//------------------------------// // The Lunar Raise // Story: The Moon On Her Flank // by RachanaRoxx //------------------------------// It was only a few hours until the Lunar Rise, and I was nervous! I l laid on my bed, stiff as a rock. The door creaked open behind me. ‘Luna?’ a voice called from behind, ‘Are you alright?’ ‘Not really!’ I called back, remaining in my motionless state. Celestia walked over to the bed, tilting her head at my strange position, my hooves curled up together as though I was holding a blanket. ‘It really isn’t that big of a deal.’ Her grin widened unnaturally. ‘Easy for you to say! You are “The shining star of the night sky”’ I say in a bad impression of Father. ‘Luna, that reminds me. You have no idea what Dad was saying to those dignitaries that came by a while ago!’ Celestia clears her throat and does the fairly good impression of Father. ‘Princess Celestia is the royal blood at it’s finest. I am proud to be the father of this prodigy. She will be one of the finest Queens the world has ever seen! You know, she is quite the pianist, artist and singer as well. You simply must see it for yourself! Why don’t you sing something for them, dear? Show them your absolutely stunning voice!’ That got a laugh out of me.  I try my best at an impression of Father,’Celestia! Luna! You simply cannot be seen in such simple gowns! You need to be the belle of the ball tonight. As Equestrian royalty, it is our duty to attend every possible event, as little as it may concern us, to represent the family and the nation.’ Celestia and I shared a good laugh at the absurdity. I continued my impression. ‘Luna! Why can’t you be more like Celestia? She volunteered at the orphanage. What have you done?’ I let all my anger out, only semi-conscious of what I am actually saying, ‘Oh, that’s right, you did! But I wouldn’t know that because I am too busy adoring your prodigy of a sister! It isn’t like you even stood a chance, even if you deserve it, because I will always love perfect little Celestia and see you as some big…’ I hesitate to say the last word, but let it out anyway,’...MISTAKE!!!’ I was blinded by my anger, all burnt out like a volcano that had just erupted. I took a moment to cool down, and when I did, I saw the damage my lava had done. Celestia had taken a step back, her eyes speaking more than I wanted to hear: Fear, shock, disbelief, anger, horror, it was all there. She tried to speak, but only a faint squeak escaped her mouth before she bolted out of the room. ‘Wait!’ I called out to her, but she was gone,’UGH! I am such an idiot!’ I collapsed on the bed once again and resumed my original position. How could I have hurt Celestia like that? It wasn’t her fault. I felt awful for what I said, trying and failing to recall any of it. I tried to think positive, hoping that I could calm myself enough to talk to her. It started to work. I could feel myself getting lighter, freer and happier. But all that disappeared after a single call from Mama, ‘Luna! Get ready! The Lunar Rise is about to start!’ I slung back into my original position. No, I am not doing this again, I thought. Using as much confidence and energy as I could generate, I shakily stood up made my way to the balcony. On my way there, I saw Celestia. ‘Tia! Wait!’ I called to her. She turned around and froze, her eyes staring into mine fearfully. I buried her head into her arms. ‘Tia. I am so sorry! I-I didn’t know what I was saying.’ Celestia peaked up from inside her arms. I rest my hoof on her shoulder. ‘I got a bit carried away, and sorta just exploded like a volcano. I should never have let my lava burn you too. I really am sorry.’ With no hope of forgiveness, I lifted my hand off her shoulder and continued to the balcony. After only about five steps, a voice from behind stopped me. ‘Luna.’ Celestia took a deep breathe, ‘I-It’s okay.’ She sent a supportive smile my way. She caught up to me and gave me a hug I didn't know I needed, but once I had it, I never wanted her to let go. ‘I guess we never know when you are going to erupt!’ she said with a friendly hit in the shoulder. All this thinking about volcanoes reminded me of an old Equestrian saying. ‘Lava hearts, may turn to stone,’ I started. Celestia finished the line, ‘But not if you are never alone’, elbowing me. It was awkward for a moment, but luckily Mama broke the ice by coming to tell us that we were running late. It was moments before dusk. The only thing stopping it was...well...us. The four of us positioned ourselves as we had before, I and Celestia at the edges with Mama and Father in between. The crowd was as festive and cheerful as this morning, which helped me understand why Celestia was so nervous this morning. I wasn’t too nervous. Honestly, I was too emotionally exhausted to feel anything. Celestia called me from behind my parents. ‘Luna, good luck!’ She said. I mouthed a “thanks” to her. This was the moment I have been waiting for. I thought about this morning, and how this turned out for Celestia. Begin...fly...rise...done. Simple enough. I looked at my empty flank, remembering what Celestia has said. She was the sun, I was the moon. Her cutie mark is the sun, mine will be a _____. It wasn’t very hard to fill in the blank. Now is my chance to shine. As the crowd hushed itself, Mama began, her introduction almost identical to Father’s. “Citizens of Equestia! Welcome to this momentous occasion. Today, only moments before dusk, my daughter, Princess Luna of Equestria, will raise the moon to begin the night.   My husband, King Phoenix, will do the honors of lowering the sun, making way for the calming light of the moon! Princess Luna…’ Mama turned to me,’ ...please step forward.’ The moon is considerably lighter than the sun, and a lot less bright, making it a lot easier to raise. I focused my magic into my horn and concentrate on nothing else. Soon, I was in the air, positioning the moon perfectly. After only a few minutes, it was over. I lowered myself onto the ground, looking around to see if I had forgotten to do anything. Nothing. It was over. The crowd cheered, I took bow and the four of us returned to the castle. ‘That was great, Luna! You seemed so calm and in control.’ said Celestia. I barely heard her. ‘What? Oh...yeah. I guess’ ‘What is wrong? It isn’t about before, is it?’ ‘Not at all! It’s just…’ I say with a sigh, looking down at my blank flank. Neither of us spoke, which wasn’t a bad thing. I needed some time to think. After dinner, I headed straight to the balcony, looking up at the twinkling stars shining in the dark sky. What was so great about it anyway? It was dark and glum. No pony came outside. and it was just...useless. I mean, sure, crops would dry up, ponies wouldn’t get enough rest, bla bla bla. But why should I care? Celestia gets the day, when all the ponies are up and living their lives. Going to school. Doing their jobs. What a spectacle to see. At night, they just slept. That’s all. I look back at my flank. Moonless. But maybe there was still hope for me. Maybe there was hope.