Always and Forever

Morning came. Luna awoke next to Artemis, who was still fast asleep. She smiled at his peaceful form. As usual, Luna lowered the moon, and the sun rose in its place. She yawned and stretched, then sat down to wait for Artemis to wake up. Soon enough, he did. Artemis sat up and rubbed the sleep out of his eyes. “How long have you been awake, Luna?” he wondered.

“Oh, about a half an hour. I get up to lower the moon every morning, you know.” She reminded him.

“Oh, right.” He scratched his neck in thought. “Hey, do you want to come to Ponyville with me? The ponies there are really friendly.”

Luna’s ears pressed flat to her head nervously. “Um… that may not be such a good idea… everypony is scared of me but you and Celestia, remember?” her eyes dropped their gaze, a tear sliding down her cheek.

Artemis’ face fell, he wanted so badly for her to trust him. “Luna, darling. Trust me. I will be there, helping you. The other ponies need to see that you are not the monster they all think you are. Come with me. Please.” He held out a supportive hoof. She hesitated for just a moment, but then placed her hoof in his.

“Okay…” she sighed, hoping she wouldn’t have to doubt her trust in Artemis.

Artemis gave her a reassuring smile, helping her to her feet. “Let’s go, then. Follow me!”

Luna and Artemis walked to Ponyville together, side by side. On the way, Luna kept looking up at Artemis with fearful, shy eyes. Artemis sighed sadly. ‘Poor thing. She’s so scared! I can’t believe everypony is afraid of her. She’s the one who is afraid. I don’t mean she’s scared of them, she’s scared of being rejected. I don’t blame her either. She really needs friends. She needs to be accepted for who she is. I have seen the real Luna, sweet and compassionate. She understands things that many ponies will never even begin to grasp. I am so privileged to have met her.’ Artemis thought to himself.

They finally arrived at the village. Artemis had been to Ponyville many times, and was normally greeted cordially by Pinkie Pie, a happy-go-lucky pink pony who was friends with practically everypony. But much to his surprise, Pinkie Pie was nowhere to be found. And looking around him, his eyes grew wide with surprise. Ponyville was deserted! ‘Where is everypony?’ he wondered. He scratched his neck in thought. “Um, Luna? Is it always empty like this when you come to Ponyville? I assume you have come here before…”

Luna sighed and shrugged her shoulders. “I told you everypony was afraid of me.” Her ears drooped sadly. “So much for making friends.” Luna turned to walk away, but Artemis stopped her.

“Luna. I told you to trust me. You will make some friends, I promise.” Artemis hoped with all his heart that he would be able to keep that promise.

“Alright…” Luna looked up at Artemis, trust evident in her expression.

Artemis led Luna through the empty streets of Ponyville, stopping in front of Pinkie Pie’s house. He motioned to Luna to hide behind the corner of the house. Artemis knocked on her door, then stepped back. Pinkie Pie opened the door, looking around cautiously. “Is she gone?” Pinkie whispered.

“Oh, you mean Luna?” Artemis asked.

Pinkie nodded vigorously. “But remember, it’s Nightmare Moon, not Luna. Luna is who she was before. And that was a loooong time ago!” Pinkie reminded him.

“Pinkie, you’re the one who’s wrong. Nightmare Moon is the one who is gone. Luna is good now. Luna is the friendliest pony is have ever met! All she wants is a friend! And all you do is run away at the sight of her. She is lonely, she has nopony to turn to. She is emotionally broken. But she is the sweetest pony, and she understands many things that none of you could ever begin to comprehend. You never gave her a chance. Never gave her a second thought. You should be ashamed, Pinkie Pie! Even you of all ponies don’t even let her approach you!” Artemis reprimanded Pinkie.

Pinkie’s eyes widened. Artemis had never spoken to her this way before. But she knew that Artemis spoke the truth. They never had really given Luna a chance. And she, who was friends with literally everypony, had turned coward and run away from Luna. Pinkie was ashamed. “I-I’m sorry, Artemis. You’re right. I never even gave her a chance. I’m such a coward… can you ever forgive me?” she asked.

