“How could you do this to me?!” Celestia roared in fury, with tears streaming down her cheeks in anguish.
“No, wait!” Bean yelled. “Celestia, please! I don’t—”
“Save your excuses, Mister Bean! I see clearly now what is going on!”
“I haven’t done—”
“SILENCE, CUR!”
Bean fell back on his haunches, and raised one arm in front of him in a vain attempt to block the absolute terror flying before him.
“N-N-Nightmare Moon?!”
“I have seen into your soul and there is nothing worth redeeming in you!” Nightmare Moon shouted. “Now shall you deal with ME, O Bean, and all the fires of Tartarus!”
Nightmare Moon plunged a hoof into the earth, which burst under the impact and formed a wide and deep trench that continued to expand. Bean began backpedaling as fast as he could, but the fire-breathing trench was faster than he was, and soon it split around him and isolated him inside a large circle. Nightmare Moon cackled with wild and evil abandon as Bean pranced in place, scared for his life and unable to move in any direction.
“You have been weighed, Baked Bean, and have been found wanting.” Celestia’s condemning face appeared in the midst of the flames. “There shall be no mercy for you. It is time to become your namesake!”
“Please, no!” he shouted, with tears streaming down his cheeks. He backpedaled as far as he could until he felt his rump getting roasted, and Nightmare Moon’s laughter became more sadistic and maniacal. This was the end! He’d been a fool, and this was the price he would pay!
“That is enough!”
A beam of magic dissipated Nightmare Moon and silenced her cackle. A following pulse of magic stopped the fires, sealed and fused the rents back together and washed the area with a relaxing aura that smelled of lavender.
However, Bean still feared for his life. Even though he wasn’t quite sure where she was, he prostrated himself and buried his muzzle in the dirt.
Why else would Luna be here? She had to be coming back to finish what she had started at dinner.
“Arise, Baked Bean. You have nothing to fear from me.”
He dared to lift his head slightly. His eyes slowly moved upwards, but then they met the intense cyan irises of Princess Luna.
His face promptly went straight back into the dirt with a whimper.
Luna let out a sad sigh. “It would seem my actions have affected you more that I thought. Please, Baked Bean. I am here to offer you an apology.”
“Y-you are?” he sniffled.
“Yes. Will you rise and speak with me?”
He looked up again, a little faster this time. Again he met Luna’s eyes, but this time he kept looking and found them to be concerned, a bit wounded, and inviting. His hoof reached up to take hers, and Luna smiled for the first time while she helped him up.
Well, at least to Bean for the first time.
“That is better, thank you.”
“Are you really here to apologize?” he asked softly.
“I am. My conduct earlier was unacceptable, and I wish to make whatever amends I need to in order to gain your forgiveness.”
“My forgiveness,” Bean repeated.
“First, let us leave this place,” Luna replied. “Nightmares are hardly the place to discuss such weighty matters.”
He nodded. “What did you have in mind?”
Luna smiled a bit deeper. The world around them wavered and pulsed for a moment, but then it morphed into a rather remarkable sight.
A large lake, bathed in silver moonlight, stood surrounded by a large mountain range that was gently touched and highlighted in soft blues and greys. A waterfall fed the lake from a distant peak, and from where they were, the steady pounding was soothing and sweet. The two of them stood on a small island in the middle of this lake, and Bean noticed the olive green grass beneath his hooves was gentle and maybe a bit ticklish. There was just enough room on this island for the two of them to sit with an arm’s length between them, and the brightly sparkling stars that framed the moon overhead completed the overall feeling of calm.
“This is amazing,” Bean said, as he looked around in awe. “They don’t call you the Dream Weaver for nothing, do they?”
“’Tis but a small thing. This is your dream, so you supplied the imagery. I simply made it appear.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever had a dream this vivid.” He moved to face her again, and sat.
“Not many ponies do.”
“So why did you attack me?” he bluntly asked. There was no point in dragging this conversation out with small talk, so he cut right to the point.
“I do not delude myself into thinking I am anything like my sister,” she replied while settling down onto the soft grass. “Celestia has wisdom, patience, serenity, and the true peace of soul that comes from a life lived humbly and in the service of others. On the other hoof, I obsess over the smallest of trivia, and lose whatever temper I have upon even the slightest provocation. I know of my own faults, and I remind myself daily that if I am not careful I will undo everything that I want and everything that I have accomplished. I do not get a second chance.
“But mastering my own soul has never been easy for me. Even after a thousand years, I still struggle with my inner self at times. At this point, I fully accept that it will be an eternal struggle, and that means that my anger will take over my better judgement, especially when something precious to me is threatened.”
