//------------------------------//
// Chapter 16 
// Story: Getting Even 
// by Mint 
//------------------------------//

(A/N: Look what I found!  I thought I lost all of my progress, got discouraged, and stopped writing this.  A class I am taking made me use Google+ and while exploring Google Docs, LOOK WHAT I FOUND!  It isn't much, but I hope you enjoy it.)

Luna stood on the Golden Plains, ready as she could ever be for battle.  She was standing on an elevated ground bank, placed there so the magic artillery could have a better shot at the incoming army.  Thousands upon thousands of ponies stood in front of her, held in tight formation, not saying a word.  In front of them was a barricade, one of many that littered the way between themselves and Numbria.  They had gotten the word earlier in the day, Nox’s army had reached the city was now marching into the Golden Plains.  There were many obstacles in their way to slow them down, walls, barricades, pitfalls and traps, but they continued to march.  The entire army stood still as a statue.  This was it, the final battle.  This was where they either killed Nox or he killed them.  Finally, Luna could hear the rumble of distant hooves.  She took a deep breath and tensed up, waiting for the hordes to descend past the barricade.  The lookouts that were on top of the wooden wall came running down, shouting that the dark army was coming.  No sooner had they charged and taken their place among the rest of the army then the barricade began to shake and shudder.  Countless ponies were beating and slamming into it, intent on making it fall.  Luna held her breath.  After a few moments, the wall came slamming down, almost all at once.  In an instant, the armies were face-to-face.  They were all both sides could muster.  The entirety of their power was before each other.

Luna scanned the dark army, almost surprised.  They were thin, malnourished and looked exhausted.  To be sure, Lucerna’s army was also tired, but not near to this degree.  They were a lot less intimidating this time.  For a few crucial seconds, the armies stood in silence.  Neither seemed ready to move.  Then, just like last time, a pony as black as night dropped from the sky.  He stood in front of the dark army and pointed with his hoof.

“Attack!” he declared. In an instant, the army screamed and charged.  Lucerna’s forces dug in and linked shields.  The waves of ponies slammed into the huge line.  Instead of being thrown back, they held firm and it was Nox’s army that was thrown back.  That was when everypony began clawing and tearing at one another.  Luna could feel the wind blow from behind.  She looked back to see countless pegasus ponies fly into the sky.  On the mostly clear day she got an eyeful.  The sky was filled from horizon to horizon with ponies.  They were colliding, ripping, tearing and punching.  Still, she waited patiently.  They had not been given the order to fire.  She turned back to the field, her eyes narrowing.  More and more waves of Nox’s fighters were pouring onto the line of Lucerna’s troops.  Still, the line was holding.  The amount of troops piling at the front was increasing.  Eventually countless of them were bunched up.  They were beginning to pile on top of each other.  It was a giant crunch of ponies.  Finally the order came.

“FIRE!” Instantly, those on the elevated battlements began firing their magic.  It was then that Luna understood.  That was the plan all along.  Hold a tight defensive line, allow the enemy to bunch up until they couldn’t move and then mow them down.  It began working like a charm.  The dark ponies fell like flies.  With them so close together every shot hit somepony.  The bodies began to weigh down on top of the soldiers actually trying to fight.  It was turning into a mess.  That was when Luna heard a loud sound from behind her.  She turned to see giant rocks of fire arching over the battlefield.  They landed in the huge groups of Nox soldiers.  Apparently, they had catapults.

“They think of everything.” Luna said, begrudgingly giving Aecor and Pit a compliment.  Luna turned back and resumed her fire.  It continued this way for quite some time.  Row after row of Nox’s army was being mowed town.  It was turning into something not a battle, it was quickly becoming a rout, if not a slaughter.  Lucerna’s losses were only a few and the bodies from Nox’s were piling up.

Finally, Nox’s army stopped.  Luna wasn’t sure if there was an order or they had just had enough.  The waves stopped and those in the front backed off, tripping over bodies in their wake.  For a few moments, neither army moved.  Luna could see it in their eyes.  Fear.  They realized they were in trouble.  That was when someone from Lucerna’s side shouted.

“CHARGE!” The army obeyed.  They instantly ran forward, wielding spears, swords and axes.  Nox’s army didn’t form up or make a defensive line, they only cringed.  They weren’t used to being on the defensive.  Lucerna’s army instantly began making headwind.  They were slicing their way through soldier after soldier, with Nox’s army at a loss as to what to do.  Luna heaved a sigh and lifted her head.  Could it really be this easy?  Had Nox’s army just run out of juice?

