//-------------------------------------------------------// The Sun, The Moon, and The Stars -by Cardinal Dan Productions- //-------------------------------------------------------// //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter 1: Royal Gifts (Pilot) //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter 1: Royal Gifts (Pilot) ***The Sun, The Moon, and The Stars*** ***Present Day*** Twilight Sparkle stormed into the Crystal Palace with dry tears staining her cheeks. She didn't say a word as she passed by Spike. "Hey, Twilight!" The dragon said excitedly as he chased after her. "Wow, you're early. I thought you weren't coming back until tomorrow. How was your trip to Canterlot? Did you get to spend a lot of time with Princess Celestia?" Spike is met by a closed door and without an answer to his questions. On the other side of the door, Twilight tossed her saddlebag into the corner. Then, she quickly removed the golden ring that had been residing on her horn. She looked at the shimmering band with disgust and hatred. "You..." Twilight snarled at the ring. "You did this to me... You made me feel this way..." With a frustrated yell, Twilight threw the ring across the room. She watched as it fell behind her bed and out of sight. She snorted defiantly before crawling into her bed. The warm sheets welcomed her like an old friend. Twilight was exhausted, and she had little energy and no interest in fighting against the sleep that was overtaking her. The sound of Spike's gentle knocking on her door faded away. Within a matter of seconds, Twilight Sparkle was fast asleep. ***Three Days Ago*** Twilight listened carefully to the sweet sound of Princess Celestia's gentle humming. Though she was unable to see through the blind fold Celestia had given her, Twilight could still hazard a guess on where in the room the princess was. "Just a moment longer, Twilight." Celestia said in her soft, mother-like tone. Twilight gave her a silly grin as she sat upright in her chair. "Really, Princess Celestia, you don't have to do this for me..." Twilight said as she rubbed her hoof against the irritating blond fold. The princess let out a warm chuckle. The sound of Celestia's laughter washed over Twilight, soothing her in more ways than one. "Oh, don't be silly, my dearest, Twilight. With the help of your friends, you have managed to do what my sister and myself could not. You took Lord Tirek on in combat, and you won, saving us all. You deserve a lot more than a congratulations and a few glasses of apple cider." Celestia said sternly. After Celestia's last words hit her ears, the blind fold was torn away, and Twilight was stunned by the sudden presence of light. When her vision cleared, Celestia was standing before her with a small, red pillow sitting in the cloud of her magic. On the pillow is a single, golden ring. Twilight eyed the jewelry with interest and curiosity. Celestia was so excited, she could hardly stand still. "Twilight, this ring was given to me by my mother when I was a very small filly. She always told me such great stories about it. She told me the ring was crafted by griffins, masters of the forge, and that it was infused with magical powers. She told me It could 'charm' the unicorn who wore it to have beauty beyond any measure." Celestia paused as tried to avoid direct eye contact with Twilight. "She also told me... to share it with the stallion I would chose to be my husband." Celestia said softly, her cheeks blushing. "But that is in the distant past. At this point, I may never find a suitable mate to share this valued treasure with, so I am entrusting it to you, my most faithful student." Celestia presented the golden ring to Twilight. The purple mare sat there, her voice without sound and her hoof unmoving. "Go on, Twilight." Celestia coaxed. "Take it." Twilight looked at the ring. The piece of jewelry seemed to be looking back at her. *What are you waiting for, dummy? Just take it!* Twilight thought to herself. *Obviously, it means a lot to the princess. If you don't take it, you'll hurt her feelings!* Hurting Princess Celestia was the last thing Twilight wanted to do. Using the magic from her horn, Twilight lifted the ring from the pillow Celestia was holding. "Try it on..." Celestia said as a sweet smile creeped onto her lips. Not wanting to disappoint her mentor, Twilight did as the princess asked. Celestia's face exploded into a huge grin as the ring slid down the shaft of Twilight's horn. "Oh, Twilight..." Celestia gasped. "It looks stunning on you. I... I hope this gift is adequate... It is the most I can give you physically." Twilight was honored to wear such a closely valued treasure. She threw her hooves around Celestia's neck and hugged her tightly. "Thank you, princess... Thank you so much..." Twilight breathed into Celestia's neck. Tears rolled down the princess' cheeks as she embraced Twilight. "No, Twilight, you are the hero... I am the one who should be thanking