What happens when a princess whose heart has been twisted by loneliness and her appearance changed by a curse meets a simple town mare? Can one heal the other? Or will the princess remain alone forever?
Anthro. The following story is about how a lonley and sad immortal princess finds what she wanted the most on one little mortal and about not judging a book for it's cover. For, sometimes things aren't always what one thinks the are. NightxLight and TwixLuna. There might be cloping on future chapters but, I'm not sure. Read, comment, make (constructive) critics... The usual. Hope you all like it. Aditional character tag, Celestia, Other.
Once upon a time, in the ancient and wonderful kingdom of Equestria, there was a beautiful castle, located on a place called the Everfree, surrounded by a lush forest. That forest was filled to the brim with playful and kind creatures. Even the most intimidating ones were kind and gentle. On the castle, lived the Rulers on Equestria, the Alicorn Sisters, Princess Celestia, the older one and represented by the Sun, and Princess Luna, the younger one and represented by the Moon, along with several servants. The people of Equestria admired and loved their princesses. However, the people tended to pay more attention and to adore the Solar Princess, as they called her, more than the Nocturnal one. At first, it wasn't such a big thing. But, with time, the younger princess began to feel depreciated. And, slowly, her heart became more cold, distant and selfish and she also tended to lose her temper easily. Eventualy, this reached the point that she refused to attend the few subjects that she still had. She didn't went to parties, barely left her room, didn't mingled with society, making her awkward when she sopke to others, and rejected any visitors. Especially if they were there to see her sister, Celestia. She didn't resent Celestia. No. She was her sister after all. But she had lost any trust and faith she had on their subjects.
On one snowy night, a ball was being held. And Celestia had managed to convince Luna to give their subjects another chance and attend the party. However, once in the party, none of the subjects talked to her or even aproached her. This, of course, was like a stab in the lunar princess heart. She got up and returned to her room. Once again casting herself in loneliness. Celestia saw this. And it broke her heart to see her beloved sister suffering so. But she decided to let her go, thinking that she needed some time to calm herself.
Once the ball was over, Luna came back down, altough she wasn't very keen on eaving her room. Thus, not being in a particularly good mood. Still, while she didn't mingled with their subjects, she still was gentle and, somewhat, friendly with the servants. Who had always been there for her and her sister. Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. Seeing as Celestia wasn't around and the servants were too busy cleaning the aftermaths of the party, she dicided to attend the door herself. Upon opening the door, she saw an old Unicorn woman. Her clothing barely covered her, she had many missing patches of her coat and several wrinkles around her muzzle. Luna also noticed that the elder was holding a rose on her left hand that, altough it was beautiful, didn't catch Luna's attention.
"Please", said the old woman with a shaky and low voice, "Would you accept this simple rose in echange for shelter against this cruel and bitter cold?"
Despite the condition of the poor mare, her humbleness and her pleading tone, Luna wasn't moved at all and looked at her with cold and indiferent eyes.
"A rose?", she said with a tone as hard as steel and with eyes as cold as ice. "What do I need a rose for? Leave this place and do not bother us again!"
Luna then slammed the door on the old unicorn's face. She was walking back to the stairs that lead to her room, when a bright flash of light appeared on the middle of the looby. Blinding all present. Luna then felt a strong force covering all fibers of her being. As did all on the castle.
"You have been decieved by your own cold heart.", spoke a beautiful but imponent voice. "A curse upon your house and all within it! Until you have found one to love you as you are, you shall remmain forever, as a beast!"
All servants, as well as princess Celestia, were transformed into diferent objects. All according to their offices. Celestia was transformed into a carriage. Luna tough, felt her everything change. Her midnight blue coat turned as black as a starless night, her eyes became teal colored with slithed pupils, not unlike a dragon's, her teeths became sharper and the incisive bacame full fledged fangs, her clothes morphed and became armor pieces that covered her head, hooves, wrists and chest and her cutie mark changed from a white crescent moon surrounded by a patch of blue to a light teal crescent moon surrounded by a patch of purple. Luna screamed all the time, as the transformation was painful. And the rose that Luna had refused, was placed by this strange force in a crystal dome upon a desk on Luna's room. So as to remaind her of what she had done, what she hadn't done and of her fate.
The castle itself turned from a warm and welcoming looking place into a somber, black castle, with terrifying Gargoyles on the roofs that looked as tough they would attack at any moment. The gates that were always open and free of any impediment closed and grew black iron and steel bars that ended in spikes. Discouraging anyone who may try to go inside.
The outsides of the castle didn't remained unchanged. The forest lost it's green luster that had remained despite the snow and became a dark and somber place. The trees lost their leaves and looked as tough one simple touch would break them. The lakes dryed and the animals became twisted. Even those who were pacific by nature, had tunrned into ferocious creatures that would attack anyone without a second thought.
"From this day onwards, until you find one to love this you, you shall be known, as Nightmare Moon."