That was when the sky darkened.  Nox’s army cheered.  The sun looked as if it had been covered by some kind of eclipse.  There was some light, but it made it looks as if they were all fighting in the night.  Luna knew what that meant.  After a few breathless moments in the dark there were series of massive explosions.  They were in front of Luna and were rapidly approaching.  By the time she could even register that she should run the explosions reached the earth embankment.  She was thrown into the air, deafened and numbed from the blast.  She was aware that she hit the ground and skidded to a stop.  She groaned, suddenly finding that she was in pain.  After a few moments of pain she attempted to sit up.

She was rudely stomped back onto the ground, a hoof on her face.  She groaned again, now her entire face hurting.  She heard something chuckling over her head.  It was a deep and dark cackle, as if predator was happy that it caught its prey.  Luna growled, getting annoyed that something was causing her more pain.  In a moment of desperation she tore her face from under the hoof and bit onto skin with her teeth.  There was a shriek and she was released.  Luna stumbled away as quickly as she could.  After a few moments of rattling her head around she stood up to face the pony.

“Oh...that...that figures.” She muttered in a quivering voice.  She was being stared down to by a twelve-foot giant pony.  He snarled while shaking his hoof where she bit him.  She could see his razor-sharp teeth and glowing red eyes.  Her knees wobbled when she realized that she was alone with him.  Nox’s massive horn lit up.  He sent a blast of magic at her.  Luna managed to jump out of the way, but the resulting explosion sent her flying.  She tumbled again, this time jumping to her feet right away.  The moment she was up she found that Nox was in her face.  ‘He’s...fast!’ The massive alicorn backhanded her with his hoof.  It felt like she had been hit with a massive hammer.  She sprawled as she flew through the air once again.  This time she hit the ground in a heap, looking more like a ragdoll than a pony.  Nox grinned and began trotting over to her.  He stood over her, raising his hoof.  It was directly over her disoriented face.  With one single pound he could crush her like a melon.  Just as he was about to bring it down he was interrupted.  A magic blast struck the side of his body.  He jerked his head around, snarling yet again.  There was another male alicorn, glaring at him.

“That’s enough Nox!” Lucerna shouted.  Nox cackled, as if immensely pleased with himself.  He began marching over to his new target.  Lucerna was well past being a full-grown alicorn, but was still completely dwarfed by the giant being of darkness before him.  When they were only a few paces away, Nox smiled, showing his razor-sharp teeth.  “I am done being intimidated by you.  Either fight me or surrender.” The massive pony then frowned.  He didn’t like the fact that Lucerna didn’t cower and quake.  Nox’s horn lit up.  In an instant, Lucerna was gone.  He teleported much easier than Luna could.  Where his had previously been standing was blown apart.  Nox, seemingly able to follow the teleport turned his head.  Lucerna was now a distance away.  He shot bolts of electricity at the dark pony.  Nox casually threw up a shield and blocked them with ease.  He grinned and then lit up his horn again.  The ground cracked beneath Lucerna’s feet and a spout of lava came bursting out.  The regent blasted up into the sky.  The moment he did Nox fired his own bolt of electricity.  Lucerna teleported again.  Nox teleported as well.  The moment the regent materialized he found that Nox was in front of him.  Nox punched his hoof at him, barely giving the other alicorn time to raise his own front arms in defense.  Lucerna dug his hooves into the ground, but he still shot backwards.  His hooves cut grooves into the ground as he slid backwards.  The moment he stopped he gazed up to see that Nox’s horn was glowing again.

“Unácumendlic mihtig!” Lucerna shouted.  A bolt of power shot at him.  Lucerna teleported, quickly followed by Nox.  This time, the regent expected it.  The moment he materialized, he fired his own blast.  Now it was Nox’s turn to teleport away.  Both of them rapidly transported around the devastated area, materializing only long enough to fire a magic blast and then teleport again.  It was a mess of light, explosions and the sound of magic.  Luna was finally beginning to raise her head.  She grit her teeth as she watched the fury play out in front of her.

“What the hell?  Is he...invincible?” Luna didn’t know what to think.  How could he be that powerful?  What was he?  Could they even beat him?  Finally, Nox launched a blast that was too close.  Lucerna had no choice but to respond with his own.  Their powers met in a loud crack of magic power.  Now they were in a pushing match, unable to escape.  Nox chuckled to himself.  His power began pushing Lucerna’s back.  The regent squinted and pushed with as much magic as he could.  Despite all of that, it only slowed the beam of magic coming from the massive pony.

