//------------------------------// // The Quest // Story: Springtime Nights - Pneuma Flower // by nioniosbbbb //------------------------------// Sky woke up in the middle of the night with a burning desire in her heart. She had a wish to fulfill, a quest to complete! Her family was at stake, and she had to save what was precious to her, even if it meant doing something dangerous. She would do it, she was a princess after all, wasn’t she? Trained by the world’s most formidable changelings! She had wits, will, and the power to go through with her decisions no matter how young she was! She saw the moon still in the sky. The clock on the wall said it was three o’clock. Okay… she still had time to look for the flower during the remaining four hours until dawn. She had taken a look at the map of where they were going. Before they came she’d asked her parents about the city of Los Pegasus, and its surroundings. Her mother had even given her a small map of the surrounding desert in case any of them got lost, so she knew the extraction point they landed on, and where to shoot a magical flare that would be seen at maximum distance. She was originally going to do this with her uncle… but this case was an emergency. She couldn’t wait for things to get worse! She had to do something… She looked around and finally spotted her backpack. Once she grabbed it she started fiddling around, making a mental note of what she had. She spotted the large folded scroll the map had been drawn on, a pair of blue crystal-like shards from the Crystal Empire that the changelings used to store love, and a small notebook with the insignia of the changeling crown on it. The last item was her private notebook, something she used to remind herself of any interesting things she noticed during the day, and it was where she had stored all notes about the Pneuma flower. In the notebook she had also copied a small part from the book Edem Rose had given her about it. “Encyclopedia Fragrant” contained all sorts of information about flowers, trees, and other kinds of flora, and judging by the name it was probably made by some Prench pony. Once she made sure everything was in order she strapped the backpack tight and approached the window, the slats slowly creaking open as she pushed them. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “Here… we…” “... go!” She jumped out and flapped her wings steadily. She was still disguised as Cloud Nine, she didn’t want to be spotted by any late-night passerby. Regardless of species, wings were still wings, a mere change of pace in their flapping couldn’t scare the princess! She flew south and out of the city, aiming to scour the area around the oasis. Though Los Pegasus was a city full of life, it was only one hoofstep away from joining the desert that surrounded it. She remembered being in awe at what the ponies had achieved, simply by using their own hooves. She was glad there was nopony in the streets, none to stop her, none to bother her. Earlier that night she remembered hearing the faint voices of her parents pleading outside her door. What would they think of her right now? No… she couldn’t afford to turn back, not now. She shook her head, the soft night breeze blowing her mane away as she flew. She’d made a decision, and that was that. As her mother had taught her, she’d live life with no regrets. She looked up to see it: the vigilant moon watching the ponies, the guardian of the night, the stone amulet that warded off the nightmares dwelling in the dark. A general, the moon led the stars -its soldiers- into the battlefield that was the sky. But the gaze of the night that encompassed Equestria’s sky would not stop her. Its beauty would not distract her anymore. It wasn’t long before she was out the city, out of prying eyes that might look at her weirdly for being outside so late. She went off the main road, and found a bush. She checked around it twice, not wishing for her next move to be spied on, and went in. Her body glowed as her form dispersed into a million small butterflies, her disguise being released. Now she could use the full extent of her abilities to her heart’s content. Preserving energy was key to success, and releasing her transformation was a big relief of bound magical energy. She’d taken the words of her tutor to heart and never spent more time in one form than she had to. Blaze had told her about a rare psychological condition called Immersion to which he and Ao had fallen victims when young. It was partially one of the reasons why their parents had called for the queen to help them. Her mother had used her power as a queen and freed their minds. Brand new changelings, with no names or previous records, the two brothers had chosen to bear new names. While Sky’s uncle had simply chosen something close to the original, her father had been different. When Sky had asked him about his name, he’d told her it was after his philosophy of beginnings and endings. Alpha and Omega, Life and Death, Winter and Spring. His name had been his identity, his mark. Her name was Sky. She was unstoppable, without limit. This quest of hers? It would simply prove it. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Fire Heart had not been sleeping well. His worries were burning his emotional energy reserves, not to mention dehydrating him very fast. How could he not be worried? Sky had shut herself in her room, refusing to get out. After an hour of pleas it was past midnight, and they all decided to call it a day and talk about it tomorrow, with calmer minds. Tensions had still been high, and the blame game had still been going on, but everyone had decided to put their differences aside, to be discussed the next day in a calmer manner. He yawned, still a bit groggy from sleep. In his heart was a wicked vine - his worries were an insatiable parasite. What would happen if they couldn’t fix their problems? He shook his head, no he couldn’t think like that, not now… Not when his niece was suffering. He had to find a way to fix this, to do something. Right now he needed a clear mind. Maybe if he drank a glass of water, or ate some sweet honey, maybe he would calm down. As he trotted down the hall, his eyes were fluttering, his mind constantly switching between wanting to sleep, and not being able to. There was an annoying little tingling sensation in his stomach that refused to stop and allow him to rest. He felt like this insomnia was going to kill him. At least there was the cool, light breeze to help cool