Nightmares New Reignby Wolflover221ChaptersChapter OneChapter Two Chapter 3 Chapter Four RevisedChapter FiveChapter 6Chapter OneAuthors Note: First off id like to thank thaylien for re-reading and sorting it out for me and im glad he did after that first disaster i posted. Also id like to thank baron for giving me many ideas and helping me think up ingenious ways to portray the entity. On another note i couldn't think of a way to ponify britain post ideas in the comments box and if me, baron or Thay like any of them ill change it. I also have no idea if thay wants to run some more checks on it but f%$£ it he has done a excellent job with this and if i could id give that bitch a medal, bitches love medals, but i thank him. Nightmare Moon stood frozen as the rainbow covered her; the Elements had beaten her. She could feel herself being dragged away as the other personality tried to take over. But in her desperate attempts to escape, something of her did. A small sliver of energy following the rainbow back to a young purple mare, a spark of darkness, unnoticed by any in the blinding light of Harmony. Luna awoke with a start, Well that was different she thought to herself. She’d had this dream many times but not once did she remember a little bit of energy leaving her and attaching itself to Twilight that wasn’t even possible....was it? But she couldn’t shake this feeling that it was important. It could explain the weird dreams she’d been having about that lavander mare’s childhood. It could explain the weird feeling she got in her chest when she thought of her and it could explain that she knew everything, everything, her sister's faithful student had been up to for the past year as though she’d witnessed it first hand. Luna got out of bed and walked from her chambers. It was still light out so it was unusual to see the moon princess around this early but over the past several days it had become progressively more common for Luna to be wandering around during the day. She entered the dining room only to stop dead in her tracks. Her sister, Celestia, sat there drinking tea and eating crumpets. Luna tried to stifle a giggle, she looked positively British. Luna’s thoughts were inturrupted as Celestia coughed loudly. “You’re staring, sister.” the sun princess gave her a teasing look from her one visible eye “Sorry, I was... you look so British.” Luna replied, trying her hardest to keep a straight face; her earlier fears and worries about her dream forgotten. Celestia laughed, “Do I really?" Luna just smiled as she took a seat next to her sister. Celestia sat in her room thinking back to this morning, with her sister, it had been a long time since they had enjoyed each others company like that. A long time since they had sat down and enjoyed breakfast together too. She was reading a book when someone knocked on her door. “Enter.” she called. Luna paced in looking worried, she glanced briefly up towards her sister. “Is something the matter?” Celestia asked “Sister... I remembered something. I was supposed to tell you at breakfast, but I forgot.” Luna looked a little embarrassed. “What is it?” Celestia asked, gently. “I had a dream... no... more like a memory. Of when I was saved from Nightmare Moon. In the memory, when the Elements freed me from Nightmare Moon, a piece of dark energy attached to Twilight Sparkle.” Luna said Celestia stifled a giggle, “My dear Luna, it sounds like a bad dream. But if this really did happen, what could this dark energy do? There's nothing that mere magic or darkness could do to harm her after so long, it would have to be a sliver of your very soul to hold any lasting effects.” Celestia replied Luna looked at her and let out a small smile, “I guess I was worrying over nothing. Bye sis.” Luna walked out of Celestias chambers leaving her alone. Celestia sat for a while, watching the door but not really seeing it, her smile slowly fading from her face. Twilight woke up and groaned. Why does the sun have to be so bright? she thought to herself. She got up and slouched downstairs to where Spike was preparing breakfast. “Hey Spike!” Twilight called “Hey Twilight I'm making pancakes.” Spike replied Twilight sat down at the table and looked over to the kitchen. Spike trotted over carrying a batch of freshly cooked pancakes, but as he walked back to the kitchen he slipped and landed flat on his back. Twilight was about to reply when a voice screamed in her head, You stupid bucking fool can you not even deliver pancakes to a table without hitting the ground?! Twilight shook her head. What was that all about? Instead of dwelling on it, she went over to help Spike. “Are you okay?” checking close with sisterly concern, “I'm fine Twilight.” Spike seemed to want to pretend nothing had happened. Yeah a real fine pain in the flank!! the voice in her head said again. Twilight tried to ignore it. “You sure?” Twilight asked “Yeah," He got to his feet and dusted himself down, "Go and hang out with your friends, I'll clean up the mess here.” Spike said, slightly depressed, but apologetic. Taking his word for it, she headed for the door, turning to smile as she made to leave. “Thanks Spike!” she called as she closed the front door. She stood on the street her mind working at what had just happened. Why was she thinking such horrible things about her number one assistant? Something just didn’t add up. Still in thought, she walked down the street to Carousel Boutique. “Come in” Rarity called in answer to the knock, the whole place was completely clean as usual, the voice in Twilights head decided to speak up. What an overly-neat idiot, does she have OCD or something? Twilight shook her head, Shut up picking on my friends! This wasn't right. Was she going crazy? What's worse, the 'voice' didn't even sound like her own inner-thoughts voice! Rarity, emerging from her workroom, gave Twilight a look, “Are you okay, Twilight?” “I-I-Im fine..." She stammered, "But I, err, I gotta go” Twilight bolted out the door. Talking to friends suddenly seemed like a bad idea when she was having shouting matches with a voice inside her own head. So she was not in very high spirits when Dash blind-sided her. “Sorry Twilight” Rainbow Dash said, shaking off the impact. “It's fine.” Twilight replied, woozy but still distracted. Oh sure it’s fine. You got tackled to the ground by the world's first Gay Pride pony! The voice in her head spoke up. Will you shut up?! I dont know what you are, but you're starting to grate on my nerves! Twilight screamed at the voice. “Uhh... Twilight? You don’t look fine.” a hint of worry was in Rainbow's voice, though if the purple unicorn asked she’d deny it. “I'm perfectly fine.” Twilight snapped back. Snapped. Why had she done that? Before anything else happened, she walked away. Lost in thought, confused and frustrated, she trudged aimlessly through ponyville and its outskirts until she bumped into Fluttershy. “Oh! Uhm, I'm sorry...” Fluttershy apologised, it hadn't even been her fault. Twilight's temper broke. “You're sorry...? You're sorry?! YOU'RE ALWAYS SORRY!! YOU'RE SORRY FOR WAKING UP IN THE MORNING! YOU'RE SORRY FOR GOING TO SLEEP! WHY DONT YOU JUST SHUT UP, FLUTTERSHY, JUST SHUT UP AND CRAWL BACK TO YOUR PITIFUL EXISTANCE!!” Twilight screamed at her. Inside, however, Twilight's mind was horrified. She didn't mean to say those words, she didn't mean those words! But she had no control over her own voice. It wasn't until a long time later that Fluttershy admitted that even Twilight's eyes had changed, cat-like pupils and an eldritch glow dominating her visage. Fluttershy scrambled away, cowering, tears in her eyes. “I-I-Im sorry!” The shaking pegasus turned and fled. At this, Twilight instantly calmed down. Tears welled up in her own eyes. What had she done to her friend?! Slowly the tears started to fall, staring after Fluttershy with no idea what to do, so she turned around and headed back to the library. Back to your pitiful existance of reading and sleeping. She didn't even notice the words in her head. The voice in Twilight's head was laughing. Even though it was only for a few seconds she’d been in control! She’d been able to take control of this purple mare while she was in severe turmoil. Ahaha! GLORIOUS! The voice thought, If I keep her upset I can gain control. The voice laughed again before retreating to the darkest regions of the mare's mind. Twilight lay on her bed. She’d never done anything like that before... what was eating at her? She sighed and rolled over, looking out at the sky, tears started to fall from her eyes once more as she lay there and silently cried. Chapter TwoTwilight focused on the text in front of her, she was reading a book on mental illnesses. She wouldn’t step a hoof outside until she knew that this thing wouldn’t make her scream at anyone again. “SPIIIIKE” she called No answer... Then she remembered. He’d gone out after she’d screamed at him for the fifth time that morning. Twilight sighed and laid down on the floor her eyes closing. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d felt so hopeless. It wasn't long before she slipped into a unwilling sleep. Twilight's eyes snapped open when someone started kicking her door. Standing up and groaning in the same movement, calling her magic, she opened the door and nearly wrenched it off it’s hinges. Applejack stood there with Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash. "Twilight are ya gonna come outta this here tree or stay locked up forever?” Applejack demanded. Twilight backed up, “G-Get away from me...” she stuttered. Her friends ignored her and kept advancing. “GET AWAY FROM ME!” she screamed. This stopped them dead in their tracks. “We cannot help you if you wont let us, dear.” Rarity broke the silence. “I dont need help. All I need is for you to leave!” Twilight replied defensively And never come back! The voice in her head cackled Shut up you idiotic excuse for a alternate personality! Twilight snapped back The voice paused My my it purred this mule has bark and a bite. Although it didn’t have a physical manifestation Twilight was 99% sure she could hear a grin in its voice. “TWILIGHT!” Rainbow Dash yelled. Twilight snapped back to the real world all her friends had concerned expression, even Pinkie Pie looked a bit down, she shook her head and looked at the ground. “I. Am. Fine.” she said before looking them directly in the eyes. All of her friends took a slight step back, Twilights eyes looked different more... cat like? See? They fear you. The voice insinuated itself into the front of her mind again, They dont want to be your friend. They just pretend to be. I bet they talk about you behind your flank. Twilight needed to ignore the voice she couldn’t give in to it, she just couldn’t. But the voice snickered to itself, It's working... if I can just get her a little more unhinged I can take control! Twilight looked at her friends, shocked to see they were backing away, like frightened rabbits. But what she didn’t know was that her eyes had become pure, dark purple with green vertical irises and her coat was emanating an eldritch glow. They do hate me... she thought to herself, t-the voice is right! Her thoughts slowly slipped away, she didn't want to face this, all the while being replaced with the malevolent conciousness. Twilight's dominant mind could see everything, but before she knew it, she could no longer move her own body. She watched helpless as her body made its own movements. The library book cases began to shake. “Get out! Get out, get out, GET OUT!” Twilight screamed, although it wasn’t Twilight, it was just her voice, but she had no control. Books flew off the shelves at her friends, hitting ribs, heads, practically anything that wasn’t covered. The mind of Twilight could only watch in horror, How is this happening?! I can’t be doing this I... I-I’d never do this! Her friends ran, bursting out of the library like the bats of hell were chasing them, leaving the room empty and littered with thrown tomes. And gradually, oh-so-slowly, she found herself able to control her body once more. What in the bucking hay just happened! she screamed in her head. She felt terrible, she'd done it again! Snapped at her friends, and this time she really had lost control! The other voice stayed silent. It was angry. It had momentarily had full control, at last, even if unable to bring out its fullest power, and then the power had just... slipped away! DAMN IT! The voice screamed to itself. I can only be in control while she’s in a state of turmoil! Anger, sadness, extreme fear... I have the power to enhance the negative emotions she’s feeling, but it isn’t enough... I need to think of something that will let me stay in control longer, but what?! GAH! Shaking and desperate to find out what was happening, Twilight went back to her book and carried on reading. “Bucking great!” she screamed to herself. The page was on multiple personality disorder, the paragraph read: Multiple Personality Disorder (MPD) happens when the mind wishes to escape a situation, to not feel anything, or hide, the personality often does this by forming a second or multiple identities to experience it for them. These identities sometimes 'take over' when the main personality wishes to escape, forming a mental barrier between the individual and their surroundings, but in extreme cases the 'main' personality grows too detached and the secondary personality can gain control spontaneously in situations of duress. Although it still left a few holes about this voice that was the best explanation. Twilight sparkle had Multiple Personality Disorder. Not knowing what else she could do, Twilight groaned and walked upstairs. She'd try to sleep on it, and then... maybe... Princess Luna and Princess Celestia sat together reading what had turned out to be a Twilight x Luna fiction. That Princess Celestia had written. Luna was kicking herself all over again for falling for this. Having not been told what it was when she'd started reading, she was now continuing despite herself, her sister was a very descriptive writer. “Why are you showing me...? You have the worst mind, Tia!” Luna pouted at the sun Princess as she read a line that caused her to blush slightly. “Because I wanted your opinion before it was published. Even a Princess must get consent from the subjects of her writing.” Celestia replied, straight faced, but stifling a laugh. “You... You TROLL!” Luna yelled at her sister. “Now, now, is there any need for that kind of thing... Lunacy?” Celestia replied Luna blushed embarrassed “Y... you promised never to bring that up!” “I know I did. But you also promised never to call me 'troll' or 'Trollestia'.” Celestia replied her voice serious “I’m afraid punishment is in order.” Luna turned white as the moon. Oh moon no dont let her banish me again Luna thought. Celestia walked away from her sister, “I’m afraid I'll have to...” She turned and jumped on her sister pinning her to the ground, “Tickle you into submission!” She roared, tickling her sister all over. Luna squeeled in surprise, but despite herself started laughing and giggling, hooves unable to prevent the torture, “I submit! I SUBMIT!!” she screamed through fits of laughter. Celestia smiled and flopped down next to her sister “I love you, Luna, and I missed you.” “I missed you too Tia, and I love you.” Luna replied. The moment was broken when, all of a sudden, there was a flash of green flame and a scroll bearing Twilights personal crest appeared infront of the sisters. Celestia reached out and opened it. Dear Princess Celestia, This is hard for me to write, but the situation is getting out of hand. I fear I may have Multiple Personality Disorder. These past few days I've been saying, thinking and now doing things that aren't like me, I've screamed at my friends and worse. And I keep hearing a voice in my head. I think I may need help. You faithful student Twilight sparkle Celestia facehooved “Not this again.” “What?” Luna replied, leaning in to try to read the letter, “Everytime Twilight got stressed for a exam, or any other event, she’d hear a voice. It would tell her... strange things.” Celestia told her sister. “I... see maybe I should go and see if she needs help...” Luna hoped too much eagerness hadn’t seeped into her voice. Even so, Celestia got a knowing look in her eye. Luna’s stomach dropped; Celestia knew, she knew she was eager to see the lavander mare. Bring on the teasing, Luna resisted the urge to sigh in defeat. “Maybe I should go and see my most faithful student. She must be sooooo looooonely... maybe I could even cheer her up...” Celestia looked away artistically, drawing the moment out before she slid a sly grin at her midnight sister, “Maybe I'll even use some suggestions from the story.” Luna’s face turned bright red. OH, FOR BUCKS SAKE! She thought as she realised how hot her face was... I know she won’t, but... maybe... then again... Rallying herself, Luna smiled in her mind; two could play this game. “Go ahead, Sis, I insist." She put on her best 'good sister' face, "I'm sure Twilight still dreams about you.” Luna smiled HAH! Gotcha. Although Celestia would never admit it openly, her feelings for her student were more than just motherly. Celestia’s face turned bright red, which showed up better on her white coat than it did on Luna's blue, “W-w-what?!” “Oh yes, Tia, Twilight dreamt of you last night. You two were on a date, oh it was romantic, and then you escorted her back to the castle and-” She was cut off by a hoof being shoved in her mouth. “Don’t...” Celestia warned, She pointed upwards, ”Children might be reading this” “Celestia you did not just do that...” Luna looked at her sister as she said this. “Hmmm... I guess I did. Well this is different...” Celestia shrugged, that troll smile still sneaking onto her features. “TROLLESTIA!” Luna screamed before running out of her sisters room, outraged and embarrassed. “LOOKS LIKE I'LL HAVE TO TELL TWILIGHT ABOUT LUNACY!" Celestia carolled after her. Twilight sat up in bed, another nightmare, they were becoming way too frequent. Her mind was racing as her hoof slid down to her chest and then stomach. Still in one piece. That dream had felt almost life-like, the pain, the blood, the other... the other what? The more she tried to remember, the less she could remember. She slammed her head back down against her pillow closing her eyes. Twilight reawoke in the late afternoon. Spike had let her sleep in. She couldnt blame him after the way she’d been treating him, she needed to apologise. She ran down stairs calling his name, but as she reached the bottom of the library she heard the front door open and then close, She sighed and walked to the front door opening it and peeking outside. The light burned her eyes, “Spiiiiike?” She called He didnt even turn around and look at her. He doesn’t care about your feelings, just like the rest, they will all leave you in the end. Shut up Twilight thought back, flatly. All you are to them is a worthless unicorn. The only reason they pretend to be your friend is because of your connection to princess Celestia and your connection to the Elements. I bet they’re out there talking about you behind your back right now. It carried on. SHUT UP. Twilight screamed again The voice started to imitate her friends She's crazy, Pinkie Pie exclaimed. She's a few apples short of a barrell, Applejack agreed. I heard shefoolers a filly, Rarity confided Twilight collapsed on the floor just inside her door, crying. Her friends hated her, her own body hated her, she shouldn’t be here! But Twilight couldn’t get the will to move nor could the other conciousness take over. Must’ve pushed her a bit too far it muttered to itself. Twilight lay there for Celestia knows how long, crying and slipping in and out of sleep. Celestia paced back and forth in her study worried about her student. Maybe there had been something to Luna’s dream... maybe the voice was a part of Luna’s soul... but maybe she was wrong and this was just Twilight's study-nerves. She couldn’t act. But she couldn’t rest either! She sighed, as much as she hated to admit it, her feelings for Twilight were deeper than she showed... she’d known the lavander mare when she was just a filly, she’d watched that filly grow up and had taught her for years, so was it natural that she might be in lo-. She shook her head Now isn’t the time to get caught up in that, she thought to herself. What can I do? I can’t just storm into her house unannounced, nor can I go officially with all the fanfare that would make... she debated with herself for several minutes. She realized she had one option: sit and watch. Celestia had been alive for millenia, and if there was one thing she had definitely learned in all those years it was not to rush headlong into anything, no matter who it involves. Her heart gave a little tug at that last thought, almost as if... she shook her head again and jumped on her bed. Luna awoke in the middle of the night, shocked. In her dream Twilight's eyes turned cat-like and she screamed at her friends! But how could that be possible...? It was only a spark... only a spark... it couldn’t be, could it? What if it is? What if it isn’t? What do I do?! She screamed inside her head in frustration, but there was nothing she could do. If it was a piece of her soul attached to Twilight, things could get really bad really fast, but if it wasn’t then they could end up injuring the purple mare just finding out. Luna shook her head, wet tears in her eyes from a image of Twilight hurt, Damnit, why does she affect me this way? Luna closed her eyes and tried to get back to sleep. Twilight awoke at noon. Again. She wasn’t surprised. She still felt bad about screaming at Spike. Twilight got up and went into the bathroom to get cleaned up. As she left the bathroom and went out her front door, she tried to judge the time, By the sun it’s about half-past one in the afternoon. She walked down to Sugarcube Corner, determined to apologise if she could and have a normal conversation with one of her friends at least. Twilight entered the confectionary-shaped building and put on a small smile. Pinkie Pie stood behind the counter, shelving baked goods, but she didn't acknowledge Twilight. “Pinkie? Can I talk to you?” “Go ahead.” Pinkie replied half heartedly, still focusing on the shelves. “I'm sorry about yesterday, I didn’t mean what I said and I'm really sorry. I know you might not be able to forgive me, but the reason for that outburst was... well I think I might have Multiple Personality Disorder...” Twilight looked down at the floor and closed her eyes. If she's going to throw me out, please make it quick, I can't stand not knowing. Pinkie Pie didn’t move for several moments, she slowly turned around and looked at Twilight cautiously, before tackling her to the ground and hugging her tight. How she'd cleared the counter was anybody's guess, because all the goods on top were untouched. “Apology accepted, Twilight.” Pinkie Pie hugged her tightly. Twilight just smiled while she was being smothered by her pink friend. Over the afternoon, Twilight apologized to all her friends and told them what she knew. They all forgave her. Each time her heart leaped at the feeling of knowing her friends were still her friends, but each time a small voice grew stronger. They’re probably talking about you behind your back y’know, probably calling you a weirdo, a freak or a messed up pony. Twilight didn’t care; she tuned it out, whistling tunelessly, as she walked back home. She’d apologized to all her friends and they had forgiven her! She couldn’t believe how nice they were to her about it. Another smile hit her as she pushed open the door to the library. When she stepped inside though, a rainbow blur crashed through an upper window and smashed into a bookshelf, knocking it over. Twilight was only slightly annoyed, unfortunatly the voice took this moment to turn the annoyance into anger and then the anger into rage. Twilight could feel the rage building, but it wasn’t hers was it? She shouldn’t be this angry. All of a sudden she felt herself slipping away, her body becoming unresponsive to her, but she could still see. She’d just apologized to all of her friends and now she was about to scream at Rainbow, this could not be happening, it had to be a dream. No she pleaded please no no no! Not after I just apologised! “WHAT IS YOUR PROBLEM RAINBOW CRASH?! WHY CAN'T YOU USE A DOOR LIKE ANY NORMAL PONY?!” Twilight screamed at her Rainbow was about to apologise, that was before the screaming started. “...” “OH LOOK, THE FIRST AND ONLY GAY PRIDE PONY CAN’T EVEN SPEAK! YOU'RE PATHETIC! GET OUT OF MY SIGHT YOU EXCUSE OF A PEGASUS!!” It was like a fire-hose of vituperation, just... pure anger in word form. A massive wave of despair crashed over her, putting the original Twilight back in control, WHY?! Why did this have to happen? Rainbow looked at Twilight tears were creeping into her eyes. “Twilight that... that really hurt... I don’t... I can't be here right now.” Rainbow Dash said barely above a whisper. “Dash I'm so-” she didn’t even finish her sentence Rainbow Dash took off out the window, not even explaining why she'd been there in the first place. For the second time in as many days, Twilight lay on the floor just inside her doorway, tears falling to the ground as she cried herself to sleep. The next day was the worst so far. Twilight went out looking for Rainbow to apologise. She never found a sign of the rainbow maned pegasus... in fact everytime she approached one of her friend's they either left in a hurry or ignored her. Twilight headed back to the library despair weighing heavy in her heart. She’d lost everything, everything dear to her. “I always thought it was so stupid when ponies killed themselves... but now I'm starting to see why...” Twilight closed her eyes to try and stop the tears. She went up to her personal library and picked up a book, the title read: Medicine and Surgery: How to shut down vital organs with magic. A note underneath the title said: For hospital use only. The voice screamed at her that she was stupid, but she didn’t care. She’d lost the six most precious things to her, and the more she thought about it, the better it would be to have some peace and quiet from this voice. She opened the book and began to read. Luna was packing her saddlebags. She didn’t know how to explain it, but something was terribly wrong with Twilight Sparkle. She packed everything she thought she’d need and if she'd forgotten something she could always teleport back. For carrying the bags, it was easier on her to take the chariot. As she got in, the chariot took flight and headed towards Ponyville. Celestia stood on her balcony, high up and unobserved, watching her sister leave. She whispered to the wind “Be careful with the mare we both love...” Twilight stood in her bathroom, warm water running from the shower, she closed her eyes, slowly she activated her magic, letting it run through her. She focused on her inner organs. First to go, as a practice, her liver. Slowly she worked her magic and shut it down. Just as the book described, no pain, but slight discomfort. she thought You’re making a big mistake, stop this foalishness! The voice screamed at her. It was going horribly wrong! If it was to survive, its host must not die, this wasn't good. She ignored it and slowly began working on shutting down all her minor organs before her major ones. Twilight stood there breathing heavily... Lungs still working. Okay, next is... the heart. Then lungs. Then brain..... FOAL!!!! The voice screamed. Twilight slowly began to shut her heart down. As soon as the chariot landed Luna knew something was wrong she could feel it in the air and in her magic. She ran to the library and burst the door open, she ran up the stairs and into the bathroom. Her eyes widened at the sight on the floor, in the shower, barely alive was the lavander mare staring straight at her. Twilight lifted her head slightly “P... P...... Princess...” she muttered before her head sank back down in a sigh of breath. Luna stared as she stood, shocked, watching those brilliant eyes cloud over and close. Twilight slipped into darkness, her mind slipping away and leaving everything silent. Chapter 3 Chapter 3 Nightmares haunted Twilight, her friends dying, the princesses sentencing her to a lifetime on the moon. But no matter what she did she could not awaken. All of a sudden, a bright light flashed. Once it cleared, she was stood in a dimly lit room. “Well well.” A voice reverberated around the room. “I-I remember you...” Twilight tried to see it. “Who am I then?” The voice demanded, knowingly. “You're another personality. From my MPD!” Twilight declared, trying to find her confidence, “If that's what you believe...” it said, bored, before the whole room disappeared. Twilight was slung back into the darkness, she snapped open her eyes only to see a bright light approaching, blinding her, forcing her eyes shut again. Slowly Twilight opened her eyes again, she was in a white room, laid on a soft bed. The light was still too blinding to tell where she was. She tried to speak but all she managed was a cough. “Oh, you're awake!” A voice said, and Twilight heard hooves darting out of the room. When the owner of the new voice returned, she carried a cup of water. She held it to Twilight's lips and the purple unicorn drank it all in long, steady swallows. By the time she was done, her eyes had finally adjusted to the light. “N-N-Nurse Redheart?” she called although it was too softly for the medical pony to hear. The nurse walked towards the door “I'll let you rest, Twilight.” she left, closing the door carefully behind her. She'd been gone all of a few seconds, Twilight not even having time to settle back on the pillows, when the door burst back open, framing the two princesses. They both walked towards Twilight their faces unreadable. This was not