A Love to Endure an Eclipse

You've been happily married to Luna for... gosh, how long has it been? Time gets lost when you're ageless.

Regardless of specifics, it has been some time. Life is virtually pure bliss – the accommodations are a perk, but Luna is your soul. Metaphorically and to a certain extent, literally. It was a ritual after the wedding that bound you to Luna and imbued you with the same mystical power that kept the Royal Sisters alive and vibrant year after year. As part of the deal as a whole, you ended up with a great sis-in-law, too.

Technically, you now carry the title of prince – but it's more of a formality than anything. But as a result of that, you've traveled with your wife to all corners of the world, seen so many sights...

But there are always a few trips you don't venture on, due to the inherent dangers of the area and your lack of magic or defenses, aside from physical abilities. You're ageless, but you can still get fucked up; sometimes, it's agreed the risk isn't worth it, even if you do train in combat on a semi-regular basis. Even in those cases where you can't travel alongside her, Luna always informs you where she's headed, and oftentimes brings back pictures or some intriguing knickknacks.

Every case but one - and truth be told, it bothers you just a bit. It seems about every seven or eight years, Luna goes on a trip – letting you know beforehand, but never where or for what reason. It's always a three-day excursion, on the dot – and it's always her, and her alone.

Now, to be fair, her absence does grant you some one-on-one time with Celestia. That always feels like a special occasion hanging out with her for a few days and seeing what kind of silly escapades result. But still, there remains the mystery of this one trip... which happens to be today.

Luna departed shortly after dawn, giving you a kiss and a tight embrace that even if it were to last a whole day, wouldn't be long enough. After that goodbye, you forced yourself to get some rest, waking up about mid-day.

Coincidentally, lunchtime - meaning you wouldn't have to track down Celestia through the castle. You know where she will be. A quick shower, some clean threads, and you set out for the dining room. You really weren't hungry for anything other than some conversation.

Now as you walk into the room, the solar diarch is indeed seated at the table, enjoying a club sandwich of some sort. Upon hearing your approaching footsteps, Celestia's head tilts up toward you, her eyes lighting up right away.

"Anonymous, good to see you this fine day," she greets, beckoning you to take a seat beside her with a flare of a massive feathered wing.

You oblige her, sitting in the chair and being gently scooted in by a curtain of feathers that remains upon your back like a robe. "I suppose you're surprised to see me up this early, eh?"

"A little bit, though by no means am I disappointed in this surprise. Did you at least get some rest after presiding with Luna last night?"

"Yeah. I suppose I sorta got some rest last night too with the lull of action."

Celestia emits a faint chuckle at your explanation. "Quiet night, I assume?" she asks before resuming her meal.

"Night Court wasn't particularly happening last night, no. I guess that makes it easy, but the audiences requested were for issues pretty cut and dry, so I didn't have any sort of stimulation or informal consults on the side with Luna."

Upon hearing the last bit, Celestia scoffs. "Anonymous, you are a part of the royal family, and you are formally a prince. Your words and ideas have merit in the courts," she reminds you.

"Yeah, but some of the looks I tend to get when speaking up beyond private words between me and Lu..."

"You can always give them a look right back," Celestia argues, squaring her jaw and furrowing her brow. A tilt of her head upward and looking down her nose at you with
stone cold expression finishes the look, giving you a demonstration of the stern, stoic, and mildly intimidating look she has to dole out to the rare unruly petitioner.

"Yeah, but that look has more meaning when the power to smite someone lies behind it."

A hearty chuckle breaks Celestia's demonstration, resuming her calm, casual posture. "Neither my sister nor I have had to do any 'smiting' for many, many years, Anon," she reminds you, finding amusement in your term.

"Regardless, last night didn't have anything requiring debate. Some scrolls and reports to peruse, guard checks, few burnt-out bulbs in the stars needing to be replaced, et cetera."

