The Chess Player

Meet John, a self proclaimed "brainiac chess master". He regularly competes at chess tournaments and often wipes the floor with his competition. One day, he received a mysterious letter, inviting him to a new chess tournament. He never has heard of the tournament, or the company that was sponsoring it, but he accepted the invitation regardless, due to his lust for challenge.

The day of the tournament finally arrives, weeks later, and he walks through the doors of the building in which the competition is being held, and sees the faces of all the toughest opponents he had ever faced, though he had all beaten them, so that barely made him sweat. However, it was the new menacing faces that had given him pleasure, because he had hoped that they would provide a new challenge. One competitor, among the new crowd, had caught his eye, however. The person in question donned a concealing hoodie, that had completely concealed their face. Due to the mystery of the identity of the opponent, John had anticipating to be going head to head in the tournament.

Not long after meeting the competition, the tournament had begun. He noticed that he and the mysterious player are on two opposite sides of the tournament bracket. He had faith in this unknown opponent, thinking that they would be able to get all the way to the finals, as he had no doubt in himself that he was headed there from the start. He had a feeling that the unidentified player would easily get to the finals, and that the final match between himself and the opponent would be one of epic proportions, at least as far as chess tournaments went.

To no surprise, he had started to beat all of his opponents with ease, mocking them and calling them a mere waste of time, also stating that they were all easier to defeat than he remembered. Eventually, and unsurprisingly, he rose to the top, and made it all the way to the finals, and just as John had anticipated, so had the mystery opponent, who was referred to as the Hood by the board and announcers. Obviously, this isn't the Hood's first tournament, and the whole hoodie thing is probably a motif of the player.

The Finals finally begin, and John and the Hood had spoken to each other to the first time. "Well, well, well. I was hoping I'd meet you. Looks like my faith that you would make it all the way to the finals, was well placed. You seem to be an opponent that is truly worthy of my time and skill. It is a shame that you'll have to be beat." John said, with his high and mighty ego backing the statement.

"Do not be so sure of yourself, John. Thou knoweth not of my true skill and ability when it comes to this traditional and classic game." The Hood had replied to him

Arrogantly, John responded "Thou? Knoweth? Who the hell talks like that?"

In spite, the Hood had replied in a sarcastic tone "Art thou deaf? I clearly speaketh like that."

"Oh, so you're one of those wise cracks, who try to be witty, is that right?"

"Indeed I am. Dost thou have a problem with that?"

"Eh, not really, besides, you're the type of opponent that's always the most fun. Anyways, care to participate in a wager? I'll bet all my tournament trophies, if you bet your identity, meaning that if I lose, you get all my trophies and you can do as you please with them, but, should I win, you will reveal your identity."

"I have no need for mere plastic trophies to show off my vanity. I compete for sport, and that in itself is all the reward I need."

"Heh, then I guess you're too much of a wuss to reveal your identity, is that so?"

"Call me Luna, then. That is my true name. I'll give that much to you. Should the highly unlikely event happen in which you defeat me in this game of chess, you may gaze upon my face."

This had gotten John's mind cranking gears. "Could this be Princess Luna?" he asked himself, in his mind, however, as quickly as he brought the idea up, he dismissed it, as he thought that someone of Royalty would not waste their time with the mere commoners. He dismissed his thought, convincing himself that it was a mere coincidence, besides, tons of people are named John.

"So, Luna, what happens if I lose this game?"

"Then thou will know the true meaning of shame and defeat. That, in itself, is more than enough to crush you from the inside out, for you know, that thou's perfect game streak, shall be broken, thus crushing thou's ego. The games that thou had won in the past, will mean nothing anymore, for thou will remember the one crushing defeat over all the victories."

"You make a good point there, Luna. Now, let the games begin."

With those words, the chess match officially starts. It does not take long for John to start getting his ass handed to him by Luna. The skill she had was un-perceivable and unimaginable. Luna had hidden her true skill and saved it for that very match. The expression on John's face was one of shock and awe, as he himself had not thought that any one with such great skill would show up at a tournament like this. However, he gathers his thoughts, recuperates, and makes a significant comeback, using the tactics he had never once shown off in a tournament.

"Before this game continues, I would like to state that thou has commendable skill at this game, but surely, you shall lose."

Arrogantly, John replies, "Oh really now? You're saying I'll lose? That's a wonderful joke, you know. Stop holding back and do your worst."

