Luna was making her way to her carriage, ready to go to the Everfree and see what awaited her there. However, before Luna could get to her carriage, Celestia came up behind her and made her stop walking.
“Luna I want to know what’s going on and I want YOU to tell me. Please Luna, please…” Celestia trailed off as she looked at her sister with both worry and desperation in her eyes.
“I’m sorry sister, but I can’t tell you because I don’t really know what this is about. All I know is that this ring is from a life I thought was gone forever. It seems I was wrong. Sister as I said before, if you want answers you will have to come with me.” Luna said with her face turned to the ground. She couldn’t bear to look her sister in the eyes. In all honesty she was scared. The ring itself was a big enough shock to her. Having to go to the Everfree Forest and meet someone she might not even know and who is obviously dangerous was not doing her any good. Celestia could tell Luna was troubled. Not many things got Celestia on edge but this was an exception, especially since it involved her sister.
“Alright Luna, I’ll come with you.” Celestia said with a small smile on her face. Luna however didn’t see it, as her face was still turned to face the ground. “Luna please look at me. Whatever this is I’m sure we can get through it, and Twilight wrote back. She said that she’ll be waiting for us by the Everfree.” Celestia said as she took her hoof and lifted her sister’s face to hers. She could see Luna’s eyes were watery and filled with worry. Those eyes reminded her of when Luna was a little filly. She would always cuddle up to her big sister with those pleading eyes of innocence when something scary happened. Celestia allowed herself another small smile. This time Luna smiled back. It was a silent agreement they both made without speaking a word.
“Thank you sister, thank you.” Luna said as she went up to Celestia and gave her a big hug.
“Of course Luna, I am your sister.” Celestia said hugging back. With that the two went over to Luna’s carriage and made their way to Ponyvile.
In Ponyvile Twilight packed up the last of the things she wanted to bring with her. She triple checked over her list, as usual, to make sure she hadn’t forgotten anything.
“Let’s see, wildlife book, some medicine and bandages, a few snacks, a compass, and Spike… SPIKE?!?” Twilight looked at the purple dragon with confusion as he lay in her saddle bag, cramped and obviously
uncomfortable. “Spike I told you that the princess said only I can go.” Twilight said as she was trying to get the baby dragon out of her bag.
“I know Twilight but I wanted to come with in case you need a big strong dragon to help you….” Spike said trying to flex his tiny muscles. Twilight just gave him a look. Spike gave a big sigh and got himself out of her bag. “Twilight can you promise me something?” Spike asked with a serious face.
“Sure, what is it Spike?” Twilight asked with a little concern in her voice.
“Come back soon and please be careful. I know I don’t show it too often but I do care about your safety.” Spike said with a small blush on his face.
“I promise Spike, and… thanks. I’ll be back soon hopefully. If I’m not there are some gemstones in the upper cabinet.” And with that Twilight left Spike and the library and began walking down the path that led to the Everfree.
The princesses made it to the entrance to the forest at midday. They both stepped off of Luna’s carriage and she ordered the two guards away. The two sisters looked into the dark forest with concern and uncertainty. It had been a long time since they’ve been anywhere near it. It shocked both of them by how gloomy it looked, even at the middle of the day.
“Princess! Luna! You’re already here!” They heard a voice call from behind them. The two of them turned around to see Twilight Sparkle trotting towards them with a smile on her face. She was greeted by smiles of their own.
“Ah my faithful student, how are you?” Celestia asked as she nuzzled Twilight on the neck.
“I’m doing just fine, though I’m still a little confused as to why I was the only one allowed to come.” Twilight said as her smile slowly went away. Luna looked at her straight in the eyes as she spoke.
“You were the only one allowed to come because your other friends would be in danger. With your magic you can defend yourself a lot more than your friends can and we could really use your help.” Luna finished and stared at Twilight for a few more seconds waiting for a response.
“Luna of course I’ll help. That’s why I came after all! So what do we do now?” Twilight asked looking at Luna then looking toward Celestia then back again.
“Yes sister, what do we do now?” Celestia asked looking at Luna also.
“We wait.” Was all Luna said. So that’s what they did. They just sat at the entrance to the Everfree and waited. Twenty minutes passed by without a single thing when all of a sudden a voice emanated from the shadows.
“I see you brought your sister Luna! And a close friend I presume.” The voice was slightly deep and masculine. The owner of the voice was obviously male.
“Is it you? Is it really you?” Luna said speaking into the shadows.
