Sometimes we desperately want something to be true, so we refuse to believe it's a lie. Sometimes we tell ourselves everything is alright, even when it isn't. Sometimes a lot of people get very badly hurt because we aren't willing to face painful possibilities. Sometimes things really are that bad.

Sometimes.

Luna regresses, and Celestia must confront her worst fear. But something seems...off.

A short story originally conceived as the prologue to a series. The series has been put on hold, but I believe the story stands on its own fairly well.