Luna found herself in an open field, her hooves resting on green grass. She looked around in confusion as she tries to figure out who’s dream she was in. She couldn’t feel where her connection led to in the castle, in Canterlot or even in Ponyville. For the first time in years, she felt lost in the dream land. She looked around and it didn’t seem too dangerous, but still stood alert as in the past, dreams can be unforgiving and unpredictable.

A forest surrounded the open area she stood in and a light breeze hit her coat to ease her fears. A small hill was ahead of her, where a lone tree stood and rooted to the ground. She looked around once more, more curious then frightened now, she started slowly trotting around to see what might happen next. After she stopped and observed, all she could see were calm trees and grass blowing in the light breeze of this new territory. The relaxing sensation surrounding her calmed her mind and slowed her heart and started going back in the middle of the field to relax.

She then stopped suddenly, her ears perked up in attention and her muscles tensed up. Her ears moved around, trying to pin point a humming sound in the air. She then looked at the tree on top of the hill. She raised an eyebrow and slowly started going up the hill, the lulling hum beginning to get a little louder with each step. Something about the voice seemed familiar to her but couldn’t get the hoof on who it was.

When she saw legs crossed and wrapped in pure white pants and shoes, she froze. The right foot lightly tapping with rhythm as the mystery… Man, was humming a soothing tune. She looked ahead and saw the sun was setting behind a mountain, revealing rays of light down casting all across the land and coloring the skies and clouds in yellows, oranges and pink. She was at awe for good few moments before she found out the sun was going nowhere anytime soon.

She returned her eyes back to the pair of legs and saw the clothing was giving out a faint white glow. She silently stepped a little closer and peered a little around the tree to see the man was wearing a white shirt as well with crossed arms. She ever so slowly took a peek of his face.

He then stopped his foot and his humming ended. He looked over to her and both just starred at each other for a few moments before he smiled warmly at her, “Great to see you once more, Princess Lulu. How is my divine Princess of the Night been doing all these years?”

As she heard his voice, it sent alarm bells all across her mind, flooding itself with memories to bring up to the surface. Her mouth slightly gaped with wide eyes as she looked at the man with a crescent moon shaped scar on his left cheek.

“P… Pah…” she moved closer to the resting man to examine him a little more, but proved difficult as her eyes to the well up with the beginnings of tears. She kneeled down with her fore hooves and leaned in her head to better look at aged man. His eyes alone starred back at her with love and care, his facial expression soft and happy with a sly smile.

He then reached out to her and she flinched and lightly leaned away till she heard his soothing hush and slowly started reaching out once more. When she felt his soft, warm hand, she closed her eyes and let a stream tears flow down her cheeks and smiled with quivering lips. When she smelled his scent, she started crawling closer to him and whimpered in his embrace.

“Shhhh… shhh… it’s okay, Lulu. Let it all out.” He whispered to her and that’s when she started freely crying, soaking his clothing with her salty tears. When she felt a kiss on top of her head, she cried out and pressed her head harder against his chest for more comfort from the man she lost so many years ago. Wave upon wave of emotion and memories spilled out of her eyes and cries, she wanted to be strong but she couldn't stop herself from letting it all out.

As she cried her eyes out, his arms and hands caressed her shaking body to ease her of her pain. Luna’s heart felt so much pain and joy from the flooding memories, the only way she could send those out was through her wails and tears.

As time passed by, her cries withered down into whimpers and her tears were all but run out. She was pressing the side of her head on his now damp shirt, sniffling every now and then. She scooted herself closer to him and lifted over her fore hooves on his lap and affectionately rubbed her cheek on his shoulder to bring back the memories and cry some more.

He patted her side and rubbed it, “Feeling better?” he asked and she lightly nodded and rested her head on his shoulder as she wrapped her neck around him.

“I missed you so much.” her voice cracked as she spoke and sniffled.

“I missed you too, Luna.” he replied as he started lightly scratching behind her ear. She cooed and leaned against his hand with a smile. He chuckled, “Still the same as ever.”

“I-I am who I am.” she stuttered. She then placed her muzzle on the palm of his hand and sniffed. He chuckled, lightly grabbed her short muzzle and gently shook and pushed. She giggled and pushed back with a smile. She remembered playing this every time they were alone and had nothing else to do in her old castle.

After their little bonding, playful moment, he hugged her tightly, “I’ll watch over you and your extended family, Luna.” She looked at him to say something, but then he leaned in and positioned his hand under her wing and ran it across her side gentle. She closed her eyes at the warm, tingling sensation his hand was producing. When he took his hand away, she looked at him with blank expression and he planted a gentle kiss on her forehead. He placed his hand on her cheeks, wiped her remaining tears away and smiled at her, “Another time, Luna. And please be happy for me.” He said to her before everything around her turned into blinding light. Just when she closed her eyes, she felt a gentle kiss on the tip of her nose.

