Therapist Visit

Chapters

Acceptance
Denial
Collection
Forgiveness
Confrontations
Invitation
Rupture
Priorities
Replacement
Reconcile
Resistance
Role-Modeling
Repeat
Letters

Acceptance

I wish I could tell you that I was completely happy with the events that took hold today. If I did, Applejack would be angry with me for lying. King Sombra is gone, and the crystal ponies are happy. Everything turned out better than expected, so why am I not happy with this?

You know me as Princess Luna. I don't need to tell you my history, since the numerous ponies that run away from me during the night is enough of a clue of my previous actions. I was a beast, a lurking paragon of fear, anguish, and anger. Why did that all occur, you may ask? I was a princess, a mare with nearly everything that I could ask for. Why would a mare like me turn to the hatred and fear inside of my heart and allow myself to become the same as Sombra? It was quite simple really: the lack of acknowledgment of my own duties. The moonlight was ignored in favor of the sun. You could say my talent was useless.

A thousand years later and I am still ignored. Twilight Sparkle has taken up the reins of Celestia's favorite. I know that my sister would never admit this, because she doesn't want the two of us to end up fighting. The last time we did, the throne room needed to have a large remodel to replace the charred marble and rug. But it is true, and I have grown used to this fact. I do not see my sister often, much like a quarreling couple that argue due to their opposite work shifts. The fact that our sleep schedules are completely opposite from each other does not help any matters. I'm back. I'm inside the castle. But nobody is home.

The guards at the top of my spire do not exist anymore. After all, who wants to kidnap or incapacitate the princess that doesn't have any connection to an Element, or could be easily replaced with the bigger and better sister? No one does, that's the point. I have caught some of my guards falling asleep against the wall because they have never actually been faced with a disastrous situation before. So not only are they not needed, they aren't useful. Celestia hired them shortly after my firing of them, and I've heard them express their devotion to my sister whenever they passed my door, assuming I was asleep.

I have taken to reading books to quell the mixed feelings that pool up in my heart. I cannot say anything, because I do not wish to upset my sister and cause problems in her line of work. I also cannot tell anyone. If anypony finds out that I have been harboring feelings of resentment and depression, a Nightmare Moon scare would probably happen. The pony responsible would no doubt be me. Showing off my emotions is now impossible. The only person that I will talk to is you, and you know why. You are being paid a handsome amount of bits to keep your mouth shut. I expect you will keep your end of the bargain.

Tell you about Twilight Sparkle? Fine, if you wish. What bad is there to say about her? She is an excellent student, one of the best from Celestia's School of Gifted Unicorns. She was capable of defeating Nightmare Moon, Queen Chrysalis, Discord, and now King Sombra. Twilight Sparkle is perhaps the most powerful unicorn of her age group. She has five best friends, who make her smile whenever they can. She has a loving assistant who burps mail to and from her every now and again. She has the love and care of my sister. She has everything that I do not.

What do you mean “interesting”? There is nothing interesting about my predicament! I am going to be replaced by a unicorn who is a hundred times younger than me! Celestia has already preferred to go to Twilight Sparkle to fix a problem rather than myself! Soon enough, I am just going to be “The Princess That Raises The Moon When Twilight Sparkle is Sick”! I hate her and I want her to be gone!

I... I didn't mean that. Please forgive me. I'm just... frustrated over my current position. It is hard to admit that a mare of Twilight Sparkle's status is already more useful than I am. She was given a mission to save Princess Cadance and the Crystal Kingdom. My sister also gave Twilight Sparkle some reassuring words to ease her failure if it did occur.

My jealousy wanted her to fail. Despite the Crystal Kingdom's curse continuing to afflict my (and Cadance's) subjects, and the endless amount of torment that would follow due to it, I wanted Twilight Sparkle to fail. Because then, I could prove myself and pass my sister's test. Wishing failure upon my subjects in order to further my own reputation growth made me regret my thoughts as I laid in my bed that night. After all, I failed my sister's test the moment I wished misfortune upon my subjects.

I know that Twilight Sparkle is connected to the Elements of Harmony, and that is what makes her special. That is probably why the test was given to her and not me. But it doesn't help that night after night, I wait for my sister to call me to the throne room for a meeting on Equestria, and what I can do to help. She always gives me the same response, “Just keep raising the moon, that is all I can ask of you.”

She doesn't want my help anymore. I know, that is a large assumption. But I cannot think of anything else that is possible. Celestia has taken over all the diplomatic duties of Equestria, while my job has been reduced to merely bringing forth the night. I used to be able to look over court hearings and economic reports from nearby cities, and assign guards to the gates of Tartarus with my other hoof. As much as I hate to admit it, I know that it's my fault.

My inability to hold in my jealousy and rage has been the foundation of my downfall. If I was capable of holding in my emotions, Nightmare Moon would never have existed. Yes, I do truly believe that. My sister is capable of doing it. She is much older than me, and has already mastered the art of concealing her emotions. My transformation into the Mare in the Moon caused my sister's life span to decrease dramatically, since she had to live on a few hours of sleep (if she was lucky) while her magic alternated the sun and the moon. Along with that, her duty was to organize the safety of every city in Equestria while still keeping watch on her school and Twilight Sparkle. If any other pony tried to do that, they would have died after their cutie mark appeared due to exhaustion.

This stress, depression, and anger over the betrayal of her sister was never shown behind those pink hues of hers. A smile was always on her face as her mind worked to emit another inspiring phrase to lighten up the day of whoever she was talking to, just like the sunlight that she brings up every morning.

Once I am capable of doing that, I can avoid anger outbursts and transformations. Lies have already been told to my sister, each of them reminding her that I am completely fine and will continue my duties to bring the night. Once I can successfully bottle up these emotions and make them disappear, I guess that will be the moment that I can reach the demigod status that my sister has acquired.

I'm sorry that you have to see this. I normally don't cry in front of others. I usually have enough self restraint to hold it back. Like I said, if you say anything to anypony, you will be the next guest on the moon. Where was I? Oh. Sure, go ahead. You may speak.

As much of an idea as that is, I do not believe you. I am not overreacting. I should have brought something up to my sister the moment Twilight Sparkle broke my Nightmare Moon form. Now, my fear over the consequences of my opinions is going to take away my position as the co-ruler of Equestria, assuming that I ever had that role in the first place.

We all have our destinies, our future goals that we strive for a lifetime to acquire. But what do you do if your destiny has already been accomplished, or taken from you? The answer is simple: nothing. You don't do anything else. Your page in the chapter of history is over once you have accomplished your destiny and mastered the art of your cutie mark. I thought my destiny was to become as powerful as my sister, and be able to rule alongside her until the two of us are at the end of our days. I guess that is simply not the case, and this position has been opened up for the other student, Miss Twilight Sparkle. I will remain to be the Princess of the Night, the one who merely brings up the moon while everyone pledges their love and devotion to Celestia. The useless one. The replaceable one.

Please leave... I do not wish to tell you any more. Your payment is on the dresser behind you. I will summon you with a letter when I am ready for you again.

Denial

You are late. Please come inside, we have a lot to talk about. I do not pay you a thousand bits an hour to come to our discussions late.

I see... you had a family emergency. Well, please explain the emergency. If I feel that it is enough of an emergency, then I will forgive you.

Oh, your wife was having troubles with the new foal? She is pregnant you say. Well, congratulations to you. I am sure that another child added to your life will do nothing but make it better.

Tell me about your family. I'm curious. We can get to me in a minute, I wish to know about what I can never possess. After all, that is how you set goals, am I correct?

Despite the rationalization that you provided to me, you are more or less saying that setting a goal for something that is achievable and reasonable is what I should do. Isn't that what I am doing? After all, I am capable of having children. It is just impractical, since there isn't a stallion that wishes to have one with me. I might as well hear about your family to see what it is like.

I see, you have a loving wife by the name of Luminescence. That filly is going to be your first child? It must be exciting. Tell me, what was the first thing that came through your mind when you found out that your wife was pregnant? You were the happiest stallion that could ever live? I could understand that feeling. After all, ignorance is bliss, right?

No, I'm not insinuating anything. I'm just saying that you probably didn't know anything about children, so you were obviously ecstatic about the rewards that come with spawning your own flesh and blood.

We are getting off topic aren't we? Well, what is it that you want me to talk about? Celestia hasn't sent me a letter, again, so I might as well indulge in what I am paying for.

Talk about yesterday? Fine, but I don't see much to talk about.

Of course I got angry. Are you saying that because I got angry before and turned into Nightmare Moon, I am unable to become angry again?

I'm sorry for saying so. Perhaps I am just getting worked up over nothing again. I know that you are being paid to hear my rants, and you wouldn't assume anything negative of me just to hurt my feelings. You are one of the only ones I know that provides me with such respect.

Okay, yesterday. I... I don't want Twilight Sparkle to disappear, despite what I said. I was just angry, I didn't mean those words.

You are right, I'm not Pinkie Pie. Words come out of my mouth for a reason. Tell me what you think.

Jealous of Twilight Sparkle? Thank you for pointing out the obvious. I told you this yesterday. If I wanted someone to tell me what I already knew, I would reread the diary I have been using. No, you may not see it. Anything else?

My interest in your family is not because I wish to engage myself in a bout of self loathing. Can't a princess wish that one of her subjects ends up well off with one of the most important decisions of their life?

Your princess would not lie to you. My job, as well as my sister's, is to make sure that we provide love and care for our subjects. Since Celestia now has all of the other jobs in the kingdom, mine is to tell you that I care about each and every one of you. Don't you trust me? I have no other reason to live, I might as well be honest with my destiny. Let's please change the subject.

Twilight Sparkle? Fine, let's go back to her. I didn't know about her until the two of us faced each other near the fake Elements of Harmony. My Nightmare Moon form was able to sense that there was something inside of her, a magical aura that heated up the parts of me that grew cold as the Mare in the Moon. Her eyes gave off a glint of determination that I saw in my sister when the Elements of Harmony were used to encase me in the moon. Both mares had a job to change the one that was in front of them, and both succeeded.

Twilight Sparkle was given a test by my sister that day, and her determination to pass the test and make her teacher proud changed the foundation of her learning. But at what cost? I was imprisoned on the moon by my sister and forced to live alone for a thousand years. When I finally came back to the world, my personality was once again pulled apart and formed to what my sister and Twilight Sparkle wanted me to be. The hug that my sister and I shared after Nightmare Moon was broken on me was the most sympathy that I have gotten from her. As you can tell from the lack of letters on my bed, this has not changed.

Do you know what it is like, to come back to a world that you loved with all of your heart, and find that none of your friends are alive anymore? To be forced inside of a mould that is too small for you, so that parts of you end up melting off until a different product is created? I'm no longer allowed to preside over the Canterlot courts, especially when it comes to cases that can anger me. I no longer have anypony from the past that I can connect with to share my emotions. I'm no longer bound to the Elements, which means my magic is not as powerful as my sister's. The part that angers me the most is that I'm no longer allowed to be angry.

Here, let me imitate my angry face. See? It's the same face that I greeted you with. There can't be anything wrong with my angry face, because then my subjects would think I was angry at them. I'm not angry at them, they did nothing wrong. Their preference towards my sister is something that I should have prepared for. I had a chance before my imprisonment to talk to my subjects and gain their trust. However, I was young and impulsive, and I ruined my chance.

Despite all of this, yes, I do sit before you on my royal bed and tell you that I am not angry. There is nothing wrong with the position that I am currently in. I should be happy that I am out of the moon. I get to have whatever emotional support I can afford, since you are a decent price. Although to be honest, you are more of a wall to bounce my emotions off of, rather than support.

You don't need to apologize for that, I do not expect you to be much more than what I am using you for. You are a therapist, nothing more, nothing less.

I see that we have reached the halfway mark on our time. How time flies when you are pondering the meaning of your existence.

Don't flatter me, I know that Celestia is your favorite princess. After all, she is everypony else's, except for the few who liked Nightmare Night.

You want to talk about Nightmare Night? If you say so. You would probably get some good information out of it, since that day involves Twilight Sparkle. It started a year ago, the first Nightmare Night that I was a part of with the new citizens of Ponyville.

You were there? Oh, you live in Ponyville? Well, my apologies for making you travel here in the middle of the night. If you were there, then I trust that you know what happened with the children. Pinkie Pie pretended to be terrified and caused a brouhaha with them. In the end, the children ended up enjoying Nightmare Night, and I did as well. I had Twilight Sparkle to thank for telling the townsponies that I wasn't evil anymore.

I wish I could tell you that all the children thought about me from now on, but Hearth's Warming Eve brought their minds back to my sister. After all, it was Celestia that brought all of the ponies together to agree on Ponyville's finding, was it not? I had nothing to do with regulating the day and night, since I was busy with my duty of being the Mare in the Moon.

It was nice though, to have my one day of fame. After all, before I was the Mare in the Moon, I didn't have a single day to shine, metaphorically speaking. I guess I should thank Twilight Sparkle for that day, since she was the only one who understood that I wasn't a threat anymore. As if I was ever a threat to begin with...

Nevertheless, Nightmare Night is over, and it was one of the few days that made me happy after I came back. I wish I could have another, but I suppose that is being greedy. Celestia told me that wanting more than you get is a path to becoming Nightmare Moon again. I didn't know that wanting what I used to have was also being selfish.

So, I'm sure that you can come up with a good reason of why I still manage to keep my emotions locked up after all of this time. Tell me the reason, I'm curious.

... Get out.

Collection

I am sorry for the rude way in which I ended the meeting last week. I was doing it solely for your benefit. Words have only made me that angry once, and I do not wish to repeat it.

Yes, I did get a letter from somepony, but you do not have to worry about it for the time being. I will address the letter later. I see you have a few more things in your saddlebag than usual. Do you mind telling me what they are?

A test? If you wish. Those cards are going to be a part of them? Very well. I suppose my complete lack of instructions is supposed to be part of the game?

Thank you for clarifying. I suppose this is going to be quick. Thank you for making this a quick visit. I am still thinking about what you said and whether or not you should be on the moon because of it.

I heard of this test before, but have never actually been subjected to it. I remember Starswirl the Bearded had this test applied to him before he was allowed to study the magic that Twilight Sparkle will no doubt be accomplishing soon.

I'm sorry, I will relax.

…

Okay, I think I'm ready. Please show me the first card.

This card is interesting. I can think of a few stories that can be applied to this card. I see a moth in here among the ink. The dividing line down the middle makes the picture look symmetrical. But you can see the small amount of ink that makes this not the case. This card reminds me of the intricacies of life. This moth is almost perfect if you look at it objectively. But when I try and imagine this moth in my mind, I think that it is not as perfect as we claim it to be. The four holes nearby the center can hinder the moth's flying. Perhaps it is crippled and has to work harder to do the same actions as the other moths. The moth is so close to being perfect, but the few asymmetrical errors prevents this. I can imagine the moth trying its best in order to stay relevant to her pack... I mean... to its pack.

My apologies if I seemed to ramble. I had one more image that I wish to share with you, if you do not mind.

If you turn the card to the left or right, you can see a four legged animal. I would call it a cat or a fox if there was a tail present. For all we know, the tail could be tucked under their legs, I'm not sure. But the mirror image below the animal makes me think of a lake's reflection. A mirror would be unable to provide such a reflection, since it gives a perfect view. A lake is inhabited by the fauna of Equestria, so the little intruders in this visual could be a few bugs or a lily pad. Perhaps the animal is recollecting over their recent accomplishments, or just wants a serene place to calm their mind. The animal has something on its mind. It only has a half glance towards the lake, which means that it is either thinking about staring again, or the animal has something troubling them that prevents their full attention from being grabbed.

I want the animal to keep staring. Distractions are frequent in our society; I feel like this animal is not allowing itself to rest. The letter is inside of the house, and yet the animal intends to check every post office. I will end on that note.

Oh, another card? I see. Well then, we will go over my answers when we are done, I'm assuming.

I can tell that this card is supposed to make me uncomfortable. It doesn't make me think of anything happy, only the actions that follow when there is a lack of harmony. I can only think of blood, and the retreat of an offender when they have done their deed. This card... makes me distaste the actions of the minority. I know that my subjects are only trying their hardest to bond and develop friendships. I do not blame them. However, when it comes to beings like Discord, King Sombra, and Queen Chrysalis, who only intend to sap the harmony out of the world, those feelings come back. The anger... the hatred.

Please put the card away. I don't want to see it anymore.

Thank you.

This next card is interesting. Two images come to mind when I look at this card. The first image is simple. I see the neck part of a tuxedo suit for a colt. The red heart shapes in the middle could form a bow tie, while the rest of the black provides the outline for the suit. I have seen many of these suits on stallions that used to try and ask me out on a date. My sister never denied me the privilege of going out with a stallion, but there was a trend among those that did want to. They never established a date time, even though they promised that they would, “Get back to me.”

There are two things in Canterlot that most stallions wanted: money and power. If you were in Canterlot, chances are you already had a significant amount of money. What status symbol would be the most prestigious? The king of course. I remember one specific stallion that I almost... Never mind. It's nothing.

This card also makes me think of Princess Cadance. Her love magic is powerful, capable of overpowering the mind of anypony. She has already been taught by my sister to control it and not overdo the powers of attraction and intimacy. You know the old saying: Love is blind. I'm glad that I got my sight back.

Don't write that down. It's irrelevant.

This card gives me the image of two ponies as they feel that spark of attraction. The fluttering feeling that moves through their chest as their eyes meet is one of a kind. I can imagine their hesitation to speak, to discuss their feelings. Perhaps one of them has a crush on the other and is finally overcoming their fears. Maybe the school dance is coming up and one of them wishes to ask the other to it. Either way, I'm happy for them. Finding that very special somepony is a goal that everypony should accomplish. I'm happy for them, I'm happy for you, I'm happy for all of my subjects.

The next card? We are moving through these quickly, aren't we?

This card is different from the others... it's judging me. It reminds me... makes me think of a child being scolded by their parent. This card is completely symmetrical compared to the others, almost as if this paragon of judgment is certified to look down upon you. I can't think of anything cute to attribute to this card. It only makes me think of other ponies as they rear their fore hooves up to strike or point. The viewpoint makes one think that they are on their back as they stare up at this card. I wonder what my sister would say in response to this card. Perhaps she wouldn't feel anything. Nothing is judging her.

I'm sorry but I do not wish to provide you with a story for this card. I think you got enough information.

This next card is easy. I don't understand why this card wasn't placed in the beginning of the test, since it reminds me of the first card. This card is a perfectly symmetrical moth. As opposed to the first card, this moth is probably one of the perfect ones, a regular moth that accomplishes their duties with a lack of interference or challenge. There are a few scuff marks on the wings of the moth, which could represent small battles that the moth had to partake in to continue. If I had one word to represent this card, it would be tenacity. You can call it luck or destiny, either way, this moth will achieve great things.

I... do not wish to say anything about this card. Don't write that down either. Move on to the next one.

Another asymmetrical card I see. The bottom of the card is what stands out to me. It is hard to tell whether both sides of the card are lines extending outwards from the center point on the bottom, or lines converging into one point. Another two images come to mind.

