//------------------------------// // Chapter Two - The ruminations of Princessess // Story: The Mare of the Stars // by XYZDreadnought //------------------------------// “Is there something troubling you Luna?” says Celestia, looking down at her freshly reunited sister. The party has been going on for a while now, with Twilight having run off to mingle with her newly acquired friends and the townsfolk of her new home. Luna and Celestia have retired to a quieter part of the party, along with some of the older folk and ponies taking a breather from the festivities. Currently Luna is wearing a thoughtful and slightly sad expression. “It’s…” Luna tries to say, pauses then tries again, “I wish I could say it was nothing, the truth is, since I have come back from my banishment, before I was… fixed… I kept seeing… something. I don’t know, some creature I don’t think I have ever seen or heard of before. I first started seeing her when I came to look for you…” “Was said creature bipedal, thin, short, with long white hair, a small black dress, and carrying a giant crescent shaped scythe?” Celestia asks wearily. Luna looks surprised “Why yes, are you acquainted?” “Less acquainted than I thought,” says Celestia with a slightly sour expression. It had not been pleasant being sent off, she did not know Mare had the power to do that to her, or why for that matter, “but please continue.” “Well, she spoke to me, told me that you were gone somewhere I could not reach you,” Celestia makes a go-on gesture, “Well she asked me if I was your sister, and that she was going to reap my nightmare, and asked if she could do it now or later, when my back was turned.” ‘So Mare asked her,’ Celestia thinks bitterly, ‘Looks like she and I need to have a discussion.’ Celestia waits for Luna to continue. “Well at the time I interpreted it as a threat, thought she was some sort of assassin...” There is a snort, Celestia and Luna look around, but see no one who appears to be listening, so Luna continues. “...I tried to attack her, and at first I thought I got her, but then, when I went to make my entrance, I saw her leaning against the far wall, just watching me. After that I started seeing her everywhere, like she was following me… or in hindsight maybe she was just following Twilight too, I don’t know. But with the final confrontation with Twilight, she somehow got behind me, with her scythe raised…” Luna, took a breath, “...I had never felt anything like it, it was like all the pain, all the bitterness, the jealousy and hatred, it was all just spirited away, not gone, just suddenly felt very far away, all that was left was the loneliness, loneliness and fear, and she just stood over me, and she was crying…” Luna looks down “...She took the Darkness too.” “She what?” says Celestia, eyebrows skyrocketing. Luna’s mouth is dry. “She simply stood as her body absorbed it, tears still running down her face, and then, as the elements bore down, she simply stood there and took it.” Celestia isn't sure how to respond to this, what emotion to show her sister, or even how she herself was feeling at this point. “I’m not sure what would have happened, if the elements had hit me, for all I know it could have sent me to the moon again, but she simply stepped in and took my darkness and then took the hit for me, and when I awoke there was no sign of her…” Celestia feels slightly relieved, at least she could address this concern. “Luna, I understand, but in this situation you need not worry,” Luna looks up, “My understanding of the elements since your banishment have only increased, and I can say with certainty, that she would not be banished, especially for such a selfless act as that.” “Mind you, having all that dark energy introduced and then expunged violently from your system within the same minute will probably leave the body quite sore,” Celestia thinks privately. Luna still looks doubtful. “But then, where was she?” This is also rather easy to answer. “The creature you refer to, who goes by the name of Mare, is a creature of the stars, and unfortunately she does not fully exist without their light, which the light of day obscures, as you well know. She most probably vanished from the realm of perception the moment the sun rose. In fact I would not be surprised if she was still in the room when we left.” Luna concern is replaced with one of slight wonder. “Mare... a creature of the stars… I think I would like to meet her.” Celestia chuckles indulgently, but before she has a chance to answer, an elderly voice spoke out. “Forgive me fer keepin’ an ear out to your conversation, yer highnesses, but you’ll find that a mite difficult, if ahm any judge.” The alicorns turn to look at the small elderly figure that had spoken. Luna was mildly cautious at the sudden interruption, but Celestia gave her a welcoming, if mildly puzzled expression. “Why Mrs, Smith, it has been a while… what exactly do you mean by difficult?” Granny gives a wry smile. “How d’you do yer Highness. Sorry fer cutting in but I felt that mah two bits at this time might save you a bit of hassle. What ah mean to say, is you might have a harder time seeing Mare than you might think.” Celestia raises an eyebrow. “You are acquainted with Mare? I must admit, I did not know that.” “Why doesn’t that surprise me…” says Granny, directing her gaze at the forest, before turning back. “Me ‘n’ Mare go way back, although not as back I assume you do, back before this town even had a name. Back when me ‘n’ my one-day-hubby were still young and stupid