Hestia's Carpet

by mikki

First published

Princess Luna finds herself in another dimension where notheing is what it seems and the end is just the beginning

Equestria is slowly crumbling. The two sisters have turned on each for reasons Luna did not know of. When Luna tries to solve the problem, Solar guards try to capture her, but did not prevail. When Luna is close to death, she is pulled inside a portal called Hestia's Carpet. Will the two sisters ever forgive each other?

The Portal

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Luna was running through the castle's long, dark hallways wings poised and ready to fly if needed as the solar guards came closer and closer. They were mad and angry as Luna had escaped most of their traps that they had set up and were determined to catch her, even if that meant to chase her through the endless hallways. Suddenly at the end of the hallway another group of guards appeared, spears and swords raised high in the air as Luna skidded to a halt. She was in what seemed a hopeless situation, with no escape at all. As Luna backed up, her plot hit the back of a wooden door. It was The Forbidden room were only alicorns were allowed to enter.

"How happy Princess Celestia will be when she sees you in chains, you ungrateful alicorn, just like when she saw your cousin and her husband in chains," sneered the unicorn guard as Luna remembered that Cadence and Shining Armor were imprisoned for being on Luna's side.

"Thou shall never capture me as I am the Savior and will save all of my believers!" screamed Luna scaring the guards, giving herself time to enter in the Forbidden room, slamming the door behind her. She sat on the old, Persian carpet and sighed. She looked at the banners decorating the plain, dusty and messy room, feeling a pang of remorse. The banners were in pinks, blues, greens and cyan. Celestia had put those banners up to make her more comfortable after Nightmare Moon was defeated.

"We shall capture you princess," threatened another unicorn guard.

"Never will thou capture me as you cannot enter the Forbidden room," snapped Luna.

" We can call your sister to capture you as she can enter the Forbidden room," reminded an earth pony guard.

"Thou wouldn't dare!" screamed Luna worriedly.

"Stellar write a message to the princes of the sun and Polar you use your magic to send it to her," ordered the earth pony guard as the other guards hurried to send the message. A few minutes later, Celestia appeared in the hallway, opening the door to the Forbidden room soundlessly.

"How I wish I would have been in a better and safer place," she thought as tears streamed down her face. Suddenly, as the guards' voices grew louder and louder, the carpet opened up. As Luna was sucked in the portal, the world before her blackened and she fell into a deep sleep.

The Other Universe

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Luna woke up a few hours later in the Forbidden room. Everything looked the same except for the banners. The banners representing her colors were the same but the banners representing Celestia's colors changed. They turned red, orange and yellow.

"That is strange. Where am I?" thought Luna as she could not help but wonder what would happen to her and where she was. Luna stood up and walked out of the room. She decided to walk towards the throne room. Behind the corner she saw Cadence's colorful tail and heard two voices discussing about the recruiting of new soldiers. She felt safe seeing her cousins tail.

"Cadence, thank goodness it is aaaaahhhh," screamed Luna. This was not Cadence. It was a stallion who resembled Cadence. Beside him was a mare in golden armor and a golden crown who resembled Shining Armor.

"You are not Prince Artemis! Who are you? Thief!" shouted the pink alicorn stallion as the mare called the royal guards, who were all mares for some reason. It quickly became the chase at her palace all over again. She tried to run and escape, but in vain. The mares caught Luna and two pegasi held her up high in the air.

" Follow me to take her to Prince Solaris. Come Gleaming Shield." nodded the alicorn towards the white unicorn mare. Lead by the alicorn and Gleaming Shield, Luna was shoved by the guards to the throne room where the white unicorn and the pink alicorn sat on their thrones next to a white alicorn. Luna looked around the room and saw three creatures sitting on silver chairs behind a long, silver table with golden plaques writing the names of the Clave members. Eris, bearer of the element of laughter, King Chrysylis, bearer of the element of loyalty and Tyruk, bearer of the element of generosity.

"What happened Prince Tempo?" asked the white alicorn stallion as he nodded to the guards to let Luna go. Luna was in awe. Sitting on the thrones were three alicorn stallions: a white alicorn resembling Celestia with a long and wavy etheral mane, shaded in reds, oranges and yellows He must have been Prince Solaris. To his left was a blue alicorn who resembled Luna with a long and slightly wavy etheral mane shaded in the darkest of blues. He must have been Prince Artemis. To Solaris' right was Prince Tempo who resembled Cadence and Gleaming Shield who resembled Shining Armor.

