A/N: I am currently sitting in a darkend room, with no power, whilst it is raining outside. I am trying to make the story as un-miserable as I can.
Enjoy Chapter Nine.
PS 'Ali'vous is pronounced 'Aly-Voose"

This chapter was re-written by 'tytyvm' who has some great stories of his own. If you have the time, I ask you to take a gander over at his work: www(.)fanfiction(.)net/u/3465491/tytyvm - take out the brackets

Chapter Nine: That Excluded Feeling

Two weeks had passed since our first date, and we had already gone on a second. Sure, we didn't need to go on dates, but Luna and I both agreed that the moments we shared were somewhat special. The second date was a stroll in the Canterlot gardens, and we had made friends with the many different animals. Our third date was just a night-in together, but it was very romantic.

I had the guards bring a table into my room, and I had gone out of my way to pick the nicest bunch of flowers to sit in a vase in the middle of the table, as well as having red candles lit around the room. Dinner was made by yours truly, and much to my surprise, Luna wanted seconds.

Within those two weeks, Luna and I had spent six days visiting Ponyville. Vinyl was nice enough to let us stay in her house's spare room. She had amazed us at how she had made it look. On one side of the room, Vinyl had two large beds, which were pushed together to create an even larger bed, almost as large as the beds in the palace, and were covered in red silk sheets with white pillows. On the other side of the room, there was a massive mirror, which could be slid back to find a hidden wardrobe. Luna and I had gone to investigate before we were intercepted by Vinyl, whose cheeks were bright red.
"Stop!" she yelled, obviously embarrassed "Y-you can't go in there, there are very.. personal.. items located within NOT suitable for a Prince or Princess's eyes"
This just made Luna and I even more curious. "You have to promise me that you will not look at or explore ANY part of this wardrobe, do you understand?"
Luna and I looked towards each other and then back at Vinyl. Together we nodded and the white unicorn sighed in relief, brushing her blue mane back from her eyes.
"Well now that's cleared up, who's up for lunch?" She asked as her stomach growled.
"That would be great" I replied and Luna agreed with a nod.
"Great! I know this great restaurant not far from here, c'mon let's go!" instructed Vinyl, as she exited the door and we followed.

Walking down the street, ponies turned and bowed as Luna and I walked alongside the infamous DJ.
Everypony knew her, and everypony loved her. She was one of Ponyville's most respected citizens, as she could create the most amazing music with the touch of a dial.
Within five minutes, Vinyl interrupted her story of finding her 'Cutie Mark' by telling us that we had arrived. "Behold" Vinyl said in a dramatic voice, "Chef Ali'vous's amazing four star restaurant. Best in Ponyville!"

Vinyl lead us in through the front doors.

Luna and I both gasped in awe at the sight. There were a hundred tables scattered on a floor just as big as the dining hall at the castle. Each table owned a number, a vase of flowers and a red and white checkered sheet.

"Table for three" Vinyl asked as the half asleep waiter that was standing at a podium just inside the door, looked down at his book.
"Reservation?" he asked lazily.
"Uh.." started the DJ "No."
"I'm sorry miss, but the restaurant is full unless you have a reservation. No reservation, No table."
Luna let out a cough which startled the waiter, who looked up to be face to face with the Princess of the Night.
"P-p-p-princess Lu-l-l-luna, I'm m-m-m-ighty s-sorry!" he said as he suddenly became energetic. "Oh! It l-l-looks like a t-t-table has just opened u-up!" she told us as he called another waiter over and whispered in his ear. The two seemed to argue about something before looking up and seeing the Princess and I; he instantly told us to follow him.

He brought us to table thirteen, which was positioned next to a window, that overlooked the countryside.

The waiter had us seated and brought three menus, which he placed in front of us. He bowed and left to the kitchen. We could hear a faint yell, which probably came from the owner, Mister Ali'vous.

Ten minutes had passed and another waiter had come out from the kitchen with a large bottle of water, three glasses and a plate of garlic bread.

"Have you made your choices, my ladies; Sir?" he asked politely.
All the other ponies at the other tables had finally seen us, and three fillies had come to get Vinyl's autograph, then turned to Luna and I and bowed.
"Young ones, you do not need to bow to Prince Jackson nor myself," she said as the fillies rose from their bow to see that Luna had held out her arms in a gesture for a hug. They hesitated at first, before rushing in and hugging Luna, before they charged at me.
As they were leaving, we could hear them talking.
"That was so cool! Rarity is going to be so jealous of you Sweetie Belle!" Said the orange coated pegasus filly.
"And 'ah reckon AJ will be mighty proud'a me too!" said a small, yellow earth pony. She was incredibly cute, with a large bow in her red mane. "Luna is definately mah fahvourite princess now"
"I can't wait to tell everypony at school!" exclaimed Sweetie Belle, who had a white coat and purple and pink mane.

