Last Lunar Chapter 2: Midnight Gift
After Luna's departure I head back to the house and wake Fluttershy. We have a sleepy exchange and I lead her groggily inside and into her bed. After tucking her in and kissing her good night I head out. I love walking around Ponyville at night. It's so peaceful, so quiet. Not that I mind other ponies during the day or anything. I just don't like crowds. While walking I think about what Luna said. I have to tell Fluttershy the truth about me. I just don't know how. Stopping on the bridge in the middle of town, I lean on the rail for a moment looking up at the night sky.
"Mom, I wish you where here. I could really use some advice right now." A single tear pushes its way out of my eye and falls into the water below. "I'm a bit lost." I stop and think what my mother would tell me right now. A chuckle escapes my lips as I imagine her answer. 'Suck it up! You lover her right? Good. Then tell her.' And she would give me that cocky grin that makes Rainbow Dash's look timid. She was never known for her subtlety. That, I get from my dad. *Sigh*.
Walking home is always kind of sad for me. Fluttershy and I have been talking about moving in together for a while now, and I hate to leave her alone. It's just that I have to find someone to move into my old place first. South needs someone to help cover the rent. And speaking of South, he's not exactly against me moving out but lets just say he's not happy. Though he did say he would be happy to have someone who wont keep him up all night. Which I took as 'OK OK. I get it, just don't be a stranger.' He's weird like that, but he's a good guy. Can't handle a drop of cider though, HehHeh.
I'm pulled from my thoughts by a hoot. Without noticing I had walked to Twilight's library. Seeing Owlichous hooting at me from the second story window tells me that Twilight is still awake. If anypony understands staying up late for no reason better than me it's Twilight. Hell if there's anypony who'd understand any of this better than me it's Twilight.
"Hmm, maybe I should ask Twilight." I say aloud to no one. Unexpectedly, I receive an answer from a smiling Twilight hovering about eight feet above my head.
"Ask me what?"
"Ah!" I yelp in surprise stumbling back. Twilight lands in front of me and gives me a hoof up trying to stifle a giggle
.
"Sorry if I startled you." She says laughing.
"You nearly gave me a heart attack!" I whisper/shout trying to calm my racing heart. I don't do well with surprises. Though I do enjoy a good scary story.
"So anyway, what'd you want to ask me?" She pushes not letting the point slip away.
"Erm, I didn't mean to say that out loud." I rub my hoof on my foreleg nervously.
"Well, you can still ask me. We are friends right?" I nod. "Come inside, I was just finishing up reorganizing the reference section." She leads me in and I sit out of the way while she puts the last books back on their shelves. When she finishes she sits across from me and looks me in the eye for a moment before speaking. "Is it something about Fluttershy?"
I look away and take a breath. "Yea, kind of. I.....I need a little advice."
"OK sure, whats on your mind?"
"I'm not sure how to tell her something. Something important about me."
She tilts her head at my cryptic answer. "Something like what?"
"It's.... kind of a long, complicated story."
"Well, I don't have anything else to do tonight, so try me." Her friendly smile puts me a bit more at ease.
"OK. I'm..... Well." I rub my eyes and try to collect my thoughts. "Wow this really isn't easy to explain. Heh. Do you know anything about the Lunar Empire?"
"Yes. It was a city state created by Princes Luna in secret after the defeat of Discord. She hoped to create an empire where the orphans left from the dark age when Discord ruled could grow and live in peace. She hid its existence from Princes Celestia who opposed the idea saying it would divide the already weaken pony nations even further. It lasted over seven hundred years until Princes Luna was corrupted by darkness and became Nightmare Moon. Celestia was forced to imprison her in the moon and with out a leader the Lunar Empire broke apart." She recites the lines from memory exactly as they were written in my fathers findings. "Your parents where the leading experts on it. I mean they literally wrote the book on it right?"
"Yes, but," Here goes nothing, "That's not all true." She quirks an eyebrow but remains silent, waiting for me to go on. "First off, yes the Empire was created by Luna after the defeat of Discord, and yes it was made up of rescued orphans. But the ponies of the empire already had a strong connection to Luna."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, they were ponies that Luna had watched over in the dark times. She guided them through their hardships and nightmares. She became, in a way, their surrogate mother. Even before Luna and Celestia defeated Discord they were already Lunar, ponies that looked to Luna, not Celestia, for leadership. The formation of the Empire was inevitable and it actually came at the request of these ponies, not Luna herself."
"How do you know this?"
I knew that was coming. "I'll get to that in a moment."
"OK?" She says a little perplexed.
"Second, because of their connection to Luna and her night they were able to learn a lost form of magic. A magic only able to be performed at night and believed before hand to only be possessed by Luna herself."
