Chapters As the crimson sun slowly set in the distance, a groggy Princess Luna slowly blinked awake. Greeting the fading glow with a light yawn, the sapphire coated alicorn rose from her bed. She looked around cautiously, still on edge after the report of Discord only a week before.
Being controlled by Nightmare for over a thousand years had taken its toll, draining the mare in nearly every way. For starters, Luna was physically weak after the Elements of Harmony had removed Nightmare, locking the demon into the deepest parts of the mare's subconscious. Added to the physical damage, her magic and emotional state had been equally affected. She could not produce the weakest of spells, and her cognitive thinking had degraded to the point where the simplest of problems would cause her a great deal of stress.
As Luna slowly pondered how she recovered, she decided to think all the way back to Celestia's first attempt at assistance. The alicorn remembered it vividly. It had been only a few days since Nightmare Moon had been destroyed, leaving the weak, shivering alicorn in her sister's care.
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Luna sat in a small room, stone walling her in on three sides, a wooden door taking up most of the fourth. The room wasn't small, maybe the size of a kitchen, and it's only features were a few plush chairs, a couch, an end table, and a magically enchanted fireplace that continued to create artificial flames even with the coldest of drafts.
As Luna took a seat on the couch, her form taking up most of the seating, she looked at the table that had been brought towards her. Strewn across the wooden surface was an assortment of odds-and-ends, as well as a glass bottle of water that had been sealed magically. She tapped the glass container lightly, wondering what it's use could be as the door slowly opened behind Luna. Her sister, Celestia, trotted in quietly. As always, Celestia acted with as much courtesy and kindness towards her sister as she would towards a common worker.
"Luna, my dear sister...have you settled in quite well?" Celestia wore a fixed grin, and, as Luna could obviously make out, it was genuine. Celestia had never been known to betray emotion, at most hiding any doubts and fears behind the most powerful poker face in Equestria.
"Oh, yes...thank you ever so much." Luna gave a light smile, but hers was much more betraying. Celestia sensed the uneasy tension coiling around her younger sister's mind. Tension from being a new arrival was obvious, but the white alicorn felt something more.
"Something is the matter...speak to me...I happily offer my ear." Celestia smiled grander, sitting on the floor infront of her sister as she moved the table aside. She rested her head on the couch, blinking lightly up at her sister. It was clear that Celestia loved her sister like she would a best friend, even if she had not seen her for a millennium.
Luna sighed softly, looking at her sister as she gave a quiet whimper."Well...it's just..."
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Luna's flashback was cut off abruptly by the creaking of her door, an armored guard noisily clanking in before saluting."Princess Luna, Princess Celestia wishes to speak with you, and asked if you would go to her chambers to discuss matters of great importance."
Luna gave a light nod, donning her royal hoof-wear and slowly making her way to her sister. After a few minutes, the alicorn arrived at Celestia's bedroom door. She tapped softly, the door opening slowly after a few seconds.
"My sister...come in, please" Celestia called out to the approaching mare. Luna smiled, trotting forward as she looked around. The room was a mix of stone and tapestry. White, shining rock made up the walls and pillars that surrounded the chamber. Detailed banners of many sizes and colors hung from the ceiling, adorn with the most beautiful gems imaginable.
Celestia welcomed her sister from afar, looking out from the balcony that outstretched from the bedroom."My dear sister, princess of the night, how are you?" the white alicorn spoke with a light smile.
"Oh...well, I am alright, I suppose" Luna retorted softly, joining her sister as she sat by the white equine. Luna looked over, her expression slightly grim."M...much had changed, has it not? Things are not as they were a millennium prior...that I know."
Without a word, Celestia extended her right wing, letting the feathers cover Luna and bring her close, cooing softly."Discord is gone now..."
"B...but how? When...?" Luna began wondering, but her sister's hoof stopped the words.
"Shhh, the same six ponies that used the Elements on you were the ones that used them on Discord...he is locked in stone, and no longer a threat."
Luna blinked, looking up at her sister, who was still a few ."Six ponies...yes. I wanted to thank them for getting rid of that demon's influence over me. Where are they?"
Celestia grinned softly, leading her sister inside, sitting with her on the edge if the bed."They won't be as exited to see you as you would like. I believe that many would see you as 'broken'. My pupil Twilight would be most approving...but...others may fear or resent you for Nightmare's actions in Ponyville."
"THAT WASN'T ME!" Luna spat as her gaze was set on the floor of the balcony, her eyes glittering softly, tears welling in her eyes."I...I wasn't myself...they must realize that I was possessed, yes?"
Celestia sighed, patting her sister's cheek softly."If only our subjects were as understanding. I can say with certainty that they will get better, but many will hold a grudge against the mare you were...whether they knew you were controlled or not."
Luna looked down, then rose to her hooves, tilting her head slowly until she heard the pop of her spinal cord, sighing as she trotted out of her sister's bedroom."Thank you sister..." she called back, before galloping full speed back in. She went as fast as she could, jumping off the balcony and spreading her wings. It had been a while since Luna had flown, and as she adjusted her wings, she called back happily."Maybe I will thank them one at a time, wish me luck!"
Celestia looked outside and pressed her hoof to her forehead, shaking her head back and forth."My sister..."
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"It's just...Celestia? Am I...loved?" Luna blinked softly at her sister, the magical fire slowly sizzling out as the words lift her muzzle.
Celestia's expression became a worrying frown as she looked at the lunar princess, nodding her head lightly."Of course you are, my sister...I love you."
"N...no, you know what I mean...am I loved by...somepony?" Luna looked away, her jaw shivering as she spoke."Is there a pony in Equestria that loves me...truly?"
Her sister turned her head away as well, speaking as blankly as she could."It has been a thousand years, Luna, you...you know the answer to that question."
"B...but other alicorns...were were so many of us a thousand years ago, why haven't any come to see me...surely they know that I am back...it's been almost a week!"
Celestia helped her sister up from the couch, assisting her as they trotted through the halls of the castle."Do you remember how much fun we used to have?" Celestia said with forced excitement."We would gallop to and fro, our parents would always complain."
"C...Celestia, you are avoiding my question...where are we going?"
"Haha, they would tell us that our hooves were making lines in the magically protected hardwood floor, saying 'Even magic couldn't protect the floor from our fun'."
"Celestia...stop avoiding...tell me what we are doing?" Luna barked impaitently, her words laced with anger.
Her sister ignored the questions, looking out the hall windows as they crossed between rooms."And...And even though we didn't listen...they..."
"CELESTIA!" The mare yelled, grabbing the fellow aliocorn's head and turning it back to her. Celestia was crying softly, tears trailing down her cheeks as Luna pulled her hooves back, regretfully whimpering.
"They would never get angry at us...never yell...or scold. They...loved us." Celestia wept softly, Luna shivering as she looked desperately at her sister.
They walked in silence for a few seconds, Celestia's hoof pointing to the royal archives. The alicorns both sat, Celestia holding out a scroll marked The Alicorn Wars. With a single tap, the tome burst into light. Celestia's voice rung out, speaking loudly, but with a soft tone.
"A few years before Nightmare took control of you, there was a great uprising. As you know...it was the reason your parents were murdered, and eventually...the reason mine were, as well. We alicorns were hunted...like vermin. The other types of ponies were outraged that we had so much power, and, like many actions in history, it only took one spark to light the fire."
The dark room was filled with a map of Equestria, colors populating the image with semi transparency. Blue, with a pair of wings at the center,covered the northern quarter. Violet, with a magic spark, covered the eastern expanse. An orange blur covered the southern and western section of the map. The only point left bare was the center of Equestria.
"The three types of ponies were divided, but united all the same. Pegasi in the north, unicorn in the west, and earth ponies controlling everything else. We, as a species, we're outnumbered. There was a creed amongst the ponies. They had territories that were governed by their people. unicorns, Pegasi, and earth ponies were combined in their efforts to wipe us out."
"W...wait!" Luna blurted out."What caused this? What was the spark that caused this uprising?"
"Well...you should know. It was you...your parents to be more precise. The first act of war was the actions taken by a pair of unicorns. They altered the moon's trajectory, and since your parents controlled the lunar object, the blame was put on them. They were charged with tampering the natural order, tweaking the moon for malicious reasons, and, they were the first casualties in the war."
Luna looked down, her eyes welling as she recalled the actions."G...get on with it...please" she begged her sister. The image shifted to the end of the war, the map changing quite a bit. The uncolored hole in the middle of the map spread to three times the size.
"Thankfully, my parents were able to convince the unicorns to side with them, losing a chunk of their land willingly and fighting on our side. This action was too late, though, and many of our kind had already been killed. Royalty meant little by that point, and, because their options were thin, my parents were forced to fight as well. They...they died valiantly, and their death sparked peace throughout Equestria. When the battle had ended, both sides were obviously weak, and, with my leadership, a ceasefire was called. In exchange for all of the land, the others allowed me to govern them. As their princess, I promised fair trials and an established law. Since then, harmony has been kept from that moment on."
The magic slowly ceased it's glowing, returning the room to normal as the scrolled rolled up."I am...sorry that I had to tell you like this" Celestia said with a sad voice. She laid a hoof on her sister's back, rubbing softly as Luna just kept her gaze on the floor.
"So...every alicorn I've ever known...except you...is dead?"
Celestia went to respond, but stopped herself, simply hugging her sister tightly."I...I'm sorry."
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The clouded memory rushed into Luna's mind way too quickly as she soared through the sky, the mare not realizing that there was a tall tree a few feet in front of her."WAH!" was all that Luna yelled out before smacking into the trunk hard, blacking out. A shallow crunching of grass was the last thing she heard before delving into unconsciousness.
Luna groaned lightly, her tongue gliding across her teeth to check for anything missing of chipped. Finding the results sufficient, the alicorn rose to her hooves, noticing that one of her hooves had been chipped. It took her a few moments to realize that she was in a home. It was very small, and, from the look of things, the caretaker had a few more animals than she could handle. Food and treats scattered the floor of the cottage, the couch that the mare had slept on seemed to be one of the few things that had been fully cleaned.