Luna and Vinyl were enjoying this a little too much. "You girls need some water? You look a little red in the face," I teased. Both glared at me, blushing even more than before.
"Quiet you," Luna ordered, and I started to giggle.
"I'm uh.. still here your highness and company," said the waiter.
"OH! We're so sorry!" Vinyl said as Luna and I mumbled some apologies.
"That's quite alright" He said as he beamed a massive smile. "Did you think about what you would like for lunch?"
"Uh, yes!" Vinyl spoke quickly. "Have the chef decide," Luna nodded in agreement.

"And what will you be having today sir?" the waiter asked me.
"I.. Um.." I stuttered.
"He'll have the special," Luna told the waiter.
The waiter nodded and left towards the kitchen.
"Ah, Luna.." I started "What's the special? I can't eat hay or most flowers.." I told her, and of course, she already knew that.
"It is," Luna picked up the menu and read from the back page, "a wonderful selection of vegetables on a sea of lettuce, accompanied by bread, spice and everything nice."
"Wow, didn't that sound amazing," Vinyl said sarcastically, rolling her eyes and slumping in her chair; as she did so, her blue hair fell over one of her eyes before she brushed it up. That was so cute, why are ponies in this world so cute?

It wasn't long until the food had come out, delivered by Chef Ali'vous himself.

"Ah Vinyl!" He had a strong French accent "I hope that the world is treating you well".
The chef placed a silver plate in front of Vinyl, before removing the lid to reveal a well presented dish consisting of salad, and potato wedges on the side.
"Thanks Ali!" She said excitedly before giving him a quick hug. Luna and I looked towards each other in confusion.
The chef then moved around the table to Luna, and placed another plate on the table.
He lifted the lid to reveal an extraordinary dish of salad, like Vinyl's, except this was accompanied by a quiche that had flakes of chili and cheese on the top. He bowed to Luna.
"I hope you enjoy your meal, your highness," and Luna, being her usual shy self, only nodded.

The chef then came to me and looked at me, eyes full of wonder. "By the stars, you must be the new prince I've heard so much about!" he exclaimed and I nodded back to answer his question. "Here is your order, sire," he said as he bowed and hurried off to the kitchen.

We didn't waste any time eating our food. It was delicious!
Halfway through, I had asked Vinyl how she knew the chef, and she simply replied, "I've known him since I was a filly".

An hour had passed and the chef had brought out desert, free of charge. All three of us hung our mouths open in awe at the food that was placed before us. Apple fritters, Apple Turnovers and caramel sauce, all covered in fluffy white cream.

We don't know how, but we ate every last part of the desert.

Walking home to Vinyl's was a slow, uneasy trip. The food we ate was starting to take its toll on our stomachs and before we knew it, we were running to Vinyl's front door.
One by one, we each used her bathroom, which needed to be bombed and reconstructed to get the smell of our lunch, with a touch of vomit, out of the walls.

Once we had calmed down, Vinyl led us into the studio, where she had shown us her new song.

The beat was fast, but the bass was incredibly low. Even though my stomach was empty, I could feel something moving inside of it.
I could see Luna bobbing her head to the beat, and soon found myself doing the same.
Once it had ended, Luna and I cheered.
"That was awesome!" I told Vinyl who turned bright red.
"I agree," Luna stated as she clopped her hooves on the floor.
"Thanks guys," replied the DJ "I'm going to use it at my next gig, you guys should totally come!"
"I'd love to!" I said before Luna could say anything.
"As would I, but we might not be able to make it Jackson, we may have duties to attend to," Luna sighed, looking glum.
"When is your gig?" I asked Vinyl.
"It's next week, down at the local club. I even persuaded Twilight and the others to come!" she clapped her hooves together "It's gonna be so good!"
"We'll have to ask Celestia," Luna's voice trailed off. "Jackson, when was the last time we talked to Celly?" she asked me.
"Uh.." My face dropped in horror "Oh no, it's been weeks! We haven't even been at the dining hall for breakfast or dinner for so long!"
"Vinyl, I'm so very sorry but we must call our visit short. We have to get back to the palace,"

Vinyl nodded as we rushed out the door.

