It's been three hours.
Dawn is in another four, at least as far as I can guess. I can't be sure without the moon's azimuth for reference.
I wonder if Celestia was in charge of the night today? Either way, the moon being new two nights in a row is unprecedented. Any other time, I'd be sitting in the Library, gazing up at the sky through my telescope, documenting the anomaly and recording my findings.
Spike would come outside and grumble at me for pulling another all-nighter... I'd give him some sort of half-formed lecture to justify my actions, like I always did... he'd stomp back inside, and then pop back out long enough to hand me a blanket and a thermos full of hot chocolate, before turning in for the night...
I hold back a sniffle, and the resulting noise is hardly that. Which is a good thing.
The campfire is completely extinguished, not even producing any heat or smoke anymore. I notice Fluttershy stir on her mat, and I whip up a quick warmth spell to enchant her blanket. She quickly returns to a comfortable sleep.
Next to her, Applejack is resting peacefully. Unlike Fluttershy, she hasn't moved a bit, not even noticing the sudden change in temperature. She's as tough as her farmer upbringing has let her become, but even at rest, her hooves clutch onto her hat like a security blanket - though she'd probably deny it if I brought it up.
Pinkie Pie, to her credit, is out like a light. Repeated observation has convinced me that Neighton's first law doesn't apply to her, and no force in Equestria has the ability to stop her whether she's at rest or in motion. I don't bother to question it anymore. My inner scientist went down that road once, and it only lead to pain.
As for me? Well... it's been three hours and fifteen minutes.
Is this a changeling thing or an alicorn thing? Do the Princesses sleep? Does the Queen?
Apparently not, given the current ringing in my head.
After checking on the others one more time, I step away from the campsite. The cool night air used to calm me down and clear my head, and I'm counting on it to work again. I feel the earth beneath my hooves and get to thinking.
Back in school in Canterlot, owing mostly to my nocturnal reading habits, I'd have many a sleepless night. Conventional wisdom suggested a trot around the block or, if possible... a quick flight through the night air. I had the physical stamina of a bookworm and lacked the means and equipment for flight, so I often found myself simply sitting out on the balcony, staring out past the city walls and into the city.
On many occasions, I would see a restless pegasus travel out into the night, their silhouette blocking the moonlight, looping about lazily before returning to their window and disappearing from view. Far less often, a unicorn or earth pony would take a walk out their front door. What was it about flight that compelled those pegasi to leave the warmth of their beds?
After a moment to ponder the thought, I take off, intending to find out.
Wow... just... wow. A mare could get addicted to this. I mean, dear Celestia, the feel of the cool breeze, flowing over and under my primaries, the dizzying change in perspective, the adrenaline rush of moving through the air on your own power, without anything to catch you... Being a unicorn all of my life, I never thought I would ever have the chance to experience any of it. I mean, who'd have thought that little old Twilight Sparkle would sprout a pair of wings and
Damn it all.
Damn it all the way to Tartarus.
The bracing cold instantly loses all of its freshness. It's an empty coldness that grips me now. This plan was a bust from the start.
I look down to the ground, ready to sight my landing, but a cerulean glow catches my eye - it's none other than Princess Luna, standing on a hill, her horn glowing as she casts a spell. I'm too far away to hazard a guess as to what kind, but the point becomes moot when she finishes her spell and looks up at me.
I circle her for a moment, descending slowly. Just as I alight on the ground next to her, she speaks. "The vitality of the three races beats strong in your veins." She looks past me, into the valley to the south. "Fatigue will become less of a problem for you as time passes. Once you claim your dominion, the need for sleep might vanish entirely."
Not the most orthodox of greetings, but it'll have to do. I bow gently. "May I join you, Princess?"
She hesitates for only a moment before beckoning with an outstretched wing. I join her, looking out over the valley. A light tingle brings a hard reminder that somewhere out there, Chrysalis is beckoning me.
"Dusk."
I look to Luna; her expression is inscrutable. "Hm?" I mutter, noncommittally.
"That is your name, am I correct?"
"...It's as close as I'll ever get to one, Your Highness," I reply, the barest note of despair coloring my voice.
"You may call me Luna," she replies. "In the stillness of night, names and titles mean very little. There are no wars to fight or sides to take. No, in the stillness of night there is only rest." Her eyes take on a faraway look, and for a moment she looks every bit as old and weary as an immortal being ought to.
I venture to speak. "But Luna... there are some ponies that don't get that luxury..." My nostrils flare as I take in a breath of the night air. "...present company included."
Luna looks to me again, her brow furrowing. "...I suppose not." Our eyes meet, lingering for quite some time, before she heaves a sigh. "I would like to apologize to you, Dusk. Pinkie Pie's judgment of me was appropriate. I am in no place to criticize your intentions."
"She was a little harsh, though, I'll admit," I say, and Luna acknowledges me with a nod. "There's nothing to forgive, Luna. Not after you saved both Pinkie and Fluttershy."
"...They are my friends," Luna replies after a moment. "If I have the power to save them, then I will, whether we happen to agree or not."
"That's... generous of you," I reply. A familiar, burning question comes to mind. Before we came along, the Royal Sisters were the bearers of Harmony. Which ones did...
Luna catches onto my train of thought, continuing it with a wry smirk. "Generosity, Loyalty, and Honesty were three traits I held dear to my heart." Her grin widens. "Celestia, for her part, was always such a kind soul, albeit with a mischievous streak. There was a time that-"
Part of me - the Twilight Sparkle in me - wanted to hear every word of this. But right now... "Please, Luna, stop."
Luna's eyes widen for all of a second. "Ah... forgive my boldness." She stands apart from me, abruptly.
The silence lingers for longer than it needs to. "Why, Luna?" I finally ask. "Why did you let us go?"
At this, Luna sighs. "Well, to put it in barest terms..." She leans in, conspiratorially. "I had to break up a fight."
The pieces click together instantly. "Applejack?"
"Indeed." Luna smirks. "You're causing quite a stir among the Element Bearers."
The topic was there; our cards were on the table. So I decided to go for broke. "There doesn't have to be an argument," I say. "You could come with us."
An outsider looking in would see two regal alicorns - well, one regal and one not-so-much - transfixed in each other's gaze, neither one willing to move, locked in an unspoken, silent combat. I, personally, would like to think that I'm winning.
"I..." Luna finally responds, "I cannot. We cannot. We are trying to rescue Twilight Sparkle. We are bearing north, to the Hollow Shades, where-"
"You're going the wrong way," I interrupt. "The hive isn't in the Hollow Shades."
Luna gaze is suspicious. "But I have seen it for myself," she replies. "In fact, I was there on the day of the wedding. I had intended to confront the Queen myself with regards to her invasion, but she had been in Canterlot all along..."
"Maybe that's where it was before, but I know where the hive is now," I say. I continue quickly before Luna can ask how. "We're headed there ourselves. We have the same goal. We should work together."
Luna's lips purse. "I have doubts about the willingness of the remaining two Bearers to form an alliance with you..."
I feel my ears droop just a little, but I harden my expression in hopes of hiding the tell. "Well... do you plan to stop us?" When Luna says nothing, I extend my wings and turn back towards camp. "Please... just think about it."
"Good night," Luna calls after my retreating form, "and we shall."
"Until next time," I offer. With a single, dramatic flap of my wings, I take off, ascending higher and higher until Luna is no more than a dot on the ground.