Luna's Lament

Luna's Lament

Chapter 3: The Perished Past

By: Clue Tzes

        Luna flew for the rest of the night, eventually reaching a city not too far from Canterlot. She landed softly and quickly made her way into the nearest shop, the morning still too young for most ponies to be awake. She opened the door and slipped inside, quickly using her magic to darken the windows to any potential outside viewers.

        “I’m terribly sorry, but we’re not open yet. Please come back in a few hours,” the shopkeeper said with his back to her.

        “Hopefully you’ll make an exception for me?” She asked kindly.

        The orange pony began to turn, his register Cutie Mark disappearing from view, “We don’t make exceptions to store-” he took a step back, his mouth agape as he fought to continue speaking, “P-P-Princess Luna, of course we will! Whatever do you need?!” He nervously asked, standing behind the register.

        Luna grabbed a grey cloak, large enough to cover her whole form, and then turned to the shop keeper, “This and for you to say you never saw me,” she told him.

        “A-as you wish… That comes to 40 bits, please!”

        Luna hit her hoof to her face; how could she have been so stupid as to not take any bits with her? She did have her crystal shoes though. “Will these do?” She asked, removing and reluctantly holding up her favorite, and only, pair of shoes.

        He could see the painful look in her eyes, “For you gracing this store with your presence, I’ll just wave the payment. Please do keep your shoes,” He told her, only curiosity welling up within him “And don’t worry, I won’t tell a soul I saw you.”

        She smiled softly, “Thank you for your kindness… It’s more than most ponies give to me nowadays.”

        “Believe me, the pleasure is all mine Princess Luna,” he bowed slightly and when he looked up, she was gone. She had had sadness and fear in her eyes, but relief when he said he’d wave the payment; from that alone, he could tell she had no plans on going back to the castle anytime soon.

        She had tossed on the cloak and teleported out of the store the second he looked down, releasing the spell on the door and windows as she did. She sighed, cursing at herself internally once more for forgetting to bring any bits. She also hated the fact that somepony had already seen her, but it was a necessary error. The amount of time she could spend here was miniscule but it would be meaningful nonetheless, which was all that mattered to her. As she walked through the empty streets of the city, hidden underneath her cloak from any early-morning eyes, she gazed at the cloudy skies.

        “I guess a storm is due for today… Perhaps taking cover somewhere sheltered would be fitting,” she wondered aloud, but quickly dismissed the idea when she realized she didn’t have the time to.

        She kept making her way to the other end of the street, a cemetery coming into view. Picking up her pace as the rain began to fall; she crossed through an open iron gate and made her way quickly amidst the graves. She stopped at a couple of them that were grouped together and stared for a few moments. She recognized the names from her past on each of them and bowed her head slightly, closing her eyes.

        “Things were so much easier then when you all were around… I threw everything away after you passed on. Celestia warned me making friends would bring pain, b-but I didn’t listen… I thought I was ready for it and could handle anything life could throw… Then I let it consume me and I grew jealous of her, constantly having the day where ponies were happy and friendships were everywhere… While I had the night, where so few rejoiced and connections far from just friendship occurred… I wanted that and the sadness, fear, and despair consumed me… I let it and didn’t try to fight it… I-I WAS A FOOL!” She bellowed in her Royal Canterlot Voice to the grisly grey skies above, causing a flash of lightning.

While both Luna and the clouds kept crying, she continued speaking to the ponies of the past, “I should’ve just stood my ground and grieved alone o-or tried to make more friends, but I knew any friends I made would just die… I didn’t want that… I wanted a life-long friendship, and aside from my sister, wh-who could I have that with? N-nopony but she and I are not only immortal, but close as well, and all it is now is a curse to me. I’m running because I want to start anew where ponies don’t know the mistakes I made and where they can accept me for who I am like you all had, not who I was at one time. Somewhere I can find friendship once again and t be able to silence the voice of my darkness, but this time I’ll be better prepared. When I find such a place with such ponies, I think I’ll finally be ready to-” she cut off at the sound of hoofsteps behind her.

“Excuse me,” she heard from behind her.

        The second that morning broke behind the clouds, Twilight awoke and immediately sprinted into Celestia’s room, “I think I know where she went!” Twilight excitedly shouted to the barely awake Princess.

        The news caused Celestia to sit up straight, suddenly wide awake, “As do I, upon dispelling what she cast around the town, I saw it was from the direction of M-“

        Twilight interjected excitedly, “Manehattan?!”