The princess decided to step outside, slowly looking around for the owner of the home she had been resting in, and, to an extent, her savior. A quiet humming, vocalized by a soft, feminine tone gave Luna the answer she needed. She trotted over, seeing a yellow Pegasus with a pink, flowing mane and tail sitting at the edge of a river. The pony hummed lightly as she sat, her front hooves dipped into the water. While normally she would have spoken in her royal Canterlot voice, Luna felt it appropriate to approtch her rescuer with a more cordial greeting.
"Um, hello there, ma'am, I thank you ever so much for..." Luna began, her eyes closed as she smiled, expecting to hear a mild gasp or an exited giggle. Instead, the princess was met with a loud yelp, followed by the pegasus falling into the river. Luna gulped, opening her eyes and rushing over, using her magic to lift the yellow pony to safely."Oh...I am so sorry...I...I did not mean to startle you."
The mare shivered softly, looking up at Luna. The Pegasus' eyes shined brightly, pupils as big as saucer plates as her mane and coat dripped heavily."I...I...I'm Fluttershy...p...princess."
Luna lit her horn, quickly drying the mare as she continued to appologize."Please forgive me, I did not mean to do that...I...I simply wanted to thank you for saving me."
"Um...ok..." Fluttershy responded, still shivering even after Luna had dried her. The Pegasus slowly moved back to where she was sitting, her eyes fixed on the alicorn as she picked up her things, placing them into a basket and picking it up with her teeth.
Luna blinked softly, sighing as she looked away."I...I apologize again for frightening you...you may go inside...or...or not." The mare slowly extended her wings and flew to the other side of the river, sitting and looking downstream as Fluttershy retreated into her home.
The alicorn didn't realize that she was such a terrifying pony, slowly kicking the water."Am I...a monster?" Luna asked herself, looking into the water. A grim image of Nightmare Moon looked back, making the alicorn reel backwards and fall onto her wings. She cried out weakly, twisting her right wing in the fall. It took a while for her to roll onto her belly, twitching as her wing involuntarily spammed in pain, which only made it worse.
Luna heard trotting next to her, followed by the flop of a basket. She looked up, seeing the yellow Pegasus pulling some twine and cloth from the wooden container."Shh...relax. Now just lie on your side and stay still...it'll only be a minute." The alicorn complied without complaint, laying on her left side and whimpering as Fluttershy mended the wounded appendage. The soft humming of the mare made Luna relax further, letting Shy fold and tie off the wing.
"Now, just stay off of this wing for the next few days and it will be right back to normal...alright Princess Luna?"
Looking at the blinking Pegasus, Luna smiled. Fluttershy was one of the ponies that rid her Nightmare, and, if she wanted to make a positive impact on her people, why not start there?"Could I stay with you, Ms. Shy? They are still renovating the castle after Discord's attack...and I would much rather wait here with you."
Fluttershy blushed softly, looking around at the woodland creatures. They were completely calm, which was strange. Normally, when a stranger comes to see her, the animals would scatter, but it seemed as though the princess hadn't done that. If for nothing else, Fluttershy was impressed."I...I suppose so. I'll try to find you a place to sleep."
Luna smiled wide, standing up and following the yellow mare as she trotted inside."So...Fluttershy...what is it that you do?"
"Oh" the Pegasus retorted,"I care for Ponyville's wildlife. Caring for animals is my gift...kinda...like you and royalty."
"W...what do you mean?"
"Well..." Fluttershy snickered, smiling cutely as she opened the door for the alicorn,"you were born to rule Equestria with your sister...just like I was with animals." The Pegasus swept away a spot and let the alicorn sit next to her."N...normally, I don't like ponies staying here...it makes the animals...scared, but they don't mind you. Maybe they know you're their ruler."
Luna smiled, scratching the back of her neck with a hoof."Oh...I'm not a ruler...that's Celestia's job...I don't really have a job."
"Oh that's silly...you control the moon..."
"But Celestia can control both the sun AND the moon. If I'm so important...why haven't things changed since I came back? Nopony notices me. Even if I have been bedridden for most of the first year...I'm still here."
The room was quiet for a few seconds, Fluttershy putting a hoof on the alicorn's back."M...maybe you just need to make some friends. I'd love to let the other five know that you're more active. Hmm...m...maybe you could come to town for Nightmare Night. It's in two weeks, and I'm sure Ponyville would love to see you there."
"Nightmare Night...yes...that would be nice. Maybe them I could find somepony special...erm...I mean...find friends." Luna looked down, clicking her hooves together as she tried to buy time.
Suddenly, a yelp came from outside. Fluttershy hopped up and rushed outside."Darn it Angel...leave those snakes alone" Fluttershy barked, lifting a white bunny as it kicked and squirmed.
Luna giggled softly, watching as Fluttershy made the two rivals hug and make up."Wow..." Luna whispered to herself,"what a remarkable mare..."
The afternoon was mostly uneventful. Fluttershy showed Luna around the cottage, where she kept injured and sick animals, and where to go in case of emergency."Remember, if you see any animals that are scared during an emergency, j...just try to have them follow you." The Pegasus smiled as she pet a snake slowly from it's cage, the tip of it's tail broken."These poor souls need leadership."
Fluttershy made her way into her bedroom, blushing as she tossed garbage and animal hair off of the bed."If it's not too embarrassing...or...or you want to...you...um...well..." Futtershy looked away, clicking her front hooves together rapidly."Y...you can sleep with me tonight."
Luna's eyes widened slightly as she heard the offer."You want me...to sleep with you?"
Fluttershy began panicking, hoping she could undo the words she had spoken."O...or I could just leave...sleep on the couch...or outside...I mean...I....I..."
The alicorn stepped forward and wrapped her hooves around the Pegasus, pulling her into a soft hug."I am amazed at your kindness, Fluttershy" Luna said, her voice tender and caring as she smiled."Yes...I'd love to sleep next to you in bed...it would be an honor."
The royal mare released the pony, smiling as she used her magic to fix the bed, making everything neat and tidy as she opened the covers. Since the bed was against the wall, Fluttershy slid under the blankets and made her way to the other side, her right side against the wall as she blinked shyly at Luna."T...thanks."
With a quiet snicker, Luna joined Shy, laying next to the yellow mare and looking over."G...good night." Since she wasn't on night watch, having been relieved from the duty by Celestia, the night princess had been able to sleep pretty well the past few weeks, that night was no different.
As she turned towards the wall, her front hooves slipping under the pillow, Flittershy felt a warmth against her. It didn't take long to recognize the feeling of the large alicorn hugging her, their bodies softly pressing against eachother. Every inch of her body told Fluttershy to announce her uncomfortable feelings towards that action, but she didn't. The main reason was that she wasn't uncomfortable at all. In fact, Shy smiled lightly as she closed her eyes, drifting off.
One last sentence was spoken by Luna, the phrase that would be repeating in the Pegasus' mind all night."Sweet dreams, My Little Pony. I won't let the nightmares get you."
Those words bored a hole straight through the mare's mind, echoing and repeating as Fluttershy slept. As the phrase distorted through repetition in her mind, the mare's eyes shot open in pure terror, Fluttershy's teal irises expanding in fear. Her heart stopped, the alicorn still hugging her as Fluttershy stopped breathing. She wanted to relax, but it was as if she WAS in a nightmare, not daring to turn around. She stayed that way, stiff as a board and quiet as a mouse as she waited for morning. That phrase...those words, now changed to how Fluttershy interpreted them as.
"I won't let Nightmare get you."
Luna yawned softly, waking from a lovely rest. As the alicorn looked around, it was easy to tell that it was still night."Well..." Luna sighed, getting out of Shy's bed,"I suppose I'm still not much of a nigh sleeper." Something was wrong, and the royal mare soon figured out that Fluttershy wasn't in bed when she arose. The midnight-coat equine searched quietly, but the Pegasus was nowhere to be found.
The alicorn bit her lip, worried as she looked outside. Sighing a breath of relief, Luna locked eyes with Fluttershy. The yellow pony sat innocently on the edge of the river, rocking back and forth. As soon as Luna stepped out, the sound of her stepping on a twig echoed through the dead, night air. Fluttershy yelped and hid behind the trunk of a tree next to her.
"F...Fluttershy, it is just me, Luna!" the alicorn stated, trotting toward the mare. Fluttershy responded with a hasty retreat, twitching as rain began to fall."Please, young Pegasus, you know that I mean no harm...why are you..." Luna's lower lip quivered as she looked at Fluttershy, the yellow pony's teal irises expanding around the mare's huge pupil. Her shivering form told the royal equine exactly what Fluttershy was thinking.
Luna's last word was caught in her throat as she backed up...uttering it meekly."Afraid..." Nothing made Luna as sad as the idea that they still hated her because of Nightmare. Actually...one thing was worse then they hating her, something that chilled Luna to the bone. They were afraid of her.
The rain picked up, nearly a downpour as the alicorn desperately tried to make amends for Nightmare's past deeds."Please dear pony...my subject...I do not wish fear...I only want to make you happy." She trotted up, Fluttershy weakly backing away until her flank pressed against a tree trunk, the pony staring eye-to-eye with the thing that scared her.
"G...go...away....p...please..." Flutteshy whispered, barely audible through the rain that continued to pick up. She was on her back as the alicorn approached, her head against the roots of the tree that jutted out from the base of the tree. While not covering her face, Fluttershy's front paws were at her chin defensively, Luna's worried, slightly frustrated gaze staring her down.
"Please, little one...I only wish to be your friend...I..." Luna looked down, then back at the pony. She raised her head, her frustration rising."W...why are you AFRAID OF ME!?"
