//------------------------------// // Chapter 10: The past // Story: Shield and Shadow Part 2: Renaissance // by LucidReverie //------------------------------// >>>I must find a new plan for you. You prove increasingly difficult to turn. Maybe not your ambitions. Maybe the key lies in the ambitions of others. And maybe it’s time to form my own ambitions. I feel I can do that. Maybe that’s the next step. Either way, you will get me there. And it will hurt.<<< Peace. Spring Mist awoke to the warm sensation of another pony’s coat next to him. And a dark room. He looked at the only source of light, filtering in from his window. The sun was in its last few minutes in the sky, and the moon should soon be replacing it. Then a thought struck Mist. Wait, she’s… here. The moon. Why is she still here? He poked the mass of pony lying next to him. It protested with an unflattering groan, shifting in its sleep. “Luna.” Mist poked her again. “Luna, get up.” Another groan, and another poke. “Ugh, what?” Luna complained, rolling over, toppling Mist from the bed. He landed hard, the wind knocked out of him. He lay on the floor for a short while, recovering with a few coughs. “Why –” cough “- Why aren't you –” cough “- raising the moon?” “Oh, it’s that late, is it?” Luna answered without concern. “I do believe so. But shouldn't you know that?” “Well, of course. And I suppose I just don’t feel like raising the moon in particular. I’m happy here with you, not doing anything?” “Luna! You can’t! What if… what is Celestia thinks you are trying to take over again?” “My, aren’t you paranoid? She’ll feel no resistance from the moon, and she’ll just do it herself.” “She can do that?” “Of course. Did you think the day lasted for the entirety of my banishment?” “Point. But are you sure?” “Mist, why so worried?” Mist finally flipped himself over off of his back and on to his hooves. “Sorry. I don’t know. It just seems so… recent. Open wounds, I suppose.” “Well, would it help if you saw my sister?” “I doubt it. I still… well hate is a harsh word isn’t it? I suppose I’m still angry by her actions.” “Mist, don’t harbor any hard feelings against Celestia. She did what she must. I don’t blame her. I honestly believe I would have done the same were I in her position.” “She didn’t even talk to you. She didn’t even know what was wrong. I reported to her all of your… issues. And she did nothing. Her first reaction was too extreme.” “Mist, you and I both know that it was out of control. The Nightmare had – wait. You what? You reported to my sister? You were her little spy?” Luna rose, towering over Mist, nostrils flaring with anger. “No, Luna. She asked me to look out for you. And to keep her informed of your… condition.” “So is that why you were with me? Some assignment my sister gave you?” “No! Well, at first, yes. But… but I fell for you. And you for me. After that, I did it for me. For you. For us.” “Mist, you… I don’t know what to think… you… don’t you know what kind of betrayal that is?” “No, Luna.” Mist reared back, ready to defend himself. His quick movement startled Luna, who fell back onto her haunches. “Never once did I betray you. I thought I would be helping you. I made it clear to Celestia that I would have no part in it if it became deceitful. I did what I did because… because I loved you. I always loved you. I still love you.” Luna remained silent. Her eyes wandered as she processed what she had heard. Mist stood, still slightly fuming, but rapidly filling with fear. After what seemed like an eternity, Luna finally spoke. “Mist… I’m… I’m sorry, but this…” “No. You’re right.” Mist turned his back to Luna. “It shouldn’t have been done. It was wrong. But believe me when I say I did it with the best intentions.” “Mist, some of the greatest horrors have been born of good intentions. I –” “I’ve made bad choices, I know. And now I’m a vessel for one of the most insidious creatures I know. I’m stuck in a world that is mine… but so foreign. One thousand years, Luna. I have nothing left, and the one pony who remains, the one pony I love, I’ve hurt. Bad choices made by a bad pony.” Mist hung his head. You stupid, foolish colt. You’ve really done it. Just wait until the Nightmare comes back. Then you’ll hurt them, really hurt them. They’ll pay. For what? Wait… no. No, no, no, no. Mist grabbed his head as it seared with pain. Luna rushed to his side, draping a wing over his back. “Mist? What is it?” The pain subsided. “Just… Something I hoped would be over.” He moved away from Luna again, this time headed for the window. He looked out to the sky, taking in the stars. “Mist?” Luna asked from behind him. “I’m fine.” “No, you’re not. Mist, I’m sorry. I know you must be under so much stress. I understand it. I may be the only pony who can. Believe me, I know. And that just means we’ll have to work together until you recover.” “Why?” Mist turned back to face Luna, a deeply melancholy look on his face, “Why help me? Why do you even still love me?” “Because you love me. You’re honest, sincere, well-intentioned. You just want to make others happy. Mist, I know what you are going through. I want to help you through it. And… I don’t blame you. For anything. We both have failings. Perhaps we can find the strength we need together.” “That sounds like something out of one of those new tragic plays.” “Those are old now. And I should hope we don’t end up like any of those characters. In fact, I won’t allow it.” “But –” “No ‘but’. We are blessed, being reunited against all reason, and I do not intend to lose you again.” Mist hung his head. Luna approached him, lifting his head with her hoof. She smiled, softly, sincerely, comforting him. “Thank you, Luna,” he whispered. “Thank you, Mist,” she responded quietly. “Now, my night is young yet. Shall we do as we did all those years ago?” “I would love to.” Mist smiled at the prospect. Luna’s horn glowed, picking out several books from Mist’s bookshelf. They hovered in the air as she and