Chapter 3
Can I wake up now?

"You know, every once in a while, that terror comes back to me. I wonder whether I really have escaped from that hell. What if I actually lost my mind a long time ago... and I'm still in there... just seeing a delusion of us all chatting happily like this? That nightmare still terrifies me. And so, I need to constantly feel... truly feel that this isn't a dream. Hey, are you guys... really... real...? You aren't just a insane delusion I'm having inside that hell... right? Right? ... Right...?"

—Lambdadelta, Umineko No Naku Koro Ni Chiru, Episode 6, "Dawn Of The Golden Witch"

Pain...
Such a simple word. A mere four letters, but with dozens of meanings and concepts. Agony. Suffering. Despair... So many ways to describe it. So many ways to experience it.
So many ways to scream it.
Sometimes the word itself isn’t enough. Too simple and plain to do justice to what was being suffered.
For Luna words had little meaning right now. She was screaming her throat hoarse and her lungs burned with the effort. The torment she felt enforcing such an act upon her. The magic of the elements, that transcendent energy that had engulfed her, was tearing her apart. Her flesh burned, her spirit caught alight and she felt every part of her mind and body hollowed out and bared for all to see.
Her friend’s cries echoed her own as did the Nightmares. The weight of the elements crushing them all as the divine intellect that was the elements judged them.
The presence of the elements was too big, too powerful for Luna to comprehend. It was something greater than mere gods, greater then worlds or galaxies. It was creation itself. The elements were just an extension of some larger whole beyond understanding.
Its judicial spirit sweep over them all. As it looked upon the raging Nightmare it was filled with loathing and disgust, but once upon Luna its fury lessened and it seemed to be sympathetic to her.
None of this mattered though, the raw force of its very existence causing such great pain as to render Luna near insensible. Through the pain she found breath to scream for deliverance from the torment.
“PLEASE!” She yelled over and over until the elements ignored the thrashing Nightmare to focus on her. She sobbed and cried openly, her tears trickling down her cheeks before sizzling to vapour in the magical maelstrom, “PLEASE JUST END IT!”
“PLEASE JUST LET ME DIE!! JUST LET ME DIEEE!” she screeched with her fading breath before dissolving into weak sobs and howls of pain. The magic swirled around her as the elements watched her wretched tears.
She felt sympathy, understanding, regret and most of all guilt. In spite of her agony she realised that the elements didn’t mean to hurt her but it was impossible not to. The limited connection between them explaining to her that pain was the only option if they wanted to proceed.
She didn’t really care. It was just useless information. She continued to sob and curl into a tight ball in hopeless despair as the energy grasped her tight. As it started to pull she wondered if this was it. A tiny hopeful part of her prayed it would be quick.
The pain was there but not as great as before. She winced and stared ahead dumbly as she felt something grow taut inside her. Something of her spirit not her flesh.
“No! You will not part me from her!” Luna roared in a voice not her own. She realised with numb shock that the tethers being pulled from her soul was the essence of the Nightmare herself. The demon had been such a constant companion for so long Luna felt strangely empty as the Nightmares smothering spirit was ripped from her own.
The Nightmare raged and struggled, the conflict being played out across Luna’s face as she spat and bit at the magic around her but the elements would not be denied, no, could not be denied. Their insistent force tearing Nightmare free and for the first time in a thousand years Luna was brought face to face with the Nightmare itself.
A small pulsating blob of dark energy appeared before her. The Nightmare had no form but what it took from its host. Even so the familiar slitted eyes blazed brightly from within that sickening sphere as the Nightmare looked towards Luna.
“Luuunnnaaaa...” the monster called. Slithering tendrils of dark matter sprouted from the orb to reach for its favoured pet, the small alicorn scrambling back in fright from its reach. The elements slapped the tendrils back with a crushing wave of energy and the Nightmare screamed in earnest as the elements caste judgement upon it.
The pain had faded from Luna now the Nightmare had been exorcised from her and she watched in unbelieving awe as the Nightmare suffered. The magical cage around it crushing and tearing the black orb until layers of it began to peel off its structure.
The pain must have been incredible but as the orb shrank the Nightmare started to laugh. Choking and weak at first but soon full scale hysterics. Luna knew that laugh too well and her heart sank to hear it.
“You can’t kill me” the Nightmare said. The pressure from the elements grew stronger in anger until the monster was a fraction of its original size. The quivering sphere on the brink of dissolution as the elements reached the killing blow.
But it never fell. The pressure of the cage lessened and the Nightmare was still alive. Trapped, broken and barely living but still laughing insanely.
“You’re the elements of harmony. Created from loyalty, kindness, honesty... you can’t kill with laughter. You can’t destroy with generosity. You can’t end me with friendship!”
The Nightmare howled with dark mirth and Luna could feel the frustration of the elements... and the truth in Nightmares words. The elements were a force of creation, fuelled by love and friendship in the hearts of mortals. They couldn’t be used as a weapon to kill. Even against the blackest of hearts.
The cage collapsed and the Nightmare choked as rivets of black sludge ran down its surface. Its very essence bleeding. The elements looked on coldly, unable to fully kill but uncompelled to save this wretched life.
The orb started to glow brightly and Luna recognised the beginnings of a teleportation spell. The Nightmare was to be cast away. Sent to some dark corner of the world to perish alone.
“Luna...” the Nightmare whispered. The painful and plaintive plea called to Luna and she found herself reaching out with a frail hoof. The elements watched angrily but unable to stop her. They couldn’t force Luna to abandon the Nightmare if she chose otherwise.
“Please... help me Luna...”
Eyes wide and shaky she reached out hesitantly as a small tendril slowly rose to meet her. Luna had suffered but the Nightmare had been her only friend once upon a time. She had been a presence in her life for so long the alicorn was uncertain if she wanted to be parted from her.
They were moments from touching... the ruined blob that was the Nightmare was so weak and broken. Her cries for help reaching into Luna’s heart and tugging at it. The primal pony part of her unable to ignore the pain of another creature.
“That’s it Luna. Help me... please...”
(Are you mad!?)
“Luna what are you doing!? Get away from her!”
Anger grabbed her and pulled her back from Nightmare. Luna broken from whatever trance had overtaken her and she hugged her friend in shock and terror. She had been so close to taking the Nightmare back. What had possessed her to reach out like that?
The Nightmare howled in frustration, “This isn’t over” it promised.
The Nightmare glared at them both as the glow around it returned, “Get lost you bitch” Anger hissed back.
The Nightmares evil eyes continued to glare daggers at them, “I won’t die. I will live. I promise you Luna I will survive and will have my revenge”
The light blazed as a small window in reality opened for a split second.
“You will be mine again my pet. My slave. And the torment you will suffer will be unimaginable!”
With a final scream of hate the window closed and the Nightmare was gone. Luna stared at the empty space for a few moments before exhaustion took over. Her body felt strangely weak and she was unable to keep her eyes open. Darkness covered her and she sank into oblivions embrace.

