Fragments of Memories
By Starwin
Epilogue
“Are you sure you do not wish to come, sister?” asked Luna. Celestia shook her head.
“I think it is better if you go alone, for now,” said Celestia. “Besides, it grows late, and I must set the sun soon.” Luna bowed her head slightly. Celestia began to leave. “Oh, and I believe that once you are done, Doctor Heart has requested your assistance with the crystallized ponies. She seemed to think that even frozen as they are, you may be able to enter their minds. As you did with Discord… and Twilight Dash.”
Luna frowned looking away from her sister. Celestia sighed.
“You know your own magic best,” continued Celestia. “But I urge caution my sister. Do not lose yourself in dreams. And do not forget who we are. We are leaders of a nation, not its soldiers or its heroes.”
“I will help who I can,” answered Luna. She looked up at Celestia with a defiant gaze. Celestia nodded, before trotting off. Luna let out a sigh.
There had been no argument between them, but she could tell her sister was not happy with her. Luna had defied her elder sister’s wishes. She had ventured into the minds of other ponies, of other gods. And the chaos that had almost been unleashed was too terrible to even consider.
Luna shook her head.
She had felt the dark path once again, the power of Nightmare Moon. It had almost consumed her, buried her in shadows. Her fear had come so close to taking her once more. Had it not been for Twilight and her friends, Luna was sure the whole world would be covered in darkness and frozen in crystal by now.
Luna shook her head again.
She stood before a great wooded glade. The waning sun made the shadows of the trees long and deep. This place was new to her. While it was in the castle gardens, she had never set hoof inside before. That was because up until a few moments ago, it had not existed.
Luna and Celestia had worked together to craft it, to grow it with magic. A small voice called out to Luna from deep within the trees. Luna smiled sadly and trotted forward.
Had it not been for her excellent vision, it would have been completely dark. However, she could see just fine.
She admired the work of her and her sister. It had been a long time since they had crafted anything in the gardens together. The last thing they had built was a prison, the hedge maze used to contain Discord. Of course, they no longer needed a prison for Discord. That was why they had removed the maze and built this grove atop it.
Luna couldn’t help but feel sad. As different as it looked, its purpose was all but the same. A prison without walls.
All of the trees were perfect. The spacing, the trunks, even their roots and leafs were all exactly aligned and ordered.
Ahead of her, Luna could see the soft glow of firefly light. The small voice called to her again.
“Luna, hurry up!” cried the filly. Luna quickened her pace slightly, following the perfect stone path beneath her hooves.
Ahead, the trees parted into a clearing. Luna slowed to a halt, stopping beside the silver filly. The small pony’s eyes were open wide in wonder.
“Woah…” said the little pony. “This… this is all for me?”
“Yes,” said Luna with a nod, looking at the finished structure.
At the center of the clearing was a tree, far larger than the rest. It had windows and doors grown right into it.
“It looks like Twilight Dash’s library,” said the silver filly. “But, smaller.”
“There are also no books inside,” said Luna. “It is a living house and it will continue to grow. For now, it should have more than enough space for you.”
“It’s awesome!” said the filly, galloping forward to look inside. Luna followed after. The small pony was already dashing around the downstairs area checking the different rooms. There was a stairway leading up to a loft above, but the interior was indeed much smaller than the Ponyville library.
While the filly examined her new house, Luna’s eyes settled on the large stone column that sat in the center of the structure, its exact center. They had changed its shape, but its contents were still just as bad. Luna frowned slightly.
“What’s wrong?” asked the filly, breaking Luna out of her worries. She glanced towards the perfectly round column of stone. “What’s that thing?”
“The foundation,” lied Luna. “It helps keep everything in balance.”
“Neat,” said the filly. Her face fell slightly. “Am… am I supposed to stay here? Alone?”
“For now,” said Luna. “Although, I shall try to visit you every night.”
“And… and Twilight Dash, and my… their friends?” asked the silver filly.
“I do not know, Rainbow Spar-” began Luna.
“That isn’t my name anymore,” interrupted the filly. “I gave that back. I gave everything I could back to them.” Luna nodded slowly. “I hope they can forgive me…”
“I am sure they will,” said Luna. “In time. So, what shall I call you then, little pony?” asked Luna. “Surely not Harmony…” the filly shook her head vigorously.
“No. I was thinking, maybe… Silver Stars?” suggested the little pony.
“I think that is a very good name,” agreed Luna with a smile.