The Future is Ours: Salvation of a Moon

by KarmaSentinal

Rating: teen
Tags: Alternate Universe, Tragedy, Adventure
Length: 12344

Accused for Treason of a crime she doesn't remember committing , Luna must find the truth while being pursued by her friends and nearly everypony in Equestria.

Wanted:
Princess of the Moon, Luna
Reward: 1,000,000 Bits for any help that leads to the successful apprehension of Luna.
Wanted for treason against the land of Equestria, and the Princess of the Sun. She is considered very dangerous and hostile, so if spotted contact the nearest Guard unit. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO APPREHEND HER BY YOURSELF! If questioned or asked to assist by a Guard or the Elements of Harmony, you are required to give any and all assistance you can provide.

Numerous and similar posters like this litter nearly every wall, post and board in Equestria. Wanted and unwilling to fight the very ponies she once called friends, Luna is forced to run and hide like a common criminal. With no allies to run to or acquire help from, Luna must avoid the numerous patrols and the Elements of Harmony, all while trying to find out what happened that night. Why the sun failed to rise and what, or who, could have caused Celestia to never awaken from her sleep?

Thanks to my good friend OyoSama for creating the cover art of my story.

Also want to thank my new editor,Hopeless Appraisal for going over this story and being really on the ball.

Published 1970-01-01 00:00:00 UTC
Last updated 2014-01-13 19:27:10 UTC

Prologue: Cruel moon, bring the end

“Luna? Are you sure you’re feeling well?” Celestia’s flawless voice splintered with worry and anxiety for her sister’s well-being.  Having only just started getting used to Luna’s presence around the castle once more, Celestia was determined not to lose it again. And true to her vow and promise, Celestia had done any and everything she could to help ease her sister’s transition back into society… and still Luna seemed aloof with generally everything in day to day Equestrian running’s.

Luna blinked as she jumped from her recently created and newly categorized thoughts and concerns to look up at the “ill at ease” expression her sister was given her. Luna mentally sighed, not in annoyance but in an “I appreciative the concerns, but I’m a big mare that can handle my own problems now” sigh. It was truly wonderful to be back and finally able to grasp her sister in her hooves once more, it truly was and Luna really did miss Celestia, but her constant smothering was starting to suffocate her.

Luna only wanted maybe a day, a week at the most, to clear her mind, process, and adapt to this… this Eden of a kingdom her sister had built in her absence. To be able to explore and interact with their subjects a bit more informally as a fellow pony and not as their ruler, maybe even make a friend or two in the process. If Luna had to decide on any possible good to have come out of her banishment, she would have likely picked the swiping of her slate clean.

Without a doubt, many events would have been different if she had ruled by her sister’s side during those 1,000 years, but she likely would have followed in Celestia’s hoof steps in setting herself up as a demi-god. In truth they were demi-gods in both term and power, but separating themselves in almost all aspects of their subjects’ lives just because of their title and power? Nay, Luna thought over and over again to herself. They should be involved in the lives of their subjects more than just sitting on their elevated throne and passing judgment, shouldn't they?

“We are humbled sister, and cherish your sympathy towards our well-being, but… “ Luna trailed off in brief thought, wondering how to word this next part without possibly causing her sister to panic.

“We feel thou may be over doing it.” She bluntly stated, looking her sister in the eyes. Luna saw the flicker of emotions playing through Celestia’s eyes as they analyzed and battled for a response. Her muzzle retaining its practiced and calculated expression during the entire process before finally drooping in defeat.

“Luna,” The older sister weakly spoke. “I...I’m sorry if I’m really bothering you that much. The day I banished you… I nearly lost my will to continue on. Only for the well-being of our ponies did I even try to continue.”

Celestia’s tone, devoid of its usual warmth and radiance, started delicately plucking at Luna’s heartstrings, creating a heart aching mix of doubt and guilt over her blunt and now obvious poorly chosen words.

“Luna…” She silently flinched at her own name.

“The last thousand years were nothing more than a dark and depressing time for me.  I locked myself away for nearly a decade to grieve, and would have stayed longer if it weren’t for my…our ponies.” Celestia momentarily paused to fix the more noticeable cracks that squirmed along her mask.

“It wasn’t until Twilight came along that I felt that similar spark we shared, sister. Up till that point I didn’t really live, only existed and nothing more. Plagued by ghosts from the past, my soul could find no release from its eternal sorrow, if I may borrow the words of the famed gentlecolt E. Poe. He was a troubled, but truly brilliant pony in all senses of the word, and sometimes I think he was maybe the only other pony that understood what I was going through at the time.”

Following Celestia’s deep and honest confession, the sisters continued their walk, only now haunted by a lingering silence. Celestia kept her regal appearance for the benefit of those they passed, but eternally she was in anguish. Her sister, Luna, fared no better if not worse. Her pose and self-confidence were almost nonexistent; favoring the tired and defeated look of a scolded foal, the night princess trudged alongside her sister hoping for the ill tasted mood to go away.

A few more crawling minutes, and a quick turn here and there, and the pair found themselves in front a pair of simply massive, aged oak doors that marked the entrance to Celestia’s chambers. The two solar guards noticed the pair, and to most would have gone unnoticed. But to Luna’s surreal eyes, she noticed them quickly twitch in alertness at her presence.

“Truly I’m forever feared and alone.”   Luna sulkily thought.

Surprisingly, at least it seemed to Luna, Celestia gave a small nod to the two guards, who left in haste, leaving the two siblings alone only after giving the “monster” a wide berth. “Luna. Please don’t ta-”

“Tis fine dear sister.” Luna cut her off. “We are not concerned with what others think of us.”

Celestia, for a pleading moment, felt a slight ping of joy at hearing her younger sister’s words. Thinking of them as possible signs of her growing tenacious personality… but that was shot down as quickly as she thought of it.

“For they are right to do so. We do not need, nor crave their affections.” She stated with such venom and hatred that Celestia nearly jolted back in fright. Taking action before anything else was to happen; she moved forward, surprising the night mare with her sudden embrace. Stunned and unsure how to proceed, Luna stood still as her sister poured every ounce of love and sympathy she could muster into her hug until finally Luna caved. With painfully guarded tears, she graciously leaned into her older sibling’s breast, greedily eager to accept any attention she could get.

“Sister…” Luna whispered, unable to summon anymore words while her rambunctious thoughts bombarded her mental walls; unable to focus or decide on anything other than to silently accept the comforting hug.

“I’ve missed you so terribly, Luna. It’s good to finally have you back.”

“We…I missed thee as well.” Luna returned her sister’s hug with earnest. The feeling of worth and belonging always seemed to dance just within Luna’s hooves before vanishing into dust. It stung her deeply. Millennia of isolation with nothing more to keep her mind occupied than festering thoughts of revenge and ill intent melted in that moment. Luna hugged her sister even more, not caring if her tears were likely staining the white mare’s pristine coat.

“Sister, your words are far too kind and forgiving for what we had done to you.” Luna could practically feel her sister’s smile grow as the radiant warmth that engulfed her increased a bit.  This was going to be harder then she had first thought. “And it pains us greatly that you, dear sister, will never see the world we would create.”

