Nightmare Moon was not destroyed by the Elements of Harmony. She was merely exorcised from Luna. She still lurks in the dark recesses of Everfree Castle.

According to legend, a dark colored alicorn haunts Everfree Castle. If you go there as the sun rises and sets, you'll find her, Nightmare Moon.

The dark mare, that nearly brought unending night to Equestria and was defeated by Princess Twilight Sparkle and the other Elements of Harmony, was reduced to stalking the dark hallways of a crumbling castle.

The spirit waited for the night that her former host would return. She knew that Luna would not allow her to take over again.

"She won't even let me in." She spoke. "Not that I blame her." The spectral mare frowned. Celestia didn't understand. How could she? Luna wanted to be acknowledged, loved, cared for.

Celestia had all of that. She had the public's attention and adoration. They cared for the Princess of the Sun.

Luna, on the other hoof, was forgotten and ignored. She had developed Nightmare Moon to cope with the loneliness. Even though she was just a voice, it was someone to talk to.

"Luna, my dear, all I did, I did for you." Nightmare Moon watched the moon rise. "All I wanted was to make you happy."

"Liar, you refused lower the moon because you wanted unending night." She heard her lighter half said.

Nightmare Moon spun around. "Luna, if I hadn't done tha-"

"We wouldn't have been on the moon for a thousand years!" Luna snapped.

Nightmare Moon was silent. She walked forward to the smaller alicorn. "You wouldn't have friends either. You would still be so jealous of Celestia. You would still be ignored by nearly all."

Luna stepped back. She knew Nightmare Moon was right.

"All's well that ends well, Luna." Nightmare Moon stopped.

"We could've killed them all." She whispered. "Plants need sunlight to live."

Nightmare Moon said nothing.

"I hate you." Luna said.

The darker alicorn's magic twitched. While she expected it, the declaration hurt. "You created me, Luna." She reminded.

Luna glared at her.

The dark mare nuzzled her.

Luna drew away. "I was lonely."

"I was there for you when no one else was." Nightmare Moon said.

"I'm not lonely anymore." Luna said. "I don't need you."

Nightmare Moon frowned. Luna was right. Luna's loneliness had been her reason for existing before revenge.

She turned and walked away. "You did a wonderful job on the stars." She looked up.

Luna watched her darker half walk away. She wanted to say something. Instead she took off. She didn't look back to see the other alicorn collapse.

'Next dawn, she won't have to worry about me.' Nightmare Moon thought. 'I just wanted to know.'

* * Later * *

Celestia felt the dawn rise easier over Everfree Castle as did Luna.

The younger said nothing as she walked off. Despite the image she gave, she would mourn the dark alicorn. What Nightmare Moon had said was true. She had been there for Luna in her darkest hours.

That wasn't something one could brush aside all that easily.