//------------------------------// // Two of a Kind // Story: Has Anyone Ever Loved Me? // by DerpyMuffins15 //------------------------------// "Have sweet dreams, Luna." nuzzled Celestia to her sleep deprived sister. "I'll be here if you need me or if you just want to talk about something." Her pale horn started to ignite with a light gold aura enveloping the messy midnight-blue blankets beneath them. A slight tug around her neck stopped Celestia in her tracks. "... pl-please... stay with me?" asked Luna weakly. Her eyes were already closed with weariness clamping them shut. It was quite selfish of her to ask Celestia to stay with her, but Luna didn't want to be alone. That's what the Lunar Alicorn feared more than anything in the world. More than being banished to the moon, more than being hated by everyone around her. Being alone would hurt Luna more than anything. "Alright, Lulu. I hope you don't mind if get comfortable?" asked Celestia gently. She didn't want to disrupt her sister, seeing how tired Luna was. "...of course..." yawned Luna. She lessen the grip around the alabaster Alicorn and immediately went limb. Her forelegs gave out and numbness was all around her. Luna could barely feel her body now. All she was aware of was the movement of her sister. The gentle placement of Celestia’s giant-outstretched wing snugly wrapped around Luna, along with the multi-colored ethereal mane blanketing her in it's warmth. All Luna could feel was the pure love her sister irradiated for her. "Are you comfortable, Lulu?" questioned Celestia. She lowered her head down to Luna's and planted small kisses on her forehead right above the horn. Celestia arched her back into a circular form, now wrapping herself around the small and warm Alicorn, and encased Luna with her larger body. "...th-thanks for staying....Tia. I know how busy you can be sometimes...." yawned Luna again. "I'll always have time for my little sister, Luna. I waited a thousand years for you, didn't I?" joked Celestia. Luna couldn't help but smile at her sister's playful nature. What Celestia lacked, she made up for in wisdom and experience. Something Luna has found to be very valuables over the years. "Tia? Can I... ask you a question?" whispered Luna quietly. "Anything, Lulu." answered Celestia. "Wh-what was your first love like?" asked Luna. If she had been able to look her sisters in the eyes, Luna would have seen nothing but sadness and regret. Even the warmth that was close to Luna dwindle a little bit with the mention of her sister's love life. After years of wearing the mask she always does, Celestia couldn't help but feel it crumble with the memories of her past love. "I...don't really know how to explain it Lulu. I would always feel something warm inside me whenever I was with him. No matter how much trouble he got into or how busy I was, he always found a way to bring a smile to me." answered Celestia with some hint of hesitation. "He, sister? What was he like?" yawned Luna again. Only the soothing sound of Celestia’s voice was keeping Luna from drifting off into pleasant dreams. Celestia gave a labored giggle before the floods of memories returned to her once more. "He was a troublemaker to say the least, actions first, responsibility and consequence later. Wherever he was, pranks or silly incidents would be the least of your problems. But it was his kind nature that made everyone forgive him from time to time. He always brought laughter and humor when everypony needed it the most. When I needed it the most." reminisced Celestia. "The people even named a holiday after him. It was the first of a spring month if I recall." Luna didn't know why, but the pony her sister described seem all too familiar. 'Light hearted nature?' mused Luna. She never really paid attention to her sister's love life until now. Luna would have loved to meet the pony that could bring so much joy and happiness to her sister. "...do I know him?" asked Luna. "I believe you have met him once before. Sadly.... he isn't with us anymore." sighed Celestia. In a single question, Luna has brought Celestia from her bright cheery mood to a depressed heap of memories. "...I'm sorry I mentioned it...." apologized Luna. Guilt was swelling in her now. It slowly crept it's way into Luna cheery mood and soon dampened it as well. "It's alright Lulu. Truthfully, I don't think it would have worked out. We were polar opposites, just like you and me." said Celestia gently. Her mood seemed to lighten to know that her sister supported her. "Besides, I had you to keep me company." Luna curiosity burst through the roof as a single