The Opposing Sides Of Life

Chapter 4: The learning of the land.

Summer. 2 Years later.

It was a warm summer day out. It was beautiful outside. But the emotion in the air hung like a thick fog. Celestia and Luna had gotten up hours ago. They went to the Chapel hut with their parents to say goodbye to a friend. Lightning Bolt who was a colt the same age as Celestia and Luna was killed by a wolf. Celestia knew him but Luna always used to go out and play with him when Celestia was practicing magic or flying. Luna didn't say anything. She just kept a sad face. She stared at the floor the whole time.

"Luna? Are you ok?" Sundance said softly.

"N. No." Luna sniffled.

"Luna look at me." Sun said.

Luna looked up with a look of sadness on her face.

"I know it's hard to lose someone dear but that's how life is. Just remember they are still with you in your heart. Always remember this. You are never alone." Sun said with a heart-warming smile.

A few hours past as ponies from the village came to pay their respects. There was a heavy emotion in the air. Being around Luna made her sister uneasy. She felt bad for her sister. She had never saw her sister this way before. It pained Celestia to see her that way.

Luna looked up. "I think im done here. Let's go Tia." Luna mumbled. With that Celestia and her parents stood up and followed Luna out of the hut and back went back home. When they reached home Luna went to her room and laid down. She kept it a secret from everyone but she when she was walking home the night before. She had just finished a game of tag with Lightning Bolt and were going home. Luna turned around to look back. What she saw was terrifying. Lightning was just about at the front door of his hut when the wolf picked him up without a sound and ran off with him. She knew at that instant when the wolf pounced on him that he was gone. She didn't comprehend what happened until she was going to sleep. She ended up sobbing herself to sleep. Celestia slept to hard to be woken by this.

Luna was in her room sleeping while Celestia and her parents had some tea.

"She doesn't look to good." Celestia said quietly.

"Yes she is pretty upset. Why don't you go and try to cheer her up?" Sun said with a small smile.

"I guess it's worth a try." She said and proceeded to go to her room. She opened the door and went in. Luna was laying on her bed staring at the ceiling. Celestia sat down beside her. "Luna?"

Luna just sighed.

Celestia took a deep breath. "Luna I can imagine how hard it is to lose a friend but you need to move on. You still have me and mom and dad. I know it must be hard but you must stop doing this to yourself.

Luna looked at her sister. "I saw it." she said in a trembling voice.

"What?" Celestia said with a confused look.

"I saw it Tia. I saw the wolf pick him up and carry him away. It didn't sink in until last night. "I saw a

pony get killed before me." Luna said starting to tear up.

Celestia looked at her sister and leaned in to give her a hug. After a long hug Luna calmed down and

recollected herself. "Thank you for that Tia. I feel a bit better now. Just promise me one thing. You will

never leave me."

Celestia looked at her with a warm smile. "I promise" she said. They both laughed. "Now let's go have

something to eat shall we?"

Later that day after lunch, Celestia and Luna went outside and sat in the sun for a while. "Hey Tia?

Remember how long ago we went and learned magic? Well what about these wings?" Celestia froze.

"Oh my stars!" I forgot about them completely! Yes we should practice." Celestia said excitedly.Celestia had gone in the house and grabbed a book Recora had given to them when they finished learning magic. How the two managed forget was beyond them but they decided now would be a good time to start practicing. The two started by stretching their wings. The read the book while they practiced. Celestia extended her wings and started flapping. She wasn't going anywhere and continued to flap harder. She felt the weight continually disappearing on her hooves. She looked over to Luna whose smile was getting bigger. She continued to flap her wings and slowly started to hover above the ground a few inches then her wings gave out. She fell to the ground with a thud. Luna ran over to her.

"Tia are you ok?" she asked.

"Ya but my wings couldn't hold me up that long. They have never been used before, I should have expected that."

Celestia said with a short laugh. "You try now. Just spread your wings and try to keep your mine clear. Just flap them as hard as you can they aren't very strong so you will have a hard time hovering." Celestia said getting to her hooves.

