Second Chances: Between the Lines

Second Chances: Between the Lines
By Hero541
The Beginning

The regal Princess Celestia sat in her room in Canterlot castle, her eyes closed in concentration. To anypony from the outside, it would seem like she was about to drift to sleep. However, in her mind, images of a man’s activities flashed like very fast lights. At the moment, he was in a hotel room with a girl he’d just met only a few hours ago, and they were laying next to each other after a long bedtime escapade.

“Sister.”

Celestia opened her eyes once more, somewhat glad that her concentration had been broken. She turned back to her now open door and saw her sister, the majestic Princess Luna, standing there.

“Hello, Luna. Can I help you with something?”

“I don’t believe so. However, I do believe I can help you.”

“Help me with what?”

Luna’s expression became stern as she looked at her sister. She knew well what Celestia had been doing when she’d walked in. It was the same thing she’d been doing for the last few months.

“Are you really still pursuing that human?” she asked, staring into her elder sister’s eyes.

“I am.” replied Celestia, staring back into Luna’s own bright blue eyes, “I truly believe it’s a great opportunity to test the love in this world of ours.”

“Why would you want to initiate a test as risky as this? What if he comes here and he’s violent or destructive? What if he hurts somepony in his attempts to return home? Do you really want the blood or pain of an innocent on your hooves?”

“If there’s one thing he’s not, it’s a violent man.” said Celestia, beginning to make her way to her throne room, Luna right in step with her, “In the time I’ve watched him, the only thing I’ve seen is a lot of cynicism and anger. That, of course, is the effect of a life of sadness, loss, and loneliness, a life I’m sure he didn’t ask for.”

Luna said nothing to that. Her sister had recently become obsessed with this human, believing that he deserved a second chance to live a good life. Initially, Luna had agreed, seeing a form of her darker side, Nightmare Moon, in the human. And if there was anypony who could appreciate the blessing of a second chance, it was Luna.

However, her agreement fell apart once Celestia had said that she wanted to bring this ailing human to Equestria. When asked why, the princess of the sun simply said that if the love and happiness in the land of Equestria wasn’t enough to change this creature, then there was no hope for him to ever get better. Luna could say no more about it, instead choosing to ignore her sister’s insane ranting that this human could be changed by their kingdom.

Celestia stood from her throne and made her way out into the hall, Luna trailing behind her. They walked in silence for some time, both absorbed in their own thoughts. After some time, Celestia spoke up to her sister.

“Luna,” said Celestia suddenly, stopping in the hall and turning to face her sister, “I know that you don’t agree with my idea. You have good reason to be skeptical, after all. To bring a strange creature to our world, not knowing what he may do, or what may happen to him. However, I need your support in this matter.”

Luna looked into her sister’s violet eyes, seeing a glimmer of hope in them. If there was one thing Luna could never argue against, it was that Celestia’s judgment had been unfailing in her thousands of years ruling the land of Equestria. Even her imprisonment in the moon was a good idea to the princess of the night, more in retrospect than at the time of the event itself. If Celestia hadn’t done what she did, there’s no telling what kind of destruction could have been wrought by the power of Nightmare Moon…

“Sister, you’re right in your assessment that I don’t agree with your idea.” replied Luna, not taking her eyes off Celestia’s, “I don’t agree with this decision. I can’t say that I’ll ever agree with it till I see a change instilled in this creature. And I doubt that he will change.”

Celestia’s body slumped a little at her sister’s words.

“However,” Luna continued, “if you think it’s something that can be done, then I will support you all the way. After all, what kind of pony would I be to not appreciate a second chance to make oneself better?”

Celestia smiled and embraced her sister, wrapping her wings around the other alicorn’s blue body and hugging her tightly.

“Thank you, sister. You have no idea what it means to me that you’re there to support me in this matter.”

“That’s what sisters are for.”

The two smiled at each other for a few more moments, till Celestia got a concerned look on her face.

“What’s wrong, sister?” asked Luna, taken aback by the sudden change on her sister’s face.

“I… I feel him slipping away. Something’s gone terribly wrong.”

Luna and Celestia shared similar looks of panic, neither quite sure what to do.

“There’s something wrong with his heart.” said Celestia, her eyes shut tight, concentrating on the human’s fading life force, “It’s almost stopped beating. He’s being taken to a hospital.”

“What should we do?” asked Luna.

Celestia opened her eyes, pondering what she could do. It would be unwise to just show up out of the blue in the middle of a room of humans and take one with her, let alone the human who’s heart was failing at the time. Maybe, if she could muster the energy, she could simply grab his body in her magical power and transport him to somewhere in Equestria.

“I feel him fading fast.” she suddenly said after a few minutes of pondering, “I need to act now.”

Luna said nothing, instead watching as her sister’s horn began to glow. It glowed brighter and brighter, energy flowing out of it in waves. Celestia’s eyes were closed, her whole being focused on the fading life force of the human she wanted. After several minutes, she felt him and pulled him from his place, sending him through a magical portal and landing him in Equestria. Feeling him land, she lowered the spell used to bring him here, and checked his life force.

To her great pleasure, his life was being restored slowly. Luna walked forward and helped her sister, who had begun to wobble from the force of the exertion she had just put up. Celestia smiled, knowing in her heart of hearts that this would work.

“Did you do it?” asked Luna, supporting her sister’s larger form, “Is he here?”

“Y-yes.” replied Celestia, panting, yet still smiling as she righted herself, “I got there… just in time to save him. H-he’s in a place I know will be perfect for him.”

“Where did you send him?”

Celestia’s smile widened, “Sweet Apple Acres.”