//------------------------------// // Chapter Twenty-Two: Life's Branches // Story: Sunspots // by RadBunny //------------------------------// “Meet me at the recreation lounge before our date.” Nacreous’s words echoed in Celestia’s ears, the curious alicorn trotting down the halls. The hippogriff had been smirking as he said it, so whatever this surprise was, it was something. Don’t you dare ask me to marry you in the lounge. I mean, my answer would be the same…wait, when did it get so easy to think about that? Well, for some time, I guess. Such thoughts put a pleasant smile on Celestia’s features as she entered the lounge. Now where….oh. A few guards were waiting their turn with grins on their features, indicating they were hiding something rather poorly. A familiar hippogriff was tapping the controls on a dance-along game, the large dance pad clearly modified for users of similar size. Nacreous didn’t appear to notice Celestia’s approach, so she stayed quiet to watch and see what he was up to. So, this is where you have been during some of your breaks. I wondered… The song began to play, Celestia immediately smiling. It was a tad dated, but still upbeat and peppy. Nacreous began to step from button to button, hitting each of the required symbols as they flashed on the screen. Begin Music Click here for Song And the guards continued to smile, as though waiting for something. What are you playing at? As the singer began, Celestia’s eyes widened in surprise. Well they say I should approach you with caution But not to let you be aware of my fear Never know what you'll find Don't understand your kind 'round here Nacreous kept up with the fast-past symbols, only making a mistake here and there. It was clear he had been practicing but was far from perfect. His eyes flickered over to hers for a moment, then going back to the screen. Wait. He knew I was here? He now looked over to Celestia, a smirk on his face as the hippogriff tapped a few controls on the game and shifting the song. The symbols began to flash at lightning pace as the difficulty rose to maximum, perfectly timed to a chorus- and Nacreous meeting Celestia’s gaze as he kept up without even looking. ‘Watching your moves, they look so radical Hearing your words, they sound fanatical Something inside reveals you're magical How can I get enough You're a strange animal, that's what I know But you're a strange animal, I've got to follow’ It was so silly, so innocent at seeing her hippogriff dance away on the game as the guards chuckled. And yet the gesture made Celestia’s heart burn in her chest. The next lyrics made a much more intimate blush dawn on Celestia’s cheeks. The meaning was extremely clear in this case, and rather personal. The noble’s attempts at controlling her life, the constant facade she wore… ‘They've been trying to stick a line in your system Analyzing the defenses you hold Trying to open wide, hoping to step inside Your soul’ Resetting the song again, Nacreous hopped off the game and held out a set of claws, Celestia immediately placing her hoof in them. As the song began again, the hippogriff pulled her close into a fast-paced swing dance, sending her spinning out- And right through a portal that appeared behind her. But everything here is unfamiliar Nothing they've seen remotely similar How can it be you're so peculiar How can I get enough Celestia let out a cheery laugh as Nacreous immediately followed, losing herself in the dance as grass swayed all about, the sound of waves and the sound filling her ears. ‘Hoping to step inside, Your soul’ [End Song] Celestia couldn’t resist any longer, pausing to yank her love into a kiss that made Nacreous’s wings flare. She took quite a bit of pleasure in feeling his breathing increase to almost a pant as she broke off the gesture too. Another kiss, and then Celestia pressed her head firmly underneath Nacreous’s, nuzzling along his neck as the song faded. “Thank you Nacreous…that was absolutely beautiful,” she whispered as he hugged her close. “Not silly or stupid?” he asked. “It was not stupid at all, but incredibly silly. But that’s one of many things I love about you,” Celestia whispered, looking up into two loving eyes as a talon caressed her cheek. “And I love you, s-so much,” she added, voice skipping slightly. If you don’t ask me a certain question soon, I most certainly will. I’ve known the answer for some time, I think. “I love you too, Celestia,” he paused, hug tightening briefly as the King’s voice dropped to a whisper, shaking with emotion. “My little Sunspot…” “Onyx!” Luna called out into the simple meadow as she materialized into the familiar dream once again. It had been a few days since she detected dreams from the creature, and with Celestia’s dreams now somewhat stable, the Lunar Princess turned her attention back to the now-dreaming individual. “Highness,” the shadow stated, sitting in the middle of the familiar field as stars slowly twinkled overhead. “I don’t think I’ve