March 13th 9 Am

      It had been a few days since Nightmare Moon had stepped into Nyx's life. Nyx and Twilight had so far tolerated Nightmare Moons presence, however Twilight had told her daughter to be weary of Nightmare Moon and decided to test her. Nyx also decided to take the opportunity to make friends with Silver Spoon like she promised, how she was going to that was anyone's guess. Still since the filly had made contact with Silver in her dreams, she had been of a pain for everypony. Diamond had also received a visit from Nyx but she kept her distance because you thought Diamond might reject her instantly, she saw that Diamond wanted to be a nice pony, but her parents weren't really helping in that regard, Her mother Spoiled Rich (Nyx found that name strangely ominous) was president of the Ponyville school board, and her father Filthy Rich tried but seemed to not be up to the task of making his daughter happy.

       Nyx had  left her a note however and Diamond seemed to get the message, but she wasn't sure. At the moment she was just about to leave for school when Twilight called for her from the kitchen. Nyx walked through the doorway and asked what her mother wanted, "Nyx, could me stay with me for a while, I'd like to.....get to know her better if that's alright." Nyx pinged Moon who was still asleep in her mind, "Huh? Oh sorry Nyx, did you need something?" Nyx smiled outwardly "Twilight wants to know if you could stay here with her for while?" Moon's ghost looked surprised "Does she now? Alight just don't get into trouble my dear." Moon walked over to Twilight and smiled "Morning Twilight, so what do you want with me?"

      Twilight offered her breakfast "Well I wanted to get to know you, your phycology, your personality, your motives. your...."

      "I get it Twilight, Why though?" Twilight informed her that she found it very suspicious that she was drastically different from what she was before, "Fair enough, shall I go lie down on the couch or finish your breakfast." Twilight offered her hoof, "Eat your going to want to," drawing a bit of blood Moon's body formed and she sat down at the table. The food was a simple serving of eggs and some bacon, "Is that real bacon or baconnaise?" Twilight stated it was real bacon "I don't mind a bit of meat in my life, I've always tried adding a little to see if enjoyed it, thought its only in small amounts for balanced diet." Moon took a bit and the crunch was quite audible "Crunchy, might want to take it off the burning earlier next time."

     Twilight returned to the table and started asking questions "So tell me, what was Luna like back then?" The question caught Nightmare Moon of guard, she coughed on the bacon a moment before grabbing a drink "cough-cough Give me moment," Moon straightened herself out before giving an answer, "Well, Nightmare Night was the closest she's gotten to that old personality of hers. She and Tia where rather more mischievous and fun loving then you have seen." they both moved on to there scrambled eggs, "I suppose you want me to tell you that I am not Nightmare Moon and I had nothing to do with Luna?" she said in-between gulps, Twilight stayed quite till she finished her plate, "Well if that is the result of my tests, then I want to know what changed." Moon finished her plate moments later and helped Twilight wash them out of courtesy. They then both moved to the man room of the tree library with 3 of pillows set out for them, one for Twilight and 2 for Moon if she needed it.

       They sat across from each other, Twilight had a clipboard with a list of questions and projector. Moon sat down and stretched a little "Well ask away, Element of Magic." Twilight started by handing her a paper of her own with a quill, "Fill this out if you would, just a personal information page." Moon filled in her name, her age which she wrote "Centuries", sex female, she was an alicorn and added in the comment section "This seems very unnecessary Miss Twilight Sparkle". Twilight pressed on and started actually asking questions "Alright with that out of the way, let's see just what you remember. Can you name me and my friends along with are Elements?"

      Moon thought for moment, "Your are Twilight Sparkle Element of Magic and Personal student of the long reigning Princess Celestia, who's sister Princess Luna returned recently. You have 5 friends, Applejack, Element of Honesty and a hardworking farm mare of the Apple family. Rainbow Dash, Element of Loyalty and she aspires to be a wonderbolt and is captain of the Ponyville weather team, She also enjoys pranks. Pinkie Pie, Element of Laughter and she is the best party ponies know to pony kind or in Ponyville at least. She lives in Surgercube Corner with the cakes who have two little babies, a unicorn and pegasus. Rarity, Element of Generosity and Ponyville's resident tailor and self-proclaimed fashinista, she lives at Carousel Boutique with her little sister Sweetie Belle. Lastly there is Fluttershy, Element of Kindness and she lives in a cottage by the Everfree forest, she is also very....timid I believe is a good word to describe her." Twilight started at her checklist the pencil tip broken as she gasped "Impressive, now how about some of the events surrounding Nightmare Moon, you know, Luna's return, what happened in Emblem and other such events."

