Chapter 9: Sisterly Love

Another couple of days had passed and Luna was reflecting once more on her progress and her life in general while brushing her hair in front of her mirror. So far, to begin with, Luna admitted to herself (which was the hard part) that she had been a real tight ass. Always stoic, afraid of everyone’s opinion of her, and only concerned with royal duties over herself. She could now see how over the years this had taken its toll on her. There is nothing wrong with loosening up; after all, she could personally attest to that. She actually danced not just in front of her friends, but hundreds of completely random strangers, as well as exercising in front of others. If one was to tell her that she would do this in the near future, she would probably laugh, then laugh harder, attempt to have them banished, Celestia telling her that they don’t banish people anymore, Luna asking why, then arguing, and culminating with Luna stomping off to her room all embarrassed.

Luna was also thinking about some new developments, such as Fluttershy actually asking her to teach her some ways of self-defense. Luna agreed and also incorporated lessons of “verbal-defense” hand-in-hand, which included her famous sarcasm. It was a slow and meticulous process, but after these couple days she was getting the hang of it. There had already been a noticeable increase in her confidence around her friends. Small… but definitely noticeable. The fact that Luna was able to reach Fluttershy and get her to react positively was a grand feat in itself, earning tremendous respect from her already now-close friends.

Luna was spacing out while thinking of these things, still spacing out. What she didn’t notice was that her mirror began to ripple like water before her reflection disappeared and there appeared her older sister in its place, sporting one of her creepy “molestia” smiles.

“Oh hai!” Celestia yelled in a very high and jovial voice.

“AAHHH!” Luna screamed, startled out of her mind and almost falling backward. Celestia couldn’t help but laugh maniacally at her victory.

“GOD. DAMMIT! That’s the second time this week!” Luna shouted back, clearly irritated.

“I know! I just couldn’t resist! You’re too easy of a target for my antics,” Celestia responded, leaning her head on her hand.

“I see how I’m not even at the castle yet you still must get on every nerve in my body,” Luna said, still brushing her hair.

“Duh! I’m your older sister. It’s my damn job to annoy you out of your mind!” Celestia retorted with a smile. Then she had a serious face.

“And also, consider that payback for the ‘exploding fruit salad’ prank you pulled on me right before you left.”

Ah yes, Luna had to have a little bit of fun. On her way to the chariot landing pad from being told she was being evicted from the castle, she had passed by the dining room and saw Celestia waiting for some food. She snuck off to the kitchen and added a little surprise to her food: an explosion enchantment. When Celestia picked at her food it exploded all over her upper body in shrapnel of whipped cream and fruity goodness, ruining her outfit and hair right before a meeting.

“Whatever are you speaking of, my dear sister?” Luna asked while batting her eyelashes innocently, dripping sarcasm and lying through her teeth.

“Oh you know damn well what I’m talking about!” Celestia replied.

“No Tia… I absolutely have no idea what you’re ref- OWW FUCK!” Luna was cut off when her hair brush came to life and started tugging with massive strength at her tangled hair, yanking it backwards with a painful effect. Then Luna’s other hand was encased in a golden aura before it began slapping her own face repeatedly.

“Lulu, you should really stop hitting yourself. It makes you look insane, though that’s not a far stretch,” Celestia grinned, the hairbrush still doing its work as well.

*slap*

“OOW-OWW! FUCK!”

*slap*

“YOU’RE A BI-!”

*slap*

“GOD… OKAY OKAY… AHH!”

*slap*

“FINE YOU…”

*slap*

“GAH! YOU WIN!” Luna cried out in defeat. Her right cheek was now red and her hand stopped as well as her brush. She was panting and applying a cooling spell to her cheek while Celestia was still smirking.

“You know, sometimes you can be a real ass,” Luna said indignantly.

“Thanks for the compliment, Lulu,” Celestia replied. The funny thing was, was that this was their relationship. The two royal sisters loved each other more than life itself and would gladly give their life for the other, but like any sister or best friend, they felt it was their job to get on each other’s nerves whenever possible. Celestia did this by openly mocking and annoying Luna with her superior wit. Luna, however, was more passive aggressive and retaliated with little surprises, such as pranks.

“That was excessive force! You know I’ll get you back for this, Tia!” Luna retorted.

“And just how do you intend to do that, hmm?”

“You underestimate my capabilities. Let’s not forget the poison joke incident, shall we?” Luna spoke back with a devious smile of hers. Celestia shuddered at that memory. Essentially, Tia forced her into a very uncomfortable situation and pretty much embarrassed her during one of the Grand Galloping Galas. In retribution, Luna crushed up some poison joke and sprinkled it on Celestia’s bed. When she woke up, Celestia’s color scheme was completely inverted (i.e. her skin was the color of her hair and vice-versa). The moment Celestia saw Luna, Luna took a picture and ran off in the other direction immediately, laughing her ass off while Celestia chased her around the castle for a good hour.

“Point taken. At any rate, how’s everything so far?” Celestia asked, now relaxing and getting back to her usual business: checking up on her younger sister’s progress.

