> Apart > by DanishDash > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Nothing Left To Lose > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- The night was still, and all was quiet in Equestria. The moon was full, the stars bright. Nothing seemed amiss on this fateful night. While the ponies of Equestria went to their beds to sleep, one mare raced through the hallways, ignoring the looks she got from the guards as she passed them. With a powerful slam, the doors swung open to Princess Luna's private study; the thick wooden cracked slightly. Thankfully her study was below the castle, so nopony would be bothered— not that she would have cared if they had been. The princess of the night let out a frustrated snarl, her breathing heavy with frustration. She wanted to get away from it all, to tear everything down! Tonight had been an utter disaster! She should’ve known better than to think anypony would care about this celebration, or her. Her chamber door creaked open, and Luna turned her head towards it, thinking it was her sister. She was ready to tell her off, but was surprised, yet pleased, to see her captain of the Lunar Guard. He looked at her with concern, as he often did. Normally, having him near her would calm her; he would make her smile, feel wanted. Sadly, having him here now did nothing to improve her mood. "My lady." Said her loyal captain. "I am-" "Don't." Said the princess to her captain. "There is nothing to say. Thee saw how Our sister acted— how everypony acted." They didn't speak for a while, letting the silence settle, as if they both needed a moment to breathe. Luna looked away. Captain Star Chaser was a navy coat-colored Pegasus, with dark blue and light blue colors that made his mane and tail. Unlike the Solar Guard captain, Star Chaser was not of the nobility, but instead a stallion that had shown dedication and drive. He was strong, intelligent, brave, loyal, and kind. He has been kind to her, even comforted her. He'd seen her when she had felt alone, been there for her whenever she needed a friend. As time passed, the two had gotten closer— much closer than a princess should become to her captain. Luna had however stopped caring about such things a long time ago, and now only sought the happiness and company of Star Chaser: her captain, friend, and lover. But now, right in this moment, she couldn't look him in the eyes; she didn't want him here, not now, not here. "…Luna." Star suddenly said in that gentle voice of his. "Please, you can talk to me. I'm here for you always." The mistress of the night looked at him with an intensity he hadn't seen before. "Tonight was supposed to be Our night. The ponies of Equestria were meant to show their love for the night this eve, and protection from nightmares We give them." She bit a trembling lip, emotions running high as she felt like she was breaking. "…Yet, nopony came." Star shook his head, daring to trot closer to her. "Some ponies came." "To see Our sister!" Luna snapped back, turning around to face the large underground study. "Nopony appreciates the night that We doth bring them, nor do they seem to care about Us. Nay! They only have eyes for Our sister! Our ‘perfect’ day-bringing sister!" She let out an angry huff, then turned back to face Star Chaser. "She knew it was Our time to receive the love of Our little ponies, and yet she came up and took center stage once more, casting Us into her shadow yet again." Before Star could say anything, Luna turned around, with an almost low growl. "But no more. That will be the last time. Tonight, all of this will end." "Luna…?" Star ventured, shuffling closer to her as he had never seen her in such a dark mood before. "What are you saying?" Luna stood up straighter, refusing to look at him as she gathered her thoughts. Then, after a few seconds, she spoke with a coldness that he had never heard coming from her. "if't be true the ponies of this land doth not appreciate Our night, then We shalt giveth them night eternal." Star felt his heart sink, and his eyes widen. "You… You cannot do that, Luna. You canno-" "And why not?" She interrupted, turning to face him. "Is it wrong of Us to wish to be loved? To be seen as equal to Our sister?" "No! That is not what I am saying, but ponies should not live under eternal night, or day!" He took a step forward, touching her hoof with his. "Luna, please. This is not you...! The mare that I know loves the night sky. She would wish it to be admired, not feared." Luna took a step back, standing tall, albeit looked hurt. "They will come to admire Our nights, when they do as they do the day." "But at what cost? Your sister will not allow you to do this; you will be declaring civil war!" He tried to step forward again, but Luna spread her wings threateningly and with such force he was almost knocked back. "Our sister will plead and threaten, but this time, the moon shall stand her ground!" It was only for a moment, but for a moment, Star Chaser could have sworn he saw her eyes change for the briefest of moments. "Wilt thee stand alongside Us, captain?" Star Chaser drew back, as if he had been slapped by her words. "Don't ask me that… Don't make me choose." Luna narrowed her eyes, and she