"Do not bite off more than you can chew, John. I warn you, this game will be over faster than thou can comprehend, if I stop holding back."

"I'd like to see that then. As I just stated, do your worst."

"So thou has wished it, so shall it be. Thou will regret the foolish words that thou had spoken."

Luna takes off her proverbial kiddie gloves and immediately begins to dominate John with ease. All of his strategies are failing, and he begins to get desperate. He tries to be sneaky and begins to set up his most elaborate strategy that he ever conceived. Every move he had made, he had prayed that she would not catch onto what he was doing. However, he was so self-indulged, that he did not notice the cunning counter-strategy that Luna had been setting up. As he gained his confidence back, due to getting close to being able to execute the final part of his strategy, he is instantly shut down by Luna. All of his plans have failed, and John had known that defeat was imminent and that resistance was futile. With no more moves that he can make that will not end in disaster, John decides to prevent himself from further embarrassment and shame and surrenders.

"Damn it. Just damn it all. Damn you, Luna, you have successfully shut me down at every attempt I made to kick your ass. I give up. You win. Happy now? You get to keep your precious identity, and I walk away a shamed champion, who once had a long running perfect game streak."

"Thou art giving up? That is horribly weak of someone who was so vain and confident of his own skills. It shows just how much of a weakling thou art under that massive ego."

"You beat me at every turn, you figured out my strategy every time, and I was on my last legs anyways. You were going to win either way, and everyone here knows that. My master plan, had failed. I was ill equipped to beat you, and I paid the price."

"Regardless, thou should have continued and persevered on to the bitter end. In an attempt to keep what little honor thou had remaining, thou has dishonored yourself instead."

"You know what? Fine! Deal the final blow, why don't you? Whatever. If it'll make you that much happier, then go ahead and end this thing. Like I care anymore. I lost when I was in my prime, when I was at the top, and now I look like roadside litter that no one will bother to pick up and put in with the trash."

With that statement made, Luna defeats John in one fell swoop with ease and is obviously declared the winner. A face of disappointment is clear on John's face and Luna approaches her former competitor.

"Cheer up now, just because thou has lost one game to me, does not mean that thou should just quit the game all together. Thou has talent at this game, just not enough talent to defeat me. Many have tried to defeat me in this game, all of which have failed, including you."

In hopes to make amends with the now ex competitor and to befriend her, John replies "Well Luna, you make a convincing argument. Anyways, would you want to hang out sometime? Get to know each other better? I know how stupid this looks, and I really shouldn't be asking, but it's been asked, so yeah. You seem like you could be a fun person to hang around with."

"Hm, I don't see why we can't. Why, I could even give you some pointers, and maybe one day, you can get even better at chess than you already are."

"Well, alright then. I'm glad you want to hang out."

The two then exit the tournament together, and on the way to their own homes, they pass by a bar. It was a small, cozy, and friendly pub. Upon laying eyes on the pub, John asks Luna a question, "Hey Luna, would you like to have a drink? It's on me."

Luna responds, "Sure, a drink would be nice. Thank you for your generous offer."

"Wait, why are you so suddenly dropping the thou and other stupid words?"

"I simply use early modern English to seem more cryptic to my opponents, in order to further intimidate them, and to my experience, it has never failed. I rarely ever use it outside of the competition."

The two enter the small pub, and John takes notice of the welcoming decor, that relaxes him and makes him comfortable. He buys Luna the drink he offered as she begins to get more comfortable with him.

"You know, you're alright John. You were pretty fun to play against, and you provided the most challenge out of any opponent I had faced before, including my own sister, and you're just an alright person over all."

"Well, you're not too bad yourself Luna." John's earlier suspicions of Luna in fact being Princess Luna of Equestria, seem to be correct as not only had she used early modern English, a form of English that virtually no one knew anymore, but she referenced a sister as well. He was about to call her out, however, she revealed herself before him anyways. Luna had put down her hood, and exposed her face, revealing herself to be the one, the only, the tride and true, Princess of the Night.

"Whoa, wait a second, you're the Princess Luna? As in Princess of the Moon and Night Sky?! What the hell were you doing wasting your time playing chess with some commoner filth when you could be enjoying the royal life?!"

