//------------------------------// // Night Four // Story: The Four and One Erebi Nights // by RandomBlank //------------------------------// The Four and One Erebi Nights or The Princess and The Rogue Night Four ...which concludes the story. Luna almost crashed with Twilight Sparkle in the door of Ice Pack’s home. Twilight was leaving in a hurry. “Won’t you stay a little longer, Twilight?” “No, I’d love to but... I have learned an important thing about friendship and it’s Tuesday and evening and it’s been awhile since I’d written the letter to Princess Celestia and...” Twilight stopped and hung her head. “I’d love to. But I really have to write that letter. It’s not that it’s urgent. It’s not. It will just let me... gather my thoughts.” “What happened, Twilight?!” “It’s Ice Pack...” she raised her eyes, and tears welled in their corners. “He’s... He’s... so nice!” She turned and galloped away into the night. Luna stepped in. There was Ice Pack on the couch, looking scared and depressed. “What happened?” she frowned, while settling in the armchair by the table. “I did something unforgivable. Something very unprofessional.” Luna’s frown deepened. “I... talked how I feel about books. Everything! That Polo Caballo is an overrated talentless bore. His The Fisherpony is a worthless, pretentious tapeworm of a book. That Flight over the Phoenix Nest made me proud to be a zebra. That Ta’il Mara, and not The Chronicles of Canterlot speaks the true soul of Equestria! That I believe The Nightmares is far superior to Hack-Amore. All my true thoughts!” “And this is bad how?” “I think she got a crush on me.” “Oh. I guess that is a bit unprofessional.” Luna put the coffee can on the table. “But I guess it shouldn’t be too harmful...” Then she did a double take. “Ta’il better than Chronicles?” She frowned. “No! Not better! Just...” the zebra tried to hide in the corner of his couch, suddenly realizing what he blurted out and to whom. “...just more true...” he muttered, his eyes filled with fear. But Luna didn’t seem to be angry. She was amused. “That’s a mighty bold thing of you to claim. You know I really wanted to have Ta’il banned for a time and its followers persecuted. Celestia barely convinced me that slowly phasing it out will draw less opposition. Oh, stop cowering! I witnessed what you went through two days ago myself. I’d be the last pony to blame you for losing faith in ponykind. Come...” she trotted to him and lay by him. “So, you read Ta’il M’ara. What do you think it is about?” He looked at Luna, still worried. She gave him a reassuring smile. “It is a horrible book. The story is enthralling and beautiful but unimportant. It feels like an ornate cover on the real book. A very dark book. It is a guide book how to be a terrible, evil pony and feel good about it. The ending is one big lie. It should be read in reverse: Evil won. See how impossible it was for Good to win! ” “Would you ever follow the teachings of M’ara L’aine?” “I was really tempted. I think if in prison I would.” “And so you understand why we wanted to have the book phased out...” “With all respect, I disagree. The book does not makes ponies bad. The two little brats did not read it. I do not think their father did either...” “Continue, please.” “It does not make ponies go bad. It just helps them fit in once they do. It describes the spirit, not creates it. Without the book they find their own ways.” Luna nuzzled him, tenderly, her gentle, mysterious smile still not reassuring Ice Pack of his safety, but... a calmness encompassed him. If she condemns him, he would submit. Trust her judgment, even if it means his doom... “Celestia was right, you’re too smart for your own good. You claim dangerous truths, mister zebra. It took me nearly two hundreds years to discover what you just said. Still, the book encourages, helps them. Makes it easier.” “I agree. I would never consider going bad without reading T’ail M’ara.” “And what does make ponies go bad?” “I do not know. Is it greed? Is it uncertainty? Is it fear?” “You don’t know. I’m glad you don’t know. You’d be sad if you knew.” “You would have to lock me up?” “No, but... you’d have a hard time trusting ponies ever again. You trust me now, don’t you?” “I do.” “But I went bad once already. It took two hits from Elements of Harmony to bring me back. And they hit really, really hard.” “But she burned Yeherebi!” “I can’t blame her really. I was really behaving like a spoiled brat at times. Bed of chocolate, butterfly dust for eyeliner, this kind of fancies to kill my endless boredom. Sis was really getting tired of my shenanigans back then. I really had this coming.” “But you are better now?” “I hope so. Let me just tell you one of factors that help ponies go bad: Solitude. Lack of friends.” Luna nibbled the zebra’s mane in a soft caress, but his ears drooped. “This is a very bad idea. My reputation. Your reputation. We really should not.” “A princess and a rogue?” “You outclass Eritia, but I am no Jinai. And even if I were...” “But they... they did... didn’t they?” The zebra stood up, went to the kitchen and brought the last piece of the paper