      Nightmare Moon frowned "Very well, Let's see I appeared just as mayor mare Announced Princess Celestia and you shouted to everyone who I was, the royal guard tried to arrest me but couldn't get close, I disappeared moments later and waited for you to lead me to the elements of harmony, am I right so far?" Twilight nodded and had her continue "Alright you and your impromptu friends went off into the Everfree forest where I tried to stop all of you one way or another, First I caused a cliff to fall out from under you and AJ convinced you to let go and you where caught by your pegasi friends, second I was a thorn in manticore's paw, you tried to fight it but Fluttershy took a more passive approach, she took the poor thing by the paw and removed the thorn, it let you pass while it licked Fluttershy like a puppy. Next I tried to scare you, frankly that was perhaps your most pathetic moment, I've seen funhouses scarier then that. Anyway Pinkie Pie broke into song 'giggle at the ghosties' if I recall, you laughed causing the trees to turn to normal, then I fled causing the serpent in the river to loss his mustache, Rarity gave up her tail and he helped you across. Finally before you confronted me, Rainbow flew across the gorge surrounding the only Everfree castle, she was going to attach the rope when 3 Shadow bolts appeared offering her a chance to join in exchange for leaving you all stranded. She declined and fixed the bridge, leaving you to deal with me. If you don't mind, I would rather not go over that again."

        When Twilight asked her about Emblem Moon stayed silent, "Forgive me Twilight but I can't seem to recall, refresh my memory." Twilight looked suspicious "You seriously can't remember kidnapping Celestia and Luna, my friends or attacking us with the Taken or ANYTHING?" she said raising her voice, "Now that you mention it yes, my mind seems to go fuzzy whenever I go to that part, I do recall you finding me in a bed under the lake however and everything that happened after that. Including.....your death, sorry about that."

        Twilight appreciated the apology "You also sent me a note remember, it was attached to basket with fragments of crystal in it." Moon explained they where her way to escape while bringing herself back to life, "As I recall you called me Nyx, would have been a little odd to have two of them don't you think?" Twilight had a delayed reaction to that statement "Yes that would be....wait.....I did didn't I. Guess that's why I named Nyx like I did."

      Twilight then proceeded to fire up the projector and started putting pictures on it, "Alright I'm going to show you a serious of pictures and your going to tell me the first thing that comes to mind." The first picture was one of the royal sisters, "Anything then, well.....fear, sadness, pity." the second picture was one of fillies "Children, cute, foals. What where you expecting food?" Twilight rubbed her neck sheepishly "Well, I had to test that." Moon stuck out her tongue blowing raspberries. The third picture was one of Nyx, Moon visibly frowned "The childhood I'll never have, such a lucky girl don't you think?"

       "More then you know," Twilight replied smiling at he photo, she showed Moon 3 more photos consisting of her and her friends, a picture some pony had snapped of Nightmare Moon and lastly a picture of Elements of harmony, Moon in turn told Twilight: That her and her friends where the Element bearers, a gift not to be taken lightly, with the Nightmare photo she made a remark about Luna having grown us since them and lastly That the elements where capable of grate things, both good and bad. With that Twilight turned off the projector and looked at her results sheet, "Well, your certainly different from what I would have expected, not that I ever got the chance to interview Nightmare Moon."

       "Nor do you want to, take my word for it," Moon said while thinking "Did she really not notice what I said about the bed earlier? Silly Twilight." Twilight told her she was free to go, but wished to talk later, to get her side of the story regarding Nightmare Moon.

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       Ponyville schoolhouse 9:30Am

       Nyx was enjoying todays lesson, it was about astronomy Cheerilee and her teaching assistant J.J putting on a lovely presentation with a 3'd magic hologram. While she had taken notes about various constellations and phases of the moon, the rest of the class seemed less interested in such things. Diamond raised her hoof "Yes Diamond?" Cheerilee asked, "Cheerilee, if Luna can paint the sky to her will, who's to say that was the sky really looks like." Yet another strange point from the rich girl, Nyx politely answered her question "DT, Luna many be able to paint the night however she pleases, but that does not mean she has the freedom to create whatever she wants, She always puts the constellations in the same place with occasional shifts, based of the position of the planet. As a result she took up painting and from what I've read she can paint true works of art." Moon popped into Nyx's mind just in time to hear Diamond say "Whatever you say Nightmare Moon," a mock bow accompanying it.