Another hum of amusement emanates from Celestia as she works to finish off lunch. "Were you planning on getting something to eat?" she inquires.

"Nah, I'm good," you answer, waving away her concerns. "Figured I ought to check in."

"Mhm. And if memory serves me correctly, it's you and me for the next few days. Gonna paint the town red with your sis-in-law?" she jokes.

"Heh. Yeah, I suppose so." Your reply is a bit lacking in gusto, of which Celestia's keen ears take note, signified by a slight fade of her smile. Even so, she doesn't say anything about it.

But you have to.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to sound so blah, I guess maybe I'm still half asleep?" you suggest, patting her shoulder in reassurance.

The wing that's continued to hover over your frame draws a bit tighter, making you look into her eyes. "Something else is on your mind this morning," she states, her face lined with intrigue and concern for you.

Well, she isn't wrong. In the past, you've tried hinting a couple of times about a desire to know what this trip was all about. But Celestia never missed a step in allaying your mind while keeping details sealed away. You expect the same outcome today, but she clearly wants to know what's eating you.

Better out than in.

"It's... this thing that Luna does," you start, feeling uncomfortable with sharing your insecurities. "Luna and I have been married... uh—"

"Forty-seven years come the winter," Celestia chimes in.

You feel your face grow a little warm at her quick response during your hiccup.

"Nothing to be embarrassed about. I've got a memory for dates like you wouldn't believe," she comforts you.

"We've been married all this time, share all our secrets, our dreams, concerns – but this one excursion. I'm still in the dark, and it just sorta bothers me," you explain, noting Celestia's posture abruptly becomes rigid. "Not that I don't trust her like she's going behind my back, but..."

Celestia exhales, turning her head away from you for a moment. She mutters something quietly, though you can only make out the last bit.

"—this year was the one."

"What about this year?" you prod, your stomach starting to churn with brewing anxiety.

Celestia turns back to face you, looking downtrodden the likes of which you don't think you've ever seen. It only makes your concern deepen.

"I don't think I should be telling you this, Anonymous, but..." Her voice trails off, only for a wave of energy to silently weave out from her horn and around both of you, shimmering in a golden light. "Luna should have told you. Years ago, if I'm to be honest. She said she was going to explain it this year, but it appears she faltered again."

Surprised by the sudden casting of magic, you look around, finding nothing out of the ordinary aside from the golden tint of your surroundings created by the bubble of energy.

"It's an illusionary spell. To the outside, we are having an idle conversation, and nothing of our true discussion can be heard," Celestia explains to you. "I know my assistant will be along shortly, so we aren't afforded the convenience of a private room."

"Gotcha."

Celestia's lips contort as she ponders the best way to begin... whatever she has to explain. The wait in silence does nothing to alleviate the tightness in your chest that's decided to join in on the worry party being thrown in your body.

"Are you aware of the significance of tomorrow, Anon?" Celestia finally asks.

"Political, or..."

"Astronomical."

"Well yeah, there's a total solar eclipse tomorrow. Afternoon, right?"

"Correct," she replies, nodding. "Of course, you are aware of my little sister's... 'past.'"

"Yeah, but that's not really a secret and I don't hold it against her; it was a long ti—"

Celestia raises a hoof, a silent request to hold off on further words. "Anon, my sister and I, as alicorns... there's a lot of complexity that nopony can begin to grasp. There are things about ourselves we still do not understand. The rarity of our species makes it basically impossible to learn everything, even after all these years."

You nod, urging her to forge ahead.

"Not to boast, but we both have great magical power, reserves, and might we've never fully tapped into. All of that magic is sort of sectioned off..." Celestia trails off, searching for the right term for a moment. Her eyes suddenly light up as her mind clicks into gear again "Our magic reserves are sort of like this castle – in a sense, it's sectioned off into smaller 'rooms.' And like this castle, there's one room bigger than all the others – like the throne room.