        Celestia nodded solemnly, “So, she did go there… Wait, how did you know though?”

        Twilight blushed, embarrassed at the coming confession, “Well, last night I decided to snoop around her room a bit and see if there were any clues she might’ve left… I’m sorry Princess.”

        Celestia giggled, setting a hoof on her saddened student’s head before climbing out of bed, “It’s alright Twilight, you did what you had to and I understand that as well as respect your honesty. Now, show me exactly what you found…”

        Twilight nodded and led Celestia into Luna’s room. Moving the mirror aside again, she pulled out the pictures and letters Luna had kept hidden for so long. Celestia looked through them all twice before setting them down and closing her eyes.

        “I never knew that anypony could be as grief-stricken as she must’ve been,” Celestia whispered. “I warned her of what would have happened eventually, but…”

        “What do you mean, Princess?” Twilight asked, barely overhearing her.

        “Nothing Twilight; I think it’s time we got ourselves together and began our journey. She won’t be in Manehattan long, especially if she’s looking for a place where ponies would give her a second chance…”

“Where in Equestria would that be?”

“It’s a place where ponies don’t know the conflict in the kingdom a millennium ago. We had a kingdom wide announcement once Nightmare Moon’s attempted tyranny was overthrown, so I fear she’s looking for Shangryff-on at this point.”

“But that city doesn’t exi- oh…” Twilight realized, looking down in sadness, “So what happens if we can’t find her?”

Celestia looked outside and sighed, “Even if such a place is found, it will all happen to her again, and I fear that she has failed to realize that. She may find new friendships but that will only bring new loss and send her out of control once more… We will find her eventually though. Now, go rouse your friends and have them come to the main hall, we’re wasting time as it is.”

Rarity was the first, aside from Smoke Stack who stood near the doors, to arrive in the hallway, wearing fancy rain gear consisting of purple sparkling boots and a coat to match. As she walked up to Celestia, she was followed by Fluttershy who had the “privilege” to carry Rarity’s other outfits in a large suitcase. Next came Rainbow Dash, groggily flying in and hitting the walls a few times. Applejack quickly followed, pulling her down to Earth with a lasso.

“Come on Dash, ya gotta wake up like the rest of us have,” she said, shaking Dash roughly.

“F-fine, just stop sh-shaking m-me!” She yelled quietly, causing Applejack to stop with an embarrassed look.

Last came Pinkie Pie, bouncing in with a sleeping Twilight on her back. She stopped next to Celestia who looked surprised when she saw her pupil asleep once more.

“Have any of you an idea as to why she’s so tired?” Celestia asked, levitating Twilight onto her own back where the unicorn wrapped her hooves around her softly.

“Would ya believe us if we said it’s because of studyin’? She told us she hasn’t slept in days, so we’ve been kinda worried for her…” Applejack explained, the others nodding in agreement, “She said with all the extra challengin’ stuff you’ve been havin’ her do, she couldn’t waste a second not studyin’ for whatever’s next.”

Celestia frowned, looking back at Twilight, “Oh my, I suppose I have been overdoing it lately. It’s all for a good reason which will be revealed eventually, I promise you that. In the meantime,” Celestia looked towards the throne room and shouted, “Guards! Bring Pinkie Pie some rope please!”

“Hey Dashie, you in this time?” Pinkie pressed her forehead to her friend’s as she excitedly asked.

“Sure Pinkie, just be a bit more gentle with the rope,” Rainbow Dash warned, holding up a hoof with a red ring around it.

“Oopsie; I’ll try to be better about it this time, buuuuuut if I’m too much better with it, it won’t hold and then we’ll leave Twilight hundreds of miles behind because we didn’t realize she fell out and we moved on without-”

Applejack put her hoof over Pinkie’s mouth and quickly told her, “We get it Pinkie. So where exactly are we starting our search at?”

“Well, it’s somewhere I believe you’re familiar with Applejack; from what Twilight’s written to me,” she turned and nuzzled the sleeping unicorn on her back, “I understand you have some family in that area.”

“Princess, not to be as annoyin’ as a worm in an apple but I have family throughout most of Equestria. Us Apples have stuck our branches out far and wide after all,” Applejack explained.

“Strange, she told me these ponies weren’t Apples, but Oranges,” Celestia mused.

“Oh, that’s right… But what makes ya think Luna went to Manehattan? She’d stick out worse than Big Mac in-” a scarf suddenly wrapped itself around Applejack’s muzzle.

“In an effort to save us from any further metaphors or similes, Applejack does have a point Princess,” Rarity said, tying the scarf.

