Luna followed Polar outside, her leg was ultimately feeling much better after the spell he had used to fix it. Though she would be limping for a while, it was better than the alternative. Trotting down a side street, Luna looked around at the mossy covered buildings. Some had brand new windows, some had brand new walls and roofs. However they weren't straw roofs like the originals, they were wooden shingled roofs. She guessed that with years of technological advancement, upgrades were needed.

Strangely though, not a single street light was lit. Of course this just could've been because Ponyville wasn't connected to an electric power source. But still, there wasn't even lanterns hanging anywhere.

"Hey Polar, how come you haven't lit any lanterns or tried to restore power?" Asked Luna. Polar turned and looked at her.

"Oh, that's because I don't want any random passerby to think ponies are living here again. The town isn't ready to be populated. There's still a lot of work I have to do. Especially to town hall."

"What's wrong with town hall?" Asked the princess.

As they turned a corner towards the center of town however, Luna could clearly see what was wrong as town hall came into view. One half of the once beautiful building had completely collapsed into a pile of wood and broken glass.

"Oh my goodness, nevermind. I see the problem." Said Luna. Polar sighed and nodded.

"It was destroyed during a battle I had with a bug bear 2 months ago. It's going to take me at least a month to repair both floors."

Nightmare Moon followed Polar and folded her ears down as they trotted past the destroyed building, and towards the edge of town. A few minutes later, and they came upon the path that led to the hospital. The old building looked almost exactly as Luna remembered it. Although covered in vines and various plant growth. Off to the side of the path stood a large statue. The entire thing was surrounded by a decorative display of flowers. It was the statue of Princess Twilight, and just as Polar had said, it was in pristine condition. The beautiful golden metal was polished and new looking, as well as the silver plaque at the base of the statue. Luna stepped closer to read it.

"This statue is dedicated to the life and memory of Twilight Sparkle, the Princess of Friendship. Who bravely led Equestria through good times and hard times. She showed everypony that the true magic was and always will be the friendships we make and the bonds that bind us together."

1240 -1344 E.C.

Luna looked at Polar.

"E.C.?" She asked.

"Enmemoriumnexus Celestia, which is new ponish for 'After the birth of Celestia'. Your sister was relatively young for an alicorn when you were banished, wasn't she?" Polar asked. Nightmare Moon nodded.

"Yes, she was. I don't know if she's out there still but if she is. I will find her once I've fully transformed back into my real self." The dark mare ran a hoof across the plaque and took a step back, staying quiet for a minute.

"Well, we'd better get going to the cemetery before it gets too late," said Polar, turning and trotting down a side path that led from the hospital into the woods.

Luna nodded and followed him. They trotted for some time until they came upon a clearing. Unlike the other clearings outside of town, this one was well kept and manicured. In the center of it was a small cemetery. No bigger than 40 plots. Most of them were filled as Polar and Luna trotted forward toward the iron gates. There was a sign above the gates.
"Ponyville Cemetery"
The white alicorn pulled out a key front his saddlebag and inserted it into a padlock secured to the gates. After a turn and a soft click, the lock came off and Polar opened the gates.

"I keep it locked to prevent anyone non-magical from getting inside," he said, putting the lock and key in his bag and trotting inside. Luna followed him in and looked around. There were many gravestones. All in various states of condition. But none were horribly decrepit. It seemed he also took care of the gravestones. Luna admired this ponys hard work at keeping the towns memory alive. Heading down the rows of headstones. The princess cringed at some of the names on the stones and felt a pang in her heart.
"Bulk Biceps"
"Derpy Hooves"
"Lyra Heartstrings"
"Bon Bon"
"Sweetie Belle"
"Scootaloo"
"Applebl-

Luna had to look away as tears formed in her eyes. They were all gone... everyone she knew from Ponyville all those years ago.

"Hey, you okay princess?"

Nightmare Moon looked up to see Polar standing in front of her looking concerned. The alicorn princess wiped her tears away and nodded.

"Of course," she lied. Polar looked down at Applebloom's gravestone, then back at Luna.

"You don't look okay, it's the graves isn't it? They were your friends, damn it I should have been more considerate about your feelings regarding them Luna I'm so so so sorry, please forgive me."

The princess wiped her nose with a hoof and shook her head.

"No, don't be. I have to accept the fact they are gone. They lived full happy lives however. They made a difference in the world, and that brings me more comfort than anything." She said, smiling softly. Polar smiled and nodded softly.

"Indeed, shall we continue on to Twilights grave?"

Luna nodded and followed Polar as he turned and trotted halfway down the row of tombstones.

"Twilight never wanted a special headstone marker. She didn't consider herself better than anypony else. It was one of her most valuable traits. That and never losing hope or faith in the power of friendship." The white alicorn said, stopping at a row of 6 headstones. Lighting her horn, Luna read the names on them.
"Applejack"
"Rainbow Dash"
"Rarity"
"Fluttershy"
"Pinkie Pie"
"Twilight Sparkle"

She noticed that each stone had their cutie marks engraved into them. The shiny marble was in pristine condition thanks to Polar and reflected the moonlight as a pack of clouds moved away to reveal the night sky. Below the names, were short descriptions of each of the mane 6.

"Applejack, the most honest pony Equestria ever knew."
"Rainbow Dash, the most loyal pegasus to ever fly for the wonderbolts."
"Rarity, the most generous and fashionable pony Ponyville could have asked for."
"Fluttershy, the kindest and gentlest animal lover in all of Equestria."
"Pinkie Pie, the one pony who could find the laughter and happiness no matter what."
"Twilight Sparkle, the friendliest alicorn and best friend the citizens of Equestria could have ever asked for."

Luna smiled and wiped a tear from her cheek. Poofing 6 bouquets of flowers into existence, each with matching colors for the mane 6, she set them gently in front of each tombstone.

"Slumber well Twilight Sparkle. Thou shalt always be in thy dreams and heart. Thine friendship was the best any pony could have asked for. So long as thou haseth her friends, nothing is impossible." Luna spoke quietly in the royal tongue, bowing before Twilight's grave.

Polar watched the princess pay her respects from a distance. He wanted to give her, her space after all. After a few minutes of quiet silence and bowing, Luna rightened herself and trotted over to Polar.

"I really appreciate what you have done for Twilight and her friends. I'm sure they would have loved to know you Polar," said Nightmare.

Polar smiled and blushed a little.

"Oh, it's nothing really. I guess you could say I'm connected to Twilight in a way." Luna raised an eyebrow.

"Connected?" She asked. Polar nodded.

"Mhm, my mother was Princess Flurry Heart. My grandmare was Princess Cadence, and my grandstallion was Prince Shining Armor."

Luna looked completely shocked.

"Wait a minute, you mean to tell me that you are a Sparkle??" She asked, the white alicorn nodded.

"Yup, I'm royalty." He chuckled softly. "But you don't need to go bowing or saying 'your majesty' or anything like that. I don't consider myself royalty. I prefer to be like everypony else."

Luna was genuinely surprised that the Sparkle family lived on. Even Cadence was only two thirds alicorn. So while she had the wings and horn, she could also live for a long time. But not as long as a full blooded alicorn.

"That's very noble of you Polar. I am pleased to know you more than ever now."

The white stallion smiled and nodded.

"The feeling is mutual Princess. However we should return back to Sugarcube Corner. I can smell rain on the wind."

Luna nodded and followed Polar out of the cemetery.

Next Chapter: Illusions Estimated time remaining: 18 Minutes