As was the way with dreams, nothing seemed constant at first. One moment, she had wings, awkwardly hanging by her sides, and the next, there was no trace of them having appeared in the first place.
Of course, Twilight wasn’t alarmed by this in the slightest. She hardly even noticed. Sometimes she had wings, and sometimes she didn’t. It was as simple as that.
Instead, she contented herself with walking down the grand palace hallway, with its arching ceiling and tapestries… no, it was a field, and wildflowers surrounded her at every turn… no, it was a dense forest, filled with ancient, weathered trees draping curtains of moss from twisted limbs.
Nothing remained constant in dreams.
Her hooves abruptly struck stone, and she looked down in confusion. Where a moment before had been a thick carpet of leaves and moss, there were now worn stone tiles, shoots and grass growing in between the cracks.
Twilight raised her head and looked around. It was a ruined palace she stood in, forgotten and abandoned at the center of the forest. Enough of the architecture remained that she could see traces of its former grandeur; the remains of a lavishly carved fountain here, the moth-eaten remains of a tapestry there.
I recognize this place, she thought to herself. I’ve been here before, at some point.
“Grand, is it not?”
Twilight spun, surprised. Princess Luna, clad in full royal regalia, stepped out of the shadows, a small smile on her face.
With a gasp, Twilight bowed, averting her eyes. “I… I’m sorry,” she stammered. “I didn’t mean–”
Luna chuckled. “You forget yourself. You have standing equal to mine, now.”
Twilight hesitantly straightened, suddenly aware of the uncomfortable weight of the wings at her sides. In the instant before she looked up, gilded shoes, gold inlaid with amethyst, had appeared on her hooves.
“This palace was beautiful once,” Luna said, appearing not to notice. “Gardens bloomed with every flower imaginable, and birds sang from the trees. It was said that all the greatest composers throughout history could not have matched their song.”
Hesitantly Twilight looked around. For a moment, she had caught the whiff of pollen, and a trace of birdsong on the wind.
“The Castle of the Pony Sisters,” she breathed, remembering. “I knew this was familiar. This was where–”
“Where you vanquished Nightmare Moon, yes,” Luna said, her mouth twisting in distaste.
Twilight fell silent. She’d known that Princess Luna was capable of walking through dreams, but had never imagined the alicorn might enter one of hers. “Why…” she moistened her lips in sudden nervousness. “Why are we here?”
Luna’s penetrating gaze turned on her. “Why? Why indeed? Dreams, by their very nature, are unpredictable. It may be that we are here because this place is significant for us both. Or it may be because I like to remember. Remember how things used to be.”
For an instant, it seemed that the last few words had been directed to the wings at Twilight’s sides. Unconsciously she hunched, trying to hide them from view.
A mirthless smile touched Luna’s lips. “You like to remember too, don’t you? This place was what set you on this path. You took the first steps here, in this forgotten palace. And now look where you stand. Your mentor must be so proud.”
Twilight’s ear twitched. There was something about the way Luna had said that…
But as soon as the thought appeared, it vanished. Instead, a burning question rose in her throat; one that, in the waking world, she had been too afraid to ask.
“There’s… something I’ve been meaning to ask about that.”
Luna cocked her head. “I am listening.”
Taking a deep breath, Twilight continued. “Am I… like you now?”
The princess frowned. “Like me? That could mean a lot of things, Twilight.”
Twilight bit her lip. “Well… with these… changes.” She couldn’t bring herself to say wings. Not yet. “Does that make me…”
“Immortal?” Luna asked. “To a point, yes. You now stand outside time.”
Twilight flinched. The way she said it, she may as well have been discussing the weather. “I thought… maybe…”
“Do not fret, Twilight,” Luna said. “Isn’t this what every pony dreams of? You will never have to worry about your legacy, because you will always exist to see it. You can accomplish anything your heart desires. And why would you not?” She bared her teeth in a savage grin. “You have all the time in the world.”
At that point, it all struck home. Everything about Luna: the way she stood, her mannerisms, her turns of phrase... they were all wrong. The similarity was there, but there was something underneath. Something barely kept in check. Twilight scrambled backwards, reaching for magic that eluded her grasp. “You’re not Luna,” she breathed.
Just like that, the façade was gone. Luna’s face twisted into a cruel smile. “That all depends on how you look at it,” she said smoothly. “After all, we were one and the same for a time.”
Blood drained from Twilight’s face. “Nightmare Moon.”
“That was what they called me,” the thing with Luna’s face replied. “I rather like that name, in fact.”
“But how?” Twilight yelped. “You’re gone! Destroyed by the Elements of–”
“Destroyed?” Nightmare Moon threw back her head and laughed. “You fool. I can never be destroyed. As long as one scrap of fear, envy or hatred exists, I exist with it.”
“This is a dream,” Twilight said frantically. “You’re not real. You’re gone, and I’m asleep in my bed, and I’ll wake up any second now.”