‘Wow. That was a rush!’ were the first thoughts of Twilight Sparkle when she awoke after using the elements.
The young unicorn pulled herself to her hooves with a pained wince. Her whole body ached but was strangely energized too, her fur still tingling pleasantly with the leftover static of the elements.
She glanced around quickly for her friends to see if they were ok, smiling slightly at the warmth in her heart as she was reminded of the newfound bond she shared with each of them. She sighed with relief as they picked themselves up groggily.
“Anybody get the licence of the cart that hit us?” Rainbow Dash, self-proclaimed fastest pegasus alive, said with a groan as she staggered to her hooves. Beside her another pegasus, smaller and more fragile but so very beautiful, struggled to stand and Rainbow reached out with a helping hoof to steady her.
Fluttershy smiled thankfully at her friend, her golden fur brushing against Rainbows as she nuzzled her quietly. The shy pegasus wasn’t very talkative but her smile could say a thousand words.
A grumble from beside her brought Twilights attention to her fellow unicorn. The fashionista Rarity, a radiant mare as pristine as the diamonds on her flank was awake and looking over her hoofs and fur disapprovingly.
“This just will not do. No not at all.” Rarity said with a pout as she brushed a hoof through her mane.
“Are you ok Rarity?” Twilight asked. Rarity looked at her with a frown but her sour look vanished at Twilights open concern and she smiled at her friend beatifically.
“I’m fine darling just got some thousand year old dust in my fur and mane. No need to look so worried”
Twilight sighed and grinned wryly, “Are you sure you’re ok? That does sound like an emergency to me”
Rarity smirked back, hearing the gentle tease in Twilight’s words; she flicked her mane back and smiled regally, “Not to worry. This lady is always prepared for such emergencies”
A quick flash of light from her horn and small brush and purse hovered in the air before her. Twilight just stared both bemused and impressed as the mare touched herself up with a pocket mirror.
“The world could be ending and you’d still find the time to look pretty eh Rarity?” a strong but warm voice said as an orange earth pony approached them.
Rarity ignored the mare, “Tartarus itself could rise up and consume the land and I would still find the time to look nothing short of radiant Applejack” she said primly.
Applejack chuckled and Twilight focused on her farm girl friend, “Are you ok Applejack?” she asked worriedly. The other mares coat was dirty and dusty but still glowed her trademark orange and her pretty emerald eyes twinkled cheerily.
“A’m fine Twilight. Take more than that to take this girl down. Just glad y’all ok too” she said with clear relief.
Twilight smiled at her friends but her face fell as she counted their numbers, there was only four, where was the fifth?
“Pinkie Pie! Where’s Pinkie Pie!” Twilight yelled in alarm. Her friends looked back at her with amusement.
A pink curly blob of hair and two sparkling blue eyes covered her own. “I’m right here silly!” the young mare said cheerfully. Twilight reared back in surprise and the pink earth pony laughed giddily and hopped from her perch atop Twilights back.
“Pinkie! What? How long have you been on my back!?”
“Not long. I was gonna say something earlier but you were so worried about everyone I didn’t want to interrupt you!” Pinkie beamed.
Twilight shook her head, she had a feeling this would only be the start of trying to understand the young mares antics. Still she stepped closer and examined Pinkie critically, “Are you ok?”
Pinkie smiled and gazed at her fondly, “I’m fine Twilight, she leaned forward and pulled the surprised mare into a hug, don’t be scared. Everyone’s ok alright”
The unicorn returned the hug hesitantly before she shuddered and buried her head in Pinkies mane. A weight she had carried lifting now she could see that each of her friends was safe and sound.
“I was so scared. I didn’t know what was going to happen when we used the elements. It was so strange I thought I’d got you all hurt or something” Twilight admitted with a sniff. Pinkie cooed and stroked her head tenderly.
“Aw sugercube don’t fret now. We’re all ok” Applejack said.
“Yeah! We were awesome back there Twilight! Ain’t nothing gonna get the best of us!” Rainbow boasted loudly. Fluttershy smiled at her faintly before hugging Twilight too.
“We’re all here Twilight. None of us are leaving you. Or each other” she said so very gently. Twilight hiccupped and started to tear up, hiding her face in Pinkies mane in embarrassment. Her friends quickly piled into the group hug reassuring Twilight with their touch and words.
The young mage had acted as the focus of the elements. Her very body used to manifest their power and it was an experience she would never forget.
Such power she had never dreamed possible had filled her and she had felt like she could do anything. Move mountains, the stars and the sun. Create a world of her own! A galaxy even! For a few moments she had felt like an all-powerful god.
She had wondered if this was how her beloved mentor felt but had quickly dismissed it. Even Celestia wasn’t as powerful as she had felt then.
But the thrill had been laced with fear. Her friends were acting as sources of power for her. The elements within each of them gathering together in her to create the stuff of miracles. But with the sheer amount of energy that filled her she was terrified she was reduced her friends to lifeless husks in her greed.
She needn’t have worried thought. The elements of harmony were a force of good and creation. They’d never kill or threaten their hosts. It wasn’t in their nature.
The new found friends pulled back and quickly discovered the new necklaces they each wore. Twilight smiled at their excitement as they showed them off proudly.
“Ah guess we really do embody the elements then” Applejack said with a smile. The others agreed and Twilight found herself wondering about that herself. What were the chances that the six of them would meet and match their elements? Was this some greater destiny at work? Were they always meant to be the bearers of the elements?
Some instinct made Twilight shake her head. She knew it wasn’t as clear cut as that. Anypony could have done what they did. The important part was the bonds they shared and that was a pleasing thought to her.
She hoped Celestia would be proud.
Her eyes widened and she gasped in shock. Celestia! They had defeated Nightmare Moon but they had yet to find their princess!
“Girls the princess! We still haven’t found her yet!”
“Oh no” Fluttershy said with the quietest gasp they’d ever heard. The others looked around uncertainly but other than the thick cloud of smoke that covered the spot where the Nightmare had stood their ruler was nowhere to be seen.
Twilight felt the beginnings of a full blown panic attack. Had she missed something? Was there still something they had to do with the elements.
“Princess where are you?” she said aloud.
“I’m right here Twilight”
The ponies jumped and looked up with amazement. A small ball of light was slowly descending from above. As it touched the ground it expanded into a bright sphere and with a flare of light vanished leaving their princess, the regal ruler of the sun, standing tall before them all.
“Princess!” Twilight cried in delight and rushed towards her. The monarch stepped forward quickly and embraced the tearful mare, her own smile filled with pride and relief.
“Twilight... my dear student I’m so glad you’re alright” Celestia said joyfully. She clutched the smaller pony to herself and closed her eyes for a moment, her emotions threatening to get the better of her. She had been so afraid for her dearest pupil that seeing her safe and whole made her want to cry with relief.
They pulled back from the hug, smiling happily at one another for a moment before they returned their attention to others. The five bearers were each bowing though Pinkie leaned too far and faceplanted with a squeak.