Before her words could sink in, Luna summoned the ghostly dagger she had been concealing and plunged it deep into her sister’s neck. Celestia’s eyes widen with true disbelief, struggling to break the hug she had started, only to find Luna’s embrace had tighten. The struggles lessened and the muffled cries went silent before the solar mare finally collapsed limply onto the cold tile floor. Fixed with steely regret, Luna closed her eyes, slightly ashamed of the act she had just committed; a necessary act, she quickly noted mentally before silencing her tears to look once more at figure she had called sister, now lying unmoving and dim on the floor.

“They’ll come to love me as they did you. They’ll come to love and adore the night as they do with your day. I truly wished events didn’t transpire the way they did sister.” Luna’s somber tone deceitfully preached to the lifeless body before striding down the meek halls towards the throne room.

The transition was swift and subtle. The light thumps and clops of horseshoes grew heavy with weight and power, echoing her presence to any and all that still lingered at this hour. Tiny and delicate wings suddenly became enormous and powerfully wings capable of creating gusts and storms with a single flap. The rest of her body quickened to match the new rush of power being released and wisely displayed. Only the sun sibling carried such a similar aw worthy aura of power, the only difference between Celestia’s and this new power being the constant and chilling wind of fear that followed her closely.

Night Guards and the occasional castle staff that crossed her path quickly and hurriedly bowed before her, only dashing off in panic after she had left them. Her Night Guard, to their credit, hadn't lost their composure even though the faint traces of worry and uncertainties were plainly obvious to her. But it didn't matter. They’ll quickly learn, just as every otherpony would learn. She could feel the confusion and awe as she passed, smiling faintly at the “admiration” seeping from them. A light nod and the two before her opened the massive doors with post haste, illuminating the interior within with her Majesty’s beautiful and subtle radiance.

She didn’t much as blink, let alone acknowledge the few guards that guarded the room, nor the state’s ponies that oh-so-dignifiedly “graced” the Grand Throne with their presence. The fearful glances, the murmurs of disbelief soothingly courted Nightmare’s ears as she pressed on to the object of her desire and attention: The Throne.

The ponies reminded her of statues: neatly displayed in even, kept rows, unmoving yet full of emotion, she thought to herself until the object she sought was finally upon her. Nightmare Moon paused only for a moment, but it might as well have been a life time to the others that occupied the room, before lifting a massive hoof to take her first step; even at such a soothing, and pleasant ascension up the stone steps, her hammer hoofs echoed throughout the vastly quite chamber they found themselves in.

Reaching the very top, the literal seat of power in the world, Nightmare Moon stopped and turned around to face the ponies as a politician would to address the masses. Except there was no speech or encouraging talks to be given, in fact no words were to be spoken at all. All were quiet as their eyes stared with fearful interest at the benevolently dangerous eyes so silently judging them.

Her horn suddenly flared to life with lunar magic, startling the ponies and causing a few to bolt for the massive doors, but they too flared to life as the massive doors groaned closed, sealing them off from the rest of the world. All the ponies turned as one, gazes on the gates to their cell, praying to Celestia not to confirm their fears and sudden realizations, praying that this was just some sort of harmless nightmare that they’d all wake up from and nothing else, unaware that Celestia would never hear those prayers. They were trapped within the room with this twisted and dark version of their benevolent and bright ruler.

Luna stirred slightly, but nothing more as her perpetual, calculating gaze lingered from one pony to the next as she looked from one side of the room to the other. Her stone cold poker face never revealing her thoughts or motives as her head continued to turn in comparison to an owl’s. Nightmare Moon finished her examination of the room, silently soaking in their “respect and admiration” for her and her power. For what she could arguable say was the first time in over 1,000 years she felt such true and uncensored bliss, Nightmare Moon would even dare compare it to the first time she had managed to raise the moon by herself.

“This feeling… it’s intoxicating.” She drunkenly thought to herself while still drowning in the emotions.

“You love it, don’t you Nightmare?” A voice manifested within the sanctuary of her fortress like mind. She blinked once, twice and continued to stare at the crowd of displaced and anxiety ridden ponies.

"You do love it, it radiates ever so brightly from you.” The persistent voice wisely stated once more. Whoever this pony was, it knew her well.

“Just look at them, at how they cower and shudder in submissive obedience. This is the way it should have always been and should continue to be.” This pony knew her too well…and yet she strangely loved it! Nightmare Moon found herself siding with this voice more and more, and even nodding in agreement to it. It, he, she, whoever or whatever the case may be, this was somepony she could get along with.

“Do it.” The voice soothingly compelled the raven Alicorn.

Nightmare Moon gave into the spectral hooves that now guided her every action and suddenly felt her body lifting from its throne. She watched through her own eyes, taking a back seat as her body moved on its own, raising to all fours as the magic pulsed through her veins until gathering at the tip of her horn. It shined brightly in a rich nebulous of dark colors, building and burning brighter toward the final moment which no pony understood.

She felt it, she truly felt it. In all her long years upon this land did she ever conceive such a thought, let alone even risk to imagine one? And yet she found herself willingly going along with this “pony’s” ever increasing vision of grandeur. But that’s how it’s supposed to be, isn’t it? When aiming high, you shoot for the stars…and what star is bigger than the sun?

At first, the ponies flinched instinctively from her sudden and unexpected movements before, with some courage, turning their heads to face her once more. Her horn lit up in a dangerous beauty of nightly colors, filling nearly every corner of the room with its hypnotic spirals; for that brief moment, they forgot about their fears and concerns, too intent to watch the magical hues dance and twist in an almost ironically tranquil tone.

Nightmare Moon’s face contorted in pseudo-anger and pain as the stress and pressure begin taking its toll. It was proving to be an even more daunting task then the voice had first let on, but she couldn’t stop now. To stop would only prove her own weakness and unfitness to rule in front of her subjects. Mainly it would prove her sister right along.

With a strained and pain enforced yell, Nightmare threw her head back in a show of force and power. The tip of her horn shined brighter than before, the hues intensifying as they pulsed brighter with more potent magic.

Her subjects reacted, covering their eyes with hooves, hats, scarfs, or anything they could use to fight back the burning light and just like that it was over. The burning light faded, returning their vision slowly to normal, and soon the mutters and surprised gasps coursed shortly after. Standing with her legs spread apart in fatigue while she inhaled deep, controlled breaths was a triumphantly smiling Nightmare Moon, but the ponies paid little notice to her since their attention was focused on something more frightful. Brightly, or rather dimly, floating in the sky was the symbol of their protector, and mother to them all. The sun, hidden behind the now tainted moon, had flung their once heavenly, glorious land into a perpetual gloom of twilight.

Nightmare Moon inhaled deeply once more, having finally controlled her breathing before correcting her posture to its formal regal state once more. Her time on the moon surprising did teach her something important: the moon was, in fact, very, very cold. And learning from that experience had taught her that the same would happen if she were to have done the same to Equestria. So, Nightmare Moon somewhat reluctantly settled on a compromise of sorts that was a win-win to all, a permanent and total eclipse would rein over all instead.

Nightmare Moon noticed one or two ponies here and there falling, disappearing into the crowd and for a moment she mused the thought of them trying to hide from her gaze. But when a few more followed, her musings were turned upside down, unable to make out what was happening until the entire room followed the examples of the few. She couldn't believe what she was seeing!  The entire mass of ponies, even with fear and shaken expressions etched on their faces, where bowing to her. To her! The unexpected and abrupt feeling of energy and pride rushed dangerously through her entire being. Finally! These ponies were wising up, and understood she was the absolute and only true ruler this land needed and, if she were a weaker mare, she would have started to cry.

