Behind the Curtain of Royalty
Behind the Curtain of Royalty
This one majestic night, under the starry sky, lay two alicorns, two princesses, two sisters, as they gazed up at the stars that twinkled every few seconds.
"You've really outdone yourself tonight, Lulu." The white, lighter alicorn remarked, adding her darker sister's nickname at the end.
"Oh Tia, don't tease. It's like this every night." Luna felt a faint blush come upon her as she spoke the modest words.
"Just don't forget to raise the moon." Celestia pointed out in a childish giggle.
"Oh, right. Thanks Tia, you're a life saver."
"Don't mention it Lulu. Well, I better head off, the Summer Sun Celebration is coming up tomorrow you know, and I don't wanna have you drag me out of bed in the morning." The two laughed at the thought of it as Celestia waved farewell.
"Goodnight Tia!" She called to her sister as she disappeared in a flash of white, then was gone. With a sigh, Luna looked up to her still starry sky. Concentrating magic to her horn, she lifted up to moon with almost no exhaustion at all. It had been easier to getting used to in the time she'd returned to fill her duties as Princess of the Night.
And things were just great! A good home, a great sister to talk to, but no friends.
She could clearly remember her first Nighmare Night at Ponyville. All the screaming citizens, running in terror from her, or bowing in fear. Of course she had no friends, she was royalty, she was a princess, she was a ruler of Equestria. She need not any friends other than her sister.
Then a sudden grief took her openly as her eyes began to develop tears.
What kind of pony has no friends? Who only talks to her sister for all of eternity, and who everypony looks at as an enemy or royalty? The thoughts raced through her head as she began to shudder with deep ragged breaths. Trying as hard as she could to remember somepony, anypony, who thought themselves as an equal, or at least a friend.
Only one name came to mind as she muttered under her breath.
"Twilight Sparkle..." Then took off into the night, her destination, Ponyville.
Within the archive like tree house, a lavender unicorn lay over a book, asleep from the long hours of nightly studying. Just then she felt a hoof nudge her shoulder.
"Huh?" She groaned, her senses drowsy from the sudden awakening. Everything blurry, but she could still make out what she saw. Princess Luna. Teary-eyed. Standing right in front of her. Shaking her head to hopefully regain her senses, she asked. "Princess Luna what's wrong?"
The princess just stared back at her then placed a hoof on Twilight's shoulder. Then out of nowhere, the two disappeared in a flash. When they appeared again, they were on an open field out who knows where.
Confused and disoriented, Twilight shook her head once more as she turned to Luna.
"Luna! What-" But she was interrupted as Luna fell onto her with a hug as she flung her head over the unicorn's shoulder, followed by the princess's burst of sobs. Each louder and more grief filled then the next as she held onto Twilight for all the comfort she gave back.
Not completely understanding what was going on, Twilight just remained in place, patting Luna's back in hopes of comforting her. After a minute or two, Luna finally released and pulled away quickly, covering her face with her hooves.
"I-I'm so sorry Twilight S-Sparkle. I just- needed a friend. I needed somepony I could trust. I needed somepony who understood me for who I am. And, I couldn't think of anypony else. Each time, I only remembered their terrified faces. And the only face that wasn't was yours." Luna continued to sob once more. "I'm sorry if I took you by surprise, I just-just"
Just then she was cut off, as a lavender hoof was placed across her mouth.
"It's okay, I understand, just let it all out."
Blinking her murky eyes, the princess wiped away her tears and looked into Twilight's eyes.
"No, that is enough tears shed for one night. But to tell you the truth Twilight, I was wondering if I could chat with you?"
"Of course." The scholarly unicorn replied.
"Well, you know how my sister has a Summer Sun Celebration every year, right?" Twilight nodded in response."Well, I was wondering if you could ask her if we could have a Winter Moon Celebration also." Luna blushed slightly as she suggested her plan. "You see, I'm kind of too embarrassed to ask her, because I think she'll think me guilty, or greedy, and maybe she'll..." The last few words were mumbled too quietly for Twilight to hear.
"What was that?"
"Um, it was nothing..."
"Luna~" Twilight sang the alicorn's name.
"Okay! Okay! I'm afraid she'll send me to the moon."
With a giggle Twilight replied. "Oh Luna, you're so funny, you know that Cele- I mean your sister would never do that to you." With a reassuring smile, Twilight nodded to the princess.
"I know that, but I don't want to take any chances." She shuddered, thinking of her banishment. "Please Twilight, I can't do it without you. You can call me a wimp! Or maybe a scaredy cat? I don't care, but please, ask her." With pleading eyes, Luna begged the unicorn in front of her with all her heart.
