Once Upon Another Time

Chapters

'Til I Hear You Sing
Look With Your Heart
Beneath A Moonless Sky
Dear Old Friend
The Beauty Underneath
Why Does She Love Me?
Devil Take The Hindmost
Love Never Dies
Bathing Beauty

'Til I Hear You Sing

Canterlot.

Glistening and glimmering in the moonlight, the capital of a land of miracles and marvels.

At least, that was what it seemed to Luna. In the short time since her return, she'd seen wonders and astonishments aplenty. Six mortals, wielding the Elements, rising bright, drenched with light, had saved her from her darkness and brought her into a new world.

And what a world it was, beckoning and shimmering like one of the dreams she stood watch over. Every day new magic and machines were being created, every fantasy set free that once would have been thought impossible. Marvels undreamt of since the dawn of creation brought glamours from afar, and the speed and sound and thrills sometimes threatened to overwhelm the ancient princess.

Still, she enjoyed all that this Equestria that had thrived without her had to offer, and always looked forward to the next spectacle, whether it was the defeat of a changeling army via the power of love, or Discord himself getting his comeuppance from the same mares who had saved her.

And yet...

"Enjoying the fresh air?"

Luna turned and glanced at the entrance to the balcony, where her sister was standing with a soft smile on her expression. "I'm told it is good for my constitution." She kept her tone neutral, not wanting to drive Celestia away, but also desiring solitude.

"It's good for contemplation too," the princess of the sun added, walking up to her side. "I do my best worrying up here." Her smile turned into a wry smirk.

"Do you doubt that Twilight Sparkle will be able to succeed in her quest?" Luna asked, tilting her head to the side.

"I have the utmost faith in my faithful student," Celestia replied before frowning. "But... Sombra was a powerful mage, and cunning besides. I fear that even in defeat he may find a way to harm the mares we owe so much to."

"If you wish her to walk the path which you have planned out, then it is a risk you must take," Luna said, firmly but not unkindly.

A sigh from Celestia. "I know. But that doesn't stop me from worrying." She glanced at Luna. "Worrying about all the ponies I care about."

Luna grunted, but didn't reply in words, and Celestia pressed on. "I don't think either of us was expecting the Empire to ever return. If Twilight can undo our failure, then there will be much rejoicing."

"She won't be there to see it, though." The words slipped out before Luna could stop them. She had always been worse at holding her tongue than her sister. Well, as they said in this new world, the cat had been let out of the bag, and there was no reason not to continue. "You saw how I was after she left."

"I did," Celestia replied softly. "I remember weeks passing, then months, then years. The seasons flew by, and you passed by them in a haze."

"She had a most wondrous singing voice." Luna's voice was equally soft, barely above a whisper. "A mare of many talents, she was, and sometimes, when I slumber, I dream that she is here with me, and wake holding naught but air."

"I'm sorry."

Luna snorted. "What have you to be sorry for, sister? She was the one who left me, who broke my heart and soul with nary a word. And now Radiant Hope is dead." It hurt to say the name out loud, but then, it always hurt to think of her. "As any mortal would be after a thousand years. She was not the first I have lost, and she shall not be the last."

"Some mortals haunt us longer than others." The sorrow in Celestia's words turned Luna's head, and she wished to know more, but not tonight. Tonight she had plenty of phantoms to plague her already.

"When I was on the moon, the part of me that was still sane wondered if she might have come back had I not given in to the darkness." Pain lanced her heart at the memory. "The Nightmare was always far too skilled at finding a pony's most vulnerable weakness. I was forced to remain trapped in that infernal prison while my love was taken away from me by the ravages of time."

"If I could go back and do it all over—" Celestia began to say, but Luna cut her off.

"Nay, you did what was right." She had caused enough pain already. No one else should have to suffer any guilt. "I must live with the consequences of my actions. Perhaps I shall never feel whole 'til I hear her sing again, 'til we make magic with one another once more, but that is my burden to bear. Not yours." A smile forced its way onto her lips. "Worry about your own student, and prepare the celebration for her triumphant return."

Celestia stared long and hard at Luna, and Luna made sure to hide her torment as best she could. Eventually, the other mare sighed, seeming to accept that she would get no more from the Princess of the Night at this time. "Very well. I'm headed to bed now. Good night, Luna."

"Good night, sister. Dream of happy things." As Luna would dream of the voice of Radiant Hope, the mare she'd once loved with all her heart.

Look With Your Heart

Luna ducked as a bolt of magic flew over her head, barely grazing her mane.

"You might as well just give up now," her assailant scoffed, blocking the counterspell thrown her way. "I already defeated your sister once. I doubt I'll have any issues taking out her lesser half."

Gritting her teeth, Luna fired off another spell to distract Chrysalis while she repositioned. "You are not fat with the love of Shining Armor this time, insect. I shall have no trouble in dispatching you."

"Ah, but you are distracted, hmm?" Chrysalis taunted as they continued their deadly dance in the heart of the Crystal Empire. "I can sense hatred inside you, like mouldy cheese or expired milk. But more than that, I can sense heartache." She smirked cruelly. "It's not directed at my partner in crime, but he is the source of it. How very interesting. I'll have to get the full story from Sombra after I deal with you."

"There is nothing to tell," Luna spat as she prepared to fire again.

"Oh, really?" Both of them were holding their magic now, waiting to see what the other would do. "See, love's a curious thing. It's so often disguised, and if you look the wrong way, you won't recognize it. But the heart, the heart never lies, and I'm good at reading hearts, and I trust what yours shows. Tell me, did Sombra kill your beloved, or did he prove a better lover than you? Why is it that your heart will never be right again?"

With a cry of rage, Luna charged forward, forgoing unicorn magic and making full use of her Earth Pony strength to ram through Chrysalis' magical barrier and knock her to the ground. The changeling queen's eyes widened in surprise, but she quickly rolled over and leapt back to her hooves, her smirk never fading.

"Oh, did I hit a nerve?" A grating laugh as Chrysalis charged up another spell. "My most sincere apologies."

"You made a grave mistake coming here." Shoring up all her power, Luna fired straight at Chrysalis, who returned in kind, a battle of raw strength that Luna poured all her rage into.

Meanwhile, the princess of the night was dimly aware that her sister was engaged in an equally ferocious battle with the newly-revived Sombra, and gave silent thanks that she didn't have to face that monster. If Chrysalis was able to get under her skin this easily, then she couldn't imagine what the stallion whom Luna had every reason to detest with every fibre of her being would do to her psyche.

"Sombra, it matters not how powerful you are. You are powered by hatred," she barely heard Celestia shout to her foe.

"That's not entirely true."

