//------------------------------// // Everything the Light Touches Isn't Yours // Story: When Two Are One // by Rigoo //------------------------------// Luna's feathers caught the cool night air as she fell, letting her glide out towards the city of Canterlot. From her high vantage point, she could see nearly the entire city. Though much of it was dark, shining streetlamps and glowing windows gave off enough light to see by. Wary of attracting attention, Luna landed in a dark alley before walking out onto the street. It was strange, she thought to herself. A thousand years ago, the setting of the sun meant no light at all, save for the dim glow of candlelight. But now, ponies could easily illuminate their streets and houses, even in the blackest midnight. Wandering the Canterlot streets, Luna was surprised to hear noise as well. Faint thumping beats and muffled cheering echoed from the city's center. Were they celebrating this late at night? Did they not wish to sleep? She followed the sounds as they bounced off buildings and houses, her curiosity leading her closer and closer to the center. When she finally reached it, she couldn't believe her eyes. The square was brightly lit with overhanging lamps. If not for the pitch black sky, it would be impossible to tell it was night. Buildings were adorned with flashing colorful signs advertising their establishments. A number of ponies roamed the streets, either making their way home or looking for their next source of entertainment. It was the most incredible thing she had ever seen. Ponies had discovered how to make themselves at home in the night. The sight filled her with a strange sense of nostalgia. Over a thousand years ago, she had hung her own lights in the night sky. She had made the stars to appeal to her diurnal subjects, to give them something familiar to tempt them into exploring her domain. They had never been enough, unfortunately. Now, ponies had made their own stars to guide them through the night. The lamps and signs were hardly subtle, but even Luna couldn't deny their appeal. Canterlot square looked warm and welcoming, perhaps even more so than it did during the day. Luna felt like that should have made her happy, but instead she felt overcome with melancholy. In truth, it was just more proof of her failure. After how hard she had worked on making the night accessible, she should have been the one to introduce it to ponies. Nightmare Moon and eternal night had been her greatest attempt to solve the problem. She had believed that if she could force ponies to experience the night, they would have to love it as she did. But all she had done was make things worse. Turning to Nightmare had gotten her banished for a thousand years, and it seemed that was the last chance she would ever get. Now, it was too late. Her dreary mood couldn't dampen her curiosity, however. She wandered the city for hours, curious to see the other ways the night had changed in her absence. She passed nightclubs that barely contained the loud music and cheering within. She passed quiet bars that occasionally released wobbling, giggling ponies back out onto the streets. She passed houses with only a single lit window, defiantly still awake despite the late hour. It was a far cry from the night she had left behind. The setting of the sun used to be the death of nearly all activity. Only crickets and owls had dared to make sound, and only wide eyed animals showed their faces. The rest of the world had slept, ignorant to all her hard work. Now the night was lively, and ponies kept playing and working even after the moon rose. But that did nothing to stop the feelings of loneliness. If anything, it made them stronger. She might have kept wandering longer, despite herself, but suddenly her stomach grumbled. With surprise she noticed the night was ending, and a faint, pink light on the horizon heralded the sunrise. “It seems I've lost track of time,” she thought to herself. “I should be getting back to the palace.” No, interrupted the voice. Now is your chance to truly meet your subjects. In mere minutes the streets will be filled with them. Her stomach growled again. Find someplace to eat. Ponies love to socialize over food. Anxiety crept into Luna's mind, but she did her best to ignore it. With the light of the rising sun, she read the signs hung above Canterlot's many establishments, searching for a bakery or the like. The words “Pony Joe's” caught her eye, reminding her of a conversation with Celestia. “It couldn't hurt to try,” she thought. Inside the building she was met with a novel sight. A blue and white checkered floor supported a number of wooden tables, where groups of ponies ate together. Most looked rather tired, but every bite they ate added a bit more cheer to their faces. A quick look around made it clear why. “Miss please, there's a line,” said the stallion behind the counter, likely the eponymous Pony Joe. But Luna barely noticed him, fully entranced by the shop's stock. The far wall was covered top to bottom in donuts of all kinds: pink frosting with sprinkles, chocolate glaze, cinnamon twist, even unremarkable plain donuts. “There's just so many...” she whispered. “Hey! What's the big idea?” The shout drove a cold spike of terror into Luna's heart. She whipped around to find a stallion glaring at her, standing in a row of ponies Luna had completely overlooked. “I'm sorry, I was just—” “There's a line here, lady!” She was promptly cut off. “What makes you so special? You can wait like the rest of us!” “I-I'm sorry! I'll just—” The angry looks of the other customers tore what little confidence Luna had to shreds. They held no mercy in their glowering faces, not an ounce of forgiveness for her many mistakes. She should have