A summer of love
Chapter 1 discovery
Summer Shadow marched through the halls towards her bedroom after a long day; it wasn't easy being the captain of the solar guard, but it was worth it.
Not everyone gets to serve under the legendary Shining Armor. Thought summer as she opened her door to an interesting surprise. One of Luna's lunar guards was bouncing up and down on the bed, but once the door had been opened the mare turned to see who had entered the room.
“I can explain, summer!” Said Winter shadow hopping off of her twin sister's bed and coming to hug her. “You see I couldn't sleep so I just thought I'd wait and see if you’d spend a little bit of time with me before you went to bed and I have to go off on duty.” Explained Winter tapping the ground with her front hoof; Winter shadow was also a captain, but she was captain of the lunar guard who served Princess Luna.
“You’re going to have a rough night tonight huh sis?” Replied summer taking off her armor revealing a beautiful white coat, a shining silver mane, a horn than was longer than most unicorns, and a cutie Mark like shining Armor’s except the symbol on hers was the Sun instead of a star.
“Yeah; I don't know what's wrong with me these past few days, but I can't get much sleep.” Sighed winter beginning to break down throwing herself into her sister’s arms
“Oh sister, Princess Luna said that if I don't find a way to get some more sleep all have to give up being one of her guards. I've worked so hard to become captain and now this.” Summer sighed and held her sister close.
“Sister, please.” Begged Winter rubbing her legs together. “I know that one of the reasons I can't sleep is because I'm so stressed, and I'm so stressed because as you haven't shown me any attention in so long. I mean I know we have to hide it because were sisters, but I need you so bad right now. “Winter didn't wait for a response. She seized her sister, and locked their lips together in a furious kiss.
“I love you.” Moaned Winter as she broke off the kiss for breath.
“I love you as well” Replied Summer coldly as she pushed her sister off and got to her hooves from being tackled by her sister, and got into her bed.
“Summer, I” Began Winter.
“No, Just leave. I really don’t want to hear your excuses right now.” Replied Summer cutting off her sister.
“I’m sorry.” Sniffed Winter holding back tears as she left her sister’s room and closed the door.
I’m truly sorry too My Winter, but this is the only way I know to protect you from the ones who would hurt you for our love.Though Summer as she locked her door with her magic, and buried her face in her pillow to cry herself to sleep.
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“Winter Shadow, Wake up!” Ordered Princess Luna knocking her captain upside her helmet.
“Oh I'm awake.” Answered back Winter shaking her head. It was the second time she had fallen asleep during the shift within the court of the night, and Princess Luna was starting to get annoyed.
“I thought I told you to take care of your sleeping problem?” Asked Princess Luna glaring at her captain.
“You did but what I tried just didn't work. I'm sorry Princess.” Replied winter bowing before Luna trying to hold back tears.
“That's not really my problem now is it? You're the captain of my lunar guard, and the discipline of all the other lunar guards comes from you - falling asleep on the job, what kind of message does that send to them? Now I'll ask you again, what is keeping you awake during the day? “
Winter shadow started to cry as she remembered her sister's cold treatment of her earlier that night. “I can't tell you Princess I'm sorry.” Said Winter shadow bowing again. Luna rolled her eyes.
“Fine, but I'm giving you only one more night to figure this out, if you cannot figure out by tomorrow evening. Then I'll step in to find out for you, and should you object to that and I'm afraid I'll have to find someone else to take your place as captain.” Said Luna coolly turning her attention back to the room.
“Of course your highness.” Said Winter as she tried to stop crying.
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“You seem upset Luna. Is there anything I can do to help?” Asked Celestia as the two took their morning walk together just after taking care of their duties.
“It's Winter shadow. She keeps falling asleep during court, and whenever I try to ask her what's wrong she tells me that she can't tell me.” Said Luna a little disgruntled.
“Give her some time sister; she only just got promoted to captain. These things take some time to grow into. It's so much extra responsibility, and I'm certain she's excited; which is probably what’s keeping her awake during the day.” Explained Celestia calmly.
“That's not an excuse sister, I mean look at your captain. She never slacks off, nor does she sleep on her shift, and yet they got promoted at the same time.” Rebuked Luna upset that her sister was trying to defend her captain’s poor performance.
“While that is true, I’ve noticed something about those two; it would seem that Winter Shadow is a lot weaker than her sister, and has little control over her emotions; then again it could just be that since Summer is a unicorn, and Winter a Pegasus. Summer’s control of her emotions could be linked to her magic training; because as you know Luna, a unicorn magic is controlled by their emotions; then again this is just my theory. However just be patient with her because theory or not I can tell that Summer is the more mature one, kinda like another set of sisters I know.” Explained Celestia finishing with a small laugh as she bumped into her sister as they walked.