stiffened for a moment. "Thee hath chosen Our sister over Us?" Star Chaser stomped his hoof on the floor, shaking his head. "That is not what you are asking, Luna! You're asking me to join a rebellion, to help you down a dark path that I cannot follow!" A tear. A single tear made its way to Luna's eye and moved down her cheek. Closing her eyes, she turned away from him again. "Then thou has't chosen..." She stepped away, making her way deeper into the study. Strewn candles within the study lit up, not with normal flames, but with strange dark-looking flames. Star watched, as he saw Luna vanish from his eyes, and be replaced with something that was not his love. He stepped forth again, trying to reach her. "Luna, I understand that you are upset. I get it. Believe me, I know what it's like, but you are making a mistake. Luna, trust me, becoming the villain isn't the ans-!" "Is that what thee bethink I am?!" She roared in sorrow and turned around, her eyes boring into him. They had changed fully now… Changed into something he could not recognize. "We hath believed thee would stay loyal, but thee art the same as all the rest!" She started to trot towards him, and with every step she took towards him, he took one back. "Thee shalt see, in time. Clearly, thee doth not has't the strength to doth this." "Luna, please, I love you! Don't do this!" He pleaded, but soon found several chains wrap around him. They moved like snakes, securing his neck, hooves and barrel. All of them were rooted to the walls and seemed to tighten to the point they forced him to stand on his hind legs. "Luna!" No, not Luna. Whoever stood there before him was not his Luna, but somepony else. Star Chaser struggled in his chains, hoping to get out and help her somehow! Luna looked at him with a cold expression. "Doth not bother struggling. I shalt deal with thee later, once all of this hath been taken care of." "My Beloved, please don't do this!" The mare moved closer, putting a hoof under his muzzle. "This is for thy own good, captain. Once We dethrone Our sister, we can beest together, forevermore, under Our night sky. But until then." She stepped back. "Thee shalt stay here until this is finished.." She moved towards the entrance again, but then stopped. "And just in case thou art thinking of escaping..." Her horn lit up, and after a few seconds, crystals started forming on the floor around Star Chaser. His eyes went wide in horror, as he saw them rise and grow around him. "Luna, please-! No! Stop this!” He felt the crystals move around him, surround him, and finally, envelop him. The mare heard as the crystal hardened, and the magic seal had been completed. She had no reason to look back at what she had done, she knew fully well. However, something deep inside compelled her to do so. Star Chaser was surrounded by a large cluster of crystals, all of them keeping him frozen, and in a deep slumber. The chains all stuck out of the crystal, lifting the crystal up, suspending it about half a meter above the floor. The mare turned around, feeling a tear run down her cheek. "This is for the best…" And with that, Nightmare Moon stepped out of the underground study, sealed the room away, and went to claim the throne and the day as her night. > Regret > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- The day had ended, and for the first time in a thousand years, Luna was raising the moon once more. The large mass moved onto the sky, now without the legendary marking of her banishment. The stars joined in, and the night sky lit up like it hadn't centuries. Celestia watched all this, partly to watch over her sister as she raised the moon, making sure she did not overdo it so early after her return. However, she was also there to watch and appreciate the sky she hadn't seen since Nightmare Moon's rise. "I never realized it before you were gone…" Said Celestia from behind Luna. "What, sister?" Celestia trotted out on the balcony and sat down beside the princess of the night. "Your night sky; it was truly a masterpiece. The nights were never the same, never as beautiful when you went away." Celestia smiled a little. It was a sad smile, Luna thought, and she could see tears in her sister's eyes. "I should have appreciated your talent sooner..." She looked down at her. "I'm so sorry..." Luna felt her own tears run down from her eyes, and the two sisters embraced. They sobbed gently, a mix of happiness of being together again, and a release from centuries of pent-up emotion. They stayed like this for a while, simply enjoying the moment, making up for the comfort both had needed for so many years. When it was over, Luna took a deep breath to calm herself, looking forward and up at her night sky again. "All these years... History only recalls Nightmare Moon..." "Luna..." Celestia looked at her sister with a worried expression, but Luna just smiled and shook her head. "He wast right. We hast become a villain, and We hath walked a dark path that only led to fear and suffering…" Luna let out a sigh, looking down with a somber look in her eyes. "We wonder if he wilt ever forgive Us." She looked up again, her somber expression replaced with a pleading one. "Please sister, We beg of thee. Tell Us what