//------------------------------// // Heartbreaking! The tale of the two moon princesses // Story: Harmony of the moon // by Alchemystudent //------------------------------// Heartbreaking! The Tale of the Two Moon Princesses         After making sure that the entire group was there, Shining Armor led the group of 15 mares to the towering castle that sat closest to the mountain side. As they neared the pristine white castle, with its majestic banners flying high, and its shining parapets gleaming with the sun; Usagi and her friends looked on in awe at the beauty of the castle of the sun. When they approached the gate, Shining Armor looked at one of the guards, “Swift Arrow, let the Princesses know that Twilight and friends are here along with her ‘special’ guests.”         The orange pegasus nodded and saluted to Shining, “Yes, sir!” He shouted as he opened the door and went inside as fast as he could, ahead of the team. Following Shining Armor’s lead, the 15 ponies walked into the halls of castle, and again the senshi were mystified by the loveliness of the castle. Inside the structure were large marble pillars and lining the walls were pieces of artwork establishing history and moments of friendship. The windows were large enough to let in plenty of sunlight while allowing for lovely views of the kingdom itself and across the ceiling were large bannisters. For the senshi, it was as if they were looking at the insides of a palace from home. It did not take long for the group of ponies to walk down the hallway that lead to throne room, stopping just before the giant doors. Igniting his horn with his magic, Shining opened the massive doors to reveal the throne room where, upon a golden throne, sat a lovely white alicorn with flowing multicolored ethereal mane. At her side was a dark blue alicorn looking at the entering ponies with a giant smile on her face, “Presenting,” Shining said, bowing to the princesses, “Twilight Sparkle, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Applejack, Rarity, Pinkie Pie and company.” A smile came to his lips as he gave Twilight a hug before leaving, “Have fun, Twily.” “I will, BBBFF,” Twilight said, hugging her brother back and then following her friends as they walked towards the to alicorns. “Is Luna all right?” Applejack asked, whispering to Rainbow Dash, “Ah’ve never seen her so, peppy.” “I know, it’s kinda scary,” Dash whispered back, looking at how Luna was anxiously twitching her throne, “I mean who replaced the princess with Pinkie Pie?” “Both of you, HUSH!” Rarity said, nearing the throne, “Luna is probably just excited to see us again after so long.” “Princess Celestia, I am glad to to see you again,” Twilight bowed to her teacher, followed by the other mares bowing in respect to the solar dairch. “Twilight Sparkle,” Celestia said with a smile, “As always, it is good to see my most faithful student come here with her dearest friends. I will always be grateful for your company.” Celestia then turned her head to the 9 senshi, “And we of the kingdom of Equestria are deeply honored to welcome the ruler of the Silver Millennium and the rulers of the 8 planets. We welcome you to our realm, Princess Serenity of the Moon.” Celestia said, bowing to Usagi. “Wait, you know who we are?” Usagi asked, taking a few steps back in shock. “Yes,” Celestia said, taking a slow breath, “I know all of you are.” She then looked to Minako and the others, “Also we are honored to have in our company: Princess Ami Mizuno of Mercury, Princess Makoto Kino of Jupiter, Princess Rei Hino of Mars, and Royal Guard Captain-Princess Minako Aino of Venus. I am also surprised, but honored nonetheless, to welcome in our kingdom the guards of the outer realms-Princess Haruka Tenoh of Uranus, Michiru Ten-I mean Kaioh of Neptune and Princess Setsuna Meioh of Pluto,: At the mention of Haruka sharing her last name with Neptune, the blonde pegasus couldn't help but smile at her marefriend while Celestia continued, “And lastly, we are very pleased to welcome Princess Hotaru Tomoe of Saturn to our country. Though I must say it is also a big surprise as we never expected the Senshi of rebirth to grace us with her presence, but we are grateful nonetheless.” If anypony was standing outside the door at that moment, they would hear the collective dropping of six jaws. “OH MY WORD!” Rarity exclaimed, holding a hoof to her mouth, “If I ever knew that I was entertaining a princess in my house-” “My stars, Ah never would’ve guess that-” Applejack said, bowing quickly to the senshi. “This is so exciting, we were friends with 5 princesseseses!” Pinkie Pie bounced happily. “Oh, my goodness,” Fluttershy said, blushing