"I found this 'alicorn' coming from the Forbidden Room. I thought you and the Clave might want to judge the situation. So tell me 'alicorn', what secrets bring you here?" sneered Prince Tempo.

"Be careful with thy language when addressing a princess!" shouted Luna stamping her hoof as lightning went off in the background. Everyone was shocked. Everyone but Prince Artemis. He was silently enjoying himself.

"So what is your name princess?" asked Prince Solaris.

"I am Princess Luna of Equestria, raiser of the stars and moon at night. Who art thou is the better question,"hissed Luna.

"I am Prince Solaris of the sun. This is my brother Prince Artemis of the moon and stars and my cousin Prince Tempo with his wife Princess Gleaming Shield," answered Solaris, pointing to each royal in turn.

"But I am the raiser of the moon and stars in Equestria!" shouted Luna.

"Me too!" shouted Artemis rudely.

"How it this possible?" questioned Tempo.

"There could be a way Solaris. But it hasn't been used for years," replied Eris.

"You mean?"

"Yes."

"But how could she have traveled here?"

"Hestia's carpet."

"Does it still exist?"

"It was never destroyed."

"Where could it be?"

"The Forbidden room apparently."

"Solaris, how do we know that she isn't lying to us?" interrupted Artemis.

"We don't we just have to trust her. Unless, of course you would like to perform a revealing spell on her."

"That would be my pleasure." grinned Artemis as his horn started glowing. Luna watched in shock as a beam of light surrounded her, blackening her world again as she fainted.

Invitation

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Luna woke up very confused as she looked around the room. She was in the guest room. As she stood up from the bed and combed her long hair, she heard very intense pacing outside of her room.

"Who dares to disturb the princess of the... Prince Artemis? What art thou doing here?" inquired Luna as she opened the wooden door.

"I...I came to apologize for umm... hurting thou. I...I never meant to hurt thou. Will you find it in your heart and forgive me, Princess?" he said as his face flushed a bright red.

"Well you should be sorry," answered Luna strictly. "But, you are forgiven," she added.

"Maybe we can apologize with a dinner tonight after we have risen the moon?"

"Why not? We would like that very much."

The Liar

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Luna was looking out the window, watching Artemis carefully as he was raising the moon. A strange feeling was welling up inside of her finding it strange not to be raising the moon and stars herself. She waited, admiring the night sky until the last minute possible. Until Artemis would fly down. When Artemis eventually flew down, Luna raced to dress herself in a black shimmery dress with lace trimming and comb her hair into her blue,elegant and natural curls. The minute she had finished preparing herself the door had been knocked, gently yet fast. She opened the door as Artemis greeted her with a smile and a look of fondness for the blue alicorn mare as she greeted him back with a weak smile and sympathy that filled her up with joy.

"Will you do me the honor of joining me for dinner, my lady?" he asked, bowing as he stretched his hoof out politely.

"I would like that, my lord," she answered raising her head slightly as she reached out to take his hoof. Artemis lead her through the castle's long halls towards the gazebo where a long table was set filled with foods of all sorts. All the foods looked delicious, fresh and had a sweet smell. Luna's stomach rumbled as the sweet smells wafted up to her nose.

"Hungry, aren't we?" chuckled Artemis as Luna blushed a bright pink.
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That night had been magical. After Luna went to her room, she tried recalling what had happened. Taking off her dress, crown and shoes, she sat down at the mirror to comb her hair, wondering what would happen if she would have stayed here in this peculiar dimension. She wouldn't stay too long, after all she planned to go back to her dimension after some time. But she felt guilty, realizing she liked her gender swapped version. But that wasn't unusual. Luna thought in amazement how that stallion could make her laugh like no one else had. He had could make her tell secrets she told no one. She smiled realizing she never had that much fun in her life. And she liked it.
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After the daily meeting of the Royal Clave ended, Solaris, Artemis and Tempo went to the secret library to enjoy some tea and spend time together, as they did daily. But today something was wrong and Tempo could feel it. Love was in the air.

"Well, any news anypony would like to share today?" asked Solaris the question he had always asked.

