(WARNING SERIOUS BAD VIBES AHEAD)

>you remember when mommy used to love you
>or maybe you had a different mommy
>you weren’t really sure
>it was so long ago to your small child brain
>in your mind there  are flashes of a white mare with a rainbow mane playing with you as a baby
>she seemed gentle and kind
>not like your mom, if she even let you call her that
>last time you did she hit you in the face and threatened you
>before walking off laughing
>at least she didn’t burn you like she did when she was really mad
>as several burn marks attest to
>but it’s ok, the maids are nice to you!
>though they don’t last long
>so you still wanted that first mommy back
>you’re pretty young but you don’t 
>anyways right now your mom is gone, thankfully and you’ve “snuck” into the library to read some daring do
>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
>sometimes he wasn’t nice to grown up ponies but he was always seem nice to foals and whatever you were
>he taught you how to read Unicornian and showed you all kinds of cool books
>he was also the one pony who was nice to you who mom didn’t get rid of
>something about him being super necessary to her regime
>you hated the regime, besides Skull whisper and occasionally the maids, they were cool
>as you continue to the part where Daring kicks the Azhiuotl in the face you notice something outside the window
>at first that’s a loud zapping sound, something you are unfortunately used to
>then the sky starts to go from reddish orange to blue, and it keeps getting bluer
>Skull Whisper told you the sky used to be blue
>you also vaguely remember another blue pony who was nice to you
>so blue was your favorite color
>but it didn’t stop
>it was getting darker
>and darker
>in fact it was darker than you ever remember seeing it outside
>you start to hear gasps
>then you hear ponies cheering as guards scream
>you’d be worried but the sight in front  of you is too astonishing
>as the sky reaches an almost blue black a huge white ball comes up 
>it’s more beautiful than anything you ever seen in your life
>but it gets better! 
>there’s a slight twinkling in the sky 
>and then the twinkling is stronger
>the sky is filled with lights
>not just one big light
>a bunch of them
>you think you remember one of the maids talking about them
>stars or something
>you drop your book on the floor for once unconcerned about your mother’s punishment 
>they’re just too beautiful not to
>it’s cool too!
>but not dank! 
>nice and cool!
>the sound of fighting is gone, you hear cheering
>a knock on the door
>not just a knock
>you instinctively catch your breath and lean against the wall in fear of what awaits you
>you aren't supposed to be here
>you especially aren't supposed to be reading Daring Do
>and whenever your mom did something big or lost she always came back madder than usual
>you back up further than you ever thought you could onto the stone wall as you prepare for the worst
>but instead of mom and a batallion of pegasi in red armor
>there's a darker though less menacing Alicorn surrounded by Batponies in blue armor
>her face is serious but doesn't bare the book of malice your mother did
>she says something to the guards as they begin to check the room
>then she looks at you with her big blue eyes
>and she smiles
>a smile that oddly enough puts you at ease
>she's crying?
>"ANONYMOUS HOW WE HAVE MISSED THEE DEARLY!"
>before you can move she's lunging at you causing you to squeak in fear
>she wraps her forehooves around you
>you prepare for the worst
>but the worst never comes
>she just sits there sobbing over you as her head and starry mane brush against your face
>"We art so happy thou art alive, our dearest Nightsong."
>your blood freezes in a good way
>you remember that name
>this is the other Alicorn
>not your mommy but still
>you hug her back and cry unused to this level of love and concern
>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
>you cry into her tuft as she makes shushing noises along with promises that it's all over
>it feels like hours
>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
>they were equally tear stained
>you heard more hoofsteps as the bat guards started to look nervous
>a smaller white Alicorn with a pink mane came out
>the guards instinctively jerked away from her but you weren't sure why, she didn't look mean
>she looked sad
>maybe she needed a hug too?
>you turn to look at her closer but when she locks eyes with you she flinches and backs away
>your mom must have really hurt her if she was afraid of you of all creatures
>you understood that with other foals
>but she seemed like a grown up or at least a teen
>though alicorns were bigger so maybe she was a foal
>maybe she was the big blue one's daughter
>you feel a wing gently stroke your face
>you look back to the blue Alicorn who is now beaming at you
>"Come nephew we have much to take care of."
>she was your aunt
>your mom said lots of bad things about your aunt Luna
>but then again you didn't put much stake in her word anyways 
>so that means the white Alicorn is probably your new cousin!
>maybe you'll get to live with your aunt now!
>you have only one thought as you walk underneath your aunt's wing pressed against her soft body
>this is the best day... no best night ever!