“You ok Pinkie?”
“Super duper!”
“My dear ponies please rise. I am the one who should be bowing not you” Celestia said.
“We’re so glad you’re ok your majesty” Rarity said and Celestia smiled at her warmly.
“As am I to all of you. You have each made me and Equestria proud for saving the land from eternal night. Finding the strength to face hardship and forging bonds of friendship between each of you is the most fundamental nature of ponykind and you are stellar examples of this”
“Princess how did you know that this would even work though? Every time I tried to warn you about the return of Nightmare Moon you just told me to make friends” Twilight asked with a slight frown.
Celestia gave her a motherly smile, “Exactly Twilight. I asked you to go out and make friends. Because I knew that only with friends would you be able to wield the power of the elements and save us all”
Twilight ooohhed in understanding and the others sharing fond looks with each other.
Rainbow Dash scratched her head, “Bit of a big risk to take though princess. I mean you had no way of knowing we’d all get along with each other”
“Rainbow!” Applejack scolded.
“What? I’m just saying” Rainbow said with a shrug.
Celestia bowed her head, “Rainbow Dash is right. It was a desperate gamble and I knew that the chances of success were so small”
The princess leaned down to give Twilight an affectionate nuzzle, “But I had faith in Twilight. I knew she would not rest until the land of Equestria was safe”
Twilight blushed and returned her mentors affections, her heart singing with joy at hearing the pride and faith Celestia had in her. The others aww’ed and looked on happily.
“So um... what happens now?” Fluttershy asked quietly.
A blue glow threw them all into stark relief and Celestia instantly stood tall and strong in battle readiness. The thick smoke that hid the Nightmare was glowing from within and the ponies backed away fearfully.
A powerful wave of telekinetic force washed out from the smoke pushing it away violently. Celestia threw open her wings to surround her ponies as they gathered together against the wave of energy that buffered them like a powerful gust.
“I’M SORRY! I’M SORRY I ASKED!!” Fluttershy shrieked as she crouched under Rainbows wing.
“What’s going on!? I thought we beat that mare!” Rainbow yelled.
“We did! I know we did!” Twilight answered.
A second wave of force pushed the last of the smoke away, the thick glow obscuring the figure within from sight as the ponies huddled under their rulers wings for protection.
“Then who’s that!?” Rainbow shrieked.
The bright blue light was blinding to look at yet the barest outline of a pony could be made out. Celestia grit her teeth against the winds of magic that threatened to knock them away, “Whatever happens stay behind me girls!” she ordered fiercely and the smaller ponies nodded their heads quickly.
The glow began to flicker like a dying light bulb then cut out sharply. The magical wind ceased too and Celestia quickly stepped forward to place herself between the attack and her subjects.
Celestia paused as she got closer to the source of the magic and her frown turned into a look of horror. Her shoulders slumped and she shook her head in denial.
“Oh no... Luna...”
“Princess what wrong?” Twilight asked worriedly. She and her friends crept forward, Celestia quiet and unresponsive as they warily looked around her wings.
As one the mares gasped in shock and fright. Pinkies hair curiously falling straight and limp as her eyes watered, Rarity covering her mouth in shock and Applejack grabbing Fluttershy to prevent her rushing forward such was her concern.
Rainbow Dash was the one who stood closest beside Twilight and her pained look was mirrored on her unicorn friend.
She shook her head and nudged Twilight, her expression deeply unsettled, “Did... did we do that?”
Twilight didn’t have an answer for that. She just looked back dumbly at the wretched sight.
It was hearing Celestias sniff and looking up to see her beloved princess crying with such a hopeless expression on her face that made heart whimper. She’d never seen Celestia cry and it was a sight she knew she never wanted to see again.

Darkness. She woke up surrounded by it.
She felt curiously heavy. Crushed even. She pondered it idly as she wondered just what had happened to her.
“Did we die? Is this tartarus?” Filly asked fearfully.
“Don’t feel dead. Feel awful” Anger answered.
Luna had to agree. Her body ached too much to be anything but alive. It wasn’t a pain she was used to. Not lacerations or bruising but something deeper. Like her body itself was shutting down and teetering weakly over the abyss of death.
(For all we know maybe we are dying)
Luna coughed and gagged. The darkness had a physical presence. She weakly swatted at it and saw echoes of movement, a gas rippling around her hoof, and realised she was shrouded in thick smoke.
That would not do. If she was going to die she would see the world one last time.
Her pitiful flailing did little to move the stubborn fog so she lit her horn in desperation.
The instant she did she gasped in pain, the effort of sparking a light driving a spike of agony through her brain, nevertheless she pressed on trying to force back the shadows.
The fog couldn’t be pierced by her light so with a snarl she lashed out with a pulse of telekinetic force that sent it billowing away from her.
(Not enough. Push again)
Her head swam and her stomach threatened to void its meagre contents but she yelled and sent out another pulse of power. The fog blasted away from her and she collapsed to the ground, panting heavily with the exertion as the glow from her horn shut off.
“We’re not alone” Apathy said. Luna looked up, her mane strangely thick and heavy as it covered her face, and followed Apathys frown.
She froze at the sight before her. Something powerful was standing before her. Another alicorn but different from the Nightmare.
It was tall and strong. Coloured a pristine white and glowed gold with power. The force of its presence much greater than the Nightmares. Luna felt her throat go dry as she stared in fear of this new threat.
‘Please no. Nononono. I had escaped. Please not another tormentor’
The strange alicorn was looking at her but rather then malice and depraved lust its expression was filled with horror and sympathy. The sight made Luna hesitate. The urge to run from this monster was overwhelming but the tears in its eyes stilled her.
“M-maybe it won’t hurt us?” Filly whispered hopefully.
“Yeah right. Run Luna run” Anger hissed.
Luna was torn between conflicting desires. One the one hoof she knew she should escape before she was enslaved by another alicorn but there was something about this one, something familiar that made her hesitate to flee.
Her decision became moot as six smaller ponies edged carefully into sight from behind the alicorn. Luna gazed back at them cautiously, recognising them as the bearers of the elements. She was glad they were ok.
The six of them wore equal looks of sadness and Luna found herself growing uncomfortable under their stares. She vaguely remembered being nervous in crowds and now the stares of just seven other beings was making her want to burrow into the earth for safety.
‘What do I do?’
They were talking to each but Luna couldn’t understand them. She picked up a word here and there but it seemed to be gibberish to her. She wondered if her mind was having trouble recognising speech after being alone for so long. She wouldn’t be surprised if she had brain damage on top of everything else.
The alicorn seemed to give an order to the others and they nodded nervously. Luna watched through her mane uncertainly but quickly grew tense as they started to approach her. The alicorn was speaking to her softly but Luna’s growing panic was making the words impossible to make sense of.
She whimpered and backed away, her hoofs scrabbling on the stone floor as she rose into a crouch. She looked from one pony to another, her gaze growing wilder as they spread out to surround her.
It was clear to her now. This was all a trick. They were trying to be gentle and hushing her softly but really they were going to trap and imprison her again.