you..." Twilight smiled up at her, and Celestia smiled back. Then, the princess did something unexpected. Twilight remained motionless as Celestia leaned forward and planted a gentle kiss on her cheek. Twilight felt a cold draft on her cheek as the princess pulled away. "Wear it proudly, Twilight." Celestia said with a warm, glowing smile. "Now, I beileve my sister has something she could like to give to you as well... You can find her in the observatory." Twilight nodded as she began to make her way towards the door. Using her magic, she opened the door and entered the corridor. Celestia watched the purple mare's every move. More specifically, she watched Twilight's flank as it swayed from side to side. "Oh, Twilight!" Celestia stopped her as the door began to close. "Yes, princess?" Celestia's grin was spreading from ear to ear. "Thank you..." She said softly. Then, the door closed, and Twilight was alone. *** Luna had her eyes closed. She had to in order to concentrate. Raising the moon was no easy task. Twilight watched from the stairs that lead up to the observatory. She looked on with awe as the princess of the night performed her daily ritual. As the moon set into place, Twilight continued her way up the stairs. Luna sighed with content. "Hey, Luna!" Twilight greeted cheerfully. Princess Luna shrieked with fear as her heart leaped into her throat. Twilight watched with horror as the princess collapsed to the floor. "Luna, are you alright? I didn't mean to startle you..." Twilight said as she helped the princess back onto her hooves. "Twilight... You were so quiet..." Luna muttered as she tried to catch her breath." W-What brings thou up here? Thou hast never visited me up here before." "Oh, Celestia said you had something for me." Twilight said sheepishly. Luna smacked her hoof against her forehead. "Of course... How foolish of me to forget. I doth have a special gift, Twilight Sparkle. It is down stairs, in my personal bed chambers. Come, let us away." Luna marched past Twilight and began climbing down the tower. Twilight chased after her. The princess could really move it on those long, alicorn legs. It quickly became a workout for Twilight to keep up. Luckily, the lunar wing wasn't far from the observatory. In a matter of minutes, Twilight and Luna had reached their destination, a very dimly lit corridor. Luna's room was at the very end of the hall. "Your gift is just inside, Twilight." Luna said with an eager smile. As the door slowly opened, Twilight saw that the room was completly dark. She could only make out a manikin that stood in the moon light shining though the window. The manikin was completly nude except for a single trinket around its neck. It was a black amulet with a ghostly pale orb in the center. Luna circled the manikin, eyeing the amulet. "This... gift for you is one of my own creation." Luna explained. "The black chain and shell are made of pure obsidian. The orb in the center is a rare element found not in Equestria. It is not even found on this planet. It is a 'moon tear'." "What is that?" Twilight asked, very intrigued. "The moon tear is powerful stone conceived by... by Nightmare Moon. It is what gave me... I mean, gave her the power to melt into darkness and travel wherever she pleased. It is the greatest gift I can give you for all you have done for myself, my sister, and this land. Without you and your friends, Equestria would be shrouded in darkness for all eternity. Thou hast saved us. Thou hast saved me..." Twilight was speechless. Luna was giving her a rare gift that meant a lot to her. Where did she hear that before? "This... is for me?" Twilight asked. Luna rolled her eyes as she takes the amulet from the manikin. "No, Twilight. This is for the other hero of Equestria. The other skilled mare who saved our world from destruction and chaos time and time again." Twilight's cheeks blushed bright red. She turned her head to hide the hue in her cheeks. "Of course, this is for you..." Luna whispered into Twilight's ear as she slid the amulet over her head. "How does it feel?" Twilight looked down and observed the dark trinket around her neck. She could feel its power flowing though her. "I... It feels..." "Oh, don't worry, Twilight." Luna reassured her. "You will become accustomed to the great powers within. Soon, traveling by shadow and darkness will be a second nature to you." The princess was grinning wildly. Twilight couldn't help smiling back. She was happy the princesses had given her such kind and thoughtful gifts. Luna's smile melted away when she noticed the golden ring that occupied the shaft of Twilight's horn. "What is that?" She asked. "I wasn't aware thou wore trinkets of this nature, Twilight." "This?" Twilight asked as she looked up at the shining band around her horn. "This is a gift from Celestia. I have never worn rings before this one. Doesn't it look amazing?" Luna scowled as she eyed the golden ring. "Yes..." She said through her