>"Auntie Luna, ca-can, can we get some food.. please?"
>your stomach growls
>she looks at you
>you flinch
>normally your mom would chastise or mock you for such a request
>"Of course dear, if thy stomach tis as hungry as it sounds we must get you fed post haste!"
>she's smiling
>it's a nice smile
>the kind only Skull Whisper  gave you
>but without as much sadness
>you've only really known her for 20 minutes but you already love your auntie Luna a lot
>"Guards! Continue thine securing of the castle! We must attend to our nephew's stomach at the moment."
>you've heard your mom give commands but this is less yelling at and more shouting towards
>you don't really know what that means but it seems nicer
>one guard comes up, it's a stallion and a big one too
>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
>plus he also looks afraid
>you realized that you looked weird but you had a hard time thinking you were that scary
>"Princess, what about.. Celestia?"
>you heard that name before
>Mom didn't like ponies saying it almost as much as she didn't like other ponies saying Luna
>your Aunt's happy face turns to a frown
>you know what happens when your mom frowns at guards and close your eyes
>instead of a gory inferno she sighs
>"Princess Celestia is in no state to challenge us, nor does she have any desire to."
>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
>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
>all while the happy cheers and shouts of ponies fill the streets of Canterlot

>you are Celestia
>no
>you aren’t
>not anymore
>you were Celestia
>but you aren’t anymore
>you don’t deserve that name
>you are a monster and all you deserve is the worst form of death imaginable
>you just want to crawl into a hole and die but you doubt there’s a hole in tartarus deep enough for your crimes
>you betrayed your ponies
>and enjoyed it
>you enjoyed hurting them
>you enjoyed crushing their hopes
>showing them just how dependent on you they truly were
>you killed most of the elements
>you killed half the team you set up!
>you killed Twilight!
>the mare you practically raised slowly in cold blood
>all while she tried to talk to the good still in you
>she failed
>on a more important note, though it is selfish
>you hurt your sunshine
>and you didn’t care
>and you kept on hurting him
>to the point of tears!
>over and over again
>physically and emotionally
>any attempt at him reaching out was callously rebuked
>HE ‘S AT MOST 7 AND NOW HE’S PROBABLY TRAUMATIZED FOR LIFE
>and you’ve only felt horrible for it for around hour after being forced to!
>all because of frustration at their supposed ‘pathetic dependence’ and lingering thoughts of your divine right
>how can your face your subjects
>how can you make it up to Anon when you’ve been everything a mother shouldn’t be?
>you were supposed to give him comfort and you gave him fear!
>you were supposed to give him safety and you gave him pain!
>love instead of cruelty!
>security instead of attacks!
> you literally went back on every promise you made to him when you first found him
>by the maker you want to die
>you are followed by a silent cadre of Luna’s guards
>they aren’t corralling you… yet but they follow you
>silently they stalk through the halls as you wander aimlessly through the twisting hallway, trying to avoid the boy whose life you’ve ruined
>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
>you don’t blame them
>in fact if you had your way you would have had them kill you instantly
>that way you’d never have to face anon
>if the religions of the older times are right you clearly are going to two very separate places
>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
>you stop as the heaving sobs take you
>the clanking of arms stop as the guards follow suit
I’m hic.. so sorry Sunshine..
>your eyes shut with tears as your pink mane hangs limply over your face
Mommy is so sorry
>you let him down
>you boldly rush towards one of the balconies making a break for it before the guards can stop you
>normally such a fall would merely hurt but in a weakened state it would kill you
>the guards are too slow as you feel the cold night air and look upon the moon for the first time in years
>it’s light filtering through your tears
>you pause for a second and look at the drop
>it’s a common idea that suicides don’t go to Elysium
>luckily that wasn’t an issue for you at the moment
>with a last flap of your wings you leap and fling yourself off the castle balcony
>finally
>though it will never make up for what you did
>it will at least give hope to many ponies out there
>then you feel tingling
>you’re being picked up
>NO NO FAUST DAMN It!
>WHY?
>you struggle as you try to break free but this time your weakness goes against you
>as you’re roughly plopped onto the stone balcony you stare at Luna’s guards
>picking out the two dark grey Unicorn mares who saved your wretched life
Why? Why did you save me?
>the one to the right looks at you stoically
>”Princess Luna’s orders.”