It was low, and hushed at first. A few testing the waters no doubt, but soon the rest followed, filling the chamber with the uniformed chanting of her name.

“Nightmare Moon! Nightmare Moon! Nightmare Moon!”

The mass continued their chant in earnest and vigor. Nightmare Moon, filled with such delightful and restored self-arrogance, returned to sitting on her throne, content to listen to them chant her name for a bit longer.

It’s good to be Queen.

Prologue 2: Power always finds a place to rest.

Having devoutly set aside for nearly a week as the haunting miasma of paranoia clung to her sister; Celestia finally decided enough was enough and rose forward to finally confront Luna and ultimately rid her of it once and for all. Celestia trotted down the grand halls that  were purposely designed to create a scale of grander and a feeling of insignificance to all that walked its marble floors. It was a tactic that had served her well in the days of old, politics back then were and still are a game of bluffs and intimidation as it is simply talking and arguing. She looked up at the evenly spaced torches that hung far enough from the walls so they could burn brightly and safely without damaging the expensive stone, or tapestries.

Celestia mentally noted to add a few more. It was way too dark and any pony unfortunate enough to be in the halls at night might become lost or frighted… the dark simply had to go.

Her path eventually gave way to the main corridor that led to the courtroom; the same room Luna was currently hosting her “Court of Night” and the same room where Celestia was going to confront her sister. Yes it seemed mean and a tad cruel but by putting her sister on the spot, she hoped Luna’s pride would cloud her mind, and make her stay to argue with her instead of fleeing for her room.Plus the nobles or other ponies present would witness first hoof Luna’s true self and finally understand she’s still not fit to rule as a monarch.

Celestia arrived during Luna’s Night Court disguised as a young unicorn, happily humming a cheery tune to herself as she managed her way past the guards that presently stood alert by the entrance. Normally she just walk on by without the disguise but sadly in Luna’s fit of paranoia, she had order her guards to bar her entrance from her unless she told them otherwise. To their credit, no matter what they thought or felt, they (if reluctantly) obeyed her orders thoroughly until this very moment.

 With the surprisingly easily task accomplished, Celestia suddenly found herself with ample free time. She had thought sneaking her way into her sister’s court was going to consume more time than it actually had took. Another point and reason why she was unfit to rule; the use of sloppy and ill trained guards. If they couldn’t even keep one pony out of her own court than how would they be able to stop any external threats?  They were nothing more than a waste of bits and a kink in the chain waiting to snap. And when any major threats should appear than where would she be? Where was she when Discord returned? Was she preparing soldiers to fight, or preparing a spell? Neither. Luna was simple “away” for the day as she noted it. Any further inquiry to where she went was met with silence and a command to leave her be.

Celestia had assumed Luna would have grown up and would be able to resume her status as co ruler… clearly she was wrong.

Without warning the court suddenly found itself briefly illuminated in a pure flash of light so bright that it blinded the ponies dimly used eyes. Luna, ever the creature of the night jerked her head back from the unexpected and painful flash. Shrugging off the momentary stun easily, Luna with the intensity forged through a lifetime of trials of a harden warrior immediately cast a counter spell. Her horn swirled quickly in the dark hue of her magic, gathering at the point before bursting forth and silencing the glare with its own dulling magic.

Luna’s hawking eyes quickly locked almost immediately on the intruder. The first thing that stood out was its surprisingly tall stature, and how it seemingly towering over her subjects…

“Sister? Wh…what is the meaning of this! Why are thou announcing thy selves in such a manner!” Luna aggressively voiced her displeasure. Feeling suddenly betrayed from her sister’s unexpected intrusion into her Night Court; the one glorious moment where their beloved ponies came to see her and her Night! Regretfully it was more for a second chance to petition for their wants but none the less they still treaded her court of night nonetheless, and in a way they came to see her, not her sister!

“Luna, dearest sister I came to see you.” Celestia’s usual honey sweet voice answered. To the ponies gather it was the same tone, and same voice that graced their delicate ears every day.  To Luna’s expertly trained ears it was not; the tone, the voice itself was laced with something more… something more detached.

“I came to see you.” Celestia said once more. Her tone remained the same, except this time Luna could pick up faint traces of absolution as well. Whatever her sister had planned, she was going to see it through… and it unnerved Luna.

“Sis.. Celestia we see thou every evening for meal. What is the real reason you come here and interrupt my court… my night?” Luna finished that last word with borderline possession, but Celestia wasn’t foul born yesterday. She caught the word’s double meaning and the pure anger behind it. She sighed. Another example Luna was no more a child with power.

“You’re going to make this more complicated than necessary.” Celestia indirectly asked Luna who tilted her head in confusion, wondering if she heard right. . In truth Celestia hadn’t really expected Luna to just come admit her problems and seek help for them. In truth Celestia knew she would end up having to knock her sister down a peg or two and hopefully than she’ll understand. Don’t challenge the sun.

“That right there Luna is part of the problem; you’re still too young to run a country properly. I thought having been banished for such a time would have toughened you some, or at least improve your attitude some. “She paused to let her words sink through her sister’s thick headed skull, and to mutely watch her reaction.  The look of utter disorientation and betrayal made Celestia’s night… or day.

“Clearly I was wrong. In fact it seemed to have had the opposite effect. You now act like a clingy foal that seeks nothing but attention and praise for something a lame pony could do, but better. You don’t deserve to call yourself a Princess, let alone say you’re related to me Luna. That grey rock you call a moon should hide its shame behind the clouds, just like you should just return once more to where you came.” Celestia took a step forward, the ponies around them followed her lead.

“Perhaps another thousand years on the moon would fix this?” She took another step, the herd behind her took one has well. Celestia continued moving toward her throne sister; ever the regal of the two, she seemed to shine brighter as she neared Luna. She noticed it as well; the closer Celestia approached the brighter, elegant and more refined she became. It…it was happening again?

Luna looked on in shock and utter distress. Celestia, her sister had condemned her once more to banishment. The weight of those words unnerved her entire grasp on reality, the throne she sat seemed to crumble under her; all of their eyes glowed maliciously at their prey.  Luna’s vision narrowed drastically until only Celestia and the immediate ponies around her were all she saw. Their many steps sounded as one, thunderous judging command.  Why of all ponies? Why was she forced to be treated and abused in such a way again and again?

Celestia stopped at the base of the throne, looking Luna square in her panicked eyes. Luna’s stricken eyes didn’t bother to hide her mood. They instead left the door wide open for all to see what their Princess of the Night was… nothing more than a scared, and weak little filly that desperately sought a way to outshine her, and step out from her sister’s shadow.

Subconsciously her forelegs tried desperately to push, to move herself away from this beacon of her shortcomings.  Luna’s short, frenzied breaths didn’t help her either, but only to increase the rate of her poor frantic heart. This all seemed so similar to her. Luna, sitting on her throne while basking in her glorious and wondrous night only to have her sister, Celestia appear before her challenge her…

“She’s going to banish you, and you’re going to let her?” it rang its manipulative melody in her ears.  Luna’s eyes blink for the first time she could remember, the world blinked out of existence for a fraction of second… only to return as a nightmare.