Luna suddenly sprung up, panting, sweat coating her once, soft blue fur. As she realized she was in her room, she calmed down and flopped back down on her pillow with a sigh. She lifted her head and looked at her damp and wet pillow. She sighed, rubbed her eyes and cheek to get them dry once more and slowly dragged herself off her bed. She stretched her body with a satisfying moan and managed to 'Pop' some of her joints.

She then turned to her bathroom door with gleeful smile and happily trotted over. She then felt her eyes warm up and closed them to remember her dream.

After a good, warm bath, she dried off and brushed her teeth, revealing white, sparkling teeth. She got out while humming a little tune to herself and trotted happily over to her dresser and opened it with a flick of her horn. When it opened, she saw her royal regalia in front of her, just laying there just as she left them last night. Her chest plate in the middle, her crown above it and her sparkling shoes on the sides. She looked at them for a few good moments before she closed it with a huff, “I don’t need them now anyways.” She said to herself and trotted happily over to her double door with a gleeful little tune.

When she suddenly opened her doors, the two Bat pony night guards were startled at the sudden opening and feared the worst for their Princess of the Night. Just as they were shaking in fear and lightly rattled their armor, they both found out the great Princess wasn’t wearing her royal regalia and lightly skipped happily with a happy tune. After a few moments of awe, they both quickly went by her side and followed the euphoric Princess through the halls.

As Luna happily went through the halls of her and her sister’s castle, a tall, well suited colt round a corner and stopped as he saw her. Luna stopped and looked at him and tilted her head to the side at the colt. His black mane was smoothed and pulled back, his coat was light grey and his white attire wrapped his body neatly.

The unicorn smiled at her, trotted up to the mare and bowed down, “Good morning, Princess Luna.” He then got up, almost as tall as the alicorn herself. “My name is Gemstone.” He gestured to himself.

“The famous Archeologist?” he nodded, “Oh. What brings you here?” she stood up straighter, a few inches taller than the colt himself.

“I thought I would come by and visit the castle, Princess. And to give you a gift, my lady.” He bowed down once more and out of his pocket, he levitated a heart shaped, red gem and showed it to her.

Luna took a step back as the sight with wide eyes, “I-is that a…?” she looked down at him.

“Yes, Princess.” He answered while still bowing down.

Luna looked back at the gem once more. It was a perfectly smoothed out heart and sparkled in the light coming from the endless rows of windows in the hall. It looked beautiful, but she stepped back, “I’m sorry, Gemstone. But I must decline your offer.” She then trotted around him, her head held high.

The colt suddenly went up front, stopping her from going any further. “Princess, please.” He stood up straighter, “G-give me a chance. I-I promise I'll make you happy.” he pleaded.

Luna looked at the gem levitating beside him, “Where did you get the gem?” she asked and then eyed the colt.

“In one of my expeditions, Princess.” He answered and bowed his head to be respectful.

“And who perfected it?”

“My… myself, Princess.” his tone was off.

She narrowed her eyes at him, “Lying to your Princess is something not appreciated by many, Gemstone.” She walked around him once more.

Gem tried to go up once more but was stopped by the guards, “Princess, please. One chance. That’s all I’m asking for. You gave that horrid ape thing and that… Flusterfly chances to make you happy. I can do better!” She stopped and he smiled a bit, a hint of hope in his eyes. But when she slowly turned her head around, his expression turned from hopeful and happy, to a horrified and fearful expression.

Luna happily trotted through the dining hall and sat down beside her sister with a thud of her rump. She looked over at her sister as the white mare yawned widely with her regalia on. Luna giggled, “Tired, sister?” she asked and chuckled at her.

Celestia smacked her lips together as she sleepily blinked her eyes, “Yes, Lulu. Your sister's tired.” she nodded with closed eyes.

Luna nuzzled her sister’s neck, “Brighten up, Tia. It’s a new day.”

Both their ears, plus maids and guards ears perked up as they all heard a faint cry for help. “Is… is that Gemstone?” Celestia said as she tried looking out the windows on where she sat.

Luna thanked the maid as she gave her, her morning meal, “Yes.” She simply answered as she took a bite of her salad with a crunch.

Celestia looked at her, “What happened?” she looked back out of the window, now wide awake.