question loomed in her fatigue mind. "...what did you do when... when I was gone?" asked Luna sensitively. Before long, Luna felt moisture gather at the base of her mane. Tears had flown freely from the gentle eyes of her sister, and soon intensified to a small sob. Luna felt a small tremble emit from the Alicorn blanketing her, along with shallow breaths now coming from her sister. "...Tia?" squeaked Luna. The small sobs worsened to whimpers as more tears flowed from the now bloodshot eyes. Celestia's mouth was now dry like the Saddle Arabian deserts. The pale Alicorn’s words were lodged in her throat with distress and made the Solar Goddess mumble her saddened words. "I...I...I..." stuttered Celestia. Her guilt and sadness wouldn't allow the Alicorn to get her words out, no matter how hard she tried. "...you do-don't have to tell me sister..." mumbled Luna. "I... I didn't know what to feel about you Luna.... The first hundred years, I... hated you Luna. I just hated you for no other reason than the monster that you had become. The monster that you wore as an outer-skin to protect yourself from the hatred and resentment everyone around you emitted. Everything you did, for nothing more than your own vanity, killing and spreading the hatred you were so wrongly forced upon. After allowing myself to rethink a few things, that hatred softened. For the second hundred years of your banishment, I was angry at you. I didn't know why, I just was. It wasn't until the third anniversary that I realized, I was angry at myself. I was angry because I couldn't protect my little sister. That I wasn't there when she needed me most. I was angry because I put my citizens before my own flesh and blood. The third hundreds years, I missed you. I would miss you to no end. The sleepless nights I stayed up to watch your beautiful moon. No matter how hard I tried, I could never mimic what you crafted with your beautiful stars. I hoped that maybe, you would descend from the moon like an angel and bless me with your presence once again. I would have given anything to get you back. I would have given a quid pro quo to the universe, exchange me for my sister. The fourth hundred years, I mourned you Lulu. Everyday and night I was saddened that you could no longer be by my side. I cried when I could, just because the tears were the only things that kept me sane. You were the only one I could open to Lulu. When I needed a shoulder to cry on, you were there. When I needed someone to talk to, you were the only one who would listen to me, and give an honest answer. For the next five hundred years, I did something I regretted ever doing. I tried... I..." mumbled Celestia. It caused her pure emotion and physical pain to get the words out. She had to, closure was what she needed now. The only way to get that is to open old wounds and let the infection die out. "I tried to... I tr-tried to... forget about you. For the last five hundred years and beyond, I tried everyday to forget about you. I tried to forget the pain and grief I, alone, caused my own kin. I am a terrible pony and sister to try to forget about my only other family, that I caused to be griefed and banished in the first place. I am the true monster in our tale of light and darkness. I tried to forget about my little sister." Luna couldn't comprehend the emotions her sister emitted at the moment. Right now, the Solar Goddess seemed to have been torn between grief and guilt. Something inside Luna wouldn't let her sister bear it alone. Not matter how harsh the conditions were on the moon, Celestia seemed to have gotten the worse end between the two Alicorns. "Sister, Tia? Please, stop crying. I don't like to see you in such a state." reassured Luna. New energy surged through the Lunar Alicorn as she willed her fatigued head up and tiresome eyes open. Luna stared directly at her sister's tear jerked eyes with reassurance and care. "Please stop crying? For me?" asked Luna gently. She was going to take her sister's advice whether it worked or not, Luna had to try. The gentle words calmed Celestia from her broken down state. Her sobs soften to light whimpers to know her sister was there for her if the need arise. Her small trembles came to an almost instant stop. It was words alone that calmed Celestia. Words begging her to stop her distress for her sister's sake. It was a strange and new sensation to the Solar Alicorn. It was always Celestia that calmed down her sister. Now it seems that the tables had been turned. Pride overwhelmed her sadness as she saw her little sister grow up little by little everyday. 