>you aren’t sure whether to laugh or cry
>so you do both


>you are Anon
>this night got better
>the medical check up wasn’t very fun
>there weren’t any needles but there was all sorts of weird things touching you and, staying still and cold stuff
>your Aunt Luna started crying and almost left the room
>but a bat pony hugged her
>then she hugged you
>she said she had to make sure you were healthy
>on the way to the kitchen you saw that white Alicorn again
>she looked even sadder
>you tried to walk towards her and tell her it’s ok
>but she just started crying more and ran away again
>you asked Aunt Luna and she just said, “She has a lot she needs to work through right now.”
>you had no idea what that meant but you hoped she got better
>anyways back to the present, you’re in the kitchen
>and this time you aren’t being used as entertainment
>you didn’t like being called a freak
>especially by your mom
>Aunt Luna had this Griffon chef make you all kinds of good food!
>you don’t even think you had seen all these kinds of food before
>he seemed to glare at everyone besides you and Aunt Luna but you were used to glaring
>he even made Ice Cream!
>you never had Ice Cream before!
>as you shove your 3rd bite of rocky road into your mouth Aunt Luna puts a gentle hoof to your back
>”Now, now dear Nightsong, thou may wish to slow down. If thou eat too fast you may well get a belly ache.”
>you graciously slowed down
>you didn’t want her to stop treating you nicely
>you couldn’t stand to lose this
Ok Auntie!
>you wipe your face and hug your little body into her tuft
>you hadn’t had many hugs before you met her but you were pretty sure you were hooked!
>she seemed hooked too
>truth be told the food was nice but the hugs were so much better
>you just hoped she’d let you hug her like this for a bit longer
“Auntie Luna?”
>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
>”Yes nephew?”
Why is my cousin so sad?
>Luna’s face deflates a bit as she lowers her head to meet you at eye level 
>”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.”
>you squint an eye
>you didn’t know they were your cousins
>Cadenza was on life support after protecting the Crystal empire
>you met Blueblood once after he ran away
>he tried to kill you
>but he kept apologizing and saying it was for your sake
>you still don’t like him
“No, Auntie not them… your daughter.”
>Aunt Luna lifts her muzzle which scrunches in confusion
>”Anon, we do not have a daughter.”
So Celestia isn’t my cousin?
>you felt a bit sad
>it would be nice to have even more family who were up and walking
>the color drains from Luna’s face as her gaze begins to pierce into your soul
>it wasn’t the angry look your mother or the nobles gave you
>more the “what is that?” look given by ponies who haven’t met you before
>but somehow even more intense
>it was starting to make you uncomfortable
Aunt Luna?
>”No one hath told him.”
>it was a whisper
Aunt luna?
>she shakes her head letting her mane go all over the room
>”Sorry dearest, but the situation with Celestia tis, complicated… and should be better explain to you by her rather than us.”
>it’s complicated
>an involuntary pout and sigh
>Skull Whisper and the maids would always say it was complicated whenever you asked too much
>speaking of Skull Whisper you hope he was doing ok
>your aunt gives a forced smile
>”Nightsong, I notice thou hast not finished thy sundae, mayhaps tis not to thy liking?”
>you shake your head and continue eating as Luna stretches a wing over you
>even though you can only catch glances of her as you dig into the ice cream
>it is clear that she is no longer smiling

A few days later
>you are Luna
>Celestia still hasn't gotten the courage to face anon
>you are looking in the mirror
>it’s so odd to have everyone from the nobility to the common ponies in Appleloosa fawning over you
>it felt even weirder that they were ostracizing your sister
>once you would have wanted this
>to be the center of attention
>to have your sister be the outcast
>but not after this
>not after all this damage, all those lives, all those tortured
>somedays you find it hard to forgive your sister seeing what she had wrought upon her…
>your country
>even though the only difference between her lapse and yours was luck and power
>you have no idea if a world ruled by Nightmare Moon would be just as bad or worse
>and after this every night you thank your sister for defeating you
>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
>as if to give yourself a ‘reality check’
>the sound of a Unicorn’s telekinesis interrupts your brooding
> “Your highness .. sorry to interrupt your privacy, but may I speak with you for a moment.”
>you sigh as you run your hoof down the mirror
Tis fine miss inkwell, tis fine
>you watch her from the mirror as she trots in head held low
>the fact she survived all these years surprised you especially with the purge of Celestia’s old court
>she even became a minor resistance leader
>not bad for someone with a cutie mark in office work
Tell us, lady Inkwell what troubles thee?
>she looks around awkwardly
>”Well your Highness.. it’s about Celestia.”