“Twilight and I have both found some pretty convincing evidence leading us to the conclusion Manehattan is a good place to start. Even if it doesn’t turn out to be a good lead, it’s all we have to go on at the time being. I also have one little present for each of you,” she explained, motioning for her guards to bring in a cart.

“PRESENTS!” Pinkie screamed, diving at the cart and knocking it over. “Sorry Princess.” Pinkie giggled from underneath the boxes she’d knocked off.

The others came over, took the box with their name on it, Fluttershy taking Twilight’s as well, and opened it. Each held a saddle-satchel the same color as their coats.

“I had them custom made a few days ago as a gift, I figured now would be as good a time as any to give them to you all. Now, is your train ready Mr. Stack?”

“The train is all set to go that way. I can drop you off right in the city itself, it’ll just be a longer ride than normal due to this weather,” Smoke Stack explained, motioning to the growing rainfall outside with a grey hoof. “But it’ll be much quicker than walking. It’ll take us about an hour and a half if I had to guess.”

“Shall we then?” Rarity asked, now sporting her saddle-umbrella along with her rain attire.

        Celestia nodded and then began walking towards the train, leading the way for the other seven to follow her.

        The train ride proved longer than assumed when the rain began falling harder than before. The group sat in the passenger car, talking about whatever they could think of or telling stories to pass the time. Once or twice they moved to the conductor’s car, even the bound Twilight who was still asleep, to help ease his boredom as well. They arrived in Manehattan as the storm hit its peak, the occasional flash of lightning and rumble of thunder along with the pouring rains falling nearly sideways due to the equally wild winds.

        As they stepped out of the train, the cold rain caused Twilight to jerk awake, “Alright girls, we’re here! Let’s get searching!” She quickly said before trying to move forward, held back by the ropes. “Again? Seriously?” She asked in disbelief, staring at Pinkie with a dumbfounded look.

        “You were sleepin’ somethin’ fierce sug’, plus it wasn’t her idea entirely this time,” Applejack said, motioning to Celestia who turned away slightly, hiding her giggling.

        Twilight kept her dumbfounded look, her wet mane partly covering her face, “Alright… Well I’m awake now so no need for these,” she said, yanking the ropes off of her and Dash before winding them up and putting them in her satchel. “Uh, where did this come from?” She asked, realizing she hadn’t had the satchel before.

        “Same answer as before, dear,” Rarity explained, the rain thundering down on her umbrella.

        “Well, thank you then Princess,” Twilight said, before bowing slightly, “How are we going to look in this rain though? I can’t keep my mane out of my eyes for the life of me,” she griped, using her magic to part it. “Not all of us could be as prepared as Rarity,” Twilight jested sarcastically.

        “I got it Twi!” Pinkie said while beginning to pull numerous umbrella hats out of her bottom-less seeming satchel and distributing them to her friends.

        “You had time to pack?” Rainbow Dash asked, descending to the ground and putting hers on.

        “Nope!” She replied, walking away while pulling a small piece of cake from within her mane and eating it, “A party girl has got to be prepared!”

        “Maybe we should start looking, I mean she could be anywhere by now… a-and we are wasting a bit of time…” Fluttershy whispered, “S-sorry…”

        “Fluttershy does have a point, everypony,” Celestia said, being the only one to hear the shivering pegasus.

        The Princess’ approval picked up Fluttershy’s spirits some, causing her to speak more, “What were y-your clues Princess? Maybe they can give us a place to start.”

        “Well, the spell was cast from the same direction this city was in, but that was all I had. This city was the first one in that path, then Twilight found some mementos of Luna’s old friends back before… well… you know,” Celestia said, her voice lowering slightly as she fought back the memory of banishing her sister.

        “Old friends?” Applejack asked in disbelief.

        “Well, the times back then were different and Luna wasn’t held in such low regard…” Celestia reminded them as they began walking into the city, “So despite what you’ve seen of her, she really was quite the sociable pony. At least she was until things changed.”

        “You mean when she became Nightmare Moon, right?” Rainbow Dash asked.

        “No, this change happened a few years before that, but nevertheless I believe it to be part of the reason why she did do that all those years ago. Let’s find somewhere we can wait without being bothered by anypony,” Celestia said.

        “There’s something over here,” Fluttershy said, flying in the air some and pointing at a field near the city’s edge.

        “Ah, the cemetery. That will do nicely, Fluttershy,” Celestia told her, smiling.

