She mixed the brew together and took the glass in the ladle, giving it to Luna. "Drink up Princess, then feel free to rest." She invited, walking over to an assortment of herbs and pawing some down, mixing them together with expert hooves.

Luna tipped the cup and felt the tea drip into her mouth and trickle down her throat. She felt her mind calm and her tensed muscles relax and she shuddered, pleasure spreading from hoof to horn tip. "I hope you don't mind if I just lay-" Luna collapsed and snored soundly, leaving the zebra standing over her with a warm smile.

Attack

CRASH!

Luna opened her eyes, which were still still heavy with sleep. She got groggily to her hooves and looked around. She was outside Zecora's hut.

Something was wrong.

She felt dizzy and groggy and couldn't stand up. Blurred figures were tumbling, lunging and rolling everywhere. Brown and rainbow splotches filled her vision.

Then she realized what was wrong.

She struggled to her hooves and looked around wildly. All she could hear where shrieks and barks. She winced when pain swept through her and suddenly her vision cleared.

Timberwolves. Everywhere she looked were Timberwolves.

Zecora's hut was in shredded ruins, her flowers ripped apart and scattered everywhere. She saw tufts of white and black hair scattered and she realized that Zecora was fighting them. She looked around and saw Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Applejack and even Fluttershy were there.

Luna whipped around when a loud yell sounded and saw the zebra writhing, caught in the jaws of a Timberwolf. The creature had clawed her, pulling out some hair and soaking her pelt in scarlet blood.

Zecora's head spun. She had been watching the Princess while she made a potion for helping her calm down. She had heard a distant howl and then all of a sudden there they were, tearing through her house and clawing it apart. She had started fighting them, desperate to protect Luna from the Timberwolves. Lucky for her, Rainbow Dash had spotted the pack and had called to her friends, except for Twilight who was still in the hospital with her foals.

Luna had woken and had started fighting, hampered by her leg injury. A Timberwolf bigger than the rest had slammed her into a tree and she had slumped unconscious.

Now that same Timberwolf was shaking Zecora and a full-fledged battle was going on. She heard the clopping of hooves and saw a flash of dark blue as a hoof hit the Timberwolf and sent him spinning away, breaking his grip. The zebra staggered and found her footing, she stood shaking in front of Luna, who had blood splattered on her hoof.

"Run Zecora, get out of here and run. Get help before somepony dies." She ordered, eyes full of ferocity to defend everypony here.

Zecora nodded and darted off, breaking through the pack and delivering a few blows of her own before her form was engulfed by the trees beyond the battle zone.

Luna looked around, trying to decide where to start fighting. She saw a familiar butter-yellow shape backing away from three advancing Timberwolves and she sprang, her hooves grabbing the shoulders of one as she landed on its back.

She felt it rear up, just like she wanted and she did a flip, kicking down near the base of its spine and she felt her head spin as she flipped it and the creature landed hard on its paws and she clubbed it with a hoof. The Timberwolf bucked and she brought her hooves down hard on its shoulders, slamming it into the ground and she jumped off, feeling a surge of satisfaction as the three wolves ran. Fluttershy flashed her a grateful glance and soared into the sky, dive bombing some of the creatures.

Luna felt teeth meet her rump and saw the wolf she had saved Zecora from with blood trickling from its head. She reared up, hearing an audible smack as the wolf collapsed with her weight and then bucked. Her wings pumped and she was airborne for a moment before hitting the ground. She felt her skin tear and warm blood spill over the wound but she turned around to see it again and felt the claws lash her muzzle. She backed away, snarling and felt her tail brush a tree. She turned around, kicked the wolf with both back legs and took off, wings beating hard.

Claws. She felt them dig into the wing she had broken so long ago and drag, tearing her feathers and even scraping bone. She cried out, feeling blood pulse out and started to fall, only saving herself by wrapping her forelegs around a thick tree branch and clinging there, looking down at the snarling pack of wolves. She felt claws dig into her ankle and her grip started loosening. "No!" She cried, feeling her hooves slip. She closed her eyes and fell.

Something grabbed her waist and she felt herself rising. She heard a smack and a whine from a wolf. She opened her eyes and saw the pack below her, an eagle talon and a lion paw wrapped around her waist. "Discord!" She gasped, looking up at him.

He looked down and snorted. "Hello Luna." His voice was expressionless and cold, he wasn't exactly happy to see her.

Luna ignored the tears and looked down, seeing the large wolf with the bloody head. "Drop me on him, if he dies then the pack will run." She pointed down at the wolf.

Discord nodded and released his grip, dropping her. His eyes clouded with worry for a moment before he blinked it away and watched her fall.

Luna fell through the air and landed on the wolf, who howled. It's head snapped up and the malicious eyes glared into her own. She took her hoof, aimed and the blow came down right between his eyes. She felt blood soak her hoof and the wolf collapsed underneath her.

Discord looked back and saw Luna sink into the crowd and a loud howl from a Timberwolf. He smiled, then saw the brown wave come towards him. He flapped his wings harder, trying to get higher but one of the wolves saw him. It leaped into the air and its sharp claws punctured the membrane of his bat wing. He let out a cry and tried to fly, but he felt himself fall. A blunt paw met the side of his head and he lost all consciousness, sinking into a world of darkness.

Luna let out a triumphant yell, then saw the wolf claw Discord. His wings flared and she saw the three puncture marks in his bat wing. She saw him get hit by it as he fell and he started falling faster.

Luna started running. She flared her wings and took off, nearly screaming when pain shot through her injured wing. She reached out with her forehooves and grabbed his paw, swooping up and then falling, crashing into a tree. She lifted him onto her back and jumped down.

