Dust only held him close and told him that everything would be okay. It didn’t take but five minutes before Nexus was on his way to his old home to apologize to his mother. She took it well. A few tears and mutual apologies later, Nexus was standing outside Princess Luna’s room with his mind racing. He had said some things he might not have meant, but were almost unforgivable regardless. He took a deep breath and knocked on the door.

“Enter.” Luna’s voice said blankly from the other side of the door.

Nexus telekinetically opened the door and slowly stepped in. “Luna, it’s Lunarus.”

“Balcony.”

Nexus walked silently to the balcony where he first saved Luna during General Armor’s wedding. He remembered a few weeks after looking into her mirror pool, Dust Storm had been assigned as his maid by Luna. He stepped out into the pre-dusk air.

“Luna…”

“Lunarus, please, sit.” She sounded depressed.

Nexus took his usual place at her right side and looked out over Canterlot as the sun was setting behind them. “Luna, I’m sorry.”

“You are?” she said perking up a bit.

“Yeah, I’m…I’m just not sure how to deal with losing somepony I care about. The last time this happened was the day I got my cutie mark. My grandpa died and I was sick of being around anypony.”

“May I tell you something personal Lunarus?”

“It won’t leave this spot I promise.”

“A thousand years ago, when Nightmare Moon came to be, my mother ruled Equestria.”

“The Great Mother was a living breathing pony?”

“Yes, she was beautiful. Contrary to the legends, Mother is the one that decided I be banished. Tia didn’t approve, but she knew as well as Mother that neither one of them could ever bring themselves to kill me. She created the Elements to have something to save Equestria from Discord. In the process of the creation of the Elements of Harmony from the Tree of Harmony, all of her power was sent out into the universe.

“The Elements were made to harness her energy and focus it to tip the scales back towards perfect harmony. She knew I would return after my banishment, but she didn’t know how long it would take. Some times, at dusk I can hear her singing one of my favorite songs.” Luna giggled lightly. “Perhaps I’ve just gone a bit senile over the past thousand years, but it gives me comfort to at the very least think she’s still watching over my sister and I.”

“That’s about all we can ask for when life is so short.”

“It is.”

“Again, I’m sorry. I didn’t think about you back there. I was just… *sigh* I don’t know anymore. I think I might need about an hour next to the mirror pool for this.”

"The orical can't help you with this Lunarus."

"What do you mean?"

"The mirror pool is only good for predicting the future and showing you what you need you need to know. But some things are out of its reach."

"Then what do you suggest I do, Luna?"

"In the Everfree Forest, our old castle lies. Though it's been under repair for some time it still has quite a ways to go. The library may hold something that may prove useful in the near future. Go to it Lunarus, you need its truth more than I.” Luna’s horn glowed and the half moon slowly rose over the horizon. “Take Raven Wing, he shall lead you to the ruins.”

“Okay Luna. I’ll see what I can do.” Nexus whistled and waited for the Nightmare Phoenix to arrive.

“Do you have any plans for next evening, Lunarus?” Luna asked as the stars began showing themselves.

“I’m taking Dust to the Gala tomorrow night.” Nexus replied watching the lights of Canterlot eliminate the city bellow.

“May I ask how Miss NEXUS is?”

Nexus groaned. “She’s doing fine.”

“I heard she’s been expecting for three weeks now.”

“Again, remind me to go Firebrand on Storm tomorrow.”

“I shall try. In the meantime, try to keep you balcony doors shut when need be. It can be quite the…distraction.” Luna said with a sly grin on her face.

“Wh-why would I need to keep the doors shut?”

“I think you know.” Raven Wing landed on Nexus’ head seconds after. “I believe you have a mission to complete.”

“Ye-yeah. I’ll be back as soon as I can Luna. Thank you.” Nexus said nervously. “Raven Wing, take me to the Everfree Ruins.”

The phoenix squawked and took off from Nexus’ horn. Nexus spread his mechanical wings and took off after his pet. Luna only smiled as she watched the two become a speck at the edge of Canterlot a dive over its rim.