"I believe Artemis should answer that question. Anything you would like to share? Perhaps about your love live?" asked Tempo with a mischievous smile on his face as Solaris looked at Artemis quizzically.

"Well I...I... I fell in love with Luna!" blurted out Artemis, blushing as the other two alicorns' mouths dropped.

"You fell in love with me?" asked Luna shocked and disgusted as silvery tears slowly fell down her beautiful face, " You said last night that you would help me get back in my dimension. Were you lying?"

"Yes, no, Luna wait!" gulped Artemis.

"I cannot believe you. You're a lair. I should have known," said Luna cutting him off.

"Luna please, I can explain."

"EXPLAIN WHAT? THAT YOU ARE A LIAR? NO THANK YOU!" shouted Luna running outside in the rain, tears falling down her face just like the rain. Taking off, she flew far away until Artemis, who had tried to follow her, could not see her from outside of the castle. Artemis' face was wet with rain and tears. Slowly, he turned around and made his way towards his room, as Solaris and Tempo looked outside of the library's window in pity.

The Shadow In The Dark

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The rain poured heavily down Luna's face as she stared into the horizon, seeing no stars, no moon, no sky. Just the dark rainclouds clustering up to pour rain on Equestria's dark fields. Her mind was clear. She was at one with herself. Suddenly the rain stopped, giving Luna time to dry herself as a shadowy snake slithered beside her then morphing into a black stallion with a crooked horn.

"Hmmm... I expected so much more from you Princess," said the stallion, breaking the silence.

"One may sometimes stoop low without knowing to have done so. I have done that when I fell for you Sombra," replied Luna in an icy tone.

"We could have had everything. All of Equestria at our hooves. Eternal night. Their fear could have been our kingdom."

"I would rather ponies hated me than feared me. You were a mistake. I should have never agreed to my sister when she suggested that I tutor you. At least then you were a good pony."

"Yes and that made me weak."

"You could have had me then. You would still become king of the Crystal Empire. You could have followed your father's hoof steps into ruling an empire. With a queen!"

"Yes, I could have. But I am getting off topic. Why return to your Equestria? After all Celestia did. You could rule here with me instead of the blue one."

"No thank you. I had my share of banishment as well. And Artemis, is liar."

"Speaking of him here he comes. But do not forget Princess. You will falter one day and you will come crawling to me," said Sombra slithering away as Luna turned around to see Artemis flying towards her and landing gracefully.

"You're back. What do you want?" asked Luna.

"Luna please, forgive me. I...I never meant for that to happen. But how could one not fall in love with such a beautiful, brave and sophisticated mare like you. And I tried hard not to fall for you cause you would leave me and I wouldn't be able to stand it... So will you forgive me?" he asked. Luna felt pity seeing him speak words of honesty. But instead of speaking she smiled realizing she loved him too, without wanting to. She remembered how hard she hard tried to block out that feeling. And to Artemis' surprise she stood up as well and leaned forward kissing him.

The Spell

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Artemis immediately shot back in surprise. Luna had become very confused. Had he been lying about loving her?

"Is this possible? You love me?" Artemis asked, in total shock.

"I have tried to ignore that feeling. But it was impossible. And I was mad when you told me you loved because... because I... I wished I would go home. And my admiration for you was the only thing that set me back." answered Luna guiltily.

"So you love me?"

"Enough to move here."

"You are going to move here?"

"If it does not work out with my sister. But we shall have to talk to the Clave about the matters with my sister. Though I wish to do something with you tonight for I constantly feel lonely in this dimension."

"How about the soul spell?"

"The soul spell? But isn't it dangerous?"

"If you love me as much as I love you then we will be fine."

"Fine." answered Luna as they both took off, flying in unison towards the Night Wing.
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The Night Wing was at its finest. This darker wing of the castle belonged in the orders by the night alicorns, therefore Lunar guards guarded every room in this wing. As the two alicorns strutted the halls towards the main balcony, the Lunar guards bowed as a sign of respect. Reaching the main balcony, the two alicorns stepped outside in the cold air, igniting their horns, touching as the nature around them, once undisturbed, started moving vigorously. As the spell took its course, stones and golden sparkles surrounded the alicorns as their manes whipped around them, their eyes closed. Minutes later the spell had finished leaving the alicorns the feeling that they carried another soul just as their souls were knit together. Smiling, both alicorns went into Luna's room taking off their peytrals, crown and helmet, they lay on the bed, their eyes closed as they dreamed of starlight.