(The elements didn’t kill us so they want to finish the job)
She sobbed and backed away. The six bearers stopped; their expressions full of fake heartbreak but the huge alicorn continued to approach still trying to speak to her. Luna jumped as her rump bumped into a wall and she realised she was trapped.
She cried and turned on her side, pressing her body up against the cold stone and hiding her face from the monster coming to get her. Her shoulders shook as she desperately wished to escape from here.
‘I wanted to die. I wanted it to end. Why won’t this nightmare end? Please someone help me’
The warmth of the alicorn was right beside her and Luna hugged the wall tighter. She squeezed her eyes shut and waited for the pain to start again.
Something touched her. Something actually touched her. Luna’s eyes shot open as a large but gentle hoof stroked her cheek. She followed the motion to the alicorn standing above her. Was it smiling at her?
The Nightmare laughed cruelly as she brushed a strand of hair away from Luna’s face. The smaller alicorn turning her head and sobbing quietly as the monster stroked her cheek so tenderly.
“Come now Luna. Don’t hide your pretty face from me. You know I love to see your tears”
Luna’s pupils shrank to pinpricks. She screamed, louder then she had in centuries and swatted the hoof away from her. Terror feeding her adrenaline and she dived past the alicorn and ran as if all the demons of hell were chasing her.

Celestia had been expecting the worst. After the cruel taunts of the Nightmare she had known Luna would not be in the best of health once she was freed. But nothing had prepared her for the sight of her long lost sister.
The alicorn before her was a shadow of her former self. A mane that used to be as lustrous and bright as her own was overgrown and unkempt. Hanging over her face in thick clumps and pooling across the stone floor.
Her body was painfully thin, small ribs pressing out against taut skin and her wasted limbs seemed barely able to support her weight. Her once proud wings were dead weight hanging from her sides, only a bare few feathers decorating them.
Worse of all was her eyes. Luna’s luminescent gaze could be seen peering through her tangled locks and Celestia wanted to cry at the fear and uncertainty in them.
“Luna? It’s me. Your sister” Celestia said softly. Her sister continued to gaze at her uncertainly. Not a single spark of recognition flashed in her eyes.
Her dear student and her friends had crowded around her and while they too felt sadness for the wretched creature before them only Celestia felt the full weight of guilt.
‘This is my fault. I allowed this to happen’
“Princess w-what happened? It wasn’t the elements that did that to her was it?” Twilight asked fearfully.
Celestia wanted to scream ‘yes’ but she checked her tongue and looked back at the ponies around her.
“I’m going to try and approach her. I want you all to stay back”
The ponies exchanged determined looks, “We wanna help princess” Fluttershy said boldly.
“The poor thing looks so scared”
“I’m sure a cake will cheer her up!”
Celestia gave them a thankful smile, “Ok... but remember she is still an alicorn. If she becomes... aggressive... I want you to stay back. Is that understood?”
The young mares nodded firmly and as one slowly approached the increasingly agitated alicorn. The dark blue mare was looking between them. Her eyes growing more wild and fearful as they came closer.
“Luna? Luna you are in no danger here. We won’t hurt you. I promise” Celestia said as soothingly as she could.
“L-luna? Twilight called hesitantly, d-don’t be scared. We just wanna help you”
“We want to be your friends” Fluttershy said warmly.
Luna whimpered and started to back away from them. The low whine from her lips pulling them short with a jolt.
‘She’s acting like a scared animal. She doesn’t understand us’ Celestia realised. The implications were worrying but she couldn’t think about that now.
“Girls stay back now” she ordered and continued on purposely.
She kept whispering words of comfort, trying to reach her dear sister, but the smaller alicorn just kept backing away, eyes locked fearfully on her own.
Celestia froze with foreboding as Luna backed herself against the wall. The realization shot across the blue mares face with panic. Celestia braced herself in case Luna lashed out.
But instead of attack the mare cried, sobbing loudly and clutching the wall as she turned away from the source of her fear. Celestia fighting back her own choked sob as Luna whimpered like a scared foal.
She couldn’t hold back anymore. Celestia closed the gap with a spring and stood uncertainly over her crying sister. What was she supposed to do?
Luna had closed her eyes tight and hunched her shoulders as she curled into a ball, trying to hide from Celestia’s presence. Celestia carefully reached out with a hoof and brushed a strand of hair from Luna’s face.
She’d forgotten how pretty her dear Luna was. Even gaunt and scared her elegance still shone through. Her hoof hesitated over Luna’s face before gently stroking down her cheek.
Luna’s sobs stopped as she opened her eyes in surprise. Celestia let out a breath of relief and kept petting her, “Luna don’t be scared. I love you. Please come back to me” she begged.
Luna looked up and for a moment Celestia felt hope as they gazed at each other.
But then Luna screamed, loud and tortured and slapped Celestia’s hoof away. Before the elder could react Luna sprang past her in a flat out gallop.
“LUNA!” Celestia screamed after her. Her heart jumping in her chest as Luna reached the six ponies watching them fearfully.
Fortunately Luna didn’t attack. She skidded and spun, darting past them and running up a flight of stairs. Whether it was pure panicked luck or buried memory those stairs would take her to a tower above the ruins.
Celestia raced after her, speeding past the shocked bearers in a white blur; clearly Luna was trying to escape. She had to catch her. She couldn't lose her again!
The dark and broken stairs flashed past her. In her haste Celestia had forgone running and was soared after her sister. Luna was just up above, she could hear her running, smell her scent, see the swish of a ragged blue tail just at the edge of sight.
For a moment it seemed to Celestia like she was in some kind of nightmare, chasing her sister through endless flights of stairs, but deliverance shone ahead as they burst into the open sky. The light of the sun welcoming them both with open arms.
The top of the tower had fallen apart and was now an empty plateau high in the air. The green canopy of the Everfree forest stretched for miles and the burning orb of the sun shone overhead in a flawless day.
Day. Celestia hissed at her foolishness. Raising the sun had been an instinct she hadn’t second guessed when she was freed by the elements breaking Nightmares seal. She hadn’t even considered what effect seeing the day would have on Luna.
After all this time did she still hate the sight of the sun?
She looked around wildly and found Luna standing at the edge of the parapet. One part of her screamed to get Luna away from the dangerous drop but the other was amazed at the sight before her.
Luna was staring at the sun.
And she was smiling.

It’s beautiful...
“Wow... we... we never thought we’d see this again” Filly whispered wondrously.
Luna’s panic had stopped the instant she had stepped into the light. Struck down by the majesty and beauty before her.
She... she was really here. She was really back home. Or she was having a wonderful dream.
Either way she didn’t care. The sun shone overhead, she’d seen it many times of course back on the moon but there it was just an abstract thing. A brighter light in endless darkness.
But here... here it blazed gloriously overhead. Here she could feel its warmth on her fur. So kind and soothing. So pleasant after being cold for so long.