enough ta think we knew everything.” A wistful expression crosses her face. “He started it as a hobby gathering, the stargazers club, and us bein’ bored teens in the sticks, we all went along with it, it was something to do in the evenings, oh the times we all had.” Granny gave a sigh. “Not much of us left these days, jus’ me, ol’ Will down in Manehatten, Nanna Nettle, and Mare, o’course.” Celestia had wondered where she is going with this, now she knows. “Mare was in this Stargazing club of yours?” Granny gives a chuckle, “That she was, we never had any idea where she came from at the time, or what she was. My hubby one day showed up with her in tow, she introduced herself as a reaper. She was also abrupt, rude, and contrary, often refusing before being asked, an’ vanished ‘fore we was finished. Didn’t improve much when she came the next time either, or the next. The only one she seemed to pay attention to was my hubby, and that was when he was telling stories about the stars, or letting her look though his telescope. She was hard to deal with, but we put up with her, she was jus’ a lil’ kid after all, and as far as we all know, she didn’t have no parents, and my hubby said she didn’t have much of a home. She always said she was older than us, we never took much stock in it though, although seeing her last night, I can’t help wondering how true that is…” “By my knowledge she is by at least several centuries.” says Celestia. “Never acted it,” Granny snickers, “not that it mattered, kid’s a kid, no matter how old.” With a ponderous look she continues, “My guess is that no-one ever taught ‘er how to grow up… but I’m sorry I think I got sidetracked somewhere, What were we talkin’ about?” “You mentioned that it might be difficult to see Mare,” says Celestia politely. “Ahh right, knew I was goin’ somewhere with that,” says Granny, scratching her chin. “As I was sayin’, despite her little quirks, we all ended up growin’ attached to the little tyke, and and her the same. In her own weird way, she even got me together with the Mister. But as time went on, somethin’ happened… we all started growing up, we all started getting jobs, building families, We still kept trying to keep the club goin’ but gatherings got rarer, and in the middle of it was lil’ Mare, who hadn’t grown, can’t grow up I’m beginnin’ to suspect. She watched as close friends seemingly became more and more distant, before you know it she started showing up less n’ less frequently too. And one day, just as me and my hubby were expecting our first, she told us she was going, and just like that, she disappeared from our lives. My hubby tried to find her, it was him who she was closest to, but he was a family man now, he couldn’t go running off into the Everfree whenever the mood struck like he used to, nor could she go chase an invisible girl around the corridors of a dark castle every night, he never saw hide nor hair of her again. He never stopped looking, though, he may not have been an Apple, but he was stubborn as one… Ah sidetracked again didn’t I? The point is I think Mares plannin’ to pull a vanishing act again, this time maybe for good.” Celestia looks confused, and slightly worried. “What makes you think that?” “I managed to corner her when she was in the town hall, she was acting strange, more distant than I remember, could have been that she aint seen me in over a… how long has it been? Anyway, the only other time I’ve seen her act anythin’ like this was just before she disappeared, I can’t say fer certain but… Look, what promise was it that you made with Mare?” “Huh?” Celestia exclaims, “Promise?” “The only time Mare is ever committed to anything is if a promise is made, sometimes I think Mare’s life revolves around promises, my hubby seemed to think so. Mare’s life is defined by one big promise, that's what he said, as far as I know you are the only other pony in her life, so what was it?” Celestia looks down and sighs. “I wish I knew, but the truth of it is that the promise she is being held to is not one I remember making, she mentions it to me every now and then, but then refuses to tell me what the promise might have been, or when it was made.” Granny Smith put on a thoughtful expression. “Well now, that certainly makes things a mite more complicated.” Luna gets tired of staying silent. “Excuse me, while your wisdom is appreciated, you have done nothing but tell stories and ask questions in circles, please, why is it that you think she will vanish?” “Luna!” admonishes Celestia. “It’s alright Princess, I think I’ve beaten around the bush long enough,” says Granny, “But what I’m about to say was told by Mare to my husband, in confidence, who then told it to me with the same. I’d appreciate it if you took these words with the same weight as I speak em.” The Princesses share a glance, before nodding solemnly. Granny makes sure that she has both their attentions before speaking. “Now, a long time ago by my standards, while my husband was still among the living and Mare was still what we would call a close friend, they often had rather interesting talks, about a variety of things. Mare was a smart kid after all, and my Mister had always been a thinker. At one time, the talk had somehow got to the rather grim subject of mortality. Now I won’t bore you with too much of the philosophisin’ those two went through, so I’ll cut to the important bit. When he questioned Mare about her mortality, she said that she won’t die, cuz she can’t age, but when the time comes, she will be ‘sent off’, you know, just