Little had changed three days after Fluttershy's afternoon mishap with the shark. Celestia was still missing. Grogar was still following Luna everywhere.
Indeed, the only thing that had changed was that Fluttershy was more exhausted than ever. She'd been spending all her time with Luna in Celestia's office going over forms, and she had a feeling even Twilight would have struggled with the dryness of the task.
Fluttershy noticed her hoofsteps sounded a bit muffled as she made her way down the hall. As she became aware of it, the sounds became clear again. She blinked. It was getting very hard to stay awake, especially with the hallways so empty nowadays. Sometimes, Fluttershy would wonder whether she was awake or just dreaming. Then she'd remember that to be dreaming she would have had to find time to fall asleep.
She'd promised to go to Celestia's office after supper to help Luna with the moon-raising—mostly giving moral support—but she dimly realized she was approaching the throne room. Frowning, she started to turn away when she heard a voice.
“For the last time, you brain-dead bungler, you are taking far too long!”
“That's Grogar,” Fluttershy said to herself. She slowly approached the doors and peeked through.
The great blue ram stood alone in the bright halls. He looked absolutely livid. “Bray, you try my patience! Do you know how long I've waited? The other Elementbearers will return soon! These ponies are almost as insufferable as you, and even they will have to suspect sooner or later! That moron of a moon princess is almost through with paperwork, and we're almost out of time!”
Fluttershy's eyes widened. “Oh, my,” she whispered.
Grogar was silent a moment. “Oh, I can speak aloud as I please, Bray, and if that's what it takes to get through to you—the entire castle is empty! I sacked everything that could be sacked, and I would have sacked those I couldn't if I'd been able to! I can yell as loud as I please!”
Fluttershy winced. Grogar could yell quite loud indeed.
Grogar scoffed. “Oh, are you? I would ordinarily question why you couldn't arrive early today, but I suppose it at least spares me from another night spent in the company of these two. Good, then.”
“Luna,” Fluttershy said to herself. She was barely even aware she was speaking aloud. “Need to find Luna.”
Grogar looked over sharply. “What's tha—”
He locked eyes with Fluttershy. They both froze.
Fluttershy took a step back, then turned and ran.
She'd only made it halfway down the hall when the air in front of her started to shimmer. She came to a halt as Grogar appeared in front of her, giving what he probably thought was a smile. “Ah. Ms., ah, Fluttershy, yes?”
She gave a fearful nod, cringing away.
“I believe you may have...” He cleared his throat. “...misunderstood what you saw.”
“Okay. Yes. I did.” Fluttershy nodded, trying to hide her terror. She knew how dangerous Grogar could be. She'd say anything. As long as he would let her get to Luna and warn her.
“I was simply, ah, speaking to a servant of Tartarus.” Grogar shrugged. “They are easiest to keep in line if I mock those they dislike. It is no matter.” He raised an eyebrow. “How much did you hear, anyways?”
“Just the last bit,” Fluttershy said, taking a step away. “J-just th-th-the, um, the...”
She trailed off. Grogar eyed her with narrowed eyes, his smile fading.
Then, it suddenly returned. Brighter. More real. More cruel. “Well, I suppose...as the end is swift approaching anyways...heh. I suppose it will matter not if I simply remove this complication early. I expect—”
“Fluttershy? Grogar?” Fluttershy looked over Grogar's shoulder and saw Luna rounding the corner of a side corridor. Luna's eyes widened as she beheld Fluttershy's state. “Fluttershy! What is—” She looked to Grogar, her features becoming twisted with fury. “Grogar, have you been—”
“It's nothing,” Fluttershy whispered. She heard the words exit her like they came from another.
She wanted desperately to tell Luna, to see Grogar banished and the pony who had over the last few days become so dear to her protected. But she knew how dangerous Grogar was. Luna had told her. Even Celestia had not been able to defeat him—not without Luna by her side. If Luna found out now, Grogar would act swiftly and Luna would be hurt. Even...killed.