       Cheerilee was about to chastise her about mocking Nyx but said filly held her hoof up, much to the teachers surprise "It's alright Cheerilee, I'm used to it. Besides I like it."

       "WHAT!" the whole class said stunned, Diamond Tiara especially "You...like me teasing you?" Nyx nodded, "I take it more as a reminder then a insult anymore. Really Diamond, do you think I want to go back to being that pony, do you?" the class leaned in on Diamond excepting answer, "Um...um... OF COURSE NOT! Why ANY pony would want that is beyond even my comprehension. what are you all looking at?" the class retracted there gaze and focused on the lesson. Moon commented on Nyx's exchange "A duel worthy of princess, can't say I even liked her myself." Nyx nodded in acknowledgement. The lesson went on about the history of telescopes and famous astronomers when the recess bell rang, he class piled out onto the play ground and Nyx and her friends sat down a the picnic table. Nyx and her friends the founders of the CMC consisting of Applebloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo, she was just about to start a conversation when "Mind of I join you fillies?" the group turned to source of the voice, A black unicorn filly with blue eyes "Moon? How did you....sure have a seat." the little pony climbed up on the bench "So Nyx these are your friends?"

       "Yes, these are my first and best friends, Twist included among that short list. Silvermoon let me introduce Applebloom,"

       "How ya doing?" Applebloom greeted

       "Sweetie Belle,"

        "Hi there." Sweetie Belle said

        "And Scootaloo."

         "Are you Nyx's cousin?" Asked the pegasus, to which she replied "No, she's new to Ponyville, from Canterlot." The fillies nod shaking hooves with the new girl "So you go to school here?" they asked sharing portions of there lunch with her, she happily took the pieces of there PB and J and said "No I don't go to school I....home school, yes I'm home schooled by my Mom." That was true to some extent. They then started like usually talking about what sort of crusading they where doing later in the day, "Is this what they normally do Nyx?" Moon whispered to her, "Yes, every day like clockwork if they have time."

      "NYX!" shouted the voice of Diamond Tiara the stamping of her hooves clearly in Nyx's ears "You just had to embarrass me didn't you!" Nyx shrugs it off "You do that enough by yourself."

       "Oooohhh BURN!" her friends cooed, "Well Don't think I won't get you for that, I will....what's this?" Nyx had shoved a piece of paper in her face, "I overheard your father talking about your homework yesterday, this should help." Diamond looked over the parchment, formulas and diagrams of math and science and few trivia questions on less know topics, "Well....thank you, maybe I'll feed it to my dog." she walked away Silver standing in place next to her, "Um....ya what she said, we can meet up later Sugercube corner?" Nyx nodded and the silver pony walked off to join her companion, Nyx turned her attention back to her friends "So What where you saying?"

       "We where going to try some more crusading later, we where going to try.....what did we agree on girls?"

        "Stunts, forestry and helping Cheerilee with something, can't remember what though." Moon spoke up "Girl you do realize trying everything under the sun will be not only a long road but quite the painful not to mention potentially lethal one." The fillies listen to her wise words "Don't you....have a way to narrow down the list? besides what you already tried." the CMC shook there heads "No we just try whatever comes to mind and go for it, good method as any." the secretly alicorn filly turns to Nyx and mouths "You got work to do," She giggles "Yeah I tend to bail them out of trouble a lot, its part of the fun." 30 minutes later the bell rang and class resumed.

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       Ponyvill schoolhouse 2Pm

       The final bell of the day rang and everypony headed home, Nyx accompanied the CMC like normal, however she told them she would meet them later and went to have a chat with her old Captain. at 3:30 she left a smile on her face and new pocket watch in her magic, Moon had left her to her own devices for a while "So where are we going now?" Nyx told her they would meet the CMC in Sweet Apple Acores, "The club house is there and there's plenty of trees so, what better place to try forestry." they had a few miles to go so they struck up a conversation to pass time, "So Nyx, what are you like these days?" Moon started,

      "What do you mean?"

        "I know what you are but not who you are my child." Nyx made a 'O' and said "Well I take care of my friends when they get in trouble. Equestria is slowly but surely accepting me for who I am, the daughter of Twilight Sparkle, not who I was, the reincarnation of Nightmare Moon. How about you?" Moon really didn't have much to say, simply saying "Well I'm dead so what's there to tell, other then your mother has killed me not once but thrice, well that last time was me killing my self to save her, still can't say I didn't enjoy killing her."

