//------------------------------// // Chapter 12: Given a history // Story: Shield and Shadow Part 2: Renaissance // by LucidReverie //------------------------------// >>>You will feel it. The rage, the anger. It may subside and that is when the depressive state seeps in. And then more anger. Like a great cycle that runs the world, so too will your life, your mind, run in circles, controlling those around you. Power will be yours. But more importantly, power will be mine.<<< Enmity. Spring Mist stood on the landing balcony of Canterlot Castle. The white towers with their golden gilding shone brightly in the sun. He stared not at the sights around him, but at the mare before him, Princess Celestia. She stood in all her splendor, regal face unmoving, hiding her most personal thoughts. Her sister, who stood behind Mist, watched as the two ponies regarded each other. Luna’s face wore the deepest fear. Fear that Mist would break. Or worse, that Celestia would. Celestia’s face twitched for only an instant, but that was all that was needed. Spotting the flaw, Mist broke the façade. “Scared, Celestia?” A noticeable shift came from the royal guards posted along the walls, their ears perking, they readied themselves for any potential threat. Celestia however, gave up her stoic expression, hanging her head. She spoke quietly, regretfully, “I’d hope to never see you again.” Her words were barely heard. Luna spoke up before anything else could be said, “Come. Let us go inside. There is clearly much to discuss.” She looked at Mist, shooting a slight glare. “I said be nice,” she whispered to him. Mist felt terrible, guilty. “I’m sorry, I have no idea what came over me.” He wasn’t lying, exactly. He wasn’t entirely certain. The three ponies walked in silence. Mist focused his eyes forward, not bothering to take in the new sights. Celestia and Luna said nothing, Luna walking pointedly, leading the group to their destination. Finally the trio reached a meeting room. Larger than the one Mist had seen in Everfree, and far more decorated. Luna sat at the table. She nodded her head at the remaining chair, bidding Mist and Celestia sit. With Luna at the head, Celestia and Mist sat across from each other. Neither dared look the other in the eye by this point. “Now,” Luna began, slight irritation in her voice, “The four of us reunited after one thousand years, beyond all logic, reasoning, or hope. These are extraordinary circumstances, and I would ask you both to keep your heads.” “Four of us?” Celestia finally asked. “Indeed. The Nightmare is still here,” Luna responded matter-of-factly. “Then, you… are not the same as you were? You are not the same pony?” Celestia looked at Mist. “I am still very much myself, Celestia. After a brief period of confusion I became the pony I once was.” Mist’s apparent confidence wavered. “However, it is true: the Nightmare is still here, somewhere within me.” Celestia was about to object, but Luna cut her off. “Yes, I understand that it poses a serious threat to Equestria, but I had hoped to find a civil way to deal with this, and an avenue other than banishment. But I think first, we must repair the broken bonds of your friendship.” “Luna, I-” Mist began, stopping himself. He looked at Celestia with a stern face. “I-” His face softened. “I hold nothing against you. At least not for what you did to me. But until I hear some repentance for what you did to your sister, I will have nothing to do with you.” “Mist, you know I did what I had to do!” Celestia stood from the table, turning away, looking out of a window. “Not a day went by when I didn’t think of my sister. Or you. I lost my two closest friends, the two ponies I cared about the most. Do you have any idea what I went through for those years? Do you think I easily found others? It was only once or twice every few centuries that I found a pony even remotely close to what you two were to me. Mist, I’m… I’m sorry. I regret what I did, I do. Even to this day, I hate myself for what I did. I’m sorry. I had hoped I would never see you, just so that I didn’t feel this again. And I hate myself for that. I’m just… I’m sorry.” Mist too rose from the table, walking around to Celestia. He stood next to her. He inhaled deeply, letting out the breath slowly. “Well, that’s good enough for me.” Celestia turned to look at him, shocked. She looked back at Luna, who nodded, smiling. “Thank you, Spring Mist,” the white pony said quietly. Through sparse tears, Celestia looked at Mist, who held his gaze away. She sighed, turning back to the table. Mist did not move. Celestia walked to Luna. The moon Princess smiled encouragingly. “This is important, big sister. He’ll warm up again.” “I hope so, Luna. I really do.” Mist interrupted any further discussion with a solemn expression. “Now, regardless of how we feel about each other, there is a matter of some grave importance.” Luna’s face fell. Celestia cocked her head. “Oh?” “Yes… ah, there’s no easy way to put any of this. So, I suppose I’ll start from where you last remember.” Mist sat at the table, explaining the past week. What he had learned, what he remembered. His reunification with Luna. The nightmares. The speculation and theories. They talked until the sun began to dip in the sky, casting a soft orange light into the room. Finally, Mist was done telling his story for the third time in two days. He sat silently, allowing Celestia to mull over everything she had heard. Luna looked slightly worried, looking between Mist and Celestia and back again. Mist surprised himself with his calm – he sat silently, ready to accept whatever came of the discussion. Celestia exhaled slowly, closing her eyes, fighting with herself. She spoke slowly, “This… is… troublesome information.” She opened