The First Night

Luna opened her door quietly, having removed the magical wall, intent on informing her guards that they could stand down. “Thank thee faithful guards.” The unicorn and pegasus gave a small start, not having expected their princess, nor having heard the door open. Luna gave a small laugh before continuing. “I assure thee, all is well, and there is no need to alert my sister tonight.” The guards gave a bow as they watched Luna retreat back into her room.

Striding over to her balcony, Luna sat down, her mind buzzing with worry. She didn’t know what to do with the voice in her head, but couldn’t leave it unchecked. Knowing she had to tell somepony, her mind raced, trying to decide who. Celestia was the first to come to mind, but Luna quickly shot the thought down. She had no idea how her sister would react to the news that Nightmare Moon was still in her head. For all she knew, her sister could very well banish her to the moon again, to keep her darker side from threatening Equestria again.

But if not her sister, then who? Luna knew very few ponies well enough to trust, let alone with this kind of information. She sat wondering when it hit her. Twilight Sparkle. If Celestia trusted her enough to have her as her personal student then she was very trustworthy. And as Luna’s first real friend she would be somepony to talk to. Even if she couldn’t admit all of her feelings to the mare, she could at least talk with her, and get some help with knowing what to do.

“If she is Celestia’s student, then when you tell her, she’ll just report it to Tia. Can you really tell Twilight?” Mare’s voice wafted in, shocking Luna.

I… I don’t know. You do have a point. Luna realized. But if not her, then who? Mare didn’t respond as Luna slowly paced. Well, though I can’t tell her exactly what is troubling me, perhaps in talking with her I can better deal with this. Her resolve set, Luna faced her window, her course of action set.

She quickly cast out her spell to check if Twilight was awake, and to her delight found that the mare was. Stretching her wings briefly, Luna took to the sky, flying towards Ponyville. She had watched the unicorn enough times to get a general idea of where she lived. Having pieced together everything she saw, Luna had determined that the unicorn lived in the library, and that it was built out of a tree. She figured that this would be enough to find her house.

As Luna approached her destination, she was greeted with an unexpected sight. Though it was night, every citizen of Ponyville was awake and gathering at the town hall. The light spilled out from the building, illuminating the ponies as they flooded inwards. Luna soared around the village, trying to avoid being seen. Seeing what she assumed was Twilight’s library, she flew in, landed, and made her way to the door, as quietly as she could. As she approached the door she listened for voices, and was glad, and a little disappointed, to hear none. She let herself into the library, not wanting to intrude, but also not wanting to be seen and cause an uproar.

Luna looked around and was greeted with the sight of hundreds of books. She loved books. A smile grew on the princess’s face as she gazed around the room. The princess loved books of all kinds, from a juicy romance to a chaotic adventure. Pulling a book down at random, taking just enough time to read the title on the cover before opening it, Luna began to read. She was quickly lost in the story, letting the flow of the words pull her in, wrapping her mind inside its little world. So engrossed in her story was she that when Twilight returned home, with a sleeping Spike on her back, she failed to react.

Twilight walked into her house, preparing to go to sleep when she noticed a light blue coated mare sitting on one of the couches, head buried in a book. All Twilight could do was stare at the alicorn sitting on the main couch of her library, reading happily. It had never occurred to the unicorn that the princess’ would find such simple things as enjoyable as any other pony.

She quickly recovered, and, not wanting to disturb the princess or her sleeping friend, trotted up the stairs. She set Spike down in his basket, pulling the blanket over him to keep him warm, and then sat down. Having no idea how to process what she had just seen, Twilight simply sat, running over the facts. Princess Luna was sitting in her library, reading a book. And she was so into her book that she hadn’t responded as Twilight walked in the door.

The unicorn had no idea what she should do, and so sat there, confused. After a few moments she began wondering why Luna was in her library. Surely if she was simply after a good book she would have gone to the Royal Library. It was a far vaster store of knowledge than her home, and Twilight missed its halls very much. If she was here in Ponyville, then she had a reason beyond just reading.

Luna was finishing her book as Twilight made her realization. She put the book back and was about to grab another as she heard hooffalls on the stairs. The princess looked up to see a confused Twilight walking slowly down the stairs. Her eyes were fixed on the princess, full of confusion, and a slight hint of worry. “Ohh hello there Twilight. We are sorry for intruding, but we did not wish to be seen by the villagers. We did not wish to cause a stir.” She commented flatly.

“It’s quite all right princess,” Twilight stammered. “Though may I ask what you’re doing in my library? I must admit I wasn’t expecting you.” Twilight was obviously still confused as she made her way down the stairs to greet her guest. “But it is an honor to have you here,” she added, bowing low before the princess.