Much like the card that reminded me of Princess Cadance, I see a connection in here. Whether it is tangible or not, the bottom of the card seems to project the combination of the two “lines”, if we want to call them that. The darker color could represent the fact that the two lines are now “full” or more perfect now that they are combined. They aren't completely perfect however, since the center is just as asymmetrical as the two “lines”. Maybe this is a metaphorical representation of marriage, the combination of two things that are not perfect to try and create a more stable bond.

The other story I can think of is the image of a mind. The center in this image could represent the beginning of our thoughts: the desire for food, drink, and attention. It's just a simple point. But through living life and experiencing it, the thoughts eventually change in scope and depth. You could have a deep thought such as, “What is the meaning of life?” to a simple question about the food in front of you. The “lines” could also be thought of as a time line of thought. There are big amounts of ink in different areas followed by retractions in thinking, much like when a pony becomes a teenager or an adult. There are also withdrawals in thought, such as the end of the “lines” and the beginning of your expiration.

I like this card. I'm glad that this card has some color in it, other than the blood red color that was presented in the other two cards. The top green blot on the card makes me think of the Royal Canterlot Guard helmets. The blue blots remind me of a flag, perhaps Equestria's own flag. Or my own, I do see a tilted moon on the two flags. The orange and pink bottom of the card makes me think of Celestia's form during the Summer Sun Celebration. You haven't seen it before? I recommend it. The orange that engulfs her body when she changes the sun in front of everypony is beautiful...

I'm sorry, I spaced out. Where was I?

Oh yes, the card. The outside pink portion of the card looks like two four legged animals. Perhaps they are on the prowl, looking for food to eat. They certainly aren't relaxed. Their bodies look tense and on the edge.

This card looks like a metaphor for Equestria under my sister's rule. All of the ink on the card is connected to one another in some way. Equestria runs smoothly under my sister's rule. There is an army, diplomatic relations are held with every city because of my sister, and if anything goes wrong, the Elements of Harmony are nearby to bring peace back to the country. This is all summed up in this one card, although I'm sure that wasn't the intention when this card was made. That is just my story.

No, the tense creatures have nothing to do with my metaphor.

This next card is difficult to respond to. I know that it is asymmetrical and the colors easily blend into one another. Apart from that, no particular shapes stand out to me. I can't say that it is a phoenix, since the colors are off, and my sister does not turn green during the Summer Sun Celebration. I'm done with this card, please show the next one.

This last card is certainly a myriad of colors. These visuals bring me back to the fauna that I mentioned previously. All of these silhouettes look like a creature from nature, whether it is a caterpillar or a crab. Just like one of the previous cards, all of the ink creatures are connected in some way, which could represent the Equestrian food chain. I can't give all the blots a creature name, since some of them just look like ambiguous shapes, but this is the only thing that I could think of.

We are done? I see. Well, look at the time. We are a half hour over our usual time. I'll pay extra for tonight since you endured me for this long.

Okay, while you gather your thoughts, I will address this letter on my bed.

Oh, this letter is for my sister. I shouldn't be surprised. The mailmare must have accidentally placed it in the wrong bin this time. Oh well, I guess I will...

This letter has your name on it.

I'll just open this up and see what you wanted to tell my sister.

Is something the matter? Oh? Then why did you just try to grab the letter with your magic? Are you hiding something from me?

Well then, at least you are honest with me, this time. Let me just read this letter and we can pick up where we left off.

How dare you. You have the nerve to try to go behind my back to my sister in order to get her input on my mental condition? Should I even bother to tell you the code of your own people? Patient confidentiality? Does that not exist anymore?

Never once did I tell you that I planned on ending my own life, the therapist code clearly states that confidentiality can only be broken if the patient harbors feelings of hurting others or thoughts of suicide. This is not the case. You have betrayed me.

I am not going to yell. I am not going to scream. You, on the other hand, are going to gather all of your things, turn around, and walk back to your home. Have I made myself clear? I no longer require your services, since I obviously cannot trust you with my feelings. Your final payment is on the dresser behind you. While I cannot stop you if you decide to go to my sister again, I would recommend that you move on to another patient and forget about our conversations.

If I catch you near our castle again, I will teleport you back to Ponyville with no repercussions, but I'm sure that you wouldn't make the same mistake twice. I'll ask again, have I made myself clear? Good. Now stand up, take your payment, and leave.

Author's Note

I wanted to have this done on Christmas Day so that I could have a present for my readers. However, a hardcore writer's block hit me and I was unable to write until today. I hope you all enjoyed this chapter, even though it's slightly weirder than my previous ones. Merry Holidays!

Forgiveness

I see that you have gotten my letter. Thank you for addressing it, despite the fear that you must have felt. I would like to do something a little out of the ordinary for tonight. You are no doubt wondering why I summoned you back to my room, considering I threatened to teleport you back to Ponyville if you moved onto the castle grounds. Please... take a seat. You do not need to be close to the door, we will be taking part in another visit just like three days ago. As you can see, the payment is already on the usual spot behind you. The only difference between our last visit and this one is that I... will be sitting in your chair, and you will be laying on my bed.

Please lay down and make yourself comfortable, but face me. I want to be able to stare into your eyes during this session. Hmm... I don't know how you managed to stay into this chair for ninety minutes at a time, it is not as comfortable as you made it out to be. But then again, you are smaller than me.

Your silence is admirable. Usually someone that has betrayed me would have already begged to be forgiven and given hundreds of ways to show why they are sorry. You have not spoken yet. Whether it is because of fear or your own emotional stability, I do not know. Either way, you know what you have done. I bring you here not because I wish to punish you, but because I want to forgive you.

You left a copy of the ink blot test papers outside my door. Your responses to my stories on the cards were succinct and hastily scribbled down on the scroll, which lead me to believe that it was a copy. Maybe that is why it took you a few moments to leave my doorstep. I read every word of the ink blot examination. While your writing was merely conjecture, your assumptions of me were... interesting. You had a test for me three days ago. Now, after a few days of thinking, I wish to give one to you. The test is simple. You merely agree or disagree with what I am saying when I ask for your input. Is that clear? Thank you. Now please relax and listen to my story.

I was angry when you decided to contact my sister after the discussions that we had together. I was wondering why you bothered to ask my sister when you could have gotten the information out of me eventually. You made a rash decision that was based mostly on fear and not the information that you got from me. If you ask me, that seems very unlike you. Once I realized this, I grew curious. You seem like a very smart stallion. Why would you break the therapist's code (a code that is very important to people of your profession) and our confidentiality just so that you could get information from my sister? After all, I previously told you that my sister has not told me anything of substance for a while. It was all risk and no reward for you, and yet you did it. It took me a few days, but I am no longer confused. I know why you did it.

Emotions are a fickle thing. They are their own language when words are simply incapable of getting your point across. Whether it is to enhance your words or become their own, emotions are necessary for us to communicate. You are a therapist, a mirror or simple punching bag for emotions. You can feel emotion in others and try to coax them out if they are being repressed. If you couldn't, I would have been angry at you the numerous times that we engaged in conversation. However, you were incapable of hiding it once, and I could sense it. Fear is the emotion that has circled my life the most. I had no doubts of your feelings when you were fired.

You are probably wondering where I am going with this. I do not wish to seem intrusive, but curiosity got the better of me. As Princess of the Night, I am capable of entering your dreams. Do you want to know what I saw?

I saw a schoolyard in Manehatten. It was a cloudy day. The Pegasi promised rain on that day, so the many fillies and foals were inside for recess. You were sitting in your office for lunch, but I recall a half eaten hay sandwich remaining on the desk. Your attention was on the filly in front of you. The filly was crying and explaining the teasing that they were enduring because of her lack of a cutie mark. You empathized with her. You told her that you suffered a lot of the same teasing when you were young. You suggested some methods to ignore the bullies and offered to talk to them for the filly. However, the filly declined, and you understood why. No one likes a tattle tale. The filly left with a small smile on their face, the same smile that you provided to me when I asked about your child. I found that curious, which is why I continued to watch.

I assume that you were the counselor for the Manehatten Elementary School? You were younger back then, but not by much.

Ah, college is nice to finish. I'm glad that you quickly got a job when you left. It's a shame that it didn't last for long. I'm getting off topic. I'm a terrible therapist... heh.

The rain started to pelt the window of your office and you turned towards the stack of letters that were given to you. One such letter was brought to you via dragon fire. The wrinkled circles on the scroll interested you. Those were dried tear marks, and I'm pretty sure that you knew what they were. You didn't know why.

The scroll unraveled in front of you and your well trained eyes read over every word. I could see your eyes as the light within them began to dim. The sandwich in front of you was no longer visible as the scroll rolled back up to its previous condition when you took your hooves off of it. I couldn't read the letter quick enough, but I was able to guess what happened when the tears started to fall down your face.

You couldn't accept it. The letter wasn't true. Why else would you have taken the rest of the day off for work and board a train towards Fillydelphia? I knew you would have teleported if you could, a stallion like you doesn't believe anything until he sees it.

During those three hours in which you stared at the chair in front of you, I could feel the fear radiating off of you. Nearly everypony on that train was interested in their vacation plans or the areas they would visit when they reached Fillydelphia. All that mattered to you was the subject of the letter.

While my powers are capable of providing me with this vision for you, I was unable to read your thoughts. I would have gotten my answer from you sooner if I was capable of doing so. Your spaced out expression, slumped shoulders, and slouched posture was all I had to go on. Combined with the continuous tears, I had a feeling about this dream and wished that I was wrong. I wasn't.

Nurse and paramedic ponies rushed out of a nearby house when you were able to reach your destination. The dozen ponies in the house were merely background to you as your hooves brought you to the last bedroom in the house. I could tell that you have been in this room before, since your eyes immediately shot towards the closet instead of wandering around the room to find your goal.

Four policecolts stopped you as you entered the room and told you that you were not allowed on the premises. You provided the rejoinder that you know this foal and his parents. They didn't care however and they pushed you back onto the street since you were not immediate family of the deceased.

That was the word that I was afraid of hearing: deceased. As much as I wished that you were going to merely comfort someone that had lost their job, this was not the case. The confirmation of your fears flashed across your face as you sat outside the house. When the parents of the foal were finally done being questioned, the father called you into the house as the policecolts and the paramedics left. You waited three hours on the steps until you were brought back into the house. It would have been an agonizing wait for me, if I wasn't too busy trying to hold in my tears.

I... I'm sorry if I start to cry here. I can see that you are barely restraining yourself. I don't want to have the both of us suffer, just let me finish this story so that I can get to my point. Go ahead and cry if you need to, the last thing I want is to have you hold in your emotions.

The parents brought you into their house. While the father wasn't able to remember you, the mother knew you like the back of her hoof and she served you a cup of tea. The two of you talked while the father left the room. She told you that this all came out of nowhere. She said that although she knew that her son was being bullied at school, she didn't think that he would go so far as to... do it. The both of you were crying, it's a miracle that the two of you managed to talk about this on the same day.

You told her that you used to talk to the foal whenever he needed to. He would schedule an appointment with you after school and come into your office to talk. While you usually liked to go home after your work, you had no problem with talking to that foal because you knew he was depressed. You said that you tried your hardest to cheer him up and provide him with ways to do so.

The mother then grew angry. Her face turned into a frown and she stood up from the couch she was laying on to point an accusing hoof at you. She asked you why you didn't punish any of the bullies that were picking fun at him. You told her that you spoke to each of the bullies that the foal named and warned them against any more hostile treatment.

Your words did not settle the mare. She asked if that was the case, then why did he have to switch schools and move two cities away in order to try and start over? You could feel her wanting to attack even more and you moved away from the armchair. You didn't stop her from talking however, you froze, as if you felt that you deserved her anger.

She yelled that the family spent thousands of bits in order to move schools, houses, jobs, and buy therapy for her son. Despite all of this, the school that she moved him to still had bullies while her husband and her suffered severe pay cuts and downgraded in houses to try and make their son happy. Now it was all wasted because her son decided to end the depression that he was suffering.

She asked why you couldn't save him. Despite the fact that you were two cities away from him and no longer provided therapy for him when he switched schools, you didn't answer. Perhaps she was asking about the past when her foal was in your school. The mare's voice lowered to a normal level as she continued to cry. She told you that she appreciated the help that you gave to her son when you could, but she would prefer that you leave. The last words that you told the mare when you left was, “It wasn't your fault.”

Soft String was his name? I'm terribly sorry for your loss. Please cry as much as you want, that bed is used to it. I can wait.

I understand why you went to my sister. You were scared due to our first few visits that I was planning on ending my life. While I may have harbored thoughts about doing it, I have never once attempted it. This is not because it's impossible. My sister and I are not immortal. It is because we have both accepted the responsibility of caring for our subjects. Doing such an act would desecrate the foundation that we have been working so hard to build: harmony. Our subjects would question harmony if such a framework was incapable of making the ones who created it happy. Doing that act is selfish and irresponsible on our part.

For Soft String... I don't have any words to respond.

You went to my sister with good intentions. You wanted to make sure that I wasn't keeping a secret plan to... leave Equestria. I understand that. But... you did not trust me. This lack of trust, combined with previous events that you have locked up, caused this betraying letter.

Thank you for the apology. I am sorry as well. I'm afraid I have not been completely honest with you during your visits. Some of the questions that you asked were... too personal. Some other questions triggered my fear of my sister. I would like to continue our therapist visits on two conditions. One, you cannot betray my trust like this again. Anything that I say is kept within the confines of this room or your scrolls. Do you agree?

Thank you. Two, you must be completely honest with me. I cannot admit that I will be accepting of your honesty. Your ejection in our second visit is evidence of that. But you have brought up questions that have made me think about my self, my past, and my future. No one else has done such a thing. As much as I hate to admit it, I need your services. You are a smart and insightful stallion that has done what no other could: make me question myself.

In exchange for these conditions, I will be completely honest to you and will open up about anything that I am comfortable with sharing. Thank you, my therapist.

Oh, it appears to be raining. I do not wish for you to get a cold. Please close your eyes, and I will teleport you into your bed back at your house. It is no problem at all, please get some rest.

Remember this my therapist, it is not your fault.

Author's Note

The wheels start to spin. Thank you my readers for all of your support thus far. I have a simple question for all of you, if you don't mind answering. Whether it is in a comment, PM, or comment on my user page, I wish to ask: Would you like if I were to make an audiobook out of this fanfiction when it is completed? I am aware that it would only be Princess Luna's voice, but this idea popped into my head and I wanted to ask for your input.

On a slightly more related note, happier chapter is next! I have it all planned out. Happy New Year everyone! Enjoy your partying and stuff while I work at Subway xD.

Confrontations

Please do not take your coat off. I would like to go outside for the time that we have. If I have to stay in this bedroom for any longer while we talk, I will not be able to stand it.

You don't have to worry about my sister. She doesn't control whether I have a midnight stroll or not. Leave your things here, I do not wish for them to weigh you down while we are walking.

Hmm? Oh, I just thought that this would help you out with your visit. A change of scenery would do both of our minds some good. Follow me, we are going to take the back exit out of the castle.

Brr... it is very chilly outside. Are you doing okay?

Good, I do not wish for you to be too cold. It impedes the thinking process...

Hmm? Oh, I'm sorry. I spaced out a little bit. It's been a while since I left the castle. I thought that it was going to be decorated with more posters of my sister and events that took place during the day. I only see one poster, and the event expired 3 days ago.

I figured we could take a stroll through the maze around here. There are many statues of numerous figures that I could tell you about. Starswirl the Bearded, Discord, and even a statue of my previous self remain hidden in the maze.

Well if you don't want to do that, then what do you suggest? It seems slightly rude to deny the patient.

Teleport us where?

If you say so, I don't see the point in that though.
~

Ooh, the waterfall looks so beautiful during the night. Oop, I'm sorry! I hope that you don't mind getting your hooves wet.

The water is so relaxing. The faint hiss of the waterfall as the water continues to rise and flow makes me think of... nothing. I feel like the water is slowly draining my mind of any thoughts... any worries... any sad memories. I left them all in my room, with our previous few visits. Oh! Hello there little one. The Princess of the Night welcomes you to kiss my hooves.

I didn't know that there were fish inside of this lake. The last time I checked, it was just a small lake that drained water off of the mountain. The fish are so beautiful...

Their scales reflect the light that comes off of my horn. I can see all the colors of the rainbow in this lake. Hehe... It's so beautiful.

Gotcha!

Oh, come on. Don't be such a parasprite. The Princess of the Night orders you to have a splash fight!

Eek!

Oh, you are going to get it now! Taste the wrath of my tidal wave!

Hehe, well, it was fun while it lasted. Think of it this way, you got your own little bath for the night.

I haven't had a water fight with anypony in a while. The last time that I did was back before Nightmare Moon. I'm going to lay down over here on the grass. I'll just take a bath when this visit is over.

I have to say, you are definitely a way different therapist than I thought. Sure, you were capable of making me think about myself, but I assumed you would back down if anything “fun” was brought into our visits.

I didn't call you lame... I was just inferring it.

Hmm? Oh, yes. I remember nearly every day back when I was a filly. My sister and I engaged in water fights nearly every day. We would mark out our whole backyard, place bowls of water in hard to reach areas, count to ten, and then attack. We would levitate the water at each other, and since we were usually quick with our magic, the water would be pulled out of the ground and thrown back before it dried up. Every time we finished, we were muddy and gross. But we couldn't be laughing any harder.

Sometimes it's nice to just lay down on the grass and feel the air brush past your fur. The fish won't stop kissing my hooves, it's tickling me.

Do you remember any games from your childhood that you would like to share?

Oh, well I'm sure that a smart stallion like you would be able to create some games to play with others. Just because you were an only child, doesn't mean that you were unable to play any games...

Hmm? Oh, I'm sorry. I was just thinking about Nightmare Moon.

Not my imprisonment, when I came back.

I'm afraid I haven't been completely honest with you. I promised that I would be, but my lie was before this promise. The truth is that my sister did try to incorporate me into her life when I came back. She didn't hand me any duties from the castle, but she did try and have a water fight with me when I moved back into the castle. I remember all of the buckets that were placed outside near the maze and our endless amounts of teleportations in order to throw water at one another. I had the biggest migraine when we finally finished, but I never laughed like that since.

Unfortunately, that's the only part that I lied about. As much as I would like to say that we got into more water fights and continued to reestablish the bond between us both, this was not the case.

Maybe it's my fault for thinking that “friendship” means a bigger thing than my sister thinks. After all, friendship is subjective to the person that uses the word. Cranky Doodle Donkey considers Pinkie Pie a friend, even though the two of them probably never speak to each other. I'm friends with Twilight Sparkle, even though she has never sent a letter to me since our meeting at Nightmare Night. Maybe the same thing applies to my sister. We are sisters, we are friends, but they are merely words. We are born with one word, and the second was applied like Canterlot's finest paint.

My apologies, I must be depressing you. How about we talk about something else? Ooh... look at all of the fireflies! I didn't know that Canterlot had fireflies during the night. Maybe they saw the light on my horn and decided to come out. I love how all of the fireflies move together in groups. It's like a lantern for the sky, a beautiful display for anypony that wishes to be awake at this time. Perhaps I should go outside more often. I don't want to turn into Twilight Sparkle.