became of Our captain. What became of Star Chaser?" Celestia felt her heart sink. Now there was a name she hadn't heard, many, many years. Although, she wasn't sure if Luna understood what had happened. "He... Well, after you were exiled to the moon, he vanished. He fled. We know not where— we never found him." Luna frowned, looking surprised, then saddened as she looked away again. "We... We understand... He must has't wanted to forget. Some wounds just won't heal with time... We doth desire that gent didst not suffer while he slept." "'Slept?'" Celestia asked, looking puzzled. "What do you mean? Why would he suffer?" Luna looked back, confused. "Because We sealed him away inside a crystal? Tia?" Luna's voice sounded a little scared. "Thee didst find him, didn't thee?" Celestia's eyes widened. "You did what? Where? When?!" "Ere We had turned into Nightmare Moon, We... We...!" Luna stood, her breathing becoming faster. "We hath left him there… We thought…" She stumbled, and only avoided falling because Celestia caught her. "Luna!" "No..." Luna said, tears in her eyes. "No, it cannot be... Please Tia, tell me thee freed him. Tell me thee hath found him unharmed..." "Luna, we... No... I thought there was nothing but dark magic under the castle, so I forbade anypony to go down there. We sealed it all away before we left." As Celestia said this, she cursed herself for not securing the underground herself. At the time, she had simply not been able to face her sister's study, or any lingering memories. It had been too painful, but now, she realized a loyal stallion had been left behind. Not just left behind to sleep, but branded a traitor by history. Luna started to cry, mumbling something to herself as she did so. However, it didn't take long before she stood up straight, removing the tears from her eyes with a determined look. "We'll has't to go see for Ourself, if the underground wast sealed away, then he might still beest there." Celestia placed a hoof on her shoulder, shaking her head. "Luna, you only just got back a few hours ago. You need rest and time to recover. You're in no shape to travel anywhere at this time of night." "But, Tia!" She looked at her older sister pleadingly. "He's been sealed away longer than Us. Us! If he is down there, he might well beest alive, sleeping. He doest not deserve that fate!" "No." Celestia quickly assured her. "He doesn't, and he won't. Though right now you are in no shape to help him. You've just returned, it is a miracle you managed to raise the moon by yourself so soon after your return, but, but you need rest. Even if you got to him, I doubt you are well enough to break the seal." "Thee can do it, sister.” Pleaded Luna, but Celestia simply shook her head. "Luna, do you really want me to mess with one of your seals?" When Luna didn't respond, Celestia drew her closer. "I promise you, once you're fully rested, we leave for our old castle once again. Then we shall see if he is still there, and if he is, we shall leave with him, free once again." Luna sighed. While this is not what she wanted, she understood and saw the wisdom in her sister's words. She couldn't help Star Chaser in the state she was in. Looking at Celestia, Luna nodded. "We shalt rest, then..." Celestia pulled her in for another hug. "Do not worry, sister. I promise we shall find him." As promised, Luna went to sleep that night, but it was with a heavy heart. Her rest was not peaceful, but filled with her own nightmares, and dark thoughts. Learning that her friend and lover had been trapped like her for a thousand years did nothing to calm her down, but she slept. However, when the next day rolled around, and Luna had slept for hours, she demanded they go back. Celestia had hoped Luna would rest for a few days, but she knew better than to argue with her sister about this. Celestia kept her promise and arranged everything. They took a carriage, and an escort of guard to the old castle. Luna didn't speak during the trip. This worried Celestia, but she could understand her sister's worries. At one point she tried to talk to her, only for Luna to grunt a few responses, and otherwise ignored her. The arrived soon enough. They had barely landed before Luna almost kicked open the door and leapt out from the carriage and trotted in a fast pace towards the castle. Celestia soon followed, worried about her sister's emotional state. Whatever was hiding down there, whatever they would face, Luna would be vulnerable and need her support. Celestia just hoped her younger sister was strong enough to pull through. If something happened to her, she would never forgive herself. They trotted around for a bit, their guard escort looking around with trepidation. Many of them of course knew of this place, but none of them had been here. Celestia could not blame their feelings; they only knew it as a place of a great battle against an evil force had taken place. Finally, they came to a halt. Luna looked at one of the large walls. Absentmindedly, she ran her hoof over it. "There hath used to beest a door here..." "Stand back." said Celestia. When Luna did so, Celestia used her magic to break down the stones, revealing a hidden passageway. Once it was fully