//------------------------------// // Luna's Reply // Story: The Lullabies // by Aqua Shimmer //------------------------------// Celestia walked down the corridors of the palace. She had spent an entire afternoon listening to nobles complain about things that didn't matter. No wonder Luna despised them. There was a pain in her heart as she thought of her little sister. Her eyes began to water. She missed Luna so much, she didn't want to think about the princess now stuck on the moon. It had only been a month since that fateful day, but the wounds caused by that event were still fresh. She picked up speed and eventually reached two doors. One was a golden color with the sun clear painted in orange. That was Celestia's room. However, directly across the hall, was a dark blue door with a moon and stars painted on the door. That room was Luna's. The one room would not be used again for another 1000 years. Pain hit Celestia again. Why did Luna have to be banished? Why couldn't those stupid rocks have just pulled Nightmare out of Luna instead? The sun princess quickly went into her room, the door loudly shutting behind her. She fell onto her bed. This was all her fault. If she had just paid more attention, she would have noticed Luna's anger and envy. It wouldn't have happened. She could have help!! But she just sat off to the side and dealt with small little problems while not seeing the giant one approaching at alarming speeds. Celestia pulled her pillow over her head as her tears started travelling down her pale cheeks. Everything seemed pointless without her little sister's small jokes and cheerful attitude that would lift even the saddest pony from their depression. Celestia buried herself in her blankets and pillows. She wanted to be alone to cry. What happened next, in her room, she could not have guessed in millions of years. Not at all. "How my deeds pain me as time stretches long. How could I, have hurt them this way? So rest easy now, my punishment's mine. The weight of my crimes are my own. But into the stillness, you brought me your song. With your voice, my company kept. For your tired eyes, and sweet lullabies. I exile, I pay you my debt." Celestia tried to get out of her blankets, which now seemed like a trap. She got out and stared at her sister. But there was only one problem. It wasn't really Luna. It was a projection, an image. Celestia couldn't help but stare at her little sister. She looked like she did the last time she had saw her not as Nightmare Moon. But what was she doing? Why was she singing? "Once did a pony who gleamed like the moon, look out on her kingdom and sighed. Dejected she cried, 'Surely there is no pony, who loves me, or finds any love in my night'. So great was her pain, she rose in rebellion against those who cared for her most. She let the Nightmare fall on those she ruled. And threatened to grip them in permanent cold." Celestia's eyes widened. It was her fault, not Luna's. Why is her sister trying to apologize? It wasn't her fault! "Luna, stop. It's my fault, not yours." The younger pony didn't seem to hear at all. Of course she couldn't hear her. Luna was on the moon, not next to Celestia. Luna opened her mouth to sing another verse. "Lullay, dear Tia. Goodnight sister mine. Rest now in starlight's embrace. May this cool lullaby reach you in dreams and ease you your passage of days. May my apologies find you this night. And may my sorrow in kind. Tia, you loved much more than I knew. Forgive me for being so blind." Celestia just stared as her sister started crying. She watched as a single tear rolled down her cheek until it fell into empty air. "Soon did her sister do what was demanded and gave to the moonlight her due. Breaking the harmony, she saved her ponies, and banished her as a wise ruler must do. Such is the weight of the crown that we wear sister. Duties we always uphold. May you forgive that foolishness mine. And live on with no burden upon your soul." "Luna......please........stop......." Celestia was crying as she stared. There was nothing else she could do. Luna couldn't come back for a thousand years. there was nothing she could do to change that. She had already tried several times. Celestia just wanted her sister back. Nothing else. "Lullay, dear Tia. Goodnight sister mine. Rest now in starlight's embrace. May this cool lullaby reach you in dreams and ease you your passage of days. May my apologies find you this night. And, my sorrow in kind. Tia, you loved me much more than I knew. May troubles be far from your mind. And forgive me for being so blind." "Luna?" "The space now before us, empty and forlorn. I never imagined, we'd face them all alone. May these sunless season, swiftly pass, I pray. I love you, I miss you. All these miles away. May all your dreams be, sweet tonight. Safe upon that bed above the lights. And know not of heartache, fear, nor gloom. And when I dream I'll fly away and meet you soon." Celestia's eyes widened as Luna started to fade. "Sleep....sleep....sleep...." Celestia ran forward, only for Luna to disappear once more. The sun princess lowered her head and walked to her balcony. She closed her eyes and began to lower the sun. She carefully began to raise the moon as well. But when she looked at it, the face was just a reminder of her sister. She felt like crying again, but she raised her head in defiance. Luna needed her to be strong. "I will keep Equestria safe, until the day you can return, my dear sister."