Knowing that she really meant it, and wanted it so badly, Twilight couldn't refuse. "Fine, alright?" She finally said, allowing Luna a sigh of relief. "But..." Luna's ears perked up once more, expecting the worse, for what she'd asked of the pony in front of her(to herself) seemed like a banishment worthy crime. "Every night, we have to meet here, same place, just the two of us. And maybe I could teach you a thing or two about friendship." Twilight said with a grin.
With wide, happy eyes, Luna joyfully pulled Twilight into a hug once more, but not out of grief, but of utter glee.
"Thank you Twilight Sparkle! You really helped me tonight and I won't let you down. Same place, same time!"
"Okay, but, could you let go now, I can't really-er- breath." Realizing how tight Luna was hugging the pony, she let go as the unicorn flopped onto her belly against the soft, plush grass. "Don't mention it. And, um, where are we exactly?"
"Oh, just 30 miles north off the west wall of Canterlot castle. Don't worry, I'll help you with your teleportation magic, as you help me with my friendship. Win-Win situation, right Twilight Sparkle?"
With a simple nod, and a cheerful grin, Twilight laid down across the grass. A few seconds after she was joined by Luna, who lay quietly beside her. Then, in a gentle, but audible, whisper, Twilight said.
"You know Luna, nights like these don't come too often. Just look at the starry sky above. You should be proud of yourself Luna." Twilight gave the princess a peachy smile as Luna hesitated momentarily. then replied.
"You're right Twilight. I should be proud of myself, after all, I am the Princess of the Night, and so, this starry sky, belongs to me." But in truth, it belonged to both of them as the young unicorn had now become a big part of anypony's life, she'd just become her new best friend under their starry sky.
Day of Summer Sun Celebration
Everypony gathered around the large, stage-like platform as Celestia hovered to the center of the stage. The large sun pedestal towered behind her as she raised a hoof, signaling silence across the vast crowd of ponies before her. Luna stood at the farthest side of the stage, where she could be easily seen, for there was no curtain, but at the moment all attention was directed to the elder alicorn speaking.
"Today, we rejoice for the beginning of yet another radiant Summer to take on our beloved land." Just as everypony began to cheer again, Celestia spoke once more. "But..." And so the crowd silenced in response. "Not only do we rejoice in the name of a new Summer, but also in the name of a new celebration." Luna's ears perked up upon hearing this, and so did the crowd's as everypony literally leaning forward for the new holiday. "I am sorry to say this, but it is not for me to say. I call Princess Luna to take my place in announcing our new celebration." Celestia turned to Luna and motioned her forward.
At the moment, Luna felt completely relieved. The entire time Celestia was speaking Luna held thoughts of doubt, not paying attention to her sister's speech. Then finally, her prayers are answered and she is suddenly called up front stage. Practically shaking with anticipation and joy, Luna stood at front of the stage.
She then cleared her throat and began speaking. "Citizens of Canterlot, and of Equestria, I know you came here today to witness the rising of the Summer sun, but with it, arises an announcement of an upcoming holiday, much like the Summer Sun Celebration." Luna took a deep breath before speaking again. "And so, with great pride and joy, announce the birth of the Winter Moon Celebration!" Her voice echoed across, but, there was still silence. Her eyes that swept across the crowd, searching for somepony, anypony that was excited in the least, but none appeared.
Just as the Princess of the Night began her way off stage, she heard a sudden hoof clap, then joined by a few others. Luna turned her head to the sound and saw Twilight Sparkle and the rest of her friends in a small area in the middle of the crowd. And soon enough, the ponies around them join in and before she knew it everypony was clapping and cheering her name.
"LUNA! LUNA! LUNA! LUNA!" The voices of many different ponies echoed aloud in unison. Searching for Twilight once more, she met her eye to eye as the two smiled ever-so widely. With a comforting wink, Twilight disappeared among the crowd she was in. The rest of her friends soon followed.
Returning her attention back to the mass of cheering ponies, she suddenly found her face wet with tears. She'd been crying without noticing it, but these were tears of joy she soon realized. After the past one thousand and two years, she'd finally gotten what she wanted. A friend, and possibly more to come. Love and respect from her subjects, but mostly love. And most of all her own day, to be the spotlight, to be the center of attention.
And with a large smile, Luna shouted out to the crowd. "Thank you, all of you." Then she felt a hoof rest on her shoulder. Turning her head, she saw her sister looking down upon her with a smile of her own. "Tia, I-I just wanted to thank you for allowing me this."
"But you deserved every bit of it Lulu, never forget that. Now, if you don't mind me doing my duty, I shall go on ahead with it."
"No, I don't mind at all Tia. But, you do realize the sun was supposed to be risen about five minutes ago, right?" With a blush after hearing her sister's words, Luna whispered in her ear. "Gotcha." With almost a giggle, Luna stepped down the stage and allowed Celestia to raise the sun, nearly blind everypony else so she could leave without notice. Then with a flash, Luna teleported out of the area and to her quarters in the castle.