revealed, Celestia turned and faced her guards. "You will stay up here; we won’t be long. If something happens, get help at once. Send word to Twilight Sparkle, as well." Celestia was not worried about dark magic, but she knew the passageways were old and likely in a poor state. If something were to happen, say a hallway collapsing, she wanted a somepony to be able to get help and render aid. "Yes, princess!" The guards responded. The two sisters descended into the underground, their steps disturbing the dust around them. "These halls have not seen life or care for the past one thousand years." Said Celestia, using her magic to light up the way. Luna did the same, making sure they had enough light to safely make their way through the dusty hallways. "'Tis this way..." She said with confidence, yet with dread. The sound of their hooves echoed through the hallways as they walked. The dark hallways seemed to go on forever, and they looked around nervously, as if somepony would jump out at them at any time. It was silly of course, Celestia knew full well nothing was down here with them. Luna however, seemed to ignore all such fears, and pushed on, finding her way with ease. Soon they came upon two large double doors, and Luna stopped. This was it. This was her old study, her old sanctuary, and now Star Chaser's prison. She reached out a hoof, but seemed to feel ill and trembled back a little. Celestia calmly approached her sister. Luna didn't look at them, so instead, she just spoke. "We want to open these doors, but We..." Celestia frowned at this. Had she sealed the doors too? Luna would be too weak to open them. "We want to, but We art frightened, Tia." Luna finally admitted, tears threatening to make themselves visible in her eyes. "What if... What if he is not there any longer? Or something hadst happened to him?" Celestia moved a wing around her sister, holding her for a brief moment. "Whatever it is, you won't be facing it alone. Not this time, sister." Luna looked at Celestia, smiling a little, then stood up. "Right..." Celestia stepped back, not knowing what exactly they would face. Using her magic, gently this time, Luna opened the large double door, revealing the old study inside. A gasp escaped them both as they saw it. What had once been a room with old books, and artifacts, was now a crystal cave! The crystals had grown from the original, and over the span of years, spread like plants to cover the entire room. Luna took a deep breath, walking inside, careful not to step on any small crystals. Celestia followed behind, careful just like Luna. Celestia looked in fascination around the place. The crystals were glowing in all sorts of colors, and the way they had spread and grown made their patterns look wild and beautiful in its own way. They both came to the center of the room, and there they found what they had been looking for. Luna's gasp signaled their find, and Celestia joined her at the center. There, in the middle they found Star Chaser, still trapped inside a large crystal, the chains still hanging from the walls, and connected to the crystal itself. It was no longer hanging above the floor, but instead it had grown. Now it was touching the floor, and the ceiling. Like a plant, the crystal had moved like roots around the room. Celestia watched with horror, seeing the poor stallion still inside, still chained, and still in a deep sleep. Luna felt the tears run down her cheeks, but she did not sob. Instead, she just walked forward, placing a hoof on the surface of the crystal. "Oh, mine beloved... What has't We done to thee…?” Her voice trembled with regret, and she sounded like she was about to break down. Still, Luna did not back down, and she remained strong, refusing to turn away from what she had done. "Stand back!" She told her sister, stepping back herself too. She charged up her horn, focusing her magic and connected with the seal she had created. However almost immediately Luna stopped, letting out a yelp of pain as she stumbled back. Celestia was by her side at once, but Luna shook her off. "‘Tis rejecting me..." Celestia's eyes widened. "What?" "The seal, it hath grown stronger." Luna replied and stood up again. "We need more magic." "Luna, you're still weak. You need to rest up more. We can post a guard, and come back once-" "NO!" Luna yelled, her royal voice taking them by surprise, and shook some dust from the walls. Luna knew Celestia only had the best of intentions, but she wasn't going to leave here without him. "We art not leaving him like this, not again…" "Luna, you're not strong enough." Luna bit her lip, but looked more determined than Celestia had ever seen. "Then help Us!" There was a moment of silence, but before Celestia could answer, Luna added. "Please, Tia... Don't make Us leave him here, even for a few more days. We just... We just can't..." Celestia looked at her sister, then at the crystal. Her thoughts returned to the moment she realized Luna had been banished to the moon, how her soul and heart felt like it had been ripped apart. The many nights she had sung to her, wished for her return, and cried herself asleep. A thousand years, a thousand winters, every day feeling heavier than the last. If she had