“A threat to Celestia, you mean?” he clarified, and Luna nodded. “But how could I possibly be any sort of a threat?”
“I have lived, breathed, bled, and nearly died with my sister for longer than I can even remember. When I allowed my jealousy to consume me, to guide my actions and surrender my will unto the Nightmare, Celestia could have destroyed me. She pulled back her power so I would only be banished, not obliterated. When I returned, my sister…”
Luna choked back some tears, but one managed to escape and slide down her cheek. “…my sister gave me the chance to be redeemed, to be whole again. She forgave me, instantly, despite my most heinous crimes against her. I received from her the most precious gift she could give, and then I found she had made a world that would give me everything that I had said I could not obtain. The bonds of Sisterhood are deep between us, and she will forevermore have my undying loyalty, just as she has been, and will be forever loyal to me.
“But that means I hold high standards for the one who has given me so much, and you do not measure up, to be frank. You were in a place you should not have been, doing something you ought not to have done, and while I now believe that you touching noses with her was an accident, it still should not have happened. I am not pleased with you, nor am I pleased with the circumstances that force my sister to marry. I am also not pleased with the fact she forgot to repeal that stupid law when that idiotic Duke died, but I suppose I share some fault there for not reminding her. At this point, nothing can be done to undo it, as far as I can tell.
“So you already have my animosity, and while I will work to accept what has happened it will take time. I attacked you because I believed you had ulterior motives, just as I said when I met you. I see now that assumption was wrong, and so I ask for your forgiveness for my actions. If you do not wish to give such, I will understand.”
Bean didn’t reply to her. That was quite the load she’d just dumped on him.
“Perhaps if I offer a truce,” she said after a few moments. “If you can treat my sister in a manner that is appropriate and becoming of a true gentlestallion, then I will make the changes I need to come to accept you. If you behave, so will I. Will that be equitable?”
“I suppose that’s all we can do for now,” he sighed, but then extended a hoof. “Princess Luna, I forgive you. I can understand why you attacked me, and I can’t hold that against you. I would much rather be your friend than your enemy.”
“Then I thank you, and I promise to try to be friends as well,” she replied, and she shook his hoof. “Though don’t expect any miracles. I’ll still probably glare at you for some time to come.”
“I can live with glares. Those aren’t so bad.”
“Fair enough.” Luna then looked around the landscape surrounding them. “You did say you are an aspiring writer, yes?”
“I hope to be, yeah.”
“Take this, then, as a first step in our friendship: this world you have created is far more detailed than most I encounter. The fact that you can dream so means that your mind is broad, open, and creative, and I believe that you will be able to translate this into the printed form, with practice and training. You could be a great writer, if you strive hard enough for it.”
“You really think so?” he asked. Luna laughed a bit at his eagerness.
“I do. And if you can create this, then perhaps there is a very remote chance you could create a meaningful and beautiful relationship with my sister.”
This set his cheeks on fire, and he scuffed a hoof on the ground as he stammered and glanced around awkwardly.
“Thank you,” Bean finally managed to blurt out. “But I’m pretty extra sure somepony will find a loophole to get me out of all of this.”
“If that is the case, then I hope that you and my sister can remain good friends, regardless. She deserves to have good friends.”
She stood, spread her wings, but then glanced backwards over her shoulder.
“You deserve to have good friends too.”
And then she ascended into the dream sky until she was lost to his sight.
. Cheeky Monkey .
He just needs the sword of truth to fly swift and sure, that evil die and good endure.
Choked. Unless she was Discorded at the time and shoved wooden wedges into her tear ducts.
8377859
I deliberately put that in there just for you.
8377890
You don't want her eyeballs to slide away on the wet surface, do you? Excuse me while I go pull those out of there
8377895
Cheeky cheeky monkey.
I don't know... Having Luna ask forgiveness this early seems to soon because I liked that she was the overprotective little sister that tries to find a way to get read of him.
It's up to you if you want to speed things up.
8378095
You're right, it might be a bit rushed. I put it in because I don't think Luna would be comfortable with herself for acting the way she did, it reminds her too much of her Nightmare Moon days. I was hoping to covey that she still doesn't like him, but there are lines that she knows she shouldn't cross.
Also, remember the law, so far as they know, is untouchable at this point, and Celestia stops being Princess if she does manage to run him off. Until they find that loophole, she would probably want him to stay so they don't have to worry about the worst-case scenario.
As for being overprotective, Luna is a very skilled an experienced pony...
8378405
See chapter 4.
This has been a fun and adorable little romance story. I've been enjoying the light hearted nature of it without any huge horrible dramatic bad thing looming in the distance. I think Luna got off a little easy for the random assault, but in Equestria physical impacts and such are probably more common place around high octane erratic harmony ponies.
