Princess Celestia, co-regent of the magical land of Equestria really should have been in bed by now. It was late, and as always she had the sun to raise at dawn. Yes, she really should have been in her exorbitantly comfortable bed, completely dead to the world, rather than standing out on her balcony looking up at the curiously blank face of the moon as it shone overhead. In truth, she had been sound asleep not all that long ago. Unfortunately, though, she'd had that dream again. The one that had haunted her for a little over a thousand years now. It didn't matter that her precious little sister had been free and happy for almost two and a half years now, nor did it matter that, if anything, the two were closer now than they were in the days before. There were still some nights, when the day had been hard and Celestia's subconscious was feeling particularly mean, when she would dream about that night so very long ago.

The night that nearly never ended.

"I know you're there, Luna," she called out, the briefest twinge of a smirk forming on the corners of her mouth. "You might as well show yourself."

Princess Luna almost seemed to melt from the shadows as she stepped into the light of Celestia's balcony. Little wonder she had become such a hit on Nightmare Night. Though the expression on her face was one of genuine concern, mixed with a bit of embarrassment. "Apologies, sister. We... I am still a bit at a loss when it comes to these matters. I wished to provide comfort, yet was unsure if my presence would be at all welcome, considering... well..."

A small but impish smile quirked into being on the older sister's face. "Luna, have you been peeking?"

"I do not peek!" Luna sputtered indignantly. "Your dreamscape was practically shouting for my attention! What was I expected to..." Luna stopped her rant mid thought and lowered her head as violet tinges glowed through the midnight blue of her cheeks. "You were teasing me, weren't you?"

Celestia sighed softly as she brought her head down to snuggle her little sister. "Maybe a little. Your company is always welcome, Luna. Especially during nights like tonight. You being here with me... it serves to remind me it's all just a dream. A past that is long gone and best put behind us." Celestia's eyes were shining as she straightened her posture to look down at her little sister. "Have I told you how much I missed you?"

Luna laughed. "Almost every night these last two years." Pressing her side up against Celestia's she added. "And I most certainly share in the sentiment."

Celestia sighed as she looked back up at the gleaming white orb above. "I still see her, sometimes. The Mare in the Moon. Like that shadow that appears in your vision after looking at the sun too long."

Luna's left ear flicked as her face wore a wry expression. "You of all ponies see that shadow?"

The catty expression returned to Celestia's features. "Well, it admittedly takes quite a bit longer for me than most, but yes, it still happens."

After another moment of comfortable silence, Luna spoke up once again. "I have been thinking of putting something new on the moon's face. It does seem a bit... empty. But other obligations have been getting in my way of late."

"Speaking of," Celestia admonished. "I'm sure you've got some duties right now that are far more important than comforting an old mare like me after a bad dream. You should probably get back to them."

Luna nodded. "In truth, I do have responsibilities calling for my attention this night. But to say any of them are more important than you? Never." Nevertheless, Luna separated herself from her sister and began to retreat back into the palace. "But you are correct. As ever, duty calls and I must regrettably answer. You, however, should get some rest. The dawn will arrive all too soon."

"Do not worry over me, sister. I'll return to my bed once I've had a minute or two to... wind down, I suppose."

A moment or two passed in quiet peace, before Celestia was suddenly drenched by a surprise torrent of ice cold water, followed almost immediately by a metal bucket dropping on her head. Another moment passed in silence before she levitated the bucket off her head and cast a glare back into the open doorway to the castle. Peeking around the corner was none other than her precious little sister, who had supposedly left to attend to important duties. When the two immortal rulers locked eyes, the younger sister's face split into a wide smile that released a small squeak, and then she was gone.

Celestia laughed as she tossed the bucket aside. "Oh, now you're gonna get it!" she shouted as she ran after her sister, a trail of tiny puddles left in her wake.

Shining Armor, Captain of the Royal Guards of Canterlot, Prince of the Realm, and Official Envoy for the Crystal Empire, dearly wished he could be in bed right now with his beautiful wife (sleep was optional). Unfortunately, duty called. After all, he was captain of all the guards, not just those who watched over the day, and there was a new wave of recruits for the night watch. None of the rookies gathered out here in the courtyard saw any sign of distraction, nor of any desire to be elsewhere. One did not gain all those fancy titles without some degree of diplomacy, after all.

"Now, I am well aware of all your achievements up to this point," he lectured. "Only the best and brightest get selected for palace detail. Understand, however, that all the guards before you were the best and brightest of their classes, and so on and so on. You are all still green and inexperienced, and you will encounter things that no amount of training can prepare you for on its own."

A sudden thundering from the castle caused him to stop his lecture, as the midnight blue form of Princess Luna bounded from within, barely coming to a stop before the assembled recruits. Shining Armor cringed inwardly. The Princess of the Night was breathless and smiling. That usually meant he was in for a round of something less than dignified. The Princess cast a mirthful eye over the assembled recruits. "Ah, welcome to our service, my little ponies," she began. "I am honored that so many of you have dedicated yourselves to the protection of your princesses and your country, and one night soon I hope to be able to interview each and every one of you personally. Tonight however..."

At this point, Celestia burst from the castle, her horn glowing bright gold. "Got you!" she triumphantly bellowed.

Luna's smile simply widened. "I must away!" She launched herself into the air like an arrow, just in time for a cringing Shining Armor to be enveloped in Celestia's magic.

Shining Armor kept his eyes screwed shut for several long moments after the flapping of wings and tinkling of laughter had died away. "How bad is it?" he asked.

The commander of the night guard, one Golden Sunset, answered, "Purple with pink polka dots, sir."

Opening his eyes, Shining saw that his once white coat was in fact colored as described. "Ah well, at least it isn't the fur growth spell again."

Golden Sunset's expression was passive, but there was laughter in her eyes. "Even so, sir, better you than me."

Shining Armor was about to give a grumbled reply, but stopped short at the sight of the gathered recruits. All of them, down to the last pony, were staring at the sight with their mouths hanging wide open. Regaining what little dignity he could, Shining Armor stood back at attention and addressed his troops once more, though he couldn't quite keep the corners of his mouth from pulling upwards just a bit. "As I was saying, you will encounter many things that no amount of training can prepare you for. Chief among them being the princesses themselves."

And in the sky, two streaks of light, one blue the other gold, chased each other, bringing a sense of cheer and happiness to an already beautiful night.