The world froze as the familiar voice called out into the battle. Luna nearly forgot to maintain her spell as she turned around to see a purple mare firing a spell right at Celestia. "Sister!" she called out, but was too late as her sister's magic was dispelled by a long-dead mare.

A maelstrom of emotions roared within her, and Luna channelled it all into her magic as she knocked Chrysalis to the ground before returning her attention to the sight at hoof.

Radiant Hope looked exactly the same as when Luna had last seen her.

Luna shook her head. No, that wasn't true; her body looked as young as it had ever been, but her eyes, those familiar, beautiful blue eyes, held the age of centuries within them, the same centuries that Luna had experienced. Joy burst through her chest at seeing her beloved once again, joy and confusion at how she was still among the living, but was quickly followed by sorrow and anger.

Ten years. Ten long years since Luna's return, and she had given not a single sign, had sent not a single word to inform her that she still lived. And now, as she stood before them, defending Sombra from Celestia, Luna felt the ultimate betrayal slice through her heart.

What a fool she'd been, to think that Radiant Hope would ever have chosen her over her beloved childhood friend. She'd fled from her, after all, fled with her heart, and she could hardly be surprised to see ancient history repeat itself once again.

"A little help over here!" Chrysalis shouted, long forgotten by Luna as Hope's eyes met hers.

Pain and regret flashed in her eyes, and hope bloomed in Luna's chest at the sight. Despite everything, memories of the past began to flash through the princess' mind as she remembered watching how Radiant Hope had risen like a star, showing talent and virtue in equal measure until she had captured Luna's heart. They had all travelled long, travelled far, to come to this place, and perhaps...

Perhaps if they looked with their hearts, then all would be right again.

"How I've longed for this revenge. Goodbye, princesses."

Dark magic tainted the air, and the last thing that Luna saw was abject horror on Radiant Hope's expression as the spell struck, and all became darkness.

Beneath A Moonless Sky

Night fell upon the Crystal Palace.

The Crystal Faire was still going strong, the sounds of drunken revelry echoing all the way up to the roof where Luna sat, staring up at the stars she'd put out tonight. The same stars she'd painted the skies with for millennia, on the same canvas that had looked down on them when...

She shook her head, clearing her thoughts. It was all over now. The day had been won, thanks to a change of heart by Sombra. After his victory, he had used the power of the Crystal Heart to banish the Umbrum at the cost of his own life. Such a noble sacrifice, one that had inspired such love that he'd been brought back and given a second chance as a normal stallion.

A normal stallion just as Radiant Hope was a normal mare. They were a storybook couple, and Luna wanted nothing more than to close the book on this chapter of her life.

"I should have known that you'd be here."

It seemed that fate was not done spinning its tale yet, however. Luna turned towards the sound of that familiar, wonderful voice, finding the object of her obsession standing by the staircase, pulling the brown cloak she wore tighter to keep out the cold up where they were.

For a moment, neither of them spoke. Then, Luna broke the silence between them, keeping her voice neutral and hiding the storm of emotions swirling within her soul. "Should you not be partaking in the festivities below?"

Radiant Hope snorted. "It's a little hard to enjoy it when I'm the one whose defeat they're celebrating."

That, at least, got a smile from Luna. "I know that sentiment far too well."

"I suppose you would." Another awkward pause. This time, it was Hope who spoke first. "I also wanted to speak with you. To apologize."

Luna's breath caught in her throat. "You and Sombra already apologized and were forgiven. It is not our pasts that define us, but how we choose to move forward." The words were practiced, rote, and completely irrelevant to what she knew Hope was truly referring to.

Her companion knew it too. "That's not what I wanted to apologize for."

"Oh?" It was petty of her to feign ignorance, but Luna wasn't feeling very charitable at the moment. "And what is it you wished to make amends for?"

"Luna, please..."

"Ten years," Luna hissed, the dam finally breaking. "For ten years I believed your death was our story's end, that your life was beyond recall. And now you've come back to invade my life, to side against me with him."

"I'm sorry." The contrition in Hope's voice almost broke Luna, but her anger remained strong. "I swear to you, I didn't return to this world until last year, and by then, the Umbrum had filled my head with lies."

"I'm sure it was easy enough for you to believe them." With a growl, Luna turned away from the mare she had once loved with all her heart. "After all, they promised you that your precious Sombra wasn't a monster."

Hope's eyes narrowed. "He isn't a monster. I know you're hurting, but that's no excuse to lash out at him."

Pettiness flared up in Luna at her words. "You are correct, of course," she said coolly. "It was not Sombra who caused me the gravest injury, in the end."

"No, it wasn't." The smaller mare walked up to her with a grim determination that made Luna tense. "This place, the home that I betrayed, it's from a different time. The same time you and I are from. A less... lenient time."

Radiant Hope bowed her head. "Name your penance for my sins."

The darkest parts of Luna whispered in her ear, tempting her to do her worst, to lash out and make Radiant Hope hurt as she had. "If you could only know the pain I'd known, then methinks you would not have made that offer so freely."

She stalked towards the unicorn, cold fire burning her soul with every step. "I remember that night as if it were yesterday. I knew you were going to leave, locked myself deep in the catacombs to mourn. And yet, you came and found where I hid."

To her credit, Hope's voice did not waver as she replied. "I strode to your side, to tell you I must go."

"And when I begged you not to, begged you to stay with me, you swore to me you would." Pain and betrayal ravaged her heart as Luna's voice was caught between a whisper and a shout. "And I believed you. Like a fool, I thought you would keep your word."

"I meant to." Tears brimmed in Hope's eyes, and Luna felt her own eyes water in kind. "Please, believe me when I say, I was yours that one brief night long ago. Beneath that moonless sky, when it was so dark that I couldn't see your face, yet gazed into your soul."

"As I gazed into yours," Luna replied. "And what I saw was pure and whole and suddenly, I felt no longer scared."

"And I felt no longer shy," Hope added.

"And then we kissed." Even now, the memories were fresh, raw, an unyielding, fiery presence in her mind. "And the world around us fell away. We were but two mares, with a need too urgent to deny. Nothing mattered then, except for you and I and the ravishing refrains you sang, which made me tremble even as I was brought to my knees again and then again."

They both shivered at the memory. "We said things we never dared to say." Hope shook her head. "Would that I had the courage to hold on to those words when I had awoken."

"I never had the comfort of saying good-bye," Luna whispered.

"I was ashamed," Hope admitted. "I felt as if I had betrayed him, and I was afraid. Afraid that if I looked into your eyes, those eyes so full of love, I would not have the conviction to do what I believed I must. I stood while you slept and whispered my good-bye, and slipped into the dark beneath that moonless sky."

