//------------------------------// // In the Dark // Story: Night, Moon, And Stars // by nebulaegalaxy //------------------------------// There are so many stars. I would not try to count them; there are too many for that. Instead, I watch them in awe as they sparkle and shine. I wish I could just reach out and touch them, but I know I cannot. I turn my attention to the moon. It is as lovely as it always is. Its light reflects upon the crystal surfaces in the empire, illuminating it. The night is my favorite time of day because of this. Everything is beautiful, and the light reflecting from the crystal is not as blinding as it would be during the day when the sun is up. I’ve heard stories. Stories of ponies who controlled the day/night cycle. While I would love to meet the pony who brings about the night, I dare not leave while the ponies under my unwanted rule think me tyrant. If they discover I have left, they might claim the throne. While I would not mind, if I were to come back, they’d throw me in the dungeon. Or slay me. Still, maybe I can find them some other way. I call a servant to me. He comes, and stands there, shaking in fear. I do nothing to him, instead asking him to have a guard go out with him and find the ponies I seek. He nods, still afraid. He leaves. I return to watching the night. A week passes and they have not returned. I worry they have gotten lost and send a few more guards out to find them and bring them home. Another week passes. None have returned. I am worried, but not enough to search for them personally and abandon the empire. Two mares visit. Both have wings like that of a bird and a horn like my own. I personally went to greet them. They tell me the had received word of a tyrant king to the north. I tell them I am no tyrant. I notice one of them has a flowing mane full of stars. I ask her about them. She answers that they have to do with her talent, to which I inquire as well. She says she holds sway over the moon and stars, and I do not doubt it. Instead, I tell her of my affection for the night, and how I had hoped to meet whoever brought it about. She smiles and tells me that not many other ponies share my sentiment whilst glancing at the pearl mare beside her. The pearl mare introduces herself and the other mare. Apparently, they are sisters. Sisters who control the heavens. Knowing my place, I bow to both, though lower to she of the night. Luna, as she was called, was suppressing a grin while Celestia, the pearl one, rolled her eyes at my antics. Clearly, Celestia is used to being treated with more respect than her younger, darker sister. Which makes me want to do even more things for Luna rather than Celestia, such as address Luna first and Celestia second. Can I tell you something? Luna… Was different from other mares. More relatable. More approachable. Unlike her sister, who was as approachable as a statue. Yikes. She should lighten up a bit. Or a lot. Definitely a lot. I digress. I give them a tour of the empire, and the ponies glared at me, calling out that the tyrant had found some tyrant friends. If Luna had not been standing close to me, I might have broken down into tears. But she was there, so I held strong, though I scowled. I turned to tell her they only called me tyrant because they did not like me, but Celestia pounced on me before I got the chance, calling me a liar. I growled, which might have only aggravated Celestia more. Whatever the case, she started trying to kill me. Luna, however, stopped her sister, saying that they should hear my side of the story. Celestia, rather begrudgingly, agreed after a moment's hesitation. I told the sisters of the heavens that I was no tyrant, only called one, for my people did not like me. Luna cast a menacing glance at her sister. Curious. Luna whispers in my ear, saying that she understands how I feel. Curiouser and curiouser. Celestia’s scowl deepens, but she says nothing to me. She tells her sister it’s time to go. Luna, of course, protests, saying that they had just gotten here, and that it was a long flight back. Celestia was not persuaded. She engulfed her sister in her golden aura and took flight. Luna rolled her eyes, but she did not resist. Rather, she just watched as she floated close to her sister, slowly but gradually away from me. I would have waved, but I was distracted. A pony had thrown a tomato at my face. I sighed. A speck in the distance now, my thoughts turned to Luna. Her lovely, flowing mane, her turquoise eyes… Yes, I know I am focusing on her looks, but her personality is still much of a mystery to me. It dawned on me that I may never see her again. I do not cry until I am alone. I look for books on dark magic, trying to find a way to become immortal, so I may see her again, even if it takes a thousand years. I found something… Interesting. But I do not dare risk it unless it is absolutely necessary. If I were to attempt this, there was a large possibility of me going insane. There is an explosion outside. A guard rushes in and says we are under attack. I curse. I glance at the book. Is it worth it…? Another explosion shakes the room. I tell the guard to send out some more guards to try and reach a peace. He acknowledges, leaving the room. Another explosion. I know it must be the sisters of the skies. No other being could cause three explosions so close together. I grasp the book in my magic and read the words aloud, praying that I can save the empire before it is destroyed.