teeth. "It doth look... amazing..." The drastic change in Princess Luna's tone did not go unnoticed. Twilight placed a soft hoof on the princess'. "Are you alright, Luna?" She asked. Luna's scowl melted instantly, and it was replaced by the friendly grin she had been wearing earlier. "I am better than ever, Twilight. Thou must run along, now. I expect you to practice using that amulet. Of your skills improve enough, we could visit the moon together, some day." Twilight laughed at the princess' words. Then, the thought of actually visiting the moon intrigued her. Before she could ask Luna more about going to the moon, the princess ushered her towards the door. "Go now, Twilight, and enjoy my night." Twilight nodded her head and hugged Luna tightly. "I will, princess... Thank you..." The princess couldn't help smiling as she returned Twilight's warm embrace. Without another word, Twilight turned around and entered the corridor. Luna eyed Twilight through the crack of the ajar door. "Good night, Twilight Sparkle. May thou have the sweetest of dreams..." Luna muttered to herself before she softly closed the door. ***TO BE CONTINUED*** //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter 2: First Encounters //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter 2: First Encounters ***Two Days Ago*** Twilight was awoken by the chirping of birds as they flew past her window. She made the mistake of looking out of the window from which the chirping and tweeting came. The blinding rays of the sun burned her eyes. Twilight raised her hooves to block out the light, but it was already too late. "Ah!" Twilight yelped as she threw the quilt over her eyes. The quilt was enough to save her. The light in the room seemed to be getting brighter by the second. It was as though the sun itself was entering her room. Then, the light faded away just as quickly as it had arrived. "Good morning, Twilight..." Celestia's soothing voice said. "P-Princess?" Twilight asked as she removes the bed sheets from her face. Twilight was still half-blinded and disoriented, but she could make out Princess Celestia, who was standing in her room, by the window. The white mare laughed softly at Twilight's surprised expression. "It is a good morning, is it not?" Celestia asked again as she faces the window. "This... This is my favorite part, Twilight. After my sister has lowered her moon, and I have raised the sun, I like to look out over the land. I like to see Equestria light up and fill with warmth." Twilight slid out of her bed and made her way over to the window. Standing next to Celestia, she peered out over the city below. Canterlot did look beautiful. Little, ant-sized ponies were moving about as the day was dawning. Celestia looked over at Twilight to see what her thoughts were. When she saw Twilight's horn, her smile broke into a huge grin. "Did you sleep in that ring?" Celestia asked with a light chuckle. "Huh? The ring?" Twilight asked as she looked up at her horn. "Oh... I suppose I did... Why, am I not supposed to?" Twilight was worried. If she had done anything to the ring against Celestia's wishes, she feared a punishment far worse than banishment to the moon. "Of course, you may sleep with the ring on, Twilight." Celestia said with a sweet smile. A wave of relief washed over Twilight, and she smiled uneasily back at Celestia. The presence of the princess was beginning to make her uncomfortable. "Thank you, princess... If you don't mind, I really need a shower." Celestia bit her bottom lip as she watched Twilight's flank sway back and forth on her way to the bathroom. "I must say, Twilight..." Celestia said. "You look... stunning... with that ring on..." Something clicked. All of the fear and uncertainty Twilight had felt earlier was gone. Now, she felt happy. Now, she felt something... strange... Twilight laughed as she reached the bathroom door. "Oh, really?" Twilight responded playfully. "How stunning do I look?" Celestia gasped when Twilight wiggled her flank playfully. Twilight then stopped laughing and held a good up to her head as though she had a headache. "Ow..." She groaned as she stepped into the bathroom. Celestia rushed to her side. "Here, Twilight, allow me to help you." The princess said as she guided Twilight through the door. Celestia helped Twilight across the tile floor and into the shower. "I... I don't know what happened..." Twilight groaned. "I must have stood up too fast..." With a turn of the handle, warm water began cascading down Twilight's body. The purple mare moaned with content as the water soaked her mane and fur. "Are you alright, Twilight?" Celestia asked with a concerned tone. "You really shouldn't stare into the sun as it rises. The glare is quite stunning, and it can be blinding. Then, like a switch, Twilight's face broke into a seductive look. She turned her head towards the princess and licked her lower lip. "Why are you asking me if I am alright, princess?" Twilight asked