Chapter 15
I stood on the cliff looking down at the Palace below me. The sun was reaching the horizon, casting an orange glow across the sky. Wind flew past, whipping my black mane across my face. I looked at my sword to my side. It was beautiful. The blade was wide, about a hoof wide, compared to Antony’s skinny saber. The crossguard was on level with the blade. It was in the shape of two crescent moons, overlapping on the closed side. The edges of the moons were sharpened. The hilt was blue string layered on black metal, forming a waffle pattern. A large teal gem was mounted in the hilt. The blade itself was curved slightly near the tip. I looked at it the way a mother looked at a child. It felt as if Luna was standing right next to me. I moved the sword. It made a low hum as it floated past my face. I looked at my reflection in the blade as it floated past me. It hummed low. I flicked it with my mind. It screamed a hum as it flung itself into the ground beside me, slicing through the rock like butter. It was sticking straight up in the grey stone. I looked back at the horizon. There was natural lightning off in the distance, accompanied by grey clouds. The view was simply stunning.
“Hello, Edwin.” Said a voice. I flung my sword out of the ground and pointed it at the noise. I turned my head to see Marcus standing on his tips of his hooves, the sword firmly touching him under his chin. He gulped.
“Please don’t stab the messenger, Edwin.” He said, his voice full of fear. His large frame was struggling under his own unbalanced weight. I sighed, pulling the sword away from him. I placed it halfway between he and I. Marcus gulped. It was surprising how much I depended on the sword now, even though I had only had it for the past few hours.
“The Princess asks for your presence in the throne room, Edwin. She says that she is sorry.” He said, trying to convey as much sincerity as he could.
“Celestia says a great many things, Marcus.” I replied coldly. A warm breeze wafted by. Marcus looked at me, disappointed. He turned back to fly down to the palace. I closed my eyes.
“Oh, and Luna says hello.” He added. I grinned. I immersed myself in the Flow, feeling all the creatures around me. I could feel Marcus floated down the cliff. I thought of Luna. I felt the cool breeze and I opened my eyes.
Celestia was on her throne, talking to Othello on her right. She bore no scars or other sign of injury from our altercation earlier in the day. The tardis was in another corner of the room. I could see Luna standing in front of a bushel of apples. I floated up beside her.
“Well, if it isn’t my pretty little moon rock, safe home at last.” I whispered in her ear. She gasped, dropping the apple she was holding with magic. She slowly turned to me. I saw her blue hair slide away to reveal her wide eyes.
“It’s... You.” She whispered. I smiled, knowing exactly what she meant. I was not the Edwin that showed up at her door. I was the Edwin that saved her. The Edwin that fought against all odds to bring his moon rock home.
“I missed you, Luna.” I said. She laughed once under her breath.
“I missed you so much more.” She replied. I shrugged, floating back to the ground. I landed with a soft thump. Luna smiled, her eyes welling with tears. She whimpered.
“My white knight.” She said.
“What?” I asked, completely oblivious.
“Whenever I thought about you, before I met you again, I always thought of you as a... Protector, of sorts. A white knight. You saved me, Edwin.” She said. I smiled.
“I love you, Luna.” I said, leaning down to her face. She lifted her chin. She parted her lips ever so slightly. Her were closed as she reached up to meet me.
“If you two would kindly join us, we have business to attend to.” Said a perfectly regal voice. I growled, looking over my shoulder. Celestia averted her eyes from me, looking down at a golden shod hoof.
“I think that you at least owe me this one, Celestia.” I mumbled angrily. She looked back up at me.
“I truly am sorry, Edwin. I had no idea that she meant that much to you. The Doctor told me what you did. I myself am grateful to you, Luna means more to me than anything else. It was no easy thing, what you did. Bringing the dead back to we who are living is not only a hefty spell, but also a dangerous decision. Yours made sure that you would be tied to her forever. This, and the form of your summoned blade makes me feel that you are fully committed to her, and that this is no mere passing fancy.” She said. I looked back at her. Luna was looking at me in confusion.
“Just this morning you tried to hurl me into the sun. An odd pony it is that can change their mind so quickly.” I remarked, drawing a gasp from Luna.
“Tried?!” Luna exclaimed under her breath. I turned to her. Her mouth was agape.
“Yes. I did what I thought the situation justified. I have been known to lose my temper, Edwin.” She added when she saw my look of outright disbelief. Luna looked at me, aghast.