Celestia pauses for a moment once again, awaiting a signal from you that everything thus far has been understandable. You don't understand the reason for all of this, but you've been around Celestia more than long enough to know she wouldn't be painting a picture if it wasn't necessary.

"So far so good," you comment, garnering a slight bow from Celestia.

"Unlike all those other doors which we can open and close when needed, that one room is sealed. There's no handle, just a straight lock - because there's more than just raw power behind that door." Celestia resumes. Her tone shifts in obvious discomfort as her explanation grows detailed. "Both of us know what is behind that door – we hear it from time to time, trying to get rid of reason, humility, and restraint. That voice is us, unburdened by care or concern for others – merely obsessed with what we could do. That... thing... it can rattle the door, and grow louder when our power is at its zenith. But it cannot break out, that lock on the outside of the room ensures it."

You're floored. The idea that the pair of sisters are holding back something nefarious within them is hard to fathom. Yet at the same time, as intriguing and disturbing as it is, you still don't have a proper answer as to Luna's whereabouts.

"I'm assuming since you're telling me this, the zenith for Luna's power is during a total solar eclipse," you finally speak up.

"Indeed."

Despite understanding the basics of this analogy now, you're dumbfounded by one glaring item."So what, Luna's mind is weaker? She can't handle that voice?" you blurt out.

"Anon, I would never insult my sister like that," Celestia replies, her voice tainted by a bit of hurt. "Luna is – was – just as capable of keeping that door locked under any circumstance. But when she let her anger, sadness, and jealousy cloud her judgment years ago, she didn't unlock that door. She smashed that lock in a fury and ripped that mechanism off of the door to let that untapped potential free. Along with that voice, Nightmare Moon. Not a separate entity – merely Luna, unbridled."

If it were any other moment, you'd probably point out her unintended pun, maybe even laugh at it. But not now.

"Obviously, Luna was able to close that door again, and 'fix' the lock, as it were. But it is not nearly as strong as it once was," Celestia continues in a solemn, subdued voice. "Under normal circumstances, or virtually any other point in time, she is fine. But during a solar eclipse... it's too much. That door opens again, and she can't fight the changes."

"Mental?"

"And physical, I'm afraid. From what I have seen checking in on her during these times when she willfully seals herself away with my aid, it is excruciating."

That last word hangs in the air for what seems like an eternity. Your mind can't help but picture Luna writhing in pain, going through this ordeal...

Alone.

"Where?"

"What?" Celestia asks, surprised by your outburst.

"Where is she? Where does she go for this... thing?!" You can't help it, but your nerves have reached a point where you can't contain yourself. Sadness, worry, anger - there's no difference as they meld into one mass of raw emotion and seep into your voice.

"Anon, I know you're worried about her after everything I've told you, but I assure you, she's fine," Celestia consoles you, giving up on continuing to sit properly at the table in order to put both of her feathery wings around you. "You can't do anything for her. But she will pull through in three days, like always."

"I can be there with her. I need to be there with her. How can she go through this alone, Cel?" you protest.

Celestia sighs deeply at your response but abruptly pulls away from you. It's only now, free from Celestia's downy cocoon she had formed around you, that you can hear hoofsteps approaching from the hall.

You turn your head to see Celestia's brilliant young unicorn assistant, Quillpoint, heading toward you. Evidently, Celestia's glamor spell is still in full effect, as the bronze-coated, cream-haired mare takes no notice of your attention.

"Anon, take a deep breath, relax, and face forward. I promise we will talk more once I speak with Miss Quillpoint," Celestia instructs.

You nod, following her directions as the golden barrier around the two of you flickers and dissipates.

"Your Highnesses?"

You turn to face Quill, unable to prevent a cringe of embarrassment at hearing that title. She spots it right away, though bows before further address.

"Quillpoint, right on schedule," Celestia replies with delight.

