Chapter Two: Building Blocks
~BlackRoseRaven
Luna and Scrivener knew there was only one course of action they could take: whether they liked it or not, they knew they had to at least go to North Neigh to find out what was going on. All the same, they argued back and forth on the pros and cons, both wishing there was some kind of loophole they could use… but finally, Scrivy had written back to Celestia and said they would be glad to investigate on a few conditions they wanted to discuss with her at Canterlot, and Celestia had written back to them immediately, sounding oddly elated, that she would be more than glad to accommodate anything they asked.
“We should ask mine oh-so-indulgent sister to put on a one-pony show, then, singing and pole-dancing to some gaudy music number in a clown wig and the garments of a prostitute.” Luna muttered after Scrivener read the letter to her, and the male snorted in amusement as the parchment floated across the room and dropped onto his desk, the female sighing and grumbling: “Come, Scrivy, ‘tis time to lower the moon from the skies, in any event.”
The male gazed after her with a small smile, falling into step behind her as she headed towards the front door, shaking his head a bit and murmuring: “Still… even for how Celestia’s been lately, it’s… oddly generous, isn’t it? Do you think she’s actually turning over a new leaf and trying to live up to her name as ‘Celestia the Good’ instead of… well…”
“Perhaps, Scrivy, but… ‘tis difficult to say.” Luna replied after a moment, flicking her horn to the side to open the front door… but she paused after stepping out onto the deck, looking over her shoulder at him curiously. “Thou puts forth a good question, though. Not in thy words, but instead in thy mind.”
“Luna, please stop like. Living in my head.” Scrivener said flatly, blushing a little despite himself as he stepped up beside her… but the female only grinned at him, looking back forwards and striding nonchalantly forwards as her starry mane and tail flicked backwards, and the equine grumbled after her before slamming the door and running forwards, falling in step beside her. “It’s… it’s dirty in there!”
“Oh, but ‘tis such a vast, comfortable empty expanse as well.” Luna replied with a wink, and Scrivener sighed and muttered under his breath, bumping firmly against her… then grunting when she easily hip-checked him back with a wide grin. “Besides, thou spends far too much time dredging the depths of mine own mind.”
Scrivy snorted in amusement as they began up the curving path that led around the enormous cliff and up its back, replying mildly: “Now that’s a lie. It’s filthy and dangerous inside you head, Luna. Memories bouncing around, acts the Horses of Heaven themselves would shudder at, and hidden beneath the chaos and the craziness is Nightmare Moon, waiting to gobble me up… just not in the way she gobbles up children.”
“Oh, as if thou would complain were thee gobbled in such a manner by Nightmare Moon.” Luna retorted, and Scrivener threw his head back and laughed before she looked over at him with a smile, leaning forwards and kissing the side of his neck as she said softly: “’Tis a compliment to thee, daydreamer, that I so much value my ability to slip through thy thoughts… that every unvoiced word means so much to me. Thou thinks in a way more similar to mine own than I had perhaps at first expected… mostly because, unlike myself, thou understands one’s mouth should not always speak each and every single last thought.”
“Maybe I’m just a big coward. You tell me I am all the time, after all.” Scrivener replied easily, and then he ducked back with a snort of amusement when Luna tried to smack him with her horn. “Alright, alright, before I get another beating or worse from the great Nightmare Moon, I’ll peacefully surrender to her wishes. And thank her for… thinking so much of me.”
Luna smiled softly over at him, then she looked ahead, saying mildly: “’Tis a little better, although perhaps thou really art nothing but a great coward with how quickly thee always bows to my will. Then again, considering that when thou does not, I have fallen into the habit of simply beating thee to get what I want…”
“Just like the good old days.” Scrivener said mildly, and the female rolled her eyes with a sigh before she jerked her head to him as they reached the top of the cliff, and the male softened a little as he approached and they sat side-by-side, gazing at the ivory disc over the horizon as they comfortably rested together for a few moments.
Before he could open his mouth, however, Luna smiled across at him, her eyes gentle as she said quietly: “Nay, I have come to enjoy this. ‘Tis one of our daily rituals now… ‘tis special to me, Scrivener Blooms, and I think thou understands this beneath the mask of indecision and anxiety. Now shut up and help me lower the moon before the entire morning passes.”
The male rolled his eyes, but then he grumbled and nodded when Luna shoved at him with one hoof before they both sat down on the top of the cliff, sides pressing quietly together as Luna’s ethereal mane floated silently back, the two lowering their heads forwards as their eyes closed in perfect time… and then raising their heads high as Luna’s horn glowed brightly, both their backs arching, their bodies moving in perfect synchronicity as the glow in Luna’s horn intensified, and in the deep morning sky above, the moon slowly began to lower, vanishing beyond the horizon and leaving them bathed in darkness for a few moments, with only the twinkling of the stars for company.
Then, slowly, the sun began to rise… and Luna and Scrivy opened their eyes, gazing affectionately at one another, both breathing quietly as she said softly: “Truly, thou underestimates thy own worth to me if thou thinks that simply because thou does not have a horn, thou art of no aid to me…”
Scrivener smiled a little at her… and then he laughed when she threw herself easily on top of him, pouncing him back against the ground and pinning him as they gazed affectionately into one another’s eyes before she smiled slightly and said quietly: “Now come, Scrivener Blooms. Through the Everfree Forest and to Ponyville… I wish to discuss what Celestia has shared with us with Twilight Sparkle, and I believe we owe our friends a visit and aid anyway.”
“It’s hard for me to move when you’re on top of me, Luna.” Scrivener said mildly, and Luna shrugged a bit, looking down at him thoughtfully before she leaned down… and the two kissed for a soft moment before she drew back and winked at him, stepping off and allowing Scrivy to find his hooves before he smiled a little at her, saying with quiet entertainment: “One day you’ll let me pull the carriage in the relationship.”