Luna shrieked.

The throne room was darker, more sinister than before. The once bright and vibrant moon had deteriorated to a now lifeless and dull grey; not caring about how it’s mediocre light looked upon the land. Celestia stood before her as she was earlier, only this time in her Royal Battle Dress. And the now numerous Solar and Cosmic Guards behind her didn’t help to ease her either.

“They’re here for you once more.” It said. Her ears twitched in response. “They want you gone, banished, destroyed. You are nothing more than a pathetic excuse of a pony, let alone a princess.”

“N..no…NAY!” Luna tripped her response. “We are the mare of the Night, the Night itself!”

“You are a fraud and a fake! You are a charity case of Sun whose only purpose is to be compared to its warm grace and announce your own shortcomings to the world. To be judged and be sentence! You are alone, and forever will be!” It roared.

“NO! My sister loves and respects us. She knows what is right for us…”

“Then why is her first choice to simply banish you!? Why did she side with those traitors and not take her sister’s side! She left you out to dry once before, making herself look better in the process. Wake up from your own pitiful delusions of artificial love and acceptance!” The air before her shimmered and hissed before mixing with the moons once more radiant light. It twisted and compressed before disappearing in a bright light.

Luna turned her head away, closing her eyes to shield them from the intensity until it faded. She with a slightly hesitation turned her head back, opening her eyes… in shock! Floating before her was the last thing she ever expecting to see, the second being her armor or what many referred to as Nightmare’s Armor. It reflected the moon of its polished and spotless surface as it looked like it could slice through the very air itself. A sickle in appearance (all similarities end there) its artistic elongated blade, designed to stow a miasma of fear stretch unnaturally outward, trying to claw and grab its prey.  The curved end abruptly turned straight up at the tip, resembling the hook of a gryphon’s fishing pole. Many inhabitants of the world had a name for it. The Sickle of Death, The Moon’s Wrath, Blade of the Night, and the list of colorful names goes on and on.

To Luna, the blade was something more terrifying than a weapon. Forged out of the very moon herself, and tempered with its light the blade was one of kind. A weapon that had slew many a foul demons… and ponies. This was the very same blade she had forged nearly a decade before her fall into Nightmare Moon, and slayed numerous sun worshiping “heretics” of Celestia’s army. The blade, know to Luna as “The Answer” hovered before her, calling for her to grasp it with her dark, and cold magical grip once more.

“Wield it once more, my Queen.” Luna twitched. She wanted to so badly. It called to her like a child wanting their mother’s attention.  Equestria today was a new land, such a weapon was unneeded but the adrenaline of holding it once more… to feel it slice through metal and flesh so easily once more was a hard thing for the brash Alicorn to fight.

“Wield it, and protect thy’s kingdom and right to rule. Kill them all…every…last…HERETIC.”

The blade pulsed once, before a swirl of pure nova blue magic entangled the blade and gently plucked it from the air. With the grace of a falling feather, it floated toward Luna, its mother, and master. The blade pulsed again.

“Yes…” Luna whispered. Her usual proud and flamboyant voice lost its impact when she spoke. Her eyes hollowed, the life of conscious thought fought to remain but like all things eventually it faded into obscurity; leaving an empty void in its steed. Luna’s body moved to an unheard tune, a puppet controlled by its strings as she rose.

Celestia, and the ponies with her remained still as she did. Soon they all began fading, and shimmering in and out of existence until they finally reemerged. Luna obediently stepped down from the throne, one lame hoof at a time as the ponies reemerged looking like Celestia.

“Kill them all. Kill them all.” They all whispered.“Kill the sun. Kill the sun.”

Luna paid no heed as she moved toward the group Celestias, raising the blade high above her head as she neared the original.

“Kill the sun. Kill the sun.” They continued their chant. Luna stopped before the one clad in armor, the original. She held her blade firmly in the air, a small moment of hesitation as the last bit of her rational thought fought for control. The others continued their chant, only adding more pressure on her to resist. She fought with the last bit of will she had, but the blade continued to inch closer.

So distracted was Luna, she failed to notice the heavy hoof steps approaching behind her until they were next to her. Luna froze from what she saw. The tall, dark mare next to her lowered her head next to Luna’s; her lips quivered in a twisted smile, revealing the fangs underneath. Her teal, reptile eyes narrowed on her own eyes, locking Luna in place. It spoke.

“Kill the sun. Kill Celestia.” And with that command, Luna brought her blade down.

Memoris of a Nightmare

(Memoria of a Nightmare 1)

With quill and parchment in hoof, We, Princess of the Night and Moon Luna, record and transcribe our thoughts and onto these sheets at the request of our sister, Princess of the Day and Sun Celestia. Situations and circumstances have troubled our self and those close to us which we shall, and can’t ignore much longer.

It’s happening once more. The darkness is returning and we fear it. Invading our lucid dream realm and infecting our dreams with its tainted shadows and poisonous, corrupting ways. It was nothing at first, just a forlorn thought in the recesses of our mind where we thought it locked up. We were wrong.

Daily life and adjustments to its ways have occupied most of our time and thoughts as we…”reintegrate” as our sister’s studious scribe and apprentice Twilight Sparkle had put it. Thus with our slowly returning duties of guiding the stars and resurrection of the night’s wonder we didn’t notice its presences until it was too late.

We feel ashamed and embarrassed to admit, let alone to quill it but it started by invading our dream. We and dear sister were discussing absent minded things, and how we were still aware of the ponies’ reactions to ourselves. Celestia, even in dreams was always the more compassionate and carrying of the two of us, which did not surprise us when she hugged us, but after that it became a nightmare…

WE KILLED HER! HOW COULD WE THINK… NA EVEN DO SUCH AN ACT!? What shocked and appalled us the most was our lack of concern and even the slight bit of pity for her not being able to see what our vision will would bring. We even went on and “acquired” the love of all ponies as we brought the end of day and the beginning of darkness. This wouldn’t have bother us as much, but once awoke we regrettably felt the sensation of longing…WE MISSED WHAT IT HAD ACHIEVED AND WANTED IT TO BE TRUE! We, for reasons unknown to us wanted to make it a reality! To be able to feel its power once more, to feel it course through us as we display our might and fit to rule over the day.

We thought us the stronger of the two but it seems we likely are not but a little filly.  Celestia just thinks this is to help collect and gather our thoughts, like those reports her apprentice sends her. She doesn’t know anything about this yet, or what we fear is happening to us and our realm of night.

We shall not tell her for fear of burdening her with an unnecessary and personal trouble of  ours. We, Princess of the Night and Moon Luna, will make a stand and confront this presence head on in our realm of dreams. We will take what it “brings” and shall match it double! We will defeat this foe, this nightmare by thy self… without the help of our sister and the elements.

We must prove we are not a filly but a princess worthy to call the night our own.

Chapter 1: "Yes, my liege."

The last several weeks were nothing but a continued deteriorating mess that gave even Princess Celestia a headache. Peace talks, meetings, gatherings, social and planned events were overshadowed and obscured to the point they became the same thing, same event just on a new day. They had all de-evolved into an elaborate excuse to gather around polite and elegant company to discuss the troubles surrounding their Princesses, or rather a certain nocturnal one, and that deeply troubled the Sun Goddess terribly. Luna, having just returned from exile held little to no status in the eyes of the current nobles and their ponies. Other than her being Celestia’s sister and an Alicorn as well, Luna held no real power or influence over them and by that logic made it all the more harder for her to reintegrate back into society. The one and only main reason Luna was even able to resume her “roles” so quickly was because of Celestia’s word alone, and even with that she could do nothing more than hold court and form her own guard; everything else form diplomatic talks to mustering the army was Celestia’s  and hers alone.