"I loved you." Rage bubbled in Luna's heart once again at the confession. "I'd have followed anywhere you led. I woke to swear my love once again, and found you gone instead!"

"And that was why I had to leave under the cloak of night!" The words were shouted, hoarse, ringing with desperation. "I couldn't take you away from your people, and I had to find out for myself if my home could be restored! I thought you would move on!"

"I could never!" What madness had consumed her to even suggest such a thing? "You condemned me to an eternity of misery, of thinking you dead while I was trapped on the moon!"

"I'm sorry!" Hope sobbed. "Tell me what I must do to make this right!"

This time, when Luna approached and raised a hoof, Hope flinched. And in that subtle motion, Luna's heart was pierced anew. Radiant Hope was scared of her. That was not acceptable. "I want you to remember," she said softly, softly stroking her former lover's cheek. It was soft and warm, just as it had been all those years ago. "Remember that moonless night, when you were mine in every way.

"And when you leave with Sombra on your quest, when you spend the night with him beneath the stars, I want you to remember this."

Before she could regain her wits, Luna leaned in and captured Hope's lips with her own. And when Hope returned the kiss with a familiar fervor, Luna knew she'd chosen her vengeance well. Too well, perhaps, for now this memory would haunt her for the rest of her days.

"That is the price of my forgiveness." She turned away from the mare who had broken her heart and driven her soul to despair. "Now go, and return to your stallion, and never speak of this again."

Without another word, Hope left, leaving Luna alone in her silence once more.

A silence that would never again be broken by the singing of her Radiant beauty.

Dear Old Friend

"Sombra, Hope, how wonderful to see you two again!"

Celestia smiled serenely as the pair entered the throne room. Beside her, Luna kept up her own plastered smile as she regarded the couple, holding her silence for now. Sombra's gaze held no guile as he smiled back at the both of them, but Hope's eyes were fixed on the Sun Princess.

"Thank you, Celestia," Sombra said. His voice held a warmth that felt almost uncharacteristic when compared to his past. "We are indebted to you for lending us your time today."

"Think nothing of it," Luna cut in smoothly. "You two have worked tirelessly this past year to seek out the shards of Princess Amore, and we could do nothing less than lend our aid when you called."

Her voice forced Hope's attention towards her, and when their eyes met, there was a spark that flashed between them. Luna's heart fell at the sensation. She had been better, had almost driven the witty, fair, passionate mare from her mind after that night in the Crystal Empire, and now she had returned, and all those efforts had been for naught.

Ever since they had received the letter requesting an audience, Luna had been plagued with dreams of their time together. Of all the stories they had shared, music they had made, spells they had cast together. Of how they had grown from teacher and student to friends to lovers.

And of how Hope's disappearance had shattered her heart.

And now that she saw her again, after a year of absence, she found that same heart beating faster at the sight of the beautiful mare. As the sight of a one who had chosen the stallion standing beside her over the Princess of the Night.

And Harmony help her, it was all she could do to remain civil.

Celestia cleared her throat. "Yes, we are always happy to help out a dear old friend. I believe that in your letter you mentioned we were in possession of one of the shards?"

"We traced the shard that Sombra hid in Queen Solomare's Mines to a museum here in Canterlot," Hope explained. "We believe that it was then transferred to the Vaults after an incident where it displayed unexplained magical properties."

"Your research skills are as sharp as always," Luna said with an approving nod, playing the role of the mentor and friend. "In fact, I hear tell from my sister that you've nearly three-quarters of Amore's shards."

"Well, it turns out that recovering ancient artifacts is a lot easier when you're with the stallion who hid them in the first place." Hope shrugged and smiled at Sombra, and Luna noted an odd distance to the expression. "It's like trying to work backwards from an answer at that point, sort of like the time we had to decode Star Swirl's grimoire."

"'Twas most fortunate I recalled his casting of the Amniomorphic spell as a filly, else we would never have been able to decode his hornwriting." Despite everything, Luna smiled at the memory. "I have given him plenty of grief for it since his return, and if you should meet him in your travels I trust you will do the same."

"Oh, of course." The grin that Hope shot her was filled with her old mischievousness that Luna remembered all too well. "You know I wouldn't let a chance like that go to waste, Lakeseer."

Luna snorted. "Will a thousand years not suffice to wipe that incident from your mind?"

"Well, maybe next time you get drunk and try to perform Astral Divination you'll point the telescope at the sky instead of the lake and won't end up predicting a plague of toads descending on Castle Everfree." A snicker from the unicorn. "We ended up back at the Castle during our search and I can still see the chisel marks from where you tried to install the roof shields."

"It was a powerful lesson in not challenging a dragon to a drinking competition," Luna admitted. "At the very least, the view from the top of the East Tower was pretty enough."

"The stars really were quite beautiful once we got the telescope pointing in the right direction," Hope agreed.

A gruff clearing of the throat brought the former couple's attention back to the stallion in the room. "Perhaps we could continue this discussion on the way to the Vaults?" Sombra suggested politely.

His words were like ice water crashing over Luna, reminding her that they lived in the present, where Hope was not her beloved. "Ah, yes," she said, chastised. "Unfortunately, only one pony besides myself or my sister may be present past the wards within, as a security precaution. Furthermore, only one of the princesses may be inside as well."

"I know a tracking spell that can detect the shard," Hope quickly said, not looking at Luna. "I can go with Celestia and confirm its location."

"That would be acceptable," Celestia said, and Luna was thankful for the opportunity to deal with her hurt in silence. To have bantered so easily with Hope, and then to be rejected so quickly afterwards, it was all too much for her. Celestia had always been better at managing emotions and remaining stoic.

"I'll be back soon," Hope said, smiling at Sombra. Sombra leaned in to nuzzle her, and Luna noticed the way she tensed, filing the observation away to mull on at a later time.

"I shall wait for you as you've waited for me," the former tyrant said in response.

With that, former student and teacher departed out the back, leaving Luna alone with Sombra and the knowledge that their last meeting had involved him trying to kill her. It was admittedly hard to find a conversation topic for idle chatter with that particular elephant in the room.

Fortunately, Sombra was the first to break the silence. "I take it you knew her well, in the times before?"

Luna eyed him curiously. "I was her teacher, and her friend besides," she said carefully. "She was a wonderful student, and a boon companion."

"I see. You seemed very familiar just now." There was something in Sombra's voice that Luna couldn't pin down. Suspicion, perhaps? "Hope rarely mentions you, so I was surprised that you seemed closer to her than Celestia did."

Luna wasn't sure whether to laugh or cry at that. "Oh? Does she speak much of her time here in Canterlot?"