“We thank thee, Twilight. Might we talk for a while? We are a bit lost, and in need of somepony to talk with.” Luna’s response was short, though her falling tone made it clear something was wrong.

“Gladly princess. What is it you wish to talk about? And if I may, why did you choose me to talk to? Isn’t your sister closer to you?”

“Yes Twilight Sparkle, We are much closer to our sister than thou. However, we are worried about what our sister would do should we bring this to her attention. We are sorry to admit it, but she scares us still. She could easily banish us if she so choose. Or throw us in the dungeons.” Luna’s voice wavered as she listed the possibilities.

Though Twilight could see the fear in her friends face she couldn’t help but add under her breath “or banish you and then throw you in a cell in the place she banishes you to.” Luna looked up, hearing Twilight mutter something and gave her a quizzical look. “Ohh nothing.” The unicorn said dismissively. “And please trust me when I say, Celestia is your sister. If there’s a problem she would want to know and help.”

“Not this problem.” Luna’s voice began to waver. “She could banish us at the mere mention of it.” The alicorn fell to her flank, her face in her hooves.

“Will you tell me what the problem is, Luna? I will do anything to help a friend in need.”

“No Twilight, we cannot tell you. We do not believe it is something we can tell anypony about.” As Luna broke down further her voice waved more, the tears began to slowly flow down her cheeks.

Twilight stepped forward and wrapped her forehoves around the crying mare, doing her best to comfort her. “Would you like to read some more Luna? You were so into that book earlier.”

“We would enjoy that Twilight Sparkle.” The alicorn said, hiccupping. “Though we ask that thou stay up with us. We would love some company.”

Apprehensively the unicorn nodded. She didn’t want to upset the princess further, but she also knew she couldn’t stay up much later. Helping Luna to her feet, Twilight led her over to the couch and sat her down. “I’ll be right back with a book.” She assured Luna.

Luna sat on the couch and tried to pull her thoughts together. She needed to talk with Twilight, but she didn’t want to scare the unicorn. It was a fine line she was trying to walk, and she didn’t know how much longer she could keep it up. Twilight walked back into the room, carrying a few books with her magic over to the princess.

“Here. I didn’t know what type of books you like so I grabbed some of everything.” The unicorn set the books down on the table in front of Luna. “May I join you?”

The alicorn nodded absent mindedly, looking through the books in front of her. Twilight joined the princess on the couch, using her own magic to float her book down from her room. It was a sappy romance novel, but well written and enjoyable. As her book reached her Luna pulled a book out from the stack, also a romance. The girls sat back on the couch, levitating their books, and settled in to read.

It was just past midnight before Luna set her book down. She looked over and saw that Twilight had fallen asleep, her book having fallen to the couch, her head onto her forelegs. A trickle of drool was escaping her mouth and dribbling down her chin. Luna gave a small laugh, thinking how cute Twilight looked. She stood and put the books away, doing her best to place them back correctly. She left the unicorn’s book out, not wanting to invade the mare’s room.

Walking back into the room where Twilight lay dozing, Luna gazed silently at her. Looking her up and down for a moment, she thought to herself, She is showing great signs of health, I am glad to see my subject are in much better condition that they were a millennium ago.

“She’s sexy and you know it Luna. Don’t try to deny it.” Mare’s calm voiced wafted from the back of Luna’s mind.

What are you insinuating Mare? Luna shot back. I am a princess-

“And I will not succumb to such base instincts and wants.” Mare finished with a high pitched, mocking tone. “Please Luna, you know you find her very attractive.”

Mare! How dare you?

“I’m just saying. You try to deny it, but I know you like her. That sexy, curvy flank, her long tail and mane… She’s exactly what you want in a companion.”

Luna stammered for a moment, trying to organize her thoughts. She hadn’t expected Mare to come right out with such blatant vulgarity. I, I will admit, she does have many of the qualities one would look for in a mate. She is what most would consider, sexy. Luna shuddered as she thought, unhappy at thinking such things.

“She is very sexy Luna. And if we want, she’s all ours. We have that kind of power.” Mare voice dripped with lust as she spoke, her eyes focusing on Twilight’s semi exposed flank.

Luna gave a small eep as the cold, perverse voice of her friend spoke. The unbridled lust was beginning to scare her. At the small noise Twilights eyes flew open, and she leapt to her hooves.

“I’m so sorry princess. I didn’t mean to fall asleep on you!” The mare exclaimed, bowing before the alicorn.