She would have to tell Luna later. Outsmart Grogar somehow. She would find a way. Fluttershy had never felt she was especially smart—not compared to Twilight or Applejack—but she would find a way.
If she didn't, Luna would die.
They were up in the observatory now. Luna was still using it to raise the sun and moon, despite Grogar's derision, and it was once again that time.
Fluttershy looked at Grogar. The ram smirked at her, saying nothing.
She looked at Luna. The alicorn was clearly struggling. Alicorns could handle lack of sleep better than normal ponies—Fluttershy hoped, anyways—but Luna had gone far too long. Her eyes were shut tight in concentration. Beads of sweat trickled from her mane and ran down her cheeks.
The stars were already in the sky—they were the easy part. Holding her breath, Fluttershy watched the dark horizon. Slowly, a silver light trickled over, spilling its soft rays into the world.
Fluttershy gave a small sigh of relief as the moon began climbing into the sky. Then, having barely cleared the horizon, it stopped. Fluttershy frowned, looking over at Luna.
Luna stared up at the sky with glazed eyes. A soft sob escaped her.
Fluttershy looked at her friend, jaw dropping.
Luna was crying.
Fluttershy looked at Grogar, who gave her a grim smile. “Go on, then.” His red eyes glinted. He jabbed a hoof toward Luna. “Awaken the sleeping princess.”
Turning back, Fluttershy realized that the glazed look in Luna's eyes was not just weariness—Luna had fallen asleep standing. For a moment, Fluttershy found herself feeling a touch of envy. Then she saw the tears trickling down Luna's cheeks.
At once, all envy left her and she rushed over to her friend. She laid her front hooves on Luna's mane, stroking her like a scared animal. “No, no. Luna. Luna, it's alright.”
“Please,” Luna murmured, “don't let him harm her.”
“No,” Fluttershy whispered. “It's not real. Luna. Wake up.”
“Oh, in the name of Tambelon.” Grogar stomped over and leaned close to Luna.
“Wake up!” he roared.
“What!” Luna started, her eyes clearing. She looked around. “Where is he? Where is he?”
Grogar scowled. “Where is who, Your Highness?”
“Auros. Auros Osmosis.” Luna raised a shaking hoof, pointing towards the dark horizon. “He was s-standing there a minute ago!”
Fluttershy blinked. She realized she was still holding Luna, and quickly pulled back.
Grogar was emitting a low growl. “The...oh, for heaven's sake. Auros Osmosis has been dead for years. You were dreaming.”
Luna stared at him, eyes still wet with tears. “...dreaming?”
“Of course. Fool.”
“What was it like?” Fluttershy asked. “Tell us what you dreamed, and maybe we can work out what it meant.”
“Meant?” Grogar stamped his hoof. “All it meant is that—”
“Oh, it was terrible,” Luna muttered. “I...I will tell you both.” She looked up at Grogar, eyes blazing. “Only do not be frightened!”
The last word was barked, and Grogar recoiled. He looked at Luna with disgust. “Very well. Recount your dream, then raise the moon.”
“It was...a long dream.” Luna looked between Fluttershy and Grogar. “Everypony I ever knew was there. Clover the Clever...Ironhoof the Gentle...old King Batty the Mad...Farmer Redblood...”
Grogar's eyes closed. “Do you plan on reciting every despicable pony name you can recall?”
“It is the only way the dream will make sense.”
“Fine.” Grogar turned and trotted for the stairs. “I will wait below.” He glanced back sharply at Fluttershy. “Bear in mind that I will not be far.”
He made his way out of sight.
“Well,” Fluttershy said, “go on, Luna.” In truth, she wasn't really interested, but at least it gave her a chance to talk to Luna in private. Perhaps she could find a way to—
“Oh, Fluttershy.” Luna walked over and looked downstairs, then turned back. She smirked. “Grogar is a cunning old ram, but his disgust for us is his greatest weakness. There was no dream.”
