A club for the used-to-be most evil creatures in all of Equestria... and their special someponies?
Celestia has talked her anti social sister into making a club for other ponies and creatures who might be able to relate to her struggles. Luna didn't know what to expect from her new friends but it seems that they're all the romantic type?
(Fluttershy x Discord)(Pinkie x Sombra)(Twilight x Tempest)(Starlight x Trixie)(Luna x Chrysalis)
“Honestly, could this train be anymore unpleasant?” The blue unicorn scoffed, “The great and powerful Trixie would much rather be in her traveling cart.”
“C’mon Trix,” A purple unicorn who lied next to her on the train spoke, “It’s not that bad, if you really don’t like it you can try to nap-” a small yawn escaped her mouth, “Like me.” Starlight snuggled in next to her marefriend, practically purring like a kitten.
Trixie couldn’t help but look over at the purple lump beside her, a little smile on Starlight’s face caused Trixie to get warm, blushy cheeks. She sighed and laid down next to her love, giving into sleep within a moment. “Awe,” A high pitched voice squeaked, attempting to be quiet, “They’re so cute together.” Pinkie swooned.
“Can’t say I’m surprised.” Twilight said, “Those two have been close for a while now, it was only a matter of time before one confessed to the other.”
Pinkie nodded, she’d been very talkative since long before they even got on the train but now tiredness was getting to even her. Twilight seemed wide awake, reading a book in peace and Fluttershy took a nap next to Discord, only after he fell asleep first though. He kept on making entertainingly chaotic things and Fluttershy liked each one. Most made her laugh, some amazed her with a tiny, “Woah...” being heard by her friends.
Fluttershy’s friends were all sitting in seats a bit away from the her and Discord. Twilight had her back to the draconequus and pegasus, as she was sitting on the other side of their bench. Pinkie and her love sat opposite to Twilight and the two sleeping unicorn lovers had found a way to snuggle and sleep on the same bench on the other side of the train, right across from the reading princess.
Pinkie yawned, just a little yawn but it was enough for the gray stallion next to her to turn his head, “Tired?” he asked in his deep voice. Pinkie intended on being awake by the time they arrived in Canterlot so she could bring out her Wakey Wakey Eggs and Party Canon without the eggs and use it to wake everypony else up. However she did wake up super early because she was so excited about the trip and now she was yawning yet again.
She looked at Sombra for a moment before laying a head on his shoulder, he turned and kissed the top of her head. She smiled to herself, she’d been asked to try and reform him only a few months ago, but in that time, she fell in love. He still wasn’t widely trusted and frankly they are both too afraid to take him to the Crystal Empire. In fact he was only traveling to Canterlot because Twilight had forced him to under the condition that Pinkie would join him on the trip. Pinkie, of course, wanted to join him. As soon as she found out he was invited she was bouncing off the walls saying how fun it’ll be if Sombra made some new friends but Sombra made it clear that he wouldn’t want to leave Pinkie’s side, which was an obviously easy fix.
Sombra still didn’t want to go but he wouldn’t tell Pinkie that, after he already had made an excuse that failed him. Well, it didn’t completely fail him, he now had his pink marefriend resting on his shoulder. He looked out of the window, they’d left on the latest train that night and the moon was high in the sky. Twilight had apparently wanted to come earlier but Celestia wrote that they were making accommodations for them to stay at the palace and the room wouldn’t be ready until night so there wouldn’t be a point to arriving early.
The used-to-be tyrant hadn’t thought ahead, he doubted that’d he’d get any sleep on the train but he didn’t think to bring anything. He was well aware of Twilight, sitting in his peripherals, reading one of the plethora of books she brought. He would ask for a book to read but he tried that once before, he read something Twilight considered a ‘travel book’ and he didn’t ever want to be that bored again. He was fine with normal stories but Twilight’s travel books weren’t normal stories. They were long factual books with little to no personality or opinions. Sombra looked over to her, even the one she was reading now, “Equestria’s Flora and Fauna” Sombra was completely convinced that she’d read it before, perhaps she was trying to memorize it? He didn’t want to question the mare’s relationship with books, sometimes it seemed that given the choice between reading a book or meeting the love her life, she’d choose the book.
***
Twilight blinked hard, she’d fallen asleep and was now waking up to Pinkie Pie’s tired attempts of a super duper quick wake up party. She’d pulled out her party cannon and sent confetti flying through the air but that was about it. Discord and Fluttershy were both awake, Discord complained about not getting enough sleep but within moments he’d whipped out a table, tablecloth, teacups, saucers, a teapot, several bags of sentient tea and cucumber sandwiches with the crusts on the side, like he still intended to eat them. Fluttershy spoke in her normal soft voice but made it clear that there was no way they would have the time to have a full blown tea party, so he settled for giving everyone to go cups of tea.
Twilight politely declined, she wanted something to energize her but she didn’t trust Discord to not prank her cup. Pinkie almost took the tea but Sombra firmly declined tea for both of them, he must've had the same trust issues Twilight had. He used the excuse that she wouldn’t be able to sleep in the rooms the Princess’s provided and it would be rude if she didn’t get even a wink of sleep their. Of course that must've been slightly true but not the main reason for her lack of tea.
Starlight and Trixie each took tea but they were apparently laced with hot sauce, Twilight grinned a bit to herself, not at the couple’s shared pain but at the fact that she had made the right choice about the tea. Fluttershy laughed a bit at the prank but did eye Discord until he gave them normal tea, this time with milk in it to sooth the spicy burns.
They stepped off the train and saw that two royal night guards were waiting for them. “Hiya” Pinkie bounced, somehow gaining her energy back.
“Hello Sirs.” Twilight smiled.
“Welcome Princess Twilight Sparkle.” One guard replied, “We shall be your escorts to the castle.”
Twilight nodded in response. They started their travels immediately. Discord and Fluttershy were having a conversation but otherwise it was a rather peaceful walk through Canterlot.
“Oh I do hope they have tea.” The draconiquus spoke to his marefriend, “And perhaps live entertainment? Luna is a princess, she could have the entire court serving out every command.”
“Oh but those ponies shouldn’t be working at this hour, it’s very late.” Fluttershy said softly.
“Oh yes I suppose so,” he responded, “Wouldn’t want anypony to be sleep deprived. Although it would make messing with them easier.”
She gasped, “Discord!” it was clearly meant in a more playful as a smile still showed on the pegasus’s lips.
“What? I was kidding... Probably.” He grinned.
Twilight couldn’t help but role her eyes at the strange couple. She Continued walking straight, just behind the guards. She could hear Pinkie’s bouncing next to the steady clops of Sombra’s Hooves.
They soon arrived during a fork in their path. They’d entered the castle, the only ponies seen were night guards until this fork. Twilight blinked once, she barely felt it when a breeze hit her. They were in a hallway that was ultimately outdoors, you could easily trot off the marble floor and enter the garden. Twilight would’ve normally blinked at least at the breeze but instead she was preoccupied staring at the unicorn in front of her, their eyes locked.
“Fizzlepop!?!” A surprised squeak came from Pinkie.
“Oh um I still prefer Tempest.” She blushed a little, straightening up her posture and turning her eyes back to Twilight.
Twilight shook her head to snap herself out of her gaze, “Tempest,” she smiled, “I didn’t know you were back in Equestria.”
“I received an invitation from Princess Luna so I figured I should come.” She swayed a bit on her hooves, staring at the ground.
“Well it’s good to see you.” Twilight stated.
“You as well.” Tempest raised her eyes back to Twilight.
A guard stepped in, “I will bring the ‘plus ones’ to their rooms.”
The second guard finished the sentence, “and I shall bring those who are here to see Princess Luna down to her, em,” he paused, slightly confused about the command, “Clubroom.” he finally got out.
