//------------------------------// // Chapter 3: Changeover // Story: Morning Star // by Radiant Dawn //------------------------------// Chapter 3:  Changeover Like most days recently, everything was a blur of events that I took little to no interest in.  The days bled together, the months passed in the twinkling of an eye, and planetary cycles had gotten away from me.  I ended up being a mere shade of my former self...simply a ghost floating through the cold air of reality. After meeting with Lunacae for the first time (who because of her place in our lives, I had come to call the “All-Mother”), life became very hectic and was a constant barrage of change...most perceived as negative.  Not a year after getting to know our common matriarch, the tribe began to fall apart. The first to be taken was my dear friend and mentor, Cygnus.  The shadowbeasts had began appearing in much larger numbers, and while I was more than capable of fending them off, the older Celestial could only handle so much.  I was protecting the village when he was attacked, and he fell in battle.  Even though grief threatened to consume me at the loss of my oldest comrade and family, I could not help but have a bit of pride in him, as he had lived and died as a warrior.  Even though I never got a chance to say my farewells, I knew it was the way he would have wanted to leave world of the living. The next were the two friends, Castor and Pollux.  They had attempted to take Cygnus' place as guardians of our people.  They did their job well, but at the ultimate price.  Both had sustained mortal injuries in a shadowbeast raid on the village, but they had protected those that could not fight.  Both left us with a smile on their faces. Six of the remaining nine of us chose to venture out into the world and find a new, safer place to stay.  I chose to stay, along with a young male named Orion, and a female a little older than me named Cephei.  While I never really believed in such thing as “sacred ground”, I felt that our first settlement – which I had dubbed “Primus” – had to be protected.  After all, this was the only place that the All-Mother had appeared, so I wanted to be sure that it was preserved...if not for myself, then for future generations.  After losing three to death and near all the rest to abandonment, I was under no illusions about life.  Life was sacred...but life was also fleeting.  It was a thing to be treasured – both because of its fragility, and its magic. This outlook on life became my entire belief about it...and thus, became me. The truth was that every time I was forced into a battle situation because of those wretched beasts of darkness, I was terrified.  Often my limbs would be shaking with fear, and I felt nauseous.  Still...it was because of this belief that I fought on, to ensure that my two remaining companions could live to do... To do what? What did I believe their purpose with me was?  To protect me?  That was laughable.  Neither one of them were capable fighters and both ran at the very sight of anything remotely dangerous.  No...their job was to keep me sane so that I could protect them and this place for as long as was necessary. I had not heard from All-Mother in many cycles...I had honestly lost count of how many since the night I met her in person.  The fact was that I missed her dearly.  That one night had made an impression on me, and with Cygnus gone, she was all I had.  Call it heartless, but I never really bonded with Orion or Cephei.  The two of them were closer than I had thought possible, but I ended up being the outsider.  Perhaps is it was being a morpher, or perhaps it was my second name...I could no longer relate to them.  I had not a mate, nor a true friend.  All-Mother was my world...and I would die for the chance to see her again.  I hoped with every fiber of my being that she had a plan in mind for me more than this, as the death and loneliness had taken and was taking its toll on me...if this was all there is, I would wish for death. After the night of Cygnus death I started making a nightly pilgrimage to the tree, in hopes that perhaps the being would make an appearance before me again. Today would be like most other days for me and the remaining two Celestials.  I would make my way to the Twilight Grove to hunt, I would gather some different wild vegetables for us to eat, and I would do a quick patrol of the lands surrounding what was left of our village...and maybe tonight would be the night when she returned.  Cephei and Orion would probably do some repairs to the longhouse or mess about doing who-knows-what.  It didn't bother me that much, really.  Both of the others had a rather sheltered life in comparison to me, so they didn't worry a whole lot or had much of an ambition to do anything more than survive.  It was all well and good though, as I felt any decent functional group needed to have at least one or two who kept innocence alive. As usual, hunting was very simple and easy.  Hunting, fighting, surviving...I had spent my life doing it, and so had become very proficient at it.  I had learned the territories and behaviors of the different beasts that inhabited our world, and so was skilled in tracking and capturing them with ease...even with our twin blue stars' rays of daylight beating down on my neck and shoulders.  