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Setting Sun, Rising Moon

By Vestal
Created: 2021-07-16 21:31:33
Updated: 2021-07-08 00:16:11
Expiry: Never
sad/sun/dark/mom//moon/daybreakerkidanon

  1. (WARNING SERIOUS BAD VIBES AHEAD)
  2.  
  3. >you remember when mommy used to love you
  4. >or maybe you had a different mommy
  5. >you weren’t really sure
  6. >it was so long ago to your small child brain
  7. >in your mind there are flashes of a white mare with a rainbow mane playing with you as a baby
  8. >she seemed gentle and kind
  9. >not like your mom, if she even let you call her that
  10. >last time you did she hit you in the face and threatened you
  11. >before walking off laughing
  12. >at least she didn’t burn you like she did when she was really mad
  13. >as several burn marks attest to
  14. >but it’s ok, the maids are nice to you!
  15. >though they don’t last long
  16. >so you still wanted that first mommy back
  17. >you’re pretty young but you don’t
  18. >anyways right now your mom is gone, thankfully and you’ve “snuck” into the library to read some daring do
  19. >snuck is the wrong word, the librarian and ‘Head necromancer’ Skull Whisper was really nice to you even if he smelled weird, and ponies didn’t like him
  20. >sometimes he wasn’t nice to grown up ponies but he was always seem nice to foals and whatever you were
  21. >he taught you how to read Unicornian and showed you all kinds of cool books
  22. >he was also the one pony who was nice to you who mom didn’t get rid of
  23. >something about him being super necessary to her regime
  24. >you hated the regime, besides Skull whisper and occasionally the maids, they were cool
  25. >as you continue to the part where Daring kicks the Azhiuotl in the face you notice something outside the window
  26. >at first that’s a loud zapping sound, something you are unfortunately used to
  27. >then the sky starts to go from reddish orange to blue, and it keeps getting bluer
  28. >Skull Whisper told you the sky used to be blue
  29. >you also vaguely remember another blue pony who was nice to you
  30. >so blue was your favorite color
  31. >but it didn’t stop
  32. >it was getting darker
  33. >and darker
  34. >in fact it was darker than you ever remember seeing it outside
  35. >you start to hear gasps
  36. >then you hear ponies cheering as guards scream
  37. >you’d be worried but the sight in front of you is too astonishing
  38. >as the sky reaches an almost blue black a huge white ball comes up
  39. >it’s more beautiful than anything you ever seen in your life
  40. >but it gets better!
  41. >there’s a slight twinkling in the sky
  42. >and then the twinkling is stronger
  43. >the sky is filled with lights
  44. >not just one big light
  45. >a bunch of them
  46. >you think you remember one of the maids talking about them
  47. >stars or something
  48. >you drop your book on the floor for once unconcerned about your mother’s punishment
  49. >they’re just too beautiful not to
  50. >it’s cool too!
  51. >but not dank!
  52. >nice and cool!
  53. >the sound of fighting is gone, you hear cheering
  54. >a knock on the door
  55. >not just a knock
  56. >you instinctively catch your breath and lean against the wall in fear of what awaits you
  57. >you aren't supposed to be here
  58. >you especially aren't supposed to be reading Daring Do
  59. >and whenever your mom did something big or lost she always came back madder than usual
  60. >you back up further than you ever thought you could onto the stone wall as you prepare for the worst
  61. >but instead of mom and a batallion of pegasi in red armor
  62. >there's a darker though less menacing Alicorn surrounded by Batponies in blue armor
  63. >her face is serious but doesn't bare the book of malice your mother did
  64. >she says something to the guards as they begin to check the room
  65. >then she looks at you with her big blue eyes
  66. >and she smiles
  67. >a smile that oddly enough puts you at ease
  68. >she's crying?
  69. >"ANONYMOUS HOW WE HAVE MISSED THEE DEARLY!"
  70. >before you can move she's lunging at you causing you to squeak in fear
  71. >she wraps her forehooves around you
  72. >you prepare for the worst
  73. >but the worst never comes
  74. >she just sits there sobbing over you as her head and starry mane brush against your face
  75. >"We art so happy thou art alive, our dearest Nightsong."
  76. >your blood freezes in a good way
  77. >you remember that name
  78. >this is the other Alicorn
  79. >not your mommy but still
  80. >you hug her back and cry unused to this level of love and concern
  81. >this mare who you didn't even know the name of was showing you more love in this second than you got in your life
  82. >you cry into her tuft as she makes shushing noises along with promises that it's all over
  83. >it feels like hours
  84. >you remove your head from her chest your tears reduced to a reasonable level as you look at her big beautiful blue eyes bursting with love for you
  85. >they were equally tear stained
  86. >you heard more hoofsteps as the bat guards started to look nervous
  87. >a smaller white Alicorn with a pink mane came out
  88. >the guards instinctively jerked away from her but you weren't sure why, she didn't look mean
  89. >she looked sad
  90. >maybe she needed a hug too?
