Welcome home, Princess Luna
Once upon a time there were two regal sisters who ruled together and created harmony for all the land. To do this, the eldest used her unicorn powers to raise the sun at dawn. The younger brought out the moon to begin the night. Thus, the two sisters maintained balance for their kingdom and their subjects: all the different types of ponies.
But as time went on, the younger sister became resentful. The ponies relished and played in the day her elder sister brought forth, but shunned and slept through her beautiful night. One fateful day, the younger unicorn refused to lower the moon to make way for the dawn. The elder sister tried to reason with her, but the bitterness in the young one's heart had transformed her into a wicked mare of darkness: Nightmare Moon. She vowed that she would shroud the land in eternal night.
Reluctantly, the elder sister harnessed the most powerful magic known to ponydom: The Elements of Harmony! Using the magic of The Elements of Harmony, she defeated her younger sister and banished her permanently in the moon. The elder sister took on responsibility for both sun and moon and harmony has been maintained in Equestria for generations since.
“Momma, can Princess Luna ever come home again?” Asked Emerald Wishes, a young colt of his mother.
She gazed down at the deep green earth pony and into his innocent eyes. Sugar Song found she didn't know how to respond. With a gentle sigh she placed the story book aside and rubbed her chin in thought. She decided it was best not to lie to the boy.
“I don't think so honey. She did some pretty bad things.” She tried to explain gently.
“But when you put me in timeout, you only do it for a little bit. She has been up there for like a bazillion years!” The young colt explained, throwing his arms wide. “Isn't Princess Celestia gonna let her come home?”
Sugar Song didn't know how to respond, how do you tell a child the horrors of years long since gone? Of a Princess who once brought war to a land she ruled with her sister? Gazing down at her child she felt conflicted. One half wanted to embrace him for his innocence, the other wanted to insist on his foolishness for ever wanting an ancient evil to return. In the end, she simply smiled and pulled the comforter up to his chin and kissed him goodnight.
“I don't know Emerald, maybe someday she can return. Maybe someday you can ask Princess Celestia yourself.” She said gently as she kissed her child on the head and left the room. In the darkness Emerald Wishes listened as his mother's door closed down the hall.
As he laid there he looked out the window beside his bed, and gazed up into the star filled sky. “I hope you can come home someday Princess Luna.” Across the sky a shooting star sailed as if in response to the colt's sentiments. With a smile he snuggled into his blankets and went to sleep.
~ooo~oOo~ooo~
“Emerald Wishes! You get down here right now young man!” Sugar Song yelled out in anger. Slowly the pony in question came down the steps to face an irate mother and the letter in her hoof. It was years later as the Colt was entering his teenage years. He knew exactly what that letter was and why his mother was so upset.
“Listen Mom, I can explain.” Emerald tried to offer, but his mother cut him off.
“Oh you can? You can explain why you tried to ask Princess Celestia why she won't bring Nightmare Moon back?” His mother took off her glasses and rubbed her eyes with her hooves, “You can explain why you stood up in a school assembly and called her 'cold and unforgiving'?”
Emerald just rolled his eyes, “Because she is, Mom! Has anyone been up there to talk to her? Maybe she is better! Maybe-”
Sugar Song's eyes flashed at her son, “Not another word! Not only have you embarrassed me and this family but you did so by being rude to the Princess. The Princess!”
With a sigh she walked over to her son, “Honey, Princess Celestia has protected us all these years. Protected Equestria from dangers like Discord and King Sombra. She isn't the bad guy.” She wrapped her hooves around her son.
“I...I know that Mom.” Emerald said as he returned the hug, “I just think that Princess Luna isn't as bad as Everypony thinks she is. I think she deserves a second chance, not being locked away for all eternity.”
With a sigh his mother ended the hug, “I know honey, and I think the sentiment is sweet. But she is evil, you don't know-” But she was cut off by her son.
“Yes I do Mom, I know what she did. They taught us that in school. But I still think she has the chance to be good.” Sugar Song just stared into her son's eyes for several long long moments before sighing.