Twilight smiled a bit to herself, she was fairly certain that Celestia told him to call it that. “Well you shouldn’t keep Princess Luna waiting.” She nodded to the guards and they both turned and started trotting in there own directions, “See you later, Tempest.” Twilight said over her shoulder.
“Promise you’ll be nice.” Fluttershy spoke softly.
“Of course.” Discord smirked, anyone who saw him would assume he was lying but Fluttershy trusted him so she turned to follow her alicorn friend.
“See ya Sombra~” Pinkie sang her goodbye, hugging him tightly for a moment then letting go and jumping after the others.
The remaining unicorn guard didn’t slow his pace in the other direction, instead he cleared his throat to get the guests’ attention. “Oh.” Tempest spoke when she realized they were supposed to follow. They all stepped at a fair speed to catch up to the guard, they then slowed their pace to match his. Discord had decided to hover his way instead of using his hoof and claw, and Trixie was practically leaning on Starlight. Sombra and Tempest were as straight faced as ever. Tempest could feel her heart beating slightly faster as her nerves were catching up to her. “U-uhm, I don’t believe I’ve ever met any of you, my name is Tempest Shadow.” She glanced at the others.
“Oh surely you’ve-” Trixie yawned, “Heard of the great and powerful Trixie.” She didn’t even role her ‘r’ in her great and powerful drowsiness.
Starlight laughed a little, “I’m Starlight Glimmer and this,” she nudged her marefriend, “Is Trixie Lulamoon.”
“Well I’m the spirit of chaos, Discord,” he examined his claw as if he though one might’ve chipped, “But you probably figured that out, I mean have you ever seen anything more chaotic than me?” his body parts temporarily detached has a couple tiny fireworks came from his ears.
“Nice to meet you..” Tempest forced her smile to stay on her face, “and you are?” she politely asked the gray pony who really didn’t look like he wanted to be there.
He sighed before straightening himself out, looking straight forward rather than making eye contact,“I am Sombra.” he said calmly.
Tempest tried to give a polite smile and nod, she only managed the nod part though.
It wasn’t long before the guard stopped to open a door, “This is the club-room, Princess Luna awaits your entry.” He swung the door open with his magic and stood at the side to let the rest enter.
Tempest dipped her head to thank the guard as she passed and the rest of the ragtag group filtered in.
There was a circle of chairs that seemed to have been placed around a non existent circular table. Sitting at the far end of the room in the largest of the chairs was a dark coated mare with a mane and tail that replicated her night’s sky.
She stood and walked towards the new arrivals, “Greetings, I thank though for join me this night and for the next few nights to come. Welcome to my club of reformed villains.”
Luna stood there. Stern faced as ever - or at least what she hoped was stern faced as ever. She’d previously been pacing a ditch into the floor, she even sent out her guards so they wouldn’t be able to watch her embarrassingly nervous preparation. “Please, have a seat.” she gestured with a nod of her head before turning around and gracefully sitting on her chair.
“Uhm.. Greetings your highness.” Tempest Shadow bowed. She turned to take a seat, she was shortly followed by a gray stallion.
Luna didn’t know what to think of Sombra, he bowed pointlessly, wordlessly. She’d have to be the one to speak. “Hello Sombra, I hope Ponyville is treating thou well.”
A chord seemed to have struck through him. He hid it well but Luna had taught herself to read ponies better sense the time she and Celestia fought and had to switch places for the day. One could say she became what is called a ‘Pony Whatcher’ on her off hours. She couldn’t care less about what her activity was called, it trained her to notice how ponies act out certain feelings.
“Yes Princess,” he spoke in his deep voice, it didn’t sound menacing like the last time she heard it, however it did sound like he didn’t want to be here. “I am very grateful that you and your sister allowed me to stay there.”
Luna swallowed, she was against the idea originally. She had wished that Celestia had acted on her initial plan to throw him in a dungeon for an extended period of time, Tartarus always has enough space for a tyrant like him. He deserved to go to tartarus. Celestia had only changed her mind when she received a letter from Twilight Sparkle, asking for forgiveness on his behalf. Luna swore it was just the Princess of Friendship preaching her ways but Celestia insisted that Twilight must have a proper reason. Though maybe Celestia didn’t consider Luna’s feelings due to something that happened to long ago to care about. Of course Luna eventually realized she was wrong and Equestria was better off making a friend of a used-to-be enemy rather than anger an enemy who might be powerful enough to escape whatever dungeon they put him in.
Still it was rather jarring to see somepony you used to despise for so very long stand in front of you, politely bowing and expecting a reply. “Of course, we are glad that you have settled in well there.” She nodded to signal Sombra to sit down. He sat directly across from Tempest as Discord less than politely sat directly next to her.
Tempest seemed to grit her teeth under closed lips to avoid snapping at the draconequus as he leaned on her half-horned head, “Of course I don’t need to show off my etiquette.” he grinned, “Good to see you, Lulu.”
Luna rolled her eyes, she did not care whether that was appropriate for a royal to do to someone. Discord was not just someone. She was once rather close to him, and knew she’d never be that close to him again. He was now the lord of chaos, and no one could blame Luna for already being annoyed with him.
“Hello Princess Luna.” Starlight Glimmer nodded her head, “Good to see you again.”
“It is good to see you again as well.” Luna spoke.
Starlight stood next to Trixie Lulamoon, a pony Luna had never expected to see but Twilight suggested she should invite her to give Starlight some extra company. She’d apparently been the mare who was using the Alicorn amulet to terrify Ponyville a few years ago.
“Uhm, it’s nice to meet you Princess.” she bowed her head, and headed of to her seat next to Starlight. The mare was undeniably tired but tried to hold her composure.
“We have coffee if you’d like,” Luna offered, “But I won’t keep you here for long, it is only our first meeting of the week after all.”
“Thank you, Princess.” Trixie stood to get herself some coffee which was set up on a table just behind her seat.
They all sat in her circle for one awkward moment just long enough to make Luna’s heart speed up. What was she going to do? She didn’t know how to entertain others, that was her sister’s job. And last time she tried to do her sister’s job she kept a bunch of school foals from raising enough money to go on a field trip. She didn’t want to upset anyone else with her introverted ways.
The awkward moment passed quickly enough when Discord started talking about himself, Trixie soon joined when the caffeine kicked in. Somehow they were able to have a full conversation in which they only spoke about themselves.
Tempest and Sombra were rather quiet, using small talk, asking what the other’s careers and hobbies were and the like. Starlight joined in with the conversation, being the most social pony of the three. They all had a knack for powerful magic, despite Tempest not being able to perform much due to her injury. Both Sombra and Tempest were reserved, likely due to some past trauma that made themselves feel like they didn’t belong. Luna sympathized, of course. Although, Sombra seemed completely fine to stay on the friendless side. He was being polite because somepony probably told him to. On the other hoof, Tempest was acting as though she desperately wanted to be friends but just didn’t know how to, so she kept her calm exterior.
Luna turned her attention to the empty seat next to Discord, directly across of Starlight. Empty. Of course it’s empty. Luna didn’t get her hopes up, in fact, she was regretting her decision to send an invitation to a villian who was not yet reformed. A villain who would likely never be reformed.
In fact, if she had come, she might’ve brought a second army or a crazy spell that would be undefeatable. Luna was practically asking to be attacked. She didn’t even want anything from Chrysalis anymore. Just to be on good terms, be an acquaintance, maybe a friend, nothing more.
The princess stifled a sigh, her past friend had been at war with them ever since she came out of her hibernation spell. She shouldn’t have sent the letter. She even conducted a special yet power draining spell to make sure the changeling Queen received it despite no one knowing her location. She had to ask Celestia to lower the moon that night, lying that she had a dreadful horn ache and couldn’t do it herself. Obviously, she didn’t tell her sister, if Chrissy- Luna stopped herself - Chrysalis had come with hostility she’d be blamed for the attack, but if she had come in peace… maybe Luna would have been praised. She at least would’ve gotten Chrysalis back.