things down. Wait… breeze? He made a quick check, and saw all the windows closed. Kitchen? Nothing. Bathroom? Nothing. Front door? Also closed. The hallway remained cool, cooler than the other rooms. The wind was definitely coming from one of the bedrooms, but which one? He didn’t wish to disturb either couple for such a trivial thing, but his gut told him this was important. It was like a sixth sense, a third eye, or… maybe it was just paranoia and worry. Regardless, when he approached Cloud Nine’s room he felt it, it was low - almost unnoticeable, but it was there. Fire knocked a bit. “Cloud? Are you there? Close the window honey, you’re gonna get cold.” No response. Calling out her name, he knocked once again. When he peeked through the lock, Fire immediately jumped back, gasping at the sight of curtains waving in the wind. Taking a deep breath, in and out, steady and low, Fire tried to calm himself down. But when he peeked through the lock once again, and saw the waving curtains once again. A shiver run up his spine. This was bad… He had advised Silver Wing and Tidal not to force themselves into Cloud’s room, but now he wondered if his advice was right after all. If Cloud Nine had left there was no telling what might happen, where she was, or what she would do. He shoved his body at the door, the staggering pain he received reminding him to never try this again. He rubbed his shoulder, he had to focus, he had magic after all! Cursing his sleepy head he narrowed his eyes in focus, partly because he was still grunting in pain. A yellow glow appeared around his horn, a telekinetic field manifesting before him as he focused on the shape of the keyhole. It was a simple old lock, unlike the ones in the main doors, and within a minute he managed to form an adequate telekinetic-field key. He willed the delicate piece of magic in, and was glad to hear an approving click from the lock. His face morphed into wide-eyed terror as he stared at the blank spot in the bed where Cloud Nine, Princess Sky’s disguise form, should have been sleeping, the window shutters swinging left and right at the mercy of the wind. He looked around, under the bed, he ruffled the bed sheets, but nothing responded. Sky wasn’t there. Sky wasn’t there… A siren sounded, a red alert signalled on his mind. SKY’S NOT HERE! His breath quickened. Sky’s not here. His eyes spun in circles, his vision becoming blurry. Sky’s NOT HERE! He started becoming dizzy, his head hurting, he felt like he was going to throw up. “SKY IS NOT HERE!” he said out loud. Losing his cool, he failed to nice he was saying the real name of the changeling princess. He had to keep it together, keep it together! He heard the sound of hooves rocking the floor, his voice a red alert to the others who jolted awake. It wasn’t that they’d been sleeping well either, and the noise made from searching the room had caused enough commotion to wake the rest. “What happened?” Fire heard the inquiry, but in his shock he didn’t recognize the voice. When he lifted his head he saw his brother, looking at his gaping jaw while trying to mumble an answer. Silver Wing came in after him, pushing Tidal to the side, looking around with eyes brimming with a desire to find something, or someone, that wasn’t there. She grabbed him by the neck and shook him. “Where is she? What happened? WHERE’S MY DAUGHTER? ANSWER ME!” “Calm down! She’s not going to be found screaming. Let’s sit down, and think. Fire, what happened here?” Tidal Rider spoke with a steady and clear voice, attempting to calm his brother down. More hoofsteps and groggy yawns were heard as Edem Rose and Shining Heart entered the room. “What’s all the commotion about? You’re going to wake up the entire block!” Tentatively, Edem said, tentatively reminding them they weren’t alone. But Silver was a mother, and as such she couldn’t be stopped. “I’m not going to rest, not going to sleep until I have my daughter again! NO ONE DOES!” Edem was startled as Silver slammed her hoof down to punctuate her words, an inferno of determination burning in her eyes. “Fire Heart, wake up! Take a deep breath, brother. What happened, tell us… slowly.” Tidal put his hooves on his brother’s shoulders and waited patiently, ignoring his wife, whose face was turning red with veins popping as her rage built up. Fire Heart took a few deep breaths as everyone entered the room, cramming themselves for a spot in the bedroom. “I… I couldn’t sleep. I woke up to get a glass of water, but then I felt a cold breeze, and went to check if a window was open. But then I felt the cold come from Cloud’s room and I… I… Iopenedthedoorandshewasn’tthere! She wasn’t there!” Once he reached the part where he opened the door, he spoke way too fast for anypony to make out. Still in shock, he just couldn’t say it clearly, it was too… too… inconceivable! “You went in her room and you didn’t see her. Did you check the other rooms? Mom! Dad! Check the house! There’s still a chance that…” Tidal was interrupted by the eyes of his brother, a small whimper trying to air itself out. “It’s not here… Her backpack is not here! She took it! I… I looked around and didn’t find it! She’s got her notebook, her map, everything!” Fire Heart shuffled his hooves, chewing on his words as he spoke. Silver Wing had a deep, frustrated frown on her face, deepening as she heard Fire’s explanation. The nervous tapping of her hoof increased in frequency until she couldn’t take it anymore. “Speak, damn you! Tell us everything you know! Stop mumbling and get to the point! Do you know where she’s gone to? Where is she?” Silver’s tone was commanding, not wishing to waste any more time. “She… I think she’s gone to find the Pneuma Flower. I… Tidal and I told her about it. How it had brought you two together…” Silver didn’t wait for him to finish his sentence. “She thinks it’ll bring us back together.” The realization hit Silver Wing immediately. It was their fault, their fault her little angel was far away, their fault that she would be in danger of getting lost, beaten, or even killed in the desert. She cursed herself on the inside, she wasn’t going to cry… No, she was going to do something about it! She was a mare of action, not words! And they wouldn’t say she stood idle while others cared more about her child! “Well? What are we waiting for? We should be going after her! Not simply standing around!” She jerked her head at the other ponies, her gaze an order that shook them all like lightning through their spines. “Right! I’ll