“Fine, now go to your room. You are grounded until further notice. Your father and I will figure out what to do when he gets home tonight.” With a look of dejection Emerald Wishes slowly walked back upstairs. As she heard the door to her son's room close Sugar song looked out over to the setting sun. She was not looking forward to her husband's return that night.
“Oh Celestia, what am I going to do with that boy?” She wondered aloud.
~ooo~oOo~ooo~
Years later Emerald Wishes found himself on Nightmare Night. As he watched the young colts and fillies run around in their costumes he turned and put a hoof around his special somepony, Winter Blossom. Her usual light blue fur and snow white mane colored yellow and black respectively this year. She was trying to write a book and felt dressing up as the famous “Daring Do” might make it easier to write her character. He had to chuckle at her when he had shown up in his “Star Swirl the Bearded” costume.
“So Daring, what adventures do you want to escape to tonight?” He tried to sound authoritative behind his fake beard. “Shall we enchant the evening or find a few candy dishes to plunder of treasure?”
Raising her hoof to her mouth, Winter Blossom giggled at her coltfriend's antics. Tilting her safari hat forward on her head she extended a hoof forward. Pointing down the street.
“I believe we can find treasures a plenty in the celebrations of these curious folks. Onward, to sweets and fun!” With that as their battlecry the two ponies trotted forwards with smiles on their faces and laughter in their wake.
It didn't last long however. A few blocks down they ran into a group of ponies they recognized from their college. Emerald groaned as their apparent unicorn leader, Thunder Prism, spotted them and motioned for the others to follow him.
“Well, well, if it isn't the local freak. Oh, and it looks like he found a freakess to hang out with him.” Thunder taunted the pair as the group surrounded them.
“Hey, isn't he the one that was passing out that petition to get Princess Celestia to bring back Nightmare moon?” One of the mares asked in disgust, ironically dressed as Nightmare Moon herself.
Thunder Prism gave a big grin to the other ponies, “I know right? I think he is Nightmare Worshiper, and wants to bring eternal night or something.” He waved his front hooves at one of the mares and made an “oooh” sound in a mock attempt to be scary.
Emerald just rolled his eyes, “Yeah, yeah Thunder. Like I haven't heard that one before. Look, lets just go our separate ways-” He was cut off as Thunder Prism's horn began to glow and he felt himself lift off the ground and painfully slam into the wall behind him.
“Stop, let him go!” Winter Blossom cried out in fear. “We haven't done anything to you!”
Thunder just snorted, “Yeah, well I'm joining the guard next year and we are supposed to protect Equestria. Maybe I can get some bonus points from Celestia for cutting down a threat before it starts.” His laughter was cut off when he heard a gruff voice from behind him.
“I imagine son you are going to find that mighty difficult to do with an arrest on your record. Now I suggest you put the feller down before I have to put you down.” All eyes went to behind Thunder Prism and to the policepony that stood there. They could feel the glare that came from behind the shades the stallion wore despite the night.
“Won't ask again son, drop him. Now.” The stallion ordered again. Quickly Thunder Prism complied. “Good, now seeing as its a holiday and no real harm done I suggest you lot get a move on. Unless of course you want to spend the rest of the evening at the station?”
With a grumble the group moved on, with Thunder Prism shooting back a glare at Emerald Wishes. Emerald for his part just coughed a bit after having had the wind knocked out of him. He smiled up at Winter Blossom to show her he was alright before shakily getting back to his hooves.
“Thank you sir.” Winter Blossom said on their behalf, “But are you sure it's alright to just let them walk away?”
With a laugh the stallion just took of his shades, “I would love to do nothing less then run them in missy, but truth is I'm no policepony. I'm glad I put in the effort for my costume this year though.” He finished with a laugh and wide smile on his face. His eyes betrayed the worry he had for the younger stallion though.
“You going to be ok there young man? I can go get some help if you need it.”
Emerald just waved him off, “N-no thanks. But thanks for the help sir.” Emerald tried to give a strong front, but the other two could see his shakiness underneath.
The stallion just shook his head, “Well alright. But you two be careful now, ya hear?” He called back as he trotted away.
