//------------------------------// // 2: The Reaction // Story: A Whole New Responsibility // by Flanagan //------------------------------// I stayed frozen for a few seconds as my brain tried to process the two words I just heard come out of Luna’s mouth. Did she really just say that? Or are my headaches getting so bad I’m hallucinating events. After realizing that there was no throbbing pain I realized that this was no dream, this was real. This was all terrifyingly real. “You’re WHAT?” my voice cracked after I managed to stomach the first spoonful of cereal. “I’m pregnant!” Luna repeated with absolute cheer, wrapping me up in her arms yet again. “Y-you’re joking right?” I asked, staring at her blankly. “This is something your sister put you up to… right?” I looked over to Celestia, hoping to see her fighting back a laugh. But all I saw nothing but pure shock in her eyes. This was just as much a surprise to her as it was to me. “You would believe I would ever joke about something so serious?” Luna asked insulted as she hopped out of my lap. “Are you not excited?” “Uh…Well… I-uh…” I stammered trying to find the right words, but before I could form a proper sentence in my mind I got an earful myself. “Y-you’re not happy?” Luna said taking a few steps backwards. “I… I…” “Luna…” I said calmly getting up, “Luna let me-“ “I THOUGHT YOU WOULD BE HAPPY FOR US!” she roared, fighting back tears. “I THOUGHT YOU OF ALL IN THE ENTIRE KINGDOM WOULD LOVE SUCH AN ANNOUNCEMENT!” Before I could said anything Luna ran out of the dining hall, tears streaming down her face as she slammed the titanic doors behind her. I tried to run after her, but a force from behind me held me in place. No matter how hard I fought, no matter how much I shook to break free it maintained its grip without any sign of strain. I looked behind myself to see Celestia’s outstretched hand, similar to the way she did when I first met her. “LET ME GO!” I yelled as she pulled me back to her. “I NEED to talk to her, I want her to know that I-“ “You are the last person she wishes to speak to right know.” Celestia said shaking her head. “It is best to let her calm down before you try to apologize.” In my head I knew that she was right, but my damn heart was yelling at me to run after her and apologize that instant. (Damn you conflicting emotions…) Eventually, through sheer exhaustion my head won. Upon seeing that I had silently agreed with her Celestia released me from her grasp, allowing me to be free once more. What she did next however threw me for a loop. With the quick and precise snap of her fingers the dining halls doors locked simultaneously, the windows all became shuttered at once and the table shrank down to a size that only two people could sit at. Before I could ask her anything she waved her hand again, magically pushing out the seat opposite of her and gestured for me to sit down. Knowing I really didn’t have much of a choice I staggered towards the chair and fell into it, facing Celestia and whatever she had to say. “Look I wasn’t-“ “Are you okay?” Celestia asked, surprising me. “I’m sorry…” I said rubbing my ears, “what?” “Are you okay?” Celestia repeated, resting her elbows on the table. “I want to know if you’re okay.” “I’m fine I guess…” I said shrugging my shoulders, “Why are you even-“ “You don’t have to lie to me Aedan.” Celestia interrupted. “I saw the look on your face when she told you.” I was silent for a few seconds, but that all changed after I took a deep breath. “I wasn’t ready to hear that…” I sighed. “Maybe if I was older, maybe if we were actually planning… I don’t know, but of all the things on this earth that I didn’t want to hear… that was it.” After I took another breath I looked to Celestia with misty eyes. “I’m not ready to be a father…” “I don’t think anyone’s ever truly ready Aedan. You’ll just have to be as prepared as you can.” Celestia replied calmly, placing her hand on mine. “I’m sure that Luna and I’s parents weren’t exactly ready when I came along.” “Says the one who’s essentially God here…” I grumbled, “I’m just a normal man!” “No you’re not.” Celestia said sternly. “You are the one thing to Luna that nothing has ever been.” “And what’s that?” “You are her heart, the one thing she loves so much that she would selflessly give anything for.” Celestia answered. “And I know for a fact that you feel the same way about her.” “Well I sure as hell don’t feel like that right now…” I said lowering my head. “I can’t believe I said those things…” “You were just as shocked as I was.” Celestia assured, gently grabbing