Prologue
A gentle breeze blew its way through the normally quiet streets of ponyville, rustling the manes of ponies frantically hurrying away from town hall wailing about the return of Nightmare Moon. Others still, were more worried about the missing Princess Celestia. Onwards the breeze went going out of town passing by a little cottage bustling with small critters on its way into the forest. The breeze seemed to gain strength passing over the forest borders growing into a full force gale tearing off the cloak of the Zebra that lived nearby on their way back to their hut. On and on the wind went until it reached another hut deeper in the forest dying even as it rattled the shutters.
A dark blue stallion with a touch of gray in his mane walked over to the rattling shutters and listened to the news that the breeze brought back to him. His eyes widened at the news of Nightmare Moon’s return, and he hurried over to a little writing desk he had at one end of the cabin. Quickly, he grabbed two different pieces of paper, a couple of quills and three very different types of ink. A silvery glow covered the first inkwell as he pulled the cork out, using his magic. The old stallion grabbed one of the quills he had set aside, and quickly scrawled three words on the first piece of paper in black ink.
“Is it true?”
He glanced over at the second inkwell, using his magic once again to pull the cork out. He quickly dipped the quill into the shimmering gold ink and carefully drew a stylized sun at the bottom of the page that closely resembled the cutiemark of the sun princess. With the last stroke of the quill, the symbol flashed and the ink took on a fiery appearance. Calmly, he pictured Princess Celestia in his mind. When he touched his hoof to the symbol, the paper burst into flames, leaving behind only a pile of ash. After wiping away the ash on the writing desk, he carefully stoppered the golden ink. Apprehensively, he grabbed the second piece of paper and picked up the first quill he had used.
When he went to put words to the page, he found that he had no idea what to say. What was one supposed to say to greet someone a millenium gone? In the end, he decided he should keep it short and simple.
“She probably doesn't have time to be reading letters from old friends anyways.” he muttered as he wrote. When finished, he looked down at what he wrote and gave a sad smile. His silvery glow overtook the last inkwell, and pulled the cork out. Dipping a quill into the silvery ink, he drew a simple crescent moon. Once again, when he finished the symbol, there was a flash, only this time the ink took on a shimmering appearance akin to the stars in the sky. Slowly, he touched his hoof to the symbol. Rather than disappearing in a raging fire, this letter seemed to fade into smoke. The old stallion read the letter one last time, before it faded away.
“General Somber Sky reporting for duty.”
• • • • Many Years Prior • • • •
Just turn around already, Somber thought, stomach grumbling. He had been watching this apple stand for the past hour and was hoping to sneak off with a few, so he and his sister could eat. Finally, he thought as the stallion running the stand turned away. Taking advantage of the stallion’s turned back, Somber started concentrating on the apples, trying as hard as he could to lift a few of them up into the air and bring them towards him. Sure enough, after a couple of seconds, a silvery glow sparked into life around his horn and three of the apples. Slowly, he willed them towards him. Not thinking, he let the apples drop when they were within reach. One dropped into a puddle on the street, making a splashing noise that caught the attention of the stallion running the stand. The stallion was only of average stature, but to Somber he may as well have been a giant. For the first time, Somber actually took a look at the stallion, taking in his dark red fur and angry green eyes.
“Now who might you be?” The stallion asked.
“Somber Sky.” Somber muttered under his breath, wishing he was anywhere but there right now.
“Speak up when I’m talking to you, and look me in the eye.” The stallion lectured, “Didn’t anypony ever teach you how to show to respect to your elders?”
“I said my name is Somber Sky,” Replied Somber, glaring at the red stallion. “And no, I was never taught how to show respect to my elders, so pardon me.”
“I can tell.” Growled the red stallion “Anyways, where are your parents? I want to speak with them about you trying to steal my apples.”
Somber flinched at the mention of parents before growling, “What parents? It’s not like they care. They dropped me and my sister off at some orphanage a few years ago."
The stallion’s eyes softened a bit at that, before saying softly, “I’m sorry, but I still need to talk to the matron in charge of ya. They oughta know that you were trying to steal my apples.”
Somber flinched again, this time at the mention of going to the matron. “Me and my sister ran away, and we will-not-be-going-back.” He growled.
“Could you at least let me walk ya to wherever you and your sister are staying? The streets of Everfree are no place for a child to be running around.” The stallion offered, not leaving any room for a no.
I don’t need to be walked home; I have been homeless for three years now. Somber thought, though he did not think he would be able to dissuade the red stallion.
“Fine.” Somber grumbled, “Though if you are gonna walk me home could I at least know your name?”
“Red Akane” the stallion replied, inhaling as though anticipating a question.
“Akane as in the apple?” Somber asked, looking up at Red. "I guess that would make sense running a stand selling apples.”
Red exhaled some before chuckling, “It’s funny, most people people have no idea what an akane is. Though, now that I think about it, ya talked about being abandoned at an orphanage then running away. Where did ya learn to speak Equestrian so well?”