She saw her friends, who were joined by BonBon, Lyra Heartstrings, Time Turner, Derpy Hooves, Scootaloo, Apple Bloom and Zecora. She smiled weakly. "Ok, those who are injured the most, follow me. Those who can tend to their scratches and bites by themselves, go home and get some rest." She ordered, turning and taking off, flying slowly in the direction of the Ponyville hospital, followed by Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy, both were covered in small scratches but they were carrying Applejack and Zecora. Luna nodded and tried to go a bit faster, but stopped when a searing jolt hit her body and continued at her slow pace.

~~~

Luna looked at her bandaged wing. "I thought I got rid of these stupid things." She muttered, squirming as they rubbed against her now exposed skin. Her leg injury from Discord's talons was wrapped up and she had another bandage around her hoof, she had chipped a hoof when she clubbed the Timberwolf. She looked at the ponies with her and sighed.

Rainbow Dash had sprained a back leg and Fluttershy's wing was bruised. Zecora had hurt her ribs, not broken but enough that they needed bandages. She had injured her eye dodging a claw strike and getting poked with a thorn in the bushes and she had a concussion.

Applejack was still being treated.

As if summoned, the farm pony limped out of the room. "Nothin' broken, ah reckon ah got lucky." She said. She had lost a lot of blood, Luna could tell just by the look of her.

She had tried bucking and had gotten her legs clawed badly. Her back legs were covered in pearly white bandages. Her neat enough mane was shredded along with her tail. She smiled. "Ah have to take a while off from buckin' the apples. Poor Big Mac'll have to make do without me for a while, ah reckon he'll ask Rainbow to help her when she's all done healin'. Those two have been seein' each other for ages now, I reckon they migh' be goin' steady." She said, limping over to her friends and sitting down.

Nopony noticed Fluttershy blush and the faint murmur she let out was barely even audible.

Luna sighed and looked at Discord's room as the door opened. She saw him step out, his bat wing bandage to her side. She ran to meet him and felt his arms wrap around her, lifting her in a hug.

"I'm sorry!"

They both said at the same time.

Luna felt happy tears run down her face. "Discord, I love you. You aren't banished, I would never kill you." She sobbed.

"Luna my love, I'm sorry I clawed you." He whispered. She lifted her head and they kissed. She felt her hooves touch the ground and she looked around. A smile spread across her face and she turned to see her reaction reflected on her boyfriend's features. "We spend too much time in the hospital, but we're going to have make another trip a while away from now." She sighed and turned to him, pride in her dark blue eyes.

Discord cocked his head to one side, confused. "Why? Nopony's injured, nopony's sick and we're too old for check ups. Why do we need to come back? And a while away, planning doesn't make sense unless..." His yellow eyes widened in shock as she spoke the words he was about to say,

"You're going to be a father Discord."

Reunion

Luna gulped as she stared at the doors. "I don't know if I can do this..." She felt a nudge from behind and stumbled slightly. She looked behind her and saw Glass Rose sticking her tongue out at her.

Glass Rose was Princess Cadance and Shining Armor's foal. She was a rose-colored pegasus with her father's mane, made a bit more feminine because she was a filly. She had a rather irritated expression on her rose colored face and her blue eyes were narrowed in a rather amusing glare.

"Come on, you love Discord and Discord loves you! Go!" She got up, tripping over her flowered white dress and hopped into the room, followed by a very nervous Princess Luna. The wedding bells chimed and the music played as she took one step after another, gaining confidence as her high heels clacked against the red carpet.

Discord saw his bride come in and a wide smile took over his features. She was beautiful, more beautiful than anypony he had ever seen before.

Luna's dress was pearl white. It was frilled with silky lace and embroidered with small pale flowers. A small layer of white cobwebs sparkling with small hints of silver hid her rounded belly. Ivy spun around her wings and each feather was tipped with a golden plate and a pale blue flower. Her mane was over one eye like her dead sister's and tied into curls and braided with more ivy. Her long tail swished behind her, tied with string and beaded with pale pink beads. Her high heels were silk colored to look like gold and encased in glass. She stepped lightly up the steps and stood with her groom, eyes shining and legs quivering.

Discord had to keep himself from fainting. His pregnant bride was so beautiful, the sunshine lighting her mane through the windows. Her eyes locked with his, blue orbs looking into yellow. She smiled to him and he smiled back, his heart bubbling and melting. His shoulders sagged for a moment and his tongue lolled for a fraction of a second, before he straightened and tried to look serious. He caught Luna holding back a snicker.

"Mares and gentlecolts, today we gather to witness the reunion of Princess Luna and Discord." Princess Cadance announced. "This couple has suffered through many a disaster. Luna being trapped in the forest, the death of Princess Celestia and Nightmare Moon striking. I would like to honor Flim, for fighting off Nightmare Moon and Twilight Sparkle, Flim's wife who remained strong and gave us new life with her foals, Dew Sparkle and Apple Seed."

The husband and wife, who were at the front of the crowd stood up and bowed. Twilight had the two foals between her forelegs, but her arms crossed to protect them. She was still very concerned after what had happened with Nightmare Moon and didn't trust anypony but her friends and ponies she knew well around her precious babies.

Princess Cadance felt nervous. She gulped and went on, "It is because of these ponies that this wedding can take place at all. Twilight Sparkle, Applejack, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy. The spirits of The Elements of Harmony, who slayed Nightmare Moon and changed Discord. We honor them, because without them this happy couple would not be before me today and I would not be married to Shining Armor. It has been 2 months since the attack by Nightmare Moon in the small town and 3 years since the events at my wedding. We thank you, Elements of Harmony." She forced her voice to stay clear as she gazed fondly at the 5 ponies seated beside Twilight.

"Discord, do you promise to care for, love and cherish Princess Luna each day? To make her feel loved and respected and never leave her side?"

"I do." Discord's voice was clear and strong as he gazed into Luna's eyes.

"Princess Luna, do you promise to care for, love and cherish Discord each day? To make him feel loved and respected and never leave his side?"

"I do." Luna gazed back at her groom, eyes bright with happiness.

"Then I now pronounce you husband and wife. Let Celestia watch over you. Discord, you may now kiss the bride." She stepped back as the couple embraced, lips locking together.

Mixed 'awws', cheers and applause came from the crowd. The 6 ponies in front stomped their hooves, whooping and cheering.

Discord pulled back, his arms still wrapped around his wife. Luna gave him a warm smile, her glass high heels soft against his pale brown fur. Their eyes were warm and soft, full of love and affection.

"I only have eyes for you." They said simultaneously, embracing in another kiss.

~~

Luna was on her hindhooves, dancing with Pinkie Pie. The pink party pony had organized the recpetion and the two were moving along the floor, laughing and cheering.

The room had a rather guilty smell of alcohol and wine. Luna leaped into the air, flapping her wings. The scent hung heavy on her breath, it was pretty obvious that she was drunk. She spiralled back, hiccuping bubbles and touching the ground with her hooves. She let out another cheer.

Discord was flying above, scars visible on his wing from the Timberwolf attack as he did loop de loops and breathed out fireballs.

Luna leaped up and he caught her, flying around the room with his hands around her waist, her forelegs wrapped lightly around his neck as she whooped with joy, her hindhooves dangling in midair.

This continued throughout the night until everypony was so tired, they were falling asleep at the tables. Luna and Discord climbed to their room and curled up, embraced in each other's arms.

Agony

Three months had gone by since the wedding.

Luna staggered towards the window, eyes watering and her legs buckling.

"Help... Me..." She whispered to apparently nopony. Her back legs gave out and she collapsed, a fresh wave of tears flowing down her face. One forehoof extended towards the door and attempted to use her horn again. There was a spark and then a hiss as it went out. She whimpered and dragged herself forwards, forelegs shaking and wet with sweat. Her hooves pushed the doors open and she felt cold night air hit her face. Another bout of agony struck her and she rolled onto her back with a scream of pain that split the peaceful air.

"HELP. ME." Nothing happened, nopony came to the Princess's rescue.

DISCORD! Why did you have to go out!?

She tried magic again and this time managed the easiest spell she knew. Her eyes flashed white and her mind steeled as she conjured up the message in her mind. Her horn flashed and a stream of purple flew from her horn, past her city and into a large patch of clouds. She wailed again and kicked out her back legs, smashing the glass doors. Her hooves scrabbled and she found her footing long enough to stagger back into her room before collapsing past the shattered glass and letting the tears flow freely, the occasional moan escaping her lips.