Anyway, looking forward to seeing how things unfold from here with these two characters!
Also, Twilight Sparkle with a up turned turtle neck on to protect herself from accidental nose booping was just the best. Thanks for that mental image!
8378527
Glad to see you're enjoying it! I went back and forth on having Twilight in a scarf instead of or on top of the turtleneck, but then I figured less is more and went with it.
There you go, that is a very nice Luna development, and good for her that they became friends, I mean they will be practically family if things fail and if not they will soon remember that day and laugh.
Now I'm not had the small itch if the law apply to more than one alicorn? I mean Celestia wrote it in a panic.
…And what about Discord? Did he will truly stay out and see how things play? Did he would invite Bean to his and Fluttershy tea time so he can give ammo to Celestia, so both could have wit wars? Or would he simple would like to talk/ ask if he could be a character in his book wishing to know what would it be to be the hero of a story? O Discord, the possibilities with you are endless
8379253
Discord is definitely going to be back. This kind of stuff is far too good to pass up. The multiple Alicorn issue will be addressed soon...very soon...
8379513
"Luna, you're glaring again."
"He said it was ok!"
8379551
Not really a grammatical mistake, or even an err at all, this still feels off:
Perhaps a comma after "Or at least" or rearranging it to be "Or at least, the first time to Bean."
8389280
I've got a couple little odd ones like that running around too. In the spirit of Baked Bean, I shall go insert a colon! That'll fix it.
Repetition... one might be replaced by "awash" or "painted"
This is a good story. I really like this reconciliation scene. It's mature, but not stuffy. Everyone comes across as a sensible person with their own foibles and faults. You really did well here.
8429814
Thank you! The only problem is I keep giving myself heartburn as I go along. I want the next chapters to be as good as the previous ones, but i actually manage to do it? Or did I blow it? Keeps me up at night sometimes.
8429836
Well, I think you're doing a great job of it so far. This is only your... wow, third story? It really hasn't gotten as much attention as it deserves, I'd put it in a few more groups if I were you. I haven't seen a romance story here in quite some time that instantly pulled me in the way this one has. There hasn't been a chapter I didn't like yet - I'm almost sad I'm already halfway through it. I'm tracking this one for certain.
8429849
Glad to hear you like it! Just watch out for that first story; it's a mess. I need to rewrite it once I get done with Bean.
There's an issue with writers writing about fictional writers. It always feels a little like self-insert fanfiction :P
Though this likely is not.
8472443
I am actually trying very hard to keep myself out of this. I really don't have much in common with Bean, other than questionable writing ability. If I ever do do a self insert do do - tee hee *snort* I'll plainly state it right up front and probably write it in first person.
Hmmm... just noticing, it'd be a pain to adjust, and I can deal with the occasional pop up.
"Arms"
Forelegs could work, but it's longer letter-count,and I don't mind enough to be bothered, so otherwise, I'm Loving all of this.
And I Still bet they don't find a loophole.
8496146
Yeah...it is a legitimate complaint. They aren't arms.
I went with it mostly because saying forelegs just rubbed me the wrong way. Plus, ponies use their forelegs like arms, so I figured it was excusable.
Glad to see it's not a deal breaker.
time for a comment from me.
watching how this is playing out with Luna is vary hart felt and so tender it is perfect.
8507041
Luna has been interesting to write. I'm pleased to see you like how I've portrayed her.
Nightmare Moon as Maleficent
I can see it.
8595006
It's a good fit. Moonie would totally curse your firstborn after you neglect to send her a party invitation.
I somewhat hoped Luna would stay a tat longer angry and untrusting towards Bean, but this is also nice. Have a good 2018.
*inhales*
BOI
8904085
No? Bad Irrespective?
"Arise, Baked Bean, and do not be troubled by my presence." Would this be better?
Excellent! We worried briefly it might be a stunt of interrogation, but luckily the naked honesty encouraged Luna to pull her rational word up for a turn. Really though, it feels her shot at making a pact in secret may have motive in itself.
Here's to hoping he passes her cutesy little test.
8904295
Yes, that was an excellent change.
Oh I read it as fries at first and was laughing
10948037
Hey, evil fries are not to be trifled with.
Im more of a Luna fan...
Best Ponys:
Chrysalis the BugwaifuLuna
Twilight
Celestia
Derpy
Zecora the ZebraFluttershy
Pinkie Pie
Applejack
Rarity
Lyra
Bonbon
Major Mare
Rainbow Dash
11013678
Don't you mean maYor Mare? Major is a military rank.
11271662
Yep, thank
Poor Bean didn't mean to be there... But now everything is: