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                       Luna's Lament                       
                      -by Clue Tzes-                       
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                     The Exile Within                      
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The Exile Within
Prologue:
The dark-blue alicorn stood on the balcony outside her bedroom and focused her magic on the moon, aiding its ascent into the night sky over Equestria. As her horn glowed, her eyes filled with light as the moon peeked over the horizon. After finishing her nightly duty, she stood on her hind hooves and relaxed the upper part of her body on the railing that overlooked Canterlot. Resting her head on one of her hooves, it being perpendicular to the other lying along the railing, she gazed up at what she used to call home, and prison, for a millennium.
She sighed, recalling how lonely she had felt and how lonely she still did feel. One thousand years had taken its toll on her spirit and how in touch she was with her kingdom. So much had happened since she was imprisoned and it felt to her as if it would take another millennium to catch up. A single tear fell from her eye, descending to the courtyard below where it nestled into the cool grass. She kept her gaze toward the sky, admiring the glistening stars as well as the moon. A shiver ran through her body as a warm breeze blew through the night. The alicorn smiled, silently telling herself it would get better… eventually. She raised her head from the railing and stood on all four hooves again.
Another breeze blew through the air, causing her transparent, midnight blue mane to flow with it, the stars in it glistening from the moonlight. As she walked back into her bedroom, shutting the balcony doors behind her, she looked in the mirror at herself and smiled once more, speaking aloud, "Things will pick up, sooner or later... Just don't worry yourself to death... You're not just anypony after all... You're Luna."
Luna's Lament
Chapter 1: The Exile Within
By: Clue Tzes
As dawn began approaching, she grew tired and climbed into her bed. Luna quickly fell asleep; resting as the sun rose, holding high in the air. Dreams and nightmares alike plagued her, forcing her to toss and turn in her sleep. She remembered how frightened the ponies were on Nightmare Night, then it turned into her as Nightmare Moon, and then she was in solitude, again. She sat there on the moon and closed her eyes, opening them once more and finding herself in the middle of Canterlot. She called out to a few ponies, but none of them responded or even glimpsed her way. She sighed and let another tear fall as she realized she was an exile within society.
“Most ponies have me when a dream goes awry,” she began telling herself, “Who is there to help me though? I just need to wake up I suppose…”
Coming from the hopeless nightmare she looked around her room, finding the blanket she had been using tossed to the other side. Luna used her magic to hover it back over to the bed and got up as she placed it on neatly. She quickly glanced in the mirror, getting her light-blue mane in order and fixing her crown before trotting out into the halls of the castle. She began making her way down to the kitchen, a few of Celestia’s guards nodding and saying hello to her along the way; she knew at this hour her guards would be dead asleep in the lower quarters.
“Hello Ms. Luna!” the young, pegasus, royal chef called when he saw her enter, “Shouldn’t you be asleep right now?”
“I couldn’t sleep too well,” she giggled to herself blushing, “And please, just call me Luna.”
She looked at the chef, admiring his formality, and began thinking to herself. He was new here, hadn’t had much experience with her like the other ponies have, and was desperately nervous. She trotted up next to him unnoticed, looking over his light-yellow coat adorned with a chef’s hat for a Cutie Mark. She watched him cook for a few moments, eventually realizing he was making a poor-looking stew. The color was sickly and the vegetables in it were too chunky, not to mention she thought she saw a few hairs. It was times like this she wished she could choose the royal chef instead of her sister.
“Would you like some help?” she asked him, scaring the unaware pony.
“Wh-what do you mean?” he asked, shivering from the fright.
“Well, nothing. Never mind. Let me do one thing though,” Luna floated a mane-net over, putting it on him with her magic.
He blushed, looking away, embarrassed by his rookie mistake, “Thank you Princess… that won’t happen again… I swear. Do you have any more guidance for me? My name is R-Ravi by the way,” he bowed to her.
“A pleasure to meet you Ravi,” she returned the bow, “and since you asked, I’d recommend scrapping what you have now and starting anew. Cut the ingredients into smaller pieces and try to fix the color of the stew also because well, I don’t think anypony would eat that even if it were the best stew in the world, no offense. Lastly, remember that mane-net especially when fixing my food.”
