She's back?

In ancient tales of legend, stories spread about the mysterious visage that marked the moon and even more about the event that caused it. Thus, they are often tied to an event together, with the event itself gaining the name "Moonlit Dawn." This phenomenon and what came after, captivated scholars, evoking as much intrigue as the enigmatic figure referred to as the "Mare in the Moon." did to the common populace of the time. Speaking of, unfortunately, most of the original accounts were merely verbal retellings and stories, stories that evolved, distorted by oral tradition and the passage of years, yet each retained a core element of truth within its narrative. Central to these narratives was the depiction of a being of the night. It consistently emphasized a being (theorized to be an Alicorn as well) of the night who served as a balancing counterpart to our beloved Princess. This entity ultimately inspired the figure of Nightmare Moon, the infamous mare of the Nightmare Night holiday, feared as a devourer of foals.

Regarding the ‘Mare in the Moon’ herself, most accounts demonize the figure within the lunar visage, assigning derogatory names and attributes that often served political or ideological agendas. Conversely, other narratives adopt a more empathetic tone, describing a mare who succumbed to discordant forces, driven by overwhelming jealousy and anger. A version of this tale, perhaps familiar to many readers, was later adapted into a children's story published by the Royal Canterlot Publishing House. This version gained widespread acceptance as the most credible account, and then later passed off as merely a legend, as is the title of the book it is said to be the case. However, evidence exists—fragments of older stories, written documents, and artefacts— in the historical sense that mention the Moonlit Dawn and predate the oldest version of the current prime account by at least 24 years. Unfortunately, those records have mentioned a second Princess, who is mentioned nowhere else. That princess is theorized to be the Mare in the Moon. The one who is supposed to be ‘permanently’ banished.

If the prophecy that was later associated with this legend marks the original occurrence of the event, then the "Nightmare" should have returned eight years ago. Conversely, if the prophecy signifies the date of its declaration, the event would coincide with the 1000th Summer Sun Celebration, which will take place 16 years from the date of this book's writi-

The book slammed shut with a sharp clap, the force from the throw rattled the stack it landed on as Twilight Sparkle let out a low, exasperated groan. With a flick of her horn, the next volume floated toward her, its spine creaking under the strain of magic. She barely glanced at it, no more than reading the title, before she tossed it aside. Five books down since the sun had dipped below the horizon, and still nothing. No clues, no answers—just the same tired, circular tales that refused to explain anything with proof!

Twilight sighed, rubbing her eyes with the back of her hoof. The dull ache behind them was growing, the kind that came from staring at a tiny script for too long under the flickering glow of candlelight. The legend of Nightmare Moon had sunk its hooks into her mind, and no matter how many rational arguments she threw at it, the unease refused to loosen its grip. She wasn’t one to put stock in fairy tales. She was not a superstitious pony; she didn't believe in monsters of fantasy or old mare tales, nor was she frightened by them. She knew they weren't real, and legends were just legends.

But this one was different.

It had started a week ago, with an innocuous gift from Princess Celestia: a beautifully bound book filled with ancient myths. The kind of thing Twilight would normally devour in a single sitting and then promptly forget. But one passage had lingered, heavy and unshakable. The prophecy, and the endless night it promised. The timing is so uncomfortably close to the upcoming Summer Sun Celebration—the thousandth one, no less. It wasn’t just a coincidence. It couldn’t be, she refused to believe it was.

Her mentor’s assurances echoed in her head: “It’s just a story, Twilight.” But Twilight had seen the flicker of something in Celestia’s eyes. A hesitation. A pause too long before the words came. That wasn’t nothing. Yet that was almost all she found about this story, absolute nothing, nothing beyond speculations upon speculations and mere references to more legends. It was so frustrating she wanted to scream and tear the book of legends that caused this plight to fall on her.