"Of course. And my apologies, Anonymous," she says, focusing on you. "I know you dislike the formality, but it is my duty to be proper, at least upon greeting."

"I know, don't sweat it, Q," you reply, doing your best to swallow the distress you're feeling inside about the prior topic.

"How is the afternoon looking?" Celestia inquires.

"Court is ready to proceed at the top of the hour; there are eight ponies wishing to seek an audience as of now. Also, the reports regarding quarterly military expenses have been received, I placed them on the desk in your study."

"Thank you. How much time do we have until court is to resume?"

Quill turns her head just as a gold pocket watch appears to her right, popping open to view the clock face. "Twenty- two minutes, your Highness," she replies.

"Great – I have something I wanted to share with Anon. I will meet you outside of the throne room, probably no more than fifteen minutes from now," Celestia explains, her eyes momentarily flicking to you. Despite having resumed her normally calm, cheerful, and welcoming demeanor, you can see in her eyes that there are some conflicted feelings about what is to resume in private.

With a nod and a serene smile, Celestia's assistant agrees, turning to head back to the main atrium.

Rather than waste any time in travel, Celestia summons up her magic and teleports both of you to her chambers. It's hardly a new experience being teleported, but every now and then you still get a mild case of vertigo. As Celestia's room replaces the dining room backdrop, you're thankful her bed is nearby, allowing you to quickly take a seat and sink into the sinfully soft and luxurious linen sheets.

"That still gets you every now and then? I'm surprised your body can't quite fully adjust," Celestia tsks.

"I'm a slow learner," you force yourself to joke.

"Hm. Well, you have time," Celestia quips back. Despite the attempt to lighten the mood, the air is still unbearably tense.

"Where does Luna go for these... the three days?" you ask again.

"Anon, I know it upsets you to hear Luna goes through this, but I don't think knowing where she is or – skies above, accompanying her during this time—"

"Knowing what I know now, there's no way I can find any sort of enjoyment or think of anything else but her, Celestia," you interrupt with a firm but polite voice. "We always have a good time, but that was still being left in the dark – and you said so yourself, Luna should have told me years ago."

Celestia bites her lip as she listens intently to your words, but doesn't have any verbal response. Instead, she begins to idly pace back and forth across the room, her steps muffled by the rug in that area. You're forced to just watch her and wait for... something.

At the same time, another thought starts to brew in the forefront of your mind. Why didn't Luna tell you about this? She trusts you with everything – everything but this.

Is she fearful of what you would think of her? Becoming a monster?

No - no, she isn't a monster. Things happen we can't control, and actions have consequences that can't be avoided.

You start thinking of other things with which to ease her mind the next time you see her. In some ways, you do feel a bit hurt by this. But you won't let that affect how you approach her.

It's about the time you let those thoughts subside and return to the present that Celestia halts, turning to face you again.

"I can't fault you for wanting to be with her – the heart is a fickle but powerful thing," Celestia relents with an exhale. "I do hope she can forgive me for this, and I have to assume she will be none too pleased with your appearance, but—"

Celestia doesn't complete her sentence before the walls of her bedroom melt away like daubs of paint on a wet canvas. The warm and bright colors of Celestia's solar-themed decor give way to a dull and dark blue, featureless...

Nothing. There's literally nothing as far as the eye can see.

...Or perhaps you were too soon to judge – as the melancholic backdrop starts to contort, colors shifting underfoot, brightening to...

What the hell is going on?

"What is this place?" you ask, your voice cracking a bit as the shifting environment unsettles you. The substance underfoot has finally transformed into something akin to lightly frosted glass – or ice. It means looking down is a long drop into an endless, featureless void.

Around you, a thin fog begins to manifest, and with it brings pinpricks of light out in the distance.

Stars.

Gradually, nebulae, galaxies, and constellations slowly fade into view, the foreboding black-blue hue from before lightened into a more welcoming night sky illuminated by these wonders.

