//------------------------------// // Chapter 4 // Story: Amnesia // by Eastwing //------------------------------// Shadow sat as close to Princess Luna as possible without actually touching her, as the chariot was pulled through the air. Even he knew that might be a bit uncalled for. Although, despite having known Twilight longer, he still trusted Luna more.  "Shadow...I'm sure you're wondering why you must suddenly return to Canterlot, right?" Luna asked, looking down on the colt. "I am now." Shadow answered, laughing a little. Luna sighed as she looked over the side of the chariot. "Princess?" Shadow asked, instantly worried that he did something wrong. "Shadow...Has Twilight told you the story of Nightmare Moon?" Luna eventually asked. "Yes...although I don't really understand how that could have been you..." Shadow answered, confused.  "It was a...grave mistake on my part...but that is not the main issue now. Nightmare Moon...is back. Last night we shared a dream in which she spoke to you. While you cannot recall this dream, I can. Although I was 'left out' of some moments, only able to watch. Since you cannot remember, I believe the only reason for the dream was to temporarily frighten you, while informing me of her return, and implying that you are somehow involved in this. Which could possibly explain the circumstances of how you were discovered. That is why I am taking you back to Canterlot. My sister and I intend to determine your place in this, as well as what Nightmare Moon is planning." The Princess informed. "N-Nightmare Moon?! But....now I really don't understand...." Shadow mumbled, holding his hooves to his head in a vain attempt to stop the oncoming headache. "We don't either." Luna agreed. "But...if you were Nightmare Moon, and she's back...then...but you're you...and...what?" Shadow asked, confusing himself further. "I was Nightmare Moon. But Twilight and her friends 'fixed' me. They separated her from me, and she was believed to be destroyed. Believed. But we were wrong. She was separated, and must have found a way to reform herself. Or, she's just a spirit. Which explains why she could invade our dreams and bring them together against our will. Regardless, we will find out exactly what has happened." Luna told him. "Princess Luna?" Shadow asked. "Yes Shadow?" The Princess replied. "I'm scared..." He whimpered. "I'm not surprised..." Luna chuckled, wrapping a wing around his tiny body, before pulling him close. Shadow instantly started to calm down, being close to his Princess.  Later, in Canterlot... Luna glided onto her balcony, Shadow floating behind her as a result of her magic. As his hooves touched the ground, the sound of giggling reached Luna's ears.  "What is so funny?" She asked. "That was fun! I've never actually been flying before...well...that I remember." Shadow answered, smiling. "I see how that could induce laughter." Luna told him, opening the doors to her room. Shadow happily followed her into said room, all worries left behind him. "Shadow, tonight we'll rest. Then, tomorrow, we'll begin working to discover Nightmare Moon's plan." Luna informed, as her crown and regalia glowed, floating away from her to rest on her nightstand. She stepped out of her shoes, before climbing into her rather huge bed. "Um...Princess? Where do I sleep?" Shadow awkwardly asked, noticing a distinct lack of an extra bed or even a cushion this time. "With me." Luna answered, as if it was a normal occurrence. "Really?" Shadow asked, a bit surprised. "Yes, really." Luna answered, smiling playfully as she patted a spot on the bed next to her. "O-ok..." Shadow mumbled, before attempting to climb onto the bed, before comically slipping off.  "Um....a little help? Please?" Shadow asked sheepishly. Luna laughed as he was enveloped in her magic once again. This time, he floated onto the bed, landing next to her, laying down on his legs to avoid his wing.  "Goodnight Princess..." Shadow mumbled, drifting off to sleep easily. "Goodnight my little Shadow..." Luna replied... Shadow opened his eyes to see...nothing. Just an endless black void.  "Ah. Welcome back my little Shadow. It's about time." A horribly familiar voice echoed around him. "Wh-what?!" He stammered, wildly looking everywhere. "That's right. I'm ba~aa~ack. And luckily for you, you're all alone with me." The voice continued, sounding closer. "N-No!! Where's Lu-" Shadow started to ask. "That little brat can't help you!! Neither can that pompous sister of hers!! Until I say so, you're going to stay here. To be done with as I please. Oh and I've had plenty of time to think of what I would do if and When I would trap lil'Lulu or 'Tia here, in this Realm. I might as well try out a few...ideas..." The voice spoke confidently, before fading away.  "Shadow?! Shadow!!" Another familiar voice yelled, sounding very very worried. "P-Princess?!" He whimpered, looking in the one direction this voice came from.  Luna came galloping from out of nowhere, skidding to a stop in front of the colt. "Shadow, are you alright?! Has she done anything?!" She asked, with terrified speed. "N-no...not really..." he answered, looking up at her.  "Don't you mean...not yet?" Luna asked, a wicked grin spreading across her face. "Wh-what?!" Shadow stammered, trying to scoot away, only to find himself not moving even an inch. "You're so easily to fool!! Bwahahahaha!!! While I do prefer my normal form, seeing the unique fear that only comes from being betrayed...it's too good to resist!" Luna exclaimed, in the Nightmare's voice.  "Let's begin. First, I noticed that you have a cast around your wing. Mind if I fix it? Of course you don't." Nightmare Moon/Luna mused, before the cast disappeared. "But just removing the cast won't help, so..." She continued, as Shadow felt his body tingle all over. "Wh-what did you do?!" he asked, terrified. "I turned you into bread, so your wing's all better." she laughed. "N-No it's not! This...This is a dream!" Shadow argued, unbelieving.  "Oh. Then it doesn't matter if I do...this!" Nightmare exclaimed, before his formerly broken wing was ripped off of his body by magic. Instead of feeling pain, Shadow felt absolutely nothing, aside from the slight tug on his body. He stared in disbelief as his wing floated past his head to Luna's/the Nightmare's, where she took a bite.  Only now did he feeling the pain, as her teeth ripped into the chunk of bread that was his wing. The agony was so unbearable, he couldn't even scream.  "The real beauty of this is that, while abstract and unexpected, it's still exceedingly painful And rather tasty. Oh the masterpieces one can create when they have a Thousand years to just think. But, I'm rambling, aren't I? Actually, no. I'm not. I'm just savoring every moment of your agony. Because it's only going to get worse from here. What if I wasn't the only one who enjoyed this? I'm sure all these Crows would just love it." The Nightmare monologued, taking immense pleasure in toying with the one-winged colt. "C-crows?!" Shadow barely managed to squeak out, his voice cracking. "Yes. Crows." Luna repeated with a sly grin, as at least fifty of the birds materialized from the void.  Again, Shadow tried to run, but this time, he found that his legs simply fell apart. His torso hit the ground, ripping into multiple pieces, sending his head rolling. Luckily, he still didn't feel anything.  Until the crows descended upon the pieces of his fluffy, edible body. Shadow could feel every single bite and peck of the birds. Only his eyes, which had bounced out of his head when a crow had landed on it, were left unscathed. That is, until Nightmare Moon picked them up with her magic.  "I didn't know bread could form tears." She taunted, as droplets of moisture silently appeared and fell from the two different colored eyes. By now, nothing was left of his body, save for said eyes. "The crows were very thorough. You're lucky I was able to save this much." Luna gloated, smiling wickedly. "Well, not really. Either way, I think it's time we moved on. The next idea I want to try out is a bit more...familiar to you." Nightmare Moon continued, before Shadow's eyes flickered from existence.  Shadow opened his eyes again, sighing in relief when he realized the rest of his body was back to normal...except his cast was still gone. He immediately jumped to his hooves, from where he had been laying, fearfully scanning the area.  Every fiber of his body froze up at the sight of a very familiar, purple-and-green-scaled reptile.  "Hiya Shadow. What's up?" Spike asked, raising a claw in greeting. "S-S-Spike!! N-no...please...just... just stay away..." Shadow whimpered, backpedaling successfully for once. "Why? What's wrong?!" Spike asked, a hint of worry creeping into his voice as he stepped closer. "Just stay away!" Shadow yelped, terrified. "Aw Shadow, you don't have to be scared of me. I'm 'just a baby dragon after all'." Spike said in a soothing voice, while using air quotes. Then he started to grow...and grow...and grow. Spike quickly assumed the visage of a fully grown dragon, complete with wings and smoke bellowing from his nostrils.  "Oooo Spike! You've grown up so fast!" A new voice exclaimed lovingly. Shadow spun around to see none other than Twilight carelessly cantering towards Spike. "T-Twi-Twilight!!" Shadow yelled, both scared and relieved at the same time. "Oh why don't you just shut up for once?!" She suddenly screamed, staring at him hatefully. "W-wha?!" Shadow stammered. "The only reason I was nice to you, the only reason I put up with you was because Nightmare Moon needed me too. And then I had send Spike off so you wouldn't keep crying all the time!! But now he's back!" Twilight continued, trotting onto Spike's now huge claw. Then, she was raised to his head and placed securely atop. She looked into one of his slited emerald eyes, smiling to the reflection of Shadow.  "Kill him." In a split-second, Spike sank to all fours, and lunged for the tiny colt. In the split-second immediately following, Shadow had turned and was galloping as fast as his legs could carry him. Suddenly, Nightmare Moon appeared, laughing as he galloped past her.  She kept laughing, as he galloped past her again. And again. And again. Over and over again he galloped past her, just barely managing to stay out of Spike's reach. Until Luna tripped him.  Shadow fell muzzle-first, sliding on his face a good ten hooves distance. Before he could get back up, he felt Spike's hot to the touch claws close around him.  "Hey Spike? Make it hurt." Shadow heard Twilight say. Suddenly, the claws tightened to the point of almost breaking bones. Shadow screamed in pain, but no sound came out.  "Spike, I didn't hear anything. You must not be doing it hard enough."  The claws tightened even more, this time actually breaking at least two of Shadow's legs.  "Ooooo. I heard that one. Hey! Open up your claw. I wanna see his face."  The claws opened, causing pain in their own right.  "Awww. He looks so helpless. It's almost adorable. But, he looks so sad. Why don't you put him of out his misery?" Twilight suggested, still smiling that wicked smile. Spike only nodded, as he lifted the smallest digit of his free claw and placed it on Shadow's neck.  There was only time for a single tear to fall, before Shadow's throat was cut.  "You didnt think I was done, did you? You would be sorely mistaken." Nightmare Moon taunted, as Shadow opened his eyes again. Again, his body was healed, but, this time he was shackled head to tail in heavy iron chains to the point of making standing impossible. "P-Please just leave me alone..." Shadow sniffled, feebly trying to hold back any tears. "Oh there's an idea. I could put you in a coma. That way you could finally understand what I went through for a thousand years!!!" She yelled, as light suddenly poured in from everywhere. After Shadow's eyes adjusted, he noticed that the ground was now grey. The walls no longer existed, instead revealing an endless expanse of blackness, interspersed with small pinpricks of light. If he looked all the way up, he saw a blue and green circle, that reminded him of something Twilight had shown him during their first session.  "This is a globe. It represents the entire planet. We know this is what it actually looks like, because of when Princess Luna was released from her banishment on the moon, and after the whole fiasco with Nightmare Moon, she told us about the view she had, and every single detail concerning it..."  The words echoed in his head, as he slowly realized where he was. "That's right Shadow, you've been on the moon. This entire time. Or at least a version of it. Only now did I let it come into light. But alas, tis but a dream. Except, unlike last time, you will remember every second, as if it actually happened." Nightmare Moon gloated, appearing in front of him. "And who's to say it did not?" Luna asked, smiling. "For all you know, you'll be waking up to another Nightmare! Bwahahahahaha!!" "...adow....Shadow....Shadow!!!" A voice yelled, violently/gently shaking him awake.  "Huh?" he slurred, cracking open only one eye. "Oh thank Celestia..." the voice sighed in relief. Shadow opened his other eye and looked up.  "G-get away from me!!" Shadow yelped, scrambling until he fell off the bed. Thankfully, he managed to land on his hooves, before diving under the bed. "Shadow!! What has gotten into you?!" The voice yelled.  Very slowly, the door at the end of the room opened, revealing too worried looking guards. "Is everything okay Your Highness?" on asked, exceedingly monotone. "No, Shadow seems to have...Stop Him!!!" she yelled, as a small black blur dashed through the small gap between the guard and the doorframe.  "Don't let him escape!!" Luna yelled, as the two guards gave chase. Shadow galloped as fast as he could, turning down any hallway that he saw, begging for a way out. "Calm down kid! She's not really going to...do whatever it is you think she's going to do!" One of the guards called after him. Shadow didn't listen, as he dived into a room, and slammed the door shut behind him, gasping for air.  Examination of the room yielded many interesting things. First of all, he wasn't alone in the room. Second, the only other occupant was a slightly miffed-looking unicorn, with a partially eaten sandwich in his hoof. Third, that sandwich contained what used to be exactly two slices of bread. Fourth, the discovery of 'interesting thing number three' reminded Shadow of the fact that he was currently on the run from a pony he believed to have, at one point, turned him into bread. Fifth, upon discovery of the last two 'interesting things', Shadow decided to hide.  "Sir...please...hide me...the guards...Nightmare Moon...bread..." Shadow gasped, out of breath from his daring escape.  "You want me to hide you from 'Nightmare Moon' and the guards? And I'm assuming the 'bread' was  when she was trying to 'gobble you up'?" The unicorn asked, amused. To Shadow, both questions sounded like statements, to which he responded with more panting and the unconscious nod.  "Alright, I know just the place! Nopony will ever suspect it." The unicorn informed him, a wry grin on his face as his horn started glowing.  The next thing Shadow knew, he was back in a familiar room. In fact, it was coincidentally the same room he had just ran out of, not five minutes ago. There was a slight difference though. This time, he was chained to the middle of the floor, in a very similar manner as in his nightmare.  "Shadow!!" Princess Luna yelled, sounding angry and relieved at the same time. "I'm sorry..." he whimpered, before breaking down, sobbing. "What has gotten into you?! Why did you run?! And how did you manage to set off the safety spells?! By teleportation no less!" Luna asked, getting up from her bed, and standing in front of and over him. "I-I ran because I'm sca-scared..." He whimpered, wishing he could just shrink out of her sight. "Of what?" Luna pressed. "You..." Shadow barely squeaked out, terrified of the consequences of his honesty.  "Did you have another nightmare?" Luna asked, sighing. "Yes...I think...I don't know if I'm still sleeping..." Shadow answered.  "I promise you Shadow, you are awake. This isn't some trick by that wicked mare." Luna told him in a soothingly voice, as his iron bounds faded from existence.  Almost unwillingly, Shadow glanced to the still partially open door.  "No. I truly advise against that dicision, not only would you regret it, it would accomplish nothing." Luna  noticed, as the door glowed and closed. Shadow sank even lower to the ground, as if the chains were back. "Shadow...come here." Luna sighed, sitting on a plush cushion. Shadow very slowly walked over and sat in front of her.  "Listen to me Shadow. This is not a dream. Everything that has happened to you since you went to sleep was, but now you are awake. I promise." Luna told him, extending a wing and wrapping it around him, pulling him to her side.  Shadow was torn. He didn't know whether to believe the pony he trusted the most, or chalk it up to another round of torture from Nightmare Moon. His heart said to trust her, but his head was telling him to reconsider, just in case. In the end, he choose his heart.  "Thank you Princess..." he sighed. "You are welcome my little Shadow. But in light of recent events, I firmly believe I should render the hold Nightmare Moon has over you broken. The first step, is to remove her from your dreams, whether she wants to or not. Which means you need to go back to sleep." Luna informed him. "B-but Princess!" Shadow stammered, terrified. "Don't worry Shadow, I will be with you this time. She will not be able to harm you in any way. I promise." Luna continued, smiling at the end. "O-Okay..." the colt reluctantly agreed.  "Step one. Go to sleep." The Princess ordered. "Yes ma'am..." Shadow replied, laying down in the bed, where Luna's magic had placed him.  "Shadow?" "Yes ma'am?"  "Do not call me ma'am...Luna is fine."  "Yes m-...Yes Luna..." "Sleep..." Shadow closed his eyes, before reopening them. "Pr-...Luna? What if I can't fall asleep?" He asked. "You already have." she answered.  "But we're still in the same place..." Shadow argued, confused. "Would you prefer to be somewhere else? Your subconscious choose this place." Luna replied. "It did? Why here specifically?" he asked. "You want to be here, with me apparently. It took significantly less effort to enter your dream because you already wanted me to be here." Luna answered smiling, as she hopped off the bed. "Er..." Shadow mumbled sheepishly. "There have been very few ponies who 'allow' me into their dreams. Those who did were my closest of friends. Or Celestia. Despite the fact I would have entered whether you 'wanted' me to or not, I still appreciate your trust." Luna continued. Shadow smiled, still a little embarrassed.  "Step two: Find the Nightmare." Luna informed the colt, as her horn glowed. Suddenly, the formerly well-lit room was plunged into darkness. Shadow yelped in fear and latched onto the closet thing he could, hoping Luna wouldn't get mad, since the object he had grabbed onto seemed to be her leg.  "Awww. I see why you like keeping him around, my Dear Luna. For once, a pony who wants to be around you. He seems to trust you with his life. Let's see if I can...remedy this..." A horribly familiar voice monologued, before, in a sudden flick of the leg Shadow was holding onto, he was launched across the pitch-black room  He let out a cry of pain, as he slammed into the wall with an audible thud, before sliding to the ground.  Whether or not his wing was still broken in this dream was irrelevant at this point, as now both wings felt like they had been snapped in half. Which was a exceedingly accurate representation.  "Shadow?! Are you okay?!" he heard Luna yell, as the darkness faded away. The colt was unable to reply through the pain and tears, only made worse by what was revealed in the returning light.  Two 'Luna's now stood before him, completely identical in both expression worried and appearance. "Shadow, are you...alright?" Both Luna's asked in chorus, before turning to one another. "You!!!" they both shouted, taking defensive stances. Shadow, despite the pain in his broken wings, looked back and forth between the two, utterly bewildered.  "Stay away from Shadow!" Both Alicorns yelled.  "..." "..." "Tia's favorite food are bananas!!" both randomly exclaimed.  "You are using this dream copy my every action. Trying to fool him. Shadow, I trust that you will be able to distinguish between the two of us and discover which is the true Luna. Ask us individually questions that you think only the Real Luna can answer correctly." both instructed.  "B-but...y-yes ma'am...'s..." Shadow answered shakily, before trying to get to his hooves. Searing pain erupted from his wings, causing him to yell, and fall onto his side. "Shadow!! You are injured..." Both Luna's observed, as both of their horns glowed. Immediately, his wings healed themselves.  Shadow successfully rolled onto his hooves, sighing in relief as the pain did not come. "Thank you...Luna...'s. Um...first question? Which of my wings is actually broken?" he asked, as two red buttons appeared in front of the Alicorns. Luna on the left slammed her hoof down on the button, just before Right Luna could, producing a loud buzzing. "Um...yes?" Shadow asked, pointing to Left Luna. "Your Left wing." She answered confidently, and more importantly, solo. "Correct..." 