Spike’s soft snores drew her gaze and made her let go of that plan. The baby dragon lay sprawled atop a mountain of discarded books, one leg hanging off the edge, twitching in his sleep. Twilight’s chest tightened with a pang of guilt. He’d tried to keep up with her frantic pace, but exhaustion had won out hours ago. She couldn’t blame him. Part of her longed to join him, to close her eyes just for a moment. But she shoved the thought aside. This was too important. Sleep could wait. But her assistant didn't have to suffer a cold night because of it. Gently, Twilight brought a soft blanket and covered the young drake with it. Hopefully, that was enough.

The next book was old. Really old. Its cover was cracked and faded, the title long worn away. Twilight hesitated, brushing her hoof gently across its surface, feeling the bumps and ridges of long-forgotten symbols. When she opened it, a musty, ancient smell wafted up, thick and earthy. She inhaled deeply, a habit she’d picked up somewhere along the way. The scent of knowledge, she called it.

What she hadn’t expected was the text inside. No familiar script. No easy translation spells flickering to life. The words were carved into the pages, deep and deliberate, etched in flowing draconic runes, a further testament to this book's age. Twilight’s brow furrowed. Books in the royal archives were supposed to be enchanted, readable by anypony. But this one… this one felt like it had been hidden, an unwanted remnant kept for reasons she couldn't fathom.

Nonetheless, her curiosity peaked, and a flicker of hope ran through her. Her pulse quickened as she summoned a translation guide from a nearby shelf. The process was slow and painstaking. Each rune had to be cross-referenced and matched to an Equestrian equivalent. But bit by bit, meaning emerged. It, too, spoke of the Moonlit Dawn, but this one had something the others didn't: a treasure hidden deep, a reward for her efforts. A name: ‘ᛉᚮᚮᚿ’.

“Månen,” she whispered, the word rolling awkwardly off her tongue. It translated roughly to “Luna” in the modern language.

“Moon.” Twilight snorted. More by the whimsy of exhaustion than actual amusement “Real creative.” But…the way it was used in the text made her pause. It wasn’t just a name. It was a presence, a constant as if this ‘Luna’ wasn't a character made for the legend but an established being of great importance; the book spoke of her ‘uniting with her domain, neither alone any longer’. But, what did that mean? Was this ‘Luna’, the pony that Nightmare Moon was before her betrayal? If so, why was there no mention of her anywhere else?

Twilight’s ears drooped as frustration bubbled up again. Just as she thought she got rid of one mystery, as soon as she thought she had some sort of lead, a new mystery unfolded. She thumped her head against the desk, the wood cool against her forehead. She was running out of time. The celebration was just after tomorrow, and she had nothing concrete to show for all her sleepless nights. Confronting Princess Celestia directly felt inevitable now. But how? What could she say that hadn’t already been brushed aside? And worse, what if she was wrong? No, no…what if she was right? She suddenly found herself too tired and afraid to think of what being right would lead to.

For now, though, just a moment, perhaps she can rest and think of what to do later. Just one moment to rest her eyes, and then she'll get back to work. The candlelight blurred as her eyelids grew heavy, the room fading into soft shadows. The desk was surprisingly comfortable. Maybe… maybe just a minute.

As her breathing slowed, the library fell silent, save for the soft snores of both a dragon and a pony.

———————————————

The road stretched endlessly before them, a ribbon of well-worn earth winding through the rolling hills of Equestria’s countryside. Its surface, hardened by countless hoof steps and wagon wheels, was peppered with stones that glinted faintly in the golden light of dawn. The sky above was an ever-changing canvas, bathed in hues of amber, rose, and pale lilac as if nature itself celebrated the beginning of a new day. Gentle wisps of mist clung to the low-lying fields, dissipating slowly as the sun’s warmth began to touch the land.

The scent of wildflowers mingled with the earthy aroma of the road, created a heady perfume. Clusters of daisies, buttercups, and cornflowers swayed in the morning breeze, their vibrant petals like splashes of paint against the verdant backdrop. Somewhere in the distance, the faint trill of a lark added a melodic undercurrent to the scene, its song rising and falling in harmony with the creaking of the wagon wheels.