slowly as she steps out of the shower and towards Celestia. "You're the one who's glowing..." Then, the purple mare lunged forward, mashing her lips against Celestia's. The princess's eyes widened to the size of dinner plates. Before she could realize what was happening, Twilight pulled her into the shower. Once inside the shower with Twilight, Celestia broke away from the kiss, gasping for air. Twilight took the opportunity to dive on her mentor's neck. She aggressively kissed and sucked on the princess' long neck. "Oh, Twilight..." Celestia moaned. "I can't beileve it worked..." Twilight didn't respond. She was far too busy making out with Celestia's neck. Twilight was actually getting tired of the princess' neck. Twilight wanted more. Twilight wanted something... sweeter... "T-Twilight?" The princess asked as Twilight makes her way around her flank. Twilight moaned as she took in the sight of Celestia's flank. Then, she began to lick her lips. "Twilight?" Celestia asked again. "W-What are you doing back ther-er-aaahaaAAHAAHAAAAHHHH!" Twilight licked up and down Celestia's slit, mashing her lips against the princess' marehood. Celestia was moaning uncontrollably as her student did the unthinkable "Ah! Twilight, I did- Ah! I did not think you would- Ah! ...you would go this far -Ah! You must stop! These feelings, they- Ah! ...they are too great -Aaaaah!" Celestia couldn't stop herself. She placed her front hooves against the tile wall as she reached her climax all over Twilight's snout. The purple mare refused to relent, and she swallowed every drop that came her way. When she had as much as her stomach would allow, Twilight pulled away, licking her lips as she did so. A thick strand of cum still connected her mouth to Celestia's slit. "Did you like that, princess?" Twilight asked with a naughty giggle. "Why don't you give me a k-" Twilight paused. Again, she held her hoof to her head as though she was having a migraine. Then, she lowered her hoof to her snout, and she wiped some of the cum away. "W-What is this?" She muttered. Then, she noticed Celestia, and Twilight screamed. "P-Princess! W-What are you doing in here?!" Celestia couldn't respond. She was still shaking from her orgasm. She turned to face Twilight's confused, cum soaked face. "You... don't remember?" Celestia asked after a moment of silence. When Twilight shook her head, Celestia leaned forward and kisses her full on the lips. She cringes at the taste of her own cum on Twilight's lips, but that doesn't stop her. Twilight stood motionless as the princess kissed her. After a few moments, Celestia pulled away with a sad look on her face. "I am sorry, Twilight..." She said softly. "W-What? What are you talking about?" Twilight demanded. Celestia closed her eyes. Twilight watched as the princess' horn began to glow. "You will wake up in your bed, Twilight. You will not remember this. I am truly sorry." The last thing Twilight saw was a flash of light. Then, she was out. *** "Twiiiiilight... Hey, Twilight..." A soft voice said. The purple mare groaned as she fell out of her sleepy state and back into reality. Her head hurt. Her legs hurt. Her snout tingled strangely. Everything felt unnatural. "Twilight... Wake up, Twilight." The soft voice commanded. Instinctively, Twilight opened her eyes, and she stared straight into the eyes of Princess Luna. "Ahhhh!" Twilight yelled as she jolted upright, knocking her head against Luna's. Princess Luna chuckled as she rubbed her hoof where Twilight's head had hit her. "Good morning wishes to thou as well...." Luna said sweetly as she leaned over Twilight." "Good... Good morning..." Twilight said uneasily as she sat upright in the bed. "What are you doing here?" Luna gave her a mocked look of shock. "Why, isn't it obvious, my little pony?" Luna asked. "I am here to wish thou the very best. Also, I brought thou a breakfast that is meant to be eaten while still resting in bed!" Luna was about to go into the details of the meal that awaited Twilight, but her glancing eyes came to notice the absence on the purple mare's chest. "Where is the amulet, Twilight?" Luna asked as she cocked her head. Twilight had completly forgotten. A sickening feeling was building in her stomach. "No, Luna..." Twilight sighed. "I... I haven't had the time." Luna frowned. "I see... Where is the amulet?" She asked again. Twilight leaned over the side of the bed and opened a drawer on the night stand. She pulled the black necklace out to show Luna. The princess let out a shocked gasp when she discovered dust collecting on the moon tear. "You... havn't worn it once since I gave it to you?" Now, Twilight was embarrassed and fearful. "I'm so sorry, Luna. I... I just-" "If thou did not like the gift I gave, thou should have told me..." Luna said harshly. Twilight felt terrible. She tried to reach for the amulet in Luna's grasp, but the princess backed away, distancing the gift from Twilight's reach. "N-No, Luna, I love it! I... I