Equestria. Everybody looks up to one thing. What is that one thing you ask? Well, depending on who you ask, some would say Happiness. Some would say Friendship. Most would say Princess Celestia, which is the closest half-truth. They are all half-truths because while people do look up to these things, it was a literal question. The sun is the real answer, the day, warmth and the light. What does that mean though?

The night, the moon, the stars; they are hurt and they are lonely. There are, of course, those that enjoy the stars, thrive in the night, revel in the darkness. But ultimately, they look up to their sun. Now, how do you think the Princess of the Night would feel? Exactly how her night feels. Hurt, lonely, and above all else unloved. She wears a perfect mask of composure, so that even the overpowering sun cannot see through her guise to see the true face of her unloved sister.

Nobody saw that this mask was a mask, for it was indeed perfect. That is, until a certain scholar noticed the smallest of cracks.

---

Twilight had no idea why, but she found herself staring at the Princess. Princess Luna, not Princess Celestia. Twilight was sitting in on the Night Court to observe it this week. She had only noticed she was staring when the man that had came in nearly twenty minutes ago was practically storming out, Luna pinching her sinuses in annoyance. She quickly recalled the encounter by ear and remembered that it was about some sort of shady construction work in the poor district of Canterlot. Apparently, on closer inspection, it would pollute the area even more than it already was and was therefore rejected.

“Is something the matter, Miss Sparkle?” The woman next to Twilight asked her lightly, it was the other observer whose duty was to record each case for records. Twilight nodded with a little smile, saying something about a late night last night. She was handed a warm cup of herbal tea meant to boost energy by one of the few servants there for such a reason, for which she was grateful, and she looked back to Luna. She almost fumbled her cup.

There it was again. That miniscule pang of something in Luna’s eyes. She had noticed it before the last case and she noticed it again as another prepared themselves for whatever it was they were here for. Twilight recognized this man, he was at Day Court last week. He was an elected representative the citizens of the poor district sent to try and negotiate aid. A member of Celestia’ council, who stood behind Luna’s throne, informed her of this.

“Sir, I am informed that you recently plead to my sister in a previous day of court. I must inform you that if you plead the same My answer will be no different than my sister’s.” Luna said formally.

“Of course, Princess. I have the same goal, but my proposition is different. I proposed to your sister a simple aid program in which was rejected because it would have taken from others to help us. This new proposition is another aid program, but one in which is not one sided. There are a series of private estates surrounding the fertile lands around the walls of Canterlot. I have gone to each and every one of these estates and negotiated work with them for those I represent.” The man started. Both Twilight and Luna gained interested expressions.

“As you know, these estates supply nearly all of the agriculture that isn’t imported in the city, and our contributions would allow them to further expand and greatly increase the efficiency, quality and quantity of goods churned out.” The man continued. Twilight was a little surprised, for a representative of the poor district this man talked like a silver tongued politician. His vocabulary was on par with university professors.

“If you have already negotiated the work, then why are you here pleading for my aid?” Luna asked, though instead of reluctance to offer said aid her tone showed curiosity instead.

“Simply put the estate heads cannot afford to hire any more hands, being outside of the city means they are outside of the royal guard’s protection and therefore must hire defenders from the garrison or mercenaries to defend their land. My negotiations came with a compromise, we get work if we can secure royal guard protection. If you can’t then an alternative would be to waive admission fees for some of us to be trained in the garrison to protect our workers.” The man explained. Luna seemed to think for a little while.

“You say it will increase quantity, quality and efficiency?” Luna asked. The man nodded. “Very well, I will arrange for each estate to be supplied with one guard per ten acres limited to no more than ten each estate. My sister and I reserve the right to modify this number or retract the guards should your claims fall short of your predictions.” Luna continued. The man bowed low.

“Of course, Princess. We would expect nothing less, and thank you a million times over.” The man said and happily found his way out. Instead of another case being ushered in, the front gates closed along with the gilded doors of the throne room. Luna stood, stretched a bit and walked over towards where Twilight and the other observer said.

“Well, Miss Twilight, what do you think of the Night Court?” She asked with a light smile. Twilight thought for a moment, standing up and stretching a bit as well.

“It was certainly an interesting experience. You are differently a lot more calculating and formal, though I’m not implying Celestia is not. You go further into the logistics and fine print though, which I believe is a good thing since I’ve noticed a lot of people try and sugarcoat things for you after being rejected by your sister.” Twilight explained as they walked towards the dining hall where they would be served a midnight supper before they slept.

“I try to be as kind and compassionate as my sister, but I’m going to be honest with you Twilight Sparkle; I just can’t summon it up as easily as I wished.” Luna said with a light sigh as they sat to their supper of soup and light wine. Twilight noticed that pang again, and her expression must have showed something because Luna gave her an inquisitive look.

“Oh, I’m sorry… Long night of research last night, I’m just a little bit spacey…” Twilight said, waving her hand to try and brush it off. Luna didn’t seem convinced but she didn’t inquire.

“I see… So, it hasn’t been since our last Nightmare Night that we’ve gotten to really sit down and chat, how goes your life?” Luna asked. Twilight smiled and thought for a little bit. It was the fourth or fifth Nightmare Night in Ponyville Luna had attended, and they had started having long chats in the night.

“Nothing really of note, I’m afraid. Although I’ve started to find myself admittedly getting a little bored of my studies. I mean, it’s not that your sister isn’t a brilliant mentor, it’s just that there isn’t much new material… I could practically recite the entire Canterlot Library by memory if you asked me to, and I know Celestia’s duties better than my own sometimes.” Twilight explained. When she said this she noticed something new in Luna’s eyes. It was like a glimmer of hope, of longing.

“Are you aware, Twilight, that you have only seen half of the Canterlot Library?” Luna said. Twilight fumbled her spoon and nearly spilled her soup. The girl looked to her in surprise and she nodded. “It is my personal library. Before my banishment, our main library was situated similarly. The Canterlot Library you know would be the Library of light, for the public and those who answer the sun’s calls. The Library underneath is for myself, forbidden and hidden magics and those who answer when the night beckons. Nobody has answered her call in a millenium and her hand is always outstretched, Twilight Sparkle.” Luna explained.

Twilight could have sworn her tone was almost begging. Was Princess Luna asking her to answer the night’s call, whatever that was? Luna gave Twilight a sad smile, finished her glass of wine and stood.

“You hear her beckoning, Twilight. You just need to listen.” She said and left for her chambers. Twilight stared at the now closed door. Her mind raced, as it does when she learns something like this, to try and find evidence of this beckoning. She had always preferred to sit in the dark and read by candlelight and was never afraid of shadows or the dark, but that can’t have been it. She needed to talk to Celestia, but as she finished her supper she resolved to wait until she figured out what this beckoning was. Next Chapter: 1: She Answers Estimated time remaining: 14 Minutes