//------------------------------// // II.7 - Night is Honest // Story: Night // by Revenant Wings //------------------------------// I spent the next three days in the hospital, with Nurse Redheart and Doctor Stable – a brown unicorn and the head doctor at Ponyville Hospital – constantly checking my vital signs to make sure the venom didn’t flare up again. To suck out the venom, they had a variety of herbs and a papaya extract that they made into an ointment they applied three times daily, along with regular meal service. The two doctors were both very nice and tended to my every need; the evening I woke up I was changed into a room with its own private bathroom and television and radio and found myself able to pass the time quite easily, though I never could leave the room. The doctors weren’t the only company I had during my stay. Twilight visited almost every day due to the doctors constantly checking her horn to make sure she didn’t have any magical backfiring and was allowed to visit me while the checkup was in place. Luna would come during the evenings when she was awake, and would often stay until well into the morning and causing the doctors to place a large cot in there for her to lay on while she stayed. Revenant Wings constantly came around, as well, and though he was a mostly quiet sort he never failed to have something to speak with me about. Even Spitfire came around to make sure the medical staff was treating me correctly and that the place was sanitary and organized and talked a little more with me about her family’s history in war, which never seemed to fail to entertain me. The events of my stay caused commotion in Canterlot as well; with the Summer Sun Celebration coming around, Shining Armor, Princess Cadence, and Princess Celestia all came down early. Shining Armor, in his eagerness to see me, nearly broke my ribs and forced Redheart to give me a double dose of pain medication, though I was equally happy to see him again. Princess Cadence gave me an equally warm though not as energetic welcome and Princess Celestia apologized for the commotion both of ponies trying to see the Princess in the hospital room and the whole ordeal with the giant spider, which she admitted she should have seen coming; I told her not to worry about it. After three days I was still weak from the venom being in my body but the doctors said the venom was all gone; my body simply had to recover from the damage. I was given pills for a few days and eventually sent on my way, back to Twilight’s library where the Princesses and Shining Armor were also staying. From there, after the Summer Sun Celebration had passed, I decided I would go back to Canterlot and have Celestia use the spell to send me back home to Earth. Home… I didn’t know whether to call it that or not. After spending almost ninety days in Equestria, I had begun to like it here. There were friends, good food and care, and at least a few ponies who would be willing to take me in and help me out when I needed it. However, I spent every night lying awake wondering if I really could stay and, if so, how long could I stay as a human before I went crazy. I already was getting stir-crazy, and would sometimes pace the upper-level study in the early mornings while reading. A few days after I got out of the hospital, I called Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, Twilight Sparkle, Princess Cadence, Shining Armor, and Revenant Wings to speak with them regarding my decision. I told them that, while I appreciated everything they had done for me during the time I had been in Equestria and how much it taught me about both myself and them, I wanted to go back home to Earth instead of staying in Equestria. Shining Armor was the first to speak. “You… want to leave? After all of this… you want to leave?” “I don’t want to leave,” I said. “But I don’t think I can stay.” Luna looked like she was on the verge of crying. “I promise you I will take everything I learned both about friendship and about myself and use it to make things back there better. Not just for me, but for everyone else.” “It’s a noble idea,” Celestia said, though while her voice said she was happy with it something in her eyes said she wasn’t very happy at all. “I’m glad you wish to take these virtues and bring them back. It is… something which needs to be shown to all of them back there.” Things were kept quiet until later that evening when Luna visited me in my room around bedtime. She came and sat on the bed and asked if we could talk for a moment; I told her to speak her mind and that things were fine between us now. Even so, it took her a long while to speak, and it felt like even longer for her to get the words out. “I know I was hard on you for these past months,” she said. “And I’m glad that I was able to recover from my hatred and learn to understand your plight – perhaps we aren’t so different after all. But… now that we’ve become friends, it’s going to be hard to let you go.” “It’s not an easy decision for me,” I told Luna. “I’m glad that you’re able to understand what I’ve been going through even if it did take a long time to get the message across. I didn’t understand you very much either, but it feels like things have been opened for me, like I know more than I did before, and what had allowed me to see that was seeing what you had gone through and realizing things were hard for you.” “But you’re still going to go.” “Luna… I want to find a place to settle down. Somewhere where I can feel at home.” I shook my head, not wanting to say it but knowing that was how I felt. “This place isn’t it. Not in Canterlot, and not in Ponyville.” I expected Luna to be mad with me, but she was more upset than she was angry. “You… you saved me from my own jealousy and hatred. You’ve