//------------------------------// // Chapter 9 // Story: The Moon's Special Star // by lightningflare1 //------------------------------// The Moon’s Special Star Dear love, Please do not worry about the newspapers. Tia and I have discovered the pony responsible for telling the press about us. We’ve dealt with him in an appropriate manner, well… if I had it my way… this pony wouldn’t be alive now. But the damaged is done, we must come out to all Equestria about our relationship; ponies will have questions, they won’t be happy about the secrecy, and might see us in a different way. It won’t be an easy time with the curse still affecting your heart and keeping us apart. But well get through all of this together, and I can’t wait to hold you in my hooves once more in the waking world. Please be strong, love, if you ever need my help just let me know. Love you for eternity, Luna The lunar princess placed the letter against her desk and read it over, "Love you for eternity…." Luna whispered with a gentle smile. A soft sigh left her lips, she used her magic to roll the letter up and closed it with her seal. "Lulu," Luna looked away from gazing at her crescent moon seal. She looked over at the door with her sister entering her room, "A letter for Twilight?" Celestia asked as she sat down in front of her younger sister. "Just letting her know about Moneybags," Luna replied with her eyes glancing back at the scroll, "Told her what will happen…. And to be strong." "Knowing Twilight, she will, you don’t have to worry about her," Celestia said remembering the fond memories of her faithful student, "She’s a strong young mare." Luna smiled as she lazily played with the scroll, moving it around and twirling it with her magic. What her sister is saying is all true, she probably didn’t need to remind Twilight to be strong for what was to come. But she wanted to ensure Twilight it was okay to ask for help. There were a few times, the purple mare hesitated to ask help from the regal princesses. All because she was worried, she would interrupt one of their royal duties, or interfere with their busy schedules. Luna had told Twilight numerous times, she would always make time for her if she ever needed her. But Twilight being Twilight, always thought about other ponies well being before her own. Luna look at her sister as she handed her the letter, "Tia, could you send this letter for me?" Luna asked. "Aren't you going to send it?" Celestia asked with the magic glow changing from blue to golden. "I’m going to see Tirek… and finally get to hold Twilight again," She said sitting up from her cushion, "I'm getting really fed up with this two-minute window! Two minutes just to hold my marefriend?" "Luna, let me come with you to confront Tirek," Celestia said sitting up as well, "I don’t want you to face this monster alone." "Sister, trust me, I can handle Tirek. I’m just going to talk to him, that’s all" Luna reassured. "Luna, please, please be careful alright?" Celestia said in a concerning, sisterly tone of voice, "If you need my help! Just send a distress single and I’ll be there as soon as I can!" "Don’t worry about me, Celestia," Luna said embracing her elder sister in a tight embrace, "I can handle this. Besides, you're needed here in Canterlot." "Luna, I’m not saying this to annoy you. I know you can handle yourself in a battle, but Tirek was able to trick Twilight. And you know how powerful her magic abilities are. Tirek could trick you or even worst…. Twilight and I care for you dearly. Just be cautious when you encounter him, alright?" the elder sister said as she tightens her grip around her younger sister. "Tia," Luna whispered nuzzling against her sister’s chest. Luna…. is love making you reckless…just like it has done with Twilight? Celestia lowered her head and placed it beside Luna’s. She knew Twilight wouldn’t have confronted Tirek as she had. The Twilight she knew would have thought of a plan with her friends and be much more cautious around him. "I’ll be back, sister," Luna said with her horn lighting up. She smiled at her sister before teleporting to Tartarus. "Alright, Luna...." the solar princess replied even though Luna was long gone. "Twilight!" Spike shouted running around the castle with a letter in claw, "Twilight! You got a letter from Princess Luna!" "I’m over here, Spike" Twilight cried out from behind her book. Spike walked into the castle’s library and wasn’t surprised to see her nose deep in a book. "Any luck on finding the spell Tirek used?" He asked placing the letter top of a book. A deep sigh left Twilight mouth as she placed the book the down, she turned towards her number one assistant. "None... I even look through the Canterlot archives and not a single mention of this curse" "So, Tirek is the only one who knows about this curse," the baby dragon said sitting down next to her. Twilight sighed some more and nodded her head; her eyes soon noticed the letter resting on top of a book. "Oh! Right, you came here to bring me a letter" Twilight said as she unrolled the letter. She brought it closer towards her and started to read it. Spike grabs a random book and flips through the pages, "I never knew such a spell existed. How old do you think it is?" Spike asked "Luna...." Twilight sighed and placed the letter down. She knew Luna had the intention to see Tirek from the very beginning, but now that the day has arrived. Knowing Luna is about to see Tirek all by herself at this very moment. She was about to put herself in the same situation she had, which lead to her cursed heart and this entire problem they were in. What if Tirek manages to curse Luna’s heart? If he does.... then we’ll won’t be able to hold each other ever again. Two hearts being cursed? No! I can’t allow this to happen.... but should I even risk it? Going to Tartarus to stop Luna? Wait... but the curse might take effect... Ugh! What should I do! Twilight groan loudly and threw some books in frustration to the ground. "Twilight, want to talk about it?" Spike asked easily recognizing Twilight was lost in thought. He smiled and placed a comforting claw on her hoof. "Luna is about to head to Tartarus to confront Tirek," Twilight said as she brought over the letter. Spike picked up and letter and read through it, "And I’m so worried-" "That she’s about to commit the same mistake you did?" Spike said cutting Twilight off. How did...., Twilight stare at Spike with a surprised expression. How in Celestia name! Did Spike know the exact words she was about to say? "Uh... how did you know?" She asked. "Come on Twilight. We’ve known each other for years, and