>Standing nervously at the palace's front gate, you remain stone-still
>There have been few times in your life when fear has gripped your heart like this, utterly paralyzing you
>A ruffling of feathers from the passenger on your back serves as somewhat of an encouragement to press forward
>She's been so patient with you... you don't want to let her down again
>Oh come now... it's so simple.
>All you have to do is... lift your hoof... and take a step out there...
>Just... any second now...
>Come on...
>You feel your face scrunch up and your whole body shake terribly.
>You hooves still remain glued to where they are
>You squeeze your eyes shut
>Come ON! Just... DO IT!
>Your breathing is short and rapid
>Try as you might, you cannot get your hoof to obey you, your mind's self-defense mechanism still not allowing you to leave the safety of the castle's walls.
>You give a mixture of a disheartened sigh and a frustrated shout as you come to terms with the fact that you still can't leave.
>"GAAH! Damn it all!"
>You fall to the ground in defeat, burying your face under your hooves
>The stinging in your eyes betrays how weak and fragile you really are
>Just... keep it together...
>Don't...
>A soft cooing from behind you and the gentle prodding in the back of your mane gets your attention
>Taking a slow, staggered breath, you swallow and begin to collect yourself
>Lifting your head, you look back to get a glimpse of the one you've let down.
>Philomena dismounts from your back, opting to stand on the stone tile beside you instead
>Though the bird could not really express its feeling through words or facial expressions, but you could tell she was disappointed that you wouldn't be able to come outside with her
>"I-I'm so sorry, girl... I-I still can't... I tried to, I-I really did! Oh, Philomena... I'm s-sorry..."
>The stark red Phoenix hops a little closer to you, giving a few more soft coos
>You do your best to give her a thankful smile
>"G-go ahead without me, alright? I left the bedroom window open for you if I'm not back there by the time you are, alright?"
>She tilts her head a bit, but offers little more in any sort of communication
>"Don't worry about me, girl... I-I'll... be alright. Eventually. Go on, now, I know you haven't had a chance to stretch your wings all night..."
>Philomena stays put for a moment before reluctantly hopping back and outstretching her wings, preparing to take off.
"Caw."
>Your companion gives you her farewell as she takes to the skies
>Picking yourself up off the ground, you give a despondent sigh, giving your face a weary rub
>In the distance, the morning sun begins to peek over the horizon of the mountain-based city.
>It must be just a little after 7 A.M. now...
>You still had a few hours before your body's biological clock told you it's time for bed.
>Lunar Eclipse, too, for that matter.
>You hadn't seen the king since the incident in the library a few days ago
>Judging by the black and yellow caution tape, smell of paint, and 'Pardon our mess' signs at the Library's doors, at least he had seen that his mess be promptly cleaned up and fixed.
>Still, you definitely were not expecting an explosive temper of that calibre from him
>It was sort of like his first weeks all over again
>Angry, destructive, and downright crazy... but then after awhile, he calmed down... And then he lost it again, albeit briefly
>You REALLY did not want to be around him the next time that happened
>But you haven't heard anything about him around the castle lately, so perhaps it's safe to assume that he's calmed down for good this time.
>As much as you hate to admit it... he's probably the closest thing you have to a friend in this place.
>Maybe Luminous would count, but she's not here.
>Her and a good few of the Royal and Lunar guards were off receiving training abroad over in Gryphonia.
>She'd probably be gone for a good month or so...
>And that left you with no one else to talk to about this... problem of yours.
>He couldn't be mad at you... Not if he entrusted you with his true, long-forgotten name.
>King Artemis...
>It sounded so strange...
>Nevertheless, you summon the courage to dare to visit the ruler of Equestria in his private chambers.
>Leaving the dangerous portal to the outside world behind you, you make your way to his direction.
 
>As you approach the door to Lunar Eclipse's chambers, you notice there are no guards on duty.
>Good, that means he's still awake. They don't show up until he's ready to go to sleep.
