After a meeting with the Griffon Empire, Luna decides that the rejection is more than what she can take.
Luna, confused because she has not been in a meeting with the Griffon Empire, overhears the Griffon ambassador and his companion talking about her. She then takes a decision that may change her life forever.
Princess Luna, Guardian of the Night, paced around the hall that led to the meeting room. Earlier she had tried to enter it, but the guards at the door had told her that Princess Celestia, her sister and Bringer of the Day, was using it for a meeting with the Griffon Empire.
That was the reason she was so troubled. Ever since her return from the moon, she had resumed her role of co-ruler beside her sister, and she was supposed to attend these meetings. She did not want to burst in, even trough she had the authority to do so. She would look like a foal that has not been invited to a birthday party, and Luna did not want to ruin her reputation even more.
Luna sighed and went to one of the hall windows. She looked at the sky, blue and without a single cloud. On its center was the sun, a massive orb of flames that represented the day and gave away light and warmth. Luna looked at the day, her sister's creation, deep in thought.
"Even now, I don't undestand what makes the sun more special than my moon and stars. It burns whoever looks at it, unlike my beautiful moon. I know that both are necesary of survival, but ponies don't seem to undestand the balance between the two. They think that the sun is the cause of all life, and that my moon is worthless, just mere decoration along with the stars."
Her thoughts were interrupted by sounds coming from the meeting hall. She heard the meeting hall doors open, her sister's voice saying goodbye to the ambassador and his assistant, and then she heard them talking. She turned around.
"Well, that sure was tiring, wasn't it?" spoke the ambassador.
"Yeah, but there's something that's bothering me"
"Speak up then, David"
David hesitated, but finally answered."Wasn't there supposed to be another princess apart from Celestia?"
Luna held her breath.
"Oh, yes, I know who you are talking about. I'll tell you the whole story." Said the ambassador."A thousand years or so ago, there were two pony sisters that ruled this land. Celestia, the elder, and Luna, the youngest, each taking responsibilities for the day and the night respectivily. But Luna had such a big pride, that she thought that her night was more deserving that her sister's day, and then one day she refused to lower the moon and became a monster called Nightmare Moon. But her sister was weak, and instead of killing her, she imprisioned her in the moon for a thousand years. How ironic. Anyways, she came back a year or so ago, and her sister, missing the opportunity to dispose of her again, used her dear elements of harmony to change her into Luna again, or so she says. The king thinks that she's still Nightmare Moon and the whole Luna thing is just a fake. That' why he requested to be in audience with Celestia only. Anyways, shall we head to the empire?"
"Sure."
Luna listened to their steps until she could no longer hear them. Then she felt tears run down her muzzle. Did the Empire really hate her that much? She didn't have great pride; it was the ponies that hated and ignored her! And she was no longer Nightmare Moon, the elements had cleansed her.
"Why does everyone hate me so much?"
Without even thinking, she ran to the West Tower, were her bedroom was located. She managed to reach there and close the door without crying. She then laid on her bed, sobbing, with only one thought in mind.
"I can't bear this anymore"
Wiping off the tears on her muzzle, Luna began to think. There where creatures that loved the night, most of them living deep in the Everfree Forest. They apprecieated the night, becuase it was when they were more powerful. Batponies, timberwolves and bats needed the night to survive. She wasn't the only one who loved it.
There was one more species that lived of the night. The Natchs, or spirits of the night, that lived completly of it. The sun burnt, weakened, and, in the worst case, killed them.
They were creatures made from darkness itself, looking like regular animals with dark coats most of the time, and could turn into mist or shadowy forms.