And so, the people distanced from the castle, and soon enough, only the stories of the castle and their inhabitants remained. Many of those stories were forgoten throughout time. However, one, above many others, always remained. The story of the Cursed Lunar Mare. And that story, along with others, was pased from the elder ponies to the new generations. And so it was for a thousand years. Celestia, as well as her's and Luna's servants mantained their hope. They prayed for a miracle. For the curse to be broken. The Lunar Princess, on the other hand, had long lost hope of the curse being broken. For who, could ever love, a beast.
We fond ourselves in a simple, little town. Located relatively close to the once peaceful Everfree Forest. Although the town was small, it was quite lively! Many ponies came and went in order to trade their goods. Whether they were foods and drinks, trinkets or books.
However, it is on this particular village, that we find a young mare in her early twenties. One that thinks that, while her home town s lively, it's just not enough for her. Let us follow this mare, as she opens the door and leaves her home. Ready for another morning at the town.
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(Twilight's Pov)
Once I close the door of my humble home, where my father and I live, I grab a nearby basket and I go down the little ladder at my house's front. I go to the bridge that leads to the town and pause. Taking a look at the place. And, not to my surprise, it's still the same as always. A few tall buildings, many small houses, with some of them being used for business, a pub and an inn. Somehow, it seems as this town will never change. I then resume walking.
"What a place It's so simple and boring It's always Like the day before
What a place! Only simple people Waking up, like, this...
Townspeople
Ohayō! Ohayō! Ohayō, ohayō, ohayō!
Twilight
Here comes the baker Just like always His same old goods he goes to sell! Every morning all the same Since the day that I arrived To this quiet little town
"Baker: Good morning Andromeda-san!
Twilight: Ohayōgozaimasu!
Baker: Where are you off to?
Twilight: The library! I just finished a wonderful story about giant vines and a cyclops and a-
Baker: That's nice. Hey Cake! The Muffins! Hurry up"
Towns Ponies
Look there she goes That mare is just so stra-ange She's as distracted as you see!
Not from our society In the clouds she always is Not a doubt that she's a really funny mare
"Ohayō. Ohayō! How's everypony? Ohayō. Good morning! How is you wife?
I need, six more! It's too expensive.
Twilight
I want much more That this provincial life!
"Librarian: Ah! Twilight-chan!
Twilight: Good morning. Here's the book I borrowed!
Librarian: Finished already?
Twilight: Oh, I couldn't drop it. Do you have anything new?
Librarian: Eh, he, he, he! Not since yesterday.
Twilight: That's okay. I'll borrow... This one!
Librarian: That one?! But you've read it thrice!
Twilight: Well it's my favorite! For off places, daring sword fights, great spells and a princess in disguise!
Librarian: Eh, he, he, he! If you liked it all that much, it's yours!
Twilight: But sir!
Librarian: I insist!
Twilight: Well, thank you! Thank you very much!"
Towns Ponies
Look there she goes! That so peculiar ma-are! Who knows what her interests are? In her dreams she always lives. With her books she always is. Twilight's such a mystery for all of us.
Twilight
Oooooh, isn't this amazing? It's my favorite part because... You'll see! Here's where she meets Princess Alluring But she won't find out that it's her 'til chapter three!
Towns Ponies
She's just as pretty as her name implies! From head to hooves and up again! But behind that gorgeous face I'm afraid she's rather strange She's not like the rest of us Yes different from the rest of us is Twilight!
"Snips: Wow! You didn't missed a shot Blueblood-sama! You're the best hunter in the whole wide World!
Blueblood: I know!
Snips: No beast alive stands a chance against you! He, he, he, he! And no mare, for that matter!
Blueblood: It's true Snips-kun. And I've got my sights set on that one!
Snips: Hmph! The writers daughter?!
Blueblood: She's the one! The lucky mare I'm going to marry!
Snips: But she's- ow!
Blueblood: The most beautiful mare in town.
Snips: I know but-
Blueblood: That makes her the best! And don't I deserve the best?
Snips: Well of course! I mean, you do but-"
Blueblood: Right from the moment when I saw her. So pretty! I told myself "I'll catch this one"! So much beauty there's not here Except for of course in me! Thus I'm making plans to woo and marry Twilight!
Mare trio: Yes there, he goes! He's like a dream! Monsieur, Blueblood, oh he's so cute! Thinking, of him Makes me get goosebumps! He's such a tall, white, strong and handsome brute!
"Stallion I: Ohayō! Blueblood: Pardon Stallion II: Yoi tsuitachi! Stallion III: Mochiron! Matron: You call this bacon? Mare I: What lovely grapes! Stallion IV: Some cheese Mare II: Ten yards Stallion IV: one pound Blueblood: Excuse me! Cheese merchant: I'll get the knife Blueblood: Please let me through! Mare I: This bread - Stallion V: Those fish - Mare I: It's stale! Stallion V: they smell! Baker: Madame's mistaken."
Twilight: I want much more than this provincial life!
Blueblood: I promise I'm going to make Twilight my wife!
Towns Ponies:
Look there she goes. That mare She's so peculiar! A really gorgeous Ojō-san! It's a pity Not a doubt That she dosen't really fit Since she's such a funny mare As beautiful as strange She really is a funny maaaaare!