13 questions later.  "Last question...you two are tied 7-7. Why do I have Metathesiopanemphobia?" Shadow asked, struggling to say the entire name. "What?" Both asked, confused. "A fear of being turned into bread. Twilight told me about it during lunch, when she saw me looking at the bread funny." Shadow explained, embarrassed. Suddenly, Right Luna rang her buzzer. "Because of the nightmare you had earlier with Nightmare Moon." she declared happily. "...Correct..." Shadow announced.  "Now you know which of us is the real Luna. Make your choice." Right Luna told him. Shadow nodded, before slowly walking to... The Luna on the... Left.  "What?! But I answered the most questions correctly!!" Right Luna yelled, furious. "I n-never told Luna what actually happened in my nightmare..." Shadow informed her, standing behind Left Luna for safety reasons. "Well done Shadow. Outwitting Nightmare Moon is not an easily feat." The Real Luna praised the colt. "Nor one to go unpunished!" Other Luna yelled, as she was engulfed in a starry blue cloud, which swirled and spun, before dissipating to reveal The Nightmare herself.  "Torturing a mere filly? That's low, even for you." Luna commented. "Thank you. Now did you really think that just because he picked the 'real Luna' that I would just go away?" she asked, disdain dripping from every word. "No. That is why I had a spelled prepared for the eventuality of your interference in Shadow's dreams. I regret not being able to use it before, but I could not just invade every dream. You would never reveal yourself. But the effects of the spell are worth a Nightmare or two. Maybe even three." Luna answered smugly. "And what spell would that be? A fail-safe spell? Fix-a-dream? Or, Ancestors forbid, a Please-make-Nightmare Moon-go-away-forever-and-ever spell?" the wicked mare asked, smiling confidently. "Some of the best spells lack names." Luna answered, unfazed. "Or don't deserve them." Nightmare Moon added.  Luna simply smiled, as her horn glowed. Suddenly, the entire room was enveloped in pitch-black, save for the three ponies, who seemed to still be in the light.  "This Spell is designed to send the invader of a dream back to their own body. If they do not have one, then they are merely expelled with a very good chance of destroying them. Judging by our location...you do not have a body. You were just a spirit, resurrected no doubt by some fanatical ponies. Now that we are in your mind, for the time being, I can 'read you like an open book'. " Luna explained smugly. "Oh really? Then why don't you tell your 'little Shadow' all about what happened to him before he 'woke up'? Before he met you? And why I even bothered myself with torturing him?" Nightmare Moon asked, obviously furious with the turn of events. "I will, once he wakes up. We both know your consciousness is collapsing. You are just trying to stall so we might be trapped and killed along with you." Luna answered. "Correct once again my Dear Luna...and to think, I had believed you were an insolent foal that just so happened to be a Goddess. It seems I was mistaken. Very well. You win Luna. Until we meet again, and we shall." Nightmare Moon almost politely accepted defeat, before Luna's horn glowed. "May that time be far from tonight..." Luna replied, as she and Shadow disappeared in a bright flash of light.  "We shall see my Dear Luna...we shall see..." The Nightmare mused, before fading... Shadow suddenly jolted awake. "Luna?!" he yelped, terrified it had all been another trick. "I am here Shadow. You are awake and safe." Luna called from his right, laughing slightly. He sighed in relief, turning to face her. "So she's gone? For good?" Shadow asked, hopefully. "Yes." She expertly Lied. Shadow sighed again, before another question popped into his head. "Um Luna? Nightmare Moon said something about what happened before I met you. The stuff I don't remember. What actually happened?" He asked.  "Shadow...you were coltnapped by a group of ponies who wished to resurrect Nightmare Moon. They needed the blood of an innocent filly, which they acquired from you. They also required the her remains after I had been released from her control. Those remains were burned by dragonfire and mixed with the blood. This mixture, when combined with immense magic, gave her an ethereal form, allowing her to begin her revenge. As for what came before that, I am sorry Shadow, but she did not even know. Aside from the effects the spell used had on you. First, there is the amnesia. But the spell also affected your body color." Luna explained. "...so I wasn't always black?" Shadow asked, all other questions answered. "No. You were actually white. and your eyes used to both be green. Your tail and mane color stayed the same however. Somewhat due to...unicorn heritage I believe. The minescule amount of magic in you fought back, but with very little victory. Hence your hair and your eye being the only things unchanged." Luna answered, smiling. "So one of my real parents has blue hair, green eyes, and is a unicorn?" Shadow asked, excited about the sudden progress. "It is quite li-...Shadow...I believe I know who your mother is..." Luna suddenly realized. "Really?!?! Who?!?!" Shadow asked, bouncing up and down on the bed. "I am sorry Shadow, but I must write a letter immediately. Two in fact." Luna told him, as two pieces of parchment appeared in a flash of light. "But-" Shadow tried to argue. "No Shadow. This cannot wait." Luna interrupted him sternly. "Yes Luna..." he submitted.  Two sent Letters later... "Shadow, come with me. We have to go meet somepony very important." Luna instructed, opening the doors to her room. As she walked out, Shadow trotted along behind.  "Who are we going to meet?" Shadow asked. "You will see when we get there." Luna vaguely replied. "Awww..." Shadow whined. "I cannot ruin the surprise my little Shadow. Where is the...'fun' in that?" Luna asked, gingerly using the strange word. "Okay..." Shadow accepted, laughing slightly.  A short walk/gallop later resulted in the duo arriving in a suprizingly UNfamiliar location. The Palace Gardens.  "Woooow..." Shadow mumbled, amazed by the sheer beauty of the fauna and flora. "And somehow only two ponies manage to...manage it." Luna chuckled. "That's crazy..." Shadow added. "Well one of them very may be, but he is very good at his job." Luna smiled. "Is that who we're going to meet?" Shadow asked. "Maybe..." Luna vaguely answered.  An even shorter walk later saw them arrive in a small clearing. The unicorn Sapphire Skies was laying in the center, eyes closed in relaxation and bliss. Upon hearing Luna and her shadow enter, Sapphire's ears picked up, but her eyes remained closed until Luna spoke.  "Hello Miss Skies." the Princess greeted. "Hello Princess." she replied, moving into a bow, before rising to a standing position. "Thank you for coming on such short notice." Luna smiled. "Of course Princess. I am unaware, however, of the nature of this meeting." Sapphire replied. "I believe an explanation is in order as well. Shadow, please desist with your shy behavior. I know you two have met before, which leaves no reason for hiding." Luna kindly scolded. "Y-yes Luna..." Shadow quickly stammered, before coming out from her actual shadow. "Hello again Shadow." Sapphire giggled. "H-Hi Miss Skies..." He replied, smiling shyly.  "Miss Skies, I believe you have waited long enough for the return of your son." Luna said, without any emotion. "Wh-what do you mean Princess?!" Sapphire stammered, shocked. "I am calling off the search. It is no longer nessicary." Luna explained. "B-But Princess..." Shadow mumbled, surprised. "Shadow, tell her the reason behind my actions." Luna ordered, still showing a complete lack of emotion. "B-but her son hasn't been found yet! The s-search can't be called off yet!" Shadow argued. "It can and it has. That was what the second letter was for." Luna countered. "But Princess..." Shadow started to argue, tears starting to form in his bi-colored eyes. "Why Princess? Why?" Sapphire asked calmly, though obviously furious.  "Because your son has been found." Luna answered, smiling. "What?!" Both Shadow and Sapphire asked at the same time. "Yes, he has been found. He should arrive here at any moment. But, just to make sure, what did he look like again, Miss Skies?" Luna asked. "White coat. Blue mane and tail. Green eyes." She answered in disbelief. "Shadow? Does that description not sound familiar?" Luna asked, expectantly. "Y-yes...it d-does..." He softly answered, suddenly realizing the implications of said answer. "So who is Sapphire Skies' son?" Luna asked.  "...m-me..." Shadow answered in disbelief.  "What?" Sapphire calmly asked, bewildered. "After your son was coltnapped, a ritual was preformed on him, in an successful attempt to resurrect Nightmare Moon, which has been handled, so do not worry. This ritual had a few side effects...such as Amnesia, change in coat color and the color in one eye." Luna explained, discretely pushing Shadow towards Sapphire with her magic. Sapphire stared at Shadow, noticing the similarity's between her 'son' and the colt. Just a change in his coat color and one eye was blue. And Shadow conveniently had amnesia.  "Shadow...is my son?!" Sapphire asked hopefully, tears of joy in her eyes. "Yes." Luna answered, smiling. Suddenly, Sapphire tackled-hugged Shadow, freely sobbing. Shadow was barely able to avoid landing on his wing, and awkwardly hugged her back.  "Um...Sapphi-...Mom?" Shadow asked, awkwardly. "Yes Shadow?" Sapphire asked back, getting off of him.  "What was my real name?"  "Your name was...Starry Skies." Sapphire answered happily. "A fine name." Luna commented. "It made sense, because he was born at night." Sapphire added, hugging Shadow/Starry again.  "So...um...what now?" Starry asked from his position next to Sapphire. "Aside from hoping that your memory will return eventually, you will no doubt return home with Miss Skies." Luna answered. "But...will I ever see you again?" Starry sadly asked. "Anytime you wish. As long as it is okay with your mother. Just make sure to send a letter in advance." Luna answered, provoking a smile and a nod from the colt. "Thank you Princess." Sapphire said, bowing again. "You are most welcome Sapphire." Luna replied.  "I do have one question though." The Princess added. "What would that be?" Sapphire asked.  "What of his father?"  "Stormy Skies. A pegasus. When Starry was very very young, still a foal, Stormy was struck by a wayward bolt of lightning. The bolt had hit the base of his skull...severing his spinal cortex...leaving him completely paralyzed. Unfortunately, he had been flying at high altitudes at the moment the lightning struck...he was killed on impact with the ground..." Sapphire sadly answered, unable to maintain eye contact.  "I am sorry to have brought up such painful memories. Please, forgive me..." Luna told her, head hung slightly lower. "It's okay Princess. You of all ponies deserved to know. I just hope you're not too upset Star-...Starry? Where'd he go?!" Sapphire called out, frantic about her now missing (again) colt.  "Over here!" he called back, from the edge of the clearing. "What are you doing way over there?!" Sapphire asked, surprised. "Just playin' with the animals." He answered innocently, a rabbit bouncing from his back to his head. After some short laughter, the rabbit bounced to the ground, before scampering back into the undergrowth. The colt was soon enveloped in light blue magic and carried back over to the two mares. "Just don't run off like that again, you had me worried." Sapphire childed, as the glow from her horn dissipated. "Okay Sa-...Mom." Starry replied, smiling sheepishly.  "Miss Skies, something else has also been called to my attention. Did Starry possess a cutie mark before...all of this?" Luna asked, noting his blank flank. "No Princess, he did not. He did, however, seem to take an interest in your night sky, if anything just because of his name." Sapphire answered. "Then that gives me an idea. But it is something for a later date." Luna said, smiling.  "Well Princess, I believe we must be going. Starry seems to be getting tired...despite it being almost noon." Sapphire informed. "I take the blame for that. I operate on a nocturnal schedule, and as such, Starry has acclimated to nocturnality. Just attempt to keep him awake for the rest of the day, until a suitable hour." Luna prescribed. "Yes Princess, will do. Goodbye." Sapphire replied, bowing. "I bid thee fond farewell Miss Skies. I will miss you very much Starry." Luna returned. "I'll miss you too..." Starry echoed. "Goodbye Luna!" Starry called as he walked away with his mother, waving his hoof.  "Goodbye Shadow..." THE END... Metathesiophobia is a fear of changes. I just threw in the latin word for bread, which is Panem. I think.