The environment is so much more beautiful when you can place your hooves on it. Sure, a book can say, “The tides of the ocean are affected by the moon,” but the fun is not in the text. The fun is showed by the researcher, when they decided to go outside and stare at the moon while the water moved back and forth. I can feel it right now, as the water moves back and forth over my hooves until they feel like prunes.

I can feel the small little insects as they crawl up my fur and my fore legs. I can hear the frogs croaking, the crickets chirping, and the water falling. It's so relaxing, I never thought I would feel this way.

I wonder if Fluttershy ever feels this when she goes outside and talks to the fauna of Equestria. I can't talk to them, and yet I grow more curious with each new sound that appears.

Oh... I can't do that. Fluttershy probably has more important things to do than go sightseeing with me.

No! We can't do that! It's way past midnight! We can't just drop in on her, unannounced!

But... But... there's a time and place for everything! Can I at least wait until tomorrow to ask her?

Very well. You do have a point. If I wait until tomorrow, then I'll probably wait until the next day, and so on. But how are we going to do this? I don't know what to say. The last time that I visited her, she still thought I was Nightmare Moon.

No. We need a plan. We should role play it out, or something. I don't trust my words.

Fine. Have it your way. If this crashes and burns, I'm blaming you...
~

Okay, we are here. You hide in the bushes over there.

Hello?

Hello there Fluttershy. It is I, Princess Luna!

Oh... Princess Luna. Do you know what time it is?

Yes I do. It is because of this time that I came to come visit. My apologies that I could not visit sooner, I had previous things that I had to tend to.

Angel, please calm down. Princess Luna did not mean to wake you up.

Oh... I'm sorry. I can come back at another time.

No, it's okay Princess Luna. Angel just gets a little cranky when he doesn't sleep all the way through the night.

I see. I'll make my visit quick then.

Do you want to come in?

I... Um... I... Is it going to be a burden?

Not at all. I would be happy to have you visit. I mean, I haven't had someone visit my house in a while. I've mostly visited the houses of everypony else.

Thank you Fluttershy for allowing me into your home.

It is no problem Princess Luna.

Please... call me Luna.

Oh. Okay. I'm sorry. Why did you decide to come over to my house at... one in the morning? Is something the matter?

Not at all Fluttershy. I was just thinking about you while I was outside. I saw some beautiful fish that reflected the light from my horn off of their scales. I also saw some fireflies that came out after I extinguished my light. They made me wish that I could talk to those creatures, and then I thought of you. I wanted to ask, if it isn't a burden to you, if we could go out during the night and sight see around the outsides of Canterlot? I can bring you there and back with a teleportation spell, so that you don't have to take the train. We can have a few of my guards with us if you wish.

Oh... um... I don't know Luna. I mean... it's outside... and dark... and scary. I've never been outside Canterlot in the dark.

Um... Perhaps... we could change it to the morning? I'll be awake when the sun starts to rise. Would that be better?

Oh yes, I love waking up when the hummingbirds do. We can watch them eat, and say “Hello,” to the chickens when they wake up. This will be so much fun.

Thank you Fluttershy! Would Monday work for you?

Oh yes, I can't wait to see you then Luna. Have a good night.

You as well. I'll close the door behind me, don't worry. Have sweet dreams, and I'm sorry for waking you.

It's okay Luna.
~

We did it! I'm so excited! I haven't gone out with any other pony in a while! Thank you for taking this trip with me. You definitely had a better idea than mine. Not only did we avoid the maze, I also got to set up a sightseeing day with Fluttershy! I couldn't have done any of it without you. Now I just have to prepare my sleep schedule accordingly...

Oh... I'm just looking at my book shelf. I think there is a book in there that you should read. Here. It's my diary. Nothing in there should be a secret between us, and I think that those pages can explain a lot of what I can't convey to you in words. Things that I don't want to admit anymore, or things that I can't say in these castle walls without feeling dread or fear are within those pages. Send me a letter if you want to talk to me again. I feel that it would be more convenient than me sending you a letter if you haven't read any of the pages. Want me to teleport you back to your home?

Very well, have a safe walk and a good sleep. Don't forget to take your things.

Well hello there my faithful subject. Might I ask exactly what it is that you were doing with my sister in the odd hours of the night?

I wasn't able to sleep today. I can get over it. This is not the first time that I have lived through a day without sleeping. You still have not answered my question. What were you doing with my sister?

If you were a beggar, you wouldn't have a new saddlebag on your back and a clean mane. Do not lie to me... my faithful subject... When it comes to matters of my sister, I am not going to play any games with you.

Let's talk a walk, shall we?

Don't mind the two guards behind us, focus on me. Now, I'll ask the question one more time. What were you doing with my sister?

…

I see. How long has this been going on? Well, my sister has certainly picked an interesting stallion to be her mate. You are erudite, young, but also a very terrible liar. I believe we can stop the walk here.

This is the Canterlot Maze. Statues of numerous ponies that have provided contributions to society sit here, to provide my sister and I with memories of what was once here. I'm sure you remember Starswirl the Bearded, Discord, and so on. This statue... is Nightmare Moon. Are you aware of the legend behind it?

Good. It is true, Nightmare Moon was born from my sister due to hatred, bitterness, and anger. King Sombra was born due to hatred, bitterness, and anger. What do you think would happen if the relationship between you and my sister were to fall apart?

Exactly.

Now, you are a smart stallion, I will not deny that. I'm sure you can make the connection. As nice as it is that you are trying to enlighten my sister's life, you can say that the risk is not worth the reward. Your life and love is not eternal. I cannot take the risk of my sister becoming Nightmare Moon once more just so that you two can have a relationship. You are smart, but you aren't some sort of therapist that can solve all of her problems. You are a stallion with eyes on the prize, which is not going to be my sister.

While I cannot stop you from dating my sister, just keep this in mind when you are spending time in her room. If you fall out of love with her, and leave her, Nightmare Moon will be your fault. My intervention and having to... imprison my sister will be your fault. I love my sister, I would give up anything to have her happy. If you can handle the responsibility of her imprisonment, just so that you can spend the night with her, then be my guest. But if you cause another Nightmare Moon, due to your selfish desires, I will know.

Forgive me if I sound threatening. Guards, please stand down. Go back to your posts.

I hope that I have made my point. My apologies if I made you late to your home. Would you like to be teleported back? Just tell me where it is and I will do the rest.

No? Very well. I'm going to go back to sleep. I suggest you do the same... in your own bed. Good night, my faithful subject.

Author's Note

No, before anyone asks, I'm not going to ship them together. I'm not that stupid.

Invitation

Honey, have you ever thought about the name?

The name for our baby, silly!

I've been giving it a lot of thought. I always loved names that had to do with light. Shining Spark... Morning Glow... Bright Shine... Night Light... Dusk Brille... Lumiere... did you think of any names?

Oh... I'm sorry. I didn't know that you had a headache.

…

It's been a while since we've laid together like this, hasn't it?

I mean... with you being gone during the night, it's been getting lonely.

It's okay. I understand. You have a job, and you are supposed to go to Princess Luna whenever she calls for you. I just wish that she didn't need you as much as she did...

I know... but it's still too long. I want to keep you all to myself... hehe.

Here. Let me help you with your headache.

…

Feeling better?

Good. I hate seeing you in pain. So... what do you think?

Yeah. Is she going to change us? Is she going to strengthen our love? We both get to raise a child together, it's what we always wanted. After years of trying, we can finally bring our own little filly into the world. We get to be one big happy family.

…

The mail came today. We have a few bills for the rent and loans. We have enough for this month, right?

Thank you. I hate that I have to take maternity leave... it makes me feel like I'm not doing my fair share. The checks aren't very much either. I should have gotten a better job before we decided to do this...

But... I can barely pay half of the rent with my maternity leave. I mean... if you didn't get Princess Luna as a client, we would be deep in debt! We are barely scraping by! You haven't lowered any of your morning clients, while I am just sitting around and eating to keep the baby healthy. I couldn't be any more useless... could I?

I love you too. I'm sorry... it's just... frustrating. I can't talk to you during the morning, because you are out with your patients. When you aren't helping them, you have to do nearly everything else. I wish I could at least go grocery shopping without feeling the baby wanting to come out.

Thank you... for everything. If I knew that I would be this much trouble, I would have read more books on what being pregnant does to me. I should have planned this out...

Okay okay... I'll stop worrying... Do you have to go to Canterlot tonight?

I thought so. I should get some rest anyway... thank you for the dinner, it was so good. I think I ate as many pounds as the baby! Heh... Good night Honey... have a good time. I love you.

Oh? Please, do come in. Thank you Radiant Step for escorting him to my room. Make sure to thank my sister as well, since I'm sure she asked for you to find him.

This is a pleasant surprise. I didn't think you would visit me so quickly after last week. I just got the letter from you a hour ago.

Do you look okay? You look like you've seen a ghost.

If you say so. Have you gotten a chance to read through my diary?

I see. I understand, you don't have to drop all of your things just so you can study up on me. You can bring it up whenever you are comfortable. Well, if you aren't here for the diary, I would assume you are here to ask about my morning with Fluttershy and the week that followed?

It was one of the most wonderful mornings I've ever stayed up for. We walked around her cottage and I didn't know that she had so many animals in one place! One of her rabbits, Angel I think his name was, wasn't very nice to me. He threw his food at me when I took "his" spot on the couch. However, he warmed up to me afterwards and became one of the nicest pets that I met. We talked to hummingbirds and chickens and even a bear! I mean... Fluttershy talked to them, but they were all nice to me and acted like they understood me. They seemed to know who I was, even though I never talked to these animals before.

I agree. It was very fun, and Fluttershy said she would be more than happy to do it again. It was a success, and I couldn't have done any of it without you. Thank you.

Sure, I did it, but you gave me the idea. You suggested that we teleport to the Canterlot Waterfall and you persuaded me to visit Fluttershy. I would say the two of us are on our way to becoming good friends. Even though I was exhausted from raising the moon and staying up the whole night, I wouldn't trade the experience for the world.

Fluttershy and I talked about her friends while we were feeding the hummingbirds. She told me that she never went sightseeing with a Princess before. I told her I was honored to go with an Element of Harmony, which I think made her kind of nervous. Her face turned red and she tried to pass off her Element as just something she was luckily given. She replied with the notion that she wasn't special and she was the honored one since I was in her presence.

The day went by and Fluttershy asked me about Canterlot, about being a princess. I told her that it is its own kind of blessing, much like the Elements of Harmony. I told her that my sister does a good job ruling alongside me, even though I knew that those words were a lie. My stomach still feels uneasy from lying to her, but I know I can't shatter Fluttershy's perception of my sister. The last thing I want is for her worries to be echoed among her friends. It would snowball into a bigger problem, especially if Twilight Sparkle found out about it. Since I dodged that interaction, I feel accomplished because of the help that I provided. I managed to give Fluttershy advice. I haven't given advice in over a millennium.

She told me about the day when she became aggressive and started to challenge everyone around her due to Iron Will's motivational speech. Everypony around her became a target when she started to take her assertiveness too far, including her friends. She lashed out at all of them, went overboard, and said things that she still regrets, even far after the event has passed. She apologized to her friends, but she told me there were still ponies who ignored her, yelled at her, and completely ran away from her because of that day. She said she didn't want the other ponies to think she was still aggressive and she didn't know what to do.

I brought up the suggestion of asking her friends for help with this problem, but she quickly dismissed the idea. She couldn't ask them because she didn't want to bring her friends into something that was not their business. Plus, she was afraid that some of her friends' actions would complicate her problem.

For example, Rainbow Dash would try and seek out the ones that were constantly running away from her, only to find them and awkwardly push them in Fluttershy's direction. She would also confront the other ponies who yelled at Fluttershy, which would entail more yelling than Fluttershy was comfortable with.

Rarity would probably over-complicate things by offering extra clothes to the ones who were affected by Fluttershy's aggression. This wasn't acceptable since Fluttershy didn't want Rarity to waste money on her problem. Pinkie Pie was the same way with cakes and pastries, although I mentioned to Fluttershy that Pinkie Pie knows everypony in town, and if she were to have Pinkie Pie follow her around while she looked for the ones she wronged, it would be easier.

Fluttershy said that this was her problem and if she didn't solve it by herself, she wouldn't learn from her problem as much as if she solved it herself, which was probably advice that Applejack gave her. I asked her why she didn't talk to Twilight about this, and Fluttershy said that Twilight took a trip to Canterlot, so she was unavailable.

I told her that we all make mistakes, and I helped her laugh off her worry with a joke about my scary attendance during Nightmare Night. I continued and told her that if she didn't fix her mistakes, they will mould her both to the public and to herself. I wish I rephrased my words a little softer, since Fluttershy started to shake and worry even more. I put a hoof on her shoulder and told her that if she really didn't want her mistakes to hover over her, she had to solve them. She was over-thinking her problem, and I believe she mentioned that she didn't even talk to the ones that she wronged. She just accepted whatever treatment they gave her, whether it was running away, yelling, or ignorance. I told her that she had to apologize to those that she wronged. The ones who are running away from her are not aware of how kind Fluttershy could be, and she couldn't let her shyness prevent her from apologizing.

She said she was scared; she didn't know if the others would accept her apology or not. I told her that not everypony is going to accept her apology. She might have ruined some other pony's day because of her actions long ago, and some might simply not believe her. But, I told her the point is not whether or not someone else believes her. It certainly factors in, but the point is whether or not she believes herself. I know she believes she is sorry for what she did, and while she may be shy, if she really wanted it to, she could manage to articulate her feelings to the others that she wronged. How could they know how she felt if she never talked to them?

Fluttershy thanked me for the advice and we continued our sightseeing tour for a few hours. When we finished, she asked if I was willing to do this again. I told her I was more than happy to, but it wouldn't be for a little while. I didn't want to tell her that staying up this far past the morning was exhausting me beyond belief, because she would probably take it the wrong way. It was my choice and I was glad that I did it. I just... need a lot of sleep until I can go sightseeing again.

When I was about to leave for Canterlot, Fluttershy thanked me again for the advice that I gave her and told me she was going to try out my suggestion when she went to the market that day. Apparently she saw the ones she previously yelled at on a daily basis. I hoped she could solve her problem on the same day, because it becomes harder to forgive others when they take so long to apologize. Fluttershy sent me a letter a few hours before I woke up and I was thrilled to hear that one of her victims already forgave her.

I couldn't be happier with the time I had with Fluttershy. Is there anything that you wanted to go over? I don't see any new scrolls inside of your bag, I would assume that because of this, you had a whole visit planned out in your mind.

Ah yes... I forgot to mention Twilight Sparkle. Fluttershy said that Twilight was going to Canterlot to check out more books from the Canterlot Library. I wanted to... who is it?

It's me, Luna.

Come in my sister.

Hello Luna, I have missed you. Am I interrupting anything?

Not at all. I thought that you would be asleep by now. Is there something that you need?

I wanted to talk to you, about Twilight Sparkle.

…

What is it you wish to talk about, Sister?

She is ready, Luna.

…

You sent her Starswirl's notebook?

Yes.

And you believe that she is going to complete the spell?

I know she is going to complete it. Luna, Twilight is one of the most powerful unicorns I have ever seen. She has learned more about the magic of friendship than Starswirl ever could, and has grown stronger in her magic with her friends ever since she moved to Ponyville. I know she can solve the spell that even Starswirl, you, or me couldn't figure out.”

…

I almost solved it, Sister.

As did I, Luna, but the mere fact is that learning the magic of friendship was not our destiny. My destiny was to raise the sun and rule alongside you. Your destiny was to master raising the moon, and you have done it better than I ever could. Luna... is something the matter?

No, I'm fine. I'm happy for Twilight Sparkle. She is going to become one of us, a Princess of the Magic of Friendship.

Don't look at me like that. I can't talk to her. I can't say anything.

Luna, I wanted to ask you something.

Yes?

I am going to be holding a Coronation Dinner for Twilight five weeks after she becomes a Princess. The leaders of the Griffin, Zebra, and Saddle Arabia kingdoms will be attending the dinner to meet her. I have a favor I would like to ask of you.

… Yes?

I can think of no one better than Twilight's friends to help organize and throw the dinner for her. I'm going to be gone for a while to meet up with the leaders of the other countries and organize their attendance. I would appreciate it if you could talk to Twilight's friends and get them to cater, decorate, and provide the entertainment for the dinner. I can still raise the sun. I won't be gone for long, so you do not have to worry about that.

I never worried about it.

Twilight will become a Princess tomorrow, and I don't want anything to get in the way of her discovery. I think it would be best to talk to her friends in a week, after everything has settled down and the group is back to their original selves.

How do you know that they will stay the same Sister? It's... such a big change.

To them, it won't be. Twilight Sparkle will still be Twilight Sparkle, whether she is a Princess or not.

…

I will do this for you Sister.

Thank you Luna. Have a good night.

Good night to you as well, Sister.

…

I should have seen it coming.

Sorry for sending you my thoughts. I just... had to. I might have exploded if I didn't.

No... please... I don't want to talk about it. Just... take your payment and go. I have a lot to think about. Have a good night my Therapist. Come to me tomorrow evening... I'm sure my thoughts will be more controlled then...

Author's Note

Alrighty. Sorry folks for the long time between updates. I had a huge smack of the writer's block, and then right when I wrote this chapter, Alicorn Twiley happened and I had to completely rewrite it, along with the ending and all the other corresponding chapters. But... I'm actually happier with the new ending. It's better than the one I had planned.

I can't promise release dates on my chapters, but I can promise that this fic will be done by the end of March, possibly before. Thank you all for staying with me and I hope that you all enjoyed this chapter.

Rupture

“Oh, it’s nice to see you again, my faithful subject. Were you the one that sent me this letter?”

“I see. Is there something that you wished to talk about?”

“Ah, well, I don't stay up during the night as much as you might think. My student is probably worried about her new transformation, so I am staying awake to catch any letters that she will no doubt send me. I just took a walk outside the castle to clear my head and here we are. How are you doing this fine night?”

“Good? Well, I'm happy for you. I am doing fine as well. It is rare to see your student transcend her studies and become a new princess all in the same day. There have been millenniums of work and planning lost because of my mistakes; I am so glad that I didn't stress Twilight too much. It has happened before and I paid the price because of it. But I digress...”

…

“Are you going to go visit my sister?”

“Very well, I'll follow you to her room.”

…

“So tell me... how did you and my sister meet?”

“Oh... I did not know that my sister left the castle as much as she did. I didn't think that she would want to go out searching for a mate. She always seemed so introverted... so focused on reading and gazing at the stars. She reminded me of somepony else that I know...”

“I'm sorry if I spaced out. I was just thinking. Let's stop for a moment. Are you in any rush?”

“Ah, well since you aren't, would you like to come into the Royal Kitchen with me? I would like a slice of cake before I retire to my room.”

“There is no need to bow to me, Appetizer. One slice of cake with vanilla frosting, please. Would you like anything, Mr...?”

“Ah, very insightful name for a stallion such as yourself. Very well. Just the cake, Appetizer. Thank you, and have a good night.”

“Mmm... this cake is very good. Are you sure that you don't want a piece?”

