Pinkie slipped her hoof into the crook of Luna’s foreleg and dragged her away while the big brother chided his little sister, and the other princess tried to mediate. The precipice was past, and she let go of a long held breath. They were free. She smiled up at Luna, who smiled back at her, and said: “Quirky family, huh?”
A full moon peeking from behind the clouds came out to greet them, practically smiling with that lacking face that disappeared so long ago. And the stars all around her looked like bright, tiny friends. “Heh, do you think we’ll be like that one day?”
Pinkie nearly choked on her tongue. “You mean, like a family? Us?”
Luna became timid at once, realizing what it was she was suggesting. Cheeks flushed, a shy little laugh escaped her as they wandered through the garden. Paper lanterns floated by as they became lost in the hedges. “I know it’s rather soon to be thinking that far ahead, it’s true. But… I’m not entirely opposed to it. Are you?”
“N-no, not at all!” Pausing, Pinkie watched one of the lanterns flow by, aethereal on the wind. And briefly, ever so momentarily, it were as though Luna loomed above her with a halo that lit up her entire smile. So brilliant and gleaming and radiant she was in this moment, Pinkie nearly had to look away. Squinting through it, she thought aloud: “We could get a cottage right there in Ponyville, even. I could open my own bakery, a-and host parties.”
“This is going to sound rather sad, but…” Reflexively and with an almost regretful little smile, Luna moved to push some of her hair back behind her ear. She paused, remembering the headband Rarity had fitted her with. Another memory that came back as well was how she decided to leave her hair in its natural state entirely thanks to the mare she now stood with. “I never considered this sort of thing in the past, you know? When I was a princess, a-a ruler, I mean.”
Pinkie acted on instinct alone, taking Luna’s hoof into hers, patting it, then kissing it. Warmly, she peered up into those big eyes. Those eyes had known so much sorrow, and it melted her heart knowing she’d helped empty it out to fill them back in with joy--a joy so strong she could practically feel it emanate from her, like the aura of a cozy hearth on a cold winter’s day. “Consider this? That you might ever love? Because I love you.” She kissed her hoof again. “I love you a lot.”
Luna tried not to choke up, covering her mouth as her heart pulsed like a steady drumming; it thrummed so loudly to her soul, she felt it might beat entirely too hard, and that her chest would open up to give Pinkie a permanent spot within it right then and there. “Well, yes, actually. Romance, the vague notion of starting a family of some kind; i-it all stayed clear of my mind when hence I did sit the throne, a-and--listen to me, I’m rambling in my old speech again, how embarrassing.”
“I think it’s kinda romantic.” reassured Pinkie with a wink. “Besides, I want you to be totally comfortable in how you express yourself.”
“I was just saying,” Luna stammered on, “that without the crown, without all the responsibility, the future seems so open. I can be whoever, and share that future with whomever.”
Pinkie leaned in, expectant. “Yeah?” She tilted her head to the side, knowing grin curling the corner of her lip. It was so much nicer out here with the listless romantics nearby minding their own business. With only the stars to witness them, the weight of judgement shirked from her shoulders. “Well, who do ya think you wanna spend it with? If you don’t mind sharing with li’l ol’ me.”
“Heheh.” Luna hid her laugh with the crook of her wrist. “I’d say the answer is in the question, dear. It’s--”
“Pinkie Pie!” came a familiar voice a little ways off. Fluttershy picked her gangly hooves into a trot across the way, two other mares in tow, one of which they recognized.
“Howdy, you two.” greeted Applejack as they caught up. She gestured to this new mare, who was apple green, with reddish dreads. “This here’s a new pal of ours: Tree Hugger.”
Stepping forth, Tree wore a lilac pale dress to match her eyes, with soft, soft yellow fringes, and a white daisy chain resting on her ears. “Wow,” she rasped, seemingly enraptured, “just look at you.”
Shyly letting go of her Pinkie, Luna addressed her: “I must admit I don’t follow your meaning.”
Tree had easy going eyes. In them, she looked to always be at peace, and restful. “Despite the story we’ve all heard, here you are, smiling, loving--”
“I’m not sure I’d comment on--”
“And you exude an aura of healing.” When Tree interrupted her, it seemed less an intended consequence, and more an unfinished thought she was unable to halt. “You yourself have clearly healed so much, and tried to do so for others around you.”