Luna’s thoughts flickered back to Sombra. She wondered how he felt, did he miss her as well? Was he satisfied with having Pinkie now? Does he even care about Pinkie at all or does he consider her a possession like he did Chrysalis? Luna had no right to wonder, Pinkie is a capable mare with plenty of friends to protect her if anyone would’ve noticed something was wrong. But Chrysalis was a capable mare as well. And Luna was the friend who was supposed to protect her when something was wrong. Luna knew something was wrong. But she was useless.
Luna stood, exhaling to calm herself down. “I need to use the washroom, I will return shortly.” She turned without a second thought and exited through a large door that was placed a short distance behind her chair.
When she left she was greeted by a guard on each side of the door. She nodded to each before trotting onward to one of the castle’s many restrooms. She didn’t enter. She didn’t actually need to use the restroom she just needed to be alone. She slumped onto the floor, she was just far enough from any stationary guards so she could not be judged for sitting alone on the floor. If any guards happened to come patrolling this way she’d have to a make up an excuse on the spot but she didn’t care that much, they have no reason to question her. Or at least they didn’t have much reason to question her.
She sighed. It was partly her fault Chrysalis was mad at them. She was always one for wanting petty revenge. Although it wasn’t that petty this time.
Luna's mind faded into memories, she was a filly. She knew what her role was. She was a Princess. She should have hated it, she did kind of. Celestia was regal and kind to her subjects, in line for being queen just because of her magical ability.
The two sisters were just happily playing with their friends when Celestia was noticed for her power. They were speaking of pointless topics and making designs in the snow. The ponies around were sad and cold and angry. The elder unicorns were always tired, even Starswirl would have to take the whole day off some time from just raising the sun. Luna remembered that one fateful morning dearly.
Starswirl had been tasked to take care of the fillies and colts whose parents had to work instead of watching them. Clover, Starswirl’s pupil who had been told to watch over the children while the sun was raised, had left them alone, the team of unicorns were struggling more than normal and the young stallion had to help. Sweat beads grew on his face as he forced his magic into the glowing orb the sky.
The foals watched helplessly, but Celestia had an idea. She gave a quiet yet endearing pep talk to her fellow foals, they had horns, they had magic. The few earth and pegasi foals would cheer them on. Though it was weak, everything helped. Their horns glowed. Some of the foals took what looked like battle stances to balance themselves as they drained their magic into the sun. Most had squinted their eyes and grit their teeth but Luna saw it with her own eyes.
The sun started to rise, many ponies around started to cheer at the warmth that bathed their land. Until there was a gasp. Luna whipped her head around to see her sister, rising the like the sun, glowing like the sun. “Tia!” she called out.
Swirls of light covered her sister, she was so bright that nopony could look at her. When she returned to the ground she had gained something. A cutie mark of the sun and a pair of white wings.
Everypony froze. What had happened? Starswirl was the only one who rushed to them, “Celestia--” He started before Luna rushed up and hugged her sister.
“What happened?” She asked, confused and only slightly worried, “That was amazing but did thou just do?”
Tia shook her head, “I do not know sister,” she looked towards Starswirl, “However thy do know, don’t thou?”
“Yes Celestia.” He spoke, wonder filled his eyes, “I’ve only heard of it in theory, yet here it is in front my own eyes.” he breathed, “You have become something called an alicorn, you possess so much magic, when used to its full extent, your body had to find somewhere to put it. In most ponies it goes into one’s mark, when it is so powerful it gives them wings and horn if they hadn’t even had one before.”
Luna didn’t really understand him as he went on explaining. All she knew is that they were suddenly receiving special treatment, despite Luna not being so special.
Luna was happy at first, to get to sleep in a fluffy bed and have a large room that was only shared with her dear sister. But after a while it got old. She wasn’t ignored, of course, she was deemed royalty because of Celestia’s powers and yet it was clear everypony thought she was second best, even Celestia seemed to think so. She was growing older and yet didn’t have a cutie mark. She was a pointless unicorn in the shadow of her royal sister.
She was saddened and moody. She was deemed a pain to deal with. Nopony would be her caretaker, Celestia didn’t need a caretaker so why should she? Celestia had maids and butlers instead. Celestia didn’t even try to speak with her when she passed by each other in the hallway. So Luna through tantrums and screamed and cried out for all to hear. She was hated by everypony she knew.
Despite the trauma she caused she did enjoy one creature’s company. Discord. He wasn’t a pony, he stood on two legs, he didn’t trot, his horn didn’t glow when he performed a spell, he didn’t need to flap his wings when he flew. He was a wierdo and Luna loved him. He was like a brother to her, he acted like more of a sibling to her than Celestia did.
They loved to cause trouble together, Discord had helped Luna steal a book from Starswirl’s study and encouraged her when she was learning spells. It was more encouragement the Starswirl gave her when he tried to show her magic. She became very capable at performing sleep spells, she’d use them to sneak out at night and then proceed to sleep all day. Her tutors were starting to get mad at her when they came in the afternoon and couldn’t get her to wake up for hours on end.
She wasn’t very happy in this life, she was glad to see Discord walk through the door each night to play with her. Actually walk through the door; he didn’t open it, and it always made Luna laugh. But, a large part of her wanted to be just like her sister, and her sister wouldn’t be a night owl.
One night, after they had snuck out, she got the most brilliant idea. “Discord!” She sat up, they’d previously been stargazing and Discord had been moving around the constellations like a grand puppet show, “I just had the best thought!” She jumped onto her hooves.
“You’re normally rather tired by now, why does it seem like you just created an energizing spell?” He sat up, “Not that I’m complaining, more energy means more trouble we can cause.”
The filly shook her head, “I don’t want to cause trouble right now, I want to help!”
“That’s unlike you,” he looked comedically worried, “You haven’t gone sane have you?”
She giggled, “Of course not.” she explained, “I’m going to make sure they pay attention to me. I’m going to raise the moon.” She grinned.
“Oh how boring, you know I could do that without struggle right?” He spoke.
“Well yes,” she sat, “But thou would never want the responsibility.”
“True” he agreed.
“I’m going to raise the moon and you can’t help me if I can’t do it. I know I’m not as powerful as Tia, but I’m gonna try until I am.”
Discord paused, “If you want wings I could give you that too..“
“No,” she looked to him, “No one will respect me just because I have wings, I need to show my own power.” she stated, “Look.” She pointed a hoof to a balcony, “Tia lowers the moon and raises the sun from that balcony each day at the exact same time. I’m going to lower the moon a moment before she steps out so half of her work is already done.”
Discord was cautious with his words, he didn’t want to upset Luna. She appreciated it, but she was determined and nothing he could say could stop her. “Lulu.. You do know that you may not be able to do it...” he said, eyeing her, “If you need me to I can raise it with you and you can have all the credit.” that was unlike him, he normally wanted to be known for what he did, whether it was good or bad, he’d get drunk on the attention.
Luna smiled, “That’s very kind of thee, but please do not help me.” she stood, getting into a battle stance, “What time is it?”
He popped open a pocket watch which appeared from nowhere, “A few minutes till seven.” He didn’t like time, he always said it was more fun when you never knew when something was going to happen so Luna was a bit surprised when he gave her an honest answer.
Luna nodded to him. Her horn began to glow and she felt the weight of the moon in her grasp. It might’ve only moved a few inches before Luna collapsed from exhaustion. Discord rushed to her side, “Lulu? Lulu are you alright?” He levitated her to look at her from all angles.
“Did I move it?” she mumbled.
Discord looked up. “Yes.”
She gasped with sudden vigor, she saw the moon had visibly moved, more than she thought it did, it wasn’t much and no pony who hadn’t been looking at the sky just a moment before would’ve noticed. But it moved. She moved it. “I did it!” She cheered, “Well only partly..”
