It was gloomy day in Ponyville. Thick gray clouds lingered overhead, blocking out the sun. Rain drizzled slowly on the town.

A small number of ponies stood in the clearing where the Nightmare Moon statue had once been. There now stood something new, covered by a sheet.

Princess Luna moved forward, stepping in front of the crowd. Standing before the covered form, she turned to face the small group that stood before her.

"Today," she said, "we are gathered to mourn the loss of one who is no longer among us: a pony that came to us as an enemy, who wished to rule; who we bonded with to become friends, or more; and who died as a hero, trying to protect this town."

It is a shame that we do not know more about what it was she saved us from, she thought.

"Although she did much that was seen as wrong, there was a part of her that was seeking what most ponies do: a place to belong. In her own way, she did care for ponies and desired for them to care for her as well. It may have been a desire born from a corrupted sense of jealousy and envy, but it still remained at the core a want of belonging. Of friendship."

She shifted, looking out over the crowd more.

"I am aware that there are but a few of us here, but it seemed that it was sufficient enough for Nightmare Moon to begin a path toward reformation and kindness. Perhaps the greatest tragedy in her loss is that we shall never know what her life could have been like. Perhaps she would have become a great hero in her own right without such a sacrifice.

"I think I have spoken enough on the matter. Nightmare never really did seem to care much for lengthy speeches." Her lips shifted up slightly. "Save perhaps her own. Would any others wish to speak about our departed?"

None of the ponies in attendance seemed very much interested in doing so. Twilight had been organizing some cards, but seemed to have gotten rid of them, wrapping a foreleg around Spike and wing around Rarity. Chocolate Cherry was staring more at the ground in front of her, Pinkie Pie placing a hoof gently on her back. Fluttershy stood slightly further back, holding onto a leash that was attached to Gibbous, allowing the little gray fox to attend the memorial for her departed owner. Discord stood near the back, supposedly attending more out of respect to a fellow reformed villain than any sort of special bond with Nightmare.

"Very well," Luna said as her horn started to glow with magic. "Then we shall move on without further ado."

Moving toward the crowd, she turned around to face the sheet. Her magic gripped at it, spreading along the surface. She then pulled the sheet up and away, revealing the statue that was hidden underneath it.

The figure of Nightmare Moon had been replaced by another. No longer was it an armored alicorn rearing up, wings spread wide, with ears back and a scowl on the face. Now, Nightmare Moon was a pegasus, head held high and wings spread wide. Her eyes were narrowed and fangs bared. It looked my like the face of determination than of anger. Beneath one front hoof was a helmet, and beneath the other was the head of what looked like a mountain goat.

"Instead of remembering Nightmare Moon as the enemy that she once was," Luna declared, "this statue shall commemorate her as the hero that she had become. Perhaps the story this statue symbolizes shall inspire other ponies to change their way, to realize that it is never too late to help those around you."

As if on cue (which it was, but not intentionally set to the timing of the funeral), the rain began to fall fully. The water slid across the smooth black surface of the statue, causing it to glisten slightly. Some of the raindrops collected in the eyes, pooling there before flowing down along the cheeks in long lines and dripping off the chin.

"That concludes the official duration of the memorial," Luna announced, turning away from the statue. "While it is not necessary to say, I would like to thank you for your attendance, regardless of the scheduled weather."

Chocolate Cherry was the first to move. She walked forward, toward the statue. Stopping in front of it, she looked up at the face of Nightmare.

"If I may ask," Luna asked as she approached, "how are you coping with your loss?"

"I'm...." Cherry shifted, thinking. "I don't know. I cried a lot for a while. Now I.... I just kind of feel numb." She motioned at the statue. "Take this. Do you want to know what I was thinking when you were talking about it?"

Princess Luna raised an eyebrow and gave a slight nod.

"I was wondering how this was going to affect Nightmare Night," Cherry explained. "The whole idea is dressing up to trick Nightmare Moon and giving her candy so that she would not try to eat ponies."

A wing wrapped around Chocolate Cherry, resting on her shoulder.

"It is possible that the story of Nightmare Night will not be changed," Luna said. "The truth of Nightmare Moon will remain separate from the story behind the holiday." She shifted. "Alternatively, perhaps the story of her heroics shall be incorporated. That by paying her a tribute of candy, not only does Nightmare Moon spare the ponies of the town, but protects them in gratitude instead."

She leaned down, bringing her face level with Cherry's.

"There is no one way to mourn or grieve, Chocolate Cherry. The only way that is even close to wrong would be to force the feelings down and refuse to deal with them. I do not believe that you are doing such a thing. Allow yourself to work through matters in your own way, and you will be fine."

"Thanks," Cherry said gently. "What about you?"

Luna turned and looked up toward statue.

"I am uncertain how to feel on the matter," she answered. "When I spoke with her at The Grand Galloping Gala, I told her that I thought of her as a sister, and I meant it. At the same time, she was -- quite literally -- a part of me. I was partially responsible for her existence, so I could also think of her as my daughter. Conversely, I did not spend much time with her. I knew the mare she had been when we were together, and her first return, but I barely got to know who she had become since her incarnation. So in an odd way, I simultaneously feel like I lost a pony I was very close to, and whom I barely knew."

The two stood there for a moment, looking at the figure.

Luna stepped away, her wing releasing the smaller mare.

"I must return to Canterlot," she stated. "There are still many matters that I must attend to."

"Princess?" Cherry said softly. "I know it's a long shot, but if you find out anything more about what happened to Nightmare Moon..."

"I shall send word to Twilight Sparkle," Luna told her, "and have her share the information with you."

"Thank you."

With a small smile, Luna turned and took off. With grace and ease, she flew off, heading up into the sky and above the cloud line.

Chocolate Cherry watched Luna the princess vanished from sight. Stepping forward, she moved closer to the statue and rubbed her cheek against the leg.

"I miss you," she whispered. "Wherever you are, I hope that you're happy."