Alrighty, you guys have spoken. You want a Part 2. Thankfully I thought up an idea while writing the first part. Hope you guys enjoy!

Beginning of Season 1, this is PART TWO of the story just before this!

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Word Count: 2300+

I stared up at the moon, just like I had done for a thousand years. Nestled away in the moon was the shadow of the fallen prince of the night. It never changed ever since that day. It was there merely as a reminder of my lost love, that I could've done something to stop it.

It had all happened so fast that I couldn't think of a reasonable solution. What was I meant to do? Should I have been on Solaris' side for the sake of Equestria's safety? Or, should I have helped Artemis in an attempt to talk him out of it before he could've been blasted to the moon? By the time I was able to process the disaster, it was all too late.

"We must be on our way, princess." I heard Solaris' voice resonate behind me.

I looked towards the source of the voice and gave him a sad smile. He seemed to have understood the feeling. The both of us carried a weight on our back after that day. After some time, it had carried onto the plans of marriage. Planning the wedding begun getting postponed by weeks, then months, then years. Not a single one of us had attempted to move through with the plans. To me, that was fine. I couldn't bear the thought of marrying the stallion who had, unintentionally, brought the downfall of Artemis.

I don't think Solaris was ready, either. I was certain he was still mourning over the loss. As he raised the moon, I could see him staring at it in a pained expression. Sometimes, he'd even spend restless nights, staring up at the moon.

I walked towards Solaris, following him to the carriage that'd be taking us to Ponyville. I wasn't sure why we were going to such a little town when the ceremony was usually done in Canterlot. It was a good central city perfect for tourism. My best guess was that this was our destination because Dusk Shine was sent there on some sort of mission.

The journey wasn't long thankfully. We arrived in ample time, and found ourselves getting ready for the ceremony. There wasn't much to get ready for except to make sure Solaris' speech was ready to go.

I could already hear the mayor of the town announcing the event. I noticed Solaris' attention being focused on a window that perfectly framed the moon. When I looked for myself, I saw the stars gather towards the moon. I now understood the fear in Solaris' eyes. Was this the prophecy?

The laugh of a dark stallion sounded through the room. "Solaris!" He yelled, catching our attention. "I've come to take what is rightfully mine!" In an instant, I felt a binding magic overtake my ability to move, and I could tell it was quick to envelop Solaris as well.

"You won't get away with this!" Solaris grunted against the binds.

"Oh, I can. And, I will." Nightterror Nebula said before directing his words towards me. "I've become more powerful than you could ever imagine. I did this all for you, my love. We'll be together like we've always wanted!"

"Artemis..." I shakily breathed out.

His smile dropped at the mention of his former name. "I am not Artemis!" He snarled, but his voice turned sweet through his next words, "You'll come to love the new me. Until then, I need you stay out of this battle. I'll come back for you once I've secured my victory."

He nuzzled his cheek against my own. I hadn't felt this in so long, but the harsh metal of his armor was a cold reminder that this wasn't my Artemis. This was a stallion who had been hurt over and over again and let himself get consumed by jealousy and resentment.

When Nightteror backed away, a shadow swirled around Solaris and I. We were forced into the shadows of the room now that we were freed from the binds of his magic.

Nightterror turned into a wisp and left the room. Once I was sure he was out, I made an attempt to step out of the shadows only to hiss in pain. Whatever we were trapped in, it did a good job keeping us in. "Solaris, where are we?"

"Some sort of shadow realm..." Solaris hummed, observing the surroundings. I watched him attempt to cast a spell only for it to be put out like a flame by the darkness. "Let's go. We have better luck finding out how to get out if we explore a bit. I fear, however, that this may only be resolved with the help of Dusk Shine and his friends. Let's just hope he'll pull through."

Hesitantly, I followed along, careful to stay within the shadows. Everything felt normal except for how dark everything looked from within the barrier. When we finally made it to the more public area where everypony was gathered, no one seemed to have taken notice that their lost prince was right in front of them. "Can they not see us?"

"It doesn't look like they do." Solaris sighed. He frowned at the sight of Nightteror Nebula striking fear into the ponies. "Let's keep going. No point in standing around."

I watched the stallion laugh in complete madness then turn into a wisp once more.

Knock, knock, knock.

"Who's there?" I called out as I got ready for bed. I wasn't certain who would be out in this wing of the castle so late. There was some sort of ceremony going on tonight, so the only ponies who should be out were probably the guards. Even so, there'd be no reason for one of them to come for me.

"A-Artemis..." I heard from the other side of the door. Hearing his familiar voice, but in such a scared, broken tone... It was heartbreaking.

I rushed to open the doors. "Artemis, what happened?" I asked as he walked in wearily.

"I... I can't take this anymore! No pony appreciates the night! No pony appreciates me!" He cried out.

I frowned, closing the doors behind him. "I appreciate you, my love..." I muttered, nuzzling my cheek against his with affection.

"I-I know... Knowing I have you is the only thing keeping me from losing my sanity..." He leaned into my touch. "It just hurts... W-Why should Solaris get all the recognition?"

I covered Artemis with my wings as if it'd shield him from everything that dared hurt him. "The night is beautiful, and I know you work hard to give everyone this beauty. You may not see it, but everypony adores the peace and the beauty of night."

"Thank you..." He whispered softly.

"Of course. Anything for you, my star."

"I'm sorry for taking him from you." He sighed, "It was my only choice at the time. Now it seems that my ignorance has cost us the safety of Equestria."

"It's okay. You've taught Dusk Shine well. Equestria will be okay." I assured him and myself. With Nightterror's new found strength, I couldn't help but to imagine the worst of this scenario.

"I sense fear in you." He said as if he read my mind.