>you expected as much
>despite the weak smiles she gave you, you could tell that internally she was miserable and it tore at your heart
>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
> ‘Why shouldn’t the monster be miserable?’
>you silence the voice in your head
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!
>Raven looks down, the air gets tenser
>”Actually your Highness… I have to say I agree with them.”
>you freeze
>for as long as you’ve known Raven she has always been utterly loyal to Celestia
>this is shocking
And why is that?
>your tone gets slightly more aggressive
>”Well… your highness.. after what she,”
What Daybreaker!
>you can’t help but interrupt
>”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.”
>you snort in a bit of anger at the gaul and hypocrisy of her actions
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?
>Raven kicks the non existent dust with her hoof looking down
>”nightmare moon wasn’t a monster.”
>her words are quiet but you still hear them as clear as a full moon on a cloudless night
What was that?
>you wish to make sure you heard her right
>”I said Nightmare Moon wasn’t a monster.”
And what makes thee say that? Lady Inkwell thou dost not need flatter me.
>”I’m not saying it to flatter you, I’m saying it because it’s true.”
We hardly would call one who wished to plunge the world into night eternal a good mare.
>”No you’re absolutely right, Nightmare Moon wasn’t a good mare in any sense of the word, but she was not a monster.”
>you freeze
>that is something you never heard before
>”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.”
Lady Inkwell.. Nightmare Moon twas my very darkness manifest, she was not a mere warlord,
>”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.”
Those actions were not out of kindness Miss Inkwell.. twas always a selfish reason for all her actions.
>”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!”
>the last one causes you to shiver
>you’ve seen the marks on your beloved Nephew
>you are aware of the way he is only recently beginning to not shy away from your affection
Different circumstances bring out different evils.. Lady Inkwell.
>”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!”
>she’s crying now
That is enough miss Inkwell
>she’s too deep into her own anger and sorrow
>”There was no catalyst! She had no reason!? She just did it!? I loved her almost as much as you and anon did!”
>loved
>past tense, very clear
>”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!”
>your rage builds both at her and at yourself for agreeing
DO YOU WISH TO HAVE HER BEHEADED AS DOES GOLDEN LEDGER? SHE IS OUR SISTER AND WE WILL NOT PUNISH HER ENOUGH!
>Raven shrinks back from the outburst before catching her voice
>”No, I don’t want her dead.. she needs to be institutionalized… depowered and monitored.”
Miss Inkwell.
>”Please your Highness, for her sake at least, consider it?”
Miss Inkwell you are dismissed
>she freezes, bows and leaves as your focus returns to the mirror and your sobbing reflection
>you aren’t sure what hurt worse
>Raven turning on her, the fact you understood why or the fact that you almost agreed
>’She was right you know.”
>you know that voice
>it’s her voice
>it’s her in the mirror
>her slit pupils locked on yours
>her fanged grin mocking yours
What are you doing here vile creature?
>’Vile, is that how you treat the one who made you strong enough to best her?’
>you snort in derision
Why would we wish to defeat her, if we it meant we would be no better than her?
>now it is Nightmare’s time for rage
>’DO NOT COMPARE US!’
>you pause
>not due to anger but this is an emotion you have barely seen on her since you returned
>one of righteous indignation and disgust
>’Do you truly think I would engage in acts solely for the sake of petty sadism?”
>no.. you didn’t
>no.. you didn’t
>’Do you think I’d wish to rule a smoldering ember instead of create a prospering empire?’
>no…
>’Most importantly do you think I would harm our Nightsong the way she has?’
>her voice has more venom than usual on that last accusation
>you almost detect a hint of guilt
>granted not the “I’m sorry for what I did” kind of guilt
>that was anathema to her
>more of the “I’m sorry for what I couldn’t stop.” Kind of guilt
>’If I were there as she spoke of torturing him, I would rip out her spine! Instead of useless attempts at diplomacy!’
You merely wish to rule.
‘Yes but more than that I wish to protect him!’
>she’s right
>she has a point
>Nightmare Moon has a point?
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?
>’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?!’
We have made extensive repairs and reparations for the country out of our pocket. The wounds though present are slowly beginning to heal.
>’Yet their tormentor still wears a crown.’
If this a ploy to take over once more! Thou may forget it!
>’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.’
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
>’On the river styx’
>as much as you hated her Nightmare was never a liar
>in fact the element of honesty was the last one to leave as you succumbed to darkness
>true she left things out, and used exact phrasing to the fullest extent possible but she never lied.