"The Aether, Anon," Celestia announces in a subdued voice as everything finally settles into place.

Well, that explains absolutely zilch.

Celestia proceeds forward, her hooves echoing upon the glass in all directions with a sharp clack. She doesn't say anything else for the time being, but you nonetheless join her.

Wait... Aether. You feel like you do remember that term from Luna. You search through your memory banks, feeling like you should recognize this somewhat.

It's a bit different though...

When you and Luna began dating you remember her desire to show you her work outside of the physical realm. She helped you get to sleep one night with a spell... and you woke up here with her. But there were doors, weren't there? That was the entryway to the dreams of ponies worldwide.

"Cel, are we dreaming?" you ask, your voice also repeating off into the unknown like your steps.

"No, but you can be forgiven for believing that," she replies, shaking her head with the slightest of smiles. "That knowledge makes it clear my sister has shown you the dream realm - that is an extension of the Aether, one only Luna can access."

"Hope I didn't get her in trouble admitting that."

The comment garners a warm hum of amusement from Celestia. "The dream realm is my sister's domain – I have no say in what transpires there. But knowing how sacred that realm is to her and what those unique duties mean for her, I know it was a harmless insight, assuming there was no prying in other's private dreams."

"Nah, she was really clear on that. It does mean a lot to her – which is why she had such a desire to show me the... entrance, I guess is the best description."

"A fitting term in your case. But no, the Aether is a distinctly separate plane. There are other realms that are extensions to it, but this is... unique. Only the most powerful of magic can come to this plane of existence, and even so, there seems to be a certain... law attached to that access.

"Law?"

"How it is dictated, I do not know, but the Aether itself seems able to interpret intentions. Even the most powerful of beings with knowledge appear to be blocked from entry or exit to this realm if there is malice within that individual."

"Which makes it perfect for this situation, I gather."

"Yes. Magic is virtually useless here aside from mundane tasks, food and water sustenance are not a concern. Physical harm is an impossibility – though pain still exists, oddly enough."

"And you two can control this uh, plane?"

Celestia shakes her head once again. "Not really. My sister and I have theories on why this exists, as did our prior mentor. Nothing of actual substance – purely speculation. Perhaps a world in between living and deceased, where judgment is passed, hence how this realm seems to be self-governing. Neither she nor I have seen any other entity, but they could perhaps be on a separate..."

She pauses, thinking of how to proceed with her description. "They may not exist to us, in our time here. It is very difficult to really describe the Aether. We cannot control things here, but we can 'nudge' them in a direction. And again, only when the intentions are pure."

Coincidentally, the path ahead has a branch-off point to the right – one that transitions from the current icy glass into a mundane gravel trail.

"Here," Celestia directs to the distinct path.

As ominous hollow echoes give way to the crunch of gravel underfoot, your mind tries to comprehend the mammoth amount of information it's been fed.

How the hell did they find this place? How did they find out what knowledge they do have on the Aether? You picture the two sisters at a standoff twenty paces from one another, throwing stuff and firing off spells.

Honestly, with what goes on behind the scenes at the castle, it's not farfetched. There's plenty of indulgence in shenanigans as one would expect from siblings who are best friends. Maybe with their years of experience, the stakes have gotten higher. Hell, there's still a small patch of garden roses that is burnt from when a game of tag got well out of hand in the evening hours.

Adult beverages may have been involved in that case.

But as the trail ahead winds through a developing hillside and increasing elevation, you put those amusing thoughts to rest.

Grass, shrubs, and other foliage slowly filter in, as if you're walking into a painting currently in progress. Despite the sky remaining that of a country night on steroids, the landscape is illuminated as if the late afternoon were beating down in all its glory. An odd sight to behold, but clearly this place doesn't play by the rules.

"I didn't expect to get my cardio in today," you muse.

"Teleportation does not work here, not like in Equestria. But I doubt that notation would have changed your drive."

"Know me too well, sis."

