Title:           Survival is key: Ch.16
Author:          ElementofIdiocy
Pastebin link:   http://pastebin.com/ac1RSU5s
First Edit:      Thursday 16th of August 2012 06:47:33 PM CDT
Last Edit:       Thursday 16th of August 2012 06:47:33 PM CDT

>It's sunrise, and like you promised the girls, you began to explain what had happened in your dream, and what had happened here up until they had arrived, all while Luna peppered in apologies throughout your explanation.
>While everypony had varying reactions to what you had told them, one in particular being Applejack's shock that Luna had utterly wrecked your trust in her, something she apologized for... Again.
>Rainbow Dash, being, well... herself, was just about ready to tear Luna a new one, just for the simple fact that she had hurt one of her friends, and worse, one of HER friends.
>Fortunately the rest of the group was much more forgiving, with Twilight being a notable case, considering that Luna had flat out admitted that this whole debacle had started out of her jealousy towards you and her.
>Pinkie Pie was, well... Being Pinkie Pie. Not much more to say than that, really.
>After things had calmed down, you stood up and stretched out your tired limbs.
“Well, now that's all cleared up, why don't we head back to Ponyville?”
>”Not so fast, Anonymous.”
>You freeze. Everybody present except you and Luna bow.
>You turn around, and your jaw threatens to fall right off then and there.
“Princess Celestia?!”
>”It is nice to see you too, Anonymous. However, you aren't the reason why I am here. Luna?”
>She steps away from you, her head held low, our of shame.
>”Sister, we are sorry... We...”
>Celestia just smiles and shakes her head.
>”Please, there is no need to explain. We could feel her presence as plain as day.”
>Everyone's eyes widened at that statement.
>”Sister... You knew?!”
 
>She nods.
>”Indeed... I was worried, for you were so distraught since your return from Ponyville. I could feel her presence within you, but alas, I chose to do nothing. I had considered stopping you the moment I felt Nightmare Moon's presence, but the lack of malevolence... It made me curious, so I waited.”
>Your head was spinning, Celestia KNEW, yet she did NOTHING about it?! You'd have vented your frustrations then and there, but you liked your head where it was, thank you very much.
>”To be honest, I hadn't expected Nightmare Moon to disappear so... easily this time. It seems that whenever Anonymous is involved, anything is bound to happen.”
>Luna nods at that, and everypony else in the room giggles, save for you.
>”Yes... Anonymous is... a unique individual. That is part of the reason I... No, WE were enamored with him. Both myself, and... her, as well.”
>You blink.
“Her? Luna, you don't mean...”
>”Yes... Nightmare Moon. Being an extension of myself, she and I share thoughts, emotions... memories... She is like the dark side of our moon. Invisible to the eye, yet always there. She is still within us, even now... and she shares our regret for our actions. She simply wished to make things right.”
>This time, it was Rainbow Dash to pipe up.
>”Yeah, well, she sure has a weird way of doing it!”
>Ah, Dashie. If you didn't know any better, you'd say she was just as much a representation of the Element of honesty as Applejack, though her brand of honesty was more on the brutal side, more often than not.
>Luna simply offered her a small half-smile.
>””She does not deny that. It would seem we still have much to learn of the world and its changes.”
 
>Celestia spoke once more, her tone admonishing, but not overly so; it was more like a mother gently scolding a foal that was misbehaving.
>”Indeed, dear sister. Come, let us return to the castle, you must be terribly exhausted after everything that's... That's...”
>Eyes blink and heads tilt as Celestia trails off, her gaze affixed on the side of her sister's head.
>”Sister? What's wrong? Tia?”
>Her eyes narrow as she focuses on a single spot between her right eye and ear, a spot that was still caked with blood, even after Luna had shifted back to her original form.
>”Who did this?”
>Luna paws at the ground hesitantly.
>”Well...”
>You can't control yourself as you begin coughing. Loudly.
>Damn it body, why must you betray me?!
>I DON'T KNOW!
>”Anonymous... Would you happen to know what caused this injury to our dear sister's head?”
“Uhh...”
>Oh man, the look she was giving you was a thousand times worse than one of Fluttershy's Stares.
>”Well?”
>OH FUCK, SHE'S PISSED. CODE RED. CODE RED!
>Okay body, whatever you do, don't--
“I'msosorryitwasmeIdidn'tmeantowellIdidbutitwasselfdefensehonest!”
>God DAMN it.
>”YOU did this to our sister?”
>Oh god, her mane was on fire! Well... it WAS fire, actually, which was even scarier.
“Well, yes, I mean NO! Kind of! I didn't know it was Luna at the time! It was self defense! DON'T KILL ME!”
>She stares at you for what seemed like the longest time, intense amounts of heat radiating off of her body. It took all of your willpower to not pass out on the spot.
>”Sister, that's enough!”
>Luna swoops in for the save, fuck yeah!
 
>Celestia's gaze is broken from yours for a moment, her fiery mane calming down into its more familiar pastel tones.
>”Oh! Terribly sorry, Luna... I had forgotten myself for a moment... Terribly sorry Anonymous, I didn't mean to scare you.”
“Psh, me? Scared? Nahh...”
>YOU FUCKING LIE.
>Shut UP, brain.
>There's a short silence before one of the ponies, specifically Applejack, speaks up.
>”While this little, uh... chat is nice an' all, I got apples ter buck. If'n y'all excuse me.”
>With that, the rest of the group, save for you, Twilight, and the two sister goddesses leave.
>”Hmm... Perhaps we should take our leave as well, Luna.”
>Luna smiles at her sister, before looking to you and Twilight.
>”You can go on ahead, Tia. I'll catch up.”
>You shrug.
“Whatever. I just want to get home, and go to SLEEP.”
>Twilight nods and begins to follow after you, stopped only by a telekinetic tug from the Moon Princess. Not that you noticed; you were already well on your way out of the castle.
>”Twilight Sparkle, wait.”
 
(Twilight's perspective)
 
>You pause, and turn around to face Luna.
”Yes, Princess?”
>Luna saunters up to you, her expression unreadable as she begins circling around her.
>”While we admit that we cannot match the love you have for Anonymous, we, that is, BOTH of us, want you to know one thing, Ms. Sparkle.”
>You gulp, the implications of the use of the term “Both of us” sinking in.
>”While we know that you are the target of Anonymous' affections, and we wish only to support him in his endeavors, as a friend should, but we want you to know this... If you ever, and we mean EVER, break his heart, we will not hesitate to claim him for ourselves. Is that understood?”
>Rather than shrink back, much to Luna's surprise, You stand your ground, your expression completely serious.
”That won't happen, Luna.”
>”See that it does not.”
>With that, Luna disappears in a flash of purplish light, leaving you to your thoughts.
>Before you can think on the matter further, you hear Anon's voice from down the hall.
>”C'mon Twilight! I'm fucking tired and I'm not going to wait any longer, damn it!”
“Coming!”