Luna took a few steps back as she spread her wings. She started to flap them as hard as she could and in no time was ever so slowly lifting off the ground. She squealed with excitement as she rose a little further off the ground. She then started coming back down. She touched the ground gently and stretched her wings again. "Wow your right Tia flying isn't very easy. It takes alot of work." she said with a tired look. The two took a break for a while and went inside to eat. They didn't realise how fast time had gone by it was already Four o' clock. They decided to call it a day for flying. Even though it wasn't close to being dark out they had both had a long day and decided to call it a day. They went into the living room and sat beside their parents. They were both reading some old novels. Luna looked at her mother. "Mommy can you read us a story?"

Sun looked down at Luna and Celestia who were sitting on the floor. "Yes I suppose there's a few I haven't told you yet." She said as she put down her book. "hmm let me see. Ahh yes I know one. It is about the time when there was a great war between Two of the different types of ponies..."

"It was long long ago before you or I were born. The Pegasi, Unicorns, and the Earth Ponies all lived together. They grew jealous of Each other's abilities. Since the Unicorns were so smart they left and hid in the Everfree forest and some even went to the Desert. But the Earth and Pegasi ponies continued to live among one another. They grew more and more jealous of each other. It had gotten to the point that the Pegasi wanted the Earth Ponies to leave but since the Earth Ponies had no where to go they told the Pegasi to leave. The Pegasi agreed to be the ones that would leave after many years of arguing. But they swore they would be back and they did just that. Years later the Earth Ponies were attacked while in their sleep. The Pegasi came to steal all the food and resources the Earth Ponies had. But the Earth Ponies had prepared for this. At the many fallen to Protect and take they two sides finally tried to resolve the conflict. This is why the Pegasi give us Minerals from the mountains and we give them food. But it wasn't the end of the problems. The Unicorns wanted this too. But in return they had to give them the knowledge of making potions. They sat on the idea for a while. It took a few years but they came to a decision and would accept. So this is why we are separate from one another. Your father and I don't agree on this but are word doesn't mean much. Not to thousands of other Ponies."

Celestia and Luna were getting drowsy. It was getting late. "Good story mom but I think me and Tia are going to sleep. Goodnight."  Luna said with a yawn.

"Ok goodnight." Sun said with a small laugh.

With that Luna and Celestia walked to their room and went to sleep.

The next day the two sisters woke up and went to go eat. They had a Daisy and honey sandwich for breakfast. They made small talk with their parents before they went outside. They decided that it would be a good idea to practice flying. Each time the two practiced flying they got a bit better. Their wings got stronger, their minds got more familiar with flying. They practiced slowly moving around their yard. "Look Tia it's not hard. You just have to point your wings and push. Then tilt them backwards to slow down! It's easy. Come on try it." Luna said while touching down softly.

"I don't know. Flying is kind of scary sis. I don't know if I want to do it." Celestia said nervously.

"Oh come on what's so scary? It's as easy as walking. You just need some practice." Luna said with a smile.

"I don't know Luna... I guess I could give it a try." Celestia said with a sigh.

Celestia spread her wings and began to flap. She started to hover then tilted them slightly. She started to move faster. "Look Luna! Im doing it!" Celestia said happily. She tilted her wings backwards and came to a stop. She hovered for a second then set her self down. "Wow that was actually pretty fun but my wings are super tired." She said as she stretched her wings out. Just then the two heard a older mare scream. She was running past them. "URSA!" the orange mare said running past. Just then a bunch of other village ponies started running out of town and into the Everfree with lightly packed satchels. The fillies and colts ran closely behind their parents in a panic. Luna and Celestia's parents came running out.

"What's going on out here!?" Night said in shock. Just then the ground began to shake. Night froze.

"Run." he said quietly.

Celestia and Luna looked at each other. They started to run. They looked back and made sure their parents were there. The four ran out of the village and stayed close to the edge of the Everfree. Luna looked back. She saw the Ursa behind them crushing the village under it's giant feet. It stomped on all of the huts in the village. She watched their hut get crushed and turned to look away. "Luna come on you need to hurry up or we will be under it's foot!" Celestia said in exhaustion. They continued to run until they found a small cave off to the side of the Everfree in a field. They ran inside. Luna and

Celestia lit up the Cave with their horns. It was a simple spell that Blue Twist had taught them. They all sat on a bench like piece of rock in the cave. All heavily panting from the run.

