Don’t Worry, I’ll Be There to Catch You
The soft clink of golden horseshoes echoed throughout the halls. A wonderful smell wafted through the air, making every early rising pony’s mouth water. Round fluffy cakes, sugary golden syrup, and sweet fresh delectable berries, all topped with a dollop of cool whipped cream created the perfect combination to start the day. A warm bountiful stack of pancakes floated in a sparkling magical aura. A white alicorn, slender legs, majestic wings, and a glorious sun cutie mark, was making her way towards her sister’s room. It was a wonderful morning, though still early since the sun still wasn’t up. Celestia had decided to get an early start to her day, making her signature pancakes. In a fit of inspiration, she had thought of the brilliant idea to deliver food to Luna. Her sister was most likely tired from her shift and looking forward to some rest.
“Oh, I hope Luna enjoys breakfast!” She said to herself. She had just landed herself a morning that was not going to be as busy and she was hoping to enjoy it to the fullest. Humming a familiar tune and greeting everypony passing by with a warm smile, Celestia practically pranced through the hallways. It had been a while since she had really talked to or seen her sister in the past couple of weeks. Her prance slowed down, her smile faltering as a wave of guilt washed over her. Given the work she had recently taken up, she hadn’t even acknowledged Luna. Not even when her sister had given her multiple of her personal belongings. It came as a surprise to her that Luna was willing to part with prized possessions she usually was quite resilient to give away, but due to her being preoccupied with her work, Celestia hadn’t given much thought to it. Luna had given her a gift and she hadn’t even acknowledged her presence! What kind of sister was she? Even after Luna had given her so many gifts the past month she still hadn’t had the time to stop by and say thank you. Celestia planned to make it up to her now that she had finished most of her important work.
Nearing the Lunar wing, Celestia admired her surroundings as the iridescent whites of the castle turned to a darker bluish purple. Immediately, the relaxing smell of lavender flowers hit her nostrils as she moved farther in the wing. She could see the luxurious drapes that were a custom throughout the castle and moonlight filtered in through the windows, reflecting off her regalia and sending shimmers of light scattering along the floor as she walked. Celestia continued until she reached two familiar doors with the mark of the Lunar Princess painted across the top. Shaking with an excitement she hadn’t felt since she was a filly, she quickly knocked on the door.
“Luna, it’s me, Celestia! I have a surprise for you!” Celestia sang sweetly. She waited for a response. The silence around her only fueled her anticipation, one of the things she treasured most was the smile of her beloved sister. Banishing her sister to the moon was one of the hardest decisions she had to have ever made, without her sister she was never as whole as she had wanted to be. Luna was the light to her darkness, the shining star in her life that pointed her in the right direction, what would she do without her?
Celestia patiently waited at her sister’s door, quelling her excitement. This is no way to act Celestia! You’re a princess, control yourself, she thought. Yet, despite how patient she was, there was no response. Celestia knocked once more.
“Luna? Are you there?” Celestia asked. Perhaps she is already asleep? Celestia put on a thoughtful expression. No, the moon hasn’t been lowered yet and it’s still early, she reasoned. She knocked again, this time louder. The sound reverberated through the hallway. Luna preferred her privacy and as such, there were no guards present at the moment. The Lunar guard respected their princess’s wishes and so they were stationed at the entrance of the hallway but absent from the bedroom doors. “Guards?” Celestia asked, “Has my sister left her room?”
A few guards perked up their ears and responded to Celestia. “Not while we’ve been here,” Said one of the guards, “We did however switch shifts recently and so we had our attention elsewhere for a couple of minutes.”
“Hmm… thank you for your cooperation, you may get back to your duty,” she said. Odd…she’s usually in her room right now, perhaps I should check on her, Celestia thought. She gently pushed open the door, it creaked open revealing a dark room save for a single lit candle. Celestia placed the plate of food on a nearby table. “Luna?” she called out. The room was empty. The curtains were closed and the flickering candlelight cast an unnatural glow. Celestia felt a sudden sensation of uneasiness flow through her body.
As she advanced further into the room, a gleam caught her eye. Lying on the bed was an obsidian tiara followed by a tightly rolled-up scroll. Moving closer disclosed a familiar lunar seal wrapped around the scroll. Celestia was almost scared to unwrap its contents, what lay inside? It could be anything. She gingerly broke the seal, letting it fall to the ground. Celestia scanned the writing, her brow furrowing the more she pressed on. It was then that Celestia’s eyes widened. The realization hit at full speed and she let out a gasp. No! It can't be possible! Luna cannot have possibly written a…a suicide note! Celestia started breathing very heavily. Her heart raced and her vision swam as a form of nausea took hold. Where was Luna now? She struggled with her magic, trying to put together a quick tracking spell. No good, I’m too stressed! I can’t form any spells! She thought. Sparks flew from her horn. Attempting to calm down, Celestia took a deep breath and counted to ten.
Finally regaining control, she focused her magic, forcing it to the tip of her horn. With the spell in her mind, she locked onto Luna’s magical signature. There was no time to lose, she just hoped she wasn’t too late. In a blinding flash of golden light, she vanished into thin air.
Author's Note
If you don’t know already this is only one sequel if you’d like to read the other it should be in the story description.
Don’t Worry, I’ll Be There to Catch You
Cold, all Luna could feel was cold. The rushing winds flowing through her coat and mane contributed to that cold. She wanted so desperately for the end to come already. How much longer must she stay? All that came to Luna’s ears was white noise, and her chest felt numb as she accepted her fate. It wouldn’t be long now before everything went completely quiet. She opened her eyes for a split second. Seeing the ground coming ever so closer, she shut them tight once more. The darkness enveloped her vision again as she waited ever so patiently for the sensation of hitting the ground. Just a few more seconds, she thought.