like she does with her scythe, she will be sent to the stars to sleep for a very long time, maybe forever.” Celestia pales. “Forever?” She had never been told this. “But when is her time? Surely she must have said.” says Luna, with urgency in her voice. “That she did yer highness,” says Granny, “She said her time will come when the purpose to which she was brought into existence is fulfilled, when she completes her promise.” She looks Celestia in the eye. “Which is why I need to know what that promise is, and how much time she has left.” Celestia stands silently, trying to digest what she has been told. “If that is the case,” Celestia’s mouth felt dry, “It may already be too late-” “Now no need to worry about that,” said Granny, cutting in. “Ah managed to get her to promise to a dinner with the family tomorrow, she ain’t goin’ jus’ yet. That girl takes promises seriously, so we got a little time.” Celestia breathes a little easier. “That is a relief, for I believe that the promise, whatever it was, had something to do with Luna’s banishment, as she said that last night would mark the end of our promise.” “Hmm, not a lot to go on, but better than nothin’,” says Granny. “Maybe it would be best for you, sister, to tell some of what you know about this Mare,” says Luna, “After all, if this promise is what defines her being, then it must have been close to when you met her, if not before.” Something about that struck a chord with Celestia, before Mare appeared… There was a shooting star. “A wish…” Celestia says, almost to herself. “A wish?” says Luna, confused. “I’ve just realised what the promise was.” says Celestia, before recounting the tale of how she met Mare. “...So when Mare says promise, she means wish?” says Luna. “It might be more accurate to say she finds them synonymous, at least in regards to herself. A wish on her star is the same as a promise made by her,” says Celestia. Granny looks thoughtful for a different reason. “I must say, hearin’ your tale, I can hardly believe we’re talkin’ about the same pony-er-person. I’ve never known Mare to be that emotional. She always buried it, never let it show.” “Not always,” says Celestia softly. Celestia tried to rub the sleep out of her eyes. The young girl sat with knees drawn in on her star, watching Celestia with sad eyes. It had been a whole two months after she had arrived, and she had seemingly long since run out of tears to cry. Celestia herself was not fairing much better, long nights trying to give comfort and company to the lonely child were talking their toll. Her eyes had deep bags under them, and she strained to keep them focused on the text in front of her, trying once more to attempt to decipher the origins of her small companion. “Celestia?” came the timid little voice next to her. “Yes, Child?” said Celestia, glad for the distraction to her ongoing failure. “Can… Can you tell me about your sister?” Celestia frowned. “I don’t remember mentioning my sister, how did you hear of her?” “Please?” came the hopeless reply. The Princess sighed. “I suppose there is no harm in it. My sister was an alicorn like me me, like how I raise and lower the sun, it was her duty to the same with the moon. We ruled over Equestria together.” “What happened to her?” Another sigh. “Luna was never as well loved as me, despite her efforts. She always tried the hardest, yet our subjects scorned her night. One night it had become too much for her and she was overwhelmed in darkness, becoming a creature known to this day as Nightmare Moon. She lashed out and attacked me, and threatened to leave Equestria in eternal night… She was banished to the moon, where she will stay for a thousand years.” “What will happen then?” “She will return as Nightmare Moon, and will attempt to finish what she started.” Celestia's throat felt dry. “In which case, if she cannot be cured, we will be forced to banish her again.” The child sat quietly, digesting the information, before saying. “Am I a replacement for your sister?” Celestia nearly choked. “What?” “You are being so nice to me, and you are here every night. Are you doing this because you miss your sister?” Celestia sat in stunned silence, before she managed to speak. “D-don’t be ridiculous, I…” Celestia stopped herself and took a deep breath, and this time spoke more clearly, ”I would be lying if I say I do not miss her, I miss her a great deal, she is my sister, and in some respects my only friend, but you are not her replacement, you are a unique individual, and I am helping you because I want to.” The child was silent, before throwing another curve ball. “How do you cope with loss?” “Excuse me?” said Celestia, confused by the directions this conversation was going. “Back at home, I used to see all the kids who had lost parents, or been abandoned, and how sad and angry they were, I used to think how lucky I was, for I never had anyone to lose, I’ve always tried to be alone, so I felt safe... But now that it’s all gone, I’m starting to feel like I wasn’t as alone as I thought, No matter how hard I tried to push away, some people managed to find a place in my heart anyway.” She idly held a hand to her chest, gently squeezing the fabric between her fingers, before turning angry moist eyes at Celestia, although somehow Celestia knew the anger wasn’t directed at her. “So how do you deal with losing people, how do I make this feeling go away?” Celestia looked into the child's angry eyes, while hers filled with sadness. “I’m not sure there is any way I can answer that, for there is