“So far so good. No detrimental effects to my health yet,” Luna stated while brushing her hair again.

“Damn, that means I’ll have to try harder…” Celestia replied with sarcasm while sporting a mock-serious look. Luna gave her a half-hearted glare before rolling her eyes.

“Well, I’m also working with Fluttershy on some… confidence boosting, if you will,” Luna added.

“Oh? Pray tell?”

“After you witnessed Dash get socked in the face, Fluttershy asked if I could teach her a few things. I had deliberated in my head before agreeing, seeing that it could probably boost her confidence… something she needs.” Celestia questioned further.

“So you’re teaching her how to fight? Why do I have reservations about this?” Celestia asked, musing partly to herself.

“Yes, but I’m also adding in a ‘verbal-defense’ clause to the agreement. While I would like to teach her how to hold her own, I want to make sure she can back herself up and avoid a confrontation if at all possible. So, I’m instructing her on our famous art of wit, sarcasm, and come-backs,” Luna answered. Celestia pondered this before she chuckled lightly to herself at the thought of Fluttershy actually saying very lewd things to get people out of her face.

“I thought that went badly with the Iron Will incident?”

“Indeed, sister, but that mainly instructed those to antagonize others for petty things and use excessive verbal and physical force as one’s only option. I’m teaching her how to properly stick up for herself and others, dish back what people give her, and respond with force if necessary in her own defense or the defense of others. So far it’s not proven detrimental in any respect, but rather there’s already a noticeable change in her confidence, albeit small,” Luna explained. Celestia gave a nod of approval.

“Good work, Luna. I see you’re making great friends already. I’m proud of you,” Celestia added. Luna smiled back at her sister and that was the only response she could muster. Celestia then perked up and remembered something:

“Oh by the way, on my suggestion, you and the girls are going to have something to do all day tomorrow!” she said in a giddy fashion. Luna already knew this couldn’t be good.

“Oh? May I inquire as to what you ‘coerced’ our friends into preparing for tomorrow?”

“Oh nothing much, just a little trip to the beach…” Celestia said indifferently, resting her head on her palm which was supported by her elbow on the desk. Luna’s blood drained immediately.

“The BEACH?! That means I have to wear a…”

“Bathing suit, that is correct! We need to get you completely comfortable in your own skin in public for your own sake and others,” Celestia replied with a smile, sensing her agitation.

“Oh well! I still have my-”

“One-piece sleeveless leotard that you used for water training in the royal guard? Oh yeah I forgot to mention, I took the liberty of removing that from your luggage when we came to join you for the club night.

“What?!” Luna stood up immediately and ransacked her duffle bag, indeed, not finding any trace of her swimming leotard.

“You whore!! What did you do with it!?” Luna demanded. Celestia starting to snicker, holding back her laughter.

“I ‘replaced’ it with something more suitable to the weather and modern society. Check your closet, it’s hanging there. Don’t worry, it’s your color,” Celestia batted her eyes towards the closet. Luna glared daggers as she went to the closet and pulled a hangar out.

“Do you think… this is a JOKE?!” Luna nearly spat out venomously, holding up a two piece, teal bikini. The style of it definitely would leave little to the imagination.

“It’s a lovely color, don’t you agree?” Celestia dodged her venom, further agitating her with her innocent questions.

“The… fucking… color don’t enter into it!”

“I can add crescent moons to the peaks of the cups if you like…” Celestia added. Luna didn’t even dignify that with a response.

“I’m gonna look like a stripper!” Luna almost yelled out.

“If you think so you might want to come up with an alias… I believe ‘Moonrise’ sounds like a sexy name of ill repute,” Celestia responded. Luna’s forehead formed a vein that started throbbing.

“You seem… upset,” Celestia said with a large, teeth bearing smile. That was an understatement.

“I… I have no words…” Luna said as she stored the hangar back into the closet and sat down, rubbing her temples.

“Well, you’re going to have to build a bridge and get over it. In about five minutes, Twilight is going to come home and tell you of tomorrow’s plans, so, you’re going to have to go along. Whatever irrational fear of what you think is going to happen, most likely won’t. Now go have some fun!” Celestia ordered. Luna rolled her eyes once more.

“Gee thanks… sister,” Luna grumbled.

“I aim to please,” Celestia replied with some sarcasm. At that moment, Luna realized that Celestia’s head was still supported in her palm. Celestia’s forearm suddenly became encased in a blue aura before being immediately swiped away, allowing her now unsupported head to drop and smack into the table with a loud “bang!” It definitely looked painful.

“AAAH!” Celestia recoiled, holding the side of her face.

“Your move, Tia!” Luna replied, laughing!

“Why you salty fu-”

Luna cut the connection in the mirror before smirking to herself in accomplishment. Just then the door opened in the common room.

“Luna! I’m home! Guess what? I ‘ve got our plans for tomorrow!” Twilight called out before entering Luna’s room.

“Beach, right?”

“Yes… actually… how did you know?” Twilight asked. Luna only gave her a knowing look.

“Celestia?” Twilight asked, now getting it. Luna sighed in response.

“Yep.”