Artemis had never seen his friend more serious, but he knew that that wasn’t enough. “Pinkie, of course I forgive you. But I’m not the one you really need to apologize to.” He beckoned to Luna. “Come on out, Luna. There’s somepony I’d like you to meet.”

Luna cautiously walked out from behind the house, her ears drooped, her eyes filled with fear and sadness. Pinkie’s demeanor changed entirely when she saw Luna. ‘That’s Luna? She looks so sad, so afraid. I can’t believe all this time we thought she was a monster. She really has changed!’ Pinkie bowed her head guiltily. “I’m sorry, Luna. It was wrong of me to run away from you like that… I never gave you a chance. I had no idea all you wanted was a friend. I should have been that friend…” Pinkie’s ears drooped sadly, realizing just how rude she had been and how truly lonely Luna must be.

“It’s alright, Pinkie Pie. I forgive you.” Luna said.

Pinkie brightened when she heard this, and gave Luna a big hug. “Thanks, friend.” Pinkie smiled.

Luna’s smile widened as she heard these words. ‘I have a friend!’ she thought happily.

Pinkie let go of Luna and bounced energetically out the door and into the street. “Come on, Luna! Come on, Artemis! I want you to meet some of my friends!” The two alicorns followed Pinkie down the road until they came to a pretty little house, hollowed out of a tree. Birds twittered from the treetop, and flowers grew around the path. “First stop, Fluttershy’s house!” Pinkie knocked on Fluttershy’s door.

Fluttershy opened the door a crack, peeking shyly out. When she saw Pinkie Pie, she opened the door all the way. “Hello, Pinkie Pie. Hello, Artemis. And who is this?” Fluttershy started to ask in her usual quiet voice. She suddenly recognized Luna, squealed, and jumped back.

“Fluttershy! It’s okay! Luna is a friend.” Pinkie Pie reassured her.

Fluttershy cautiously peeped out from behind the door. “Are you sure?” she asked quietly.

“Yes. Luna is one of the sweetest, friendliest ponies I have ever met. You and her would get along well, Fluttershy.” Artemis confirmed.

Luna shyly stepped out in front of Fluttershy. “Hi… I’m Luna.”

‘Wow. She really is nice.’ Fluttershy thought. “I’m Fluttershy. It’s nice to meet you.”

Luna smiled. “It’s nice to meet you, too.”

Pinkie Pie whinnied excitedly. “Whee! Luna has two new friends now!”

Fluttershy jumped, not expecting Pinkie’s shout. But she knew that what she said was true. Fluttershy could tell that Luna and she would get along very well. “That’s right, Pinkie.” Fluttershy smiled at Luna. “I can tell that Luna and I will be very good friends.”

“Where should we go next? I have tons of friends for Luna to meet!” Pinkie asked Artemis.

Artemis looked over at Luna, who at the moment was having a pleasant conversation with Fluttershy. Artemis was not sure how much excitement that the nervous blue alicorn could take. “Are Rarity, Rainbow Dash, or Applejack around?” he suggested.

“Um… I think Rarity has gone to Manehattan for a fashion show, and Rainbow Dash is working with the Wonderbolts today. Applejack is at home though. We should go there!” Pinkie said.

Artemis nodded in agreement. Looking over to Luna, he said, “Luna, I hate to interrupt, but Pinkie Pie is eager for you to meet another one of her friends. Fluttershy can come, too, if she wants.” Artemis offered.

Luna looked over at Fluttershy. “Sure, I’ll come.” Fluttershy said, smiling shyly.

“Okie dokie lokie!” Pinkie exclaimed excitedly. “Next stop, Sweet Apple Acres!”

Luna looked nervously at Fluttershy. “Sweet Apple Acres? Who lives there?”

“Oh, you don’t need to worry, Luna. My good friend Applejack lives there with her family. She’s very nice.” Fluttershy assured her.

When the ponies arrived at Sweet Apple Acres, Applejack tipped her hat at the group, a barrel of apples balanced on her back. “Howdy y’all. Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, Artemis. Good to see ya. And who’s this?” Applejack greeted them with her distinctive country accent. When the cowpony realized who the stranger was, she almost dropped her load of apples. Her eyes grew wide. “Sweet Celestia! It’s N-Nightmare Moon!?”

