Of the Sun and Moon

Luna cast a giddy gaze about the room she sat in and gave a gleeful giggle. She could still hardly believe that she had finally managed to get her own room. All of her pleading and begging along with Celestia’s support had finally paid off. This was her room. She would prove that she was grown up enough to start having her own stuff. And perhaps this would help her earn her cutie mark.

As the day drew to a close, she put away her toys and climbed into bed, peering out her window as the moon rose into the sky. She watched with fascination as an eager smile traced its way across her face. One day, she would be the pony to raise the moon. She eased herself under the covers as the lights dimmed and the night began. Her first night all by herself was about to begin.

Several minutes passed as Luna waited for sleep to overtake her yet unease stirred about in her mind and sleep kept its distance. She rolled onto her side and held her position for several more minutes before shifting to the other side. After almost an hour of tossing and turning, Luna opened her eyes wide and gave a soft groan of frustration. She had always been good at getting to sleep so why was it so hard tonight? Perhaps it was her being unused to being alone that had her uneasy. She had always had Celestia close by to keep her racing mind at ease, but not this night. Not for a big filly like Luna.

Several more sleepless minutes passed as the young filly awaited the dreams that she often had. But the dreams were held back as a soft moaning sound echoed through the night. Luna’s eyes shot open and she peered about the darkened room. The room seemed to stare back as black shadows hung in the dark. Luna gave a worried giggle of false bravery, dismissing the moan as her imagination before rolling over and tugging the covers over her head. She was going to do this. She was going to sleep in her room all by herself. She was a big filly after all.

Another moaning sound sent a chill down her spine as a soft tapping rang from her window. Despite her building fear, Luna refused to look and held a stuffed pony close. She could do this. She just had to fall asleep and she could see those wonderful dreams she always had. All of this would go away.

“I am a big filly,” she told herself. “I can do this. Just fall asleep.”

Despite her stated confidence the moaning echoed once more as the tapping continued. She peered out from under the covers at the numerous shadows that surrounded her. Eyes seemed to stare back at her from the various blackened shapes that lined the walls. One such shape towered over the rest as it wavered back and forth. Luna pulled the covers over her muzzle yet could go no further. Her heart began to pound against her chest and her breathing became ragged. No matter what, she could not look away from those frightening shapes. She tried to remind herself that she was a big filly despite the gentle whimper that escaped her mouth and the tears that built in her eyes.

Finally, a loud bang resounded in the dark room as something hit the window. The force shook the glass and the frame and caused Luna to jump nearly four hooves off her bed. She gave a high pitched squeal of terror as she charged passed the dark shadows, tears streaming down her face.

“Tia! Tia! Tia!” she shouted as she bolted down the hall to Celestia’s room. “Tia, Tia, Tia, Tia!”

The darkened hall only served to exasperate her fear as she ran for safety from whatever it was that was after her. Her shouting became mumbled as she cried and her vision began to blur as tears flooded her eyes. Then she saw Celestia’s room, her haven of safety. She slowed to a halt and quickly but gently rapped on the door, struggling to suppress her crying. She trotted in place and glanced back to see if the terror was still behind her as she awaited an answer. Fear held her in a tight vice grip as panic pushed her to gently open the door.

“T-Tia?” she said amidst a soft blubber. “Tia, are you awake?”

“Lu-lu?” Celestia said, muffled by her grogginess and the covers that sat over her face. “What’s wrong? What are you doing here?”

Luna shifted in agitation, wanting to quickly move in and flee the chasing demons. “Umm…Tia? Can…Can I sleep with you? J-Just for tonight. P-Please?” She wiped her tears from her eyes and tried to look as brave as she could, hoping and pleading internally that her big sister would accept.

Celestia rubbed her eyes and pushed the covers off her face. “What’s wrong Lulu? I thought you wanted to sleep by yourself in your own room.”

Luna shifted in both embarrassment and panic as she peered back for a moment at the dark hallway. The black shadows held their position, chanting and waiting for the little filly to return. “Umm…T-Tia…I-I am scared of the dark!” she said, spilling her fears and letting her tears fill her eyes and spill down her face once more as she begged. “Please Tia. Please let me sleep with you tonight. I am really scared Tia. Please.”

To her relief, Celestia gave a gentle smile and scooted to the side, moving the covers to offer an empty space of safety and protection. “Of course Lulu.”

Luna’s eyes grew wide at her sister’s acceptance and she nearly slammed the door behind her before bolting to the bed, sliding on top and shifting as close to Celestia as possible. Already, her fear and panic began to fade as she felt the warm body of her big sister. She closed her eyes and let the feeling of safety overtake her. Her frown of sorrow eased into a gentle smile as she curled into a tight ball. She wiped her tears from her eyes once more.

“Thank you Tia.”

“Of course Lulu,” Celestia said as she pulled the covers over Luna, blanketing her with the safety only she could provide.

Luna’s racing heart slowed and eased into a gentle rhythmic beating as her erratic breathing grew soft and smooth. She felt Celestia place a wing over her, providing even more protection. Luna was a big filly, but tonight, she was just Celestia’s little sister. There was always tomorrow night to be big and brave.

“I’ll always be here for you Lulu. Don’t ever forget that.”

Just before sleep overtook young Luna, she said one last thing before she went to those wonderful dreams. “I love you Tia.”

Celestia shuffled closed and pulled Luna in tight. “I love you too.”