        Fluttershy immediate dove behind Twilight, “C-c-cemetery? L-like with ghosts and sp-spooky dead ponies cemetery?!?! You all go ahead, I’ll be here.”

        “Come on Fluttershy, we’ve been through worse,” Rainbow Dash told her as she flew down and picked up her now thrashing and crying friend.

        Rarity stopped at the gate into the cemetery, “Um, ew. This place is soaked and muddy! No. Thank. You. Fluttershy can wait with m-” she was suddenly cut off by Fluttershy breaking free of Rainbow Dash’s hold and tackling her in a hug while whispering thank you repeatedly.

        “One, aren’t ya wearin’ rain boots for that reason alone? Two, we need everypony together if we’re gonna listen to Celestia’s story. And three, what’s the difference between mud on your boots and mud on your face?” Applejack asked, getting some mud on her forehoof.

        “Well since you asked; one, yes, but they’re designer rain boots that don’t wash well. Two, give me a summary when you return. And three, there isn’t any mud on my face tho-” Rarity shut her mouth quick as Applejack flung the mud, causing her last statement to turn false. “You win,” she growled at Applejack, “Let’s go Fluttershy. If I have to face my fears, you can face yours too.” She walked through the gates reluctantly, whining as bad as Fluttershy who was still clinging to her, at the first few messy steps.

        Celestia looked at Twilight and Rainbow Dash, “Do they always bicker this badly? Your letters have only spoken of it a few times, Twilight, I never imagined it so…”

        “Petty?” Twilight asked.

        Pinkie popped out from Celestia’s mane and began talking, causing Twilight to nearly faint, “They’re always at each other’s neck, figuratively speaking of course because if it was literal… Ohhh man would that be bad! Applejack would so win though, so all my bits would be on her, but Rarity might have a fighting chance, ya know? But in the end they always make up, see?” She pointed at the now talking and laughing pair, along with their frightened yellow attachment before slowly slinking back into Celestia’s mane.

        Celestia only smiled, enjoying the whole scenario as Twilight began searching her mane for the pink pony that only ended up popping up from behind her, causing her to actually faint this time. As they began waking her back up, Celestia giggled to herself while thinking. It has been quite some time since I’ve seen any group of friends as this… Then again, I don’t think I have, save for… Well, I suppose she and I are part of this group as well in a way, at least from what Twilight considers which may very well be what the others do too… Oh Luna, if only you saw this and took advantage of it before you ran away, maybe it would have helped set you at ease. They would’ve brought you in just like the others had…

“PRINCESS!” Twilight screamed, scaring her from thought, “ARE YOU THERE?!”

        Celestia blinked a few times before shaking her head, “S-sorry Twilight, I was just lost amidst thought. Thank you for rousing me.”

        “Well, rousing others is what friends are for,” Twilight awkwardly chuckled, blushing at the thought of her own situation moments prior.

        “Let’s continue,” Celestia said as she walked further into the cemetery.

        They passed by numerous graves and statues, each of them, except Fluttershy, looked at all they could. Off in the distance they saw a pony draped in a cloak, looking over a grave. They began making their way in that direction, hoping the pony could direct them somewhere dryer.

        “Excuse me,” Twilight began.

        “Yes?” Luna replied, looking back while trying to keep her face hidden from the two police ponies behind her, adorned with rain coats.

        “We heard some yelling, is everything ok?” The brown one on the left asked, “We thought there might’ve been some trouble up here.”

        “T’was I,” Luna whispered, “Just grieving over past mistakes is all, sirs.”

        “Alrighty, you should probably get outta this storm though, it’s only gonna get worse. Have a good day now,” The orange coated one said before turning and walking away with his partner.

        “It’s bad enough as is,” she whispered to herself, grieving for a few more moments before taking to the skies once more.

        The lime-green mare turned to face Twilight, “Yes?” she asked.

        “Is there anywhere in here to get out of the rain, even a teeny bit?” Twilight asked, her umbrella hat nearly like a waterfall at this point.

        “There’s always the mausoleum further up the hill,” she said, waving her hoof in the direction.

        “Thank you for your help mam,” Twilight told her with a smile before beginning to walk that way, letting the others follow her.

        As they walked, Twilight scanned over the graves, casually reading the names as she did. She stopped suddenly when a few of them caught her eye. The others kept walking, taking a few moments to realize they had left Twilight behind.

        “See? I TOLD you this would happen if we didn’t leave the rope on her!” Pinkie Pie scolded at Rainbow Dash.