>Softly walking up to the door, you hesitate as your hoof hovers in a knocking position
>He could still be angry...
>Do you really want to do this?
>You can still turn back at this point...
>...
>...And do what? Go back to your room, and relive the next day just like the day before?
>No, the time for being brave is *now*.
>You knock three times on the wooden door.
>For a moment, nothing happens
>Huh... maybe he's not in his room.
>Oh well, what a shame, time to head to-
>Suddenly, the knob turns, and the door opens inward slightly
>Nobody stands behind it to greet you, but you nervously take the invitation and step inside the king's quarters after a moment's hesitation.
>Closing the door behind you, you look up to see Lunar Eclipse hunched over the vanity dresser with his back to you.
>Strange, normally he would address your entrance with that weird clairvoyance of his
>You awkwardly clear your throat
>"U-uh... Your Highness?"
>Eclipse quickly shoots up in surprise, much to your own. Did you just catch him off-guard...?
>He whips his head around to make eye contact with you, as if surprised to see you
>How? Why would he be?
"Dusk Shine!"
>You're left standing dumbfounded as the the black alicorn rushes over to you
>The last thing you were expecting was to be taken into his embrace
"Oh, Dusk Shine! I-I'm so glad to see you!"
>What
"Dusk Shine... I-I am so, SO sorry for my... display the other night..."
>You hear these words, but they're not exactly registering as quickly as they should be
>Seriously, what the hell is going on here? Is he dying or something?
"I-I... I was so worried that I had frightened you so much that... you never wanted to speak to me again..."
>This can't be right
>He NEVER acts like this
>Has he been replaced by some kind of body double?!
>Like what happened in that one movie?!
>Attack of the Body Doubles?!
>"Okay, OKAY, What the hell?!"
>You manage to squirm your way out of his embrace, and take a step back
>Placing a hoof to your head in confusion, you try to formulate words
>"W-what... is going on with you?!"
>The king tilts his head, a clueless expression on his face
>He's STILL doing it!
>"I-I don't understand what's going on right now!! What?! What are you saying to me right now?!"
>He looks a little taken aback, almost hurt...
"I was... apologizing to you... for my destructive behaviour..."
>Your eyes widen, and you seem to be having difficulty controlling the VOLUME OF YOUR VOICE
>"Yes!! THAT! That right there! Why?!!"
>His face scrunches a bit in confusion, but also in a bit of hurt
>...You weren't... hurting his feelings, were you?
>No, that's insane.
"W-well... I acknowledge that my... release for my anger was both destructive and wrong, and may have hurt my relationship with you, so I thought it would be appropriate to apologize and mend any damag-"
>"NO! STOP! Stop RIGHT THERE!"
>You raise a hoof at him to emphasize.
>You really need a second to take all this in
>Lunar Eclipse is... sorry.
>LUNAR ECLPSE.
>IS SORRY.
>To YOU. Dusk Shine.
>The terrible and fearsome Knight of the Stars is SORRY for his temper and is seeking YOUR FORGIVENESS.
>...
>"AM I IN FUCKING BIZARRO WORLD?!!"
>You yell, completely distraught
>You're about one step away from dropping to the floor, clutching your head, and repeating 'oh god oh god oh god oh god'.
"Ah... No, Dusk Shine, I believe you are in the city of Canterlot, located within the Sleipnir province in the country of-"
>"I KNOW WHERE I AM!!"
>As you pant heavily, trying to make sense of this sudden madness, Lunar Eclipse approaches you
>He places a gentle hoof on your shoulder
"Please... Dear Dusk Shine... What is the matter? Do you not accept my apology? I would sincerely hope that you do..."
>Bringing yourself back down to Earth, you look up to meet his gaze
>Huh... you never noticed before, but he looks... REALLY good without that tacky helmet of his...