He looked at the stew, slightly hurt before realizing his mistakes, “Y-you’re absolutely right… I’m really, really sorry; I’ve never had much experience cooking for royalty before and it has me in a very big spot. Also, her food is to be ready in five minutes like the guards said… Won’t she be mad?” His eyes were watery, as if he were about to break down right there.
Luna smiled reassuringly, setting a hoof on his back and gently rubbing over his wings, “Then don’t think of us as royalty… Think of us as friends, or just other regular ponies,” she looked at his face, noticing a slight pick-up in his mood, “and don’t worry, I’ll tell my sister I distracted you and not to be mad at you, ok?” She was cursing herself inside for her kindness, wanting to avoid her sister at the time.
Whenever she was awake during the day, her sister would tease and tell her that she was the Princess of the Night, not day, and needed to get to bed and be awake for bedtime instead of frolicking around in the light. She hated the comments, feeling belittled by them, but would giggle and tease back nonetheless trying to forget what was said. After her night and nightmare, her sister was the last thing she wanted to deal with, but if it would make somepony else happy, she’d deal with it.
“Thank you L-Luna… You’re a real life saver,” he turned away, quickly wiping his eyes on his apron, hoping she wouldn’t notice, “If there’s anything I can do for you, aside from cooking obviously, don’t hesitate to ask.”
She nodded in return, “It’s my pleasure… and actually, there’s one thing. If you feel unwelcomed by society, like an exile of sorts, what would you do?”
He thought for a moment, unaware she was talking about her own situation, “Well, personally, I’d leave without a word and go find acceptance elsewhere. If a pony doesn’t like you for being you, then well, stay yourself and move on… At least you retain a slight sense of self-identity…”
Luna thought for a moment, “Thank you Ravi, for you’ve helped me greatly. Now I need to keep my part of the deal, farewell.” She was gone before he even had a chance to return the farewell. He dumped his stew and began wondering why she asked such an odd question.
She began briskly making her way down the hall to her sister’s throne room, moving past guards with ease. Each turned their head in bewilderment due to the fact Luna was awake and something seemed urgent. As she reached the door she stopped, closed her eyes and sighed, collecting herself; she couldn’t let Celestia see her so frazzled. Slowly opening the door, she reopened her eyes and casually strolled into the throne room.
“Is it nighttime already?” Celestia mused upon seeing her.
“Good afternoon to you as well sister. I distracted your chef a few minutes ago while he was preparing your food so it will be a little late, my apologies,” Luna told her.
“That is perfectly fine,” she replied in an understanding tone, “I’m surprised you’re talking to somepony new really. Ever since your return you’ve been in that little bubble of yours and it’s such a shame to see… It needs popped to be honest.”
“After Nightmare Night, can you really blame me?” Luna gave a soft sigh, “I mean they like me… but for how I can frighten them and that’s not who I am. The first few times were fun scaring them, but after that their screams grew dull and it made me feel like her again. She loved hearing ponies scream in terror and especially if she was the one who caused it… I don’t want any part of that life anymore sister…”
Celestia frowned, approaching the saddened Luna and set a hoof on her back, “Just remember, you didn’t choose the Nightmare life…”
Luna smirked and looked up, “Finish that phrase and I will raise the moon early again…”
Celestia giggled quietly and rolled her eyes, “Please don’t. Don’t you remember what happened last time? Canterlot was running frantic, Ponyville was in chaos… And then Twilight and her friends ran up here thinking Discord was evil again…”
“You’re going to give that mare a heart attack with as much responsibility as you’ve put on her,” Luna looked up at her sister half-frowning.
“She can handle it for now… After all, we have big plans for her and if she can’t handle what has been presented so far, then she most certainly won’t be prepared for this…”
Luna hit her hoof to her face, “Really sister? You still remember her singing that?”
“Well, she most certainly wasn’t quiet about it now was she?” Celestia eyed Luna playfully, a smirk on her face once more.
“You’ve got a point I suppose… Back to earlier though; sometimes I just feel so unwelcomed around here and just plain out of place… I mean, I’ve missed a lot since my banishment to the moon.”
“We agreed that wasn’t a banishment but a grounding, remember?” Celestia smiled, trying to cheer up her sister.
“Who gets grounded for one-thousand years?” Luna gave Celestia a dumbfounded look.