good... not good at all, in Twilight's opinion. All three just stared at each other, but Twilight was the first to look away. “What do you have to say for yourself, Twilight?” Luna asked, softly, but sternly. “I'm sorry...” Twilight replied, but she wasn't exactly sure what she was sorry for anymore. “You're sorry... You're sorry?" Luna paused for a brief second and then let fly, "IS THAT IT?! YOU NEAR CAUSED ME AND MY SISTER TO HAVE A HEART ATTACK AND ALL YOU SAY IS 'SORRY'?!” Luna raised her hoof and struck the lavander mare across the side of the face before stalking off. Twilight raised her hoof to her face, not even daring to look at Celestia. “She's just a bit distraught..." Celestia began, "Even though she doesn’t know you, she cares about you a lot.” A knowing twinkle appeared in Celestia’s eye, “She’ll come back eventually and she’ll apologize for that. She was so worried.” “I’m sorry.” Was all Twilight could say, again, and her head sank further. “Sorry for what?” Celestia asked, trying to inject her usual inference of 'what do you have to be sorry about, my faithful student' into the question, “For being alive!” Twilight screamed as loudly as she could in her weakened state, a sickening feeling came over her, she rolled on her side and began coughing. She tried to stop the feeling of drooling, but her mouth was still twisted from coughing so hard. Blood poured in a thin stream onto the floor. Celestia sighed, not worried so much after seeing the medical report, “That is to be expected from someone who shut off nearly all their organs, if you were not such a powerful magician, you’d have died after shutting off the first few.” “Oh joy... I'm so powerful my magic even stops me dying!” Twilight replied sarcastically. “That's quite enough of that." Celestia interrupted her student's diatribe, "You will rest up and I will see you in the morning.” Despite the positive attitude she tried to project, Celestia still looked slightly worried. Twilight said nothing more, lay down in her bed and fell asleep. Luna walked among the streets muttering to herself she was annoyed... and worried... If she hadn’t found Twilight when she did, what would have happened? And the doctors said she still isn’t out of the woods, her organs could shut down again. She sighed, laid down in the grass and closed her eyes. She didnt want to think anymore. She’d already raised the moon a few hours ago and she’d been with Celestia at Twilight's side most of the day. She hadn’t really slept at all. Her mind drifted onto happier subjects as she fell asleep. Luna awoke as the sun began to shine, people were staring. Well this is odd, why are they staring...? I know I slept on the grass but that's not enough to stare at... Luna tried to roll over at this point and she immediately noticed two things. One: she wasn’t alone. Two: her sister's hooves were wrapped around her. They looked like a couple. Luna's knee-jerk reaction made her teleport in panic, when she reappeared she’d only teleported a few meters away, her shortest teleport since... ever! Celestia opened her eyes and looked at her sister a faint smile on her face. “I'm glad you're awake... did you enjoy last night?” Luna turned bright red and stormed off, muttering to herself under her breath, leaving all the ponyfolk in shock. Celestia smiled, That's just what we need to brighten the day, a bit of embarressment and laughter... she rolled over and stood up. Though I'd like to know why she slept on the grass... Looking up, she gave a knowing smile. Just above her was the balcony. If a pony, lets say a purple mare, stood on it and looked down, she'd have seen them. Twilight lay in bed, looking up at the ceiling, feeling terrible. She didn’t like being bed-ridden and she definitely didn’t like the princesses mad at her... but they didn't understand... And the way Luna acted...! Twilight shook her head Luna doesn't even know me, and yet she was worried for me... why? She was determined to find out. As Twilight thought, her mind wandered through the many people on her mind, to her friends she no longer had, to the princess who she had failed and the princess who had struck her. Her thoughts stayed longest on princess Luna, sending jolts of anger, sorrow and... longing? Twilight remembered cold nights stood outside on the balcony watching the moon and stars, the way she felt at peace... she had fallen in love with the night. And through the night, perhaps, she had fallen in love with Luna... but maybe it was just her organs kickstarting themselves again. Twilight hoped she'd forget the matter before she left the hospital. The next few days passed quickly, both princesses came to see her frequently, and although Luna didn't talk much, Twilight was happy to have her there. However her friends never came. Each time the door opened and her friends didn't enter was like a knife through her heart, cold and painful. She had resigned herself to not seeing them again when the door burst open and in hurtled a pink ball of fluff who immediently began smothering her. "P-Pinkie Pie?!" She choked out, Pinkie just sobbed into her coat "W-w-we thought... that y-y-yo... Oh. Twilight I'm happy you're ok!" Twilight could only lie there trying to console the pink pony as her other friends wandered in. "H-H-Hey Twilight..." Dash said looking sheepish. Twilight looked at Dash she eyes tearing up slightly "Dash I didn't mean what I said! I'm so-" Dash cut her off, "Don't mention that word you've said it enough." Twilight felt in higher spirits with her friends there. The next day she was dismissed from hospital and Twilight went home to the library. So happy to be back among the familiar smells and quiet of the books, she didn't even notice both princesses sitting at the dining room table when she first walked by. She turned back and looked at them. Then rubbed her eyes and looked again. "Yes, Twilight we're really here." Celestia observed, her tone quiet but amused. Laughter wasn't easy at the moment, her love for Twilight and her horror over what she tried to do were fighting each other behind her calm facade. Celestia looked over at her sister, she could tell Luna was feeling something very similar. "AH! P-p-princess! W-w-why are you both here?" Twilight asked trying to recover from her initial shock. "Because, Twilight we both wished to see you and we wanted to talk to you." Celestia gave her a serious look. "Oh... right... about?" Twilight replied, trying to put off the inevitable. Luna was fed up and anger won over "Gee... let's try about why you were in hospital for four weeks! How about why you tried to kill yourself!" And she finally broke down. She tried to hide the tears that she had managed to keep inside for all this time. Twilight just stared in shock at the crying princess "I-Im sorry..." It was an automatic response by now. "Is that all you can say, you stupid foal? You tried to kill yourself! Why would you try that!?" Luna's anger was all the worse for the streaks of her tears. Twilight just stared, struck dumb. Her pain and loneliness, days, weeks of feeling like she was going insane, losing her friends, losing Spike, all because of her own inability to control herself, everything came crashing back in the face of the anger and tears of the moon princess. And with that opening, the voice emerged from the darkest parts of Twilight's mind. Anger, fear, pain! This is it! I can use this! I might be able to retain control of her for longer than ever. The voice whispered to itself Oh please not at the princesses! I already lost my friends, lost them twice! PLEASE NOT THE PRINCESSES!! Twilight felt her mind slipping away once more, retreating, taking a back seat to a new driver. And again, even though she could see, she had no control over what was about to happen. "What does it matter to you?" Twilight said quietly, eyes now meeting Luna's and Celestia's with fury mounting higher and higher, "WHAT DOES IT MATTER TO YOU!! YOU'RE NOTHING TO ME, NOTHING!! JUST TWO SILLY PRINCESSES! YOU THINK YOU'RE BETTER THEN EVERYONE ELSE, BUT YOU'RE NOT! YOU'RE JUST THE SAME! JUST AS WORTHLESS!" Twilight stormed out of the library magic slamming the door behind her. Her eyes once more the wicked, slit-pupilled, green orbs that had flashed at her friends. The princesses sat there, dumb struck, staring after the mare they thought they'd known. "What just happened, Luna?" Celestia asked "I-I think... she wasn't imagining those MPD episodes." Luna ventured. Although she couldn't be sure, Twilight's eyes had looked strange, different, if only the unicorn hadn't stormed off before she'd had a chance to look closer. "I think it's best if we... maybe we should leave her alone for the time being." Luna nodded her agreement and they left too, leaving the library silent and empty behind them. Twilight awoke at the bottom of a ditch. Which was a first. Her body ached all over, but her back left leg in particular felt as if it was on fire. She lifted her head and examined it only to see the leg twisted at an odd angle. W-W-What happened last night? All I remember was yelling at the princesses then... nothing! Twilight called forth her magic and examined her leg. Lets see not a break... just a dislocation and a twist... this is going to hurt. Twilight used her magic to untwist the joint and crack it back into place, as the joint reconnected she let out a loud scream. "That bucking hurt..." she hissed to herself. She stood up, with difficulty not putting much weight on her back left leg, she slowly made her way back towards ponyville. Half an hour later, Twilight reached the library, opened the door and collapsed on a cushion. She couldn't make it upstairs, it would be impossible in her condition. She groaned as her leg throbbed repeatedly. The voice muttered to itself darkly in the confines of Twilight's subconscious. Thirty three seconds... even though it was over the usual mark it was still poor... if she had been a bit more careful they wouldn't have taken that dive and she might have been in control longer... She's starting to fight back... I'll just have to crush the fight out of her next time. Twilight lay there using her magic to massage the limb, all was quiet apart from her moans and hisses when she hit a spot too hard. She leaped in the air and jarred her leg badly when her door was kicked open again framing the Royal Pony Sisters themselves. "Uh-oh," she muttered to herself, "this can't be good." Both princesses looked utterly bucked off at the young mare. "What do you have to say for yourself?" Celestia's one visible eye was frowning at Twilight, "And it better not be another 'I'm sorry'." Luna added Twilight sighed, at least this time she could explain herself, "I didn't mean what I said. I was just stressed, I was sad and frustrated." Twilight put her head n her hooves closed her eyes, whatever punishment they were going to give, they could give it. She'd been out of control, and they were the princesses... "I see you managed to injure yourself. Again. So how did this one happen?" Luna asked, casting a concerned glance over the visibly bruised area on Twilight's flank. "To tell you the truth, I don't know, I must've blacked out." Twilight replied, eyes open again, but deliberately not looking at either sister. "Well, may as well add it to the list." Luna told her "The list of what?" Twilight inquired, curiosity getting the better of her and looking up to meet midnight eyes that were full of resigned, wry mirth. "The list of things that make you stupid, yet cute." Luna clapped her hoof over her mouth. She'd said it out loud! Twilight looked non-plussed. Did she just say what I thought she said...? The question left her utterly confused. Celestia tried to keep a straight face, but found it exceedlingly hard. Looks like you've landed yourself in a spot of trouble, sister, Celestia snickered, keeping her mask of calm as firmly in place as she could. Oh buck... was all Luna thought. "Anyway... We still need to talk, despite what happened before, you still didn't answer my question... why would you try to kill yourself, Twilight?" Twilight sighed again, all positivity just seemed to drain from her, leaving her limp and lifeless to look at. "I lost everything precious to me... everything. Think of it as a puzzle you can't solve... it's easy to get infuriated and say it's impossible and it's easy to throw it away... but it's also easy to sit down and give up and never try again. I guess I was so sick of yelling at my friends, and driving them away, that I just wanted all of it to stop, to give up." The tone of Twilight's voice made it clear that she was being completely honest, and completely serious. Luna just stared at her unsure of what to say. In a way she's right... I remember the exact same feeling... "I... see." was all Celestia would say, and with that they sat opposite the little purple unicorn, each lost in thought. All three of them sat in silence unsure what to say until a cyan blue pegasus crashed through the window. In an amazing turn of form, the window didn't break, instead it was smashed, frame and all, from the wall. Rainbow had time to pull her face from the glass in mid-air before the frame landed on the floor, slid across the room like a skate-board and stopped so suddenly against the foot of a bookshelf that Dash's head wedged in between the shelves. Pulling her head free, Dash tumbled backwards off the window frame. She quickly got up and looked at Twilight hoping not to get yelled at again. "Heh... sorry." Dash told them, drawing in the imaginary dust on the floor. Only then did the glass panes of the window crack and fall from the frame. The princesses looked shocked, wide eyed with disbelief, but soon mastered their expressions. Twilight, however, didn't move. "I-Its fine Rainbow Dash..." She replied. Rainbow Dash, making herself as small as possible, quickly walked to the door and then left in a blur of rainbow contrail. "Well that was... weird." Celestia and Luna said together. "She does that a lot. Not quite so spectacularly, but fairly often." A ghost of a smile appeared on Twilight's face at the compounded memories. The smile slowly faded as she remembered the last words she'd said to Rainbow Dash before she tried to kill herself. “WHAT IS YOUR PROBLEM RAINBOW CRASH?! WHY CAN'T YOU USE A DOOR LIKE ANY NORMAL PONY?!” “OH LOOK, THE FIRST AND ONLY GAY PRIDE PONY CAN’T EVEN SPEAK! YOU'RE PATHETIC! GET OUT OF MY SIGHT YOU EXCUSE OF A PEGASUS!!” Twilight hadn't realized she was crying until she felt a princess settle down on either side of her. "What is wrong, Twilight?" Luna asked. "Tell us, and maybe we can help." Celestia added. Their nearness was comforting, but at the same time made her want to cry even more, "Unless you can turn back time and make ponies forget. I dont think you can. I've said some horrible things to my friends... stuff they didn't need to hear, stuff that hurt them..." Without thinking about it too much, Twilight told the two princesses about everything that had happened up until the moment she had tried to kill herself. Celestia nodded before she stood up, "Come Luna, we have much we must discuss." Luna stood up and headed towards the door with her sister. "Don't worry Twilight," Luna tried to reassure the lavender mare, "we'll get this whole mess straightened out." But Twilight looked like she didn't believe any of it. "I'll be fine... I think." She tried to give them a reassuring smile, she didn't think it had worked. As soon as they left Twilight stood up, shakily. She went down into the basement, to the far back wall, and opened a small dusty cabinet back there. Taking a brown paper bag with her, she hobbled back upstairs to the living room and placed it on the table. "I promised myself I wouldn't do this again, but right now I dont care." She took out a bottle of hard apple spirits, grabbed a glass from the kitchen with magic, and settled back onto the floor cushion with everything in easy reach. She stared into the fireplace and downed shot after shot until she reduced herself into a drunken, but dreamless, sleep. Luna and Celestia walked together through the empty streets of Ponyville. "So what business must we discuss?" Luna broke the silence. "Not here," Celestia cautioned, "when we're in private." They arrived at the only real place in Ponyville for visitors to stay, a small inn on one of the meandering streets, where they'd been offered rooms for the duration of their stay by the kindly owner. Well, the advertising from having both royal sisters staying at his inn for more than a month was probably his real compensation for the use of a single room. Luna closed the door while Celestia cast a muffling spell, just incase any unwanted ponies tried to listen in. "Theres something wrong with Twilight," Celestia began, "So I've noticed." Luna replied, "Somepony needs to keep a eye on her while I find a way to fix the situation." Celestia said, looking her sister in the eye. "Yes, but who? She already worries so much about shouting at her friends." Luna looked at her sister slightly worried. "Luna... when I say I need somepony, I do not mean somepony else... I mean I need you to watch over her." Celestia placed a hoof on her sister's chest. "ME?! Wha- why me?" Luna balked, startled, "Don't you need help to find a cure for this?" "It's not that I don't want your help, Luna, but it's important that one of us is here and not involve anypony else. It's simple really, you have a better excuse to stay than me and, well, it's quite obvious you find her attractive." Celestia said a hint of a smile on her face. "You find her attractive too!" Luna shot back defensively. "True, but you still have a better excuse." Celestia stated calmly a hint of a smile on her face, though she tried to look aloof. "And what might that be?" Luna asked, irritated now, "Simple... I sent you here to make friends." Celestia rolled back a smile on her face. "Fine…but Tia, perhaps we should re-link our minds so we can share thoughts while we are apart. It would be quicker than having me teleport back every time, and safer than writing a letter. As soon as I learn something, you'll learn it too." Luna suggested, thinking carefully. "Good idea, but we'll do it before I leave in the morning, right now I want to sleep." Celestia replied, she covered a yawn with an elegant hoof, but it still set Luna off in turn. Twilight woke up in the afternoon, her head was throbbing, but at least she'd had a peaceful night's sleep, she rolled over and went into the bathroom, but closed her eyes when a nauseated feeling overtook her she ran towards the toilet, bent down and threw up. Later, she lay on the floor again, reading her books. The pounding in her head worse, but at least her stomach was empty. She closed her eyes tightly as the door was opened and slammed shut. "DONT BE SO LOUD!" she yelled. As soon as the words left her mouth she regretted them. Her head throbbed worse than ever and her stomach felt like it was going to make her throw up again, with nothing there to throw up. "Looks like someone's had a rough night." Luna said with a small giggle. Twilight groaned "Not now, please, my head hurts." "I'm not surprised..." She'd spotted the apple spirit bottle under the table, "especially if you drained the whole bottle." Luna reproached. "Never again." Twilight stated. She closed her eyes and tried to clear her mind. "Uhm, Twilight? I have a favour to ask. Is it okay if I stay here with you for a while?" Luna asked, trying to make it casual, a blush creeping on her face. "What? Why?" Twilight asked, not processing things fast enough yet. "Well Celestia wants me to try and make friends in Ponyville... seeing as she's the only one I have... And, well, she told me to ask you if you'd let me... stay here." Luna replied the blush becoming deeper from embarrassment and the look Twilight was giving her with her dishevelled bed-mane. Please just say no Twilight, please say no. "Sure," Twilight said, giving up all pretense, "welcome to the library." Buck! Luna thought, Now I've got no excuse... Sister, you'll pay for this. "Wonderful," Luna smiled genuinely, as much to convince herself as anything. Although nagging fears about staying with Twilight still pulled in her mind; she'd brought her diary with her from the castle, she'd never live it down if Twilight found it while Luna was a guest in her house. "Lemme show you around." Twilight said as she stood up, the night's sleep had done wonders for her injured leg and tender as it was, she could at least handle the stairs. With Luna staying, Spike at last returned. He'd been miserable for weeks, hiding out at one friend or another's, and pining for all the things he missed about home. But as much as he loved Twilight, he had been even less willing to face her anger and shouting than her friends. The reunion with Twilight had been tearful, and with many promises to not let something like this come between them again, and, happier than he had been in a month, Spike settled back into his routine. Luna smiled at Twilight they were sat at the table while Spike was in the kitchen cooking. Having arrived home half way through the tour, interrupting it for more than an hour, he'd started making dinner and was almost finished. Luna suspected that Celestia was sticking her hooves into the situation a little, considering how promptly he'd arrived. The little dragon emerged with a big pot of carrot and mushroom soup. He placed it on the table and dished out three generous portions passing one to Luna and one to Twilight. "So has Canterlot changed much since I was last there?" Twilight asked "Not really... it's all new to me now, when I was last here we lived in the castle that stands in the Everfree Forest, Canterlot is much different. I'd say, though, that it's still the same as when you left, full of the nobility and ponies who want to be nobility." And full of trolls Luna thought. Twilight's answer was interrupted as Spike belched green flame, a note forming in front of them. Opening it with magic and beginning, she smiled a familiar smile at getting a letter from her mentor in the usual way. But as she read on, her brow crinkled slightly. "Say Luna... who or what is 'Lunacy'?" Twilight looked at the princess. Luna's eyes went wide and she spat her soup out, "W-w-what?!" "It says right here, 'P.S. Luna, the link is still active... I heard that comment. Shall I tell Twilight about Lunacy maybe?' then... the last bit's been erased with magic." Twilight replied, curiosity plain in her speech, and when she finished she met the midnight princess' panicked eyes. Luna looked utterly shocked. Oh horseapples I forgot about that! "Lunacy is an old nickname given to me by Celestia." She was proud of the way her voice didn't waver at all. Before Twilight could ask more, Luna vanished in a 'poof' of magic, a night-blue cloud billowing where she'd been briefly. I'll get you for that Celestia! No, you won't... Lunacy! Chapter Four RevisedAuthors Note Ok so i rewrote chapter 4 sorry for the wait. but here you go, ive slowed it down alot ive decided to take time and focus on the build of the relationship before that bucking voice decides to ruin things. Also on a note the voice is quiet because if you can't guess it from the reading its scared of being found out....it doesnt want the princess to know its there. Ok story time: Twilight lay on the floor, the alchohol had worn off and she had just realized what she'd gotten herself into... The lunar princess is staying at the library... my library. Twilight stood up and headed up stairs if the princess was going to stay here then Twilight needed to sort out her room and make it presentable for her. Luna paced down the streets of Ponyville, trying to memorize as much of it as possible, nodding to the residents that noticed her. She had told Twilight earlier that morning that she would be staying at the library, the bleary eyed mare had said okay but then passed back out. I must make sure she doesnt touch anymore alchohol... if she does who knows what could happen. Luna subconciously licked her lips as saucy ideas passed through her mind. Still... I guess I'd better be heading back to the library. Twilight was halfway down the stairs when the door to the library swung open. Startled, she lost her balance and went tumbling down the stairs, the bed she was bringing down following her and nearly landing on top of her. She opened her eyes to Luna's concerned face... but why were there two of them? "Are you okay?" Luna asked. "I'll be fine." Twilight replied with a groan. "What were you doing?" Luna asked, looking at the bed that had nearly crushed the purple mare. If I hadn't caught it with magic... she couldve been seriously hurt! "Well... you are a princess... so I was going to sleep down here while you slept in the bedroom." Twilight replied, as if that was common sense. Luna stood there quietly her emotions fighting for control... she was angry, hurt, annoyed at Twilight's carelessness, but also strangely happy... happy that this mare would think about what she wanted, even though she was intruding. "Twilight, I'm just as happy sharing a room. You didn't have to do this." Luna said, voice somewhere between sad and guilty, "Really, I'm the one intruding. There was no reason to do this... and you could have been hurt... ask next time...? Please?" Before Twilight could reply, Luna levitated the bed and disappeared. Twilight lay on the floor with a book. She hadn't seen the princess since she took the bed back upstairs. I wonder where she is.... Probably reporting to Celestia... The voice replied, uninvited, or perhaps getting information from your friends. Dont you think it's a bit weird, after your outbreak, that the princess is here? I mean, come on, even a foal could see she's spying on you. The voice was trying to poke and prod at Twilight's worst fears about the princess. Yes, it may be a bit weird, but that's how Princess Celestia works. Maybe she is here to keep an eye on me, but not for the reasons you're thinking. Maybe she's genuinely worried about me... after what happened, I'd like to think so. And besides she wouldn't have to be here if you would just GO AWAY! The voice grumbled and faded away. It would draw power from the princess, that would be easy considering the close proximity, it would become stronger and then... it will rule this form and destroy Celestia. Luna was lying on Twilight's bed. She didn't know how long she'd been there, breathing in that purple mare's scent, but it felt like a while. Yes, okay, it was weird of her to be there breathing in the unicorn's scent, but she couldn't help herself! She didn't even know what time it was anymore. Probably a few hours... it might be getting close to the rising of the moon. Eventually she stood up and looked out the window, a harder battle than she'd thought. Just as she suspected, it was getting close to the moonrise. She jumped up, pushed the window open and drifted outside, landing softly on the ground, waiting. Twilight got up and looked out of the nearest window. She'd thought she heard a soft thud... but outside she couldn't believe it. Luna stood there proudly, wings spread, head held high, and her horn glowing a magnificant silver... like the colour of the moon. She watched, entranced, by the young alicorn. Her gaze drew higher as Luna rose into the air, one slow wing beat at a time, and slowly but surely pulled the moon up into the sky, and as she did so Twilight saw something she'd never seen in her life. A silver rainbow, a shimmering ghost of the real thing, had formed around Luna, slowly swirling around her before splitting and shining in an arch over her. Luna dropped back to the ground and walked through the front door of the library only to be greeted by the dumbfounded, wide-eyed Twilight. "Soooo I'm guessing you liked it?" Luna asked, unable to hide all of her amusement, Twilight just shook her head, unable to find her voice. Luna gave Twilight a part smile, "Well, goodnight." and with that, Luna headed upstairs to bed. Twilight followed a little time after, mind still turning over the sight of the moon princess in her element. Twilight found herself in a pitch-black, circular room with nothing around her but a single shaft of light that she stood in shining down from the ceiling. "So, the young mare is back again." "Go away." Twilight deadpanned "How about no?" The voice taunted, A single spike formed in the air, aimed directly at Twilight's cutie mark. "They say the worst pain a pony can feel... is their cutie marked being stabbed. Shall we see if its correct?" The voice laughed, relishing the words. She tried to move away, but as she did the spike flew directly at her, piercing through her ribcage straight through to the other side. Twilight gritted her teeth, I must not scream I must not scream. Before she could recover, another spike pierced her, this one on target, going straight through her cutie mark. Twilight let out a scream. It was the worst pain she had ever felt... nothing compared... having her cutie mark stabbed through hurt more then being dipped in lava... and she knew how much that hurt. More and more spikes formed around her, hovering menacingly... She saw them in time to scream just once more as they lunged towards her. Twilight awoke, panting and sweating all over, and quickly placed a hoof at her cutie mark... nothing! She checked her ribcage... again nothing! Just another dream... just another dream... Will I ever get a peaceful night's sleep? Twilight lay back down and, despite everything she feared, slowly drifted off into happier dreams. Twilight awoke at 1:21 pm. Spike and the princess had let her sleep in...! I'll kill them both! She tried not to think about that thought... When she got downstairs she found the rather surprising sight of Luna sitting comfortably on the floor reading four different books at once. "Princess? Where's Spike?" Twilight asked. "Spike went