get a map,” said Tidal. “I’ll fetch the encyclopedia about the flower,” continued Fire. The eyes of his brother’s bride had shaken him back to reality. “I’ll see if I can get you some supplies,” spoke Shining. “Dad…” Tidal started. “It’s kind of my fault too. You were right… I just didn’t want to be a burden…” Shining lowered his head, Tidal almost lunged at him before he enveloped him in a teary hug. “Bah! I just care about you! I don’t want you to die… I love you, you old fart!” He bumped a hoof on his shoulder. “Don’t you think we got more important stuff to do?!” came Silver’s voice again. She wanted to push them aside, to move, to do something! “Right!” Tidal stated, the two other stallions following him as he exited the room. As Silver forced her way out, she felt her hoof being jerked back by Edem. “Wait Chrysalis!” The sound of Silver Wing’s real name made her freeze. She turned around to respond but was stopped with a hoof on her mouth. “Yes, I know who you are. In fact, I know everpony’s true identities here. As does my husband. The only reason you are disguised as ponies here is because someone could hear or see you. Listen, I have something to tell you…” Edem looked left and right, ignoring Chrysalis who went from wide-eyed surprise to cocking her brow, grimacing in a dumbfounded expression. Her mouth opened, closed, then opened again, and closed once more. Somehow, this made total sense, but what didn’t was why none feared her, or her daughter. Why was this couple any different from the other ponies? What made them so special that the presence of Queen Chrysalis caused them no fear? She turned around, waiting patiently with her front hooves folded. “Chrysalis… your daughter, Sky. She… She just wants her family. You ne…” Edem saw Chrysalis instantly furrowing in her disguise, her teeth grunting beneath her mouth. “I won’t be lectured on parenthood by a measly pony, not even if that pony is my husband’s foster mother. “ Chrysalis moved in closer, her furrow growing deeper as her eyes narrowed. “Whatever you say to me, I don’t care. I have few years to live, so your words don’t scare me!” The old mare remained there, unmoving, unyielding to Chrysalis’s deathly gaze. Chrysalis, of course, wasn’t going to harm someone so important to her loved ones, but she didn’t have to like them either. Ponies once earned her hate, and they would earn it once again. It was only a matter of time. “I know you don’t have to do anything I say,” began Edem, “... but if you just listen I will be satisfied.” She put her hoof on Chrysalis’s heart. The disguised changeling next to her didn’t change her expression, but also didn’t push her hoof away. A good sign, she was listening at least. “Sky wants her parents, both her parents. She’s ready to give up her dreams, change her priorities, risk her life even to save your marriage. Now, would I be right if I said you love my boy? As much as he loves you?” Edem asked her in a calm and steady voice. “Wh… How...But of course! It takes more than just a simple fight to break our bond apart! What do you think of us? Changeling bonds are deeper than that!” Chrysalis huffed, her snout raised, proud of her husband. She didn’t take such statements like that lightly, her love for those that cared about her was unquestionable! Yet this mare DARED suggest otherwise! “Then show her,” stated Edem. “Show her your love. Tell her everything about it- well not everything, but you get my point. Make it so clear, that from then on she shall consider it absurd to even think there’s something rotten. I believe you can do it… Queen Chrysalis!” Edem pulled the mare’s hoof to her heart. I believe you can do it. “What I truly desire is for you to become a Queen who is loved by everyone, and makes everyone happy. I believe you can do it… Queen Chrysalis!” When Chrysalis was discouraged, she would always hear Ao’s words echoing in her mind. She shook her head, gulping as she was shaken back into reality. This mare, just like Ao, was a believer. She would encourage even the “enemy” to be a better person, simply out of honest love and care. The noise of hooves running down the hall made Chrysalis turn once more. It was Passion Blaze in his disguise. “Come on!” he said “You were the one to kickstart this! Don’t stop now! We’re leaving you if you don’t come now!” He immediately rushed downstairs. Chrysalis spared one last look to Edem, who nodded in understanding. “Go… be with your family,” she said, smiling. Chrysalis nodded back, a silent promise was made to do what’s necessary, what was right, even if that meant taking advice from someone that was likely her enemy… Because all mothers thought alike. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Princess Luna was flying, and she was not. Her wings were flapping, that much was true, but her own magic fueled her flight’s speed in her desire to reach the changeling princess in Los Pegasus. She knew the changeling princess was there, it was part of her duties to know the location of the dreamers. Magical disturbances often caused bad dreams, and it wasn’t rare for otherworldly creatures to cross the barriers of worlds through the dreamscape and enter Equestria. Each time she entered a dream she kept a note of the location of the dreamer, storing such notes in organized tomes ready to be researched later. She’d taken in a unicorn student by the name Selune Darkeye to help her document, and organize them. During her return, said unicorn had been the first volunteer to help her project to re-organize all documented Equestrian history. A project that was Luna’s attempt to establish herself with present affairs. Selune’s enthusiasm was something pleasing to Luna, who had a terrible load of work to deal with since her return. Luna knew ponies would be worried of her sudden absence, so she’d left a note to Celestia, Selune, and anyone else that would look for her. The note spoke of her departure, the assured continuation of the night-day cycle, and her return… though she didn’t mention when. No matter what she wouldn’t stop, she would keep searching for princess Sky. She’d made a promise to the changeling King after all, but she’d also made a promise to herself. Protecting the innocent was a princess’s duty, she knew that much. When she had become Nightmare Moon many had become victims to her jealousy. Her anger and jealousy had put the world’s balance at risk, and almost doomed her subjects. As Nightmare Moon she hadn’t considered the implications of an eternal night