~~~

Rainbow Dash felt something zap inside her mind.

Her rose eyes opened and she looked around, mane frizzy and eyes wide.

She saw a small ball of sparking light flashing at the foot of her bed and as her eyes watched, it grew long legs, a head, a flowing mane and tail, wings and a horn. Princess Luna's image was lying on her bed, but she felt nothing. It was a spell projection and she heard small whimpers come from the image.

Luna's head turned to face Rainbow, eyes pleading.

"Rainbow Dash... Help!" The image screamed. "Please Rainbow, Discord is out and I'm at the palace alone!" She wailed, one foreleg extended towards the cyan pegasus before the image went out with a pop!

Rainbow rubbed her vibrant mane, confused before suddenly standing up on her fluffy cloud bed, her figure erect and stiff as a statue. "Princess Luna is in trouble!"

She crouched, extended her wings and took off, a bright trail of color behind her speeding form.

~~~

Luna looked through blurry eyes at the ceiling, her sobs echoing around the room. She heard a whistle of wind and Rainbow Dash appeared in the distance. She won't make it before I pass out. Luna realized, then remembered something.

"The Rainboom!"

She wheezed, voice cracking and tight with pain. She mustered the last of her magical strength, unfurled her wings and blasted them with magic, turning them rainbow and they flashed bright enough for Rainbow to see.

Rainbow Dash saw the blaze of rainbow light. []iYou won't make it in time, I'm/she's about to pass out! Use the Rainboom! Her and Luna's voice rang through her mind at the same time and she put on a burst of speed, a cone of thin white light surrounding her.

Her forelegs came to a point in front of her so she sliced through the air like an axe going through butter. The white light flashed, turning into more colors with each bright glow. Tears flew from Rainbow's eyes and she bucked out with her back legs, pumping her wings harder.

BOOM!

An explosion of rainbow flashed in the sky, making the ears of everypony ring. A brighter trail made up of Rainbow's mane and tail blazed behind her and lit up the night sky. She flashed into the castle, grabbed Luna around the waist and lowered her head, smashing through the wall and soaring across the sky, making a U-turn and flashing back to Cloudsdale and the nearest hospital.

Pride

Discord pressed his face against the small window in the door, desperately seeking his wife. All he knew was that Rainbow Dash had flown her here when she had given him the distress call.

He could almost feel her pain. He had tried knocking the door down, but to no avail. Rainbow Dash had attempted to drag him away, but he had tied her to a chair with some black licorice and he ignored her protests as he tried to see Luna.

SPLAT!

The door swung open and Discord was flung into a wall. He was flattened like a piece of paper, like a mural almost.

He peeled himself off and staggered over, head spinning with pegasi.

He felt two hooves clasp around his talon and shook him. He nearly fell over.

"Your a father Discord!"

Discord pulled his talon back and ran in, smiling as he turned and saw his wife holding a small bundle. Her eyes were milky with exhaustion and she extended the bundle towards him and he held it tenderly, unwrapping it to see his son.

It was a pony, but not quite. It had the backs paws of a lion, the front talons of an eagle and the tail of a snake. His coat was pale blue and his mane and tail were a fluffy and fuzzy shock of bright yellow and red. A tiny horn, sharp and slightly twisted like one of Discord's horns poked out from the fuzzy mess of hair. Two mini bat wings were pressed against his sides.

Discord let his paw stroke his son, his eyes warm and his heart melting.

Luna smiled brighter. "A little baby boy, part Draconequus part Alicorn. What should we name him?" She looked up at him, eyes full of curiosity. She looked back at the frizzy mane, bright yellow like the sun.

Discord saw the look in her eyes. "Sun Blaze." He murmured, then looked up at his wife and chuckled when the small baby let out a squeak and one small paw waved.

Luna craned her neck and saw her foal and sighed happily. "This has to be the happiest moment of my life, making everything that happened this last while worth it."

Even my death?

Celestia's voice rang in her head.

I'm married Tia, I have a kid. Even that doesn't make me forget you. You shouldn't take everything so seriously sister dear.

She felt an overwhelming feeling of peace come over her and she sat up, but felt a paw push her back down.
"You just gave birth. You need to rest." He handed the foal back to her and she giggled.

"Alright. You go back to the palace and fix things up, I'll stay here with Sun Blaze." She said. Discord felt a tug in his heart as he kissed her, waved goodbye and left the room, closing the door behind him gently.

