//------------------------------// // 3: The Adventures of Luna & Luna // Story: Matters of Vice // by Bookish Delight //------------------------------// Vice Principal and Moon Princess stood in the latter's room, meeting eyes. The former cocked her head. "I, um... yes. It's nice to see you as well." Luna said. "But... didn't you inform me that the, ah, portal's 'schedule' would not open for years yet?" Princess Luna rolled her eyes. "As you have no doubt noticed, my sister's student has an uncanny knack for bending universal and magical laws. Even after knowing her as long as I have, I struggle to adjust to how fast she changes things." Luna mused that she hadn't expected to see Equestria's Twilight Sparkle returning to the human world so soon, either. She sighed. "Something we have in common, then." "One of many, I would wager." Princess Luna pointed to her counterpart's nightgown. "Are you not cold? I have my coat for protection from the elements, but humans..." "Well, I wasn't exactly planning on taking a trip across dimensions tonight," Luna said. "Though now that I'm here, I'm surprised at the temperance of Equestrian nights." She held a hand out experimentally. "I'm not cold at all." "Spring is spring, on either side of the mirror," Princess Luna said. "Still, let us make you presentable." Princess Luna's horn glowed, covering Luna in a light blue aura. Shortly, Luna felt... cleansed. Refreshed. She took a deep breath, drinking the feeling in. The rush faded, and when she opened her eyes, she saw that she wore her preferred work outfit: a blue, lunar-themed blouse and pants. "Much obliged," Luna said, with a nod. "For the first time in a while, I almost feel like myself again." With nothing to distract her, she looked at her surroundings, taking in the room's motif. "Are these your chambers?" she asked. Princess Luna smiled with pride. "What gave it away?" "Well, it's missing the posters and shuttle blueprints, but otherwise, it looks quite a bit like my room as a girl," she said, pacing about the room. "I wish I could have kept that room. But our society trains us to forfeit such things as we age." Princess Luna looked genuinely surprised. "Your world teaches you to stop embracing who you are?" Luna huffed. "Believe me, I'm not a fan either. But if you don't, you get funny looks. Even in my office at school, I enjoy keeping the lights low, and my students talk about that as if it's some sort of eccentricity. Though I suppose the moon motif doesn't help either..." Princess Luna's brow furrowed. "You should tell them what that darkness means to you. To us. Would I be correct in assuming you always felt more at peace once the sun was done for the day?" Luna allowed a small smile to creep onto her face, relaxing. Perhaps this pony truly did understand her. "Maybe," she said. Princess Luna chuckled. "I shall take what I can get. Come, then. Let us discuss the situation as it stands." --- The two exited Princess Luna's bedroom, walking into the hallway. Vice Principal Luna marveled at the grand halls of this place. Had it been built atop a cathedral? She saw stained glass windows wherever she looked. Some of them bore pictures of ponies which looked vaguely like her own students. "When Celestia and I were told that the Sirens had resurfaced, I attempted to use my powers to assess theirs," the Princess explained. "I could not access their minds directly without being detected, so instead I decided to enter the dreams of their victims—you and your students." Princess Luna paused. "What I found worried me considerably." "What did you find?" Princess Luna's eyes narrowed. "Nothing." "Nothing?" Luna repeated. "Nothing. Either complete blanks, or nothing but anger and painful emotions, amidst your entire student body. With one exception." "That being?" Princess Luna's face turned grim. "Fear. Naught but fear in Twilight Sparkle. I have seen Twilight scared before, mind you, but never to the extent she was then. That was when I realized: she was under the siren song just like the rest. And there was nothing neither I, nor my sister, could do about it." Luna sighed, looking away. "I know the feeling." "Fortunately, Twilight and Sunset Shimmer triumphed—a testament to their strength of will and heart." The Princess turned to Luna. "But just the same, I was hoping you would be able to shed light on matters. Twilight will naturally provide her own report once she returns, but—" Luna nodded. "I understand. I'll tell you everything I can remember. Just be warned, it isn't that much." "I thank you for what you can contribute," the Princess said. "And in return, while you do…" Princess Luna walked to a nearby balcony. "As I recall, the first and last time we conversed, I promised a tour." Luna began following her, and moments later, she felt the magic again. This time, it lifted her, as if she weighed absolutely nothing, until she was astride the alicorn's back. "Huh." The woman placed her palms on Princess Luna's sides. "Roomy." The Princess turned her head, looking back at Luna with lidded eyes. "Really, now?" she said, her voice as dry as desert sand. Luna