//------------------------------// // 2: My Sister and Me // Story: Matters of Vice // by Bookish Delight //------------------------------// As usual, the mansion was empty. Luna's footsteps echoed throughout its halls as she walked through the foyer, up its steps, and to her bedroom—a room filled with astronomical paraphernalia. The cleaning lady had been through recently; the hallway lining Luna's bedroom showed signs of having been swept, mopped, and polished. By standing request, she hadn't touched Luna's room proper. Luna could clean up after herself, thank you very much. The staff were happy to acquiesce. Out of curiosity, she left her room, turned the corner, and peered towards her sister's. The hallway surrounding it showed... well, the cleaning lady had been through here as well, but a tornado had clearly followed. Luna sighed. So, the mansion wasn’t empty, after all. Luna followed the trail of papers, which had various geometric shapes and mathematical formulas scribbled on them. She followed the trail up steps, around corners, then up more steps, to an alcove which led to an entirely different wing of the mansion. As she entered the wing, flashing lights caught her eye. They were a sight Luna knew well. She was on the right track. She went up a final flight of stairs, shielding herself against the flashes, until she arrived in a room full of books, test tubes, and tiny machines. In the center of the scientific chaos stood a large telescope, set atop a platform which could be mechanically rotated and adjusted. At the platform, looking into the starry sky, stood Luna’s older sister, Celestia. She was paler than usual, her multicolored hair was thoroughly disheveled, and her clothes looked like they’d been slept in. She stood absolutely still as she peered into the telescope’s lens. It was eerie—as if someone had cast her sister as a statue. Then, with a gasp, Celestia leapt away, and ran to a table piled high with papers. After some shuffling, she furiously scribbled her notes. Luna approached Celestia carefully, lest she be struck by a flying pen. "Sister, are you still at this?" "Hm?" Celestia didn't turn her head. "Why wouldn't I be?" "Because you told me about this,” Luna said. “The next solar eclipse is a whole year from now." "Exactly,” Celestia replied. “A year isn't nearly enough time." Luna sighed, refraining from comment. Instead, she plopped the daily newspaper on the desk. It was already turned to an article about the Summer Solstice Seminar. "Congratulations,” she said. “The critics loved your talk." Celestia gave the tiniest of nods. "Naturally." Luna fought the urge to grimace. "Celestia, you didn't even call to say you were coming back from your trip. I know the world loves you, and I know you love this, but... do you ever let up?" Celestia stopped writing. Raising her head up, she turned around. Even in the dim light, Luna could see bags under her eyes, and a weary smile on her face. "Sister, if you were given the chance to uncover the secrets of the world—of the universe—would you let up?" Celestia asked. Luna folded her arms. "I used to be able to say I wouldn't. But after watching you these last couple of years, I'm not so sure anymore." Celestia opened her mouth to retort, but Luna held up a hand, walking amidst the mounds of books and papers. All around her was writing she could barely read, and titles she could scarcely understand. "Simply put, Celestia, I don't think Mother and Father left us all this, to say nothing of our fortune, to use nonstop at the expense of the rest of our—" Celestia’s mug slammed down with a crack, making Luna jump. "This is the rest of my life, Luna,” Celestia said, sharply. “I'm sorry if it isn't yours, but it appears we just went down different paths." She gestured around the cluttered research room. "You’ve said it yourself: this is what I do. This is what I love." She chuckled. "I guess you'll just have to be the sane, normal girl for both of us." Luna sighed. Realizing she was getting nowhere, she decided to change the subject. "How did your trip go? I mean, I know what everyone else thinks, but..." "Quite well, actually,” Celestia said, perking up. “I've taken on a student." Luna raised an eyebrow. "Oh? I thought you were 'The World's Teacher.'" "Oh, I am, but you know I've always wanted a student who truly understands,” Celestia said, clearing off some debris to reveal… a metal box that wasn’t there last time Luna had visited the lab. “And this one's fantastic. A true prodigy. Built pretty much anything I came up with off the top of my head. Speaking of which, could you grab me an egg from the fridge?" Puzzled, Luna walked to the nearby fridge and retrieved an egg. Upon receiving it from her sister, Celestia plopped it into the box sitting on the desk. The device bubbled. Seconds later, it rang. Celestia pressed a button at its base, opening it. "Hard-boiled egg?" she asked. Luna took the egg gingerly. Mouth agape, she tore apart the shell. Raising the remains to her mouth, she sniffed, and took the tiniest of bites. Her eyebrows shot up. It was tasty. She looked at Celestia, eyebrow raised. "In five seconds?" Luna asked. Celestia giggled. "Told you she was good." Still awed, Luna took another bite, closing her eyes as she chewed... --- ...and when she opened her eyes, she was somewhere else. She felt cheated. Only now did she realize she'd skipped dinner. Her stomach growled. She saw white walls. Attendants in white and blue scrubs bustled around her. Equipment, vials, and towels were everywhere. The PA system overhead buzzed every so often, calling doctors and nurses to numbered rooms. It only took Luna a moment to figure out where she was. When she did, her heart sank, and her mouth went dry. Oh, no. Not here. Anywhere but here. Luna saw a doorway to her right, and approached it. As she did, she heard voices. Angry, distraught voices. "You were supposed to be her inspiration! Fuel a love for science! Isn't that what your TV seminars kept saying? Why did you do this to her? Why would you do this to her?" "I didn't 'do' anything! By the time I knew what was going on, it was too late for me to stop her!" "You drove her to this! As far as I'm concerned, that's the same as... let me go! Let me go, she has this coming! You