Suddenly, the noise of rushing winds ceased. The time to make impact with the ground soon came…and then left. Luna was soon aware of something warm around her body, similar to the warmth you might feel in the light of the summer sun. Whatever this was, held onto her, restricting any movement Luna attempted to make. She tried to pull away, flaring her horn to try and break the steel tight grip from holding onto her. In response, this force held on tighter. Pulling her…up? Luna’s eyes burst open in alarm. Immediately noticing the golden glow of magic surrounding her, her blood ran cold. She swore her heart had just missed a few beats. Luna knew that aura, she had seen it thousands of times and it was unmistakable. I can’t even take my own life correctly…Luna thought as she blinked away a few tears. Knowing the inevitable was about to happen, she stopped fighting the magic. With her head hung she allowed herself to be pulled up towards the top of the cliff. What she was met with was the very angry stare of her elder sister. Luna could do nothing but stare blankly back.
“What in Tartarus were you thinking!?” Celestia shouted. She set her sister down in front of her. Luna could see that her sister was quite upset; her eyes were shiny, the corners of her eyes held tears and her expression was a very stern frown. Luna didn’t respond, she simply didn’t have the energy to do so anymore. Seeing the empty look in her sister’s eyes, Celestia’s glare softened as tears streamed down her face. Luna could feel her emotions churning within her, there was a pang in her chest as guilt remained the dominant feeling. No, not again…
“You should have just let me fall,” Luna mumbled. Her voice was impassive, devoid of any emotion despite the ache of guilt in her heart. Luna noticed Celestia shake as her sister’s quiet sniffles turned to sobs. “I’m only hurting you once again, please, just let me go and all the pain I have and will continue to cause will come to an end.”
Celestia’s voice wavered as she suddenly brought her sister close, squeezing her tightly to make sure she didn't escape. “No, Luna. Please don’t leave me again!” Luna tried to pull away, her efforts remaining futile due to the grip and her drained state. “I can’t lose you again. Why can’t you see that I need you? Am I not doing enough to show that I love you? That I care for you?”
“What? No, I know that you love me and I appreciate it, but… all I do is hurt others, I’m not worthy of your love and it’s just…I don’t think I can do this anymore…” Luna looked away, avoiding her sister’s sorrowful gaze. “I’m just tired, Celestia…so, so, tired…” She closed her eyes and buried her muzzle into Celestia’s chest as her sister loosened her crushing grip. Wrapping her wings around her sister like when they were fillies, Celestia was grateful she hadn’t been too late. The shock of it all was slowly weakening and she needed a few moments before she could regain her composure. Celestia’s weeping subsided as she took into account her sister’s words.
“Luna…I love you so much, but why don’t you ever tell me anything?” Celestia asked softly. Luna sighed, despite the cool temperatures she felt a comforting warmth. A warmth she hadn’t felt for a very long time. Just being close to her sister restored some of her energy, filling her with an emotion she had felt missing since before everything had occurred. Safety. Wrapped in her sister’s wings, she felt no harm could ever reach her while in Celestia’s embrace. Even after returning from the moon and being freed from The Nightmare's grasp, she still felt like everything was out to get her, fearful stares from subjects and harsh words from the nobles contributed to the feeling. It was a paranoia she couldn’t shake. But now? Luna was suddenly very glad that she was with her sister, she had almost thrown away this wonderful feeling she had yearned for so long.
“I’m sorry, Tia but it was so hard. I don’t know why it was hard to open up, I just…every time I felt like going to you I lost the courage to do so,” Luna replied, “Eventually I just gave up on trying, it was no use, I didn’t really have anypony else I felt completely comfortable with and I couldn’t go to you as you were either busy or I just couldn’t bring myself to.” It was Celestia’s turn to sigh as she teleported the both of them back to her chambers. Setting both of them down on a cushion, never letting go of her sister while at it. She hastily threw off her regalia, it would be nice just to talk, not as princesses, not as the bringers of day and night, just as sisters. Perhaps their purpose was to serve Equestria, but family always came first.
“Luna, I want you to know that no matter what, I’ll always be here for you. Remember that if you ever need to talk, you can come to me, whether it be day or night. I promise that I’ll stop whatever I’m doing. My little sister always comes first, okay?” Celestia gently ran her hoof through Luna’s mane. “Luna, there are ponies that can help you, ponies that specialize in helping ponies like you heal. You should know that medicine has improved quite a bit since you’ve been gone.” Luna lifted her head slightly, looking straight into Celestia’s eyes.
“Medicine? But I’m not sick. Something is wrong with me, but are you really sure doctors will be able to help?” Luna replied in a worried tone. Celestia shook her head.
“Nothing is wrong with you, Luna. Although you may be healthy physically, I don’t think you are completely healthy mentally,” Celestia said in a gentle tone. She didn’t want her sister to get the wrong idea. “These are doctors for the mind, I really think that you should try talking to one, will you let me schedule a meeting for you?” Seeing the sincere look in her sister’s eyes, Luna let herself accept it.
“Okay, I understand. I’ll allow you to get me help, but will you please stay with me for now?” Luna asked. Celestia smiled.
“I promise I won’t leave your side.”
Author's Note
Problem with this version is I don’t really have anything else to go off of. Do you think it deserves another chapter?