"You know, I thought my identity was quite obvious the moment I revealed my true name, not many people are named Luna, after all. And to answer your question, the Royal life is not as good as you think it is, John. Which is why I frequently blend in with the commoners and do as I please."

"Hm, I guess I was a bit too caught up in that chess game. Damn, you're good though. It explains why I lost to you, I mean, you're a Princess, and you've lived much longer than I have, so you've had many more years to pursue the game than I have."

"You're absolutely right about that, John. But is chess really the only thing on your mind? I can understand if its a hobby or ever a passion of yours, but if chess is your only interest and if it is the only thing you really do, then that is distastefully one dimensional of you."

"Oh of course I don't always think of chess, what, do you think that Chess is the full extent of my life? I'm not that much of a no lifer. Even though I'm pretty enthusiastic about it, its not the only thing I care for, you know."

"Then what else do you like?"

"Well, I have to say although this might seem like I'm saying this to please you, I'm completely honest when I say it. I like the simple things, like just being outside, enjoying nature, and I really come to life during the night. I spend all my time just roaming around these streets, looking up and gazing at the beautiful night sky and enjoying the beautiful glow of the moon and the tranquil twinkle of the stars, or at least I do when it isn't cloudy."

"Wait a moment, you actually enjoy the night? I'm really sorry, but the fact that someone actually likes the night other than I and perhaps my sister, is just a foreign concept to me. Most people just stay indoors and sleep throughout the night."

"Well I'm different. I guess you can call me nocturnal."

"Nocturnal, you say? Interesting. I thought I was the only one who would stay up during the night. Of course, I had met other citizens on my lonely strolls around the city, but most would simply greet me and continue on their merry way."

"So they would just say hi and walk away? That's horribly rude, isn't it?"

"Well John, most people fear me. I seem intimidating to them, and they do not take the chance to try to get to know me."

"Is that the reason why you normally hide your identity then? Because people fear you and you fear their rejection?"

"That is the main reason, yes. The people have always been afraid and I would personally rather get a friendly hello when my identity is unknown than get a fear-filled greeting when someone knows who I am."

"Well I wouldn't fear you, in fact, I normally would care less of who you are, I would still greet you. Normally, I'm all alone every night, just roaming the streets in the lights of the lamposts and the moon. Seeing a friendly face such as yours would definitely brighten up my night."

The two of them continue to converse throughout the night, just discussing their habits and interests. They never get too personal, for of course, that would be rushing things. However, that night, was the beginning of a great friendship that one day, would blossom into something better. However, after enough time passes by, John decides its time to call it a night and go home.

"You know, it's been fun, Luna, but it's about time I go home. Would you like to do this again sometime? I really and truly did have a good time."

"Sure John, I'd love to do this again. I am very happy that I had the pleasure of meeting you, it was a very pleasant time. See you next time."

John and Luna then go their separate ways and go to the place they each call their home. John reaches his home, and starts thinking about the great defeat he had against Luna, but in the end of his pondering session of that topic, he does not feel too bad. Instead, he becomes grateful for the exciting and interesting match he had, and grateful for the time he was able to spend with Luna herself. He then finally lies down in his bed and falls asleep, with Luna on his mind.

A week passes by. John had been anticipating the next time he would see Luna, and the time had finally come. He had received a letter from her, asking him to show up at a specific spot. Of course, he gladly had complied and went to the location. He had a great time with her and eventually, he came home. He had really started to like her. He normally did not have any room for friends or other people in his heart, however, Luna was the exception of that rule. He slowly grew more fond of her as they constantly met up for chess lessons and practice sessions.

He had laid down on his bed and started to talk to himself and think out loud, "Well, Luna's certainly something different. I never really cared about anyone else before and I usually never talk to my opponents outside of the game, but she's different. There's just something about her. She has some sort of charm that everyone else seems to lack. She's interesting and mysterious. The other opponents I faced have all been so one-dimensional. She's so different."

Weeks had passed as John had continually met up with Luna every week at the same spot, playing chess for fun, and doing other fun and or relaxing activities together. With every week that had passed, John became increasingly more fond of Luna. He really had been enjoying his time with Luna, and the reason why he visited her slowly changed from bettering himself at chess, to the desire to just spend time with the Princess.