“Edwin, she just doesn’t try to throw something into the sun! She throws things into the sun! What did you do?!” She asked me in a hushed tone. Othello was looking at all three of us, confused by our exchange. He raised a hoof awkwardly, as if to emphasize a statement, and then set it down.
“I fought back.” I said simply. Luna’s mouth dropped open
“You did WHAT?!” she shouted. I looked at her, in shock. I had never heard her raise her voice before.
“I fought. I fought for you.” I said. She looked at me, her face frozen in a look of surprise.
“What do you mean, ‘fought’” Luna asked. I held a hoof up to my mouth and coughed.
“Your sister didn’t want me to be with you, and I argued with her about it. Push comes to shove, and she tries to hurl me into the sun.” I remarked bluntly. Luna’s face went from surprised to enraged. She turned to Celestia.
“What, I am not allowed to be with a Numbered?! What a hypocrite you have become in my absence, sister.” She said with venom in her voice. Celestia looked awkwardly at Othello, and then back to Luna.
“It is a hard life, Luna. They are the only ones capable of giving us companionship, being one of the few immortal creatures in our world, but they have serious responsibility. I was a different pony then, Luna. I still have feelings, just... Subdued. Edwin especially will be consumed with responsibility, for the upcoming Event is his own to avert. The fate of Equestria depends on them, not us. They are what keep our kingdom from destroying itself. They are the great arbiters of our race, saving us from the Angelic threat. A Numbered is one of the very, very few that keep darkness from inheriting our land. Thus being said, they are always busy.” She said in a solemn tone. Luna’s expression grew softer, but was still angry.
“I am not some filly! I am a Princess! You think that if he were to go off on an adventure of some kind, that I may not follow him?” She exclaimed. I looked at Luna, feeling shocked myself. I had never heard her speak with such authority. Celestia looked at her, her eyes caring and soft.
“I suppose you are not, Luna. I will meddle no more between you and Edwin. But, ironic though it may be, the Doctor has something to say. Doctor?” She asked, craning her neck to see behind us. I turned around to see where she was looking. The tardis was sitting there, not doing much. A door swung open. The Doctor strolled out, holding his pen in his mouth again. He nodded his head at Luna, then Celestia
“Princesses.” He said through a mouthful of pen. The formality made me smile. He walked up to the first step on the throne, spat his pen on the ground, and turned to me.
“Edwin, when you entered the Nether after your first battle with the Angelic orb, I took you into the past. Remember?” The Doctor said. Othello looked at him, surprised, but Luna and Celestia betrayedno emotion.
“Yes.” I said. The Doctor continued:
“Well, you are actually arriving in Equestria originally in about... oh, an hour? Yes, I think that’s right. Well, you stayed at Twilight’s tree for one day, and was in Zecora’s for about half, which means that you will have two days until I have to replace the old Edwin on the timeline with You. Which means that you will be continuing on in Ponyville as if nothing had happened. Ergo, You will have to leave the palace until we need you again.” The Doctor finished. I looked at him, extremely confused by his explanation. The Doctor sighed.
“Nopony ever does understand me.” He said in a tired voice. He leaned down to pick up his pen. We all watched him walk back into the tardis, and heard the door slam shut. We all looked at each other.
“Well that was odd.” said Othello, breaking the awkward silence. Celestia turned to him, nodding.
“Yes, the Doctor is an strange creature indeed.” Celestia agreed. She turned back to Luna and I.
“Edwin, he meant to say that you have two more days before you have to go to Ponyville. I have no use for you because Othello has decided to stay in Equestria for a while, so you may spend the next two days as you please. I just request of you that you be in easy reach to contact if we actually do need you. With this, I bid you adieu.” She said. I looked to Luna, who looked back at me. She began to grin.
“What on earth are you thinking, Luna?” I asked. She just grinned wider, backing away from me.
“Luna...” I said playfully, advancing towards her. She giggled, still backing away. I smiled. I got into a crouch and snuck over to her. She backed away from me.
“Hey Ed.” She spoke in a happy voice.
“What, Luna?” I asked.
“Betcha can’t catch me.” She turned and shot off to the doors. I laughed loudly, breaking into a sprint. We cleared the doors to the throne room, entering a lush purple hall.