Rainbow was on him in an instant, all legs wrapped around his torso like an octopus. "How's the foal? Can I see?" She demanded, eyes brimming with excitement.

Discord yanked her off. "A colt, half Alicorn half Draconequus. We named him Sun Blaze." He explained to the writhing cyan pegasus, who he held by one foreleg off the ground.

Rainbow's eyes shone and she bucked him off. "I wanna see!" She charged for the door but collided with a cloud. "No. She needs her rest. She just gave birth Rainbow Dash." He grabbed her tail and hauled her back.

Rainbow struggled, then settled down and let herself be dragged back. "But Discoooord..." She whined. Discord prodded her with one paw. "

No. He's my son and I forbid you to go see him." He said, trying to look serious.

Rainbow fell over chuckling, letting out the occasional snort from laughter as she kicked her back hooves in the air.

Discord smiled and chuckled to himself,

"Maybe all the disasters are finally over."

Embrace, Part 1

2 years ago, Luna had married the man, or Draconequus of her dreams and had given birth to his child, Prince Sun Blaze.

Now she chased the half Draconequus, half Alicorn around her room, laughing. She hadn't had this much fun in ages, but at the same time she was rather annoyed. She had a rather busy day today, 5 weddings to go to. She couldn't turn down her friends, but she knew by the end of the day that she would be exhausted and would most likely flop into her bed.

The good thing was after the weddings was the reception, they were all at the same time so Pinkie Pie had combined them to throw a huge celebratory bash.

Sun Blaze leaped into the air, his tiny wings flapping. He felt strong hooves grab him and he squealed as his mother pulled him back. "Momma! I don't wanna go to the weddings!" He pouted, glaring at Luna.

Luna giggled. "Well then, we're leaving you here to have a play date with Dew Sparkle and Apple Seed." She felt forelegs wrap around her neck and the small foal let out a whoop.

"Thank you Momma!" There was a knock on the door and Luna had to pry her son from her neck. "Just a moment Sun Blaze, it might be them now." She trotted to the door and opened it with her magic. A unicorn stallion and a unicorn mare stood there, two unicorn foals at their hooves.

"Well hello Princess Luna! We've brought the foals, thank you so much for inviting them over. Pinkie's wedding starts soon so we came a bit earlier than planned. I have my dress with me and the foal toys here," Twilight pointed her nose at her saddlebags, which bulged slightly, "And I was wondering if I could change here?" She asked.

Luna nodded. "Of course! Come with me, the changing rooms are this way." She clopped to a door and with a hoof, pushed it open and stepped inside, followed by a wonder struck Twilight Sparkle.

The room was bathed in bright light and everywhere you looked, dresses were hung neatly and shoes tucked under them. Luna turned and saw Twilight taking her dress out of her bag, setting them down with her magic and hovering the dress in the air. "Rarity made us all some new dresses. She showed them to us yesterday and she said that no matter what anypony said, she wouldn't sell them in her shop." The young mare explained, slipping into the dress. Her horn lit up again, 4 shoes and 2 feathers wrapped in a purple glow coming out of the bag. She stepped into the shoes and fastened the feathers on her ears. "What you you think?" She asked.

The dress was a dazzling dark blue, adorned with glitter and blazing silver stars. A collar lifted along her neck, rimmed with white silk. It puffed out near her hips, falling over her back legs. The edges of the dress were rimmed with white silk. The shoes were dazzling silver high heels, a hot white star sticking up on the tip of each one. The earrings were glass feathers that caught the light and flashed rainbow when lit up.

Luna smiled. "Beautiful, it's hard to believe that you aren't getting married today." Twilight blushed and Luna laughed, then remembered she needed a dress. "Alright, since I've gotten bigger," Luna was now the size Princess Celestia had been before she died, "I'll need a dress that's my size... There's what I'm looking for!" Luna trotted over to a section of dresses and looked through them. She took off her necklace and shoes and looked at the selection. "I can't wear anything too dark, but a black dress wouldn't be bad. I'd need silver or white on it though." Her long horn lit up and she searched through the dresses, eyes narrowed in concentration.

Before long, she had a very neat pile of dresses on the ground. "I'll see which one fits me best." She lifted one dress and set to work, Twilight sitting in the corner of the room and watching.