>’So do you except? If not take your time, the offer is open as long as Celestia goes unpunished’
>you stand in front of the mirror as she fades
>it takes quite a bit of effort not to agree
>you wouldn’t hurt Tia like that again… would you?
>would you?

>you were Celestia
>you had once again hurt your son
>all because you were too much of a coward to face up to what you have done
>even after your purification you are still destined to be a figure of fear and pain to your little boy
>your perfect little boy who despite all that you did to him still remained so Harmony damn kind!
>you wanted to chalk up his not knowing your true identity
>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
>but that’s not true, you let the monster in
>why? A couple bad dreams? A bit of frustration? Boredom? 
>Luna dealt with so much worse and she never once sank to your level
>what you feared most though was not your son’s scorn but his forgiveness
>his scorn would break your heart but his forgiveness would kill you
>and being the boy who attempted to give the sad, lonely Alicorn the muffin which you caused him to drop
>you realize that he eventually will
>you slam your face against the cobble and weep
>letting a sleep overtake you that hopefully you will not wake up from
>your choked breaths cutting off the oxygen flow to your brain as you pass out
>darkness
>darkness
>darkness
>light
>dim light but light nonetheless
>you’re surrounded by blackness illuminated by dim blue torches
>your body on a carpet of cold stones that are equally black
>did you die?
>is this Tartarus?
>you try and shift your weight but you are bound to the floor
>as your awareness sharpens you feel they are bound in biting chains
>there’s a groan
>you look to the left
>and then the right
>attached to your very body is Daybreaker’s head sleeping
>clearly in an equal state of discomfort
>you are not sure whether you want to vomit or scream
>neither comes out
>in fact you aren’t even sure if you can speak
>clop
>clop
>clop
>hoofsteps begin to come from the nearby fog bank
>though the darkness and mist obscures the form so that all you can tell is that your tormentor will be a hoofed quadraped
>the other head comes and begins to growl
>two glowing blue eyes shine forth from the abyss
>it can’t be
>ohnonohnonononono
>you feel your heart jump into your throat 
>with one last clop a black hoof covered in blue armor hits the stone floor as the mist clears
>standing before you is Nightmare Moon
>’I’LL KILL YOU. YOU PATHETIC FOAL!’
>Daybreaker’s scream is cut off as a blast from Nightmare’s horn shackles her muzzle
>you feel your throat open up
>”Somehow sister I doubt you can.”
>you grimace and steel your nerve
>you deserve this
Are you the one who will be tormenting me?
>”Tormenting?”
>Nightmare looks confused before making a small chuckle
>”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.”
>you keep your gaze determined though you fail to meet her eyes
About what? 
>”About your current situation and how I might… help you plot a course for the future.”
You want me to give in… don’t you… so I’ll be like you?
>that struck a nerve
>Nightmare looks like she’s about to scream before composing herself 
>”Hardly. In fact to prove my point how about I let your other half speak.”
>Celestia felt her mouth once again clench as Daybreaker began to scream anew
>’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.’
>Nightmare shook her head 
>”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.”
>your thoughts drown out Daybreaker’s increasingly panicked ravings and bluffs
>as much as you prided yourself on your intellect Luna was the true intellectual force to be reckoned with
>almost a quarter of the spells in the royal archive were invented by her
>it was her idea to found the School for gifted Unicorns
>she was the brains all you did was execute them
>even as Nightmare Moon she was intelligent 
>when she banished to the moon, rather than ranting and raging she was figuring out how to make her escape
>and more importantly how to beat you
>when a reconnaissance team of astral projectors was sent to look for any further remains
>what they found was shocking
>craters whose walls were packed with equations
>scale model battleplans
>star charts that took up entire lunar plains
>and this is while she was in agony and despair in a weakened state
>it’s how in that same weakened state she managed to beat you
>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
>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 
>”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.”
>she dug her hoof into some black rocks which instantly faded into smoke
>”Though to be fair you always were the lucky one. It’s a shame your luck went out.”
>your throat opens again 
>you breath in the cold air as Daybreaker thrashes around in a mix of rage and fear
So, Nightmare Moon. You clearly have me beat, what is it you want?
>her response is immediate
>”I want to make sure you’re in no position to hurt Anon or Luna ever again.”
>Luna
>she said Luna
>she was a separate entity
>she was manifesting again
>this wasn’t in your mind
>this was her
W-what do you want me to do?
>”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.”
What if I relapse.. into her?
>you turn your muzzle to face Daybreaker who is now making a futile effort to scream
>”Because on the off chance that happened, even poor little sentimental Luna can and will squash you like a bug.”
