“My Dearest Teacher,

My continuing studies of pony magic have led me to discover that we are on the brink of disaster! For you see, the mythical Mare in the Moon is in fact Nightmare Moon, and she's about to return to Equestria and bring with her eternal night! Something must be done to make sure this terrible prophecy does not come true. I await your quick response.

Your faithful student,

Twilight Sparkle.”

Her magic winked out. Celestia caught the parchment with shaking hooves as it fell.

“Luna.” The name came out in a dry whisper as Celestia read the letter again. She only got halfway down before the trembling grew too strong to make out the words.

The Nostradamare prophecy. The thousandth year…

Tears blurred her vision, and the shaking grew worse. The scroll dropped to the floor, unnoticed. Celestia could feel her heart galloping, almost outpaced by her panicked breaths.

She tried to control it, but the attack went on. Celestia’s face and hooves went numb. Black spots dotted her vision, and her head began to sway.

Gossiping voices sounded through the door, snapping her mind back in order. A few servants, coming to clean the parlor at the same time as ever.

She couldn’t be seen like this! Panicked into action, Celestia snatched the scroll and dove for her bedroom. Undignified, she scampered through the door and slammed it closed.

The scare was like a douse of cold water on her nerves: unpleasant, but steadying. She was still breathing hard and shaking, clutching the paper to her chest. But the anxiety was fading. She could think about this logically.

And as soon as she did, Celestia laughed.

She could see herself in the mirror, and it looked disgusting. A wild, ear-to-ear grin beneath the shrunken pupils and wide eyes. But she couldn’t help it. It was that funny!

“Ah, Twilight!” Celestia kept laughing. It was tiring after so long without, and it hurt her mouth and sides. But she laughed all the same, letting the fear flow out with each shrill push of air.

“Twilight, Twilight,” she shook her head, still grinning after the laughter was gone. “You brilliant, silly girl. Luna’s dead. She’s not coming back.”

Still, the young mare surprised her. Most ponies were lost in their preparations for the Summer Sun festival, yet Twilight was as sharp and industrious as ever.

Though maybe this is just an excuse to write me, Celestia mused, her grin turning to a wry smirk. The girl’s clingy. I think I’m her only friend.

A one-way friendship, endured for the young mare's sake. But perhaps a solution was at hoof. Celestia took up her own quill and ink, giggling a little as she penned the response.

“My dearest, most faithful student, Twilight,

You know that I value your diligence and that I trust you completely. But you simply must stop reading those dusty old books!

My dear Twilight, there is more to a young pony's life than studying. I'm sending you to supervise the preparations for the Summer Sun Celebration in this year's location: Ponyville. And I have an even more essential task for you to complete: make some friends!

Your faithful teacher,

Princess Celestia”

Celestia sent off the message with her magic, still smiling blissfully. It was funny. So funny that she wasn’t even annoyed at the interruption.

But Celestia’s humor died in an instant as the scroll vanished. Behind it, in the mirror, Luna stood next to her.

Well, it was “Nightmare Moon” instead of Luna, but the distinction felt like a tired excuse. Whoever she was, the black mare was smirking knowingly.

“Somepony’s in deniiiiiiiial,” she sang in a teasing voice.

Celestia glanced to the side. Nightmare Moon was sitting on the bed, sticking her tongue out. Her grin widened as Celestia’s eyes narrowed.

But Celestia – “Princess Celestia,” the mare she tried to be – did not get angry. She swallowed the rage, and it went down easily. No shouting, no outburst came forth. She just eyed her dead sister as she would any other annoyance.

Still, a quiver marked Celestia’s response. “A thousand years,” she said, glaring imperiously. “Since we parted ways. One thousand years.”

The voice grew low, growling. “And still you haunt me. You all do, but not forever.”

She drew her head in close, standing eye-to-eye with the still-smirking Luna. “One day, I’ll finally forget you. You’ll be gone, and I’ll remain.”

With an arrogant sniff, Celestia raised her nose and strode quickly from the room. She passed through without even a nod to the cleaners, not daring to look back.

Author's Notes:

"You must change, or change will come for you."

-Anonymous

There'll be different perspectives, moods, and events in the coming chapters. I hope I keep your interest. Next proper chapter will be up either today or tomorrow.

As ever, thanks for reading.