The wagon itself was a testament to both craftsmanship and resilience. Its sturdy frame, built from dark oak and reinforced with iron, bore the wear of countless journeys. Each nick and scratch on its surface told a story of adventures past, of storms weathered and trails conquered. The carvings etched by curious young hooves—stars, hearts, and crooked flowers—added a touch of whimsy, a reminder that even the most utilitarian objects could hold moments of joy.

At the front, Coal Flint walked with a steady, unhurried gait, his dark slate coat shimmering faintly in the early light. His mane, thick and streaked with silver of age and work, was pulled back in a simple yet functional style. His eyes, a steely grey softened by age, scanned the horizon as he walked in a relaxed gait; it wasn't the first and it wasn't the last time they go through this road, they had to visit Ponyville at least once every 3 months for trade, but this time it was for a vacation rather than work.

Beside him, Spark Flint trotted with a youthful energy that contrasted his father’s measured pace. His deep maroon coat gleamed with a healthy sheen, and his dark brown mane, unruly despite his best efforts, fluttered in the breeze. Though he mimicked his father’s posture, there was a barely contained eagerness in his movements, as if he wanted to get to the town as fast as he could. He, like most of them, was eager to arrive as soon as possible.

Behind them, Marigold sat near the centre, her sunny yellow coat glowing in the warm light. Her mane, a cascade of orange curls, was tied back with a simple ribbon that seemed to catch the breeze. She hummed a soft tune as she worked, her voice low and soothing. Despite the comb clenched between her teeth, her melody retained a lilting, melodic quality, like a lullaby carried on the wind. It did help that she used her wings as a small source of shade.

Petal Breeze, seated in front of her mother, shifted restlessly under the gentle tug of the comb. Her pale vanilla coat shimmered clean and soft. Her green eyes, bright and inquisitive, darted between her mother and her brother, reflecting mild irritation. She wrinkled her nose as Marigold untangled a particularly stubborn knot but said nothing, choosing instead to focus on her brother.

Ember, perched at the wagon’s edge, was a bundle of barely contained energy. His fiery orange mane seemed to glow. It had fallen to the back, lifted slightly by the breeze as he craned his neck, pointing excitedly at the clouds. His wings, still small and eager to be used, twitched with anticipation, mirroring the restless excitement that radiated from him. He squinted into the sunlight, his expression one of slight anger and irritation that mirrored his older twin.

“I’m telling you, the cloud‘s shaped like a phoenix!” Ember’s voice, high-pitched and insistent, cut through the quiet. He jabbed a hoof skyward, eyes wide with conviction. “Look at the wings! They’re huge!”

Petal Breeze sighed, tired of a conversation that she had for what must have been the thousandth time “It’s just a cloud, Ember.” She leaned back, tilting her head to get a better look. “You always see things that aren’t there. Remember last week? You thought a pile of rocks was a dragon.”

Ember huffed, folding his forelegs across his chest. “It could have been a dragon.”

Luna, seated near a stack of hay bales, watched the exchange with quiet amusement. Her deep navy blue coat stood in striking contrast to the warm tones around her, and her mane, long and set loose, cascaded down in tints of faded bright cyan, closer to white as it neared the tips. The cool morning breeze played with the loose strands, sending them dancing across her face. Her wings, though folded neatly at her sides, twitched occasionally, betraying her own restlessness. Like the young Ember, she wanted to stretch her wings and fly, even if she just sat down to rest from her shift. The sleeping mare that lay against her side, Tempere, did not seem to share that feeling.

A soft snort escaped her, too amused to conceal it, a sound that drew both foals’ attention. Petal Breeze frowned, while Ember’s eyes lit up with renewed enthusiasm.

“See? Luna agrees with me!” Ember beamed, his wings fluttering excitedly. “It is a phoenix!”

