Chapter XLV: Indebted
Applejack was clueless. She had not seen the princess in over ten years. What could she have to thank her for? She looked up into the aquamarine eyes she had come to know, and even fear. She sank into another low bow before she dared to speak.
“W..what would you have to thank me for?” she asked, voice trembling. Luna laughed her sharp laugh, causing Applejack and Rainbow to shrink back slightly.
“What don’t I have to thank you for?” Luna responded, trotting up next to Applejack and Rainbow. “But I would like to wait until all of the elements are gathered. Where are the rest?”
“Well, Twilight, Fluttershy, and Rarity are down in the Bunker” Rainbow responded, avoiding Luna’s gaze. “But, we don’t know where Pinkie Pie is yet.” she said, eyes downcast. “No pony knows if she survived the bombs.” Luna nodded, understanding.
“Well, this is a solemn time. There is almost no place for an Element of Laughter” She started to walk towards the Bunker, then turned around. She took in both of them, not speaking for a moment.
“You have both suffered so much.” she said, eyes falling on Rainbow’s wing. “And are expecting so much.” Eyes landed on Applejack swollen stomach. “For both of you to have survived is incredible.” She turned to the door, looking for the communicator. Finally, she found it and pressed the small red button.
Name and Identification number, the voice said. Luna just smirked. She closed her eyes, horn glowing. With what seemed like no effort at all, the door opened. She stepped back and gestured inside. “After you.” she said, a sly smile on her lips. Applejack just looked at Lightning, who raised an eyebrow at her. She stepped inside, followed by Rainbow and Lightning. Luna was last, closing the door with a flick of her horn.
“Now, where are the others?” Luna asked. She was staring around at the inside of the Bunker. Lightning wondered if she had ever been in one before.
“I can call them if you want me to.” Applejack said. Luna nodded after she said that, smiling kindly at the pony behind the security desk. He seemed at a loss for words, eyes wide as plates. One by one, Applejack called everypony else to the surface. A couple minutes later, the elevator dinged open, and they stepped out into the lobby.
Their reaction were almost immediate, and almost exactly the same. The smiled at Lightning, then froze when they saw Luna. Identical expressions of shock crept onto their faces. twilight was the first to speak, after almost a minute of silence. She bowed deep, followed by the rest of the group.
“Princess.” she said, not looking up. “I can’t believe you are alive.”
Luna snorted, walking to stand in front of them. “Who do you think rose the moon every night? It would take more than a couple bombs to end me.” she said cockily. “But that is not what I wanted to discuss.”
“And what do you want to discuss.” Twilight asked, standing up. She looked nervously over to Lightning, who was still wearing the Midnight Army tunic. He smiled at her, letting her know there was nothing to worry about. He could see the tension leave her body, and she grinned slightly.
“I just wanted say something I was never able to say all those years ago.” she replied, looking over the five of them. “I wanted to say I am proud of all you have accomplished, and I wanted to say thank you.”
“Thank you for what?” Rarity asked, peering around Twilight shoulder. Luna’s eyes narrowed when she saw her.
“What happened to you?” she asked, a strange edge creeping into her voice. Lightning’s breath caught in his throat. He had not thought of her reaction to Rarity, obvious signs of her ordeal still showing. Before anything could happen, he intervened.
“She....had a run in with the Death Hunters.” he said, voice high. “She barely got away.” Luna stared at him for a moment, then nodded. It was obvious that she did not believe him, but she was willing to play the lie.
“Anyway.” she said, smile returning. “I wanted to show my deepest gratitude for saving me all those years ago. I was never able to say my thanks, and after the bombs, I thought I never would be able to.” She looked over them, her smile slipping slightly as her eyes hit Rarity, but it returned after her eyes left the scars.
“My life, and all of my achievements, are because of you, and I thank you.” She sank down into a deep bow, knees touching the floor. Twilight was blushing furiously, almost as much as Fluttershy was.
“There is really no need to thank us.” she said, her smile saying otherwise. “We were just doing what we had to.” She looked over at Lightning, who was watching them curiously. They exchanged a small conversation with gestures, saying that they would talk about this later. She looked extremely happy, like something else had gone right. Luna stood back on her hooves, towering over them.
“And without you, I would have been destroyed by my sister. I was jealous and power crazy, and you broke the curse. If there is anything you need, ever, just tell me, and consider it done.”
“Thank you princess.” Twilight said, bowing. The others did the same, as did Lightning. “I will remember that. And I might be needing something very soon.” She smiled a sly grin, leaving Lightning to wonder what had happened while he was gone. Luna just nodded. She turned back to Lightning.
“You are an honorable member of the Midnight Army. If you ever need a safe place to stay, you are always welcome at the Bastion.” Lightning bowed.
“Thank you princess, for your generous offer.” He looked up at applejack, who smiled sweetly at him. “But I think my safe place is here.” Luna nodded, seeing the glance they exchanged.
“I need to return now. Be safe Lightning Storm.” She turned back to the others. Be safe all of you. If you need to contact me, Twilight, you know how to reach me.” She grinned, tapping her horn. Twilight smiled back, nodding. She took a step back, body glowing. Then, with a flash of blue light, she disappeared. There was silence for a few moments, then Applejack ran over and hugged Lightning.
“I was so worried about you!” she said, clutching at his waist. “But you didn’t die, you didn’t get hurt. And you found our princess!”
“Trust me, it was by accident.” he said jokingly. But then he remembered the Elements, and his joking stopped. “Why didn’t you tell me you were one of the Elements?” he asked, prying her off his waist. She looked up at him, biting her bottom lip.
“I didn’t think it mattered. You couldn’t remember anything, so I didn’t say anything.” She looked away, not meeting his gaze. “I thought it would make you... not like me.”
“Why would I not like you for that?” he asked, making her look at him. “I love you even more for it.”
“I hate to interrupt.” Twilight said, pulling them apart. “But, I kinda need you all to come with me.”
“What is going on?” Rarity asked, walking up next to her.
“I have a major announcement to make. Something that will change our lives.” she said, a proud look on her face. She raised her hoof to her mouth. “All call; Intercom.” she said, the paused for a second.
“Will all available ponies please come to the amphitheater. I have an announcement to make.” Then she pulled the device away from her mouth. She waved them over the the elevator, and they piled in after her.
“What is it?” Lightning asked, starting to get annoyed at the secrets, but Twilight just smiled.
“You will have to wait.”