The Decision

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The next day Artemis awoke when he heard Solaris trying to set the moon to make way for the sun. He quickly dressed and quickly glanced at Luna to see that she was fast asleep. Running to set the moon he hoped no one saw him exit Luna's room. A few hours later the Clave was getting ready for another meeting.
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"So what are we supposed to do about Princess Luna's situation?" asked Eris.

"Well we could bring her sister here." answered Tyruk.

"And then what?" Eris asked again.

"We can make her be at peace with Princess Luna again," answered Chrysylis.

"How are supposed to do that?" asked Tempo.

"Well. We could bring Princess Luna's sister here and meet her, with precautions of course. We can have Solar and Lunar guards around the portal. We can all be around the portal." said Artemis.

"That is a good idea. But how will Princess Luna's sister come in our dimension? We can't talk to her." reminded Gleaming Shield.

"Unless I go after her," suggested Luna.

"We can't let you do that. You might get hurt." blurted Artemis.

"I could wear armor. But carry no weapons. I will be fine. Do not worry. Let us do it tonight and get it over with." sighed Luna.

"I am afraid that is the only choice we have. Any one objects? Good then it shall be done tonight. We must start the preparations. Princess Gleaming Shield call for Solar and Lunar guards. Prince Tempo get Princess Luna and Prince Artemis to the armory. Clave go to the armory as well. I have a few more preparations to do. You are all dismissed." ordered Solaris.

Forgiven

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Luna shifted nervously, her armor clanking as she waited for the rest of the Clave to arrive. Her fear and nervousness was easily seen by Artemis.

"Luna, do not worry, she will not harm you in our dimension." whispered Artemis.

"I hope so," whispered Luna as the Clave with the Solar and Lunar guards, entered the small room.

"Princess Luna, you know what to do," said Solaris.

"Yes, I do. But I have one wish. Call me Luna," said the mare as the portal swallowed her and she fainted.
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Luna woke up when a pony nudged her.

"Now can we continue. You fell asleep before we were done now where were we? Ah yes. for being evil I must kill you." snapped Celestia.

"Fine, but please. I have a death wish. I want you to sit on this carpet with me and say the words I will tell you." begged Luna

"What do I have to lose?" said Celestia as she sat on the carpet.

"Repeat after me, I wish I was in a better place."

"I wish I was in a better place." chanted the two sisters as the portal engulfed them as they both fainted.
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When the two princesses awoke Luna trotted next to Artemis as he put his foreleg around her neck as if to say' you are safe!' while Celestia looked around in horror.

"Where am I?" she cried out as a white, alicorn stallion with red and orange ethereal mane walked towards her.

"You must be Princess Celestia. Do not worry. You are in a parallel universe. I am you. My name is Prince Solaris." responded Solaris.
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"So you were never evil? Lou I'm sorry."

"Tia you are forgiven."

The End

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1 year later...

Soon all of Equestria from the other world moved to Solaris' Equestria. All of the ponies were very happy.
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"Luna we have been together for two years now and I wanted to tell you something."

"What is it Artemis?"

"Luna will you marry me?"

"Oh Artemis yes!"
Soon there was a grand wedding of the two alicorns of the night. As a wedding gift Solaris gave them a small kingdom of their own in one of Equestria's corners and Celestia gave them a castle in blue and silvers.
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2 years later...

Luna and Artemis were in throne room, sitting on their thrones as they waited for the night ponies to be quiet. Suddenly the door opened as two alicorn foals, one a colt and one a filly, ran inside, hugging their mother.

"Now, now, what happened?"asked Luna.

"Asteroid stole Ursa teddy," complained the filly.

"Asteroid, give Moona her Ursa teddy back. There." smiled Luna as her two foals forgave each other. "How about you run along now."

"But mommy, we're bored." said Asteroid and Moona simultaneously as their father chuckled and their mother giggled.

"Well then you can stay," said Artemis, picking up Asteroid and placing him down next to him.

"Thank you daddy," smiled the colt.
Little did the foals know that their parents knew that they would become great leaders.