To Luna’s credit, she really did try to resume her old duties as quickly and seamless as possible. Limited in power and influence, her sister did manage to win some favor among some of the common ponies (namely in Ponyville) and even helped some of the astrologers and maritime ponies update their star charts, thus allowing for better navigation at night.  Still this did little to wash away the stained stigma of Nightmare Moon that embedded itself within her.

Celestia sighed quietly, allowing a pint of her concerns to vanish. She continued her mild stroll outside in the gardens of the castle court yard, the soft crunches of the grass being the only sign somepony was out this early in the morning. Her sister’s night was still present and on display for the world, and yet Celestia couldn’t even look at it; a bit of guilt and fear held her in a vice. She loved, and whole heartily praised higher beings for Luna's fortunate and safe return, but she now regrettably questioned if Luna was really able to adapt and meld with modern society. She was at a lost.  Luna’s habits and mannerisms showed just how out of tune she was but could it ruin her chances becoming normal once more and move on?

Celestia sighed once more.

Even this late into Luna’s Night, her sister’s moon still managed to brighten the land with enough light to see without the use of a candle or spell. To Celestia it allowed her a small glimpse into her sister’s world. A way to see and understand why Luna loved it so much; to gaze on the bare, plain truth normally hidden but her sun. To her left, the statue of Commander Hurricane, a hero and model for many pegasi for many generations by day… and by night, it could be mistaken as a demon of death and suffering to his would-be enemies. Celestia paused mid stride to better absorb the statue more, noting greatly how the light seemed to go great links to avoid his face and how the shadows cloaked him like the armor he always wore. With the absence of light, this definition of a hero was transformed into faceless monster.

 Perhaps this was how her sister felt most of the time, maybe all the time? Maybe everpony were two complete different ponies that wore two masks each day; one being the ponies that was expected of themselves with the second being the monster they really were? Were Luna and herself the very exceptions to this rule or maybe in some way they were each other’s opposite side? Luna being her monster and her being Luna’s angel?

Could such a system even be possible? Perhaps in a twisted way Nightmare Moon was the world’s way of maintaining a pure harmonic balance? Celestia shook her head, partly in hope of it freeing her mind from such thoughts. Though Celestia may be an immortal ruler and a learned pony, the fields of philosophy and all of its "What If?" questions completely eluded her. She as a pony needed answers; answers that could be found from complete hypothesis. Celestia needed hypothesis that could be formed from facts or a lack of a facts, and not just assume. Celestia didn't like the unknowns and its unanswerable variables. She found them unnerving.

“An unfortunate truth it would be.” Celestia whispered dejectedly. “We’re already two complete opposites with two different views on how Equestria and the whole world views us. My little ponies see me as a savoir, and pillar to lasting harmony; happiness, growth, acceptance and prosperity for all. My sister, Luna, they look upon her as nothing but a cold existence that’s to be feared and condemned; a living reminder of ages past and to come if they should ever leave my light.”

Her mood now worst off than before, Celestia resumed her walk once more, only now with her head hung lower. Going off the position of the stars, and from her connection with the sun she knew it almost time for the sun to rise, which she was thankful for the brief distraction. This morning she wasn't going to do any speculates, shows of power, or fancy flying instead opting to just raise the sun like her job demanded. Besides she wasn’t really in the mood anyway for such gloating.

Celestia aimed her horn toward bleak sky, enveloping it with the purest of light one could ever see. A light so pure, and beautiful it could reduce anypony to tears of blissful joy. The magic aura grew brighter as she channeled more power into her spell; the area around her began to tremble in awe. The raw energy coming from her radiated outward, unleashing ripples of energy that shook the trees and hedges with an unseen wind as it continued to encompass the surrounding area.

As it reached its maximum focus; the energy just as quickly began recalling back to its point of origin. The ripples and the wind reversed direction back toward the pristine Alicorn with vengeance, collecting and swirling around her form before conversing at the very tip of her horn. She could feel the exuberant energy of the sun as it compressed into a perfectly shaped sphere no bigger than a common bit.

With the practice movement and motions that could only be achieved with centuries of repeated practice, Celestia elevated her upper body toward the night sky. Using her mighty wings as a balance, Celestia was able to stand using only her hind legs as a base. The sphere shot forth into the sky with speeds Rainbow Dash could only imagine. She held her pose until she felt the energy pulse across the sky signaling her connection with the massive orb. The faintest of smiles tugged her lips once more as the sun greeted her with vigor once more. The bleak blanket of the night began to gradually dissipate as the warm, hopeful colors of the dawn cracked through the sky. It only took minutes before its rays extended over Equestria, shooing its nocturnal cousin away.

Celestia’s smile fell quickly into a frown as she lowered herself back on all fours. It wasn’t new watching day and night “chase” each other so they could have their turn, but watching it happen again only reminded her of her previous thoughts. Luna, and her night frolicking peacefully before the big bad, glaring sun comes…

“Could I have really been the cause?” Celestia asked herself as the doubt consumed her once more. “Could I have really caused Luna to turn into such a creature, and not realized it? Oh by those that came before, she really was the sole cause of Luna’s transformation wasn't she? She had to be, there just was no other reason why she fought so hard to clear her sister’s name; it wasn't Luna’s fault but hers alone wasn't it?

“I need to talk to somepony about this, but whom?”  She asked herself. She very well couldn't talk to Luna about this, “Oh I realize I’m the reason Nightmare Moon took control of you and why you had to be banished. Sorry about that sister.” No. What about her staff or Guards? Maybe one of them, but even though she saw them on a daily bases could she even consider calling one of them a friend? Ultimately she decided no, this wasn't something she could discuss openly with them. What about Twilight or one of her fri….

“Of course.” It dawned on her. There was only onepony besides her faithful student she could discuss this matter with. If there was anypony she could trust with this, it’ll be him.  Happy with this result she calmly started her walk back to the castle’s inner halls; breakfast was approaching and she had a summon to make.

“No, that would be all, but thank you for asking Morning Rise.” Princess Celestia elegantly and politely dismissed her hoofmaid. The early-bird Morning Rise lowered the pot of remaining hot tea aside before giving her lady a very friendly and warm bow which Celestia kindly smiled at. If anypony could come close to matching her sleep cycle it was her hoofmaid, Morning Rise. Since her first day, nopony unless they had forgone sleep all together could beat Morning Rise in waking first. Almost instantly Celestia came to rely on her to wake her to lower the moon and raise the sun. But with her sister’s return, the job became less taxing on Celestia meaning she had the option of sleeping for a few more hours than normal.

Sadly that still didn’t keep Morning Rise from waking her at the crack at dawn so to speak.

Her job and task finished Morning Rise left Princess Celestia to enjoy her heavenly morning breakfast of imported oats, and hazel chocolate covered toast.  Her diet was going better than expected and so Morning thought the Princess of the sun deserved a treat this morning instead of the usual sliced bananas, and oranges with water. Morning nodded to the double guards, and the trio left the Princess alone to enjoy her meal.