a little at this. “This is so awesome!” Dash said, looking on at her roommate with a little bit of pride. “Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh,” Twilight panicked, “I had a princess in my house all of this time and I never let her read all of my books and I didn’t entertain her properly and know she probably feels insulted. I am so sosososososoososo sorry your highness!” “It’s ok,” Ami shyly said. “Its not something I focus on,” Usagi said. “But how do you know who we are?” Asked Makoto. “There will plenty of time to explain that, but for now,” Celestia said, a proud smile on her lips as she looked to her little sister, “ I do believe that Luna wants to spend some time with an old friend.” Turning to look up at her sister, Luna gave a big smile and a squee of joy before leaping off the throne and walking up to Usagi, “OH! Princess Serenity, it is so good to see you again,” Luna said with a smile as she wrapped her hooves around Usagi and hugged her tight. “I had thought thatyou have been lost to me forever. I was afraid that I would never see you again, but here you are... alive. I couldn’t be happier to see you.” Usagi, never one to be heartless, happily returned the hug but then pulled away, “I’m sorry, but why do you two know who we are?” “You, do not remember me?” Luna asked, looking at Usagi sadly. Lowering her head, she let out of a sad sigh, “Of course, it makes sense that when one is resurrected one would lose some of their memories of their previous life.” Usagi looked at the saddened alicorn and reached over to pat her back and hug her, “Hey, its alright. I may not remember you, but I could still try to be your friend.” Luna looked up and smiled at Usagi, returning the hug, “Still the same Serenity, overly optimistic and hopeful. I am glad that your resurrection did not change you for the worse. Come,” Luna requested, walking to the door of the throne room, “We shall head to my chambers and I will tell you of our past friendship. By your leave, of course, dear sister.” Celestia chuckled, “Of course you can go, Lulu. I have some things to discuss with Twilight and her comrades, you go and reconnect with your old friends.” Twilight couldn’t help but smile at Luna’s enthusiasm as the alicorn smiled and happily walked out the door with the senshi in tow, “Celestia, I don’t understand. How can she be so old and know Luna? How can she be a princess and not an alicorn? The last time I heard of something like that was with Princess Platinum.” “Dearest Twilight, I am happy to answer all questions about our 9-”Celestia said, only to be interrupted by Pinkie. “10! There was that mamamamamo guy,” Pinkie corrected. “Oh, the prince of Earth is here as well? I must say, Endymion is quite a surprise, I would’ve thought that he would stay home,” Celestia said. “Endymion?” Applejack asked. “Sit,” Celestia said, bringing out several pillows for Twilight and friends, “We have much discuss about our new arrivals and that mysterious entity that you and your friends fought.” As the discussion between teacher and student began, a reunion of old friends began to take place somewhere else, “Our story, Serenity-” “Usagi, please,” Usagi said as she walked alongside the lunar alicorn. “Usagi, sorry,” Luna said with a blush as she made her horn glow. As she began her story, the senshi could almost feel as if they could see and hear everything that they were told.         Our story begins several millennia, back when the Silver Millenium was still the gleaming gem on the moon and was the capital of the sol kingdom in its golden age. During this time, not only did the kingdom have connections to the other nine planets in your solar system, but held relations with other dimensions as well. One such dimension was Equestria and for a time your mother, Queen Serenity, would entertain my mother whenever the time could allow. On several of these occasions, Mother Terra would bring along a couple of guests...         A young girl with white pigtails ran up next to her mother, “Are they here yet? Are they here yet?”         The mother, dressed in a long white gown, only smiled softly and looked down at her daughter, “Oh my dearest daughter, you are so impatient. Queen Terra had just arrived through the portal, they’ll be nearing the throne room shortly.”         “Awwww, but I want her here now!” pouted princess Serenity.         “Your daughter has a lot to learn about patience, it seems,” a tall and regal green alicorn spoke as she entered the throne room, a young white alicorn filly following next to her.         “Wait,” Ami said, “Why is your mother still an alicorn in our world? Why did we get turned into ponies when we crossed dimensions?”         “Before the kingdom fell to ruin, there was a power source that made dimensional travel possible without losing one’s form. You might know of it?”         Usagi took one good look at her broach, “The Silver Millennial Crystal?”         “Yes, the crystal which kept the kingdom safe for so long also acted as a bridge to our world due to its connection to the elements of harmony,” Luna said.         “Wait! There is a crystal as powerful as the elements?” Twilight asked Celestia, her eyes opened in shock.         “Yes, due to the Crystal and the Elements sharing a similar origin, their power is equal and thus were able to create a link between worlds. Such is their power,” Celestia said. “It is one of the many lessons I am going to be teaching her, your highness,” Queen Serenity said, before bowing to the light green, orange maned alicorn before her.         “Queen Terra,” the young princess asked, walking up to the alicorn and looking at the white filly next to her, “Is Lulu here too?”         The young Celestia let out a sigh and shook her head, “I am sorry my dear Serenity, but Luna’s been very sick and couldn’t make the trip.”         “Oh,” Serenity said, looking down at the ground, not noticing the pair of blue eyes looking out from the alicorn’s mane, “I was hoping to see-”         “BOO!” Luna shouted out as she leapt out from Terra’s mane and next to Usagi, “Surprise, Serenity!”         “LULU!” Serenity exclaimed with glee as she wrapped her arms around Luna and gave her a tight hug, “I am so happy you came to visit!”         “Of course I would, I wouldn’t dare to think of missing our visits. Come on, lets head to the gardens and play tag,” Luna said as she walked ahead of her friend.         “Mother, can I?” Serenity asked.         The queen smiled softly and nodded, “Yes you may my dear, but remember stay-”         “Within sight of the senshi and never stray too far from Princess Ami’s cameras, I know,” Serenity said, bored.         “Celestia, stay with your sister,” Terra said to Celestia as she walked away.         “Yes, Mother,” Celestia said, her voice very solemn and serious. As she walked with the two lunar princesses, she leaned in to whisper, “ Don’t worry, I know of a way to ditch the royal guards and head somewhere fun!”         Turning to face one another, the two lunar princesses giggled and ran off together ahead of the solar princess. Outside in the gardens, four young teenagers stood at arms, watching the two fillies and young girl as they ran outside, “ They’re planning on running off you know,” Minako said, looking to her three companions.         Sailor Mercury giggled, “You have to admit, they are quite the adventurous sort.” “A little too adventurous,” Sailor Mars said as she kept an eye on the two fillies and girl. Looking up at the four senshi as they stood at the edge of the garden, Serenity happily waved hi to them and smiled widely. It was then that Celestia walked in front of the two moon princesses and stretched her wings, giving out a blinding light that distracted the four guardsmen and leaving the three princesses to run off from the garden and off the grounds.  Once outside on the grounds, Celestia stood back and watched the two lunar princesses as they began to play and enjoy the light of the Silver Millenium. “Under the protection of the Crystal, the four senshi of the inner worlds, and of course my sister, so were the days of our youth done in pure happiness and love. It is easy to see why,” Luna said, “ We had been friends ever since our mothers put our cribs together and let us sleep close as babies. However, our happiness would not last forever.” “What happened?” Ami asked. “Diverging interests,” Luna said as she began to show images of her and Usagi growing up, “While Serenity was trained to be a princesses of peace and to be more of an ambassador, allowing for the Senshi to be the royal guardsmen... Mother wanted me and Celestia to be warriors.” Haruka watched some of the images pass by, including some of a large black alicorn stallion watching over Celestia and Luna as they dueled with blades, “Your parents seemed to really want to push you to your limits.” “Who is that large stallion?” Michiru asked. “My father,” Luna said, smiling a little. “He was the most strict when it came to our warrior training. Though it proved the most useful when me and my sister had to encounter one of the biggest trials of our lives.” The senshi said nothing as they walked by a mural showing a light blue alicorn and a white alicorn facing off against a snake-like demonic beast with various animal parts grafted on his body. Luna looked ahead as she continued, “Needless to say, you and the rest of the Silver Millenium were at the ready to help us...”         