A crease formed at the apex of Luna’s raised brows. “Wow, I-I really appreciate that.”
Pinkie wrapped herself tight around Luna’s foreleg, putting on an innocent look. “I think she’s right, you know. You seem so much happier now.”
“It’s true,” agreed Fluttershy, “you have been doing much better, and we’re all so glad for you.”
“There may be some lingerin’ awkwardness toward your sister,” added AJ, “but doesn’t mean you ain’t made serious progress.” She timidly tipped her hat back and looked the other way. “Not to get too sappy, ya know, just…” Her view swiveled back around. “I happen to recall a big ol’ mare freakin’ out in my guest room.”
“AJ…” Luna looked around at the source of all these kind words, blinking several times to stave off the tears.
“I just feel so proud, is what I’m getting at.” AJ raised her hoof high, placing it firmly on Luna’s shoulder.
“Moon and stars above,” quietly cursed Luna, “I promised myself that no matter what, I wouldn’t cry tonight.” She took a deep breath, fanning her face in some meager attempt to keep it dry. “Mainly so Rarity wouldn’t chide me for having to fix my makeup again, heheh.” The laughter helped hold the tide.
Tree might have made good on the second half of her name, but thought better of it, having only just become acquainted. “I am like, so sorry, y’all. I didn’t mean to dredge up such heavy emotions.”
“Hey, it’s alright.” Fluttershy pat her back. “Your words were kind, and these,” she said, rubbing at the corner of her own eye, “are tears of joy.”
“I suppose I’m glad it comes off so apparent.” admitted Luna as she calmed down a bit. “I do feel a lot better these days, and I owe it all to my wonderful friends.”
“Aw shucks,” spat back Applejack, “we’ve loved having you in our lives too, sugar cube.”
“And I have to admit, spending time with you has done so much to help with my confidence.” bubbled Fluttershy. “I was the one who spoke first for once, when I met Tree Hugger here.”
“And you’ve certainly hit it off, I can see.” Luna considered the pink mare on her shoulder, how doting she was. Her smile only grew. “Speaking of hitting it off…”
Pinkie Pie looked up at her, surprise written all over her face. She whispered: “You really wanna do this now?”
“They’re going to find out sooner or later. Why not sooner?” Luna whispered back. She smiled, and got one in kind, and together they blushed.
“We’re dating.” Pinkie blurted out rather bluntly. She reveled in the resounding surprise.
“Aw, that’s sweet.” cooed Fluttershy.
AJ was less convinced. “I dunno. I don’t mean to sound judgemental or nothing, but you two seem awfully different from one another.”
“Hm-hm.” giggled Pinkie. She narrowed her eyes and quirked one brow at her agrarian friend. “You sure you oughtta be the one saying that, AJ, ‘darling?’” She tried her best to mimic the way Rarity would bat her eyelashes.
Cheeks going red, Applejack hid behind her hat. Then she recalled that Rarity had made this one, and she only felt more embarrassed. “Okay, fair enough. Sometimes opposites attract, I get it.”
“May I wish you well?” asked Tree, stepping forth. “I guess it might be kinda weird, like, we just met and all.”
“Nah, you’re good, sis.” waved Pinkie with an eased expression.
“It would be most kind of you.” added Luna.
Tree took both of their hooves, smiling warmly. “I hope there’ll be just, like, so much love between you two. Even from here, so quick, I get this vibe of cheer and feeling better. From both of you, and it is like, so nice to see.” After they thanked her, she went back to Fluttershy and AJ, beckoning them on. “AJ, Flutters, you two still wanna see the queen’s roses? I can tell you all about my personal rosebud tea recipe.”
Applejack and Fluttershy bid them goodbye, and Luna and Pinkie were alone again. Glancing up, Pinkie noticed Luna’s gaze follow after them. She cleared her throat and said: “Hoo boy, guess we’re pretty official, now that ponies are starting to find out.”
“Does it make you nervous?” asked Luna rather quickly. Instinctively, she rested her wing over Pinkie, pulling her in close as she began to meander the two of them in the opposite direction, away from the queen’s personal rose garden.
“Eh, I guess so.” Looking over her shoulder, Pinkie kept an eye on the exit they’d come from, half-expecting to see Celestia already hot on their heels again. Turning back around, she rested her head on Luna’s shoulder as she let her lead on. “But, well, I dunno. I feel so comfortable with you.”
