Agithos: I've always enjoyed the simpler stories as well. I always oddly feel like I write sadder stories better than happier ones. (Yes, this is a sad story)

Alright so I got no sleep last night thinking about this bloody story after I wrote the last chapter :P so here's another one. Enjoy!

Warning: This chapter is dark.

Chapter 2: Lulamoon

Shining Star sat at a dining table, eating some tomato soup for dinner. His left wing was bound up in a cast that left him rather off balance. He hated it.

Princess Luna was present. Neither of them traded words, just a mutual share of side glances. After a long hard silence Luna spoke, "I… I'm sorry for doing that." Star looked up from his food. She was looking down, hair looking a little less wavy than usual.

Shining Star was scared of Luna now. He'd seen her power firsthand and rather painfully at that. He'd been stuck in that infirmary for a good 15 hours.

Luna planned to start her lessons tonight. She had gone to the previously rather abandoned observatory to bring down a large drum telescope. The idea was to see what he knew already.

"Are you… ready to start lessons tonight?" Luna asked hesitantly to Shining Star.

Star had finished his dinner, so he stood up and nodded his head. Meanwhile in his head he was a little past worried.

Celestia was oddly not present at the table that night. She had gone to do something of importance down in Ponyville. But Star wished he had her support as of late.

Star followed Luna down the hall of stars. Even under the relatively calm guise he had he was secretly panicking.

Luna walked into her chambers. He followed, and then subsequently dropped his mouth.

He always wanted the telescope sitting right there behind an open glass door to the balcony. It was extremely expensive and many famous observers used them.

Luna chuckled at Star's awe. "This is actually rather small of a telescope. I don't actually get around to using them often."

Star said, "So what are we doing tonight?" Celestia lowered the sun early so she could do her duties, therefore it was starry rather early.

"Tonight, I want to see exactly how much you know. We'll start with the easier stuff and work up in difficulty. The telescope has been set up properly, are you ready to begin?" Star nodded. And so started the very first teaching Luna ever gave. She floated over a chart with the stars she chose to rise.

"Alright. Let's see you find Polaris, now."

The lesson continued for a good five hours. Spanning late into the night, Luna managed to find where he shone and where he needed improving his skills in astronomy.

His star charting was excellent, finding certain stars were no problem for him, and he knew most of the constellations out that night. Star however didn't seem to know much about the Moon. Of course, giving Luna's control over the moon, that would be what she thought. Shining Star definitely had the aptitude she had hoped.

During the lesson, Luna felt off. She didn't know why, but she passed it as anxiety for teaching the young adult.

Their lesson concluded, and Luna wheeled the telescope in. "You did really well, Shining Star. I look forward to the next lesson."

It was then that he noticed.

Luna had yet to clean up after her attempted suicide, and even though the knife was gone it had been obvious something happened. "Why is there blood… what?"

Luna put a hoof to her temple, massaging it. "Nothing happened here, Star. You go to bed and prepare to learn more about the Moon tomorrow."

Star nodded and left, leaving Luna to her own devices. As soon as he left, the odd feeling stopped, which thoroughly confused Luna. She lay down in bed, shut the door and entered the dream realm to conquer nightmares once again.

Shining Star lay in his bed, wondering what happened that night. He yawned with gaping jaws and decided it would be better for another day. He would talk to Luna or Celestia tomorrow.

The next morning brought Celestia back. She knocked on Star's door, waking him up. "Come in."

Celestia looked in, smiling warmly. "Good morning. I take it your first lesson went well?" She got a nod in reply. "Great. Come meet me in the dining hall for breakfast. We must talk."

After Celestia left, Shining Star got up and headed to the dining hall. Celestia was only present. "Ah, Star. Come sit. I'm afraid what we will discuss is not as pleasant as you hope." Star sat himself down.