The ground shook, lightning from the storm striking in the sky behind them. Fluttershy began crying heavily, her hind legs shaking roughly as she wept. Luna's anger melted, sadness drenching her like the rain that soaked through her coat, only the depression sunk much deeper.'W...what have I done?" Luna whimpered, backing up."I...I'm a monster..."
With that, the mare turned and shook her wings free of Fluttershy's bandages and mending, galloping at full speed away from the Pegasus before taking to the sky. Tears soaked her face as Luna sped up, the wind, rain, and lightning not nearly as detrimental to her flying as the guilt that had engulfed her. The alicorn was stricken with pain, flapping her wings with increasd vigor as she shut out her own conscious.
Suddenly, the pain wasn't just emotional. A powerful gust of wind fought against Luna, and her already weak wings couldn't take it. One last burst of speed was all Luna had before she heard her right wing snap. Beingpart Pegasus, Luna's wings were very light and hollow. She shouldn't have flown so soon after sustaining injury, and that was her price. One wing merely delayed the inevitable as Luna slammed into the ground, skidding on her bad wing. Blood from the first impact trailed as her broken wing acted like a sled, sliding her a few yards, agonizing pain in every inch traveled.
Luna screamed out as she came to a stop, her right wing a mere splintered mess of feathers and bone. A light twitching was the only thing that she could make it do. She used her magic to stop the bleeding, as well as fortify her wing. She knew it was hopeless, but anything to give her wing a chance was welcome.
A quick glance around didn't help her, and only further worried the Alicorn. She had crashed into the Everfree forest, and the landing made it impossible for her to tell where she had come from. Even if there were clues, the royal equine had no idea how to trail-blaze her way out.
After a few minutes, however, salvation seemed to have been delivered. Luna slowly trotted towards a cottage shrouded by other trees. It was clean, and all of the light escaping the windows fortified the mare's suspicion that the home was occupied.
The alicorn waisted no time, limping her way to the door and knocking eagerly. The door opened with a creak, allowing Luna to enter. Tribal masks and alchemy ingredients covered the walls, and a cauldron in the center of the room drew much of the mare's attention. Her curiosity made her completely unprepared for the voice that spoke behind her.
"Curiosity is a dangerous skill, one that can lead to consequences quite I'll." Upon spinning to look at the door, Luna locked eyes with a female zebra, her outfit and style befitting the decor."Calm yourself, princess of the night, I do not wish to cause a fright."
Luna slowly sat, her gaze still transfixed to the black and white creature who spoke in rhymes."W...we thank thee for being so kind, but...who is it that I am speaking to?" Even after such incidents, Luna still remembered to speak properly, using the royal "we" correctly.
"Ahh, dear princess, I am Zecora; and I mean no harm, so relax your aura." The zebra spoke, hinting at the alicorn's eyes, which glowed a mild violet."I saw you crash from not far away, and if you seek my assistence, you're welcome to stay."
Zecora instructed the alicorn to sit on the chair that sat in the corner of the room, smiling softly as she inspected the broken wing."You have fallen a ways, but the wound is an easy fix, just sit back while use one of my many tricks. I ask but one thing, something I must know why, that you would flee so quickly from Ms. Fluttershy."
Luna's eyes expanded exponentially,"F...fluttershy...but how would you...?"
Zecora held her fixed smile proudly, gathering a few herbs and mashing them into a salve."Many things tipped me off, some easier than others, like the feathers of birds, in need of a mother. Fluttershy is wonderful with animals, this I know; she cares for many animals, from fast to slow." The zebra slowly trotted back over, rubbing a cool gel over the broken wing of the mare, smiling all the same."The easiest tip was a pink hair in your mane, something who's origin is indeed, quite plain."
"Please Zecora..." Luna grumbled as the gel sizzled uncomfortably,"hold your gypsy tongue just tell me!"
"...you slept in her bed" The zebra stated bluntly, pulling a pink hair from Luna's mane, her smile much more coy.
Luna blushed deeply, looking away."Well, I landed in her yard and she let me stay while my wing healed."
Zecora hummed softly, taking some clothing and dabbing under the mare's eyes."Judging from the tears you shed, I wonder what really happened in that bed."
The alicorn sighed softly, her muzzle scrunched up as she thought."She....she thinks I'm a monster...but...but I don't know why." The royal mare frowned, her depressing tone peppered with nervousness."Please...believe me...I didn't mean to scare her, I promise."
Zecora Put a hoof out to silence her. They didn't talk for a few minutes after that."Once you leave my home, go forward until you see it; the town of Ponyville, with every window in town lit."
"T...thank you..for all that you have done." Luna began, but again, was cut off.
"Dear Princess Luna, I wish you to know; the fear they have is not what they should show. You are a good princess, I believe you're honest to bare; earn their trust, and prove you're not influenced by Nightmare."
It was a long trek through the woods, and because she didn't know where she was, she couldn't just teleport away. Unicorn magic can be specific at times...teleportation being no exception. After what felt like an hour, the alicorn finally saw civilization. A group of homes perched along the outskirts of Ponyville guided Luna home.
With a cring and a flash, Luna found herself magically teleported to Canterlot, and more specifically, her chambers. The magic was still slightly off from Luna's recovery, and instead of landing casually onto the floor, a quick yelp accompanied her falling a few feet onto that hardwood. Royal guards burst in, immidiately gasping and rushing to Luna's aid.
Upon request, she was left in her room, only asking that her sister could come to see her. As if by some twisted fate of repetition, Celestia was sitting by her sister's side within moments...again.
"Dear sister." Celestia spoke softly,"what has happened to you? It was merely a day, young princess...and already you come back injured...do I require bars, or can you withstand staying put in bed?" Celestia's voice was laced with sarcasm, but still overshadowed by her caring side."Please...what happened?"
Luna sighed, twirling her hooves lazily."I crashed into a tree...somepony helped me...flew again...wing snapped...gypsy helped me...teleported here......happy?" Luna was obviously not in the mood for a nagging from her older sister, nor did she deserve it after such an ordeal.
Celestia took a second to compute the data."You were looking for a special somepony, weren't you Luna?"
The night princess scoffed heavily, looking desperately for an excuse for her escapade."Y...yes Tia...but...it was in vain. They still fear me...they think I am a monster..."
The white alicorn slid onto the bed, petting Luna's mane."They don't think that...trust me. They simply...fear what you could be. Give them time...do you want me to stay by your side for a while?" Celestia asked her sister sweetly."You know...if you want my opinion...you need to go out more...prove that your existence as just Luna is permanent."
The mare shot up from the bed, a wide smile on her face."Of course...Nightmare Night!"
Celestia furrowed her brow."How would nightmare show that you aren't a threat?"
"Don't you see Tia? They fear me because they think Nightmare is scary...and that I am like her. If I can show them that Nightmare isn't scary...or...or..."
Celestia smiled and pressed her sister back down to the bed."Hehe...if that is what you believe...then by all means."
Luna leaned over and looked at the moon, smiling lightly."It will be a glorious nightmare night...she will love it."
Luna stretched softly as she rose from her bed. After a few days of rest, the mare's wing had fully healed. The unicorns in the medical wing had done a great job, leaving not even a scar from the powerful injury. The night was rapidly approaching, and Nightmare Night was only a few hours from beginning.
Celestia's horn glowed a mild gold as she entered her sister's chambers, having just risen the moon moments ago."Oh dear sister, are you sure about this?" the solar alicorn asked her lunar sister, a sense of mild hesitation."Nightmare Night is a wonderful celebration...but would it really prove that you aren't..."
"A monster?" Luna interrupted, her face becoming neutral."I have no choice...I've already committed...I WILL show them that I am not one to be feared."
"But sister," Celestia protested,"Nightmare Night is a celebration based on fear...won't this be counter-productive?"
The night princess smiled back at her sister."Oh Celestia, that is where you are wrong. After looking up the history, it is evident that this holiday is based around the myth, not the reality. They will fear me no more than they fear the myth that a Changeling uprising is imminent." Luna snickered, waving a hoof lazily."But I must be off...I've asked a few guards to things their outfit...and have rented a cart at complete the image."
As Luna rushed off, Celestia sighed, sitting on the bed and holding her head in her hooves."Dear sister...you know not what your actions may lead to..."
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It must have been half past two in the morning when Luna awoke. She flinched as she opened her eyes, completely covered in a pile of candy. The memories flooded back, from the rejection, to Pinkie Pie screaming in a chicken costume, then...smiles. Luna's own muzzle curled into a smerk as she remembered Pipsqueak's words. She softly muttered them to herself."Scary can be fun sometimes."
As she looked around, the princess quickly realized that she had fallen asleep against the nightmare moon statue just outside of Ponyville. The face of that demon still gave her chills, but that terror was greatly reduced when Luna realized the foals had coated the stone picture in streamers and confetti. Giving a lazed smerk, the mare turned to trot back towards Ponyville and inquire with Twilight about how to further make-nice with the citizens of Equestria.
Her mind blanked a few seconds later as she looked forward, her hind hooves still next to the statue, as Luna looked at a yellow and pink form on the path. The mass of pastel color was trotting closer, her teal irises focused on the mare.
Luna simply sat. She feared that talking would make things worse, already have scared the poor mare just a few hours ago. The memory rushed into her head in an instant, chilling her to the core.
That yellow Pegasus whimpering on the ground. Twilight had told Luna to speak sore quietly, and with every attempt, Fluttershy's fear grew. It wasn't like the last time, because the made want crying. Luna assumed that was because Twilight was there to calm her nerves. It was choppy, and only small bits were fully recalled in the alicorn's mind. Luna's voice yelling out, Shy cowering, then running off and slamming into the door.
The next thing she knew, Pinkie Pie was screaming that Luna had done some atrocity, and Fluttershy retreating inside her house. The image sank deep into the mare's belly, making her cringe as the world around her came back into focus.
