//------------------------------// // Memories ~ II // Story: Luna's Club of Reformed Villains... And Their Girlfriends // by ChillyKitty //------------------------------// Luna stood there. Stern faced as ever - or at least what she hoped was stern faced as ever. She’d previously been pacing a ditch into the floor, she even sent out her guards so they wouldn’t be able to watch her embarrassingly nervous preparation. “Please, have a seat.” she gestured with a nod of her head before turning around and gracefully sitting on her chair. “Uhm.. Greetings your highness.” Tempest Shadow bowed. She turned to take a seat, she was shortly followed by a gray stallion. Luna didn’t know what to think of Sombra, he bowed pointlessly, wordlessly. She’d have to be the one to speak. “Hello Sombra, I hope Ponyville is treating thou well.” A chord seemed to have struck through him. He hid it well but Luna had taught herself to read ponies better sense the time she and Celestia fought and had to switch places for the day. One could say she became what is called a ‘Pony Whatcher’ on her off hours. She couldn’t care less about what her activity was called, it trained her to notice how ponies act out certain feelings. “Yes Princess,” he spoke in his deep voice, it didn’t sound menacing like the last time she heard it, however it did sound like he didn’t want to be here. “I am very grateful that you and your sister allowed me to stay there.” Luna swallowed, she was against the idea originally. She had wished that Celestia had acted on her initial plan to throw him in a dungeon for an extended period of time, Tartarus always has enough space for a tyrant like him. He deserved to go to tartarus. Celestia had only changed her mind when she received a letter from Twilight Sparkle, asking for forgiveness on his behalf. Luna swore it was just the Princess of Friendship preaching her ways but Celestia insisted that Twilight must have a proper reason. Though maybe Celestia didn’t consider Luna’s feelings due to something that happened to long ago to care about. Of course Luna eventually realized she was wrong and Equestria was better off making a friend of a used-to-be enemy rather than anger an enemy who might be powerful enough to escape whatever dungeon they put him in. Still it was rather jarring to see somepony you used to despise for so very long stand in front of you, politely bowing and expecting a reply. “Of course, we are glad that you have settled in well there.” She nodded to signal Sombra to sit down. He sat directly across from Tempest as Discord less than politely sat directly next to her. Tempest seemed to grit her teeth under closed lips to avoid snapping at the draconequus as he leaned on her half-horned head, “Of course I don’t need to show off my etiquette.” he grinned, “Good to see you, Lulu.” Luna rolled her eyes, she did not care whether that was appropriate for a royal to do to someone. Discord was not just someone. She was once rather close to him, and knew she’d never be that close to him again. He was now the lord of chaos, and no one could blame Luna for already being annoyed with him. “Hello Princess Luna.” Starlight Glimmer nodded her head, “Good to see you again.” “It is good to see you again as well.” Luna spoke. Starlight stood next to Trixie Lulamoon, a pony Luna had never expected to see but Twilight suggested she should invite her to give Starlight some extra company. She’d apparently been the mare who was using the Alicorn amulet to terrify Ponyville a few years ago. “Uhm, it’s nice to meet you Princess.” she bowed her head, and headed of to her seat next to Starlight. The mare was undeniably tired but tried to hold her composure. “We have coffee if you’d like,” Luna offered, “But I won’t keep you here for long, it is only our first meeting of the week after all.” “Thank you, Princess.” Trixie stood to get herself some coffee which was set up on a table just behind her seat. They all sat in her circle for one awkward moment just long enough to make Luna’s heart speed up. What was she going to do? She didn’t know how to entertain others, that was her sister’s job. And last time she tried to do her sister’s job she kept a bunch of school foals from raising enough money to go on a field trip. She didn’t want to upset anyone else with her introverted ways. The awkward moment passed quickly enough when Discord started talking about himself, Trixie soon joined when the caffeine kicked in. Somehow they were able to have a full conversation in which they only spoke about themselves. Tempest and Sombra were rather quiet, using small talk, asking what the other’s careers and hobbies were and the like. Starlight joined in with the conversation, being the most social pony of the three. They all had a knack for powerful magic, despite Tempest not being able to perform much due to her injury. Both Sombra and Tempest were reserved, likely due to some past trauma that made themselves feel like they didn’t belong. Luna sympathized, of course. Although, Sombra seemed completely fine to stay on the friendless side. He was being polite because somepony probably told him to. On the other hoof, Tempest was acting as though she desperately wanted to be friends but just didn’t know how to, so she kept her calm exterior. Luna turned her attention to the empty seat next to Discord, directly across of Starlight. Empty. Of course it’s empty. Luna didn’t get her hopes up, in fact, she was regretting