Mein Kampf: Teil Zwei

It was a simple click that announced the unbinding of Nightmare Moon's chains.  It was a sound that she had waited three hundred thousand, sixty-five thousand, two hundred and forty-two days to hear.

And she had counted each day for one thousand years.

As the four bright beacons that she had watched for after all of this time finally came to rest before her, Nightmare Moon smiled slightly.

"Starswirl..." the Lunar Mare said fondly as the stars blinked out of their bright forms to reveal four astral forms, each resembling a pony.

"It has been too long, teacher." the bearded Unicorn said with a sad waver in his voice before he galloped forward to nuzzle his mentor's chest.

Nightmare Moon let out a small giggle before bending her head down to nuzzle the top of his head before turning her gaze towards the three remaining ponies.

"Jer'rahd." Nightmare said proudly with a slight nod before the armored Unicorn saluted in reply.

"Midnight Wing, Galthaz." Nightmare finished, respectfully acknowledging the black and yellow flight-suited Pegasus and then the towering Earth Pony.

"Princess," Starswirl began, taking a step back to stand among the rest of Nightmare Moon's friends.  "Believe me when I say that we went as fast as we could, but the sky is simply too huge.  We only hope that we aren't too late."

"Even if we art, it is nary of thy fault.  The guilt and blame will always fall onto Her shoulders, and eventually it will catch up to her." Nightmare Moon interrupted softly.  "As much as we enjoy seeing thou all again, it will be quite some time before we can meet again, a final time.  We apologize, but we must return at once.  Please, send us back."

With a sad sigh, Starswirl nodded and the group formed a square around their waiting Princess.  Their transparent bodies began to glow brighter and brighter until Nightmare Moon was completely blinded.  Before she felt the cold lunar surface change beneath her feet, she felt a small nuzzle against her cheek and a small voice whisper farewell into her ear.

She had only hoped she wasn't too late...

"Twilight?" Princess Celestia asked curiously as she idly poked through the shelves within the Canterlot Library, alongside her star pupil.

"Yes, Princess?"

"Do you ever wonder what the world feels like?"

"...E-Excuse me?" Twilight asked cautiously, confused by the question.

"You spend every day hiding away behind your books.  Do you ever wish to venture out into the world and see it all for yourself?"

"But what about my studies?!  How will I report to you-" Twilight began quickly before being interrupted by a gold shoe'd hoof met her snout gently.

"Hush, Twilight.  Everypony needs a break once in a while.  You've done far more than your fare share within the castle and with your studies."

"A-Are you getting rid of me?! D-Did I do something wrong- am I a bad student?" Twilight whispered in fear.

Closing her eyes and taking a deep breath, Celestia rolled her eyes before continuing.  "No, Twilight.  I said a break.  You've been working almost nonstop for the past eleven years, and I think you deserve one."

"But Princess, there's so much more to learn- so much to do, still!"

"And it all can wait until after you've taken a break." Princess Celestia replied sternly before calming herself.  "Twilight.  If you really must keep working, then I will send you to Ponyville to oversee the Summer Sun Celebration for this year.  The townsfolk are the friendliest one will ever meet, I assure you."

Defeated, Twilight Sparkle lowered her head and mumbled her agreement.

"Good.  Now, go get packed- you leave first thing tomorrow morning!" Princess Celestia giggled as her student suddenly galloped down the halls.

When she was sure that her student had gone and that she was all alone, Princes Celestia closed in on the giant window that overlooked the Canterlot Gardens.

But her gaze was not focused on the statues and plants.  Rather, her snout was lifted up towards the skies with her eyes locked coldly on the gray, dull moon whose only feature was the faint shadow of a mare she once knew and trusted.

"Good luck, sister.  You'll need it." Celestia whispered menacingly, with a glare, before turning and leaving the library to be bathed in darkness.