"But there are only two kinds of magic, unicorn and alicorn."
"There is a third one that any pony race can perform. Lunar magic."
"I've never heard of that."
"Well there's a reason for that. When Luna was banished to the moon the Empire didn't just beak apart, it tore it self to pieces. Without a leader and no true heir to the throne it was only a matter of time before tensions would break. The ensuing civil war ravaged the Empire. The survivors were scattered to the four winds and all traces of the once great nation were buried by time. It was common belief that all the Lunar mages died in the war ,and with Luna gone, that Lunar magic was forever lost."
"But?"
"But, one mage is known to have escaped. She fled to northern Equestria where she made a new home and built a new family. And over the generations she past on the teachings of the Lunar to her children, and they to theirs, and so on and so forth. Until a," HeHe, "rather adventurous young filly decided to leave the north in search of something more. That filly's name was Aurora Eclipse."
Gasp "Your mother?"
"Yes. Because the teachings of the Lunar schools had been passed down her blood line she knew where the Empire was once located and she decided to start there. But when she arrived she was surprised to find a young archaeologist excavating the sight. She introduced herself as an expert on Lunar culture and offered her services as a translator. But the archaeologist was sharper than he looked. He quickly realized her knowledge far exceeded anypony else's. She confessed to him the truth and they became partners. Together they unearthed the history of The Lunar and eventually they uncovered their own budding romance."
"So the archaeologist was your Father?" She says dreamily. Twilight is a sucker for a love story.
"Yep. After five years on the dig they published their findings, minus the information I'm telling you now, and settled down here in Ponyville."
"That means, you're a descendant of the Lunar."
"The last, according to Lady Luna."
"OK," She takes a minute to processes all this. "But why do you have to tell Fluttershy so badly?"
*Sigh* As sharp as ever. "Yea about that." I rub the back of my neck. "I'm both the last Lunar descendant and the last bearer of the marks of the Lunar chosen."
"Oh, OK....... Wait, What?"
"Yea this is were it gets even more complicated. I was born with these magical markings that both give me the ability to perform Lunar magic and signal the coming of.....something."
"Uhh, This is kind of a lot to take in. So you can perform magic, even though your a pegasus?"
"Yes. But not the same kind as you. I can only use it at night, and it's more powerful during a full moon."
"OK. But what do you mean something?"
"I don't know. Lady Luna wont give me a strait answer. I don't think she knows ether." A bit of frustration creeps into my voice. "You see I'm also the first to be born with this power in over six hundred years."
"Wow, that is........ something."
"Yea. Now you see why I don't know how to tell Fluttershy. But I have to, I need to. I don't want her to feel like I was hiding it from her so she would like me or something. That's why I have to tell her."
She leans back and thinks for a moment.
"So about telling Fluttershy."
"Yea?" My ears perk up a bit.
"I think you should just tell her. I understand whats going on, and if you explain it as well as you did to me she'll understand too. Though I don't know why your so nervous. She's the most understanding pony I know."
"Yea, I know. But I also don't want to, I don't know, scare her."
She puts a hoof on my shoulder. "I could tell her for you."
"No. That wouldn't be right. I need to be the one to tell her."
"OK...... Well, I Pinkie promise not to tell anyone what you've told me tonight." She holds up her hoof and swears.
"That wont be necessary." I say looking away, ashamed.
"What do you mean?"
"Well, you wont remember any of this anyway."
She considers this for a moment. "Are you going to wipe my memory or something."
"No, no. I could never do something like that to a friend. The thing is....... you rarely remember a dream once you've woken up."
...
Twilight gasps awake. She had fallen asleep at her desk, again. Through bleary sleep deprived eyes she takes in the dim library interior. Owlichous is siting on his perch near by pruning his feathers. Spike is sleeping soundly in his little bed, and her candle was almost burned down all the way. Great, that's another store she'll have to visit in the morning. As she blows out the candle and begins heading up stairs to her loft she pauses. The feeling that shes forgetting something important nags at the back of her mind. With wide eyes she runs back over to her desk, almost tripping over spike in the process, and marks the page she left off on.
"That was a close one."
.......
I open my eyes feeling both relieved and guilty for what I did. I needed someone to talk to. Still I probably shouldn't have used Twilight like that. She just seemed like the best pony to confide in. And she was helpful, but I'm still conflicted. I walk over and look out my bedroom window. The sky's starting to lighten as morning draws near. A rather powerful yawn escapes as I fall back into my bed. "Onimancy always takes allot out of me. I'll just take a little nap." And with that I'm out like a light just as the sun peaks over the horizon.
.......
