Birthrights

Promise

Luna nodded to a guard as she passed him in the stretching hallway. She had slept on ideas, many ideas, some she distrusted herself, but thought on them still. She stepped to the balcony, and as she is required, raised the moon. She turned on her hooves to step inside, but decided against it, and instead flew around the palace, hovering by the hall. Inside she heard voices, her sisters and the current oracle.

        “...Shall I do, wise oracle, my sister thinks dangerous thoughts,” She heard Celestia query.

        “Luna is conflicted, dear, she walks a path that splits towards its end. One steps down into the canyon of evil and regret, the other rises to the peak of happiness and recognition,”  the oracle prophesied, her voice holding a aura of power to it. Luna then heard footsteps shrinking away, Celestia had granted the oracle her leave.

        “I hope she climbs, and does not fall...” Celestia whispered. Luna had not heard this, as she had flown off to the Forest. To where the five ponies had already begun to train.

        She monitored them and listened, she could hear their linguistic style improving, Shadow Flare was most likely educating them in it. They had all improved greatly in speed. As an occasional strength builder, they crashed into one another, wrestling the other into the fine layer of leaves on the forest floor.

        “Miss Luna, why did you decide on us, of all of the foals in Equestria?” the purple pony questioned, her eyes gave her an innocent, shy look.

        “You did not cower from my beautiful night, you embraced it, enjoyed it; very few ponies prefer the night,” Luna explained, the purple pony nodded, and queried again,

        “But ma’am, what do you plan for us?” at which Luna smiled, and clarified once more,

        “I hope for you five to become my Wonderbolts, my Shadowbolts, if you will. The fastest fliers of the night, protecting it as the Wonderbolts guard the day,” she paused for a moment, thinking over what she was about to say, “I would like to give you your name, dear filly.” The purple pony bounced happily.

        “I have thought long for this. Now I have decided for your name to be Arcane Star, for your curious personality and steady flight, never in the same place twice,” Decreed Luna, the others looking over and smiling, proud for their friend. one of them realized his flight was to quick, and made attempts to slow, only succeeding in crashing with the grey foal, bringing them both to the ground.

        “Oi! Watch it you dimwit!” The light grey one commanded, scaring the other into a cowered pose.

        “S-Sorry! I didn’t see you and... I was flying to quick and-” He was cut short by Luna stepping forth. Her form shadowing them from the light of the moon.

        “Do not apologize, young one, for in causing this issue, you discovered a little about yourself Your names may be soon to come,” she explained to the two. She then looked to the light grey foal, “You have a fighters heart, I trust you know a battle quite well, do you not?” At which the foal nodded, bowing his head still.

        “No need to bow, little one, for you will be as important as me soon. Each of you will have your place in time, I look forward to you all achieving greatness,” the regal princess explained, the young ones rising from their bow, standing with their heads high. Such a proud group,

        “I am proud to have you all under my wing, you are well than more deserving than me,” she assured. The foals bowed to her once more and thanked her in unison. They then returned to their trainings with vigilance.

~

        “Hey, Luna,” a filly Celestia called to her sister, who was reviewing a book on magic. She looked up, and responded in a kind, light voice,

        “Yes? is there something you require?”

        “I just would like to know something,” she explained, Luna’s ears perking up for a moment to listen, “Yes?”

        “If given the chance, would you become the princess over everything, sun and moon?” She began, “Like if I were to go crazy or run away or something.”

Luna thought on this for a moment, then shook her head, “The duty must be shared by both princesses, regardless of the consequence, I shall not fulfill your duty, I will hope for you to fulfill it, from wherever you may be.”

“Alright then, I just wanted to know, I hope it never happens, in fact, promise you won’t run away?” Celestia requested. Luna responded, giggling lightly,

        “Only if you promise not to too,”

~

The oracle stood in her separated hall, watching her orb. in it unfolded events yet to occur, events finally decided by Lunas most recent decision. Ignorant girl... Calling to her own death, she is... The oracle thought. A knock echoed from the door, Celestia walking into the room.

        “Is there anything I should know, on Lunas account?” She asked, hoping for some news on her choice. The oracle covered the gleaming orb, and shook her head.

        “I have nothing more, and if I had, I refuse to work against or for fate, she will do as she pleases, I will not prevent it.” Celestia nodded in return. and exited hesitantly, taking a slow, arced path back to her room where she had no plans of sleeping. What is that mare getting herself into...

~

        “I’m done, Tia!” little Luna screamed, crying,  to her sister, both of them drenched from the pouring rain, “I’m tired of being seconded to you! Everypony loves you and thinks about you first, no one ever talks to little Luna!”

        “Luna, please don’t run, you promised not to...” Celestia called out, she crying as well.

        “Why should I? Why should I return to stuck up ponies ignoring my every word, while they hang on yours, as if it were their life?” Luna begged to know, her form glowing in the twilight downpour.

        “I care for you, those ponies are misplacing their love, I will try to get them to treat us equally, not as they have,” Celestia promised to her, hoping for her return.

        “You promise, Tia?” Luna questioned assurance, Celestia nodded and smiled a faint smile, “I promise, now come inside before you get sick.” Luna then walked inside, Celestia using her magic to dry her quickly,

        “And remember Luna, you promised not to run away, if I didn’t go crazy,” Celestia reminded.

        “I know, I know,” Giggled Luna as they walked back to their room.

~

I have not left, but everypony else seems to have lost their heads. She thought. Laying in her bed restlessly, thinking back to that night. Some promises will be broken. She thought as she stood up, walking to her open window, and I am sorry sister, this is one of them. She finished in her mind, as she flew out of the window, fleeing into the distance. Celestia was awoke by a twitch in her head, she awoke to see the shadow of her sister disappearing in the distance outside her window. She rushed up and called out to her.

        “Luna! Don’t go!” A twinge of guilt pricked at her, making her feel as though her departure from the palace was of her fault.

        “A princess must never break a promise...” Celestia muttered, barely audible to any but herself. As she lied down, her eyes teared up, and she fell into a crying slumber.