After what feels like miles of hiking in terrain that is beginning to rise to the cusp of mountainous, the landscape plateaus into a trim grassland. Up ahead, the trail fades off into the green expanses, only interrupted by a single large oak tree and a large slab of rock that juts out of the ground.

It's atop that natural platform in this foreign land that you spot a form that is etched in your mind.

That svelte, feminine form that doesn't even hint at her true prowess and physical abilities. Those wings that are splayed open, whose beautiful navy blue plumage is the greatest blanket for those cool nights. Her hair, mane, and tail that defy logic and physics with the sinuous, hypnotic movement even in still air, that brilliantly captures a condensed night sky for personal viewing pleasure.

The perfectly petite and dappled derriere that is accentuated by black splotches, and crowned with a silvery crescent moon on each hip. To this day, it excites you so.

Her back is turned, meaning Luna's facial features are hidden from view at this point in time. But you silently vow that won't be the case for long as your walking speed increases dramatically.

"Anonymous, wait," comes Celestia's voice, whose gait has increased to a canter to jump ahead of you.

"What?" you ask, undeniably frustrated with the sudden halt.

"Allow me approach her first."

"Wait, you think it's already begun?" Your heart sinks with that dreadful thought.

"No, I know it hasn't. But Luna said she was going to try something new this year, and I believe this is it. I just don't want to startle her."

You almost feel offended by the notion Luna would be 'startled' by your presence. But you know Celestia; in reality, this is in the name of keeping everyone level-headed.

Still, you somewhat feel reluctant to let Celestia lead onward, off to her side. It's only when you're mere feet away from Luna that you notice something... off.

Like holofoil as it catches the perfect angle of light, glyphs of some sort weave their way across Luna's navy blue coat in ribbons, shimmering in a blue-tinged silvery light. Those ribbons crisscross and slowly move across her body in a mesmerizing, clockwork-precision dance.

"What the hell is that?" you murmur, not wanting your better half to hear a possibly offensive inquiry.

"Insurance, just in case the Aether shifts in an unexpected way," Celestia whispers back. "Meticulous spellwork on both of our parts ensures she's bound to this spot – it lasts for four days' time before releasing on its own, should something impede me."

The closer you get, the more the urge to rush up to Lu and squeeze her tight in your arms builds. You want to reassure her everything will be fine now that you're here and know of her situation. You've never seen her as someone fragile – until this moment, now knowing what you do.

"Luna, sister," Celestia softly calls as she reaches her side.

...but there's no response from her younger sibling. You walk to Luna's right side, avoiding her unfurled wing to get a glimpse of her face.

With her eyes closed and a lack of any sort of expression, Luna looks like she's sleeping.

Luna can be a heavy sleeper at times, but...

Celestia carefully extends one of her wings, using her primary feathers to ever so slightly brush against Luna's mane. "Sister, I'm here," she repeats at the same time.

The combination of techniques is enough to get Luna's eyelids to flutter, before slowly revealing those striking turquoise eyes. "Celestia... what are you doing back so soon?" Luna mumbles.

"It's...complicated," Celestia responds, raising a hoof to point in your direction.

You can't even wait for Luna to take stock of your presence before you rush up to her. "Lu, I'm here," you console her, throwing your arms around her neck.

"Anon, what—"

You feel her jump just a bit in shock initially, but even despite the current scenario, she's fairly quick to return the hug as one of her forelegs sneaks behind your back.

"Sister, what is the meaning of this?" Luna asks in a firm voice, patting your back to emphasize what she is referring to.

"Perhaps you can tell me the reason for waiting yet another decade in regards to filling in your beloved on this mysterious trip, hm?" Celestia fires back in an overly sweet voice, batting her eyes.

You pull away from Luna, curious to see her response to that. Despite everything, a smile has formed on her face - small, but noticeable as she looks over your features.

"I annoyed the hell out of her to get the information," you tell her, nodding off toward Celestia.