“Oh, my apologies. I didn't know that you are a diabetic.”

…

“Can I ask you something?”

“Where do you see yourself with my sister in ten years?”

…

“I see. Interesting choice of words. General, yet positive. You have certainly been asked this question before, haven't you? I wonder if all stallions respond that way... it seems to be a pattern.”

“I'm sorry if it seems like I'm interrogating you. I don't want you to feel uncomfortable around me.”

“Yes... well... since the two of us are here... I can appropriately apologize for our previous encounter. I admit that I went a little overboard with my threats. I was just... surprised that my sister would start dating again. I'm happy that she is putting herself out there, I really am, I just wish that I could help her with her choices...”

“No... I don't want to pick for her. I just... I want to explain it to you, but I don't think that it would be polite to talk about Luna's past. She can tell you about it.”

“It's not that I don't want her to be happy. I do. I guess after a thousand and so years, I still haven't gotten over the fact that my sister can date other ponies.”

“No, I have nothing against you. My sister dating just rubs me the wrong way... heh... I blame my mother for that. My mother used to carry around this passive-aggressive vibe wherever she went. When I used to date, my dates would usually crack after a few weeks and tell me that my mother was scaring them. Is it my face? The horn? The wings? Maybe if I spread some cake over my face, I wouldn't be so scary.”

“I'm sorry that it is taking so long to reach Luna's room, but we are almost there.”

“Hmm? Turn around? Why would I do that?”

…

“My apologies if I don't believe you. Is there something you wish to do with my sister that I should know about? Hmm?”

“If there is no problem, then we should continue, should we not? For someone who knows how to answer my questions, you can be a terrible liar when you are put on the spot.”

You can be as well, Sister.

L-Luna?

Did you send me this letter?

I didn't... what is the meaning of this?

Sister, why are you not in bed? Shouldn't you be sleeping for the Royal Coronation tomorrow? Your student will be crowned a princess, you should be awake for that.

I... will be. I'm just making sure that Twilight doesn't panic from her new set of wings. She tends to send me a lot of letters when it comes to something that is new to her, and I'm sure that I'm going to get at least two letters from her tonight.

Then shouldn't you be in your room? I doubt that the letters come to this hallway, unless that changed while I was gone as well.

…

Luna, are you okay?

I'm fine, Sister. Why would I not be?

Don't lie to me Luna. Something is the matter, and I want to know what it is.

Ponies in Tartarus want ice water! What if I don't want to tell you what it is?!

Then...

Then what Sister? Are you going to make me?

…

Luna, please calm down.

I am perfectly calm.

There is something wrong with you Luna. Please... just calm down... we can talk this out.

Can we talk this out Sister? We haven't spoken about anything important since you brought Starswirl's book to me.

But-

And before that, Twilight's train back to Ponyville after Sombra was banished.

She-

And before that... Cadence's marriage.

She asked for-

Even last night, you asked me to help hold that dinner for you. When was the last time you visited my room to just say “hello”?

...

Did you do this? Have you been lying to my sister to make me look bad?

He doesn't need to Sister; you do enough of that by yourself.

Luna! What has gotten into you? This isn't the sister that I know!

…

What have you done to my sister you foal! I knew I should have scared you off when I had the chance!

Ah, so the truth comes out.

I... No... Luna... you don't understand!

Of course I understand Sister. Now I do, because you decided to drop the act.

There isn't...

Tell me Sister, is this new for you? Have you always tried to scare away my coltfriends? He isn't my coltfriend by the way, he's my therapist.

Th-therapist?

I hired him after Twilight Sparkle banished King Sombra. I had a feeling that Twilight Sparkle was rising the ranks of her magical studies while I remained in irrelevance.

But... you looked okay. You didn't seem upset.

I guess that's why Twilight is the Princess of Friendship and not you. Did you think that somepony is going to ignore when another door of opportunity slams in their face? Did you think that another dream being cut to pieces in front of you was going to be taken with a grain of salt?

Tell me Sister... do you know what it's like... to be imprisoned for a thousand years? Do you know what it's like... to know that all of the ponies that you knew and loved are now going on with their lives without you?

I... I don't... Sister.

Ah... you don't. Every pony that you knew, you could watch. You watched them grow. You could see them get their cutie mark, find their special talent, and find their place in our society. You got to meet an innumerable amount of ponies and provide them with your knowledge and experience from your countless years of age. You seized the opportunity to open up your own school for gifted unicorns, and trained the one unicorn that is now going to replace me. You got to see Twilight Sparkle grow and become a princess. Would you like to know what I could see while I was gone, Sister?

I...

The Earth. No, not Ponyville, Canterlot, or even Equestria. I watched the Earth as it spun from night to day and back again. I watched the moon, and in turn, myself turn towards Equestria. You replaced me as if there was no trouble at all and continuously moved me back and forth between Equestria and the other side of the Earth. My movements were all based on your choosing while I was imprisoned in the moon. Even while we were an immeasurable distance away from each other, you were still pushing and pulling me away, treating me like one of the guards in this castle at your beck and call.

Do you know how it feels, Celestia, to hear only your thoughts for a thousand years? I could live off of the scorn and hatred from your banishment for a certain amount of time, but what happens when that dries up? Imagine you are asking a question, and the only one that can answer is yourself. Soon enough, the questions come down to the self when you can't live off of the hatred anymore. I attacked myself, while you used me as the night's lantern.

Tell me this Celestia. What if... before you were banished, you tried to solve Starswirl’s spell, and failed?

L-Luna! You couldn't have! The spell is only connected... to the Elements!

It isn't, Celestia. The spell is connected to the destinies and special talents of the friends of the pony who casts the spell. It only affected the Elements because Twilight, the Element of Magic was the caster. Now, imagine your surprise when you find that after months of studying and implementation of new spells, you are simply not able to reverse it? I implemented nearly every spell I could think of to try and ameliorate it, but all I managed to do was block the problem from everypony around me. Everypony in Canterlot was oblivious to the change due to one of my memory spells, which is probably why no one ever told you about it. I failed the spell... and ruined the lives of five ponies because of it.

Those ponies were my friends, my bodyguards in Canterlot. Yet, I can't remember their names. Do you remember the names of the guards that stood outside my castle before my banishment, Celestia?

Well... there was Twinkle Post... and-

I don't.

…

Imprisonment shapes ponies, Celestia. The years before my banishment are a blur at best and completely forgotten at the worst. I feel a clenching pain in my chest whenever I try to think of the times before my imprisonment. I simply cannot, since I thought about every single detail when I was imprisoned. Every second, every minute... every single hour of every single day was spent thinking... crying... hating what you did to me. The mistakes that I lined up like a set of dominoes that initiated the conclusion of my reign alongside you played in my head over... and over. In the end, I never forgave myself, and as I stand here before you... several years having come and gone... I don't even know if I forgive you.

When I was first broken out of my Nightmare Moon form, the first words that came out of my mouth were “I'm sorry. I missed you so much... Big Sister.” Do you know what that means? It was a surrender. I was sorry, even though you put me through a thousand years of emotional and mental hell while you moved me around like a marionette in the moon. My one chance at revenge and redemption was broken by your protege as I imprisoned you. I gave you the treatment that you gave me. I wanted you to know what it felt like to be completely hopeless, to believe that your prison was going to be never-ending. I wanted you to question yourself and beg for forgiveness for your treatment of me. But you know what happened instead? You didn't have to. You knew that Twilight Sparkle was going to discover the Elements of Harmony and in the process, free you from my prison. You didn't have to worry, cry, or regret. You simply had to wait. Because of this, I gave up. That therapist over there, is the final icon of my surrender. This meeting... is me telling you... that I'm done.

I don't want the chance to rule by your side anymore, since Princess Twilight Sparkle is no doubt going to be more suitable for the role. I don't want you to continue this charade that you want me as your co-ruler. I simply do not believe it. Finally, I wish something that I know you will not be able to agree to, now that you know the extent of your mistakes. I want you to leave me alone...

I'm sorry my Therapist. I wish I could have told you everything during our visits... but I couldn't find the words to elaborate my feelings. Even though every single visit of yours probably gave you enough material to write a novel, I feel as if you haven’t even scraped the surface of what I feel. I do not wish to offend you, but I never expected you to get anywhere with these visits. I said it during your second visit, I merely considered you as a wall to bounce my emotions off of. I just wish that... I was wrong.

Luna... Please listen to me when I tell you this. Listen to every single word. I can’t even begin to explain what I’m feeling, will you please spare me the few minutes so that I can?

…

I’m listening.

A thousand years inside of the moon is not the only prison in this universe, Luna. After I imprisoned you on the moon, I never felt more alone in my life than during those thousand years. Nine hundred years moved by at a snail’s pace as I constantly second-guessed my actions and debated over whether or not I should bring you back. I wanted to bring you back... every single night. But I was scared, I didn’t know how you would feel if I brought you back. I didn’t know if the mare that I brought back would have been my sister, or the one that I helped create.

Luna, Sister, the both of us have created one of the best ages in pony history. When the two of us banished Discord and spread harmony throughout the land, those were the times when the both of us were the happiest. Together, we created culture and a harmonious environment for ponies to create another generation. Our mother would be proud, Sister, with our accomplishments.

I doubt-

Luna, please just let me finish.

Fine.

The both of us were young back then Sister. We both made choices that we now forget. Now... as you stand here before me... I feel as if I was the one that made the most regretful choice. When you vowed to shroud the land in eternal darkness, I imprisoned you in the moon. The legend says that, and although I thought of you nearly every day, I was clueless to the pain that I put you through. You can probably tell since everything you told me has been nothing but eye opening for me. I can safely say that I have failed you as a sister, Luna. Sisters are supposed to provide comfort and support for each other when they fall down, and yet I left you behind as you struggled to push yourself back up.

I love you Luna, and I can only hope that you can find it in your heart to forgive me, even though the torture that I put you through doesn’t even warrant forgiveness. I shouldn’t have done any of it... I should have been the powerful sister that everyone thinks that I am. If I was, maybe I would have been able to find an alternate method to breaking Nightmare Moon. Instead, my method ended up breaking you. I’ve never seen sadness like this, Luna, and not only was I completely oblivious to it, it was and continues to be my fault. I failed you, both as a sister and the co-ruler of Equestria.

When you came back, you seemed so distant from me. When we passed in hallways or during royal events, you barely spoke to me. I knew that you were probably sad, but I thought it was just because you were having trouble adjusting to this new world, and you would quickly find your place and become happier again. I didn’t know if you wanted the royal duties that you were given so many thousand years ago, because I didn’t know what it was that caused you to turn into Nightmare Moon. I know... the legend says that it was because ponies shunned your night, but... I had a feeling that it was more than that. You were always so stressed, so unhappy during the years before your banishment. I didn’t know if it was because of the royal duties, or something else. I didn’t know until you transformed and threatened Equestria.

…

I didn’t know anything.

Sister... I-

I understand if you want me to leave you alone. I hurt you. I broke you. I did what no other sister would do. But I want you to know that now that we’ve had this talk... I’m ready to change. You never needed to change Luna. I was the one that needed to. I’m sorry Luna... and I hope that you will forgive me.

…

I need some time to think, Sister. Please go to bed. We have a coronation to attend to tomorrow.

I... very well. Good night Luna. I’ll see you tomorrow.

You have seen enough, Therapist. Visit me tomorrow night, I'll have a bag of two night's pay waiting for you. Have a good night, I'll teleport you home.

Author's Note

This was the hardest chapter for me to write. As I said, I plan on finishing this story by the end of March. I'll be putting out a blog post soon with details on the matter. The next five chapters are going to happen in succession of each other, so I'm planning on releasing them all in one day, or over five days, or something along those lines.

For those of you who prefer more of a comedy aspect, and already haven't, why not check out The Coltbert Report? It's political satire written as fine as I could make it. And I do intend on going forward with that story when I finish this one.

Oh... so many story ideas, so little time.

Priorities

Yes, come in my therapist. You have returned, despite the fight you were subjected to last night. I thank you for remaining loyal to me, although at this point, I wonder if I deserve it.

Yes please, sit down. Get yourself comfortable. I have a feeling this visit is going to be short, since it all depends on a few questions I have for you.

No, I don’t want to speak about last night. I have something else on my mind that I want to get out of the way first. I would like to talk to you about the future. Last night was eye opening, both for my sister and myself. I would love to believe my sister is going to think about what I said, but I doubt our confrontation is going to change anything. Even if my sister’s mind decided to ignite some sort of mental revolution, I do not know the extent with which my sister is going to change, if she even decides to. For all I know, she might be more hesitant to give me my duties back since I expressed rage like that in front of her.

I... don’t know what to make of last night. I thought I was going to meet you for another outside visit, but I instead met the one pony I didn’t want to. I could have endured a visit from Twilight Sparkle, because I could have hidden my rage with a simple congratulatory remark. But since it was my sister... hours after I heard of Twilight’s transformation and watched it from my balcony, I simply couldn’t take it anymore.

I bottled up those words for over a millenium. Ever since my imprisonment, those words were at their inception and only grew in intensity. You could say my vocabulary became sophisticated and colorful as I pondered new ways to express the myriad of feelings that swirled around in my chest. My words turned from hurtful to vitriolic, to the point where I wondered if venom became my second language. When I exploded, one single insult felt so relieving to me. It was like a huge weight was lifted from my shoulders. My mind felt clear... my shoulders relaxed in ways I never knew before. My migraine leaked out of my head. So I did it again... and again. I’ve never seen my sister cry before, but now I guess I can scratch that off of my bucket list, once I find that scroll again.

When I was done, nearly every cell of my body relaxed. I would have collapsed then and there if you weren’t standing there with me. My head felt like it was filled with clouds. I didn’t have to think about the slowly retreating memory of my imprisonment. I didn’t have to worry about everypony’s acceptance of me. Everyone loves my sister, way more than they love me. I didn’t have to care. I felt so relieved, and yet, so alone.

As I lay here on my bed, with you a few feet from me, my desire to get up has all but disintegrated. I just want to remain in my makeshift sanctuary, talk to you, and go to sleep when you leave. I want to disappear into the only kind of escapism my life has provided me: the dreams and happy thoughts of other ponies. Equestria prospered under my sister’s rule. If I laid in my bed and did nothing until my demise, it would be no different than the last thousand years. Plus, I can just pretend that I’m not myself. If I slip into enough dreams, maybe I can just... forget.

I know, Therapist. I shouldn’t be feeling this way. I hired you to avoid this. As cruel as it sounds, I wanted last night to be an eventual dump of my feelings onto you. You were no doubt trained to handle such emotional battles, so I thought if I could find some way to articulate my feelings to you without exploding, I wouldn’t have to endure a night like yesterday.
Let’s get back to the question. What do I think of last night? How do I feel about it? I feel relieved. My whole body is relieved and because of that, I’m exhausted. My muscles scream at me if I try to move. I want to sleep.

But, I know that I have duties. Maybe Celestia will wake up earlier than yesterday and raise the sun after I lower the moon. I can only hope that she does.

No, it’s fine. You don’t have to leave yet. There is one more thing I need to discuss with you, something I’m sure would help both of us if you accepted.

Twilight Sparkle has become a new Equestrian Princess. Despite the confrontation with my sister, I still promised that I was going to talk to Twilight’s friends about the dinner. My sister was right, it would be better if we talked to the rest of the Elements sooner rather than later. It gives us a higher chance of getting them to help with the dinner, and I’m sure that once one of them accepts, the rest of them will follow suit. Peer pressure works wonders that way, although I hope it does not have to come to that. I want them all to attend on their own volition.

This brings me to my first point. I would like you to become my new royal advisor. I feel you have given me more information about myself and my actions than any other pony in my life. You are a smart and insightful stallion and I believe you could help me with my royal decisions, if I actually decide to go back to the way things were. The salary you will be given will be double our therapy visits. All you have to do is provide your insight on my choices. So, what do you say? Do you wish to accept this job?

No? What do you mean, no?

That was rhetorical. I know what you mean by no. I’m asking... why? You won’t be doing anything different from your regular job. You will just be more available for me, and in turn, will be paid more as a result.

…

I see. I understand. If I was in your position, I wouldn’t take the job either. How ignorant of me to think I was the only pony you visited. Very well. I trust you will continue to visit me despite the fight I had with my sister and this isn’t your night of resignation?

Thank you. I don’t even think I’m ready to let you go anyway.

Now, let’s go back to the dinner. We need some kind of plan to get Twilight’s friends to come. I had an idea, and I wish to get your input on it.

I would really appreciate if you came with me to visit Twilight’s friends. I’m not sure if I will be able to completely persuade her friends, so I will need your help. The plan is simple. You come with me to all of their houses while pretending to be one of my bodyguards or my royal advisor. I will strike up a conversation with them. If I choose the correct words, we will probably be invited into their house for a drink or something along those lines. I’ll carry the conversation with the friend and you can simply apologize before you interject and provide your input when it is needed. I’ll think of some kind of signal I can give you when I think your input is needed, or you can simply interject when you think it is appropriate. I trust your judgment, and I can always remove you if you are a hindrance to the plan.

My apologies if that sounds rude. I’m just... testy. I can’t have anypony mess this up. So, what do you say? Would you like to help me with this?

Why not?

I’ll pay you extra. I’ll double the pay for every pony that agrees to this dinner. Even if you don’t help, but go with me, I’ll pay you. Is that what you want?

...

I can’t do this without you. I may have cut off my ties with my sister, but I keep my promises. There has to be some way that you can help.

No... that won’t work. You can’t hide in the bushes near their houses. The only reason that worked with Fluttershy’s house is because her house is more secluded than the others. You were able to hide in pitch black darkness with no lights illuminating you. Since I plan on visiting Twilight’s friends in the morning, I doubt you will be able to hide then. I saw some of the houses in Ponyville, but I simply cannot remember if most of them have bushes or not. What if there aren’t any? Where will you hide? And even if there are bushes outside every house, if somepony finds you hiding, then I might as well be imprisoned in the moon again. Your intrusion would be attributed to me, and the dinner might as well be catered by some regular Canterlot citizen. My task would be a failure and my promise broken.

Perhaps we can form a plan around some kind of spell. We both have unicorn horns, I’m sure we can come up with something. Bring me that spell book from my bookcase.

Thank you. Let’s see what kind of spells we could use from here. What kind of magic are you versed in?

Perfect, then perhaps we can pool our magic together in order to cast one of the more adept spells. Let’s start at the end of the book and work our way to the beginning.

Hmm... no. An invisibility spell can’t work. If you make a sound or someone bumps into you, there goes my cover.

As funny as it would be to turn you into a bush or piece of shrubbery, I’m not comfortable with this spell if we do it wrong.

Perhaps this spell can work. It’s a modification of the spell I used during my confrontation with Celestia.

It’s a powerful one. It connects our minds and allows us to share our thoughts and project them into each other’s heads. Distance doesn’t matter as long as the spell is in effect. This is the perfect spell. You can listen into the conversation and tell me what to say.

The spell isn’t that complicated. The only problem is that both of us need to cast it, since the spell is simply a one-way mind connection. I’ll cast it first, and then you can cast it after I test the spell out.

…

Can you hear me?

Perfect. Now, cast the spell yourself.

