‘It all begins with one act that cannot be easily deciphered. To truly find the catalyst, is simply impossible.’
-Kurtish Yob, Saddle-Arabian writer.
[Weeks later;]
‘Scared, now?’ she amusingly asked, putting down the foal on her bed.
The girl did not answer. In truth, she wasn’t sure what to say as her mind raced to comprehend her surrounding and the being eying her. She wasn’t sure if she remembered how to talk either.
Her mind’s voice felt foreign like it had never been her own yet was not for a reason that escaped her. She sounded the words in her head, repeating them, again and again, to make sure when they would be spoken out in the open, she would commit no mistake. That her first words would be perfect for the being standing in front of her.
Her mind told her that this… impatient creature had to be respected. That it had to be shown trust for some reason. It felt… bizarre to her. She did not know why, but a part of her being was telling her to trust that creature. To show blind devotion toward that horned and winged being felt wrong to her, but she could not resist that distant call.
She had questions for her. Many questions.
Her belly growled and her mouth watered, interrupting her inner recital.
‘You want to eat?’ the tall creature asked, taking a piece of fabric to clean the drool.
The girl did not oppose it – it was normal to her for some reason.
What to eat? She wasn’t sure if she had eaten anything besides the vague memory of an amalgam of nutriment. The girl could not recall the names of any particular dish nor could she remember the exact products they were made of. There were… vegetables? Was that the correct word? She wasn’t sure her father said anything about it, but she remembered that word. It must hold some meaning as her stomach began to hurt even more.
‘Don’t be shy, Eufi. I will not hurt you. Your father would want you to eat and be a strong little Pony.’
Eufi… That was her name in some fashion, she recalled. Her father had given her that name… For as much as she can remember, he had always been there with her. She did not recall having siblings. In truth, she wasn’t sure she knew anyone besides him. She did not remember her mother; she remembered her father not wanting to mention her much.
The creature’s name was… Luna? It sounded familiar and welcoming. The foal was only half-sure of it. Part of her told it was true and the other blared that it was a lie. But the girl did not care; she only cared to know who this “Luna” was as an ever creeping suspicion took hold.
‘A-are…’ the girl wearily whispered.
Luna got closer, gently approaching her ears toward the child.
The young Batpony stepped back, terrified to speak openly with that familiar figure she was failing to properly recall.
‘I won’t hurt you. I promise.’
Eufrimia continued to retreat. At one point, her legs twisted themselves in the bedsheet, forcing her in a sitting position. The figure approached her and only now had she noticed the mane. She could not help but to fixate it, admiring the endlessly waving night sky with the wonder only a child could. She ignored the figure checking for any injury or discomfort, moving her small legs to a position that comforted the foal even more. Luna caressed Eufrimia, calming the young Batpony completely and instantly.
Eufrimia looked back at Luna directly, not waving her regard after laying eyes upon the Alicorn. She saw the surprise on Luna’s face.
‘A-are you my mom?’ dared Eufrimia.
Luna raised her head. Eufrimia retreated once more, fearing she had angered her for whatever reason.
‘I am not your mother,’ Luna plainly stated. ‘You don’t remember her?’ her tone had switched to a worried one.
The foal shook her head.
‘You remember your father?’
The foal nodded, sparking an intense desire within her; sitting aside some of Luna’s worry.
‘Do you remember who I am?’
Eufrimia turned her face and hid her head from Luna.
‘That’s alright. You do not need to remember every creature you come across with. I am Luna. You are the first one to return to normal. At least,’ she smirked, faking amusement, ‘your mind has.’
‘I-I am… u-ugly?’
Luna kissed Eufrimia on her still fur-full forehead and put down the bony frame that were her wings.
‘No. No, you’re not.’
The caress reawakened a yet-to-be-unearthed memory.
‘W-where is my dad?’
‘He’s not here. You will-’
‘I want to see him!’ she nearly yelled but stayed firm in position. ‘I want to see him now!’
The child’s fervor left Luna startled for a couple of seconds. ‘I promise you will. You just have to wait a little.’
‘Why?!’ Eufrimia insisted.
‘He is still “ill” but he will soon get better. I promise. In the meanwhile, you can stay with me. I will feed you and give you all you want.’
‘I want my dad…’ Her voice trembled, nearing ever closer to crying.
Luna peered down at the girl, perhaps too harsh and aggressive than what she intended. But Eufrimia was unfazed by that slip; she, as all children, wanted a parent’s presence. Even when not there, even when it was impossible, a child wants to see their parents.
Luna wanted to deny her that wish. She was too young to meet with the rest of her tribe. It could end badly… But who was she to deny a child’s wish? An innocent and natural one at that. Something within told Luna wanted to leave the child wanting. She was the one with the power and strength to do so. Eufrimia was only a child, not someone that could challenge her.
Luna laughed internally at herself.
Again, Eufrimia demanded to see her father. She shuffled closer to Luna and pulled on whatever she could grab to make Luna pay attention. Luna was sure the foal started crying and insults were thrown. Small arms started hitting her with frail yet relentless force.
‘Come with me,’ finally said Luna, pulling herself away from the sobbing child. ‘Get up.’
Eufrimia snorted and started to clean her mouth, Luna finishing her task. ‘Where are we going?’
‘I’ve promised to give you all you want, no? I will let you meet your father.’
The foal cheered with great joy. ‘Thank you, Luna!’
She winced. ‘Pr-’ She perceived the futility of her act. ‘Whatever. Stay close to me.’
Eufrimia ran toward Luna and obeyed her without protest.