"P...Princess?" Fluttershy said softly, sitting down a few feet away. Her ears were drooped and her hair sat in front of most of her face, her teal eyes barely visible.
"Yes, my subject?"
"Twilight told me that....that you had changed. Is it true? Is Nightmare really...gone?"
Luna sat up slowly, her ears perked."Oh yes...of course...you banished her deep into my mind when you used the elements on me. I'm sorry that I scared you earlier...I just..."
"Wasn't used to a lot of ponies judging you?" Shy finished the mare's sentence."I know what that feels like...it's hard to be social when everypony is looking at you.."
Luna nodded. She had never thought of it that way."So...you don't go out much? I can relate to that very well. I've never been one to talk to anypony other than my sister...or the guards at Canterlot. Being a mare of the night is a lonely position, you know." As she spoke, Luna slowly trotted forward, within seconds sitting just a few inches from the pony. She lowered down to her knees so that she was at eye-level with the Pegasus, who slowly moved her pink hair from her face just a little.
"I...I shouldn't have...freaked out that night, you didn't do anything." Fluttershy whimpered, tearing up."I was...stupid."
"Tis a lie!" Luna spat, then whined apologetically."I mean...no...of course not. I should have told you more about myself...made you more comfortable around me...I am truly sorry for frightening such a pretty Pegasus." Her eyes widened as the words left her muzzle.
"P...pretty?" Shy blushed heavily, locking eyes with the alicorn."No pony has ever called me pretty...y...you really mean it?" The mare slowly perked her ears, a smile partially forming on her lips.
Luna's own face blushed a heavy crimson, a nervous smile growing."Well...y....yes I mean...you are a very attractive mare. I...I..." Luna's ears drooped as she backed up a step, looking off into the forest.
"Um...I...I'm sorry for saying that...I just....thank you Princess...I...I mean...Luna." They sat still for a minute before Shy finally blurted out."I...should be going to sleep now. I'll...I'll talk to you some other time...ok?"
"O....of course...have a good night my subject...erm...Fluttershy." Luna looked back to the statue, her back to the Pegasus that began trotting away. Luna sighed softly, her ears perking as she heard hooves clacking loudly on the ground before the yellow pony was against her. With one motion, Luna felt the mare's lips press against her cheek, a quick, tender peck, followed by the pony galloping away twice as fast. The alicorn simply sat there, a surprised expression that melted away into a smile. Her cheeks burning red as her belly tingled.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The yellow Pegasus rushed home as fast as she could, her heart racing as her wings flapped lazily. Her heart was pounding like a metronome on high as she rushed into her cottage and slammed the door closed, panting."Dear Celestia....d...did I just...?" Fluttershy's mind was on overdrive as she trotted over to her bed and sat down.
"Relax" Shy told herself, tapping her hooves impatiently on the bed."P...princess Luna....co-ruler of Equestria...the one who can raise the moon and influence every major decision in Canterlot...thinks I'm cute." She cautiously looked around, making sure no pony was around."...hehehehehe!"
Fluttershy's belly was tingling just as much as the alicorn's as she laid on her back, her cheeks blushing softly."Wow....I...I never knew I was attractive...let alone towards royalty. Luna's much prettier than I am though...she's tall, and...cute...nyah!" Fluttershy let out a gasp, pressing her face into her pillow."I don't know what to do...what if she doesn't want to be in a relationship...WHAT IF SHE DOES!!? Oh no...I can't date an alicorn...the other ponies would tease me...or...or think I'm a trophy mare... oh sweet Celestia what do I do?"
The Pegasus tossed and turned for a few minutes before exausting took over. It was early the next morning that the mare yawned cutely, rising from her slumber. She opened the door to her home and nearly stepped in a beautiful basket. It was obviously from Luna, the royal seal a clear give away.
She brought it inside and looked it over. There was a large scroll, at least a mile of paper rolled up neatly. A strange device was also within the woven basket, metal and heavy. With some effort she lifted the contraption onto the wooden table and noticed a note stuck to the bottom. She read it over carefully, then blushed and nodded. After a minute of making sure everything was set up, Fluttershy stood up and trotted outside to tend to the animals.
The note that she read was left on the table on the small metal box.
Dear Fluttershy,
Seeing as we are becoming closer as friends, I wanted you to have this. It is a device to let you send me letters. While I would like to...being a princess of the night is very tasking, and I am still recovering from nightmare moon's control over me. I would love to hear from you tonight . . . if you're free, of course. Just slip the note into the slit and it will send it over...I would have sent a dragon to help you like my sister had done with Twilight, but I assumed this would be easier.
With Love,
Luna
P.S, you have soft lips.^^
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Resting her head on the fluffy, deep blue pillow, Luna let out a quiet sigh. The sun had set half an hour ago, and the alicorn's eyes were fixed to a metal box across the room. When she sent the package to Fluttershy, she made sure that she had a copy of the items she sent. The huge roll of parchment, rolled neatly next to the metallic cube that delivered and sent paper between the two devices.
Celestia, as if on cue, trotted through the arch sepparating rooms. In the past few days, Celestia felt that Luna had been lonely, and, in her mind, the best way to stop those feelings was to get closer to her sister. A doorway was created to teleport the user between the two bedrooms. Even if they were in separate parts of the castle, their bedrooms were connected.
The alicorn's hooves clacked and clicked loudly on the hardwood floor, Luna's ears swiveling to meet the sound."Dear sister...are you alright?"
"...Tia, have you ever fallen in love?" Luna looked over, her eyes portraying a deep sense of curiosity.
"Well...I can say that I know love...but that is something I've never acted on..."
"Are you...in love with somepony now?" Luna blushed, lifting her head and sitting upright on the bed, her eyes fixed to Celestia's.
The solar alicorn's expression was slightly surprised, her cheeks tinting a light pink."Well...I...I...yes."
"...is he pretty?"
"Yes...she is." Celestia admitted, looking down."She is a wonderful unicorn...and one day I will tell her that." She slowly made her way towards her sister, resting her flank on the bed and laying back, casually stretching next to her sister."Mmm...and you? Have you found somepony to be yours?"
"...I thought I did..."
Celestia wore a light frown."Well...don't give up up just yet, I know that your luck will change...sometimes...it takes something small to spark a fire in someone's heart..."
With those words, Celestia took her sister but he hoof, lifting her up and smiling."Come now, let's go."
Luna nodded, slowly trotting towards the door. Her heart drooping as she came to a stop."No...you go on ahead...I'll catch up."
"As you wish, my sister," Celestia smiled, her eyes averted to behind the mare,"besides, you have some mail to read." With that, Celestia turned to trot through the archway, heading back to her own room.
"M...mail?" Luna wondered, turning to look at the box. A single note stuck out from the contraption, the edges singed from the machine."She....she wrote back!"
The royal alicorn just stood there, blinking in a mild paralysis as her mind desperately tried to compute the random theories."She...she totally did it...that was definitely her hoof...upon my flank...intentionally done to create some form of reaction. Was she, coming on to me. Wait, was it...a pity slap?" Luna blinked and sat slowly, clutching her head. "Wait...no...can't be...she wouldn't come on to me like that."
The midnight mare shook her head as she put on a forced smile. She figured that the mare had simply stretched her hoof upwards, and that it was simply an accident. Luna nodded, accepting her theory as truth. The alicorn made her way into the library, yawning again as her nose picked up the sweet tang of orange juice. Twilight and Celestia were busy, smiling as they floated daisy stalks into each other's mouths.
Luna's gaze flipped to Fluttershy, who hummed to herself as she grasped a carrot between her front hooves, nibbling on it softly as she looked towards the mare. She gave a soft, quiet sigh as she looked at Twilight, then a nervous gasp as blue magic slipped the carrot into the Pegasus' mouth. With a nervous blush, Shy accepted the vegetable as she smiled up at Luna.
The next few days uneventfully went on, except sunday. After dinner, when the younger two began asking the Princesses to tell them stories, Celestia volunteered her sister to begin first. Reluctantly, Luna trotted towards the large fireplace, biting her lip as she thought up a tale to tell. Shy had begun to warm up to the castle setting, and even thought she was still eager to return to her creatures the next day.
"Alright...time for me to tell the story of..." Luna began, but quickly stopped as she clutched her belly."
Her sister blinked softly, tiling her head."Something wrong, sister?"
"I...I feel...I'll something is...no....can't be." Luna whispered
"What?"
"You...l...locked Nightmare away...in my subconscious...yes?"
Celestia was confused Dan worried at the question."But of course...she was weak...and I locked her away after the Elements drove her back."
Without warning, Luna galloped off, her bedroom door slamming as tears made a breadcrumb-trail to the alicorn's chambers. Confused, Fluttershy rushed to catch up with Luna, smashing through the door shoulder-first."Luna!?"
The midnight mare clutched her head whimpering and panting as her tail flicked and twitched."N...no....n...not this....not again." Luna whined, pleading that what was happening wasn't what she thought.
"Princess...Luna....what is.....?" Fluttershy's ears drooped as she looked up, the ceiling breaking away to a hurricane of spinning storm clouds, lighting striking all around them. Red scorch marks cracked along the floor, gaps glowing with dark magic.
Luna looked at the mare, her eyes glowing bright white as her face was contorted into pure horror."G...get.....out!" she screamed, a royal hoof guard clanking as it dropped from Luna's leg.
Fluttershy was stricken paralyzed, unable to move as the door behind them shook. As the guards attempted to get in, black, wispy magic clung to the door. Celestia's Holy Light spell slowly chipped away at the demonic spirit blocking them, but it was slow.
Luna stopped struggling after a few seconds, turning her back on the Pegasus as her tears continued to drip onto the floor. No sobs...no crying...just tears dripping down her face, as if not of her control or concern. Fluttershy was shivering like never before as she looked at the mare from the back."L...L............Luna?" Another hoof guard slipped from the other leg, the clang making everything quiet.