Sombra shook his head. "Honestly, she is not a very talkative mare these days." A rueful smile graced his expression. "I suppose we all change with time. Though, you wouldn't know it from the way she spoke with you just now."

"We had many a good memories in our time together." A thought crept into Luna's own mind. A hope that she dared not give word to. "We became quite close, though not as close as the two of you are, of course."

"Of course." Again, that same hesitation from Sombra that she had seen in Hope. "Though, I suppose I should have expected it to take some time for us to return to what we once were."

"It has been many years for her," Luna said. "She has had longer to change than either of us, as she was not locked away or trapped in stasis during the intervening years."

"You make a good point. Perhaps soon she will—" Sombra cut himself off. "Forgive me. I shouldn't be talking about my relationship troubles like this. It's not proper, not even in this modern era we find ourselves in."

"Do not fret, I am often the ones ponies come to with matters of the heart." A wry grin played at Luna's lips. "Though, in this age they have my niece to pester as well."

"Yes, it is always better to have somepony else to share a burden." Love danced in Sombra's eyes as he spoke. "I am blessed to have Hope with me in this quest, no matter that she seems more friend than lover to me."

"That you are." Luna's response garnered her a curious stare from Sombra, but he seemed to shrug it off easily enough.

"Enough of such maudlin matters," he said instead. "I have a question I've been meaning to ask you for quite some time now. Hope and I have both been trained under the Umbrum, and I have always wondered about how the sources of our shadow magics differ."

Despite her curiosity, Luna allowed the conversation to shift. "Ah, that is a rather subtle topic," she said, her mind already shifting to a scholar's view. "Are you familiar with the current theories regarding the location of a pony's wellspring?"

"I have a passing knowledge of them," Sombra admitted.

"Ah, then I should begin with a short primer on the topic. You see..."

The next ten minutes passed by in pleasant academic discussion, though Luna's mind was only partially focused on the conversation. The rest of her was busy mulling over Sombra's words, and what they had revealed to her.

The hope that had sparked within her now burned brightly, and when Radiant Hope returned with Celestia, Luna couldn't help but grin widely at the both of them.

"We have returned," Celestia announced rather redundantly.

"So you have," Luna replied. "Did you find that which you seek?"

Hope's horn glowed, and a jagged pink shard of crystal appeared before her. It was shaped like a heart and pulsed with ambient Love Magic that tugged at Luna's mind. "That is most wonderful," Luna said with an approving nod. "And you are sure that this is a shard of Princess Amore?"

"Very sure." Hope seemed oddly tense, her reply short and a frown on her expression. "Now if you'll excuse us, we need to get going."

"You've just arrived, though," Celestia protested, and Luna felt her heart both flutter and ache at the unicorn's desire to be away from her. Which reaction spoke true would depend on her reason for leaving.

"I'd like to get this quest done as soon as possible," Hope replied. "We'll be sure to come visit afterwards."

"We shall hold you to that promise," Luna said, and once again, Hope looked uncomfortable at her presence.

Sombra walked up to Hope and turned to the princesses. "I thank you for the aid you have given us, Your Majesties."

"It was no trouble at all," Celestia replied smoothly. "Take care, both of you, and I pray you find what you desire soon." There was a hidden weight in her words, one that Luna could not divine the meaning of. That was no matter, though; Luna could unravel her sister's machinations at a later time.

"Yes, we wish you both the best, and do not hesitate to reach out to us if need be." There. Something safe and banal, to bring this charade to a close.

"We'll keep that in mind," Hope promised.

"May your reigns last eternal." The slightly archaic farewell from Sombra marked the end of the audience, and the pair took their leave.

"Well, that was interesting," Celestia said afterwards. "How did you chat with Sombra go?"

"Interestingly," Luna replied with as much mystery as she could manage. "I have much to think on."

"I see." Celestia smiled. "Well, I do have a meeting I need to get to. I'll see you later?"

"Of course. Take care, dear sister." They shared a quick nuzzle. "I shall away to bed now. It is far too early for me to be awake, but rest assured I shall be there to raise the moon and fulfill my duties as Warden of Dreams." And there was one dream in particular she was very interested in seeing tonight.

Tonight, Luna would know the truth of Radiant Hope's heart, and know if love truly ever died.

The Beauty Underneath

An endless tapestry of lights spread out before Luna as she passed through the veil between Reality and Dreams and entered the realm she had been entrusted to keep watch over. Dream after dream pulsed with magic, calling out to her. Some were peaceful and pleasant, and required no interference from her. Others were troubled, roiling with uncertainty and fear, but Luna knew from a glance that they would sort themselves out in time.

A select few she marked for closer inspection, but those were not urgently in need of a warden. Luna continued to filter through the sea of fantasies until she found the one that called out to her most strongly.

Hope's dreams were shrouded in darkness, and Luna could not divine their contents from the outside. Still, she could see that all was not well, and with practiced ease, she slid herself into the dream, ready to fulfill her duty.

She emerged in an empty field surrounded by trees, lit by a crescent moon and a sky full of stars. Luna's breath caught in her throat as she beheld Radiant Hope lying on the grass, next to another mare.

Herself.

The Dream Luna nuzzled Hope in a gesture that the true Luna remembered from their final night together. And when Hope nuzzled her back, both Lunas smiled widely. Hope and the other Luna whispered into each other's ears, and the real Luna couldn't hear what they said, but the way Hope smiled, and the love that shone in her eyes, confirmed what Luna had suspected earlier that day in the throne room.

Then, to her surprise, she saw the unicorn mare frown. The dream Luna froze, becoming alike a statue, and Hope stared right at where Luna had hidden herself behind the foliage of the trees surrounding the clearing.

"Hello, Dreamwalker." At Hope's words, the leaves separating them melted away, leaving the true Luna exposed before the mare who still possessed her heart. "You do realize that I learned this realm's magic from you, right?"

A blush painted Luna's cheeks red. "In truth, I had forgotten," she admitted, feeling very much the chastised child.

Hope smiled. "Honestly, I was wondering how long it would take before you appeared."

"Oh?" Luna's head tilted in confusion. "Were you expecting me?"

"I— not exactly." A similar blush now tinged Hope's cheeks, colouring it a lovely shade of red. "I thought— I didn't know what to think, really, after our last meeting." The words were rushed, unfiltered, just the way Luna liked them. "Well, I know what I was thinking about a lot afterwards. You."

"Me?" Despite everything, Luna's heart still skipped a beat at the admission.

"Your revenge worked," Hope said wryly. "I remembered our time together too well, and no matter how hard I tried to focus on other things, it kept coming back to the time we spent together. I'd hoped that seeing you again would help me put these thoughts to rest, to prove to me that you didn't have any feelings for me anymore, but instead, it was just like old times. And then Celestia told me that you weren't over me yet, and I knew we'd be seeing each other again tonight."