“Well, obviously you did,” she shot back, nuzzling Luna’s neck.
Before anymore could be said, Ravi came in and told Celestia her food was ready, “Sorry for the delay and all, but you’ll find this food to perfection hopefully… and thank you again for the help Luna,” he bowed in an embarrassed fashion, blushing as well before quickly trotting off.
“Being sweet to the chef huh?” Celestia quickly trotted to the dining hall laughing, giving Luna no chance to fire back.
She stamped her hoof, enraged and embarrassed even more. If there was one thing Celestia was good at, it was giving her hell and then some. She looked to the now empty throne where her sister had sat and walked up, sitting on it and smirking to herself.
“Blah, blah, blah, raise the sun, call for Twilight, reform them, find Cadence, do this, do that!” she musingly mocked aloud, waving both her hooves.
She stopped short, looking to her left and right and seeing the guards that stayed by the throne’s sides awkwardly sitting there. They looked embarrassed and were desperately trying to look away from Luna, who now had a red face. She focused her magic and immediately teleported from the throne room, embarrassment at a max. Her stomach growled, hunger setting in, but she wasn’t about to bother that chef again… She sighed and trotted towards the front gate of the castle, trying to forget the whole scenario. She sighed happily, the warm sun shining upon her as she walked through the courtyard. Making her way downtown, she looked around, seeing the rushing ponies going from shop to shop, buying what they could.
“Quite amazing how so many of these ponies aren’t in bankruptcy by day’s end…” she remarked to herself, walking through the crowd.
Most of them moved out of her way, because she was royalty she assumed, and into the shops, nearly cleaning out the streets around her. She made her way to a small café off in the distance, deciding that that was where she’d get her next meal. As Luna sat at one of the tables and waited for somepony to come help, the other ponies who had been seated in the area all tossed down bits for the check and left immediately, whispering to one another.
She frowned, realizing they were talking ill of her. Before her thoughts could descend deeper, the waiter came and snapped her back into reality.
"Wh-what can I-I get you P-p-princess  Luna?" He asked, shaking where he stood.
She hung her head low and tossed the menu aside with her magic as she whispered, "Acceptance..." Then she stood and slowly walked away.
The waiter could feel the sadness irradiating from the princess and looked around, seeing all the empty tables that had ponies only moments prior. He felt bad for her, but he knew there wasn't anything he could do. He watched her walk back to the castle as he stood there, speechless and motionless.
Luna began walking, her mind blank as she made her way up to her room. She crawled into the bed, lying on her side and closing her eyes, attempting to sleep once more. Every time she tried, the thoughts of everything against her since her return kept assaulting what little hope she had that things would be better. She began thinking about what Ravi had said, to find acceptance elsewhere and he didn't seem terrified of her, so that had to mean he didn't know about her Nightmare Moon return a few years back.
Maybe there were others who didn't either... far off...
"I've become something they all run from..." she sighed softly to herself, "They all want me to be gone..."
She stood, climbing off the bed and walked to the window to watch the sun set.
"As the night comes on my final time here
The reality of my situation strikes hard
And finally now I'm forced to face the fear
That for me there may not be a true home
A place where I can begin anew
Where ponies won't judge or avoid me
Where being myself is something I'm free to do
But for now that dream remains just that
Tonight though is where forever is to begin
For me, I will begin my search
And I will not look where a memory of me has been
I am ready to live life over...
If they search though, I will fight
I won't go back to the hell I know!
I will push them away with all of my might," she continued, tears beginning to freely flow down her face, "They will never make me return!
I can escape and I most assuredly will
I need this freedom to continue on living
I won't stay where others think of me ill!" She screamed, stomping her hoof hard, tears shining on her face in the approaching moonlight. She rested her head on the railing of the balcony, sobbing audibly as she finished.
"There's no going back for me... not this time..." She whispered, closing her eyes and going silent.
After a few minutes, Luna got up and walked back into her room. She quickly scribbled a note on the vanity in her room, leaving it so it'd be found easily. She locked her door with a magical seal only breakable by her sister and with that, she stepped onto the balcony railing and leapt, spreading her wings and taking to the skies. She quickly latched onto a cloud and began flying off in the distance, unsure and uncaring of where she was going.
