//------------------------------// // Luna's Counseling // Story: Land of Equines // by Daddy Joe //------------------------------// Luna's Counseling May 13th, 2013 It was a nice, sunny day in Canterlot. I walked down one of streets in the fine dining area, but something wasn't right. Usually, this area is bustling with ponies both average and rich, it was rare for this to happen. I casually looked through one of the windows of the nearest restaurant and there was actually a few ponies inside, but not as many as I was expecting. I also wasn't expecting the ponies to not look at me at all, since I stand out pretty good. It was almost as if I wasn't standing outside by the window at all. I then turned away from the window and realized something odd. On the other side of the street was a shady alley, not sketchy looking, but very dimmed. "I didn't see that there before. Must've missed it." I thought in my head. I stared down the the dark alley for a few seconds, it reminded me of what happened to Larynx. Slowly, I walked to the entrance and looked into it, squinting my eyes. When I squinted my eyes, I could see something with much more darker shade on the ground, causing me to quickly scan my surroundings. "That can't be Larynx... This isn't even the right alley." I said to myself. Wasting no time, I walked at a fast pace down the alley until I reached the end where the object lied. I crouched down a little to get a better look, hoping it was a full trash bag, but it wasn't, it was Larynx, now with skeletal remains protruding out of his decomposed flesh. "Oh, my god, they didn't even clean him out of here!" I exclaimed, followed by a coughing fit. I thought I was all by myself in the alley, but... apparently I wasn't. "You killed him." a female voice said from behind me. "Oh, shit." I mumbled to myself in both fear and shock. Behind me stood an entire crowd of ponies that stretched all the way down to the end of the alley, mostly including everybody I've met in this world. Every single one of their eyes stared up at me while glaring at the same time. I was still in a state of shock from all of this before I could even utter a single word. "No, please, you have to understand--" I frantically tried to explain before I stopped and flinched to all the yelling directed towards me, involving only two words. "Killer! Murderer! Killer! Killer! Murderer! Murderer! Killer! Murderer! Killer! Killer!" all the ponies screamed at me. I couldn't speak at all. I could only take the slanders and feel the awful feeling of shame and guilt. They had me backing up to the wall before I came to a halt in front of Larynx. "You murderer!" Twilight shouted from behind with the other five girls and Spike, all looking distraught and betrayed. "No! I'm sorry!" I replied, almost on the verge of tears and my voice beginning to break. But just then, everybody's yelling came to a stop and they all froze in place, leaving nothing but absolute dead silence. I sniffled a little bit before I noticed something in the sky. The silhouette of an alicorn descended from the sky and closed in on the alley. Within an instant, the crowd of ponies, Larynx, and my friends vanished from existence, leaving me all by myself in the alley. With that, Princess Luna landed softly in front of me. "A warm hello to you, Caleb Barlow, even though this is a relatively grim and dark nightmare you appear to be having." Luna greeted. "A nightmare?" I quivered. "Yes. Have you forgotten? It is my duty to watch over the dreams of everypony in Equestria, even yours." Princess Luna replied. "Oh... Uh, yes." I replied. "Now come. Let me take you away from here and go someplace that's more like home." Princess Luna said before she offered her hoof for me to grasp. Once I grasped her hoof, there was a big flash and both of us were transported to the Golden Oak Library, but still in the dreamscape. The entire library was pitch black at first, but Princess Luna illuminated a good section of the interior with the blue glow of her horns aura. "Are we alone here?" I asked. "Yes. Your dream is now under my complete control for the time being. Thus, we are the only ones here." Luna replied. "Oh." I said, sitting down on a chair. "I must say that your dream is rather unique in all my time in the dreamscape. Judging on what I've just witnessed, your thoughts dwell on death, fear, and the act of murder. Why is that?" Luna asked in a calm manner. "I..." I began, followed by a sigh. "I just don't know if I can tell you." "Please, you must. Be aware that I am here to not only take you away from your nightmare, but to also provide guidance for you. I can easily tell something is bothering you, so please, tell me." Luna assured. "Okay. So, you know about the whole changeling invasion in Canterlot about a week ago?" I asked. "Aye, I remember the invasion." Luna replied. "Well, you see, I was running around the streets of Canterlot at the time the invasion started and I was pretty much trying to help out anypony that I could, and I noticed this family pinned down in the alley. I managed to save them and knock out most of the changelings, but one came back for more and I, well, killed him. But it was an accident, completely unintentional. All I wanted to do was to rough him up a bit." I explained. "I see. And this does not make your murderer by all means, Caleb Barlow. But I feel that this is not entirely what's bothering you and fueling your nightmare. Isn't it?" Luna said. "Yeah. You're pretty much right. I also feel guilty for what I did even though it was unintentional. Those smaller changelings were basically the queen's family and her expressions and actions based on what I did really showed. But aside of that, I'm really afraid that Twilight and my friends will find out about Larynx and think less of me, or fear me for what I did." I explained. "I can understand what you're going through, Caleb Barlow. Even I to this day still feel the agonizing guilt of all the suffering I brought to Equestria as Nightmare Moon those long, long years ago." Luna said. "How did you get past the way ponies labeled you once you were broken from being Nightmare Moon?" I asked. "It took time to regain the trust of the citizen's of Equestria, but the more I showed that I wasn't as bad as I was labeled, things got a lot better. However, my situation was completely different from your current situation." Luna said. "Right. So, what should I do? Should I tell somepony? Like, Twilight?" I said while looking at Princess Luna into the eyes. "That is entirely up to you. If you want to tell somepony about this, then it's best to tell Twilight Sparkle." Luna said. "You sure?" I asked. "I'm sure of it. Although the topic and act of murder is extremely rare in Equestria, she'll be able to listen in on your story. Twilight is a very understanding mare and supportive to others in dire situations. And Caleb, do not let your fears get the best of you. Nopony will think worse of thee." Luna said. "Thanks." I said. "I actually feel more assured and comfortable, thanks to you." I said. "It is no trouble at all, Caleb Barlow. Do you have any other possible questions on your mind that I could answer for you?" Luna asked. "No, I'm good for now. You've got a lot dreams to look after for the rest of the night, so I should let carry on." I said. "I would, but the night is near its end. I will have to lower the moon shortly to make way for my sister's sunrise." Luna said. "Oh, then I guess I'll just get out of bed once you leave." I said. "Very well, then. I will see you another time." Luna said before turning away and heading for the door. "And hey, good job getting better at your speaking." I complimented. "I beg your pardon?" Luna asked. "Y'know, your use of the words 'thou' and all those old words seemed to of gone down a little since the last time I spoke to you." I explained. "Oh, yes. I thought it would probably be best to get with the modern times and ditch the archaic words of the past." Luna said. "Well, keep up with it, Princess Luna." I said. "I will. Farewell for now, Caleb Barlow." Luna said as she opened the door. "Bye." I said. Princess Luna then exited the library and I opened up my eyes to reality right as she closed the door. It was now five-forty in the morning, so I decided to go with my word to Princess Luna and get up early, even earlier than Twilight. I kinda wondered how she'll react to that.