  91. >you turn to look at her closer but when she locks eyes with you she flinches and backs away
  92. >your mom must have really hurt her if she was afraid of you of all creatures
  93. >you understood that with other foals
  94. >but she seemed like a grown up or at least a teen
  95. >though alicorns were bigger so maybe she was a foal
  96. >maybe she was the big blue one's daughter
  97. >you feel a wing gently stroke your face
  98. >you look back to the blue Alicorn who is now beaming at you
  99. >"Come nephew we have much to take care of."
  100. >she was your aunt
  101. >your mom said lots of bad things about your aunt Luna
  102. >but then again you didn't put much stake in her word anyways
  103. >so that means the white Alicorn is probably your new cousin!
  104. >maybe you'll get to live with your aunt now!
  105. >you have only one thought as you walk underneath your aunt's wing pressed against her soft body
  106. >this is the best day... no best night ever!
  107. >"Auntie Luna, ca-can, can we get some food.. please?"
  108. >your stomach growls
  109. >she looks at you
  110. >you flinch
  111. >normally your mom would chastise or mock you for such a request
  112. >"Of course dear, if thy stomach tis as hungry as it sounds we must get you fed post haste!"
  113. >she's smiling
  114. >it's a nice smile
  115. >the kind only Skull Whisper gave you
  116. >but without as much sadness
  117. >you've only really known her for 20 minutes but you already love your auntie Luna a lot
  118. >"Guards! Continue thine securing of the castle! We must attend to our nephew's stomach at the moment."
  119. >you've heard your mom give commands but this is less yelling at and more shouting towards
  120. >you don't really know what that means but it seems nicer
  121. >one guard comes up, it's a stallion and a big one too
  122. >he's kinda scary looking with his sharp fangs and eyepatch but if he's with Aunt Luna he's probably nice and just looks scary
  123. >plus he also looks afraid
  124. >you realized that you looked weird but you had a hard time thinking you were that scary
  125. >"Princess, what about.. Celestia?"
  126. >you heard that name before
  127. >Mom didn't like ponies saying it almost as much as she didn't like other ponies saying Luna
  128. >your Aunt's happy face turns to a frown
  129. >you know what happens when your mom frowns at guards and close your eyes
  130. >instead of a gory inferno she sighs
  131. >"Princess Celestia is in no state to challenge us, nor does she have any desire to."
  132. >the guard nods but still seems hesitant as he begins to take a majority of the batponies out of the library and into the corridors
  133. >the white alicorn is nowhere to be seen as your aunt talks your ear off on the way to the dining hall of the castle
  134. >all while the happy cheers and shouts of ponies fill the streets of Canterlot
  135.  
  136. >you are Celestia
  137. >no
  138. >you aren’t
  139. >not anymore
  140. >you were Celestia
  141. >but you aren’t anymore
  142. >you don’t deserve that name
  143. >you are a monster and all you deserve is the worst form of death imaginable
  144. >you just want to crawl into a hole and die but you doubt there’s a hole in tartarus deep enough for your crimes
  145. >you betrayed your ponies
  146. >and enjoyed it
  147. >you enjoyed hurting them
  148. >you enjoyed crushing their hopes
  149. >showing them just how dependent on you they truly were
  150. >you killed most of the elements
  151. >you killed half the team you set up!
  152. >you killed Twilight!
  153. >the mare you practically raised slowly in cold blood
  154. >all while she tried to talk to the good still in you
  155. >she failed
  156. >on a more important note, though it is selfish
  157. >you hurt your sunshine
  158. >and you didn’t care
  159. >and you kept on hurting him
  160. >to the point of tears!
  161. >over and over again
  162. >physically and emotionally
  163. >any attempt at him reaching out was callously rebuked
  164. >HE ‘S AT MOST 7 AND NOW HE’S PROBABLY TRAUMATIZED FOR LIFE
  165. >and you’ve only felt horrible for it for around hour after being forced to!
  166. >all because of frustration at their supposed ‘pathetic dependence’ and lingering thoughts of your divine right
  167. >how can your face your subjects
  168. >how can you make it up to Anon when you’ve been everything a mother shouldn’t be?
  169. >you were supposed to give him comfort and you gave him fear!
  170. >you were supposed to give him safety and you gave him pain!
  171. >love instead of cruelty!
  172. >security instead of attacks!
