//------------------------------// // Lunar Distress // Story: Autumn // by Domaldo //------------------------------// Ponyvile’s Golden Oak’s Library, Morning The group of ponies, zebra and dragon left the forest, making sure to pack whatever essentials Zecora might need, for she did not intend in coming back until things got less… chaotic. Twilight offered her a place to stay at her library, she had a spare guest room, and they could look into whatever was causing the forest to behave more strange and hostile than normal. But at arrival, Spike puked out a letter from the Princesses themselves, it read: To my most faithful student, Twilight Sparkle I’m afraid that I need you and your friends to come to Canterlot castle as soon as possible, for there is something that I desperately need to discuss with you. It’s important that you come here by your own means, for bringing the royal carriage to pick you up might bring some unwanted attention. Don’t tell anypony else besides your closest friends. Your grateful teacher, Celestia. “Oh my, sounds serious,” declared Spike after reading the royal correspondence out loud. “But… I thought the Princesses trusted us to handle this on our own. What changed?” Said Twilight, a little disappointed that she and her friends couldn’t pursue the strange creature they found within the forest. “I’m sure the trip won’t take too long, but do you mind if I come along?” Asked the zebra, she too wanted to know more about what was going on, the forest held her home after all. “Sure Zecora, I don’t think the princesses will mind, you are our friend after all,” answered the purple unicorn, she was sure Zecora could help. “Spike, can you go to the girls and tell them what is happening? Make sure to tell them to be ready at the train station in the morning to get the first train to Canterlot,” she commanded her assistant, and with a salute, he was off to tell Rarit-erm, the rest of the mane six. The mares found themselves alone in the library, with nopony but each other as company. Both used the remainder of the day to study into their own books, compare notes, etc. Plus theorize about what was going on in the forest, the world, and what might be happening to the princesses. Before long, Spike came back to the library, very tired since he ran all the way from Sweet Apple Acres to arrive before dark. The candle lights flickered as night finally had set upon Ponyville. Two tired mares and one exhausted dragon, slumped into their respective beds, Zecora using the guest room, and fell to sleep. Robert’s POV, Castle Ruins, Night After crafting myself a much needed backpack, I began collecting some materials needed to craft even more stuff. Mostly twigs and tall grass, and some berries for food. I was having so much fun messing around with the Science Machine I almost forgot to make a campfire, but managed to make one within the castle in the time I had left of sunlight. Thankfully, though, I created a sleeping bag with some of the left over grass I had gathered before sleeping. When I made sure my improvised bed was free from any bugs, I lied down, embracing the small comfortableness it provided. I recalled my activities of today; I chopped some trees down, brought the logs back, mined giant boulders and brought those back too, and built a machine with them. Then I used the machine to craft a backpack, somehow getting it on the first try, and also this bed. Finally, I had gathered some berries for dinner which I was currently eating. *NOM* *NOM* *GULP* “Mmmm, red berries taste best," I said out loud, these berries were amazing! I was exhausted, in both mind and body. Taking my amulet out, I stared at the bright red gem encrusted in the piece of jewelry. Today was a good day, and it was staying that way. I closed my eyes, and waited for sleep to take me away. Ponyvile’s Train Station, Early Morning The seven mares and dragon were ready to board the train. Their luggage was small and pretty easy to fit in the train car, because nopony knew what was happening or how long they might be staying at the Canterlot Palace. Even though the train’s crew gave the zebra some looks of curiosity, the ride was pretty normal. Despite this, however, everypony and dragon present seemed tense. If Princess Celestia needed them immediately, and wanted them to be as quiet about it as possible, then it was a good time as any to be worried. “Not for me!” !! “What? Who are you talking to sugarcube?” “Oh, nobody in particular.” Good, your cooperation shall be rewarded. SHE DESERVES NOTHING! “Erm, are you sure you are ok darling?” “Yeah I’m fine-” She tucked a supper vanilla cupcake, extra sweet with sprinkles on top, in her mouth “-Mmm, not bad, not bad at all” Why thank you. YOU ARE SPOILING HER! Shush! “Um, Pinkie, where