Just as it looked like Lucerna’s number was up, two ponies emerged from the darkness.  It was Pit and Aecor.  They happened upon the scene and stopped.  Lucerna’s was about to be overwhelmed and likely slaughtered.  It was up to them.  Even with three alicorns, it wasn’t a sure deal that they could defeat Nox.  They glanced at each other, their three icy-blue eyes matching.

“In for a penny.” Pit finally said.  He then began running towards Lucerna.  Aecor only growled.  He couldn’t believe he was in this situation, siding with ponies that would mingle and coddle with weaklings.  However, after only a few moments more, he chased after his uncle.  They both arrived at Lucerna’s side.  The regent glanced at them and looked immensely relieved.  Both of the new arrivals add their own streams of magic to the fray.  Instantly, Nox’s power halted.  The massive pony grimaced as he began pushing harder.  Still the balance did not budge.  Much to his chagrin, the massive pony began losing ground.  The combined efforts of Lucerna, Pit and Aecor were beginning to push him back.  Slowly but surely, their power was creeping up on the giant pony.  After what seemed like an eternity it was upon Nox.  He began to growl and snarled with all of his teeth.  He was really straining now, with their power inches from his horn.  Finally, Nox roared and unleashed a powerful shockwave of power.  In an instant, all of the gains were lost.  All three of the opposing ponies went flying.  They soared and hit the ground hard, knocked completely senseless.  Nox growled and began marching over to where they laid, groaning and senseless.  The monster pony went right to Lucerna.  He briefly gazed over the regent’s body before raising his hoof.  He hovered it over his head for a moment.  He then raised his hoof high over his head, ready to bring it barrelling down.

Just at that moment, a magic blast hit him in the posterior.  Nox roared yet again, both in pain and in frustration.  He turned his head, like a hawk scanning for prey.  All that greeted his sight was Luna, finally on her shaking hooves.

“Oh that was...so smart…” Luna muttered to herself.  She wanted to run away, but her legs wouldn’t obey.  Nox seemed to know this as he laughed.  He casually trotted over as Luna tried to back up, but only stumbled.  He was right in front of her in moments.  Luna’s teeth chattered as realized just how tall he really was.  His horn lit up signalling he was about to launch a blast of magic.  Luna had no choice.  She responded with her own.  Their blasts met each other and Luna instantly realized just how powerful he was.  She could feel his stream of magic down to her hooves.  It felt like any moment that even the ground would give way.  Luna pushed as much of her magic as she could out of her horn.  Still, it did not good.  Nox’s power was quickly overpowering her. She cracked her eyes open, staring up at him.  He was smiling gleefully, enjoying the sight.

“Die...my little pony.” He said, his incredibly low voice rumbling inside of her ears.  “Die.” Luna’s eyes shot open.  She didn’t know why, but that word sent a spark of anger through her.  Die?  Die!?  DIE!?!?!  What had she ever done!?  What did any of them ever do!?  What was his problem!?  Why did he think he was so special!?  Did he think he had the right to decide who lives and who dies!?  Who is better than everypony else!?  Did her parents deserve to die!?  Did Skye!?  Did their village!?  Did Mitera!?  This bastard destroyed everything she had ever loved!!!  He sure as well wasn’t going to kill her!

“You know what!?!?!?” Luna shouted, abruptly standing tall.  Nox abruptly appeared surprised.  “I’m sick of this war!  I’m sick of everyone dying!  I’m sick of living in fear!  I’m sick of everypony suffering!!!” Abruptly Luna’s eyes became slit and changed color.  Nox appeared taken aback.  “AND I’M SICK OF YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” An abrupt wave of power shot out of Luna.  Magic gushed out of her like a waterfall.  Nox didn’t have time to respond.  The wave of magic shot right through his.  In in a blinding moment, Luna’s magic struck his horn.  Nox screeched and stumbled backwards, gripping his horn.  He rattled his head gripping his forehead.  He growled and hissed in pain, his entire body twitching.  Luna meanwhile swayed and collapsed.  She couldn’t feel her legs and a numbness began settling over her body.  She was beginning to feel cold.

