//------------------------------// // 21-30 Moments of Twilit Skies and Lunar Paradise // Story: 100 Moments of Twilit Skies and Lunar Paradise // by Quill Copy //------------------------------// 21.War Twilight gaped, eyes wide and jaw slack, suddenly feeling numb and cold at the same time, “W…war…?” her tone was muted and disbelieving. “There is worse yet.” “W…what could be worse?” she was afraid of the answer. “Tia has decided that the Bearers must fight.” “Of course,” she regained some semblance of her wits “we would be powerful weapons.” Luna’s mask of calm broke at that “Do not so willingly consent to being a tool of butchery! Mine sister may seem a kind ruler, but thou hast not seen her wage war.” “Luna, I love you but it’s our duty.” 22.First_Kiss Twilight was stunned, and quite sure that she had misheard the princess she so secretly loved. “…what…?” “Was I not clear?” the beautiful goddess of the night turned, gazing deep into her eyes “I love thee, Twilight Sparkle.” Okay… so her ears weren’t betraying her. Twilight was torn between squealing like a filly at Hearthswarming and asking if this was some twisted joke. “‘Tis understandable that thou dost not share mine affections, we – I – merely wished for-” Luna never did finish that sentence, it was most likely rather difficult to speak clearly with an overjoyed unicorn clumsily claiming her lips. 23.Spoken_Word “Luna, don’t do that.” “Wouldst-” the alicorn cut herself off with a frown “What do you mean?” she spoke hesitantly; unsure as she forced herself into the new dialect. “That, exactly that! You don’t have to correct yourself when it’s just me… I know you don’t like having to think over everything you want to say and, to be perfectly honest, I rather like it when you speak old Equestrian.” “Truly?” “Truly.” The unicorn sent her a not all too innocent grin. “I have always liked the old language, and to hear it roll off your tongue is quite… fascinating…” 24.Cat Twilight sighed contentedly and leaned into the embrace of her slumbering lover. The sun was approaching the horizon and soon she would have to wake the lunar goddess, to raise the moon, but for now Twilight could relax with the steady beat of Luna’s heart and the rumbling purr from the lion at the foot of the bed to keep her company… …lion… “AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!” Luna was instantly awake, letting lose a deep growl she stood over Twilight protectively, searching the room for any threat. “L-l-lion!!” stammered the frantic unicorn. Laughing, Luna sagged – nearly squishing Twilight – “Twilight, meet Leo, mine pet." 25.Time Her duties as a princess and moon-goddess kept her busy most nights, which left only unpleasantly hot and painfully bright day free to her. Sufficed to say she tended to sleep through the bright hours. All in all Luna was not a pony with a lot of free time on her hooves. But there was one pony for whom she would always have time; for whom she would abandon night-court; and for whom she could endure the day. Luna spent every moment that she could spare – and many that she couldn't – with Twilight. After all, her beloved was no immortal. 26.Trouble_Lurking Celesta sat on her throne and waited for the foundations of Canterlot to shake. She more than most knew the might of the coming storm. Luna had pleaded with her sister, begging for refuge, for sanctuary. She received none. Even the goddess of the sun would not stand against the wrath that her beloved sibling had invoked. In her hiding place in the palace gardens the lunar princess awaited her demise, she had weighed her options – even considering a trip to the moon – but had quickly realised that nowhere was safe. Sooner or later Twilight would find the damaged book. 27.Hidden_Dreams At first Luna hadn’t understood. The dream-walker had assured her lover that there was nothing to fear but Twilight refused. Luna could ward away any nightmares that intruded upon her resting mind and she could visit her beloved little unicorn in her resting hours. But Twilight was adamant, eventually coxing Luna into the most binding of oaths – a Pinkie Promise. Luna was not allowed to enter any of her dreams unless it was for the direst of reasons. At first Luna hadn’t understood, but as the tossing unicorn chocked out a name in her feverish sleep Luna understood. “Nightmare Moon.” 28.Foreign It was strange, different and unfamiliar; foreign in every way; it was new and – above all else – it was a change. Twilight Sparkle did not like change. ‘Change isn’t all bad.’ She reasoned with herself ‘Becoming Princesses Celestia’s student was a change and look how that turned out.’ ‘With you suffering from severe anxiety and several personality disorders.’ Replied the quiet voice in her head. Frowning she mentally pushed the voice back into its little box. Love was completely foreign to Twilight Sparkle and the thoughts of the changes it would bring terrified her. But maybe...maybe love was worth change. 29.Sorrow “Luna… are you alright…” The alicorn briefly considered lying, “Neigh, beloved. I find mine mind drawn to when first I laid mine stars and those for whom I laid them.” “…Do you want to talk about it?” Again Luna considered declining – deserving. “‘Twould mean a great deal if thou wouldst listen to the mournful ramblings of this old foal.” And Luna spoke. She spoke all through the night. She voiced things that had gone unsaid for over a millennia. And she cried. She cried the despite heaving sobs of somepony who had a thousand years of sorrow to cry away. 30.In_The_Storm Twilight watched the rain beat against the window pane, and inexplicably wished to feel it on her coat. “Let’s run.” She had spoken in a sigh and were it not for the sole listener’s keen senses it would have gone unheard. “Run?” there was a pause, then “Whilst it storms?” “Yes.” Her voice is louder now but still distant, “I…I want to feel the rain.” “‘Tis hailing also.” “I know.” “‘Twould hurt.” Twilight turned her eyes to the goddess that belonged solely to her. “I don’t care.” “‘Tis most unlike you, beloved.” “I know.” “…Into the storm?” “Into the storm.”