“Greetings, princess Celestia.” The guard pony bowed lowly, almost touching the floor, graced by the sudden appearance of the sun alicorn. He was assigned to a position of no particular importance for the day, so it was somewhat of a surprise to find Celestia around.
“Greetings, royal guard. You haven't happened to see princess Luna wander by, have you?” Celestia questioned. The guard pony broke from his bow and made to reply.
“I'm afraid I have not.” The guard replied, his expression turning to that of a frown. “In fact,” He continued, “I haven't seen her all week, now that I think about it.” Celestia harbored a puzzled look on her face, silently wondering where she could be. “I'm sorry,” The guard apologized, puzzled by Luna's sudden disappearance as well.
“There's nothing to be sorry about, guard.” Celestia replied, looking at the guard directly. “Thank you, anyway.” Celestia muttered, strolling away to look for her missing sister. She wasn't needed for any matter of importance, it was just a personal question of Celestia's.
Hmm, The princess thought, as she continued to check throughout the castle. It's not like Luna to wander off like this, being the mare she is. Especially a for a week.
As Celestia checked the last common corridor that Luna would reside in, she concluded that Luna was not in the castle. Looking else ware, Celestia turned to Ponyville for answers.
*****
As she landed in Ponyville, Celestia decided to check the library first, thoughts saying: 'If anypony knew where Luna went, it would probably be Twilight'; so she walked over to the lavender unicorn's home. She raised a hoof to knock, but the door opened before she could. Out popped Spike, who was understandably surprised to see the princess standing at his doorstep. Or Twilight's doorstep, anyway. He was never much for bowing, but Spike did so anyway, seeing that this was Celestia herself.
“Uh, hi, princess!” Spike greeted, still unsure why Celestia would need to arrive here. I hope it's nothing too urgent... Spike thought, his brain now overflowing with troubling scenarios. Celestia, however, didn't notice the frown that made it's way onto the baby dragon's face.
“Oh, greetings, Spike. Is Twilight around?” She asked.
“No... she hasn't been here for... about a week.” Spike replied, his face contorted with the effort of remembering. Celestia frowned, as that was around the timespan Luna was gone for.
“Do you know where she went?” Celestia asked again, now concerned for Twilight and Luna both.
“Oh yeah, she went to the moon! With Luna, of course.” Spike concluded, nodding to himself. Celestia frowned more deeply, troubled by these new events. Strange, events.
“And why did they go to... the moon?”
“I'm not actually all that sure, but I heard Twilight mutter something about studying while she was packing. But she always mutters something about studying, packing or not, so I don't know, really.”
“P-packing?” Celestia whispered, on the brink of distress. If you looked closely, you would see her eyes watering slightly.
“Yeah...” Spike muttered, feeling awkward. “I'm sorry princess, but I have to go do some, um, stuff. See you around; I hope you find Twilight. I think?” Spike added, as he slowly walked back inside and closed the door. Celestia sat down, feeling depressed. Had her most loyal student abandoned her... for Luna? For... the moon? As this was a very strange occurrence, she decided to question another pony before leaving. I guess I'll question... Fluttershy, she's probably the most reasonable. About this situation, anyway... Celestia thought, her mane loosing some of it's astro-sheen.
Celestia turned to walk down the path to the Everfree forest, not bothering to fly. She stepped up to the Pegasus' cottage, knocking on the door. Celestia heard the clip-clop of hooves on wood, followed by the door opening, in it now standing a very surprised Fluttershy.
“Oh, um, h-hi, your highness...” Fluttershy half-whispered, feeling very much like closing the door.
“Quickly, do you know where Twilight went!?” Celestia interrogated, almost yelling at this point. This made Fluttershy even more eager to close the door, but she answered anyway, hoping she'd leave faster.
“W-well, Twilight went to the moon with Luna.... to s-study more about it... essentially, Luna returned... to learn as well...” Fluttershy replied.
“She'll be coming back, right? Right?!” Celestia questioned.
“Um...yeah, I... I think so... in a week.” Celestia sighed, for she had a small part of relief. Still, Twilight disappearing to the moon without telling her was troubling. She was going to have to talk to Luna when she got back, and give her a good scolding. Remembering that she was still standing outside Fluttershy's cottage, she turned to thank her for the information. “Thank you very much for your... knowledge.” Celestia thanked. Fluttershy just nodded and slowly closed the door. As it squeaked shut, the princess suddenly had a surge of thoughts, one of which leading to an idea.
Actually... Celestia pondered, why wait, when I can scold Luna right now! With that (and a wide smile), the princess herself, disappeared in a burst of light.
*****
Twilight Sparkle jotted down a few notes in her notebook as she observed another of the moon's many craters. “Tell me again,” She said to princess Luna. “How did you make it so we could breathe on the moon? I didn't get to write it down last time.” Twilight asked, her eyes sparkling with the desire to learn everything about the moon, ready to write down Luna's answer.
“Well it's rather simple actually, I just-” Before Luna could finish her sentence, a blinding flash of light appeared, cutting her off mid-sentence. After the light died away, princess Celestia could be seen standing in it's previous spot. She looked towards princess Luna, ready to speak.
“You're coming with me!” She stated before teleporting away again, with Luna bound in her magic's grasp. Twilight just stood there dumbfounded, before snapping back to reality.
“Um... guys? Hello? What about me?” She yelled, but she never did get a response.