‘Uh oh...I think...I used too much…’ Luna thought.  Her vision was beginning to narrow.  Nox finally lowered his hooves, growling and snarling.  His horn was smoking.  He took a step towards the disabled Luna.

“Oh Noxy!” Said a delighted voice.  The enraged pony turned his head, opening his mouth and hissing.  Aecor was grinning from ear-to-ear.  Nox appeared to strain, as if trying to use magic.  His face abruptly fell as if in horror.  “Magic 101.  What happens with another pony’s magic hits your horn?” Nox’s eyes became wide.  “Your horn loses it’s ability to produce its own for at least a few hours.  Don’t tell me the high-and-mighty Nox forgot such a basic rule?” Aecor began advancing towards him.  The gargantuan pony took a step back.  He was beginning to seat.  “Oh...please tell me this happening!” Aecor began laughing, appearing completely delighted.  His uncle and Lucerna were beginning to stand behind him.  “Please tell me the all-powerful dark god Nox is trying to run away!  It would literally make my year!” Nox took another step backwards.  Aecor and Lucerna began marching forward.  

The giant pony whirled around and attempted to run. Aecor instantly laughed and launched lightning from his horn.  It struck Nox, causing him to yelp and scream like a wounded animal.  He began convulsing uncontrollably.  Lucerna and Pit quickly caught up to Aecor and unleashed their own electric blasts.  Nox shrieked a few octaves higher and flopped onto the ground.  Luna struggled with consciousness as Nox flailed on the ground like a fish out of water.  He wailed for what seemed like forever.  Finally, the noise stopped.  His black coat caught fire and his whole body twitched, now solely out because of the electric charge.

“Do not stop!” Lucerna cried.  “Destroy all of him!  Do not leave a single hair of his in this world!” All three of them obeyed.  The shocks continued.  The flesh began to peel away off of Nox’s body and his insides began to burn.  The inside flesh wasted away.  The whole area smelled like burnt bodies, but no pony stopped.  His insides charred to ashes, leaving only his bones.  Those remains danced around for a moments, crackling under the heat and force of the electricity.  Finally, they exploded into intense blue flames.  They cracked and degraded beginning to break into shards.  Those shards broke into dust and the dust burned away into nothing.  Even when there appeared to be nothing left, the three still shot electricity.  Finally, a huge plume of smoke blasted out of where the remains where left.  It swirled into the dark sky, like a tornado.  The twisted face of Nox formed out of the clouds, howling and shrieking.  Lucerna gazed up at the tornado of smoke, a look of anger and hate on her face.

“Die!  Die!  Go into oblivion!  You have lost!” He shouted.  Nox gave out one last cry of pure rage and hatred.  Then with a loud explosion the smoke dissipated.  In an instant, the sky lightened.  It was suddenly a bright, rosy sunset, with streaks of red across the sky.  Panting with complete exhaustion, Lucerna raised his head to the sky.  Tears were running down his face.

“It’s...it’s over…” He said in a weak voice.  “It’s...finally...finally over.” He let out a weak, shaking sigh.  Luna’s vision failed her.  The numbness and cold finally consumed her body.  She could feel her lungs struggle to inflate.  Her consciousness was fading.  Her ears were starting to hear everything hollow.

“Luna!  Luna!!!” She recognized that voice.  It was Celestia.  “Wake up!  Please wake up!  She’s cold!  What’s happening!?” Luna couldn’t make out who anypony else was.  It was too muffled.

“She used too much magic.  She no longer has any to keep her alive.”

“I don’t have any left!  This can’t happen!  You have to save her!  You have to!”

“I...have no more to spare.”

“Neither do I.  I used it all against Nox.”

“No!  No, no, no, no!  The war is over!  She can’t die!  She can’t…” Luna’s hearing failed.  She could feel herself slipping away.

Luna suddenly found herself walking through a long tunnel.  There was a light on the other end.  She was compelled to walk towards it.  After what seemed like an eternity she emerged into a place made of pure, white light.  It took a moment for her eyes to adjust.  The moment she did, she broke out into the biggest smile of her life.  Standing in front of her were all the people she had ever loved, her parents, the villagers, Skye, Mitera and even the supply commissioner.  They were all waving and smiling, just as eager to see her.  Luna leapt in joy and danced around happily.  She began bounding to her friends and family.  Then, without warning, she hit a barrier.  It was invisible and unbreakable.  Luna shrieked in anger and sorrow.  She slammed against the barrier again and again.  Why!?  Why couldn’t she be with the people she loved!?  She cried in anguish and fury.  She stared at the people she loved with tears in her eyes.  She could feel herself being pulled back into the tunnel.  She was fighting it, but she knew it would overtake her.  Aestiva, Luna’s mother, put her hoof over her mouth.