done more for me than I ever expected you to. I… I suppose the only way that I can pay you back at this point is to wish you luck on your way back home. Wherever that is.” I noticed Luna sniffling as she spoke, and I gently pulled her in for a hug. I stroked the soft fur, ran my hands through the cool, ethereal mane, and let her sit there and cry on my shoulder. “I don’t want you to leave…” she choked out through sobs. “I don’t want one of my best friends to go away. I’ve only really gotten to know you in such a short time, I don’t want it to be over just yet… Please, please don’t go…” “Hey… I’m still here. We can still be together while I’m here…” “It’s not the same…” It wouldn’t be. She knew that. I knew that. That night ended with the both of us lying down in the bed in my room in Twilight’s library, Luna pulling me close to her with a wing and never really falling asleep but quietly sobbing for a long while until she eventually calmed down as though the simple contact with me was enough to placate her. I could hear Shining Armor downstairs, and from the sound of it he wasn’t doing much better with the information, though eventually he too calmed down and the library became silent. * * * The day before the Summer Sun Celebration marked the ninetieth day that I had been in Equestria, and three months to the day since I had been brought here by Celestia’s magic. While Celestia and Luna left early in the morning to prepare some things in Canterlot, I walked around with Twilight Sparkle, who was checking out a list of things they needed for the celebration the next few days. The air was warm but not too warm, the sun shone bright and the clouds in the sky were cleared, which already had caused one item on Twilight’s list to be marked off: weather conditions. First stop was Sweet Apple Acres, where Applejack and Big Macintosh were to be helping to prepare food. They had with them a few family members from all over Equestria who had come for a combination of a reunion and the Summer Sun Celebration itself. Me and Twilight spent a good part of the morning tasting every little treat and desert the ponies had created, all of them being amazingly wonderful to the tongue. Since weather was already cleared – and Rainbow Dash with the weather team could be seen flying around Ponyville making sure that no more clouds entered for the festival – we headed off to town hall where Rarity was heading the decoration of the Town Hall and the square outside, which was filled with all sorts of fresh flowers and tables and ribbons and banners proclaiming the one thousand and fourth Summer Sun Celebration. I was wearing a set of the clothes I had gotten a few weeks ago from Rarity when we visited the Town Hall, and got an approving nod and batting of the eyelashes from the seamstress herself, though we left before she could make too much of a scene over me. Pinkie Pie was also bouncing around and being followed by a yellow and pink pegasus mare named Fluttershy. While shy, she did manage to squeak a couple of words out for an introduction and explained that she took care of animals on a cottage just outside of Ponyville and did take an interest in what I was (she’d never seen me or any other human before) and was really nice, she soon fell quiet while continuing her route with the bouncy Pinkie, who was setting up games and events with Fluttershy’s help. We returned to Twilight’s library in the early evening for a quick rest; since it was customary to stay up all night to watch Celestia raise the sun in the morning, Twilight figured it would be good to sleep for a little so that we had energy for the whole night. We each retired to our place, though it felt like I was awakened after only a very short period feeling like someone was watching me. I wasn’t far off: I opened a single eye to reveal a white unicorn with an electric blue mane a few inches away from my face and grinning at me; I apologized to Shining Armor later for the bruise that appeared on his nose. I went to the festivities with Twilight, Shining Armor, and Cadence. By the time we got there the celebrations were just getting started; the resident DJ Vinyl Scratch was playing music from all genres ranging from classical to techno to rock to jazz. Some ponies were out on the dance floor dancing to the music, while others were inside the Town Hall where lines of tables contained food and drink that ponies were already beginning to eat from. A few tables were also set up for cards and chess and checkers with extra seats for spectators. I met Spitfire there taking in the celebrations with a friend of hers from the Wonderbolts, a bright blue pegasus stallion named Soarin. We exchanged pleasantries for a minute before Spitfire pulled me aside to a quiet corner, and kissed me. Right on the lips, too. I hate to admit it felt good, but that Spitfire certainly knew her way around and didn’t beat around the bush about what she wanted. The kiss was followed by her asking me what I was going to do after the Summer Sun Celebration, which was followed by a hit when I told her Celestia was going to send me back home to Earth. She almost immediately realized what she did and apologized before inviting me dancing, which I agreed to. We danced for a few songs and grabbed some food and had a great time together before Spitfire wished me luck and gave me another kiss before going off to meet with some other of her friends that had arrived. As the night grew later more ponies arrived until the Town Hall and the central square was filled with ponies. It was around then that Luna arrived and wished to spend time with me. We danced for a little and I ate a little more while Luna got her first. We then joined Twilight and Shining Armor and Cadence for a game of chess: me versus