“Unlikely, but… these are strange days, where strange things happen more oft than not.” Luna replied easily, winking over at him before she turned and started down the path, and Scrivener fell into step beside her, and they traded another smile before walking onwards in comfortable silence, not needing to speak to communicate, both feeling their hearts beating almost as one, their hooves moving in easy rhythm.
They barely looked towards the cottage: Sammy was intelligent enough to take care of himself and keep an eye on things, and enjoyed spending most of his time lazing on their cushions, anyway. Scrivener smiled a little as they turned instead towards the forest, crossing a small wooden bridge that led across the creek… and then Luna said softly, as if they had never left the conversation minutes and minutes ago: “Does thou really think that Celestia sees us now as her… champions? Is so eager to have us working at her side, because we have proven to be so powerful?”
“Not us, you.” Scrivy said pointedly, and when Luna gave him a flat look, he rolled his eyes and said mildly: “Everything that I can do is because of you, Luna. Your training, and moreover, being able to access your thoughts, your memories, your skills and abilities. It’s like I’m an actor in a play, or a puppet on magic strings or something… I just pretend I’m you for a little while and… poof, I can do it.”
“’Tis a disturbing thought, Scrivener Blooms, a big strong male like thou art pretending to be thy beautiful wife.” Luna said seriously, and Scrivy rolled his eyes as they walked down the familiar path through the familiar forest, firmly bumping against her but only making her grin, before she leaned over and kissed his cheek gently. “But without thee in my life, Nightmare Moon and I never would have been reconciled… and nor would I have been given… such important things to fight for.”
She quieted, looking ahead, but her smile lingered on her face as Scrivy blushed a bit, glancing up and studying the forest around them: filled with enormous, ancient trees that here and there contained not only life, but grouchy sentience, the branches swayed and the canopy of leaves rippled quietly despite the lack of wind or movement. The Everfree Forest was a wild and strange place, a pocket of chaos that had been left alone by Celestia, where beasts of all shape and size roamed without guidance and the weather had always flowed of its own volition… but in these dark times, parts of the Forest’s natural beauty had become marred, the chaos tinged into darker dissonance, the life turned malicious and evil.
They were silent for a little while as they made their way forwards, and then Luna shook her head and murmured quietly, again as if they conversation had never stalled: “Thou may be right, though, Scrivy. ‘Tis odd to think of, and… ‘tis odder still that I do not mind. But once Celestia referred to me as the ‘pony of the people,’ and I must admit I enjoyed this thought… and she herself still holds herself as their leader, their guiding light, and yet…”
“It’s different than it was before, all the same. Different than even months ago, when she was trying to hide the threat of the Velites away.” Scrivener finished, and Luna nodded with a grimace, the earth pony looking musingly at the well-trod path beneath their hooves. “I think she’s trying even harder than she was before. I think… part of her finally woke up and realized she can’t be there every second of every day in every part of Equestria, and that she has to teach ponies that there’s darkness as well as light in the world… and more importantly, she’s learning that she has to trust in them.”
“’Tis a terrifying concept, Celestia with a real heart instead of her clockwork smiles.” Luna observed mildly, and Scrivy rolled his eyes despite the smile that spread over his own face. “She has always played her cards close, has she not? Acted the silent, secretive guide, aloof even to Twilight Sparkle, despite how much she has always obviously cared for her… always smiling in the public eye, gentle in her appearance. There was much cunning, and even wisdom in her deception, I admit… but still, hints of her true nature shone through all the same.
“Yet now… it has been different. Instead of so refined and graceful, she becomes… a little awkward at times with us, does she not?” Luna glanced curiously at him, and Scrivy nodded a bit, smiling a little wider. “Exactly so, the teacup incident!”
Scrivener snorted in amusement at the fact that Luna had again obviously picked up on his thoughts… but it was admittedly a memory he knew would stand out in both their minds for quite a while yet. It had occurred a month ago now… but was still very fresh in both their minds, helped along by the fact that with their mixed souls memories they shared took on a special, brighter contrast.
Celestia and Twilight had both come to visit for an awkward little birthday gathering for Scrivener Blooms: while he flat-out refused to celebrate, Luna nonetheless gleefully took any and every opportunity to both torment and treasure her husband. If she could do both at once, then it was all the better, in her opinion. For the first while, it had been mostly Luna shoving Scrivy cheerfully around, making awkward remarks, rambling about the effort she had gone through, doing everything in her power to both irritate him and make him feel warm and fuzzy before they had all finally sat down to a small lunch.
For three of them, simple fare: for Celestia, a rich salad and expensive tea, Luna obviously so used to her sister’s tastes it was second nature for her to set this down in front of her sister. And for about ten minutes, Celestia had fidgeted and looked at the expensive china sitting in front of her before, as the others were finishing their meals – and half-staring at her – she had finally asked for something ‘simpler.’
Luna had done her usual thing: pretended to be insulted, started making some obnoxious comment, and Celestia had leapt to her hooves, broken into a rant that was obviously a thin veil for something else that was bothering her, and then stomped the teacup into dust beneath one hoof before staring dumbly down at what she had just done… and Luna, ever the beacon of understanding and compassion, had gaped stupidly… then begun to giggle… and when Celestia had shot her an ugly, flushed look, she had broken into a fit of wild laughter.
Scrivy had been unable to stop a few laughs himself – blaming Luna the entire time – and even Twilight had smiled and covered her mouth… but then, thankfully, Celestia had slowly, visibly relaxed, smiling awkwardly as well, and they had cleaned up the mess, fetched her something simpler, and gone back to the meal like nothing had happened. It had done a lot for both sisters: the complete loss of character had shown Luna Celestia really did have emotions somewhere… and the way Luna had just simply moved on afterwards had proven to Celestia her little sister might take a twisted little pleasure in her failings, but would always be there to help her pick up the pieces when it was all done.