“But you moved it.” Discord said, setting her down, “I think you can lower it completely, with some practice.”
For a moment Luna wanted to dwell on the fact that Tia never needed to practice but she didn’t want to ruin her moment.
In the end, Celestia had lowered the moon that night and Discord had to teleport Luna into her room being that she lost any energy to walk. She slept thoroughly that day. She wouldn’t be surprised to hear that no tutor had even tried to wake her up for classes. The night after, she pulled her similar chaotic tricks with Discord and then tried to raise the moon again. This went on for around a week. Both her and Discord were sure that no one noticed that she was trying to raise the moon, the few times it moved a significant amount she asked Discord to put it back, saying she wants others to think that she did it in one go. For the first time in a long time, she was genuinely and completely happy about her life.
But the happiness had to end at some point. The tutors, the maids, the butlers, the three leaders, everypony was mad at her. She caused trouble for them all night, they’d wake up to annoying pranks every morning and then she’d sleep through the day to avoid consequences.
A team of the most powerful unicorns in Equestria had arrived to her room just a few moments after she arrived with Discord. They used magic barriers to create a wall and keep her away from him. Silencing spells were casted when her crying for them to not hurt her precious Discord was getting to loud. She banged her hooves on the sparkly wall keeping her from her brother, “Discord!” She cried out silently while she watched them hurt her only friend. He was chained with magic that not even he could get out of. Until one unicorn used an ancient looking parchment scroll to cast a spell that opened a hole in the air just underneath the draconequus.
He was push through with waves of magic and disappeared in it just before the portal vanished. “No!” Luna’s screech was finally heard as the magic spells had ceased their acts and the team of unicorns began to take their leave.
She stood in her tear filled anger, “What was that!?” She screamed, slamming the door with magic to keep anyone from leaving, “What did thou do to him!?” she sobbed, “Where is he?”
Clover stepped forward. She gasped at the pure fact that someone who she’d looked up to when she was younger could be a part in such a cruel act. She didn’t let her shock stay, her face returned to anger. “He was a bad influence on you.” he spoke plainly, “We sent him away.”
She stomped towards him, her horn still glowed from holding the door shut. “Where is ‘away?’” she tried to be calm enough to word herself properly and to keep herself from bursting with rage.
“Tartarus… It’s a holding place for a creature like him.” He explained slightly cautiously, not wanting to deal with a screaming child.
Tartarus? Tartarus? Did he think she was an idiot? Last time she’d heard they still didn’t know the spells nor have the power to send any creature there. “You sent him to prison?” she whispered her anger, her voice shook with rage. “You sent my only friend to an inescapable prison meant for the worst creatures in all of the land?!” she had unconsciously started to lift each pony up. When she did notice she was levitating them, she didn’t bother to stop. She’d been using the moon as weight practice for the past week, these ponies felt like lifting a hoof full of pegasus feathers.
“Uh- uhm Princess?” One of the other wizards spoke up.
“What!?” She yelled, whipping her head around, letting all of the anger show in her eyes. He shook in fear of the small unicorn filly, “Scared?” she asked, looking around to all the others, “You shouldn’t be scared of me. Wait until I tell Celestia what you’ve done.” A smiled flickered onto her face. Tia would fix this.
“Oh.” Clover’s voice made her turn to meet his eyes, “But who do you think sent us?”
“...What?” She broke inside, tears began strolling down her face again. She dropped the unicorns, they were only about a foot above the ground, none got hurt in the fall. Some got hurt as they trampled over each other to reach the door. Clover looked at Luna in his stillness, Luna didn’t need to raise her head to know that he was staring at her with pure glee.
Luna pondered his words. Tia knew Discord had a crush on her right? He made it quite obvious around her, Luna almost thought she liked him back. But if she liked him back she wouldn’t have sent him to Tartarus. There was the chance that Clover was lying, Luna wanted him to be lying, but no matter how she looked at it, Celestia could have easily asked this of them. Luna hadn’t spoken to her sister in months, she hadn’t spoken to anyone in the past week other than Discord. She knew she was hated by everypony, so it shouldn’t surprise her that Celestia might be a part of that group.
“No...” She spoke, just as Clover turned to leave.
He stopped to look at her. “I’m sorry it came down to this.” he continued his trot forward and shut the door behind him.
He was sorry? Luna didn’t care much for reading other ponies’ emotions but he didn’t sound sorry, “You’re not sorry at all are you?” she asked, as if he were still standing there. “You’re not sorry and neither is she!” She screamed, her anger brought her to her hooves, she eyed the stained glass window to her left. It portrayed her and her friends smiling happily as Celestia raised the sun. She shattered it with her magic without a second thought. She ran towards it, putting her hooves on the rim of the window and sticking her head outside of it so she could clearly see the early morning sky.
It was too bright. To happy. She let loose a whiny screamed, like only a filly could, she wished for night, for darkness, for the constellations Discord used as puppets. She opened her eyes to a horn ache, and a blurring night.
She wiped her eyes. Did she just raise the moon? Did she just set the sun? She noticed one more thing. She stood on the soft grass of the royal garden, not the broken glass of her room. She looked down to confirm that she was indeed standing in grass. Something feathery tickled her back as her vision blurred, the ground came closer and she was met with darkness. Not the beautiful darkness of the night, her night, but the sickly darkness of sudden sleep.
Luna blinked her eyes a few times, a cold glow filtered through a nearby window. As her sight adjusted she saw a familiar figure sitting on the tail end of her bed, “Discord!” she grinned, leaping towards him. She hugged the draconequus for a solid half of a second before she stiffened. She let go of him quickly, blushing thoroughly from embarrassment.
“You haven’t shown that much energy since you were a filly.” He laughed at her, she only returned his words with a cold glare.
“Please forget what just happened.” she asked of him, knowing that it was pointless.
“May I ask why such a posed princess would hug me?” he questioned, “Well obviously there are to many reasons to count of why anyone would be so affectionate to me.” his cockiness showed through, “But, you aren’t just anyone.”
She stared at him, nostrils flaring, she just asked him to forget about it. She sighed in defeat. “I was having a dream of old times, that is all.” She stood, analyzing what room she was in, still in the castle obviously but last she remembered she was outside one of the palace restrooms, “Why am I here?” she asked calmly.
“With me being the wonderful and caring creature that I am, I started to get worried about where you were.” Luna rolled her eyes, he noticed, “I was worried.” he defended, “You were giving googly eyes to an empty chair, I may be chaotic but I’m not stupid.”
Luna shook her head, “No, thou are not the stupid one here.” she scoffed at herself, “I.. I sent an invite to her.” There was a silence in the room, Luna had no idea why she didn’t try to deny it, she would’ve if she was talking to anyone else. She sat on the floor and rested her head on the bed, next to where Discord was sitting. “I’m hopeless,” she said, “She had sworn revenge against us before I was even banished and yet.. I just can’t let it go.”
Discord slumped onto the floor to sit next to her, “It must really bad if you’re expecting me to give you advice.”
“Thou are right,” she smirked at him, “I shouldn’t ask such a stallion-child for anything.” she joked, before sighing yet again, “I’ve no one else to speak to, not many would understand, even the ones who would are more loyal to my sister than me. And if she found out I invited an enemy to my ‘club’ she’d never allow me to live it down.”
Discord hesitated, “I wasn’t exactly around during the attack on Cadence's wedding but I had heard about it from Fluttershy.” he looked to Luna, “You weren’t there because you knew she might come, right?”
Luna looked to him, “I wasn’t there because I had to keep a lookout.”
“Oh come on. You would’ve noticed a swarm of changelings outside the force field before she announced her presence.” He said it like it was obvious, and it was.
She sighed, “I was in the washroom.”