Celestia walked on the corridors of the West Tower. She was worried, her sister hadn't come to Royal Court, and Luna had never before missed on one of those before. She was not the kind of pony to do that. Arriving at the entrance of her bedroom, Celestia knocked on her door."Luna? Are you there? I want to talk to you" No response. Celestia tried again."Luna, I'm worried. Why haven' t you come to royal court? You never miss those" Still nothing. Celestia could have opened the door, but she knew that Luna would get really angry if she did so. "Luna, if you don't answer, I'm going to go in, I don't care if you get angry at me later. I'm really worried about you." Seeing that her sister was not going to answer, Celestia opened the doors with her magic. Inside there was a bedroom decorated completely with night themes and dark colors. In the center of the bedroom was a huge, moon-themed bed, full of pillows and warm blankets. On the right side of the room was a desk, full of paperwork done by Luna. On the other side there was a wardrobe with lots of formal dresses and a special place for regalia. Celestia noticed that the place meant for regalia was empty. She looked on every corner of the room, but didn't find Luna. When she had finally lost all hope, something caught the corner of her eye. Above all the paperwork in Luna's desk was something that looked like another piece of paperwork, but was actually a letter. Celestia picked it up with her magic, hoping to find answers.
It must surprise you, seeing that I suddenly vanished without explanation. You probably searched for me in my room, and found this letter instead. Which is okay, because I wanted that to happen.
Remember, sister, when we were little fillies, and we were still with our parents? We lived in another reality, where our Mother and Father could watch over their creations, the ponies. We discovered tht our special talents revolved around the sun and the moon, just like our parents.
And then came the time when we became adults, Discord arrived, and we were sent to defeat him. Mother told us that we had to look for the Tree Of Harmony, and find the Elements to defeat him. We did, but when we tried to come back to Mother and Father, we couldn't. And we felt betrayed and abandoned, and we thought our parents were horrible ponies. But then Father visited us in our dreams, and told us that Discord's magic had closed the barrier between our world and the ponies'. Not only that, but the universe was disbalanced, and they had lost their connections with the sun and the moon. That meant that we wouldn't be able to be with them anymore, and we would have to raise the sun and the moon on our own. I remember that when we woke up the first thing we did was hug each other and cried, cried until we had no tears and then procedeed to raise the sun and lower the moon. When the ponies saw us, they bowed and told us that we were meant to be their rulers.
And so our ruling began.
But not everything was perfect.
Centuries passed, and I started to notice something. Most ponies didn't recognise my autority, and feared or ignored me in the worst case. Our subjects thought you were mighty and perfect, while I was useless and weak. I remember thinking that it wasn't that bad, that were still ponies who loved my night. And when I realized that wasn't true, I held to my last hope. I told myself that as long as you, my sister and equal, loved and cared about me and my night, it was going to be fine.
But I realised you didn't care.
At all.
I tried to get close to my subjects and regain your love for me. But to them I was a nuisance, and you were ashamed of me.
When all of that failed, I was overhelmed by anger. I wanted to make you pay. For all the pain that I felt when I was rejected by my subjects. For all the sadness you caused me when you ignored me. For all the times I lay in my bed, crying until I was exhausted.
It was around that time when we defeated Sombra and Tirek. Sombra made me decide to use Dark magic. Against you.
I remember that night very well. I waited behind the throne and came out when you entered the room. I told you I was going to be the only princess in Equestria and I raised the moon to cover the sun and create an eclipse. Dark Magic revolved around me and changed me into the beast known as Nightmare Moon. We fought for hours and you were defeated.
Or so I thought.
You hit with the Elements, the Elements that our parents created, the Elements that united us so many times when we fought against foes. For me, it was the ultimate betrayal. I remember pain, so much pain, and the next thing I know was that I was on my own moon. Trapped.
How ironic.
The following 1000 years were a torture, full of madness, loneliness and pain from the starvation. Somehow, that only made my hate for you even stronger. The torture ended when four stars, loyal to the daughter of their creator, saw my pain and gave me their power. I came back to Equestria and found you. I attacked you, and sealed you away in the sun.
Who's ironic now?