       "Can we please not bring that up, I don't want to imagine what you described." Nyx asked not liking where this was going, "Alright Nyx, so do you have any....rules so to speak that you live by?" Moon got a better response "Well, don't hurt anyone that doesn't need to be hurt, I still got a bit of temper form....well you know. As for rules....oh you mean principles. No I have none out of the ordinary to speak of, other then in regard to my past." at that Nyx frowned not liking to think about her reign "Don't be sad Nyx, you had nothing to do with that.....I did." Nyx look up at the Alicorn "Think about it, what did you do exactly? sit in your room and cry from what I saw, Jay Werner and Spell Nexus did most of the work, but that was from his prospective."

      Nyx said she had Made a few rounds of the castle double checking her subordinates work, "I raised the sun didn't I?"

     "True and that was the straw that brock Nexus's back, J.J shepherded your mother away but she returned none the less, I guess she just couldn't leave her baby girl now could she." Nyx was now smiling now that they where talking about the brighter moments, "Ya that surprised me the most, the fact the J.J openly admitted her freed her was responsible for her 'release' was the best part, Nexus straight up demanded his head roll, I decided otherwise because he had been nothing but loyal to me, me not Nightmare Moon. He would even sit on the wall some times and play to tune for me, be it a fiddle or guitar."

       The two kept talking about Nyx's reign finished with Nyx saying "How every girl wants to be a princess is a mystery I will never figure out." Moon giggled "A little girl vs. a woman's perspective on life is quite different, we all believe in fairy tales once in our lives." pretty soon they arrived at Sweet Apple Acores and since the treehouse was the only structure for miles, found there friends with ease. Nyx walked up the ramp and into the treehouse, the wood softly creaking under her hooves, her friends plus Twist, welcomed her in and the meeting came to order, Applebloom banged the gabble 3 times "Greetings crusaders, On todays Cutiemark list we have stunts, forestry and.....Nyx what was that last thing?"

      "We where going to help Cheerilee move some science stuff for next weeks class. Now which of the three are we going to start with?"

        Sweetie Belle stood up "Well, since we're here in a apple orchard surely there's some trees to take care of and plant around here." Applebloom shook her head "Sadly not as much as you think, we might be able to up root some trees to send else where though." Twist suggested finding Applejack and asking, Applebloom had thought ahead however and made a copy of a list of trees, Nyx however had to leave "Sorry girls I just remembered I got to meet somepony at Sugercube corner. I'll meet you later."

      "Ok but don't take too long." They sped off into the distance and Nyx made her way to Sugercube corner. The gingerbread themed bakery was charming as ever, "Is that building actually made of gingerbread?" Moon asked admiring the architecture "If it was, I'm sure Pinkie would have eaten it by now." Nyx looked around trying to spot Silver Spoon but she was no where to be found, As she walked in Pinkie greeted her like usual in her super hyper way "Hi Nyx, looking for your new friend?"

      "Yes I...wait who do you know that?"

      "Because she's over there silly, I'll get the cake." and she sped off into the kitchen, the saloon style doors swinging back and forth. Nyx moved over to a table in the corner Silver was sitting there under a large sun hat, which being she was indoors stuck out like a sore thumb, Nyx sat next to her and cleared her throat, "eh-hem, Silver Spoon I presume?" the filly nodded "Nyx, I feel very uncomfortable right now, is she here?" Nyx looked confused "Moon" Nyx frowned a moment but nodded honestly, "I'll leave you be if she wants." Nyx felt the mare fade, "she's gone." Silver let out a sigh of relief and struck up a conversation about Diamond "She did thank you for the note earlier, anyway do you think you could....straight out her mother some time?"

       "I'm not Nightmare Moon, Silver Spoon. Why would you want me to do such a thing anyway?" Silver explained it was Spoiled Rich that was the problem "You set her straight Diamond gets off every ones back, the CMC included." The thought of a world with a nice Diamond Tiara was tempting but "No Silver, it will sort itself out I'm sure of it." Pinkie plopped a small cake with the words "New Bestest Friends" written on it, "Thanks Pinkie here," Silver put 15 bits on the table "Keep your money silly on the house." Nyx giggled "How this place is still in business I'll never know." the 3 laughed "Oh ho ho, its my charming personality and the cakes cooking, they go the monopoly of Ponyville's baked goods. Home made not withstanding." the pink pony then turned to wall "And for you miss Moon?" Nyx's  eyes nearly fell out of her face and he turned quick to see Moon fully disappear, "How did you...."