'Wisdom comes and goes in strange ways' mused Celestia. "Thank you, Lulu." smiled Celestia. Her genuine smile brought warmth and happiness to Luna once again to fully know that her sister was in a better state. "What are sisters for? You would do the same thing for me, Tia." returned Luna, only to add to the pride swelling inside her sister. "I know, and I should have never tried to forget about you. It was wrong of me to try to forget my mistakes that were responsible for your banishment in the first place." said Celestia. "Forgive, but never forget, right?" quoted Luna. It was one of the few quotes she remembered from her sister's constant lectures about life lessons. "I see you have been listening to my 'philosophical quotes' after all." teased Celestia. "Yes, I guess I have. But that doesn't mean I understand most of them." retorted Luna. She cocked an eyebrow to emphasize her misunderstandings. "Maybe you shouldn't always try to speak in riddles." Celestia couldn't help but let out a small giggle at her own bad habits. "I guess it's just something I picked up from my first love." "Let's not forget that you are also a chocoholic, sister." teased Luna even further. "At least I don't procrastinate, Lulu." returned Celestia. "Tia!" whined Luna. It was bad enough when her other self was noting her bad habits. Now even her sister was involved. "You have at least three personal assistants to help you with your paperwork. I don't even have one." "Perhaps you are right. I am being a little too hard on you. Maybe it's time we get you your own personal hand maiden." agree Celestia. "I can get my own maid?" asked Luna excited. "Anyone I want?" "Of course, as long as he or she is within reason." answered Celestia. "Do you have someone in mind, Lulu?" "I don't know yet, but I will soon. When can we go?" questioned Luna. "Now if you would like sister." answered Celestia. ~Bang~ "Huzz-" started Luna. Her praise was interrupted by the bang of the Lunar door, supposedly locked with Solar magic. The door smacked against the walls scratching the midnight blue paint. What entered the room killed the mood immediately. There stood their nephew in his light grey coat, with his light amber mane stupidly hanging from his head and neck, and his compass rose sparkled like he had applied special moisturizers to get his flank to glisten. The sight of the unwelcome family member annoyed Luna more than anything. What came out of his mouth was his usual hijinks, mixed with nonsense. "AUNTIE!" whined Blueblood. His voice alone screeched in Luna's sensitive ears, which were threatening to bleed from the sheer high pitch squeal of her nephew. Both Princesses stared daggers at the young prince while he continued his way towards them, unaware that he was interrupting their sisterly bonding time. "What do you inquire about, nephew?" questioned Luna bluntly. It was restraint and fatigue that held back the Lunar Alicorn's rage and anger boiling inside her. "I want the complete and utter destruction of that filthy lower class town, Ponyville." answered Blueblood. Celestia usually had a high tolerance for her nephew, unluckily for him, today was not one of those days. She glared molten hot, daggers at her nephew, while her sister did likewise with ice cold precision. Unfortunately for Blueblood, his stupidity blocked the deadly glares shoot his way. "And why should we comply to your request nephew? Ponyville has done nothing wrong." questioned Celestia. "It's because THEY live there. The ponies who ruined the Gala and destroyed the ball room. Not to mention, one of them lowered me to having to do things for myself." whined Blueblood. Anger and hatred boiled to the surface for Luna. She was angry at her nephew for interrupting her personal time with Celestia, and just outright hated him for trying to destroy the place where all her friends lived. The anger came in the form of a Royal Canterlot shout, loud enough to be heard from Las Pegasus. "NO!" boomed Luna towards the wimpy and unprepared unicorn. The shout knocked him back towards the wall and he crashed into her nightstand. It wasn't until that moment that Luna notice something out of place next to the mirror. Blueblood's crash knocked something wooden and small on to the floor. The clang was hollow, like the wood was older than the room itself. The rectangular object had a oakwood frame. The the beads, usually small wood spheres, were small marble smooth stone laced with Lunar magic, which allowed it glisten and shine, with not even a scratch on it. However, what Blueblood did next made Luna's heart stop in it's track. Blueblood stepped on her abacus. He heard