>You swallow and compose yourself
>"It-... It's just... One day, you're threatening to engulf all of the world in eternal night, and then you're telling me about how you love the music here, and THEN, you say you'll kill me if I tell anyone your real name, and NOW you're apologizing to me?! I-... I-... I don't understand you! You make absolutely NO sense to me!"
>For a few moments, he looks to you, saying nothing.
>Then, he turns away, giving a heavy sigh.
"Dusk Shine... I do not believe I have told you how much I appreciate you... being so patient with me..."
>Now it's *your* turn to tilt your head in confusion
"I'm a broken-down old stallion, Dusk Shine... I was barely holding together a thousand years ago, and completely broken apart since then..."
>He turns back to you
"I'm not just speaking in figuratives. A thousand years... is a very, very long time to be left all alone. Being awake, aware, alone, floating in a void for a millennium... It's brutal, Dusk Shine."
>It's all starting to come to you
>His bipolar nature seems to make a lot more sense now...
>The alicorn looks over to his reflection in the vanity.
"Truth be told, it surprises me every night that I haven't been reduced to an insane, babbling mess on the floor, incapable of functioning at all... I think I have revenge to thank for that... I was so desperate to get back to Equestria and exact my revenge on Solaris... It consumed me. That desire, that drive for retribution... it wouldn't let me become *completely* mad until I fulfilled my mission... And now that I have..."
>He takes a deep breath in and gives a sigh
"...Well, I'm not entirely sure what's keeping me going, now. Perhaps I wish to extend my victory? Show Solaris that I can be just as good of a ruler as he was in my absence? I don't know anymore. Actually, I'm rather sure I've *never* known."
>Turning back to you, you can visibly see the stress in his glowing teal eyes
>He's exhausted.
"It's just so much, Dusk Shine. I'm not where I should be. I was... terribly neglected, shunned, and abused a thousand years ago... I was locked away in solitude for a thousand years by my own brother... and now I'm here, a thousand years out of my own time, my brother suffering through the same hell he put me through, and now the head of a kingdom that still fears me like a reaper that will take them all at a moment's notice..."
>He closes his eyes for a moment, as if to collect himself.
"This is what triumph feels like... This is the victory I longed for..."
>As King Lunar Eclipse pours his heart out to you, you can do little more than remain where you stand
>This is a lot for you to take in, and in all honesty... You feel pretty bad for him.
>After all he's been through, maybe the occasional mood swing wasn't so hard to look past...
>Sounds like you're not the only pony with some problems and needs help...
>"Well now, Your Highness... have you talked to anyone about these... problems of yours? These sound pretty serious, especially for the sole ruler of Equestria..."
"You are the only one I've told this to, Dusk Shine. You are the only one who talks to me, or has any kind of relationship with me. Only you. Every one still fears me or wants nothing to do with me!"
>His eyes look kind of... pleading.
>Oh jeez...
>This is really something that you've gotten yourself into.
>All this was so much simpler when it was just 'Lunar Eclipse is the bad guy because he's evil! Gotta stop him!'
>Now it's all complicated...
>You're not even sure if there IS a bad guy anymore
>Just... very hurt ponies wanting to feel better again.
"That is why I am apologizing to you Dusk Shine. You're all I have, and ever *will* have... Please forgive me..."
>You shuffle a little in place, conflicted by all of this...
>Conflicted by your loyalty to Solaris, your friends, Lunar Eclipse, your country...
>It's all just too much to fight right now...
>"I... I..."
>Artemis leans forward hopefully
>You never thought his eyes could be capable of anything much more than hate, malice, and coldness...
>But as you can plainly see, you're dead wrong.
>"...Ohh... Come here..."
>Outstretching your hooves, you take Eclipse into a warm embrace
>Strangely, there's a nice feeling in your chest as the side of your face is buried in the black fur of his.
"Oh, my dear Dusk Shine... Thank you for being so patient with me... I don't deserve someone like you in my life, but I'm so grateful that you're here..."
>You give a soft hum as you remain comfortable in his tight hug.
