Chapter 1:
Princess Luna soared through the night sky, scanning the ground beneath her as her job was to do. The elegant alicorn of the night did as she was supposed to do; raise the moon into the night time sky to bring a dim light for nocturnal creatures, provide surveillance over Equestria for a set amount of hours to make sure no crime occurred, then return home to the manor in Canterlot to awaken her sister, Princess Celestia, who would raise the sun and begin a new day.
After the exchange of greeting and the rising of the sun, Luna retreated into her section of the castle where she, as she did every morning, climbed into her bed and settled into a deep slumber...
...except this particular morning, it seemed as though sleep escaped her. Luna sat up and looked around her room. The black curtains adorned over the windows provided protection from the glare of Celestia’s sun. The shelves, filled with a variety of books and scrolls, lined the walls around her, giving any visitor the knowledge that she was well educated. And, of course, the certain area in her room piled with various video games and plugged-in systems provided dim lights and faded “beeps” and “boops” every few minutes with the frequent gun shot.
Games... Not today... Luna pondered as she surveyed her room.
She lied back down and closed her eyes tight to take another try at slumber, only to fail once again. She slowly opened her eyes, staring at the spot where her hoof laid.
Lonely... She mused with a sigh.
Celestia’s sun crept up into the sky, gifting all of the ponies in Equestria with its elegant rays. Or, at least it gifted most of the ponies.
The floating house on the outskirts of Cloudsdale remained still, albeit the occasional swaying caused by the wing generated by pass-by pegasi. Inside was a cyan pegasus with a multi-chromatic mane snoring in bed and an inert shell that rested on the nightstand beside the mare.
RainbowDash tossed around as the sun beamed through the windows directly into her face. After minutes of fighting with the cursed light, she admitted defeat. With a grunt, Rainbow forced herself out of bed and stretch, allowing her wings to beat a few time to prepare themselves for what the day had prepared.
She trotted over to the shell and playfully banged on it a few times.
“Tank! Wake up!”
The tortoise’s limbs slowly emerged from the shell, and, like RainbowDash had done not too long ago, began working a few stretches of their own. After what seemed like half an hour of slow twisting movements and flexing tortoise muscles, Tank’s head made its way out of his shell.
“Fiiiianlly!” RainbowDash exclaimed with a giggle. Tank turned his head toward her and gave her a smile (or what seemed to be a smile. It’s rather difficult to read a tortoise’s facial expression). RainbowDash opened the drawer of the nightstand and searched through it, eventually pulling out a small helmet, goggles, and an odd mechanism with velcro straps and a propeller. She placed the helmet on Tank’s head and the goggles onto his face, then wrapped the flying device around his shell, adjusting it every so often so it wasn't at an angle. Afterward, RainbowDash opened a window and gave Tank a quick glance, inviting him to follow her.
RainbowDash flew at a slower than usual speed which, to any over pony, was still too fast for the average pegasus to handle. Tank, with the help of the rotary device strapped to his shell, flew nearby, matching his owner’s high speeds.
It feels nice, the tortoise thought. Incredible, even. To be a mere tortoise (commonly mistaken for a turtle. I mean, come on guys. Come on.) soaring through the air at such speeds with such... He mentally flattered himself ...grace.
The tortoise’s gleeful flight came to an end when he and RainbowDash landed on a hill just outside of Sweet Apple Acres. As the propellor of Tank’s flying contraption slowed to a halt, RainbowDash extended her neck toward Tank to remove his gear and undo the velcro straps. The device fell off his shell, hitting the earth with a silent “thump”. RainbowDash began.
“Hey, Tank. Gotta go uh... Help Aj out with a few stuff at the farm. You can go wander ‘round ‘til I’m done, k? Go find a nice head of lettuce to nibble on or something.” She patted the tortoise’s head gently. Tank nodded in return, knowing good and well that the “help” she was providing to AppleJack had nothing to do with the farm. He, however, remained silent about the subject, mainly due to the fact that he was indeed a tortoise and lacked the ability to speak aloud.
Tank turned around and proceeded to take a stroll near the farm.