She breathed deep of air so crisp and clean she wondered if she had stumbled onto heaven. Endless greenery spread in all directions and she could hear musical birdsong in the natural beauty.
For just a moment she felt peace.
“That monster’s back” Apathy said.
Luna spun round and now she hissed in anger. She’d forgotten she was being chased. That other alicorn was standing before her looking uncertain and hesitant. But still so much more powerful than her.
“We’re in its realm now; Anger snarled beside her, that sun and this world belong to her. We can feel it”
A moment’s peace. She had a moment’s peace and this ‘thing!’ wouldn’t leave her alone.
It stepped closer and Luna backed away. Her back hoof stepped on air and she looked behind her nervously at the sheer drop.
She was truly trapped.
The alicorn made to rush forward but Anger shrieked and Luna responded with a blast of energy from her horn. The attack was blocked effortlessly but it made the white one stop in shock.
Lunas horn throbbed and she rubbed it painfully. She couldn’t escape. She couldn’t win a fight. What was she going to do!
‘I won’t be taken again. I won’t be a plaything to anyone else ever again! I wanted to be free!’
(We still can be free)
“There’s a way out” Apathy said pointedly.
Luna glanced at her friend quizzically. The blue mare jerked her head at the sheer drop behind them.
Luna went very still.
“We were ready to die before. Have we given up so quickly?”
Filly and Anger exchanged troubled looks.
“But...but we made it. We’re here now. We’re home” Filly said tearfully.
“I don’t want to stop fighting” Anger said uncertainly.
“We can’t beat that alicorn. We’ll just be captured and enslaved again” Apathy said strongly.
(Trapped under another. Helpless and weak in the sun. Suffering not in exile but in paradise this time... would that be better or worse?)
That cinched it for Luna. She glared at the alicorn coldly before gazed at the world around her. She was actually grateful the elements hadn’t killed her now. She had been given the chance to truly see the world one last time before it all ended.
It was serenity that she stood up on her hind legs and spread her hoofs wide. A simple tilt back, a leap, and she let gravity take over.
She smiled beatifically and closed her eyes as the wind rushed around her. Its caress soothing and warm... a perfect ending.

“NO!”
Celestia hadn’t even finished shouting before her wings struck the air and she launched after her falling sister. Disbelief and astonishment at the forefront of her mind but quickly overridden as she went into a dive after her rapidly distant sibling.
Gravity conspired against her, Luna falling so far and so fast, but Celestia was not a goddess for nothing and even the fastest pegasus would have been amazed at the speed she flew at. Her desperate mantra, ‘catchhercatchhercatchher’ the greatest rallying cry ever.
She drew close, close enough to see the closed eyes and serene smile of her sister, and swept across and grasped the falling alicorn in her hooves. Luna snapped out of her doze in an instant and seeing herself in Celestias grip yelled and struck at her saviour.
It was the straw that broke the pony’s back, “THAT IS ENOUGH LUNA!!” Celestia roared.
Luna stopped and shrank back fearfully. Celestia immediately regretted her rash shout as Luna whined and tried to struggle free. No longer striking her sister but still desperate to escape.
Celestia quickly landed and the moment she touched solid ground her sister yelled and pushed at the hooves holding her.
“Luna please! I know you’re afraid. I know you don’t recognise me but please just listen! I am not going to hurt you!”
Still Luna ignored her words. Celestia could only wonder what delusions and horrible waking dream Luna must be trapped in to show no reaction to her words but it had to stop now. She had to keep Luna from harming herself again.
The size difference between the two sisters quickly became apparent as Celestia forced Luna to the ground, trapping her struggling body beneath her own. A thousand years ago she had been a mere head taller than Luna. Now she was twice her size. Coupled with Luna’s emaciated frame and Celestia’s own healthy state the struggle was over before it started.
Luna wailed and fought but she couldn’t break free from Celestia’s hold. The larger alicorn holding Luna as tenderly but firmly as she could. She kept talking to her, whispering into her ear over and over that it was ok, that she was safe now. Slowly Luna’s weak struggles died down as she panted for breath, eyes closing in exhaustion.
Celestia hesitantly rose from Luna, watching for signs of a trick but it seemed Luna really had tired herself out. The poor mare gulping down breath and shaking beneath her. Celestia reached down and carefully pulled her into a hug, Luna grumbling tiredly but not fighting the action.
“Oh Luna... I’ve missed you so much” Celestia whispered as she held her sister close. Luna had passed out fully and was sleeping fitfully as she rested against Celestias chest. Instinct made her curl into the warmth of a living body and Celestia welcomed the action with a watery smile.
She had been waiting for this... for so long... to hold her little sister. To smell her fur and hear her soft breathing. To know once and for all that she was truly safe and ‘alive’.
“Luna. I... I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry I failed you...”
Celestia choked and clutched her sister tight, fighting not to give in to the pressure of her emotions. She wanted nothing more than to hold Luna tight and sob. Though whether from relief or distress she wasn’t sure.
A flare of purple light made her head snap up as Twlight and her friends materialised before her. Even with her tears she gazed in admiration at her student. Mass teleportation of six individuals? Her pupil was full of surprises.
Twilight’s eyes spun and she leaned over with a groan, ‘Ok so clearly she still needs practice’ Celestia thought wryly, but a steadying hoof from Applejack and the elements quickly gathered around her. Their expressions alight with worry and distress.
“Princess are you ok? Is- is she ok?” Rainbow stuttered.
“We saw you both fall! What happened? Did she see a muffin? I’ve seen Ditzy dive after muffins before” Pinkie babbled excitedly.
“She’s fine. We both are fine” Celestia answered quickly. She scrubbed at her eyes rapidly as her subjects watched her with concern.
Twilight stepped closer, her eyes clear and focused on her ruler and the newcomer. She frowned at the way Celestia was holding the strange alicorn so tightly, her wings arched over her as if to shield her at any moment.
Twilights thirst for information couldn’t be denied any longer, “Princess what is going on? What happened to her?”
Celestia looked away, uncertain how much to reveal. Twilight bit her lip nervously but pressed on, “Princess... what happened to your sister?”
Her friends gasped, (Pinkie ‘ooooohh’ed in surprise) and looked in newfound wonder at the sleeping alicorn.
Celestia chuckled sourly, “It’s been a long time since anyone studied enough history to discover I have a sister. Most ponies aren’t that curious about my history”
“I didn’t mean to upset-“ Twilight began.
“It’s alright Twilight. I’m just feeling very... guilty right now. The whole reason this terrible mess started was because Luna lacked the same respect I had and even worse nopony even knew of her existence until today”
“Why has she been gone so long?” Fluttershy asked gently.
“Because... I failed her. I wasn’t a ‘good’ sister. I ignored and ridiculed her and in doing so drove her into the arms of a monster” Celestia spat in self-disgust.
Her subjects looked at her in frank confusion and Celestia sighed. She might as well start from the beginning.