"Somehow, I believe it was a meeting in the middle for you two," Luna replies, leaning back in to nuzzle you. "You really shouldn't have come, Anon."

"Hearing the real reason you leave for three days, how the hell could I not?"

"I take it Tia explained everything about this... ritual," she laments, casting a glance over to Celestia.

"Don't look at me in that tone of voice, Lulu. I'll remind you again that we had a long discussion about revealing this to Anon months ago – and you were sold on the notion that this would be the year you told him," Celestia once again reminds her.

Luna sighs as Celestia steps beside her, taking a seat. Likewise, you release Luna from your extended hug and also take a seat on the stone beneath you.

"It is one thing to plan that sort of discussion, yet quite another to be there face to face," she says, focusing her eyes on you as her shoulders slump. "It certainly wasn't because I don't trust you, Anon. You know that."

"I hope you do - I don't think anything less of you."

That gets Luna to perk up again somewhat, before fading back into a more melancholy posture. "But it's really hard to come forth with the idea there's a monster that comes forth from someone you love, no?"

"I don't think there's a need for self-deprecation, sister," Celestia interrupts.

"No, I don't really mean it in that sense," Luna protests. "I've beaten her, Nightmare Moon is my past - aside from one point in time, where she comes forth again, no matter what I try."

"Solar eclipses," you finish for her.

Luna slowly nods. "Celestia and I managed to carve out this... 'room' here in the Aether years ago, in the hopes that being away from Equestria itself during the eclipse could help."

"Speaking of which, I assume we interrupted the idea you had mentioned worth trying this year?"

"Indeed – deep meditation. I found a book in the Canterlot Library with techniques I had never heard of. I figured internal focus and lack of stimulus could have some effect."

"Has it?"

Luna gives you a look of sympathy with the inquiry. "It has yet to begin, my dear. Perhaps it may work - I must have some sort of optimism aside that this will be over in three days' time."

"Maybe me being here will help. Give you something else positive to focus on."

"Absolutely not, Anon!" Luna gasps her eyes growing wide as saucers. "The mere thought of you experiencing me at my worst is unsettling. "

"He sees you in the mornings when you wake up, doesn't he?"

All eyes quickly shift to Celestia, who seems just as surprised by the witty comment she just spoke aloud.

"Just trying to keep things a little lighter," she contends.

"May I also add that Luna sports the sexiest case of bedhead the world has ever seen, despite the early morning grumpiness she sometimes has."

Luna puts a hoof on your chest and playfully shoves you.

"It's a compliment."

"I feel like there was a bit of a shot, too," she says with a smirk.

"I would never," you scoff in an exaggerated fashion.

"I would. I've had to live with her much longer than you," Celestia speaks up.

"Doesn't count, since you got a nice break from me, too," Luna shoots back.

"A break that made me realize you aren't quite a pain to live with as I thought," Celestia coos, hugging her sister in a surprise attack.

"Wow, that was a wonderful choice of words, sis," Luna strains to say through Celestia's evidently bone-crushing hug.

"I'm wondering if Anonymous being here with you wouldn't be such a bad idea," Celestia muses as she lets go of her younger sister.

"You cannot be serious, dear sister," Luna replies, flabbergasted by the comment she just heard. "You of all ponies know of my nature when that transformation takes hold."

While you aren't opposed to the idea at all, it does surprise you to hear Celestia's change of heart. As well as Luna's reluctance.

Deep down, there must be concern within her that seeing this darker side of her will change your view of her.

"I do, Luna. I will not deny that – yet that ire is directed at me, no? Am I not the one preventing that side of you from being fully unleashed to the world?"

"But—"

Celestia raises a hoof just as Luna begins to protest. "I mean aside from when you have control and make preparations. I refer to when that side of you is in full control, Luna. I don't doubt that you continue to fight, but..."