Well, it’s not flying, but it sure is peaceful, he mused as he observed his surroundings. He noticed the woodland creatures scurrying around, birds perched in the trees providing nature’s chorus, and the occasional pair of ponies trotting and chatting in the distance. The scenery around him was extravagant, filling his mind with peaceful thoughts that, well, happy tortoises usually thought about. He paused for a moment to take it all in, humming softly to the sweet smell of apples now flowing through his nostrils, then continued with his walking.
30 minutes and he still hasn’t walked 5 feet yet... Rainbow Dash thought as she trotted closer to the Sweet Apple family barn.
The same word repeated in her mind: Lonely. While doing her job as the Overseer of the Night, Luna rarely saw a pony who she could converse with. Even when she did, the pony was reminded if the "Nightmare Moon" incident, causing them to cower in fear of being "gobbled up".
Which is exactly why we should visit Ponyville! Luna thought as she started her flight from the castle. They had accepted her before, even after the misunderstandings that occurred the last Nightmare Night. Oh that had been a... 'wild' experience, she continued. For the remainder of the flight, she glided, lost in thought.
The trip to Ponyville was short. She landed in the market place, ponies of all kinds greeting her with either formal bows or casual smiles and waves.
She nodded to those who bowed and kindly returned the gestures to those of the latter.
Such a wonderful town Ponyville is. Luna thought as she continued her canter out of the marketplace. Maybe we should pay Twilight Sparkle a visit. After all, she is the reason I am so liked in Ponyville. Luna bounced happily and let out a quiet squeal at the thought, leaving ponies around her slightly confused. She disregarded them and started toward the library.
As she approached Twilight's house a sudden familiar roar erupted from Luna stomach. It seems we are hungry. A visit to the pink pony would be nice. A cupcake sounds absolutely delightful right now. Then again, apples sound just as good. Luna quickly turned around and made her way to Sweet Apple Acres, trying to be as discrete as possible about her growling stomach.
Perfect! I could get a nice basket of the farmer pony's delectable apples, return to Twilight Sparkle, and partake in hour long conversations over apples and tea! Th- her thoughts were cut short by an image in the distance. A blush had formed on Luna's muzzle as the creature slowly made it's way toward her. It's almost like one of those picture shows Sister once showed me. She remembered a scene from a romantic film where a stallion emerged from a lake. The frames had slowed down, giving the viewers time to take in the features of the gorgeous stallion.
Her blush deepened when she replaced the stallion with the object of her attention. "Oh dear...," she sighed in a slightly pleasureful tone.
Luna approached the creature without knowing. When she finally reached him, she decided to make conversation. She opened her mouth, preparing the usual introduction to those who may not know her (though everypony in Equestria was well aware of her position). "Hello! I am-" she was rudely interrupted by a forceful explosion of grumbles emerging from her stomach. Her face glowed a bright, noticeable red.
I cannot believe that just happened...
Chapter 2:
Luna's face darkened with every second of silence between the two. Ask him, she thought. It can't get any worse now so just ask him!
"Um..." Um. That's a start! ...Why can't I say anything else? Why is my mouth still open? No words are coming out! Mouth! We command thee to close this instant!
Her mouth did not obey her order. She had been so mesmerized by the figure before her, so controlled by whatever spell he was casting upon her that she couldn't move on her own. Just more awkward silence.
Tank looked up, meeting eye contact with Luna. Her mouth finally decided to close but the rest of her body still resented her commands. Luna let out a quiet embarrassed whimper. She felt as though all the blood in her body rushed to her face. Her limbs trembled and her wings opened slightly as his hypnotic gaze forced her heart to pound at an uncomfortable rate.
Talk! Luna internally yelled at herself.
As Luna suffered from internal arguments, Tank was contemplating a few thoughts of his own.
I wonder where the lettuce patch is. I guess I could ask the princess but... I'm just a turtle! He chuckled slightly at his combination of jokes, both insulting the fools that had before called him a turtle although, as obvious as it is, he is a tortoise, and the fact that as a tortoise, he lacked the vocal cords to talk.
Oh no... Oh no oh no! Did he just laugh at me? How could I make such a fool of myself!
Luna finally gained control over her body, but the deep blush in her cheeks continued, giving her a pink complexion that was noticeable even through her dark blue coat.