Celestia waited until they all had left the room, waiting until the echoes of their hooves were nothing but faint claps before letting loose on the defenseless plate before her.

Normally the regal purity Celestia was known for would have accompanied her throughout the entirety of her meal.  But just for this very moment she wouldn’t worry whether or not anypony’s eyes were upon her… judging her for not being their idea of how she should act. One thing the Sun Princess truly did long for in her long life if she could be selfish for just a tad bit… it would be a call back to old times, just after discord’s sentencing to stone. A time where Luna and she ruled all of pony kind by just being themselves; a time when she could walk down the cobble stone streets of any city and the ponies would just bow, and announce one’s gratitude unlike today where the ponies treated each informal visit with parades in their honor lease they might be punished.

Celestia paused from the greedily consumption of the delicious foods that once graced her plate. Mostly because her ears detected the faint traces of approaching hooves, and partly because there was hardly anything left on her plate. She paused, ears swirling at attention for the noise once more…there it was. Celestia could only detect one pair of hooves, weighed down not by the burden of ones items or responsibilities but the burden caused by one’s self-imposed worth.

“Blueblood…” She instantly thought. No other pony currently alive or ever to live could ever make such an arrogant, imperious sounding trot. It caused Celestia a small feeling of guilt to think such a thing, especially about her own flesh and blood but there really was no other way she could describe him without lying to herself.

The moment she realized this, a slight panic descended upon her like Parasprites on Pinkie Pie’s cupcakes. In her self-indulgence and hunger for not so healthy food, Celestia had discarded her table, and proper dinning etiquette. Her muzzle was covered in a mixture of chocolate covered oats and crumbs that closely resembled bread crumbs but could have easily been passed off as dirt. In short, she was a mess.

In short, panic bursts she lashed out with her magic, gathering all the loose bits of food into a neat pile while collecting cloths to clean her muzzle. The pompous hoof steps were just moments away as she just finished cleaning her muzzle, and gathering the food remainders in the cloths to easily dispose of them. Her flustered state worsened when she heard the clanking of armor coming together in salute, before the whining of the hinges announced she was out of time.

“Auntie?” Blueblood’s almost childish sounding voice asked questioningly. His styled mane was the first thing to appear before the rest of him step through the door before a bright, unbearably blinding light stunned Blueblood, before dissipating just as quickly. “Auntie!”  Blueblood chimed in surprise and worry at the smoldering, black stain that graced the table’s pristine cover.

“Yes Nephew?”  The Princess asked nonchalantly before taking a sip of her precious morning tea. Blueblood dropped his princely manner and in a not so gentlestallion like manner, pointing an accusing hoof at his aunt.

“AUNTIE CELESTIA! WHAT IS THAT!?” He inclined his jabbing hoof at the scorch mark. Celesita, ever the strategist and word master had a plan already formulating, but all that showed was a simple raise of an eyebrow at her nephew’s antics. Truth be told she did love her nephew, and even found some of his quirks slightly funny and adorable. Sometimes she would secretly laugh when he reverted to throwing mild temper tantrums, while others found it highly annoying and rude.

Still he was family, and that’s something that’ll never change for her.

Celetsia finished another sip of her tea before gently and carefully setting on its plate, magically placing both back on the table. She was just moments ago happily enjoying her breakfast without worries or concerns and now found herself right back in Princess Mode which only made her a bit more snappy. Not because of her nephew Blueblood, but because she had to resume her mask that she always wore in public. Celestia eyed the mark that had emotional gripped him before turning back to examine his current demeanor. What she saw only gave her goosebumps as Celestia’s “darker” side began conjuring mischievous thoughts; Luna, in her brief time back had started rubbing off on her.

“That…” Celestia said while looking Blueblood directly in the eyes “Is what happens to ponies that ask too many questions.”  She nearly lost her composure the moment her nephew’s coat turned even whiter! Oh this was simple fun!

“Oh…” He simply stated, taking a page from Fluttershy’s book on public (and general speaking). Blueblood continued to stare unsure what else he should say or do in response to his aunt’s reply. Celestia returned his stare before turning back to her meal. “Sit nephew.” She commanded, which he did with a new found motivation.

Blueblood took his seat, a bit uncomfortable to his tastes but he wisely kept that complaint to himself as he waited for his aunt to finish sipping her tea.

“What brings you here dear nephew? You hardly are the one to come and visit me this early unless it’s about something you want.” Blueblood cringed just a bit from his aunt’s bluntness, but otherwise held his composure. Now given permission to speak, Blueblood’s mind began repeating the words he had rehearsed this morning trying to word it just right not to have his allowance taking away.

“Well auntie, it’s about Lu…” Celesita’s gaze corrected him “I mean Auntie Luna and her wellbeing.” He paused, taking a sip from the tea his aunt just offered him; mostly to find his next set of words then from being thirsty. “Well… since her…well…that incident a couple of weeks back, Auntie Luna has been more and more recluse.” Seeing that Celestia was still paying him attention he continued.

“And I mean more reclusive since her return. Even with her sessions with that quack…”

“Doctor.” Celestia firmly reminded her nephew.

“Ah, yes doctor.” He nervously chuckled, trying to hide the ever increasing fear rising in him.“Even with her sessions with him, Auntie Luna’s condition has only gotten worst, and worst. Surely auntie you heard of her recent outburst yesterday?”  Blueblood felt his nerves calm a bit when he noticed Celestia nodding. That was a good sign. She was taking him seriously and that meant less time for her to think of grizzly and horrific ways to “deal” with him. The ever “Spend a day learning with Twilight!” option was still a valid and very real punishment; he would likely finish himself off right there and then.

“Yes nephew I’m aware of Luna’s outburst, but it’s not her fault. Luna is still adjusting to everything. There were a lot changes in the past millennia Blueblood, and she needs her family’s support to get her through this.” Celestia nearly recited the statement. She had gotten use to repeating this over the last couple of weeks since it began.

“But auntie… she was running around the castle screaming and yelling that the voices were back. That they were urging her to do wicked and nefarious deeds before collapsing into a ball crying for you auntie.” Celestia noticed the change in his tone. It no didnt' seem to carrying the weight of his usual self whining and wanting, but instead seemed more depressed or worried. He was truly worried for Luna and what she was actually happening to her.

It seemed she had misjudged his intentions here today, he had came here out of true concern for another other than himself and that filled Celestia with a small bit of pride. To see his normally selfish pony she called her nephew worried for another. Maybe there was more to him then she had thought.

“Blueblood.” For the first time that morning, Celestia had addressed him not as “nephew” or as she would for another noble, but as an actual family member. “Luna is going through a very, very hard and difficult thing right now. She needs us to be strong and be ready to help her when she needs it most.”

And not missing a beat, he asked the one question she couldn’t answer. “And what is Auntie Luna going through that she has to face alone? Why aren’t we doing more to help her and why are we just isolating her and making her fight this alone?” Blueblood asked, lost and looking to Celestia for an answer or some sort of reassurance, but it was something he wouldn't get today.

Celestia was for the first time in a very long time lost at what to say. Pondering this, she almost started to recite a fib she had prepared just in case when the loud knocking filled her ears. Both ponies turned their head to the door, just as Shining Armor crept into the Dining Hall. He waited until he was fully in the room before looking their way, removing his helmet in respect and tradition when appearing before her in such a manner.