“Don’t cry little Luna.” She said.  “Someday, we will all be together, but it is not this day.  The world still needs you Luna.  It needs you more than anypony.  You are more important than you will ever know.” Luna sobbed as she was pulled back towards the tunnel.  Everypony waved and smiled, wishing her luck.  “And tell Celestia…”

Luna felt herself in something so tight that it was difficult to breathe.  Something was dripping on her face.  She was in great discomfort, as she struggled to get air in her lungs.  She opened her eyes.  At first, everything was black.  Then she sensed light, then shapes and then those shapes came into focus.

“Celestia…” Luna moaned.  The white alicorn gasped and gazed down, tears still streaming down her face.

“Luna?  Luna!?” Her sister shouted, sounding shocked.

“You’re crushing me…” Luna croaked.

“You’re...you’re...alive…” Celestia began crying again.

“Mom...mom…” Luna tried to say.  Her sister was still squeezing her way to tight.

“Mom?” She asked, puzzled.

“Mom says...don’t give it away so easily.  Make...them work for it...a little.” Celestia gasped and then began sobbing again.

“You’re alive!” The white alicorn dove her head towards her sister’s face.

“Ack...Celestia...don’t...stop...don’t...don’t kiss me!  Ack!  ACK!  STOP!  GROOOSSSSS!!!!” Luna finally got some air in her lungs.  She desperately pushed away from her sister, getting her mouth away from her face.  “Stop it!  I know where that mouth has been!  Keep it away from my face!” The moment that she stood on her own hooves again, she suddenly found herself squeezed in another pair of strong arms.

“We geliefan unc had gefaran!  Ic béo fægen!”

“Gaaah!  Lucerna...must...breathe…!!” The massive alicorn released Luna, finally allowed her to breathe.  Luna took a few deep breaths before looking up at her great uncle, who seemed to be crying as much as Celestia.  “Is...is it all over?”

“Yes.” The regent said, wiping his eyes.  “Yes.  It is all over.” Luna heaved a sigh and groaned at the same time.

“Thank the gods…” She whined.  She then threw an accusing stare at Lucerna.  “Don’t you ever let this happen again!”

“I will not.  I promise.” He said, sounding honest.  Abruptly, something dropped from the sky and slammed next to Lucerna.  Luna jumped and put up her hooves, ready to fight.  She snarled once she saw it was Pit.

“My lord, now that Luna is safe you must resume commanding the army.” He said in a matter-of-fact way.  “We have to mop up the rest of Nox’s army.  Let’s make sure this is really the end.”

“Of course, of course.” Lucerna said.  “Luna, you be sure to get some rest.  We do not need another scare.”

“Okay, I promise.” Lucerna took off into the sky, resuming his duties.  Pit stayed behind.  He cocked his eyebrow at Luna, looking incredulous.  “What?” Luna was sounding incredibly annoyed.

“Make it count, little one.” He said, as if accusing her of something.  He then spread his wings and took off.  Luna growled after him.  She then turned to her sister, who looked a little nervous.

“What is he on about?” Luna asked.

“Oh...uh...I had to give you the last of my magic to keep you alive.” Celestia said, smiling weakly.  “I almost killed myself in the process.” She then laughed weakly.

“I thought...you said you were out of magic.” Luna replied, raising her eyebrow.

“What?  No I didn’t.” Celestia replied, waving her hoof in the air.

“But I heard...oh forget it.” Luna sat down and heaved another sigh.  “This is the longest day I ever had.  I cannot imagine one ever being longer.”

~*~

It was now some months later.  The location was Numbria, the capital of the country.  All of it was in a state of being rebuilt.  The palace was still damaged, with one of the towers of it still collapsed.  All the people of the city had flooded the square, all of them were gazing up the steps of the ruined castle.  There were red carpets down the steps, signalling that it was a grand occasion.  The throne had alicorns lining both sides of it.  Luna, Celestia, Gramen, Aecor, Pit and a few others that were related to Lucerna were there.  Finally, the doors to the castle opened.  Trumpets sounded and the crowd erupted.  Lucerna emerged from the doors, draped in royal robes.  He marched to throne, in a very dignified manner.  He sat upon the throne, pride on his face.  An old pony marched across the alicorns, followed by a young filly, carrying a pillow with a crown on it.  The old pony stopped in front of Lucerna, who lowered his head.  The old pony lifted the crown from the pillow and placed it on the alicorns head.  The elderly pony stepped away, allowing Lucerna to raise his head in pride on his throne.  Gramen stepped forward.  For this day, at least, he appeared happy and excited.