“Long ago my sister and I ruled Equestria. I controlled the sun and day, and Luna guarded the moon and night. But the ponies of the land only knew of me. As I ruled the day it was to me that the ponies looked to for guidance.”
“Luna became sullen and withdrawn. Cut off from her subjects and treated as unnecessary by the populace she grew ever more lonely and depressed”
“That seems mighty harsh. Surely you made ponies treat Luna fairly like they did for you?” Applejack questioned.
Celestia hung her head, “That’s just it my dear ponies... I didn’t”
The mares gasped and exchanged shocked looks, “B-but you’re Celestia! You’re the nicest princess ever! Well... the only princess ever” Rainbow said awkwardly.
Their ruler shook her head, “No Rainbow Dash. I was not ‘nice’. I was arrogant, and believed myself better then everypony else. Even my sister.”
“I was the elder you see. I was the stronger and believed myself to be entitled to rule over Equestria. And Luna... She was my little sister and though I loved her of course, I always saw her place as being beneath me. I always saw her as my little sister chasing after me, not as an equal.”
“I drove her away from me. From everypony. And desperate for a friend and for love she listened to the Nightmare when it offered her friendship”
“I don’t understand. So Nightmare Moon... isn’t Luna?” Twilight asked.
“Exactly. What you call ‘Nightmare Moon’ is a monster, a demon, a wicked spirit that merely inhabited Lunas body and forced her to do its bidding”
“It promised to love her but instead it possessed her. And using Lunas power it waged war against the state and did many terrible things. Despite my ‘pride’, Celestia spat the word hatefully; I wasn’t strong enough to free Luna so I was forced to use the elements to defeat Nightmare Moon”
“Then why wasn’t your sister freed there and then?” Rarity asked in confusion.
“Because the elements chose to banish her instead! To lock her away for a thousand years and force her to suffer! That was the sentence they imposed on her, and there was nothing I could do about it!”
Celestias heated words made the ponies recoil in fear. A stricken look crossed Celestias face, “I-I’m sorry! Please I didn’t mean to frighten you”
“It’s ok princess. We can see you’re upset” Twilight said reassuringly.
“But now she’s free for real? So she should be ok! R-right?” Pinkie said, trying to sound cheerful but unable to hide her nervousness.
Celestia spread her wings to fully reveal Luna to her subjects, “No. She is a long way from alright. The Nightmare did so much to her and she has a long road to recovery”
The ponies looked pityingly on the sleeping lunar princess but with steel in their eyes, “We’ll do everything we can to help princess” Twilight said determinedly.
Celestia smiled, “It does my heart good to hear you say that my little ponies”
“I-I think she should really see a doctor as soon as possible princess” Fluttershy said. She recoiled as everypony looked at her but carried on confidently, “It’s just... she’s so thin, and she shouldn’t be breathing so difficultly. She probably has a lot wrong with her”
Celestia looked down at her sleeping sibling and almost face hoofed in disbelief. Skies above how could she so stupid! She should have got Luna to an emergency ward as soon as she had caught her not wasted time on clearing her conscience!
“My ponies! Gather close now. I am going to take us to Canterlot” she ordered.
The six bearers drew close as Celestia stretched her wings until they were all shaded underneath her. The sun was temporarily blocked but Celestia spread her wingtips to the fullest and small shards of light found routes between the feathers. Luna and the ponies were covered in dappled spots of light as they looked up at their ruler trustingly.
“You will feel a little woozy after teleportation. Try not to be alarmed” Celestia warned them.
Pinkie pie reached out and gingerly laid a hoof on Luna’s brow. The others watching in surprise as the young mare stroked her, “It’s gonna be ok now. We’ll look after you princess” she said tenderly.
The mares smiled at each other and cuddled up to Luna, each carefully placing a hoof on her. The slumbering alicorn seeming to relax slightly at the attention.
“We’re ready to go princess” Twilight said to Celestia. The royalty smiling softly at her wonderful subjects before closing her eyes.
Light flooded them. Appearing from Celestia herself as she shone so bright as to be seen from miles away before she, and the ponies gathered close to her, vanished in a boom of displaced air.

Luna watched a star shoot across the heavens. She had been gazing into the void of space for some time and the flash of rapid light had drawn her from her thoughts.
She smiled slightly as it raced past the distant planet that her moon orbited. She wondered if any of its inhabitants were watching that star. She hoped so. Sharing something, even something this small with somepony was a pleasing thought.
She winced as pain shot through her and blinked rapidly. Her muddled mind confused as to what caused it.
“Ahhh... so you have returned to me my pet?”
Luna froze as that dangerously seductive voice whispered in her ear. She started to shake as she became aware of hooves wrapped around her in a false embrace. The pain she had been ignoring flared bright and she let out a small gasp.
Nightmare chuckled and twisted Luna’s wing again. The sick sound of crunching bone making Luna tremble in revulsion. She struggled weakly but breaking Nightmares grip was impossible so she quickly gave up and went limp in her captors embrace.
“Now now Luna. None of that. You were being boring for quite a while there. It’s no fun playing with a silent doll. Something distracted you from your little ‘coma’ and I’m not missing this opportunity”
The monster ran her hoof down Lunas side and Luna bit her lip as flesh parted and blood welled from the cut. Nightmare laughed languidly and reached down to lick the tip of her ear.
The star still raced overhead and seeing it made a spark of anger burn in Lunas chest. That star was the first bit of new entertainment in a century and Nightmare Moon was ruining it.
Luna twisted round to glare hatefully at Nightmare. The larger alicorns beautiful face matching her glare with a sultry smile.
“Oh dear. I seem to have upset you Luna”
“Go away Nightmare” Luna hissed.
The monster laughed musically and leaned down to nuzzle her prey. Luna recoiling with a grumble, “Do you really think that will work my pet?” Nightmare asked with a grin.
Luna looked away angrily, “Just... just give five minutes. Just let me see the star for awhile. Please...”
Nightmare glanced up and saw the shooting star. She quirked an eyebrow in amusement, “Ah. So that’s what woke you up”
Her eyes twinkled as an idea came to her. She leaned down to whisper in Lunas ear, “tell you what my darling. I’ll let you sit here and watch the star in peace if ‘you’ let me sit with you”
“And keep cutting me up” Luna said bitterly. Her side was already healing but still throbbed painfully.
“No Luna. I promise while that star is overhead I won’t hurt you. If you promise to sit here with me and... Not. Resist. Me”
Luna could guess what that meant but the offer was too good to pass up, “yes yes! Fine!” she said in a rush and swiftly looked up. Locking her gaze on that bright meteor and smiling happily.
For a while they both sat there in silence. Luna watching the star and Nightmare being surprisingly gentle and just hugging the smaller alicorn. Her hoofs idly tracing patterns in Lunas fur but not being inappropriate. Luna felt herself start to relax and leaned back into the monsters warm embrace.
A hoof traced her stomach and rubbed it gently. Luna sighed as she started to unwind, her mind too tired to resist the attention.
The hoof slipped lower and Luna jumped. She fidgeted as Nightmare touched her and glanced up at the larger alicorn who watched her with intense eyes.