Another week passes by, and like usual, John goes to the usual spot to meet up with Princess Luna, however, this time, something was different. Luna had told John that instead of just being there at the same old spot that they've been at for months, that perhaps they could go to the castle. "You know John, sure this spot is nice and all, and sure, we've shared some fun times here, but I was hoping for a change of venue. I was thinking, that perhaps you would like to come with me to the Castle and you and I can share in all kinds of fun."

John thinks to himself "Fun? Normally, fun for me is just destroying other people at chess and bragging in their faces. I can't say I normally have a lot of fun, because the truth of the matter is that I don't have much fun. But since this is Princess Luna I'm with, this will probably be different."

After he stops thinking to himself, he comes up with a reply, "You know what Luna? I'd like that. It sounds like a good plan, so let's go to the castle then."

"I really am so happy that you said yes. Follow me, John, and we'll be there in no time."

Not long after embarking to the Castle, John and Luna arrived at their destination, and John was simply in shock. He was stunned by how amazing the castle looked in person and up close. The very fact that he was going to be able to enter such an amazing place had peaked his interest and had given him true joy, however, he did try to conceal it, and "keep his cool".

You know, I thought we could roam around the castle grounds for a while, and just walk and relax, you don't mind do you?"

Keeping his nonchalant disposition, John raised an eye to why she would want to spend time with him like this, however, he decides to push it to the side. John then replied, "Oh I don't mind, Luna. Hell, you're the one who brought me here, I should be thanking you, so thanks. I'll do whatever you want to do." The two continue to just roam around the Castle Grounds, just taking in the atmosphere and enjoying the tranquil night. However, eventually, Luna leads John into the castle and they begin to roam around the dimly moon-lit and empty castle halls. "You know Luna, I would think these halls would be filled with life. I thought there were tons of people who would be here, flooding the halls."

"Oh these halls are most definitely filled with life, during the day that is. But it's the night time, everyone is sleeping. No one wants to be here. Everyone is gone at this time at night. Life is for the day, loneliness is for the night."

"Well damn, that's a real shame, I'd never think this place would be so... dead. I feel so bad now, I never thought that a Princess would ever know the definition of loneliness. Usually, the common thought of the life of a princess is being surrounded by people all night and day, and rarely ever having a moment to breathe."

"John, you know, I was banished for 1000 years, forced into solitude on the moon. Solitude and loneliness are my only true friends. I don't think there's any changing that"

"Well shit, you have a point there. Kinda forgot about that. Sorry. I can't imagine how that must have been."

"Oh, It's alright, Jack. It's just nice to have someone here with me, it feels like this is the first time in forever someone had actually visited the castle during the night. Thanks for being so willing to come here. I really do like spending time with you."

"I gotta admit, it really is pretty sweet to be in the royal castle in itself, a true pleasure, and I honestly didn't think I'd ever see this place in person, especially from the inside. I just thought we were gonna spend tonight like we did every other night, but I'm not exactly complaining."

"Well I'm happy you like the Castle, even though its essentially empty during the night. I honestly was growing tired of always going to the same place every week and playing and discussing chess. It was getting rather boring and I thought we could have a more interesting time tonight. Spice things up, as they say. By the way, is there any place you would like to see in the castle before we head to my room?"

"Hm... well, I gotta admit, I always wanted to see the throne room in person. Can we go there?"

"Why of course! Follow me and I'll also show you the Hall of Glass, which is right outside the throne room anyways."

"Alright, I always liked looking at stained glass anyways. The patterns always keep my eyes interested. Seriously though I can't believe that there's no one here at night. I mean I've known you for long enough to know there's nothing to fear about you. I can tell that you yearn for companionship or at least a true friend."

"You know John, you're right. I seek a friend. Someone who I can rely on to always be there for me."

"Well Luna, if it makes any difference, I consider us friends."

"You do? To be honest, that actually does make a difference John. I always considered us friends but I didn't want to say anything because I didn't want to rush friendship. I feared that if I said the wrong thing at the wrong time, I would never hear from you again."

"Oh come on, what's the worst you could have said? Anyways, I'm glad you considered us friends. Now I believe you were gonna take me somewhere?"

"Oh, the throne room! That's right! I apologize, right this way Jack."

John follows Luna through the castle halls until they reach the Hall of Glass, where stained glass windows depicting important events in Equestrian history decorate the walls. He gazes upon the beautiful stained glass windows one at a time, thinking of how much effort was put into making these. He appreciates how this art is actual art, unlike most of modern art. Many of the stained glass windows depict Luna and her sister defeating a common enemy together. "Wow Luna, these really look beautiful, thanks a bunch for taking me here, like seriously, my thanks can not be properly expressed through words."

