//------------------------------// // The Night's Shadow // Story: Starshot: Star Speaker // by Tums Festival //------------------------------// “Luna?” Celestia’s voice called. “Luuuuuna.”  Luna let out a moan, desperately trying to use her covers and pillow as a way to block out the noise.  That, of course, was in vain. Because despite locking her door and telling her personal guards to 'forcefully remove' any pestering visitors, the latter wouldn't dare touch her sister. And the former… well, it seemed Celestia still remembered a spell of unlocking. There was a slight clicking noise followed by the sound of her door opening. Then came Celestia's hoof falls as she barged into Luna's sanctuary. 'Might as well see what she wants,' Luna thought reluctantly. 'She won't leave otherwise.' "Going to bed so soon?" Celestia asked. Luna sighed, lifting her covers and sitting upright to face her beaming sister. "I would be, yet I see the concept of politely knocking is yet another relic of a bygone age.” "I've already tried that. but every time your guards have said you 'were away'. I just wanted to see for myself. Quite interesting they'd be guarding a supposedly empty room." "Sister, it isn't even close to dawn," Luna sighed, climbing out of her bed. "What could thou-- er, you possibly want when the night draws on?" "Weeeell," Celestia said coyly. "I don't have much to do today, so I thought maybe I'd wake up early so we could… spend some time together. You've been back nearly two cycles and we've barely had a chance to." Luna took a deep breath, before forcing a slight smile. 'At least she's making an effort.' She exhaled, then asked: "What do you have in mind?" Celestia smiled broadly. "I know the modern age has been a lot to get used to..." "Understatement of the millenium." "... But it's not all strange. There are some things done a thousand years ago that we still do today." "Walking and breathing?" Luna snarked. Celestia rolled her eyes. "I'm talking about activities. Fun activities. Specifically, something you used to love to do." "Oh?" Celestia grinned. "Remember that telescope Starswirl built you that you used to adore? Well, let's just say we never stopped building them. And they've gotten bigger. Much bigger." "I am aware of the practice known as astronomy," Luna mumbled. "Then that saves me some explaining!" Celestia said cheerfully. "Anyway, I was thinking we could take a visit to the White Tail Woods Observatory. I've spoken with the lead astronomer - he’s willing to show you the basics on how to use their big… telescope… thing I kind of forgot the name of.” Luna raised an eyebrow, before shaking her head. “I thank you for this effort, sister, truly, but I am not interested.” Celestia threw her a concerned look. “But… but you’ve always liked astronomy! Even when it was still called astrology.” She swallowed hard. “Is it me? A-Am I being too pushy? I’m sorry, sister. I will--” “No, no, it’s not you, Tia,” Luna said, walking over to her to give her a quick hug. “It was a very thoughtful gesture. I just… let’s just say I’ve had my fill of… space... for a while.” “Because of your time on the moon,” Celestia said, frowning. “But… I thought you said you couldn’t remember anything from it?” “At first, no,” Luna said. “But I’ve gradually been recalling memories.” She turned away from her sister. “It isn’t what I used to believe. Beyond the bounds of this world, there is nothing, Tia. No wonders to discover, no beauty. It is cold, dead… and lonely. Why should we concern ourselves with it?” Celestia gazed at her pensively. “Is this why you’ve been spending most of your time in the dream realm? Why you haven’t made any changes to the night sky?” “Changes?”” Luna laughed bitterly. “What changes? That is another thing. I’ve been studying our latest scientific findings, and I’ve come to realize that I have no control of the heavens. At least, not in the way I believed. I don’t know how I’m able to alter the brightness of stars, but it must simply be a form of illusion. Trickery. The universe is so vast… so distant. I have no more connection with it than I do a grain of sand on a distant beach.” “What about the moon? And the sun?” Celestia asked. “You have the ability to move both. Being able to do that, is it so hard to believe you have a connection with the stars?” “The moon would move fine without my assistance,” Luna said. “At least that’s what science says. It seems I’ve been merely accelerating its orbit. Anyone with enough magical power could do the same. As for the ‘sun’, whatever that bright orb in the sky is is no star.” She began to pace about her room. “Stars do not orbit planets. Planets orbit stars. That is what science tells us. It is how the law of gravity works. For the opposite to happen, the 'star' that orbits our