“Are you going to resist me?” she said eagerly.
Luna stared with alarm before she mutely shook her head and looked back to the star. She sniffed and shifted uncomfortably but didn’t say a word.
Up till now she had always fought Nightmare when she made advances on her. They had both been trapped up here for maybe two centuries and Luna knew it was only a matter of time until she crumbled.
She guessed now was that time. The star overhead was too fascinating not to watch and not being beaten and broken was a nice change. Still she shuddered in a mix of revulsion and arousal as Nightmare kissed and licked her neck.
This continued for a while. The Nightmares gentle attentions slowly working Luna up into a smouldering state. She kept her eyes glued to the star but she was unable to prevent her whimpers as her captor expertly explored her body.
Soon Luna was fidgeting and shifting back against the Nightmare. The wet sounds of Nightmares hoof driving her mad as the star quickly became less important than finding release. But every time she reached her peak Nightmare would slow down and force Luna back to that molten state that was consuming her.
“Nightmare... stop...”
She felt a fanged grin against her neck, “Yes Luna?”
“Just... end it...”
Nightmare Moon chuckled darkly and drew closer, “Beg me” she whispered.
A small spark of pride still burned in her chest, the princess of the night did not beg! “Enough. Get off me” Luna spat. Over her shoulder the Nightmares eyes flashed with dark glee.
She gasped as the gentle hoof became harsh. She arched in pain and shameful arousal as Nightmare actions turned much rougher.
The dark mare bit down on Lunas neck and the smaller female shrieked, “Nightmare stop!” she cried as she was held in a crushing embrace.
“Beg me to stop Luna”
Luna struggled and writhed but could not escape and worse could not find release. She had been brought to the edge of euphoria so many times that even the pain was enough to keep her teetering on the brink.
“Please stop Nightmare!”
“Are you begging me Luna?”
The dark hoof between her thighs pressed deep and Luna yelled as she was invaded, “YES, YES!”
“Do you belong to me?”
“Yes I belong to you!”
The attention grew more frenzied and that wondrous peak was almost within reach. Nightmare reached out and twisted an already sore wing. Luna sobbed in desperation as her climb was halted yet again.
“Are you mine forever luna?”
“I... I...”
The two hooves met together where they were needed most and Luna shrieked hoarsely, she was almost there. But somehow the Nightmare was able to keep her from orgasm with the same hooves that were thrusting her towards it.
“SAY IT LUNA!” Nightmare demanded. She thrust deeply into Luna, the smaller mare crying out as she was stretched and filled perfectly.
The dam broke and Luna screamed, “I BELONG TO YOU! FOREVER! FOREVEERRR!” her howls dying off to a wordless mewl as her whole body sung with pained ecstasy. The barren wasteland of the moon momentarily alive with the sound of her screams.
Afterwards Luna was a quivering mess, curled into a ball and panting for breath as the Nightmare held her close. The monster tenderly stroking her head as Luna closed her eyes and rested, sore and exhausted after the Nightmares affections.
She barely noticed the Nightmare kiss her brow, nor the fanged smile against her sweat soaked fur.
“You’re mine Luna. You’ll be mine forever”

Luna shot up with a gasp. Shocked awake by the memory of her past. She stared off into the distant, pupils dilated and panting heavily as her body hummed with excitement.
She grimaced at the wetness between her haunches and covered her face with her hooves. Why of all memories did have to be that one? Why couldn’t she just forget everything that happened in that dreadful place?
Luna snarled and swiped at her tears angrily. Enough of this! She wasn’t going to be afraid of that monster anymore.
(Yeah right)
‘Shut up’ Luna thought irritably. She looked around her blearily, uncertain where she was.
She was in a room of some kind. White, sterile, and uncomfortably reminding of the moon. Strange metal equipment and glass monitors surrounded her and she shrank back from them nervously.
She felt warm and comfy. Glancing down she realised she was lying on a bed. Her eyes widened with glee as she ran her hoof over the silken fabric, delighting in its softness. A thousand years of sleeping on rocks had certainly become tiresome.
She heard a giggle and looked to the foot of the bed. Filly was rolling around with a wide grin on her face, “It’s sooo nice!” she squealed, Luna agreeing with a thin smile.
But... how did she get here? The room was empty and dark, (she didn’t like the dark) and had no clues as to its purpose.
She moved to swing her legs out of the bed and grimaced as various things tugged at her fur. She looked over herself and frowned in confusion at the pads and needles stuck in her. They were attached by lines to strange bags filled with clear liquid. She hoped it was just water being forced into her body.
“Not really very useful for torture. Wonder what the point was?” Anger asked as Luna pulled the needles from her skin.
“Don’t think it’s meant to hurt us” Apathy replied. She was examining the equipment surrounding Luna intently. They were beeping and chiming quietly but didn’t seem dangerous.
Luna didn’t care. She just wanted out. She dropped out of bed and sprang to all fours ready to race or fight her way out of here.
Except she didn’t. As soon as she touched ground she instantly crumpled into a heap crying out in pain.
‘What’s happening?’ Luna thought in panic. Her legs were shaking violently and it took all her strength to clamber to her feet. She felt so heavy, like a dragon was resting its claw on her back, and her body struggled to work properly.
It took some willpower but she managed to get herself under control. Her vision swam and her eyes were heavy, she felt there was more to her fatigue then just being tired but couldn’t place it. She took a few steps towards a likely window, her body shaking with the effort, and gingerly reached out with her magic to pull open the curtains.
As soon as she channelled magic through her horn a sharp dagger of pain lanced through her brain. She groaned and pulled back her telekinesis, the pain settling into a dull throbbing that made her eyes water.
“I think magic is probably out of the question for now Luna” Apathy said beside her.
With a tired sigh Luna reached out and pulled the curtains apart with her hooves. Light flooded the room and she stepped back, covering her face as she blinked rapidly to clear her sight. The light felt wrong though and when she lowered her front leg she stared ahead in dumb shock.
An endless white desert stretched across the horizon. Luna staring disbelievingly as the horribly familiar wasteland of the moon stretched as far as the eye could see. The cold stars glinting overhead.
Movement flashed in the distance and Luna peered ahead. She jumped back in fear as, far in the distance, a pair of glowing blue eyes, slitted like a demon, stared back at her maliciously.
‘It’s not possible!’ Luna thought. Her body frozen in terror as her personal monster stared back at her.
Anger roared and Luna whipped round in shock as the mare picked up one of the large monitors and threw it at the window. The glass smashed into pieces and Luna braced herself for the hard vacuum of space to drag her towards her Nightmare.
But nothing grasped her. Indeed the light grew brighter, becoming a warm gold rather than harsh white and a soothing breeze swept over her. She opened her eyes and stared in confusion at the world beyond the glass.
“It was a trick. That’s all Luna” Filly whispered as Luna approached the smashed window. She gazed ahead in wonder, the beautiful day surrounding her and Equestria.