You know the rest. Your faithful student Twilight Sparkle and her friends defeated me with the Elements. I woke up to the sound of your voice and when I saw you get close to me, I was terrified. I thought you were going to kill me or banish me again, and I couldn't do anything about it. But you didn't do anything to me.
Instead, you offered me your friendship.
I accepted, and I went back to ruling, thinking that the ponies had changed and now would apreciated me. Once again, i was wrong.
Thanks to you describing me as a monster in your fairytale, I was now feared. It came clear to me when I visited Ponyville last Nightmare Night.
The culmination point came when you had that meeting with the Griffon Empire and I heard them talking. They didn't want to meet me because they still thought I was a monster.
Why did you allow them, Celestia?
Why!?
That's why I decided to leave. You don't need me, but I'll still do my duty. Even if I am far, I'll still raise the moon and stars, so you'll just have to take care of the sun.
Goodbye,
Princess Luna, Co-ruler of Equestria and Guardian of the Night.
Celestia felt tears running down her muzzle, but she didn't stop them. Luna was right, she had ignored her own sister for a long time. And even she didn't know why she had accepted the Griffon ambassador's request.
"Even after these 1000 years, I'm still a monster."
It had been four months since Luna's disappearence. Search groups had been sent all over Equestria, but found nothing. This was no surprise to Celestia, because she knew that Luna, as the Guardian of the Night, could hide very well in the shadows. Either way, she seemed to be alright, because the moon and the stars still rose, as Luna said.
But things were very different for Celestia. She had not left her room, not even to attend royal meetings or do paperwork. She didn't even go to dinner, so the maids had to bring her the food to her room. Celestia barely opened the doors to her room, just enough to pass the food through, and after grabbing it, she would slam her door shut. It was now common for the ponies guarding her room to hear her weeping at night. All she did was raise and lower the sun, just because she could see her sister's moon and stars and make sure she was alive and well.
Because of giving up her duties, Princess Cadance and Princess Twilight came from the Crystal Empire and Ponyville respectivly. Now they ruled instead of Celestia, hoping that she would recover soon and resume her duties. But as time went on, she didn't seem to be getting better. And so, Twilight decided to pay her a visit.
Twilight knocked on the door to Celestia's room. "Princess, are you there? I want to talk with you."
No response.
Twilight tried again. "Princess, I know you are in a difficult situation, but please, don't ignore me."
Still nothing.
Twilight finally lost patience. "Celestia, I understand you are hurt, but don't allow the pain to consume you. If you keep hiding instead of facing the problem, you'll end up losing more and more friends until you are completly alone!"
She almost jumped when the door was opened with the glow of Celestia's golden magic, and her voice called: "Come in."
Trembling, Twilight crossed the door and heard it close behind her. In front of her, was an enourmous bed decorated with multiple clouds and suns, and on the center of the bed was a pony that once was Celestia, but she was so consumed, that she looked like another pony.
"Come here Twilight", called Celestia.
Twilight obeyed, sat on the bed facing her and waited, until Celestia finally spoke up.
" I understand that you are angry with me. You've had to leave your own kingdoms and do everything that I should be doing, while I just sat here in my room not doing anything. But also think about what I'm going through. When I banished my sister, It was painful, yes, but I knew it would eventually end. It was a light at the end of the tunnel, even through it was a tiny one. It gave me something to grip on. This is not the case. I have no hope of her returning now."
"Anyway, I'll be returning to my duties soon. Thank you and Cadance for helping me in this painful period."
And with that, Celestia strode out of the room, Twilight following behind.
Ten months. Ten months without her sister. It was driving Celestia mad, to lose Luna again. It felt horrible, like she was so close but at the same time so far. Her Lulu was alive, free, and Celestia was sure she could be found one way or another, but she was still missing. The Solar Princess had decided to go and search for Luna on her own. No guards and no companions, only her doing what she needed to do.