“Ohh Twilight. I am not upset. You are awake during the day.” Having calmed down greatly from reading, Luna dropped the royal we, wanting to talk on a more personal level with Twilight. “Neither my sister nor I can easily stay awake for a day and a night.” Luna’s soothing voice washed over Twilight, calming her down. Before she continued she thought to the voice Mare. You will be quiet about Twilight, no matter how attractive she may be! Having received a mental nod from Mare, Luna continued. “I would like it if you stayed up with me though. I do know a spell that will wake you up, and allow you to make it through both the night and the following day.”

“So, are you going to tell her about me?”

Luna faltered a moment. Taking deep calming breaths, she thought No. I can’t burden her with such knowledge. And you’re right, she would go straight to my sister. However, I do feel that I can at least talk with her. Perhaps I can learn something about ponies these days.

Mare sighed. “It’s always work with you isn’t it?”

Twilight looked at Luna questioningly, confused by her sudden silence. When the princess opened her eyes again, Twilight nodded, signaling that she was ready and willing. The princess smiled and closed her eyes, focusing her magic. After a moment a silent beam shot from the alicorn’s horn and enveloped the unicorn. It lasted only a moment before blinking away, leaving Twilight looking refreshed and happy and Luna slightly drained.

“So why isn’t that spell common knowledge? It would allow ponies to do so much more, and stay on top of things better.” Twilights curiosity had been sparked the moment Luna mentioned a spell she didn’t know. Feeling fully refreshed she sat in her chair, her attention focused on the alicorn of the night.

“Well,” Luna began, recovering her strength. “The spell is useful. However it does not replace sleep. The body still needs to sleep or the mind stops working.” Luna sat herself down across from Twilight, glad to have a rapt audience as she talked about magic. “Also, the spell either drains the user’s magic, or their awakeness. It is not very easy on the caster. Since my return I believe Celestia has only used it for the Gala.”

Twilight nodded as she listened, paying attention. “So what would happen if I tried to use that spell?” Though she understood the drawback, she saw a massive potential for good. And she was simply curious. She had spent most of her life studying, and she never passed up a chance to learn.

Luna admired the young unicorn’s thirst for knowledge, making a small mental note to always have something to talk with Twilight about. “Well Twilight, as far as I know, it would drain you completely. Celestia and I both have large reserves of magic, and it always takes a chunk out of our reserves. While you may be able to cast it, the spell would likely drain both your magic, and your awakeness.”

Twilight continued nodding as Luna spoke, having summoned a quill and parchment to write notes on. She thought for a moment, going over what she had just learned when a thought hit her. “What happens when somepony casts it on themself?” she asked. “If it restores energy, but drains their energy, what happens?”

“Weird things.” Luna responded promptly. She thought back to the few times she had cast it on herself, shuddering at the memories. “The pony would become very giddy first off. On top of that though, almost everything about them is amplified. The best relation would be to a pony who has forced themselves to stay awake for near two days.”

Twilight stared at the alicorn, surprised. If those were the results of a pony using it on themself, then it was better to just force yourself to stay awake. Finishing her notes she sent the parchment to her desk to be sorted later. “So princess, what shall we talk about now? I’m awake, and would love to talk with you.” Twilight bounced in her chair, eager to continue learning.

Luna game a small smile, enjoying seeing how happy the young mare was. “What would you like to talk about Twilight?” she asked, face calm and collected, with her pain and worry buried deep. It had been over a thousand years since she last had a close friend. She was happy to spend time just talking.

Twilight came out of her studious mode, looking at the princess with worry. “Princess, I know there is something wrong. And I understand that you do not want to talk with me, or anyone, about it. However, I want you to understand, I will always be here to talk with you.”

Luna was taken aback by both Twilights sudden shift in tone, and how well she got to the point. It was true that Luna felt she couldn’t talk with anyone about Mare, but she still needed to talk. “Twilight, I thank thee for being willing to talk. I do not wish to discuss this problem tonight, but I would love to simply talk with you.” Twilight smiled at these words, glad that the princess was starting to open up to her. “Twilight, would you like to discuss the stars with me?” Luna asked, knowing how much the young pony loved them.

Twilight’s eyes lit up at the idea. “I would love to!” she exclaimed. “I’ve always wanted to talk with you about their creation and meaning.” The unicorn sat beaming at the princess, waiting for the princess to start the discussion.

“Then let us sit outside, it is better to view the stars unhindered.” The ponies left Twilight’s home, looking for the best place to view the stars. They soon found a quiet hill, away from the town, and sat down. Though it was not winter, it was still a cold night, and Twilight soon began shivering against the cold. Luna silently wrapped a wing around her, sharing her warmth with her young friend. And like this they sat, the alicorn’s wing wrapped around the unicorn, for the entire night, talking about the stars.

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