no true answer. Sometimes with life, you just have to move forward. With those feelings of loss, you can only be strong and bear them as best you can.” The child looked at the ground, hugging her knees tighter. “I don’t think I’m strong enough for that.” ‘Sometimes I wonder if anyone is,’ thought Celestia before trying to lighten the mood. “No need to think like that, I promised, didn’t I? I will help you find your way home in no time, there is no need for such thoughts.” The child gave her a look. Celestia could almost feel her scepticism, she didn’t blame her. Celestia’s haggard appearance would not do much to inspire confidence, and the child seemed to have an uncanny ability to see through white lies, probably due to her environment growing up. “You are sleepy, you should go home,” said the child suddenly. Celestia was nonplussed. Usually the child was more clingy than this, but now she is actively sending her off. “You can’t get anything done like this, come back tomorrow after some rest,” the child insisted. “Are you sure you will be alright?” said Celestia. “I will be, just go,” said the child, in a way that Celestia, had she been more awake, might have found ominous. Not sure what to make of this shift in demeanor, but tired enough to take request to go to bed at face value, she stood up and made to leave. “Goodnight little one, see you tomorrow.” “Night, Celestia.” Celestia was halfway down the tower steps when she remembered she had forgotten her notes. Upon returning to the tower's top however, she was was confronted with a sight that froze her on the spot. Framed perfectly in one of the large windows stood the child, looking at Celestia with a ‘deer in the headlights’ look etched in her face, with tears streaming from her eyes. However the most shocking part was how she was holding her scythe. She held it with the handle facing away from her, with both hands grasping just under the blade, the top of the crescent was sitting in the small of her back. “Wh...what are you doing?” said Celestia, not sure how to comprehend what what she was seeing. “I’m sorry…” said the child, before closing her leaking eyes and turning her head away, “But I’m not strong enough!” With a swift motion, and a quick flash, she pulled the blade through her midsection. Celestia moved, but too late as the child fell began to fall. Igniting her magic, she managed to catch her before she touched the ground. Rushing to her side, she feared the worst… Yet there was no blood, indeed not so much as a torn thread on her clothes or a lock of hair out of place. Turning her over to see her face, she almost dropped her when she heard a groan. Instead she let her down gently, and gave her a little space. The child’s eyes fluttered open, her face an uncharacteristic deadpan. She sat up, reached out for her scythe, and used it to lift herself to her feet. “Child, are you… alright?” said Celestia, put slightly on edge by the uncharacteristic calm. “I’m… fine?” she phrases it like a question. “I guess it worked.” “What worked? What was that you just did?” said Celestia, worried and confused. “I don’t feel the pain anymore… In fact, I don’t remember what was hurt.” “Pardon?” said Celestia. “I reaped my Nightmare, my memories of my past, I don’t remember who I was, so now they can’t hurt me.” “You... reaped your memories?” said Celestia, feeling well and truly lost by this point. “Yes, now you don’t have to worry either,” the child gave Celestia a small smile, the first she had seen from the girl. It looked alien on her face, and didn’t quite reach her eyes. “You don’t need to find my home, I no longer remember it.” “Bel…” Celestia tried to say, but was cut off. “Please, that name is no longer mine, it belongs with the memories I have reaped, for now, call me Mare, it feels more right.” Celestia had run out of words, she just stood, confusion and worry etched on her face. Mare turned on her heels and walked to the window. “I’m going for a walk, I might as well get familiar with this castle.” Just as she stood in the frame, she turned her head back to face Celestia. “Go home, Celestia, you don’t need to help me anymore, all that's left is for me to help you.” She vanished. “...And since then, it's almost as if she tries to push away anyone she comes into contact with, and despite my best efforts, I have felt her becoming more and more distant over the centuries.” Celestia concludes. The small gathering was silent, processing this new information. “Well, I’ll be darned…” says Granny. “She chose forgetting everything, rather than living with the pain,” says Luna. “I don’t think she forgot everything, she is still quite capable of drawing on skills and knowledge of her previous life,” says Celestia, “What she forgot was her identity, who she was and her relationships with those around her, so she does not need to feel the pain of having lost them, hence why she took on a new name.” “I always thought there was an achin’ heart under there,” says Granny thoughtfully, “now I think I know why.” “So what are we going to do about it?” says Luna, “She helped me in my time of need, it should only be right that I should give her my aid in return.” “Indeed, I have known Mare far too long to be happy with her simply disappearing, I was the one who brought her into existence, albeit accidentally, it is about time I take responsibility,” Celestia says. “Well looks like we all agree on somethin’, and If you will listen to me prattle on a little more, I think I have just the idea to get Mare to stick around…”