All hopes crushed! And that damned commotion you are bringing up is making nothing better! She thought to her stomach. It replied with yet another eruption of bubbling noises. She took advantage of this.
"Oh, look at that! We're still hungry!" Luna finally broke the silence. "Hopefully we may see you another time! Farewell!" She quickly turned around and made her way to Sugar Cube Corner.
Well that was rather odd, Tank thought as he continued walking around Sweet Apple Acres in search for the ever-so delicious lettuce he strived for.
He had been walking for, what seemed to be for him, 20 minutes before he made it to a lettuce patch. The green spheres sticking out of the group caused his mouth water a little. Tank went for the largest he could find and extended his neck to bite on one of the outer leaves. He let out a satisfying moan after every bite, savoring the lettuce's flavor. The leaf's juices swished around in his mouth as he chewed, only intensifying his enjoyment for his meal. He finished the leaf and went for another, then another and so on until he heard a familiar, somewhat muffled voice approaching him.
"Aye 'Ank!" RainbowDash yelled out, Tank's flying gear in her mouth. He turned to look at her when she dropped everything near him. "Time to go, bud." Tank was giddy with excitement as his owner began dressing him with his gear.
Another flight! he thought, giddy with joy. After she finished, they started a casual flight back to RainbowDash's cloud house.
"Then I just ran away and here we are!"
Luna took a bite out her cupcake as Twilight Sparkle stared at her in awe.
"I don't even know his name...," Luna continued. "What if we meet again? What do I say? 'Oh hey! Uh... you!' I'll just make a fool of myself again!"
Twilight was still staring, unable to process the Princess's predicament. She began. "Um... Princess?" Luna shot Twilight a look. She couldn't tell if it was an angry look or if Luna was just showing Twilight had her full attention, but Twilight continued. "You're telling me that you're in love with...," she paused to clear her throat. "A turtle?"
"No no no! A tortoise! He is a tortoise! The most elegant, handsome, desirable...," Luna blushed. "He was just so amazing..." She stared off into space, images of the tortoise roaming her mind.
Twilight's confused gaze hadn't ceased. "Sorry... a tortoise." Luna nodded and took another bite from her cupcake then a sip from her tea. "I'm sorry, Princess Luna, but I'm at a loss of words. Again... You're in love with a tortoise?"
"Twas love at first sight..." Luna cooed, lost in thought.
Twilight cleared her throat again as if to say something, but her mind drew a blank. Maybe it's just a phase? she hoped. I mean she was banished to the moon for a thousand years... I wouldn't blame her if she wanted to experience a relationship after all that time but with a tur- ...tortoise? Twilight tried her best to give advise to the alicorn before her. "Well...," she stammered, "there's always the possibility you two will meet again. Ponyville isn't that big of a town." Twilight paused to take a sip from her untouched teacup, swallowing the now cold substance within. She and Luna noticed the Celestia's sun was beginning to set. "Just come back tomorrow. Maybe you'll meet him again!" Twilight managed the most sincere smile she could, even though she was still lost on the situation.
Luna only heard the words "tomorrow" and "meet him again". She bounced happily and started for the door, leaving a pile of cupcake wrappers behind which Twilight reluctantly cleaned up. "Thank you very much, Twilight Sparkle! We are forever grateful for your help."
Twilight Sparkle nodded. "Any time, Princess! We hope-" somehow, Luna's way of speaking in the plural first person affected Twilight in her state of confusion. She corrected herself. "I hope to see you again tomorrow!"
Luna left Twilight's library and began her flight back to her and her sister's castle in Canterlot to raise the moon and start that night's duty as Overseer of the Night.
Author's Note
*Sigh* Hello. Dove here.
Gotta love that chapter end.
If you're reading this, let me tell you something. I really have no idea where this is going anymore. I had notes on this chapter and upcoming chapters. I lost them in the mess on my desk. I looked everywhere, but nothing. So, from now on, everything will either be bsed or I'll try to remember what I wrote down for the chapter.
Also, overused turtle-tortoise stuff. Enjoy them. Love them, Have fun reading.
Dove out.
