A Second Life: chapter 8

>You woke up early today, getting ready for the day of your new life.
>You had been released from the hospital only last night, along with Luna
>Celestia had finally released her grip over you, so much as to even remove the guard posted at your door.
>You were a free man now, but you insisted on staying in the castle, if only to help Luna through her physical therapy in turn for food and a place to live.
>You grabbed your cane and limped your way out into the marble hallways, heading Luna’s chambers.
>”Morning Anonymous.”
“Good morning gentlecolts.”
>The two guards seemed to stand at attention as you passed.
>You definitely earned a lot of respect by going into Tartarus twice to pull Luna and those p0nies out, and the guards weren’t afraid to show it.
>Then again, most of them never hated you, they were just simply following orders, and you could respect that just as much.
>You climbed the spiral staircase up to the heavy wood door, your leg complaining in protest with every step.
>It had a few months since you got back from Tartarus, but it still pained you on inclines, especially Luna’s staircase
>At least you had a cane to help you move around, seeing as the castle wasn’t the most accessible to wheelchairs.
>You slipped in the room silently, closing the door behind you and opening the curtains of the nearest window.
>Luna gave a soft whine as the light of the rising sun came across her eyes, rolling away cutely.
>You gently placed a hand on her shoulder, shaking her gently.
“Come on Princess, I’m hungry. Let’s get you ready for the day.”
>She reluctantly crawled out of bed, her legs trembling slightly still at her own weight.
>”I can take care of myself Anonymous, this care is not needed.”
>You ignored her complaints, staying beside her as she approached her dresser, concentrating on it to open it with her magic.
>Her eyes opened, realizing her mistake.
>Despite your efforts, the horn was too far gone to reattach, rendering her magic useless.
>Without a word, you drew out her favorite cloak, wrapping it around her body and fastening the clasp around her neck.
>”How am I supposed to go about my duties if I can’t use my magic? I can’t bring out the moon, or arrange the stars. What am I supposed to do?”
>A few tears fell from her face as you embraced her, at a loss for words.
>All the times she spent comforting you, now it was your turn, and you had nothing.
“Give it time Luna. Thing s will go back to normal-”
>”NORMAL?!”
>God damn it brain.
>”I can’t use magic, I can’t fly with this mangled wing, Tartarus, I can barely WALK!”
“At least you have your life Luna.”
>”Some life…” Luna’s words were filled with bitterness, as if she wished she had died in Tatarus.
>”What’s the point in living if you can’t do anything for yourself?”
“I don’t know…”
>Luna rested her head on your shoulder, a few more tear drops falling on your shoulder.
“Come on, I’m sure you’ll feel better after some breakfast. Then we can go for a small walk, help you get back your strength. Sound nice?”
>”I suppose that sounds… nice.” she answered after a brief pause.
>The two of you made your way down the stairs, Luna’s good wing wrapped tightly around you to hold her up as your cane supported both of you.
>If your leg was screaming before, now it was a drill sergeant, screaming point blank at your brain to drop Luna and give your poor leg a break.
>Nope, not going to happen leg, you have a brace and a cane to help you, now tough it out.
>You mother fucker.
>Cope with the circumstances leg; you can rest when I’m dead.
>You already died once!
>Well I guess you need to wait until I die again.
>You made it to the dining hall without needing to stop and catch your breath, a sign you were already getting your own strength back.
>You always did heal fast, though you had suspicions that your shin had healed wrong.
>You sat Luna down at her usual table in the dining hall, taking a seat beside her, keeping your injured leg straight.
>Luna seemed to stare intently at the silver plates in front of her, checking her reflection.
>A small portion of the remainder of her horn stuck through her hair, obviously bothering her quite a bit.
>Her hooves were obviously not doing a proper job in covering it, leaving you to reach across with your dexterous fingers to sweep her hair over the nub.
“Better?”
>She looked away, a slight tint of blush coming across her face.
>”Does… Does the way I look, and these scars, disturb you.”
“Not at all.”
>You paused as the waiter brought out a platter of food, setting it in front of you, and continuing along with the other orders.
“Despite whatever you may think, you’re still a very beautiful mare. The most beautiful in Equestria if I dare say.”
>Luna’s blush enhanced, bowing her head slightly.
>”Anonymous please… You’re such a charmer.”
>You felt yourself blush a bit, wondering if you went too far with your compliment.
 >”You should watch what you say. You may have convinced Celestia you aren’t a demon, but I’m certain she would still be displeased at hearing of our relationship.”
>She had a point; the two of you went to great lengths to keep any “activities” a secret
>Though it did help that she had taken you in as her student, teaching you more and more about Equestria.