Somber stopped for a second before responding, “Since I am leading you there anyways, I might as well tell you. My sister and I live in the abandoned east wing of the northern Everfree Library.” He stopped for a second to take a breath, before continuing. “Every night when the library shuts down, I would sneak a few books back to our room, using an old hall that the staff never locked up. I taught myself how to read and speak, as well as how to use magic!” He puffed up with obvious pride at the last sentence.
Red paused with an odd look on his face before saying, “I see.”
Somber suddenly stopped, causing Red to crash into him, sending the both of them sprawling. “We’re here.” he said, picking himself carefully up off the ground.
Red grabbed Somber’s saddlebag in his teeth while picking himself up off the ground. “You dropped your bag.” He said holding the bag up to Somber.
Somber quietly shouldered the bag, proceeding to the alley that ran along the side of the library. Red watched the young colt disappear into that alley, before walking off down the street back towards his stand, humming softly the whole way.
• • • •
Once he was in the alley, Somber looked around for the step ladder him and his sister used to crawl up though one of the windows that led into the abandoned wing of the library. His quick search revealed that it had been hidden by a couple of trash bags that appeared to have just been thrown into the alleyway.
Must have been thrown here by some family that couldn't pay the trashponies. Somber thought, as he grabbed the end of the little ladder sticking out from the pile of bags and pulled. At first, he didn’t seem strong enough to pull the ladder out from behind the bags, but then a silvery glow sprang into life around his horn and step ladder. Somber pulled both physically and mentally, with all of his might, straining his little muscles and mind until at last the ladder pulled free, suddenly sending Somber sprawling across the alley.
Though he was a little banged-up, Somber quietly celebrated his victory whilst hoping that nopony noticed the crashing sounds made when he pulled the ladder free. Hurriedly, Somber propped the ladder up against the wall, then used it to crawl through one of the open windows and lower himself into a dark hallway. Getting up, Somber looked around to make sure that nopony else was in this part of the library. Just as always, the coast was clear. He started walking down the hallways, stopping when he came across an old, worn, oak door. Somber pushed the door open and walked into the room. He stopped upon walking into the room, letting the door swing shut behind him with a soft thump. Looking around, he smiled. This was one of the rooms that the librarians stored all the books in when they shut down this portion of the library. Now, it seemed like nopony remembered it, making it the perfect place for him and his sister to stay.
Somber quickly scanned the room for his sister before catching sight of a purple tail sticking out from one of the many bookforts that dotted the room. Seeing that he had not been noticed yet, Somber crouched low to the ground, stomach almost scraping the ground as he half walked, half crawled over to his sister, hoping to catch her by surprise. When he got within a few feet, he was getting ready to pounce, when suddenly he felt something hit the back of his head. Looking at the ground behind him, he saw a book laying there.
“What was that for?” Somber groaned, rubbing the back of his head. “Anyways, how did you hit me with a book when you couldn't even see me?” With that, he turned around and the tail that he thought that he saw was no longer there. “I could’ve sworn I saw your tail here just a second ago.” Somber scratched his head in confusion, before turning around again. “Care to explain how you did it?”
A snow white filly with a purple mane and tail stepped out from one of the other bookforts in the room before saying, “Sweet it worked!”
“Care to explain what worked?” Somber asked, scowling at his sister.
The younger sibling responded grinning, “I was practicing an illusion spell that I saw in a book not long ago. I thought that it would be funny to surprise you when you got home!”
Somber chuckled, still rubbing the spot on the back of his head where the book hit him. “You know Shim, one of these days I’m going to get you back for these little pranks.”
“I still hate that nickname.” Shim grumbled.
“Would you rather I call you by your name, Shimmering Velvet?” Somber replied with a grin, “Or I could call you Shimmer, or Velvet. What do you think about those?” he continued on poking at his sister.
“We aren’t at the orphanage anymore, please dont start this up again.” Shim said lamely, “Anyways, enough about that. Did you bring food?” she asked, with hope shining in her eyes.
“I’m sorry, but I got busted by some stallion running the fruit stand. He took the apples back, then walked me here.” Somber answered, with a sigh escaping his lips.
Shim let out a sigh, the light in his eyes fading away as he realized that they were going to have another uncomfortable and hungry night. She watched as Somber made his way over to the corner of the room where he and her made their beds out of a pile of books and the blankets that they managed to get out of the orphanage when they left. Shimmering Velvet walked over to the saddlebags that Somber had set down when he walked into the room. Curiously, she opened the bag and looked around inside. To her surprise, next to the books that Somber always took out with him, were three shiny red apples.
“Somber, I thought you said that the guy running the stand took the apples back.” Shim said, turning to face the corner where Somber was trying to get some sleep.
“He did.” Somber replied with a grunt, “Don’t think about food right now, it only makes it worse. You know that.”
“So if he took them back, then why do I see three apples sitting right here?” Shim asked in childlike confusion.
