Author`s Note: OK before we launch into this one, I wanted to clear a couple things up and say that for the purposes of my story, I see the ponies aging much like humans do. From young children to teenagers to adults and such, in years similar to humans. This may not really work canonically or IRL, but that`s how I`m working it for my story. OK Awesome.

Dislaimer: I don`t own the ponies. Hasbro does. I didn`t create the awesome characters, except for the ones necessary to fill in the world and make Celestia and Luna`s childhood world seem a little more full. All hail Lauren Faust, and such.

Chapter 1- Equal Opportunity

"I still don't see why I have to go," griped Luna.

The two sisters trotted alongside one another. The elder sighed and rolled her eyes. Luna did this every time. "Because you need to get out more is why. Besides, your books will be there when you get back."

Luna let out a short huff, and the feathers on her dark, purple-blue wings bristled. The wings were a recent addition to the filly's form. Her sister had been younger than Luna when her wings sprouted, and her horn had just grown, but Luna was still proud of her wings. Her sister was the only living alicorn in Equestria, however, which made living with Celestia nearly impossible. Even before the alicorn thing, living with her wasn't particularly easy.

Celestia was... different from Luna. The younger sister was quiet and reserved. She wasn't quite shy, but she was certainly introverted. She was independent and socially awkward. For the most part, Luna kept to herself, and her best friends were her studies and her books. She didn't have time for frivolities.

Celestia thrived on frivolities. She was friends with most of Canterlot, and spoke with animated exuberance. She was naturally talented at most things, such as athletics and certainly academics. Everything she did was accomplished with ease. She liked to laugh and did most things for the fun of it. Simply because she could.

"It's just the Vernal Equinox."

Parallel tracks formed in the dirt as Celestia dug her hooves into the ground and skidded to a stop. "Whoa." Luna followed suit and stopped in a similar fashion. She trotted around to face her sister, who was giving her a look. "Just the Vernal Equinox?" Luna nodded apprehensively. "Just the Vernal Equinox? OK, Luna, I get that you live under a rock, but you've been to this before. The seasons change four times a year. It's... kind of a big deal. The unicorns are finishing the transition from winter to spring, we get to see the last patch pf snow melted and then, exactly twelve hours since the rising of the sun, we see it set and the moon rise. Not to mention all the games and snacks and fun."

Luna cocked an eyebrow. "And?

Celestia sighed. Her sister could be really naive sometimes. Whereas a reaction like that coming from Celestia would be snarky, coming from Luna it just seemed innocent. "Look. Sis. It wouldn't kill you to get out and socialize a little bit."

"OK. Fine. I'll come. For you. But as soon as that moon comes up, I'm going back home. I have some serious studying to do."

Well, it was better than nothing. They did this every time. Every time Celestia had to drag Luna along, and every time she wound up having fun in spite of herself, though she would deny it the next day and dive right back into her books. Celestia's goal was to wear down Luna's resolve and get her to enjoy herself voluntarily. They had a long way to go, but it was certainly a start.

Once again, Celestia took off, this time at a canter, and Luna followed. "You'll have fun. Just try to enjoy yourself and pout a little less." They made the rest of their trip in silence. Luna was entering the poutier years of her life, and Celestia was beginning to leave hers. She was just one or two steps ahead of her sister, but she had enough experience to walk her through the tougher times. The pouty times required tough love.

They arrived in the town square at the height of the festivities. Luna slicked her ears back, slightly taken aback by all the noise and colour and commotion. Celestia was right in her element here, saying hi to everypony, smiling, laughing and enjoying herself. They stopped and Celestia chattered away to a blue pegasus and a yellow earth pony. "...and I finally got her away from her books, but that wasn't the end of my battle. The point is, she's here now. So, Light Dancer, Thunder Crash, meet my sister Luna!"