>Luna daintily ate her breakfast alongside you; a silence fell between the two of you as you both turned to your thoughts.
>You had to admit, it wasn’t very pleasant having to hide your romantic life from everyp0ny around you.
>Why were you even thinking about this?
>You shook your head, casting the thoughts aside.
>Did you really just contemplate leaving this mare? After everything she did for you, after all the time you spent together.
>That was a low you-
>Take it up with management, I can think all I want, I’m not going to do it.
>Still, perhaps you should read up on interspecies relationships.
>There was at least three sentient races in this land, surely at some point some of them had a relationship.
>Then again, maybe that’s why they were in Tartarus.
>With breakfast done, you walked Luna to the garden so she could get some exercise.
>you admit, you could use it too, laying in the hospital bed had made you pretty weak yourself.
>Still, you kept the two of you up on your feet and her hooves, however shaky she may be.
>”I feel like a filly learning to walk all over again.” She muttered, her eyes focused on the ground beneath her.
“Good, that means you’ll eventually get it.”
>There was the smile you loved so much.
>She stopped, turning her head to nuzzle against your chest before continuing on.
“Now come on, if you can make it to the balcony overlooking Equestria on your own, we’ll take a break.”
>Her face became slightly worried at the sight of the balcony, about 50 meters away.
>”I don’t know if I can do it…”
“I think you can. You’re tougher than you think.”
>Luna paused, obviously hesitant to try. “And if I fall?”
“Then I’ll catch you, and we’ll try again, until we get it right.”
>You remember when your drill sergeant did that, making you do something over and over until you either passed out, or did it right.
>Crude, but effective.
>Luna still hesitated, afraid of failing.
“Luna, you can do it. Just relax. I won’t leave your side.”
>You felt her wing slowly withdraw to her side, and she took her first few shaky steps toward the stone railing.
>Just as you promised, you stayed next to her with every step she took, a single arm draped across the back of her neck in the event she lost her balance
>One hoof in front of the other, or something of that nature, bringing the two of you closer and closer to the balcony.
>Her knees seemed to go out from under her suddenly, forcing you to drop a knee and catch her in your arms.
>You winced a bit at dropping on your bad leg, but shoved the pain away.
“Almost there Luna, keep going”
>Luna gave a nod, slowly rising up under her own power.
>She continued on, making it another ten meters before collapsing again.
“Oh come on Luna, I went farther on a broken leg.”
>She gave you a glare cold as ice, pushing herself up once again and moving forward.
>You noticed she was taking longer steps, in efforts to get to the railing quicker.
>Luna clenched her eyes shut, her legs wobbling like jello.
>Her eyes shot open as you placed another hand on her breast, stopping her.
“You made it Luna.”
>She collapsed to the ground once more, letting out a sigh of relief.
>You sat down beside her, keeping a hand gently placed on the backside of her neck.
>She sighed again as your fingers ran though her beautiful blue mane that sparkled in the sunlight just as beautifully as it did in the night.
“Luna, can we talk?”
>”Anon, I don’t think there’s a thing in Equestria I’m uncomfortable sharing with you.”
“Are inter-species relationships looked down upon?”
>That seemed to strike a nerve, as Luna opened her mouth as if to speak, but finding herself at a loss for words.
>Luna lowered her head to your lap, staying silent as you played with her soft mane.
“I guess so…”
>“It’s not that it’s looked down on. But no royal family member has ever done such a thing. It does happen in p0ny and griffon society.”
“I see.”
>More silence, broken only by the rustling of leaves and jimmies at the awkward subject you had brought up.
“What’s the worst that could happen? You know, if we told Celestia.”
>”I could lose my crown; you may be exiled to one of the other kingdoms…”
“Forget I asked…”
>More silence, followed by a sniffle.
>Was she… crying?
“Luna, what’s wrong?”
>She didn’t speak, just silently struggled to hold back the tears as she lay in your lap.
>Great, it seemed women logic existed in this dimension as well.
>Still, you weren’t about to just sit there and watch her cry.
>You scooped her up in your arms, holding her body tight against your own.
“Come on you, tell me what’s wrong.”
>She paused, looking at you with the most d’awww inspiring look she’d ever given you.
>”I… I hate having to hide this. Us.”
“I do too-”
>”Then why do you stay? Celestia has given you freedom to leave.”
“Do you want me to leave?”
>”NO!”
“Then why are we talking about this?”
>She was silent again, her eyes shifting away from your own.
>”My only wish is to tell my sister about us without having to risk everything. This secrecy is going to drive me mad.”