  173. > you literally went back on every promise you made to him when you first found him
  174. >by the maker you want to die
  175. >you are followed by a silent cadre of Luna’s guards
  176. >they aren’t corralling you… yet but they follow you
  177. >silently they stalk through the halls as you wander aimlessly through the twisting hallway, trying to avoid the boy whose life you’ve ruined
  178. >you know that if it wasn’t for your sister’s orders they most likely would have killed you on the spot to the rejoicing of all of your former subjects
  179. >you don’t blame them
  180. >in fact if you had your way you would have had them kill you instantly
  181. >that way you’d never have to face anon
  182. >if the religions of the older times are right you clearly are going to two very separate places
  183. >he and Luna would be happy assuming she died, and well at least you could take some solace that your punishment will be well deserved
  184. >you stop as the heaving sobs take you
  185. >the clanking of arms stop as the guards follow suit
  186. I’m hic.. so sorry Sunshine..
  187. >your eyes shut with tears as your pink mane hangs limply over your face
  188. Mommy is so sorry
  189. >you let him down
  190. >you boldly rush towards one of the balconies making a break for it before the guards can stop you
  191. >normally such a fall would merely hurt but in a weakened state it would kill you
  192. >the guards are too slow as you feel the cold night air and look upon the moon for the first time in years
  193. >it’s light filtering through your tears
  194. >you pause for a second and look at the drop
  195. >it’s a common idea that suicides don’t go to Elysium
  196. >luckily that wasn’t an issue for you at the moment
  197. >with a last flap of your wings you leap and fling yourself off the castle balcony
  198. >finally
  199. >though it will never make up for what you did
  200. >it will at least give hope to many ponies out there
  201. >then you feel tingling
  202. >you’re being picked up
  203. >NO NO FAUST DAMN It!
  204. >WHY?
  205. >you struggle as you try to break free but this time your weakness goes against you
  206. >as you’re roughly plopped onto the stone balcony you stare at Luna’s guards
  207. >picking out the two dark grey Unicorn mares who saved your wretched life
  208. Why? Why did you save me?
  209. >the one to the right looks at you stoically
  210. >”Princess Luna’s orders.”
  211. >you aren’t sure whether to laugh or cry
  212. >so you do both
  213.  
  214.  
  215. >you are Anon
  216. >this night got better
  217. >the medical check up wasn’t very fun
  218. >there weren’t any needles but there was all sorts of weird things touching you and, staying still and cold stuff
  219. >your Aunt Luna started crying and almost left the room
  220. >but a bat pony hugged her
  221. >then she hugged you
  222. >she said she had to make sure you were healthy
  223. >on the way to the kitchen you saw that white Alicorn again
  224. >she looked even sadder
  225. >you tried to walk towards her and tell her it’s ok
  226. >but she just started crying more and ran away again
  227. >you asked Aunt Luna and she just said, “She has a lot she needs to work through right now.”
  228. >you had no idea what that meant but you hoped she got better
  229. >anyways back to the present, you’re in the kitchen
  230. >and this time you aren’t being used as entertainment
  231. >you didn’t like being called a freak
  232. >especially by your mom
  233. >Aunt Luna had this Griffon chef make you all kinds of good food!
  234. >you don’t even think you had seen all these kinds of food before
  235. >he seemed to glare at everyone besides you and Aunt Luna but you were used to glaring
  236. >he even made Ice Cream!
  237. >you never had Ice Cream before!
  238. >as you shove your 3rd bite of rocky road into your mouth Aunt Luna puts a gentle hoof to your back
  239. >”Now, now dear Nightsong, thou may wish to slow down. If thou eat too fast you may well get a belly ache.”
  240. >you graciously slowed down
  241. >you didn’t want her to stop treating you nicely
  242. >you couldn’t stand to lose this
  243. Ok Auntie!
  244. >you wipe your face and hug your little body into her tuft
  245. >you hadn’t had many hugs before you met her but you were pretty sure you were hooked!
  246. >she seemed hooked too
  247. >truth be told the food was nice but the hugs were so much better
  248. >you just hoped she’d let you hug her like this for a bit longer
  249. “Auntie Luna?”
  250. >you decided that maybe after an hour or two with her it was time to get to the serious questions in the most polite manner possible
  251. >”Yes nephew?”
  252. Why is my cousin so sad?
  253. >Luna’s face deflates a bit as she lowers her head to meet you at eye level
  254. >”We do not know who thou refers to but Blueblood and Cadenza hath been through quite a bit… just as you have. It shalt take time before they are fully healed.”
  255. >you squint an eye
  256. >you didn’t know they were your cousins
  257. >Cadenza was on life support after protecting the Crystal empire
  258. >you met Blueblood once after he ran away
  259. >he tried to kill you
  260. >but he kept apologizing and saying it was for your sake
  261. >you still don’t like him
  262. “No, Auntie not them… your daughter.”