“I’m gonna get you, Luna!” I shouted, watching the blue mare pull away. She squealed, still laughing. We were reaching the turn where the hall to the Throne room branched off into a perpendicular hall. I didn’t see Luna turn, which worried me slightly. She was still laughing when she jumped out of an open window. I was shocked, but it was too late to turn. She fitted perfectly through the small square, flinging herself into the evening. I leaped. Everything was in slow motion. I could see Luna’s pale blue tail flowing in the warm evening breeze, and saw her dark wings unfold slowly. I jumped, squeezing myself so that I could fit. My left foreleg brushed against the window frame, jarring me. I could see Luna flap her large wings, the feathers straining against her weight. Time sped back up, and I was falling through the warm night. The air was a tangible thing around me, whipping my jet black mane up. The sensation of falling was one of the best things about flight. I watched the Place fall past me, relishing in the sensation of weightlessness. I fell for a few more seconds before I pulled out of my dive. I shot back up to Luna flying lazily away from the Palace. I could feel the wind rush past my face, my mane flung back against my neck. I could see Luna silhouetted against the purple sky. I rocketed up to her, laughing. She looked down at me with a surprised expression. I slowed down and pulled up next to her. I poked her with a snow white hoof.
“Got you.” I said smugly. Luna stuck her tongue out at me. I looked around, taking in the fresh night.
“So what are we doing out here, Luna?” I asked. She kept her eyes ahead, staring at the setting sun. A mere sliver of orange was visible.
“When I first met you, Edwin, you said you wanted to see Equestria. I take it for granted, because I traverse the whole of it daily. So, Edwin, we are going to see the night life.” She said. I looked at her, confused.
“What?”
“We are going to see Equestria.” She said simply. I looked at her, stupefied. She glanced to me, then did a double take.
“That’s what you wanted, wasn’t it?” She said worriedly. I looked at her with a spreading smile. I floated gently over and bumped her. She looked at me with wide eyes, slapping my opposite side with her long wing.
“It was, Luna. Thank you for taking the time.” I replied. She looked off to the horizon.
“I don’t think of it as being kind than being greedy. I don’t see half as much of you as I would like. Think of this as... Take your Numbered to work day.” She said. I laughed at her unexpected comment. She began to giggle. I was roaring with laughter, literally doubled over in the air. She watched me, giggling. I somehow managed to control myself after a few minutes of laughing. I wiped the tears from my eyes with a hoof. I chuckled for a minute or two more, then managed to calm down. Luna was hovering beside me, her large wings flapping lazily.
“Are you okay?” She asked, her eyebrow cocked. I smiled.
“Yep. Where are we going, Luna?” I asked her. her face lit up at this question.
“I don’t know.” She said, her face filled with vigor. I eyed her questioningly. She flapped away from me, picking up speed.
“It wouldn’t be an adventure if we knew where we were going, now would it?” She shouted, flying away from me. I shot off after her.
“Oh! How about that one?” I asked, pointing to a campfire. She eyed the small speck of light in a considering manner. Her horn glowed for a minute or two.
“No. Pegasi.” She explained. I looked at her beligerantly.
“Come on, Luna! Do they have to be earth ponies?” I asked in a whiny tone. She stuck her tongue out at me.
“Yes, they do. I barely ever get to see earth ponies. Remarkable creatures, they are. Always filled with determination, never willing to give up.” She reasoned. I considered this statement as the evening wind cooled my face. Luna had a practice of dropping in to see earth ponies that were camping. I considered it to be biased, but the few earth ponies I did see had a certain air about them. I squinted, trying to eye a fire in the distance.
“What about that one?” I asked, pointing with a forehoof. Luna looked to where I was pointing. Her horn glowed for a second. She grinned as her horn stopped glowing.
“Yes, we can go see them.” She said. I didn’t say anything, my lack of sleep was beginning to take a toll. My eyes fluttered as I dropped a little in the sky. This scared me awake enough to fly straight. Luna looked at me worriedly.
“We can walk if you like, Edwin.” She said in a soft tone.
“I’m fine...” I trailed off, struggling to keep my eyes open. I dropped again, unable to keep control of my magic.
“Walk, Edwin.” She said firmly. I looked at her lazily.
“But... Flying.” I tried to reason. Luna would have none of it.
“I’m not taking you home in more than one peice, Ed. Get on the ground.” She commanded. I looked at her blankly. She huffed and flew above me. I didn’t look at her. I stared blankly at the distant glow in the forest that signified warmth. I smiled stupidly, imagining the crackling flames. I imagined the smell, smoky and warm. I felt hooves wrap around my torso.