“’Twas a wonderful day. Why, I think that was the best present of all for us.” Luna remarked, and Scrivy rolled his eyes, then grunted when she nudged him firmly and grinned. “Oh, shush, Scrivener Blooms, so much of us is one-in-the-other that ‘twould be foolishness to not think of thine as mine and mine as thine.”
“You’re just greedy. Horribly, horribly greedy.” Scrivener replied mildly, and Luna shrugged agreeably, flicking her mane to the side and making the starlit locks flutter against his face, Scrivener snorting in amusement as he stumbled a little before falling back into pace beside her. “Anyway, yeah. I do think… Celestia is trying, at least. Trying hard, probably… we just need to give her time to adjust.”
“Yes, she’s only had a thousand years to mend her ways from being the Dragon Slayer, she rightly deserves more time.” Luna said ironically, and when Scrivener rolled his eyes, she grumbled and muttered: “Oh, silence, ‘tis difficult, as I have told thee afore. I need time myself to come to terms with all that has happened. From the old days, to imprisonment, to betrayal, to our exile here… it has been a strange road I do not always entirely believe the tales of myself, despite living them out with thee beside me.”
Scrivener grunted in agreement, and they were quiet as they made the rest of the way through the Forest… and thankfully, the trip was without event, despite the fact that other, nastier things had begun to take up residence in the depths of these peculiar woods. Things like spirits and shades, the skeletal Velites that had survived their failed massacre of Ponyville and warped beasts and other beings tainted and affected by the corruption that was ever spreading throughout Equestria.
They emerged from the Forest to step out onto a wide dirt path leading towards the tall, fortified walls surrounding the village… and the two smiled a little at each other before both gazing up towards the bright blue sky. The sun shone, as warm and bright as ever, and a few fluffy white clouds floated slowly by, as the faintest of winds kissed against their faces… and then Luna laughed and shook her head, murmuring: “Just like in the old days, my handsome daydreamer. There were days when Celestia, Sleipnir and I would gaze up at the skies overhead… and all would seem so beautiful, so well, so pristine, that the idea of evil living in such a land as ours seemed as folly.”
Scrivy nodded after a moment with a smile to her, and then they began forwards, striding easily down the dusty road together… and as they approached, the enormous gates were pushed wide open for them by ponies in orange vests emblazoned with the crest of the sun, both of them bowing their heads respectfully beneath simple cloth caps: the uniform of Ponyville’s volunteer infantry. “Welcome Lady Luna, and Sir Scrivener!”
Both Luna and Scrivy mumbled awkwardly at this, but they smiled warmly and nodded nonetheless to the two ponies, who both gazed at them reverently. Unlike any other place in all of Equestria, Ponyville knew that Luna was not Nightmare Moon, that if anything, she worked even more tirelessly than her sister to protect them… but it was a secret they kept well, especially in these dangerous days where even peaceful, calm villages like Ponyville had to be fortified and guarded.
But even with the fortifications that now surrounded it, the heavy iron and wood gates, and the guard towers that loomed here and there to watch the roads, Ponyville still bustled with friendly life, the villagers refusing to be pushed down into fear even as the shadows loomed ever darker around them. The fact that they had ponies like Luna and Twilight looking out for them probably helped with their mood, however, as many of them called warm greetings to the two as they passed, receiving nods and smiles in return even as Luna said easily: “Now, now, Scrivener Blooms… thou should include thyself as well. For ‘tis not just I they look upon with wonderment… once, after all, thou wert nothing more than my earth pony sidekick. Now, thou are elevated to the high and noble status of my earth pony sidekick husband.”
“Oh, gee, Luna, you truly have a wonderful way with making me feel special.” Scrivener replied dryly, and the winged unicorn gave him a grin as they made their way towards the center of town. Before he could add any further retort, however, both he and Luna glanced down and laughed as several fillies and colts charged towards them and bounced back and forth around them, gazing up at them with awe and reverence and laughter, babbling excitedly for a few moments before the little group rushed onwards towards school.
Luna threw her head back and laughed, pausing for a moment to smile warmly after them… and then she blushed a little when Scrivener gazed at her softly, before she flapped her wings once and straightened, saying grumpily: “Oh, hush. Let us be on our way, I… I only am so delighted because… their love makes them all the tastier when I gobble them up.”
“Oh, Luna, don’t worry. I won’t tell anypony you have a heart.” Scrivy said kindly, and Luna grumbled at him as they continued onwards, before he asked curiously: “Why are you still so convinced you’re so bad with kids? I mean, okay. Snips and Snails would probably prefer to spend a week in Helheim than stay in the same room as you, but that was one little accident. Besides, they have the IQ of an apple between them. A rotten apple.”
“True, but they are but colts all the same, and I feel awful for putting such a scare into them over a silly prank.” Luna muttered, and then she grimaced a bit and added sourly: “Tell not a soul what I just said, I must keep up appearances at all times.”
“Oh, Luna, you’re so… you.” Scrivy smiled, leaning in and kissing her cheek gently, and she laughed a little before they both gazed up as they approached the enormous tree that held the library of Ponyville, comfortably resting in the town square like an immense, living monument, several large balconies extending from the upper tiers of the thick, humongous trunk, far wider than it was tall despite its enormous size.
Scrivener approached the wooden door inset into the body of the tree and knocked twice… and only a moment later, it was thrown open by a youthful purple dragon, the male smiling warmly at them and raising one of his dexterous claws to wave with a warm: “Hey, guys! Twilight, Twilight, Luna and Scrivener are here!”