Within an hour, Luna and I were back at the castle. Without stopping we ran through the front gates and to Celestia's quarters.
"Celestia?" Luna cried out as she swung open her sister's door, to find that there was nopony inside.
"Maybe she's in the court?" I thought out loud, and Luna nodded.
"We should just wait here until she gets back, it's only three o'clock," She suggested as she cried on my shoulder, "I'm so sorry sister!"
"Hey shh," I said trying to comfort her "Everything will be fine."

A few hours past, and Luna and I sat in silence. There were no excuses that we could think of. I had taken Celestia's little sister away from her, the thing that meant most in her life, without even acknowledging what I had done.

I had crossed the line.

The door to Celestia's room opened with a creek, and in walked the princess. She looked terrible.

Her eyes were low and sad, her mane and tail had lost most of its colour and didn't flow like it used to. Even her coat seemed to be a dark glow instead of her usual majestic white. She looked at Luna, and then saw me. She looked even sadder. The sight broke my heart.
Luna was the first to say anything, "Jackson, please leave Celestia and I alone," she looked at me with solemn eyes.

I nodded and left the room.

Luna's POV:
"Sister.." I said softly. I walked closer up to her for a hug, but she backed away. "S...sister please," I stammered.
"What is it Luna? You leave me for three weeks without saying a word," My sister started to tear up, "You've come to apologize I suppose."
"I-I'm so sorry Tia!" I cried. "I was having so much fun making friends in Ponyville and spending time with Jackson that I-"
"Forgot your own sister?" Celestia finished. "I know how much you both love each other, and I know of your friends in Ponyville, BUT that does not mean that you leave your own family out of your activities. I would have loved to come see some of your new friends, or done some things with you and Jackson. I'm sure Prince Blueblood could have handled things for a week if we both left!"
I couldn't hold back my tears, "Celestia.." I whimpered softly, "Please, I won't leave again without telling you."
Celestia walked over to her window and looked out of it, back turned to me. "Have you ANY idea of your own sister's emotions? Do you know no compassion!" my sister scolded harshly.
"I..I…I'm so sor-"
My sister turned to look at me, her glare was heart stopping. "I've been living in this world for thousands of years, and I've been alone for so long…when you came back, I was so happy. Maybe I would have had someone to talk to when I was down, tell my secrets to. You know, 'normal' pony things…" her tears were hitting the cold, hard floor.
"I-" before I could continue, Celestia exploded; generations of pent of up emotions burning as her fuel.
"I gave you what I could never have!" she was yelling now, "I've never had anypony to love! I made Jackson a prince JUST so you two could be together, and you DESERTED me!"
"Celestia use reason!" I screamed at the top of my lungs.
"Luna.." Celestia tone was colder than ice, "leave."
Her final word echoed in the back of my mind. "Celestia I-"
"LEAVE!" screamed my sister. 'That voice…I've only heard that voice once…'

I ran for the door. I had to find Jackson.
'That voice…that voice was hate.'

Jackson's POV:
I was waiting in my bed chamber, feeling terrible for what I had done. I swear I was wearing a hole in the floor from the pacing I was doing. My door smashed open and Luna was there, her eyes red and puffy. Immediately she embraced me in a tight hug and I led her to the bed.
She told me what had happened, and how we had made Celestia feel. I felt even worse.

We were there for an hour before there was a knock at my door.
I slowly opened it to find a guard in my face.
"You have been instructed by Celestia to be escorted out of Canterlot. What you do from there is none of our business. You have ten minutes to pack your things and say your goodbyes," he said sternly.
The order struck me like a cannonball hitting a popsicle-stick dam; tears streamed from my eyes.
Luna rushed up to the door and yelled at the guard. "You have no right! He is my guest, not to mention a Prince, and he will be staying with me!"
The guard wore a frustrated frown, "Failure to comply with Celestia's terms will have the offender thrown in the dungeons, or worse, the offender will be executed. The former prince has been stripped of his title, as by order of Celestia. You will not be allowed to leave the castle until a three day period has passed, princess. I am sorry."

In blind rage Luna lifted up the guard with her magic and threw him past the door and against the wall; a spear found its place in his right foreleg. Four other guards charged in the room.

The last thing I saw was Luna being tackled by three of the guards; a sudden, sharp pain in the back of my head. And then, there was nothing.

Only darkness.

A/N:
I hope you like cliffhangers.