Equestria Noir
Side Story
“Under Starlight”
By Jacoboby1
Perspective: Luna
The dark tapestry of night covered the land, studded with diamond stars, and muting the bright colors of the daylight world to softer versions of themselves. So high above the Crystal Empire, the streets, and ponies were muffled by distance, and intervening buildings. I stood on the balcony, pondering the night, and the landscape. Night in the Empire was different than night in Canterlot. The buildings, and streets sparkled, reflecting my Moon, and stars.
It is almost two days until the Royal Summit. It did seem odd to me that Tia would want to have one just to welcome Twilight into the larger world of royalty. I only hope that it is the only reason we are having the summit. For these have been rather dark days…
I need time to think, perhaps a small flight around the city would do.
I walked up to the balcony railing and was about to take off before I heard, “Luna?”
I turned and saw my sister coming into my guest chambers. She looked on me and said, “I was about turn in and say good night.”
I turned and smiled at her, “Yes, though I do ask that you and Voidera keep it down, lest you wake the whole castle in your lovemaking.”
My sister turned bright red at that, few ever get to see my sister so flustered. She yelled, “We are not that loud!”
“I am teasing, sister,” I said with a smile. “I wish you both a wonderful rest.”
“Where are you off to?” She asked, walking forward, probably hoping to change the subject.
“I am simply going out for a flight sister,” I replied.
Celestia blinked at that, before saying, “Very well, but this isn’t Canterlot, and I’d appreciate it if a guard accompanied you.”
A guard? Seriously?
“Sister, I am more than capable of defending myself should an assassin try to end me,” I implored.
“I know but,” Tia said, “it would help me rest easy tonight.”
Rest easy? Just what does she mean by that? Does she not think I can handle myself?
“Tia, I will be fine.” I replied. “I am not going far, and I am not a helpless filly.”
“I am not saying that,” She said, I could detect a hint of frustration in her tone.
“Yes you are!” I yelled at her, maybe a bit louder than I should’ve. “You have been like this ever since I’ve come back!”
“Like what?” She fired back.
“Like any minute I’m going to get hurt, kidnapped, or something!” I yelled at her. “You are smothering me Tia! Thinking I cannot handle myself!”
“You are blowing things out of proportion!” Tia yelled, taking a step towards me. “All I’m asking is that you have somepony there in case anything happ-”
“Anything happens?!” I yelled. “Almost four years I’ve been free of the moon and you still don’t trust me!”
“It’s not a matter of trust,” She said firmly. “It’s a matter of making sure my little sister is safe!”
“No it isn’t! You’re not listening to me!” I yelled, stomping my hoof onto the balcony floor, causing it to crack a little. “Ever since I’ve come back you’ve treated me like a bomb ready to go off at any minute! I am sick and tired of you treating me like this! I am going out, I am going to have time to myself!”
“No, you are going to remain here until you can get this childish behavior out of you!” Celestia said, I could tell she was holding back a lot of anger.
I ignored her, turned and spread my wings to fly out. Celestia only watched as I hovered in the air before her, actively defying her again. “I am not one of your subjects Tia! I am your sister! But it seems you forgot all about that didn’t you?” I growled.
“Luna,” Tia said, more gently but still firm. “Just come down and we can talk this out.”
“We tried that, but all you seem to want to do is smother me!” I yelled, and turned to fly away.
Tia didn’t follow.
_________________________________________________________
Perspective: Private Eye
How is it that Twilight can always find the perfect hill for stargazing? It was far enough away from the city lights that the stars were clearly visible. No trees obscured our view of the night sky, and the top of the hill was rather flat, which lead to ease of setting up the telescope, and a nice place for a picnic dinner.
“This was a good idea,” Twilight said as she sat down beside me, looking up at the night sky. “I needed a distraction from all the work.”
I laid down on the grass next to her, saying, “Yeah, I needed an excuse to get out of Skyla ponyback rides.”
“Here I thought you adored being with your niece.” She said with a smile.
“I do,” I said, shaking my head. “But Skyla has more energy than Pinkie Pie. I don’t know where she gets it from.”
“What do you think it’ll be like?” Twilight asked suddenly.
“What will be like?” I asked.
“You know, having foals,” Twilight said, blushing a little. “I mean, we’re still early in our marriage. But, it is something to think about.”
“I seem to remember somepony accusing me of spoiling whatever filly we have.” I said with a laugh.
Twilight laughed in turn, and then rolled over to climb on top of me. “I know that you’d be a great dad some day. Don’t doubt that.” She said, kissing me on the nose.
I smiled and kissed her in turn, saying, “Once we have this whole princessing thing figured out, the kids are our next big thing.”
Twilight smiled down at me and said, “Just always be there for when I panic.”
“Always be there when I’m down,” I replied lovingly.
“It’s getting late though,” Twilight said, yawning cutely. “I think I’m going to hit the hay.”
“I’ll catch up,” I said, smiling. “I gotta work on my stars a bit anyways.”