A loud knocking at my door wakes me from a dreamless sleep. Why dreamless you ask? Oh, you didn’t? Oh well, I’ll tell you anyway. Lunar magic has it's down sides. Unlike unicorn and alicorn magic who's price is energy, Lunar magic requires various sacrifices to use. The spell that I used the night before cost me my dreams for a week. Anyway, I stumble over and open my door to find South glaring at me.
"What?" I ask annoyed at being woken up so early. Well, it’s like noon but you get what I mean.
"Your soposed to be up, that's what."
"Really? Why?"
"You said you'd come with me to go see Zecora. Remember?"
"Hmmm, nope." And I close the door. He starts banging again and I open it back up with a smile. "Yyyeeessss?"
"Don't give me that. Just get up I've got other things to do today."
"Why do you need me to come again?" I ask wiping the sleep from my eyes.
"Because you know the Everfree forest like the back of your hoof."
"Ohhhh. So it’s not because your scared of Zecora?"
"Am not!"
"OK OK." I say laughing and holding up a hoof. "I'll go with you. Just give me a minute to get my stuff." I disappear back in to the darkness of my room.
"What stuff? Were not going to Canterlot here!" He yells through my door.
"I have some things Zecora let me borrow and I need to bring them back." I say grabbing the charms from my desk and shoving them into my bag. Then I stop and think for a second. "Hay, why do you need to go see Zecora anyway?"
"Erm, y-you know. For the thing." I sling my bag over my back and we head out the door into the afternoon light.
"For the rash? I though that went away?"
"NO! I mean it did." He lowers his voice as some ponies look over with interest. "That's not it. I'm going to pick up that flower she said only bloomed once a month."
"Oooohhhh." I tilt my head to the side. "Yea I don't know what your talking about."
Sigh. "Your just trying to annoy me because I woke you up." Heh, the guy knows me.
"Yea yea, OK. I remember you telling me about it. Whats it for?"
"Someone." He answers looking away. I perk up.
"Hay, come on. Don't be like that. Who's it for?" I say poking him. He keeps looking strait ahead until we get to the edge of the Everfree. Finally my poking gets to him and he breaks his silence.
"No one, OK!"
"Oh no you don't. If you don't tell me I'm going home."
"ARRRGGHHH! OK. It's for my mom. Mothers day's tomorrow."
"Oh, OK. Why with all the secrecy then."
"I didn't want you to ruin the surprise."
*Gasp* I put my hoof on my chest and do my best Rarity impression. "Oh goodness! How could you think such a thing! I would never!" He rolls his eyes.
"Yea sure you wouldn't."
"Well if it really means that much to you,"
"It dose."
"Then, I wont say anything." I go on ignoring his interruption.
"Good. I've been planing this for a while." He gives me a look that says don’t mess this up for me ,and I smile innocently.
"Y-you think she'll have something for me? I kind of forgot it was coming up."
"Well........ I wanted this to be a surprise to but, yea. I told her to have one ready for you as well."
A sad smile works its way onto my face. "Thanks. Your a true friend."
"I know, I'm awesome." I shove him playfully.
"Oh shut up."
"That's more like it."
"Still, thanks."
"........You want me to come with you?"
"No, I'll go alone. Thanks again though."
"No problem, I owe you allot."
"We're probably about even now." I say laughing lightly.
The rest of the walk we spend in relative silence. That is until we reach Zecora's hut.
"That took longer than I thought it would." South says a with a huff.
"Well getting here takes a while. But you can fly back if you want."
"I don't want to leave you alone."
I give him a look. "Who are you talking to? Is there someone here who's afraid to be alone in the woods? I mean besides you?" He gets the hint and shrugs.
"OK, I'll fly back alone sheesh."
"Good. I was gonna stay and talk for a bit anyway."
We get to the door and I knock. We hear hoof steps approach and Zecora answers the door and greets us.
"Ah, Southern Storm and Moonlight Prism. I was expecting you later. But a sooner visit is all the greater.”
“H-Hello Miss Zecora.” South stammers. He’s a big chicken when it comes to ‘all that Zebrican mumbo jumbo’ as he puts it. “I’m here to pick up the flower.” He shifts nervously from hoof to hoof and she lets us in.
“And I brought back the charms you let me borrow.”
“Storm, the flower is ready just over there. Moon, I have your amulet, but I don’t know where.”
“That's fine. I just wanted to get them back to you. They really helped me get past my block.”
“Amulet?” South says pulling his attention away from a rather beautiful pair of flowers on the windowsill. “What amulet?”
“Eh, it’s just one of my moms old amulets from her home in the north.”
“M’k.” Turning his attention back to the flower. “So I just take it? Dose it need any special water or rules or anything?”
“The flower will bloom for three days. After that it will closed until May. Water it as you would a normal plant. You may keep it inside, but without light you can’t.”