I’m your number, one assistant after all," Spike said seeing a smile form on Twilight’s muzzle. Twilight oh and gave herself a light tap on the forehead with her hoof. Of course, Spike would know when she’s in distress or lost in thought because something was worrying her. How could she forget something like this? Twilight opened a wing and pulled the baby dragon into a hug, "Yeah I’m worried... I don’t know if I should go to Tartarus to help her" "And what’s stopping you?" He asked placing a claw against Twilight's chest. "The curse... I'm worried if I get to close.... and if a fight happens with Tirek" Twilight explain looking away. "Twilight, deep down in your heart, you know what’s right and what I believe you should do it. You’re worried about what might happen to Luna, and you want to help her. Its written all over your face. Don’t let a simple curse stop you." Spike said backing away from Twilight’s embrace. "A dark curse isn’t a simple issue, Spike" Twilight said with an unamused expression. "Don’t you have some spell that would help?" Spike asked walking over to the scattered books, "You know? Something to shield your heart or block the signal? Or whatever?" Twilight brought her hoof and rub it underneath her chin. She took a moment to think over what Spike said. She went through every spell she knows, every spell she learned, and every spell she read about. Wait.... why didn’t she think about it sooner! There was such a spell that could help! It was temporary and demanded a lot of magic, but it wouldn’t last long, and she would have to make it quick, but it could work. "Spike!" Twilight took Spike in her magic grip and pulled the baby dragon into a hug. Spike yelp as he dropped the books onto the floor once more. He laughs as he felt Twilight tighten her grip around him, "You’re a genius! Thank you!" "hehe, no problem, Twilight," he said and wrap his arms around Twilight’s neck. Twilight flap her wings and flew in a circle with the two laughing. Tirek stared through the bars of his cell, bored out of his mind as he finished counting the steps of the stairs which led to his cell for the ten billionth time. He groans loudly and hit his head against the bars with his horns making a cling against the bars. "This is so boring" he mumbles with his claw tapping against the bars, "I wonder if the princess of friendship is still alive?" "Very much alive, Tirek," a female voice said. Tirek uh and notice something at the corner of his eye. He turned his head with a sinister smile appearing on his face. He was hoping it would be Princess Twilight but, Princess Luna would do for now. He waved three fingers at the glaring princess as the portal closed behind her. "My my... Princess Luna! I’m sure getting a lot of visitors lately." Tirek said and with a soft chuckle, "I feel so flattered.... being visited by Princess Twilight and then Princess Luna! Feel quite flattered indeed" "Quit the small talk, Tirek!" Luna said walking towards his prison, stopping short from his reach, “How do you remove the curse?" "What curse? I seem to have forgotten…. You know how the mind is when you get old," Tirek said in a mocking tone. Luna glared at him before taking a deep breath, stay calm Luna… don’t let your emotions take over… just stay calm. She closed her eyes and took a moment to think before turning to Tirek. "The one you placed on Twilight’s heart." She said. "Oh! Twilight! She visited me not too long ago," Tirek said and placed his hand on top of his heart, "I felt so…. How do you say it…? Honoured! How is she anyway? I heard you two are…. courting? Do ponies still use that word?" "Just answer the question, monster," the lunar princess said, trying to keep her calm exposure. "Oh! Luna, Luna, Luna, you hurt me so! We’re you always this aggressive when we first met?" he asked with a pout on his face, "Or were you just being a good little dog for your sister?" "Just answer me! How do you remove the curse!" Luna said with her voice becoming more agitated and short-tempered. "Luna, why would I answer you? Do you honestly think you’re reformed?" Tirek said with a big smile on his face. Just another push…. And her magic is mine! I’ll finally be able to get out of this prison. "Nice try, Tirek! But you’re not going to trick me," Luna said stepping closer to his cage, "Now! Tell me how to cure Twilight’s heart!" "Or what? You’ll let Nightmare Moon out to play?" he asked laughing some more, "I’ve heard about your transformation into Nightmare Moon! And I must say… it's quite impressive. The eternal night…. very impressive indeed. Such a shame she isn't here." "Nightmare Moon is in my past! I’m not her anymore! Don’t try to get inside of my head, you fool!" Luna shouted. The lunar princess stood in front of the cage in a fighting stance. She couldn’t allow Tirek’s words trick her. She needed to compose herself and quickly, "You’ve lost the moment Twilight and her friends defeated you!" "Twilight…. I shouldn’t have placed a curse! I should have killed her when I had the chance! Knowing that princess is out there still alive…. Not having the satisfaction that she's dead…. My own personal punishment, I suppose. Say, princess… would you turn into Nightmare Moon if Twilight was dead by your hooves? Because I rather talk to her instead of you!" "SHUT UP!" Luna shouted and fired a powerful magical ray directly at Tirek’s head. A grin simply appeared on his face, he opened his mouth and absorbing the magic from Luna’s attack. He laughs with his dark red skin turning bright, his ribcage disappeared as he took on more muscles, and his horn growing half of its full size. "My, my, the second form? Alicorn magic is quite fantastic, don’t you think, Luna? I had to absorb a lot of Unicron magic just to get to this form. If I knew getting alicorn magic would be this easy! I would have done it sooner." Tirek said before he broke through his cell. "Oh, no…." Luna back away from Tirek as he took the moment to laugh at his small victory, "What have I done…." "Luna!" Twilight cried out with the gates of Tartarus closing behind her. She gasps seeing Tirek out of his cage and much larger from when she last saw him. "Tirek? But… how?" she asked. "Love…. why are you here?" Luna asked quickly looking back at Twilight before turning back to Tirek, "Get out of here now!" "I came to help…. What happened?" Twilight asked with her horn lighting up in her magic glow, "How did Tirek get this big?!" Luna looks down with her ears pinned down, she glances back at Twilight and a single tear falling from her cheek, "I messed up… Twilight…. And Equestria is about to pay the price…."