~~~

Luna looked at herself in the mirror. She had put the other dresses back on the rack and was looking at herself in the mirror. "Perfect." She looked over her shoulder at Twilight, who nodded. "Very nice, I like it! But we need to hurry, Pinkie's wedding is starting in 20 minutes and I don't want to be late."

Luna nodded and stole one last look at herself in the mirror.

The dress was made of black silk that fell lightly just above Luna's hooves. Much like Twilight's, hers was lifted near her hips but it came down just above her hooves, unlike Twilight's because it fell over her hooves. The collar was short and rimmed with white lace. There were slash marks in the black, revealing silver silk patterns underneath. The shoes were glass, dyed black but still transparent. Luna clipped the bright white crescent moon earrings to her ears and smiled before racing after Twilight.

~~

Luna cocked her head to one side. "So you stay here and the groom gets presented? Pinkie that's not how it's supposed to work..." Luna explained gently.

The bubbly pink party pony bounced up and down. "I want it to be a surprise! Not such a surprise that everybody is scared, but they're shocked and they can gasp and then we go to Applejack's wedding and see who she's getting married to! All the weddings are going to be the same, the groom will be walked down the aisle! It's gonna be AWESOME!"

Rarity leaped on her bouncy friend. "Dear, do us all a favor and kindly SHUT UP. We need to get your dress on PROPERLY because now it's all crooked." She tsked and pushed the pink pony away, who was still squealing. Rarity looked back at Luna with an exasperated sigh, before turning back to the difficult task of pushing Pinkie Pie through the door.

Luna chuckled and rolled her eyes. She stepped out of the room and saw a colt standing there, decked out in a tuxedo and a red bowtie. His puffy pink mane and pink coat were all too familiar.

"Why if it isn't Berry Bubble! How are you?" Luna asked, clopping over to him.

Berry portraid a goofy grin. "I'm great! Didja hear me and Pinkie Pie are getting married? I told Dusk that I missed Pinkie and he just poofed me here so now I can be with Pinkie! I can't believe I'm marrying myself, well a mare version of myself, but still!" He was just as bubbly as his wife as he dragged on.

Luna touched his shoulder with a glass slipper. "Save all the talking for the reception tonight Berry. You have a wedding to do before the party though, so don't forget to behave like a proper stallion." She reminded him.

Berry nodded so vigorously that Luna thought his head was going to pop off. "Oh I will! It'll all be worth it when I get to see my Pinks! I can't wait!" He did a little bounce, his legs twitching. Luna pulled him back down and sighed. "No bouncing, no skipping, no hopping and NO PARTYING." Berry nodded and Luna let go of his shoulders.

"I have to go and explain the ceremony, then you come in. Please behave."

And with that she flew through the door and the wedding began.

~~~

Now Luna had to rush to the church in Cloudsdale. Her dark wings extended and she pushed off, wings pumping as the city of clouds rapidly approached.

Her hooves hit the fluffy clouds and she looked around for the church. She chuckled to herself. "Now who could Rainbow Dash be getting married to?"

~~~

Rainbow glared at her friends. Twilight had cast the cloud walking spell so that they could all be there. "I hate getting dressed up." She grumbled, glaring magenta daggers at Rarity.

Rainbow's dress was the same white as the clouds under her hooves, except for the rainbow patterns glowing like fireflies. The rim and collar of the dress was made of clouds, encased in glass and they swirled inside their case. A glass tiara full of clouds that were raining water stood on her head and her shoes were made of clouds. Rainbow ducked her head. "But I will admit, I'm loving this dress..."

Rarity nearly tackled her friend, but she decided that it wouldn't be lady-like and let out a whoop of joy and tapped her forehooves together. Rainbow blushed madly and Rarity giggled.

Luna stepped in and Rainbow blushed deeper. "Wow Rainbow, you look great!" Luna complimented. The dress suited the young pegasus mare just right. Something hit her from behind and two bubblegum earth ponies bounced in.

"Sorry we're late!" Berry Bubble chuckled. His eyes were unfocused and he kept hiccuping. Luna picked herself up from the ground and shook her head, looking back at the two ponies.

Pinkie Pie hiccuped. "Sorry there Princess *hic* Loona... I should be watshing where Imma going... *hic*" Pinkie Pie chuckled and fell over.

Luna looked at the hiccuping earth pony and frowned. "Why in the name of Equestria are these two drunk!?" She struggled to keep her voice lower.

She lost all control of her volume and screamed when Pinkie Pie suddenly leaped up and Berry copied her, both of them wearing goofy grin and laughing their manes off.

"HAHA! You should've seen your face, we really got you guys good!" She snorted, falling onto her back laughing.

Luna was holding her stomach as she laughed, she had to admit that Pinkie Pie and berry Bubble had done some good acting and that it was very funny.

Wiping a tear from her eye with one hoof, she got to her hooves and shook her wings. "Well, since this is Rainbow Dash's wedding, I'll be doing a special aerial trick when they say the 'I do' part. Rainbow a good friend of yours is going to be the announcer, Spitfire is her name I believe."

She smiled when Rainbow's jaw dropped and she started bouncing around the room squealing, "ohmygoshohmygoshohmygoshohmygoshohmygoshohmygoshohmygoshohmygosh..."

Rarity dragged her friend back down. "Rainbow Dash! I refuse to let you jump around, this dress took me days to make and I simply won't have you ruin it!" She scolded. The cyan pegasus glared daggers at her unicorn friend again. "Whatever." She grumped.

Luna looked at the multi-color maned mare. "Who's the lucky stallion?" She asked.

Rainbow kneaded the ground with a hoof and blushed deep crimson. She said something in a perfect imitation of Fluttershy.

"Come again?" Rarity said, leaning forwards.