did you get those cupcakes from?” Asked Fluttershy, curious as to where she might have gotten the tray with confectionaries. “Duh! She is Pinkie Pie!” The rainbow maned mare exclaimed, emphasizing her point by flying around her, while Pinkie just beamed her usual smile. While the girls chatted about, keeping each other positive, Zecora just kept her thoughts to herself, occasionally smiling at their antics. Looking outside the window, she could see the beautiful landscape of Equestria, basking in the celestial sun from their goddess. s̓̅t̾ͫ̐ͥ̉ͣu̎́͊lͦͧ̂ͩ̿tͫ̾̀̉ͦ͂ǔ͑̂s̋̎̃̑͐ͦ̄ͫ ̌̋ͬcͥͪͨͫͥͥ̅r͛̆e͌ͯ̾̀ͫ̇̍̚a͗͊ͧͬ̐̍̉ͮt͆̑̌u̅̐͗̍̈́̊r̓̎̉̾ͤ͌ͯ̚a͗̇̄͆̈́͒̒͆͊ẻ̈́͌̅̔̃̒̐ ͮǹͯö́̑̈́͑̾n͑ ͦ̿s̋ͮ̽͒͐̈̉ͣ̚ċ̊ͬͣ̓iͯ̂rͮ̏̏ͯ̔e̊̎͛ ͨ̐̄f͗̏̆ͣȃt̒̄̌̐a̎̇ͫ ͫͤͪ̈͌̾́̇m̒̀̔o͛̒̇͒ͨ̌r̃͑̓ťͧãͬl̊ͭ̈̀̏͑͑eͥͨͪ̚s̍ͦ̽͐ ͌̿̍͒́͗̔ Before long, they were already nearing the top of the mountain. Grabbing their things, they sped past the adorned streets, with one clear objective on their mind. Canterlot Palace, Early Afternoon The solar princess paced around her throne room, bearing a clear expression of worry. They had cleared the throne room so they could speak to the elements in peace and quiet, nopony besides them should know. “Dear sister, art thou sure they should be told of our problem?” Asked Luna towards her sibling, she too wore an expression of deep concern, bordering on fear. “If not, then who? We alone cannot solve this and you know it,” Celestia replied, her calm and knowing tone easing her sister ever so slightly. “We know, it’s just,” -she paused- “they are so young, so innocent, we are afraid we don’t like thine actions,” her sister said, but she added in a slightly more somber tone, “but we have to agree they may be the wisest.” “Fear not dear sister, did they not defeat the god of chaos days ago?” “Precisely our point, they did defeat Discord, which is why we do not und-” *knock* *knock* “Yes?” they both said simultaneously, quickly regaining their usual, regal, composure. The door opened just enough for sound to enter the room. “The elements and company are here, they said you wished to see them,” came the voice of a guard through the small opening of the door. “Tell them to come inside, then shut the door, you are dismissed,” said the solar princess with authority in her tone, lacing her usual motherly voice. “At once your majesties.” The door opened, seven mares accompanied by a small dragon came inside just as the guard left the hall. As the ponies, zebra, and dragon came into the room, all of them bowing before the princesses. “It’s quite alright my little… ponies…?” The sun goddess began to say, but her words failed her once she laid her eyes upon the zebra. “You said we could bring in our closest friends, so I thought we could bring Zecora with us, you don’t mind, do you?” Twilight said, a little hesitant towards the end. “I’m sorry to pop in unannounced, but the forest is where I’m housed,” the zebra rhymed to address the princesses. Both alicorns looked at each other for a brief moment, unsure whether to talk to the elements with, or without the unexpected guest. “I suppose she could hear us as well, as long as she promises to keep this quiet,” decided the lunar diarch, convincing her sister in the process. “If my tongue must be silenced, then I won’t talk, not in the slightest,” she stated, using her right fore-hoof to create an imaginary zipper on her mouth, before closing it. “Seeee? She CAN be trusted!” Pinkie said, following her example and shutting her own mouth with a literal zipper. Both sisters relaxed a little at the pink one’s antics, knowing far too well how hard it was to get that particular pony down. “That aside, you said you wanted to talk, is something wrong?” Rarity intervened. “I think you all already know that things haven’t been as normal as they should,” Celestia began. “There is something hiding within the Everfree, and we fear it’s tampering with our glorious nights,” Luna followed. “By tampering I think you mean making it so dark it was impossible to see?” Said Spike. “Yes,” the princess answered, but her tone seemed… off. “Yeah, what’s up with that? Every night so far has been pitch black, we couldn’t see the stars, hay even the moon was hard to see!” Rainbow Dash interjected. The princess turned her head away from them, and answered; “We know our night hasn’t been the brightest…” She tried to continue, but then was interrupted. “Then why don’t yah fix it? Ponies are scared by the dark now because nopony can see no more when yer night comes. Ah mean yer the Goddess, if not, Princess of the night.” “We know we are, it’s just…” Her words died on her throat, with her head turned away from them, nopony present could see her face. “Just… what? Why haven’t yo-” “BECAUSE WE CAN’T!!!” ... *sniff* ... *sob* *sniff*