  263. >Aunt Luna lifts her muzzle which scrunches in confusion
  264. >”Anon, we do not have a daughter.”
  265. So Celestia isn’t my cousin?
  266. >you felt a bit sad
  267. >it would be nice to have even more family who were up and walking
  268. >the color drains from Luna’s face as her gaze begins to pierce into your soul
  269. >it wasn’t the angry look your mother or the nobles gave you
  270. >more the “what is that?” look given by ponies who haven’t met you before
  271. >but somehow even more intense
  272. >it was starting to make you uncomfortable
  273. Aunt Luna?
  274. >”No one hath told him.”
  275. >it was a whisper
  276. Aunt luna?
  277. >she shakes her head letting her mane go all over the room
  278. >”Sorry dearest, but the situation with Celestia tis, complicated… and should be better explain to you by her rather than us.”
  279. >it’s complicated
  280. >an involuntary pout and sigh
  281. >Skull Whisper and the maids would always say it was complicated whenever you asked too much
  282. >speaking of Skull Whisper you hope he was doing ok
  283. >your aunt gives a forced smile
  284. >”Nightsong, I notice thou hast not finished thy sundae, mayhaps tis not to thy liking?”
  285. >you shake your head and continue eating as Luna stretches a wing over you
  286. >even though you can only catch glances of her as you dig into the ice cream
  287. >it is clear that she is no longer smiling
  288.  
  289. A few days later
  290. >you are Luna
  291. >Celestia still hasn't gotten the courage to face anon
  292. >you are looking in the mirror
  293. >it’s so odd to have everyone from the nobility to the common ponies in Appleloosa fawning over you
  294. >it felt even weirder that they were ostracizing your sister
  295. >once you would have wanted this
  296. >to be the center of attention
  297. >to have your sister be the outcast
  298. >but not after this
  299. >not after all this damage, all those lives, all those tortured
  300. >somedays you find it hard to forgive your sister seeing what she had wrought upon her…
  301. >your country
  302. >even though the only difference between her lapse and yours was luck and power
  303. >you have no idea if a world ruled by Nightmare Moon would be just as bad or worse
  304. >and after this every night you thank your sister for defeating you
  305. >the fact that such malevolence could lurk inside you is still a horrifying thought, which causes you to wince before you put a hoof up to the mirror
  306. >as if to give yourself a ‘reality check’
  307. >the sound of a Unicorn’s telekinesis interrupts your brooding
  308. > “Your highness .. sorry to interrupt your privacy, but may I speak with you for a moment.”
  309. >you sigh as you run your hoof down the mirror
  310. Tis fine miss inkwell, tis fine
  311. >you watch her from the mirror as she trots in head held low
  312. >the fact she survived all these years surprised you especially with the purge of Celestia’s old court
  313. >she even became a minor resistance leader
  314. >not bad for someone with a cutie mark in office work
  315. Tell us, lady Inkwell what troubles thee?
  316. >she looks around awkwardly
  317. >”Well your Highness.. it’s about Celestia.”
  318. >you expected as much
  319. >despite the weak smiles she gave you, you could tell that internally she was miserable and it tore at your heart
  320. >judging by anonymous’s relative silence on her you doubt she’s even tried to talk with him though surely it is out of guilt
  321. > ‘Why shouldn’t the monster be miserable?’
  322. >you silence the voice in your head
  323. Of course, admittedly we find it rather hard to shut out the suggestions of the nobles who bey day and night for her blood. We understand if thou need somepony to confide in after they efforts defending her from those parasites!
  324. >Raven looks down, the air gets tenser
  325. >”Actually your Highness… I have to say I agree with them.”
  326. >you freeze
  327. >for as long as you’ve known Raven she has always been utterly loyal to Celestia
  328. >this is shocking
  329. And why is that?
  330. >your tone gets slightly more aggressive
  331. >”Well… your highness.. after what she,”
  332. What Daybreaker!
  333. >you can’t help but interrupt
  334. >”Right after what Daybreaker did, I have to admit that it may not be the best idea to allow her as much freedom and power as you are currently giving her.”
  335. >you snort in a bit of anger at the gaul and hypocrisy of her actions
  336. Why? Were we once not the feared Nightmare Moon? Why dost thou not seek to oust me from power?! Surely a few bad years is nothing compared to two thousand of prosperity and righteousness?
  337. >Raven kicks the non existent dust with her hoof looking down
  338. >”nightmare moon wasn’t a monster.”
  339. >her words are quiet but you still hear them as clear as a full moon on a cloudless night
  340. What was that?
  341. >you wish to make sure you heard her right
  342. >”I said Nightmare Moon wasn’t a monster.”