just have never worn it because... because I was afraid you would be disappointed if I couldn't learn to use it properly..." Twilight lowered her eyes, and Luna's cold stare softened. "Oh, Twilight... I am sorry to have frightened thou. Twilight, it must come to realization that thou will never become a source of disappointment to me." Luna smiled as she lowered the amulet. She placed it on the bed next to Twilight as she stood up. "Did I not promise thou a breakfast in bed?" Luna asked as she made her way to the door. "Be still and rest, Twilight Sparkle. This morning, thou will be treated as my personal guest." Twilight's ears perked up at the sight of the servants entering her room. Each one carried a platter that was delicately balanced on their back, and each was filled to the brim with all kinds of breakfast foods. Not wanting to get the Celestia's gift messy, Twilight removed the ring, and she placed it next to the amulet. Twilight's stomach growled violently as a plate was filled with large portions of every breakfast food in all of Equestria. "What about you Luna?" Twilight asked as she watched the princess sit in the corner. "Are you not going to eat?" Luna shook her head. "No, Twilight. This morning meal is for the hero of Equestria. I simply wish to be in thou company..." Twilight didn't like it, but she couldn't object. Eventually, the intense smell of pancakes, eggs, toast, and muffins became too mind-numbing for Twilight to ignore, and she dove into the meal. Luna laughed sweetly as Twilight looked up with bits of muffin all over her snout. "Thou must be hungrier than I anticipated..." Luna said as she got to her hooves. Twilight watched Luna approach until the princess was sitting next to her on the bed. With the magic from her horn, Luna levitated a napkin and brought it close to Twilight's snout. "Allow me..." The princess said softly. Twilight did nothing as Luna cleaned her cheeks and lips. Luna smiled at her work, causing Twilight to blush uncontrollably. "There... Is that not better, Twilight." Twilight nodded her head slowly. "Yes... T-Thank you, Princ-" "No... Enough of that." The princess said, cutting her off. "Do not address me as Princess Luna and further. We are friends, are we not, Twilight? From now on, I wish for thou to address me simply by my name, Luna." Twilight hesitated for a moment, but she nodded her head. "Alright... Luna..." Twilight smiled after calling the princess by just her name. It felt... good. Luna smiled back at Twilight. Her own cheeks burned red, just like Twilight's. Luna quickly cleared her throat as she slid off of the bed. "Um... Please, continue to eat. I will not disrupt you any further." Luna said as she returned to the corner of the room. Twilight didn't want Luna to leave her side. She opened her mouth to speak, but Luna ways already sitting down. Without a word, Twilight levitated a fork, and she began working on the pancakes. She still had a hunger to satisfy. ***TO BE CONTINUED*** //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter 3: Competition //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter 3: Competition ***Two Days Ago*** After her breakfast, an unexpected, but welcome, courtesy of Princess Luna, Twilight Sparkle began her first full day in the palace. She had a stomach full of food and a heart full of eagerness. Twilight waved to guards as she trotted through the winding corridors, but nothing deviated Twilight from her goal. At last, Twilight had reached the staircase leading up to the solar wing. *Here we go...* Twilight thought as she mentally prepared herself to journey up the long case of stairs. It wasn't too bad, really, trotting up the stairs to the solar wing. There were windows every ten steps that allowed Twilight to catch a glimpse of the city of Canterlot far below her. It really was a breathtaking sight. Twilight eventually reached the top. Out of breath, she half walked and half crawled towards her destination, Princess Celestia's office. "F...Finnaly..." Twilight gasped as she reached her hoof towards the door that stood between her and the princess. Twilight have the door several loud knocks. A second later, the princess' voice answered. "Come in." Twiligh accepted the invitation, and she opened the door. Celestia looked up from her desk and gave her a surprised expression. "Twilight?" She asked. "Uh... Good morning, Twilight." "Good morning, Princess Celestia!" Twilight said cheerfully as she trotted into the office. The princess looked uneasy as Twilight approached her desk. She subtly tried to hide her face behind a large stack of proposals and ledgers, but Twilight had already reached the desk. "W-What can I do for you, Twilight?" Celestia asked as she pushed the papers to the side. "I was hoping to spend some time with you in the study." Twilight answered truthfully. "You know, like we used to when I was a little filly. It would be a lot of fun. Don't you remember? Sitting in a