shopping, and it's Luna please..." She paused, marking her place in a couple of the books, "Twilight could you introduce me to some of the folks around ponyville? I've never been good at making friends and... well, times have changed. I fear I'd probably make a foal of myself." Luna asked sheepishly. You know, I bet she's just asking so she can keep an eye on you to see if you'll flip out. She's a liar, tell her no... tell her to get lost... Shut up you stupid personality! Twilight smiled at the princess, "Of course I'll help you princ- I mean Luna... shall we?" Luna gave Twilight a bright smile and the two headed out. The two of them had walked around Ponyville all afternoon, meeting and greeting some of the ponies they had run into. Aloe and Vera, Colgate, Berry Punch - who, as always, was quite quick to move onto flirting with both the princess and Twilight... and any other pony around... They'd met Carrot Top, who had asked if they had seen Berry and Colgate, and then they met Lyra and Bon Bon. The young couple were getting disgusted looks from every upper class pony as they walked through the more expensive side of Ponyville. Twilight gave a sigh as they passed, "Lyra and Bon Bon are so in love, they dont care what others think... but still they get disgusted looks beacause they're 'fillyfoolers'." Twilight said, sounding disgusted at the treatment. Luna was familiar with that word... Celestia had called her that a few times, along with a few other things during those arguments, so she sort of knew what it meant. She walked towards Lyra and Bon Bon, but was stopped by an upperclass pony. "Your Highness, you do not want to go talking to them... they're a disgrace to Ponyville, please Princess come talk with us." He bowed, Luna looked at him for a few crucial moments, debating. She closed her eyes, brought forth her magic and pushed him out of her way, leaving him standing in a nearby mud puddle, "I'll talk to whom I choose, and if I must say, it's you who is a disgrace to Ponyville. Ponies were made to love and find one who loves them in return. And if they so happen to be in love and both be mares, who are you to judge?" She paced regally over to Lyra and Bon Bon and smiled softly, "I apologise for everypony's rudeness... and I would like to get to know you both better. I can't stay long... but would you like to join me and Twilight for lunch later? Around five-ish?" "Of course, your highness," Both Lyra and Bon Bon replied, awed, before leaving quickly. Twilight and Luna headed back to the library. "I think what you did for them was sweet..." Twilight commented. "Really why...?" Luna replied. "Well you've invited them to lunch... and you talked to them in front of everpony, and you snubbed that guy to do it. You really sent out a message to everypony that even a princess doesn't judge." Twilight replied. "How do you think I can judge when I'm just like them?" Luna said it before she realised, she slapped both hooves over her mouth and closed her eyes hoping Twilight wouldn't pursue it. "Just like them how?" Twilight said with a hint of hope in her voice. She had always had a attraction to stallions, true, but she felt an even stronger attraction to mares. She'd loved Celestia, so kind, generous and beautiful... But she also loved the night Luna brought forth, and through the night she loved Luna. Plus what she'd seen last night didn't help... Luna had looked so... beautiful. "I... I mean to say... Always... judged." Luna thought quickly, but she finished the excuse feeling guilty about not being able to just say it. Twilight tried to make herself sound indifferent but she didn't know if it had worked. "I see... well no one in Ponyville will judge you." "Would you excuse me? I have somewhere I need to go." Her feigned smile and quick exit left Luna stunned. Twilight walked away... What was she doing? There was no need to be angry at the princess, and yet she was. She was furious! But there was no reason why. What had she expected? For the princess to say she was a fillyfooler? That maybe she liked Twilight? Yeah when pigs fly... Twilight sat down under a tree and watched the sky. They barely knew each other and she just... expected a relationship with the other mare... she really must be going crazy, as if attempted suicide hadn't proved that already. She's only playing with you. She's just going get your hopes up, play with you like the manipulative sneak she is, and then throw you aside. You might not be dating, you're not even in her league, but she knows that you want to be and she will use all of those emotions to get what she wants out of you. Then,when shes done? She'll cast you out and leave you, all alone. Shut up! I don't want to listen to you! Just buck off and go die! Or better yet, get out of my head and go bother somepony else you stupid bucking voice! I DONT WANT TO DEAL WITH YOU RIGHT NOW SO GO AWAY! Twilight went to buck a tree out of sheer frustration. Her leg hit the tree at an odd angle, twisting the hoof and something went snap... Twilight stood there for a few seconds before screaming in agony, curling up around her leg and trying to cradle it off the ground. D-D-Delayed reactions really suck! Breathing hard, and fighting tears, she tried to get up and walk back to the library on her three good legs, but everytime she took a step pain shot through her. I've never fixed a broken bone before and I don't know how... Dear Celestia, this royally sucks. With a huge effort, Twilight continued to make her way back to the library, wincing in pain each time her leg so much as bumped the wrong way. Luna was hovering at a bookshelf, looking for a new book to read, when the library door flew open with a crash. She looked around and took in the sight of Twilight, agonised face and messed up mane, her back left leg was bent at a odd angle. "Twilight!" she gasped in shock, "Your leg! Is it broken?" "Nooo, Princess, it's just twisted at that angle for kicking people next to me! Yes it's broken!" Twilight yelled, pain making tears swell in her eyes, Luna dropped to the ground and stepped cautiously up to the purple mare... she'd never heard Twilight in so much pain before, "D-d-do you want me to fix it?" Twilight sighed, mastering herself before replying, "Yes please." Luna wasted no time, closed her eyes and brought forth her magic. Slowly she surrounded the injured leg with her magic and proceeded to knit the bone back together. She felt the mare wince several times, especially when she had to shift the hoof back around into line, straightening the leg as gently as she could. "Thank you." Twilight sighed in relief when she finished, testing the hoof back on the floor. "Don't mention it." Luna replied, her face slightly red... for the briefest of moments their thoughts had touched and even though she hadn't read anything but pain and concentration from the lavender mare, it had still felt very, very personal. "Twilight?" She began, to cover the silence, "We've got that double date with Lyra and Bon Bon in a little while, you might want to get changed..." "Double... date?" Twilight repeated, surprised. "D-D-D-Did I say double date?! I meant dinner date! Lunch date! YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN!" Luna's volume rose to panic levels as she tried to cover her slip. Twilight giggled, it was cute to see the princess flustered, "I'll be down in a few minutes." And she left the princess to her mortified thoughts. Luna and Twilight stood waiting outside the library for Lyra and Bon Bon. Just when they thought their guests wouldn't arrive, both ponies rounded a corner and hurried down the road to them. "Heh, sorry!"Lyra called out, "Bon Bon wanted to take an extra half hour to get ready!" She smirked at her marefriend good-naturedly. Bon Bon did look like she'd put in the effort, that was for certain, she was in gold gilded dress with matching hoof shoes, a lyre-shaped clip adorned on her hair and golden eyeliner around her eyes. "I see... a lot of gold," Twilight stage murmered to Luna, "A fan of the sun, Bon Bon?" Luna asked Bon Bon just nodded, not sure whether the moon princess was teasing her or not. "So where shall we go?" Lyra asked eagerly, "I don't know, wherever you wish." Luna smiled generously. They entered the restaurant and sat down at a table, Twilight and Luna at one side Lyra and Bon Bon at the other. "So how long have you been dating" Luna asked Lyra. "Well, we've been together about three years." Lyra said with a thoughtful look, "And three wonderful years they've been." Bon Bon added happily "What about you and Twilight?" Lyra returned, "What about us?" Luna looked mildly confused, "How long have you two been dating?" Bon Bon clarified, "D-D-D-Dating?" Luna stuttered. "We're not dating!" Although I wish we were... Twilight finished. "Awww, you two make such a cute couple, though." Bon Bon protested "You two should totally date!" Lyra added with a smile. Twilight took this moment to down her drink and hopefully hide the blush. What she didn't know was her drink was alchoholic. Luna was at this moment doing the same, it seemed that everyone else but the two of them could see they liked each other. "Lyra, they're so cute!" Bon Bon whispered into her ear, "The princess and the librarian, ooh, doesn't it sound like a book?!" "I can see that, Bon," Lyra giggled, "Apparently they don't get it!" Twilight put her drink down and looked at Lyra, "Why is there... apple cider in my glass?" "HAH! Now pay up!" Bon Bon exulted, "Oh fine... And Twilight, me and Bon Bon had a bet... Bon Bon thought she saw you buy some alchohol a while back. And I said it couldn't be, you would never drink... so Bon Bon made me a bet. If you could name what you were drinking without being told then I'd lose." Lyra told the purple unicorn. "And what was the prize?" Luna asked taking a drink of cider. "Who gets to be on top tonight." Lyra finished nonchalantly. Luna spat out her drink in a most un-royal fashion, "What?!" Twilight just sat there looking shocked, "So you two bet on things like that..." "Sure, it's fun." Bon Bon told them both "E-excuse me, I need to use the... little mare's room." Luna beat a hasty retreat. Twilight watched Luna leave, her heart practically following the Princess, leaving her to feel alone in a full room. "So, Twilight. Do you like her?" Lyra leaned in for the juicy details, "What do you mean?" Twilight hedged, "Oh c'mon! It's not like you're trying to hide it, you're attracted to her." Bon Bon deadpanned. "I am not! Besides... why would the princess want me...? I'm just a nobody..." Twilight replied, looking at the tablecloth, Both of them shook their heads. They said love makes you blind... Luna returned and sat down. As soon as she was comfortable, the waiter came arrived, "May I take your orders?" Thinking it safest to avoid those topics for a bit, the girls ordered their food and made small talk while they ate. Luna carried Twilight through the library door, the younger mare being held in place on Luna's back with magic. After dinner they'd hit a bar, Twilight had more than her fair share, which amounted to surprisingly few... Maybe the bar wasn't the best idea... She considered. Twilight giggled and hiccuped before sliding off Luna with the grace of a sack of flour and stumbling down into the cellar. She came back up with a few bottles of apple cider wavering around in her magic's unsteady influence. "Shall we play a little game, Looney Luna." Twilight said, stifling a giggle. "A drinking game?" Luna asked, slightly intrigued, this probably wasn't a good idea, but... tipsy Twilight was adorable. "'S called Truth... you ask me a question and I either give you an honest answer or a dishonest answer..." She wasn't slurring, but she was disjointed, which was kind of fun to listen to from the usually-exacting Twilight, "You then have three more questions to ask. Then you have to take a guess at whether I told the truth or lied." Twilight finished with a grin. "This sounds... interesting. Okay, I'll play." Luna couldn't resist that happy smile, against her better judgement she was going to play. Luna, don't drink anymore, your mind is muddled. Shush Trollestia. No, you should stop drinking. Nevah!! Don't make me come down there and spank you... Celestia warned, Oooh, kinky! Celestia shut up smartly after that... She's a pervert when shes drunk... Dont you know it! Oh, I know it very well, LUNACY Oh come now, dont you bring that into it. Oh-hoho yes I will. Every time you get drunk, you go off the rails. That was why you were banned from alchohol for five hundred years! Luna just ignored her sister and took another drink from the bottle. "Ok im ready" Luna stated. Twilight and Luna sat at the table, a glass in front of each of them and six bottles of apple cider waiting for them. "You go first Luna, ask me a question." "Ok... Uh... Have you ever clopped?" Luna began, hoping to get a reaction "EW! No!" Twilight swallowed unconsciously, "So how was your first time?" Luna probed, "It felt good." Came the quick answer, Twilight covered her mouth remembering the first question. "You lied." Luna concluded with a grin, Twilight sighed poured herself a glass and downed it. "Now it's my turn. Have you ever kissed a mare? And not your sister." Twilight countered. "No." Luna replied. "So... how many ponies have you kissed?" Twilight asked. "A few." Luna replied, not giving much, "How were they?" Twilight questioned "Okay." Luna replied "Who was your first kiss?" Twilight asked. "She was a pony from my sch-" Luna looked at Twilight who sat there smiling Oh buck! I said she! "Lying!" Twilight beamed. Luna silently poured herself a drink and downed it. "Do you love me?" Luna asked. Twilight went quiet debating whether to lie or tell the truth, she decided to tell the truth. They were both pretty drunk and probably wouldn't remember anything in the morning. "Yes." Twilight replied. Luna balked and flushed at the candid answer, but recovered, "When did you fall in love with me?" Luna asked. "I don't honestly know." Twilight replied, thinking about it. "Do you love me as a goddess, or as the mare I am?" Luna asked "As the mare you are." Twilight finished. Luna sat there debating why would anyone love her she was the one who almost doomed the world... but Twilight might be telling the truth... Oh, how she hoped she was telling the truth! Luna went with what she thought was right, not what her gut told her. "You're lying." "Wrong..." Twilight countered, slightly hurt. "I was telling the truth." Luna took a glass full to the brim as her penalty for that... her heart buzzed... was that just the alcohol? Was that just... Oh buck! Telling the truth?! How? Why? As the game carried on the questions became more and more erratic. They were running out of alchohol, and working depth perception. "Okay... final queshtion..." Twilight slurred, while trying to remain balanced. "Why do you like me?" Luna had to ask. "Becaushe you're beautifuls." Twilight shook her head. "Lies!" Luna wasn't sure whether she was denying what Twilight said, or denying she was beautiful... "Wrong-o!" Twilight giggled. It took Luna a moment to recognise what she had done. Buck, I must be worse off than I thought... Twilight tried to get up, but fell backwards, knocking her glass, and the table, flying. The drunken mare just giggled as she lay on the floor. "C'mon... lets get you to bed." Luna sighed, lifting Twilight onto her back, then headed for the stairs to the bedroom. Luna woke up bleary and with a pounding headache in the morning... she had no clue how she got to bed. She remembered little of last night, she hoped nothing bad happened. So how're we feeling this morning? Celestia's voice was bright and cheery, Shut it Celestia... I told you not to, but nooooo, you just ignored your big sister who just wanted to prevent this. I'm paying for it, am I not? Not enough. She trilled, So I'm going to punish you! Luna groaned What do you want me to do? For disobeying my express orders, you're going to tell TwilIght about Lunacy! She sounded triumphant. Luna gasped out loud... Please anything but that! I'll do anything else you want me to, just not that! Nope. That is your punishment. Luna could almost hear the smile of glee in Celestia's voice. Luna hung her head in defeat and got up to find something for the hangover. In the bathroom she heard Twilight coughing over the toilet... I guess she drank more than I did... surprising, for such a lightweight. After an uneventful day, spent mostly in silence to get over the copious drinking from last night, Luna lay outside on the grass under the moonlight. It had been a couple of hours since she had raised the moon and she was too warm, the night was close and muggy for late autumn, and Twilight kept popping into her head. As much as she loved that mare, she knew her feelings would never be accepted by Twilight. This, on top of everything else, put her in a bad mood. OOOOH LUNAAAAAAA... her sister wailed in her head. Not now, Celestia. But... I'm loooonely and you're so saaaaad tonight. I don't care. I'm trying to help Twilight. You're no fun... Which reminds me, did you tell her about Lunacy? No I damn well did not. I was a little busy trying to stop Twilight throwing her guts up. Celestia went quiet for a moment - Luna dared to hope that the serious nature of Luna's thoughts had made her see sense - before mind speaking again. You'd better tell her, or I will. And what about Trollestia...? Luna threatened. She's not going to be my marefriend, not at this rate, so she doesn't need to know. Celestia's voice attempted nonchalance, but Luna could hear the bitterness it hid. Hah and you think she'll be mine? I highly doubt that! Ooohh, it seems I've struck a nerve... but you must be mad to not see she likes you... or it's Lunacy. IT IS NOT LUNACY!! And besides... I know she doesn't like me. Luna's mental voice was wistful. Celestia decided to have a poke around some of lunas thoughts what she saw made her shake her head before replying in a sing-song voice, Lunaaaaaaacccccyyyy comes up with some really... bucked up ideas! You should go away Lunacy, bring back Luna! I told you, Lunacy no longer exists! And besides, Lunacy was never another personality, unlike Trollestia and Mo- A sudden, incredibly loud mental burst of music cut Luna off, she clutched her head in pain. WE NEVER MENTION THAT!! Remember that! You swore to a Princesses Oath. Celestia said in a deadly serious voice, getting more quiet and more tightly controlled as she went on, Luna could hear the capital letters on the words. S-s-sorry I... forgot. See that it doesn't happen again. Celestia finished in a lighter tone, Goodnight... Lunacy. Troll. Luna shot back before casting the spell to cut off her sister for the remainder of the night. Luna headed back inside, Celestia's half-evil attempt to cheer her up had worked though, because Luna felt a little happier. Her eyes found Twilight, who was writing something on a scroll, but as Luna approached Twilight quickly picked up the scroll and made it disappear. "You can't sneak up on me, Luna." Twilight turned her head just enough to give the princess a triumphant look. Drat i wanted to see what she wrote too... She blinked as her mental cut-off spell was brushed aside, Twilight just sent me a scroll... Celestia chuckled, and its really juicy. Luna just stood there in shock, her spell had been countered... and Twilight had sent Celestia a scroll... containing something juicy? Before she could get over the double surprise a sudden burst of smoke caused a new scroll to appear in front of Twilight. "Luna?" Twilight asked, still reading the scroll, "Celestia says you have 5 days to tell me about 'Lunacy'... Actually I'm quite curious as to what or who Lunacy is..." At this Luna accidently managed to teleport herself out of sheer embarrassment. Chapter FiveLuna reappeared upstairs on Twilight's bed, when she'd desperately thought to go somewhere safe... well... Moon damn her...! Why does she have to do this... 'Cause it's fun! Shut up, Celestia! Nnnnooooooooope! She was definitely enjoying this too much. Luna sighed, Celestia, please don't make me tell her... I-I-I'm ashamed of it... Tough luck sister. Go tell her. B-B-B-B-But! No buts even if they're cute, moon-alicorn butts or sweet Twilight butts. I wont have any of them. ... Yet. Luna just stared at the wall, had she heard her sister right? Finally she just sighed once more and walked dejectedly back down stairs. "Heh," she gave a false, nervous laugh, "sorry about that, Twilight." she apologised, rubbing a hoof against the other ankle "It's no problem, besides it's fun to see you shocked." Twilight giggled, "Also it's kinda cute." Luna blushed, then looked away. 'Cute'? Couldn't be... "Thank you, Twilight... but I can't tell you about Lunacy." "Why?" Twilight asked simply "Because I'm ashamed of what it did..." Twilight just nodded. "Well I'm going to go out for a walk. Feel free to do what you want, Luna." Twilight smiled before departing the library. Luna breathed a silent breath of relief, she'd managed to put it off. As Twilight left she looked at the books on the nearest shelf. Reading time! Celestia lay on her bed, exhausted and disconsolate. Which had become a usual thing. After the day's duties, tasks, meetings, and all the little minute of running a kingdom were done, she'd head to her chambers and wallow in... well whatever ponies wallow in. Do ponies wallow in pity? Celestia wondered briefly as she lay there. There was no way she could help Twilight... And there sure as sunshine was no way she could spend time with that lavender mare. Why does life have to suck?! She smiled briefly at her own acting like a filly, stood up and walked over to the window that looked out to the distant town of ponyville. All I want is for Luna to be happy... But does that mean I should ignore what I want? Luna has been out of the world for a thousand and one years, this would be so good for her. And yet why did it have to be Twilight? My Twilight? My faithful, studious, beautiful Twilight who shines so brightly to me that I can't even go see her in fear of what I might say or do. My Twilight, who will probably never see me as anything more than a teacher, while Luna grows ever closer to her! Celestia curled her back legs under herself and sat, while her eyes closed in dejection. Life is unfair... Twilight walked along the street, her mind and body feeling relaxed. She hadn't felt this at peace since... well never... She found a nice spot, out of the way with flowers all around it, laid down on the grass and closed her eyes. When she opened her eyes she wasn't on the grass, but in that all-too-familiar darkened space. Twilight shivered, she knew what to expect this time, and the expectation filled her with dread. Bring on the pain. A shadowy figure appeared, dim and hazy against the darker and hazier backdrop, "Hello." the greeting was almost pleasant, almost. "What do you want?" Twilight didn't want to prolong things, "Well, there's a lot of things I want, but let's not get into that just yet... instead let's have some fun." Her voice sounded like she meant actual fun, the same way somepony would suggest a roller coaster ride. Twilight knew better though. As soon as it finished shackles appeared around Twilight's front and back legs, pinning her hooves to the ground. A muzzle, complete with iron bit thrust back into her mouth, clamped her mouth shut and nearly made it impossible to breathe. Her five friends appeared in front of her, fading into place, but seeming all too solid once they were there, watching her with fear in their eyes. Shackles appeared around each of them in turn, locking to their limbs as securely as the ones that pinned her to the floor. She watched in horror as chains snaked out to these shackles, snapping into place and pulling taught before they were dragged slowly, too slowly, back to a wall bristling with spikes that shimmered into being. Screams and tears, sobbing and begging, the agony of despair on their faces and the eventual pain that took them... was horrifying. The spikes pierced her friends' bodies, slim tines emerging before her eyes out of stomachs, legs, chests, necks and... She had to look away, but she couldn't. After a minute, a full minute of agonisingly slow impalement, her friends disappeared and reappeared in front of her again. Twilight was made to watch her friends die over and over, screams and tears ringing in the dark, made to watch and be unable to make even a sound. Twilight awoke in her own bed. How did I get here? Why did I have to see that? What did I do to deserve all this?! All these questions floated around Twilights mind as she tried to focus. It was morning... Not that late either, about the time she'd usually get up if she had something to do in the day. Breakfast time, really. She got up, groggy and bushy maned, and made her way down stairs, she sat down at the table just as Spike leaned out of the kitchen. What she saw made her recoil in shock and fall away from the table; in Spike's hand was a bloodied knife! "Twilight? Are you okay? You look like you've seen a ghost." Spike peered at her from the door, Twilight didn't answer because, even as she looked, the bloodied knife turned into a pancake mix covered spatula. I must be so tired. My eyes are playing tricks on me, that's all. Luna lay in bed staring at the ceiling, she didn't want to get up yet, but Twilight had gone downstairs already. I'll have to tell Twilight soon or my heart is going to explode... How I feel... And Lunacy, if it comes to that, damn Celestia to the sun, but she's never going to let that go. I'll do it tonight. I have to do it tonight. I can't go on living here with her with this hanging over my head. She rolled off the bed, feeling better for making the decision, and started to walk down the stairs. Unfortunately she wasn't concentrating in the slightest and misplaced her hoof. One heart-stopping tumble later and Luna opened her eyes and looked down to find what had broken her fall. A pained and dazed expression greeted her, complete with the most... beautiful eyes she'd ever had the privilege to gaze into. They widened as they, too, realised what had happened, but nothing was said. She'd landed on top of Twilight, pinning her to the floor, their muzzles only inches apart and it was... making her heart... Luna's mind had stopped doing anything, and all she could notice was the way Twilight's lips were slightly parted, so invitingly, as she paused to collect her own thoughts. Whatever stroke of luck had stopped her from immediately trying to get up and get away, Luna thanked it and felt her heart hammering harder. The door to the library burst open, "Hey, Twilight we're-" All five of Twilight's friends were framed in the morning light. All of them except the pink one were staring with mixed expressions. "Ahem. We'll just be leaving. Come on girls." Rarity tossed her curls and tried to shoo the others out of the library. "N-N-No! It's fine! I'll, uhm, I'll just... go out for a bit. And give you all time. To talk, I mean." Luna didn't recognise her own voice as it squeaked out while she scrambled to her hooves. Luna tried to walk naturally past the group of girls, but her face still shone red. "Sooo..." Dash turned back as soon as the door shut behind the alicorn, "I'm guessing you and the princess had a good time?" Dash's tone made it abundantly clear what 'a good time' was supposed to mean. Twilight stood up, her face red. "No! She just fell down the stairs and landed on me!" "Suuuure she did." Dash needled her, "She did!" Twilight protested. In the face of that innocent denial, Dash caved, "I was just kidding, sheesh..." "What brings you all here anyway?" The embarrassed mare tried to steer back into normal conversation, "We were going to go to the park and, uhm, well, we wondered if you and the princess wanted to join us...if that's ok." Fluttershy explained, tailing off as usual. "I'd love to, and I'm sure that Luna would as well. We'll have to find her and ask though." Her friends wanted to spend time with her again! It felt like she'd had a shot of sugar to the heart. "Ooh! Search party!" Pinkie bounced, "And that's one of the most fun parties, because you get to play hide and seek at the same time, although it kinda means you can't play some of the other games, like pin the tail on the pony, I mean duh! How can you when you're looking all over the place for somepony? It's like I always say-" Twilight shook her head at the infallible party-pony and left her to babble, leading the way out of the library to look for her princess. It took her a long while to realise that this was probably the first time she'd thought of Luna as 'her' princess... By the time she did, things were very different indeed. Luna walked through Ponyville, her face completely crimson. If Twilight's friends hadn't arrived when they did, I might've kissed her! Always they show up at the most awkward of times! A call came from behind her, with the sound of cantering hooves; her name being called by multiple ponies. Her ears perked up as she turned her head to see who it could be, but of course, it was Twilight, her friends in a happy tumble of coloured manes, tails and laughter behind her, playfully teasing each other, and calling out to her when they saw her looking. The group trotted, or slewed in mid-air, to a halt when they reached her, "Hey princess! We're going to the park for a picnic! Want to join us?" Pinkie Pie bounced in place. Luna laughed before replying, "That sounds like fun, of course I'll come." At this Pinkie Pie's bouncing took her clear over Luna and then round the entire group, "To the park we go! OnetwothreeGO!" she vanished in a pink blur. "I don't think I'll ever understand her..." Rarity observed. "I don't think any of us will." Twilight giggled as they all followed after the candy-floss-curls of Pinkie Pie. The park, the picnic, the