The two ponies slowly made their way to a local park. Winter Blossom gazed sadly at Emerald as he limped slightly. More hurt then he wanted to let on. Eventually the two found a park bench and sat down in silence. Winter gazing down at the grass while Emerald looked up into the stars and the full moon that shone overhead.
“Are they right? Are you a Nightmare worshiper?” Winter asked quietly next to him. Emerald looked over at Winter as she looked up at him. They sat like that for a moment that seemed to stretch into hours.
With a sigh he turned his gaze back upwards, “Would you even believe me if I said no?” He asked resignedly. It had happened before, as soon as some filly found out about him they wanted nothing to do with him. All through high school and into his college years. Winter had lasted about six months so far, a record for his dating life.
The answer that came was understandably shocking to the stallion. “Yes.” Was all she said quietly. “You are not a bad pony Emerald. So I don't believe for a second you would really want eternal night like Thunder Prism said.”
“But why do you want Nightmare Moon to come back?” She asked it gently, but there was an insistence in the question. A yearning to understand.
Emerald thought for a long moment before he replied, “Winter? What would you do if you made a mistake that had you locked away for a very long time?”
Winter Blossom shook her head, “I don't know, I guess if I was guilty I would just serve the time?”
“But what if there was no limit to the time? No friendship, no pony to talk to, nothing but yourself for years on end?” Emerald asked quietly as continued to stare at the moon. “What if in that time everypony you ever knew died and was dust?” He felt Winter Blossom shudder at the horror of the thought beside him.
“That is why I want her to return. That is why I want Princess Luna to return, not Nightmare Moon. I just think she has suffered enough and deserves another chance.” Emerald finished his quiet explanation.
They sat in silence at that point. Above him Emerald continued to watch the stars twinkle as he listened to the ponies party the night away. Winter Blossom continued to be quiet, and the glance he spared showed her staring at the grass. He couldn't tell what she was thinking. Maybe she was regretting ever being around him.
“I understand.” She said finally, looking up to meet his eyes. “I don't agree, but I understand.”
Emerald sighed, “Thank you, and I understand if you never want to-.” He was cut off by her kiss. It was long and passionate and he instantly melted into it.
With a soft smile Winter ended the kiss, “You silly colt. I don't hate you or never want to see you again. Just because I don't agree doesn't mean I think any less of you.” She snuggled up to him. They may not spent the night in merriment of candy and games, but both ponies felt the night was well spent afterwords.
~ooo~oOo~ooo~
“Celestia, I don't know what this has to do with anything.” Princess Luna said in confusion behind her older sister. They were outside of a hospital late in the evening. Celestia just had said she had pulled strings before pushing her sister into a chariot.
“Luna, you have been expressing concerns about your time as Nightmare Moon haven't you? I wanted you to meet a special pony. I wanted to do things a little differently, but I was informed there wasn't time for it.” Clestia explained as she walked into the building. Luna followed along close behind, but still looked confused.
She glanced at the staff as they passed through the corridors. All the staff looked in wonderment to her older sister. But the looks they gave her were anything but. Some looked in apprehension, some in quiet resentment. Even though it had been a few months since her return, in some parts of Equestria the moon princess was still shunned. So much so that it had lead Luna to express concerns about becoming Nightmare Moon again to Celestia.
Eventually they made their way to a nondescript door. Beside it a nameplate proclaimed the occupant as an 'Emerald Wishes'. Gently the sun princess knocked a few times before opening the door. Inside were two ponies. An old stallion lay in a hospital bed surrounded by medical equipment and monitors. Beside him in a chair sat an old mare with a snow white mane and pale blue fur.
“Thank you for agreeing to see us, Emerald Wishes and Winter Blossom.” The princess bowed her head.
“Please Princess Celestia, there is no need to bow. Especially to this one, Winter said in gentle ribbing of her husband. The stallion simply gave a weak smile in response.
“Yes, especially with all the trouble I've given you over the years.” Emerald said weakly as he continued to smile. “Is that her behind you? Is that Princess Luna?” Weak as he was, the mares could all hear the excitement and hope in his voice.