“Delude yourself all you want,” the Nightmare replied. “It won’t help you.” Twilight yelped as vines sprang from the stones and wrapped themselves around her. Nightmare Moon shook her head. “So young… so foolish. Not to realize just what power dreams have.”
Thorns erupted from the surface of the vines, digging cruelly into Twilight’s flesh. She bit her lip to hold in a yell as they pierced the skin, and blood began to well.
Nightmare Moon studied her, twisting Luna’s face in a smile. “Look at you,” she said. “You understand so little. Even now, you try to deny what is right there in front of you.”
“What do you want with me?” Twilight snarled, still reaching for magic, and finding nothing. “Sooner or later, I’m going to wake up. And when I do, I’m going to put you right back where you–”
“Do you really think me so foolish as to pit myself against you?” Nightmare Moon snapped. “You already defeated me once. I would rather not risk that ignominy again.”
“So why keep me here?” Twilight asked.
“You have questions,” Nightmare Moon replied smugly. “And I have answers.”
“What could I possibly ask you?”
“You already asked it,” Nightmare Moon said. “Are you immortal?”
Twilight fell silent. She had asked that. And Nightmare Moon had answered.
“As an act of good faith,” Nightmare Moon said, “I’ll release you.” The vines vanished as if they had never been, but the punctures remained.
Twilight eyed the apparition suspiciously. “Where are we?” she asked.
Nightmare Moon shrugged. “Does it really matter where we are? This is a dream, after all.”
“No riddles,” Twilight snapped. “I know now that this isn’t a dream.”
“Really?” Nightmare Moon replied. “A testament to how little you know, that. Like it or not, this is indeed a dream. Just… a different sort.”
Twilight’s mouth twisted. “All right,” she said. “Why keep me here?”
“Now that’s an easier question!” Nightmare Moon crowed. “Not many have managed to best me, Twilight Sparkle. However much I dislike it, I do feel some measure of respect toward you. Since you appear to be undergoing a–” Her mouth twisted wryly. “–difficult transition, I thought I might guide you. Give you some answers to those questions that burn so.”
Twilight’s lip curled. “I don’t believe that for a second,” she snarled. “In case you forget, you tried to kill me and my friends.”
“Your friends, yes,” Nightmare Moon said. “How are they reacting to this?”
Twilight blinked. “I’m sure it’s difficult for them, but they know I’m still the same. Just me being a princess doesn’t make me any…” She trailed off, her eyes widening. Too late, she saw the trap.
“It doesn’t?” Nightmare Moon replied. “Did we not just discuss one of the side effects of your transition?”
“It doesn’t change anything,” Twilight began weakly.
“And that is where you are wrong!” Nightmare Moon thundered. “It changes everything. You know it as well as I do.”
Twilight looked away. “Well… it doesn’t matter. I’ll… I’ll…”
“You’ll what?” Nightmare Moon said. “Just because you refuse to believe doesn’t mean it will happen.”
Twilight tried to turn away, to shut the voice out, but it continued, unceasing, uncaring. “Your friends will all die, Twilight. Every one of them. They will grow old and feeble, while you remain in the prime of your youth. And you will be forced to watch, helpless, as their bodies grow frail and weak, and at last fail them utterly.”
“No… please stop…” Twilight whimpered.
“They might pretend, but each and every one of them will silently hate you. They will remember what they once were, and hate you for retaining what they have lost forever. You may have all the time in the world, but they…” Nightmare Moon shrugged. “Their lives are but a stone in the pond of eternity. A blink of the eye. Everyone you ever knew, everyone you ever loved, is doomed to the same fate. They will die, and you will persist. Such is the nature – and the price – of immortality.”
Tears flowed freely from Twilight’s eyes. In Nightmare Moon’s words she heard her own thoughts. Her own doubts, brought up and shouted down as soon as they surfaced. She’d known, deep in her heart, that this would be her fate.
“But what am I saying?” Nightmare Moon said. “You may die before any of this happens. Alicorns are not immune to the ravages of the flesh, after all. An assassin’s blade may find your heart, or poison in a meal. You may die in an accident, or by your own hoof.”
“You’re wrong,” Twilight snarled at the last suggestion. “I’d never…” She paused. Would she? She often thought that her life had not truly begun before reaching Ponyville. Could she force herself to go on, alone, knowing that everyone she met would eventually die? A strangled sob escaped her throat.
"There, there," Nightmare Moon crooned. "There is no use railing against it. After all, it is your destiny.
Nightmare Moon appeared to hesitate. “There is one thing,” she said. “There are… subtleties in magic nearly beyond comprehension. It is possible…” She cut herself off. “No. Pay me no heed; I speak of fantasy.”
“What?” Twilight asked. “If you know a way to save them…” Her throat tightened. What was she thinking? This was Nightmare Moon! How could she even consider making a deal?