Celestia only needed one look at him to know his words were only meant for their ears only. “Blueblood. Could you kindly give me and Shining Armor a moment? We’ll continue talking later this afternoon, say lunchtime?”

Blueblood, picking up on the hint nodded and quietly removed himself from the Dining Hall, giving the captain a nod before leaving. Celestia waited a few seconds before casting a Silence spell over the room to keep their conversation private.

Shining approached the table taking Blueblood’s seat directly in front of Celestia, setting his helmet on the chair next to him. He adjusted his armor a bit, trying to make himself look more presentable, and to stall for an extra a few seconds.

“I’m glad you came Shining Armor. You of course made sure to burn that note correct?” Celestia asked knowing the answer already. He gave a simple curt nod in response and the pair left it like that with nothing needed to be said. With that first question out of the way Celestia decided to take another sip of her tea before starting her conversation with Shining Armor.

She was going to need its calming effects for this talk.

As she continued her silent partaking of the tea, Shining Armor shifted a tad nervously in his seat as Celestia continued to say nothing. This was one of those moments he truly didn’t like, the unknown and uncertainty of a situation. His training was top notch and of course prepared him for dealing with multiple circumstances, but that still never truly helped him when it came to dealing with the unknown.  As a commander, his choices, and his actions affected everypony, and the less knowledge he had about a subject, the larger the possibility for somepony to get hurt.

Though Princess Celestia was the poster filly of elegance, and stature, there were also times she could become unpredictable, and to a point on par with Nightmare Moon in terms of anger and ruthlessness. Granted the last time such an incident like that happened was about 300 hundred years after Luna’s exile during the Griffon Hierarchy’s aggressive expansion campaign.

“That was different” he told himself. “Another time, another situation.” As he steeled himself for the coming conversation. Celestia’s lips finally left the lip of the tea cup only after finishing off the cup before removing the cup and plate to the side. Other than that she didn’t move, didn’t even blink or twitch as she set with the practiced patience of a monarch.

“Well Princess Celestia” Shining Armor started off causally before delivering bad news. Celestia had insisted that when he came Captain for him to just simple use her name and nothing more, but by addressing her with title, it was their way of knowing what was to be said wasn’t the news she wanted to hear. But she had summon him for his input and he was going to tell her the truth.

 “I have to agree with Prince Blueblood… he’s right. Why aren't we helping Princess Luna more than we currently are?”  Suddenly Shining Armor, despite being in the close proximity with the Mare of the Sun herself felt a cold shiver run through his body.

“Excuse me Captain Shining Armor?” Oh damn. He was treading straight into the jaws of an Ursa Major, and sadly he was doing it knowingly. But the fact she used his rank scared him the most. Only in extreme times of importance or anger would she use such a protocol when they were for the most part on a familiar first name bases. This was likely going to end badly if didn’t tread more carefully.

“I’m just saying Celestia that I agree with Prince Blueblood.” He quickly raised a hoof when he noticed the faintest movements of Celestia’s mouth readying to opening. The gestured did its job, and bought him enough time to justify his reasons before becoming the newest garden statue.

“In the sense we should be helping Princess Luna more than we. Couldn’t we maybe try to encourage her to come out of her room more instead of letting her stay in there until her Night Court? Maybe we could even take her for walks around the city or something along those lines?” Shining Armor asked after he found his back bone once more. Normally Prince Blueblood and he were at odds with each other, but for once he was right.  Shining Armor had so far only official met Princess Luna a few times (like three or four) and even those moments had been very vague. Most of their conversations in fact really weren’t conversations at all; they were her “letting him know” of his complete lack of command over her newly formed “Cosmic Guard”. In fact, nopony really knew much about their Night Princess except for the occasional lose bit of gossip and that she only makes consecutive appearances at her court.

Princess Celestia managed to return to a more natural demeanor after nearly losing control at Blueblood and Shining Armor’s insensitive remarks... or rather their spot on apprehension of the matter. She let her inquisitive looking magenta eyes scan the pony before her as they searched for anything that could be used to discredit his intentions. They effortlessly scanned his very essence and his very soul for a shred of deceit or ill meaning behind his words, but they found none. And she respected him more for that.  Celestia had summoned him for this reason in hopes he would agree with her and her decisions, but instead he sided with her nephew.

He sided with Blueblood because he honestly felt there was more they could do for Luna, and what was currently being done simply wasn’t enough. She had known there was more that could be done, but once more she opted to giving Luna space and hoping that she’ll come around; a major problem she had when dealing with most ponies other than twilight. She loved and respected her ponies very much, so much that so that she tried not to take it upon herself to interfere with their lives. Through the tenacious long years of her live, Celestia had learned early on that the more she got involved with her ponies lives the more it ended up hurting her when they passed. It hurt very much, but it hurt Luna more as she watched numerous friends and love interests pass while she remained the same. They both quickly chose to wisely stay out their citizens lives.

It’s a selfish tactic that they used to great effect till this very day; one Celestia seemed to be recklessly using on her own sister. And that was even more crippling than the wound from the mightiest blast of magic. It was through luck that she figured this out now before it got worst and Luna relapsed back into Nightmare and ended up with either her return to the moon once more, or ended with her death…

Celestia had made her decision; one that would involve breaking a rule Luna and her had agreed to enact and uphold indefinitely. She was going to open up to a pony other than her sister, and ask for their help.  Her face drooped in defeat, letting a small sigh escape her lips as her entire body posture sag a little till it resembled how an exhausted pony would look when sitting down.

“You’re right. Both of you are right.”  She finally said, her voice having lost its confident and knowing attitude. Celestia looked up from her hooves at the Captain sitting in front of her, portraying a gaze that sought to comfort her, and equally wanting answers that only she had. There were only the scarcest of moments Celestia ever felt venerable, and cornered; the last being the banishment of her sister, and now this one was slowly becoming such a moment.  She straightened her massive body to an informal pose, disregarding the nature of her stature as she readied herself for a rare informal discussion with Shining Armor. Though she knew him a bit more than normal from Twilight, and how her niece, Cadence, talked about him; sadly none of that ever made Celestia actually want to sit down with the stallion and just talk. And now here she was about to open up to this very Stallion about a matter she wasn’t even going to tell Twilight about.

Celestia allowed her previous thoughts to settle along the floor of her mind, before returning to the present. Shining Armor still set before her, worried and unsure how to proceed. He wanted to help or be of some assistance but his training and her status chained him from doing anything. Qualities and traits that Celestia and it would seem her niece as well found very enduring.

“From the way Cadence talks of him, I might have to start getting use to this sort of thing.” Celestia thought with a sad smile gracing her muzzle. Not from disappointment of the possible future couple, but at how she suddenly just felt…better from opening up. Not by much but enough to dispel a couple of the dark clouds that hung over her head.

“Shining to be very blunt, I honestly don’t know what to do about my sister.”

The two sat in awkward silence. One un-moving while his mind tried to process the staggering claim just made, while the other noted her companion’s newly acquired dumbfound expression.  Celesita noticed only the faintest of moment from her comrade, the subtle blinking of his eyes, and few twitchy bodily jerks before he inhaled a cool, restoring breath to speak; Celestia readied herself for the inevitable verbal blitzkrieg to follow.

