//------------------------------//
// Alone and Trapped 
// Story: Alone and Trapped 
// by Creatures4Life 
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I am lonely, locked away, and trapped. No one wishes to hold me tenderly, or whisper sweet nothings in my ear at night. I am abandoned and tossed aside like an old memory, fuzzy and easily forgotten. I gave of myself all the time, working so my subjects could see the beauty of my night. I helped lead my so called loyal subjects; ponies who claimed they stood by my side in kinship. I gave all my care and love, yet I received naught in return.  Not a single whisper of the words thank you or how kind.

I am not even acknowledged. I try to help take others pain away through their dreams by blessing them with happiness. In return I am left with even more pain, and they, none.  Is it too much to ask to be held, even for just a night? All I ask is for a night... A single night full of loving tenderness. Alas it is not to be, not in this world and nor in the next if my expectations hold true... Ah heartache, it is bittersweet and forever there for ones such as I.

I know I am not the first nor shall I be the last. Though in my mind I know this to be true, in the lonely pits where my heart cries and weeps in anguish; it does not feel the sweet cherishment, nor feel soothing and tender words. Thine wounds continue to weep openly and flow abundantly. I am alone; neither here nor there, and getting nowhere.

I flow down a swift, freezing river where the surface is encased in ice and though I pound away at it , I slowly suffocate. I get no respite, I get no air, my tears cascade and freeze upon my muzzle. For I know I shall not remake the surface without another hoof pounding against the ice that keeps me trapped.

I am forever lost within a labyrinth, always being turned around and not finding my way to the egress. The egress is always shifting, going just out of my reach every time I draw near to my goal of freedom. I am surrounded by subjects, loved ones, though none seem to be aware that I too am a pony. I am lost within the confines of my own twisted Nightmare. Instead, I am treated worse than a stray animal that has been starved and left frozen in winters cold embrace... At least a stray is given scraps to live, the occasional warmth of a hoof and kind words. I am given none, instead told to go and find my own, if I am of any worth.

I am led in one direction and then shoved down another and then turned around and slammed into a dead end, forced to try and find my way again though all sides are closed. I'm locked in the highest tower, the window teasing my fragile mind, just out of reach, barely big enough for me to squeeze through. At closer glance even that narrow chance is barred and wired shut. I'm at the bottom of a cavern looking upon a glass ceiling out into the bleakest night, never to see the land above or feel the cooling air upon my coat. I am forever trapped within an existence that is utterly incomprehensible and entirely unfavorable.

I'm locked, chained, and aching for somepony to free me from the confines the world has placed me in. No confidence, the world has slashed and torn it down and crushed it underhoof. I look up whimpering as I try to seek out a gentle guiding pony to lead me to the light. No one hears me, no one listens as the darkness sets in and crushes the sight and blocks out the sound of the world. Is it too much to hope that one day I will find the one meant to save me from myself?

Save me from turning the world to darkness, save me from the miasma that is hurting me? One I can turn to and find shelter in their hooves? No? Maybe? Hopefully? It seems as though I'm left to fend off this alone with fake, stabbing smiles and harsh jokes with biting words, but that's all that's left of me. A worn, tired, shell of a mare that has nowhere to turn to but the Nightmare of myself. I'm not only my own worst enemy; I'm also the only one I can be truthful to since none wish to hear the cries of a pained and lonely torn soul.

Finally though I see a crack in the darkness, someone is reaching out, is that warmth ripping through the ice? I finally break free and can breathe, I looked out upon the light that saved me. Opening my eyes, I'm stunned to see the place I have returned to. It is the dilapidated castle of my sister, stone toppled and cracked like a throat dried out in the desert. Slowly turning again, I am shocked as my sight is filled with decayed bones of my ponies lying twisted and crushed under rubble. Completing the circle my breathe leaves me, as though I'd been bucked in the chest.

There, surrounded by a young group of fillies from all walks of life, was my sister. Her coat is whiter than purest light, and hair that flows on a wind only she knows. My hooves are weaker than a newborn foals, taking a small tentative step forward. My mouth moves to form her name yet no words can escape my throat as it cinches tight and chokes the sound. Instead she is the one who moves first, each golden shod hoof sounding like the pounding of ancient war drums upon the horizon. I tremble in fear, burying my muzzle between my hooves in a shaky bow.

I shiver like a leaf upon a cold winter wind, blown about and battered by my own subconscious. My wings curl about myself, forming a barrier of downy feathers. It is then that I notice I am still very much young, but also very old. I wonder... perhaps it had something to do with the power my sister used to banish the Nightmare of myself? It had probably kept me secure, tucked away in a small part of the monster I'd become and made. I feel a gentle caress of primary feathers along my back and a voice warmer than sunlight flows across my ears.

"Luna?" it asked in a timid voice. Weakly, I lifted my head from the ground and saw the tears that shimmered clearer than any diamond in those sweet eyes. It was then that I knew I was home.