He raised an eyebrow, “Sure you were.”
“Okay, well sometimes when I say I need to go to the washroom I actually need to use the washroom, besides you haven’t told me why thou have taken me to this room when you should have woken me up and taken me to the clubroom.” She tried to change the topic.
Discord cleared his throat, “We’ll cross that bridge when it comes to us.” Luna ignored the twisted metaphor he said, “Why didn’t you see the changeling invasion?”
Her ear flopped as she remembered, “I did see it.” her voice was but a whisper, “I saw it and I knew she was coming and I couldn’t take the chance of maybe seeing her in battle and so I hid.” Her voice cracked in shame.
They sat in silence for a moment before Discord finally spoke, “I never understood why you liked her so much, she was never really fun or smart. No good to pull pranks with. She wasn’t the nicest either.”
Luna smiled, “Of course thou would choose whether or not someone is worthy of friendship over pranks.” she sighed, “It’s a long story.”
Discord tilted his head, “We don’t exactly have a time limit.”
Luna signed yet again and adjusted her sitting so her back was to the bed like Discord’s was. She wanted him to know. She knew that she could barely call him a friend anymore but she wanted to let someone else know. She stared at her hooves, “I don’t want to talk about it.” She turned and her eyes met his, “So I shall show you instead.”
A white glowing magic appeared from her horn, wrapping around it like strings of light. Long ago she discovered a variant of the spell that allows her to go into the dream realm and into a pony’s subconscious as they sleep. The spell allowed her to see other’s memories if they were willing, or let them see her own.
They both dove into Luna’s thoughts with fierce power. Luna felt a magical wind push against her face and mane as she melted into memories.
Luna opened her eyes to an unfamiliar sight. She saw a white pony with a pink mane facing away from her. Luna tried to sit up and failed, after a few attempts she was able to turn over onto her stomach, setting her chin on the bed in between her forehooves. She winced as she tried and failed to raise her head which caused her sister’s head to turn quickly.
“Luna! Thou are awake!” She galloped over to the bed at stood next to it, “How art thou feeling? Are thou okay? Shall I call a nurse?”
Luna furrowed her eyebrows, she had a headache and her muscle felt tense and ached when she moved but she did not believe that it warranted this much worry, especially from someone she barely saw. She forced her head up though she was certain her pain showed on her face, “I’m fine Sister.”
“Thou art not fine!” She spoke, “Luna, thou were found in the gardens, it’s presumed thou fell from thy room!”
Luna didn’t think that she’d ever seen Celestia this worried. It was so surprising that it started worrying her as well. She looked down to see that her hooves were wrapped in bandages, there were bruises over her chest and shoulders, she turned her head to see her back and discovered a particularly sore muscle that wouldn’t allow her head to move any further without immense pain, she gritted her teeth as she turned to look the other way. She was honestly trying to check her hind legs but they were obscured by a pair of feathery wings.
The shock must’ve shown on her face. They were dark blue as her coat and larger than a regular pegasus’s would be at her age. They were just like Celestia’s but better. They were hers. She suddenly remembered something else that must’ve appeared, she carefully lifted one wing to allow her eyes to meet her flank, an image of a crescent moon resting upon a splotty cloud that looked to be made of ink was wonderfully placed on her flank.
She was an alicorn. She raised the moon. She smiled to herself, it wasn’t a dream.
It wasn’t a dream.
The sudden doom hit her like a weight that covered her whole body. If it wasn’t a dream then, “Discord.” her head felt light, “Where is Discord?” she painfully whipped her head around to meet Celestia’s eyes. But she couldn’t, Celestia looked toward the ground in shame.
“Luna I’m sorr-”
“You took him away?!” She gasped.
Celestia tried to clarify, “What? No I-”
“Clover said that you sent the order to send Discord to Tartarus!” Luna struggled and forced her hooves to move, attempting to stand.
“No no! Listen to me- Luna be careful- I didn’t want him to send Discord away!”
“Liar!” Luna screamed jumping onto all fours, all the memories of those few moments of pure terror struck her. She remembered Discord’s fear, seeing the unicorns through tear stricken eyes and listening to Clover’s pathetic apology.
“I am not lying- Luna would you stop that? Thou are going to get hurt!” Celestia interrupted herself yet again whenever Luna struggled to stay standing.
“If you’re not lying then why did you apologize?” Luna scoffed.
Celestia walked towards Luna, a sudden stillness filled the room, “As I was saying, I am sorry that we don’t have him back yet.”
The word ‘yet’ seemed to echo through Luna’s mind. She sat on her haunches and stared at the mattress underneath her. She didn’t know what she was feeling, emptiness maybe? Or perhaps just sorrow. She missed Discord but she wasn’t exactly sure why a pit had formed in her stomach.
“I-I..” Luna glanced up at her stern faced sister before dropping her head again, “I’m sorry I lashed out Sister. I..” She felt herself start shaking, “I’m sorry.” A few delicate tears fell from her eyes.
Celestia placed one forehoof on the bed to allow her other forehoof to reach her younger sister’s cheek. She wiped away a tear with her soft hoof. “Don’t apologize, thou just lost your best friend. It’s only natural to be upset.” she said, “But I promise thou that we’ll get him back.”
Luna locked eyes with her sister. Celestia was telling the truth, she had the kindest warmest eyes and the most understanding smile. Luna bit her lip to keep herself from sobbing, it didn’t stop the tears from streaming onto her cheeks. Why did she have to be so perfect? She was going to be an amazing ruler. She was the best, most understanding pony Luna had ever met. Of course she didn’t take away Discord, she would never dream of it. Luna grabbed Celestia in a hug, ignoring the pain she felt in her hooves and forelegs as she wrapped them around her dear sister. “I’m so sorry.” she sobbed.
“Whatever for?” Celestia gently rubbed her back, wanting to comfort her but not cause any more pain.
“I’m sorry I’ve been avoiding you. I’m sorry that I was jealous of you. I’m sorry that I was so rude to everypony. I’m sorry I pulled so many pranks.”
“It’s okay Sister, shh it’s okay.” All she could do was hold Luna as she confessed what Luna must’ve considered sins.
After a solid moment of just staying there, Luna finally pulled away. They just sat there and breathed for a minute before Celestia spoke, “I am sorry as well.” she sighed, “I’m sorry that I haven’t had much time to speak to you. I can’t imagine what it was like for thou, being constantly compared to a sister that isn’t much better than thou at all, I’d end up feeling like a prisoner in my own room.”
Luna was shocked, “What doest thou mean that you're not much better than me? You’re the future ruler.”
She sighed, “I am older than thou are, Luna. I got my cutie mark and wings before thou, it’s only natural. But it doesn’t mean that I am somehow better. Even if you couldn’t raise the moon, I never had a belief that you were somehow less than me, and as soon as I could I was going to get you a job helping me, perhaps even becoming ruler alongside me.”
Luna was speechless. Her? A ruler? How? Why? Well she knew why now, she was an alicorn like Celestia but her sister made it sound like she had been planning this all along.
“I sent Clover to your room to see to it that you’d be offered a job in helping him and Starswirl along with the other mages with her spells.” Celestia’s ear dropped, “But, he had apparently assumed that it meant that I wanted thou to stop pulling pranks and being a nuisance. Which thou art not, by the way.” She looked to Luna, “I love the pranks. Discord and thou make me laugh every single day, apparently, not all of the castle staff felt that way.” She jumped up onto the bed so she could sit next to Luna properly, “Clover has been forbidden from any magic related work until Starswirl returns from his work with the pillars. So I suppose I will have to be the one to offer this, would you like to help the mages create and cast spells? Preferably another spell that opens the gates of Tartarus, which I have already started working on with the mages’ help of course... And if you have any time left, you are more than welcome to help me with my duties so that when the three leaders step down you can become ruler by my side.”