on nature, and how it would destroy her subjects. The same subjects whose joy, love, and compassion she wanted. She would not turn her back on the innocent again. A wise pony once said: “All it takes for evil to flourish is for good ponies to do nothing.” She could very well have left this to the changeling King and his Queen. But she didn’t know when they would discover their daughter’s disappearance. What if, in the meantime, Queen Chrysalis had lashed out at her subjects? She had heard from King Ao about her vindictive nature, the one that earned her the title “Dark Siren”. She had seen the records of old wrongdoings, and knew very well that Queen Chrysalis merely waited for one valid reason, one valid reason to grant her the moral high ground. A mother’s fury for her lost daughter would be all but unjustified. Luna had to get to Sky before the bandits, before the wildlife of San Palomino desert claimed the young changeling’s life. Lest her neglect cause Equestria to be shrouded in a new darkness, one of blood and war that few would survive. Sky was looking for the Pneuma flower, she knew that much. The Pneuma flower was given many names: the night’s bloom, starflower, and spirit flower. It was one of the few flowers to grace the night, to only grow during the full moon’s light in the spring. To her it was a reminder of her romantic nature, not simply in matters of love though. After the events of her first Nightmare Night, she’d realize that the romanticized nature of ponies was gone, the eras had changed and with this in mind she’d chosen to lose her old speech pattern. For the most part, that was. Regardless, nothing stopped the ponies from crafting stories around Luna’s romantic nature and the flower. They’d say a lot of things, like that it contained the essence of her spirit, a foalish theory of course. She loved the flower because it was rare, it couldn’t be used for alchemy, magic, or anything else. It wasn’t as popular as the roses, it couldn’t easily be bred by florists, and thus it was a flower that could not be abused, only appreciated. Just like she wanted her night to be appreciated. She felt her wing heating up a bit. She’d done well to fuel her flight with more magic, otherwise her muscles would be burning with pain, and if her flight got disabled she would never reach her destination in time. One of the advantages of being an alicorn was that she could use all types of magic simultaneously, such as using her unicorn magic to propel herself forward, as well as flapping her wings for extra speed. Of course, like everypony she had her own limits, and as an added effect her flight left a small stream of magic. No doubt the unsuspecting ponies below might see this as a bad omen, the smarter ones wondering where the night princess was going in such a hurry. She had no time to wonder about those things now, but she was glad that no paparazzi would follow her where she was going. Plus, if she succeeded the changeling King might be willing to help her back. She had to find Princess Sky first though. Like a hawk flying in the night, she scoured the area below for the changeling Princess. Now if the young mare had done her homework, and having received royal education herself Luna didn’t see this as illogical, she’d know that the flower grew only in Oasis. Though her knowledge of Equestria’s landscape was outdated she knew of the moon’s power over bodies of water, and thus with a bit of focus she could triangulate the locations she was looking for. According to her calculations there were three locations to look for, the closest one to the city being around 10 miles south-west of her position. With her speed she’d reach it in a few minutes, but she wasn’t sure… “AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!” Luna heard an ear splitting scream echo through the sky, her eyes shrinking in terror, striking her mind like thunder, freezing her in place. The sound of shifting sands came to her ears accompanied with more screams, and she turned her head towards the source to see a scaly worm with a red mane-like structure behind its head. The desert Tatzlwurm, following a flying figure which Luna assumed to be the changeling princess, since the figure was firing weak pink blasts against the creature. Tatzlwurms were known for disguising their heads as rare flowers to attract prey. No doubt Sky went to check it and got chased by it, thought Luna as she dashed to intercept the worm-like creature. Princess Sky was flying, her wings buzzing as fast as they could as she tried to avoid the black tentacles extending from the worm’s maw. As if that wasn’t enough that… thing had a tripartite jaw, each with a series of serrated blade-edged teeth dripping saliva, eager to make the little changeling a short but satisfying first meal after a whole winter of hibernation. Her flight was disrupted, her body jerked back as her right back hoof was caught by one of the worm’s tentacles. She struggled against its grasp, but all was in vain. Though she was fast, she was getting tired with the few hours of sleep she’d gotten, and she was not as strong as her mother in terms of magic. Fighting to survive, she let out an high-pitched scream of horror as she saw the creature’s teeth, its tripartite jaw opening to swallow her up. Or chew her, she certainly didn’t know which was worse. Cold sweat started dripping all over her, her body quivering in terror at her the thing that would end her life. There was a big light, what she considered to be her life soon to be flashing before her eyes. And then she heard it. FFFFFFFFSSSSSST - BOOM! She was released and fell with her face on the sand. FFFFFFFSSST - BOOM! She heard the sound again, as she spat sand flopping her tongue out disgusted at where it managed to reach her. As she regained her balance, she turned around to see sand being expelled outwards in gusts of wind as a winged creature landed next to her with a resounding thud. “BEGONE FOUL CREATURE! YOU SHALL NOT HARM THIS CHANGELING!” Luna’s voice bellowed at the worm, the creature shaking its head from the magic blasts . The worm roared, bearing its teeth towards the princess of the night, whose nostrils flared, unphased by the roar that rustled her mane. “Hmph! So be it then! HAVE AT THEE!” The Princess stretched her hooves, taking battle-ready position as the tatzlwurm burrowed in the sand, making a half circle, choosing to avoid the big blue alicorn. Changeling - good, alicorn - bad! Its face knew at least this much. But