“Oh?” Luna paused briefly, but continued on, mind idly counting the lanterns as they went by. Reaching out with her horn, she grabbed one with a little magic, and floated it by them. The way it lit up Pinkie’s face was a treat. Sweet, just like her.
“You seem to really like me for who I am. It’s nice, you know.” She chuckled dryly. “I feel like I can really be myself with you, that we can just talk openly.”
“Mm.” pondered Luna. She thought on this a moment as their hooves went from well kept grass to a smooth stone walkway. A fountain trickled away nearby, hushed by the murmuring of the various guests. “Truth be told, I feel the same way. It might be there’s something to what AJ was saying, about opposites.”
Pinkie gave her a playful nudge. “Well, if you’re the beautiful one, what does that make me?”
Bemused in her smile, Luna let her laugh simmer down. Silence fell over the tail end when she leaned down and kissed her forehead. “You’re the adorable one, and I’ll hear nothing else about it.”
“I’ll take it!” announced Pinkie with pride. Down at the end of this walkway, she could see some doors that led back into the main hall with those high, high ceilings. She pointed and asked: “Wanna grab some catering? I’m a little peckish, though I don’t eat like a bird.”
“Hm-hm. Sure, that sounds good.” As soon as Luna let her go she dove into a cartwheel, trotting up to present the entrance for her.
“My lady.” She performed a deep, sweeping bow to Luna, who giggled and walked on in. Before following her, she cast one last gaze toward where they’d left the ballroom. Sure enough, a mane of bright pastels to mach each and every time of day in the sky preceded the queen. Pinkie saw her glance about in confusion before exchanging words once more with those two pegasus guards.
That look of growing sorrow in her eyes was not aimed at her--she wasn’t even looking in this direction. Nevertheless, Pinkie felt the little barbs prick at her heart. Heading in before she could be spotted, she couldn’t help but grimace. And yet… when she remembered all the tears Luna had shed, the doubt began to fade. So she wiped off her frown and went to find Luna, wearing the biggest smile she could manage.
Never again. she thought. I’m never letting you make her cry ever again.
Luna hadn’t been in this very dining hall in so long. Of course, it wasn’t set up the way she remembered, either. The servers were out here on the floor with the guests. It wasn’t too dissimilar from how the caterers arranged things at the Summer Sun Celebration on her first day back. Ponies congregated in the open space before the serving tables, and still others mingled from the comfort of chairs and tables across the way.
Pinkie came skipping in, ogling the various spreads all along the tables. “Oh, it all looks so good.”
Luna grabbed a couple trays with her magic, giving one to Pinkie, and together they got in line to wait. “That it does.”
There were so many delicate little fancy looking foods; Pinkie loaded up a miniature mountain to try it all. Then she took a peek at Luna’s plate. “Wh--Luna, are you serious?”
Two huge slices of greasy pizza laid stacked over one another. Her face was that of guilt, but Luna tried to play it off all the same. “What?”
“All this fancy, nice-looking food, and you grab the pizza?” Pinkie was incredulous. Shocked, even.
Here, Luna quirked a rakish brow and leaned over to tussle Pinkie’s hair. “Fancy, shmancy. Isn’t it rather your fault for getting me hooked on pizza, though?”
Pinkie let her have a couple, but quickly weaved under her hoof, deftly setting her tray down on a small table nearby. She stuck her tongue out and said: “I wasn’t the only one who fed you pizza, ya know.”
Luna placed her tray across from Pinkie’s, taking the seat opposite hers. “True, we’ll have to blame the others for ruining my refined palate as well.” She took an overly indulgent bite. “Mm, I am, of course, being facetious. If anything, I should thank them.”
While weighing the choice over which tiny sandwich to eat first, Pinkie told her: “Just be careful, dear. Too much of that isn’t really good for you.”
Chuckling, Luna wiped her mouth with a napkin and admitted that: “You might be right. Hence why I only took two slices. Shame I don’t have a metabolism like yours.”
“Whazzat now?” asked Pinkie with a gulp. She had just polished off her third miniature sandwich, and paused at her fourth.
“Surely you must have noticed that you eat more than me, despite my being larger than you.” Frowning at how that sounded, she added the refrain of: “I imagine that must have sounded terribly judgemental just now, I am so sorry.”
Looking at her full plate, Pinkie pursed her lip. “It’s okay, I guess. I just never really thought about it?”