A calm stillness draped over the room, time almost stopping. It wasn't just quiet, it was intentionally silent, the feeling you get when you sit in a pitch black room, knowing you're not alone. Little was heard apart from the beating of the Pegasus' heart, and the soft dripping of tears from the alicorn. Drip....drip....drip.....drip......drip. Fluttershy spoke again, more quietly."Princess?"
The alicorn quickly turned her head towards the Pegasus, making Shy almost scream out at the sight. Luna's eyes were pitch black, empty voids filled with nothing, full, but empty all the same. They continued to drip, but the tears were the same black color, a thick tar that left streaks down the mare's face. Her body shivered, as if motion and thought were going at a super-sonic level, a stomach-sickening speed that would make anypony shutter at the thought.
The alicorn's face was neutral, but long fangs poked through the skin of Luna's lower lip, obviously not meant for her bone structure. What were once front hooves were spikes, pointed sharp and digging into the hardwood paneling that made up the room's floor. The beautiful, soft coat was reduced to a sickly grey, patches of black poking thought the tattered figure.
Shy wanted to run, but didn't have the chance. Shy made one move, a step backwards, and the former alicorn bolted forward, her eyes deeper than the sky at midnight as she was nose-to-nose with the Pegasus. The form clutched Fluttershy by the waist with her magic, a wicked, twisted smile curling as a spiked leg was lifted and pressed against Shy's chest.
"L...Luna...n...no, please...GAH..." Fluttershy's voice caught in her throat as she felt the spike press into her hard, neither bone nor muscle resisting the action as the spike pierced her right lung, coming out of her back as it dripped with blood and ichor."Luna....p...." Shy stopped to cough, red slowly drippings down her chin.
Shy wasn't crying, she was simply, surprised. As she looked at the demon that would mean her end, she knew what was underneath, and, without thought, leaned forward and pressed her lips to the monster's. A frightened shriek erupted from the creature, a white flash bursting from the demon's eyes. Within seconds, the spikes had recessed, as well as everything else that made the demon, demonic. The fangs went away, the coat brightened and became puffy, and only the tar-like drippings from the alicorn's formerly black eyes remained.
Two thuds echoed, one of Luna dropping to all four knees, and the other of Fluttershy's limp body dropping to the floor. The alicorn opened her mouth to scream, but being sore from the demonic possession, Luna could only whine as she crawled over, pulling the Pegasus to her."No....nononono!" Luna repeated, the spell on the door disolving as two guards rushed in. Luna had Shy lifted into a tight hug, tears staining the yellow pony's coat as the Pegasus' hooves dangled lifelessly.
Celestia and Twilight rushed in after them, the guards quickly rushing for a nurse. With another drop, Twilight galloped to Shy, tears welling in her eyes as she pet the mare's limp hoof, sniffling.
"Twilight...go...to...Z....Zecora." Luna choked out."She's the only one....unicorn magic can't fix this...." She was right, demonic spells and effects were resilient against the conventional magic, but a zebra's brew could repair the damage done, even of such devastating levels.
Celestia was still, her mouth agap as Twilight teleported away."Luna....I thought..."
"W...what? You thought Nightmare was the worst demon I possessed?" Luna's eyes shimmered with tears,"Nightmare was a conduit...it let other demons...rent space...when it was absent. Now that you've locked it away...I had feared others could take me over. It seems..." Luna looked back down, her voice becoming choked up,"I was right."
Fluttershy had lost alot of blood when Twilight had rushed back in, applying a large, shimmering cloth to the yellow mare's chest. With a bright spark, the fabric bound to the pony, her body still quiet and unresponsive.
"Zecora said she needs at least a week...she needs to rest while the demonic damage is sealed." Twilight explained, a nurse levitating Shy towards the medical wing."She said it was good that she only had one mark...usually...um...demons...shred their targets."
Luna's heart sunk deeper."A week?" the alicorn repeated,"thank you Twilight."
Celestia slowly trotted forward, cautiously looking her sister over."Luna...this....this isn't normal...there has to be something I can do to repel the dark spirits trying to get to you..."
"YOU THINK I HAVEN'T CHECKED?!" Luna interrupted, tears trailing down her face still."Everything is wrong...Nightmare left a gap in my mind...let others like it in and twist me...change me. Fluttershy's love for me may have delayed one of the demons' grasp on me, but others...I wont be safe...you won't be safe...I can't stay."
Luna slowly stood on all fours, her front hooves cracking at the joint as she trotted slowly forward, hastily packing all other possessions into a magic bag. Celestia hurried after her,"Wait, you can't just leave...you're a princess...you can't...I...I won't allow it!"
"You don't own me, sister. You and I both know that neither marriage, nor blood bonds us together. You can have full control of Equestria and rule over it's people yourself...as always..." Luna softly added, trotting forward and placing more bobbles into the sack, magically holding it all with room to spare.
"Please Luna....don't do this...you can't last on your own. I...I need you."
Luna trotted over towards the balcony, flapping so that she stood with her hind legs on the railing, eyes fixed on Celestia."Tell Fluttershy that I'm sorry." The alicorn extended her hooves, falling backwards and free-falling towards the ground. Celestia hurried to the railing, her sister growing an aura of magic as she disappeared mere inches from the grass of the courtyard.
A guard slowly trotted towards the alabaster mare, standing at attention."Orders...Princess Celestia?"
"At ease, Red Alert..." She spoke, addressing the guard by name,"...there is nothing we can do."
"Ma'am...permission to speak freely?"
"Hmm?"
"You are a powerful mare...why not stop her?"
Celestia let out a brief, singular snicker, her face remaining stoic, hiding the powerful guilt that struck her every second."I can't...she's a grown alicorn...I can't tell her what to do. All I can do is...look at the moon, and hope she is safe..."
"That's depressing...ma'am" the female guard admitted, her pale, violet tone glowing in the moonlight.
"Isn't it always?"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Currents change without reason,
A few days regaining consciousness, Fluttershy was given direct order from Celestia to document her thoughts every few hours that she was active and awake. Many of them were jumbled questions and words, her mind still jumbled from being killed days prior. Most notable of the questions was "Why did she kill me?", followed by a crude drawing of a monster stabbing another pony,
A week later, without reason or provocation, Fluttershy immediately broke out into crazed screaming. It wasn't until hours later that the nurses were able to make out the mare's lunatic speech pattern."My babies, the animals...who has cared for those angels...ANGEL!!!" Celestia had to personally send somepony down to care for the woodland creatures while the yellow mare rested.
After a month of constant care, the Canterlot nurses and doctors deemed Fluttershy as mentally and physically stable, and released her to her home. The ride back was trepidatious on the poor mare's mind, and as she got closer, to her home, a calm sigh escaped her lips. All of her animal friends were alive and very much happy to see her, the birds chirping happily as the Pegasus trotted out of the carriage.
"What has happened here...have they taken good care of you?" the mare asked, looking at a note left by the royal caretaker."Upon my arrival, it seems as though somepony has done my job. The food had been filled, the nests and coop were thoroughly cleaned, and the home was spotless. It's my opinion that somepony has done my job, probably a friend of the Pegasus. I will return immediately."
Fluttershy's ears drooped."But...who...?" She asked her friends, and a few ponies around town, but they all responded the same. Nopony had done anything near the yellow mare's cottage, nor had they seen somepony do it.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"What about Luna?" Spike questioned, immediately receiving a hard whack on the back of the head.
"SPIKE...upstairs...now!" Twilight barked, extending her hood to the bedroom." Fluttershy whined loudly, her wings slowly closing and hugging her sides as she looked at the two. Twilight was quick to calm the other, cooing "hey now...relax..."
The yellow pony snapped her ears back."You know Luna left...I...I..."
Twilight sighed as she trotted over, putting a hoof on the Pegasus' shoulder."Hey...you know I'm here for you...but you have to trust me when I say that...you're worrying too much." The unicorn smiled as she lifted Fluttershy's head, kissing her forehead.
The pegasus blushed, looking away."D...don't touch me. You know what happened the last time we tried to be...marefriends. I won't do it again." Shy turned and started trotting out before magic brought her to a hault, creating a small whine from the mare.
"I said...'You're worrying too much', you need to relax...now come back inside." Twilight magic slowly dragged her back.
Fluttershy whimpered, clawing the ground slowly."Please, just let me go home..." Tears welled in her eyes as she struggled to break free, the spell holding strong as Twilight's lips kiss up Shy's back.
"Why won't you just let me love you?"
With one final push, Fluttershy screamed as loud as she could "BECAUSE I HATE YOU!" The spell broke , Twilight taking a step back.
Fluttershy needed nothing more to stop her from running away, galloping as fast as she could towards home. The visions of past days flooded her memory as she galloped.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The six friends had just finished laughing about how the Grand Galloping Gala had made fools out of themselves. Dash was boasting about how cool she still was while Pinkie stated that she would have done better if she had her party cannon. Rarity found comfort in knowing that her dresses were still the most divine at the occasion as Applejack scoffed at the guests' horrible taste in food.
They all shared a laugh, except for Twilight and Fluttershy, who had conspicuously slipped out of the room with Celestia minutes ago. Twilight had asked the Princess to allow Shy and herself a trip back home, where they could get out of the dresses and have a sleepover. Fluttershy was greatly depressed by the state of affairs she had left The Gala in, and her yelling still rung in the mare's ears. Twilight noticed the Pegasus' mood, and remembered that Fluttershy had never had a sleepover. They arrived back at Twilight's library after a few minutes.
It was a slow night, long points of talking punctuated by fancy tricks Twilight let herself show off to Shy, the kind of thing one would do to break the ice with a stranger. The night was slightly uneventful, and as Twilight grabbed the covers for bed, noticed a slight sigh that the yellow pony had let out. Peaking into the bathroom where Fluttershy was, the unicorn made out the Pegasus breathing onto the mirror, her hoof slowly drawing a heart in the fogged mirror, slipping a F+T in the middle.
