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ArtemisCarolineSnow: Thank you, I appreciate the compliment. It means so much to me to have you readers let me know how you feel about the story. :)

AKsSoul: Words cannot describe how much that meant to me reading your words of thoughtfulness. I felt as if I, myself, was reading a story within your writing. You are a very passionate writer from that. Thank you so much for the compliment; I am so glad to hear you are liking it.

Enjoy!

Chapter 6: Diary of a Lonely Princess - 11 years before the banishment of Nightmare Moon

The soft sound of rain could be heard against the windows outside of the castle as dawn slowly approached the night. Ponies were resting comfortably in their beds, forest creatures curled in their nooks and bushes waiting for the rain to slow. All was at ease. Except for a certain pony with who let out a silent cry.

September 3 Diary Entry:

Dear Diary,

I've seen this before and I know it all too well. They tolerate you, pretend to care at some point but then throw your thoughts and feelings away. To me, it's been a fraction of time since I have felt happy in this life, but I feel myself slowly falling apart; I don't think anyone will be there to catch me when I fall. My sister doesn't even look at me the same anymore…she doesn't treat me like the pony she once laughed and played with. She just…just seems so perfect. To her, I am a stranger I suppose. We see another during meals, and passing through important times but it isn't good enough. I guess I am becoming unrecognizable to her, no longer fit to be called a princess in her eyes. "You're being selfish". Hmph! Honestly…I am only another face that passes her eye. My bouquet of friends have died off, leaving me with shriveled and dried up friendship that eventually turns to dust and blows away. My heart feels sadness due to the fact my sister is closing me off, treating me different now that I am getting older.

She is not the first.

I have been burned by those around me, beaten with words of hate, flushed with ignorance and dismissal, and scolded with my own tears. I cannot say I regret the choice I have made and shared with those around me, but the pain they bring from burning those hurts more.

Why can't they just accept me?

Did my sister and my friendship never matter? Did those days of laughter and joy never exist? Does our friendship live on between us today? I am not sure…I am not positive anymore. I feel the familiar ache in my heart from ponies who just make friends and then throw them out to make more temporary ones. Celestia has done it before, and I am only a piece in her puzzle. My heart is so big, but maybe theirs are just too small…But the facts or ways I perceive my life laid in the same shape and form. She seems as if she doesn't want me to be happy, not even to have Persephone as a friend. I know she fears I will become lazy from my duties, but doesn't she realize I am strong?

The hole growing in my heart can be patched up but the pain is still there. I am strong, I am independent, I am a princess…but…

I am still only a pony.

-Luna-

The blue mare closed the book and let out a sigh. Looking out to the sky, she could see that it was time to start lowering the moon. Soon, ponies would be up again enjoying the sunshine and forget all about the blue mare who worked so hard to shine in the darkness around her.

The quietness of the night was like placing salt on the open wound in her heart.

As she lowers the moon, she can't help but think how nice it would be to be noticed by somepony, anypony of what she was doing.

Of course, there was Persephone.

She couldn't help but smile slightly remembering her friend's laugh, her joy that she shared with the Princess of the Night.

When the moon was finally at place where it should be, Luna took a step back and watched as the stars slowly began to disappear.

The large white planet, if it could speak, would be crying. Crying out to the world, to the stars, for somepony to come up later tonight to visit and admire its beauty.

Yet, it is lonely, and has to hang its head low and return to the dark to rest.

The stars that twinkle in the sky take no effort to keep the moon at bay, they only watch and talk amongst them and venture off together.

The moon, although being beautiful and shining with hope and love, can only watch the stillness of the evening hours.

The sun that is greeted everyday with ponies is happy and glows brightly for all to enjoy.

But the moon is forgotten, unable to visit during the day light hours. When it will return to the following night to greet the world it loves, ponies will be too exhausted from their long day to bid the moon a hello.

As ponies will place themselves in bed, talk about their day, the moon watches helplessly, silently, as they look at the moon as a part of the décor.

So many ponies, so many stars, so many planets…too far to hear, or too tired to whisper a hello.

Alas, the moon can only watch in dismay as ponies hide under their covers and sleep the night away.

The light of the moon is slowly going out…and no pony will notice, not anypony who sees the flickering light in the sky. The night light that keeps the darkness alive, will soon die out and wash away into the sky.