  343. And what makes thee say that? Lady Inkwell thou dost not need flatter me.
  344. >”I’m not saying it to flatter you, I’m saying it because it’s true.”
  345. We hardly would call one who wished to plunge the world into night eternal a good mare.
  346. >”No you’re absolutely right, Nightmare Moon wasn’t a good mare in any sense of the word, but she was not a monster.”
  347. >you freeze
  348. >that is something you never heard before
  349. >”I’ve been doing some research on that period, and while she was most definitely a violent conqueror she was nowhere near as bad as Daybreaker. She was just another Genghis Colt, or Atilla the Hursar.”
  350. Lady Inkwell.. Nightmare Moon twas my very darkness manifest, she was not a mere warlord,
  351. >”Well the history books begged to differ, despite the mass death of soldiers she caused very few civilian casualties, the towns that surrendered immediately were left mostly unharmed and loyal subordinates were rewarded. There’s even an account about her allowing an enemy army to live after it’s commanders asked to die in their stead before personally giving them a funeral.”
  352. Those actions were not out of kindness Miss Inkwell.. twas always a selfish reason for all her actions.
  353. >”Maybe but she clearly didn’t want to hurt others, she wanted to rule! She never razed cities that didn’t oppose her to the ground, she never broke her promises, she never intentionally killed foals, she never randomly tortured citizens! She never purposefully lied for the sake of sadism! She never abused her son!”
  354. >the last one causes you to shiver
  355. >you’ve seen the marks on your beloved Nephew
  356. >you are aware of the way he is only recently beginning to not shy away from your affection
  357. Different circumstances bring out different evils.. Lady Inkwell.
  358. >”Princess Luna! You were severely isolated, feared, lonely and underappreciated before you even hurt a hair on anypony’s head! It was totally understandable you’d snap! She had everything! Friends! Family! Respect! Power! Adoring Subjects ! An apprentice who idolized her! And yet she turned on all of us!”
  359. >she’s crying now
  360. That is enough miss Inkwell
  361. >she’s too deep into her own anger and sorrow
  362. >”There was no catalyst! She had no reason!? She just did it!? I loved her almost as much as you and anon did!”
  363. >loved
  364. >past tense, very clear
  365. >”But after what you called “a few bad years”, we would be criminally irresponsible to let her have anymore responsibility or power than a local postmaster! I was there Princess, being banished and seeing the aftermath must have hurt! But I was there!”
  366. >your rage builds both at her and at yourself for agreeing
  367. DO YOU WISH TO HAVE HER BEHEADED AS DOES GOLDEN LEDGER? SHE IS OUR SISTER AND WE WILL NOT PUNISH HER ENOUGH!
  368. >Raven shrinks back from the outburst before catching her voice
  369. >”No, I don’t want her dead.. she needs to be institutionalized… depowered and monitored.”
  370. Miss Inkwell.
  371. >”Please your Highness, for her sake at least, consider it?”
  372. Miss Inkwell you are dismissed
  373. >she freezes, bows and leaves as your focus returns to the mirror and your sobbing reflection
  374. >you aren’t sure what hurt worse
  375. >Raven turning on her, the fact you understood why or the fact that you almost agreed
  376. >’She was right you know.”
  377. >you know that voice
  378. >it’s her voice
  379. >it’s her in the mirror
  380. >her slit pupils locked on yours
  381. >her fanged grin mocking yours
  382. What are you doing here vile creature?
  383. >’Vile, is that how you treat the one who made you strong enough to best her?’
  384. >you snort in derision
  385. Why would we wish to defeat her, if we it meant we would be no better than her?
  386. >now it is Nightmare’s time for rage
  387. >’DO NOT COMPARE US!’
  388. >you pause
  389. >not due to anger but this is an emotion you have barely seen on her since you returned
  390. >one of righteous indignation and disgust
  391. >’Do you truly think I would engage in acts solely for the sake of petty sadism?”
  392. >no.. you didn’t
  393. >no.. you didn’t
  394. >’Do you think I’d wish to rule a smoldering ember instead of create a prospering empire?’
  395. >no…
  396. >’Most importantly do you think I would harm our Nightsong the way she has?’
  397. >her voice has more venom than usual on that last accusation
  398. >you almost detect a hint of guilt
  399. >granted not the “I’m sorry for what I did” kind of guilt
  400. >that was anathema to her
  401. >more of the “I’m sorry for what I couldn’t stop.” Kind of guilt
  402. >’If I were there as she spoke of torturing him, I would rip out her spine! Instead of useless attempts at diplomacy!’
  403. You merely wish to rule.
  404. ‘Yes but more than that I wish to protect him!’
  405. >she’s right
  406. >she has a point
  407. >Nightmare Moon has a point?