Luna merely shifted directions as she observed the ground that betrayed the worm’s movements. Once it emerged, lunging at his would-be meal it only received a blast to the face from Luna, resulting in the worm being knocked back. “Had enough?” Said Luna, pumping her chest, spreading her wings to appear more regal and threatening to the creature that only listened to its instincts. The worm burrowed once again, but this time there was quiet. Luna narrowed her eyes, had the worm been repelled? Her ears were perked in attention, her senses at the ready for another threat. “I-is it gone?” asked Sky behind her. She merely raised a hoof, not turning to see the young changeling mare who was shaking, her heart a warning drum beating in alert, heightening her senses at the danger. Just as Luna thought the creature was gone, she saw the ground beneath Sky’s hooves moving. “Watch out!” Lunging, she managed to shove the princess out of the way as the worm erupted vertically on the spot. Luna gritted her teeth and launched another blast, hitting the beast’s neck. Using her pegasus and unicorn magic she charged after it, using her earth pony magic to strike a high-powered hoof at the beast’s neck. “BACK TO THE EARTH WITH YOU MONSTER!” The worm’s neck bent too much for comfort, and it shrieked in pain, finally retreating to the embrace of mother earth. Changeling and alicorn stayed silent for a minute, both of them ready for another attack. An attack that never came. “It’s over… you’re safe now,” said Luna. Sky exhaled in relief, the strength of her hooves leaving her as she fell, taking deep breaths. “What were you thinking?” Luna scolded her. She didn’t raise her voice, she knew this would solve no trouble now. She had to understand, to make Sky see reason. “You could have died out there! If you’re here for a measly flower, it’s not worth it!” “My family is worth it!” Said Sky, lashing back at Luna, whose furrow of disappointment still remained. “I thank you for your help princess, but this isn’t just about me! It’s about my family, and I value everyone greatly. If I have a chance to fix their relationship I will do it. I won’t let my father die!” “Have you ever thought about what would happen if you died instead?” Luna cocked an eyebrow quizzically at Sky. “Ever thought about the diplomatic incident that your death would cause? ‘Today in Pony Times:Changeling Princess dies during her vacation at Los Pegasus. Queen Chrysalis proceeds to slaughter the city in revenge.’” Luna spread her hooves, demonstrating the place the title of the newspaper would take. “Well, you saved me didn’t you? So it’s no biggie,” said Sky, fixing her mane as if nothing had happened. “Wh-You could have DIED! Don’t you care at all?” Luna’s face grew red, the flabbergasted princess of the night trying to keep her cool with what she was hearing. “Listen princess. I’ve made my decision. You feel free to take me back, but I’m going to come back again. And again. And again, until I find this flower,” Sky turned her back to Luna, who let out an exasperated sigh between her teeth. Sky took the first step, only to be jerked back by her shoulder. “Don’t try to stop me,” said Sky. “I am not…” said Luna, her voice clear and slow, filled with a calmness that only a conclusion brought. Sky stopped trying to pull herself away from Luna, and waited for her to continue. “I am coming with you,” Luna said at last “Somepo-somebody has to watch over you. Besides we’ll find it faster if we look together. “Don’t thank me just yet…” came Luna’s response as Sky opened her mouth “You’ll still have to face your parents before this is over. They are no doubt hot on your trail. But that’s not something to be concerned with right now. The nearest oasis is just a few miles away, if we trot we’re gonna reach it in ten minutes. I’m not suggesting flying, we’re both tired right now, eh?” Sky nodded in response, and Luna spared a glance behind her, not wishing to be taken by surprise again. If she couldn’t stop Sky from doing this, then at least she could help her do it safely. Sky checked herself, making sure that the backpack she had taken with her had survived the fall. Fortunately, past a little sand, everything inside was alright, so she let a sigh of relief, wiping her forehead. It had been hard enough travelling in the night desert, being constantly battered by cold winds with sand occasionally blocking her sight. Fortunately, Luna countered this with a small magical bubble of her own. It was invisible but it had the shape of a sphere, the inhospitable winds drifting around them. “How does the flower even survive in these conditions? I heard it was very fragile!” Said Sky as they walked a steady pace towards a grove of palm trees. She could see a small lake in the distance, about eight miles give or take. She couldn’t judge the distance clearly, but she could definitely see something big and black hugging the lake on its other side. “The Half-Moon Oasis is protected by a crescent cliff, a sort of plateau ‘hugging’ it on the eastern side. That’s how it got its name. Though it’s a bit shortest than I remember. I guess a thousand years of erosion can do that to you,” Luna smiled a bit, before resuming her watch of the area. As they approached, Sky noticed the wind slowly subsided, allowing her to notice the details of the oasis more clearly. A blessing of blue, the water of the oasis was a haven to a variety of creatures. An ancient wall of legend, the crescent plateau behind it was the stone guardian of the Oasis, standing cross legged with spread stone hooves around it. Mother nature invited changeling, pony, and animal alike to enjoy the shade of her palm trees, and like a kind host she tentatively tried to keep the peace between her guests with her offerings. Whether it was wildcats, snakes, lizards, or even some faerie dragons. The last were few, but their curiosity was peaked as their feathery antennae picked up the presence of the two equine newcomers. The pseudo dragons crossed the crystal-clear waters of the oasis and flew over the grass surrounding the lake. Many ‘blinked’ with their inner magic, teleporting playfully from rock to rock, approaching the new guests of the lake, blinking and tilting their heads to the side curiously having seen few like those creatures gracing them with their presence. While most watched from the sidelines, one of them blinked straight in the equines’ faces and spread his wings, his turquoise scales shimmering in the full moon of the