//------------------------------// // Chapter Seventeen: A Gift from Luna // Story: Bizarre Happenings // by Art Inspired //------------------------------// She walked along the path all alone. Her wings slightly extended themselves, and every pitter patter of water that she trotted into the air echoed loudly across the walls of an unfamiliar, triangular corridor. She took her sweet, and precious time, and went very softly, and slowly. Candles illuminated the arches brilliantly, and while she went under them, Cozy whispered to herself, "It's just a dream... Isn't it?" There was an unexpected response, but it didn't make Cozy Glow feel discouraged. The tone coming from the Princess was anything but distasteful. Cozy trotted closer and closer towards a shadowed figure, and all the while, a warm and fuzzy feeling kept building up within her tiny chest. "There you are..." Cozy took yet another step. "You've certainly been on your best behavior, haven't you?" Her eyes were hidden behind the smoky waves of her mane, but Cozy could plainly see her smiling kindly. "Yes, I've..." Cozy hiccuped, "D-done my best... P-Princess Luna? Is that you?" She gave a toothy grin, and just remained where she was. Luna waited patiently for Cozy Glow to finish approaching her. Cozy stood stock still for what felt like hours on end. She looked up, and when she started walking again, she slowly began to stare into the lustrous eyes of her ruler, and heard her say, "I'm just checking on you. I'm well aware that Twilight, as well as Starlight Glimmer has already fairly recently visited you, but I wanted to see you up close for myself, if only just this once. I've been meaning to see what your dreams were like, and it's nice to see..." She breathed in deeply before stating, "It's just very nice to see that you've been telling the truth. Of course, I honestly never doubted you for a second, but it's rare when a pony is able to hide their lies, and their dark plans inside of their dreams." Cozy just kept staring, and asked, "You can visit the dreams of others?" Luna nodded, and said, "I've been keeping my eye on you. Like I've already told you before... I'm thoroughly pleased with your progress, so I got you... a gift." There was silence in the air, and Luna then turned to start walking forth. While she went, Cozy modestly followed along, and asked her Highness, "A g-g-gift? F-for me? Oh, Princess Luna, I... I just don't know what to say..." Cozy just kept on smiling, and blushed at the mere thought. The Princess then brought Cozy Glow out of the castle, and the two of them found themselves high up in the sky. They were nestled safely on top of the moon itself, and behind Cozy Glow stood Luna's very own, marvelous evening palace. It twinkled vibrantly thanks to the numerous stars, asteroids, and lovely blue comets that dashed and danced along in the background. "My present for you," Luna said, and shortly thereafter Cozy Glow promptly turned back around to tentatively face Luna once again. "It's this..." She showed Cozy Glow a small, and perfectly curved shell. Its white crust had lunar markings on it while the summit contained beautiful, purple crystals within. They gleamed in the great vastness of interstellar space. "Luna... this is... amazing..." It slowly drifted, and Cozy held onto it with her trembling hooves. Her chest hurt, and tears began to float off from her muzzle. Her expression became more and more animated, and then Cozy Glow heard Luna tell her, "It's a very special moon rock. When you awaken, it'll be right next to your bed. I've placed it on the nightstand, and its magical properties will bring you luck wherever you go." The surface of the many crystals reflected against Cozy's glistening eyes, and she thanked the Princess, "This... means a lot... I'll treasure it always!" Luna laughed contently, and then told Cozy Glow, "I've enjoyed this nice nap with you, but now... it's time for me to take my leave. The sun is coming up, so... please, Cozy Glow... have a wonderful day, and keep up the good work that you've been doing." All that the filly could do at that point was stand, and observe as Luna disappeared. The moon rock also went away, too, and soon, Cozy felt herself rising. She was peacefully falling back down to the planet. Tears just kept streaming serenely from her eyes, and Cozy Glow had never seen all of the bustling towns look the way they did. She went over countless buildings, and suburbs, until at last, she reached Ponyville. She first flew clear across a wide, and lush plain of grass, and then, Cozy Glow raced in a circle, and looped around the Castle of Friendship. She was going faster than what was actually possible for a filly her age, and before she knew it, she was nearing the school. Next was Sugarcube Corner, and as the pegasus passed right through the walls belonging to the Carousel Boutique, and landed on her bed, she gasped with shock. She blinked her eyes, and rubbed the sand away until she was able to somewhat see. Before her sat the gift Luna had spoken of, and Cozy lifted it upwards only to voice aloud, "This is... real. Th-thank you, P-Princess Luna..." She gently closed her eyes yet again, and tenderly held it close by to her heart. She sniffled, and used a wing to wipe away a few lingering drips of her salty tears. For the entire morning, Cozy didn't stop smiling, and at breakfast, Sweetie would finally have to question her about it. "What's making you so cheerful today?" Sweetie Belle asked innocently. Cozy just chewed some more of her cereal, and then after swallowing, she answered with a question of her own. "Has Princess Luna ever visited you in your dreams?" Sweetie Belle could feel shivers cascading down her back. "Y-yes, she has. Why?" She calmly lowered her spoon. "Has she visited you while you were dreaming lately?" Rarity asked. Cozy Glow nodded extremely slowly, and she then told them, "She also gave me a gift. It's a... moon rock, and she said that it'll grant us good luck." Rarity looked from Cozy to Sweetie, and smiled. Sweetie smirked as well, and then, Rarity told Cozy Glow with a relaxing tone, "Then... Luna's blessed you." She took a very delicate bite of her hot croissant, and further said to the two fillies, "Once breakfast is done, I say that we all go upstairs and see Cozy Glow's... What did you say it was? A moon rock?" She hoofed while chuckling, "It can't actually be from the moon, could it?"