Luna gazed down across Equestria. It was a large and, overall, prosperous nation. It was powerful, wealthy, vibrant...

And it wasn't hers. No, the nation she once knew had long since passed away to the sands of time, evolving without her until it reached a new place. It wasn't a bad place, surely. Her sister had guided it with gentle hooves and a mother's love. Luna quirked a smile. Her sister had done well, but... Was that nation truly Luna's? How could it be?

Her vision swept over the vast landscape, down towards a small collection of lights. Ponyville. She had been called there more often than most anywhere else. One might think that was troubling. One might think that a sign of distress, but she didn't think so. Its new ruler, Twilight Sparkle, had become a beacon of growth and friendship. Her growth inspired and continued to inspire those around her to grow.

With growth came pain.

But... perhaps that was a pain worth enduring. What is a life if one cannot face the fear of growth?

Luna glanced back at her room. It was untouched. A thousand years and still it was exactly as she remembered. She was a sheltered and closed flower, sheltered and afraid.

She was spared the pain that would come with blossoming. She was also spared the joy that would follow.

Luna drove down a hoof, thunder arcing through the sky in sympathy as it struck the tile beneath her.

A soft clopping came from the door before her sister's snout peeked in. She looked frazzled and tired, but she had come swiftly. She loved her sister. Luna smiled even as she began to feel embarrassed. "It's alright."

Celestia stepped in gently, the door swinging shut behind her under the warm glow of her magic. "You should know better than to fib, dearest sister. What troubles you?" She lowered to her haunches. "I would hear it, no matter how small or embarassing you feel it is. I failed you once, not again."

Luna felt her shame growing. Celestia had grown. She had endured so many pains, but emerged larger for each one. Luna stepped towards her larger sister. "I think it's time I spread my wings."

Celestia raised a brow. "A moonlit flight can be quite relaxing, but I feel there's more to it."

Luna hesitated a moment. She felt naked before the discerning eyes of her sibling. "I wish to consult the newest princess, Twilight Sparkle. She has... learned things I too wish to learn."

Celestia brightened a little. Her two favorite mares teaching one another? "That sounds like a fantastic idea. Do mind, she does tend to be awake during the daylight hours. I would approach closer to then, so she can focus on you."

Luna recoiled a little. Was she being released so easily? "I may be gone... a short while, or for an extended period, depending on how things go. I trust you can take care of things without undue pressure?"

Celestia reached out a hoof and gently brushed cross Luna's cheek to run through her flowing mane. "Dearest sister, go. You do what you must, and know that you will be welcomed back eagerly when you feel ready." She leaned in and pressed nose to nose. "I love you."

Luna took a slow breath, tension flowing from her body. She was loved, at least by one pony. She couldn't doubt the deep famial bond she shared with Celestia. But... There was more to life, wasn't there? She rose to her hooves fully. "I will return. Be well, dearest sister mine."

She threw herself free of the balcony, and caught the air with majestic wings.

Celestia watched her sister soar off into the distance, nodding faintly to herself. "I hope you find what you're looking for."

She grabbed a brush that was laying about and started running it through her frazzled mane. She would be getting a touch less sleep. For Luna, it was worth it.

Twilight slept in a room of her castle. Where else would she sleep? It was a comfortable room. It had a plentiful collection of books, neatly arranged on shelves. Those were her favorite books, though one shelf was reserved for books she just happened to be studying intently at that moment.

That shelf was empty.

She had read all the books she owned. She had to get more books.

Of course, she wasn't worried about that right that moment, since she was quite asleep.

At least, she was until something tapped at her window. She started awake and sat up in time to see that window glow with Luna's magic and swing open.

Her mouth hung open as Luna flew inside. Was Princess Luna visiting her? Right then?! She wasn't at all ready to receive either of the Royal Sisters.

Twilight half-fell out of bed. "Spike!" Her horn began to glow brightly as she threw things to where they should be, manically trying to clean up even as Luna descended from the elevated window towards her.

"Twilight Sparkle," spoke Luna in a firm and authoritative voice. She had learned to not boom in the official Royal Canterlot Voice, but she still could speak with that firm authority when she wished to. "I have come for you."

Twilight froze before she slowly turned to face Luna. "Me?"

Luna landed before the startled alicorn. "I require... your expertise."

Twilight gave a series of rapid blinks. "What in? I mean! Welcome. Please, make yourself comfortable." She gave a little nervous laugh as she swept a hoof about.

Luna shook her head. "We are fine. Twilight Sparkle, we... wish you..." She frowned. Why was it so hard? She had to grow. She had to learn! "Accept me as your student."

"W-what?" Twilight blinked once more, eyes wide and owlish.

The door suddenly opened, revealing a sleepy Spike. "What-- Oh, hey Luna. Anything wrong?"

Luna nodded towards Spike. "All is well, Spike. I simply needed to petition Twilight Sparkle."

"Oh, alright." He didn't look like he entirely understood what that meant. "Should I get some tea?"