“OK. Thanks again. I’ll drop by with your packages from Canterlot some time next week, once I get back from my shift in the castle.”
“Thank you too South, but I think your time is running out.” She says looking out the window.
“What?”
“Your gonna be late for work.” I clarify. Zecora can be a little hard to understand if your not used to the way she speaks.
“Oh no!” He jumps up and literally flies out the door with the flower in his hooves.
“He never learns his lesson. The speed of times passage you cannot lessen.”
“Yea, you’d think it would have clicked a while back but he keeps getting to work late.”
“How have you been since we last spoke? You said your mental block has finally broke?”
“Yea. I don’t know if it was the charms or if it was just time, but I've been pretty busy trying to keep up with the new ideas flowing in lately.”
She nods in understanding. “So, you are here for a flower to? I have one waiting for you.”
“Yes.” She brings over a flower like the one South left with. “It’s really beautiful.”
“Yes it is, but I also have one that I think you will like more.” She goes into another room and brings back something covered by a dark cloth. “This flower dose not bloom once a month, but once every four. It grows in a desert white and stark. Its harmed buy the light so it must remain in the dark. The zebras of my home, give it to those that are alone.” She blows out her lanterns and closes all the windows. In the pitch black of her hut I see a glow emanating from beneath the cloth. She removes it to reveal a glowing blue and white flower. It seems to pulse in the darkness. I'm speechless as I recognize the familiar shape. My mother had a painting of this flower hanging above her desk.
“I-I don’t know what to say.” Tears well up in my eyes. “How.....?”
“Your mother came to me many times to ask about this flower. I tried to obtain one for her, but at the time it was beyond my power. I hope she will not blame me for being late. For I would like to honor our friendship as it was, great.”
“Thank you.” I give her a quick hug and she smiles replacing the cloth and relighting her lanterns. “If It’s OK, I’d like to take both. The other one will be a gift from South.”
“Of course you can. I’ll help you pack. You should be careful on your way back.” She helps me box up the flowers and fit them securely in my bag so they wont get crushed or shift.
“You don't have to worry, I will. I've been going through the forest since I was small remember.” She shakes her head but nods. She’s probably remembering a shy young filly, hiding behind her mother’s legs as they walk through the Everfree so many years ago.
“Still, your mother would not forgive me, if I let you go without a word or worry.”
“Yea, your probably right.” I laugh as I walk away. “Thank you again.” She waves me off with a smile. Visiting with Zecora is always nice. I remember coming here with my mother back when she was the only pony that wasn't scared to death of her. She was always kind to me, if not a bit confusing, and would tell me pony tales from her home land. My mom and her were good friends, but it always makes me a bit sad the way she talks about her. Zebricans have a different view of death than most other ponies, even the Lunar. Sigh. If only I could have such a positive view of her absence. ‘Now Moon’,I scold my self, ‘you know that's not why she dose it. They celebrate the life that the departed had, they don't mourn the loss.’
..........
It take’s me about an hour to get back to Ponyville. It usually doesn't take that long but I took the scenic route. Walking the familiar path makes me think about days past. And I realized I've never taken Fluttershy walking in the forest. It’s really beautiful once you get used to it. My day dream is interrupted as I bump into another pony, knocking heads in the process.
“Woh partner. Might wana keep yer eyes on where yer headin.”
“Ow. Yea that would be a good idea hu.” I say rubbing my head. I glance up at Applejack as she rubs a similar bump. “Sorry AJ.”
“No problem sugar cube. I've gotten worse than this on the farm.” She glances at my bag. “Where’r you commin from anyway?”
“Zecora's. Went to pick up a gift for tomorrow.”
“Ah, That explains the day dreamin. Speakin ah tomorrow, got any plans?” She asks knowing I’m probably going to be alone seeing as my fathers out of town.
“No. Not really anything past visiting my mom. Why?”
“Well me, the girls, and their mothers are gona have a big dinner down at Sweet Apple acres. You wana come?”
“Well, I don’t know. Fluttershy already invited me ,but I’m still not really sure I’m up for it.”
I guess she sees the look of loneliness I’m trying to hide because she claps me on the shoulder and says. “Aww. That settles it, your commin. An don’t worry Pinkie an I are bringin our colt friends so you wont be the odd one out.” I open my mouth to voice my protest but the look AJ gives me says there's no room for argument here.
I shrug. “OK.”
“Good. I’ll see ya tomorrow at five.” She walks off triumphantly and I continue on homeward before I get pulled into anything else. Plus I’m exhausted from not getting enough sleep, yet again. That's gotta stop. As I enter the two bedroom home me and South share. I take out the two flowers and set them both on my desk. Then, I finally fall back into my comfy bed and get some much needed sleep. To bad there won’t be any dreams.