They both smiled at male: Spike, still Twilight’s ‘Number One Assistant’ even after the years that had passed, grown now from the baby dragon he had been into adolescence. Standing on his hind legs, he was a little taller than Luna was now, with gemstone-green eyes that matched the color of the ridge of fins going from his forehead all the way down his spine and forked tail, and a softer olive underbelly. He was lithe and confident, the light-colored ear fins bridging off his skull twitching once with his smile before he turned around and called loudly: “Twilight Sparkle, come on slowpoke!”
“Spike, I can still beat you up without needing to use magic, like we proved last night.” Twilight grumbled grouchily from somewhere above, and Spike turned beet red as he grinned embarrassedly and rubbed at the back of his head, Luna looking at him with amusement as Scrivener simply shrugged.
“She’s totally lying.” he mumbled finally, then he huffed a bit and looked up as Twilight finally came down the stairs at the rear of the wide, open floor of the library, the violet unicorn smiling a little as he added defensively: “Also, you kicked me right where it hurts. That was cheating.”
“There’s no cheating in war, right Luna?” Twilight winked over at the winged unicorn as she approached, tossing her ebony-purple mane, the side-by-side streaks of brighter purple and pink that ran through it glinting: the color and style were much the same as her tail, kept neat and straight as she gazed at the two with purple irises filled with warmth and affection. “I’m so glad to see you both.”
The two looked back at the unicorn with matching smiles on their faces, as she stood before them, proud, strong, happy. Twilight Sparkle, with a cutie mark on her flank of a six-pointed pink star surrounded by white motes, showing her special talent was in the realm of magic. Among her other distinguishing marks were two thin, almost invisible scars that crisscrossed over her face like a lazy t, and the black crystal stud in the shape of the crescent moon glinting in one ear.
If Scrivener and Luna had a best friend and constant admirer, it was Twilight Sparkle: willing to do anything for them, playing along with Luna’s adventurous indulgences, brave and strong and always true to those she became friends with. Then Twilight glared as Spike made a gagging noise and shoved the door closed before he winked over at Scrivener. “Me, you and Dash should go for another guy’s night out. Except. You know, without Luna.”
“Because she makes us all look like little fillies?” he asked mildly, and Spike winced a little as Luna pawed the ground and grinned widely over at him. “Now, now, dear, be nice to the growing dragon.”
“’Tis just so, I have always been nice to dragons and their kin.” Luna retorted, tilting her head upwards with a huff. “’Twas always Celestia who played the wicked one towards them and their kind. Then again, a thousand years ago, most of the dragons we saw of that day were the fearsome Tyrant Wyrms and their kind… the more peaceful, gemstone-loving kind such as young Spike were amongst the favorite prey of those beasts when there were not villages of ponies around to be devoured.”
Spike winced a little at this, leaning back and rubbing at his neck as he tossed a look towards Twilight… but when she only smiled indulgently at him, he said hesitantly: “I never… really knew any other dragons, except for the ones kept in the nursery and the Matron, they called her… the adult dragon who played the role of mother to us all. She told us that we were orphaned as eggs, and as part of a peace treaty with Celestia, these eggs were given to her… and in return, the ponies would raise us and take care of us, so long as we were good little assistants, and after we grew up, we would be allowed to go our own way, or continue to lend assistance to Equestria, but… she was never very clear on a lot.
“But I remember a few stories about the Tyrant Wyrms, about… Celestia too…” He blushed a little, glancing awkwardly from Twilight to Luna, but when they both only smiled at him, he nodded a few times and said embarrassedly: “About Celestia, well. We all used to tell each other that the real reason she had all these dragon eggs was… because she liked to eat them.”
“Oh, now that is a delightful image. Sister cooking herself a delicious egg for breakfast the size of her head and gobbling it greedily!” Luna threw her head back and laughed, then she grinned widely, leaning forwards and making Spike rear back, eyes widening as she said teasingly: “But who’s to say it isn’t true, Spike? That thou didst not narrowly avoid being the yummy, nutritious breakfast of mine secretive sister?”
She licked her lips slowly, and Spike flinched away with a whimper before Twilight sighed a bit, saying flatly: “Luna, please. You’re going to give him nightmares and I’m going to wake up in the middle of the night to find him trying to curl up in his little basket again.”
“That happened once!” Spike said in a strangled voice, and then he shook his head quickly, mumbling to himself and quickly regaining his composure as Luna snorted in entertainment. For a moment, the reptile glared at her, then he said grouchily: “But yeah, we knew about the Tyrant Wyrms, too, but I thought those were even more make-believe than the stories about Celestia. I mean, come on, creatures that can… well…”
And now Luna became a little more serious, still smiling faintly… but her eyes grew a little distant as she looked down and recited quietly: “‘Yon awful beast, with claws of steel, did crawl across the land; and it did feast, it did not feel, killing out of hand. ‘Twas a thousand ponies that died that day, beneath the bluster, amidst the hay. And ‘twas only the first coming of the hapless Wyrm, the beast that Muspell could not burn.’ Aye, Spike, for Celestia, Sleipnir and I fought many times against these monsters from the dark mountains…”
She paused meditatively, then smiled at Scrivener, and he nodded to her with a quiet laugh. “Well, all I have are Luna’s stories and historical records… but even the first records of these creatures, countless years ago… many of them reference that poem, which is held as close to fact. They say if anything, though, the number of the dead was greatly understated… no pony knows how many ponies died in the miles of farmland and small villages that all was shortly transformed into an awful, barren swamp.”
Spike grimaced and shuddered, and then he glanced up as Twilight said quietly: “Do me a favor and go and find Fluttershy and the others, okay? Let them know that Luna and Scrivy have arrived, and bring something nice back from Sugar Cube Corners.”