the power to bring Luna back sooner, would she not do so? Biting her lip, Celestia gained a serious look. "You won't be facing this alone, Luna. Not this time. I shall lend you my magic, and together, we shall break this seal." Luna smiled, wiping tears from her eyes. "Thank thee..." Standing in front of the large crystal, both steeled their heart, mind and will. Celestia wasn't there to help Luna last time, but she would be today. With that in mind, she used her magic to create a bond between the two of them, one which their magic would be linked. She would not dare mess with one of Luna's seals, not when a life was at stake, so Luna would need to do the actual spell for this to work. Both connected, they closed their eyes in unison, focusing their magic. Luna felt the magic move through her, her power increasing like never before. It was like a powerful river was moving through her, and her sister, connecting them in will and mind! Focusing her magic once more, connecting it to the crystal, she once again felt how it resisted her, and yet pulled at her. It was a strange feeling, one that strained Luna, making her work and put her all into her spell. The rest were no less determined, but it was Luna who pushed through the waves of resistance the crystal tried. With a beating heat, and an iron will, Luna pushed through, almost screaming in frustration as she forced her way through, and finally breaking the seal. As soon as she did, the spell stopped, and both sisters felt themselves a little weakened. They stumbled, both panting heavily. It was like they had been running for miles and miles on end, but other than that, they were fine. Luna herself stumbled to the floor but managed to keep herself up. She looked up, saw a crack had formed on the large crystal that held Star Chaser. For a moment it looked like it was the only damage they had done, but the crack grew, and it was soon followed by more cracks. The cracks formed faster, some large, some small, and soon it looked like all the crystals were covered in a spider's web. When the last crack had formed, Luna held her breath, about three seconds later, the crystals all at once broke into fine sand. A body hung limb from the chains, but with a simple spell from Celestia, the chains broke, and freed the unconscious stallion. Gravity took his hold of his body, but Luna managed to spring forward, and caught him just before he hit the floor. By this time Celestia had gotten up, looking with anticipation and concern at the stallion. He looked just like he did one thousand years ago. It seemed time had not touched him, keeping him still for years and years on end. Luna held him in her forelegs, stroking some of her mane out of his face. "Star, please… Awaken…" The stallion opened his eyes, gasping for air as if he had just been diving, and came up from the water. He looked around, confused and bewildered. "What is…? Where…? Lu-Luna…?" His eyes darted around, but then settled on Luna. "Luna, what... What happened…?" Luna smiled, but tears were streaming from her eyes. She wanted to answer, but her voice failed her, and instead she just embraced him, crying as she held him close. Star Chaser looked surprised for a moment, but then weakly stroked her mane, hushing her sweetly. "Shhh... It's okay..." He said gently. "No, 'tis not! We’re so sorry!" She cried, tightening her hold on him. "Shhh, it's okay. I'm here." He looked exhausted, and barely seemed to understand what had happened. Then, he chuckled, moving his hoof along her short blue mane. "What have you done to your mane...?" He asked weakly, then kissed her cheek to calm her down. "Captain Star Chaser." Celestia suddenly said, stepping forward. Star's eyes flicked to Celestia, apparently only now seeing there were more ponies in the room with them. His eyes widened, and for a moment, he tried to get up and salute, but Luna refused to break the hug, and he could rightly say he didn't want to leave her. Not that it mattered. His body was too weak, having not moved for so long. "P-Princess Celestia...? Please, do not punish Luna..." He pleaded. "I beg of you, she just-" But Celestia held up a hoof, a gentle smile gracing her lips. "Do not worry, my little pony. You are not in trouble, nor is my sister." Her gentle smile vanished and was replaced with an expression of guilt and sadness. Star felt Luna pull him even closer, as her sobs seemed to intensify slightly. "...However, there is a lot we have to tell you." > Forgiveness > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- It had been several days since Star Chaser arrived in Canterlot, and just like Celestia had said, there was a lot they had to tell him. Even now it was hard to take it all in: a thousand years, locked away and asleep. The world Star knew was gone, and times had changed. That was overwhelming enough on its own, but Star also had to spend a lot of time in bed, resting, and getting several pony doctors to examine him. While Princess Celestia had not said it outright, he could tell she was worried time might be catching up, and he suddenly dried up into a husk and died. So far, he felt fine, just as he had before he was trapped in the crystal. Celestia had even told him his