"So 'tis true, then." Excitement bubbled up in Luna as she spoke. "I could scarce dare to even hope, but you feel that yearning too, no?"

"I do." The admission was ripped out of Hope in a hoarse whisper. "It kills me, Luna. Sombra was my first love, but I— I can't. I still love him, but it's not the same. Something inside of me hungers for more, hungers for this." She gestured at the dreamscape around them.

Luna took a step towards Hope, and in the way of dreams, appeared right in front of her, so close she could feel the warmth of the other mare. "He knew you when you were but a child, but I—" Luna leaned in, her words low and sultry. "I watched you bloom into the mare you are now. I watched as you learned to appreciate the beauty of the night."

She circled around Hope slowly, letting her see her in all her glory. "When you told us you were going away with him, I feared that you would return to who you once were. Return to being that child playing pretend with her friend. But now I am here with you, and I can see that same hunger that first drew us together." Hope's eyes widened as Luna stopped and captured her attention in her gaze. "Tell me, dear one, do you still yearn to go, past the world you think you know?"

Channelling the powers granted to her as the Warden of Dreams, Luna twisted the stars in the sky from a generic smattering of lights into a kaleidoscopic tapestry of patterns that shifted and danced and sang out into the night. As Hope glanced upwards in wonder, Luna whispered into her ear. "Are you still enthralled by the call of the beauty underneath?"

"Yes." The word was breathed out so softly that Luna almost missed it, but she could not mistaken the passion in Hope's voice for anything else. "I've tasted darkness and walked in light, and time and time again I find myself drawn back into the shadows, no matter how much I try to escape it."

The world shifted around them, shattering into a million shards of crystallized colours that spun around them in blinding circles, each one humming their own song that resonated deep within Luna's heart.

This was Hope's doing, she knew. Her former student had remembered her lessons well, could warp the dreamscape however she wished, and right now, she was using it to create a spectacle unlike anything seen in the waking world.

"There is music in my head," Hope said, weaving and spinning and dazzling Luna with her skill. "And I'm tired of resisting its call."

"Don't," Luna said, her heart soaring as she wove her own magic into Hope's, adding shadows and lights into this play of passions Hope was conducting. "Follow where it leads, and let it fill your every sense."

They were floating now. At some point, the ground had given way, dissolved into nothing. Luna looked down and saw the infinite abyss below, threatening to swallow them both whole.

And yet, Luna knew that would never happen. They were both far too powerful for this realm's fears to control them.

Slowly, they drew closer to one another. Luna could see how soft Hope's coat was, see the fire dancing in her brilliant blue eyes, and she knew what she had to do.

"Let me give you a taste of the beauty underneath."

There was no time to think, to second-guess her decision. Luna's lips descended on Hope's, and the music of the spheres reached a crescendo as their desires fed into the dreamscape, setting it ablaze with fire that could not harm them.

Luna closed her eyes and gave herself over to the music, and the taste of Hope on her tongue.

When they parted once again, Luna saw the aching need within her soul echoed in the wild look on Radiant Hope's expression.

"We shouldn't have done that," Hope said breathlessly, the music quieting for a moment.

"No, we shouldn't have," Luna agreed. "Shall we do it again?"

Hope nodded, and leaned in once again. This time, their song reached its climax, and even without looking, Luna knew they had created art that no brush or pen or plucked string could ever hope to compare to.

"You always did have a way of pushing me out of my comfort zone," Hope murmured after the second kiss ended.

"And you always accepted my night," Luna murmured back. "Nay, you embraced its splendour and glory with your soul entire. That is what I loved most about you, my most faithful student."

"You taught me many things," Hope said as she nuzzled Luna lightly, a gesture that made Luna tense with pleasure and surprise. "Including when to follow my heart." She frowned. "I still love him, though, and I have to see this quest through to the end with him."

"I know," Luna replied. All around them, the world was starting to return to normal, but even as the field reformed itself before their eyes, Luna could still hear the echo of their song playing out in the infinite cosmos of the dream realm. Perhaps it would find its way into another dream, to inspire the passion and courage of the dreamer as it had for them.

"I need— I need to think." A desperate gleam sparkled in Hope's eyes as she looked up at Luna. "Will you still be here tomorrow, in my dreams?"

"Always," Luna promised, and she meant it. "So long as you swear never to run from me again."

"I can't promise I'll always stay with you," Hope said. "Sombra's hold on my heart cannot be denied, and I would not want to deny it either. But I'll be there tomorrow, and I won't be that cowardly little filly who vanished in the night ever again."

"Very well." Luna reached out, and they shared a quick hug. It felt so good to hold onto her again, and she never wanted to let go. "Until tomorrow."

With a regretful sigh, she allowed her magic to dissipate, fading away from the dream with only the taste of Hope on her tongue and the tingling of her fur where they had embraced to remember her by.

It would have to be enough to keep her whole until she could hear her beloved sing once again.

Why Does She Love Me?

"Phew, that was a close one," Hope said as she slipped the next shard into her saddlebag. Behind her, Sombra could see the entrance to the Stone City collapsing into a pile of rubble, sealing the secrets within off from the world. "Good thing we remembered that Celestia's name used to be spelled with two A's for the puzzle, huh?"

"Quite," Sombra replied, raising his hoof to wipe off the dust in his mane. "These leap of faith trails are becoming rather tedious, however."

A shrug from Hope. "I guess they're easy to build if you don't have access to complicated magic."

"Regardless, I will be quite happy if we never have to delve into another booby-trapped ruin ever again." Sombra eyed the tent they'd set up about a quarter-mile away, and then at the setting Sun, already kissing the horizon and signalling nightfall. "It looks like we'll have to spend another night out here."

"Sounds good to me." They trotted back towards their temporary encampment. When they arrived, they threw a few more branches of kindling on the campfire to keep it alive.

"Only two more shards left," Hope commented as she pulled out the oatcakes in their trunk and floated them over the fire. "It's going to be so nice to have Princess Amore back. Also, I'm never going camping again after all this."

"Absolutely," Sombra said. "I do hope I had the foresight to hide the next shard somewhere that a city would later be founded on."

"When this is over I'm finding a spa and staying there for a week," Hope promised. She gave one of the oatcakes to Sombra and bit into the other. "Ugh, you'd think they'd have found a way to make these taste better after a thousand years."

"Once I have access to a kitchen I will cook you something worthy of your palate." And worthy of his own, Sombra mentally added as he winced at the bland flavour of their dinner.

"That would be nice." Hope smiled. "I haven't had a chance to enjoy your cooking since before everything."