Twilight winked, and Spike nodded with a short salute, almost bouncing over to the desk to snatch up a small sack before heading quickly over to the door and letting himself out. For a moment, Twilight gazed at this, smiling to herself softly, and then she shook her head slowly and murmured quietly: “On the one hoof I’m glad he’s growing up… but on the other, well… it makes me realize he’s not going to be around forever. And… it might be years away still, but… I’ll miss him.”
She stopped, then shook her head and laughed a bit, smiling at the two as Luna and Scrivener both gazed at her softly. “Oh, stop that. Anyway, I know why you’re here… it’s about the Starlit Knights, right?” When they nodded, Twilight smiled warmly at them. “Then you’ll be happy to know that most of them are definitely people I can approve of… Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Big Mac, Fluttershy, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, even Spike: and the rest are names from around Ponyville and a few from Canterlot who arrived yesterday and I don’t find entirely disagreeable, Luna. I think… I think this is good news, even if…”
Luna and Scrivy both only smiled, however, and then Luna nudged him firmly, saying in a warm voice: “I must admit I am surprised and delighted… perchance all the study and talk of ‘friendship’ and its value has finally gotten through to the head of the very one who ordered it in the first place. ‘Twill be good to have competent allies with us.”
“Perhaps so… and… well… knowing you’ll all be with us, Twilight, that… admittedly does a lot to soothe my own misgivings about this upcoming adventure.” Scrivy added after a moment, blushing a little… and Twilight couldn’t hide the faint tinge in her own cheeks as she looked from Scrivy to Luna, before the male cleared his throat as Luna half-lidded her eyes and grinned wider, the male saying hurriedly: “But wait, what about Ponyville? Without you all around to defend it…”
“The ponies here… they’re learning more and more, every day, they can defend themselves. That they don’t need our help for every little problem, that… they can stand up to whatever’s out there, beyond those gates and walls, without needing to be constantly afraid.” She stopped, looking to the side as if gazing through the wall, her expression softening… and then she smiled as she glanced back towards them, saying quietly: “Besides. A few days ago, the mayor hired a security company to come here and help fortify Ponyville. I think we were doing a good enough job already, but I guess it’s better to be safe than sorry.”
She paused, then shook her head out a little, adding thoughtfully: “Just… struck me as odd. Apparently someone from the company was interested in working out here, so the mayor got a good deal on the consultation fees. I just hope that… we don’t end up needing a lot of extra fortification around here, or a lot of… well… mercenaries in the streets, even if they’re here to protect Ponyville while most of the volunteer infantry is gone. As it is, seeing those walls and towers… it makes me wonder sometimes if we’ll ever have the old Equestria back.”
“Nay, Twilight, thou shan’t… but that means not it will be all bad, that the future must be joyless.” Luna replied softly, stepping forwards and resting a hoof on her shoulder, and Twilight smiled as Luna leaned in and kissed her forehead gently. “There is greater good that can be done in times of darkness then there can in times of light, my friend. Remember always that hope exists… that even if one path ends in shadow, it only means there is another divergence that shall lead towards the light.”
Scrivener cleared his throat loudly, and Luna rolled her eyes and added grouchily: “As Scrivener Blooms once wrote, I was just getting to that, my ever-humble scribe. Don’t I always credit thee for thine fair and fancy words?”
“Nope.” Scrivy said mildly, and then he ducked when Luna huffed and stepped away from Twilight to swing a hoof at him as she smiled amusedly at the antics of the two. “Touched as I am you think my garbage is worth stealing-”
“Oh silence, thou wretched creature. Thou knows perfectly well that in thy possession is a remarkable talent.” Luna said firmly, and Scrivener smiled despite himself as she strode towards him, then he winced when she bopped him firmly with her long horn. “Furthermore, I do not steal. I raid. And I have beaten, bludgeoned, and bested thee more than enough times in more than enough senses to enslave thee as the spoils of my victories.”
“I love you too, dear.” Scrivener said dryly, and then he winced when she bopped him again with her horn before leaning forwards and kissing him for a moment, the earth pony blinking dumbly for a moment, then clearing his throat when she drew back. “Uh. I. Yes.”
“Males. So easy to wrap around one’s hoof.” Luna said playfully, earning a grumble from Scrivener before she turned her eyes back towards Twilight, becoming a little more serious as she asked quietly: “And while I am relieved and gladdened, and wish not to speak ill of thy friends… will they be prepared for the journey ahead? ‘Twas not so long ago, I recall, they were in chaos… understandable, perhaps, after poor Applejack and Rainbow Dash had their wedding torn asunder, but all the same…”
“They’ve worked hard, Luna… I have a lot of faith in them.” Twilight smiled a little, glancing down for a moment before she looked back up, saying softly: “Besides, you and Scrivy were just saying we were Ponyville’s greatest defenders, right? That must mean that you must have plenty of faith in them as well.”
“It means… I wish not to underestimate them, nor thyself.” Luna said after a moment, smiling slightly despite herself as she looked thoughtfully at the violet unicorn. “In my eyes, only thou hast proven so far to be made of the sterner mettle such times as these require… and whilst I mean no disrespect to the others…”
Twilight nodded slowly, however, awkwardly fidgeting and replying quietly: “I know that… you’re a far better judge of this kind of thing than I am, too. Until… we really became friends, after all, I saw the world the same as every other pony did. Through the eyes Celestia wanted us to view the world… Equestria as nothing more than a place of eternal harmony, threatened now and then by outside forces but never anything like… like in the past. And it scares me a lot sometimes still, the things we saw, the things that happened… the fact that Discord, who I thought was evil, was only… misunderstood, and a victim. A victim of Celestia, and myself…”
She stopped, swallowing a bit, then she murmured: “But I do have a lot of faith in my friends, and I think they’ll live up to your expectations. I hope they’ll even surprise you, because… we’ve all been working hard, so hard. AJ and Rainbow are so strong, train so much, they’re so determined to protect each other and everything they’ve built together… Pinkie Pie is still terrified of everything, but that Pinkamena part of her, it’s so… it’s scary… and Fluttershy and Rarity work around the clock, too. They might not fight, but…”
“No battle is won with warriors alone.” Luna smiled a little, nodding slowly and saying softly: “We will need every pony’s strength for the days that come ahead… and it may surprise thee to discover what talents truly lead to a pony’s value shining through, especially in times of dark and dangerous crises such as these.”