“We met at a hall, ‘Crunch! Munch, Gulp’ he purposed, lied and angered me. Now his tush is wrapped in his suit and is now dangling on a spear outside the castle walls, about fifty feet above ground.” She simply answered as she continued to eat her salad happily. “Mm! The salad sauce is so good!”

Celestia looked back at her sister, “Wha…? He’s purposed?” Luna nodded as she ate, “He’s a nice, gentlecolt. What did he do to make you so angry?” she asked.

Luna swallowed, “One, he lied about his gift, and two, I did not approve of him saying ‘that ape’ to Winternight and ‘that Flusterfly’ to dear Fluttershy. Tell me, sister. Did I over react or did I do what a mare would have done when her closest friends were being called something unpleasant? Would you do the same, Tia?” she said as she continued to eat happily and hummed a little tune to herself, before her sister could answer properly. “Oh, and he’s just lucky what I did to him. If he would’ve moved onto little Spirit and Snowflake, I would have very well sent him to a Dragon’s den.” She finished with a giggle.

Celestia looked at her like her little sister was going insane. After a moment, she lightly shook her head and flicked her horn to surround them both in a soundproof bubble to speak to her privately. Luna looked at the surrounding bubble and just shrugged and continued finishing her meal of the morning.

“Luna,” Celestia started, “relying on Winter and Fluttershy to give you happiness is a little bit going overboard.” Luna looked at her blankly and her left ear twitched like she was trying to decipher a new language a foreign pony. Celestia sighed, “Your visiting them a little too much, Luna.” She cleared.

“Pff! I am not!” Luna waved off playfully. She looked at her and Celestia just gave her a deadpan look, “Um… okay, maybe I am, but… they want me there to be with them. I want to be there as well. There are our family too. When I want to relax, their home is the only place I can think of.” She then lay herself on her stomach on the pillow and tuckered in her hooves, finished with her meal.

Celestia looked down at her little sister and sighed. She rested down beside her and draped a wing over her, “Okay, Luna. You can keep returning to them, but Please be careful. A roaming Princess is an easy target.” She pulled her in for an embrace and nuzzled her lovingly.

Luna nodded, “Yes, sister. I learned my lesson the last time.” She then made dreamy eyes, “It’s a lesson I’ll gladly relive if I had a chance.” She then tilted her head with a love-struck expression and blissful sighed.

“Do I have to remind you how worried I was that day, Luna?”

“You locked me up in my room while you interrogating my new friend like he was the fault of my capture.” she deadpanned. Celestia blushed, “And he ended up being treated his wounds AFTER you interrogated him.” She looked up at her, “Was it really necessary? I mean, threatening him Even though he saved my life? You most likely scared him off to go find his home after you released him.”

“Well… I was trying to keep you safe.” Celestia tried to push the conversation turn to her favor.

“Then he came back and became my personal bodyguard and lover that didn’t fail to keep me safe and sound and happy.” Luna made a big cheeky smile.

Celestia giggled at her and nuzzled her nose, “To be honest, Lulu. I had full intensions on scaring him off for good. I might have abused my power a little but he had the courage to come back after a while, I'll gave him that.” They stayed silent for a few good moments together, “I always thought of him like a lost little puppy that stuck by your side through best and worst of times.”

Luna nodded as she rested her head on her sister’s neck, “Same here. He was too loyal, generous, honest and too kind for his own good.” She lightly chuckled, “He practically did everything to keep me safe and happy.”

“Yes he did.” Celestia answered, then looked at her, “So… what about your relationship with Winter and Fluttershy? Are they treating you fine?” she suddenly asked.

Luna blushed and opened her eyes, “Y-yes… they treats me the same.” Her thoughts then raced at breakneck speeds as she tries to figure out what to say next.

“Liiike?” Celestia pressured, trying to get information out of her sister, then lightly nudged her playfully.

Luna was frozen on the spot, thinking of what to say next as a small sweat trailed down her forehead. Celestia then looked at her in confusion, “What’s the matter, Luna?” she asked, a little more seriously. “Are you okay?”

Luna stayed silent for the longest of time, trying to figure out if she should either just tell the truth or hide it from her. After tense thinking she gave away and sighed sadly, “Well, Tia.” she spoke, a little ashamed of what she’ll let out, “I, Winter and Fluttershy are… a little More than just… friends.” She kept her gaze down.

“Well, they are our-wait… what do you mean?” Celestia leaned down to try and looked at her sister’s eyes.