“All hail Lucerna, King of Numbria!” He shouted.

“HAIL!  HAIL!  HAIL!” The crowd shouted, loud and long.  The war was finally and truly over.  With his country now at peace, Lucerna accepted his rightful throne.

Not long after that, two alicorns were marching on the road away from the city.  One was white as a pearl, the other as purple as the night sky.  They had packs on their backs and were eager to march away.  They had determined looks on their faces.  The war was finally over, and they had set off to find their way.  As they entered the forest, leaving the city in the distance, they were finally caught.

“Stop!” Both of them froze and cringed.  They knew that commanding voice.  They turned around as Lucerna dropped out of the sky.  He was still in his royal red robes and crown from earlier that day.  When he landed he had a suspicious look.  “I knew I should not have told you about your mother’s old kingdom.  I cannot allow you to march off to certain death.”

“We’re not marching to our deaths.” Luna said, sounding incredulous.  “I don’t know if you noticed uncle, but we have both been in battle and I might be a teeny-little bit responsible for the defeat of your greatest enemy.”

“We finally have had our victory.” Lucerna said, sounding exacerbated.  “Can’t you stay, at least for a little while longer?”

“Lucerna...uncle,” Celestia began.  “We have to find our own way, just like our parents did.  You have been more than generous to us.  You took us in even though you didn’t even know us, and we are eternally grateful, but this isn’t our kingdom or country.  We don’t have one, but we know where we might find one.  The people in Equestre are suffering.  That land is our parent’s legacy, and we cannot allow it to be destroyed.” Lucerna then sighed, lowering his head.

“You both are so much like your mother.” He said.  “Still, there is somepony who deserves an explanation as well.”

“Huh?  Who?” Luna asked.  Lucerna smiled and turned around.  Another pony landed a distance behind him and quickly marched up.  Luna tensed up once she saw who it was.  It was Gramen, who looked extremely agitated.

“Celestia.” Lucerna said, as he walked past Luna.  “Come with me.  I will tell you the safest and easiest way to get to Equestre.” Celestia obeyed and they stepped out of hearing range.  Gramen walked up to Luna, who instantly looked away and appeared uncomfortable.

“So...you’re leaving?” Gramen asked.

“Yes...I have to.” Luna said, looking up at him.  He appeared slightly hurt.

“You don’t...have to.” He said, looking at the ground.

“Where would I go?”

“Well...there’s a certain lord around here who just inherited a lot of territory.  He’s also not that interested in managing all of it.  He would...need somepony to help him, somepony to be with him...somepony to give him foals so he could divide that land up as quickly as possible.” Luna then abruptly laughed.  Gramen quickly jerked his head back to her, but there wasn’t an ounce of malice in Luna’s eyes.

“Gramen, I’m not that kind of mare.” Luna said.  “I wouldn’t even know how to begin to do that.  I have spent my whole life running around, aimlessly looking for a home and then having anything close to that simply being ripped away.  Right now, I don’t even know what kind of pony I am.” Not it was Luna’s turn to look at the ground.  “I once had all those things, a home, somepony I loved, somewhere I belonged...but it was all burned.  Ever since then I been running and running.  I was so sure who I was, but now I don’t know.  I don’t know who I am or what I am.  I’m so lost and...I’m looking for somewhere I belong.  I’m...not the pony you want me to be.  I...I can’t give you what you want.” Gramen sighed, sounding defeated.  Luna turned her gaze back up at him.  “You deserve somepony better than me.”

“I sincerely doubt that.” He replied quickly.  “You deserve somepony better than me.  I was...hoping you would settle.” Luna only laughed.

“You’re very sweet Gramen.  I care about you very deeply, but I have to find my own way.”

“Yeah...I figured it was something like that.” He gazed off into the woods, now appearing annoyed.  Luna smiled.  She then trotted forward, grabbed his face and turned it towards her.  She pressed her lips against his, shocked him.  After a few moments, Gramen closed his eyes and returned her kiss.  For what seemed like an eternity, they were joined together.  Finally, Luna pulled away.  She was grinning very wide now.