aging has likely slowed down significantly. If that was true, he was going to stick around for a very long time. The doctors were astounded to be sure, and after a lot of medical—as well as magical—exams, Star was finally allowed to leave. Only problem was, he had nowhere to go. Everything had changed, and he had no living relative he knew of. Celestia, however, arranged for him to take room in one of the palace apartments. With nowhere else to go, and of course wanting to be close to Luna, he accepted. Star Chaser was upset, and understandably so. The world he knew was gone, and history had branded him a traitor; his name used as a warning to remind generations of young guard ponies of their duty. However, whatever he was feeling, it was nothing compared to Luna. She was destroyed and had looked so ashamed and guilty. She had visited him every day, but whenever she did so it always ended with her apologizing and crying. He comforted her the best he could, but that just made her feel worse. Star Chaser could imagine how hard this was for her, and he understood why she felt bad. He suspected if he blamed her, yelled at her, and even told her up front he hated her, she might feel some justice had been done, and be able to move on. But Star didn't want that, nor did he feel that way. He didn't hate her, and he didn't blame her. Of course he was upset by learning of what had happened, and that whatever he had known was gone— who wouldn't be? Even so, that didn't change his feelings for Luna, he loved her, and even a thousand years after, his heart still longed for her. So what was to happen now? This new Equestria was so foreign not just to him, but to her as well. Then just like that, he had an idea. Leaving his apartment, he moved down the massive hallways of Canterlot Castle. Star Chaser was still in awe every time he walked these halls, marveling at how far they had come. He didn't have to walk far to reach Luna's apartment. The two guards outside the door stood at attention, but when he approached their wings shot out, blocking him from reaching it. Star stopped, then eyed the two guards with a raised eyebrow. While he might have been gone for a thousand years, he was still a soldier, and when all was said and done, still a captain. The two ponies looked at one another, gulped, then lowered their wings hesitantly. Normally he wouldn't use his authority to get around the rules, especially when he technically didn't have any authority any longer. However, once a captain of the guard, always a captain of the guard. Stepping past them, Star opened the door and went inside, making sure to shut it behind him. The apartment was dark, as the thick curtains blocked the windows, and thus the sunlight. Normally it would mean Luna was asleep, but he knew from princess Celestia that she rarely did get any rest these days. He heard hoof steps, then a small, startled gasp. Turning towards a door, Star found Luna standing there, her ears pinned down, and almost shaking. "Star Chaser... What... How art thee?" Star frowned, trotting closer to her. He could tell she wanted to back away, but decided to stay put. Instead, she turned her head away, her eyes refusing to meet his. "…I wanted to see you." He reached out with his hoof, but this time she stepped back. "Don't..." He frowned, but then moved his hoof to her cheek, gently turning her head to make her face him. Her eyes were wet, filled with guilt, and maybe even expecting he had come to tell her he blamed her. That however was not the point of his visit, instead, he gently moved forward, his lips meeting hers. Luna shuddered, gasping at first as she did not expect him to kiss her. With little encouragement needed, Luna kissed him back. Both stepped closer to the other, their lips never parting. Once it did, their muzzles were still close, and Luna spoke in a trembling whisper. "Thee should misprise Us... Out of all ponies, thee art the one We hurt the most…" "Hush..." Star Chaser whispered, back, giving her a peck on the lips. "Luna, I love you, my heart has, and will always belong to you." Luna let out a whimper, and Star pulled her into an embrace. "Whatever has happened cannot be changed, we can only look forward now." They shared another quick kiss, and Luna nuzzled him. "We missed thee…" "I missed you too..." Nuzzling her back. "So let us not be apart again." No longer caring about status, or tradition, Star Chaser knew he wanted to spend his days with Luna, and no other mare. Times had changed, and he was excited to see what it had in store for them. Luna sighed, her tensed stance relaxing. She leaned into him, and Star held her close. "What do we do now?" Star smiled, nibbling her ear a little. "We could travel. See what this new Equestria has to offer." She looked up at him, surprised for sure. "Then what?" Star kissed her again, a gentle and loving kiss, one that Luna gladly returned. When their lips parted, he leaned in for another nuzzle. "We'll figure that out, together." Luna giggled a little, then gave a nod. "Together." Sighing, she embraced her lover, whispering a tender. "We love thee, Star…” She smiled as he heard his response. "And I love you, Luna. Now and always, my heart belongs to you."