“Then I’ll tell Celestia I want to… what’s the word?”
>”Court?” Luna’s face was filled with horror at the idea.
“Yeah-“
>”No, most certainly not.”
>You buried your face in your head, exhausted already by this conversation.
“Eventually we have to, she’ll find out eventually.”
>Luna sighed, admitting you had a point. ”I suppose you are right.”
>you pulled the dark blue mare closer yet again, rubbing her backside.
>”Would you escort me back to my room? I did not sleep well last night, and I wish to lay down for a bit.”
“Of course.”
>You released you grip on her body, allowing he to pull away once more.
>She paused, placing her fore hooves on your thighs and placed a kiss against your lips before stepping away entirely.
>Her wing wrapped back around you to support her as you stood, and you promptly began the long slow walk to her room pausing at the long spiral staircase ahead.
>It seemed impossible, even to you, to do this twice in one day.
>”Perhaps I could rest a moment in your room?”
“Yeah, good idea.”
>The walk was quiet, mostly with you mulling over the conversation the two of you had in the garden.
>You opened the door to your room, escorting Luna inside.
>”Once again, thank you Anonymous. Let me know if I become a burden by staying here.”
“Nonsense, stay as long as you like.”
>You knelt down, kissing her forehead as she made herself comfortable in your bed, then making your way out.
“I’ll check on you in a bit. And Luna?”
>”Hmm?”
“I love you…”
>Her face seemed to light up, a mix of happiness and exhaustion. ”I love you too Anon.”
>As you left the room, you realized how little you actually said those words to her. You could probably stand to tell her more.
>Out of the corner of your eye you saw a guard approach you.
>”Anonymous, Pincess Celestia would like to see you for lunch.”
“Now?”
>The p0ny nodded, offering no further explanation.
“Very well, lead on.”
>What in Tartarus did Celestia want to see you about?
“You wished to see me Princess Celestia?”
>The white alicorn looked up from her tea, inviting you in with a small smile.
>”Please, take a seat Anonymous.”
>You weren’t one to challenge authority, especially one that could send you back to Tartarus in the bat of an eyelash.
>You sat to her left on a plush white pillow trimmed in gold, an apple levitating over to you and dropping in on the plate in front of you.
>There was a few moments of silence as you bit into the apple , eyeing a very shifty Celestia.
>Seems she was just as uncomfortable as you.
“Do you just like being around me, or was there something you wanted to talk about?”
>Celestia shot you a cold glare at your lack of etiquette, her lavender eyes narrowed.
>Brain, did that really seem like a good idea to you?
>Wait, she’s sort of laughing. Nice job brain.
>”Bold, I like that Anonymous. I asked you to join me for a few reasons. For one, I have a lot to apologize for.”
>Brain, you better be recording this. This is history in the making.
“I believe you already apologized for sending me to Tartarus, if my memory hasn’t failed me.”
>”That, and I never got the time to learn about your kind. I set a terrible example for my little sister, I’m glad she challenged me so many times.”
“Well, what would you like to know?”
>”Tell me everything about yourself, where you come from, your culture.”
>You leaned back in your chair, well, pillow, losing your balance at the lack of a back seat.
“Whoa shit!”
>There was a clatter as Celestia’s tea cup was launched in the air by your legs hitting the table, spilling tea all over her white coat.
>Celestia let out a yelp in surprise, the tea burning her slightly
>Bolting up right, you grabbed a napkin from the table and gently patted the brown spots on her coat, absorbing what you could.
“I’m sorry! I guess I’m not used to chairs without backs to them.”
>Celestia’s body tensed up at your touch, flinching at first but allowing you to continue.
>”It’s alright Anonymous. I suppose this is one way to warm up to you.”
>Processing: Hot tea + warming up = punny.
>You gave her a small laugh of recognition, pulling away once the last of the tea was wiped away from her coat.
>”Thank you for the help Anonymous, though I could have taken care of that myself.”
“You sound like your sister.”
>”Yes… now where were we?” Celestia had a half wing boner going on, and was desperately trying to be discreet about it.
>Despite her thinking of you as a step above demon, even she couldn’t deny you had some magical fingers.
>You acted as if you didn’t realize what was going on, taking a sip of your own cup of tea.
“Well, I’m a human, from a place called Earth. It’s a bit like Equestria, with plains, mountains, big cities.”
>”What kinds of creatures? How many humans?”
“Oh, billions of creatures, though none are really intelligent save for humans. And as for humans, we number about seven billon.”
>Celestia’s mouth dropped open at the word billion for a few moments, he composure sent souring out the window.