whole day had been nothing but laughter and good conversation. Before they even knew it, the sun had started to set and the girls dug blankets and flasks of hot drink out of the baskets, settling in for the evening. This had obviously been planned for a while, because they were in the perfect spot; as Luna dabbed her power into the sky to raise the moon, the task only briefly taking her concentration away from what the others were saying, fireflies had lit up the night as well. Stars gleamed on high, the moon trod a silvery arc away from the horizon, and golden green tails made little loops and points in the shadows all around them. They'd stared at them in wonder, each quiet and enjoying the special evening with their friends. Time itself seemed to have no meaning right now, despite the passage of the moon getting higher and higher. Twilight looked up at the moon and then at Luna, all her friends had fallen asleep in their blankets and against each other, but for some reason she was still awake, though she looked like she'd rather not be. "Is something the matter?" Luna's question seemed to startle her, as if she'd thought the princess was asleep too. "It's nothing." Twilight hedged. "Are you sure?" she probed, "Yes... No... I don't know." Twilight's voice was half babble, half tired frustration, "It's just that I've been having trouble sleeping, that's all." she lay down and yawned. Truthfully, she had started fearing falling asleep, but she couldn't deny the urges of her body. Luna laid her head down next to her, "Do not worry... I'll watch you. I'll grant you a peaceful sleep tonight." Twilight smiled, yawned again, and soon fell asleep with Luna following not long after. Today had been a perfect day. So rare these past few months. Despite accidents, little scares of her mind, and the pervading fear of her own dreams, she wouldn't soon forget the beautiful time today had brought her, that her friends had given her. Twilight awoke at midday, she hadn't had a nightmare at all, and her body had taken full advantage of that it seemed. The sun was at its zenith and how she'd managed to sleep through it, she didn't know. She rolled over, or tried to, only to notice she was being held around the waist by Luna. And now she became aware that her friends were all up, waiting for her to join them, and they were snickering. And there were people already in the park, staring... Well this couldn't get any more embarrassing if I tried... At that moment Luna muttered Twilight's name in her sleep and, when the startled mare's head snapped around to look at her, the princess planted a soft kiss on her lips. Twilight's mind shut down, unable to prevent it, unable to resist, she just let it happen. Part of her, a large part actually, was revelling in the moment. Luna opened her eyes and turned completely red. "I-I-I'm sorry!" She squeaked. Twilight couldn't reply, she was still in a daze. Gathering herself enough, she looked over at her friends, Fluttershy was looking as if she'd just seen a baby bunny being cuddled by a kitten, the rest were smirking or smiling happily. Obviously they don't care that I'm a fillyfooler, even if they're getting the whole situation entirely wrong right now, they'd be okay with it if I was to get into... into a... relationship with Luna. The voice chose this moment to perk up. Of course they do, they just don't want to say it with the princess here because they know she's one too! They're probably waiting until you're not around, until you're out of Princess Luna the Fillyfooler's protection. Just like they always do. Mm-hmm and I'm sure the sky is made of blue cotton candy too... Twilight snarked her, Quite frankly I'm in bliss here, and nothing you can say can change that, so do me a favour and buck off. Twilight looked back to Luna before breaking the silence between them. "Luna, I think everyone is staring." She ducked her head in embarrassment, Luna immediately jumped up and away from Twilight before looking around at everyone with a worried glance. Her eyes then met a pair of familiar faces; Bon Bon and Lyra, on their usual bench, who were both smiling as smugly as Twilight's friends. She noticed Bon Bon hoof Lyra a few bits. Those two must love making those bets...i wonder what they bet about this time... Luna then looked at Twilight "Twilight I'm sorry! I guess I'm... well... and the kiss... I didn't mean to, I was still asleep." Luna said this last bit loud enough so everyone could hear. A strange mix of expressions crossed Twilight's face before she replied, "It's fine, really... Let's just forget about it." The smile on her face, meant to reassure the princess, didn't quite make it to fully sincere. As Luna and Twilight left the park, everypony in the vicinity facehoofed. Twilight was down in the library and it was three in the morning... things had been awkward between her and Luna after that stunt earlier so, without really talking about it, they had decided to avoid each other for the day. She to her library duties and studies, Luna to her reading in the upstairs rooms. As Twilight turned the page of her book the letters started to pull away from the pages, as she watched them, feeling that something must be wrong, they formed bugs of all kinds in mid-air. From centipedes to cockroaches, everything that crawled or buzzed and just made you want to stamp on it that she'd ever known had crawled off the pages to circle in the air and on the ground in front of her. Twilight stared in shock This... cannot possibly be happening. It's impossible! The voice laughed, Twilight had annoyed her, and now it was time for revenge. The word creatures circled closer towards Twilight, Twilight tried to back away from the writhing mass, but found herself locked in place. More word creatures appeared, coming out of the books on the shelves, slowly dropping down onto the floor or whirring in close and trying to land on her. They were like an inky sea covering the walls and floor, waves of shifting, clicking, buzzing movement, she couldn't see anything else other than these absurd, sickening creatures. She felt them touch her, flinching and twitching, but unable to move as they climbed all over her, covering her. She felt their little sharp fangs dig into her arms and legs, and she tried to move, she desperately tried, but her body wouldn't. Soon she felt fire in her skin, absolute red-hot flames of needle sharp pain; the creatures were crawling inside of the wounds! Immediately Twilight body began to react, she jumped up, tring to push the creatures off of her, but they just kept crawling back trying to claw their way into the wounds. Twilight hadn't realized it but her panicked retreat had backed up into the kitchen. She bucked and flailed her front hooves and bucked again, shaking her head to throw the tormenting things away. Her hooves hit a counter-top, a knife went flying into the air... only to land point first in her shoulder buried deep to the bone. Although it hurt Twilight couldn't help but laugh. Creatures were crawling all over her, the pain was intense as they bit and clawed and scrabbled where they'd opened her, and now she'd accidentally stabbed herself! It was too much! She couldn't take it! She was going insane and the laughter bubbled through. Unable to fight back anymore, the pain making her nauseous and the laughter making her want to bend double, she noticed... She noticed that the creatures were avoiding the flow of blood from the wound. With insanity gripping at her mind she grabbed the knife in her magic's grip and ripped it free. She sliced her ankles, one, two, three, four, blood welling up and making red rings around the top of her hooves as a dam to keep the creatures from crawling all over her. Before she could do anything more, the creatures faded away, leaving her in her normal kitchen with nothing around her, blood dripping slowly from her shoulder and forming little droplet puddles around her hooves. She stood, panting, waiting for the next attack... but it didn't come. Twilight closed her eyes and sleep claimed her. As she slipped into unconsciousness, she fell against the counter once more, her hoof out to stop her didn't make it in time, and the limp leg slid wildly, sweeping glasses off the edge to smash on the floor Twilight opened her eyes, blearily. As she slowly focused her eyes, she realised she wasn't at home. Instead she was where she didn't want to be again... a hospital bed. She slowly sat up and looked around to see her friends watching her quietly, even Pinkie standing still and expectant. "Twilight? You okay sugar cube?" Applejack tentatively asked, her voice low, as if scared that louder would hurt her. "I'm... okay...? Although I dont remember much..." Twilight replied honestly, "Spike and Luna found you in the middle of a whole pile of shattered glass... from how they described it, it looked like you managed to slip and slash yourself open on the glass." Rainbow Dash added, she put her hoof onto the sheets, the others coming closer now that Twilight was talking, "Well... that sucks, now I'm behind on my reading." She frowned, Her friends looked at her in disbelief. "You could have died, and your worried about reading?" Rarity seemed aghast, but just like the others her voice was low. "Sure, why not?" Twilight replied a slight grin on her face. "C'mon guys, lighten up, I'm alive, aren't I?" "Yes, but you almost weren't." Luna pointed out in a firm voice as she walked through the door, her eyes were slightly red and her mane was a mess, Twilight could have sworn she'd been crying. "You've been unconcious for about five days, Twilight... you lost a lot of blood. The doctors didn't think you'd wake up..." Fluttershy said quietly. "Perhaps getting something to eat at three am wasn't a good idea..."Twilight said, trying for a wry twist, shocked, but not wanting to let it show. "Ya think?" Applejack replied, most of the others laughed, and Pinkie booped her nose, calling her a silly filly. Twilight sighed "So when can I leave?" "Three more days, they want to keep you for observation." Luna stated before leaving without another word. And leaving Twilight to wonder if she'd be back at all in that time. Meanwhile, her friends were here to keep her from going stir-crazy from boredom. Twilight sat in the library, she'd just gotten out of the hospital limping gently along while Luna watched over her progress ready to catch her if she stumbled, and the bandages still weren't off. Her friends didn't know she'd done the damage herself, so that was a plus... sort of. From this one experience Twilight had learned that whatever those creatures were they didn't like her blood, If they ever came back, she was sure they would, she'd know exactly what to do. The voice was cackling madly as it watched her thoughts, her plans, That worked better than I'd ever hoped! She actually put herself in hospital! And now that she's weaker it'll mean I can slip in control again, maybe for a while this time. And it is wonderful playing with her imagination, she has such a mind for fear, all her little terrors are weapons in my arsenal. Adds to fun! As long as nopony breaks her attention, I can make see what I want her to see... this will be SO FUN! The voice laughed to itself as it haunted the back of Twilight's mind. Luna sat, legs tucked under herself, on her bed, thinking. What happened, Twilight? I know there's more to this... So what happened? She got up, trying not to let her mind dwell on the sight that she'd found when Spike had screamed for help that morning a week ago, she found herself staring out at the sunset, at the ponies at play after school and work, going home for their meals and their beds. Luna didn't even notice Celestia in her mind until her older sister decided to speak up. Hey Lunacy! It isn't nice to keep family waitiiiiing! Luna nearly jumped out of her skin, her hooves scrabbled as she nearly fell out the window in shock, Celestia! Dont do that! But it's fu-uun! I almost fell out the bucking window and you call it fun?! I see you kissed Twilight, Celestia's quick change of subject threw Luna off guard That was an accident... You seemed to enjoy it. Her voice was the equivalent of a raised eyebrow, So what?! I was asleep. I had a good dream, that's all. About Twilight? I, uhm, N-NO! So why did you mutter her name then? Seems odd to me. ... No answer from the night princess? My my, someone really has been bitten by the love bug. And now I can't wait to come to Ponyville, to see my sister and my most faithful student, ooh the things we could do together! Luna stopped... she thought she'd heard a lust filled tone to her sister's voice... Realisation hit her moments later, making her blush to her ears, Celestia! Stop thinking like that you PERV! Oh, like you don't think like that. Celestia accused probably rolling her eyes, Maybe I do, but I certainly don't let others know what I'm thinking! Celestia just laughed, she had done what she'd wanted to do; stop her sister focusing on such depressing thoughts... like always it was Celestia's job to cheer Luna up, but hey she didn't mind, more fun for her. She decided to make one final comment, just to ensure there'd be only one thing on her sister's mind Hey Luna, the meaning of life, wanna know what it is? Go on, surprise me. Luna was not amused IT'S THE PLOT! Celestia cackled before disappearing from Luna's mind Y....y...you PERVERT! I can't believe you! Luna huffed, threw herself onto the bed and buried her glowing face into her pillow until she fell asleep. Authors Notes: So im hoping that by doing a chapter once a week i can slow the pace...i don't know if it's working...but to hay with it also i have to thank thay for this chapter because again he is a awesome editor and without him sorting this story out from the way i write it would look a bit of a mess also if you have any ideas that you want used in this story feel free to post them and ill consider it (i want to get my readers more involved) also i will certainly give you the credit you deserve. if you find anything wrong with it tell me and ill try to fix it. Chapter 6Luna sat up in bed recalling the conversation she'd had with Celestia. "She's the biggest pervert I've ever met..." She muttered before getting out of bed. Luna stopped at the top of the stairs, watching Twilight for a few moments, then sighed happily before heading down the stairs. "Hey Twilight!" Luna called "Good morning Luna." Twilight called back as Luna walked down the stairs towards the lavender mare. "So how're you this morning?" Luna said with a little hitch of a yawn in her voice. "Better than usual." Twilight replied smiling slightly. "Good to hear... listen I need to go and see some people... I probably won't be back today." Luna said heading towards the door. Twilight nodded and turned away from the Princess "Thats fine, Luna." She didn't realise she'd let disappointment slip into her voice, she'd been planning on preparing a lovely meal for Luna and finally confessing her feelings to her... but it looks like that'll have to wait. As confused as she was about that little comment, Luna couldn't see anything else forthcoming from the unicorn, so without pushing it, she left. Twilight slumped with her eyes closed, she was glad Luna hadn't noticed more cuts had appeared. Things were better, it's true, but they'd come back, like she knew they would. They haunted her now, in the corners of her sight, just... waiting for her to let her guard down, waiting to catch her alone. And every time she was she'd feel the bite of jaws on her legs or rump or stomach and have to be quick with a cut and a smear of blood to deter the onslaught she knew would follow. The bandages were helping, she'd kept them on after she'd left the hospital, some of the cuts had needed stitches and she'd be going back to have those out in a while. Until then it was easy to fend off the biting creatures that plagued her, clean up quickly and re-tie her bandages over the new wounds. At the same time, though, she was disappointed. She really had been planning on a meal with the princess, something romantic, something... at least to bring them a little closer together. That way, when she confessed, it wouldn't seem so... out of nowhere. All she could do was sigh again. She went upstairs to her private study to sit down in her favourite reading chair and just read. Luna walked around ponyville looking for Lyra and Bon-Bon if there was anyone in the world she could talk to it would be those two, it took a little while, up and down a few of the main and back streets, before finding them sitting outside a restaurant. Both of them waved at her as she walked over. "So how was your kiss?" Lyra asked with a smug look on her face. "I was still asleep, you cannot blame me for what happened." Luna replied primly. "Oh, we know you both enjoyed it." Bon-Bon cut in, a sly twist to her smile. "Well... thats kind of why I'm here." Luna said uncertainly, "I uhm... well how do I... confess to her that I... might... love her..." The two ponies stared at her after that halting revalation, as expected as it had been, the delivery was so shy and demure they couldn't reconcile it with the booming-voiced-glowing-eyed princess that had threatened to end Nightmare Night forever. "Just tell her?" Lyra offered, as if answering somepony asking what colour the sky was. "I-" Luna hesitated, Lyra was often very direct, and that was a bit of a double-edged sword, "I don't know if I can... I've never been in love before..." Luna admitted. "Well you could always write a letter... and put it somewhere she would find." Bon-Bon mused, a gentle smile playing on her face as she looked to her unicorn, "It's what Lyra did for me." "I see." Teal eyes narrowed and perfect brows knit in thought, "I might just do that." Luna said, a little vaguely, before turning away. "Wait, Luna? Where are you going?" Lyra stood up in surprise. "To see a certain someone." Luna replied, not looking back, but her head moved as if she almost had. "Ten bits says she goes and tells Twilight right now." Lyra shot to Bon-Bon. "Ten bits and I get to be on top says she writes a love letter." The candy-maned earth pony hit right back. "Oh you're so on! But if we're raising the stakes, then if I win you've got to suck my horn." Lyra delivered her ultimatum. "Deal!" Bon-Bon took the bet with a fierce grin as they both shook hooves. Twilight sat in her private study, she always came up here when she felt sad... being here would cheer her up tremendously. It had to. She read the top line of the paragraph in front of her again. Wait a minute... why was this here? She should be... no... that paragraph... that one? When had she stopped taking in anything from these pages?! Frustrated and depressed, she sighed and slammed the book she was reading shut, if reading wouldn't cheer her up then what would? Her wandering eyes took in the study, her telescope, useless in the daytime unless there was a blue Jupiter to be seen, her shelves full of knick-knacks she'd gathered from her adventures and her holidays, then noticed the old piano in the corner, funny she'd been here many times and not once noticed it before. It was an upright piano, golden wood, polished and worn from years of hooves. She wondered if she still remembered how to play. She'd learned tas a little filly and enjoyed it, but when she was accepted as princess Celestia's student she'd dropped it. Well theres only one way to find out. She took her place on the conveniently adjusted stool and sat down, slowly tapping some of the keys. As she settled a little more, her wandering hooves started slowly tapping the keys in a more organised fashion. Hmm it doesn't look all that old, no matter how worn it is, I wonder if it's always been here. Her eyes closing as the familiarity with the instrument flooded back to her, just like her magic was an old friend to her now, it was just like it had been the last time she'd played, just as comfortable. She started playing one of her favourite songs. At that moment her horn kicked to life without her having any knowledge and a violin started playing in the background slowly adding to the calming song. Her lips stretched in a soft smile, this song was one she had played repeatedly and her parents had started calling it Twilight's Love, she still had no idea why they called it that, but she loved it nonetheless. (Note: the song played is found here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJRcH1776EA) Twilight continued playing, to her it felt like minutes but in reality it was hours, she changed from song to song but always ended up back at Twilight's Love. Eventually, she had to stop playing and stand. She felt a lot better, the music had soothed her, and it felt good to play again after so long. Twilight turned around nearly jumped out of her skin, probably would have had she not been so relaxed; Spike, Fluttershy and Rarity all stood there with their mouths agape. "What?" Twilight asked, self-consciousness hitting her like a bag of sand. "I didn't know you played, Twilight." Rarity had a hitch in her voice, "It was beautiful." "I think so too." Fluttershy's eyes were a little dreamy, still listening to it in her head, "Mhmm! I agree! You should play more often, Twilight." Spike enthused. "Really, it was nothing... I'm not that good." Twilight replied, meekly rubbing one foreleg with the other hoof, "Not that good? Twilight my dear, you performed better than Celestia's royal musicians." Rarity stated, tossing her mane with an 'I'll not here another word to the contrary' expression. Twilight smiled sheepishly again, before hastily changing the subject, "So why're you here, girls?" "Well Spike here was slightly worried because he hadn't seen you since Luna left and he was worried something might be wrong with you." Twilight raised her head with a mix of emotions, on one hoof they'd been worried for her, on the other she was guilty that they knew she actually needed to be worried about, and on the back hoof was frustrated that they didn't think she was capable of looking after herself. Of course, after recent events, she couldn't blame them for any of it. "Im fine, really." She gave them a warm smile of encouragement, "I just came here to relax is all, I always come up here when I need to." But standing around up here wasn't going to help anything, so she walked past Spike and her friends and headed downstairs, with them following politely. "So, was there something you wanted to talk about?" Twilight asked two friends when they reached the ground floor. "Well, Luna said she wanted to meet you in an hour's time." Rarity promptly informed her. Immediately Twilight's brain put her body into auto-pilot, moving her around the room, checking on things she knew weren't important, but had to give her mind some time to process. Meet her? "Meet me where?" Twilight asked nonchalantly "Uhm well she wanted to meet you in the centre of Ponyville, if that's... okay?" Fluttershy provided, not meeting her eyes, although that was just Fluttershy being Fluttershy. "Ok." Twilight replied brightly inspecting the shelves, as if preoccupied, but her thoughts were racing. Today had looked so... so... empty, a day where Luna was off meeting somepony else, and wouldn't be back until who knew when, while she was left all alone in the library to stare at the walls until she went insane. What could the princess want? Especially after the scares and craziness of the last few weeks. Her scars were forgotten, the pain in her ankles negligible, and the bandages covering both just didn't matter anymore. Rarity and Fluttershy exchanged a look while Twilight wasn't paying attention, both headed towards the door "We'll see you later, Twilight." Fluttershy said before closing the door. Twilight barely noticed they were gone. In precisely an hour's time, Twilight walked into Ponyville's town centre, sure enough the princess was waiting for her there, looking a little nervous, but brightening up immediately upon seeing the student. "Hey Luna!" Twilight said, happily trotting to meet her. "Hello Twilight." Luna greeted her, the hint of nerves making her more formal than earlier. "You wanted to see me?" The unicorn's bright and breezy attitude was a complete contrast to the princess'. "Well I was wondering if you'd join me for a walk through the park." Luna replied looking sheepish, "It's a lovely day, after all." "I'd love to." Twilight's happy smile broadened, although truthfully if Luna had offered skydiving Twilight would've still said yes, this was a huge improvement on sitting in the library all day without her. She just wanted to spend as much time with Luna as possible. Twilight and Luna sat in the park looking at the fading sun. They had taken a stroll, grabbed something to eat, and had gone to a clearing to watch the sun set. It would almost be considered a date if I could just stallion up and say it. Luna thought to herself. Twilight closed her eyes and smiled softly leaning back and relaxing. Luna looked at her, and her only thought was 'She's perfect.' And right then anypony in the princess' position would be hard pressed to say different. The fading glow of the sun lit the unicorn's face, her eyes were closed and her long lashes made dark crescents on her cheeks. Those lips, which she knew were soft and full to the touch, gentle, were parted ever so slightly because of her relaxed jaw, she was obviously thinking about something. And every inch of her was elegant, and vibrant and immediate. She wanted to run her eyes over those features, those curves and hollows, that softness, that innocence forever. Even the bandages, as glaringly out of place as they were, couldn't detract from this afternoon's light casting her into perfection. The white cloth around all four ankles making her look like she was wearing little socks, an adorable addition, maybe she should buy some for a present... And then there was the way they contrasted so vividly with the shape of her legs, recalling to her a fashion from before she'd ever grown jealous of the day, for deep ruffles and lace, a time when the ankles were deemed to incite males and should be covered, a time when the most daring thing a mare could do for her stallion was to let him, slowly, draw off one of her anklets... Her mind came crashing back to Equestria as Twilight sighed in pleasure, stretching her forelegs out and pushing herself back onto her rump to fully appreciate the sunlight's warmth on her coat. She was perfect, and nothing Luna could think of could prevent what happened next. "Twilight...?" Those deep, dusky eyes opened Luna leaned in and kissed her softly. Twilight's eyes widened slightly in surprise, then closed, blissfully as she wrapped her hooves around Luna and pulled her close. It felt like a eternity but in reality was only a few moments. A moment in time that had no definition. Soft lips moved on soft lips, a magical, electric sensation, and yet calming, melting, fluid and so, so natural. She gave herself to Twilight, every scrap of love she could feel just welling up and flowing like a deep, broad river in full flow, through every point that their coats touched into her little mare. Her mare. Her Twilight. And the most magical feeling of all was when it all came back to her, flowing back like a wave to fill her heart to bursting as Twilight's kiss sent all of those feelings back with interest. When they eventually broke the kiss, it wasn't anything so coarse as a 'breaking'. It was just the natural end to a moment that would define Luna's life from this moment on, neither of them had made any movement to say that it was, but for now... for now... Twilight blushed heavily, then met Luna's eyes, "S-so that's how you feel?" Luna gazed at Twilight, so in love it throbbed inside her chest, before replying "Y-yes." "Well, I'm glad you got it out in the open, because I sure wouldn't have been able to." Twilight's innocent observation caught her off guard, making her laugh. Both mares giggled and they shared another kiss as the sun finally set. Twilight opened her eyes, she still felt tired but she knew she had to get up. She looked around at her surroundings. Must've fallen asleep in the clearing she thought to herself. Twilight looked down at the sleeping form of Luna, a smile flickering as thoughts whirled around and settled on how cute she looked, which nearly made her laugh. The mighty Princess Luna, one who raises the Moon, not beautiful, not wondrous, but only cute? Before she could make herself giggle, she nudged Luna to try and awaken the sleeping princess. Luna's eyelids fluttered, before she opened them fully and she focused on Twilight, giving a small yawn. "Good morning Twilight." "Good morning Luna... I think we should head home, don't you?" Twilight replied. "Good idea." Luna said. Home... She'd been living in Twilight's library for quite some time now. How funny that she hadn't really thought of it as 'home' before now. But when she stood up, she realised that it wasn't the place she lived right now that was home, it was something else. It was Twilight. Twilight made the library Home. And so, she was going to go home with her. And while you're there you can tell her about Lunacy. And I mean it. The all to familiar voice of Celestia chimed in. Don't worry... I plan to. Luna's mental voice was far steadier than Celestia had heard it in a very long time. Good luck! And don't miss out any of the really juicy bits. Luna just sighed and continued walking with Twilight. Talking with Tia would only make her nervous about this, or angry, and she didn't have to be either around Twilight, not any more. Once they were both inside and had both settled down, Luna spoke up. "Twilight do you still wish to know about Lunacy?" Twilight simply nodded, although her eyes held more questions than Luna felt she could answer. "Well make yourself comfortable, because this tale is a long one... I just hope you won't think less of me after everything I tell you."
