//------------------------------// // Nightly Powers // Story: The Meaning of Life // by Falgantil //------------------------------// Darkness. Then... More darkness. I look around, but everywhere I look, I see nothing but darkness. I try to get up, but notice I can't move my legs. Then I see a glowing dark-blue shade walking towards me, slowly. Something about it seems familiar, but I can't put my hoof on what it is exactly. “You shouldn't be here...” it says. “No kidding... Wait, are you...” Luna sighs. “No, I mean you shouldn't be here in Equestria. You are not from this world, and you being here could bring confusion and cause situations which Celestia and I would rather go without.” “Oh...” At this point, I am rather speechless. Unsure of what to say, she continues. “I know how you got here. But I do not know why, and that is what we have to find out.” “Wait, you say you know how I got here... How do you know?” “You have been summoned here, by an ancient ritual.” she begins. “Back in the beginning of the Equestrian era, ponies were still fighting, trying to banish Chaos...” “Discord, you mean?” “Yes and no. You see, Chaos cannot do anything without a host which it can use to perform its evil deeds. However, while a host allows Chaos to act, it also limits him. The stronger spirit the host has, the less work Chaos can perform, and the less effect it has. You know the tale of Discord, I take it?” I nod, and Luna continues. “Well there is more to it than what most ponies know. Draconequus' are known to have weak spirits, due to their curse of being small parts of many different animals. This in itself does not affect the spirit, but it confuses the individual draconequus, which in turn, results in a weakened spirit. Chaos knew this, and so it was that the last draconequus became Chaos' host.” she pauses for a moment, before continuing the story. “Regardless, back when Chaos was still in control of much of Equestria. The ancient ponies knew, there was no stopping him alone. They had to get help elsewhere. In truth, the human they brought here, did stop Chaos, but since this was something entirely new for everyone in Equestria, it raised quite a few questions from everyone. So together with my sister, we decided it would be best to keep these worlds apart, and so we had to teleport this human back into his world. We would very much like to avoid this situation once again.” “Hm, understandable I suppose. But I mean, if I was summoned here, there must be a reason for it, right?” “Yes, I suppose. Or well... Its really kind of fun, when you know the whole tale.” I now stare at her with an awkward gaze. “Wait... I mean, go on” “Well, the ritual to summon someone from the other world was lost, back then. The only ponies to still know it, is me and my sister. Of that, we are certain.” “So what do you want from me?” “Oh, right. Well, actually we don't want anything. And it isn't us who summoned you either. So we have to figure out who did, and why...” I think for a moment. “But how is any of this funny?” “Right, the whole tale. Well, you know about Chaos. In the very foundations of magic, there are only two kinds of magic. There is that, which is created by unicorns, and there is that, created by rituals. Deep in ones heart, everypony has magic in them. Difference between unicorns, pegasus and earth ponies are that unicorns can focus this magic through their horn to manipulate the real world. Earth ponies utilize this magic in form of more strength. Pegasus' uses their, unknowingly, to use their wings. That is how magic works. Well, the one kind. The other, is rituals. They can be used to utilize the magic in ones heart, without the need of being any specific race. Or have any special physical abilities. Or, here's the funny part, even be aware that they are doing it.” Wait. What? What is she telling me exactly? “So basically what you're saying is, I may not have been summoned here for a reason, but merely by accident...?” Luna sighs. “Yes, that is the funny part...” She lets out a force giggle. “Alright...? But wait, there's something I don't understand. If that human in the past was a pony like me, how come it was such a trouble?” “Its simple. Everypony knew he wasn't really a pony.” “Ah, right. Well, how come I can't stay then?” “Celestia and I are not sure if we can trust you with such a secret.” “Of course you can trust me. As a matter of fact, I have already met both Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash, and I didn't tell any of them. Listen, Ill do anything to spend just a while in this world. Please don't send me back.” “Hm...” Luna ponders this for a while. It seems like ages. Finally, she speaks. “Celestia trusts in my judgment. I will grant you one week in this world. Enough to explore what you wish, experience what you wish. So long as you do not tell anypony your real identity. Understood?” “Right. I mean yes, of course.” Oh my gosh, is this really happening? Well, it sure seems like it! “And to make sure you honor our agreement, I shall follow your mind on your travels. Do not worry, I may be nosy, but I respect everyponies privacy. But this means, if you ever need to contact me, I will be there in your mind.” “Alright then, I guess...?” “One last thing. I cannot tell where your physical body will be when you wake up.” She starts to fade. Not because she is moving into the shadows. She simply keeps gaining a darker shade of blue. “Wait, what?!” I become quite alarmed by her last sentence. Where am I? Shouldn't I still be head-down in the grass just outside Ponyville? “One week...” Those are her last words, before I start feeling dizzy again. Seconds passes. Then... More darkness.