Hearing her name, Luna's ears perked back up and she gazed warily at the two ponies grinning at her. She forced a smile and gave a small "Hello." This seemed to satisfy her sister who began talking again at breakneck speeds. Luna had no interest in hearing her sister blather on about one thing or another. Social pleasantries sure got tedious. All around her poinies were chatting about this and that, holding conversations that had no real meaning. There were games and there was food to make the whole celebration more inviting. Luna wasn't very good at games, but the food certainly looked good.

"I'm getting a snack," she informed her sister before trotting off, not waiting for a reply. She was old enough to handle herself and she didn't need her sister holding her hoof the whole night. There were a few fillies and colts Luna recognized from school, but she had no real interest in talking to any of them. They had their own reasons for being there tonight, and Luna knew she wasn't one of them. She stood alone at a snack table, chewing some grass and sipping some punch. It was tasty, to be sure, but the night wasn't living up to what her sister had made it out to be.

Luna wanted to know what all the fuss was about. So the day was as long as the night. So spring was starting. So what? That was simply part of the natural cycle of Equestria. Some ponies took any excuse to engage in frivolities such as this. And yet... she longed to know why. She wanted to just enjoy herself like her sister did and told her to do. It was just a difficult concept to wrap her head around.

"Hey you!" Celestia appeared seemingly out of nowhere. "It's starting. Sun goes down, moon goes up, you go back to the books. Ready?"

King Kosmus stood before the crowd, looking proud and regal. The music that had danced through the air died down as he stepped up onto a raised platform. He smiled at his people and, booming out from the platform, he spoke. "Fillies and gentlecolts of Canterlot! Today is the day we say goodbye to winter, goodbye to the cold, and hello to the springtime. We can once again grow and flourish amongst the plants and the flowers until next winter. And now, I would like you all to sit back and enjoy the sunset that shall bring with it our cold and unforgiving winter. To spring!``

The crowd cheered and Luna clapped politely along with them. It was almost study time once again, and while she was excited to get back to the books a part of her wanted the night to last a little bit longer, if only so she could maybe figure out what all the fuss was about.

As the applause died down, King Kosmus bent his front legs and bowed his head. His horn glowed and the sun sunk into the horizon. The horn continued glowing as he lifted his head and straightened his legs. As he rose, so did the moon.

Luna stared, captivated by the shimmering silver orb that now hung in the sky. Around her, thunderous applause broke out once again, but this time she did not participate. Instaed she just stared, mesmerized by the moon. Music began playing again as the ponies began their festivities once again, but all the noise just sounded fuzzy in Luna`s ears.

She was in love.

"Oh, wasn`t daddy just great?" squealed Celestia. Luna nodded dazedly in response. Celestia's eye twinkled at her sister's reaction to the spectacle. "Makes ya wonder why we don't watch it more often, hey? So, home time? Study time? We should probably head out now so we don't cut too far into your study time."

"Uh, we can probably stay a few more minutes." Luna's gaze still hadn't left the moon. "My books will be there when I get back.


"Yeah, that was good, but it's nothing like the Summer Sun Celebration."

It was getting on to midnight, and Luna was getting tired. It was time to head back home, but Celestia was chattering the whole way back. Luna was only half listening.

"I donno, I think I prefer the longest night of the year. The stars are so... so..." Her praise for the night was interrupted by a yawn. Luna's steps were beginning to slow, and she fell behind her sister.

Celestia slowed down. "Hey sis? How about you climb up on my back and I'll carry you back home."

Luna smiled. "That would be nice."

The rest of the trip was made in serene silence as Luna dozed on her sister's back. When they arrived home, Celestia set her sister down as softly as she could and crept towards the door.

"Hey sis?"

Celestia paused as a small voice called out for her. "Yes, Luna?"

"Could you just... stay here. For a few more minutes."

Sighing gently, Celestia walked back over to where her sister lay. "Of course I can." She lay down next to her sister and rested one of her wings over her Luna. The two girls dozed off as they cuddled. Celestia considered the night a success, and she cherished that moment because she knew that as soon as the sun rose, they would be at each other's throats once more.