"W.. What was that thing? Somepony yelled Ursa." Celestia asked.

"That was a Ursa minor." Sun said still panting.

"An Ursa?" Luna asked. "Recora told us some stories about monsters that live here." Luna said.

They all fell silent. For a while. Luna thought about the village and remembered watching their hut get crushed by that Ursa. She broke the silence. "Where are we going to live now? Our hut was crushed.

"I don't know Luna. We will have to live hear for now. We will need to find somewhere else eventually.Luna do you think you could stay here with me while Celestia and your father go out and find some supplies?

"Sure mom." Luna said with a smile. Luna didn't like being in the cold dark cave. It scared her but eased her some to know her mother was there with her. She kept her spell up so the two could see in the dark cave. It was a few hours before Celestia and Night returned with some wood. Celestia was holding it in her levitation spell. They set down the firewood and started the fire. Night also came back with some food. They all ate and shared some stories.

"What if something comes in here during the night?" Luna asked.

Celestia turned and looked at Luna. "Remember what Blue Twist told us? We can create spells with Emotion, Knowledge, And our thoughts. She said something about combination magic but we never practiced that. I wonder if we could combine our spells and create a seal so nothing could get in."

Luna stared for a second. "But what spell is that?"

"I will create one a teach you it. This may take a while and alot of concentration." Celestia said closing her eyes. She sat in the same spot with her eyes closed for some time. Thoughts whirled around in her head and she conjured up a spell that would protect against anything but also keep in heat. After about an time her eyes opened.

"Ok I think I've got it. Now come here Luna I will send it into your mind."

Luna got up from her spot on a rock and walked towards Celestia. They had met face to face and their eyes closed. They had done this once before when they were taught how to transfer thoughts. This was like a sort of private form of communication. The two sisters horn's began to glow and in a few seconds they had stopped. They went over to the entrance of the cave and their horns lit up once again. They charged them for a few minutes.

"This will take alot of energy I don't know if this will work." Celestia said. After a moment Celestia's eyes looked at Luna. "Ok 3...2...1... Now." With that they shot at the floor and held the blast of magic like they were tracing the outer edge of the entrance to the cave. When they met at the top of the entrance their horns stopped glowing and they fell onto the ground. Both of them were panting with exhaustion. After a moment they got up and Luna went and tapped the shield. It made ripples like water in it's purple glow. Nothing would get in or out until the seal was broken.

"I think it is solid Tia." Luna said.

Celestia made a tired grim smile. "Well let's go to sleep then."

It was early the next morning. The sun had just peaked through over the mountains. Celestia and Luna were sleeping on the floor. It was warm in the cave. The fire had turned into a bunch of glowing ashes barley giving off any heat.

"Luna, Celestia. Wake up now. we have to go." Sundance said as she shook the two ponies awake.

"ww. wha?" Celestia said with a yawn.

"We have to go now. This cave isn't very safe for us. Take down the forcefield and let's go." Sun said in a rush.

Celestia got up and removed the force field from the entrance of the cave. She looked back at Luna who was now standing where she was just sleeping. yawned and nodded. "Ok let's go then." Celestia said.

The four ponies walked quickly along the edge of the Everfree. They had walked for sometime now and were all starting to get hungry. Luna especially.

"Mom, Dad when can we eat?" Luna asked.

"You father brought some food along in case we got hungry." Sun said.

Luna went over to her father who gave her some berries to eat. They continued on their journey.

Celestia and Luna wondered where they were going. Sun and Night knew exactly where to go. There was a large village of earth ponies. It was safe for all ponies. This is because it was the only place where there was Unicorns, Pegasi, and Earth Ponies all living in the same place. Alot of ponies who lived there were either outcast or seeking a new life or refuge. Also other reasons there were alot of ponies here. No creature dared to attack this place or they would be driven away. Some ponies there were masters in their culture and nopony dared question them or threaten them. The village was located at the base of the mountain and there were some paths that went to the middle of the mountain which was used as a lookout and sight seeing spot. Many ponies went up there in the mornings and evenings to watch the sun and astronomers went up to view the moon. It was a beautiful place at all times of day.

"Where are we going exactly?" Celestia asked.

"We are going to the safest place possible. We are going to Canterlot." Night said.