…

Good. Now our next step should be who to ask. I should talk to them in the morning. Even though it would be convenient for me to visit them during the night time, I doubt someone like Rarity or Rainbow Dash will be happy if I interrupt their sleep to ask them for an important favor. The least I can do is wait until the morning. Oh well, I guess that means I’m going to stay up all night again. I might as well, I doubt I was going to get any sleep tonight anyway.

Perhaps I should ask Fluttershy first. I’ve already gone sightseeing with her and I know where her house is. Since I’m her friend, she will probably be the easiest to persuade.

Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, and Rainbow Dash are left. The only one I haven’t previously spoken to is Rainbow Dash. Applejack and Pinkie Pie will be easy to persuade. If I mention catering and Twilight, they will probably agree to the dinner immediately.

Rarity will be all too happy to decorate Canterlot. Perhaps if I pull some strings, I can get Hoity Toity to see Rarity’s work during the dinner, or a few photographers to publish her decorations in the Canterlot Calendar.

Rainbow Dash is going to be the hardest to persuade. The only reason she would want to go to the party is because of Twilight. But then again, perhaps that’s the only reason Rainbow needs. She is the Element of Loyalty after all.
Well, that settles it. We have a sound plan for tomorrow. Thank you my therapist, for agreeing to help me.

Oh, one more thing. I don’t approve of the method you used in order to get my sister and I to talk to each other. I’m not angry, I’ve gotten over it. But I just thought it would be a good idea to express my irritation. You pulled a move that reminded me of my sister. You tricked both her and myself into a confrontation, and I doubt you knew what would happen. We could have started a magic fight and you might have been hit in the crossfire. I could have transformed into Nightmare Moon in front of you. Your little letter trick was reckless, please do not do something like that ever again.
Thank you. I’ve broken the mind spell, since we don’t need to use it until the morning. As much as I would like to avoid the trouble of casting this spell again, I can’t say I trust having your thoughts inside of my head and vice versa. I’m sure we both want our privacy. We will establish our connection tomorrow.

Now, I’m going to need you to be completely awake tomorrow and in your right mind. I don’t think anything is going to happen to you during the time we are apart, but if this plan is going to work, I need you to be alert. I want you to be here bright and early tomorrow morning for the spell, but once it is cast, I will not need you to be in Canterlot afterwards. You can go home, go work with another patient, or stay here. I do not care, since I will not be here. As long as you can project your thoughts and listen to mine, then our plan will work. Have a good night my therapist. I’ll see you in the morning.

Good morning my therapist... thank you for being on time.

No, unfortunately my sister did not wake up earlier than usual, so I had to stay up the entire night. She probably left Canterlot to go talk to the other country leaders, so she is out of the way for today. I just want to get this over with.

I’ll cast the spell. Stay still.

…

Can you hear me?

Perfect.

…

Yes, I can hear you.

Perfect. Now, since I am going to Fluttershy’s house first, I’m going to need you to tell me if my words are a little more harsh than they should be. My last conversation with her during the sightseeing tour went well, but I did scare her accidentally due to a poor choice of words. Here is what I know about her. She is a shy pegasus pony. She loves animals, and is able to communicate with them. She’s fragile, at least, she seemed like it. My words dictated her mood, more than the usual pony.

Good, you are writing this down. Thank you my therapist. I’m off. I’ll speak to you when I reach Fluttershy’s house. Pay attention to my thoughts... okay?

Have a good morning.

Hello?

Hello Fluttershy. It is I, Princess Luna.

Oh, it is nice to see you again Luna. I didn’t think you would visit me for a while. Twilight said that Canterlot is a very busy city.

Are you there, Therapist?

Ah... yes. I’ve been busy with a lot of royal duties, but I did want to come and talk to you Fluttershy. May I come in?

Oh, yes of course.

Therapist... what are you doing?! Where are you?! Hello? ANSWER ME!

Author's Note

Refer to my latest blog post if you already haven't. It has the release schedule of the final half of Therapist Visit and a sneak peek at the chapter titles. You can speculate from there and wonder what Luna and our therapist are going to do next!

I've also started to color the lines of additional characters in chapters where there is more than just Luna speaking. I figured this would make it easier to read. My apologies to those that got lost during some of the chapters. I hoped to keep a consistency between the dialogue, but I guess that didn't work. I hope that the chapters make more sense now.

Replacement

Please make yourself at home Luna. You caught me at the perfect time. I was about to go run some errands, but they can wait for a little bit. I’ll start up some tea. Do you like chamomile or Earl Gray tea?

I...’ve never had either. You can pick Fluttershy. I trust your judgment.

Oh... thank you Luna.

When I get my hooves on you...

…

Hello Angel. It is nice to see you again. Oh... am I in your way? My apologies, I’ll sit on this chair, and you can have your spot on the couch.

Angel, don’t be rude. It’s okay Luna, you can sit there if you want.

I’m fine right here, Fluttershy. Thank you for the offer.

Here’s your tea.

Thank you.

…

She doesn’t seem like someone who would start a conversation. I guess I have to do it.

So, Fluttershy, are you wondering why I decided to come visit you today?

Well, yes I am. I thought you wanted to go sightseeing first, but I’m sure you would have organized a date with me beforehand. Somepony like you wouldn’t come to somepony like me without a reason.

What is that supposed to mean?

Eep! Um... nothing.

I could really use your help right now... you backstabber.

…

Oh, is that a new friend of yours?

Oh yes, she’s a Shiba Inu puppy. I found her in Canterlot and took her to my house after Twilight’s coronation. She made a lot of noise during the train ride home and got a lot of her hair on my dress, but she’s such an adorable dog, so I forgave her

She’s a beautiful dog... Fluttershy, if you don’t mind me asking, what is it that you do for a living? You don’t live a luxurious life, but I do see a lot of furniture, and I bet you have to buy a lot of food for your animal friends.

Hmm... well I make my money from caretaking animals. Whether they are sick, cranky with their owners, or simply lost and waiting to be picked up, I attend to all of the animal’s needs. It’s not as expensive as you think. A lot of the nuts and acorns that my woodland friends eat are foraged by me. I am lucky to live out near the Everfree Forest, so there is a lot of food that grows out there. You just have to be careful. Some berries are delicious, while others can make you sick with just a few popped into your mouth. The only food that I really pay for is the ones for Angel’s salad and the other creatures that like their food to be made the same way. Oh... I’m sorry... I’m rambling aren’t I?

No, not at all Fluttershy. It’s very interesting. Thank you for answering my question, I was just curious.

Thank you for asking Luna. Mmm... this tea is so good.

Indeed. I’ve never had tea like this before. I’m used to the Canterlot tea leaves that the castle buys. I don’t know where they get the tea, but it’s different from the tea that you have. I’ll have to get the address of the place that you got your tea from. You don’t mind, do you?

Oh, not at all...

She isn't meeting my gaze... and her hair is covering one eye... what does that mean Therapist?

Is something the matter Fluttershy?

I’m just... a little shaken, I guess.

Is it because of Princess Twilight?

…

Mmhm. I just... Luna... can you keep a secret?

I... do you need me to keep it? Are you okay?

I’m fine. I just... I’ve been thinking the past few days. I know Twilight. I know that she is one of my best friends... but I can’t stop thinking about her. Luna... do you or Princess Celestia have any... plans for her? Is she going to move back to Canterlot to learn about being a Princess?

…

I do not know of any plans that my sister has for Princess Twilight. I don’t mean to be rude, but perhaps you should talk to Twilight about your feelings? Or one of your other friends? I have a feeling that they would know more about Twilight’s plans than myself.

I thought that Princess Celestia told you about any plans she had with Twilight.

Well, she did not.

Oh... I understand. Luna, were you born an alicorn?

…

Yes I was. Both my sister and I were born as alicorns.

Was your mother an alicorn?

Yes she was.

Your father?

…

I’m sorry. Please forget what I said.

It’s fine Fluttershy. I trust you.

…

I don’t know my father. All I heard of were stories of my mother and I can't even remember those. So I can’t answer your question.

I’m sorry.

It’s water under the bridge Fluttershy. I have long since gotten over it. Why do you ask these questions? Is there something you want to talk about? Is it about Twilight?

Well... um... yes it is.I want to talk about her... alicorn form. I feel like it’s such a big change, and yet, whenever I stop to think about it, I think the same way as my friends. I tried to talk to Rainbow Dash about this, but she told me not to worry. She said that Twilight would never leave us for anything, and if she did, it’s our job to support her no matter what life choice she makes. I agree... but... do I have a right to be worried? What if Twilight becomes so important that she has to go to other countries, and leaves us behind? What if she finds better friends while she is traveling and doesn’t want to come back to Ponyville? I lived without her, but once Twilight came into my life, I don’t think I can live without her...

I... think it would be best if you talked to Twilight about this. As far as I know, Twilight is not going to leave Ponyville, but wouldn’t it be better to hear those words directly from her, rather than asking somepony who doesn’t know anything about her plans?

Well... I would talk with her about it... but I’m afraid. I don’t want this to happen again...

What to happen again?

it’s nothing...

I know that it isn’t, but I am not going to pressure you, Fluttershy. Something is bothering you, and if you don’t want to talk about it, that’s fine. But I just want you to know that I am here for you. I am your friend and if you need to get something off of your chest, I’m here.

Luna... have you ever lost a friend because of popularity?

…

Why do you ask?

I’m just... this is not the first time I’ve watched a friend of mine leave me because they got popular.

What do you mean, Fluttershy?

Well... it’s not something that I’ve told my friends before. It just... never came up in conversation until now. I’ll make the story short... it can get very long.

I completed all of my duties today, take as much time as you need to explain. The more time, the better.

Well... back when I used to live in Cloudsdale... I went to the Cloudsdale Flight School. I had trouble fitting in because I was the worst flier. I never passed the flying courses, but I did well in all of the written tests. Everypony made fun of me. They called me a bookworm and a weakling. As much as I wanted to prove them wrong, I simply couldn’t. I didn’t even bother to challenge the bullies to a race, since I knew I would lose. Once you are at the bottom, you don’t want to waste your time trying for second best.

…

I’m sorry... I didn’t mean to make you sad. We can change the subject if you want.

No, it’s okay. Please, continue Fluttershy.

Okay... during my second year of flight school, I started to improve, but I was nowhere near passing their tests. There was this colt that transferred from Applewood into my class. He was cute, strong, but very shy.

I guess that shy ponies are the ones that most schoolponies make fun of. Throughout his first few weeks in the school, everypony made fun of him. They thought that he was weak since he didn’t flaunt his talents and flying score like everypony else.

He spent the first week with tests so that he could get into the right class, which turned out to be mine.

I liked him. He met up with me after school one day and asked if he could walk me home. I couldn’t think of anything to say. I thought that he was going to make fun of me, since that was my luck back then. This was before I met Rainbow Dash.

The two of us walked home, and he stopped me when we reached the door. He asked me about my flying record. He was curious, since I never mentioned it. I guess he heard about everypony elses. I broke down crying as I remembered all of the teasing and the laughing. I slammed the door in his face and left him to walk home.

The next day, he cornered me after class and apologized for what he said. I told him that it wasn’t his fault, but I couldn’t think of anything else to say. He smiled and told me that he was a good flier, but it didn’t really matter. Flying was just another subject in school to him. Whether someone was good at flying or not didn’t matter to him. He asked if he could help teach me how to fly. I agreed, smiled, and thanked him. We agreed that once he finished his flying tests, he would teach me some tips on how to fly. I wish that he was telling the truth...

Two weeks later, he was given a flying test in order to see what classes he should be given. He passed with flying colors.

Everypony wanted to race him. He was transferred to a different flying class, but kept the same academic classes as me. Instead of a flying test, I was given the cold shoulder. Nearly every day, somepony challenged him to a race. He eventually became so good at racing that he was placed in a special program to prepare him for the Wonderbolt Academy.

I never confronted him about it. I just accepted it. He became the most popular pegasus in the school until Rainbow Dash came around. I watched him race other ponies day after day while I constantly failed the flight tests. I did well enough in my academics to keep attending school, but I couldn’t skip the flight classes. They thought that I was going to get better over time, and I didn’t.

He was my friend, and now that I look back on it, I’m happy that he accepted his talents and got accepted into the Wonderbolts. But at the same time, I lost a friend because of his talents, the only friend I had back at that school. It sounds so selfish... but now I can’t think about Twilight without making the connection to him.

…

I’m sorry Fluttershy.

It’s fine Luna.

You have a good reason to worry and wonder, but my answer to your question is a simple one. Yes, I have lost a friend because of popularity, and it was not that long ago..

You have?

Time in our perspective moves at a slower pace than regular ponies. While I don’t know exactly how you feel, I can empathize with losing attention due to not being as popular as somepony else.

What do you me...oh... oh. I’m... sorry Luna. I didn’t mean to bring that up.

I’m glad that you did, Fluttershy. With a story like yours, I’m glad and honored that you told me before your friends. I know that you are worried about Twilight and her new status as a princess, but the only thing that I can do for you is repeat the words from the part of your brain that tells you not to worry, the part that rationalizes with you until the only thing that you want to hear is the confirmation of your comfort. Your fears are there for a reason Fluttershy, whether they are triggered by past events or current ones. If you really want your answer, you have to talk to Twilight about it. I personally believe that she is not going to leave you or anypony else due to her studies. But if she did, she would no doubt ask if you wanted to come with.

You have one of the best friends in Equestria, Fluttershy. I’ve experienced first-hand the empathy and understanding that Twilight Sparkle harbors. If you tell her your worries, she will no doubt keep them in mind if she is given such a decision, and it’s better than toiling away in a maelstrom of rationalization and wonder without a real answer.

Princess Luna... I’ve never heard an answer like that.

Oh... I’m sorry. I guess I just got into the heat of the moment.

Th-thank you. I’m so happy that I talked to you about it. I’ll visit Twilight’s house later today.

I would love if you wrote a letter about it. You can send it to my sister or myself, it doesn't matter to me. I feel that getting your thoughts down on paper helps clear them.

I will Luna. Thank you.

Oh, I almost forgot, there is something I wish to talk to you about. It’s probably not the best subject to switch to, considering the story you just told me, but I have to do it.

O...okay.

My sister is holding a Royal Coronation dinner for Twilight Sparkle a few weeks from today, and she assigned me to be the organizer for the dinner. I would love if you were to attend for Twilight.

I didn’t know that you were going to hold a dinner for her. Is it going to be in Canterlot?

Yes it will. I thought that you could provide the music for the dinner. It’s not going to be as whimsical as Cadence’s wedding, but I’m sure your animals could entertain the guests. This is going to be one of Twilight’s big days as one of our new Alicorn princesses, and I want you to be there for it.

I...I don’t know what to say.

Say yes. I’m going to be asking all of your other friends, and I’m sure they will all agree.

I hope they all agree...

I know that the dinner is going to be fun for all of you, just like the Grand Galloping Gala.

That was a fun night... okay Luna. I would love to.

Excellent. I will send you a letter tonight with instructions on what your duty is. Don’t worry, I won’t bog you down with too much. I made sure to split them up among all of your friends. I need you to keep a promise though.

Yes?

I would like this to be a surprise for Twilight.

Okay. Can I still talk to my other friends about it?

Yes of course. Just be careful with what you say. It’s not detrimental to the dinner if Twilight finds out, but I would prefer if this remained a mystery to her. I’m sure you would know, with somepony like Pinkie Pie as a friend.

Oh yes... hehe... Pinkie Pie is going to love this dinner.

Well, I have to take off Fluttershy. Thank you for agreeing to this. I’m sure Twilight would rather have somepony like you providing the music than the Royal Canterlot Orchestra.

It's no problem Luna.

Oh yes, one more thing.

Hmm?

I would love to go sightseeing with you again after the dinner has passed.

I would love to as well, Luna.

I’m feeling a little adventurous. What do you think, should we go through the Everfree Forest next time?

Eep! Um... I don’t think that’s such a good idea.

Gotcha! Hehe.

Oh... hehe.

I think it’s time that I take my leave Fluttershy.

Okay Luna. Thank you for visiting. Have a good day.

And you as well.

Bye.

…

That was dumb luck... I don’t know where any of that came from. Therapist... are you there? I’m sorry. I can’t do this by myself...

Reconcile

Halfway done... I just need to talk to Pinkie Pie, Applejack, and Rainbow Dash, then the preparations for the dinner will be complete. Curse you my therapist... for being such a manipulative little foal. I’m so tired. I just need to finish this, and then I can leave Ponyville and go to sleep.

Hmm... Sugarcube Corner. I’ve never been here before. I believe I saw it once during Nightmare Night. It looks delicious. Well, I can’t spend all of my time out here. I might as well go inside.

Is that Princess Luna?

Oh, oh it is! Hurry Cup Cake, get some sweets in the oven! Start baking... what is it that Princess Celestia liked last time we catered for her!?

I don’t know! She had a little bit of everything!

Excuse me Mr. and Mrs. Cake.

Your Highness... we are honored that you would step inside of our sweets shop. Doesn’t Canterlot have better places than here?

Well... I did not come in here for any sweets, unfortunately. I forgot to bring my money with me.

Oh please Your Highness, we can’t take your money.

Yes. Please eat whatever you want. Would you like some carrot cake? Or perhaps a piece of one of our latest creations? It’s blueberry and vanilla. An odd combination, but we have heard nothing but fantastic things from it!

Hi there Princess Luna!

Ah, there is the mare that I came to see. Hello there Pinkie Pie. How are you doing today?

I’m doing just fine tootin! I slept in a little bit today because I was up all last night baking new pastries for one of the Cake’s orders. They looked really tired and I told them that they could go to bed and come back to the order when they woke up. Well, I did the whole order while they slept! So now it’s all ready!

We didn’t say that you had to do that Pinkie... we were fine by ourselves...

I know! But I wanted you to be all caught up and happy, and you are! Everypony wins!

Pinkie, can I speak with you alone?

Oh... oh no. Did Pinkie do anything Your Highness? I swear we didn’t mean for her to do it if she did.

We take full responsibility!

It’s okay Mr. and Mrs. Cake. Pinkie Pie did not do anything wrong. I just need to speak with her about Twilight Sparkle.

Ooh! I was going to visit her later today! Is it some kind of super secret plan? Are we going to hold a surprise for her? I love surprises!

Let’s discuss it in private Pinkie.

Alright! Private Pinkie, march!

I’m sorry Your Highness. Pinkie is just... Pinkie.

I like her. Hehe. I wouldn’t have her any other way.

I’ve never seen your room before Pinkie.

And I haven’t seen yours! Maybe we could switch rooms for a day and the both of us could see what it’s like to be each other! I would love to wear that crown!

Hehe. Maybe some other time Pinkie. I came here because I want to talk to you about something important.

Oh yes... yes of course. Something... important. Like... Equestria Daily important, right?

Um... sure. Equestria Daily important. Pinkie... what are you doing?

I’m going into my super secret idea closet! Want to come in?

You crazy little mare...

Sure, I’ll come in.

This is my super secret idea closet, where I get nearly all of my party ideas! This little suspended lightbulb flashes whenever I get an idea.

Doesn’t it need a string or something? The light bulb is just hanging in midair...