Twilight gazed up at her quietly, and then she laughed a little as she shuffled a hoof against the floor, before looking up as Luna added cheerfully: “Besides, look at what honest beginnings my beloved Scrivener Blooms has come from, and to where he has risen now… who would have suspected such a quiet earth pony scribe would one day become a warrior as proud as he is?”
“Luna, we’ve been…” Scrivy began, and then the winged unicorn shot him a horrible look, and he cleared his throat, making a zipping motion over his mouth and mumbling: “I’ll just. Let you have your way then.”
“As always is best.” Luna replied easily, and then she leaned over and kissed the side of his neck gently, making the male smile despite himself before the tall female returned her eyes to Twilight, who was looking at them with entertainment. “Yes… there will be tragedy in the future, and there will be suffering and loss. But there is yet also a chance for glory, for good… and best of all, a chance to save the lives of many ponies and protect those within and without our nation from tyranny and evil. I cannot promise it shall end happily, but I do promise that together, we shall find joy amidst the sorrow… we are family, Twilight. Thou, myself, and Scrivener Blooms. We are an awkward little family together.”
She paused, then added meditatively: “And Celestia, too, I suppose, is like the cousin no one likes. The nerdy one. But… family all the same.”
“You know I hate to defend Celestia, Luna, especially from you… but she is trying. Trying harder and harder… I think that’s really beginning to show.” Twilight said kindly but carefully, but she looked relieved when Luna only favored her with a sulky look, venturing: “Have you ever thought about… sitting down, talking with her about things? She says that… that she’s determined to make Canterlot, and other places, safe for you. That she’s very close to finding a solution to things… and I don’t mean that in the sense she’s going to try and destroy Equestria again.”
Twilight stopped, then smiled a little as Luna grumbled and fidgeted like a child, pawing at the floor with her hooves as her wings fluttered a bit, and then the violet unicorn said quietly: “It’s like… she’s coming down off her pedestal, finally, Luna. I mean… in the past, I remember maybe… two times when she stood at level with me. When she smiled at me, and treated me… like more than just a student or a subject, for all her compassion. But it’s happening more and more now and she’s trying so hard…”
“Traitor.” Luna said sulkily, but Twilight only laughed before Luna glared over her shoulder at Scrivener before he could even open his muzzle. “And thou art one too, wretch! Bah, to both of thee, if thou art all so fond of Celestia’s changes thou can-”
Scrivener stepped forwards and gently kissed just behind Luna’s jaw, and the winged unicorn mumbled even as she calmed immediately, before sulkily turning towards him and childishly burying her face against his mane, the male smiling amusedly over at Twilight as she shook her head slowly before saying quietly: “I just… really wish some days that everyone could see you the way I do, Luna. Don’t you ever… want to be back in Canterlot?”
“No. ‘Tis stuffy.” Luna mumbled, and Twilight groaned and rolled her eyes before Luna straightened, looking thoughtfully at Scrivener. “Does thou think I would get a bigger room in Canterlot? Or perhaps access to the weapon storage? Or better yet, a tall, high tower off which to push ponies who annoyed me?”
“As if you would push ponies off a tower. That’s not sure enough to kill them.” Scrivy replied mildly, and Luna nodded thoughtfully at this before the male added musingly: “Would be nice to have a few servants, perhaps, that I could boss around, though. You know, ponies to take my stress out on the way you take your stress out on me.”
“I would much rather thou didn’t take thy stress out upon others the way I take my stress out upon thee.” Luna replied with a wide grin, half-lidding her eyes, and Scrivener leaned backwards and cleared his throat with a bit of a blush before she winked. “Unless thou really, really wanted to.”
“Will you please get off the train to creepytown?” Scrivy asked flatly, and Luna laughed and shook her head before they both looked up as there was a loud knock at the door, followed by Spike throwing it open, carrying several large boxes and leading several ponies in after him as the male equine wheezed in relief. “There, now behave, Luna.”
“Never.” Luna grumbled, and the two childishly shoved against each other for a few moments as the others filtered in, but by now these five newcomers were well-used to the behavior of the two ponies, gazing at them with welcome warmth… and admittedly, a little bit of apprehension, likely not knowing if this was a social call or one of Luna’s visits where things would start off fun but then she would quickly drag them into some horrible training exercise that would leave them all battered, bruised, and covered in mud.
Finally, a tall, well-built, sky-blue Pegasus male grinned and leaned over to firmly nudge an autumn-gold female, saying amusedly: “See, I told you ponies can act like that even after they get married. Other ponies, miss grouchy-hooves.”
At this, the female glared at him from beneath her weathered cowboy hat, blonde bangs spilling over her green eyes and in a tight ponytail that fell across one shoulder, as her matching, braided tail flicked to the side and snapped lightly against the male’s hip. “Oh, shut up, Rainbow. We get along better than most and you dang well know it. Ain’t my fault that you’re as competitive and lackin’ in humility as ever.”
“That’s only because I’m more awesome than ever.” Rainbow Dash proclaimed, posing with a wide grin as he half-lidded his magenta eyes, flicking his messy, rainbow-streaked mane back as his tail snapped backwards. On his flank, the cutie mark of a white cloud releasing a rainbow-colored lightning bolt seemed almost to sizzle before he firmly hip-checked the earth pony, his cutie mark bumping against her cutie mark of three red apples… before the female simply rolled her eyes and sidestepped when he tried to lean his weight into her, and he squawked and fell to the ground with a loud crash that made several of the others laugh. “Oh, funny, Applejack.”