sea of books... Endless knowledge and learning... Come on. What do you say?" Celestia hesitated before answering. Her cheeks flushed red, and her eyes darted back and forth between the carpet and Twilight's eyes. "You... do not remember?" Celestia asked softly. Twilight cocked her head and gave the princess a confused look. "Remember what?" She asked innocently. Celestia exhaled a sigh of relief as she stood up from her desk. All of the worry in her face had dissipated, and it was replaced by the warm, motherly smile Twilight knew and loved. "Never mind that, Twilight." Celestia said as she wrapped a wing around Twilight's back. "I would love to spend the day with you." Twilight beamed. Her smile stretched from ear to ear as the princess guided her out of the office. "Go on ahead, Twilight." Celestia called out as Twilight made her way to the stairs. "I will join you shrortly. There is but one more task I must complete before I join you." Twilight nodded her head and continued walking. Celestia smiled to herself as she made her way back to herself. She took one last look at the latest defense proposal. All it needed was her signature. Then, it would be signed, approved, and legitimate. Wielding an quill dipped in ink, Celestia wrote her name and title on the document, finalizing the proposal. "Excellent..." Celestia said as she placed the quill in the holder. "Now, onto-AH!" Celestia screamed in fear as she came face to face with her younger sister, Princess Luna. "Is thou going somewhere?" Luna asked with a smile on her lips. "L-Luna..." Celestia gasped as she tried to control her breathing. "Do... Do not surprise me like that..." Luna chuckled as she took a step closer towards her elder sister. "Why doth thou avoid the question, Tia." Luna asked. "Where art thou going? Thou hast many more proposals that need thine undivided attention." "I am going to spend some time with Twilight." Celestia stated. "I promised to join her in the study." Luna nodded her head as her eyes skimmed over the surface of Celestia's desk. "Uh-huh... And what else ist thou planning to do with Twilight, dear sister? Might it have anything to do with that ring thou gave her the previous night?" Celestia's cheeks burned bright red. Luna frowned as her suspicions were been confirmed. "Tia..." Luna snarled angrily. "Thou knows my heart yearns for that of Twilight Sparkle! Why doth thou pursue her in this way?!" Celestia looked at the floor before looking back towards her sister. "I... I think I am in love with her, Luna..." Celestia said softly. "Although I am not brave enough to admit such a truth, I love her. That is why I used the ring the way I did..." "I am in love with Twilight Sparkle!" Luna protested. "I loved her first! Her heart is to be mine!" Celestia glared at her younger sister and stomped her hoof. "What if she chooses me?" Celestia asked coyly. "What then, sister? I can win her heart with or without an enchanted ring." "Ha!" Luna scoffed. "We shall see, my dear sister... I have given Twilight a special gift as well. Once she sees the true power I can give her, Twilight will surly love me." Celestia growled frustratingly as she pointed a hoof towards the door. "Remove yourself from my office at once, Luna." With her ears flat against her head, the younger princess trudged towards the door. She looked back just in time to see a mischievous grin form on Celestia's face. "Close the door, if you don't mind..." Celestia said. "I have a date to get ready for." ***Celestia*** The princess raced down the corridor towards the study. *Oh no...* Celestia thought to herself. *Twilight must have been waiting for over six minutes! I hope she is not upset with me...* Celestia stopped just outside of the door leading into the study. *Alright... This is it, Tia. You can do this. No ring... No wrongful seduction... Just be you...* Feeling more confident than ever, Princess Celestia opened the door with the magic from her horn, and she walked inside. Twilight was on the floor, occupied with a tome she had picked off of the shelf marked History. Twilight looked up from her book at the sound of the princess' hooves. "Oh! I'm sorry, I got started without you..." Twilight said as she quickly closed the book. "No, Twilight." Celestia said as she shook her head. "The fault is mine. I had... a bit more work to do than I anticipated, but that is all taken care of, now. Tell me, what is it you were reading?" Twilight held up the cover of the historical tome to show to the princess. "It's a copy of Predictions and Prophesies." Twilight states with increasing interest. "I had a copy just like it back at my home in Canterlot. It's how I found out about Nightmare Moon and the Elements of Harmony...." Celestia looked at the page Twilight was currently on. There was not any words, only a single picture. It was a picture of Nightmare Moon. Celestia glared at the picture. Then, Nighrmare Moon winked. Celestia gasped and backed away. "What?" Twilight asked. "What is it?" Celestia didn't answer she looked back at the picture, but it was as if the picture never moved. *Luna is mocking me...