//-------------------------------------------------------// Lingering Thirst -by Dragoonman10- //-------------------------------------------------------// //-------------------------------------------------------// Forgive me //-------------------------------------------------------// Forgive me “uggh … ah!” Were the first sounds that Princess Luna said as she looked upon the shining image of the sun, her older sister Celestia. The sun mare walked towards her younger sister while saying “It has been a thousand years since I have seen you like this.” Celestia paused and laid down in front of her sister and said in a motherly tone. “Time to put our differences behind us. We were meant to rule together, little sister.” ”SISTER?” Twilight and her friends said. As Celestia stood up she asked “will you accept my friendship?” Everypony in the room leaned forward awaiting her answer. Pinkie fell. Luna looked up at Celestia and closed her eyes and looked away in shame. Eventually with tears running down her face she jumped up and embraced Celestia saying “I'm so sorry! I missed you so much, big sister!” Princess Luna cried tears of joy into her big sisters mane and Celestia put her head over Lunas and responded “I've missed you, too” Pinkie Pie burst into tears then suddenly jumped up in joy and yelled “Hey, you know what this calls for?” After a few seconds of letting the question hang she answered herself “A party!” When Princess Luna was taken outside for the first time in a thousand years, the brightness of the sun struck her coat and assaulted her eyes. She moved her head away and her eyes were closed and she whimpered in discomfort. She had not seen the sun in a thousand years and it was catching up with her. To Luna the sun seemed hotter than it should have. It was early in the morning and the air was cool but to Luna, it was like a midday afternoon. “Is something wrong sister.” Princess Celestia inquired as she stepped in front of Luna hiding her from the suns gaze. The rest of the girls walked out of the castle talking to each other, but stopped when they saw the two alicorns. “N-no we think it is just the side effects of our banishment. We are fine.” Princess Luna said and opened her eyes to a squint, as she started to adjust to the sunlight once more. The sound of a thick accent can be heard in Lunas voice. Celestia winced and lowered her head at the mention of Lunas punishment. Several hours later after Celestia explained and cleaned up the mess with Nightmare Moon, the two Princesses were on a Pegasus drawn carriage heading towards the middle of Ponyville. As Celestia and Luna stepped out everypony bowed towards the royal sisters. Celestia smiled towards the crowd and Luna still had her head hung in shame and she looked down ashamed at what she did in the past. Two Pegasus fillies’ flew up and hung a necklace of red and white roses around her neck and finally a faint smile showed on Lunas face as she looked towards all the pony’s celebrating. A single tear dropped as Luna said under her breath “tis’ a glorious day indeed.” Later that day around midafternoon the two Princesses were in the royal chariot being drawn towards Canterlot Castle. The sun was unforgiving on the lunar princess and its rays stung at her eyes and her body. Not wanting to see weak Luna did not show any pain and just laid at her sister’s side, but eventually nudged Celestia’s wing and then said in the shadow of a whisper, “S-sister, can you cover us with your wing. Like when we were little.” Celestia nodded and her wing went around Luna and she curled around her sister and then said to her “I missed you so much over these long years Luna. Much has changed in a thousand years. Do you remember fathers favorite mountain? That’s where we are heading; it’s where we will be living together.” Luna breathed a sigh of relief as Celestia’s wing shielded her from the sun. Luna said nothing and blushed as a sound rumbled loudly. It was Lunas stomach. Putting her head under her hooves and under Celestia’s wing Luna hid herself from embarrassment; the sound was not one that royalty should make. Celestia let out a small giggle and then said “don’t be embarrassed Sister, it is only natural that you would be hungry. Right when we get to the castle I will personally make you your favorite dish right after the doctor checks up on you. Now just rest for now, you earned it.” Luna put her face into her sister’s neck and relaxed and closed her eyes breathing in her sister’s scent. Luna thought of the past, of how she was jealous of his sister and how everypony thought of her sister and how they feared her. Thinking of a way that she could apologize to her sister and to make it up to her for all the wrong she did to herself, her sister and more importantly the denizens of Equestria. Silently thinking to herself Luna started to hear her sister’s heartbeat. It