"You'll be able to experience it as much as you want once we find a place to settle down."

At those words, Sombra saw Hope tense, and his own good mood evaporated. He'd made the mistake of mentioning the future he'd envisioned for them, and now Hope was going to be reserved and distant with him all night.

"I guess I will." And there it was. That infuriating noncommittal response.

Sombra grit his teeth, and considered holding his tongue, but they were so close to the end now. This couldn't go on. "You know, you don't have to stay with me after we finish this quest." He paused. "In fact, I wouldn't want you to feel compelled to accompany me out of some sense of duty." At last, he had said it. Let Hope choose which bed she wished to lie in.

"I'm not just here out of duty," Hope replied, her eyes narrowing. "I want to help you, and I like spending time with you."

"Do you?" Sombra pressed. "I'm not blind, you know. I know there's something between us that's keeping us apart."

"It— It's complicated." Hope bowed her head in shame. "I'm sorry. I do love you, Sombra, and you make me happy and we work very well together. But... I need time."

Sombra snorted. "It has been over a year. I know it's nothing compared to the thousand you spent without me, but I miss the way we used to be."

"I miss it too," Hope whispered. She leaned in and gave Sombra a chaste kiss against the cheek, and Sombra hated how such a small gesture made him feel so warm. They should have been far beyond this point already. "Let's just finish finding all the shards first, okay? One problem at a time."

"Very well." This couldn't go on much longer. Hope might have been willing to wait a millennium for her, but he wasn't quite so patient. "Shall we retire for the night, then? It would be best if we rose early tomorrow for our journey back to Vanhoover."

"Sure." Obvious relief showed on Hope's face as she headed towards the tent, Sombra following close behind. "Good night, my love."

"Good night, dear." The day had been taxing, and Hope fell asleep almost as soon as her head hit the pillow. Sombra was equally as tired, but the turmoil in his heart kept him from sleeping, as fears of the future plagued him.

He could feel Hope drifting away from him. No, that wasn't quite true. They were wonderful friends, and clearly felt something more for one another, but every time Sombra wanted to take any of the next steps in their relationship, it felt like he had to drag Hope along, and that took his mind back to a dark place which he was trying to move on from.

He couldn't keep doing this, couldn't keep being more invested in their relationship than she was. Something was keeping her heart from him, and he had to determine what it was before it was too late.

As his thoughts continued to wander, he felt a tingle against his horn. He looked down at the sleeping Hope, and frowned as he saw the magic surrounding her.

So, that was what he'd be missing.

Sombra's eyes narrowed as his mind shifted to an old, familiar place. One of tactics and cunning as plans began to form.

One way or another, Hope would be with her true love.

Devil Take The Hindmost

It was a closely-guarded secret that Luna enjoyed spending time in bars. Not the most dignified hobby for a princess, but a place of vice and long nights suited her preferences quite well.

Right now, she was sipping from something resembling beer while disguised as a unicorn named Starry Night, one of the many aliases she used when indulging in her nighttime excursions. Today had been a trial for the less-social Royal Sister, with her having been forced to travel to Manehattan for the opening of some new hospital or other.

The event had gone as planned, but Luna was tired of having to smile for the cameras, and had retreated to a local dive bar as soon as she'd been able to divest herself of her entourage. Unfortunately, it was still evening, so her favourite source of stress relief wouldn't be asleep yet, so Luna would have to settle for soft jazz and cheap alcohol until she could enter the dreams of her beloved once again.

Luna smiled at the thought. Ever since that first dream with Hope, she'd spent at least a couple of nights each week sharing her domain with the beautiful unicorn. They'd made music and love under skies filled with impossible constellations, and discussed the magic of the night in an endless void of pure creation.

Hope's passion was truly a wonder to behold, and Luna felt blessed to be able to witness and guide it to create worlds of splendour and glory. She could not wait to see what her beloved would dazzle her with tonight.

"This place seems a touch plebian for a princess, don't you think?"

Luna's heart skipped a beat as she recognized Sombra's voice behind her. If the former tyrant was here, then that meant...

"Hello, Sombra," Luna said politely, trying not to let her excitement show. "It is good to see you again. Is Hope here as well?" She had to resist the urge to peek around him and stare at the entrance for the mare of her dreams to walk in.

"She's back at our hotel," Sombra replied. "After spending all day out and about, she wanted to get some rest, and I told her I was going out for a drink."

"And you happened to choose the very same bar I was patronizing while in my disguise." Luna's eyes narrowed. "How serendipitous."

To his credit, Sombra didn't even flinch. "I may no longer be an Umbrum, but I still know a thing or two about tracking shadows, Your Majesty. Hope thinks we're here because I hid the last shard by the docks, but I chose this location because I knew you would be visiting."

"If you needed my help, you could have just come to Canterlot or written a letter." Something was odd, and as much as Luna believed that Sombra was reformed, she also knew that reformation didn't change a pony's cunning or wiles. "We would have been happy to provide whatever aid you needed."

"Even if that aid involved staying away from my marefriend?"

Ah, there it was. "She told you?" Luna asked, mildly surprised. She knew the deception hadn't sat well with Hope, but there hadn't been any indication in their last meeting that she was about to reveal the truth to him.

"No." Pain flashed in Sombra's eyes. A pain that Luna knew all too well. "But, as I said, I'm familiar with the magic that thrives in darkness. Including the magic of dreams. I could sense that somepony was connecting to her in the dream realm, and the pieces fell into place quickly enough afterwards."

"I see." This had not been something Luna had foreseen. She had no idea how to respond to being confronted by her lover's coltfriend.

"In our time, I would have challenged you to a duel to the death for daring to try to steal my mare away, but it's not as if I have a chance of besting you in single combat." Sombra sighed, and the sadness in the sound made Luna's own heart ache in sympathy. "So I suppose we'll have to settle this with words."

He looked her straight in the eyes, with an intensity that took even Luna aback. "Do you love her?"

"Yes." There was no need to even think about the answer.

Sombra turned away with a sigh. "That makes this much more complicated, then. Part of me hoped that you were simply some rake toying with her heart for your own amusement. It would be easier to hate you if that were true."

"And I would like nothing more than for you to be the same creature of darkness who enslaved an Empire and banished it for a thousand years," Luna replied. "It seems we are both to be disappointed tonight."

"Perhaps," Sombra said. "You know this cannot continue, yes? I can see that Hope is troubled by her divided heart."

"I know. It pains me to see the turmoil within her when we talk of the future." Luna's lips quirked upwards in a humourless smile. "Perhaps it is our fate to hurt the ones we love."