“Come on, Edwin.” Luna said above me. I looked up at her. I saw her head outlined against the bright white moon. I knew what she meant, and released my hold on the magic that kept me flying. Luna kept flapping her wings. I could feel the cold wind driven under me. I struggled to keep my eyes open while I opened myself to the Flow. I closed my eyes finally, I no longer needed them. I could feel Luna above me, her strong wings straining against our combined weight. She was panting lightly with the effort. I moved my attention to the campfire. There were three ponies there, one of which was very small. I suspected it to be a foal. I could begin to sense the small insects below me, which heralded our approach to the ground. It was amazing how much life there was in the most barren of landscapes. The forest, lush as it was, was absolutely teeming with the minutiae of all forms of life. The ground grew ever closer as I pondered the life in the forest. Luna’s wings brushed my sides as they flapped harder, in preparation for landing. The ground was a few feet below us.
“Okay, Edwin?” Luna asked. I opened my weary eyes and looked down. I could not only see, but I could feel everything around me. Luna, the plants, the insects, and the ponies in the distant campfire. I bolstered my flagging strength with energy from the Flow I could feel my legs grow stronger with the limitless energy from the Flow, then I severed my connection when I had enough.
“Okay, Luna.” I said. She let go of me with her hooves, and I dropped the few feet to the ground. I made a solid thud, landing on my hooves. I looked up at Luna, still flapping.
“Will you join this most humble pony on the ground, O highest Princess?” I asked, trying my best to sound sophisticated. She smirked at me.
“Shut up, Edwin. I’ll be down in a second.” She said jokingly. I chuckled once, watching her large wings driving the air under her. Her flaps grew shorter as she approached the ground. Her blue-shod hooves grazed the long grasses under her. She raised her wings and dropped a foot or so. She folded her wingtips as she flapped down again, just keeping altitude. She raised her wings up again, this time landing lightly on the ground. The grasses around her were shoulder-high, enough to see past her neck. She was absolutely beautiful. Her dark blue tiara glistened in the full moon. She was in her element. I ogled her, dumbfounded. She shook the dirt from her wings, then looked at me. She cocked her brow at me.
“What are you staring at, Edwin?” She asked. I smiled out of the corner of my mouth.
“My midnight princess. I do love you, Luna.” I said. Her large teal eyes grew soft around the corners. She looked down at her forehooves.
“I love you too, Edwin. But for reasons other than those obvious.” I turned my head slightly to the side, showing confusion. She looked up at me, her pale blue mane bouncing.
“You saved me, Edwin. More than once, I might add. Where other ponies would stop and declare the cause for naught, you laughed at Death itself, bringing me back from it’s cold clutches. I could not thank you enough for this, Edwin. You have earned my devotion a million times over. Why you have chosen me, of all ponies, I have no idea.” She finished in a somber tone, looking back at her hooves. I looked at her, feeling touched. I walked over to where she was standing, wading through the tall golden grasses. She didn’t look up at my approach.
“Luna.” I said. She said nothing, but continued looking at her hooves. I reached up with one of my pale forehooves and placed it under her dark blue muzzle. She raised her head to look up at me.
“I love you, Luna. You. I did all of those things because I love you. Saving you from the moon, bringing you back to life, arguing with your sister, I did it all for you. Even if it was up to me, I would choose no other mare. You are perfect in every way, Luna.” I said. Her eyes were crinkled with happiness, and her nose was twitching above my snow-white hoof.
“I love you, Ed.” She whispered. I said nothing, but leaned in. Luna did nothing, but just stood there. I touched her nose with mine. I could feel her warm breath shuddering.
“You know I do, Luna.” I whispered. I could feel her soft nose against mine. She closed her eyes and just stood there. I enjoyed the moment, feeling her shallow breaths against the soft flesh of my nose. We stood like this for a while. The grass swayed gently against us, the golden fronds trying to get our attention. Sadly, their cries for attention had to go unheeded. The wind gusted and blew, but it could not separate us. I opened my eyes. Luna was looking at me. Her bright teal eyes were smoldering under their half-closed lids.
“Do you still want to go see those ponies?” I mumbled quietly.
“They can wait.” She mumbled back. I hummed in assent.
“I hoped you would say that.” I said, nuzzling her with my nose. She giggled softly under her breath.
“Oh dear, I do hope that I am not interrupting anything.” Said a velvet voice. I stiffened, recognizing it at once.