Nope!

I should just stop asking questions. This mare is more confusing than theoretical magic physics.

So, you wanted to talk about Twilight right? What are we planning for her?

Well Pinkie, as you are no doubt aware, Twilight Sparkle has become the latest Alicorn Princess in Equestria.

I know! I have been coming in here nearly every day so that I could come up with a big Alicorn party for her! I think I might have to build up a new party cannon for that. If it’s going to be an Alicorn party, it’s going to have to be big!

Exactly. My sister and I are holding a dinner for Twilight Sparkle in commemoration of her transformation. Celestia had the idea that I ask you and Applejack to cater for the occasion.

I would love to! Let me just check my calendar. It’s outside the closet near my dresser! When is it?

Three weeks.

Hmm... that’s a day before I leave to visit my parents. I can do it!

You are going to visit your parents?

Yep! I’m going to a family reunion! Every Pie from all over Equestria is going to be there!

Oh wow. I’d imagine that a reunion like that is too crazy for its own good. If one of you is like this... I can only imagine what the rest of your family is like.

If you could weaponize her energy... I shudder to think of the possibilities...

Nah, the rest of my family isn’t like me.

Huh?

My family isn’t as hyper and excited as I am!

They aren’t? What do you mean?

Well... nearly every member of the Pie family is a rock farmer. I am the only Pie that decided to not become a rock farmer. Back when I was a filly, I used to live with my rock farmer family. Back on the farm, there was no smiling. We ate, walked out onto the farm, and harvested rocks until the night time for very low amounts of money. I remember the times when my mom and dad would fight about money. They thought that they were being quiet, but the walls were slim enough to where I heard them nearly every night. They said they were barely scraping by, and the only reason they were able to pay the bills was because the whole family was working.

That sounds terrible... I’m sorry Pinkie Pie.

That’s okay. It’s not all that bad! I’m lucky to be myself! I get to have two families. The Pies are my family, and the Cakes are my family as well! I love them both, more than anything! That’s why when the Pies sent me a letter asking me if I was going to attend the reunion, I immediately sent them one back and told them that I would.

Wait a minute. If you were the only one to move away from the rock farm, does that mean that you are the only one that smiles?

Not exactly. Back when I worked on the farm, there was this one day where I saw this giant rainbow that shot across the sky! It was huge, colorful, and so pretty! That was the first time when I smiled. Now I do it nearly every second of every day! Anyway, I wanted to bring this smile to everypony that I met, including my family! I found a very special rock that I think was a gemstone, and I sold it to some pony that I don’t even remember. Either way, he gave me a bag full of bits and I used those bits to buy party decorations. I threw this big party for my family and every single one of them smiled. They loved it. I was so happy! From then on, I dedicated my life to making sure that I become friends with everypony! Beyond that, I want to make sure that everypony smiles!

Here you are, a mare in royalty with nearly everything that you want, and you are wasting your time on this planet while this mare before you uses her finite time on Earth to spread happiness and laughter throughout the world. Why can’t you be like that?

Maybe I just can’t...

I’m glad that there is somepony like you in the world, Pinkie Pie.

I’m jealous that you can simply smile like that. I don’t see a single flaw in it. Not a single blink or crack in the smile. It’s like an impulse to you. How do you do it... you crazy pink mare.

Thank you Princess Luna! I can’t wait to visit my family. I’m sure they will probably think of new ways to call me useless this year!

…

What?

Hmm? Something the matter Luna? You aren’t smiling! Come on Luna! Give me one!

No.

Come on, smile!

No.

Pleeeeeeeeeease Luna?

Listen to me Pinkie! What do you mean, “my family will think of new ways to call me useless this year?”

Oh. It’s nothing really! At the reunion, most of my family isn’t really happy with me. My mom, dad, and sisters respect the choice that I made to leave the rock farm, but everypony else in my family doesn’t. The first family reunion that I attended, back when I was still a filly, I told my family that I was learning how to bake sweets and I couldn’t be happier doing it. They asked me how many rocks I harvested. I remembered one particular rock that I skipped along a lake and I told them about that one. They acted like I set forth an Ursa Major on the farm. Nearly everypony switched the subject to the types of rocks that they were cultivating, and while I was refilling the punch for the party (since I drank it all), one of my cousins told me that I was a useless baker. They told me that their father said that anyone in the Pie family that doesn’t cultivate rocks is not a member of the Pie family.

I completely disagree.

So do I! But it’s not like I can change their mind. Every year, I put together the party for them with cake, punch, and games. But every year, they ignore my party and sit outside around a campfire with their water and celery soup. It was worse last year. Everypony started to talk about the ponies they have been dating, and I told them that I had a crush on one of the mares that I knew. I was going to tell them about Rainbow Dash, but they immediately yelled at me, telling me that they weren’t surprised that a mare like me would ignore stallions completely and move to mares. One of my uncles even went so far as to tell me that they didn’t want me to put any children in the family tree anyway. That hurt... but I got over it.

…

When my parents aren’t around, they make fun of me and insult my parties. It’s fine though. If it makes them feel better, then I don’t mind. I’d rather have them talk bad about me than talk bad about somepony else. It makes them feel better, so maybe they will smile after enough insults? And it doesn’t bother me... although... after so many years where I got the same insults... I wonder if it’s the truth...

No... Pinkie.

Hmm?

Listen to me. As a friend... please listen to me.

We are friends now? Whoopee! I always wanted to be friends with a Princess!

Listen Pinkie. I don’t want you to let your family treat you terribly anymore.

No, really, it’s okay Princess Luna.

No it isn’t. Any insult directed towards a family member is out of the question. How dare them call you useless just because you made a different life choice from them! Answer me this question Pinkie. Are you happy with yourself?

Well... yeah.

And do you feel that you are happier as a baker than a rock farmer?

Yeah...

Then you made the right choice. I don’t give a bronco buck if they don’t like the choices that you make, and you shouldn’t either. Nothing is wrong with you. It’s them. They don’t want to get anything out of their rock solid heads, so they make fun of you to feel better about themselves. I want you to know that I wouldn’t have you any other way Pinkie Pie. You are a great friend, one of the most important Elements of Harmony to me, and I hope that you and Rainbow Dash have an eternal relationship.

Gee, thanks Princess Luna! I wouldn’t go so far as to say my family has “rock solid heads”, but it’s nice to hear from somepony else that I’m not just a fluke.

Oh, I’m sorry. I got so caught up in my curiosity that I forgot to talk to you about Twilight’s dinner.

Oh yeah! A dinner for Twilight! I can cater for it! What kind of dinner is it going to be?

Well, the dinner is going to be a little more sophisticated than your regular parties. We aren’t going to have any streamers or pinatas or anything along those lines.

Aww...

But I would love if you were to create the dessert platter. And if you are able to bake things that are not sweets for the Hors d'oeuvres, I would very much appreciate it.

Okie dokie lokie!

Thank you Pinkie Pie.

Oh Luna, you can call me Pinkie. All of my friends call me Pinkie!

I don’t know how this mare does it. That smile on her face... it’s so contagious. My cheeks are hurting... I haven’t smiled like this in a while.

I’ll call you Pinkie if you promise to keep calling me Luna.

It’s a deal!

Thank you Pinkie. Well... that’s all I wanted to talk about. Thank you for listening to me and agreeing to the dinner. Don’t forget, we have to keep this a secret from Twilight.

Mmhm!

…

What did you just do?

Well... I zipped my mouth, then locked it with a key, then I brought it to the top of the Crystal Mountains, and then I buried the key, and then I quickly took a train to Canterlot and then took a balloon ride back to Ponyville!

Oh... yes of course.

I could never get tired of you... you crazy mare.

Pinkie?

Hmm?

I have to leave and go talk to Applejack and Rainbow Dash. Do you know where their homes are?

Yeah! Let’s see... if you were to fly to Applejack’s house... you would want to go West! And if you want to go to Rainbow Dash’s house, you would go North! Although I’m sure you can see Rainbow’s house from here. It’s in the sky, so you can’t miss it!

Thank you. Well, I’m taking off. Have a nice day Pinkie.

And you do as well Luna! I can’t wait to see you at the dinner! It’s going to be so much fun! Oh I bet Twilight is going to be so surprised! She is going to love all of the food and the guests!

Mr. and Mrs. Cake?

Oh, uh, yes Your Highness?

I would like a slice of your new creation.

Cup Cake! A slice of the Nightmare Moon please!

Ooh, you named it after me? I hope the cake isn’t as scary as I was.

Not at all Your Highness! We wanted to send the cake to you, but we weren’t sure how to since Pinkie Pie has been so busy lately.

Well, I’m glad that I got to take a taste now.

…

Mmm... this is delicious. I’ll get one of my guards to pick up one of these from you. Thank you Mr. and Mrs. Cake. I’ll definitely stop here more often.

Thank you Princess Luna!

Please, call me Luna. All of my friends do. Hehe...

Author's Note

Enjoy the extra chapter my readers <3

Resistance

Hello?

Hello there Rarity. It is I, Princess Luna. How are you doing this fine day?

The...the...the...Princess Luna is at my door?

...

Rarity, are you okay?

Oh... uh... yes of course. I’m alright. I just didn’t expect a visit from you. Uhm... can you give me a few moments?

Of course.

Thank you. Just a teeny moment.

…

I guess she wasn’t ready for my visit. I can hear her levitating things around.

Sorry for the wait, Your Highness. Please come in. What can I help you with?

Thank you for allowing me in. I have come to you today because I believe your decorating prowess could be used for something that my sister and I have been planning.

You have perfect timing Your Highness! I just finished a large commission of dresses for Princess Celestia, so I have nothing on my plate for the time being! Whatever it is that you wish to throw at me, I will complete post-haste!

Ah, so you were the one that made the royal dresses for the coronation.

I... yes. Was there something wrong with them?

Oh, not at all Rarity. I loved those dresses, I just didn’t know that you made them.

I wasn’t really a fan of the color though. Watch how you say it Luna, she seemed a little hurt.

I admit was a little nervous with the final design of the dress since Princess Celestia didn’t tell me a lot about what she wanted. I just had to ah... “go with my gut” so to speak... on the dresses. I’m glad that you liked them! If you can, would you please ask your sister if she liked hers?

Yes of course. I’ll talk to my sister when I get home.

Thank you Your Highness. Now, I believe you wished for me to provide decorations for an occasion?

Only if you think you are up for it.

Of course! Why, you traveled all the way here from Canterlot, I simply cannot send you back disappointed! You are royalty, and you deserve to be treated as such.

Well in that case, how much would it cost for you to decorate for a royal dinner in Canterlot?

Decorate... for... a royal... dinner?... Canterlot?... Royalty?

Um... yes?

NOTHING! I’LL DO IT FREE OF CHARGE! I mean... heh... what is the occasion?

My sister and I are holding a royal coronation dinner for Princess Twilight. We want to celebrate her Princesshood, along with providing her introduction to the leaders of the other countries, such as the Griffin and Zebra nations.

I see... I suppose you are going to want the best for that dinner? If you like, I can give you Hoity Toity’s address. He probably knows better decorators than myself.

I thought about hiring Hoity Toity, but I remembered the beautiful dresses that you made for Twilight and her friends for the Grand Galloping Gala. Not only that, but you also made Princess Cadence’s dress, and it was just as beautiful. Since I now know that you made the dresses for the coronation, I’m sure you can do more than just that.

But I... have never done anything other than dresses before. This dinner is very important for Twilight. Are you sure you want to risk the decorations with me?

I want no one else to do these decorations. I trust that you will decorate the main dining hall with enough splendor and beauty to render even Hoity Toity and Photo Finish speechless.

Th...Thank you Princess Luna.

One more thing, Rarity. I ask that you please keep your decoration ideas a secret from Twilight Sparkle. Both my sister and I want this dinner to be a surprise for her. You can send me a letter if you need one of my sister’s royal guards to hide your finished decorations for you or if you need help with anything else. Also, I would feel really uncomfortable if you did all of this without any payment. My sister will make sure that you receive proper payment for your participation.

Alright. If you really want me to do this, then shan't waste another moment! Could I trouble you to stay for a little bit longer so that we can go over the colors and format of the Royal Dining Hall? It would be easier for me to make decorations if I know where everything is.

Hi Rarity, bye Rarity!

Wait just a minute Sweetie Belle!

Dangit... I gotta learn how to unlock doors with magic. Ooh, maybe that can be my cutie mark! I should talk to the girls about it.

My apologies Princess, just give me a moment.

Take your time Rarity.

Sweetie Belle, in the other room please.

Ugh. Fine.

…

Are you planning to see that colt again?

What's it to you, Sister!

I am just wondering. I do not approve of you going out on your silly Cutie Mark Crusader adventures if he is going to be a part of them.

You aren’t my mother, you can’t tell me what to do!

I may not be your mother, but I am your older sister. It would behoove you to listen to me.

Stop using such big words! I'm not a dictionary!

Sweetie Belle, please calm down. I’m your older sister and I only want what’s best for you.

Well maybe the best for me is not to have a sister!

Sweetie Belle! You take that back, this instant!

No! I want a sister that takes my feelings for him seriously! You are... just so frustrating! I’m leaving!

Well... fine! Don’t expect me to be awake when you come back!

Deja vu...

…

My sincerest apologies that you had to hear my drama Your Highness. I beg of you, please don’t take away this task that you have granted me!

I had no intention to.. If you don’t mind, may I ask about...?

If you must...

Sweetie Belle got a coltfriend, didn’t she?

Yes... yes she did. I’m assuming we want to go with Twilight’s main colors for the decorations? Purple, Pink, and Dark Blue?

Yes, those are good colors. Purple is a fitting color for the coronation dinner, since it is going to be a royalty focused event. Do you know who he is?

No, I do not. Sweetie Belle hasn’t introduced me to him yet, which is one of the reasons why I don’t like him. If Sweetie Belle is so hesitant to introduce me to him, then there must be something wrong with him. He is probably the kind of colt that I don’t want my sister to be around. But alas, I can’t ground her. She won’t listen if I do.

Why not just talk to her parents about it?

Mother and Father are out on a vacation for a week. I am watching Sweetie Belle until they come back. She came into my house on the first day of her visit with the biggest grin on her face. I saw it in her eyes. She was in love. I have a feeling that Mom and Dad don’t know anything about her coltfriend, since she was sneaking around my house the first day she was here. She was trying to figure out a good way to escape, but I always lock the back door and the front door is usually within my line of sight. So, I caught her and sat her down. I tried to tell her that I didn’t want her “playing” with another colt while I was watching her. She tried to tell me that her coltfriend was the best thing that ever happened to her, that he fit right in with the Cutie Mark Crusaders and has been nothing but nice and chivalrous to her.

He sounds nice.

Indeed he does, but this is coming from the filly that is in love with him. I remember back when I was in school, the silly things that I did in order to slide past my parents and go hang out with the colt that I liked. I acted the same way as Sweetie Belle does right now. I thought he was the one, and we would live together happily ever after. But, it was puppy love, that silly little amount of love that you first experience when your hormones start to act up and change who you are.

And you believe that Sweetie Belle is going through the same thing?

Well... yes. She’s being secretive, rebellious, defiant, and all around rude to me. I was the exact same way with my parents and I endured a month’s worth of grounding for things that I said to them. I want to nip that little fiasco in the bud, but I guess I just have to live with it.

Rarity, I hope you don’t mind me saying so, but perhaps you are looking at this whole thing in the wrong light?

Whatever do you mean?

I’m pretty sure that everypony has gone through puppy love. But you aren’t taking into account a few possibilities. Maybe this colt is actually a good friend of Sweetie Belle’s, and isn’t her coltfriend? I didn’t hear Sweetie Belle say anything about her coltfriend, only that she liked him and was going out to do things with him.

You heard that? I was trying to be as quiet as possible...

Sorry Rarity, but you aren’t exactly quiet when you get into the heat of things.

Eh...heh. Sorry about that. Maybe I did jump to conclusions a little too quickly...

Which is fine. We all do it. You just have to be a little more aware of what conclusions you are jumping to. What do you know about this colt?

Well... other than the fact that he has turned my sister into a giggling and blushing mess, I know that he is a part of the Cutie Mark Crusaders.

Hmm. If both Applebloom and Scootaloo haven’t kicked him out of the Cutie Mark Crusaders yet, then perhaps he isn’t as bad as you think he is?

Perhaps... What is the layout of the room?

Oh yes. This wall is mostly a large stained glass window, which is going to show Twilight’s transformation into an alicorn. I swear whoever Celestia pays for those stained glass windows is making a fortune off of us. Those other two walls are an alabaster color. There are six support beam pillars here, here, here, here, here, and here. I’m not sure how the tables are being set up, I’ll have to talk to Pinkie and Applejack about that.

Oh, they are going to help with the dinner as well?

Of course. I want all of Twilight’s friends to help. I figured that Pinkie Pie and Applejack would be the perfect ones to ask for catering.

Well, you are right. I’ve seen Pinkie Pie cater hundreds of ponies just by herself. I really don’t know how she does it.

I’m sure none of us know how she does it. I just visited her and I have to say, she certainly stands out. Well, that’s the dimensions of the room. I’ll talk to Pinkie and Applejack about their catering plans and when they tell me, you will get a letter shortly. Thank you for doing this Rarity, I’m so glad that you agreed.

Oh, it’s no trouble at all. As Celestia as my witness, I will make sure that these decorations will shine throughout all of Equestria! The leaders will be more than impressed with what Equestria has to offer!

Hehe. I admire your enthusiasm. Well, this is where I take my leave. I still have a lot that I have to do.

Wait, Princess Luna?!

Yes, is something the matter?

Well... I’m sure that for the dinner, nearly everyone who is attending is going to want a new dress for the occasion. Would you like me to make one for you?

I appreciate the offer Rarity, but I can’t put you to all that trouble. You are already decorating the dining hall, worry about that.

Although the coronation dress did fit a little loosely on me. It’s like my sister got my measurements taken while I was asleep or... that little foal...

No I insist! I just need to take your measurements and then you will be on your way. I know you probably have places to be, so I’ll be as fast as possible.

Very well. Thank you Rarity.

It’s no problem at all! Let’s see... where’s my measuring tape... I remember Sweetie Belle was using it a little bit ago... where did she put it. Ugh!

…

Uh... heh heh. I’m sure she just forgot where she put it. It’s no problem at all. Ah, there it is! Okay. If you don’t mind, will you hold out your forelegs?

Alright.

So tell me Princess Luna, what’s it like, being in Canterlot? Being in the city where Hoity Toity, Photo Finish, and Sapphire Shores live?

I think Rarity idolizes Canterlot more than she should.

It’s a very interesting city to say the least. I don’t see much during the night time, but I’ve heard that there are some bars and restaurants that are open throughout the night.

I’ve only eaten once at Canterlot, but it was at a small cafe. I haven’t been able to taste any of Canterlot’s delicacies.

Did you go to The Alicorn Eatery while you were in Canterlot?

Let’s check the waist... no I haven’t. It sounds fancy.

It is. A hay steak a la carte is around 200 bits.

T...t...two? H-h-hundred?