The barren moon was gone. Instead a vibrant city, beautiful and lively grew around her. She saw ponies everywhere, some trotting, some flying, and all with smiles and laughter.
They hadn’t seemed to notice her smash the window. She was too high up...
‘I’m in a castle’ she realized as she spied the towers rising into the sky around her. Fitful memory tried to remember them but she couldn’t recognize this place.
She was drawn from her memory as a door slammed open behind her. She spun in fright as three pegasus ran into the room. They were looking at her in alarm but didn’t seem to be afraid.
They seemed to be gearing up for a fight.
“Go get the princess” the tallest ordered another and that pegasus shot off. The two remaining watched her closely and Luna didn’t like the hostility in their gaze. She noticed their strong physique and the heavy armor they wore and guessed they were soldiers of some kind.
“What do they mean get the princess? We’re right here?” Filly wondered aloud. Apathy shrugged in reply.
“Ok mare. We don’t want any trouble. Just step back from the window. We can’t let you leave” the tallest said coldly.
Luna arched an eyebrow in bemusement. She had no intention of trying to fly out. A mere saddened glance at her wings had shown her flight was impossible right now. Besides who were they to order her about?
(Stay calm Luna)
She shuffled away from the window eying the guards in agitation. She didn’t like being trapped. She wanted to get out.
“Good girl. Now just stay there” the guard said approvingly. Luna frowned further at his patronizing tone
“M...m-move...” Luna rasped. She coughed and licked her cracked lips. Stars she sounded like an old nag.
“M-move out of... way. I want to. Leave”
The guards exchanged looks. The leader stepped forward and squared up to her.
“Can’t let you go miss. I have my orders to keep you here” he said flatly. Behind him the other pegasus was pacing with his eyes fixed on Luna.
Indignation flooded her. How dare they try and contain her, “I... a princess. MOVE” she hissed.
“We’re not letting you go Nightmare Moon! You’ve caused enough carnage!” the other pegasus shouted. His elder shot him an annoyed glare but the damage was done.
Luna went very still.
“They called us Nightmare Moon” Anger whispered dangerously.
“Please Luna. Don’t act rash” Filly whispered.
Luna took a deep breath, letting it out shakily. “Let me past” she said while burning a hole in the floor with her eyes.
“Just stay here a little longer miss. Our ruler will be here to talk to you soon” the senior guard said, his tone trying to be persuasive.
Lunas eyes flicked up and the guards stepped back at the pure malice in her eyes, “Last. Chance” she hissed.
The guards pawed the ground and spread their wings in clear challenge. They split apart to flank her as Luna stared at them dangerously.
The elder waved a wing at her, “We don’t want to hurt you-“
Luna rushed him before he could finish, crossing the gap between them in a blink of an eye. Her sudden appearance made the guard rear back in surprise.
Luna screamed like an animal. Forgoing magic or any subtlety she swung a foreleg at him, the attack blindingly fast and immensely strong. The guards jaw broke with a loud ‘crack’ and the force of the strike slammed him back into a wall, out cold in an instant.
The second guard gaped in shock and Luna lurched for him with another heavy, but tired attack. The mortal was on his guard though and ducked under her hoof and caught her round the middle, lifting her up and crashing into the ground with his heavy weight on top of her.
Panic struck Luna as he held her down. He was straddling her hips, preventing her from throwing him off. His hoofs, roughly the size of her own, were holding her forelegs above her head and even with her strength he had the advantage. She couldn’t escape.
He was yelling for help over his shoulders but Luna didn’t care about that. Her pupils shrank to pinpricks as she thrashed and struggled, quickly hyperventilating as her fright reached fever pitch.
Too many memories of being beaten by another. Too many instances of being held down against her will.
Luna shrieked so loud and pitched that the guard stopped yelling and stared at her in surprise. Luna’s horn blazed like an ethereal storm and the pegasus gulped as a blue aura engulfed them.
“Oh crap...”
“GET. OFF!” Luna screamed. A heavy boom of telekinetic force exploded outwards, throwing the guard off her. His yell of pain cutting off as he slammed through the doorway taking a chunk of it away in the process.
Luna struggled to her feet. Her horn sparked painfully from unleashing her magic and her legs shaking from her battle. But in the end she was the one standing and her enemies weren’t.
She was glad she still possessed some of her divinity. Clearly she was still superior to mortals, however, judging by how fatigued she was after besting two soldiers she didn’t rate her chances if a whole garrison came after her.
‘I have to move. Escape’
Staggering out into the hall she looked left and right uncertainly. She found herself in lavish surroundings. Rich curtains and tapestries decked the halls, beautiful stained glass windows shone with the light of the sun and expensive furnishings littered the place.
“It’s a castle. Of course it will be elegant” Apathy said dryly.
“We should watch out for more guards. And that alicorn” Anger added.
“What happened to my sister? Where is she? Did that new alicorn defeat her?” Luna wondered aloud. Her friends merely shrugged at her.
Luna felt a confusing mix of sadness and rage whenever she thought of her long-lost sister. Celestia was the direct cause of all her suffering. She should hate her, and in her ruined heart she certainly did feel a fire burning to pay her sister back.
But then... she had missed her so much. Begged for her to rescue her so often. She had loved her... more than she had loved anything else in the world. They were two halves of one whole. The only creatures in all of Equestria that would never leave the other, time and death having no fear of separating them.
Luna raced down the halls searching for a way out. She took random directions, not sure where to go but determined to keep moving. Her mind was distracted as she found her thoughts circling around her sister.
‘Celestia... I don’t even remember what you look like...’
She had vague memories of a glowing pink mane, long and silky, that smelled of strawberries and sweets. It was warm whenever she buried her head in it.
Amethyist eyes... beautiful and caring... eyes that always looked at her with love... with love...
Until the day they didn’t. Until the day those eyes stopped loving her and saw her as a nuisance.
Until the day they condemned her and caste her out as a monster.
“Raaarg!” Luna roared and smashed a nearby table, stamping her hooves on the carved wood until nothing but smashed timber remained. Damn you Celestia wherever you are! You never cared! Your precious ‘subjects’ and the power of YOUR rule was all that mattered to you!
Someone shouted nearby and Luna shook herself free of her rage, looking ahead grimly as a small group of guards raced towards her.
One of them was more regally armoured then the others, a powerful looking unicorn that sported an impressive moustache. His eyes were alight with steel and the others gathered around him in flawless formation. Arches of electricity danced around his horn and he clearly had considerably magical strength. He must be a captain of some sort.
“You won’t escape this castle fiend! Guards! Subdue her! Use whatever force necessary!” he shouted. The pegasus around him roared and charged her.
Luna watched them come and a feral grin split her cracked lips.
“Try and stop me” she rasped gleefully and with her own war cry she ran to meet their charge.

Annnddd that’s it! For now. The next chapter, hopefully, will be out soon as it’s half done already and I really hope you’re enjoyed this chapter.
As always any feedback, good or bad, please let me know.
Thank you for reading 