Luna didn’t know what to say, after looking dumbfounded for far longer than preferred she nodded to her sister, “Yes, I would like that very much.”
Celestia let loose a big grin like she was nervous over Luna’s answer. Luna gave her a little grin back. She had missed her sister before but now that she had her back she missed someone else. As soon as she got Discord back she would be happy, they’d rule the kingdom in peace together. They’d all be together.
Sombra trotted along with the rest of the group as they were being led to their rooms by one very serious guard. In fact, he was fairly certain it was the same guard who brought them to Luna’s Clubroom but Sombra honestly couldn’t tell, most of the guards looked the same. He was a grey unicorn with blues eyes, and had a tough build but was still just a bit smaller than Sombra himself.
He led them silently to a hallway with numbered rooms, almost like a very expensive hotel. Although Sombra doubted that they would rent these rooms out to just any visitor despite its appearance. “This is your room, Ma’am.” The guard nodded to Tempest as he gestured his hoof to a door numbered b10.
“Thank you, Sir.” she smiled, “Good night everyone.” She said as she turned, opened the door with a hoof and stepped in.
“And this is your room, Sir.” The guard pointed Sombra to the room directly next to Tempest’s, b12.
Sombra nodded, “Thank you.” He opened the door and started trotting in but soon stopped in his tracks.
He didn’t even have the chance to acknowledge the pink pony flying towards him, “Sombra!” she screeched. The next thing he knew, he was laying on the floor with the back of his head sore and a mare on top of him. He let out a hefty sigh, “Hello Pinkie.”
“Hi Sombra!” she grinned.
“Why are you awake?” He asked.
She shrugged, “Couldn’t sleep.”
“Okay well would you be quiet? I’m sure Twilight and Fluttershy are asleep.” He pointed out.
“Oh yeeaaah.. Sorry.” She whispered and showed an apologetic smile to their audience. Of course it didn’t surprise Sombra to know that everypony in the corridor was now staring at him and Pinkie. “Oh!” Pinkie jumped off him, suddenly realizing that she was still holding him down, “Sorry.” She gave Sombra that same yet slightly less apologetic grin as he got up unfazed.
“I’m going to bed.” He spoke and turned back to his room.
“Right! Goodnight everyone!” Pinkie chirped, following Sombra inside.
The door was closed behind them with Sombra’s magic. Pinkie bounced up and down beside him as he trotted to their bed. The blanket and sheet were ruffled up, two of the pillows weren’t even on the bed anymore, and the fitted bed sheet was lifted off the mattress in one corner, Sombra didn’t become fully shocked until he realized that the mattress was skewed and no longer on the bed frame properly. “Pinkie, please tell me you were performing some sort of ritual and this wasn’t the aftermath of you trying to sleep.”
She shrugged and sat on the ground as Sombra started to fix her mess, “It’s not my fault I couldn’t sleep! The bed was too cold.”
Sombra glanced around the room, he spotted a fireplace not far from the bed, “You could’ve started a fire, or gotten one of the stationary guards outside to help start it.” He said as he fluffed the two used-to-be-floor pillows and adjusted the sheet.
“Not that kind of cold, silly.” Pinkie said with significantly less energy.
Sombra froze as he was halfway through pulling the blanket back to its normal place, “Oh.” he spoke before continuing his work. Within a moment the bed was made. Sombra judged it for a bit, it was rather large, he supposed anypony would feel lonely lying alone on it. He promptly turned and trotted towards Pinkie, only stopping when he was just less than a muzzle length away. “Could it be that you couldn’t sleep without me?”
“Maybe.” she said, not making eye contact.
Sombra smirked, he went to wrap his hooves around Pinkie and ended up lifting her up. She giggled as he twirled her around and set her on the freshly made bed. Her hooves caressed his mane as they each leaned into a soft kiss.
Sombra needed this, he hadn’t been apart from Pinkie this long since they first met after he reformed his physical form and yet it hadn’t even been two hours. Since the day he showed up in Ponyville, she was stuck to him like glue, much to Sombra’s dismay. But now he wouldn’t trade her for all of the land in Equestria.
Once they pulled away, they each allowed their noses to stay pressed together, Pinkie nuzzled him slightly, she let out a happy sigh, “I love you Sombra.”
He stared for a moment, admiring her beautiful, blue eyes, “I love you too Pinkie.” He leaned in for another, albeit shorter kiss. Pinkie ended up pulling away but didn’t say anything. She just had a cute, drowsy look on her face as she continued to stare at his lips in a daze. The sight brought a smile to his face, “How about we go to sleep?”
Her eyes traveled up to meet his, “Okay.” she said quietly.
The bed was comfy and clearly expensive, made even better by the fact that Pinkie was snuggled into Sombra’s chest. She was right, Sombra was certain that the bed would’ve been too cold without her there. Sombra felt her breathing slow almost immediately, she must’ve been really tired to be asleep that quickly. She had prepared the baked goods for Sugar Cube Corner the night - or technically morning - before and then woke up early on top of that so who could blame her?
They were used to waking up early or staying up late due to their job. Sometimes one would insist on doing all of the baking themselves just to let the other get some more sleep. Sombra was always glad to have help of course, typically it’d be Mr. Cake as the Mrs. would normally get baby duty although their roles were reversed a fair share of the time. But whenever Sombra and Pinkie prepared for the bakery to open, he felt undeniable joy of being with her but also guilt whenever she let out a yawn. He wondered if his yawns troubled her the same way.
It was silly, if you think about it. Here Sombra was, laying with a mare in his arms, thinking over his normal day job as he took a vacation in the royal castle to join a Princess’ club. He was a tyrant. An enemy of Equestria. A shadow pony. A pony who enslaved others. A pony who got engaged because he didn’t have the will to have a relationship with somepony he didn’t manipulate and lie to on a daily basis.
He sighed quietly.
He was a baker. A citizen of Equestria. A normal pony. A pony with strange magic who was descended from shadow ponies but he acted like a normal pony and was treated as one. He was a pony who truly loved another and was willing to do anything for her happiness. He held her tighter, placing his muzzle just on top of her messy yet still bouncy mane. Feeling the warmth of her body next to his, “Goodnight, my Pinkie.” he whispered as he slowly drifted to sleep.
…
Tempest woke up with a start. A nightmare? She heard that you’re not supposed to get those in Equestria, or at least not bad ones. But she was used to them by now so all she did was shrug it off. Princess Luna must’ve taken the night off, Discord had teleported into their clubroom to dismiss the rest of the members. He claimed that that ‘Lulu’ wasn’t feeling well so they were free to leave and head to their rooms. Starlight accused him of lying, only half joking. But he assured her that he was telling the truth, however it was in a rather chaotic way so who’s to say whether he was actually being honest.
Tempest didn’t care too much. She was immediately getting tired although she knew she probably wouldn’t sleep long with the nightmares and all. Her morning routine didn’t change much now that she was staying in a castle. Her room had a private bathroom as she assumed all the other rooms did as well. She took a quick shower, towel dried and then brushed her mane and tail, brushed her teeth, and proceeded to leave her room. There was nothing to do in there and if she left she’d at least be able to wander around the castle. She glanced at a clock that was hung on the wall at the end of the hallway, it was quarter to six. Tempest let out a little yawn, which forced her to close her eyes, when she opened them again she saw something entirely unexpected. Twilight had entered the hallway and was now staring at Tempest.
“Oh hello, Twilight..” Tempest spoke in a hushed voice after having recovered from the shock, “Good morning.”
“Good morning Tempest,” Twilight spoke quietly as well, “It’s rather early, what are you doing up?” She trotted towards Tempest.
Tempest shrugged, “I just wake up early. How about you?”