“What a delight that must be.” added Luna with a chuckle. “I suppose it might be all that moving and hopping around you do.” Leaning in, her wings fluttered ever so slightly, and she beamed warmly, radiantly upon Pinkie. “But that’s something I admire about you, is you’re so energetic.”
Ears lowering back, Pinkie blushed, her eyes peering the other way. As she felt the warmth rising along the back of her neck, she replied nervously with: “W-wow, thanks.” Meeting her eyes, she dabbed the corners of her mouth with a napkin, and playfully added: “Why, I could just kis--”
“I could just kiss you, Luna!” interrupted a familiar voice. Careening in, Rainbow Dash propped up her front hooves on their table, blithe with excitement.
Another wave of fuzzy thoughts washed over Luna. She’d finally given into the thought of kissing, now it seemed like way more girls than she ever would have been prepared for were interested. “I’m sorry, what?”
“She is trying to be grateful, darling.” Rarity followed her up a moment later, her expressions a potent mix of amusement and confidence. “Truth be told, though, I am too.”
Luna eyed them, lifting a cup of punch to her mouth. “Might you elaborate? Without kissing me?”
“Ha, okay, sorry for getting fresh. Don’t wanna step on any toes.” Rainbow turned toward Pinkie and gave her best attempt at a subtle wink. But all could practically hear the force with which her eyelids clamped together. It was as inconspicuous as a train rumbling through an open field.
Either not noticing or choosing to ignore the excessive eye roll Pinkie was giving, Rarity continued on to explain. “Speaking personally, I have managed to rub elbows with some new potential clientele. And, why Rainbow, she--”
“I got to meet the head Wonderbolts!” She leapt for joy, flying as high as she felt on life right now. When she gently floated back down to earth, she told Luna: “Soarin and Spitfire heard about the exploits of the mare who outflew the Nightmare Moon.” She posed, dramatically so. “And they said they’d love to see what she can do!”
“Oh?” asked Luna. She leaned her cheek onto her hoof, churlish, and said: “I suppose I could show them a few things, then.”
“Haw, very funny.” droned Dash, unamused. “I was clearly talking about me. Yeesh, Pinkie’s rubbing off on you pretty hard already, girl.”
“Already?” Rarity stepped a little closer. “Dash, what did you mean by that?”
Rainbow gulped. Her eyes, widening, darted from Luna to Pinkie, feeling as though she’d let them down. She turned around, putting on a huge fake smile with a nervous laugh, and said: “Oh, well, I mean, you know! The rest of us wandered off, so they were on their own! Yeah, that’s it. Tota--”
“Pinkie and I are an item.” said Luna to cut off that embarrassing display.
“We’re girlfriends.” pleasantly concurred Pinkie.
Rainbow’s head whipped around so fast, she might fling her crown of gold leaves. With her face all screwed up, lip curled, and jaw agape, she said: “Huh!? You’re spillin’ it, just like that?”
“Please,” insisted Luna calmly, “I love all you girls so much. I’m not keeping any secrets from you.” Her ear flickered, and she turned to see Pinkie shakily set down her cup in a coughing fit. “Are you alright, dear?”
“Y-yeah,” lied Pinkie, heart seizing, “j-just went down the wrong pipe, that’s all.”
When the coughing didn’t stop, Rainbow trotted over to her. “Lemme give you a hoof.” But when she grabbed her cup to help her take a drink, she found it empty. “Oh. Well, here, c’mon. Let’s get you some water.”
“C-can we, ahem, ugh, make a pit stop too?” pleaded Pinkie, eyes watering from her continued convulsions with another cough. Perhaps starting the night off with a cup of coffee right away hadn’t been the best idea.
Luna’s ears folded back. “Please be alright.”
“Don’t worry.” Rainbow shot her a wink on their way by. “I’ll get her back to you in one piece.”
After watching them weave through the crowd, Rarity slipped into Pinkie’s chair, sliding her plate out of the way. She kept to her well-trained manners, though; no hoof nor elbow laid upon the table at any point. Rather, the tips of her hooves pressed together. She leaned back in the seat, idly viewing Luna over the bridge of her nose. “So.”
Luna glanced around before remeeting her piercing blue eyes. “So?”
“Oh don’t play coy.” she said playfully, a grin curling along. “You must dish. How did my second favorite odd pair come to be?”