dreamed since our last meeting,” he mused, and only now did Luna see how exhausted the creature looked. “Are you well?” Onyx looked up in shock and stared, grey eyes then slowly angling back down to his hooves. “The only one to ever ask me something like that was Icait…” he whispered. “and the answer is the same. I do not know,” the shadow paused, seeming to hesitate. “Is the Solar Princess alright?” Luna nodded, quite surprised by the humble and sincerely unsure demeanor the creature now embodied. “She is doing much better.” The creature’s shoulders slumped ever so slightly, head bobbing up and down. “That is good. I hoped my interference didn’t have lasting damage.” “Oh?” Luna asked, now more curious than anything. “Forgive me if I sound surprised. But not a few weeks ago you were trying to push my sister’s mind towards a darker place, and our sworn enemy.” Onyx didn’t respond immediately, the pony-shaped individual continuing to stare at the ground. Luna’s eyes widened ever so slightly, now seeing the creature’s hoof shiver. “I regret such actions, I think,” Onxy whispered. When he looked up, his grey eyes were wide open in fear. “Highness…I do not understand this. I am not supposed to feel; what is this?!” he grunted, slumping down to the grass and taking breaths that shivered with every expansion of his barrel. “Why does it hurt?” “Is it guilt?” Luna asked, Onyx curling into a ball and shivering. While such a sight was unnerving for the Alicorn, she wasn’t going to pretend to understand the creature’s current situation. “Is that what this is? Icait spoke of feeling it. That’s why she’s been helping the ponies at that outpost…” Onyx whispered. “Perhaps I should speak to her as well. And you have my word that your Windigo friend won’t be harmed.” There was no opposition this time, the shadow continuing to shiver as Luna nodded once and excited his dream bubble. She did pick up his final, soft whisper however. “She’s my friend? Is that what it’s like?” This is quite a troubled soul, if he is one. No, that creature is definitely alive, but his existence is fractured, dream-state fragmented. Unlike his counterpart… Icait’s dream was nearly as normal as any other pony’s, and Luna peeked in easily. To her surprise a normal, snowy town greeted her view. A spectral pony trotted among the townsfolk, smiling and waving to the other individuals who greeted her in kind. Wait a moment. It struck Luna immediately, the Alicorn noticing how the dream seemed to be less of a creation and more of a recollection. The movements and responses of the townsponies seemed scripted, almost as though… It’s like she is playing house, imagining herself in this town. Like she’s a normal pony. For a reason Luna knew all too well, that thought made her heart ache briefly. How much had both she and Celestia wished such? But to have a Windigo do this? It was unheard off…. I will be careful. Onyx seems to genuinely care about her, in his own way. As the ‘pony’ trotted down the street, Luna decided on a blunt but kind approach. She sat down, waving to the Windigo as she passed by. “Icait? A moment if you please?” The Windigo stopped mid-wave, eyes widening in horror as a squeak left her muzzle. “I am not here to harm you, only talk, I promise,” Luna interjected as the mare’s see-through legs began to quiver. “R-really?” she asked, light teal eyes staring at the princess in genuine fear. “I promise. I have no intention of harming you or your friend,” a kind smile dawned on Luna’s features as she spoke, the Windigo taking a few steps forwards. “He was quite insistent that any punishment aimed at you, I was to deliver on him instead. Onyx made it very clear that he wanted no harm to come to you. He also said you did not play an active role in the Emissary’s plans.” The mare’s ears perked up, and Luna could have sworn the light-blue mare’s cheeks tinged with pink for a fraction of a second. “He did? He also told you his name? That doesn’t make a lot of sense…he’s just been much more grumpy than usual. He doesn’t seem to care much for me.” Ah, so you hide it all from her, Onyx. What an interesting individual. “I simply want to say hello, and say that my sister and I are currently debating what action to take with you all,” Luna explained. “You two are not the enemies we expected to find. Onyx has explained the change as best he could. I was hoping you could offer some insight. He said you helped the ponies at a nearby settlement?” Icait nodded, the mare scooting some snow with her hooves as her eyes drifted down. “I just-it felt right. We aren’t supposed to feel, well, I’m not at least. I think it’s hurting Onyx more. I just don’t want to hurt anyone. I’ve never wanted to, that’s why I just relayed information.” “He says that you watched ponies?” Now there was a definite blush, but this appeared to be from embarrassment. “Big mouthed shadow. I just, this all seems nice,” Icait tried to explain as she gestured around at the village. “I’ve