>”That’s… a lot.”
“Yes, it is.”
>”Did you have a title? A position of power?”
“The only word that comes close to explaining my job in your language would be guard. And yes, I led a few guards in fighting.”
>”I see.” Celestia looked over toward a clock on the nearby wall, “I’m afraid I have to go back to my duties Anonymous.”
“Of course Princess. But before I go, I have a question.”
>”Can it wait until later? I should really be going.”
“Very well. Take care.”
>You made your way back to your room, forgetting the reason you originally came out before being asked to join Celestia.
>You stopped by the dining hall, taking a few apple fritters for Luna so she wouldn’t have to get out of bed.
>As silently as you could move with a bag full of fritters and a cane, you crept into the room, finding Luna tangled in her sheets.
>Her head picked up, looking at you as you stepped into the room with the food.
“Did I wake you?”
>”Oh, no. I couldn’t sleep… Are those apple fritters in the bag? I’m famished.”
“Quite the nose you have their love.”
>You at on the bed next to your special p0ny, holding up a fritter from the bag.
>Luna wasted no time snatching the small treat out of your hand with her mouth, swallowing it in a few seconds.
>You can’t help but smile at the adorableness, the happy expression from Luna munching on her favorites, her ruffled light blue mane exposing the nub of a horn on her head.
“Luna I think your horn is growing back, It’s been what, three months?”
>Luna immediately went into her self-conscious personality, looking up as if she could see her horn.
>She raised a hoof in effort to hide the protruding horn, which you quickly brought down with your own hand.
“Don’t worry about that. I just thought that you should realize your horn is going to grow back.”
>”Still, it looks dreadful.”
“It doesn’t bother me.”
>Luna offered another small smile, nuzzling your side.
“Want me to leave you alone so you can try and get some rest?”
>”No need to leave. I feel better with you around.”
“Better? What’s wrong?”
>Luna remained silent, laying her head back on the pillow.
>You’d ask her what was going on later. Probably the discomfort her wing gave her from time to time.
>It often seemed to have a mind of its own, flapping randomly throughout the day.
>Nerve damage was way beyond your area of medical knowledge, though there were a few doctors that had done what they could, but it would take a lot of flight therapy if she wanted to ever fly again.
>You gently ran your fingers back through her mane, rewarding you with a relaxed exhale.
>With Luna fast asleep by the end of the hour, you slowly went over to your desk, taking up a book to read while the hours passed by, keeping a watchful eye on the dark blue p0ny in your bed.
 >A loud knock on your door brought Luna up in a start, and you quickly walked to the door to figure out what the ruckus was all about.
“Oh, Princess Celestia. This was unexpected.”
>”Please Anonymous, follow me…”
>Celesita must not have seen Luna in the bed behind you, or didn’t care. You were going to go with the former.
“Where are we headed Princess?”
>”The garden, I have one task left for the day, and I figured you may be interested in watching. Then we may return to our discussion from before.”
“Oh, of course.”
>You stepped into the garden alongside the regal white alicorn, who was softly humming a tune as she took her place.
>You watched the ceremony as she lowered the sun with her powerful magic, then replaced it with the moon.
“I would have thought only Luna could do such a task.”
>”Unfortunately, I had to pick up that job long ago and now once again until her horn grows back in.”
“Yes, the story of Nightmare Moon. I remember it.”
>Celestia looked over at you with a small smile, her eyes just lower than your own.
>“It seems you are more well-read than even some p0nies. Most don’t remember those stories. Although I’m sure your time with Luna has helped.”
“It has. Though if not for he I would have never been able to read them in the first place.”
>Your eyes were fixated on the night sky, its stars hadn’t moved since that night before you were sent to Tartarus.
>You were thankful still; it was beautiful to you, while Celestia feigned interest.
>”What did you wish to ask me Anonymous?”
“Oh, that. Is there anything else you want to know first?”
>”I have many questions, and we would be here all night if I asked them all. Ask yours.”
>Oh man your jimmies were rustling at Mach 11
“Very well. I’ve… started to have…um. Feelings toward a mare.”
>”Who?”
“I’d rather not say.”
>Celestia gave a bit of a smile, wrapping you in her large wing.
>Jimmies at Mach 12. Captain, they’ve never gone this fast before!
>You shifted in place, trying to continue.
“I just wanted to know this was ok. I mean, there’s no humans here, so… yeah.”
>”I’m surprised you didn’t go to Luna about this.”
“Oh, right. Why didn’t I think about that?”
>You began to pull away, only to have Celestia tighten her grip around you.