"I don't believe in fate," was the immediate response from Sombra. "Fate decreed that I would be a monster, and Hope a princess." His eyes narrowed. "And now neither of those destinies shall come to pass."

"Ah, but you were once a monster, as I once was," Luna countered. "And who is to say what Hope's future has in store for her? She will do many great things, I know."

"In that we are agreed." There was a pause before Sombra spoke again. "You know, I came into this place with righteous fury, hoping to use my cunning to defeat a vile foe. Instead, I find a kindred soul in more ways than one. If Hope truly does not see a future with me, then I suppose you aren't the worst she could settle for."

The admission gave Luna pause, but she quickly recovered. "And yet, though she claims I possess her heart, she refuses to stay with me outside of the realm of dreams. I may claim her soul, but not her body."

"Funny, I was going to say the same thing."

The utter absurdity of the situation made Luna snort as she tried to hold back a laugh, and she saw Sombra's lips curve into a sincere smile that looked at odds with the first time they'd met on the battlefield.

"I think we would have been good friends in another life," she finally said, a twinge of regret echoing in her heart at what might have been.

"It would have been an honour to be your friend," Sombra agreed. "Still, we have business to attend to. The most important business of all, really. We both know the current state of affairs cannot continue, not when it's hurting all three of us."

"What do you propose, then?" Suspicion returned quickly as Luna marshalled her wits, remembering how wily her opponent could be. She stood up from her chair, the rest of the world fading from her focus.

"Tell me, princess, are you a gambling mare?" Sombra took a step closer, determination blazing in his eyes.

"I've been known to dabble," Luna replied.

"In that case, shall we two make a bet?" They were practically dancing around each other now, stepping back and forth and trying to take the measure of the other.

This was not the time to show weakness. "Call the stakes."

"Let Hope choose tomorrow if she is yours or mine." Another step, taking them closer to one another. "I know the location of the last two shards. Each of us will hunt for one."

"Then the one she follows will claim her heart?"

"Exactly." Sombra's grin turned wry. "And the other will disappear from her life, never to trouble her again, and ensuring that she will not be tempted to stray. Devil take the hindmost."

"Very well." Luna extended out a hoof towards him. "I'll gladly roll the dice. Devil take the hindmost."

They shook, sealing their wager.

"We're agreed, then," Sombra said as they released one another. "May the best pony win. Now, if you'll excuse me, I must stack the deck in my favour, as I'm sure you're planning to do as well."

"Naturally." Luna bowed her head respectfully at her foe. "Until tomorrow, Sombra."

She kept her confident demeanour up until he had left the bar, and then sagged back down onto her seat. "By Harmony, what have I done?" she whispered to herself. It was too late for regrets, though, and she knew it.

Tomorrow, Hope would make her choice, and all would be revealed.

Love Never Dies

This trip to Manehattan had been most peculiar for Radiant Hope.

They had arrived in the city in the afternoon, and instead of checking out the library first, Sombra had insisted that they see the sights, and had thoroughly exhausted her hitting as many tourist attractions as they could before taking her to dinner and then to their hotel room.

Then, he had disappeared, which he almost never did. Sombra had always been the one to want to stay in, while Hope's discomfort usually led her to make excuses to take a nighttime walk away from him.

A couple of hours later, he had returned, smelling faintly of alcohol, though she smelled none of it on his breath. He had also been in a nostalgic mood, and they'd talked late into the night about all the wonderful adventures they'd had, both as children and in the past year. Looking back on their journey, Hope had been forced to admit that she'd grown comfortable with Sombra when he wasn't trying to push her about their future or their relationship.

He made her laugh, and humoured her diversions while they were travelling, and he could be as studious as any academic in the library, providing her with valuable insights into finding the shards. They worked well together, and he made her happy, and by the end of the night, Hope found herself peacefully drifting off in his embrace, knowing he would keep her safe from harm.

And then she'd met Luna in her dreams.

Her heart ached with guilt over lying to Sombra, but she still couldn't explain her attraction to the Lunar Princess in words. Their shared dream had been exciting and passionate and filled with wonders beyond imagination created by both of them, in a symphony of blended art on a canvas that no mortal had ever been blessed with painting on before.

Luna made her heart beat wildly and her spirits soar with excitement, and Hope couldn't wait for their next meeting. And yet, there had been a weight to her oneiric lover tonight.

There were always moments when Luna's age shone through in her eyes and voice, but today those flashes of time had seemed much more common, and when they'd rest their voices from singing to talk, she'd brought up their past as well, reflecting on the times they'd shared with a certain finality that scared Hope.

Something was up, and she was going to get the bottom of it, Hope decided. After finishing the breakfast in bed that Sombra had kindly ordered for her, of course.

"Thank you," she said warmly as she ate the last piece of toast, washing it down with a nice glass of orange juice. "That was wonderful."

"I'm glad you enjoyed it." Nervousness was obvious in Sombra's expression as he forced a smile for her, and Hope's unease grew. "I hope I'll have the chance to do this for you again and again, for the rest of your life."

"O-Okay?" Hope tilted her head in confusion. "Sombra, is there something you wish to tell me?"

"Yes," Sombra replied. "But not yet. I'm waiting on somepony first." As if on cue, there was a knock at the door. "Ah, there she is."

Even more confused, Hope quickly got up and freshened herself up with a spell as Sombra walked over to the entrance. She made sure she was presentable right before it opened to reveal—

"Luna?" Was she still dreaming? Hope did a quick magical scan of herself to confirm that she was standing in the waking world. What was she doing here? Why had Sombra been expecting her to show up at their hotel room?

"Hello, Sombra, Hope." Luna gave both of them a polite nod before stepping inside. "I trust I am not too early?"

"Too early for what?" Panic began to claw at Hope. How much did Sombra know?

"For us to share the good news," Sombra cut in, and there was an uncurrent of anger in his voice that smothered the room in tension. "I've discovered the location of the last two shards of Princess Amore."

Hope smiled cautiously. "That's wonderful!" she said, still trying to puzzle out the reason for Luna's presence. "And what does that have to do with the princess?"

"I met her last night while I was out," Sombra explained. "Princess Luna has generously offered to track down one of the shards while I search for the other." His words were careful and measured, and Hope knew without a doubt that he had used "I" instead of "we" on purpose.

It wasn't hard to put the rest of the pieces together. "How long have you known?" she asked flatly. To her surprise, she mostly felt relieved at having her deception revealed.

"Since the City of Stone," Sombra replied.

"And you hid that knowledge from me for weeks?" Hope demanded, indignant at having suffered for so long unnecessarily.

Sombra raised an eyebrow. "Are you really going to call me out for lying to you?"