  408. Thou art right Nightmare, I share thy feelings but tis selfish to let our own love drive us towards revenge towards one who is already suffering?
  409. >’It’s not selfish, my other half! Her suffering is but a drop in the bucket compared to the suffering she hath caused others! Think of those who lost their homes, their spouses, their children! Should their cries for justice go unheeded because they are targeted at the scum you call our sister?!’
  410. We have made extensive repairs and reparations for the country out of our pocket. The wounds though present are slowly beginning to heal.
  411. >’Yet their tormentor still wears a crown.’
  412. If this a ploy to take over once more! Thou may forget it!
  413. >’I do not seek to rule over you as I did in the past, I propose a merger of sorts. You keep your general morality, your goals, and for the most part your identity, I give you all of my power, some of my ruthlessness, and clear your eyes of the sentimental blindness towards your so called sister. I know you hold back more than you should for fear of becoming me. If this was done your fears would be unfounded.’
  414. You promise we will not fall to thy selfish whims and callousness? That we shall still know love and put the needs of others above ourselves
  415. >’On the river styx’
  416. >as much as you hated her Nightmare was never a liar
  417. >in fact the element of honesty was the last one to leave as you succumbed to darkness
  418. >true she left things out, and used exact phrasing to the fullest extent possible but she never lied.
  419. >’So do you except? If not take your time, the offer is open as long as Celestia goes unpunished’
  420. >you stand in front of the mirror as she fades
  421. >it takes quite a bit of effort not to agree
  422. >you wouldn’t hurt Tia like that again… would you?
  423. >would you?
  424.  
  425. >you were Celestia
  426. >you had once again hurt your son
  427. >all because you were too much of a coward to face up to what you have done
  428. >even after your purification you are still destined to be a figure of fear and pain to your little boy
  429. >your perfect little boy who despite all that you did to him still remained so Harmony damn kind!
  430. >you wanted to chalk up his not knowing your true identity
  431. >you being the one who gave him that burn-mark on his left cheek despite those feeble assurances that it was not truly you who acted given by Luna
  432. >but that’s not true, you let the monster in
  433. >why? A couple bad dreams? A bit of frustration? Boredom?
  434. >Luna dealt with so much worse and she never once sank to your level
  435. >what you feared most though was not your son’s scorn but his forgiveness
  436. >his scorn would break your heart but his forgiveness would kill you
  437. >and being the boy who attempted to give the sad, lonely Alicorn the muffin which you caused him to drop
  438. >you realize that he eventually will
  439. >you slam your face against the cobble and weep
  440. >letting a sleep overtake you that hopefully you will not wake up from
  441. >your choked breaths cutting off the oxygen flow to your brain as you pass out
  442. >darkness
  443. >darkness
  444. >darkness
  445. >light
  446. >dim light but light nonetheless
  447. >you’re surrounded by blackness illuminated by dim blue torches
  448. >your body on a carpet of cold stones that are equally black
  449. >did you die?
  450. >is this Tartarus?
  451. >you try and shift your weight but you are bound to the floor
  452. >as your awareness sharpens you feel they are bound in biting chains
  453. >there’s a groan
  454. >you look to the left
  455. >and then the right
  456. >attached to your very body is Daybreaker’s head sleeping
  457. >clearly in an equal state of discomfort
  458. >you are not sure whether you want to vomit or scream
  459. >neither comes out
  460. >in fact you aren’t even sure if you can speak
  461. >clop
  462. >clop
  463. >clop
  464. >hoofsteps begin to come from the nearby fog bank
  465. >though the darkness and mist obscures the form so that all you can tell is that your tormentor will be a hoofed quadraped
  466. >the other head comes and begins to growl
  467. >two glowing blue eyes shine forth from the abyss
  468. >it can’t be
  469. >ohnonohnonononono
  470. >you feel your heart jump into your throat
  471. >with one last clop a black hoof covered in blue armor hits the stone floor as the mist clears
  472. >standing before you is Nightmare Moon
  473. >’I’LL KILL YOU. YOU PATHETIC FOAL!’
  474. >Daybreaker’s scream is cut off as a blast from Nightmare’s horn shackles her muzzle
  475. >you feel your throat open up
  476. >”Somehow sister I doubt you can.”
  477. >you grimace and steel your nerve
  478. >you deserve this
  479. Are you the one who will be tormenting me?
  480. >”Tormenting?”
  481. >Nightmare looks confused before making a small chuckle
  482. >”Oh you think you’re dead! An earnest mistake, though I can assure you sister that you are in fact very much alive. No I merely came to talk.”
  483. >you keep your gaze determined though you fail to meet her eyes
  484. About what?
  485. >”About your current situation and how I might… help you plot a course for the future.”