>Mmm... He's so warm and nice...
>...And he smells good...
>...Like the night...
>As the embrace is broken off, he does something you weren't expecting.
>As you pull away, he leans his head in close...
>...and places a soft, tender kiss on the end of your muzzle.
>You don't pull away, but the shock of it leaves you stone still.
>Your face would probably be stone-white right now if it weren't cherry-red.
>As he pulls away, the king notices your befuddled expression
>His own expressions dampens at this
"A kiss from royalty was considered a highly regarded gesture of gratitude back in my day... Am I... right to assume that it is no longer so in the age?"
>After a moment, you shake yourself back to reality... kind of.
>"But... u-uh... I'm a... a guy..."
>He has no visible reaction to this.
>...
"...Yes? So?"
>"S-so, nothing! Nothing! AHAHA- just me being stupid! HAHA! Let's both laugh at my stupidity! HAHAHAHA!"
>Your laugh is so painfully forced and awkward
>At first, his face scrunches a little in confusion, but then falls to... disappointment?
"O-oh, I see... I'm sorry, Dusk Shine. I did not intend to send any... unwelcome messages..."
>Shit
>"NO! Nono! That's UH, totally not it! You're a great kisser! SHIT! I mean, NOT that it was really THAT kind of kiss, but I mean, it *was* a kiss, and it was good! And you're the one who gave the good kiss, so that means you're good at it! The best, even! NOT that I've ever been kissed by another guy before- OR A GIRL, BUT I'M JUST SAYIN', YOU'RE THE BEST! I THINK! YES."
>It was actually a really nice kiss... You wouldn't mind another...
>A PLATONIC one, of course
>Just a platonic kiss
>Between friends
>...Wait, is that what you and Lunar Eclipse are? Just friends?
>That seems a little weak, given the exchange that just occurred...
>Oh dear, it looks like you've just confused him further...
"You can be very... strange... Dusk Shine."
>Again, you give a weird laugh
>"O-oh yeah! Th-that's me! Totally strange! SUPER strange, even! Y'know, that was my nickname in school! Everyone called me Doctor... uh... Strange..."
>...
>"AHAHAHA!!!"
>You could really go for another one of those platonic kisses, now...
>For a moment, you're worried that Lunar Eclipse will pick up on some... underlying messages in your insane ramblings...
>...But luckily, he just gives a eyeroll.
"I think your mind may be suffering from exhaustion, my dear Dusk Shine. I can see it in the wrinkles forming beneath your eyes."
>You give your head a quick shake, and realize he may be on to something
>You're definitely feeling tired, sleep's iron grip trying to get your eyelids to close.
"I meant to ask... Was there a particular reason you came to see me?"
>You give a long yawn and rub your eyes
>Huh, you kinda got sidetracked and missed why you came up here to begin with.
>"Uhh, yeah, actually I wanted to talk to you about... Uh..."
>It's too hard to think straight right now... Especially not after the conversation you just had and everything that's currently shooting through your mind.
>"Ahh... Actually, it's not that important right now. I'll ask you tomorrow..."
>He places a bare hoof up to you and rubs your shoulder a bit
"Very well, good day to you, dear Dusk Shine."
>"Yeah, nighty- Uh, I mean... day-ty... day?"
>Wait, that doesn't...
>Fuck it.
>The both of you turn, he towards his bed and you towards the door, respectively.
>You bid the king farewell and exit his quarters, your tired mind unable to concentrate on the important things of what had been said and felt between the two of you...
>...but he really *was* a good kisser...
 
>You quietly tiptoe into your room, shutting the door as softly as you can
>Philomena is fast asleep, you're careful not to disturb her.
>Carefully making your way to the window by your bed, you close it and draw the curtains, blocking out morning's light.
>Pulling back the covers of your bed, you lay yourself down and nestle in.
>Finally comfortable, you look forward to a good day's sleep...
>...with a certain alicorn the most prominent thing on your mind.