known better than to come here. The ponies of Equestria had never cared for her, and they never would. The castle was the only place she could be safe. Her sister was the only one she could trust. Luna ran out of the shop, her heart hammering in her chest. She didn't slow down outside as she galloped straight into an alley, desperate to avoid the gaze of anypony else. Her heaving breaths echoed in the darkness, her eyes trained on the exit to see if anypony would follow. What on Equestria was that? “I told you this was a mistake!” Luna gasped through her breathing. “Nothing can save us from the wrath of our subjects!” I sincerely hope you are not being serious... She continued panting, trying but failing to calm herself down. “Why did I ever think to listen to you? I knew this was a terrible idea from the moment you mentioned it!” It was a perfectly reasonable idea, you idiot! Any normal pony could easily find a meal and company in a bustling city! Your overreactions to mundane events are the problem here! “Did you not hear that stallion shout? Did you not see the looks upon their faces?” Luna hung her head. “We are not welcome with their kind.” Did you not see their tired eyes? Did you not hear their words? Their only gripe was that you skipped the line! Had you come as a princess instead of a peasant, they wouldn't have dared to say a word about it! Luna almost laughed. “Oh, certainly. Had I merely held my undeserved privilege over their heads, I'm sure they would have been much more accommodating.” Luna's mind clenched as soon as she said the words, as a sudden wave of frustration pressed against her thoughts. You imbecile! You are a princess and you have in fact earned your privilege! The very nation these ponies comfortably live in would not exist without your own blood, sweat and tears! You have every right to skip in line, and ponies should feel lucky to have the opportunity to accommodate you! Luna shook her head in disbelief. “They should feel lucky to let me use them? Your words are madness! We are a princess, not a tyrant! Our power is to be used in service of the common pony, not for our own selfish desires!” Yes, because we are so inclined to selflessness aren't we? Luna felt her heart drop. We are perfectly happy to hide in shadows while our sister collects all the love and affection of our subjects! Thanklessly shepherding dreams is reward enough to quiet our ever tortured mind, is it not? Her mind was overwhelmed by the voice's tirade, deafening and overflowing with rage. Her thumping heart was the only thing loud enough to compete with the screaming. You foolish little mare, do not fall for the folly of lying to yourself! You desire recognition and influence as much as any other pony! Luna felt something cold run down her cheek as her throat grew tighter. Look at you! The mere implication that you deserve respect drives you to tears! Do you understand how ridiculous you are being? “I'm not being ridiculous!” she shouted, fighting to stop her voice from breaking. “You're manipulating me again! Stop trying to control me! I'm my own mare now!” Did I not just tell you to stop lying to yourself? You know we're the same pony, there is no you without us! These senseless games you keep making us play are preventing you from making any progress! Quit hiding and accept the truth! “No!” Luna shook her head, trying to regain some semblance of focus. “I'm done listening to you! I've given you too many chances already! Go away!” It was then the laughter started, bitter and humorless. Luna tried to look out of the now glowing alley exit, just able to make out the ever-growing crowds of ponies in the streets through her tears. The rising sun coated the land in color and cast shadows all about. Canterlot awoke to another day, completely unaware of the princess hiding in its alleyways. Miles away in her cozy treebrary, Twilight Sparkle blearily greeted another morning. The town of Ponyville shimmered outside her window, the golden rays of the sun shining down on the town. She got out of bed and stretched her legs before clambering downstairs where Spike had breakfast ready. She sat at the table, preparing to enjoy some pancakes and a delicious cup of apple juice, when a loud noise startled her. It was a familiar clamor, one that had preceded some of the happiest moments of her life, as well as some of the scariest. A noise that filled her with equal parts excitement and dread. A momentous sound that often heralded a new chapter of her life. It was the sound of Spike's belch. The Princess had sent a letter for her. The dragon walked in from the kitchen, placing a scroll on the table. Twilight hardly wasted a moment unrolling it in her magic, her eyes rapidly tearing through the words. With every second she read, her smile grew. “Spike! Celestia says Princess Luna wants to meet with me again!” Twilight was over the moon at the news, but her assistant looked unsure. “And this is good news?” “Of course it is, Spike,” Twilight chastised. “Sure, her first impression last Nightmare Night was less than stellar, but Princess Luna is a wonderful pony. She's not Nightmare Moon anymore.” Spike shrugged and walked back to the kitchen, leaving Twilight to gush on her own. “I can't wait to hear how she's been doing after Nightmare Night. I bet she's well on her way to fitting in and making friends!” Twilight smiled fondly, imagining all the stories and lessons she and the Princess could share. “I still can't believe that Celestia has a long lost sister! Imagine all the history they have together! Oh, I'm so excited to meet with her again!” This weekend couldn't come soon enough! She couldn't wait to tell her friends! But first, she started on a letter of her own for Princess Celestia.