Serenity ran into the throne room, holding her dress up to allow her to run easier, “Has there been any word mother? Is Lulu all right?”         The Moon Queen let out a sigh as she turned away from a cloaked figure, “Oh, my daughter, I am sorry but...”         `Serenity took a step back and gasped with her eyes widened in horror, “No, please don’t let her...”         “Be perfectly fine?” Luna asked as she turned her cloak into bats, a smile on her lips as she looked to her fellow moon princess.         “LULU!” Serenity exclaimed as she ran towards the dark blue alicorn and gave her a big hug, “Does this mean...?” “Yes,” Luna said with a nod, “Harmony reigns in Equestria once more, with me and my sister now at the head of country. She will have power over the day court while I have night.” “I am so happy for you and your sister Luna,” Serenity said with a smile. “I won’t lie though, there is another reason for my visit,” Luna said. “What?” Serenity asked. The queen looked at Luna and then back to her daughter, “She wishes to borrow our royal guard for a special mission...” “...To take on the nightmare queen and claim my place as queen of the dream realm,” Luna said as the reached her chamber door. “Nightmare queen? Do you mean Nehelenia?” Asked Setsuna as Luna opened the door. “You have done battle with her?” Luna asked. Rei frowned at the alicorn, “She tried to plunge the word into a realm of eternal nightmares and darkness.” “It’s good that you survived, she is not an opponent to take lightly,” Luna said as she led the 9 into the bedroom where she laid out pillows for the little ponies. “What happened after that?” Ami asked. “The duties of a princess, especially ones as high as me and my sister, are very taxing indeed,” Luna said, sighing. “It becomes worse when you feel as though no pony respects your art and denies the recognition that you deserve. However, one hope that I had was that our visits, if not our communications, would stay the same. Twas not to be as I began to hear from you less and less.” “What happened?” Usagi asked, before turning her head up to watch as Luna generated an image of the Earth and Moon joining as one with a heart, “Oh.” Luna walked to the balcony where a lovely young woman stood, her royal gown flowing in the breeze, “Serenity, we had wondered if you had faded into the twilight.” “Lulu!” Serenity said as she ran and hugged her old friend, “I am so sorry that we have not been able to talk in so long.” “It is all right, we have just been curious as to why,” Luna asked as she looked at Usagi’’s face. “Wait, heated cheeks? A faster heartbeat? A soft smile? Oh, Thou art in LOVE!!” “YES!” Serenity jumped happily. “Oh, Serenity, we art so happy for you!” Luna said with a smile as she hugged Serenity, “So, who is it?” “His name is Prince Endymion, the prince of a kingdom on Earth and guardian of the Golden Crystal,” Serenity said with a smile as she looked to the Earth. “I hope that he brings you eternal happiness, my dear Serenity,” Luna said, before looking over the balcony with a sigh, “At least one of us will be happy.” “What do you mean?” Serenity asked. “It’s... nothing. Forget I said anything,” Luna said, turning her head away. “Hey, we’re sisters of the moon... remember?” Serenity said, putting a hand onto Luna’s shoulder, “We protect each other.” Luna smiled softly, “It’s just that... the ponies of Equestria do not seem to appreciate my nights, Serenity. They don’t even recognize me for protecting them from the nightmares in the dreamorld! Everytime they awaken, they think the reason why they have a good dream is because of their parent, a blanket, or a lover. I-I am quickly forgotten as soon as my task in their dreams is done, like a forgotten memory. I wouldn’t even mind that, I knew the moment I became the protector of dreams, that my deeds would not be remembered. I was ready for that, but the worst of it is-” Serenity put a comforting hand on Luna’s shoulder as the alicorn began to weep, “Is what?” “IS HOW THEY IGNORE MY NIGHTS!” Luna yelled, the tears now flowing down her cheeks, “I have always thought that if I could not be remembered as a guardian of dreams and of the shadows against the darker monsters of Equestria, then at LEAST I could be remember for the lovely nights I give them. BUT NO!” She then turned to the balcony and placed her hooves on it  so she could look at the stars, “They sleep right through my nights. I turn the stars into pictures so they would have some art to look at, constellations I call them. They don’t even notice those, they