This story follows Cadence of the Crystal Empire, but it can also stand alone nicely.
There are many worlds in which Princess Luna is a mother.
In some, she gives birth out of love to the child of her body.
In others, she gains from a magical pact the child of her heart.
But in a few - a very, very few - she creates her child from her own essence, without any help at all.
In these worlds, Luna begets the child of her soul. This is one of those worlds.
He is a hunter of evil things.
He is the Childe of the Moon.
(Chronology Note: this tale takes place the night following Luna’s return from exile.
This timeline continues with Lessons for the Teacher.)
Part of the Sunset Rising continuity.
Chapters (1)
She wasn't, but she was merciful. It would be months yet before Luna was dragged kicking and screaming to her first session of Parliament.
In any case, I have often wondered about how Equestria's overall mental health fared in Luna's absence. We know Celestia cannot enter the dreamscape save through the conventional method, and then she is as helpless as anypony. I often ascribe the role of dreamguard to bat ponies, but the evidence that they actually exist is sadly minimal. Thus, the image you paint is a dark yet sadly believable one. One increasingly well lit by the light of pumpkin and moon both.
Also, I take it the Apple siblings have a different grandfather in this timeline than the wandering bard.
Thank you for this.
9122036
Yes, and Granny a different reason for living so long.
The Sunset Rising world is a little darker than Elsequestria, but only a little. And both will have their points of horror and hope.
Hee! Yes, poor Luna.