//------------------------------//
// Bitter Memories (Luna's side) 
// Story: Friendship Starts With You 
// by Indi3g 
//------------------------------//

When Nick stepped back into the Library, the awkward air was still there. 

Twilight looked like she wanted to ask more questions, but was stuck between possibly bringing up something painful, or gaining new knowledge. Fluttershy was whimpering in a corner, looking at him in pity, but afraid of him. The others refused to even look in his direction.

"So, I'm gonna go, since all of this..." He paused and waved in their general direction before continuing. "Is full of awkward feelings. See ya."

As he turned to leave again, there was the sound of movement, followed by a soft voice. "W-wait!"

Turning back, he was surprised to see Fluttershy out of all of them, walk forward, looking at him with concern and determination.

"Um, w-where are you going to stay? If you don't mind me asking..." The moment he had begun looking at her, she started backtracking and getting softer in tone.

'That is just too cute' he thought to himself. 

"Uh, the Everfree. I have...or had a home there. Pretty sure there's some gold or something there I can use, and get a hotel room for the night. If not, well..."

"That's just horrible, darling! Nopony would sleep in that place!" Rarity squealed, with a disgusted expression.

"Ah, but I'm not a pony, am I?" At the annoyed groans, he grinned and shook his head. "I get what you mean though, and thanks. I don't want to rely on any of you though."

"Y-you could stay at my house," Fluttershy spoke up. When she realized that everyone's attention was focused on her, she squeaked and hid her face behind her mane.

"Tha's mighty generous of ya 'shy. Gotta ask though, can ya handle it? Ya get spooked easier than a cow seein' a snake." Applejack piped up.

Rainbow spoke up as well, saying "Yea 'shy! I mean, I'd keep him at my place so I could keep an eye on him..." she paused, giving Nick a stink-eye before continuing. "But he can't fly. I don't even know if he could stay on the clouds!"

"I...I live closest to the Everfree. That and, um, well, I think he'd like some time alone. No offense."

The rest of the girls nearly protested in denial, before sighing in resignation. She was right, and they all knew it. Rarity would try and harass him about his clothing and the styles from back then, Rainbow would be suspicious and try to provoke him, Twilight would ask him too many questions in general, Pinkie would constantly bother him with her personality and Applejack....well her family would freak out.

After another long and awkward pause filled the air, Nick raised an eyebrow and shrugged. "Ooookay? I guess that's fine. Tomorrow, we need to talk about the elements. I'm sure you'll need training..."

Trailing off, he stared at each of them, though his attention focused on Pinkie, Twilight and Spike the longest.
"Meh. I'll be outside whenever you're ready Fluttershy." With that, he stepped out the door, leaving the group confused at his words."

"Training?!"

------------------------------------------------------------ Canterlot Castle -------------------------------------------------------------------------

Celestia gave kind smiles and nodded to her guards as she made her way to her room. Although she had just arrived after storing the elements (there was no way she'd leave them with the ponies, especially Twilight; there were some things that should not happen), word had reached her ears that Luna had gone and locked herself away.

After dismissing the guardsmen from her room's doors, she stepped in and cast two spells: one to fool any eavesdropping ponies into hearing a normal discussion, and a second to repair anything that would be destroyed in the next few minutes.

Luna was sitting at the edge of Celestia's bed, cradling Nick's headphones with a blank expression. However, there were parts of her muzzle that had tear tracks, so the solar goddess knew she had to approach this carefully.

"Lu-Lu, I -"

"He hates me."

'Sweet Faust, Luna's not speaking archaic' Celestia thought. On the outside, she appeared calm, but inside, Celestia was TERRIFIED.

What few ponies knew, was that Luna could speak normally, but preferred to speak archaic. The problem was, the only time her words were normal was when she was truly angry, or very depressed.

The lunar goddess looked at her sister with agony and fear in her eyes as she continued speaking. "I really hurt him Tia. I don't even know if he'll let me try and make it up to him..."