        “But she’s awake now… I mean, I think she is,” Rainbow Dash replied, landing next to her friend, “Right Twilight?”

        Celestia came over, following Twilight’s gaze to the graves and read them for herself, letting out a surprised gasp, “O-oh my…”

        Twilight gave a small nod, “Can one of you two tell us what’s goin’ on here?” Applejack asked.

        “These were L-Luna’s friends…” Twilight choked out in a whisper. “They’re b-buried right here…”

        Fluttershy let out a sigh as she fell unconscious, finally releasing her hold of Rarity who gave a relieved sigh, “Together in the end, how fitting. Well, now we just wait for her to come here, right?”

        “She’ll have come and gone by now,” Celestia told them, “She might end up coming back here, but those odds are very unlikely.”

        Pinkie pulled a magnifying glass out of her bag, now sporting a plaid umbrella hat reminiscent of her detective hat, “If she’s been here already, maybe she left some clues! EVERYPONY BACK UP, THIS IS A CRIME SCENE!” She hissed at her friends, waving the magnifying glass as a weapon.

        “This cemetery is quite the place today,” said a new voice from behind them.

        Twilight spun, facing an orange pony and a brown one dressed in rain gear and police uniforms, “What do you mean by that?”

        “Well,” began the brown one, “You seven aren’t the first ones around here today. There was somepony around this spot about two hours ago, nearly your height too Princess Celestia,” he chuckled, turning to his partner before they both took on a sudden look of horror. “C-Celestia?!?!” They both remarked in surprise.

        “What exactly did the other one look like?” Celestia asked, her voice taking on a hint of rage and agitation.

        The orange one sensed it and quickly spoke up, “I-I don’t know. W-we couldn’t s-see her!” He told her, cowering next to his partner.

        “You’ll tell me anything about her you can or I will see to it you are stripped of your rank, your job, your home, your family, and BANISHED TO THE FARTHEST REACHES OF EQUESTRIA!” Celestia yelled, using her own Royal Canterlot Voice now, causing Fluttershy to jerk awake and immediately cling back to Rarity in fear.

        Everypony took a few steps back from the enraged and roughly breathing Princess before the brown one squeaked out a response, “Sh-she had a v-voice l-like that a-and I c-couldn’t t-tell if she had wings o-or a horn because of that cl-cloak she had on. Must’ve gotten i-it from the shop a-at the end o-of that st-street over there,” he said rapidly pointing, “I-It’s the o-only place wh-where the owner w-would be even th-there this early. Th-that’s all we know, w-we swear!”

        Celestia kept her glare held at the police ponies until Pinkie broke the awkward silence, “I FOUND HOOFPRINTS!” She gleefully shouted, obviously unaware of the confrontation that had just occurred.

        “B-block them off a-and protect them fr-from the rain Pinkie,” Twilight whispered, her body full of fear at the sight of her mentor angered.

        Pinkie nodded, humming to herself as she pulled out four mini umbrella hats and dug them into the ground around the hoofprints, making sure they stayed preserved, “Done! So now what?”

        “Maybe we should, uh, you know, check that there shop they just told us about, r-right Princess?” Applejack suggested, the last word barely coming out.

        “Then let’s go,” Celestia sternly said, “And if you two value anything, you will make sure this area remains undisturbed,” she growled at the two ponies who merely nodded in fear.

        Celestia swiftly moved through the graveyard, the other ponies moving quick to keep up to her. She was determined, as they all could tell, as she nearly stomped her way through in anger. The street only proved how hard she was walking, letting them hear each step over the storm. The last minute or two of the walk was incredibly awkward for the other five, Pinkie still bouncing along and seemingly oblivious to what happened. When they reached the shop in question, Celestia tried the door, which proved to be locked.

        “We’re closed for another hour! Please come back later!” Came the clerk’s response from the other side.

        Celestia used her magic to force the door open before bounding in quick, “I don’t care if you don’t open for another month!” She growled angrily.

        The clerk gulped and began trying to scramble away before Twilight pulled him back with her magic, “Look, we only need to ask you a question or two, then we’re done,” she tried to cheerfully tell him in an effort to counter what Celestia’s anger had done to him.

        “You know exactly what we mean to ask so speak now!” Celestia said, her muzzle inches from his as she kept him deadlocked in a stare.

        He whimpered, trying to turn his gaze but was unable due to Twilight’s hold, “Twilight, why are ya helpin’ her act like this?” Applejack asked with a whisper.