“Y’ain’t never been the best on those big hooves of yours, Dashie.” Applejack said teasingly, leaning down with a grin and a wink before she gestured for the male to get up, and Rainbow smiled despite himself before he picked himself off the floor with a grunt, then winced a little when something poked his side before looking with a wheeze of relief towards Pinkie Pie, earning a snort of amusement from the freckled country earth pony. “Y’ain’t the bravest, either.”
Rainbow only muttered under his breath, however, and the bright pink earth pony that had poked him blushed and smiled awkwardly beneath her messy mane, her blue eyes apologetic as she bounced a bit on her hooves… and the single swatch of scarring up along one cheek that pulled her mouth back into a permanent smile seemed to almost shine unnaturally against her bright coat as she said embarrassedly: “Sorry, Rainbow, but I promise Pinkamena… well, it was just a little… you know.”
She cleared her throat, rolling her eyes slowly upwards, the cutie mark of three balloons on her flank seeming to move of their own accord for a moment before she added lamely: “The… the new medicine from Zecora really does help me lots! It’s just that sometimes… Pinkamena still slips a little, and we’re… working still on finding… that right balance. She really didn’t mean any harm, though, she just gets lonely.”
“She threw a knife at me.” Rainbow said grouchily, but when Applejack and Pinkie Pie both favored him with a flat look, he sighed and lowered his head, muttering: “Oh fine, fine. Sorry. Happy?”
“Yep!” Pinkie beamed, bouncing immediately on her hooves… and then she blushed a little when Rarity touched her shoulder, the white unicorn giving her a gentle smile.
“Don’t worry, Pinkie, we all know by now she’s… very much a part of you.” Rarity paused, then she flicked her corkscrewed purple mane and matching, stylized tail, straightening a little as she gazed towards Luna and Scrivener and bowed her head courteously, eyes warm as her cutie mark of three diamond-cut blue gems shimmered quietly over her flank. “You’ll have to excuse us. It’s been… a very busy last few days here in Ponyville, especially since-”
“Especially since we were made knights!” Rainbow said enthusiastically, leaping forwards with a grin and almost knocking Applejack and Pinkie Pie sprawling before he winced over his shoulder, clearing his throat. “Sorry you guys. It’s really cool though, isn’t it? I mean… that’s like… big stuff, right?”
“Very big.” murmured a soft voice, a shy blonde Pegasus walking quietly out from the rear of the group with a blush. Her mane fell forwards in a long, pretty pink waterfall over one side of her face, a natural curl in it that only worked to accent her pretty features as her lime-green eyes gazed affectionately at Twilight, then almost reverently to Luna and Scrivener as she quietly halted, bowing her head forwards and saying softly: “Thank you both so much, again, for saving Scarlet Sage from those awful Nibelung… on the way to school, she was telling me all about how you fought them off.”
Rainbow grinned, beginning to open his mouth, and then he instead turned beet-red when Applejack added grumpily: “Yeah, it’s really too bad she was taken in the first place, though, due to somepony falling asleep on guard duty.”
The blue Pegasus mumbled a little and carefully shrank down, but Luna only rolled her eyes and rose a hoof, saying mildly: “What’s done is done, and ‘twas no pleasure to see Scarlet Sage in danger, but ‘twas a great joy to rescue and return her safely. And ‘tis a pleasure to see all of thee gathered here as well… and to know that all of thee will be joining us as the Starlit Knights upon a journey I admit neither I nor my husband are exactly pleased to take.”
“What’s so bad about North Neigh?” Rainbow asked curiously, and immediately every pony in the room – as well as Spike – aside from Scrivener Blooms glared at him, the blue Pegasus blinking dumbly a few times before he slowly dropped down on his front and covered his face with his hooves. “Okay, okay, shutting up. Just please don’t let Luna beat me up again, that was horrible. Scrivy, stop letting her come along on our guys’ nights out.”
“Oh, right, because we all know Luna listens to anything I say.” Scrivener said mildly, glancing at the winged unicorn, and she gave a nod of agreement before bopping him lightly with her horn, the male rolling his eyes with a sigh as he caught a distinct, clear thought from her at the same time.
He paused all the same for a few moments, even as the others automatically gazed towards him while Spike began to go through the boxes, curiously looking over his shoulder even as he began to put together plates of baked goods and cups of tea and coffee. For a moment, Scrivy looked back and forth, then he shot Luna a glare when she nudged him firmly a few times before gazing ahead, saying quietly: “North Neigh, as most of you know… is my hometown. It’s a very nasty little place that still believes in a lot of the old ways… like how all earth ponies are slave-hooves, and unicorns are the elite class. It’s not going to be fun to go there… but it is something, sadly, that I know we have to do. Even if a large part of me wants to say sit back and let things unfold as they will, I know we have to at least try to get there before… anything too awful happens.”
He stopped, then looked slowly back and forth over the group as Rainbow sat up and winced a little, before he lowered his head and muttered: “You’re a better guy than me, Scrivy. But maybe that’s not saying much, all things considered. I used to be a girl, after all.”
He smiled a little at this, glancing up… but Applejack only sighed even as Scrivener smiled back, replying quietly: “Don’t worry, Rainbow, I’m sure people mistook you for a guy from the very beginning.”
That only earned a wry grin in return, though: by now, Rainbow had grown comfortable enough that little pokes here and there weren’t just expected, they were almost necessary, to remind him of how lucky he was… not just that he had been able to change from a female to a male, but because he had friends who loved him for who he really was, and had stood by him through the whole painful process.
