//------------------------------// // The Unanswered Question // Story: The Lost Prince of the Sea // by Cursory Note //------------------------------// Luna had finally regained the last few traces of power she lost when Nightmare Moon was destroyed by the Elements of Harmony, and at last she no longer looked like a naïve filly. Yes, she was still the younger sister, and not quite as large as Celestia, but she was only smaller by a matter of inches instead of feet. Once again her mane and tail flowed regally, reflecting the beauty of the night sky and the magic within her. It had been four years since her return, and even though much had happened in that time, she somehow managed to catch up on most of what she had missed during her banishment to the moon. Normally she would be happy, thrilled even, to be the mare she once was, to know her ponies and her kingdom as she did before, but something was troubling her. Ever since she had returned something had been nagging at the back of her mind, and now she was going to address it. She walked through the halls of Canterlot Castle on her way to the throne room and as she passed the tapestries, statues, and stained glass windows lit by the setting sun, a frown crept onto her face. She reached the throne room and saw Celestia talk to one of the royal guards before sending him away with a concerned expression. Luna walked up to her throne and sat, turning towards Celestia. “Anything wrong, Sister?” Celestia smiled “No, nothing really, just some stirrings in the Everfree forest.” Luna raised an eyebrow “Oh? Nothing serious I hope.” Celestia sighed “I hope not. A scout has reported a number of rogue changelings in the woods near Manehattan.” Luna nodded “Hopefully it will end well.” Her smile fell and her voice grew more serious “Sister, I have been meaning to ask you something for a while now, but things kept getting in the way.” Celestia straightened up and started to look worried “What is it Luna? Is something wrong?” “Yes actually.” Luna got up and started to pace in front of the thrones “It has been four years since I returned, and I have spent much of that time studying what I missed while I was in the moon. Now I know most of the history that I was absent for, as well as the new customs, but something has been troubling me.” She turned towards Celestia “Why is it wrong?” Celestia frowned “Wrong? What do you mean?” “You know what I mean. Celestia, the history is wrong. All of it, even the windows and statues are wrong, and I want to know why.” She turned towards the window depicting the defeat of Discord “We were not the only ones who battled Discord, and you did not wield the Elements of Harmony against me by yourself.” She pointed to Celestia’s defeat of Nightmare Moon. Celestia got up and walked to Luna, looking very concerned “Luna, what are you talking about? These are all accurate, I remember quite clearly how all of these events happened.” Luna looked confused “What? Sister, you can’t remember these happening, they aren’t true!” “Luna, you aren’t making any sense.” “Celestia, where is he? There is no mention of him in any record I’ve read, no stories about him, there is nothing about him anywhere!” Celestia backed away slightly “Who are you talking about?” Luna’s voice got quieter and her eyes filled with confusion and worry. “Where is Aecorum?” Celestia raised an eyebrow “Aecorum? Luna, I have no-” At that point a royal guard entered the throne room and said in a slightly urgent voice “Princess Celestia! Forgive the intrusion, but you are needed.” Both princesses turned towards the guard and Celestia asked “What is it? Has something happened?” The guard nodded “There is trouble regarding changelings in Manehattan and the mayor has requested your immediate assistance.” Celestia walked out of the throne room, nodding “Of course. Hopefully this won’t take too long. Luna?” “Yes?” Celestia took the few final steps out of the throne room. “We will continue this discussion when I return.” The door shut behind her and Luna sat back on her throne, looking even more worried “What are you hiding from me, Sister?”