“I should go check to ensure she’s ok, in case she needs something.”
>”Before you go Anonymous, I’ve given it some thought, how would you like to be one of my…”
“Servants? No thank you Princess.”
>”I wasn’t going to say servant Anon. Something as my little helper, seeing as you seem to do so well with caring for Luna. You’d be paid in addition to your living arrangements already provided.”
“I see…I’ll consider it. Good night Princess.”
>”Anonymous!”
“Yes Princess?”
>”Celestia will suffice, and you have my permission to… well, court with the mares in Equestria.”
>Celestia gave a small wink, which seemed all the more seductive in the lantern light of the garden.
>A shiver went up your spine as you quickly extracted from the garden, and made your way to your room.
>You slipped back inside, Luna sitting on your bed on her haunches as if waiting for you.
>”What was that about Anon?”
“I spoke to the Princess about us-“
>”YOU WHAT?!”
“Calm down, I didn’t actually use name’s. But she did say she approved of me… courting.”
>Luna facehooved. “Anon, I can’t tell if you’re crazy or just stupid. Regardless, we still don’t know if she’s ok with you dating ME.”
>Well, she had you there. But the way she acted tonight, something told you that she didn’t mind about you chasing after royalty.
“Either way Luna, I’m tired. Move over.”
>Initiating: Big_Spoon.exe
>you wrapped an arm around the warm body next to you, breathing in the scent of her mane that smelled of the night air outside.
>”Good night Anonymous. Sweet dreams.”
“You too Lu-*yawn* Luna.”
>You woke up to a still dark room, finding your bed empty.
>Strange, Luna was in no shape to be going off by herself.
>You slipped into a robe, lighting a candle as you looked around the room, making sure Luna wasn’t simply in the latrine or out on the balcony.
>She wasn’t.
 >You stepped into the cold marble hallways, looking around for any signs of guards.
>No p0ny was around, and the halls were filled with an eerie silence that complimented its darkness well.
>Did p0nyjesus come down from heaven and rapture up all the good little p0nies or some shit?
>You walked through the garden, the unusually hot air seemed to suffocate you with every step you took, the animals silent.
“What the fuck is going on here?”
>Continuing on, you found yourself at the large doors of the throne room, left unguarded.
>Yet as you approached them, they magically swung open, as if sensing your presence.
“Luna, are you in here?”
>Despite the darkness you could make out the shape of a p0ny.
 “Luna? Celestia?”
>”STOP!” Luna’s voice had an edge that you had never heard before, filled with anger
>She stepped into the moon light as it shone through the window, locking eyes with yo
“Luna, what in Tartarus is going on. How did you get here?”
>Luna let out a blood curdling scream, shattering your eardrums, forcing you to drop the candle on the rug below you.
>Fire leapt forward, surrounding Luna in an orange glow as her dark blue coat seemed to melt away, as did her eyes and mane.
>All that stood before you was a demon like p0ny, eyes blacker than night and a featureless face full of pain as another shriek filled the air.
>A sinister laugh filled the air, a mix of a deep male voice and a female voice you hadn’t heard before.
>You spun around, coming face to face with a set of yellow and red eyes you vaguely recalled from Tatarus.
>”I told you I would come for you Anonymous. Remember our deal?”
>You threw a punch at the creature, only to have his body dissipate into smoke around your fist, and creep off into the air.
>You spun back around to the demonized Luna as she reared her head back in a pained shriek, fire climbing her legs and enveloping her body.
“NO!”
>Wait… you weren’t in the throne room.
>You were back in your own room, in your bed, covered in sweat.
>But Luna was gone, again.
“Not this shit again.”
>Thankfully, she wasn’t in the throne room like your nightmare, but on the balcony, looking up at the stars.
>You went out to her, placing a hand on the back of her neck and running your hand through her mane.
“You ok Luna?”
>She jumped slightly, apparently not hearing your approach.
>”I had a bad dream…”
“About Tartarus?”
>Her eyes widened a bit, turning her head towards you “How did you…”
“I had a bad dream too. Call it an educated guess.”
>“I see…”
“Want to talk about it?”
>She nodded, walking back inside in front of you and laying on the bed.
>You sat next to her as she explained the nightmares that had plagued her since you rescued her.
>you didn’t let go once, doing your best to comfort her through it all until she fell asleep once more.
>No sleep for you though.
>You stayed still as Luna placed her head on your lap, using you as a pillow, leaving you to sit and wonder about your own dream as you continued to run your fingers through her, keeping watch over her in hopes her nightmares wouldn’t return again.
>Anything for your little Luna