        “I’d rather be on her side than not,” she replied, the others nodding in agreement, “I’ve never seen her get like this… Even when Chrysalis attacked she was still quite calm.”

        “I can only imagine how I’d get if Sweetie Belle ran away and ponies thought it funny when I needed their help. Ohh I’d leave them with coats a shade of purple darker than my mane!” Rarity said, closing her eyes to calm herself.

        “I worry enough about Applebloom goin’ off gallivanting with the other two Crusaders, ah can only imagine how I’d be if she didn’t come back home,” Applejack said.

        “You girls w-weren’t there when I thought the Cockatrice got them… I-I was so scared but I had to be so assertive, y-you would all have been so proud!” Fluttershy cheered, finally letting go of Rarity and standing on her own hooves.

        “COCKATRICE?!?!” Applejack and Rarity shouted in unison, both in complete disbelief.

        Fluttershy scampered up to Rainbow Dash when she saw the angry looks of Applejack and Rarity directed at her, “I-I’m sorry… But I saved them AND Twilight!”

        Twilight pretended not to hear her but her blush said otherwise, “Aren’t we forgetting somepony? We can reminisce la-”

        Rainbow Dash cut off Twilight, “I mean, when I woke up on our camping trip and found Scootaloo missing, I nearly did a Sonic Rainboom darting out of there to look for her. Good thing I did too.”

        “Don’t have a story of my own to share, nor do I have any hypothetical situations so to avoid feeling even MORE left out here, how about we focus on the actual issue at hoof!” Twilight whisper-shouted.

        “What about my turn?!” Pinkie asked with a whimper.

        “Fine, hurry up!”

        “Well, this one time Gummy went missing and I had no idea where he went then I got really, really worried and went through the entire bakery in search of him before finding out he was on my tail the whole time! Then another-”

        Rainbow Dash put her hoof over Pinkie’s mouth tight, trying to cut her off from talking anymore, “Shush Pinkie! We don’t have enough time for more of your stories.”

        Turning back to Celestia, they saw the two ponies, one shivering in fear, still locked eye to eye. Twilight took a few steps toward them before Celestia’s hoof motioned for her to move back. She took place near her friends in silence as she waited for the rest of the plan to unfold.

        “I-I don’t know what you’re talking about! Please Princess, I-I’m just a humble shopkeeper!” the clerk tried to plead.

        “Two… helpful police ponies told me they saw my sister Luna in a cloak from YOUR store. Care to think again about what you didn’t see?” Celestia said, her voice showing some signs of calming down.

        The clerk thought for a moment, “Uh… S-still nothing,” he said with an innocent smile.

        Celestia’s horn began glowing as her eyes lit up bright, an aura beginning to surround numerous things in the shop, “YOU WILL TELL US WHAT YOU KNOW!”

        Rarity stepped forward, her friends doing the same, “You better do as she says, or you’ve got seven angry mares that nopony saw come in here. It’d be a shame if something were to happen to your shop…” she warned, walking over to one of the racks of merchandise.”

        Twilight moved to Rarity’s side quickly, “Y-you can’t be serious!” She whispered hurriedly.

        “Of course not! I’d never trash a fellow shopkeeper’s store, but he doesn’t know that now does he?” she responded with a wink.

        Twilight nodded in understanding and began smirking as she lifted up two racks with her magic, “So, did you see Luna or do we have to play rough?”

        The shopkeeper whimpered more, still held in place, “A-alright… Just please don’t do anything to my store! It’s all I have!”

        “Then start speaking,” Celestia growled quietly, “I lost my sister once before and I most assuredly won’t again.”

        Luna quietly sighed as she slowly drifted on a cloud, her cloak keeping her warm through the cold afternoon, Manehattan miles behind her as she began wondering aloud, “Maybe this time things will be different, better for me in a way… Sure, I left my sister behind, but it’s for the better. I only brought disgrace to our kingdom anyways and it was obvious enough. I hope, with all I have left, I find somewhere new…” She closed her eyes and paused for a moment, “Whatever new place I find, I won’t make the mistakes I did with my old friends… I’ll never make those mistakes again because I know what happens when I do, and it hurts inside. I never thought all those years ago, I could turn into something so monstrous and unforgivable and just cruel… Even then, maybe all I need is solitude, for won’t new friends just revive old issues, the old memories and feelings, the old sadness and depression, except even stronger?” As she let her mind and tears run free, she managed to find sleep quickly, the cloud continuing on its unknown course ahead.

        “Surely you don’t mean to escape me either,” she heard a voice within her head screech at her.

End Chapter 3