“Yes, but I’ve got an excuse to be more immature than you, big sister.” Smiled Luna as she pushed back playfully.
“Indeed you do wittle Woona.” Teased Celestia as she tackled Luna to the ground and licked her muzzle.
“Tia perhaps we ought to retire to our bed chambers if you’re going to do such things.” Said Luna a full body blush beginning to make its way through her dark blue coat.
“Yes, But remember little sister. In a few days it’s not going to be our little secret anymore. Celestia reminded Luna as she helped her sister off of the ground.
Yes and the possibility of what everypony will think of us scares me half to death. Thought Luna glumly as she followed her sister off to their shared bedroom.
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I never thought that I’d be so weak as to let my feelings keep me up all night. Though Summer as she slipped into her armor, and brushed her hair in the mirror. The memory of her sister’s voice playing over and over in her head, as she slipped her helmet on. “No, You’ve got to be strong for her!” Snapped Summer at herself out loud.
“You’ve got to be strong for whom?” Asked somepony who sounded like a surfer.
“Oh Captain Armor sir, Good morning sir.” Blurted out Summer, as she about faced and tried to salute, but in her haste simply managed to hit her hoof painfully against her helmet, Shining Armor laughed, and patted Summer on the shoulder.
“Come on, Loosen up a bit. We’re not even on duty yet, and you’re already stressing out about protocol.
“I’m sorry sir. It’s just that I didn’t get much sleep last night. Explained Summer still standing at attention.
“Hey now, What did I say about sorry. Sorry doesn’t solve anything. Just make sure to do better next time. Now then, why didn’t you get any sleep last night? Is it because of that somepony you have to be strong for?”
“I'm sorry sir, but I cannot tell you that, it's something that needs to stay between me and that person.”
“Fair enough, just know if it starts to affect your performance I'll have to make it my business.” Replied Shining armor. “Now, come on we have to go to Princess Celestia’s throne room now.”
“Yes sir Captain.” said Summer following Shining out of the room.
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“All rise for the Princess!” Ordered Shining Armor as Princess Celestia entered the throne room to begin court, normally it would have been a regular guard at this station, but ever since the changeling attack Celestia felt it was best to have their best guards on duty to defend them, and for Celestia that of course meant Shining Armor and Summer Shadow, and for Luna; Winter Shadow, and Night Dust.
“Thank you Captain Armor, You may all be seated.” Replied Celestia as she reached her dais and sat upon her throne. “The first order of business for the court today is to remind everypony that Princess Luna will be attending the summer sun celebration, and that any remarks about Nightmare Moon, or saying my sister is a traitor will be dealt with severally. Now I will hear any and all of your inquires.” Celestia then smiled for the court and waved her hoof to signal that Shining should begin reading the names off the list.
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The court passed with no real problems. A few ponies wanted to know if they could talk to Princess Luna, and of course Celestia referred them to Luna’s night court for their questions.
Luna could use the company anyways. Celestia laughed to herself as she watched Shining Armor and Summer Shadow set up for Luna’s court she remembered the conversation that Luna had had with her earlier that morning.
Perhaps I should intercede; I might be able to find out more about this before Winter loses the post she worked so hard for. Though Celestia. She waved her hoof towards Summer shadow and called her over to sit with her.
“So, How has things been between you and your sister since you two got promoted? Asked Celestia as Summer sat down in the small chair next to the throne that Celestia had set up for when Twilight wanted to come to Canterlot and observe how Celestia ran her court.
“It’s been kinda rough around the edges, but we’re still close. Replied Summer looking at her Princess and smiling.
“That’s understandable; It’s never easy having a sister that sleeps during the day which you sleep at night.” Said Celestia smiling knowingly, and watching for any signs of deception from her second in command. I can smell the lust coming from her; I wonder does she love her sister, like I do mine. This very well may be Winter Shadow’s problem, the heat of lust is well enough to keep an untrained mare like Winter Shadow awake during the day, but being as protective as Summer Shadow is of her twin- could she been denying Winter release in sake of keeping her safe from those who would harm her.
“Summer what do you think about your sister?” Asked Celestia digging a little deeper. If I can get Summer to accept her feelings, and reciprocate Winter’s feelings for her I’d bet it will solve Winter’s little sleeping problem, and it just might help her to loosen up a bit as well.
“She’s my sister, and a wonderful person. She may be a little bit emotional, but that’s understandable, since she never really learnt to control them, and our mother always said to follow your heart before she died.” Explained Summer
“Oh, Your mother died. I’m so very sorry Summer Shadow.” Replied Celestia hugging her.