  486. You want me to give in… don’t you… so I’ll be like you?
  487. >that struck a nerve
  488. >Nightmare looks like she’s about to scream before composing herself
  489. >”Hardly. In fact to prove my point how about I let your other half speak.”
  490. >Celestia felt her mouth once again clench as Daybreaker began to scream anew
  491. >’PATHETIC! YOU WERE ALWAYS THE WEAK ONE! I’LL ALWAYS BE GREATER THAN YOUR PATHETIC DARKNESS! WHEN I RETURN I WILL PERSONALLY SKIN YOU ALIVE.’
  492. >Nightmare shook her head
  493. >”That may have been true in the recent past, but you must remember that while you always had strength on your side. I was always the smarter sister.”
  494. >your thoughts drown out Daybreaker’s increasingly panicked ravings and bluffs
  495. >as much as you prided yourself on your intellect Luna was the true intellectual force to be reckoned with
  496. >almost a quarter of the spells in the royal archive were invented by her
  497. >it was her idea to found the School for gifted Unicorns
  498. >she was the brains all you did was execute them
  499. >even as Nightmare Moon she was intelligent
  500. >when she banished to the moon, rather than ranting and raging she was figuring out how to make her escape
  501. >and more importantly how to beat you
  502. >when a reconnaissance team of astral projectors was sent to look for any further remains
  503. >what they found was shocking
  504. >craters whose walls were packed with equations
  505. >scale model battleplans
  506. >star charts that took up entire lunar plains
  507. >and this is while she was in agony and despair in a weakened state
  508. >it’s how in that same weakened state she managed to beat you
  509. >and even after that victory instead of simply stopping to gloat she immediately went back to the old castle to check for the elements and look for tools that could aid her
  510. >a far cry from you burning the auxiliary library for the sheer sake of breaking Twilight’s heart and throwing lavish self congratulatory festival to yourself
  511. >”I can hear what you’re thinking Celestia, and you’re right to think it. You don’t stand a chance against me. Your victory was based on luck alone and you know it.”
  512. >she dug her hoof into some black rocks which instantly faded into smoke
  513. >”Though to be fair you always were the lucky one. It’s a shame your luck went out.”
  514. >your throat opens again
  515. >you breath in the cold air as Daybreaker thrashes around in a mix of rage and fear
  516. So, Nightmare Moon. You clearly have me beat, what is it you want?
  517. >her response is immediate
  518. >”I want to make sure you’re in no position to hurt Anon or Luna ever again.”
  519. >Luna
  520. >she said Luna
  521. >she was a separate entity
  522. >she was manifesting again
  523. >this wasn’t in your mind
  524. >this was her
  525. W-what do you want me to do?
  526. >”That’s up to you, dead depowered all the same to me. If I were in your horseshoes I’d personally stage a fake coup and then get executed.”
  527. What if I relapse.. into her?
  528. >you turn your muzzle to face Daybreaker who is now making a futile effort to scream
  529. >”Because on the off chance that happened, even poor little sentimental Luna can and will squash you like a bug.”
  530. >a mass of dark smoke whirls forth and begins to take form
  531. >”Just to give further incentive I have someone who has a couple words for you.”
  532. >the smoke continues to coalesce as it takes on a small bipedal form
  533. >two white lights open up in place of eyes as a second gash of brightness forms a scar
  534. >it’s anon
  535. >no
  536. >you’ve kept a straight face for so long but this is too much
  537. >the floodgates open as cries of anguish and grief escape your moth
  538. >your eyes reflexively shut
  539. I’m sorry sunshine I’m so sorry.. Mommy is so sorry
  540. >by the time you open them he’s there fully formed and looking at you with an expression of pure contempt
  541. >”Oh yeah! If you’re sorry why did you keep hurting me huh? Why were you never nice to me?”
  542. I’m sorry.. I love you
  543. >that’s all you can say
  544. >he snorts
  545. >”I don’t love you! You’re a bad pony and you aren’t my mommy!”
  546. >he stomps over to Daybreaker who looks at him with scorn
  547. >clearly trying to intimidate him
  548. >”And I’m not afraid of you anymore!”
  549. >he kicks her in the face
  550. >it doesn’t hurt much but the gesture remains all the same
  551. >and then once his foot is returned firmly beneath his torso
  552. >his body once again fades into the same black mist which fills your prison
  553. >”Just thought that might sway you.”
  554. >you cry
  555. >you cry for what feels like an eternity as Daybreaker continually rages
  556. >you hate yourself
  557. >you didn’t think any creature was capable of the hate you felt towards yourself
  558. >when you wake up in your room, tucked in no doubt by Luna herself your cheeks are wet
  559. >no doubt stained by a night of tears
  560.  