Princess Luna walked into the room from behind her sister. At the sight of her the stallion seemed to smile even wider. Behind him the machines continued to beep, though Celestia noticed that one beeping was beginning to slow ever so slightly. With a gentle nudge she urged her sister forward to the bed.
“I always knew you would make it home Princess.” The stallion said as he looked up into Luna's eyes. “I always knew you would come home and not Nightmare Moon.”
Confused and conflicted Luna hesitantly reached out and set a hoof atop the stallion's own, “How did you know?” Luna herself didn't know just what she was asking.
Regardless the stallion just continued to smile, “I didn't, but I knew that you deserved a second chance. That you had suffered enough.”
“Pity? So you pitied me?” Luna asked quietly, suddenly questioning the trip at all. She didn't want pity, didn't want ponies feeling sorry for her.
Emerald struggled to shake his head, “No Princess. I just wanted....to see you...come home.” He began to struggle to breath. Despite that he never lost his smile, “So welcome home.....Princess Luna.”
With that the machines began to alarm as the stallion stopped breathing and closed his eyes, still with a smile on his face. A doctor and two nurses rushed in to silence the alarms and check on their patient. Gently Celestia and one of the nurses coaxed the widow from her husband's side and into the hall as the others worked. Though the widow's eyes were filled with tears, there was gratitude in them to the two princesses.
“Thank you Princess Celestia for coming, and thank you Princess Luna for making my late husbands final wish come true.” She hesitantly reached out and hugged the younger princess.
Luna was thoroughly confused, “Final wish? What did I do?”
“Emerald always went on about how one day you would come home. The day news reached us of your return he started to act like a young colt as he danced with joy. Seeing you here tonight filled him with more happiness then I can ever repay you for.” She beamed at the princess as tears rolled down her cheek.
Celestia reached out and gently hugged her subject, “It was our pleasure Winter Blossom. If there is anything we can do please don't hesitate to call on us in your time of sorrow.” After giving their regards and thanks again the two princesses walked away.
Celestia guided them into a central park of the hospital that opened into the night air. In the center of the deserted area a fountain softly bubbled away. Luna gazed around and finally up towards the moon that was just beginning to peek over the building. Her prison of a thousand years.
“Do you understand why I brought you here?” Celestia asked of her younger sister. The moon princess shook her head gently, confusion plain on her face.
“No. I don't understand at all. Was it to show me that somepony pitied me for being Nightmare Moon?” She stamped her hoof, “I don't need anypony's pity!”
Celestia just shook her head sadly, “Luna, that stallion didn't pity you. He believed in you. Ever since I first knew of him when he shouted out how 'cold and unforgiving' I was as a colt.” Luna stared at her sister before giving a quick laugh at a colt standing up to her sister like that.
Celestia smiled, “It didn't stop there. He had petitions, rallies, everything he could think of up to and including scheduling formal meetings every chance he got. No matter how unpopular or hard it made his life. He always believed it was Princesses Luna that would come back from the moon. That wasn't the pity of a stallion sister, but the respect and hope of one. He believed in you, Luna, even when few others did.”
Princess Luna lost her smile at that sentiment, “But he was wrong. It wasn't me that came back, it was....her.” Luna turned her head away and allowed her mane to hide her face, “If it hadn't been for Twilight Sparkle and her friends...” Luna trailed off.
Celestia sighed and gently guided her sister over to the fountain, “Luna, that may be true but he felt that Princess Luna was behind Nightmare Moon, not the other way around.” Gently she brushed the mane from Luna's face and directed her gaze into the water's reflection below.
“Tell me sister, who really came home that night? Was it Nightmare Moon, or Princess Luna?” As the younger sister gazed into the water her eyes began to well up. Throwing herself at her sister she cried into her embrace.
“I did, Celestia. I came home.” Luna sobbed. With a gentle embrace Celestia shushed and wiped away the tears of her little sister. She gave her sibling a smile with all the love she could muster behind it.
“Welcome home, Princess Luna.”
Author's Note
Wow, first time i've finished a story in one night. If you like or dislike please leave a comment below. I'm always looking to improve my writing and welcome the feedback. :)
