//------------------------------// // Chapter 1 // Story: Return To The Haven // by Sweet Tale //------------------------------// "I am exhausted." My legs gave way as I flopped down onto the sofa; my briefcase thumping onto the wooden floor. Today had been particularly busy as Dave had instructed me to take minutes in the manager's meeting. Trying to fully listen to what everyone is saying and then writing it down, whilst listening to what they're saying next was hard as hell. As soon as that meeting was over, I was out of there faster than a kid was to sugar. "Aww...come here honey." I raised my gaze to see the eyes of my wife, Sarah. I don't know how she did it - she works all day, harder than I do, and still comes home looking like she did when she left in the morning - beautiful. I sat up and patted the spot next to me which Sarah sat in, leaning onto my chest. I stretched my arms out and wrapped them around her front, feeling her body heat next to mine. "I'm so glad it's Friday." I said. "Me and you both. Although my day isn't finished yet." "Hmm, how come?" Sarah looked up at me and tutted. "Don't you remember? I'm going up to Gretna to visit Mum and Dad." "Oh yeah, of course. Spending time with a woman who complains about everything that graces her vision." I said with a laugh. "You going for the night?" "For the weekend. I imagine most of it will be what you just said. Once the wine's open, it becomes a slag-fest for everyone who's wronged her.' I snorted and laughed. "She can't be that bad...right?" Sarah met my gaze with one that said 'Oh really?'. We both shared a laugh leant back on the sofa. "So, what time are you off?" "In a few minutes. Got a taxi to take me to Penrith so I can get the train. You'll be alright by yourself, yeah?" she asked, looking up at me. I ran my fingers through her hair, feeling the lucious silkiness of it. "Eeyup. Got a bit of a session later on TF2. Hopefully this new friend of mine will be on as well. I tell ya, he's good at the Soldier." *BEEP BEEP* Sarah got up from her human mattress and pulled me up with her. "Well, I better be off. I should be back on Sunday afternoon. We'll go try that new Italian place in Keswick in the evening." She planted her lips on mine and held them there. She broke the kiss and opened her eyes slightly at me. "How's that sound?" "Divine. I'll give them a ring and see if--" *BEEEEEP* "Hold on." I walked to the front door and opened it up to see th taxi waiting there. "YEAH, ALRIGHT MATE. CALM DOWN!" I bellowed out to the obnoxious driver. Sarah walked up to me and gave me a strong hug. "Have a good time yeah?" She began to walk towards to the taxi. "OH! And er...tell Marie I send her my hugs and kisses." Sarah scoffed and laughed. "Yeah alright. She'll love that..." She climbed into the taxi which took off down the pathway and out of sight. I closed the front door and made my way to the shower, discarding my crappy online-bought suit into the wash basket. Turning on the shower, I waited for the water to heat up enough then entered the warm embrace of mother nature's refreshing liquid. In Canterlot - 9AM Princess Celestia was sitting at her maple wood dining table, enjoying some oats and milk for breakfast. Savouring the sweet taste, she 'mmm'd as it was swallowed. "I don't know what it is but these oats are--" "How about now?" ".......No Luna." "OK................now?" Celestia held a hoof to her head as her younger sister continued her tyrade. Ever since Celestia told Luna she could not come with her to Earth, Luna had commenced a barrage of requests at her older sister. At first it didn't affect her but now, her patience was starting to wear thin. "Luna, for the last time. You are not going to Earth." she said in a stern voice. Luna took a seat next to Celestia and looked up at her. "But why? All of those marvellous things you told me about the human, all of the inventions that have been made. Why won't you allow me to see this world?" she asked, hanging her head at the end. Celestia sighed and turned to her sister. "Luna my dear. It isn't your fault that you cannot go. The knowledge of Equestria needs to be kept away from Earth as I fear what could happen should they find out about us. In their world, we are fiction, a story. Creations from the minds of various humans. Jason is the only one who knows that we truly exist and I wish to keep it that way. With the two of us going, it could provide more opportunites for other humans to find out. I am only going back so that I do not seem rude. Forgive me Luna but I'm sorry, you cannot come with me." Luna rose from her chair and walked away. "Fine. But I'll tell you this." Celestia stood and turned to see the biggest smirk on her sister. "I'll change your mind. You just wait and see." Luna walked out of the room and shut the door behind her. Celesita chuckled to herself and started to sit back down. "That sister of mine. She does sometimes say the weirdest--" *PFBBBT!