XxX

Sunlight streamed into the castles, lighting the rooms and warming the workers hearts. Those who toiled hours upon hoof and foot for the princesses enjoyed seeing the day stream through the windows; yet they would already be sent to their own chambers when the light of the moon crept its way down the hall.

The slight sound of metal hitting together could be heard as the head chef pulled out his frying pan from the drawer.

"QUIO?! Why is there a tache on my fine cooking materials? This cannot be used to serve the royal tongue!" the French unicorn shook his head in disapproving manner as he casted the poor piece of cooking instrument aside.

A few minutes later of scavenging and finally coming across a stainless pan hidden behind a pot, he pulled it out and set it atop the stove.

"Monsieur? Did you want the green onions in the dish?" another chef stepped in the room, being a female Pegasus; using her wings to hold a carton of eggs and in the other hand a bag of vegetables, she made her way to the cook and set them on the counter for his use.

The cherry red unicorn turned pleased to see her and smiled while heating the stove. "Ahh Molly! Oui! The princess will be pleased to have those added. Did you see where I placed the dough?"

The unicorn looked around him, absent mindedly holding them still with his telekinesis above his head.

"Monsieur, you are holding them." The pale gray unicorn stated confused.

Turning his head up, he gasped and in such released the uncooked bread upon his head.

"Ak! Cette pâte se cachait-"

"Cinnamon Twist, you are speaking in tongue again! What are you saying?" Molly whispered.

The red unicorn levitated the gooey dough off his head and threw it in the trash.

"The bread was- oh never mind…will you please go set the table and ring the dining bell?"

XxX

I looked steadily at my reflection in the mirror and concentrated on changing my emotion.

Turn colors…just turn from light blue to something else…anything!

Nothing.

"Okay…bunnies…cake…flowers…oh it's not working!" I stomped my hoof and glared down at the floor furiously.

I had been trying for over five minutes to get the stone to change color but it still wouldn't alternate.

"Miss Persephone?"

I gasped as my guard leaned his head in and looked at me concerned. I was so focused on the pendant I hadn't realized that he was knocking at the door.

"Are you alright?"

I nodded quickly. "Y-yes just surprised. Is something wrong?"

He returned to his normal features of no expression and sighed. "No, I just wanted to inform you that breakfast is being served."

Nodding my thanks I turned to the mirror to and went wide eyed to see the stone had actually turned to yellow.

"Oh colt! You turned when I wasn't thinking or watching!" I scolded the pendant.

Shaking my head, I quickly fluffed my curly mane and trotted down to the dining hall. The cold marble floor hallway quickly became a comfortable and warm rug under my hoofs.

The smell of fresh eggs, pieces of fruit and delicious warm buttery rolls traced past my nose and I quickly forgot about the trouble with the pendant.

Slowly walking in to the dining hall, I saw neither princesses had arrived to eat. It was still early so they could arrive anytime.

"Ahh Persephone! Lovely to see you as always."

I turned my head to see Cinnamon Twist carrying a bowl of assorted cut fruits to the table, causing my mouth to water at the sight.

"Good morning, is that cantaloupe?" I felt my feet pick up as I could see the juicy orange pieces of fruit stick out of the grapes.

He nodded with a chuckle. "Yes, I noticed how much you place on your plate; I would only think it would be right to serve it at breakfast."

I grinned and smiled gratefully at the chef who made his way back to the kitchen.

"Good morning your majesty." One of the guard's voices passed my ears and I turned to see Princess Luna make her way into the room on the opposite hall.

Her eyes were tired and her walks were slow, but she still held her head up in a proud stance.

"Is it?" She replied not as enthusiastic looking away and walking towards the table.

I titled my head seeing her like this and paced to her. "Luna, hello."

Her ears perked and a small smile lit up on her face. She walked over and gave me an affectionate hug and smiled down at me.

"Hi Persephone. I'm glad to see you made it to breakfast." Her demeanor changed instantly and I could feel her energy levels perk.

We both took a seat together and were about to talk when the guards repeated their greeting to the Princess of the Sun.

"Good morning everypony, Persephone, Luna." Celestia came in with a warm smile and took a seat across from us. "I am glad to see your both up. I assume Luna you'll be going back to bed after breakfast?" her eye brow was raised and I had the slight feeling that she knew about her staying up past her bedtime the other morning.