Celestia watched the sun slowly slip away, allowing the night to take over. She sighed to herself, thinking about how her sister seemed to be earlier. Ravi had also told her about the odd question she had posed to him as well, which made her wonder what was going through her younger sister’s mind. After her lunch, she heard rumors passed along throughout the town about the “blue nightmare that was seen earlier” and began worrying more. Luna hadn’t been having the best time since returning and she knew that. She tried her best to help out and get other ponies to give Luna a second, well third, chance and none of them, no matter what the bribe was, would do it.
She looked around, stepping off her throne, bidding the guards goodnight before moving towards her chambers. She stopped in the middle of the hall, turning down the hall towards Luna’s room. She knocked, no sounds coming from the other side in response, and tried the handle. It wasn’t locked, but bound by what she assumed was Luna’s own spell. She focused, finding it easy for her to release, and pushed the door open. The doors to the balcony were open, the wind carelessly blowing in through the night, and there was a note on the mirror, but no sign of the princess.
“Luna…?” Celestia called quietly, looking around for her sister. She trotted over to the note left behind and read it, gaping in horror, “Sh-she didn’t j-jump did she…?”
Celestia quickly moved to the balcony, looking over the edge and seeing nothing below, causing her to sigh in relief. “So, that means she’s gone away… but can still be found…” she sat on Luna’s bed, looking over the note once more.
“Dearest sister and others that may remotely care,
I can’t take the life I’m living here anymore. You, Cadence, Shining, Twilight and her friends may have given me a second chance, but Equestria hasn’t, or at least what I’ve seen of it. So I’m going away for a long time and will never return to this castle. Tell the citizen’s to not fear for their nightmare ends tonight. Please don’t bother looking for me or I will fight to preserve my freedom. You have been warned… and goodbye my dear sister… Near, far, wherever you are, I will never forget you. Thank you for everything you tried to do for me…
Love your little sister, always and forever,
Luna”
Celestia sat there in silence, tears rolling down her cheeks as her mind stayed blank. Finally she got to her hooves and walked from her sister’s room, passing a unicorn guard.
“I-is everything alright princess? You seem to be cr-crying,” he bluntly stated, trying to not show it was obvious and be consoling at the same time.
“Nothing is alright right now… nor will it ever be again unless something is done,” she whispered back.
He barely understood what she had said but that was enough for him, “Whatever must be done I will proudly do for you,” he told her confidently.
“Go retrieve Twilight Sparkle and her friends for me… please…”
He nodded and began to head off but she topped him, “Your name dear guard, what is it?”
“Sliver,” he responded nervously, never having been asked his name before.
“It’s beautiful,” she remarked, smirking some at him, “Maybe there’s a chance after all… I will make sure you are rewarded for reaching out to me.”
He shook his head, his blush noticeable on his brown coat, “The only reward needed is being able to help a princess in need,” and he trotted off before she could speak.
Celestia watched him go, a small amount of hope now deep within her. Maybe these guards aren’t entirely stoic after all; she thought to herself, it seems some do hold more emotion than expected… I should probably get to know some of them a little better instead of just calling each one guard… She giggled aloud, obvious sadness in it still, and turned, walking back to the throne room to await Twilight and her friend’s arrival.
End Chapter 1

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                 The Leader of the Troupe                  
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The Leader of the Troupe
***Luna's Lament
Chapter 2: The Leader of the Troupe
By: Clue Tzes***
Twilight and her friends made haste for the train, quickly climbing aboard and finding seats. The conductor watched them all get on, yawning quietly. He wasn’t used to late-night runs, especially those demanded by Celestia herself. He closed his eyes and pondered what the rush could be, but before he got too far in his thought he heard the angry voice of the purple unicorn that had climbed on. She was screaming at him to stop sleeping and get the train rolling. Such manners… he thought to himself, I understand Princess Celestia called for you, but that doesn’t mean you snap on me for being tired… He turned and trotted into the front car of the train, pushing up on a lever and getting it on its way.
Twilight sat there, fuming at the conductor’s poor way of acting, “How can some ponies be so uncaring!”
Applejack yawned quietly, her hat covering her messy mane, “Well sug’, ya gotta think,” she yawned again, “It’s nearly one in the mornin’.”
“Even the owls were barely awake when you c-came and got us,” Fluttershy told her.
