//------------------------------// // Ch 1- An Old Friend // Story: The Dark Night // by Zonfic //------------------------------// The night was a dark one. Barely a star in the sky and the moon was dim. The two Lunar Guards standing outside Princess Luna’s chamber were still as statues as they stood guard over Luna’s chamber. It had been three months without a single incident. Although that was good news for the citizens of Canterlot and all of Equestria; it left the guards completely bored and irritated. Then a sudden movement caught the eye of one of the guards. The other guard quickly caught on and stood at a ready stance. “Who is there? Show yourself!” One of the guards demanded to the shadows. The next thing they knew was that they were on the ground, out cold. A figure appeared from the shadows and a rather odd figure at that. It stood up tall on only two legs and was as black as the night itself. All except for its piercing blue glowing eyes that now shot open. Their faint glow lit up the shadows as the figure approached the princess’s door. Slowly and without making a single sound it opened the door and closed it. Its eyes glowed as it looked around the room. Paperwork sat in high stacks on a work desk and many books were scattered around the room. Only four candles illuminated the room and the princess was nowhere to be seen. The figure quietly made its way over to Luna’s giant bed and took out an odd shaped package from behind it. A letter was attached to the package and they both were slid under the princess’s pillow. The figure was too preoccupied with its task to notice Luna coming in from the balcony. Once she got a good look at the figure she stood there motionless, staring at the odd thing before her. The figure looked up at the princess and stared at her with its glowing eyes. Then, as fast as lighting, the figure shot past the princess and went out the window. Luna quickly followed but by the time she got to the window the figure was gone. The morning after that eventful night the story was made public as the press got their hooves on it. Everypony was shocked by the news and the two guards were questioned. They could not answer any of them except that the figure was fast and stealthy. Meanwhile with the commotion downstairs Luna sat next to her bed thinking the events of last night over. "Who was that odd figure? What did it want? How did it get in Canterlot? Ugh!" Luna laid down on her bed in frustration when she felt a lump under her pillow. She immediately reached under it and pulled out the strange looking package. She noticed the note and read it over carefully. Dear Luna, I am sorry for all the mystery and secrecy but there is little time. I require your assistance urgently! Please as soon as possible meet me at the path that leads into the Everfree Forest. You can bring any of your friends or your sister but I ask you to do it quickly! The item in the package will give you some clues as to what this is about. Please hurry Luna! An old friend. "An old friend? Who could that be?" Luna thought to herself when she heard a knock on her door. “Come in.” She said as she was still looking over the note. “What’s that Luna?” A very tall pony with white fur and a radiant mane asked as she entered the room. Luna was surprised to see it was her sister who had come to visit her. “This? It’s a note the figure left with this weird package. I’m still not sure if I should open it.” Luna answered her sister. Celestia walked over to Luna and sat down next to her looking over the note. “Well I think we should open it. After all what is the worst it could be?” Celestia advised. “Fine, I’ll open it.” Luna said with a sigh as she untied the string with her magic. The brown paper surrounding the item it held fell open with the removal of the string. What was inside shocked both Celestia and Luna. “It… it can’t be. That’s not possible…” Luna trailed off. Celestia looked from the item to her sister and back again. “Luna, what are you talking about? What is this?” Celestia asked still confused as to what was inside the package. Luna slowly looked up at her sister; her eyes filled with sadness and fear. “As the letter said….. It’s from an old friend….” Was all Luna managed to say. With that they both went back to staring at the item in question. It slightly shined in the morning light as the sun’s rays began to light up the sky. Within the package was a gold ring, with the engraving, To my best friend and my dearest companion Luna. With that Luna took the ring and carefully placed it on her horn. Celestia only watched her as she did this. “Luna what’s going on? Who is this friend?” Celestia asked, desperate for answers. Luna only walked over to the balcony and stared out to the Everfree Forest. Celestia came up close behind her, the look of worry on her face. “Luna please, PLEASE tell me what’s going on.” Celestia asked once again. “Dear sister, you must come with me to the Everfree forest to get the answers you seek. And send a message to Twilight Sparkle, informing her of the situation and that she, and she alone must meet us there. Then all your questions will have answers…” Luna trailed off once more. Celestia only nodded and left her sister to go write the letter to Twilight. Luna stared at the forest once again and whispered to herself, “Could it really be him?” She took the ring off of her horn and stared at it closely. “It has to be him; it just has to be…” With that, Luna went into her room and packed up some food. She then went into her closet and unlocked a secret compartment. Within it there was a photo book and a necklace with a locket. She took both items and placed them in her saddle bag. She then put the ring back on her horn and made her way out the door to the Everfree Forest.