Chapter Eleven
(Red's POV)
It has been approximately three Equestrian Days, or ED, since I fully regained my memories and human form. It has been three EDs since I was allowed move freely about the castle. It has been three EDs since I have seen Princess Luna, or any of the other ponies, other than the two guards outside my 'room', if one could call it that, given that it is nothing but four walls, a door, and a rug, and the lunch-pony. I do not understand exactly why they are doing this, but I can and will guess. I guess that my friend, my almost-brother Alex has left Equestria, most likely after having his memories restored, but by whom it is unclear. I guess that I am being held here to prevent me from doing the same thing. I walk down that path, tracing it further and further. I have no reason to want to leave this colorful place. I was stuck on Mt. Silver for a long time. Those that I cared about, lost or vanished. I had actually been wandering the Hoenn Region after Alex had defeated me, looking for him. He was the only thing I could latch on to. Mt. Silver had isolated me from the world, and so much had happened while I was there. Then, they came through. Twilight Sparkle, she caught Alex's eye, but my eye, and my heart were both captured by a more graceful, more majestic being. The Princess of the Night, Princess Luna. The night is my favorite time of day. I may sleep through it, but it is the most beautiful time of all. The stars, and more importantly, the moon, make me happier just by looking at them. I always stare at the moon, uttering a silent wish for something that will improve my life to happen, to find me. That wish was granted on that fateful night, but by none other than the Moon Goddess herself. If I were to leave this place now, I'd be leaving behind the only thing that has made my life worth living. I see no sense in leaving, and I hope they, or at least the Dark Princess, will agree....
I hear a knock that pulls my out of my reverie. I check the sun's angle, looking out a window, wired shut. It's about noon, so lunch. I rise from my seated position, ducking slightly to avoid the low ceiling, and then I open the door. I look up a bit, sitting back down to prevent me from hitting my head. I see, instead of the usual mare that brings me my food, Princess Celestia. I bow my head, doing as much of a bow as my position will allow.
"Well, hello Princess. I cannot say I was expecting you."
"Don't worry Red, I was not planning this all that long. I was finishing up the Day Court, and then I could hear your thoughts all the way in the throne room."
"You can read thoughts?"
"Well, I can, but not as well as my sister. She can read them even when somepony doesn't want their thoughts being read. I can only read them when they are being broadcasted. I can listen in, and locate the source."
I do my best not to let my jaw hang open. "Wow.... I never knew."
"Obviously. One question I have for you though. Is what you thought-spoke accurate?"
I facepalm. "Yes Princess, to this day, to my knowledge, I've never lied to myself when it comes to things like that."
Her expression saddens some. "I see."
I look at her, and she looks back at me. I see a powerful, devious, yet competent ruler. What she sees, I can only guess at. My hair is unkempt, due to me sleeping on the rug for three days, and my skin has paled from the lack of solar exposure. I look into her eyes, and see she seems to pity me.
"If Luna really means that much to you, then why didn't you tell her?"
"I haven't seen her in three days."
"But she has seen you. She has come down here each night when she has finished her royal duties. You have always been asleep, from what she tells me. You've returned to your old sleeping habits, awake by day, asleep by night."
"..."
"Given what you have 'said', especially that you have no reason to leave, a fact I am both glad and sad about, I see no reason for you to be kept here any more."
She turns to the two guards, one pegasus, one unicorn.
"Guards, you are to escort Red to the new room in the East Wing."
They nod. "Yes Princess!"
Princess Celestia steps back outside, and I follow behind her, stretching fully for the first time in three days, hearing all sorts of bones pop.
"Oh it feels good to be out of there! So, where exactly am I going Princess?"
"There is a room waiting built for you waiting in the East Wing, which, coincidentally, is the same wing that Luna and I have our rooms in."
"Hmm.... So why is my room in that wing?"
"That was where there was enough space for a room for somepony... sorry, someone... your size."
"Huh. Frankly your Highness, this surprises me."
"Why?"
"Well, based on how you treated me before."
"I apologize for that. I was being a bit greedy in my desire for knowledge. When my student told me of her success with the portal spell, and what she saw, I saw the potential to learn about another world, and if I had found anything good, I could have incorporated that into Equestrian society."
"Oh. So I was nothing but a book to you?"
"To begin with, you are correct. But now, you are so much more. You're a being that can contribute to society in a way more than just knowledge of your world. You could, if you want to, stay here, help around the castle, try to fit in. Or you could go move to one of the smaller towns and live there, helping out where you can, making friends. Ironically, that last bit about the friends, that is why my student is in Ponyville."
"Hmm... Ponyville. That sounds like a nice place."
"You speak as if you've never been there before when I know for a fact you have."
"Well, I was only there for a few minutes in the dead of night. For all intents and purposes, I haven't."
"True enough. Is that what you wish to do?"
"Yes, but with one request to go with it."
"What is it?"
"I'd like a way to return to Canterlot when I wish to."
"Hmm.... Give me a day, and I will have something for you."
"Okay, thank you."
"Until then, however, you can roam the castle freely. I'll inform the guards of what to do in the event you get lost."
"Okay."
I wait for her to leave, and then I follow the guards to my room. I open the door as the guards do their guard-thing outside my door. I am immediately impressed by the size, as the room is HUGE. The second thing I see is the decor. It is dark, like a barren night sky. But then, after I've closed the door and adjusted to the darkness, I see that there are small balls of light scattered across the ceiling, walls, and floor. It is like I'm in the middle of space, with the stars surrounding me. I look over to my bed, which is a dark blue, and I see a giant ball above it... It looks like the moon. I smile, as it reminds me of none other than Luna.
"If I didn't know better, I'd swear Luna created this room."
I hear a laugh. "Well, you're close. I did not design it, but I did supervise its design and creation, as well as its construction."
I turn, spinning wildly, trying to find the voice. Then I see a pair of eyes somewhat glowing, maybe sparkling, in the light from the 'stars and moon'. She steps out of the shadows she created and they dissolve. I immediately bow."
"Hello Princess Luna."
"Red... You do not need to bow to me. We need to talk."
"What about?"
"I hope you can understand why I did what I did."
I look her in the eyes. "Yes, I can and do."
"Good, but now I must know one thing."
"Ask, and it shall be answered."
"Do you... forgive me for what I have done?"
I see a tear remaining at the edge of her eye, despite a covert attempt to wipe it away.
"..."
"Please?"
"... yes..."
She blinks, caught off guard.
"What?"
"Princess Luna, ruler of the night, regent of the moon and stars... I not only forgive you, but thank you."
"WHAT?!"
End of Chapter Eleven