* Celestia thought angrily. *She is trying to disrupt my date with Twilight, but it will not work!* "Nothing, Twilight..." Celestia said as she laid down next to the purple mare. "Everything is fine. I just... thought I saw something. What else is in this book? I have not read Predictions and Prophesies for quite some time." Twilight beamed as she flipped several pages ahead. "Well, there was this one I found about-" Celestia's hoof stopped Twilight's flipping. "How about this one?" Celestia asked, pointing to the page she had stopped Twilight on. Twilight peered at the page and cocked her head. "Lovely Sun." Twilight read aloud. "A prophecy for the day to day..." When all the warmth to the sun, you give, In the sun's rays of love, you will live... "I've never seen that one before." Twilight said as she read back over the verse. "What does it mean, princess?" Celestia chuckled as she draped a gentle wing over Twilight's back like a warm quilt. "What do you think it means, my most faithful student?" Celestia asked with her glowing smile. "That prophecy is a personal favorite of mine." Twilight pondered this. "Maybe it means... When we show our appreciation to the sun and all the warmth and light it gives, then the sun will continue to do so?" Celestia nodded her head as she laughed. "Yes, Twilight... That is a good answer, but it is not the entire response." Celestia pointed to the end of the verse. "See... There, it says 'rays of love'... What this verse is trying to say is-" Celestia's last words were interrupted by the loud growling of her own stomach. Celestia turned her head to his the embarrassing red hue in her cheeks. "Oh my..." Celestia said as her stomach growled again. "It seems in the lateness of my work, I neglected to eat this morning..." *Damnit!* Celestia cursed silently. *I was so close... SO CLOSE! I could almost tell her my true feelings...* Celestia quickly stood and turned towards the door to hide her personal shame. "I am sorry, Twilight..." Celestia said as she made her way towards he door at a brisk pace. "We must continue another time." *I must eat before I starve!* Twilight watched with a saddened look on her face as Celedtia dissapeared from the study. ***Luna*** The princess of the moon watched from the shadows. A wicked grin creeped onto her face as she watched Celestia rise and storm out of the study, leaving Twilight alone and vulnerable. *Now, it is my turn!* Twilight was unaware as the princess materialized out of the shadows and began strutting towards her. Luna leaned forward until her lips were just a breath away from the unsuspecting Twilight's ear. "Boo." Twilight let out a sharp scream as she figuratively jumped out of her skin. This extracted a hail of laughter from Luna, followed by a cold stare from Twilight. "Oh, Twilight Sparkle..." Luna said as her laughter slowed to a chuckle. "Refrain from giving me such looks... I only meant to tease. What is it thou art reading?" Luna already knew very well what she was reading, but Twilight didn't need to know that she knew. Twilight's glare softened, and she turned her attention back to the book. "This is Predictions and Prophesies." She explained. "I was reading it with Princess Celestia, but..." "But what?" Luna asked in a mocked tone. "Hath she left you?" Doth she leave thou to sit idle with none to call company?" Twilight shook her head. "No, it wasn't like that at all. She just got hungry." Luna frowned. Twilight wasn't as upset over Celestia leaving as she had hoped. "Well... May I join thou in my sister's stead?" Luna asked softly. Twilight smiled with a nod of her head. "Sure! Want to look at some of these prophecies with me?" Luna eyed the prophecy on the page, Lovely Sun. Her eyes narrowed. "I have a prophecy to show you..." The princess said as she took the book from Twilight. Twilight watched with interest as Luna flipped several pages forward, then several pages back. Finally, she stopped on a prophecy and showed it to Twilight. "Restless Nights..." Twilight read aloud. Embrace the moon, embrace her tight. Should you kiss the moon, she will make your night. It was the picture that followed the verse that caught Twilight's attention. It depicted a pony in a rather compromising position with a dark blue alicorn. "What... doth thou think?" Luna asked carefully. Twilight looked back and forth between the prediction and Luna. *Now is my chance!* Luna slowly leaned forward until her lips brushed against Twilight's ear. The purple mare quickly jumped to her hooves, avoiding Luna's lips. "I think I need to go to the bathroom..." Twilight said uneasily. Then, she raced out of the study, leaving Luna alone with the verse. The princess looked down at the tome and glared. "Thou doth win this time, sister... But this is only the beginning..." ***TO BE CONTINUED***