world would have to be less massive than any star could possibly be. Nothing about it makes sense.” “Luna, none of this science has been one hundred percent verified,” Celestia said. "Even the greatest minds sometimes backtrack on their findings." “Verified or not, the findings of it make sense,” Luna argued. “Perhaps Equis exists in some sort of bubble that is different than the rest of the universe - something that allows these fantastical things to happen. But one thing is certain: it is the extent of our domain. The rest of the universe is beyond us. We… I... should just let it go." After speaking, Luna immediately felt regretful. ‘I shouldn’t have said all that. Tia isn’t the type to keep up with science. She might not have known the truth. And she hates seeing me upset...’  Instead of looking sorrowful, however, Celestia instead held a caring expression on her face. “I understand how you feel, Luna. Oftentimes, new discoveries can lead to disappointment.” She lifted a hoof. “Yet they can also spark the imagination, leading us to consider new possibilities we never would have before.” “What are you getting at?” Luna asked. “Speak with Twilight Sparkle when you get the chance,” Celestia smiled. “She has quite the selection of science fiction novels in her treehouse library. She often speaks of them and how they challenge her imagination. One in particular currently has her fancy; something called ‘Space Trek’.” “‘Space Trek?’” Luna said, raising an eyebrow. “I just said I want nothing to do with space and you suggest reading something called ‘Space Trek’. Is this some form of cruel joke, sister?” “I DARE NOT JEST WITH YOU, STAR SPEAKER!”  Luna gasped. She had only looked away for a moment. And when she looked back, Celestia’s eyes were glowing with the power of the ‘sun’ she controlled. And she was no longer speaking in her sister’s calming tone, but in an intense yet angelic roar of the cosmos. ‘Star… Star…. Speaker?!’ The memories came flooding into her like a tidal wave. She wasn’t in the palace at Canterlot, nor was she talking with her sister. That conversation had happened years ago. No, she was on the Starship Sharshot, adrift an incomprehensibly long distance away. No doubt about it. This was a dream. And it was now a lucid one.  “WHILE YOUR SPIRIT SHINES BRIGHTLY, YOUR PHYSICAL PRESENCE IS SO SMALL THAT IT IS OFTEN DIFFICULT TO LOCATE YOU,” ‘Celestia’ spoke. “YET STILL, I KNOW WHERE YOU ARE.” “Y-You!” Luna gasped. “Is this real? Are you actually here in my dream?” “THE ENTITY BELOW IS MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO SPEAK WITH YOU DIRECTLY. IT IS NOT FOND OF MY EXISTENCE.” “What entity?” Luna asked. “IT CALLS ITSELF A ‘STEWARD OF ENTROPY’. THAT WHICH IS SPAWNED FROM THE DEEPEST WELLS OF THE COSMOS. THE FUTURE RULERS OF A DISTANT OBLIVION. IT IS THE FIRST OF ITS KIND TO VISIT MY LIGHT. HOWEVER, MY KIN HAVE SPOKE OF THEM BEFORE. IT TAKES THOUSANDS OF ORGANIC LIFETIMES FOR SOME OF US TO COMMUNICATE, BUT WE ARE ABLE.” “Your kin…” Luna said, shaking her head in bafflement. “Are… are they who I think they are? Are you…” “YOU ALREADY KNOW. WE ARE THAT WHICH BRINGS ARTISTRY TO THE VAST OF NIGHT. THAT WHICH LOVES YOUR GAZE. YOU, WHO BRINGS MUSIC TO THE COSMOS. YOU, WHO BRINGS IT MEANING.” Luna’s jaw nearly dropped to the floor. She dared to hope that this was true - that maybe she was able to speak with stars, as mind-boggling as that thought may be. And that which was told to her long ago, that she had a special bond with those distant bodies, wasn’t a lie.  And now, assuming this entity wasn’t lying, and that it wasn’t just a figment of her subconscious mind, it seemed to be true. She was about to open her mouth to ask the first of a thousand questions on her mind, when: “WE HAVE LIMITED TIME TO SPEAK. YOUR WAKING HOUR DRAWS NEAR. KNOW THAT THE STEWARD LINGERS BELOW YOU. BEING FROM THE GARDEN, YOU MAY HAVE AN ADVANTAGE. YET DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE IT. AND TAKE FURTHER HEED, FOR IT MAY NOT BE ALONE-- -- With a flash of light, Luna gasped and shot up from her bed in the Captain’s Cabin. “Who?! Wah?! Where?!”  It had been a long time since she felt this disoriented after waking up.  ‘I must have been having a remarkable dream,’ she thought. ‘But… I can’t… remember it…?’ This was also usual. Luna made it a point a long time ago to not only master walking among others’ dreams, but walking among her own. She could usually recall most of hers almost immediately, but this one was different. Hazy, even. Nonetheless, she didn’t have time to ponder it further. Another knock came to her door, revealing what had awoken her.  ‘“Luna, wake up!” Spike called. “I know it’s a little early, but Doctor Whooves found something!” ‘Ah. That’s right,’ Luna thought. ‘Today is the day we visit another world.’ -- After having breakfast, and still only managing to recall vague memories of her dream, Luna checked in with the rest of her team. To minimize the risk, she had kept it as small as possible, with just her, Doctor Whooves, and Derpy on it.  As for what Doctor Whooves wanted to show them, it turned out to be UEV suits, or ‘unstable environment suits’, of which he had found in a small cargo room near the launch bay. Theoretically, they would be able to provide breathable air via their attached, full-head face masks. This was on top of a fair amount of protection from the elements via their full-body rubber fitting.  “Stupid… rubber… leggings… get… on… mah… leg!” Derpy cried, squeezing into one. They also weren’t easy to get into. Though nonetheless, Luna’s team did just that. Environmental suits were yet another futuristic concept dreamed up by Equestrian science fiction franchises like Space Trek, so their presence wasn’t exactly surprising. However, what was interesting is that they seemed to be built for equine-based life, in particular something pegasi-like, given the closeable wing-slots.  This furthered Luna’s suspicions that the aliens may have or have had more in common with them than differences. Hopefully, if they ever met them, it would help keep them peaceful, though Luna still wasn’t sure how happy they’d be about their presence on one of their ships.  Luna could actually somewhat empathize if they were displeased, as she had run into an unwelcome presence herself just as they entered the launch bay. One who, despite not being invited onto the team, was already wearing a UEV suit.  “Captain Luna,” Tempest said, narrowing her eyes and giving a salute. “I formally request to be allowed on this away mission.” Luna gazed at Doctor Whooves and Derpy, who didn’t seem to have an opinion on this. “Go ahead and board the dropship. I’ll be there soon.” “What, why?” Doctor Whooves protested. “We need to--” “Doc, she’s doing a social cue,” Derpy said. “Huh? Ohhhh,” he said, before giving a wink. “Right, right. We’ll uh… meet you there, yes.” The two sauntered away. “Ms. Shadow,” Luna said, trying to sound polite. “I believe we’ve already had this discussion.” Tempest nodded stubbornly. “Yes, and I agree that you’re the best equipped to handle whatever dangers are down there. But you’re also the captain. Why are you taking such a big risk? Why not have somepony else lead this?” Luna narrowed her eyes. “Somepony like you?” “I do have experience in a leadership role,” Tempest pointed out. “Yes, leading the Storm King’s armies,” Luna said.  “I’m not proud of it,” Tempest said. “But it does still count as experience, nonetheless.” Luna glared at her. “Experience crashing a peaceful celebration with the hopes of stealing the magic of Equestria.” … A beat. “Ah, now I understand,” Tempest finally said. “So that’s what this is all about. Why you haven’t asked me to do… anything. You don’t trust me.”  Luna remained silent.  “So I’m correct, then,” Tempest sighed, before narrowing her eyes. “But I do not understand why I’m correct.” “I have my reasons,” Luna said, before raising a hoof. “Ones that have to do with my own past. They have given me a unique window into how certain minds work. Because of it, all of Equestria’s reformed villains - Discord, Starlight, Stygian - I was initially skeptical of, though I never spoke of it to anyone outside of my sister.” “How did you learn to trust them?” Tempest asked. “Certain events transpired that worked in their favor,” Luna said. “They had… ample opportunities to prove themselves.” “And me?” Tempest asked. Luna pondered that for a second. “You’ve only had one.” She glanced away from Tempest, and was forced to have to admit something to herself. “I suppose it isn’t your fault, is it? You haven’t been given the chances as the others have. No additional challenge set before you to overcome - challenges that would let you cement your good character.” “I wouldn’t say that,” Tempest said. “I speak of opportunities that I was around to witness,” Luna said, before finally feeling the barriers against her involvement crumble completely. “And here we are now. Perhaps this is as good of a time as any.” “You mean I can come?” Tempest said, a hint of excitement breaking through her normally cold demeanor.  “Yes,” Luna said. “And know that I don’t expect you to perform any act of heroism to impress me. Just do your part to make this go smoothly and that will be more than enough. As I’ve learned since my return, building trust is usually simply a matter of spending time together. Perhaps that’s all we need.” “I won’t let you down, captain,” Tempest said firmly.  “Good,” Luna smiled. “Now, as that delightful pony who runs the night club in Canterlot would say, ‘Let’s get this party started!’”