“You are correct not to trust me,” Nightmare Moon said. “I would do the same, were I in your place.” She let out a heavy, theatrical sigh. "Ah, well. I will release you, then. You will wake from a dreamless sleep, with no recollection of our conversation–"
“Wait.”
Nightmare Moon paused, avarice flickering in her eyes for an instant.
Twilight sagged, hating herself for what she was about to do. “Tell me. If there’s even a chance…”
Nightmare Moon was silent for a long moment. “Magic can take many forms,” she finally said. “Earth ponies use it to tend to their crops. Pegasi use it to manipulate weather. Unicorns can channel it, to a degree. But alicorns are unique. They serve as a focal point for the energies that drive the world. Including that which governs life and death.”
“I could… show you,” she said hesitantly. “The magic required is vast, greater than anything I can accomplish.”
Twilight hesitated. What are you doing? part of her shrieked. Don’t trust her! She just wants to use you!
But it was too late. Twilight could feel the poison of Nightmare Moon’s words… and hungered for more. “Think about it,” the apparition said. “Power over life and death. You need never fear the pain of loss again.”
I can’t… I can’t let myself believe that. But it’s so, so tempting…
“But that’s not all. I know things. Secrets that would chill your blood. I can help you accomplish things beyond your wildest dreams, deeds that will be sung of through the ages. With my help, you can solve all the world's problems. Make it the way you want it to be!”
Twilight looked up, meeting Nightmare Moon’s liquid gaze. “You really mean that?” she whispered.
Nightmare Moon’s hoof caressed her face, brushing away a stray tear. “Let me guide you, and I can make all your problems go away,” she breathed. “All you have to do… is accept me. That’s all.”
Twilight looked away. Acceptance. She could do that, couldn’t she? Such a small thing to ask for so much.
“It’s that easy,” Nightmare Moon sighed. “Just let go… and I promise, I’ll take care of everything.”
A sudden memory appeared in Twilight’s head. Princess Luna, defeated and broken, robbed of a millennium. The Nightmare had promised her the same thing, Twilight realized. And look where it got her.
“No,” she growled.
Nightmare Moon dropped her hoof, something ugly passing across her face. “What did you say?”
“No,” Twilight said, her voice gaining strength. “I refuse. Everything you promise is a lie!”
Nightmare Moon’s face twisted with rage before carefully smoothing it. “Have I lied to you at all? Have I not been perfectly honest?”
“Honesty,” Twilight spat. “How does that even mean anything to you?”
“Do you not know the price of defying me?” Nightmare Moon snarled. “Everyone you know will die! You are doomed to remain alone among a sea of corpses!”
That gave Twilight pause. "You're wrong," she said after a moment. "I'll always have my memories. Happy ones. Nothing can take those away from me."
Nightmare Moon hissed. "You dare! Do you realize that I can leave your mind a blank slate? Erase every happy memory you have ever had?"
“I deny you,” Twilight said hoarsely. “You have no power over me. I deny you!”
Nightmare Moon shrieked with rage and charged, fangs erupting from her jaw, morphing into something horrible, something that eroded Twilight’s sanity just to look at…
And then it was upon her, tearing at her, ripping through her, flaying her in both body in mind. Twilight screamed, stumbling back, trailing blood – too much blood – reaching for magic, finding it abruptly and flinging it at the horror before her…
She opened her eyes, panting. Her flesh was whole and unmarked. Nightmare Moon was slumped against the wall, glaring at her, pitiful and broken. She seemed... smaller, somehow, as if the magic had stripped something away. Twilight took a step forward, and the apparition huddled into the wall, fear appearing in her eyes.
Twilight’s lip curled in disgust as she looked upon the wretched thing. She had almost…
Without a word, she turned and walked back the way she came. A door appeared before her. Had it been there the whole time?
“Wait!” Nightmare Moon called. “Don’t leave me!”
Twilight paused. And spoke one word.
“Why?”
It wasn’t a response to the nightmare’s request. Nightmare Moon fell silent, her eyes downcast. “I…” she started. “I’ve forgotten.”
Twilight almost stopped. There was pure sorrow in that voice. Whatever Nightmare Moon was – whatever she had been... did she really deserve her fate?
Everything that she's suffered, Twilight reasoned, She's done to herself. Something like that isn't deserving of sympathy, nor redemption. Let her cower in the dark, where she belongs. As she reached the door, she chanced a brief glance back. Nightmare Moon was just lying there, where she had been left, staring into eternity. She didn't look angry, or sad, or regretful. She just looked lost.
Twilight didn't look back after that. Unbidden, the doorway opened, into a featureless expanse of white light. An instant before she stepped through, Nightmare Moon threw her head back and let out a long, aching scream.
Then the door closed and it was cut off. Twilight was once again standing in the field of wildflowers. She looked back, and the door was gone. Had it ever been there to begin with?
Twilight smiled and walked on. It didn’t matter.
Such was the way of dreams.