Thoughtfully crunching on the crust of her pizza, Luna was perplexed on how to answer that. “All you girls have been wonderful friends. Really, I love you all so much.”
“Deflecting is not a good look, darling.” tutted Rarity, hoof pointing coyly to her chin. “Why so nervous, Luna? Unless… oh dear, this is really very serious, isn’t it?”
Again and as always, Luna found something so commanding about those sapphire eyes of hers. With tingling nerves, she began to spill. “She quickly became my best friend. The one I felt closest to.”
Rarity leaned forward, ever so slightly. She nodded, and that glossy swoop of hair of hers bounced in place. “Do go on.”
“It’s all the little things she does, it really is.” Luna fiddled with her own hooves. “Helping others out, just to see them smile. Always ready with a quip to brighten your day. And her own smile… is so cute.”
Rarity had to cover up her mouth to stifle a particularly squeaky giggle. “Oh my, this is serious, then?”
A smile overcame Luna. “One morning, she told me she thought I was beautiful. Ha, I was pretty taken aback by that.”
“Oh, but you are, though!” After getting a scrutinizing glare, Rarity pouted and said: “Right, right, not the point. Still.”
“There’s a difference between appreciation and admiration, I think.” She sounded maybe less certain on this than she felt. Nevertheless. “But yes, I had, erm, never considered… girls before. I mean, romance always eluded me in the past, but, well, you know.” Luna wasn’t quite certain how Rarity was managing to wring her for every drop of gossip like this. But she trusted her all the same.
“Oh my stars,” cooed Rarity, “this is all so sweet. Ah, I am so thrilled for you, and honored that you’d confide in me.” She got up and came around, clasping Luna’s hooves in hers. “I hope you two never hesitate to come talk to me, or ask me for anything. It’s yours, anything to help you two soar as high as your love can take you.”
Nerves setting back in, Luna told her: “It might be just a touch soon for all that, mayhaps. We rather became official only earlier today, actually.”
“Oh?” asked Rarity, trying to settle down a bit. “Hardly did I mean to presume, I’m just hopeful for happiness, for both of you.”
“I appreciate you, Rarity, very much.” She pat Rarity’s hoof.
“I’m so glad.” Rarity then leaned in, glowering, newly mischievous eyes getting closer. “Now tell me what happened earlier, when you two scampered off to be alone on the train ride.”
Luna gave the pettiest fluttering of her eyelashes she could manage, turning up her nose in feigned indignation. “Why, Rarity. A lady simply does not kiss and tell.”
“You two kissed?” gasped Rarity, eyes and smile widening.
Luna’s confidence shrank somewhat when she realized she’d accidentally given up the ghost right away. “Well. Um. Yes. Twice, actually.”
Rarity felt she might become light headed from gasping too much. “Stars above, dear. Should I start planning the wedding?”
The laughter subsided quickly. Something caught Luna’s eyes. Something else as radiant white as her friend. “No,” she told Rarity rather stoically, “but perhaps you might give me a moment.”
“Ah, oh dear, am I being too much?” asked Rarity. That’s when she heard the clinking behind her. Turning, she saw two pegasus guards in their half plate mail, pink and blue of coat. And together, they flanked the regal white mare herself, whose tepid smiling face rose so far above her own. “S-stars and moon above.” Turning, she told Luna: “Yes, I think I will, erm, give you some time for this.”
“Thank you dearly, Rarity. I’ll catch up with you later.” Luna stood and hugged her friend.
Right before leaving them to it, however, Rarity snapped her head back to the side and whispered: “I hate to ask, but do you still happen to have some of my business cards by chance?”
Incredulous, Luna snickered and nodded. “I’ll be sure she gets one, even if we get into an argument, alright?”
“You are such a great friend, Luna. Good luck.” And Rarity was gone, pretending to flag someone down she seemed to recognize, launching into the faux interest of catching up. Not that she truly felt that way. Not, perhaps, like the mares she left to it.
“Hiya, Luna.” said Petra, oddly stoic.
Nimbus held no such dower demeanor. “It’s so good to see you again!”
“It’s lovely to see you two again.” she told them warmly as she could manage. Smile already weak, it faded further when she looked up to her sister. Had she gotten even taller during Luna’s exile? Her heart beat, meek as the meager mewling of a newborn kitten; soft and helpless. “Your grace.”
Celestia’s mouth widened out into a rather pained look. “Are formal addressings all I’ll ever get again, sister?