my hand. “I’m sure she knows you meant nothing by it.” “Really?” I said slightly insulted. “Because after I said that stuff she ran out of here with tears in her eyes, I doubt she thinks I meant nothing by it.” “That wasn’t really what I was trying to say.” Celestia said with a sigh. “What I’m trying to say is that the two of you really do love each other, apparently enough to create new life. There is no love stronger then that kind.” “You know…” I said growing a smile as I held her hand. “Luna always says I’m the one who knows what to say and when to say it…” “I’ve been around long enough to know what I need to say, Aedan.” Celestia replied with a nod. “And I know what can happen if nothing is ever said…” “I’ll take your word on that.” I said looking to the door. “But that still doesn’t explain how she’s pregnant.” “I thought you knew how those things worked…” Celestia said, snapping her fingers to make a book appear. “You see it’s quite simple… you just-“ “I know how it’s done!” I scoffed. “I’ve been doing that since I was sixte… You’re messing with me again aren’t you?” “Sometimes you’re way to easy…” she replied with a sarcastic grin, putting the book down. “Besides I thought you could use some humor.” “What would happen if everyone knew you were like this?” “It’s best not to think about it.” Celestia replied shrugging her shoulders. “But my sister conceiving is certainly peculiar…” “Well no shit.” I grunted, “I’m not even from the same species, let alone reality…” “I could call upon my protégé…” Celestia suggested. “She might have the means to get the answer we seek.” “I normally don’t care much for her ‘tests’.” I said shuttering at the thought of the last one she performed on me. “But this is one I’ll take.” I looked to the still locked doors to the rest of the castle and then back to Celestia. “But first…” “I’m not going to stop you.” Celestia said as she snapped her fingers once more, setting the dining hall back to the way it was. “She needs you right now.” “Thanks Celestia.” I said before running to the double doors. “You know I’m always here if you need Me.” she said waving as I disappeared into the castle halls. I ran as fast as my legs could carry me. There were a lot of things I needed to make up for in the past half hour. Hopefully I wouldn’t be too late to make up for it. I finally arrived at the familiar moon adorned double doors that lead to our room. But as I placed my hand on one of them a sudden thought popped into my head. “What if she’s not here?” I asked myself before pushing the door open. She could have just as easily come here as anywhere else in the castle and then there was her teleporting. She couldn’t go as far away as she could if she were a pony, but it could certainly make it harder for me to find her. Given the area she could now possibly be in was the size of Canterlot and then some. The sound of hoof steps approaching broke my train of thought. I spun around expecting to see someone like that jerk of a guard and some of his buddies. It wouldn’t have been the first time, unicorn nobles have been very vocal about me staying in the castle and my relationship with Luna. Some going even so far as to say that I wasn’t allowed to see her because I was not of noble blood. Fortunately Celestia managed to find a very old document, even predating Canterlot itself. Saying that one of royal birth, even if he or she was a princess or prince could take a royal consort. However even with it being technically legal they still hated me, because I wasn’t a unicorn. There was even a point that some of them tried to have me replaced with either themselves of their sons, but again that was shut down. For the document also stated that any sentient species was applicable and luckily for me, I can think. “Lord Ryan?” A voice questioned from behind me. “What are doing here?” I knew that voice. It was the voice of someone I knew to be a friend. “Night Wing?” “Yes Lord Ryan.” He replied with a salute. “How may I aide you?” “For starters you can just call me Aedan.” I said, “Second I’d like to know how you always sneak up on me?” “As one of the ten remaining night guards I must always be at the top of my training.” He said with a stoic pride that I could relate to. “That and stealth is my specialty.” “Well that’s nice, but have you seen Luna?” I asked finally opening the door. “I need to speak with her.” “Oddly enough I was about to ask you the same question.” He replied. “She has yet to show up for her royal duties.” “Isn’t it your job to keep an eye on her twenty-four seven?” I asked walking