//------------------------------// // Solitary Star // Story: Solitary Star // by Pony Bones //------------------------------// Princess Luna watched intently as the steam from her tea danced into the backdrop of her intricately woven starry skyline, the start of another night. Breathing into the cup as she took a sip Princess Luna thought to herself. Princess Twilight had certainly proven her worth as a ruler ten times over after her altercation with Tirek. The tenacious little librarian had single hoofedly saved Equestria as well as her life. Of course Princess Luna would never question her sister’s judgment and the moon would never let her forget it. But why should she even bother with raising the moon or even ruling when the up and coming protégé obviously was just as capable as her. Such contemplations had bred Nightmare Moon. Princess Luna knew this and she also honestly wished the best for Princess Twilight Sparkle. Then why did it hurt so much admitting that she was in the young pony’s debt? Princess Luna was a multi millennial alicorn ruler, master painter of the nocturnal sphere and architect of dreams. But just like she couldn’t measure up to her sister she didn’t even come close to what Twilight was capable of. Twilight’s potential was downright frightening, looking at the star studded sky she had prepared tonight extra especially just to prove to herself that she was still capable of improving herself. She wondered if anypony would appreciate the Arora borealis above Ponyville Peak or the moonbow or the shooting stars she had placed and timed precisely to draw Starswirl the Bearded. Luna would give her mane to have those days back. Princess Luna turned to acknowledge her sister as she quietly trotted beside her and sat down. “You outdid yourself with the sky this evening Luna, what's the occasion?” “You noticed?” “How could I not notice? There's not a single blank space in the sky.” Princess Celestia asked putting a wing over her sister’s withers. Princess Luna snuggled into her sister’s warm embrace as if hiding there could conceal her from the big cold world that was certainly more frightening than the freedom of the wide open starry skies she loved. Being imprisoned on the moon hadn't changed that, even with all the goodness of Equestria. Princess Luna quietly poured her sister a cup of tea, her second special creation this evening. A brew befitting of her captivating skies, a pungent mix of chamomile, fennel and mint. Princess Celestia gracefully accepted her cup sipping deeply and sighing in contentment as the steam swirled around her muzzle. “What is on your mind little sister? What occasion has you pulling out all the stops and splurging with your stars and tea?” Princess Luna knew exactly what she wanted to say but she couldn’t put it into words, it just seemed insufficient. If she could explain it to her sister it would only convey a fraction of what she felt but she couldn’t hold it anymore. “Our subjects deserve nothing less than Our best.” Luna said in a tone that sounded much more curt than she intended. She buried her head deeper into Celestia’s wing but was disappointed when Celestia withdrew it. “I’m afraid you’ll have to give a better answer than that sister.” Luna used her magic to pull Celestia’s wing over her back again with a childishly offended look. Then looking intently back to her skies she asked hesitantly. “What… What do Our subjects think of Us?” “Your grammar hasn’t changed a bit dear sister. Are you referring to your royal self?” “We are.” “They love you, you are their Princess. Did you think they felt otherwise?” “It’s just what have We done for them that they love Us so? How have we lead them? How can what We be measure up to Princess Twilight?” “Oh is that what this is about? My Sister you are still the same Luna that I love nothing will ever change that. Who else in Equestria do we have if not each other? After all we’ve been through this episode with Terik will be nothing but a joke in the end.” Princess Luna let the words soak in then nodded resolutely. “Now the night is still young and I know there are lovers that are counting on you for sweet dreams.” Princess Luna groaned and rolled her eyes, “Sister you know I hate those dreams the most.” “What’s the matter Sister, too old and frumpy for a little romance? Or is it that you are still afraid of cooties? Siwwy Woona, don’t act like I haven’t caught you waking up stiff as a board with a silly grin on your face and unless you’re seeing somepony that you haven’t introduced me to, which I would be highly offended at by the way, you aren’t weaving dreams of cake and ice cream. I should be less worried about what Twilight can do with your powers and more worried about you abusing them.” The tea in Princess Celestia’s hoof suddenly jumped up and splashed her muzzle. “Abuse you say sister?” Princess Luna nickered mischievously, “Mayhap you would like to see abuse of power.” It took Celestia a good minute to recover from her shock and close her gaping mouth before she could return Luna’s malicious smile. “Don’t tempt me with a good time sister, I’ve had two millennia of practice while you were gone. Are you sure you want to start this?” She asked brandishing a pastry from the tea tray with far too much frosting. “How do they say in the modern vernacular? Bring it on!” Just inside the castle hallway leading to the secluded garden two stoic Nocturne Guards enjoyed a chuckle at the sound of the all-out tea war raging outside. These times were special, few ponies had the honor of witnessing the Princesses just being sisters. It really was a, Good Night.