Written by: Pearple Prose
*****
Hate is a very strong word, in Luna's opinion. Disliking somepony was normal, common even. But hate? Hate is a much rarer, darker beast. Many ponies knew to avoid it, and learn to love and tolerate equally. A cohesive community is a happy community, after all. Hatred has little use in such a world as Equestria.
That doesn't mean that hate didn't exist, however— hatred is akin to an infection; spreading and manipulating, digging its hooks in and not letting go. For some ponies, hatred had transcended mere emotion and become a way of life, of sorts.
Luna had known King Sombra. More so than any other pony, in fact. She had seen firsthand the effects that hatred could have on a soul. She had peered into that abyss of loathing, darkness, and self-destruction, and had come away from that precipice with newfound understanding and more than her fair share of scars.
And when tensions had been stretched to the breaking point, the infection that had taken root in her heart had offered her a way out. A new destiny. A new world; a world of darkness, dreams, and dominance.
In the end, Luna had gone down that path. When she returned, she swore off hatred forever.
"...and so I picked up that cactus, and I..."
Luna glared over the rim of her teacup at the two ponies sitting and chatting opposite her. On the left sat a pretty little lavender mare, hair cut cleanly across her brow, just above two beautiful eyes of amethyst. She was smiling brightly.
Luna, normally, would be over the moon when she saw that smile. It was what made her world go round, after all. No, her glare was aimed at the pony that Twilight happened to be smiling at. Not Luna, oh no.
Celestia finished her story with a burst of cheerful laughter, like ringing silver bells. Twilight joined in, giggling in a way that stabbed at Luna's heart. She loved that laugh. But there was something wrong about it this time. Something different.
Luna looked at Celestia again. Just what is that look in her eye...?
Luna shook her head wildly. "No, no, silly Luna, those are silly thoughts. Everypony is happy and so are you." She whispered hurriedly under her breath.
Despite her own words, their laughter continued to needle at her. Breaking down her will. Allowing the voice into her head; thoughts of envy, greed, and...
No. Not hate.
Luna watched her sister wrap her wing around Twilight. Luna watched Twilight lean into her sister's side and nuzzle her neck.
Hate is a very strong word indeed.