Luna does not hear his words, for she is far too focused on a very specific stained glass window. The window depicts the moment that Celestia used the elements of harmony against Luna, and banished her to the moon, when she was Nightmare Moon. Curious as to how this really was affecting her, John approached her and asked if she was alright. "Luna, is everything okay? You seem a bit perturbed." However, she still did not pay attention to him, so he decided to go and stand in front of her. He notices that her eyes are filled with sadness and regret, and sees tears were slowly starting to form.

She had snapped out of it, however, once she saw him. "I'm sorry John, I can get rather, sucked in to these works of art. Come. I'll show you the throne room now."

"There's no need to be sorry, Luna, but in all seriousness, is everything okay?" She had tried to hide her true emotions from John, however, John sees right through her like a transparent window.

"Yes. Everything is fine, John. Thank you for asking, but come, let's see the throne room. That is what you want, is it not?"

"Luna, listen to me, what I want is for you to tell me what's wrong. I am not an idiot. Tell me what's wrong, its obvious it has something to do with the event that's depicted in that window, just come clean and spit it out already. "

"I do not wish to tell you anything. Now I give you three options. One, Respect my wish. Two, Leave at once. Or how about three, get forcefully thrown out of the castle?"

"Luna, you and I both know that we don't want that. I'm happy to be here with you, but you don't need to hide your feelings from me. You can trust me, we're friends, remember?"

"Can we please just get on with this? It's not something I really like to talk about. I hope you can understand."

With a look of disappointment, and slight irritation on his face, John complies, "Fine then. Let's go." Luna then begins to walk to the throne room as she opens the gigantic and oversized double doors. John follows closely behind, taking notice of the wonderful architecture of the castle. He then enters the throne room and sees just how amazing it looks. He gets a little too happy and over joyed and it becomes noticeable, however, he quickly recomposes himself. The throne room was just as he imagined. However, to prevent things from getting stale, he asks for a change of location. "Hey Luna, can we go to your room now? I would love to see it. I'm sure that it looks really great, because you have a great taste in these kinds of things."

"Why sure! I'd love to show you it! Come with me!" For some reason, her spirits had seemed lifted, however, John could not help but think of this as a ruse to get his mind off of what happened mere moments ago in the Hall of Glass. Regardless, he follows her all the way to her room, and they shortly arrive at the door. The door is a double door, the handles were shaped like the Nightmare Night symbol, the door had an imprinted moon on it, which splits into two when opened. She had opened the door for him and he quickly absorbed in the unique and interesting design of her room. The walls were dark blue, there was a skylight that allowed the beautiful moonlight to shine through, and even an exit from where he assumed she raised the moon from every night.

"Luna, this is quite the room you got here. It really is just beautiful. Man, what I would give to live in a room like this. I don't care if the rest of my house was an utter piece of trash, so long as I had this nice of a room."

"Thanks John, I really am glad you like it. You know, it is designed to my exact specifications. You'll never find a room quite like this anywhere else."

After she makes this statement, however, a guard comes through the door, disturbing the two. "Sorry to disturb you, Princess. I know you have a guest, but there is a serious matter that you need to take care of."

Luna lets out a deep sigh and responds, "Out of all the nights that something could require my attention, tonight has to be the night. I apologize, John. I will be back soon, please, do make yourself comfortable."

"Alright, take your time, I'll still be around, Luna. I'm not planning on going anywhere." Luna then exited the room and closed the door behind her, keeping a level of privacy as she had a walk and talk session with her guard. With no watching eyes, he examined the room closely and snooped all around. He noticed her diary on her night stand, and contemplated reading it, thus a battle between his conscious ensued. "Come on, she's gonna be a while, she'll never know you read it."

"But what if she does come back for whatever reason?"

"What's the worst that can happen?" Letting his curiosity get the better of him, John then picked up the diary and skimmed through her latest entries. One entry in particular, however, caught his eye.