That Twilight!"
After I was done with everything I had to do in the town, I decided to go home in order to help my father with whatever novel he's writing now. As I walk, however, something, or rather, somepony, lands in front of me. And, to be honest, he's the last person I would have liked to meet.
"Good morning Twilight-san!"
"Good morning Blueblood-san", I greet him, with a less than enthusiastic tone. Fortunately, he's so focused on himself that he dosen't seem to notice.
"Hey there Twilight-san".
Ah. Of course. Blueblood's sidekick and number one fan. Snips.
"Hello Snips-kun."
"Hey!", exclaims Blueblood. "Did I said you could talk to the lady?"
"Ah. No. Sorry Blueblood-sama."
"Good. Now, Twilight-san, um, what is that object you have in those pretty hands of yours?"
He looks and points at the book as if he'd never seen a book before. Which, considering how self-centered and how he's more brawn than brains, is most likely true.
"It's a story book.", then, he rudely takes it from my hands. "Books are good. They teach and instruct."
"So, you read this so you can... think?", he says with a look of disgust.
Which is fitting. Seeing as how, in their strange relationship, Snips tends to be the brains, somewhat, and Blueblood the brawn.
"Yes Blueblood-san. Well then, please excuse me, I have to go home and help my father."
"That old geezer. Hah! He need all the help in the world!"
At that remark, both, Snips and Blueblood burst out laughing.
"Do not speak like that about my father!"
Blueblood recovers and, while punching Snips in the head, he hypocritically tells him:
"Yeah! Don't speak like that about her father!"
"My father is not an old geezer! He's a genius!"
Then, a small explosion is heard and we see a cloud of smoke coming out of the chimney. I begin to run home, fearful that something might have happened. But, before I'm out of ear shot, I head those too buffoons laughing out loud again.
"*Honestly! Those two infuriate me!*"
Once I reach my house, I open the door and I'm greeted with black smoke all over the place."
"Otō-san? Are you alright? Otō-san?", I call for him as I make my way among all of this chaos.
"Yes! I'm alright Twily-chan! I'm near the window, trying to open it!"
I go to the window with him and we both force it open. Then we open all of the other three windows one on each wall, so as to allow the smoke to go way. Once it's gone, I turn to my father.
"Mou, Otō-san. What were you trying to do?"
"Ah, gomen*, gomen, Twily-chan. I was trying to make some tea. But I accidentally let the teapot fall and it wet all the new pages I had for my story! So I tried to dry them faster by putting them a few meters near the fireplace. But then I slipped on the wet floor and I tried to grab something to stop, or at least soften my fall. And I ended pressing the fireplace's blower. Which sent the papers into the fireplace and, apparently, the chimney had been clogged. And that caused the explosion you must have heard and the smoke you must have seen.", he said, while rubbing the back of his head a bit and with a sheepish smile.
"*sigh* Truly Otō-san. What would you do without me here?"
"Hey, don't get mad at me. I was just a victim of the circumstances this time!"
"True. This time. Anyway, let's clean this up, okay?"
"Yeah. Let's."
We spent about an hour cleaning and tiding the place up. In the mean time, we made small talk. Everything was going well, until my father had to speak about my future with a family of my own.
"So, Twily-chan? What about it? Are you going to marry at some point?"
"I don't know. I mean, there aren't exactly a lot of option around here."
"Hmm... What about Blueblood?"
"Oh, no! Not HIM! He's so self-centered, selfish, egocentric and... Ugh! He's definitely not for me! And besides, you know what I think about stallions. And you know that I never appreciated males touching or looking at me in such an intimate way. Well, besides you, of course. You're the only male I let hug me. You're my father after all."
"Yeah. I know. But sometimes is not about what we want. But what we get. I mean, It's not like the perfect female will just waltz through that door and propose to you."
"I know that. But, honestly father." I say, looking a bit cast down. "If I am to marry, I want it to be out of love. Not out of convenience."
"Hm, hm. You always were headstrong and independent. Just like you mother. Chip of the old block."
I blush a bit at that. I had always admired my mother, Twilight Velvet.
"Thank you, Otō-san." I tell him, with a warm smile.
"You're welcome, Twily-chan. You're welcome."
After we finished cleaning up, I prepared our lunch. We ate in peace. The only sounds being those of the animals outside.
----------------Evening--------------------
(Twi's pov)
We were outside of our house. Today was an important day for my father. He had to go to the next town, a few days of travel away by carriage, and meet with other novelists in order to exchange ideas, getting new writing supplies and, well, whatever else novelists did when they reunited.
"Do you have everything you'll need father?"
"Yes. You should know. You packed things yourself, right?"
I blushed a bit in embarrassment.
"He, he. Yes. I did."
"Well then, take care Twily-chan."
"You too, Otō-san. Good luck. Be careful and come back soon and safely."
"*chuckle* Don't worry. I will."
With that, my father left and I was left alone with the few animals (a few chickens, a rooster and a canary) that we had around.