“We don’t even know what all the fuss is about yet, unless you just haven’t told us,” Rarity said, giving Twilight a tired, yet condescending look, remnants of her nightly facial mask still visible.
“I’m not entirely sure myself, all I know is the guard said Celestia was crying when she told him to come get us,” she turned her gaze to the floor of the train, saddened by the thought of her mentor’s despair.
“Well, maybe it won’t be that bad… What if she just spilled milk and we’re there to clean it up? Of course there’d be no point crying over it because it’s just spilled milk!” Pinkie excitedly said, bouncing around the train car.
“At least one of you is awake with me,” Twilight mused.
“I’m not awake by choice, but by force,” Pinkie told her with a large smile, “I have insomnia and when I can’t sleep I get hyper!”
Rainbow Dash groaned from the luggage rack above the seats, her tail dangling down near them, “Then let those of us who can sleep do it.”
Pinkie eyed the tail, wonderment in her eyes before she leapt at it, grabbing and pulling down on it shouting, “DING DONG!”
Rainbow Dash cried out as she was pulled from her spot above and crashed hard into the ground, “Pinkie! What the hay!” she screamed at her pink friend.
“Sorrrrryyyy Dashie, at least you’re awake now!” she smiled back innocently.
Rainbow growled and dove at Pinkie, tackling and looking down at her, “Do it again and you’ll wake up to a prank every morning for a year!”
Pinkie’s eyes brightened and widened as she leaned up and hugged Dash, “Do you mean it?! You’re the greatest!”
Twilight sighed quietly, watching everything unfold before losing interest halfway through, “Aren’t you used to getting up early Applejack?”
Applejack rolled her eyes and sighed, hidden by the tilted hat she wore, “Ah do get up early, but not this early Twi’.”
“Oh, my bad,” Twilight looked away embarrassed, the irritation in Applejack’s voice not well-hidden.
“Psst! Dear, you can come back here with me if you wish for more,” she looked over at Applejack, “Polite conversation.”
“Say what ya want Rarity, I’d argue but I’d rather get some shut-eye in before the Princess has us do somethin’ for her. Might clean off that facial mask too while you’re at it,” Applejack said with a slight chuckle before turning away and going to sleep
Rarity grunted in anger but looked back to Twilight, smiling once more, “As I said, I’m more than capable of staying awake if you need it. Speaking of staying awake, where’s Spikey at?”
Twilight trotted back in the car, stepping over the now-sleeping Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie and taking the seat next to her white unicorn friend, “I decided it wasn’t worth the trouble to bother waking him up fifteen times just to get him out of bed, so I let him sleep.”
“That was quite kind of you dear.”
“I almost woke Angel, but he has a n-nasty temper in the morning so I figured it best if I left a few carrots and a note,” Fluttershy said from the seat behind them.
“You’re still awake Fluttershy? I’d have thought you of all ponies would be tired, aside from Applejack of course,” Rarity said, slight worry in her voice.
“No, it’s fine really, I’m used to being woken up at all hours of the night. A-after all, not all animals are awake in the day,” she reminded her.
“True, Opalescence was off on a nightly hunt when I left. I think we can safely assume those two,” she motioned towards Pinkie and Rainbow who were now cuddling, “Left their pets at home.”
“Doesn’t Gummy hang out in Pinkie’s mane?” Twilight asked.
“Let’s hope he didn’t tonight. I don’t think I could stand the thought of that thing latching onto me out of nowhere,” Rarity said, slightly shivering.
Twilight chuckled to herself and leaned back in the seat. What could’ve been so urgent that Celestia would call them so early in the morning? Or was it night… Wait… It WAS the nighttime, but Celestia should’ve been asleep, Twilight began thinking, so if Celestia is calling for us and not Luna… Then that means… “Something must be wrong with Princess Luna!” Twilight shouted in realization, quickly covering her mouth as she realized everypony else had fallen asleep. “I might as well rest up too… Still have about two hours until we even get there…” She leaned her seat back and closed her eyes, getting as comfortable as possible before drifting off into sleep.
The train jerked to a hard stop an hour and a half after, sending everypony in a seat flying forward. They all grumbled and got to their hooves, still in a groggy state. Rainbow Dash woke up from the sound, finding herself in Pinkie’s embrace¬ and quickly tugging away. “We finally here?” she said, a small yawn distorting her voice.
