Shadow and Crystal

The six ponies were unceremoniously dumped onto a carpeted floor. All except for the two pegasi, who flew, and Pinkie, who’s normal jumping gait made it seem like she flew. The stained glass windows and the single throne gave told them where they were; the throne room of the Canterlot Palace.

“Friends of our heart, we hope that each of thee will find the courtesy to forgive this princess for the abrupt summons.” The Princess of the Night came forward, offering a hoof to Twilight Sparkle, who was nearest to her. Twilight realized that the voice and the magic that had taken them to the palace were Luna’s.

Twilight took the hoof, and hugged the dark alicorn. “Princess Luna! It’s been too long, how have you been?”

“We—I mean — I have seen better days Twilight Sparkle.”

Twilight took a closer look at Luna, taking note of the slight creases, the slightly darkened coat under her eyes, and her mane which lacked some of its normal luster.

Applejack noticed the same thing. “Ya look a little… worn down Princess, if ya don’ mind my sayin’ so.”

“You’re one to talk,” Rarity retorted on reflex. Applejack let out a half-smile, and mentally chalked down one point for Rarity in their verbal jousting match. She’d get the white unicorn back later.

“Were that ‘twere only in looks Applejack.” Luna’s head drooped slightly. “My sister and I have had much cause for concern as of late; rest has become a luxury that not two princesses can afford, and less so the princess now before you.”

“Uh, Twilight, ya wanna give me a quick translation sugarcube?”

“There’s something wrong; so wrong that the princesses have worn themselves out trying to fix it.”

“It is so, Twilight Sparkle.” Luna drew herself up again. “And our talk has led to the reasons for your summons. Follow, friends of mine.”

The Princess of the Night lead them down the throne room, each pony stealing glances at the stained glass, as they always did when they were able to. They watched, as the glass told the tales of the princesses and placed their own stories next to them. It still shocked them that they were held in such high regard.

Everypony paused before a certain window, one depicting the six bearers of the Elements of Harmony and Nightmare Moon. They remembered the day; each of them ran into a slightly—very—awkward purple unicorn, unaware of the turn that their life was about to take. They became the best of friends, and Nightmare Moon was banished. Yet Princess Luna remained.

She turned towards the six ponies. “You have all grown since that fateful day, since you released us—me— from the anger and… hatred… we—I— felt towards my sister, towards all of Equestria. I have yet to properly apologize for it.”

A chorus of protests broke out; why would they need an apology? There was no reason for it!

Luna held up a hoof. “You may feel that way, but I do not. Allow me this one pleasure, my friends,” she pleaded. The six remained silent. “Thank you. Not only for this, but for our first meeting when Nightmare Moon ran rampant, for our time in Nightmare Night, for truly being a friend to us—me!—AGH! MODERN SPEECH IS SUCH A BURDEN TO THIS TONGUE! Why does the world change so much?” Luna’s head fell the slightest bit. “... Forgive me; this is neither time nor place proper for this topic.” Luna took a deep breath. “I am sorry, my friends, for the trouble I have caused as Nightmare Moon and this detour we have taken and I apologize for not being able to deliver a proper apology, but there is so much and we… I am sorry.” Luna hung her head fully.

Fluttershy flew to the princess, and quietly took a place beside her. She placed a hoof on Luna’s shoulder and held her eyes when Luna looked up. “Apologies are hard, but they’re not always necessary, even though you feel they should be. I don’t think you have anything to apologize for, but it’s okay. I accept your apology Princess Luna.” Luna smiled appreciatively at Fluttershy.

Rainbow Dash nudged Applejack. “Did Fluttershy just say that an apology wasn’t necessary?” Applejack poked Rainbow in the ribs, hard. “Point taken,” the pegasus groaned, holding her side.

The ponies moved out of the throne room, Luna’s worries somewhat assuaged; the brunt of her worries still remained, but there was just enough taken away that the Princess felt as though a weight had been lifted. What have I done to deserve such ponies? she thought to herself. And what am I about to ask them to do? The weight returned, heavier than before.

***

Luna led the ponies deeper into the castle, away from the stained glass and tapestries of the main hall and the throne room, back through thousands of years of history as the castle changed from clean, sparkling marble, to the cobblestone it was first made of. The passages twisted and turned, the Princess walking quickly and confidently through the labyrinthine halls and the others struggling to keep up.

The stone corridors opened up suddenly. The ponies found themselves in an amphitheater, one nearly as large as the throne room, but far less warm and welcoming. Tapestries hung on the cobblestone walls, each one a solid color bearing only a single symbol, perhaps the cutie mark of long dead royalty. Torches were used sparingly and long shadows were thrown across the walls and the floor by the numerous pillars reaching up into darkness. Nopony could see a ceiling. Everypony, even the alicorn, shivered the slightest bit.

“Luna,” Twilight’s voice sounded small in the room, “what is this place?”

“The castle doth hold a great many secrets, Twilight Sparkle. Some darker than others.”

Another set of shivers crept across the ponies.

“But,” Luna continued, “There is a certain amount of security afforded by the dark visage of these stone walls. I can speak with peace of mind here.” She paused and took a breath. “An evil has returned to Equestria. We believed that you had defeated him, but we were mistaken. He is no longer confined to the frigid north, no longer fixated upon the Crystal Empire.” The alicorn shifted her gaze to each of the six in turn. “Sombra has returned.”

A voiced hissed from the darkness, a voice of anger, of hatred. He spoke softly, but the malice was unmistakable, the threat he posed unquestionable. A pair of glowing red eyes shone from the dark ceiling.“You mean to say, King Sombra has returned.”