"Fair enough," Luna relents with a bow of her head. "But what does this have to with Anon's presence being an idea for you?"

"I'm not holding you back and angering you like you think she is. Er, the other you... it does get a little confusing, doesn't it?"

"Try living through it," Luna adds in a slightly bitter tone. "It's like being inebriated - you know what's going on and what you're doing, but it just... your willpower and normal inhibitions don't apply or function."

"I propose that Anon might be a solid foundation for you to focus upon and possibly fight this," Celestia explains, before directing her attention solely upon you. "But understand that this isn't a certainty. The less pleasant side of my sister may still come out in full force, and you may face the brunt of it."

"I'm willing to take the chance," you respond without hesitation. Celestia was going to have to pull you away from her sister otherwise.

"You're sure on this?"

Luna's skepticism is met with your hand running through her hair in a smooth motion, and your other hand cupping her cheek. "Absolutely," you reassure her. While you can still see hesitance in her eyes, she nonetheless leans forward, giving you a quick smooch on the lips.

"I should be going back to resume court. I plan on returning later, and coming up with something that will allow you to contact me should the need arise, Anonymous."

"Alright. Thank you, Cel."

Celestia offers a solemn nod of the head, unable to fully mask her own concern as a golden aura surrounds her. With a flash, she's gone.

"'The sexiest case of bedhead the world has ever seen,' huh?"

"Mhm. You could set a fashion statement if you allowed yourself to go out in public like that," you answer, booping her nose.

"I don't think it would be as special to you then. Maybe that's why only you get to see it," she teases.

"Hm, you make a good case. I could come up with some sort of corny line, but I'll save you from that pain."

Luna gives a small hum of amusement as she lays down, her front hooves tucked into your lap to pull herself closer. "There was a time when those corny lines were your go-to whenever we met, Moose."

Ah, there's the cute name. Usually, she isn't so hesitant with its use.

"Yeah, I think you were the only one that didn't groan at them."

"They had their charm."

Even as you sit here with Luna, you can't help but be distracted by the runes that occasionally glow on her body. She notices your attention, though hardly seems upset or surprised.

"You get used to it after a time. After an hour or two, I suppose," she comments, raising one of her legs up from your lap to marvel at the procession of sigils herself.

"This is all just so surreal," you mumble, brushing your hand against her coat where one of the ribbons of magic flashes. Predictably, you don't feel anything different from Luna's normal slick fur.

"I hate bringing it up and talking about it, but I should probably be prepared. How does this all go down?"

"There's no need to feel bad - you make an excellent point," Luna replies, though her voice betrays some understandable reluctance to tackle the elephant in the room. "It always seems to follow the same process - beginning with aches and pains, as if I've just gone out and fully exerted myself for a whole day, with the pain growing in intensity. Then the physical changes begin."

You take hold of her hoof as she begins to lower her leg back down in your lap, continuing on with her explanation. "At some point... thoughts start pushing through. Foreign, selfish, greedy thoughts. About what I deserve, what the world owes me. I know in the past when Celestia has come to check on me, it's not unknown for an errant caustic comment to be tossed toward her. But at some point, things get hazy - I'm aware of what's happening, but more or less a passenger of actions, thoughts, and words I would never dare to entertain."

She clears her throat with that ending, shaking her head as if to free it from any further dark thoughts on the matter. "It is an unfortunate consequence that I alone am responsible for, but in all reality, this ordeal once a decade is a small price to pay. I do what I must to fight through it, then return to the life I am so grateful for."

It's at least a positive reminder that this situation is temporary. Moreover, the positive outlook that Luna carries with her is comforting to hear. But still, it has to be hard to stare down this inevitable transformation and just... wait for it.

At least this year, she isn't alone.

"Well, maybe I'm your good luck charm, Moonbutt. Maybe this is the year you fight it off," you encourage her.

"Perhaps. I would like to think so," she replies, cracking a small, hopeful smile.