//------------------------------// // Homecoming // Story: Myths of the Night // by VelasBane //------------------------------// Dawn of the third day since the strange pegasus’ warning saw Luna up and pacing nervously around her room. She had received confirmation that the requested material had been delivered to Twilight Sparkle, and so far Celestia had said nothing to her. She would have to repay the favor to Clio, but for now she had more pressing concerns: whether there would be a dark visitor to their hall this day. She stopped at her windows long enough to watch Celestia fly by on the way to her own room. Luna gave a low groan and continued to pace. The sisters hadn’t spoken for three days now, and it was beginning to wear on her. If nothing happened today, Luna would have to apologize to Celestia for her foolishness and chase the intruders away for good. She didn’t want to think about what would happen if something did happen. She paced and worried until the sun was high; then she finally tore herself away from her room for long enough to venture outside. She peered out the hallway and crept by her guards, descending down to pass by the main throne room. Celestia was holding audience with some of the Canterlot elite, likely to discuss some upcoming event or gala. It was with some shame that Luna realized she would know what was going on if she were still speaking to her sister… Before she could be noticed, Luna slipped quietly away and trotted down the hall toward the castle’s majestic front doors. Much like the throne room, the hall was vast; thick white columns held up high vaulted ceilings, and large stained glass windows let in a bright rainbow of light, even at night time. The stories depicted on these windows were from the beginnings of Equestrian history: the story of Theia and Hyperion, the rise of Discord, the birth of Celestia and Luna, the defeat of Discord, the founding of Canterlot, the passage of rule from first to second generation… Luna stopped just inside the massive oak doors and turned back to face the throne room. Celestia was still in her meeting, so Luna nudged the doors to Canterlot Castle open and stepped into the fresh air. A crisp spring breeze greeted her, and the young Princess inhaled deeply before letting her eyes drift closed. Surely, the stranger had been wrong – danger couldn’t come to Canterlot. The threat of Nightmare Moon was gone, and Discord had been sealed away by ponies who would not lose their affiliation with the Elements of Harmony as Celestia and Luna had. There were no nameless threats lurking in the shadows – Celestia was kind and benevolent. Surely her refusal to speak of such matters came from a place of love and protection? Luna took in a panoramic view of Canterlot, a small smile on her face. The upper crust of Equestrian society was functioning with business as usual – the upscale shops, cafes, bakeries, and boutiques were seeing a steady flow of customers. She idly wondered how many art gallery openings and private functions would be happening this evening; there never seemed to be a night in Canterlot when there wasn’t some grand event going on. Luna would sometimes stand at her window, listening to the music and laughter from afar. They weren’t as fun and honest as the parties in Ponyville, granted, but they were just as entertaining in their own ways. Her train of thought broke as the doors swung open and the ponies who had been with Celestia filed out. They offered her quick greetings before going down to Canterlot proper; Celestia herself bid them farewell from the landing then moved next to her sister. “Have you felt it yet?” she said lowly, her eyes focused on the horizon. Luna gave her older sister a confused look, but Celestia did not meet it – she was too focused on the east. “A sense of… Foreboding. Suffocating. I hear-“ “Hyperion,” Luna said suddenly. She knew she could not hear the voice as Celestia did. She heard her mother’s sudden, panicked calls, though, which was unheard of - the voices of the night did not sound during the day. But then, suddenly and clearly, the voice of her father pierced through and echoed in her mind, silencing all else. Her legs stiffened with shock as a seeping darkness began to creep over Canterlot. All at once, voices rose from Canterlot. Everypony knew this was no natural darkness – it was midafternoon, and there wasn’t a cloud in the sky. Luna felt eyes on her, but she could not break her gaze from that point in the east. Though the sun remained high in the sky, it seemed to give off moonlight to accompany this terrifying, unnatural darkness. Daylight and blue skies were strangled into darkness. Even Celestia seemed unable to tear her eyes away, but unlike Luna she could find her voice. “I didn’t want to believe it. Even Hyperion refused to believe it. It’s simply not possible.” Panic began to erupt in the streets as the darkness continued to envelope the lands and the warming rays of the sun became cold, harsh moonlight. Celestia finally seemed urged to move and had taken a step when a voice bellowed from the shadows – something that silenced all of Canterlot and chilled Luna to the core. “I am home.”