Petal Breeze looked at her brother as if he had grown a second head, tilting her head in confusion before it got pulled back by her mother. She let out a frustrated snort before she rolled her eyes. “She just snorted, doofus.”

Luna chuckled softly, amused by the bickering of young siblings. It brought back good memories. “Perhaps,” she mused, tilting her head thoughtfully. “Or perhaps I simply enjoy the idea of a phoenix gracing us with its presence.” Her gaze lifted to the cloud in question, studying its contours with a critical eye. After a moment, she smirked. Perhaps “On second thought, it looks more like a manticore.”

Ember’s face fell, and he let out a groan of frustration. Petal Breeze, for her part, looked genuinely puzzled, squinting at the sky in an attempt to see what Luna saw.

“A manticore?” Petal Breeze wrinkled her nose. “How do you even see that?”

Luna’s smile deepened a twinkle of mischief in her eyes. “Imagination, dear Petal. The world is full of shapes and stories if you only know where to look.”

Ember perked up at that, his earlier frustration forgotten. “See? I told you! It’s all about imagination!” He bounced slightly on his haunches, wings flaring out briefly before folding back again. “What else do you see, Luna?”

Luna leaned back, resting her weight against the hay bales. She let her gaze wander across the sky, the warmth of the sun a gentle balm against her tired muscles. “Hm… there,” she pointed to a cluster of clouds near the horizon. “That one looks like a castle. And over there—a griffon, soaring above the towers.”

Ember followed her hoof, his eyes wide with awe. “I see it! The Griffon's wings are huge!” Luna almost asked him how he agreed when he had never seen a griffon in his life but decided against it as she saw the wonder and smile on his face.

Petal Breeze, despite herself, smiled. “Okay, I’ll admit, that one does look like a castle.” She turned back to her mother “What do you think, Mom?

Marigold, who let go of the comb when Petal turned to look into the sky, did the same as the two foals and hummed for a moment “Hm, I think that its silly to imagine what clouds might look like when there are ponies who can shape them….buuuut if you must know, I think it looks like a cat.”

Whatever response the children gave, Luna didn't hear. She zoned out as she stared at the morning sky. For all the comfort she felt, she couldn't truly ignore the dread within her. Ponyville was the host town this year, out of all years. Her sister will be there.

Would she recognize her? Most likely, even with all that changed, Luna didn't exactly blend in with the other ponies, even after the loss of her horn. She was still too large, and her cutie mark was a dead giveaway. Did she want to be recognized? Maybe, Luna wasn't sure herself. Whatever it was, things have changed. She wasn't alone as she was in the old days. She had a new family, friends, and all the other things she lacked all those centuries ago.

Still, she did think of her sister every now and then. She can't just forget about everything they went through, nor could she forget what she went through, no matter how much she wanted to good or bad. Soon enough, she lost herself to the rhythm of travel, a second shift flew by, and she hadn't even remembered waking Tempere, or if she was the one to wake her up. Was it her? Or one of the twins? She didn't know, nor notice. The others noticed, but they were used to her oddities and zoning out by now.

It wasn't long before they arrived at Ponyville. The small town was busier than ever, with guests coming from other towns to attend the festival, for many of the initial celebrations occurred on the night before the celebration, an insult that Luna's anger still flared by.

As she separated from the rest to walk around the town, she was surprised to see a cute young mare covered in mud, get drenched in rain by courtesy of Rainbow Dash, then there was the young drake accompanying the new mare. Curious, and wishing to greet a friend she went to check it out.

———————————————

Twilight bit back the groan bubbling in her throat, her jaw tightening as rivulets of water dripped from her mane and tail. The path beneath her hooves had turned to mud in spots, thanks to the Rainbow-maned culprit hovering before her. Her mane, usually neat and straight, now clung to her face in sodden, limp strands, and the cool water dripped steadily from her muzzle onto the packed dirt. She opened her mouth to voice her irritation—something cutting but not overly harsh—but the Pegasus was already off again.

