//------------------------------// // Chapter [11] The Promise // Story: Victory Over the Light // by Star_Shade //------------------------------// Dasher Moon hated how perfect it was. It was a crisp and clear night, the light of the moon illuminating the procession as they made their way to the prepared clearing. She also hated how calm everything was. Her acquaintances were there, with saddened expressions, along with a few other observers that she didn’t recognize. Flutter Moon was brought into view. It was obvious that she had been crying. Her mane was frazzled and unkempt, and her wings drooped low to the ground. The two guards that had escorted her stood stiffly at attention in their designated spots.  Then everyone’s attention was drawn to Nightmare Moon, as she casually made her way to Flutter Moon’s position. Dasher Moon hated how calm the queen looked, and turned away in disgust. “My loyal subjects! Is this not another glorious night? What a wonderful evening to cement a powerful reminder to my little ponies. Let everypony see that I will not hesitate to exact judgement on those that wish to oppose me,” declared Nightmare Moon, smiling at the assembled ponies and waving a hoof in dismission to the guards. “Though as your benevolent queen, I have decided to make an offer to any who would like to accept. Should there be anyone who wishes to bear Flutter Moon’s punishment, they shall step forward and take her place instead.    The audience mumbled, shocked by the offer, yet no one raised a hoof. Dasher Moon was surprised that none of her so-called “friends” made any objection, and she looked at each of them in turn. Not a single one of them lifted their eyes to meet her gaze. A part of her wished that the resistance would swoop in, rescuing her and Flutter Moon from this nightmare and whisk them away to freedom. Her hopes were dashed when no candidate stepped forward to save the shy pegasus. “Very well. Flutter Moon, under the Last Act Law, you have the ability for one final request. Speak now, or forever hold your peace.    “Um… Can I give Dasher Moon one last hug?” whispered Flutter Moon, breathing shakily.  “Very well, embrace, then let us move on,” stated Nightmare Moon.  Dasher Moon quickly went to Flutter Moon’s side and spoke with her. “I am so sorry, Flutter Moon, I… I don’t know what to say,” she choked out, holding back her tears. “Thank you, Dasher, and I am sorry too. I should never have done it. Can I ask you to do something for me?” Flutter Moon asked, blinking as fresh tears fell from her eyes.  “Anything, anything at all, Flutter Moon,” said Dasher Moon, hugging her close. “I want you to go to my animals and do your best to take care of them when I am gone. And I want you to take one of my feathers. Let it be a memento of the fun we had and the memories we made together. Will you do that for me?” asked Flutter Moon.  “Of course, of course,” Dasher Moon mumbled through the numerous emotions fighting for attention in her mind. She hugged her friend tighter, before hesitantly reaching out to the outstretched wing. Making sure she didn’t hurt her friend in the process, she removed the feather.   “Alright, enough of that. It is time,” Nightmare Moon said, separating the two with a wing. “Goodbye, Flutter Moon.” Dasher Moon gulped, as she was escorted away. Returning to her place, Dasher Moon sniffled before averting her gaze. Closing her eyes, she waited for the dreaded moment  to happen. With a sudden sickening woosh of air, the deed was done. “Your sacrifice will not go to waste, Flutter Moon; I swear upon it,” she muttered. “Take the body away. Now then, as for you, Dasher Moon. You shall be stripped of your status as a child of the Moon. From now on, you will only be known as ‘Dasher’ and shall never again step hoof into this city or my castle under order of arrest. Do you recognize these terms?” announced Nightmare Moon, wiping away some blood that had clung to her shoulder. “I do,” replied Dasher simply, cracking her eyes open to look at the queen. “Then I strip you of these titles and banish you from this city. You have one night cycle to collect your belongings and leave,” the dark alicorn declared. “Those here take note. This case is closed.”  Dasher was fruitlessly packing away her belongings in the hotel that she had rented. She went through the motions, tossing her belongings into her bags before bringing the feather out one last time. The yellow color seemed amplified by the candlelight. A final memento of her friend. The weight of grief that her best friend was gone began to sink in. Flutter Moon was dead.  Her regrets weighed heavy on her heart. It was paradoxical how much she missed her friend’s presence now that she was truly gone. No longer would she hear soft-spoken replies or quiet laughs. Gone was the tender and kind nature of Flutter Moon. Memories of the anger she had felt surfaced in her mind, and regret filled her heart. She sniffled and rubbed her eyes with a fetlock.  “Oh, Flutter Moon, what have I done. I could have saved you. I should have taken your place. How am I going to live with myself?” she mumbled, fresh tears coming to her eyes. A gentle knock came from the door, and Dasher, wiping away snot and tears, went to see who it was. “Where were you!?” she cried angrily, souring at the presence of her guest. “I am sorry, but we couldn’t risk doing anything to help you. It’s already dangerous for me to be speaking with you and--” began Moon Melody. “I don’t care, you betrayed us! You didn’t even bother to try to get Flutter Moon free! I am done, I don’t want to be a part of whatever this is anymore.” Dasher growled, turning away from the pink alicorn in her doorway. Moon Melody sighed, but nodded. “I am sorry too. But if you ever change your mind…” she proposed. “Go away, I… I need to work through this,” said Dasher, waiting for Moon Melody to leave. The cyan pegasus returned to looking at the feather. She then gently placed it in a box, which she carefully stowed in her saddlebag. “I will keep you with me forever, Flutter Moon, till the end of time.”