Twilight nodded quickly. "Tea! Yes... That would be lovely. Thank you, Spike." She smiled at him a bit manically until he had slipped out of the room, then her gaze snapped back to Luna. "What do you need to learn, Princess Luna?"

Luna held up a hoof. "As your student, you may refer to me as Luna directly, or... any other title you deem worthy of me. Princess of Friendship, I would learn the joys of familiarity from you. You, who I already consider a... friend. Let us deepen our bonds and... if you are willing, educate me in how to forge these bonds with others." She lowered her head to almost the ground. "I approach you with humility. Ignore my ranks and titles, for they mean nothing between us."

Twilight finally rose to her hooves. Her duty was becoming clear. She puffed out her chest and stood at attention. "Luna."

"Yes?"

Twilight thrust a hoof at the larger alicorn. "Do you accept my authority over you?"

Luna trembled a little. The idea of another pony having such authority over her. Her! Luna was royalty. Only Celestia should even dare to dream of such things. Luna clenched her teeth. She had to... "Yes... You are my mistress, Princess Twilight Sparkle."

Twilight raised a hoof to her chest. "You will address me as Twilight. You are learning friendship, and that's a start. Friends don't let titles get in the way. You are my Luna, and I am your Twilight."

Luna felt warmth rush to her dark cheeks. She was... Twilight's Luna, not just Luna. She was, in some small way, owned. She felt shamed. She felt... appreciated. She was wanted and... Tumultuous sensations ran through her, but she was fairly certain of one thing. She wanted to be Twilight's Luna. "As you say, Twilight." A giddy shiver ran through her. Twilight was hers in kind. She... owned a little part of Twilight, as a pet owned its master. It was so confusing, but so...

"As my student, you will--" Her words were cut off by a sudden smooch, right on her lips. Her eyes went wide as she realized she was being kissed hotly and passionately by the student she had just accepted. It wasn't just any student. It was Luna. She was being lip-locked by Luna, co-ruler of Equestria.

Twilight shoved her back. "Luna!"

"Y-yes?" She had fouled it up! She was going to be sent away, and she would have nopony to blame but herself.

Twilight was blushing intensely. She hadn't been attacked in such an amorous fashion before. That had been no friendly kiss. "As your... teacher, it falls on me to discipline you. If you want to get more friends, you can not attack them like that, and that was, let there be no confusion, an attack. Even if you meant it as affection. Pushing unwanted affection on somepony else is an assault." She raised a hoof to point at her student. "You are a very desirable princess, you should know. Would you like some random pony rushing up to you and giving you a kiss like that?"

Luna's cheeks burned with shame. "I... wouldn't mind, if that random pony was you." Had she admitted that? She sank with intensifying mortification.

Twilight joined. The room seemed warmer for all the hot blood rushing through either's face. "We should begin with... chaste friendship first. You're skipping ahead to romantic interests, and that's an advanced topic!" She turned back towards her bed. "Sit!" She pointed at the bed. "Your punishment begins now."

Luna slowly stepped up onto the bed. She had erred. A punishment? That seemed almost tame compared to simply being rejected. Her new mistress hadn't turned her away. She was still wanted, she just needed... discipline. Yes. She had disciplined many students in her time. It was needed. "I am ready to be punished." Her ears splayed. "I deserve it."

Twilight's wings beat down, carrying her up over Luna. "Good. Now, Luna, you're not to intiate affection with anypony you aren't absolutely sure wants to have that affection. Do you understand me?" Luna nodded gently. Twilight's horn glowed, forming a large paddle of force that she gently thwapped Luna on the flank with. "Do you understand me? Speak what you've learned."

Being swatted with the paddle certainly did not hurt. It, perhaps, stung faintly. Despite its tame nature, Luna felt herself growing all the warmer. She was being treated as a foal. The worst part was that she felt she might just like it. As the paddle swatted tamely at her flank, her tail raised a little. "I will not assault other ponies, with affection or otherwise."

"Good." Twilight nodded. "Now that that's--"

"I require additional discipline."

Twilight started. What? "What?"

Luna lowered her front a little. "Imprint this lesson on my psyche forever. I would feel your firm, but caring, admonishment further. Please, continue."

Twilight's magical paddle drooped a bit with her confusion. "I..." Well, if her student was that eager to have their lesson enforced. Perhaps that was what was best? She raised the magic swatting tool and focused on it. It grew larger and even crackled with a sizzle of energy.

The door opened. Spike stepped in to see Luna with her rump raised and Twilight hovering over her, wielding a magic paddle that sizzled with power. "Um... Is this a bad time?" He raised a brow. "I'm gonna just put this... down here." He slowly placed the tea set where they could get to it, whenever they were... done doing whatever they were doing. "G'night."

"Good night, Spike," muttered Twilight, feeling whole new levels of shame she hadn't even known were possible.

Author's Note

And so begins a new tale! Luna and Twilight are coming together.

What lessons will Luna learn? How about Twilight?

What amazing typos will they forge together?

Like it, hate it, tell me. Thoughts are good.