into the now dark room. “It was until you showed up.” “What’s that supposed to mean?” “You obviously don’t remember the Star Rider incident…” he said with a smug grin. “Oh… that… yeah…” I said pausing in my search for the lights. (Poor girl thought someone was trying to murder Luna… she was very wrong.) “That was three months ago.” “And she still has nightmares…” Night Wing chuckled, flipping the switch. Light filled the room as the two of us surveyed the area. But alas, there was sign of Luna, leaving the two of us to wonder where she had gone. “She couldn’t have gone far…” Night Wing said looking into the bathroom. “I mean the moon’s up, so that means she’s gotta be somewhere.” “Yeah but where?” I said walking out to the balcony. “Why did I have to be so stupid…?” “What’s that?” Night Wing said poking his head out to the balcony. “I didn’t quite catch that last part.” “Something I said to her earlier today…” I sighed lightly punching the railing. “Or something I didn’t say to be more accurate…” “And that was?” “I don’t think you’d want to hear about it…” I replied shuffling back into the bedroom. “I really don’t want to be reminded about how much of a moron I am.” “And here I thought we were friends…” Night Wing said with a chuckle. “This isn’t a joke Night Wing…” I growled, clinching my fists. “She tells me she’s pregnant and I’m too stupid to tell her I’m happy?!” Instead of going for a physical outburst towards the innocent wall I slapped both hands on my face and drug them down as slowly as I could. In doing this I saw out of the corner of my eye that Night Wing’s face was one of absolute shock, like he had just seen the devil. Finally I slumped onto out bed head hung low as the sound of hooves approach ever closer. “I-is… is it true?” Night Wing stuttered, still in a state of shock. “I didn’t say it clear enough?” I grunted, not bothering to look at him. “Yes… Luna’s now an expecting mother…” “This… this is glorious news Lord Ryan!” Night Wing exclaimed patting me on the back. “I’ll tell the other guards this instant! A celebr-“ “No you won’t…” I interrupted. “At least not until I make amends… and stop calling me Lord Ryan… Aedan’s worked just fine the past twenty five years.” “As you wish Lord-I mean Aedan…” Night Wing replied nodding. “But what do you mean by make amends?” “You really don’t listen well do you?” “I have selective hearing at times, Aedan.” He replied with a smile, revealing his fangs. “And when my I hear my lady is expecting I tend to block out the other words.” “I guess I can’t blame you for that…” I replied taking a deep breath, “But Luna ran off right after she told me… because I didn’t look or sound all too pleased with the news.” “Wow…” he said taking a seat himself. “That was stupid of you…” I turned to him with quite possibly the least entertained face in the history of reality. “You think?” I grunted. “I know I know…” he said passively waving his hooves. “I’ll stop… but that won’t help us find her.” “You act like I don’t know that either…” I sighed. “But there are so many places she could’ve gone…” “Is there any place special to her you could think of?” Night Wing asked. “Somewhere that’s special to both of you?” “Well…” I said scratching my head, “there is-” A light bulb suddenly went off in my head. Rising quickly I bolted to the doors and ripped them open without as much as a thought. However in my excitement I did forget that there was someone else in there with me. “Aedan!” Night Wing yelled. “Where in Tartarus are you going?!” “I’m going to find Luna…” I said under my breath as I flew down the hall, “and pray to God she forgives me.” Close to fifteen minutes later I found myself in the royal gardens, pushing my way through bushes that had now overgrown the path. I knew she had to be out here, it was the only place that held equal importance to the both of us. A few more minutes passed and I finally burst into a familiar clearing, one that had faintly glowing blue water. “What took you so long?” the voice I wanted to hear most suddenly said. I looked up to the highest pillar to see Luna basking in the moonlight. “I had to get some sense knocked into me…” I replied smiling like an idiot. “Well I hope it did you some good.” She replied gently hoping from pillar to pillar. “I think it did…” I nodded, walking to the water’s edge. I stood there in quiet admiration of the beauty making her way down the pillar-like stones at the center of the pond. She really was graceful, and the way the water reflected off her body and dress gave her an angelic touch the likes of which no