“Formality is important when addressing one’s betters.” She pushed away from the table, needing the extra space to bow deeply enough for her queen.
Celestia took a long, long breath, and glanced up at the ceiling. When her sister rose again, her face seemed utterly devoid of expression. Somehow, that cut even deeper. “Luna, I… may we speak?”
With a blink and the tilt of her innocent head, Luna asked: “Are we not talking now?”
“I’m sorry, alright?” blurted Celestia. Her head sank, as suddenly she couldn’t look Luna in the eye. “When last we met, I was so pained and distraught, I wasn’t thinking clearly. I must have hurt you so much, all over again. I’m so, so sorry, Luna.”
Luna’s mouth dried up in an instant. “I’m… alright, we can talk. But maybe we should find somewhere else, before this becomes a scene.”
“Thank you.” gulped Celestia, trying to maintain some composure. A light flickered to life at the end of her horn. They disappeared, and Petra and Nimbus gave each other a solemn, knowing look, before wandering off to find something to occupy their time until they came back.
Luna found herself in a dark room, with only moonlight spilling in which seemed to point out her sister, and little else. But Celestia cast another spell, and all the sconces lining the walls lit up, as well as some candles on a desk nearby. It was Celestia’s bedchambers.
“This was the only place I could think of, to get away. We’re all alone for now.”
“Ah. Good.”
“Right.”
“Yes.”
“Ahem…”
An uncomfortable silence befell them. Eye contact came and went, intermittent at best. Grimacing, Luna felt she might need to start this, if it were to ever end at all. “Hrm, alright. While I appreciate the apology, I just… I find it a little difficult to forgive so easily, is all.”
“O-oh?” Celestia’s ears drooped, and she braced herself for the worst.
“You actually already sent an apology right after, in fact.” Luna rubbed her shins together, glancing away. This wasn’t easy. “Twilight passed it along.”
“Right.” said Celestia, drawing over the chairs from under her desk. This could take a minute. “She erm, volunteered for that, you know. Twilight’s always looking to help out.”
“That’s the other thing.” added Luna sourly. While taking the offered chair, she immediately slouched into a displeased little slump. “I come back to find you’ve crowned these newly raised alicorns--that was salt in the wound. How am I not supposed to feel like I’d already been replaced?” She was flustered, but she tried to maintain a steady temperature.
“N-no, I wasn’t…” Celestia thought about it. That wasn’t true, and she knew it. With a sigh, she told her little sister: “Alright, it is true. To an extent, the new princesses replaced you as my co-rulers of Equestria. I…”
Luna motioned for her to keep going. “You?”
“I ruled alone for so long, I lost track of time. I thought your chance to return had gone by, and that you were lost forever.” Celestia chewed on her lip, as well as the words that passed over them. “I needed something, even a longshot, that I could believe in.”
Luna’s mouth pursed, confused. “I don’t follow. A longshot?”
“The Pillars, they’d also been gone for so long.” Celestia sighed, leaning back in her chair, staring up at her ceiling. “They made the Elements of Harmony. The ones we used so many times.”
“I recall.” said Luna impatiently. But Celestia still couldn’t look at her.
“The problem was always that they were too random. Unrefined. One villain banished to Tartarus, another turned to stone--”
“One sent to be a shadow on the moon.”
Celestia’s view snapped back down and her aural hair flowed down over one eye. She brushed it away and said: “Right. Yes.”
“Well. Whatever.” grumbled Luna. As Celestia trembled slightly, she continued. “That’s in the past, as far as everyone else is concerned. Who cares, right? I fail to see how this lines up with--”
“I thought!” interrupted Celestia. But when she saw how wide Luna’s eyes went when she raised her voice, she tried to calm back down. “I thought that maybe… just maybe if I could find similar individuals to be something akin to new Pillars, that together, we might be able to craft new Elements of Harmony, or, I don’t know, whatever it is we’d call them! A more refined version where the wielder would have better control, a-and then we could--that I could finally free you myself.” She crossed her forelegs over her chest, as though to prevent the pangs within that were already starting.
Luna clenched her jaw and shook in place. “Please don’t shout at me like that.” Her nostrils flared as she drew a hard breath. “It dredges up the worst memories.”
“Y-you’re right, I’m sorry, I don’t know what came over me. Every part of this is so frustrating.” She felt at her heart. “This was all my plan, though. I’ve wanted my sister back, for so long. I spent centuries trying to find something, anything at all that might bring you back to me.” She gulped down her grief when it tried to make her cough up the first sob.
