//------------------------------//
// Chapter 2 
// Story: Two Truths and a Skye 
// by MyLittlePonyTales 
//------------------------------//

Luna paused at the edge of the Whitetail Wood, her breath coming in rasps. After she had glided down the mountain, she had run almost the entire rest of the way The lasts rays of sun were disappearing, and night would soon be upon Equestria. Luna, once she caught her breath, ventured into wood.

Skye watched the dark pony from his vantage point on his ledge. He'd been sunning himself up there, and enjoying the last few rays of the day while they were still there, though he imagined he'd have to get up sooner or later and forage for something to eat. He'd considered exploring Sweet Apple Acres again...there were almost always stray apples laying around that were usually still good. Or maybe he'd find something lucky like a berry bush on the way. He made a mental note to check the few he did know of on the way. 

Sometime later, Luna was walking silently through the woods, her hooves treading lightly on the forest floor. Sounds of crickets filled her ears, along with the flapping wings of owls and other flying night hunters. The scent of earth was heavy in the air, and Luna breathed in heavily, sighing with pleasure as she took in the night. The castle garden she enjoyed just fine, but it was nothing compared to the wildness of the wood. There was so much more to take in here.
The moon cast a pale glow through the trees, creating shadows of creatures that weren't really there. Any other pony wouldn't have dared to walk in here alone at night. But the night was Luna's element.
She pricked her ears, listening to all the sounds of night. She sniffed, taking in the scents of bark and wet leaves and dirt and sap. Being in the woods like this was one of the few pleasures that she had since her return from exile, especially during the night when there definitely wouldn't be any other ponies around. No one would bother her, and she could be free and alone.

This pony, Skye had never seen before, at least, not up close. Though he'd heard rumors of Nightmare Moon from various ponies who had murmured in hushed whispers on their way through the wood, he'd never felt the need to approach them and learn more. The Peryton had noticed the change in the moon, after the Summer Sun Celebration was over, and had seen several fireworks taking place in the distance over the Everfree Forest, but then it had been quiet.

Just about as quiet as this. He crouched, then angled his antlers forward. Night time was his favorite time of night as well, it was easier to do what he was about to do, and the shadows almost always were the best help. His antlers sparkled as he closed his eyes, then began to concentrate. On the path nearby Luna, a shape shimmered into focus nearby a tree, somewhat ethereal and silent, but as luminescent as the moonlight itself as it slipped amongst the trees to keep pace with the strange mare. It waited nearby for her to take notice, merely waiting without intruding, watching to see what she'd do next. Maybe she was a lone traveler who needed company, but it was always safer to find out first.

Luna swiveled her ears as the hair on the back of her neck prickled. She was being followed.

It wasn't unusual for that to happen in the woods. There were always various creatures around, some dangerous, some not. Regardless, Luna always had to be on her guard.

She caught a shimmer out of the corner of her eye, and she whirled in its direction. In almost the same instant, her head lowered and her horn glowed, preparing for whatever it might be. The figure shimmered, wavered for a second as she turned and lowered her horn to it, as if her unicorn powers were having an affect on its appearance.

Then it solidified further, while still remaining transparent, the figure of a winged deer gazing placidly at her. He stood where he was, just a few feet away off the main path, still somewhat obscured in the shadows of the trees , as if powered by the light of the moon itself and given form by the absence of shadow elsewhere.

Luna paused when the glowy form did not attack, raising her head slowly as her horn went out. She stared at it, waiting for a movement, still ready to fight.

Luna cocked her head to the side and inched forward a couple of steps, still unsure. “Hello?” she called to it, and the figure wavered again.

"Hello." came its reply, almost as if distantly but still from the figure. Almost ghostly, but without that ghostly demeanor. "Are you lost? I couldn't help but notice you were alone. The wood can be a dangerous place for a lone pony, especially at night. I don't mean to scare you."