Sighing, Celestia sat next to her sister and gently squeezed her hand. "You have a better chance than I do. I left him in stone...and kept his headphones here with me."

Luna gave a wry smile and looked at said object before replying. "True. He doesn't like to go around without them for too long."

"Well, you can deliver it to him personally. It would make things easier between the two of you." Giving a small smile, Celestia paused, as if she were hesitant. Sitting somewhat straighter, she took a breath and asked the question that had plagued her for the past thousand years. "Luna....what really happened?"

The younger princess froze, then began to tremble as the memories came back to the surface. "I......Tia....it's better to....show you..."

With trembling hands, Luna began to cast the spell and focus on the memories of that night. Her hands, now covered in a light blue aura, touched Celestia's and within minutes, the two 're-lived’ the night that everything changed.

------------------------------------------------------------ Castle of The Two Sisters (1000 years ago) -------------------------------------------------------------------------

Luna sat at the edge of her room's balcony, staring at the moon and lost in her thoughts. Celestia was finishing paperwork, and Nick was still off in the Badlands talking with Queen Thorn. She was the only one with nothing to do, since it was the weekend and there were no emergencies.

Nick had suggested for the two to keep weekends court-free years ago, to give the sisters time to take things slightly easier and complete things without rushing. It took time to implement, but it seemed everypony was happier for it.

Her mind then began to focus on her friend, and current lover with some concern. Nick had grown close to the two after their first meeting, and became somepony (or someone he insisted on using) they could rely and be themselves around as time went on. Only recently, had the relationship changed between Nick and herself, but it seemed like he was avoiding talking with her for too long these past few days.

"Did I do something wrong? Maybe I should corner him when he gets back..." she muttered to herself.

Stretching and letting her wings flare for a moment, she slipped off the edge and back through the balcony doors. Instantly, she went on guard: there was a stallion standing by her bed with an easygoing smile.

He was a tall and slightly thin, with dark-grey fur and a mane the color of rust. His clothing was simple: a charcoal slacks and blazer, shiny black shoes and an untucked white shirt. His eyes, however, were covered by a pair of black shades, although one could sense there was something unnatural hiding behind them.

"Who art thou to come into our royal chambers?! We shall have their DESTROYED for such DISRESPECT!" Luna roared. Just as she began drawing on her magic, the stallion shook his head and smiled wider, before lifting one hand.

In that instant, she found herself unable to call upon any kind of magic, no matter what she tried. Before she could try and run, the balcony doors shut and locked themselves, and the stallion spoke in a polite and even time.

"I mean no harm, Princess Luna. I just want to talk to you. I have an...offer, if you will. Just hear me out, and I'll leave without a trace."

She looked at him, skeptical, but gave a slow nod. After all, there wasn't much she could do at that point; since he was already there, she'd have to assume her guards could not stop him either.

"That's all I ask." Folding his arms behind him, he began to explain why he was there, and everything he knew. Luna on the other hand, listened with her face darkening by the minute. When he finished, he reached into his blazer pocket, and pulled out a necklace with a small black crystal on it.

"So. You've heard me out. Now, comes the offer. I would like you to wear this, when you confront your 'lover'. If he really is as supportive as you think, he'll have no problems with it. Not only that, but you'll finally have the power to get those nobles and your sister to listen to you."

Her eyes focused on the necklace before staring at him and responding in a tired voice. "What price shall I pay for wearing such a thing? Things like these never come for free."

"Ah, that's the question, isn't it?" Holding it up, so the moon shone on it, he sighed and a  hint of sadness entered his voice. "You will be alone. There is a chance you will be betrayed, but after, you WILL win and be heard." 

Placing the necklace on the bed, he spoke one last time. "It's all up to you. Take the chance, or destroy it. Completely up to you Princess Luna. Think about it."
With that, he walked to the chamber doors and slipped out, leaving the princess with information and a painful choice to make.