never had creatures be nice to me before. We were given intelligence and just, that was it. Help the ‘others’ with their Emissary plans. It just never felt right to me from the moment I could think…about…” her words drifted off, mouth forming in a slight smile. “From the moment I could think. That’s when I realized it.” “Windigos do not usually think in this manner, do they? A singular goal and purpose?” Luna asked. “From what I gathered of the Others. The spell the Emissary used was just meant to make us smarter, somewhat individuals. Still driven to spread discourse and hate for feeding, but for me it must have gone wrong.” “Or very right,” Luna added softly, making the mare look up. “You are not a threat to us, Icait, and neither is Onyx at this time. I have a few ideas, but I’ll need a day or two. May I ask how you have interacted with our ponies though?” Icait gestured to the small outpost, spectral tail swishing in a slight flurry of snow. “Just helping. I felt bad, I think? That’s what the emotion is, an ache, a sadness. I know what negative emotions are- but this is negative for me, not from someone else. When I help, it makes it a bit less. Just small things. Diverting a snow pile to not hit a pony in the head, re-organizing a library that is all mess, helping a pony who fell down…I stay invisible though.” Sweet. I never would have thought I’d be describing a Windigo as sweet and caring. She seems to just want to live. I think there’s a place for you, Icait, you and your friend. “I’ll leave you be then. Thank you for your time,” Luna said, standing up. She then paused, smiling gently at the Windigo. “Can you please tell Onyx that my sister and I have no intention of killing or banishing either of you to Limbo? I believe that is his greatest fear, from what I’ve detected. You all are troubled individuals, not the rampant evil and immediate threat we assumed.” “Thank you, Princess.” As Luna was caught back up in her dream realm, the alicorn let herself chuckle. Oh, Principle Starlight. Have I got an assignment for you. Not at the school just yet, but your expertise will be most valuable. “Come again? You want me to have him as an apprentice? A royal guard contractor?” Shifting asked his favorite alicorn as Luna let out a soft titter, nodding as she gave him a friendly shove on their increasingly-long evening walks. “For a time, yes. I already taught him the basic of emotionally-charged leyline magic for meditation purposes. I said I’d ask you for possible further training. What did you think of his file? I know you went to ask Silty Stone and the other guards about him. I’d say delegating him to a ‘contractor’ status is a rather simple generalization.” Shifting sighed, letting out a shrug as he pulled a file from a saddleback. “I only have glanced over it. Silty said he’s very easy to get along with once you get over the ‘voice thing’, whatever that is, she didn’t elaborate. Apparently, he holds the record for most fire-peppers eaten…wait….” The Commander paused as he looked at the detailed history in the file a bit closer. “Luna, he’s a survivor of the Oakbark Incident?” Shifting whispered, now scanning over the details as Luna let out a huff. “As of a month ago, he’s the only survivor; I thought you read over this. You should have read over it,” she chastised her love. “I know…Luna, I….” Luna stopped, looking over to see Shifting Sands staring at the file with wide eyes. Moisture gathered in the corners of the Commander’s gaze, the stallion’s jaw quivering. “I know this pony,” Shifting whispered. “He earned his cutie mark that day; I was there,” the Commander added, now breaking into a trot. “Luna, show me, please!” The desperation in Shifting’s tone galvanized Luna into action, gesturing to a room off the side of the hallway. “Here!” Shifting threw open the doors to the room, a strange sense of urgency leaking from the stallion’s frame. Crouched on a platform the Commander hadn’t seen for many moons, a navy-blue unicorn stared at the stone floor in concentration, black mane swishing in an arcane breeze. Rivers of whitish-teal leyline energy dove in and out of his body in a familiar meditation pattern. Bright green eyes flickered open that matched the biohazard cutie-mark on his flank, the stallion standing up as the leyline pattern continued to swirl. With a flick of his head, Specialist Shield dissipated the energy, bowing to both Shifting and Luna. “Highness, Commander,” the stallion said. Or rather, voiced. Shifting now noticed an odd amulet worn by the stallion, a pink and blue gem set in a silver circle and chain that flashed with every word. While the pony’s mouth moved, the voice that came out emanated from the amulet instead. The tone was muted, dulled and without much emotion; it was as though the device replaced the pony’s natural speech. “May I ask your name and rank? You clearly know of me,” Shifting began, and Luna heard a definite crack in his tone. The other pony clearly noticed