With a deep sigh of relief she fell back into her bed. Everything had went perfectly, and if she couldn't be happier, but there was one pony she had to meet, though, not until the night. At the moment, all she had to do was sit back, relax, and wait.
"So Luna, how was it?" Twilight asked first thing when they were at the empty field.
"Exciting, and-" Just then, Luna remembered her first priority at the moment."Twilight Sparkle," She closed her eyes for a second. "Thank you."
"For what?"
"For being the only one who cheered me on, well at first."
Realizing what she was talking about, Twilight said. "Oh, that? I was just doing what I thought right. And I only clapped because it was what I would do naturally. I don't care if anypony stares at me, or thinks I'm crazy." The unicorn made her eyes move in a circular motion which made Luna giggle a bit.
"Oh Twilight, you're the best friend anypony could ever ask for, you know that?"
With a blush, Twilight replied. "Aw, no I'm not. I'm sure there are others out there who can be more friendly than me."
"But, you're the most understanding of all of them, that much I can promise you." Just as Twilight began to argue, she realized there was no point. Luna was right.
"Oh yeah, I guess you're right. Maybe I've been a little bit too modest lately, haven't I?"
"Oh Twilight, modestly is one of your best qualities. Just remember when to embrace pride as well. Just like the night sky. The stars must shine and twinkle in the night, but the moon must shine just as much. Equality." Luna closed her eyes for a moment, then blushed, realizing how strange she'd just sounded. "Er, I hope I didn't freak you out about that."
"No, not at all." Twilight said, waving her hoof gently through the air as if to say, 'it's no big deal'. "I was just wondering, where you came to think of such a...a beautiful idea."
"Well, one-thousand years of banishment gives one plenty of time to think of such things..." All was quiet for a moment. Then Luna spoke once more. "But that's all behind me now, and the future is all that matters. We have many things to look forward to, and there are many preparations to...well, prepare!" The princess' expression now full of excitement and anticipated joy.
"Yeah, and one more thing Luna."
"Yes?"
"I noticed a new constellation in the sky, and I was wondering if you had a hoof in making it." She said while pointing her hoof to the constellation in which she spoke of. It was a picture, of, well, she couldn't quite tell. "What is it supposed to be?"
"Well, it's not completely developed yet, I need some time. It could take..." Hesitating to think about it, Luna then began pacing in circles. "It should take about six months!"
"Just in time for the Winter Moon Celebration too!" Twilight cheered. "Was that all according to plan?"
With a wide grin, Luna nodded vigorously then began once more. "Though," Luna took a deep breath, and then began. "The making of a star is hard already, but making a new constellation, that takes time, and I'm not sure if I can finish it by the time the Winter Moon Celebration." Luna was pacing again, which sorta made Twilight giggle.
"Why don't you ask your sister to help y-" Just then, Luna teleported in front of Twilight's face.
"You must never, ever, tell her!"
Twilight, whom had fallen backwards from the sudden reaction, looked up at Luna and then began once more. "Maybe I could help you with it. You know, I'm a great astronomer myself. And I've always wanted to make a star, no, a constellation was it?" The unicorn was now on her feet, jumping up and down with anticipation and excitement.
"Are you sure Twilight, 'cause I think that would mean less time to spend with your friends."
Twilight had no second thoughts. "Oh it's okay. They won't even notice! They'll just think I'm in the library reading books." Twilight joked and Luna giggled. "But it's all in good fun. And hey, Luna. You wanna know what Rainbow Dash calls me?"
"What?" The princess's eyes rife with curiosity.
"An egghead!" The two automatically fell back in abrupt laughter. Just as the laughter died down, they laid on their backs, star gazing much like the first night they had to themselves.
"You know Twilight, this Summer Sun Celebration was the best one I've ever had." Luna began with a sigh.
"Hmm, me too."
"I mean, it could have turned out a lot worse. I mean, I could have lost control, and I dunno, plunged Equestria into eternal darkness again." Luna said jokingly.
"Well, now that we're friends and all, I was wondering if I could ask you, how did the Nighmare Mo-" Just then Twilight felt a hoof against her mouth.
"That's another story, for another time. Now then, you best be off. You're dragon, Spike I take it?" Twilight replied with an honest nod. "Spike, will be worried about you."
"Yeah, you're probably right. Well then Luna, see ya later!" Twilight galloped off, then disappeared in a flash. Her teleportation skills had gotten much better in such a short time. An element of harmony, no, the element of magic to be precise. Gifted and talented, just like her mentor, Luna thought to herself.
She was alone once more, but not alone at the same time. She would never be alone again now, she had Twilight Sparkle. Never. The word lingered in her mind. Next, the word, forever. But...why did that not seem possible to her, and why did she have a feeling that realization would strike her once more?
Shaking off the thought, Luna flew off into the night. Too mentally exhausted to teleport to her quarters. This was going to be a long night.
