//------------------------------// // Chapter 2 // Story: Don’t Worry, I’ll Be There to Catch You // by Supernova08 //------------------------------// Cold, all Luna could feel was cold. The rushing winds flowing through her coat and mane contributed to that cold. She wanted so desperately for the end to come already. How much longer must she stay? All that came to Luna’s ears was white noise, and her chest felt numb as she accepted her fate. It wouldn’t be long now before everything went completely quiet. She opened her eyes for a split second. Seeing the ground coming ever so closer, she shut them tight once more. The darkness enveloped her vision again as she waited ever so patiently for the sensation of hitting the ground. Just a few more seconds, she thought.  Suddenly, the noise of rushing winds ceased. The time to make impact with the ground soon came…and then left. Luna was soon aware of something warm around her body, similar to the warmth you might feel in the light of the summer sun. Whatever this was, held onto her, restricting any movement Luna attempted to make. She tried to pull away, flaring her horn to try and break the steel tight grip from holding onto her. In response, this force held on tighter. Pulling her…up? Luna’s eyes burst open in alarm. Immediately noticing the golden glow of magic surrounding her, her blood ran cold. She swore her heart had just missed a few beats. Luna knew that aura, she had seen it thousands of times and it was unmistakable. I can’t even take my own life correctly…Luna thought as she blinked away a few tears. Knowing the inevitable was about to happen, she stopped fighting the magic. With her head hung she allowed herself to be pulled up towards the top of the cliff. What she was met with was the very angry stare of her elder sister. Luna could do nothing but stare blankly back.  “What in Tartarus were you thinking!?” Celestia shouted. She set her sister down in front of her. Luna could see that her sister was quite upset; her eyes were shiny, the corners of her eyes held tears and her expression was a very stern frown. Luna didn’t respond, she simply didn’t have the energy to do so anymore. Seeing the empty look in her sister’s eyes, Celestia’s glare softened as tears streamed down her face. Luna could feel her emotions churning within her, there was a pang in her chest as guilt remained the dominant feeling. No, not again… “You should have just let me fall,” Luna mumbled. Her voice was impassive, devoid of any emotion despite the ache of guilt in her heart. Luna noticed Celestia shake as her sister’s quiet sniffles turned to sobs. “I’m only hurting you once again, please, just let me go and all the pain I have and will continue to cause will come to an end.” Celestia’s voice wavered as she suddenly brought her sister close, squeezing her tightly to make sure she didn't escape. “No, Luna. Please don’t leave me again!” Luna tried to pull away, her efforts remaining futile due to the grip and her drained state. “I can’t lose you again. Why can’t you see that I need you? Am I not doing enough to show that I love you? That I care for you?” “What? No, I know that you love me and I appreciate it, but… all I do is hurt others, I’m not worthy of your love and it’s just…I don’t think I can do this anymore…” Luna looked away, avoiding her sister’s sorrowful gaze. “I’m just tired, Celestia…so, so, tired…” She closed her eyes and buried her muzzle into Celestia’s chest as her sister loosened her crushing grip. Wrapping her wings around her sister like when they were fillies, Celestia was grateful she hadn’t been too late. The shock of it all was slowly weakening and she needed a few moments before she could regain her composure. Celestia’s weeping subsided as she took into account her sister’s words. “Luna…I love you so much, but why don’t you ever tell me anything?” Celestia asked softly. Luna sighed, despite the cool temperatures she felt a comforting warmth. A warmth she hadn’t felt for a very long time. Just being close to her sister restored some of her energy, filling her with an emotion she had felt missing since before everything had occurred. Safety. Wrapped in her sister’s wings, she felt no harm could ever reach her while in Celestia’s embrace. Even after returning from the moon and being freed from The Nightmare's grasp, she still felt like everything was out to get her, fearful stares from subjects and harsh words from the nobles contributed to the feeling. It was a paranoia she couldn’t shake. But now? Luna was suddenly very glad that she was with her sister, she had almost thrown away this wonderful feeling she had yearned for so long. “I’m sorry, Tia but it was so hard. I don’t know why it was hard to open up, I just…every time I felt like going to you I lost the courage to do so,” Luna replied, “Eventually I just gave up on trying, it was no use, I didn’t really have anypony else I felt completely comfortable with and I couldn’t go to you as you were either busy or I just couldn’t bring myself to.” It was Celestia’s turn to sigh as she teleported the both of them back to her chambers. Setting both of them down on a cushion, never letting go of her sister while at it. She hastily threw off her regalia, it would be nice just to talk, not as princesses, not as the bringers of day and night, just as sisters. Perhaps their purpose was to serve Equestria, but family always came first. “Luna, I want you to know that no matter what, I’ll always be here for you. Remember that if you ever need to talk, you can come to me, whether it be day or night. I promise that I’ll stop whatever I’m doing. My little sister always comes first, okay?” Celestia gently ran her hoof through Luna’s mane. “Luna, there are ponies that can help you, ponies that specialize in helping ponies like you heal. You should know that medicine has improved quite a bit since you’ve been gone.” Luna lifted her head slightly, looking straight into Celestia’s eyes. “Medicine? But I’m not sick. Something is wrong with me, but are you really sure doctors will be able to help?” Luna replied in a worried tone. Celestia shook her head. “Nothing is wrong with you, Luna. Although you may be healthy physically, I don’t think you are completely healthy mentally,” Celestia said in a gentle tone. She didn’t want her sister to get the wrong idea. “These are doctors for the mind, I really think that you should try talking to one, will you let me schedule a meeting for you?” Seeing the sincere look in her sister’s eyes, Luna let herself accept it. “Okay, I understand. I’ll allow you to get me help, but will you please stay with me for now?” Luna asked. Celestia smiled. “I promise I won’t leave your side.”