a crunch of wood cracking and creasing and looked down at where his polished hooves lay. "Absurd! What is this old thing?" question Blueblood. He picked up the old abacus with his magic before tossing it aside. It was a death sentence for anyone who dare anger Luna. This was a lot worse. The old calculator smacked against her mirror and cracks spread through the glass while tears appeared on Luna grieved face. No matter how hard she tried to hold back the sobs and tears, she couldn’t. The abacus was the dearest thing in the world to Luna, second only to her moon. The old abacus would be useless to other ponies, but to Luna, it was priceless. It had sentimental value that no pony can ever put a price on. The abacus was one of the first ever to be made, given to her for her birthday, when the Alicorn sisters still celebrated them. The first moment she laid eyes on the abacus, Luna was the happiest mare in the world. The fact that her sister inscribed it, made it all the more valuable. It was one of the few things that balanced both Solar and Lunar magic, without deteriorating upon itself. Solar magic to inscribe in it, and Lunar to preserve it. ‘For my little sister, Luna: To count all of the stars in her beautiful night sky.’ Now the inscription was scratched away by the fracture of glass that punctured it’s smooth corners. What’s worst is that Blueblood had the stupidity to ask why his aunt kept such an uncivilized object. “You shouldn’t keep worthless trash hanging around like that Auntie. That thing could have smudge my perfect coat!” said Blueblood. Tears were replaced with pure hatred and anger once more. Luna’s horn glowed a pitch-black instead of her usual chalky white or tranquil cobalt blue. The magical force almost made it’s way to Blueblood’s thin neck, to choke, snap, and need be, sever, to abate her anger. The only thing stopping Luna was her sister. As much as Celetia wanted to ring her nephew’s neck as well, his stupidity couldn’t be helped. With a quick reaction, Celestia flashed her own light gold aura, before her sister’s wrath made it’s way towards their nephew’s neck. The only ones able to see the exchange were the two Alicorns involved in the fray. Celestia could feel the pure hatred that radiated from her sister’s black magical aura. It only had one intention in mind as the dark aura fought against her’s for control. No matter what, she couldn’t let her sister kill their nephew, no matter how much he had wronged Luna. All her concentration was focused on her winning sister, whose anger alone had surpassed and overwhelmed Celestia’s futile efforts. Her sister was in control now, best crippling the idiot unicorn, and worst, mortifyingly butchering him limb by limb, slowly and agonizingly. Now was the time to prove if she really did have an emotional grip over her sister. “Lulu, please don’t.” begged Celestia. She had to plead for mercy, grovel if need be, to get her sister to calm down. “He isn’t worth it.” whispered Celestia gently into her sister’s ear. The words didn’t even seem to phase Luna, nor did it seem to soften her anger and hatred in anyway. “Please Lulu. Don’t do it.” tried Celestia one last time. Any longer and Celestia won’t be able to hold back the dark grip aimed for Blueblood. Diverging her magic flow, Celestia altered her protection spell into a teleportation spell. In an instant Blueblood was wrapped in a light gold aura changing his physical form into magic particles. “What th-” started Blueblood with a scared expression on his face. Before long, he was gone in a bright yellow flash. “WHERE HATH THOU FLED TO?!” questioned Luna in her Royal Canterlot voice. She raised her body searching for the unicorn that offended her. Her eyes were a pitch-black, covering her once tranquil cyans. Her anger alone fueled away her fatigue and tiredness. Luna almost got to full height before she was pulled back down by her sister’s massive wing. Before Luna could react, Celestia pulled her into tight embrace, deathlike even, not even letting her sister pull away. “LOOSEN THY GRIP UPON US SISTER, WE SEEK REVENGE AND RETRIBUTION FROM THAT IDIOT KNAVE!” boomed Luna, muffled by her sister’s fur tightly pressed against her face. No matter how hard the Lunar Alicorn struggled, she could get out of her sister’s tightening embrace. One of Celestia’s hooves slowly ran through Luna’s mane, as the Solar Goddess started cooing her upset sister. Fresh tears flowed through the Lunar Alicorn’s eyes once again, dampening her sister’s coat. “It’s alright Lulu. Cry it out, don’t let the anger swallow you again. Just cry it out. I’ll be here with