Twilight immediately rushed into the other room, setting out the blanket on the floor and grabbing a long pillow."Fluttershy....you almost done in there?" Twilight's words were answered by the Pegasus rushing into view, blushing apologetically before slipping under the covers. Without warning, Twilight slowly climbed on top of Shy, smiling as the yellow pony blinked, wide-eyed.
"Oh...I'm sorry, did you want to sleep here? I'll move...I'm sorry..." Fluttershy slowly tried to scoot over, but was stopped by a hoof holding her still. They locked eyes for a second before Twilight closed the gap with her lips, pulling Shy into a tender kiss.
The Pegasus gasped softly, her cheeks burning a bright crimson before she pressed into it, her wings spreading out as she kissed back. The yellow mare pulled back, looking into the unicorn's violet irises before smiling faintly."I...I think I love you, Twilight..."
The violet mare smiled back, nuzzling Fluttershy's nose before pulling her into a warm hug,"I love you too, Fluttershy...I really do." The hug turned into a loving snuggle, and that slowly escalated as the minutes passed. Twilight's paw slowly traced the Pegasus' form, emoting a quiet moan from the yellow pony. The unicorn kept exploring, soon reaching Shy's thighs. With a whimper, Fluttershy let her hips spread out, allowing the mare entrance.
Twilight wasted no time, reaching for the Pegasus' sex without thought. The pony was quick to stop her friend."Wait...Twilight....not yet....please..." her words were ignored as the mare used her magic to push her friend's hooves aside, touching Fluttershy's slit and slowly rubbing along the mare's sensitive lips."Ahh....no....I....ohhh."
Twilight's magic played with Fluttershy's virgin entrance, teasing and prodding it as the unicorn gently slipped down, her tongue replacing the magic and eagerly licking along Shy's sex."Mmm, hope your ready Fluttershy...I've always wanted to do this." Without warning, the violet pony slipped her tongue into the Pegasus, extending as far as it could into the tight, wet vag.
Fluttershy let out a loud cry, her hooves gripping the sheets as she twitched, her slit getting wetter every second that the unicorn lapped at her sex."Nyah....Twilight....w...oh sweet Celestia!" Fluttershy twitched, moaning out as she arched her back.
Twilight rammed her tongue deeper, holding the Pegasus' hips apart as she pumped her tongue harder and faster into the mare. Twilight roughly pulled back, looking at Shy, who gave a soft whimper.
"Twi...w...why did you stop?"
"I have a spell I've been wanting to use for a while...and now I think I'll use it." Twilight licked her lips, her horn glowing as she pulled the Pegasus into a tight hug. After a few seconds of delayed anticipation, Shy tilted her head towards the unicorn.
"Twilight...I don't..." her words were stopped by something pushing against her slit."Oh....oh my....is that...?" Fluttershy gasped as her friend thrust roughly into her, wetly slamming balls deep into the poor pony. She panted hotly as she clung onto the mare, moaning without cease as her hind legs shivered.
Twilight was moaning and panting even more than shy, pumping her throbbing new length powerfully into the mare. Every inch of Fluttershy's tight pussy brought her closer and closer to release."Nyah...Shy...I'm...I'm gonna..." Twilight wouldn't hold back, speeding up as she screamed, ramming balls deep and unloading cum deep inside of the mare."Ahh....Flutter.....oh Shy..."
Fluttershy gasped as she felt the unicorn's hot cum shoot deep into her. Her own orgasm was so close."Please....Twilight....k...keep going..."
"B...but...I came....alright..." Twilight blushed, her sensitive shaft beginning to ram back inside of the mare. Twilight let out a surprised gasp, her cock much more sensitive as she crammed deeper into the Pegasus, pounding hard as both of their moans got louder. The unicorn felt Fluttershy squeeze harder, her slit milking her cock. Twilight was drooling softly as she sped up, her second orgasm already growing.
Every thrust sent Fluttershy's sensitive body tingling. She was about to burst, and Twilight's drooling was a clear indication that she wasn't alone."Twi....I'm....Ahh.....cumming!" She cried out, feeling her friend speed up, thrusting twice as hard as she felt cum begin filling her. With a scream, Fluttershy leaned up, pulling Twilight close as they came together, the Pegasus drenching Twilight's shaft in her juices.
They lay there kissing for almost half an hour, Twilight resting balls's deep inside of her friend. With a heavy pant, the two pulled back, their muzzle connected by a string of saliva from such heavy kissing.
Twilight was panting hard as she looked down at her friend, a soft shiver followed by her magic taking away the shaft she had used to pleasure both of them with thoroughly."I love you so much, Fluttershy...be mine..."
Fluttershy blushed deeply, nodding before pulling Twilight into a tight hug. She couldn't have been happier, and for once, she felt completely safe in another ponies grasp.
The weeks following were averagely normal. The two shared a lot about each other, but kept their relationship hidden. Fluttershy was worried that everypony would think badly of their love. Twilight accepted the Pegasus' wish, and in public they acted as friends would.
As the days they they were mates drew on, Fluttershy began to notices that something was wrong. The most minor of interactions with other ponies made Twilight extremely upset. The anger grew to an exceptionally hostile state, eventually leading to something Fluttershy will never forget.
The group was playing around with their pets on their monthly pet play-date when Angel and Winona began fighting. Fluttershy rushed over to stop the scuffle, pulling Angel up and into the air, but not before Winona jumped up, latching onto one of Shy's wings. The Pegasus hit the ground hard, chipping a tooth as she landed. A loud yelp was heard by the others, Pinkie being the first to respond.
With a few quick actions, Pinkie Pie was able to get Winona to back off. She picked Shy up and looked her tooth over before smiling."Oh Fluttershy...is ok...we'll get you better in no time." Pinkie smiled, tenderly kissing Shy's nose, making the Pegasus grin back. Without warning, Pinkie felt a hoof slam into her cheek, sending her flying backwards.
She landed on her back, hind legs curled in towards her body as she looked at the aggressor."T...Twilight? W...why would you...?"
Twilight's eyes filled with rage as she looked at the pink mare."You stay the BUCK away from her you....you....BITCH!"
Pinkie's lip quivered as she curled into a ball, tearing up as she whimpered. Twilight looked around at the others, who stood around Fluttershy, ears drooping.
"And what are you all looking at? What....I'M wrong for protecting Shy? She's MY MAREFRIEND for bucks sake."
"N...not anymore...." Fluttershy whimpered, backing away and trotting over towards the pink mare."Shh...it's ok Pinkie....relax." Pinkie was balling her eyes out, crying heavily into the Pegasus' chest.
With a huff, Twilight galloped away, stomping her hooves roughly."FINE...HOPE YOU TWO ARE HAPPY...FUCKING SLUT!"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Fluttershy reached her house within minutes, hurrying in and slamming the door shut. Tears welling in her eyes. She had everything that had happened to her written in her diary, and thankfully, it still had pages that could be filled in. Grabbing a quill and ink, she rushed to the book hidden under her bed. Whenever a traumatic moment in her life occurred, Shy tended to grab for the diary, hoping to catalogue her feeling so that they didn't well up inside of her.
Pulling the hardcover book from under the bed, she began scrolling through until she stopped dead. Her eyes widened as read her latest entry, a fresh, red ink scattered the pages. Twilight's name had been crossed out, replaced by words like "Bitch" and "Whore." It was the journal entry she had made just after breaking it off with Twilight. Every emotion and word told in detail. A picture Fluttershy had taken of Twilight had been put into the page, the red ink making an "X" over the image. Somepony had read her diary while she was in Canterlot, or the hospital.
"Oh no...Luna...."
Fluttershy searched through her diary, hastily looking for other signs of tampering. She didn't have to look far, because the alicorn of the night had written on almost every page. Either sympathetic, consoling words towards the yellow mare, or scolding, hateful remarks on those that did her wrong. Fluttershy's stomach twisted as she read through every page of the book, the red ink permanent reminder of Luna's feedback regarding her life.
Twilight seemed to get the most hate, and from the tone of her words, the alicorn wanted to take action."I...I have to....no, she'll...." Fluttershy whimpered as she was caught in the middle. If she went to warn Twilight and Luna doesn't act, then Fluttershy would be talking to Twilight."What if she thinks I'm lying...or, wants to get back with me...or hurt me." Fluttershy whined as she thought of what the unicorn would do to her.
Despite her better judgement, Fluttershy decided it was the right thing to do. She'd rather be wrong and deal with an upset unicorn than be right and leave Twilight to deal with an upset alicorn. Rushing through the forest path, the pit of her stomach churned uneasily. After yelling at Twilight, the violet mare would be unpredictable, and such a situation had one too many variables for Shy's liking.
After another few minutes, Fluttershy looked up."Sun is setting...n...not good." Peaking in the window, Shy wanted to get a better look at the situation. If she was going to trot into a firestorm, better to know about it beforehoof.
A sigh of relief was breathed as Fluttershy looked in, seeing an empty library."Phew...nopony is home..." her words were interrupted by a loud crash. As she looked back in, she saw Twilight, groaning as she clutched her belly, having crashed into the book shelf from a spell."Oh no!"
Shy scampered on the wet ground, rushing inside and yelling "No, Luna stop!" Flutter yelled, looking around at the empty room."Wait...what?"
Twilight slowly got up from the scattered books, having dislodged a few from the shelf in the crash."Huh...Fluttershy? What are you doing here?" It turned out that Twilight had simply been propelled backwards by a spell she was attempting, Fluttershy quickly realizing this from the charred hole in the ground."Y...you want to get back with me, that it?"
"What...n...no, I was just..."
Twilight narrowed her eyes."Then why are you here? Huh...just testing your luck? Mocking me?" Twilight turned away, slipping the books back onto the shelf."I didn't mean to explode on Pinkie Pie...I know she didn't mean it."