Yeah, but it’s the best steak I’ve ever tasted in my life. I wonder where the name “steak” comes from. Anyway... I haven’t gone in over a thousand years, so I hope that it’s still open. From what I’ve heard, it is.

It sounds like a wonderful place, but I’m afraid I don’t have the resources to spend that much money. I’m pretty sure I’m not going there for a while. Can you stand on your hind legs, please?

Sure. Well, I’m sure that you aren’t going to be able to complete the decorations in one sitting. Perhaps it would be easier if you came over to Canterlot to see the layout of the room? I bet that drawing helps, but I’m sure that the dinner would be easier to decorate if you visited the room.

I would love to visit! I have enough money for a train ticket.

Do you have plans for Tuesday?

Um... I don’t think so.

Would you like to go out to dinner at The Alicorn Eatery?

The...the place that has 200 bit steaks?

Sure. I can pay for it. We can discuss the colors more during the dinner and talk about whatever you wish.

You mean... like a date?

No. Not like a date.

I guess the connotations with a dinner have changed since I have been imprisoned. I have to keep that in mind. She sighed, I’m guessing in relief. Good to see that the feeling is mutual. That would have been awkward later down the line.

I would love to. Well, I have all of your measurements taken. I guess that the dress that I made before was larger than you needed. I’m sorry for that.

It’s alright Rarity. I’m sure the next dress you make will be even better, possibly your best.

Thank you.

No, thank you Rarity. I guess that this is all I came here to talk to you about. Thank you for agreeing to both dinners.

It’s my pleasure. Shall I meet you at the Canterlot train station?

No need. I’ll send some of my guards to escort you to Canterlot. It won’t take long.

I couldn’t ask for that Your Highness. You are going through all of this trouble, just for me.

It’s no trouble at all Rarity, relax. Have a good day okay?

And you as well, Princess Luna.

Please, call me Luna.

Very well. Have a good day, Luna.

…

EEEEE! I GOT ANOTHER COMMISSION FROM THE PRINCESS!

Author's Note

Three more chapters. Are you ready my readers?

Role-Modeling

Next is Rainbow Dash... lead pony at Wonderbolt Academy and the Element of Loyalty. This is probably going to be my easiest visit. Ouch. My wings are still hurting from flying over here.

Well... I guess Rainbow will never be unaware of where her house is. It looks more ostentatious than the Canterlot Castle. I better knock.

Hello?

Hello Rainbow Dash... did I wake you up?

A little bit. But it’s ‘k. I should be getting up at this hour anyway.

…

Noon?

Yeah. I... finished my cloud cleaning early... so I figured I would go take a nap before I exercised. What brings ya all the way over here Luna?

She's lying. She still has bed-mane. Oh well. I'll look at that later. Priorities after all.

Well... I came to visit because I wish to invite you to a dinner. My sister and I are going to be holding a royal dinner for-

Pass.

…

Sorry.

The dinner is going to be held for Princess Twilight Sparkle. Do you change your mind now?

For Twilight?

Indeed. The dinner is going to be in commemoration of Twilight’s alicorn transformation. My sister assigned me to make sure the preparations for the dinner would be in order. I know that a royal dinner is probably not your thing, but I hope that you will attend, even if it’s just for Twilight.

If it’s for Twilight, I’m going. Is there anything that you need me to do for the dinner? Or am I just a guest?

I... honestly didn’t have anything planned for you to do.

What is everypony else doing?

Well... Pinkie Pie and Applejack are going to provide the food for the occasion. Rarity is going to decorate the dining hall, and Fluttershy is going to provide the music.

I can help with the food! I can... wait... I haven’t really cooked anything in a while... I guess that’s where all my money has been going. I need to get a girlfriend that can cook...

I’m pretty sure that this mare could burn water. I can’t let her near the food.

Wouldn’t it be better if you were just a guest? You wouldn’t have to worry about something every single second. You could just attend, have fun, and leave.

What kind of a lame pony is just going to sit there and give nothing?

The same kind of lame pony that was just sleeping a few minutes ago at noon?

Well... if you want to help... maybe you can be a waitress? You can serve other ponies at the table and provide them with refills for their water and drinks.

Alright! I can do that!

Before we continue though, I’m wondering... why can’t you just be a guest? When I think of Rainbow Dash, I don’t exactly think of... a waitress.

And now I have this hilarious mental image of someone complimenting Rainbow Dash’s flank and she bucks them out of the room. I love you mind.

Oh fine... is there anything else that I can do?

You can take the hint and just be a guest.

Um... I can’t think of anything.

Nothing? There’s nothing that you have for me?

Um... no?

Ugh! You know what, fine! Whatever! I’ll just be a guest! Is there anything else that you need, Luna?

Sudden irritation. Something is bothering her... although... I’m pretty sure that’s obvious.

Is... something the matter, Rainbow Dash?

No, I’m fine. I’ll ask it again. Do you need anything else?

Talking back to royalty. This mare doesn’t really think ahead, does she? If she did this before I was imprisoned, she would be in a dungeon quicker than you could say her name. Be patient. Try to find the problem.

I should be asking you the same question.

Wh...what’s that supposed to mean?

I doubt that your sudden irritated response to me was simply because you weren’t given enough to do. I’ll ask my question again. Is something the matter, Rainbow Dash?

I... just...

…

Luna, when you were thinking about asking all of us to the dinner, did you think about what you wanted me to do?

Um... no. Not really.

Is that my fault, or hers?

I figured... that you wouldn't have anything for me to do for the dinner. I’m not irresponsible. Yet, everypony acts like I am. I’m the Element of Loyalty. You can always count on me...

I never said that you were irresponsible. Please do not put words into my mouth. Here, let’s go inside Rainbow Dash. Sit down on that couch. Something is obviously bothering you, and I have a little bit of time. Let’s talk.

I don’t need to talk about anything. I’m fine.

I don’t believe that for a second. Let’s start from scratch. How are you, Rainbow Dash?

Terrible. Got any other brilliant questions?

Might I ask why you feel terrible?

I don’t know. It’s just one of those days I guess. It’s the weekend, it’s my day off, can’t I just have one day where I feel bad? Sorry that I wasn’t happy when you came by.

By Celestia she’s defensive. Ponies get defensive when they feel challenged. I’m not challenging her... perhaps...

Did something happen yesterday?

Yeah... I got turned down.

Turned down? As in...

I tried to ask somepony out, and they didn’t want to go out with me.

Oh.

All of these new idioms... I come back after a thousand years and everypony’s words have changed.

Who did you... ask out?

Twilight.

…

Twilight Sparkle?

Yeah. I had two tickets to the next Wonderbolts showing in Ponyville and I wanted her to come with me. We were going to go today, but she said that she couldn’t because she had plans with Princess Celestia today.

Well, that’s a shame. I thought that you would have asked Twilight in advance if she wanted to go with you.

I also doubt that Twilight Sparkle would be interested in seeing The Wonderbolts. I wonder if Rainbow knows that.

I got the tickets at the last minute. After Twilight became a princess, I saw that the tickets were going on sale. I bought them and asked her if she wanted to go, but she said that she was probably going to be busy. I then asked her if she wanted to go out to dinner sometime. She thanked me for offering, but she denied me again. So I came back here and laid down. I didn’t even realize that I slept through the whole day. Whatever, I don’t have much to do today.

Why would a mare like Twilight even want to go out with Rainbow Dash? This mare is rude and probably hasn’t even read a book in her life that didn’t have pictures in it! No wonder she didn’t want to... wait... what in Equestria was that?

Did Twilight give you a reason why she didn’t want to go to dinner with you?

She told me that a dinner with me would be fun, but she didn’t want anything to go past a dinner. I’m in the friend zone dude... and there’s no way I’m getting out of that.

I’ll just pretend that I know what that means.

Do you like Twilight, Rainbow Dash?

…

Yes. I like her. I like her a lot. I’m bucking... I don’t know what it is. It could be her mane... her brains... or oh Celestia that flank...

What kind of a mindless reason is that?! Her flank? Is that all Rainbow thinks of Princess Sparkle?! She’s the pinnacle of tenacity and goal-achievement and that is what you think of?! Do you even know who you are talking to?!

Ever since she showed me the Daring Do series, and I found out that books could be cool, I came to the library more and more. It was so fun to talk about what happened and what Daring Do was going to do next. Twilight showed me more books. Some of them I liked, and some of them I didn’t, but the point was that she was showing me them. I read them because we were both interested in something, and I hoped that if I could learn more about her, I could figure out how to please her.

What do you see in her?

I see... myself. I’ve never met someone else that was so passionate about what she loved. Her studies were everything to her, but there was something else that she loved more than her studies, and that was her friendships. She knows that dating is one of the riskiest things to do to a friendship. It can either make it or break it.

And yet... why does she not trust me? I’m marefriend material! I turned down countless colts in flight school!

You say that like it’s a good thing.

Tch. I know why she doesn’t want to date me. It’s the same reason that I couldn’t have Fluttershy’s destiny. I’m just not responsible.

…

What do you mean by that?

It’s exactly what I said. I don’t know how to explain it though. I’m the Element of Loyalty, and yet... I don’t feel like I am. You don’t... lose your connection to the Elements of Harmony if you don’t believe you are the Element, do you?

I wish I could answer that question...

No, you do not. Please continue Rainbow Dash. How can you not be the Element of Loyalty? Whenever your friends needed you, you have stepped up and proved that you are loyal.

Then why couldn’t I think of feeding the animals that I was taking care of? Feeding is like... one of the most obvious parts of taking care of an animal. Why couldn’t I do that?!

Why did I break down and pine in my bed for a whole day?!

Did you have anything to do yesterday?

No...

Then you are still being loyal. Lazy, but loyal.

I just remembered something. This will be interesting to get into.

You are responsible Rainbow Dash. If you aren’t, then why did you take Scootaloo under your wing? I’m sure that you changed her life by offering to do that.

Tch. As if. I... I don’t know how to be her sister. Applejack and Rarity are real sisters to Applebloom and Sweetie Belle. I’m just a dumb hardhead that got swept up in the heat of the moment. I was so angry at Scootaloo for leaving the campsite without someone, I needed to tell her that she could have gotten killed. I wanted to protect her right then and there... but I don’t know how to do it now... when it really matters.

…

Go ahead and tell everyone that you saw Rainbow Dash crying like a little filly when you visited her. I don’t deserve to be the Element of Loyalty when I can’t even think of what to do with Scootaloo.

I have no intentions to do such a thing. I came to get you to agree to the dinner, and you did, so I guess I will take my leave.

O-okay. Thank you for letting me vent... good bye Princess Luna.

…

She wants to date Twilight. She’s the enemy... and yet... she’s hurt. She needs somepony to talk to, and I know she isn’t going to talk to anyone else about her problems. She’s too scared of what would happen if they found out. I can’t leave her like this.

I don’t have to leave yet. I still have a few questions for you.

Okay.

First off, sit up in your chair. You’re going to hurt your neck if you lay like that.

Fine.

So, you want to be a role model for Scootaloo?

It’s the least I can do for getting her hopes up. I don’t know if she has a family, or even a house. If she doesn’t have either of those things... the least she could have is a soul sister.

I honestly think that the current you is not a good role model for Scootaloo.

I know...

But, I also honestly believe that you could be Scootaloo’s role model. It will just take a little practice. What do you know about Scootaloo?

Um... I know that she loves her scooter. I know that she hangs out with the Cutie Mark Crusaders. She thinks I’m the best pony since sliced bread, and she is the leader of the Rainbow Dash fan club.

So you know some things about her. You don’t know if she has a family. A good start would be to go spend some time with her. I’m sure she would probably love to spend some time with you. The two of you are really good at racing, so maybe you could teach Scootaloo how to improve her times. Have her race a mile and teach her how to exercise. Just because she’s a filly doesn’t mean that you have to dumb down everything for her. However, that also doesn’t mean that you can put her on the same exercise regimen as yourself.

Yeah... you’re right.

I think you are just overthinking this Rainbow Dash. I can think of no one better than yourself to be Scootaloo’s soul sister. The only problem that you are going to run into is you, if you make yourself a problem. If you can take the tenacity from your obsession with the Wonderbolts and apply it to being a sister, I bet that you can become just as good of a sister. Just don’t make it into a contest, or else you are going to hurt Scootaloo.

I know... that’s one of the things I am afraid of.

We are all afraid of something Rainbow Dash, despite the rationalizations that we tell ourselves. You are in a lucky position to where you can move back on your promise if you need to, since you haven’t invested that much into your relationship with Scootaloo. But if you decide to, you can be the mare that lights up that filly’s life.

I will be. I want to be. I’ll talk to Scootaloo tomorrow. I’m gonna go to The Wonderbolts showing today and think about what you told me. Thank you Luna, I appreciate it. Is there any way that I can repay you?

Just keep in mind what I said, Rainbow. If you have any questions or still feel uneasy, you can always send me a letter. I’ll respond as prompt as I can.

Okay. I gotta remember to go get some scrolls... see ya later Luna!

Have a good day, Rainbow Dash.

...

I’ll be roasting in Tartarus if I allow a sisterly bond to be broken again.

Author's Note

Damn this chapter was hard to write. Oh well, the fic is done! Two more chapters my readers, are you enjoying this?

Repeat

Last, but not least, I have the Element of Honesty, Applejack.

Is that who ah think it is? Well howdy there Luna! How are you doing this fine mornin?

Hello there Applejack. I am doing just fine. I see you wasted no time with the farm. Looks like you already harvested a decent amount of it.

Heh... well ah actually harvested all those trees yesterday. Ah usually start off with the livestock, making sure that they are all ready for the day before ah start my applebucking. The apples can wait for a while. The animals, not so much. Ah just started applebucking. Big Macintosh is off on the other side of the field. We make it a contest. Whoever bucked the bigger half of Sweet Apple Acres usually wins and gives the other a chore to do.

Would you like me to help, Applejack?

Well... if you helped, then ah would have to call off the contest for today. That’s fine though. Ah gotta go to the other side of the farm and tell Big Mac. Ah’ll be right back.

Very well. I’ll be here.

…

Thank you for waiting Luna. If ah may ask, what do ah owe the pleasure of your visit?

Well... I came because I wanted to talk to you about Twilight Sparkle.

Ah yes, my alicorn sugarcube. Ah’m so happy for her.

And I am as well. I can’t think of anypony else to be a new alicorn princess.

…

Ouch.

Perhaps it would be best if ya skipped on the applebucking, Luna.

I’m fine, Applejack. I’ll just stick to using magic.

Note to self... start exercising again. I haven’t grown fatter, but I’ve sure gotten weaker... in more ways than one.

Thank you for helping me with my applebucking Luna. Ah thought you were too busy to visit me. Twilight has been for the past few days, ah’ve been giving her space so she can get used to being a princess.

Ah yes, that is very nice of you Applejack. Hmm... to be perfectly honest with you, I came to visit because there is something that I need your help with. I’ve already asked everypony else and they agreed to it.

And what would ah be agreeing to?

My sister and I are putting together a surprise dinner for Twilight Sparkle to celebrate her coronation. My sister put me in charge of assigning the ponies to cater and provide the entertainment. I would be honored if you could help Pinkie Pie cater for it.

Ah would love to! How many ponies are going?

Well we are bringing in leaders from the Griffin and Zebra countries, along with most of the Canterlot elite. So it’s going to have at least a hundred guests. Do you think you can cater for that many?

Of course ah can. The only problem is... ah’m not sure the folks in Canterlot like mah baking. Everypony in Canterlot is all hoity toity and fancy. None of them are gonna like the stuff ah bake.

I’m sure Hoity Toity would like your baking.

Heheh. Ah see what you did there. Do you know when the dinner is going to be? Ah have plans for next month, so ah need to know if it’s soon. Gotta get all these apples bucked and out of the way if it is.

Well, the dinner is in three weeks. Do you have any plans in three weeks?

Ah... ah do... what day will it be?

Probably Sunday. Will you be gone for the entire week?

No. Ah’ll only be gone for a day. Ah guess ah can move some of my plans around. This is for Twilight after all.

I think she would like that.

…

If you don’t mind me asking Applejack, what are your plans?

Ah... ah’d rather not talk about it...

I’m sorry Applejack. I won’t bring it up again.

It’s obviously something that’s hurting her. I’ve never seen Applejack make a face like that. Then again... I’ve only seen her a few times.

Princess Luna!

Hello there Applebloom.

You remembered mah name?

Yes of course. The Princess of the Night remembers all of her subjects.

That’s so cool! Scootaloo told me that you went into her dream and talked to her. Is that true?

Yes it is.

Can you come into mah dream?

When you need me to, I will come into your dreams. I promise.

Thanks Luna! Oh ah can’t wait! Ah’ll make sure to have the best dream ever so that you have a whole lot of fun when you come in!

Applejack! How are you Sister!?

Good mornin’ Applebloom! Ah’m doing well. Just got all the chickens and pigs fed, so you don’t have to worry about that. How are ya doin today?

Oh ah’m doin just fine! Last night was so much fun! We built another floor to the treehouse!

Ah’m not sure ah want you three adding any more to that thing...

It’s okay Applejack! We made sure that it was all safe and stable before we went to paint it! It took the whole day and I was so tired when we finished. Sweetie Belle’s new coltfriend helped us build it, and he asked if he could become part of the Cutie Mark Crusaders! Yesterday was the best! Ah’m gonna go hang out with them, ah’ll see you later!

Wait just a minute Applebloom.

Aww... what? Ah swear ah didn’t do it. Winona did it!

Ah didn’t even accuse you of anything yet.

Oh... right.

Did you do the dishes last night like ah told you to?

Yep!

Did you make sure that your room is clean?

Yep!

Oh really? If ah go up to your room right now, ah’m not going to trip over something and sprain my hoof again?

Ah said ah was sorry Sis! How many times do ah have to tell ya!?

Ah’m just joshing you Applebloom. Come here and give your sister a hug.

Mmm... ah love you Applejack.

Ah love you too Sis. Go talk to Big Mac and see if he has anything else for you to do. If he doesn’t, you can go play. While you do that, ah’m going to go check your room.

Wait!

What is it Sis?

Uh... heh... I think I left something in my room. I’ll get it, and then talk to Big Mac.

That’s what I thought. See ya later Applebloom.

You too Sis!

Sorry about that Luna.

It is quite alright Applejack. I’m surprised that you two are so nice to each other. I would think the two of you would butt heads over everything.

We used to. Ah used to fight with her nearly every day. She went through this period where she was more obsessed with getting her cutie mark than she is right now. She tried nearly everything, to the point where she was almost severely injured. She climbed up a ladder and told me that she was going to get a cutie mark in parkour. Ah got my rope and right as she jumped off, ah caught her in midair and pulled her towards me. Ah took most of the impact. She broke two of my ribs and ah had to stay in the hospital for a little while, but Applebloom learned her lesson.

I’m sorry Applejack. Are you okay now? How long ago was this?

Back when she first learned about cutie marks. So... a few years. Ah’m fine now. Nothing can keep me down, heh. Ah have to be strong for Applebloom... for Big Mac... for everypony.

There it is again... that look. She has her back to me, but I’m not an idiot. Slouched shoulders, slightly bowed head. I’ve seen that before.