Rainbow cocked her shoulders and lifted her chin and announced clearly for her friends to hear,

"Soarin'."

Rarity's sapphire eyes widened. "Soarin' of the Wonderbolts? aaaaaa..." She never finished that sentence, because she had fainted.

Applejack beamed at her friend. "Well color me pleased as punch. Never knew ya had it in ya tah ask someone from dem WONDERBOLTS out Dashie!" She nudged the blushing pegasus playfully.

"Actually... He asked me out. After he saw my Rainboom, he came to my house and told me he remembered how I saved his pie and that he'd never seen anyone as cool as me. So we started seeing each other a bit..." She said shyly, studying her fluffy shoes as her entire face turned the color of a ruby.

Rarity leaped up and squealed, eyes wide. "How impressive! I never thought a stallion would ask Rainbow out, I thought they were all too shy!" She exclaimed, receiving a punch in the shoulder.

"Clam it Rarity." Rainbow joked. All eight ponies laughed before a whoosh of air sounded and Spitfire's voice rang clearly, "Let the wedding begin!"

~~~

Luna rose into the sky, all eyes watching her from below. Her wings spread out and she flapped them light, floating before the sun.

She looked down and then leaned forwards, put her forelegs in an aerodynamical shape before snapping her wings shut and falling into a dive. She gained speed, falling like a rock and then her wings extended and she raced downwards. A thin white skin formed around her and she went harder. The cone suddenly turned black and she pulled up, her mane and tail flashing and stars flew everywhere, not stars but bright balls of light and they trailed after her as she soared in an arch then nose dived again. She neared the clouds and spread her wings as far was they would go, landing on the clouds softly and basking in the loud cheers of everypony.

"Princess! Princess! Princess!"

Luna smiled to herself as Rainbow and Soarin' kissed, locked in each other's embrace. She then remembered that Applejack's wedding was next, followed by Fluttershy and then Rarity.

Her shoulders sagged and she sighed. Today really was a busy day.

Embrace, Part 2

Applejack's dress was a criss cross of white silk, it looked like a large spiderweb. Her orange pelt was visible beneath in the gaps between the silk. Glitter shimmered on the dress in the light from the chandelier and lit up the farmer in a dazzling silver glow, throwing silver patches of light across the room like a disco ball. It didn't buff up, but lay flat and trailed behind her on the ground. The edges were weaved with white ribbon, filling the gaps and two pieces met and tied into a neat bow. Her shoes were as red as the apples she picked, their polished surfaces gleaming like an apple's peel. The red high heels gave the farm pony a boost in hight and she almost seemed younger. A glass crest topped her head, filled with a swirling rainbow that shimmered and waved in the light, swirling around and lighting up her blonde mane.

Luna had to stop her jaw from gaping. Applejack looked... presentable. She was used to a mud-caked, sweaty and apple seed covered orange farm pony, not this gorgeous fashionista. The others she had seen in dresses, even Rainbow, but never Applejack. Not even to the Gala. She saw Applejack shoot her a glare.

"Ah kin tell y'all ain't used to it, but no need to stare." She glanced meaningfully at Luna. Luna snorted and Applejack took the hint and ducked her head.

Luna heard a knock on the door. "Honey?" Came a masculine voice from the other side of the door. "In here sugar!" Applejack called. Luna's horn lit up and she coated the door in blue magic, pulling it open. An audible gasp came from seven ponies, Twilight, Pinkie, Fluttershy, Rarity, Rainbow, Berry and Luna. Soarin' said nothing because he didn't know Applejack that well.

Rarity fainted.

"Rarity my dear I haven't seen you in ages! Me and Applejack met up before you left Canterlot and I do say, she is one of the most charming ponies I have ever met!" Fancy Pants exclaimed, walking in and standing beside his wife. "I dare say that I'm lucky to have her, I imagine every stallion wanted this beautiful lady." He smiled warmly at Applejack.

Applejack blushed. "Aw shucks sugar, yer too kind." She crooned, nuzzling his shoulder.

Luna smiled. "Well, we should get going with the wedding. You two lovebirds should come with me and I'll conduct the ceremony." She beckoned with a forehoof and walked out the door, followed by the couple.

~~~

Fluttershy's dress was pale pink. When Luna leaned in closer, she saw that it was made of rose petals. Spider silk was sewed delicately into the dress, making complicated swirls and floating butterflies. Her shoes were bright blue in the centre and they extended into the shape of butterfly wings on each side and they flapped whenever she took a step. Small butterflies fluttered their wings, forming a crest along her head.

Fluttershy smiled. "It took a bit of convincing, but the butterflies agreed to help with my dress. It adds a nice touch, i-if that's ok with you I mean." She said, rubbing her hoof on the ground shyly. She perked up when Luna nodded and had to resist the urge to bounce around. "Oh that's great! Big Mac is sure to love it!" She looked at Luna, eyes shining like twin pearls.

Luna gasped. "Big Mac? You mean, you and Big Mac are getting married?" She asked.

Fluttershy nodded. "Yes. You see, we've been seeing each other more and more, so we decided to start dating. It's been 3 years since we got together and 2 months ago he asked me to marry him. I couldn't resist, I love him so much!" She said, eyes getting so bright Luna thought they were going to turn into twin suns. She smiled brightly. "He's so gentle, kind, brave and strong." She added, blushing.

A knock on the door and a handsome red stallion strode in, giving his wife a nuzzle and a kiss on the cheek. "Hello beautiful. Ah feel like mah heart's gonna burst from mah chest." He admitted.

Fluttershy nuzzled him back, rubbing her nose with his. "Me too love. But when we're happy and married, we won't need to be nervous." She replied, a bright smile on her butter yellow face.