  561. >You are evening flight
  562. >you are a bat pony and like most bat ponies in Canterlot at the moment you are a member of the Lunar Guard
  563. >Prefect specifically under the command of Legate Moonlit Banner
  564. >more importantly you are assigned to guard Prince Anonymous, Nephew to Princess Luna
  565. >this was of course fine with you
  566. >you had always wanted to work with foals growing up, so it was actually a bit disappointing that your cutie mark turned out to be a spear and shield
  567. >for most of your career you rationalized it as you protecting Equestria’s children from threats
  568. >this motivator came in handy as you almost singlehandedly managed to evacuate two of the three schools in Hollow Shades before Daybreaker razed the city to the ground
  569. >kept on gloating about how you were cursed not to be able to appreciate her beauty as she burned home and public infrastructure alike
  570. >you hated that bitch and when you found out the way she treated her son
  571. >potentially one of the sweetest colts you met despite him not technically being a colt
  572. >well that was the nail in the bucking coffin (Buck for the record is a milder analog to the word fuck, more vulgar than screw. It came about due to what pony sex looks like)
  573. >you agreed with Shining Armor, she should be executed as a safety precaution. The only reason you don’t think they should torture her first is that some firsthoof accounts have for the most part convinced you there is in fact a hell.
  574. >in which the Erinyes would hopefully torture her for all eternity or at least in some measure of geologic time
  575. >point is, it takes a lot of restraint to have to walk past that monster and not instantly smash her skull in
  576. >a good reason not for doing that besides your own ass was the fact that the poor colt who was currently shivering under one of your wings had seen enough violence in a lifetime
  577. >and for the most part as his guard you were to be with him 24/7
  578. >sometimes you wondered if Princess Luna did this on purpose so you wouldn’t have an opportunity to shove your pike so far up her ass that her it came out through her mouth
  579. >you turn your thoughts back to Anon
  580. >he’s still shivering and seemingly refused to respond to any of your questions
  581. >not that you can blame him
  582. >seeing the solar whore would do that to anyfoal with first hand experience
  583. >though you wondered where the court necromancer fit in
  584. Hey buddy you ok.
  585. >you feel some stirring under your wing as he looks up at you with watering eyes which never fail to break your heart into pieces
  586. >”Uh huh.”
  587. >he’s lying but going deeper would just hurt him further
  588. >you pull him closer as you take him to his bathroom to wash up
  589. >poor guy had sweat up a storm
  590. >you decide to change the subject
  591. You think you can finish your meal today?
  592. >you can’t see him wrapped under your wing but you can feel him nod
  593. You sure, because it’s totally ok if you think you can’t
  594. >he stops with a pout
  595. >”Aunt Luna says I should eat all my food so I can grow big and strong.”
  596. >your
  597. >fucking
  598. >heart
  599. And why are you so eager to get big huh? I think you’re pretty good at this size.
  600. >you weren’t expecting what you got
  601. >you’d expect some anger, or combativeness or declarations
  602. >after all the purpose was to tease him in a way that would make him act cuter
  603. >”It’s-it’s so nopony can hurt me. If I’m big like you, or Uncle Shining or Aunt Luna. Then ponies like mom can’t hurt me.”
  604. >you internally facehoof, you should have known that would be the reason
  605. >you turn around to face him, lifting his chin up with one of your forehooves as gently as possible
  606. >you put your forehoof over his shoulder
  607. Listen Anon, I promise with all my heart that as long as I live I will do the best I can to protect you.
  608. >he buries his face in your exposed tuft
  609. >he mumbles out
  610. >”But what if you die.”
  611. Then Aunt Luna will protect you
  612. >”W-what if Aunt Luna dies?”
  613. >you wanted to tell him she couldn’t die
  614. >that she was invincible and would exist as long as the moon remained in the sky
  615. >oh how nice it would be to tell him that
  616. >some of the most comforting things in the world were lies
  617. >but that’s all they were
  618. >lies
  619. >you may not have been the element of honesty but you knew you had to tell anon the truth
  620. I-I don’t know
  621. >all you can do is hug him tighter for a couple more minutes
  622. >luckily you paused right in front of the bathroom door
  623. >you wipe the tears off his face with a wing ignoring your own
  624. “Alright, let’s get you clean.”
  625. >you open the door which he slowly shuffles into
  626. >”Miss Flight?”
  627. Yeah buddy?
  628. >”Can you come inside with me.. I don’t wanna be alone.”
  629. >you laugh softly at his innocent politeness
  630. >”Well if you say it like that.”
  631. >you oblige his request as you close the door behind him

Setting Sun, Rising Moon

by Vestal

Bilunar System (Ongoing)

by Vestal