The entry had read; "Dear Diary, I think I may be developing feelings of more than just friendship for Anon. He is someone who is truly unique. He's different. He isn't afraid of me, he is rather very open with me. Perhaps I love him... But what will he think of me when he knows more about my past? More about the darkness that lurks within my heart... I still think about Nightmare Moon. I can feel her within my heart. My dark powers may be gone, but the darkness itself still wanders inside the shadows of my heart. I remember the day as if it was yesterday. The darkness had finally corrupted me. I transformed into the horrible Nightmare Moon. I had almost killed my sister without hesitation, before she rose up again and banished me to the moon for what I thought was forever. I spent 1000 years of suffering on that moon, clashing with my darkness until the stars had aided in my escape. The darkness won and Nightmare Moon was the one who returned. What I did with Celestia, when I appeared as Nightmare Moon, I'll never tell. I hope that I'll be accepted one day."

As soon as he was finished reading, he had sensed the presence of someone else behind him. It was none other than Luna, who had watched him read her most inner and private thoughts that she penned in her diary. "John, I know I told you to make yourself comfortable, but this is far beyond that welcome. I can not believe you invaded my privacy!" Tears had began to form on her face, as she felt betrayed in the first friend she had in forever. John had tried to form a response, however, nothing but stutters came out of his nervous mouth. "Do you have anything to say for yourself?!"

This time, he managed to get a few words out of his mouth, "Luna... I'm so sorry..."

His words only further anger Luna and she begins to speak at her highest volume, which she calls the Royal Canterlot voice, "SORRY?! SORRY?!! YOU HAD JUST TRESPASSED ON MY MOST PRIVATE OF THOUGHTS! YOU BETRAYED MY TRUST! YOU ARE NO LONGER WELCOME HERE! LEAVE THIS PLACE AT ONCE AND NEVER COME BACK!"

Her words had made John's heart sink deep down. "...Never?"

Angrily, Luna verified this, "NEVER! GUARDS! ESCORT HIM OUT AT ONCE!" The guards had thrown him out with excessive force and hostility and brutality.

After being cast out of the Castle, John did the only thing he could do, and start to slowly walk his way home, sulking all the way. He began to speak to himself, "Never again... You blew it man. You had a chance with getting close to her, and you blew it for something she might have told you weeks from now anyway." After about an hour, he managed to arrive home, and he had went to his room, where he had locked himself in, and went to his bed, crying.

Things at the Canterlot Castle were not much different. Luna lied on her bed, crying. She had locked the doors and refused to come out for anyone, even her own sister. She began to hyper ventilate and cry at the same time, as well as speak to herself, "I thought I could spend time with him, I thought we could become more than just friends. The first person in over 1000 years, other than my sister, to show some genuine interest in me, someone who I want to be closer to, and he betrayed my trust... And I was going to invite him to stay for the night and sleep with me in my bed, and perhaps even snuggle with him, ever so lovingly, however, that is now nothing, but a dream, a dream, that will never come true."

John had still been on his bed, locked in his room, depressed. He was beginning to think of how much of an idiot he was, as well as constantly insulting himself. However, Luna was the main thing on his mind, above himself. "I'll never see her again... I'll never see her beautiful face or her beautiful mane or tail or hell, even her hood ever again..."

Weeks passed and John had still sent a weekly letter to Luna, holding on to the last bit of hope he had, wishing and praying that he could be lucky enough to find it in her heart to forgive you. His heart was filled with nothing but regret and remorse as he constantly asked himself the question, "What if?"

Meanwhile, at the Castle, Luna still sulks around and dwells upon that fateful day that ruined what could have become an amazing friendship. She then notices the mail has arrived, "Oh, the mail is here and unsurprisingly, he sent a letter to. I must say, I do regret my decision a bit, but I just wish he respected my privacy. Perhaps I acted too quickly... What if I hadn't thrown him out?" She thought to herself. "Perhaps, if I was forgiving and understanding instead of hostile, things could have turned out differently that night." For once, instead of discarding John's letter with prejudice and without hesitation, she actually reads the letter he poured his heart into.