was a steady thumping that was soon becoming louder and louder as Luna focused on it. A shiver ran through Luna as something stirred deep inside her. Luna could feel her empty stomach and its desire for food but there was something else. Something that she had never felt before, a new kind of thirst. Luna could smell something sweet under her sister’s skin, and the beating of her sister’s heart felt like it was pulling Luna closer, pulling her towards her sister’s neck. Luna opened her mouth slightly, this time revealing sharp fangs. Luna subconsciously licked her lips and her teeth, and started to lean towards her sister’s neck. But before Luna could bite Celestia’s neck a soft bump rocked the carriage as the Pegasus landed. Luna looked up confused at what happened as she had zoned off a bit as she looked up at her sister. She shook her head wondering what happened a few moments ago. Celestia stood up from her sitting position, looked down at Luna, and then said “Welcome to Canterlot Castle Luna. This is where you are going to be staying at.” Celestia’s warm smile caused her little sister to smile too and she beamed and then in a tone and volume that nopony has heard in over hundreds of years “WE ARE GLAD WE ARE FINALLY HOME.” The guards jumped back covering their ears and even Princess Celestia flinched and some of the maids and servants asked to help and assist the princesses fainted out of sheer terror and Celestia sighed saying “Luna . . .” //-------------------------------------------------------// Serenity //-------------------------------------------------------// Serenity After the outburst with the Royal Canterlot voice princess Celestia slowly re assured everypony in the vicinity that it was normal for royalty to talk like that in public. A few moments after the chariot landed Princess Luna quickly made her way towards the inside of the castle hoping to stay away from the glare of the sun. Servants bowed before her and welcomed her. One pony stood out among the others. She did not bow and instead looked upon Princess Luna with curiosity and then asked “a-are you alright Princess Luna, one thousand years on the m-moon must be hard on the body.”         Princess Luna looked upon this mare with interest, every guard and every servant just bowed before her in respect and fear, just like they did a milina ago. Princess Luna hated to have ponies bow before her and here was one pony that just asked as if she knew her personally if she was alright. It was a bold move and most ponies found it highly disrespectful, Luna found it amusing a wonderful quality. The earth mares coat was the color of Sienna and her mane was cut short so as to not interfere with work. Her Cutie mark was that of a double infinity.         Many of the guards were staring at the mare in shock, Princess Luna's reputation was undeniable and several of the palace workers backed away as if she was a disease. Celestia was curious and simply smiled in amusement. Luna on the other hand walked forward towards the mare and looked at her in more detail and said in a lower more manageable tone of the traditional royal canterlot voice “YES SERVANT WE ARE FINE. WHAT IS THOU NAME.” Luna said to the mare who actually started to shake in slight fear but still stood tall and she answered in a fluttershy wisper, “S-serenity.”         Princess Luna smiled then said in a normal voice now that she knows the mare she doesn't have to be formal to a friend. “Come with us. You shall help us with our troubles if they ever do arrive.” The mare stood there with her mouth agape and then bowed before moving out of the way for Luna.         Luna smiled at the mare then looked back at her sister and said “TIA, WHERE ARE WE GOING NEXT.” Celestia bit her lip then walked forward dismissing many of the guards around the area and then said “well sister. We are going to the medical wing to make sure that you are fine. And if you are fine we will get you something to eat.” Celestia then added “also you do no need to use the Royal Canterlot voice, it scares everypony, I have not used it in over three hundred years.”         “B-BUT THE ROYAL CANTERLOT VOICE IS TRADITIONAL. IT WOU-uld be informal.” Luna said falling out into a more manageable tone after getting the look from her bigger sister. “Very well sister, I’ll try. O-only if this mare here become my personal servant, I like her.”         Serenity blinked as if she was didn't hear correctly, personal servant, even though the correct term would be maid or helper she wasn't going to argue with a princess. Though the raise she would be getting would be outrageous, and all she did was ask if the princess was alright. “b-but why me.” Serenity said before she could stop herself.         