In a blur of vibrant colour, the mare whipped around Twilight, the wind from her rapid flight tousling the unicorn’s drenched fur. Despite her annoyance, Twilight couldn’t help but marvel, for the briefest of moments, at the sheer precision of the mare’s flight. The tight radius she maintained and the speed at which she moved were remarkable. Pegasi trained for years to achieve such control in the air. But any flicker of admiration Twilight felt was short-lived, obliterated as she felt her mane poof up in a wild, frizzy explosion.

The Pegasus skidded to a halt, landing with an exaggerated flourish. Her chest puffed out in a display of self-satisfaction, and her magenta eyes sparkled with mischief as she surveyed her ‘hoofwork.’

“How about my very own patented Rain-Blow Dry! No need to thank me—you’re quite welcome.” Her voice was brimming with confidence, her grin as wide as the horizon.

As her gaze finally settled on Twilight’s mane, her confident face cracked, as amusement seeped in and then she burst into raucous laughter. Tears welled up in her eyes as she doubled over, pointing a hoof at Twilight as though the unicorn’s appearance was the funniest thing she had ever seen.

Spike, standing just off to the side, didn’t take long to join her. The little dragon’s laughter rang out in a high-pitched wheeze as he clutched his stomach, stumbling slightly under the force of his mirth.

Twilight’s patience, already stretched thin, was fraying at the edges. She drew in a deep breath, just wishing to get this over with, when another voice a new voice cut through the laughter like a blade of calm against chaos.

“Well, well, Rainbow Dash. I didn’t know you’d taken up mane styling.” The tone was smooth and even, carrying just the faintest hint of amusement. “Although,” the voice added after a beat, “you might want to keep your ‘work’ far away from Rarity. She’ll have a heart attack.”

The laughter subsided as Twilight turned towards the source of the voice. Her irritation gave way to wide-eyed curiosity as she took in the sight of what must have been the tallest mare after Princess Celestia and Cadance, approaching them with a smile on her face.

Her coat was a rich, deep navy blue that seemed to drink in the sunlight, smooth and sleek, with just a faint sheen that spoke of a Pegasus who took care of herself. Her mane was a smooth if slightly poofy cascade of cyan tints that grew brighter towards the tips, where they turned to shimmering white. Her wings, folded at her sides, shared this gradient effect albeit with the darker tints of the navy blue coat, the feathers tinged at the edges with soft, white hues.

Twilight’s gaze travelled upward, meeting the mare’s eyes—piercing turquoise orbs. There was something curious about her expression, an unasked question lingering in the way she tilted her head ever so slightly. A question that Twilight didn't get, but she doubted it was asked to her anyway.

Rainbow Dash brightened visibly at the sight of the newcomer but was quick to frown as the words registered. “Ha ha, very funny,” she said with a mock pout, sticking her tongue out like a petulant foal. “I was just trying to help.”

Twilight let out a groan, loud and unapologetic this time, drawing the attention of both Pegasi. It was time to get this over with.

“Shouldn’t you be clearing the sky?” Twilight asked, directing her question at Rainbow Dash with a pointed glare. She immediately regretted her tone and words, realising how rude and accusatory it had sounded. Clearing her throat and softening her voice with some remorse, she quickly added, “I’m sorry. My name is Twilight Sparkle. The Princess sent me to oversee the preparations, and I noticed the sky still isn’t clear.”

At the mention of the Princess, Twilight noticed a subtle reaction from the tall mare. It was fleeting—a faint twitch of her wings and a slight narrowing of her eyes—but enough to spark Twilight’s curiosity.

Rainbow Dash, on the other hoof, merely shrugged, reclining lazily on a nearby cloud she had dragged down. “Yeah, yeah. I’ll get to it in a jiffy. I’m just… practicing.”

Twilight raised an eyebrow, her irritation mounting. “Practicing? Practising for what?”