“Yes Luna, it’s me.” With that a tall figure stepped out from the shadows. Its eyes opened up to reveal two glowing blue orbs, darkness trailed off its body as if they were flames, and his whole body was as dark and shadowy as the night. Twilight stepped a little closer to her mentor as the figure came closer. Celestia stood her ground and stood in a ready stance in case things got violent. Luna only stepped closer to the figure, tears in her eyes.
“I need proof to know it’s you. Proof that you aren’t just my imagination, proof that you are REAL.” Luna said as she pointed to the ring on her horn. The figure was now only a few feet away from Luna. It then walked right up to her and showed its left hand. On its index finger was a ring with the engraving “To my dearest friend and best companion Noah”
Tears now flowed freely from Luna’s eyes as she looked from the ring to the figure.
“Noah… It is you!” A large smile came on her face as tears of joy escaped her eyes. She brought the figure into a tight hug and cried freely on him. “How did you get here? What happened to you? Why are you here?” Luna continued to ask questions, but then the figure silenced her. Luna looked deep into his glowing eyes and saw something, something familiar. Then the realization struck her like a blow to the head. It was the darkness. The darkness that had consumed her a thousand years ago. The darkness that had turned her into the Nightmare. “Noah… how, how did this happen to you?” Luna asked still hugging him. Her tears of joy had now turned back to tears of sorrow. Noah took one of his hands and brought Luna’s muzzle up to his face. Luna allowed it to happen, she knew what he was about to do.
Celestia and Twilight however, did not. Thinking he was about to cause harm to her sister Celestia rushed in between the two of them, knocking Luna to the ground and causing Noah to be pushed back.
“What do you think you are doing to MY sister?” Celestia nearly yelled. Her horn began to glow as she charged up a spell.
“No sister he was not going to harm me!” Luna cried out. Celestia, upon hearing this, backed away and her horn’s glow faded.
“My apologies Noah, I… I did not know what you were doing and I acted without thinking.” Celestia said as she took a few steps back, a little embarrassed.
“No, you were thinking of your sister’s well-being and I understand why you did what you did. But if I may please proceed for time is short.” Noah said walking towards Luna.
“But of course.” Celestia said as she watched Noah pick Luna off the ground. Twilight looked up at the Celestia.
“Princess what are they doing?” Twilight asked one of the many questions in her head.
“I have no idea Twilight.” Was Celestia’s reply. Noah’s and Luna’s faces were getting closer and closer and then Celestia knew. They were going to kiss! The pair’s mouths touched and a bright light came from it. The light was so blinding that even Celestia had to shield her eyes. When the light had vanished; Twilight and Celestia were both shocked by what they saw. The shadowy and dark figure that had once been Noah was no longer there. Instead in its place lay a human, clothed in a black robe. Luna looked up at him and smiled. Memories flooded back into her mind from a forgotten time of her life. He still looked the same. Same dark hair, same handsome face, and same deep blue eyes. That is what drew most of Luna’s attention, his eyes. She could get lost in his eyes, as if all the worries of the world were nothing. Her sister snapped her back into the real world.
“So this is Noah? Who are you exactly?” Celestia asked, approaching the two of them. Luna got down onto her four hooves again and stood close to Noah. He cleared his throat before he answered.
“I am a human from the planet Earth. And I have come here to deliver dire news. Equestria is in danger of falling and crumbling into dust. A threat of unimaginable power is coming to your land.” Noah said, his voice much different. It was slightly softer, more relaxing, calming even. But the words he spoke were alarming to the three ponies present.
“Why tell us this? And why not just contact us instead of snooping around Canterlot and leaving a mysterious note and package?” Celestia asked him. Noah’s gaze turned toward the ground.
“Because I wasn’t myself. That thing you saw before was darkness with me barely in control. I do not know where it came from. All I know is that Luna saved me from it… at least for now…” Noah stopped speaking for a few seconds as the others stood in silence, looking at him. “I’m sure all of you have many more questions but now is not the time to answer them. We must travel to the middle of the forest and there I will tell you how I know of this threat.” Celestia was about to protest when a sudden tremor shook the ground beneath them.
“What was that?!?” Twilight asked, hugging her mentor’s leg.
“It’s starting! We must move quickly before time runs out, HURRY!” Noah called to them as he began running into the forest. Luna was the first to run after him, followed by Celestia, then Twilight. And so their adventure began. Though they did not know it yet. The events to follow will either lead to Equestria’s safety or destruction. And so they began to make their way to the heart of the Everfree Forest, not knowing what awaits them.