It was sunset when they teleported to that hidden emplacement. There, before revealing the entrance, Luna told Eufrimia that she had to wait once more. The girl raised her voice once more. Luna genuinely smiled at her protests, but this time, she could not go against her duties.
‘Wow,’ exclaimed Eufrimia in wonder as she stopped, mesmerized by the tremendous display of magic. She could not comprehend the power behind such a feat, but she understood, almost instinctually, that Luna was strong indeed. ‘Can you do it with the Sun?’ she asked, excited to receive the answer.
Luna ignored the spirit of the question. ‘Only my sister can.’ She stood back on her hooves and walked closer to the bushes occluding the entrance to the underground. ‘Shall we enter?’
‘Yes!’ Eufrimia, again, exclaimed.
They entered the underground that had once been Eufrimia’s home.
Between the time Luna closed and secured the door and lit up her light, Eufrimia heard odd noises echoing from beneath; snarls, mewling, shuffling, breaking, and moaning. All mashed up together into one muffled sound that seemed to rush toward them.
‘Stay with me,’ reassured Luna. ‘Nothing will injure you here. Your village won’t hurt you.’
She nodded and began to walk; Luna barred her route with her arm.
‘Are you sure you want to continue?’
‘Yes,’ answered Eufrimia, sure of her reply.
‘Sure?’
‘Yes…’ her assuredness was less prominent that time around.
Luna sighed. ‘Good. You are courageous, girl. That is good.’
She wasn’t sure what “courageous” meant, but it sounded like a compliment. ‘Thank you.’
Luna nodded, then both of them descended the stone stairs.
‘Arsal!’ Luna called for Eufrimia’s father.
A Thestral-like thing moved forward, terrifying the foal greatly.
‘This is your father, Eufi.’
Arsal grumbled at the name’s mention.
Luna snorted in amusement. ‘And those beside him, are your village folk.’
He approached his daughter. Eufrimia rushed to hide between Luna’s legs. Arsal stopped, confused about how to apprehend the situation – even more so than before.
‘Dad? Why is he like this?’
‘Because of sorcerers… I’ve reverted the spell’s effects and-’
‘But th-this is not my dad.’ She wanted to cry – she could not hide her fear any longer. ‘I want my dad back, Luna…’ she contained her crying, pressing tighter against Luna.
‘It will take some time, Eufi. He will be back soon, don’t worry.’ An idea came to her as she guided the child out. ‘Come with me. We are going outside.’
Eufrimia nodded. She tentatively looked back to her father, maybe naturally wanting his approval.
He looked at her confused that she had not come to him. He glanced up to Luna, waiting on the stair-steps for Eufrimia to make her decision. The girl mimicked her father, but Luna had decided to not intervene and let Eufrimia decide to stay with him or follow her outside.
Eufrimia waved goodbye. And taking tentative steps, she joined Luna; both ascended to the free air together.
It was cold outside. The girl, even with her still thick fur, was freezing. Luna gestured for Eufrimia to stick beside her. She enveloped both of them with a heat-preserving bubble and added her wing on top of the foal. Like Eufrimia used to do, she bunted Luna’s leg in gratitude. Luna played with her furry ears until Eufrimia forced her to stop with a light push.
In the air, a frame made of an intense, soothing blue formed. Eufrimia stared in bewilderment, impressed by a display something within her was telling her was nothing to the being wielding it. Amazed only started to describe the range of emotion that came to her when the light illuminated their surroundings. She looked up at Luna, wanting to see if it was straining her in any way.
From what she could read, she was happy to showcase her talents. Yet something seemed to be bothering her. Eufrimia preferred not to ask what perturbing Luna’s mind was. She contented on resting her head on Luna’s leg, feeling it would reward Luna with some solace.
‘See this drawing?’ calmly asked Luna. ‘This is what a typical Batpony looks like. They speak like you and act like you. Now, look at yourself.’ A small, hovering light appeared next to Eufrimia. Close to the foal, another frame appeared, opening a mirror that revealed a figure she did not know and terrified her. She started retreating behind Luna. Luna stopped her but did not force the girl to look back at herself. For a minute or more, none of them were sure of the time they spent together, but Eufrimia finally elected to stare back at herself.
‘You are returning to your normal self, gradually,’ continued Luna, still consoling the child with a hoof on her back, omitting the mention of the oddness of her wings. ‘Your eyes were all red once; now they are more like mine. Your fur was more compact; now it is far less. Your skin is no longer white either. All of your skins are no longer white. But you are the only one that had its mind returned fully. I saw your dream more clearly, that is how I knew you were sentient once more, in case you would ask.’
Eufrimia swallowed her phlegm. ‘You saw my dream?’ she asked, wonder peering out of her voice.
Luna seemed to consider her words. ‘You don’t know?’
‘What?’
She smiled and tapped the foal’s back with her wing. ‘I can visit your dreams, yes. I can visit the dreams of every creature living in this world.’
The fires of distant memories were rekindled. ‘How?’ she asked with wonder, forgetting her fear.
Luna smiled more. ‘Well, it is simple: I just close my eyes – I basically sleep – and then I wake up in the Realm of Dreams. There I can visit the dreams of all. But more on it later.’ She heard the sound of a growling stomach. ‘Are you hungry?’
‘Yes!’
‘Then,’ she got up, ‘let us go back. I will make sure the wait won’t be felt.’
‘Can I see my father before going, Luna?’
‘Of course.’
She opened the door for her. Eufrimia stared blankly into the sapphire darkness. The sounds returned; her unease with it.
Luna noticed a hesitant push from Eufrimia to move forward. ‘Want me to go down with you?’
Eufrimia nodded and extended an arm forward.
Luna took it, her horn lit up, and they went down together into the dark underground.