her eyes, looking at Luna and Mist. “These circumstances are… very unique. While the enemy is the same, I fear we will be fighting on a different battleground than we have before. This is not the same as it was. It seems the Nightmare is learning, becoming more subtle. Its motivation is unclear, and we don’t know when or where it will strike. We’re treading on the edge of a knife here.” “So what do we do?” Luna asked. “Well, other than using the Elements, I don’t know of a way to separate the Nightmare from you, Mist. I could have the scholars looking into it, but that will take time. Until then, I… don’t know. I’m conflicted, to be perfectly candid. It’s something that should never come in the way of leading a kingdom, but I’m finding it difficult to separate duty from personal feelings.” “I find myself suffering the same problem. I was really hoping you would have a solution.” “Well, my first reaction, were this anypony else, would be to have you confined under watch. Perhaps even placed in the castle dungeon. But, I would hate to subject you to that. I hate that that is even still an option. So… I don’t think we’ll be doing that.” “Do what you must, Celestia. I do understand. Equestria’s safety comes first.” “Well, I can’t let you wander freely. So I’ll have to find some way to keep you under watch without incarcerating you.” “Celestia, there are no other options. I’m too dangerous to keep out in the open. Just… put me in the dungeon and I will wait until you two figure out a plan,” Mist conceded. “Mist, no. I can’t let you do that. I won’t have you in the dungeon,” Luna objected. “Luna, this is what needs to happen. Look, I’m happy you are back and safe. That’s all I really wanted – to make sure you were okay. And now it is me that poses a threat. The best way to ensure your safety and the safety of the kingdom is to have myself put in a place that I cannot be of any harm.” “Mist, you don’t have to make that sacrifice.” “Yes, Luna. I do. I’ll gladly wait.” Mist then offered a smile. “I just ask that you don’t take too long.” “Mist, please…” Luna implored him. “I’m glad to see that there are no tears, but this is something that needs to be done.” “Oh, just wait. They’ll start any time now.” Celestia interjected, “Mist, are you sure this is what you want? I’m certain we can come up with an alternative.” “Yes, but that will take time. So until them, just put me somewhere cozy.” Celestia nodded her head. “Very well, I’ll make arrangements. Your... cell will be made comfortable. More fitting for a friend than a common – or uncommon – criminal.” “Not necessary, but thank you.” “Until those arrangements are made, however, feel free to go where you wish. Luna will have to accompany you, but you will have relative free reign.” “Thank you, Celestia. I’m still unhappy with you, but you’re on the way back into the good book.” “I’m glad. Hopefully you will be able to forgive me and we can be friends again. Now go. Don’t waste your remaining time together.” Celestia rose from the table and walked slowly from the room. Wanly, forlornly. Unhappy at her plight. She left Luna and Mist alone in the meeting room. Mist stood to look out of the window again. Below, he could see the streets of Canterlot. “Mist, please. Reconsider. We can find a way to make this work,” Luna finally said. “Maybe. But until then, safety should be a concern. The first concern.” “But what if we can’t figure it out? What then, Mist? We can’t live entirely in the moment forever.” “Perhaps not, but fate has favored us this far. Why should it stop now? And is this how you want to spend our time together?” “Mist, I-” Luna sighed. “I… I have an idea. A surprise if you will.” Mist turned to look at Luna, who stood, trying to push back tears. He smiled softly. “What is that, then?” “Come with me.” She lead Mist out of the room and trough the numerous passageways of the castle. Eventually they came to a large room. A banquet hall. A massive table sat in the middle of the room, adorned with varied and sundry table settings. Silver and gold candelabras, large platters, placemats. “What are we doing here?” Mist asked. “I have a surprise for you.” “So you said.” A servant pony, a unicorn, walked into the room, pulling a duster and rags behind her. She stopped suddenly at the sight of Luna, and bowed deeply. “Rise, please,” Luna said kindly. “If you wouldn’t mind, could you ask the kitchen to prepare some of my favorite? And two bowls, please.” “O- of course, Princess.” The pony scurried out of the room in a rush. Luna smiled. “I like being nice, but there is a part of me that enjoys watching out subjects run about.” “That’s terrible, Luna.” “I know, but-” Luna stopped as a pony walked in, carrying a tray with two bowls and a silver pot. “That was fast,” Mist commented. “I have the kitchen keep a constant supply of this stuff. It’s my favorite. Try it.” Mist walked up to the laid-out dishes. The third pony filled the two bowls then backed away. Almost instantly, the smell hit Mist. He turned sharply, looking at Luna. “It’s not… Is…” “Try some,” Luna said with a smile. Mist levitated a spoon into the bowl, pulling up a small amount of soup. He smelled the rich aroma of the liquid as it drew nearer. He took a sip and his eyes grew wide. He swallowed the rich flavor, savoring the taste. “Good, huh?” “So Clove actually did it, huh? He wrote it down.” “He did. It made its way into a collection of recipes. It was then passed down through years. Surprisingly, it never changed.” “Well it’s wonderful. Thank you for this.” “I’ll have some delivered to you every day, if you want. I’ll bring it myself.” “Mmm, that sounds nice.” “Good. Now let’s enjoy this meal, and then I’ll take you around Canterlot a bit.” One last breath of freedom.