spring. The small fey’s moth-like wings shone brilliantly in the colors of bright red, shifting to pink and purple towards the edges. Its beady, black eyes observed the changeling princess as it flew a full circle around her, examining her familiar insect-like wings. The small dragon burrowed its head beneath Sky’s wings, making both her and her alicorn friend laugh as it used Sky’s wing as some sort of cape to cover his head. He - showing off was a characteristic of male Faerie dragons - tried to do the same with the alicorn, but the feathers made him sneeze. Both Sky and Luna laughed as the dragon decided that the former was a preferable choice, as he proceeded to burrow his muzzle upon Sky’s holey mane, tickling her in the process. “You sure are a funny guy. But I’m busy dear, so… later,” Princess Sky saw the dragon tilt his head to the side, curious at what the big bug in front of him was saying. Sky laughed at her own ridiculous attempts to speak to a creature that probably didn’t understand her. Luna observed the two, a curious smile building on her face as they exchanged, the dragonkin refusing to let go of the the changeling, constantly fighting to gain the attention of his new friend. “Ugh! Come on, shoo! Get out of the way,” Sky waved her hoof, trying to shoo away the creature standing before her. Ruffling her mane, using her head as a resting place, and poking at various holes was starting to become annoying. Sky’s patience was beginning to wear thin, but she didn’t want to use force and harm him. “Be gentle, Sky. These creatures can be quite dangerous if provoked. They can encase themselves in small shields and repel any kind of conventional magic or physical attacks. It tires them, but that’s why they travel in packs,” Luna did her best to warn the changeling princess, who took her advice to heart and stopped the forced movements. “Look pal…” said Sky, pressing a hoof on his mouth as he flapped his wings, hovering in place. “I’d looooove to stay and play with you, but I’ve got a quest. Unless you know what the Pneuma flower is and where to find it, I suggest you go look for someone with more time than me,” the dragon tilted his head sideways, curious at what the changeling had said. “Pneuma flower? You know? White flower, seven petals, radiance of a star, five yellow stamens, two green leaves?” She sighed and got her notebook out, opening it at the page that contained the picture of the flower. The dragon observed the image, often sniffing while trotting around Sky’s neck and on top of the book. Sky put a hoof on her face, laughing inwardly at her ridiculous attempts when the dragon jolted up, letting out a series of chirps and squeaks as it flew towards the base of the stone hill. Luna gasped as the realization hit her, but before she had time to speak the dragon blinked back and tugged each mare’s manes, making them wince in pain. “I think we should follow him,” said Luna, and Sky couldn’t have agreed more. If anything she didn’t want her mane pulled again. But Luna had realized something: as she and Sky followed the little dragon, Luna had remembered that faerie dragons were good friends, and allies of the breezies, often aiding each other in the gathering of nectar. Their skins were thick enough to resist bee and wasp stings that often bullied breezies out of their territories, and in exchange for their help a part of the nectar won was shared. The little dragon led them to the other side of their lake. In a small patch of ground between two small rocks stood the precious, sought-after flower, its buds still closed. As if waiting for their arrival, like a glimmer of hope, the rays of the moonlight reached the bud. Slowly and tentatively the newborn flower spread its buds. How much time were the three of them standing there, just looking at the flower? Seconds? Minutes? An hour? The shy flower finally spread its buds fully and turned its gaze upon the glorious, moonlit mother in the sky. A bell-like twinkling from the flower signalled the finale of the flower’s birth. They had found it. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Once Chrysalis, Ao, and Passion Blaze had gotten out of the city they’d taken to the skies. Their eyes were glowing, their manes flowing behind them as they burnt love to turn their flight into overdrive. As changelings they possessed a special kind of eyesight that allowed them to see emotions, and the magic tied to them, on the sky. So it wasn’t long before they’d found Sky’s trail leading towards to one of the oases. Just then, a magic flare was fired into the sky from the Half-Moon oasis. Chrysalis breathed out in relief, she was okay. Her daughter was okay. She knew she was, because Chrysalis had taught Sky how to perform a flare spell herself. She’d been careful to copy the spell from pony spellbooks, adjusting it to have only a few different fluctuations in its intensity. Thus to a normal pony this would look just like any other distress call, but to Chrysalis and the rest it would be a way to discern Sky’s call. As the trio flew they were spotted by a dark blue figure with an aethereal mane flying towards them. “Luna…” Chrysalis hissed as she flew towards the princess of the night, teeth gritting in anger. As the two mares landed in front of each other, the world around them lost meaning, its sounds far away. “Where is my daughter,” demanded Chrysalis, saying each and every word loud and clear as if what she said had no room for misinterpretations. Seeing her grim and determined expression, Luna knew not to provoke the changeling Queen with any jokes. There was a hidden cold in her speech, gale winter winds ready to be unleashed. A mother was a mother no matter what, and Chrysalis was, mentally at least, an unstoppable force. “Be at peace, Chrysalis. I’ve no quarrel with you. I saw your daughter’s nightmares and suspected she might do something reckless. I came just in time to to tackle a tatzlwurm that was assaulting her,” Luna’s explanation was simple, and to the point. “A likely story, is it not? Perhaps your aim is to simply avoid my rage? Such excuse is very convenient for you…” She approached Luna, her eyes becoming two burning slits of fury as they examined her, looking for the cracks of lies and deceit she was all so familiar with from all her years of living. Ao went to open his mouth, but Chrysalis paid him no heed “I know what you ponies are, and the price of dealing with you. My husband may have won something out of trusting you, but I know your