Chapter OneAuthors Note: First off id like to thank thaylien for re-reading and sorting it out for me and im glad he did after that first disaster i posted. Also id like to thank baron for giving me many ideas and helping me think up ingenious ways to portray the entity. On another note i couldn't think of a way to ponify britain post ideas in the comments box and if me, baron or Thay like any of them ill change it. I also have no idea if thay wants to run some more checks on it but f%$£ it he has done a excellent job with this and if i could id give that bitch a medal, bitches love medals, but i thank him. Nightmare Moon stood frozen as the rainbow covered her; the Elements had beaten her. She could feel herself being dragged away as the other personality tried to take over. But in her desperate attempts to escape, something of her did. A small sliver of energy following the rainbow back to a young purple mare, a spark of darkness, unnoticed by any in the blinding light of Harmony. Luna awoke with a start, Well that was different she thought to herself. She’d had this dream many times but not once did she remember a little bit of energy leaving her and attaching itself to Twilight that wasn’t even possible....was it? But she couldn’t shake this feeling that it was important. It could explain the weird dreams she’d been having about that lavander mare’s childhood. It could explain the weird feeling she got in her chest when she thought of her and it could explain that she knew everything, everything, her sister's faithful student had been up to for the past year as though she’d witnessed it first hand. Luna got out of bed and walked from her chambers. It was still light out so it was unusual to see the moon princess around this early but over the past several days it had become progressively more common for Luna to be wandering around during the day. She entered the dining room only to stop dead in her tracks. Her sister, Celestia, sat there drinking tea and eating crumpets. Luna tried to stifle a giggle, she looked positively British. Luna’s thoughts were inturrupted as Celestia coughed loudly. “You’re staring, sister.” the sun princess gave her a teasing look from her one visible eye “Sorry, I was... you look so British.” Luna replied, trying her hardest to keep a straight face; her earlier fears and worries about her dream forgotten. Celestia laughed, “Do I really?" Luna just smiled as she took a seat next to her sister. Celestia sat in her room thinking back to this morning, with her sister, it had been a long time since they had enjoyed each others company like that. A long time since they had sat down and enjoyed breakfast together too. She was reading a book when someone knocked on her door. “Enter.” she called. Luna paced in looking worried, she glanced briefly up towards her sister. “Is something the matter?” Celestia asked “Sister... I remembered something. I was supposed to tell you at breakfast, but I forgot.” Luna looked a little embarrassed. “What is it?” Celestia asked, gently. “I had a dream... no... more like a memory. Of when I was saved from Nightmare Moon. In the memory, when the Elements freed me from Nightmare Moon, a piece of dark energy attached to Twilight Sparkle.” Luna said Celestia stifled a giggle, “My dear Luna, it sounds like a bad dream. But if this really did happen, what could this dark energy do? There's nothing that mere magic or darkness could do to harm her after so long, it would have to be a sliver of your very soul to hold any lasting effects.” Celestia replied Luna looked at her and let out a small smile, “I guess I was worrying over nothing. Bye sis.” Luna walked out of Celestias chambers leaving her alone. Celestia sat for a while, watching the door but not really seeing it, her smile slowly fading from her face. Twilight woke up and groaned. Why does the sun have to be so bright? she thought to herself. She got up and slouched downstairs to where Spike was preparing breakfast. “Hey Spike!” Twilight called “Hey Twilight I'm making pancakes.” Spike replied Twilight sat down at the table and looked over to the kitchen. Spike trotted over carrying a batch of freshly cooked pancakes, but as he walked back to the kitchen he slipped and landed flat on his back. Twilight was about to reply when a voice screamed in her head, You stupid bucking fool can you not even deliver pancakes to a table without hitting the ground?! Twilight shook her head. What was that all about? Instead of dwelling on it, she went over to help Spike. “Are you okay?” checking close with sisterly concern, “I'm fine Twilight.” Spike seemed to want to pretend nothing had happened. Yeah a real fine pain in the flank!! the voice in her head said again. Twilight tried to ignore it. “You sure?” Twilight asked “Yeah," He got to his feet and dusted himself down, "Go and hang out with your friends, I'll clean up the mess here.” Spike said, slightly depressed, but apologetic. Taking his word for it, she headed for the door, turning to smile as she made to leave. “Thanks Spike!” she called as she closed the front door. She stood on the street her mind working at what had just happened. Why was she thinking such horrible things about her number one assistant? Something just didn’t add up. Still in thought, she walked down the street to Carousel Boutique. “Come in” Rarity called in answer to the knock, the whole place was completely clean as usual, the voice in Twilights head decided to speak up. What an overly-neat idiot, does she have OCD or something? Twilight shook her head, Shut up picking on my friends! This wasn't right. Was she going crazy? What's worse, the 'voice' didn't even sound like her own inner-thoughts voice! Rarity, emerging from her workroom, gave Twilight a look, “Are you okay, Twilight?” “I-I-Im fine..." She stammered, "But I, err, I gotta go” Twilight bolted out the door. Talking to friends suddenly seemed like a bad idea when she was having shouting matches with a voice inside her own head. So she was not in very high spirits when Dash blind-sided her. “Sorry Twilight” Rainbow Dash said, shaking off the impact. “It's fine.” Twilight replied, woozy but still distracted. Oh sure it’s fine. You got tackled to the ground by the world's first Gay Pride pony! The voice in her head spoke up. Will you shut up?! I dont know what you are, but you're starting to grate on my nerves! Twilight screamed at the voice. “Uhh... Twilight? You don’t look fine.” a hint of worry was in Rainbow's voice, though if the purple unicorn asked she’d deny it. “I'm perfectly fine.” Twilight snapped back. Snapped. Why had she done that? Before anything else happened, she walked away. Lost in thought, confused and frustrated, she trudged aimlessly through ponyville and its outskirts until she bumped into Fluttershy. “Oh! Uhm, I'm sorry...” Fluttershy apologised, it hadn't even been her fault. Twilight's temper broke. “You're sorry...? You're sorry?! YOU'RE ALWAYS SORRY!! YOU'RE SORRY FOR WAKING UP IN THE MORNING! YOU'RE SORRY FOR GOING TO SLEEP! WHY DONT YOU JUST SHUT UP, FLUTTERSHY, JUST SHUT UP AND CRAWL BACK TO YOUR PITIFUL EXISTANCE!!” Twilight screamed at her. Inside, however, Twilight's mind was horrified. She didn't mean to say those words, she didn't mean those words! But she had no control over her own voice. It wasn't until a long time later that Fluttershy admitted that even Twilight's eyes had changed, cat-like pupils and an eldritch glow dominating her visage. Fluttershy scrambled away, cowering, tears in her eyes. “I-I-Im sorry!” The shaking pegasus turned and fled. At this, Twilight instantly calmed down. Tears welled up in her own eyes. What had she done to her friend?! Slowly the tears started to fall, staring after Fluttershy with no idea what to do, so she turned around and headed back to the library. Back to your pitiful existance of reading and sleeping. She didn't even notice the words in her head. The voice in Twilight's head was laughing. Even though it was only for a few seconds she’d been in control! She’d been able to take control of this purple mare while she was in severe turmoil. Ahaha! GLORIOUS! The voice thought, If I keep her upset I can gain control. The voice laughed again before retreating to the darkest regions of the mare's mind. Twilight lay on her bed. She’d never done anything like that before... what was eating at her? She sighed and rolled over, looking out at the sky, tears started to fall from her eyes once more as she lay there and silently cried.
Chapter TwoTwilight focused on the text in front of her, she was reading a book on mental illnesses. She wouldn’t step a hoof outside until she knew that this thing wouldn’t make her scream at anyone again. “SPIIIIKE” she called No answer... Then she remembered. He’d gone out after she’d screamed at him for the fifth time that morning. Twilight sighed and laid down on the floor her eyes closing. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d felt so hopeless. It wasn't long before she slipped into a unwilling sleep. Twilight's eyes snapped open when someone started kicking her door. Standing up and groaning in the same movement, calling her magic, she opened the door and nearly wrenched it off it’s hinges. Applejack stood there with Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash. "Twilight are ya gonna come outta this here tree or stay locked up forever?” Applejack demanded. Twilight backed up, “G-Get away from me...” she stuttered. Her friends ignored her and kept advancing. “GET AWAY FROM ME!” she screamed. This stopped them dead in their tracks. “We cannot help you if you wont let us, dear.” Rarity broke the silence. “I dont need help. All I need is for you to leave!” Twilight replied defensively And never come back! The voice in her head cackled Shut up you idiotic excuse for a alternate personality! Twilight snapped back The voice paused My my it purred this mule has bark and a bite. Although it didn’t have a physical manifestation Twilight was 99% sure she could hear a grin in its voice. “TWILIGHT!” Rainbow Dash yelled. Twilight snapped back to the real world all her friends had concerned expression, even Pinkie Pie looked a bit down, she shook her head and looked at the ground. “I. Am. Fine.” she said before looking them directly in the eyes. All of her friends took a slight step back, Twilights eyes looked different more... cat like? See? They fear you. The voice insinuated itself into the front of her mind again, They dont want to be your friend. They just pretend to be. I bet they talk about you behind your flank. Twilight needed to ignore the voice she couldn’t give in to it, she just couldn’t. But the voice snickered to itself, It's working... if I can just get her a little more unhinged I can take control! Twilight looked at her friends, shocked to see they were backing away, like frightened rabbits. But what she didn’t know was that her eyes had become pure, dark purple with green vertical irises and her coat was emanating an eldritch glow. They do hate me... she thought to herself, t-the voice is right! Her thoughts slowly slipped away, she didn't want to face this, all the while being replaced with the malevolent conciousness. Twilight's dominant mind could see everything, but before she knew it, she could no longer move her own body. She watched helpless as her body made its own movements. The library book cases began to shake. “Get out! Get out, get out, GET OUT!” Twilight screamed, although it wasn’t Twilight, it was just her voice, but she had no control. Books flew off the shelves at her friends, hitting ribs, heads, practically anything that wasn’t covered. The mind of Twilight could only watch in horror, How is this happening?! I can’t be doing this I... I-I’d never do this! Her friends ran, bursting out of the library like the bats of hell were chasing them, leaving the room empty and littered with thrown tomes. And gradually, oh-so-slowly, she found herself able to control her body once more. What in the bucking hay just happened! she screamed in her head. She felt terrible, she'd done it again! Snapped at her friends, and this time she really had lost control! The other voice stayed silent. It was angry. It had momentarily had full control, at last, even if unable to bring out its fullest power, and then the power had just... slipped away! DAMN IT! The voice screamed to itself. I can only be in control while she’s in a state of turmoil! Anger, sadness, extreme fear... I have the power to enhance the negative emotions she’s feeling, but it isn’t enough... I need to think of something that will let me stay in control longer, but what?! GAH! Shaking and desperate to find out what was happening, Twilight went back to her book and carried on reading. “Bucking great!” she screamed to herself. The page was on multiple personality disorder, the paragraph read: Multiple Personality Disorder (MPD) happens when the mind wishes to escape a situation, to not feel anything, or hide, the personality often does this by forming a second or multiple identities to experience it for them. These identities sometimes 'take over' when the main personality wishes to escape, forming a mental barrier between the individual and their surroundings, but in extreme cases the 'main' personality grows too detached and the secondary personality can gain control spontaneously in situations of duress. Although it still left a few holes about this voice that was the best explanation. Twilight sparkle had Multiple Personality Disorder. Not knowing what else she could do, Twilight groaned and walked upstairs. She'd try to sleep on it, and then... maybe... Princess Luna and Princess Celestia sat together reading what had turned out to be a Twilight x Luna fiction. That Princess Celestia had written. Luna was kicking herself all over again for falling for this. Having not been told what it was when she'd started reading, she was now continuing despite herself, her sister was a very descriptive writer. “Why are you showing me...? You have the worst mind, Tia!” Luna pouted at the sun Princess as she read a line that caused her to blush slightly. “Because I wanted your opinion before it was published. Even a Princess must get consent from the subjects of her writing.” Celestia replied, straight faced, but stifling a laugh. “You... You TROLL!” Luna yelled at her sister. “Now, now, is there any need for that kind of thing... Lunacy?” Celestia replied Luna blushed embarrassed “Y... you promised never to bring that up!” “I know I did. But you also promised never to call me 'troll' or 'Trollestia'.” Celestia replied her voice serious “I’m afraid punishment is in order.” Luna turned white as the moon. Oh moon no dont let her banish me again Luna thought. Celestia walked away from her sister, “I’m afraid I'll have to...” She turned and jumped on her sister pinning her to the ground, “Tickle you into submission!” She roared, tickling her sister all over. Luna squeeled in surprise, but despite herself started laughing and giggling, hooves unable to prevent the torture, “I submit! I SUBMIT!!” she screamed through fits of laughter. Celestia smiled and flopped down next to her sister “I love you, Luna, and I missed you.” “I missed you too Tia, and I love you.” Luna replied. The moment was broken when, all of a sudden, there was a flash of green flame and a scroll bearing Twilights personal crest appeared infront of the sisters. Celestia reached out and opened it. Dear Princess Celestia, This is hard for me to write, but the situation is getting out of hand. I fear I may have Multiple Personality Disorder. These past few days I've been saying, thinking and now doing things that aren't like me, I've screamed at my friends and worse. And I keep hearing a voice in my head. I think I may need help. You faithful student Twilight sparkle Celestia facehooved “Not this again.” “What?” Luna replied, leaning in to try to read the letter, “Everytime Twilight got stressed for a exam, or any other event, she’d hear a voice. It would tell her... strange things.” Celestia told her sister. “I... see maybe I should go and see if she needs help...” Luna hoped too much eagerness hadn’t seeped into her voice. Even so, Celestia got a knowing look in her eye. Luna’s stomach dropped; Celestia knew, she knew she was eager to see the lavander mare. Bring on the teasing, Luna resisted the urge to sigh in defeat. “Maybe I should go and see my most faithful student. She must be sooooo looooonely... maybe I could even cheer her up...” Celestia looked away artistically, drawing the moment out before she slid a sly grin at her midnight sister, “Maybe I'll even use some suggestions from the story.” Luna’s face turned bright red. OH, FOR BUCKS SAKE! She thought as she realised how hot her face was... I know she won’t, but... maybe... then again... Rallying herself, Luna smiled in her mind; two could play this game. “Go ahead, Sis, I insist." She put on her best 'good sister' face, "I'm sure Twilight still dreams about you.” Luna smiled HAH! Gotcha. Although Celestia would never admit it openly, her feelings for her student were more than just motherly. Celestia’s face turned bright red, which showed up better on her white coat than it did on Luna's blue, “W-w-what?!” “Oh yes, Tia, Twilight dreamt of you last night. You two were on a date, oh it was romantic, and then you escorted her back to the castle and-” She was cut off by a hoof being shoved in her mouth. “Don’t...” Celestia warned, She pointed upwards, ”Children might be reading this” “Celestia you did not just do that...” Luna looked at her sister as she said this. “Hmmm... I guess I did. Well this is different...” Celestia shrugged, that troll smile still sneaking onto her features. “TROLLESTIA!” Luna screamed before running out of her sisters room, outraged and embarrassed. “LOOKS LIKE I'LL HAVE TO TELL TWILIGHT ABOUT LUNACY!" Celestia carolled after her. Twilight sat up in bed, another nightmare, they were becoming way too frequent. Her mind was racing as her hoof slid down to her chest and then stomach. Still in one piece. That dream had felt almost life-like, the pain, the blood, the other... the other what? The more she tried to remember, the less she could remember. She slammed her head back down against her pillow closing her eyes. Twilight reawoke in the late afternoon. Spike had let her sleep in. She couldnt blame him after the way she’d been treating him, she needed to apologise. She ran down stairs calling his name, but as she reached the bottom of the library she heard the front door open and then close, She sighed and walked to the front door opening it and peeking outside. The light burned her eyes, “Spiiiiike?” She called He didnt even turn around and look at her. He doesn’t care about your feelings, just like the rest, they will all leave you in the end. Shut up Twilight thought back, flatly. All you are to them is a worthless unicorn. The only reason they pretend to be your friend is because of your connection to princess Celestia and your connection to the Elements. I bet they’re out there talking about you behind your back right now. It carried on. SHUT UP. Twilight screamed again The voice started to imitate her friends She's crazy, Pinkie Pie exclaimed. She's a few apples short of a barrell, Applejack agreed. I heard shefoolers a filly, Rarity confided Twilight collapsed on the floor just inside her door, crying. Her friends hated her, her own body hated her, she shouldn’t be here! But Twilight couldn’t get the will to move nor could the other conciousness take over. Must’ve pushed her a bit too far it muttered to itself. Twilight lay there for Celestia knows how long, crying and slipping in and out of sleep. Celestia paced back and forth in her study worried about her student. Maybe there had been something to Luna’s dream... maybe the voice was a part of Luna’s soul... but maybe she was wrong and this was just Twilight's study-nerves. She couldn’t act. But she couldn’t rest either! She sighed, as much as she hated to admit it, her feelings for Twilight were deeper than she showed... she’d known the lavander mare when she was just a filly, she’d watched that filly grow up and had taught her for years, so was it natural that she might be in lo-. She shook her head Now isn’t the time to get caught up in that, she thought to herself. What can I do? I can’t just storm into her house unannounced, nor can I go officially with all the fanfare that would make... she debated with herself for several minutes. She realized she had one option: sit and watch. Celestia had been alive for millenia, and if there was one thing she had definitely learned in all those years it was not to rush headlong into anything, no matter who it involves. Her heart gave a little tug at that last thought, almost as if... she shook her head again and jumped on her bed. Luna awoke in the middle of the night, shocked. In her dream Twilight's eyes turned cat-like and she screamed at her friends! But how could that be possible...? It was only a spark... only a spark... it couldn’t be, could it? What if it is? What if it isn’t? What do I do?! She screamed inside her head in frustration, but there was nothing she could do. If it was a piece of her soul attached to Twilight, things could get really bad really fast, but if it wasn’t then they could end up injuring the purple mare just finding out. Luna shook her head, wet tears in her eyes from a image of Twilight hurt, Damnit, why does she affect me this way? Luna closed her eyes and tried to get back to sleep. Twilight awoke at noon. Again. She wasn’t surprised. She still felt bad about screaming at Spike. Twilight got up and went into the bathroom to get cleaned up. As she left the bathroom and went out her front door, she tried to judge the time, By the sun it’s about half-past one in the afternoon. She walked down to Sugarcube Corner, determined to apologise if she could and have a normal conversation with one of her friends at least. Twilight entered the confectionary-shaped building and put on a small smile. Pinkie Pie stood behind the counter, shelving baked goods, but she didn't acknowledge Twilight. “Pinkie? Can I talk to you?” “Go ahead.” Pinkie replied half heartedly, still focusing on the shelves. “I'm sorry about yesterday, I didn’t mean what I said and I'm really sorry. I know you might not be able to forgive me, but the reason for that outburst was... well I think I might have Multiple Personality Disorder...” Twilight looked down at the floor and closed her eyes. If she's going to throw me out, please make it quick, I can't stand not knowing. Pinkie Pie didn’t move for several moments, she slowly turned around and looked at Twilight cautiously, before tackling her to the ground and hugging her tight. How she'd cleared the counter was anybody's guess, because all the goods on top were untouched. “Apology accepted, Twilight.” Pinkie Pie hugged her tightly. Twilight just smiled while she was being smothered by her pink friend. Over the afternoon, Twilight apologized to all her friends and told them what she knew. They all forgave her. Each time her heart leaped at the feeling of knowing her friends were still her friends, but each time a small voice grew stronger. They’re probably talking about you behind your back y’know, probably calling you a weirdo, a freak or a messed up pony. Twilight didn’t care; she tuned it out, whistling tunelessly, as she walked back home. She’d apologized to all her friends and they had forgiven her! She couldn’t believe how nice they were to her about it. Another smile hit her as she pushed open the door to the library. When she stepped inside though, a rainbow blur crashed through an upper window and smashed into a bookshelf, knocking it over. Twilight was only slightly annoyed, unfortunatly the voice took this moment to turn the annoyance into anger and then the anger into rage. Twilight could feel the rage building, but it wasn’t hers was it? She shouldn’t be this angry. All of a sudden she felt herself slipping away, her body becoming unresponsive to her, but she could still see. She’d just apologized to all of her friends and now she was about to scream at Rainbow, this could not be happening, it had to be a dream. No she pleaded please no no no! Not after I just apologised! “WHAT IS YOUR PROBLEM RAINBOW CRASH?! WHY CAN'T YOU USE A DOOR LIKE ANY NORMAL PONY?!” Twilight screamed at her Rainbow was about to apologise, that was before the screaming started. “...” “OH LOOK, THE FIRST AND ONLY GAY PRIDE PONY CAN’T EVEN SPEAK! YOU'RE PATHETIC! GET OUT OF MY SIGHT YOU EXCUSE OF A PEGASUS!!” It was like a fire-hose of vituperation, just... pure anger in word form. A massive wave of despair crashed over her, putting the original Twilight back in control, WHY?! Why did this have to happen? Rainbow looked at Twilight tears were creeping into her eyes. “Twilight that... that really hurt... I don’t... I can't be here right now.” Rainbow Dash said barely above a whisper. “Dash I'm so-” she didn’t even finish her sentence Rainbow Dash took off out the window, not even explaining why she'd been there in the first place. For the second time in as many days, Twilight lay on the floor just inside her doorway, tears falling to the ground as she cried herself to sleep. The next day was the worst so far. Twilight went out looking for Rainbow to apologise. She never found a sign of the rainbow maned pegasus... in fact everytime she approached one of her friend's they either left in a hurry or ignored her. Twilight headed back to the library despair weighing heavy in her heart. She’d lost everything, everything dear to her. “I always thought it was so stupid when ponies killed themselves... but now I'm starting to see why...” Twilight closed her eyes to try and stop the tears. She went up to her personal library and picked up a book, the title read: Medicine and Surgery: How to shut down vital organs with magic. A note underneath the title said: For hospital use only. The voice screamed at her that she was stupid, but she didn’t care. She’d lost the six most precious things to her, and the more she thought about it, the better it would be to have some peace and quiet from this voice. She opened the book and began to read. Luna was packing her saddlebags. She didn’t know how to explain it, but something was terribly wrong with Twilight Sparkle. She packed everything she thought she’d need and if she'd forgotten something she could always teleport back. For carrying the bags, it was easier on her to take the chariot. As she got in, the chariot took flight and headed towards Ponyville. Celestia stood on her balcony, high up and unobserved, watching her sister leave. She whispered to the wind “Be careful with the mare we both love...” Twilight stood in her bathroom, warm water running from the shower, she closed her eyes, slowly she activated her magic, letting it run through her. She focused on her inner organs. First to go, as a practice, her liver. Slowly she worked her magic and shut it down. Just as the book described, no pain, but slight discomfort. she thought You’re making a big mistake, stop this foalishness! The voice screamed at her. It was going horribly wrong! If it was to survive, its host must not die, this wasn't good. She ignored it and slowly began working on shutting down all her minor organs before her major ones. Twilight stood there breathing heavily... Lungs still working. Okay, next is... the heart. Then lungs. Then brain..... FOAL!!!! The voice screamed. Twilight slowly began to shut her heart down. As soon as the chariot landed Luna knew something was wrong she could feel it in the air and in her magic. She ran to the library and burst the door open, she ran up the stairs and into the bathroom. Her eyes widened at the sight on the floor, in the shower, barely alive was the lavander mare staring straight at her. Twilight lifted her head slightly “P... P...... Princess...” she muttered before her head sank back down in a sigh of breath. Luna stared as she stood, shocked, watching those brilliant eyes cloud over and close. Twilight slipped into darkness, her mind slipping away and leaving everything silent.