“Don’t be Princess; It was years ago when we were still fillies. I can show you how she died if you wish.” Said Summer brushing off the princess’s apology like it was nothing. A perfect example of the unicorn guard’s emotional training.
“Yes, Please do.” Replied the princess making a mental note to look at how the training was done, if a unicorn was able to talk about her mother’s death without so much as a tear, then she felt it was too much, she wanted soldiers not puppets, so she cast a spell on Summer that would negate Summer’s training and allow her to find out how Summer truly felt about these memories before Summer began the spell that would transfer her memories to Celestia.
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“There’s nothing more we can do; Her lungs are failing and filling with fluid, She won’t last the night. If you want to say goodbye to her, now would be the time.” Said the doctor coming into the room, and explaining the situation to the two sobbing fillies; who had already lost their father in battle.
“Come on Winter, We have to be strong for mommy, if she’s worried about us after she’s gone she’ll never rest in peace.” Said Summer as she grabbed her sister’s hoof and led her into the room.
“It’s that you girls?” Asked Sky Shadow as strongly as she could, and yet still the two were still barely able to hear her.
“Yea, It’s us mom, please save your strength.” Said Winter as best she could though her tears.
“No, I’m going to die anyways. If I’m going to die then I want to while talking to my precious children. Mortality is a cruel thing; there’s never enough time to spend with your child, and when we die, it’s always with the regret that there wasn’t one more day.” Replied Sky before a coughing fit overtook her.
“Mother!” Cried the two fillies as they raced to their mother’s bedside, and embraced her one last time.
“Never forget what I taught you two, no matter what’s said, or done to you. You need to follow your heart. It will never lead you wrong, and remember that I loved you, and that love will never fade away. I … love…” Coughed out Sky Shadow before her lungs gave out, and she died.
“Mommy, wake up, Mommy wake Up!” Screamed Winter Shadow as Summer tried to calm her down.
“Winter, She can’t wake up.” Sobbed Summer as she tried to get her to let go of their mother’s body.
“But, She has to Summer! She has to; how can we go on without her, We’re just fillies!”
“I’m sorry Miss Winter Shadow, but your mother is dead. You and your sister will have to go with Mr. Frost here now. He’s from the orphanage, and he will make sure you’re taken care of.” Explained the doctor to Winter before he turned to the stallion next to him.
“Be gentle with them, they just lost their mother as you can see.” Said the doctor before leaving the room.
“Hello girls.” Said Mr. Frost with a smile. “As the doctor said I’m from the Canterlot orphanage, and you’re going to have to come with me, Okay? Finished the stallion as he headed over to Winter Shadow and rubbed her back soothingly.
“No, I’m not leaving my mommy!” Screamed Winter holding her mother in a death grip.
“Winter, honey. Your mommy has gone to the spirit world okay. She wouldn’t want you to sit here and mourn her, she’d want you to come with me, and find a new family to take care of you, and make you happy as she watches you grow up from there.” Said Mr. Frost stroking the sobbing filly’s mane.
“The spirit world?” Asked Winter and Summer both confused.
“The spirit world is a wonderful place. It’s where you go after you die, and you aren’t in any pain anymore, You never run out of food or water, and there are no problems.” Explained Mr. Frost as he offered a couple of tissues to each of the girls.
“And Mommy has gone there?” Asked Winter sniffling and wiping her eyes on her tissues, and letting go of Sky’s body.
“Yes Winter, and she’ll watch over you and your sister and her spirit will keep you safe. All you have to do is keep her in your heart forever.” Explained Mr. Frost hugging the sky blue Pegasus who looked exactly like her mother, and pointing at her heart when he told Winter to keep her mother there forever. “So shall we be going? I’m certain the other children will be excited to make some new friends.”
“Okay, but can you make me a promise?” Asked Winter as they left the room.
“What is it Hun?” Replied Mr. Frost looking down at the filly.
“Don’t let them take my sister away from me, She’s all I’ve got left.” Responded Winter nuzzling up to her sister.
“Don’t worry Winter; I’m not going anywhere without you.” Vowed Summer before Mr. Frost could even say anything. The stallion chuckled and opening the door of the hospital for them.
I hope those two will be fine, so young and yet already all alone. Well this is why I do this; To help those who have lost everything.
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At this Summer broke the connection between their horns and stopped the spell; She couldn’t keep it up, the memory had broken her. She and her sister had spent ten years in the orphanage before they were old enough to live on their own. Many families had wanted Summer, but she had always kept her promise to her sister; She would never let them separate them; however because of Winter’s emotional problems, and her attitude no one wanted to adopt her, and so with no families to take them they grew up in the orphanage. All they had was each other, and so they had grew to love each other even more then before their mother had died.