“I-I think so...” Twilight responded, peeking out the window only to be greeted by a pitch black view, “Or not…? Let me go ask the conductor,” she began moving up the aisle, stumbling and tumbling as she did.
“Been hittin’ some of the wrong kinds of cider there sug’?” Applejack asked, watching her friend.
“Just haven’t really slept in a few days is all,” she awkwardly giggled, walking muzzle first into the door and falling back onto her plot.
“A few days!? Are you loco in the coco Twi? Even I can’t stay up that long; well, there was this one time where I partied soooo hard and drank WAYYYY too much punch and had enough sugar to make Fluttershy into what I am right now and I didn’t sleep for a whole month!” she said, all in one breath.
“Why haven’t you dear? That’s not the healthiest thing for your complexion… or mind for that matter,” Rarity asked, ignoring the rambling Pinkie Pie.
“Celestia has been giving us incredibly hard tasks lately, and I just wanna make sure I’m prepared for the next task by studying as much as I can… Now give me a hug you!” Twilight said to the seat next to her, wrapping her hooves around it.
Pinkie Pie leaned against a seat, laughing and snorting, “I’m really liking this Twilight more than the awake one!”
“Uhh… Somepony else go check with the conductor… We don’t need Twilight asking the wrong thing, er pony…” Rainbow Dash suggested, stifling a laugh.
“Come on Fluttershy, let’s go figure out where in Equestria we are right now,” Rarity said, dragging the half-sleeping pegasus with her magic.
“N-no Angel, momma wants to sleep…” she mumbled as Rarity dragged her through the door.
“Pardon me,” Rarity said, approaching the conductor from behind, “Why have we stopped?”
He turned around and gave her a worried look, “Your guess is as good as mine… We’re only about a ten minute walk from Canterlot though, so it isn’t as bad as it could’ve been. I’ll hoof it with you and your group on one condition.”
“What condition would that be?” Rarity asked, using her magic to stand Fluttershy next to her.
“Keep that purple unicorn quiet and we’ll be fine. I know my way from here so I’ll meet you in the other car in five or so minutes.”
Rarity dragged Fluttershy back through, sending a jolt of magic through her, causing her to shriek and jump awake, “AHH! I-I’m sorry!” she squealed loudly, hiding behind a seat.
“My apologies dear, you just needed to wake up. We’re going to need quite a bit of help getting to Canterlot from here,” Rarity said, filling her in on the situation as they crossed back.
Pinkie had tied strings to the now-sleeping Twilight’s hooves and head, the other ends in the respective positions on Rainbow Dash who was flying above in a standing position. She walked through the sky towards the returning pair, Twilight mimicking the movements and staying upright the whole way, “So what’s the news?” Rainbow Dash asked.
“Uhh… We have to er… W-walk from here, but the conductor’s going to help us. So your little contraption-” Rarity began with a frightened look but was cut off.
“It’s MY contraption thank you!” Pinkie jutted in.
“Sorry, but have fun with it because we’re walking through this darkness.”
“We can’t even see out the windows! How in the hay are we gonna walk?” Applejack asked.
“With these,” the conductor said, coming out with a saddle-satchel of headlamps, “Strap one on and let’s get go-” he stopped short seeing Twilight tied to Rainbow Dash, “Do I even want to ask?”
Rarity simply shook her head no and lit the end of her horn, “Shall we then?”
Everypony nodded, all equipped with the headlamps, and began following Rarity as she led the way out into the night. The darkness around Canterlot was at an extreme as they made their way along the tracks. Once or twice one of them would stumble and scream, mainly Fluttershy, and everypony stopped, immediately shining the light in that direction. Finally, they found the entrance to the city and made their way into the shopping district. Here the darkness stopped and everything seemed normal, even when looking back the way they came they could see clearly. It still looked off to Rarity though, her eye for detail kicking in.
“Tell me, would we still be able to see the train from here?” Rarity asked the conductor.
“Hmm, well I suppose we should be able to since it’s practically a straight shot; why do you ask?”
“Well, I can’t…” Rarity pointed down the tracks they had just walked, no train in sight for a few miles.