“What?” Somber exclaimed. All traces of weariness seemed to vanish as he hurried across the room, dodging around the piles of books and forts scattered about. Taking a look into the bag, he pondered, “I wonder what made him change his mind about the apples?”
“I don’t care what made him change his mind, all that matters is that he did, and we don’t have to be hungry tonight!” Shim said, happily bouncing up and down out of excitement. “Here, take one.” she said, taking one of the apples out of the bag and handing it to her brother, before grabbing one for herself.
The two siblings ate their apples in silence, before heading off to the corner with their beds drifting off to sleep.
• • • • • • • •
Red Akane layed there awake in his bed, unable to fall asleep. For some reason he was unable to get the colt that he had met earlier that evening out of his head. He wasn't even sure why he put the apples in the bag when they fell, it just felt like the right thing to do at the time. So why did that young colt bother him so much? Was it just the fact that they were living on the streets, or was it the way that the young colt behaved and talked that intrigued him? Red rolled out of his bed, deciding that he was going to pay a visit to the princess of the night while she held court to see if she could do anything for those poor kids stuck without a home. Hopefully some alternative to an orphanage, as he had a feeling that they would only run away again if sent back to one.
Contemplating this, he crossed his bedroom floor over to the door of his room. He walked downstairs and out the front door of his house. From there, he began the trek up to Everfree Castle where the princess of the night was currently holding court.
Thankfully, he did not live far from the castle, so it was only a short walk to the gates. As he approached, he was greeted by two ponies. Two ponies with what appeared to be bat wings. No one was sure of what race they were, or where they came from, only that they served as the guards for the princess of the night.
“State your business.” Said the guard on the left side of the gate, in short clipped tones.
“I have come to ask the night princess a question. She is holding court, right?” Red asked, confused by the guards reaction. Supposedly the gates were supposed to be open when court was being held.
“You actually came to petition to the night princess?” The other guard asked in shock, “No one ever comes to the night court.”
“Well I did.” Red said with a nervous smile, hoping that the guards would just let him through.
“Far be it from me to keep a pony from the princess if they have come to her for help.” The first guard said, as they pushed open the gate for Red to enter.
Red walked through the gate nervous as could be, Why does no one ever come to the night court?, he wondered to himself. Before he could think too hard on the question, he found himself at the door to the throne room being ushered in by yet another guard.
Red looked around the large room, taking in the banners alternating between depictions of the sun and moon. Along the sides of the room were tall columns that reached up to support the vaulted ceiling. Nervously, he walked through the room, drawing ever closer to the two thrones at the opposite end. One of the thrones was empty, as the sun princess was probably sleeping right about now.
The occupant of the other throne just seemed to take notice that somepony else was in the room with her. With that realization, a grin spread across her face. “What dost thou request of us?”
“Well you see, ummm your highness, I mean your royalness, I mean ummm, I hate to offend, but what do you want me to call you?” Red nervously asked, afraid that she might get mad that he did not use the proper title to address her.
The princess of the night just tilted her head back and laughed. It was a joyous noise, not one of those fake chuckles or laughs that those without interest used to pretend. Instead, it was rather a full bellied one that left her gasping and giggling at the end of it. Red just stood there, jaw agape as he witnessed her reaction.
The princess having calmed down from her fit of laughter chuckled before saying, “If you would prefer, you can just call us Luna.”
Red stood there in a daze, trying to take in what he had just witnessed and heard. It was all but blasphemy to refer to a princesses by name, yet here she had just recommended it. “Well... Luna”, he paused for a second, as though to make sure it was actually ok, before continuing. “I came to ask for some help with a young colt that attempted to steal apples from my stand this morning.” Red continued to explain the events that transpired earlier in the day.
When he was done telling his story, he told Luna what he had been thinking. “I came to ask for you to try and find a way to help with these two. I don’t think something as simple as an orphanage would work, as they would probably just run away again.”
The night princess looked up in the air for a bit before asking, “You said that the colt you met talked as though he had schooling, despite having never attended one. You are also claiming that he had managed to develop his magic to a level that is abnormal for his age.” she paused to look down at him, “I will go to meet these kids myself and decide what to do with them. You may take your leave.”
Red turned around and started walking out, before realizing that he had one more question, “Why were you so happy to see me when you first noticed me?”
Luna studied him carefully before responding, with just a hint of longing in her voice. “Nopony ever comes to the night court. Instead, they wait until day and speak with my sister. You were the first pony in over a year to come and see me. I guess you could say that I was just happy to talk with somepony else.”
Red nodded at that, before turning back around and walking out of the throne room.
Luna watched him go, with a sigh. It was nice to relax every once in awhile and talk with somepony, even if they were terrified of upsetting her. She thought a bit on the kids that he came to see her about, before summoning a guard to her side.
“Court is closed for the night. I have important matters to attend to. ”She told the guard, before spreading her wings and taking off though one of the opening in the high ceiling. Once she was free of the building, she angled herself north.
It's not like anypony else will come to see me.
She thought bitterly to herself.