know she does!" A pause. "...fine! I need some air anyway. Before we both end up having done things we'll regret." A woman with purple and white-striped hair stormed out of the room, shoving past Luna. A shaken Celestia followed, the lapel of her jacket crumpled from someone’s grip. She stopped, turned back to Luna, and her expression brightened. "You actually came," she said. "As soon as I saw your text, yes,” Luna replied, resting a hand on her sister’s arm. “I had to find a quick substitute to take over my class, but..." Luna blinked. "Wait. You sound surprised." "I... I suppose I am. A little." Celestia shot forward, hugging her sister. Luna felt a warmth from the contact that she soon realized she'd missed over the years. "Thank you," Celestia whispered. "You've often said you wanted your sister back. Well, you've got her now, whether you want to or not." Luna hugged back. "Why wouldn't I? Celestia, what happened? This is the most I've heard out of you in months, and when we finally talk, you're speaking in riddles. What was that woman talking about, anyway? For that matter, who was she?" Celestia looked down, mouth pressed into a thin line. She took a breath, and released the hug. Guiding Luna to the door, she gestured inside. Luna saw a violet girl sleeping on a plush hospital bed. The top of her head was wrapped in bandages, bruising visible on her face. A few more bandages were wrapped around her arms and hands. A blue man and a white teenage boy stood watch over her. "The doctors have said she'll be okay,” Celestia said, her voice low and shame-filled. “She just received a shock to her system. Literally." She watched the violet girl in bandages breathe for a few moments. "You know…” Celestia continued. “You know how you once said maybe the pursuit of science wasn't worth giving up the rest of who you are? I'm starting to think you were right all along. I... I have to leave, Luna." Luna jerked, staring at Celestia. "You what?" "I need to lay low for a while,” Celestia said, rubbing at her forehead. "Don't know for how long. Could be months, years... however long it takes to make some sense of what I've made of my life. If there's any of it left that's worth making sense of." "Then I'll come with you," Luna said, not missing a beat. Celestia blinked. She shook her head, crossing her arms. "I couldn't ask you to do that." "You can't ask me not to," Luna said, wrapping a hand around Celestia’s shoulder. She squeezed it, then took out her pocket mirror. Holding it up to Celestia, she showed her sister what she saw: a woman who barely looked alive. Celestia’s eyes widened, her hand reaching up to her eyes. “Oh…” "Exactly,” Luna said, putting the compact away. “I'm not sure I can leave you to your devices right now. I'll help you find a place, and we can start over. With my credentials, I can teach pretty much anywhere in Equestrian City." Celestia's eyes softened. "Luna..." The blue man emerged from of the room. Celestia broke away from Luna quickly. "I'm so sorry, Mr. Light," she said, going to him. "Again, I never dreamed anything like this would happen. " "And yet, here we are," 'Mr. Light' replied curtly. "I'll pay whatever medical bills are required, for as long as it takes," Celestia offered. "Your family will be aptly compensated." "Yes, I'm sure we will be,” he said, eyes narrowed. “Mostly because you'll be hearing from our lawyers. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go check on my wife." "No need." All turned to see the woman Luna had seen earlier return from the other end of the hallway. She stopped in front of Luna and extended her hand. "I know you. Luna, right? One of the local teachers? I'm Velvet,” she said, smiling a little. “It's good to finally meet you. The children at my daughter's school rave about you all the time." "Flattered." Luna said, shaking Velvet's hand. "I only know bits and pieces of what's been going on, but I'm truly sorry for what's happened." Velvet sighed. "Thank you." "Think nothing of it. As my sister said, we’re both willing to help,” Luna said, standing tall. “And in all honesty, if you need someone to vouch for my sister's character, I can assure you-" Velvet held up her hand. "I appreciate your desire to protect your family,” she said, voice sharp. “If only your sister had ours in mind as well." She glared at Celestia. "I think it's best for all of us if you leave now." Celestia nodded. "Of course. Let's go, Luna,” Celestia said, already moving. “I have a lot to fill you in on. Velvet, you have my post office box. Please send me any paperwork needed." The sisters headed through the hallway, and the exit beyond. As they did, Luna looked at Celestia. Her eyes were shut tight, and the tears she'd been holding in for hours were finally showing. Luna placed an arm around her sister for comfort and guidance. And just then, she heard Velvet's voice from behind them. "Take care, Luna,” she called. “I'd hate to see you turn out like Celestia. She doesn't care about anybody but herself!" Luna shut her eyes, trying to block out the words, and the effect she knew they would have on her. She failed miserably. --- Whirling around, Luna let loose. "You're wrong! She's cared for so many people, for so many years now! She's cared about the entire world! Traveled around solely to spread knowledge! Even now—" Only then did Luna realize she was talking to an empty room she didn’t recognize at all. "Majestic" was the first, and only, word which came to mind. It was lined with lit torches, but maintained a motif encompassing a love of all things nocturnal. Blue hues, stars, even painted moons which resembled the one outside. Redundant, Luna mused, but no less welcome. In truth, she found it utterly soothing... and a little nostalgic. Then she saw it. "It" being a large, painted portrait, of a noble navy horse who looked quite a bit like her, standing beside an equally noble white horse who looked strikingly like her sister. The pieces fell into place in her mind, and clicked. "This is... I'm in..." "Equestria," said a voice from behind. "As promised. Or at least, a small important part of it." Vice Principal Luna turned around to see her noble pony counterpart in the flesh. "Salutations, 'sister'," Princess Luna said. "Welcome to Canterlot."