smiled back, chuckling. "Not remotely what I meant." "Ah. Of course." The alicorn looked away, despite a subtle touch of crimson to her cheeks. "Well, then, let us be off." Princess Luna jumped off of the balcony, then unfurled her wings. Vice Principal Luna's stomach lurched as they dipped, then rose gracefully into the air. On reflex, she looked behind her. The castle faded in the distance— Wait, the what? Luna did a double take. "That... that's a castle," she said, pointing. "Did you, at some point, miss my title of 'Princess'?" Princess Luna teased. "I..." Luna fumbled for a response. "Well, no, but that's—" "Canterlot Castle, to be specific," the Princess said. "As you surmised earlier, you awoke in my royal chambers." "We get a high school... and you get a castle," Luna muttered. Her mind boggled. She crossed her arms and pouted. "That's it. I'm officially lodging a complaint with the multiverse. I want throw rugs that soft in my office." Princess Luna laughed. --- As they cruised amidst the clouds, Vice Principal Luna recounted her experience with the Dazzlings. Princess Luna listened intently until her human self neared the end of her tale. "...and when I was finally able to think straight again, the Dazzlings had already been defeated," Luna said. "Turned into regular teenagers. Regular teenagers who couldn't carry a tune in a bucket. They sounded like strangled cats when they tried to sing again." "Most interesting," Princess Luna responded. "So that's where Starswirl's shenanigans led the Sirens. Now that they've been neutralized, I'm guessing that, as with Sunset, you and my sister's counterpart will be keeping an eye on them?" "They actually escaped before we could get to them," Luna explained. "But make no mistake—we're on it. Just between us, I have a distinct feeling my sister will want to induct them into the student body. I'll never know why she has a soft spot for waywards." She sighed. "However, Princess—" "Luna," said the Princess in a tender, reassuring voice, "Rarely do I say this, but I do believe we are far past formalities. Simply call me 'Luna,' as I do you." "And here I thought it was because my official title was too long," Vice Principal Luna joked. "But all right. If I may speak freely, Luna?" "Of course." "Given all that's happened, it really does feel like we've been charged with doing your laundry," she said. "Our world gets used as a prison, and when containment gets beyond our ability, then you send in your royal muscle. Would you disagree?" Princess Luna hesitated. "I... understand your frustration," she said, swooping below a cloud. "However, if I am to believe my sister, there are beings from your world who would prove just as dangerous as our delinquents, were they given the opportunity." She turned and looked straight at Vice Principal Luna. "And that one such person has already surfaced." Luna groaned. "One that my sister constantly blames herself for." "It always comes back to Celestia, does it not?" Princess Luna said, with a sigh. She flew in silence for a moment, then said, "I can tell when a discussion grows wearisome. Let us digress for a spell. Tell me, Luna, have you had dinner?" Vice Principal Luna's stomach churned, leading her to only one possible answer. --- An hour later, both Lunas were airborne once more, with bellies full and spirits high. Princess Luna had landed them on the roof of Canterlot's oldest restaurant: the Watercress. Atop that roof was her "usual table." Its position allowed for a far-reaching view of downtown Canterlot. And what a view it had been. Live music serenaded woman and mare as Vice Principal Luna ate, and looked over a busy, streetlamp-lit square. Ponies, some single, some in couples, trotted about. Some shopped, while others dined and danced, all amidst buildings that would not have been out of place in a small town in her own world. But the greatest memory of Luna's outing had been the meal itself. Even with her preference for a nutritious diet, she had never seen a salad prepared so elegantly. An entire farm's worth of crops might as well have been on her plate. Would that it had tasted as great as it looked. By concentrating, she could make out the savoriness of some of the ingredients, and the sweetness of others. Each different area of the plate, in fact, had led to a different flavor. But it was as if she could only tell as much with every other bite. Luna furrowed her eyebrows as she mulled on the uneven experience. At least she was no longer hungry, and thus could finally think clearly. For now, that was more than enough. "Still thinking about the meal, I see." Princess Luna smiled. "I do not blame you in the least." "I will find that recipe," Luna vowed. "Even if I have to come back here through the mirror to get it." Princess Luna laughed. "The secret ingredient is love—quite literally. The Watercress is home to the oldest and finest salad chef in Equestria. I provide him with inspiration during his nightly slumbers, and in turn, he sates my gourmet cravings." "I suppose that's only fair." "Indeed," said the alicorn as she descended to a beach that