it as well, green eyes narrowed in thought. “Royal Guard Contractor, Specialist Toxic Shield. Extreme Hazards Response Unit.” Shifting’s eyes drifted to the stallion’s cutie-mark, the Commander struggling to maintain an even tone. “Do you remember me, Toxic? I thought everyone had perished that day,” Shifting whispered, Toxic’s ears flicking upright. “I entered that school expecting nothing but death, and yet you were there…” Toxic’s eyes widened, the stallion sitting down in shock. “You were the one? I-” he whispered. Shifting nodded, holding out a shaking hoof in greeting. “You’ve grown up quite a bit. It’s nice to meet you formally, Toxic Shield.” The stallion blinked at the outstretched hoof in absolute shock, eyes misting over. “F-forgive me, Commander.” Shifting lurched as the other pony took a few steps forward and wrapped him up in a hug, sides shaking in barely-contained sobs. “I never knew who it was that saved me. Thank you, Commander, thank you…” Toxic whispered, Shifting gladly returning the gesture as he fought back tears. As they separated, Shifting gestured to the other stallion, Luna looking on curiously. “I was the one who found him, Luna. He kept his classmates and teacher alive by gathering the other emergency breathing hoods from other classrooms. I held the only conscious survivor in that town as he earned his cutie mark,” Shifting explained, Toxic’s ears flicking back briefly. “The only survivor now, Commander. That is the reason I request your assistance,” Toxic said softly. “I’m so sorry,” Shifting immediately replied, head hanging down. “I would hope you hold no guilt over such.” Toxic winced, pain swimming in his eyes as he shrugged. “A work in progress, Commander,” he finally said, “but I am glad I am here. I just need a bit of extra meditation help. I also need the power.” “Oh? Forgive me, I only glanced over your file briefly before now.” Toxic straightened up, a determined and proud smile dawning on his face. “When I’m called to places like Oakbark, I’m the only one who can help. When I am summoned, I can’t fail.” His expression wavered, and Shifting saw an ocean of pain barely dammed behind Toxic’s green eyes. Horror. Regret. Rage. Compassion. Determination. Hope… “I can’t fail,” Toxic whispered. Shifting glanced over to Luna who nodded once, the Commander taking a step forward. “Then report here every other day for lessons, Specialist Shield. Leyline magic is an art mastered over many years, but I can certainly point you on the right path and towards other teachers.” Toxic Shield bowed his head, Luna letting out a titter and waving a hoof as Shifting shook his head. “No bowing.” “Enough of that, Toxic.” The pair looked at each other and smiled, Toxic looking on in amusement at the discarding of gestures. “Highness,” Toxic stated, Shifting picking up on a definite fondness in the word as the stallion began to leave. “Commander.” And then he was gone, Shifting turning to look at Luna curiously. “Well, you two also have a history it seems.” “Well same goes for you, but is it that obvious?” she asked, Shifting nodded as the Alicorn bowed her head. To his absolute surprise, Luna scooted forwards to press against Shifting’s shoulder. “I am so happy for you though, Shifting. The knowledge that you were able to save a life is a precious thing indeed.” Shifting nodded, swallowing his emotions as Luna continued. “It seems we both have history tied together with that stallion. Unfortunately, mine is a history of failure. Specialist Shield has confronted situations and sights no creature should have to ever experience, much like you, me, and Celly. He is one of the few who we trust to shield the general population from situations they could not cope with, much like the Legionnaires or the Lunar Knights. I was able to help, am able to help with some of his nightmares. But his situation, like a few others I’ve encountered are frustratingly out of my power to help.” “His voice?” “A childhood ailment from Oakbark; that amulet prevents his voice from hurting others, it’s all in the file. However, that is not the source of my failure, but rather the forms various nightmares take. However, I am quite pleased to see him forging onwards regardless. Thank you, Shifting, for being willing to instruct him.” “Words don’t really portray how happy I am to teach Toxic. To instruct a life I once saved; I still need to process that,” Shifting admitted, then smiling as he nudged Luna’s shoulder. “I mean, in terms of that, you do know how I like to teach,” the Commander said, causing Luna’s ears to perk up in confusion. “Oh?” “Well, I taught you how to kiss, didn’t I?” “W-what?! YOU MOST CERTAINLY DID NO-MMMFF!” The kiss was nearly impossible due to the pair giggling, but the message was clear enough as Luna gave her love a hug, Shifting then bestowing a proper, long kiss to his marefriend. “Thank you Shifting, this means quite a bit to me, and to Toxic as well.” “It means the world to me as well, Luna.”