Twilight. I lost spectacularly, though Twilight was impressed by how long I managed to last against her, a time that was only beaten by Celestia, who also happened to be the only pony who managed to actually beat her (and she did it as the black pieces). I grew exhausted as the night wore on and was thankful when the ponies started to all gather and take seats in the town square for the raising of the sun. Luna, who was by default taller than most ponies, laid down and allowed me to sit and rest on her back for the event, where we all sat in the crowd and watched as the first lights of morning began to spread across the horizon, covering us all in a faint orange and purple light as night for a short while blended with day in the early hours of morning. We listened to a short speech my Mayor Mare, the grey-haired mayor of Ponyville, before she invited Celestia onto the stage to raise the sun. The band sounded, the fanfare began, and Celestia began her ascent, rising higher and higher with each steady flap of her wings with the sun following her every move. As she reached a special emblem placed on top of a large pole that looked like a stylized sun with rays, she moved the sun into position at the center of the emblem and spread her wings out wide. There was a blinding flash of light as the sun reached its full power, shining brightly down on the city of Ponyville to the cheers and shouts of the ponies in the shadow of Celestia, herself merely a dark figure against the bright light of the sun. My journey in Equestria had come full circle. There were some more games and food to be had on what was the first day of summer and the longest day of the year. While we stayed up longer and I said farewells to a few ponies I had come to know, eventually I lay down on Luna’s back as she carried me back to the library to sleep after staying up all night. The others arrived later, and we all fell asleep for a few hours and spent most of the rest of the day lazing around the library. There was one more party to be had, though. When we were all awake again later that evening, Twilight took me, the Princesses, and Shining Armor to Sweet Apple Acres for a farewell party for me that included all present in our party as well as the rest of the Elements of Harmony and their close family members and friends, including Spitfire, the energetic Cutie Mark Crusaders, and the elderly Granny Smith. We all ate and drank and talked and played more games, though towards the end of the evening Big Macintosh called everyone to order for a speech, which was surprising considering most of them had hardly ever heard him utter more than an affirmative or negative response. “A long time ago,” Macintosh said, “we the Apple family were broken and not sure where to go. Our ancestors travelled across the countryside looking for a place to call home. With thanks to our Princess Celestia, she gave us a plot of land where Ponyville now stands and we braved the elements and the dangers to start a farm and rebuild our home. As Lucas leaves us to return to his own time and place, we wish him not only for save travels, but that he finds the home that he’s been searching for. Good luck, Lucas, and know that if you aren’t able to find a home elsewhere, our doors, our hooves, and our hearts are open to you.” Cheers were given with regards to Macintosh’s speech, though I told no one about the fact that I might not be able to come back. I went around and found myself given a hug by everyone at the party with the exception of Granny Smith, who went to bed as soon as Mac had finished speaking. Afterwards, when farewells were said, our troop went back to Twilight’s library to sleep for the night. Early in the morning, I left with the Princesses, Shining Armor, and Revenant Wings on the first train back to Canterlot. Twilight and her friends were there, as well, and they all said a final goodbye as I went on the train and I watched as waved and waved until the station was well out of sight. * * * I considered myself lucky when I realized that the day I was scheduled to go back was a Friday. It was nice if only to know that I would have the weekend to readjust back to the way things worked on Earth, as well as have a little time to rest before the work week began again. I left most of the things that I had obtained during my time in Equestria in my room as opposed to taking them with me, though I did take with me the set of earthen-colored clothes that Rarity had made, figuring it wouldn’t be bad to take something somewhat formal. When Celestia was ready to perform the spell, Revenant Wings led me from the suite I originally had in Canterlot and walked me on my last time through the halls. It was strange, going through all of this, to never be able to see these castle walls again, the walls that had become a temporary home for the last three months. I noticed a lot of the guards looking at me, a few even stopping as though questioning why I wasn’t going about my usual business. I passed the gardens and found that many of the flowers were in bloom. The sun was high in the sky as though ready to see me off. In the main hall where the spell was to be performed stood Princess Celestia, Princess Cadence, Shining Armor, and a few members of the guard. Luna was not there; to lessen the impact of my leaving, I had told her not to be there so that she didn’t actively see me leave. She was currently in her suite, I assume either sleeping or doing some sort of work to keep her preoccupied. I gave one final hug to Cadence and Shining Armor as I approached them. “Thank you for all you’ve done.” “It’s not easy to see you go,” Shining Armor said. “We’ll miss you,” Cadence said. “We all will.” I smiled and nodded before turning to Revenant Wings. “Thanks for sticking