* "AHH!" she screamed. Standing back up and looking back at her chair, she levitated the offending object and glared at it. "A whoopee cushion?" "That's right." sounded Luna's voice from behind the door. "And that's just one thing. You've brought this upon yourself." Celestia gulped and looked around nervously. She had known that Luna had become one for playing pranks on other ponies, herself included. She cautiously walked out of the dining hall and along the corridor towards the throne room. The walk was silent, save for the sound of her own hoofsteps. Approaching the throne room, the guards opened the door for her. "Thank you guards. A good day to--" *POOMF* A flash of white clouded her vision and also clogged her throat. Once the smoke had cleared, the reason was found. A large amount of flour suspended above the door. "L-LU-NA!" Celestia shouted through coughs. "Yes? Can I come now?" asked Luna, in an innocent voice, who appeared out of nowhere. Pinkie Pie's logic was strong with this one. Celestia growled and wiped her face with her hoof, giving Luna an angry glare. "Clean this up." she asked the guards. They quickly saluted and went off to find some cleaning supplies. "Luna, I am not taking you. That's that." "OK!" Luna happily agreed before running off, out of sight. Celestia was befuddled but she shook off Luna's reaction along with most of the flour that now coated her...coat. She walked up to her throne and placed herself down on it. "Day Court is now in session." she stated out loud. *2 Hours Later* "LUNA, THIS HAS GOT TO STOP!" A break is all she wanted. A bit of time to grab a drink, maybe a light snack but no. Luna had other ideas - like spiking her fruit juice with a liquid that shrinks your vocal chords. Luna was in fits of laughter at how her older sister sounded. (Think of that dog from Up.) "Ah-ha! HAHAHA! Oh Celestia, you sound hilarious!" Luna shouted out between laughs. Celestia walked up to her and glared at her again. "In the past two hours, you have given me a scroll which was laced with itching powder, you turned my guards into sheep, you stole my crown and ran away with it and NOW you laced my drink! When is this going to end?!" she shouted at her. Luna couldn't take her seriously, not with that high voice. "Ahahaha...aha...when you...*snigger*...allow me to come with you." Celestia couldn't take it anymore. She stomped her hoof as hard as she could - that caught Luna's attention. Her horn glowed and she coughed a few times. "Luna." Her voice was back to normal. "I do not want to see you for the rest of the day. Do you understand? I am NOT pleased." Luna knew what this was. Celestia was miffed, seriously angry. She hung her head and walked away. "Yes sister." she said sadly before the kitchen door shut behind her. Celestia sighed and teleported herself back to the throne room. Everything was back to normal. "Day Court may resume." *6PM* It was nearly time to leave. The sun was soon to be set and the power of Equestria was to handed over to Luna for a whole weekend. To say Celestia was nervous was an understatement, she had never given Luna this much responsibility before. "Sister?" Celestia turned her head left to the source of the meek voice. Standing there was Luna, looking downtrodden, a facial expression Celestia knew she couldn't ignore. "You know I hate it when you do that." she said, smiling slightly. Luna stepped closer to her before looking into her eyes. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you angry." she apologised. "Well you did." Celestia retorted a bit loudly. She then rested her hoof on Luna's cheek. "But I forgive you...as long as there are no more pranks." "I promise." They both nuzzled each other with sibling affection. "So when are you leaving?" Luna asked quietly. "Immediately. Follow me onto the balcony." They both made their way onto the balcony outside of the throne room. They cast their horns alight and heaved the Solar and Lunar lights respectively, turning a shining world into one of darkness. Finishing their tasks, Celestia cleared her throat to get Luna's attention. "I leave control of Equestria in your hooves sister. I pray that you won't lose it." she said with a wink. Luna playfully nudged her sister. "Leave it to me." "Very well. I'll see you in a few days." Celestia's horn glowed brighter and brighter. Luna could feel the massive amount of raw energy being used for this spell. The amount got higher and higher and then...nothing. Celestia disappeared with a flash of light. Luna's mouth turned into a smirk and she chuckled to herself. "Gotcha." Earth - Jason's Home This always felt good after work. It just washes the day away and relieves stress. I seriously considered buying one of those shower chairs so I could just sit in here all day...but I never did. I thought it would make me look lazy. After about twenty minutes, I turned the shower off, stepped out and picked up the...the..."Bugger." I remember putting some towels out to dry on the clothes airer last night so I walked out of the bathroom and towards the front room. Now that my wife wasn't around, I could reward my house with the sound of my singing voice...OK, torture. "Tonight, I'm gonna have myself a real good time. I feel alive! And the wor--" Oh. My. God. "Hello again." Both of us were looking at my uncovered nether regions. I looked back up in shock. "H...Hi."