ponies from times before you princesses even existed. Oh they weren’t so good back then I tell you…” Chrysalis let out a sinister low laugh, a sly grin adorning her face because of the secrets she knew. “All it’s going to take is ONE slip up. Just one, and I’ll cut you down from the root like the vermin you are!” As Chrysalis spoke her muzzle approached that of the night princess’s, who kept her cool expertly, refusing to allow Chrysalis’s words to get under her skin. “Are you done?” said Luna. “Because your daughter is waiting. Trusting me and the truth of my words is irrelevant. Your daughter is safe, and I have not harmed her. The rest you can confirm yourself, Queen of the changelings,” with that out of the way Luna trotted past Chrysalis, not another look spared towards the ungrateful Queen. Luna heard Chrysalis mimic her own actions, the changeling Queen was soon followed by her King, who mumbled something about her nerves, princess Sky, and keeping your cool. Whatever he was saying it didn’t matter enough to Luna for her to stop and turn around. “Wait…” Passion Blaze extended his left hoof in front of Luna. “Are you leaving so soon? Aren’t you interested in seeing what happens next?” “I have no interest in seeing another fight,” stated Luna “The changeling princess was wrong to assume that a measly flower could fix their problems. This flower will change nothing,” she started trotting ahead once again, seeking to get enough distance before taking to the skies. “You’re wrong, and right at the same time. This flower by itself can’t change things, but your night can,” Blaze’s words made Luna’s hoof freeze mid-air. “What do you mean?” She asked as she put her hoof down. “It is because of your night that we have this flower. But that’s not simply it,” Blaze paused for a moment to take a breath. “This flower is but a small thread that unravels a chain of memories,” he turned his head up to the night sky, observing the stars, the beautiful gems decorating the night with their discrete glow. A simple, yet elegant, jewel on a marvelous dress of black and purple, the sky was beyond simple words to describe, and the treasures it hid were more than just material. “To tell you this I have to start at the beginning:… sit down with me. We’re going to be talking for quite some time. I trust you being here means you’ve got some extra time to waste right?” Princess Luna was torn between listening to the changeling’s words and returning to her subjects. Did Passion Blaze really have something important to tell her? And how did it concern her night? How had her night affected the lives of these changelings? And how important was it to them? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ “Hold still…” said Chrysalis while rubbing Sky’s mane. “Mom, I’m fine!” Sky tried to escape her mother’s grasp but the changeling Queen refused to stop checking her daughter inch by inch, seeking any wounds that the villainous pony princess had lain on her. There was no poison, no trap, no tracing spell put on her, or any other kind of bug. Chrysalis had to admit that Luna didn’t harm her daughter. “Your mother’s just worried, Sky. You shouldn’t have gone here all on your own. I can still smell the tatzlwurm’s scent upon you. You’re going to have a good bath once we get back home, missy! And since you decided to go out in the desert you’ll be getting extra training on weapons and magic,” Ao looked deep into Sky’s eyes, who in turn looked the other way with a mix of guilt and regret. “Why did you do it?” asked Ao, even though he knew the answer. “You were fighting,” Sky said simply to her parents. She lowered her head as she looked at the Faerie Dragon that was now sleeping on her hooves. Sky smiled as the little dragon huddled closer to her body. He was so cute with his little yawn, his colorful wings and his playful nature. “That means nothing to our love for you. All couples fight from time to time. The most important thing is to learn from such fights,” Ao spared a glance to Chrysalis, who nodded in agreement. “But you almost died in one of those fights!” Sky protested “Doesn’t it bother you? It bothers me! I never did know the why, and how! I had to be told by a stranger!” Sky looked in Ao’s eyes, pleading for an answer with teary eyes. “If I didn't have a reason to betray your mother during the Canterlot events, I would be rightfully deserving of such punishment. Otherwise I would have left altogether. But I loved your mother enough to see this through,” Ao raised a gentle hoof through his daughter’s mane, a loving touch to calm the princess down. Sky caressed the little dragon in her hooves, she didn’t notice her parents looking at each other. They weren’t talking, just watching their daughter and each other, thinking about the lengths she went to to have a normal family. Protected in a small telekinetic field in front of her was her achievement, her prize: the Pneuma flower. So many memories rushed the King’s mind when he saw it. “It’s time me and your mother told you the reason why this flower, these nights, mean so much to me,” said Ao as he and Chrysalis shifted into more comfortable positions to begin their tale. “It was a night just like this one, around 20 years ago that your mother retrieved me from the ponies...” Ao started. Sky’s ears perked up as she shifted in a more comfortable position between her parents. “... I knew there was something special about her. I didn’t know whether it was her alluring eyes, the starry background complimenting her mane, or the fact that just like an omen she’d come under the sign of the fisherpony,” Ao took a deep breath. “I thought you were such an airhead. Your eyes were constantly shifting from the sky to my eyes, as if there was something familiar to be seen there,” Chrysalis rubbed Ao’s head as she spoke, the latter shrugging it off with a smile. “My first memory was looking upon a strange creature’s eyes with the stars blinking all around its face. When I saw you, for a moment I thought that you were that creature. Though I later learned that it was my changeling mother I knew that I’d noticed something special back then,” Ao spoke softly, his voice a soft caress of cool wind that brought a smile upon the changeling Queen’s face. They looked for a moment in one another’s eyes, and Sky held her breath for a bit expecting a kiss that didn’t come. “But you were too busy,” Ao shook his head, Chrysalis lowering hers in turn. “You were a Queen, and I was but a simple changeling. As time passed