"Canterlot? How far is it." Celestia asked.

"It's just about a day away. We could make it there before sunrise tomorrow but we must keep moving." Sun said.

"What's Canterlot like? Have you been there before?" Luna asked.

"I was there when I was a colt a bit younger than you. I barely remember it. I was travelling along the trees just like we were. I saw alot of things on my way there but Canterlot itself was a whole new experience. It only may be a village but it was made out of stone and bricks. It looked fancy. Really expensive. All the ponies there were dressed nice. It was like a whole different world. It felt calm. Even amongst the chatter of ponies it felt calm and quiet. It was really nice. I hoped one day I would go back but not for this reason. But I am getting hungry and I see a pond up ahead maybe there's food there." Night said with a smile.

They all went to the pond and sat down. They ate some food and enjoyed the summer breeze. Luna was watching the animals play off in the distance and Celestia was watching the sky.

"Tia! Look at the size of this frog!" Luna said excitedly.

Celestia and her parents got closer and looked at the pond. There was a giant frog the size of Luna's head.

Night laughed. "Yes when you start to explore the land you learn things, see things and even get things.

Like for instance. Do you remember that old chair in out hut? My father hand made it. It was made with Mahogany I found a little ways out of the village. I have lived in that village my whole life. Anyways we better get moving, when we get closer to Canterlot we will stop at some of the farms and I will show you some things."

They continued to walk towards Canterlot. They walked all day and it was starting to get late.

"We are getting close the mountain is just ahead of us. The farms should be up ahead." Night said.

"What are you going to show us?" Luna asked.

"Well we had farms for wheat and vegetables right? Well here there's farms for eggs, meat, fruit and everything else. It's neat how they make this sort of stuff I think you will enjoy some of it." Night said.

"Now up ahead is the the first farm it looks like. This one is a fruit and vegetable farm. It's like the ones we all know but they grow more exotic fruit like watermelon, kiwi and others."

They stopped and watched as the farmer ponies were up late working on harvesting. They soon carried on.

"This one is a general farm. Over there is the Chicken coop where the chickens lay the eggs. Over there is the dairy part of the farm. They take the cows milk and bottle it. It was sort of like back home except instead of goats they use the cows. Im not going to show you the meat part of the farm because it is very... uhh different. You just don't want to see." Night said. "Let's keep moving though. We are all tired and getting close to Canterlot. I just hope my family is still here from last time I visited."

They continued to walk. Celestia and Luna asked questions about how everypony did their jobs and how everything worked. The two sisters had learned alot. How the land is set up for planting. Different species of animals and much more. It was a great they for them.The two took great interest in how everything was made.

"Well here we are. Canterlot. Just down the street is my family's place. Let's see if they are there." Night said.

Celestia and Luna looked in awe. Ponies walked about the large village without fear of anything. They were happy. The village itself was massive. It was bright and colourful. Weird looking buildings were there. Nothing like they had saw before. It was amazing. The four ponies went up to the a building. It was fairly tall and was blue. It was a nice building. It had fancy decorations all over it. Night knocked on the door. "Hello? Anyone home?" A pink and red Earth pony with a pink and white mane answered the door.

"Nightlight! It's been so long. Oh and who's this? Is this your family? Well come inside. They spent a while introducing themselves. "Welcome to my house. Im Strawberry Shake. Im Nightlight's brother.

You must be Sundance. He wrote about you once or twice. That was years ago though. And who are these? Are they your d.. are they your daughters? Strawberry said with a confused look.

"Yes they are. This is Celestia and Luna. We do not know why they were born like this but we read a bunch of books Starshine The Great had made. It was said that they were put on the earth by the gods and were meant to rule and watch over the land. I will tell you tomorrow. Do you happen to have some spare rooms we could stay in?" Night said.

Strawberry just smiled. "Yes I will show you to them."

"Thanks for the hospitality." Night said with a smile.

They all went upstairs and were shown their rooms and went to sleep.

"Tia?"

"Yes Luna?"

"Do you like it here?" Luna asked.

"Yes. I like it alot. It is so beautiful here." Celestia said.

"I like it too. And yes it is just wonderful isn't it?" Luna said. "Goodnight Tia."

"Goodnight Luna."