Afflicted

Luna ended her extended dreamwalking spell with a heavy sigh.

“Cannot you see, sister?” she asked.

Celestia shook her head, still processing what her younger sister, Luna, had shown her in the dreamscape. She had only walked the dreams of ponies twice before, and the discomfort of infiltrating their minds never lessened.

“Luna,” Celestia said, “your concern for the well-being of these ponies is admirable, but it is misplaced.”

“You’ve felt their pain and sorrow!” Luna exclaimed. “How can you still say such a thing, sister?”

“I know, and it saddens me,” Celestia said. “I wish they could be helped, but the effects of Discord’s magic run too deep within this land. Not with the magic of every unicorn could we erase the damage his chaos wrought. Only time has that amount of power, little sister.”

Luna scowled; she hated when Celestia called her ‘little sister’ like she was still nothing but a filly. “There must be a way,” she said.

“There is no way to change one’s mark of destiny, Luna. We can do nothing.”

Enraged, Princess Luna stormed out of the castle. She rushed by several groups of ponies laboring on the unfinished construction of Canterlot Castle. As she passed, each of them bowed their heads respectfully towards her, but she took no notice. She wished to be free of the dusty air and the cacophony of hard work.

Celestia has such a thick skull, Luna thought with resentment. Why can’t she see reason?

She found herself traversing up the side of the mountain that Canterlot was recently built upon, taking a path she knew very well. Atop was the home of her protégé and friend, a young unicorn with great magical potential.

“Star Swirl,” Luna called as she crossed the threshold. “Star Swirl!”

She found the dark, grey stallion sleeping against a desk that had not been there only a few days before. Thick, white locks of hair laced with black strands covered his face, and he was drooling all over the smooth, reddish wood of the desk. She sighed, slipped off a glass shoe, and whacked the back of his head with her bare hoof. He yelped and cursed loudly as he fell of his stool and onto the hard floor.

“What the hay!” he shouted, pushing his black and white mane out of his eyes. “P-Princess?”

“Star Swirl.”

“Forgive me for my harsh words, Your Highness!” he said, scrambling onto his hooves. “I meant no offense.”

“What did I tell you about taking so many naps?” Luna asked.

“‘Until you can consciously walk the dreamscape, you may not rest during the day. Our cause is far too important, Star Swirl, and we cannot forfeit time for naps,’ were your exact words, I believe,” said Star Swirl.

“You have a fine memory, Star Swirl,” Luna said, nodding in approval. “I chose well.”

“Thank you, Princess.”

“I also told you to call me ‘Luna,’ did I not? That is my name, after all,” Luna said.

“Of course, Princess Luna.”

“Just ‘Luna,’ Star Swirl.”

“...Luna,” Star Swirl repeated hesitantly.

Luna nodded and glanced around the single circular room. Along with the desk, several bookshelves, a large wardrobe, and unusual magical and medical instruments had been brought in. Papers were scattered across the desk, books were cluttered in the shelves, and the tools were piled off to the side. Amongst the mess was a small, very tidy bed that was completely out of place.

“You’ve personalized your new home very... nicely,” Luna commented.

“Erm... Thank you,” Star Swirl said sheepishly. “All of my important belongings arrived yesterday.”

“Do make sure you organize all this, Star Swirl.”

“Will do, Pri... Luna.”

“May I?” Luna asked, pointing at the well-made bed.

“O-of course.”

Luna proceeded to slip out of her shoes and flopped onto Star Swirl’s bed with a sigh of relief. He averted his eyes, feeling a bit uneasy as she wriggled around to face him.

“Star Swirl...”

“Y-yes?”

“You can relax.”

“As you w-wish.”

“I’m not ordering you as your princess, I’m asking you as your friend,” Luna said. “I’ve visited you almost every day for the last four months, yet you still seem to be unnerved at the sight of me. Have I done you wrong in some way?”

“N-no, not at all.”

“Is there something I do not know?”

“No... w-well, yes... I’m obliged to b-be respectful to you, Luna,” Star Swirl admitted. “You’re the Princess.”

“I’m your friend,” Luna said. “Celestia is the Princess. She rules, not I.”

“What do you mean?”

“Ruling is for the hard-headed, like my sister. I want to help the ponies who need me,” she said. “You know that, Star Swirl. It’s why you’re here.”

“Of course.”

Ugh. This stallion is far too subservient, Luna thought. Then, an idea occurred to her, and she mulled it over for a minute before deciding to attempt it.

“Star Swirl,” she murmured, “come sit beside me.”

“Princess?”

Luna patted the bed, smiling. Reluctantly, Star Swirl approached her and sat on the small bed next to her. Lying on her side, she gazed up at him and tried to form an expression of love. When he blushed, she reached her hoof up and pressed it against his cheek.

“Kiss me,” Luna whispered.

“Wh... w-what?”

“Don’t you want to?” Luna cooed.

“I-I... I...”

“Yay or nay?”

“...N-nay,” Star Swirl mumbled.

“I order you to kiss me.”

“P-princess... Luna, I don’t think—”

“I’m waiting,” Luna interrupted.

“I... I don’t feel comfortable w-with this,” he said.

“Please?”

“...Nay, Luna,” Star Swirl said. He took a deep breath, preparing for the worst.

Luna triumphantly rolled off the bed. “I’ve taught you many things about magic, Star Swirl. This, however, was your first lesson about independence.”

Star Swirl stared at her blankly, confused and unsure how to respond.

“You passed,” she added. “Never take orders from somepony if it goes against your instincts.”

“H-how did you know I wouldn’t kiss you?”

“I didn’t,” Luna giggled. “Would you like to take a stroll with me, Star Swirl?”

“...Yes, I think I would.”

“Lead the way, my friend.”