was below them. Luna dismounted. Her eyes took a few moments to adjust to the light of the moon reflecting off of the waves of an endless ocean. Her mind and muscles relaxed as the rhythm of the waves reached her ears, and the salt air tickled her nose. She shed her shoes and socks, sighing as soft sand shifted under her bare feet. Just like the ocean, the sand went on forever, with nopony else in sight. She gazed back towards the ocean's rolling waves. "We're not going swimming right after a meal, are we?" Luna joked. "I know that you told me you were away from your world for a millennium, but that's been a bad idea since the beginning of time." Princess Luna shook her head. She looked down at the sand, shifting a hoof back and forth in it. With a sigh, she looked back up at Vice Principal Luna, her expression muted. "I... suppose I should let you know that I didn't summon you here merely for small talk." Luna sighed in return. "I suppose it was too much to hope for." "When I heard the Sirens were defeated, I wanted to see if there were any lasting effects. With the mirror still accessible, I decided to seize the opportunity before Twilight returned," Princess Luna said. "Fortunately, none of your student body shows any traces of dark magic lingering within their minds." "Good to know," Luna said. "Yes. But when I came to you, you were already dreaming, and what I encountered was..." Princess Luna hesitated. "...revealing. In a sea of minds enjoying peace and tranquility, yours alone cried out in helplessness and despair." Vice Principal Luna looked at Princess Luna, seeing concern in her eyes. She crossed her arms, and turned to the ocean. It was a long while before she spoke. "I used to have that dream a lot," she finally said, voice quiet. "A few times a month, I'd wake up in a sweat, my heart practically beating out of my chest. It was years before I was able to force myself not to have it anymore." She huffed. "I suppose I can thank the Dazzlings for 'lowering my defenses', as it were." Princess Luna nodded, then gestured out to the rising waters. "Be it to think, or to let off steam—when I need to shelve past fears and regrets, I often come here. I know not if a similar place exists on your world. But I offer this one to you, as well as my ear, if you think either will help." Luna looked out at the sea, watching it roll in, white surf bubbling up the shore. It was quite peaceful. "Do you meditate here?" Luna asked. "No offense, but I have a hard time picturing your species sitting cross-legged and chanting." Princess Luna shook her head, with a chuckle. "No. I have… my own way of unwinding. Releasing steam, as it were. Allow me to show you." Princess Luna then closed her eyes and took several slow, deep breaths. Soon, Luna saw that those breaths were in time with the movement of the waves. The alicorn's horn glowed. As it did, so did the full moon above them. The ocean trembled. The waves churned and swirled. The crash of sea against the land increased to a dull roar, making Luna wince. Then, as quickly as it happened, it was over. The waters stilled to their previous gentle pace, and the beach was calm again. Princess Luna exhaled. Vice Principal Luna did all she could not to stare, mouth agape. "Well," she said, flat-footed. "Ahem. While I like the idea... I'm afraid I can't quite follow your methods." Princess Luna's eyes twinkled. "What makes you so sure?" Vice Principal Luna blinked. "Because I'm not you? I'm human. I can't use magic." "Half a year ago, five of your students would have said the exact same thing," Princess Luna said, looking out over the water. "Then they were exposed to a single Equestrian artifact. You stand in that artifact's world of origin, Luna. Here, all are allowed—nay, encouraged—to find the magic inside of themselves." Vice Principal Luna stared at the Princess for a long time. The Princess stared back. "...you're serious," Luna finally said. Princess Luna nodded. Vice Principal Luna sighed, then looked out towards the ocean, furrowing her brow. While she was no yogi, or whatever, Luna knew the basic practice of meditation and employed it from time to time. Granted, it had been some time, but she still remembered the steps. Given the Princess's demonstration, she figured that was as good a place to start as any. Closing her eyes, Luna cleared her mind, and concentrated on the sound of the waves. Back, and forth. To, and fro. A steady beat. Easy to do. In and out. Satisfied, she raised her head and opened her eyes. She kept the still rolling waves in her ear, but fixated her eyes on the moon and stars above. Her focus. Where she always went in meditation: to the heavens. And she felt it. The moon. The waves. The light. Newfound energy ran through her body, flowing through her, cleansing her... ...transforming her. She never felt the ears grow, or the tail, or even the sprouting of her wings, so lost was she in the other sensations. The moon, the stars, the waves, they were all a part of her now. It was only when the glow faded that she noticed her new... accessories. The moment she did, she jumped and cried out in shock. Her hands touched the ears, the tail, the wings, and- the wings. Her wings. "This..."