Luna looked out the door and saw a crowd gathering. "We should get started on the wedding." She said, leaving the room with Fluttershy and Big Mac right behind her.

~~~

A loud shriek split the air. Big Mac ran forwards, green eyes blazing. Luna was flying above him, a bucket of water in her hooves. She dumped it on the blaze, conjured up more and a rush of water hit the burning church from her horn. Her wings struggled to flap as she doused the fire, terror gripping her like cold claws.

Rarity had been with her husband, surprising everyone when Prince Blueblood stepped out, followed by Discord. "Sorry I'm late honey. Traffic was hell." He had apologized, kissing Luna on the cheek.

Soon after, Rarity's dress had touched one of the candles and caught fire. She had run shrieking as the fire hit the carpet and soon the whole church was ablaze.

Discord zapped some clouds and it began to rain on the fire.

Rarity's shriek split the air. "Prince Blueblood!" She ran back into the blaze, the fire engulfing her pearl white form.

~~~

Rarity ran past burning wood, her hooves burning and her hair getting singed. She saw her husband, trapped under a fallen beam. "Honey!" She cried and flung herself at him, getting one shoulder under the beam and pushing with all her might, slamming it with a hoof and feeling it slip off.

Blueblood got to his hooves and shook himself off. Rarity could tell he was favoring a foreleg, he must have wrenched his shoulder. She heard a crack and looked up, seeing a blazing part of the roof cave in above her husband and fall. "NO!" She cried and flung herself at him, bowling him over and feeling the wood crash down on her, pounding all senses from her and throwing her into a pool of darkness.

"Luna over here!" Luna flew towards Discord and saw a pearl white figure stagger from the fire, Rarity on his back. Luna's eyes grew wide as the stallion fainted, one foreleg looked awfully swollen.

Luna's heart skipped a beat. Her wings clamped to her sides in terror and her body froze up in shock. She swooped down in a nose dive to grab the couple, trying to get a close enough range to use magic but a beam fell and struck her in the head and she plummeted, into the heart of the fire.

Silence

Sheer terror.

Luna's eyes had flutter open minute ago. She had taken in the hospital room surroundings and then turned to look at the beds beside her.

She stared at Prince Blueblood and Rarity, unconscious on the beds beside her.

She didn't know why, or how, but all the sorrow she had felt in the last 5 years came up and she started crying uncontrollably.

Sobs racked Luna's body as the tears flowed down her face freely. Everything's gone wrong! If only I hadn't broken my wing that night, if only I had just run passed the wall I could've avoided all of this! Tia would still be alive!

But nothing you did killed Sweetie Belle. Nothing you did injured Fluttershy. If you had kept running, Discord would never have helped you. You wouldn't have your kid.

The voices rang inside Luna's head and she put her hooves to her face.

"I don't know what to do!"

She wailed. She heard a door open and felt something jab into her foreleg before slipping into a tempting darkness.

~~~

Discord was packing the suitcase, Sun Blaze was packing his beside him.

Half a year had passed since Luna, Rarity and Prince Blueblood had been released from the hospital and Luna had discussed the idea with Discord.

They had discussed it for three months, had a falling out and then they had agreed. It was the only way to escape.

Luna was writing a letter out to Twilight Sparkle. The quill scratched on the parchment and she rolled it up when she was done and blasted it with magic, much like Spike when he sent a letter.

Discord looked back as Luna walked through the door, eyes dark. "Are you sure?" He asked her.

Luna faced him. "Discord I, you and our son can't take it anymore. We can't handle the pain, the stress or the fear anymore. I love you Discord and our son, if I didn't you'd be burying me by now." She told him and they kissed for a moment before pulling away and resuming the packing. Luna looked outside. 'It's time." All three suitcases shut with a snap and Luna's horn blazed.

Then the bright light engulfed the family and the room was empty, the wind blowing through the empty window.

~~~

Dear Twilight Sparkle,

Before you read this, gather all of your friends. No husbands, just them. I need you all to read this.

I can no longer rule over Equestria. I can't handle the stress of the job anymore. I can't do the sun and the moon, I never have and I never will be able to. I can't handle the fear, pain or sadness anymore. It's for the best that I resign. Now this letter isn't just to say goodbye, it is informing you of your new duties.

You and Rarity will have to raise the sun and moon. You two decide which does which. Since I am no longer able to, I will be passing on my duties to you. Between the both of you, it will be a simple task. I have left the book on my old bed for you to read up on the spells, so don't delay.

Fluttershy has been appointed caretaker of the castle garden. She will be caring for all the animals and nurturing the plants. Normally, me or Discord would do that but since we will no longer be present, it is up to her kindness and caring that the gardens survive.

Rainbow Dash will be in charge of making the wind blow and will command all the weather ponies in Equestria. She will have command over every pegasus worker. Oh, and tell her the Wonderbolts wish to have a word with her about joining them...

Finally, Applejack and Pinkie Pie.

Pinkie Pie will be in charge of all the parties ever thrown in Equestria. She will be in cahrge of supplying them and approving them. She will theme them and change them to however she wishes.

Applejack will be in charge of the apple selling in Equestria. She will rotate all the apples around Equestria and her farm will become the big apple business of Equestria.

Now, I must bid my final farewell. I will never return to Equestria, so you will never see me again. I will miss you Twilight Sparkle, Elements of Harmony. But now I must go. Don't ask where I'm going, you will never get there without an enormous surge of magic that is impossible for you to muster. But for now and ever, this is good bye.