Luna looked away, “S-sometimes, we… we have fun with each other to… let out some steam you know.” She continued, even though she felt her sister staring down at her, “Th-they don’t mind actually. Fluttershy said i-it was okay to ‘share’ him, a-and he told us both he loved us both equally.” Luna tears were threatening to escape, “S-so why not? Hm? It might be a dirty little secret, b-but we’re all happy.” Nearly hyperventilating and smiling, Luna used her magic to teleport away from her sister with a flash of blue light.

Luna reappeared in front of a doorstep and her tears dropped down onto the “Welcome” mat. She sniffled as she lightly knocked on the wooden door. When it opened, she was met by a confused and shocked Winter. Before he could say anything she moved in and buried her face in his chest and cried.

“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry!” she pressed herself a little harder against him and wrapped her hooves around his neck and shoulders.

He then wrapped his arms around her in a warm, comforting… familiar embrace “Shhhh, shhh… It’s okay, Luna. It’s okay.” He said in a soothing tone. Her cries died down to whimpers and sniffles. He led her in and took her to Fluttershy’s bedroom. There, he continued to stroke and hug her to calm her down a little more. He was sitting on the bed and Luna was resting partly on top of him with her fore hooves wrapped around his waist tightly.

Fluttershy slowly walked in with the kids in her arms and gently sat down on the bed. Spirit and Snowflake got out of their mother’s grasp, crawled over to their aunt and hugged her.

“Don’t cry, Auntie.” Snowflake said to her as she wrapped her little arms and tiny wings around Luna’s neck. Spirit did the same.

Luna stopped whimpering and sniffling all together and looked at the kids with a loving smile. She nuzzled them both and placed a gentle kiss on both their foreheads.

“Aunty, better?” Snowflake asked.

Luna's lower lip quivered for a moment and smiled at both of them, “Yes, aunty better.” She tried to old back her tears as she looked at their little faces.

Fluttershy then stroked her head and mane, “What happened, sweetie?” she asked in a motherly tone.

Luna took a deep breath and sighed with closed eyes, “I… I told my sister about our… relationship.” She looked down, ashamed of herself.

“D-did she get mad?” Fluttershy lightly shivered, her eyes getting wider.

“I don’t know. After I told her I teleported away.” She rested her head on Winter chest, “I-I need time away from her.” she closed her eyes and rubbed the side of her head on the man’s damp shirt, “I’m so sorry.” She apologized once more as tears began to well up once more.

She then felt a hand lightly caress her mane just at the back of her ear, “It’s okay, Luna. No need to apologize anymore. You’re more than welcome to stay as long as you want.” He said to her as she heard his calm heartbeat in his chest.

She made a cheeky, teary smile, “Thank you.” She barely whispered as she continued to rest on his chest to listen to his calm heart.

After what seemed like forever, receiving love and comfort from the family, a knock emanated throughout the little cottage home.

Winter stopped stroking her. She looked up at him and he seemed thought and concentrated up beyond the roof of the home. He then looked up at the hanging shield above the bed, still shinning in the rays of light, not one dust sticking to it. “Might as well put this into good use.” He reached up and lifted it out of its holster embedded in the wall.

He got out of the bed and put the shield on his left arm, “You all just stay here. I’ll be back.” he said with a comforting smile and walked out the room.

I went down the stairs and saw all the animals and Sapphire in the living room, silent. I then heard her whisper while hugging a rabbit in her hooves, “It’s the Princess!” and all the critters and birds scooted a little closer to her with shivering little bodies. Angel looked as scared as the others.

I stopped and looked at her, "Go up to Fluttershy's room with the others and take the animals with you." I said to her. she nodded gratefully and started going up the stairs with the animals on her right behind her.

I got to the door and took a deep breath before opening it. When I did, I saw Celestia in all her glory, not that I admired her at the moment. I was actually really, Really, REALLY upset with her. You think she knows when to give a pony some space when they needed it, huh?

I got out and closed the door behind me. I looked at her with the same stern look she gave, “Where’s Luna?” she asked.

I crossed my arms and breathed out through my nose and lightly shook my head, “You, Celestia-” she cut me off and stepped closer.

“Where’s my sister?” her tone became a little more threatening.

I scowled at her, “Let me speak.” I pushed on but she pushed back. I mean literally, she stepped closer and bumped me with her chest, and almost hit my back against the door.

“My sister!” she yelled as she scowled at me back.

I frowned, but took my composer back and tried to soften my expression, “Celesti-“

“I am your Princess, human.” She leaned in her head with a death glare.

I frowned once more, “You are not my Princess, Celestia. Give me a minute to-Hey!” she pushed me aside. I reached out and pushed her away from the door and gained more ground.