Princess Luna turned her head and looked at the mare in the eyes and then said “thou does not fear me and speaks her mind, most would only tell us what we wanted to hear and not the truth, I hate liars and deceivers more then anything.” Everypony within hearing distance looked shocked when they heard the word hate. It was taught at a young age that hate was a word not to be taken likey. “enough of this frivolous chatter, we have to visit the nearest healer and then get some food to ease our hunger.” Luna said and trotted off with her sister, the royal guards and soon Serenity herself.         Celestia was curious to what her sister was doing, normally she completely ignored anypony that talked to her or blew them off, she had a knack for telling if a pony was being truthful or not. Even Celestia herself could not lie to her sister. Luna often said “I'm not upset that you lied to me, I'm upset that from now on I can't believe you” to nobles when she knows that they are lying to her and then from then on she would never even see them in her lunar court.         Eventually they made it to the infirmary part of the wing only after a few minutes of walking and some idle conversations between the sisters. The doctor was waiting for them right as they came through the door and he smiled at Princess Luna and then bowed respectfully before saying “hello Princess Luna, how are you feeling. Does anything hurt anywhere, any headaches, sore wings or do you feel any magical effects such as magical backlash and feedback. I have never known anyone who could stay alive for one thousand years, its a miracle that you aren't just dust and ashes, but maybe the moon put you in a statis or something . . .”         The doctor kept rambling on and kept talking as he quickly popped a thermometer into the Princess’s mouth and felt her forehead, then only thing stopping Luna from taking it out and running for her life was her sisters stern look. Celestia knew that Princess Luna hated doctor visits more than anything. Princess Celestia looked at Luna and then said “now Luna, i'm gonna go get you something to eat, stay here and don't give the doctor any trouble, I don't think anything should be wrong but one must always be careful. And doctor kanga will take good care of you.”         The Lunar princess just glared at her older sister and then nodded and yelped when the doctor put the stethoscope on her chest and listened to her heartbeat, Celestia backed outside the door and closed it and the final words she heard were “Please I know its cold, stop moving I need to check your heartbeat.” Celestia chuckled to herself and her sisters antics and then turned towards the Solar guards positioned at the door and a very confused mare.         “hello Serenity, I don't think we ever got to talk before, come with me, you're gonna help me get Luna some food.” Celestia said and then turned to the guards and then said “one of you stay here in case Luna tries to run, she doesn't like the reflex hammer test. She has a tendency to hide.” One of the guards nodded and stayed over the door staring into space as the other one went and followed the princess.         “so it seems my sister took a liking to you, that is very rare indeed. My sister was always one to be alone, she prefered to only be in the company of those she trusts and those who do not lie. She does not like liars or people who say stuff just because she is a Princess.” Celestia said towards Serenity before asking “how do you feel about all this?”         “well i'm overwhelmed, its not everyday you get to help one of the Princesses, im nervous that i don't meet expectations or do the right thing, or say the wrong thing.”         “ah don't worry about that, her being your servant is just a cover up for what she wants.”         “w-wants.”         “a friend.” Near the runes where Nightmare moon was defeated         “Dusk, I think you were right. She was defeated once again.” A stallion with a red coat said to a dark purple one after looking around the ruins and feeling the air with magic.         “hmm, she wasn't sent to the moon and instead it feels as if she was just brought back to Luna. Yet . . . she still feels like her.” there was a pause then a small laugh, “even though our master Nightmare Moon may be gone there is still a little bit left of her in Luna.” the stallion said grinning showing fanged teeth. “I say we give canterlot castle a visit to see how our ‘mother’ is doing.”         “Hey Smalls,”         “I TOLD YOU NOT TO CALL ME SMALLS, I'M RED FANG.”         “Ok um so can we get a bite to eat, i'm starving. There is a village not to far away from here.”         “no time of off the essence, we will get something to eat at canterlot castle.” %#%#%#%#%%#%#%#%#%%#%#%#%#%%#%#%#%#%%#%# Back at Canterlot Castle, the doctors room. There was a Alicorn with a smile on her face as she sucked on a piece of candy that the doctor gave her. It was to everypony's amusement that just giving the Princess of the Night a sucker calmed her down and allowed everypony to do their job and it turns out Luna was in the clear. “Now Doctor, you must tell us who was the pony who made tis wonderful treat so we may offer them a reward.”         