“Turning me to stone, then going evil yourself! Such a hypocrite!”

Princess Luna shot awake at the whisper that filled the darkness of her chambers. That voice sounded familiar, and dripped with sarcasm and malice. She glanced at the massive doors that led to the palace halls, wondering if perhaps the unicorn guards outside were slipping in their duties. But the door shown no signs of being tampered with. Jerking her head to view the opposite side, she only saw deep purple curtains flowing in the morning breeze.

“But then again, it also doesn't make any sense!”

The alicorn's eyes widened at that phrase. Now she knew who it was.

“How did you escape?”

“Oh I haven't escaped yet, but there's more than enough chaos going on to free me if the time comes. Did you know that your ponysonia is now in the possession of The Great and Powerful Trixie?”

“That arrogant little unicorn?!” Luna was taken aback. She climbed out of bed, figuring that movement would snap her out of this dream. The cool morning breeze traveling through her starry mane, and the feeling of tile beneath bare hooves only confirmed she was indeed awake and aware.

“It burns you up, doesn't it?” that voice continued, echoing in the chamber as if he was physically there, and also giving her a headache. “She idolized you as Nightmare Moon, now she's favoring herself over your sister. Most of all, favoring herself over...YOU.”

“If anything, I feel sorry for her. No pony should have to suffer the way I have.” she shook her head, her eyes closed as if this would make it all go away.

“Oh come now, Luna. Don't tell me you didn't appreciate the power you had? The respect? The followers? Not to mention you finally had the upper hoof on your sister, who all but lied to you throughout your life because she thought you were to simple minded to understand what was really going on.”

“That's not true!” she stomped a hoof on the floor, an audible echo off the marble walls.

“But it is! Did you know, that if Twilight was never born you'd still be on the moon? You really should thank her.”

“I've had enough of your lies!” the alicorn snapped. This commotion caused the unicorn guards to burst into the room, magic holding spears and halberds at the ready.

“What is wrong, your majesty?” one of them asked, his voice deep and rough with experience.

“It was nothing...” Luna sighed, hanging her head. “Just a bad dream.”

The guard nodded and ordered the others to leave. Luna glanced down at the floor, the elaborate tiles reflecting her watering eyes back at her. Her reflection then began to warp and twist into Nightmare Moon, laughing at her. Her bare hooves slid on the tile as she scrambled back from her still laughing reflection, and a glance at the doors shown that only she could hear the mockery.

Up against the wall, she glanced out the window to see the blue sky was now obscured by the moon, with the same ugly, leering face it bore in her nightmares. The more she stared, the more she realized it was inching closer.

Luna closed her eyes and began muttering to herself. Spells, prayers, anything that could make it all go away. The laughter subsided and the feeling of dread in the air broke away like a fog. She slowly opened her eyes to see everything was undisturbed, and the sky was once again sunny and beautiful.

Then she wept...

Not to far down the hall, Princess Celestia felt a pang in her heart. Her poor sister had never really been the same after that whole sordid affair, and she always had a feeling that Discord had a claw, or paw, or whatever, in Luna's fall from grace. But in the end, that heartbreaking event only made her stronger in resolve and spirit. If she could overcome that, she could overcome anything, and an indomitable leader was what the ponies needed.

Sure, she never WANTED to rule over the entire land of Equestria, but she really didn't have a choice. She was groomed since birth to be prepared for such a responsibility, mainly because after the madness Discord had started with his puppet alicorn ruler, Equestria needed somepony to steer them on the right track.

In a twisted sort of way, Discord saved her from becoming bored and content in her power, thereby turning her into him. This allowed her to save Twilight from herself, to save Luna from herself. It was a cosmic connection that even she couldn't fully understand, and she had a hoof in Twilight's birth.

Her depressing thoughts were broken by the door to her chambers opening, allowing more sunlight in to mingle with what already poured through the floor to ceiling picture windows. Celestia glanced up to see Luna slowly walking in, as if a child in trouble and awaiting punishment.

“What's wrong, Luna?”

“There's....there's somepony here to see us. I was going to come talk to you, but he kind of got in my way and wanted to see you as well.”

Celestia nodded, her face wearing a look of confusion at this uninvited guest. The guards didn't even notify her. She used her magic to place her royal adornments, and followed her sister to the grand throne room. Standing there, pacing around, was the Doctor, and a giant blue box.

“Doctor, what brings you here uninvited? You could get in serious trouble sneaking in like this.” Celestia warned.

“No time for formalities unfortunately, your highness! There is a threat coming, and you must mobilize!”

“We are aware of the threat of Tirek.” Luna replied.

“No. Not Tirek! The Master! He's an old friend...well....enemy of mine. He's going to attempt to bring back an enetity known as Nightmare Moon, and use Twilight's body as the vessel!”

Celestia heard her sister gasp, but didn't look to see if she was okay. “Are you certain?”

“Positive.” he nodded. “But the only problem is, I need a means to remind myself to come here to warn you when I get back to the future.” he began glancing around the palace for something of use.

Luna trotted past him, her crystalline shoes clattering on the tile as she approached the thrones. She lowered her head behind hers, and began looking for something. Soon, she emerged with an abacus in her teeth. She trotted back to the Doctor and gently placed it on the floor.

“This is my favorite toy from when I was a filly. It has my name on it. Let it serve as a reminder.”

“I can't take this.” the Doctor replied.

Luna shook her head. “I insist. Nightmare Moon is my construct, and I have sacrificed much in my efforts to cope with the damage she had done. This is only one more.”

The Doctor nodded. “You truly are a testament to your people....er.....ponies.”