//------------------------------// // Chapter 2 "The Starry Night" // Story: The Son Of Luna // by DanielScratchAnimations //------------------------------// After removing the restrains a couple of hours and over a gallon of water later daniel seemed relatively calm, and had a very neutral face. Luna sat with him nestled comfortably between her legs in a tent made specially for the two of them "Are you feeling better Daniel?" Luna asked, hopeful that the boy would say something other than "Please don't hurt me anymore." Instead, he just sat there unblinking and completely still if she didn't know better she would've thought he was dead "Please say something daniel" Luna softly said nuzzling him softly but, to no avail. Luna sighed, looking at him worriedly, *It's getting late I'd better raise the moon soon and see to it that Daniel gets some rest. We have a long journey ahead of us.* While concentrating, on the spell to raise her moon, she didn't notice that Daniel had gotten up and walked outside their tent making all passerby's look at him in surprise however, he stopped only a few feet from the tent still within sight and looked up. When Luna noticed, she quickly got up and trotted over to him. "Daniel you must come back to the tent your still unwell." she said, with obvious worry in her voice but, sadly it fell on death ears, as Daniel only continued to look up Luna was confused by this looking to where his eyes were pointing. However, there was nothing there just the night sky that she always puts up then she looks at daniel once again and sees something that makes her gasp in surprise he was staring at the sky in wonderment this was the first reaction that Luna had seen out of him besides fear, and pain. "D-do you like the stars??" Luna asked nervously, worried that she may ruin this moment for him. After a few moments Daniel looked at Luna with the same eyes of wonderment but then, she could see it the faintest hint of curiosity....."S-staaars??" Luna could only look at him in surprise, *He...he spoke!! He can speak!* She thought, with excitement and happiness. "Y-yes those are stars I made them!" Luna said, trying to hide her enthusiasm for fear of daniel shutting down again. Daniel looked at Luna with wonderment once again and if Luna's mind wasn't playing any tricks on her she could swear that she can see a small smile on his face. "Y-you make staars..." Daniel asks, which only makes Luna's already big smile bigger. "Y-yes Daniel that's right!" She stated a bit louder than intended but as far she could see it didn't phase him much. Instead, daniel looked at Luna curiously and asked, "How??" Luna pulled back her head slightly in all her years of controlling the night sky above she's never really wondered much less asked herself how it was possible. It could be do to her alicorn magic but, if that were true then her cutie mark wouldn't have destined her to be able to control the moon and stars. "I-I'm sorry daniel but, i don't really know how it's just something I'm able to do." she answered honestly, she doesn't know why but, she felt like she could trust the young colt. Daniel much to Luna's dismay, seemed to be disappointed at the answer but, nodded his head in understanding. Luna was a little sad to see Daniel like this so she nuzzled his cheek only for him to flinch, pulling away in fear. "No no daniel don't be afraid I'm only trying to comfort you." Luna quickly says trying to calm his nerves. Daniel slowly, became assured that his safety wasn't to be worried about, and slowly let his guard down with her. Luna noticed this, and slowly got closer to the young colt and with a tentative hoof brought him closer to her. Of course, he pulled away slightly at first, but soon gave in to the princess's kind touch making Luna smile "Come inside daniel it's getting late and you need rest." Daniel only nodded, letting Luna guide him to her tent after putting a few of her own pillows in a correct position she let him lay down and before she realized it, he was fast asleep. *Poor dear must've been more tired than I thought.* She slowly, and gently covered daniel with a blanket and nuzzled his forehead. "Sleep well young colt..." whispered the princess. The princess exited the tent quietly making sure not to wake the young colt. "Princess Luna there you are." Luna jumped, turning to star daggers at the pony who startled her like that. "Shhh...the young colt is finally asleep." Luna stated as quietly as, she pulled the guard aside quite a distance away from the tent, and the young colt sleeping inside it. "Now....what is the issue that couldn't wait till morning?" The guard although a bit frightened by the princess snapping at her took off her helmet and saluted her. "Commander Vinyl Scratch your highness, as for issues there are none I just wished to inform you that all files, and supplies that we could find in the enemies base have been taken and brought to camp." Luna looked at her wide eyed "Really? That was rather quick, even for the guard." Vinyl shifted in her hooves, "W-well umm.....there might have been another reason why we were able to gather them that quickly." Luna stared at her incredulously, "Commander Scratch is there something your not telling me?" Vinyl flinched, "W-well you see your highness....the reason for this is well the enemy might have burned most of the files concerning...." she whispered the last word so quietly that Luna couldn't hear. "Concerning who Commander Scratch?" She asked, a hint of irritation in her voice making Vinyl flinch once again. "Concerning ......the creature we found your highness." Luna's heart nearly stopped at this new information, *What could be so important to the enemy, that they'd destroy all information on him. Could he be dangerous?* Luna shook her head, *No Daniel is just a harmless child, of a new species no less he's definitely not a threat to anypony especially the way he has been around me.* She narrowed her eyes, "Bring all information that was saved to my quarters immediately I will look over them in the morning." Vinyl nodded saluting, "Yes your highness!" Luna flinched, "SHHH....not so loud." she stated firmly. Vinyl covered her mouth, only to open it again to whisper, "Apologies, your highness" Luna waved her hoof in dismissively, confirming to the commander that she was forgiven. "Is there anything else that i need to know?" Luna asked. Vinyl shook her head, "No ma'am, nothing else to report." She said saluting, with a stern look on her face. Luna nodded, and sighed exhausted from today's events "Very well, if nothing else I will retire for the night, make sure there are guards posted all night in shifts." Vinyl saluted, "Yes your highness, have a good nights rest." Luna nodded, "And you as well." Luna then turned back, trotting to her tent. *What could the enemy be planning that they would need a child for?* Luna entered her tent where Daniel still lay sleeping. *I mean look at him he's harmless, and not to mention easily frightened what could they get from a scared child?* She slid out of her armor, and rested right behind daniel wrapping her wings around him. Shaking her head of anything but, comforting the small colt in her wings. *Enough of that for now, I will have all the time I wish to think about this in the morning. For now, I just want to see this boy rested and well cared for.* Luna closed her eyes resting her head on a nearby pillow only to feel Daniel shift to get closer to the monarch, burying his head in Luna's chest smiling softly. This caused Luna's heart to skip a beat, the sight gave her a feeling of happiness that she hasn't felt in a VERY long time. *I promise I'll protect you little one...* She nuzzled daniel, and again closed her eyes drifting to what would be one of the best sleeps she's had in all her years of living.