       "Oh I can see ghosts too, J.J isn't the only one with a death connection." the pony bounced off leaving the two fillies considering interning the ball of insanity that was Pinkie Pie. The cake was delicious, a lovely and fluffy chocolate flavor with M&M and other toping through out, The two ponies left Silver dropping her head to hide from a assumedly waiting Diamond Tiara. The two ponies walked down the street toward Silver Spoons home, in comparison to Diamond Tiaras mansion it was an eye sore, It was a simple all be it upscale home for Ponyville, "Mom I'm home!" Silver announced, her parents Silver Dollar and Doubloon Where a wealthy couple, Dollar was a banker while Doubloon was stay at home mom, she was making lunch for her daughter "In here dear, I made you some....Oh, I didn't know you where bringing company, who's....." she stopped and went wide eyed at Nyx. Nyx on the other hand frowned and lowered her head, "So your Nyx right?" the filly nodded "Well, I would like to apologize for any teasing or harm my daughter has brought on you, Diamond Tiara is such a bad influence." Nyx raised her head to face her "Oh...its ok, she never really did anything to me or my friends, mostly it was just a 'follow the lead' relationship. Besides, she gave up sooner then Diamond ever would have I'm sure."

     The 3 sat down for a mid afternoon lunch of biscuits and cheese, then the fillies tucked away in Silver Spoons bedroom, surprisingly simple for such a wealthy family, the most outlandish thing in the room was a vanity mirror with at least 8 drawers and the bed looked more comfortable then Nyx's. Doubloon followed and asked "So what do you think our little slice of heaven?"

      "Humble, certainly more then Diamond ever will be. Still she has the potential to be good its just....her parents." Silver's Mom nodded "Yep those two are by far the worst parents I've ever seen, dare I say your moms sister in law would make a better mother?" the two fillies laughed at the image of Cadance caring for Diamond Tiara, "Well, I wouldn't go that far, at least she isn't a tyrant like me" Nyx said without thinking, Silver put a hoof on her shoulder to comfort her as she looked sad "Nyx that wasn't you. You'll never be her I know it" Nyx asked her how "Simple you cared." Nyx blinked "Ugh....look you flipping raised the Sun, that in itself is a contradiction to all Nightmare Moon stands for, also.....Well anyone that can apologize to Diamond Tiara when she SOOOO earned ALL of that was said about her, THAT takes the kindness of a true, just ruler...." Silver blushed putting her hoof to her mouth as she corrected her mistake "err pony I mean." Doubloon left the pair saying if Nyx ever wanted to come by she was welcome to, "Miss Doubloon?"

     "Yes?" she asked stopping abruptly "Um, what do you think of me if you don't mind me asking?" the mother smiled "My little Silver Shilling is lucky to have you for a friend." Silver blushed "Mom! Your embarrassing me...." Moon suddenly appeared "By any chance related to Silver shilling the accountant?" Doubloon turned and didn't even flinch "Accountant? Oh you must mean my husband, yes he has a Shilling in his tree, but that was AGES ago, like 1000 years or so." Moon smiled "Then perhaps your luckier then you think, I know a Silver Shilling that served as Luna's finance aid back then, they were.....close if you catch my drift." the Mother blushed "Not in front of the kids, tell me Nightmare what ever happened to the children of the night?" The alicorn shrugged "I know as much as you do about them, Luna would know more but I don't think she likes to speak of them." the two went down stairs to talk while Nyx and Silver worked on there homework.

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      March 13th 4pm

      Silver and Nyx had finished there work with flying colors, Nyx's attention to detail and Silvers ability to shorten the long winded parts made there papers on the constellations a breeze. The two had just packed their work and had started of all things playing a game of life with Nightmare Moon, who found the game surprisingly true to life, saying it told the tale of the "Real Equestrian dream" they where just finishing and Moon was about to win "Come on dice give me 6" the dice rolled and...2 "Welp there goes my money to the grand kids." Silver surprisingly rolled and bought the small country ranch instead of the mansion, "That's very humble of you Silver."

       "I don't really like the idea of living the high life, and My name implies the high life." the two giggled, "Well I'd love to stay and chat but I need to go see the girls. See ya later Silver." silver grabbed Nyx's tail "Um....mind if I come with you, just don't say anything, please?" she protruded her lower lip and presented her beg face "Must...resist....cuteness! Of course you can, come along now." the two packed up the game and after silver kissed her mom goodbye they headed out to where the CMC usually gathered.