just sleep the night away. I give them stars in the hopes that ponies could use them to return home when lost. They don’t even try that! I give them the moon so they could have hope and light in the eternal darkness... but no, they don’t even notice that!” “Oh, Luna. I am so sorry,”: Serenity said as she wrapped her arms around her alicorn friend, “I wish there was something I could do to help you, but know that we here in the moon kingdom will always appreciate your night. Anytime that you feel like you don’t amount to anything, come here and we will give you a home and all the appreciation you may require. Our doors, and my heart, are always open for you.” “Thank you, Serenity,” Luna said with a smile. “That was the last time I had a chance to talk to you, Serenity,” Luna said, solemnly. Back in the throne room, Applejack looked at Celestia as she rested on the pillow, “So what happened to this Silver Millennium?” “A being from the sun, known as Metallia, corrupted a young witch named Beryl and attacked the kingdom,” Celestia said, her face lowering in sadness as she remembered the day she received the news. “Princess Celestia!” A white unicorn stallion guard yelled as he ran into the room. “Shadow Blade, what is it?” Asked the solar diarch. “It’s the portal to the Silver Millennium. Its gone,” the guard panted, trying to catch his breath. Luna’s eyes furrowed in anger, “YOU LIE! HOW DARE YOU BRING SUCH FALSEHOODS BEFORE US. FOR THIS YOU MUST BE EXECUTED!” Yelled Luna as her horn glowed a bright blue, aimed right at the guard’s heart. “It is not a lie, your highness! We were checking the portal room to see if there was anything we could do to help with the war against Metallia when suddenly, BOOM! The portal had vanished in a bright flash of light,” the guard said, bowing. “... No. No, no, no!” Luna said as she ran to the place where the portal had once stood. Tears in her eyes, she began to pound on the stone wall, making cracks form in the walls from where her hooves made contact with the wall, “Bring her back! BRING HER BACK!” Luna’s screams continue to echo throughout the castle until finally, it was replaced by the soft sobs of a lunar princess who had lost her best friend. “Little did I know,” Celestia said with a sigh, “that the fall of the Silver Millennium would wind up being the second worse news that I would ever receive in my life that day.” “Sister?” Celestia asked as she walked through the castle, hearing a strange song being sung. Now the hour has come at last The soft and fading light “Luna, where are you?” “In the throne room,” Luna said, taking a break from her song before answering with a bit of venom in her voice, “Sister.” To shun the moon and instead Wait for sister’s sunny day “Luna, what is that song?” Celestia asked, opening the door to the throne room and walking inside. I shall not be Overshadowed Mine is not the lesser light! “Luna...please, tell me, what’s wrong?” Celestia pleaded, fear and sorrow in her voice. THE NIGHTTIME HAS BEGUN! Luna finished the last part of the song with an almost triumphant flair before walking out slowly from behind her throne, “Did you really think that I would stand around while they bathed in your precious light?” “Luna, what are you talking about?” Celestia asked, watching her sister get to the bridge between the two thrones. “Luna... you’re scaring me, please don’t do this.” Celestia pleaded, tears coming to her eyes. “There will be only one princess in Equestria,” Luna said, slamming her hooves to the ground and breaking it, “ME!” “On that day, I had lost two worlds,” Celestia said, somberly. Back in Luna’s room, the senshi stood in shock and horror as Luna continued her story, “I had always thought that if I had just one pony who could love my nights, one more pony in the world that didn’t make me feel worthless, that I could manage. But, to lose my friend, my fellow moon princess... it was too much for me and I gave into the nightmare.” Luna was expecting apologies, what she was not expecting was the massive group hug from the 9 senshi. After hugging her tightly, Minako looked to Luna, “So, what happened next?” “For a millenia, I was forever trapped in that monster’s body. Unable to talk, unable to think, and forever haunted by my greatest fears and loses given flesh. It was not until six ponies, with friendship born of fire, used the powers of the elements of harmony on me and freed me from that beast. After I had awakened and gotten settled back into Canterlot, one of the first things I did was head to the wall where our two worlds met. I figured the best thing I could do was pay my last respects to my dear friend; however, I began to hear