one could come close to. She finally stopped at the last stone, just at the water’s edge. The two of us stood there staring at one another across the glowing divide, waiting for something to happen. It seemed like a forever before either one of us moved, but when we did it was in perfect unison. The once still pool began to ripple uncontrollably as we came closer and closer to one another, picking up our speed until finally. We met in a splash that soaked the both of us, some halfway between the edges of our respective starting points. “I’m so sorry I acted like that…” I said pulling her in tighter. “I’m so sorry…” “I’m sorry too.” Luna replied much to my surprise. “I overreacted… I should have expected a reaction like that out of you.” “That doesn’t make it look better Luna…” I said looking down to her. “In fact you knowing that makes it sound worse.” “Maybe…” Luna said looking up to me with a smile while she drew circles on my chest. “But at least it means I know you.” “Just like I know how excited you are for this?” I said with a smile. “Just as excited when I first said I loved you?” Luna suddenly stopped drawing circles on me and pulled my head down to hers. The resulting kiss nearly made my legs buckle, but after regaining my footing I decided to strike back with a vengeance. We stood there locked in lip to lip combat for nearly a minute, until Luna decided to call a cease fire. “You’re damn right…” she whispered with bedroom eyes. I pulled her into me yet again resting my chin on her head as we began to gently sway in the water. No words needed to be said, our actions spoke volumes for themselves. The two of us got so into the moment I actually twirled her around two where her back was against my chest and my arms wrapped around her while we continued to sway to the rhythm of own music. The laugh that came from her lips was just about the most beautiful thing I could ever hear and that included the delicate chirps of the royal crickets. (Okay, they weren’t royal. But they were crickets… in a royal garden.) “Do you know why I chose this place?” Luna asked, breaking the silence among us. “Yes…” I replied looking down to her. “This is where you bound my soul to yours.” “And I became yours…” she whispered, slowly sliding her hand up my arm. “I like to think of it the other way around.” I said with a chuckle. “After all you ARE the power in this couple.” Luna let out another laugh as her other hand followed the first up my other arm. But this time instead of gently resting it on my shoulder, she gave it a quick, yet firm squeeze. “This wasn’t just the place where we entangled our souls Aedan.” She said in a romantic tone. “This is also where I gave myself to you… for the first time…” “More like first three times…” I said smugly, “You didn’t have much endurance back then… Hell, you still don't.” The following playful slap was deserved, so I took it in stride. But the following deep sigh was something I wasn’t expecting. Seconds later Luna’s hands slid down my arms and pulled my hands to her now flat stomach. “A youngling…” she said with a joyful tear, “We’re bringing a youngling into the world… I… I can hardly believe it…” “You’re not the only one Luna…” I said before kissing the top of her head. “And I’m sure the rest of the world will be just as happy for you.” “Do you think we’ll be ready?” she asked looking up to me. “Will we be good… parents?” “Luna…” I said looking to the moon. “I doubt anyone is ever really ready… We just need to be prepared as we can be.” (Thank you for the quote Celestia, but you’ll get no credit on this day.) “Always know what to say…” “And exactly when to say it…” Luna spun around to face me once more, wrapping her arms around my waist lovingly. “Let’s go back to the castle.” “I’m with you on that.” I replied, scooping her up in my arms. “But we can’t have a lady expecting straining herself.” “Such a gentleman…” Luna replied giving me a quick peck on the cheek. “I’d normally walk myself, but if you insist…” “Oh I do.” I said with a smile. “And you aren’t changing my mind.” “Well in that case…” Luna said smiling deviantly, “I’d suggest you get to it.” “By your word my lady…” I said taking the first of many steps. As I traveled back to the castle my mind started to race yet again. I wasn’t just carrying the woman I had fell in love with anymore, I was carrying the woman that was carrying my legacy. The thought still terrified me, but I needed to be strong for her. Because I know for a fact. If life changing events happen when Luna is involved, they are bound to be interesting.