//------------------------------// // Secret Ending: The Castaway // Story: The Key to Friendship // by ImperfectXIII //------------------------------// –Special Secret– “The Castaway” She awoke. Eyelids fluttered involuntarily as they fought to adjust to the light. Light? No. There was no light. None at all. All she could see was a never-ending sea of black. She tried to move, but found her forelegs bound to the wall behind her by icy-cold chains. As she twitched, her back brushed the wall, and the utter coldness of it made her shiver. How long had been trapped here? Who confined her here? Just then…hoofsteps. Someone was approaching. But she couldn’t determine whom. It was much too dark. When the hoofsteps ceased, she called out to their owner. Her voice was raspy from what must’ve been at least several hours of dryness. “Hello?” she was finally able to articulate. “Who’s there?” A voice answered. The deep, guttural growl of a stallion. What is your name? The voice hadn’t answered her question. “What? My name? I don’t understand. Who are you? Where am I? And where is my sister?” I’ll ask you again. What is your name? The voice was persistent. She obliged it. “My name is…Princess Luna…” No. That is not your name. Your name is… The name was foreign to her. She was certain it wasn’t hers. Once more. What is your name? “My name is…” An odd blend of black and green began to cloud her vision. Try as she might to resist, she repeated the name for the voice. “…Tell me. Where is my sister?” she asked again. You have no sister. You have no familial ties to this world whatsoever. From this moment forth, your life – and your magic – belong to me. “…Who are you?” What is your name? “My…name…is…” ~ A “soul” displaced in time ~ Princess Celestia looked out over the city of Canterlot from her castle balcony, her sun hanging high in the Equestrian sky above. Her moment of calm silence was only interrupted by the soft clip-clop of nearing hooves. Turning around, the princess of the sun met the eye of one of her dutiful guards. “Pardon the intrusion, your Majesty,” said the guard with a bow, “but she was rather insistent.” “What is it?” The guard stepped to the side, allowing Princess Luna to approach. “Luna? Is something wrong? I’m surprised to see you up and about at this hour.” The younger alicorn slowly walked forward and moved to her sister’s side. “Forgive us, Tia. We…could not sleep.” “Did you have a bad dream?” Celestia leaned down to nuzzle her sibling… …only for Luna to pull away. “Please, Celestia. We are not a foal, so we ask that thou refrainst from addressing us as such.” “I’m sorry.” Fearing she may have hurt her older sister, Luna quickly became reticent. “But…something doth trouble us. Thou knowest well of our sovereignty over the world of dreams, yes?” Celestia nodded. “Of course.” “As of late, we have had… Not dreams. We liken them more to visions. Premonitions. In them, we see another alicorn, with a coat as purest white as the wintertime snow.” “Me?” Luna shook her head. “No. Granted, the visions are hazy at best, but it more closely resembles…Nightmare Moon.” Celestia grew unnerved. “…Your opinion on these visions, Luna?” Luna walked over to the edge of the balcony and rested a hoof on the golden railing, looking out into the distance. Her gaze seemed to focus northward. “Something doth approach us. We know not when it will arrive, or from whence it comes, or if its intentions be good or ill. But we’ve reason to suspect its arrival shall shake the very foundations of Equestria.” “…” Celestia spun to her rear, about to head inside. “Thank you for telling me all this, Lulu.” “Think nothing of it, Tia.” Celestia began to walk, but was stopped by Luna again. “…Celestia. There is…something else.” The alabaster alicorn glanced back to her sister. “What is it?” “The alicorn in our visions – it speaks to us from time to time. Its voice bears no sound, but we hear it all the same.” “What does it say?” “It asks—” ‘…Where is Luna?’