noises. Looking at the wall, I saw a small crack. Being curious, I looked into the crack and saw young women standing around a sword. The moment I saw your hair... I realized that you had revived and were alive. However, I watched in horror as the crack disappeared from my sight and the wall turned back to normal. I seem to remember hearing a pony trotting off after that happened, but I didn’t care. For an hour I scratched and bashed the wall to get it to open. But, it was to no avail and had no choice but to walk away. Although, I was happy to know that somewhere... you were alive and that one day, I could see you again. You could imagine my happiness when I read Twilight’s letter and discovered that you were coming over to visit.” Usagi sat there, her eyes widened at this revelation, “Wow! I-I never new, I am so sorry that I didn’t remember any of that, or our friendship.” Luna waved a hoof and picked up a plate with her magic, “It is all right, I should’ve expected the memory loss from your resurrection. But, that is past and I think I have gone on long enough about my story. Please tell me what has been happening to you nine since your return, I am quite curious.” The senshi each took a snack and some tea from the plate and then began to regale Luna with tales of their adventures-from the battles with Berly to the black moon clan to the arrival of Mistress 9 and to the recent battles with Nehelenia and her Dead Moon Circus. As the Senshi and Luna had their talk within the confines of the moon princess’s private chambers, Celestia continued her talk with the six bearers of the elements, “Celestia, how can you be so sure that the harpy and the minotaur are all connected to this ‘Queen Metallia?” Celestia took a deep breath as she took a sip of her tea, “Because, she and I are connected. We both draw our abilities and power from the sun.” “It makes sense, since you said she was born from a sunspot,” Twilight said, looking down at her tea. “Wait, a sun can get spots?” Dash asked, looking out at the now night sky. “Well, yes. If you had an advance telescope like I do,” Twilight explained, “You would see that sometimes the sun can form spots thanks to extreme magnetic activity.” “And since she came from one of these spots, we have a symbolic connection. Ever since your friends came to this world, I have been getting visions of a dark creature wandering through Equestria,” Celestia said, looking down at her cup and trying to hide a weakness in her eyes. “I fear that she has come here for two reasons, to take the Silver Millenial Crystal and the elements to empower her and to plunge Equestria into a land of despair and darkness worst than anything Discord would’ve done.” “Don’t worry princess,” Dash said boastfully, “We wont let this queen Metallica or whatever she is destroy Equestria!” “Yeah, we’ll stop her,” Applejack said. Celestia winced a little before continuing, “I have no doubt that you’ll do your best to protect Equestria from this threat, although...” “What is it, princess?” Twilight asked, looking up at her mentor. “I fear that this may not be the only threat to Equestria that has arrived. There is something else, although I can not describe it, Just be on your guard,” Celestia said before looking up at the moon and then back at her student and friends, “It is getting late, and I feel like you all must want to get to bed. I have arranged for you to have a room across from where the senshi are currently sleeping.” “Thanks Celestia!” Pinkie exclaimed as she hopped out of the room and into the hallway. “I’ll help lead her there,” Dash said, taking off and followed shortly by the others.          As the mane six left the throne room, they did not notice the solar diarch slump to her knees and take a shuddering breath, “Oh, I’ve been getting too weak lately.”         Back in Luna’s private quarters, the senshi were finishing up their tales of heroics and fun, “So then Chibi-usa just threw the pie right at Hotaru’s face.” Michiru giggled.         “And that is why Haruka-papa is not allowed to bake pies anymore,” Hotaru said, before looking up at her father and smiling, “But I still love you papa.”         Haruka looked down at the filly in between her forelegs and then nuzzled her tenderly, “Love you too, my little firefly.”         Luna couldn’t help but laugh at the last story, enjoying the tales of her old friend’s antics. Letting out a contented sigh, she looked up at the moon and then turned to face the senshi, “Well, the night draws long and I think it is time for all of us to get some sleep. I have arranged for all of you to sleep in the bed chambers close to mine, including a private one for princess Haruka and her wife.”         