//------------------------------//
// Moon 
// Story: Alone 
// by FaelaArts 
//------------------------------//

Luna opened her eyes, blinking at the moonlight dimly growing above her. Putting a hoof in front of her, she covered the moon with it, watching as a pale ring of light surrounded her hoof. A sad smile fell on her face, and she barked a short laugh.

Standing up, Luna flapped her wings a few times, dislodging the dead, dry leaves that clung to her. Putting her cloak on, she glanced around the forest. Blackened stumps surrounded her, standing straight despite their fragile appearance. Luna looked to the ground below her, grass long since burned away. Bowing her head, she lit her torch, and began to walk.

Steps crunching loudly, her ear flickered as a stray gust of wind scattered leaves around her. They twirled around her like she was the moon, and they were stars in the sky. Smile fading, Luna closed her eyes, head lowering as dark thoughts crowded her mind. They were her own, however, and did not belong to something she thought only hers. Something she had assumed would always be her burden to bear.

Luna approached the ruins of a castle, one that had once housed the Elements of Harmony. At least, before the previous bearers has obtained them. Luna winced, shaking her head to discard such thought quickly. Looking down, the saw the cave that led to the tree. Luna closed her eyes, and turned away from it. There was no point going down there, it was already dead.

Stepping inside, she pulled off her hood just as rumbling began outside. Pursing her lip, she began to levitate large sections of the castle off the ground, and up to the ceiling. After a moment of concentration, the roof was restored. At least, until the spell wore off in two days. Sitting down, Luna curled into a rough circle, closing her eyes and bowing her head.

Thoughts slowly went, passing through her mind as she considered what action to take. As alone as she was, the world had long since come and gone, while she lived on thanks to the power she drained from the moon. Luna opened her eyes sadly. Her moon, it’s glow continued to grow in strength. Soon it would be eaten by the object hiding behind it.

Lightning struck a tree, and Luna raised her head as a brief flash of fire appeared, scared and fearful of the sign. As it died out, she relaxed, hearing the rain begin to fall. Closing her eyes, she let it dull her into a half-sleep. As long as she stayed within the storm, she was safe. At least, until the moon could no longer provide her with energy.

Luna opened her eyes as hooves slammed down outside, and a cry of rage resounded, swallowed up by thunder. Standing, Luna walked outside, seeing the growing ball of flame as it rushed toward her. Luna concentrated, and vanished in a teleport. Turning, she began to walk once more, the storm protecting her from it’s eyes.

Luna stopped, and closed her weary eyes, before turning them toward her moon. The last one alive, she knew it to be true. During the early days, she had scoured the entire planet, but she had been too late. Everything was gone, and even she would not be able to hold out for much longer. Slowly, Luna let another sad smile fall on her face.

Luna’s horn began to glow, and slowly her moon began to move. As it began to set, a bright light flashed onto the planet, blinding everything with it’s heat, dissipating all clouds immediately. Luna let her moon fall below the horizon, knowing she would no longer receive it’s energy. Turning, she watched as it came toward her at lightspeed.

Luna closed her eyes as it charged up a spell, one she would neither be able to defend against nor dodge, and bowed her head.

And just like that, she was gone.