At that, Hope sighed, deflating. "You're right," she said. "I'm sorry. There's no excuse for what I did."

"I forgive you," Sombra replied without hesitation, and Hope glanced at him in surprise.

"Really, just like that?"

Sombra smiled. "Compared to the sins you've forgiven me for, this seems like the least I could do in return. You're a good pony, Hope, and I just want you to be happy. With me."

"I too desire to grant you a happy and fulfilling life with myself," Luna added, stepping forwards until she was standing beside Sombra. "Come with me, and let us live out all of our dreams together."

Hope rubbed the space between her eyes with her hoof, feeling a headache begin to form. "What in the hay happened last night?"

The pair glanced between one another before Luna spoke. "Sombra found me in a bar, and confronted me about our affair. We agreed that it would be best if we stopped trying to tear your heart into twain, for we both knew how much it pained you."

"Whichever one of us you choose, we'll respect your decision, and you won't have to worry about the other trying to tempt you anymore." Sombra's smile held the same finality that Hope had seen in Luna last night, and now the oddness of the past day made much more sense.

Hope's eyes narrowed. "And what exactly does that mean?" she asked, knowing both ponies well enough to hazard a dark guess.

"The one you do not choose will not trouble you after today," Luna cut in smoothly. "In time, the love you held for them will die, and you can live a happy life with your true love."

Laughter bubbled up in Hope's chest, and when she let it out, it bordered on hysteria as she stared at the two ponies who possessed her heart. "T-That's not how love works," she gasped out as best she could, shaking her head. "Y-You can't just leave and expect me to just forget about one of you."

She took a moment to compose herself before continuing. "Love never dies," she explained. "You two should know that as well as anypony. You can try to deny it, to protest the hold it has on your heart, but love never lets you go once you've been possessed."

With a heart filled with love, Hope stepped forward and cupped Sombra's chin with a hoof. "Who knows where love begins? For us, it was like one day it was simply there. We were such good friends that love simply slipped into our souls, bringing us even closer together as our simple childhood games became something more."

Releasing her oldest friend and first love, she turned to caress the muzzle of her second. "My love for you took me completely by surprise, and when it did, it seized full control of my thoughts. I submitted to it, surrendered myself to you, and love forced me to feel more joy than I could bear. Yet, I wouldn't have had it any other way."

She stepped back, drinking both of them in with her eyes. "Love endures, through despair and pain. Through broken hearts and betrayal. It lives on in all of us, and we cannot deny it so easily. Not that I would want us to. Both of you have made me so happy."

"What do you propose, then?" Luna asked, tears welling in her eyes. Beside her, Hope could see Sombra with the same reaction, and felt her own eyes begin to water as well.

"Love never dies," Hope said, "but it can change. My love for both of you didn't start like this, and it doesn't need to end like this either. I've hurt all of us by trying to hold on to my passion for you both, and you're right that this has to stop.

"But no matter what my decision is, I want to reach a place where I can love both of you in different ways, and that won't happen if someone decides to do the noble sacrificing thing that you both love so much."

"That sounds nice," Sombra said. "Truth be told, Luna seems like a fun mare to hang out with, her habit of seducing my marefriend aside."

"And you understand me better than most ponies," Luna replied. "I would not be unhappy if we were to all become friends eventually."

The sight of her two lovers getting along warmed Hope's heart. "I'm so glad to hear that. I love you both, and I've waited a thousand years to be able to embrace that part of me and live the life I've always wanted. Now it's time for me to commit fully to my happiness."

Hope looked at the two most important ponies in her life. Her childhood friend, who had stood by her side and helped her grow into the mare she was now, whom she has waited a thousand years to be with, but who had changed — or perhaps it was she who had changed? Still, he was kind, and loyal, and he made her happy, and Hope could see their future as clear as crystal, living out the rest of their days in quiet solitude and peaceful happiness. The kind of happily ever after that most ponies could only dream of.

And then there was Luna, who promised her a dark passion beyond anything that could be dreamt of or imagined, a fire that would consume her soul and lead her to an uncertain future, yet one filled with so much promise that her very soul salivated at the temptations being offered to her.

It was an impossible choice, but Hope had done the impossible before, and now, she would do it again. When she searched her heart, she knew which song called out louder, and she allowed herself to be seduced by it, just as she had so many years ago.

With love filling her heart, Hope made her choice.

Bathing Beauty

The water was warm as it splashed across Hope's belly.

The unicorn mare was sprawled on the sand, taking shelter from the hot sun under a large umbrella. It was a perfect day for a trip to the beach, and the only thing that could make it better was...

"One glass of crystal berry juice, as you requested."

Hope took the proffered drink with her magic. "Thanks," she said to her beloved before patting at the ground beside her with a hoof. "C'mon, there's plenty of shade for the both of us."

Soon enough, she was snuggled up and watching the soft waves crash against the shores, enjoying this moment of peace and serenity. "This is the life," Hope said. "I wish we could do this every day, but I guess even after we get that last shard it isn't in the cards for us."

"Unfortunately, no," her companion replied. "I have my duties to attend to, and once we return to Canterlot, you will have your own studies to continue."

Hope groaned. "Can't believe that my epic quest to revive a lost princess would turn out to be the vacation. At least we can still relax in our dreams, right? Those are better than this, anyways."

"Of course." Luna nuzzled her, and Hope sighed in contentment at the sensation.

"It's really going to be over tomorrow, huh?" Hope asked, returning the gesture.

"Aye," Luna replied. "You have worked hard this past year, and will have a hero's welcome when we return to Canterlot."

"I didn't do it alone, though." Hope sighed, as she often did now when she thought of the one she'd spent this adventure with. "I hope Sombra's doing okay in Griffonstone. And I hope that having a little bit of distance will help him get over me."

"These things take time," Luna said sympathetically. "As you said, love never dies, and while it can change, that is often not an easy process."

"I know." Hope took another sip from her glass. "I just wish there was something I could do."

"Hmm, perhaps there is nothing for you to do." Glancing up, Hope saw a calculating expression on Luna's muzzle. "But I may have an idea. If Sombra could find love again with somepony else, somepony who had once loved another version of him, it would go a long way towards ameliorating his feelings for you, and you for him."

Hope smiled. "That would mean a lot for me if you could help him."

"I am always happy to have the opportunity to play the matchmaker," Luna said. "Especially now that I have found my own perfect match. Once upon another time, I had a taste of joy, and I thought I had lost it all, but now I have you again, and our story has only just begun."

"Aww." They kissed, and this time, when Hope sighed, it was with contentment. "How about we continue our story back in our hotel room? I'll race you there!"

And so, laughing with the joy of an undying love, Hope turned the page of the book of her life, and set out on her next adventure.