The doctor simply laughed and then said “well you can find them at every candy store now, as for who first made them I have no idea, oh and Princess you are physically fine and can leave with Princess Celestia when she gets here. As if on cue the door opens up and in comes Princess Celestia followed by the solar guard and Serenity. Also Lunas favorite dish is floated next to Luna and Celestia says, “I made you your favorite dish sister, would you like to eat now or in the dining hall, it is not quite far.         “We would like to eat in the dining hall.” Luna said wanting to appear propor as a Princess should be and she would like to talk some more to her sister. After the two royal princesses ate in silence with company, Serenity was still nervous about eating with royalty. It wasn't long till Celestia spoke up. “So Serenity, do you have any family?” Celestia said to Serenity curiously.         “m-my family.” Serenity stuttered before adding “w-well I didn't really know my father and my mom was poor. I don't know where she is right now, i have just been living on my own these past few years.” Celestia nodded and then said “well if you are going to be helping my sister get situated with these times you're gonna need to live closer. I'm going to give you a nice small room in the lunar wing. And seeing how tired Luna is i'm going to let you show her where her room is. I have to deal with some rather obnoxious nobles.”         At the mention of nobles the door swung open and out came two unicorns with their noses up in the air and they then said to Celestia, “Princess, did you forget our little get together, i have plans tonight . . . “ The brown unicorn blinked and looked upon the other visitors in the room and then said “May I ask why you are dining with servants this evening.” The unicorn said without noticing Lunas wing and must have also missed the memo about Princess Luna’s return.         Luna was furious, not only had this Unicorn barged in unannounced he also insulted both Luna and her new friend was rude to Celesia and demanded something that was a privilege, not a right. Luna hissed and stood up her wings fanning out in anger and her horn flaring with her magic even if a simple levitation spell was out the question the power behind her horn undeniable, the black magic known only to the Princess of the night and her Thestral (bat-ponies) guards. The noble realizing that he just called a alicorn a servant started to back up and Luna then yelled at him “"THOU FROTHY BAT-FOWLING MEASLE! HOW DARE YOU INSULT US AND OUR SISTER. TELL US THOU NAME SO WE SHALL LET ALL KNOW THE SHAME YOU HAVE BROUGHT UPON YOUR FAMILY.” “Mr. Proletariat I would suggest you leave before my sister does something you both will regret. Serenity can you show Luna her room before she strains herself.” Celestia stood up and watched as the Unicorn ran out of the room. Luna was still furious but her magic calmed down and she looked away in disgust and then said “Now Tia why do you allow such filth talk to us like. Gha all that yelling has made us thirsty.” Luna said as she starts to drink her fourth glass of water.         “w-when you're ready to go Princess, I'll show you your room.” Luna stood up and then said “We are going to retire for the day and will be up later tonight, if you need us Tia, we will be in our bedchambers.” Luna started walking and Serenity walked after Luna but not after respectively bowing to Princess Celestia. As Serenity showed Princess Luna to her room the night princess was still wondering why her throat was so dry, she had just drank four glasses of water and yet she still felt thirsty. “Here is your room Princess.” Serenity said bowing before opening it. Celestia removed the physical and magical locks which sealed the room from even the ravages of time, there was no speck of dust or foul air, every single piece of furniture, desk and old memento from their home in the old ruins was moved up to the Lunar wing and sealed off.         Serenity started to walk off to go to her room and see what it would look like but Lunas voice stopped her “Serenity, would thou come and show us our bedchambers.” Something was off at they way she said it, but one does not question royalty.  Serenity nodded and followed Luna into the room and when they were in the door closed behind them and the only light was from the closed windows. When Serenity turned to Luna she noticed something different about her. Her eyes were now red, visible even in the low light and Luna was licking her lips as she stared at Serenity with a hungry expression before saying in a predatory voice, “there is also something thou must do for us.”