>a mass of dark smoke whirls forth and begins to take form
>”Just to give further incentive I have someone who has a couple words for you.”
>the smoke continues to coalesce as it takes on a small bipedal form
>two white lights open up in place of eyes as a second gash of brightness forms a scar
>it’s anon
>no
>you’ve kept a straight face for so long but this is too much 
>the floodgates open as cries of anguish and grief escape  your moth
>your eyes reflexively shut
I’m sorry sunshine I’m so sorry.. Mommy is so sorry
>by the time you open them he’s there fully formed and looking at you with an expression of pure contempt
>”Oh yeah! If you’re sorry why did you keep hurting me huh? Why were you never nice to me?”
I’m sorry.. I love you
>that’s all you can say
>he snorts
>”I don’t love you! You’re a bad pony and you aren’t my mommy!”
>he stomps over to Daybreaker who looks at him with scorn
>clearly trying to intimidate him
>”And I’m not afraid of you anymore!”
>he kicks her in the face
>it doesn’t hurt much but the gesture remains all the same
>and then once his foot is returned firmly beneath his torso
>his body once again fades into the same black mist which fills your prison
>”Just thought that might sway you.”
>you cry
>you cry for what feels like an eternity as Daybreaker continually rages
>you hate yourself
>you didn’t think any creature was capable of the hate you felt towards yourself
>when you wake up in your room, tucked in no doubt by Luna herself your cheeks are wet
>no doubt stained by a night of tears

>You are evening flight
>you are a bat pony and like most bat ponies in Canterlot at the moment you are a member of the Lunar Guard
>Prefect specifically under the command of Legate Moonlit Banner
>more importantly you are assigned to guard Prince Anonymous, Nephew to Princess Luna
>this was of course fine with you
>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
>for most of your career you rationalized it as you protecting Equestria’s children from threats
>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
>kept on gloating about how you were cursed not to be able to appreciate her beauty as she burned home and public infrastructure alike
>you hated that bitch and when you found out the way she treated her son
>potentially one of the sweetest colts you met despite him not technically being a colt
>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)
>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.
>in which the Erinyes would hopefully torture her for all eternity or at least in some measure of geologic time
>point is, it takes a lot of restraint to have to walk past that monster and not instantly smash her skull in
>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
>and for the most part as his guard you were to be with him 24/7
>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
>you turn your thoughts  back to Anon
>he’s still shivering and seemingly refused to respond to any of your questions
>not that you can blame him
>seeing the solar whore would do that to anyfoal  with first hand experience 
>though you wondered where the court necromancer fit in 
Hey buddy you ok.
>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
>”Uh huh.”
>he’s lying but going deeper would just hurt him further
>you pull him closer as you take him to his bathroom to wash up
>poor guy had sweat up a storm
>you decide to change the subject
You think you can finish your meal today?
>you can’t see him wrapped under your wing but you can feel him nod
You sure, because it’s totally ok if you think you can’t
>he stops with a pout
>”Aunt Luna says I should eat all my food so I can grow big and strong.”
>your
>fucking 
>heart
And why are you so eager to get big huh? I think you’re pretty good at this size.
>you weren’t expecting what you got
>you’d expect some anger, or combativeness or declarations
>after all the purpose was to tease him in a way that would make him act cuter
>”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.”
>you internally facehoof, you should have known that would be the reason
>you turn around to face him, lifting his chin up with one of your forehooves as gently as possible
>you put your forehoof over his shoulder
Listen Anon, I promise with all my heart that as long as I live I will do the best I can to protect you.
>he buries his face in your exposed tuft
>he mumbles out
>”But what if you die.”
Then Aunt Luna will protect you
>”W-what if Aunt Luna dies?”
>you wanted to tell him she couldn’t die
>that she was invincible and would exist as long as the moon remained in the sky
>oh how nice it would be to tell him that
>some of the most comforting things in the world were lies
>but that’s all they were
>lies
>you may not have been the element of honesty but you knew you had to tell anon the truth
I-I don’t know
>all you can do is hug him tighter for a couple more minutes 
>luckily you paused right in front of the bathroom door
>you wipe the tears off his face with a wing ignoring your own
“Alright, let’s get you clean.”
>you open the door which he slowly shuffles into
>”Miss Flight?”
Yeah buddy?
>”Can you come inside with me.. I don’t wanna be alone.”
>you laugh softly at his innocent politeness
>”Well if you say it like that.”
>you oblige his request as you close the door behind him