The Everfree Forest seemed a likely place to start looking for. It had a great deal of night creatures, and, due to the ponies' fears of those creatures, it had been barely searched. Celestia's heart jolted when she realised this. 'Luna was right, they still shun her night', She thought bitterly.
Her journey was going quite well. The monsters didn't approach her, feeling her aura of pure power. Celestia didn't mind, it was all the better for her.
She took out the map. Her next stop was the rumored hometown of the Natchs, shadowy creatures that were weak to the sunlight. No pony had seen them since her sister's banishment, but Celestia remembered how Luna had helped what was left of the almost dying civilization. Before Discord reign, there had been a thriving Natch empire, with an unique culture and a kind and benevolent ruler called Queen Sternia. But when Discord claimed the throne, he took fun in killing almost all of the population, including the Queen, under the blazing light of the sun. The few that survived were scattered across the land, and were then pushed into Equestria as the Griffon Empire claimed the lands. But instead of shuning them, Luna reagrouped them and hid them from the ponies as much as she could. It was likely that she was welcome there.
Celestia stopped and looked around. She had spent way too much time remembering, and now she was almost there. She slowed down until her foresteps could no longer be heard. She saw a clearing in front of her and hid behind a couple of tall bushes. She was sure that the Natchs, if there were any, wouldn't react well to the Sun Princess.
The clearing was huge, and it had a small cliff with what once looked like a cave, but an enormous rock was blocking the entrance. In the center of the clearing was a small lake with water, so calm that it looked like crystal.
She suddenly felt the urge of her celestial body pleading for it to be lowered. Her horn lit up, and the sun began slowly descending towards the West horizon, slowly giving way to the darkness. Celestia waited. She knew that soon her sister would raise the moon, like always.
Her thoughts were interrupted by a harsh sound. Looking in that direction, she saw as the enourmous rock that covered the cave moving, revealing a creature that Celestia could have recognized anywhere.
It was her Lulu.
She walked into the clearing, her horn lighting up as she raised the moon and brought the stars into place. Thanks to the moon's light, Celestia could see her sister more clearly. She seemed slightly taller, and her mane looked more like a galaxy instead of a night sky.
When Luna finished decorating the night sky, she turned around, facing the cave. "Our moon has been raised. Thou can now come out."
Celestia saw dozens of Natchs come out of the cave. They all gathered in one group, and what seemed like the leader separated from the group and approached Luna.
It bowed."As always, Princess, we're all grateful for your sevices. Without you, we would not be the growing town that we are now." He then turned to the rest of the Natchs." All hail the Night Princess!"
"All hail the Night Princess!" The Natch chanted.
'Is this what she wanted when she desired love?' Thought Celestia.
Luna smiled. "It is but our duty. But we thank you, Komet, and all of your people for thy support"
He nodded and turned once again to his people. "Very well. Recoletors, grab your baskets and look for food and water. Soldiers, search the area to the west of here, and when you are done return to the normal patrol. Caretakers, guard the young, old and ill."
Once they were gone, Luna sighed, clearly tired. "If thee do not mind, Komet, we wish to spend the night alone on the cliff."
"There is no problem, Luna."
Luna gave him a smile before she opened her wings and to flew the cliff. Once she got there, she simply stood near to the edge, watching over the land.
Celestia's horn quickly lit up and she teleported to the cliff, only a few steps from her sister. She approached her, insecure.
Luna looked over the valley shrouded in darkness. It had been exactly ten months since the night that she left, and she missed Tia so much. Part of her wanted to see her again, hug her and tell her she her missed so much. But she couldn't. How could she? She pictured the image in her head. She had just ran away, and suddenly she returned, expecting for things to be fine and become better. Celestia would be mad at her, but at least she wouldn't be that alone. Alone. She wasn't exactly alone, she had the Natchs who loved her, but she needed something else. A friend. Somepony who didn't see her as a god, but as an equal.
'Is this what Tia felt when I was banished?'