“I had a nightmare,” Twilight stated, “I stayed up late reading about some ancient curses and I guess that turned into a nightmare.” She laughed, “I tried to talk to Luna once I woke, not really for the nightmare I just figured she’d be awake but I couldn’t find her.”
“Oh, um, she left last night, Discord followed her but then came back and said that she wasn’t feeling well.” Tempest explained.
“Oh that’s not good, I hope she’s well enough to lower the moon.” Twilight commented.
“Yeah” Tempest responded, she was then followed by an awkward silence.
“Um..” Twilight faltered, leaning her weight onto one side, “If you’re not going back to sleep, which you like to hang out? I've got a lot of books you can read if you’re bored.” She looked to the floor, “I’m mean, it’s better to not be alone, right?” she smiled as she looked back up.
Tempest fiercely fought away a blush that was trying to form on her cheeks. “S-sure, I could read something.”
Twilight seemed to let out a breath she was holding at that, “Then come in.” She smiled as she trotted over to her door and opened it, allowing the unicorn to enter just behind her before she shut the door behind Tempest.
Twilight climbed upon her perfectly made bed and laid down on it. She used a wing to gesture for Tempest to join her, she hesitated for but a moment before she gave in and sat next to the alicorn.
Twilight hovered a dozen books that were sitting on her nightstand over to the pair. “So what do you like to read?” She asked, “I got fiction, non fiction, historical, agricultural, scie-” she cut herself of, “Well, you get it, the list is long.”
Tempest used a hoof to hide her laugh, “Whatever you suggest.”
Twilight’s eyes lit up at those words, any previous awkwardness suddenly vanished as she explained in great detail about the tale of one story and the scientific accuracy of the next.
Tempest just observed the Princess. A tiny smile stuck on her muzzle. She’d seen it before, Twilight’s beauty that is, but this was the first moment that she actually acknowledged it. The way her eyes looked when she smiled and hovered over a new book with her magic or when she giggled at a joke she made about the difference between two historical figures or something of the like.
Well, now that Tempest thought about it, she liked Twilight. Of course she liked Twilight, they were friends, but.. This… could she like Twilight in that way? She was a mare and on top of that an alicorn princess. Tempest stifled a sigh, perhaps it was admiration and nothing more. She’d never even considered romance before let alone decided on whether she liked mares at all in that way. It was likely that she just looked up to Twilight, that was normal, she is a princess after all.
“Tempest?”
“Oh uh-” Twilight’s voice knocked her out of her thoughts, “Sorry, I was just thinking, please continue.”
Twilight stared at Tempest for just a second longer. Then she shrugged and turned back to her book, “So as I was saying, this details the life of Stygian and his descent into madness, it’s a pretty interesting read, especially for a true story.”
Tempest leaned on a forehoof as she listened to the pony she admired. Still, a small part of her nagged at her mind, something told her it was admiration at all. She tried her best to ignore it but it still existed in the back of her head, bugging her and giving her an aching feeling that her like for Twilight was more than one of a friend’s.
One thing was for certain, Tempest had never been so interested in hearing about books before.
~~~
Luna’s integration into the castle’s staff wasn’t the smoothest. She worked on spells the best she could, but they only seemed to make progress when Celestia was there to help.
One morning, weeks into the search of the spell, Luna trotted towards the wizards’ corridor, a smile still stuck on her face after having lowered the moon herself. She blinked as she got closer to the entry of the wizards’ room. Her smile faltered as she locked eyes with a green unicorn. Clover had returned, and next to him was a bearded stallion.
“Starswirl.” She spoke without thinking.
“Huh? Oh Luna, there you are!” He seemed angry, but it quickly melted to glee, “I heard that you’d been helping with some spells.”
“Yes I have.” She said, her eyes itching to look at Clover. She didn’t look though, she wouldn’t be able to hold herself back. Though whether she was holding herself back from yelling or crying is something she wasn’t sure about.
“Isn't that wonderful!” Starswirl asked, looking to Clover for response.
“..Yes, of course.” The green stallion said with hesitance, “It’s always good to have more hooves helping.”
With that, Luna looked over to Clover. She found that he was looking at several things, his eyes darted from her eyes, the ground, Starswirl, his hooves and her wings. It was fairly clear that he was trying to look at her wings without her knowledge. She grinned, she could make it harder for him. She yawned, a normal yawn one my do in the morning, but it was slightly different than a unicorn’s. She found it her recent days of sudden alicorn-ness, that when one with wings yawned, the wings wanted to stick out and stretch. Normally she held them back but this morning she let the stick out. After a moment she folded them and look at Clover’s almost unreadable facial expression. “Oh my, I’m sorry.” She laughed a little, turning to Clover. “I’m still getting used to having wings on my back.” she stated.
Luna was certain that Starswirl knew what she was doing as he was laughing slightly at Clover’s uncomfortableness. “I can see that.” he spoke. After a second, Starswirl’s demeanor changed, “..Luna, I’m so sorry about Discord. I have no idea what you see in him, it’s no secret that he wasn’t on the good side of any of the wizards, but I know you two are close…” he paused, Luna new this stallion wasn’t one for friends, he probably only knew she was upset about Discord from word of mouth, “What I’m trying to say is that I look forward to helping you with a return spell.” he smiled.
Luna smiled in response, “Thank you, Starswirl.”
The day surprisingly passed like any other. Clover mostly ignored Luna and Starswirl struck up a few conversations with her and the other wizards but it was otherwise normal.
Luna was trying and failing to cast a spell that would, in theory, bring discord back. She sighed, it was getting harder and harder to make the spell as it was proving almost impossible to find the location of a place that nopony knew of. Sure they knew that tartarus existed, they knew that the ancient spell could open a portal to Tartarus, but nopony knew where it was.
Celestia came shortly after this failed attempt, bringing words of encouragement along with some other news. “The.. ruler of the Crystal Empire wishes to strengthen it- his bond with us.” she fumbled through a sentence as she tried to nonchalantly talk with her sister.
“I’d have to imagine that this is good news.” Luna replied hesitantly, picking up on her sister’s tone. It had quickly become the norm for Celestia to bring up important ruler business in their casual conversations.
“Er, yes. He has heard the news of Discord and would like to offer his condolences, along with the offer of a temporary replacement.” she said, getting quieter with every word.
“Pardon?” Luna gasped, louder than she probably should’ve. She glanced around the room and laughed awkwardly, waiting for the confused faces of the unicorns to turn back to their work. “I will not replace my best friend.”
“It’s only temporary, and it’s not really a replacement of a best friend and more of a replacement for a caregiver, as King Sombra has somehow gotten it in his head that that was all Discord was.” She huffed, “And neither of us are going to correct him.” She stated, shaking her head after a moment, “No he wishes to send over his fiance as a nanny.”
Luna tilted her head and squinted her eyes, “I hardly need a nanny.”
“I’m well aware Sister.” Celestia agreed, “However, Sombra is large threat to Equestria at the moment and I’d wish to make better allies before he does something drastic. Please just consider accepting his offer.” She looked to Luna weakly.
The younger alicorn thought for a moment before sighing, her wings drooping in the process. “Very well.” she said, “But she will not replace Discord.”
“Of course not.” Celestia smiled, “Thank you sister.”
Luna trotted through the castle, enjoying the sound of her royal horseshoes clanking on marble floor. Despite what Celestia had told her about who was arriving today, Luna tried to look at the bright side. She wasn’t a replacement for Discord, Luna was just allowing this because it could strengthen their bond with the Crystal Empire.
As she stepped around a corner, she peaked a glimpse into the main corridor, and that's when she saw her sister and another mare. The mare was a beautiful, purple, crystal unicorn pony, her cutie mark was something golden that Luna couldn't see too well from the distance. Luna stifled a laugh, this mare was painfully normal, how could she replace Discord?
The young alicorn forced herself to breath as she stepped closer, allowing herself to smile despite not letting herself laugh.