"Now, what happened in the gardens last night?" Star's eyes narrowed. He said, "You told me to look into the gardens. I did. She was a wreck when I got there. She then went fucking bat-shit crazy and flung me with magic." He ruffled his good wing. "Her eyes were all weird too-"

"What?"

"Black eyes, white pupils? She like turned a few shades darker as well."

Celestia now understood. "I think she's more broken than I thought… Star. This is important. I need you to help her."

"What?" Star asked.

"She's going through an incredibly hard time. I can't do it on my own. Can you help me?" Star nodded hesitantly. "Good."

"Can I ask a question?" Star asked.

"Sure."

"What happened two nights ago, after I broke my wing?" Celestia bit her lip. "What do you need to hide, Celestia?"

"Luna… she tried to kill herself." Star's eyes widened. "She was a wreck, she didn't mean to hurt you. It drove her over the edge."

"And you stopped her I'm presuming?" Celestia nodded. "I'll try to help her. I can tell even me learning from her seems to make her feel better."

Celestia nodded her head in agreement. "Continue your lessons, Star. Don't hesitate to come to me if you need help." Celestia stood. "Good day, Shining Star." She left the dining room, leaving Star to finish his breakfast alone.

Star finished his food and left the room. He headed to go find Luna. Finding she was asleep rested his case and he went to the main lobby to go check out Canterlot for the day. Walking into the main hall he found that there was some sort of event being set up.

Star asked a random pony levitating some sort of ribbon, "What's happening here?"

The pony turned to him with a puzzled look. "You don't know the Grand Galloping Gala?" Shining Star shook his head. "It's some fancy party with nobles and the like. I'd presume as you are Princess Luna's student that you'd be allowed to attend, not like you may have much choice."

Star sighed. "I hate some of the nobles."

The mare giggled. "I know, right? They're annoyingly stuffy sometimes, but when there is a room full of them? Oh, and also those toadies."

"Toadies?"

"Ponies who follow popular people around in hopes of getting noticed or… ahem, courting them." The mare fixed the ribbons onto something on the roof and her horn dimmed. "So, what's it like being a student to a princess?"

"So-and-so. Luna's a bit… unstable, you could say. I guess a thousand years can't you keep sane. However she does recognize my skill in astronomy. I kinda feel a bit proud, I guess."

"I can see how you would be. I personally would have loved to be noticed a bit more."

"Hey, um, what is your name, then? You're the first person I've really been able to talk to here."

"It's Emerald, you?"

"Shining Star."

Emerald giggled, "You know your name completely fits your entire persona. You're a princess' student, you study the stars, and you also have a star for a cutie mark. Well, multiple, but regardless."

Star noticed that Emerald's cutie mark was that of a green gemstone, presumably an emerald. "Well, it's a pleasure to meet you then. Maybe I'll see you at the gala tomorrow night?" Shining Star shrugged and said. "Do you need any help? I find it hard to do anything when all your lessons are at night."

Emerald nodded. "Help would be appreciated. You can maybe help me by flying…" She noticed his broken wing. "Oh."

Star diverted her eyes and said, "Yeah, bad accident. Wrecked my wing for a good couple weeks." Emerald winced.

"Well, you could help move some of those stacked tables and spreading them out here," Emerald said, "I can handle the chairs."

Some time later, there were a good amount of tables and chairs set up, enough to host a decent crowd. Star and Emerald bumped hooves. "That was not too fun," Star commented. Emerald murmured approval.

By then it was approaching lunch. Emerald turned to Star. "Would you like to go and hang out? You seem like a cool pony." Star shrugged and they walked out the front doors. "I think lunch is in order," Emerald said as Star's stomach gurgled.

Before exiting the castle land proper, Star held out a hoof, stopping Emerald. "Just remember that I'm a student of a princess. There may be a few reporters wanting answers." Emerald nodded, and they left the castle proper.