The deerish figure came closer, no scent, no sound, almost eerie, but as it did, Skye suddenly thought that Luna might get the feeling that this wasn't a spirit at all. It had too much form, too much life, and didn't drift or frizz into smoke. It just appeared transparent, and even seemed to be breathing. 

Luna laughed, an eerie, almost deep laugh didn't fit her cute filly sized body. She paused, watching as the ghostly luminescent figure edged forward. She stiffened, still prepared for a fight, but chose to answer his questions.

"Me? Afraid of the dark? Surely you must be joking. And I do not fear you, nor any creature of the wood. The darkness is my realm, my element, my home. Don't you know who I am?" Luna seemed to ponder this last question herself for a moment. "Then again, perhaps you do not.”

Skye's image wavered for a second as he became wrapped in thought, before it solidified again. The figure seemed to relax, and sat down where it was, the roots and leaves showing through the form, but at least it appeared less threatening.

"Well, most ponies are afraid of the dark, and they usually don't come strolling through the wood unless they're stuck here too late on their way elsewhere. But you don't seem to be going anywhere in particular, which tells me either you're here on purpose, or you're lost."

Tell me, what sort of creature are you?” Luna asked, curious about a creature she knew nothing about. This ghostly thing was intriguing, not quite animal, but seemingly not fully spirit either.

At her question, he cocked his head again. "Why, I'm a Peryton. The wood is full of them, if you happen to know where to look. And not just here in the wood, but we're all our own way. I considered myself company for the Mare in the Moon, before she vanished from its face. I'm usually up at night while most ponies are asleep. It's my job to keep them safe as they pass through here. Someone has to, and I've been doing it for many years now."

He cocked his head. "I'm sorry, you're difficult to read...most ponies are pretty open with their thoughts when they're dreaming, but you're very guarded. Only Princess Celestia is as difficult...you're not related to her, are you? Maybe a cousin?" he looked up to the moon for a moment. "Or, you wouldn't happen to be Princess Luna, perhaps? The only pony of your color I'd ever heard of was her, but I don't know why she'd come down to our humble woods, especially this time of night."

Luna laughed, this time a more natural giggle. The deer form visibly relaxed at the giggle, his ears splaying at the delightful tinkle. That seemed a lot less guarded and for a moment, he even got a flash of a playful filly, be he didn't think he'd say anything right off the bat. 

"Well, I suppose I should introduce myself. I am Princess Luna of Equestria, sister of Celestia and ruler over the night. Or at least I was, a thousand years ago." She gazed up at the moon, seeming to lose herself in thought for a few moments. Then she turned back to the creature. "A Peryton, you said? I can't say that I've ever heard of such of thing, but, it has been awhile since...." she drifted off, and quickly tried to change the subject. "What is it that you meant by "dreaming"? 

Skye got the feeling this pony was lonely, and the more she spoke, the more that feeling grew stronger. "Well, Princess Luna," and his image dropped into a bow, his head lowering.

Oh, you don't have to—" Luna started as she watched the Peryton bow. She stopped herself, because she realized, that while he didn't have to, he technically still should. She was a ruler now, or would be soon, and she needed to get used to being revered again.

"I'm honored to meet you. I'm Skye, a companion and watcher of the Whitetail Wood." he straightened back up, his image fuzzing a bit as he did. "Perytons are magical creatures that inhabit the wood, at the fringe of imagination and dreams, and it's taken me many years to perfect the aspect. In answer to your question, you're having a bit of a dream right now. I'm not really here."

His head nodded up towards the ledge. Luna glanced up at the ledge at his indication, and saw a small figure silhouetted in the moonlight. Skye's figure on the ledge was difficult to make out from this distance, even as short as it was, though a slight sparkle could be seen from where his head was, even though the figure continued its presence. She continued to listen to the dream Peryton, while still staring up at the ledge, trying to make out more details.