Rainbow Dash, and Twilight by force, rubbed the back of their manes in confusion, “Why does it matter? Maybe it’s some sort of protection thing… Like at the wedding.”
“M-maybe we could ask Celestia?” Fluttershy wondered, turning back towards the castle.
“I suppose you’re right Fluttershy, let’s keep going then,” Rarity commanded.
After a quick trot through the town they made it to the courtyard gates where a night-guard with a brown coat was waiting, “State your business,” he demanded.
“Twilight and her friends here to see Princess Celestia!” Pinkie shouted, bouncing around the guard, “We’re the friends… She’s fallen asleep,” she whispered, jabbing a hoof in Twilight’s direction.
The guard kept spinning, trying to follow the pink mare circling him, “Sh-she is expecting y-you all s-so…” he trailed off, falling to the ground dazed, “Go on ahead, I th-think I’m going t-to be sick…”
“Sorry bout Pinkie sir, she’s uh… unique,” Applejack smiled at the guard, moving past him with the rest of her friends.
After a few more minutes of walking, they finally found themselves at the throne room, crossing the long hall to Celestia who stood facing away from them and gazing out a window, “You called for us Princess?” Rarity began, giving a slight bow.
“Yes, there are grave matters at hoof and our kingdom is split once more. I fear this time for good unless things are done quickly, which is why I called you si-” Celestia turned, facing the troupe behind her. Her eyes immediately darted to Twilight and Rainbow Dash, “I-uh…”
Applejack sighed, “We’ll explain later, as you were sayin’?”
Celestia still looked puzzled, her eyes slightly red from crying, “O-of course… My little sister, Princess Luna, has fled the kingdom.”
“Fled the kingdom?!?! But why?!” Twilight shouted, snapping awake and causing everypony to jump and Fluttershy to dart behind Rarity.
“Twilight! Don’t do that! You scared some of us half to death…” Rarity scolded, running a hoof over Fluttershy’s mane.
“I’m sorry, I’m trying to stay awake,” she stopped to yawn, unaware that one of her hooves were slowly rising, “Don’t worry though, I’ll be fine. Just give me a few…” The raising hoof came into view now and Twilight looked at it with a dumbfounded look, “Why are there ropes on me?”
“We had to get you here somehow… So Pinkie came up with this awesome rigging,” Rainbow Dash told her, trying to hold back laughter.
Much to Rainbow Dash’s dismay, Twilight yanked the ropes from around her and walked to Celestia’s side, “So what do we need to do?”
“I ask you to join with me in searching for her across Equestria,” Celestia told them.
Twilight took on a shocked expression, “Y-you’re going too? But what about the kingdom, who will watch over it?!”
“You did reform Discord keep in mind. I believe this will be his own test to prove once and for all he’s good now,” she explained in confidence.
Twilight reluctantly sighed, yawning at the same time, "Are you seriously giving Discord control of the kingdom?"
"Well, if things go wrong, he can't very well do anything to the elements can he?"
Twilight nodded, remembering the protection spell Celestia had cast after Discord’s first attempt at taking the kingdom for his own nearly a year prior, "When do we leave?"
Celestia thought for a moment, "I was hoping as soon as possible, but seeing as how most of you seem like you're ready to collapse, it can wait until morning. But don't expect to do much sleeping in.” She looked to the train conductor who had remained silent most of the time, “You will stay as well, for wherever we end up tomorrow will be reached easiest by train.”
“As you wish Princes,” the conductor said with a slight bow.
“Thank you…” Celestia trailed off.
“I-it’s Smoke Stack Princess,” he told her.
“Ah, well thank you Smoke Stack and you will be rewarded handsomely for your services. As for the rest of you, was there anything else?”
“Actually Princess, there was one minor thing we needed to tell you before we go,” Rarity began, “It seems that somepony, possibly Luna, has cast a spell around Canterlot.”
Celestia raised an eye, “What exactly is the spell doing?”
“Well, when looking outside from within it, it’s almost as if it’s just a picture of the area around Canterlot… We couldn’t see the train we came in on, despite knowing we should’ve been able to. But the worst part is being close to Canterlot without being inside, it’s almost pitch black out there and without a suitable light you won’t be getting anywhere. We also believe that spell is why the train broke down, unless reason is found otherwise…”
“Alright, thank you Rarity. I’ll look into the spell before bed and let you all know what I find in the morning.”