Celestia felt the mare break, heard the sobs, and wrapped her wings around Summer pulling her into a hug, and wiping her eyes. She held her as she let the mare cry into her coat. Summer Shadow had been in her service since she had left the orphanage fifteen years prior. At least fifteen years of controlling herself, at least fifteen years of never letting her mask down, and now thanks to Celestia’s spell it had finally broke.
“Do you love her?” Asked Celestia as she released the mare from her embrace, and stared into her eyes. “You need not be afraid to tell me. I hold no prejudices against those who have allowed their bonds of family to blossom into true love.”
Summer hung her head as she admitted her feelings for Winter to Celestia. She felt refreshed to have finally let the weight off of her shoulders, and to embrace her mother’s last request. No longer would she hide her emotions, she would follow her heart, and her heart was telling her to visit her mother’s grave.
“Princess, If you don’t have too much to do, Could you come with me to visit my mother’s grave?” Asked Summer before wiping her eyes, and hugging the princess again.
“Of course. I would love to.” Replied Celestia glad that she had saved not just Winter Shadow’s Job, but had saved Summer Shadow from herself.
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Celestia had her wing wrapped around Summer, as the white unicorn came closer to her mother’s grave; a bouquet of blue roses in her aura as they arrived at the grave and Celestia read the inscription.
Love as endless as the sky,
in death she still watches her daughters
Sky Shadow
946 Celestial-976 Celestial
Summer lowered the bouquet to the ground in front of the headstone, and bowed.
“I’m sorry that I haven’t visited you since you died; I’ve been too busy running from myself, but I’m not going to run away anymore. I bet you already know, but I’m in love with Winter. I swear mother I’ll make her happy.” Vowed Summer before she turned to Celestia. “Thank you Princess, If you hadn’t shown me what I was doing wrong I don’t know what could have happened.” Summer ran into Celestia’s outstretched hooves and began to cry.
“It is okay my little pony; At least you were able to see the error of your ways before it was too late.” Replied Celestia as she rubbed Summer back.
At least she didn’t make the same mistakes as I did with Luna. While the consequences couldn’t have been nearly as severe I wouldn’t want them to lose each other. Though Celestia as she remembered the mistakes and events that had led to Luna’s transformation into Nightmare Moon, and as she did so her own reminder of loss burned in her head.
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The day had not been very busy all in all with as little ponies that had come into Celestia’s court, The events between her and Celestia, and the visit to her mother’s grave Summer still had two hours before the sun was scheduled to set. With the time she had she might be able to undo the damage she had done, and show her sister that she loved her.
Summer slowly opened the door with her magic, and stepped into her younger twin sister’s room, and looked down at her sister’s body. Without the armor’s spell changing her appearance the Pegasus looked exactly like their mother; a sky blue coat, and silver mane, and wonderful cyan blue eyes. They even shared the same cutie mark; A golden heart with angel’s wings.
“Winter.” Whispered Summer as she shook her sister awake, and stared at her until she woke up.
“Summer. What do you want, I finally get to sleep and you come and wake me up. After how you treated me last night you’re the last person I want to see besides Princess Luna.” Snapped Winter Crossly before she was tackled by Summer in same way she was last night.
“Winter, I’m sorry, I was wrong let me explain.
“Why should I! You’ve never let me explain when I needed to.” Screamed Winter slapping her sister and pushing her off.
“Winter. I know I may not of been the best sister, but I’ve seen what I was doing was wrong. Please just give me this one chance.” Begged Summer having gotten up from being pushed off of her sister’s bed.
I couldn’t have just heard Summer apologize for something. Is this some kind of trick? Though Winter as she stood to sit next to her sister staring her in the eyes.
“What is wrong with you, You’ve never apologized for anything. It’s there something wrong Summer?” She asked as she stared suspiciously at her sister
“No, I just.... I’ve been horrible to you these last few months Winter, all we have left is each other, but I didn’t want to anypony to hurt you and so I’ve been using my training to block you out, but now... The Princess... She’s shown me the light, and so I want to make it up to you, I love you.” Sobbed Summer kissing Winter suddenly
“I love you too Summer, I’m just glad I didn’t lose you forever.” Sighed Winter as she lay down with her sister and the two fell asleep in each other’s arms.
TBC
Author's Note
A story I wrote quite sometime ago and just never finished until today, while it was before my father passed away I used the feelings I had though I would feel when the time came to write Summer and Winter's past, please don't flame it to hard
and On that note I guess I'll dedicate this to him as well
For Jerry Lye Jones
2 Feb 1939 - 11 Oct 2012