The day was very warm, and the humidity of the rainforest didn't help.  Still, I was used to this by now, and so was well accustomed to the heat and dealing with the sweat that came with it.  I managed to trap a few smaller leapers and a few small warm-bloods I wasn't familiar with, but they looked tasty all the same.  I gathered a few wild vegetables from a well-known growing spot and headed back to Primus, pleased with my catch today. “Wow Vega, you really went all out today.  Should I get started on prepping it?” Orion asked as I entered the village. I nodded with a grateful smile.  “That would be great Orion, thank you.  I'm going to do a quick patrol around the grounds.  I'll return at nightfall.” My patrol was exactly what I'd expected it to be...dangerous and eventful.  The shadowbeasts had increased tenfold since last year, and it was now a daily occurrence for me to have to thin their numbers.  It was frightening at first, but my animalistic instincts took over the second or third time it happened, and from then on it was simply second nature. I still don't know if that was a good thing or a bad thing. I mention all this because while there was plenty to do, the patrol was not near as intense as it usually would.  While this would cause a less experienced being to pass it off as a break that the forces of the universe had given them, I was worried.  I looked up at the sky and noticed that the day was nearly over, so I took one last look at my surroundings before morphing to my regular form and heading home. I walked for miles before I started to notice the familiar trees and shrubs, but was stopped by the sight of a special visitor...the one I'd been hoping to see for what seems like a lifetime now. Lunacae. She looked different, wearing garments that I'd never seen before.  It definitely wasn't animal skin or furs like I was wearing, and it was very complex and...beautiful.  Her hair looked exactly the same as did her face...but her eyes were sad.  With our people's natural plated skin, there wasn't much expression to be found in the face...but the eyes always told volumes. And hers spoke of misery, and pain. I walked briskly towards her, only for the All-Mother to stop me.  “We must go...now.” “Has something happened?” I asked the being before me.  “Perhaps you could join us for a meal, if you have the time.”  I then started to walk towards the main camp of the village. “Vega, please wait!” she shouted... But it was too late. Stains of blue blood were everywhere, and the entire bonfire site smelled of blood...and tears.  It had been a massacre without me.  I was right to be worried earlier when I thought the patrol had been too easy...and as I walked around the campsite, it became clear that these shadowbeasts not only thought on some degree, but that they were out for revenge.  Blood was everywhere, and I also saw bits of flesh strewn about. I sighed as I looked at a severed finger on the ground.  “Why...”  I then turned to the blue Celestial beside me.  “Why didn't you save them?” Her face was an impasse, and she simply stated, “It is not my place to meddle...only to create.” “And you don't look after your creations?” I snapped back angrily. Lunacae looked genuinely hurt by my comment.  “I am not perfect Vega, no matter how much your people may wish it to be.  I make mistakes as well...but in this, I have not.  I am here to guide, not to protect.  That was always the people's job.” “Then why even create us if we will all just die anyway?  What's the point?” I retorted in a rage. The blue Celestial sighed and shook her head.  “I never expected to come back here after meeting you...but things have changed.  I was searching for someone...someone unique.” I turned my gaze back to the burning, bloody scene.  “And what exactly does that have to do with me?” If not for my overwhelming feeling of loss and anger, I would have been surprised at how I was speaking to All-Mother...but she apparently was understanding enough not to say anything about it.  She placed a hand on my shoulder as I continued to survey the scene.  “I think I have found that person.”  I turned to see her smiling at me.  “Perhaps it is time for you to come home...to your true home.” I squinted suspiciously.  “What do you mean by my true home?  This is the only 'home' I've ever known.” “I am speaking of the other land I live in...the one I look after as ruler of the night and its many denizens.” she responded.  She then pointed her hand to the distance outside of the forest.  “Those that have left here have found a safe haven away from the shadowy monstrosities that have plagued your people for so long...and they have become self sufficient, no longer needing my guidance.” “You don't seem to upset by this.” I responded curiously. Lunacae sighed and shrugged.  “No mother wishes for her children to have no need for her, but every mother wishes for her children to grow up strong and be able to watch out for themselves.  It is a sacrifice I am willing to make for their continued survival and happiness.”  She then placed her hand back on my shoulder.  “You however never did find that camaraderie with your people, beyond simple tribesmen and women.  