"I'm not a child...I could have handled myself...and I'm not a slut..." Fluttershy whispered, her words filled with venom.
"I didn't...I mean....I just..." Twilight lowered her ears,"I didn't want to lose you...that didn't turn out to be the right move though...regardless..."
Fluttershy looked down, sighing."I forgive you...but I'm not taking you back..." The mare's words were blocked by Twilight's lips, pressing them to the Pegasus'. Fluttershy tried to pull back, but couldn't, looking into Twilight's eyes. After a few seconds, Twilight pulled back, looking at Shy."I...I..."
The two shot their gaze towards the door as it shot open, flying off it's hinges and flipping onto the floor between them."TWILIGHT SPARKLE!" The words shook the library, both of them backing away from the doorway.
Fluttershy's fears were real, and before the Pegasus could speak, the shadowy figure of Luna sped forward and pinned Twilight to the bookshelf. The alicorn had changed in the weeks passing her disappearance. A subtle shadow-like aura covered her as she stood on her hind hooves. Her wings had been morphed into thin, leathery skin, extended by a pair of curled, demonic hands...much like a bat. Her hooves were hollowed out into a porous, fragile substance. While she did not have the fangs or spikes, it was obvious she was not of right mind.
"Luna....l....let her go!" Fluttershy screamed, tears in her eyes as she watched the violet mare being lifted with dark magic.
Small, black tendrils extended from Luna's back as she looked over. Her eyes were the pitch black that they were when she changed last time, but with a bright red glow, like a tiny pupil. The zalgofied alicorn shook her head as she spoke."No...Fluttershy...Twilight hurt you...and I'm going to hurt her!" The alicorn smiled wickedly, speaking with a neutral, relaxed tone. There was little malfestation in her voice almost as if Luna's possession hadn't affected her mind, only her body.
"J...just let her go...please."
"NO...she hurt you...I'll KILL her!" Twilight whined as Luna spoke, the unicorn tearing up as one of the tendrils wrapped around her waist."Why shouldn't I?"
Fluttershy looked down, about to let it happen before she felt the anger well up inside of her."Because I forgave her!"
"SHE HURT YOU!"
"SO DID YOU!" Fluttershy yelled back, tears in her eyes as she barked back at Luna."How can you condemn somepony who hurt me, when you're no more innocent than her!"
The ground shook as the deformed alicorn backed up, dropping Twilight and backing up. The ground shook as she screamed,"NOOOO! IT WAS A MISTAKE..." Her tendrils shot out in all direction, barely missing Shy. A soft scream made the Pegasus' blood run cold as she looked over. Opposite of her was Twilight, her front hooves limp as a tentacle was lodged deep into her chest.
The unicorn gasped, looking down with tears in her eyes as she felt the item jabbing deeper, coming out of her back in a straight line."I...I'm sorry..." Twilight choked out, blood dripping down her chin as she coughed.
Luna gasped, pulling the tendrils back and whimpering."N...no...this is...I..." the alicorn galloped out of the door, rocketing into the sky. Fluttershy galloped over to Twilight, who had collapsed to the floor clutching her chest."Ahh...shit...*cough*...that sucks." Twilight smiled faintly up at Fluttershy, who was crying softly as she dropped to her k ees next to the mare.
"No....you....you aren't dying...you can't die..." The yellow mare whimpered, holding the unicorn's head up."T...teleport to Canterlot...they'll help you...l...like they did with me."
Twilight cringed as her horn glowed, fizzling out with a spark."I...I can't, Shy...no concentration when I'm bleeding out.
"Try again..."
"Fluttershy..."
"TRY AGAIN!" The Pegasus barked, making Twilight jump slightly. She nodded, her horn lighting up. Without thinking, Fluttershy leaned in, kissing Twilight tenderly. Twilight's eyes lit up, her horn shining bright as she flashed, disappearing. Fluttershy landed in the pool of blood, getting up and gasping as she tried to brush it off. She couldn't waste too much time, and if she was right, Shy knew where Luna went.
With an aggressive stride, Fluttershy made it to her cottage, looking around. Sure enough, the alicorn was sitting next to the cottage. She rested on the same place as Fluttershy back when Luna woke up in the Pegasus' home. The water splashed slowly as it trickled down the river. The demonic mare looked over, her eyes dripping with tears of tar, black streaks down her face.
"I'm sorry..." The alicorn watched as Fluttershy sat next to her."Why aren't you afraid of me? Look at what I've become."
"...all I see is the beautiful mare I fell for when she invited be to stay with her for the weekend...the mare that taught so hard for my attention, when she only needed to tell me that she loved me." Fluttershy lifted a good to Luna's chin, looking into the deep, black eyes, those red irises glowing as she smiled.
"You're so beautiful, Fluttershy. I wish I never...you don't deserve this."
"It isn't your fault."
"You know what I have to do..."
"It doesn't have to end this way...you can...we can talk it over...maybe Celestia can help you..."
"...nothing can save me...I'm...tainted."
"We'll find a way to cleanse you...please..."
"We both know that nothing can change what I am...and I've made up my mind."
"Okay Luna...I....I understand."
The two rose, Luna looking at the mare and frowning softly,mirroring the Pegasus' facial expression."I love you Fluttershy...I've always loved you..." The alicorn pulled Fluttershy into a tight hug, kissing her forehead. Luna's tar-based tears dripped onto Fluttershy's face as she stood, looking Shy over. The Pegasus was crying even harder than the royal mare, who obediently took a step back."Don't mourn my passing...I wouldn't want you sad..."
"I...I love you Luna. I'll never forget you..." Fluttershy cried out as the alicorn opened her wings, flying into the sky. She reached the cloud line, smiling down at the most beautiful mare in her eyes. without thinking, Luna clamped her wings to her side, holding her front hooves to her side as she dive bombed the ground. Not even a whimper escaped her lips as she landed, slamming into the ground with a magical detonation.
Fluttershy dropped to her knees as she watched the explosion, beautiful cyan/violet magic erupting around thick slime from the demon inside. Fluttershy slowly blinked as she looked up, the magic creating a magic dust, slowly floating down towards the pegasus. She grabbed a glass vase nearby and held it up. She tried in vain to hold back the tears freely streaming from her face, a weak smile on her face as she fill the container and plugged it.
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Fluttershy sighed as she trotted into town, sighing as she peaked into the library. The tree-house was empty, making Shy sigh slowly."Oh well...maybe tomorrow..." Fluttershy yelped as she turned around, a violet mare smiling wide.
Twilight smiled wide, her mane disheveled from the teleport, having been in Canterlot hospital for so long."FLUTTERSHY!" she pulled the Pegasus into a tight hug."I'm so glad your okay...um...you are okay...right?"
Fluttershy smiled and looked away,"Heh, yea...I am. You...um...recovered?"
The unicorn smiled brightly, sitting and puffing her chest to show off the metal brace fastened to her chest."Gotta wear it for the next month, but hey...I'm alive...thanks to you." Twilight smiled softly, looking down."Could we...um...hang with the others...ya know...if that's okay."
"That sounds...really nice, actually. Just...bring something for Pinkie...you two haven't talked since what happened."
Wth a nod, Twilight headed inside, smiling as she closed the door. Fluttershy made her way back to her cottage, pulling a note off of the door and reading it aloud."Dear Ms. Shy, we have analyzed the tar-like substance from Luna's possession. We would like to report that your friend Twilight Sparkle had been suffering from a case of second-hand-possession, or as some know it, demonic emotion sickness. It seems that upon analysis, Ms. sparkle had been infected after her fight with Nightmare. As such, any partner she has had or friends she has made...we think she will have guarded them as a demon would towards their host."
Fluttershy blinked, nodding her head as she kept reading."We have removed the effects through a series of herbal and aromatherapy, and if you have been in the presence of such behavior, rest assure that such behavior should no longer be present. We thank you for your cooperation and you have our greatest condolence. Sincerely, Icehail Flash, Head Unicorn Scientist in Canterlot."
The mare sighed as she trotted inside, yawning as she entered the cottage. Her gaze shifted towards the large, metal box that teleported messages between Luna and her. With a soft sniffle, Fluttershy slid towards the desk, pulling out a quill and paper."Dear Princess Luna, I just want you to know that I'm doing well. I...I think about you every day, and I cry every night you aren't here. I wish everything that happened, didn't. You don't deserve what happened, but I don't regret the time we had together. We could have been so much more than what we were. I love you so much...and even though you're gone, you'll always be in my heart."
With a click, she sent the note, making a bell go off as it was sent. Angel slowly hopped over and tapped his foot on the ground."Oh...Angel...of course, let's go feed you angels." Fluttershy got up, slowly trotting towards the door before a loud bell sounded, followed by a click as a fresh piece of paper popped out of the machine.
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(Yea yea...ambiguous/open ending seem kinda lazy...but I think the ending that I used is the best for the situation. "Is the letter from Luna?","How is she alive?","Is it Trixie!!!?" [it's not]. Well...discuss and tell me what you thought, I answer any questions you have...thank you for reading. I love you all.)
Luna rushed towards the box, the metal clicking once to release the note. The alicorn giggled like a carefree foal, lifting the note up towards the light and reading it slowly.
Dear Luna,
I am very happy that you wish to speak to me on a regular basis...and...well, if you would like...I could come to Canterlot this Thursday. Many of the migrating birds are heading south, and the cold weather has forced most of the woodland creatures into an early hibernation. If you would allow me, I suppose I could stay until...um...Monday morning? I know that's alot of time, but...well...it gets lonely during the late fall season...no animals to care for. I hope you reply soon, but...if you don't want to...that's okay too, I suppose...
Fluttershy~
Luna squeaked happily, pulling the note to her chest and snuggling it tightly. With a tingling belly, the midnight-coated mare turned towards the door, where a smerking Princess Celestia sat, a heavy, deafening smile on her muzzle."Good letter?" she asked, her grin fixed to the ungodly length that it would be creepy if she did it at random.