Ponyville was an accepting, tolerant little utopia, though… Luna sometimes grumbled about how it seemed so much like a little bit of heaven on earth that she feared they all had to be brainwashed somehow, but Scrivy knew she was just as glad for it as he was. Rainbow Dash was a bit of a hero to the little town, but if anything, he was only more admired for the courage he showed in undergoing his changes… and almost the entire town had gladly turned out for the wedding day of Rainbow Dash and Applejack.
But those events had been sadly marred: the Velite attack had occurred during the dance after the ceremony, the undead marching arrogantly into Sweet Apple Acres to terrorize, kill, and drag off ponies to add to their army, seeking revenge on Luna and Celestia and life itself. And yet they had been met by waves of resistance they had not expected, as ponies of every shape and size pushed back against the darkness as Celestia had engaged Veliuona in a possessed vessel, and Luna had embattled a unicorn known as Ignominious who had traded innocent souls for power in Helheim, the Underworld.
And at the end of it all, they had lost friends: Trixie throwing one last grand performance as she sacrificed herself to annihilate the dead goddess Veliuona, other ponies who were maimed and killed and tortured by the Velites… and Ignominious had possessed Scrivener Blooms, desperate to take revenge on Luna… and yet that itself had spelled the black, demonic unicorn’s own undoing, as Scrivener had guided Luna’s horn into piercing his own heart.
Heavy thoughts… and Luna and Scrivy gazed at each other, meeting one another’s eyes for a few moments before they both shared an awkward smile, then Luna glanced out over the group, saying quietly: “Twilight Sparkle has spoken well of all five of thee, however, and while I remain concerned… I admit, it does good for my spirit to know I will have all thee at my back. Still, however, I also worry for the safety of Ponyville… for whilst Twilight Sparkle has informed me a security company’s aid has been enlisted, and I am able to draw the meaning of this from my fair daydreamer’s mind… stout hearts do more than any fortification ever could.”
“Yes, but the security firm is supposed to be very, very good.” Twilight said quietly, and the other ponies nodded, before the unicorn continued slowly: “But we also have a week to make sure not only that the security forces are settled in properly, but that we’ve all done our part to make sure Ponyville will be as safe as possible while we’re travelling to North Neigh. How far away is it, Scrivy? Celestia and I didn’t discuss the journey in detail.”
Scrivener looked thoughtfully at Luna, who gazed back musingly, the two trading thoughts in that single look before Spike cleared his throat, and all eyes turned towards the dragon as he held up a plate of food and a mug of coffee. “Maybe you should invite everyone in, Twilight? I mean, unless you wanted to eat all this yourself.”
“Fine, Spike, fine. Sorry, come on, let’s sit down.” Twilight rolled her eyes, turning with a flick of her horn, and cushions floated quietly out from a large rack at the side of the library, arranging themselves in a neat circle, the ponies arranging themselves on these as Scrivy flopped down… then grunted when Luna half-dropped on top of him, blanketing his body with hers.
Twilight rolled her eyes, and Rainbow grinned over at Applejack hopefully… but AJ only gave him a sour look in return, and the Pegasus mumbled under his breath before Scrivener sighed a little, glancing up and saying mildly: “Politeness, Luna. Politeness.”
“Never.” Luna grumbled, and then she added moodily: “Besides, our friends are free to crawl all over one another should they like, I see no problems in such behavior. Thou art a comfy cushion, Scrivener Blooms.”
“Don’t worry, Scrivy, ain’t none of us here surprised anymore by anything that happens between you and Luna.” Applejack said kindly, smiling a little at him, and Luna looked up with a grin as if she took this as a personal challenge, making the earth pony wince. “Although that wasn’t any dare or anything, just so we’re clear here.”
“Luna, don’t be evil.” Scrivy said dryly, but Luna only grumbled in return before the male nodded slowly, looking back and forth over the group as Spike began to put plates of food and mugs of coffee and tea out in front of the ponies. “On hoof, it’s a four day journey from Canterlot… maybe five, since we’ll be travelling in a larger convoy and we’ll have to move slower. But the only way to get there is by the northern highway, and it won’t be fun for a lot of reasons.”
The others nodded slowly, then Luna looked up, a bit more serious even as she rested her hooves on Scrivener’s shoulders, saying slowly: “It means Ponyville will be going undefended for a number of days… and while there are more in the company of Nibelung and Phooka here, cretins and foul-spawn over worrisome and terrible monster, I still am concerned. Twilight Sparkle, perhaps thou should tell us more of this… security endeavor.”
She paused, then smiled at Spike when he set down two plates in front of them, picking up the brownie on one and taking a bite out of it, Scrivy grimacing a little as crumbs hailed down over his face. Twilight looked at the two as Pinkie Pie giggled and Rainbow Dash grinned widely, and then the violet unicorn only sighed and shook her head, knowing by now that chastising Luna wouldn’t get her anywhere. “Well, since they’re getting here today, you can see for yourself… they’re supposed to be very good, though, and the Mayor was excited. Apparently some important executive is coming out here, Sol Seraph, and-”
And Twilight was interrupted by a short shriek, the ponies looking up sharply as Fluttershy pushed herself violently backwards and knocked her plate of food and mug over, features paling as trembles tore through her body. Immediately, the violet unicorn was up on her hooves, quickly leaping over to her as she asked worriedly: “Fluttershy, what’s… what’s wrong? Look at you, you’re… you’re shaking like a leaf…”
Luna and Scrivener were both up on their own hooves as the others worriedly looked and half-stepped towards their friend, but obviously didn’t want to cluster the two as the Pegasus breathed hard in and out, shivering, head lowered, eyes clenched shut… and then she gave a weak little whimper before she whispered: “Sol Seraph… is my mother.”