There is a reason for that, dear Vega.” “And what reason is that exactly?” I asked with interest. “Well,” she started with a warm smile, “you were created differently than the others.  You are truly unique.”  Her hand reached into her chest somehow, and she pulled out a swirling mass of vivid blue energy.  “This is soul essence, the very embodiment of the magic that makes life possible.  It is with this that I created your people.”  Before I could react, she placed her hand on my chest, where a strange crackling hole of energy opened, out of which flew wisps of red energy.  “You are different, because I gave you your own unique energy.  While it is true I created you in my image, you are your own person in every sense of the phrase.  It is this uniqueness that causes me to question whether I placed you in the right realm.” She closed the void on my chest and I looked up at her.  “How exactly am I unique though?” She pointed to my chest, that just a second ago had a painless hole in it.  “Because while the others' essence spectrum is attuned to mine, yours is not.  You are somehow different, though I am not sure how.  I created you exactly the same as the others, but it appears that you changed somehow.” “Is that a bad thing?” I asked worriedly. She shook her head with a smile.  “If my life has taught me anything, it is that 'different' is not synonymous with 'bad'.  All I mean to tell you is that perhaps this world is not where you are truly meant to be.”  I then felt as her hand held mine gently, the scaly plates of our palms rubbing against each other.  “So, would you accept my invitation?” I thought about it for a moment, weighing the options as best I could.  The more I thought about my predicament, I realized she was right.  Even in my own tribe and even being the tribal leader, I had always felt like an outsider.  Not less, but different.  The issue that was bothering me was this:  would things be any different wherever All-Mother planned to take me, or would it be exactly the same?  Was I destined to forever be outside of others, or could I truly find one or more that could accept me, even if I was different?  At the moment, I saw no other options.  With the massacre of my two comrades, I was left alone in the world.  If death did not take me, insanity would...so it appeared my choice was made. I looked to Lunacae with a blank face and nodded.  “I accept.”  I then pointed to the remains of Orion and Cephei.  “I wish to bury them first.” Lunacae nodded before snapping her fingers, causing two strange tools to materialize in front of us.  “I shall help you.  Grab the other shovel, and we will commend them to the ground, where they may sleep peacefully.” Breaking the ground and digging with the “shovels” was much easier than doing it by hand.  What normally would have taken nearly an entire day was done in only a few hours, and after laying the two bodies side by side, we packed the earth back in and covered it with an assortment of stones found on the bed of a stream.  I kept one eye on Lunacae, and was concerned to find her shedding tears nearly the entire time.  She assured me she was fine, but I was still worried.  Perhaps it was from looking at her as a creator of sorts, but I was unprepared to see her weeping. She covered the last bit of the grave with stones before reciting something in another language...a language that was oddly familiar, and yet not enough to be able to understand it. A few final tears dropped from All-Mother's eyes before she looked to me sadly.  “If you are prepared, we should leave before daybreak.  There are many things to take care of when we arrive so that you are taken care of and provided for.” I nodded and retrieved my k'tra-tooth necklace – the only thing I truly owned – before turning to the blue Celestial.  “I'm ready.” “Very well.” she answered before taking my hand in hers again.  “Close your eyes and hold your breath.” I did as she said and felt as the world itself seemed to fall away.  The sensation of humidity, of the ground beneath my feet, and the smell of the forest...all gone. I continued to hold my breath until I felt the air change again.  There was a slight coolness to the air, along with what felt like grass beneath my feet and the sound of a river nearby. “You may breathe and see now.  We are here.” said Lunacae's voice beside me, so I opened my eyes and took a deep breath. Words cannot describe the beauty. The grass was a vivid green, even in the soft moonlight of night.  The river was crystal clear, and the forest nearby teemed with life.  I smiled wide, showing my fangs to the open air with a chuckle.  It was only when I looked to my companion by my side that I was shocked. Where once there was a blue-skinned Celestial, there was now something that resembled the gro'vaa of home.  It had four legs that ended in hooves and was covered in dark blue fur.  It had large wings, as well as a strange spiraled horn sticking out of the forehead.  The eyes were large, and seemed to sparkle in the light of the moon.  Lastly, was a large billowing mass of hair that was growing out of its head and flanks.  This hair looked not like normal hair, but more like the night sky itself. It was at this moment that who it was had been confirmed for me. “L-Lunacae?” I stuttered out nervously. She nodded in response and smiled.  