you, don’t worry. Shhhh.....” cooed Celestia softly into her sister’s ear. “The mirror can be fixed, Lulu. It’s alright.” “....it...is...not...the...mirror...” cried Luna into her sister’s coat. Her struggles finally stopped as she accepted her sister’s embrace and trembled slowly. “Then what is it?” asked Celestia. She motioned her body downward and pushed the Lunar Alicorn down on the messy mattress under them. Luna now laid on her side, still securely wrapped by her wing and hooves. A quick flash of a deep sapphire blue aura teleported the fallen abacus to the two Alicorns. A closer glance at the counting device allowed a realization for Celestia. It was Luna’s first ever abacus. Given to Luna from Celestia as a birthday gift. It was only a few weeks after Luna had gotten her cutie mark as well, doubling the sentimental value the abacus held over her. “You kept that after all these years?” asked Celestia. Her only answer was a slight nod and more trembles from the Alicorn tightly wrapped in her embrace. “I’m sorry I didn’t realize earlier. I never knew it meant that much to you Lulu.” Luna remained silent as her sister continued to calm her. Her crying was almost to a stand still, but she still trembled in her sister’s embrace. Celestia nuzzled her sister softly to secure her sister’s peace. Only after what seemed like an eternity did Luna’s trembling come to a stop completely, with the only evidence of her episode was Celestia’s tear soaked mane. “...thank...you for st-stoping me...” mumbled Luna. “If it weren’t for you... I would have.... have.... killed him.” said Luna, choking out the words. “I’ll always be here to protect you Luna. That includes protecting you yourself. I won’t let you face this alone, not again.” comforted Celestia. “Yo-you don’t hate me?” stuttered Luna. “Why would I hate you? We may be gods in the eyes of our ponies, but that doesn’t mean we have to suppress our emotions all the time Lulu. Even I will show anger from time to time.” said Celestia. “... I almost became a... monster... again.” mumbled Luna. No matter how much Celestia can deny it, Luna was right. She almost resorted to killing her own family member just because her anger got out of hoof. “I was ready to kill Blueblood, sister. I was going to choke him to death, maybe even worst.” “No, you weren’t Luna. I’m your big sis’ for a reason, to protect and care for you. I failed you the first time you needed me most. I will not allow that to happen again. We are family, Lulu, and family looks out for one another.” reassured Celestia. “Please Luna, enough of this petty matter, you must be tired.” “...so, does that mean you forgive me?” asked Luna quietly. “There is nothing to be forgiven Lulu. In my eyes, you can never do wrong. Just mistakes when you lose your way.” said Celestia. “...does that mean I can still get an assistant?” asked Luna. “Of course. We shall pick one out for you tomorrow Lulu. Right now, you need sleep.” answered Celestia. Luna didn’t need to be told twice. Her eruption drained her of all reserves she had left inside. No matter how hard she tried, Luna couldn’t help but feel her vision blur even more as her eyelid closed shut. “St-stay with me?” asked Luna one last time before sleep would take over. “Alright Lulu. I’ll stay with you.” answered Celestia as her restless sister returned to dreamland again. The alabaster Alicorn wrapped herself around the Lunar Alicorn once more and levitated the midnight-blue covers to blanket herself and Luna. “I could use some sleep as well.” said Celestia as a yawn soon followed. The magical fray with her sister left the Solar Goddess more drained than she thought. Once her peaceful magenta eyes closed, her mind started drifting to the dream plane where her sister resided. ‘I hope Luna doesn’t mind if I join her.’ thought Celestia as she, too, fell into deep slumber. Author’s note: Alright everypony, I’ll keep this short. Family bonding time with Celestia. We all know or atleast theorize what Luna did/felt while on the moon, but what about Celestia? Just my theory on what happened. Just hope I stayed within her character well enough and still show emotions that make her a better 3-D character instead of a hollow 2-D one. Enjoy, and forget about what I said about turning back the clock. Just think of this as still after the Royal Wedding, it goes better with the plot I got in mind. Also, happy Nightmare Night. Editor’s note: Well, there you have it, chapter 6. Lots of emotion and my utter disappointment at the fact that Blueblood didn’t get his head popped like a zit... oh well, maybe next time. TwiLunaLover out.