“Even after everything I did to you?” Her chest shuddered. She clenched her stomach up tight as she could, hoping to keep true to her self-made promise to not cry tonight, no matter what. “I broke your bones. I tried to kill you.”
“You only lashed out after I ignored and belittled your pain for so long, i-i-it was all my fault.” stammered the queen. She fanned herself as her eyes began to water “Skies above, I promised myself I wouldn’t cry tonight, no matter what happened.”
“Pff, oh wow.” Luna couldn’t believe it. They were alike in mind, even after all this time and turmoil. “I said the same exact thing to myself.”
“Snrk, no!” Celestia was incredulous.
“It’s true, though!” The laughter and smile faded, though. They weren’t done, even if the hard part of actually starting was over. “But, well, as true as that might be, I’m still responsible for my own actions.”
Celestia stood up. She took the first tentative step toward her sister. “I know it might not feel like it for you yet, but it really is all in the past. We can move on, we can heal from this--from all of this. We can even heal together, if you like.”
Luna brushed at the corner of her eye and blinked back the tide. “I still don’t understand why you didn’t reach out to me. All summer went by, and nothing.”
“I didn’t get the impression you truly wanted me to. Twilight may have told me you did, but--”
“I know that I panicked when she and Sunset spoke about you coming to my new hometown to solve my problems for me. I’ve come to realize that I wanted these things to be on my terms--that I wanted to finally feel in control of my own life.” Luna tapped her chest, but she immediately deflated, slumping further down into the chair once more. “I suppose that sounds awfully silly.”
“It doesn’t.” firmly denied Celestia. “Luna, look at you, right now. This has been awkward, but you’ve slain your own monster, you’ve taken your life back, and you’re brimming with more confidence than I’ve ever seen you wield. I couldn’t be more proud of you.”
Luna pondered her sister for a moment. That look of determination on her face was one she recognized from their best times together, as well as their worst. A lone tear diluted the gold corner of her eye shadow, leaving behind a gilded streak. “Thank you, Celestia.”
“At any rate, I was referring more to the note I got the day after. It seemed abundantly clear I ought to give you some space.” Celestia gave her a sideways look and shrugged.
Luna began to reply, but stopped. Her eyes narrowed, brows tucking in confusion. “Wait a moment. Note? What note?”
“It read: ‘I will never forgive you.’ I figured things must have been pretty volatile after what I’d done, and thought better of reaching out.” Celestia began to approach her sister, getting ready for a hug. “We’re both much calmer now, so maybe a little space was good for us.”
“I sent no such note.” announced Luna, holding out her hoof to halt Celestia.
Disappointed, Celestia held her hoof to her chin to think for a moment. “You had no hoof in its writing at all? I figured perhaps at the very least, a friend wrote it on your behalf while you vented to them.”
“I had none.” Luna pressed into her temples, racking her mind to find an answer to this query. “Where did this message even come from?”
“I cannot say I recall the exact Ponyville address, but it came by mail.” Celestia’s expression eased somewhat. “In fact, it’s a funny story. It found its way directly to my door and skipped over my backlog. All because Petra and Nimbus found it billowing on the wind after a carrier pony dropped it by mistake. Isn’t that the oddest?”
Luna’s eyes widened, and her jaw unhinged in a ragged gasp. “It came to you completely by chance? As though it were all something… meant to happen?”
“Hmm.” thought Celestia, very briefly, failing to pick up on the severity in Luna’s voice. “I suppose so. Why?”
Suddenly, it clicked. Luna went deadly silent, her shaking eyes seeing what she didn’t want to see, laid out plainly before her. A distant memory echoed in her head, like the cries of something primordial and dark and horrible from the depths of the inky black. “No,” she whispered, “no…”
She remembered it so clearly. When they all sat together, in the hospital after a night of hunting down Nightmare Moon, Pinkie spoke up, highly inappropriate dread oozing with her voice. In that dreary moment, she had said: “I’ve only known Luna for a day and a half. But if Celestia ever said or did anything to hurt her again, well, I’d never be able to forgive her.”
“I need to go. I need to find out if it’s true.” Luna lifted so forcefully, the chair she was offered tumbled back behind her. And before her sister could even question it, she was gone in a flash.