“Don’t take too long,” Twilight said, kissing me on the forehead. “I think I need to reward my knight for saving me from the dragon.”
“He’ll be on his way, princess.” I said, kissing her in turn before she fluttered off me and walked down the hill towards the castle.I settled in on the grass, gazing up at the stars above me. Ah, everything is grand, I’m married to the greatest mare ever.
Now what in the wide world of Equestria is that racket?
"HOW CAN TIA THINK THAT I'D EVER.... ARRRRGH!" I heard a huge loud voice declare from above.
I looked up and saw a dark shadow flying over the stars. A closer look revealed that it was Luna, flying about as if somepony had attached a rocket to her back with no method of steering. Her voice could probably be heard from here to the palace. I wonder what happened.
As a friend of Luna, I had to help her out. I watched her come to a landing in a nearby tree. She laid on the branch and appeared to be sulking. I got up out of the grass and trotted down the hill towards her.
“Luna?” I said gently.
She turned her teal eyes to look down upon me and said, “Oh, Private Eye, I did not see you there.”
“You don’t look so good,” I observed. “Are you okay?”
Luna sighed and hovered down to earth to me. “I, do not wish to dump anything onto you, Private.”
“That’s what friends are for Luna,” I said with a smile. “Now what’s on your mind?”
Luna looked down at her shoes and shook her head, “It is Tia. I wanted some time alone this eve, but she insisted I be accompanied by a royal escort.”
“Judging by your earlier outburst things didn’t go smoothly?” I asked.
“No they did not,” Luna said, her wings flapping irritably, “Tia seems to forget that I am not a filly anymore. No matter how much I try to be independent, she always tries to yank me back.”
I had to be rather careful with this. Despite being back for what had to be four years now, Luna is still rather unstable. I had to be firm, but gentle with her.
"It's hard for an older sibling," I explained "When you're younger, your little sibling looks to you for guidance and protection" I closed my grey eyes for a minute "But, then when they get older. The youngest doesn't want to be coddled anymore. But we elder siblings just try to hold onto them the only way we know how. In the end," I met her teal eyes "We just care about them and want to watch out for them"
Luna sighed and looked back up at the palace. “I suppose being an elder sibling, you have some experience in this.”
“Not exactly,” I said, smiling gently, “but I think I can understand where you are coming from.”
She turned to me and smiled in a...weird way. “Thank you, Private, you are a wonderful friend.”
“I just do what I can Luna,” I said, rubbing the back of my head with a hoof...why do I feel weird?
Luna looked at me, her eyes going half-lidded. “Tis… Good of you to take time to speak with me,” she said in a low tone.
I have no idea why, but I’m starting to feel very uncomfortable...and guilty?
Luna shook her head and righted herself, “Sorry, I don’t know what came over me. I should return to Tia and apologize.”
“Uh, yeah,” I said, recomposing myself. “I should get back too, Twi is waiting for me.”
“Yes, Twilight,” Luna said, did I detect a...hostile tone?
“I will see you on the morrow,” Luna said before taking to the skies and flying towards the palace.
What was up with her? Aw well, I’m just glad her and Celestia are going to make up.
Still...why was she looking at me like that?
___________________________________________________________
Perspective: Luna
Ugh! Why did I do that? He’s happily married! What do you call yourself doing, Luna? How dare you try and lure him to be unfaithful!
I’ll just, pretend it never happened. Yes, Private is simply a good friend! I consulted him for advice that was all!
Oh ye Faust, what is wrong with me?
I trotted up to the door of Tia’s bedroom, looking at the door, and hoping against all hope that she and Voidera haven’t started. The hallway’s crystal walls were muted in the dark of the night, and I gazed at the door, trying to work myself up to knock.
Finally I sighed and tapped the door lightly.
“I TOLD EVERYPONY I DON’T WANT TO BE DISTURBED!” came the shout from the other end.
Seems Celestia still remembers the Royal Canterlot Voice on occasion.
“Tia, it’s me,” I said gently.
After a minute, I heard Tia’s reply, “Come in”
I slowly opened the door. The room was completely and utterly trashed. The furniture was reduced to ash, the mirrors had been melted, and the bedclothes were shredded, and strewn about the room. Celestia herself was looking rather haggard, her mane was limp, and dull and her face were marked with tear streaks.
When she saw me, she made an effort to try and clean herself up. “Oh, Luna, I’m glad you’re home. Voidera is out getting some late night gems.”
“Tia, don’t even try to hide it,” I chided her as I walked up and wiped away the remains of tears from her cheeks.
“Luna, I,” She tried to begin.
“Tia, I’m sorry for yelling at you,” I said. “You were just trying to hold on to old times, when I was younger. I can't really blame you, but sometimes you've got to realize that I'm not the little filly who played in your tail, anymore."
Celestia looked away and said, “There’s, a bit more to it than that. I should have trusted you, Luna,...I…” She choked up as fresh tears came to her eyes.
“You were just worried, sister,” I said, reaching my forelegs to hug her. “With all that has happened, you simply do not want to lose me. I cannot fault you for that.”
