A simple blink of her eyes, and the Princess of the Night was now somewhere else. She felt a strong breeze flowing through her hair, her balance hard to keep, taste of salt on her lips. Luna now stood on a large boat along the ocean current. She could hear the sounds of laughter coming from within one of the cabins before her. There was also the chatters and screams of possibly drunk stallions, Luna would know, a main factor at several of the forced social events her sister makes her attend. One voice she recognized on the spot, more cheerful than what she’s usually heard. It was the voice of the stallion she’s been studying, Arche Stone, seeing much of his past the deeper the Alicorn travels. Peeking through one of the cabin doors, she sees Arche sitting at a table with his fellow soldiers, cider in their hooves, and cards on the table. Perhaps she finally found a more calming memory of the soldier.
“Zed, you’re a genius on the field, but you play cards like a blind griffon!”
“What the hay does that even mean, Jack? How am I even supposed to be offended!?!”
Arche grins, shaking his head over at Zed. He looks back with annoyance in his eyes. The young stallion knows that look far too well.
“Something seem funny to you, Stone?”
“Matter of fact, yes Zed, there is something funny.”
“Well spit it out, tough guy.”
“You say you’re not offended, yet you make a big deal of it anyway. No matter what we say, you always get angry about something. That must be why they call you Zed Blaze.”
“For your information, the word blaze in my name is because my coat and mane match the colors of a blazing fire.”
“Wooooah, that’s scary.”
The sarcasm in Jack’s voice didn’t set well with Zed, as he grabs the nearest cup of cider and splashes it in his face. This makes Jack fall out of his seat, yelping for a second like a scared filly. Arche and Zed burst into laughter, as the young lieutenant stands, offering his hoof to Jack. He wipes the cider off his eyes and takes Arche’s hoof, a smile on his face.
“Thanks Lieutenant.”
“Jack, come on, we’ve all known each other since the academy, you don’t gotta call me that.”
“Oh Jackie boy, always taking a tumble, no matter what you do. You think my name is lame, but at least I wasn’t born TUMBLE JACK.”
“Zed, stop it, will ya?”
“Why? Think you’re a big shot now? Super soldier of Equestria now? HAHAAAA!”
“Arche, why is he acting more of a turd tonight?”
He rolls his eyes, moving the cider cups away from Zed.
“Cider, Jack, makes us all a little different.”
“Call it what you want, Stone, but one of these days I’ll prove to you I’m the top stal of these lands. Just you wait, mister big shot!”
This time, its Arche and Jack that burst laughing, as Zed curses their names under his breath, stumbling back to his bunk.
“Sure, Zed, make us proud.”
Another sign of an unfamiliar Arche, like a completely different pony through Luna’s eyes. She blinks once more, as the cabin disappeared in a wave of light. She was now on a field, the sounds of hissings filled the air. Arche was running as fast as he can, Tumble Jack and Zed Blaze beside him. Their magic held large spears and shields, colliding with the black flesh of the huge group of changelings before them. Jack struggled trying to push one off him, as Zed hurls his spear through the tar skinned creature’s stomach.
“DIE, YOU VILE FREAKS!”
“ZED! HELP JACK! NOW!”
Quickly, Zed hurls his shield at the changeling pounced on top of Jack, managing to daze it with a single swing to the head. Seeing an opening, Jack hurls his spear into the changeling’s neck, its hissing lowers to nothing in seconds.
“Talk to me, Tumble, you still with me?”
“Y-Yeah, it’s good, where’s the lieutenant?”
Luna watched in shock as Arche stormed his way through the rest of the changeling attack. Five of em drop to the ground, their green blood oozing everywhere. His spear and armor now stained in the green slime, motioning for his men to keep going.
“The survivors are just over that hill! Hurry!”
“Are you crazy, Stone!?! Who knows how many of those things are on this island!”
“I-I gotta agree with Zed. We’re completely unprepared for this! We gotta call for reinforcements!”
“I won’t let those ponies become snacks to these damn bugs! We can make it!”
Another group of changelings flew over the hill, as the three soldiers charged in screaming. Luna refused to watch anymore of this carnage, as the battlefield disappeared with a simple blink of her eyes.
“By the night sky itself……there is so much this poor stallion has kept hidden. I fear it will get even worse from here…..yet I must strive on.”
Another room forms around her in a wave of light. A large hall, glistening glass windows from all directions.
“This place….it’s the royal castle!”
Her sister’s home didn’t look much different while she remained imprisoned as Nightmare Moon. Aside from miner details such as different colored drapes, and older statues of the royal princess. The large entry doors opened behind her, looking over in surprise as Arche is escorted by two members of the Royal Guard. He seemed nervous, wearing his military uniform, the lieutenant insignia placed on his chest. Again, Luna had trouble actually seeing this young stallion as the same Arche. Trauma was obviously strong with him, but it seemed more than just that. Something was still amidst here, she just couldn’t put her hoof on what that might be. Suddenly, a wave of sunlight covered the royal throne, as a tall, breathtaking Alicorn glided downward with such elegance. Her mane flowing beautifully with a wave of colors, as if from magic itself. It was her older sister, Princess Celestia.
“It’s a pleasure to finally meet you.”