“The Wonderbolts,” the taller Pegasus interjected, her voice calm but with a faint undercurrent of exasperation. “She thinks if she shows off enough, they’ll recruit her on the spot.”

Twilight blinked, taken aback. “The Wonderbolts?”

“Yep!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed, puffing out her chest with pride. “Fastest flyers in Equestria. I only need to show them my stuff and they'll- HEY NOT LIKE THAT!” she said with a blush. Ah, Twilight's own blush as she thought about what Rainbow said must have been visible.

Twilight felt her cheeks flush even more at Rainbow’s flustered glare. Clearing her throat, she decided to play her own hoof and go back to the topic. “You expect to join the Wonderbolts when you can’t even clear the sky?”

Rainbow’s eyes narrowed, her apparent competitive spirit flaring. Forgetting all about her embarrassment “Oh yeah? I can clear this sky in ten seconds flat!”

Twilight tilted her head, feigning scepticism. “Prove it.”

Rainbow Dash grinned, her confidence practically radiating off her. “You’re on!”

With a burst of energy, the Pegasus shot off into the sky, her rainbow-coloured contrail streaking across the blue like a comet. She was a blur of motion, kicking apart clouds with precision and speed that left Twilight’s mouth agape. She barely had time to count before Rainbow was back, hovering smugly above the now-pristine sky.

“See? Ten seconds flat,” Rainbow declared, crossing her hooves and giving Twilight a triumphant smirk. She had an air of arrogance that unfortunately seemed to be rightfully deserved.

Twilight’s jaw hung open for a moment before she felt a soft feather nudge her chin, gently closing her mouth. Startled, she turned to find the tall mare standing beside her, a faint smile playing on her lips.

“Quite a sight, isn’t it?” the mare said, her voice low and thoughtful. “Rainbow Dash may talk a lot, but she backs it up. Well…most of it that is.”

Twilight nodded mutely, still in awe of what she’d just witnessed and couldn't help but still be focused on the now clear sky. But her attention did drift back to the other mare as she extended a hoof, her movements graceful and deliberate. “I’m Luna. A pleasure to meet you, Twilight Sparkle.”

The name hit like a thunderclap as Twilight's mind reeled to the name etched in runes. Luna. The name was unmistakable, but it couldn’t be. This mare was a Pegasus, not an Alicorn. And yet, there was something about her—her stature, her calm confidence, the crescent moon cutie mark.

Twilight hesitated, her mind racing with questions, but she quickly took the offered hoof. “Uh, a pleasure to meet you too, Luna.”

The mare’s eyes sparkled with something unreadable—amusement? Curiosity? She gave Twilight a nod before glancing skyward. “I’ll make sure Rainbow keeps the sky clear, Ms Sparkle. Go ahead and focus on your other tasks.”

“O-Oh no, I can't do that. You don't need to bother yourself really, plus I doubt that it will take any time for her to get the job done if more clouds drift here.”

Luna simply smiled and shook her head. “it's not a bother, truly. I've been itching for a good flight. Also, you'd be surprised by the mess that Rainbow makes compared to the ones that she cleans.”

With that, Luna spread her wings and launched herself into the air, her form cutting gracefully through the blue expanse, it didn't take her long to catch up to Rainbow Dash who took to flying higher above to do some moves.

Twilight stared after her for a long moment, her thoughts swirling like a storm. Could she really be that Luna? It didn’t make sense, and yet…

Spike’s voice snapped her back to reality; she must have zoned out. For how long? She didn't know. “Weather’s done!”

Twilight turned to see her assistant smirking knowingly, quill in claw as he marked off the box on the checklist.

“What?” she asked, narrowing her eyes. What was he so smug about? Amused, sure she can chalk it up to the pile of poof she had for a mane, but smugness?

“Nothing,” Spike said with an exaggerated air of innocence. “Just saying—it’s done.”

Twilight rolled her eyes, but as she turned towards the boutique that housed decorations, her mind remained preoccupied. She really needed to get everything over with and get to the library.