Chapter 3 Chapter 3 Nightmares haunted Twilight, her friends dying, the princesses sentencing her to a lifetime on the moon. But no matter what she did she could not awaken. All of a sudden, a bright light flashed. Once it cleared, she was stood in a dimly lit room. “Well well.” A voice reverberated around the room. “I-I remember you...” Twilight tried to see it. “Who am I then?” The voice demanded, knowingly. “You're another personality. From my MPD!” Twilight declared, trying to find her confidence, “If that's what you believe...” it said, bored, before the whole room disappeared. Twilight was slung back into the darkness, she snapped open her eyes only to see a bright light approaching, blinding her, forcing her eyes shut again. Slowly Twilight opened her eyes again, she was in a white room, laid on a soft bed. The light was still too blinding to tell where she was. She tried to speak but all she managed was a cough. “Oh, you're awake!” A voice said, and Twilight heard hooves darting out of the room. When the owner of the new voice returned, she carried a cup of water. She held it to Twilight's lips and the purple unicorn drank it all in long, steady swallows. By the time she was done, her eyes had finally adjusted to the light. “N-N-Nurse Redheart?” she called although it was too softly for the medical pony to hear. The nurse walked towards the door “I'll let you rest, Twilight.” she left, closing the door carefully behind her. She'd been gone all of a few seconds, Twilight not even having time to settle back on the pillows, when the door burst back open, framing the two princesses. They both walked towards Twilight their faces unreadable. This was not good... not good at all, in Twilight's opinion. All three just stared at each other, but Twilight was the first to look away. “What do you have to say for yourself, Twilight?” Luna asked, softly, but sternly. “I'm sorry...” Twilight replied, but she wasn't exactly sure what she was sorry for anymore. “You're sorry... You're sorry?" Luna paused for a brief second and then let fly, "IS THAT IT?! YOU NEAR CAUSED ME AND MY SISTER TO HAVE A HEART ATTACK AND ALL YOU SAY IS 'SORRY'?!” Luna raised her hoof and struck the lavander mare across the side of the face before stalking off. Twilight raised her hoof to her face, not even daring to look at Celestia. “She's just a bit distraught..." Celestia began, "Even though she doesn’t know you, she cares about you a lot.” A knowing twinkle appeared in Celestia’s eye, “She’ll come back eventually and she’ll apologize for that. She was so worried.” “I’m sorry.” Was all Twilight could say, again, and her head sank further. “Sorry for what?” Celestia asked, trying to inject her usual inference of 'what do you have to be sorry about, my faithful student' into the question, “For being alive!” Twilight screamed as loudly as she could in her weakened state, a sickening feeling came over her, she rolled on her side and began coughing. She tried to stop the feeling of drooling, but her mouth was still twisted from coughing so hard. Blood poured in a thin stream onto the floor. Celestia sighed, not worried so much after seeing the medical report, “That is to be expected from someone who shut off nearly all their organs, if you were not such a powerful magician, you’d have died after shutting off the first few.” “Oh joy... I'm so powerful my magic even stops me dying!” Twilight replied sarcastically. “That's quite enough of that." Celestia interrupted her student's diatribe, "You will rest up and I will see you in the morning.” Despite the positive attitude she tried to project, Celestia still looked slightly worried. Twilight said nothing more, lay down in her bed and fell asleep. Luna walked among the streets muttering to herself she was annoyed... and worried... If she hadn’t found Twilight when she did, what would have happened? And the doctors said she still isn’t out of the woods, her organs could shut down again. She sighed, laid down in the grass and closed her eyes. She didnt want to think anymore. She’d already raised the moon a few hours ago and she’d been with Celestia at Twilight's side most of the day. She hadn’t really slept at all. Her mind drifted onto happier subjects as she fell asleep. Luna awoke as the sun began to shine, people were staring. Well this is odd, why are they staring...? I know I slept on the grass but that's not enough to stare at... Luna tried to roll over at this point and she immediately noticed two things. One: she wasn’t alone. Two: her sister's hooves were wrapped around her. They looked like a couple. Luna's knee-jerk reaction made her teleport in panic, when she reappeared she’d only teleported a few meters away, her shortest teleport since... ever! Celestia opened her eyes and looked at her sister a faint smile on her face. “I'm glad you're awake... did you enjoy last night?” Luna turned bright red and stormed off, muttering to herself under her breath, leaving all the ponyfolk in shock. Celestia smiled, That's just what we need to brighten the day, a bit of embarressment and laughter... she rolled over and stood up. Though I'd like to know why she slept on the grass... Looking up, she gave a knowing smile. Just above her was the balcony. If a pony, lets say a purple mare, stood on it and looked down, she'd have seen them. Twilight lay in bed, looking up at the ceiling, feeling terrible. She didn’t like being bed-ridden and she definitely didn’t like the princesses mad at her... but they didn't understand... And the way Luna acted...! Twilight shook her head Luna doesn't even know me, and yet she was worried for me... why? She was determined to find out. As Twilight thought, her mind wandered through the many people on her mind, to her friends she no longer had, to the princess who she had failed and the princess who had struck her. Her thoughts stayed longest on princess Luna, sending jolts of anger, sorrow and... longing? Twilight remembered cold nights stood outside on the balcony watching the moon and stars, the way she felt at peace... she had fallen in love with the night. And through the night, perhaps, she had fallen in love with Luna... but maybe it was just her organs kickstarting themselves again. Twilight hoped she'd forget the matter before she left the hospital. The next few days passed quickly, both princesses came to see her frequently, and although Luna didn't talk much, Twilight was happy to have her there. However her friends never came. Each time the door opened and her friends didn't enter was like a knife through her heart, cold and painful. She had resigned herself to not seeing them again when the door burst open and in hurtled a pink ball of fluff who immediently began smothering her. "P-Pinkie Pie?!" She choked out, Pinkie just sobbed into her coat "W-w-we thought... that y-y-yo... Oh. Twilight I'm happy you're ok!" Twilight could only lie there trying to console the pink pony as her other friends wandered in. "H-H-Hey Twilight..." Dash said looking sheepish. Twilight looked at Dash she eyes tearing up slightly "Dash I didn't mean what I said! I'm so-" Dash cut her off, "Don't mention that word you've said it enough." Twilight felt in higher spirits with her friends there. The next day she was dismissed from hospital and Twilight went home to the library. So happy to be back among the familiar smells and quiet of the books, she didn't even notice both princesses sitting at the dining room table when she first walked by. She turned back and looked at them. Then rubbed her eyes and looked again. "Yes, Twilight we're really here." Celestia observed, her tone quiet but amused. Laughter wasn't easy at the moment, her love for Twilight and her horror over what she tried to do were fighting each other behind her calm facade. Celestia looked over at her sister, she could tell Luna was feeling something very similar. "AH! P-p-princess! W-w-why are you both here?" Twilight asked trying to recover from her initial shock. "Because, Twilight we both wished to see you and we wanted to talk to you." Celestia gave her a serious look. "Oh... right... about?" Twilight replied, trying to put off the inevitable. Luna was fed up and anger won over "Gee... let's try about why you were in hospital for four weeks! How about why you tried to kill yourself!" And she finally broke down. She tried to hide the tears that she had managed to keep inside for all this time. Twilight just stared in shock at the crying princess "I-Im sorry..." It was an automatic response by now. "Is that all you can say, you stupid foal? You tried to kill yourself! Why would you try that!?" Luna's anger was all the worse for the streaks of her tears. Twilight just stared, struck dumb. Her pain and loneliness, days, weeks of feeling like she was going insane, losing her friends, losing Spike, all because of her own inability to control herself, everything came crashing back in the face of the anger and tears of the moon princess. And with that opening, the voice emerged from the darkest parts of Twilight's mind. Anger, fear, pain! This is it! I can use this! I might be able to retain control of her for longer than ever. The voice whispered to itself Oh please not at the princesses! I already lost my friends, lost them twice! PLEASE NOT THE PRINCESSES!! Twilight felt her mind slipping away once more, retreating, taking a back seat to a new driver. And again, even though she could see, she had no control over what was about to happen. "What does it matter to you?" Twilight said quietly, eyes now meeting Luna's and Celestia's with fury mounting higher and higher, "WHAT DOES IT MATTER TO YOU!! YOU'RE NOTHING TO ME, NOTHING!! JUST TWO SILLY PRINCESSES! YOU THINK YOU'RE BETTER THEN EVERYONE ELSE, BUT YOU'RE NOT! YOU'RE JUST THE SAME! JUST AS WORTHLESS!" Twilight stormed out of the library magic slamming the door behind her. Her eyes once more the wicked, slit-pupilled, green orbs that had flashed at her friends. The princesses sat there, dumb struck, staring after the mare they thought they'd known. "What just happened, Luna?" Celestia asked "I-I think... she wasn't imagining those MPD episodes." Luna ventured. Although she couldn't be sure, Twilight's eyes had looked strange, different, if only the unicorn hadn't stormed off before she'd had a chance to look closer. "I think it's best if we... maybe we should leave her alone for the time being." Luna nodded her agreement and they left too, leaving the library silent and empty behind them. Twilight awoke at the bottom of a ditch. Which was a first. Her body ached all over, but her back left leg in particular felt as if it was on fire. She lifted her head and examined it only to see the leg twisted at an odd angle. W-W-What happened last night? All I remember was yelling at the princesses then... nothing! Twilight called forth her magic and examined her leg. Lets see not a break... just a dislocation and a twist... this is going to hurt. Twilight used her magic to untwist the joint and crack it back into place, as the joint reconnected she let out a loud scream. "That bucking hurt..." she hissed to herself. She stood up, with difficulty not putting much weight on her back left leg, she slowly made her way back towards ponyville. Half an hour later, Twilight reached the library, opened the door and collapsed on a cushion. She couldn't make it upstairs, it would be impossible in her condition. She groaned as her leg throbbed repeatedly. The voice muttered to itself darkly in the confines of Twilight's subconscious. Thirty three seconds... even though it was over the usual mark it was still poor... if she had been a bit more careful they wouldn't have taken that dive and she might have been in control longer... She's starting to fight back... I'll just have to crush the fight out of her next time. Twilight lay there using her magic to massage the limb, all was quiet apart from her moans and hisses when she hit a spot too hard. She leaped in the air and jarred her leg badly when her door was kicked open again framing the Royal Pony Sisters themselves. "Uh-oh," she muttered to herself, "this can't be good." Both princesses looked utterly bucked off at the young mare. "What do you have to say for yourself?" Celestia's one visible eye was frowning at Twilight, "And it better not be another 'I'm sorry'." Luna added Twilight sighed, at least this time she could explain herself, "I didn't mean what I said. I was just stressed, I was sad and frustrated." Twilight put her head n her hooves closed her eyes, whatever punishment they were going to give, they could give it. She'd been out of control, and they were the princesses... "I see you managed to injure yourself. Again. So how did this one happen?" Luna asked, casting a concerned glance over the visibly bruised area on Twilight's flank. "To tell you the truth, I don't know, I must've blacked out." Twilight replied, eyes open again, but deliberately not looking at either sister. "Well, may as well add it to the list." Luna told her "The list of what?" Twilight inquired, curiosity getting the better of her and looking up to meet midnight eyes that were full of resigned, wry mirth. "The list of things that make you stupid, yet cute." Luna clapped her hoof over her mouth. She'd said it out loud! Twilight looked non-plussed. Did she just say what I thought she said...? The question left her utterly confused. Celestia tried to keep a straight face, but found it exceedlingly hard. Looks like you've landed yourself in a spot of trouble, sister, Celestia snickered, keeping her mask of calm as firmly in place as she could. Oh buck... was all Luna thought. "Anyway... We still need to talk, despite what happened before, you still didn't answer my question... why would you try to kill yourself, Twilight?" Twilight sighed again, all positivity just seemed to drain from her, leaving her limp and lifeless to look at. "I lost everything precious to me... everything. Think of it as a puzzle you can't solve... it's easy to get infuriated and say it's impossible and it's easy to throw it away... but it's also easy to sit down and give up and never try again. I guess I was so sick of yelling at my friends, and driving them away, that I just wanted all of it to stop, to give up." The tone of Twilight's voice made it clear that she was being completely honest, and completely serious. Luna just stared at her unsure of what to say. In a way she's right... I remember the exact same feeling... "I... see." was all Celestia would say, and with that they sat opposite the little purple unicorn, each lost in thought. All three of them sat in silence unsure what to say until a cyan blue pegasus crashed through the window. In an amazing turn of form, the window didn't break, instead it was smashed, frame and all, from the wall. Rainbow had time to pull her face from the glass in mid-air before the frame landed on the floor, slid across the room like a skate-board and stopped so suddenly against the foot of a bookshelf that Dash's head wedged in between the shelves. Pulling her head free, Dash tumbled backwards off the window frame. She quickly got up and looked at Twilight hoping not to get yelled at again. "Heh... sorry." Dash told them, drawing in the imaginary dust on the floor. Only then did the glass panes of the window crack and fall from the frame. The princesses looked shocked, wide eyed with disbelief, but soon mastered their expressions. Twilight, however, didn't move. "I-Its fine Rainbow Dash..." She replied. Rainbow Dash, making herself as small as possible, quickly walked to the door and then left in a blur of rainbow contrail. "Well that was... weird." Celestia and Luna said together. "She does that a lot. Not quite so spectacularly, but fairly often." A ghost of a smile appeared on Twilight's face at the compounded memories. The smile slowly faded as she remembered the last words she'd said to Rainbow Dash before she tried to kill herself. “WHAT IS YOUR PROBLEM RAINBOW CRASH?! WHY CAN'T YOU USE A DOOR LIKE ANY NORMAL PONY?!” “OH LOOK, THE FIRST AND ONLY GAY PRIDE PONY CAN’T EVEN SPEAK! YOU'RE PATHETIC! GET OUT OF MY SIGHT YOU EXCUSE OF A PEGASUS!!” Twilight hadn't realized she was crying until she felt a princess settle down on either side of her. "What is wrong, Twilight?" Luna asked. "Tell us, and maybe we can help." Celestia added. Their nearness was comforting, but at the same time made her want to cry even more, "Unless you can turn back time and make ponies forget. I dont think you can. I've said some horrible things to my friends... stuff they didn't need to hear, stuff that hurt them..." Without thinking about it too much, Twilight told the two princesses about everything that had happened up until the moment she had tried to kill herself. Celestia nodded before she stood up, "Come Luna, we have much we must discuss." Luna stood up and headed towards the door with her sister. "Don't worry Twilight," Luna tried to reassure the lavender mare, "we'll get this whole mess straightened out." But Twilight looked like she didn't believe any of it. "I'll be fine... I think." She tried to give them a reassuring smile, she didn't think it had worked. As soon as they left Twilight stood up, shakily. She went down into the basement, to the far back wall, and opened a small dusty cabinet back there. Taking a brown paper bag with her, she hobbled back upstairs to the living room and placed it on the table. "I promised myself I wouldn't do this again, but right now I dont care." She took out a bottle of hard apple spirits, grabbed a glass from the kitchen with magic, and settled back onto the floor cushion with everything in easy reach. She stared into the fireplace and downed shot after shot until she reduced herself into a drunken, but dreamless, sleep. Luna and Celestia walked together through the empty streets of Ponyville. "So what business must we discuss?" Luna broke the silence. "Not here," Celestia cautioned, "when we're in private." They arrived at the only real place in Ponyville for visitors to stay, a small inn on one of the meandering streets, where they'd been offered rooms for the duration of their stay by the kindly owner. Well, the advertising from having both royal sisters staying at his inn for more than a month was probably his real compensation for the use of a single room. Luna closed the door while Celestia cast a muffling spell, just incase any unwanted ponies tried to listen in. "Theres something wrong with Twilight," Celestia began, "So I've noticed." Luna replied, "Somepony needs to keep a eye on her while I find a way to fix the situation." Celestia said, looking her sister in the eye. "Yes, but who? She already worries so much about shouting at her friends." Luna looked at her sister slightly worried. "Luna... when I say I need somepony, I do not mean somepony else... I mean I need you to watch over her." Celestia placed a hoof on her sister's chest. "ME?! Wha- why me?" Luna balked, startled, "Don't you need help to find a cure for this?" "It's not that I don't want your help, Luna, but it's important that one of us is here and not involve anypony else. It's simple really, you have a better excuse to stay than me and, well, it's quite obvious you find her attractive." Celestia said a hint of a smile on her face. "You find her attractive too!" Luna shot back defensively. "True, but you still have a better excuse." Celestia stated calmly a hint of a smile on her face, though she tried to look aloof. "And what might that be?" Luna asked, irritated now, "Simple... I sent you here to make friends." Celestia rolled back a smile on her face. "Fine…but Tia, perhaps we should re-link our minds so we can share thoughts while we are apart. It would be quicker than having me teleport back every time, and safer than writing a letter. As soon as I learn something, you'll learn it too." Luna suggested, thinking carefully. "Good idea, but we'll do it before I leave in the morning, right now I want to sleep." Celestia replied, she covered a yawn with an elegant hoof, but it still set Luna off in turn. Twilight woke up in the afternoon, her head was throbbing, but at least she'd had a peaceful night's sleep, she rolled over and went into the bathroom, but closed her eyes when a nauseated feeling overtook her she ran towards the toilet, bent down and threw up. Later, she lay on the floor again, reading her books. The pounding in her head worse, but at least her stomach was empty. She closed her eyes tightly as the door was opened and slammed shut. "DONT BE SO LOUD!" she yelled. As soon as the words left her mouth she regretted them. Her head throbbed worse than ever and her stomach felt like it was going to make her throw up again, with nothing there to throw up. "Looks like someone's had a rough night." Luna said with a small giggle. Twilight groaned "Not now, please, my head hurts." "I'm not surprised..." She'd spotted the apple spirit bottle under the table, "especially if you drained the whole bottle." Luna reproached. "Never again." Twilight stated. She closed her eyes and tried to clear her mind. "Uhm, Twilight? I have a favour to ask. Is it okay if I stay here with you for a while?" Luna asked, trying to make it casual, a blush creeping on her face. "What? Why?" Twilight asked, not processing things fast enough yet. "Well Celestia wants me to try and make friends in Ponyville... seeing as she's the only one I have... And, well, she told me to ask you if you'd let me... stay here." Luna replied the blush becoming deeper from embarrassment and the look Twilight was giving her with her dishevelled bed-mane. Please just say no Twilight, please say no. "Sure," Twilight said, giving up all pretense, "welcome to the library." Buck! Luna thought, Now I've got no excuse... Sister, you'll pay for this. "Wonderful," Luna smiled genuinely, as much to convince herself as anything. Although nagging fears about staying with Twilight still pulled in her mind; she'd brought her diary with her from the castle, she'd never live it down if Twilight found it while Luna was a guest in her house. "Lemme show you around." Twilight said as she stood up, the night's sleep had done wonders for her injured leg and tender as it was, she could at least handle the stairs. With Luna staying, Spike at last returned. He'd been miserable for weeks, hiding out at one friend or another's, and pining for all the things he missed about home. But as much as he loved Twilight, he had been even less willing to face her anger and shouting than her friends. The reunion with Twilight had been tearful, and with many promises to not let something like this come between them again, and, happier than he had been in a month, Spike settled back into his routine. Luna smiled at Twilight they were sat at the table while Spike was in the kitchen cooking. Having arrived home half way through the tour, interrupting it for more than an hour, he'd started making dinner and was almost finished. Luna suspected that Celestia was sticking her hooves into the situation a little, considering how promptly he'd arrived. The little dragon emerged with a big pot of carrot and mushroom soup. He placed it on the table and dished out three generous portions passing one to Luna and one to Twilight. "So has Canterlot changed much since I was last there?" Twilight asked "Not really... it's all new to me now, when I was last here we lived in the castle that stands in the Everfree Forest, Canterlot is much different. I'd say, though, that it's still the same as when you left, full of the nobility and ponies who want to be nobility." And full of trolls Luna thought. Twilight's answer was interrupted as Spike belched green flame, a note forming in front of them. Opening it with magic and beginning, she smiled a familiar smile at getting a letter from her mentor in the usual way. But as she read on, her brow crinkled slightly. "Say Luna... who or what is 'Lunacy'?" Twilight looked at the princess. Luna's eyes went wide and she spat her soup out, "W-w-what?!" "It says right here, 'P.S. Luna, the link is still active... I heard that comment. Shall I tell Twilight about Lunacy maybe?' then... the last bit's been erased with magic." Twilight replied, curiosity plain in her speech, and when she finished she met the midnight princess' panicked eyes. Luna looked utterly shocked. Oh horseapples I forgot about that! "Lunacy is an old nickname given to me by Celestia." She was proud of the way her voice didn't waver at all. Before Twilight could ask more, Luna vanished in a 'poof' of magic, a night-blue cloud billowing where she'd been briefly. I'll get you for that Celestia! No, you won't... Lunacy!
Chapter Four RevisedAuthors Note Ok so i rewrote chapter 4 sorry for the wait. but here you go, ive slowed it down alot ive decided to take time and focus on the build of the relationship before that bucking voice decides to ruin things. Also on a note the voice is quiet because if you can't guess it from the reading its scared of being found out....it doesnt want the princess to know its there. Ok story time: Twilight lay on the floor, the alchohol had worn off and she had just realized what she'd gotten herself into... The lunar princess is staying at the library... my library. Twilight stood up and headed up stairs if the princess was going to stay here then Twilight needed to sort out her room and make it presentable for her. Luna paced down the streets of Ponyville, trying to memorize as much of it as possible, nodding to the residents that noticed her. She had told Twilight earlier that morning that she would be staying at the library, the bleary eyed mare had said okay but then passed back out. I must make sure she doesnt touch anymore alchohol... if she does who knows what could happen. Luna subconciously licked her lips as saucy ideas passed through her mind. Still... I guess I'd better be heading back to the library. Twilight was halfway down the stairs when the door to the library swung open. Startled, she lost her balance and went tumbling down the stairs, the bed she was bringing down following her and nearly landing on top of her. She opened her eyes to Luna's concerned face... but why were there two of them? "Are you okay?" Luna asked. "I'll be fine." Twilight replied with a groan. "What were you doing?" Luna asked, looking at the bed that had nearly crushed the purple mare. If I hadn't caught it with magic... she couldve been seriously hurt! "Well... you are a princess... so I was going to sleep down here while you slept in the bedroom." Twilight replied, as if that was common sense. Luna stood there quietly her emotions fighting for control... she was angry, hurt, annoyed at Twilight's carelessness, but also strangely happy... happy that this mare would think about what she wanted, even though she was intruding. "Twilight, I'm just as happy sharing a room. You didn't have to do this." Luna said, voice somewhere between sad and guilty, "Really, I'm the one intruding. There was no reason to do this... and you could have been hurt... ask next time...? Please?" Before Twilight could reply, Luna levitated the bed and disappeared. Twilight lay on the floor with a book. She hadn't seen the princess since she took the bed back upstairs. I wonder where she is.... Probably reporting to Celestia... The voice replied, uninvited, or perhaps getting information from your friends. Dont you think it's a bit weird, after your outbreak, that the princess is here? I mean, come on, even a foal could see she's spying on you. The voice was trying to poke and prod at Twilight's worst fears about the princess. Yes, it may be a bit weird, but that's how Princess Celestia works. Maybe she is here to keep an eye on me, but not for the reasons you're thinking. Maybe she's genuinely worried about me... after what happened, I'd like to think so. And besides she wouldn't have to be here if you would just GO AWAY! The voice grumbled and faded away. It would draw power from the princess, that would be easy considering the close proximity, it would become stronger and then... it will rule this form and destroy Celestia. Luna was lying on Twilight's bed. She didn't know how long she'd been there, breathing in that purple mare's scent, but it felt like a while. Yes, okay, it was weird of her to be there breathing in the unicorn's scent, but she couldn't help herself! She didn't even know what time it was anymore. Probably a few hours... it might be getting close to the rising of the moon. Eventually she stood up and looked out the window, a harder battle than she'd thought. Just as she suspected, it was getting close to the moonrise. She jumped up, pushed the window open and drifted outside, landing softly on the ground, waiting. Twilight got up and looked out of the nearest window. She'd thought she heard a soft thud... but outside she couldn't believe it. Luna stood there proudly, wings spread, head held high, and her horn glowing a magnificant silver... like the colour of the moon. She watched, entranced, by the young alicorn. Her gaze drew higher as Luna rose into the air, one slow wing beat at a time, and slowly but surely pulled the moon up into the sky, and as she did so Twilight saw something she'd never seen in her life. A silver rainbow, a shimmering ghost of the real thing, had formed around Luna, slowly swirling around her before splitting and shining in an arch over her. Luna dropped back to the ground and walked through the front door of the library only to be greeted by the dumbfounded, wide-eyed Twilight. "Soooo I'm guessing you liked it?" Luna asked, unable to hide all of her amusement, Twilight just shook her head, unable to find her voice. Luna gave Twilight a part smile, "Well, goodnight." and with that, Luna headed upstairs to bed. Twilight followed a little time after, mind still turning over the sight of the moon princess in her element. Twilight found herself in a pitch-black, circular room with nothing around her but a single shaft of light that she stood in shining down from the ceiling. "So, the young mare is back again." "Go away." Twilight deadpanned "How about no?" The voice taunted, A single spike formed in the air, aimed directly at Twilight's cutie mark. "They say the worst pain a pony can feel... is their cutie marked being stabbed. Shall we see if its correct?" The voice laughed, relishing the words. She tried to move away, but as she did the spike flew directly at her, piercing through her ribcage straight through to the other side. Twilight gritted her teeth, I must not scream I must not scream. Before she could recover, another spike pierced her, this one on target, going straight through her cutie mark. Twilight let out a scream. It was the worst pain she had ever felt... nothing compared... having her cutie mark stabbed through hurt more then being dipped in lava... and she knew how much that hurt. More and more spikes formed around her, hovering menacingly... She saw them in time to scream just once more as they lunged towards her. Twilight awoke, panting and sweating all over, and quickly placed a hoof at her cutie mark... nothing! She checked her ribcage... again nothing! Just another dream... just another dream... Will I ever get a peaceful night's sleep? Twilight lay back down and, despite everything she feared, slowly drifted off into happier dreams. Twilight awoke at 1:21 pm. Spike and the princess had let her sleep in...! I'll kill them both! She tried not to think about that thought... When she got downstairs she found the rather surprising sight of Luna sitting comfortably on the floor reading four different books at once. "Princess? Where's Spike?" Twilight asked. "Spike went shopping, and it's Luna please..." She paused, marking her