carrion. He settled in his big armchair and began reading. Luna caught a breath. “It doesn’t end well, does it?” Ice Pack didn’t reply. He just read. “Jinai, Eritia, I’m sorry.” Imira the thief’s hopes refuted “The rule of this country unchallenged needs ruler who is undisputed Hamaruk won’t live past tomorrow, his wedding is valid, that’s known. Eritia must rule Erebistan, can’t marry commoner and rogue.” ⁂ Under the ruin of Erebi, basking in light of moon crescent Lies daughter of king of Ark-Teke, her brother of so noble descent, Sword broken that carried the power, embedded in tyrant’s heart rotten, Lies master and student of magic, their secrets lay buried, forgotten, The soldiers of Emir and rebels, and children and mothers innocent, Lie templars of Seth, god of desert, powerless in fury impotent. In gardens by ruins of palace, where willows and olives burnt lie two lovers of marble, immortal, embracing in despair, can’t die. Ice Pack closed the last piece of the book and lay it on the table. Luna was completely stunned, lying motionless with tears in her eyes. Ice Pack wouldn’t disturb. When he read it himself, it took him nearly half an hour to chew through the thoughts about the consequences - how does one feel, buying eternity in embrace of beloved, for that kind of price?! He waited some more, but as the minutes began to drag on, he decided maybe to do something constructive... like coffee. Finishing Yeherebi surely counts as a special occasion, doesn’t it? He picked the can and went to the kitchen, set the kettle on fire and prepared two cups. He opened the can and felt tears in his eyes. The memories of all the best books he ever read came, the most touching endings... He prepared two cups and sat, waiting for the water to start boiling... Waiting was never his strong side. Oh, idea. He walked up to his wardrobe, opened a drawer and picked up an embroidered handkerchief one of mares gave him for Hearths Warming. He walked up to Luna and put it on her hoof. She looked at it, then wiped her eyes and blew her nose. She looked at him, trying to say something, find voice, find the words, fruitlessly. He gave her a gentle smile and a nod - he knew exactly what she wanted to say. He was just as clueless how to put it in words, or what words to use to reply, but they needed no words. She returned the weak smile, and he trotted back to the kitchen. Three minutes later he carried the two cups with steaming coffee, spreading the aroma that would summon some of the most vivid memories. Luna smiled weakly again, raising the cup with her magic. Ice Pack picked his own with both hooves. They drank it, and let the magic sink in. They put the cups back on the table. Ice Pack stood up and lay by Luna. They embraced and cried and whispered their promises... ... “If they discover, if they try to make it a scandal, they will have an opportunity to write very detailed books about the Moon. They will be seeing it really up close. No matter what happens, you have a friend now, and whoever tries to destroy that, is up for some real trouble.” ... “You know that you are my best... my only friend but I can not truly love you?” “Yes, I can sense it. What is her name? Do I know her?” “Zecora. She is a herbalist from the Everfree Forest. I never dared...” “I know about her. I will send her some dreams. You can count on me.” ... “My sister still blames herself for my... folly from a thousand years ago... I really have no right to ask you...” “Please, ask. If a way exists, I want to know.” “This coffee. Serve us this coffee at the right time.” “Consider it done.” ... “I am worried about Twilight. I really do not want to break her heart.” “I’ll give her a dream to set things straight. Everything will be fine.” ... “Please, just don’t laugh. I still don’t know how to use the modern bathroom. I teleport everything away into the woods. I didn’t dare to ask the servants.” “I will teach you. You do not need to feel embarrassed. They should be ashamed that they did not guess.” ... “I promised Twilight a proper burial for Yeherebi.” “Oh, no. I’ll have the world’s best bookbinder repair it.” ... “Get rid of that horrible book.” “T’ail? I do not...” “No, The Fisherpony.” “Oh, with pleasure. Bookcase by the door, top shelf. There is still enough fire in the hearth. Would you do the honors?” ... “Teach me all about sex.” “With pleasure!” ... “What duties do I have as a secret associate of the Royal Intelligence?” “None really, just protection... oh, wait, this is not what you’re asking, are you?” “Gathering gossips, secret meetings, espionage...?” “Oh, we’re so gonna rock together!” ... “The way it all came together... I still can’t believe the luck.” “It was not just luck entirely. You should give your astral projections a way to contact you when the problems get over their heads. Facing my fears almost got me killed.” “Oh! I... All right, I will!” ... So brief the exchanges, so fast, they didn’t need to tell much, they didn’t need to ask, they understood each other perfectly and they’d do everything in their power to help each other. ... “It’s so good to have a friend.” “Oh yes, it is.” ⁂