         Upon arriving at there destination, well... the CMC where know for 1 of 2 things, there ingenuity and there straight up stupidity, this was both. They had set up a ramp, a fire hoop and Nyx could swear that she saw a few cans of hair spray attached to Scootaloo's scooter "On a scale of 1 to 10 this is a 12 on the 'this will totally go wrong' scale" Nyx commented Silver and Nightmare Moon nodding in response. Applebloom walked up the pair "Oh, hay Nyx, who's your friend?" Silver had worn a dress and large hat for the occasion, "Silver bells, I...was in the church choir." Bloom shrugged and turned "What do you think? Scootaloo will rush down the ramp and when she takes to the air, the cans will ignite and send her flying though the air, landing on the mattress over there..." Sweetie Bell stood next to the mattress waving to them from far off in the distance, Bloom holding  arrow to point her out "I'm ready!" her voice echoed.

      Scootaloo appeared at the top of the ramp, "20 bits says she lands in the river." Nyx checked her purse, "Your on." Scootaloo shouted as she rolled down the ramp "Tell Rainbow Dash I love her!", she flew through the hoop and spontaneously rocketed off into the sky, Sweetie stated running with the mattress to catch her. unfortunately they forgot to compensate for the added thrust of their home made rockets, Scootaloo zoom down the ramp and Bloom lit the hoop, as she passed through it the cans ignited sending her flying through the air, Sweetie bell ran backwards the catch her. As Silver Spoon and Nyx admired there apparent success Silver said "You smell something burning?" Nyx turned to see Applebloom with a flame where her hair should be "Well that went well....what?", not wanting to alarm her friend she summoned a small rain cloud and after climbing on top of it, hopped on it like they where playing hopscotch dousing both the fire and her friend with a cold shower "Um thanks I guess, let go see if their ok". Meanwhile Sweetie had indeed caught Scootaloo, the pegasus and scooter had landed square on the mattress waking Sweetie in head upon landing causing her to hit the ground and drop the mattress and Scootaloo continued onward into a tree.

      Nyx, Bloom and Silver ran over to there friends, Bloom grabbed Sweetie Belle while Nyx and Silver went after Scoots. Scootaloo was perched in a tree her scooter destroyed beyond recognition, "Please don't fall, she can't fly."

      "Your joking!" Silver yelled in panicked disbelief, As if accepting her challenge the filly slipped off the branch falling at least 30 feet to the ground "Moon catch her!" No sooner had Nyx commanded that did a blue shroud of mist fly out of her and curled around the dazed pegasus, she brought her to the ground and Nyx quickly examined her, "Oh thank god she's ok...." she said a groan in her voice and smiled at the cloud next to her, Silver turned around to see Bloom and Sweetie Belle who looked to have quite the bop on the head, "Lets get you girls to doctor ok." she suggested, Nyx put Scoots on her back and Bloom carried Sweetie the hospital to be safe. The docs said they should be okay in a few days and sent the pair on there way, "Nyx, that was so cool what you did back there,"

      "That wasn't me, Moon did that." she replied not wanting to take credit for her effort "Well guess she isn't all bad after all, well I've had enough adventure for one day so see ya around." The girl trotted off to her home and Nyx did the same, on the way she stopped by her friends homes to inform them of their sisters conditions.

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       March 14th 2pm

         The next day went by quickly, The CMC stayed home from there injuries so after School ended, Nyx walked home alone. she got home and got straight to her homework, Moon offered to help and sat next to her, "So what do we have this time?" Looking over the small stack of papers, they had a few math questions, some history questions and some writing. The writing Nyx had down flat along with the math, history however she was grateful she lived in a library, "Ok so... Ponyville was founded by what race? Earth ponies. What's one of the oldest building in Ponyville? the...apple family orchard?" she looked at Moon and she nodded "Granny Smith got her name for a reason you know." Moon said trying to think of just how old Granny was, "You feel like a little picnic  under the stars later?" Nyx asked her ghostly companion "Why? not like I'll enjoy it as much as you will." Nyx asked her again "Sure, I take it you want to test me?" Nyx eyed her work "I wanted to take a different approach to my mother." Moon nodded and faded away leaving Nyx to finish her work and plan.