“Much appreciated Princess; now if you’ll excuse me, I really need to finish my beauty sleep,” Rarity finished, yawning and staggering towards the nearest doors.
“Guards, show them to their quarters please."
The guards came, escorting the stallion and four mares and dragging the tired Rarity, Twilight staying behind, off into another hall. Each went into their room, immediately flopping, or being tossed in Rarity’s case, onto the bed asleep. Back in the throne room, Twilight looked up to Celestia, watching a tear roll down her cheek as she gazed at the night sky.
"Princess," Twilight whispered, "It's going to be okay in the end... I promise we will find her."
"She doesn't mean to be taken back easily..." Celestia whispered back, passing Twilight the note Luna left behind.
After glancing over it, Twilight's look turned to worry, "Wow... She was really serious about this. Well, I guess it'll take some talking to get her back. And when the time comes, I'll do what I do best... Lecture her again! But a nice lecture about how we need her..." Twilight looked to Celestia, hoping to bring something close to happiness or laughter to her, but with no avail.
"Twilight, I'm joining you on this, but understand while we search you will be the leader and your friends and I will follow your command. Consider this a surprise test in your lessons. I want you to take this as seriously as you do your schooling, understood?" Celestia asked in a serious tone, keeping her gaze outside.
"Yes Princess... I swear to you I will be diligent and focused the whole time. Where will I be sleeping tonight?"
"You can have Luna's room... Maybe being in there will give you something of an idea of where to look. Follow me."
Twilight followed Celestia to the room, walking in nervously and getting comfortable in the Night Princess' bed. After Celestia bade her good night and left, she arose from the bed and began to look around the room.
Celestia silently made her way back to her chambers, walking past a few confused looking night guards still unaware of Luna's disappearance. She walked into her room, locking the door behind her and making her way to an open window. She gazed at the outer edges of the town then closed her eyes and focused her magic. The spell was easily undone, and provided her with a good clue as to Luna’s destination.
She sighed, “There’s an even larger chance than before now, but even then, so much room for error…” Celestia crawled into her bed, pulling the covers around her tightly with her magic and began to cry herself to sleep.
Twilight cautiously made her way to the door and locked it, not wanting a guard to walk in on her rummaging through Luna’s things. As an extra precaution she cast a light-hoofed spell on herself, letting her walk silently. There we go, now where do I begin? Twilight looked around the room once more, admiring the dark blue surroundings that inspired a sense of calm into her, and walked to the vanity where the note had been found. She checked through each of the doors, finding only spare shoes and mane-ties. She sighed, hating fashion some, and looked at herself in the mirror. She leaned in closer, her reflection seeming off as she nearly kissed the mirror, and then pulled back. Focusing her magical strength, she slowly pulled the vanity away from the wall, revealing a hole hidden behind it in the shape of the mirror.
Lighting her horn, Twilight gazed inside, finding numerous documents scattered inside the hollow space. Among these she found pictures of Luna smiling with other ponies, all of which were smiling with their hooves around her.
“They were her friends?” Twilight assumed, looking through the letters for confirmation.
The letters were constantly thanking her with immense kindness, kindness Luna hadn’t been shown since before her 1,000 year banishment to the moon. Twilight picked up one of the letters and began thoroughly reading it.
Dear Princess Luna,
Thank you for a most wonderful evening. We all really enjoyed you taking time from your nightly duties to hang out with us common ponies! Your friendship is an amazing honor we are privileged to return! Feel free to return anytime for we will always be welcoming to you for generations to come!
-With love,
Your friends from Manehattan
The letter was from a little less than 1,100 years ago and obviously held in high regard with the others. Twilight put the letter down and put everything else back in its place. She stood there for a moment, letting the pieces click together in her mind. Luna used to be held in high regard, loved by a lot more ponies than today and Celestia had told her of Luna's issues, but it never occurred to Twilight how things were for her before she was Nightmare Moon. Now she saw a reason for Luna's disappearance and possibly a place to start. She crawled back into the regal bed and lied there for a few minutes, lost in stunned thought, before finally drifting asleep.
End Chapter 2

//-------------------------------------------------------//
                     The Perished Past                     
//-------------------------------------------------------//
The Perished Past
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