Do you remember? Do you remember, big sister, the times we spent together?
When we were small, just tiny foals, our only thoughts being the laughter in each other’s ears?
I remember, Tia. I remember when you were happy, when you remembered about me.
Not now. You’ve changed Tia. You’ve forgotten what you used to hold so dear.
I miss my big sister, the one I used to know. The one I loved and loved me back. Tell me, do you know where she went?
You’re so focused these days. I can’t get through to you. Your only thoughts seem to be on the price of wheat to the East and the voices of the nobles.
When did this happen…How could I not see sooner…
Tia, when this letter finds you I’ll be gone. I need time to think, to collect myself. I fear there are dark shadows shifting through my mind.
With you in mind,
~Luna, Princess of The Forgotten Night
The paper crinkled slightly as the small alicorn shifted her posistion. Her mind was muddled, unsure of whether to leave this note, to quietly slip it under her sister’s golden doors. To do so would be to seal her good bye. She would be gone from her sister entirely, not just in mind any longer.
“Do it.”
Shudders went through Luna as the voice slithered its way into her. She could feel its coldness there, at the base of her neck…
“Please, I don’t want to go…” Came the whimpers.
“They won’t care that you’ve left,” A black tendril appeared next to the curling parchment, “If you weren’t so weak, they would never even notice your disappearance.”
“No…That’s not true…”
“Luna, dear, just look at the letter. You wrote that. Those are your thoughts. Tell me, does it sound like anyone here cares about you?” There came a soft laugh at the end of that question, "Really, do you?"
Luna swallowed and turned her gaze once more to the parchment. The tentacle had retreated, allowing Luna the space to read her words without distraction. Luna choked back a sob, why had it been so easy to write that, write all those thoughts. For they were her thoughts, her deepest thoughts. They were the ones she tried to keep locked away, hidden behind a smile of lies.
Celestia had forgotten about her. Months could go by without even seeing her elder sister. She had felt so lonely when she first noticed the tear in their relationship. She would cry herself to sleep, missing the days when Celestia would create fanciful tales of heroics and magic at bedtime. But then the Voice came. The Voice never left her side. She was always there for Luna, always whispering in her ear. She cared for Luna, dried her tears and told her not to worry…
Luna was so happy to finally have a friend so near.
A single solitary tear fell, staining the fresh ink, as she looked up.
"You're right. I knew it all along, but you are right. Why would they care for somepony like me anyways." A bitter sound, a filly's sweet laughter turned dark, rang out as more tears fell. "So, tell me, where should we go? Shall we explore the hot desert sands of Saddle Arabia or perhaps the Sky Temples of South?"
The voice paused, just long enough for indecisiveness, uncertainy, to cloud the young Princess's eyes.
"Voice?"
"Luna, your ideas of adventure are purely thoughts of fancy. You see, I have a plan of my own, a plan to make you happy, my precious little pony."
Luna winced slightly at the words spoken, "Tia always says that..."
Silence meets Luna's words and then, "Unlike your so called caring sister, I'm never going to leave your side Princess."
"Voice? How come I can never see you? You're always there for me but..."
Sharp words cut Luna's words to a halt, "That should be of no concern to you. Is it not enough that I care for you? Are you unhappy with me? I thought we loved each other. Maybe you're just like your sister"
“No!” If the Voice could smile it would at Luna’s little outburst, her lower lip quivering like a leaf in the wind, “I’m nothing like her!”
“Oh? And how do I know you won’t just abandon me once I no longer interest you? Once you deem me worthless? I put so much thought in how best to please you, I care deeply for you, you know.”
“I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to be ungrateful or anything, I simply was not thinking…I’m sorry…”
“Oh, my dear, sweet Princess of the Night, I forgive you.” The Voice purrs, “Now, are you ready to listen?”
With glum resignation and the most wane of smiles Luna nodded her head.
“Then prepare to leave shortly, it is unnecessary to pack anything from your old life, child. You’ll getting a brand new start, a start where everypony will love you.”
Looking around her for what she realized might very well be the last time she would, Luna gave a small sob. This had been her home for almost a century. Over there, tucked underneath a corner of her down pillow, she could make out the barest corner of her precious bear, a gift from so long ago. Its starry hide had long since faded to a pale blue grey, and only one eye still hung on by a thread. On an impulsive need Luna summoned the bear over to her side, hugging it close in her magic that was almost the same shade as the bear. She would not leave behind her Ursa. It could very well be the last memory of a happy foalhood.
"...I think I'm ready..."
