//------------------------------// // Chapter 2 // Story: Day of the Moon // by Next Gen Wonderbolt //------------------------------// The ride to Manehatten was certainly long of and was incredibly boring. Luna was glancing out the window, looking at the trees as they fly by. Scenery made into blurs from the train's speed. The bumps of the train were making it a bit uncomfortable, but do able no less. The princess was looking at the clouds making shapes out of them. That one looks like a pegasus. That one looks like a crown. and that one looks like a moon. Luna continued to make shapes out of the clouds, for a while before getting bored and looking over to her traveling companion. Philomena was sleeping soundly, her wings twitching every now and again and she was perched on the back of the seat in front of her. No doubt Luna found it adorable, and decided to let the phoenix sleep soundly. She already had questions in her mind for when she found her parents. Yes when, not if, when she found them. She vowed that she would find them and that she would find out the truth to her orphanage. The questions were buzzing around in her head like angry bees. They were relentless. Why did they abandon me? Who am I really? Luna gave a sigh of frustration, she couldn't help but feel angry at her parents! Being abandoned in itself is one thing, but at least responsible parents would leave their child at an orphanage! Not in the castle gardens in Canterlot! Who does that?! Luna had tears in her eyes, just the act of leaving her depressed her. She was shaken out of her thoughts, by a feather tickling her nose, the sensation building up inside of her begging for release. Luna eventually gave in and began laughing uncontrollably, drawing stares from the ponies around her probably thinking that one of the royal sisters had gone insane. They all realized that the cause of the laughter was the bird tickling her nose. Luna got her laughter under control and smiled, Philomena lifting her spirits. Philomena left her perch on the alicorn and settled for the seat across from her. Luna was grateful for her traveling companion, and she wouldn't have wanted anyone else. They both sat there waiting for the train to reach their destination. It went on for a while longer, when finally Luna heard the hiss of the brakes signal the end of their travel to the city of Manehatten. Luna departed from the train onto the platform, the city of skyscrapers in sight. Philomena took her perch on the alicorn's back, keeping a watchful eye out. Luna grabbed her saddlebags and laced them up on her back. She pulled out the address, engulfing it in her signature blue aura. Now in unknown territory, Luna proceeded to a directory trying to find a map. She started asking local ponies for directions, each one respectfully bowing before answering. "Excuse me miss, but I have a question." The magenta unicorn she was talking to bowed and answered to the princess. "Sure Princess Luna, what can I do for you?" "I need some help finding this address" Luna showed the pony the address and she directed her. "Hmmm. Ok so you want to go towards the theater, then take a left until you reach city hall. Take a right from there and you should run into it, and if you hit the bank then you've gone too far." Luna had gotten every single word surprisingly enough, and know knew where to go. She thanked the pony for her assistance and made her way towards the theater. She glanced up at the tall buildings, they seemed to be like guardians of the city watching over her people. The streets were crowded and she was bumped into a couple of times, jealous that Philomena could fly and was hovering above her. Then she facehoofed realizing that she has wings of her own that she can use. Luna decided against it though because unlike Ponyvile, the population here was high, and a take off required some space to which she had none in the street. Eventually she found her way to the theater and stopped to take a break. Philomena had landed next to her on the sign that was advertising plays. Luna looked around for a while, glancing at the ponies sill running the street. "This is so much different than Canterlot isn't it, Philomena?" The bird just cawed in response, and Luna laughed a little. "Ok then, now where did she say to go from the theater? Was it left, or right?" Luna put her hoof to her chin in thought trying to remember the conversation. You wanna head towards the theater and make a left... Luna, now knowing her choice, made her way down the street to her left. Her next stop was city hall. Now in the area she was in it wasn't as crowded so she could have plenty of room, but not enough to fly up without knocking somepony out. Luna gave a sigh of frustration, she was very impatient and didn't want to waste time in the horde of ponies in the road. Luna kept going, passing apartments and houses along the way. City hall came into view and she was immediately excited, her parents house getting closer and closer by the minute. But another landmark came into view as well. It was the park! Luna decided that her parents could wait a little bit as she went towards the park to relax a bit. She found a bench and sat down, just enjoying the sunny weather. Philomena also took her perch next to her alicorn companion, sitting atop the bench on the back railing. She was enjoying the scenery, the trees dancing in the wind. The leaves singing along, the cool summer breeze sprinting through the park. She looked over and saw a family playing at the playground. One purple unicorn was swinging while her father, a red pegasus, was pushing her. The filly was laughing while her dad pushed her higher and higher, the two enjoying their time together. The mother, who was a purple unicorn also, walked over to her husband and they shared a light kiss, both smiling at their daughter. Luna fought back tears, knowing that what the little filly had, she could never obtain. She still had a family at her age, Luna did not. It was too painful, clenching her eyes shut, Luna trotted away from the family and her spot. Philomena also took off from her perch and followed her, flying at her eye level. The two made it to city hall and did as they were instructed. Luna had once again forgotten what the mare before had told her, but it came back to her in no time. Take a right at city hall, and you should run into it. and if you hit the bank you've gone too far... "Ok so right, come on Philomena." The phoenix responded with another caw, and the pair continued their journey to the truth. Taking the right at city hall had lead them into a shady part of town. Most of the buildings had graffiti and were visualy destroyed. Some graffiti was just one word phrases like faith, freedom, and hate. But one piece of graffiti, no art, stood out to her. In big sharp letters was the phrase "Unleash your true self." Luna thought about it for a moment, admiring the craftsmen ship and the technique used to create it. The word 'Unleash' was covered with scratch marks, and the words 'true' and 'self' had fauna around it. It looked like a true work of art, obviously the handy work of some pony who has the natural talent. Luna continued forward though, leaving the artwork to be admired. It truly was a shame that some pony as talented as that would do such beautiful work, and not get recognized. Eventually she came upon the house she was looking for. It was worn down, a lot to the point where it didn't even look like a house anymore. The paint was chipping and the roof was missing some shingles. Philomena started cawing angrily at the deathtrap, scared to even go inside. Luna pushed forward though, she needed answers no matter what. Stepping up to the house, or a shack, she took her first steps on the stairs to the patio. The wood creaked loudly and she winced at the loudness of the steps. They could have collapsed at any point, she knew that, but her determination pressed her on. Stepping onto the patio and right in front of the door that would decide it all. Shaking, Luna looked back to the street. Philomena was sitting in a tree, not daring to go inside. Taking a deep breath she reached out slowly and very slowly. She pressed on the door knob, looking back one last time. She could still back out! She could forget everything and go back. She shook the thoughts, it was better knowing the truth than living a lie. She looked back towards the door. She took another deep breath. And pushed it open.