//------------------------------// // Logical Outcome // Story: Futures Forged From Friendships Past // by RC2101_Copey //------------------------------// Luna awoke the following morning, but still felt unrested. The words of her sister had plagued her mind all night, and it left her in a bit of a mood. Reaching the doors to the private dining room, she took a breath, preparing for what would undoubtable be round two; Celestia never let things go after one round unless she had won. Exhaling, Luna pushed the doors open and stepped on through, ears already folded back. “Morning, Lulu.” There it was, the verbal tirade she had … ‘Wait, what?’ Luna blinked, her gears jammed for a second. “I said, ‘Morning Lulu’.” Celestia smiled at her sister from the opposite side on the dining table. Recovering her wits, Luna narrowed her eyes and joined her sister at the table, “Morning to you as well, Sister.” She sat down and started levitating breakfast items onto her plate. She avoided taking the pancakes; Celestia was rather possessive of those, and Luna liked having functioning hooves. They sat in silence, each content to tuck into their food. But Luna couldn’t enjoy hers; something tasted wrong about the whole scene, and it seemed to infect her psyche. Something was up, and it was confirmed when she would glance over to her sister; every time, she was wearing a little smile that looked too innocent. Luna was tired of playing. “What’s going on?” Celestia’s lack of a reaction was the last piece in the puzzle. She finished her bite before turning to her sister. “What ever do you mean, Lulu?” “Number one: you are calling me Lulu, not Luna – that means you are happy, which is a contrast to last night. Number two: speaking of last night, you haven’t even mentioned the topic, let alone tried to get me to change my mind. So I’ll ask again, what is going on?” Celestia’s smile grew. “Of course I’m happy, I have you.” Luna’s face dropped into a light scowl. “And as for my plan? Don’t worry, I won’t be asking you to do that ever again.” Luna released a breath, still ill at ease, but less worried. She lifted her coffee to her lips, and took a large swig. “I don’t need to ask anymore; Twilight volunteered to go instead.” Luna’s coffee spray took out a passing maid. “SHE WHAT?! Where is she? I must stop this madness before it starts!” “She left to get ready just after watching me raise the sun. And before you say anything, she volunteered. I never even asked her.” “But this is a fool’s errand! Not to mention she doesn’t know the way or just how dangerous approaching a Hive can be.” Celestia started to cry. “I know it’s dangerous. I tried to convince her against it, but she was adamant.” Luna moved to her sister’s side, wrapping her up in a hug. “I know Twilight is a capable mare, but for the first time in over a thousand years, I have another with whom I share my heart, and she is throwing herself in the path of danger again.” Luna looked down at Celestia; she looked so small, and fear stained her eyes. “If only there was someone who could go with her, and keep her safe.” Luna’s heart was melting at the sight, and she was left with but one choice. “I will accompany her.” “Truly?” Celestia looked up with still moist eyes, her voice laden with hope. “Truly.” The white mare was instantly back up in her sitting position. All traces of any fear, or the tears, had vanished. She hugged her sister with a wing, and turned to face her, that annoying smile on her muzzle. “Thank you, Luna, I knew I could count on you.” The sudden change shocked Luna until she ran through the whole conversation in her head. ‘Damn it, played again.’ ~~Meanwhile, at the Sparkle residence~~ “You what?!” Twilight Velvet and Night Light both stood, gawping at their youngest child. Twilight let out a breath. “I volunteered to go on a diplomatic mission to Queen Chrysalis.” Her parents started to launch into a series of shouted ‘what’s and ‘why’s, so she sat on her haunches and waited for them to burn themselves out of questions. After about three minutes, the pair joined their daughter on the floor. Their breathing was heavy, and their manes had started to spike up. Twilight gave them another thirty seconds before she summoned a scroll and handed it to them. Together they read out the title: “Twenty Five Reasons Twilight Should Go On This Mission.” They stared at each other for a moment, before reading the rest of the scroll. The reading was accompanied by various ‘umm’s, ‘erm’s, and ‘aha’s. Finally finished, they put the scroll down, and crossed the distance to their daughter. Twilight found herself in the middle of a hug. “You’ve done it again, Twilight. We can’t argue with anything you put on that list. But we still don’t want you putting yourself in harm’s way.” Her mother squeezed her as she finished. “Your mother is right, Twilight. This idea seems really dangerous. Can’t you take a few guards with you?” Twilight went to answer, but was interrupted by a flash of blue light. “That will be entirely unnecessary, for I shall accompanying her.” Luna strode in from the adjacent room. “Luna?!” Twilight snapped her head around. “But I thought–” “Wrong – in this case, I am afraid. Once my sister told me of your plan, I knew that I should come with.” Twilight sat with her mouth gawping like a fish. Twilight Velvet and Night Light both stood and bowed to Princess Luna. “Thank you, Princess. You have no idea how much that comforts us to hear. We trust Twily implicitly, but as parents, it is our job to worry.” Night Light gave Luna a grateful smile. “I thank thee for your gratitude, but I fear that with this journey, Twilight is helping me more than I her.” Luna turned to Twilight, who had seemingly zoned out. “Twilight?” She poked her in the shoulder, hard enough to make her wobble. Twilight blinked and looked up at Luna. “I have had packs put together back at the castle. Is there anything further you need to do here?” Twilight moved and hugged her parents. “I’ll be fine, don’t worry.” Her parents gave their sentiments, and Twilight moved back to Luna. “That’s everything.” “Good. Knowing you are still diurnal, we should make use of the remaining hours of daylight.” She waved to Twilight’s parents. “Goodbye, fair citizens.” And with another flash of light, they were gone.