Nothing happened at first wandering the streets of Canterlot, looking for a place to eat food. It was relatively calm, and none of the nobles too too much notice. Lunch was eaten in peace. However, nearing the castle, Star took notice of a couple pegasi following them.

Evading them was easy, though. It was as simple as walking back into the castle.

Celestia was now in the main lobby, and she waved as she saw them, they walked up to her. "Good afternoon, Celestia," said Shining Star, and Emerald bowed to her.

"Good afternoon, Star. Who is this pony you're with?"

"Her name is Emerald." Emerald stood up. "I helped her set up some tables and we're acquaintances, I guess."

Celestia smiled. "So you have already made a friend in Canterlot, I see?" She chuckled. "Luna was looking for you, I think. You might find her in the observatory." Her horn lit up and a bell chime played out of nowhere. A servant was there quickly.

"Take Star to the observatory room, please." The guard bowed and motioned for Star to follow him. He did so.

The guard led Shining Star up to the observatory, located near the top of the castle.

Walking in, Star immediately noticed the large, and by large I mean something like two feet, telescope resting below the dome-shaped roof. There was a platform with multiple little bells and whistles which no doubt control the telescope itself. The large telescope has multiple large metal beams holding it up.

Luna herself was standing, facing away from the door, looking at the telescope. She seemed to be zoned out, and didn't hear the door creaking open. She placed a hoof on the telescope and brushed it, loosening dust. She coughed as some of it worked it's way into her lungs. She turned around, still coughing. "Hello again, Shining Star."

Luna watched Shining Star smile and greet her. Once again, the heavy feeling bestowed her again as she saw him. Luna had multiple causes in this case. She was incapable of love. It was either something in his or her fur, some sort of internal reaction or just a plain coincidence. She was going with the third option at this point.

"I think you may have noticed the giant telescope. No, we will not be using it, but we will be using the observatory tonight. Now, there is something I must ask you."

"Yes, what is it?"

"You know what happened. I ask of you never to speak of it out of your mouth again."

"That is hardly a question-"

"Silence! You know…" Luna leaned into Star's face. "Don't you…"

"I have no idea what you're talking about."

Luna stepped back, grabbed Shining Star's hoof and planted it right where her heart is. "Right. There."

"I honestly have no idea!" Luna's horn lit up, then faltered. "You're lying," Luna said.

Shining Star said nothing.

"You know…" Luna's voice was at a whisper. Star nodded. "I knew you would find out eventually."

Shining Star turned heel and bolted out of the room, door slamming shut behind him, sending the noise echoing through the room. Luna nearly missed the whispers.

Well done.

Luna looked around frantically, searching for the disembodied voice that didn't seem to exist.

If he knows your mistakes, what is there to lose now? The voice came from everywhere yet nowhere at the same time.

Luna cried out, "Who are you? What do you want?"

It's simple, Lulamoon. Luna became puzzled. She never heard that name before, but it sounded familiar.

"Who is that pony you are adressing?"

Why, you of course. The dome opened up on it's own and a breeze coiled in through the opening. Do you not know your true self? The voice seemed to laugh. You'll know in due time. The voice seemed to belong to no gender or race, and carried around with the wind.

"Please stop, whoever you are! My name is Luna! That's the only name I have!"

Oh, believe me, you do not know… The wind picked up. Luna's vision brightened until she was engulfed in a white light.

---

Luna's vision died down and she could see. Rain was pummeling the courtyard of the… castle in the Everfree? Luna walked up into the main entrance. Inside was pandemonium, with maids and servants running back and forth with towels - some bloodsoaked. None noticed her.

Luna ran in the direction of the mares carrying clean towels. Was that that she heard a low yell, which resonated in her heart. The path let to the infirmary of the old castle, and when Luna ran in she screeched her hooves to a halt and stared in mute horror.

There was a large light blue alicorn on the bed…

Er, giving birth.