"I just don't want him to be taken away again..." I admitted. "I don't think I can spend another thousand years of his banishment..."

Solaris stopped in his place. We were near the outskirts of the Everfree forest. "You love him, don't you? As lovers, I mean."

My ears flattened back and I attempted to stutter out some sort of response. What were you meant to say when your fiance of more than a thousand years asked you that?

"I understand. You're good for him. You always have been." He said then sent me a playful smile, "Besides, after all these years, I think of you more as a sister."

My eyes lit up. What did all of this mean? "Then what do we do about our engagement?"

"Consider it called off." He pat my head with his wing. "You'll be reunited with Artemis no matter how long it takes."

"Thank you... I really do hope so..."

"Do you think we'll ever be able to be together without it being a secret?" Artemis muttered while I brushed his tail. He was laying down on his plush bed, relishing in all the affection I was giving him.

"One day." I hummed. I truly believed that in my heart. No matter the circumstances, I'd find a way to be there for him.

Artemis remained silent for a moment as if in thought. "Come here." He finally said, patting the bed next to him with his wing. I obliged and nestled myself right up to him. He laid his wing on top of me then continued to speak, "Do you see that star up there?"

I tilted my head, trying to find a distinct star to focus on. "Which one?"

His horn glowed with magic and a star gave an extra twinkle. "That one."

"I see it." I breathed.

"That's our star. No matter what, that star will be there to remind you of how much I love you."

I turned to look at Artemis. For once this week, he looked genuinely at peace. The view of the sky, the softness of his bed, and the warmth of his body all combined into such a calming night.

"We're almost at the abandoned castle." Solaris said. When I looked, the ruins of the castle that held memories of Nightteror Nebula's defeat was in sight. I was hopeful that maybe we'd get there before Dusk Shine and his friends got there. Maybe I could've talked some sense into him. There was no telling what would happen if the elements of harmony were wielded against him once again.

We continued walking in silence until there was a crash and then a huge burst of light coming from the castle. "Artemis!" I cried out, tears already overwhelming my vision. "He can't be gone!"

Solaris stopped me from galloping away out of the shadows that no longer held us captive. "Go back to Canterlot. I'll see what happened." He said calmly, touching his horn on mine. A glow of magic spread around us. Once the glow had faded away, I realized I was on the balcony of my room in Canterlot.

I searched the night sky while it still lingered. The moon didn't have the shadow of Nightterror Nebula. Then, a star- our star twinkled brightly. Does this mean... Artemis is okay? Before I could search for more signs, the sun had risen just like intended.

I turned around into my room and out into the hallway. I had to be there to greet Artemis as soon as possible, so I decided to wait outside of his room. That seemed like a good bet, right?

I paced outside his room, awaiting his arrival. Every second felt like an eternity, and all my anxious thoughts didn't help time go by any faster. What're you supposed to say to your long lost lover of a thousand years who was once evil but now reformed? I groaned at how complicated this situation was. What if he changed his mind about me? What if he was completely changed? What if-

A voice called out my name. A voice that I had been longing to hear for years. I stopped right in my tracks, making a little pivot to meet his eyes. I stood there, awestruck by his beauty. He was finally here, but what do I do now? With all these memories flooding back in an instant, all I could manage to do was stare before looking away out of nervousness.

"Princess...?" He whispered out hesitantly. Such a formal title coming from his mouth felt harsh. It wasn't with any ill intent, but it wasn't the same tender voice that he once used. This tone was more careful.

I built up enough courage to look him in the eyes, but even that drained me of my mental energy. There were so many emotions built up over a thousand years, and only now where they all threatening to spill out at once.

"My star...?" I gave him a small smile in hopes of dispersing the hesitance that held Artemis captive.

Artemis took a tiny step closer as if testing the waters. I made a step as well to show him it was okay. Our eyes met again, and with a shared understanding, we both rushed to reunite with the other.

"I have missed you so much, my light..." He muttered softly, now only an inch away from me. He had warmed up to the idea of letting out his affection, but he didn't dare let himself set even a feather on me.

I, however, couldn't stand any more time spent away from him. I nuzzled against him, feeling the warmth I've been longing for. I could feel him tense under my touch, but he soon softened as he finally gave in. This felt nice...

"What about Solaris...?" He muttered out a valid question. I almost panicked before I remembered the conversation Solaris and I had not long ago.

I backed up to look him in the eyes with a grin that probably made me look like a mad mare. "He's given us his blessing to be together!"

Artemis looked shocked. His eyes began to tear up and his own emotions had overtaken me as well. "You're not kidding, right?"

I shook my head, awaiting Artemis' reaction. He looked down then let out a laughter of relief.

"Thank the stars!" He pressed his cheek against mine, relishing in each other's touch. Everything about this felt perfect. After an eternity of the both of being separated, I was finally with the love of my life.

My star was finally here.

(A/N): sorry for the long wait on this story. I was intending to release this a few days after the last part was posted, but that obviously didn't come true.

As you see, I took some artistic liberties with a "shadow realm" as a prison. It seemed fitting for our dear Nightterror.

On another note (I'm not sure if you'd be interested to know), I actually ended up scrapping like two scenes completely. That's kind of the reason why it took so long to complete haha. The first was the second "memory". I began writing it as another memory where Artemis was angy boi again, but I felt like it was too much like the last. I ended up opting for the one you see now! As for the other scene, it was the ending scene. That's the scene that I had so much trouble with. I completely wrote it only to be dissatisfied with it because I wanted it to be a grand moment with how much build up I made for it. I'm still not completely satisfied, but I figured it was enough waiting. I hope you all enjoy this little Christmas present from me to you guys!