Her face was much more expressive than mine was, so much so that I could tell different expressions without having to look at her eyes.  “Yes, Vega.” “W-what are you?” I asked – I would again be surprised at my lack of manners had I not been in such shock. A smile was my answer again, with her gesturing to herself with a hoof.  “I am what is known as an alicorn.  To quickly put this world in perspective for you, there are three different types of ponies...” “Ponies...” I echoed. She nodded.  “Yes, beings of Equestrian origin the basic body style is the same save for a few differences.  The first is what is known as an 'earth' pony.  This pony lacks wings and a horn.  They are very powerful and have a talent for working the land to grow food.  The second type is what is known as a 'pegasus' pony, or pony with wings and no horn.  As you can assume, they are very adept at flight and speed, and are known for their battle prowess.  Lastly are the unicorns, reveled for their skill with magic.” “Magic?” I asked in confusion. “Yes,” she responded warmly, “magic.  Unicorns have a horn but no wings.  They can create and channel magic to do many things ranging from simply holding things without touching them, all the way to changing the fabric of reality.” I tilted my head to the side as I ran my eyes over the alicorn.  “And what about alicorns?” Lunacae giggled and shook her head.  “Alicorns are the most rare type of pony...so much so that at the moment, there are only two in the world:  myself, and my sister.  Furthermore, an alicorn can only be created by another...and in doing so, the alicorn that creates another is bound to him or her by blood.  Also, my sister and I are immortal.” “Immortal...that word's unfamiliar to me.” I responded in confusion. “It means we do not age past a certain point.” she answered quickly.  “This means that death by time is never an issue.” “Ah.” I replied with realization. “Anyhow,” she started again, “I would recommend we have you stay with somepony that-” I interrupted her with, “Somepony?” She planted her hoof on her face and sighed.  “Ah yes, I should mention that words are slightly different here.  'Everyone' is now 'everypony', no one is now 'no pony', and so on.  You are bright, I am sure you can work it out.”  She then cleared her throat.  “Anyhow, I know of a pony that has room for you, and if I request it she will give you room and board in return for the chance to study you.  She can also tutor you in New Equestrian tongue.” “You speak a different language here?” I asked with a worrisome tone. She nodded.  “Yes, we do now.  The pony's name is Twilight Sparkle, and she is currently one of the only ponies who know the language of the Celestials.  It is a language all of Equestria used long, long ago...and is the one you are currently speaking now.” I bobbed my head from side to side as I thought it over before nodding.  “You have a point.  I guess it would be best to start with the language first then.” “Good,” Lunacae responded gladly, “then I will ask sister to contact her tomorrow to introduce her to you.”  She then yawned and shook out her hair.  “I apologize, but I must return to Canterlot now to rest.” “Canterlot?” I asked (by this time I felt bad about asking so many questions of All-Mother, but I knew literally nothing about this world). She nodded and pointed to the mountains in the distance.  “It is the seat of royalty for all of Equestria.  Here, I am known as Princess Luna, and my sister is known as Princess Celestia.  When in public, you must remember to address me by my title and adjusted name so as not to anger or confuse any ponies.”  She then yawned again and pointed to the forest in the distance.  “That is known as the Everfree Forest...and for the moment, I have a feeling you will feel more at home there.  Stay there for tonight, and tomorrow Twilight Sparkle will come to fetch you.  I warn you that she is not accustomed to someone like you, so prepare yourself for questions.  She means well, but can become a little overexcited.” I shrugged.  “It appears to be the best choice I suppose.  Very well, I will make my way to the Everfree Forest and will await summons.  I'll always be camped near water, in case this Twilight Sparkle needs guidance to get to me.” Lunacae nodded with a smile, then nuzzled against my face.  The gesture was very new to me, but I could tell from her expression that it was an act of affection, so I simply smiled as she did so.  She then looked into my eyes with a soft, tired smile.  “I must return now.  Sleep well, Vega...and welcome to Equestria.”  And with that, she flew away into the night. I watched her as she left for a moment before focusing my gaze on the forest with a grin.  “Home sweet home.” I made my way through the forest, following the sound and smell of water.  I soon came upon  a small stream that seemed to feed into the larger river outside of the forest, so I made camp there.  I could hear and see many different animals watching me as I did so, but at the moment none of them seemed worrisome.  Just to be safe, I nestled myself in a large broad-branched tree as I let myself begin to drift off to sleep. A new world, a new life...but only time would tell if it was for better or worse.