"Oh, Princess Luna!" The mare turned gleefully and instantly Luna's smile faltered, she'd recognized this pony, though she couldn't remember from where. She glanced to her sister who looked a bit nervous, not uncomfortable enough for a pony who didn't know her well to notice. Of course, Luna didn't even know her sister that well but she noted that Celestia always had an aura of confidence around her, though now she looked like she was hiding something behind said confidence. Luna forced the smile back on and continued her stride toward the mare and her sister.
She stopped in her tracks when the mare blinked to reveal sickening green. Fire erupted from her body and at once she looked like a chaotic creature. Luna froze as she locked eyes with Discord. "What is the meaning of this?" She asked as calmly as she could in her confusion though she could barely hold her scowl.
The unfamiliarly familiar draconequus paused, “Why, I figured you’d prefer this form?” he asked, “Would you rather me be a pony? Mare or stallion? What race?” He seemed to genuinely want to meet Luna’s requests.
“I’d rather you be in your own form. If you have one.” Luna said, trying to hide how disturbed she was by her best friend coming back from the pits of Tartarus.
“Oh.” The creature stiffened, “Why, I do have one but I must warn thou that it’s not the most pleasing.” it weakly smiled at the alicorn. After a solid moment passed the thing must’ve realized that Luna wanted them to transform anyway. And so it did.
She had a tall yet curved and slender yet strong figure. Her coat was pure black and the light a nearby window danced off it wonderfully. She mustn’t have been soft with fur like a pony’s coat, but instead she had a dark, reflective body. She would've been beautiful to anypony who saw her had she not been so unnatural that it made her horrifying.
Unnatural like the horrid draconequus or the elegant alicorn.
"Pretty.." Luna hadn't realized that the word had quietly left her lips immediately, but once she did, she cleared her throat quickly and forced away a growing blush. After a moment, she focused her thoughts, "Stay in that form." She commanded, "Please." She added afterword.
The creature looked confused and almost sad, but nodded "Yes, Princess." her voice echoed strangely.
"Well, if all that is settled," Celestia spoke, clearly uncomfortable but trying her best not to be, "Would you mind taking Chrysalis to her chambers?" She asked her sister.
"Oh, no, of course." Luna tried to smile but found herself preferring to stare at the strange mare, "'Tis this way." She turned and nodded toward the same direction her bedroom was. It was not the same room she'd shared with her sister, but a new one, since the other's windows were still being repaired.
The walk was quiet for a while, the tall mare followed Luna wordlessly, and they both only heard the sound of their hooves clopping against the marble floor. A sound Luna enjoyed just a few minutes ago was now making their lack of words unbearably awkward. Luna tried to walk next to her a few times but each time she slowed her pace to allow Chrysalis to catch up, Chrysalis would just slow her pace more. Luna stifled a sigh and, despite her frustration, decided to make conversation. “So, if you don’t mind me asking, what type of creature are you?”
“..I’m a changeling.” She said sheepishly.
“Oh,” Luna stole a glance back at her, “I didn’t think changelings actually changed shape.” she stated, “And I thought they were the size of ponies?” she’d read about them in a book once, she thought she did at least. Perhaps she was confusing them for something else? She wasn’t sure, she never really paid attention to her teachings before she’d ascended to alicornhood.
“Well, I..” She trailed off, causing Luna to stop after a moment. She turned to find the changeling staring at a stain glass window. Luna stepped back to join her.
It had the elegant Celestia holding a book, surrounded by unicorn fillies. It was made to celebrate Celestia opening her ‘school.’ Though it was barely a school yet. She simply made it easier for the wizards of the castle to give magic lessons and take in apprentices. Celestia had explained to Luna during one of their many royal business conversations, the kind that had quickly become the norm, that she wished to change the monarchy. She didn’t want someone to become ruler just because they were born into it. She wanted the one who came after Luna and her to have been chosen for their magic, just as she had been.
Luna’s eyes wandered to Chrysalis. The colors of the window reflected beautifully of the mare. The light cast by them normally softened on a pony’s soft pelt, but it shined onto the changeling like it would on freshly polished armor. Luna was eventually distracted away from Chrysalis in general by the sorrowful look in her eyes. The alicorn opened her mouth to speak but was cut off by Chrysalis gasping with a smile, “I’m sorry! I got lost in thought, what were we talking about?”
“Oh, um,” Luna blinked and turned, hiding a blush, “I don’t know much about changelings.” she said as she started traveling again.
“Right.” She laughed awkwardly, “I’m a royal, like yourself so I’m a bit taller than average.” She explained.
“I see.” Luna stated, Celestia had started growing taller than an average pony her age after she’d ascended, Luna hadn’t realized at first that it was connected to her power but she supposed it made sense. They were quiet for a solid few moments as Luna lead them down the hallway, eventually turning, she spoke again, “This is the room prepared for you.” She stopped in front of a large door, “Mine is at the end of the hall,” She nodded to the grand doorway with two guards in the near distance, “Feel free to knock but if I do not respond, I am likely asleep.”
“Alright.” Chrysalis said quietly as Luna levitated the door open.
“For tonight you can get settled, Celestia and I eat dinner at eight... Thou art welcome to join us.” Luna spoke, Celestia had told her to invite her new ‘nanny’ in hopes to get on the good side of her, and in turn the good side of her fiance. But now Luna invited her for.. Other reasons. She stifled a scoff at her reaction to the changeling's existence. The mare had a fiance and Celestia would be there, 'it was nothing roma...'
“Princess..?” Chrysalis pulled Luna out of her thoughts, the alicorn looked at her. She stood inside the doorway, a hoof shyly stroking her opposite leg as she looked to the ground, she glanced up at Luna causing the night pony to desperately fight off another blush, “Is this the form you’d prefer me to be in? I know it’s unsettling,” She shrugged with a smile, “I really don’t mind changing to make you more comfortable.” She sounded a bit cheery despite her shyness.
Luna’s eyebrows furrowed. She opened her mouth but wasn’t sure what to say. Even though this mare put on a happy facade, could she really be okay with that? Discord could change his shape but Luna knew that asking him to change purely for her own comfort would’ve hurt him a lot more she could bare to imagine. Not to mention that there was nothing she found unsettling about her at all. “You are very pretty.” Luna said the first thing that came to her mind. Before she had a chance to let her emotions catch up to her words she turned toward her door, “I hope to see you for dinner.” She said as she headed to her room. She levitated her door open, paying no mind to the guards that had bared witness to her conversation with Chrysalis.
She heard the clank of the door closing behind her and finally breathed, collapsing to the floor immediately. She rolled over onto her back and shoved her hooves in her face, “That was so embarrassing.” she moaned quietly, wishing that the floor would open up and swallow her whole. She didn’t know how she was going to face her in an hour. A part of her begged herself to lie and say she was unwell and couldn’t eat. But she would then have to deal with a worried Celestia and perhaps a worried Chrysalis. She blushed hard at the thought of the tall mare tending to her as if she were sick.
She shook her head and quickly scrambled to her hooves. “No.” Luna whispered, “No, I was just telling the truth. I’ve nothing to worry about.” She tried and horridly failed to convince herself. She scoffed at her emotions but soon sighed because of them. She slowly stepped toward her bead and flopped down onto it, hugging the pillow closest to her.
She missed Discord dearly. She noted to herself that she would have to apologize to him because she was grateful for a moment that he was gone. She sighed again, a smile appearing then disappearing immediately.
Chrysalis was pretty and seemed nice but that does not make up for the terror Discord felt when he was bound by that horrid magic. Luna swallowed only to realize her throat was dry as guilt washed over her. Practically every time something good happened, her thoughts would come back to that awful few moments of silent screams and unforgivable magic. Before she knew, her pillow was stained with tears and she was sitting up, forcing away the memory so she could get ready for dinner.