Are you Applebloom’s primary caretaker?

… Yeah. Big Macintosh, Granny Smith, and ah take care of her.

Are your parents out of town?

…

You could say that.

Where are they... oh.

…

I’m sorry Applejack. I didn’t mean to bring it up.

Good job Luna. Keep depressing the mare that is going to provide the backbone for the catering at the dinner. Keep it up.

Ah raised her ever since she was born. Mah mother... didn’t survive labor. They weren’t sure if the baby was going to live either, so they had to operate on mah mother prematurely. They saved Applebloom, but they couldn’t save Mom...

I’m... sorry Applejack...

Stop saying that. It sounds empty when you say it too many times.

What about your f-?

Ran off. He couldn’t handle it. Whether it was guilt, sadness, or him being a deadbeat... ah don’t know. The three of us, Granny Smith, Big Mac, and ah all raised her to where she is now. She has mah mother’s brain and my father’s looks. Better than the other way around. Heh...

And you stepped up to the plate and took the reins... how old were you?

A few years after ah got my cutie mark. Big Macintosh was already able to buck the trees with one leg when Applebloom was born. He knows how to take care of a child more than ah can. Ah don’t know how. It’s like he was ready for it.

Mmm. I bet my sister would love to talk to you about parenting methods.

What’s that mean?

I was raised without a mother as well.

… Oh. Ah thought the legends said that the Alabaster Queen gave birth to you two?

Indeed she did. My sister was born a few decades before I was. It’s safe to say that she wasn’t ready for me. She was still a teenager in Alicorn years, so she had to grow up quickly in order to take care of me.

The Queen didn’t take care of you?

She couldn’t. Nopony knows why, but the point is that she couldn’t. I can’t remember those years... but my sister told me it was the hardest point in her life.

I wouldn’t trade you for anything in the world Luna.

…

Ah still miss her... oh... ah didn’t even realize that ah was talking this much. Sorry Luna. Ah’m probably making you sad.

It’s okay Applejack. Continue. I’d rather you get out these feelings than hold them in.

If you say so. You came here to ask me to cater after all, and ah agreed. Don’t you want to leave? You look plum tuckered out.

I’m helping you harvest apples. I don’t mind.

If you say so.

...

Tell me more about your mother.

Mah mother was the best. She was smart, athletic, and patient. Ah don’t know how she did it, but Granny Smith told me stories about mah mother and Big Macintosh. He used to be a silent and defiant brat while ah was a filly. Imagine that... my brother... not listening to my mother. Ah never would have thought of that. But every time, she talked with him and got him to agree with her, even though he was a teenager at the time and more stubborn than a mule.

Nothing ever upset her. Even when she was in her hospital bed, in pain from labor, she kept a smile on her face. I’ll never forget the words she told me before the doctors pulled me out of the room.

“Applejack... you are growing up so fast, I don’t think I can keep up with you. You’re going to become a mother Applejack, and I know you are ready.”

Ah told her that ah wasn’t ready to be a mother, that ah was scared and ah needed her. She smiled and told me that my brother and ah were strong enough to take care of her. She said the only thing that kept me from being a mare was my age. She loved me, and she gave me one last kiss on the cheek before I had to leave.

Ah still remember that day... clear as crystal.

She’s crying...

Mah mother was right though... heh. She was always right. Ah just wish ah was as strong as her, as strong as she thought ah was going to be.

Applejack, from what I’m hearing, you have shown the tenacity and passion that mimics and possibly surpasses my sister’s. Why would you say that you aren’t strong?

Because ah can’t do everything that she can. My mother looked into mah eyes and told me that everything was going to be okay, that ah was ready to be a mother and a mare. She said it without a single tear... without a single crack in her voice. Ah can’t even face my own problems... especially one that is coming up in three weeks.

Do you want to talk about it... Applejack?

Mah apologies for saying so Princess... but there isn’t anything to say about mah problem. Ah can’t fix it, and neither can you. Ah just have to live with it... again...

…

Equestria has only gotten more beautiful since you have left Luna. It missed you, just like I have.

I’m glad that Equestria was able to flourish without my night...

I wouldn’t say it flourished Sister... but that it merely survived. We all missed you Luna...

Go ahead and rest Sister, I’ll watch all the sleeping subjects that missed me.

…

Bye Sis! Ah got my room all clean!

Have fun Applebloom. Be back by night time, okay?

Alright!

…

Ah plan to visit a quill pal of mine in Vanhoover. We’ve been sending letters back and forth ever since elementary school. Ah could tell him everything, from what made me angry that day, to the day when ah switched cutie marks with Rarity. Ah wanted him to tell me everything as well, until he sent me a letter yesterday. He’s... not doing well.

Is it... curable?

…

He’s got Parasprite Fever. The doctors gave him a month... and he wants me to come down and visit him before he...

Passes...

Yeah... it’s been years since mah mother passed away. Ah’ve held in my feelings nearly every day, just waiting for the time when ah would get over it and grow up. Yet, whenever ah lay down in bed and think about mah mother, ah can’t help but cry. Ah should be over it... but ah’m not.

The pain never goes away... it just becomes easier to deal with.

Ah try my hardest to hold it in, and cry it out when Applebloom isn’t looking. Ah have to be strong for her, for everyone in mah family. Ah have to be the mare that my mother wants me to be...

Ah have to go. Ah want to meet him and say my good-byes. But... ah can’t watch someone die... I’ve already done it once... through a glass window with seven doctors surrounding her...

Bite your tongue Luna.

…

Heh... we got a lot of this bucked and out of the way.

Yeah.

…

Luna, if you were in mah hooves, what would you do?

What would I do?

Yeah. Would you go?

Heh. I can’t say that I know exactly how you feel. I’ve never... been through what you have. But I can understand the feeling of loss. I lose my temper, I lose my power, I lose my friends...

I lose my therapist...

And I lose my place in Equestria. Everything evaporated, before it could be touched. If I’m going to lose something... especially someone as close as a true friend... I’d rather be there for it. At least that way, I will know what I lost, rather than leaving it as an enigma...

Uhh... AJ? You doin okay?

Ah’m doin just fine Big Mac. Ah’m just thinking about... the future. It feels like merely yesterday I was chewing on apple fritter back at the family reunion.

Eeeyup. You sure you don’t want to take a break? You and Princess Luna look tired. I’ll take the rest of the farm for today.

Thank you Big Mac. I have a lot of thinking to do.

I did what I could...

Thank you for agreeing to the dinner Applejack. Have a good day. I’ll send you a letter tonight with more information.

Alright. Thank you Luna, for everything. I'm gonna go lay down.

…

Luna.

Hmm?

Is mah sister okay?

She will be, once you talk to her.

…

A family wired strong and strengthened from each other’s confidence and loyalty. Losses don’t mean everything, but merely something to build off of. A sister turned into a mother, a brother turned into a father, a sister turned daughter, and a grandmother that helps hold it all together. I couldn’t be happier for them.

Sister, are you there? Your door's unlocked.

It always has been Luna. Please come in.

...

I believe you have heard enough my therapist. Have a good night.

…

...

Author's Note

Letters will be published tomorrow and will be the final official chapter (minus the bonus chapters that I am not going to write for a while). Thank you for taking this trip with me, I hope you all enjoyed it. I have some information on my later stories next chapter, and I hope that you indulge me in reading tomorrow's author's note.

Letters

Dear Princess Luna / My Faithful Patient (take your pick),

My apologies for not being available for your meetings with the Elements of Harmony. My wife was in labor once I came home, and I doubted that you wanted to hear my constant shouting as my wife cursed me for getting her pregnant. Call me crazy, but I have a feeling that you were able to get all of the Elements to attend the dinner. Before you toss this letter in the trash, the fireplace, or inside of a frame to remind yourself of the trials and tribulations that you were put through in order to get where you are today, I would please ask of you to finish this letter before you make your decision.

When you first selected me to be your therapist, I honestly didn’t know what to make of it. I accepted it as I would any other job, and I treated you the same way as all of my previous patients. I thought that with a constant amount of visits, I could eventually talk you towards the solutions that would help you at the end of a visit. But I was naive. I assumed that we would have enough time to address all of your problems. I thought we could address the things throughout your life that have been swirling around your head and dismiss them as either a problem or a possibility for a solution to yourself. That simply was not the case.

When you first sat down on your bed and faced me, the eyes of a pony without a purpose were staring back at me. Whenever you talked about your past, your sister, or even yourself, you never met my gaze. You only looked me in the eyes when you were talking about me, or my family. Your body language was enough to give me an overall view of what you were, but I always hesitate to simply take one characteristic and use it as my findings. I had to come back. Again and again, from the cards that I presented you to your fight with Celestia, your words and actions only corroborated my hypotheses.

Many doctors would sit you down and provide you with a diagnosis of your problems, followed by a list of possible ways to ameliorate the problem. This is probably why I am not a doctor, since I will not do either of those things. Here is what I will tell you.

You are not replaceable.

You are an Alicorn Princess of the Night with the ability to look into pony’s dreams, a mind that has been strengthened by your vast library, and a grasp of empathy that cannot be learned. No one on Earth can replace you Luna, despite how close it seemed to you.

When you first looked into my cards, you provided me stories and answers that I’ve never heard before. You told me about moths with goals, handicapped creatures, and authoritarian figures that challenged your disposition and made you uncomfortable. I attempted to write down every word of yours, and when I couldn’t, I made sure to remember them.

Every visit of ours was full of emotion, but the moment I mentioned Celestia, your emotions either boiled over or ceased completely. You conditioned yourself to act a certain way around your sister, when it simply did not have to be so. The Legend of Nightmare Moon tells us that you were imprisoned by your sister for a thousand years. Combined with your attempt to solve Starswirl’s spell and your contempt for Twilight’s success back in our first and second visits, your actions were all but a paper of connect-the-dots.

Please do not think I am saying that your thousands of years of emotional turmoil is as easy as a children’s drawing game. After all, you can’t create the game if you don’t have dots in the first place. Your hesitancy to elaborate your anger with your sister gave me some more information that I will continue with. My apologies if this letter is getting long. This will be the last letter that I send you as your therapist, so I want to make sure that I am thorough and you understand me completely. Or I might be rambling. The baby has been crying a lot and I’ve probably taken enough painkillers to subdue a minotaur.

Let me preface my statement by saying that I do not know everything about you. I wish I did, because then I could give a perfect diagnosis. Nevertheless, here is the part of the letter you have been waiting for. But it seems I am running out of room, so I will send you another letter.

Sincerely,

Your Therapist

Dear Princess Luna,

My apologies for the wait if the mail system decided to send your letter a day later. Anyway... we should continue. The problem I noticed the most in our visits was the lack of communication between yourself and your sister. I found it hard to believe when you told me in our first few visits that Celestia did not bother to integrate you into Equestrian society when you came back. While some may call you a liar, I would simply say that you were mistaken. There are powerful mechanisms inside of your mind, which were built up through a millenium and a few years that probably biased your opinions. It is as you said: a thousand years thinking about the same things probably changed your mind for the worse.

This does not mean that your thinking cannot be changed. The first part of fixing a problem is realizing it exists. You do not have any trouble in this department. You never did. The part that was hard for me was getting you to confront them. I’d be willing to guess that back before Nightmare Moon, you had a very confrontational personality. I could sense it from your anger towards me for trying to send a letter to your sister, but it quickly drained away when Celestia visited our room for the first time. You got all up on your high horse back then, pardon the pun, and was instantly smacked back down to reality when you were imprisoned in the moon.

If I were to take a guess, I would think that you negatively correlated confrontation and communication with punishment, which is one of the unfortunate things that may happen. You avoided your sister like the parasprites and wallowed in your own depression and guilt due to your supposed lost chance at rekindling your love with your subjects.

When you appeared on your first Nightmare Night since your return, I was there. While you simply dismissed it as your “one day of fame”, I saw it as an opportunity that completely passed you by, but still remains within reach. Equestria loves you Luna, and while that seems like a sweeping generality that made you roll your eyes on our second visit, I’m sure that Fluttershy, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, and Applejack provided you with enough proof that we want you back. Pipsqueak, Celestia, Twilight Sparkle, I bet even the new reformed Discord wouldn’t have as much fun if you resorted to anonymity.

It is around this part of the letter where I extend my heartfelt apologies to you for the many tricks that I played. I will admit, my letter to Celestia was probably the action that should I apologize for the most, even though your confrontation with her gave me the most information towards my hypotheses. Whether you wanted it to or not, I needed her in order to help you. However, betrayal is an act that makes my blood boil, so I understand your anger and for lack of a better word, beg for your forgiveness, Your Highness.

You were right. I didn’t know what would happen during your confrontation with your sister, but I felt that you needed to talk to her. Whether it was a complete meltdown of feelings or not didn’t matter to me. I wanted something to happen between you and her. However, my biggest frustration was probably the night that you asked me to be your royal advisor. I tried in all of my previous visits to prove to you that you could be the confident and benevolent Princess you yourself doubted. In that one visit, upon being given a task that scared you with the consequences (even though there weren’t any specific ones), you reverted back to your introverted ways and tried to get me to help you, even though it wasn’t needed. While you did not deny the dinner, your improvement (to me) was moving at a snail’s pace. So I grew impatient. I didn’t want to cease being your therapist altogether, but I did want something to snap you into action, something that would put you on the spot and force you to make decisions. Something a Princess sometimes has to do. The dinner was my perfect chance.

So, I left you. I’m sorry Princess Luna, and I will always be sorry for my betrayal. But you have to understand that I couldn’t fuel your passive personality any longer. I suggested our first visit to Fluttershy’s cottage because I wanted to see you talk to someone else other than me. I wanted to see how you would choose your words, what you would do in an actual conversation, and last but not least, try to make a friend. You told me yourself that you wanted to become more prevalent in your subject’s lives, and yet, I had to practically drag you to someone’s house (the house of one of the most timid ponies might I add) in order to get you to do it.

My apologies if this seems like I am insulting you. I’m not. But you have to understand my frustration. The Princess Luna that I was subjected to was an introverted pony who believed she was useless and weak because she was unable to live up to the paragon that her sister created. My apologies for saying so, but the Princess Luna that I talked to was introverted by choice. As I previously said, it was a choice that was defiled and mistaken due to your previous fallacies, but it was your choice. You cannot deny that. I will agree that your sister should have tried harder to integrate you into society, but it’s hard to drag someone kicking and screaming into change. They have to accept it first or at least recognize that it exists. Long story short, I refuse to believe that the Luna that I talked to is the real you. It would be ignorant of me to tell you who the real Luna is. I’m only assuming this because of past legends and history books that accentuated your role in Equestrian society before your imprisonment. Yes, I do have history books that are that old, even though they look like they are going to crumble from a simple touch.

Speaking as a professional therapist, here is the reason why I am jealous of you. You are a mare that was born into royalty and was given one of the most important jobs in Equestria during the period of your birth. Yes, I’m aware that your sister was capable of doing your job, but I agree with her. There is a difference between the artificial creation of something and the intention behind somepony’s actions. Celestia rose the moon to keep her subjects happy and alive. You rose the moon because it was your destiny, it was your beauty and your creation. The moon was an extension of yourself, rather than a tool used by your sister. I’m sure your sister would feel the same way about her sun. It’s like the old phrase, “Just like Mom used to make.”

I’m getting off-topic aren’t I? Jealousy, got it. Maybe it’s just because I love seeing the mechanisms of others minds in action, but I saw an extreme amount of potential in you for my job. Now, I know that you will never quit being the Princess of the Night just so that you could become a therapist (although lucky for you, if you did, student loans wouldn’t be a problem), but you have the capabilities to become a better therapist than I ever could.

In my perfect world, I see somepony walking into your room with their worries left at the door. They might have been piqued because of the numerous Royal Guards in the castle, but they quickly drain away when your soft voice meets their ears. I see you sitting them down in a chair or laying them down on a bed before you explain your therapy process. You then begin a short back and forth much like we did numerous times in the beginning of our visits before I see you putting them to sleep, watching their dreams, and creating hypotheses from what you see. Dreams are one of the most interesting gateways to the mind and you have access to any dream at any moment. Once again, from a therapist’s point of view, that is useful to say the least and bucking awesome to say the most. I can only hope that this hypothetical situation unlocked your desire to follow within my footsteps, but I know that you are not interested in therapy. Nevertheless, while I go assist other ponies with their troubles, I hope to hear the following statement: “I talked to Princess Luna about it, and she gave me some very good advice on...”

You have fallen Luna. You fell harder than any other pony in the world and yet you are still strong enough to lecture me on betrayals, defend yourself from your sister’s overprotective nature, and explicitly state what you want from your sister even though your request probably shattered her heart. I am glad that you are going to reconcile with her. Your sister made a lot of mistakes, but she has nothing but good intentions and love for you, Luna. The two of you were meant to rule together, as loving sisters of a harmonious nation.

You did not fail me, but more importantly, you did not fail yourself. As I previously said, this letter is going to be the last that I send you as your therapist. I announce my official resignation, effective immediately. It was fun, Luna. It was eventful, but I’m sure you can agree with me when I say that we are both ready to move on. I hope to see you at Nightmare Night again, I’m sure my wife and foal would love to meet you.

Sincerely,

Rationale

Dear Princess Luna,

Can we talk tonight? I need... someone to talk to...

Sincerely,

Twilight Sparkle

Author's Note

I couldn't wait for you all to read this chapter. I wrote this chapter in around an hour, since the moment I finished the Applejack chapter, I wanted to bust this out, badly. If you all will indulge me, I have a few things that I would like to say and a few people that I would like to thank.

First off, I would like to thank each and every one of my readers that read this story and enjoyed it. I had a hell of a lot of fun writing it. Also, thank you for your comments on the story, constructive or otherwise.

Second, I would like to thank Bronystories for agreeing to collaborate with me on a story. I have the outline open in another tab and let me just say, two very fun stories are going to come from it, so watch out for that.

Third, I would like to thank Noble Cause for last year's NaNoPoWriMo. Without that, I wouldn't even be on this site, or writing fanfiction in general. Now I'm happier than I've ever been in the fandom and am chock full of story ideas.

Fourth, I would like to thank Pegasus Rescue Brigade for providing me with a review on one of my previous fics before this one (for the love of Celestia, don't read it) that pointed out a lot of my fallacious writing habits and helped me overcome them.

Fifth, I'm sure this drawfriend could give you a clue as to one of my future stories. Watch out for that. Speaking of watchers, I'm not gonna be one of those guys that begs for watchers but... oh who am I kidding... watchers are nice and I'm close to 200. But... you know... if you want to... (/Fluttershy). A word of warning though, I do have some nsfw fics on the horizon, so please trek carefully through my stories xD

Last but not least, apart from my collaboration with Bronystories, I have a lot of story ideas that have been rolling around in my head. Apart from this fic, I've been working on an action fic based on a certain television show that I have been watching. Let me just say that it's going to be fun to read ponies doing these things to each other. The "fan base", for lack of a better word, for Therapist Visit has been one of the best ones that I've ever had, and I hope it spreads to the other stories that I plan on writing.

Thank you all for indulging me on this (essentially) random bit of headcanon that I decided to dress up into a nice little story. Have a good day, all of you.