//------------------------------// // Forgiveness // Story: Apart // by DanishDash //------------------------------// It had been several days since Star Chaser arrived in Canterlot, and just like Celestia had said, there was a lot they had to tell him. Even now it was hard to take it all in: a thousand years, locked away and asleep. The world Star knew was gone, and times had changed. That was overwhelming enough on its own, but Star also had to spend a lot of time in bed, resting, and getting several pony doctors to examine him. While Princess Celestia had not said it outright, he could tell she was worried time might be catching up, and he suddenly dried up into a husk and died. So far, he felt fine, just as he had before he was trapped in the crystal. Celestia had even told him his aging has likely slowed down significantly. If that was true, he was going to stick around for a very long time. The doctors were astounded to be sure, and after a lot of medical—as well as magical—exams, Star was finally allowed to leave. Only problem was, he had nowhere to go. Everything had changed, and he had no living relative he knew of. Celestia, however, arranged for him to take room in one of the palace apartments. With nowhere else to go, and of course wanting to be close to Luna, he accepted. Star Chaser was upset, and understandably so. The world he knew was gone, and history had branded him a traitor; his name used as a warning to remind generations of young guard ponies of their duty. However, whatever he was feeling, it was nothing compared to Luna. She was destroyed and had looked so ashamed and guilty. She had visited him every day, but whenever she did so it always ended with her apologizing and crying. He comforted her the best he could, but that just made her feel worse. Star Chaser could imagine how hard this was for her, and he understood why she felt bad. He suspected if he blamed her, yelled at her, and even told her up front he hated her, she might feel some justice had been done, and be able to move on. But Star didn't want that, nor did he feel that way. He didn't hate her, and he didn't blame her. Of course he was upset by learning of what had happened, and that whatever he had known was gone— who wouldn't be? Even so, that didn't change his feelings for Luna, he loved her, and even a thousand years after, his heart still longed for her. So what was to happen now? This new Equestria was so foreign not just to him, but to her as well. Then just like that, he had an idea. Leaving his apartment, he moved down the massive hallways of Canterlot Castle. Star Chaser was still in awe every time he walked these halls, marveling at how far they had come. He didn't have to walk far to reach Luna's apartment. The two guards outside the door stood at attention, but when he approached their wings shot out, blocking him from reaching it. Star stopped, then eyed the two guards with a raised eyebrow. While he might have been gone for a thousand years, he was still a soldier, and when all was said and done, still a captain. The two ponies looked at one another, gulped, then lowered their wings hesitantly. Normally he wouldn't use his authority to get around the rules, especially when he technically didn't have any authority any longer. However, once a captain of the guard, always a captain of the guard. Stepping past them, Star opened the door and went inside, making sure to shut it behind him. The apartment was dark, as the thick curtains blocked the windows, and thus the sunlight. Normally it would mean Luna was asleep, but he knew from princess Celestia that she rarely did get any rest these days. He heard hoof steps, then a small, startled gasp. Turning towards a door, Star found Luna standing there, her ears pinned down, and almost shaking. "Star Chaser... What... How art thee?" Star frowned, trotting closer to her. He could tell she wanted to back away, but decided to stay put. Instead, she turned her head away, her eyes refusing to meet his. "…I wanted to see you." He reached out with his hoof, but this time she stepped back. "Don't..." He frowned, but then moved his hoof to her cheek, gently turning her head to make her face him. Her eyes were wet, filled with guilt, and maybe even expecting he had come to tell her he blamed her. That however was not the point of his visit, instead, he gently moved forward, his lips meeting hers. Luna shuddered, gasping at first as she did not expect him to kiss her. With little encouragement needed, Luna kissed him back. Both stepped closer to the other, their lips never parting. Once it did, their muzzles were still close, and Luna spoke in a trembling whisper. "Thee should misprise Us... Out of all ponies, thee art the one We hurt the most…" "Hush..." Star Chaser whispered, back, giving her a peck on the lips. "Luna, I love you, my heart has, and will always belong to you." Luna let out a whimper, and Star pulled her into an embrace. "Whatever has happened cannot be changed, we can only look forward now." They shared another quick kiss, and Luna nuzzled him. "We missed thee…" "I missed you too..." Nuzzling her back. "So let us not be apart again." No longer caring about status, or tradition, Star Chaser knew he wanted to spend his days with Luna, and no other mare. Times had changed, and he was excited to see what it had in store for them. Luna sighed, her tensed stance relaxing. She leaned into him, and Star held her close. "What do we do now?" Star smiled, nibbling her ear a little. "We could travel. See what this new Equestria has to offer." She looked up at him, surprised for sure. "Then what?" Star kissed her again, a gentle and loving kiss, one that Luna gladly returned. When their lips parted, he leaned in for another nuzzle. "We'll figure that out, together." Luna giggled a little, then gave a nod. "Together." Sighing, she embraced her lover, whispering a tender. "We love thee, Star…” She smiled as he heard his response. "And I love you, Luna. Now and always, my heart belongs to you."