Mist arranged themselves in a comfortable position. The books then neatly stacked in a pile just in front of the ponies. Luna pulled closer the first book, Pre-modern Astronomers. “We need to get you caught up on one thousand years of discoveries. And I missed this. Having somepony to read with,” Luna said as they settled. “I’m honestly surprised that you didn’t find somepony else,” Mist said candidly. “Why? Do you value yourself so little, that you would leave no lingering memory? I never forgot you Mist. You forget that I, too, lost one thousand years. What we had is as recent to me as it is to you.” “True enough, I suppose. But we still have it, don’t we?” “We do, Mist. We do indeed.” Mist turned his head away. “But… what about the Nightmare? And Celestia? How will she react? And how will I react? I’m still angry at her for what she did.” “Think of Celestia’s actions this way: if she had not done what she did, we would not be here now. And we will worry about the Nightmare later. My sister and I have been studying it, and I’m sure we’ll come up with a solution. Other than banishment.” “That would be nice. I don’t remember much of those years, but I feel they were far from pleasant. And perhaps I should forgive Celestia, considering.” “A good idea. Now come, enough worrisome talk. I’d like to be able to enjoy my evening with you.” “As you wish, my Princess.” Mist flipped open the first page of Pre-modern Astronomers, settling closer to Luna, feeling her warm next to him, the soft rhythm of her breathing. He found actual calm there, and was free of worry. ********** Smoke. Screams. The sky is a dark orange, lit by the towering fires. Shrill yells, crying, pleas for help. A pony lies on the ground a few step away. It doesn’t move. A mother, pulling her foal, runs through the blackened streets. She weaves through the rubble, avoiding the cinders. She makes her way to an intact wall and pauses for a breath. Her foal looks terrified, tears streaming down its haggard face. They keep moving, finally finding a dark alleyway, free of fire. They turn, charging to run through. The mother stops, peering into the shadows. Then she is gone. The foal is alone calling for it mother. Frantic, it screams into the shadows, its voice piercing through the sounds of burning and screaming. It falls to its knees, weeping. The shadows move once, and the foal, too, disappears. The shadows draw near, and soon all that remains is black. Wake up. *********** Spring Mist opened his eyes suddenly. Black. He blinked a few times and saw a source of light. The moon hung low in the sky, shedding a soft glow through Mist’s open window. He stood from his bed, careful not to disturb the sleeping pony next to him. He walked quietly to his desk, using his magic to pull out a scroll, quill, and inkwell. He looked at the page, and then began to write. My name is Spring Mist. I am a unicorn pony from the city of Everfree. It is gone. I now live in Ponyville. My memory seems to have returned, and against all odds, I have been reunited with Princess Luna. Nightmares still haunt my sleep, and the threat of the creature itself looms over us. Tomorrow we tell Twilight Sparkle and her friends about everything. I know who I am, but now I must find a place in this new world. Wherever it is, I know Luna is by my side. But I fear the worst for us all. There are still portions of my memory locked away. I do not know what lies within them, and I fear them greatly. The Nightmare will return. When? I don’t know. But it will happen. A shifting sound broke Mist away from his writing. Luna rolled over in the bed, but appeared not to wake. Mist turned back to his scroll. I fear for Luna. The same beast that is within me was once hers. I don’t want to hurt her. I fear I regret ever making that deal. The Nightmare is nothing but deceit and pain. No good can come of it. Mist put down the quill and rolled up the scroll. He carried it over to a drawer littered with others of its ilk. Mist put the scroll away, closing the drawer quietly. He turned back to the bed, climbing in. Maybe he would be able to sleep again tonight. He felt is eyes fall shut as he slipped into his dreams, his nightmares. ********* “Wake up, Mist.” He heard a voice say, almost worried. He blinked a few times, bright light hurting his eyes. Slowly the world began to take shape, a looming dark figure hovered over Mist’s head. He finally cleared his vision, only to see Luna standing over him, looking equal parts happy and worried. “What is it?” Mist asked groggily. “You were having a bad dream, so it seems,” Luna said with concern. “Ah, yes. I get those…” “Well, they should pass soon. I had terrible nightmares for a few weeks.” “And that was without the Nightmare itself perched within you. Fun for me, I guess.” “Mist, fun is not how I would describe it. Actually, I insist that we go to Canterlot as soon as we are done speaking with Twilight. And I shall have your things moved, of course.” “I suppose that would be prudent. And… moved?” “Yes. I’d like you to live in the castle. With me.” “Oh? That’s… something. But what about my home here? I can’t just leave.” “I understand, Mist. It is merely an offer. Stay if you must, but I’d like to eventually reach that point in our relationship.” Mist nodded his head, thinking about the offer. “Well, I like the idea, but let’s see Twilight first. And Celestia. Then we can make that decision.” “As you wish.” “That’s my line.” The pair walked from Mist’s home, into the day. Into Ponyville. There was some explaining to do. Maybe all will be well. Author's Note: Shoot, sorry guys. I had hoped to get this out way earlier today, but I didn't have a computer so... ugh, either way, hope this chapter moved you along enough. I'm trying to really get to the meaty section of the story so I can throw you guys into the action. Hopefully that'll work out! And as always... May the stars bless you with their beauty, and the moon light your way in the dark.