“You’re a wonderful pony Gramen.” Luna said.  “When we see each other again, I will have found my home.  Then we can talk seriously.” There were a few seconds of empty blinking, and then Gramen sighed and smiled.

“Alright Luna, I’m going to hold you to that.” Gramen said.  Luna smiled and finally spun around.  She then marched away.  She walked past a gawking Celestia, whose wide eyes had watched the whole exchange.  She flashed a surprised smile at Lucerna and then followed her sister.  The king walked back to Gramen, who still looked defeated.  Lucerna put one of his hooves on the young stallion’s shoulder.

“The night is a beautiful, but also untamable and wild.  Only when the land is inhabited and becomes home does the night become calm.”

“And...that would be a metaphor?” Gramen asked, sounding annoyed.

“It can be whatever you want it to be.” Lucerna said, resuming his march back to the city.  “All I know is, they are just like their parents.  You cannot chase them, you can only wait for them to come to you.”

“Aestiva and Hiemo never came back!” Gramen shouted after his king.

“I know.” Lucerna replied.  The green pony growled, slouched and then spread his wings.  Plants were so much easier.

Luna and Celestia marched along the road in silence.  Celestia was grinning mischievously, Luna was frowning, now liking her sister’s expression.  

“So...you and Gramen?” Celestia asked.

“Shut-up.” Luna replied curtly.  Celestia giggled.  As they turned a bend in the forest they both froze.  Casually leaning against a tree, with one hoof over another was Aecor.  He seemed blissfully unaware of the approaching sisters.  Celestia instantly looked panicked.  She turned to her sister, looking terrified.

“Celestia.” Luna said, flatly.  “Go on ahead.”

“Luna, please.” Celestia said.  “I can’t do this on my own.”

“I know.” Luna replied, giving her sister a serious look.  “I’m just going to talk, I promise.” Celestia looked disbelieving, but saw that her sister wasn’t going to back down.  Celestia took an uncomfortable breath and walked on.  She walked past Aecor, giving him a pleading stare and disappeared into the trees.  Luna marched forward, not looking at him.  When they were beside each other, Aecor finally spoke.

“Running away again?” He asked flatly.  “Then again, that was what you are best at.” Luna stopped.  Her expression remained flat.

“I’m not running away.” Luna said.  “I’m running towards something now.”

“Use whatever semantics you want, running is running.” Aecor replied, grinning.  Luna finally looked at him, her eyes looking murderous.  Aecor didn’t flinch.

“We alicorns live forever Aecor.  One day, even if it takes an eternity, I will make you pay for what you have done.” Aecor laughed, looking up at the sky before looking back down at Luna.

“I have forever as well little Luna.” He said, sounding amused.  “Someday, I will tear down everything you have ever built, everything you have ever loved and everything you have ever known, worse than Nox ever could.  Then you will beg at my feet, knowing that I was right all along.” Both of them stared each other down.  Luna wanted nothing more than to leap on him and tear his throat open, but she had made a promise.

“Someday...I will kill you.  Then all of this will truly be over.” Luna’s eyes briefly became slit.  Aecor still didn’t budge, unbothered by her apparent change.  Rather, he smiled, seemingly pleased.

“Oh Luna, you have no idea.  This will never be over.”

“Whatever you say...corney.” Aecor’s eyes twitched, showing his displeasure.  Luna then resumed her march, keeping her eyes on the road.  Soon, she left Aecor behind.  When she finally caught up to Celestia, the white alicorn relaxed, relieved that nothing had happened.  They walked side-by-side once again.

“Thank the heavens, now we can put all this behind us.” Celestia said.

“It’ll never be behind us.” Luna said.  “But maybe one day, it will all be over.” Celestia didn’t get what her sister was saying, but decided to drop it.

“Lucerna told me about what we’re going to face.” She explained.

“Oh?  He did mention that it was creature of terrible power.”

“He says it’s a draconequus.  It’s a creature made of many different arms.”

“Sounds messy.  Just how powerful is it?”

“Uncle didn’t know.  He did say that they are often called gods of chaos.”

“That sounds pleasant.  Well, somepony has to save Equestre, and it looks like it is going to be us.”

“Equestre.  You know, I don’t like that name.”

“You don’t?”

“No.  It sounds sounds like “sequester.”  Such an unpleasant word.  I would prefer it be softer sounding.”

“Like what?”

“How about...Equestria?”