With that, Celestia burst into tears and held me tightly to her. "It's all my fault...I should've...found some way..." She pressed her muzzle to her me, her tears pouring on my dark coat. "I should've found some way! I should've seen the signs! I should've done something! Instead all I could hope for was to lock you away! I failed you Luna...I failed you as a fellow ruler...as a friend...and above all...as your big sister..."
Oh, Tia...so much pain I have caused you...more than you ever did me…
"You did the best you could, and you know it," I said, trying to calm her down. "I'm back to myself, and I've forgiven you for locking me away."
"But I can never truly forgive myself..." Celestia said sadly "It was my fault you fell… Mother said to look after you when she died...to keep you away from anything harmful...but I never realized...I would cause the greatest harm...by not seeing how amazing you truly are, Luna...I should've tried harder to appreciate your night and all the effort you put into it..."
I smiled warmly at her and said, “Tia, if you do not forgive yourself, you will only continue to feel pain.
"Luna, just..." Celestia looked down at me "From now on, I will respect whatever you wish. If you want time alone, all you need to do is say so. I promise I will also do my best to be a better sister to you..."
“You are always a good sister, Tia…” I said, hugging her tighter. “Even when we were young…”
__________________________________________________________
1500+ years ago…
Perspective: Luna
Okay...gotta really focus hard...Daddy said this is how we do it… I closed my eyes tightly, and concentrated. Wow, this was like pushing a boulder uphill… Suddenly there was a light on my eyelids. I opened them, and gazed up at the moon, hanging in the night sky.
Woooow! It’s so big and pretty! I did it! I raised the big moon all by myself!
“That’s amazing Lulu!” I heard big sissy say.
I turned around and saw Tia running towards me and hugging me. I hugged her back because Tia is my bestest best friend in the whoooole world!
“And here you were all nervous that you couldn’t do it.” She said, looking down at me.
“Yeah! But I did it! And look look!” I said, pointing at my flank.
“Oh my goodness you got your cutie mark! I’m so proud of you Lulu!” She said, hugging me tighter.
“Okay, you’re squishing me Tia!” I yelled, squirming out of her grip.
We both laughed as we heard hoofsteps.
“Well, t’would seem a filly has taken your moon Lunard dear.”
We both turned to see momma and dada. Dada looked just like me, only he was big, and brave and really strong too. He doesn’t smile a lot though.
Mommy looked a lot like Tia, she was the most beautiful mare in all the world. I know it!
“You did amazing my dear.” Mommy said as she picked me up. I laughed and flapped my wings real fast as she held me in the air.
I love Mommy.
She put me down after a bit and I looked up at Daddy. His face was always so stiff. Momma teased him a lot saying he was made of stone. But Daddy isn’t made of stone so I don’t get that.
“I was wondering what the moon was doing rising all by itself,” He said.
“Did I raise it right, Daddy?” I asked, looking up at him.
He kept his stone face and said, “You were a little bit off, but finesse will come with practice. The coastal kingdoms will just have bigger waves tonight.”
I drooped my ears a little and said, “That won’t be much trouble will it daddy?”
Daddy then smiled slowly and put a hoof on my head, ruffling my mane. I giggled as he said, “No it won’t, my princess, no it won’t. You will make a fine Princess of the Night one day.”
“Yay!” I cheered.
“Just as your sister will be a fine Princess of the Day,” Daddy said as he held me. He looked at Tia and said, “I can remember when she raised the sun for the first time.Truly a wondrous sight.”
Tia blushed and said in embarrassment, “I am happy to hear your praise father.”
“Oh, Lunard, don’t be so uptight when you are praising them,” Mommy said, poking daddy with her hoof. “Must you always be a stick in the mud, even to your own children?”
“I am praising them, I would think that enough,” Daddy said, still stone faced.
“You could stand to unbend a little bit,” Mommy said. “Otherwise how will your daughters know the meaning of fun?”
“Well, if I must,” Daddy said, and then picked up Tia too. We then spent the next few fun minutes playing together! Daddy is fun when he’s not all stoney. Mommy is always amazing! And Tia is my bestest best friend!
I love my family!
After a minute, the playing had to stop though. Daddy set both of us down as he said, “Now, I have business up in my tower. If you all will excuse me.” He then turned to walk out the door again.
“I’d best hit the hay then,” Mommy said. “Don’t stay up too late girls.”
“We won’t.” Tia and I said at the same time.
When Mommy and Daddy left Tia’s face went frowny. “Always with the tower,” She mutters.
Daddy went up to that tower a lot. He’s gone up there ever since I was a wittle filly. He never told us why and Tia really doesn’t like it. I’d better distract her...oooh! Preety…
I crouched low and tried to catch Tia’s tail, she slipped it out of my hooves and laughed. I want it! My tail! I sprang to try and catch it but it always moved out of the way!
Stupid tail! Hold still!
“Lulu, let’s always be friends alright?” Tia said.
“Yes sissy! We’ll always be the bestest of best friends! Always!”
____________________________________________________
Always…
