//------------------------------// // The Others // Story: Celestia's Trust // by Kitsunin //------------------------------// What felt like only moments later, a very gentle nudging awoke Luna. She slowly opened her eyes to see a yellow pegasus in front of her who let out a quiet squeak when Luna stood. “I-I-I'm sorry... I'm not sure how long you've been here, but, you know, it's not very safe here...” it barely managed to say. “Oh, hello.” Luna responded, trying to recall the pony's identity. “You are Fluttershy, are you not?” “Um... yes, that is me...” Fluttershy confirmed, hoping that waking Luna hadn't been a mistake; she couldn't just let her sleep in such a dangerous place. “You know, if you needed a place to sleep, I'm sure you could just have asked someone... I mean, you could even sleep at my cottage... that is, if you wanted to...” “No need to offer that; I wasn't sleeping here because I didn't have anywhere else to sleep, it's simply because I didn't feel like being around anyone at the time.” For that matter, Luna didn't feel much like being around anypony right now either. She didn't tell Fluttershy that though, not wanting to hurt her feelings. Fluttershy lead Luna back to her home, where Luna was surprised to find it to be very early dawn; she couldn't believe she had slept all night. “You know, I would feel a bit odd being around my friends too right now; I didn't see them yesterday, though I meant to. I was just too busy; all my chickens got out of their pen, and I couldn't leave them to get lost.” The shy pegasus explained, “But... what happened to you, Luna?” “Well, I was there... Celestia showed up and was very angry; I'm not sure why. I believe Twilight is very upset because of it.” Luna told her, neglecting to mention the specifics, or how upset she was herself. “Oh my, is she okay?” Fluttershy asked. Luna thought for a moment. “Yeah, it's difficult to be certain, since Celestia seems to be really strange right now... but I'm rather sure that the only one in much trouble is me.” Fluttershy paused. “But Luna, how much trouble are you in?” “I have no idea really, Celestia was not herself at all. I don't know if something was possessing her, or if she has perhaps succumbed to stress.” Luna said, feeling ill, “Either way seems so unlikely.” “I think she will probably come to her senses.” They arrived at Fluttershy's cottage, but she kept going past, heading into town. “I should... we should maybe talk to Twilight again, she knows Celestia pretty well too.” Although it was difficult for her to imagine Celestia as being angry, Fluttershy didn't want to belittle Luna's problem. She figured that maybe Twilight would have some sort explanation for what was going on, and she wanted to check up on her anyways. “Very well, we shall head to the library.” Luna said, not really expecting anything good. “If nothing else, we shall be nearer to somewhere we may purchase food.” “That doesn't sound bad either.” Fluttershy remarked. “Oh, um... you know, if things turn out well. If they don't we should keep, um, doing something.” She added, trying to stay proactive for Luna, who wasn't in the mood to keep the conversation going. As they went through town, they were surprised by how subdued the ponies were; it was as if some dark cloud were looming above. Perhaps they were shocked by the thought of their ruler being as angry as she was. They soon found themselves at the library.  Fluttershy was about to knock, however she paused when they heard a commotion from within. “Ugh!  You're being impossible, Twilight! Just cheer up, for goodness sake, it's not like she actually said you were in any trouble, she was just a bit mad is all.” a frustrated voice called out. “Well that was because she was in public, I'm sure when she comes for Luna she'll punish me too!” Twilight exclaimed. “There's just not any point reasoning with you now, I'll speak to you again later!” The door burst open, bopping Fluttershy on the nose. Rarity came out, head held high indignantly. “Oh, I'm sorry Fluttershy, hello Luna,” She greeted the visitors, “I suppose you have come here to check on Twilight? She's not doing too well,” She glanced back, “but there's not much point trying to cheer her up; she simply isn't listening.” Luna pushed her way past Rarity. “I would like to apologize, Twilight Sparkle.  I feel this is somehow my fault.” Twilight was about to say something snide, but caught herself. “No no, you can't blame yourself, I suppose it's my fault.” “Dang it Twilight!” Applejack scolded, appearing from around a corner; she looked tired. “If it's anypony's fault it's Celestia's, I just can't believe she would be so harsh for no darn reason!” When she thought about it, Twilight found that it did seem as though Celestia was the one at fault, but such a thought was impossible for her to comprehend. “Look, It's not that I don't appreciate you all coming here to try to cheer me up, but I need some time to prepare.” She said, urging Applejack and Luna to leave the library, to which they obliged. Outside, the ponies looked at one another and shrugged.  They would just have to wait for Twilight to calm down on her own, or until they met Celestia again tomorrow. “How very frustrating!” Rarity complained. “You know Twilight, Celestia gave her an awful lot, and I think it's understandable she'd be so worried about losin' it all.” Applejack reasoned, “Well I'm thinkin' I could go for somethin' to eat; I don't think I've had anythin' since yesterday. Would y'all like to come with?” “Sure,” Rarity and Fluttershy replied.  “We should be going...” Was Luna's response, however.  She had already spent much more time around ponies today than she had wished to, and she wished to go to confront Celestia. “Now you wait just a minute, Luna.” Fluttershy scolded. “You said you wanted food earlier, didn't you?” “Eh...” Luna said sheepishly, “I did say that, didn't I? I must have forgotten about my hunger for a moment...” She sighed, “Very well, I shall accompany you.” The world just didn't want her to be on her own today.