She sighed.'Oh, Tia... I just want to hear your voice again, calling my name..'
"Lulu?"
"Tia?" Luna called as she turned around. Standing there was her sister, the one she had wanted to be with her. "Tia!"she shouted as she jumped to her sister and pulled her into a hug."Tia, I'm so sorry! I just wanted to know what to be loved! I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" Luna felt her eyes start to fill up with tears. She looked up to see her sister, who had tears in her eyes as well.
Celestia smiled."Everything is fine, Lulu. I was guilty too."
Luna opened her mouth to say something, but she decided to save it for later. She simply sighed and started the climb down.
With a flap of wings, both sisters laid down in the grass next to the small cliff. Celestia yawned and looked at Luna with a small smile in her face."Shall we go to Canterlot?"
Luna looked at her sister and returned the smile."Very well, but first, I have to say goodbye to the Natchs. You may accompany me if you like."
Celestia nodded, and they both walked to the little lake where many Natchs were playing. As they approached, She could see that her presence was making quite a lot of them tense. She simply tried to ignore the looks they gave her, and set her gaze on her sister, who seemed to be looking for someone. Luna then walked to a female-looking Natch."Charme, where is Komet?"
Charme turned around to face her."Komet went with the soldiers, Princess. He left Zalam in charge though, so why don't you talk to him instead?"
Luna smiled."Thank you Charme, and goodbye. We're heading for Canterlot now."
"Goodbye, then."
The Lunar Princess headed to another Natch. This one was far more bulky, and resembled an actual pony. He turned around, alarmed at the sound of someone coming close, but calmed down at the sight of Luna.
"Our apologies for scaring you, Zalam. Are thou alright?" She asked, concerned.
"There is no problem, princess. I've always been a little paranoic." Zalam said, smiling.
Luna returned the smile."Anyways, can you please say goodbye to Komet when he returns? I'm planning to return to my home soon."
"That's too bad, princess, we liked having you around. I'll tell Komet, of course. If you don't mind me asking, what made you want to return?"
She simply smiled and stepped to the side, letting him see her sister. Zalam simply stared, and Celestia gave him an awkward smile.
His sightly open mouth then turned into a wicked smile."I knew this would happen someday." he then turned to the forest. "SOLDIERS! COME HERE, QUICK!"
Luna stared at him, shocked."What are you doing?!"
Zalam looked at her, regret shining in his eyes."I'm so sorry princess. I hope one day you'll understand."
She tried to answer, but a magic inhibitor and chain around her wings distracted her. Luna tried to shake them off, but they were so tight it was impossible. She could only watch as Celestia was put on the same accesories, apart from a piece of cloth to her mouth. Two Natch soldiers each held her and her sister down.
The Lunar Princess' rage exploded."TRAITORS! VICIOUS SCUM, HOW DARE THEE DO THIS TO US, WHEN WE HELPED THEE!"
"Calm down princess. We're not traitors. We want to help you, so we're going to ease you of the burden that has forced you to do so many horrible things." Zalam's voice had changed, and it sent a chill down Luna's spine. He turned to one of the soldiers, and then back to Celestia. Within his grasp was a sharp knife.
Luna's eyes widened in horror. "No, please no! Our sister was innocent! She didn't do anything!"
"Does anything mean 'ignore, banish to the moon and when she returns ignore again'?"
"No."
Zalam's eyes turned to her with a hint of surprise."No?"
Her eyes were glittlering as she spoke."We are the sun and the moon. Polar opposites that are bend to end up fighting. And yet, they still need each other to mantain harmony. But more than that, we are sisters by blood. Family."
Luna lowered her head."We both made mistakes. We both suffered for it. We can leave it in the past. We just need a little push. And I need her, just like she needs me. Because we love each other."
She closed her eyes, but the feeling of the inhibitor and the chains leaving her made her open them again. Celestia was being freed of them too.