Michiru looked to her mare and then back at Luna, “Um, we’re not married.”         “WHAT?!” Luna exclaimed, “You two have been in love with one another since the days of the Silver Millenium and you have just reunited once more. You two even have a child together and you mean to tell me that thou haven’t even popped the question yet? This will not stand! I will let this slide for now, but the next time we see thee princess of Uranus, we had better see a ring on that mare of yours.”         Michiru looked at her blushing mare and put a hoof around her leg, “You heard her, princess’s orders. So maybe I should take you to our room and we could... talk.”         Recognizing the look on her mother’s face, Hotaru leaped to Setsuna as they walked out of the room, “Oh, Setsuna-mama, can I stay in your bed while Michiru-mama and Haruka-papa talk mom and dad things?”         “Yes, you may,” Setsuna said, walking with the little filly in tow.         “Serenity, could you stay a moment? I wish to talk to you,” Luna requested as she watched the senshi take their leave.         “Yes, Luna?” Asked Usagi as she walked to her friend.         “I can’t help but sense that you are troubled, moon-sis,” Luna said.         “Troubled? Me? NO!” Usagi retorted quickly, her eyes darting back and forth as she let out a nervous chuckle.         “Serenity, though you have changed a little since you have come back, I can still tell when you are lying and hiding a deep pain,” Luna said, looking down at the white unicorn, “now please, tell me what is troubling you.”         Usagi let out a sad sigh, “It’s the Dark Kingdom. I am worried about my friends.”         “Why?” Luna asked.         “Because the last time we fought them, they had to sacrifice themselves for me. FOR ME! I... I can’t bear it if they did that again.”         Luna chuckled and put a comforting hoof onto Usagi’s shoulder, “But, aren't thou stronger since then. Haven’t your friends become stronger since that battle as well? You also have the outer guard with you as well!”         “That’s what worried me,” Usagi mournfully said, turning away. “If me and my friends have gotten stronger since the fight with Metallia, what if she has too. What if they have to sacrifice themselves again to help me win?! I can't bear to let someone else give themselves up for me.”         “But you know that the Ginzuishou has the power of resurrection.” Luna stated.         “Oh, and that makes the idea of watching my friend’s die any better?” Usagi asked, “I don’t care If I can bring them back, watching them die doesn’t get any easier. It just gets worse because it reminds me that I can’t save them, that for all that being a princess brings me, it can’t help me save my friends!”         Luna smiled warmly and placed a hoof onto Usagi’s shoulder, “And this, my friend, proves why you are worthy of such a powerful weapon and why your friends will not die in this fight. Let me ask you something,” Luna said, smiling, “Why do you think that, when your mother wielded the Ginzuishou, all it did was reincarnate you but when you wielded it you were able to resurrect all of them?”         “Because I... ”the princess stumbled on her words for a bit, unable to think of a reason.         “Because when your mother used it, she was alone wasn’t she?” Luna asked, seeing Usagi nod in response, “That’s why, the Ginzuishou is not as powerful as it can be when it is used in the presence of friends.”         “What do you mean?” Usaig asked.         “The elements of Harmony and the Ginzuishou come from the same source, the tree of harmony. While the elements are the fruit of the tree, the Ginzuishou is made of its bark and thus they both take their power from Harmony itself.” Softly, Luna placed her hoof onto the broach where the gem laid. As she did, the gem within began to glow a soft dark blue, much like her coat, “When my sister wielded the elements alone, all she could do with them was banish me to the moon, but when Twilight realized the magic of friendship for the first time and forged her bonds with her friends... she freed me from my nightmarish hell, they could conquer chaos itself, and even defeat gods that would make a mortal tremble. Much like you, when your friends are near... you defeated Metallia, but more than that you defeated the nightmare and reformed the goddess of destruction by turning her into a child.”         Usagi let out a small chuckle as she joined her hoof with Luna’s, watching the gem glow with a pure white mixing with Luna’s blue, “Yeah, we have done some amazing things.”         “Always remember, as long as you stand fast with your friends, I am positive that you can do miracles,” Luna then took a quick glance to her side to watch as the mane six walked by the door, “Much like they can. I know that there is some small fear in their hearts, but that is natural; however, I know that their fear is quickly vanquished thanks to the strong bonds that they have formed.” .         “Thanks Luna,” Usagi said, wrapping her forelegs around the lunar princess’s neck.         “”You would’ve done the same for me, my moon sister. It’s what we do,” Luna said, smiling.         Cheerfully, Usagi ran off towards the rooms where her friends are, not paying attention to the conversation that Twilight and friends were having, “So what do you think is wrong with Celestia?” Applejack asked.         Twilight quickly stopped her walking, “What do you mean?”         “Darling, I know you think the world of her but you can’t deny that she was looking tired,” Rarity said.         “I’m not denying anything, what do you mean?” Twilight asked, stopping front of her friends.         “You didn’t notice? The way she would space out from time to time, her slow breathing, the effort it was taking to hold her teacup? She’s becoming weaker, Twilight.” Rarity said         “No, it can’t be!” Denied Twilight, shaking her head, “This is Princess Celestia, she could only be beaten if someone were to power her up to her level. I thought I explained to you guys about the fight with Chrysalis, she was holding back during that fight and the queen has increased her power by that point. She can’t be getting weaker, she can't!”         “Sugarcube, she is,” Applejack said, putting a comforting hoof onto Twilight’s shoulder, “Ah can’t help but wonder if it’s got somethin’ to do with this Metallia girl.”         “Yeah, don’t worry Twilight,” Dash said, smiling. “Just you watch, when we take care of Metallica, she’ll be right as rain again.”         Twilight gulped,” I hope so.” She continued to walk with her friends, not noticing Luna standing behind them. “You have no idea how right you are, Lady Applejack.” Luna thought to herself as she looked to where Celestia had slept. “The moment that Metallia breached the veil, my sister had been growing steadily weaker, as if Metallia is draining her life force. Soon she will be only as strong as Cadence, only capable of raising the sun and unable to fight... AHHHHH” the blue alicorn winced as she felt a sharp pain go through her head.         Elsewhere, back in the room where the senshi stayed, a meeting between the senshi and element bearers was held, “So, what are you going to do now?”         Haruka looked down at the little filly in her forelegs, “Well, me and the others were thinking of staying here in Canterlot.”         “WHAT? But you can't!” Usagi yelled, “We all need to be together! We just met again.”         “Why don’t you ladies stay in Ponyville?” Asked Applejack.         “Are you sure?” Asked Setsuna.         “Well of course!” Pinkie said, “I know of this great place that is near Fluttershy’s house that can hold four ponies. The family that lived there just moved to Manehatten and no pony is using it.”         “Hey, maybe Twilight can talk to mayor into letting you four have it,” Dash said.         “Oh, can we Haruka-papa?” Asked Hotaru.         Haruka looked to her team and then back to her daughter, “Sure.”         “YAHOO!” Pinkie cheered with Usagi, “Now we can have a ‘happy that the senshi are all together so the Sailor Moon fans are now really happy and the plot can get moving’ party!”         Somewhere, outside of a small town, a blue unicorn began to kick around a small stone, “Fraud? Useless? Inferior? WENCH? Those ponies do not know who they are speaking to! I am THE GREAT AND POWERFUL TRRRRRRIIXIE! I will show them, sure I needed the alicorn amulet to fight Twilight one-on-one but give me time and I’ll-”         “Fail again?” A mysterious voice said from the shadows.         “WHO IS THAT?” Asked Trixie as she turned around to face the shadows, her horn glowing brightly.         “Parely, please. I am not here to fight, only to offer you a chance to become more... powerful,” Metallia said, smiling.         “Trixie doesn’t need the help. She tried that with the amulet and it failed then! From now on, it’s Trixie! On her own!” Trixie boasted.         “Oh, you misunderstood... I am not offering to make you more powerful, just...to open the door for you and teach you. Take you under my wing as it were, and give you the same chance that Twilight had,” Metallia said.         “No tricks?” Trixie asked.         “No tricks, you help me and I help you. Deal?” Metallia said.         A smirk came to the blue unicorn as she extended her hoof, “Deal.”