Fluttershy cocked her head. “There wasn't? Then why—”
“Grogar did something.” Luna leaned in, expression turning serious. “What did he say to you, Fluttershy?”
Fluttershy wanted to cringe away, but Luna was her friend. She owed it to her to stand firm. “Um...I'll only tell you if you promise not to immediately a-attack him.” She hesitated, then quickly added, “Princess.”
Luna blinked. “I promise.”
Fluttershy took a step back, looking around. Nopony was in sight. She took a deep breath. “He was—”
“Princess!” Fluttershy and Luna both spun. Grogar was rushing back up the stairs, eyes wide with fury. “You must go at once! Somnambula has crossed the final line, and it shall mean war!”
“What?” Luna approached. “What is it?”
“We must hurry to the throne room! Princess, she's done the unthinkable!”
Luna raised an eyebrow. After a moment, she hurried over to Grogar. “Very well.”
“Princess, wait!” Fluttershy whispered, tugging on Luna's ethereal mane.
Luna glanced back. Her eyes narrowed. “The final line is an end to our worlds, Fluttershy. I know not of a force that could drive even Grogar to lie of it.”
She ran downstairs. Fluttershy watched her go, then turned to Grogar. The ram had, oddly enough, stayed behind. He grinned at her.
Fluttershy took a step back toward the stairs. She looked down, but couldn't see Luna.
Something hit her in the chest, causing her hooves to slip off the first step. She stumbled away, trying to stay upright. Her hooves flailed and she landed on her back on the staircase.
The stairs gave an ominous creak. She managed to give a scream as the structure began to collapse.
Fluttershy's eyes fluttered open. She was lying in a pile of rubble.
How had she gotten here? She tried to remember.
She had fallen. The staircase had cracked, and broken, and gone down with her. It was as Grogar had warned: the stairs were not safe for—
Grogar.
Her eyes widened. She tried to move, but felt a sharp pain in her back right leg. She craned her neck to look and quickly wished she hadn't.
A jagged piece of metal had been pointed up during her fall. She didn't know much about such injuries, but it didn't look good. She sank back to the floor.
After a moment, she heard something walking through the rubble. Something with hooves. She looked around, but couldn't see anypony. “Luna?” she called.
A face entered her field of vision. The face of a bearded ram.
Grogar growled.
“You stupid, wretched little idiot.”
“Wh...why?”
“Ha. Why not?”
“The...the line...”
“You do not even know the line's nature and still you hide behind it?” His eyes bulged. “Typical pony. Sombra was the only enemy of Luna's who wasted time with honesty. Talk of the line got her out of the way.”
“So...there's nothing in the throne room.” Fluttershy tried to look brave despite how fast her heart was beating. “Luna will come back. She'll—she'll get help.”
Grogar looked down at her. “Tell me, little pony, whose help will she acquire?”
Fluttershy stared back at him.
“Correct. Heh!” He leaned down. “Everypony in this castle is gone. It is just me, Luna and you.”
“Um...”
“What?” Grogar raised one bushy white eyebrow. “Do you disagree?”
Fluttershy tried to imitate the deadpan look she'd seen her friends use. “It...it should be 'you', Luna and I.”
He blinked.
“Just...” Her voice got firmer. “Good grammar, is all. Aren't you supposed to be a tactical g-genius?”
Grogar stared at her. He started visibly shaking with rage. Several times, his mouth opened, but no sound emerged. Fluttershy's deadpan look faded.
It hadn't occurred to her that Grogar could get angrier.
Finally, though, the ram's features softened. He gave another dark chuckle. “I see. You think you can delay me? Stall for Luna?”
He leaned down. “I may have deceived that stupid whelp, but I was not lying about the line. It is being crossed even as she rushes to meet it.”
He trotted away. “I will leave you to bleed to death, I think. There need be no hurry. Your precious Luna is never coming back.”