       At around 6 o'clock Nyx headed out with a basket of food and blanket, She picked a spot on a hill over looking Ponyville, a single tree providing some shade. She spread the blanket and put the various dishes in there proper places according to Rarity. She rang a little bell for Nightmare to appear,  "You summoned me. My this is a lovely spread Nyx, I didn't know you cared." Nyx smiled at her compliment as she sat opposite of her, this picnic included sandwiches, celery soup, cheese or cheese spread, crackers and for desert some pudding. Nyx started with the sandwiches which had the option of PB&J or a mix of vegetables with fish bits, Nyx when with the PB&J while Moon feeling more adventurous tried the fish bits, "Hmm, not bad." and made herself a Fish, tomato and lettuce sandwich. After the first few sandwiches Nyx produced a notepad, "So you want to start now or..."

       "Ask away Princess." Nyx flipped through her mother's notes, "Well, what are you exactly? a ghost, a figment of my imagination, a...."

       "A spirit of Nightmares, or a dream demon if you wish." Nyx wrote that down, "So why did you come me specifically? Surely you could have come to any pony?" Moon nodded "True, but who better to come to then myself." Only seconds later to realize what she just said, Nyx however didn't suspect a thing, "True, I can't see anyone but me helping you." She grabbed a bowl of soup, "Like your soup? Its my favorite."

     "I know, god forbid you die Twilight will leave some on your grave I'm sure."

      "That's...dark." Nyx glanced at her notepad "So Moon, is there anything you haven't told me? I mean anything." Moon looked nervous "There are a few things I've yet to devolve, still nothing serious." She lied. Nyx seemed sense as such, but ignored it and continued eating. Time ticked by and eventually they ran out of crackers to dip, Nyx passed out the pudding and asked "So what was Luna like back in the day? If you can remember?" Moon nodded "Oh she and her sister where so playful back then, There castle is just full of all sorts of passages, slides, even a pit in the floor or two. That little changeling she crated was so cute... then Celestia for the better took her away, Luna was so sad I even I felt it. I felt so bad when... I...She... you know." She looed down at the two pudding in front of her, "Those two will never be the same." Nyx gave her some sympathy "I know I don't think I will either."

      "Nyx what happened with you and what happened with them is different, not every wound heals, even with 1000 years to think about it." Moon looked up at the sun, "But enough of my sorrow, you where saying?" Nyx turned she couldn't tell if Moon was being serious or not, still she at least seemed to care, "Well, I know Tia said banishment is simply like taking a long nap but... surely there's more too it then that?" The question was not aimed at Nightmare Moon, it was more a question of her own curiosity,

      "Luna and I had a good long fight after our banishment, still I kept her company while whatever I had turned into went wild. She even managed to get into Celestia's dreams! Still she even hit Celestia where it hurt, her sister... take a guess how that turned out?" Moon said a grin writing on her face, "She lost big time I'm guessing?"

       "Bingo, and that would also explain the Nightmare Forces Rarity remembers if she ever told you that story." Nyx nodded and recalled the tale, "Yep that was my last through of the dice against the forces of darkness, that's when I realized I couldn't fight it on my own. That was after the 'emblem incident' so my power still extends to this world, in more ways then one."

      Nyx did recall the small detail of J.J having the shard that contained Moons consciousness "How did you do that if may ask?" Moon explained the dream world was infinite "Basically I can be anywhere but the dream realm can take me anywhere." Nyx accepted that for what it was. By the tick of the sun, it had been an hour at least and the sun had begun to set. Nyx and Moon sat there enjoying the moment, "Do you know why ponies treasure the sun?" she asked Nyx laying next to her "The warmth of the sun so they don't starve?" Moon giggled at the attempt "Hmmhmhm that's one of them yes, but what does it symbolize, think about that."

      Nyx need no explanation "Hope. Even in the darkest depths of the Everfree, the light of the sun is a comforting friend, wonder if Celestia see's it that way?"

      "Well the Sun and Moon do 'speak' to them in there own way, I'm surprised you don't know that."

      "They didn't like me shoving there bearers in them like that. You could say their warming up to me." Pinkie did a drum solo "HAHAHA good one, so any more questions before we go home?" Nyx looked over her note pad, she had some questions left but decided to ask just one, "Moon, I'll be honest Twilights worried I'll become you, That your influencing me, should she be?" Moon looked a little pissed but calmed herself before answering, "I'm only going to say this once Nyx, You and I despite our similarities are two different ponies. You will never become Nightmare moon and you never were."