Before Luna could form the right words, the letter was magically yanked from her grasp, and towards her sister."Tia!" Luna barked, extending a hoof,"that's not yours!" The mare had a slight whine as she spoke, portraying just how desperate she was to keep such menial trinkets.
Celestia read the not through slowly, humming as she snickered."Oh Luna...Fluttershy? How fitting...the shy and reclusive Pegasus married to the delicate, beautiful night princess..."
Luna furrowed her brow, whimpering."Tia...stop it..."
"I can just see it now. You, adorn in your finest silk...strolling down the steps of the castle.."
"Sister...I..." Luna tried, but failed to interrupt.
Celestia lifted a hoof dramatically."You slowly stride towards the main door, which housed the yellow mare, her pink mane flowing softly in the breeze. You would rush towards her, and she would mirror your moments. Then, with arms extended, you would leap into each other's grasp and kiss, slipping your tongues into each other's"
"TIA!!!" Luna was finally able to blurt out, stopping her sister mid-sentence.
"Oh fine, ruin my fun...but just you wait until I start flaunting my lover around...one day soon...just you wait Luna." Suddenly Celestia eyes gazed to something near the bottom of the page."Hey...something else is written here..."
"Hmm?" Luna wondered, tilting her head.
Celestia read it aloud."Also, if it is alright, I was hoping to bring a friend. She's a unicorn...her name is..." Celestia stopped reading, her cheeks turning bright red.
"Sister?" Luna began,"Are you alright?" Luna's ears swiveled softly, her eyes narrowing."What's that dripping noise?"
Celestia didn't speak, but instead turned tail and galloped out of the room. Luna, in utter confusion, tried to follow, but was quickly haunted by a liquid that had been spilt onto the floor moments ago."What is this?" Luna began, her hoof dipping into the clear liquid."Is this...CELESTIA, keep your damned 'juices' OFF of my floor..." the sister hollered, holding a hoof in the air, the 'royal nectar' dripping down the elevated leg.
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The royal mare rushed around the the entirety of Wednesday, hastily preparing any room that the guests of honor would be viewing. The royal guards wore deep smirks as they watched the alicorn rush from room to room. She spent nearly an hour clearing her own quarters, making sure the area was as clean as possible. As she made the bed, Luna stopped dead, looking around before screaming out "CELESTIA!!!".
Her sister, as always, casually trotted through the door, humming as she corrected a corner on the bed."Something wrong, Luna?" Celestia asked, her head tilting as she flapped her wings, floating overhead.
"Yea yes yes" Luna cried out, grabbing an extra set of blankets and pillows,"I don't know how Fluttershy wishes to sleep."
"Erm...come again, sister?"
"If I set an extra set of blankets out do Fluttershy can sleep next to me, she might think I don't care about her...BUT...if I expect her to sleep with me in bed, she may believe I am moving too fast in our relationship...WHAT DO I DO?"
Celestia raised an eyebrow, her brow furrowing heavily."Well...I suppose I would..."
"GOT IT!" Luna barked, her midnight mane flowing behind her as she galloped over to the bed."I'll slide the pillow and blanket under the bed, so when we go to bed...I can slide it out if she chooses to sleep on the floor. There, foolproof!"
"And if she let's you choose?" Celestia interupted, her own smile growing.
Luna turned towards her sister, her eye twitching lightly. She went to speak, but instead collapsed onto the bed, groaning."Damn it..."
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The music echoed through the halls, sweet violins and deep double bass meshing wonderfully as thursday night dawned. Luna was dressed in her best gown, much like Twilight's outfit at the Grand Galloping Galla, but far less flashy and much longer. Her royal hoofwear was propperly adorned, but Luna chose to wear silver instead of gold, more fitting to the dress.
As she slowly trotted into the main courtyard, a small alcove were guests could wait to be called on, and where she waited for the two mares to trot in. Celestia was close in tow, Fluttershy's guest making the alicorn very anxious as she tapped her hooves, straightening her white, floral outfit.
Fluttershy nervously made her way onto the scene, looking around at the decorations and banners."Oh...hello princess...this is my friend...Amethyst Star." Fluttershy stepped aside as the light magenta unicorn trotted slowly forward, bowing courteously. They were both dress in a formal, puffy dress that clung tightly to their form.
"But...but what about..." Celestia began, but looked towards Luna nervously, then towards Fluttershy."You said...erm...your friend was coming."
"Oh...I'm sorry...she couldn't make it." The Pegasus admitted, slowly looking towards her friend."I didn't want to come alone...I...I'm sorry."
Luna trotted forward, her own smile growing."Oh, it will be not a problem...since Princess Celestia was going to let that mare stay with her...I'm sure she would let Amethyst have the same privileges...right Princess?" Luna's smile was almost as wide as Amethyst's, who hopped around the grumpy Celestia's hooves.
"Oh my gosh...really? That...is...so...COOL!" the unicorn shouted."Can we go now? Come on, come on, come on...show me please?" Star giggled and looked up at Celestia."Can you show me?"
With a loud groan in her sister's direction, the white alicorn slowly trotting with the unicorn, her head low as she opened the door to her room. Amethyst giggled as she trotted inside, Celestia following. Star abruptly shut the door loudly, locking it with her magic.
"Amethyst...what are you...?" Celestia began before the mare's horn glowed bright violet. Within an instant, Amethyst Star transformed in a wirlwind of magic.
"Princess Celestia...you've been a bad mare...time to be...punished." Twilight Sparkle announced, galloping at full speed towards the alicorn.
Celestia blushed heavily."Twilight...I..." Again, Celestia's words were cut off, but that time it was stopped by Twilight pouncing the princess to the bed with a playful "Rawr!", kissing Celestia over-and-over.
Princess Luna and Fluttershy pulled their ears from the white alicorn's bedroom door, blushing hotly."Oh...my..." The Pegasus began, slowly trotting into Luna's chambers."Wow...it's...amazing in here."
Luna couldn't help but blush bashfully at those words."Well, I do try to clean up...when there's company, that is." The two explored much of the castle, Luna being the tour guide as she wandered aimlessly. After almost an hour, the two came to rest in the garden, the alicorn helping Shy onto the fountain's edge."I love to come here to think...or at least...I used to." Luna admitted.
"Used to?" Fluttershy tilted her head, slightly confused,"but I though you would have wanted to relax after coming back from the moon... after... Nightmare."
"I wanted to...trust me I did...but, I was very weak, and had to stay bedridden until just recently. Most of my strength has returned, but I fear the mental scarring is more...well, scarring." Luna set her hooves on either side of herself, looking down as she tried to explain."You mind if I explain something about myself?"
Fluttershy gave a light nod, extending a hoof to meet one of Luna's."It's ok...you don't have to."
"It's just...I know you don't trust me fully...you think Nightmare will break free and take over. I wish I could prove to you that it won't happen...but...well... I don't know. I don't think I can control her by myself if she breaks free of my subconscious...if I falter..." Luna pulled her hoof back, bringing it to her face as she teared up. Her lips quivered as she cried lightly, tears slowly tickling down her cheeks.
Fluttershy looked away, sighing before she trotted closer to the alicorn, pulling Luna's hoof away and bringing the mare into a deep, warm hug."I...I can't imagine how hard this is for you...but...I won't leave you. I wouldn't leave a bunny with a broken leg...and I sure won't leave a princess holding such a burden.
Luna's tears slowly dried up, the mare sniffling slightly."I...I..." Luna wanted to tell Fluttershy how she felt...how she wanted to love the Pegasus,"Thank you...you're a good...friend." the word 'friend' hit Luna's gut like a stone. She was so ashamed of herself for hiding her emotions, for hiding them from Fluttershy.
The two slowly made there way inside, directly into Luna's room. She went to offer Shy the bed, but was too weak from the tears and regret, simply slipping under the covers. She shivered softly, her mind clouding. Everything was going so fast, her emotion, thoughts, feelings...then, everything melted away. Luna's eyes widened, her face filled with pink hair. Fluttershy had gotten into bed next to Luna, blushing deeply as she put aside her timid nature to comfort her friend.
"Shh...I'm here Luna...just....go to bed." Shy hummed softly, beautiful notes played by the angel herself. Luna was out within minutes, her hooves wrapped around Fluttershy as she dozed off.
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Luna awoke cotton-mouthed, blinking as she looked around. As promised, Fluttershy was wrapped tightly around her, the Pegasus hugging the princess tightly. She smiled and gently loosened the yellow pony's grip on her, slipping out and stretching lazily. It had been a long time since Luna had a good sleep, but that night, she didn't wake up once.
With a light nod to the sleeping Pegasus, Luna quietly made her way to her sister's door, where a loud yelp was heard, followed by a few muffled protests. Luna blinked, still on the other side of the door when Twilight softly trotted out."Oh...hello Princess Luna...good morning" she said, a chipper attitude accenting the skip in her step.
Celestia tumbled out of her room, bags under her eyes as she looked towards her sister."We..um...did not get much sleep, dear sister. And I was...woken in a very...um...well...direct manner. I will see you two for breakfast...come to the archives..." The alicorn twitched, trotting down the hall with a slight wobble.
Luna let out a soft snicker as she watched her sister try to function, slowly making her way back into her bedroom. The midnight alicorn yawned loudly, stretching with a groan before a shuffling under the sheets alerted her of the Pegasus."Sleep well?" Luna questioned, using her magic to straighten Shy's mane.
Fluttershy gave a light nod, a faint smile on her face."Mm hmm...t...thank you Princess...erm...Luna. Is breakfast ready?"
"Archives...next right after you leave this room, remember?"
Shy smiled wider, slowly making her way outside."I...I'll see you there" Luna said as the mare passed, lifting a hoof. Her eyes widened as Shy passed, blushing furiously. Once the mare left, Luna gulped, whispering to herself."D...did Fluttershy just smack my flank?"