place in a couple of the books, "Twilight could you introduce me to some of the folks around ponyville? I've never been good at making friends and... well, times have changed. I fear I'd probably make a foal of myself." Luna asked sheepishly. You know, I bet she's just asking so she can keep an eye on you to see if you'll flip out. She's a liar, tell her no... tell her to get lost... Shut up you stupid personality! Twilight smiled at the princess, "Of course I'll help you princ- I mean Luna... shall we?" Luna gave Twilight a bright smile and the two headed out. The two of them had walked around Ponyville all afternoon, meeting and greeting some of the ponies they had run into. Aloe and Vera, Colgate, Berry Punch - who, as always, was quite quick to move onto flirting with both the princess and Twilight... and any other pony around... They'd met Carrot Top, who had asked if they had seen Berry and Colgate, and then they met Lyra and Bon Bon. The young couple were getting disgusted looks from every upper class pony as they walked through the more expensive side of Ponyville. Twilight gave a sigh as they passed, "Lyra and Bon Bon are so in love, they dont care what others think... but still they get disgusted looks beacause they're 'fillyfoolers'." Twilight said, sounding disgusted at the treatment. Luna was familiar with that word... Celestia had called her that a few times, along with a few other things during those arguments, so she sort of knew what it meant. She walked towards Lyra and Bon Bon, but was stopped by an upperclass pony. "Your Highness, you do not want to go talking to them... they're a disgrace to Ponyville, please Princess come talk with us." He bowed, Luna looked at him for a few crucial moments, debating. She closed her eyes, brought forth her magic and pushed him out of her way, leaving him standing in a nearby mud puddle, "I'll talk to whom I choose, and if I must say, it's you who is a disgrace to Ponyville. Ponies were made to love and find one who loves them in return. And if they so happen to be in love and both be mares, who are you to judge?" She paced regally over to Lyra and Bon Bon and smiled softly, "I apologise for everypony's rudeness... and I would like to get to know you both better. I can't stay long... but would you like to join me and Twilight for lunch later? Around five-ish?" "Of course, your highness," Both Lyra and Bon Bon replied, awed, before leaving quickly. Twilight and Luna headed back to the library. "I think what you did for them was sweet..." Twilight commented. "Really why...?" Luna replied. "Well you've invited them to lunch... and you talked to them in front of everpony, and you snubbed that guy to do it. You really sent out a message to everypony that even a princess doesn't judge." Twilight replied. "How do you think I can judge when I'm just like them?" Luna said it before she realised, she slapped both hooves over her mouth and closed her eyes hoping Twilight wouldn't pursue it. "Just like them how?" Twilight said with a hint of hope in her voice. She had always had a attraction to stallions, true, but she felt an even stronger attraction to mares. She'd loved Celestia, so kind, generous and beautiful... But she also loved the night Luna brought forth, and through the night she loved Luna. Plus what she'd seen last night didn't help... Luna had looked so... beautiful. "I... I mean to say... Always... judged." Luna thought quickly, but she finished the excuse feeling guilty about not being able to just say it. Twilight tried to make herself sound indifferent but she didn't know if it had worked. "I see... well no one in Ponyville will judge you." "Would you excuse me? I have somewhere I need to go." Her feigned smile and quick exit left Luna stunned. Twilight walked away... What was she doing? There was no need to be angry at the princess, and yet she was. She was furious! But there was no reason why. What had she expected? For the princess to say she was a fillyfooler? That maybe she liked Twilight? Yeah when pigs fly... Twilight sat down under a tree and watched the sky. They barely knew each other and she just... expected a relationship with the other mare... she really must be going crazy, as if attempted suicide hadn't proved that already. She's only playing with you. She's just going get your hopes up, play with you like the manipulative sneak she is, and then throw you aside. You might not be dating, you're not even in her league, but she knows that you want to be and she will use all of those emotions to get what she wants out of you. Then,when shes done? She'll cast you out and leave you, all alone. Shut up! I don't want to listen to you! Just buck off and go die! Or better yet, get out of my head and go bother somepony else you stupid bucking voice! I DONT WANT TO DEAL WITH YOU RIGHT NOW SO GO AWAY! Twilight went to buck a tree out of sheer frustration. Her leg hit the tree at an odd angle, twisting the hoof and something went snap... Twilight stood there for a few seconds before screaming in agony, curling up around her leg and trying to cradle it off the ground. D-D-Delayed reactions really suck! Breathing hard, and fighting tears, she tried to get up and walk back to the library on her three good legs, but everytime she took a step pain shot through her. I've never fixed a broken bone before and I don't know how... Dear Celestia, this royally sucks. With a huge effort, Twilight continued to make her way back to the library, wincing in pain each time her leg so much as bumped the wrong way. Luna was hovering at a bookshelf, looking for a new book to read, when the library door flew open with a crash. She looked around and took in the sight of Twilight, agonised face and messed up mane, her back left leg was bent at a odd angle. "Twilight!" she gasped in shock, "Your leg! Is it broken?" "Nooo, Princess, it's just twisted at that angle for kicking people next to me! Yes it's broken!" Twilight yelled, pain making tears swell in her eyes, Luna dropped to the ground and stepped cautiously up to the purple mare... she'd never heard Twilight in so much pain before, "D-d-do you want me to fix it?" Twilight sighed, mastering herself before replying, "Yes please." Luna wasted no time, closed her eyes and brought forth her magic. Slowly she surrounded the injured leg with her magic and proceeded to knit the bone back together. She felt the mare wince several times, especially when she had to shift the hoof back around into line, straightening the leg as gently as she could. "Thank you." Twilight sighed in relief when she finished, testing the hoof back on the floor. "Don't mention it." Luna replied, her face slightly red... for the briefest of moments their thoughts had touched and even though she hadn't read anything but pain and concentration from the lavender mare, it had still felt very, very personal. "Twilight?" She began, to cover the silence, "We've got that double date with Lyra and Bon Bon in a little while, you might want to get changed..." "Double... date?" Twilight repeated, surprised. "D-D-D-Did I say double date?! I meant dinner date! Lunch date! YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN!" Luna's volume rose to panic levels as she tried to cover her slip. Twilight giggled, it was cute to see the princess flustered, "I'll be down in a few minutes." And she left the princess to her mortified thoughts. Luna and Twilight stood waiting outside the library for Lyra and Bon Bon. Just when they thought their guests wouldn't arrive, both ponies rounded a corner and hurried down the road to them. "Heh, sorry!"Lyra called out, "Bon Bon wanted to take an extra half hour to get ready!" She smirked at her marefriend good-naturedly. Bon Bon did look like she'd put in the effort, that was for certain, she was in gold gilded dress with matching hoof shoes, a lyre-shaped clip adorned on her hair and golden eyeliner around her eyes. "I see... a lot of gold," Twilight stage murmered to Luna, "A fan of the sun, Bon Bon?" Luna asked Bon Bon just nodded, not sure whether the moon princess was teasing her or not. "So where shall we go?" Lyra asked eagerly, "I don't know, wherever you wish." Luna smiled generously. They entered the restaurant and sat down at a table, Twilight and Luna at one side Lyra and Bon Bon at the other. "So how long have you been dating" Luna asked Lyra. "Well, we've been together about three years." Lyra said with a thoughtful look, "And three wonderful years they've been." Bon Bon added happily "What about you and Twilight?" Lyra returned, "What about us?" Luna looked mildly confused, "How long have you two been dating?" Bon Bon clarified, "D-D-D-Dating?" Luna stuttered. "We're not dating!" Although I wish we were... Twilight finished. "Awww, you two make such a cute couple, though." Bon Bon protested "You two should totally date!" Lyra added with a smile. Twilight took this moment to down her drink and hopefully hide the blush. What she didn't know was her drink was alchoholic. Luna was at this moment doing the same, it seemed that everyone else but the two of them could see they liked each other. "Lyra, they're so cute!" Bon Bon whispered into her ear, "The princess and the librarian, ooh, doesn't it sound like a book?!" "I can see that, Bon," Lyra giggled, "Apparently they don't get it!" Twilight put her drink down and looked at Lyra, "Why is there... apple cider in my glass?" "HAH! Now pay up!" Bon Bon exulted, "Oh fine... And Twilight, me and Bon Bon had a bet... Bon Bon thought she saw you buy some alchohol a while back. And I said it couldn't be, you would never drink... so Bon Bon made me a bet. If you could name what you were drinking without being told then I'd lose." Lyra told the purple unicorn. "And what was the prize?" Luna asked taking a drink of cider. "Who gets to be on top tonight." Lyra finished nonchalantly. Luna spat out her drink in a most un-royal fashion, "What?!" Twilight just sat there looking shocked, "So you two bet on things like that..." "Sure, it's fun." Bon Bon told them both "E-excuse me, I need to use the... little mare's room." Luna beat a hasty retreat. Twilight watched Luna leave, her heart practically following the Princess, leaving her to feel alone in a full room. "So, Twilight. Do you like her?" Lyra leaned in for the juicy details, "What do you mean?" Twilight hedged, "Oh c'mon! It's not like you're trying to hide it, you're attracted to her." Bon Bon deadpanned. "I am not! Besides... why would the princess want me...? I'm just a nobody..." Twilight replied, looking at the tablecloth, Both of them shook their heads. They said love makes you blind... Luna returned and sat down. As soon as she was comfortable, the waiter came arrived, "May I take your orders?" Thinking it safest to avoid those topics for a bit, the girls ordered their food and made small talk while they ate. Luna carried Twilight through the library door, the younger mare being held in place on Luna's back with magic. After dinner they'd hit a bar, Twilight had more than her fair share, which amounted to surprisingly few... Maybe the bar wasn't the best idea... She considered. Twilight giggled and hiccuped before sliding off Luna with the grace of a sack of flour and stumbling down into the cellar. She came back up with a few bottles of apple cider wavering around in her magic's unsteady influence. "Shall we play a little game, Looney Luna." Twilight said, stifling a giggle. "A drinking game?" Luna asked, slightly intrigued, this probably wasn't a good idea, but... tipsy Twilight was adorable. "'S called Truth... you ask me a question and I either give you an honest answer or a dishonest answer..." She wasn't slurring, but she was disjointed, which was kind of fun to listen to from the usually-exacting Twilight, "You then have three more questions to ask. Then you have to take a guess at whether I told the truth or lied." Twilight finished with a grin. "This sounds... interesting. Okay, I'll play." Luna couldn't resist that happy smile, against her better judgement she was going to play. Luna, don't drink anymore, your mind is muddled. Shush Trollestia. No, you should stop drinking. Nevah!! Don't make me come down there and spank you... Celestia warned, Oooh, kinky! Celestia shut up smartly after that... She's a pervert when shes drunk... Dont you know it! Oh, I know it very well, LUNACY Oh come now, dont you bring that into it. Oh-hoho yes I will. Every time you get drunk, you go off the rails. That was why you were banned from alchohol for five hundred years! Luna just ignored her sister and took another drink from the bottle. "Ok im ready" Luna stated. Twilight and Luna sat at the table, a glass in front of each of them and six bottles of apple cider waiting for them. "You go first Luna, ask me a question." "Ok... Uh... Have you ever clopped?" Luna began, hoping to get a reaction "EW! No!" Twilight swallowed unconsciously, "So how was your first time?" Luna probed, "It felt good." Came the quick answer, Twilight covered her mouth remembering the first question. "You lied." Luna concluded with a grin, Twilight sighed poured herself a glass and downed it. "Now it's my turn. Have you ever kissed a mare? And not your sister." Twilight countered. "No." Luna replied. "So... how many ponies have you kissed?" Twilight asked. "A few." Luna replied, not giving much, "How were they?" Twilight questioned "Okay." Luna replied "Who was your first kiss?" Twilight asked. "She was a pony from my sch-" Luna looked at Twilight who sat there smiling Oh buck! I said she! "Lying!" Twilight beamed. Luna silently poured herself a drink and downed it. "Do you love me?" Luna asked. Twilight went quiet debating whether to lie or tell the truth, she decided to tell the truth. They were both pretty drunk and probably wouldn't remember anything in the morning. "Yes." Twilight replied. Luna balked and flushed at the candid answer, but recovered, "When did you fall in love with me?" Luna asked. "I don't honestly know." Twilight replied, thinking about it. "Do you love me as a goddess, or as the mare I am?" Luna asked "As the mare you are." Twilight finished. Luna sat there debating why would anyone love her she was the one who almost doomed the world... but Twilight might be telling the truth... Oh, how she hoped she was telling the truth! Luna went with what she thought was right, not what her gut told her. "You're lying." "Wrong..." Twilight countered, slightly hurt. "I was telling the truth." Luna took a glass full to the brim as her penalty for that... her heart buzzed... was that just the alcohol? Was that just... Oh buck! Telling the truth?! How? Why? As the game carried on the questions became more and more erratic. They were running out of alchohol, and working depth perception. "Okay... final queshtion..." Twilight slurred, while trying to remain balanced. "Why do you like me?" Luna had to ask. "Becaushe you're beautifuls." Twilight shook her head. "Lies!" Luna wasn't sure whether she was denying what Twilight said, or denying she was beautiful... "Wrong-o!" Twilight giggled. It took Luna a moment to recognise what she had done. Buck, I must be worse off than I thought... Twilight tried to get up, but fell backwards, knocking her glass, and the table, flying. The drunken mare just giggled as she lay on the floor. "C'mon... lets get you to bed." Luna sighed, lifting Twilight onto her back, then headed for the stairs to the bedroom. Luna woke up bleary and with a pounding headache in the morning... she had no clue how she got to bed. She remembered little of last night, she hoped nothing bad happened. So how're we feeling this morning? Celestia's voice was bright and cheery, Shut it Celestia... I told you not to, but nooooo, you just ignored your big sister who just wanted to prevent this. I'm paying for it, am I not? Not enough. She trilled, So I'm going to punish you! Luna groaned What do you want me to do? For disobeying my express orders, you're going to tell TwilIght about Lunacy! She sounded triumphant. Luna gasped out loud... Please anything but that! I'll do anything else you want me to, just not that! Nope. That is your punishment. Luna could almost hear the smile of glee in Celestia's voice. Luna hung her head in defeat and got up to find something for the hangover. In the bathroom she heard Twilight coughing over the toilet... I guess she drank more than I did... surprising, for such a lightweight. After an uneventful day, spent mostly in silence to get over the copious drinking from last night, Luna lay outside on the grass under the moonlight. It had been a couple of hours since she had raised the moon and she was too warm, the night was close and muggy for late autumn, and Twilight kept popping into her head. As much as she loved that mare, she knew her feelings would never be accepted by Twilight. This, on top of everything else, put her in a bad mood. OOOOH LUNAAAAAAA... her sister wailed in her head. Not now, Celestia. But... I'm loooonely and you're so saaaaad tonight. I don't care. I'm trying to help Twilight. You're no fun... Which reminds me, did you tell her about Lunacy? No I damn well did not. I was a little busy trying to stop Twilight throwing her guts up. Celestia went quiet for a moment - Luna dared to hope that the serious nature of Luna's thoughts had made her see sense - before mind speaking again. You'd better tell her, or I will. And what about Trollestia...? Luna threatened. She's not going to be my marefriend, not at this rate, so she doesn't need to know. Celestia's voice attempted nonchalance, but Luna could hear the bitterness it hid. Hah and you think she'll be mine? I highly doubt that! Ooohh, it seems I've struck a nerve... but you must be mad to not see she likes you... or it's Lunacy. IT IS NOT LUNACY!! And besides... I know she doesn't like me. Luna's mental voice was wistful. Celestia decided to have a poke around some of lunas thoughts what she saw made her shake her head before replying in a sing-song voice, Lunaaaaaaacccccyyyy comes up with some really... bucked up ideas! You should go away Lunacy, bring back Luna! I told you, Lunacy no longer exists! And besides, Lunacy was never another personality, unlike Trollestia and Mo- A sudden, incredibly loud mental burst of music cut Luna off, she clutched her head in pain. WE NEVER MENTION THAT!! Remember that! You swore to a Princesses Oath. Celestia said in a deadly serious voice, getting more quiet and more tightly controlled as she went on, Luna could hear the capital letters on the words. S-s-sorry I... forgot. See that it doesn't happen again. Celestia finished in a lighter tone, Goodnight... Lunacy. Troll. Luna shot back before casting the spell to cut off her sister for the remainder of the night. Luna headed back inside, Celestia's half-evil attempt to cheer her up had worked though, because Luna felt a little happier. Her eyes found Twilight, who was writing something on a scroll, but as Luna approached Twilight quickly picked up the scroll and made it disappear. "You can't sneak up on me, Luna." Twilight turned her head just enough to give the princess a triumphant look. Drat i wanted to see what she wrote too... She blinked as her mental cut-off spell was brushed aside, Twilight just sent me a scroll... Celestia chuckled, and its really juicy. Luna just stood there in shock, her spell had been countered... and Twilight had sent Celestia a scroll... containing something juicy? Before she could get over the double surprise a sudden burst of smoke caused a new scroll to appear in front of Twilight. "Luna?" Twilight asked, still reading the scroll, "Celestia says you have 5 days to tell me about 'Lunacy'... Actually I'm quite curious as to what or who Lunacy is..." At this Luna accidently managed to teleport herself out of sheer embarrassment.
Chapter FiveLuna reappeared upstairs on Twilight's bed, when she'd desperately thought to go somewhere safe... well... Moon damn her...! Why does she have to do this... 'Cause it's fun! Shut up, Celestia! Nnnnooooooooope! She was definitely enjoying this too much. Luna sighed, Celestia, please don't make me tell her... I-I-I'm ashamed of it... Tough luck sister. Go tell her. B-B-B-B-But! No buts even if they're cute, moon-alicorn butts or sweet Twilight butts. I wont have any of them. ... Yet. Luna just stared at the wall, had she heard her sister right? Finally she just sighed once more and walked dejectedly back down stairs. "Heh," she gave a false, nervous laugh, "sorry about that, Twilight." she apologised, rubbing a hoof against the other ankle "It's no problem, besides it's fun to see you shocked." Twilight giggled, "Also it's kinda cute." Luna blushed, then looked away. 'Cute'? Couldn't be... "Thank you, Twilight... but I can't tell you about Lunacy." "Why?" Twilight asked simply "Because I'm ashamed of what it did..." Twilight just nodded. "Well I'm going to go out for a walk. Feel free to do what you want, Luna." Twilight smiled before departing the library. Luna breathed a silent breath of relief, she'd managed to put it off. As Twilight left she looked at the books on the nearest shelf. Reading time! Celestia lay on her bed, exhausted and disconsolate. Which had become a usual thing. After the day's duties, tasks, meetings, and all the little minute of running a kingdom were done, she'd head to her chambers and wallow in... well whatever ponies wallow in. Do ponies wallow in pity? Celestia wondered briefly as she lay there. There was no way she could help Twilight... And there sure as sunshine was no way she could spend time with that lavender mare. Why does life have to suck?! She smiled briefly at her own acting like a filly, stood up and walked over to the window that looked out to the distant town of ponyville. All I want is for Luna to be happy... But does that mean I should ignore what I want? Luna has been out of the world for a thousand and one years, this would be so good for her. And yet why did it have to be Twilight? My Twilight? My faithful, studious, beautiful Twilight who shines so brightly to me that I can't even go see her in fear of what I might say or do. My Twilight, who will probably never see me as anything more than a teacher, while Luna grows ever closer to her! Celestia curled her back legs under herself and sat, while her eyes closed in dejection. Life is unfair... Twilight walked along the street, her mind and body feeling relaxed. She hadn't felt this at peace since... well never... She found a nice spot, out of the way with flowers all around it, laid down on the grass and closed her eyes. When she opened her eyes she wasn't on the grass, but in that all-too-familiar darkened space. Twilight shivered, she knew what to expect this time, and the expectation filled her with dread. Bring on the pain. A shadowy figure appeared, dim and hazy against the darker and hazier backdrop, "Hello." the greeting was almost pleasant, almost. "What do you want?" Twilight didn't want to prolong things, "Well, there's a lot of things I want, but let's not get into that just yet... instead let's have some fun." Her voice sounded like she meant actual fun, the same way somepony would suggest a roller coaster ride. Twilight knew better though. As soon as it finished shackles appeared around Twilight's front and back legs, pinning her hooves to the ground. A muzzle, complete with iron bit thrust back into her mouth, clamped her mouth shut and nearly made it impossible to breathe. Her five friends appeared in front of her, fading into place, but seeming all too solid once they were there, watching her with fear in their eyes. Shackles appeared around each of them in turn, locking to their limbs as securely as the ones that pinned her to the floor. She watched in horror as chains snaked out to these shackles, snapping into place and pulling taught before they were dragged slowly, too slowly, back to a wall bristling with spikes that shimmered into being. Screams and tears, sobbing and begging, the agony of despair on their faces and the eventual pain that took them... was horrifying. The spikes pierced her friends' bodies, slim tines emerging before her eyes out of stomachs, legs, chests, necks and... She had to look away, but she couldn't. After a minute, a full minute of agonisingly slow impalement, her friends disappeared and reappeared in front of her again. Twilight was made to watch her friends die over and over, screams and tears ringing in the dark, made to watch and be unable to make even a sound. Twilight awoke in her own bed. How did I get here? Why did I have to see that? What did I do to deserve all this?! All these questions floated around Twilights mind as she tried to focus. It was morning... Not that late either, about the time she'd usually get up if she had something to do in the day. Breakfast time, really. She got up, groggy and bushy maned, and made her way down stairs, she sat down at the table just as Spike leaned out of the kitchen. What she saw made her recoil in shock and fall away from the table; in Spike's hand was a bloodied knife! "Twilight? Are you okay? You look like you've seen a ghost." Spike peered at her from the door, Twilight didn't answer because, even as she looked, the bloodied knife turned into a pancake mix covered spatula. I must be so tired. My eyes are playing tricks on me, that's all. Luna lay in bed staring at the ceiling, she didn't want to get up yet, but Twilight had gone downstairs already. I'll have to tell Twilight soon or my heart is going to explode... How I feel... And Lunacy, if it comes to that, damn Celestia to the sun, but she's never going to let that go. I'll do it tonight. I have to do it tonight. I can't go on living here with her with this hanging over my head. She rolled off the bed, feeling better for making the decision, and started to walk down the stairs. Unfortunately she wasn't concentrating in the slightest and misplaced her hoof. One heart-stopping tumble later and Luna opened her eyes and looked down to find what had broken her fall. A pained and dazed expression greeted her, complete with the most... beautiful eyes she'd ever had the privilege to gaze into. They widened as they, too, realised what had happened, but nothing was said. She'd landed on top of Twilight, pinning her to the floor, their muzzles only inches apart and it was... making her heart... Luna's mind had stopped doing anything, and all she could notice was the way Twilight's lips were slightly parted, so invitingly, as she paused to collect her own thoughts. Whatever stroke of luck had stopped her from immediately trying to get up and get away, Luna thanked it and felt her heart hammering harder. The door to the library burst open, "Hey, Twilight we're-" All five of Twilight's friends were framed in the morning light. All of them except the pink one were staring with mixed expressions. "Ahem. We'll just be leaving. Come on girls." Rarity tossed her curls and tried to shoo the others out of the library. "N-N-No! It's fine! I'll, uhm, I'll just... go out for a bit. And give you all time. To talk, I mean." Luna didn't recognise her own voice as it squeaked out while she scrambled to her hooves. Luna tried to walk naturally past the group of girls, but her face still shone red. "Sooo..." Dash turned back as soon as the door shut behind the alicorn, "I'm guessing you and the princess had a good time?" Dash's tone made it abundantly clear what 'a good time' was supposed to mean. Twilight stood up, her face red. "No! She just fell down the stairs and landed on me!" "Suuuure she did." Dash needled her, "She did!" Twilight protested. In the face of that innocent denial, Dash caved, "I was just kidding, sheesh..." "What brings you all here anyway?" The embarrassed mare tried to steer back into normal conversation, "We were going to go to the park and, uhm, well, we wondered if you and the princess wanted to join us...if that's ok." Fluttershy explained, tailing off as usual. "I'd love to, and I'm sure that Luna would as well. We'll have to find her and ask though." Her friends wanted to spend time with her again! It felt like she'd had a shot of sugar to the heart. "Ooh! Search party!" Pinkie bounced, "And that's one of the most fun parties, because you get to play hide and seek at the same time, although it kinda means you can't play some of the other games, like pin the tail on the pony, I mean duh! How can you when you're looking all over the place for somepony? It's like I always say-" Twilight shook her head at the infallible party-pony and left her to babble, leading the way out of the library to look for her princess. It took her a long while to realise that this was probably the first time she'd thought of Luna as 'her' princess... By the time she did, things were very different indeed. Luna walked through Ponyville, her face completely crimson. If Twilight's friends hadn't arrived when they did, I might've kissed her! Always they show up at the most awkward of times! A call came from behind her, with the sound of cantering hooves; her name being called by multiple ponies. Her ears perked up as she turned her head to see who it could be, but of course, it was Twilight, her friends in a happy tumble of coloured manes, tails and laughter behind her, playfully teasing each other, and calling out to her when they saw her looking. The group trotted, or slewed in mid-air, to a halt when they reached her, "Hey princess! We're going to the park for a picnic! Want to join us?" Pinkie Pie bounced in place. Luna laughed before replying, "That sounds like fun, of course I'll come." At this Pinkie Pie's bouncing took her clear over Luna and then round the entire group, "To the park we go! OnetwothreeGO!" she vanished in a pink blur. "I don't think I'll ever understand her..." Rarity observed. "I don't think any of us will." Twilight giggled as they all followed after the candy-floss-curls of Pinkie Pie. The park, the picnic, the whole day had been nothing but laughter and good