you won my respect simply by being a good queen. You were there in our hunger, there in our joy, there in our grief… and I could only watch,” “You didn’t just watch: you tried to attract my attention. To be worthy,” Chrysalis’s voice had a hint of hesitation in it, her mouth opening and closing before she spoke once again. “I didn’t look at you. I thought you were just another changeling, just another lying suitor,” Chrysalis’s face was partly covered by her mane, hidden behind it in her shame for that false judgment. “When spring came and the thunder dragon Baltazar attacked, you took the initiative. Though it was dark, and the former royal guard captain was dead, you and your brother took your battalion and chased after the dragon that had stolen my crown. Most would have just stood by me flattering me on how I wounded the beast, or sharing hollow words of care as the crown slipped away…” “I knew how much your kingdom meant to you,” Sky saw her father extend a hoof to her mother, his loving touch calling to Chrysalis. “Me and my brother knew that if you lost the symbol of your power, you wouldn’t be our queen anymore. It didn’t take a genius to know you were worthy, far worthier than all those power hungry mongrels!” Ao pressed a hoof on Chrysalis’s chest to emphasize who he meant, followed by a clenching hoof showing the certainty and strength of his statement. Chrysalis smiled, receiving Ao's appreciation. “I rewarded you, I thought that was what you wanted. I considered you and your brother warriors, loyalists that shared my will to protect the kingdom, but there was something in your eyes that your brother didn’t have. No, you had something more to ask, but you didn’t dare. Then the next spring you went ahead, and did something extraordinary,” a shy smile crept up Ao’s face as he heard Chrysalis speak. “Night after night you were missing that spring, and I was growing furious. I thought you were hurt dammit! It wasn’t like you to be late or missing!” Chrysalis bumped her hoof on his shoulder angrily, wishing to give him a taste of that same pain she felt that day. “You went ahead, and brought me that flower, saying only three words:’I love you’. Father and daughter you’re the same: reckless and stubborn, but I can’t help but love you so,” she brought both of them in her embrace, snuggling lovingly with her family. Chrysalis kissed husband and daughter on their foreheads, wishing to show them how precious they were to her. As Sky enjoyed the heartwarming hug, she noticed something during the conversation. Something about the times these events took place seemed a wee bit too convenient… ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ “Did all these things really happen at springtime nights?” Asked Luna. To her it seemed like way too much of a coincidence. Passion Blaze noded calmly. They were standing on the top of the hill, watching the three changelings below re-iterate the events. They couldn’t hear them well, but if Blaze knew his brother enough, and since they were from the same flesh and blood this was out of the question, he was no doubt telling the same tale of their lives to his daughter. “Yes, spring is the season of rebirth, the season in which wars resume, animals wake from their hibernation, and flowers just like the Pneuma flower bloom. Believe it or not, for us, for our family, springtime nights are the meaning of life,” Blaze laid back and looked up at the sky, right where memories upon memories laid floating in an endless blue sea of aether. “See those stars there? The fisherpony? Me and my brother were born under them. Every time I look up there I remember my foster mother’s face, one of the first things I remember from my life,” Luna followed his look, looking upon her handiwork. Blaze wasn’t flattering her, Luna knew at least that much. He didn’t use fancy words to say how awesome or beautiful her stars were. Nor had he ever said how magnificent or majestic the products of the night were, but that didn’t diminish their enjoyment of the night. “I remember the smoke that blotted the constellation of the Ursa Major when the changeling civil war resumed during spring. The star of the wanderer that helped us get back home, while also avoiding the icebergs of the eastern sea that had drifted our way,” Luna listened to the tales of the changeling, each piece of her sky bearing meaning, a memory, a part of this family’s life. “My niece was also born during spring, luckily for my brother and his queen. For most couples being born during spring is a blessing, the cold of Equestria is able to cause many complications in birth. I remember trotting back and forth, looking nervously at the Ursa Minor stars huddling together, thinking about the health of the newborn,” Blaze lifted his head and looked deep into Luna’s eyes. But Luna was without words. To this family her sky was not merely a nice drawing, and they didn’t just use her moonlight, or her stars for guidance. Instead, to these changelings the sky was a benchmark. A diary with a myriad of stories in its pages, each to be read around the comfort of the springtime nights. Luna realized that this flower meant more than just beauty, honesty, and love. Remembering and cherishing it meant cherishing the night, as if Luna herself had gifted the King, and given him the chance to fall in love with Queen Chrysalis. Her thoughts were interrupted by a burst of laughter, the trio of changelings playing with the faerie dragon that had woken up again, and had proceeded to mess with their manes. Luna understood: Ao, Passion Blaze, Sky, even Chrysalis… they were all enjoying the night and its offerings as something more than simply material things. They had added meaning to their lives, and that was through the springtime nights. “I understand,” stated Luna, a firm smile settling upon her face. “Go. Be with them. I will stay for a while,” she continued. “We’ll be staying here for the week. Feel free to drop by! Edem Rose, my foster mother, lives in the suburbs. She makes some killer cookies!” Passion Blaze giggled as he stood, shaking off the sand from his chitin. He bowed in respect and descended with a buzz of his wings towards the family. Curiously enough, Luna didn’t want to leave anymore. She laid on the side with one hoof keeping her head up and just watched the royal changeling family have a wonderful time. They weren’t loud, there was no gaudy celebration, or any other sort of flaunting behavior. Just four happy changelings, enjoying the night.