“No, Applejack. This is Princess Luna.” Fluttershy reminded her. “She’s a very nice pony.”

“Are ya sure, Fluttershy? Nightmare Moon is a monster!” Applejack eyed Luna nervously. Luna’s ears drooped sadly, disappointed to hear the distrust in the cowpony’s voice. When Applejack saw Luna’s sad expression, she immediately regretted what she had said. Her own ears drooped in embarrassment and guilt. “Sorry, Princess… A-ah didn’t realize…”

Luna looked into Applejack’s green eyes and knew she was truly sorry. “I-It’s alright, Applejack. I forgive you. I’m used to hearing those kind of things said about me…”

Applejack set down her barrel of apples, then gave Luna a big hug. “Thanks, Princess. Ah’m sorry ah treated you the way ah did. Ah never thought very highly of you in the past, and was too busy running away to notice how you must have really felt. Ah’m glad that we can start over as friends now, Princess.” Luna smiled as she hugged her newfound friend.

They all talked together for a good while, until Applejack commented, “It’s gettin’ mighty late. The sun’s gonna be lowered soon. Y’all better be gettin’ on home now. It was nice talkin’ to ya. And it was sure mighty nice meetin’ ya, Princess! Don’t forget to stop by Sweet Apple Acres again soon!”

They said their goodbyes and parted ways. Fluttershy headed back to her cozy home, and Pinkie Pie bounced her way back to Sugarcube Corner.

Luna and Artemis walked together back the hill country just outside of Canterlot. They two alicorns arrived just in time for Luna to raise the moon. After her task was done, Luna and Artemis lay down side by side atop the hill.

“Did you have a good day?” Artemis asked, turning towards Luna.

“Oh, yes. Thanks to you, I made two new friends today.” She smiled at the memory.

Artemis grinned. “I’m glad I could be there for you.”

Luna reached over and kissed Artemis on the cheek. “No really. Thank you. I never could have done it without you. Because of you, ponies finally see me for who I am, not the monster I was. I can never thank you enough for all you’ve done for me.” Luna spoke with sincerity, meaning every word she said.

Artemis gently held her face in his hooves, lifting it so he could gaze into Luna’s sparkling blue eyes. “I already told you. You don’t need to repay me. Seeing you happy is the best payment I could ask for.”

The two lay quietly together, enjoying each other’s company, until Artemis spoke up. “I have something for you.” Luna’s eyes twinkled expectantly. “This is for you.” He handed her a necklace: a glowing crescent moon charm on a silver chain.

Luna gasped in awe. “It’s so beautiful!” she held the necklace in her hooves, examining its delicately carved swirls and curves. She kissed the charm tenderly. “I’ll treasure it forever.”

“I have one to.” Artemis showed her his matching necklace. “But there is something special about these necklaces, see. Hold out your hoof.” Luna held out her hoof, still holding her necklace. Artemis gently took the necklace from her and pressed it to his. When the two necklaces touched, they glowed bright like a lantern in the dark. Artemis smiled at Luna, watching her as she admired the glowing moon the necklaces had created.

Luna looked back up at Artemis. Her eyes searched his, and she just wanted to melt into his beautiful, ocean blue eyes. She felt her cheeks grow hot as he leaned in, pressing his lips to hers in a passionate kiss. She wrapped her hooves around him, bringing their bodies closer together. She leaned in to his embrace, kissing him again and again, not wanting to let go. She sighed deeply, closing her eyes blissfully. Artemis stroked her starry mane, and she moaned softly, feeling secure and at peace, her lips still pressed against his. They remained that way for a while, then Luna pulled away unconsciously, her tired eyelids becoming heavy, her breaths slowing a bit. She felt herself being carried, then lowered gently onto the ground. Even though she was only half awake, she felt a cozy warmth surround her, knowing that she was safe with Artemis. As she let sleep claim her, she heard a voice, as though in a dream. “I love you, my Luna. Always and forever.”

While the two lovers slept, their necklaces still glowed, an undying light shining through the darkness.