—Vice Principal Luna swished her tail—"this is the same as..." Princess Luna smiled and nodded. With a determined gaze, Vice Principal Luna looked out to the ocean again and raised an arm. A geyser rose with it. Gasping, she jumped back. She looked at her hand. She grinned determinedly. Stepping forward, she flapped her wings once, twice, and rose. When she had a view from several yards up, she willed herself to remember the dream which had brought her here, and the emotions it brought with it. Anger and frustration, sadness and helplessness. Her mind flashed to the students which had saved her, her sister, and their school twice over while she was forced to watch helplessly. She was supposed to be a leader. She was supposed to protect them! And she was not even of sound mind— Vice Principal Luna's heart tensed, her breaths grew ragged, and she felt the lump in her throat growing by the second. Eyes squeezed shut, she failed to notice the moon's intensifying glow. Instead, she felt the wind whipping around her, and heard the roar of the waves beneath her. She was fine with it—she needed the breeze, she needed the noise. Finally, she reopened her eyes, and with an anguished cry, she thrust out her palm. And thunder burst forth from it. It left her in a rush, the power, but it worked. The water before her parted in two, for as far as her eyes could see. Spent, she released the power, gasping for breath as the ocean slowly reassembled itself. I'm... I'm one of them now, she thought. Her anger receded, settling like the water below. I can do something. She hovered in place, wings flapping for what felt like a long time. Then, she raised both arms, casually and loosely, and twirled in the sky. The moon glowed, and rising waves crashed and collided, the sound and resulting showers resulting in a makeshift storm. So many years, always bearing witness, never able to change a single thing! Laughing, she took off like a shot across the water, the wind cool at her face. Zooming, spinning, and looping, she went any way she wanted, calling the wind any and every time she wanted. Freedom! For once in her life, glorious freedom! I want this so much, she thought, over and over. I want to take this back with me! And what would you do with it? Princess Luna appeared beside Vice Principal Luna, keeping pace with her own flight. Vice Principal Luna shut her eyes tight, but never slowed down. "I... I don't know!" she shouted. "Maybe if something else comes through your stupid mirror I might actually be able to do something about it!" She opened her eyes, gaze burning hot. Her words came in a cracked voice, an impassioned cry. "Even if I still needed help from my students, it would still be something! It would be better than what I've always been up until now: nothing!" The second Vice Principal Luna spoke those words, a thunderclap sounded in the skies above, stronger than any she had ever heard in her life. "Hold. Thy. Tongue!" The Princess's voice roared from all around Luna, as loud as, if not louder, than the thunderclap that had left her spinning. She was brought up short by the sight of Princess Luna, eyes flashing white and lightning flashing behind her. Luna held where she was, hovering before the Princess in stunned silence. "'Nothing,' you say?" Princess Luna bellowed again, the dual-toned sound like a physical blow against Luna's whole body. More lightning flashed in the distance, with more thunder to accompany it. "In all of Equestria's history, no greater lie has ever been told!" Luna cringed, ready for some strike from the terrifying visage before her. But it never came. Instead, Princess Luna calmed, the skies around her following suit. The only thing still churning were the waters far below them. Luna saw tears in the Princess's eyes, and it only took a second for her to realize that tears ran down her own face as well. "I remember those words," Princess Luna said, her voice soft but intense. "I said them myself a thousand years ago. Hearing them once more in a voice so like my own..." She closed her eyes and exhaled. "Foolish they were then, and foolish they will always be." Princess Luna floated forward, and took Vice Principal Luna's hands in her hooves. Luna closed her eyes, looking away. "Luna. Look at me, please," The Princess said. Vice Principal Luna slowly turned her head, blinking back tears. "Allow me to impart a nugget of wisdom that took a thousand years of exile for me to learn," Princess Luna said. "'Nothing' is the furthest thing from what we are. If you wish, I can prove this to you." Luna remained silent. Then... "Please?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper. Princess Luna smiled. "It will require a new venue. One of significant meaning for both of us. Hold onto my hooves tightly, and close your eyes." Vice Principal Luna did as she was asked. Then, she felt the wind once more, and heard the waters churn even louder than before. Gradually, light intruded into the darkness of her vision, until it took over completely.