//------------------------------// // The Alternate Ending // Story: The Lunar Escape // by LuneLover //------------------------------// The climb down soon turned into a race around the cliff as they cheerfully laughed and jumped around like two foals. How long had it been since they had played like this? Both of them felt like they were young again. They were no longer princesses, no rulers of Equestria, no Guardian of the Night and Bringer of the Day. They were simply sisters playing around in a harmless way. Well, it was harmless, until Luna came far too close to the edge. The ground beneath her broke, and Celestia watched horrified as Luna fell and hit the ground, knocking her unconscious . "Luna!" She awoke to the sound of her sister. She had fell sideways and hit a group of rocks, otherwise the fall wouldn't have been much of a problem. The wing she had fell on hurt like it was broken, and had the sore taste of blood on her mouth. Luna tried standing up, but she simply couldn't bring herself to do so. Her head was spinning and she could barely keep herself awake. 'Celestia, please come quick..' ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Charme, get the soldiers now! She's attacked Luna!" The female Natch turned around and went into the forest. Komet watched her go, and once she was gone he ran to where Luna was, hoping to help her. The Sun Goddess was getting close to her, probably wishing to finish her off. But Komet wasn't going to let her die. With a jump, he kicked Celestia in the chest, sending her backwards, and placed himself between her and Luna. She growled."What are you doing? Let me get to my sister!" Her horn glowed with fury. "I won't let you harm her!" Komet yelled. She gave him a furious look." I'm her sister, for Harmony's sake! I would never harm her in any way!" "I bet you said the same thing a thousand years ago, and look where we are now." He said darkly. Celestia's anger disapeared within seconds and was replaced wth guilt. She wanted to reply something, anything, but words weren't coming to her. She simply lowered her head. An arrow passed to her side, almost brushing her. She jumped, not daring to look where the arrow came. Her wings opened, intending to fly her out of there, but a well-aimed second kick from Komet threw her to the ground. She could hear the sound of a group of Natchs coming. They were going to get her, and there was nothing she could do about it. Her ears perked up at the sound of countless bows tensing and reading to shoot their arrows. Her vision blurred. "NO!" Celestia's eyes shot open. She knew that voice. And she knew the blurry shape that was jumping in front of her. "LUNA!" Her ears were once again filled with the sound of arrows hitting the flesh and cutting deep into it. She could see a blue glow around her, protecting her from the arrows that tried to hit her. Finally, the sound stopped, and the shape in front of her collapsed. "Lulu!" Ignoring the pain, Celestia forced herself to run to where her sister was. Luna was bloody, and a lot of arrows where had cut deeply in her chest and stomach. Even with her alicorn body and strength, she only had one or two more minutes. She held her within her wings and reached for her hoof. "It's okay, Lulu. Everything is going to be okay." Luna's eyes had the look of someone who knew was dying, and simply accepted it. She smiled warmly at Celestia. "Celestia?" "Yes, Luna?" The trembling in Celestia's voice was evident now. "Don't blame yourself. Or the Natchs. They... They were just trying to protect me. I saved them once, and they wanted to repay me. And it was my decision to save you. I would have done it, regardless of if you were pinned down or not. I would have always tried to save you" Her eyes glittered like stars. "Can you sing me that song you used to sing to me, Tia?" Luna asked. Celestia nodded and cleared her throat. "You are my sunshine, my only sunshine.." Her sister's once-flowing mane hung limply at her side. "You make me happy when skies are grey..." Her breathing slowed. "You'll never know dear, how much I love you..." "I love you, Tia." She said as her breathing slowed. "Please don't take...my sunshine...away." Celestia felt her sister's heart as it stopped."I love you too, Lulu..."