I will miss you forever,

Princess Luna

Twilight Sparkle looked at the note, tears falling from her eyes as her friends hugged her. "I lost them both... I lost them both..." She wailed, covering her face with her hooves and sobbing uncontrollably. Her friends were standing there frozen in shock at what they had just read. Five sets of hooves wrapped around Twilight and tears soaked the wooden floor.

~~~

Luna stepped over a rock and looked out across the star studded sky. Discord and Sun Blaze came up behind her, looking at their new home with blank expressions.

"At least we have each other." She whispered, eyes watering as tears flowed down her face. She smiled a small smile. "No more pain, no more fear. No more sadness." She sighed.

Luna looked across the landscape, searching for any life, anything that could live out here.

The pitch black sky offered no reassurance. The planet of Equestria was further away, but still large and visible.

All that greeted their eyes was the grey surface of the bleak moon.

~~~~~

END

Return

A dark blue Alicorn with a flowing mane and tail was walking next to a pregnant unicorn that was a slight shade of lavender with a mane consisting of two shades of purple and one pink highlight. The latter was a very good friend of the Princess and they strolled like royalty didn't separate them.

"So who's the father?"

Princess Luna asked. The question had been lingering in her head but Twilight and refused to say who her husband was. Her friends didn't even know she had gotten married, they only knew she was expecting a foal. Nopony knew who Twilight's husband was.

Twilight chuckled. "Promise you won't tell? I want them to see him for themselves, but he's busy at work right now." She looked at Luna, who nodded. Twilight smiled.
"His name is Flim."

She confessed, grinning from ear to ear.

Luna frowned slightly. "But I thought you hated him."

Twilight shook her head. "No, we met a while later. He and Flam had a falling out and Flam took their machine in the middle of the night and ran off. Flim came back to Ponyville and he's been staying with me. He got a job over at Sweet Apple Acres after a lot of apologizing, but we've kept our relationship a secret." She explained.

Luna nodded. "It seems logical. I know Applejack will still be a bit sore around him after that competition." She murmured, not showing that she felt a bit worried. She knew that tensions would be high with Flim and now that he was going to have a family with Twilight she knew Applejack especially would get get very overprotective of Twilight. She shook off the thoughts, and smiled again. "I bet your children will be cute."

~~~

Discord was looking around Ponyville. He finally saw her, sitting down at a table. He walked over and sat with her.

"Hi Daddy." The pony beamed, her purple eyes unfocused. "I haven't seen you in forever, where have you been?" She asked, her head cocked to one side.

Discord frowned. "I was imprisoned in stone, again." He sighed, then smiled, "I hear that you've made some friends at school, who are they?" He asked, pride in his yellow eyes. He was proud of his daughter, whom he had adopted not long before he was trapped for 3 years.

Screwball smiled. "Apple Bloom and Scootaloo. I heard about they're friend Sweetie Belle who died in an accident. I feel so bad for them, so I've been trying to cheer them up. Before the reign of chaos, which was awesome by the way, they helped me get my cutie mark!" She squealed and stood up on her chair, showing her cutie mark.

On her pale rose flank there was a pearl white baseball and a screw. "We were playing baseball and I threw it so that it hit the fences and it made a zigzag patern before Scootaloo could hit it. Everypony was laughing so I started making funny noises and messing around, then this appeared! My talent must be making other laugh with my randomness!" She explained, a big smile on her face.

Discord chuckled. "Taking after your father eh? I'm so proud of you my dear." He said, his smile growing wider. He had adopted Screwball before he had reigned chaos and he had sent her to school a few days later. He was happy that she was doing well. Cheerilee had informed him that her grades were good and that she seemed to have a crush. Discord leaned forwards, an amused smile on his face. "So who's this colt that you have a crush on? Cheerilee told me how you seem to look at it from your desk."

Screwball blushed madly. "Um... His name is Rumble..." She stammered. "He's got a girlfriend though, Sun Glimmer." She sighed, frowning. Screwball looked around and saw the blue unicorn. She glared at her then turned away, pushing down her anger. She hated Sun Glimmer, but she couldn't tell that to her face.

Discord caught the glare. "Now how could he choose a regular unicorn over the most special pony in my life?" He wondered, catching her eye. Screwball started laughing. "Oh daddy, you always know how to cheer me up!" She giggled, poking him with a hoof. Discord smiled. It had been a long time since he got to spend time with his daughter like this. He thrust all his worries away and smiled.

~~~

Luna looked around and stopped when she saw Discord talking with a young earth pony. Curious, she sat down and watched. She couldn't hear what they were saying, but she didn't like it. She heard a hearty laugh from Discord and glared. What she saw next made her get to her hooves and lifted the hair along her spine.

Discord laughed. "Screwball you are so much like me. I love you." He leaned forwards and pecked her on the cheek. Screwball smiled. "I love you too daddy, then she shrank in horror as a shadow was cast over her and her father.
Discord cocked his head to one side, then smiled when he saw it was Luna. "Hello dear, what's wrong?" He asked, noticing the fir in her eyes and the glare on her face.

Luna nearly blew up. "What's wrong!? Explain why you're kissing this pony!" She boomed, ignoring the looks of ponies and they stopped what they were doing and watched. Luna felt emotions whirling through her; pain, sorrow and downright rage.
Discord flinched. "Luna, this is-" A hoof slapped his face and he fell over, tears in his eyes. "Save it!" Her voice had a dark hint in it.

She seemed to get taller, towering over everyone. Her eyes were narrowed, her pupils slit like a dragon and they dark blue turned turquoise and her flowing mane blazed with the light of the stars. Her cutie mark darkened to purple and Nightmare Moon stood over the Draconequus.

"At last I have control of this puny Princess." She purred, voice full of ice. Her mane shot into the sky and Nightmare Moon rose up, powerful black wings beating. She looked down at the cowering ponies and her eyes flashed.

"Nothing can stop me now! The night will rule!"