The alicorn mother-to-be looked up at the sky and screamed. Then Luna noticed other figures at the bed. There was some unknown mares, all alicorns, and…

Celestia herself, as tall as Luna was now, stood before the bed, and there was another alicorn supporting the blue one, most likely a nurse.

Then a few key points clicked. Celestia's hair was pink, which Luna only knew from early childhood before she grew the age to earn the hair she has. All the other maid were alicorns, the towels which covered their wings.

Luna watched in mute horror (not like she could talk anyways) as the baby was delivered. Luna among all the other watched. The baby was delivered, but then came the blood.

Luna had to watch as the poor mare bled out, dying from childbirth. The nurse leaned in as the mother whispered something. Then the blue alicorn's eyes glazed over.

"She said Lulamoon." Luna's eyes widened and she looked at the newborn child.

It was her. With the right blue hair, dark blue coat, and alicorn race, it looked exactly like her.

Lulamoon. Luna moon. Luna.

The revelation came as all the other ponies save Celestia, the nurse, the baby Luna, and the dead mother disappeared. Baby Luna started to cry.

The young Celestia held young Luna, crying crocodile tears with her. But something was wrong. The nurse looked a little like an older Celestia, with a less white coat and different hue hair. But there was no denying it.

The mother that had delivered Luna and paid the ultimate price for it was not the mother of Celestia. The nurse standing across kneeled down as the dead body faded away into the darkness. The entire scene melted, leaving a black void with nothing but these three,

"Celestia. Take care of her." There was an explosion outside, and the nurse ran out and faded away, leaving only Celestia and Lulamoon left. As more sounds of explosion and fighting came to be closer, Celestia disappeared. Baby Luna was left alone, crying into the darkness. Nobody came to rescue her. But a smoky pony appeared, picked baby Luna up and hushed her.

"Hush now, Lulamoon. You're safe now."

The smoke pony disappeared and suddenly the Lulamoon rapidly aged before her eyes.

Then the white halls of a hospital appeared again, this time with the figment Luna arching her back in pain, muscles spasming to release the child within. There was no one there but a white smoke in a pony shape, staring at her.

Time sped up again, this time with Luna and a… child with her. Luna was crying over a white body.

Luna stepped over to find out it was Celestia's body. Mauled with wounds, horn removed and wings ripped off, vision Luna used her… one wing to cover her child's eyes.

Upon a closer look revealed a fatal chest wound. Older Luna wailed into the sky, "Why? Why me? WHYYY…" She broke down into sobs.

Everything blurred again. This time it was… Luna's body, with her own child crying over it. Right-age Luna looked to find she was cut open, guts spilled on the grass that appeared.

Suddenly the entire landscape appeared. It was a desolate wasteland, with Luna's child staring at three gravestones. She was as tall as Celestia and had waving blue molding into magenta hair, which looked like a sunrise.

Luna's child collapsed. Luna looked up, and saw the moon and sun forced together, chunks of rock broken apart.

The other alicorn's horn lit up, and there was a horrible grating sound as the sun and moon both set for the last time.

Everything faded to black.

You see now? The voice taunted her. You know now, Princess Lulamoon of the Night.

Luna tried to scream, but no noise came out. She felt herself dematerializing, as ghosts and souls surrounded her with sullen faces. Luna picked out Celestia, Luna's child and the mothers of both Luna and Celestia.

The pain ended and she awoke into the real world. Unfortunately Luna was suspended in the air, high above the clouds.

It was negative degrees up there, and Luna's wings froze up as she fell through the cloud layers. She saw the opening of the observatory and fell toward it, screaming as she fell.

She could move her wings now, so she shot them out just before she hit the ground. She heard a sickening snap way too far before she would have been safe, and plummeted the rest of the way to the ground.

Oh, what a shame.

---

Shining Star got woken early by a knock at his bedroom door. He wandered over to his door and opened it.

Before him beheld Luna. But her right wing was horribly disfigured, her back legs were horribly broken, and…

Her horn was clean cut in two.