//------------------------------// // Hard Truths // Story: Friendship Starts With You // by Indi3g //------------------------------// As soon as the accusation left Celestia's lips, her hands covered her mouth, as if the words had come out unintentionally. The silence in the room was as if the world itself had stopped breathing in shock. The expressions ranged from outright confused to utter horror; the only exception was Nick, who had on a completely neutral face. "I... see." he said in an even and calm voice. Without giving any of the ponies a chance to speak, he stood up and made his way to the library's door, before stopping to address those still seated. "Have yourselves a good evening everypony. By your leave, Luna, your highness." Celestia's ears fell flat; she knew that last comment was directed towards her. Even though Nick looked fine, she could tell that what she said was like a slap to his face. As she tried to find some way to take back what she said, he had opened the door and closed it, leaving her to consider the consequences of what just happened. "I.... believe there is something more than what we know girls." Rarity whispered. They could only nod in agreement, as their minds attempted to understand the meaning behind both Celestia's words, and Nick's. "Thou art a fool, sister. He has no part to play, except that of a friend trying to save another. My sins are my own." Luna sighed. Seeing the distressed look on her sister's face, she went to Celestia and began to hug her. "Thou assume things too quickly Tia; 'tis thy greatest strength and weakness." Celestia could only sniffle and bury herself into her sister's embrace. "I - I just thought... the way you changed... the things you said. It sounded like something he'd cause..." Before she could continue, Luna had reached up and flicked Celestia's muzzle in irritation. "Art thou serious? Dost thou think he would do such petty things? Sister, for shame." Spike cleared his voice, ready to voice his opinion since hearing everything that had happened so far. "Uh, princess, why'd you think that? Not to be rude or anything, but he seems like a pretty straightforward and chill guy. Maybe a prank or two, but make Princess Luna turn into Nightmare Moon? That's kinda a stretch." After saying his piece, Spike received a pinch from Twilight, who was unhappy with the drake's bluntness. Luna began to blush and started fidgeting before responding. "W - we can answer that question, young one. We had a.... fling... of sorts. But we were both drunk! T'was nothing but the result of much merrymaking! A - a party! For my sister's day of birth!" The more she attempted to explain, the more flustered she got. Eventually, she settled for an embarrassed silence, while the rest quietly laughed. "Well, I thought that he was messing around with your magic because... well... he was upset that you called it a 'fling'." Celestia spoke up. Luna instantly turned to her sister with a serious and intense look in her eyes. "What art thou talking about Tia? He could not have known, unless..." An ashamed expression began to develop once realized what might've happened. "We must make this right," she whispered. Pulling Celestia off of her, she got up and left, intent on finding him. "I'm sorry, my little ponies. It seems like we will have to continue this another time. I would like you to befriend him, and help him get used to things. Nick may seem a little rough, but he is a good ma - stallion. I just hope that his anger towards me won't ruin the friendship he might have with all of you..." With that somber statement, she flicked her wrist - dispelling the barrier, wearing her crown once more and once her ‘princess mask’ was back in place, left to pursue her own goals for the rest of the night. ------------------------------------------------------------Edge of Ponyville ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nick sat under a tree, gazing at the night sky. It looked the same as it had, all those years ago. Without looking away, he spoke up. "Hello Luna. I'm guessing this is your sister's work? It doesn't have that... style that you did." The mare pulled herself from the shadows of the tree and gave a small smile. "Thou were always one of the few that could always tell when we were nearby. We... are sorry that our sister lay the blame upon thy shoulders." As she spoke, she sat next to him, spreading the ends of her dress around her. "It makes sense," he quietly replied. "She got too full of herself and after losing you, she needed somepony...or someONE to take it out on. The nobles probably egged her on to blame me; after all, we both know how much they hated my guts." Giving a bitter laugh, he finally turned and stared at Luna. She wore the last dress he'd seen her in before changing into the Nightmare. It was of simple design, but had both beauty and grace; the edge of the floor-length skirt was silver, and the material of the outfit itself shimmered and appeared as different shades of blue with each move she made. Holding a portion of the dress and on one shoulder rested a crescent moon, with a pair of midnight blue gloves to complete the ensemble. "What gets me, is that your dress still looks as good as the day you first wore it. I mean, seriously, over one-thousand years wearing that, and ponies wouldn't know unless you told them yourself! Magic sure is handy..." Luna blushed and slapped his arm with a whine of embarrassment. " 'Tis rude to talk of such things! That is not why we have come to talk to thee, so do not pull the conversation to other things." Taking a moment to breathe and focus, she cleared her throat and spoke once more. "We know that Tia was foolish in her accusations, but she only had best intentions in mind. So now, we ask of thy forgiveness for both her words and mine." Nick turned himself from her and pushed himself off the ground, dusting himself off and refusing to look her in the eyes. "I forgive her of course, mostly because she didn't know better. It hurts, but I get it. It'll take time for me to call her a friend again though. But you Luna..." One of his hands began to clench and shake, reflecting the level of emotion he felt at that moment. "What hurt me the most, was that for days after our... fling.... you refused to see me, much less talk to me. I found out what you felt by overhearing a MAID gossiping. Do you understand how that felt? I'm glad that you're alright, but for now it would be best for us not to see each other. Celestia's had time to get over this, but for us, this wound is still fresh. Take care." He walked away, not looking back and focusing on remembering how to get back to the library he had just left. If he had turned around just one more time, he would've seen her reaching for him; tears running down her face and an expression of absolute sorrow.