       Nyx had heard this before "How would you know? Everyone keeps saying that but I don't believe, but I..." Moon eyed the filly "Because you lack something I have and something I lack, you destroys that part of you that was controlling Nexus. I don't know what that was but I KNOW, not suspect, but know it can't control you." Nyx was surprised "What do you think it was?"

      "Nothing good I can tell you that much, I suspect it may have been the darker parts of Nightmare Moon, obviously. But also, your ambition, your maturity really." Nyx looked confused "My maturity?"

       "How many times did J.J find you locked in your room, shutting yourself away from everyone and crying? Your a child Nyx, even after your transformation you where still a kid. You locked yourself away because you where sad, you hid from your mother because you where afraid of her, you even relented to release the royal sisters because you where worried about what they would do to you, That one I get and don't blame you for however the rest shows your child like mind."

       Nyx thought back to her time as the ruler of Equestria, she could see what Moon meant "So what's your ambition? Surely you have one?"

       "I want to live again Nyx, to truly live."

       "But aren't you alive right now?" Nyx asked stating the obvious "No, this form...let me give you a riddle, I bleed but I have no heart, I eat but never hunger nor thirst, I can be harmed but feel no pain. What am I?" Nyx considered the riddle "A...zombie?" Moon nodded "Yes, now as for what you have that I lack, there are many thing but the most important is something to care for."

      "You mean Twilight." Nyx interjected, "The main thing yes. Twilight is the reason you suffered as well as rose to the be the pony you are now, never forget that. Count your blessings and treasure her Nyx, most ponies...would not be so forgiving. Even in death never forget what she did for you understand?" Nyx nodded but asked "What's with you and death today?"

       "Everything dies Nyx, even the "immortal" sisters will die eventually. Plus I think I'm familiar with death by now." with that part out of the way Nyx said "You still haven't answered my question." Moon brought up Diamond Tiara "Personally, I'll believe it when I see it for her being nice. What you did for her in Baltimare however was the finale nail in the coffin for Nightmare Moon. You may not like to use that power Nyx, but its a blessing you shouldn't ignore. You went out of your way to protect her, and after all she did too you, You do realize she's the reason the cult found you in the first place right?" Moon mentioned the lightning bolt that shot into the air when Nyx had gotten lost in forest, "Ohhh, that... Even so, I took her father from her, that was more then enough payback. So any more examples?"

     "Just one, mercy. Both in the defense of Ponyville and Diamond you simply knocked them out or scared them off respectively. Don't tell me your afraid of blood are you?" Nyx shook her head "If I can help it, no pony has to die." Moon nodded "That is a another difference between us, though it can get you killed through hesitation, Baltimare proved otherwise." Nyx then said " So you lack something to hold on to, something to hold you back?" Moon nodded "But I do have a ambition, to show everyone I'm not who I was. To make Twilight proud, to..." moon interrupted "You already made her proud by being her daughter. Parents love there children forever Nyx, its a love without end despite what you may think otherwise."

    As the sun started to drop Moon said one last piece "Now, its not impossible to become the Mare in the Moon, but from what I've seen not even I could make you. You have a live to live, Friends to help you and a mother who will die before giving up on you Nyx. Never forget that and you won't go wrong, this I promise you." she got up and stretched "So have I satisfied you?" Nyx nodded and together they gathered the plates and folded the blanket.

       As they walked down the hill, Moon was feeling happy but at the same time worried for Nyx, she had lied to her and failed to mention her condition, she had to tell her soon, "Nyx could we go to the Everfree castle in a few days, there's something I need to show you there." Nyx was intrigued "Sure we can do that, what do you want to show me?"

       "A memory, and...something I don't feel comfortable telling you. Its better if I show you." Nyx took that and made Moon promise, When she got home Twilight was reading a book by candle light. She reported her findings and they compared notes "So she is hiding something, guess you'll find out soon enough. So what do you think?" Nyx said to her mother "I don't see why your so worried, if there was something wrong, she would tell me right?" Twilight put her hooves together "If that's your judgment who am I to argue, just be careful ok honey. I don't want to loss you." Nyx promised she would and went to get ready for bed, Twilight for her part checked over her own notes with Nyx's "What are you hiding Nyx? I know your worried about something, but what." Leaving the issue for another day, Twilight joined her daughter in preparing for good nights rest, her theory about Nightmare Moon gaining more ground by the minute. Next Chapter: [Optional] The Timekeepers Watch Estimated time remaining: 2 Hours, 35 Minutes