She merely nodded and began to quietly fill her plate with food.

Celestia nodded pleased and looked to me happily. "Persephone, did you sleep alright last night?"

I smiled back at her politely. "Yes your majesty, I slept like a foal."

The sound of soft coughing was heard and I peered my eye to Luna who made an odd glance to her sister, but returned to eating. Celestia looked concerned to her sister but let the odd gesture go and returned her attention to me.

"You know, I was thinking last night that your stone could have something to do with emotions of the sorts. I have read of sign readings and spirit bands used to tell one ponies disposition. Of course that was many years ago and not many are used today. But it is still a possibility." She noted.

"I wonder if that's true, I was trying to change my thoughts, activities, or something to change the stones color…I want to try and journal what each color changes in its environment or influence…Luna, is everything okay?" my voice trailed off sensing something was wrong.

Luna was glaring at Celestia and I then noted that the white mare was no longer listening to me.

I felt the awkward tension rise and I somewhat sunk in my seat.

"What sister, what is it that you are gawking at?" Luna's voice was as sharp as the butter knife (which was that sharp but still)…

Celestia let out a sigh and took a bite of her food. "No, no, I won't say anything. Let's just enjoy our breakfast together."

Once again silence filled the room and I looked slowly to Luna who had not changed her glance, Celestia whose eyes were closed and was daintily eating her food, the guards with no expression across their face, and finally Luna's food which had become the victim in the moment; her fried egg had exploded across the plate with the yolk drowning the grapes, the grapes which now became juice, and the poor fresh bread that was smashed like a pancake.

"Then I will sister!" Luna raised her voice in slight anger.

Celestia's eyes opened and she gave a stern glare to the blue mare. "Do not yell across the table Luna, I can hear you just fine."

"Sure you can."

I had felt the tension level rise greatly, and although I knew I could possibly ease the situation, something told me this wasn't my fight to interfere with.

"What is wrong with you?" Celestia's voiced became somewhat darker as she placed her fork aside.

"When you first walked in here you gave me a look, so what was it for?" Luna clarified.

The white mare turned her gaze to me and then back to her sister. "It is nothing Luna, just let it go-"

"No! Celestia you do this every time! What have I done now that you are unhappy with? Spit it out!"

Celestia's eyes hardened again and she raised her head. "You will not shout at me Luna. I noticed you were not wearing your attire; you know you are supposed to wear them outside of the chambers."

Luna half lidded eyes and stern expression was somewhat startling to look at.

"Is that all?"

Celestia blinked and gasped at her. "What do you mean 'is that all'? Luna you are acting like none of the royal conducts are important."

Glaring back, Luna huffed. "If I am in the castle at such an early hour than I do not see it needed that I need to wear them to breakfast."

"You're being ridiculous."

"And you're being oblivious!"

The glaring contest began to become unbearable and the fact I could lower myself no lower in the seat without falling off the chair was making it worse.

"If it is alright-"

"The traditions that the land was built on Luna are important. As a princess you should treat each conduct of rule with respect, each one as important as the next." Celestia interrupted my attempt to clear the air.

Luna glared. "Is that all that is important to you? What about the pony who follows them night in and night out?"

"It is important that our reputation and stability does not falter sister. Sacrifices no matter how big are made for the better; it is only true that we do not set ourselves down for our mere pleasure. We look out for other ponies and the land, it is our duty."

I looked down and lifted my eyes to Luna whose face was contorted to a mix of emotions.

"That includes associating with others Luna; you are still a young alicorn and I want to be sure you can focus on the important tasks that are put in your care."

I felt myself turn red and somewhat hurt, knowing that she was referencing to me.

Luna looked to me her gaze softening. "Persephone is not a distraction, if that is what you are noting to me sister. I appreciate her friendship and company." She smiled and me but then pushed her chair out and got up. "If you will excuse me."

"You haven't even eaten Luna-"

"I lost my appetite."

Luna didn't falter as she walked back to her chambers.

I felt the awkwardness grow into the silence and finally looked up to see Celestia looking down with saddened eyes.

"Princess?"

Looking up she sighed and smiled at me.

"Would you like some more cantaloupe, Persephone?"

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