“Whaaa..” Shinning started before saving himself with a sudden fit of coughing. “Excuse me Princess? I’m sorry, but I’m afraid I've misheard you. I swear I heard you said don’t know how to handle Princess Luna’s condition?” Shining Armor asked knowing full well what Celestia said, but the image of Celestia that he and his fellow ponies had been raised on just couldn't accept that. Instead he was finding it easier to lie to himself and just assume he misheard her, hopefully given her the chance to change her answer...

“You heard me clearly Captain. I don’t know what to do with my sister.” The cracks of “The Princess” mask started becoming more visible to Shining Armor the more she spoke. The subtleties of the fissures were comparable to hay and grass; anypony could note the blaring differences.

“I naively thought once my sister returned, everything would be well once more. I knew there would be some resistance with her sudden appearance, and with the huge span of time she’s been away but nothing that’ll affect her permanently.” Celestia paused, magically gripping her tea cup. She only raised it off its matching saucer before having it fall to her studious gaze, silently into its empty depths for the answers she sought. Her magical aura pulsed brightly once, before releasing a small sigh, setting the teacup back on its saucer.

Shining raised a brow at her antics, and the sudden absent minded look now carved upon her face. He was preparing to delve for a more lucrative answer before she spoke once more.

“I need help Shining, plain and simple.” Celestia stated in defeat as she leaned a bit onto the table. The sudden movement surprised him enough for him to instinctively move away from her like a child readying themselves for one of their mother’s disappointment speeches. Celestia stopped only when she was finally able to rest her forelegs on the table, bring her hooves together allowing the goddess a place to rest her muzzle.

“You’ve heard the rumors, the gossip about her behaviors, and importantly even seen how she’s been acting for the past few of weeks.” Shining Armor nodded meekly to her words. The captain in him was unease, guilty even at just sitting here gossiping about his other charge while to his own dismay the civilian side of him was eager to listen and exchange in these juicy  details. But thankfully the Captain in him was the stronger of the two sides, and managed to keep his professional image.

“You’ve noticed how she’s be reacting to my presence as well. How she avoids me, doesn’t look me in the eyes… and even panics when I try and approach her.” Celestia nearly choked that last part.

Everypony that didn’t live in the EverFree Forest knew what she meant.  At first it was nothing to serious, a few less hours of sleep here and there which many ponies had experienced before, so it wasn’t too concerning. The next subtle change was almost borderline aggressive crankiness followed by a snappy attitude. This also went unaware by the ponies and her sister Celesita, since Luna was quite literally not a morning pony, but sadly the changes only got worst from there.

The Decent, the allegory it became known to be for to describe Princess Luna’s mental welfare from that moment onward. After the first few initial “dreams”, Luna would be heard mumbling through the halls at night like the madmare she was becoming. She feared the castle stuff (or most ponies) to the point she simply refused to eat in the dining hall only exacting her meals in her room, and avoided her sister to the best of her abilities only leaving her room to host her court.  Even during these times when she cradled her infant night, Luna was still very much on edge. In her world any and everypony was a suspect of nefarious doings and misdeeds of things they knew not of. Even her own loyal Cosmic Guards were looked upon with some mistrust and a small degree of fear.

“Yes. Yes I’m aware Celestia.” Shining croaked the words with some distaste at how things currently were. His job, as Guard Captain of the Solar Guard was protecting the Princess, Equestria, and her citizens; other times it was to agree with, and in certain moments provide honest and exceptional advice so the princess could make a sound and right decision.

This was one of those moments. Celestia, his princess/queen had in a rare/unheard of precedence had opened herself to him. She had laid her cards before him in a move that he wasn’t prepared for. Princess of the Sun, Celestia was asking him for advice. Not about trivial matters either, hay, it wasn’t even advice but more like “what should she do to help her sister Luna?” His answer could/would affect the situation tremendously to the point that Equestian history could very be affected as well.

During the quiet Celestia had closed her eyes while lowering her head just a bit. This sudden moment didn’t escape Shining Armor’s attention, and he quickly snapped from his thoughts to confront whatever it was… and more than he liked, he was unprepared for it.

From a pseud bow, Celestia asked her question once more.

“Shining Armor. As Captain of my guard, brother to my faithful student, and a friend, I ask…no I plead you for your help!” He choked. His guard training, no matter how difficult it had been or at times seemed pointless in his mind had always in the end proven to be invaluable or at least served some form of purpose. But as he set there with his majesty on the verge of tears asking, and pleading for him to help her not only as her Captain, but as a friend as well just left him unable to take action.

To Shining Armor’s credit and his professionalism had kept a neutral mask on while the raging storm of anxiety and doubt fought each other with in his mind. He was desperately searching, filing and reciting every bit of training he had ever revived, taken and gave for an answer to this problem, and yet everyone last one failed to tell him how to act in this situation. How could he act like a friend to a princess? Sure he and Cadence were friends, but that was a different sort of friendship.   Other than his own family, he couldn’t recall when he truly had a friend of his own. He was lucky to even have met Cadence at all during his training, and now he was being called upon to be one by his boss... Just what was he to do?

“Princess…” he gulped “Celestia, I’m a bit surprised and at the same time honored you consider me a friend to trust me enough to tell me about your worries…” Shining Armor started as he thought about the ramifications of his involvement. In one hoof was Princess Celestia, the “Monarch” and light of all of Equstria. In the other was Princess Luna, the “step foul” or black sheep so to speak; the lost, confused and complete polar opposite of her sister. Each move he made from here on out would affect both in some way. Should he give Celestia bad advice on how to handle Luna, both would feel it but Luna would likely suffer the most. While the opposite could be said; Shining Armor could draw more attention than he needed to himself and possibly could give Luna the wrong idea about him and how he played in this scheme of things. The way he looked at it, only more problems were going to be created in the end and it was going to eventually come down to who was hurt the most after it was all over.

And yet, Shining Armor couldn’t back out. He had in a way already made the first move in their game of chess just by being here replying to Celestia’s note asking him to be here. If he had known before what the note was really about he likely might have made some excuse not to be here. It wasn’t full proof but it would have given him way more time to think this through. Shining Armor was a soldier and never had any intention to play this game, but now it seemed he already started he had hit the ground running. For now he’ll play it one move at a time until he could plan ahead. For now his first move would be agreeing to Celestia’s plea for help.

Because after everything was said and done, in the grand scheme of life Celestia was his lord, and he was her vassal. He would have had to say yes eventually, and before that time came he wanted it to be on his terms.

“..And I’ll be happy to help you Celestia.” Shining Armor finished, watching Celestia’s face brighten to almost shedding tears of joy. She was about to respond when a blood curling scream quaked throughout every hallway, and room of the castle causing many ponies to drop what they were doing and whimper as they felt the chill snaking down their spines.

Shining Armor and Princess Celestia both snapped their heads toward the double doors as the two guards that always followed Celestia came through followed by one of Luna’s Cosmic Guards. The controlled panic on their faces twisted before morphing into one of extreme urgency as all three open their mouths...

“Princess! Captain! It’s Princess Luna!” They shouted in unison before jumping out of the way to avoid the blurs of white that raced pasted them. The guards wasted no time bolting after their charges.

Chapter 2: Escalations

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Chapter 3: Arise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon.

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Transition: The Waxing moon...

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