Chapter 1:

Three sets of hooves clopped along at a steady pace on the immaculate floors of the palace in Canterlot. Even though their steady pace was not hurried, the steps held a deliberate purpose. The ponies going through the palace were grimly set in what they were to request from Princess Celestia. The darkness of the night filled the castle. The beautiful stained glass windows held an eerie light that seemed to tint the darkness in many hues. The torches didn’t lend much light, and only seemed to make the eerie colors flicker and dance. Finally, they arrived in an empty throne room.

“Where is she?” Silver Fern asked, her voice trembling with nerves.

“She’s raising the moon in Luna’s place, we have to wait,” Lunar Veil explained. There was no shake in her voice, and her lavender eyes had a determined shine in them.

“Do you think she’ll understand what we want?” Swift Gale asked.

“I think so. Luna is her sister after all, even though she’s been…” Lunar Veil’s strong voice faltered and drifted. They all knew what had happened.

“Lance is with her…” Silver Fern spoke up. “She’ll know what to say if we don’t…”

Swift Gale nuzzled Lunar Veil affectionately. “Whatever the outcome, I’ll always be with you.”

The lavender-eyed unicorn smiled with tears welling up in her eyes. She had thought her mate would abandon her when she revealed her plan to him. But the black-coated Pegasus stayed true and never left her side. She rested her head on his shoulder, but picked it back up when Princess Celestia entered the throne room with her guard in tow.

Triumphal Lance, a unicorn mare from Luna’s Guard trotted confidently to her friends, standing with them.

“Lunar Veil, Swift Gale, Silver Fern, and Triumphal Lance,” the princess said, naming them off one by one. She paused, her face unreadable for the most part. “It’s been years since I’ve seen you all together.” Her unreadable expression changed to a sorrowful smile as she spoke. It had been years since she had seen her sister as well. “Lance tells me you wish to speak with me.”

“Yes, Princess,” Lunar Veil said, stepping forward. “If we may.”

Celestia nodded, her sad smile now a congenial one fit for receiving audiences.

“We four would like to be with Princess Luna on the moon,” she began. The princess’s eyes widened as her smile faltered. “You see, Your Highness, I’ve noticed changes in the moon. I’m not sure your seal will hold for very long if Princess Luna is left by herself. I’ve known her for as long as I can remember. And she’s cared for my friends as well when nopony else would. We know her and we can make her stronger against Nightmare Moon.” She paused. And when she spoke again, her voice shook with tears. “Besides, I can’t bare to see her suffer any longer.”

“You intentions are beautiful, and they reflect your true friendship with Luna. But, what I sealed away was not Luna. That is not her in the moon.”

“But Luna is still present. What I see is a struggle in the moon. If we can go to the moon and make sure Luna is the stronger of the two, the seal could last…” Lunar Veil faltered. She didn’t want to finish the sentence. She knew what the price was, and she was willing to pay it, but saying it was a different matter.

“The seal could last the rest of our lives,” Silver Fern said, a bravery in her voice that was unusual.

“Lives that we willingly give for Equestria,” Triumphal Lance added. Hers was a life that she had willingly given since joining the Lunar Guard. “But especially for Princess Luna.”

Celestia turned her gaze on the one pony who hadn’t spoken about his reasons for going to the moon. “And you, Swift Gale?”

Swift nodded and met the princess’s gaze. “I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t mostly doing this for Lunar Veil. But Princess Luna gave us all homes and she’s a dear friend to me too. I want to help, and support my friends and my mate.”

“You have all considered the danger of living in the same place as Nightmare Moon.” The group nodded. She didn’t say anything to the effect of telling families or tying off loose ends. Triumphal Lance had already told the Celestial Guard and any of her friends from the Lunar Guard. And the others were orphans that were taken in by Luna. They were all they had. And no amount of convincing or reason would work to make them stand down. “Very well, then. I thank you so much for staying loyal to my sister. If you will come with me, I will explain what will happen.”

The four ponies followed faithfully as their princess led them to an outcropping where the trees on the mountain spread to reveal a perfect viewing of the moon. “Before I explain…” Celestia said, garnering the four’s attention. “Lunar Veil, when you said you’ve seen struggles on the moon. What did you mean?”

The unicorn in question turned to show the princess her flank. It had taken her an unprecedented amount of time to find her cutie mark. But she finally showed the emblem to the princess. What looked like an eclipsed moon with only a sliver of a crescent visible stood out on her gray coat. What was interesting about this moon was that the eclipsed portion was not black, but a soft purple, like her mane. This apparently symbolized that she could see the moon better than most. Surrounding the eclipse were a few stars. “It was from a spell I made. It enhances my vision so I can see the moon in detail. I can study the stars now, too. I…had to. Luna always showed me what I missed. Now I can watch her too, I suppose.”

Celestia nodded. “Can you modify the spell to send messages to me?”

Lunar Veil paused, her eyes flicking back and forth as she thought. “It may take some time. But I think I can.”

“When you have the spell, contact me as soon as you can. I miss Luna, too,” she said, her eyes shining with tears. She blinked once and her expression changed to serious once again. “Now I will explain. The seal I placed on Nightmare Moon took the Elements of Harmony because she is a magical being that was forced into the moon against her will. Bringing you to the moon will take less power because you will not be held there. Every New Moon, you will have the opportunity to return to Equestria, when Nightmare Moon’s power is not directed at Equestria. Do not contact me if Nightmare Moon is present, or even struggling for control over Luna. This is assuming Luna can be brought away from Nightmare Moon. Since my powers will not be wasted in sending you to the moon, I can keep you in the same physical state you are in now while you are there.” There was a silence at the thought of immortality. She saw the doubt in their faces pass between one another. But the doubt faded and they finally nodded in acceptance. “Things may change, please keep that in mind.

The four ponies stood silent, waiting for Celestia to continue. “My Lunar Council…are you ready?” she asked stamping a fore hoof into the ground for emphasis.

A resounding “Yes, Princess!” answered her.

“Good.” Celestia’s bright white horn began to glow and resonate with more power than any of them had seen before. “Tell Luna that I love her and that I am so sorry.”