by me.” “It’s been an honor, sir,” Revenant replied, and saluted me. I saluted him back, then turned to Celestia. “Princess Celestia, while it was a rewarding experience being here in Equestria and seeing something new, I am ready to go back to Earth again.” Princess Celestia nodded. “Tell me what you remember, then I will fill in the gaps.” “My name is Lucas, last name unknown. My mother was a kind woman but often distant, while my father was often a raging alcoholic. I had a younger sister that I loved and who loved me in return, but she left to go live with our grandparents to escape conflict at home. I flunked out of school the first time but took remedial classes and gained a high school degree one year later than most. Not much later, I ran away from home after a particularly vicious fight with my parents. Three years later… you came along.” Princess Celestia nodded. “During the three year gap you have in your memory, you went from shelter to shelter trying to find a place to settle down. You managed to find a cheap apartment with government assistance and a job soon after. You had been living in the apartment for two years and had a job as a factory worker during that time. However, since you had recently turned twenty-one when you got the apartment, you often drank after work, draining a fair amount of your already scant funds. When I came to Earth and found you, you were suffering from depression and had distanced yourself from your family, in addition to having no friends.” I stood firm. “Do you still want to go back?” “I had managed to make it on my own at an early age. I think I could do it again.” Princess Celestia nodded. “I hope you know what you’re doing.” Her horn began to glow the yellow color and she began flapping her wings to carry her into the air. I could feel a tingle of energy as her magic surrounded me, covering me in the golden light. “Farewe—” “WAIT!” The glow faded, the tingling left, and Princess Celestia dropped back down to the floor. I turned around to see Luna standing at the entrance of the room, panting as though out of breath as she trotted over to where I was. “Lucas… there’s something you have to know…” “Princess Luna,” Celestia said. “I understand your feelings for him, but you interrupted the spell I was trying to do to send him back.” “That was my intent.” I looked at her confused. “Why?” “There’s something about that spell we all overlooked.” I looked over to Princess Celestia, who was as confused as I was, then turned back to Luna. “You mean… about the spell to send me back?” Princess Luna nodded. “…you can’t go back. Not because the spell is impossible, but because of what happens when you get there. The memories people will have of you will essentially be blank or non-existent and you won’t even be able to return home or access any account; not even ID cards will be useful since your name won’t even exist on the books. Being brought here… it’s like you’ve been erased from that reality.” It felt like she was being jealous; that she didn’t want me to leave and was attempting to sabotage it not for my sake but for hers. “…I don’t believe you,” I said. Princess Celestia seemed to share my thoughts. “Where did you find this information?” she asked. “In the book by Star-Swirl the Bearded, the one who created the spell,” Princess Luna said. Her horn glowed blue and she pulled a book with a silver star on the cover and levitated it over to Princess Celestia and me. I read it aloud for the whole hall to hear: Notes for the dimensional transportation spell in the fiftieth year after the Nightmare Moon incident: one of the humans has been here for two years and misses his family, so after the successful completion of the transportation spell, I have figured I could go ahead and send him back. The teleportation of both the human and myself was fine, and so I returned home to Equestria. I returned a few months later to see how the human was doing, and he was glad that I had come; he was in jail for being an illegal, with people not remembering who he was before the time he was there, and the only way he remembered me was because I came from Equestria as he had before; the other people there had not remembered me or my name despite previous introductions. I went and searched a few of the personal records of the city and found that he was correct; no such name was in their books for residency or his bank account despite that being the city and state of birth on his ID card. Out of pity and desperation, I went ahead and teleported him back to Equestria, though I fear what may have happened to him if I had not acted sooner. My heart dropped so much I felt like I was going to be sick. “But…” Princess Celestia was hardly able to get any words out herself. “I’m sorry, Lucas,” Luna said. “If this wasn’t going to happen, I would have wished you luck and not interfered. But… I couldn’t let you go back. Not after reading that.” I looked over to Celestia. “Please,” I begged her. “Please tell me I’m seeing things.” “No…” Celestia barely managed to say. “No, you’re not seeing things. Not when the evidence is clearly in front of my face.” My brain went on shutdown. I couldn’t think clearly, I couldn’t feel anything, and I couldn’t move. I was paralyzed. I couldn’t go home… I couldn’t return back to Earth. I was forced to stay in Equestria, the only place where someone would know me or recognize me. I started walking out of the hall in a daze. “Lucas, wait!” I heard Luna call. “If any of you need me,” I called back, “I’ll be in my room. I… I don’t know what to feel right now.” I left the hall, closing the doors behind me, and walked in a daze up to my room, where I laid down on the bed and stared up at the moon on the ceiling, completely unresponsive for the rest of the day.