The letter read "Dear Princess Luna,

Please forgive me for trespassing on your personal thoughts. I should have known not to read your diary. I should not have invaded your privacy, but my curiosity got the better of me, and I acted foolishly. It was the worst decision I ever made in my life. I have spent the weeks after this whole debacle doing nothing but sulking and crying over my horrible mistake. I lost the will to do anything anymore. I even gave up playing chess. I lost my purpose in life, Luna. I don't do anything but sit in my room and feel bad all day. You were the first real friend of mine, Luna. I never talked to anyone of my opponents outside of the tournaments, and I simply lived a lonely life. But you, you were different. You were interesting, you were unique. You were not anything close to the others. I started to develop an actual friendship with someone for the first time in my life, and you were that someone. Even if we can't be friends anymore, I would appreciate it, and thank you for the rest of my existence, if you just took the time to read this whole thing and just forgive me. All I ask for, is for forgiveness. We don't have to see each other ever again. All I ask is that you take the time to send me a letter back, with the three magical words that my heart desires. I forgive you. Sincerely, John"

Luna began to tear up as she read the letter, dwelling on the fun times she and John had had ever since that fateful night at the tournament. "I was such a fool. The first person who was willing to be my friend, not only needed a friend himself, but needed someone to care about him. I can't believe that I let myself act in such haste. I can't believe I held a grudge on him for all these months. I must write back to him immediately, I miss him too much."

With no time to waste, Luna had began to write a response letter that read, "Dear John, I forgive you, and not only do I forgive you, but I miss you terribly. Please, meet me at the usual spot whenever you get this letter. I will go there every day until I see you again. Only now do I realize how much you truly meant to me. I hope that you can find it in your heart to see me again. Sincerely, Luna" She sent the letter without hesitation, hoping to see John again. Her mind was flooded with nothing but thoughts about him. "I hope he may forgive my hostile actions. He only cared about my well-being, and I was so self absorbed that I failed to see that he was genuinely concerned about me and had just wanted to help me."

However, John had never received Luna's letter. He had finally decided to give up on her. He destroyed and got rid of everything that ever reminded him about Luna in a fit of sorrow and rage. He vowed to himself to never do anything for her ever again. "Who needs her anyways... she'll find someone else. Someone better. I'm no one special."

Since he discarded all the things that were Luna related, a month had passed. His life was no different than before. He still no longer went to chess tournaments, and he still no longer left his home other than to get the necessities such as food and water. However, one day, as he came home from gathering his necessities, he notices that his mail box had a letter in it for some reason. It was strange to him as he hasn't received or sent mail in what felt like forever to him. Curious, he opens his mail box and inspects the letter. It had the royal stamp of the night on it, a stamp he had not seen since the last time he had heard from Princess Luna. His heart skipped a beat as he felt conflicted. A part of him was overjoyed to see that Luna had sent him a letter, however the other, pessimistic side, had felt hatred instead. Regardless, he hastily opens it up and reads the heart felt words that she had penned. His heart soared the very moment he read the first sentence as the sentence had contained the special words that he asked for, I forgive you. Once he reaches the end of the letter, however, he sees that it was dated from a little over a month ago, and his heart had sank as he realized that Luna was trying to make amends with him, visiting the spot daily, but to no avail.  He thinks of how the relationship between himself and Luna was strained for the mere reason of incompetent mail delivery. Regardless, he writes back to her immediately and this time, he makes sure that the letter will get there with haste. It was important to him that it would, for he did not want to strain what was left of their relationship any further because he did not want her giving up on him as he did on her. In said letter, he requested that they not meet at the usual spot, rather that they meet at his house, at which he provided the address to.

Thanks to his actions, John's letter reaches Luna in just a day. Luna is hesitant to open the letter, as it has been over a month since his last letter, and she had feared the worst for every day that she went to the usual spot, John never showed up. "This may be just the letter I have been hoping for for so long... I really do hope he isn't mad at me." Regardless, she read the letter that had told her to meet him at his home, and she decided to accept his offer and pay him a visit. She then goes to Celestia, to tell her that she is going to go see him again. "Celestia, do you remember John, you know that chess player friend of mine?"

"I do remember him, sister, why do you ask?" Celestia had questioned with a I-hope-this-isn't-about-what-I-think-its-about expression on her face. To her distaste, the answer she received was indeed what she had hoped it was not.

"Well, I just received a letter from him. He asked me if I could visit his home, and I am going to go see him. I decided I wanted to give him another chance, because I really do care for him, and I acted in haste and I did not think about my actions before I preformed them."

"Luna, please don't do this. He'll only end up hurting you again somehow. I strongly advise against it, for your own safety. I don't know how well you can handle another heart break. Personally, I think you're just setting yourself up to be knocked down again."