conversation. Before they even knew it, the sun had started to set and the girls dug blankets and flasks of hot drink out of the baskets, settling in for the evening. This had obviously been planned for a while, because they were in the perfect spot; as Luna dabbed her power into the sky to raise the moon, the task only briefly taking her concentration away from what the others were saying, fireflies had lit up the night as well. Stars gleamed on high, the moon trod a silvery arc away from the horizon, and golden green tails made little loops and points in the shadows all around them. They'd stared at them in wonder, each quiet and enjoying the special evening with their friends. Time itself seemed to have no meaning right now, despite the passage of the moon getting higher and higher. Twilight looked up at the moon and then at Luna, all her friends had fallen asleep in their blankets and against each other, but for some reason she was still awake, though she looked like she'd rather not be. "Is something the matter?" Luna's question seemed to startle her, as if she'd thought the princess was asleep too. "It's nothing." Twilight hedged. "Are you sure?" she probed, "Yes... No... I don't know." Twilight's voice was half babble, half tired frustration, "It's just that I've been having trouble sleeping, that's all." she lay down and yawned. Truthfully, she had started fearing falling asleep, but she couldn't deny the urges of her body. Luna laid her head down next to her, "Do not worry... I'll watch you. I'll grant you a peaceful sleep tonight." Twilight smiled, yawned again, and soon fell asleep with Luna following not long after. Today had been a perfect day. So rare these past few months. Despite accidents, little scares of her mind, and the pervading fear of her own dreams, she wouldn't soon forget the beautiful time today had brought her, that her friends had given her. Twilight awoke at midday, she hadn't had a nightmare at all, and her body had taken full advantage of that it seemed. The sun was at its zenith and how she'd managed to sleep through it, she didn't know. She rolled over, or tried to, only to notice she was being held around the waist by Luna. And now she became aware that her friends were all up, waiting for her to join them, and they were snickering. And there were people already in the park, staring... Well this couldn't get any more embarrassing if I tried... At that moment Luna muttered Twilight's name in her sleep and, when the startled mare's head snapped around to look at her, the princess planted a soft kiss on her lips. Twilight's mind shut down, unable to prevent it, unable to resist, she just let it happen. Part of her, a large part actually, was revelling in the moment. Luna opened her eyes and turned completely red. "I-I-I'm sorry!" She squeaked. Twilight couldn't reply, she was still in a daze. Gathering herself enough, she looked over at her friends, Fluttershy was looking as if she'd just seen a baby bunny being cuddled by a kitten, the rest were smirking or smiling happily. Obviously they don't care that I'm a fillyfooler, even if they're getting the whole situation entirely wrong right now, they'd be okay with it if I was to get into... into a... relationship with Luna. The voice chose this moment to perk up. Of course they do, they just don't want to say it with the princess here because they know she's one too! They're probably waiting until you're not around, until you're out of Princess Luna the Fillyfooler's protection. Just like they always do. Mm-hmm and I'm sure the sky is made of blue cotton candy too... Twilight snarked her, Quite frankly I'm in bliss here, and nothing you can say can change that, so do me a favour and buck off. Twilight looked back to Luna before breaking the silence between them. "Luna, I think everyone is staring." She ducked her head in embarrassment, Luna immediately jumped up and away from Twilight before looking around at everyone with a worried glance. Her eyes then met a pair of familiar faces; Bon Bon and Lyra, on their usual bench, who were both smiling as smugly as Twilight's friends. She noticed Bon Bon hoof Lyra a few bits. Those two must love making those bets...i wonder what they bet about this time... Luna then looked at Twilight "Twilight I'm sorry! I guess I'm... well... and the kiss... I didn't mean to, I was still asleep." Luna said this last bit loud enough so everyone could hear. A strange mix of expressions crossed Twilight's face before she replied, "It's fine, really... Let's just forget about it." The smile on her face, meant to reassure the princess, didn't quite make it to fully sincere. As Luna and Twilight left the park, everypony in the vicinity facehoofed. Twilight was down in the library and it was three in the morning... things had been awkward between her and Luna after that stunt earlier so, without really talking about it, they had decided to avoid each other for the day. She to her library duties and studies, Luna to her reading in the upstairs rooms. As Twilight turned the page of her book the letters started to pull away from the pages, as she watched them, feeling that something must be wrong, they formed bugs of all kinds in mid-air. From centipedes to cockroaches, everything that crawled or buzzed and just made you want to stamp on it that she'd ever known had crawled off the pages to circle in the air and on the ground in front of her. Twilight stared in shock This... cannot possibly be happening. It's impossible! The voice laughed, Twilight had annoyed her, and now it was time for revenge. The word creatures circled closer towards Twilight, Twilight tried to back away from the writhing mass, but found herself locked in place. More word creatures appeared, coming out of the books on the shelves, slowly dropping down onto the floor or whirring in close and trying to land on her. They were like an inky sea covering the walls and floor, waves of shifting, clicking, buzzing movement, she couldn't see anything else other than these absurd, sickening creatures. She felt them touch her, flinching and twitching, but unable to move as they climbed all over her, covering her. She felt their little sharp fangs dig into her arms and legs, and she tried to move, she desperately tried, but her body wouldn't. Soon she felt fire in her skin, absolute red-hot flames of needle sharp pain; the creatures were crawling inside of the wounds! Immediately Twilight body began to react, she jumped up, tring to push the creatures off of her, but they just kept crawling back trying to claw their way into the wounds. Twilight hadn't realized it but her panicked retreat had backed up into the kitchen. She bucked and flailed her front hooves and bucked again, shaking her head to throw the tormenting things away. Her hooves hit a counter-top, a knife went flying into the air... only to land point first in her shoulder buried deep to the bone. Although it hurt Twilight couldn't help but laugh. Creatures were crawling all over her, the pain was intense as they bit and clawed and scrabbled where they'd opened her, and now she'd accidentally stabbed herself! It was too much! She couldn't take it! She was going insane and the laughter bubbled through. Unable to fight back anymore, the pain making her nauseous and the laughter making her want to bend double, she noticed... She noticed that the creatures were avoiding the flow of blood from the wound. With insanity gripping at her mind she grabbed the knife in her magic's grip and ripped it free. She sliced her ankles, one, two, three, four, blood welling up and making red rings around the top of her hooves as a dam to keep the creatures from crawling all over her. Before she could do anything more, the creatures faded away, leaving her in her normal kitchen with nothing around her, blood dripping slowly from her shoulder and forming little droplet puddles around her hooves. She stood, panting, waiting for the next attack... but it didn't come. Twilight closed her eyes and sleep claimed her. As she slipped into unconsciousness, she fell against the counter once more, her hoof out to stop her didn't make it in time, and the limp leg slid wildly, sweeping glasses off the edge to smash on the floor Twilight opened her eyes, blearily. As she slowly focused her eyes, she realised she wasn't at home. Instead she was where she didn't want to be again... a hospital bed. She slowly sat up and looked around to see her friends watching her quietly, even Pinkie standing still and expectant. "Twilight? You okay sugar cube?" Applejack tentatively asked, her voice low, as if scared that louder would hurt her. "I'm... okay...? Although I dont remember much..." Twilight replied honestly, "Spike and Luna found you in the middle of a whole pile of shattered glass... from how they described it, it looked like you managed to slip and slash yourself open on the glass." Rainbow Dash added, she put her hoof onto the sheets, the others coming closer now that Twilight was talking, "Well... that sucks, now I'm behind on my reading." She frowned, Her friends looked at her in disbelief. "You could have died, and your worried about reading?" Rarity seemed aghast, but just like the others her voice was low. "Sure, why not?" Twilight replied a slight grin on her face. "C'mon guys, lighten up, I'm alive, aren't I?" "Yes, but you almost weren't." Luna pointed out in a firm voice as she walked through the door, her eyes were slightly red and her mane was a mess, Twilight could have sworn she'd been crying. "You've been unconcious for about five days, Twilight... you lost a lot of blood. The doctors didn't think you'd wake up..." Fluttershy said quietly. "Perhaps getting something to eat at three am wasn't a good idea..."Twilight said, trying for a wry twist, shocked, but not wanting to let it show. "Ya think?" Applejack replied, most of the others laughed, and Pinkie booped her nose, calling her a silly filly. Twilight sighed "So when can I leave?" "Three more days, they want to keep you for observation." Luna stated before leaving without another word. And leaving Twilight to wonder if she'd be back at all in that time. Meanwhile, her friends were here to keep her from going stir-crazy from boredom. Twilight sat in the library, she'd just gotten out of the hospital limping gently along while Luna watched over her progress ready to catch her if she stumbled, and the bandages still weren't off. Her friends didn't know she'd done the damage herself, so that was a plus... sort of. From this one experience Twilight had learned that whatever those creatures were they didn't like her blood, If they ever came back, she was sure they would, she'd know exactly what to do. The voice was cackling madly as it watched her thoughts, her plans, That worked better than I'd ever hoped! She actually put herself in hospital! And now that she's weaker it'll mean I can slip in control again, maybe for a while this time. And it is wonderful playing with her imagination, she has such a mind for fear, all her little terrors are weapons in my arsenal. Adds to fun! As long as nopony breaks her attention, I can make see what I want her to see... this will be SO FUN! The voice laughed to itself as it haunted the back of Twilight's mind. Luna sat, legs tucked under herself, on her bed, thinking. What happened, Twilight? I know there's more to this... So what happened? She got up, trying not to let her mind dwell on the sight that she'd found when Spike had screamed for help that morning a week ago, she found herself staring out at the sunset, at the ponies at play after school and work, going home for their meals and their beds. Luna didn't even notice Celestia in her mind until her older sister decided to speak up. Hey Lunacy! It isn't nice to keep family waitiiiiing! Luna nearly jumped out of her skin, her hooves scrabbled as she nearly fell out the window in shock, Celestia! Dont do that! But it's fu-uun! I almost fell out the bucking window and you call it fun?! I see you kissed Twilight, Celestia's quick change of subject threw Luna off guard That was an accident... You seemed to enjoy it. Her voice was the equivalent of a raised eyebrow, So what?! I was asleep. I had a good dream, that's all. About Twilight? I, uhm, N-NO! So why did you mutter her name then? Seems odd to me. ... No answer from the night princess? My my, someone really has been bitten by the love bug. And now I can't wait to come to Ponyville, to see my sister and my most faithful student, ooh the things we could do together! Luna stopped... she thought she'd heard a lust filled tone to her sister's voice... Realisation hit her moments later, making her blush to her ears, Celestia! Stop thinking like that you PERV! Oh, like you don't think like that. Celestia accused probably rolling her eyes, Maybe I do, but I certainly don't let others know what I'm thinking! Celestia just laughed, she had done what she'd wanted to do; stop her sister focusing on such depressing thoughts... like always it was Celestia's job to cheer Luna up, but hey she didn't mind, more fun for her. She decided to make one final comment, just to ensure there'd be only one thing on her sister's mind Hey Luna, the meaning of life, wanna know what it is? Go on, surprise me. Luna was not amused IT'S THE PLOT! Celestia cackled before disappearing from Luna's mind Y....y...you PERVERT! I can't believe you! Luna huffed, threw herself onto the bed and buried her glowing face into her pillow until she fell asleep. Authors Notes: So im hoping that by doing a chapter once a week i can slow the pace...i don't know if it's working...but to hay with it also i have to thank thay for this chapter because again he is a awesome editor and without him sorting this story out from the way i write it would look a bit of a mess also if you have any ideas that you want used in this story feel free to post them and ill consider it (i want to get my readers more involved) also i will certainly give you the credit you deserve. if you find anything wrong with it tell me and ill try to fix it.
Chapter 6Luna sat up in bed recalling the conversation she'd had with Celestia. "She's the biggest pervert I've ever met..." She muttered before getting out of bed. Luna stopped at the top of the stairs, watching Twilight for a few moments, then sighed happily before heading down the stairs. "Hey Twilight!" Luna called "Good morning Luna." Twilight called back as Luna walked down the stairs towards the lavender mare. "So how're you this morning?" Luna said with a little hitch of a yawn in her voice. "Better than usual." Twilight replied smiling slightly. "Good to hear... listen I need to go and see some people... I probably won't be back today." Luna said heading towards the door. Twilight nodded and turned away from the Princess "Thats fine, Luna." She didn't realise she'd let disappointment slip into her voice, she'd been planning on preparing a lovely meal for Luna and finally confessing her feelings to her... but it looks like that'll have to wait. As confused as she was about that little comment, Luna couldn't see anything else forthcoming from the unicorn, so without pushing it, she left. Twilight slumped with her eyes closed, she was glad Luna hadn't noticed more cuts had appeared. Things were better, it's true, but they'd come back, like she knew they would. They haunted her now, in the corners of her sight, just... waiting for her to let her guard down, waiting to catch her alone. And every time she was she'd feel the bite of jaws on her legs or rump or stomach and have to be quick with a cut and a smear of blood to deter the onslaught she knew would follow. The bandages were helping, she'd kept them on after she'd left the hospital, some of the cuts had needed stitches and she'd be going back to have those out in a while. Until then it was easy to fend off the biting creatures that plagued her, clean up quickly and re-tie her bandages over the new wounds. At the same time, though, she was disappointed. She really had been planning on a meal with the princess, something romantic, something... at least to bring them a little closer together. That way, when she confessed, it wouldn't seem so... out of nowhere. All she could do was sigh again. She went upstairs to her private study to sit down in her favourite reading chair and just read. Luna walked around ponyville looking for Lyra and Bon-Bon if there was anyone in the world she could talk to it would be those two, it took a little while, up and down a few of the main and back streets, before finding them sitting outside a restaurant. Both of them waved at her as she walked over. "So how was your kiss?" Lyra asked with a smug look on her face. "I was still asleep, you cannot blame me for what happened." Luna replied primly. "Oh, we know you both enjoyed it." Bon-Bon cut in, a sly twist to her smile. "Well... thats kind of why I'm here." Luna said uncertainly, "I uhm... well how do I... confess to her that I... might... love her..." The two ponies stared at her after that halting revalation, as expected as it had been, the delivery was so shy and demure they couldn't reconcile it with the booming-voiced-glowing-eyed princess that had threatened to end Nightmare Night forever. "Just tell her?" Lyra offered, as if answering somepony asking what colour the sky was. "I-" Luna hesitated, Lyra was often very direct, and that was a bit of a double-edged sword, "I don't know if I can... I've never been in love before..." Luna admitted. "Well you could always write a letter... and put it somewhere she would find." Bon-Bon mused, a gentle smile playing on her face as she looked to her unicorn, "It's what Lyra did for me." "I see." Teal eyes narrowed and perfect brows knit in thought, "I might just do that." Luna said, a little vaguely, before turning away. "Wait, Luna? Where are you going?" Lyra stood up in surprise. "To see a certain someone." Luna replied, not looking back, but her head moved as if she almost had. "Ten bits says she goes and tells Twilight right now." Lyra shot to Bon-Bon. "Ten bits and I get to be on top says she writes a love letter." The candy-maned earth pony hit right back. "Oh you're so on! But if we're raising the stakes, then if I win you've got to suck my horn." Lyra delivered her ultimatum. "Deal!" Bon-Bon took the bet with a fierce grin as they both shook hooves. Twilight sat in her private study, she always came up here when she felt sad... being here would cheer her up tremendously. It had to. She read the top line of the paragraph in front of her again. Wait a minute... why was this here? She should be... no... that paragraph... that one? When had she stopped taking in anything from these pages?! Frustrated and depressed, she sighed and slammed the book she was reading shut, if reading wouldn't cheer her up then what would? Her wandering eyes took in the study, her telescope, useless in the daytime unless there was a blue Jupiter to be seen, her shelves full of knick-knacks she'd gathered from her adventures and her holidays, then noticed the old piano in the corner, funny she'd been here many times and not once noticed it before. It was an upright piano, golden wood, polished and worn from years of hooves. She wondered if she still remembered how to play. She'd learned tas a little filly and enjoyed it, but when she was accepted as princess Celestia's student she'd dropped it. Well theres only one way to find out. She took her place on the conveniently adjusted stool and sat down, slowly tapping some of the keys. As she settled a little more, her wandering hooves started slowly tapping the keys in a more organised fashion. Hmm it doesn't look all that old, no matter how worn it is, I wonder if it's always been here. Her eyes closing as the familiarity with the instrument flooded back to her, just like her magic was an old friend to her now, it was just like it had been the last time she'd played, just as comfortable. She started playing one of her favourite songs. At that moment her horn kicked to life without her having any knowledge and a violin started playing in the background slowly adding to the calming song. Her lips stretched in a soft smile, this song was one she had played repeatedly and her parents had started calling it Twilight's Love, she still had no idea why they called it that, but she loved it nonetheless. (Note: the song played is found here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJRcH1776EA) Twilight continued playing, to her it felt like minutes but in reality it was hours, she changed from song to song but always ended up back at Twilight's Love. Eventually, she had to stop playing and stand. She felt a lot better, the music had soothed her, and it felt good to play again after so long. Twilight turned around nearly jumped out of her skin, probably would have had she not been so relaxed; Spike, Fluttershy and Rarity all stood there with their mouths agape. "What?" Twilight asked, self-consciousness hitting her like a bag of sand. "I didn't know you played, Twilight." Rarity had a hitch in her voice, "It was beautiful." "I think so too." Fluttershy's eyes were a little dreamy, still listening to it in her head, "Mhmm! I agree! You should play more often, Twilight." Spike enthused. "Really, it was nothing... I'm not that good." Twilight replied, meekly rubbing one foreleg with the other hoof, "Not that good? Twilight my dear, you performed better than Celestia's royal musicians." Rarity stated, tossing her mane with an 'I'll not here another word to the contrary' expression. Twilight smiled sheepishly again, before hastily changing the subject, "So why're you here, girls?" "Well Spike here was slightly worried because he hadn't seen you since Luna left and he was worried something might be wrong with you." Twilight raised her head with a mix of emotions, on one hoof they'd been worried for her, on the other she was guilty that they knew she actually needed to be worried about, and on the back hoof was frustrated that they didn't think she was capable of looking after herself. Of course, after recent events, she couldn't blame them for any of it. "Im fine, really." She gave them a warm smile of encouragement, "I just came here to relax is all, I always come up here when I need to." But standing around up here wasn't going to help anything, so she walked past Spike and her friends and headed downstairs, with them following politely. "So, was there something you wanted to talk about?" Twilight asked two friends when they reached the ground floor. "Well, Luna said she wanted to meet you in an hour's time." Rarity promptly informed her. Immediately Twilight's brain put her body into auto-pilot, moving her around the room, checking on things she knew weren't important, but had to give her mind some time to process. Meet her? "Meet me where?" Twilight asked nonchalantly "Uhm well she wanted to meet you in the centre of Ponyville, if that's... okay?" Fluttershy provided, not meeting her eyes, although that was just Fluttershy being Fluttershy. "Ok." Twilight replied brightly inspecting the shelves, as if preoccupied, but her thoughts were racing. Today had looked so... so... empty, a day where Luna was off meeting somepony else, and wouldn't be back until who knew when, while she was left all alone in the library to stare at the walls until she went insane. What could the princess want? Especially after the scares and craziness of the last few weeks. Her scars were forgotten, the pain in her ankles negligible, and the bandages covering both just didn't matter anymore. Rarity and Fluttershy exchanged a look while Twilight wasn't paying attention, both headed towards the door "We'll see you later, Twilight." Fluttershy said before closing the door. Twilight barely noticed they were gone. In precisely an hour's time, Twilight walked into Ponyville's town centre, sure enough the princess was waiting for her there, looking a little nervous, but brightening up immediately upon seeing the student. "Hey Luna!" Twilight said, happily trotting to meet her. "Hello Twilight." Luna greeted her, the hint of nerves making her more formal than earlier. "You wanted to see me?" The unicorn's bright and breezy attitude was a complete contrast to the princess'. "Well I was wondering if you'd join me for a walk through the park." Luna replied looking sheepish, "It's a lovely day, after all." "I'd love to." Twilight's happy smile broadened, although truthfully if Luna had offered skydiving Twilight would've still said yes, this was a huge improvement on sitting in the library all day without her. She just wanted to spend as much time with Luna as possible. Twilight and Luna sat in the park looking at the fading sun. They had taken a stroll, grabbed something to eat, and had gone to a clearing to watch the sun set. It would almost be considered a date if I could just stallion up and say it. Luna thought to herself. Twilight closed her eyes and smiled softly leaning back and relaxing. Luna looked at her, and her only thought was 'She's perfect.' And right then anypony in the princess' position would be hard pressed to say different. The fading glow of the sun lit the unicorn's face, her eyes were closed and her long lashes made dark crescents on her cheeks. Those lips, which she knew were soft and full to the touch, gentle, were parted ever so slightly because of her relaxed jaw, she was obviously thinking about something. And every inch of her was elegant, and vibrant and immediate. She wanted to run her eyes over those features, those curves and hollows, that softness, that innocence forever. Even the bandages, as glaringly out of place as they were, couldn't detract from this afternoon's light casting her into perfection. The white cloth around all four ankles making her look like she was wearing little socks, an adorable addition, maybe she should buy some for a present... And then there was the way they contrasted so vividly with the shape of her legs, recalling to her a fashion from before she'd ever grown jealous of the day, for deep ruffles and lace, a time when the ankles were deemed to incite males and should be covered, a time when the most daring thing a mare could do for her stallion was to let him, slowly, draw off one of her anklets... Her mind came crashing back to Equestria as Twilight sighed in pleasure, stretching her forelegs out and pushing herself back onto her rump to fully appreciate the sunlight's warmth on her coat. She was perfect, and nothing Luna could think of could prevent what happened next. "Twilight...?" Those deep, dusky eyes opened Luna leaned in and kissed her softly. Twilight's eyes widened slightly in surprise, then closed, blissfully as she wrapped her hooves around Luna and pulled her close. It felt like a eternity but in reality was only a few moments. A moment in time that had no definition. Soft lips moved on soft lips, a magical, electric sensation, and yet calming, melting, fluid and so, so natural. She gave herself to Twilight, every scrap of love she could feel just welling up and flowing like a deep, broad river in full flow, through every point that their coats touched into her little mare. Her mare. Her Twilight. And the most magical feeling of all was when it all came back to her, flowing back like a wave to fill her heart to bursting as Twilight's kiss sent all of those feelings back with interest. When they eventually broke the kiss, it wasn't anything so coarse as a 'breaking'. It was just the natural end to a moment that would define Luna's life from this moment on, neither of them had made any movement to say that it was, but for now... for now... Twilight blushed heavily, then met Luna's eyes, "S-so that's how you feel?" Luna gazed at Twilight, so in love it throbbed inside her chest, before replying "Y-yes." "Well, I'm glad you got it out in the open, because I sure wouldn't have been able to." Twilight's innocent observation caught her off guard, making her laugh. Both mares giggled and they shared another kiss as the sun finally set. Twilight opened her eyes, she still felt tired but she knew she had to get up. She looked around at her surroundings. Must've fallen asleep in the clearing she thought to herself. Twilight looked down at the sleeping form of Luna, a smile flickering as thoughts whirled around and settled on how cute she looked, which nearly made her laugh. The mighty Princess Luna, one who raises the Moon, not beautiful, not wondrous, but only cute? Before she could make herself giggle, she nudged Luna to try and awaken the sleeping princess. Luna's eyelids fluttered, before she opened them fully and she focused on Twilight, giving a small yawn. "Good morning Twilight." "Good morning Luna... I think we should head home, don't you?" Twilight replied. "Good idea." Luna said. Home... She'd been living in Twilight's library for quite some time now. How funny that she hadn't really thought of it as 'home' before now. But when she stood up, she realised that it wasn't the place she lived right now that was home, it was something else. It was Twilight. Twilight made the library Home. And so, she was going to go home with her. And while you're there you can tell her about Lunacy. And I mean it. The all to familiar voice of Celestia chimed in. Don't worry... I plan to. Luna's mental voice was far steadier than Celestia had heard it in a very long time. Good luck! And don't miss out any of the really juicy bits. Luna just sighed and continued walking with Twilight. Talking with Tia would only make her nervous about this, or angry, and she didn't have to be either around Twilight, not any more. Once they were both inside and had both settled down, Luna spoke up. "Twilight do you still wish to know about Lunacy?" Twilight simply nodded, although her eyes held more questions than Luna felt she could answer. "Well make yourself comfortable, because this tale is a long one... I just hope you won't think less of me after everything I tell you."