her decision to send an invitation to a villian who was not yet reformed. A villain who would likely never be reformed. In fact, if she had come, she might’ve brought a second army or a crazy spell that would be undefeatable. Luna was practically asking to be attacked. She didn’t even want anything from Chrysalis anymore. Just to be on good terms, be an acquaintance, maybe a friend, nothing more. The princess stifled a sigh, her past friend had been at war with them ever since she came out of her hibernation spell. She shouldn’t have sent the letter. She even conducted a special yet power draining spell to make sure the changeling Queen received it despite no one knowing her location. She had to ask Celestia to lower the moon that night, lying that she had a dreadful horn ache and couldn’t do it herself. Obviously, she didn’t tell her sister, if Chrissy- Luna stopped herself - Chrysalis had come with hostility she’d be blamed for the attack, but if she had come in peace… maybe Luna would have been praised. She at least would’ve gotten Chrysalis back. Luna’s thoughts flickered back to Sombra. She wondered how he felt, did he miss her as well? Was he satisfied with having Pinkie now? Does he even care about Pinkie at all or does he consider her a possession like he did Chrysalis? Luna had no right to wonder, Pinkie is a capable mare with plenty of friends to protect her if anyone would’ve noticed something was wrong. But Chrysalis was a capable mare as well. And Luna was the friend who was supposed to protect her when something was wrong. Luna knew something was wrong. But she was useless. Luna stood, exhaling to calm herself down. “I need to use the washroom, I will return shortly.” She turned without a second thought and exited through a large door that was placed a short distance behind her chair. When she left she was greeted by a guard on each side of the door. She nodded to each before trotting onward to one of the castle’s many restrooms. She didn’t enter.  She didn’t actually need to use the restroom she just needed to be alone. She slumped onto the floor, she was just far enough from any stationary guards so she could not be judged for sitting alone on the floor. If any guards happened to come patrolling this way she’d have to a make up an excuse on the spot but she didn’t care that much, they have no reason to question her. Or at least they didn’t have much reason to question her. She sighed. It was partly her fault Chrysalis was mad at them. She was always one for wanting petty revenge. Although it wasn’t that petty this time. Luna's mind faded into memories, she was a filly. She knew what her role was. She was a Princess. She should have hated it, she did kind of. Celestia was regal and kind to her subjects, in line for being queen just because of her magical ability. The two sisters were just happily playing with their friends when Celestia was noticed for her power. They were speaking of pointless topics and making designs in the snow. The ponies around were sad and cold and angry. The elder unicorns were always tired, even Starswirl would have to take the whole day off some time from just raising the sun. Luna remembered that one fateful morning dearly. Starswirl had been tasked to take care of the fillies and colts whose parents had to work instead of watching them. Clover, Starswirl’s pupil who had been told to watch over the children while the sun was raised, had left them alone, the team of unicorns were struggling more than normal and the young stallion had to help. Sweat beads grew on his face as he forced his magic into the glowing orb the sky. The foals watched helplessly, but Celestia had an idea. She gave a quiet yet endearing pep talk to her fellow foals, they had horns, they had magic. The few earth and pegasi foals would cheer them on. Though it was weak, everything helped. Their horns glowed. Some of the foals took what looked like battle stances to balance themselves as they drained their magic into the sun. Most had squinted their eyes and grit their teeth but Luna saw it with her own eyes. The sun started to rise, many ponies around started to cheer at the warmth that bathed their land. Until there was a gasp. Luna whipped her head around to see her sister, rising the like the sun, glowing like the sun. “Tia!” she called out. Swirls of light covered her sister, she was so bright that nopony could look at her. When she returned to the ground she had gained something. A cutie mark of the sun and a pair of white wings. Everypony froze. What had happened? Starswirl was the only one who rushed to them, “Celestia--” He started before Luna rushed up and hugged her sister. “What happened?” She asked, confused and only slightly worried, “That was amazing but did thou just do?” Tia shook her head, “I do not know sister,” she looked towards Starswirl, “However thy do know, don’t thou?” “Yes Celestia.” He spoke, wonder filled his eyes, “I’ve only heard of it in theory, yet here it is in front my own eyes.” he breathed, “You have become something called an alicorn, you possess so much magic, when used to its full extent, your body had to find somewhere to put it. In most ponies it goes into one’s mark, when it is so powerful it gives them wings and horn if they hadn’t even had one before.” Luna didn’t really understand him as he went on explaining. All she knew is that they were suddenly receiving special treatment, despite Luna not being so special.