"I'm truly sorry princess. But if you didn't clear this, you would have fallen to the Nightmare again. You can throw me in the dungeons if you want."
"You planned this?" Luna couldn't believe it.
"Yes."
Unable to speak, she walked to Zalam. Their eyes met.
Then, Luna slapped him. Celestia, now free of the cloth, simply laughed.
The climb down soon turned into a race around the cliff as they cheerfully laughed and jumped around like two foals. How long had it been since they had played like this? Both of them felt like they were young again. They were no longer princesses, no rulers of Equestria, no Guardian of the Night and Bringer of the Day. They were simply sisters playing around in a harmless way.
Well, it was harmless, until Luna came far too close to the edge. The ground beneath her broke, and Celestia watched horrified as Luna fell and hit the ground, knocking her unconscious .
"Luna!"
She awoke to the sound of her sister. She had fell sideways and hit a group of rocks, otherwise the fall wouldn't have been much of a problem. The wing she had fell on hurt like it was broken, and had the sore taste of blood on her mouth. Luna tried standing up, but she simply couldn't bring herself to do so. Her head was spinning and she could barely keep herself awake.
"Charme, get the soldiers now! She's attacked Luna!"
The female Natch turned around and went into the forest. Komet watched her go, and once she was gone he ran to where Luna was, hoping to help her. The Sun Goddess was getting close to her, probably wishing to finish her off. But Komet wasn't going to let her die.
With a jump, he kicked Celestia in the chest, sending her backwards, and placed himself between her and Luna.
She growled."What are you doing? Let me get to my sister!" Her horn glowed with fury.
"I won't let you harm her!" Komet yelled.
She gave him a furious look." I'm her sister, for Harmony's sake! I would never harm her in any way!"
"I bet you said the same thing a thousand years ago, and look where we are now." He said darkly.
Celestia's anger disapeared within seconds and was replaced wth guilt. She wanted to reply something, anything, but words weren't coming to her. She simply lowered her head.
An arrow passed to her side, almost brushing her. She jumped, not daring to look where the arrow came. Her wings opened, intending to fly her out of there, but a well-aimed second kick from Komet threw her to the ground. She could hear the sound of a group of Natchs coming. They were going to get her, and there was nothing she could do about it. Her ears perked up at the sound of countless bows tensing and reading to shoot their arrows. Her vision blurred.
"NO!"
Celestia's eyes shot open. She knew that voice. And she knew the blurry shape that was jumping in front of her.
"LUNA!"
Her ears were once again filled with the sound of arrows hitting the flesh and cutting deep into it. She could see a blue glow around her, protecting her from the arrows that tried to hit her. Finally, the sound stopped, and the shape in front of her collapsed.
"Lulu!"
Ignoring the pain, Celestia forced herself to run to where her sister was. Luna was bloody, and a lot of arrows where had cut deeply in her chest and stomach. Even with her alicorn body and strength, she only had one or two more minutes. She held her within her wings and reached for her hoof.
"It's okay, Lulu. Everything is going to be okay."
Luna's eyes had the look of someone who knew was dying, and simply accepted it. She smiled warmly at Celestia. "Celestia?"
"Yes, Luna?" The trembling in Celestia's voice was evident now.
"Don't blame yourself. Or the Natchs. They... They were just trying to protect me. I saved them once, and they wanted to repay me. And it was my decision to save you. I would have done it, regardless of if you were pinned down or not. I would have always tried to save you" Her eyes glittered like stars.
"Can you sing me that song you used to sing to me, Tia?" Luna asked.
Celestia nodded and cleared her throat.
"You are my sunshine, my only sunshine.."
Her sister's once-flowing mane hung limply at her side.
"You make me happy when skies are grey..."
Her breathing slowed.
"You'll never know dear, how much I love you..."
"I love you, Tia." She said as her breathing slowed.
"Please don't take...my sunshine...away."
Celestia felt her sister's heart as it stopped."I love you too, Lulu..."