“I do not have time with this!” she flared and shot out a beam of light towards me. I took cover behind my shield. When the light hit it, a sound of a bell rang out loudly. After a moment, it dissipated and I stood up straight once more, glaring at the so called kind-leader.

“I only have so much patients, Celestia. If you just let me…” a flash of orange light caught my eye. I quickly took cover behind my shield and as it struck, I swiftly took out my pocket knife, and threw it towards where the flash came. The knife imbedded itself in the tree right beside a royal guard’s face. I caught a Pegasus dive bombing towards me from the sky above. I jumped away as the guard swooped up. When I got to my feet, I quickly took off the shield from my arm and threw it towards the Pegasus as he was just turning his head. The spinning piece of metal struck his side, reflected off him with a few sparks and he started falling out of the sky. The alicorn used her magic to save her pony from further injury and gently set him down. I raised my hand high, all of a sudden, the shield glowed cyan blue and started spinning back to me like a boomerang. The ponies watched in awe as I caught, set it back on my left arm and glared at the alicorn mare.

“Wise… Kind… and Self control.” I shook my head in disapproval at her, “You are all but an opposite today, Celestia.” I walked towards her with a frown. She backed away from me like I was some kind of dangerous creature. To be honest, I kind felt like I was. “You lived and ruled Equestria for more than a thousand years, Celestia. Getting out of control over personal matters isn’t the best way to go. Especially in front of your loyal subjects.” I grabbed one of her fore hoof and placed it on my damp, somewhat wet chest, “You feel that? That’s your sister’s own tears she shed from her eyes.” I let go of her hoof as she looked at it with wide, terrified eyes.

“I… I didn’t…” she said with a shaky voice.

I crossed my arms at her. “Give your sister time to recover, Celestia. Do you know how much pain she inflected on herself because of a secret? And how much she might blame herself seeing you like this?” I felt guilt coming from the mare as she looked down to the grassy ground.

“I… I am sorry, Winter.” She apologized as she kept her gaze down.

“It’s not me you have to apologize to, Celestia. I’m merely doing what’s right; which is getting you back to your senses.” I stepped closer, but she just stood on her spot. I lifted up her chin and I wore a softer expression, “Just think over what happened today. Think what you will say next time you see her. And hope for the best.” I said to her as I walked back to the door and stood there with my arms crossed, guarding the entrance with my life. Part of my chest and arms were hiding behind my shield.

She sighed and bowed her head, “I will... thank you, Winternight...” She answered before she started going back to her sky carriage with the guards.

I spotted dark spots in the sky and a few sparkled in the morning light. As they got closer, I saw they were Luna’s Bat Guards flying towards me. When they landed, Celestia and her royal guards flew off. The guards here were at least about a hundred of them just standing in our doorstep. I raised an eyebrow as one bat mare walked up to me and spoke in a soothing tone.

“Is our Princess in this settlement?” her accent sent chills down my spine but I kept my composure. She sounded like she was some kind of eastern assassin. I don’t know if I was far from the truth on that though.

I nodded, “Yes.” I simply answered.

“Is she okay?” her tone seemed a little worried. All eyes were set on me and me alone.

“She's alright, ma'am. Just needs some comfort and care to get her back on her hooves.” I answered, slowly forming a smile.

All the guards seemed a little relieve and most started building up tents around our property. The bat mare and a few others bowed down to me, “We are forever thankful to you, Winternight. For keeping our beloved Princess happy and safe.” She said to me and they all rose back up.

It was unusual to be bowed at but I nodded at their kind gesture, “I’ll inform her of your arrival.” I said kindly before I got back in.

Author's Notes:

Sorry. No clop here, just drama, character development and flashbacks. I'm not too sure about Part 2 having a clop though but I know where I'm going, don't worry, everyone.
Like always, comment if you want, good reading and have a nice day.

Snow+Spirit: Again! Again! Again! (The two bounced on their rumps as they sat on the green grass with big grins)
Me: (I held my shield with both hands as I looked down at their smiling faces) Okay, you two. (I said before I threw my shield as hard as I can, sending it over the trees and in the the blue sky)
CMC's: Hi, Winter! (The fillies yelled across the small bridge with greeting smiles)
Me: (I smiled back and waved my hand right beside my head) Hey, gir-'Smack!' (My shield hit full force on my hand, sending my hand towards the side of my head. I fell on the grassy ground and still managed hold my glowing shield as I twitched my free hand and legs. All but Snowflake covered their mouths in shock)
Spirit: Is he dead? (He barely whispered and recovered his mouth)
Snow: (She stood up on her legs with a little wobble, grabbed a stick nearby and pocked my body with it. She looked back at the Crusaders and her brother with simple, quick shrug)