"As ponies come through the forest, it's a lot easier for me to watch them from my vantage point without disturbing or frightening them, especially when they're lonely and need a companion for their travel. You may not remember me through your imprisonment, but I used to watch you from the day I was fawned. I'm not nearly that old, and I have to say you don't look anything like a thousand years old yourself! Perytons have a very long life-span, longer still the more we are remembered and dreamed of. It takes a bit of focus to be able to maintain a daydream, and less if you're actually asleep. Night dreams, while being more chaotic, are easier to influence and look into. The more guarded the pony, the more difficult it is to get in, but daydreams are always easier if the focus can be shifted to something."

Luna turned back to the Peryton form. “I can't say that I remember you...of course, that's true of a lot of things. A thousand years is...a very long time.”

"It doesn't surprise me if you've never heard of me. We Perytons work very hard to keep a low profile where we can, and I try to suggest to ponies that it'd be better if they didn't tell anyone about us. The last thing we need are large crowds all coming through looking for us, after all."

"Princess Celestia mentioned a sister long ago, but it has been so long since we have had a conversation, she and I.” Skye said thoughtfully. “She's so busy with her work in the city of Canterlot that she rarely comes to see me anymore.”

Celestia must be busier than ever...” Luna said. “She had to take on both the sun and moon cycles after I was banished. And she's been single-handedly ruling Equestria as well. I guess...I guess it must be hard for her.”

I can see some of Celestia in you, or at least, a bit of a family resemblance.” Skye said. “Though," he continued, the twinkle in his eye not merely from a shimmer. "You're much cuter." 

Luna paused at his last comment, blushing, and turned her face away. “I'm not—" she lightly cleared her throat. “I'm not that cute."

At her modest response, he smiled. "Oh, I never say anything I don't really mean. Celestia may be lovely, herself, but you're no less a Princess in my eyes." As she looked away, Skye's luminescent form frizzed into a sparkly cloud before returning to its shape closer than it had been. Closer than he was before, he might be a bit startling in his proximity, and a slight coolness radiated from his form nearby, like the caress of a tender breeze. 

It seems that once the hold of Nightmare Moon was broken, I was reverted to the age I was a thousand years ago...at least physically. I've also lost a considerable amount of power in my time away, and after Nightmare Moon's defeat as well. I pale in comparison with Celestia.”

"Reverted?” Skye queried. “That must have been some powerful magic to do that. Nightmare Moon was a scary figure from the talk of the ponies. Maybe there was a reason you were brought back this way. Celestia's very leggy, almost a horse in her size, easily the tallest pony I've ever seen! It's hard to think she was once just a little filly like you. She had a lot of growing up to do, I guess, and she grew into her shoes quite well. Maybe one of these days she'll be happy to return your realm to you, when you're ready."

Well, the body Nightmare Moon resided in what was my full grown form. But, with the way that I acted...I don't know if ponies will trust me once I regain my true form.” She paused. “I suppose I deserve it though.” she lightly sighed. “Perhaps...perhaps one day I shall return to ruling the night...perhaps...” she trailed off.

"I imagine not," he replied, "Once trust has been shaken, it can be very hard to earn it back, but it's not impossible. All you have to do is keep working at it, and it'll naturally happen." For a moment, he fuzzed out, and reformed in the shape of the adult Nightmare Moon, mirroring her expression, before returning to his form. "She's nothing to be afraid of, we're all of us a little dark on the inside. But I wouldn't say you deserve it. Can you tell me more about your side of the story? I would be eager to learn."

Why don't you come down so I may see your true form?” Luna said suddenly.

At her request, Skye nodded, and the ghost-like figure faded out, leaving behind a faint sense of headiness that passed quickly.

A few moments later, there was a rustling, and the darkened form of the blue Peryton poked his head out from between a small copse of bushes, and cautiously emerged. This time, he was much more solid. His hoofsteps made an audible sound, as well as his short whiffling breaths, as he sniffed the air around himself before stepping out into the path. He was much smaller than Celestia, and only a little bit smaller than most ponies, but much more slender in shape. His antlers, darkened now, nevertheless were his most treasured feature, clean and free of any debris of the plants he might have walked through on his way down. This time he bowed again, lowering his head. "The true me, Princess."