“S-stay back!”

“Haha.” The young bat pony smiled.

Moments passed, and the young unicorn was still shaking. The batony’s smile faded.

“…Oh, you’re serious.”

“Come any closer and I’ll unleash my magic on you, vermin!” She was quivering at an alarming rate now.

“Alright, alright-” the batpony backed away to a safe distance. She’d only heard rumors of the power of unicorn horns, but she wasn’t about to take her chances. “This far enough for ya?”

“P-perfect.” The unicorn sighed in relief, but she was visibly rattled from the situation.

“I’m Luna!”

The unicorn’s eyes turned dark. “What? No- get out of my lands. This is unicorn territory. You-you killers have your own territory.”

“Killers? Hah!” Luna almost fell backwards in laughter. “You’re not serious, are you? That’s hilarious!” She was giggling.

The unicorn’s eye twitched. “This isn’t funny. Go back to where you came from or I’ll call my guards to exterminate you.”

“That makes it sound like you’re the killer, silly. Besides, you’ve got the history all wrong. I always heard rumors about the Unicorn Clans, but I can’t believe I’m seeing one for real now! You’re pretty.” Her tail wagged.

The unicorn’s stance became less cautious. She relaxed just a bit, clearly confused. “What are you talking about?”

“The unicorns are the ones who drove the batponies out. We didn’t do anything to you guys, but you used those pesky horns of yours to ensure we got the message. So we all left, and now we kinda just live in isolation. We don’t have a territory like you said. Half of us don’t even have homes.”

Her head tilted. “That… doesn’t sound right. You’re forgetting the part where you guys started the war. Your kind went on a killing rampage. You killed unicorn mothers- even children- the strongest of our guards. You’ve got it wrong.”

“Well, I can definitely say that I didn’t start any wars,” she smiled. “And I never heard anything about a killing rampage. Don’t you think that would’ve kept happening or something? If we were all killers thirsty for blood, wouldn’t we sneak back into your pretty castles and kill some more?”

“Hm.” She sat.

“What’s your name?” Luna smiled, her tail wagging again.

“I’d never tell you,” she snarled. “I don’t want any batponies having my name.”

“Okay, weirdo,” Luna chuckled. “I think you’re nice, though. Wanna be friends?”

“Are you-are you serious?” Now the unicorn was laughing. “I was out for my afternoon stroll, having a pleasant day, when out of nowhere a batpony falls out of a tree and lands in front of me. We’re not meant to be interacting, let alone conversing. I should’ve killed you the second I saw you, but at the same time… I’d never want to stoop to the level of your kind. Go back to where you came from before I change my mind. I’ll forget I ever saw you- I won’t have my guards come after you, and you can live freely knowing a unicorn saved your life. Maybe then you’ll see we are superior in mind and body, and that we mean no disrespect- we simply want to protect our own.”

“Wowie, was that a speech. I’ll take that as a no to the friendship offer.” Luna inched closer to her, examining her hair. It was long, styled, and obviously well taken care of. She frowned, exhaling deeply as she realized how much she wanted that.

“Di-did you not hear me? I told you not to come any closer.” Her horn started to light up- it was instinct.

“I haven’t done anything to raise your suspicion. You’re judging me based on a story you heard when you were probably a foal. I always wanted to see what unicorns looked like, maybe become friends and spend time together. But I can tell the lies you grew up on have you convinced.”

The unicorn was speechless.

Luna backed away from her again, a smile growing wide on her face. “Either way… I’ll be here same time tomorrow! Meet me here and we can play.” Her ears perked and tail wagged side to side in excitement.

“I-”

“See ya then!” She started bouncing away.

“Wait! I’m not coming here-”

Luna turned around again. “Aw, come on. It’ll be fun! I’ll be here even if you won’t be. And the day after, too. And the one after that. When you’re ready to play, I’ll be waiting.” She smiled, then continued hopping away.

The unicorn didn’t know what to say. “O-okay. My name’s- my name’s Celestia! Remember that, okay?” she called.

“See ya tomorrow, Tia!”

Celestia’s face flushed red in anger, but before she could respond to the nickname, Luna was out of sight. “See you tomorrow,” she grumbled under her breath.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~