Night, it means many things to many ponies, sleep, shadows, dreams, darkness, and most importantly, fear. Ever since the Summer Sun Celebration, Luna had been feared and ridiculed all across Equestria, by everypony. The shock and awe of being a princess already caused many ponyfolk to shy away from, and tread lightly around her, but after her display of power and rage, most simply ran away at the very sight of her. With nothing to do, and nopony to talk to, the Lunar Princess walked through Equestria, looking upon her kingdom with an indescribable pain in her heart.
Lonely? No, that’s not it...
Mournful? No, I’m not grieving over a loss, probably because I never had anything to begin with...
Somber? Maybe...
Every night she walked through Equestria, watching over her royal subjects and solemnly thinking to herself. This night was no different, and as the clip-clop of her hooves echoed through the dimly lit streets she realized this was exactly where everything went wrong. Where everypony had learned to fear her.
Ponyville... nothing’s changed I suppose.... Why did I do that? Why would I ruin everything for myself?
Tears started to well up in her eyes, as she let out a few sobs, standing alone in the dark, staring at her hooves. A door creaked behind her and somepony called out “Hello?”
It was a stallion’s voice, smooth, calm, and enchanting.
Luna quickly wheeled around and barked at him in the Royal Canterlot Voice “WHAT DO YOU WANT?!” causing him to jump and cower in fear.
“Y-y-our majesty? What are you doing here?” He managed to stammer out.
She let out a heavy sigh and wiped the tears from her face. “This... this is what I do. During the day I sleep, and at night I wander Equestria alone. It’s been that way for about a year.”
“But why? Don’t you have any royal duties to attend to?” He questioned.
The Lunar Princess let out a gentle sigh, half-hoping that she’d never have to broach the subject with anypony outside the royal family.
“No... My sister has become quite accustomed to ruling alone for the past thousand years, and as such, never requires my assistance or guidance.” She replied, looking away from the stallion towards the ground as she tried to hide her tears from one of her royal subjects. There was silence, as the Lunar Princess stood in the dim moonlight, and the pony before her uneasily shifted his weight.
“Might I join you?” He asked with a grin curling the corners of his mouth. Luna didn’t speak at first, simply staring at him with a look of surprise. She gently wiped the tears from her face with a thin tendril of dark blue magic before talking in a gentle, calm tone.
“Y... Yes, I’d like that.”
And the two began heading down the moonlit roads, off towards the country-side surrounding Ponyville.
